708
Albums Rated
3.3
Average Rating
65%
Complete
381 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
2010s
Favorite Decade
Soul
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
124
5-Star Albums
43
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Wonderful Rainbow
Lightning Bolt
|
5 | 2.28 | +2.72 |
|
Orbital 2
Orbital
|
5 | 2.7 | +2.3 |
|
Phaedra
Tangerine Dream
|
5 | 2.73 | +2.27 |
|
Scott 4
Scott Walker
|
5 | 2.8 | +2.2 |
|
Goodbye And Hello
Tim Buckley
|
5 | 2.83 | +2.17 |
|
Arular
M.I.A.
|
5 | 2.83 | +2.17 |
|
69 Love Songs
The Magnetic Fields
|
5 | 2.85 | +2.15 |
|
Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret
Soft Cell
|
5 | 2.87 | +2.13 |
|
Music Has The Right To Children
Boards of Canada
|
5 | 2.91 | +2.09 |
|
Call of the Valley
Shivkumar Sharma
|
5 | 2.95 | +2.05 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Rio
Duran Duran
|
1 | 3.49 | -2.49 |
|
Green
R.E.M.
|
1 | 3.48 | -2.48 |
|
Beauty And The Beat
The Go-Go's
|
1 | 3.39 | -2.39 |
|
The Specials
The Specials
|
1 | 3.3 | -2.3 |
|
Made In Japan
Deep Purple
|
1 | 3.29 | -2.29 |
|
Bongo Rock
Incredible Bongo Band
|
1 | 3.26 | -2.26 |
|
S&M
Metallica
|
1 | 3.26 | -2.26 |
|
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
|
1 | 3.25 | -2.25 |
|
Scissor Sisters
Scissor Sisters
|
1 | 3.23 | -2.23 |
|
The Healer
John Lee Hooker
|
1 | 3.19 | -2.19 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Arcade Fire | 3 | 5 |
| Jimi Hendrix | 3 | 5 |
| Beatles | 6 | 4.33 |
| Radiohead | 6 | 4.33 |
| Michael Jackson | 3 | 4.67 |
| Johnny Cash | 3 | 4.67 |
| Kanye West | 3 | 4.67 |
| Miles Davis | 2 | 5 |
| Nirvana | 2 | 5 |
| The Flaming Lips | 2 | 5 |
| Bob Dylan | 6 | 4 |
| Led Zeppelin | 3 | 4.33 |
| Marvin Gaye | 3 | 4.33 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| The Specials | 2 | 1 |
| Motörhead | 2 | 1.5 |
| Happy Mondays | 2 | 1.5 |
| Stephen Stills | 2 | 1.5 |
| Public Image Ltd. | 2 | 1.5 |
| R.E.M. | 3 | 2 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Talking Heads | 2, 5 |
| Orbital | 5, 2 |
| Metallica | 2, 1, 5, 3 |
| The Rolling Stones | 1, 4, 4 |
| Peter Gabriel | 5, 3, 2 |
5-Star Albums (124)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
5/5
No effing way!!! I LOVE this band. I cannot believe they threw this album on there. A great classical music influenced pop record. I never knew this band had any songs where there were vocals which is shocking and honestly not the best aspect of the album. Otherwise this album to me feels like it came from a co-owner of the said penguin cafe who hung up surreal penguin artwork (like the album cover). They bought the space from a former used instrument store and there were a lot of classical instrument lying around and they just made an album that would play in the background there or musicians would play at an open mic. Very DIY production feel/interesting instrumentation choices all over this thing. I like other albums more but this gets a five on the off chance those don’t show up on this site. The sound of someone, penguin cafe single, huge baby and chartered flight are great. Giles farnaby’s dream, milk, surface tension are cool from the “zopf” piece but there’s a lot of interesting experiments on those tracks that have some slightly mixed results. That being said, a unique record for an amazing band.
3 likes
The Who
2/5
Being one of my favorite classic rock bands, this album is pretty weak. I don't think it's there fault as every british invasion band seems to have been put into this kind of box when they started. It also did give us "My Generation" which is a classic. As an album though, very late 50's influenced 60's rock which is pretty whatever. "A Legal Matter" and "the Kids are Alright" are fine but most of the tracks are just kind of bland or annoying to me.
2 likes
Nine Inch Nails
5/5
crushing, dark, sick. definite must listen. I'd say the first five tracks are all incredible blends of accessible but still authentic industrial music. After that, not every track hits as hard. I enjoy the two ambient tracks (a warm place and the downward spiral) along with "big man with a gun" and the closer "Hurt" is a perfect song. I know everyone goes off on the johnny cash version but I prefer this one. I think each time i revisit and get more exposed I'm able to get through the back half easier as its not that the songs are bad (I like ruiner, eraser, reptile etc) but this genre/album is just a lot to take in for both its volume levels, sound palettes and subject matter. Definite a worthwhile listen but just prepare your ears.
2 likes
Bob Dylan
5/5
Probably my favorite Bob Dylan record. Really beautiful instrumentation and mysterious lyrics. A very appropriate follow up to Highway 61 as it still has a lot of lush instrumentation but lays off the electric sound. Kind of combining the best aspects of all his music from that point to the blues influences, the guthrie folk and his generally nasally voice. A definitive work.
1 likes
Run-D.M.C.
3/5
Older/original hip hop groups do get tagged with sometime corny lyrics or just generally older styles/sample technology and I would generally associated this with Run-D.M.C. just because I only knew their Walk This Way cover. That being said, this album has a lot more interesting production/sampling choices than I expected. It definitely still feels like an 80's hip hop album but now I feel like Beastie Boys almost ripped these guys off to some level. There is such a focus on the actual rapping/beats more than melody/a catchy hook that this feels more like an oddity than I anticipated.
1 likes
1-Star Albums (43)
All Ratings
Sarah Vaughan
3/5
I can tell already she has one of my favorite singing voices. Billie Holiday has a more angelic soprano and Nina Simone has more gritty character but Sarah Vaughan sounds like the perfect representation of a grade A jazz voice. It sounds as though you are in a very intimate, classic jazz bar. I imagine it just finished raining in the city. I recall the “intro spot” club in tokyo. The live also elevates the listening experience. It's a little long so I was less in it but Jazz feels that way to me sometimes even in the live setting. It sets a mood and pulls you in and gently releases you out from time to time in your own thoughts. Good record and one of my new favorite voices.
Blondie
3/5
Better than I expected. I knew the hits would hit but the opening track and a couple of the deep cuts are catchy. The sound isn't super unique to me but the songwriting is solid and Blondie herself (I don't know the band lore if that's how she goes by) is charismatic enough that it just works.
Joy Division
5/5
Heard many times. Truly a classic. Aged very well. Dark, danceable and genre creating. Ahead of it's time really. This reminds me of the Velvet Underground where a band proved all you need is good core songs and interesting instrumentation and you can define a unique sound. This on top of the fact that these guys had better chops than the velvet underground IMO. Ian curtis's very unique vocality. The reverbed/washed out instrumentation. Upon relistening, I found deeper cuts like "Insights" weird synth passages or "She's Lost Control" ear worm bass line more compelling on top of what I think are the better know songs such as "Disorder" which is one of my favorite opening tracks of any album or "New Dawn Fades" rocking guitar passages. The album really is the cover. A straight grid of white lines that turn into mountains. In the sense that you recognize all that went into this album in term so instrumentation and style but the way it's done makes the songs gargantuan in comparison to other acts still to this day.
Michael Jackson
4/5
One of the all time greats at his peak. It is undeniable how groovy this album is. It is not at the same level as off the wall or thriller to me but it has almost as many great hits. Plus weird al's parody was awesome. Man in the mirror is a beautiful ballad. Dirty Diana and the Way you Make me feel are up there for top tracks. Smooth criminal is badass. I’m also loving deeper cuts like the song speed demon and the closer leave me alone feels like a desperate cry for him to get the public off his back. Despite this title, this album is nowhere close to "bad" lololololol I'm done.
Arcade Fire
5/5
An important album in my life. It is unfortunate how far the frontman has fallen in terms of his behavior and conduct but this was one of the first indie bands and concerts I got into. This tour was unreal on how epic the music felt. Truly operatic in theme and intensity. Growing up in the suburbs feels more visceral with these tracks about adolescent wonder turning to angst and age. I’ll never not go back to this one.
Fela Kuti
4/5
This is one of those artists I always hear so much about but I had not really listened to enough. The live performance really captures the grooves and his charismatic energy in the playing. I think live records can be a mixed bag but the grooves just feel very alive in this record
Count Basie & His Orchestra
3/5
Starts right away with a great big band vibe. Album cover is super jarring but an explosive jazz album.
Neil Young
2/5
It’s not that it’s bad I just can’t connect with it. Walk on was a great opener and then it just was on in the background. Neil young has excellent tracks I just need to find the album that connects.
Scissor Sisters
1/5
Also not very bad but nothing super special about it. The comfortably numb cover was a little wack. Kind of mixes elo with a lot of weird pop tendencies from the late 80’s early 90’s? Not for me I think.
Dennis Wilson
2/5
This is an okay record. There are some good moments but it is pretty much the dad rockification of the beach boys. He has musical talent and good arrangements/production but there is something that is missing for me that lets me connect to it. There is almost too much going on. Layers that sound pleasant but just every instrument/random piece he can think of thrown in.
Napalm Death
3/5
Gilfoyle used “you suffer” in the Silicon Valley episode for the crypto notification and that was hilarious. This album however is not hilarious it is pretty brutal/loud. I’d have to be in the right mood for it but it’s good
Stevie Wonder
4/5
Ooh great album. I believe this right when Stevie grew out of the straightforward soul and Motown hits and went into his stride as a definitive artists. Superstition makes this a great album alone. You are the sunshine of my life is a mellow, vitamin d giving love song. Big Brother is a funky but more political jam. Maybe your baby brings a signature style electronic keyboard and tremolo'd/wah wah'd bass line. At times it feels like this album could've helped start the new age music movement without being as cheesy. That may be due to Stevie's voice/charisma.
Mudhoney
3/5
ooh already a great garage rock album. super fuzzy and touch me i'm sick i'm sure will set the tone for the whole album. immediate vibes of coachwhips and what would later inspire ty segall and oh sees (thee oh sees). Good predecessor to the 90’s Alt/grunge era
Brian Eno
4/5
This record is one I've been meaning to listen to for awhile. I'm the most familiar with Brian Eno via his Music for Airports ambient record and I wouldn't say I can immediately recall that record by tune either but it definitely puts me in a place for travelling. I'm not sure where this falls on his catalog being so prolific/legendary but I think it really kicks off with "St. Elmo's Fire" as it has really cool guitar and the vocal hook really fits. "The Big Ship" I am familiar with through films like Me, Earl and the Dying Girl as well as End of Tour. More of the ambient tracks on this grip me than the ones with vocals like the cool dark synths and percussion in "In Dark Trees" and "Sombre Reptiles" or the beautiful layers on "Another Green World" or "Becalmed" or "Zawinul/Lava." That being said, "i'll come running" and " everything merges with the night" have some good pink floyd song vibes. A good record overall by a very notable voice in music.
Deep Purple
3/5
It’s got some classic rock hits. Kind of a good mix of blues rock with a little more hard rock/metal influence. I wish hush was on it
Incredible Bongo Band
1/5
sounds like the soundtrack to a quentin tarantino nostalgia piece. Need to revisit but didn’t think it was an essential album
Metallica
2/5
Eh. Enter Sandman is a classic but the energy feels a little off for me. A lot of mid tempo/slower jams that don't hit as hard as ride the lightning or master of puppets style songs.
Pink Floyd
4/5
There are some classic rock/Pink Floyd songs on here. Their attempt of a rock opera is overall successful but it doesn’t come near wish you were here, animals or dark side for me. Maybe if I saw the film? Still a good record.
Elliott Smith
3/5
It's a dad rock/classic rock turn for Smith on this one (I believe one of his last albums) which works well enough. It's not as good as his self titled, either/or and the like but his songwriting is too good that the songs still shine through the slightly more extravagant instrumentation.
Fugazi
4/5
Pretty solid punk album. The playing has a lot of energy to it. You can tell all the players are very in sync with each other throughout. Cool usage of harmonics on the guitars and the singers have perfect energy for a punk band. The songs are not immediately catchy for me like a lot of great punk is but I think they sit with you longer for that reason.
Brian Eno
5/5
This was my first Brian Eno album I think. I knew his name through the MGMT song but remember trying this one out while travelling for work and really enjoying the ambiance. It is very relaxing and makes me think I'm soaring above somewhere or just generally thinking about travelling. Angelic synths/choral voices and the title help set you in this outer worldly space. It makes me think about how there are so many of us going so many places and doing so many things and how there is some missed beauty in the chaos of all of that.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
A good creative peak for the band. I think it has the most risks of their albums. Down by the seaside has a nice honky tonk twang to it. the slide guitars in "in my time of dying" are great. "kashmir" with it's strings/eastern music influences.
John Prine
2/5
I've tried to get into this guy so many times but his voice just isn't for me. Lyrics/songwriting not bad though
The The
3/5
This is just a weirdo 80's album. It has all the trappings/production with a fun bedroom pop album of today with 80's aesthetic. Pretty weird singer/dramatic theatrical. Interesting.
MGMT
5/5
A perfect album. First half is a cool indie pop epic and once it gets to 4th dimensional transition the album goes off into wild psychedelia. . A perfect record in my opinion.
3/5
Pretty solid alt rock singer songwriter album. The Thom Yorke tracks are cool. The songwriting is solid. PJ Harvey is an artist I need to check out more thoroughly but a full album of hers has yet to truly envelope me. Although the tracks that hit always hit hard.
Kate Bush
3/5
What a weirdo album in a not bad way. I feel like this is Kate Bush at some of her most unhinged. The opening track is just a weird amalgam of creative instrument choices with such a weird groove and this jaunty/bar like piano. interesting vocal parts/harmonies. Still some catchiness but definitely really odd overall.
Boards of Canada
5/5
I believe this is the duo's most acclaimed album. A very chill electronic/trip hop/ambient record. Weird samples and I think seminal. I prefer Geogaddi but I think that's subjective. This is still a great album for focusing, night drive, being wired into the dystopic future nightmare that is the future present. Very alien hip hop/trip hop beats. Odd vocal samples and spacey alienating synths. Definitely a must listen to get into the weirder side of electronic music.
Motörhead
2/5
As an album, it's not that remarkable to me. Some solid riffing and playing. Lemmy's voice is very unique/charismatic. However, Ace of Spades is one of the best rock songs of all time.
Skepta
1/5
For the first rap album on this list, I feel slightly disappointed. It didn't really hit even though on a technical level it's all good. Good production and good rapping. The instrumentals were just not very gripping to me and I felt better vibes from other British rap acts like Stormzy, The Streets, Slowthai, Wiley and the like.
Bon Jovi
2/5
Dad rock with undeniably/annoying level of catchiness
Adele
3/5
Good singer songwriter album. I did rolling the deep for a talent show once. Not a real review. Chasing pavements is definitely my favorite song of hers but this one is a better overall album experience
Talking Heads
2/5
There are all the foundations of what make the talking heads great throughout the years and it’s well produced but I think there is just some magic missing. I think the weird punk influence and odd instrumentation that create the grooves are missing if I had to guess. Well produced but the songs just don’t have the same hitting quality for me as subsequent records.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
3/5
Pretty cool post punk feeling female fronted band. I remember hearing them for the first time in this cool bar called the cuevita in highland park with a cool bartender who was playing them who was super nice. Very joy division.
Pavement
3/5
Pavement is fine. There are some songs that really hit but the full albums have yet to get me to the point that everyone gushes to me about. It may be because I just missed the time where they felt unique and that they inspired so many other bands that have sounds I got introduced to first but I hope one day I get it.
Kraftwerk
4/5
I remember seeing the music video for "the robots" playing somewhere and it was bumping. Before some show maybe? I love the big lebowski so once I understood that "Autobahn" was just a reference to kraftwerk I got the aesthetic a lot more. Regardless of these reviews being mini rambles/logs of my life, all the tracks set up these great long hypnotizing builds. They all, when played back to back, have maybe a slightly too similar aesthetic but they're all so good at hooking you in. The model being their most popular single. The Robots being the best beat. Spacelab having my favorite synths and neon lights being the pretty track. A good one by a good band.
Jacques Brel
3/5
Very romantic sounding. It helps that there's a lot of seemingly classic French influence in the instrumentation...you know, being French. His voice definitely feels like something I've heard in films or just generally around. Surprised that his first release was a seemingly live album as well.
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
I think born to run is his first breakout album but I may prefer this one. While not as grand, there is more variety. Candy’s room is definitely my favorite Bruce Springsteen ever. Promised land is beautiful. The closing title track is a barn burner of an ending too. He’ll never be my favorite artist but he is an undeniably singer songwriter. You know his voice/his style when you hear it. Very quintessential American feeling.
PJ Harvey
4/5
For the title track alone this is a solid album. I heard a cover from Nilufer Yanana (don't know how to spell her full name). This feels like a grittier album which makes sense since Steve Albini is the one who produced it. There is a lot of raw power/emotion to the singing/guitar playing. Lots of good wailing. Lots of good distortion.
Songhoy Blues
3/5
reminds me of etra de lair/mdou moctar. Basically cool electric guitar fused blues with african music. WITCH I think too is similar to that style. Tinariwin too? I appreciate a world music album on here since I haven't seen any since I've tried this site. It is well produced, the songs are catchy and it is a straightforward sound. Not my favorite/not all of the songs hit but it's a solid record.
5/5
I’m up then I’m down. That was my initial thoughts on this record. It’s impossible to overstate the immense complexity and achievement of human performance and composition of this record. While I think fragile will always be my favorite, this definitely seems like their greatest work as an overall album experience
Roxy Music
3/5
Definitely a solid classic rock sounding album. It may just be me, but there even with solid songwriting, cool arrangements and solid playing, there is nothing that actually stands out too much to me about this album. Maybe it was unique/groundbreaking for its time but otherwise it doesn't get me anywhere new.
Various Artists
3/5
Soul fueled Christmas and it came at a nice time.
Tori Amos
4/5
Feels like Tori would not exist without Kate Bush. Not in a bad way necessarily as she definitely seems to have a more immediate pop appeal like a regina spektor or ingrid michaelson which is impressive since this came out in the 90's. Crucify's weird reverb beat annoyed me but the track was good. Girl is a good follow up with great strings. Silent has a beautiful quality to it that seems to be at least a decade ahead of many future pop contemporaries. Precious things has the beautiful dramatic and driving beat/arrangement. Honestly it picked up in variety / and being more fun after the opening track.
Black Sabbath
5/5
The first half is undeniably legendary with war pigs, paranoid to planet caravan (kind of a jazzy/quiet cut that I just heard) to iron man. The second half didn’t hit as hard and felt more like a showcase of their playing more than hard hitting songs but it is a worthwhile listen and classic metal album
The Cars
5/5
One of my favorite albums of this era. Something that’s so straightforward and hooky in the songs but yet there’s enough interesting layers and instrumentation that it’s hard not to like. I’d say one of the quintessential pop rock albums. Maybe the best self titled album released? I’ll have to think on that one.
Jurassic 5
2/5
an alright jazz rap album. nothing hit though
Meat Puppets
4/5
Interesting that Kurt Cobained knew/loved these guys. Not for any bad reason just a lot jammier than I expected. I loved a slowed down jam they had called "up on the sun" but this album is just straight up energy. Reminds me a bit of primus/TPOTUSA. Very good reverbed out jam guitar rock record.
Ute Lemper
2/5
I have no idea why this album exists with the people who exist on it. A bunch of great songwriters who helmed songs for this singer who must be famous for some reason? It is very dramatic/theatrical. Ute's got a good voice which fits that style though. I like the case continues (specifically that trippy string part in the chorus). There's some jazzy elements throughout the record (passionate fight) but then it also at times sounds like it may have been produced by a massive attack style band with the dark electronics. It is a little much at times but there are some gems on it.
Curtis Mayfield
4/5
I think I'm kind of a sucker for this style of music generally. Plus Curtis has one of my favorite voices for soul music. I think I will watch this movie one day as this stylish soundtrack is definitely getting me in the mood for some cheesy 70s
Black Sabbath
4/5
An interesting debut. A lot more indulgent but not in a bad way. 5 longer style tracks that cover adjectives like droney, doomy and jammy. It's weird to me as this feels like something they would've done after their bigger hits like paranoid, iron man, sweet leaf and the like. It feels like a better album experience to me for some reason than paranoid which was always my go to.
Cocteau Twins
3/5
If I had one adjective I could use for this album it is textured. It is really well produced/layered. The songs themselves though don't all hit that well. There is nothing I can complain or pinpoint that I don't like but I just imagine swaying/driving to this.
The Triffids
1/5
Maybe if I grew up with it? Feels like some pretty standard 80's rock but I guess these guys mattered in Austrailia. I can see the Kirin J Caliinan may be taking from these guys quite a bit honestly.
Nick Drake
4/5
This album opens with two very strong tracks. There is elegance in the "simplicity" of just acoustic guitar and vocals in many of the songs. I've tried learning Nick Drake songs and he makes it seem deceptively easy but I find that many of his melodies with his playing are complex. A hypnotic/beautiful singer songwriter record. I may prefer "Five Leaves Left" but with this guy, I think it's whatever you hear first that leaves the best impression. Definitely a must listen to artist.
The Darkness
3/5
I want to hate this more than I actually do. There is just so much energy in the playing it's hard not to have it "grow on you" (like their song lolololol). Honestly this gets 3 stars just for I believe in a thing called love anyway. Just some power rock/80's nostalgia with some decent tunes and a lot of nostalgia.
Country Joe & The Fish
2/5
Definitely a 60's psychedlic blues rock record for sure.
Bob Dylan
5/5
Probably my favorite Bob Dylan record. Really beautiful instrumentation and mysterious lyrics. A very appropriate follow up to Highway 61 as it still has a lot of lush instrumentation but lays off the electric sound. Kind of combining the best aspects of all his music from that point to the blues influences, the guthrie folk and his generally nasally voice. A definitive work.
Buzzcocks
4/5
Definitely loved "singles going steady" which, weirdly, some tracks on this album appear on that. So maybe it's a compilation? I'm really curious of their history and record releases but to talk about the music: really fast rock with a good catchy appeal. Just hook after hook after hook. May not be everyone's cup of tea (british) but one of my favorite bands of this style. Fast cars is a good opener. Get on our own is solid. Love Battery is fun. I like that these songs basically go real quick. Fits the energy. Even the long track "moving the pulsebeat" is brimming with creative playing for how straightforward their sound tends to be.
Grateful Dead
3/5
Lots of noodling but not bad.
Teenage Fanclub
3/5
I wish Pavement hit at the same level as these guys for me.
Pulp
2/5
Not bad but whatever. Maybe a different day it'll hit harder. First track is definitely fun and an interesting chamber pop rock kind of thing if that seems fair to assess.
The actual sound isn't unique but rod stewart's voice and the band's energy carries it through the classic rock n roll jams.
The Cure
3/5
I only really know disintegration and am not the biggest fan generally but this was okay! I can't speak to the impact of this debut for defining goth music but definitely feels like they took a slightly less dark approach to post punk/morphed it into their own style of goth with reverbed guitars and more grand instrumentation. Definitely a nice listen bare minimum.
The Stone Roses
4/5
A band that I don't listen to often but am always taken when I hear them. At least this album. It has elements of the cure/the smiths. It is a little more shoe-gazey though and something really cinematically cheesy about these songs and not in a bad way. It is cool this came out right before the decade of the 90's cause sometimes the beats/the way the guitars sound seem to be perfect lead-ins to the direction rock was going before grunge/metal got more popular during the decade. I always feel like i'm talking out of nothing from writing these reviews but just listen to the first 3 songs and if you're not into it you'll know by then.
Ms. Dynamite
1/5
For a name like "Ms. Dynamite" and "A Little Deeper." I'd expect some TNT through a mountain, not firecrackers on playdoh.
That's too harsh. It's all fine but nothing about it stands out to me for an R&B record really.
Mott The Hoople
1/5
eh I like this type of music and even this is a little too generic for me.
Lorde
3/5
I used to be a music director at a college and remember receiving Lorde's "Love Club" EP and thinking it was not my thing but saw an appeal for the indie/pop cross over style and catchy songs. I never listened to this really but it's a solid pop record. I guess since I ignored it on initial release I didn't realize how much the current pop style feels like this. I don't know if it was capitalizing on those trends or creating them. The actual songs are nice enough. Feels like a bit Kate Bush, a bit Swift, but overall cool.
A Tribe Called Quest
4/5
This is the group I point to anytime someone asks who to listen to to get into hip hop. This music is just legitimately the definition of cool. The trippier/jazz rap beats by ali and these nice flows from q-tip, fife and jarobi. This is a wildly immediate/defined album for a group to have. Their most popular song and the first I've heard is on it as well as my favorite "I left my wallet in el segundo." Ham n Eggs is hilarious as it seems to just be them describing foods they like. The sampling is just great all around.
Grant Lee Buffalo
2/5
This feels like a band they'd play in High Fidelity.
The Waterboys
4/5
I thought I'd like this a lot less based off of name alone but this is a cool folk rock record. Reminds me of James but with more of a bluegrass/folk twang to it. Lots of good playing and there is an effortlessness to chemistry of the songs. This is like your favorite bar band that's played forever.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
I put this on par with their debut with a little more blues and attitude in the mix. Overall solid, a couple great stands outs (first two tracks, Ramble on as one of my fav zeppelin tracks). A couple great deep cuts (Bring it on home is a great closer, moby dick is cool). Just more of zeppelin growing and becoming the classic band we now know today.
Drive Like Jehu
4/5
This is one of those seminal albums that, while not on my favorites of hardcore/punk emo music, is still pretty awesome. Blistering is a word that I think a lot use with this kind of music which can be exhausting but definitely makes me miss my moshing days.
The White Stripes
5/5
I'm partial two their first two records the most but this is another perfect album from the band. Still sees them experimenting and putting out interesting but simple blues/garage rock fusions. Outside of the general single stand outs (fell in love, dead leaves, hotel yorba, and friends). I'd reccomend "I think I smell a rat", "Offend in every way", "Little room" "expecting", "I'm finding it harder to be a gentelman every day", "I can learn." as other white stripes staples.
Happy Mondays
1/5
Eh not bad but nothing hitting. Can't say i'll even revisit
Eagles
3/5
I will always have nostalgia for these guys since my dad loved them. He always played their greatest hits/hell freezes over. Otherwise, this is some nice/easy breezy soft rock with good singing.
The Velvet Underground
3/5
a cool band and a cool record.
Paul Simon
5/5
5 star for nostalgia alone as I'd call this a "Dad would always play this so I learned to love it" album. Some may call this a exploitation or a....thinking of the word...cultural appropriation of these African styles and sounds. However, to me, these are just beautiful pop songs from one of America's greatest songwriter's exploring the fullest sounds with amazing collaborations of south african musicans like Ladysmith Black Mumbazo to american contemporary's like linda ronstandht. "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes", "Homeless", "Call me Al" "Gumboots" "I Know What I Know" are all stand outs with 80's style production on the drums but beautiful African influenced style guitars. Such a weird combination with Simon's mousey/serene vocals but an instant classic.
Rush
4/5
Definitely got some hits. Technically amazing. In terms of actual songs/nerd appeal? Pretty good prog rock power trio.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
2/5
I prefer wildflowers but there are some good bops on this one. Fits great as a self titled as it seems to really encapsulate all of the band's styles well. I don't know if I love it as a whole album experience but a good introduction to the band.
Roni Size
3/5
This is not an album I'd ever expect to appear on this list. I knew nothing of the history going in but love some good drum n bass music/breakbeat footwerk style electronica and apparently this is one of the pioneering artists/album collaborations under "Jungle" which was the first wave of this style. Very cool jazzy style instrumentals. The bass being very prevalent for understandable reasons. There is a lot of variety. Bahamadia's feature is cool. She reminds me a bit of little simz with her rapping voice. There is a lot to digest on this album as the track lengths get long and, to a casual listener, it can slightly blur together. Regardless, pretty cool album.
Shivkumar Sharma
5/5
I'm a sucker for this. Reminds me of music from the game Civilization in terms of the worldliness but just generally very beautiful and hypnotizing kind of acoustic jams.
Steely Dan
5/5
I inherited this record from my mom so I do always associate it with a nice vinyl soud/classic 70's yacht rock vibe. It's short enough where all the tracks are good but my stand outs are black cow, deacon blues, peg, and josie. Good hypnagogic sound.
Screaming Trees
2/5
I really only knew mark lanegan from his work with QOTSA. This album is a lot more hopeful sounding/less dark than I expected based on that work as well. It fits with the aesthetic of 90's hard rock and his vocals are very good but nothing stands out besides a couple cool moments of guitar and nice choruses.
Black Sabbath
3/5
Changes and Snowblind are my personal highlights. Definitely has a lot of more slow/beautiful tracks and a great record
Garbage
2/5
Eh it's fine I guess.
Johnny Cash
5/5
Iconic country album. I feel like the song choices don’t contain as many of the direct hits he has besides Folsom prison blues, there are some great songs and the energy actually does come through from the prisoners on an interesting way. Grey stone chapel is my favorite Johnny cash song due to this
The Monks
3/5
You can't stream this anywhere so that makes it default kind of cool. An interesting album to have come out in the era it came out in for sure. Definitely feels almost proto punk to some level. Definitely a lot more fast/lose with the tones/style then some of the generic 60's rock that gets played (or even suggested on this very website).
Dion
2/5
His voice is good. Very dad rock and nothing interesting about the instrumentation but the songs/voice are good I guess.
The Smiths
3/5
The smiths are always a nice listen. I'll admit I'm not the most active listener when I listen to them and this album doesn't seem to have as many tracks that hit as the queen is dead or louder than bombs. I still like stop me if you've heard this one and death of a disco dancer for sure though and they don't write bad music generally.
Cypress Hill
3/5
This site is honestly not my favorite in terms of its rap suggestions but this one is great. Definitely seems to be in the vein of their contemporaries in N.W.A. and Public Enemy but their production isn't as aggressive and closer to a group like Tribe called Quest. Even the fun energy of the Pharcyde. I also here in one of the M.C.'s a bit of Danny Brown and it may be the tone or just me believing things. All this being said, an enjoyable rap album even though it's not their most popular/lauded.
Weather Report
4/5
Reminds me of mahavishnu in terms of jazz fusion styles but more of steely dan/later stevie wonder in terms of overall vibe. This album as a musician is technically impressive but not as unapproachable as I'd expect with a band of this caliber of chops. Lots of yacht rock/city rock influence while still being very progressive. It feels like it can both be background music or you can pick apart the songs which makes it nice.
Jerry Lee Lewis
3/5
Lots of good energy. Some good old fashioned rollrock
Beastie Boys
3/5
If you know the Beastie Boys, this record is their sound very amped up. Lots of scratches, yelping and classic rock sampled guitars all chopped and screwed up. There are some funny lines and generally good beats and some of their most classic songs.(Sabotage, Brass Monkey, and one of my favorites, No Sleep Til Brooklyn). Paul Revere's beat is okay but doesn't hit with me and Girls has not aged very well. otherwise I like the new style and time to get Ill as a closer.
Iggy Pop
3/5
I didn't think I'd like this but it is kind of a grimy version of David Bowie with some more punk swagger (which makes sense since this is Iggy of Stooges fame). Night Clubbing and Baby are very drunk/weird guitar experiments. China Girl and Dum Dum Boys are just generally good rock songs.
Prince
4/5
I mean, it's Prince, it's going to be good.
David Bowie
3/5
I only knew this album cause of the very iconic lighting bolt face album cover. There are some great tracks on here though. Panic in Detroit's cool jungle beat., Watch that Man's solid/catchy chorus. Cracked Actor has a nice bluesy beat to it. The title track has an unhinged piano solo. Time is definitely one of the best David Bowie songs I think. Lady Grinning Soul is also maybe one of his most beautifully composed/produced songs. A solid addition to his catalog even if the back half didn't stick out as much to me.
Death In Vegas
3/5
Feels like Massive attack mixed with a bit of the prodigy/the matrix soundtrack. A good blend of that 90's trip hop/big beat and dark/grimy electronics but blended with more shoegaze/beautiful style instrumentals.
The B-52's
3/5
Definitely a unique sound to come out the gate with. As an album experience, there are enough interesting rockabilly guitars, weird underwater synth effects and just a general nonsensical vibe to carry this as a unique new wave record. Rock lobster is great. Planet Claire grows on you. 6060-842 and Lava are also worth a listen. 52 girls is maybe the most straightforward song but is just a good catchy rock single. I can see this rubbing you the wrong way depending on your mood but a good record.
Linkin Park
5/5
The first album ever gifted to me (minus the baha men but I'm not sure if that counts). Super moody and one of the pinnacles of the rap rock/numetal genres. RIP chester as so many great formative songs came on this one. It is a little intense and not the easiest listening but for one step closer and in the end alone it gets a nostalgia 4 stars.
Kendrick Lamar
4/5
I used to be (and probably still am) a little bit pretentious. I was not dissapointed by this album when it first came out but, similar to frank ocean's blonde on first listen, it did not hit as immediately. This album is definitely a dense, funky artistic statement from one of the current best rappers in the game. I may be partial to good kid, maad city and may not love all the beats on this one as much, but the more you actively listen to it, the more it becomes impossible to deny the pure artistry coming out of this album. Great features, crazy concept and enough good singles coming out of it to appreciate it.
The Smiths
3/5
The more I listen to the Smiths the less interested I become in them. It's not that this record itself is even bad but their style definitely seems to tire on my ears. It definitely is a product of their jangle rock influence on all of indie rock music. I think it's just what you hear first (in my case, the queen is dead, then louder than bombs, then strangeways, here we come, then hateful hollow and now this. There are still some great jams on it but I think because of me hearing it this late it is just default not as interesting as the other records.
Norah Jones
2/5
I definitely get why, in Nathan for You, they made dumb starbucks have a CD of "Dumb Norah Jones Duets." Her voice is good and the songwriting is not bad by any means but this is what I think of when I think of coffeeshop jazz for sure.
Louis Prima
3/5
Good energy/good voice. Not my favorite in this style but solid overall. Good swing. Good standards. Very jazz.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
3/5
Sucker for world music and choir music. I loved their work on the "Graceland" album which is where I first heard of this group. I don't know if the songs themselves really hit too much but the vibe of this record I can have on really anytime. Except maybe if I was really depressed then I'd get annoyed/feel self conscious for some reason.
R.E.M.
2/5
I like some R.E.M. songs but this is a gonna be a no from me dog. Radio Free Europe is a good track and nothing is bad about it outright in production or playing but the songs themselves are pretty boring. Maybe it's because I was exposed to their greatest hits right off the back so I know they get better? Or maybe because Automatic for the People is IMO their best record and I heard that way earlier. This just isn't as risky or with any songs that hit as hard.
Run-D.M.C.
3/5
Older/original hip hop groups do get tagged with sometime corny lyrics or just generally older styles/sample technology and I would generally associated this with Run-D.M.C. just because I only knew their Walk This Way cover. That being said, this album has a lot more interesting production/sampling choices than I expected. It definitely still feels like an 80's hip hop album but now I feel like Beastie Boys almost ripped these guys off to some level. There is such a focus on the actual rapping/beats more than melody/a catchy hook that this feels more like an oddity than I anticipated.
Muddy Waters
3/5
Definitely a legendary blues artist. This stuff always sounds great on live records. I don't know if I'll ever find a blues record as a whole that I can listen to front to back without ever getting bored but it is good music overall. A nice dive bar or the south come to immediate mind with this.
Rocket From The Crypt
3/5
I'm surprised at how much cool pop punk is on these lists. This sounds so far like a more accesible drive like jehu record. There are some ska influences on born in 69. Some INXS vibes in the immediacy/production. I can even hear some vibes like the Hives in this. The first three tracks are great. Sometimes it gets a little much but otherwise a 3.5 from me overall.
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
3/5
Fun world record. Reminds me of paddington
Amy Winehouse
4/5
On voice alone this is a great record. Some solid arrangements too.
Beatles
4/5
I had a huge Beatles phase and this was right before their massive artistic turn with sgt peppers. Some of the best Beatles tracks (Norwegian wood, Michelle, in my life, nowhere man) show up on this record. Drive my car is fun. I’m looking through you is a sleeper bop. It’s interesting how it’s so acoustic focused but I remember reading a review that the cover is a good representation. Their basking in nature which is repped with the natural instrumentation but they are also a little warped looking. It’s like the final hurrah of their earlier/mid years before they really cemented their legendary status.
Duran Duran
1/5
Meh. Hungry like the Wolf is good but weirdly a new wave album I didn't care for.
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
3/5
Some woody guthrie shit. Pretty good.
Baaba Maal
1/5
Probably the first world album this site has suggested that didn't stick with me. The voice is a little grating to me after awhile. Instrumentation/production is generally good and his voice isn't bad I just think it's not for me. Just doesn't connect .
Wilco
5/5
Good album. One of my first exposures to acclaimed indie records. Ashes of American Flags, Heavy Metal Drummer, Pot Kettle Black, I am Trying to Break Your Heart, Kamera. All great indie folk rock jams.
Ministry
3/5
Pretty cool metal album. Very thrashy. It feels like a slighlty darker/more experimental metallica.
Queen
3/5
Pretty solid. Very theatrical and mostly deep cut album but really does showcase what a powerhouse talent this group was. This also feels fairly experimental between father and son, ogre battle, White Queen etc. There are still some great power guitars and epic harmonies/drum rolls that do define this band. Too much has already been said about Freddie but that voice really is unmistakable. I never thought of them as an album band more of a greatest hits band but pretty solid listening if you're into classic rock and a pillar band in the genre.
The Style Council
2/5
I feel like this is jazzy bland of talking heads, tears for fears and weird new wave stuff. Not my favorite.
Frank Ocean
4/5
I thought this was a solid debut when it came out during my time at the radio station/beginning of college/end of high school. He's got a great voice and this was a very extravagant album. Fertilizer, Pyramids, Forrest Gump, Thinkin 'Bout You, Crack rock, Super Rich Kids, Sweet Life and Bad Religion are my standouts. The album may be a little long and every song isn't for me but even if the whole album tires on me the songs that hit are too instant to ignore.
Cream
2/5
Maybe it's because I didn't hear it upon it's initial release but this is fairly lackluster feelings for 60's psychedelic blues. Sunshine of your love is iconic but the rest is just fine.
Missy Elliott
3/5
I don't think I'd choose to ever listen to this but not in a bad way. Not my style but she's got a cool voice and the R&B/Rap style productions/song switch ups are pretty cool. I know her hits and definitely like a few but this is a crazy massive album which is impressive enough on it's own and it's her first.
The Go-Go's
1/5
Eh. Even we got the beat isn't a song I really like. Vacation is a good one but it's not on this album. The lead singer actually reminds of Carrie Brownstein from Sleater-Kinney. I know this is a subjective review as there is nothing on face value wrong with the band but the songs are just kind of boring to me. I'm sure they're a fun show/good band but not my favorite new wave band.
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
3/5
This is definitely an album. Anti music? Definitely unique...I don't ever listen to it though. I appreciate it's creativity and what it's trying to do but it reminds me a bit of ecce homo. The genius is in how terrible it is and it makes an impact but you I never would put this on out of any emotion. I only rate it low because of that reason not because I don't appreciate what it's accomplishing.
System Of A Down
4/5
Not their best album but in some ways their hardest. Suggestions, Spiders, War? and Suite-Pee are all stunners. The breakdowns are brutal, the singing is unparalelled. They would only rise from here.
The Dandy Warhols
2/5
I've heard of this band for so long it's interesting finally trying them out. I know they're indie staples. And after listening I wasn't a huge fan. A bit of shoegaze alt rock.
Depeche Mode
3/5
cool
Sister Sledge
3/5
awwww freak out.
Suicide
4/5
I think M.I.A. sampled this song in "Born Free." Regardless, this is a crazy album. I don't know if it's really something you can listen to at a party or anything unless it's a really cool indie night club. Reminds me of dirty beaches.
ZZ Top
3/5
pretty fun blues rock album. Not my favorite genre but they're pretty good.
Hugh Masekela
3/5
very cool jazz trumpet player. I would say standard/solid mix of bold trumpet/brass focus with some smooth balladry once in awhile.
Leftfield
3/5
Definitely feels like some 90's club music. The songs are alright and are actually a little trippy/have some good general beats and hooks but they're a little long. Overall a nice electronic record but the only thing that's missing for me is something that distinguishes this album/group overall. Daft punk had the robotic disco future style, Chemical Brothers had more big beat/acid tecno influences, Aphex twin had the beautiful ambient/IDM mixes. nothing about this (to me) feels as distinct as the other groups.
R.E.M.
1/5
Nothing offensive about this. R.E.M. has always been a "greatest hits" band for me generally speaking. Maybe it was groundbreaking or very innovative in indie rock for it's time and michale stipe is a very iconic voice in both lyrics and general tone but nothing outside of Orange Crush really hits for me.
Judas Priest
4/5
Pretty classic/badass feeling overall. Some good ballads/anthems and just solid riffs/grooves. Understandable why these guys are considered some of the best of the best in heavy metal. Breaking the law is great but The Rage, Rapid Fire, Metal Gods and You Don't Have to be Old to be Wise are my standouts
Air
3/5
Never saw this film (but definitely seems worth it since it's Sofia Coppola) but interesting/the first film soundtrack / score to be featured on this list for me which is interesting. I first heard high school lover at a 1975 concert preshow which was quite beautiful. It's a good blend of mellow electronics, pretty pianos/electric sounding guitars. Very easy to listen to. I feel like there is some Bowie influence on aesthetic but soundwise just have a nice dreamy aesthetic. Definitely a cool vibe style album regardless of it's impact to the film.
Billy Joel
5/5
Definitely a classic/the only Billy Joel album I know straight through. Theatrical and moving and has all types of great emotions/stories throughout. This is the best kind of schmaltzy piano (next to the Biggest jams are "Movin' Out", "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant", "Only the Good Die Young", "Vienna" and "Just the Way You Are."
Isaac Hayes
5/5
I think I gave this record on vinyl to a buddy of mine at the radio station I worked at. Huge mistake as this is definitely a classic. Pretty cool sounding soul record. Pretty experimental feeling too having such long songs but the arrangements of a full band plus some orchestral elements really add to the vibe. If you pay attention you can appreciate all the details or you can just let it play for the general vibe and it's good both in an hypnotic trancey state or a mood enhancer. One woman being a beautiful love song. Walk on by being a killer opener. The second song which I can't remember the full name feeling inspiring to that outkast album but being a jaunty piano track. A crazy "by the time I get to phoenix" cover. This album is the definition of not feeling cool enough to listen to it.
Jungle Brothers
3/5
Hard to not compare to tribe called quest / the pharcyde / de la soul (unknown who was first and not looking it up) yet this record still has some great beats/ideas. Beyond this world has a really trippy part on the first chorus and good newz comin has a great guitar/beat breakdown at the end. Part of my issue is that there are some great moments on a lot of the songs but the songs themselves don't hold up during their whole runtime. The record scratches and some of the line delivery can also date the record a bit. I'd say I prefer tracks/records from all the groups previously listed but this genre is just to overall listenable to me to not enjoy the grooves regardless of what you think of lyrical content.
Pink Floyd
5/5
This is probably their best album outside of DSOTM. It may even be better once you've become a fan of the ban and understand that it was written based on some of the turmoil the band felt with Syd Barret leaving. It is also a perfect middle between Animals and DSTOM in terms of their more experimental prog roots and their acclaimed single fame (this album having at least one single with "Wish You Were Here" over Animals having none IMO). The wild group choruses, saxophone and tension all throughout "Shine on you Crazy Diamond." The darker/grittier tones of "Welcome to the Machine." The excellent chorus end on "Have a Cigar." The beauty/sorrow of "Wish You Were Here." And ending with the final parts of the opening song (with equal length) is a good capstone.
Bebel Gilberto
4/5
Really enjoy the chill vibes of the first track (which samples a Amon Tobin song "nova"). A really good overall blend of modern instrumentation and electronics/at times soft rock/city pop styles with this beautiful traditional bossa nova/salsa/samba (which I need to learn the differences between). Great to have in the background for some general good mood but she's got a great voice and the tracks have the spirit/detail to keep it interesting for a full album.
The White Stripes
4/5
Maybe my least favorite of the white stripes albums but it has a couple of their classics on it (my doorbell, blue orchid, little ghost and white moon). I will say, I have a distinct memory of dj-ing once and playing “instinct blues” and, at the end with the incessant repeating of one note and crash symbols I changes the rq to emphasize the low vibrations and slowed it down and then played “the end” by the doors and it sounded like that scene from apocalypse now with the chopper blades.
Can
5/5
Very trippy/trancey. Reminds me a bit of that more modern/electronic Tanto Tempo record this site just reccommended. Crazy that it came out in the 70s it feels super ahead of it's time for that reason. Bands like Animal Collective definitely seem to carry this style of torch with the really trippy jams. With the technology they're working with at the time I can't imagine how crazy this must've been to record/just how generally wild it sounds. 5 stars for being super unique sounding still to this day. Future Days really is an apt title.
The Rolling Stones
1/5
It may be because I know how good this band becomes, or because there are other bands in this style I prefer, but this feels pretty lackluster to me. It's fine for some classic sounding 60's influenced blues rock but this doesn't show any of the personality this band would generate in years to come.
Queen
4/5
Got an excellent opening track with Brighton Rock. This truthfully may be one of the most "rockin" of the Queen albums with so much riffing, great cymbal crash mutes and general virtuosity in the playing. You still get the dramatic/theatrical with "now I'm here" and, maybe Queen's best song (sorry Bohemian Rhapsody) "Killer Queen." But also what the eff is "tenement funster" where Freddie isn't singing?? I'm into "Lap of the gods" and "bring back that leroy brown" as deeper cuts. Solid overall queen record.
The Offspring
3/5
I kind of hate how much I like this. Not because it's bad but mostly because it's not doing anything completely new/exciting. It just is really catchy and probably hits my nostalgia for skateboard videogame soundtracks. It's not close to the greatest punk has to offer but it's worth a listen for some stand out singles (come out and play, self esteem, what happened to you?, nitro (youth energy) and Gotta get away as the stand out tracks to me)
Dizzee Rascal
3/5
STREET FIGHTER DIZZEE RASCAL YEAH.
It's weird that I've been getting a lot of patterns with this site lately of albums I've just recently been listening too. I listened to street fighter first which is so punchy and fun with the 16 bit sample. The album as a whole is quite a bit darker but not in a bad way. I hear a lot of igloosghost style instumentation and i'm sure this was influential to the scene as a whole. Fix up, look sharp is a such a hype song. Brand New Day and Sittin' Here have some great hooks/flows. Jezebel is an interesting string plucked focused instrumental but fits with this louder dark beat. My only issue with this album is that it's a little bloated. A lot of tracks and some feel more filler while the killer songs are killer.
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
Okay this is fucked up I just started listening to this album randomly today. The hits are hits for obvious reasons (cross town traffic, voodoo child (slight return) and all along the watch tower. The deep cuts feel deeper/less immediate than “are you experienced?” or “axis: bold as love” but they have more character to some extent. Upon relistening, the voodoo could 15 minute jam, Gypsy’s eyes, rainy day, dream away, burning of the midnight lamp and house burning down just show that he was getting more expressive and experimental with his guitar techniques and tones and really hypnotize you after awhile. Its sad that we were robbed of this voice so early as this album is proof he was only hitting his creative stride.
Television
4/5
Straight up solid punk record. I feel like we wouldn't have had the Strokes without these guys. Not saying that the Strokes ripped them off either just more of a really cool garage sounding kind of post punk kind of new wave sounding rock band. Great grooves. I lose a little steam towards the end of the record but not because any of the playing or songwriting is bad. More so because I'm too ADD and want lots of crazy arrangements in my songs more recently. Definite recc.
Billy Bragg
3/5
A nice, albeit pretty long (maybe i'm listening to the deluxe version?), album from a british folk singer. He sounds like Fred Armisen's Ian Rubbish character but there's good blends of rock, folk, and singer songwriter vibes all over the record. While there are so many tracks, they all tend to be short and the instrumentation is subtle but usually powerful.
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
Probably my favorite Hendrix record. I used to have it on vinyl but gave it up. Wait until tomorrow has one of my favorite grooves of any hendrix record. Castles made of sand and if six was nine are so trippy. Spanish castle magic rocks hard. Little Wing and Bold As Love may be his two best songs and they practically bookend the record. There is not bad hendrix records but this feels like the perfect combination of flashy playing, psychedelic tones and great songwriting.
Nine Inch Nails
5/5
crushing, dark, sick. definite must listen. I'd say the first five tracks are all incredible blends of accessible but still authentic industrial music. After that, not every track hits as hard. I enjoy the two ambient tracks (a warm place and the downward spiral) along with "big man with a gun" and the closer "Hurt" is a perfect song. I know everyone goes off on the johnny cash version but I prefer this one. I think each time i revisit and get more exposed I'm able to get through the back half easier as its not that the songs are bad (I like ruiner, eraser, reptile etc) but this genre/album is just a lot to take in for both its volume levels, sound palettes and subject matter. Definite a worthwhile listen but just prepare your ears.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
3/5
This band confuses me. Did they some of the same music both under their CSNY name and CSN and Neil Young separately when they split? Which was first? Do I even care? The answer is not really. The music is good though. Helpless is a definite Neil Young stand out. Teach the Children is great. Almost Cut my Hair, Woodstock and Carry On have way harder rock vibes than I usually associate with these names. The harmonies are beautiful, the music is well made. Not close to my favorite album or musicians but undeniably good music to listen to.
Scott Walker
4/5
This opens with a bang on the song "Jackie." I'll always love the lyrics 'in a stupid ass way." Particularly without how much of the opening song sounds fitting for a western. Best of both worlds also is a very dramatic but uplifting sounding song. This seems if Sinatra was less jazzy and a little bit more baroque pop to me in a good way. Black sheep boy is a more straightforward singer songwriter acoustic tune. This really is an orchestral, beautifully sung and performed record. I know he got very experimental towards the end of his career but this just is a classy album.
Flamin' Groovies
2/5
not bad but not for me. I'd rather listen to zz top
Stevie Wonder
3/5
This feels like the true stevie wonder deep cuts album. I'm not sure how many of these were radio hits but none tend to appear in the greatest hits comps I've listened to of Stevie's. That being said, it's got that beautiful Jazz, Pop and R&B blend that you'd expect from him. Smile Again and 10 zillion are great. Too shy to say is a great love song. Boogie on a reggae woman is a nice uptempo fusion of reggae and funk. I think it does taper off in the second half once. "You Haven't Done Nothing" is amazing. "Creepin" comes around but enjoy Bird of Beauty and the closer "Please Don't Go."
Run-D.M.C.
2/5
I can see why this duo is influential in hip hop and how unique it must've sounded in the 80's but for the annoying mouth noises in "Hit it Run" and the walk this way remix I can't get into, meh.
Portishead
5/5
An eerie but beautiful experience. Unsure if this was one of the first trip hop albums (next to massive attack, dj shadow and aspects of bjork etc). It never gets lost in walls of sound but lets the space of the instruments and focused grooves carry Beth Gibbons voice to transcendental heights. It really does at times sound like someone going through a bunch of old jazz, soul and classical records and revamping them for modern times. I also feel like without this band we wouldn't have acts like Burial or Actress. Favorite tracks are Roads, Glory Box, Mysterons, Wandering Star, Biscuit and Pedestal.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
4/5
they really seemed to lean into the rock over funk aspects of their songs on this one but some of their best tracks are on here. This band has tended to be a "Greatest Hits" band for me usually. They're sound is undeniably iconic and their best songs, on this album especially (scar tissue, californication, parallel universe and otherside) all have great staying power. However, at times the riffing/funkiness/vocals can be grating. That being said, the deeper cuts (around the world, i like dirt, porcelain) were cooler than I expected. Emit Remmus, Get on Top and Road Trippin are tracks that I didn't think work very well for me. Definitely worth a listen regardless and maybe my favorite full album experience from them.
Goldfrapp
4/5
I remember this name from the radio days but never really listened to them. Clowns is a really beautiful acoustic guitar tracked backed by these beautiful strings and what seems to be bird song towards the end. I feel like the band "Jockstrap" must be heavily influenced by this duo (being of similar makeup and aesthetic blending of the acoustic/organic with the electronic). "Little Bird" takes a much trippier approach. Happiness and Road to Somewhere are quite beautiful additions. Maybe it's due to just listening to portishead, but this feels like the flip side of the same coin. Trippy, electronic and organic instrumentations, but a little brighter. I can go on about Cologne Cerrone Houdini's great beat and beautiful strings or Eat Yourself's haunting vocals or caravan girls explosive ending synth arpeggios but just go and listen. This album's content is weirdly not in the list of their most popular songs except "A&E" which makes sense to me just being so vibrant and deeply emotional feeling. It's been a long time since I've immediately felt an album this way so 5 stars for that alone. Signing up for this website was worth it for an experience like this alone.
The Jesus And Mary Chain
3/5
A staple shoegaze band although this record feels a lot closer to post punk stuff of the 80's. I suppose this was right before the 90's shoegaze explosion to it may be considered a stepping stone record. Overall not a bad listen. I'd recc the first four tracks, April Skies and On the Wall for listening.
Rufus Wainwright
4/5
a really cool orchestral and jazzy style singer songwriter album. I really enjoy his voice and am surprised that it seems his covers seem to be more popular than his original material. Very emotional and varied in instrumentation and the vocals tend to soar above. Really many of the songs make me feel like flying.
Nas
5/5
Maybe one of the best albums to introduce someone to hip hop. Some of coolest production in terms of smooth bass lines. trippy and jazzy samples of pianos, horns, strings etc and just good beats. You can tell Qtip from tribe had his hand in the production. This will make you want to walk around in NYC. I weirdly went to the building where he lived when he recorded this with my taxi driver and we ate dinner and watched two ladies fight in the street. It is forever cemented in my mind with that experience as maybe the most quintessential hip hop and new york album. The lyrics are equal parts braggadocious and introspective. Clever rapping. Just listen to it.
Brian Eno
2/5
I may just associate Brian Eno with more instrumentals/collabs at this point but this album didn't do much for me. Felt more of a mix of the Roxy Music era and, while some tracks (here he comes, through hollow lands, by this river and spirder and I) have beautiful tunes/instrumentation, I found the album overall as a lot of random ideas that didn't gel together too much. Very odd as "Another Green World" is fairly similar but each core song on that record hit better for me. I'd say for the back half it is worth a listen for the fans but otherwise nothing really stands out compared to the other albums from Brian on this list.
Arrested Development
3/5
There are some decent tracks but the record is long and is just part of that tribe/de la soul camp. Some cool samples/beats but this does not warrant as many tracks as it has in my mind. That being said lyrics always take awhile for me to digest regardless of genre and hip hop being a lyric heavy genre may show my own bias in not taking in the big picture of this one. Another record where the back half (from U to Washed Away) are all immediate tracks just based on samples and hooks. I'd say if it was less bloated it'd be higher rated.
Bob Dylan
5/5
the first bob dylan record I ever got into. Im getting Deja vu writing about this for some reason but love the grandiose instrumentation. For him going "electric" on this record it still has so much personality of his own that it transcends just a straight up dylan goes blues rock record. His lyricism and style still shines through. Like a rolling stone may be his best song. Ballad of a thin man may be my favorite of all time.
Willie Nelson
5/5
It starts off as a really stripped back/straight forward country album. Just a man and his guitar. They add some backing players throughout and eventually the songs get a little fuller. However, none of it is done poorly. The songwriting/singing feels just what you'd expect of a name as legendary as Willie Nelson. His voice is unmistakable. Having only listened to "Stardust" where he was so well defined, it's interesting seeing such a humble beginning.
Wire
5/5
Super fun punk album. Straightforward and catchy. It feels like this band epitomizes the phrase "bring it back to basics" and just writes good songs.
Marianne Faithfull
1/5
Nothing about the production or songwriting is too bad but the singer's voice is not for me at all. Pretty weird mix of 80's synthpop and a bit of 70's singer songwriter. Not for me
Radiohead
5/5
I know it’s not Radiohead at their most artsy but this is just a perfect alternative rock record. Just showcases their great sensibility for songwriting and musicianship. High and dry and fake plastic trees are beautiful. Nice dream and street spirit fade out are haunting. The bends, planet telex, my iron lung and black star rock so hard. Give it a listen
Radiohead
5/5
Man back to back Radiohead? Another classic and true revolution for the band. Their video game museum for this and amnesiac is worth trying out. This is cinematic, varied and so much weirder than a lot of their other records.
Prince
5/5
A certified classic. The movie is bizarre but the songs are all non stop bangers front to back. With maybe the best song being the title track an undeniably rock anthem. Sexy, energetic and a complete beautiful vision of a rocker who was a one of a kind.
The xx
5/5
Very chill. The definition of chill. Cool minimalist indie rock sleepiness but in a relaxed way. I'm on ambien just writing this album. Intro, Crystalized and VCR are the classics. Islands, Stars, Basic Space and Heart Skipped a beat are also worth a listen.
3/5
Not on streaming? Automatic 1 star.
Just kidding. This band is cool but I've never heard this album until now while being semi familiar with \"English Settlement\" and \"Skylarking\" and there's a lot of cool world influenced rock/pop stuff on here. I'm not even sure how you'd describe it. Reminds me of Brian Eno's stuff a lot in terms of the production choices and the general vibe but if he tried making Graceland maybe since there is so much world influence vibes on here? Immaculate in production for sure and really all over the place with the instruments. Really unique.
The Residents
2/5
If someone told me this was their favorite record, I would back away very slowly. Really interesting ideas and definitely unique but very creepy. I respect it the same way as trout mask replica where I haven't heard anything like this but I'd use it to clear out a party.
Hot Chip
4/5
Surprised this is on here but actually my first and favorite hot chip record! Night and day bangs. Flutes and ends of the earth are super cool. How do you do and motion sickness AND don’t deny your heart are all awesome. Great vocals. Cool blends of electronics with other organic instruments. Great record.
Funkadelic
5/5
Very enjoyable album. The guitar goes wild. The grooves are very fun. I particularly like "Can you get to that" into "hit it and quit it." "Super stupid" just goes insanely hard on guitar. "Back in our minds" kind of grated my ears with the weird, i don't even know the instrument were they hitting glass or something? But it gets so catchy that you just kind of lean into it. This is just a generally fun vibe kind of album that doesn't skip on muscianship or songwriting. I really wish I could've seen these guys in their heyday it seems like a good time.
Miles Davis
5/5
For this album only being two very lengthy and ever changing tracks, it is really easy to listen to. It definitely feels like a showcase for the treble players over the rhtythm section as I don't hear as many beat switches or insane chord change ups a lot of the time. The central grooves are very dreamy. Particularly the guitar, keys and horn ending is perfect. One of my favorite "album" experiences where you can't just listen to parts of a track or skip around it really needs to be front to back one sitting. No lyrics either showing that instrumenals can say a lot "in a silent way" lolololollolololololool done.
Emmylou Harris
3/5
I think she probably has more classic albums but this also reminds me of that one random late james taylor album that has "copper line" on it where a classic musician just works with more modern production techniques/modern sounds to decent effect. The Pearl has this epic/primal beat that fit with her voice / country sound even if the intro took me off guard. Michelangelo is pretty. I actually hear a lot of what the modern band "big theif" and frontwoman Adrienne Lenker is doing in their music with Emmylou's vibe on this album. May be similar voices as well. One of the most easy listening experiences as in pretty good/better than expected. Also reminds me a bit of Low. Overall a good listen. Bang the drum slowly, tragedy and
King Crimson
5/5
Super classic. I talk with the wind, 21st century schizoid man are iconic. Maybe the weirdest prog band to get popularity/acclaim but it's all for good reason. The closer is epic. I get a little lost in the grandeur, solos and fills, chord changes but in an immersive way. Equal parts catchy and weird. Most violently beautiful album cover ever.
Fats Domino
4/5
Get on your jukebox and boogie woogie oogie babyyyy. This is legit the 1950's back to the future part of the film soundtrack and I'm here for it. Good playing/great voice.
Ice Cube
2/5
Decent production and Ice Cube is a legend but this starts getting a little repetitive for me after awhile. Could be the style, could be that i'm tuning out the lyrics too much in the middle of work.
The Youngbloods
3/5
I liked this more than I expected. Thought it was going to be completely generic 60's rock but some interesting folk tendencies and good playing over the whole thing.
Calexico
3/5
cool southwestern influenced rock album. Good indie aesthetic like wilco, DevotchKa and arcade fire with the grand instrumentation but distinctly in the flavor of a band like the Eagles or Love.
Quicksilver Messenger Service
2/5
This is definitely a 60's rock record.
John Cale
2/5
Eh it's fine. The la la la la la song is awesome.
Michael Jackson
5/5
definitely a classic. Weird pop culture icon but lots of great bangers on here. Wanna be Startin' Somethin' immediately hooks you. Beat It, Billie Jean and Thriller are all too iconic and pervasive in culture to ignore. Human Nature and P.Y.T. are great deeper cuts. I prefer off the wall as an album but this album is pretty undeniable.
Genesis
3/5
Very pretty prog album. In the vein of the best of them (King Crimson, Yes and Pink Floyd). This is a behemoth of a record though. Hard to digest it all but definitely impressive/well produced bare minimum (the first 4/5 tracks, the waiting room, all really impressive). Counting Out Time has a really annoying....something synth line in the middle. This album is overall good but it drags a little. The instrumentation tends to be beautiful at times but other times grating. The lyrics can be a little overly ridiculous. Curse errogenous zones? It is definitely an ambitious epic bar none.
Michael Jackson
5/5
Hmmm weird that this came up just after thriller. Solid record though! My personal favorite Michael Jackson probably because it leans more disco than pop. I don't think I'll ever "love" Michael Jackson the same as his major fan bases but he's undeniably talented and mixing him with Quincy Jone's Production/Instumentation is undeniably incredible.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
2/5
Nothing against Elvis Costello as a person. The songs are fine but I've just never been able to get into anything outside the greatest hits. 2 stars for the closing track alone which is a certified classic.
Charles Mingus
5/5
Classic
Nirvana
5/5
Definitely a classic. I'm not the biggest on live albums but this one proved Nirvana was more than just noise. The songwriting/singing really translates to a more chill/acoustic sounding vibe. Plus playing with the meat puppets is awesome and ending on a where did you sleep last night cover is awesome.
Klaxons
1/5
Something about this just doesn't click. It has elements of a poppy indie band but the sound just doesn't click. Some TV on the Radio, Some arctic monkeys, but none of it works for me.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
2/5
Maps is a classic and after seeing this band live they definitely have a good energy. The album just doesn't hit with me much. reminds me of a bit of the white stripes in terms of just general lo fi energy. Maps and Y Control are bangers though.
Little Simz
5/5
Really good rap record. First I had heard of Little Simz but one of my favorites. Offence is good. Selfish is great. There's a great line about how reading the Alchemist some times don't amount to shit which is funny/true. She's got a cool voice and great production.
Elliott Smith
4/5
Lots of classic tracks on this one. Feels like a good balance of his beautiful folk guitars with more rhythm/arrangements. I prefer his self title but this one has a lot of great tracks too. Say Yes is great, ballad of big nothing, rose parade, between the bars. As pretty as it is devastating.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
3/5
A little plodding but has a fairly distinct sound for a debut. Lots of good jams in the middle. Mixing rock, funk, psychedelics, 90's buzz ballads. Definitely listen to the singles. They get better as they go along.
Amy Winehouse
4/5
Definitely a nice record. I probably rate her other one "Frank" too high just based on how good her voice was cause there are better / more memorable songs on this one and she's singing just as good.
Isaac Hayes
3/5
Isaac Hayes is cool and the music isn't bad but I think I'd get more out of this if I had actually seen Shaft.
Derek & The Dominos
2/5
A little long but I had way more fun with this than I thought I would. Feels like Clapton flexing his blues roots a lot more. Don't know if i love it as an "album" experience but there are some good cuts on here besides Layla which is the standout track.
Ramones
3/5
Very straightforward and fun punk music. The definition of "Play it fast, play it loud."
Soul II Soul
2/5
This doesn't go as hard as "club classics" by Charli XCX off her new record. It's not bad to listen to but it's pretty bland feeling. Maybe it really is "classics" because they were foundational to the creation of club music but I'd have to do more research cause to me, it's just a lot of standard beats and forgettable melodies on them.
Actually Back to Life is pretty awesome. I feel like that is referenced in some song. Which is weird cause this song is referencing Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" it seems. Everything sampling
Queen
3/5
Pretty good classic rock staple. Don't love it as a whole album but some of the bands best songs and some of the best songs of the decade by any band are on this one. Bohemian Rhapsody, You're My Best Friend are awesome. Love of my life is beautiful. Seaside Rendezvous and Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon are nice little honky tonk piano jaunts.
Leonard Cohen
5/5
The opening track is definitely my favorite leonard cohen song. There’s something hypnotic about the way he finger picks and his lower croon. Bob Dylan esque but his own folk style. Lots of great choir, string work, some extra guitars from time to time. Good record.
ABBA
4/5
Fun Disco/Pop record. ABBA gets a little polarizing and I don't love every idea on the record but the hits are undeniable.
Dexys Midnight Runners
2/5
I can't focus enough to listen to this which I guess is a review in of itself?
LL Cool J
3/5
the title track is sweet. some cool R&B influenced jams on it. Only complaint is that it's way too long.
Marvin Gaye
5/5
Definite classic. I know there's a lot of cool music theory about how the songs perfectly meld into each other but just in terms of style, muscianship and lyrics, Marvin's bringing it all here. One of the quintessential R&B albums of all time. Thanks mom for saving the Vinyl
Pretenders
2/5
I'm pretending to like this. JK it's fine but just not for me.
New Order
3/5
maybe the weakest of the new order albums but they're a great band so it's still good. I just always think of this band as more of a singles band anyway. Has their signature blend of post punk rhythms with synth pop/jangle pop instrumentation.
Hookworms
3/5
I actually remember listening to "The Hum" when they sent it in college and enjoying it so am surprised this band is making an appearance on this list. Particularly with such a recent album. That being said, it's pretty solid. Cool use of electronics in a new wave(New Order) on the start of Negative Space. Gets a little more psychedelic/garage-y over time. "Each Time We Pass" and "Soft Season" are really pretty excursions but otherwise there seems to be a formula of a fairly midtempo/driving beat and a jam/hook the band will play on until they get all their ideas out. Not in a bad way by any means but some experiments work better than others. This will make me upset if this list doesn't have a Ty Segall or Thee Oh Sees record as this band feels like a decent band within the genre but not as groundbreaking. Good record otherwise.
Adele
3/5
Hello, it's me, writing a review. Adele is such a solid singer. I remember walking around griffith park one day and thought someone was blasting Adele on the loudspeaker but she was actualy doing a soundcheck for her PBS special live. Her voice was so good I thought it was a professional recording. Now the stories over and onto this record. I think it's pretty good. I'll always be nostalgic for 21 since that's the one I remember loving but otherwiseeeeeeeee it feels like a rehash of that style. Some epic florence and the machine style instrumentation, some classy singer songwriter stuff. Remedy and All I Ask are cool. She carries it really with her voice for better or worse.
Emmylou Harris
4/5
Bluebird Wine alone makes this good. AN old school good country album.
Aphex Twin
5/5
Great album. Very detailed if you choose to listen closely but also just has a great overall atmosphere. Could be played running, on a long drive or at a club. This album really is just weaves its way into a life soundtrack very easily. Equal parts club and ambient. Alien and analog. I don't know why I write reviews but highlights for me are: Pulsewidth, Xtal, Tha, I, Heliosphan, Hedphelym and Actium but it's a good overall album listening experience.
The Band
2/5
The weight's awesome. Don't remember the rest.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
5/5
This is the album that got me into Nick Cave. It is a perfect album in my opinion. I think I got it because of it's use of "O Children" in Harry Potter but it has so much more going for it. "There She Goes, My Beautiful World" is this gospel epic. "Hiding All Away" is the grimey, tom waits esque rock banger. "Carry Me" is soul lifting. It may be the ultimate experimental gospel rock epic with such a charismatic frontman and distinctive voice.
The Allman Brothers Band
2/5
Solid classic rock band record and appreciate a fun live performance but as an album I prefer their recorded stuff.
Bad Company
2/5
This band has a few good songs. The one where they say their own name is one of those.
Janis Joplin
3/5
Very much carried by her voice but the soul / 60's rock instrumentals are really good. The opening track is really kinectice. "My Baby" and "Cry Baby" are great baby tracks. Me and Bobby McGee is an obvious standout. She really has one of the best voices which takes this record from good to great.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
3/5
A decent prog record but the opening is too much. Like a beautiful way to giant breakfast burrito of so many flavors just packed and then you feel overly full after. The other jams are nice though. I do love Yes/King Crimson and this is in the same vein. Bare minimum I respect how good the playing is even the songs don't feel like they have the same level of evocative energy as the previously mentioned groups.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
definitely better than fever to tell or whatever that other album is. More dynamic, more interesting, more electronic. Good indie rock record.
Elvis Presley
3/5
Personal feelings on the man aside (both on the personal level and on the historical in terms of musical appropriation), he's got some good tracks. Very easy to get down and boogie to a very 50's rock and roll/blues sound. His voice is stellar, the energy in the performances are there, and its a fun time.
Missy Elliott
3/5
First four tracks go hard. The intro, while being a cheesier remnant of it's time, actually feels like a nice introduction to the record as a whole. So many guest features that add so much fun to the whole record. Great production.
Megadeth
2/5
Some cool riffs. A little samey for an entire album listen but there is fun playing and cool aesthetic.
Carpenters
3/5
Cheesy in a good way.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
This is fine. Maybe his best record as a whole that I've heard. Nothing against the songwriting or playing or style of it all but Elvis Costello just has a few hits for me and that's about it.
Rod Stewart
3/5
Better than expected. His voice is great and there are some cool folk elements alongside the classic 70's rock. I only know this guy for the lola cabana song but I guess I see the appeal a lot more now with this record.
Muddy Waters
5/5
Guy's synonymous with the genre for a reason. Blues is not my favorite genre but this feels like an exemplary record within it. Modern production, still goes hard af. Has electric and acoustic blends throughout.
Ella Fitzgerald
4/5
this album is a monster. The compositions are Gershwin so they're classic and Ella is one of the best singers in the genre so it just gives you great jazz standards
LCD Soundsystem
3/5
The worst lcd soundsystem album but since the first three are classics that is not meant to be a diss. There are some great songs like tonite and how do you sleep and oh baby. It was annoying since they made a big deal about disbanding after three great records and then came out with this which was fine but after years going on and after seeing them live I ended up liking this one.
Tears For Fears
4/5
a couple classics. Those perms are hilarious. very 80's. 3 stars basically for some banging singles/haristyles.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
2/5
I don't know but this album is too old sounding for me. I wish I had a country house. Over and Over Young sounds like he's struggling from the end of singing. I'm not the biggest Neil Young fan to be sure and he has some great songs but this one is just a lot of electric guitar noodling over not very interesting song lyrics.
The Doors
3/5
Definitely not my favorite Doors album by far but after the initial 3 boring blues tracks they picked the speed back up. Blue Sunday, Peace Frog, Ship of Fools, Land Ho! and Indian Summer are all great Doors deeper cut tracks.
The Stooges
3/5
We Will Fall is the biggest left turn on an album I've heard in a really long time. Pretty solid scummy pre punk rock album in general but that song makes this record interesting. I wanna be your dog is a classic jam. There's a bit of a velvet underground vibe in the sense of it just being lo fi but just great chemistry and rocking songs.
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
5/5
A dirty, fun blues/psych rock record from the 60's. I like that this has the personality of the band and captain beefheart with none of the artsy, avant garde stuff from trout mask replica. While that album may be more unique and technically impressive, it's good to know they still have the capability to write instant catchy songs as well and makes me appreciate them more.
Jethro Tull
4/5
SITTING ON A PARK BENCH. How these guys won the first heavy metal grammy bothers and confounds me but as a band they are very solid. Almost reminds me of a rock and roll version of a minstrel/bard style band from Medieval England. The lyric choices are wild (dogend, wimpy bar are two snippets that stick out). The flute is very showy but the playing is fun and the tunes are solid. Good show Ian Anderson I have no notes.
The Louvin Brothers
2/5
Not bad but I don't think it's for me. General 50's folk/country stuff. Almost like you're playing fallout but it doesn't hit the same for me.
2/5
Eh it's definitely trying to break the mold of standard late 60's/early 70's psych rock. Interesting ideas but they don't really land with me much.
U2
3/5
U2 has always been a greatest hits band more than an album band but the first three tracks alone each get a star.
Public Enemy
4/5
Definitely unique. I'm always last on lyrics in terms of my rating and Chuck D/Flavor Flav's lyrics are a plenty. The production is pretty hard hitting particularly for its time. It gets a little repetitive but on first listen it's not grating more just a bit of an intense experience
Kings of Leon
2/5
Better than I expected but I didn't expect much. Good energy and not as generic as output post their Sex is on Fire album whatever that is called.
The Shamen
1/5
This is just a pretty mediocre ripoff of Pet Shop Boys/New Order
The Who
2/5
Being one of my favorite classic rock bands, this album is pretty weak. I don't think it's there fault as every british invasion band seems to have been put into this kind of box when they started. It also did give us "My Generation" which is a classic. As an album though, very late 50's influenced 60's rock which is pretty whatever. "A Legal Matter" and "the Kids are Alright" are fine but most of the tracks are just kind of bland or annoying to me.
Megadeth
2/5
a dude from my high school sounded like this guy. Anyways its aight. The voice gets annoying at times but the playing is good. If this is spinal tap was a real band maybe? Other metal I'd rather listen to for sure.
Sheryl Crow
2/5
All I Wanna Do gets two stars alone for being a catchy as hell song. Sheryl is a good singer and the music is produced all fine but nothing really stands out to me overall about this rock/country/pop blend. Run Baby Run is okay I guess? Strong Enough and No One Said it Would Be Easy are fine? There is nothing offensive about this album but that's also it's biggest fault.
Donovan
3/5
A pure 60's psych rock/folk rock record. Good pastiche of it's time. Or maybe less of pastiche or more of a time capsule. Some cool sitar, nice mixes of beachy grooves, 60's lounge pop and psychedelic rock.
David Bowie
3/5
While the ending of this record slowly loses my interest, this is the record that solidifies that Bowie really can't do any wrong. A true music chameleon. He has his glam, his psychedelics, his singer songwriter nature, his good old rock and roll, his ambience and now a soul record? I never knew the name of the title track but when I heard it I just couldn't believe it. It's definitely not his best record but for a man with so many classic albums and timeless tunes it is impressive that he can switch genres so easily.
Soundgarden
3/5
Kind of a difficult one for me. I remember getting this album from the library and being into the stand out songs which were initially: Black Hole Sun, Let Me Drown, Spoonman and Superunknown. Listening today, I definitely think the deeper cuts are not as stand out with the exceptions of Limo Wreck, Half and the Day I tried to Live. Some parts of this record lean too much on popular alternative rock tropes for the time with just enough personality to get by. That being said, when it hits it really does hit. Interesting but not overly technical plaing. Sometimes weird sonic noises coming out of the guitar. Great singing. Just barely a 3 for me which is wild as this is the most I've had to write about a record in awhile.
Milton Nascimento
5/5
This is an undeniably pretty record. Lots of good genre variations throughout while still being a true Brazilian record. Some jazz, samba, 60's/70's lounge and pscyh rock, pop sensibilities, folk instrumentation. O trem azul is beautiful. Nuvem Cigana is like a big band song. Don Cruces has this very dramatic build/change halfway through that reminds me of bullfighter music for some reason. The playing and the vibe is just nice. Club de Esquina No2 and Me Dexia Em Paz are both beautiful guitar focused ballads. Os Povos is very beautiful/lots of good singing/simple song structure. I think I had massive expectations with this record based on the praise of it I've seen and I'd say it delivered. It may be a little too long/too varied as some tracks don't deliver as hard or feel out of place (looking at you Um Gosto De Sol sounding like a scott walker song or Paisagem De Janela sounding like a island vacation commercial or Trem De Doido's very fuzzy guitar leads). However, even those songs are still good songs.
Van Halen
3/5
Pretty decent rock record. Really starts off strong the first half and slowly tapers as a lot of these kind of rock records can for me. Definitely crazy this was a late 70's record as I really associate this band with the 80's. The guitar playing was definitely ahead of it's time to usher in that hair metal sound. Great playing obviously from eddie but from the whole group. Some bits of Queen inspiration with the harmonies, great technical playing. David Lee Roth is an unforgettable frontman as well vocally.
Ash
2/5
This is like a not as good dinosaur jr. This band would definitely be playing at the Bronze (I just started watching Buffy the vampire slayer so for those who know you know). Very 90's.
OutKast
5/5
Creative, bombastic and definitely a must listen hip hop record. B.O.B., Gasoline Dreams, So Fresh, So Clean, Ms. Jackson and those are just the stand out solo tracks. Spaghetti Junction, Red Velvet, I'll Call B4 I Cum, Toilet Tisha and ? are also all interesting. Still has their weird personalities but definitely ups their rapping, production value and general songwriting from other records which were already good like ATLiens or Aquemini.
Neil Young
3/5
Maybe because it leans into his folk side more but this is a neil young album i'm finally okay with.
Supertramp
3/5
I was just going to write this off as annoying dad space rock but it's pretty well done. Kind of Styxish. Kind of ELOish. It isn't really done in a super unique way but the songs are infectious enough to make it a fun listen.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
Another great record from Stevie. Too High is such a crazy weird song to open any of his records but is a fun funky jam. Living for the City is maybe one of his most epic cuts. Higher Ground is an classic single. He's Mistra Know it All is such a fun end of heartwarming film send off to the record. Don't you Worry About a Thing is so sultry. A great listening experience from one of the best out there.
Eagles
2/5
This record starts with my favorite Eagles song. Otherwise, I didn't really care for it surprisingly. Maybe they're just a greatest hits band for me but album wise they don't seem to have anything that strikes a chord/keeps my whole attention. Sorry dad.
Dusty Springfield
3/5
She's got a great voice and there is just classy 60's/70's singer songwriter instrumentation (full orchestra/fun rock/jazz influences). Also I guess the white stripes covered one of her songs on this record.
Crowded House
2/5
Maybe one of the last new wave albums to be released of it's heyday? Don't Dream it's Over is my go to karoake so I was interested to actually listen to an album by these guys. A little jangly, good pop appeal. This album also doesn't take any real swings. Some good tracks though (All I Ask, Weather With You, Fame Is). The rest feels not bad but not very memorable.
The Sabres Of Paradise
3/5
Good ambient/trip hop style album. Boards of Canada ish. Portishead does a cool remix. Really weird samples but good music to zone out to when working (which is how I'm listening to it currenty).
Metallica
1/5
Wow I'm shocked about this but I do not care for this album. I feel like it has such a great concept and I'm sure it would've have been different to see it live but I think the orchestral arrangements/harmonies not only add nothing to but actually detract from the songs quite a bit.
Frank Sinatra
4/5
I mean...he is the GOAT crooner. Although I never thought of him as much as an album artist and more of just a classic singer. He did surround himself with great songwriters and producers. Very gentle playing and the album cover fits the mood perfectly. It's not as bombastic as his later and more famous hits but I think this is a good easy listen.
Echo And The Bunnymen
4/5
Pretty good new wave/ almost post rockish at times record. I initially went "these guys are ripping off U2, and the killing moon is the only great record" but this came out as one of U2's earliest records so I suppose it's the otherway around. Lots of grand instrumentation. Even feels a little shoe gazey. Fav tracks: the cutter, porcupine, heads will roll, my white devil, gods will be gods, fuel.
Spiritualized
4/5
I enjoy this band and had not heard this album. Definitely spacey, shoe gazey and beautiful. If you like Beach House, dad rock, and mbv its like a nice combo of them. As an album, I prefer some of their others particularly since the second half has most of the tracks over 5 minutes. I got a little zoned out by them but mostly because it's really trancey arrangements. Fav tracks: You Know it's True, Run, Smiles, Step into the Breeze, Shine a Light, Angel Sigh and Sway.
Deep Purple
1/5
Nothing against the bands music but this is not the best live record
Simple Minds
1/5
Not bad but not super memorable to me. It may be this site is giving me too much 80's which is a shame as I've turned around on the decade but these guys aren't standing out from the best of that decade's new wave/pop bands as of yet.
Cat Stevens
5/5
A very beautiful folk album. I'm editing this with the feature as I've seen Harold and Maude for the first time, and, while this stands on its own as a creative work. I now am obsessed with Cat Stevens and his work. So beautiful/simple and positive/spiritual.
David Bowie
4/5
It may just be me, but this feels like the perfect "deep cuts" album. It seems to have hallmarks of his glam rock styles/sensibilities and space age odyssey remnants but mixed with harder rock and weird ambient sounds. Makes sense since Brian Eno got involved as you can hear some Roxy Music influence on this one. This guy doesn't really put out bad music but this is a definite listen.
Peter Gabriel
5/5
I was sold by the time Kate Bush shows up. A very epic/beautiful 80's singer songwriter record. In the vein of Bruce Hornsby, Kate Bush (as mentioned, she shows up), former bandmate Phil Collins as well. I think I heard the Needle Drop's Anthony Fantano say, in modern music, Bon Iver essentially worships Peter Gabriel and I see it more and more I dive into this record. The first 3 tracks are definitely all bangers. I also enjoy mercy street, we do what we're told, and in your eyes. It's everything cheesy and great about 80's music/culture embodied in one album. Definitely worth a listen.
Roxy Music
4/5
This feels like every band Fred Armisen parodies in SNL/Portlandia in a good way. 2HB has some beautiful electric piano/wind textures. Re-make/Re-model goes hard for an opener. Ladytron is cool/weird. I like this a lot better than Country Life. Feels like this record influenced everyone from Queen to the Talking Heads.
The Young Rascals
3/5
not offensive and pleasant enough but definitely of the late 50's/early 60's lounge rock/pop rock/psych rock stuff. These guys definitely had to be out of california.
The Clash
5/5
A perfect album. So much variety. So catchy. Still punk and still joe strummer's charismatic lead vocals but with hints/tastes of proto jangle, reggae, jazz, surf rock/rockabilly and other pretentious genre terms. What sells it though is truly the pop sensibility and songwriting on it. "London Calling", "Hateful", "Spanish Bombs", "Rudie Can't Fail", "Train in Vain (Stand By Me)", "Lost in the Supermarket" are my immediate favorites.
George Harrison
5/5
My favorite of the Beatles and some of the best songs of all of their respective solo careers. Rocking, spiritual and a pleasant listen. Some hawaiian slide/steel guitars at times? Some bombastic, orchestral grand songs. I think the first disc is perfect and the second has the best/titular track but otherwise feels more bloated. Regardless, a great rock album.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
I kind of hate this but kind of like it at the same time? The modern production both works for and against Bruce's sound for level's of cheese but sincere fun.
The Temptations
3/5
Basically get's a 3 for "papa was a rolling stone." Overall solidly produced funk/soul record by a great group. The album itself also, imo, picks up from there. You can arguably find better records in this genre from Isaac Hayes or Sly and the Family Stone but this is a solid one for sure.
LTJ Bukem
2/5
bleep bloop. some decent drum n bass/techno stuff. As an album experience it is only okay but a couple stand out singles.
Tom Waits
5/5
HELL YES. Glad this one showed up. One of my recent favorite albums. Everything about this is exuberant grime. Beautiful and boozy, Tom Waits is definitely one of the most unique singer/songwriters ever. Every song on this album is amazing. His voice is wild. The instrumentation I believe is described as "Junkyard Jazz" and great mixes of classic folk song traditions as well.
Stan Getz
3/5
Very nice/smooth jazz/samba record. The first track is a standard for a reason. Good easy listening.
The Avalanches
5/5
This album is criminally insane. Perfect for active or passive listening. Creative, fun and overall beautiful. A must listen to electronic experience
White Denim
4/5
I dig this. Feels like the lead singer sort of emulates Jeff Buckley's ghost but the instrumentation is a lot more of an indie proggy/mathy jam band in the vein of Ponytail or Local Natives. Definitely a cool listen.
FKA twigs
4/5
Definitely wrote this album off when I first heard it in my pretentious radio station days. It's a lot more interesting to listen to now. I thought of the weird electronic effects infused with the R&B aesthetics were there for the sake of being weird but they actually really elevate the songwriting. Pendulum is such a beautiful track with great panning effects giving the song a very titular feel, Lights on as well is very intimate. Two Weeks is a very obvious stand out single. Video Girl has amazing voice modulation. Numbers has a gut wrenching chorus lyrically. Closer almost feels like a church hymn from the future in terms of tone but has a beautiful love theme. There are just so many cool blends of choral tone manipulation, trap influenced R&B beats, eerie yet beautiful synth choices all over this thing.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
4/5
This makes me want to own a smoking jacket. A very classy jazz album.
The Pretty Things
2/5
I want to hate this more than I do for some reason. It may be because I never heard of this band or this record even though for a 60's records it's pretty experimental. It may be because there are other bands from the era or other bands in the future (king crimson and jethro tull on the prog/folk side, The Byrds, 13th floor elevators for more psychedelics, Frank Zappa/Captain Beefheart for just being weird) that got more acclaim and I truthfully like better. That being said, these guys rock pretty hard and have some interesting ideas plastered all over the record. Wild riffs on Balloon Burning, Bracelets of Fingers has weird production and cool instrumentation. I don't know if I see myself revisiting this anytime soon but it's a more solid/varied 60's rock record with a pretty stupid name.
Kanye West
5/5
Definitely a classic. Kanye is an unfortunate figure in modern standards. He is very clearly mentally unstable and has a lot going on in his personal life. None of this to excuse the hate speech/radicalization but I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy his music/loved seeing him live back in the day. This album stands the test of time though as this way kanye at his most pure/naive to some extent as he was just coming off the producing/feature game and taking the mic himself. Amazing singles (Jesus Walks, All Falls Down, Never Let Me Down, Slow Jamz and Through the Wire) and equal deep cuts (Family Business, Spaceship, I'll Fly Away). Beautiful soul production, great lyrics of coming up. Weird skits. Good features. The old Kanye is maybe the purest distillation of why he was such a great artist.
Green Day
3/5
Pretty standard fair when it comes to pop punk but solid playing, catchy writing and generally fun. Feels like it encapsulates the 90's era pretty well. I prefer American Idiot since I grew up with it and have nostalgia for it but this is a good record.
Beatles
5/5
I mean, it’s the Beatles?
David Bowie
3/5
This is comparable to "Low" for me. I used to write this album off as the album that had the best title track/single off of any Bowie album and the rest I didn't care for. That being said, there is the expected great variety in styles across the tracks. Moss Garden may be my favorite instrumental piece of his. Heroes is an undoubtable banger. The Secret Life of Arabia is a cool closer. V-2 Scheinder has some amazing saxophones in it. Definitely not near my favorites of his but undoubtable Bowie still delivers a solid listening experience on this one.
CHIC
3/5
Definitely a solid disco band with some funk elements. I think when it comes to disco BeeGees will always be the king for me but some decent tracks on here and very easy to listen to. I also, and this may be a lack of knowledge or a stretch on my part, feel like this band probably had a huge influence on city pop with the synth styles and general pop songwriting. It all sounds very beachy. Not all tracks hit but the highlights for me are "Good Times", "My Feet Keep Dancing", "Will You Cry" and "What About Me".
David Bowie
3/5
This came on the list weirdly close to "Heroes" in terms of showing up on the list (just a few days apart). Definitely not close to his classic records but a solid later era Bowie record for sure. I remember catching his live performance of one of the tracks at the Grammy's and being surprised how much I liked it. Feels like Bruce Springsteen's "The Rising" where I want to hate it more than I actually do because it's not as classic or experimental but it is a legend just rocking to some decent tunes.
Marty Robbins
4/5
Such a cinematic country album. Definitely sounds like a classic cowboy album. And El Paso has the Felina breaking bad reference! I'd say don't judge a book by it's cover but in this case you really get the image on the front for this.
U2
3/5
One of U2's best albums that' I've heard front to back. Feels like a good blend of their more accessible shoegaze sound but still experimental before they hit that joshua tree all hits era (which, has some of their best songs mind you, but ends up making them almost too cheesy). Best deep cuts are the fly, throwing your arms around the world and who's gonna ride your wild horses. Best known tracks (to me) are one, love is blindness and mysterious ways.
Beatles
5/5
Another classic from the boys. So experimental and all over the place. I won't lie that every track on here is a banger (Bungalo Bill, Honey Pie, longlonglong, and even revolution 9 are just a little much for me). However, this is such a great shift from their summer of love psychedelics to incorporating all aspects of their songwriting talent and influences up to this point. You can definitely hear the distinct styles of each member (except Ringo sorry you only wrote one track on here even though it's good). Definitely just listen to it every other track on here is great.
The Smiths
4/5
I believe this is a classic album from the band by many. I'm not super into them generally and not for any particular reason even though Morrissey kind of sucks as a person? I think the music is catchy and the lyrics are unique although I'm always last on lyrics. The band that created the wave of jangle pop indie rock bands.
Elvis Presley
4/5
I definitely liked this more than expected. Very theatrical/well orchestrated Elvis. Maybe his last later era big hit record.
Metallica
5/5
Definitely the quintessential thrash metal record. I think I prefer Ride the Lightning but for Battery/Master of Puppets alone this gets 4 stars. Damage Inc, Orion are also pretty solid.
The Pogues
5/5
The quintessential Irish rock album for sure. The album cover embodies the sound where it is obviously very fun/cheeky kind of attitude but authentic/great irish traditions blended in their more modern rock sound. It is a little long but there are not really bad songs on it.
3/5
This album is literally insane. And it's not on any streaming music service. I feel like this already encapsulates the manic / frantic feeling of modern living in a good and bad way. This would clear out a party room but the playing is so impressive and the compositions are so fast paced that it's just impressive on that front alone. For Parks and Rec fans, this feels like the clip where Leslie is being interviewed by their local public radio station and they have a segment called \"jazz plus jazz = jazz\" where they just play two bebop records at the same time. Unforgettable but may not listen to very often so people think I'm normal.
Soft Cell
5/5
Just a couple of fun degenerates making hot synth pop. This is the common review for me but the album title/cover basically embody the sound perfectly. Sex Dwarf and Tainted Love automatically make this album great but deeper cuts like "Say Hello, Wave Goodbye, Torch, Chips on my Shoulder Frustration, Touch and So" also add to a great electronic album experience. Super fun. Super catchy. Everything 80's music did right. Only complaint is that there are too many tracks in total and they're not all equal. Some detuned synths/weirder melodies. But overall a great record.
5/5
Such a good album. I was never a David Bowie hater but this record definitely got me a lot more into all his other stuff. No bad tracks. Essential Glam rock
Ray Charles
3/5
Not bad by any means but that is just Ray Charles for ya. Sounds like his "big band" album. It doesn't have any of the songs that would jump out as his stand out hits but makes for just generally nice easy listening if you like big orchestrated jazz style songs.
The Human League
2/5
Definitely one of those: there's that one really catchy song on it and the rest is just kind of fine new wave albums to me.
Buck Owens
2/5
Not bad by any means but a little cheesy. I'm curious as many of the country albums picked for this selection, while overall solid, tend to be really old and this embodies that to a tee.
The Clash
3/5
Ian Rubbish taking the mic on this one (for Fred Armisen fans). Solid enough punk record but the Clash would put out better records in their future. Still solid and fun. Janine Jones, Cheat and London's Burning are all pretty good. Gets a little old to me after awhile but it may be that I'm just used to the clash's greatest hits/records over their more straightforward punk rock beginnings.
Stephen Stills
1/5
Nothing offensive or bad about it but pretty directionless feeling for a classic rock album. The production is not bad and the songwriting/playing is okay but it does have the magic that his former groups have. Love the one you're with is a catchy song but you've heard it too much on classic rock radio at this point and most other songs left no lasting impression.
The Associates
1/5
This feels like an Andy Samberg parody of a worse soft cell. yet I though I was going to hate it more than I do.
Dinosaur Jr.
3/5
Definitely some loud/grungey/cool indie guitar work on this one. This is a band where songs stick out more than album experiences but a true "rock" band.
Iggy Pop
3/5
Probalby my favorite Iggy Pop album so far. Very catchy
T. Rex
3/5
a cool 60's hippie rock record. lots of wah wahs and doo doos and good guitaring
Laibach
3/5
Kind of goofy/unexpected but so committed that it’s actually epic
Kate Bush
5/5
A definite banger. Some of her most accessible work but still has her style.
Leonard Cohen
4/5
Hmmm yeah I get it
Keith Jarrett
4/5
Definitely a virtuosic performance. The random moans/grunts of who I can only assume if the titular player are kind of weird and funny and showcase the passion he's playing. Where he's basically singing the notes alongside what he's playing. Good for both background and active listening.
Pantera
5/5
Band sucks since Dimebag died for music/political reasons. Otherwise this record is classic.
The Black Keys
5/5
Maybe a little too glossy for a blues record, but this gets 5 stars for being purely nostalgic. Lots of great songs, covers, productions and just rocking. Surprised this is on the list but a good surprise
Public Image Ltd.
2/5
nothing hooked me offhand but not a bad punk album
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
4/5
This is some rocking rolling banging shit. Like if Elvis played with link Wray and had Dead Kennedys energy. I can see the influences on major garage acts of today like thee oh sees, geese, coachwhips and the like.
Little Richard
3/5
Every song sounds the same but not in a bad way. His energy is infectious and his voice is stellar. Just some old timey rock n roll that bob seger won't shut up about.
Nitin Sawhney
2/5
Parts Portishead-Massive Attack trip hopness, Parts nice jazzy/classical/electronica/world music. I feel like I should hate this but it's kind of nice. Okay Pilgrim just came on pretty lame. Some interesting mixes of world vocals and breakbeats but I'd say the project is overall uneven with some some weird bobby mcferin meets a 90's club experiments like serpents or how lame pilgrim is but with some okay tracks like homelands, nadia, tides, letting go and anthem without nation
John Martyn
3/5
very weird and watery. Interesting vocal choices. Great guitar work with interesting delay/reverbed effects. kind of jazz fusion/city pop mixed with an 80's rock and roll singer songwriter? I'm not sure if I loved it as a whole record but some great tracks are scattered on here worth listening to.
3/5
Nothing bad about this. Some good ol' fashion rock and roll. like a dive bar band. a little rockabilly. Good garage punkness.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
For, in a sense, being the deep cut rolling stones record, it has such a good energy. It has so many highlights and lives up to the boozey basement vibe they were conceptually going for. A fun, blues, soulful rocking record that exudes the best of the band. My only complaint is, for as long as it is, there is not enough stylistic variation. This is not a really hard criticism but I think I'm just use to the stones having so much variety/grandeur across their catalog. Or maybe i'm closer to a beatles fan over them. Regardless, a much listen if you're a fan of good ol' rock n roll. Check our rocks off, happy, sweet virgina, casino boogie, turd on the run, tumbling dice and loving cup for sure. Otherwise just let it play and enjoy the vibe.
Brian Eno
3/5
A lot better than I'd expect. It actually shows me how the two artists have quite a lot in common in terms of their mix of the analog and synthetic. Definitely thought this would be a lot less appealing based on the artists being known for their avant garde approaches and potential clash but the instrumentals are overall nice. Some feel more David byrne inspired like help me somebody and america is waiting, and defiant. Others feel like brian took the reins like mea culpa and very very hungry and a secret life. Others feel completely new and perfect blends like mountain of needles, two against three, new feet. My only issue is that any song that I didn't mention didn't really grab me and there are 18 tracks.
Madonna
2/5
I didn't realize Madonna liked IDM/Bjork. Not bad though imo. Good blend of pop/90's club aesthetics. Although I'd rather listen to Cher's "Believe" on loop but that's beside the point.
Johnny Cash
4/5
At folsom prison will always be the GOAT for johnny cash live album's and maybe just live album's generally but this is pretty solid.
Abdullah Ibrahim
3/5
With a title like this I expected a much more spiritual jazz album but it's still pretty decent.
The Specials
1/5
An ironic name for a not very good album. Kind of ska/reggae but pretty forgettable and I like the genre well enough.
Dexys Midnight Runners
2/5
Guardians of the galaxy mixtape core
Radiohead
5/5
Perfect record. Listen to this straight through. Then the dissect podcast. Then the super album of this combined with ok computer. No notes.
Green Day
4/5
For nostalgia alone this is a great record. Has aged both amazingly and poorly. To some level, felt like a curtain call for that era of pop punk.
Minutemen
3/5
Pretty good experimental punk record. Apt band name based on track lengths
Big Brother & The Holding Company
2/5
Some good live energy and chemistry. Janis is a good vocalist. Not bad but isn’t amazing the whole time.
Stan Getz
4/5
Pixar soundtrack core but ima good jazzy way
The Flaming Lips
5/5
Yep another perfect record. Do I love it as much as Yoshimi? Hell no. Is it still great? correct. I remember in a documentary how they wrote "Sleeping on a roof" and did something weird thematically with the album where they flipped the music upside down to continue playing the notes and how it thematically ties with the record or something. Regardless the main singles (race for the prize, waiting on superman and a spoonful weighs a ton) are amazing. The deeper cuts (spiderbite song, feeling yourself disintegrate, Buggin, suddenly everything has changed) are all amazing cuts. No bad songs. Just some great psychedelic rock.
Bob Dylan
5/5
I initially always thought of this record as a victory lap since Dylan was so established from his original folk days, to going electric on highway 61 to his (IMO) magnum opus of Blonde on Blonde. However, after revisiting this may just be him enjoying the peak of his career. So many memorable songs/singles from tangled up in blue, a simple twist of fate, shelter from the storm or buckets of rain, to the deeper cuts of you're gonna make me lonesome, meet me in the morning an idiot wind. So much great blends of folk and rock aesthetics. Truly another perfect record.
5/5
This is where the boys really let loose. I know people have liked it less over the years in comparison to the later era works but this one is still and essential classic from the fab 4.
Pixies
4/5
Knowing only the main singles, this is a pretty wild record. Lots of protopunk/90's grunge roots to some still very catchy songwriting. Cool blends of ska/reggae, jangle pop, punk and alternative rock. Really to the point too not overly long. besides here comes your man, wave of mutilation and debaser: i'd say check out mr. grieves, la la love, crackity jones, hey and monkey goes to heaven.
The Psychedelic Furs
2/5
just eh. not a bad alt 80's record but something about it just is bleh.
Jeff Buckley
5/5
One of a kind voice for sure. The songwriting is really quite detailed/intricate as well. Definitely a one of a kind singer songwriter/rocker record that I really enjoy the more I listen to. Love the whole thing. Angelic.
Peter Gabriel
3/5
A way more experimental than "So." I wish I would've given So five stars. Sorry terrible review. I like "lead a normal life, intruder, i don't remember and family snapshot.
Alanis Morissette
4/5
the most 90's alt rock album in a good way. if you've seen buffy the vampire slayer you know they were spinning this at the bronze.
Madness
2/5
eh. for a name like this i expected something wild.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
2/5
Fogherty's voice is what makes the band stand out. However, to me, they are better as a greatest hits band than a full album band as they have so many great tracks over their discography but deeper cuts never resonate. I did like Bootleg and Graveyard Train but otherwise just some 60's blues rock to me.
Butthole Surfers
3/5
I appreciate some aspects of this really noisy/abrasive album. The sweet leaf riff on "sweet loaf" is funny. The whole thing is played really raucous and aggressive. Yet this is also to it's detriment. I don't know how often I'll revisit this but for being one of the lowest rated bands/albums on this site I think it's a decent noise record.
Al Green
3/5
One of the best soul singer voices for sure. Not all the songs are as memorable as his hit singles (sort of like Creedence where the greatest hits are great but the album experience is just fine) but because it's soul music it makes for easy listening/overall less grating background music.
John Lennon
2/5
I think I prefer him with the plastic ono band. Imagine is a classic but is also a meme at this point. Jealous Guy is decent. Otherwise some pretty meh bar blues/dad rock on a lot of tracks. How Do You Sleep?, How? and Oh Yoko! are a solid way to close out though.
2/5
I think this is a "innovative" or "groundbreaking" album for it's time. Otherwise it's a little basic sounding. Energy is definitely there but the songs are just fine.
10cc
3/5
some okay glam dad rock. I like worst band in the world and somewhere in hollywood. wall street shuffle is dumb but catchy. Kind of like a Sparks mixed with some ELO or T. Rex.
Joe Ely
3/5
Pretty nice. Definitely fits the title as it feels like a country ball/dance. It teeters on some folk/americana as well not just flat out country. Really beautiful/straightforward. Cornbread moon is "corny" but fun. Because of the wind is a beautiful country ballad.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
4/5
Very cool goth/post punk record. Siouxsie's voice is cool. It had some interesting production very evocative of joy division but the playing/production and arrangements are a lot weirder (like the Cure). I only bring up comparisons because it's my immediate thoughts but it definitely has it's own flair to it. The playing, in my mind, is what sets it apart. Halloween is cool, Spellbound is a perfect opener. Monitor has some great riffing on it. Need more time as I do with most of these albums but I can see this band growing on me more and more.
New York Dolls
1/5
Pretty boring dad rock and roll. not punk enough, the playing isn't very interesting.
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
3/5
Not the worst by any means but preferred soft cell or depeche mode with this kind of electronic style.
Fatboy Slim
4/5
A very fun version of the avalanches. Not saying the avalanches are not fun but I'd say this is a perfect time capsule of what the 90's were
Motörhead
1/5
Live albums maybe just are not my thing. Good band and obviously great to see live but this record just makes me wish I saw them.
DJ Shadow
5/5
One of the best records you can listen to if you like underground music. The album that started/popularized plunderphonics (I think). A beautiful fusion of samples that give an eerie electronic and hip hop blend of music. Raucous / jazzy and hip hop style drums, weird vocal/spoken world snippets and some very unique blending of electronic samples. A true one of a kind record. Hear all the main singles (the number song, building steam from a grain of salt, midnight in a perfect world). stay for deeper cuts (stem/long stem, what does your soul look like, organ donor, mutual slump, changeling and napalm brain/scatter brain).
Dagmar Krause
2/5
Reminds me of the Ute Lemper record this site also recommended. A lot weirder/more dramatic. This feels like the soundtrack to a really underground off broadway musical. Super theatrical but really odd arrangements and tones. Not bad but I'd never choose to listen to it.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
A perfect rock record. Going to California and fours sticks are underrated led songs but all others are classic and don't need to be named just listened to. This is the album you get to introduce the band (although physical graffiti is their most ambitious and houses of the holy/2 and 1 have some of their best tracks, this is their definitive record.
AC/DC
2/5
Another dad rock staple but as an album not super interesting. They'll likely always be a greatest hits band for me. Opening track is a classic. I like the riffing on beating around the bush. That's about it. Another greatest hits staple band but album snoozer
Talk Talk
5/5
Such a beautiful and inventive record. The production is immaculate. The singing is great. The songs are just really entrancing. Crazy use of choirs. Great bass lines. Cool switches between acoustic guitars swipes and electronics. I know they're more famous / innovative for their last two records for inventing post rock but this feels like an equal competitor.
Elvis Costello
2/5
Something about Elvis Costello just doesn't gel with me. I respect him enough as a musician and seems like a stand up person but his music is mostly very lifeless feeling. This record I will say is better than any of the records with the attractions that I've listened to. Allison is an amazing song. Welcome to the working week is fun albeit very jaunty and short.
JAY Z
3/5
The last album before 9/11 I guess? Pretty decent NY Hip Hop. Jay Z is not my favorite rapper but has some pretty classic tracks.
Santana
5/5
A really cool mostly instrumental psychedelic rock record. Lots of latin rock infusion (as I think Santana, according to this site, popularized it). The guitar playing is the obvious stand out as it's legendary. Black Magic Woman, Oye Como Va and Samba Pa Ti are great stand out singles. All the other tracks are great. A very unique rock record with good balance and as close to a five star as anything else on here.
Elton John
4/5
This definitely feels like how I initially perceived Elton John. This grandiose piano prodigy who, at his core, just wrote excellent piano rock/pop songs. Opening with a 12 minute track is super bold but epic (I saw him live open with this at bonnaroo years and years ago and was blown away). The first 4 tracks I would just say listen to in a row and you'll get a great sense of his capabilities. There are also lots of other songs/deeper cuts I never knew about from him on this. This song has no title is great, grey seal is good. I think Jamaica Jerk-Off is....I don't know not very good lol. The songs kind of go in and out of my head. The alice song rocks hard. The closer is good. Saturday Night is also a classic. I think this album's only problem is it's length. Some songs get a little samey or there are experiments that don't work but otherwise this may be my favorite of his next to Honkey Chateau.
Gorillaz
4/5
Certified Classic. Demon Days was my first album i ever bought but this was is definitely equal in terms of quality/creativity. Lots of great songs and weird blends of alt rock, hip hop and electronics all over this thing.
Faust
4/5
For as cool and grand as the opener is (also for I guess kickstarting/naming the genre of "krautrock") the album itself is a little more varied. Jennifer and Just a second have some cooler older classic rock/prog vibes. Sad skinhead is kind of a weird almost ska experiment. Giggy smile has a great post rock style groove to it. It's a bit of a pain is a cool velvet underground esque acoustic rocker. Definitely a cool rock record to check out.
Caetano Veloso
3/5
Guy has a great voice. Cool blend of brazillian music and the 60's lounge/psych rock sound.
Radiohead
3/5
Some classic Radiohead tracks show up on this one. I understand it's not considered one of their best records but I enjoy it. it feels like them sort of returning to their 90's rock band roots the most since the bends. the first five tracks are great. there,there is one of the best radiohead songs ever.
Mike Oldfield
4/5
I would NEVER have expected this album. An insane blend of medieval musical styles with electronic and prog rock tendencies. Not a perfect album but I think a true unique work. The weird grunt singing is kind of meh but it also kind of works. The exorcist theme slaps.
Steely Dan
3/5
Only knew the singles but for what i always took as a yacht rock staple actually has a lot of great jamming capabilities. I see why these guys are always listed as essential 70's listening. Reminds me of all the great Japanese city pop that has come to be known in the last few years and wonder if these guys were the progenitors of the style. King of the world, Bodhisattva, Razor Boy and Your Old School are the hits for me. Good warm summer twilight music. Great yacht rock music.
Marvin Gaye
4/5
Pretty wild learning about the story of this album basically being a shot at his wife who he was going with a divorce with at the time. The music is still really high quality and the topic you can tell is still really raw. The singing is superb as always. Closer to the end of his catalog, definitely worth a listen as it's still top notch on the soulful/funk instrumentation, soaring vocals and great meditations. Here, My Dear, Sparrow, Is That Enough, Everybody Needs Love and Falling in Love Again are my standouts but even if you're passively listening it's good vibes music.
David Bowie
4/5
Kind of like Bowie doing Harry Nilsson. Still feels uniquely him and some of his best singles/oddities on here but he definitely only gets greater post this record.
Hawkwind
2/5
This would be like listening to indie rock for the first time when you are in your classic rock/dad rock phase. Otherwise it's some decent overly long jammy space rock. Some weird vocals/spoken word stuff and impressive they did this live but i'm more interested in the actual soundscapes they create. Regardless wouldn't listen too outside of this album website.
Einstürzende Neubauten
2/5
Definitely an experience. The sounds coming out of this thing are both wildly produced and at times oddly produced. I listen to this idly or in any social setting but some of the tones they get from, what sounds like them hitting metal bands in abandoned factorys to warping guitars to noise hell are cool. This feels like the band that Swans or NIN would reference as essential for their genres but those aforementioned bands actually add good songwriting in comparison.
Paul McCartney and Wings
3/5
Never knew Paul formed this with his wife. I think he's the second best of the Beatles solo artists and had maybe the most pop oriented songwriting of all the Beatles. Not a diss as his silliness in lyrics/instrumentation and catchy vocals would compliment his beautiful song ideas most of the time. Band on the Run is like his Day in the Life with how many shifts it takes. Jet is balling. Mamunia is a decent acoustic tune with some african sounding drums. Nineteen Hundred Eighty Five is a good closer. No words is a very exuberant chamber rock sounding song. The rest is mid but otherwise some jammers on here.
The Boo Radleys
1/5
just sounds like some generic 90's rock.
Paul McCartney
2/5
This album gave us "Maybe I'm Amazed" which is a great McCartney track. The rest is just fine/feels like a lot of b-sides and unfinished ideas. Ram is better in everyway.
Manic Street Preachers
2/5
I'm speed running albums to catch up but this doesn't hit
Kanye West
5/5
Kanye is, as we know, is problematic, racist, sexist etc. He was also one of the most fun shows I ever went to and it was right after yeezus so we was still repping this songs on his concert. Equally grand, over indulgent, really personal, and insane, this is a hip hop album I'd recommend to anyone. A true stadium experience from a very troubled person. Dark Fantasy is an unforgettable intro. Power and all of the lights are fantastic singles with ridiculous samples and instrumentation (elton john??). Monster is one of his best rap songs with also problematic Jay-Z but a killer verse from Nicki Minaj. The Blame Game is beautiful. Devil in a Red Dress is cool. Gorgeous has a cool Turtles sample. Lost in the World and Who will Survive in America are great closers.
The Blue Nile
1/5
probably more interesting than I'm giving it credit for but just not catching
The Saints
1/5
rock
Fiona Apple
5/5
One of those "blindspot" records that I am not proud of as I generally enjoy everything I hear from Fiona. Feels like a cooler/smokier version of Regina Spektor who I think came onto the scene later than her or at least around the same time. All really interesting songs that never go in directions I expect but are beautiful nonetheless. Some have great beats, some have jazzy xylophone, beautiful orchestration, general heavy and melodic piano and most have weird choices but that makes them all the more memorable. My top songs are sleep to dream, shadowboxing, criminal, the first taste and carrion.
Soft Machine
4/5
Very Yes/King Crimson-esque. Maybe before King Crimson/Yes? Too lazy to check. Facelift after 8 minutes in gets awesome. This music is a little long winded (not this specifically just the genre) but its cool. The stereo mixing is a little eh but it was made in a different time so can't hold against it if all the drums are panned right even if it's annoying. Good for the genre but needs multiple listens to appreciate as all tracks are over 15 minutes in length.
Neil Young
3/5
Maybe my favorite Neil Young album for the hits and grand instrumentation but that is not saying much as I'm not a big fan of his I guess.
Everything But The Girl
2/5
not offensive but just some new age/jazz/yacht rock blehness.
AC/DC
2/5
Has their best songs in it but, this is just not an album band for me. When they find the right formula they make a hit single. Otherwise it feels like they're just filling up space with the deeper cuts.
Billie Holiday
4/5
Hard not to enjoy just because of Billie's voice. I don't know if the songs are amazing standouts to me in terms of jazz classics but it's very nice and relaxing to listen to overall.
Fun Lovin' Criminals
2/5
An example of lots of 90's tropes/music trends but pretty corny and not really interesting.
Buena Vista Social Club
3/5
I need to see this documentary one day. Music is solid but I think would be heightened by seeing the film.
Sabu
3/5
Not bad but not amazing to me. Just a generally fun rumba record with a tropical/isalnd vibe.
Pet Shop Boys
2/5
I like their catchy electronic dance tunes but they may just be a singles band for me
Alice Cooper
1/5
eh dad rock don't care. singles are always good but otherwise whatev
The Stooges
4/5
icon for punk music for sure. I may prefer fun house or the passenger but lots of good energy on this one.
Echo And The Bunnymen
4/5
Great 80’s new wave rocker and the band's best for sure. Dramatic new wave chamber pop rock. The Killing Moon, Silver, Seven Seas, Nocturnal Me are all worth checking out
The Police
4/5
The song “walking in your footsteps” is like the eyewitness nature doucumentary theme song core. king of pain, synchronicity I and II and every breath your take (yes creepy but such a good instrumental/melody) make this a good record to check out. A little annoying with the world influences but still nice
Beastie Boys
4/5
Their voices can be a little much at times but a very fun record as there is enough jazz, reggae and rock instrumental interludes to balance out the hype tracks. Lots of good energy. Maybe my runner up favorite next to Paul's Boutique. Root down, sure shot, flute loop, bobo on teh corner, Shambala, and very obviously SABOTAGEEEE make this a overall great album even if it looses steam for me towards the back half. It's never "bad" just a little long.
Dolly Parton
4/5
A perfect country album for me. Does not overstay it's welcome and has a lot of great variety of instrumentation and just lovely songs from the legend herself.
De La Soul
5/5
a perfect album. Maybe my favorite jazz rap album of all time and I only had first heard it in tenish years ago now. Very funny and fun. Clever. Great beats. What else is there to say?
Ravi Shankar
4/5
The guy the listen to for Sitar. Great intro to Indian Music, World Music and just good music.
Solomon Burke
3/5
good voice and arrangement. some very old timey same cooke'esque crooning and roul rock playing
Lightning Bolt
5/5
Hell yeah. A unique punk and noise rock sound. Shame on this site rating is so low
Beatles
2/5
Not my preferred Beatles era. The best thing about this may be the cover. I do enjoy all my loving but similar to early rolling stones, they were just doing what everyone else was doing which feels like some chuck berry/buddy holly style music.
Ray Charles
4/5
I only ever had the greatest hits of Ray Charles growing up buy some of my favorite tracks on that CD are apparently on this record (you don't know me, I can't stop loving you, take these chains from my heart). The whole record just feels like a new deeper cut version of that record. A really fun concept of taking country standards and doing them in his own style.
Mariah Carey
3/5
I never have really listened to mariah carey but her music is really beautiful. Good R&B/ hip hop / pop blends. Her voice is impeccable. Christmas will always be both better/ruined because of her one song but she's a solid artist otherwise.
Moby
4/5
such a massive album both for and against it. It seems similar to a fatboy slim record in terms of the fun mixes but it also at times takes itself seriously which gets a little meh and cheesy? But when a song hits it really does hit. Good production and some undeinably time capsule gems of the time. Good hip hop influence. Soul/blues samples. Beautiful orchestral piano. Crazy genre switch ups. I also listened to the extended version on accident so my bad. Definitely an overall good project. The singles are all good (hopefully you know them Honey, porcelain, natural blues) but deep cuts that are also good like run on, down slow, everloving, inside and my weakness. The extended edition has some similar but also decent tracks.
Dr. John
3/5
weird to mention production but the panning on the first track was not fun to listen to with headphones lol. Good song otherwise. Is mama roux the emergence of "wham bam thank you maam?" Or was that Bowie? I'm off track. This feels like some cool traditional new orleans jazz, bayou blues, some funk and r&b and rock n roll. Very mystic. Pretty cool record.
Everything But The Girl
4/5
Man this is leaps and bounds different and better than their first recommended record on this site "Idlewild." Some interesting electronic drum and bass beats, beautiful vocals, cool instrumentals. Almost like a Sade mixed with a trip hop group. Or a less rocky more poppy No Doubt. Very much a 90's pastiche but a good listen.
Sleater-Kinney
3/5
There's an interesting post punk/new wave blend to what I would consider straight indie rock. The singing is intense. The playing is firey. It feels like what sex-bobomb wanted to be. or what cloud nothings is embodying now. Really loud. Really in your face. Cool record.
Coldplay
4/5
Yes this is a great album and yes i'm a sensitive man who enjoys some cheesy 00s rock lol. Some songs are not as good as others (the main singles being my favorite, politik being a great opener. Warning Sign being my favorite deep cut of the bands). The rest are not bad by any means but not as memorable.
Def Leppard
3/5
Gets a little repetitive but, to be honest, its pretty infectious 80's stadium rock. Just good core songwriting.
David Bowie
2/5
This is the album he was on a lot of drugs when he recorded I think? i think he said he didn’t remember the experience. I unfortunately feel the same but hope the album clicks with me one day.
Coldplay
4/5
Another solid Coldplay album. So odd that it feels like the artists crop up around the same time on this site.
Aerosmith
2/5
Ehhhhhh greatest hits band although I like back in the saddle and rats in the cellar.
The Smashing Pumpkins
4/5
some classic 90's alt/grunge songs on this record. Some decent deep cuts. Mellon Collie is their masterpiece but this is still a solid record.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
A very solid start to a legend. It feels like none of his major hits are on here but I like this album. It's pretty creative even though it's within a genre that gets very repetitive (for me). 400 years is epic. Slave Drive, Stir it Up and Concrete Jungle are very bouncy in vibe even if lyrically they're more intense. A solid debut for a future classic maker (Exodus will get a default 5 stars once it shows up on here)
TLC
3/5
I feel like this is the embodiment of the “love and basketball” soundtrack vibe. 90’s LA may have had the best vibe of all time. Some classics for sure otherwise good easy listening
Erykah Badu
5/5
A really excellent r&b album. I tend not to listen to these kind of records in full and usually on a playlist and I’ve heard random tracks throughout my life such as orange moon , booty, didn’t cha know and a.d. 2000. But the record as a whole is so complete. Easy on the ears for beautiful vibes but lots of variety of instrumentation and genres of jazz, soul, funk and some pop sensibility. Sensual, groovy/funky and just excellently written and performed. My life, green eyes, in love with you and times a’wasting are also all great
The Cardigans
5/5
I wash shocked and how creative this record was only knowing this bands lead single. Feels like if stereo lab became a 90’s alt rock band (at least with the amount of vibes/marimba playing). Some cool brass/woodwind incorporations too throughout. Lovefool is essential, first three tracks are great. Honestly no bad songs or playing to me such a cool discovery!
Koffi Olomide
3/5
Reminds me of lady smith black Mombasa sometimes. Reminds me of some classic 80s city pop. A little cheesy. Very fun/well played and produced. Makes me think of vapor wave 90’s commercials showing off tropical vacations
The Yardbirds
3/5
very inventive for a 60's rock group. some really interesting guitars. I know they're heralded as essentially a stopping station for some of the best guitarists ever though so it shows
Kendrick Lamar
5/5
My favorite Kendrick album for sure. I know there’s lots of controversy surrounding the recent beef but regardless of the man or his disputes, you can’t deny his lyrics/production talent behind his songs. Shane, the art of peer pressure have some crazy weird beats. Poetic justice still bops even with the oddness of that drake feature. Backseat freestyle and swimming pools (ironically) are still great party jams. Money trees and good mid / maad city are great. Song about me, I’m dying of thirst is one of my favorite rap songs ever.
Metallica
3/5
The title track and "One" are some of the best metallica songs. I'm just happy this site finally recommended one of their good records and not one of the bad live ones. I will never think anything of theirs can beat master of puppets or die the lightning but for those two songs alone this is a decent record.
Röyksopp
2/5
Some okay songs on here. I can see where they had some influence on indie electronic music but it’s so varied and yet…kind of forgettable? Definitely not bad listening or offensive but a little all over with the quality
The Zombies
4/5
A really good record. A bit of its time in terms of 60's pop rock and lots of beach boys and beatles influence but it has some great songs besides the one song everyone knows by them where the chorus sounds like them opening up a can of coke and sipping in a commercial. A rose for emily, this will be our year, beechwood park and a butcher's tale are my standouts.
Cornershop
2/5
Some corny 90's tropes of the time. That being said, the blend of sunshine pop rock and rap with Indian music is a cool/worthwhile sound overall on a couple tracks. The album just doesn’t nail it as much as I’d like. They have a great compilation called corner shop and the double groove of that I think nails it in comparison
Fairport Convention
5/5
How have I never heard of this band?? Definitely feels like the ultimate encapsulation of everything I love about 60’s rock, Joni Mitchell esque lead vocals, cool blends of acoustic folk instrumentals, velvet underground style production/sonics, I’m hitting a lots of 5’s lately.
Björk
3/5
Bjork is definitely a true artist but some of her records are a little too all over for me. There's some club songs. There's a song with only harp that's like Joanna Newsom. Definitely worth listening but I think her records only improve on her style "everything and the kitchen sink and the fridge and the garden shed and a bunch of random styles/instruments" methodology from this point forward.
Deep Purple
3/5
lol this album cover looks like I photoshopped it. But the music is some decently fun hard rock. They have some good jam chops. Speed king is cool. Child in Time is cool. like some proto boston/prog stuff. Not as technical or honestly in my wheelhouse but more interesting than I'd expect from this group which has some classic dad rock singles.
Malcolm McLaren
3/5
Such an oddball record. Cool uses of 80’s hip hop beats, world music samples and generally unpredictable mixes.
Madonna
3/5
Some pretty decent 80's sunshiney pop. Not my favorite but not bad!
Sex Pistols
4/5
IAN RUBBISHHHHHH.
JK, but this is a pretty solid punk band. A lot more energy / juice than I expected for them only having 1 album. God Save the Queen, Holidays in the sun, and the staple "anarchy in the uk" are all still awesome.
Os Mutantes
2/5
Kind of liken a Brazilian tropica beach boys? I’ll revisit one day but not hitting
Brian Eno
3/5
This site has shown me I definitely prefer Brian Eno's soundscapes more than his straightforward weird rock tendencies in his early solo work/work with Roxy Music. That being said, it's well produced and interesting stuff usually. I don't think there is a "stand out" on this record in terms of a specific song but it's always nice to have on.
The Vines
1/5
Get free is cool. The rest meh
Public Image Ltd.
1/5
I prefer the Sex Pistols. Maybe more innovative/groundbreaking but i think there's better stuff in the genre.
Dr. Dre
3/5
Definitely a must listen for fans of west coast rap, 90's rap and just the genre. The most frequent complaints I've seen are it has not aged well and, after listening, I'd have to agree. I'm sure this went hard in the day but it's not the most clever/artful lyricism or freshest sounding beats. I do understand it's importance to the genre and "nuthin' but a g ' thang" slaps.
X-Ray Spex
3/5
I think this is cool because of the decade it came out as I’d guess there were not as many female led punk rock bands with weirdo instrumental twists. As an album there are some cool ideas / songs on it but just some good punk rock/new wave record a la devo. Opening track has a great sax. This stuff feels like proto skater punk. The singer of sleater Kinney feels very inspired by this vocalist. Maybe a bit of le tigre too. And the 5,6,7,8’s. The sax really sells the record style as it fits their rocking grooves.
The Teardrop Explodes
1/5
Like an echo and the bunny men like sounding band? Not as good? I guess Treason is fine?
The Mothers Of Invention
4/5
Best album title for one of the weirdest bands of their era (next to captain beefheart). Rocking, trippy and full of spunk (sperm funk sorry for the crassness and inaccurate genre but it seems to suit them). Really a one of a kind mind that Zappa guy was. Who are the brain police had a weird Scarborough fair choir chant. Go cry on somebody else is a funny turn on a classy 50 do-op love song. First two tracks are good rocking singles. Wowie Zoie has some goofy xylophone and weirdo lyrics. You didn’t try to call me and any way the wind blows have some very catchy choruses. Help, I’m a rock….is cool? Lol one of the weirder songs I’ve heard in awhile. No /mothers of invention to me means no ween, no primus, no animal collective, no residents. I think having heard other Zappa stuff first as well as opposed to not hearing this in the era it was released takes off some of the bonker aspects of the songwriting/musical choices but a fun listen if you wanna “freak out.”
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
5/5
No effing way!!! I LOVE this band. I cannot believe they threw this album on there. A great classical music influenced pop record. I never knew this band had any songs where there were vocals which is shocking and honestly not the best aspect of the album. Otherwise this album to me feels like it came from a co-owner of the said penguin cafe who hung up surreal penguin artwork (like the album cover). They bought the space from a former used instrument store and there were a lot of classical instrument lying around and they just made an album that would play in the background there or musicians would play at an open mic. Very DIY production feel/interesting instrumentation choices all over this thing. I like other albums more but this gets a five on the off chance those don’t show up on this site. The sound of someone, penguin cafe single, huge baby and chartered flight are great. Giles farnaby’s dream, milk, surface tension are cool from the “zopf” piece but there’s a lot of interesting experiments on those tracks that have some slightly mixed results. That being said, a unique record for an amazing band.
Daft Punk
4/5
Another CLASSIC group. This record is not as good as Discovery but such a good electronic house/dance record. I think on the back half there are a few sample choices like on "Rollin & Scratchin" or "Rock n Roll" or "Burning" That really get grating over time but the rest of the album is straight fire. Phoenix and Revolution 909 being some of my favorite deep cuts and Da Funk, Alive and Around the World being great standout singles for the record. It only gets better from here which is saying something since this is a dang impressive debut.
Badly Drawn Boy
3/5
Just some indie bullshit (lots of xylophones/accordions/plucked electric guitars on some folk rock songwriting) but there are some decent tracks on here. I like the opener and the string arrangements, I like the jazzy feel of the once around the block. the lo fi acoustic/indie rock aestheics on this song, bewilder, and fall in the river. Magic in the Air has an Andrew Bird vibe to it and these lush arrangements with a beautiful piano ballad. I think I'd rather listen to Wilco for an indie rock/alt rock/singer songwriter vibe but definitely some noteworthy things on this one.
Cheap Trick
2/5
This feels like what Spinal Tap was making fun of. Need your love is a good live track though and I like surrender/i want you to want me as those are just instant classics.
Steely Dan
2/5
A fine addition in terms of production and generally solid songwriting but nothing feels as good as from their other works like deacon blues, or reelin' in the years. The playing is there and it's nice to have on in the background but just not as memorable.
My Bloody Valentine
4/5
Interesting record. A little less dreamy than their obvious classic but still has some of the interesting textures/soundscapes they would later become known for. More straightforward songwriting/mixing as well. All the tracks are interesting at least in their sound styles even if the song is not something I'd return too.
Elbow
3/5
I always wonder how random this is as it's been giving me a lot of indie rock/pop records from the 90s-00s lately. This one is pretty good though. I always enjoyed grounds for divorce as a rocker but the rest if a lot more orchestral/soft indie feel at times too. Very grand instrumentation/theatrical.
Antony and the Johnsons
4/5
A really solid singer songwriter album. Antony has a cool voice. Very dramatic. The songs are very emotive. Rufus wainwright on a track too?? nice.
Lou Reed
4/5
A rocking lou reed album. Really grand in it's recording. I think I maybe like it better than Destroyer even. Feels like him doing a pre bruce springsteen style. Definitely some embellishments on the track runtimes but just a solid rock n roll record from a one of kind dude.
The Thrills
1/5
I do not love this guys voice. A little whiny. The music is just fine but a little meh. It feels like a lame indie blend to me. Like if the Cardigans were bad? Or if lumineers/mumford/of monsters and men tried some bullshit 00's alt rock. It doesn't lean enough into either it's folk inspirations or it's weird 2000's indie pop rock leanings. Blah/bad
The KLF
3/5
Feels a bit like Pet Shop Boys but these guys were pioneers? So prior? I could google but I refuse to research until post rating/listening. It's some nice feeling old school melodic techno stuff. It's a little cheesy sure but it is more pleasant. Reminds me of the beach and the 80's.
Dinosaur Jr.
3/5
Ooh a very good alt rock band born out of the grunge scene. Goes hard. They have better albums but this one is very solid. Freak Scene, Pond Song, no Bones, They Always Come, Budge are my standouts.
Living Colour
3/5
a little more technical/proggy 80's dad rock/hard rock. Cult of personality is a classic. I also enjoyed open letter to a landlord and funny vibe but got bored otherwise during
Manu Chao
3/5
Lots of goofy fun personality all over this record. Bong bong or whatever it is being really weird and kitschy.
Pixies
3/5
Some cool alt rock leanings. I think I prefer Doolittle
Common
4/5
A very solid rap album. Kanye's soul production is great. Good thoughtful verses. The ending clinched it for me as a must listen. Some of the best this genre/era has to offer.
Astor Piazzolla
4/5
Maybe the most classically based album I've heard so far. Really beautiful opening track. My uncle Harvey recommended Gary Burton as he is an excellent vibes player and that shows here for sure. Really interesting melodic jazz. highly skilled. mood setter music for sure.
Tangerine Dream
5/5
One of those classics that is impressive for it's time, easy to listen to intently or passively and hugely influential. That being said, my personal taste is that they got better from this point forward. Hyperborea and Rubycon being superior records. However, no DAW and they made something this futuristic sounding? Without them no progressive electronic? wild.
Skunk Anansie
1/5
I don’t know who this is for
Anita Baker
4/5
Like a Sade I like less but still really good. She has a super unique voice and her music/singing is solid.
Pere Ubu
2/5
meh like if devo/the pixies had a less talented kid together or something
R.E.M.
3/5
Albeit, still not my favorite artists, this is some nice easy 90's alt rock fare that I don't mind in the background.
2/5
Not a bad recording by any means but I guess I just don't care for live albums all that much.
Wilco
4/5
Really lame cover art hiding a massive trove a good Wilco songs. Less experimental and more straight up indie rock/alt country jams. Pretty dang good
Raekwon
3/5
good beats. wu tang legend status. Need to revisit at some point
Jeff Beck
3/5
I'll always think of Jeff Beck with the song "Led Boots" as it's one of the coolest guitar instrumental jams I've ever heard. That being said, hearing his debut solo record showcases his blues/jam abilities but his general sensibility for more complex songwriting. He also had a very solid vocal. Will need to revisit but some good jams on here.
Rahul Dev Burman
3/5
Good music but maybe would have more impact if I saw the film
Genesis
4/5
One of the most ambitiously arranged albums I've heard. A really crazy/cinematic prog rock record. If I give it more time it may become a classic but the music is so intricate that it's hard to let stick in your brain. A really cool album however overall.
Mike Ladd
2/5
This is like some proto gorillaz/cannibal ox stuff but not as good
The Magnetic Fields
5/5
a BEAST of an album. I haven't listened to it straight through it's so massive. So many great songs. Really all over the place sylistically/creatively.
Todd Rundgren
3/5
not bad
Steve Winwood
3/5
title track is real good. need to revisit
Frank Sinatra
3/5
fedora's and whisky, big bands and misogny. las vegas and blah blah blah
Gil Scott-Heron
4/5
An album that proves streaming services are not all that. I hate that I can't listen to it on them but some really beautiful jazz/soul music. An unfortunate missing credit of Brian Jackson who I understand is "instrumental" (sorry bad pun) to the music with gil's melodies/lyrics. Just beautiful and sobering and life affirming all at the same time.
Tim Buckley
5/5
like son like father. Honestly the more I listen to this the more I enjoy it. The rating on here is abysmal too many classic rock dads on this site.
Small Faces
4/5
Pretty Solid 60's rock. sad I never knew about these guys prior really well produced and played and some catchy songs. A little anachronistic but the charm is that it feels like all the best parts of that decade's psychedelic and pop / folk rock
Thelonious Monk
3/5
Definitely a cool jazz record but Theolonious has not hit me the same as his other contemporaries of equal legend/myth. One day one of his songs/records will get me and I'll feel the vibe and understand the brilliance (no pun) but otherwise it's definitely just a nice jazz record.
Patti Smith
4/5
Pretty cool interesting record. Redondo beach, title track, free money and Gloria are all epic
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
Honestly, finally a Neil Young Album from this site I can get behind. Something about the songwriting and combination live/studio recording tricks just hits the sweet spot of the best aspects of his songwriting.
Bee Gees
2/5
Not a bad record by any means as a singer songwriter/pop rock style record but definitely a reason why it isn't known for a lot of hits for this group given their reputation.
Q-Tip
4/5
Pretty solid. Not a tribe record but way better than expected.
Sinead O'Connor
3/5
This almost feels like a proto bjork/portishead style album. She has a great voice and the instrumentation is pretty straightforward but a good complement to her voice. Lots of variation and some experiments go better than other (baroque/chamber pop, soft rock, singer songwriter touch ups)
B.B. King
3/5
some decent live performances from a legend. Blues is definitely great live.
Super Furry Animals
2/5
Eh it's alright. Not offensive but pretty not exciting brit 90's/00's alternative rock. The part on frisbee of them sounding like monkeys axed it from a three to a two.
Bauhaus
3/5
Some nice post-punk/gothy stuff. Feels like if soft cell fronted a joy division like band.
Jane Weaver
3/5
Pretty cool indie electronic / rock record that's really modern and surprising to show up on this list.
Slipknot
3/5
nostalgia korn
I am not a U2 hater actually as many seem to be cause of Bono's ego/their kind of proto coldplay style but this one definitely is not one of their best.
Aerosmith
2/5
Eh. I like love in an elevator.
Pentangle
4/5
Pretty solid 60's folk rock. Has some stereotypes of it's time but I enjoy it. Feels like it'd be good for a movie soundtrack.
Hanoi Rocks
3/5
This has 80’s flick rad energy
Solange
3/5
good R&B record flow show but "cranes in the sky" is so good it makes the rest of the album pale in comparison.
Bee Gees
4/5
This feels like a better version of Trafalgar. Definitely has more of a theatrical/dramatic flair and less dancy but a cooler rock / pop album.
Jeru The Damaja
3/5
This site has overwhelmed me with life and music options but this was good but I will have to revisit thoroughly one day
Bob Dylan
3/5
Things have changed is cool. Oh that’s not on this record. This one is not bad but Dylan’s voice did get a lot harder to swallow in the later years
Iron Butterfly
1/5
Jesus 17 minutes is too long for this one hit wonder
Doves
3/5
500 days of summer core
Tim Buckley
4/5
Not as good as goodbye hello and a lot longer/jazzier jams with a lot of vibe playing but still a good record.
Def Leppard
3/5
Like the best parts of the hot rod soundtrack
Nirvana
5/5
I wish I could add anything insightful to this perfect album but….nevermind
4/5
Wild record. Not the best start to finish but has some crazy tracks throughout. This would have been so crazy to hear in the 70’s just from how different it is. Future synths. Rigid but fast guitars. Weird/bizarre lyrics/vocals from the guy who wrote the sims soundtrack later in life? Nice
Nightmares On Wax
4/5
Amazing beachy groove record. Great instrumentals. Lots of good beats and sunny/sunset instrumentation.
The Doors
5/5
All hail the lizard king
Ryan Adams
3/5
I prefer Whiskeytown but there are some bops on this
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
2/5
As always, Elvis Costello is fine but never hits with me
My Bloody Valentine
4/5
NICE. not their five star classic but a great record from them. If you need to feel bathed in sonic waves. Or feel deep unexplainable emotion. Or love loud guitars then these peeps are a must
Gillian Welch
4/5
Really cool that this lady did some of the best songs on the o brother where art thou soundtrack. Really americana. Very emotive singer and player. Will have to revisit but love the first three tracks and the last two of the record.
The Divine Comedy
4/5
A theatrical and well performed singer songwriter album. I'm shocked I had not heard of this guy before.
Jimmy Smith
4/5
A really mellow electric piano quartet record. Good playing and very relaxing to listen to.
4/5
First three songs are some of U2's all timers. the album as a whole is pretty good.
The Byrds
3/5
Such a weird turn for the byrds but this is a legit and decent country album they did for some reason
Justin Timberlake
4/5
Timba-lake was a Quincy jones Mj like duo. The world tour may be over but this record still bops.
Adam & The Ants
2/5
Hmm the low group chorus shouts are a bit much. But otherwise it’s whateva
Christine and the Queens
4/5
A very modern pop/rock record
Gang Starr
3/5
too cool for me
TV On The Radio
4/5
Woah unexpected but great album pick! perfect album ushering in the experimental glory days of indie rock in the 2000's.
Depeche Mode
5/5
Interesting blend of 80’s sounding electronics with kind of a grunge 90’s aesthetic at times. Overall cool
Van Morrison
3/5
Not the biggest fan of live albums but this is pretty undeniably sunny/great music. Van Morrison has one of the best voices in the game.
Yes
4/5
A pretty interesting Yes album. Less grand than their albums "Close to the Edge" and "Fragile" but still very weird arrangments/excellent prog playing.
Cyndi Lauper
4/5
I'm definitely having fun
The Flaming Lips
5/5
FINALLY. One of the first classics I ever listened too. No Skips. Perfect psychedelic concept rock album. A crazy story that turns into a mediation about life and death. This concert at Bonnaroo was one of the best music experiences and general experiences of my life.
Donald Fagen
2/5
Makes me wish I was listening to Steely Dan.
Marilyn Manson
2/5
The beautiful people is a great track and his interview in Bowling for Columbine is good but apparently he sucks as a person?
Frank Zappa
5/5
Hell yeah.
Belle & Sebastian
5/5
A really nice album. Super pretty. Really indie twee. Great orchestration and softness to the playing and singing. Not that it doesn't punch hard. It punches like a pillow fight. Gentle and simple.
The Velvet Underground
5/5
Super classic. The band that proved that anyone could make an amazing band and not in demeaning way but just showing you didn't need to be a classically trained player or have the best equipment to make groundbreaking music.
Miriam Makeba
3/5
Nice easy listening. Good voice, some world as well as jazz influences.
ABBA
3/5
Almost sounds more like a carpenter's record than the classic disco style tracks the group was known for. Doesn't have anything as immediate as they're greatest hits but there are some good sounding tunes otherwise.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
Nick Cave is ALWAYS going to give a great performance and excellent compositions in his songwriting. I do however, not vibe with his more beautiful/ambient tracks as much as his more operatic/orchestral stuff.
Orbital
5/5
Really really good electronic record. A little trancy. Very spacey. I'm giving it a 5 because I can't give 4.5's but it is masterfully produced and just good productive work music or just nice dance music.
Neneh Cherry
2/5
Eh I apologize there are some aspects that are well done but I cant get past the first few tracks. A giant hodgepodge
Bill Evans Trio
4/5
Very classy playing and nice thoughtful smokier moods. Definition of I'm not cool enough to listen to this stuff while doing a not very cool job.
Blur
3/5
Kind of good and kind of too much at the same time. Definitely some catchy songs and songwriting but some interesting instrument choices/weird and semi-irksome singing.
Beatles
5/5
There’s nothing more to say about this one. Just listen to it.
Les Rythmes Digitales
2/5
This feels like if Fatboy Slim preferred an 80's style aesthetic. It's alright and has cool moments/samples but it's also a little cheesy/annoying at times.
Jean-Michel Jarre
3/5
Feels like a cheesy 80's synth space pirate movie soundtrack in a good way
Madonna
3/5
I wanted to hate this just cause I thought the cover was lame. I don't though (at least completely). Even with some tackier sounds of the late 90's early 2000's and some pretty lame lyrics. Music, Runaway Lover and Amazing are pretty good. What it feels like for a girl is cool. Sometimes there is almost a portishead/bjork style production to some of these tracks which I'll give props to Madonna for trying out. Other tracks get annoying though.
Billy Bragg
2/5
Well produced and performed but just not feeling it I suppose
808 State
3/5
Definitely of it's time but has some aspects that feel a little shoegazey/plunderphonic like in a cool way. A little dreamy and trippy while being a little jungle and a little dated. Enjoyed it more than not.
The National
4/5
Definitely a top tier record by this band? perfect? idk. Really good? yes.
Johnny Cash
5/5
A damn good record.
The Beta Band
2/5
I wish I enjoyed High Fidelity but I enjoyed the song they used from this band in that film. This is a later album that's just fine. Nothing stands out.
Kacey Musgraves
2/5
She has a nice voice. The production is good. I do not really connect.
50 Cent
4/5
some og bangers
Sebadoh
2/5
meh
M.I.A.
5/5
Truly unique/ahead of it's time.
The Beach Boys
4/5
A great, if not classic, album by this band. R.I.P. Brian Wilson.
Radiohead
5/5
yeah classic.
Arctic Monkeys
5/5
Great indie rock record. Definitely the band's best. So much punk energy but slicker/strokes like production.
David Crosby
3/5
I would like to be able to write like this
David Ackles
3/5
A surprising singer songwriter album. Reminds me a lot of Scott Walker. Very dramatic/orchestrated right off the bat.
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
Hell yeah great record. Jimi will always be a standout star but the experience really is a band effort. Excellent playing from the trio and some amazing psych songs.
LCD Soundsystem
5/5
dang hitting all the high notes lately. Perfect indie electronic/rock album.
Sonic Youth
4/5
Never got too into this band but this has some cool noisey angst on it
Radiohead
3/5
Not their best but that’s still damn good
Dusty Springfield
4/5
Great singer. Pretty classy
Herbie Hancock
5/5
Nice so funky/jazzy/cool
Saint Etienne
3/5
Reminds me of Primal Scream/Fatboy Slim sunshine 90's electronic/funky pop stuff.
D'Angelo
3/5
Obviously a very talented singer and musician. Very easy listening but only a couple of the songs actually hooked me in.
The Mothers Of Invention
2/5
I like the weirdness usually but something about this was a little off
Tito Puente
4/5
Honestly, I wish I could be friends with this guy. That's what the music sounds like. Just a damn good friend who likes setting a really nice mood with some latin dance music.
John Coltrane
4/5
Impressive on the playing side and very unique in it's harmonic moods. I'm more into Blue Train, Giant Steps and My Favorite Things. "How Deep is the Ocean?" maybe being one of my favorite jazz songs ever. I have heard this is one of the hardest albums of his to get or it takes a lot of jazz listening but I'm sure this is the definition of a "grower" album
KISS
2/5
With the exception of a few tracks: not the best 80's hair metal band.
2/5
I tend to not agree with some of the lowest rated albums on this site, and as a fan of this band, I have to concede that this album is not the band's best. That being said, it's not the worst thing either. Some cool ideas that I think they fleshed out more on subsequent records.
Wild Beasts
2/5
Meh. indie
Goldfrapp
3/5
i'll revisit one day
David Bowie
4/5
One of the first proper album's of Bowie's I got into. I will never forget listening to the closing track in Europe and all the Bowie parties that were happening all around. As close to a classic farewell/posthumous album as there ever will be for an absolute legend.
Morrissey
1/5
The Smiths are a good bad but fuck racist wankers
Kings of Leon
3/5
Nostalgia choice only but I never revisit
Leonard Cohen
3/5
wtf Leonard Cohen did a synth pop album? It's not as good as his folk stuff imo but it's not a failure by any means.
Kraftwerk
5/5
Awesome electronic record. Equal parts weird and beautiful. Some of the progenitors of electronic/synth music and it is crazy how well it still holds up.
Tina Turner
2/5
The best hair of anyone who was alive in the 80's. Great singer too. The album as a whole isn't great but what's love got to do with it is one of the classic R&B / pop singles of all time.
Peter Gabriel
2/5
definitely his work with Genesis/English Folk Music shines more in this record. It's not as classic as "So" for that reason and honestly a little cheesy. Almost like Bruce Springsteen style of arena rock at times without the same sincere effect.
Sigur Rós
5/5
An amazing album. A classic probably? It really feels outer worldly although vocals that are not in my language help with that. It feels like one of the best examples however of how transcendent music can make you feel regardless of your contextual understanding of the lyrics.
The Police
3/5
I like the song where they sing about dinosaurs. That is not on this album but message in a bottle slaps.
Slipknot
2/5
sure
Sugar
1/5
ehhhhhhhh
Ray Price
3/5
Very pleasant classic country album
Guided By Voices
4/5
A garage rock staple.
The Specials
1/5
Eh this is like diet-ska/ska-lite to me
Oasis
4/5
Awesome record for sure. Crazy that it came at their recent reunion. I think this is is my favorite overall record by them. A great example of 90's alternative brit rock.
Happy Mondays
2/5
I would use the word "nonoffensive jangly brit pop rock" for this. i didn't care for the other Happy Monday's record but this one's fine. well produced/played. The songs just don't stick in my head.
Massive Attack
3/5
More palatable than Mezzanine in some regards but also less groundbreaking and memorable for those reasons. A lot of 90's stereotypical production flairs/techniques with the reverb, dub and synth layers. I don't mean to sound overly critical as there are some of their best tracks on this but it really does feel like the starting gun to their eventual seminal trip hop sound.
Lenny Kravitz
2/5
Nothing in particularly wrong with Lenny. He has hits. this album just doesn't stick with me in any meaningful way
Joan Baez
3/5
A very beautiful and traditional folk album
The Replacements
5/5
One of the great rock groups of the 80’s. I've never bothered listening to a full album experience truthfully even living in Minnesota most of my life. Really good. Almost five starts in a way but I just have to sit with it more.
Beck
3/5
A nice little indie acoustic odyssey. It's nice to see Beck's softer side albeit it is making me a little sleepy.
Tim Buckley
2/5
Maybe his weakest album that I’ve heard so far but fine
Django Django
4/5
Dang another shocker but a great record! A blend of interesting surf/desert rock, electronics and choppy vocals. A worthwhile listen.
Suede
1/5
Not for me
The Afghan Whigs
3/5
A not too bad indie alternative rock album. Nothing really stands out in terms of the sound but I like the general songwriting/all the playing is good.
Bert Jansch
4/5
I'm a sucker for a good singer songwriter album. This is also so stripped down to fingerpicking instrumentals/singing that is really shines out the talent.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
An interesting foreshadow into the more recent Nick Cave works. Very serene yet darker singer songwriter songs on this work. I prefer his grander stuff like lyre of orpheus or the new wild god record but this goes to show how just great of a songwriter Nick Cave is.
Tom Waits
4/5
He’ll yeah
The War On Drugs
4/5
A very solid, nostalgia dreamy indie rock album with some 80's stadium nostalgia.
Queen Latifah
2/5
eh it's not bad just not my style
Janet Jackson
3/5
this is not bad and is my style
Ryan Adams
3/5
some good ol' americana/rock n roll. although isn't this guy from canada? or is that bryan adams?
The Electric Prunes
2/5
some annoying stereo recording choices (stop playing only through the left channel 60's rock albums PLEASE) and not so many interesting sounds coming from a 60's psychedelic rock styling.
Dwight Yoakam
2/5
eh
Ice Cube
4/5
pretty good l.a. hip hop record. 2 of ice cube's most classic tracks on it. I just remember seeing him at a festival before he check yourself and after he played good day yelling "how y'all doing? Good? Damn right good, NEXT SONG" in really quick succession
Grizzly Bear
4/5
An amazing record. I think I prefer yellow house but it’s an excellent harmony blend with cool folk and slightly psychedelic baroque twinges.
Joni Mitchell
5/5
A perfect singer songwriter album.
Pavement
5/5
Feel like I appreciate this the older/more jaded I get.
The Band
4/5
the first record that I heard from "the band" where a bunch of songs hit. worth a listen.
Mudhoney
3/5
First song sounds like Nirvana. Or this is like a lofi guided by voices-esque nirvana. A little more experimental but pretty alright. Exactly like their second track "good enough"
Fugees
4/5
Ooh good record. Definitely an “I’m not cool enough to listen to this” kind of an album
Beach House
4/5
Indie Classic likely. Although I love this band none of their albums are direct 5 stars for me but maybe upon revisting this one will be amazing.
OutKast
4/5
One of their biggest hits and most divisive albums but a solid one
The Crusaders
3/5
nice georgen benson / funky soul easy listening. not amazing but good
The Prodigy
3/5
Not a bad record from them but also not amazing.
Beck
4/5
Beck’s best album. Groovy, rocking and overall a leftfield addition to the canon of music
Deee-Lite
3/5
groove is in the hearttttaaaa. thought this would be worse minus that track honeslty.
Duke Ellington
3/5
A solid live album but too much talking in between tracks (which I guess kind of helps with immersion but is not as much my thing but also that's live albums generally for me)
Dead Kennedys
5/5
amazing album. essential punk. Craziest vocals ever. Iconic songwriting with California Uber Alles, the vegas cover and holiday in cambodia. Really fun/fast playing with lots of surf rock influence
Sepultura
2/5
Meh not my style for metal
Marvin Gaye
4/5
This guy does not know how to make bad music.
The Jam
3/5
A bit of a Clash/Big Country mixup in a surprisingly good way.
The Killers
4/5
An amazing indie rock record. Crazy high for a debut
The Only Ones
3/5
Once again, thought it wasn't as good as band like the replacements or buzzcocks who this reminds me of, but it's also better than expected going off the fact I've never heard of them.
Parliament
4/5
I'm not funky enough or cool enough for this.
Bob Dylan
4/5
A really really good bob dylan album. I need to listen more but another potential classic from him even though it's really stripped back.
Heaven 17
2/5
feels like if DEVO sucked
David Holmes
4/5
This is basically the ocean's 11 soundtrack. That is a compliment. Also this guy did use some of these songs for that film soundtrack.
Portishead
4/5
Definitely more experimental than their album "dummy" which is an essential trip hop album. I may like how more adventurous this one is in comparison but will need more time to sit with. Regardless, very well produced and cool electronic record.
John Lee Hooker
1/5
eh this guy is a legend but this album is not
Stephen Stills
2/5
meh
3/5
classy country lady
Waylon Jennings
3/5
A very solid country album with some rock n roll twang to it.
Sonic Youth
4/5
as a whole album experience, this has everything I like about this band boiled down into something just really hooky and straightforward in comparison to some of the noisier stuff I'm used to hearing by them.
Violent Femmes
5/5
5 starts for it's uniqueness. Did these guys start the freak folk / acoustic punk movement? No idea but they're awesome. A really unique sound.
The Beta Band
3/5
I enjoyed it more than expected. A little trippier/wavier. A little psychedelic. Cool aspects of 90's trip hop, weird sampling/production and dream pop aesthetic.
Ice T
2/5
Just not hitting. A good drink though.
Fiona Apple
3/5
Some hits on it but maybe just not in the mood.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
Feels like a precursor to one of my fave albums by this group the lyre of orpheus/abbatoir blues. Very grand and orchestrated. Almost a little country western too. Cool one.
fIREHOSE
3/5
definitely makes sense these are guys from minutemen. A little more pop appeal in the songwriting for better or worse
Ride
3/5
There's something really familiar about this band's sound. Specifically the singers voice. Not that it's bad or doing anything in a copycat way. Maybe the lead singer sounds a bit like Nico? But with a shoegazey smiths jangly style? Generally good but I know people consider this essential shoegaze and to be it's a little too clean.
Joni Mitchell
4/5
This feels like Joni's Highway 61. Her folk roots are intact but there's fuller instrumenation/some electric and jazz rock influences. Not my personal favorite but the worst Joni Mitchell is better than most of the best of anyone else.
Crosby, Stills & Nash
3/5
Good for the three main singles (suite judy blue eyes, helplessly hoping and wooden ships). Otherwise, feels a bit too much like Simon and Garfunkel . Also teach the children is a better song with Young also accompanying.
The Monkees
3/5
Just fine... a little background 60's noise but it's pleasant
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
1/5
a fairly boring departure from Gorillaz
The Last Shadow Puppets
2/5
The Scott Walker comparison was apt but while well produced/generally well played, nothing really that interesting/new about it.
Manic Street Preachers
2/5
A little cheesy/of it's time I guess.
The Verve
2/5
the orchestral shoegaze epicness of "Bittersweet Symphony" is unfortunately never replicated/expanded upon for a full album experience.
The Notorious B.I.G.
3/5
Pretty good rap album. I expect it to grow on me potentially but i'm usually a greatest hits guy with biggie.
MC Solaar
3/5
Makes me want to retake french. cool jazz rap.
Robert Wyatt
4/5
A very unexpected hidden gem!! I’ll have to sit with it more but it reminds me of Jim o rourke but doing a more Pink Floyd style psychedelic / jazz rock. Definitely some left field singer songwriter stuff.
Paul Revere & The Raiders
3/5
Pretty decent 60's rock.
Moby Grape
3/5
see my paul revere & the raiders review as it's oddly similar
Thin Lizzy
4/5
Damn shocked how much I like this for a live record which is not my go to
TV On The Radio
5/5
I recall first hearing "Dancing Choose" performed on the Colbert Report. These guys then became my gateway into the underground NY indie scene of the early 2000's. However, I did not check out this album in full until decades later and realized it may be not only their best but one of the best rock albums of that era. Crazy blends of electronics. Beautiful walls of sound all over the place. Catchy vocals. A must listen for sure.
Robbie Williams
3/5
The monkey man! It's alright I like Oasis more.
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
2/5
meh
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
Parfait. Timeless instrumentation, production and song topics. If landslide were on here it would be 11 out of 10 but their self titled is also excellent.
Beck
4/5
I've been listening to the latest Geese album lately, and I only bring this up to express how important Beck is when it comes to weirdo rock. He's got a very identifiable voice but his stuff is so bendy in the genre to pop, hip hop, his acoustic sets. This one is truly just a weird mix of acoustic guitars, electronics, some weird rap singing. A good listen ovearll.
The Isley Brothers
5/5
This is maybe cheesy of me but definitely a perfect soul record to me. Just something undeniable on the playing, singing, arrangements etc.
The Dictators
1/5
They lost me on the master race song. I get it's probably tongue in cheek with the lyrics and maybe it was groundbreaking for the time but I'm pretty bored listening to this.
Ghostface Killah
4/5
basically a mini wu tang clan album with higher fidelity production. Pretty fun.
Pet Shop Boys
3/5
I tend to like the Pet Shop Boys generally but this is a little too cheesy too much of the time. Some good bangers on it though like go out west,l wouldn't normally do this kind of thing and yesterday i was mad. Definitely well produced and generally well written I just need to be in the right mood for them
Miles Davis
5/5
This album is pretty immense. Very otherworldly. I tend to get laust in the sostce when it comes to these bepop/fusion albums but, having recently gotten into Mahavishnu Orchestra and just many of the other players on this record outside of Miles (Check out: Wayner Shorter, Bennie Maupin(of headhunters fame), John Mclaughlin (previously mentioned), Joe Zawinul (of the weather report), Chick Corea and Dave Holland (which his world trio album with kevin eubanks is very underrated); even Herbie Hancock, Tony Williams played on the previous record "In a Silent Way" which I like more/is more straightforward; also crazy that I did this rambling parenthesis that is grammatically unsound yet still kind of fits the layered theme of the music of this album).
I really appreciate the grandiosity and the musicianship. There is always something new to pick apart with this record on each listen. This really is the kind of music that I don't understand how anyone can conceive let alone play. That's jazz for ya baby. Even if I like other albums more from Miles and the others in this group, undeniable classic in the genre and for jump starting so many other musician's careers.
The Go-Betweens
3/5
Surprisingly better/slightly derivative jangle pop
Scott Walker
5/5
This just some epic operatic western singer songwriter stuff. A well respected name and, after listening to scott 2 from this site, feels like this album is definitely a peak/improvement of that style on every front. It also contextualizes Bish Bosch as one of the coolest/weirdest departures from his very accesible/immediate songwriting style. Honestly there is no bad song. Just let the cinematic nature of the soundscapes wash over you on this one.
Slade
1/5
Some pretty cornball dad rock
1/5
I tried to come to this with an open mind. I failed.
Kanye West
4/5
Damn this guy is too controversial to rate in the modern era. This is the tour I saw him on though and this album has some amazing tracks on it. I also did see him on this tour and it was such a good show. This does not condone his current state of being by any means but a solid industrial/pop hip hop crossover done by a ostracized (rightfully so) artist.
T. Rex
4/5
A very cool glam rock record.
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
3/5
An iconic 50's musician. Pretty decent old time rock n roll.
PJ Harvey
5/5
I'm definitely in love with this woman beauty but the music only sends that into the stratosphere. She has an interesting voice sort of like Bjorks even but with more alternative rock style instrumentation. Very watery reverbed guitars, cool arrangements and weird unexpected sounds over this thing. I think she has more acclaimed albums that are a little more straightforward but this is a very unique experience tha I think will grow on me the more I listen. Great opener and closer, also love The words maketh the murder, on battleship hill, bitter branches, written on the forehead and hanging in the wire.
Stereo MC's
3/5
this feels like something i should hate. it is very 90's in feel with a hip hop style back beats, jazz samples, trippy electronics and blends of reggae, pop, world music and rapping. it is very infectious/generally nice sounding.
Rod Stewart
4/5
Man I believe I have a real underappreciation for this guy's voice and songwriting style. Really good rock n roll record mixed with some country folk/americana and singer songwriter stylings.
Goldie
3/5
Not bad but all these jungle/breakbeat trip hop style electronics need to let me be in the right mood for them. There's enough variety on here though to keep it interesting.
Paul Simon
4/5
I did not realize Paul Simon was so world influenced from his initial debut album. Really beautiful and interesting songs and arrangements. Sorry Garfunkel.
Grateful Dead
4/5
Very chill. Very groovy. feels like a real american road trip kind of album.
Bobby Womack
3/5
Bobby is an undeniable force in soul and funk music, and his 80's transition, while not being my favorite, is still admirable/very solid listening
Talking Heads
5/5
Perfect weirdo but still insanely accessible rock album. See the live "Stop Making Sense" film for a crazy experience of many songs from this album and just the band generally. Appreciate the weird recording process and left field instrument choices/crazy rhythms. Perfect
XTC
5/5
Wrote a terrible review of this so trying to do it justice. One of weirdest pop/rock albums of its time. Without this, there is no MGMT in my eyes so I appreciate it for that alone. There is, to me, a punk attitude in the songwriting but expressed with really beautiful and off kilter instrumental choices. The closest to feeling like you're on the titular band drug without being on it.
Hüsker Dü
3/5
some good riffing/rock n rolling. Gotta rep MN. Just not my fav band.
Korn
2/5
This is like if Limp Bizkit didn't suck as much
Meat Loaf
3/5
Having just seen rocky horror, I have a newfound appreciation for Meat Loaf
Supergrass
3/5
Very 90's but fun/fine.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
this guy just generally hits
Incubus
3/5
Exactly a three star album. Some good tracks. Well produced. However, for me, this is very of the time and I think too many alternative bands tried to be like this. They were never as good/successful but it can come off as a little samey at times because of that.
Arcade Fire
5/5
I KNOW this band is terrible as people (specifically Win and a little weirdly Regine). But I'm too nostalgic for how great this album was for it's time. How epic every concert was with this band that I saw (minus the end towards the allegations coming out). It really is the orchestral, semi-twee/goth indie rock epic.
Gene Clark
1/5
Eh no memory of it at this point
Beyoncé
2/5
Honestly, nothing that bad about it but I think I'm just into her singles over an album experience.
Gang Of Four
4/5
This is a pretty crazy record to come out for it's time. It feels like half of modern indie bands are just trying to be quirky versions of these guys. I think I prefer Wire over these guys but still a solid post punk / dance punk album listening experience.
Jorge Ben Jor
4/5
The older I get the more I realize I have no good discerning critical voice. So without good description, this is a cool album. Feels like it blends south american styles with African instrumentation which I guess is noted in the album title.
Steely Dan
3/5
Def some classic jams on this one
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
4/5
A little cheesy, super fun/funky though. Probably essential
a-ha
3/5
Nothing hits the highs of the opener but it's a not bad 80's electro pop record
Gotan Project
3/5
You know, I expected this to be alright, and I think it's slighty more interesting of a fusion of electronics and tango than I could've ever expected.
Iron Maiden
5/5
Definitely a classic metal record. I feel like the kind of metal that everyone can get into but still embodies the epic playing/ dark aesthetics etc. I just listened to the Needle Drop review and he indicated how this was such a pivotal turn for metal as this bands predecessors were very blues influenced where this one kicked up the speed/technical playing at thrashier/hair metal playing.
Carole King
5/5
An amazing singer songwriter record from one of the most beautiful souls ever.
Arcade Fire
5/5
three peat arcade fire listing. Although this is there only "not perfect" album it has some of their BEST songs. Also after relistening the initial lull in the middle is actually still pretty awesome.
The Byrds
3/5
It’s fine but this band will forever be trapped in the 70’s psych rock/pop aesthetic for me
Wu-Tang Clan
5/5
WU TANG
The Rolling Stones
4/5
The traditional blues emphasis always shocks me with the stones even though everyone knows that is there main influence. The main greatest hits singles are just these epic rockers and the rest of the album plays with more traditional blues sounding instrumentation/songwriting in a good way. Definitely a nice listen.
Neu!
5/5
This really reminds of a visual like the ocean in space. Something really floaty/transcending about this album. It's psychedelic, it's cosmic, its beautiful, it's got big grooves. I've definitely been missing out on this one for a long time I only knew this band for "Hallogallo" which is a jam but this really steps it up a notch.
The 13th Floor Elevators
4/5
This is definitely weirdo 60’s pysch rock album ina good way.
The Charlatans
3/5
Worst album cover ever but not a bad sounding Brit pop record
Frank Black
3/5
Weirdly this almost is more accessible than the pixies at times?
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
I think Elvis Costello is the most three star musician I've listened too. I don't mean that in a mean way. He just sounds veryyyy standard/classic rock. He writes good songs and has some bangers but it'll just never beat that threshold for me of being generally nice to listen too. At least for awhile likely.
Astrud Gilberto
3/5
Reminds me of Nancy Sinatra. Very 60's/poolside kind of music loungey/orchestral/at times .
Morrissey
3/5
Eh this might be good but fuck this racist guy not even going to bother
Okay I just decided to start listening and it is really catchy. I also am now reading up on the guy and I think he's actually just a little egomanical because he is a fairly skilled musician. I feel very changed as a person.
The Beach Boys
3/5
A solid 60's vocal pop record. All of this sounds great but it doesn't compare to their later records for me by a mile.
Sonic Youth
4/5
Pretty cool punk/noise rock album.
Randy Newman
4/5
Welcome dear reader to a totally optional review of this album.
I put on the vinyl while cleaning as I'm trying to expose myself to full album listening experiences this way. I don't really know much of Randy Newman outside of his Pixar bangers but do respect him. It's cool that he essentially encapsulates really good americana blues, country, folk and 70's singer/songwriters. He's like a family friendly tom waits in terms of his goofy voice. I have very distinct memories of the toy story soundtrack, him on Colbert playing "political science" as well as recently hearing his "I Love LA" cover at a charity event for the recent L.A. wildfires. I also remember listening to this in college as my roommate really liked him but I was too drunk to actually take it in. He really is idiosyncratic. The only things that keeps me from rating this album of his perfect are the following:
Randy Newman dying so I can jump on the Nostalgia train
Really taking in his lyrics/song topics (which are the hardest for me to digest as I'm not the most poetic / intelligent and from the songs of his I do know the lyrics for, i'm sure there is a lot of good storytelling/humor to take in
being exposed to an eloquent critic's opinion on why this is literally a classic and why i'm dumb for not knowing that already.
All in all, give this guy a listen bare minimum for his essential status in American singer/songwriter...ness
The Cult
2/5
Eh some hard rock dad rock whateverness. Good production at least.
Rush
4/5
a pretty cool epic prog rock album. bold start with the 20 mintue track. the passage to bangkok stereotypical asian riff was a little cheesy but still rips. Tears is beautiful. Honestly for their potentially most operatic album, rocks hard, even if it's not as gripping as their main hits overall.
Burning Spear
2/5
Some aight reggae sound stuff
Orbital
2/5
I do like this duo and the music is well produced but nothing has the same juice as 2 or in sides
CHVRCHES
4/5
Freaky I was just listening to this
A Tribe Called Quest
5/5
Rap classic
Franz Ferdinand
4/5
An indie rock staple. Half of it is some of the coolest rock of the time and I don’t remember the other half already but recommend Jacqueline, take me out, 40’, come on home, dark of the matinee, cheating you and take her home. It is very strokes inspired but so solid