294
Albums Rated
3.39
Average Rating
27%
Complete
795 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
2010
Favorite Decade
Hip-hop
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
38
5-Star Albums
4
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
Top Styles
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Strange Cargo III
William Orbit
|
5 | 2.77 | +2.23 |
|
Survivor
Destiny's Child
|
5 | 2.87 | +2.13 |
|
Joan Baez
Joan Baez
|
5 | 2.97 | +2.03 |
|
Time (The Revelator)
Gillian Welch
|
5 | 3.05 | +1.95 |
|
Get Rich Or Die Tryin'
50 Cent
|
5 | 3.06 | +1.94 |
|
Tubular Bells
Mike Oldfield
|
5 | 3.1 | +1.9 |
|
Live 1966 (The Royal Albert Hall Concert)
Bob Dylan
|
5 | 3.14 | +1.86 |
|
The Slim Shady LP
Eminem
|
5 | 3.28 | +1.72 |
|
Endtroducing.....
DJ Shadow
|
5 | 3.35 | +1.65 |
|
Doggystyle
Snoop Dogg
|
5 | 3.36 | +1.64 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Doolittle
Pixies
|
1 | 3.74 | -2.74 |
|
Meat Puppets II
Meat Puppets
|
1 | 3.02 | -2.02 |
|
This Nation’s Saving Grace
The Fall
|
1 | 2.89 | -1.89 |
|
Time Out
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
|
2 | 3.83 | -1.83 |
|
Harvest
Neil Young
|
2 | 3.81 | -1.81 |
|
Transformer
Lou Reed
|
2 | 3.67 | -1.67 |
|
Tea for the Tillerman
Cat Stevens
|
2 | 3.67 | -1.67 |
|
Getz/Gilberto
Stan Getz
|
2 | 3.66 | -1.66 |
|
Pink Moon
Nick Drake
|
2 | 3.65 | -1.65 |
|
Live At The Witch Trials
The Fall
|
1 | 2.64 | -1.64 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Beatles | 4 | 4.5 |
| Queen | 2 | 5 |
| Elton John | 2 | 5 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| The Fall | 2 | 1 |
| Pixies | 2 | 1.5 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| David Bowie | 2, 3, 2, 5 |
5-Star Albums (38)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Gang Of Four · 1 likes
2/5
Certainly share their politics, percussion and guitar work is solid, but good lord the vocal work is unbearable. Ever heard of varying your tone? The instrumentals have enough merit that I can’t fairly give this a 1, but I really fucking want to. Listened to: walking around the F1 track in Montreal. Favorite track: Love Like Anthrax
Neil Young · 1 likes
2/5
Stop me if you've heard this one before - interesting lore behind this album. You can nearly hear the winced pain of Young's ailing back through the recordings, but there's a bit of edge, a bit of bitterness and melancholy that elevates the end product. The downside of the more subdued approach is that there's nowhere for the oft-lackluster vocals to hide ("Are You Ready for the Country" is unbearable). The tracks with the London Symphony Orch bring a different, yet welcome, flavor from Neil's usual aural language. Not my favorite of his works. Listened to: at home. Favorite track: Heart of Gold
Kendrick Lamar · 1 likes
5/5
My favorite Kendrick album, and I could make an argument for his best. A masterful blend of storytelling and worldbuilding with support from an all-star feature lineup. A wonderful variety of beats with juuuust the beginning of his to-come experimental vocal delivery. Listened to: at the Edison. Favorite tracks: Backseat Freestyle, The Art of Peer Pressure, Money Trees, m.A.A.d city, Swimming Pools, Sing About Me I'm Dying of Thirst
Janelle Monáe · 1 likes
5/5
While not quite as fully realized as her later work, this is still an exceptional album the flexes Janelle’s incredible talent for blending pop sounds with high art. Her singing, rapping, beat-poeting, all of it is performed at a sublime level. The mix is also superb considering all of the interwoven elements. Listened to: walking to downtown Denver. Favorite tracks: Tightrope, Cold War, Come Alive, Make the Bus
1-Star Albums (4)
All Ratings
MGMT
4/5
Charles Mingus
3/5
Flows smoothly, albeit nothing stood out in particular. Uptempo without a lot of the "lulls" that can throw me when typically listening to jazz.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Beck
3/5
Like most of Beck's catalogue, it's pleasant enough to listen to, but nothing I'd normally seek out. A bit more accessible than his later stuff. "Lost Cause" the highlight for me.
Green Day
3/5
Middle section (Welcome to Paradise -> When I Come Around) is phenomenal despite utilizing fairly similar song structures, the beginning and end are even more lacking in variety though. Some phenomenal choruses and melodies really elevate the middle tracks.
David Bowie
2/5
Not bad by any means, but not really my cup of tea. Highlight track: \"Be My Wife\"
The White Stripes
3/5
Prefer the more raw sound of their earlier albums, this has a lot of interesting ideas and use of negative aural space, but it just doesn't totally hit me in an emotional way. That being said, the last two songs are PHENOM. Favorite track: Red Rain, I'm Lonely (But I Ain't That Lonely Yet)
Frank Zappa
3/5
I believe this was my first time listening to Zappa, I actually quite enjoyed it even though some songs sounded like birds being strangled. Favorite track: Willie the Pimp
Bruce Springsteen
2/5
I can understand how this is a great album for those it's aimed at. There's a great variety of piano and guitar, but Springsteen's voice has never done it for me and I don't think the sound mix does him any favors on this album either, some of the lyrics are difficult to pick out. Favorite track: Thunder Road
Elvis Costello
2/5
There are a few moments that have nice harmonies but man this is really not for me. Not looking forward to 5 more of his albums in this project 🥲. Favorite track: Sulky Girl
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
2/5
Well that was....different. Interesting mix of haunting and uplifting. Favorite track: Penguin Cafe Single
Lou Reed
2/5
Started off strong, but the back half has some odd tracks that didn't land for me. Can definitely see why Bowie was in Lou's corner. Sound is crisp and mixing is top-tier.
Talking Heads
4/5
Eclectic but very accessible, so cool that all of the "looping" was manual. Definitely gives it a human feel, even if it's subconscious. Liked this a lot. Favorite track: Crosseyed & Painless
Miriam Makeba
4/5
Delightful! Some really soulful tracks, the middle run from Mbube -> House of the Rising Sun is great. Easy to see why this is considered part of the "coming out" party of African/world music. Favorite track: The Naughty Little Flea
Cream
3/5
Unsurprisingly, great guitar work, but a lot of tracks felt quite same-y to me. Nothing I mind listening to but didn't blow me away by any means. Favorite Track: Sunshine of Your Love
Barry Adamson
3/5
A really cool concept (a soundtrack with no accompanying film!) that builds up some really rich and evocative soundscapes, but eventually wears out its welcome. Definitely a unique album.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
2/5
Cool concept behind the album (uncommon jazz time signatures) that I'm nowhere near technically-adept enough to truly appreciate. Nothing offensive or unlikeable about this music, but it's a bore. I do enjoy the "cool" jazz tonality a lot more than traditional jazz. Favorite track: Take Five (the only one Brubeck didn't write lol!)
Def Leppard
3/5
Killer! Glam arena is a great combo, this was way less intense than I was expecting. Favorite Track: Women
Red Hot Chili Peppers
4/5
Just a blast, probably only the middle of the pack in terms of my RHCP album ranks but Kiedis' energy is off the walls, and that's saying a lot for him! Great mix of funk and guitar solos, every band member gets multiple opportunities to shine. Favorite Tracks: Breaking the Girl / Suck My Kiss
Beck
4/5
Definitely my favorite Beck project, I enjoyed this FAR more than I thought I would. The genre bending is done incredibly well, and there's such an energy behind the hiphop/rock/electronic mixes that borders on a pre-Daft Punk or Justice sound. Loved it. Favorite track: Novacane
Adele
4/5
This album reminds me of such a specific time in my life, and it's incredible just how pervasive the hit singles were during 2011-2012. I do tend to enjoy the lesser-celebrated tracks on this album, but the entire thing is such a force that almost sags under its own weight at times. Favorite track: Lovesong
2Pac
4/5
Probably my favorite Pac album, arrived at such an interesting point in his life and career, love the more mature and introspective style. Favorite track: Death Around the Corner
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
Pretty typical Blegh Bruce until the last 1/3, which is actually pretty good Concept Bruce! We like Concept Bruce! Favorite track: Paradise
Jazmine Sullivan
4/5
Pretty shocked I haven't meaningfully listened to this Philly queen before, supremely talented. Excellent use of skits/spoken word. Favorite track: Price Tags
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Some absolutely classic bangers on here, but overall there are too many tracks with sparse soundscapes and lo-fi production to make it an easy, cohesive listen. Wild that Paint it Black wasn't on the UK release! Favorite track: Under My Thumb
The Go-Go's
3/5
My first intro to The Go-Go's, they have a special place in music history. Learning about their place in new wave speak volumes to their influence! Favorite track: Skidmarks On My Heart
Joan Baez
5/5
Was ready to knock a star off regardless of the score knowing that these were all covers of folklore tracks...lesson learned. Joan elevates many of these classics. Beautiful, haunting, and pure. From the first measure, voice and guitar blend incredibly for close to an hour, invoking a wide range of emotions. The sound and mix is incredibly refined for 1960, just a masterpiece from every angle. Favorite track: Mary Hamilton (and it takes a LOT for House of the Rising Sun to not be my fave)
Lou Reed
2/5
Lou's music really just does nothing to grab me. Sorry guy. Favorite track: Oh Jim
Primal Scream
3/5
Quite the medley of sounds! Favorite track: Damaged
Yes
2/5
Pretty inoffensive but nothing that caught my fancy much either. Crazy they're still releasing new albums and have had over 20 members! Favorite track: Starship Trooper
Siouxsie And The Banshees
2/5
Meh. Favorite track: Fireworks
Barry Adamson
3/5
I found this more diverse in sound, but as a result, much more disjointed than Moss Side Story. Enjoyable but not some evocative. Favorite track: It's Business as Usual
Led Zeppelin
3/5
Can't believe I'm saying this about a Zep album but that was almost...tame? A lot more major keys and \"lightness\" vs their earlier, darker, heavier sound. Favorite track: Kashmir
De La Soul
2/5
An undeniably impactful on the history and development of hip hop, but not a particularly enjoyable listen. The spoken word style isn't my favorite and falls flat when combined with the often nonsensical lyricism. Also felt the game show framing device had a lot of unrealized potential. Favorite track: This is a Recording 4 Living in a Fulltime ERA
The Who
4/5
I think I'd get more out of this if I *really* knew The Who's music, as the vocals are a bit muddied, but the sound is great besides that. The riffs and medleys are tops and the energy is tight throughout, exactly what you want from a live album. Favorite track: Heaven and Hell
Black Sabbath
5/5
Absolute classic. ENERGYYYY. Favorite Track: War Pigs
Black Sabbath
4/5
Loved getting this b2b with Sabotage. Vol.4, though only 2 years later, shows a lot of evolution and refinement from the band, both in the technical recording and sound mixing, as well as the musical approach. There's a wider variety of compositions and experimentation with guitar solos. Less uneven than Sabotage. Excellent. Favorite track: Snowblind (those solos!!!)
Fiona Apple
5/5
I've checked out a few of Fiona's albums before and never been much moved, but this was fantastic right off the bat. Much more punchy than her other stuff. A very impressive debut. Favorite tracks: Sleep to Dream / Pale September
Depeche Mode
3/5
Very clean sound and lots of variety, without an overwhelming amount of 80s synths :D Favorite track: Strangelove
Eurythmics
2/5
Fairly bland and repetitive overall. There are some decent cuts — Somebody Told Me, This City Never Sleeps — but quite forgettable. Outside of, of course… Favorite track: Sweet Dreams
The Band
2/5
Absolutely not for me, I was surprised to see this was from '69...could've understood this earlier in the decade but not really picking up why this was so innovative/influential.
R.E.M.
3/5
Interesting to hear that the band viewed this as an R.E.M album "without any R.E.M." songs. I'll need to listen to another to compare, but I can see how this was so influential to the alt rock movement with ease. Favorite Track: Turn You Inside-Out
KISS
3/5
This was more atmospheric than I was expecting. Unfortunately, the lackluster vocals and repetitive nature drag this album down, although it's still infectious enough to make you want to turn off your brain and rock out. Favorite track: King of the Night Time World
Arctic Monkeys
4/5
A shotgun to the FACE, a cacophonic chorus of controlled chaos, but always unpinned by the sneakiest of harmonies. A hell of a debut. Favorite track: From the Ritz to the Rubble
The Jam
3/5
Love the visual joke of the album cover. Pleasant brit rock, great audio mix and more mature than their earlier counterparts. Favorite track: All Mod Cons (jeez I really love openers..)
LCD Soundsystem
4/5
Such an odd album, such lovely sounds. Tough to pick a favorite here when some tracks are almost just trolling and others are exposing deep emotional wounds. Favorite tracks: North American Scum / New You, I Love You but You're Bringing Me Down
Faith No More
4/5
Fun! Of course I'd heard Epic, but never knew who it was by. Lots of great tracks on here, but never takes itself too seriously. Great War Pigs cover. Favorite track: The Real Thing
Turbonegro
4/5
This album fucking ROCKED. As an Electric Callboy fan, I can totally see how these guys blazed the path for them. Great production, full sound and blazing guitars. Favorite tracks: Age of Pamparius, Monkey on Your Back
David Bowie
3/5
Definitely enjoyed this more than typical Bowie, never heard the term "blue-eyed soul" before 😂 I'm not quite sure *why* it connected more, I guess the Soul/Motown sound? Some great guitar work and a few iconic tracks (Fame, Young Americans). Favorite track: Fascination
B.B. King
4/5
Much more layered, upbeat, and guitar-heavy than I expected from a Blues artist. Favorite track: Help the Poor
The Fall
1/5
My first one-star review! There are glimmers of musical interest here, but they get overshadowed by the awful vocals and way-too-proud anti-pop attitude. Interesting band historical (over sixty members!) but the lead singer's crappy attitude clearly bleeds into the music in a pompous and unpleasant way. Ick
The Pogues
3/5
One interesting part of this journey so far has been discovering just how much folk revival there was in the second half of the 20th century, albeit blended with modern genre bending. An enjoyable, if kitschy, listen. Favorite track: I'm a Man You Don't Meet Every Day
Solomon Burke
3/5
Singing and instrumentation were both good, not great. Suffers from a lack of variety in subject matter, but overall an enjoyable listen. Favorite track: Beautiful Brown Eyes
Sam Cooke
3/5
There are some highlights here, but nothing that particularly grabs me besides the track I highlighted. Difficult not to romanticize the story of his rapid rise and fall. The live aspect has tradeoffs - his voice inflections and crowd interactions bring a new dimension of energy, but they lyrics and instrumentals are frustratingly muddled. Favorite track: Bring it On Home to Me
Emmylou Harris
3/5
I mean this in the most admiring way possible, this music puts me to sleep. It's even-keeled, calming, maternal, comforting. ELH seems like a gem. Favorite track: My Baby Needs a Shepherd
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
Not usually one for teetotalers, but CCR is an exception. Loved the contrast of major-key, bright music with the darkness of the lyrics. Will definitely be revisiting this one. Favorite tracks: Wrote a Song for Everyone, Green River, Lodi
Cat Stevens
2/5
There's nothing to really dislike here and it's quite the refreshing lighter selection compared to some of the other 1001's, but that simultaneously puts a ceiling on how seriously this can be taken as "elevated" art....god that sounds pretentious. Surprised how much closer it is to orchestral rather than twangy folk. All said, a pleasant, coloring-book invoking listen! Favorite track: Hard Headed Woman
Pink Floyd
5/5
One of the finest albums ever created, and the accompanying film is essential to elevate the experience. The absolute pinnacle of concept albums as an art form. My favorite PF album among a legendary discography. Favorite Tracks: Comfortably Numb, Is There Anybody Out There, The Trial
A Tribe Called Quest
4/5
What could rightfully be considered the bridge between both 90s & 80s hip-hop, as well as the very avante-garde hip-hop movement and the more jazz-, alternative- sound that would soon come to be so dominant in the 90s. This isn't my favorite Tribe project, but it's somehow both refined and boundary-pushing and really set the tone for a new era. Favorite track: I Left My Wallet in El Segundo
Green Day
5/5
A modern classic, it's difficult to overstate just how pervasive this album was when it debuted. Epic, ambitious and sonically-diverse, AI's theme and anxieties were a prescient harbinger for the trajectory of the 21st century. A punk-pop rock opera for the ages. Favorite tracks: Jesus of Suburbia, Holiday, She's a Rebel
Kings of Leon
2/5
Being familiar with their popular records from the late 2000s, I was hoping to find something more compelling in their first album...this was not the case. There's a *little* bit more rawness and experimentation with the guitars, but overall the tracks are bland and the singer's voice is as grating and incomprehensible as I've come to know. Favorite track: Razz
Roxy Music
4/5
Thought that'd be another Brit band slog after the first track but oh how the rest of the album changed my mind. Ripping guitar work, early synths and unique song structures make this a frenetic, in-your-face jam. Favorite tracks: Strictly Confidential, In Every Dream Home A Heartache, The Bogus Man
Sly & The Family Stone
4/5
Simultaneously refined and wild, there are a plethora of bold choices (highlighted by the drum fadeout in Sex Machine) in this cut. STFS sits at a crucial crossroads of funk, rock, jazz, and psychedelia both tonally and culturally. Favorite track: Don't Call Me Nigger, Whitey
Marty Robbins
2/5
The Good: Dude was a NASCAR driver! Music has a distinctive Western flair. Unapologetically narrative songwriting ... The Bad: ...almost to a fault. A cool anthology of short stories, but doesn't really land in the medium. Instrumentation wears out its welcome. I won't mind hearing these on their own once in a while, but together they're repetitive as hell. The Ugly: His political views 😬 Favorite track: In The Valley
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
4/5
I really enjoyed the blend of different sounds within tracks here, not just between them. There's a variety of instrumentation, and rhythms and melodies often change without tipping their hand. The rotating lead vocal approach also pairs nicely with the differences in track timbre, catering to the lead's strengths each time. Nearly every track has an intriguing tale behind it. Listened to: at home, on vinyl. Favorite tracks: Almost Cut My Hair, Teach Your Children
Randy Newman
4/5
Holy WOW it is incredible how similar his sound from 1971 sounds to his Disney-Pixar soundtrack work. His voice is like a warm hug! Wholesome and even silly at times isn't really my bag, but how can you resist this guy! Favorite tracks: Sail Away, God's Song
Janis Joplin
4/5
Despite being on the tail-end of her career, this is still powerhouse Janis from a vocal standpoint. The backing band tracks are hit-or-miss for me, with the middle portion being the weakest, but this is still a strong posthumous (always a bit concerning) offering. The fanfare around this release must have been wild.
Beyond the music, this album is so representative of the fragility of life and how the ripples of small-decisions can echo through history. If her studio sessions had been delayed even a week, this album, and Mercedes Benz especially, would've never existed. Wild to think of all the albums that we've lost and never known because the coin landing the other way a certain time.
Moby
4/5
I recall renting this album from the library sometime around middle school and just....not getting it. Looking back decades later that makes sense with my limited musical history at the time, but in the intervening years I've been changed -- exposed to so much. Play offers up two of my favorite musical elements -- sampling and electronic beats -- with unapologetic fervor, gripping you from start to finish, though there are some well-earned (and well-timed) respites along the way. Each cut moves along its journey in almost concurrent scientific and organic tracks. I'd admittedly let this one stew for a few weeks before listening to it, and it's been a good reminder to leave your past biases at the door because a few decades is an eternity in musical taste. Favorite tracks: Find My Baby, South Side, Natural Blues
Curtis Mayfield
4/5
Each track has a distinct personality, but at times this works negatively as there are a few times where thay become just a touch too repetitive. Overall, really enjoyed this album though, the mix and recording is incredibly clean, there's quite the array of different sounds, and all while seeming so suave and effortless. Will have to check out the film, even though I can nearly envision it off the soundtrack alone! Favorite tracks: Little Child Runnin' Wild, Freddie's Dead
Ice Cube
4/5
For a gangsta rap album from 1990 this offers very polished production, if simplistic by modern standards. Cube also breaks from the basic subject matter that had already worn tired, and instead explores more complex storytelling and subversive material. Definitely my fave solo Cube album. Favorite tracks: The Nigga Ya Love to Hate, A Gangsta’s Fairytale, It’s A Man’s World
Rush
2/5
Like so much other 80s prog rock, this album suffers from a lack of tonal variety, especially on Side A. Geddy Lee's monotonous voice doesn't help. This get a bit more interesting in the last few tracks, but overall this wasn't anything special. Favorite tracks: Tom Sawyer, Vital Signs
The Verve
4/5
Remarkable how different Bittersweet Symphony sounds compared to the rest of the album, which was my only touchpoint going in to this. Despite some repetitive song structures and shallow lyrics, there's enough strong guitar work and interesting musical flourishes to keep things from becoming monotonous. Favorite track: The Rolling People
Peter Gabriel
2/5
Half of this album sounds the same and the other half is a grab bag of completely different, seemingly unrelated tracks -- and this is a case where that diversity is a drawback rather than a strong suit. Another case of terrible mixing where the vocals (which are difficult to discern by themselves) are drown out by the guitars and percussion. A few decent cuts but largely forgettable. Favorite track: Here Comes the Flood
Leonard Cohen
2/5
The instrumentation is so pure and intoxicating, but I cannot get past how flat Cohen’s voice is. I guess you have to work with what you’ve got, and admittedly the few times he does go up or down on the register it makes an impact, but the overall lack of variety in the singing is too significant to ignore. I did enjoy the songwriting, some much cheekier moments than expected! Favorite track: Famous Blue Raincoat
Raekwon
3/5
Essentially an unofficial Wu Tang album, OB4CL brings everything you’d expect from that group, with RZA behind the decks, at the height of the power. This album isn’t going to surprise you often, though there are a few tracks where the production and the content are moving just slightly towards a more contemporary sound. Despite these efforts, there’s not quite enough going on to justify the 75 minute runtime. Gangsta rap fans will love it, the rest will probably leave it. Favorite track: Ice Cream
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
One of the first albums I distinctly remember listening to growing up in my parent’s house, the familiarity almost makes it more difficult to critically approach decades later. PSRT display the typified, beloved acoustic S&G sound while also daring to venture into new soundscapes and instruments. I do find some of the lyric meanings to be a hair too obtuse at times, but this also allows for the delivery of additional depth upon multiple listens. Favorite track: The Dangling Conversation
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Zep a bit more refined, a bit more in control than their earlier works. More mysticism, less raw power. Whether better or worse boils down to personal preference, but the amount of hits from this album speak for themselves when it comes to mass appeal. I find IV to have a lower ceiling but a much higher floor than I-III. Favorite tracks: Stairway to Heaven, When the Levee Breaks
Meat Puppets
1/5
Up there for the worst vocals I've ever heard. Points for originality (I guess) but the lyrics are largely indiscernible and the music is dissonant in the worst way imaginable. Listened to: at home.
Alexander 'Skip' Spence
2/5
Ah geez, depressing tale behind this one. There are a few optimistic moments (guitar solo in War in Peace, interpolation of Sunshine of Your Love), but the generally somber aura matches the struggles Skip was experiencing. The vocals and the songwriting each range from great to terrible, with the lyrics getting a bit of a bump due to the frequent use of double meanings (ha see what I did there!). Listened to: at home. Favorite tracks: Weighted Down, War in Peace
Jane's Addiction
2/5
Seemingly stuck between a played out 80s hair metal sound and an underdeveloped 90s punk vibe, a few strong tracks barely keep the rest of this subpar album afloat. Similarly, some strong guitar solos can't elevate the toneless vocals and the oft juvenile content. Favorite tracks: Mountain Song, Pigs in Zen
4/5
Right off the bat this is much crisper and refined than the other (admittedly limited) Kinks records I’ve listened to. The vocal work isn’t the most dynamic, but it’s suitable and any harmonization sections really shine. Guitar work is consistent and elevates to strong when brought to the foreground, easily meshing with pianos, brass, bass, or whatever else is playing partner. Listened to: walking to the Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace NHS site. Favorite tracks: Victoria, Australia
Joni Mitchell
5/5
The blueprint (ha) for the modern singer/songwriter album, Blue demands — and deserves — your full, undivided attention. With sprawling compositions that go to unexpected places, Joni keeps you on your toes whilst giving one of the best vocal performances of all time. Top it off with some of the rawest, poetic songwriting and you’ve got a bonafide, even in those few instances where her melodies don’t go in my personally preferred direction. Favorite tracks: Carey, Blue, River
Deep Purple
4/5
Unconventional guitar solos (Pictures of Home, Never Before, Lazy) put an emphatic underline on the smashmouth tone of this album. It’s clear this was a key forefather of power/arena rock. While the vocal performances aren’t anything special, they don’t detract from the musicality and are well-mixed for the era. Listened to: on a plane from Puerto Rico to New York. Favorite tracks: Highway Star, Pictures of Home, Space Truckin’
Gorillaz
4/5
A wildly diverse album, there is something for everyone here — the flip side to that is that you’re going to have to have an insane breadth of musical appreciation to like everything that’s on offer. The virtual band concept is a brilliant, yet almost inevitable response to approaching the millennium. A struggle to appreciate the body of work without engaging the external content is the real downside here. Del’s tracks are all stand outs, he was made for this moment. Very strong 4. Favorite tracks: Clint Eastwood, Sound Check (Gravity), Rock the House
Sister Sledge
4/5
Stripped down, sultry disco. Immensely enjoyable listen with the talent of these vocalists. Favorite track: Thinking of You
Paul Simon
4/5
Most striking thing about this album is the use of secondary (behind the guitar) instruments. Lots of flutes, strings, percussion, and some that I wasn't even able to ID. Paul's voice isn't the best but its simple nature lends itself well to this album's atmosphere of mirth and celebration -- don't be fooled though, there is depth here that is only heightened by how much the self-title seemingly doesn't seem to take itself. Favorite tracks: Celebration, Me and Julio Down By the Schoolyard
Soundgarden
4/5
Some fun heavy hitters on this one, great basslines and latter-track breakdowns. A tad too long and the vocals could be clearer at points. Favorite tracks: Let Me Down, Head Down, Spoonman
Big Star
4/5
TIL the That 70s Show theme was a cover. Love the album art and on the nose title, and the album’s sound is just as smile-inducing. While the song structures are simple, they’re executed well with beautiful harmonies and a cozy sound mix. Plenty of tracks going in to the rotation from this one. Favorite tracks: Try Again, Thirteen, In the Street
JAY Z
4/5
In the upper mid-tier of Jay's discography for me. Some classics but not enough elevated consistency throughout to be his peak. Favorite tracks: IZZO, Heart of the City, U Don't Know
Elliott Smith
2/5
Nothing much grabbed me here, the music is dull and the vocals are to match without enough lyrical content to elevate the rest of the lacklusterness. Listened to: walking across the Golden Gate Bridge!!! Favorite tracks: Between the Bars, Cupids Trick
Fleet Foxes
2/5
Never been much of an FF fan, their individual tracks are fine but albums get far too repetitive. Bland 2000s indie sound, which is made all the more frustrating by the few times where they break the formula and it hits so well! Favorite track: Your Protector
Sufjan Stevens
3/5
A largely well-executed concept album that is able to toe the line between the serious and the absurd with ease. While it isn’t something I’d want to listen to every day, this was a fun change up. Listened to: walking through prospect park to go to the doctor. Favorite tracks: The Seer’s Tower, Chicago
Joan Armatrading
3/5
Beautiful acoustic guitar and some surprisingly strong electric riffs as well. Lots of funk and rock influence and subversive lyricism. Favorite tracks: Save Me, Tall in the Saddle
Ramones
4/5
One of the most influential albums of the 20th century and it still holds up today. Favorite track: Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue
Mike Oldfield
5/5
The best way I can describe this is “medieval electronica,” and WOW I liked it far more than expected. Wild how significant it ended up being (even ignoring all musical influence) because of 1.) being Virgin’s first album, and 2.) The Exorcist. A delight! Listened to: on the train to New Jersey. Favorite track: I’m not picking a favorite on an album with 2 20+ minute tracks.
Eminem
4/5
I personally prefer Em's next few albums over MM, but this classic put him on the map. Some all-time great cuts but a bit too long as an entire body of work. Favorite tracks: Stan, I'm Back
Air
3/5
Perfect rainy day music. Didn't realize they were so intricately tied to Sofia Coppola and her work. Favorite tracks: Ce Matin-la, All I Need
Faust
2/5
My first Krautrock experience and boy was that odd. Enjoyed the more ethereal, synth-driven tracks but everything else was a miss. Favorite track: Lauft...Heisst...
Public Enemy
3/5
A landmark album that doesn’t hit quite as hard today — not because the societal issues being skewered have been solved — but because rap has been influenced so pervasively by Public Enemy’s brash style. Production also lacks the tonal variety to hold up for a full hour when pair with underwhelming vocal performances. Favorite tracks: Fight the Power, Fear of a Black Planet
Dr. Dre
4/5
An album that simply oozes SoCal, this was a lot stronger and more sonically diverse than I remembered. Favorite tracks: A Nigga Witta Gun, Lyrical Gangbang, Bitches Ain't Shit
Beatles
4/5
The harder electric Beatles era is just night and day better from where they started out. Tracks develop in unexpected yet organic ways, and never overstay their welcome. There are a few head scratchers that keep this from being a 5, but really great record overall. Favorite tracks: Come Together, Because, Carry That Weight
Stevie Wonder
4/5
Absolutely wild range from Stevie on this one. A genre bender with a diverse assortment of subject matter on the lyrical side. Favorite tracks: Too Shy To Say, They Won’t Go When I Go
Duran Duran
3/5
With the exception of Save a Prayer, if you’ve heard one some you’ve basically heard them all. There’s some fun variation in the last 1/3 of some of the songs, but the structures are very similar and rely far too heavily on a repeated hook. Still, enjoyable enough. Favorite tracks: My Own Way, Save a Prayer
Elliott Smith
4/5
Liked this, but the thinness of Smith's voice can almost cause you to strain to listen at times. Still, strong instrumentals and even some surprisingly heavy electric guitar bits. Favorite tracks: Son of Sam, Somebody That I Used to Know
Nirvana
4/5
This album shines when Cobain doesn’t overstrain his voice and actually sings! He’s good! Favorite track: Breed
AC/DC
3/5
There are some good moments (second half of Night Prowler) but as a whole it's a repetitive album without much to say. Favorite track: Walk All Over You
Bob Dylan
3/5
While no doubt a vivid lyricist, I found most of the content difficult to connect with, or frankly, care about. Tonally there's not much variation from song to song, although there's certainly talent behind the musical performance and arrangements. Listened to: walking around Keyport at dusk. Favorite track: The Thin Man
Simple Minds
2/5
This barely escapes being a 1 with vocals that are nearly indiscernible and a total lack of variety from track to track. Listened to: at home.
Björk
3/5
Dynamic string arrangements, certainly an album that delivers more with background context. Bjork is just a liiiiittle too out there for me though. Is it a great piece of avant garde art? Yes. Is it an enjoyable listen? Eh not so much. Too meandering. Listened to: walking through prospect park to a dentist appointment. Favorite track: Notget
Cheap Trick
3/5
Understandable why this album is on the list due to its important place in live album lore, but with how prevalent live content is these days the quality of the performance doesn't hold up too well. Listened to: at home. Favorite tracks: I Want You to Want Me, Need Your Love
Muddy Waters
3/5
Better audio quality than most of the live albums on this list, but still suffers from the same issues of datedness - it's simply impossible to compete with today's live experience. That being said, you can hear the modern roots of "remixes" in some of these tracks that elevate the live format. Listened to: at home. Favorite track: Got My Mojo Working
Thelonious Monk
2/5
Jazz ain’t my bag but there’s a lot of objective talent on display here, especially when it comes to drum breakdowns. Listened to: on a bus to Quetzaltenango. Favorite track: Ba-lue Bolivar Ba-Lues-Are
Linkin Park
4/5
One of the first albums that ever clicked with me and it had a huge influence on my early taste. Excellent blend of hip hop and metal. Scratching has never been so welcome! Listened to: in a shuttle to Antigua. Favorite tracks: Papercut, By Myself, Forgotten
Lana Del Rey
3/5
I find jack antonoff’s production incredibly dull, although it’s admittedly fitting for or Lana’s style. Lana’s cadence, songwriting, and always-interesting inflections and vocal delivery are as good as ever, but the bland production makes this far from her best album. Breaking Up Slowly is a standout because its complex sound layering stands in contrast with the rest of the songs. Favorite tracks: Wild at Heart, Yosemite, Breaking Up Slowly
Funkadelic
5/5
Astounding instrumentals and PERFECT sound mix. Title track is obviously legendary and every element on the rest of the album seamlessly, effortlessly fits together. Incredibly modern sound for its time. Listened to: hiking down Acatenango. Favorite tracks: Maggot Brain, Hit It and Quit It, Super Stupid
Talking Heads
2/5
Not much memorable on this one. A few tracks try and break the mold but simply aren’t compelling enough the justify nearly entirely eschewing melody. Instrumentals are well produced but don’t arouse much emotion in me, although the bass guitar performance deserves to be singled out for praise. Vocals are flat and uninspired. But a Pittsburgh shoutout?? Love to see it! Listened to: walking along Joe’s Pond. Favorite track: Drugs
The Cure
2/5
I can hear how this influenced an array of artists - gorillaz , U2, artic monkeys to name just a few — but I did not enjoy this at all. The vocals, when they’re even there, are tinny and thin. Listened to: hiking up Acatenango. Favorite track: The Forest (how fitting!)
Ravi Shankar
3/5
Liked the educational bits and that he specifically called out the pitfalls of listening with a Western ear. As with India itself, there’s a healthy serving of controlled chaos. Listened to: hiking up Acatenango. Favorite track: Sindhi-Bhairavi
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
4/5
Not a whole lot of percussion, but this one undoubtedly goes to the beat of its own drum. A compelling combo of orchestral arrangements and acoustic ballads. There are some very pretty guitar passages infused with a Basque flair. Wild instrumentation to the point where it gets difficult to venture a guess at what’s making a certain sound. Great quality for a live recording from the 70s. Listened to: walking around holy cross cemetery. Favorite tracks: The Gnome, The Hut of Baba Yaga, The Curse of Baba Yaga
Adam & The Ants
3/5
This album shines when it leans into harder electric guitar and drum segments, especially with the timbre of the singer’s voice. Second half is much stronger. And we love a good pirate-themed song! Listened to: walking in prospect park. Favorite tracks: Ants Invasion, Kings of the Wild Frontier, Jolly Roger
Buena Vista Social Club
4/5
One of those albums that truly transports you to another time and place - one of the most Cuban pieces of art, ever. Listened to: at home. Favorite track: Chan Chan
A Tribe Called Quest
3/5
While I have a lot of respect for early 90s hip hop, growing up in the modern era has primed me for more lush, complex beatmaking, making it difficult for earlier albums to be top-tier unless the lyrics are exceptional. I much prefer Tribe's later output, as the production and delivery here is quite samey and the subject matter is oftentimes too referential to specific individuals or places without additional context. Phife the standout as usual. Listened to: walking in Prospect Park. Favorite tracks: Verses From the Abstract, Check the Rhyme
Blue Cheer
3/5
A bit raw for my taste, but one can see the important stepping stone BC provided in the evolution of metal and psychedelic rock. A clear eschewing of traditional song structure with more lyrical depth than expected, including some tongue-in-cheek satire. Listened to: at home, during work. Favorite track: Parchment Farm
Dusty Springfield
4/5
Despite some ….dated (and inconsistent) views on male/female relationships, this is a punchy debut album. Great variety in the backing tracks with a lot of disparate musical elements coming together in organic ways. Dusty’s not yet at the height of her vocal prowess, but her range and control are still impressive here and the vocal layering is ahead of its time. Listened to: shopping at Target. Favorite tracks: Nothing, You Don’t Own Me
Grizzly Bear
2/5
There are moments where each individual and their instruments shine on certain tracks, but those come too inconsistently to make this something I’d return to. When the band is playing at their most energetic they’re great, but almost every song is bogged down by a structure that emphasizes repeated sections in a minimalist style, along with vocals that require a guide to decipher. Listened to: walking in Prospect Park. Favorite tracks: Two Weeks, While You Wait For the Others
The xx
4/5
Connected with this much more than previous listens, really enjoy the vocal dichotomies and the instrumentals are subtle but complex and moving. Listened to: walking in Prospect Park. Favorite tracks: Intro, Crystallized, Heart Skipped A Beat
Radiohead
4/5
Much more accessible than some of their later efforts, this album boasts some fantastic electric guitar bits and adds up to something greater than its parts. Listened to: walking through Prospect Park. Favorite tracks: The Bends, Just
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
4/5
Whoa! No instruments! This all-vocal album is an infectious treat, especially if you enjoy harmonization (this practically brings it to its logical end). Listened to: walking in prospect park. Favorite track: Unomathemba
Louis Prima
4/5
While not exactly pushing intellectual boundaries, sometimes it’s nice to simply sit back and enjoy a record where an artist is having a blast doing their thing, and Prima’s an irresistible bundle of energy. That’s not to say this record is devoid of artistic value — try wry humor is an element that’s unconventional, and guest appearances are appropriate and impactful. I mean, and song about making banana splits??? What more could you want! listened to: walking in prospect park. Favorite tracks: Body and Soul, Buona Sera, I’ll Be Glad When You’re Dead, Banana Split for My Baby
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
this album might have the purest “drinking a beer during a dusky summer evening” vibe I’ve ever heard. There’s nothing groundbreaking going on, but with the strength of the guitar performance there doesn’t really need to be. The guitar shines on every track but rarely references the exact same timbre or style from another track. Vocals were flawed but still work and song subject matter had more depth than I expected. Listened to: walking through prospect park. Favorite tracks: White Line, Days That Used to Be, Mother Earth (Natural Anthem)
Amy Winehouse
5/5
A contralto masterpiece of love and pain. Exceptionally emotional songwriting and one of the best vocal performances of all time. Listened to: at home. Favorite tracks: You Know I'm No Good, Some Unholy War, Back to Black
Fats Domino
3/5
No doubt an important piece of history but not much stands out in a modern context, even the vocals left me less than impressed. Listened to: at home. Favorite track: Blue Monday
Red Snapper
4/5
Dark, brooding, futuristic. Lots of shades of sampling and soundscaping that belong to the realm of El-P, DJ Shadow, or Deltron. Tracks consistently evolve into something more interesting than their starting point, but in a way that feels completely natural. Listened to: walking through Prospect Park. Favorite tracks: Keeping Pigs Together, The Rough and The Quick
Bill Callahan
3/5
Unconventional but not so much as to discourage emotional connection. The poetic songwriting is strong enough to justify the eschewing of traditional structure. Gentle piano and string arrangements abound. Didn’t even really mind the monotonous vocals, they somehow fit. Listened to: walking on the high line. Favorite tracks: Eid Ma Craw Shaw, Rococo Zephyr
Sex Pistols
3/5
Monotone singing is always a tough sell for me, though the raw energy belting forth elevates this collection of tracks. Instrumentally, the drumming stood out to me most, but the ripping, repetitive chords on guitar are also above average. A few strong solos. More harmonic progressions than you'd typically expect from punk. Listened to: at home. Favorite tracks: Bodies, Problems
The Mamas & The Papas
4/5
Songs and content are notably simplistic and repetitive, yet the vocal performances manage to elevate them through harmonization and occasional subversion of expectations. Despite lacking intellectual depth, there are still concepts here that speak to shared human experiences, even if they’re only probed at a surface level. At the end of the day their sound is irresistible despite its shortcomings. Listened to: going to Coney Island. Favorite tracks: California Dreamin’, Somebody Groovy, You Baby
Fugees
5/5
A true classic, all three members bounce off each other with an ease that elevates all of the performances. Lauryn's vocals are tops and the production is bold yet human and oh so soulful. Listened to: walking through Prospect Park. Favorite tracks: How Many Mics, Ready or Not
Dead Kennedys
3/5
Gang Of Four
2/5
Certainly share their politics, percussion and guitar work is solid, but good lord the vocal work is unbearable. Ever heard of varying your tone? The instrumentals have enough merit that I can’t fairly give this a 1, but I really fucking want to. Listened to: walking around the F1 track in Montreal. Favorite track: Love Like Anthrax
Steely Dan
3/5
Fairly indifferent to this one, there are parts that shine but others that are a bore. Listened to: walking near Ocean Beach. Favorite tracks: The Boston Rag, Pearl of the Quarter
The Temptations
5/5
Every single element of this album is infused with creative flair, boasting some of the best, subversive vocals I've ever heard. The track-to-track storytelling is excellent and the vocal performances harmonize perfectly with the instrumentals. Listened to: walking through Prospect Park. Favorite tracks: Cloud Nine, Love is a Hurtin' Thing
Stan Getz
2/5
Fine but doesn't really do anything for me. Background tunes. Listened to: at home.
David Crosby
3/5
Hated the opener but the following 8-minute cut of ripping guitar riffs and meaningful storytelling creates a case for redemption right away. Strangely, purely instrumental (or gibberish lyric) tracks are the strengths of this album, with nearly indiscernible singing (even with good headphones) dragging certain tracks down. Listened to: on a train to Philadelphia. Favorite tracks: Cowboy Movie, Traction in the Rain, Orleans
Billy Bragg
2/5
While I certainly agree with his messages and politics, I could not get past the whiny gratingness of Billy’s voice. I found the almost whimsical tone of some backing tracks to be quite jarring. The best cuts are those that have plucky guitar riffs and more complex percussion. I don’t think this is bad, but it isn’t for me. Listened to: on a plane from Puerto Rico to New York. Favorite tracks: There is Power in a Union
John Lennon
3/5
First few tracks are rough but finds its footing when the acoustic guitar takes a back seat to piano, drums and electric. I Don’t Wanna Be A Soldier Mama is a fascinating track with layered, diverse percussion and strong guitar riffs, but the subject matter is what is most daring here — the same line is repeated throughout the track, but the content paired with Lennon’s varied delivery makes it work by delivering a crescendo of emotional resonance. Overall, the songwriting is simplistic and often repetitive — working sometimes, not landing at others. And I’d classify the vocal performance as creative, and sufficient, but not above average by any means. Listened to: walking through Prospect Park. Favorite tracks: IDWBASM, Oh My Love, Oh Yoko! (Kinda repetitive, John, lol)
Jerry Lee Lewis
4/5
Unbelievable energy on this record - must have been mind-blowing at the time. A true and worthy predecessor of the modern concert experience. Listened to: at home. Favorite tracks: Money, Good Golly Miss Molly
Harry Nilsson
4/5
Always fun to hear an album starts and you say, “Oh THAT song!” And this one has got HITS. A wildly diverse palette of sounds that somehow seem to all fit together naturally. His lack of vocal range is unpleasant at first but he settles in nicely and makes the best of what he’s got as the album rolls along, to the point where it’s endearing and enjoyable by the end. Songwriting is relatable and tongue-in-cheek. Not something id listen to often but a unique gem. Listened to: returning the power broker :( favorite tracks: Get on Up, Early in the Morning, Without You
The War On Drugs
2/5
I found it very difficult to emotionally connect with this album. I’m not sure if it was the flat vocals or the largely bland instrumentation. The sound mix also seemed quite muted, which I’d imagine was an intentional choice but it kind of just threw a wet blanket over everything for me. There are some nice sections of guitar riffs that come through cleaner but they’re about the only highlights. Good for rainy day background music that you largely want to ignore. Listened to: walking in Prospect Park. Favorite tracks: An Ocean in Between the Waves
Hugh Masekela
3/5
Perfectly pleasant jazz. Meandering, in a good way. Listened to: at work. Favorite tracks: Minawa, Inner Crisis
4/5
Lively with strong storytelling, you really never know what’s coming next with this one. Even the vocal-less jazz, seemingly improv, track (13 min long!!) was a delight. Chalking that up to the afrobeat influence. Listened to: walking to the movies to see Furiosa. Favorite tracks: The Cisco Kid, City Country City
Metallica
3/5
While undoubtedly technically impressive, the frequent tempo changes and constant jumps from riff to riff make it difficult to latch on to anything. The lack of melodic variety only heightens this quality. Listened to: driving to Cape Cod. Favorite tracks: One
Run-D.M.C.
5/5
The production on this is SO damn clear and foreword-looking. Lots of genre bending and beats are all distinctive with impressive scratching and complimentary vocals. The sampling, especially of Aerosmith is almost unbelievably prescient of how hip hop would evolve in the coming decades. The rapping itself also feels much more natural alongside each beat than how MCs would often perform in this era. Listened to: in Golden Gate Park. Favorite tracks: Peter Piper, Hit It Run, Raising Hell
The Psychedelic Furs
2/5
Awful, toneless singing with the surface level lyrics to match. The brass work is one of the few reasons to give this a spin. Listened to: on a train in New England. Favorite tracks: it Goes On, All of This and Nothing
Cocteau Twins
2/5
This effort deftly combines two of my biggest album pet peeves — nonsensical lyrics and a poor vocal mix! Given that I’m pretty sure atmosphere over enunciation was the goal here it’s a bit more forgivable, though difficult to fully ignore. The dreamy, optimistic timbre of the tracks is refreshing, but also fails to meaningfully evolve over the full runtime. Pleasant, but fairly one-note outside of the closing track. Listened to: walking through Brooklyn. Favorite tracks: fifty-fifty clown, Fotzepolitic, Frou-frou Foxes in Midsummer Fires
Tortoise
2/5
This is good background music. If it's all you're focusing on, it's a bore. Highlight was the minor key finale track that suited the slow tempos much better than the other cuts. Listened to: at home. Favorite tracks: Along the Banks of Rivers
Santana
4/5
Great use of Spatial Audio. Vocals are sparsely deployed, but effective. Tracks like Samba Pa Ti are a showcase of just how much can be said through aural tone without words. Guitar work is obviously prime but the complexity of the percussion on most tracks was also impressive. Listened to: walking through Golden Gate Park. Favorite tracks: Black Magic Woman, Incident at Neshabur, Mother’s Daughter, Hope You’re Feeling Better
Derek & The Dominos
4/5
An album of mourning and melancholy, plenty of space is given for Clapton’s guitar to shine, but the Allman-led backing band is essential in creating a soundscape for the lead to thrive. While not an elite vocalist in the traditional sense, the combination of daring vocal choices (channeling Zeppelin in Anyday, for example) and his unfiltered pain works with the heartbreak subject matter. Listened to: in San Francisco Botanical Garden. Favorite tracks: Bell Bottom Blues, Layla
Michael Jackson
4/5
MJ ain’t really my cup of tea, but it’s hard to deny that this album is objectively great in its lane. HEE-HEE!! The strongest cuts are those where he branches out in to more developed verse structures rather than simply repeating hooks. Most of the backing tracks have some flair to them and develop in an interesting way. The electric guitar does some heavy lifting, and I mean that in a good way. Listened to: walking through Prospect Park. Favorite tracks: Liberian Girl, Another Part of Me, Dirty Diana, Smooth Criminal
Kate Bush
4/5
I think this demands multiple listens to really dig into, as the lyrics come quickly and both the vocal layering and instrumentation are complex. That being said, the front half of the album seems to take a lot less risks than the back, which I preferred -- it has the aura of a dark fairy tale. Listened to: at home. Favorite tracks: And Dream of Sheep, Jig of Life
Willie Nelson
3/5
Well, this sure wasn't what I expected. The guts to barely have any accompanying music... Very pleasant but I do feel the impact has faded as the debut context and history have. Accessible though, I'd play this for just about anyone. Listened to: at home. Favorite tracks: Unchained Melody, Moonlight in Vermont, Someone to Watch Over Me
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
While I liked the Bluesy style of the first few tracks, the electric guitar-led back half is much stronger. Listened to: walking through prospect park. Favorite tracks: Good Golly Miss Molly, Penthouse Pauper
Sigur Rós
3/5
Very peaceful, though I'm glad they hadn't gone into their full avant-garde lyrical gibberish yet...though I suppose as an English-speaking listener it's all the same. Good for a rainy day. Listened to: at home. Favorite track: svefn-g-englar
Culture Club
2/5
Not really my thing, too upbeat and joyous. Listened to: at home. Favorite tracks: Miss Me Blind, Victims
Happy Mondays
2/5
Appreciate the percussion that’s low-key and thudding, but often inconspicuously in the background. Guitar sections were repetitive and uninspired. Vocals hit and miss. Fine for background music but didn’t particularly enjoy how the guitar tracks interacted with the rest of the musical elements. Listened to: on a train in New England. Favorite tracks: Kinky Afro, Step On
Killing Joke
2/5
Some fun riffs and musical effects but this ultimately gets dragged down by the poor vocals. Can definitely see the influence on later punk and metal, my preference is just for something a bit more refined. Listened to: at home. Favorite tracks: The Wait, Change
Queen
5/5
Power ballads galore, there's an interesting tension between their hard rock roots and the more glam, polished sound they were moving towards. The black side/white side concept adds meaningful depth. Some lovely harmonies and creative drumming. There's a bit of this album that (tonally) doesn't seem quite sure what it wants to be, but the high points are good enough to paper over those inconsistencies. It's also clear that Freddie's still working toward his vocal peak, while May surprisingly holds his own when featured. Listened to: at home. Ultimately, it's brash, and seductive despite its minimal flaws, and the iconic cover push it to the upper echelon. Favorite tracks: Father to Son, The Loser in the End, The March of the Black Queen, Nevermore
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
Guitar work is bumpin and the piano riffs some flair, but the vocals are VERY uneven. Ooby Dooby is one of the dumbest songs I’ve ever heard, it fucking rocks lol. Back half is stacked with hits. Listened to: walking through prospect park. Favorite tracks: Travelin Band, Lookin Out My Back Door, I Heard it Through the Grapevine
Scott Walker
4/5
This album comes out of the gate with grandeur and confidence and does not let up. The orchestral contributions are indispensable yet broadly ranging in mood. Walker doesn’t sing with a lot of range but his simultaneously powerful yet gentle voice makes it work. Crooner vibes. He also does a great job at conjuring up vivid imagery. Listened to: going to get fingerprinted. Favorite tracks: Jackie, Wait Until Dark, Come Next Spring
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
I was dreading this a bit as I hated the first EC album I got, but this pleasantly surprised me. The singing is more restrained and polished and the instrumentals are fuller, more mature arrangements. A great audio mix also helps this effort. I’m not crazy about the slice-of-life content, but that applies across all media to me so I won’t hold it against him. And points for doing something different. Listened to: walking to pick up a plant. Favorite tracks: I Want You, Home Is Anywhere You Hang Your Head
Robbie Williams
4/5
Would not have guessed he’s the highest selling UK solo artist of all time, but I can see why with how easy these pop-rock tunes go down. Most structures and chords are simple, but there are several quality guitar breakdowns that keep things fresh. His comical approach to casual drug use gets consistent chuckles (but is also slightly concerning). Listened to: walking in Brooklyn botanic garden. Favorite tracks: Angels, South of the Border
Songhoy Blues
4/5
What a lovely album. Wouldn't say it's Blues, but who cares. Both the bass and acoustic (and brief electric) guitar performances are fantastic, and the vocals slide in with complementary ease. Some of the cleanest mastering I've ever heard *chef's kiss*. Listened to: at home. Favorite tracks: Soubour, Irganda
5/5
So many fantastic musical works trace their roots back here. Sgt Pepper’s shines when eschewing traditional pop structures, and indeed the only subpar portions of the album are a few repetitive choruses that outstay their welcome. The breadth and creativity of instrumentation has rarely been matched since. I wouldn’t say this is my favorite Beatles record, but i’d wager it’s their most important. Listened to: on a bus to NYC. Favorite tracks: She’s Leaving Home, Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds
AC/DC
3/5
Filled with iconic riffs, there's an unfortunate element of arrested development in this classic's lyricism -- misogyny remains rampant, and the pitfalls of excess (that had just taken the life of their previous lead singer) are still righteously celebrated. Vocally, Johnson steps in admirably for, and perhaps even surpasses, Bon Scott's previous turns. Despite its flaws, most of these heavy-hitting tracks are irresistible and have (sonically) aged quite well. My favorite work of AC/DC. Listened to: at home. Favorite tracks: Back in Black, Hells Bells
Bob Dylan
4/5
While Dylan doesn’t have the most melodic voice, he does a lovely job (relatively) harmonizing on this album. I wouldn’t say every vocal performance lands, but he does demonstrate range and I appreciate the risk-taking. Content-wise, I sometimes struggle to connect with Dylan but most of the writing here is vivid and accessible. “Jack of Hearts” isn’t something I wouldn’t want to revisit every day but it’s an undeniably strong piece of art and storytelling. Backing tracks and instrumentation are creative and engaging, never felt like anything overstayed its welcome or should’ve been cut. Harmonica isn’t overused and is balanced well with the guitar and organ (?) elements. Listened to: walking to shuffleboard. Favorite tracks: You’re a Big Girl Now, Idiot Wind, Shelter from the Storm
Simply Red
2/5
This album could have been an email. Instrumentals are little varied, vocals are fine but forgettable, and oh my god the repetitive lyrical phrases - please stop. Listened to: on a bus to Montreal. Favorite track: Heaven
Snoop Dogg
5/5
Typically I find full albums of G-Funk to be very samey regarding the diversity of production across the tracks, but Doggystyle bucks this trend by constantly offering up creative takes on classic beats and synths. Snoop's (obviously) iconic voice sounds different here, so hungry and youthful! I do struggle a bit with the level of vulgarity in the lyrics and the overall debate over the glorification/representation of violence and the gangsta lifestyle, but at the end of the day I always defer to the artist's commentary on these types of controversies, and for me, Snoop's said the right things over the years. Listened to: at home. Favorite tracks: Gin and Juice, Lodi Dodi, Gz and Hustlas
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
Geez this one was all over the place. A few phenomenal cuts, paired with a few god awful ones and some fill in-between. Album immensely improves when the guitar riffs get heavier, the piano acts as more of an accent than a lead, and Bruce starts belting it. I really do not enjoy early career BS’s voice as a whole though, and the mediocre vocal mix muddles the lyrics far too often. Still, this started off terribly and really brought it back from the brink later on. Listened to: walking to Palms. Favorite tracks: Adam Raised a Cain, Streets of Fire
Bebel Gilberto
3/5
An album to die for (sorry)! Sultry and relaxing. The language barrier makes it difficult to elevate, but the consistent aura is enjoyable nonetheless. Listened to: at home. Favorite tracks: August Day Song, Samba E Amor
Red Hot Chili Peppers
5/5
So. Many. Hits. More polished than their 90s work, this is RHCP at the peak of their powers. Listened to: at home. Favorite tracks: Scar Tissue, Otherside, Around the World
Earth, Wind & Fire
4/5
Pretty much the definition of good vibes music. Tracks are brilliantly layered with an astounding variety of instruments. Very jammy (am I reviewing a wine?) There are a few rough spots on the vocal side in the beginning, but for the most part they also layer in very well, acting as another instrument. Listened to: walking through Prospect Park. Favorite tracks: Reasons, See the Light
The Isley Brothers
4/5
Music that makes ya want to stand up and snap ya fingas!! If these tunes don’t bring a smile to your face you may be beyond hope. The singing is great and the slightly distorted, brash electric guitar acts as a great counterbalance to the heavy thrumming bass. Highways of My Life is a great closer. Listened to: on a bus to Montreal. Favorite tracks: That Lady Pts 1 & 2, Sunshine
The Prodigy
5/5
One of the best electronic albums ever, and one of the funniest album covers of all time. Epic breaks that trickle down to phenomenal track deconstructions paired with confrontational vocal performances make these cuts impossible to ignore. Listened to: on a bus to providence. Favorite tracks: Smack My Bitch Up, Funky Shit, Firestarter
The Fall
1/5
Terrible vocal mix, really difficult to discern the lyrics at times. The lack of pitch variety and where the lead’s voice registers against the backing tracks doesn’t help. As an intellectual exercise I guess this is…fine? Though at no point is it notably pleasant to listen to. Some of the instrumentals evolve in compelling directions, but just as often they become repetitive and drone on and on and on. DNF. Listened to: walking in prospect park. Favorite tracks: none
Badly Drawn Boy
3/5
A very gentle record with short tracks that flow together with apparent ease. In fact I’d say the interlude tracks with less traditional structure and weird little samples are much stronger than their verse-chorus-verse counterparts (Disillusioned being the major exception). The lyrics border on being too sad boi but don’t fully go over the precipice. Listened to: walking around the woods. Favorite tracks: Body Rap, This Song, Pissing in the Wind
The Louvin Brothers
4/5
There’s beauty in the simplicity of the approach from this era. The downside of this style is that anything subpar in the writing or execution has nowhere to hide. The vocals may not be very “good” by traditional critical standards, but they work with this genre and the bros do a great job with melodic interplay. Listened to: walking on LVRT. Favorite tracks: Let Her Go God Bless Her, Knoxville Girl
DJ Shadow
5/5
Conceptually brilliant and a masterpiece of technical prowess. An album that consistently challenges you and subverts expectations, while also spitting out some damn danceable beats. Some would call this gimmicky but there’s a clear attempt at elevated artistry here that shouldn’t be ignored. Listened to: at home. Favorite tracks: Building Steam with a Grain of Salt, Why Hip Hop Sucks in ‘96
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
3/5
Heartland rock is far from my favorite, and there was a little too much honky timbre for my liking. The vocals are uneven and the lyricism (outside of standout Luna) is straightforward and dull. Guitar work is the most engaging element in most tracks. This sounds more negative than I intend it to, it's music that I don't *mind* but wouldn't ever seek out. Well produced. I'm glad this is my first Petty album, really interested to contrast with later career efforts. Listened to: at Target. Favorite tracks: Breakdown, Luna
The Boo Radleys
3/5
The experimental song construction and instrumentation is the highlight here. Lyrics and vocal performance are run of the mill 90s britpop, but the use of jarring tempos and various synths and sirens brings a unique flavor to this effort. That being said, the lack of cohesiveness does make it difficult to find a through line at times. Clear influence on Tame Impala at points. Listened to: on a train in New England. Favorite tracks: Leaves and Sand, Rodney King
Queen
5/5
Starts with a BANG and doesn’t let up. Electric guitar bits are crisp as fuck and hit hard, while (hardly shocking) there are many unconventional operatic elements. Weird yet witty lyrics are delivered with force from Freddie and there isn’t a single moment to point to in question of his vocal prowess. The thing that’s clear over everything is that these performers are having FUN. A lot of playing around with stereo and spatial audio. To top it all off - a near flawless mix and master. And, of course, one of the greatest songs ever. A masterpiece deserving of its rep. Listened to: grocery shopping. Favorite tracks: Love of My Life, Death on Two Legs, ‘39, obviously Bo Rhap
John Cale
2/5
It’s clear this is a very personal album for Cale, but as an American living in the 21st century some of the historical references are hard to pin down, lessening the impact of the lyrics. The orchestral arrangements are pleasant but the whole thing’s a bit of a bore. Listened to: walking around holy cross cemetery. Favorite tracks: Half Past France, Antarctica Starts Here
Nine Inch Nails
3/5
A chilling, hateful album with the Sharon Tate-linked backstory to match. Experimental, sometimes to a fault, as distortions overstay their welcome and make lyrics (pretty important for a concept album) indiscernible. The timbre of Trent’s voice simply gets overpowered too often. There is a lot of thought-provoking artistic value here, but its rarely enjoyable to consume. My favorite aspect was the percussive synth lines that he’d heavily utilize in his film scores two decades later, with the heavily-instrumental final third of the album also hinting at that future direction. Listened to: on a bus to NYC. Favorite tracks: Heresy, Reptile, Hurt
3/5
A bit uneven across the board but finds its footing in the last third. Not the best voice, but she uses what she has well, creatively beatmatching percussion at the end of certain musical phrases. PJ’s vocal control and range comes across much stronger when she takes a softer approach rather than the fairly toneless yelling on some cuts. The specificity — and oddness — of her lyricism conjures up very specific, evocative scenes, and there’s no topic deemed too taboo. Listened to: walking near Joe’s Pond. Favorite tracks: Kamikaze, The Whores Hustle and The Hustles Whore, This is Love
Neil Young
2/5
Stop me if you've heard this one before - interesting lore behind this album. You can nearly hear the winced pain of Young's ailing back through the recordings, but there's a bit of edge, a bit of bitterness and melancholy that elevates the end product. The downside of the more subdued approach is that there's nowhere for the oft-lackluster vocals to hide ("Are You Ready for the Country" is unbearable). The tracks with the London Symphony Orch bring a different, yet welcome, flavor from Neil's usual aural language. Not my favorite of his works. Listened to: at home. Favorite track: Heart of Gold
The Velvet Underground
4/5
After reading up on the history I was convinced this album was going to be eye-rolling avant-garde drivel, but it was surprisingly accessible. Don’t get me wrong — this album is fucking WEIRD and I’ve no doubt the subject matter is a massive turnoff for many listeners, but I found it wonderfully strange. Very, very daring. Sister Ray is self-indulgent, sure, but I get the vision, and compromise is not in TVU’s DNA. I’ve certainly never heard a track quite like The Gift before. That shit rocked. The instrumentals are primarily led by an erratic electric guitar, but it all somehow works. Listened to: walking on the LVRT. Favorite tracks: The Gift, I Heard Her Call My Name
Sonic Youth
2/5
Lots of sections of ambient noise that fail to act as an interesting counterpoint to the lyric-driven sections, which are also quite dull. Not much to write home about on this one. Listened to: walking on LVRT. Favorite track: Bubblegum
Radiohead
4/5
If I’d been shown this record without any context I certainly would’ve guessed it was Muse. There’re some moments with serious shredding (Paranoid Android, Electioneering, Climbing Up the Walls) and ethereal space-shippy vocals. Yet there’s also a gentleness that acts as a strong contradictory point to the more bombastic sections. The electronic production falls in seamlessly next to the more traditional rock elements. Definitely understand how this one earned its legendary status. Listened to: walking along Joes Pond. Favorite tracks: Paranoid Android, Karma Police, Climbing up the Walls
The Kinks
2/5
Not much stood out to me on this one, found it pretty difficult to discern as a concept album. Listened to: picking up Caribbean food.
The Rolling Stones
2/5
This used to be a favorite but I haven’t listened in a while, and it seems my taste has changed. There’s a bit too much honky tonk influence and general cacophony for my liking, and the vocal performances are wildly uneven. Piano’s effectiveness is similarly inconsistent. There are flashes of greatness (Shine a Light, Soul Survivor) but they’re few and far between. Guess I’ll revisit this in another ten years and see what I think then. Listened to: walking on LVRT. Favorite tracks: Sweet Virginia, Ventilator Blues, Shine a Light
Aretha Franklin
3/5
Perhaps surprising as a big Aretha fan but I’m not crazy about this record. The recording quality isn’t great, which deadens her vocal performance, and I don’t feel as if her range was well utilized. Second half is stronger than the first and there are def a few classics though. Listened to: on LVRT. Favorite tracks: People Get Ready, A Natural Woman, Good to Me as I am to You, Chain of Fools
FKA twigs
3/5
I enjoy the experimental nature and genre bending that Twigs brings to the table, but the rasp-singing can get grating after a while. I prefer her work in smaller doses, individual songs tend to blend together in a way that lessens their impact. Listened to: on a bus to Montreal. Favorite tracks: Video Girl, Kicks
Nirvana
4/5
Prefer this to Nevermind. Cobain’s vocals are stronger and clearer and the songwriting is more focused. The harsh, industrial guitar riffs appropriately complement the vocals. Grohl’s drums provide a strong foundation and shine when pushed to the foreground. Listened to: walking around Providence. Favorite tracks: Scentless Apprentice, Milk It, Radio Friendly Unit Shifter
Ella Fitzgerald
4/5
Oh boy. Here it is. Is this too long? Yes. Of course. But....it's also punchy, evocative, and the vocals are (unsurprisingly) excellent. Also quite sultry! Audibly cackled when she sang, "emosh" and "devosh" lol. Homegirl has some zany pronunciations throughout. I didn't find this nearly as much of a slog as others, plenty of varied tones and timbre to keep things from getting repetitive. That said, there's no need to drink it all in in one sitting - do it in a few and you'll enjoy it a lot more. Listened to: at home. Favorite tracks: Things Are Looking Up, The Man I Love, Love is Here To Stay
New Order
3/5
I'd consider this pretty generic 80s "dark disco," though with how influential this album was, perhaps quintessential is a more appropriate word. There are some unique moments, like the outro in The Perfect Kiss. Vocals aren't great and lyrics are often difficult to discern. Listened to: at 5MW. Favorite tracks: This Time of Night
David Bowie
2/5
Respect him a ton as an innovator but Bowie’s music really struggles to land for me. It just sounds…dated. Best part of this for me were the electric guitar ballads. His flat voice just ain’t it though. Definitely improved in the second half both sonically and with the focus on darker subject matter. Listened to: walking to volunteer. Favorite tracks: Valentine’s Day, Dancing Out in Space, You Feel So Lonely You Could Die
Prince
4/5
This one keeps you on your toes and the percussion is WILD. The cornucopia of instruments employed is astounding. Vocal style changes similarly from song to song without a dropped note and the storytelling is paint-a-picture vivid. There are also some clever allusions to some other rock classics (the Stones especially). While not the style that fits my daily listening this is a creative masterpiece...of weirdness. Listened to: in Brooklyn botanical garden. Favorite tracks: Housequake, Strange Relationship, Adore
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
Most of this album is forgettable in the sense that if you’ve heard NY from this era there isn’t much new going on…with two notable exceptions: 1.) the raw pain emanating from his physical ailments that comes out through the writing, and 2.) cowgirl in the sand - one of the greatest solos ever. Listened to: bus to Providence. Favorite track: cowgirl in the sand
Jack White
4/5
Some ripping guitar work, shocker. More piano than expected though, definitely a more mature JW. Listened to: at 5MW. Favorite tracks: Sixteen Saltines, I'm Shakin', Take Me With You When You Go
4/5
Quintessentially 80s with some subliiiiime bass lines. Although the subject matter is very limited in scope, and the vocals are decent at best, the clever lyricism and sharp delivery elevates most tracks. The synths, drums, and all the other elements combine for something greater than the sum of their whole. Listened to: at home. Favorite tracks: Show Me, Poison Arrow, The Look of Love Pt 1
Jorge Ben Jor
2/5
Tough to get into this one with the language barrier. Enjoyed the synthier stuff, the more sparse tracks not so much. Listened to: at 5MW. Favorite tracks: Meus Filhos, Meu Tesouro, A Historia De Jorge
Joni Mitchell
4/5
Not my favorite work of hers musically, but lyrics are as poignant (and depressing!) as always! Even though they don’t always land I appreciate the broadening of the styles. Listened to: at home. Favorite tracks: Down to You, The Same Situation, Raised on Robbery
Rufus Wainwright
3/5
Very lush instrumentation....and very early 2000s. This album does minimalism well, but maximalism better. Songwriting got a bit repetitive. Listened to: doing my taxes. Favorite tracks: Vibrate, 14th Street, Dinner at Eight
Aimee Mann
3/5
Really punchy, crisp guitar riffs with sharp songwriting that’s somewhat undercut by Aimee’s unpolished vocals. The lack of variety in sound design from track to track does get a bit stale. Starts to put you to sleep by the end. Listened to: on the Staten Island ferry! Favorite tracks: I Should’ve Known, Mr. Harris
Little Richard
3/5
Fun one with a lot of energy. Listened to: grocery shopping. Favorite tracks: Tutti Frutti, Can't Believe You Wanna Leave
Radiohead
4/5
At this point, 25 years on, it’s difficult to give an objective perspective on such an iconic album. There’s so much that I typically dislike — cacophonous and dissonant instrumentation, baffling lyrics, atonal vocals — but it somehow just all works. Not much of an ambient guy either but enjoyed those tracks as well (though manhattan at sunset is an admittedly favorable setting to experience them). It’s quite a feat to have something so musically unconventional simultaneously feel like it’s referencing deep trenches of the human experience. Despite all of this praise, it’s for sure a once-in-a-while listen when you’re prioritizing intellect over excitement. Listened to: walking around manhattan. Favorite tracks: The National Anthem, Motion Picture Soundtrack
Björk
2/5
Certainly more accessible than her later work, there were elements of this I enjoyed (electro-synth dissonance) but largely dispensible for me. Really can't ever get over the hump with her vocal intonation choices. Listened to: at 5MW. Favorite tracks: Like Someone in Love, Violently Happy
Donald Fagen
2/5
Well-produced jazz-pop. Impressive variety of instrumentation. The less structured bits are delightful but some tracks wear out their welcome with bland lyrical repetition. It was difficult to really connect emotionally though because of the lack of emotional in the vocals, and the mixing didn’t do any favors here either…was straining at times to discern lyrics. Listened to: on bus to Providence. Favorite track: New Frontier
Madness
2/5
Very well produced, just not really my style. The UK approach to vocals in a rather cheeky manner during this era is very grating to me. Listened to: on Amtrak to NYC. Favorite track: Tomorrow’s (Just Another Day)
Stan Getz
2/5
I feel like I've read, "[x] is considered the record that popularized bossa nova worldwide" at least three times so far throughout this journey. Also, I'm not sure what it is, but bossa nova always strikes me as music for toddlers - due to its gentleness, not lack of intellectual prowess! Anyway, this was a subdued and relaxing listen, though dull for my taste. Listened to: at 5MW. Favorite tracks: Corcovado
Wu-Tang Clan
4/5
To someone who grew up on the polished hip hop of the 2000s, this is an album that I respect more than I actually enjoy. It's just a bit too raw and chaotic for my liking, even compared to something like Liquid Swords from a few years later. Kind of a "you had to be there" type of feel. The second half is much stronger in this regard, taking more creative risks in the production. Listened to: at home, on vinyl. Favorite tracks: Bring Da Ruckus, CREAM, Tearz
Fela Kuti
3/5
Fela a bit more jammy than his usual style. Not the most interesting of his music but enjoyable in a different way. Listened to: at Metrotech. Favorite tracks: Let's Start
Gillian Welch
5/5
Liked this one a lot, gentle but with pointed storytelling. Probably not something that would’ve come across my plate outside this project. Listened to: at home. Favorite tracks: Red Clay Halo, Everything is Free, I Dream A Highway Back
Kate Bush
2/5
A bit too ethereal for me, her voice can be difficult to discern at times and I’m not crazy about the repeated lyrical structures. The instrumentation is oft airy and creative but not particularly what I enjoy. The weirder stuff (deeper understanding) is more fun than the poppy stuff. Listened to: walking through prospect park. Favorite tracks: Love and Anger, Rocket’s Tail, This Woman’s Work
Tim Buckley
3/5
Some tracks have an intriguing confluence on sounds, but typically fail to evolve as they continue. The biggest creative risks here pay off, even if they retreading other popular sounds of the era (cough, Zeppelin). Too often though these tracks end up sounding the same, even when their notes and tones are quite different. Listened to: on a bus to Providence. Favorite tracks: Devil Eyes, Make It Right
Nina Simone
4/5
Even by Nina's standards, this was dark. Listened to: at Trader Joe's. Favorite tracks: Lilac Wine, Four Women, Black is the Color of My True Love's Hair
Television
3/5
Don’t really get the hype for this one, vocals were really difficult to make out and not particularly enjoyable in tone. The music is very dynamic though, with each role getting a chance to shine throughout the album. Guitar solos are the strongest parts. Listened to: walking around Brooklyn. Favorite tracks: Guiding Light, Torn Curtain
5/5
Put this one off for a while but this is peak Dylan. Hilarious backstory that the crowd got so butthurt about the second set being electric lol. The acoustic set is a bit rough at the start but quickly rights itself, very clear vocals and crisp guitar. Don’t think I’ve ever heard him enunciate more. The electric set rocks without letting up and benefits a ton from the extra dimension the keyboard brings. Listened to: while packing at home. Favorite tracks: Fourth Time Around, Desolation Row, Ballad of a Thin Man, Tell Me Momma
3/5
I found this fusion to be a strong joinder of the best parts of punk and jazz. Not something I particularly enjoyed or would return to, but you gotta give points for creatively -- and sheer endurance -- on a project such as this. Listened to: at 5MW. Favorite tracks: idk bc it wasn't on spotify
Radiohead
4/5
Synths are craaaazy on this one man. Percussion is also bonkers, unpredictable in a good way. The whole thing has a very galactic feel. Probably my favorite Radiohead project but still suffers from what’s always their weakness to me - lyrics that are damn near impossible to process without a lyric sheet. Still though, the level of complexity and creativity in the musical elements it enough to lift this to an elite tier. Listened to: walking to shuffleboard. Favorite tracks: 2+2=5, Go to Sleep, Myxomatosis
Beatles
5/5
Does serious and silly both incredibly well — no small feat. The breadth of approaches to songwriting and instrumentation are wildly impressive. There are some swings in here that don’t quite land, but the gems that DO result from the risk-taking are top notch. You can’t genre-band without breaking a few eggs. While this isn’t my favorite Beatles era, it’s undoubtedly earned its flowers. Listened to: walking around Brooklyn. Favorite tracks: While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Blackbird, Helter Skelter
Coldplay
3/5
Much gentler and more subdued than the Coldplay we’ve generally come to know in the past two decades. While there’s been unique and engagement development in most song structures, the samey timbre of the entire album does begin to get stale near the end. Martin’s lack of vocal range makes this all the more obvious, although he does work creatively within that limited range. Listened to: on the subway. Favorite tracks: Sparks, Yellow
Pixies
1/5
Struggled to get on board with this one. I appreciate the creative — and varied — approaches across the board, but there wasn’t much I particularly enjoyed outside of disparate elements here and there. Vocals range from passable to downright awful. DNF. Listened to: walking to BBG. Favorite tracks: I Bleed
U2
4/5
It’s difficult to separate the 2025 reputation of U2 (both good and bad) and set yourself in the headspace of 1983 U2, but I damn well tried for this one. The contrast with their more contemporary work is immediately apparent—while still well produced, there’s just a bit less polish over the whole thing. The sound’s not quite as lush. Listened to: walking in Flatbush. Favorite tracks: Red Light, “40”, Sunday Bloody Sunday
Sarah Vaughan
4/5
Great live album. Slow and sultry, Sarah's performance is fantastic and the recording quality is superb. Can't really give full marks for a bunch of covers, but this is something excellent to throw on and relax while still exhibiting some complexity. Listened to: at work. Favorite tracks: Be Anything Darling But Be Mine, Stairway to the Stars
Sade
4/5
A classic in the relaxing-music genre. Found the back half stronger than the front with more variety in arrangements and subject matter. Listened to: walking through Prospect Park. Favorite tracks: Smooth Operator, Cherry Pie, I Will Be Your Friend
George Michael
3/5
Enjoyed the slower tracks much more than the high tempo ones with piercing vocals and synths. George has a smooth voice that fits more naturally in the lower register. Found the production a bit samey but solid for the era. Listened to: walking the high line. Favorite tracks: Faith, One More Try
Deee-Lite
4/5
A very unique blend of minimalism from all three members - vocals, samples, live instruments - that comes together for something greater than the sum of its parts. Strongly evokes early 90s NYC. Clear influence on the likes of the DJ Shadows and El-P’s of the world. The poppy and traditional aspects of this record are its weakest points. Listened to: walking in BBG. Favorite tracks: Good Beat, What is Love?, Groove is in the Heart
Buck Owens
3/5
Can’t say I agree with much of his perspective on relationships, but this is solid crooning otherwise. Enough variety in the production to keep things engaging over the brief runtime. This artist knows their lane and doesn’t try to do too much outside of that…in a good way. Listened to: walking around Hudson Yards. Favorite tracks: Trouble and Me, We’re Gonna Let the Good Times Roll
Norah Jones
4/5
One of the soundtracks of my childhood, spent many a Friday evening listening to this parental favorite. It's a bit too slow for my liking at times, and I felt there were some missed opportunities for harmonization. Hard to find many other faults though! Listened to: at 5MW. Favorite tracks: Seven Years, Shoot the Moon, Lonestar
Elton John
5/5
The swagger to start your double album with a largely instrumental track lmao. These arrangements though, wow - simply stunning in their complexity. You never know whats coming next but it nearly always lands. Gutsy explorations of far flung global sounds. also so rippin guitar riffs. Listened to: walking home from work. Favorite tracks: Funeral for a Friend / Love Lies Bleeding, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, The Girls Love Alice, Roy Rodgers
Dexys Midnight Runners
2/5
DNF. Whatever redemptive qualities the music has are completed ruined by the atonal, incomprehensible vocals. I can’t rightfully give this a 1 because the brass and bass parts have some redeeming qualities, but I’m stoked to never listen to this again. Listened to: walking through Brooklyn.
Peter Tosh
3/5
The album that encourages you to smoke weed to help with your asthma! Well balanced project. Varied tempos, timbres, and instrumentation. Even some rock influence! Vocal performance is fine, but it doesn’t need to be more than that. Listened to: walking in Brooklyn. Favorite tracks: Whatcha Gonna Do, Igziabeher, Till Your Well Runs Dry
D'Angelo
4/5
Oh so smooth. You’d be hard pressed to find a better example of vocals as an instrument. Incredible for what it is, though the repetitive nature and subject matter of the genre prevent this from quiiite rising to something personally transcendent for me. Listened to: on a bus to Providence. Favorite tracks: Brown Sugar, Me and Those Dreamin’ Eyes of Mine
Nas
5/5
Certified classic with one of the best rap tracks ever. Listened to: at home, on vinyl. Favorite tracks: Genesis, NY State of Mind, Halftime
Nick Drake
2/5
It’s doesn’t get more minimalist acoustic than this. Guitar performance was undoubtedly a skilled display, but the melodies weren’t particularly captivating. Difficult to comment on the songwriting as the vocals were rather mumbly. Still, a chill, relaxing listen. Listened to: walking through park slope. Favorite tracks: Which Will
Astrud Gilberto
3/5
A bit poppier and more lush compared to other bossa nova entries on this list, a move towards my preferences. Jazzy and enjoyable. Listened to: at home. Favorite tracks: Misty Roses, The Face I Love, I Had The Craziest Dram
Marvin Gaye
4/5
An interesting story of love-run-it’s-course behind this one that is simultaneously a strength and a weakness. While the singular subject matter provides a focus, the albums lengthy nature negatively underscores the lack of variety. Production is complex, often with several rhythm and guitar tracks interplaying at once. Here there is no lack of variety, and, of course, the vocal performance is exceptional. Tracks meander along their merry way at a relaxed pace. Listened to: on the Vermonter. Favorite tracks: Is That Enough, Time to Get It Together, Sparrow, You Can Leave But it’s Going to Cost You
William Orbit
5/5
Had no clue what to expect coming in to this one but really dug it. Wild blends of percussion and electronic effects, and vocals used sparingly, but effectively. Wild and weird stuff. Listened to: at metrotech. Favorite tracks: Water From A Vine Leaf, Gringatcho Demento
Miles Davis
4/5
As someone who admittedly knows next to nothing about jazz, it’s difficult to understand the hype behind this one. Nor do I particularly enjoy the genre, but this is difficult to fault once those personal preferences are cast aside. It’s a very delicate, intricate record. I’ve no doubt that repeat spins reward the listener with new, or rather unnoticed, flourishes from previous visits. Listened to: walking through BBG. Favorite track: Blue in Green
David Bowie
5/5
On paper this does a lot that I typically don’t like. The vocals are raw and often lack tone control. The recording quality is on the lo-fi end of the spectrum, and the aren’t a ton of elements of interplay. Yet, this is my fave Bowie project this far. It’s grounded and makes great use of harmonization. Both guitar and piano bits stir emotions without doing too much. Listened to: walking to shuffleboard. Favorite tracks: Changes, Oh! You Pretty Things, Life on Mars?, Song for Bob Dylan, Queen Bitch
Taylor Swift
3/5
There are unconventional moments here across the board — composition, songwriting, melody — some of which work and some of which don’t. Especially with the melodies there are too many moments that seem to be building towards a big release only to fizzle out. The general soundscape also begins to wear thin after a while due to its sameness. All that being said, I liked this SIGNIFICANTLY more than when it first dropped. I haven’t been a huge fan of the “indie Taylor” era but even the lows here are very solid. Definitely one to enjoy with a good pair of headphones to pick up on the subtleties. Listened to: walking to prospect park. Favorite tracks: evermore, tolerate it, willow
Crowded House
3/5
Really strong melodies on this one, that sits somewhere between soft rock and orchestral psychedelia. There’s not much beyond that that’s all too attention grabbing, but it’s a very pleasant listen overall. The lyricism is a bit all over the place, often oscillating between silly and sincere, but this just adds to the charm. Listened to: walking through manhattan. Favorite tracks: Four Seasons in One Day, Fame Is, Chocolate Cake
Neneh Cherry
4/5
This one’s got energy!! Pop, soul, hip hop, and a hell of a lot scratching. The vocal performance is far from traditional but it’s just what this record demands, and Neneh has no qualms about taking a god damn sledgehammer to the conventional. What a bang to close out the 80s. Listened to: on mushrooms on the 2 train. Favorite tracks: Buffalo Stance, The Next Generation, So Here I Come
Big Brother & The Holding Company
5/5
In the discussion for best live album of its era AND best collection of guitar solos on a record. Yeah the audio’s kinda shit, who fucking cares. shreds top to bottom with some of the most ripping electric guitar you’ll ever hear. Summertime is one of my top tracks ever. Janis obv incredible. Listened to: walking through BBG. Favorite tracks: Summertime, Piece of My Heart, Ball and Chain
Destiny's Child
5/5
A classic! Great balance across the entire record, bangers and ballads that make the most of each member's strengths. Listened to: at 5MW. Favorite tracks: Survivor, Fancy, My Heart Still Beats
The Verve
3/5
The 90s English vibes are strong with this one. It’s very clearly a transitory album between their earlier ambient sound and Urban Hymns. The lyrics and vocal performance significantly pale in the face of the instrumentals, especially the bombastic guitar work. Listened to: going home from work. Favorite tracks: This is Music, Brainstorm Interlude, History
Run-D.M.C.
4/5
Just a little less refined than their later work, but the content is still incredibly relevant today and the production is only slightly dated. Listened to: at work. Favorite track: Jam-Master Jay, It's Like That
ZZ Top
3/5
Enjoyable, but quite samey. Listened to: walking through Prospect Park. Favorite tracks: Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers, Hot Blue and Righteous
The Rolling Stones
4/5
This was a cleaner and more restrained - in a good way - version of the Stones from how I usually envision them. Each track feels controlled and thoughtfully constructed. Vocals are uneven but that’s no surprise. Vividly constructed characters in the lyrics. Listened to: walking through Brooklyn. Favorite tracks: Sympathy for the Devil, Street Fighting Man
Elton John
5/5
Brilliant instrumentation and arrangements, what do you even call simultaneous solos? How is that even a thing? The oft lengthy nature of the tracks serves to enhance rather than detract. And while the bombastic tracks in the vein of Tiny Dancer are incredible, I prefer the slower and more melancholy cuts. Topped off with rich storytelling/character building it’s tough to call this anything but an all-around-stunner. Listened to: walking through prospect park. Favorite tracks: Razor Face, Madman Across the Water, Rotten Peaches, Goodbye
Meat Loaf
5/5
Great vocal layering. Elite harmonizing and the use of spoken word samples is perfectly executed. Very very reminiscent of Queen??? Wasn’t expecting that. A beautiful mix of ballads and absolute guitar rippers. Listened to: walking through prospect park. Favorite tracks: Bat Out of Hell, Heaven Can Wait, Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad
Booker T. & The MG's
4/5
Another one of those albums that opens with, "Ohhhh, that song!" A lively instrumental bash whose influence can be felt still today. This rises about as high as a dated, lyricless album can, with superb musical arrangements that keep you guessing all the way through. Listened to: at 5MW. Favorite tracks: Green Onions, I Got A Woman, Stranger on the Shore
Pixies
2/5
Ok I am relived that was not entirely screamo. Still, the vocals cant be called pleasant nor does the mix do any favors for picking out lyrics on many tracks. The guitar work is great though, far and away the strongest aspect of this record. Listened to: commuting from 5MW. Favorite tracks: Blown Away
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
3/5
You wouldn’t necessarily pin this as the predecessor of Rock, but the bones are there if you know to look. The arrangements are rudimentary by modern standards, though there are some flashes of brilliance. The slower tracks with an emphasis on harmonization are the strengths imo. Listened to: walking through Prospect Park. Favorite tracks: Maybe Baby, Tell Me How, Last Night
50 Cent
5/5
Echo And The Bunnymen
2/5
Songwriting is great, everything else felt lackluster. The inconsistent recording quality doesn’t help, but the orchestra often felt underutilized. Vocals your classic 80s toneless britpop. Listened to: walking on the high line. Favorite tracks: Thorn of Crowns, Ocean Rain
Super Furry Animals
3/5
Reminds me a lot of Portugal the Man. Love the harmonious music in major key (and specially the guitar work), the dissonant stuff much less so. Same for the vocals. When there’s actual singing it’s great but the off key, unedited parts are rough. Lyrics nothing special. A few solid guitar solos. Listened to: walking around Fort Greene. Favorite tracks: Something 4 the Weekend, Gathering Moss, God! Show Me Magic
Alanis Morissette
4/5
The singing isn’t good but it’s got a boatload of personality and definitely pairs well with the sardonic songwriting. She’s a real one. Songs structure can be a bit bland from time to time, but the strong lead guitar and unique supporting instruments (harmonica, mandolin) keep things fresh enough. Listened to: walking to Palms. Favorite tracks: You Oughta Know, Right Through You, Ironic
Beatles
4/5
Elected to watch the full film for this one. McCartney and Lennon are both a complete riot (as is the grandfather lmao). Did not expect it to be so zany. Watched: on Erasmus. Favorite tracks: I Should’ve Known Better, And I Love Her, I’ll Cry Instead
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
3/5
Never heard of this supergroup before - unsurprisingly, Danger Mouse’s production is the highlight. Found Damon’s vocals and writing both hit or miss. Feels more like a collection of singles as opposed to a true album, which is interesting considering where Gorillaz would end up 15 years down the line. Listened to: walking around Holy Cross cemetery. Favorite tracks: History Song, Herculean, Three Changes
Pretenders
2/5
Frank Ocean
4/5
Personally, my favorite Frank album. The remnants of his Odd Future time bring balance to the more sultry aesthetic and content. Although seeing his Coachella "performance" in person has soured me a bit on him as a person over the years, and I've always felt his music was a liiiiittle bit overrated *ducks*, this collection of tracks no doubt approaches the heights of modern pop R&B. Listened to: at 5MW. Favorite tracks: Thinkin Bout You, Pyramids, Lost, Forrest Gump
ZZ Top
3/5
A constant head bobber! Nothing wildly standout, a nice guitar riff at the minimum on every track though. TV Dinners IS hilarious, a much appreciated ode. Listened to: on a flight to Guadalajara. Favorite tracks: Got Me Under Pressure, Legs, TV Dinners
Radiohead
3/5
Like a bevy of modern art, there’s merit here but it largely fails to connect with me. There are some intriguing soundscapes and motifs but they fail to build in to something bigger, even as it does strengthen in the second half. Unsurprisingly, the more traditional song/lyric combos were the strengths for me. Can’t appreciate the lyrics if you can’t understand them…however even when they are discernible they’re often repetitive past the point of effectiveness. Listened to: VT to NYC train. Favorite tracks: I Might Be Wrong, Knives Out, Hunting Bears, Life in a Glasshouse
The Undertones
2/5
I dig the individual elements of instrumentation, and even their arrangement in short segments, but the songs and their structures get eye-rollingly repetitive. Don’t care for the vocal style or monotonous subject matter either. There are a few impressive guitar and percussion sections but they never develop into much. Listened to: on Amtrak to Philly. Favorite tracks: Here Comes The Summer, Billy’s Third
Milton Nascimento
4/5
Intricate acoustic with creative use of sound tracking across the left/right speakers. Pleasant, if unremarkable, vocals. Great interplay between guitar, keys, percussion, and bass. Excellent mixing and overall recording quality, shit is crystal. Wasn't crazy about some of the harmonic choices, but I'd imagine there's a cultural difference here and it's an objectively really high-quality record as a whole. Listened to: at Metrotech. Favorite tracks: Tudo O Que, Um Girassol, San Vicente, Um Gosto De Sol
Dire Straits
5/5
Definitely one of those, oh, that song! albums. The singing (and calling it singing is being somewhat generous) is fairly flat tonally, but I still dug it, which is very unusual for my tastes. It just works with the electric keys and bluegrassy guitar. The second half really slows the tempo but is no less fab. An odd collection of songs, but most are great in their own right even if they don't fit together entirely coherently. This one really surprised me in a good way. Listened to: at 5MW. Favorite tracks: Money for Nothing, Walk of Life, Why Worry, Brothers in Arms
Johnny Cash
4/5
Incredibly vivid storytelling infused with an unexpected amount of humor, and an abundance of surrounding context to boot. Though Johnny’s voice doesn’t always hold up to some of the vocal demands, you can tell that he (and the crowd) are all having a blast. Also, I’m totally going to start calling lists “idiot sheets”. Listened to: walking through Brooklyn. Favorite tracks: Dark as the Dungeon, Cocaine Blues
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
Bit of a strange start on this one if you’re expecting quintessential Hendrix but quickly settles in to more familiar territory. True guitar wizardry across a varied collection of tracks. The vocal performance and songwriting are inconsistent and never quite get in sync, but the individual highs are worth the lesser efforts. Listened to: walking in Park Slope. Favorite tracks: Spanish Castle Magic, Little Wing, If 6 Was 9, Bold as Love
Taylor Swift
4/5
Lacking the lyrical depth of Taylor’s later work, 1989 was EVERYWHERE when it dropped, and truly launched her to superstardom. It brings me back to a very specific period of my life. While a bit vanilla, I still consider this her pop peak. Multiple radio hits don’t lie. The sonic aesthetic of the album bops but fails to evolve or demonstrate meaningful variety though, keeping this just below the highest echelon of pop albums. Listened to: on a flight to Tirana. Favorite tracks: Bad Blood, Wildest Dreams, I Know Places
Ute Lemper
3/5
Incredibly crisp, modern production with a variety of different moods. The piano and electric guitar really shine. Lyrics and vocal performance are generally strong, but do falter from time to time. Listened to: walking around Shkoder. Favorite tracks: Purple Avenue, The Part You Throw Away, You Were Meant For Me
Elvis Costello
4/5
Interesting vocal performance, even when it doesn't necessarily land. There isn't a bad track on here, though the ones that stand a cut above either have a strong lead guitar or well-tuned harmonization. Listened to: at Metrotech. Favorite tracks: Alison, Miracle Man, I'm Not Angry
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Whoa. This one caught me seriosuly off guard. I'm a fan of The Boss and his politics, but his music, not so much. Not the case here. Absolutely loved the stripped down aesthetic, lends itself perfectly to the initimate, character driven songwriting. Listened: at 5MW. Favorite tracks: Nebraska, Highway Patrolman, My Father's House
Eminem
5/5
Love him or hate him, you can't deny Em changed the game. I'm one of the former. His lyrics are hilarious, biting, and excessively satirical, and he's got one of the best delivery styles of all time. Dre's production has become more lush and complex by this point in his career without straying from its West Coast roots. Listened to: at 5MW. Favorite tracks: My Name Is, Guilty Conscience, Rock Bottom, As The World Turns, Still Don't Give A Fuck
Van Halen
4/5
Sure ain't a lack of guitar on this one. A bit more hard-edged than the glam rock moniker may lead you to believe. Not much in terms of depth, but with the short runtime that's just fine. Rock on!! Listened to: at Metrotech. Favorite tracks: Jump, Hot For Teacher, I'll Wait, House of Pain
Fleetwood Mac
4/5
The highs are high, but overrated as a project imo. Incredible lore, but idk I’m also not super in to celebrating toxicity. Perhaps a place in time that I missed. Listened to: in Bridgeport before The Dollop. Favorite tracks: Second Hand News, Songbird, The Chain
Beach House
4/5
I consider myself a BH fan, but I don't feel this is their best work. I don't think it's necessarily "aged badly", but it feels dated in the sense that it's infused with early 2000s indie angst. Still, it's a great album for a rainy day or as background music (and I mean that as a compliment). BH are so talented when it comes to molding a consistent and tangible vibe across an album. Listened to: at Metrotech. Favorite tracks: Silver Soul, Walk in the Park, 10 Mile Stereo, Take Care
Leonard Cohen
2/5
Wow, I had high hopes for this one but really did not care for it. So dull. Vocals and song structures are monotonous, and even the lyrics failed to make much of an impression on me. Listened to: walking the High Line. Favorite tracks: Sisters of Mercy, Stories of the Street
Dusty Springfield
5/5
She rules, no misses. Listened to: flying to Vegas. Favorite tracks: So Much Love, Just One Smile, The Windmills of Your Mind
Boston
5/5
Oh, so it's just wall-to-wall bangers. Got it. Listened to: at Metrotech. Favorite tracks: More Than a Feeling, Peace of Mind, Hitch a Ride, Let Me Take You Home Tonight
Kendrick Lamar
5/5
My favorite Kendrick album, and I could make an argument for his best. A masterful blend of storytelling and worldbuilding with support from an all-star feature lineup. A wonderful variety of beats with juuuust the beginning of his to-come experimental vocal delivery. Listened to: at the Edison. Favorite tracks: Backseat Freestyle, The Art of Peer Pressure, Money Trees, m.A.A.d city, Swimming Pools, Sing About Me I'm Dying of Thirst
Funkadelic
3/5
So many great guitar solos in this display of (barely) controlled chaos. Gets repetitive, but that's kind of the point. Listened to: at 5MW. Favorite tracks: Groovallegiance, Promentalshitbackwashpsychosis Enema Squad, Cholly (Funk Getting Ready To Roll!)
Janelle Monáe
5/5
While not quite as fully realized as her later work, this is still an exceptional album the flexes Janelle’s incredible talent for blending pop sounds with high art. Her singing, rapping, beat-poeting, all of it is performed at a sublime level. The mix is also superb considering all of the interwoven elements. Listened to: walking to downtown Denver. Favorite tracks: Tightrope, Cold War, Come Alive, Make the Bus
Iron Maiden
3/5
Some of the lyrics have, errr, not aged well, but this is a great album to put on that isn't going to demand your full attention - though it will grab it from time to time with guitar solos and switch ups. Listened to: Amli RiNo. Favorite tracks: Children of the Damned, Number of the Beast, Run to the Hills
Johnny Cash
3/5
My mans way feeling sassy on this one! Not nearly as good as Folsom, but just as entertaining. Listened to: shopping at target in downtown Denver. Favorite tracks: Wreck of the Old 97, San Quentin, A Boy Named Sue