818
Albums Rated
3.88
Average Rating
75%
Complete
271 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1950
Favorite Decade
Grunge
Favorite Genre
other
Top Origin
Enthusiast
Rater Style ?
316
5-Star Albums
27
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Spy Vs. Spy: The Music Of Ornette Coleman
John Zorn
|
5 | 2.23 | +2.77 |
|
The Modern Dance
Pere Ubu
|
5 | 2.48 | +2.52 |
|
Devotional Songs
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
|
5 | 2.58 | +2.42 |
|
Kenza
Khaled
|
5 | 2.58 | +2.42 |
|
Casanova
The Divine Comedy
|
5 | 2.67 | +2.33 |
|
Yank Crime
Drive Like Jehu
|
5 | 2.71 | +2.29 |
|
Scream, Dracula, Scream
Rocket From The Crypt
|
5 | 2.77 | +2.23 |
|
The White Room
The KLF
|
5 | 2.79 | +2.21 |
|
I’ve Got a Tiger By the Tail
Buck Owens
|
5 | 2.81 | +2.19 |
|
Freak Out!
The Mothers Of Invention
|
5 | 2.83 | +2.17 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Brothers
The Black Keys
|
1 | 3.57 | -2.57 |
|
Live At The Star Club, Hamburg
Jerry Lee Lewis
|
1 | 3.28 | -2.28 |
|
Only By The Night
Kings of Leon
|
1 | 3.23 | -2.23 |
|
...The Dandy Warhols Come Down
The Dandy Warhols
|
1 | 3.13 | -2.13 |
|
Youth And Young Manhood
Kings of Leon
|
1 | 3.1 | -2.1 |
|
Tubular Bells
Mike Oldfield
|
1 | 3.1 | -2.1 |
|
Maxinquaye
Tricky
|
1 | 3.04 | -2.04 |
|
Connected
Stereo MC's
|
1 | 2.94 | -1.94 |
|
Music Has The Right To Children
Boards of Canada
|
1 | 2.91 | -1.91 |
|
Hypocrisy Is The Greatest Luxury
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
|
1 | 2.87 | -1.87 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Radiohead | 6 | 5 |
| Beatles | 6 | 4.83 |
| The Rolling Stones | 6 | 4.83 |
| David Bowie | 8 | 4.63 |
| Bob Dylan | 4 | 5 |
| Neil Young | 4 | 5 |
| Morrissey | 4 | 5 |
| R.E.M. | 4 | 5 |
| Bruce Springsteen | 5 | 4.8 |
| Stevie Wonder | 3 | 5 |
| PJ Harvey | 3 | 5 |
| The Smiths | 3 | 5 |
| Pixies | 3 | 5 |
| Michael Jackson | 3 | 5 |
| Prince | 3 | 5 |
| Neil Young & Crazy Horse | 3 | 5 |
| Nirvana | 3 | 5 |
| The White Stripes | 3 | 5 |
| Miles Davis | 3 | 4.67 |
| The Who | 3 | 4.67 |
| Black Sabbath | 3 | 4.67 |
| Leonard Cohen | 3 | 4.67 |
| Jimi Hendrix | 3 | 4.67 |
| The Beach Boys | 3 | 4.67 |
| Queen | 3 | 4.67 |
| Kendrick Lamar | 2 | 5 |
| Simon & Garfunkel | 2 | 5 |
| Nick Drake | 2 | 5 |
| Creedence Clearwater Revival | 2 | 5 |
| Elliott Smith | 2 | 5 |
| The Smashing Pumpkins | 2 | 5 |
| A Tribe Called Quest | 2 | 5 |
| AC/DC | 2 | 5 |
| Arcade Fire | 2 | 5 |
| The Clash | 2 | 5 |
| Steely Dan | 2 | 5 |
| The Band | 2 | 5 |
| Hole | 2 | 5 |
| The Police | 2 | 5 |
| The Stooges | 2 | 5 |
| Willie Nelson | 2 | 5 |
| Joy Division | 2 | 5 |
| Led Zeppelin | 3 | 4.33 |
| Elvis Costello & The Attractions | 3 | 4.33 |
| Public Enemy | 3 | 4.33 |
| Tom Waits | 3 | 4.33 |
| Kate Bush | 3 | 4.33 |
| Beastie Boys | 3 | 4.33 |
| Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds | 3 | 4.33 |
| Sonic Youth | 3 | 4.33 |
| Marvin Gaye | 3 | 4.33 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Kings of Leon | 3 | 1.67 |
| Robert Wyatt | 2 | 1.5 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Grateful Dead | 5, 1 |
| Supergrass | 5, 2 |
| Isaac Hayes | 5, 2 |
| The Divine Comedy | 5, 2 |
| Ice Cube | 5, 2 |
5-Star Albums (316)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Sabu · 5 likes
4/5
Man, the haters can kick rocks. This album rules and the guitar parts are amazing.
Supergrass · 4 likes
2/5
Mediocre britpop.
Bad Company · 3 likes
3/5
If these songs weren’t played nonstop on the radio maybe I’d appreciate it more. Some classics but so overplayed.
Morrissey · 2 likes
5/5
I don’t care what the haters say. Morissey is melodramatic but still has lines to speak to my doleful soul.
Michael Jackson · 2 likes
5/5
Well produced and fun dance grooved! He was the King of Pop but it’s more of a product of Quincy Jones.
1-Star Albums (27)
All Ratings
John Coltrane
5/5
Already listened to it. Starts with a bang and takes you on one hell of a journey.
Muddy Waters
5/5
What an electric album. Feels like you’re in the room with Muddy Waters and his band.
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
5/5
Hugh Masekela
5/5
What an amazing band behind Masekel.
Crosby, Stills & Nash
5/5
Solid album. Great songwriting and a journey.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Buck Owens
5/5
Full of the Bakersfield sound
Pulp
5/5
Wow. Excellent songwriting. Theatric. Glam. This album is a beautiful work.
Little Simz
3/5
David Crosby
4/5
Chill easygoing music. Feels like autumn musically and lyrically. It’s a journey but Cowboy Movie is the breakaway track.
Sigur Rós
3/5
OK, calming music and well written musically. Good for ambience.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
A perfect album. If this were the 10 albums you must listen to, this album would be on it.
Faust
3/5
The psychedelic vibes start to drag on but good songs on there
My Bloody Valentine
3/5
A little flat at times but glimmers of intrigue.
Miles Davis
4/5
A musical experience that only Miles Davis and his band — an amazing ensemble — could pull off. This isn’t an album I could listen to all the time but it’s one that I will groove to if I’m in one sitting and want something to focus on.
Elton John
4/5
Got some huge pop classics but some weak parts. Great album overall.
The Incredible String Band
3/5
I don’t know. I get why this would be hugely influential but it’s tough to listen to. Gotta be in the mood for it.
Kendrick Lamar
5/5
Nas
5/5
The Only Ones
3/5
Not bad. Some bangers and the instrumentals were cool.
Pere Ubu
5/5
Avant- garde punk. Some songs are great and hit hard. Others I wouldn’t listen to unless I were in the mood for experimental sounds. Classic album though.
Paul Simon
4/5
A great album that transitions Paul Simon from his partnership into solo work. Sure, not all songs are great and there are some weak parts but it also has some songs that have become a part of the American songbook
5/5
It may be difficult to look at this in a neutral manner but this is a perfect groove album. The type you listen to on a sunny day barbecue.
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
2/5
Miles Davis
5/5
Classic era Miles. A perfect introduction to him.
The Who
4/5
Glimpses of what the who would become: booming bass, explosive guitars, hair splitting vocals and rhythmic guitar. Not everything is solid on this album but still a classic and sounds like it could be recorded today.
Air
4/5
Chill album.
Bebel Gilberto
4/5
Great modern interpretations of bossa
The Temptations
4/5
This ain’t the happy songs of the temptations. It’s reflective of the changing musical nature and state of the country.
David Bowie
5/5
Is it the effect of his death or is this a great album? I don’t know but this is one of the greatest swan albums in pop music history.
Black Sabbath
4/5
An album filled with some classic riffs by the Geezer and Tony. Such a classic heavy album.
Adele
3/5
Baaba Maal
3/5
Has some killer guitar work at times but it gets a bit trancelike.
Weather Report
3/5
Some good tunes but feels like it drags at times.
Cowboy Junkies
3/5
Relaxing blues and country songs. The guitar work is top notch and the vocals are beautiful. It does start to drag though.
The Velvet Underground
5/5
Simon & Garfunkel
5/5
David Bowie
5/5
What can be said about this album? It’s a perfect mix of dance, soul and funk. And no better way to bookend the album with the opening and ending songs.
Stan Getz
4/5
Slipknot
3/5
Has some good metal moments but honestly it gets pretty cliched at times. Not the best metal out there but the percussion can really rip sometimes.
Garbage
5/5
Wow. Killer grunge with catchy elements of pop. It’s too bad Garbage was overshadowed by the rest of grunge because they deserve to be in the tiers with Alice In Chains, Nirvana and Pearl Jam.
Radiohead
5/5
The Cars
4/5
A new wave classic.
Cat Stevens
5/5
What a perfect acoustic pop album. Just an emotional trip.
Alice Cooper
5/5
It rocks. It glams. It’s theatrical. It’s Alice Cooper. Filled with fascinating instrumentation, this is Alice Cooper at his best. Honestly, it’s theatric rock at its best.
Elbow
3/5
Has flashes of interest at times but otherwise has blandness to it. It’s ok.
Led Zeppelin
3/5
Starts strong but really drags on after a while.
Klaxons
4/5
Some good songs on here. Very danceable.
Sepultura
4/5
Some bangers but a few head scratchers. Pretty good metal.
Nick Drake
5/5
PJ Harvey
5/5
Amazing early ‘90s sound. Every song is a keeper. Glad I found this here.
Small Faces
5/5
What a fun album! Interesting music and an early stab at a concept album.
Moby
5/5
David Bowie
4/5
Even with some experimental songs, “Heroes” makes up for it. It’s probably one of the greatest songs ever.
Dexys Midnight Runners
2/5
A few good songs but many of these really drag on and the conversations go on too long.
The Who
5/5
A perfect album from start to end.
The Smiths
5/5
2Pac
5/5
Classic California hip hop and Tupac at his finest.
Derek & The Dominos
5/5
Eric Clapton’s best record he ever recorded. Everything else pales in comparison to this album.
Bob Dylan
5/5
One of Dylan’s best from start to end. Acerbic wit, electric, poetry—this is Dylan hitting all cylinders.
Pet Shop Boys
4/5
What an interesting juxtaposition of dance and deep lyrics. An amazing album.
The Zombies
5/5
Ramones
4/5
One gear, three chords. Is it the start of punk? That’s what everyone says but it’s not the best early punk but it’s a fun, harmless punk record.
Fleet Foxes
3/5
Some great harmonies but I never liked the late 00s new folk.
The Cult
4/5
Fun driving rock n roll
The Kinks
4/5
Not the Kinks’ best but you can hear a shift on the brink with their songwriting.
Various Artists
5/5
One of the best Christmas albums of all time.
ABBA
4/5
Can’t go wrong with ABBA!
Cypress Hill
3/5
Some cool beats and production but gets monotonous. The lyrics aren’t too groundbreaking either.
Run-D.M.C.
5/5
Classic hip hop. Every song is catchy and some are so explosive it changed our culture and catapulted hip hop into the mainstream.
Neil Young
5/5
Tim Buckley
3/5
Cool jazzy layers but the constant guitar noodling gets tiresome and distracting. Otherwise it’s a cool album to vibe to. Definitely would be cool to listen to on vinyl and vibe.
4/5
Great punk rock from the ‘80s.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
5/5
Richard Hawley
3/5
Crooning country rock. Not bad but a bit boring at times.
Kendrick Lamar
5/5
Hanoi Rocks
4/5
Fun grimy rock. Some catchy things on here.
Public Enemy
5/5
A tour de force. An argument against the white supremacy that hip hop faced and continue to face.
Ryan Adams
3/5
a-ha
4/5
A fine pop rock album with some catchy tunes.
Pixies
5/5
Soft Machine
2/5
Jammy psychedelic jazz rock. Nothing too interesting is said in this and the bass is mixed way too loud.
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
5/5
Some classic blues guitar here. It’s hard to imagine Clapton ever topping this electric performance.
Franz Ferdinand
5/5
Radiohead
5/5
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
1/5
The sentiment is good but execution not.
Ryan Adams
3/5
A couple great songs but some weaker Americana pieces that bite at the heels of Springsteen. Or maybe I’m being harsh because he’s a terrible person.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
5/5
Some classics on this album. And each side is bookended up some in depth grooves.
Leonard Cohen
4/5
Am I the jazz police if I criticize this album? Anyway, it’s a great Leonard Cohen album despite the dated productions.
The Adverts
3/5
Decent British punk
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
Booker T. & The MG's
4/5
A funky album. Green Onions is the iconic track but nothing compares to that heat.
Tom Waits
5/5
An amazing album. I think Springsteen now owns Jersey Girl and plays a better version but the rest of the album is perfect lounge and blues.
Radiohead
5/5
The Kinks
4/5
A great concept album. Some great songs, some relics of an era.
Sleater-Kinney
5/5
An electric album! Full of riffs!
Goldie
1/5
Repetitive and boring. I guess this genre isn’t for me.
Public Enemy
5/5
Some great, high energy hip hop here
Elliott Smith
5/5
Elliott Smith doesn’t have to be musically depressing. Amazing work on this album.
Green Day
5/5
Kings of Leon
3/5
The music is great but wow the singer gets real old. “Day Old Blues” is him at his annoyingest.
OutKast
5/5
Bad Company
3/5
If these songs weren’t played nonstop on the radio maybe I’d appreciate it more. Some classics but so overplayed.
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
Some great songs here but the album loses focus a little.
Kelela
3/5
Feels sort of bland
N.W.A.
4/5
Didn’t age super well but a classic nonetheless
The Offspring
3/5
A product of its time. Good but not out of the park.
Funkadelic
5/5
A funky journey.
Pearl Jam
5/5
The Beach Boys
4/5
The Beach Boys on the verge of genius.
Koffi Olomide
3/5
Ray Charles
5/5
Pink Floyd
5/5
Dr. Octagon
3/5
Good beats and production
Youssou N'Dour
4/5
Beck
3/5
Good ambiance but nothing too stand out.
3/5
Fun 80s music
Kanye West
5/5
Public Enemy
3/5
The Doors
4/5
Some good songs here. Very blues focused and stays from going too experimental. But it’s a solid album.
Fleetwood Mac
3/5
A comedown to an amazing preceding album
Iggy Pop
3/5
Like Bowie without the Bowie
Leonard Cohen
5/5
Morrissey
5/5
5/5
A wild record. It’s an amazing work if you sit down and pay attention and soak in the sounds. But if you’re not 100 percent into it, you’ve got a bad time on the horizon. What a sonic wonder.
The Go-Go's
4/5
Black Sabbath
5/5
Grant Lee Buffalo
3/5
Michael Kiwanuka
4/5
Some good harmonies and songwriting. A chill soul album
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
Liz Phair
5/5
Tortoise
2/5
At times this album drags on like a tortoise. But there are moments where this pace of development pays off.
Burning Spear
5/5
This is the reggae I wish more people knew about.
The Avalanches
3/5
Cool for certain settings but feels like get shit done music or fully concentrate. Nothing in between.
Giant Sand
4/5
Has a good groove and some variety. For the Lou Reed haters I guess I could see why they wouldn’t like it but hey I like Lou Reed.
Solomon Burke
4/5
Amazing voice and some good tunes.
The Mamas & The Papas
5/5
Mama Cass really holds this album together. There are some good arrangements here and the hits are massive. But it’s Mama who makes it gold.
Tom Waits
5/5
Some classics here
Michael Jackson
5/5
Prince
5/5
The La's
4/5
The forefront of the ‘90s revival of ‘60s jangle rock. “There She Goes” is the obvious monumental hit but isn’t a fair reflection of this otherwise impeccable album. It’s too bad we never saw more from them.
Paul Simon
5/5
Dr. Dre
4/5
The skits didn’t really age well but it’s an otherwise production wonder.
David Holmes
1/5
Jane Weaver
3/5
This feels like the late 2010s—electronic crispness, clinging sounds and laid back vocals. It’s a good album but not great compared to the rest of the list.
Throbbing Gristle
1/5
This is like steps beyond “Revolution #9.” It took me years to appreciate that track. Maybe one day I’ll enjoy this album but for now it’s uncomfortable noise, almost like a fever dream. But that’s probably the point.
Jorge Ben Jor
5/5
Joe Ely
3/5
The opening track is a barnstormer but it slows down after that. Some great slide and backing instruments but recording doesn’t do it all justice.
TV On The Radio
5/5
The Verve
3/5
One amazing song followed by some mid tunes.
Leonard Cohen
5/5
Paul Weller
5/5
Elliott Smith
5/5
Metallica
5/5
LL Cool J
3/5
The 13th Floor Elevators
5/5
The Smashing Pumpkins
5/5
PJ Harvey
5/5
Dolly Parton
5/5
Jurassic 5
4/5
5/5
Wilco
4/5
Gram parsons era Stones. Great album.
Adele
3/5
Honestly not bad. The back half of this album is Adele at her brightest though the first half has the mega hits.
The Cure
3/5
Sly & The Family Stone
5/5
What a perfect groove.
Tina Turner
3/5
Some cool interpretations of classics but more importantly a powerhouse of a voice.
Pere Ubu
4/5
I think I’m just not ready for this band. It has its moments but the experimental moments drag a bit. I can see it being a five star later but I’m just not there yet.
Tracy Chapman
5/5
Very few artists can be as vulnerable yet optimistic as Tracy Chapman.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
5/5
Garage rock at its finest.
Malcolm McLaren
2/5
This feels like a soulless version of Sandinista, just a pop grab rather than an homage as the Clash did. It’s a fun collage that darkens when you hear how this was just another white dude not paying tribute.
Jeff Buckley
5/5
CHVRCHES
5/5
Flawless synth pop.
Blur
4/5
Love
5/5
A Tribe Called Quest
5/5
A perfect, cool hip hop album. Filled with poignant lyrics and sick beats.
The Smiths
5/5
Frank Sinatra
5/5
The Notorious B.I.G.
3/5
Good beats but the lyrics get weak over time.
Pet Shop Boys
3/5
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
5/5
AC/DC
5/5
What more could you want? Angus’s fine line between blues licks and rock. Malcom’s impeccable rhythm. A bass and drum in the pocket. Bon Scott with some killer lyrics.
Curtis Mayfield
4/5
A lot of soul and a lot of groove.
New Order
4/5
What a fun album!
Arcade Fire
5/5
Lorde
5/5
Korn
1/5
Now I know why Korn fans were so weird.
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
The Roots
4/5
Johnny Cash
5/5
Gil Scott-Heron
4/5
Morrissey
5/5
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
5/5
Mj Cole
2/5
Good background music
Pixies
5/5
Bob Dylan
5/5
The Clash
5/5
4/5
It’s a great album but nothing there to call me back to it.
Steely Dan
5/5
One of my desert island albums
Everything But The Girl
2/5
It’s chill and mood setting. But there’s not much to it. Good for ambiance at a winery not so much for everyday listening.
The Temptations
4/5
Some grooves here. If a sunny day at the park were an album, this would be it.
Fela Kuti
4/5
Beatles
4/5
The Beatles are about to hit their unique stride here. Some bangers but not quite perfect yet.
Kate Bush
5/5
Eerie vocals over some well written and produced instrumentation. It’s witchcraft in the best way.
The Beach Boys
5/5
The Band
5/5
Hot Chip
4/5
Fun electronic pop.
The Fall
2/5
The Monks
5/5
This could be released today and still be amazing. A timeless album for us garage rock heads.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
Echo And The Bunnymen
4/5
80s British post punk with some killer song writing.
Big Black
4/5
The drum machine grooves. Otherwise the music gets monotonous at times. Makes me want to listen to Black Flag
David Bowie
4/5
Cool and ambient but not peak Bowie.
The Human League
3/5
A fun synth pop album that swells to their mega hit
Supergrass
5/5
Britpop brilliance!
Janet Jackson
3/5
Fun album but not too much really stands out.
David Bowie
5/5
Magazine
5/5
Here I’m wondering why this rocks so much. Oh former by former vocalist of the buzzcocks.
Meat Loaf
5/5
One of pop music’s greatest operas.
The Clash
5/5
Beck
4/5
Neil Young
5/5
Taylor Swift
3/5
Some strong hooks but the album really blends into one after a while.
Television
5/5
Hole
5/5
Björk
5/5
4/5
What a fun concept album. God, the Kinks were ahead of their time.
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
5/5
This is cool stuff. Like an early Wes Anderson film, full of quirks and things that grab your senses.
Drive-By Truckers
3/5
David Bowie
5/5
Thin Lizzy
5/5
The Electric Prunes
4/5
Some generic sounding psychedelic at times but the band shines in the more slower jazzier tunes
Terence Trent D'Arby
5/5
What a debut. Some amazing R&B here
Steely Dan
5/5
Fiona Apple
5/5
Common
4/5
Sick beats and lyrics that have aged ok
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Norah Jones
4/5
Some great interpretation of standards and originals.
Massive Attack
3/5
Machito
5/5
Big Brother & The Holding Company
4/5
The Beta Band
2/5
Aretha Franklin
5/5
James Taylor
5/5
Beck
3/5
Iron Maiden
4/5
The War On Drugs
4/5
Some really good songs are buried in the sands of some long tracks. This album could’ve been much better leaner if they hadn’t gone too far into the ambiance.
Michael Jackson
5/5
Well produced and fun dance grooved! He was the King of Pop but it’s more of a product of Quincy Jones.
Buena Vista Social Club
5/5
The Shamen
1/5
Queens of the Stone Age
5/5
Queen
5/5
Bauhaus
5/5
The Psychedelic Furs
3/5
The album has a great sound but boy is it repetitive after a while. I mean, you can tell this is influential music but they have a sound and don’t deviate from it.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
3/5
RHCP is the king of unbalanced albums. One half pop the other half funk.
Peter Gabriel
5/5
Gene Clark
2/5
Cornershop
2/5
Nirvana
5/5
Eagles
3/5
Red Hot Chili Peppers
2/5
It’s a great band but Anthony Keidis really brings the group down.
Coldplay
5/5
Prefab Sprout
3/5
Sick album artwork. The album at times feels like a poor Smiths.
The Specials
5/5
Motörhead
3/5
I’m sure Motörhead shredded live at this concert but for the uninitiated this is just a wait through some same sounding songs until Overkill.
Foo Fighters
3/5
Some well written songs right after Nirvana, almost serving as a counter melody. But it begins a problem that Foo Fighters will always have: writing songs that are good singles but not a complete album.
Orbital
2/5
Fun at first but gets tiring
OutKast
4/5
Elvis Costello
4/5
An almost flawless debut by Elvis Costello.
Sparks
5/5
I thought this was a woman singing until I looked up the album. Nevertheless, this album is amazing and I can’t believe I went this long without finding out about it.
Femi Kuti
4/5
k.d. lang
3/5
5/5
Anyone who says this is less than five stars is fake news
Don McLean
5/5
Stevie Wonder
5/5
Stevie Wonder’s albums in this period have an impressive uplifting quality to it. The sort to make you glad to be alive.
The Allman Brothers Band
3/5
Sufjan Stevens
4/5
Late 2000s just called. This album gave me some huge flashbacks even though I’d never listened to it before. Just the vibes threw me back. Amazing album even though I may have not liked it when it first came out.
Bobby Womack
4/5
Some sick songwriting and musicianship on here.
Kraftwerk
2/5
Some sick songwriting and musicianship on here.
Beatles
5/5
Eurythmics
2/5
I expected this to be as cool and line filled as the title track. But it ended up being boring as hell. Had it not been for Sweet Dreams it would be a one star.
Simple Minds
3/5
Dire Straits
4/5
some songs drag but a few really kill it. It’s wild to think Mark Knopfler had his signature sound at the band’s debut.
Keith Jarrett
5/5
Throwing Muses
5/5
Deerhunter
4/5
Nirvana
5/5
The Soft Boys
5/5
Spacemen 3
1/5
It’s just noise. And not the kind type.
Beastie Boys
4/5
Ghostface Killah
4/5
Ride
4/5
Aerosmith
3/5
Worse part of Aerosmith is Steven Tyler. An otherwise tight band is killed by his weird sexual innuendo. It’s a good album though and fits well with the era of bands influenced by their 70s run.
Frank Ocean
5/5
Duran Duran
5/5
Elastica
5/5
A little britpop a little punk — a lot of cool power chords, melodies and riffs
Ray Charles
4/5
The strings and orchestra impede the looseness of Ray Charles and makes the album feel more like background music. Not his best album but it’s still the genius at work.
Big Star
3/5
Harry Nilsson
5/5
Chicago
3/5
Elvis Presley
5/5
I think there are some albums we’ll just never be able to comprehend the impact of its release. And this is one of them. It sounds like wallflower wallpaper for the unknowing listener or like safe white imitation of Black music. But this album is nonetheless a huge mark for pop music without which we would have a very different music world.
The Saints
4/5
Wish there were more songs with horns
Public Image Ltd.
1/5
This is straight up garbage and John Lydon is a piece of shit.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
5/5
I give it a 5/4
Stereolab
4/5
Gene Clark
3/5
Os Mutantes
4/5
Boston
5/5
Slipknot
1/5
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
Elvis Costello can write some amazing hits but as an album sometimes it feels like he runs out of steam.
The White Stripes
5/5
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
5/5
The Sonics
4/5
Timeless garage rock
Stephen Stills
2/5
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
5/5
Alanis Morissette
5/5
One of the best albums of the ‘90s.
The Black Keys
1/5
mid white boy blues
Iron Maiden
5/5
Beastie Boys
4/5
The Verve
2/5
A couple good songs but that’s the story of the Verve.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
5/5
Linkin Park
4/5
Wilco
4/5
This is good chill or day driving music. A little boring at times but some catchy tunes.
Gang Of Four
4/5
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
Ash
4/5
A little Weezer vibes. Gotta love the tie fighter intro
Thelonious Monk
5/5
It’s monk. Of course it’s perfect.
Sonic Youth
4/5
Not the best sonic youth but what amazing noise this is.
CHIC
3/5
Nile Rodgers makes this album worthwhile. The songs seem to go a little long and the album’s fun begins to wane a little since I’m not coked up in a club dancing.
Traffic
3/5
Very groovy music. Not bad but not my vibe.
Guided By Voices
3/5
This reminds me a lot of The Who Sell Out. Some short songs that could be pop brilliant. The developed songs on this album are catchy and indie gold. But there’s just a lot of bite size tunes throughout that make you work for those songs.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
4/5
Gave some Beatles vibes with the orchestra. Wish this were on Spotify because it’s a cool album.
Paul Revere & The Raiders
3/5
Rush
5/5
The first half goes so hard
LCD Soundsystem
4/5
Coldcut
4/5
Little Richard
5/5
Prince
5/5
Common
3/5
Some good tracks but a bit long
Megadeth
4/5
Ian Dury
3/5
Rush
4/5
The first half is so strong. But the second just doesn’t match.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
3/5
Tom Petty can churn out the hits hit he might not be an album guy.
SZA
3/5
Chill modern R&B. Not as cutting edge as Frank Ocean but still good songwriting
Talking Heads
5/5
King Crimson
3/5
The Rolling Stones
5/5
George Harrison
5/5
Depeche Mode
5/5
Def Leppard
4/5
Can
2/5
An interesting mix of psychedelic and pop rock at the start and then gets forgettable in the second half.
AC/DC
5/5
The Chemical Brothers
5/5
R.E.M.
5/5
De La Soul
5/5
Michael Jackson
5/5
Earth, Wind & Fire
3/5
Billy Bragg
3/5
Maybe one day I’ll appreciate it more but I found it basically to be pretty dull
Bob Dylan
5/5
Portishead
4/5
Pretty cool but the vocals all start to sound the same over time
Mudhoney
4/5
Nirvana before nirvana. This album goes hard.
Hüsker Dü
4/5
The Police
5/5
Stephen Stills
3/5
not terrible but nothing really stands out either. But boy is it long
The Stooges
5/5
Joni Mitchell
5/5
Just perfect. High level songwriting with some of the best jazz and rock musicians on the recording.
Charles Mingus
5/5
The Who
5/5
TLC
4/5
Waterfalls will always get me pumped
Nirvana
5/5
Shack
3/5
Sounds like romcom rock. Not a bad thing and has its place. It’s a good album with good songs but in the britpop vein it’s rather average.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
The Stones aren’t in their final form but I can see how this must’ve riled up the Beatles fans and introduced them to some blues.
ZZ Top
4/5
Maxwell
2/5
Kate Bush
4/5
This is a musical theater person album through and through. I’m really tempted for the five star rating because it’s so amazing but I can’t imagine listening to many times.
Anita Baker
4/5
Some solid R&B here. Smooth and moody.
Willie Nelson
5/5
Paul Simon
3/5
I love Paul Simon but this is an odd one to have on this list. Some classic Simon song writing but just feels like it didn’t age well musically.
Robert Wyatt
2/5
Marvin Gaye
5/5
John Martyn
3/5
Creedence Clearwater Revival
5/5
Sebadoh
3/5
Paul McCartney and Wings
5/5
Jane's Addiction
3/5
Living Colour
5/5
Vernon Reid is one of rock’s underrated guitar heroes.
The Smashing Pumpkins
5/5
A work of art.
Roxy Music
3/5
Coldplay
4/5
Old me thought this was a perfect album. Still great but drags on a little.
Janelle Monáe
5/5
Queen
5/5
Megadeth
5/5
Better than anything Metallica ever did (but Megadeth fell so hard comparatively).
The Modern Lovers
3/5
The Modern Doors, amirite?
Jefferson Airplane
5/5
Louis Prima
5/5
Lupe Fiasco
4/5
I had no idea what to expect but I’m glad I listened to this. In a world where Kanye dominated Chicago hip hop it’s nice to see someone else from the scene who isn’t a dirt bag
Belle & Sebastian
4/5
Belle and Sebastian is like a blanket and warm cup of tea. It’s hard not to feel cozy listening to this music while the rest of the world sucks.
ZZ Top
3/5
Solid rock n roll
Boards of Canada
1/5
At its best, this is background music.
Mercury Rev
2/5
Just feels like flaming lips lite
Adam & The Ants
4/5
Killer in the Home is the riff to Link Wray’s Rumble but a fun album nonetheless. Cool album otherwise.
Eagles
3/5
Hotel California carries this album.
Manic Street Preachers
4/5
My only complaint is that a lot of the songs sound pretty similar. Otherwise what a hell of an album.
A Tribe Called Quest
5/5
Hip hop at its finest, from top tier sampling to meaningful lyrics
Deep Purple
5/5
A straight up classic.
Beatles
5/5
Doves
4/5
A really cool album. Touches of Noel Gallagher in here.
Flamin' Groovies
4/5
Sounds A LOT like the Stones. The first half is like from Exile (but before the Stones recorded it). But this is one of those albums that makes this whole website worthwhile.
The Strokes
5/5
Sam Cooke
5/5
One of the few live recordings that really captures how magical the performance is.
Taylor Swift
4/5
Can’t argue with the ear wormy hits of this album. The filler doesn’t match and gets a little sluggish
Quicksilver Messenger Service
2/5
It’s like Grateful Dead lite but endless noodling.
Primal Scream
2/5
Cool at times, annoying instruments and sounds other times.
Pavement
5/5
The Byrds
2/5
Morrissey
5/5
I don’t care what the haters say. Morissey is melodramatic but still has lines to speak to my doleful soul.
Stereo MC's
1/5
Got old real quick
Sarah Vaughan
4/5
Shuggie Otis
4/5
The Police
5/5
Genesis
4/5
Very cool prog rock that expands on an old English style.
The Mothers Of Invention
3/5
I love Zappa and he’s one of my all time favorites. But I am no fan of the Mothers era.
Japan
3/5
Eh, pretty decent but nothing really stands out.
Bad Brains
5/5
Real punk isn’t just overdriven guitars, power chords and screaming. It’s about challenging preconceived notions, whether politics, music, art or society. This album is one of the more refreshing takes in punk.
Germs
4/5
Animal Collective
2/5
Hipster psychedelic.
Iggy Pop
5/5
Fishbone
5/5
A little dated in production but this album hits so hard. Ska, rock and funk. This album was years ahead of the scene.
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
3/5
Not bad. The bass shreds though and it makes sense considering Jah Wobble is the bassist and band leader.
Suicide
1/5
Feels like the same stuff over and over. Synth, beat, and then a shout of “woo!”.
The Cramps
4/5
What a fun album.
Haircut 100
3/5
It’s like Duran Duran and English Beat had a baby. I wish the songs had more sax though.
The Cure
4/5
Doves
3/5
Parts of Coldplay, Radiohead and Britpop. Nothing really memorable but at least it’s not terrible.
The Sabres Of Paradise
1/5
I don’t think I needed to listen to this.
The Byrds
5/5
This album is so magical. A little experimental but perfect harmonies and guitar and bass lines.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
5/5
Tangerine Dream
2/5
I get the historical importance of this work but I don’t think I’d ever want to listen to it again.
R.E.M.
5/5
Nine Inch Nails
5/5
Thundercat
5/5
Christina Aguilera
2/5
I always thought Christina Aguilera hit this phase later in her career. Anyway, I’ve never been a fan of hers. She over sings and just doesn’t feel authentic in some ways. This album is way too long and Aguilera definitely gets exhausting halfway through despite support from other artists.
Roni Size
2/5
I mean this is cooler than some of the other UK electric crap on this list. But I didn’t need to listen to this when I could’ve just watched some British TV and movies from the 90s.
Faith No More
4/5
Arcade Fire
5/5
This album came out right when it needed to for me to love it. Leaving the suburbs and finding a new life. So I’m not looking at this objectively. I’m looking at it as a piece of work that played on repeat. It’s too bad Win Butler didn’t stop himself from being a scumbag.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Some of these tracks are next world amazing. A few drag it down it back to earth.
The Pharcyde
4/5
It’s the type of hip hop that would fit in the world of Regular Show. They’re all having a jolly good show.
John Grant
4/5
Gives Harry Nilsson vibes.
Belle & Sebastian
4/5
Dexys Midnight Runners
3/5
The music is great but the vocals get so tiresome
Kraftwerk
5/5
Sabu
4/5
Man, the haters can kick rocks. This album rules and the guitar parts are amazing.
Jack White
4/5
The album that Jack White showed he contained more than just garage rock blues
Metallica
2/5
It was a good idea but it just feels so bloated and thin. It comes across more of a novelty than a cool fusion.
Black Sabbath
5/5
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
2/5
Cool elements of garage rock blues but still falls pretty flat. It’s like Temu Jack White
Einstürzende Neubauten
1/5
The Beta Band
2/5
Pretty forgettable
Rocket From The Crypt
5/5
This is rock n roll and it’s meant to be played at extremely loud levels.
Scritti Politti
3/5
If this had Quincy Jones as producer it would be off the wall.
Afrika Bambaataa
4/5
Yeah the dude is a diddle but god these songs hit so hard
Emmylou Harris
4/5
My Bloody Valentine
4/5
It’s like a more mild sonic youth but with less noise and more melody. I think this is the only album of theirs that’s really clicked for me though. Good stuff.
Parliament
5/5
Buffalo Springfield
4/5
Some cool tracks here. If we could do half stars this would be a 4.5.
My Bloody Valentine
3/5
Yeah it’s textured but quite boring over time.
Jimmy Smith
4/5
What an album and what a band. Organ jazz didn’t really live on that long but it’s so cool when done right.
Radiohead
5/5
The Libertines
3/5
Music for people whose identity are tied to drinking too much and being strung out.
Cream
4/5
What a band. One of the finest psychedelic/blues bands from the 60s.
Fiona Apple
4/5
One of the brighter moments of Covid was when this released.
Cocteau Twins
4/5
Pretty cool album, glad I listened to it. I thought this was an electronic group this whole time.
The Vines
3/5
Of the 2000s era garage rock, this wouldn’t be the band I’d say you need to listen to.
The Rolling Stones
5/5
Sonic Youth
5/5
The Cardigans
5/5
That cover of Iron Man is one of the coolest ever.
Elton John
4/5
What was amazing about Elton is that he could straddle that fine line of the Stones edginess with the Beatles’ pop sensibilities. This is a fantastic album just a tad bloated.
Slayer
3/5
There’s like two good songs on here. The rest is just amorphous metal.
Devendra Banhart
3/5
Not a huge fan but the guitar finger style and voicing work is amazing
Goldfrapp
2/5
Not offensive. Just not memorable either.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
What a cool album. Gives vibes of Dylan’s early 2000s albums. The instrumentation is amazing but it does feel a bit bloated, which would keep me from coming back to it.
The Fall
4/5
Of the many bands I have not heard of on this list The Fall will most likely be one of the more memorable ones that I probably won’t listen to often. These guys rip. The Fall were so ahead of their time. The guitar work is primal and beautiful.
Tim Buckley
3/5
A good album but not for me. Pleasant Street goes hard though.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
“There is a Kingdom” is basically Lou Reed’s “Perfect Day.” Otherwise it’s a great album but for me Nick Cave just doesn’t get into excellent territory for me. But not everything has to be an absolutely perfect fit.
Isaac Hayes
5/5
That “Walk on By” is impeccable.
Kings of Leon
1/5
This singer is so bad. Really brings the band down.
Radiohead
5/5
Paul McCartney
4/5
Most of these songs are amazing. Just a few make it feel a little off.
Janis Joplin
5/5
M.I.A.
5/5
Back when I was a harsh hipster, I skipped out on this album because i felt it cheapened the Clash. Oh how dumb and how much I missed out by thinking that way. What an album of South Asian, English and American influences all coming together.
Grateful Dead
5/5
I don’t like the Dead but even I can’t deny this is a hell of an album.
Van Morrison
5/5
This one of those rare stellar live albums. Van Morrison may be an asshole but back then he could really put together a tight live band. No overdubs or select tracks. Just hit record and sell the album. That’s how bands should do live albums.
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
4/5
Not bad. I’ve only know Trout Mask Replica and honestly this hits better for me.
The Beach Boys
5/5
The second half of this album really broke its back carrying the record.
The Mothers Of Invention
5/5
Beatles
5/5
Why are there so many Paul haters here? A stellar album that feels chaotic at times but it’s amazing journey.
The Chemical Brothers
4/5
This album gets me pumped up. If I were high in a club, it would be a 5/5
Eminem
5/5
Some of this is hard to hear now that I’m older (though to be honest “Kim” felt weird as a kid too). But Eminem is locked in for this album, even Shakespearean at moments (like “The Way I Am.”).
Eminem
4/5
A ton of shock and awe here. Crazy to think how much things change in a span of a year or two with his next album.
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
2/5
The good, the bad, the forgettable
Solange
2/5
Chill but oh so forgettable
Julian Cope
3/5
Not as bad as I thought another obscure band from the 90s would be.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
5/5
Soundgarden
5/5
Greatest grunge album ever. Yeah I said it.
Buzzcocks
4/5
Interesting songs that push power chord driven tunes to interesting places
The Doors
2/5
The Doors are weird. They have a few good hits but otherwise it’s boring blues with mediocre poetry.
Ali Farka Touré
3/5
Some killer grooves on here. The downside is it could be a little shorter (but man do I feel like a modern idiot saying that).
Beth Orton
3/5
Hold up Dr. John is on this album? Never knew he could be so subtle.
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
3/5
Aphex Twin
2/5
Almost feels like content. I hoped for better because his electronic is so cool.
Brian Eno
5/5
Elvis Presley
3/5
No matter how hard I try, a lot of Elvis just doesn’t click. Except the comeback album.
The National
3/5
Starts off so strong but gets monotonous after a while
Screaming Trees
2/5
Don’t think this should’ve been on here. Interesting album but a forgettable album
The Flying Burrito Brothers
4/5
The anti draft song is still relevant today.
Jungle Brothers
4/5
These beats and production is so fresh after all these years. Hip hop is one of my weaknesses so records like these are so fun to listen to.
Todd Rundgren
3/5
It’s polished and great songwriting but it’s a bit arrogant to think this needed to be a triple album. At times it feels ELO-y but I’d always choose Jeff Lynne over this.
CHIC
3/5
It’s hard to just sit and listen to dance music. This is meant to dance and that’s what it does. It starts with a bang but keeps pretty stagnant after a while.
The Divine Comedy
5/5
I was not expecting this album to be so fun. It’s a mix of Morrissey and Scott Walker with some dramatic arrangements.
Sonic Youth
4/5
It’s noise but it’s noise with a purpose.
The Stooges
5/5
I know this album well and I thought about giving it another listen to see how it lines up with the rest of these albums. Search and Destroy hits and I know it still holds up as a five out of five.
Mike Ladd
2/5
The beats are cool but this album doesn’t stick well with me
The Teardrop Explodes
3/5
Fun at times but a bit monotonous at times
G. Love & Special Sauce
2/5
The band is loose but tight but the dude’s voice is so bad. It’s insane this is on the list but Sublime isn’t.
The Byrds
4/5
This list for me into the Byrds but this album first side is good but lags in the second half.
Donovan
3/5
A little too much psychedelic and eastern influence.
Aerosmith
4/5
Once again Steven Tyler brings down a stellar album.
Radiohead
5/5
Crowded House
3/5
This was probably all the rage with college radio. fun album but nothing too memorable.
James Brown
5/5
The energy on this record is wild.
Van Halen
5/5
Once in a while an album creates copycats. This is one of those records.
Neil Young
5/5
Pet Shop Boys
4/5
Hell yeah to fighting Thatcherism.
Madness
2/5
Mid ska
Neu!
3/5
It feels like this album just wanders around at times without saying anything too much
The Pogues
5/5
Brian Eno
2/5
I get this is a monumental album but it feels like homework.
Erykah Badu
4/5
The band that Erykah has is wild. Not to mention Roy Ayers on the album!
Tori Amos
4/5
This should be a Broadway show. Tori Amos’s songwriting is stellar and definitely gives show tune vibes.
Tom Waits
3/5
Jazmine Sullivan
1/5
Some cool beats but this didn’t need to be listened to.
Talvin Singh
2/5
It’s cool at first but gets real old and boring after a while
The Undertones
4/5
Good ol early pop punk
Basement Jaxx
3/5
I thought this was going to suck but it’s kind of cool? Gets tiring but give me a rail of coke and I’m grooving all night.
Aerosmith
4/5
Amazing album but Steven Tyler’s lyrics brings it down to 4/5.
The Rolling Stones
5/5
Scissor Sisters
4/5
It’s a fun romp of an album. Put it on on a sunny day and it’s hard to beat.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
5/5
This is one of those albums that transcends genre. Yeah it’s goth rock or whatever but any other rock genre can pull influence from this.
Nanci Griffith
4/5
Music for summer easygoing afternoons
Richard Thompson
4/5
I was not expecting this to be so good.
Depeche Mode
3/5
I feel like people either love Depeche Mode or hate them. But I’m just stuck in the middle of thinking it’s OK.
Mott The Hoople
4/5
Great album with some glam rock vibes
The Stone Roses
5/5
John Prine
5/5
Supergrass
2/5
Mediocre britpop.
The Byrds
4/5
Gram Parsons’ work is amazing on this. Honestly, he really pushes this ceiling up on this album. The Byrds’ ability to interpret Dylan is unmatched but it’s Parsons’ work that keeps the album rolling.
The KLF
5/5
I thought this would be some EDM trash. How wrong I was. This album is one of the best cases of how electronic music can blend various harmonic sounds and rhythms.
Holger Czukay
3/5
Lou Reed
5/5
For Lou Reed albums, I’ve been unfairly judging it by Transformer. It’s tough because that album has been as influential as some VU albums. But Berlin should stand as its own perfect work. It’s a story and really shows the composition skills of Lou Reed.
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
The Dandy Warhols
1/5
Boring, mid indie for hipsters who dig too far for meaning in a song.
The Auteurs
4/5
Cyndi Lauper
5/5
For what she did for pro wrestling makes her a legend to me. But this album is just nonstop fun. Hit after hit.
Turbonegro
2/5
The music is cool but dude the lyrics are complete shit and juvenile. Would probably be better if it was instrumental only.
Bill Callahan
4/5
I thought this would be another snooze fest but it’s a cool modern alt country sound.
Slint
5/5
What a great album.
2/5
Gets pretty boring
GZA
4/5
It’s a really cool album with an interesting mix of lo fi and smooth production vibes.
Roxy Music
3/5
Sex Pistols
2/5
Maybe you just had to be there but Sex Pistols just feel like fake punk rock. Some of their contemporaries are better to listen to because there’s more to say. But Sex Pistols are just flat. Not to mention John Lydon went on to suck big time.
Tears For Fears
5/5
I was going to rate this as a high tier 80s pop masterpiece but “Broken” to “Head over Heels” goes wild. That alone makes the record.
Dr. John
5/5
This is what should be on here. Amazing combo of traditional American styles fused with rock and folk stylings.
Wu-Tang Clan
5/5
Kings of Leon
1/5
Kings of Leon shouldn’t have this many records. This is like content music; nothing stands out and is instantly regrettable and forgettable.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
2/5
The first song is pretty cool but I’ll never listen to this album again and I’ll pretend it never existed.
Meat Puppets
5/5
Sinead O'Connor
4/5
Van Morrison
4/5
What’s remarkable about this is how free it feels but is still so groovy. The upright bass ties so much of it together.
The Zutons
3/5
It’s not bad and I can vibe to it. But did I need to hear it? It’s not a standout compared to the other records on here.
Incubus
5/5
Rahul Dev Burman
4/5
Kind of odd this is the Bollywood the editor chose. Also, there should be more Bollywood than the amount of mid Britpop and 60s rock on this list.
The Young Gods
1/5
As if Tom Waits went French industrial. Not gonna listen to this ever again and will likely forget about it. But some tunes sound like they could fit in a weird early 2000s PlayStation indie game.
Missy Elliott
3/5
For better or for worse, without Missy Elliott we wouldn’t have the late 2010s, early 2020s wave of female rappers. And you can hear that in this record. You can’t dismiss how influential this record is.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
It’s funny. I love Elvis Costello but there are only a few albums of his I would rate 5/5. This album shows a lot of his growth as a songwriter though. Cool changes and interesting melodies.
Le Tigre
3/5
Not bad. Some cool stuff on here. A bit chaotic in a good way.
Daft Punk
2/5
I’m not coked out enough to really dig this. Daft Punk could’ve used some creative control.
Talking Heads
4/5
I’ll get damned to hipster hell but the Talking Heads should not get as much hype as they get.
Skepta
4/5
This goes pretty hard. I’d much prefer more British and international hip hop varieties than all the mid britpop here
Can
2/5
Some cool drumming
Tricky
1/5
This is the sort of music that played over uncomfortable sex scenes in movies from the early 2000s.
Brian Eno
5/5
I was about to write this off but in the middle of the album it all clicked when “The Big Ship” played.
Killing Joke
4/5
This is a pretty cool album. Giving some punk a little melodic and harmonic touch. It’s easy to see how this album’s influence bridges to some of the killer 80s and 90s underground rock.
Run-D.M.C.
3/5
I know it’s revolutionary but it doesn’t hold its age well.
UB40
4/5
I didn’t know UB40 got some political.
Hole
5/5
What an interesting album. I must say, Hole has been slandered by me because of Kurt and Courtney. But this album is an alt rock masterpiece.
Jethro Tull
5/5
One of the biggest—and unfair—criticisms from mass listeners is about the flute in Jethro Tull. But let’s remember that most people are ignorant on music and only groove on some of the most basic rhythms, instrument, and harmonies. And I feel bad for them—but detest those who act like they love music but only love some vanilla ass shit when there’s so much flavor out there. This album is a wonderful fusion of jazz inspired flute lines and proto metal. Sorry haters your musical tastes are the equivalent of gruel.
XTC
4/5
This was a fun record. It’s cool how they deviate from the pop conventions and get a little showtune-y at times.
David Bowie
4/5
The first half hits hard but it has a second half slump
Nick Drake
5/5
When I look back to my time with 1,001, I’ll be grateful that despite the shite mediocre Brit pop albums, it showed me the ways of Nick Drake (beyond what I knew from Garden State). Saturday Sun is one of the best closers to an album.
Brian Wilson
5/5
RIP Brian Wilson
Jean-Michel Jarre
4/5
This was pretty cool ambient music.
The Coral
4/5
Man, I saw a “The” 2000s band and dreaded it. But wow. This band was actually pretty interesting. A smorgasbord of genres, a little ska, a little psychedelic — a lot of rock n roll.
Gram Parsons
4/5
The Killers
5/5
Traffic
3/5
Some interesting stuff
Fever Ray
2/5
The beats are cool at least
KISS
2/5
Kiss shouldn’t have been as big as they were.
Bonnie Raitt
4/5
I think a lot of people miss what’s special about this album on here. Yeah, the production didn’t age well but Bonnie Raitt at least works as a unique lyricist on familiar song settings an industry filled with cliches.
Ella Fitzgerald
4/5
It’s Ella and it’s Gershwin. But this feels almost like an encyclopedia. Maybe should’ve had a shorter version on here than the whole damn enchilada.
The Jesus And Mary Chain
5/5
The blueprint for just about every indie band from the 2000s.
DJ Shadow
3/5
It’s inoffensive and chill but this sort of electronic music has morphed into Muzak.
Joan Baez
5/5
If I were around in the 1960s, I would’ve fallen so hard in love with Joan Baez. The arrangements, guitar playing, voice… well I guess it’s not too late to fall in love with her. Just a reminder how big of a fumble Bob Dylan had when he lost her.
Orange Juice
4/5
This album has a lot more soul than I thought it would have. It’s like a mix of Talking Heads, a little Bowie and classic rock. Good shit man.
The The
2/5
The The’s name isn’t the only generic thing about this band.
The Velvet Underground
2/5
Turns out I’m more of a Velvet Underground greatest hits fan. I guess my hipster interest in experimental rock has left me.
John Lennon
2/5
A huge downside to Lennon’s solo stuff is he just cranked shit out for a quick turnaround. And this album is an indication of how sloppy and a waste of his talent.
Waylon Jennings
4/5
When people say they don’t like country it’s the radio garbage they’re thinking of. This is the real stuff.
Iron Butterfly
5/5
Hell yeah
Gary Numan
5/5
No one can deny that M.E. is an insanely heavy song.
Robert Wyatt
1/5
I know it’s an inspiring story about overcoming but the album still sucks.
Napalm Death
3/5
Nonstop grind. Cool but static.
The Replacements
5/5
Nonstop grind. Cool but static.
Oasis
5/5
Hell yeah. Britpop with some rock n roll balls
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
5/5
It’s more than 40 years old but doesn’t feel aged at all. Still a masterpiece that can inspire hip hop heads for years to come.
Electric Light Orchestra
5/5
This is one of those border albums for me. It’s a classic but there are some downsides that make it a full 5/5. But I’ll round up for this site.
Lucinda Williams
2/5
It’s not bad but it’s not great. Kind of reminds me of the sort of CD npr would send you as a thank you to donating.
Miles Davis
5/5
It’s not my favorite jazz record (sacrilegious I know) but you can’t argue that this isn’t perfect. The personnel is insane and the album is just revolutionary.
Metallica
4/5
Killer album but the production really brings this album down. Probably one of my least favorite Metallica albums because of how it was recorded. (Second to you know what.)
Marty Robbins
4/5
One of the few Dead songs I like is El Paso.
Tim Buckley
1/5
I feel like this is album is an inside joke that I’m not a part of.
The Youngbloods
4/5
This is a pretty cool album. Eclectic and interesting mix of genres. Too bad it’s not a more mainstream album because this is doing some stuff that the Byrds and Neil Young would do in a few years.
The B-52's
5/5
Iconic. Rock Lobster belongs in the Smithsonian.
Motörhead
3/5
Motörhead is one of those bands that has like one maybe two kickass tunes on a record and then the rest is just filler.
Bon Jovi
2/5
The A side is good but it falls hard. I think this was the hair metal album that made me realize I actually didn’t like the genre that much.
Massive Attack
5/5
This album surprised me. Interesting compositions and slick engineering that balances electronic and acoustic vibes.
Antony and the Johnsons
4/5
Once the vibrato eases up this is a really good album.
Joan Armatrading
5/5
She’s like a groovy Joni Mitchell.
Moby Grape
3/5
A fun 60s blues rock album.
Hookworms
3/5
This album oozes 2010s indie. Wouldn’t be my choice on here to rep the genre (Phoenix is far superior in this idiom). But interesting album and too bad the singer is apparently a dirtbag. So it goes.
Prince
5/5
Of course it’s a 5. One of the great albums.
Ravi Shankar
5/5
What’s cool is that this is a primer for Indian music. As long as you open your mind and enjoy the music, it’s a wonderful record to listen to.
The Rolling Stones
5/5
Lenny Kravitz
2/5
Best thing Lenny Kravitz made was Zoe.
The Damned
5/5
Django Django
4/5
Ok I thought this would suck. But this is a fun album with some killer engineering production.
King Crimson
4/5
Gets a little meandering but still a tour de force
Frank Sinatra
3/5
On paper this should be a killer album but it feels flat after a few tracks. Almost as proof that Sinatra can’t groove like the white jazzers in the bossa genre (Vince Guaraldi, Charle Byrd, Stan Getz, etc.)
Fred Neil
3/5
Sweet Cocaine is a bop, man. Otherwise a pretty meh album.
Cee Lo Green
3/5
At first I wondered why this album was on the list. But it’s actually better than a thought. It’s got great production, cool beats and the flows are cool.
The Rolling Stones
5/5
This is more of a 4.5 but because it’s the Rolling fucking Stones I’ll round up.
Deee-Lite
3/5
Not as bad as I thought. This oozes early ‘90s dance music.
Dion
2/5
Even Phil Spector’s work can sound cliche. Weird to hear his production on this album.
Grateful Dead
1/5
As hard as I try, I just can’t get into the dead
Khaled
5/5
Hell yeah this is what this should be about. Some sick orchestration and instrumentation and grooves. I don’t understand the lyrics but when you’re jiving it don’t matter.
Elvis Costello
4/5
I’m a big Elvis Costello fan but this doesn’t seem like it should be on here.
Alice Cooper
4/5
The more I hear of Alice Cooper from this era, the more I get surprised.
The Band
5/5
The Band was one of the tightest, most swinging rock bands of all time. No band has since matched their songwriting and musical prowess.
Todd Rundgren
5/5
What’s amazing about this is how it challenges the album format and flow. A little wackiness coupled with stellar songwriting.
Jerry Lee Lewis
1/5
Some vanilla ass rock
Stan Getz
5/5
Dinosaur Jr.
5/5
Dinosaur Jr. has sick guitar lines, fun vocal hooks and explosive parts. In other words, it’s music to play LOUD.
Beatles
5/5
The album that showed me the Beatles were “I want to hold your hand.” Yeah you won’t find too many “hits” off this but it’s a perfect album.
Beastie Boys
5/5
I never appreciated how sophisticated this album is until now. A little punk, jazz, hip hop but a lot of Beastie.
The Kinks
3/5
No matter how hard I try to get into the Kinks, it just doesn’t stick.
Dirty Projectors
4/5
It’s pretentious hipster music but it’s pretty cool nonetheless. The vocals get a little grating at times but the instrumental work really ties it as a must listen album.
Neneh Cherry
2/5
Just not feeling this. It didn’t age well at all
Mike Oldfield
1/5
“We got Pink Floyd at home.”
Rufus Wainwright
4/5
Amazing songwriting. But his vocals start to get tiresome.
Love
4/5
That b side blues jerk off really killed a killer album.
Rage Against The Machine
5/5
One of those albums that set off a trend for guitars — for better or for much worse. Anyway, Tom Morello is a real one.
Amy Winehouse
5/5
Taken from us too soon.
Marvin Gaye
4/5
I can see why people don’t like this. It almost seems like a concession to his divorce and alimony—a trope itself that he’s almost pioneering by calling it out and breaking the fourth wall. But it’s also an amazing album for showing the growing Marvin Gaye went from Motown “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” to space funk.
Ice Cube
5/5
It’s 2025 and the USA is entering full out fascism and white nationalism. Thirty plus years later, and this album still rings true with its themes of racism, segregation and how Black America look to gangs as support systems in a failing system.
Primal Scream
3/5
The first time I heard “Movin on Up” I thought this band would be up my alley. Boy, was that song a huge misdirect for me.
Sade
4/5
It’s groovy!
Wild Beasts
2/5
I’m glad the whole male baritone and falsetto indie fad died out.
Britney Spears
4/5
Can’t deny this is a pop masterpiece.
T. Rex
5/5
The Gun Club
4/5
It’s cool to hear something that basically created the blue print for so many punk American bands.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
A part of one of the greatest album runs.
The Thrills
2/5
Don’t tell the 20 years ago me but this kind of indie all sounds the same. This album has a good opening but it feels like it had the fate of everything sounding formulaic.
Mekons
2/5
Not my thing. It’s like the worst stuff from the Clash and Dexy’s Midnight Runners
Lightning Bolt
2/5
The drums and bass are the only good things about this album. Otherwise it kind of sucks.
John Martyn
3/5
Interesting twist on a folk style songwriting style. The drums were definitely grooving
Aimee Mann
4/5
The production for the first half felt overdone but still a cool listen.
Dusty Springfield
3/5
Easy listening pop but “Son of a Preacher Man” will always get me going.
Dusty Springfield
4/5
I’m a sucker for the Motown and Bacharach/David tunes.
Genesis
3/5
For me, this is a case of a double album not staying relevant in the digital age. I could see this being something that you can conceptualize as coherent storytelling when you flip vinyl, discs and whatnot. But it goes on like a runon sentence when streaming.
Drive Like Jehu
5/5
I was not ready for this. What an amazing album. “Super Unison” is a sonic adventure similar to groups like Sonic Youth. Hearing this, I can hear the start of bands like At the Drive In and Modest Mouse.
Calexico
4/5
Kind of stuff you’d hear on Breaking Bad during an artsy scene. Cool album though. A little country slide, spaghetti western orchestration, and indie.
Donald Fagen
5/5
Like Steely Dan, it’s not just the artist but the stellar musicians he brings in.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
I feel like the band had to pull their punches on this album. But it’s still fun. Karen O’s voice takes me back!
Minor Threat
3/5
Not a huge minor threat fan but you gotta respect a punk band with a decent philosophy.
Digital Underground
2/5
I dig the sci fi concept album. But man, I just couldn’t groove with this with how dated the production is.
The Smiths
5/5
Morrissey haters can suck it. This is better than anything the Cure ever did.
The Jam
5/5
It’s a shame Paul Weller and the Jam never got their flowers in the US.
5/5
Just crazy how unique this all is. In a world of rock stars, these guys took it in a totally different direction. And their interpretation of Satisfaction is their manifesto of a new world.
Justin Timberlake
2/5
The album starts strong but whimpers off.
Pantera
2/5
Music for dudes who used to think they were tough and don’t know how to communicate feelings.
Santana
5/5
The percussion was on fire. It’s like a cousin to Miles Davis’s Bitches Brew in a way more than just same album cover artist.
Q-Tip
3/5
Cool beats and cool rhymes.
Barry Adamson
3/5
It’s an interesting album and should be on the list. But its premise goes to show that not every dude can just up and write a soundtrack.
Madonna
4/5
This album holds up a lot better than I thought it would. The Prince song is VERY Prince. The album gets a little weak toward the end but still excellent pop.
Mylo
2/5
Literally content music. Nothing bold. Nothing groundbreaking. This is the stuff an influencer has in the background of a recipe video.
Kraftwerk
5/5
Today I learned where Afrika Bambaataa sampled Planet Rock. Amazing album to just throw on and go into a futuristic world.
Jeff Beck
4/5
Considering how distinct his voice is, Rod Stewart was an interesting choice for a Jeff Beck’s solo debut. Otherwise a lot better than I thought it would be.
Dennis Wilson
4/5
It doesn’t have the baroque pop feel that Brian Wilson mastered but it’s got soul. A lot of good tunes by a guy with excellent ear for harmony.
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
It’s an ok album. I feel like I should’ve liked it more considering I’m a big fan of U2. But I’ll always prefer their work to this.
Butthole Surfers
2/5
I’ve wanted to like these guys so bad but I just can’t get it. It’s just noise, well at least this album is.
Queen Latifah
4/5
This grooves. I had no idea Queen Latifah was truly royalty.
The Streets
2/5
I feel like most people who like this guy like his accent. Anyway, it’s not bad. Just a little monotonous but I dig the concept.
Ute Lemper
2/5
Feels like a bad broadway production, a little Les Mis, Cabaret, and Rent.
Deep Purple
4/5
Some sick guitar leads and harmonies. Deep Purple has sadly been categorized as a meme-y band because of Smoke on the Water and shadowed by Led Zeppelin. But damn, that organ could’ve been mixed a little lower.
Kate Bush
4/5
The crossover of Kate Bush and Morrissey is not talked about enough.
Dexys Midnight Runners
4/5
Come on Eileen is such a banger. Finding out more about Dexys Midnight Runners through this list has made the all mediocre British music worthwhile.
Supertramp
4/5
Not as good as Breakfast in America for me but still a great one.
Sister Sledge
3/5
Cool album and stellar dance beats. Not to mention Nile Rodgers absolutely rocks this album. “We are Family” will always make me think of the Californian Raisins though.
Simon & Garfunkel
5/5
An example of a perfect album. I mean, come on guys leave some hits for the rest of us.
Joanna Newsom
4/5
I hated this at first but once you get used to her voice this album is pleasant and calming.
Ozomatli
4/5
It’s like the Latino version of the Roots. Cool mix of hip hop and Latin music.
Laura Nyro
3/5
It’s a fun album and Laura Nyro has an amazing voice. Gives me Linda Rondstandt vibes. Nothing really knocks me out as a track though.
U2
5/5
Ice T
4/5
What I’ve learned from this list is I really like Ice T. Meaningful lyrics, sick loops, and skits that aren’t just about having sex or making drug deals. “Body Count” and “Midnight” go fucking hard man.
Leftfield
2/5
Someone said this was like a 90s racing game soundtrack but that would have been an upgrade.
Neil Young
5/5
I think I like this more than Harvest, which has a few duds on the record. This one is just flawless.
Death In Vegas
2/5
Kinda boring
The Monkees
3/5
A little disorienting because it’s a feeling of thinking this should be the Beatles/Stones/Kinks. Fun but still a sense of commercial music.
Method Man
3/5
It’s ok. Beats are cool but it’s not remarkable.
Ice Cube
2/5
I’m more of an Ice T dude I guess.
4/5
I always thought Yes kind of sucked but this is a cool prog album. Not bloated with sounds and layers and well arranged.
Circle Jerks
4/5
16 minutes and to the point. Good shit man.
Manu Chao
3/5
I can smell this album and feel the sunshine of Mexico in it. And maybe a little bit of sepia.
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
4/5
Not what I was expecting. A lot of melody and hook coupled with electronic experimentation.
Suede
4/5
I had no idea this would be so soaking wet with glam rock. I’m sure the singer and the band are insufferably pretentious but this feels like an album that pays so much in tribute the Bowie and T Rex (I kept expecting him to yell out “Ziggy played guitar.”). It does feel a little novelty act but the music is well written.
fIREHOSE
4/5
It’s a cool album that gives classic college rock vibes. The cover of “Vastopol” was totally unexpected but nonetheless awesome.
The White Stripes
5/5
I never fell for the White Stripes like my friends did at this time but this album really cemented the band as an “it” band for the era. The album showed the rare growth as songwriters and not just dicking around for pretension.
The Flaming Lips
5/5
The Birthday Party
2/5
I could hear better music at my local diy scene than this.
The Residents
2/5
Some funny references to pop and classical music but it still kind of sucks. Or I have to REALLY be in the mood for this.
Billie Holiday
4/5
First of all, Billie Holiday is amazing and one of the greats. Obviously. But there better be other albums by her on this because this felt like an odd one to include. It’s great but I wouldn’t say it should be in over others.
Heaven 17
2/5
A weird album that I think doesn’t need to be on here. A little catchy but why have it here when Kraftwerk is on the list?
Scott Walker
3/5
At times it’s like an edgy broadway production. Scott Walker’s baritone is different than most male vocalists at this time. But at its lowest this album feels like the stereotypical ‘60s album with its wall of orchestra and easy listening arrangements that are now cliche for that period.
Slade
4/5
Classic blues tinged working man’s rock n roll. Nothing fancy but gets the job done.
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
Happy Mondays
3/5
If Oasis were mid… but what’s with these sort of bands hiring dudes to just dance on stage.
Green Day
3/5
I respect a decent rock opera. Still not my thing. Just polished punk rock that seemed to lose its feel. But big ups to Green Day for still fighting fascism after all these years.
Nightmares On Wax
2/5
Literally the musical equivalent of content. I feel like I should’ve been charged $8 for my coffee while listening to this.
The Cure
4/5
The first half of this album is perfect. I always forget how hard “Pictures of You” hits until it’s been a while.
Billy Bragg
5/5
We need more dudes like this and less overproduced crap.
Miriam Makeba
5/5
Iconic album cover. Interesting music. Far better than some of the Brit electronic trash this list has too much of.
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
4/5
One of those albums that you have to know the political context to really enjoy it. The latter half feels a little meandering but the first half carries it.
The Doors
5/5
I hate on the Doors but this album is just impeccable. “The End” gives me an urge to take a boat through Vietnam.
Happy Mondays
3/5
Still maintain this is not as good as the britpop that followed but cool to hear the predecessor.
The Darkness
4/5
If you lean into the cheesiness it’s a fun album.
The Louvin Brothers
3/5
Being sad is as American as it gets. No matter the genre.
The Yardbirds
3/5
Jeff Beck really carried this album.
The Divine Comedy
2/5
Just be a normal person and listen to broadway, Scott Walker, Morrissey — or anything else.
Bill Evans Trio
5/5
Suzanne Vega
2/5
Good music but pretty forgettable
50 Cent
2/5
The beats hit but nothing goes hard as in da club. Too bad 50 Cent became a weird MAGA weirdo
Dolly Parton
4/5
Three titans on one record.
Fatboy Slim
2/5
There’s like one good song otherwise it’s all pretty repetitive.
Cocteau Twins
4/5
Lush guitar parts and heavenly vocals. I always forget about how great this group is.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
4/5
Punk but with a lot of reverb and chorus. That Helter Skelter cover was sick.
Queen
4/5
It’s as if Led Zeppelin embraced the nerd shit even more. What a fun album.
Abdullah Ibrahim
5/5
It’s records like this that make all the crap on the list worth the hassle.
Peter Gabriel
4/5
I enjoyed the weird experimental tunes that reminded me a tad of the Who but also this album has some straight up epic songs like “Here Comes the Flood.” I didn’t expect this album to resonate so much with me.
Suede
3/5
I really thought I’d like London Suede more. This album feels like a Temu 70s glam rock album. It’s got its moments but the band is not high tier 90s Britpop.
The Style Council
3/5
I’m a big Paul Weller/Jam fan but this album has a mixed feel to me. The jazz part feels like smooth jazz and not really a dive into the genre. But the ballads tunes are great and could stand as smooth jazz standards. It’s a weird contradiction but that’s the Style Council.
The Magnetic Fields
1/5
I get how this album could be a big deal for a lot of indie heads and hipsters. But for the rest of us this feels bloated. Only a few bands can pull off a triple album and for the most part only the die hard fans love it.
Bob Dylan
5/5
Sepultura
3/5
These dudes chug and doom.
Pixies
5/5
The United States Of America
4/5
This was actually cool despite the bad band name and circus opening. But I probably won’t listen to this album again.
R.E.M.
5/5
The sort of album that makes you want to write some indie rock songs
The first half is amazingly catchy and soulful. But the second half kind of overstays its welcome. The 2000s era of U2 is odd to go from the Achtung Baby and Pop to this album, but it does feel in sync in ways with the time of clean pop.
Eels
3/5
It’s got the Shrek song and is an otherwise interesting album, lyrically and musically, and isn’t as terrible as its album cover suggested. But did I need to listen to it before I died? Nah.
Incredible Bongo Band
3/5
They sure weren’t foolin about bongos
Teenage Fanclub
4/5
It’s like a poppier Dinosaur Jr. not in a bad way but the band smooths out the rawness.
David Gray
4/5
R.E.M.
5/5
Carpenters
3/5
The last song is pretty cool and not the easy listening the rest of the album is.
The Crusaders
3/5
It’s at least different. Cool grooves but it seems like the album’s material had so much potential but didn’t land.
Sisters Of Mercy
2/5
I can take only so much heavy reverb
Isaac Hayes
2/5
It’s cool and legendary but at times falls to background noise.
Joy Division
5/5
Dizzee Rascal
2/5
Morrissey
5/5
George Jones
3/5
This is some emo country
The Velvet Underground
5/5
I realized I really only dig VU without some of the chore experimental stuff.
Willie Nelson
5/5
Produced by Booker T, Willie Nelson’s American songbook covers stand with the greats.
5/5
The kind of album you listen to at 1 am when you’re a drunken mess
Count Basie & His Orchestra
5/5
Björk
3/5
You really gotta be in the mood for bjork. I know she’s always had the electronic lean but this album was a bit much for me.
Rod Stewart
4/5
Röyksopp
4/5
It’s like easy listening Daft Punk.
Sly & The Family Stone
3/5
Some great tunes but the long jammy ones drag a bit for me
Marvin Gaye
4/5
A Motown classic but make the sexiness obvious and naked.
Fatboy Slim
3/5
Without the drugs this doesn’t hold up as well.
The White Stripes
5/5
The White Stripes for some reason didn’t resonate with me like it should have but this album is hands down one of the best by a new band of the 2000s.
Pink Floyd
4/5
A little psychedelia mixed with some cool rock licks but at times it’s all unwieldy. It’s a totally different vibe and I’ve always liked this album but Syd Barrett era Pink Floyd just doesn’t hit as well as David Gilmore.
MC Solaar
4/5
Great beats and sampling. Feels a lot more current than a lot of albums from this time. I bet the lyrics hit hard too but it’s in French so…
The Undertones
4/5
Good old fashioned riff driven rock.
Raekwon
2/5
This is the sort of music that plays nonstop without anything memorable hitting you except for the old tv samples, kung fu movie bites and loud ass homophobia. The beats are great but the lyrics are kind of whack. Weed stank not included.
808 State
4/5
It’s a fun album that also happens to be quite revolutionary. The instrumentation is insane.
Carole King
5/5
Every song is a damn treasure.
The Isley Brothers
5/5
It’s funky. It’s poppy. It’s got soul. This is what music should be.
Joy Division
5/5
Herbie Hancock
5/5
One of the most accessible jazz records. The bluesy jazz cats got Kenny Burrell’s Midnight Blue, modal world guys got Miles’ Kind of Blue, the regular cats got Vince Guaraldi’s Charlie Brown Christmas and the funky jazz dudes got this album.
Air
4/5
Great ear for melody and harmony. Finding this group here has been one of the bright spots of the list.
Shivkumar Sharma
4/5
Merle Haggard
3/5
Good old dive bar outlaw country. Not a big Merle fan but this is an exception.
B.B. King
4/5
It feels like an incomplete recording with the introduction in the middle of the album. But the blues guitar lines are legendary — and I’m not even huge into BB King.
Gang Starr
4/5
This feels way ahead of its time. Clean jazz samples, flowing lines. A standout hip hop album that contrasts a lot of the gangsta stuff
Lauryn Hill
5/5
Impeccable flows, little glimpses of Stevie Wonder and some amazing musicians collaborating. Definitely one of the best albums of the 90s.
David Bowie
5/5