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Mon Oct 23 2023
At Mister Kelly's
Sarah Vaughan
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.
4
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Tue Oct 24 2023
Parallel Lines
Blondie
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.
3
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Wed Oct 25 2023
Unknown Pleasures
Joy Division
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.
5
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Thu Oct 26 2023
Bad
Michael Jackson
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.
4
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Fri Oct 27 2023
The Suburbs
Arcade Fire
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.
5
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Sun Oct 29 2023
Live!
Fela Kuti
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
4
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Mon Oct 30 2023
The Atomic Mr Basie
Count Basie & His Orchestra
Starts right away with a great big band vibe. Album cover is super jarring but an explosive jazz album.
3
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Tue Oct 31 2023
On The Beach
Neil Young
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.
2
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Wed Nov 01 2023
Scissor Sisters
Scissor Sisters
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.
2
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Thu Nov 02 2023
Pacific Ocean Blue
Dennis Wilson
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.
2
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Fri Nov 03 2023
Scum
Napalm Death
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
3
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Sat Nov 04 2023
Talking Book
Stevie Wonder
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.
4
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Sun Nov 05 2023
Superfuzz Bigmuff
Mudhoney
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
3
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Mon Nov 06 2023
Another Green World
Brian Eno
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.
4
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Tue Nov 07 2023
Machine Head
Deep Purple
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
3
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Wed Nov 08 2023
Bongo Rock
Incredible Bongo Band
sounds like the soundtrack to a quentin tarantino nostalgia piece. Need to revisit but didn’t think it was an essential album
2
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Thu Nov 09 2023
Metallica
Metallica
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.
2
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Fri Nov 10 2023
The Wall
Pink Floyd
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.
3
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Sat Nov 11 2023
Figure 8
Elliott Smith
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.
3
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Sun Nov 12 2023
Repeater
Fugazi
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.
4
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Mon Nov 13 2023
Ambient 1/Music For Airports
Brian Eno
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.
5
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Tue Nov 14 2023
Physical Graffiti
Led Zeppelin
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.
4
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Wed Dec 06 2023
John Prine
John Prine
I've tried to get into this guy so many times but his voice just isn't for me.
1
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Thu Dec 07 2023
Soul Mining
The The
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.
3
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Fri Dec 08 2023
Oracular Spectacular
MGMT
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.
5
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Sat Dec 09 2023
Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea
PJ Harvey
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.
3
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Sun Dec 10 2023
The Dreaming
Kate Bush
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.
3
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Mon Dec 11 2023
Music Has The Right To Children
Boards of Canada
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.
5
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Tue Dec 12 2023
Ace of Spades
Motörhead
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.
2
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Wed Dec 13 2023
Konnichiwa
Skepta
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.
1
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Thu Dec 14 2023
Slippery When Wet
Bon Jovi
Dad rock with undeniably/annoying level of catchiness
2
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Fri Dec 15 2023
21
Adele
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
3
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Sat Dec 16 2023
Talking Heads 77
Talking Heads
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.
2
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Sun Dec 17 2023
The Scream
Siouxsie And The Banshees
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.
3
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Mon Dec 18 2023
Crooked Rain Crooked Rain
Pavement
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.
2
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Tue Dec 19 2023
The Man Machine
Kraftwerk
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.
4
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Wed Dec 20 2023
Olympia 64
Jacques Brel
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.
3
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Thu Dec 21 2023
Darkness on the Edge of Town
Bruce Springsteen
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.
4
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Fri Dec 22 2023
Rid Of Me
PJ Harvey
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.
3
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Sat Dec 23 2023
Music in Exile
Songhoy Blues
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.
3
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Sun Dec 24 2023
Close To The Edge
Yes
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
5
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Mon Dec 25 2023
Country Life
Roxy Music
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.
3
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Tue Dec 26 2023
A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector
Various Artists
Soul fueled Christmas and it came at a nice time.
3
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Wed Dec 27 2023
Little Earthquakes
Tori Amos
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.
4
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Thu Dec 28 2023
Paranoid
Black Sabbath
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
4
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Fri Dec 29 2023
The Cars
The Cars
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.
5
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Sat Dec 30 2023
Power In Numbers
Jurassic 5
an alright jazz rap album. nothing hit though
2
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Sun Dec 31 2023
Meat Puppets II
Meat Puppets
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.
3
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Mon Jan 01 2024
Punishing Kiss
Ute Lemper
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.
3
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Tue Jan 02 2024
Superfly
Curtis Mayfield
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
4
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Wed Jan 03 2024
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
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.
4
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Thu Jan 04 2024
Heaven Or Las Vegas
Cocteau Twins
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.
3
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Fri Jan 05 2024
Calenture
The Triffids
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.
2
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Sat Jan 06 2024
Pink Moon
Nick Drake
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.
4
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Sun Jan 07 2024
Permission to Land
The Darkness
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.
3
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Mon Jan 08 2024
Electric Music For The Mind And Body
Country Joe & The Fish
Definitely a 60's psychedlic blues rock record for sure.
2
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Tue Jan 09 2024
Blonde On Blonde
Bob Dylan
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.
5
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Wed Jan 10 2024
Another Music In A Different Kitchen
Buzzcocks
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.
4
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Thu Jan 11 2024
Live / Dead
Grateful Dead
Lots of noodling but not bad.
3
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Fri Jan 12 2024
Bandwagonesque
Teenage Fanclub
I wish Pavement hit at the same level as these guys for me.
3
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Sat Jan 13 2024
Different Class
Pulp
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.
2
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Sun Jan 14 2024
A Nod Is As Good As A Wink To A Blind Horse
Faces
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.
3
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Mon Jan 15 2024
Seventeen Seconds
The Cure
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.
3
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Tue Jan 16 2024
The Stone Roses
The Stone Roses
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.
4
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Wed Jan 17 2024
A Little Deeper
Ms. Dynamite
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.
2
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Thu Jan 18 2024
Mott
Mott The Hoople
eh I like this type of music and even this is a little too generic for me.
1
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Fri Jan 19 2024
Melodrama
Lorde
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.
3
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Sat Jan 20 2024
People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm
A Tribe Called Quest
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.
4
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Sun Jan 21 2024
Fuzzy
Grant Lee Buffalo
This feels like a band they'd play in High Fidelity.
3
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Mon Jan 22 2024
Fisherman's Blues
The Waterboys
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.
4
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Tue Jan 23 2024
Led Zeppelin II
Led Zeppelin
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.
4
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Wed Jan 24 2024
Yank Crime
Drive Like Jehu
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.
4
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Thu Jan 25 2024
White Blood Cells
The White Stripes
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.
5
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Fri Jan 26 2024
Bummed
Happy Mondays
Eh not bad but nothing hitting.
2
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Sat Jan 27 2024
Hotel California
Eagles
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.
3
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Sun Jan 28 2024
White Light / White Heat
The Velvet Underground
a cool band and a cool record.
3
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Thu Feb 01 2024
Graceland
Paul Simon
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.
5
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Fri Feb 02 2024
Moving Pictures
Rush
Definitely got some hits. Technically amazing. In terms of actual songs/nerd appeal? Pretty good prog rock power trio.
3
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Sat Feb 03 2024
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
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.
2
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Sun Feb 04 2024
New Forms
Roni Size
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.
3
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Mon Feb 05 2024
Call of the Valley
Shivkumar Sharma
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.
5
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Tue Feb 06 2024
Aja
Steely Dan
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.
4
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Wed Feb 07 2024
Dust
Screaming Trees
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.
2
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Thu Feb 08 2024
Vol. 4
Black Sabbath
Changes and Snowblind are my personal highlights. Definitely has a lot of more slow/beautiful tracks and a great record
3
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Fri Feb 09 2024
Garbage
Garbage
Eh it's fine I guess.
2
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Sat Feb 10 2024
At Folsom Prison
Johnny Cash
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
4
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Sun Feb 11 2024
Black Monk Time
The Monks
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).
3
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Mon Feb 12 2024
Born To Be With You
Dion
His voice is good. Very dad rock and nothing interesting about the instrumentation but the songs/voice are good I guess.
2
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Tue Feb 13 2024
Strangeways, Here We Come
The Smiths
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.
3
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Wed Feb 14 2024
Cypress Hill
Cypress Hill
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.
3
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Thu Feb 15 2024
Heavy Weather
Weather Report
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.
4
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Fri Feb 16 2024
Live At The Star Club, Hamburg
Jerry Lee Lewis
Lots of good energy. Some good old fashioned rollrock
3
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Sat Feb 17 2024
Licensed To Ill
Beastie Boys
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.
3
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Sun Feb 18 2024
The Idiot
Iggy Pop
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.
3
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Mon Feb 19 2024
Sign 'O' The Times
Prince
I mean, it's Prince, it's going to be good.
4
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Tue Feb 20 2024
Aladdin Sane
David Bowie
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.
3
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Wed Feb 21 2024
The Contino Sessions
Death In Vegas
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.
3
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Thu Feb 22 2024
B-52's
The B-52's
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.
3
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Fri Feb 23 2024
Hybrid Theory
Linkin Park
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.
4
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Sat Feb 24 2024
To Pimp A Butterfly
Kendrick Lamar
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.
4
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Sun Feb 25 2024
Meat Is Murder
The Smiths
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.
3
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Mon Feb 26 2024
Come Away With Me
Norah Jones
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.
2
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Tue Feb 27 2024
The Wildest!
Louis Prima
Good energy/good voice. Not my favorite in this style but solid overall. Good swing. Good standards. Very jazz.
3
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Wed Feb 28 2024
Shaka Zulu
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
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.
3
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Thu Feb 29 2024
Murmur
R.E.M.
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.
2
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Fri Mar 01 2024
Run-D.M.C.
Run-D.M.C.
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.
3
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Sat Mar 02 2024
At Newport 1960
Muddy Waters
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.
3
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Sun Mar 03 2024
Scream, Dracula, Scream
Rocket From The Crypt
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.
3
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Mon Mar 04 2024
Siembra
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
Fun world record. Reminds me of paddington
3
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Thu Mar 14 2024
Frank
Amy Winehouse
On voice alone this is a great record. Some solid arrangements too.
4
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Fri Mar 15 2024
Rubber Soul
Beatles
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.
4
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Sat Mar 16 2024
Rio
Duran Duran
Meh. Hungry like the Wolf is good but weirdly a new wave album I didn't care for.
1
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Sun Mar 17 2024
Jack Takes the Floor
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
Some woody guthrie shit. Pretty good.
3
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Mon Mar 18 2024
Lam Toro
Baaba Maal
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 .
2
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Tue Mar 19 2024
Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Wilco
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.
5
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Wed Mar 20 2024
KE*A*H** (Psalm 69)
Ministry
Pretty cool metal album. Very thrashy. It feels like a slighlty darker/more experimental metallica.
3
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Thu Mar 21 2024
Queen II
Queen
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.
3
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Fri Mar 22 2024
Cafe Bleu
The Style Council
I feel like this is jazzy bland of talking heads, tears for fears and weird new wave stuff. Not my favorite.
2
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Sat Mar 23 2024
Channel Orange
Frank Ocean
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.
4
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Sun Mar 24 2024
Disraeli Gears
Cream
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.
2
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Mon Mar 25 2024
Supa Dupa Fly
Missy Elliott
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.
3
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Tue Mar 26 2024
Beauty And The Beat
The Go-Go's
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.
1
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Wed Mar 27 2024
Trout Mask Replica
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
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.
1
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Thu Mar 28 2024
System Of A Down
System Of A Down
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.
4
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Fri Mar 29 2024
...The Dandy Warhols Come Down
The Dandy Warhols
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.
2
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Sat Mar 30 2024
Music for the Masses
Depeche Mode
cool
3
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Sun Mar 31 2024
We Are Family
Sister Sledge
awwww freak out.
3
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Mon Apr 01 2024
Suicide
Suicide
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.
4
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Tue Apr 02 2024
Tres Hombres
ZZ Top
pretty fun blues rock album. Not my favorite genre but they're pretty good.
3
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Wed Apr 03 2024
Home Is Where The Music Is
Hugh Masekela
very cool jazz trumpet player. I would say standard/solid mix of bold trumpet/brass focus with some smooth balladry once in awhile.
3
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Thu Apr 04 2024
Leftism
Leftfield
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.
3
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Fri Apr 05 2024
Green
R.E.M.
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.
1
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Sat Apr 06 2024
British Steel
Judas Priest
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
4
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Sun Apr 07 2024
Virgin Suicides
Air
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.
3
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Mon Apr 08 2024
The Stranger
Billy Joel
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."
4
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Tue Apr 09 2024
Hot Buttered Soul
Isaac Hayes
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.
5
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Wed Apr 24 2024
Done By The Forces Of Nature
Jungle Brothers
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.
3
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Thu Apr 25 2024
Wish You Were Here
Pink Floyd
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.
5
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Fri Apr 26 2024
Tanto Tempo
Bebel Gilberto
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.
5
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Sat Apr 27 2024
Get Behind Me Satan
The White Stripes
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.
4
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Sun Apr 28 2024
Future Days
Can
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.
5
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Mon Apr 29 2024
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
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.
1
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Tue Apr 30 2024
Sheer Heart Attack
Queen
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.
4
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Wed May 01 2024
Smash
The Offspring
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)
3
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Thu May 02 2024
Boy In Da Corner
Dizzee Rascal
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.
3
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Fri May 03 2024
Electric Ladyland
Jimi Hendrix
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.
4
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Tue May 07 2024
The Downward Spiral
Nine Inch Nails
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.
5