800
Albums Rated
3.43
Average Rating
73%
Complete
289 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1970s
Favorite Decade
Grunge
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
146
5-Star Albums
27
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Yank Crime
Drive Like Jehu
|
5 | 2.7 | +2.3 |
|
Alien Lanes
Guided By Voices
|
5 | 2.75 | +2.25 |
|
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx
Raekwon
|
5 | 2.86 | +2.14 |
|
Damaged
Black Flag
|
5 | 2.87 | +2.13 |
|
Out of Step
Minor Threat
|
5 | 2.93 | +2.07 |
|
Larks' Tongues In Aspic
King Crimson
|
5 | 3 | +2 |
|
NEU! 75
Neu!
|
5 | 3.09 | +1.91 |
|
Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor
Lupe Fiasco
|
5 | 3.13 | +1.87 |
|
Machine Gun Etiquette
The Damned
|
5 | 3.15 | +1.85 |
|
Trans Europe Express
Kraftwerk
|
5 | 3.15 | +1.85 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Actually
Pet Shop Boys
|
1 | 3.18 | -2.18 |
|
Close To You
Carpenters
|
1 | 3.11 | -2.11 |
|
White Ladder
David Gray
|
1 | 3.07 | -2.07 |
|
Behaviour
Pet Shop Boys
|
1 | 3.04 | -2.04 |
|
Ray Of Light
Madonna
|
1 | 2.99 | -1.99 |
|
Ingenue
k.d. lang
|
1 | 2.94 | -1.94 |
|
New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84)
Simple Minds
|
1 | 2.94 | -1.94 |
|
Beach Samba
Astrud Gilberto
|
1 | 2.92 | -1.92 |
|
Shadowland
k.d. lang
|
1 | 2.87 | -1.87 |
|
Cafe Bleu
The Style Council
|
1 | 2.87 | -1.87 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Led Zeppelin | 4 | 4.75 |
| Talking Heads | 4 | 4.75 |
| Bob Dylan | 4 | 4.75 |
| Stevie Wonder | 3 | 5 |
| Nirvana | 3 | 5 |
| Prince | 3 | 5 |
| Beastie Boys | 3 | 5 |
| David Bowie | 6 | 4.33 |
| Black Sabbath | 3 | 4.67 |
| Yes | 3 | 4.67 |
| Sonic Youth | 3 | 4.67 |
| Green Day | 2 | 5 |
| Oasis | 2 | 5 |
| Neil Young | 2 | 5 |
| King Crimson | 2 | 5 |
| Kanye West | 2 | 5 |
| A Tribe Called Quest | 2 | 5 |
| The Clash | 2 | 5 |
| Beatles | 5 | 4.2 |
| Miles Davis | 4 | 4.25 |
| Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds | 3 | 4.33 |
| Johnny Cash | 3 | 4.33 |
| Radiohead | 3 | 4.33 |
| The Stooges | 3 | 4.33 |
| My Bloody Valentine | 3 | 4.33 |
| Steely Dan | 3 | 4.33 |
| Creedence Clearwater Revival | 3 | 4.33 |
| Pink Floyd | 3 | 4.33 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| k.d. lang | 2 | 1 |
| Pet Shop Boys | 2 | 1 |
| Bee Gees | 2 | 1.5 |
| Everything But The Girl | 2 | 1.5 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Amy Winehouse | 5, 2 |
| Madonna | 4, 1, 2 |
| Metallica | 4, 5, 2 |
| Beatles | 5, 4, 2, 5, 5 |
| The Rolling Stones | 5, 4, 5, 2, 3 |
5-Star Albums (146)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Miles Davis
5/5
This album makes me ask the question: How do you define jazz? I haven’t listened to much jazz, but this pushes beyond what I thought it could be. Very experimental with the flavors of rock and electric instrumentation. Also for being over 90 minutes it never felt drawn out.
9 likes
Morrissey
3/5
Him being a bad person does nothing to me as I am a Kanye West fan. Separating the art from the artist I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. 3.5 I’ll be mean and round down.
4 likes
King Crimson
5/5
Some all time prog rock wankery here. Lots to love here. The plinky noises at the intro to the title track building up the explosions of noise later in the track. The reverse sounding guitars on The Book Of Saturday. The use of violin and strings throughout reminds of Jethro Tull and their flute. Bill Bruford really decided to leave Yes because Close To The Edge was laborious to show up here and do nonsense like this. It’s still amazing to me how I can love something like this yet still not love EL&P.
3 likes
Sparks
3/5
I mean it was alright. Very theatrical. Every song sort of felt like an intro that never went anywhere. It’s was like Rush but without the excellent musicality that makes Rush so good.
3 likes
The Notorious B.I.G.
4/5
Just about every song here is a certified classic. Incredible beats and quite possibly the best flow and voice of all time. Would be an easy 5/5 if not for the sex skits, which haven’t aged well, and Diddy not ever shutting up. Who Shot Ya? Is one of the best beats ever, but half of the song is his yapping. My favorite songs were Gimme The Loot, The What, Juicy, Big Poppa, Unbelievable, and Who Shot Ya?
2 likes
1-Star Albums (27)
All Ratings
Black Sabbath
4/5
Solid album. A little bit forgettable in the middle but it begins and ends strong
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Hugh Masekela
4/5
Some songs were very long. I’m not usually a jazz fan but really enjoyed this one. Favorite song was Maseru
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Great collection of songs. Not necessarily cohesive enough to be his best album. I still prefer Born to Run
Muddy Waters
5/5
I like the blues and this album is no exception. All around great performances. Did not feel like a nearly 50 minute album.
Fela Kuti
3/5
Album was solid. Not a huge fan of the third track.
Supergrass
4/5
Some very enjoyable pop rock songs. Lots of diversity among these tracks.
Grizzly Bear
2/5
Honestly not a huge fan of this one. Felt like a slog to get through. Clearly well made, but not for me.
Beck
4/5
I enjoyed this album quite a bit. I acknowledge it is not perfect, but I enjoyed my listen
Serge Gainsbourg
3/5
This was certainly interesting. My favorite song was Cargo culte. Wish I spoke French so I could know what he’s saying.
The Fall
3/5
I wanted to like this album more than I did. Not bad by any means, but not amazing either.
k.d. lang
1/5
This is so boring. Definitely not a fan. My first one star.
Joni Mitchell
4/5
I really liked this one. Loved the use of French horn on Down To You. Some tracks kind of blend together. Favorite tracks are Court And Spark, Free Man In Paris, and Raised On Robbery.
Blondie
3/5
Decent collection of songs. Lots of variation in quality though.
Sparks
3/5
I mean it was alright. Very theatrical. Every song sort of felt like an intro that never went anywhere. It’s was like Rush but without the excellent musicality that makes Rush so good.
R.E.M.
4/5
They would go on to make better albums later, but is still a great start. My favorite songs are Radio Free Europe, Shaking Through, and 9-9.
Pixies
5/5
This album rocks. Don’t have anything bad to say about it.
Madonna
4/5
Very much of it’s time. Liked the first half of the album much more than the second half. Solid pop tracks.
Ananda Shankar
2/5
Not a huge fan. Lots of just noodling on the sitar that never seemed to go anywhere.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
5/5
Free Bird. Nuff said
Common
5/5
Some of Kanye Wests best production work. Great lyrics and themes throughout. One of the best intro tracks on an album.
James Brown
2/5
This album sounds very dated. Much of it seems like a holdover from the 50s. I’d like to think I like James Brown but I don’t really know.
Frank Ocean
4/5
Frank manages to make me feel nostalgia for memories I have never had. Great collection of pop songs. I have now come around to the fact the Blonde is better though. Pyramids is still his best song.
Daft Punk
3/5
I feel like I should like this more than I do because of how influential it was.
k.d. lang
1/5
I don’t like KD Lang’s music. Could have taken a nap while listening. So very boring.
Keith Jarrett
3/5
Great performance, but it’s not something I would ever really listen to again. Nice piano skills though.
Talking Heads
4/5
I really like the Talking Heads and this album is no exception. Just solid songs from front to back.
Dion
3/5
I like his voice and on the production front Phil Spector absolutely KILLED it. All in all it was just kinda alright.
The Cars
4/5
Really solid pop tracks. Banger after banger.
Count Basie & His Orchestra
4/5
Enjoyable big band/jazz/swing. Not much to say about it. I feel as though I should be walking through atomic wastelands. Would be a 3.5 but I’ll round up.
Tito Puente
4/5
Just plain fun.
Frank Sinatra
3/5
Nothing but respect to Frank, but this one can be boring to just sit and listen to. I think he has better music.
Blue Cheer
3/5
This sounds like Jack White made years before he was even born. I guess I just really like blues rock because I think this is good. Loud, messy, sludgy, and fun, but definitely far from perfect. Should be remastered.
Charles Mingus
3/5
Abstract, experimental, chaotic. One minute there will be a Spanish guitar solo and the next a ripping saxophone solo followed by mellow moments.
Aimee Mann
2/5
Why is this even included in the list? I got bored.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
Still not fully convinced that he is actually blind.
Tracy Chapman
4/5
I didn’t know I was supposed to have beef with Luke Combs until I heard the original version of Fast Car. This is a really good album. The lyrics are heartbreaking.
Wilco
3/5
The use of sound and noise in this album is great. Textbook indie rock in my opinion. I found the second half to be better than the first.
Soundgarden
4/5
This is really good. My only problem is it seems to be a little too long.
Fleet Foxes
2/5
It was ok. Not something I would go back to.
Miles Davis
3/5
Solid jazz. Was great to do work and play chess to. Don’t think I would listen to it by itself.
Bauhaus
4/5
Fishcakes! Reminds me of the Cure. Liked this quite a bit.
David Crosby
3/5
I mean it was alright. Not something I would really want to go back to.
Sam Cooke
4/5
This is everything a live album should be. I wish I could have been there for this because it just sounds fun. Not having too much variety in songs keeps this from being a 5.
Amy Winehouse
5/5
Older styles done exceptionally in a more modern lens. Production sounds great, singing is excellent. Can’t ask for much more.
Morrissey
3/5
Him being a bad person does nothing to me as I am a Kanye West fan. Separating the art from the artist I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. 3.5 I’ll be mean and round down.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
Very sad. Good mix of ambient electronics, spoken word passages, and long form songs. Newest album I have gotten so far.
2/5
Wasn’t really feeling this one. Songs never seemed to go anywhere. Was ok.
Madonna
1/5
Madonna’s vocals are the least interesting part of this album. The electronics are fun, but nothing groundbreaking that I haven’t heard before. Way too long for what it is.
Booker T. & The MG's
3/5
This is really good for a couple songs, but listening to the whole thing front to back might not be the move.
Beatles
5/5
One of their best. Great song variety. Ic any say anything here that hasn’t already been said.
Alice Cooper
4/5
I had only heard the title track prior to listening, and this was not what I was expecting. Very similar in style to what the Who were doing at the time. Definitely good.
Sex Pistols
4/5
This banged.
Soul II Soul
1/5
This does nothing for me. Bland, tasteless, fluff. The white bread of music.
Tears For Fears
3/5
I recognize that this album is good, but I do not like the singer’s voice.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
They took a turn away from blues and into folk and it works. Not as adventurous as what they would later do, but good all the same.
Iggy Pop
4/5
This album really does sound like David Bowie had his hands all over it, and that’s a good thing. Often eerie, dark, loud, and raw.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
3/5
The Red Hot Chili Peppers suffer from same problem as AC/DC, they have one song and just make it multiple times. Granted it is a pretty good song, but I don’t need to hear it twelve times in a 73 minute album. Too long. As a white man I have to give this credit for how it pushed forward white culture. Subtracting one point for length.
Doves
3/5
Reminds me of early Coldplay. I like it. Nothing super game changing though.
Dire Straits
4/5
I really enjoyed this. Solid music to walk to. Nice guitar and drum work. Just very pleasing on the ears.
Killing Joke
4/5
It’s industrial, metallic, driving, spacey. This is really good.
Peter Gabriel
2/5
Not sure why this one is included here. Sledgehammer is a good song though.
The Beach Boys
5/5
Super diverse and interesting. Bounces from idea to idea without a wasted moment.
Leonard Cohen
4/5
Great storytelling. All his lyrics draw me into a world that he is creating. This is one you have to sit and really pay attention to. Everything seems purposeful from the subtle instrumentation to the use of background vocals.
The Who
3/5
I imagine it was crazy hearing My Generation for the first time and then flipping the record to The Kids Are Alright during the 60’s. Knowing what The Who would go on to make later really diminishes the impact of this album. Most of it feels very derivative of similar acts at the time as they hadn’t fully established their sound yet.
Michael Kiwanuka
5/5
This album has a very warm and welcoming sound. I had only heard the first track from this album before today, and I was missing out. This is really good. Excellent blending of genres and styles. Love the fuzzy guitar work.
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
2/5
I’m usually a big fan of the blues but this doesn’t really do it for me. Eric Clapton is good on the guitar as usual. Nothing here is going to make me want to come back to it.
Calexico
3/5
It’s country, mariachi, and indie rock. Good at setting a scene. I like the second half of the record more than the first.
Jefferson Airplane
5/5
I loved this way more than I ever expected to. Just a great collection of songs. Definitely understand why this was included in the list. I only listened to the original track list.
The Jesus And Mary Chain
3/5
Very fuzzy sometimes a little too much. You’ve heard one song here you have basically heard the whole thing.
Sabu
1/5
Whole lot of conga drumming. Not much there to redeem this one for me. I liked when the whistle was used. Not really sure how this is essential to the history of popular music.
Miles Davis
4/5
Consistently good throughout. I never found myself bored. Concise set of songs. All around good jazz. “Cool” is an apt description.
The Jam
4/5
Very enjoyable. Reminds me of The Clash in a good way. Favorite song is Down In The Tube Station At Midnight.
The Undertones
4/5
This project is teaching me that I like punk much more than I thought I did. This is just plain fun. Wish some of the songs were longer.
Morrissey
3/5
I preferred Viva Hate to this one. Irish Body, English Heart is really good. Album also ends well.
Jack White
4/5
Really great blues rock. I like just about everything Jack White makes. This record was much more varied in style than I thought it would be. Favorite songs are Sixteen Saltines, Weep Themselves To Sleep, and his version of I’m Shakin’.
Cornershop
2/5
I’m not sure why this one is on the list. I liked the songs Brimful of Asha and Candyman, but was about it. Felt like a lot of filler.
Meat Puppets
2/5
I feel like there is something I’m not getting here. Vocals aren’t great for most of the album. I like The Whistling Song and Lost.
Various Artists
5/5
Probably the best a Christmas album can be, and the best representation of Phil Spector’s “Wall of sound” production style. Every song sounds full which is perfect for the holiday. Christmas(Baby Please Come Home) is an all time great Christmas song.
Mekons
3/5
Interesting instrumentation and style. Not something I had heard of before. Hard To Be Human Again was my favorite song.
The Libertines
3/5
I enjoyed this one, but it kinda of came and went. Not much to stick with me.
ZZ Top
4/5
I have never listened to a full zz top album until now. It was pretty darn good. Great guitars and drumming. Favorite tracks were La Grange, Jesus Just Left Chicago, and Sheik.
Bob Dylan
4/5
The more Bob Dylan I listen to in my life the more I appreciate his music. It’s not overly complex, but the poetry he weaves into his songs makes me want to stop whatever else I’m doing and listen. Literature in song form with harmonica and guitar. No huge complaints from me, the first half of the album is better than the second. My favorite songs were Blowin’ In The Wind, Masters of War, and A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall.
Basement Jaxx
2/5
Ranges in quality from very good to forgettable to bad. Red Alert and Rendez-vu are bangers. Lots of filler/interlude tracks too.
Heaven 17
2/5
This one peaks in the first two songs and then just kinda isn’t very good. Love the bass playing.
The Allman Brothers Band
3/5
It’s long, it’s jammy, it’s blues. Can’t ask for too much more than that. Some great playing and a good recording. Problem with live albums is they just make me wish I was there.
Gillian Welch
2/5
I really wanted to like this. She is clearly very talented. I found myself getting bored, and the nearly 15 minute closer didn’t help that. I liked the songs Red Clay Halo and I Want To Sing That Rock And Roll.
Supergrass
4/5
I was really feeling this one to the point where I was ready to give it a 5 until the last three songs. Those didn’t really click for me. Loved the rest though. Favorite songs are In It For The Money, Richard III, Sun Hits The Sky, and It’s Not Me.
Van Halen
4/5
Deserving of its classic status. Almost every song on here is great. I’m not a huge fan of Hot For Teacher.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
This album was good. I liked the second half more than the first. Lots of energy here. Favorite songs are Rich, Black Tongue, No No No, and Maps
Pet Shop Boys
1/5
The first track titled Being Boring really sets a tone for this album because it sure was boring.
Elvis Costello
3/5
I enjoyed this one. Nothing groundbreaking clearly borrowing much from styles done years before. Most of the songs have a very similar sound, but I like the sound so I won’t complain. Favorite tracks are Welcome To The Working Week, Miracle Man, Blame It On Cain, and Less Than Zero.
The Smashing Pumpkins
4/5
Consistently great instrumental performances. Not the biggest fan of the singers voice. Long runtime that never really felt boring. Favorite songs were Cherub Rock, Rocket, Disarm, and Silverfuck.
Billy Bragg
3/5
The song Help Save The Youth of America wants to be I Fought The Law so badly and it’s simply not. He is very British that’s for sure and I honestly kinda like it. Favorite songs are Greetings to the New Brunette, The Warmest Room, and There is Power in a Union.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
There is nothing else to say about this one. Perfect
Wu-Tang Clan
5/5
The grittiness, the samples, the verses, everything is great. The blueprint of east coast gangster rap for years to come. The opposite side of the coin from Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul, but just as good and aging very well. Amazing that this came out on the same day as Midnight Marauders. Wu-Tang is for the children.
Johnny Cash
4/5
Beautiful album from one of our best voices. Some tracks do more for me than others. Not huge into his version of Bridge Over Troubled Water compared to the original. Favorites are The Man Comes Around, Hurt, I Hung My Head, In My Life, and Streets of Laredo.
Pulp
2/5
Ehh it wasn’t something I would come back to. Too long for what it offered. Title track was ok.
Beatles
4/5
Some of the best songs they ever made, along with a bunch more. Revolution 9 is interesting, but isn’t something I would choose to put on. Favorites are While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Black Bird, Happiness Is A Warm Gun, Helter Skelter, and Back In The USSR.
The Who
2/5
Not sure why this one is on here. Live albums probably shouldn’t be on the list. I prefer the studio recording for almost all of these songs. My Generation and Magic Bus are pretty good though.
Electric Light Orchestra
4/5
I like this album more than I should. I prefer A New World Record overall. Great songs on here including the excellent suite. Favorite songs are Turn To Stone, Sweet Talkin Woman, Summer And Lightning, Mr. Blue Sky, and The Whale. Objectively a 3.
Billy Bragg
3/5
Very interesting concept for an album. I enjoyed it. Not sure I would go back to it as it’s not really my style. Favorite songs were Walt Whitman’s Niece, She Came Along To Me, and I Guess I Planted.
Japan
2/5
Very clear this one influenced artists like Duran Duran. Doesn’t mean I can’t find it boring and forgettable. Not bad but I would not listen again. The title track was ok I guess.
Kendrick Lamar
5/5
A modern classic in the truest definition. Great for both listening all the way through to experience the story and listening to individual songs. Accessible with enough to dig your teeth into. Reading hip hop reviews is one of my favorite activities on here because you can tell who didn’t actually listen to the album and decided to give it a poor review anyway.
Nirvana
5/5
Messy, raw, and emotional. Fantastic album, maybe their best. Wonder if that drummer would ever be in another band?
Nirvana
5/5
Crazy to hear an album where I’m pretty sure I’ve heard 75% of the songs on the radio at some point. Receiving both in back to back days I think I prefer In Utero. This is still a fantastic album.
The Rolling Stones
5/5
I had never heard this one before now. Safe to say I was missing out. This is really good. Great mixing of blues, gospel, rock, and pop. Very cohesive. Shocking that this album is over an hour long as it definitely doesn’t feel like it in the best way.
Dennis Wilson
3/5
It was fine, but probably not something I would go back to. Favorite songs are River Song, Time, Friday Night, and Rainbows.
Sebadoh
3/5
The guitar part in Homemade sounds like an European ambulance sometimes. Album was alright some songs were much better than others. Sometimes the vocals were too quiet or were purposefully off key. Favorite songs were Soul And Fire, Sister, and Emma Get Wild
5/5
David Bowie is quite possibly my favorite artist of all time. The fact that he can make something as mind blowing as this and its not even my favorite album by him. 11 hits zero misses. Glam rock perfection.
Radiohead
4/5
Best word to describe these songs is captivating. There is always something interesting going on in each song from the bass in I Might Be Wrong to the collage of sounds in Pulk/Pull Revolving Doors, to the bells in Morning Bell/Amnesiac. It’s like having more Kid A, what’s not to love. Life In A Glasshouse and Pyramid Song are my favorites.
Kate Bush
4/5
A very well crafted pop album. My favorite tracks were the title track, Jig Of Life, and The Big Sky.
Pere Ubu
4/5
Albums like this are the reason I really like the generator. I really enjoyed this. I just like post-punk. Not a huge fan of Codex. Favorite songs are On The Surface, Caligari’s Mirror, Ubu Dance Party, and Drinking Wine Spodyody.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
4/5
Really solid jazz album. There is a reason Take Five has been played and used so many times. I’m not sure if I like the way the bass strings vibrate on Everybody's Jumpin’. The various time signatures are cool. My favorite songs are Take Five and Three To Get Ready.
Milton Nascimento
4/5
Wish I spoke Portuguese so I could understand what they are saying. Really good album, very chill. Favorite songs were O Trem Azul, Saidas E Bandeiras N 2, and Trem De Doido.
Fairport Convention
3/5
It was alright Probably not something I would go back to but the singing and lyrics were good. Favorite song was Cajun Woman.
Massive Attack
3/5
The song Heat Miser reminded me of the Black Ops 2 zombies music. Album was interesting. I’ve heard of Massive Attack but had never heard anything before. The version of light my fire should not have been included. Favorite songs were Protection and Better Things.
Curtis Mayfield
4/5
Consistently good throughout with solid grooves. Favorite songs are Billy Jack, Jesus, and Love to the People.
SZA
3/5
I like this album, but I don’t think it belongs on this list. Favorite songs are Supermodel, Love Galore, and The Weekend.
Moby Grape
3/5
Very much fitting into the late 60’s folk rock sound. It’s good, but it’s nothing I haven’t heard before done better. Favorite songs were Hey Grandma, 8:05, and Sitting By The Window.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
This is, in fact, a Bruce Springsteen album. I had never heard this one before, and I liked it. Favorite tracks were Badlands, Adam Raised A Cain, Streets of Fire, and Prove It All Night.
Gotan Project
3/5
This was interesting. Mostly instrumental, French. I liked the way the drums sound. Probably not something I would go back to.
Joanna Newsom
4/5
Folktales and poetry. I enjoyed this way more than I ever expected to. Favorite song is Emily.
Miles Davis
5/5
I don’t think I appreciate jazz as much as I should. I will definitely listen to this more later. Excellent performances from all involved. Favorite song is Freddie Freeloader
Joan Armatrading
2/5
Ehh not a big fan of this one. Some of the songs were boring with very little emotion behind them. Favorite songs were Join the Boys and Tall In The Saddle.
Eagles
2/5
Imagine taking Steely Dan and making it suck. That’s the Eagles. Absolute snoozers throughout. Take It Easy is alright and is keeping this from getting a 1.
Scritti Politti
2/5
Kinda forgettable. Favorite song was Wood Beez
Bob Marley & The Wailers
5/5
Solid tracks from front to back. Consistently good vibes.
Iron Butterfly
2/5
The title track is good, but the rest is just kinda fine. A lot like the Doors. The recording on this also does not sound great. The drum and organs solos on In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida are cool.
Nanci Griffith
3/5
I’m not normally a country fan, but I enjoyed this. Favorite songs were The Last of the True Believers, Banks of the Pontchartrain, Lookin’ For the Time, and Goin Gone
David Ackles
1/5
This album sounds like a bad musical with a lead that sounds like Neil Diamond. Didn’t like this at all and couldn’t wait for it to be over.
Yes
4/5
Many interesting ideas across the runtime of the album. I think I prefer both The Yes Album and Close To The Edge. Nothing in here that would push it to 5 star territory but really good regardless. Favorite tracks are Roundabout, Southside of the Sky, Long Distance Runaround, and Heart of the Sunrise.
<====To Be Continued==
Ali Farka Touré
3/5
Not understanding any of the lyrics really limited my enjoyment of this album. Instrumentals were pretty good. Favorite song was Bonde.
Eminem
4/5
Stan forever changed the vocabulary of music discussion. Kim is great and I never want to listen to it again. Cartoonishly vulgar and violent. Forever hate sex skits on hip hop albums even if they’re played for laughs. Favorite songs are Stan, The Real Slim Shady, and Bitch Please II.
Aretha Franklin
5/5
I knew this album was great when immediately after finishing I restarted it. Just great songs from front to back. Favorite songs were Money Won’t Change You, People Get Ready, A Natural Woman, Come Back Baby and Groovin’.
2/5
It is becoming clear to me that I don’t really like the 80’s and I wasn’t generous enough with Tears For Fears. The Look of Love - Pt. 1 had some cool horns, but that wasn’t enough to save this.
The Modern Lovers
3/5
Weird and punky, I liked this. Very much a predecessor to indie music that would come later. Favorite songs were Roadrunner, Pablo Picasso, and Modern World
New Order
3/5
I liked this, but not enough to go back to it instead of the amazing Power Corruption and Lies. The instrumentals were all great. Favorite songs were Love Vigilantes, This Time of Night, and Elegia
Aretha Franklin
4/5
I received this and Lady Soul three days apart. I think I preferred that one. Respect is an all timer. Her version of A Change Is Gonna Come is also great. It isn’t as great front to back and has a few key memorable songs.
The The
3/5
I can say I liked this one. Interesting instrumentation throughout. Vocals were just fine. Favorite songs were This Is The Day, Uncertain Smile, and Giant.
Marvin Gaye
3/5
I’ve never really listened to much Marvin Gaye beyond his hits and What’s Going On. This was a surprise to me. The lyrics are very personal and emotional. You can tell for better and for worse that he put his soul into this album. Some songs aren’t winners. Great instrumentation throughout. That yell he does in Anna’s Song is incredible. Album is a little too long.
Favorite songs were When Did You Stop Loving Me, When Did I Stop Loving You, Everybody Needs Love, and Falling In Love Again.
Santana
4/5
This album is really good. Solid rhythms throughout and I really love the guitar tone. Favorite songs are Black Magic Woman, Oye Como Va, and Samba Pa Ti.
Stereolab
3/5
I found this one to be very interesting. Some good melodies and loops. Favorite songs were Cybele’s Reverie, Percolator, The Noise of Carpet, and the title track.
Cyndi Lauper
2/5
I don’t like her voice. When You Were Mine is a worse version of the original and I really like that song.
Wire
4/5
Many of these songs are ideas that don’t outstay their welcome. The album is great. Favorite songs were Mannequin, Three Girl Rhumba, Pink Flag, and Fragile.
Radiohead
5/5
How To Disappear Completely is absolutely beautiful. This album is great. Ambient electronics, sludgy bass, and punchy drums. Stylistic departure from OK Computer and it works.
Country Joe & The Fish
3/5
This was fine. I like this style of music but it’s nothing I haven’t heard before. The song about LBJ and Marvel characters was interesting. These guys were on a lot of drugs. Also this does the 60’s stereo thing where some of the instruments are only on one side of my headphones.
The Beau Brummels
3/5
This album was alright. Doesn’t outstay its welcome with a concise runtime. The singer sounds like Bob Dylan sometimes. Favorite songs were It Won’t Get Better and The Wolf Of Velvet Fortune.
OutKast
4/5
A southern rap classic. Great blending of styles. My only complaint would be the large amount of skits on here. Favorite songs are So Fresh So Clean. Ms Jackson, B O B, Humble Mumble, and Gasoline Dreams.
TV On The Radio
2/5
Can’t say this one really grabbed me. It was creative. Favorite song was Staring At The Sun
The Smiths
4/5
I really liked this. Super diverse instrumentation. A short and concise listen. Favorite songs were I Started Something I Couldn’t Finish, Girlfriend In A Coma, Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me, and Death At One’s Elbow.
Leonard Cohen
3/5
I can certainly feel the hate on Diamonds in the Mine. I liked this a little less than his self-titled. Favorites were Sing Another Song Boys and Last Years Man
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
I like the way the drums sound all through this album. Some songs are better than others. Favorites are Spanish Castle Magic, Little Wing, Castles Made of Sand, and Bold As Love
Weather Report
4/5
This is just fun to listen to. The bass is definitely the highlight for me. Favorite songs are Birdland, Teen Town, and Havona
Pentangle
2/5
I feel as though I should have been eating gruel in a medieval army camp. Favorite song was Train Song.
The Offspring
4/5
This album is just plain fun. Great energy. Favorite songs are Bad Habit, Come Out and Play, Self Esteem, and What Happened To You?
Lambchop
3/5
Nice instrumentals and some good easy listening. Favorites were You Masculine You, Up With People, and The Butcher Boy.
Pavement
4/5
I enjoyed this one quite a bit. Vocals were not perfect, but that’s kinda the point. Favorite songs were Summer Babe, Trigger Cut, Zurich Is Stained, and Two States.
Paul Revere & The Raiders
3/5
Very alright. I can say I liked it, but I’ve heard just about everything on here done better by other artists. I understand why the common consensus is a 3 here. Favorite songs were Kicks and I’m Not Your Stepping Stone.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
3/5
Despite this being shorter I think I prefer Blood Sugar Sex Magik. This album is very front loaded.
Ozomatli
3/5
Really interesting fusions of genres going on here. I loved the first four tracks and couldn’t really connect with much of the rest. Favorite songs were Believe, Street Signs, and Cuando Canto
Neneh Cherry
2/5
I wanted to like this, but I just didn’t. I like Buffalo Stance. This just feels so very dated.
Ramones
4/5
I mean yeah it’s pretty much the same song over and over, but I love that song. Great energy on here, and it doesn’t overstay its welcome. Favorite songs are Blitzkrieg Bop, I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend, Havana Affair, and Let’s Dance.
Tangerine Dream
4/5
Each song took me on a journey. It’s amazing when a song can make you stressed out, but the title track did it. Favorite songs were Phaedra and Movements of a Visionary
Fatboy Slim
4/5
This was just fun. Favorite tracks were The Weekend Starts Now, Going Out Of My Head, and The Sound Of Milwaukee.
Suicide
2/5
I did not like this, but this was bold as hell. A song like Frankie Teardrop is absurd given it came out in 1977.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
I seriously doubt these guys actually read Lord Of The Rings. Banger after banger.
Nick Drake
5/5
Absolutely fantastic. Great instrumentation and gripping vocals.
Miles Davis
5/5
This album makes me ask the question: How do you define jazz? I haven’t listened to much jazz, but this pushes beyond what I thought it could be. Very experimental with the flavors of rock and electric instrumentation. Also for being over 90 minutes it never felt drawn out.
Willie Nelson
3/5
I mean this in the absolute best way possible. I fell asleep listening to this album. Some great covers here. Favorite songs were Stardust, Georgia On My Mind, Blue Skies, and Moonlight in Vermont
Shuggie Otis
3/5
This was fine, but forgettable funk. Favorite songs were Inspiration Information and Not Available.
The White Stripes
5/5
When I was younger I thought that Seven Nation Army came out in the 80’s based on how engrained it became in popular culture. Every other song on here is fantastic. Jack White is a fantastic guitar player and Meg is the perfect drummer for the band.
Foo Fighters
4/5
Still crazy to me that Dave Grohl played all the instruments on here. I prefer The Colour And The Shape, but this is a good album. Favorite songs are This Is A Call, Big Me, Floaty, and Weenie Beenie.
Green Day
5/5
I really wanted to find something here to keep this from being a 5, but I just couldn’t.
Skunk Anansie
4/5
I had never heard of this band before now, and I was really missing out. This album rocks. I didn’t think the second half was quite as good as the first. Favorite songs were Charlie Big Potato, On My Hotel Tv, Lately, and And This Is Nothing That I Though I’d Have
The Temptations
4/5
My first listen of this album was through the speaker of an echo while cooking dinner and I was unimpressed. Second listen was through my good headphones and thank god I listened again. This record sounds phenomenal and is worth the best speakers/headphones you have. Everything sounds so lush and full. Great musicianship and lyrics. Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone is an all-timer. The first half is stronger than the second
Al Green
4/5
That jacket he has on the cover is sweet. Great soul. The album has a really good flow. Favorite songs were Let’s Stay Together, So You’re Leaving, What Is This Feeling, and How Can You Mend A Broken Heart.
Green Day
5/5
Easily Green Day’s best album. And in my opinion the pinnacle of pop punk as a genre.
Gorillaz
3/5
I want to like this more than I do because I like later albums by Gorillaz a lot. There are some good songs here, and some filler songs also. Favorite songs are Tomorrow Comes Today, Clint Eastwood, M1 A1, and 5/4.
LTJ Bukem
1/5
This not being on Spotify in its entirety and being fragmented on YouTube already soured my experience. I don’t hate the genre, but I didn’t enjoy two hours of drum and bass especially with no vocals. I feel as though I need to be doing time trials in a racing game. I can see why this is on the list, but it’s not for me.
Johnny Cash
5/5
What a badass, singing about cocaine and murder to cheering prisoners. Fantastically imperfect. One of the best live albums I’ve ever heard.
The Stooges
4/5
The Iggy mix is better than the Bowie mix. Great raw proto-punk. I can see the influence. I like every song on here, except Penetration not a fan of that song.
Cheap Trick
3/5
I thought Cheap Trick to be a very meh band and this did little to change my mind. Felt like they started playing Surrender three separate times. The live version of I Want You To Want Me is better than the studio version though.
Bill Evans Trio
3/5
I liked the bass playing but nothing stood out to me here. Most of this faded into the background.
Billie Holiday
2/5
Respect to Billie but this isn’t for me. I was bored. It wasn’t bad but it gave me the same feeling I get watching movies from the 50’s. Probably great for the time, but we have moved way past this.
Muddy Waters
4/5
Imagine playing a song so well that you decide to run it back and play it even BETTER the second time. Eat your heart out John Mayall and Co.
The Temptations
4/5
Wasn’t a huge fan of their version of I Heard It Through The Grapevine, but everything else here is fantastic. Put horns in all music. Didn’t realize I really like The Temptations until now.
The White Stripes
3/5
I don’t like this one as much as Elephant, but I still enjoyed it. The instrumentation on this is more diverse than prior records from them including lots of piano and even some marimba. Favorite songs were Blue Orchid, My Doorbell, The Denial Twist, and Take, Take, Take.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
I listened to both the UK and US releases for this and I like them both. I appreciate having Coming Home last a little more, but I like the songs excluded from the US release. I really like the Stones. Favorite tracks are Paint It Black, Under My Thumb, Out Of Time, and Lady Jane.
Kacey Musgraves
3/5
This is an enjoyable listen. I really like the final three songs. Not entirely sure this is a must listen album.
The Mamas & The Papas
3/5
Many of these songs sound like The Beatles early work or The Beach Boys. California Dreamin’ is a straight up banger. Monday, Monday and Straight Shooter are pretty good too.
The Mars Volta
5/5
These lyrics are mostly nonsense. This album was really great. I had heard of the band, but never listened. Favorite songs were songs 2, 3, 6, and 8.
50 Cent
3/5
I know this is supposed to be a “classic”, but I guess I’m just not the right age of hip-hop fan to love this. The singles are all great, but many of these songs come and go for me. I love Many Men, and PIMP.
Ali Farka Touré
3/5
Serviceable blues. Wish I spoke the language to know what he is singing about.
Little Richard
3/5
I definitely see how this is influential. As an album though, it’s not greater than the sum of its parts.
Morrissey
3/5
This is my third Morrissey solo album up to this point, and it’s fine. Just like the others were fine. This is probably my least favorite of the three. Favorite songs were Now My Heart Is Full, The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get, and Speedway.
Peter Frampton
3/5
A little too long. I love the use of the talkbox though. Textbook example of corny late 70’s rock. He took all the sauce out of Jumping Jack Flash. Favorite tracks were Doobie Wah, Show Me The Way, Baby, I Love Your Way, and Do You Feel Like We Do.
Elton John
5/5
This falls into the genre of album where it could be mistaken for a greatest hits album. Highlight after highlight.
B.B. King
4/5
Damn good live blues record. Excellent musicianship on display. Favorite songs were Sweet Little Angel, It’s My Own Fault, Worry, Worry, and You Done Lost Your Good Thing Now
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
3/5
I can’t believe that these were the homies dissing my girl. Short and sweet with a couple songs I knew, a couple more good ones, and the rest of them. Hard to really say I love something this old as more than a novelty.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
Just alright to me. I liked the song The Jungle Line. Not much to say about this one.
Jethro Tull
4/5
I really like this one. Rock with flutes is neat. Favorite songs were Aqualung, My God, Locomotive Breath, and Hymn 43
Leonard Cohen
3/5
This is my third Leonard Cohen album and probably the weakest of them. I like his lyrics and delivery as always, but the backing instrumentals are so 80’s and I don’t think they have aged very well. My favorite songs were First We Take Manhattan and Tower of Song.
The Mothers Of Invention
4/5
Zappa never fails to make something interesting. The album absolutely goes off the rail after Trouble Every Day. Favorite songs were Hungry Freaks, Daddy, How Could I Be Such A Fool, I’m Not Satisfied, and Trouble Every Day.
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
This album kicks ass. His best, in my opinion. This album does a great job building to it’s climax in Born To Run
Donald Fagen
3/5
This is really well made and it sounds great, but it just doesn’t really have anything to amaze me. My favorite songs were IGY, Green Flower Street, and The Nightfly.
Fats Domino
4/5
Really solid collection of songs. His music has a nice soul to it. Favorites were Blueberry Hill and Blue Monday.
Goldie
2/5
This just felt really long and I guess it was. The 20 minute opener set the tone here and I don’t think anything else surpassed it. Maybe DnB just isn’t for me.
T. Rex
3/5
How did they get away with making The Motivator just Get It On again? I don’t really see the hype behind this one. Favorite songs were Monolith, Get It On, Girl, and Rip Off.
Orbital
3/5
I liked the electronic swells here. Could do without the intro and outro. Favorite songs were Impact and Monday
Leftfield
2/5
Listenable, but not something I would want to revisit. My favorite song was probably Song of Life.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
5/5
This album is so good. One side is acoustic one side electric. With the second side growing sludgier and louder with each song. My My, Hey Hey, and Hey Hey, My My are perfect bookends. One of the best examples of effective sequencing in an album.
ABBA
4/5
Some well crafted pop songs. Some of them are better than others. Fernando is a banger.
Circle Jerks
2/5
No excuse not to listen to this one multiple times given its length. Unfortunately I didn’t like it very much.
Arcade Fire
4/5
This does a great job of capturing the feelings of loneliness and isolation as a result of suburban sprawl. The wanting for something more and desire for feeling among the identical houses and strip malls. The comparisons to Springsteen make sense especially on songs like Half Light II. My favorites were The Suburbs, Ready To Start, City With No Children, Half Light II, Month Of May, and Sprawl II.
The Rolling Stones
5/5
Good songs from front to back. Internet brainrot has ruined You Gotta Move for me. Absolutely love the horns on Bitch.
Talking Heads
5/5
I’ve listened to this album four and half ish times in the past two days not knowing what score to give it. This is great. Just interesting rhythms throughout.
The Chemical Brothers
3/5
This was cool. It felt like it had peaks and valleys though. The final song sounded like a jazzy formula one race. Favorites were Block Rockin Beats, Setting Sun, Where Do I Begin, and The Private Psychedelic Reel.
Earth, Wind & Fire
4/5
Not my favorite EW&F album but damn good all the same. Highlights were Shining Star, Yearnin’ Learnin’, Reasons, and Africano.
Rocket From The Crypt
3/5
Probably not something I would go back to, but fun to listen to. Very much of the 90’s. Favorite songs were On A Rope, Young Livers, Ball Lightning, and Suit City.
The Soft Boys
4/5
This album was very good. Felt like something that could have come out much more recently. Favorites were I Wanna Destroy You, Positive Vibrations, Queen of Eyes, and Underwater Moonlight.
Eminem
4/5
Bumping this score up by one point to attempt to offset the reviews that either hate hip-hop for no reason or misunderstand the point of the character of Slim Shady. Shoutout the Labi Siffre sample on My Name Is. Highlights are My Name Is, Guilty Conscience, Rock Bottom, and Still Don’t Give A Fuck.
The Smashing Pumpkins
4/5
This album is really good. This album is also two hours long. His singing is still not the best. The energy on the heavier songs is there and the instrumentals are as good as they were on the last one. The length and singing hold this one back. Favorite songs were Tonight, Tonight, Jellybelly, Here Is No Why, Bullet With Butterfly Wings, Galapagos, Bodies, 1979, and Thru The Eyes of Ruby.
Alanis Morissette
5/5
The vocals, the lyrics, the angst, the harmonica. Everything is here. Never realized how many of these songs I already knew and liked. Love it.
Nico
1/5
Absolute slog to get through. Like listening to a whale sing over strings and flutes. I should like this because I like what she did with the Velvet Underground and I like many of the songwriters she worked with, but I don’t. This album would be 10 times better with any other person singing these songs.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
5/5
Simply a very well crafted album. Excellent songwriting, good instrumental performances especially the guitars, and solid vocals and harmonies. This seems to bridge that gap between the folk rock of the 60’s and what would become the rock scene in the 70’s. I wonder if any of these guys ever did anything else?
Jimmy Smith
3/5
Perfectly serviceable jazz, but probably not something I would go back to. It kind of went in one ear and out the other. Favorite song was Messy Bessie
Primal Scream
3/5
This very much reminded me of Massive Attack in that the band name makes you think the music would be much heavier and louder than the trip hop we are given. That is not to say that this is bad. The many stylistic changes and sounds keep things interesting throughout. Not a fan of the weird vocal effects in Stuka. My favorite songs were Burning Wheel, Star, Medication, and Motorhead.
4/5
River of Orchids creates a soundscape like a rain shower. I like the vocal panning done during the stage directions of Easter Theatre. Overall quirky set of songs. Wish I could add some of these to my Spotify playlists. Very glad I listened. Not a fan of Fruit Nut. Favorite songs were River of Orchids, Easter Theatre, Greenman, and I Can’t Own Her.
The Smiths
5/5
I really liked that part when he said “Queen Elizabeth with die on September 8th 2022”. Such a visionary. This is a fantastic album.
Nine Inch Nails
5/5
This one took a few days and a few listens, but I am very glad I took the time. It’s dark, loud, and abrasive instrumentally and lyrically. This album makes exceptional use of dynamics, lulling you in with quiet electronics before smashing your head open with drums that sound like shotgun blasts and guitars with enough effects to induce a headache. Exceptional art piece at telling a story and leading you on this downward spiral with the main character. This felt like the soundtrack to an alternate version of Fight Club where the narrator gets really into heroin. P.S. The vocals at the end of The Becoming sound kind of like Toad and I can’t unhear it.
Tim Buckley
3/5
His voice is really good. Album as a whole was just ok. Favorite songs were No Man Can Find The War, Pleasant Street, and Once I Was.
N.W.A.
4/5
A classic for a reason. This feels like the inflection point where mainstream hip-hop shifted in the direction it would take for the next 15 years. The beats are still really good. A little too long. Favorites were Straight Outta Compton, Fuck The Police, Express Yourself. And Gangsta Gangsta
Scott Walker
1/5
Scott Walker? More like Scott Walk me out back and shoot me
Emmylou Harris
3/5
Solid chill country album. Not something I see myself going back to all that much. Favorite songs were Bluebird Wine, If I Could Only Win Your Love, Coat Of Many Colors, and Queen of The Silver Dollar
Syd Barrett
2/5
This album is a pendulum swinging from nice whimsical songs to utter nonsense and back again
Paul McCartney and Wings
4/5
Strong opening two tracks and good final two tracks. I could mostly take or leave the rest.
Ella Fitzgerald
3/5
Absolute marathon. This was really enjoyable to listen to. It is kinda cheating though because it’s more of a compilation than an album. Also the length means I likely won’t listen to the whole thing again.
Prince
5/5
That Prince guy sure knew how to make some funky jams
Massive Attack
5/5
Consistently good throughout. All killer no filler. Great vocals and good baselines. Interesting percussion as well.
Fiona Apple
3/5
Lush instrumentation and great singing. I loved the first four songs, but it was losing me on the rest until the last song.
Fishbone
4/5
This one is just fun. I think I preferred the funk and ska adjacent tracks to those more metal songs. I never quite knew what was going to come next here. Favorites were Ma And Pa, Question Of Life, Bonin’ In The Boneyard, and Ghetto Soundwave
My Bloody Valentine
5/5
This tickles my brain in a way I can’t describe. It’s the auditory equivalent of those spinning sand bowls where one hand disturbs and the other hand smooths the sand.
Funkadelic
5/5
The best album ever made with cow moos and fart sounds on the final track.
Jacques Brel
2/5
That was the most stereotypically French thing I’ve ever heard. I imagine he did that whole thing while wearing a beret and carrying a baguette. The recording also kinda sucks.
MGMT
4/5
They would go on to do greater things (Congratulations and Little Dark Age), but the hits hit and the deep cuts are pretty good too. Favorites are the three obvious ones, Weekend Wars, and Of Moons, Birds & Monsters
Iggy Pop
5/5
The energetic counterpart to The Idiot. I absolutely loved this. He put six absolute bangers in a row straight away. And yes, many tables are in fact made of wood.
Germs
3/5
Blistering energy from beginning to end. I should have been destroying stuff. Was like the vocalist was running to catch up with his band. The final song was a little too long. Favorite songs were Richie Dagger’s Crime, Lexicon Devil, We Must Bleed, Media Blitz, and The Other Newest One.
The Jesus And Mary Chain
3/5
I didn’t give them enough credit back when I got Psychocandy. Good stuff that fits a mood. Probably would give a 3.5. Favorite songs are Darklands, Happy When It Rains, and April Skies.
Living Colour
2/5
It’s like if Huey Lewis & The News was a hair metal band. Super corny late 80’s rock. Cult of Personality is pretty catchy.
Thelonious Monk
3/5
This one was alright. I liked the drumming quite a bit. Favorite songs were Brilliant Corners and Bemsha Swing
The Band
3/5
Given everything about this I feel as though I should love it much more than I do. It’s just fine to me. I understand the influence it had, but the pieces don’t seem to come together for me. Favorite songs were The Weight, We Can Talk, and Chest Fever.
The National
3/5
This one grew on me on subsequent listens, but only went from meh to just alright. Listening to this just makes me want to be listening to Arcade Fire instead. Favorite song was Bloodbuzz Ohio.
Beck
4/5
This album is really good. I appreciate all the experimentation and different styles used. Not sure I would call this “folk” but it doesn’t matter. Favorite songs were Devils Haircut, The New Pollution, Jack-Ass, Where It’s At, and Readymade.
Paul Weller
3/5
This was pleasant to listen to, but nothing here really stuck with me. Favorites were Sunflower, Has My Fire Really Gone Out?, and Shadow Of The Sun.
The Damned
5/5
This one was a blast to listen to. Great energy and diversity in instrumentals. Solid hooks throughout.
Kate Bush
3/5
I preferred Hounds of Love to this, but this was still good. Favorite songs were Heads We’re Dancing, Rocket’s Tail, and This Woman’s Work.
Metallica
4/5
This is a good metal album. Overall I think it’s just a little bit too long. I think I prefer Master of Puppets and Ride The Lightning to this. Favorite songs were the title track, One, and To Live Is To Die
Hole
3/5
I liked this album and the style they were going for. Some of the songs were somewhat forgettable. Favorite songs were Celebrity Skin, Awful, Malibu, Northern Star, and Petals.
Beastie Boys
5/5
I hate copywrite law for preventing us from receiving more masterful uses of samples such as this. Just incredible from start to finish. So ahead of its time.
Arcade Fire
3/5
I asked for more Arcade Fire last week and the generator delivered. I really like their sound and liked this album. I did not, however, like this nearly as much as The Suburbs. I appreciate what they were going for, but it doesn’t all come together for me. I like individual songs though. Favorites were Keep The Car Running, Intervention, (Antichrist Television Blues), and No Cars Go.
Bon Jovi
2/5
This is a well made and recorded record. That is everything nice I can say about it. I don’t like this at all. So inauthentic sounding. Just the worst parts of the 80’s. Music made for car commercials featuring a pickup truck driving over random piles of dirt and rocks to show how “off road” the four wheel drive is followed by that same truck driven in the city with the whole family riding to show the comfort and luxury followed by the truck pulling a trailer of 2x4s or an ATV to show the towing capacity. This album makes me want to listen to more Bruce Springsteen, the superior New Jersey artist. I understand why someone might like this so it escapes a 1.
Throbbing Gristle
1/5
That was certainly sounds. Not sure I ever want to listen to it again.
Judas Priest
3/5
Some slappers but some songs that were just corny as hell from a modern perspective. I can definitely see how it was influential. From looking at the Wikipedia page I learned that Red, White, and Blue was not on the original track list and so I will ignore it. Thank god, that song is not good. Favorites were Breaking The Law, Grinder, and Steeler.
Linkin Park
3/5
The best way to listen to this is listening while watching low resolution Naruto or DBZ clips. Rage did the rap rock thing much better.
Can
4/5
I can definitely tell why this is on the list. Does sound like the future especially for 1973. So much going on here with the interesting instrumentation and the waxing and waning the songs do. You could make an entire plunderphonics record only using this album. Favorite songs were Future Days and Moonshake.
The Fall
3/5
The Fall doesn’t seem to do it for me even though I like this kind of music. Maybe they’re just too British. Favorite songs were Frightened, Futures and Pasts, and Rebellious Jukebox.
Steely Dan
4/5
I love the Dan. Incredible instrumentation, great lyrics, and some of best sound mixing ever. Was the title track the first appearance of the “What are those!” Vine? Favorite songs were Rikki Don’t Lose That Number, Barrytown, Pretzel Logic, and With A Gun.
Bee Gees
2/5
I had never listened to any of The Bee Gees non-disco stuff before. Honestly I wish I kept it that way. It’s not offensive, but it’s so clearly trying to copy The Beach Boys / The Band / The Beatles and it just comes off as lame.
Ash
3/5
I had never heard of this band prior to listening. This album is pretty good. However, it succeeds in reminding me that Robert Dimery must have something against Weezer for this to be present within the list if the blue album or Pinkerton are not present. Favorite songs from here were Goldfinger, Girl From Mars, Kung Fu, and Darkside Lightside.
Ms. Dynamite
2/5
She literally did the “lyrical spiritual miracle” line on Danger. Beyond that this was the most paint by numbers early 2000s R&B album. Nothing interesting enough for me to want to revisit this and absolutely not earning its long runtime, but nothing bad enough for me to be opposed to hearing some of these songs again.
Moby
4/5
I liked this one quite a bit. Cool samples and good usage of other instrumentation as well. Favorite songs were Honey, Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?, South Side, Bodyrock, and Run On.
Slipknot
3/5
I would be tempted to give this one a two, but the drums are just so good it has to be bumped up. Highlights were Eyeless, Wait and Bleed, and Only One.
Bee Gees
1/5
This was worse than Odessa because that one ripped off the Beatles / Beach Boys and seemed to do it competently. This one continues that pattern by again copying those two and adding Elton John into the mix. Absolute snore.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
5/5
This one surprised me. The only Nick Cave I have heard previously was Ghosteen which I had generated near the beginning of the challenge. I expected this to be similarly somber. Boy was I wrong. The whole first disc absolutely slaps you in the face with its layered vocals and dense instrumentals. The Lyre of Orpheus disc is more subdued, but builds with each consecutive song. I think I prefer the Abattoir Blues side, but adored all of this. He knows his vocal range and takes advantage of his limitations. This sounds both old and new.
My Bloody Valentine
4/5
Music to be played in a space with most echo you can find. I mean it’s not quite Loveless, but it’s still pretty good. The atmosphere is not as dreamy. Favorite songs were Lose My Breath, You’re Still In A Dream, Feed Me With Your Kiss, and You Never Should.
Roxy Music
4/5
This covers a wide variety of styles and genres. The vocals alternate for me from being really good to being just bearable. All the instrumentals are good. Favorites were Re-Make/Re-Model, If There Is Something, and Would You Believe.
Jorge Ben Jor
4/5
I may not speak the language but the emotions come through anyway. This album was very fun. Good grooves and rhythms. Favorites were Ponta De Lanca Africano, O Plebeu, Taj Mahal, and África Brasil.
5/5
Consistent sound, but consistently catchy. The definitive Britpop album. So anyway here’s Wonderwall…
Marvin Gaye
4/5
Glad I can finally point out that the sample for Kanye West’s Spaceship comes from Distant Lover. He really gave up the whole socially conscious angle and just decided to sing about sex, and the songs are good. Favorites are Let’s Get It On, Keep Gettin’ It On, and Distant Lover.
Beach House
3/5
I liked this one, but some of these songs kind of came and went for me. I have a great idea though. First, take the guitar part from Silver Soul, reverse and loop it. Next add some drums, and add some verses from an artist like Kendrick Lamar. Finally add a catchy hook, and one of the best feature verses ever from Jay Rock. I feel like that would make a really good song. Wait…..
Joy Division
4/5
This one sets a mood and sticks with it throughout. Very good stuff. Favorites were Day of the Lords, New Dawn Fades, She’s Lost Control, and Shadowplay.
Astrud Gilberto
1/5
I don’t like the beach, and I don’t like this album. Just exceedingly dull.
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
3/5
Lyrically it was good, but the instrumentation tended to be mostly uninteresting for me. Favorites were A Minor Place, I See A Darkness, and Black.
Antony and the Johnsons
2/5
Like James Blake if you gave his voice more vibrato and he had less interesting production
The Police
3/5
Something of a mixed bag. The good parts are really good, but the bad parts aren't very good. Lyrics are very ehh. Walking In Your Footsteps is a PBS kids type song. Highlights were Synchronicity I & II, Every Breath You Take, and King Of Pain.
The Everly Brothers
2/5
This one really has that classic feel. I just didn’t like it like some of the others I’ve listened to from this era. Also the cover of Lucille takes absolutely all the sauce out of the song.
The Kinks
3/5
This album is fine it’s just somewhat simple. Lots of harpsichord. My favorites were Party Line, Session Man, and Sunny Afternoon.
U2
4/5
Prior to this I had not heard an entire U2 album besides the one Apple “gifted” everyone. Really good stadium rock. Sunday Bloody Sunday is probably my favorite U2 song. Other favorite tracks were New Year’s Day, Like A Song…, The Refugee, and Surrender.
Frank Sinatra
2/5
I can clearly tell this is good. It’s just not for me. I like The Girl From Ipanema.
Big Brother & The Holding Company
5/5
I absolutely loved this one. Really neat pseudo-live style that works for the music. Great vocals and ripping guitar that sometimes sounds like a precursor to metal. Also doesn’t outstay it’s welcome at a brisk 37 minutes.
Neil Young
5/5
This one has a lot more grand instrumentation than I remember it having. Every song just hits so hard. Love me some Neil.
Nirvana
5/5
Perhaps the best live album ever. The imperfection is what makes this so great.
Public Image Ltd.
3/5
This is full of some super interesting ideas. Some of which I enjoyed more than others.Cool guitar noises and vocals that decided to ignore melodic sensibilities. Lyrics are good too. If Theme and Fodderstompf had both been shorter I would have enjoyed this more. Favorite songs were Religion II, Annalisa, Public Image, and Attack.
Crosby, Stills & Nash
3/5
This one is very much a mixed bag for me. The songs that hit really hit but the ones that don’t are forgettable. Favorites were Suite: Judy Blue Eyes, Pre-Road Downs, and Helplessly Hoping.
Supertramp
3/5
They were clearly inspired by Pink Floyd when making some of these songs. Good use of keyboards and wind instruments. Just sounds very 70’s. Favorites were Bloody Well Right, Hide In Your Shell, and Dreamer.
Pulp
3/5
This bloke is trying to sound sexy the whole time and honestly it just comes across as creepy. Some of these songs are really good, but as a whole package I’m not completely sold. Favorites were Common People, I Spy, and Something Changed.
The Darkness
3/5
These guys have their schtick and sell the hell out of it. Who cares that they are 15 years too late. The music is fun. An entire album however can be a little draining. Favorite songs were I Believe In A Thing Called Love, Love Is Only A Feeling, and Friday Night.
Def Leppard
2/5
It’s a feat that they somehow managed to make every single song on this album outstay it’s welcome. Yet somehow within that extra runtime there were no memorable instrumental parts to recall. Meh
The Who
3/5
This one was not as good as I remember it being. I honestly think Quadrophenia was a much better execution of the rock opera by The Who. The fourth disc on here seems to drag a little for me, and the story could have been told a little better. The highlights are still there and are still great, but the first half is overall better than the second. Favorites are Acid Queen, Pinball Wizard, Eyesight To The Blind, and Christmas.
XTC
4/5
The first half of this flows really well together and is a bunch of super catchy pop songs. The second half, while not being as good still has highlights. Favorites were Grass, That’s Really Super Supergirl, 1000 Umbrellas, Season Cycle, and Dear God.
Khaled
2/5
Felt like I was journeying across the desert while trying to track down all the songs to this album. Ended up having to listen to terrible quality CD rips on YouTube that negatively affected my enjoyment. Album was fine. Suffers from the CD era issue of making albums a little too long. Also did not need the cover of Imagine. The strings and diversity of sounds included were good.
The Avalanches
5/5
One of the best produced albums ever. The song transitions flow so smoothly. The amount of time and effort it must have taken to find and effectively use all of these samples is simply mind boggling. Sampling is an art.
King Crimson
5/5
Yeah yeah yeah Moonchild goes on for too long yada yada yada. I don’t care. This album kicks ass. The first time I listened to this was on the school bus during high school. I thought my connection was bad because I thought the final song was backing itself up with how it kind of starts and stops. The drums sound fantastic on here and the vocals are all really great.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
Each song here is great. The instrumentation and vocals are all great. Still don’t think he’s actually blind.
Queens of the Stone Age
4/5
This album is great, but I’m not happy with Mr Robert Dimery yet again. How could he place this on as QOTSA’s only inclusion. Rated R, Songs For The Deaf, and …Like Clockwork are better overall and any of them should have been included if they were to only get one spot. The debut does rip. Dusty riffs and walls of sound aplenty. Favorites are Regular John, If Only, Mexicola, You Can’t Quit Me Baby, and I Was A Teenage Handmodel.
Blur
4/5
Solid contender for the most British album ever made. It’s a lot of fun. Dips a little in the middle. Favorites were Tracy Jacks, Parklife, To The End, and Magic America.
Kanye West
5/5
These songs are maximalism taken to the extreme. The entire music industry is on this thing. It’s like a room full of gold trim and crystal chandeliers with velvet furniture. Just fantastic front to back.
The Chemical Brothers
3/5
This felt like a good album to chill and vibe out to. I liked it. Favorite songs were Leave Home, In Dust We Trust, and Life Is Sweet.
Eagles
2/5
I feel like most people stop listening to this after the first three songs. The fourth song called Wasted Time aptly describes the rest of the album. I don’t like the Eagles. Hotel California is a good song.
The Isley Brothers
4/5
This one was very good. I really liked the guitar work and the vocals were very soulful. Favorite songs were That Lady, You Walk Your Way, Listen To The Music, and Summer Breeze
John Lennon
3/5
A bit of a mixed bag. Some truly great ideas and also some other songs. Favorites were Imagine, Jealous Guy, Gimme Some Truth, and How Do You Sleep?
Amy Winehouse
2/5
I’ll be Frank, as someone who is a huge fan of Back To Black I went into this expecting something similar and I was a little disappointed. Her voice is as good as ever, but I guess this downtempo jazz style just isn’t for me. Favorite songs were Intro/Stronger Than Me, Fuck Me Pumps, and In My Bed.
Willie Nelson
4/5
I really enjoyed that. The simplicity of the instrumentals allowed me to focus on the lyrics and his voice which are both great. Favorite songs were Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain, Red Headed Stranger, Down Yonder, Remember Me, and Hands On The Wheel.
Goldfrapp
3/5
The arrangements here are very good. I’m not sure how this did in 2008, but I feel as though if this was released today it would be huge. Favorites were Little Bird, A&E, and Caravan Girl.
Mike Oldfield
2/5
While it is impressive that he played almost all the instruments on here sometimes I wish he had someone else play some of them. The playing sometimes comes off as a little rudimentary. I’m also not big on the guttural yells in Pt. II. Some cool ideas here but most of it felt like it meandered without much direction. The latter half of Pt. I where the narrator cues in all the instruments was dope. I feel like some drums wouldn’t have hurt the project.
Public Enemy
4/5
These instrumentals are as dense as cinder blocks and it’s fantastic. The lyrics are politically charged and aggressive. I want Flavor Flav to be my hype man. Favorite songs were Brothers Gonna Work It Out, Welcome To The Terrordome, Burn Hollywood Burn, Revolutionary Generation, and Fight The Power.
The Doors
3/5
I somehow never realized that Roadhouse Blues was a Doors song. I have never been a big fan of The Doors and this did little to change my opinion. I mean it’s good, but probably not something I would go back to often. Favorite songs were Roadhouse Blues, Waiting For The Sun, You Make Me Real, and Queen Of The Highway.
The Fall
3/5
I’ll give The Fall credit they are nothing if not consistent. I have listened to three albums by them and they are all good but not great. Favorite songs were Glam-Racket, I’m Going to Spain, and Ladybird.
Depeche Mode
3/5
This album is dark and moody and driving. It is very well done and is very good. I’m just not big into this kind of music. Favorites were Never Let Me Down Again, Strangelove, and Pimpf.
The Flaming Lips
4/5
This album maintains a dreamy psychedelic sci-fi aesthetic throughout. I have listened to and like The Flaming Lips, but have given this album a full listen until now. I really liked it. Favorite songs were Fight Test, Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots, Pt. 1, Are You A Hypnotist?, and Do You Realize??.
Sonic Youth
5/5
I forgive them for being mean to Nardwuar. This is damn good. I’m shocked it’s not labeled as shoegaze.
Mott The Hoople
4/5
An enjoyable album. Yeah it sounds like David Bowie, but I love David Bowie so this doesn’t matter. Favorites were All The Way From Memphis, Honaloochie Boogie. Violence, and I’m A Cadillac/ El Camino Dolo Roso.
Beatles
2/5
I feel as though since this is the Beatles I am expected to like this more than I do. The covers are alright and the originals are mostly fine. Just knowing what they do after this makes this less impressive. Favorite songs were All My Loving and Roll Over Beethoven.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
4/5
This very much reminded me of Joy Division. I really liked it, but I can’t say I enjoyed it more than Unknown Pleasures so it gets the same score. Will definitely be returning to this. The cover of Helter Skelter was awesome. Favorite songs were Overground, Carcass, Helter Skelter, and Switch.
Robert Wyatt
2/5
I didn’t hate it, but I also don’t see myself ever going back to this one. Very sleepy. So, mission accomplished I guess? I liked the second half more than the first. Best songs were Heaps of Sheeps, Alien, and Blues In Bob Minor.
Magazine
4/5
I liked this one. Nothing too amazing but consistently good throughout. Liked the sound of the guitar. Favorite songs were Shot By Both Sides, Burst, and The Light Pours Out Of Me.
Frank Zappa
5/5
Probably the least weird thing I’ve ever listened to by Zappa. I loved this. Very jazzy and groovy.
CHIC
3/5
This one peaks with Good Times then is just alright for the rest. The bass is consistently great. Favorites were Good Times and My Feet Keep Dancing.
Queen
4/5
I maintain my belief that Queen is not really an albums band. They have great hits, but some of the deeper cuts in here are a little forgettable. I would call this a good album, but it doesn’t do enough to push it over the edge. Favorite songs are Brighton Rock, Killer Queen, In The Lap Of The Gods, and Stone Cold Crazy.
Black Sabbath
5/5
It’s crazy that they made music too hard to be called hard rock and invented a whole genre. This kicks so much ass. The riffs are tight and the lyrics are dark. I listened to the US track list as I prefer Wicked World to Evil Woman.
PJ Harvey
3/5
I feel as though I owe Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea and apology. I gave it a two and have since revisited it when I enjoyed it more. I found this one to be very unique. Her vocal style and the instrumentation as well as the lyrics are interesting the entire time even if they don’t always work for me. My favorite songs were The Last Living Rose, The Words That Maketh Murder, and Bitter Branches.
Wild Beasts
2/5
Did not like the first half of this album at all. I found the vocals obnoxious and the instrumentals forgettable. The second half starting at Two Dancers was a notable improvement, but not enough for me to want to return to this album. The best songs were Two Dancers (i) and This Is Our Lot.
Sister Sledge
4/5
Was ready to give this a 3 until I listened again on the good speakers and it suddenly made more sense. The drums and keys are consistently solid. The guitar is groovy. The BASS is absolutely nasty in the best way. Not every song is a winner, but the highlights are such jams. Favorites were He’s The Greatest Dancer, Lost In Music, We Are Family, and One More Time.
The Verve
2/5
This album is far too long for what it offers. Bittersweet Symphony is a great song to start the album. The rest of the album features the lead singer alternating between doing his best Thom Yorke and best Bono impressions over forgettable instrumentals. I get why someone might enjoy this, but I don’t see myself revisiting this over other Britpop albums.
The Notorious B.I.G.
4/5
Just about every song here is a certified classic. Incredible beats and quite possibly the best flow and voice of all time. Would be an easy 5/5 if not for the sex skits, which haven’t aged well, and Diddy not ever shutting up. Who Shot Ya? Is one of the best beats ever, but half of the song is his yapping. My favorite songs were Gimme The Loot, The What, Juicy, Big Poppa, Unbelievable, and Who Shot Ya?
John Martyn
4/5
This one was completely new to me and I had never heard of this artist before. I am pleasantly surprised. That was a very enjoyable listen and I will definitely be returning to it again. His voice is really good and the blending of folk and blues styles works really well. Favorites were Don’t Want To Know, Dreams By The Sea, May You Never, and The Man In The Station.
David Bowie
4/5
Listened to this on my train ride into Philadelphia which felt right. Bowie calling this “plastic soul” is a very apt description. I like it, but slightly less than many of his other albums. I would like to believe that the song Fame is why David Bowie was cast in Zoolander. Don’t entirely get the hate for his version of Across The Universe. Favorite tracks were Young Americans, Fascination, Somebody Up There Likes Me, and Fame.
Hot Chip
2/5
I have heard of this band but had never listened to them until now. I found this to be a relatively bland indietronica album. The light synths and at times delicate vocals made this fade into the background for me. The drums also don’t pack enough of a punch to energize everything else. Favorite track was Flutes.
Coldplay
4/5
I like Coldplay (Pre 2011). I think many of these songs are really great. Chris Martin is a great singer and the arrangements are layered nicely. Favorite songs were Politik, God Put A Smile Upon Your Face, The Scientist, and A Rush Of Blood To The Head.
TV On The Radio
4/5
I had previously stated in my last review for this band that the music was creative, but I just didn’t like it very much. Something connected this time for me and I really liked this album. The creativity is all still there, interesting vocal inflections and cool instrumentation, but this time the songs are structured more simply and are a little more accessible to my tastes. Favorites were Crying, Dancing Choose, Golden Age, Red Dress, and DLZ.
Prince
5/5
Not much to say about this one that hasn’t already been said. Still can’t believe that Purple Rain was mostly recorded live.
Pixies
4/5
While not having the heavy hitters that Surfer Rosa and Doolittle have this album is a model of consistency. No song outstays its welcome and the whole album provides a consistently good sound. I would say this album is very well paced. Needed more Kim Deal vocals. Highlights for me were Cecilia Ann, Velouria, Allison, Dig For Fire, The Happening, and Stormy Weather.
Simply Red
2/5
Music to be played at the dentist’s office. Technically inoffensive, but so bland. All the instruments sound so artificial. The Talking Heads cover is so bleh. The singer’s voice is good enough I guess. Favorite song was Holding Back The Years.
Elliott Smith
5/5
This album is incredible. Everything from his voice to the lyrics to the guitars. I absolutely adore how the percussion sounds here. I had never actually listened to anything by him before, but I now know I was sorely missing out. The vocals have a lightness to them that make the more intense moments really stand out.
Love
5/5
I’ve been sitting on this one for about a week giving it time to really marinate. This album is fantastic and has aged incredibly well. I listened to this immediately after listening to Younger Than Yesterday by The Byrds and it is shocking that these both released in 1967. The breadth of styles and instrumentation used here make every track seem like its own, yet they come together beautifully. I need a cover version of this album down entirely by the Muppets.
DJ Shadow
5/5
They say the best music can transport you. This album smells like carpet and wood veneer. This, along with Donuts by J Dilla, Modal Soul by Nujabes, and Deadringer by RJD2 helped me through my freshman year of college. Listening to this again now just sends me back to the library for better and worse. Fantastic record.
The Byrds
3/5
This is a concise set of songs where I think the individual songs are better than the album as a whole. I would not have a problem going back to this, but likely wouldn’t choose to do so on my own. The weird alien voice on C.T.A. -102 was kinda odd. Favorites here were So You Want To Be A Rock N Roll Star, Have You Seen Her Face, Thoughts And Words, and My Back Pages.
Sade
4/5
This sounds like driving over fresh asphalt feels. Her voice is great and the backing instrumentals complement it nicely. Favorites were Smooth Operator, Your Love Is King, Frankie’s First Affair, and Sally.
Travis
3/5
Streaming releases of albums with hidden tracks should separate the track and remove the three minutes of silence. I’m not trying to add the song to a playlist and listen to my thoughts for three minutes. Album was enjoyable enough, but it was nothing I haven’t heard before done better. “We have The Bends at home” seems about right. Favorite songs were Writing To Reach You, Driftwood, and The Last Laugh Of The Laughter.
Rush
4/5
Around six months ago I listened to every Rush album in chronological order because I had never heard most of their catalogue. Prior to doing so I had always heard great things about this record, but had never actually heard it. In doing so and also in revisiting it now I have come to two key understandings: 1. This album cover is lame & 2. Rush made better albums featuring this long prog compositional style namely Hemispheres, Permanent Waves, and A Farewell to Kings. I acknowledge that this one came first, but I think all of those take what is done here and do it better. Highlights here are 2112, A Passage To Bangkok, and Lessons.
Sufjan Stevens
4/5
This album was really good. A musical tour of the places, people, and things of Illinois both past and present. I had only heard Chicago off this album previously. All the instrumentation is very well done and everything sounds like it was all recorded in the same room which I quite like. I had to go back and listen again while reading the lyrics to really appreciate this one. The track titles are ridiculous though. Favorite songs were tracks 3, 9, 10, 12, and 16.
Adam & The Ants
2/5
This one kinda reminded me of Talking Heads if they were considerably less interesting. There were cool rhythms used in the percussion, but everything else didn’t hold my interest. I thought the song Jolly Roger was stupid. Favorite track was Antmusic.
John Grant
3/5
I’m not sure if it was supposed to be, but I found many of lyrics on here to be quite funny. I liked it, but I’m not sure if it’s something I would revisit much. Favorite songs were Marz, Chicken Bones, and Jc Hates Faggots.
Jamiroquai
3/5
I did not dislike this album, but saying it’s just “we have Stevie Wonder at home” would be putting it mildly. I do like the use of the didgeridoo. This feels behind its time, but not in a “appreciating the classics” type way. Lyrics are also very surface level “deep”. Conclusion: it’s fine. Favorite tracks were When You Gonna Learn?, Music Of The Mind, and Blow Your Mind.
Norah Jones
3/5
Pretty chill listen. I did enjoy listening to this. Her voice is pretty good and I didn’t realize I actually knew a couple of these songs ahead of time. Probably won’t revisit it. Favorite songs were Don’t Know Why, Come Away With Me, and Painter Song.
a-ha
3/5
Kinda meh. The highlights are good and the other songs are just kinda there. Not bad, but not super memorable. The singer has great range as demonstrated on Take On Me, but I don’t think he uses it well enough on the other songs where most of the time he’s just doing his best Morrissey impression. Favorite songs were Take On Me and The Sun Always Shines On TV.
Mj Cole
2/5
I found this be very meh. None of the songs really stuck out and none of the production choices were interesting or novel enough to warrant discussing. Nothing offensively bad, but I was a little bored.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
Never noticed the cowbell on Born On The Bayou. This album is really good. The shorter songs are tight and the extended jams of Graveyard Train and Keep On Chooglin’ (whatever Choogling is?) are given time to breathe. This is the kind of music where I want to be there with the band. Like, give me a harmonica I’ll jump right in. Favorite songs were Born On The Bayou, Good Golly Miss Molly, Proud Mary, and Keep On Chooglin’.
5/5
This is really the Sgt. Peppers of Beatles albums not gonna lie. The album cover fits the varied colorful tracks contained within perfectly. A Day In The Life is just one of the best songs ever. I even appreciated some of the less popular songs more than I have in the past. Fixing A Hole is great, Within You Without You is an absolute journey, Good Morning Good Morning features animal noises, truly something for everyone here.
Ian Dury
3/5
This album is “A couple of pints with the lads at the pub” the album. The band is solid, the singer is pretty bad. It’s hilarious, it’s misogynistic, and most importantly it’s entertaining. Is it the best album on this list? God no! But I’m glad I listened to it. Sex And Drugs And Rock & Roll is a classic. Favorite songs were Sweet Gene Vincent, Billericay Dickie, Blockheads, and Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll.
Marianne Faithfull
3/5
Her voice is super interesting to me and the lyrics, especially on Why’d Ya Do It are absolutely brutal. This is one I might go back to sometime. Highlights were Broken English, The Ballad Of Lucy Jordan, and Why’d Ya Do It.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
5/5
Many bands featured on this list can be described as “ahead of their time”. CCR is not one of those bands. They are very much of their time and even that is a stretch. It’s too bad that this album is fantastic. Ramble Tamble is an epic, their version of I Heard It Through The Grapevine features an expansive instrumental section that ebbs and flows, Long As I Can See The Light is an excellent outro. Everything works here.
Gene Clark
4/5
I thought this album was really good. It’s like the Eagles if they didn’t suck mixed with some Neil Young. The second half of this thoroughly engrossed me with the folk/country/psychedelic styles it presents. The lyrics and tones of voice he uses on From A Silver Phial are super good. Favorite tracks were Strength Of Strings, From A Silver Phial, Some Misunderstanding, and Lady Of The North.
Gang Of Four
5/5
I liked this quite a bit. The songs all have momentum. The bass is really good throughout and the lyrics carry hefty political weight while being in songs you could dance to. They should make a genre like that. They could call it “dance punk”. I think that would be really neat.
The Zombies
3/5
I might have gone into this with too high of expectations. I had seen people praising this so I went in expecting something on the level of a Pet Sounds, Sgt. Peppers, or Forever Changes. It was none of those, but it was still pretty enjoyable to listen to. Some of the songs in the first half just kinda came and went for me. I think the second half was better. My favorite songs were Care Of Cell 44, Changes, This Will Be Our Year, and Time Of The Season.
Paul Simon
3/5
This album is held back significantly by just how awful the bass sounds. The other instruments sound a little dated but fine for the time, but that bass is another level of bad. His lyrics are really good and I like his voice and how he often drags lines onto the next musical phrase. Favorite songs were Graceland, Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes, and You Can Call Me Al.
TLC
3/5
This album is a really good time. Biggest complaint here is the overabundance of interludes. The beats are fun, the vocals are good, the verses are tight, and everyone’s favorite person Diddy makes an appearance. Favorite songs were Creep, Waterfalls, Switch, and Sumthin’ Wicked This Way Comes.
Yes
5/5
This album is like if the layered harmonies of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young were ten minutes long and featured ripping guitar and bass and lyrics that still don’t really make sense to me. This is another one where my bias shows up. Another record that defined a moment in time for me (the first half of senior year of high school). I had heard Roundabout from that show with the sun karate and vampires and wanted to know what else that band had made. This lead me to hearing I’ve Seen All Good People and that was it. Starship Trooper is one of my favorite songs ever.
The Police
4/5
Calling this white reggae is pretty much accurate. It’s pretty good though. Sting’s voice is instantly recognizable. My biggest complaint is they don’t really know how to end songs. Every single song ends in a fade-out without much of any outro at all. This wouldn’t be that much of an issue if it wasn’t the case for every single song on the album. Favorites were Message In A Bottle, It’s Alright For You, Deathwish, and No Time This Time.
Belle & Sebastian
3/5
This album sounds like flannel. Very much reminds me of something like Vampire Weekend. The instrumental on I Don’t Love Anyone is very similar to Only Wanna Be With You by Hootie and The Blowfish. Favorites were The State I Am In, She’s Losing It, I Could Be Dreaming, and I Don’t Love Anyone.
Billy Joel
5/5
This another album that fits within the genre of “could be a greatest hits album”. Also probably one of the albums that I have listened to the most throughout my life. Every song here is great but Scenes From An Italian Restaurant absolutely takes the cake as my favorite Billy Joel song.
George Harrison
5/5
George is my favorite Beatle. George released the best Beatles solo album. He really threw everything he had at the wall and saw what stuck. Fortunately, nearly everything ended up sticking to that wall. Yes it is lengthy, but I feel it justifies its length, included the almost entirely instrumental third disc. I believe this is better than the White Album. He crams everything in here from Bob Dylan to Chuck Berry. Shoutout to the slide guitar.
Isaac Hayes
3/5
I didn’t think soundtracks were allowed on the list, but here we are I guess. This is funky and smooth. I feel like I should watch the movie because Shaft seems like a bad mother (Shut your mouth). Favorite songs were Theme From Shaft, Cafe Regio’s, and No Name Bar.
Beastie Boys
5/5
This one is a classic. It’s sounds like they had an absolute blast recording it. Girls and Fight For Your Right were some of the first songs I had on my iPod Shuffle back in 2008 and they still bang. While the sampling is more simplistic here compared to Paul’s Boutique it still works for what they are trying to do. Lyrics are funny and the wordplay is absolutely on point.
American Music Club
3/5
This album was good. I liked how it remained consistent while sometimes amping up the energy when needed. Definitely something I would listen to again. My favorite songs were Somewhere, Lonely, Bad Liquor, and Western Sky.
Iron Maiden
4/5
I think this is a really solid debut album from Iron Maiden. The riffs rock and the changes in intensity really work. Earlier this year I also made my way through all of the Iron Maiden studio albums and this one was within the top 5 for me. I think the weakest aspect here would be the vocals. The addition of Bruce Dickinson would improve upon that on later releases. They were clearly still developing their style as the more progressive elements from later albums weren’t quite in full swing yet. Favorite songs were Prowler, Phantom Of The Opera, and Iron Maiden.
Aerosmith
2/5
I found this one to be bland. And I’m not usually one to complain about lyrics, but some of these are just gross. Glad this one was pretty short. I mean, Walk This Way is a good song, but the Run DMC version is better.
Buffalo Springfield
3/5
Prior to listening to this I had only heard For What’s It’s Worth from Buffalo Springfield. I noticed while listening to this one that the songs seem to range in quality. It was only after reading the Wikipedia page that I realized that all the best songs were the Neil Young written songs (and Bluebird). Probably won’t revisit this one too much, but it wasn’t bad. Favorites were Mr Soul, Expecting To Fly, Bluebird, and Broken Arrow.
Funkadelic
4/5
Simply great. Long songs with lyrics about poop over some of the funkiest instrumentation you’ve ever heard. The live version of Maggot Brain was really cool. This is definitely one I would want to buy on vinyl some day.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
I would have a hard time saying if this is better than Fever To Tell. It’s definitely more polished and the expanded instrumentation leads to more variety. It’s just a different flavor of good. Favorite songs were Zero, Heads Will Roll, Dull Life, and Hysteric.
The Teardrop Explodes
2/5
I didn’t like this one very much. Like the music is fine and the vocals are alright, but this just isn’t my style of music. I liked the song Books.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
I think this really good. It has the pop appeal that I enjoyed from his debut with better lyrics. It sounds to me like Prince was inspired by Green Shirt when making Darling Nikki. Favorite songs were Accidents Will Happen, Oliver’s Army, Green Shirt, Chemistry Class, and Peace, Love, And Understanding.
The Doors
3/5
I still don’t love The Doors. A couple of these songs are pretty good, but I just don’t think I like Jim Morrison’s voice and style too much. The musicianship is all there so it’s not bad by any stretch of the imagination. I just wouldn’t choose to put this on over others doing a similar sound. Favorite songs were the title track, The WASP, and Riders On The Storm
Van Morrison
4/5
This is pleasant to listen to for its whole runtime. Not too much to say about it. I can now say I know more than two Van Morrison songs. I think the first half of the album was better than the second half overall. Would gladly revisit in the future. Favorite songs were And It Stoned Me, Moondance, Caravan, and Glad Tidings.
Sigur Rós
5/5
Music like this is why the generator is so interesting. I probably never would have listened to this otherwise. I had seen the album cover, but didn’t know the name or the artist. im glad i took my time with it because this shit had me floating. The cover art perfectly fits. I don’t know the language, but I don’t need to. The dynamic swells and string arrangements keep the long songs interesting.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
This is my third CCR album in less than a month and these guys are just consistently good. Quick easy listen with great singles and good deep cuts too. I don’t think this is as good as Bayou Country or Cosmo’s Factory. Favorite tracks were Green River, Wrote A Song For Everyone, Bad Moon Rising, Lodi, and The Night Time Is The Right Time.
3/5
For the life of me I could not remember the song Supermassive Black Hole. The song has 600 million streams on Spotify, and it was in the movie Twilight. I should know it but I don’t, and after listening to this album and replaying that song two more times. I still don’t remember the song. This album is basically just a cross between early Radiohead and U2. I would probably rather listen to either of those two, but I can’t really fault them for playing to what works. Favorite songs were Starlight, Assassin, and Knights Of Cydonia.
Bonnie Raitt
1/5
This album was 2650 days ahead of its time. Meaning that this album sounds like the entire thing was produced in the Super Mario 64 Soundfont. I get this is here because it was popular, but to my modern ears it sounds like shit.
Kanye West
5/5
Anyone hating on this album due to present day Kanye’s antics need to reexamine themselves. This is a nearly perfect album. Every beat here is incredible, Kanye’s lyricism is both hilarious and introspective. The shift in vibe comparing this to other hip hop of the time is unmatched. He had something to prove here and he did just that. His best album. Where else can you find Jay-Z calling himself the Jeff Gordon of rap?
R.E.M.
3/5
After listening to this album I revisited Murmur which I had generated last year. This album is not nearly as good as Murmur, but it is still enjoyable. The second half of this album is especially good. Yesterday I had the College Dropout by Kanye West. Jesus Walks from that album uses the same sample as Orange Crush and I think that’s neat. Favorite songs were Stand, Orange Crush, Turn You Inside Out, and I Remember California.
The Young Gods
2/5
This album does a really good job at creating a sense of unease. I wasn’t a big fan of how the album started. I think the second track onward is where it hits its stride. Unfortunately I don’t speak French so while I’m sure he was saying some deep things it mostly just sounded like the vocalist was trying to poop. Best songs were Rue Des Tempetes, Longue Route, and Les Enfants.
Morrissey
3/5
The 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die provides a great case for the existence of Stockholm Syndrome with your captor being Morrissey. I listened to my first Morrissey album almost a year ago and thought to myself “this is pretty alright, but I have no desire to listen to more”. Now, this being my fourth solo album from him with two The Smiths albums in the mix as well I find myself really liking what I’m hearing and wanting to listen to more of this bloke. Favorite songs were We’ll Let You Know, Certain People I Know, We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful, and I Know It’s Gonna Happen Someday.
The Velvet Underground
4/5
First of all, this album sounds really good. Everything is so crisp and clear. The songs are also very good. I get the idea behind The Murder Mystery, but it’s probably not one I would go back to. I can really see how influential they are when one of my first thoughts was “this kinda reminds me of The Strokes”. Favorite songs were What Goes On, Pale Blue Eyes, Beginning To See The Light, I’m Set Free, and After Hours.
Joan Baez
2/5
Her voice is really nice, but unfortunately I found this one to be boring. There are definitely highlights namely Silver Dagger, House Of The Rising Sun, All My Trials, and Wildwood Flower.
Fun Lovin' Criminals
2/5
It’s like the Beastie Boys if you took almost all the energy and fun away. At least Scooby Snacks is pretty good because the rest of this is boring.
Björk
3/5
This is a super interesting idea that for the most part absolutely works. Also, listening to this with headphones is crazy for the sections with the beatboxing. Not sure what was going on during Ancestors. Favorite songs were Where Is The Line, Who Is It, Oceania, and Triumph Of A Heart.
Buena Vista Social Club
4/5
Impeccable vibes. This transported me to a warm place with a cold drink. I understand this is not a great representation of Cuban music, but it sure is fun. Favorite songs were Chan Chan, El Cuarto De Tula, Candela, and La Bayamesa.
AC/DC
3/5
Imma be honest, I never actually knew that AC/DC changed vocalists before Back In Black. I just assumed the guy’s voice changed a little. This album is like a loaf of white bread. The first slice is pretty good, and every slice after that is more of the same. It’s good enough, but I don’t need to eat the whole loaf.
Röyksopp
3/5
This album is the song Mr Krabs wanted to hear again. There are some interesting things going on here. Would probably just come back to the highlights. Favorites were Poor Leno, Remind Me, and She’s So.
PJ Harvey
3/5
This a much simpler compared to the other two albums I have listened to from her which makes sense given it’s her first. This is some pretty typical 90’s alt rock. Favorite songs were Dress, Sheela-Na-Gig, Plants And Rags, and Water.
Happy Mondays
3/5
I don’t think this album really hits its stride until the second half. The fusions of dance music and rock sometimes work and sometimes don’t really. Favorite songs were Kinky Afro, Dennis And Lois, Step On, and Holiday.
The Blue Nile
1/5
When I read "Sophisti-pop" on the wiki I really was expecting to hate this, but I think those bottom-of-the-barrel expectations allowed me to somehow hate this even more. I want someone to throw me in The Blue Nile.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
5/5
I have been enlightened. If My Aim Is True was Elvis Costello’s Blue Album then this would be his Pinkerton, and not just because I think he and Rivers Cuomo look kinda similar. This is a really great album. It combines pop-rock, reggae, new-wave, R&B, and many more styles. You can hear the style of The Smiths and The Police in some of these songs. The lyrics are hard hitting as expected.
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
This album is good, but not great. Just a solid example of the genre and not doing much more beyond that. Favorites were Do It Clean, Villiers Terrace, and Happy Death Men.
Gil Scott-Heron
4/5
The only thing from Gil Scott-Heron I had listened to prior to this is Pieces Of A Man which is a fantastic record that I hope shows up later. His voice is really great. The piano and bass work here are both great. Major credit to Brian Jackson. His political lyrics are really hard hitting and are still relevant today especially on H2Ogate Blues. My favorite songs were Rivers Of My Fathers, Back Home, The Bottle, and Your Daddy Loves You.
3/5
This one needed two listens for me to appreciate it. This reminds me of the experimentation of TV On The Radio taken up to 11. Also kinda reminded me of the band Idles who I really like. Very interesting ideas with the heavier sections and more ambient parts like a musical thunderstorm. Favorite songs were Broken Witch, They Don’t Want Your Corn, They Want Your Kids, and Hold Hands And It Will Happen Anyway.
The Monkees
2/5
This is early 60’s pop-rock done in 1967. It’s like they are trying to experiment on songs like Band 6 and Zilch but the experimentation is the equivalent of a middle school science project. Favorite songs were You Just May Be The One, No Time, and Randy Scouse Git.
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
I mean yeah this is really great. We all know that already. Love the guitar solo on The Chain
Boston
4/5
This is an album I assumed I would give a 5 to before relistening today. The first side is definitely worthy of such. Just four absolute classics in a row. The second half however was not as good as I remember. While listening I also thought I really liked Something About You. And then I thought “Wait, this sounds kinda familiar”. And then I realized that they just made Peace Of Mind again, but not as good on the other side of the same album.
Orange Juice
3/5
I thought this one was pretty good. I really liked when the saxophone snuck its way in there. Some of the instrumentation reminded me of Talking Heads. Favorite songs were Rip It Up, A Million Pleading Faces, I Can’t Help Myself, and Hokoyo.
Erykah Badu
5/5
This is the kind of album you wouldn’t mind getting stuck inside the CD player. The whole thing has a great flow to it, and the instrumentation is super crispy sounding. Especially those drums and the flute. Her voice is really good as well.
Venom
2/5
You can definitely tell the influence this one had on subgenres like Thrash. Unfortunately I don’t think I would return to this one much. Everything also just sounds kinda muddy. Highlights were Black Metal, Leave Me In Hell, and Sacrifice.
Coldplay
4/5
Coldplay is really great when you don’t have someone in your ear telling you they suck. It’s widely appealing for a reason. The guitar on Shiver is really great. Favorite songs were Shiver, Spies, Yellow, Trouble, and High Speed.
Fiona Apple
3/5
The percussion on this is really interesting and I like that this whole album feels like it was made in her house. The more intense moments feel earned as well. Probably not something I would go back to much, but I’m glad I listened. Favorites were Shameika, Under The Table, Ladies, and Heavy Balloon.
Björk
5/5
I can’t believe Bjork invented UK drill. This album is like sitting next to a window on a rainy day. The production choices and vocal layering create a dreamy aesthetic that makes this still feel fresh. Fantastic.
William Orbit
2/5
This one does a good job at being ambient and spacey. It’s just too long and doesn’t hold my interest for the entire runtime. Favorite songs were Water From A Vine Leaf and Time To Get Wize
Pink Floyd
5/5
Can’t believe they made that poster into an album! Songs flow so well that the only song I can play by itself is Money. Everything else requires me to play the whole album through.
David Bowie
4/5
I love just about everything David Bowie touches, and this is no exception. Probably his most iconic look. Doesn’t quite reach the heights of a Hunky Dory or Ziggy Stardust. Cracked Actor is easily my favorite song here. I love the heavy distortion used. Favorite songs are Watch That Man, Cracked Actor, Time, and The Jean Genie.
Suzanne Vega
3/5
I liked this one more than I thought I would. I had heard Tom’s Diner, but nothing else by her. The sing-talking style reminded me of Leonard Cohen quite a bit. Probably won’t go back to this much save for a few songs. Favorites were Marlene On The Wall and Knight Moves.
Ravi Shankar
2/5
This one felt educational. Like sure I enjoyed what I was learning, but I do not feel the need to repeat the same lesson again in the same way.
UB40
3/5
I liked this album. The instrumentation is all really good especially the saxophone and the percussion. The lyrics are far more political than I was expecting from the band that brought us Red Red Wine. My favorite songs were Tyler, King, Burden Of Shame, Food For Thought, and Madam Medusa.
A Tribe Called Quest
5/5
It’s a jazz-rap classic that has aged exceptionally well. Every beat sounds great. Scenario introduced the world to Busta Rhymes. The lyrics are fun and it’s just guys being dudes for most of it. One of the first hip-hop albums that doesn’t sound “old”. So relistenable.
The Bees
3/5
This one has a very nice vibe. Warm weather music for sure. Glad I gave it a listen. Favorite songs were Punchbag, Sunshine, A Minha Menina, and This Town.
Bert Jansch
4/5
This one is really pleasant to listen to. His voice is great and the simplicity of just him and his guitar really adds to the homemade feel. The instrumental tracks do a good job segmenting the album. Reminded me of Nick Drake. Favorite songs were Smokey River, I Have No Time, Needle Of Death, Running From Home, and Angie.
Air
4/5
Just consistently good chill vibes. Like a soundtrack to a really good movie. Favorite songs were La Femme D’argent, Sexy Boy, You Make It Easy, and Ce Matin-la.
Genesis
5/5
Dude…… I’ve never heard any Genesis from before their more pop-centric material. What a wild first listen this was. The kind of 70’s prog noodling that appeals to me exactly. The piano on Firth of Fifth and the long solo on The Cinema Show were high points.
Beyoncé
3/5
One thing about Beyoncé that you can always count on is her albums always sound very well produced and polished. Probably a side effect of having many of the best producers in the business at her disposal. Her voice is good and the songs are pretty good, but the inclusion of this album over Lemonade baffles me. This one is also just a touch on the long side. Highlights are Pretty Hurts, Drunk In Love, XO, and Superpower.
Brian Wilson
4/5
Usually I try to judge an album on its own merits and mostly ignore the story behind them. This one makes that very difficult. After listening to this I went back and listened to Smiley Smile and then went and listened to the Smiley Sessions compilation album before returning to this one again. You can definitely tell that his voice has aged forty years in this one, but it’s still pretty good. It flows as one cohesive piece more than an album with separate songs. This is helped by the callbacks and allusions to future songs in the track list. This album is really great as an idea, but the presence of the other Beach Boys makes the later compilation a better experience overall. Favorite songs were Our Prayer / Gee, Heroes And Villains, Child Is Father Of The Man, Vega-Tables, Wind Chimes, and Mrs. O’Leary’s Cow.
Bob Dylan
5/5
I get it now. This is fantastic. The lyrics are less explicitly political and more stream of consciousness and abstract. The usage of more electric instrumentation on the first half with the longer more acoustic songs on the second really works. His vocal performance on It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue is fantastic.
Eric Clapton
3/5
Love him or hate him Eric Clapton most definitely warrants inclusion on the list. His guitar playing is great and some of these songs are pretty good. The Bob Marley cover is not as good as the original. Favorites were Motherless Children, I Shot The Sheriff, I Can’t Hold Out, and Let It Grow.
The Clash
5/5
This rips. I know I really like an album when I am a little over halfway through and have added nearly every song to my playlist. And then they throw a Reggae song in there with Police & Thieves? Just a really fun album.
LCD Soundsystem
5/5
Many people consider this the best LCD Soundsystem album. They might be right. I’m not one of those people however. It’s funny that the two albums representing the band on the list are not the two I would choose. This Is Happening and the debut are some of my favorite albums of this century so it’s hard to compete. I also can’t help but think that Us V Them somewhat sounds like the Home Depot theme. The layers here deserve to be listened to.
Jane Weaver
2/5
Another artist and album I was completely unfamiliar with. I think this album starts off really good with the first three songs being highlights. Unfortunately, after that it doesn’t really hold my attention as well. The vocals are good, but the instrumentals are not super adventurous. The intro to Valley reminds me of Telephone Line by ELO. Favorite songs were H>A>K and Modern Kosmology.
Nick Drake
4/5
Nick Drake’s voice and lyrics are about as good here as they were on Five Leaves Left. This one features more instrumentation behind him. I think the simplicity suited him a little better and think I prefer his prior effort. Still very good. Favorites here are Hazey Jane II, One Of These Things First, Hazey Jane I, and Northern Sky.
Joe Ely
3/5
It’s a perfectly fine country rock album with some synths thrown in. Not something I would be rushing to revisit. Favorites were Boxcars, Jericho, and Fingernails
Prefab Sprout
3/5
Seeing this listed as another sophisti-pop album did not set my hopes very high. I was pleasantly surprised…for the first half. They decided to make one half of a really great album and then made the second half not that. Favorites were Faron Young, Bonny, When Love Breaks Down, and Goodbye Lucille #1.
Django Django
3/5
This sort of wonky indie rock is fun to me but not much more than that. I think I have maybe heard of this band before but had never given them a listen. The drums consistently sound really good. Favorite songs were Hail Bop, Firewater, Wor, and Life’s A Beach.
Quicksilver Messenger Service
2/5
This felt less fully formed as an album than just a live recording of a concert. It sounds like it would be a good time and the jamming was pretty good, but as an album experience it was relatively weak. The Who Do You Love Suite had both good and meh moments. When You Love and Which Do You Love I really liked, but I didn’t care for Where You Love.
Tricky
3/5
I appreciate this project for making me listen to so much trip-hop that I probably would not have listened to on my own. This one is very interesting. It creates a darker vibe when compared to the likes of Blue Lines. Some of these songs aren’t winners, but I liked listening. His rapping style combined with the vocals create an interesting dynamic. Favorites were Black Steel, Aftermath, and Brand New You’re Retro.
Johnny Cash
4/5
Fairly similar to At Folsom Prison. Good banter between songs and I like that he played San Quentin twice in a row. A like country music when it tells a story and Johnny Cash is a great storyteller. Favorites were Wanted Man, San Quentin, A Boy Named Sue, and Folsom Prison Blues.
Blood, Sweat & Tears
4/5
This one does a great job conveying that jazz-rock sound with the brass instrumentation. Much like Chicago but a little more Bluesy than I expect from them. The vocalist is entertaining too. The intro and outro are an interesting choice that I quite like. Favorites were More And More, Spinning Wheel, You’ve Made Me So Happy, and Blues, Pt. 2.
Method Man
3/5
Definitely not my favorite wu-tang solo album, but the production is still good and the flow is there. Method Man just never really seemed like the one to carry a whole album. Favorites were Bring The Pain, Meth Vs. Chef, Release Yo’ Delf, and Mr. Sandman.
Marvin Gaye
5/5
This album is not overrated. It really might be one of the best albums ever made. A political statement that feels as relevant today as it was back then. The transitions between songs especially the one between God Is Love and Mercy Mercy Me are great.
Mudhoney
4/5
This shit rips. The guitar tone is great. For the purpose of the list I only listened to the original tracklist from the 6 track EP. I think Chain That Door is a little too close to falling apart, but everything else here rocks so much it makes up for it. You can definitely hear some of The Stooges here as well as where music would go for the next decade.
Liz Phair
3/5
I liked this album. An artist I had heard of but never actually listened to. Very raw production, vocals, and lyrics. I don’t really buy The Rolling Stones response thing. Highlights were Help Me Mary, Never Said, Mesmerizing, Fuck And Run, and Gunshy.
White Denim
4/5
A album I was unfamiliar with from a band I had not heard of. Very reminiscent of that jam band type sound. I love this shit. Can’t believe I hadn’t heard it before. Definitely something I will come back to. Favorites were It’s Him!, Back At The Farm, Street Joy, River To Consider, and Is And Is And Is.
Primal Scream
4/5
I liked this much more than the other Primal Scream album I listened to before. The album cover is really great showing the hazy brightness present in the music. I also feel like this earns this length unlike many other 90’s albums. Favorite songs were Moving On Up, Higher Than The Sun, Come Together, and Loaded.
Queen
3/5
Sheer Heart Attack is the better album compared to this. Queen has always been a greatest hits band for me and my opinion is not changed here. I’m In Love With My Car is not good. Favorite songs were Death On Two Legs, Sweet Lady, The Prophet’s Song, and that one song from that movie and that other movie.
Black Sabbath
5/5
With their first album Black Sabbath basically invented heavy metal. With their second album Black Sabbath perfected heavy metal. This very well may be the top of the mountain. It’s not even my favorite Sabbath album (Master Of Reality), but the timelessness is undeniable. I love how Planet Caravan is a brief reprieve from the super iconic moments on the first side that feels like you are listening underwater. Electric Funeral is my favorite kind of metal song with the slow tempo and chunky guitar riff. Rat Salad is the Sabbath equivalent to Moby Dick. Everything is great here.
The Associates
1/5
Total whiplash compared to my previous album. The instrumentals? Trash. The vocals? Annoying. I didn’t like this at all.
Soft Machine
3/5
This is a musical loaf of bread. It’s interesting, but like a rye it sure is dense. I’m not sure one listen was enough, but I doubt one or two more would change my thoughts much. The jazzy soundscapes here are unique and worthy of listening to. Not sure starting off with the most obtuse song was really the best idea. My favorite song was Slightly All The Time.
Sly & The Family Stone
3/5
This is one that I’ve seen and heard people rave about for years and years. And for the A side I totally get it, but side B seems to falter for me. Songs like Spaced Cowboy don’t really work for me. The bass playing is really good especially on songs like Africa Talks To You and Brave & Strong. Highlights here were Luv N’ Haight, Family Affair, Africa Talks To You, and Brave & Strong.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
The thought of Bruce sitting in his bedroom with a glockenspiel on his lap is very funny to me for some reason. The explosive rock backing tracks of prior albums are gone, but the tales of blue collar struggle are turned up to 11. Very clearly inspired by the folk rock of Bob Dylan and the like. I understand what he was doing here and I respect it. I just think that Bruce works better with a band behind him. Favorite songs were Atlantic City, Johnny 99, Open All Night, and Reason To Believe.
The Slits
3/5
Interesting mix of punk and reggae. Vocals reminded me of Siouxsie and the Banshees, but might be just a case of “British woman”. Nothing too incredible, but it was fun. Favorite songs were Shoplifting, Typical Girls, and I Heard It Through The Grapevine.
Garbage
3/5
I should like everything about this, but it doesn’t really connect for some reason. It reminded me of The Smashing Pumpkins and Hole, but I would prefer to listen to those bands instead. It’s well made and I would never complain to hear songs from it, but it wouldn’t be my first choice. Favorite songs were Supervixen, Only Happy When It Rains, Not My Idea, and Stupid Girl.
Drive Like Jehu
5/5
This makes me want to run face first through a brick wall. The guitar work is really great and noisy. The vocals are perfect for the style. The almost thirty seconds of feedback at the beginning of Super Unison is awesome. The long songs give opportunity for the musicianship to shine.
Sugar
3/5
This one took me a couple listens to decide my feelings on. Do I like this? Or do I just like the bands this was inspired by? I’ve decided the answer is both. I’m a fan of this power pop slop. Favorite songs were The Act We Act, Helpless, and Hoover Dam.
Steve Winwood
2/5
This is terrible. I loved every minute of it. Favorite songs were While You See A Chance and Night Train
Carole King
5/5
I somehow have never heard this one. I get the hype. This is a really great album. Her voice is restrained, but effort is placed exactly where it needs to be. The songwriting is great. The piano and guitar work are particular standouts. This album is cozy and warm.
Franz Ferdinand
4/5
An album that is much more than just Take Me Out. They got bangers. Very much holds up today. I like the intro to Jaqueline and the synths in Come On Home. Highlights are those two, Take Me Out, The Dark Of The Matinee, and This Fire.
Aerosmith
3/5
I will admit I enjoyed this one more than Toys In The Attic. I think the vocals on Back In The Saddle are entertaining and Last Child is pretty funky. Nobody’s Fault is pretty decent too. I could forget the rest of it though. Having three songs I like boosts it slightly into the range of a three, but this is basically a 2.5.
Missy Elliott
3/5
You forget how much Timbaland owned the 00’s until you listen to something like this. Those drums still hit. Fun time. Very early 2000’s. Favorites songs were Bring The Pain, Work It, Back In The Day, and Play That Beat.
The Pogues
4/5
So much more than Fairytale of New York. That song is damn good too though. This album makes me want to drink a couple pints with the lads. Just pure fun. Favorite songs are the title track, Fairytale of New York, Thousands Are Sailing, and Medley.
The Stooges
4/5
The guitar work on this is really great especially on songs like 1969 and Not Right. This also surprised me as I was not expecting something like We Will Fall to be on this album. The energy is really great. Definitely ahead of its time. Favorites were 1969, I Wanna Be Your Dog, No Fun, and Not Right.
Waylon Jennings
2/5
I mean it’s fine, but I was bored. I liked the use of harmonica I suppose. My favorite song here was the title track.
Sinead O'Connor
3/5
The only song of her’s I was familiar with was her version of Nothing Compares 2 U. Not huge into that song, but some of the other songs on here I really liked. The guitar and explosive drum hits coming in near the end of Last Day Of Our Acquaintance are really good. The lyrics on The Emperor’s New Clothes and Black Boys On Mopeds were great too.
Ice T
3/5
This is a good album. However, it is a little too long. Ice T has good flows and lyrics. The production sometimes leaves some to be desired, but I guess that’s what happens when you compare this to Dre and his other contemporaries. Also laws around sampling in the early 90’s are wild. How did everyone get rights to sample When The Levee Breaks like on Midnight? Highlights were New Jack Hustler, Bitches 2, O.G. Original Gangster, Midnight, and Body Count.
Talvin Singh
1/5
He successfully takes the neat idea of combining Asian instrumentation with western electronic music and manages to make something truly uninteresting here. Would not listen again. Absolute slog.
Holger Czukay
4/5
This was super interesting the whole way through. Cool In The Pool sounded like Talking Heads. The sound collages seem like what The Avalanches or MF DOOM would be doing twenty years later. I will definitely be listening to more from this guy. Favorite songs were Cool In The Pool, Oh Lord, Give Us More Money, and Hollywood Symphony.
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
2/5
This is so very 80’s. I think I need to assassinate the prime minister of Malaysia now. It’s too long and I’m not sure any of the covers are better than the original versions. Favorite songs were Relax, Two Tribes, and The Power Of Love.
The Monks
3/5
Is this the invention of punk? Whether is it or not. It’s crazy that this released right before Pet Sounds and the story behind it is pretty cool. The music itself has that energy and excitement. The straining vocals and blown out organ certainly make this unique. Favorite songs were Boys Are Boys And Girls Are Choice, Oh, How To Do Now, Complication, and Love Came Tumblin’ Down.
Minor Threat
5/5
Kicks so much ass. Every band member is on their A-game here. Constant forward momentum over a brief 21 minutes. Probably could have put the complete discography compilation on the list.
Ice Cube
3/5
You’re telling me this is the guy from the hit film Are We There Yet? Ice Cube’s solo debut features good production and provocative lyrics. These lyrics appear to succeed in their intent as evidenced by most of the reviews on this website. Doesn’t overstay its welcome, but I wish Mr. Cube would have changed his flows up a little more. Favorite songs were The Nigga Ya Love To Hate, You Can’t Fade Me, Endangered Species, Rollin’ Wit The Lench Mob, and The Bomb.
David Gray
1/5
This is probably the kind of thing that was big in the UK but never made much of an impact in the US. Needless to say I expect to see a David Gray biopic where he is a CGI moose in the next couple of years. Like music for a dentist’s office. I continue to remind myself that boring stuff like this made the list over the Blue Album, Madvillainy, The Black Parade, Discovery, In The Aeroplane Over The Sea, etc.
Neil Young
5/5
Despite the name this is not a summer album. This is an album that expresses the feeling of being on the beach in autumn and all the melancholy that comes with it. It doesn’t have the hits, but every song here is great. Something about Neil’s music just really works for me.
Herbie Hancock
5/5
It would be a classic with just Chameleon and Watermelon Man. The fact that the other half is here and is really good too is just icing on the cake. The snare that drives the lumbering Vein Melter caught my attention so much I had to play it again to listen to the other instruments.
Snoop Dogg
4/5
It’s amazing that Snoop managed to make an absolute classic like this and then proceeded to coast for the rest of his career. Incredible beats from Dr Dre. I really like this, but I would rather listen to The Chronic over this. It’s also interesting that he didn’t even have the first verse on his own album. Favorite songs were Gin And Juice, Who Am I, Ain’t No Fun, and Doggy Dogg World.
Stan Getz
3/5
This album does a good job of being danceable jazz. Solid background music. The saxophone and guitar work are both pretty good. Favorite songs were Samba Dees Days, O Pato, and Bahia.
Belle & Sebastian
4/5
Describing this as “twee” is very accurate. The lyrics are very well written and the instrumentals are consistently great. I liked this more than their first album. I really love when the trumpet comes in on the final track. Favorite songs were The Stars Of Track And Field, Me And The Major, The Fox In The Snow, Mayfly, and Judy And The Dream Of Horses.
Burning Spear
4/5
His voice is really great. This isn’t chill music. This is music to get across his message. Also had to read the Wikipedia page for Marcus Garvey. Shit is wild. I like this. Favorite songs were Marcus Garvey, Slavery Days, Give Me, and Tradition.
Dizzee Rascal
4/5
The beats on here are absolutely insane. I read that Danny Brown considers this an inspiration and I understand why. This is barely hip-hop. I would say it’s much closer to big beat using the vocals as another texture in the instrumentals. Favorite songs were I Luv U, Brand New Day, Fix Up, Look Sharp, Hold Ya Mouf, and Seems 2 Be.
Korn
1/5
Immediately after listening to this I relistened to the self-titled Slipknot album just to confirm I was not going crazy. Yes, I can confirm that one is still good. This album, however, I would not call good. Not even sure how much ironic enjoyment I can get from this. I find the vocals grating and the rest of the band doesn’t do enough to make up for them. I understand that nu-metal has its place on this list, but I don’t like this one.
Guns N' Roses
4/5
One of my favorite “hair metal” albums. In a genre where most of it is complete crap, the guitar work and vocals here really shine and never really seemed as “corny” as a Bon Jovi or a Def Leppard. Best songs here are Nightrain, Mr Brownstone, Paradise City, Sweet Child O Mine, and Rocket Queen.
A Tribe Called Quest
5/5
I mean, it’s not as good as The Low End Theory, but not many hip hop albums are. The beats are fun, the rhymes are fun. Just a very colorful album. Can I Kick It? Yes you can!
Machito
3/5
This is fun. Like a jazzy party. Lots of horns. Unfortunately the most interesting song was first and I don’t think the rest quite match up to it. Favorites were Wild Jungle, Kenya, and Cannonology
Randy Newman
2/5
It is possible to be interesting musically and lyrically while making a political and societal statement. This album does not do that for me. His lyrics are clearly very sarcastic, but he bashes that sarcasm over your head with a comically oversized mallet. I liked Political Science.
Tom Waits
5/5
The only thing I knew about Tom Waits was that people said he had a weird voice. I was expecting something like Bob Dylan, but was very surprised from the first track. This album took a second listen for me to really get it. The imagery he creates with each song is really amazing. It’s like each song is a scene from a movie. The guitar on the album is really great too.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
2/5
Goofy looking armadillo tank on the cover here. I like it. When people talk about progressive rock wankery this is the kind of stuff they mean. How the hell am I supposed to understand that there is a story/concept here without having it explained to me? The title track does some neat things sometimes when it’s not keyboard nonsense for the sake of it. The rest of the album is a mixed bag ranging from plain bad to just ok.
Haircut 100
3/5
Yep, this is certainly music that I listened to. Reminded me of Duran Duran. Wait… what did I just listen to? It’s gone already? I mean, it was fine, but it’s another one to add to the pile of albums that were fine but were forgotten as soon as I finished listening. Favorites were Love Plus One, Fantastic Day, and Snow Girl.
John Cale
4/5
This is a lot more straightforward than much of the Velvet Underground I have listened to, but that’s not a bad thing. These are good, well written songs that form a pretty cohesive album experience. Definitely something I will go back to. Very immediately appealing. Favorites were Child’s Christmas In Wales, Andalucia, Paris 1919, and Antarctica Starts Here.
Shack
2/5
This is “we have Oasis at home” that really shouldn’t be here because the entire time I was thinking about how I could be listening to Oasis. Like it’s not technically bad, but I’m not itching to relisten. Favorite song was Natalie’s Party.
Jeff Buckley
5/5
This guy is Tim’s son? For some reason I have never listened to this one. I sorely regret that now. This is absolutely fantastic. The kind of music that can strongly affect me and make me feel. It feels very 90’s yet at the same time has shades of the 60’s singer-songwriter.
Megadeth
3/5
Prior to this I had only heard Rust In Peace from them, which I really liked. This isn’t that, but it’s still solid. The Metallica comparisons are always going to be made when discussing Megadeth. I think the pure musicianship here is better. However, I think I prefer the melodies and overall songwriting on Master Of Puppets which came out the same year. Favorite songs were Peace Sells, Good Mourning / Black Friday, and My Last Words.
Rod Stewart
3/5
My grandma was a big fan of Rod Stewart and owned a lot of his CDs. I never really listened to any of those, but a guy called Rod Stewart did seem like the kind of artist to poke fun at. There is very little edge to this and it’s hard to really say this has an identity of its own beyond his voice as many of these songs are covers. That being said I did like it. Favorites were Gasoline Alley, Country Comfort, and You’re My Girl.
The Boo Radleys
4/5
This was one I had never heard of and was a pleasant surprise. The stylistic blending on noise pop, indie rock, and even reggae sometimes was very enjoyable. I’m not sure I really got the vibe that this was a “shoegaze” album. Vocals are pretty good. Definitely one I will return to. Favorites songs were I Hang Suspended, Leaves And Sand, Barney (…and Me), and If Your Want It, Take It.
BONUS:
I also listened to the similarly titled album by John Coltrane that does not make an appearance in the book. That man is a wizard on the saxophone. The bass here is also really impressive. Just a constant sense of movement. Definitely one of my favorite jazz albums and probably the one I have listened to the most.
5/5
Manic Street Preachers
4/5
This very much reminded me of Spilt Milk by Jellyfish. Some high quality power pop here. There might be too much Britpop on the list, but it allows me to find new ones I like such as this so I can’t always complain. Favorite songs were Elvis Impersonator: Blackpool Pier, Kevin Carter, Ebola / Alone, Everything Must Go, and Australia.
Derek & The Dominos
4/5
A classic for a reason. You come for Layla and stay for the high quality guitar playing from both Clapton himself and Duane Allman. Probably not one I would regularly listen to the whole thing of, but it is really good. Favorite songs were I Looked Away, Bell Bottom Blues, Anyday, Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad?, Little Wing, and Layla.
The Saints
4/5
Pretty good. I thought this was closer in style to The Stooges than it was to many of the other punk albums I’ve received. The horns on Know Your Product were an interesting attention grabber. Favorite songs were Know Your Product, Memories Are Made Of This, No, Your Product, Run Down, and Untitled.
Richard Thompson
3/5
I thought this was good. It’s not typically the type of music I would choose to listen to, but I can tell it’s well made. The lyrics were interesting. Favorite songs were The Calvary Cross, I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight, and The Little Beggar Girl.
Small Faces
2/5
The first half of this I thought was pretty good. The second half is such absolute shite that I can’t even consider giving this album above a 2. Concept albums aren’t for everyone guys and that’s ok. Favorites were Afterglow, Song Of A Baker, and Lazy Sunday.
Brian Eno
3/5
The percussion on here is super interesting and the sampling is pretty cool. Not 100% sure when you would listen to something like this. Like it’s little too weird to be danced to. The soundscape on Mountain Of Needles had me floating. Favorites were Regiment, Help Me Somebody, and Mountain Of Needles.
The Waterboys
3/5
At the intersection of U2 and The Pogues this is a right good time. I think the first half was overall stronger than the second. Solid fiddling throughout. Favorite songs were Fisherman’s Blues, We Will Not Be Lovers, World Party, and Sweet Thing.
Randy Newman
2/5
Kingfish reminded me of Nothing From Nothing by Billy Preston so I guess that automatically makes it better than the other album by him I listened to. I understand the point he is making and stories he is telling, but it’s not one I really want to come back to. I like that white dudes in the 70’s were super comfortable with dropping slurs in their songs in the name of “social commentary”. My favorite song was Mr. President.
The Divine Comedy
3/5
I went into this somewhat expecting to hate it from the first couple of seconds, but as it went on I found myself enjoying it more and more. I understand the humor in this and appreciated the effort behind it. I also just think the second half is much better than the first. Highlights were Charge, The Frog Princess, and Through A Long & Sleepless Night.
Sonic Youth
4/5
This is noisy and dissonant. I’m a fan. I don’t like it as much as I enjoyed Goo. The vocals here really added to the atmosphere. Favorites were Tom Violence, Starpower, Madonna, Sean, And Me, and Bubblegum.
Talking Heads
5/5
Y’know when I was first listening to Talking Heads ‘77 I kept thinking to myself “I wish these guys made more songs. And I wish those songs were about buildings and food”. I guess they had the same idea. Just a fantastic album. Not sure if I like this or Fear Of Music more.
Love
3/5
This is definitely Love heading in the directions they would go on Forever Changes. I just don’t think it’s quite there yet. There are flavors of standard 60’s baroque pop as well as glimpses of what would be punk. I also didn’t think Revelation really held my attention for the entire runtime. Favorites were Stephanie Knows Who, Orange Skies, and Seven And Seven Is.
Grateful Dead
4/5
I’ve always been told that the life material from the Dead is better than anything they did in the studio, and I guess I’ll have to check some of that out because I enjoyed this. A couple songs I recognized. Ideal album to listen to in a rental van driving across the country. Favorites were Box Of Rain, Friend Of The Devil, Ripple, Till The Morning Comes, and Truckin’.
Caetano Veloso
4/5
This was a blast. Combining psychedelic rock and Brazilian samba was something I never knew I needed to hear. Definitely a good inclusion on the list. Favorites were Clarice, Alegria, Alegria, Onde Andaras, Soy Loco Por Ti America.
Bob Dylan
5/5
The writing here is simply amazing. This is him “going back to his roots” and it’s done really well. Really great album cover too.
Janis Joplin
4/5
This is a really good album. Her voice is really great as expected. I think overall I preferred Cheap Thrills to this. Favorite songs were Cry Baby, Half Moon, Me And Bobby McGee, and Trust Me
Destiny's Child
2/5
This is good for a song or two, but wears thin upon listening the whole way through. Favorite song was Survivor.
4/5
Concept albums and rock operas are great when appreciated as a whole, but I think they are at their best when they can also be appreciated song by song. This is one of those. This is what Tommy wishes it could be. Just a really great album. The drumming on She Bought A Hat Like Princess Marina is really good. I should get further into their music. Favorites were Victoria, Australia, Shangri-La, Mr. Churchill Says, and Nothing To Say.
Bill Callahan
3/5
This album was very relaxing. The arrangements were well done and his subdued delivery works for what he was going for. Favorites were All Thoughts Are Prey To Some Beast and Faith/Void.
Ryan Adams
3/5
Sometimes he sounds like he’s doing his best Bob Dylan impression. Most of the rest of time he sounds like what Zach Bryan does today. I liked it. Sometimes a little samey. Favorite songs were To Be Young, Come Pick Me Up, and Shakedown On 9th Street.
Prince
5/5
The sheer breadth he covers on this album is impressive, but it’s all so Prince. This earns its hefty length unlike many other double albums out there. Very few artists can make a song as good as The Cross. Sad this is the last Prince album I get to review for the list.
Duke Ellington
4/5
Explosive live big band jazz. The solo on Diminuendo In Blue is nuts. Really fun to listen to. Favorites were Festival Junction and Diminuendo In Blue.
Thin Lizzy
3/5
Most other live albums fail to answer the question: “Are the boys back in town?” This one answers that one. It’s solid. Favorites were Rosalie, Massacre, and The Boys Are Back In Town.
Femi Kuti
3/5
I liked the instrumentation. Was good music for my commute. Not a huge fan of Nawa. Highlights were Survival, Frustrations, and Live For Today
Britney Spears
3/5
E-Mail My Heart is a hilariously dated song. This is music by committee that for the most part is really good. The key change in Sometimes is great. The Beat Goes On is an interesting closer that’s very stylistically different from the rest of the songs here. Highlights were …Baby One More Time, Sometimes, and Soda Pop.
Talk Talk
4/5
I’m usually not super big into the new wave albums the generator gives me, but something about this really worked for me. The instrumentation was really diverse. The vocals here reminded me a little of Peter Gabriel. Favorite songs were Life’s What You Make It, Living In Another World, Give It Up, and Time It’s Time.
T. Rex
4/5
This is really good. I liked it more than Electric Warrior. Good songs that don’t take themselves too seriously. Favorites were Metal Guru, Rock On, The Slider, Spaceball Ricochet, and Telegram Sam.
R.E.M.
5/5
This is probably my favorite R.E.M. album that I’ve heard so far. Every song here is great. Much heavier than Murmur was especially on songs like Strange and Oddfellows Local 151. The shape of alternative rock to come.
Patti Smith
5/5
The lyrics on Gloria. The reggae-like rhythms of Redondo Beach. The build into the climax on Birdland. The bass line on Free Money. The organ and plinky guitar sound on Kimberly. The use of background vocals and the rawness on Break It Up. The driving rhythms and piano usage in Land. The guitar tone on Elegie. It’s punk but done in a very unique way that feels distinct. Reminded me a lot of the Velvet Underground.
George Michael
2/5
I really wanted to like this one, but a lot of these songs dragged for me. There were a couple good ones, but the majority of this album just seemed like meh. Favorites were Freedom! ‘90 and Waiting For That Day.
Bob Dylan
5/5
The generator seems to know that I live in Minnesota now. In the two weeks I have lived here I have received Dylan twice and the last Prince album. Looking forward to receiving The Replacements or Hüsker Dü soon to keep the theme alive. Anyway, this is one of the best albums of all time. I might have cried.
John Lee Hooker
2/5
This album gets better once you finish all of the collaborations. They are fine, but nothing I would choose to listen to again over other blues offerings. Favorites were My Dream and No Substitutes.
The Triffids
1/5
I tried. I really did. I gave this two full listens. This just isn’t good to me. Everything on here was done better elsewhere leaving this feeling hollow.
Deep Purple
2/5
This would be an incredible concert to see live. As an album, however, I don’t think it’s nearly as good. I honestly can’t think of a reason to listen to the version of Smoke On The Water from here compared to the studio. The lengthy drum solo on The Mule never seems to go anywhere. Favorite song here was Child In Time.
Dr. Octagon
3/5
Super cool album cover and some real interesting ideas here. The humor is definitely present and the beats are good. Not sure I’d go back to this one too much due to the large presence of skits. The scratching on here is really good too. This just makes me really hope that Deltron 3030 is also on the list. Favorites were No Awareness, Blue Flowers, and I’m Destructive.
Alice Cooper
3/5
This reminded me a lot of an American The Who. A lot of super interesting song ideas and concepts. Sometimes the “edgier” parts come across a little corny to me from a modern perspective. Favorites were Elected, Generation Landslide, and I Love The Dead.
U2
4/5
Sonically very different from the other U2 album I have received. They were definitively headed in a more pop-centric direction here. It’s still good. Favorites were Zoo Station, One, Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses, Mysterious Ways, and Ultra Violet.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
2/5
I like the idea behind this one and the story is pretty neat, but to me the music comes off as kinda samey. They are obviously very talented, but I don’t know what they are saying and there no instruments and very few melodic ideas in the background to keep it interesting. Favorite songs were King of Kings and How Long.
Sepultura
4/5
This goes hard while I’m sitting at work staring at spreadsheets. The explosions of energy combined with the injections of Brazilian music create something truly interesting. Favorite songs were Roots Bloody Roots, Ratamahatta, Straighthate, Born Stubborn, Itsari, and Ambush.
Gary Numan
3/5
This can be best described as: Cars! and nine other songs that kinda sound like Cars. And that’s not a bad thing. This sort of 70’s/80’s futurism is fascinating as it both firmly plants it in time, yet also still sounds far off and alien. Favorites were Metal, Tracks, and Cars.
Barry Adamson
2/5
This is really a soundtrack for movie that doesn’t exist. Terrible idea, but admittedly solid execution. The music is pretty good, but its inclusion here seems pretty pointless. Favorite song was The Swinging Detective.
Dirty Projectors
4/5
This album spits in the face of standard song structure and I really liked it. Sections of songs just happen, but they sound good. The vocals are really great especially with use of background vocals that fill out the songs. Favorites were Temecula Sunrise, Stillness Is The Move, and Useful Chamber.
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
2/5
You can tell this guy is a bass player given that the bass parts are probably the best thing here. Lots of varied influences present here and some work better than others. I wasn’t a fan of the first three songs. Highlights were Ungodly Kingdom and Wonderful World.
Parliament
5/5
The funk is within me. Everything here is so tight. The basslines, the drumming, the horns, the synths. Everything works together. Incredible stuff.
Ray Charles
4/5
I’m not convinced Stevie Wonder is actually blind. Ray Charles, however, this guy is absolutely blind. This album emits such a warm vibe. The soulful vocals and big band instrumentation bring such vibrancy to these country/western songs. Favorites were Half As Much, Just A Little Lovin’, Careless Love, and Hey Good Lookin’.
CHVRCHES
3/5
I had almost completely forgotten about CHVRCHES until this album came up. This is such a relic of mid-2010’s alternative radio. I’ve heard many of these songs before. It’s solid electro pop, but likely not something I would return to often. Favorites were The Mother We Share, Gun, and Science/Visions.
Motörhead
3/5
This album is how I imagine it feels to ride a Harley. Blistering speed and noise. It’s really a shame the lyrics on Jailbait are so bleh because the song otherwise is really great. Favorites were Ace Of Spades, Shoot You In The Back, and The Chase Is Better Than The Catch.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
2/5
It’s an interesting idea, but I can’t say I really liked this. I like progressive rock. I’ve given 5’s to Yes, King Crimson, and Genesis, yet something about ELP just doesn’t really appeal to me in the same way. Favorite song was Blues Variation.
Justice
5/5
This is some really great dance music. The bass lines are filthy, the builds are captivating, and everything maintains momentum which prevents me from getting bored unlike lots of other dance music. Very diverse.
OutKast
4/5
It’s basically two solo albums put together, but even so they are both pretty great. Speakerboxxx is consistent and soulful. The Love Below is jazzy and really creative. Who would have expected a breakbeat version of My Favorite Things. I don’t think this is quite as good as Stankonia. Favorites were GhettoMusick, Bow tie, The Way You Move, Bust, Church, Last Call, Hey Ya!, Roses, and Dracula’s Wedding.
Scott Walker
3/5
Much better than Scott 2. Still not big into this style, but this one had songs I liked and the lyrics were good. Favorites were The Seventh Seal, Hero Of The War, and The Old Man’s Back Again.
Jane's Addiction
4/5
I’m probably overrating this, but I really enjoyed it. I knew Jane Says, but everything else here was new to me. Favorites were Ocean Size, Ted, Just Admit It…, Summertime Rolls, Idiots Rule, and Jane Says.
Astor Piazzolla
2/5
I’m glad I listened to this, but I probably won’t return to it. It certainly is a jazz tango album featuring lots of vibraphone. My favorite song was Nuevo Tango.
David Bowie
3/5
David Bowie is probably my favorite artist of all time. I love just about everything he did, but he never really was an “innovator”. He always seemed to make musical trends he liked his own. This is no exception to that. Mostly a relatively standard rock record featuring flavors of 90’s alt rock. He sounds very old here. This is still good, but it doesn’t do anything exceptionally unique. Favorites are The Next Day, The Stars, Valentine’s Day, Boss Of Me, and Set The World On Fire.
George Michael
2/5
The production on this is so very 80’s in the not good way. Faith is a good song I just wish it was longer. Maybe I just don’t really care for George Michael.
Dead Kennedys
5/5
This fills me with the desire to punch my senator and toss rocks at the windows of corporations. I won’t do those things, of course, but the energy is there. Really really great punk record.
The Undertones
4/5
When this came up I went back and relistened to the other Undertones album I was generated. This band is just really fun. They aren’t too serious, but I don’t think they are trying to be. This album is basically another batch of the same stuff, but who’s going to complain about a second cake. Favorite songs were There Goes Norman, Whizz Kids, Tearproof, and Wednesday Week.
Pink Floyd
3/5
This is an interesting one for me. This absolutely blew my mind when I first listened to it in high school. I’m not sure it’s as good as I initially thought. This feels like I should be listening to the stereo mix with instances like the panning at the end of Interstellar Overdrive. However, sometimes it’s so choppy with how it cuts out of one ear that it takes me out of the experience. Mono it is then chief. The goofy Britishness works in this album’s favor especially on songs like The Gnome where it comes across as slightly unnerving. Favorites were Lucifer Sam, Take Up Thy Stethoscope And Walk, Interstellar Overdrive, and Bike.
Dusty Springfield
3/5
I initially wondered why this reminded me of Carole King until I looked at the credits and everything made sense. Son Of A Preacher Man is a classic and this record as a whole has some great moments. Favorites were So Much Love, Son Of A Preacher Man, Breakfast In Bed, and The Windmills Of Your Mind.
The Black Crowes
3/5
It’s a perfectly fine tribute to the blues and southern rock of the 70’s. One that I’m sure I would like a lot more if I had grown up with it and had the nostalgia factor (See The Black Keys review to come later for this to pay off). Favorites were Twice As Hard, Seeing Things, Hard To Handle, and She Talks To Angels.
Tom Tom Club
3/5
Sometimes I find myself just saying “James Brown, James Brown!” This is a fun album. Of course I knew Genius Of Love, but the other songs were good I liked the usage of other styles to influence this. Probably not something I would return to super often. Favorites were Wordy Rappinghood, Genius Of Love, and As Above, So Below.
Iron Maiden
5/5
I understand exactly why the debut and this one were picked to represent Iron Maiden on the list, but it doesn’t mean I can’t be mad that Powerslave didn’t make the cut. It’s hard for me to think about this as being metal given how far it’s come since this. Bruce Dickinson has more of a voice for Prog than for metal to me so I’m glad they decided to go in the direction they did. Invaders is probably my least favorite song here, but the back half is so great it makes up for most flaws.
Kate Bush
4/5
This is definitely not an accessible listen. Kate Bush has her own unique style unlike any other artist. I thought this was really good, but I can understand why many might not like it. Favorite songs were Pull Out The Pin, Suspended In Gaffa, and Night Of The Swallow.
The Charlatans
2/5
OK I GET IT. Britpop was a big deal in the late 90’s/Early 00’s. That doesn’t mean we need to give every single Oasis soundalike a spot on the list. Like this is fine, but I’ve already heard this before I even hit play. And after listening I’m still not sure I did. I assumed I was going to be gifted a Dylan cover, but was underwhelmed when it was just a shared title. Favorite song was North Country Boy.
Animal Collective
3/5
When I first heard this years ago I don’t think I got it and as a result never revisited until now. I get it now and I like it. Very much Beach Boys inspired. Favorite songs were My Girls, Summertime Clothes, Bluish, and Brother Sport.
My Bloody Valentine
4/5
Lyrics? Who knows. The vocals are here for melody and texture. The walls of sound make this more of a set of feelings rather than songs. I just think Shoegaze is really cool. Not quite as good as Loveless, but there isn’t much that is. Favorites were She Found Now, Only Tomorrow, New You, and Wonder 2.
ABBA
3/5
I preferred Arrival to this one. This one tries to be a little more serious. It still has highlights. My favorite songs were The Visitors, Soldiers, Two For The Price Of One, and Slipping Through My Fingers.
Joy Division
4/5
This is really heavy and dark stuff. Decades is an incredible song. Unknown Pleasures is more immediate, but I can see how this is just as great. Favorites were Passover, A Means To An End, The Eternal, and Decades.
Kraftwerk
4/5
The title tracks takes you on such a journey and then it returns back to its central theme and you remember where you came from. Incredible stuff. Favorite songs were Autobahn and Morgenspaziergang.
Afrika Bambaataa
3/5
This is fun but it is a bit simple. Definitely something I can imagine that would have been put on at a party. Favorite songs were Planet Rock, Renegades of Funk, and Who You Funkin’ With?.
The Pogues
3/5
I don’t think I liked this one quite as much as If I Should Fall From Grace With God. Favorite songs were The Old Main Drag, Sally MacLennane, Dirty Old Town, and The Band Played Waltzing Matilda.
Big Black
4/5
This is one I have always wanted to listen to because I like the cover, but have never got around to until now. This is abrasive as shit. I love it. The beginning of Cables sounds like metal pipes smashing against concrete. Favorite songs were Passing Complexion, Kerosene, Fists of Love, Stinking Drunk, and Strange Things.
The Killers
5/5
The most British band to ever come out of Las Vegas. The front half of this album is incredible stuff. Just hit after hit. The back half is pretty great too.
The Velvet Underground
3/5
This album was ahead of its time. Unfortunately, it also sounds compressed to shit. I can’t hear the vocals 90% of the time. I would like this so much more if I could hear it. Sister Ray is awesome though, and Lou Reed’s vocals on Lady Godiva’s Operation are so funny to me. Favorite songs were White Light/White Heat, Lady Godiva’s Operation, and Sister Ray.
Lou Reed
4/5
This is a very consistently good record. It tells a story and the use of piano and other instruments serves his somewhat monotone vocals well. Highlights were Lady Day, Caroline Says I, Oh Jim, and Sad Song.
Pink Floyd
5/5
It’s just perfect. Handily a greatest album of all time contender.
Suede
2/5
I definitely heard the David Bowie and Smiths influences. I just had a hard time caring. It’s well made but it’s something I would immediately flip past in the CD section of my local record store. I like other britpop albums more. Favorite song was Heroine.
Carpenters
1/5
Speaking objectively, the drumming on this album is excellent, the arrangements are lush, the harmonies are good, and the vocals are on point. Speaking subjectively, I absolutely hated this. I can’t stand her voice. It bores me. I very nearly fell asleep during Crescent Noon.
Peter Gabriel
3/5
This one is a bit of a mixed bag. Sometimes it just seems like he is trying to sound like someone else. Modern Love sounds like Springsteen and Excuse Me sounds like Randy Newman. I liked this more than So. Favorites were Solsbury Hill, Waiting For The Big One, and Here Comes The Flood.
ZZ Top
3/5
True 80’s excess. This album makes me feel like I need to get on my hog and evade law enforcement. Highlights were Gimme All Your Lovin’, Sharp Dressed Man, Legs, and Thug.
Dinosaur Jr.
4/5
I’m glad I took my time with this one because it’s definitely one that takes a couple listens. Don’t is a crazy way to end the album. Very much reminded me of Pavement and in parts like The Flaming Lips. Favorite songs were Freak Scene, Yeah We Know, Let It Ride, and Budge.
The Go-Go's
4/5
I knew a lot more of these songs than I initially thought I did. This is a really great album. Everything here is really catchy while maintaining the rhythmic baselines and drumming as expected of new wave. The guitar solo on Skidmarks On My Heart is really great. Favorites were Our Lips Are Sealed, Lust To Love, We Got The Beat, Fading Fast, and Skidmarks on My Heart.
Slipknot
2/5
Not as good as the self titled album for me. The drumming is still the highlight. It’s a little too long. My favorite songs were Sulfur and Psychosocial.
4/5
An album I’ve never heard of from a band that I have never heard of. This was a pleasant surprise. Upon further research I now know this is the group Jimmy Page stole stairway from. This album was really great. Reminded me of The Kinks and XTC. Favorite songs were Nature’s Way, Animal Zoo, Mr. Skin, and Street Worm.
Lucinda Williams
2/5
This is well made, but it just seems somewhat average. Not something that will really stick with me. Something I likely wouldn’t notice being on at a bar. The backing instrumentals were good. My favorite songs were Drunken Angel and Can’t Let Go.
The Velvet Underground
5/5
This one upsets me. I want to be different so bad. I want to be that guy who says “this is massively overrated”, but I just can’t. It’s really great. Even the songs featuring Nico on lead vocals don’t detract from my enjoyment. You win banana album, you win.
Steely Dan
4/5
Love me some Steely Dan. These songs are so smooth and they just sound incredible. I need a Miller High Life in my hand and my ass in a lawn chair expeditiously. Favorite songs were Bodhisattva, The Boston Rag, Show Biz Kids, and My Old School.
The Specials
3/5
I liked this album, but couldn’t really get into a few of the songs. I like how the one song just lists 007 titles. Neat use of horns throughout. Favorite songs were Enjoy Yourself, Hey Little Rich Girl, and Sock It To ‘Em JB.
Skepta
4/5
I am so glad this album is included on the list. Grime and UK hip-hop in general deserves its place. Probably not my favorite, but it’s still pretty good. The beats are really great. The second half here is better than the first. Favorites are Konnichiwa, Ladies Hit Squad, Numbers, Shutdown, and That’s Not Me.
Duran Duran
3/5
In contention for the most 80’s album ever. I don’t usually like this style of music, but something about Rio just works for me. The bass here is pretty good too. Favorite songs were Rio and Hungry Like The Wolf.
The songs where Rod Stewart has lead vocals are significantly more interesting to me. Mostly standard blues rock fare otherwise. Favorites were Miss Judy’s Farm, Stay With Me, and Too Bad.
The Style Council
1/5
Paul Weller… what the fuck? This is a mess. The first half is jazzy slow rock sophistipop garbage. The second half starts off with two hip-hip songs with some truly terrible 80’s production and then becomes funk/soul?
The Replacements
5/5
Nearly three months ago I moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota and I told myself I would finally listen to this album. I finally got around to it and it is just as good as people were saying. It’s dirty, messy, funny, and it rocks hard. Something so very captivating about a song about a guy with a boner.
Fever Ray
2/5
This gives off vibes of a computer simulation of a steel ball bouncing around inside a concrete box. Probably wouldn’t revisit again. Favorite song was Dry and Dusty.
New York Dolls
4/5
This album is really good. Relatively simple musicianship that works to the group’s benefit. This manages to be both gritty and dirty while maintaining some glam rock aesthetics. Favorites were Personality Crisis, Looking For A Kiss, Trash, Pills, and Jet Boy.
Guided By Voices
5/5
Before listening to this my thoughts were that I liked the cover and I may or may not have heard of this band. After listening, my life may have been changed. This band has how many albums?!?!? I’m going to be busy for a while. These are more fragments than full songs, but they are all so interesting.
Roni Size
2/5
This is perfectly fine drum and bass, but why does every album in this genre need to be two hours long? Favorite songs were Share The Fall, and Watching Windows.
Donovan
3/5
This one was good. It makes good use of interesting instrumentation like the sitar, and it was psychedelic without going too far beyond pop songwriting. Favorites were Sunshine Superman, Bert’s Blues, Season Of The Witch, and Celeste.
Maxwell
3/5
This album is so smooth it had me sliding around my apartment in my socks. The bass is NASTY. Highlights were Welcome, Ascension, …Til The Cops Come Knockin’, and Reunion.
5/5
This is the best Yes album. It is not my favorite Yes album. That would be The Yes Album. The title track alone would give this five stars. The absolute euphoria of the finale. They went 3/3.
Laibach
4/5
Albums like this are why I enjoy doing this. Totally 80’s production featuring the absolutely massive drums with vocals that sound kinda like Cookie Monster singing German. This is awesome. Favorite songs were Leben Heibt Leben, Gebert Einer Nation, Opus Dei, and The Great Seal.
Big Star
3/5
I can definitely see how this was influential to groups like REM, but honestly I think about half of these songs would have fit well on George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass. Solid collection of songs. Favorites were The Ballad Of El Goodo, Thirteen, Try Again, and Watch The Sunrise.
The Flying Burrito Brothers
3/5
This was alright. Very country with shades of psychedelic rock thrown in to keep things interesting. Favorite songs were Christine’s Tune, My Uncle, and Hot Burrito #2.
Sarah Vaughan
2/5
I don’t care much for vocal jazz. This 73 minutes felt like two and a half hours. She is very talented and it is technically good, but I just get bored.
The Stranglers
4/5
This was a pleasant surprise. I’m usually not super into organs, but this really worked for me. I can tell this definitely inspired the band Squid who I’m a fan of. Favorite songs were London Lady, Hanging Around, Peaches, (Get A) Grip [On Yourself], and Down In The Sewer.
Nina Simone
4/5
The use of instrumental swells and dynamics here is incredible. It’s just not quite consistent enough to push it to a 5/5. Four Women is an incredible song that I can’t help but hear Pusha T tell the world Drake is hiding a child over. Favorites were Four Women, What More Can I Say?, Lilac Wine, and Wild Is The Wind.
Dexys Midnight Runners
3/5
I know these blokes are on the list multiple times and all I’m gonna say is I will be outraged if Hall and Oates don’t make an appearance. This album is fine. I only knew this band from Come On Eileen. Favorites were Tell Me When My Light Turns Green, Geno, and Seven Days Too Long.
Turbonegro
3/5
This reminded me a lot of the Rocket From The Crypt album we listened to. This is fun and has good energy. I will probably revisit. Favorite songs were The Age Of Pamparius, Get It On, and Prince Of The Rodeo.
Boards of Canada
3/5
This is a very chill vibe. Good to work with in the background. Probably not something I would have listened to on my own, but I’m glad I did. Favorites were Telephastic Workshop, Triangles & Rhombuses, Turquoise Hexagon Sun, and Roygbiv.
Brian Eno
4/5
This album is very much two sided. It begins with Talking Heads-esque pop songs and transitions into super mellow ambiance that felt like I was floating in water. I really liked it. Favorite songs were Backwater, King’s Lead Hat, Here He Comes, and By This River.
Faust
3/5
This one was weird and repetitive and I kinda liked it. A series of sonic landscapes. Favorites were Krautrock, Just A Second, and Giggy Smile.
Peter Tosh
3/5
This one goes beyond the standard reggae instrumentation in a way that is interesting. It also does a good job balancing political and non-political subject matter. Favorites were Legalize It, No Sympathy, and Why Must I Cry.
The Sugarcubes
4/5
I don’t even make an effort to understand the words Bjork is saying. Are they English? Icelandic? Going off of sound and vibes only they are pretty good. The rest of the band is pretty good too and this is a fun album. Favorite songs were Motorcrash, Birthday, Coldsweat, and F***ing In Rhythm & Sorrow.
The Pretty Things
3/5
It’s like if Tommy was a little more grounded and less ambitious. Like Arthur if it wasn’t quite as musically tight. I liked it. This is one I probably would not have heard of otherwise. Favorites were Bracelets Of Fingers, She Says Good Morning, Baron Saturday, and Old Man Going.
The Doors
3/5
I still don’t care for The Doors, but this is definitely their best album. Favorite songs were Break On Through, Soul Kitchen, and Light My Fire.
Lenny Kravitz
2/5
This is like a record label realized Prince is popular and said “we can do that”, but it wasn’t quite as good.
Dolly Parton
5/5
Maybe the greatest living American. Miss Dolly is a great storyteller and the instrumentals behind her are really great too. Traveling Man is a really funny song. This is short and sweet and probably everything I want in a country album.
Adele
3/5
If this is on here I’m just going to assume 21 is also here because that one is better. Honestly Adele should be included, but I’m not sure two albums is necessary. This is a good album. Targetcore at its finest. Her voice is really great. The second half is not quite as good as the first. Favorite songs were Hello, Send My Love, When We Were Young, and River Lea.
The Beach Boys
4/5
RIP Brian Wilson. This album is really great. Student Demonstration Time is on here too! Not quite as good as a Pet Sounds or Smile, and I think I like Sunflower a little more too, but an 8.5-9/10 is still a damn good rating. Favorite songs were Long Promised Road, Feel Flows, Til I Die, and Surf’s Up
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
This album is like a spring breeze. It’s gentle and it smells like nice grass. But there’s not enough oomph to shake the branches. A Simple Desultory Philippic just makes me think about how much I would rather listen to Dylan. Favorite songs were Scarborough Fair / Canticle, Homeward Bound, Flowers Never Bend With The Rainfall, and A Simple Desultory Philippic.
The Clash
5/5
Another greatest of all time contender. This is punk but it’s also so much beyond that. A double album where I couldn’t think of a single song to cut. Just perfect.
Elton John
3/5
The first half of this album is really great. The second half is fine. Tiny Dancer is a great opener. The emotions he puts into the title track are great. The ideas in Indian Sunset are interesting but the lyrics somewhat drag it down. Not quite on the same level as the behemoth that was Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, but still good in its own way. Favorites were Tiny Dancer, Levon, and Madman Across The Water.
King Crimson
5/5
Some all time prog rock wankery here. Lots to love here. The plinky noises at the intro to the title track building up the explosions of noise later in the track. The reverse sounding guitars on The Book Of Saturday. The use of violin and strings throughout reminds of Jethro Tull and their flute. Bill Bruford really decided to leave Yes because Close To The Edge was laborious to show up here and do nonsense like this. It’s still amazing to me how I can love something like this yet still not love EL&P.
Bruce Springsteen
2/5
This makes the feel the same way as post-2000 U2. It’s technically good and I won’t complain listening to it, but there’s just not enough bite here for me to want to listen to a 70 minute album mostly about 9/11. Favorite songs were Waitin On A Sunny Day and The Rising.
Kraftwerk
5/5
Kraftwerk has the coolest album covers. The repetition, the mechanicalness it just works so well. These are the kind of beep and boops that I vibe with. Everything flows together so well here too. I wish to be on a train across Europe.
Les Rythmes Digitales
3/5
I am shocked. Why did I enjoy this so much? This is so very fun. Absolutely reeks of the late 90’s in the best way. The album cover is awful, I love it. Not a fan of Disco II Disco. Favorite songs were Music Makes You Lose Control, Hey You What’s That Sound?, About Funk, and Sometimes.
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
3/5
Ok. Hear me out on this. I liked it. The story behind this is cool. This is one where you can hear something new every single time you listen. Absolutely one you should hear before you die.
Jean-Michel Jarre
2/5
Very ambient. Interesting soundscapes that all flow like one long track. Pt 6 sounds like being in a boat during a storm. Not sure I would go back to this one but I’m glad I listened. Favorite part was part 2.
10cc
3/5
This is super quirky and interesting. Lots of good ideas presented, but not everything works. Reminds me of both XTC and The Beach Boys. Hotel reminds of Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard. J Dilla cooked when turning The Worst Band In The World into Workinonit.
Metallica
5/5
Everything a thrash metal album should be. I think I prefer Ride The Lightning, but this is still incredible.
Stephen Stills
2/5
I miss Crosby, Nash, and sometimes Young. This is pleasant to listen to, but I don’t remember most of it. Side 4 was pretty good and I liked Colorado, but I don’t see myself returning to the vast majority of these tracks.
The Youngbloods
2/5
I’ve never heard of this band and I like the album cover, but this underwhelmed me. The jazzy parts just weren’t all that interesting. I liked the more psych-rock sections such as Sham. Favorite songs were Don’t Let The Rain Bring You Down and Sham.
Van Morrison
4/5
I feel like if I went to a Van Morrison concert and he didn’t even play Brown Eyed Girl I would be pissed. The band is really tight here. Very good live album.
Pavement
5/5
They did more of what worked on the debut. This is fantastic. Appropriately named band, this DOES sounds like pavement. The four track run to start the album is just “chefs kiss”.
Dusty Springfield
2/5
This is fine, but it’s mostly just covers. Also feels older than ‘64. Dusty In Memphis was better. Mama Said and You Don’t Own Me were probably my favorites.
John Martyn
3/5
This is solid music to listen to while sitting in a rusty lawn chair by a lake being eaten alive by mosquitos. He always sounds like he tongue is swollen, but I really like the style. Not quite as good as Solid Air for me. Favorites were Big Muff, Couldn’t Love You More, and Dancing.
N.E.R.D
2/5
Including The Neptunes in a list like this is a must, but we could have done Hell Hath No Fury by Clipse instead. I can only hope that In Search Of… also is here because that one is significantly better. This is just kinda meh to me. Favorite songs were Don’t Worry About It and Maybe.
Wilco
3/5
I want to smack the shit out of 2023 me for giving Yankee Hotel Foxtrot a 3. This is not quite as excellent as that one is and I would say this is a little more straightforward. It’s also very long, but it’s also enjoyable in the way that leaving the radio on in the background is. Favorite songs were Far, Far Away, Monday, Outtasite, Say You Miss Me, Outta Mind, and Dreamer In My Dreams.
Rufus Wainwright
2/5
Maybe this just isn’t for me. This seems like something that someone would show you on YouTube between classes during high school claiming this “saved their life”. Well made, but none of these songs really stick with me. Favorite song was Go Or Go Ahead.
Giant Sand
3/5
That makes two albums in a row that mention thin Leonard Cohen. A couple of the guys from this band are in Calexico and that’s neat. I liked this one, but can get why many wouldn’t. It’s noisy and dissonant at times. Favorites were Dusted, Temptation Of Egg, Shiver, and Satellite.
Alice In Chains
5/5
The guitar work here is so good, the riffs are all really solid. Very much closer to the metal side of grunge. Wastes absolutely no time getting started too. Doesn’t outstay its welcome. Lyrics are good. Just all around really great.
Isaac Hayes
5/5
I made the stank face multiple times. It’s just so cool. The orchestration is fantastic.
David Bowie
5/5
Yes this album is fantastic yet not the best Bowie has to offer. Anyway, I honestly forgot about the song Queen Bitch until this listen. Somehow I hear both Roadrunner by the Modern Lovers and Mr Brightside by the Killers as taking inspiration. Every song here is great. Look at those cavemen go.
Leonard Cohen
4/5
This is often overshadowed by the other major album released by an artist not long before their death in 2016. While that one is a statement this one is more subtle and is more of a whisper. This allows his songwriting to come through. When background vocals come in they feel more impactful juxtaposed against his vocals. This is a really good album. Favorite songs were You Want It Darker, Leaving The Table, Traveling Light, and Steer Your Way.
Saint Etienne
3/5
Very much of the same cloth as a Screamadelica. I enjoyed this. It has a good flow to it. Solid music to listen to while working and cleaning. Favorites were Only Love Can Break Your Heart, Nothing Can Stop Us, and Girl VII.
Beck
3/5
Truly the ultimate white man musician. This one feels like Beck is playing it safe. There are still great songs here but it doesn’t feel as experimental as Sea Change or Odelay. Favorite songs were E-Pro, Girl, Earthquake Weather, and Go It Alone.
Lightning Bolt
4/5
This kicks ass. It’s so loud and noisy yet within that wall of noise there is some really tight drumming and guitar work. The vocals are so far away like the vocalist is behind a door. Album cover perfectly matches the sound. Favorites were Assassins, Dracula Mountain, Longstockings, and 30000 Monkies.
R.E.M.
4/5
Dear LORD this album ends strong. The last three tracks are all fantastic. It’s not often that music emotionally affects me, but this succeeds in making me feel sad. I just don’t like it as much as Murmur or, especially, Document. I like how in Man On The Moon he says “baby” the same way Elvis does right after an entire verse that is just listing board games. Favorites were The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite, Ignoreland, Man On The Moon, Nightswimming, and Find The River.
The Vines
3/5
The only song I knew from this project prior to listening was Get Free and that one is still good. I liked this but it seemed somewhat derivative. Like 1969 kinda just sounds like indie rock Comfortably Numb. And most of this sounds like The Hives. I like it but it’s nothing revolutionary.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
The guitar on Next Time Round sounds a lot like Stand by REM. This is enjoyable, but I don’t think it’s quite as good as his first three albums. Favorites were Tokyo Storm Warning, I Want You, and Battered Old Bird.
Hüsker Dü
2/5
This is a car CD for sure. You can definitely tell the sound where Bob Mould would eventually take Sugar forming here. It’s just a little too long and doesn’t necessarily stick with me. There are definitely highlights though. Favorite songs were Standing In The Rain, Ice Cold Ice, Actual Condition, and Turn It Around.
Miriam Makeba
2/5
What’s so funny in One More Dance? This one was ok. Not really my thing, but I’m glad I heard it. Favorites were The Click Song, Mbube, and Iya Guduza.
Soft Cell
3/5
I enjoyed this one. It is 80’s slop(non-derogatory). The cover of Tainted Love was the only song I knew before listening. Favorites were Tainted Love, Sex Dwarf, and Wave Hello, Say Goodbye.
The Lemonheads
3/5
This was enjoyable but there wasn’t really anything here to put it beyond that. Favorites were Confetti, Rudderless, and Frank Mills.
Radiohead
4/5
This does really well at combining the cold electronics of Kid A and Amnesiac with the more rock oriented sound of The Bends. Great album cover too. Favorites are 2 + 2 = 5, Go To Sleep, We Suck Young Blood, A Punch Up At A Wedding, Myxomatosis, and A Wolf At The Door.
Lana Del Rey
2/5
Lana Del Rey’s music has never really been my cup of tea. I could never get into the soft breathy style. Just for her influence on pop music Lana definitely deserves a spot on the list. Without her we would have no Billie Eilish. I’m just not sure this is the album of hers to include. I do, however, really like the song Wild At Heart.
The Adverts
3/5
This is fun classic British punk. I think the first half is better than the second. Favorite songs were One Chord Wonders, New Church, Newboys, and Gary Gilmore’s Eyes.
Ray Price
3/5
I liked this one. It was very warm and smelled like pipe smoke. Lots of slide guitar. Favorites were The Wild Side Of Life and Bright Lights And Blonde Haired Women.
Dr. Dre
5/5
No skip album (after you skip The Doctor’s Office). This album deserves its high rating solely for being likely the first to use deez nuts on record. Beyond that, however, is an absolutely west coast classic with some of Dre’s best beats and some great verses by Dre, Snoop, and the rest of Death Row.
Scissor Sisters
3/5
This is fun. Not every song here is a winner, I didn’t particularly like Lovers In The Backseat, but the ones that are good definitely went in the playlist. The Comfortably Numb cover is fine, but feels incomplete without the guitar solos that make that song. Favorites were Take Your Mama, Mary, Tits On The Radio, and Filthy/Gorgeous.
Crowded House
3/5
The vocals reminded me of a 90’s Prefab Sprout. Instrumentals sounded very clean. I enjoyed this while it was on, but there were so many songs on here that felt forgettable. Favorite songs were Fall At Your Feet, Weather With You, and Italian Plastic.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
This dude was just on such a heater through the first half of the 70’s it’s absurd. I don’t think this is as good as Innervisions or SITKOL, but that’s like comparing the guy who finished third in the Olympic marathon to the guys who finished first and second. He’s still not blind.
The Zutons
3/5
I liked this. Fun mix of styles, but I’m not sure this is really essential listening. Favorites were Zuton Fever, Pressure Point, Long Time Coming, and Remember Me.
John Coltrane
5/5
I like the parts where it sounds like the drummer and his drumset are falling down a set of stairs. This is another one that I heard again and again how groundbreaking and great it is. And yeah, it’s pretty great. He is an absolute wizard on the saxophone.
Anita Baker
3/5
I liked this album. Her voice is really great and the instrumentation keeps a smooth style throughout. Especially the bass and the use of saxophone. Nothing super groundbreaking and not as good as something like Sade but still solid 80’s soul/R&B. Favorites were Sweet Love, Same Ole Love, and Watch Your Step.
Taylor Swift
2/5
Probably in the upper half of Taylor’s albums, but I’m not sure why this warrants inclusion over Folklore. Solid folk-pop songs with some good storytelling. Not really something I listen to much. Favorite songs were Willow, no body no crime, and Evermore.
The Cure
4/5
Very atmospheric. The bass and the vocals are the standouts here. Favorite songs are Play For Today, and A Forest to the end of the album.
Gang Starr
4/5
Dj Premier’s beats and scratching are obviously the standout here and for good reason. The jazzy production style definitely influenced groups like Tribe or Us3. They would go on to make greater albums but this one is definitely important. Favorite songs were Step In The Arena, Who’s Gonna Take The Weight?, Check The Technique, Lovesick, and As I Read My S-A.
New Order
4/5
Alright, first of all, the disrespect to not have Power Corruption and Lies on the list is crazy. That’s an easy 5. Anyway, moving on to this: much more synthy and danceable compared to Low Life. The sheep noises in the first song were a choice. Some of this was almost Smith’s adjacent. Favorite songs were All The Way, Round & Round, Run, and Dream Attack.
Slade
2/5
This is kinda cheeks innit? Like T Rex if it was stupid. Like Alice Cooper but less entertaining. The best song here is probably Move Over, but Slade doesn’t really add much to the original in their cover it’s just an already great song. Not a fan.
Neu!
5/5
I listened to this five times before writing this review. This is my favorite krautrock album I’ve listened to so far. The first half is more ambient and flows like ocean waves. The second half keeps the same entrancing rhythms while ramping up the excitement. Really great stuff.
The Byrds
3/5
Listen guys. There are some good songs here. But like four Dylan covers might be pushing it. And the original Mr Tambourine Man is way better. Favorites were I’ll Feel A Whole Lot Better, All I Really Want To Do, Chimes Of Freedom, and We’ll Meet Again.
The Strokes
5/5
This is the first album generated where I already own it on vinyl. Needless to say I love this album. I prefer New York City Cops to When It Started. I love the guitar tones, the tight songwriting, the lyrics. It all radiates such youth and energy.
Tim Buckley
2/5
It’s interesting how he lets these songs breathe. Also weirdly enough this sounds like it influenced the vocal stylings of Eddie Vedder. Probably not going to back to this. Somewhat meandering at times. Gypsy Woman is my favorite song here.
Portishead
3/5
Never taken the time to get into Portishead. I knew this and their debut were beloved, but I expected this to be closer to trip hop than it was. I’ll admit I’m not a huge fan of the first half of this album, but from We Carry On onward I was hooked. This created a very good sense of unease.
3/5
You can tell Blur was finding their footing with this one. I don’t think it quite reaches the heights of Parklife, but it’s still solid. Miss America is kinda just nothing. Favorites were For Tomorrow, Advert, Chemical World, Oily Water, and Turn It Up.
Rod Stewart
3/5
On this album Rod Stewart continues to prove that he has an interesting voice and some very ok songwriting. Also the weird fragmented bits like the intro to Maggie May and the version of Amazing Grace tacked onto the end of That’s All Right seem kinda pointless. Favorites were Tomorrow Is A Long Time and Maggie May.
Ray Charles
4/5
Really great album. I think viewing from a modern lens the more mellow songs in the second half stand the test of time more. Highlights were Let The Good Times Roll, Tell Me You’ll Wait For Me, Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Cryin’, and Come Rain Or Come Shine.
Traffic
4/5
Reminded me of Jethro Tull in terms of style. This was very good and it didn’t expect it to be given my thoughts on Steve Winwood’s solo material. Favorites were Freedom Rider, Empty Pages, and John Barleycorn.
Todd Rundgren
4/5
I think I Saw The Light was the only song I had heard before. There are a lot of songs here. Fortunately, a lot of these are very good. He covers many different styles over the long runtime. Something for everyone to love here. Favorites were I Saw The Light, Wolfman Jack, It Takes Two To Tango, Black Maria, Couldn’t I Just Tell You, Dust In The Wind, and Hello It’s Me.
AC/DC
5/5
I love Led Zeppelin!! This is another to put in the Boston-self-titled club of so many hits on here it may as well be a greatest hits. Yes every AC/DC song is the same, but they just rock.
1/5
Much of the Brazilian music this project has introduced me to has been really interesting and worth my while. This one was not that…. I kept thinking it would get interesting when a cool rhythm or vocal passage would start, but it just never did. Absolutely slog to get through.
The Incredible String Band
3/5
I saw the global rating for this one and strapped myself in for something special. The people are wrong. This is not that bad. Lotta drugs were used here. Very experimental and it keeps me interested for the whole duration. Would I listen again? Probably not, but I’m glad I did. Favorites were The Minotaur’s Song, Mercy I Cry City, and Three Is. A Green Crown.
Steve Earle
2/5
This feels like a major missed opportunity to me. Steve Earle did bluegrass on some of his later work and that would have been a more interesting inclusion. Unfortunately we are stuck with this cornball country rock. Like it’s fine enough but some of these lyrics are just kinda groan worthy. Favorite song was Hillbilly Highway.
Little Simz
4/5
There’s a moment in the song Therapy where she says “Still an introvert” and I just think it would be really great if she wrote a whole album about that and how sometimes she might be introvert. All jokes aside this is a fantastic album. Soulful instrumentals, great hooks, bars for days. Shoutout my boy Jorge! Favorite songs are Offense, Boss, Selfish, Therapy, and Flowers.
Public Image Ltd.
3/5
I think I get this. The scratchy guitars and strained vocals are held together by some absolutely bumping basslines. The long songs allow for the grooves to sit with you. Favorites were Swan Lake, Poptones, Socialist, and Graveyard.
2/5
Her voice is nice, but beyond the title track many of these songs aren’t memorable. It’s perfectly serviceable, but it feels padded and it’s not even half an hour long.
The Young Rascals
3/5
This is alright. It has all the hallmarks of 60’s pop music and not too much beyond that. Some songs reminded me of stuff Sam Cooke did years earlier or like other contemporary bands like Love or the Monkees. Favorites were Find Somebody, Groovin’, and You Better Run.
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
This one does some really interesting things instrumentally where at some points it sounds almost like surf rock. This one was pretty good. Favorite songs were The Cutter, Back Of Love, Clay, and Porcupine.
The Only Ones
3/5
Never heard of this group or album before. I liked it. I especially like how the drums sound and guitar playing is pretty good too. The vocals are somewhat amateurish but that’s part of the appeal. Favorite songs were Another Girl, Another Planet, The Beast, and Language Problem.
The Prodigy
3/5
Until I hit play I assumed this was a solo record from Prodigy of Mobb Deep. This was pretty good. Yeah the songs are long, but they aren’t just repeating the same phrase over and over again to attain that length. They go somewhere, more elements are added, parts are taken away. Favorites were Their Law, Voodoo People, No Good, and 3 Kilos.
Sly & The Family Stone
5/5
Now THIS I dig. Excellent songs front to back with great playing. Great grooves and vocals. Had me dancing in my office chair. RIP Sly Stone.
Arrested Development
3/5
Yesterday generated Stand! by Sly and the Family Stone and this album samples that a couple times. What a cool coincidence. This is solid, but why would I listen to this when groups like A Tribe Called Quest or De La Soul were doing the same thing, but better. Favorites were People Everyday and Mr Wendal
Rufus Wainwright
2/5
There is a universe where I connect to this guys music and really like it. This is not that universe and I don’t like this very much. Like Thom Yorke if he was boring. Favorite song was Gay Messiah.
Laura Nyro
4/5
Never heard of her or this album. Not sure what album everyone else is listening to here. This was great! Similar songwriting style to Carole King. Favorite songs were Luckie, Sweet Blindness, Eli’s Comin’, and Woman’s Blues.
SAULT
3/5
I’ve never gone too deeply into the SAULT discography. I like 5, but have never listened to this one front to back. It’s alright. Probably something I would listen to a song or to, but I don’t know if I would feel the need to play the whole thing again. I get the message it’s going for, but I don’t think there’s enough meat here. Favorite songs were Wildfires, Only Synth In Church, and Pray Up Stay Up.
Television
5/5
This is a fantastic album. All the guitar work kicks ass. The dynamic changes of the title track make you forget it’s 10 minutes long. Your favorite band’s favorite album indeed.
Manu Chao
4/5
Way better than I expected it to be. These songs are lots of fun and the use of different languages is cool. Favorites were Clandestino, Bongo Bong, Lagrimas de oro, Welcome to Tijuana, and Malegria.
Julian Cope
3/5
This was alright. Maybe a little on the long side, but some of the guitar work was really good and the variations in style kept it interesting. Sometimes reminded me of Nick Cave. Favorite songs were Double Vegetation, Safesurfer, and If You Loved Me At All.
Cee Lo Green
2/5
Respectfully, the beat on Childz Play is garbage. This whole thing is very 2004. There are other better projects from the time period. Ehh. Favorites were The Art Of Noise and I’ll Be Around.
Beastie Boys
5/5
If you don’t like this album then I don’t like you. A solid 60% of the vocals on this sound like they were recorded inside a metal bucket and they’re great. Jazzy, funky, punky greatness.
The La's
3/5
Through the first half of this I said to myself “I don’t know this band” and then five songs in I said” Wait, I DO know this band”. Interesting hear what else a one hit wonder did. This is pretty good album that is essentially britpop before britpop. Favorites were Timeless Melody, There She Goes, and Failure.
Tom Waits
3/5
While I didn’t enjoy this quite as much as Rain Dogs Tom Waits really shows off his personality and humor here while creating really great imagery through his lyrics. Music for rainy nights watching movies that don’t exist. I was so ready to compare this to that famous painting of the diner at night until I googled that painting and realized what was going on and how stupid I am. I am art illiterate. Favorite songs were Eggs and Sausage, Better Off Without A Wife, and Putnam County.
Oasis
5/5
To weight in on the eternal debate: Blur is a far more consistent band, but they never reached the absolute heights that Oasis did here and on Morning Glory. It’s just sounds massive. Doesn’t have as many hits across the pond as it’s follow up, but this is every bit as good.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
4/5
This is really great. The guitar playing and mood created in each of these songs keeps every feeling very cohesive and interesting. Favorite songs were Spellbound, Into The Light, Arabian Nights, Monitor, and Sin In My Heart.
Jurassic 5
4/5
This was really good. The flows are great, the beats hold up, the features all pull their weight. Favorite songs were Freedom, A Day At The Races, What’s Golden, and Thin Line.
Jeff Beck
5/5
This man actually assembled the Avengers for Beck’s Bolero. Incredible album. Very clear how this influenced the likes of Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin (bit of stretch since half the band is here). He’s a great guitar player and Rod Stewart’s vocals really work here.
The Psychedelic Furs
2/5
I feel like I’ve already listened to this even though I know I haven’t. Just kinda generic. I think I knew Dumb Waiters and Pretty in Pink ahead of time. Not really my jam. Favorite song was Mr Jones.
Pet Shop Boys
1/5
It being not as bad as Behaviour is the best compliment I can give this one. The instrumentals are all so dated, but not even the good kind of 80’s cheese that showed up in the revivals from the late 2010s-early 2020’s. The vocals don’t do enough to elevate the songs and the melodies aren’t catchy enough to be earworms. This is for someone, but not me.
Faith No More
4/5
A heavier Red Hot Chili Peppers. I can see how this inspired many of the nu metal acts of the late 90s. The vocals are really great and the bass is chunky. Also always love a good War Pigs cover. Favorite songs were From out Of Nowhere, Epic, Falling To Pieces, Surprised! You’re Dead!, and The Real Thing.
Depeche Mode
4/5
In comparing this to the Pet Shop Boys album from the other day this is a night and day difference. Of course I knew Personal Jesus and Enjoy The Silence, but the other songs here were great too. Like music played in a cave it sounds echoey and huge yet hollow and dark at the same time. Favorite songs were Personal Jesus, Halo, and Enjoy The Silence.
Arcade Fire
4/5
Ah, the 2000’s indie rock staple. Of course this is a really good album, but I think with fresher ears than the last time I heard it I think I can say I like The Suburbs better. The first half of this is so good, but I think after Wake Up the rest don’t stick with me as much. Sucks that Arcade Fire fell off so far after the first three albums. Favorites are Neighborhood #1, #2, #3, and Wake Up.
Madonna
2/5
Madonna walked so Playboi Carti could run. I’m conflicted on this one. On one hand I don’t like most of these songs, but a remaining few I really do like. So as a whole it’s not great. Favorites were I Deserve It, Don’t Tell Me, and What It Feels Like For A Girl.
The Cramps
3/5
This one is a whole lot of fun and not really much more than that, but do you really need more than that? Good use of rockabilly within the realm of punk rock. Favorite songs were Rock On The Moon, I Was A Teenage Werewolf, The Mad Daddy, Tear It Up, and Fever.
The Dandy Warhols
4/5
Something about this band that I appreciate is they understand the fundamental truth that Kim Deal is, in fact, cool as hell. This was a really good album that I went into without many expectations. The droney ambient bits are pretty cool. Favorite songs were Minnesoter, Not If You Were The Last Junkie On Earth, Good Morning, and Cool As Kim Deal.
Public Enemy
5/5
A top three 80’s hip hop album. Great beats, great lyrics. It’s just fucking awesome.
Kings of Leon
3/5
Good but not great. It’s like if the Strokes were from Tennessee. This is before they sold out so I respect it for that, but he sounds like he has marbles in his mouth half the time. Also the instrumental for Happy Alone just sounds like American Girl. Favorites were Red Morning Light, Joe’s Head, California Waiting, and Talihina Sky.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
While I didn’t like this as much as AB/TLoO this was still a damn fine album. Super cohesive from front to back with lyrics that are intriguing yet filthy. Favorite songs were Papa Won’t Leave You, Henry, Straight To You, When I First Came To Town, and John Finn’s Wife.
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
5/5
My favorite moments in this album were when the bass decides to just get absolutely FUNKY out of nowhere. I need to learn to dance. Just an absolute blast and something I never expected I would love listening to.
The Go-Betweens
3/5
Yes, this is similar to The Smiths, but that does not mean it can’t also be good. The arrangements here are good and I like the use of background vocals during some songs. The violin in Was There Anything I Could Do? was a nice touch. Favorite songs were Quiet Heart, Streets Of Your Town, and Was There Anything I Could Do?
Talking Heads
5/5
Same as it ever was. Brian Eno might be the goat. Crazy sounds and rhythms and soundscapes, but it all works together so well.
Black Flag
5/5
Not quite as good as My War, but this is still a damn good hardcore punk album. Just anger, spite, and energy in every song.
Violent Femmes
5/5
The stereotypical example for “ahead of its time”. I’ve been a little generous with scores recently but this one is deserving. These songs are all great. The vocals work with the style even if they aren’t “good”.
M.I.A.
3/5
I mean yeah she’s crazy, but name one genius that ain’t crazy. These songs are fun. She samples The Clash and interpolates the Pixies! Favorite songs were Jimmy, 20 Dollar, Paper Planes, and Come Around.
Otis Redding
5/5
Another one that’s I’ve owned on vinyl for a while that I’m so glad to see pop up. Absolutely adore this record. The song selection is a good mix of covers and originals. He just has a fantastic voice and energy.
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
3/5
Classic country and folk albums are great because they don’t waste my time. Half an hour of music that’s in and out. No triple album nonsense. This was pretty good. Nothing mindblowing but I can see how it led up to what Dylan would do in the 60’s. I liked the song with Woody. Favorite songs were San Francisco Bay Blues, New York Town, and Cocaine.
Brian Eno
4/5
Brian Eno is just that guy. Some other review said the vocals remind them of John Grant and yeah I see it. Great soundscapes and atmosphere with some vocal tracks mixed in. Phil Collins is here too? Fantastic album cover as well. Favorites were St Elmo’s Fire, The Big Ship, I’ll Come Running, and Golden Hours.
Incredible Bongo Band
4/5
You might say it’s a gimmick, but it’s a damn fun gimmick. Where else am I going to find a bongo version of In A Gadda Da Vida? This is what I like from the generator because I never would have found this on my own. Favorite songs were Apache, Bongolia, Last Bongo In Belgium, and In A Gadda Da Vida.
4/5
This is a really fun album. I especially like the use of dual vocalists. I think Los Angeles is a better album by them, but this is great in its own right. Favorite songs were The Once Over Twice, Adult Books, It’s Who You Know, Beyond and Back, and Year 1
Gene Clark
2/5
I remember really liking No Other (still do!) so I was looking forward to listening to this. Unfortunately, this disappointed me. He just spends so much time trying to be Dylan without carving out an identity for himself. Best songs here were For A Spanish Guitar and Tears of Rage.
The B-52's
4/5
Lyrics are somewhat meaningless but it’s a lot of fun. Quirky vocals and the drumming is pretty good as I was attempting to air drum along numerous times. Favorite songs were Planet Claire, Rock Lobster, Hero Worship, and Downtown.
2Pac
3/5
This is aight. Some of these songs just sorta go by, and it also suffers from the CD era length issue. Favorites were Me Against The World, Dear Mama, and Old School
1/5
Aged absolutely horrendously. I could be listening to Linkin Park, Slipknot, or System of a Down. Perfectly fine until the moment he starts rapping with his annoying ass voice. Also really appreciated the 3 minutes of looped laughter on the Outro. Hot Dog references nine inch nails and I was enjoying it until I realized that I could just be listening to that. This deserves its spot here, but it sucks.
Louis Prima
4/5
The band is jamming and Louis brings the energy and humor. It just sounds like a party. Favorites were Just A Gigolo, The Lip, and Jump Jive An’ Wail.
John Lennon
4/5
I think this was a little more consistently good than Imagine. You can tell he was definitely going through some things when writing these songs. God is super interesting because it is super egotistical and is essentially him saying to the fans and himself “the Beatles are over. Get over it.” However, unlike Kanye, John Lennon did not get God himself to feature on his I Am A God song so it’s automatically not as good. Favorites were Hold On, I Found Out, Remember, Well Well Well, and God.
Solomon Burke
2/5
His voice is good, but as a whole this album is kinda samey. Favorite songs were Cry To Me and Can’t Nobody Love You
Incubus
3/5
Feels weird to call this one metal. It’s solid, but I’m not sure this really belongs on the list. The songs that were hits that I’ve heard a million times are still good though. Favorite songs were Consequence, Stellar, Drive, and Pardon Me.
Dire Straits
4/5
Hurts me to not be able to give this one a 5. The guitar tone alone is fantastic. The beginning and end of this album is legendary shit. Money For Nothing is on here! But Why Worry and Ride Across The River drag this one down for me.
The Stooges
5/5
An absolute descent into madness. Starts off pretty similar to what they were doing on the debut for the first three songs and then just goes off the rails from there. I love that half the lyrics are just Iggy hootin and hollerin. Absolutely awesome!
The Roots
4/5
Little odd to make this The Roots inclusion over Things Fall Apart but ok. Great album. Great blending of genres and Black Thought is a top five or ten rapper of all time so it’s easy to love this. Favorite songs are Rock You, Rolling With Heat, Thought At Work, The Seed (2.0), Quills, and Rhymes and Ammo.
Madness
2/5
Honestly kinda meh for me. I was hoping for more songs like Our House but that seems to be a one off. Favorites were Tomorrow’s (Just Another Day) and Our House.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
The two peaks here are clearly the extended jams of Down By The River and Cowgirl In The Sand. Neil and Crazy Horse just kick ass. Cinnamon Girl is also a great song. Not huge on the title track and Running Dry which holds this back from being a 5.
Everything But The Girl
2/5
Bleh. This is just so boring to me. I liked the song Flipside which brings this one up a bit. Just absolute nothing music.
Bad Company
3/5
Bad Company by Bad Company on the album Bad Company doesn’t have the same aura that Black Sabbath by Black Sabbath on the album Black Sabbath has. It’s could always be worse company. Absolute meat and potatoes rock. Built to fill the dead air of classic rock radio between Stairway and Welcome To The Jungle after the morning show but before the midday DJ starts. I will not complain about listening to this, but not much more than that. Favorite songs were Can’t Get Enough, Ready For Love, and Bad Company.
Spacemen 3
3/5
Some might say “who wants to listen to the same riff with minimal variation for 11 minutes?” Me. I do. And it was great. Album as a whole was good but not great. Highlights were Revolution, Suicide, and Lord Can You Hear Me.
Buzzcocks
4/5
This is really great. The instrumentals all rock and the melodies and lyrics are good too. Pretty straightforward British punk done really well and there’s nothing wrong with that. Favorite songs were Fast Cars, Get On Our Own, I Don’t Mind, and Fiction Romance.
The Pharcyde
4/5
Just a damn good time. Jazzy instrumentals with lyrics that don’t take themselves seriously. Favorites were Oh Shit, I’m That Type of Nigga, Soul Flower, Passin’ Me By, and Return Of The B-Boy
Eels
3/5
I liked listening to this I’m just not sure I would come back to it. Favorite songs were Rags To Rags, Not Ready Yet, and Mental.
Common
4/5
Not quite to the same tier of excellence that Be is. The production here is still great. Common does his poetry thing. Favorite songs were Cold Blooded, The Light, and Geto Heaven Part Two.
Mariah Carey
3/5
Mariah’s voice is fantastic, but the songwriting here leaves something to be desired. Really says something when far and away the best song here is a Prince cover. I liked this. Favorite songs were The Roof, Breakdown, and The Beautiful Ones.
Deep Purple
3/5
I think I wanted to like this more than I did. It’s fine, but not more than that for me. The Smoke On The Water riff still rips. Favorite songs were Highway Star, Smoke On The Water, and Space Truckin’.
Lupe Fiasco
5/5
I just adore this album. The beats are lush, Lupe’s verses are distinctive and well written, and the features expand the songs. Now did he have to read album credits on the Outro? Probably not, but I just love this album.
Run-D.M.C.
3/5
This is a fun time, but Raising Hell is better. A little simplistic but for early hip-hop it works. Kinda front-loaded too. Favorite songs were Hard Times, Rock Box, and It’s Like That.
Traffic
3/5
Not as good as John Barleycorn Must Die, but still an entertaining time. Favorite songs were Pearly Queen and Feelin’ Alright.
Justin Timberlake
3/5
Is this the best album ever? No. Is this the best JT album? Also no. Is this album good? Yeah, I’d say so. Not sure why we have this here over FutureSex/LoveSounds. Production is good, the singles are catchy, great feature from Clipse. Favorite songs were Like I Love You, Cry Me A River, and Rock Your Body.
Stan Getz
3/5
I have never gone into a record store without seeing a copy of this in the used section for less than 5 dollars. Shoutout Brazil! Very relaxing album. Not something I would normally put on I like a little more bite in my music, but fine for the background while I was working. Favorite songs were The Girl From Ipanema, Corcovado, O Grande Amor.
Ministry
3/5
This one was pretty good. Solid industrial metal with cool noises. Lyrics are somewhat incomprehensible Favorite songs were NWO, Hero, and Jesus Built My Hotrod.
Screaming Trees
4/5
I thought this was really good. Interesting mix of typical grunge sounds with psychedelic elements. Solid melodies too. Favorite songs were All I Know, Dying Days, Witness, and Dime Western.
The Dictators
3/5
Some fun hard rock/protopunk. Nothing spectacular here, but some of the basslines are really good. Favorites were Master Race Rock, California Sun, and Cars And Girls.
Barry Adamson
2/5
I think I liked this more than Moss Side Story. The Nick Cave song was pretty good and it was at least interesting the whole way through. I just don’t think I will revisit it. Favorite songs were Something Wicked This Way Comes and The Sweetest Embrace.
Robert Wyatt
4/5
Instantly had to run this one back. I didn’t “get” all of it. I do not care. I really liked this. The warmth of the instrumentals, the flow, the use of his voice as a texture within the composition. Some high quality noodling here. Favorites were Sea Song, A Last Straw, and Little Red Riding Hood Hit The Road (both of them)
Dexys Midnight Runners
2/5
Absolute CEO of yapping right here. Best song on this entire album is just Werewolves of London, but not as good. Album would have been much better if half the runtime wasn’t just this bloke talking over the instrumentals.
The xx
2/5
I just think overall the vocals are the weakest part of this album. The indietronica styling is good, the bass is solid, and samples are engaging. Jamie xx solo material is more entertaining for me. Just kinda meh. Favorite song was Say Something Loving.
The Divine Comedy
3/5
I found that listening to this while taking a hot shower was the ideal way to experience this. Stepped out onto the bath mat just as the organs hit in the final song. This one takes itself a little more seriously than Casanova while still maintaining some of the humorous lyrics on songs like If… The arrangements are really good and I can tell that he had fun making this. Favorite songs were Everybody Knows, If I Were You, and I’m All You Need.
Hanoi Rocks
3/5
It’s a little stupid, but it’s fun. The songs are catchy and the performances are solid. Favorite songs were Malibu Beach Nightmare, Sailing Down The Tears, and Beating Gets Faster.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
2/5
I’m sure sitting in my apartment is the wrong way to listen to this. And I’m sure music like this would be a lot better listening with others or in a live setting. I just didn’t really like it. Felt almost exhausting to listen to and the songs just kept going.
Alexander 'Skip' Spence
3/5
Very much self made. There are some really interesting songs here. I liked it. Favorite songs were Little Hands, Weighted Down, War In Peace, and Broken Heart.
Run-D.M.C.
5/5
I don’t trust you if you don’t like this album. Just banger after banger. The four song run to start the album is just absurdly good. Yes the flows can be a little rudimentary and repetitive, but the lyrics are good so does it really matter?
Metallica
2/5
This is an interesting idea, but it is scarcely more than the sum of its parts. It’s Metallica with an orchestra. It’s also over two hours long. Minus one star for the length. Too long and barely any of the songs amaze me enough to go back to these over the studio versions. The version of For Whom The Bell Tolls is my favorite song here.
Koffi Olomide
2/5
All these songs seemed a little similar for me. Maybe if I understood the lyrics I would have dug this more. The guitar tone was pretty neat though. Favorite song was Desespoir.
Steely Dan
5/5
Steely Dan is dangerous because I was moments away from cracking open a beer in the middle of the workday. Probably my third favorite album by the Dan and it’s just so damn good.
Brian Eno
4/5
This is a fantastic album for what it is aiming for. If I close my eyes I can imagine the PA announcements, moving walkways, and departure/arrival boards. Ambient stuff like this is good to put on in the background but there’s not much here I can really grab onto. Great stuff, but just in a very specific way.
Everything But The Girl
1/5
I don’t think I can do this kind of soft rock. I tried, I really did. There’s just no punch to it. It’s the kind of thing that would be hold or elevator music. I kept wanted there to be some crazy drum fills or for that saxophone that sneaks in occasionally to have a ripping solo and then I remember what kind of music I’m listening to and am disappointed. I know I should listen to this as it is and not as I want it to be, but the dated synths and mostly uninteresting vocals fail to allow me not to consider what could be.
Fleetwood Mac
4/5
Well they made their Sgt. Peppers so it’s only fair they can make their White Album. While this is definitely not as good as Rumours it does a good job of showing the range of the band. I think the Stevie led songs are a lot of my favorites here. Favorites were Over And Over, The Ledge, Sara, Sisters Of The Moon, Angel, That’s Enough For Me, Beautiful Child, and Tusk.
David Bowie
5/5
In his final days David Bowie created one of his finest works of art. The lyrics ooze humor and charm. The jazzy instrumentation creates a haunting atmosphere. Just a perfect final chapter. The GOAT.
Kings of Leon
3/5
And here’s the sellout album. Alt rock radio milked everything this album had (shoutout Philly radio 104.5). It’s still solid though. Favorite songs were Crawl, Sex On Fire, Use Somebody, and Revelry.
Sonic Youth
5/5
The part in Eric’s Trip that sounds like an elephant is really neat to me. The guitars throughout this entire thing just rip. The hooks are really catchy within the distortion. A double album that feels worthy of its length.
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
4/5
Spending an entire song glazing Stevie Wonder is absurd. I guess those Lebron song parodies had some historical merit. The Message is a classic that hits on some good lyrical themes and the production throughout the whole album is funky and danceable. This early 80’s hip hop just hasn’t aged all the best in comparison to more modern stuff. Still fun though, and any time a song samples Genius of Love it is most appreciated.
Tina Turner
3/5
Tina is obviously the main attraction here and she’s great, but this album is held back by the terrible 80’s production. Favorite songs were What’s Love Got To Do With It, Let’s Stay Together, and Steel Claw.
Brian Eno
4/5
Probably the most straightforward thing I’ve listened to from him. This is really good. The songs are catchy and go interesting places while retaining accessible lengths. Favorites were Needles In The Camel’s Eye, Baby’s On Fire, Some Of Them Are Old, and Here Come The Warm Jets.
Underworld
2/5
Just from an album sequencing perspective why couldn’t they have split up the 15 minute songs instead of putting them back to back? I thought the song Stagger was quite interesting, but I had to wade through an hour of music before it to get there. Pearl’s Girl is pretty good too.
The Byrds
3/5
This is a quick easy listen that just seems to fly by almost to its detriment. I just wish it was a little meatier. Also, I know I complained about it, but not having a Dylan cover on here makes me a miss them. I like the horse on the cover. Favorite songs were Goin’ Back, Get To You, and Tribal Gathering.
Simple Minds
1/5
With every one of these I feel worse and worse about how I rated Tears For Fears. I listened to this three times and can recall the chorus to Promised You A Miracle and that’s about it.
Janet Jackson
3/5
This is very reminiscent of Love Symbol/Diamonds and Pearls era Prince. Definitely does the “I’m making serious music about serious topics” lyricism, but it’s so much fun I’ll give it a pass. Lot of interludes here, but I’m glad they are their own separate tracks so I can skip them in future listens. Favorite songs were Rhythm Nation, Miss You Much, Livin’ In A World, and Escapade.
The Rolling Stones
2/5
I mean it’s fine, but there’s nothing original here. It’s just all covers. The songs are good the performances are entertaining, but that’s like me putting Weezer’s Teal Album on the list. Just because it’s The Stones doesn’t mean it needs to be here.
Megadeth
5/5
Is this one of the best metal albums of all time? Absolutely yes. Everything here is just so tight. The guitar work absolutely rips. This takes what worked on Peace Sells and cranks it up to 11
Cocteau Twins
4/5
Dream pop is absolutely the right descriptor here. The whole thing feels like floating down a dark river. The vocals provide such texture to the songs. Favorite songs were Ivo, Lorelei, Persephone, Aloysius, and Donimo.
Jerry Lee Lewis
4/5
The further down on the Jerry Lee Lewis Wikipedia page I got, the worse it got. This dude was a real piece of shit. However, he really knew how to make that piano sing. The songs here all have an infectious energy that’s makes you want to get up and boogie. Favorites were What’d I Say, Great Balls Of Fire, and Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On
Stereo MC's
3/5
I liked listening to this. Some of the songs reminded me of Beck. Favorite songs were Fade Away, Step It Up, and Creation.
Girls Against Boys
3/5
I had to listen to this album a couple times to get it, but I’m glad I did. The vocals remind me of Dinosaur Jr. and I like how they play with dynamics. Favorite songs were Rockets are Red, Let Me Come Back, Learned It, and 7 Seas.
Raekwon
5/5
I mean yeah it’s a boom-bap masterpiece. One of best Wu-Tang solo albums (Probably my third favorite). I wonder what the longest sample chain is on the list. There are two three-album chains connected on this record. Guillotine contains a sample from Tical which contains a sample from The Shaft soundtrack, and Glaciers of Ice contains a sample from Triangle by the Beau Brummels and was sampled in The Avalanches’ Since I Left You. The beats here are incredible, the flows are hard hitting, the bars are great.
Solange
3/5
In the words of a great poet “Now I be kickin’ shit like Solange in the elevator” This album is very smooth. The transitions between songs and interludes have a great flow, the drums and bass compliment her voice well and the featured artists do a good job. Any album that features Sampha is good in my book. Favorite songs were Cranes In The Sky, Mad, Don’t Touch My Hair, and Junie.
Spiritualized
4/5
Best way to describe this album is expansive. Everything here is huge. I really like this album. The softer elements are really complemented by the use of orchestral instrumentation. Cop Shoot Cop… is a behemoth. Favorite songs were the title track, Come Together, I Think I’m In Love, Electricity, Broken Heart, and Cop Shoot Cop…
Beatles
5/5
Until today I have never listen to this entire album front to back. I have, of course, heard most of these song aplenty of times, but never in context. This has been long hyped as “the best Beatles album” and that reputation somewhat kept me away for one reason or another. Same reason I have never seen The Godfather. I understand it now. George is the best Beatle. The medley is amazing. This album sounds crispy clear. I still think Revolver is the best album by them. That opinion is subject to change on any given day.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
This is a good record, but I just think it’s comparatively weaker next to a Sticky Fingers or Let It Bleed. Sympathy For The Devil is an all timer, but some of tracks in the middle are just a little weaker. The piano rocker that is Salt Of The Earth really closes out the album strong. Favorite songs are Sympathy For The Devil, No Expectations, Street Fighting Man, and Salt Of The Earth.
Kings of Leon
2/5
Nope that’s it. Drawing a line in the sand. One Kings of Leon album? Okay that’s fine they’re pretty popular. Two Kings of Leon albums? Probably excessive but the debut and the one with hits can be argued. Three Kings of Leon albums?!?!? Far too many. Daily reminder this made the list over anything by Weezer, Daft Punk’s Discovery, Songs for the Deaf, Coltrane’s Giant Steps, anything by Modest Mouse, anything by MF DOOM, Eric B and Rakim’s Paid In Full. I could go on all day. Indie slop (derogatory) The Bucket is an alright song, but the fact that this album ended and I didn’t even notice proves it all the more.
Roxy Music
4/5
The album cover is so 70’s, but I can imagine why people bought it. Helps that music here is pretty good too! Solid glam rock offerings here. Love when a saxophone is thrown my way. All I Want Is You really reminds me of Is She Really Going Out With Him? Favorite songs were The Thrill Of It All, Three And Nine, All I Want Is You, Put Of The Blue, and A Really Good Time.
Butthole Surfers
3/5
I saw the global average rating and prepared myself for the worst and this just… isn’t. Like I’m confused what the issue is that people have with it. I think this is interesting. The use of noise and unconventional structure and dynamics works as a whole package here. Plus it samples Sweet Leaf one of my favorite Sabbath songs straight off rip. Favorite songs were Sweet Load, Human Cannonball, and Kuntz.
Richard Hawley
4/5
A really pleasant bit of early 60’s nostalgia. His voice is great and the lyrics are impactful. The perfect album for washing the dishes in the dark. Favorites were Coles Corner, Just Like The Rain, The Ocean, Born Under A Bad Sign, and Tonight.
Cocteau Twins
5/5
Everything I loved on Treasure done even better. I could listen to Cherry Coloured Funk all day. The vocals are just entrancing. The guitar tone on the title track is great. Love this whole thing.
Portishead
4/5
This one has been hyped up quite a bit and I see why people like it. I don’t think it’s the best thing since sliced bread, but it’s good. Definitely liked this more than Third. The first three songs, especially Strangers are a great introduction to the style. Some of the bass work in the latter half especially on Pedestal are really good too. Favorite songs were Mysterons, Sour Times, Strangers, Wandering Star, and Glory Box.
Cat Stevens
5/5
I need to apologize: I totally thought Cat Stevens was the guy behind Cats In The Cradle. I guess him being named Cat and the song having Cat’s in the title confused me for years. Totally different dude. This guy sings a lot like Peter Gabriel. I could listen to this style of early 70’s singer-songwriter music all day. Toss it in the Jim Croce/Todd Rundgren/Carole King/Labi Siffre collection. Just a bunch of really well written and performed songs. I listened to this four times before writing a review not because I was unsure of my rating or thoughts, just because I enjoyed it that much.
The Streets
2/5
A day in the life of a true Brexit geezer. Least charismatic performance of a somewhat funny story. The flows just aren’t there and the hooks are mostly uninteresting.
Rage Against The Machine
5/5
I like how Zack does his best imitation of a TiE fighter from Star Wars in Township Rebellion. Understanding the political values of this album and Rage as a whole is an important media literacy test that many people fail completely. This is THE rap metal album. Often imitated, never duplicated.