Oct 16 2023
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More Songs About Buildings And Food
Talking Heads
Classic talking heads sound with a few influences from other genres. A few gems mid album
3
Oct 17 2023
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3 Feet High and Rising
De La Soul
Refreshing throwback to hip hop’s golden age. Fun, witty, crafty, and creative.
The interludes didn’t really stand the test of time but not many classic hip hop albums can claim that theirs do.
4
Oct 18 2023
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The Bends
Radiohead
I expected to like it as much as I have in the past but something this time around didn’t hit me the way that it had in prior listens.
Still, too many gems, and the songs flow so beautifully from one to the next, to rate it below a four.
4
Oct 19 2023
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Violator
Depeche Mode
It’s hard to tell when Depeche Mode was in their prime but this album might be it.
Lyrically, not very strong, but their unique synth-electro-laced sound, anchored by one of the best male pop voices of all time, this album is hard not to like.
4
Oct 20 2023
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Born To Run
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce and his band packed this album with BIG song after BIG song that hit on so many levels. This was the first time I listened to this album from start to finish and it did not disappoint.
Lyrically haunting, powerful, and beautiful.
Outstanding Classic American Pop-Rock sound that helped paved the way an entire genre.
I’d like to hear these songs live one day. Yeah…. I think I’m going to do that.
5
Oct 21 2023
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My Generation
The Who
A few great classic rock tracks, but the album, as a whole, lacked the coherence and flow of of some of its better-known and respected contemporaries.
3
Oct 22 2023
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Can't Buy A Thrill
Steely Dan
3
Oct 23 2023
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Fishscale
Ghostface Killah
Ghost’s flow and lyrical ability are almost always great but the beats, samples, background vocals and interludes in this album were mediocre at best and brutal and cringeworthy at their worst.
A couple of tracks were worth saving on a playlist but I don’t think I’ll be seeking out the rest anytime soon.
2
Oct 24 2023
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Stand!
Sly & The Family Stone
Old school funk…with a message.
3
Oct 25 2023
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Faith
George Michael
Despite the fact that I generally like that type of sound and era of music, I just could not get into this album. I think it’s Michael’s voice. The strings and background vocals detracted from my experience as well.
2
Oct 26 2023
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Axis: Bold As Love
Jimi Hendrix
Perfection. I’m going right back to track one right now and listening to it again.
These songs could be 2-3 times as long and the world would be a better place.
5
Oct 27 2023
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The Trinity Session
Cowboy Junkies
The music was a bit too hokey, and the vocals a bit too breathy and somber, for my taste.
2
Oct 28 2023
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Songs Of Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen
People love Leonard Cohen. I respect that but this was just not my thing, and I love classic folk music.
His lyrics are beautiful but I found this album fairly dull and uninteresting, musically.
2
Oct 29 2023
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Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Man, people’s heads must have exploded when listening to this album for the first time.
50 years later, I can certainly still appreciate what Ozzy and Black Sabbath were trying to do.
That said, I very much prefer their later work, after they “found” their sound…. dare I say.
My favorite things about this were the guitar solos and also the bluesy sound of some of the tracks, a common ancestor of a lot of modern day music, including Ozzy’s metal🤘🏽
3
Oct 30 2023
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Punishing Kiss
Ute Lemper
Major “Miranda Sings” vibes but I don’t think she was trying to be funny. Wow. That was rough.
1
Oct 31 2023
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Brilliant Corners
Thelonious Monk
I enjoy Jazz in person but don’t typically listen to it in my spare time.
This album was solid and enjoyable, and it’s easy to hear and admire the sheer talent of Monk and his mates.
3
Nov 01 2023
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Emergency On Planet Earth
Jamiroquai
Ahhhh Jamiroquai. Always the right amount of funk for a Tuesday afternoon.
Fun sound. I imagine this is what a British wedding sounds like before Sweet Caroline but after Mr. Brightside.
3
Nov 02 2023
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Graceland
Paul Simon
There’s a lot going on here.
Overall, a fun album. Simon’s voice and lyrics are always so great and so on point, and this album is no exception
This was a bit of a mish-mash that worked in certain occasions and, in my opinion, felt awkward in others…. kind of like a folk-Afro beats version of Ice-T’s heavy metal project, Body Count. I like both things separately more than I like their sum.
It just felt a bit contrived. On top of that, the Dixie/Rockabilly tracks seemed like an afterthought.
With any other artist at the helm, I would have likely rated it lower.
3
Nov 03 2023
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Here Come The Warm Jets
Brian Eno
This was a fun one. Quirky but, man, does Eno know how to combine sounds, instruments, notes, voices, yelps, squeals, and squeaks into something that just works.
It was like a mixed media art exhibit pumped through my car speakers.
4
Nov 04 2023
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Paranoid
Black Sabbath
It’s wild that this album came out in the 70s. Talk about blazing a trail.
Fun listen. Three metal anthems in one 15 minute stretch. Fantastic.
4
Nov 05 2023
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Casanova
The Divine Comedy
What the heck was that? Was that for real?
1
Nov 06 2023
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Savane
Ali Farka Touré
Soulful. Even though I don’t understand the lyrics, it Reminds me of times past. When life and the world were so much simpler.
4
Nov 07 2023
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Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
Arctic Monkeys
Talented chaps and, while I like the energy of this album, I didn’t dig the sound much nor the lead singer’s voice.
2
Nov 08 2023
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Revolver
Beatles
Great album. Absolutely great.
Over the years, though, I have listened to other albums that deserve 🐐 status and, for as good as this is, it doesn’t give me the same level of warm and fuzzies as the others. Considering this relativity, Revolver gets a four.
4
Nov 09 2023
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Tapestry
Carole King
So much feeling. So much soul. I knew so many more of these songs than I expected and I enjoyed learning about Carole King and her incredible influence on music history. Beautiful album.
3
Nov 10 2023
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We're Only In It For The Money
The Mothers Of Invention
Meow Wolf ambient music. Kind of crazy-making after a while.
2
Nov 11 2023
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War
U2
Sunday Bloody Sunday and New Year’s Day can almost carry a whole album and, in this case, they do. I was hoping I’d fall in love with another track or two from War but those two will have to do.
3
Nov 12 2023
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Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age
3
Nov 13 2023
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Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
This album reminds me of those quintessential movie shots of a crowd hearing a sound for the first time and being unable to stay still. First some head bobbing, then a close up of feet tapping to the beat, then some snapping fingers or clapping, and eventually the entire crowd erupts into dance.
So good. So cool. So catchy.
4
Nov 14 2023
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Live At The Star Club, Hamburg
Jerry Lee Lewis
Good golly. What a goddamn maniac. I didn’t know they had cocaine back then.
3
Nov 15 2023
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Meat Is Murder
The Smiths
I dig this sound. Understated coolness.
3
Nov 16 2023
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Follow The Leader
Korn
I don’t mind the nu metal sound and this album has held up surprisingly well, 25 years removed from its release.
3
Nov 17 2023
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Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes
TV On The Radio
Wasn’t really feeling this one. Similar to Jungle in a sense but not as smooth and cohesive. The acapella-ish sound , if that’s what they were going for, seemed a bit disjointed. The best was very repetitive and, at times, seemed like it was building up a climax of sorts but then the transitions usually fell flat. Not a fan.
2
Nov 18 2023
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Violent Femmes
Violent Femmes
Kitschy and catchy. A little Velvet Underground, a little Flight of the Conchords.
About 95% of the Violent Femmes music I’ve heard has been at weddings, dive bar jukeboxes and in the form of covers at dueling piano bars and mediocre suburban live music nights.
Will not be a go-to for me but there’s definitely a time and a place for these tunes.
3
Nov 19 2023
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The Wildest!
Louis Prima
I didn’t have much faith in this one after the first minute but, damn, what a turnaround and what a sweet album. His featured singers, especially the female voice in the first few tracks were lovely and so talented. Great throwback.
4
Nov 20 2023
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american dream
LCD Soundsystem
3.5
This was fun. Like a modern day talking heads with a little Hotline Miami thrown in for good measure
3
Nov 21 2023
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Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea
PJ Harvey
What a bad-ass PJ Harvey is. The Thom Yorke cameo was sweeeeeet.
3
Nov 22 2023
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Peace Sells...But Who's Buying
Megadeth
80s heavy metal.
3
Nov 23 2023
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No Other
Gene Clark
3.5
I’d never heard of gene Clark and I would say that I enjoy his sound very much. Especially the ethereal sounding tracks
3
Nov 24 2023
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Ogden's Nut Gone Flake
Small Faces
Quirky one. Like if Sgt. Pepper went straight to VHS.
The first track was awesome but the rest was just ok.
3
Nov 25 2023
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Play
Moby
One of my old time faves but haven’t listened to it in ages. I was ready to rate it a 5 even before listening but thought it would be fair to give it the same treatment as all the rest. 5 after the first listen. Then I went back and listened twice more in the last day and the results have been validated.
Creative, inventive, cool as a polar bear’s toenails. So good.
5
Nov 26 2023
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Sticky Fingers
The Rolling Stones
Never been a huge fan of the Stones. I’m still not but this one was good… and they get an extra star for Moonlight Mile.
4
Nov 27 2023
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Fuzzy
Grant Lee Buffalo
2.5 This sounds like a hundred different 90s albums thrown into a blender and puréed into a CD.
2
Nov 28 2023
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Superfly
Curtis Mayfield
That’s a lot of cool to pack into 40 minutes
4
Nov 29 2023
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Pacific Ocean Blue
Dennis Wilson
3.5 I hadn’t heard of Dennis Wilson before. This was completely new but felt vaguely familiar at the same time due to the Beach Boy pedigree. I liked it.
3
Nov 30 2023
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Autobahn
Kraftwerk
Kraftwerk.
3
Dec 01 2023
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(What's The Story) Morning Glory
Oasis
3.5 I couldn’t get the Gallagher whining out of my head.
3
Dec 02 2023
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Grace
Jeff Buckley
So haunting. So beautiful.
5
Dec 03 2023
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The College Dropout
Kanye West
Prime, pre-cray, Kanye. So talented.
4
Dec 04 2023
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Blue
Joni Mitchell
Goddamn it, Joni.
Feels. So many feels.
5
Dec 05 2023
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OK Computer
Radiohead
Timeless IMO. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that this came out when I was 16, and that several of its singles had iconic music videos in the prime era of music videos. But maybe it’s just really f’ing good.
Most albums are lucky to have a handful of tracks that are great. Very few albums can be played from beginning to end, every time, without fail fail, without skipping a beat.
This is one of them.
5
Dec 06 2023
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The Sounds Of India
Ravi Shankar
Ravi’s music is mesmerizing, intricate, soul-stirring, and, for those of us in the western hemisphere, so incredibly unique.
Forget 4/4. How about 14? How about 16? In his intros, Ravi tells you he’s going to come at you with some wild stuff. And then he does. Effortlessly.
I only only wish I could hear this sound in person.
4
Dec 07 2023
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Sheer Heart Attack
Queen
🤘🏽 Killer Queen 🤘🏽
4
Dec 08 2023
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The Downward Spiral
Nine Inch Nails
4.5 Grimy, gritty and vile at times. Captivatingly beautiful in others. I know this album well enough but I hadn’t listened to it, front to back, in ages. Trent is a musical genius and this is him at his best. Loved it.
4
Dec 09 2023
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The ArchAndroid
Janelle Monáe
Good gracious. This thing damn near blew me away. Smooth, grandiose, fun, touching. If you had someone describe each song one at a time and line those descriptions up for you to read, you’d say “no way this will work.” But does it ever. A work of art.
5
Dec 10 2023
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The Suburbs
Arcade Fire
Nice sounding poppy rock. Enjoyed it .
3
Dec 11 2023
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Tarkus
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
The organ and quirk is strong in this one.
My head bobbed a few times and I thought it was turning around but it just keep going, unapologetically, down this path of weirdness that I just could not get into.
2
Dec 12 2023
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Band On The Run
Paul McCartney and Wings
Paulie set a high bar…. an impossible bar to hit without his Liverpool buddies His fault, not mine.
Knowing this, I tried hard to assess this one objectively.
The album starts off (meaning the first half of the single Band on the Run) so beautifully and touching, but then it arrives at just good. There’s nothing wrong with good. Good is good but this isn’t rest something I’ll be going back to anytime soon. At the same time, I probably won’t turn the station or skip the song if I come across it. Perhaps it’s the type of thing that grows on you. We’ll see.
3
Dec 13 2023
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Gentlemen
The Afghan Whigs
2.5 Ok. Couple of decent tracks. Sounds like a Trent Reznor impersonator backed by the Ataris playing 90s rock covers
2
Dec 14 2023
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In Utero
Nirvana
Didn’t love Nirvana then, still don’t love them today.
I do get the appeal and remember how big these guys got back in the day but this album will remain off my rotation as it has over the last 30 years. 30 years? Yikes…. I’m old.
3
Dec 15 2023
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At Fillmore East
The Allman Brothers Band
Lot of talent on that stage.
Not a big fan of live albums and all that organ got me thinking of “What up with That?.”
3
Dec 16 2023
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Tusk
Fleetwood Mac
Still can’t get into Fleetwood Mac but really don’t dislike it either
3
Dec 17 2023
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Whatever
Aimee Mann
I found this to be a bit dull, repetitive and uninspiring.
Maybe it was Aimee’s voice. She may be a wonderful songwriter and I may have missed out on that but the sound just didn’t do it for me.
S
2
Dec 18 2023
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Peter Gabriel 3
Peter Gabriel
One of the greatest male pop vocalists of all time. The production and comp was a little too quirky and experimental for my taste but I still liked it due to a couple of gems and Gabriel’s always great delivery.
3
Dec 19 2023
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Music From Big Pink
The Band
Dad rock! 🤘🏽
3
Dec 20 2023
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Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul
Otis Redding
Great. My man Otis was feeling every second of every one of these songs more than the the original singers.
4
Dec 21 2023
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Rhythm Nation 1814
Janet Jackson
Love Janet + The Minneapolis Sound. The “quiet storm” type songs were not my thing, however.
3
Dec 22 2023
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Pyromania
Def Leppard
Never been a fan of hair metal. This confirms it once again. Utterly forgettable.
2
Dec 23 2023
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Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)
The Kinks
British-Invasion-Light
3
Dec 24 2023
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Strange Cargo III
William Orbit
Nice throwback psych-electronica album. Like Orbital meets an Ayahuasca Shaman.
3
Dec 25 2023
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The White Album
Beatles
This was a good one. A very good one.
4
Dec 26 2023
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A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector
Various Artists
There are a couple of songs in this album that never fail to fill me with joy.
Others not so much but I’d play this in a heartbeat next Christmas.
3
Dec 27 2023
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The Grand Tour
George Jones
Not a fan of country but this was decent.
3
Dec 28 2023
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Dry
PJ Harvey
Really great in parts, kind of dull and not interesting in others. I like her voice and some tracks were strong enough to justify a 3 from me.
3
Dec 29 2023
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Superunknown
Soundgarden
4.5
One of the best male vocalists of all time singing over a sound of an era. Epic album .
4
Dec 30 2023
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Blood On The Tracks
Bob Dylan
This album had about 7 more Dylan tracks than I can handle on any given day.
3
Dec 31 2023
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Foxbase Alpha
Saint Etienne
Started strong for those of us that enjoy the early 90s techno sound. But fell flat by the time it was all said and done.
2
Jan 01 2024
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The Wall
Pink Floyd
What a wonderful album. First time listening to it from beginning to end. Will do it again although the sound effects, non singing vocals/yelling interludes took away from the experience.
4
Jan 02 2024
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Chirping Crickets
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
Left us too soon. Would have liked to have seen what could have been.
3
Jan 03 2024
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Hms Fable
Shack
Decent . A folky, less talented version of Oasis, albeit a smidge less annoying.
3
Jan 12 2024
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Shleep
Robert Wyatt
There were a couple of songs in here that I was legitimately enjoying but then it evolved into some Buddy the Elf type sh* with a little hallucinogenic trip music thrown in for good measure. Odd.
2
Jan 13 2024
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Sound of Silver
LCD Soundsystem
Modern New Wave Sound. Not bad. Don’t turn it off when it comes on. May listen to more of their stuff in the but don’t think I’ll seek it out. They probably put on a heck of a live show though.
3
Jan 14 2024
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Fetch The Bolt Cutters
Fiona Apple
Inventive. Fun. Oozing with style and bravado. Really liked this one.
4
Jan 15 2024
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Happy Sad
Tim Buckley
Wasn’t really a fan of the loungy marimba-organ thing throughout this album.
2
Jan 19 2024
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Crosby, Stills & Nash
Crosby, Stills & Nash
3
Jan 20 2024
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Bridge Over Troubled Water
Simon & Garfunkel
4.5 One of the best musical duos of all time at their absolute best. Beautiful, vivid storytelling. Near perfect album.
4
Jan 22 2024
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Protection
Massive Attack
Broody but enough cool and nostalgia to be added to a late night driving playlist.
3
Jan 23 2024
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A Hard Day's Night
Beatles
It’s The Beatles, man.
4
Jan 24 2024
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Survivor
Destiny's Child
Even with the nostalgia, I couldn’t get into this one.
2
Jan 25 2024
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Kick Out The Jams (Live)
MC5
Not usually a fan of live albums but this was a fun one. Funny dudes.
3
Jan 26 2024
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Konnichiwa
Skepta
3.5 Love me some good Grime and Skepta’s one of the best
3
Jan 27 2024
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Moondance
Van Morrison
Not his best but still enough soul and beauty to fill you up. Great listen.
4
Jan 28 2024
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Raw Like Sushi
Neneh Cherry
Decent throwback to late 80s hip hop.
3
Jan 29 2024
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Connected
Stereo MC's
Nice throwback dancy-Brit-hip hop joint that has held up surprisingly well.
3
Jan 30 2024
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James Brown Live At The Apollo
James Brown
What a f’ing maniac. What a musical genius. This guy was as good as they get.
4
Jan 31 2024
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B-52's
The B-52's
3
Feb 01 2024
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Nothing's Shocking
Jane's Addiction
Very good album. Fun, rock music festival vibe. These guys really fit into a nice little unique corner of late 80s early 90s rock.
4
Feb 02 2024
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Arular
M.I.A.
A lil’ bit dancehall. A lil’ bit Bhangra. A lil’ bit Quad City DJs.
I kinda liked it but it was very repetitive. It felt like the songs could have easily been a minute long and the album would have been just as good.
3
Feb 03 2024
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Ill Communication
Beastie Boys
When you gamble this hard, it doesn’t always pay off but the Boys did it.
Versatile, funky, cool as hell, and raw. Loved it.
5
Feb 04 2024
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I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight
Richard Thompson
Really couldn’t get into this one. The vocals and lyrics were uninspired, the folk was tarnished by the brass/band. Not a fan
2
Feb 05 2024
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In The Wee Small Hours
Frank Sinatra
What a voice. Beautiful. The musicians backing him up deserve as much credit as he gets.
4
Feb 06 2024
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Different Class
Pulp
3.5 I really really liked a few of the songs on this. And really didn’t like some other ones.
3
Feb 07 2024
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1984
Van Halen
Epic shredding by EVH but dated
3
Feb 09 2024
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Exile On Main Street
The Rolling Stones
Yeah… the Stones are still not my thing.
3
Feb 10 2024
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Straight Outta Compton
N.W.A.
Daaaaaamnnnnn, that shit was dope!
4
Feb 11 2024
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Quiet Life
Japan
Sounded like a bad Duran Duran impersonation. Wasn’t much to like in this one.
2
Feb 13 2024
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Ágætis Byrjun
Sigur Rós
Absolutely love this album. So beautiful. I just wish I understood what the hell they were saying.
5
Feb 15 2024
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Rock 'N Soul
Solomon Burke
I’d never heard of Solomon Burke and I enjoyed this one.
Just a couple of rungs below the classics names synonymous with that era but still really good.
3
Feb 16 2024
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Modern Kosmology
Jane Weaver
3.5 this one had a few fun songs in there that I’d add to a Jake Rudh playlist.
3
Feb 18 2024
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Boston
Boston
Perhaps I would’ve liked this a bit more if it didn’t remind me of American car commercials
3
Feb 19 2024
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Green River
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Timeless. This is my kind of dad-rock.
4
Feb 20 2024
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21
Adele
This lady is good. Really good. The production value of this is also top of the line. It’s easy to see why it was such an immense hit. I’m not a huge fan of her voice… a bit too effective for my taste, but it’s hard to listen to this and not give it the props that it deserves.
4
Feb 21 2024
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Sunshine Hit Me
The Bees
3
Feb 25 2024
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A Northern Soul
The Verve
Mostly sweet Brit rock album
3
Feb 26 2024
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Blue Lines
Massive Attack
Really did not like the singing on this but I found it impossible not to enjoy Tricky and co.’s flow and electronic beats on most of the tracks.
4
Feb 27 2024
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Dirt
Alice In Chains
Seminal Seattle grungy-metal sound. Strong finish with Would?, one of the best rock songs of the early 90s IMO
4
Feb 29 2024
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Nebraska
Bruce Springsteen
This was nice. A cohesive album that flows beautifully and can be played from beginning to end. Oh,and The Boss
4
Mar 01 2024
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Happy Trails
Quicksilver Messenger Service
This was a fun, trippy, classic rock album. Loved the live/improvisational feel. Would have loved to have seen this guys live in their hey day
4
Mar 02 2024
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Ten
Pearl Jam
One of the all-time-great rock albums and possibly the best of its era.
So good then and still so good today.
Lyrically and musically strong and haunting and energizing. This one needs to be on the shelf within arms reach indefinitely.
5
Mar 04 2024
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Surf's Up
The Beach Boys
This was like the Beyond Meat version of The Beach Boys Burger. It was ok but something just wasn’t quite right with it
3
Mar 05 2024
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Coat Of Many Colors
Dolly Parton
Not a big fan of country but I can roll with Dolly on this one. Fun album that shows how and why she became as massive as she did.
3
Mar 06 2024
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Garbage
Garbage
Lot of nostalgia. Mid 90s rock vibe gives it another half point. It’s such a familiar sound.
3
Mar 08 2024
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All That You Can't Leave Behind
U2
A trio of above average singles from an time great rock band save this album.
3
Mar 16 2024
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Metallica
Metallica
A very good album from (one of) the greatest metal bands of all time.
4
Mar 24 2024
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Licensed To Ill
Beastie Boys
These guys check so many boxes, and this album is filled with so many great songs.
5
Mar 25 2024
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The Fat Of The Land
The Prodigy
90s electronica at its finest and “angstiest.” With some funky hip hop bass lines to boot. Some of the lyrics don’t hold up, as expected, but, still, sign me up. Again and again.
5
Apr 06 2024
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Back To Black
Amy Winehouse
Damn it, Amy. What could have been. RIP
5
May 20 2024
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Blunderbuss
Jack White
4.5. Damn. This guy is so good.
4
May 30 2024
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Amnesiac
Radiohead
Great. A couple of songs are outright amazing… a few others feel like a MOMA side room exhibit,
4
Jun 01 2024
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Parsley, Sage, Rosemary And Thyme
Simon & Garfunkel
Folk perfection. This is one of those records you listen to and it transports you to a time and a place. NY references, anti war narratives, counter culture harmonizing. This was a great one.
5
Jun 02 2024
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With The Beatles
Beatles
4