Journey in Progress
Discovering music one album at a time
475
Albums Rated
3.19
Avg Rating
43
5-Star Albums
44%
Complete
614 albums remaining
Rating Speed
4.3
Per Week
777
Days Active
Reviews
464
Written
98%
Review Rate
vs Global
-0.09
Avg Diff
3.19
Avg Rating
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Which era do you prefer?
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When do you listen?
Taste Profile
1960s
Favorite Decade
Hard-rock
Favorite Genre
UK
Top Origin
Balanced
Rater Style
14
1-Star Albums
Taste Analysis
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Ratings by genre
Origin Preferences
Ratings by country
Rating Style
You Love More Than Most
Albums you rated higher than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live / Dead | 5 | 2.82 | +2.18 |
| Achtung Baby | 5 | 3.3 | +1.7 |
| Live At Leeds | 5 | 3.33 | +1.67 |
| At Fillmore East | 5 | 3.39 | +1.61 |
| Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs | 5 | 3.39 | +1.61 |
| A Rush Of Blood To The Head | 5 | 3.44 | +1.56 |
| James Brown Live At The Apollo | 5 | 3.46 | +1.54 |
| Crosby, Stills & Nash | 5 | 3.49 | +1.51 |
| Blonde On Blonde | 5 | 3.5 | +1.5 |
| Surrealistic Pillow | 5 | 3.53 | +1.47 |
You Love Less Than Most
Albums you rated lower than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illmatic | 1 | 3.61 | -2.61 |
| Straight Outta Compton | 1 | 3.51 | -2.51 |
| The Chronic | 1 | 3.33 | -2.33 |
| Homework | 1 | 3.29 | -2.29 |
| Cypress Hill | 1 | 3.15 | -2.15 |
| Tical | 1 | 2.94 | -1.94 |
| Planet Rock: The Album | 1 | 2.79 | -1.79 |
| Honky Tonk Masquerade | 1 | 2.68 | -1.68 |
| A Grand Don't Come For Free | 1 | 2.67 | -1.67 |
| Cee-Lo Green... Is The Soul Machine | 1 | 2.66 | -1.66 |
Artist Analysis
Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums and high weighted score
| Artist | Albums | Avg | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bob Dylan | 5 | 4.4 | 3.88 |
| Led Zeppelin | 4 | 4.5 | 3.86 |
| The Who | 3 | 4.67 | 3.83 |
| Simon & Garfunkel | 3 | 4.67 | 3.83 |
| Pink Floyd | 2 | 5 | 3.8 |
| Green Day | 2 | 5 | 3.8 |
| The Rolling Stones | 4 | 4.25 | 3.71 |
| Nirvana | 3 | 4.33 | 3.67 |
| Miles Davis | 3 | 4.33 | 3.67 |
| Neil Young | 3 | 4.33 | 3.67 |
5-Star Albums (43)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
U2
3/5
This album has Sunday Bloody Sunday and New Year's Day which are excellent songs. The other songs on the album are fine, but mostly forgettable. As a result, I'd listen to those songs separately from the album for the most part.
2 likes
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
The story of this album is pretty crazy - it was recorded as demos with the intention of recording again with the full band, but he released it as it was. The lyrical content here is pretty grim but undeniably Bruce Springsteen. The best track here is Atlantic City. Overall it's interesting and I would listen again, despite probably preferring some of his other material.
1 likes
The Triffids
2/5
I was not previously familiar with the artist or the album. This sounds like kind of generic, bland 80s pop. While there isn't necessarily anything particularly objectionable, I don't care for it and would not listen again.
1 likes
Mariah Carey
1/5
Could not get through it. Her voice is like nails on a chalkboard for me. I do appreciate that she diversified her sound (expanding from pop to include hip hop) but I don't really like it any better.
1 likes
Sigur Rós
4/5
I remember first discovering this and being amazed at how different it sounded compared to anything else I knew at the time. I was huge into Sigur Rós for awhile and even saw them in concert. Now hearing this again many years later, I still enjoy this, but the feeling for me is more nostalgia than anything else. There are a couple strong tracks on this album, but most of this kind of moves from one to the next without much consequence. I listen to this with fond memories but I also wonder if this could have been the beginning of something much bigger that never really materialized.
1 likes
1-Star Albums (14)
All Ratings
Janelle Monáe
3/5
Unique sound, spans multiple genres, don't like a couple songs. But overall ok.
4/5
Already familiar, very enjoyable. Multiple hits and non-hits are also good.
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
Already one of my favorites. Pretty much every song is great.
Elvis Presley
4/5
Solid album and includes two of his biggest songs.
Stevie Wonder
3/5
I mean it's fine, not bad, but a lot sounds the same. Maybe better appreciated with more listens, but not something that excites me to listen to more.
Rush
4/5
Very good album. Already listened a few times. Very good hits, and non-hits are great. Good cohesive atmosphere across entire album.
Everything But The Girl
2/5
Not my cup of tea at all. Could not wait for it to be over. Very basic instrumentation and country singing, reminds me of Mary Chapin Carpenter.
The Velvet Underground
4/5
Already familiar. Great stuff, spans multiple genres. Highly influential.
The Band
4/5
I have listened to the full album before but not many times. A few really big hits, but the entire album is great. Nice listen.
Arrested Development
2/5
Probably not something I would ever listen to again. Some interesting parts, not bad, but not really exciting either.
Suede
3/5
Pretty good honestly. I was not familiar with it before listening but I could see listening again.
John Coltrane
3/5
It's good, have listened to it several times before. Have to be in the mood for it, as it is not the most accessible listen.
Guns N' Roses
4/5
Good album. The hits are huge, and the non-hits are good too. I've listened to the full album a few times before, so this was an easy listen.
Tracy Chapman
4/5
I was already familiar with Fast Car. I liked this album more than I thought I would.
Marianne Faithfull
3/5
My first time hearing anything from the album. I like the instrumentation and the songs were good, but I really am not a fan of her voice. I do see the appeal however.
Sheryl Crow
3/5
Starts off strong, weak second half despite All I Wanna Do. The best songs are fantastic, but overall is just ok.
Bee Gees
3/5
Solid songs, easy listen. Nothing really makes it stand out for me though.
Bee Gees were very good for a long time before the disco era when they were most famous.
Air
4/5
Pretty nice listen. Atmospheric and ambient. Definitely worth hearing again.
Queen
3/5
For me, Queen is one of those bands whose singles I like but albums not as much. This is no exception. Killer Queen is great, and the other songs are fine, but overall the album is just good, not great.
Buena Vista Social Club
3/5
Pleasant listen, but probably not something I would seek out to listen to again.
Nirvana
5/5
A classic for a reason. Very strong hits and non-hits are also very good.
Nirvana
3/5
It's good, has some great songs. But also a couple hard-to-listen songs too. Overall it's a fine album, but I do think Nevermind is better.
Kendrick Lamar
3/5
This is a huge and important album. It is interesting and technically impressive, and socially/culturally important. The track 'i' is a standout. Having said that, I am not sure if I will ever listen to it again as rap is just not enjoyable for me.
Pink Floyd
5/5
Great album, already one of my favorites. The atmosphere of this album is out of this world.
Slipknot
4/5
Enjoyed it more than I thought I would, some harshness but I expected it to be worse. I can see why it's highly rated.
White Denim
4/5
This album was the biggest surprise for me so far. Never heard of this artist or album but I really enjoyed it. Definitely excited to listen again.
The Electric Prunes
3/5
Decent psychedelia. I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night) is a standout track. Overall good not great.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
Already one of my favorite Neil Young albums. I like how half is acoustic and half is electric. My only complaint is I wish his music was on spotify.
4/5
The hits are huge, and the non-hits are good. It is a very good album.
Dolly Parton
3/5
I love Dolly the person and her voice is great too. But having said that, I'm not a huge fan of country, so while this is a pleasant listen, I don't know that I would ever listen again.
Brian Eno
3/5
This was an interesting listen. Sort of a transition between straightforward rock and the fully ambient stuff he would soon make. That said, this album is good not great.
Iron Maiden
3/5
High energy and fun listen. Was already familiar with some of the bigger tracks. Would listen again.
Booker T. & The MG's
3/5
The title track is huge. Rest of the album is a nice listen but nothing especially noteworthy.
2/5
I came in with zero expectations having never heard of the artist or album. I did not enjoy this very much. Some parts were outright unlistenable and the rest just did not do anything for me.
Funkadelic
4/5
Pretty good honestly. I enjoyed the instrumentation. I was always tapping my foot to this.
David Bowie
4/5
Good individual songs but not super cohesive as a complete album in my opinion. This would get better on Ziggy Stardust.
Miles Davis
4/5
I have possibly listened to this before, I am not sure, but I really enjoyed it. The guitar and keyboard elements really make it feel a lot less like a jazz album with more elements across genres.
Ryan Adams
3/5
Never heard any of these songs before, but it's a pretty good listen. Straightforward Americana, sort of in the direction of Tom Petty or The Band.
A Tribe Called Quest
3/5
I have heard of the artist but had not previously listened to the album. The wide variety of samples keep it interesting. I'm still really not a fan of rap though so I can't see myself coming back to it.
4/5
It's hard, heavy, and loud. It is good and something I would listen to again, but it's probably something where you would have to be in the specific mood to listen to it.
Boston
4/5
I was already very familiar with this album. Pretty much every song is great.
Sister Sledge
3/5
Nice listen, upbeat. Already familiar with the title song. I enjoyed listening to the bass in particular.
Beatles
3/5
It's a very good album with some great songs. That said, there are many other Beatles albums I would choose to listen to before this one.
Bob Dylan
4/5
Really good album. Strong collection of songs, electric first side and acoustic second side. One of Dylan's best albums.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Very good album. There's a little filler and some songs go on a bit long, but the best songs are fantastic.
Johnny Cash
3/5
It's probably more "historically important" than "good" but that is not to say it's bad. Johnny Cash has a cool voice, and the songs here are pretty good. His banter is interesting. It's a fine listen, but maybe not one worth hearing repeatedly.
The Smiths
2/5
It was just ok. Nothing really stood out much to me. It did not do much for me, but in fairness I owe it another listen before giving up on it.
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
2/5
I could not get through it. That is not to say it is bad, but after the first 12 songs, I feel I have heard enough. I do have to say that it is great for what it is, but I am just not a fan of country.
Hole
2/5
I had higher hopes for this, but a bit too much screaming, instrumentation a bit too unvaried, and overall disappointing.
Jerry Lee Lewis
4/5
I enjoyed this quite a bit. While the songs are mostly very simplistic, the energy is palpable. I am a sucker for live albums, and this did not disappoint.
Various Artists
3/5
Great collection of Christmas classics. I could do without the Silent Night voice over but overall it's good for what it is.
Count Basie & His Orchestra
3/5
This was a nice listen. I don't know a lot of big band jazz but I enjoyed listening to this. I picture it as dinner party music from that era.
Small Faces
3/5
Great psychedelia. Some particularly strong tracks and some filler. The title song is probably my favorite track from the album. Good early concept album.
The Kinks
3/5
Joan Armatrading
4/5
Pixies
4/5
Daft Punk
1/5
Could not get through it. It started off good, but then got incredibly repetitive. Add in the harshness of a couple tracks and I was done.
Kanye West
4/5
I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. I am not a fan of rap but this is very accessible. I would listen again.
fIREHOSE
2/5
I mean it is fine, nothing wrong with it, but nothing about it stands out. Doubt I would ever want to listen to it again.
Depeche Mode
4/5
I liked it. It is dark with a lot of the typical 80s elements.
Cowboy Junkies
3/5
A nice, laid back listen. I like the vocals, and the instrumentation, while understated at times, suits the songs well.
Terence Trent D'Arby
2/5
Nothing objectionable here but nothing spectacular either. It's pretty straightforward 80s pop/R&B. As an album. it is not something I would ever seek out to listen to, but some of the singles are pretty decent I guess.
The Police
3/5
I was already familiar with Message in a Bottle and Walking on the Moon (which is fantastic). The rest of the album is fine, but these two plus The Bed's Too Big Without You are the standout tracks.
Nine Inch Nails
3/5
I am not very familiar with the industrial genre, but it seems this album is one of the better examples. From this album, I already knew Closer and Hurt, both of which I like. The album is cohesive in that there's a strong mood and feeling throughout, with similar sounds and textures. I may not find myself listening to the full album particularly often but I can appreciate it for what it is.
The Rolling Stones
5/5
This is a really excellent album. Brown Sugar and Wild Horses are big hits, but the deeper cuts are great too. There are some darker tracks and some lighter ones. Some country-adjacent, some harder. Not a single dud on here.
G. Love & Special Sauce
3/5
Not really what I expected, but this was interesting. I like the instrumentation more than the vocals. It's a fine listen, but not sure anything particularly stands out.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
I enjoyed this one more than Fulfillingness' First Finale (perhaps I need to revisit that one). All the tracks are at least good, and some are standouts like Superstition. The sound throughout the album is captivating.
A Tribe Called Quest
3/5
An interesting listen. I hear some elements that were borrowed later, so I see how this was influential. I'm not a fan of rap though so it is probably not something I would come back to very often.
Ray Charles
3/5
Interesting album. The first half is big band with brass, second half is just strings. It's a fine listen, and showcases the immense talent, but not sure it's something I would come back to very often.
Massive Attack
2/5
I had higher hopes for this album and was left a bit disappointed. I recognize and understand its importance in the development of the trip hop genre, as it sounds like something that came 5+ years later than it actually did. But I just did not enjoy it too much.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
It's a pretty good album. Proud Mary is the biggest hit, but Born on the Bayou is my favorite. The other tracks are good, but Graveyard Train goes on way too long.
Mariah Carey
1/5
Could not get through it. Her voice is like nails on a chalkboard for me. I do appreciate that she diversified her sound (expanding from pop to include hip hop) but I don't really like it any better.
The Velvet Underground
4/5
I really liked this a lot. I was already familiar with the Velvet Underground & Nico album, but this one is very good too. It is definitely worth listening to again.
Rage Against The Machine
3/5
It is pretty much what I thought it would be: hard rock instrumentation with rapped political lyrics. It is good at being what it is. Some harshness for me, but that's to be expected.
It's pretty good. Elevation is my favorite track. I was not expecting much because I much prefer earlier U2 (Achtung Baby and Joshua Tree), but it's better than I expected.
The Undertones
3/5
I was not familiar with this at all before hearing it. It's punk, in the direction of The Clash, but it almost reminds me of the Strokes. It's fine, nothing objectionable, but nothing really stuck out about it on first listen.
Elvis Presley
4/5
I enjoyed this. I was already familiar with Fever, but the album is good overall. There's a good mix of upbeat and slower songs.
Parliament
3/5
Fun listen. I was already familiar with Give Up The Funk, but the whole album is good.
Beatles
4/5
The Beatles never put out a bad album. This one is good because it marks a big change in their sound to more complexity. Favorites are Norwegian Wood and In My Life. That said, I still rank this album behind many of their later albums.
Public Enemy
2/5
It's interesting and there's a lot going on. But it's not one of my preferred genres so I don't see myself coming back to it.
Yes
4/5
I was already familiar with this album. It's very good. I've Seen All Good People is possibly the biggest song of their entire career, and Yours Is No Disgrace is excellent as well.
The Jam
3/5
Sort of a Kinks meets The Clash sound. It started off a little slow but it picked up by the middle. I was not familiar with the artist or album but enjoyed it in the end. Standout tracks for me were English Rose and In The Crowd.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Already one of my favorites. Hard to imagine what it would have been like to hear this in 1969. Highlights for me are What Is and What Should Never Be and Ramble On.
Cocteau Twins
3/5
It's a good listen. It has a cohesive dream pop sound throughout. While I did like listening to it, I'm not sure it's something I would come back to often.
Genesis
4/5
Really like this one a lot. I never really gave 70s Genesis a proper listen, even though I am a big fan of the genre. I can see coming back to this one again and again.
Megadeth
2/5
It's ok. Maybe those who really know the genre can appreciate it more. I can listen to a few songs this heavy but a full album is a lot for me.
Grizzly Bear
3/5
I didn't mind listening to it but nothing particularly stuck out for me either. May be worth another listen to see if it clicks next time.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
The only song on this album I had heard before was Stir It Up. The entire album is pretty good, but not sure it's something I'd come back to often. I prefer Exodus as an album but even with that album, I tend to prefer listening to Legend.
The War On Drugs
4/5
This album is a very nice surprise. I had not previously heard of the album or artist, but I like it a lot. It is atmospheric and uplifting. I will come back to this.
The Cramps
3/5
I was not familiar with the artist or album. The music was not what I was expecting from the album cover. It's basically rockabilly with punk influences. It's mostly (entirely?) covers and it's a fine listen, but nothing particularly stands out for me.
Beth Orton
3/5
I know her from her work with Chemical Brothers. I like her voice. This album is decent - there are some good parts, but overall it kind of runs together a little bit for me.
Rod Stewart
4/5
I was already familiar with this and like it a lot. Rod Stewart was quite prolific during this time, having worked with Jeff Beck and Faces, in addition to releasing solo material as well. He has a great voice and this album is really good.
Soundgarden
3/5
I was surprised to realize that I only knew Soundgarden from their hits and not from individual albums. This is the first full album I've heard. I enjoyed it and I need to dig further and listen more.
Frank Zappa
3/5
I have heard some Frank Zappa before but probably not this album. This one is lower on the weirdness meter than some other material I've heard. The music is mostly instrumental and it's pretty good. The violin is a bit heavy handed and some of it goes on a bit long, but it's not bad overall.
PJ Harvey
2/5
I was not familiar with the artist or album before listening. I did not particularly enjoy this. The instrumentation is fine, but I don't particularly enjoy her voice. Some songs are better than others, but overall not interested to hear again.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
5/5
I was already intimately familiar and this is one of the best albums of all time. The songs, the harmonies, and everything about this album is excellent. Each member's voice is unique and they all bring something different to the table, and yet the most magic is made when they harmonize. I came in knowing how good this album is and it holds up with each and every listen.
Manu Chao
2/5
I was not familiar with the artist or album before listening. There's a lot going on and it does have some interesting parts, but overall it's not great. Would probably not come back to it.
Deep Purple
4/5
This really is a fantastic album. An example where the live versions are better than the studio versions. I was already familiar with this album and it's one of my favorites. I'll take off one star because Space Truckin' is a bit long and has some harshness, but overall the album is very good.
Rush
4/5
I was already familiar with this one. It's a very good album, and Rush was not even at its peak yet.
Cypress Hill
1/5
I'm sure this appeals to someone but it is not for me. I listened to as much as I could stand which was about 11-12 songs or so. The sample choices are good, it keeps things interesting, but my complaint about that is the loops are too short and repetitive. I don't like rap either so there's really not much here for me.
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
2/5
I've seen this described as "punk blues" and I feel that is apt. There's a definite blues undertone throughout but it's very garage sounding. I do think there's a place for this, but it's not something I see myself coming back to very often.
The Undertones
2/5
There's nothing objectionable here, but it leaves me saying "So what?". Maybe I am ignorant to the historical significance and it pioneered a sound that became common afterwards, but I'm not getting it.
Elvis Costello
4/5
This album was a pleasant surprise. I had heard Elvis Costello before but couldn't name any songs. The genre is pretty broad and hard to pin down but to my ears it's more pop/rock than anything else. But the songs are all very catchy and well done. I will come back to this one and seek out his other albums as well.
The Allman Brothers Band
5/5
I was already intimately familiar with this album. This is one of the best live albums of all time. It's a really nice mix of standard blues and more complex material. The instrumentation is amazing. The shorter songs are extremely tight and the extended jams never feel directionless. I had to put on Mountain Jam from Eat A Peach afterwards because the first few notes at the end of Whipping Post demands it!
Neil Young
4/5
I was already familiar with this album and it's a good one. It's one of his more mellow albums, full of great stuff. Heart of Gold is one of the first things I learned to play on guitar. My favorite track is The Needle and the Damage Done.
Magazine
4/5
I was not previously familiar with the artist or album. It was a pleasant surprise for me. I enjoyed the vocals and instrumentation, and I found the songs to be interesting. I will come back to this and seek out their other albums.
Sparks
2/5
I was not previously familiar with the artist or album. I did not enjoy it too much. It sounds like a cheap David Bowie (Ziggy Stardust era) knockoff. The instrumentation is fine but the vocals go a bit overboard with extreme falsetto and it just gets old for an entire album.
Willie Nelson
2/5
Willie Nelson is one of those artists everyone has heard of but may not know many or any songs. I had not previously heard this album or any songs from it. It's just ok for me, slower country songs, nothing objectionable but not something I see coming back to very much.
Ray Charles
2/5
I like Ray Charles and know some of his material but I did not enjoy this one very much. I guess one issue is this is a double album being volumes 1 & 2, so it seemed a bit long. Some songs are fine, but overall it just kind of became background noise. Don't see myself coming back to this one.
Iggy Pop
2/5
I already knew Iggy Pop's work with the Stooges and The Passenger album, but was not previously familiar with this album. It's a bit more out there than I expected. Reading the background it makes sense, but I am not exactly excited to listen to it again any time soon.
Tom Waits
3/5
This one was really interesting. I had heard of Tom Waits but really did not know any of his material before hearing this. Right away you are transported to a jazz club atmosphere, and it continues for the entire album. The songs are fine, and the instrumentation is good albeit rather safe, and his voice takes some getting used to, but overall I enjoyed it.
Traffic
4/5
At one time this was one of my favorite albums by any artist. While I still like it a lot, I no longer consider it to be in my top few albums. That said, this album is great. It serves as a nice bridge between the straightforward rock of their previous albums and the more jazz-fusion sound of the later albums. Glad is probably my favorite track.
Steely Dan
3/5
I was already familiar with the singles from this album, and the whole album is fine. Steely Dan always sounds so polished and highly produced that it is almost off-putting for me somehow. It's hard to explain. The album is good, but I just have to be in the mood to listen to it.
The Who
4/5
Tommy is a classic. The quintessential rock opera. It really is fantastic, with great use of themes and motifs in the instrumental parts, plus a few big hits as well. It's a really great listen all the way through. Highlights for me are Amazing Journey/Sparks, Pinball Wizard, and Go to the Mirror. The live version on the expanded Live At Leeds is great as well.
Billy Joel
5/5
This album is really really good. Billy Joel's best album and he has many good ones. This has hits really all the way throughout; it may as well be a greatest hits album. This album shows off his songwriting first and foremost, but he is also an excellent singer and piano player. Everything about this is superb.
Janet Jackson
2/5
There's nothing particularly objectionable here, but it is pretty bland. It's mostly highly produced R&B with some dance elements. Her voice is good, but this genre doesn't appeal to me much so there's not much here for me. I was ready for it to be over halfway in.
Garbage
3/5
I was already familiar with Only Happy When It Rains. But after listening, Queer and Stupid Girl were familiar as well. The album overall is pretty decent. It is squarely 90s rock in feel and sound, not that that's a bad thing. For me personally, I'd be happy listening to a couple songs and maybe not seek out the full album so much.
R.E.M.
3/5
I was previously familiar with End of the World As We Know It and The One I Love. They're the best two tracks on the album in my opinion. The rest of the album is fine, but nothing particularly special. Don't see myself coming back to listen to the full album very often, but the aforementioned songs are great.
Duke Ellington
3/5
This is some good big band jazz. There are some particularly strong tunes on here, including Festival Junction and Jeep's Blues. I would have preferred to listen to the original release's track list, as the version I am listening to seems to be an expanded version so it's a bit long for me at over 2 hours and includes some repeats, but I can't hold that against the original album. This is a solid listen, but maybe not one that I would come back to very often.
Christina Aguilera
3/5
This one surprised me a bit. It's not really my preferred genre, but the various samples on the first half kept things interesting. The second half was more of what I was expecting. She is very talented and her voice is great, so I respect it. But it's not something I see myself coming back to much.
The National
3/5
I had not previously heard of the artist or album before listening to this one.
This was an interesting listen. It's very atmospheric in sound, both vocals and instruments. It certainly sets the mood. The songs were pretty decent. I liked this one enough to listen again, but not sure I am necessarily jumping up and down about it either.
The Beach Boys
5/5
There's a reason this album is frequently on lists of the greatest albums of all time. The vocal harmonies are amazing, and the sound is so full and lush. The songs range from good to excellent. I listened to both mono and stereo versions. In my experience, I have found that if the album was originally released in mono that tends to be better than the stereo version, but in this case, the stereo mix is very well done and I prefer that one.
Muddy Waters
3/5
I like blues and I like Muddy Waters, but this album was just ok for me. I could imagine people who don't like blues might hate this. It's very much unvaried in sound and tone. You hear one song and you've heard them all. Mannish Boy is one of the best songs of his career, but the album as a whole does not do much for me. I was disappointed.
The Black Keys
4/5
I was already familiar with the Black Keys but not this album before listening. I enjoyed it quite a bit. It's rock with blues and psych influences. I can see myself coming back to this one.
Belle & Sebastian
3/5
I had previously heard of the artist but was not familiar with any of the material. It's a pretty pleasant listen. The singer's voice reminds me of Donovan. While I'm not jumping up and down about this, I can see myself coming back to it in the future.
Quicksilver Messenger Service
4/5
I was already intimately familiar with this album. I really like it a lot because I like this genre and time period (late 60s psychedelic blues rock) and am generally a fan of live albums. I really like the extended jams. That said, the vast majority of this album (entire Who Do You Love suite and Mona) is an extended take on the Bo Diddley beat. If you like that, it's great.
Unrelated to this album, but I went looking for more live Quicksilver Messenger Service from this era, and there is quite a lot of it out there, but Happy Trails is the best of the bunch.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
5/5
Already intimately familiar with this album and it's one of my favorites. It's the best Lynyrd Skynyrd album (and there are several great ones). Not only are there many excellent songs, but the album works well as a whole for me as well. There's a good mix of rockers and ballads, and even the country song is good. Everything about this is stellar, and the guitar work in particular is as good as it gets.
Radiohead
3/5
I was previously familiar with OK Computer and may have listened to this album once before, but it's quite different. Radiohead is known for reinventing themselves. There's some definite electronic influence present here. It's fine, but honestly I could take it or leave it. I did not have the emotional response with this one that I feel with OK Computer. Because of how much I like that album, I'd give this one more listens to see if it clicks, but it has not done so yet.
Iron Butterfly
3/5
This sounds like rock and/or roll! It's heavy psychedelic rock. I already knew this album well before listening. The title track is the best and most well-known. The other material is not bad, but the title track is where the band shines. The main riff is catchy, but the entire song is structured well. It doesn't ever really feel like it drags at any point, despite many extended solos. As an album, it lags a little as side 1 is not quite as good as side 2.
George Michael
3/5
I can respect that this is a good album. It's catchy and well-produced. But it is not really my cup of tea. Some songs, namely I Want Your Sex, are a little too over the top for me. I don't see coming back to this one.
Nightmares On Wax
4/5
Pretty cool vibe. I like trip hop and this was a nice listen. It's relaxed but interesting. Very atmospheric. There are some vocals but mainly instrumental. Lots of interesting basslines and complex rhythms. It's good music to put on while trying to get stuff done. I enjoyed it and will come back to this.
ABBA
3/5
This album is pretty much what I thought it would be. I was already familiar with Dancing Queen and Fernando, and the rest of the album is very much the same. It has top notch production, and overall is very nice and makes for a pleasant listen. There is a reason that ABBA tops so many sales and favorites lists. However, it's a little too syrupy sweet for me and not something I see myself coming back to very often.
Cat Stevens
3/5
I have previously listened to this album before. It's a good album overall and has some truly fantastic songs. Wild World is truly magical, and Father And Son is also notable. While I do enjoy the full album, it is not something I come back to frequently.
Sleater-Kinney
2/5
I was not previously familiar with the artist or album. I found this to be a little harsh for me. The punk sensibilities are there, but I just did not enjoy it. The vocals were harsh on some tracks and the instrumentation was not particularly interesting. A bit repetitive in some parts too. Some tracks were tolerable but overall it was not for me. Won't be coming back to this one.
10cc
2/5
I had previously heard of the artist but knew none of their material. This album is a but silly, and I don't really mean that in a good way. I am ok with a silly song or two to cleanse the palate in a particularly heavy album, but this really isn't that. The whole album is like that, and I found it to get old after a few songs. Was ready for it to be over by the halfway point.
U2
3/5
This album has Sunday Bloody Sunday and New Year's Day which are excellent songs. The other songs on the album are fine, but mostly forgettable. As a result, I'd listen to those songs separately from the album for the most part.
Alanis Morissette
4/5
This one brings me back. It was one of my favorite albums back in the day. Honestly it still holds up pretty well. Her voice gets a bit whiny in places, but overall it's very good. The instrumentation is solid as well - full in places and understated where it needs to be. I don't know any of her other material but this album is still as good as I remember when it was current.
Simon & Garfunkel
5/5
This album is excellent. They explore new genres and use the strings well for dramatic effect on top of the top-tier harmonies they've always had. The title song might be the most famous from the album but it is far from the best. I like The Boxer and The Only Living Boy in New York more, and other tracks are at least as good. It's a shame this was their last album together.
Randy Newman
3/5
I was familiar with Randy Newman with his song from the movie Toy Story, but I had not heard anything from this album before. I would say this is a bit of an acquired taste. It's primarily Randy's singing and piano accompaniment, with more instrumentation filling in on certain songs. I like Lonely At The Top but the other songs pretty much leave me wanting more. Not sure I would come back to this one.
Marilyn Manson
3/5
I am going to rate this purely on the basis of the music only. I didn't hate this as much as I thought I would. Yes it's loud and harsh, but there's actually some substance to this. It's not particularly accessible but I do think there's a place for it.
The Dictators
3/5
This was a fun listen. It's pretty light and simplistic but that's fine. I enjoyed it and I can see coming back to it when I am in the mood for something like this.
The Smashing Pumpkins
3/5
I already knew a few songs from this album. It's a pretty good listen. I enjoyed it, even the songs I didn't already know. I want to go back and give it another listen.
Jimmy Smith
4/5
I was already familiar with this and enjoyed it very much. It is good organ-driven blues-influenced jazz. It's a nice relaxed listen.
FKA twigs
2/5
I had not previously heard of the artist or album. It's a bit out there. It has high pitched (maybe falsetto) R&B-leaning female vocals over a kind of sparse electronic pop instrumentation. A lot of the songs sound very similar to me. The top song didn't really stand out from any other songs on the album for me, but I can see why it would be popular as a single. As an album, this not really something I enjoyed or would see myself listening to again.
George Harrison
5/5
This is a really excellent album. One of my favorites from the first time I heard it. George Harrison was a superb songwriter and this album shows him at his very best. This is technically a triple album but really it should be considered a double album with bonus jam tracks. Until the jam tracks there's not really any filler, it's all good. The jam tracks are fine but definitely nowhere the same quality as the rest of the album. There are literally too many favorite tracks to list.
Screaming Trees
4/5
I had previously heard some Screaming Trees but not this album. I really enjoyed this. While much of this sounds like it is pure rock straight out of the 90s (and I don't mean that in a bad way), what pushed me to really liking it is the use of more eclectic sounds on some tracks. I was hooked from the beginning all the way to the end. I will definitely come back to this one.
Ramones
2/5
I was already familiar with Blitzkrieg Bop, and it is a great song. I understand this album is historically important, but just going by the music present here, I don't find the album as a whole particularly interesting. In my mind, none of the other songs add anything further that wasn't already done with the first song. This brings down the album a good bit for me.
Dr. Dre
1/5
I could not get through it. I am not a fan of hip hop or rap in general, but sometimes there is some semblance of melody that I can appreciate even if I don't like the vocals. I guess it's a classic, but this doesn't have much for me at all.
Big Star
3/5
I was not previously familiar with this artist or album before listening. However, I recognized In The Street as being the theme from That 70's Show. The whole album is pretty good, it's pretty straightforward pop/rock. It reminded me a little bit of Badfinger and Cheap Trick. I enjoyed the album, and would listen to it again.
Dwight Yoakam
2/5
I was not previously familiar with the artist or album. It's a straight country album. I'm not a big fan of country like this so I couldn't get through it. I can appreciate that the songs do change in feel and instrumentation a little bit so at least there's a little variety. But it is not something I will come back to.
The Byrds
3/5
I had previously heard this album and others by The Byrds. This album is interesting because it takes a step forward in experimentation. It still has the trademark Byrds harmonies and jangly guitar sounds, but this album adds backwards tapes and similar such sounds. It makes for an interesting listen. Maybe it is not something I would specifically seek out, but would not mind hearing it.
N.W.A.
1/5
Could not get through two songs. Absolutely awful.
Derek & The Dominos
5/5
This album is excellent. It is certainly among Eric Clapton's best work out of his entire long career. There's a mix of originals and covers and a mix of tight songs and longer jams. The guitar work is superb, with both Clapton and Duane Allman. My favorite part of the album might be the vocal harmonies of Clapton and Bobby Whitlock. It's a shame we never got a second album.
David Crosby
3/5
This album has a dark and mysterious vibe to it. The harmonies are great, and while Laughing and Cowboy Movie are solid tracks, some of the others are a bit lacking. This album is a fine listen but it does require a certain mood to enjoy properly.
Coldplay
3/5
This album is a pleasant mellow listen for the most part. Some tracks, like Yellow, are great while others aren't as good. Overall the album is fine. It gives a sneak peak of what would come on their next album, A Rush of Blood to the Head, which in my opinion is their best.
Leonard Cohen
2/5
This was strange and I really did not enjoy it. For me, Leonard Cohen's deep voice is not well suited for upbeat 80s production values. The songs were ok for the most part, but I just could not get past the sound. I won't come back to this one.
Marty Robbins
4/5
This is some killer old school country. Big Iron and El Paso are classics, but the album is good all the way through. Very enjoyable.
Willie Nelson
3/5
Deep Purple
3/5
This is some good hard rock. I was not familiar with most of these tracks but overall it's pretty good. Child In Time is a masterpiece (although I am more familiar with the live version from Made In Japan than the studio version; the studio version is almost as good as the live version). The album overall is fine, but I can't think of a time when I would listen to this over Made In Japan.
The Specials
3/5
This was an interesting listen. There is not a lot of ska on this list. I enjoyed the album for what it is. It might not be something I would listen to often but I would not mind hearing it again.
Lightning Bolt
2/5
I was not previously familiar with the artist or album. It took me by surprise. This is a lot heavier and dissonant than I could have expected. This is not particularly accessible and is a lot of harsh noise. Having said that, it gets into a pretty good groove in some parts so I do see some appeal here. It is not something I can see myself coming back to very often.
Queen
4/5
This album is a masterpiece. The first thing that grabs you is the insane vocal talent. The Prophet's Song is mind-blowing. The song-writing is very good as well. There is a reason that Bohemian Rhapsody has literally billions of streams. It has broad appeal and showcases amazing talent. Sure, there are some throwaway tracks on this album, but overall it is very strong. I have heard this many times before and will listen to it many times in the future as well.
Lorde
4/5
I have heard of Lorde but was not familiar with any of her music (I did listen to Royals after this album). I enjoyed this quite a bit. Her voice is great, and the songs are interesting. The varied feel of the different tracks keeps it fresh and interesting. I can definitely see myself listening to this again.
Koffi Olomide
2/5
Did not particularly care for this one. The sound is good and it is well-produced, but I'm not a fan of the music. It's a bit overproduced and a little too upbeat for my taste. The (non-English) vocals are a bit too prominent for me as well, so there's not much appeal for me.
Kings of Leon
4/5
I had heard of the artist but was not sure if I knew any songs. It's rock with indie flair. I enjoyed this and would listen again.
The Charlatans
3/5
I was not previously familiar with the artist or album. Just by looking at the album cover, my first impression was it was going to be britpop. Sure enough, it is britpop. It's pretty good, albeit straightforward. I would listen to it again.
Prince
4/5
This album is a classic. The biggest hits are huge but the whole album is interesting. Prince is a supreme talent and this album showcases it as well as any others.
The Clash
3/5
I was previously familiar with The Clash but not this album. I have to say the music is fine, but the songs kind of all sound the same to me. One of the things I like about London Calling is that the songs are fairly highly varied. I don't really get that as much from this. So this is just ok for me.
Santana
5/5
This album is great. I've heard it many times before. Carlos Santana's excellent guitar work is at the forefront here. But the album has everything you want too - good mood building at the start, really solid tracks throughout and several incredible songs.
Dinosaur Jr.
4/5
I had previously heard of the artist but was not really familiar with their music. I really enjoyed this. It's rock but I would almost call it proto-grunge. A lot of 90s bands point to Dinosaur Jr. as an influence and I can definitely hear it on this album. I enjoyed pretty much the entire album but my favorite track is probably also the weirdest - Poledo, which is almost like Revolution 9 meets the AM radio beginning of Wish You Were Here. Will definitely listen to this album again.
Giant Sand
3/5
I was not previously familiar with the artist or album. It's a sort of rock in a folk/indie direction. It's pretty understated vocally and instrumentally, sort of reminds me of Wilco and a little Lou Reed too. It's certainly pleasant, nothing objectionable, but nothing really stands out either. I could take it or leave it.
Elliott Smith
4/5
I had previously heard of Elliott Smith but was not sure if I knew any of his music. I enjoyed listening to this. I also feel like I need to listen to it again to appreciate it properly so will be planning to do so.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
Really excellent album. Pure Stevie Wonder. I was previously really only familiar with the hits, but this album is just great. It delves into so many genres. My favorite is probably Contusion, which sounds like it could be from a Return to Forever album.
Liz Phair
2/5
I had not previously heard this album. It's fairly basic 90s rock with female vocals. It was just ok. Not bad, but not great either. None of the tracks stood out to me. Would not seek this one out to listen again.
Crowded House
3/5
This was pretty good. I was not previously familiar with the album, but had heard of the artist. I enjoyed the sound and variety, but none of the songs themselves really stood out to me at first listen. I did like the album enough to listen again so maybe I can form a better opinion then.
The Thrills
3/5
I enjoyed this. I was surprised to read this is an Irish band because the sound is very much Americana to my ears. It's a pleasant listen. In some ways reminds me of Wilco. Would listen again.
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
4/5
I was already familiar with several of these songs, some of the originals and some by way of covers by other artists. There are some really excellent songs here. Buddy Holly is great and this album is a good showcase for his talent.
Neil Young
5/5
This is a truly excellent album. There's not a bad track on it. Southern Man and After the Gold Rush are among the best of his long amazing career. The non-hits are interesting too.
Bee Gees
2/5
I did not care for this album. I previously heard other early Bee Gees albums but this one is a bit too heavy on the orchestral parts for me. It also doesn't help that this is a double album. I did like the track Marley Purt Drive, but would pass on the rest.
Doves
3/5
I was not previously familiar with the artist or album. I like it. It's indie rock with a nice atmospheric backdrop. The songs provide a nice variety of sound. I liked this enough to listen again.
Germs
2/5
I did not like this album. It's hard punk with very gravelly vocals. The songs mostly sounded the same to me. The instrumentation was ok albeit rather simplistic, but the vocals just ruined any enjoyment for me.
Marvin Gaye
4/5
I already knew the title song but was not previously familiar with any of the other tracks on this album. It's very good. I like the sound and the fact that there is an overall theme to the album. I would not say this album is as good as What's Going On but it is a good listen.
ZZ Top
3/5
This album has some real strong songs on it - Gimme All Your Lovin', Sharp Dressed Man, and Legs. However, outside of these, the remainder of the album is kind of forgettable for me.
Alice Cooper
3/5
The title song is great, and outside of that, there are some interesting moments but overall the album is just ok. It's not bad, but I would much prefer to hear the title song over any of the other tracks on the album.
Meat Puppets
3/5
I was previously only familiar with the artist through Nirvana's covers on the Unplugged album. This album was a bit of a surprise in terms of variety of sounds. There's some country and other influences in addition to the rock sound I was expecting. This was an interesting listen, and I would come back to it and seek out their other material.
Einstürzende Neubauten
1/5
Unlistenable noise. Could not get through even two songs before I started skipping ahead. The title song was the least offensive, but absolutely nothing here would bring me back.
Beatles
5/5
Absolute classic. One of the best albums of all time. Somehow even after countless listens, hearing again feels fresh. It's just great, front to back.
Neil Young
4/5
This is a cool album. Very atmospheric for Neil Young. It's not one of his biggest albums, and doesn't have any of his best songs, but it is a very good album nonetheless.
Silver Jews
2/5
This album was a little bit strange to me. I guess it's indie rock, but the vocals were almost like spoken word so I didn't care for it very much. I would not seek this one out again.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
There are some excellent songs on this album. Mother's Little Helper is the best but Lady Jane and Under My Thumb are noteworthy as well. The album shows where the Stones would be heading with their following albums. There are some nice moments elsewhere on the album too, but as it stands, this album overall is just good, not great.
The Louvin Brothers
3/5
This is one of the few albums I've encountered so far where the lyrical content not only surprised me but directly influenced my vote. On its surface, this just seems like a stripped down country album with nice harmonies but very simple instrumentation, and I wouldn't have given it a second thought. But some of the lyrics, in Knoxville Girl in particular, kind of blew me away. I imagine this would have been quite shocking to hear at the time of release.
Paul Simon
3/5
Paul Simon is a great songwriter, and this album is a good example. There are some really strong songs on here, and there aren't any bad ones either. That being said, I much prefer his output with Garfunkel, so I don't see coming back to this album very often.
Steely Dan
4/5
This is an excellent album. It has the huge hits Do It Again, Dirty Work, and Reelin' in the Years, but all the other tracks are strong as well. Steely Dan would go on to have a long career with other strong albums, but this one just might be my favorite of all of them.
Hüsker Dü
3/5
This album was a fine listen, nothing objectionable, fairly straightforward indie/alt rock. None of the tracks particularly stood out and it was a bit longer than it needed to be. I would be willing to hear it again but I doubt I would seek it out.
Femi Kuti
2/5
This album has interesting drum beats, which is what you would be looking for when listening to this. But for me, there isn't a whole lot to like outside of that. The songs aren't super compelling to me and the album length seems overly long to me. Doubt I would come back to this one.
The White Stripes
4/5
Ok so this album has one of the greatest songs of the 21st century in Seven Nation Army. But even after that, this album is pretty good. It's rock built on guitar riffs, drums, and vocals. I enjoyed listening to it and would come back to it.
The Flaming Lips
4/5
This is a great psychedelic rock album. I was already familiar with the entire album. It's sort of comforting to me, despite a few harsher moments. My favorite song is probably Fight Test but really the whole album is good.
3/5
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
2/5
I did not really enjoy this album very much, despite a couple ok songs in Visions of You and Bomba. It sounds very much like a product of its time (80s and world music). Would not seek this one out again.
Joan Baez
3/5
This is some good folk music. She has a really nice voice. I was already familiar with House of the Rising Sun (Animals) and John Riley (Byrds) which were done later, but Joan's versions were good too. These are almost all traditional songs which surprised me a little bit because she really owns them and makes them her own.
Portishead
3/5
I was already familiar with the Dummy album but not this one. It is interesting, about what I would have expected it to sound like. Sort of cool and futuristic. I liked it enough to hear it again, but don't know that I'd pick this one over Dummy.
Sam Cooke
4/5
I was already familiar with this album and really enjoy it. It's great, high energy. It's hard to believe this album was in the vault for over 20 years before it was release. It's excellent!
Pretenders
4/5
This is a pretty good album. I was previously only familiar with Brass in Pocket, but really the whole album is good. I would come back to this one.
k.d. lang
3/5
This was an ok listen. The vocals were good and the instrumentation was pleasant albeit a little on the simplistic side. I didn't mind listening to this but there wasn't really anything that would bring me back.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
I am most familiar with Bob Marley's material on Legend as well as the Exodus album. I was not previously familiar with this album. This album contains the studio version of No Woman No Cry, which I had not heard before. I can understand why the live version was included on Legend - it's way better than this version. My favorite track on this album is Lively Up Yourself. The album overall is good, but would not include it as one of his best albums.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
Great stuff. I like Neil Young a lot. He has ventured into several genres, and this is his grunge offering. There are some solid songs, some great guitar solos. It's a fun listen and would definitely come back to this one.
David Bowie
4/5
This album is interesting, not like the David Bowie material I know best (Hunky Dory, Ziggy Stardust). While I liked what I heard, I do feel that this album deserves several listens to properly digest. I'll give it a 4 for now because I liked it enough to hear again, but it is hard to know whether I'll still feel that way after more listens.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
2/5
I didn't really care for this one too much. Female vocals and tame instrumentation just didn't do much for me.
Fela Kuti
2/5
This is the 3rd album from Fela Kuti/son Femi I've gotten in a pretty short run of albums. The afrobeat genre is fine, but it kind of all sounds the same to me. This is one of those albums that is fine to listen to, but is really only included in the 1001 albums list due to historical and cultural significance. All these years later, that is lost on me. Based on the music alone, I don't mind listening to this, but it is not something I would come back to.
Joanna Newsom
2/5
This album was a bit much. It has a folk/fairytale kind of vibe. I could appreciate the direction of where this album was going but the vocals were a bit over the top. Also felt the album was a little longer than it needed to be. The sound got to be a little repetitive by the end.
Pixies
3/5
While I have heard some Pixies material before, I was not previously familiar with this album. This was a fine listen, but nothing particularly stood out to me. I liked it enough to hear again however.
Miles Davis
5/5
This is the album that turned me on to jazz. It is a timeless classic, and always feels fresh. The highlight for me is probably So What, but really it's great all the way through.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
This album was just ok for me. There wasn't anything that I specifically did not like about this, but overall it did not really grab me in any kind of way that made me want more. I think the length did not help, but this is sort of two separate albums combined rather than one double album. Would not seek it out again.
Miriam Makeba
3/5
This album has a very upbeat sound that I liked. I appreciated hearing it, but it is not something I'd ever seek out to listen to on my own.
Thin Lizzy
4/5
This is an excellent live album. The versions of the songs I was already familiar with are even better here, and the ones I was not familiar with are strong as well. The sound quality is great and the performances are great.
This is how a live album should be.
Japan
2/5
I was not previously familiar with the artist or album. This is new wave, but it is very atmospheric almost like dream pop. The music was fine, but nothing really stood out to me. The Velvet Underground cover was just ok. I would not seek this one out again.
The Cars
5/5
This is an excellent album. The hits just keep coming. I have heard this album many times and enjoy listening to it every time.
The Rolling Stones
5/5
This album is excellent. Sympathy for the Devil is a contender for the Stones' best song, but there are so many other solid songs. Street Fighting Man is probably the most popular after Sympathy for the Devil, but there is not a dud on here. It also touches on a few different genres which keeps things interesting. It may be their best album and they have several top tier albums.
4/5
This is a very good prog rock album. It is one of the best Yes albums, and their peak, In my opinion. Other albums may have more accessible songs, but this album was sort of the culmination of their work to that point. The title track is a masterpiece.
Metallica
4/5
I already knew almost half of the songs on this album. It's a very good album. I already liked the songs I knew, and the others were strong as well. I would definitely listen to this again.
Pink Floyd
5/5
This is one of the best rock operas of all time, and is a very good rock album in its own right. The singles are the most well-known, with tracks like Another Brick in the Wall part 2 and Comfortably Numb being the best, but it is the "filler" tracks that make this album excellent. The story-telling is fantastic, and it makes a cohesive story from start to finish. It is always an entertaining listen.
Nick Drake
3/5
I would say this album is good but not great. I am also familiar with Nick Drake's album Pink Moon, and I have to say that album is much better. There's nothing specifically wrong with this, but I don't find it particularly memorable. It sounds a lot like Donovan, and maybe that's why I don't like it - it sounds more like Nick Drake trying to sound like Donovan than himself, which is how he sounds on Pink Moon. I would listen to this album again, but I would definitely choose Pink Moon first.
Sigur Rós
4/5
I remember first discovering this and being amazed at how different it sounded compared to anything else I knew at the time. I was huge into Sigur Rós for awhile and even saw them in concert. Now hearing this again many years later, I still enjoy this, but the feeling for me is more nostalgia than anything else. There are a couple strong tracks on this album, but most of this kind of moves from one to the next without much consequence. I listen to this with fond memories but I also wonder if this could have been the beginning of something much bigger that never really materialized.
The Band
4/5
The Band is amazingly talented and they have a great sound. This album also features on of the greatest songs of all time - The Weight. Overall, the album is very good, but for me, some of the songs are a bit forgettable.
Slayer
2/5
This was hard for me to get through. I am apparently not a fan of thrash metal. I can appreciate this for what it is, but to my ears, all the songs sound the same. It just sounds like harshness for the sake of harshness. Would not listen again.
Bob Dylan
5/5
An excellent album start to finish. It is both historically significant, marking the beginning of the electric era, and very strong musically. This is probably Dylan's best among many great albums.
The Who
5/5
This is an excellent live album. The original album only has a few tracks, but I listened to the expanded edition, which has 14 tracks. There is also a deluxe edition which contains a full version of Tommy. Each one provides a very different experience. The original release is very short, at just 6 songs and 37 minutes, but it certainly goes hard for all of it. I personally like the 14 track version best, unless I am specifically in the mood to hear all of Tommy. This is easily one of the best live albums of all time, and it is definitely the best live Who album. It's definitely a fun listen.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
3/5
Gary Numan
4/5
I was previously only familiar with "Cars" from this album. While Cars is certainly the standout track, I enjoyed the entire album. The album is pleasantly consistent in sound and tone. I would listen to this again for sure.
Aretha Franklin
3/5
I love Aretha Franklin and this album is great. (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman might just be my favorite song of hers of all time. There are some other moments here but also some forgettable songs too. Overall, the album is great to showcase her amazing talent, but as an album, it's good but not great.
The Everly Brothers
2/5
I like the Everly Brothers sound, and this has some good songs on it. Overall the album is just ok as this is does have some songs that are a little forgettable as well.
Foo Fighters
4/5
There are some good songs on here and it's impressive that Dave Grohl essentially did this entire album by itself. That being said, the album The Colour and the Shape is superior in every way, so I would choose that one before this. But this is good for what it is.
Coldplay
5/5
This is a fantastic album. The sounds are varied, atmospheric, and interesting. My introduction to Coldplay was the song Clocks, which is on this album. The entire album is excellent start to finish, to the point where Clocks doesn't even necessarily stand above the other tracks. I don't care for much of Coldplay's discography, but I am very grateful for this album.
2/5
I was not familiar with this album before listening. I really did not care for it. The vocals were somehow grating despite not really being able to put my finger on why. The instrumentation was fine, but not particularly noteworthy for the most part. I wouldn't come back to this one.
Gillian Welch
4/5
I was not previously familiar with the artist or album before listening. This album was a breath of fresh air. The album has a classic country/folk sound and her voice is fantastic. I enjoyed this a lot, even though this isn't a common genre for me. I would come back to this one for sure.
The Chemical Brothers
4/5
This album is very important to me. It was the first album non-rock album that I really loved. It made me realize that there are other genres out there. As for the album itself, it really still holds up very well. It's catchy in all the right ways. There's some harshness that I don't love, but that comes with the territory I think. I'm always up for listening to this one.
Kanye West
3/5
I can respect and appreciate how intricate and complex this album is. There are a lot of things going on and it's very interesting. However, at its core, it is still a hip-hop album, and I am just not a fan of the genre, so I don't see myself coming back to it.
Bob Dylan
4/5
This is a strong album with some great Dylan tracks. It is an acoustic album so the sound is pretty consistent for a cohesive sound. It is for sure one of his better albums from his long career.
Sabu
3/5
I appreciate the variety that the 1001 albums project can provide; this album is definitely something I would not come across otherwise. The album has a pretty cohesive sound: rhythm-focused and Spanish language. However, I would file most tracks into one of two categories: instrument-focused and vocal-focused. The vocal-focused tracks tend to be call-and-response with little musical variety, and being that I don't speak the language, I found these tracks to be a bit less interesting. However, the instrument-focused tracks were more interesting to me. I can also hear some similarities to the Santana track "El Nicoya" from Abraxas, so presumably Santana has taken influence from this sound. Overall, I can see why this album is on the list, but it is probably not something I would listen to again.
The Monks
2/5
This album sounds very much from its time. It has more of a novelty vibe than anything else. It has hints of directions that rock would soon go, but this just sounds dated. The instrumentation is better than the vocals, but even then, it's very simplistic as is typical of garage rock. There are some good moments, but overall it's kind of a throwaway.
Slint
4/5
This is a really good album that effectively establishes a mood. It almost puts you in a trance. I've enjoyed this one for a long time.
Björk
2/5
This was difficult to get through. The sound is lush and interesting, but I just could not get into her vocals at all. It occurred to me that I've known of Bjork for a long time but apparently never knew her music. I guess I am not a fan...
Simon & Garfunkel
5/5
This album is really good. Side 1 is a bit more experimental with "Voices of Old People" but it fits well within the context of the album. Side 2 is basically all excellent songs. The harmonies are fantastic as always from Simon & Garfunkel. The instrumentation is interesting as well. The only knock on this album might be that it's a bit short!
Ministry
2/5
I had previously heard of Ministry but was not familiar with any of the music. After listening to this, I am not a fan. The sounds are fairly repetitive and not particularly interesting. There's some harshness that I don't love as well. I would not seek this one out again.
Prince
3/5
I was not previously familiar with this album. I have a lot of respect and appreciation for Prince's immense talent. He can literally do it all. This album seems pretty typical of Prince's material - upbeat and poppy and eclectic. It has some strong songs on here, others seem more dated. As someone who likes but doesn't love Prince, a double album is a bit much to get through, but the material itself is good. I would definitely listen to Prince again, but I might choose a different album over this one.
Tortoise
2/5
I had previously listened to this album while diving into post-rock. This album has its moments, but it's mostly forgettable. As part of a deeper dive into post-rock, it is interesting to see its place among other albums within the genre, but as a standalone album during the 1001 albums exercise, it does not hold up particularly well.
The Temptations
2/5
I was previously familiar with Papa Was A Rollin' Stone only, which is definitely the strongest track on the album. However, it does seem to go on a little long. The album overall is ok-to-good. I did not mind listening to it, but wouldn't seek out the full album again.
The Clash
5/5
I have heard the full album a few times, but I'm mostly only familiar with the title track and Train in Vain. This album is really good. It's so diverse in sound and genre. It's catchy in all the right ways. It is definitely worth repeated listens.
Arcade Fire
3/5
This album was more complex than I was anticipating and I did not give it the attention it needs. I did not mind listening but I feel another listen is needed to judge appropriately.
The Libertines
3/5
Traffic
4/5
I was already familiar with this album. It's part of a string of great albums that also includes Mr. Fantasy, John Barleycorn Must Die, and The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys. This album is probably the most well-rounded out of all of them. It has some whimsical Dave Mason tunes but also some much more heavy sounding stuff in 40,000 Headman and No Time To Live. It's a nice listen, I would listen again for sure.
The Stone Roses
3/5
Blondie
4/5
I was previously only familiar with Blondie's Greatest Hits. This album is almost like a greatest hits in itself. There are a bunch of really strong tracks on here. Hanging On The Telephone, Heart of Glass, and One Way or Another are all really good. The other tracks are solid as well. It's a worthwhile listen.
The Divine Comedy
2/5
I was happy to listen to this once but I'll be just as happy to not listen to it again. This is not really my cup of tea - orchestral pop. The lyrics are kind of dumb and the guy has a good voice, but it does kind of get old after awhile.
It's the sort of music I imagine my grandmother would listen to. I can appreciate that while I don't enjoy this much, it is well done.
The Doors
3/5
I have previously heard this album, but I know several other Doors albums better. I would say this album is good but not great. Roadhouse Blues is probably the best song and there are some others that are worthwhile, but there are probably at least three better Doors albums to listen to before this one.
Pulp
3/5
I was previously only familiar with "Common People" but I would say the whole album is worthwhile. It may not be something I would seek out but I would not mind hearing it again.
Happy Mondays
2/5
I didn't really care for this one. Would not seek it out again.
Buck Owens
3/5
This is a pretty good country album. While it's not one of my more commonly listened to genres, I can see the appeal of this one.
Charles Mingus
4/5
This one is interesting even as jazz albums go. It's not a light listen by any means, but it is complex and rewarding. This one deserves undivided attention to fully appreciate but I could tell right away that this is a jazz classic for a reason.
Cream
4/5
This is a good album, but it is especially good when considering when it came out. Sunshine of Your Love is probably the biggest song on here, but there are several really strong tracks like Tales of Brave Ulysses, SWABLR, and Strange Brew. It is saying something that despite being the most famous, Eric Clapton might be the third best player in this trio.
DJ Shadow
4/5
There was a period of time when this album was on a short list of my favorite albums, because it was so different from everything else. It is still a good and an important album, and I appreciate it very much for what it is.
Lauryn Hill
3/5
I ended up liking this more than I thought I would. There's a nice mix of R&B, Soul, and Hip-Hop. The story-telling was good as well. I would not mind listening to this again.
Christina Aguilera
4/5
This album was better than I was thinking it would be. It goes across multiple genres and has some really good songs. Her voice is excellent.
"Beautiful" is a timeless classic. Despite this not really being something I would ordinarily seek out, I would listen to this again for sure.
Baaba Maal
2/5
This was just ok for me. I get that I won't understand the lyrics, but the instrumentation was a bit boring for me. A little too repetitive and simple. Would not seek this out again.
Duran Duran
3/5
This is a really nicely crafted album. I was previously familiar with Hungry Like the Wolf only, but even from the beginning, the whole album felt familiar. As a result, the album feels cohesive which I appreciate. Hungry Like the Wolf may be the biggest and best song, but the album is good the whole way through.
The Mars Volta
3/5
This is an interesting album. It's a little hard to classify into a genre, but prog rock feels best. There's a lot going on and I just know there are lots of details that I have missed in one listen. I liked it enough to hear again, but not sure I am necessarily ready to do it right away.
Scott Walker
2/5
This isn't the sort of thing I would normally listen to - it almost reminds me of a swanky lounge singer sort of music. I suppose that it is good for what it is, but I'm not a big fan.
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
3/5
I was not previously familiar with the artist or album. This is a pretty entertaining listen. Glam rock is probably the best description. I would listen to this again.
Louis Prima
2/5
I was previously familiar with a couple songs but didn't really know the artist. This isn't really the sort of music I would choose to listen to, but I do see the appeal. I doubt I would listen to this again.
Paul McCartney and Wings
4/5
This is a really good album. There are several really strong tracks, like the title song, Jet, and Let Me Roll It. The album is also cohesive as well and I like how the final track reprises some of the earlier songs. I enjoyed this and would definitely listen again.
The Stooges
3/5
I was previously familiar with the Stooges and Iggy Pop solo, but not this particular album. This album has some good moments that I enjoyed, but We Will Fall is way too long and honestly took away from the momentum of the album for me. Overall I would say this album is good not great. I may listen again but likely would not seek it out.
The Jam
3/5
I did not mind this but it was not particularly engaging for me. I may listen to it again but would not necessarily seek it out.
Sly & The Family Stone
3/5
This is a pretty good soul/proto-funk album. There are some well-known tracks, like Everyday People and I Want To Take You Higher. Some of the lyrics are a miss for me (track 2), but overall it's a good album. I would listen to it again.
Bob Dylan
5/5
This album is an absolute classic chock full of good stuff. My favorite is probably Visions of Johanna but there are so many good songs. This is definitely a worthwhile follow up to 1965's Highway 61 Revisited. Even those who are not a Dylan fan owe this album at least one listen.
Iron Maiden
3/5
This album was fine, albeit not particular memorable for me. I did not mind listening to it, so I would listen again, but not exactly in a rush to do so.
Raekwon
2/5
Just not my cup of tea...
Beastie Boys
3/5
I can respect how good and important this album is but it is not something I would seek out again. I did recognize quite a few samples which was cool but I would rather hear the original of every one I recognized.
Metallica
4/5
I was already familiar with some of the tracks on this album. It's a bit more intense than most music I listen to, but it is very well done. I do feel that Ride The Lightning is a little better, but this one is solid for sure. I would definitely listen again.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
I was not previously familiar with this album but I did recognize Pump It Up once I heard it. Elvis Costello has a unique sound which shines here. The album is good, albeit a little bit forgettable, but Pump It Up is definitely very good.
Iggy Pop
4/5
Very good album. I was previously familiar with the title track and The Passenger, but the whole album is worthwhile. Would listen again.
Bonnie Raitt
3/5
While country/pop is not a genre I would typically listen to, I did enjoy this album. It has a lot going on and the list of who played on the album sure supports that. I may not necessarily seek this one out again, but I sure wouldn't mind hearing it again.
Method Man
1/5
I could not get through it. The beats were not enough for me to listen to the rapping. Will not listen again.
Paul Revere & The Raiders
3/5
This album sounds very much like its era. There are some good moments and solid songs, but overall it just sounds a little bit dated to me. I would listen again, but I would not say I am in any rush to do so.
Thelonious Monk
4/5
This is a good jazz album. It establishes themes and mood well, and the instrumentation is great. Would definitely listen again.
Green Day
5/5
This is a really special album for me - the first CD I ever bought. It was everything to me then, and it still holds up well. During its heyday, you could hear half the songs from this album on the radio. I always enjoy listening to this one.
Dr. Octagon
3/5
This one is a bit more palatable for me than most of the other hip hop albums that have come through. I suppose that's because this one leans quite a bit into trip hop which I have found I like. Still overall I would listen again but I'm not sure I would seek this one out.
Nick Drake
4/5
I already knew this album and I enjoy it a lot. This album establishes the mood so well; it is so dark despite being acoustic guitar and vocals. My favorites are the title song and From The Morning, but there really is not a bad track on here.
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
This is a really good album. Scarborough Fair/Canticle is probably the best known track, but there is a nice mix of electric/acoustic and fast/slow tracks on here. This album shows the direction they are moving and their following albums would be even better.
The Prodigy
4/5
This is a solid album all the way through. I'm a fan of the big beat genre and this is one of the top albums in that genre. This will continue to be in my rotation.
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
This is a really great album, and it includes some absolute classics like All Along the Watchtower and Voodoo Child (Slight Return). I would listen to this album any time.
UB40
3/5
This is a pretty good album. I feel its historical importance is based more on lyrical content than musical content, but the music is good too. The best song for me is Food for Thought. I would listen to this album again.
On a side note, I wish there was more reggae on the 1001 albums list outside of Bob Marley.
Robert Wyatt
2/5
This is pretty far out there. Progressive rock meets jazz fusion meets British folk. This has some moments, but overall it's just ok for what it is. Probably not something I would seek out again.
Drive Like Jehu
3/5
This is an interesting album. While large parts of it are harder than music I would usually listen to, other parts sound like Slint and post-rock to me. I wouldn't have thought these sounds could be found together, but here we are. This is probably not something I'd seek out to listen to again, but I am happy to have heard it once.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
I like Bruce Springsteen but I was previously only familiar with Badlands from this album. This is a good album but I prefer others of his more. I would listen to it again, but it would not be the first Springsteen album I would choose.
Talking Heads
4/5
Talking Heads are so interesting rhythmically. I was previously only familiar with Once in a Lifetime from this album, but it's a good listen.
Maxwell
3/5
I had not previously heard this artist or album so I had no idea what to expect, but this album is a welcome change from most others on this list. It's a pretty nice R&B album. There were some parts that got a little repetitive, but overall I enjoyed it. I could see coming back to this one.
Nirvana
5/5
This is such a good album. Despite being a loud rock band and this album being mostly acoustic and includes many covers, it still captures their essence very well. This has been in my rotation for years and it will continue to be.
Peter Tosh
3/5
I appreciate the appearance of reggae on this list. This album is pretty good, but I wouldn't say great. The title track is the best of the album, but some of the other songs are forgettable. I would listen to it again.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
3/5
This album has Breakdown and American Girl which are two of Tom Petty's best songs. The rest of the album I would say is good but not great. I would listen again, but I would pick some other Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers albums before this one.
Miles Davis
4/5
I think the thing with jazz, more so than most other genres, is that listening to it is very much in the moment. So while I don't really remember much from this album after listening to it, it was great while it was on. This album in particular is historically important as well, given that it basically started the whole Cool Jazz sub-genre. It does feel a bit far away from what Dave Brubeck would be doing later on, but I'm not really prepared to make an argument one way or another. All I can say is I liked listening to this and would listen to it again.
Depeche Mode
3/5
I had heard of the band but was not previously familiar with their music. The music is pretty interesting. It's kind of electronic, new wave, almost industrial in places. I would listen again, but might need to be in the mood to hear it.
Grateful Dead
5/5
Grateful Dead picked up where Cream left off (at least live) and took it even further. This is psychedelic blues improvisation at its finest. They would go on to have a very long career but it was built on live performances. This album was the first live release and opened up the band to a much larger audience outside the Bay Area.
R.E.M.
2/5
This album was just ok for me. Not particularly memorable. Some of the songs didn't really even sound like R.E.M. for me. I didn't mind hearing it but I would not seek it out again.
Dire Straits
4/5
From this album I was previously only familiar with Sultans of Swing. While that is certainly the best track, I would say it's one of several that are worthwhile. I liked this album, and while I think I prefer Brothers in Arms this one is worth listening to again.
Crosby, Stills & Nash
5/5
This is a really special album. The songs are great and the harmonies are top tier. There's not a bad song on here. This album will stay in my rotation.
3/5
I actually liked this more than I thought I would. Several tracks were familiar to me, despite the fact that I could not name a single Limp Bizkit song before listening to this. However, there was some harshness, so while I would listen to this again, I will have to be in the mood for it.
Sinead O'Connor
2/5
I wasn't really familiar with her before listening. Even her best known song "Nothing Compares 2 U" was new for me. This album was just ok for me, nothing particularly objectionable, but not really something I would see myself coming back to either.
Gotan Project
2/5
I had not previously heard of the artist or album. This is kind of electronic, almost ambient. It might be pretty good background music actually. That said, this isn't my kind of music or something I see myself seeking out again.
Oasis
3/5
I like the album What's the Story Morning Glory a lot, but I don't really know this one very well. I really only recognized Live Forever. The other songs seem good, so I will need to listen again.
Radiohead
2/5
I like OK Computer a lot but this is completely different. I am not even sure how to classify it, it sounds ambient or spacy, almost like a movie score. Lots of dissonance. I really don't care for it much, and I doubt I would listen to it again.
The Who
5/5
This is an excellent album. It has three of The Who's best songs: Baba O'Riley, Behind Blue Eyes, and Won't Get Fooled Again, but really there's not a bad track on here. This will stay in heavy rotation.
Thundercat
2/5
I was not previously familiar with the artist or album. This was mostly interesting because of the varied sounds and genres represented, but overall it was just ok. I am glad for having heard it once, but I doubt I would come back to it.
2/5
The first song was kind of interesting I guess, but the rest of the album sounded like that first song over and over. Made for a pretty boring listen. Would not seek this one out again.
Nas
1/5
I made it through two and a half songs and that was it for me. Had to turn it off after that.
Kraftwerk
2/5
It was just ok for me. Kraftwerk definitely has a unique sound, but for me, there was not enough variety within the album to make it interesting enough. Would not seek this one out again.
David Bowie
3/5
The Prodigy
2/5
This was just ok for me. I was a little bit disappointed because I like the album The Fat of the Land so much, but this album just seems harsher and more repetitive. I understand this album came first and it's historically important, but for me, I'll always choose to listen to The Fat of the Land over this album.
Heaven 17
2/5
This album was just ok for me. I am not a big fan of synth-pop and while there was nothing objectionable here, it is not something I would seek out to listen to again.
Supergrass
3/5
This is Britpop not sounding majorly different from Oasis. Despite not really knowing the artist or album by name, I recognized the track Alright, and would note that as the best on the album. Overall this was a good but not great album, and I would listen to it again.
The Kinks
3/5
I really like some Kinks material but they were very prolific and there's a lot that I really don't know. This album was mostly new to me, although I did recognize the song Picture Book. Overall this is a very interesting album, with definite themes throughout. Musically, it's good; it leans a bit more into the British whimsy than I would normally care for, but it works here. I would listen again.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
This is a really good album. It has some of CCR's biggest and best known songs in Bad Moon Rising, Lodi, and the title song. In addition, the non-hits are strong as well. I was already familiar with this album and I would listen to it again any time.
Public Image Ltd.
2/5
I was previously not familiar with the artist or album. Overall this was an interesting listen. It has some elements that I do like, namely the first track sounds like it is way ahead of its time, but other elements that I don't like, especially the vocals in the last track. The instrumentation is interesting, but not enough to bring me back. I don't see coming back to this one.
CHVRCHES
3/5
I had no idea what to expect before listening to this album. This almost makes me think of what a modern ABBA album might sound like. It's interesting and poppy, sort of a throwback sound with modern flourishes. I don't mind it, but it's not really the sort of music I generally listen to so I don't see coming back to this one very often.
Beck
3/5
I actually had this CD back in the 90s. I guess I didn't listen to it very often though as I wasn't particularly familiar with some of the tracks. This is a pretty good album overall, and while there are some harsh tracks, I would listen again.
Green Day
5/5
This album is truly great. I was a big fan of Green Day when Dookie and Insomniac were current, but I was mostly uninterested in the band by the time American Idiot had come out. This album captivated me when it first came out. It was almost like a new band at that point. The songs on this album are very catchy and satisfying, but the social commentary puts this album over the top. It is timeless at this point.
N.E.R.D
3/5
I was not previously familiar with the artist or album, but this was a pretty good listen. I see the genre is listed as rap rock, but it definitely leans more on the rock than the rap to my ears. I would listen to this again.
Malcolm McLaren
3/5
I was not previously familiar with the artist or album. This is a very eclectic album, leaning heavily into completely unrelated genres like hip hop, world music, and square dance music. There are some catchy tunes as well. Overall I'm not sure I would come back and listen again but I'm glad to have heard it once.
The Boo Radleys
3/5
I was not previously familiar with the artist or album. I enjoyed this album. It sounds very much like 90s indie/alternative, in a good way. I would listen again.
Meat Loaf
3/5
I already knew this album before it came up here. It's very much over the top. Paradise By the Dashboard Light is probably the best song, but some of the others are just a little bit much. Many of the songs could be cut down significantly without missing much. It is a good album, but I have to be in the mood to listen to this one.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
The story of this album is pretty crazy - it was recorded as demos with the intention of recording again with the full band, but he released it as it was. The lyrical content here is pretty grim but undeniably Bruce Springsteen. The best track here is Atlantic City. Overall it's interesting and I would listen again, despite probably preferring some of his other material.
Queens of the Stone Age
4/5
Really enjoyed this album. It's not their biggest but it is very solid. I would listen again for sure.
Kraftwerk
3/5
Kraftwerk has such a unique but immediately recognizable sound. This album is very much in line with that. This album uses rhythm synthesizers, which gives it a very different sound from other Kraftwerk material that I know. It makes for a pleasantly hypnotic sound. I would listen to this again.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
This album was just ok for me. The songs and instrumentation was fine, but there's something about his voice that I don't really like but I can't really put my finger on what it is. I was glad when it ended. I wouldn't listen to this again.
Beck
3/5
I was previously familiar with Beck but not this album. This was a pretty interesting listen. As is typical with Beck, there's a vast range of sounds and genres represented. While there wasn't a single standout track that I had to hear again, I would listen to the album again.
OutKast
3/5
I can understand the appeal of this album. I did prefer The Love Below (second half) over Speakerboxxx. This really touches on a lot of genres and is more accessible than I would have expected. Honestly the length is probably the biggest drawback in my eyes, but nonetheless, I could see listening to this again.
Fatboy Slim
3/5
This album has the hits "Praise You", "Right Here, Right Now" and "Rockafeller Skank" which are great and carry this album. The other tracks aren't bad but not particularly memorable. As a result, I would probably choose to listen to just the tracks I like rather than the album as a whole.
Digital Underground
3/5
I recognized The Humpty Dance and liked it, but the whole album is pretty good. This is not a genre I would normally listen to but I would listen to this one again if I was in the mood.
Afrika Bambaataa
1/5
I wanted to like this more than I do. I suppose it is important, but I just find it to be boring. The beats are just too unvaried. I will say it does have a unique sound, but that's about all it has going for it in my opinion. Ready to turn it off after two and a half tracks.
Peter Gabriel
4/5
This is a good album. I had already heard it a couple times before. The best track is "In Your Eyes" but "Red Rain," "Sledgehammer," and "Big Time" are also strong. There isn't a weak track amongst the others as well. I would listen to this again for sure.
John Lennon
4/5
At one time in my life this album was probably in my top 10. At this point, it is not nearly as high, but it is still a good album. I will still listen to it but I have to be in the mood for it sometimes.
The Young Rascals
4/5
I was a little surprised by this album. I was previously familiar with Good Lovin' (not on this album) and Groovin' but no other songs by The (Young) Rascals. However, then I realized when listening that I recognized quite a few of these songs. This is firmly in "oldies" territory rather than "classic rock" in the instrumentation and song structure. The songs are really good; I would listen to this again.
The The
3/5
This sounds very much like the typical 80s pop. It was ok for me, nothing particularly objectionable but nothing really stood out either. I could take it or leave it.
Mudhoney
3/5
T. Rex
3/5
I've heard this album once or twice before. While some tracks are more forgettable than others, overall this is a good album. Get It On is the best song but the whole album has a cohesive sound that I appreciate. I would listen again.
Fugees
3/5
I would not ordinarily listen to hip hop but I really liked this album. It is very accessible for someone like me who does not listen to it normally. The covers were faithful but definitely still within the style of the rest of the album. Would listen again.
Supertramp
4/5
There's not a ton of progressive rock on this list, so I was happy to see this one come up. This is a nice album, very atmospheric in sound. I was already familiar with some tracks, but I enjoyed all of them. I would listen again.
Primal Scream
4/5
I was not previously familiar with the artist or album before listening. I actually really enjoyed it. It is very much ambient almost noise rock, but I found it relaxing and almost hypnotizing at times. This would be great to put on while getting work done. I will listen again for sure.
The B-52's
2/5
I was not previously familiar with this album at all. I was a little bit disappointed. The supposed best track on this album is Rock Lobster but I did not like it. The rest of the tracks didn't really do anything for me either. Would not listen again.
AC/DC
4/5
This is a really good album with some really great, timeless songs. Hells Bells, Back In Black, and You Shook Me All Night Long are all timeless, and the other tracks are good too.
Amy Winehouse
3/5
I had previously heard of Amy Winehouse but was not familiar with any songs on this album. I enjoyed it for the most part. It's pretty smooth and her voice is great. Some of the songs are better than others, my favorite of which might be Help Yourself is not even available on Spotify in the US. I would listen again, but probably would have to be in the mood for it.
Bad Brains
2/5
I was not previously familiar with the artist or album. It's rock mostly leaning punk. It's a bit rough around the edges for me, and I don't really care for the vocals.
Bob Dylan
4/5
Solid album with some of Dylan's best songs. Notable are Blowin' in the Wind, Masters of War, and A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall. That said, I tend to prefer his electric material, so while this is good, it probably is not my first choice of Dylan album to listen to.
Sonic Youth
3/5
I have heard of Sonic Youth but was not really familiar with their music or anything on this album. I wasn't really sure what to expect. It's pretty far out there as alt rock goes. I liked some, did not like some. Overall I would say it's not something I would likely come back to, but I am glad to have heard it once.
Elton John
5/5
This is a really fantastic album. It has been one of my favorites for a long time. There are many excellent songs. Despite its length there really isn't a bad song on here (Jamaica Jerk comes the closest but that is really a novelty song). I would listen to this any time.
Steely Dan
3/5
This album has a good infusion of jazz sensibilities to Steely Dan's pop/rock sound. The best song on the album is Rikki Don't Lose That Number. Some of the other tracks are a bit forgettable, but overall the album is fine. The sound is very good.
Elvis Costello
3/5
Elvis Costello has a pretty unique sound which is on full display on this album. I didn't mind this album, but I wouldn't say it hooked me either. After listening to it, I don't really remember any standout song. I could take it or leave it.
Dexys Midnight Runners
2/5
I liked the Too Rye Ay album but did not care for this one. I did not care for the spoken word tracks (there are two!) and the music did not seem interesting enough to me, despite extensive use of non-standard rock instruments. Would not listen again.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
5/5
This is an excellent album without a single weak track. It includes many of Bob Marley's biggest and best songs like Jamming, One Love, and Three Little Birds. The non-hit tracks are really good as well. I would listen to this album anytime.
Funkadelic
4/5
I was already familiar with this album when it came up. The title track is excellent, and the album is good overall. Some of the other tracks are forgettable but overall it's worth a listen for the title track alone, which has some of the best guitar work I've heard by any artist.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
This is an excellent album. It's hard rock built on top of blues in the best way possible. Led Zeppelin had an amazing career, and they were well on their way even with the first album. There's not a single dud on here. The original songs are excellent, and the covers are very well done. They show they can get heavy even with acoustic guitars. I would listen to this album any time.
Morrissey
3/5
I had previously heard of Morrissey but did not know any material. This was kind of just ok for me. He does have a good voice, and I did like the song "Everyday is Like Sunday" but I felt that many songs seemed a bit moody and dramatic to me. I could see maybe listening to this again if I was in the mood, but honestly don't really care much one way or the other.
Hot Chip
3/5
I had never heard of the artist or album before it came up. I was pleasantly surprised at this album. It's kind of like an 80s throwback in style (electro-pop) but it does sound more modern than that. I appreciate the changes in styles throughout the album as well, although some worked better than others for me. Overall I liked it and would listen again.
The Hives
2/5
I was not familiar with the artist or album before listening. The music was just ok for me. Kind of garage sounding indie rock. But reading about how this is a compilation of two albums and an EP "with the intention of achieving mainstream success" kind of seems like it's not appropriate for inclusion with this series. Would not seek this one out again.
The Cure
3/5
This is quite a dark and brooding album. Very heavy. I liked the cohesiveness of the album, but feel like I might have to be in the mood to listen to this one again.
Judas Priest
4/5
I had already heard this album at least a couple times before. It's a pretty good metal album but without much of the harshness that a lot of metal stuff can have. It has some really big songs in Breaking the Law and Living After Midnight, but the whole album is worthwhile. Would listen again.
Paul Weller
4/5
I was not previously familiar with the artist or the album, but I really enjoyed this. Pretty accessible, would listen again.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
I was already familiar with this album. It's great. It showcases Led Zeppelin's softer acoustic side very well. Of course it also has bangers too in Immigrant Song and Since I've Been Loving You. It is probably Zeppelin's most underrated album, but that's really only because they have so many great albums and this one is easy to overlook. I would listen to this album any time.
Deep Purple
4/5
I was already familiar with this album. It's a very solid album. It has some of Deep Purple's best songs, including Highway Star and Smoke on the Water. All the tracks are worthwhile though, with some really nice guitar and organ riffs and solos throughout. I would listen to this again any time.
R.E.M.
4/5
This album has Everybody Hurts, Man on the Moon and Drive, which are great songs. The remaining songs are good too, and the entire album has a cohesive sound that is undeniably R.E.M. which I appreciate. I would listen again.
Janis Joplin
4/5
This is a very nice album, recorded right up until her death and released afterwards. It has some great songs but there is not a dud on here. The sound is very polished, which gives her voice extra life. I would listen again for sure.
Beastie Boys
2/5
I like the instrumentation and many of the samples are interesting, but I really don't like the vocals at all. I've had to skip through some tracks. I like the instrumental tracks quite a lot though. Overall I would not listen to the album again.
The Streets
1/5
I was not previously familiar with the artist or album. I liked the track Dry Your Eyes, but that was about it. I hate the vocals. Had to skip this to get through it. Would not listen again.
Billie Holiday
3/5
I was previously familiar with Billie Holiday but probably couldn't name any songs. This album has some nice songs and she has a great voice. That said, this sort of music isn't something I would choose to listen to very often.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
I had previously heard this album before and I already knew the hits very well. It's a very good album. Bruce Springsteen has a very distinctive voice and sound, which is on full display here. I would listen again for sure.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
5/5
I was already intimately familiar with this album. It's one of the albums that turned me on to the entire Jazz genre, especially Cool Jazz. It is effortlessly timeless (see what I did there?). Just beautiful. Worth a listen any time.
The Notorious B.I.G.
2/5
I am really not a fan of this genre. I don't care for the vocal style or lyrical content, but this album does have some interesting instrumentation. I recognized the track Big Poppa so that got some cross-genre exposure. I wouldn't listen again.
Radiohead
3/5
I was previously familiar with Radiohead. This is a pretty different album from OK Computer, which I am most familiar with. This album shows a pretty strong electronic influence, and from here, you can see where they would go even further with In Rainbows. I didn't mind the album but didn't immediately love it either. I will listen again to see if it grows on me, but for now I could take it or leave it.
The Beach Boys
3/5
This is not really a typical Beach Boys album since it is light on the lush harmonies that they are known for, but it is an interesting album nonetheless. Student Demonstration Time in particular is a pretty stark departure from most of their other material in both sound and lyrical content. I'm not sure I would pick this album if I wanted to hear the Beach Boys, but I did not mind listening to it. I would listen again.
Frank Ocean
4/5
I had previously heard of Frank Ocean but was not familiar with any music. This album was a pretty big surprise to me. I didn't know what to expect, but this was really interesting. There is a lot going on but the music itself is also really good. I feel like I need repeated listens to really get everything this album has to offer. Would definitely listen again.
Beatles
4/5
This is an example that proves that even a "mediocre" Beatles album is still a really good album in the grand scheme of things. Compared to their first two releases, this album shows significant growth with great harmonies, catchy tunes, and overall songwriting. It still sounds like their early material with a lot of love songs, but that's not a bad thing. Overall it's a nice snapshot in time, a nice album for what it is, to show progression from album to album, and a really solid album for 1964. Peak Beatles albums would come later, however.
Weather Report
4/5
I was previously familiar with Birdland from this album. Given what I know from that track, this album is pretty much what I expected. It's really good jazz fusion. My favorite track is probably A Remark You Made but it's solid front to back. Would listen again.
Queen
3/5
I was already familiar with Queen but don't know this album very well. This album has Queen's massive talent on full display. The instrumentation and vocals are excellent. In terms of songwriting, it's not as strong. Many of the tracks are a little bit too out there for me to really enjoy, otherwise it's fine to listen to but doesn't really make me excited to hear again.
Dirty Projectors
2/5
I was not previously familiar with the artist or album. This is kind of a strange listen. It's indie with both male and female vocals, mostly acoustic guitars, and some tracks have strings as well. There's some strange syncopation and repetition on some tracks that's a bit off-putting. The tracks overall don't feel coherent as an album. Some interesting parts but not enough to come back. Would not listen again.
Talking Heads
4/5
I know Talking Heads but did not know this album, aside from Take Me To The River. This album is undeniably Talking Heads with their rhythmic sound and style. The album is very good. While none of the individual tracks stood out after the first listen, I would listen to the full album again for sure.
U2
5/5
This is probably my favorite U2 album and there are several good ones. This album has a gritty undertone that I like and don't get from their other material. My favorite track is Mysterious Ways but pretty much all the tracks are very good.
k.d. lang
2/5
I was not previously familiar with the music before listening, and I did not expect a country album. I can acknowledge that it was very good for what it is - her voice is good and the songs were fine, but this is not the sort of music I normally enjoy listening to, so I don't plan to listen again.
Patti Smith
3/5
I was already aware of this album but maybe had not heard it before. I can see the appeal of this album and why it is (rightly) highly regarded. She has a pretty unique voice and the songs are good. The tracks blending Gloria and Land of a Thousand Dances with her original lyrics are pretty special. Definitely the two highlights of the album for me. That said, her voice starts to cause some ear fatigue by the end of the album. Her voice reminds me of Stevie Nicks in that regard, but at least in her band, she shares vocal duties with other singers. I would listen again, but maybe not right away.
Nanci Griffith
2/5
I was not familiar with the artist or album before it came up. I could tell from the cover this was going to be a country album. It is a country album. Nothing objectionable but for someone who doesn't normally listen to this, it is not my cup of tea and not something I would listen to again.
Jurassic 5
3/5
I was not previously familiar with the artist or album. This is a hip hop album, and yes there is rapping, but less than I would have expected. The instrumentation is quite varied and interesting to me. There are elements of other genres like jazz. I don't really care for rap in general, but this album had a lot for me to like.
Sade
3/5
I was not previously familiar with the artist or album. This sounds like the music of a smoky jazz bar with a female lead vocal. Her voice is really nice and the band is smooth. This is not something I would ordinarily listen to but I did like hearing it so I wouldn't mind hearing it again.
The Byrds
4/5
This was a very interesting album. I am already familiar with The Byrds, but was not familiar with most of the material on this album. I only knew "Wasn't Born to Follow" prior to listening. The sound here is very lush and rich, and the harmonies are excellent. The album takes inspiration from other genres like country and psychedelia. I enjoyed this quite a bit and I would listen again.
The Birthday Party
2/5
I was not previously familiar with the artist or album, however I am familiar with Nick Cave as some albums have come up earlier in the 1001 albums exercise. Once I realized that Nick Cave was involved in this and after I looked at the album cover, the music of this album pretty much exactly matches what I expected. I'm really not a fan of his style, and this album has an unpalatable dark and dissonant sound on top of that. I suppose maybe this album has some historical importance, at least within the context of Nick Cave's career, but I do not care for it and would not listen again.
James Brown
5/5
I was already familiar with this album before listening. It's a very good illustration of James Brown was like in concert, earning him the "hardest working man in show business" moniker. It's high energy and showcases his strong vocals and stage presence. My only complaint is it's pretty short at only 31 minutes. Would listen again.
Public Enemy
3/5
I have heard of this album but had not listened to it before. This is not in my wheelhouse, but I can appreciate it for what it is: strong beats, good use of samples, and great vocals. I wouldn't choose to listen to hip hop, but I could listen to this again.
Eminem
2/5
Before listening, I was already familiar with Eminem but nothing from this album. The standout track for me is Stan, which is great in its sampling, story-telling, and overall sound. The rest of the album I don't particularly care for. Kim, is also particularly memorable, but more for its horror than for being a good song. Stan is good, but wouldn't listen to the album again.
Prefab Sprout
2/5
I was not previously familiar with the artist or album. This album did not really do anything for me. It sounds like generic 80s pop to me. No interest in listening again.
Justin Timberlake
2/5
I can understand the appeal of this album as being a leap forward from the boy band sound, but I'm really not a fan of it. There's some energy here, for sure, but this is not something I would listen to again.
The Mamas & The Papas
3/5
This album has California Dreamin' and Monday Monday, which I was already familiar with. These two also happen to be the strongest songs on the album. The remainder of the album is overall pretty forgettable. There are some covers which in my opinion don't add anything over other versions. I would listen again because I didn't mind it, but would probably prefer to just listen to California Dreamin'.
Nick Drake
3/5
I was already familiar with Nick Drake, particularly the Pink Moon album, although his Five Leaves Left album also came up earlier in this 1001 albums exercise. I would rate this album between the two; I like it better than Five Leaves Left but not as much as Pink Moon. This album also has some other musicians, where Pink Moon is just guitar and vocals. The album is good, but Pink Moon is still better.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
5/5
This is a really great album full of excellent songs. It seems like half or more of the songs on the album would fit on a greatest hits - Who'll Stop The Rain, Lookin' Out My Back Door, Run Through The Jungle, etc. etc. My favorite tracks are more jam oriented and less radio-friendly: Ramble Tamble and I Heard It Through The Grapevine. I would listen to this album any time.
Calexico
4/5
I was not previously familiar with the artist or album so I had no idea what to expect. This is a kind of acoustic indie/alternative. Pretty chill but atmospheric at the same time. I enjoyed it a lot and would listen again.
Cee Lo Green
1/5
I was previously familiar with Cee-Lo Green's songs Fuck You and Crazy, but nothing from this album. I really did not care for this. The production is pretty good for the most part and I do like that this touches on several genres, but the vocals and lyrics are just not my cup of tea at all. While I can see some appeal of having so many guest rappers, I did not care at all. Had to start skipping after a couple songs. Would not listen again.
Emmylou Harris
3/5
I was not previously familiar with this album, but I do know Emmylou Harris. This is a pretty good album. She has a great voice, and the instrumentation is solid. In reading about this album, it seems like most of the tracks are covers, but I was previously only familiar with Coat of Many Colors and For No One. I would listen to this album again.
The Doors
4/5
I was already familiar with this album prior to listening. It's a very strong album. Love Her Madly, Riders on the Storm, and the title track are huge hits, but really all the tracks are good. Aside from the aforementioned tracks, my favorites are The Changeling and Hyacinth House. I would listen to this album any time.
Roxy Music
3/5
I had previously heard of Roxy Music but was not familiar with this album. It's not bad but a little weird. It's basically prog rock meets glam rock. It's not bad, but probably not something I would come back to often.
Butthole Surfers
2/5
I was previously familiar with Butthole Surfers for the song Pepper which is not on this album. This is a pretty far out there album. Parts of it are ok but other parts are borderline unlistenable. I would not listen again.
Public Enemy
2/5
I have heard Public Enemy but was not previously familiar with this album. This is not something I would normally listen to, and I did not really get any sort of feeling listening to it. Would not listen again.
Incubus
4/5
I was already familiar with this album before listening. It's a good album. It is more accessible than their previous material but still has a hard edge that defines this album. One of the more mellow songs on the album, Drive, is an instant classic and hints at where they would go with the next album Morning View, but it does feel a little out of place on this album. I will listen to this album again for sure.
Throbbing Gristle
1/5
Unlistenable noise with nothing resembling music to be found. Did this lead to the creation of the entire industrial genre? Maybe but this is awful to listen to. Seriously worse than Metal Machine Music. Albums like this make me question the decision to do the 1001 albums exercise. I could not get through even half of it.
Aphex Twin
4/5
I had previously heard this album before. This is a great album for playing in the background but it's also interesting when you listen close. I may not always choose to listen to this, but it's never a bad choice. I would listen again for sure.
Pearl Jam
5/5
I am already very familiar with this album. It's one of the best albums of the 1990s. While the bigger hits got major airplay, like Even Flow, Jeremy, Alive, and Black, every song on the album is solid. There isn't a single skip. I could listen to this album every day.
B.B. King
5/5
I was already familiar with this album. It's a really great showcase for B.B. King's immense talent on guitar and showmanship. He's upbeat, funny, and a great storyteller in addition to killing it on the guitar. The 10 tracks on here are all solid. The only thing I could say is I wish it was longer! One of the best live albums of all time.
Kings of Leon
3/5
I was not previously familiar with this album, although I have heard of the band. This is a sort of indie/alternative, not too far from The Strokes. I enjoyed listening to this and would be willing to listen again, but there wasn't anything that really stood out to me.
Dr. John
3/5
I was previously familiar with Dr. John but not this particular album. This album is pretty good, sound is typical for Dr. John. Mostly catchy but some weird parts. Overall it is good, and I would listen again.
The Stooges
4/5
I was already familiar with The Stooges, although I know some other albums better than this one. This album is right in line with their sound - loud and raw and proud of it. Some tracks are better than others but overall it's good. I would listen again.
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
3/5
I was not previously familiar with the artist or the album. It was pretty good, nothing particularly objectionable. Nothing really stood out after one listen but I would listen again.
Harry Nilsson
4/5
I was previously familiar with some of the songs on here but not the entire album. This album showcases some great songwriting. Without You in particular is an excellent song that elevates the whole album. Coconut is fun. There's not a dud on here. I would listen again.
Kacey Musgraves
3/5
I was not previously familiar with the artist or the album. After listening, I can see the appeal. She has a nice voice and the production seems to be top notch. I wouldn't mind listening to this again, but probably wouldn't seek it out either.
Blur
3/5
I was previously familiar with "Song 2" from this album. It's a good song, and much of the rest of the album isn't bad either. It doesn't really grab me much either after one listen. I would listen again, but not necessarily excited to do it right away.
The Triffids
2/5
I was not previously familiar with the artist or the album. This sounds like kind of generic, bland 80s pop. While there isn't necessarily anything particularly objectionable, I don't care for it and would not listen again.
Caetano Veloso
3/5
I was not previously familiar with this album, but I am aware of Caetano Veloso and Tropicália. This album has the sound I was expecting, and some of the songs are definitely interesting. It is good enough that I would listen again, but I would rate this one below Os Mutantes self-titled album from the same year and genre.
Kings of Leon
4/5
I previously listened to Kings of Leon that had come up during this exercise. I enjoyed this album a lot. It is rock with an indie sound, but the songs are good. I would listen to this again for sure.
TV On The Radio
2/5
I was not previously familiar with the artist or album. This is indie rock, but it's pretty weird. The acapella elements and the use of non-standard instruments are interesting to hear. There's a little too much dissonance in the sound for my liking, however. I am glad to have heard it once, but I doubt I would listen to it again.
Solomon Burke
2/5
I had previously heard of Solomon Burke but was not familiar with his music. I was disappointed in this album. From the title, I was hoping for more of a rock and roll or soul sound, but this is something else. There's some Spanish guitar, brass and strings, and background singers that I wouldn't associate with either rock and roll or soul. There wasn't anything wrong with this, but I didn't enjoy it and would not listen again.
Donald Fagen
3/5
I had previously heard this album once or twice. It sounds very much like Steely Dan, of which Fagen was a member before it split, but it also sounds like a product of the 80s. The production is top notch. I did not really mind listening to it but it is a little bit too slick for my taste. I may listen again at some point, but won't be in any rush to do so.
The Cult
3/5
I was not previously familiar with this album. This is some good guitar rock. Nothing here is remarkable, but it's good for what it is. I would listen again because I enjoy rock.
Jean-Michel Jarre
4/5
I had previously heard this album before but only once or twice. It's electronic and ambient and an interesting listen. I would listen again.
Milton Nascimento
2/5
I was not previously familiar with the artist or album. As evident from the title, this album is not in English - it's actually Portuguese. There are some interesting tracks here, but I feel it's a bit long for me given I don't speak the language. I did not mind hearing this but doubt I would listen again.
Jefferson Airplane
5/5
At one time, this was one of my favorite albums by any artist. I still like it a lot. It has everything - smash hits (Somebody to Love, White Rabbit), rocking songs (She Has Funny Cars, Plastic Fantastic Lover), introspective songs (Coming Back to Me, Today), pure psychedelia (How Do You Feel), and virtuoso guitar playing (Embryonic Journey). Having both male and female vocals really adds to the sound. It really is one of the best albums of the 60s for sure.
GZA
2/5
I was not previously familiar with this. I'm not really a big fan of this genre, but this one had a bit more to offer than other rap albums I've heard. I probably still wouldn't listen again though.
Spiritualized
4/5
I came in already having heard this album. This is a pleasant listen. It's ambient and interesting, really makes you feel like you are floating. While the whole album is worthwhile, the track Shine A Light stands out. I would listen again for sure.
Lou Reed
3/5
I have previously listened to this album once or twice. It's a little bit out there, although that is not uncommon for Lou Reed. I would not call this a light and accessible album, but it is very good for what it is. That said, I would listen again, but would definitely have to be in the mood for it.
Ella Fitzgerald
2/5
I kind of feel like compilations are against the spirit of this list. This is very long - 6 disks on Spotify and well over 3 hours. Ella Fitzgerald is great, and these songs are timeless, but this is a lot to get through. I am recognizing some songs which is cool, but this really isn't something I would choose to listen to, even if I wanted to hear Ella Fitzgerald.
New Order
3/5
I was not previously familiar with this album. It was good, I suppose, although for much of the album I would not say it really held my attention. The track Elegia stood out to me, however. I suppose I would listen to this album again, but am not really in any sort of rush to do so.
Aerosmith
3/5
I was already familiar with this album before listening. It's a pretty good rock album which also happens to contain two of the best rock songs of all time in Walk This Way and Sweet Emotion. The other songs aren't bad, but certainly are not as good as those two. I would listen to the album again, but wouldn't mind just hearing Walk This Way or Sweet Emotion outside of the full album.
OutKast
2/5
I was not previously familiar with this album although I did recognize the song So Fresh, So Clean. That track was probably the standout for me. While I did appreciate the variety of sounds included here, this is not something I would listen to again.
Joe Ely
1/5
I was not previously familiar with the artist or album, but from the cover and title, I would have guessed it was country. I did not care for this at all. It was painful to get through even though it's relatively short. I would not listen again.
Jane Weaver
4/5
I was not previously familiar with the artist or album. I see that Jane Weaver is listed as a psychedelic folk artist, but to my ears, I would classify this as more of a prog rock album. I really enjoyed this a lot. It is one of my favorite discoveries as a result of this 1001 albums exercise, and I am at well over 400 albums in currently. Considering this album does not have its own Wikipedia page, it seems she is not well known. I would listen to this album again for sure, and probably seek out her other material as well.
Johnny Cash
4/5
Another fine Johnny Cash live album recorded in a prison. I couldn't necessarily tell them apart or pick a favorite, but this one is good. The songs are good and memorable, featuring I Walk The Line and A Boy Named Sue. The track San Quentin was so well received, it was essentially played again as a reprise immediately after. The commentary between tracks was cool as well. Fun album!
The Coral
4/5
I was not previously familiar with the artist or album before listening, however "Dreaming of You" seemed familiar to me. This is a pretty cool album. It is kind of indie/alt rock but touches on a lot of genres in the process. A lot of it was pretty catchy. I liked this and would definitely listen to this again.
Wilco
4/5
I have heard this album before. It's kind of a indie rock with a noise/experimental edge. There are some catchy songs on here some sprawling, more introspective songs. I do like it and would listen again.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
This is a really solid album that features many good songs. I appreciate how the Stones during this era really touched on a lot of different genres and sounds as well. This might not be my favorite Stones album, and it is a bit long being a double album, but I would still listen to it again for sure.
Talvin Singh
2/5
I was not previously familiar with the artist or album. This is pretty interesting. It's like a modern sounding electronic/dance album with Indian flourishes. It is unlike anything I've heard before. No specific tracks really stood out to me, good or bad. I am glad to have heard it once, but I am not likely to listen to it again.
The KLF
2/5
I was not previously familiar with the artist or album. This is a sort of dance pop album which has some Britpop and even some Reggae elements in some places. It's light and airy, and a little bit interesting in some places, but overall not super captivating. I would not listen again.
Supergrass
2/5
I had previously heard another one of their albums as part of the 1001 albums but was not previously familiar with this album. This is Britpop and seemed fine but unremarkable. I would not seek out this album to listen again.
ZZ Top
4/5
I was already familiar with several songs on this album. This is a good rock album, and it contains one of the best songs of all time in La Grange. Waitin' for the Bus and Jesus Just Left Chicago are also very strong. That said, there really isn't a weak song on here. I may not always choose to listen to the full album over the best songs, but I would listen to this again for sure.
Beck
3/5
I was previously familiar with Beck but not with this album. Like his other material, this is alt/indie rock which takes influences from electronic and other genres. This album seems to have a little more country influence than his other albums that I've heard. I liked it and would listen again.
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
2/5
This is an odd album. Very few vocals, eclectic instruments, and lots of dissonance. It almost seems more like a movie soundtrack than an album. It's just ok. Some of the themes are good, but overall it gets to be grating after awhile. I would not listen again, but glad to have heard it once.
Fleet Foxes
4/5
I was already familiar with this album before listening. It is indie rock that feels like a breath of fresh air. The vocal harmonies are superb. The instrumentation is fairly simple but it works well. I would listen to this album any time.
4/5
I was already familiar with this album. I suppose this is best classified as progressive rock, but this album touches on multiple subgenres within rock. The vocals remind me of U2, and the instrumentation is excellent. Several tracks are particularly memorable: Starlight, Supermassive Black Hole, and Assassin, which would not sound out of place on a metal album, along with Knights of Cydonia. I would listen to this album again for sure.
1/5
I was previously familiar with Ornette Coleman but not John Zorn. I can sort of see the appeal of this in theory - it's a very interesting mashup of genres. I would even go so far as to say that it works, for a few tracks. But a full album of this is way too much. This could work as an album if alternated with some palate cleansing between the tracks. As it stands, it's a relentless assault on the ears. I could see a track here or there working within the context of something larger (particularly the track "Blues Connotation" which stood out in a good way), but this is not good as it is. I could not get through all of it and would not listen again.
Lambchop
2/5
I was not previously familiar with the artist or the album. While this seems like an interesting concept--country with influences of soul and jazz--I didn't really care for this too much. I will not listen again.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
2/5
I was not previously familiar with the artist or album. This is kind of a hard indie rock with female vocals. I don't really care for it much to be honest. I don't care much for the vocals, and the instrumentation is just ok, but not great for me. Based on number of listens on Spotify, it seems that Maps is the most popular track. I could see it from the perspective that it doesn't have the harsh vocals that many other tracks have, but still doesn't do much for me. I wouldn't seek this album out again.
Keith Jarrett
4/5
I was already familiar with this album. It is a solo piano performance, but I feel like that kind of undersells how good it is. It contains a good deal of improvisation which I appreciate, but is cohesive and tells a story in the music. I would listen to this again for sure.
Madonna
3/5
I was previously familiar with Madonna but not this particular album. This album surprised me. I wasn't sure what to expect, but this is quite a departure from her more pop-oriented material I knew previously. There are a lot of ambient and electronic elements that I found pretty enjoyable. While the album did seem awfully long, I would listen to it again.
Sonic Youth
2/5
I was previously familiar with a couple Sonic Youth tracks, but none from this album. While I respect the music and appreciate the cohesive mood throughout the entire album, this is a little bit too dissonant for me, I didn't really care for it. I would not listen again.
Fiona Apple
4/5
I had previously heard of Fiona Apple but was not really familiar with her music. From this album, I recognized Criminal. While Criminal is definitely the strongest track from this album, the rest of the album is good as well. She has a nice voice, and the songs on here suit her well. I enjoyed this and would listen again.
Gil Scott-Heron
3/5
I was previously familiar with Gil Scott-Heron but not Brian Jackson or this album. This is a sort of funk/jazz/blues mix with almost proto-rap on top. It's a very interesting sound, including sounds from many years both before and after its release. The social commentary is pointed albeit a bit dated now, well after the fact, in the case of H2Ogate Blues. This was a fun listen, and while I would listen again, I'm not sure I would seek it out specifically.
Gene Clark
3/5
I had previously heard of Gene Clark, because of his association with The Byrds, but was not familiar with this album. After listening to this, it is apparent how much influence he had in The Byrds' sound. This album was a fine and pleasant listen, but was not particularly memorable. I would listen again, however.
Pantera
2/5
I was previously familiar with Pantera but don't really know any of their material. This is about what I expected from a metal album. It has some nice guitar and drum work, but the vocals are a bit harsh for me. I can handle a few songs at a time, but it gets to be too much for a full album. This Love and Hollow stood out as good tracks. I may listen to this again, but definitely have to be in the mood for this one.
Saint Etienne
2/5
I was not previously familiar with the artist or album. This is a sort of dream pop meets dance music. I did not really care for it. Even the most popular track, a cover of Neil Young's Only Love Can Break Your Heart did not do anything for me. I would not listen again.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
2/5
I enjoyed some of the other Elvis Costello material on this list, namely My Aim Is True, but this album does not do anything for me. I could not get through it. There is some weird orchestral instrumentation that does not really fit. The songs are not engaging for me. Would not listen again.
Sonic Youth
3/5
I was previously familiar with Sonic Youth, but not this album. This was a pretty interesting listen. It is taking alternative rock pretty far into noise territory, but without harshness (ok maybe a little, but it's not that much or that bad). They have figured out how to use dissonance melodically, as strange as that sounds. I enjoyed hearing this and I would listen again but I might not be in a rush to do so.
Blood, Sweat & Tears
4/5
I was already familiar with this album previously. Blood, Sweat & Tears is one of the better examples of blending jazz (using horns) and rock, along with Chicago. This is a strong album to showcase that. There are some catchy songs with some extended instrumental passages as well. It may be a bit dated, but it's very good and I would listen again.
Julian Cope
2/5
I was not previously familiar with the artist or album. It's a sort of rock that has a dark but fast vibe. I didn't mind this at first, but I feel that it went on a bit too long and was a bit too repetitive, and I got tired of it by the end. I won't listen to this again.
Happy Mondays
3/5
Kind of had low expectations because I did not care for Bummed which came up previously, but this was much better in my opinion. This album set a pretty good groove and kept it up right until the next thing I knew, the album was over. While the tracks seemed to be mostly indistinguishable for me, I would listen again.
Flamin' Groovies
3/5
I have heard this album once or twice before. It is pretty good, albeit a bit derivative. It is a blues-influenced rock and sounds like the Rolling Stones from a few years prior. I enjoy it and would listen again, but it is probably not really worthy of being included in this list.
Echo And The Bunnymen
2/5
I have previously heard of the artist but not any material. This was just ok for me. The beginning of the first track had me excited that this would be something psychedelic and weird, but it never did go back to that. The whole album sounded the same to me, just sort of dark generic rock. Would not listen again.
Mike Oldfield
4/5
I was already familiar with this album. It is some really good progressive rock. It may be a 49 minute two-part instrumental, but it is architected in such a way that keeps it interesting. There is the overall theme that gets established and then revisited, and then a series of smaller, shorter movements which are established and elaborated, and then it is on to the next one. This might not be something to listen to all the time, but it's a very rewarding listen.
Jazmine Sullivan
2/5
I was not previously familiar with the artist or album. This is a sort of R&B women's anthem album. The vocals are pretty good, and I can respect this for what it is. There is nothing particularly objectionable here, but nothing special either. Hard to understand how this made the cut. This isn't something I could see myself listening to again.
Paul McCartney
3/5
Although I am familiar with quite a few Paul McCartney albums, I don't really know this album very well. Although it does have Maybe I'm Amazed, this album is mostly forgettable. It has its moments, sure, but overall it's pretty uneven. While this is not a bad album, I doubt I would come back to this one.
Queen Latifah
2/5
I have heard of Queen Latifah but don't really know any of her material. After the first two or three tracks, I didn't really care for this album, but after getting a few more tracks into it, it started to grow on me. At its heart, this seems like dance beats with rapped vocals. It incorporates other genres too though, reggae, jazz, and soul. I doubt I would come back to this, but I can see the appeal and am happy to have heard it once.
Leonard Cohen
3/5
I was previously familiar with Leonard Cohen, but not this album. This album does well represent what you think of with him - brilliant lyrics, stripped down arrangements, and his voice. I appreciate this for what it is, and while I would listen again, I am not exactly rushing to do so.
Herbie Hancock
4/5
I was already familiar with this album. It is some great jazz fusion/funk. Chameleon is an absolute jam, lasting over 15 minutes, with some great bass, horns, and keyboard work. Watermelon Man is another standout, but the entire album is strong. I would listen to this again for sure.