534
Albums Rated
3.11
Average Rating
49%
Complete
555 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1960s
Favorite Decade
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Favorite Genre
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Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
50
5-Star Albums
22
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bright Flight
Silver Jews
|
5 | 2.68 | +2.32 |
|
Repeater
Fugazi
|
5 | 3.12 | +1.88 |
|
Mermaid Avenue
Billy Bragg
|
5 | 3.18 | +1.82 |
|
John Prine
John Prine
|
5 | 3.22 | +1.78 |
|
Tonight's The Night
Neil Young
|
5 | 3.23 | +1.77 |
|
Fun House
The Stooges
|
5 | 3.28 | +1.72 |
|
Daydream Nation
Sonic Youth
|
5 | 3.3 | +1.7 |
|
Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
|
5 | 3.32 | +1.68 |
|
Punishing Kiss
Ute Lemper
|
4 | 2.4 | +1.6 |
|
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
|
5 | 3.41 | +1.59 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Pink Moon
Nick Drake
|
1 | 3.65 | -2.65 |
|
The Seldom Seen Kid
Elbow
|
1 | 3.26 | -2.26 |
|
I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got
Sinead O'Connor
|
1 | 3.25 | -2.25 |
|
The Bones Of What You Believe
CHVRCHES
|
1 | 3.18 | -2.18 |
|
Loveless
My Bloody Valentine
|
1 | 3.17 | -2.17 |
|
Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1
George Michael
|
1 | 3.17 | -2.17 |
|
The Lexicon Of Love
ABC
|
1 | 3.08 | -2.08 |
|
Floodland
Sisters Of Mercy
|
1 | 3.04 | -2.04 |
|
evermore
Taylor Swift
|
1 | 3.04 | -2.04 |
|
Midnight Ride
Paul Revere & The Raiders
|
1 | 3 | -2 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Neil Young | 4 | 5 |
| Nirvana | 3 | 5 |
| Beatles | 6 | 4.33 |
| Jimi Hendrix | 3 | 4.67 |
| The Clash | 2 | 5 |
| The Rolling Stones | 5 | 4.2 |
| Radiohead | 4 | 4.25 |
| Metallica | 3 | 4.33 |
| Black Sabbath | 3 | 4.33 |
| Bruce Springsteen | 3 | 4.33 |
| Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds | 3 | 4.33 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Nick Drake | 3 | 1.67 |
| My Bloody Valentine | 3 | 1.67 |
| Dexys Midnight Runners | 2 | 1.5 |
| R.E.M. | 4 | 2 |
5-Star Albums (50)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Television
5/5
4.6 Masterclass in postpunk during the birth of punk music. I always knew the guitar work was great but interesting playing all around, sneakily progressive. I don't think there has been a time when I put this album on and haven't listened to the whole thing
2 likes
The Libertines
2/5
2.4 I always thought Pete Doherty is bit of wanker. Maybe his charisma comes through at a live show, it doesn't really come out here.
1 likes
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
3/5
3.1 World/new age with a very solid groove and some interesting producing. I think this would be a good album to burn one to. I will check out more of the catalog
1 likes
U2
3/5
2.6 A few good tunes. Looking at U2 as a whole I thought of Dave Chappelles bit “How can you care about anything when you know every goddamn thing?” Maybe if U2 did a few less protest/cause songs they wouldn't seem so preachy to me. The Edge gets his fair share of credit in the guitar world and deservingly so.
1 likes
Silver Jews
5/5
Since this (probably) going to be the only Silver Jews album on the list I will have to give it a five star rating. But only as an ode to Lookout Mountain Lookout Sea, American Water, Tanglewood Numbers and The Natural Bridge. Any of those albums would have been a better selection for the list and would have been legit 5 starers. As for bright flight I enjoy it, I think it reflects the time and place Berman was in, it was a good collection of songs and a couple of stand outs.
1 likes
1-Star Albums (22)
All Ratings
Harry Nilsson
2/5
A Tribe Called Quest
3/5
Franz Ferdinand
3/5
3.4 I remember liking the album more when it came out. Pretty solid, could definitely use a remaster
David Bowie
4/5
3.7 rounding up to 4
Prince
5/5
4.5 roundup to 5
The Saints
3/5
2.7. Gotta admit. I've never heard of the saints. From 1.5 listens of the album without any context I thought it was pretty straightforward. Know your product was the one that stood out for me. I'm sure if I was australian and/or dig deeper in the discography I'd appreciate it more
Michael Jackson
4/5
4.4. Disco doesn't suck when quincy jones is producing your album. Super tight band, bass player is ripping it up. Couple slower ones weren't for me but overall enjoyed the album. Get on the floor is a burner.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
4.1 The stones start to come into their own in my opinion.
Living Colour
2/5
1.7. If someone ever asked me what 80's music is like, I will point them to this album. It's got every genre going on at once. I hope for their sake no one asks me that question
Green Day
4/5
3.8 lots of radio hits on the album. Not my favorite Green day album but for many it is.
The Louvin Brothers
3/5
2.5 echo the Shawn's comments except for the Franz Ferdinand jab
Radiohead
5/5
4.8
Coldplay
2/5
2.4 As Paul rudd once asked, "do you know how I know your gay? You like coldplay". Chris Martins oohs and ahhhs annoy me to no end. If they took those out I think I could be at least bi-curious about this album
Metallica
4/5
4.2.
Orange Juice
2/5
2.4
Pink Floyd
5/5
Iron Maiden
4/5
3.9. 4th best maiden album for me. Run to the hills and NOTB are obviously all-timers.
Dusty Springfield
2/5
1.6. Total meh for me.
Fela Kuti
3/5
3.0
The Mothers Of Invention
4/5
3.5 zappa is an outstanding musician (dare I say guitar virtuoso) and this album is brilliant satire of the music of the time. But singing about unshaven armpits doesn't hit the same in 2023 when we talkin bout WAP
John Cale
1/5
1.4 didn't care for this very much. Will check out his other stuff based on his resume
Stevie Wonder
3/5
Billy Joel
5/5
I wouldn't consider myself a billy joel fan but my toes didn't stop tapping. I thought the lyrics provided easliy accessible imagery. Wasn't singing about trees talking to other trees.
Arrested Development
3/5
2.8 a couple of jams on it but it kinda sounded like a Parody of a 90's rap album. I don't know if that is because it was so influential and other artist followed or this followed other artists work and layered a bunch of samples and social justice themes
The Strokes
4/5
4.4. I originally had this a 5 star but I ended up listening to the same song 3 times in a row and didn't really notice. So maybe is a bit repetitive. Band is super tight. I noticed that the bass lines and/or guitar riffs followed the vocals quite a bit which should be used in moderation but most of instrumentation is fairly original and interesting. Imagine being Julian Casablancas, lead singer in a great rock band, your dad owning a modeling agency, not too shitty.
Jurassic 5
4/5
3.8
Sufjan Stevens
2/5
2.4 there was some interesting sections but overall not my cup of tea
Traffic
2/5
2.4 meh
Basement Jaxx
2/5
2.0 I remember when this came out and it was a bit of a hit with the critics. I never did download it on Napster, so this is the first time I've listened to it. I thought alot of the album was pretty juvenile but it did get better on some of the later tracks.
Judas Priest
4/5
3.6 straight ahead british heavy metal. The louder you play it the better it get. Pretty solid, enjoyed grinder and obviously the radio hits. red white and blue, was a stinker
Fatboy Slim
3/5
3.0 nothing really to add. One takeaway is that the dj talent shines through on the tracks. My attention span might be a bit short for some songs though.
Elbow
1/5
0.2 Abosolutly terrible. They played the loud parts quiet and the quiet parts loud. It was so boring it made me nauseous. I wouldn't be surprised if this is worst out of the whole list. We will see in a couple of years I guess
Dr. Octagon
2/5
1.5. Yeah, not great. I'm trying to figure out why this album would be included in the list. Start of horror rap? Early dan the automater project? Still better than elbow
Beastie Boys
4/5
4.4
Iron Butterfly
2/5
2.4
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
4.3
Black Sabbath
5/5
4.8
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
5.0
Neil Young
5/5
4.7 -
Happy Mondays
3/5
3.4 I enjoyed the album and I think I will give it another run-through and check out some of the remixes. I just never got into bands like them and the Stone Roses.
The Zombies
3/5
3.4 -
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
2/5
2.4 The Geto Boys do a version/sample of world is a ghetto and that song bangs. Didnt care for the original, felt a bit drab. The rest of the album, meh. The songs were long and didn't really go anywhere.
Milton Nascimento
2/5
2.2 Nothing really stood out for me in any of the tracks. Maybe the lyrics really hit home with listeners...
Nightmares On Wax
3/5
3.0 Through 1 listen I couldn't recommend a single song, like, "hey check this out" but I could have this album on in the background and enjoy it. I thought for sure by the name of the title and band it was going to be a weed rap album akin to Cypress Hill
The Cars
5/5
4.5 The Cars greatest hits. Maybe 1 stinker on the album but the great ones more than make up for it. Half a point boost for Moving in Stereo/Fast times connection - makes it move in my pants
The Smiths
3/5
3.4 I assumed I would have liked it more, maybe I'm more of The Smiths' greatest hits kinda guy than I thought. A tad repetitive
Pere Ubu
3/5
3.5 . Post-punk in the middle of the punk rock movement. Theres alot of elements that I recognize as being influential to others, and theres some stuff that doesnt quite work. Bonus points for lineage to Rocket from the Tombs and Dead boys. I will say the recording sounded pretty good considering its a low budget (i assume) avant garde album
Jerry Lee Lewis
4/5
4.4 Probably should be rated five star. Jerry Lee is a madman and absolutely rips it up. I got a kick out of the bass player being barely able to keep up. The version I listened to was only 20 minutes, it looks like there is a 40 minute album that I will have to get my hands on.
The Chemical Brothers
2/5
1.8
Public Enemy
3/5
3.4. Yeeeaahhh Booooyyyy!.
Jacques Brel
2/5
2.4 comme ci, comme ça. This is probably french folk music at its best, but I would never know. There looks to be some interesting translations that I will check out
Johnny Cash
5/5
4.9 I would like to hear a reason why this wouldn't be a 5 star album.
Dr. John
2/5
2.4 Not really what I expected as my knowledge of Dr John was limited to the Last Waltz but thought this album was moderately interesting. Mama Roux was a standout
Daft Punk
3/5
2.9
Various Artists
3/5
3.4
Van Morrison
4/5
3.8 I've never heard this album before which surprises me as my dad is a huge Van Morrison fan and we probably listened to him more than any other growing up. The musicians in the band are pros and it was cool to listen to the interplay among them, albeit busy at times
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
4.4 Pretty hard to write a review for this one. I think you need some context on when and why the songs came together for Nick (and band) to grasp the concept. I could see how one could say this is a total piece of shit but I appreciate it more with each listen.
Marty Robbins
3/5
3.4 El Paso is a harder karaoke song than you would think
R.E.M.
2/5
2.0 The hits are the hits, and the rest stinks
Sigur Rós
2/5
1.9 What is this, Icelandic gibberish? I didnt get through the whole thing. I could appreciate the sonic soundscapes but I am not going to reach out to listen this again to find out
Pere Ubu
2/5
1.8 Didnt enjoy this one as much as The Modern Dance
The Bees
3/5
3.0 The last couple album reviews were a bit of a slog, this was a good change of pace
Foo Fighters
4/5
4.5 Is this considered a debut album? Might be one of the better ones if so. I didnt realize how well I knew the songs on the album, I never had a copy, and I dont think I ever really sought it out. Foo Fighters have kinda turned into a parody of themselves now but the first few albums were great.
Joan Armatrading
2/5
2.0 I thought it sounded like a female Elton John mixed with a male Joni Mitchell and I couldn't really get past that.
Everything But The Girl
3/5
3.3 I kept waiting for "Waiting" to play but it never came on. That being said I enjoyed the ambient tone of the album, will check out their other work
The Allman Brothers Band
3/5
3.0 For me, this is a case of too much of a good thing. The songs and jams have way more depth than a standard 12 bar blues and there are some pretty jazzy bass drum and keyboard parts. But the extended guitar wanking was a bit much. My opinion might change after I get through whipping post in a day or two.
4/5
4.2 I liked alot of the deeper cuts on this album more than other Bowie albums.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
4/5
4.3 Probably should be a 5.
Nick Drake
2/5
2.0
Sinead O'Connor
1/5
1.0 Not for me... I could not see myself ever turning up the volume on any song and liking it. Maybe Nothin Compares 2 U, but the Prince one is better (and he wrote the song). Starting to think ripping the pope picture was a publicity stunt.
Joy Division
5/5
4.7
The Smashing Pumpkins
3/5
2.8
Björk
2/5
2.4 I was going into this one blind (or would it be deaf?) Not horrible, not great.
Charles Mingus
4/5
4.3 Not the biggest jazz expert by any means but have a few Mingus albums and seem to drawn to his work more than anyone else.
Ministry
3/5
3.4. I think a 17 year old me would have really been into this if I would have listened to it.
Willie Nelson
3/5
3.4
Barry Adamson
2/5
1.5 I didnt get through the whole thing but enough to get the gist of it. I guess it could be an interesting concept if you think about it.
AC/DC
4/5
3.8 Like a frosted Canadian beer at Boston Pizza. Sure, there is more sophisticated stuff out there but you know what your getting and its always good.
3/5
3.0 Nothing particularly stood out but I liked the album as a whole. Will try and give er another go at some point and check out the catalog.
Jack White
3/5
3.5 For me this is a case of a sum is bigger than its parts. Collection of good songs, the quality doesn't really drop off, and were original compared to each other. If I listened to it a dozen more time, the rating would probably improve
The Byrds
3/5
2.6 First thing that I thought of was the Waynes World quote "Its not just a cleaver name", as this album had an obscene amount of tambourine going on. Album didnt blow my mind or anything but is an ok listen.
The Band
4/5
3.9
Santana
3/5
3.3
Stevie Wonder
3/5
2.5
Culture Club
1/5
1.5
Radiohead
4/5
3.5 Tough rating this one. If we judge it against other Radiohead albums, probably closer to a 3 but 4 if we are comparing to the rest of the 1000 entries. P.s Check out Atoms for Peace if you like Radiohead and this album.
The Roots
3/5
Neil Young
5/5
4.6 One of Neil's best, and deserving of top marks
Jethro Tull
4/5
"This is the greatest album in the history of music" - Ron Burgundy. While I don't quite agree with Mr. Burgundy's sentiments, this entry is a lot more that a rock band with a flute. Super progressive and the guitar and bass players really stood out to me. 4.0
Fats Domino
3/5
Brian Eno
4/5
4.3 My initial reaction, 15 seconds in, was that the music was grossly over-produced but as you start to get through a song or two it feels like each layer and overdub added seems to kinda make sense and fits it with everything else. I really enjoyed this entry, having no background with Eno before. Sometimes with this exercise in reviewing albums, I will get halfway through a song and figure, well, there probably wont be anything that changes or I will find more interesting, so I skip. That was definitely not the case here
The Cure
3/5
2.9
The Stooges
4/5
3.8 Not the best of Iggy and/or the Stooges, but still pretty good. Bowie's mix is more interesting than Iggy's
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
3.4 Not the snoozefest I was expecting. Bonus points for the cover inspiring a generation of lesbian haircuts
Hookworms
3/5
3.5 I liked this entry. There wasnt a bad song on the album but it didnt have any absolute burners either.
James Taylor
2/5
1.6
Meat Loaf
2/5
2.2 Pretty much as commercial as music can get.
Elvis Costello
4/5
4.5 Alison has the best use of the "stop" gimmick. I might have to work this into my Karaoke routine. I think the band is great, can chalk up the recording quality to rushed sessions. Could be a 5,
Nirvana
5/5
4.7 The biggest takeaway is that the songs that are covered turned into the most prominent/popular versions. like, the Meat puppets covered the nirvana version of their own song.
Holger Czukay
2/5
2.4 This isnt everyday listening for me but I can appreciate the instrumentals and layers
A Google search says this album was released in the late 70's not 2018 as the app/website states. That has to bump this up a bit as the time it would take to pull samples and layer everything on tape would be crazy, but i could be wrong. This guy was probably coo-coo for coco-puffs in the real world.
2/5
2.0 Nothing really stood out to me. Maybe I wasnt listening closely enough but didnt really get the psyche-rock vibe that was advertised.
Metallica
5/5
4.8 Classic thrash front to back. Kill 'em all is my favorite Metallica album but Master of Puppets is probably the best
Snoop Dogg
4/5
4.0 Songs are great, skits are not.
Steely Dan
3/5
3.0 I think for Steely Dan the question is if you personally like them or not. Can't really deny the songwriting and musicianship, they are both really good. I havent listened to enough to say this is better than their other work.
Ghostface Killah
2/5
2.4
Syd Barrett
3/5
2.6 Im going to give it the benefit of the doubt and take another listen. Nothing really stood out to me as ground-breaking the first go-around
Michael Kiwanuka
3/5
3.4 New to me and an interesting entry. Wouldnt say its an all-time great or anything like that but I enjoyed it
The Go-Go's
4/5
4.2 I had to take my time on this one and give it a few more listens. I though it was great initially and still do. This Town could have been an absolute burner but the chorus is a bit repetitive,
Steely Dan
3/5
2.5 Yup, it Steely Dan
My Bloody Valentine
1/5
1.0 Getting to Elbow level of suckiness. It sounded like I had half the headphone jack plugged into my disc man. I understand how this could a ground breaking guitar album and I could appreciate that, but the de-tuning sounded out-of tune. Dont even get me started on the drums. If your trying to create some sort of hazy shoegaze dreamspace, maybe dont throw in the same simple and jarring drum fill every two bars.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
3/5
3.0 Yeh Jo Halka Saroor Hae was a Jam. Dude can sing. Kinda interesting reading up on Qawwali music
Fleetwood Mac
3/5
2.6 Maybe 2-3 songs that I ended up liking. Didnt have enough depth to fill out a double album
Beastie Boys
3/5
3.4
David Bowie
4/5
3.9
Leonard Cohen
4/5
4.0. There are 8 songs on the album, 4 are absolute burners, 2 are good, 2 are not particularly good. The synths kind of date the music but the production is very good. And Leonard Cohen is cool
Hanoi Rocks
1/5
1.5 Hanoi Rocks, more like Hanoi Sucks, am I right!?!?
I thought this might be a tongue-in-cheek glam rock album. Turns out they are just Finnish. Still 1.3 better than Elbow
The Killers
3/5
3.6 A-Side tracks are as strong as it gets for 2000's rock music. The second half of the album are all B-sides and forgettable. All the things that I've done, should have been the album opener
Sarah Vaughan
2/5
2.5 It was fine. Made me look into Mister Kellys a bit more. Maybe it is that association as to why it was included on the list
Aerosmith
2/5
2.5 Whenever I hear Back in the saddle I always think to myself I should listen to more Aerosmith. But when I do, it doesn't really interest me. I mean the Steve tyler is an all-time front man and the band is really great. Tom Hamilton is very underrated, his playing is great and has written some iconic bass lines. It just doesnt connect with me for some reason
Tortoise
2/5
2.4 Not everyday listening for me by any stretch of the imagination but I did find certain parts were pretty progressive and interesting
Joy Division
4/5
4.3 Looking back I didnt write a description for Unknown Pleasures. Closer isnt has good as the debut
Just want to say Joy Division has to be a top 5 coolest band
Michael Jackson
4/5
This album should receive top marks based solely on the strength of Beat it, Billie Jean and Thriller but, man, some of those other songs really creeped me out. In honor of shawn-knutson, who doenst seem to be around here anymore, I will be deducting one full point for MJ being a scumbag (allegedly) 3.5
Portishead
3/5
2.9 Overall good vibes, It gets a bit repetitive at times for me.
Def Leppard
2/5
1.9. I've never really liked Leppard and this go through did not change my mind. Fun fact Album producer mutt Lange was married to shania twain, and mutt cheated on her with her best friend. Mutt and the friend then married each other. Then shania got with the friend's ex and got married. Couple swap, kinda weird. Shania was extremely good looking in her prime
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
3/5
3.3 I kinda dug it. Will check out other albums. I think it might have been inspiring to indie bands throughout the years. Definitely hear some broken social scene, pixies, death cab etc in there.
Tito Puente
3/5
3.0 Crazy how tight the band is. Enjoyable listen but I wont get familiar enough with it to say one song is better than another.
Radiohead
4/5
4.5 Very Very Good. When I compare it against other radiohead, for me, it falls short of top marks, which is a pretty shitty reason not to give it a 5 but Im doing it anyway
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
4.4 I cant believe I didnt give this 5 stars. Every song is great. It just seems like the production is missing something. Like its not polished enough to be a studio album and I didnt think it captures the greatness of Young and crazyhorse when they are live
The Black Keys
4/5
4.3 You know that bands that you loved and then they got popular and then you stopped liking them. Thats the black keys for me, but I never knew of them before they got popular. I just never got into them because they blew up. This album bangs though.
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
3/5
2.5 Credit where credit is due, the message changed music/hip hop for ever. But the rest of the album is scattered to say the least
Malcolm McLaren
3/5
3.0 Probably influenced a lot of people, introducing world music and urban. Worth the listen but not going on a regular rotation
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
5/5
4.6 If I drink 10 beers and listen to this I would rate it 6000 out of 5. Nothing like having a few and cranking Nick Cave. This album is probably the genesis of the Grinderman spin-off (which I think is awesome). Fingers crossed we get a few more NC&BS albums.
David Bowie
3/5
3.4 My uninitiated take with Bowie is that the great songs are so good it overshadows the B-Sides. You have such high expectations of what bowie should be and some of deeper cuts fall short. Thats how I feel about this album. Still pretty, pretty good
Hole
2/5
2.5. Its ok, overall liked most of the songs. It just really seemed like the lead singer murdered the two people that wrote the album
The Rolling Stones
5/5
4.8 2nd favorite stones album and its a burner
Billy Bragg
5/5
4.7 The rating of the album might be boosted by my familiarity with it but its one of my favorites. I have never really gotten into BB but with wilco it is the perfect mesh. Top marks!
Beatles
5/5
4.6
The Beach Boys
4/5
4.1
Siouxsie And The Banshees
3/5
3.5 I didnt care for Siouxsie but thought the banshees were really good. Apparently, this list has hard-on for the group. We will see what the other entries bring
Paul Revere & The Raiders
1/5
1.5 Didnt write their own songs. Wore dumb costumes. Others did it better
Sisters Of Mercy
1/5
1.5 Sounded like a goth parody band, and not in a good way
Arcade Fire
4/5
4.1 I like arcade fire and I like this, but they do have better albums. IMO Arcade Fire is one of the few popular modern bands, that still have a lot of artistic integrity.
Parliament
3/5
3.6 Should be a 4. Bootsy is literally from outerspace
Tom Waits
3/5
3.5 With a gigantic caveat. I have always been aware of Waits but have never really got into the music for whatever reason. One listen probably isn't enough to "get it" or appreciate it on a next level. That being said I thought the percussion stood out more than anything, unique and set the tones for each song
LTJ Bukem
3/5
2.5 When we had a Charles Mingus album, there were a lot of reviews left saying it was "Jazz" and then a three rating. If people can do it for Jazz, Im doing it for drum and bass. Cause I have no clue on how you differentiate good D&B from the bad.
U2
3/5
2.6 A few good tunes. Looking at U2 as a whole I thought of Dave Chappelles bit “How can you care about anything when you know every goddamn thing?” Maybe if U2 did a few less protest/cause songs they wouldn't seem so preachy to me. The Edge gets his fair share of credit in the guitar world and deservingly so.
Rush
3/5
3.5 Well its a pretty influential album, and people that like rush, really like rush. Their musicianship is off the charts but they kinda lose me when they have songs on how trees talk to other trees... I liked something for nothing, i don't think I have heard that before.
Drive-By Truckers
4/5
4.1 I thought for sure this was going to be 5 for me. I think DBT are one of the better bands in the 00's and 10's. But it is the same with most other double albums, some of the material sounds similar and gets repetitive. I like the concept and like the album a great deal, but not a 5. jason-schweizer gave it a 1, that's absurd, he should have to justify that rating
Pixies
5/5
4.7 I guess the one knock you could have is that the Loudquietloud can get a bit played out but there are too many burners on this album to not rate it a 5. Great hooks in every song too
Killing Joke
2/5
2.5 It was ok. Nothing really stood out with one go-around. I thought it sounded more like a Clash rip-off than a precursor to industrial music.
Booker T. & The MG's
2/5
2.5 Felt like more of a novelty record more than anything else. Like those Red Hot Chilli Pipers who do bag pipe covers, haha. Green Onions (the song) is a great but I think Ive heard it ten million times in my life. And the band has great players, but the album is not something I will seek out to listen cover to cover.
Talking Heads
3/5
3.4 Probably needs more than 1 listen, lots going on in the production.
Peter Gabriel
3/5
3.3
Lou Reed
4/5
4.3 Album sounds great, bass playing stood out as a highlight. We know that walk on the wild side has an iconic bass line but the rest of the album has really interesting lines and sounds awesome in the mix. Mick Ronsons lead guitar is great too. And Reeds lyrics are while we are all here. side note coney island baby is my favorite Lou Reed song, just thought it needed to be said
TV On The Radio
3/5
3.0 There were some interesting things going on sonically and I liked a couple of tracks.
Depeche Mode
2/5
1.8 Headline "Like a hungry fish, Depeche Mode will not let go of a hook".
Nas
4/5
4.0 Im not the biggest Hip Hop head so I wont be the best one to judge this album. I know that it belongs in many a top 5 lists, and I could see that.
The Smashing Pumpkins
4/5
3.6 Lots of classic burners, lots of double album filler. I had this album growing up and there are lots of songs I didn't know when going through this exercise. Thats got to speak to the skip-a-bility of some of the tracks.
Slipknot
2/5
1.9 Ive never listened to a Slipknot album before. I always thought their whole schtick was pretty corny.
It was a bit more Nu-Metal leaning than I was expecting. The lack of song structure was a bit interesting I guess and the drumming stood out as a plus. But its not something I will ever listen to again
Taylor Swift
3/5
3.2 So does this mean I'm a Swiftie now?
David Bowie
3/5
2.5 Nothing really stood out to me with one listen (and it wasn't a particularly engaged listen on my part)
Deep Purple
4/5
3.8 Album really sounded great. Child in time was a standout, the vocals are hilariously over the top but I dug it.
Can
2/5
2.0 Started off strong, but it definitely lost me in the middle. I find it interesting when an artist or whoever, records an album like this, and is like "this is what I want to share with the world, I think people will really like it".
Erykah Badu
3/5
3.4 If I ever get a fly honey back to my place, I will put this on
N.W.A.
5/5
4.7 If they make a movie about it, you get a 5 star.
GZA
3/5
3.2 Enjoyed it with one go-through
Donald Fagen
2/5
1.9
CHVRCHES
1/5
1.6 I ended up skipping part way through every song, that can't be good.
Lou Reed
4/5
4.1 Gave it a couple of listens. In addition to the obvious, Lou Reed sure gets some good bass players to contribute to the albums
Talking Heads
4/5
4.4 Early talking heads does it for me a bit more than later albums
Pulp
3/5
3.4
Incredible Bongo Band
2/5
2.5 I was expecting this to be a tough listen but it turned out to be OK. The other instruments/musicians were pretty good along with the bongo dude. Lots of bongos though. BONGO
Black Sabbath
5/5
4.8 Not a bad song on the Album, still holds up today. Hard to belive it was recorded in 12 hours on a 4 track.
The Stranglers
4/5
3.8 The Stranglers is a pretty cool band name, and they are new to me. There were no standout songs but overall I liked it. You don't think of keyboards when you label something as punk but I think the playing was pretty interesting and added a lot.
Arctic Monkeys
4/5
4.1
Prince
3/5
3.3 I dont think I was in a mood for Prince when I listed to this. Album was good, but I really don't like Little Red Corvette
Todd Rundgren
3/5
2.5 Back half of the album was better than the start. Im starting to think Im missing out on not doing a bunch of drugs
Adam & The Ants
2/5
1.5 Meh, didnt really do much for me. Nothing stood out except for the cultural appropriation of the drum beats
Soul II Soul
3/5
2.6
Talking Heads
4/5
4..0
Sly & The Family Stone
4/5
4.0 Lots of classic songs that relatively still stand up. It stood out in 1969, the best draft class of music. P.s. I don't think shawns-music1 listened to the 2nd line of “Don’t call me nigger, Whitey”.
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
2/5
2.3 I legit thought this was a Chuck D album, but I didn't hear the 1,2,3,4,5,6 etc counting, so I had to look and see that it was Michael Franti. Franti frequents the folk fests around my area and seems to draw well but Ive never really been a fan. As far as the album goes, I mean the issues spoken about in the lyrics arent wrong, but I think every problem in the history of the world was spoken about. Bumping it up a half point, the previous band, the Beatnigs, is a great name
The Rolling Stones
5/5
4.6 Quintessential stones
The Police
3/5
3.4 Stings arrogance seems to seep through in the vocals, but I guess when you write hit songs you can come across any way you damn well please. Back half of the album was better than the front
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
4.2 Some important and meaningful songwriting that hits a lot harder when you look into the context of why/when it was written. The music production is ok, but I like to stick to live Marley recordings when I can
ABBA
2/5
1.9 I enjoyed the bass playing and Dancing Queen is pretty good but other than that, not really my cup of tea.
Skepta
3/5
3.4 Pretty good. For a newish rap album it wasnt as formulaic as others. This guy really thinks he's pretty cool
Duke Ellington
3/5
3.4 I listened to the 5 tracks from the original album. Im sure its a great big band performance. I will check out the "complete" recording at a later date.
Fugees
5/5
4.5 This was my first time listening to this. I should have done one of those Youtube reaction videos like when a black dude reviews a metal album. The album is great front to back and stood out as being unique from other hip-hop
Steely Dan
3/5
3.2 Yup, more steely dan, another 3 rating.
The Sugarcubes
2/5
2.2 The more I listen to Bjork, the more I do not like
The Who
3/5
3.3 Not my favorite collection of Who songs, but Entwistle, Moon and Townsend sure are ripping
The Byrds
3/5
3.5 You know what, there was a lot more going on in the album than I initially would have thought. The originals on the album were pretty good and there was a few psychedelic-leaning songs that I enjoyed.
The Kinks
3/5
3.4 Not super familiar with the kinks discography but this seemed like a grown up version of the band. Songwriting was interesting enough. Will be worth another listen at some point
Sam Cooke
5/5
4.5
2/5
1.9 Would have been better as an instrumental album.
1/5
1.5 Disco Duran Duran Sucks
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
3.4 Good groove throughout. No real standouts but not stinkers either. I think additional listens would yield a higher score. Album cover is pretty cool
Thelonious Monk
4/5
3.5
Dire Straits
3/5
3.5 I think this was the first CD my dad ever got when he bought the CD player. I thought I was more familiar with the album than I was, I must have been skipping the slower songs back in the day. My tastes haven't changed much apparently.
The Stooges
5/5
4.5 Big fan of the album, the stooges, and iggy. Still sounds fresh 50+ years later, I could only imagine how different it would have been in 1970
Neil Young
5/5
4.7 I had to give this a few listens because I didn't realize how good it was, there is nothing really negative to pick at. The studio musicians really elevate the songs, probably more so than other Neil Young albums. The remaining crazyhorse members playing is great too.
Sister Sledge
3/5
3.2 Probably a top-end disco album. Some of the songs were repetitive. Some pretty funky basslines throughout, but they were hidden in the mix a bit.
Fleet Foxes
2/5
2.0 Didnt think any of tracks stood out as being anything special
Eels
3/5
2.8 Ok album. Some of the songs felt unfinished.
William Orbit
2/5
2.0
Isaac Hayes
3/5
2.5 Walk on by is a burner. Album is a bit short and lacks variety
Massive Attack
3/5
3.0 Didnt particularly care for the vocal stylings but the overall mood/feel was pretty cool. Had a sense of place
White Denim
3/5
3.3 never heard of the band and it was pretty solid. Lots of noodling going on, like lots.
Beatles
4/5
4.3 it only get better from here on out. Don't bother me was a standout.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
4.5 Some may have laid down the blues/hard rock road before Zep but I would argue nobody did it better. Bonhman was like what 19 or 20 years old during recording, that's crazy. JPJ is a stud and page/plant are page/plant. Should be a 5 but you can argue most of the songs are covers
Elton John
3/5
3.3 Not an elton john fan and didnt really get into the album. Lots of recognizable songs and the songswriting is good. . I guess the question is if this is Eltons best but I'm not going to dig to find out.
Morrissey
2/5
2.4 I once went to a Morrissey-themed bar in Vancouver. I wasn't planning on it but stumbled in there. It was nice enough. Needless to say, that bar owner was probably a big fan. Id rather go to Johnny Marr bar.
Suedehead was the standout on the album for me, everything else blended together.
Dexys Midnight Runners
2/5
2.4 I mean, what are with the vocals. There was some viral clip of a live version of Come on Eileen on youtube where the vocals were laughable. This whole album kinda felt like that. Bands solid and the horns are worth listening to.
Metallica
4/5
4.0 Not my fave but very solid.
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
2/5
2.1
The Byrds
3/5
3.4 Of all the Byrds albums we have one on this list, this sounds the freshest. Solid but nothing stood out. If we are considering this the 1st country rock album I think it was pretty much an all country with one rock and roll song sprinkled in
Aretha Franklin
4/5
4.0 Very solid but pretty short. Can always go for more Aretha
Pink Floyd
3/5
3.0 More "out there" than I was expecting. Besides a couple songs I don't think it will find a regular rotation in my library but overall interesting
Nirvana
5/5
4.7 Is kinda crazy how an album like this can go and sell 15 million albums. I didn't know Steve Albini passed away this year, RIP.
Beastie Boys
4/5
4.5 I think if your a true Beastie Boys fan (im not a fanatic or anything but appricate the work) this album would be your favorite . I remember listening it to it the first time and wondering what the big deal was about. Subsequent listens have improved that opinion. Brett is right it really should be viewed as an enitre album as opposed to a collection of songs.
Leonard Cohen
4/5
3.9 I got into Leonard Cohen during Popular Problems and You want it darker, so I may bit a bit biased on his later releases. I like it. Bowies Blackstar is a parallel, interesting and unique to their catalogue and unfortunately one of their lasts
Missy Elliott
3/5
3.0 My Rap tastes are stuck in the early 2000's ;) so I kinda liked the production. But not something im going to go out to buy to throw in to the shockwave, thats for sure
ZZ Top
3/5
3.5 Roadhouse Rock.
Soundgarden
4/5
3.9 Hadnt listen to this in 10 years. The hits are still the hits and really really good. The other songs, meh, they sound a bit formulaic (Silverchair anyone!?). They were probably fresher 30 years (yeesh) ago. Cornell and Thayil's guitar tone stands out
Air
2/5
2.5 Couple good tunes, kinda fell off at the end. Bud Light Daft punk
Stan Getz
2/5
Michael Jackson
3/5
3.0 Couple of MJ bangers, and a few more shitty fillers. As time passes the weirder the stuff gets
Louis Prima
3/5
3.2 I went back and gave it a 2nd listen. Pretty solid front to back.
Bill Callahan
4/5
3.7 I liked it, Kinda has a purple mountains/silver jews vibe. Listened to a bit of smog after. This had a couple of songs that will go into my regular rotation.
Dusty Springfield
2/5
2.4 It's better than the other Dusty album we had.
Fairport Convention
2/5
1.7 Bit of a snoozefest. The only song I liked was Million Dollar bash and I think that's a Dylan song.
Queen
3/5
3.0 Well it was quite a bit more hard rock and proggy than I was expecting although I didn't really think the prog part of it went anywhere. Brian May sure noodles over everything. You cant argue the fact that Mercury's vocals arent iconic, but you certainly can say you are not a fan, which I am not.
The Smiths
4/5
4.1 When I think of what the Smiths are this would be the album I would reference. I think the songs differ enough to avoid some of the fatigue you get listening to some of the other smith or Morrissey albums. For me anyway
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
3/5
3.1 World/new age with a very solid groove and some interesting producing. I think this would be a good album to burn one to. I will check out more of the catalog
Incubus
3/5
3.4 Starting to sound a little bit dated but a solid album, interesting throughout. There was a Incubus concert DVD at red rocks that was pretty sick back in the day
Silver Jews
5/5
Since this (probably) going to be the only Silver Jews album on the list I will have to give it a five star rating. But only as an ode to Lookout Mountain Lookout Sea, American Water, Tanglewood Numbers and The Natural Bridge. Any of those albums would have been a better selection for the list and would have been legit 5 starers. As for bright flight I enjoy it, I think it reflects the time and place Berman was in, it was a good collection of songs and a couple of stand outs.
Arcade Fire
5/5
4.7
Led Zeppelin
5/5
4.7 I dont know why I feel guilty about giving this 5 stars. I kept trying to justify a 4 stars but I cant. This is soild from top to bottom, front to back and side to side. There is not a song on this album that I wont turn up when it comes on or when I put it on.
The Prodigy
2/5
2.5 I listened to the albums in two sitting on different days. At first I hated it but I probably would have hated almost anyting on that day. Back half of the Album I had a bit more time/patience to get into it. As a whole its not something I would go out of my may to listen to but I could totally see how other would love this
Madonna
2/5
1.9 I think I liked the production of this album as whole even if was very busy. If you took of the Maddona name it might rate a half point higher. Impressive Instant was the standout for me, I will listen to that again, everything else there is no chance. The crap songs are crap
The White Stripes
3/5
3.0
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
4/5
4.3
Yes
3/5
2.6 Didnt blow my mind or anything but it was a fine entry. An introduction to prog.
Blondie
2/5
2.5 I thought I would have liked this more than I did. Felt a bit more disco-y and pop than new wave in a lot of spots. There was some interesting guitar work in the background. Skipped through a bunch of it though
Ella Fitzgerald
2/5
2.5 Listened to 10 songs, skipped through the rest. Im sure there is some brilliance in there. Ella is one of the best. Too much of a good thing
The Doors
5/5
4.5 Not entirely sure on what the knock would be against this album. Not a weak song on the album, 4-5 hits. Great debut. A generational frontman, the bands great.
The Who
3/5
3.4. The standout song for me was The Good's Gone. You throw an overdriven guitar on that baby, and you got yourselves a hit. I searched for a cover but didn't find anything notable. My generation is obviously an all-timer. Some of the covers on the album fall flat
The White Stripes
3/5
3.3
Teenage Fanclub
2/5
1.7 Maybe I was just in a bad mood when I was listening to this but I found this album excessively bland. Overly simplified Beatlesque songs with a hint of Alternative stylings. The one song I thought I liked (Alcoholiday) wasn't anything special on the 2nd listen. But at the end of the day I couldn't do any better
Ice T
2/5
2.4 OG was a banger. Some of the lyrics and skits feel like a parody, 30+ years after it was released. Body Count is dope
The Velvet Underground
4/5
4.0
Gorillaz
3/5
3.4
Frank Ocean
3/5
2.5 I never really understood the critical acclaim when this first came out and still don't today.
The Undertones
3/5
2.5 Wasnt great, Wasnt crap.
The Byrds
2/5
2.1 How many fricken Byrds albums are we gonna get. Half their catalogue is Dylan covers. What cause they wrote this one (mostly) themselves?
Tom Tom Club
4/5
3.7 Has the feeling of a group of friends, screwing around and jamming. Lots of different influences in the work. And if its got Weymouth on bass im probably going to like it
David Bowie
4/5
3.8 This isnt an example of what made Bowie so influential over the years but it is still very good and actually one of my Bowie Favorites.
Nine Inch Nails
4/5
3.6 Sounded pretty harsh at first but as it went along I got more into it. Lots of interesting layers to everything. Not everyday listening for me, but I sure its its a jewel of industrial music
Nick Drake
1/5
1.5 Lets just say if I was at a toga party and Nick Drake was singing and playing guitar on a staircase, I would be smashing that guitar.
Abdullah Ibrahim
3/5
2.8 felt like a more modern jazz fusion offering? I don't know. Standard jazz score.
Dinosaur Jr.
4/5
4.0 Are we only here for the j. Mascis solos? I really think his playing as a certain amount of charisma and its not just noodling around. Really fun to listen to and the production and band behind is solid and interesting. I went and listened to the farm album (released 15 years ago, crazy) after this. I thought I like farm the best but this was very very solid
Solomon Burke
4/5
3.6 very solid. No weak songs but maybe a tad repetitive. Hellava voice
Alanis Morissette
2/5
1.9 This stayed out of the 1-star basement purely based on being CANCON and being familiar with the hits. The songs unknown to me were unlistenable. Ironically (see what I did there) this is one of my wifes favorite albums and she felt that it captures the angst of being a younger female
Robert Wyatt
2/5
2.0 I will have to give it another go at some point to see if I still think its sucks
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
4/5
4.4 Great album, maybe 1-2 standard rock and roll songs that keep it out of 5 star rating
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
3.5. Into my arms is one of my favorite songs of all time (used it for my 1st dance wedding song too) and there are a handful of other standouts. This album can be a bit of a slog in parts though.
I think caves writing in this is still accessible, some of the latest stuff is extremely cryptic. If you haven't signed up to The red hand files an online newsletter, please do so,
DJ Shadow
3/5
3.2 You have to respect the imagination and technical aspects of making this album but for me, it doesn't rise above being really good background music
Van Halen
5/5
4.9 I think the only knock is not having Eruption start off the album and introduce your band to the world with that. EVH is #2 guitarist of all time. I listened to a re-mastered version of the album and it sounded pretty much perfect. My car stereo goes to 38 and I listened to the whole thing at 38. On fire was a bit of a banger that I wasn't familiar with
Super Furry Animals
2/5
2.5 Bit of a meh burger for me. I could see how they could have a bit of a cult following.
Korn
1/5
1.2 Boom-da-da-mmm-dum-na-ee-ma Da-boom-da-da-mmm-dum-na-ee-ma Da-boom-da-da-mmm-dum-na-ee-ma Da-boom-da-da-mmm-dum-na-ee-ma Da-boom-da-da-mmm-dum-na-ee-ma Da-boom-da-da-mmm-dum-na-ee-ma Da-boom-da-da-mmm-dum-na-ee-ma Da-boom-da-da-mmm-dum-na-ee-ma Da-boom-da-da-mmm-dum-na-ee-ma Da-boom-da-da-mmm-dum-na-ee-ma Da-boom-da-da-mmm-dum-na-ee-ma Da-boom-da-da-mmm-dum-na-ey GO! Korn sucks
Can
3/5
2.4 I thought the drumming really stood out, excellent timing and interesting playing throughout. Liked this better than the first can album we did.
Iggy Pop
5/5
4.7 Way too many personal favorite songs of mine on this album not to give it a 5 star rating. Neighborhood Threat is a burner.
Cat Stevens
2/5
2.6
Stephen Stills
2/5
1.8 no standout songs, it was fine but nothing I will every intentionally listen to again
Jean-Michel Jarre
3/5
3.0 The more the album went on the more I got into some of the melodies and grooves. The beep-bob synth noises are definitely starting to age but 1976 what do you expect. I will give it another go at some point
Röyksopp
2/5
2.2 I think the winters in Norway might be a bit too long.
Buena Vista Social Club
5/5
4.6 Soild album. Gets a boost from a core memory growing up. We bought this album for my dad when it came out for christmas one year. He played it non stopped and really loved it and the ry cooder connection. We didnt know what to get him the following year so we just bought the same album again (may have been a deluxe version..) there was nothing wrong with the first copy.
Joni Mitchell
2/5
2.5 At the end of the day im just not a huge Joni Mitchell fan. I did like the song River
Neneh Cherry
1/5
1.4 I was going to make the joke "Raw like" and then say something that was old and rotten but Im better than that. Album sucked. Where else have I heard that guitar lick from Buffalo Stance?
Cheap Trick
3/5
2.9 I Hear this album mentioned in all time best live rock albums but I really dont see what all the fuss is about. I like a few of the songs but pretty standard rock music
Steely Dan
3/5
2.6 Enough with the steely dan. Seriously
Amy Winehouse
2/5
2.5
Mercury Rev
2/5
2.0 Probably didnt pay it enough attention as I was listening, but nothing really stood out for me
Haircut 100
2/5
2.3 Im writing this review a week after I listened to the album and I cannot remember a single thing, even what type of music it is. Either I have serious issues or its not that great. Lets go with not that great for now.
Jimmy Smith
3/5
The Who
4/5
4.1 Amazing how much the Whos songs evolved from 1965 to 1971. Drums are a little low in the mix considering how great Moon was regarded. 4-5 All time songs. Behind blues eyes could be a great karaoke song, if I was able to sing
The Clash
5/5
4.8 The only band that matters. I guess the only knock on this is that maybe the production is a bit polished compared to some of the live releases.
Spiritualized
3/5
2.9 I thought the floating is space song was super corny with the space beeps sprinkled throughout but there were a couple of songs on the rest of the album that I flagged to listen to again.
Fiona Apple
2/5
2.4
The Soft Boys
4/5
4.5 Good listen for sure. I thought it sounded like a post-punk beatles (early beatles that is). Some interesting guitar work. There were a couple proggy spots that reminded me of a band I listen to now, Squid, that I like.
Beck
3/5
3.5 Very soild and an interesting listen. Never really listened to Beck much before besides whats on the radio. Might have to take a listen to the catalog once we finish the list. That should be in a few years time.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
3/5
3.5 I mean if they wanted to give the credit where its due, it should be Young & Crosby Stills Nash
Pantera
3/5
3.2 Got a bit tiresome by the end of it, but that more on the vocal than anything else. Cant really argue its influence, to this day. There are still skids walking around with Pantera shirts
John Prine
5/5
4.5 To quote a great line from Zoe Muth "When you said you’d never heard of John Prine
Well I knew right away you weren’t worth my time"
Deerhunter
3/5
2.9 Kinda oversold the record in the wiki synopsis (universally critically acclaimed). Didnt hate it but felt a bit slow in parts. The wiki synopsis mentioned a song was a tribute to Jay Reatard, Checked him out, was good
5/5
4.6 I once went to a Oasis tribute band show and they played wonderwall 3 times during the night, which was, at the very least, 2 times to many. That being said there are too many non-wonderwall burners on this to not give it a 5 star.
4/5
4.5 Probably should be a 5 but there are other Beatles records I like more. The outstanding production really stood out. McCartneys bass playing is so interesting and a perfect fit to the songs.
Kings of Leon
4/5
3.8 Pretty good Rock and Roll. They were the cool kids on the block when they first came out and I liked the first few KOL albums, they lost me with Sex on Fire.
3.5 Very solid rock and roll, a fun listen
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
3/5
3.4 Started strong and not what I was expecting. Worth another listen at another date
Elliott Smith
3/5
3.4 Not totally up my alley but I can see how others would appreciate it
Al Green
3/5
3.5 Found myself skipping through the final 30 seconds of most of the songs. Its a good album, just maybe not a good album for me today
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
3/5
2.5 The answer to the question of what If Sal Paradise walked into a honkey-tonk instead of a juke-joint
Taylor Swift
1/5
1.5 Turns out I'm not a Swifty. Pretty bland stuff
Dwight Yoakam
2/5
2.4 "I got you" was a snoozer to start off the album. Some of the lyrics raise your eyebrow in 2024. The lead guitar parts really sounded like some session guy (dude has quite the resume) trying to wank off and didn't really fit the songs too much. Bass lines were pretty bland but maybe that's just country music. I wanted to like the album more than I did I will give it another try later
R.E.M.
2/5
1.8 M.E.H.
Television
5/5
4.6 Masterclass in postpunk during the birth of punk music. I always knew the guitar work was great but interesting playing all around, sneakily progressive. I don't think there has been a time when I put this album on and haven't listened to the whole thing
Girls Against Boys
3/5
3.4 This is a new listen for me. Nothing earth-shattering but I enjoyed it.
Digital Underground
2/5
1.9 What the hell are these guys talking about!? Sex Packets, Gutfest, humpty dance?
Fleetwood Mac
4/5
For all intents and purposes this should be a 5 star, songs are all great. I just don't think I ever would go out of my way to listen to. Sure if it comes up on the radio or feed, I will tap my toe and hum along, but I just don't think I would put it on (expect to listen to a couple bass fills on Dreams). But that's more on me than on the album
Kraftwerk
3/5
3.4. The vocals seem pretty corny nowadays. I did like the instrumentation throughout. Cant listen to this and not shout out The Big Lebowski
Love
3/5
3.0 It was ok, some pretty good guitar tones for 1967
Van Morrison
4/5
4.5 This one is going to get some familiarity bias as it was always on in the house growing. Through this listen I knew pretty much every lyric and note, I just didn't realize it was all on this one album. In a critical sense, a few things bugged me, piano and bass were a bit busy and the bass was pretty high in the mix, enough so that it was distracting. But for me the songs were all great. Brand New Day is a stone cold soul banger and I think could have been a huge hit on the R&B charts if someone had covered it, (Aretha would have been great)
The Shamen
2/5
1.6 Not much to write home about, so I wont
Tears For Fears
2/5
1.8 I had a tough time getting through this. On a few songs, the instrumental layering didn't really go together and it felt disjointed.
Radiohead
4/5
4.2
The Charlatans
2/5
2.2 Diet Oasis
Sabu
3/5
3.0 I was Today Years old when I fould out there is a differnece between a Conga and a Bongo. This album had a whole bunch of Congas. Had sort of a club feel, thought it was interesting enough
Ali Farka Touré
2/5
1.8
Electric Light Orchestra
3/5
2.5 Beatlesque songs covered in an excess amount of 70's production layers. Didn't really do it for me
Fela Kuti
4/5
4.3 This is the 2nd Fela album we've covered on the list. And by far he has been the one person/group that I have instilled in my music rotation. Beware of Mister Baker is a pretty good doc if you haven't watched it before, covers a bit into gingers journey into Fela, African Music and African Women
Tim Buckley
2/5
1.7 My initial thought was that albums like this are why people quit going through this list. But there are a couple of redeeming songs. Overall not for me though and will probably be the first and only time I listen to Tim Buckley.
Stephen Stills
2/5
2.5
M.I.A.
3/5
3.3 Couple absolute burners on the album. Still very original and unique but not everything hits the mark
Thin Lizzy
3/5
3.3 Sorta live and kinda dangerous. Good list of tracks to cover the Thin Lizzy catalog, but didn't stand out as an outstanding live album.
Big Brother & The Holding Company
3/5
3.3
Pavement
4/5
4.0 I think this one is a bit critically over-rated, but not saying I dont like it. I feel their song writing gets better in subsequent albums and solo work but this one does have a unique rawness to it
Sade
3/5
2.9 Liked it more than I though I would have. Smooth jazz/elevator music at times but i thought it was fairly well done
LCD Soundsystem
4/5
4.2 Fun album
Beatles
4/5
4.3 Who am I to critique the Beatles
Frank Zappa
3/5
3.5 Musicianship is on another level and very interesting. Maybe too interesting to be on a regular rotation for me.
Kendrick Lamar
4/5
4.2 I liken this to reading a difficult novel. When your finished you think "How the hell does someone think like that and create something so interesting/unique". Probably could be 5 star.
Afrika Bambaataa
3/5
3.5 Probably pretty "out there" at the time. Sounds a bit dated with the synths and drum machines. I know planet rock is a classic but I can't help but think of Trailer Park Boys and J-Rocs gay nightclub whenever I hear it
The Verve
3/5
3.4 Couple of outstanding songs, and the rest of it sounded like pretty standard Brit pop/rock
Curtis Mayfield
4/5
4.1
Calexico
4/5
3.9 I gave this a couple runs through and glad I did. A ton of depth in all the tracks and quite varied. A lot more than an alt-country album
Sly & The Family Stone
3/5
2.5 Cleaning up a few older albums that I have missed or ignored or listened to and didn't write a review. The only thing I can remember about this is the Cover Art, it came out on day with Trump, Tarriffs,DEI in the news. I don't know if its been a fluke or what but we have had a few albums released on not-so-coincidental dates. Kendrick Lamar a day after his super bowl halftime show, Phil Spector's Christmas on xmas eve,
The Band
4/5
3.7 Bunch of very good tracks. Richard Manual is sure trying to hit the high notes on the tracks he is signing on, eh
X-Ray Spex
2/5
2.5 Poly Styrene sure is a great rock name. Her voice sure cuts through for better or worse. The bass playing stood out as excessively busy. Liked a few tunes, but honestly didn't really do it for me
Paul McCartney and Wings
4/5
4.2 Very very solid. I never listened to the the whole album before. I have to give PM and Wings more credit,
Beatles
5/5
5.0 Ive said it before and I will say it again, who am I to critique the Beatles. This is my favorite Beatles album though. I just like how there are a few of some of the best songs ever written, and then some weirder tunes that are still wonderfully written.
Primal Scream
3/5
3.4 If I was more familiar with the album, I would probably give it a higher rating. Really interesting percussion/drum tracks on the album and particularly on Higher on the Sun
Minutemen
3/5
3.0 I listened to this a week before I wrote the review. All I remember is that I liked it and will check out more,
Public Image Ltd.
2/5
2.5 The more I read about and listen to sex pistols and co the more they seem contrived. I liked the song theme as a post punk offering
Stan Getz
3/5
3.5 Enjoyed the listen. Maybe not a ton of variety throughout but did create a cool vibe
The Libertines
2/5
2.4 I always thought Pete Doherty is bit of wanker. Maybe his charisma comes through at a live show, it doesn't really come out here.
Boards of Canada
2/5
2.3 Didnt keep my interest very much
Mekons
2/5
2.2 The fiddles and vocals were pretty grating. Lost highway was good cover (but there are betters). Didnt tighten my Bolo tie, that's for sure
Cocteau Twins
2/5
2.0 I was listening to this in the office and wasnt really loud enough to capture any sort of soundscape they were trying to accomplish. The vocals seemed annoying raspy/breathy. May or may not giver another go.
Otis Redding
4/5
4.5 Otis! My Man! This is an all-time classic, but I have to knock it down from the top of the mountain as this is essentially a cover album. If I did it to Dusty, I have to do it to Otis.
Kelela
3/5
3.5 If i owned a high-end speaker store, I would probably put this album quite a bit. Thought it sounded great. I would consider this a pretty good pop album but it lacked the hooks to really grab me. Check out Sudan Archives if you liked this, that's interesting too
Manu Chao
3/5
3.3 interesting dude and pretty good album. I listened to the Robbie Williams take on bongo bongo. It's the musical version of the American version of the movie old boy.
The Mothers Of Invention
2/5
1.9 Didnt really connect with me. Maybe I'm not smart enough to get it, maybe time has just passed by on this album.
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
4.4 Only real critique is maybe its missing an iconic rock (or blues or R&B or whatever) anthem as from what you would find in the other Experience albums
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
3.9 There may not be a stereo loud enough on the planet to play Tenth Avenue Freeze Out as loud as I want to hear it. Dont have much to say about the album other than that, the hits are the hits and the rest is ok.
Side note, finally was able to see the Boss in concert a few months ago. After the first song I had doubt it was going to be any good, but it really picked up and was a great show. I don't think Bruce even broke a sweat during the three hour show, pretty remarkable for how ever old he is. Would have been something to see him back in the 80's/90's in New york or New Jersey
Marvin Gaye
2/5
2.5 Lets get it on is such a banger, there are two versions of it on the album. I will say as a 40 year old man with a toddler, a wife and a busy household, I cannot relate to this album one bit......
Run-D.M.C.
3/5
3.2 "Its like that" is a banger and wasn't really expecting the positive message on Hard times, thought that was good too.
Queen
3/5
2.5 I probably should like queen more than I do, if only for Brian Mays guitar work. Bohemian Rhapsody will forever hold a place with me because of Waynes World. I remember watching (500times) in like grade 1 or 2 and copying the cream of sumyungguy joke to my mom and her flipping out. I obviously did not know what that meant at the time
Beatles
4/5
4.0 Simple themes, and great melodies.
ZZ Top
3/5
3.5 To take from my review of the Songs of Leonard Cohen "There are three brilliant songs, one good one, three qualified bummers, and three flaming shits." That probably sums this up pretty good. Still pretty fun in spots and a great 3 piece band that sure fills the sonic space
Leonard Cohen
4/5
4.2 As I read through the wikipedia write up there was this review "There are three brilliant songs, one good one, three qualified bummers, and three flaming shits." I think you could say that about a lot of the albums we review in this exercise. But I would disagree with that sentiment for this album, the bottom-end stuff I still think is fairly interesting and unique on their own.
George Michael
1/5
1.0 I couldn't get through anything except freedom
The Pretty Things
3/5
2.7 Listen to this in passing. Some interesting guitar tones and song structures. Didnt pay enough attention to understand any inkling of the concept. May check out again at a later date. May Not
Nick Drake
2/5
2.0 Nick Drake is not my guy. This is better than the other few albums we have covered so far. No more please and thank you
Dire Straits
4/5
4.3 Random Thoughts - Down by the waterline is my 2nd favorite Dire Straits song. Would be cool to hear a a McCartney- Knopfler collaboration, I think Paul could come up with some tasty bass lines in these songs.
Maxwell
2/5
1.6 Too smooth for my tastes
Paul Simon
4/5
4.5 I wouldn't classify myself as a Paul Simon fan but really liked this album, Great mix of folk stylings and World music. I thought the bass playing throughout the album was awesome, interesting lines and even better tones. This would probably be a 5-starer if I was more familiar with it. I will have to read more about the apartheid context when I have more time.
Richard Thompson
2/5
2.5 The title track was a standout.
Ray Charles
2/5
2.5 I think there are better Ray Charles offerings out there (my favorite is Soul Brothers/Soul Meeting with Milt Jackson)
Lynyrd Skynyrd
4/5
4.4 The use of Free Bird (the remix anyway) for sporting events and internet clips really ruined the song for me, but it was refreshing to hear the original version again. Side A hits a little harder than Side B but I guess you can say that of most albums.
Dolly Parton
2/5
2.4 F- Dolly, M- Emmylou, K- Linda
Alice In Chains
4/5
4.0 I had a tough time rating this one. 4-5 Grade A burners but I didn't really care for some of the other songs. The theme of the Album kinda wears on you and do the vocals in some spots. Cantrell's guitar work is pretty interesting, has some great tones, and really more of a metal guitarist as anything.
Rufus Wainwright
2/5
1.5 Did not want one
Oasis
4/5
3.9 I mean the songs are pretty standard rock and roll fare but the more I listen to Oasis the more I think they pull it off better than most. Back half of the Album was stong
Lauryn Hill
3/5
3.4
My Bloody Valentine
2/5
1.5 I really thought I would like this bad more than I do. Appreciate the guitar work, but I don't really connect with anything else
Country Joe & The Fish
4/5
3.5 Seemed like this album was either highly influential or a complete ripoff of what was going on at the time, depending on when it was released. I enjoyed it
Klaxons
2/5
2.5 I wanted to like this but nothing really stood out. Didnt notice any hooks (memorable ones anyway) in the songs.
Billie Holiday
3/5
3.1 Billie obviously has a terrific voice and and Ive never listened to this album before. It was interesting to hear her vocals sounding a bit weathered. I thought the orchestra was loud in the mix
The Police
2/5
2.0 Besides the couple of hits, the other songs were very skippable. I tried to focus on Copeland's drumming, which is very good but that only got me so far
Steve Winwood
2/5
1.9 Sounds a bit dated an not really up my alley. Side note -There was this show on Canadian Tv called cock'd gunns (If you can find it, give it a watch, pretty funny stuff). The main character went through a blue eyed soul phase and it sound pretty similar to this offering.
Carpenters
3/5
2.5 Gotta admit, I didnt hate it . Thought the production was pretty slick and well done. Vocals were good. I wonder if there is a Doc or Bio-pic out there about the Carpenters
Tom Waits
3/5
3.4 I wouldnt turn it off but dont think I would put it on. But maybe at some point I will get into a Tom Waits deep dive and be totally enamored with everything he does. Until that point this was good listen
Neil Young
5/5
4.5 Wonderfully written collection of songs. There is Live at Massey Hall album that was released in the mid 2000s that had a lot of these songs on there just before they came out in 72. Great solo performance
Janis Joplin
4/5
3.6 Great vocals, great band, maybe both are a bit over the top at times. Note for me to check out Festival Express
Les Rythmes Digitales
2/5
1.9
Creedence Clearwater Revival
5/5
4.5 Between a 4 and 5 star. Im rounding up, If only because the Dude Abides
Nico
3/5
2.9
Pulp
3/5
3.2 By the looks of the wiki page, pulp was a pretty popular band in the UK. Growing up in Canada I dont think I ever heard them on the radio once. My introduction would have been through a ripped William Shatner album and the cover of common people. Maybe a bit more going on than some of the britpop out there
Small Faces
3/5
3.0 Kinda listened to it in passing but The Journey caught my attention. Seemed to have a bit more going on than the Faces album we had a while back
Gang Starr
3/5
3.0 Does all Gang Starr sound the same, or are there some reused hooks over the years?
Anita Baker
2/5
2.5 Pretty slick production, typically there are some pretty talented session musicians on these 90's R&B albums, this is no different. Just don't think this will find a place in my rotation
My Bloody Valentine
2/5
1.5 Same as the other two MBV albums we've done, no? Cant get into it.
PJ Harvey
4/5
3.6 Victory was a stand-out track. Nothing is really that weak, pretty interesting overall
Crosby, Stills & Nash
3/5
2.5 I asked my Dad after I listened to this if CSN was like an underground hippy thing or they were mainstream. He said that they were on the radio and were somewhat popular in his friend group, which I dont think answered the question. Or maybe it did and they are/were a bit of both. Im pretty indifferent to CSN, I think it doenst hold up to the test of time over other acts in the same period
Sonic Youth
3/5
3.5 Gothy sonic youth. Drums didnt sound very good to me, too low in the mix.
Cowboy Junkies
4/5
One of moms favorite albums - the songs aren’t anything exceptional but the vibes of the old church and a single
Microphone are pretty special. Great CanCon pick
Frank Sinatra
3/5
3.5 Reading some of these reviews, this work is supposedly one of the more important Sinatra offerings. I prefer the Standards more than this, but good overall. I will check out more of Tony Jobims albums
R.E.M.
2/5
2.3 Of the REM albums we have gone through this one id be most likey listen to again
Prefab Sprout
3/5
2.6 Probably more parts corny than cool. The first couple songs gave me high hopes, but the it kind of blended together after that.
Underworld
3/5
3.4 Leans closer to the Earls lounges of 2006 than Berghain but I enjoyed the listen
Gotan Project
3/5
2.9 I was listening to this in the background while at work. It was great background music for me but it would probably stay just that.
Cream
4/5
4.0 A few hits, and a great cover. Ginger bakers drumming is so unique to others of the era. I thought his playing on blue condition had a bit of swing compared to some of his other playing
Randy Newman
3/5
3.5 Never really listened to Randy Newman before very closely. This wasn't as marbled-mouth as much as I would have initially thought and I enjoyed the recording. Got a bit of the concept through the one listen and thought it was interesting.
T. Rex
3/5
3.5 I thought Metal Guru was the worst song on the album and that was supposed to be the lead single? The slider is a burner and Buick Mackane was a stoner rock offering that I thought was interesting. Rest of songs are what I think Trex to be, fun glammy rock
Elvis Presley
2/5
2.3 Thought it was over-produced and under-produced at the same time. Elvis's talents didn't really seem to shine through
Hole
2/5
2.4 Murderer
Bob Dylan
5/5
4.7 No critiques of the album, just a couple minor thoughts. She belongs to me is my favorite Dylan song, and the animals do a good cover of baby blue
Lambchop
3/5
2.5 Up and down on this one, started strong and ended strong, middle was a bit of a slog
Pet Shop Boys
2/5
2.2
The Temptations
3/5
2.9 Papa is a rolling stone, is a classic. Was surprised by da funk in the first few songs.
The The
2/5
2.5 Doesnt seem to me that this album is particularly important, but maybe at the time it was
Grateful Dead
3/5
2.6 I've never really seemed to get into the dead; I would assume that this selection would be a pretty good jumping-off point. It didn't convert me into a Dead Head but Turn Your Love Light On and Death Have No Mercy were the standouts to me. I think Phil lesh had a blown speaker cone at the Fillmore west show, either that or my car stereo does.
Peter Frampton
3/5
3.2 I would have to say I'm pretty indifferent to the music/songs themselves but the album sounds great and the band its quite tight throughout
Brian Wilson
4/5
4.0 The "randomizer" strikes again. Got this album the day after Brian Wilson died. Ive sat on this review for a few days now as I wanted to give the album a couple more listens and I am starting to dig it more and more. Avant-garde with pop sensibilities. Equal parts mainstream and madman. Heros and Villains is a burner. The Dewy Cox parody in Walk Hard is hilarious, Baaaa with some urgency
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
5.0 Dont do drugs, kids (or at least don't overdo them)
The 13th Floor Elevators
4/5
4.4 Very cool. This is what I think of when I hear the phrase physche-rock or Psychedelia. There used to be (or still is, idk, got rid of my subscription) the little steven undgerground garage on sirus that would play a lot of this
Slayer
4/5
4.5 Quentessestial thrash. Maybe the knock would be that a lot of it sounds very similar. I had a thought if the lyrics could breathe just a bit it would help out the songs (epidemic was an example where the vocals weren't so rushed). But I guess that's not the point.
Randy Newman
3/5
2.8 Kinda like the other Randy Newman album we did, no? Maybe some more instrumentals. It was fine
Q-Tip
3/5
3.2
The Beach Boys
3/5
3.5 Kinda getting a sad clown vibe from this one. Very, very cool cover. I always thought of the beach boys as sort of a pop band without a whole lot of substance (and it always seemed they (or some form of the band) would play any venue in their later years to get a paycheck). The more listens I get in, the more I can appreciate the great songs they have written, pioneering production and a bit of a darker side to keep things interesting. Will check this one out again
Liz Phair
3/5
3.1
Peter Gabriel
4/5
3.5 Sledgehammer is a burner. A standout was the bass on Dont Give Up, had a great sound and took over the percussion parts of the song, pretty cool stuff. Overall I would say the almost all of the instmentals were pretty interesting, maybe just starting to sound a bit dated
Prince
4/5
4.0 Catching up on reviews so my memory is a little fuzzy on the details. I think if you were a huge prince fan, this would be your favorite album
Boston
4/5
4.5 This album is a 5-star in all honesty, maybe the fact that I don't think I would go out of my way to listen to it knocks it down a half point. The thing that stood out to me was the recording track usage. I thought all the room on the mixing board was used perfectly throughout the entire album. Also, shout-out to the movie FUBAR 2. Deaner who is down and the dumps after a failed rock career and no prospect of a job, loses his last testicle to cancer. Depressed, Deaner decides to commit suicide a day after Christmas. Visiting his family on Xmas day and telling them that he will be going to "Cabo Wabo" tomorrow and won't see him for a long time. The group decided to sing karaoke, and Deaner pulls more than a feeling. Deaner suddenly has the voice of a rock star, due to the fact that he is now Castrato and has a reason to live. Funny, funny stuff. Side note my mother was selling new homes in our town, and the Movie was using one of the showhomes as a filming site. I was asked to be an extra in one of the scenes, but for some dumb reason I declined. Totally regret that to this day .
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
3/5
2.9 Trash Album cover. My take was that a few songs were written tongue in cheek, which I sorta liked. Pretty poor reviews from the 1001 community. I think I liked it overall and will take another stab at it at one point. Those that did like the Artist seemed to have suggested the Orange album to be a better choice. I will check that out too
R.E.M.
2/5
1.6 We have 4 REM albums so far. If you gave me a million bucks and a year to figure it out, I still wouldn't be able to distinguish one from another.
Slade
2/5
2.4 I like slade but there wasnt much for me that stood out as being super groundbreaking or anything. Bass playing is pretty busy but it seems to work ok
Jane's Addiction
3/5
3.3 I liked it but wasn't listening super closely. Heavier than what I was expecting. I will give it another go at some point,
2.0 I mean the songs and production on their own are pretty good. But this album as a whole, is softer than baby shit.
The Icarus Line
1/5
1.3 How can something so noisy be so boring
Destiny's Child
2/5
1.6 F-Beyonce M-Kelly K-Michelle.
I gotta say those Charlies Angels shout-outs are some of the most commercially sleazy things I have every heard. I guess I would use that to describe most of the album
Dangeroulsly in love was the only standout for me in what was mostly an unlistenable effort. Interesting to see the Beyonce version on her solo album was a big hit but this one didn't really do anything. Both versions are very similar but the DC version is a bit more restrained, and it sounds like Beyoncé is in the background.
Sleater-Kinney
3/5
2.7 Didnt care for it as much as I would have thought. A bit one dimensional but in fairness I will have to give it another crack to see whats up. Still decent
Ozomatli
1/5
1.5 I thought there was too much fusion in the musical stylings for this to be coherent in any way. The lyrics that I listened to were just about partying and girls, which although Iike a lot, can be a bit adolescent.
Grateful Dead
3/5
3.1 Its fine. Im going to have to give it another go at another time with some "assistance" because right now I don't really see what the whole dead-head thing is about.
The Birthday Party
3/5
2.6 I am as big of as a Nick Cave fan as anyone but I dont think this would crack a regular rotation. Would have loved to seen a show back in the day though
Duran Duran
3/5
3.0 I don't particularly care for the pop-leaning music stylings but you know there was at least something interesting in each song. Most of the time it was John Taylors bass playing, some pretty crazy/interesting lines throughout but its a bit hidden in the mix
Bobby Womack
3/5
2.8 That little guitar lick in Just My Imagination might be the worst line (and unnecessary) I have ever heard. Not familiar with Bobby Womak or its album but it really felt like an 80's soul album, which is precisely what it is. If you think your lonely know is a baby banger,
OutKast
4/5
4.5 Great album, the strength of the great songs definitely outweighs the couple of songs I didn't care as much for. The interludes didnt add anything (do they ever? (Maybe I just dont get it). Sounds like they were keepin it real with all of the Atlanta collaborators on the album. Speaking of keepin it real there is a golf movie with Big Boi called Whos your Caddy and it is terrible
Sonic Youth
4/5
3.6 100% was my least favorite song on the album. Not saying they were going for the cash grab on that one, but if they were, 100% would be their attempt. I thought as the album went on it got stronger, highlighted for me by chapel hill. Side note, when I was growing up I had a friend, Gordon who had a tee shirt of this album cover. I always thought that was a cool shirt.
Black Sabbath
3/5
2.9 By far the most progressive effort of the early Black Sabbath albums, but I am unfortunately going to argue I don't really think that it works, the progressive parts felt disjointed from within the songs and didn't feel like there was a ton of flow, song to song. Iommi's guitar work is outstanding on its own and so is geezer's, and ward's. Changes is a cool song, Charles Bradley does an unbelievable cover (especially a live version with George Stroumboulopoulos, even if Charles isn't exactly nailing the lyrics). Still a decent album, but for me the weakest of the first handful of sabbath albums. RIP Ozzy
Jamiroquai
3/5
2.5 meh, sounds like Jamiroquai. Album is interesting enough and the musicianship is good but nothing really hooks me in
Violent Femmes
5/5
4.6 This album was a total surprise for me. I always liked the couple of singles that came from this album in passing but never really paid that much attention to it. Bass playing is out of this world, that guy must be 10 feet tall to rip up an acoustic bass like that. I saw this described as folk punk, I would prefer the label acoustic punk, but that doesnt really matter. Add it up was my favourite tune. I will have to check out the rest of the catalog. Only knock might be that it might get tiresome after multiple listens, but we dont have time for that as there are 529 more albums to go. Last thought, within the punk umbrella there are very few bass driven bands like this. NOMEANSNO comes to mind and is a great band to check out. great talent
The Doors
4/5
4.5 Great album, and the vocals are really special throughout. L.A. woman is definitely on the all-time driving tunes playlist. Funny enough, as I was listening to it, I thought this would be a great karaoke song for me, I will have to add it to my setlist. Looks like shawns-music1 shares my sentiment
The Flaming Lips
3/5
3.5 I think there might be something here for me. I have never listened to too much flaming lips other than she dont use jelly. First impressions of this was that I didnt really care for it (my thought was I was dismissing the music as it was missing the visual element the band is known for) but as it went along I started to get into it more. Percussion stood out. Will need to come back to this at some point and take a real deep dive. 3 stars for now but higher with a few more listens.
KISS
2/5
1.8 At the end of the day, this is just boy band metal/hard rock. I do like some of the bass lines on KISS tracks ( I know gene didnt come up with them and can hardly play them) but I dont recall anything standing out on this album. Great Expectations is one of the worst songs I have ever heard
Shuggie Otis
3/5
3.4 Cool Album, My initial thought after the first couple of tracks was the songs would fit in well in a movie soundtrack. Then we get to Strawberry letter 23 from Jackie Brown and my favorite use of song (I know its not Shuggies version) in a movie (and my top Tarantino flick). Will check out more of the catalog.
Lucinda Williams
4/5
4.2 One of my Dad's favorites. A great album and great Americana. I went to Lucinda william concert where she played this in its entierty in Toronto. Unfortuanlty they switched venues the day before from Danforth music hall to someplace I forget the name of. The Danforth is a pretty old-school (and cool) spot.
Yes
4/5
4.1 Really liked it. Maybe some of the progressive parts got a bit campy at times. All-time bass album
Count Basie & His Orchestra
4/5
3.8 This is probably as big as big band gets. Thought it sounded great. I would have to think, next to no one is composing new big band music nowadays. That would take some talent. Shout out to the The Old-disc Jockey, John Worthington, on CKUA, who recently passed away. That was a great program.
Devendra Banhart
2/5
2.0 If Tom Waits was a big time pussy, this is what he would sound like
The Fall
3/5
2.5 I listened to this on a not-perfect car stereo and the drums sounded distractingly bad throughout. I will have to give this a go on a more suitable stereo. Nothing really stood out as good/bad beside the drums
Leftfield
3/5
3.2 Sounding a little dated but listenable for sure
Slipknot
3/5
3.5 I actually liked this alot more than I would have thought. Leaned a bit more into the thrash metal than the nu-metal of the earlier albums. but their aesthetic sure is corny. I took my 3 year old daughter trick or treating last year and there were some 13 year boys running around with slipknot masks on. I gave them a horns-up to pump their tires a bit and they seemed to get a kick out of it. Maybe thats who its for
The War On Drugs
4/5
One of my favorite albums 10 years ago. Maybe not the strongest songwriting but it does an unbelievable job of creating a certain atmosphere. In between a 4 and 5 but rounding down as there are a couple of lulls. (maybe when I finally finish this list I will go back and change to a 5 star. My wife chose under the pressure as a song in our wedding and I thought that fit in with the ceremony quite well
3/5
3.0 Yes sir, no sir while clocking in at 3:46 seemed like it was a 35 minute song, it went on forever. There were a few standouts but not my favorite kinks album ( of whom I hold in high regard)
Frank Sinatra
3/5
3.5 Immediately thought of the Nighthawks painting when listening to this. Maybe it was the music but the album cover does share a similar aesthetic, maybe thats where I drew the comparison. I prefer swingin Frank but this was good too, deserves a deeper dive at some point
Talking Heads
3/5
3.5 I listened to a deluxe version, there were a few alternate takes that I liked, namely, Cities. The alternative of Life during wartime was pretty bad. Not my fav talking heads album, but will have to give it another listen at some point, maybe Im missing something
Scritti Politti
2/5
1.5 I did find a few positives in the over the top production (maybe an influence to the hyper-pop we see today). Apparently, the lyrics are a bit deeper than they initially appear. But that was a very very tough listen
Rod Stewart
2/5
1.8 Not interesting at all. Maybe Ron was a bit controversial back in the day, shaking his ass in leather pants, but doesnt track for me now. The title track was really shitty
Bonnie Raitt
2/5
2.4 The title was a burner. Rest of the album sounded like how a soap opera looks, with a soft filter over the picture. Dont really think Bonnie's chops shone through on this
Ali Farka Touré
2/5
2.5 I appreciate the unique guitar playing and tunings, but not really anything I'd listen to again,
Earth, Wind & Fire
2/5
2.0 Made me think of Semi-Pro ,I think Shining Star plays during the credits. Thats really the only song to write home about for me.
CORNDOGS JACKIE, CORN DOGS FOR ALL THESE PEOPLE
Whoa whoa whoa!!! There's no need to be calling people JT's my man! That's crossing the line!
What a funny, funny movie
The Waterboys
4/5
3.7 I really thought this was going to be one of the unbearable author entries from some GB/Irish band that no one has ever heard of, and a double album (at least on Spotify) to boot. Gotta say the first few songs really hooked me in and were better than expected. E Street Band, but with a violin instead of a saxophone. I will check out some of their other records
Sonic Youth
5/5
I think I like the idea of this being my favorite album of all time, but if I'm being truthful, it's not. Still a five-starer
Dagmar Krause
2/5
2.5 Very interesting listen, I somewhat liked the musicality of this but that might change with sustained and repeated listens. Hanns Eisler seemed to have a tough go at life.
Willie Nelson
4/5
4.4 To be consistent, I have to deduct half a point for not writing any of the songs (Dusty Springfield rule). With that being said what an absolute jem and no record collection would be complete without this album. Wille takes these songs and makes them his own. I thought the instrumentals were pretty much perfectly arranged; must have had some real pros working on this, in addition to Booker T. And I was hanging on every note of Willies guitar playing.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
4.5 A lot of great songs (this years girl), although I am particularly tired of hearing I dont want to go to Chelsea, (used to one of my favorites but I think im over it. Its not you, its me, sorta thing).
MC Solaar
2/5
2.5 I learned a lot of words in French, rhyme with tempo. Solid but I will never listen to it again
The Sabres Of Paradise
2/5
1.9 It was fine, pretty chill. Some of the sound effects were pretty goofy. nothing to write home about though thats for sure
The xx
2/5
2.0 Some of the earlier xx stuff is interesting. This wasnt, for me
The Rolling Stones
4/5
4.5 Some of Keith Richards' best work.
Aerosmith
4/5
3.7 Pretty good rock and roll for the most part. If I had got this in a columbia house acquisition back in the day I would have probably really liked it growing up. Joe Perry's playing stands out. Ten Inch Record is a horrible song.
Fugazi
5/5
4.6 If I were going to be in a band, this is the band I would want to be in (except for the no booze, drugs or casual relationships)
Super Furry Animals
2/5
2.5 I listened to the first few songs after a particularly bad beer league hockey loss and was planning on giving this album a 0.1 rating but gave it another try in a better headspace. Its not really my cup of tea but it is fairly interesting and I could see how it could have some absolute fanatics
Moby Grape
3/5
2.5 I thought this very solid collection of songs was largely forgettable. Rounding up
3/5
3.2 I kinda got into this one. Bit of a wine bar feel to it but unique, with lots going on. I kinda zoned out listening to this in traffic and missed the light change and the cars were a full block ahead of me before I noticed. Weird that nobody honked...
Subotić mustve been quite the workaholic, looks like he was involved in a lot and you could say he'd would do anything (literally) for his craft. Hopefully the bird chirping album comes up in the list
3/5
3.5 If you're listening on spotify, do yourself a favour and listen to the remastered Japan release, its not censored and the sound quality is a lot better. As for the album, its more important for the influence it casts rather than the quality of songwriting or musicianship. I liked the B-sides a bit more than the A-sides, other than the obvious KOTJMF
Ms. Dynamite
2/5
1.6 Sounded pretty generic to me. Like Destiny's child without the hooks
Jeru The Damaja
4/5
4.1 I have never heard of Jeru before, but this came up and then again in a Mark Ronson Trackstar video I watched on the same day. Very solid. come clean was a standout
Leonard Cohen
4/5
4.1. I will rate it in-line with the other Cohen entries we have had. Looking back at my reviews, Im your man, should have been a 5 starer
Rocket From The Crypt
3/5
3.1 Nothing groundbreaking but it did seem pretty genuine. Tomb>Crypt
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
3/5
3.3 I thought Willie Colon played for the J-E-T-S. Must be pretty talented
Gang Of Four
4/5
4.5
Ice Cube
4/5
4.1 When will they shoot is a burner. I would think ice cube would be a top five rapper for me. Would that be a hot take?
PS the bass sample for tear this mother fucka up is pretty cool and pulled from get down by gene Russell (have a listen to that song, it rips)
OutKast
4/5
4.1 Super ambitious but maybe a bit too much to take in on one listen. Whenever I hear Hey Ya I get flashbacks to 2005 of the college bar in fairview (twisters) and pimps and hoes night.
The Young Gods
2/5
2.4 comme ci, comme ça,
Le Tigre
3/5
3.5 Fun, Will listen to again
Turbonegro
4/5
3.6 Fun little listen, well produced, some good riffs and really dumb lyrics. Mix between ramones and the hives. For some reason, I likened this to the Dudesons (the Finnish stunt guy knockoff of Jackass stunt guys). Yeah, it's nothing terribly original but still manages to put a smile on my face. Maybe got a bit of a boost in the ratings as I have never heard it before and I was pleasantly surprised
Joan Baez
2/5
2.0 Maybe I was in a bad mood from the previous nights Jays loss but I couldnt get through it. Vocals although pretty, got very annoying (for me)
The Pogues
4/5
4.5 Traditional and punk at the same time. Would not be a bad addition to any record collection
Astor Piazzolla
4/5
4.4 1st impression was to buckle up for an hour of elevator music. Listened for a bit and I was kinda vibing (pun intended). Ok, its at Montreaux, lets check out the concert on youtube to see whats going on. By the time I got finished Nuevo Tango, I was pretty much blown away by the virtuosity of the musicians and the arrangements. I always thought the xylophone or vibraphone would be impossible to play, especially when they got a couple of sticks in each hand. This is going to be a discovery for me like Fela was
Nirvana
5/5
4.8 Whenever I listen to Nirvana, I prefer the live recordings, so this seems a bit polished in spots. One of a handful of records that you can look back on and say it changed music, the world etc. I had a thought that when my daughter listens to this, it will be the same age as when I would listen to the Beatles from my dad's record collection. This might be my"fuck me, I'm old" moment
The Streets
1/5
0.4 I think I said out loud, "this is fucking dogshit" at least three times and skipped at some point in every song. If that doesnt make it a 1 star, I dont know what will
Miles Davis
5/5
4.7 obligatory 5 star
The Stone Roses
3/5
3.4 The ongoing history of new music guy Alan Cross sounds like he loves this band. I dont really get the appeal but its fine
Ute Lemper
4/5
3.7 A few thoughts.
-I liked this quite a bit more than I thought I would; very interesting throughout.
-I think The Case Continues could be a pretty good Iron Maiden song if they took a run at it.
-You can tell the songs the guest songwriters collaborated on.
-Some of the lyrics felt like that SNL skit where Fred Arimsen and Kristin Wig are unprepared singer/songwriters.
-And you would have to be an absolute psychopath for this to be your favorite album that you listened to over and over again.
The Jesus And Mary Chain
3/5
3.5 Good, not great, although influential to others
Belle & Sebastian
2/5
2.0 Liked the titties, didnt like the songs
Mudhoney
3/5
3.5 I wasnt sure if we were going to get a Mudhoney entry on the list and if we did, I would have assumed it would have been Superfuzz Bigmuff. Thorn is a good tune but I dont think much else stands out
Stevie Wonder
4/5
4.3 Deducting a half point for being fake blind. Probably essential for any record collection
Madonna
2/5
2.3
Kacey Musgraves
4/5
4.3 Ive always had kind of a soft spot (and a hard-on for that matter) for Kacey Musgraves without really listening to her stuff. In what I have heard in passing, I thought she had a great voice.
The album was really fantastic with a couple of caveats. The great voice; yeah its there but there is ALOT of autotune throughout especially on the the double tracked vocals. The lyrics; are they the most deep and impactful thing I have ever hear, no, but they are fun enough for a pop/country album.
For me the production (aside from the vocal manipulation) is a masterpiece. Daniel Tashian and Ian Fitchuk deserve alot of the credit in the arrangements. Nashville guns for hire. This will be my guilty pleasure when we are through the 1001 (1084 and counting) albums
The Cult
3/5
3.4 yeahh-aha-ahs out of 5. I dont think the cult really gets their due now-a-days (for the first three albums at least). For this rock offering, I thinks its pretty solid. Duffy's guitar work is really great and there are a ton of good riffs throughout. Ian Astbury seems like a pretty cool frontman. The few singles stand out and the rest is fine besides born to be wild which sure drags
TV On The Radio
3/5
3.3 I thought "wolf like me" was on this album but I guess I was wrong. That song is a burner. I think I've listened to this album a few times over the years as I remember being critically acclaimed and liking a couple of the bands songs. Those listens didnt stick and I dont think this one will either. A few songs sounded like Bowie and I liked DLZ
Love
3/5
3.3 I got a fever, and the only prescription is more harpsichord. For a 38 minute album its sure got a lot of different themes/types of 60's music.
Julian Cope
1/5
1.5 I wonder how bad the first take of Pristeen was if they used the 2nd...
The Prodigy
4/5
3.5 I listened to this while doing my monthly brain-dead data entry. I felt like I was in a late 90's hackers movie for a second. Solid album
Ian Dury
4/5
3.8 A fun little listen, will check out more from the catalogue
Tangerine Dream
3/5
2.9 When exactly would you put this on to listen to?(besides smoking hash, I guess).
The Magnetic Fields
4/5
3.5 Maybe this is too much of a good thing for a single listen. I recognized a couple of songs, and on the whole the collection varied in themes and types of music enough to keep it interesting for the runtime. I think if you really peeled back the onion on this one you'd find something special. im rounding up
Scissor Sisters
3/5
2.8 I am the tinest bit partial to this band as our beer league hockey team used I Don't Feel Like Dancin for a win song for a season. Disco meets showtunes meets pop/rock
808 State
2/5
2.5
James Brown
4/5
3.8 Ive always listened to Volume 2 of live at the apollo, there is a better selection of tunes on there. Makes sense, it was few years later.
Japan
1/5
1.5 A flock of pigeons.
Marvin Gaye
2/5
1.8 pretty/depressing stuff
Guns N' Roses
4/5
4.5 Some burners on here for sure, Night train got me going. This was a regular growing up but I guess through this exercise it lets us listen a bit more closely and compare directly to some great albums. That being said, I always thought Slash was just a bit of noodler who was maybe a bit overrated, but that is not the case. This is an all-time guitar album. Slash lays some pretty catchy lines/riffs throughout (and not just in the solos). I wish it were a tab higher in the mix. And if I never hear Paradise city again, that would be perfectly fine
Eurythmics
2/5
2.5 I have never really listened to the Eurythimics before. First few songs were quite a bit more pop-y than what I would have figured. Beside Sweet dreams nothing really stood out to me as to something I would go out of my way to listen to
The Associates
1/5
0.9 Well I guess this finally answers the question "What if David Bowie wasn't a somewhat functional drug addict"
The Rolling Stones
3/5
2.6 I ended up just going through the original versions of the songs that were covered. The stones didn't do any favours really to those. I guess it just made it a bit more accessible for us white folks. Never listened to slim harpo before so that was a good avenue to go down. I cant listen to Carol and not think of the scene from Hail, Hail Rock and roll, watching chuck berry get all pissed off at Keith Richards over the intro
Iron Maiden
5/5
4.5 ou-yeah-yeeahhs out of 5. I greatly prefer my Maiden with Dianno over Dickenson. All time album, all time album cover
PJ Harvey
3/5
3.5 This PJ album didnt engage me as much as the others on the list but still very good and very listenable.
De La Soul
2/5
2.1 Is it fair to compare De la soul with a tribe called quest. I think im taking tribe 9 times out of 10
Gram Parsons
3/5
3.3 Ive never listned to GP, although I always knew the name. Im a sucker for Emmylou.
Dexys Midnight Runners
1/5
1.0 Seemed a bit pretentious for how shitty it is.
Beth Orton
3/5
2.9 Shades of Joni Mitchell mixed with Jewel. Fine
The Clash
5/5
4.7 I thought I was too cool and was trying to justify how to give this anything less than a 5. My 5 star wall is starting to look like a low-grade record store's t-shirt section...... But alas, as the only band that matters, the Clash will be receiving nothing less than top honors
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
4.1 Probably Bruce's strongest effort from a strictly singer-songwriter perspective. And if the Band is covering your song, you know you are doing pretty good.
The La's
2/5
2.1 There she goes is 5 stars, everything else is one.
The Black Crowes
4/5
4.0 Maybe not the most original recording ever made but it is a fun listen. Not too many skips but like a hungry fish, they don't know when to let a hook go. Probably due for a re-master one of these days
Dennis Wilson
4/5
3.6 I am digging the Wilson Bros albums during their batshit crazy period. Has some pet Sounds styling but not as adventurous as Brian's Smile.
Kate Bush
2/5
1.8 There cant be 1 kid nowadays that would listen to this and really get into it.