254
Albums Rated
3.67
Average Rating
23%
Complete
835 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
2010
Favorite Decade
Reggae
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Cheerleader
Rater Style ?
50
5-Star Albums
8
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
Top Styles
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
...Baby One More Time
Britney Spears
|
5 | 2.68 | +2.32 |
|
Alien Lanes
Guided By Voices
|
5 | 2.75 | +2.25 |
|
São Paulo Confessions
Suba
|
5 | 2.84 | +2.16 |
|
Among The Living
Anthrax
|
5 | 2.85 | +2.15 |
|
The Sun Rises In The East
Jeru The Damaja
|
5 | 2.91 | +2.09 |
|
Very
Pet Shop Boys
|
5 | 2.94 | +2.06 |
|
More Specials
The Specials
|
5 | 2.95 | +2.05 |
|
Ghosteen
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
|
5 | 2.97 | +2.03 |
|
Introducing The Hardline According To Terence Trent D'Arby
Terence Trent D'Arby
|
5 | 2.98 | +2.02 |
|
I See You
The xx
|
5 | 2.99 | +2.01 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
OK Computer
Radiohead
|
1 | 4.11 | -3.11 |
|
The College Dropout
Kanye West
|
1 | 3.31 | -2.31 |
|
Bert Jansch
Bert Jansch
|
1 | 3 | -2 |
|
Sunshine Hit Me
The Bees
|
1 | 2.99 | -1.99 |
|
Os Mutantes
Os Mutantes
|
1 | 2.98 | -1.98 |
|
Vauxhall And I
Morrissey
|
1 | 2.95 | -1.95 |
|
Grace
Jeff Buckley
|
2 | 3.73 | -1.73 |
|
Chore of Enchantment
Giant Sand
|
1 | 2.64 | -1.64 |
|
Blonde On Blonde
Bob Dylan
|
2 | 3.49 | -1.49 |
|
Locust Abortion Technician
Butthole Surfers
|
1 | 2.39 | -1.39 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Simon & Garfunkel | 2 | 5 |
| Beatles | 5 | 4.2 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Radiohead | 1, 3, 4 |
5-Star Albums (50)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Air · 39 likes
3/5
Have you ever been out drinking with a few friends and it gets to that late hour where you can either go home or get weird? Your friend says he got a text from an acquaintance that is having a gathering across town. You put up a fake fight but inevitably will go because you don't want to be drunk alone at home.
You all share a cab and with every block you drive you notice you're getting farther and farther from home.
When you do arrive, the building as some jerryrigged lock system that you've been given vague instructions to and the four of you struggle for 10 minutes before a stranger just let's you in.
You get up to the apartment and knock - the door is opened by a white guy with dreads...he hugs your friend and welcomes everyone in. It smells of incents, weed, and definitely a hint of cats. You look around and there are a few people there and they are all zonked out on the couch.
You're told there's beer in the fridge and you go get the least offensive IPA of the bunch. You are then offered some sort of powder by your friend. Is it H? Is it K? Is it even possibly Coke? It's dark so who knows. So you say why not and take a line. I was definitely not cocaine. You go into a paranoid spiral about getting hooked on H because of this and get dizzy and try to find a place to sit. Your fucked up brain says - go to the bathroom and lay your face on the cold floor. So you do that...wondering when someone will walk in and freak out.
You get up the energy to get out of there...you bolt to your friend and say you gotta go. You fly down the stairs and get in the first cab you see, knowing it's gonna be super expensive...but if I start OD-ing there's a person to help.
You get home after dozing in the cab...knowing the cabby was judging you. You climb up your stairs to your apartment. Drink a little water and lay down fully clothed, thinking of nonsense until you eventually fall asleep.
That's what this album sounds like
Johnny Cash · 2 likes
5/5
When I first heard Hurt I was in high school and didn't know why we were listening to an old man trying to be cool.
Listening now - there is just so much emotion - sadness, longing, love
If you can listen to this without feeling something you are a sociopath haha
1-Star Albums (8)
All Ratings
Air
3/5
Have you ever been out drinking with a few friends and it gets to that late hour where you can either go home or get weird? Your friend says he got a text from an acquaintance that is having a gathering across town. You put up a fake fight but inevitably will go because you don't want to be drunk alone at home.
You all share a cab and with every block you drive you notice you're getting farther and farther from home.
When you do arrive, the building as some jerryrigged lock system that you've been given vague instructions to and the four of you struggle for 10 minutes before a stranger just let's you in.
You get up to the apartment and knock - the door is opened by a white guy with dreads...he hugs your friend and welcomes everyone in. It smells of incents, weed, and definitely a hint of cats. You look around and there are a few people there and they are all zonked out on the couch.
You're told there's beer in the fridge and you go get the least offensive IPA of the bunch. You are then offered some sort of powder by your friend. Is it H? Is it K? Is it even possibly Coke? It's dark so who knows. So you say why not and take a line. I was definitely not cocaine. You go into a paranoid spiral about getting hooked on H because of this and get dizzy and try to find a place to sit. Your fucked up brain says - go to the bathroom and lay your face on the cold floor. So you do that...wondering when someone will walk in and freak out.
You get up the energy to get out of there...you bolt to your friend and say you gotta go. You fly down the stairs and get in the first cab you see, knowing it's gonna be super expensive...but if I start OD-ing there's a person to help.
You get home after dozing in the cab...knowing the cabby was judging you. You climb up your stairs to your apartment. Drink a little water and lay down fully clothed, thinking of nonsense until you eventually fall asleep.
That's what this album sounds like
Little Simz
5/5
It was a brilliant album. It's aggressive, heartbreaking at times, empowering at others, and sounding just so delightfully British
Bob Dylan
3/5
This album can be summed up in two words: Bob Dylan
And I don't mean that in "all Bob Dylan songs sound the same" nor do I mean that as a sarcastic jerk complaining about Bob Dylan (despite my actual dislike for his singing voice)
If you were asked to describe the prototypical Bob Dylan - you would point to this album. It's textbook.
When Weird Al went after Dylan, he chose Subterranean Homesick Blues. Definitely recommend a listen to Weird Al's Bob - highly endorse.
I am gonna be honest again. I hate Bob Dylan. I think he's a brilliant lyricist (poet is a better word) and songwriter. Dude can't sing and sounds like nails on a chalkboard.
But because of how much this album encapsulates Dylan in all his glory, I'm giving it 3 stars instead of 1
Led Zeppelin
4/5
It's Led Zeppelin II - it's a classic. The guitar is consistently impressive. Plant's voice is iconic. It fucking rocks.
Kendrick Lamar
5/5
This album is a masterpiece. It has elements of funk, rock, Broadway, spoken word poetry. The lyrics are powerful and meaningful.
First track to last track...all bops
Joni Mitchell
4/5
It's a beautiful album. Quintessential Joni Mitchell - melodic and heartfelt- you can hear her soul in her music. It is the pinnacle of that late 60s/early 70s singer/songwriter folk. It's wonderfully produced, clean, and all around a highly recommended album
The Jam
4/5
It was a fun post-punk early new wave album. Well produced but you still felt the raw energy.
And just so British
The xx
3/5
It is a real nice album for the genre. The alt electro-pop isn't my thing - but this is a good effort in that world and I believe that is worth...something
Drive Like Jehu
2/5
It is a raw album. It's that logical next step when you mix punk and grunge to create the bases for emo. So I can understand it's significance.
With that being said - the songs are way too long for the genre and the instrumental parts are often repetitive and don't accomplish much.
Dion
2/5
It wasn't unpleasant. Let's leave this one for the singer/songwrite collection in the 3am infomercial.
Ray Charles
4/5
All bops. Ray puts so much soul and emotion into every song. This is a two album collection of 24 tracks and you can feel it on all 24.
The Cars
4/5
Great album. Cars bring their distinct sound to every track. They are a bridge between 70s classic rock and 80s new wave. Fun style and fun songs.
5/5
Funky, poinient, catchy, and all-around banger. Highly recommend.
Nitin Sawhney
4/5
It's always interesting when the artist isn't the one singing as is the case here with Nitin Sawhney. It mixes a really nice blend of South Asian music and modern jazz and pop elements. I appreciate what the album is trying to accomplish and tells a beautiful story about India.
New Order
4/5
We didn't know what would rise from the ashes of Joy Division. And we got New Order. They're catchy, synthy, and a beautiful representation of the new wave and pop electronic of the 80s.
The Smiths
3/5
It's interesting because yesterday I was given New Order and the day before that I got The Cars. This bombardment of 80s synth-pop puts me in a position to rank them against each other in my mind.
However, this is the review for The Smiths (and it's statistically unlikely someone else would get my album luck). It's the Smiths...poppy 80s sound with strong lyrics and iconic vocals. It hits all the notes you want in the Smiths. And that's why I'm only giving it a 3. There are other Smith's album with a little more flair and experimentation from the standard.
Beck
3/5
I figured getting Beck would mean getting early 90s Beck. This is 2000s Beck and just not as special. It's certainly not bad and there are some really enjoyable and creative parts. But as a whole, not his best work.
Van Halen
4/5
It's David Lee Roth Van Halen - it slaps
Fun Lovin' Criminals
4/5
This album is very emblematic of the genre of mid-90s rock hip-hop. It's fun with pop and funk elements along with the distorted guitar and prototypical hip-hop vocalization.
Skepta
4/5
This is the 3rd British rapper I've gotten in only 2 weeks of doing this. And this was the best yet. It seemed more composed than the others (no names mentioned - this isn't about them haha). It was thoughtful, well produced, strong performance, good mix of other genre influence, and an all around bop.
Shivkumar Sharma
3/5
I am not a big fan of instrumentals outside of a symphony or a live jazz performance. This album has a beautiful sound and is well produced. It's a western take on traditional eastern music which is a nice touch. Otherwise though, it's nice background music for the steam room.
Yes
2/5
It was fine. Find it interesting that most of the songs are either 8 minutes or a minute and a half. Didn't dislike it but probably won't listen again
Paul Revere & The Raiders
3/5
So very very 60s rock and roll...no complaints
Beatles
4/5
It's the Beatles man. Nothing not to like. The Lennon tracks are distinctly Lennon and the one Harrison track is a bop. Can't not like it.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
Classic...absolutely slaps...would be a 5 but Tina does Proud Mary better
N.E.R.D
2/5
Listenable but pretty weak. Probably the least deserving of the top 1001 albums on the list this far
The Streets
4/5
The album has it's ups and downs. The vocals at times are unpolished (on purpose) and can seem unprofessional. However, once you get used to it - I think it's a great album
Elvis Presley
4/5
The complete and total embodiment of late 50s early 60s American Rock N Roll. Elvis was the king for a reason.
Jorge Ben Jor
4/5
Fun and danceable songs in his native portugiese. Very nice listen
Joanna Newsom
4/5
Great perform by Newsom. Highly recommend.
The Smiths
2/5
It's okay. I prefer The Cure and New Order.
Eminem
4/5
I wasn't sure how I was gonna like it. Hadn't listened to these tracks in 20 years (yikes). It's more meaningful than my former tween self would've gotten and it has a really nice flow to it. Good album.
3/5
Good 60s rock...that's about it
Manic Street Preachers
4/5
This was a new one for me - didn't know anything about MSP - which makes this more fun haha
I really enjoyed it. A post-grunge alt-pop rock banger if you ask me.
Beatles
4/5
It's the Beatles. It is what it is.
Marvin Gaye
5/5
What a fantastic album. Soul, funk, R&B, pop...harmonious, sensual, masterpiece
Tito Puente
4/5
I was dancing to the mambo. Very fun and entertaining. I wouldn't listen to it often but it was a playful addition to the list.
Butthole Surfers
1/5
Yeah - I gotta tell you...this album was fucking awful. It sounded like the noise my friends and I would make with our instruments while drunk in high school.
Talking Heads
4/5
Big fan of the Talking Heads. Really love this album.
Khaled
4/5
Oh man. I had no idea what to expect. It was lovely. You can feel Khaled's passion in every song. Beautiful instrumentation with both eastern and western influence. Lyrics in 3 different languages makes it fresh and insightful.
Very much enjoyed this.
Mott The Hoople
3/5
I felt that it was generic classic rock. That doesn't mean it was bad. Just uninspired.
Soft Machine
2/5
I typically like jazz. These songs I did not. They dragged on for 18-20mins taking forever to build.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
Reggae is one of my favorite genres and Bob Marley is the king.
Van Morrison
4/5
Into the Mystic is one of my favorite songs. Quintessential Van Morrison here. Catchy and pretty pop hooks with an old soul of Rock N Roll leaking through.
Neil Young
4/5
Neil clearly up a lot of heart and emotion into this album. That bleeds through in every track. I'm not the biggest fan of his voice but this album complements it very well.
Songhoy Blues
3/5
The blues instrumentation was top notch. The vocals seemed dissonant with the style of music to me but this is typical sound for desert blues.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
It's a double album so it starts out great and then just fades into generic Led Zepplin
The Killers
3/5
It's...fine
I remember this album from when it came out.
Like I said...it's fine
The Beach Boys
4/5
Not my favorite Beach Boys but pretty good non-the-less
Bob Dylan
3/5
Yeah - I just don't like Bob Dylan haha
Lightning Bolt
3/5
Not my cup of tea. Somehow nicely produced and clean for what is to be considered a "noise" band.
The Thrills
3/5
It was pleasant. A little pop mixed with a little rock reminiscent of the late 90s/early 2000s. Not sure if I would put this in the 1001 best albums but like I said...it was pleasant.
Beatles
3/5
Not my favorite from the Beatles
Still the Beatles
Boston
4/5
One of my favorite classic rock albums. It's catchy, fun, and meaningful. Love it.
John Martyn
3/5
I was semi-confused as to what John was trying to accomplish. There are moments of Mac McAnally and moments of Clapton...but it never really reaches either of them.
Steely Dan
4/5
Lots of classics on this album. Steely Dan is firm in the dad rock genre but have a fun sound and the album is solid from beginning to end.
Eagles
4/5
Obviously a classic.
Essentially a super-group they have really well constructed songs that are catchy yet technologically very sound.
The Jesus And Mary Chain
3/5
I thought it was...good. They throw in a number of different genres - new wave, rock, punk, pop. Decent album that takes you in many different directions.
Dizzee Rascal
4/5
I've gotten a bunch of British rappers this far only about 50 in. I have been enjoying this one the most. It's funkier and more fun. I'm not devaluing Lil Simz because her music is purposefully aggressive to get her message across. I thought that was great too. But for everyday listening - this was fun.
Eels
3/5
Not bad - nothing to write home about. Melodic rock with both some heavier and poppy elements depending on the track.
Ravi Shankar
3/5
The whole thing sounded like a tutorial. The first track is Shankar explaining different techniques in Indian music. Then it goes on to have very melodic music but in a way that is for the listener to learn more than enjoy. Good concept for an Eastern musician in the last 50s...kinda odd to listen to.
Kanye West
1/5
I listen to this album a long time ago...I am not giving that dickhead more listens.
The Specials
5/5
One of my favorite albums. Second wave Ska was my lead in to third wave which defined my teenage years. It's fun, loud, and catchy. Love the sound and feeling you get while listening.
The Smashing Pumpkins
4/5
Great album. Loved it as a kid and still love it now. Melodic and heavy at the same time
Terence Trent D'Arby
5/5
Radiohead
1/5
I hate Radiohead. They're like buying Pink Floyd on Wisb for people born in the 80s. It's airy and whiny in not a good way. I really don't get why everyone loves this album
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
5/5
Absolute bop...every song encapsulates that late 50s rock and roll that was getting faster and a little harder and more danceable.
Still wish that he never got on that plane...what could've been
Leonard Cohen
4/5
Leonard Cohen to me is like if Bob Dylan took a couple vocal lessons. Obvious passion in his lyrics and instrumentation overshadow the slightly dissonant vocals.
Judas Priest
4/5
Judas Priest rock harder than most. Loud, aggressive, epitome of early metal. Love it.
Sly & The Family Stone
4/5
Not my favorite of the king of funk. But still beautiful funk.
Fats Domino
4/5
Fats is a classic - fast piano with early rock and a blues-y voice. Just a lot of fun.
Fever Ray
3/5
Nice background noise - nothing more nothing less
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
2/5
A little out there - there are poppier songs that are pleasant but they go on orchestral interludes that just don't vibe
Kraftwerk
2/5
Not my favorite. It has the beginnings of a Divo banger and then doesn't go anywhere. It never builds and never truly caught my attention.
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
It's a very raw album. Lots of Jimi on guitar - obviously the highlight - but it kinda drags on and I feel like the songs start to bleed together
The Associates
2/5
Honestly - this sounds like what happens when you order David Bowie on Wish. Trying to hard to sound like Bowie but falling short.
Stan Getz
4/5
I really liked it. Very nice jazz album. Well produced and great for an intimate evening.
Iron Maiden
4/5
I am not equating Iron Maiden to the Bard
However Bill S is a good analogy
I listened to this album and thought - this is just generic 80s metal. But that's the thing - they pioneered it.
Docking them for that would be like docking Shakespeare for using too many clichés...which he invented haha
Britney Spears
5/5
Perfect pop album. Britney was a star at a young age because she knew how to hit every cord and check all the boxes on bubblegum pop.
Bob Dylan
2/5
Ugh more Dylan
F
Various Artists
4/5
Christmas standards that everyone loves. I don't love Phil Spector for many reasons but I'm giving this a 4 as a tribute to the artists
Public Enemy
5/5
Tremendous album. It's smart, witty, fun and meaningful. It makes you want to get up and vibe while still teaching people like me the plight of the black American experience.
Coldplay
3/5
As far as Coldplay go - this is their peak. I find Chris a little whiny but they are decent songwriters for the pop genre.
Os Mutantes
1/5
Yeah - I have no idea what this was trying to be. They have no consistency in theme, genre, cohesiveness in any way. The whole thing sounds like a weird troll haha.
The Isley Brothers
5/5
What a masterpiece. Soulful, funky, bluesy, poppy. It's a classic that everyone should love.
Gillian Welch
4/5
I didn't like it at first but it grew on me by the 4th or 5th track. Blue Grassy-ness and folksiness of the album permeates every track with crazy topics like the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
Big fan now
Nine Inch Nails
3/5
This was a really big album in formative years. It's aggressive and the lyrics are pretty angry. It has a place and I just don't know if it resonates anymore at 35 years old. It gets bonus star for what it had been in the past.
Cat Stevens
4/5
Classic folk/singer-songwriter album. Smooth, melodic, and meaningful. Good listen.
Joan Armatrading
5/5
Really enjoyable album. Joan's music is like a stepping stone between the doo-wop and blues of the 50s and 60s and the folksiness of Tracey Chapman.
Emotional, pure, melodic. Very much appreciated.
The Saints
4/5
Really good early punk. Fast, hard, raspy vocals. Checks all the boxes.
Pet Shop Boys
5/5
I had never really listened to them before despite their popularity. Very much enjoyed it. A continuation of the 80s new wave and dance that rivals the best of New Order.
Little Richard
5/5
Little Richard was a master of early rock n roll. Powerful and loud, fun and smooth.
Love it.
Dexys Midnight Runners
3/5
I was looking forward to this. I've been told that DMR have a ton of bops outside of Come On Eileen and Geno.
Well...it just sounded like DMR on weaker tracks than Come On Eileen and Geno.
Not bad...but perhaps I was expecting too much
The Sabres Of Paradise
2/5
Yeah - this didn't do it for me. It doesn't go anywhere; it's basic...nothing moved me
Radiohead
3/5
Better than I expected considering not liking the other Radiohead I've listen to. Less whiny and more accessible.
Giant Sand
1/5
Yeah - I had no idea what that was supposed to be. Like the talk-singing is fine in general with bands like The Hold Steady...but this is a mess. It's caustic and uninspired
The Byrds
4/5
Classic classic rock. Big fan of the Byrds and their unique sound. A little bit of if Dylan could sing vibes.
5/5
One of the best albums of the 80s. Pure U2 magic.
David Bowie
4/5
Big David Bowie fan. The mid-70s were a good time to be DB. Great album...classic sound...just the right amount of weird mixed with pop
5/5
Obviously a banger. Just when the Beatles started experimenting a being a little more weird and less bubble-gum pop. Ending on A Day In The Life really completes it
Machito
4/5
I enjoy this. That 50s mambo/calypso/jazz with the smooth trumpet and soft drums. Strong backing bass. A good listen and perfect for ambience.
The Verve
3/5
This album has its ups and downs. This might be the most 90s thing I've ever experienced and that is wild. Hootie would be embarrassed at the amount of 90s haha
Madonna
4/5
Really nice pop album. Showcases Madonna's evolution into modern pop while still having her signature melodic voice and upset songs.
Neil Young
3/5
Very generic Neil Young. It's still Neil Young with his folksy rock and controlled whiny voice that works for the genre. Not his most special album but a good one.
OutKast
5/5
Album of my childhood. One banger after the next. I happen to be a big fan of Big Boi. The working relationship with Andre 3000 creates music magic.
Dusty Springfield
5/5
What a fun album. It's got pop, doowop, soul...Dusty sings from the heart. She walked so Amy Winehouse could run. That 60s Wrecking Crew and Phil Spector Wall of Sound in full force
Iggy Pop
3/5
Had never really listened to Iggy Pop before. He's like buying David Bowie on Wish. Not bad...just not Bowie
Mylo
3/5
I felt that it had some good moments in here. Sometimes the voice track got a little repetitive during a song but it had a nice rhythm and it felt good.
The Who
3/5
A good classic rock album. Baba O'Reilly is the epitome of the genre and it rocks. Rest of the album is pretty generic though.
Stevie Wonder
3/5
So I thought this was gonna be a 5 - Sir Duke, Isn't She Lovely, Pastime Paradise
But I feel like a lot of the album was preachy - lots of God and related subject matter
Sade
4/5
Really beautiful album. Sade has a unique R&B voice that works really well with the 80s sound.
The Divine Comedy
4/5
I liked it. It's like a very British Moby. Fun sounds with some lyrics that might not have aged great haha there is so cute breaking of the 4th wall too. Good show.
Janelle Monáe
3/5
This album had a lot going on. There are some really high highs - Janelle has a great rapping and singing voice and some of the songs are modern pop bops that check all the pop boxes. But the lows are low - lots of ambitious thematics that don't quite hit the mark.
Tom Waits
4/5
Tom Waits is an interesting fellow. Signature raspy talk-singing and creative jam-like instrumentation. I feel like he's an acquired taste but once there you can see the merit.
Justice
4/5
I actually really liked this - good example of an electronic album with limited vocals that goes some where. All the buildups are useful and it keeps it interesting throughout the album.
Fatboy Slim
4/5
This is one of those 90s albums that still resonate with me. It's not a 5 because there's one or two skips and Funk Soul Brother goes on entirely too long. But it's in general fun, danceable, relatable pop electronic.
The Beach Boys
3/5
One of the most icon albums not just in the Beach Boys catalogue but in general. Very wintery - with the jingling and the like. God Only Knows is in a bunch of Christmas movies. Odd turn for a band founded on summer vibes, surfing, and hotrods. Obviously a classic but a little too jingly and slow for my taste.
Public Image Ltd.
4/5
Once again another acquired taste. To me it sounds like an interesting mix between New Order and Dead Kennedys. Took a few songs to get into it but I eventually did.
Minutemen
3/5
Definitely on the list of acquired tastes. Raspy signature vocals with pop/rock/new wave elements in the background. A little trite for the genre
Jeff Buckley
2/5
I little preachy...not unexpected for an album called "Grace"
Everyone knows Hallelujah and there's another track or two that are enjoyable but this album falls pretty flat for me
Deee-Lite
4/5
Really enjoyed this album. The dance/electronic/pop is one of my favorite genres and Deee-lite don't disappoint. Outside of the hits, I like most of the tracks. You might worry that more than one DJ will lead to too many cooks in the kitchen. This is probably why they broke up after only 2.5 albums...but this debut slaps.
Bon Jovi
4/5
This is one of those albums where you think you're not gonna like it because you know 2024 Bon Jovi. But it is perfect for the hair metal genre and rocks pretty hard.
Black Sabbath
3/5
This album doesn't have the same number of hits as other Black Sabbath albums but still gives us the classic Sabbath sound and icon Ozzie vocals. Some songs drag on a little so we'll dig for that.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
Not as many hits as some of his other albums but still Stevie Wonder. Big fan of his soulfulness and beautiful voice.
The Fall
3/5
I felt this had vibes of "If Dylan tried punk" - vocals are a little whiny at time (just like Dylan) or sing-talking (which can be good). The songs were well composed and they fit the themes of the album for a coherent work.
Tricky
3/5
I didn't know that Tricky was a big piece of Massive Attack but it makes sense. Very airy for typical hip hop/r&b...it got a little monotonous for me in the middle tracks but a nice sound.
Willie Nelson
2/5
This album is pretty but slllloooowwwww. I know that weed makes you chill but geez Bill...pick up the tempo
Joe Ely
4/5
Really good rebel country. Got two country in a row and this was a nice change of pace from the previous. Lively, fun, and twangy...what you want from country
Slipknot
3/5
Definitely less screaming than anticipated which maybe made it better. I liked it. Probably not their best work ie Iowa but still a nice heavy metal/nu metal offering
Björk
3/5
I didn't think I would enjoy this. I remembered her being Yoko Ono-esque vocalization over that airy pop electronica. While the latter was true, the vocals were odd but pleasant and accessible for a new listener.
Heaven 17
4/5
Really good 80s New Wave...as a bassist I thought the bass lines were awesome...totally slaps
Travis
2/5
It was like a hipster Neil Young - without the fun of hipsters...or Neil Young
Pretty trite in my opinion
Sonic Youth
2/5
Was not a fan. It was very airy grunge. Dissonance all around with for me very few redeeming qualities.
Talking Heads
4/5
Very accessible Talking Heads. Still the Talking Heads. Delightful, weird, fun, poppy...checks all the boxes
2/5
I'm not 100% sure that I know what they were trying to accomplish. It almost sounded like a poor attempt at replicating the aura for Pet Sounds but without the hits...or the Beach Boy touch...or redeeming qualities.
The Specials
4/5
Still one of my favorite 2nd wave staples. Big influences here for the 3rd wave that I grew up on while holding its own against anyone in the genre regardless of wave.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
5/5
What a banger. Funky, aggressive, raw, and creative. His all the right chords.
Nick Drake
3/5
So I felt this was a beautiful album - but very one note. It's like hearing the same pretty song 11 times in a row. You can acknowledge it's beauty but not for 30 full minutes.
Aerosmith
4/5
Outside of Walk This Way and Sweet Emotion this album is pretty generic. Sounds like utility Aerosmith. Not bad.
Ali Farka Touré
5/5
A true East meets West situation. Like if Robert Johnson sold his soul to Allah and not the devil. Nice blues instrumentation with a middle-eastern flair.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
This sounds like Neil Young. If you like Neil Young you'll love it. If you don't like Neil Young you'll hate it.
As for me...eh haha
Blur
3/5
Woohoo! Haha
This is another album that's kinda all over the place. There isn't a whole lot of cohesiveness. It is good to have variety in the songs (I've docked people for being too one note] but this is just a hodgepodge.
R.E.M.
5/5
Such a wonderful album. Fun, meaningful...cohesive without being one note. Anything you would want.
Guided By Voices
5/5
Nice album. Shorter songs lend itself to a shorter album but in this case, even with the limited time, there was variety and cohesiveness. Also it was very 90s - that's a good thing to me haha
Beatles
5/5
Classic album. I think their best. I've gotten Sgt Pepper and Rubber Soul already and this is just leaps above.
Manu Chao
5/5
Awesome Brazilian music - really dug the vibe...big fan
The KLF
4/5
Really fun electronic album. Very 90s. Very fun.
Willie Nelson
4/5
I liked this Willie Nelson better than the previous I've heard. Much less slow and drawly. Definitely still traditional country but a cleaner and more upbeat treat.
Anthrax
5/5
Really good thrash metal. Some of the pioneers. Clean and fun
Ray Charles
4/5
Ray Charles is a master of the craft. Ragtime piano, raspy vocals. Great album.
10cc
3/5
There were definitely some highs and lows. First couple songs were either campy or weirdly show. Second half picked up and even had some fun songs. Not enough to redeem it past 3 though
David Bowie
5/5
It hits on all 70s cylinders - the piano of Billy Joel, the guitars of the Beetles, the poetry like Dylan...the flamboyance of Elton John. One of the greats
Girls Against Boys
4/5
Really good grunge. Took me a few songs to get into it but the 90s sound with the growling vocals worked well together.
AC/DC
3/5
If you like AC/DC it's a masterpiece. If you don't like AC/DC is a trite effort
Shook me all night long and Back in Black are bops. Hells Bells is fun too.
Everything else is mediocre and generic.
Daft Punk
3/5
The album was 1:15 and it could've been done in 45 minutes. The beats and techniques are good and sound but the songs drag on and are very repetitive for no reason.
Bad Brains
4/5
Much less aggressive than the previous Bad Brains I got. Much more new wave and a dark 80s feel. I enjoyed this.
Sugar
4/5
Really liked this album. My initial thought was "Oh this is when you order REM on Wish" but it held its own. Pleasantly surprised.
Bill Callahan
3/5
Not what I was expecting - don't know what I expected - I knew nothing of Bill Callahan - but when the talk singing came on and he was going on about nonsense - I was certainly entertained.
Entertained is a purpose of an album - so it gets points for that...but otherwise it's not anything special
Led Zeppelin
5/5
The year is 1969 - you're 14 years old - you walk into the record store and there is a display for a band called Led Zeppelin. You ask the clerk what it is and they just say "it's new."
Your mind was about to be blown.
5/5
I really loved this. As a bassist it kills me that the best part of this is...the drums haha nice Brazilian treat.
Bert Jansch
1/5
It was Willie Nelson without the panache - why is this here?
Johnny Cash
5/5
When I first heard Hurt I was in high school and didn't know why we were listening to an old man trying to be cool.
Listening now - there is just so much emotion - sadness, longing, love
If you can listen to this without feeling something you are a sociopath haha
Manic Street Preachers
4/5
The first song Yes is an absolute bop. Listened to it a couple times. Great song, lively, cohesive but also not repetitive.
Air
2/5
Air was the first album I got and I had a whole schpeel about it.
This was just ambient noise.
Pearl Jam
4/5
One of the great 90s albums. I would say Veder is an acquired taste but their popularity would suggest otherwise.
Cocteau Twins
3/5
Smooth and poppy - very nice new wave album. The title track was by far my favorite.
Nina Simone
4/5
You can here the struggle in her voice...in her lyrics...it's powerful and unique
Fairport Convention
3/5
Not great not terrible...won't remember it by tomorrow
The Stone Roses
3/5
Once again not great not terrible
Simple Minds
2/5
Yeah there was just nothing memorable about this. Boring and uninspired.
Bill Evans Trio
4/5
Maybe jogging wasnt the best time to listen to this album. I wouldve preferred a cigar and single malt. It was a very nice jazz album.
Gotan Project
3/5
I thought it was okay. Still kinda confused why a French band's limited lyrics are in Spanish haha
It kinda dragged on with little variety
Pink Floyd
4/5
Hadn't listen to this album in its entirety before. Started slow and wasn't sure when it was gonna kick in. Gotta have been wild as a teenager in the 70s getting to the record store and queuing this up. Would've blown a lot of minds.
Franz Ferdinand
5/5
I remember this album from high school. Came out in that era of The Strokes, Hives, Jet. This really holds up as a great example of the early 2000s alt-rock.
Doves
3/5
I thought it was nice. Good album with that late 90s early 2000s vibes. I still remembered their names today so that's bonus points.
Santana
5/5
Easy to listen to late 60s rock with that infectious guitar of Santana mixed with Latin influence.
Lou Reed
5/5
What an odd, yet delightful masterpiece. You can tell the Bowie flair in there with his production but Reed makes it his own and nails it. What an album.
Traffic
3/5
You know...first track you got this 7 minute long instrumental with blues, rock, gospel, funk elements that I really enjoyed. Then second track you get hit with very mid-vocals. The instrumentation remained great though.
Peter Gabriel
4/5
Really nice pop album. Outside the hits, its still fun, catchy, and well written.
The Monks
4/5
The Band
5/5
Leftfield
4/5
Didn't know anything about them. Fun Afropop mixed with EDM. It got a little repetitive with songs dragging on for 7 minutes...but overall a nice listen.
Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
3/5
This is another album that has some nice moments and there is nothing really bad to say about it...but there isnt anything particularly special either. It's a good 80s new wave, pop, and ballad album.
Elvis Presley
3/5
Yeah the highs were high but the lows were low...Elvis at his best and worst in one record
The Bees
1/5
Yeah - this was trash. First track I'm like...its really irritating that its called Punchbag and not Punching bag...but maybe thats a British thing so I'll forgive it...second track sounded like what happens when white people play funk...its fine but theres something missing haha if that had been the whole album Id probably give this a 3...but the vast majority of the album is some weird amalgamation of funk, folk, and uh piano bar...no one asked for that.
Robert Wyatt
3/5
It was kind like they took hold music and added vocals from Ringo on top of it. I didn't hate it...
Bonnie Raitt
3/5
It was nice. Nothing too memorable for me but Bonnie is a great songwriter with an iconic voice.
U2
4/5
Excellent album by a band with incredible staying power. I feel like they took more risks on this album...had more of an...edge 😅
Ali Farka Touré
4/5
Really nice album. Mostly eastern vibe with western influence from Ry Cooder. Not a bad listen. Not sure I'd put it on again but it was worth the experience.
The xx
5/5
I really enjoyed that. It was melodic and catchy. It had a darker tone that you could feel the emotion even in poppier songs.
Metallica
5/5
But a masterpiece of an album. That thrash that they patented with the growling vocals, fast yet still melodic guitar, and excellent drums.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
While some of the album tracks were very similar in sound, the album as a whole is iconic, meaningful, and masterful.
Big fan of Bruce. I feel like this is a good example were a fractional rating would be nice. Like album tracks knock it down to like a 4.4 but since that rounds down, we net out at a 4
The Modern Lovers
4/5
Big fan of early punk. Fun, fast, and free. They didn't hold back.
Jeru The Damaja
5/5
Excellent album. 90s rap and hip hop is my favorite of the genre. Jeru hits on all cylinders here. Evan Da Bichez will agree.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
5/5
Bob Marley is the king of reggae. Ive always loved the sound and this album has some of the classic Marley hits plus more.
Living Colour
5/5
I really liked this. It rocked harder than I expected. Really glad I got to hear it.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
5/5
At first I thought this was awful...like a weird mix of Neil Young and old man Johnny Cash
But after a few tracks, I kinda liked it. I definitely liked it, like Mr Holland's Coltran story.
Sarah Vaughan
5/5
Sarah was great. You could feel the emotion as she belted out her jazz in what I could only imagine was a smoky, slightly dingy, intimate room at Mister Kelly's.
Janis Joplin
5/5
Absolute bop. Soulful, fun, of social and political import.
Nirvana
4/5
It was actually a lot heavier on the album tracks than I realized it would be based on the hits. Strong album from them.
Dennis Wilson
3/5
I expected more from a guy hanging out with Charles Manson haha
Nothing wrong with this album. Just not remarkable or memorable.
Tracy Chapman
5/5
Absolute masterpiece. Soulful and intelligent. You can feel the struggle in her songs. Its very powerful.
King Crimson
4/5
What a wild ride. So weird, yet still approachable. Jazz elements...pop...rock...psychedelic. Big energy
The Go-Betweens
3/5
Nice 80s sound. New wave elements...very poppy...clean and well produced.
Nothing too memorable but not a bad listen
Elton John
3/5
Tiny Dancer and Levon to open youd be expecting a 5...then the rest of the album is just lesser versions of Tiny Dancer and Levon haha
Nothing wrong with continuity of sound on an album...but this was very similar track to track.
Alice In Chains
4/5
Very important grunge that I've listen to a number of times. Definitely a fan. RiP to Layne.
Simon & Garfunkel
5/5
What a beautiful album. Its so comforting. It feels like a warm blanket.
The B-52's
5/5
Big fan of the B-52s. Theyre so wacky...it becomes delightful. Rock Lobster is an absolute bop.
Led Zeppelin
3/5
It starts off with Immigrant Song and you're like FUCK YEAH...and then you get a bunch of tracks of jaunty bullshit.
This album sounds like what a dweeb would say his favorite Zeppelin was.
Mercury Rev
4/5
What a weird album. It wasn't bad. Just bizarre. But not bad.
4/5
It has an awesome opening and continues into a decent second track...then BAM way too much pipe organ.
T. Rex
3/5
It was fine I guess. Classic rock. A little psychedelic...nothing more nothing less.
The White Stripes
4/5
Another one from my teenage years. Its also another one that I was eh on back then that I actually enjoy now. The sound is definitely raw but its folksy, rocky, and soulful.
Guns N' Roses
5/5
Fast, loud, fun - everything you want from 80s hair metal. These guys set the standard.
Jane's Addiction
4/5
One of those grungy classics. I got this right after Guns N' Roses so we got a comp there. This is a little raw and has moments of noise but also moments of brilliance.
The Who
4/5
Strong album thats a classic for a reason. Definitely rocked harder than I remember.
Barry Adamson
3/5
Not really sure what that was haha it was like jazz and noise and it sounded like at points there was plot. I guess it was fine but I doubt I'd listen again
The Byrds
4/5
Very nice country rock. Got that late 60s Woodstock sound like the Allman Bros or Country Joe and the Fish. I liked it.
Michael Jackson
5/5
I mean - lets be honest...King of Pop...we know its good every time.
Morrissey
1/5
Yeah - Morrissey is a terrible person and this album was just flat out boring.
Simon & Garfunkel
5/5
Beautiful album. The first song (title track) is just so heartwarming. This duo really shines.
Fleet Foxes
3/5
Not really sure what they were going for. Like it felt like they were going for weird but got too poppy. Im not saying its bad. It would be wrong to say its bad. Just not accomplishing much.
Fela Kuti
3/5
African jazz and desert blues are a cool genre that fused the jazz and blues genres with that African beat. The title track was my favorite.
Burning Spear
4/5
Really nice reggae. This is much heavier reggae than the Marley I've gotten so you probably have to be a fan of the genre to enjoy this. It has passion and a nice flow to it.
Dirty Projectors
3/5
What an odd album. There are moments of pop greatness and moments of awful falsetto. The female vocals are much better than the male vocals. The instrumentation is hit or miss as well. Just enough to maintain a 3
Sigur Rós
3/5
Well that was something...
Like Icelandic Radiohead...weird...a little whiny...poppy hooks at moments...orchestral instruments at others...not my cup of tea
Garbage
4/5
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Female led grunge had a moment in the 90s starting with these guys right here. Capture the sound of the era while being poppy, punky, and fast.
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
4/5
I liked this more and more with each song. I've come to enjoy folksier stuff as Ive gotten older and this fits the bills. Folksy, melodic...just the right amount of weird.
Beach House
3/5
This is another example here of nothing wrong with it but no memorable.
This is 1,001 Albums to Hear Before You Die...I've gotten a lot of "1,001 Albums that wont annoy you but you wont remember tomorrow"
Earth, Wind & Fire
5/5
Absolute bop. Funk is probably my favorite genre so it's kinda fishing with dynamite with me here but it's just so good. There's bass...more bass...dance music...storytelling...other influences mixed in like pop, rock, hip-hop, jazz.
Definitely recommend.
Kings of Leon
4/5
Much different than the Kings of Leon that we've come to know. Definitely bluesy and country-er but you can hear KoL shine through. I enjoyed it
The Blue Nile
4/5
One of the synth-pop albums that I actually liked. Its like is Bruce Springsteen did dream-air pop. I think this was definitely worth the listen.
Radiohead
4/5
Apparently this is a hot take but this has been my favorite Radiohead album. Way less whiny than the others and has some different elements, some songs even having a White Stripes sound. Definitely liked it.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
Beautiful album. Elvis Costello has a stronghold on the alt-pop category. He is a master of melodies and piano. Big fan of this album.
3/5
You know...its just very nice dad rock. With a name like Twelve Dreams of Dr Sardonicus...Im expecting weird...I didnt get weird...I dont know how I feel about that...
De La Soul
4/5
I felt is checked all the boxes for early hip-hop. Simple drums, guitar, a little goofiness. There was a lot of unnecessary filler tracks I felt but I think they were just trying to have fun. l thought it was good
The White Stripes
4/5
A more self-reflective album it seemed like. More distortion and grit than their previous work. I think I liked this better. Led Zeppelin can definitely be heard in there.
Prince
5/5
I love Prince...big into his whole sound, vibe, energy, and especially his personality. It all comes through here in another masterpiece of an album.
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
Calls the album Nebraska...first track is called Nebraska. Album is still about New Jersey haha
Excellent album. The Boss always delivers for me. You can feel his pain and emotion in every bar of music. It's beautiful.
Jethro Tull
3/5
Dun dun dun dun dun dun
Thats really the highlight of the album haha
William Orbit
4/5
No qualms with this. A little jazzy...a little poppy...nice ambient music
Everything But The Girl
3/5
Holy 90s Batman. Similar sound to Sneaker Pimps and early No Doubt. Album had some melodic tracks but nothing that really stood out to me.
Todd Rundgren
3/5
Double albums can be hit or miss. This did seem to drag on quite a bit. It wasn't bad. I liked some of the songs. Definitely 70s dad rock.
John Lennon
4/5
How Do You Sleep? is my favorite track. Nothing against McCartney but what a dis-track. Beautifully done...Kendrick and Drake got nothing on this.
Rest of the album...well it sounds like John Lennon. I know that sounds silly but lets be honest...you know what I mean by saying that haha
ZZ Top
3/5
Sounds like generic ZZ Top. Not their best in my opinion. The live tracks were great though. Best part of the album.
The Slits
4/5
I knew nothing of this band.
Very tribal with ska-elements, the album art might be slightly racist haha I enjoy this sound...in the vain of English Beat 💓
Muddy Waters
4/5
It starts out with a bang and doesn't let up. It was like a wall of sound but blues. Big energy and soul went into this album.
Meat Puppets
3/5
Meat Puppets II today
The album completely lacked identity
First track is pure punk...then you get a country instrumental...a few tracks that sound like Weezer/Ben Kweller...back to punk
No cohesiveness
Ryan Adams
4/5
This was a beautiful album. Soulful country, singer/songwriter, pop...folk elements. Big fan of this.
Can
3/5
Not really sure what this was haha talking vocals at some points...instrumental in others...all different types of instruments and sounds
Not my thing
Funkadelic
5/5
Now this is my thing. Love Funk. LOVE FUNKADELIC. Absolute masterpiece hearing a funk band do rock music (see what I did there?)
Arcade Fire
3/5
Like a very modern hipster Springsteen. Emphasis on the modern. I thought I hated it...then I thought I really liked it...then it dragged on for too long and I didnt like it again.
Taylor Swift
4/5
Not my favorite Tay Tay but she is still a pop legend.
The White Stripes
4/5
Another great entry by the White Stripes...probably if I knew there were 3 WS entries prior to starting I wouldve believed it quite excessive. I stand corrected