589
Albums Rated
3.59
Average Rating
54%
Complete
500 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
2010
Favorite Decade
Funk
Favorite Genre
other
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
116
5-Star Albums
14
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
Top Styles
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
90
808 State
|
5 | 2.69 | +2.31 |
|
Beyond Skin
Nitin Sawhney
|
5 | 2.76 | +2.24 |
|
Basket of Light
Pentangle
|
5 | 2.76 | +2.24 |
|
Happy Sad
Tim Buckley
|
5 | 2.78 | +2.22 |
|
Apple Venus Volume 1
XTC
|
5 | 2.84 | +2.16 |
|
A Wizard, A True Star
Todd Rundgren
|
5 | 2.84 | +2.16 |
|
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx
Raekwon
|
5 | 2.85 | +2.15 |
|
Fly Or Die
N.E.R.D
|
5 | 2.86 | +2.14 |
|
Supa Dupa Fly
Missy Elliott
|
5 | 2.92 | +2.08 |
|
O.G. Original Gangster
Ice T
|
5 | 2.97 | +2.03 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Appetite For Destruction
Guns N' Roses
|
1 | 3.73 | -2.73 |
|
The Fat Of The Land
The Prodigy
|
1 | 3.4 | -2.4 |
|
Seventeen Seconds
The Cure
|
1 | 3.38 | -2.38 |
|
White Light / White Heat
The Velvet Underground
|
1 | 2.89 | -1.89 |
|
Sticky Fingers
The Rolling Stones
|
2 | 3.87 | -1.87 |
|
Remedy
Basement Jaxx
|
1 | 2.68 | -1.68 |
|
Live At The Regal
B.B. King
|
2 | 3.67 | -1.67 |
|
Blood On The Tracks
Bob Dylan
|
2 | 3.67 | -1.67 |
|
Hard Again
Muddy Waters
|
2 | 3.61 | -1.61 |
|
Exile On Main Street
The Rolling Stones
|
2 | 3.6 | -1.6 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Led Zeppelin | 5 | 4.6 |
| The White Stripes | 3 | 5 |
| Miles Davis | 4 | 4.5 |
| Stevie Wonder | 3 | 4.67 |
| Radiohead | 3 | 4.67 |
| Deep Purple | 3 | 4.67 |
| Oasis | 2 | 5 |
| Curtis Mayfield | 2 | 5 |
| Nirvana | 2 | 5 |
| OutKast | 2 | 5 |
| Beatles | 5 | 4.2 |
| Steely Dan | 3 | 4.33 |
| Pink Floyd | 3 | 4.33 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| The Velvet Underground | 5, 1 |
| Muddy Waters | 2, 5 |
| Kanye West | 2, 5 |
| The Mothers Of Invention | 1, 4 |
| The Cure | 1, 4, 3 |
5-Star Albums (116)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Jamiroquai · 3 likes
5/5
3/6/24. I always loved Jamiroquai and this is my first listen of this album. Maybe this was the music I needed to start my day, but as a funk lover I can't resist the urge to dance to every song! No time is wasted to get you on your feet, and what separates this band is the exploration of jazz progressions and elements. A new favorite of mine.
Slipknot · 2 likes
4/5
5/22/24. Very familiar with Slipknot and their biggest songs, so this will obviously be a little biased. Even though I don't listen to metal all the time, this album is great! Somewhat pioneers the nu-metal sound and Cory's vocals are top notch here.
Django Django · 1 likes
5/5
10/26/23. Wow, I’m mad I haven’t heard this band before. Every song blew me away and surprised me, and sounding very different from other music I’ve heard. This will get many revisits.
Van Halen · 1 likes
3/5
2/14/24. Happy Van Halen Valentine's Day! You can't deny Eddie's talent and insane guitar playing, but this style of music doesn't do it for me. There's always 2 or 3 tracks I can keep coming back to however. Maybe it's because this is an album that seemed to kick off the 80s hair metal blitz.
808 State · 1 likes
5/5
6/18/24. Great discovery today! Not sure why, this gives me a Daft Punk feel where a certain electronic album resonates with me, and a lot of time I cannot explain why. The grooves are infectious!
1-Star Albums (14)
All Ratings
Metallica
5/5
10/5/23: start of the journey. I have listened to this album before; for someone who isn’t a big metalhead this is a very solid album. A lot of memorable songs and heavy riffs and would keep in the collection.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
3/5
10/6/23. Never was huge on Tom Petty, but this is solid rock and roll. Won’t revisit this one often but still a decent listen.
5/5
10/9/23. I’ve listened to this album before and it’s very consistent and enjoyable. Every song keeps you interested and PJ’s voice hooks you. Will listen again and again.
Jack White
4/5
10/10/23. I’m a huge fan of all of Jack White’s work so this album is always enjoyable. I still like Lazaretto as my favorite JW solo album.
Sonic Youth
5/5
10/11/23. Wow, first time listening and crazy how well this holds up. The sound from this album is a blueprint for most punk and indie bands of today. I now understand why Sonic Youth is so influential.
Johnny Cash
4/5
10/12/23. Emotional album. Made me appreciate the key of A Major as a tool to use for melancholy messages.
Boston
4/5
10/15/23. More classic rock. The first track is an all timer, yet I’m always surprised by the rest of the album. A lot of cool guitar work and catchy melodies. Wouldn’t say it’s my favorite but will always recommend.
5/5
10/16/23. Absolute classic and is loved for many reasons. Every song is near flawless, even after many listens later. A must listen for any music lover, and proves to later generations that the Beatles are NOT overrated.
5/5
10/17/23. Never listened to XTC before this album but wow was I blown away with what I heard. Did not expect such a vast, art like journey. Really surprised and had a pleasant listen, just wish this album was more accessible!
4/5
10/18/23. Another band and album I’ve never heard of, and another pleasant surprise. A lot of fun, interesting pop songs with good lead vocals.
The Cure
1/5
10/19/23. Only know a couple Cure songs but this album didn't do it for me. Felt it was slow, repetitive, and uninspiring. A lot of boring instrumentals. Luckily, it's pretty short and didn't ruin my day off!
Joan Armatrading
4/5
10/20/23. I have not heard of Joan but glad I stumbled upon her! Really good guitar work. Starts off with a classic country vibe before varying into blues and funk. May keep this around to learn some guitar licks!
Lynyrd Skynyrd
4/5
10/23/23. Southern rock classic with standouts I’ve heard before: Simple Man and Free Bird. More bluesy album than I expected! Not up my alley, but enjoyable album.
Metallica
3/5
10/24/23. Have known a few songs off this concert and thought it was a cool addition to have the orchestra. However, I think the majority of the songs, it doesn’t add much. Admittedly, I’m also a casual Metallica fan.
The Zutons
3/5
10/25/23. I only know the one song Valerie but never listened to the rest of this band’s music. Pretty standard 2000s garage rock sound: has some standouts but also forgettable tracks.
Django Django
5/5
10/26/23. Wow, I’m mad I haven’t heard this band before. Every song blew me away and surprised me, and sounding very different from other music I’ve heard. This will get many revisits.
Sigur Rós
4/5
10/27/23. Very interesting sounding album, almost like contemporary and classical blended together, and interesting vocals. May listen again to get more familiar, mostly felt like background music.
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
10/30/23. Not crazy familiar with S&G’s work (obviously know the name). Very brief album with enjoyable acoustic tracks. Almost Beatles like with the production.
Pixies
4/5
10/31/23. Happy Halloween! Was treated to this Pixies album I’ve never listened to. Some good songs, but feel like is a step down from Doolittle and Surfer Rosa. With that, still a solid album that captures the Pixies.
Neu!
4/5
11/1/23. Never heard of this group and didn’t know what to expect, did not see mostly instrumental songs coming. However, very interesting soundscapes that are soothing yet don’t let you get too comfortable. Consider me a fan.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
11/2/23. Masterpiece. Anyone that says otherwise I cannot trust. Still sounds excellent and every track is an 8/10 or higher.
The Strokes
5/5
11/3/23. Another all time favorite of mine! Lost count of how many times I’ve listened to this. A staple from 2000s indie rock that stays with me today.
The Allman Brothers Band
3/5
11/6/23. Live albums are weird for me because I wish I could watch. Really good jams and instrument play, now I know where the TTB sound comes from.
Wu-Tang Clan
5/5
11/7/23. Thanks to Chappelle, have listened to this countless times and still consider it a classic. Timeless beats, production, and lyric delivery.
The Pretty Things
4/5
11/8/23. Never heard of this band or album, but very Sgt. Peppers or Beatles like. The track list takes you on a good ride with unpredictable sounds and rhythms, would listen again!
Peter Gabriel
4/5
11/9/23. Only have listened to a little Peter Gabriel. I can’t pinpoint any examples, but it sounded like a lot of artists I like have taken influences from this album, a lot of familiar song structures and ideas I hear today!
Elvis Presley
3/5
11/10/23. Never been huge on Elvis since he’s a thief, but he pays his tributes accordingly to the originals! Lot’s of fun, blues driven tracks.
Steely Dan
5/5
11/13/23. Nearly flawless album for me! Not sure why, but every song stands out on its own, but at the same time flow together very well. This will stand the test of time.
Morrissey
4/5
11/14/23. First time listening to anything Morrissey or Smiths. Had no idea he was big into the jangle pop sound. This album has a good flow and variety of songs, would check out again.
Joy Division
2/5
11/15/23. First time diving into Joy Division; not a bad album but perhaps not my cup of tea. Songs just aren’t very enjoyable to me, but the last three tracks do go out with a bang. Maybe I need to give this another try.
Santana
5/5
11/16/23. Mad at myself for not listening to more Santana. I was expecting a guitar heavy album, but instead was surprised with very solid, fun songs and instruments! This will definitely be added to the rotation and maybe influence my own playing.
Motörhead
4/5
11/17/23. This album kicks you in the ass! Big sound coming from only three people, and every song is perfect for an energy rush. I wouldn’t listen to this casually, but definitely for anytime I need a pick up.
The Velvet Underground
5/5
11/20/23. Unbelievably holds up well and sounds great, all the songs are well thought out and unique. A classic.
Peter Tosh
4/5
11/21/23. Reggae isn’t my favorite genre since it’s a bit repetitive, but this album represents the genre in a great way. It helps that the artist worked closely with Bob Marley to understand and execute the chill vibes with this one.
Stephen Stills
3/5
11/22/23. Some standout songs but thought this was an average, acoustic driven album. May revisit again down the road, perhaps might learn one or two on guitar.
Lorde
4/5
11/23/23. Happy Thanksgiving Day! This is my first revisit since this album released and I still hold the same opinion: solid alt-pop album and Lorde always keeps it interesting.
The Rolling Stones
2/5
11/24/23. Eh, didn’t really feel anything with this album, and I like a lot of Rolling Stones songs. Can’t say I’ll listen to this one again.
Willie Nelson
5/5
11/27/23. I never gave Willie Nelson a fair shot and glad I came across this album! I’m surprised by the versatility and different genres, and thoughtful lyrics.
N.E.R.D
5/5
11/28/23. I have to give Pharrell his due here; this album flows really well and diverse! I love hip hop albums that push the boundaries. Will add to the rotation.
Goldfrapp
4/5
11/29/23. Probably the first ambient style album I genuinely enjoyed. Cool chord progressions and Goldfrapp has an old school voice.
Gary Numan
4/5
11/30/23. Definitely have heard some of these tracks before, and the ones I haven’t stood out to me. This feels like an album that laid the groundwork for a lot of synth pop and new wave, even to this day!
Jurassic 5
4/5
12/1/23. Very chill and kicked back hip hop album. Loved the jazz influenced samples and lyrical content. Have heard of A Day at the Races numerous times, but glad I finally listened to the entire album finally!
The Rolling Stones
2/5
12/4/23. Meh, maybe I'm not a huge Rolling Stones guy. Can't You Hear Me Knocking is a standout, and Dead Flowers I enjoyed, but the rest just didn't resonate with me.
Ali Farka Touré
3/5
12/5/23. I'm familiar with Mdou Moctar, but this felt like a good introduction to the world of Mali Music. A lot of styles of guitar playing I'm not familiar with, but may stay with me. I also loved a lot of the blues influences toward the end. I would revisit this one.
Björk
4/5
12/6/23. These are the type of albums I like - an artist making the music they want without adhering to a specific genre or boundary. I'm glad I finally stumbled onto Bjork's work, very wide cast of sounds and melodies.
Elliott Smith
3/5
12/7/23. With all the indie rock I’ve listened to, this album felt like a template for a lot of bands to draw on. Very solid listen and would recommend.
Sister Sledge
3/5
12/8/23. Classic soul album. Will never get enough of Nile Rodgers' guitar playing and feel good songs from this.
Sam Cooke
3/5
12/11/23. Sam Cooke has a classic voice. Decent live album.
New Order
2/5
12/12/23. First time listening to New Order so don't know about their whole discography, this one I thought was just okay. Dancy, jangle pop like from the 80s that's fun in places, but wouldn't listen to regularly.
Mekons
3/5
12/13/23. Enjoyable, would listen again as there’s some fun tracks.
Lou Reed
3/5
12/14/23. I get Lou Reed as my musical birthday treat. I'll always respect his work as an artist and pushing the boundaries. This album definitely does that for me; doesn't follow a specific formula.
Marty Robbins
3/5
12/15/23. Some classic country right here, almost as if Elvis was singing country songs. All the songs feel timeless and with the limited country I've listened to, it seems like many artists draw from this.
4/5
12/18/23. I have more respect for War as a band after listening to this. A lot of great grooves and diverse songs! Will definitely revisit.
Gorillaz
5/5
12/19/23. Classic album for me, listened to this countless times! Will never get old for me.
Giant Sand
4/5
12/20/23. First time hearing Giant Sand, and what a nice, relaxing album. Each song flowed into each other really well, and the vocals are Lou Reed like. Would definitely recommend this one and listen again.
The Teardrop Explodes
3/5
12/21/23. Started off slow but then got more interesting and a little psychedelic as the album goes on. I want to listen to this one again but enjoyed on the initial listen.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
12/22/23. Essential reggae listening right here. I always thought reggae was a bit of a repetitive genre, but this one keeps you engaged. Bob Marley was the truth.
Various Artists
4/5
12/25/23. Merry Christmas! Some good, classic, Christmas songs that are well produced with some great vocals. A nice break from the main holiday songs we hear each year.
Dexys Midnight Runners
5/5
12/26/23. I only knew the song Come On Eileen beforehand, but was pleasantly surprised with how fun and expansive this album is! A lot of blues and jazz influence, and I can bet some later work pulled a lot from this album. Adding this one to the top rotation.
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
3/5
12/27/23. Interesting electronica sound from the 80s. Would revisit a couple of these tracks.
Ice Cube
4/5
12/28/23. Ice Cube brings the energy in this one backed by some good beats and samples.
Iron Maiden
4/5
12/29/23. Knew the famous tracks Number of the Beast and Run to the Hills coming in. Every song brings a punch with wicked vocals in a good way, and love the tempo changes on some songs. Great instrumentation as well.
Judas Priest
3/5
1/1/24. Happy new year! Decent hard hitting metal album, somewhat melodic.
Soft Cell
2/5
1/2/24. Meh, thought a lot of the songs and melodies were repetitive. One or two highlights, but not enough to revisit often.
Air
3/5
1/3/24. Would like to listen to more of this band, good ambience and instrumentals. Especially good for focus.
Neil Young
4/5
1/4/24. Gotta give it to Neil Young, he can write a song. Mostly acoustic driven with some tracks having accompanying strings and background vocals. Many of the songs would be fun to learn on guitar!
Led Zeppelin
5/5
1/5/24. There's not much to say, rock & roll perfection. Still sounds incredible to this day.
Dusty Springfield
2/5
1/8/24. Good sampling of the 60s bluesy sound/British Invasion.
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
4/5
1/9/24. Always a big fan of anything Damon Albarn touches. No idea is off limits in his music, and that concept shines on this album.
Muddy Waters
2/5
1/10/24. The king of Chicago style Blues music, almost sounds like a standard (admittedly need to listen to more blues music). Good music, but not sure I can listen over and over.
T. Rex
3/5
1/11/24. Fun album! Lays a lot of the foundation for glam and stadium rock that other bands used.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
1/12/24. This is the essential Rolling Stones album for me, or at least the easiest to listen from front and back.
Beatles
4/5
1/15/24. Happy MLK Day! The Beatles are not overrated and never should be considered so. With that said, even if the songs are simple, they're effective, catchy, and memorable. Every song here is solid.
Steve Winwood
3/5
1/16/14. Pretty decent 80s style music with some jazz elements included. Will listen again, but enjoyed on the first run.
King Crimson
3/5
1/17/24. Very interesting! I'm not too deep into prog rock, but each track kept me guessing for sure. Really appreciate the creativity throughout the album, will need to check out again.
Spacemen 3
4/5
1/18/24. I’m familiar with Spiritualized so glad I got a taste of the original group. I’m always drawn to obscure, psychedelic music; it takes me to a good place. Enjoyed this one.
Eminem
5/5
1/19/24. As a little kid I remember how controversial and crazy this was to the point where my parents made their best effort to censor this album from me. Still to this day, this is near rap perfection in terms of talent and perfection.
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
1/22/24. Great album, these two keep you entertained throughout each track, with some creative writing and song structures. I understand why they were so popular back in the day.
Dion
4/5
1/23/24. This record surprised me! I only knew Dion from a couple famous 50s songs, but each song here sounded big and in your face in a great way. Definitely will revisit.
Meat Puppets
3/5
1/24/24. A lot of my favorite bands have cited the Meat Puppets as a huge influence, and I can hear a lot of it on this record. However like the Butthole Surfers, it doesn't hit exactly the same, but still a decent listen. Perhaps I needed to be present when this came out to fully appreciate it!
Everything But The Girl
4/5
1/25/24. Different and creative pop music, definitely has that 90s sound. Will revisit.
R.E.M.
5/5
1/26/24. Will need to put more respect to R.E.M.'s name, really, really enjoyed this album.
George Harrison
4/5
1/29/24. Wish the Beatles would've let George written more songs. All very solid here on this solo effort.
Brian Eno
3/5
1/30/24. Very interesting! Didn't expect this to be a diverse, worldly instrumental album. I do think the length was a bit long, but this include some good sound landscapes.
Adele
4/5
1/31/24. This was everywhere when it initially released, but listening 13 years later you can't deny it's strong vocals, songwriting, and influence. A good amount of music took a lot from this album.
The Sonics
3/5
2/1/24. Fun album! Short and right in your face music that laid the foundation for a lot of my favorite garage rock bands of the 2000s. Lot of fun guitar riffs.
Nas
5/5
2/2/24. Classic, gritty hip hop by Nas. Never gets old.
B.B. King
2/5
2/5/24. B.B. King is a legend, however I'm not sure why I find blues to be boring at times! Maybe I need to see it live to appreciate it.
Wilco
4/5
2/6/24. I’ve slept on Wilco for awhile. For a double album in length, each song brought a unique experience and kept me engage throughout. I need to listen some more.
Kanye West
2/5
2/7/24. Even after listening again years later, I think this is a big step down from Kanye's work before this one. The production is good, but believe it's a bit abrasive and a little all over the place. Still a couple songs I'll revisit like Black Skinhead and Blood On The Leaves.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
2/8/24. I was really impressed by this album, almost movie like with the production and vocals. Very haunting at times, but beautiful throughout and each song keeps you locked in through the experience.
Green Day
5/5
2/9/24. Another classic album for me that I'll never get tired of. Green Day really went above and beyond in each song, and in a lot of ways the lyrics are still relevant.
Janelle Monáe
5/5
2/12/24. Wow, I’ve slept on Janelle’s work for way too long. This album blew me away and loved every second! I can almost consider it a modern classic.
Weather Report
3/5
2/13/24. Really solid jazz fusion instrumentals. These are songs that can carry themselves without lead vocals, and deliver fun jams. While flowing into each other nicely, each song sounds unique.
Van Halen
3/5
2/14/24. Happy Van Halen Valentine's Day! You can't deny Eddie's talent and insane guitar playing, but this style of music doesn't do it for me. There's always 2 or 3 tracks I can keep coming back to however. Maybe it's because this is an album that seemed to kick off the 80s hair metal blitz.
The Byrds
3/5
2/15/24. The origin of jangle pop? It's cliché to say this is Beatles-esque, but it's what came to mind while listening to this album, of course in a good way! The harmonies were also enjoyable to experience.
The Killers
4/5
2/16/24. Millennial classic for me!
The Doors
4/5
2/19/24. Love The Doors; this one isn't my favorite album by them, but this is still among their best. Not sure there's many other albums that have a stronger opening and closing song.
Rod Stewart
4/5
2/20/24. First time listening to Rod Stewart and this was an enjoyable album! Didn't really know what to expect, but loved the bluesy aspect across each song. Will definitely listen again.
The Dandy Warhols
4/5
2/21/24. This is up my alley: beautifully weird. A lot of random sounds but creative landscapes, also enjoyed the vocals.
50 Cent
4/5
2/22/24. Admittedly have never listened to this whole album but of course have heard the classic tracks. It does run a little long and feels slightly repetitive, but still a strong record by 50.
The War On Drugs
3/5
2/23/24. Perhaps need to listen to this album again but didn’t expect a Spaceman 3 like experience. Instrumental driven and spacey vocals, mostly enjoyed it.
Radiohead
5/5
2/26/24. Still remember the very first time I listened to this and it has stuck with me since. I can't imagine the initial reaction when this released, but I'll always love this album due to the unorthodox lyrics, sounds, and compositions. I almost get a unique experience with each listen.
Talvin Singh
3/5
2/27/24. Very relaxing downtempo electronic music with an Indian taste, I've never listened to something like this! I feel this album is perfect for working or getting tasks done, it's easy to focus with these sounds behind you. Very easy and cool listen.
TV On The Radio
5/5
2/28/24. I know a couple songs by this band that I love, but man did I sleep on TV On The Radio for too long! This album is near flawless; every song brings a specific energy, cool instrumentation, and not following a boring formula. I'm adding this to my list of favorites.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
2/29/24. Will see if I'm still keeping up with this on the next leap day in 2028! Unfortunately this album didn't resonate with me too well. I like the vocals and easy going nature, but was waiting for something to progress or change as I kept listening. Not terrible, but don't think it's my cup of tea.
The Avalanches
5/5
3/1/24. Always loved this album and still love it to this day, the Avalanches are one of my favorite artists! Just an enjoyable, fun listen from front to back for any occasion.
Queen
4/5
3/4/24. New week kicking off with the legends: Queen. It was cool to hear this album for the first time without the band's biggest hits, and all the songs still carry themselves really well. Good, fun glam rock with Freddie's strong vocals and unique composition.
Silver Jews
3/5
3/5/24. Never heard of this band before but enjoyed it! Loved the vocals and easy going nature in the album, mixing country with a little psychedelia. I did wish the songs varied a little more, but this is an album I can revisit. Let's Not and Say We Did is a standout track.
Jamiroquai
5/5
3/6/24. I always loved Jamiroquai and this is my first listen of this album. Maybe this was the music I needed to start my day, but as a funk lover I can't resist the urge to dance to every song! No time is wasted to get you on your feet, and what separates this band is the exploration of jazz progressions and elements. A new favorite of mine.
Kacey Musgraves
3/5
3/7/24. First time giving Kacey Musgraves a try after coming onto the scene a few years ago. This genre isn't really my cup of tea, but I enjoyed this listen! Simple pop country with intriguing and expanded lyrics from the typical country song. Kacey's voice is also great to listen to.
Willie Nelson
3/5
3/8/24. First Willie experience was a fun one!
Oasis
5/5
3/11/24. Incredible album, still recall the first time listening and couldn't believe how strong each track was. Delivers a punch for sure, and Liam's vocals are memorable.
Joni Mitchell
4/5
3/12/24. First Joni Mitchell experience and I was thoroughly impressed! Really, really good songwriting here. Seems like I hear Joni's influence in a lot of newer music I've heard over the years. Also loved the non-traditional elements and some jazz feel to the songs.
Neneh Cherry
2/5
3/13/24. Meh, just okay. Feels a bit dated to a specific sound and time. However, this is far from awful and has a couple fun tracks.
Scissor Sisters
4/5
3/14/24. Happy Pi Day! The band's funny name doesn't disappoint as this is a really fun listen to put anyone in a good, excited mood. Uplifting lyrics and high energy songs really help place this higher on my list. Also love the looseness of each song.
Blur
5/5
3/15/24. Fun, awesome album, one of my all time favorites with numerous listens and continually revisit it. I always thought Blur had an edge over Oasis as Blur wasn't afraid to experience with different sounds and themes. Park Life!
Marvin Gaye
4/5
3/18/24. Marvin Gaye is one of the best singers we’ve had. Songs here flow beautifully into each other and carry a significant message that still resonates today. Also love the classic R&B sound with the Philly-soul elements.
Madness
3/5
3/19/24. Fun album, always been a fan of the track "Our House." Just feel good music with a great horn section and upbeat, although it loses a little steam toward the end.
The Libertines
2/5
3/20/24. Eh, sounded pretty generic garage rock from the 2000s, didn't move the needle for me.
Morrissey
4/5
3/21/24. For some reason I felt this album to be uplifting in spots, but also a lot of fun! Morrissey's voice shines here, and the song structures and sounds keep it interesting throughout.
Deep Purple
5/5
3/22/24. Rock and roll perfection for me here. Badass sounding, great vocals, and can’t deny the powerful sound of the organ. Also some great grooves and headbangers.
Curtis Mayfield
5/5
3/25/24. Amazing album, very soulful and meaningful lyrics. Sometimes you fall too deep into the groove that you forget the message behind the songs, but Curtis' voice keeps you locked in.
The White Stripes
5/5
3/26/24. Been on a hot streak with good albums as this is another all time favorite of mine and can play at any moment in any situation. Jack White is amazing, and the White Stripes will always bring me happiness. Yes, this is an extremely subjective review.
Aretha Franklin
4/5
3/27/24. Aretha is the queen! Her soulful voice is unmatched and each song suits her perfectly.
Soul II Soul
3/5
3/28/24. Fun album, a lot of danceable tracks. Flows like a mixtape in a way, would be good for exercising or practice your dance moves.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
4/5
3/29/24. Love the energy on this album! Karen O brings it with her vocals on every track, and the band brings a great presence behind her. Will definitely revisit.
Public Enemy
3/5
4/1/24. Can't deny Chuck D and Flava Flav. Powerful songs and great samples in the beats.
The Last Shadow Puppets
2/5
4/2/24. I respect Alex Turner and Arctic Monkeys, this side project didn't hit with me although I appreciate expanding the typical sound of alternative rock of this time. Perhaps I need to listen again.
Joanna Newsom
3/5
4/3/24. First time listening to Joanna Newsom, and have to say this was a unique listening experience. I've never listened to harp focused music, but it sounds beautiful, and Joanna's voice is a great accompaniment. Will have to check it out again.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
4/4/24. Good listen.
Dusty Springfield
3/5
4/5/24. Decent 60s blue-eyed soul. Son of a Preacher Man is an obvious highlight. Can definitely revisit from time to time.
Nine Inch Nails
5/5
4/8/24. Yes, this album is abrasive and probably isn't a good introduction to show to someone, but I love the industrial sound and think Trent Reznor is a genius. I can listen to this over and over again and not get bored, whether it comes from the production, lyrical content (even if I don't fully relate), and how each song flows into each other nicely.
Bad Company
2/5
4/9/24. Meh, not bad music but forgettable rock & roll from the 70s. Perhaps I should listen again to give a more favorable review, but first impression was mild.
The Kinks
3/5
4/10/24. Very Beatles-like, or perhaps I'm realizing this was the dominant sound of Rock in the 60s UK, but the Beatles get all the credit for it. Very good production and arrangements, Sunny Afternoon is a standout for me.
Megadeth
4/5
4/11/24. Another band I've slept on and only know a couple songs. Even though thrash metal isn't a go-to genre for me, I enjoyed the songs on this one! Great arrangements, excellent guitar work, and each song brought something different to the table to keep me engaged. Will be listening again.
Electric Light Orchestra
5/5
4/12/24. I believe this is as close to a perfect album as you can get!
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
4/15/24. There's a reason why Jimi is the most influential guitar player of all time, as everything you hear is still taken from to this day! But it's not all just in your face rock and roll, some sweet ballads and meaningful lyrics included too. This is hard to beat.
Boards of Canada
3/5
4/16/24. Never heard of this group and didn't know what to expect, and received a more ambient, electronic record. At first I wasn't into it, but as each song came and went, I dug it more. It reminded me of a more laid back Avalanches.
Sisters Of Mercy
2/5
4/17/24. Haven't heard of this artist before, or this album. Unfortunately it didn't do much for me; good vocals and songs were okay, but didn't separate from the typical 80s sound I'm familiar with.
Keith Jarrett
5/5
4/18/24. Masterful piano playing here, you get lost in all the notes. Just perfection.
David Bowie
4/5
4/19/24. Love David Bowie although this was my first real run-through of Aladdin Sane. I loved the energy and jazzy elements of this, and the harder driving rock songs. Bowie is an artist that can't really do any genre wrong.
The Black Keys
2/5
4/22/24. I do enjoy The Black Keys, but this album seemed a bit... boring? Repetitive? I likely have a built in bias due to my preference to Jack White and Gary Clark Jr., but this one feels a little slow in places and hard to keep me engaged. Far from a bad album though.
Donald Fagen
5/5
4/23/24. Always loved Steely Dan and their evolution, listening to this solo effort continued to expand my love for SD and both their official members. Tight production, not afraid to explore different sounds, and great progressions. Loved this one.
Radiohead
5/5
4/24/24. Not sure I can leave a fair review because of the number of times I've listened to this, absolute masterpiece by Radiohead. I personally think it is their best, but a couple other of their albums are right there with this one. Love the up and down nature, melancholy, and the production.
Skunk Anansie
4/5
4/25/24. Never heard of this band and came into this blind, and did it grab my attention quickly! Has that 90s alt-metal sound, but incredible vocals and in-your-face, almost taboo lyrics that go for anti-racism anti-prejudice. Enjoyed this one.
The Police
4/5
4/26/24. Was able to do a couple listens over the weekend, excellent musicianship and songs on this one! The Police are definitely a powerhouse, each song engages you. The drumming is also phenomenal.
T. Rex
3/5
4/29/24. A bit of blues rock, wasn't too familiar with T. Rex initially. You can hear this sound in a lot of later popular rock albums so it's definitely influential, but thought this record was decent. Enjoyable.
Jane Weaver
4/5
4/30/24. Wasn't familiar with Jane Weaver before this album, and I wasn't expecting an electronica/folk type sound. This is the type of record I would draw from for my own sound and songwriting, and really appreciate how each song brings something unique to the table. I always like artists who aren't afraid to push the limits.
Dexys Midnight Runners
2/5
5/1/24. Just an okay album for me, not much to say unfortunately.
5/2/24. Not the biggest U2 guy, but this was a good listen. Definitely memorable songs I've heard over the years (Beautiful Day, Elevation), but the rest of the songs are written with passion and The Edge's guitar work is masterful.
The Band
3/5
5/3/24. Good and fun late 60s rock record. I believe this represents the sound of a straight up rock and roll record at the time.
Cyndi Lauper
3/5
5/6/24. Good 80s pop with some memorable tunes (Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Time After Time). Good themes as well. I understand why this record is remembered years later.
The Mothers Of Invention
1/5
5/7/24. Just wasn't a fan of this one. I typically appreciate weirdness and potentially controversial or political lyrics, but this one didn't strike a chord with me. It was a bit unique in its defense.
M.I.A.
2/5
5/8/24. Familiar with M.I.A. and admittedly have never listened to this album, only the radio track Paper Planes. After an initial listen, it was just okay. Perhaps I should listen again in the future, but didn't vibe with it. Thought a lot of the songs were a bit boring.
Terence Trent D'Arby
3/5
5/9/24. I was not familiar with this artist before today but I was really impressed with his singing ability! I also love how it goes against the grain of the typical 80s sound. I need to listen to more of his work and will revisit this one.
Billy Joel
4/5
5/10/24. First time really giving Billy Joel a chance and I'm glad the album generator finally forced me to! This is very good from the songwriting, musicianship, and Billy's vocals. I'll need to listen to more of his work.
Dire Straits
3/5
5/13/24. Cool album, thought it would be heavier for some reason, but really good songs. Need to listen again but enjoyed my first time through.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
5/14/24. Never been a huge Neil Young fan but this was a decent listen, loved that it was heavier. The last track alone really lifted this album for me, love the riff!
2/5
5/15/24. Enjoyable live album, but admittedly not a big Bob Dylan guy due to his vocals. I won't say he's a bad singer, just not a fan. The second half heavier set was also so-so.
Eurythmics
4/5
5/16/24. Peak 80s synth pop, awesome production and great synth sounds. Annie's vocals are also top notch. Since I only knew the widely popular Sweet Dreams, it's great to hear that the rest of the album holds up just as well and not a huge drop-off from that massive hit.
Nick Drake
4/5
5/17/24. Wow, never heard of this artist or album and was really impressed. Great folk songs with a lot of soul, and love the singer's voice. The choice of instrumentation outside the acoustic guitar was crucial to the great sounds of this one. Will definitely listen again and again.
The Prodigy
1/5
5/20/24. Didn't feel this one, and I'm not really oppossed to Big Beat. Just felt like this one was bit exhausting to listen to.
Grizzly Bear
3/5
5/21/24. Pretty fun psychedelic album here, wasn't familiar with Grizzly Bear before yesterday but enjoyed it. Need to give it another spin, but liked what I heard on the first run.
Slipknot
4/5
5/22/24. Very familiar with Slipknot and their biggest songs, so this will obviously be a little biased. Even though I don't listen to metal all the time, this album is great! Somewhat pioneers the nu-metal sound and Cory's vocals are top notch here.
David Bowie
3/5
5/23/24. Wasn’t crazy about the ambient songs toward the end, but will always enjoy Bowie.
Beastie Boys
3/5
5/24/24. Big fan of the Beastie Boys, some standouts on this one. However I don’t think it’s among their best.
Calexico
3/5
5/27/24. Really liked the Southwestern sound of this one! I was traveling while listenining to this, so perhaps I didn't give a fair listen, but rating is based on initial impression.
Aerosmith
3/5
5/28/24. Always been familiar with Aerosmith and their sound, would definitely consider this one of their classics. Not many albums start off as strong, especially with the first two tracks.
Mariah Carey
1/5
5/29/24. I typically like Mariah, but this one just felt flat to me. Predictable songs, although I can't deny the vocals.
John Grant
5/5
5/30/24. Very surprising gem that came across today! Very personal and emotional songs, catchy but not cliche. Instrumentation and lyrics are fantastic. Might have a new favorite for the next couple weeks.
The Go-Go's
4/5
5/31/24. Great, fun album! Really good new wave/punk-ish sound. I definitely hear their sound in newer all-girl bands.
Radiohead
4/5
6/3/24. Love Radiohead. This one isn't their best, but still top notch. Some killer tracks on this one that I'll listen to over and over.
Brian Eno
4/5
6/4/24. Wasn't fmailiar with Brian Eno before, but loved the sounds! Was right up my alley with my alternative and electronic side. Sounds pretty futuristic for its time, and definitely hear the influence through today through a lot of artists.
Peter Gabriel
5/5
6/5/24. Pop perfection in my mind, loved each song and the artistry.
Alice Cooper
4/5
6/6/24. School's Out! I've known the title track for so long but never listened to the full album. I'm glad the day came because this was an enjoyable listen, more diverse songwriting than I anticipated. It ranged from heavier to slower songs, and even in style a bit. Will check this out again.
Leonard Cohen
3/5
6/7/24. Don’t have much to say to be honest.
The Smashing Pumpkins
5/5
6/10/24. I love this album, one of the best sounding guitar albums of all time for me. The production is also top notch.
Wilco
2/5
6/11/24. I don't know, I know this album and Wilco is loved by a lot of people, but this style doesn't connect with me. Songs are decent, just unsure about the lyrics and genre.
Frank Sinatra
3/5
6/12/24. Classic Frank. Easy listening at its finest.
Blondie
3/5
6/13/24. Fun songs and album! Blondie has always been on my radar and visiting this album I can understand why. I do think as you listen it gets a little repetitive, but not enough to tune out.
The Clash
4/5
6/14/24. I'm always surprised at the diversity of this album and no two songs sound the same. A classic one for me even if it was released way before my time.
Air
4/5
6/17/24. This is my second album of Air's that I listened to. Compared to the follow up on this one, I enjoyed this one more. A little more upbeat and loved the vocals.
808 State
5/5
6/18/24. Great discovery today! Not sure why, this gives me a Daft Punk feel where a certain electronic album resonates with me, and a lot of time I cannot explain why. The grooves are infectious!
Solomon Burke
4/5
6/19/24. Some good, soulful blues for Juneteenth! Blues can be repetitive to me, but couldn't deny the vocals and slightly different arrangements in the songs. Will definitely revisit!
TV On The Radio
3/5
6/20/24. Was hard for me to fully grasp this album, but I did love the instrumental parts. Was a little slower, but perhaps I need to listen again.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
6/21/24. First time giving Bruce Springsteen a legitimate chance, and glad I did! I understand the appeal on one album sample, songs are well written, fun, and diverse for the genre. Also very sing-along which is never a bad thing. Will definitely revisit!
Joni Mitchell
4/5
6/24/24. Joni Mitchell does the folk/pop sound really well, and all the songs are written with excellence. Enjoyed this one.
fIREHOSE
3/5
6/25/24. This one was fun, never heard of this group before. It almost sounds like a template for the 90s alternative explosion that was coming.
The Beta Band
4/5
6/26/24. I was impressed by this one! Almost a blend of trip-hop, electronic, and alternative (the most bland term)? Enjoyted the songwriting and structure of each track.
The Chemical Brothers
4/5
6/27/24. Although I'm familiar with the Chemical Brothers, I haven't dug too much into their music. After listening to this, this feels like classic Big Beat. But also loved the variet: fast, slow, upbeat, chill, while exploring interesting sounds. Will be in the rotation!
Pulp
4/5
6/28/24. Britpop is a secret favorite genre of mine, although I've done myself a disservice for not listening to more Pulp. This album epitomizes the sound and allows itself to explore numerous sonudscapes and subjects. Great album!
Stan Getz
5/5
7/1/24. Happy July! Loved kicking off this month with some classic boss nova music, this was excellent and a great example of the genre. Will definitely be on rotation.
Devendra Banhart
4/5
7/2/24. I don't dive into folk music much but loved the psychedelic nature of this album! Sometimes a voice an acoustic guitar is all you need to fill the space.
The Police
4/5
7/3/24. The Police were awesome, the songs flowed together really well on this one. Every Breath You Take is a classic, but the other songs carry their own weight very well.
Ramones
3/5
7/4/24. Happy Independence Day and glad I was assigned a pioneering American band, the Ramones. They're importance in the punk genre is significant, but this album was a little too straight forward for me. Great songs, but nothing over the top.
Iggy Pop
4/5
7/5/24. This is my first true introduction into Iggy Pop's world. I also had no idea he collaborated with David Bowie on this, and the result is outstanding. All the songs are well done, energetic, and easy to digest. Will add this to the rotation!
Johnny Cash
3/5
7/8/24. Really fun live album that showcases Johnny Cash's unique sound and presence, among the signature backdrop of a prison crowd.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
4/5
7/9/24. Yeah Yeah Yeahs are consistently fun! Heads Will Roll is a classic, but all of these tracks are well produced and easy to take in. This one deserves to be revisited occassionally.
Sabu
3/5
7/10/24. First time experience this artist and genre, loved the percussion and liked the improvisisational aspect of this. I'll need to explore this genre more.
Nirvana
5/5
7/11/24. I've lost count on how many times I've listened to this album. Still sounds amazing even if it's a little too well done on the production side, and the songwriting is incredible. A perfect example of the quiet-loud dynamic of grunge music.
Jerry Lee Lewis
4/5
7/12/24. Fun energetic live album! Wasn't really familiar with Jerry Lee Lewis but you can feel his stage presence through the music. And it goes by in less than 30 minutes. I recommend.
Harry Nilsson
3/5
7/15/24. Very Beatles like in terms of production, some interesting songs on here and like Harry's voice.
Van Morrison
3/5
7/16/24. Great taste of Van Morrison right here, didn’t think it would be as blues! Some fun live tracks.
Simple Minds
4/5
7/17/24. A fantastic 80s new wave album with a lot of funk elements. Glad I came across this one as I wasn't familiar with the group, but this earns some replays as I enjoyed each song.
Can
4/5
7/18/24. Very interesting listen, came in with no expectations and no idea on the band or genre (the best way IMO). Starts off with a psychedelic rock sound that I'm a big fan of, and the middle was too experimental for me with percussion elements and obscure vocals. However, this was a strong album from start to finish.
Queen
5/5
7/19/24. This might be Queen's best album, and very progressive at the time with the production. Outside Bohemian Rhapsody, each song stands in its own light and different sound landscapes are explored. This will be a new favorite for a while.
Michael Jackson
5/5
7/22/24. Don't think there's much to say, this is one of the best albums of all time in terms of songwriting, production, and performance. Very memorable tracks.
Alanis Morissette
5/5
7/23/24. Coincidentally just saw Alanis perform for the first time two days ago! She sounded great that night and it feels like this album hasn't aged and will never get old. Pretty incredible album with its powerful lyrics and grunge like sound. This will forever be one of my favorites.
Madonna
3/5
7/24/24. Admittedly, this is my first time giving Madonna a true shot. I have to say I liked this one, went in without expectations. Pretty clean and enjoyable pop record, just can't decide if this should be a 3 or a 4. My true rating is a 3.5.
Laura Nyro
2/5
7/25/24. Never heard of this artist. Unique voice, just thought the songs were a bit repetitive.
Aretha Franklin
3/5
7/26/24. The Queen of Soul! Love her voice and music.
Steely Dan
5/5
7/29/24. Love Steely Dan, I think I've listened to this once before, but this style of music and very enjoyable and fun to me. I can never get bored of these songs!
Beth Orton
4/5
7/30/24. First time hearing about Beth Orton, very good folk style music blended with some electronica. She has a great voice as well! Will revisit for sure.
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
2/5
7/31/24. Not crazy about this one, even for its time thought the songs were just okay.
Suede
4/5
8/1/24. Very ambitious Britpop era album, really enjoyed all the songs here! I'd rank this band closely to Blur and Oasis.
OutKast
5/5
8/2/24. This isn't my top OutKast album but still consider this a classic. Never gets old, amazing production, and loved the idea of each member highlighting their individuality as a double album.
Sade
4/5
8/5/24. This album will always remain one of my favorites, and love Sade's vocals and the song structures.
Tom Waits
3/5
8/6/24. First time listening to Tom Waits and had no idea what to expect. Was ready to write this one off with the experimentation and obscure vocals, but the album got better as it went on. The strongest tracks in my opinion are toward the end.
The Magnetic Fields
4/5
8/7/24. Literally 69 love songs! Admittedly I didn't get to finish it due to length and a busy day, but the songs are short and sweet. I give the artist major props for explroing different sounds for each song so it feels like a fun journey instead of a monotonous one.
Roxy Music
4/5
8/8/24. Surprising fun listen today! Not familiar with Roxy Music but sounds so familiar. Always love when the artist pushes the boundaries outside the typical pop sound.
Prince
5/5
8/9/24. Prince. One of the greatest artists ever (easily top five for me). This album will live on forever, each track is perfect/
R.E.M.
3/5
8/12/24. I typically love REM but didn't like this album as much as their later ones. Still some standout tracks on it!
Arcade Fire
4/5
8/13/24. Arcade Fire is underappreciated I think. a lot of their songs don't sonud the same and they attempt to push their limits. This one is definitely woth a revisit!
Jane's Addiction
5/5
8/14/24. Jane's Addiction is quiety one of my favorite bands of all time! I credit them for creating that alternative rock sound I love, and Dave is a very underrated guitar player. The songs, and this album particularly, takes me to a great place.
Shack
4/5
8/15/24. Hectic day, but glad I received this rare album! Very REM/Jangle like with good pop quality.
The Cure
4/5
8/16/24. Interesting album! I'm not the biggest Cure fan but understand the acclaim and why they have a huge following. Length was a bit long and slow, but loved the sounds explored here.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
8/19/24. Didn't expect a complete blues album by CCR, but enjoyed this one! Mostly tracks I've never heard of by the band.
Dirty Projectors
3/5
8/20/24. Interesting avant-garde style album with multiple vocalists. Couldn't attach to the songs as much, but still enjoyed the album as a whole.
Janis Joplin
5/5
8/21/24. Wow, what a voice! First time really listening to Janis and now I understand the praise. Amazing voice with an incredible blues sound with her backing band.
The Vines
4/5
8/22/24. Very good 2000s rock album! It's a shame it's not more popular and included on more playlists, each song brings the heat. Will definitely be playing this one again and again.
Kendrick Lamar
5/5
8/23/24. Outstanding hip hop album, you kinda knew right away that Kendrick would be one of the greats after this one dropped. Great flow and samples, memorable songs.
Deep Purple
4/5
8/26/24. Always been a fan of Deep Purple and appreciate their contribution to rock music. Great energy in this live set.
The Divine Comedy
4/5
8/27/24. Very fun album! Britpop like with big production and a lot of pop sensibility. First time listening to this album and really enjoyed.
Klaxons
3/5
8/28/24. Interesting album from a band I haven't heard of. Probably need to give it another listen, was unique sounding but thought it got a little repetitive. I still enjoyed it.
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
3/5
8/29/24. Really enjoyed Alex Harvey's vocals here, very Zeppelin or Billy Squier like, very 70s. Some good arrangements here too, overall a fun one!
Prince
4/5
8/30/24. Another Prince Classic!
The White Stripes
5/5
9/2/24. Thanks 1001 albums for assigning one of my all time favorite albums on Labor Day! Love the simplicity and folk-style songwriting, backed with that lovely 2000s garage rock sound. Will always revisit this one.
3/5
9/3/24. The Kinks are a bit underrated I think. Not on the levels of the Beatles, but still very good songwriting with variety and covering deeper themes.
My Bloody Valentine
4/5
9/4/24. Great example of shoegaze here, really cool sounding album!
The Velvet Underground
1/5
9/5/24. I'm a big fan of Velvet Underground but I didn't like this one, just thought it was rambling and noisy. Compared to Nico and the Self Titled, this one is far behind in my opinion.
Pixies
4/5
9/6/24. Great, great album! Really set the template for a lot of my favorite bands that came about after this. Love the punk asthetic but with various lyrics, themes, and sounds.
Lou Reed
4/5
9/9/24. Lou Reed is weird but one of my favorites! Great artistry, controversial lyrics, but memorable and interesting songs.
Deep Purple
5/5
9/10/24. Deep Purple is very underrated, I think they should be up there with Led Zeppelin. With that being said, this album knocks it out of the park and enjoyed every song. A great example of hard rock! Also love the organ and guitar sounds.
Holger Czukay
3/5
9/11/24. Interesting album, loved the sounds and mix of rock and avant garde. Definitely something you can jam to if you love instrumentals, which includes me!
Ute Lemper
3/5
9/12/24. I typically don't get exposed to cabaret style music very often, but it's always entertaining and different. I enjoyed the grand, large-scale production on this one, along with the variety of different artists. Almost like a movie score!
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
9/13/24. Fun, good energy rock album with a lot of pop elements.
Cat Stevens
5/5
9/16/24. Wow, really enjoyed this one. Peaceful folk rock with soothing, slightly haunting vocals. The songwriting includes great melodies and storytelling. I'll definitely be back to listen to this one!
Moby
4/5
9/17/24. First time listening through the whole thing although I know the more famous tracks. Still holds up as a great electronic album and for me, very nostalgic sounding. Keeper for sure!
Michael Kiwanuka
3/5
9/18/24. This is perhaps the newest album along the 1001 journey so far, very soulful and blues like. Almost reminds me of Khruangbin with the sound, and soulful vocals. Lost a little steam at the end, but still enjoyed.
ZZ Top
5/5
9/19/24. ZZ Top epitomizes what a hard rock trio should be all about. Great sounding band, fun but brief songs, and great lyrical storytelling. This one is a classic to my ears.
The Smiths
4/5
9/20/24. The Smiths are very consistent. For sure you can hear their influence carried on by newer bands in the indie or post punk scene, especially in songwriting and vocals. Veyr enjoyable listen.
Elton John
5/5
9/23/24. Nearly a flawless album by Elton John. Each song is engaging and passionate, and easily memorable. No wonder people consider this a classic!
SZA
4/5
9/24/24. First time giving SZA's debut a full listen, I was late to the game! Very solid album, top-tier R&B for the modern times. Falls off a little toward the end, but is pretty consistent throughout.
Dr. Dre
3/5
9/25/24. Iconic rap album for sure. As much as I enjoyed it, I did think it was a bit repetitive and the samples used are just okay. However, that's just me. Still a great album.
Pink Floyd
5/5
9/26/24. Have listened to this album countless times, and have watched the film to go along with it. Love the concept, story, and themes covered. Has to be among some of the best progressive rock music ever made along with Pink Floyd's other work!
Fiona Apple
4/5
9/27/24. Banger of a debut! First time giving this a listen outside of Criminal. Fantastic songs and very unique, great singing and songwriting.
The Temptations
4/5
9/30/24. Very much enjoyed this album! I liked how it keeps the classic Temptations sound, but the sound pushes to be louder and more on the edge. Almost like a funk, soulful band instead of stricly the MoTown sound. Big fan of this one.
Screaming Trees
4/5
10/1/24. I already have a favorable bias toward 90s rock and grunge, so really enjoyed this album. I have to describe this as Screaming Trees doing their best Zeppelin impression, as well as including all their favorite influences. But the results are fantastic.
Suicide
2/5
10/2/24. Don't think this was a bad album, but wasn't really feeling it. Interesting sounds, but felt a bit repetitive and stale after a while.
Missy Elliott
5/5
10/3/24. Missy is one of the best! First time giving this album a full listen and each track brought something to the table. I'm also at the point now where Timbaland's production and sound is nostalgic, but still very good. Loved the variety of hip hop and R&B put on by Missy.
Beck
4/5
10/4/24. I think I hit a year of reviewing albums! I always appreciate Beck's wide repertoire and trying different genres. The songs on this one are a ton of fun.
A Tribe Called Quest
5/5
10/7/24. Classic rap album that still carries its weight. Love this.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
10/8/24. CCR is very solid, songs are well crafted and easy to listen. Catchy without feeling tacky.
Todd Rundgren
5/5
10/9/24. Really impressed by this album, wasn't familiar with this artist previously. Fantastic prog rock that is seamless from start to finish, and lovely soundscapes. Definitely will be checking this out again.
The Zombies
5/5
10/10/24. I've been getting great albums this week, and this is top tier 60s psychedelic rock. Very Beatles like, but I think this one stands out on its own.
Jefferson Airplane
5/5
10/11/24. Excellent record, have heard a couple of these songs before. Definitely need to learn a couple of these on guitar!
Talking Heads
4/5
10/14/24. Sometimes simpler really is better, and this album nails that. Songs stay engaging although there's no real variation in the chord progressions, but the unique vocals and lyrics make it strong.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
10/15/24. Classic rock record that started a legendary run by Zeppelin. Personally not my favorite of their albums, but love the classics of Your Time is Gonna Come, Black Mountain Side, and I Can't Quit You Baby.
The Icarus Line
3/5
10/16/24. Never heard of this band before, and this may be the first hardcore punk album I've gotten on this journey. Decent album with a couple standout songs, very solid. Loved the guitars and noise, but thought it ran a bit long.
Sepultura
4/5
10/17/24. I don't dive into metal often but really enjoyed this album from a band I've never heard of before. Great vocals and guitars, didn't really feel like this sone was nearly an hour, although I didn't care for the jam track at the end.
Elliott Smith
5/5
10/18/24. Really enjoyed this album and appreciated each song. Elliott Smith really defined his style and does it very effectively. Can revisit this one again and again, especially for a calming vibe!
Fleetwood Mac
4/5
10/21/24. Interesting album! Not up there with Rumors or Self-Titled, but still a very good album and engaging with the changes in lead vocals and sounds.
The Kinks
4/5
10/22/24. I'm continually impressed by The Kinks' discography! They should receive more acclaim in this space that's dominated by the Beatles. Very good songwriting with a touch of psychedelia, keeps you engaged through each song.
The Triffids
3/5
10/23/24. An interesting deeper cut from the 80s, almost that jangle pop sound with a touch of baroque. I liked it.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
10/24/24. Elvis Costello is a great songwriter, he knows how to keep his albums engaging and consistent. I've really liked the couple albums I've listened to so far. This one in particular has a lot of great pop elements.
Muddy Waters
5/5
10/25/24. This has to be one of the albums that defines what blues music is, I don't know if there's many better examples that showcases what the genre is in its purest form.
David Bowie
4/5
10/28/24. Bowie is incredibly diverse, man. I knew about Fame, but never knew about this album that explores a lot of similar funky sounds. Not a perfect album, but it's executed really well and the songs are memorable.
Lucinda Williams
4/5
10/29/24. Very sweet sounding and nice album! A mix of country, roots, and folk, and Lucinda has a pleasant voice. Haven't heard this one before today, but will definitely revisit.
The Youngbloods
4/5
10/30/24. Really enjoyed the instrumentals and jams on this album! It's been fun discovering more of the 60s psychedelic-like music outside the very popular bands. A lot of guitar influences I can personally work on.
Kings of Leon
2/5
10/31/24. Happy Halloween! I admittedly have a negative bias toward Kings of Leon, but have not listened to this album before. It falls flat for me - not terrible, but hard to connect to the songs and vocals. Feel generic and singer feels out of place.
Eagles
4/5
11/1/24. Very solid rock and roll here, great vocals and songwriting. Would be a perfect album for a car ride! Can't really skip any of the tracks here.
Miles Davis
5/5
11/4/24. Beautiful album all the way through. Still remember hearing it for the first time and was blown away. Love it.
The Undertones
3/5
11/5/24. First time hearing The Undertones, enjoyable listen! Fun, punk-inspired sound with a lot of pop elements. I may have found my personal theme song: "There Goes Norman."
The Flaming Lips
5/5
11/6/24. I need to really dive into the Flaming Lips more. This is the second album I've listened to of theirs and I love their psychedelic sound and songwriting. Addicting to me (lol).
Q-Tip
4/5
11/7/24. Q-Tip the legend! Loved the beats and sampling here, very jazzy. And just overall well crafted songs. Enjoyed this one.
Fela Kuti
3/5
11/8/24. Pretty fun afrobeats and jams here! Loved listening, would definitely enjoy more in a live environment in person.
Cocteau Twins
4/5
11/11/24. This album grabbed me immediately with the first track, beautiful sounding and quintessential dream pop. Vocals were really nice as well, enjoyed this album!
The Birthday Party
1/5
11/12/24. Didn't feel this one at all, just seemed like noise to me.
Madonna
4/5
11/13/24. I admittedly haven't listened to much Madonna, but now I understand why this album is so beloved by many people. Well crafted songs, and flows very nicely - you stay engaged. It also has something for everybody, in the best way.
The Clash
3/5
11/14/24. No nonsense punk rock right here. In your face and classic.
Linkin Park
4/5
11/18/24. I've listened to this album countless times! Will always be a Linkin Park fan as I grew up with them, and some unforgettable tracks on this one.
Pink Floyd
5/5
11/18/24. Amazing album, just beautiful songs and flows like water. Can always revisit this one anytime for any mood.
Butthole Surfers
2/5
11/19/24. I know the Butthole Surfers are influential to a lot of bands I follow, but this one didn't do it for me. Thought it was noisy and a little all over the place, but not bad. Perhaps not my cup of tea.
Slayer
4/5
11/20/24. Simply put, this album kicks you right in the ass... but in the greatest way possible! Definitely a landmark example of thrash metal and the musicianship is outstanding.
ZZ Top
3/5
11/21/24. ZZ Top adapted to the 80s very well - kept their style and swagger while also embracing new sounds. Enjoyable album.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
11/22/24. Among Stevie's legendary run in the 70s, this one definitely has its unique sound and energy. It's not there with Innervisions and SITKOL in my opinion, but still a fantastic album.
Amy Winehouse
3/5
11/25/24. Good listen and a classic at this point by Amy. Well thought out songwriting and lovely vocals.
Ali Farka Touré
3/5
11/26/24. Feel this one is a good introduction to African blues music. I hear a lot of sounds from one my current favorite bands, Mdou Moctar, so I now know where the influence comes from!
Pearl Jam
5/5
11/27/24. I love the 90s grunge scene and I don’t know why I never listened to this in full until today, wow did I miss out. I now understand why it’s loved and each song is great, plus flows perfectly into the next song.
Sly & The Family Stone
4/5
11/28/24. Really liked this one, essential funk here.
Jethro Tull
4/5
11/29/24. First time diving into this band and very solid, fun prog rock. I love how each song is a little unpredictable, but the payoff is great.
Yes
5/5
12/2/24. Loved this! First time experiencing Yes, amazing instrumentation and guitar work. Will be revisiting this one again and again.
Eels
2/5
12/3/24. Pretty decent album, good production and some enjoyable songs. Thought it was a little inconsistent.
Gang Of Four
3/5
12/4/24. Very solid punk rock. Didn't realize this album was so influential by many artists I enjoy, but I definitely hear elements from this record in later music. Especially the bass parts!
Nico
4/5
12/5/24. Obviously very Veltet Underground like, which is a great thing! Loved the instrumentation and Nico's voice quality. Definitely very different for its time.
Fleet Foxes
4/5
12/6/24. Really good modern folk here. I've heard of Fleet Foxes but this is my first time listening, will need to check out the rest of their work!
The Smiths
3/5
12/9/24. I have a good idea of The Smiths and Morrissey at this point, it's always an enjoyable listening experience. Well-crafted pop-like songs that you can revisit again and again.
Serge Gainsbourg
4/5
12/10/24. Didn't know what to expect from this, and glad I was exposed to this artist! French pop avant-garde, each song I was curious what would be next. Really enjoyed it although it was brief.
The Rolling Stones
2/5
12/11/24. Just okay, really just the Rolling Stones love letter to their musical influences - blues!
Mike Ladd
3/5
12/12/24. First time hearing Mike Ladd, but always love the alternative hip hop scene, especially with a concept in mind. Kept me engaged throughout and would recommend.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
12/13/24. Well done blues rock without trying to imitate too much, CCR manages to craft their own sound with this. Loved the guitar work.
Leonard Cohen
5/5
12/16/24. Wow, really great album. And I didn't know this was Cohen's last while alive. Nicely contained but emotional at the same time, and lovely instrumentals. One of my favorites recently.
The Cure
3/5
12/17/24. I'm not the biggest Cure guy but I can't deny how good they are. Very consistent songs and engaging.
The Pogues
4/5
12/18/24. The name looked familiar and upon the first track, I recognized the voice of Shane MacGowan, who we recently lost. Very uniquely Irish and fun storytelling, could be great songs to sing with a large group in a bar.
Beatles
4/5
12/19/24. Very good collection of songs here, this is my first time listening through this Beatles album. They definitely had the studio chops!
R.E.M.
3/5
12/20/24. Solid R.E.M., first time listening to their debut. Just consistent songwriting.
David Bowie
4/5
12/23/24. Always thought this album sounded terrific. Bowie barely lost a step this late into his career!
The Young Rascals
3/5
12/24/24. Liked it.
Fats Domino
4/5
12/25/24. Merry Christmas to some classic blues!
Big Star
2/5
12/26/24. Just okay.
The Stone Roses
3/5
12/27/24. Enjoyed this one, nice album that may have laid the foundation for the later Britpop explosion.
Miles Davis
4/5
12/30/24. Hard hitting Jazz right here, sounds amazing. Each instrumentalist brings it.
Bill Callahan
4/5
12/31/24. Country in general isn't my top genre, but I love when the sound of country is mixed with progressive songwriting and rarer elements. The singer's voice is very relaxing as well. Enjoyed it!
JAY Z
5/5
1/1/25. Happy new year! This album is a classic for me, great rapping and great samples/beats with a rock like sound. Can always revisit.
Eric Clapton
4/5
1/2/25. Always appreciated Clapton's music, was familiar with a couple tracks from this one. Excellent guitar work.
Duran Duran
4/5
1/3/25. Familiar with a few tracks from this one, feel like this album is an 80s staple. However, it still sounds great and the songs are a lot of fun.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
1/6/25. Fantastic album, all of LZ's work is top-tier. And at this point in their career, you can see how much they've grown and not stick to the blues-based rock & roll.
The Beach Boys
4/5
1/7/25. I'm starting to think the Beach Boys are severely underrated, especially looking beyond their most famous music (Surfin' USA for example). The production and structures used in this album are amazing! Not up there with Pet Sounds, but a great follow up later on.
Roxy Music
2/5
1/8/25. First time hearing Roxy Music, some catchy tunes in here. Also a plus for the album cover! Very 70s glam rock like.
Public Enemy
5/5
1/9/25. Powerful and engaging, this is a certified classic to me. Can always come back and listen, especially during a workout.
Nick Drake
4/5
1/10/25. First time hearing Nick Drake, very peaceful acoustic guitar and vocals. Really enjoyed this.
Kanye West
5/5
1/13/25. This one is a classic for me, still remember when it came out and listened over and over again. Peak Kanye and appreciate him pushing the rap genre forward with this.
The Byrds
3/5
1/14/25. Despite the album title and cover, I didn't expect a country vibe! Solid songs, essentially the main 60s rock sound with a twang.
k.d. lang
4/5
1/15/25. This one was a pleasant surprise. First time learning about k.d. lang, she has a pleasant, almost jazzy like voice over a country sound. I'd consider buying this record if I collected physical media.
Patti Smith
3/5
1/16/24. First time diving into Patti Smith, I like her sound. Very interesing lyrics too, poetry driven!
U2
4/5
1/17/25. It's about time I give U2 a fair chance, this album is very good. The guitar playing is really good and layered, and the songs keep you interested throughout. Will revisit.
Isaac Hayes
5/5
1/20/25. First time diving into Isaac Hayes, this music is completely up my alley even if its older. Will always love that funk and soul sound. Didn't even realize most of the tracks are 8+ minutes I was enjoying them so much.
Bee Gees
3/5
1/21/25. Cool hearing more of the Bee Gees outside of their famous disco songs. Some nice ballads in this one, more laid back pop. Decent!
Magazine
4/5
1/22/25. Really enjoyed this one! First time listening to Magazine and was immediately pulled in by the instrumentation and progressive song structures. Will definitely revisit.
The Beau Brummels
2/5
1/23/25. Never heard of this group, pretty decent 60s folk sound. Just okay to me.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
5/5
1/24/25. One of my all-time favorite albums by my favorite band. I can play this at any time for any situation, never skipping a track. The mix of funk rock, melancholy, and well-crafted songs makes this a hit for me.
3/5
1/27/25. Another album by U2 I haven't listened to yet, but my opinion on the band is changing for the better after visiting their older records. The Edge's guitar playing is very underrated, and the band is great at creating these unique sonic landscapes.
Le Tigre
3/5
1/28/25. I'm familiar with Le Tigre but this is my first time listening through. Love the punk rock spirit and the electronic elements.
Brian Eno
2/5
1/29/25. Definitely interesting. Familiar with Brian Eno and enjoyed one if his albums along this journey, but this one wasn't really for me. Obviously great for ambience, but there aren't many scenarios where I would listen to this. I hate to add subjectivity to my rating but oh well.
Massive Attack
4/5
1/30/25. Always love good trip hop music, and Massive Attack delivers on this front. Really enjoyed this record.
4/5
1/31/25. One of Bowie's classics, will always be able to revisit and replay this one. Fun concept album.
Sarah Vaughan
4/5
2/3/25. Really good jazz vocal album, first time listening to Sarah Vaughan. Very chill and peaceful vibe for sure, Willow is a standout!
Destiny's Child
3/5
2/4/25. Still a classic and fun to listen to all thes years later! Not my favorite genre, but still have many of the words in my head.
Incubus
4/5
2/5/25. Admittedly it's the first time I've listened to the entire album, but still very nostalgic and a standout in its time. Very consistent!
Herbie Hancock
5/5
2/6/25. Incredible jazz fusion by Herbie. Great musicianship and awesome sounds, all timer for me.
The Stooges
3/5
2/7/25. Iggy Pop can definitely command the mic, and enjoy the raw punk sound from this record. Would revisit.
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
2/10/25. All-time album for me. Every song is a 10 or nearly a 10, and love the versatility.
Faust
3/5
2/11/25. First time listening to Faust, really interesting instrumentals and sounds. It’s almost like if a jam band originated in Europe, but more electronic.
Drive-By Truckers
4/5
2/12/25. Always been a fan of the Truckers, love the storytelling. Engaging that you don’t realize the length!
Ray Price
4/5
2/13/25. I enjoyed this one more than I thought I would! Superb honky tonk right here, loved each song.
David Bowie
2/5
2/14/25. Love Bowie but this one wasn’t my favorite. Good songs, but a lot of forgettable gaps. I can try listening again in the future.
The Who
3/5
2/17/25. Enjoyable live album, not a huge The Who fan personally but did like each song performed. A lot of energy.
The Associates
2/5
2/18/25. I hear a lot of influences and sounds that my current favorite bands draw from! I liked the mix of pop and upbeat, to the cool instrumentals.
Beatles
3/5
2/19/25. Straightforward songs, but catchy. The Beatles had something magical at the time of this release, and to think they would only get better.
Sinead O'Connor
4/5
2/20/25. First time really diving into Sinead, beautiful songs and really in-depth lyrics, they really hit you. She was a little before my time so my awareness of her was from the negative press she received, but listening to this helped me think of her music first. Would recommend this to anyone.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
2/21/25. First time listening to this famous record, I understand why it's well liked. Nicely crafted songs straight from Americana, but catchy as well. Even if you're not blue collar, I feel like the music is still accessible.
The Isley Brothers
4/5
2/24/25. Classic soul right here, Isley Brothers are always a joy to listen to. This one is among their best.
Gillian Welch
2/5
2/25/25. Pretty soothing country/americana. Decent.
Derek & The Dominos
5/5
2/26/25. First time listening to the whole thing, definitely been missing out. Quintessential blues rock, each song hits hard!
Alice In Chains
5/5
2/27/25. A staple in the made up grunge genre, but always loved this album Hard hitting and takes you on a ride throughout.
David Bowie
5/5
2/28/25. One of Bowie's best. Life On Mars is an all time track.
Miles Davis
5/5
3/3/25. Might be my favorite jazz album, Miles was the best. Amazing instrumentation and arrangements.
Coldplay
3/5
3/4/25. Probably my favorite Coldplay album. It's quite predictable, but songs are really good. Sparks is among my favorite songs from the band.
2/5
3/5/25. Classic country, pretty simplistic but decent songs.
M.I.A.
3/5
3/6/25. I always appreciate artists who push the boundaries, especially in hip hop. M.I.A. does that here and although the songs aren't extraordinary, it kept me engaged throughout.
Metallica
3/5
3/7/25. Very good songs. Some classics on here but just couldn’t get into all of them.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
3/10/25. Was having a weird day so will need to listen again in the future. Felt like I was forcing myself to enjoy this although I liked a lot of the gospel elements in this. But most of the songs seemed the same to me.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
3/11/25. Okay, this one is up there for me when it comes to Rolling Stones albums! Simple yet effective rock songs. There's something with Brian Jones that really elevates the band, even in the early days.
Motörhead
3/5
3/12/25. As Lemmy would say, this album came to kick my ass! Barely any breaks with hard hitting rock in a live atmosphere. Love the energy in this, impressed by the sound they got with only three people, as beefy as an AC/DC record.
Johnny Cash
4/5
3/26/25. Took a break for a safari trip! Got around to this live set, straightforward but effective + fun songs. Being in a prison sets up for a great atmosphere.
Sex Pistols
3/5
3/27/25. Hard hitting punk rock! Always loved Anarchy in the UK and the energy is high throughout.
MGMT
5/5
3/28/25. This album is a classic for me and is responsible for introducing me to "indie" or alternative music, especially in the pop space. Still sounds great to this day and every song brings a lot to the table.
The Kinks
5/5
3/31/25. Might be my favorite Kinks album so far! Enjoyed the concept and realized a couple of riffs and sounds were used by more popular bands in the future. This one is a keeper.
Ryan Adams
2/5
4/1/25. Just okay. Well written songs, just boring to me. I never said these reviews were objective!
Beastie Boys
3/5
4/2/25. The energy and samples used here are fun, really good debut from a legendary group. I thought it was a tad repetitive in the rhymes, but still overall an enjoyable listen.
Hole
4/5
4/3/25. Big energy on this album! Really my first time giving Hole a true listen, love the guitar sound and loud drums, and Courtney's vocals are infectious. Will definitely check out again.
Booker T. & The MG's
5/5
4/4/25. Blues classic right here, excellent musicians and lovely instrumentals. Will always remind me of summer, I blame the Sandlot!
Supertramp
2/5
4/7/25. Interesting but just okay. Doesn't stack up to the other progressive records of the era for me, but still a good listen.
William Orbit
3/5
4/8/25. Good electronic music, especially for working or completing a task. Engaging and makes you move but won't completely distract.
Slipknot
3/5
4/9/25. I actually remember when this album released but never listened to the full thing. I love the tracks Sulfur and Psychosocial, the rest is solid. I'm not the biggest metal guy, but love the sprinkles of melody thrown in here.
2/5
4/10/25. First time giving X a try, no-frills punk rock and straight to the point. Decent album but just okay to my ears.
Bob Dylan
4/5
4/11/25. This might be the first Bob Dylan album I've listened through all the way; it's given me a positive opinion of him! Loved that it's split from electric to solely acoustic, great lyrics, and didn't mind Bob's unique voice. I'll revisit.
Parliament
4/5
4/14/25. Fun album, straight up funk with a minor psychedelic twist. Parliament are legends in my eyes.
The xx
2/5
4/15/25. Eh, not really for me. Not horrible by any means, but thought it was quite a boring, forgettable listen.
1/5
4/16/25. Perhaps I just didn't understand what was happening in this record, I found it to be noisy as hell.
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
3/5
4/17/25. My first time listening to Prince Billy. Enjoyed his unique style and songwriting, would put it in the gothic/folk acoustic territory. Will give this one another listen.
The Beach Boys
5/5
4/18/25. Yes, I've been a member of the Pet Sounds bandwagon and it's one of my all time favorites! Perfect album to my ears. Love the unique arrangements and themes covered that still hold up very well today. Everyone should listen to this.
N.W.A.
5/5
4/21/25. Love it! And a lot of the messages still carry to this day. Also love the uniqueness each MC brings.
Buena Vista Social Club
4/5
4/22/25. Was happy to come across this today! Great feel good music, could've kept listening for another hour. I need to check out more Cuban music.
Burning Spear
3/5
4/23/25. Solid reggae right here, it's a reminder on how much I don't know about the genre. This album may inspire me to explore more; enjoyed that this wasn't the stereotypical "up-strum" reggae that's engrained in my head.
Primal Scream
4/5
4/24/25. First time getting into Primal Scream, fits right into my first love of 90s alt rock; it's always nice to expand my knowledge of this era. Really enjoyed the trip-hop and electronica style that I feel like influenced a lot of newer bands today.
John Lennon
4/5
4/25/25. First time listening to thiss album in full, very enjoyable. A couple songs I've heard in passing or were covered by other artists that I had no idea were Lennon songs. Very influential!
David Bowie
3/5
4/28/25. Not my favorite Bowie album but love that he tried funk and soul. Fame is one of my all-time favorite songs.
Mike Oldfield
4/5
4/29/25. Very soothing and skillful guitar work here! I can listen to this while reading or doing another task - it's very moving and compelling to listen to, almost like a classical piece.
Deerhunter
3/5
4/30/25. First time listening to Deerhunter, reminded me of more modern Jangle Pop with a lot of today's indie sensibilities. Some good songs here.
The Go-Betweens
2/5
5/1/25. A real deep cut, never heard of this band from down under! Pretty catchy tunes; don't think it stands out much on its own but still enjoyed it.
Frank Ocean
5/5
5/2/25. Forgot how much of a landmark album this is in my lifetime. Stands on its own in the R&B genre, and all the songs hit. Frank Ocean went above and beyond on this one.
Sheryl Crow
3/5
5/5/25. Very solid pop rock here. When the production is done right, the songs can really shine, and Sheryl Crow does that here. Really enjoyed the second half of the album.
Kate Bush
4/5
5/6/25. Loved it, Kate Bush is definitely a unique artist who isn't afraid to push boundaries and try different sounds. Always make the music more interesting to my ear.
Coldplay
4/5
5/7/25. 2000s classic for sure, and for me will always have space in my head as a life soundtrack. Album flows really well from start to end. The Scientist will always be a favorite.
Leftfield
2/5
5/8/25. Pretty typical sound from the 90s electronic/big beat scene. Somewhat enjoyable, but don't know if I would revisit.
Koffi Olomide
3/5
5/9/25. New sound that I'm not familiar with, but that's why I'm on the 1001 album journey!
Blur
4/5
5/12/25. Love Blur, and this album in particular because they tried to take a different direction from "Britpop" and they succeeded. Outside of the obvious Song 2, there are lot of good gems in this one.
Sparks
3/5
5/13/25. I had no idea what to expect. This was a mix of glam rock and pop, somewhat humorous to me but I enjoyed it, the songs are a lot of fun! It also has that 70s power pop sound similar to The Cars.
Lambchop
3/5
5/14/25. Country isn’t my favorite genre, but I always like diving into alternative country! Really enjoyed the vocal performance and string arrangements.
Big Brother & The Holding Company
4/5
5/15/25. Wow, completely blown away by Joplin's vocals, her voice is really like another instrument. Solid songs as well.
Shivkumar Sharma
3/5
5/16/25. This type of music I’ve never heard of before, but it was very soothing and peaceful. It definitely gives me more interest in exploring this sound further.
Michael Jackson
4/5
5/19/25. Great album, each song is a good pop hit. Fun to think that this was only the beginning of a legacy for Michael.
Soft Machine
1/5
5/20/25. Meh, I generally like this genre of music but this one didn’t do it for me. Never really picked up or became interesting as I listened on. Not terrible by any means, just didn’t click with it.
Genesis
4/5
5/21/25. What a great album! This is the epitome of prog rock for me, with interesting sounds throughout, and trying different time signatures and elements that challenge you. Will definitely come back to this.
Killing Joke
3/5
5/22/25. Pretty solid post-punk here, the first track grabbed me right away, and loved the track Primitive. I can see how this album set the foundation for a lot of later bands I like.
Beatles
5/5
5/23/25. Fantastic album, love every song and can always come back to listen. Even the album cover sets the tone for how good this is.
Marilyn Manson
3/5
5/26/25. Actually enjoyed this more than I thought I would! Very solid 90s rock, Nine Inch Nails like with a pop twist. Won't write off MM going forward and will recommend this album.
The Auteurs
3/5
5/27/25. First time hearing about this band. Pretty simple but enjoyable songs! Seems like a deeper cut under all the "Britpop" bands coming out during this time.
Jacques Brel
4/5
5/28/25. Wish I understood French but enjoyable songs. You can tell a colorful story is being told through his voice in front of nice insturmentation and compositions.
Hugh Masekela
5/5
5/29/25. Really engaging Jazz here! Just lovely music and love the different styles incorporated into this, especially the Afro elements. Will be revisiting again and again.
Raekwon
5/5
5/30/25. One of my favorites in the Wu Tang universe. Love the beats, flow from all the artists, and overall production. Can always revisit at any time.
Ash
4/5
6/2/25. Wow, feel like this one is a sleeper hit for me! Really catchy and great guitar work, very underrated. Really enjoyed it. Never heard of Ash before this but will check out more of their music.
Miles Davis
4/5
6/3/25. Really good jazz fusion, amazing trumpet playing, and love John McLaughlin's guitar playing. I don't like it as much as In A Silent Way, but this is very close.
Iggy Pop
4/5
6/4/25. Was surprised this wasn't more of a simple punk sound, but once I realized Bowie was involved it made sense. Good set of songs and the production is top notch.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
6/5/25. Love Stevie Wonder, and in turn loved each song on this album. Very soulful and progressive for its time.
Manu Chao
2/5
6/6/25. Interesting album, a sound and genre I'm admittedly not familiar with. Was cool that there were songs in different languages, just thought the feel throughout was too similar. Just okay to my ear, perhaps will need a few listens.
Cheap Trick
3/5
6/9/25. Good, fun live album! Great example of the power pop sound as each song is catchy, and the crowd was super into it based on the audio. I think this is a good introduction to Cheap Trick.
Dennis Wilson
2/5
6/10/25. Solid album, somewhat deep in The Beach Boys anthology. The second half stands out a lot more than the first, and the songs are more straight up pop vs. progressive. Decent listen.
Jeff Beck
4/5
6/11/25. First time venturing into Jeff Beck and his guitar work is fantastic. The rest of the band and songwriting is great as well. I look forward to hearing more Beck!
The Beach Boys
2/5
6/12/25. Good songs, just a bit forgettable to me. Especially compared to the Beach Boys' later work which is more progressive. Still enjoyed the harmonies.
Elvis Costello
4/5
6/13/25. Really fun album, starting to believe Elvis Costello is an underrated songwriter. Knows how to write a song that pops.
FKA twigs
4/5
6/16/25. Became a fan of FKA's later work so it was cool to revisit this one. Love that she pursues a unique sound in an ever-so-crowded pop space and tries to do her own thing. Songs are engaging and fun to listen to.
Arcade Fire
4/5
6/17/25. About time I listened to this album in full, I missed out for sure. Great album and each song flowed into each other nicely. Will need a couple listens to grasp the overall theme and story, although I have a shallow idea after one listen.
Barry Adamson
2/5
6/18/25. Really don’t know what to make of this. Some good tracks on here, but also a lot of filler. Will likely require a few repeat listens but my initial listen was just okay.
Television
4/5
6/19/25. Celebrating Juneteenth with a white rock band! However, I enjoyed their sound, for this specific era of punk-ish music the instrumentation was engaging, and I loved the guitar work. Some of the songs are long, but you don't notice. Enjoyable listen!
The Smiths
4/5
6/20/25. Great album! Really enjoyed that each song feels different from each other, but you know it's the same band. Also feel like this album inspired many later bands that I grew up on. Will have to listen a few more times.
Bob Dylan
2/5
6/23/25. Enjoyed the music and songwriting, but just can't vibe with Dylan's voice. Unique and stands out, but not for me I guess. Still overall a solid album.
Guns N' Roses
1/5
6/24/25. Some classics on here including Welcome to the Jungle and Sweet Child O'Mine, however the full album doesn't resonate with me at all. Maybe just a bit bland for my taste.
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
3/5
6/25/25. Interesting mix of blues and psych. Fits right into the 60s landscape and a pretty quick album.
Elton John
3/5
6/26/25. Enjoyable album, like Elton’s rock style voice.
KISS
4/5
6/27/25. First time giving a Kiss album a full play-through, and this one delivered! I knew a couple songs already, but loved the guitars and random turns of softer tunes. Will revisit this one again.
The Who
2/5
6/30/25. Really not sure what to make of this one. Great production and understand it may have been satire on "selling out" based on the pop sound. However, I didn't connect with it on my first listen. Songs were a bit all over.
Mudhoney
3/5
7/1/25. Glad to finally dive into Mudhoney. Liked the raw sound and energy from this.
Cocteau Twins
4/5
7/2/25. Cocteau Twins might be a secret favorite of mine. Of the albums I've listened to so far, I've really enjoyed and have come back to multiple times. Really like this one for demonstrating dream pop/shoegaze effectively.
Miriam Makeba
2/5
7/3/25. Definitely unique to my ear, liked the variance of calm and energetic songs. I should listen a couple more times to get a true feel.
The Roots
5/5
7/4/25. Happy Independence Day despite a lot of negative feelings toward my country right now. However, receiving this 2000s gem improved my vibe! Love the instrumentation and storytelling throughout.
Run-D.M.C.
3/5
7/7/25. Classic. Crazy to see how far rap has come, but Run DMC lay out the foundation.
The Undertones
4/5
7/8/25. Starting to really like the Undertones. This is the second album I really enjoyed, just straight up punk and unique voice.
Ray Charles
4/5
7/9/25. Loved this! Cool hearing Ray with the big band sound. Very danceable too.
Nitin Sawhney
5/5
7/10/25. Never heard of Nitin Sawhney but I was really impressed on my first listen. Some songs reminded me of Prince, but also loved the downbeat songs and interesting melodies.
Otis Redding
4/5
7/11/25. Otis has the voice, and loved hearing his take on famous songs during this era. Really adds a lot of soul, hence the title.
Björk
2/5
7/14/25. I enjoy Bjork but couldn't get into this album much. I always enjoy the experimentation and straying away from pop cliches, but wasn't as engaging for some reason. Might need to listen a few more times.
Doves
4/5
7/15/25. Enjoyed this new discovery, to me it sounded like a more alternative Coldplay. Great instrumentation.
The Mothers Of Invention
4/5
7/16/25. Didn't know this was Frank Zappa until a couple songs in. Always crazy, hilarious lyrics with amazing instrumentals and obscure song structures. In for a treat with anything he touches.
Bebel Gilberto
4/5
7/17/24. Loved this sound and take on an older sound. Will revisit.
Living Colour
5/5
7/18/25. Somewhat criminal that I've never listened to this previously, since I love Cult of Personality. Super energetic and funky! Really loved the rhythm guitar parts as well. Will definitely come back multiple times.
Elis Regina
2/5
7/21/25. Started off interesting and then a little all over the place. Songs were decent, just wish it was more consistent.
Cornershop
3/5
7/22/25. Was familiar with one song, but pretty decent listen. The Indian fusion sounded cool to my western ears. Also a couple songs on here I had no idea was by this group!
Black Sabbath
4/5
7/23/25. Glad to finally dive deeper into Black Sabbath, R.I.P. Ozzy Osbourne. Feel like this lays the groundwork for a lot of later stoner/desert rock bands that I like, the guitar tone is incredible.
Sonic Youth
3/5
7/24/25. Sonic Youth definitely has a unique sound and love that there’s two vocalists. Some songs here were dull, but the ones I liked went above and beyond.
Teenage Fanclub
4/5
7/25/25. Underrated gem right here! Felt like this got lost for me in all the grunge and "britpop" scenes but really consistent, fun songs. Want to check out the rest of their catalog.
Pavement
4/5
7/28/25. Not sure why I slept on this one for a long time, very enjoyable listen. A tad quirky, but sharp songs.
Tortoise
3/5
7/29/25. Wasn't expecting an instrumental, but interesting nontheless. Cool, atmospheric sounds in this one, last track had to be my favorite.
My Bloody Valentine
3/5
7/30/25. Really dig the shoegaze sound and all the layering. I do think a lot of the songs blend together, but it's a unique sound. Might require a few more listens for me to see if I really grasp it.
Bert Jansch
5/5
7/31/25. Has to be one of my favorite folk albums, and off a first time listen! Loved Bert's voice and guitar work on this one, will definitely be revisiting again and again.
Stereolab
3/5
8/1/25. Interesting listen, first time diving into Stereolab. Might require a few more listens, but always enjoy a unique take on pop music. Didn't expect what sound I would hear in each upcoming track.
Tito Puente
4/5
8/4/25. Really liked this. Not a genre of music I'm familiar with, but this is an album that encourages me to dive deeper and immerse myself. Loved the arrangements, the instrumentation, and fun nature of this.
The White Stripes
5/5
8/5/25. I can't leave a fair review since the White Stripes are one of my all time favorite bands, and this album in particular is one I've listened to plenty of times previously. Really loved how they expanded their sound and songwriting, including more piano and percussion elements. Love this one!
Pink Floyd
3/5
8/6/25. Interesting album. Because I'm so fmailiar with the popular Floyd albums of the 70s, I forgot about Syd Barrett's influence in the beginning. It sounded a bit generic 60s psychedelic to my ear, but the songs and instrumental pieces were engaging as the album went on.
Ozomatli
3/5
8/7/25. I remember the track Saturday Night from way back, but never listened to the full album. Great energy and diversity in the songs. Will need a few more listens, but think it’s aged well since it’s 2004 release.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
5/5
8/8/25. Loved this. It's nice to be exposed to acapella music from a different part of the world. Very soulful and meaningful, loved the rhythm aspects as well. Definitely going to check out the rest of the catalog.
Amy Winehouse
4/5
8/11/25. I remember disliking this when it first came out, but now I’ve come around to enjoy it. A lot of pain in Am/‘s voice and really good production.
Bee Gees
3/5
8/12/25. Wasn't really feeling this one until I heard the back half. Really unique and colorful instrumental pieces that I didn't know the Bee Gees could pull off. Cool to hear this other side outside of the major disco hits.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
8/13/25. Near perfect rock album, each track is outstanding. Of course for me, the classics of Black Dog, Stairway to Heaven, and When The Levee Breaks are amazing songs.
R.E.M.
4/5
8/14/25. Very good album. Will need more listens, but every song carries on this and you know right away it’s R.E.M. Man on the Moon is a long time favorite.
The Psychedelic Furs
3/5
8/15/25. Fun album. This could be my ignorance speaking but it's almost a blend of 80s post punk with The Cure's sound. Not my absolute favorite but a distinct sound.
Ghostface Killah
4/5
8/18/25. Really glad I came across this, shows that my Wu-Tang knowledge is nearly non-existant! Good storytelling, great beats, and hilarious skits throughout. Will come back to this.
Simply Red
4/5
8/19/25. Sleeper hit for me! First time listening to this and can tell I'll have some long-term love for a couple tracks, especially Jericho. Somewhat of a Talking Heads vibe, which I found that David Byrne wrote a song on this.
Nirvana
5/5
8/20/25. Classic for me, own the vinyl! Haunting yet beautiful, and Nirvana figured out a new sound that worked with their normally aggressive sound.
Scott Walker
3/5
8/21/25. Another interesting, fun album. Aged really well from its time, enjoyed the arrangements and somewhat quirky lyrics.
Suede
3/5
8/22/25. Expanding my Britpop knowledge with this one, some really good songs on here. First half is strong and enjoyed that it's not simple songs all the way through.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
2/5
8/25/25. First time hearing Neil Young capture this type of sound. Decent music but thought it was a tad boring - straightforward chord progressions and a bit predictable. Can still respect Neil exploring different sounds outside of folk for this.
King Crimson
3/5
8/26/25. Heard this one before. I think I’ll need a few more listens to truly appreciate it, but love the experimental nature of this album. The instrumentals are also on point.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
8/27/25. Not a huge Springsteen guy, but can't deny that this is a powerful album, a bit soulful as well. Strong songwriting and good arrangement by the band as well.
Faith No More
4/5
8/28/25. Epic is a song I’ve heard a bunch, but the rest of the album was very good! Explored more of the funk metal sound I love outside of my favorite band RHCP.
Lightning Bolt
3/5
8/29/25. Challenging but rewarding listen. Some of the grooves and rhythms payoff big time.
G. Love & Special Sauce
3/5
9/1/2025. To me, this is very similar to Soul Coughing! Instead of jazz, it feels more of an offshoot of blues with spoken word style rapping over it, and minimalist instrumentation. Cool discovery.
The Afghan Whigs
2/5
9/2/25. Will need to listen again in the future. I liked a couple of the tracks, but felt bored by this one for no particular reason. Maybe it felt predictable, but my rating reflects how I felt about it on this day.
Jimmy Smith
4/5
9/3/25. Smooth stuff here, love the organ sound. Need to dive in Jimmy Smith's records.
Slint
4/5
9/4/25. Was a little bit familiar with this band, and glad I got to dive into this one. Hearing this, I hear a lot of current bands I like drawing a similar sound, notably English Teacher. Love the different time signatures but at a slower tempo.
Grant Lee Buffalo
3/5
9/6/25. First time diving into Grant Lee Buffalo. To my ear, almost sounds like Black Francis with a little Americana vibe. Enjoyable music and decent songwriting.
The National
3/5
9/8/25. Will take me a couple listens, but like the deeper lyrics and somewhat uplifting melodies on a few of the songs. This isn't really my genre, but it's very accessible.
Dinosaur Jr.
2/5
9/9/25. Found it a bit noisy and couldn't really catch on after two listens. Perhaps this one needs to grow on me and currently don't "get it." It was cool to learn about the Folk Implosion connection.
2/5
9/10/25. Interesting. A couple songs toward the middle and end that paid off. Challenging listen!
Sepultura
3/5
9/11/25. Heavy! Drums and guitar solos are excellent. Thrash isn't my cup of tea, but this was a fun listen.
Love
4/5
9/12/25. Glad I came across this, feels like a hidden gem from the 60s! Great example of psychedelic pop and each song deliver in their own way.
X-Ray Spex
4/5
9/15/25. Great discovery! Sounds like the source of a lot of later punk bands I like, notably Sleater-Kinney. Fun songs and great vocals.
Fiona Apple
5/5
9/16/25. I love Fiona Apple's music, powerful lyrics and always enjoy the choices she makes with her arrangements and instrumentation. I always hope for a sixth album, but the five she's released are all great.
5/5
9/17/25. Been a fan of this album for years. It may not be as high on my personal rankings, but it still resonates with me - each song grabs your attention quickly and have a climatic feel.
Fred Neil
3/5
9/18/25. Will need a couple more listens, but a cool folk album with a lot of electric elements. I enjoyed the different chord progressions and lyric choices, as well as the choice in different instrumentation.
Bad Brains
3/5
9/19/25. Probably should give this a few more listens, but love the in-your-face approach and the songs punch you right in the mouth. The last portion is a little more relaxed, which I enjoyed the band showing their versatility.
Happy Mondays
4/5
9/22/25. Didn't know what to expect, what a pleasant surprise! Not sure why I get a little tropical vibe, but the songs are uplifting and laid back while still having a rock sound. The guitar work vaguelely reminds me of The Police. A bit high praise? Maybe. But enjoyed this album a lot!
The Doors
4/5
9/23/25. Love The Doors. This one isn’t my personal favorite, but still plenty of great songs on here. Enjoyed the big blues presence.
Jean-Michel Jarre
3/5
9/24/25. Somewhat ambient and cool, nice synths. The 4th track was definitely my favorite with the choice of rhythm.
The Modern Lovers
2/5
9/25/25. Will need to listen several more times to appreciate this one, thought it was a little boring although the songwriting was interesting at points. My rating today likely won't reflect what I think of it in the future.
Fatboy Slim
2/5
9/26/25. Familiar with Fatboy Slim but didn’t give this a fair listen over the weekend, so this review is a throwaway. Will be cool to see when I revisit in the future and if I still align with my “gut feeling” rating.
Curtis Mayfield
5/5
9/29/25. Love Curtis Mayfield, this album is so much fun - feel good with also great messaging and commentary. To this day, Curtis is underrated in my book.
Public Image Ltd.
1/5
9/30/25. Didn't really feel this one on the initial listen. Sounded a bit repetitive to me and songs didn't pan out the way I thought they would. Don't think it's terrible, but perhaps not my cup of tea.
Scott Walker
3/5
10/1/25. Scott Walker's music is intriguing, you'll never be bored. I'll have to come back to this and revisit more of his work; I think I like Scott 2 a little more.
Deee-Lite
3/5
10/2/25. First time listening through. Obviously knew Groove is in the Heart, but the rest are fun and danceable. Definitely feels like a time capsule for the sound of this particular time.
The Who
3/5
10/3/25. Has the typical 60s rock sound, but heavier. Like the simplicity of it, but also funny to hear this compared to the band's later work.
The Incredible String Band
2/5
10/6/25. Interesting listen. Not huge on this genre but can't deny the unique arrangements and songwriting on this. Also enjoyed some of the South Asian elements on one song.
Dexys Midnight Runners
3/5
10/7/25. Did not expect this type of sound from what I know of the band, but that's due to my limited knowledge. Lots of soulful horns over a late 70s/early 80s punk like sound with the expressive vocals is a unique mix to my ear.
Neil Young
3/5
10/8/25. Maybe my favorite of Neil Young's work. Straightforward folk style music and very good songwriting. Every song flows into each other nicely.
Leonard Cohen
4/5
10/9/25. Didn't expect a quintessential 80s sound from this, but it worked really well with Cohen's voice! I also love the varity of styles throughout; great sophisticated album that's inviting.
The Notorious B.I.G.
5/5
10/10/25. Amazing storytelling and flows beautifully. This will forever be a classic for me and not many hip hop albums have topped this. Biggie is missed.
Taylor Swift
2/5
10/13/25. I do not get the Taylor Swift hype, but with my bias I tried to give this a fair listen and in the end, it's decent. Perfectly innocent music that's accessible to everyone in a gloomier mood. There's some of the country asthetic carried over and she's no doubt a songwriting machine.
The Adverts
2/5
10/14/25. Straight up, classic punk. Good listen, reminds me of music you'd put on a skateboarding montage. Although, I don't feel like this stands out much compared to other bands of the era.
Röyksopp
5/5
10/15/25. Not sure why I resonated with this one so much, but I loved it! Really cool electronic music with a lot of range. Remind Me is an old favorite, but definitely enjoyed each track. Will be back for repeat listens, and should give the rest of the catalog a listen.
Songhoy Blues
4/5
10/16/25. Absolutely love this sound and what I believe the cool use of cross-rhythms in a number of the songs. Each song wants to make me move!
Common
4/5
10/17/25. Very soulful and uplifting! This album gives more context to the Chicago style of the era; I think this album and The College Droput go very well together. Love the messaging to make you think and ask questions, but also instead of painting the world as negative, you still have hope.
Steely Dan
3/5
10/20/25. I do enjoy Steely Dan so always excited to hear their work. I do think this album is a step down compared to their others, especially Aja, but still some solid tracks on here.
Paul McCartney
2/5
10/21/25. Not really sure what I was expecting but thought it was just okay, especially compared to the other solo albums by ex-Beatles. Man We Was Lonely is a standout track.
Gil Scott-Heron
5/5
10/22/25. Great discovery today! Really enjoyed the musicianship on this. With the vocal delivery, it helped create hip hip. I always listen to the music first which explains my rating, but I'm sure once I grasp the lyrics I'll like this even more.
Les Rythmes Digitales
4/5
10/23/25. Another cool discovery! Definitely a dance/electronic album that feels timeless, but makes you feel young. I'll definitely revisit.
Milton Nascimento
4/5
10/24/25. Surprised by this one, a lot of non-Brazilian influences included throughout, which leads to a more progressive sound. The instrumentals were pretty.
The Cardigans
4/5
10/27/25. One thing I appreciate about doing the 1001 album journey is diving into an album beyond the famous single, and now I have a taste of who The Cardigans are. Very cohesive and I think they carved out an identity in the crowded 90s alternative space. Also enjoyed their cover of Iron Man.
Abdullah Ibrahim
3/5
10/28/25. Solid jazz record. Probably should give it more listens to leave a more advanced review, but enjoyed it.
Al Green
3/5
10/29/25. The first track is amazing. The rest I thought was good but slightly repetitive. Love Al Green's work and need to check out the rest of his discography.
Pentangle
5/5
10/30/25. Awesome discovery with this one, loved the fusion of folk and jazz here, done very well through each song. Will be a lesser-known, new favorite of mine for a long time.
The Monkees
3/5
10/31/25. Happy Halloween! Not a spooky record, but a solid pop rock album of the era. Sometimes less is more, although I did think many of the songs sounded similar. The acapella track was interesting.
Ice T
5/5
11/3/25. Wow, I've slept on Ice T for way too long. Really great commentary on this, plus amazing production and beats. Will definitely recommend to others. Also learned that Ice T fronts a metal band!
Laibach
4/5
11/4/25. Definitely one of the most unique albums I've heard along this journey. I'm aware that this band came before, but it reminds me a lot of Rammstein. Very interesting in the production even if many of the lyrics are in a language I don't understand.
The Sabres Of Paradise
2/5
11/5/25. Not my cup of tea. Chill, almost ambient electronic, and I enjoyed the first two tracks. Thought it would pick up but stays at a relaxed level. Works for a lot of people but not to my ear as much.
Shuggie Otis
4/5
11/6/25. Will need to give this a few more listens, but happy to come across this album! Really smooth and depth instrumentals, enjoyed listening to each instrument play off each other.
Roni Size
1/5
11/7/25. Not really my genre so can't grade this fairly, repetitive to my ears. Rating reflects how I feel about it now, but could change if I revisit in the future.
Gram Parsons
2/5
11/10/25. Solid album, just not my genre so couldn't get into it too much. Will need more listens to deepen my understanding, and if anything my music history expands.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
11/11/25. Happy Veteran's Day! Glad I got to revisit this one, some lesser-known songs (to me) that include great gutar work by Jimmy Page. I'll have to pick up my guitar and learn a few of these. The acoustic tracks are my favorite!
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
11/12/25. I'm lukewarm on Neil Young, but some surprising grooves on this one! Will need to listen more to grasp the lyrics, but enjoyed on my first run through.
De La Soul
5/5
11/13/25. Always happy to revisit this, amazing album. From the production, samples, and storytelling, this is definitely one of my favorite hip hop albums, and overall, likely my favorite album from the late 80s.
Bob Dylan
3/5
11/14/25. Not the biggest Bob Dylan person, but can't deny the impact this album has. Great storytelling and lyrics, however I don't like Dylan's voice. Still respect his music.
Thin Lizzy
3/5
11/17/25. High energy live album. Some standout songs and a hard hitting rock sound. Also had no idea that the singer was a black man, always love seeing people who share my skin in hard rock.
Tina Turner
4/5
11/18/25. Love the energy on this! Tina deserves more attention in the rock world than she already has, beyond "What's Love" there's some great songs on this, I particularly enjoyed the title track. Will need to dive into more of her work, R.I.P. Tina.
Minor Threat
3/5
11/19/25. Cool to dive into DC Hardcore more, realizing that I’ve heard the dinger across multiple bands previously. This one is quick to the punch and doesn’t let up, and thought it was decent. Need to listen more.
OutKast
5/5
11/20/25. I own this record (thanks Chelsea) and have loved it ever since. A common theme for me is when music tries to push the boundaries, and Stankonia does that with its unique production and lyrics. Each song brings something different to the table.
ABBA
3/5
11/21/25. Fun, well produced pop record. Not something I’d go for typically, but these are a collection of good songs. Dancing Queen is obviously a classic!
Kings of Leon
2/5
11/24/25. Big “meh” for me. A couple tracks I liked, but perhaps discovering The Strokes first waters this down to me as it’s pretty formulaic. Some of the songs sound like attempts at rockabilly.
Wild Beasts
2/5
11/25/25. Just meh. Appreciate this group striving for a different sound for this era, but didn't excite my ears much. Songs are rather mellow and slower, don't really go anywhere. But, doesn't follow a pop formula which I'll give credit.
Small Faces
3/5
12/2/25. Interesting! Never heard of this band and dig their sound. This album flows nicely, and enjoyed the narration in the second half. Another good example of psychedelic rock from this era, and can add to my personal reference.
Badly Drawn Boy
4/5
12/3/25. Want to revisit this more but a bit of a hidden gem for me! Encapsulates the alternative sound of the time very well, and great diversity in songwriting and arrangements.
The Coral
3/5
12/4/25. Never heard of this band. Solid rock music with some cool arrangements. Will need another listen but on the first, I enjoyed it! Thought the first portion of the album was the strongest.
Emmylou Harris
3/5
12/5/25. Feel like this is a hidden gem in the country world. As someone who isn’t big into country, enjoyed these songs and the storytelling. Leans more Americana.
Buzzcocks
3/5
12/8/25. Cool pop punk, sounds like this album influenced a lot of future bands, Green Day and Blink-182 come to mind. Cool arrangements and liked the drumming.
Iron Butterfly
4/5
12/9/25. Will need to listen more, but really enjoyed what I heard on the first go round. More pop-driven songs toward the beginning, and later diving into great instrumentals and jamming with a psychedelic twist. Always enjoy that!
Alexander 'Skip' Spence
1/5
12/10/25. Couldn’t get into this one. Felt a bit all over the place and not focused.
Tim Buckley
5/5
12/15/25. Really impressed with this one, a great mix of folk and jazz elements. Also enjoyed the vocals a ton. As I go on, my favorites are leaning toward less pop and more experimental and jazz - across all genres.
LCD Soundsystem
4/5
12/16/25. Fun revisit, still holds up really well. Enjoy the danceable vibe, with an all time classic for the last song to close it out. Would recommend this to anyone.
The The
3/5
12/17/25. Cool 80s album, enjoyed the second half more than the first. Like the different rhythms presented. Nice lesser known album from this era, at least for me.
Julian Cope
3/5
12/22/25. Cool hidden 90s gem, well thought out songs and some catchy hooks. More pop than I expected, but still solid.
Bob Dylan
2/5
12/23/25. Typically not a huge Bob Dylan guy but did enjoy this one. Not sure if this counts as his "electric" era or whatever it is, but enjoyed the blues elements and his singing style on here.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
3/5
12/24/25. Cool progressive rock, definitely up my alley. Thought it was a little inconsistent after the first, main song, but there's awesome moments throughout.
Malcolm McLaren
3/5
12/25/25. Merry Christmas! Pretty interesting one to get on this day, feels nostalgic in a weird way with the radio station cut-ins throughout. Enjoyed the catchy samples and rhythms presented, and sounds like a soft introduction to hip hop to an unfamiliar crowd.
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
12/26/25. Wish this was one where I could rate a 3.5. Love the established post punk sound and the experimental aspects as it goes on, what a fun listen! Will need to revisit.
Erykah Badu
3/5
12/29/25. Feels like this is a good album to introduce me to the neo soul genre. Very chill but feel good, really good vocals.
Kate Bush
4/5
12/30/25. I've heard so much about this album and I understand why it's so popular. Very expansive and nothing seems off-limits when it comes to its sound. Really enjoyed it on my first run, but will need more listens.
ABBA
4/5
12/31/25. Might be my favorite ABBA album that I've listened to, especially containing songs I'm not familiar with. Loved the incorporation of 80s style groove and a more mature sound compared to the sugar filled pop that I'm used to by them.
John Martyn
4/5
1/1/26. Happy new year! Definitely a unique album on this album ride, not sure about the vocals, but it fits right in with the music. A lot of layers in the arrangement and enjoyed the cool progression choices. Will need another listen.
Basement Jaxx
1/5
1/2/25. Found this boring. Red Alert is a good song, but couldn't connect with this one.
The Soft Boys
3/5
1/5/26. Love the first track since it comes out with a bang. Album gets weirder and a little more drawn out as it goes on, but it stays interesting. Almost goes from pop to exploring different arrangements.
Adam & The Ants
3/5
1/6/25. Quirky and interesting album. Starts out with the typical 80s new wave sound before it diverts into fun madness. Probably will need to listen several more times, but thought it was decent.
Carpenters
5/5
1/7/26. Near pop perfection for me with this album. Haven't really dived into the Carpenters until now but am impressed. Songs really stick with you with the vocal harmonies and unique chord progressions. Will be revisiting again and again.
Spiritualized
4/5
1/8/26. Have listened to this album in the past, and still sounds great. One of the more unique albums as it challenges me to stay in the moment and enjoy the soundscapes instead of looking for progression. May have been responsible for getting me into experimental music.
Stereo MC's
2/5
1/9/26. Interesting, feels like an accessible format for hip-hop for the time it came out. Enjoyable and inoffensive, but I think a bit forgetful.
Jorge Ben Jor
5/5
1/12/26. Great discovery! Loved the fusion of Brazilian music and funk, works really well. First song grabbed me right away, and the rest of the tracks I enjoyed. Definitely want to learn a few of these on guitar.
2Pac
5/5
1/13/26. 2Pac is definitely one of my favorites, love his music and work. Enjoy how personal this album is, and the sampling is top notch - good selection of funk and grooves that fit well.
Sugar
3/5
1/14/26. First time hearing this, has a bit of the typical 90s sound but can't deny the melodies and more positive feeling the songs bring. A good one to listen to while in the car in my opinion!
Justice
5/5
1/15/26. One of my favorites. As a long time Daft Punk fan, this one fits into the same category. Danceable throughout and high energy, with fun samples. Will always revisit!
Pere Ubu
1/5
1/16/26. Meh, thought it was a bit noisy and all over the place. Wasn't a fan of the vocals either; typically I like obscure and uncharacteristic singing styles, but this didn't work for me.
Method Man
3/5
1/19/26. Love the Wu-Tang anthology, first time hearing this and it's decent. Not my favorite but some good tracks and features on here.
Snoop Dogg
3/5
1/20/26. Fun album, always enjoy Snoop Dogg. The big songs are ones that really stand out, while the rest is solid but maybe a little repetitive.
The Black Crowes
3/5
1/21/26. Good, loud rock and roll. Nothing fancy or sophisticated, just straight up music. A couple of the songs I enjoyed more than most, but every song is decent.
Count Basie & His Orchestra
3/5
1/22/26. Impressed with the sound, might be the oldest album on this journey so far! Will definitely require multiple listens, but love the piano playing and melodies that take you for a ride. Cool swing style as well.
The Lemonheads
2/5
1/23/26. Just meh, thought a lot of the songs went nowhere but still sounded okay. To my ear, it's REM with Scott Weiland as the front man with a straightforward pop sense.
The Flying Burrito Brothers
3/5
1/26/26. Fun album! I'm not typically a country guy, but liked the different influences that were infused into here. The melancholy lyrics also fit nicely with the sound.
Hanoi Rocks
2/5
1/27/26. Cool discovery! Not crazy about hair metal but this one was decent, however it felt repetitive and formulaic throughout. Was disappointed after the opening track which I really enjoyed.
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
4/5
1/28/26. Awesome to come across some salsa, such a fun album! A love the little bits of fusion with funk throughout, especially on the bass lines. Definitely one to revisit again, or when I want to have a good time.
Heaven 17
4/5
1/29/26. Cool album, love this group's take on synth pop. Also enjoyed the incorporation of funk with the slap bass lines. Definitely a unique one that relies more on niche instead of widespread appeal.