Very interesting experimental jazz with the surprising addition of some electric instruments. The very definition of dreamlike, where the narrative thread comes and goes - often hard to follow - but there’s a subconscious logic holding the whole thing together. I expected this to be an easy 5, but the long runtime combined with that dream-logic made it more challenging than I would’ve thought. Definitely one I’ll revisit.

Huh, kind of weird. It veered between pretty cool and pretty annoying. I was going to reserve judgement and go with 2.5 rounded up, but the scales were tilted more toward annoyance by the end of it.

It’s corny, but not entirely charmless. A little hard to rate - it’s not something I’ll listen to again, but relative to other country albums, it’s fine. Solidly middle of the road.

Overlong and mediocre. The style wasn’t terrible, but it got repetitive and a little grating. Not something I’d listen to in its entirety again. 2.5 rounded up.

I’m not a huge fan of Christmas music, but as far as Christmas albums go, you can’t do much better than this. (Made me smile to see it pop up as the album for Christmas Day.)

Highlights: - Papa was a Rollin’ Stone - The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - Mother Nature I'm terrible at rating things, especially music, and this is the first album, so I would take it with a grain of salt. I don't usually listen to R&B music, but I liked this well enough; I listened twice.

Hmm, not sure how to rate this one. I liked the instrumentals and energy of it, but it felt a little overlong and…homogenous, maybe? Around 30 min. in, I found myself checking to see how much longer it had left. I also thought the vocalist sounded a little whiny at times. Made me think of early 2000s emo. I dunno. I think I would’ve really liked this in high school, but it’s harder for me to connect with it at this point. Highlights: - Son et Lumiere - Inertiatic Esp

I might be shortchanging this a bit… Highlights: - Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe - m.A.A.d city - Sing For Me, I’m Dying of Thirst

It’s not really my style, but even I’m not enough of a cynic to escape this album’s charm. It just cheers you up and makes you want to move. Highlights: - Feel it - Chaingang - Somebody Have Mercy

I was happy to get this because I’ve never listened to a full Dylan album, but I’ve seen him compared to Joanna Newsom. Joanna Newsom he is not, but who is? 3.5-4 stars. Highlights: - Tombstone Blues - Queen Jane Approximately - Desolation Row

I didn’t expect to enjoy this, but I did; I think I was anticipating more of a Beatles flavor, where this felt a bit grittier. Pretty sure “Sunshine of your Love” was used in one of the menus for Guitar Hero 3 - it’s one of those songs I’ve heard and and always enjoyed, but never placed. The album feels a little more like junk food than a meal, but we’ve all got our vices. Good music to drive to. Highlights: - Strange Brew - Sunshine of your Love - Tales of Ulysses

I feel like this was a really mixed bag. Some tracks were excellent, while others were kind of boring or even a bit grating. 3.5, I guess. Highlights: - Safe from Harm - Blue Lines - Five Man Army

Super chill.

Oh, this is really cool. How have I never heard it before? I’ve heard of Portishead, but I don’t think I’ve ever listened to them before this - I think I was assuming they were kind of a generic pop band. I’d like to hear more. Really feels like it fits in with the recent “lo-fi hiphop” trend. (I enjoyed the album as a whole, but didn’t note any highlights - at least on this first listen - because it did feel a bit homogenous.)

Ah, okay, here’s one I’ve heard. My dad bought it probably shortly after it came out and used to play it all the time…to the point that I’m kind of sick of it. 2 stars if I’m being honest, but I’ll give it the extra for my pops.

Oh, this is good. Riot grrl. This is the sort of thing I’d love to see live. Listened twice. Highlights: - Not What You Want - Dance Song ‘97 - Jenny

I liked this, but having just listened to “Dig Me Out” by Sleater-Kinney the day before, I couldn’t help but compare them - this album felt a bit generic in comparison. Not bad, but a little overlong. I did really enjoy listening to it while driving, so I dunno, I’m on the fence…I need to rethink my rating system, because although I’ve given them the same rating, I’d definitely rather listen to this than Norah Jones.

First Neil Young album. I liked it, but am facing that 3/4 stars dilemma again - going with 3 because I don’t see myself going out of my way to listen to the whole album again. Highlights: - My, My, Hey Hey/Hey, Hey, My, My (both versions) - Thrasher - Ride My Llama

Beautiful vocals, and “Fast Car” is always excellent. That said, to be honest, I don’t think I’m likely to listen to the whole album again. Highlights: - Talkin’ Bout a Revolution - Fast Car

Just bland. I thought there was something maybe promising in the first track, but it never developed. I was hoping for something with more bite, more subversive. Highlights: - The Concept - Satan

It’s fun, I enjoyed it - bounced between scores as it went, but in the end, I think it was a little too repetitive to warrant more than a 3. Listened on the way home from Silver City, which feels appropriate. Highlights: - Get Innocuous - New York, I Love You But You’re Bringing Me Down

I thought I’d like this more than I did. I enjoyed it, but felt it lacked a certain something to really push it over the edge…Not quite as hard/heavy as I expected or hoped. Difficult to rate, but 3.5? Highlights: - N.I.B. - The Sleeping Village

Never heard of this band/album before. I’m expecting something poppy? Yeah…there’s some interesting stuff going on here (like elements of funk in some of the tracks), which saves it from a 2, but overall it’s not really my thing. I think I enjoy post-punk/new wave in general, but this ain’t it. Not inclined to seek it out again.

This feels like a guilty pleasure. Is it cheesy and low-brow? Yes. Did I enjoy it? Also yes. Gives me a hit of that middle school-era nostalgia - both the good and bad.

Oh yeah, I like this. Manages to be both moody and danceable. I’m sure I’ll listen again.

Another tricky rating. I like Beach House - they often pop up on Spotify and I never actively dislike their songs; it’s great for a specific atmosphere, but all a little monochrome. Feels reminiscent of Fleet Foxes. 3.5, I guess… Highlights: - Zebra - Norway

Yesss, Kate Bush! I’ve never heard this album before, but wow, it’s excellent - I prefer her more experimental work to the poppier/more mainstream stuff. Really on the fence between 4 and 5… 4 for now, I suppose, but I can easily see it going up to 5 after spending more

It’s just okay. A 2 might be more honest, but I don’t quite have the heart for that.

A five it is. Cozy, nostalgic, a little melancholy - it invokes memories and transports me to beloved times and places in the way only music can. I’ll be coming back to this one for sure.

Another one that I liked well enough, but not quite enough to grab my attention. Fun hard rock. I admittedly didn’t devote a whole lot of attention to it, playing it on my phone while driving. Not bad, not particularly memorable.

I did not enjoy this. I’m not entirely sure why, but I think it’s mostly the vocals. Something about it just rubbed me the wrong way at the time I listened to it, and I felt actively irritated. When “This is Hell” came on, it felt like a perfect expression of my feelings toward this album. Being charitable, there’s some interesting variety music-wise that saves it from a 1, but that’s the score my heart wanted to give at the time…

Another tough rating…I didn’t dislike it, and I kind of like Dolly’s voice, but the storytelling felt a little overly twee, maybe.

The first Beatles album I’ve been served. It’s pretty good; I admittedly sometimes find the Beatles a little grating (probably from overexposure), but this wasn’t really irritating. Highlights: - Norwegian Wood - In My Life

I didn’t expect to like this much, but there were some gems. The only song I recognized was Kashmir, and it’s really good - it’s a song I’ve heard without knowing who it’s by. Definitely a little overlong and with some fat that could be trimmed, but enjoyable overall. 3.5. Highlights: - In My Time of Dying - Kashmir - Bron-Yr-Aur

I thought I would hate this. I didn’t - it’s not a bad reggae album - but it’s also not my style. Went back and forth on the rating, but I know I’m not going to listen again, so it’s a 2.

Probably the biggest surprise so far - I did not expect to enjoy this as much as I did. Some songs are just pure, joyous fun (“Phantom of the Opera” especially.) I can definitely see myself listing to this one again. Highlights: - Phantom of the Opera - Prowler - Transylvania

Why is this on the list? It’s pretty lame, tbh. I don’t think I would’ve enjoyed this even when a was in a phase of listening to all kinds of uninspired EDM. Two stars because some of the tracks felt nostalgic. Some were straight-up annoying (Human NRG, etc.).

This guy again? Hope this is better than “Brutal Youth” … I’ll try to keep an open mind. Okay, this is better so far. I actually like “The Beat.” In the end, still mediocre - 2.5?

I didn’t know at all what to expect of this, but I liked it. My rating bounced around through the album, but unfortunately, it started to lose me at the end…it was longer than it needed to be overall. Best track: Oh Yeah

Another one where I had no idea what to expect, but ended up enjoying it lot. Really chill jazzy world music. A nice album to have in the background.

Seriously, again?! I just had Elvis Costello two days ago, and I’m not much a fan. Let’s see how this one goes. Ugh, sorry - trying to give him a fair shot here, but I just don’t really like it. “Goon Squad” is kind of fun.

Talk about a mixed bag. It wasn’t all bad - “The Faith Healer” was kind of cool, “Last of the Teenage Idols” was kind of fun - but I hated “Gang Bang” so much that it spoiled the rest of it.

Really fun. I enjoyed this a lot, and will definitely revisit it!

I just read a review for this album that said “Close to what I like but not exactly” Nailed it.

Another one I had never heard of, and didn’t know what to expect - it’s British rap (grime). I kind of liked it, but it dragged at the end. 2.5 - probably won’t revisit.

I don’t really like Bon Jovi. When I was in middle school, my cousin loved them, and not knowing any better, I listened to them often during free days in my music technology class. 3 stars just for the nostalgia…2 for actual enjoyment.

Really solid classic hip-hop.

I’ve heard a lot of the tracks on this album. It’s good, though not necessarily something I’d think to put on again.

It’s fine. I’m generally interested in this kind of noise rock, but I was working on a frustrating project while listening, and I just wasn’t feeling it.

I liked this a lot. Very cinematic and lush - feels like Bond music. I’ll definitely listen again.

lol, this totally caught me off-guard. The album art and title suggested metal, and I was absolutely not expecting Irish folk-punk (is that what this is?) It was a little bewildering but fun. Unsure how to rate - I feel like there’s a specific time and place for it. I’d go with 3, but I’ll give it a a .5 boost for making me smile

I feel like this is teetering on the knife’s edge of interesting and mundane. I think it juuust tilts toward the interesting side, so I’ll give it a 4, but I do wish it were a little more experimental or weird.

Not my style, but it was inoffensive enough. Pretty forgettable.

I didn’t expect to enjoy this at all, but it was fun! There was a punk-ish edge that surprised me. Still a little poppier than I prefer, but I think it goes in the 3.5~4 range.

Moody and relaxing. I like the Smiths, but don’t think I’ve heard a Morrissey solo album before; not quite as good. Despite being a fan of the overall atmosphere of the album, it was getting old by the end. 3.5.

Didn’t love it, didn’t hate it. Best track: Gossip Folks

This is tough. I feel a little unfair giving it a low-ish rating - there were things I liked about it, it was fun in its own way, I can recognize its impact - but it just didn’t do anything for me today. It’s a little too cheesy. On a different day, maybe I’d rate it different. Highlights: - I’m on Fire - Cover Me - Downbound Train

I liked this when I was young (around middle school age), but even then I recognized that it wasn’t “good.” There’s still a kernel of nostalgia here, but now the cheesiness and hollow commercial sound drown out the enjoyment, and the whole thing just feels kind of embarrassing.

Fully expected to dislike this, but it was actually kind of pleasant. It’s country/folk more than psych rock. That said, it didn’t strike me as anything standout or memorable, and I’m not really compelled to listen again.

Just had Morrissey’s “Viva Hate” a few days ago and liked it well enough, so let’s see how this one goes. Yeah, I liked this one too. A strong start and finish with some less interesting tracks in the middle. Still not as good as The Smiths, but enjoyable. Favorite track: Seasick, Yet Still Docked

I wasn’t in the mood for this at first and was going to give it a 3, but it has charm and is well-made. I probably wouldn’t be inclined to listen to the whole album again, though it’s fun in smaller doses. 3.5 rounded up.

Having never heard of the artist or the album, I was surprised that many (maybe even most) of the tracks were songs I had heard before. Unfortunately, they’re not anything I’m particularly fond of, even though it’s by no means a bad album.

I didn’t like this as much as the other Led Zeppelin album I was served, but it was still enjoyable. Although it started off very strong with Immigrant Song, the other tracks couldn’t quite reach that height.

Didn’t immediately grab me, but I was sold by the end. Worth another listen.

This is album is kind of weird, pretty goofy, honestly, but I have a soft spot for it. I don’t even remember how I originally found it, but in high school, I had this album on Rhapsody and listened to it on my cheap off-brand mp3 player. The only track I really remembered was “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots pt. 1,” which evoked a fond nostalgia. Highlight on this listen: “ Are You a Hypnotist??”

Wasn’t sure how to rate this. I liked it, and it was pretty interesting as far as metal goes (incorporates Brazilian sounds/rhythms), but it was bad timing - I was tired, had a headache, and it felt like it went on too long. At another time, I might’ve given it a 4; I settled for 3 because I’m unlikely to listen to the whole album in one sitting again.

Another tough rating…it’s fine, enjoyable enough, inoffensive. I wouldn’t mind listening again, but I wouldn’t seek it out. It’s just not quite interesting enough to warrant that extra star.

Haunting, sad, a little unsettling. I liked it. I remember the day Bowie died; I had never actively listened to his music, but my friends were talking about it during one of our weekly meetups at a dumpling restaurant. The person I liked was especially upset by his passing, which surprised me, because I had never given much thought to Bowie’s music career. I became more interested after that, and I learned there was a greater depth to his music than I assumed. Anyway, that’s all an aside, but this album put me in a mindset to mourn the loss of that part of my life.

On the verge of annoying, and I can’t say I really enjoyed this album. I was considering giving it a 2, but there’s enough charm and earnestness to bump it up at least half a star.

By turns weird, beautiful, off-putting, catchy. This was my first Tom Waits album, and while I’m not entirely sure how I feel about the artist or the album, it’s unique enough that I feel a score of 3 is unfair. I liked it more as it went on. It made for unconventional Christmas Eve listening, but I’ve felt out of sorts and a little down all day, and it ended up being strangely appropriate.

I’m not a huge fan of Christmas music, but as far as Christmas albums go, you can’t do much better than this. (Made me smile to see it pop up as the album for Christmas Day.)

Like a lot of these albums, this is something I could probably grow to appreciate with more attentive listens, but I was pretty ambivalent on my first one. Just didn’t do much for me on this particular day.

It’s fine. Pretty forgettable.

I like Radiohead, but had never heard this album. I enjoyed it very much! Maybe not as memorable as some of their others, but atmospheric and interesting.

Overlong and mediocre. The style wasn’t terrible, but it got repetitive and a little grating. Not something I’d listen to in its entirety again. 2.5 rounded up.

There’s really nothing wrong with this - it’s an interesting mashup of genres that often works well - it just wasn’t clicking with me today. I can’t put my finger on it, but there was something about it that reminded me of the Elvis Costello albums I’ve listened to in this project, and it irritated me in the same way. Too upbeat, maybe? Hovering between a 2 and a 3…

I’m a fan of the old school electronica style of this album. It did seem too long and started to get repetitive, though. I’ll be charitable and just dock half a star for that. 3.5 rounded up.

It’s cheesy and not my style, but it’s also endearingly earnest and well-crafted. I also give it credit for not overstaying its welcome. 3.5 rounded up, though not something I’m likely to seek out and listen to again in its entirety.

Aside from “Here Comes the Flood,” I didn’t really enjoy this, although there were some interesting and creative flourishes that somewhat elevated it. 2.5 rounded up; unlikely to revisit. I’m curious to hear some of his other music, though.

Really enjoyable in an angry kind of way.

Inoffensive and forgettable.

I’ve never heard of this artist or album before, but it was really nice. Well-created mix of samples.

Chill, atmospheric, and fun, though a bit repetitive in places. 3.5 rounded up.

It’s fine. Is it something I needed to listen to before I die? No. 2.5 rounded down because I’m feeling spiteful

I didn’t hate it, but it bored me. I liked the music more than the vocals.

I can appreciate this album for its historical significance as an early example of metal (the earliest?), but listening to it, nothing really grabbed me. 2.5 rounded up.

Started off strong - energetic and fun - but it started to lose me as it went on. Felt that some of the middle tracks were weaker.

This was a bit of a rollercoaster. I expected to dislike it, was surprised by it being pleasantly jazzy at the start, and then the whole thing devolved into a heap of noodles. I don’t think any of these tracks needed to be anywhere near as long as they are.

Really fun and surprisingly varied.

Chill album - nice to have in the background. Nothing outstanding, but pleasant enough and I like its overall atmosphere. 3.5 rounded up.

Excellent experimental jazz. The whole album is essentially one piece, conceived as a ballet.

It feels a little unfair, but for whatever reason, this album rubbed me the wrong way today. It struck me as aggressively mediocre. I can’t say it was bad, but it annoyed me enough that I’m going with my gut and giving it a low score.

I wanted to rate this higher because I liked the lyrics/storytelling, and the instrumentals were nice, but the cadence of her singing sort of lost me. I think this is one I need to revisit. 3 for now, but it’s on the cusp of 3.5…

Another blandly inoffensive rock album - this one with a grungy flavor. Pretty forgettable, unfortunately.

I didn’t think I liked Sinatra, but I do love bossa nova, and though they don’t always mesh perfectly here, I definitely enjoyed the album as a whole. Feels like a nostalgic childhood dream.

There was a time I would’ve enjoyed this, but that time has long since passed.

What a mixed bag - this was all over the place. The jazzy instrumental tracks were pleasant enough, but the rest wasn't really my thing.

Lots of different things going on here, which was interesting, even though it didn’t always work for me. Best tracks: - The Funny Bird - Holes - Goddess on a Hiway 3.5 rounded up.

Man, I wish the rest of the album were like “The Murder Mystery.” I don’t think I’ve ever actually listened to The Velvet Underground before this, but that sort of weird, dark, experimental style was more what I expected. The rest of the album was pretty boring, unfortunately. Feeling charitable - 3.5 rounded up.

A song about a weevil, a song about bedbugs, a song about cocaine…what more could you ask for? A really fun album with a lot of heart.

I’m not much of a blues fan, but this is undeniably good.

Not bad, but today wasn’t really the day for it. I think I’ll need to revisit it.

I had only heard “2+2=5” off this album, but the whole thing was interesting and enjoyable.

I actually did enjoy this, but it went on too long and I don’t think it’s much more than interesting background music.

How many of this guy’s albums are on the list? (And why??) I’m 99 in, and this is already the fourth Costello album I’ve gotten. Here’s hoping I like this one more than the others. …No. I still don’t like it. (“I Want You” wasn’t bad)

A little long, but otherwise excellent. Still feels fresh.

I like weird; this was interesting and I didn’t hate it, but I also think I probably won’t listen through again.

I generally feel pretty neutral toward reggae, but this was a very solid album with more complexity than I expected.

Not bad, but didn’t leave much of an impression.

Another really solid, fun album by A Tribe Called Quest. Even after it started to feel a bit repetitive, it’s hard not to move along.

I’m ashamed to admit I went into this expecting it to be mediocre. To be honest, I don’t think I could’ve named a song by Stevie Wonder before listening - I’ve heard the hits, of course, but I didn’t put a name to them. All that to say, it’s a really, really good album. I seriously wavered on giving it a 5, which is probably what it deserves, but I do think it was a little too long. Maybe I’d bump it up on a second listen.

I’ve never listened to an album by The Rolling Stones. Unfortunately, it didn’t really do anything for me.

2.5. I last heard this album as a teenager, and it hasn’t aged particularly well.

On the whole, I liked this album more than the other Missy Elliott album that’s popped up (Under Construction); it feels a little more chill and low-key. An enjoyable album that never quite made me think more than “this is pretty good.” Highlights: Izzy Izzy Ahh, Friendly Skies

The first track was disappointing, but I thought the album got better from there. Although it was interesting and pleasant enough, it didn’t leave much of an impression.

It’s not bad (lol), but aside from a few standouts, I found the album kind of boring and repetitive. Kind of a tough one to rate - I enjoyed it more than several other albums I’ve given 3s to, but not quite enough to give it a 4… 3.5. Highlights: Smooth Criminal, Bad

This is an album that’s difficult to judge objectively because it’s so closely associated with a specific person, place, and time for me, and it brings up conflicting emotions. I can’t quite bring myself to give it a 5 - even though that may be what it deserves, and probably what she’d give it - but still an undeniably great album.

A little cheesy and a little overly long, but an otherwise pleasant and charming hip hop album.

Another surprising album that I didn’t expect to enjoy. Super smooth.

This kind of dreamy, atmospheric pop is right up my alley. Highlights: Cherry-Coloured Funk, Frou-Frou Foxes in Midsummer Fires

Full of lively, angry energy. It did start to feel repetitive, but a solid album overall and an important piece of early hip hop history.

I can see how is could objectively be a good album, but to be honest, I found it a bit boring and formulaic. Maybe it would grow on me in a different mood or with a more attentive listen. I’d give it between a 3 and a 4 (probably like 6.5/10).

Loud, dumb, fast, and fun. I liked it. At 15 min, didn’t overstay its welcome.

Good production, but the album felt pretty boring overall. The lyrics didn’t help.

I’ve listened to this album before, but it’s been a while and I didn’t remember a lot of it. Despite being overlong and the concept coming across a bit heavy-handed, I enjoyed it.

Meh…I was ready to give it a 3, but by the end, it was starting to annoy me. It reminds me of Elvis Costello, though for the most part not quite as irritating.

Oh man, I love this. Just beautiful. There’s a dark, shimmery quality which, when done well, almost always hooks me - it’s something present, though not perfect, in lots of music, and this album just about nails it. Even though it’s long, I wanted to play it again as soon as it ended. More like this, please. (4.5 rounded up)

Pleasant enough but kind of boring. It makes me think of the early/mid-2000s, so I was surprised it was as recent as 2017. Best track: A Violent Noise

An enjoyable, fun, and genuine-seeming album with a lot of heart.

It shifted between “I kind of like this” and “this is kind of boring.” I actually preferred the slower acoustic tracks (“Round and Round” and “Running Dry”). 3.5.

It’s fine. There’s nothing here I’d go out of my way to listen to again.

Sometimes an album just irritates me and I don’t know of more of the blame lies with the music or with me. Either way, that was the case here. 2.5 rounded up

I’ve listened to - and very much enjoyed - her album “Magdalene,” but I hadn’t heard this one before. While still very good, it seemed a little more meandering than Magdalene, and I didn’t enjoy it quite as much. Ethereal and haunting, if a little lacking in substance.

It’s still fun, still has nostalgia value, but I don’t think it fully holds up. Serviceable pop-punk. Best tracks: Basket Case, When I Come Around

Kind of fun and cinematic, but also bland/homogenous and manufactured. Doesn’t feel at all “genuine.” 2.5 rounded up

It has a soft, dreamy feeling about it. It’s inoffensive and not actively irritating, but it’s also boring and homogenous.

Ah, I love this. Dark, cryptic, hypnotic. This is one to buy for my personal collection. The first song did start to annoy me, so It doesn’t get a perfect score.

Fun to drive to, but not much more than that.

This was pleasant enough at first, but quickly wore out its welcome. Way too long, and it started to get irritating. Would’ve been better without the vocal samples. Best track: Kein Trink Wasser 2.5 rounded up

More pleasant and chill than I was expecting, though it definitely got irritating at times. Best track: Squares Hovering between a 2 and a 3. I’ll be charitable and round up. Unlikely to listen again, though

RnB-flavored classic rock. Kind of fun, and I liked the vocals, but not something I’m likely to listen to in full again. Best tracks: Riders in the Storm, L'America 3.5 rounded up

My feelings toward this album are similar to those of yesterday’s (L.A. Woman, The Doors), another rock album from 1971. I’m still a bit ambivalent, but I did enjoy this more than the other Rolling Stones album I listened to for this project (Exile on Main Street). 3.5 rounded up

It’s not bad, exactly, but it strikes me as totally unremarkable. Generic 00’s soft rock with good production.

Huh, kind of weird. It veered between pretty cool and pretty annoying. I was going to reserve judgement and go with 2.5 rounded up, but the scales were tilted more toward annoyance by the end of it.

Not bad - slightly better than middle of the road. Nothing super stand-out, though. Best track: Guinnevere

I’m pretty sure I listened to part of this album before, but I don’t think I made it through the whole thing. I’m really not sure how to rate it - I honestly didn’t think it was too weird or unlistenable at all, but the length was the most challenging aspect, and I also can’t say I truly enjoyed it, either. I’ll give it a 3 for now but will revisit it. I’m glad I listened to it and it certainly deserves a place on the list - there’s really nothing else like it.

I really liked this. Raw, frenetic, never boring. Might even bump it up to a 5 on a second listen. Best tracks: Rid of Me, Snake

A solid soul album. Feels comforting and nostalgic. It falls into that populous category of albums that are good and that I enjoyed, but am unlikely to specifically seek out again.

I liked the first track ("Hope There's Someone") and was optimistic for the rest, but it started to feel repetitive and grating.

I’ve really enjoyed the other two albums by The Cure that have popped up (Seventeen Seconds and Disintegration), but for whatever reason, this one didn’t click with me as much today. It started to feel too monotonous by the end. Still really solid, though. Somewhere between 3.5 and 4.

I’m sorry, I can’t even bring myself to give this a 2. It just seems laughably bad in both content and execution.

It doesn’t feel quite fair to give this a 2, as Adele clearly has a lot of talent, but aside from the first two tracks, I found this album boring and tedious. Maybe in just in a bad mood. I do have fond memories of belting out “Hello” (terribly) at karaoke in Tokyo around 2015/2016, so maybe it deserves some credit for that. 2.5.

I don’t know that I’ve ever listed to a full Queen album before this, but I’m glad I did. I think the only track I recognized was “Killer Queen;” the rest were also excellent with few exceptions. Favorite track: Flick of the Wrist

I wanted to give this a higher rating -it’s fun and shows great musicianship - but it started to lose me around the midway point. I waffled on the rating; going off the idea that they’re based on my first impression, I’m settling on a 3 for now. On another day, perhaps a different score.

On the one hand, it’s an album of covers. On the other, one of those covers is “Hurt.” With the context of these songs being sung by an artist at the end of his life, I found the album quite touching. 3.5 rounded up

Oh, this was interesting - I really liked it! Some tracks weren’t as strong as others, but on the whole, I enjoyed the atmosphere it created. Love the mariachi flair. I can absolutely see myself listening to this again. This is exactly the kind of thing that makes the project worth doing - I had never heard of this band or album, and possibly never would’ve otherwise. Favorite tracks: Sunken Waltz, Black Heart, Pepita, No Doze

Aside from “Jump,” which was passable, the rest was bland, generic, and forgettable. Usually this sort of thing is at least kind of fun in a dumb way, but I wasn’t feeling it at all today. At least it was pretty short.

This was really cool. I’m generally not a fan of a cappella music, but the variety of voices and sounds on the album are used to an impressive and haunting effect. Worth revisiting. Favorite tracks: Where Is The Line, Vökuró, Mouth’s Cradle

This is excellent! Another artist/album I’ve never heard of before, and am happy to have discovered. Definitely something I’ll listen to again. I love these albums that defy easy categorization. Favorite tracks: You Ain’t The Problem, Hero, Solid Ground

I think I would’ve connected to this more when I was younger. Pleasant enough, but frankly kind of boring and far too long. Not interesting enough to warrant such a long runtime. Started at a 3, went down to a 2 by the end for being so egregiously long

Never heard of this guy, and I can’t say I was terribly impressed. It’s very generic. The slight folksy charm isn’t strong enough to overcome the bland country-pop sound. This has been an unusual week of all 2s and 4s - here’s another 2 to close it out, unfortunately.

I’d never heard anything by Nick Cave before this. I’m not totally sure what I think about the album - I don’t completely love it, but I think I like it a lot. I found myself buying in to it more as it went on, and I can see myself liking it more with repeated listens. It has a unique and interesting sound that I appreciate. Favorite tracks: Supernaturally, Easy Money, O Children 3.5 rounded up

Hmm. In a way, it reminded me a bit of yesterday’s Nick Cave album, but while it started off promisingly and had some cool moments, it never reached a point where I felt totally sold. Not bad, but unfortunately a little forgettable. Favorite tracks: (Well) Dusted, Shiver, Dirty From The Rain

Energetic, angry, raw. I’m not sure why this short of thing appeals to me so much, but it does.

I’ve put off rating this because I feel conflicted. I can recognize that it’s an important and well-made album, but aside from “Eleanor Rigby,” “Love You To,” and “Tomorrow Never Knows,” it felt like it went in one ear and out the other. Maybe today just wasn’t the day for it. 3.5

Ambitious, stylish, well-produced. I liked this better than “good kid, m.A.A.d city.” I’ll listen to this one again.

As with the other grime album that popped up, I can’t say I’m a fan of this. Still kind of interesting, though.

This was cool - it has that heavy, dark sound that I love, but it was a little too chaotic and grating for listening straight through. I liked it overall, though, and will possibly revisit it. Favorite tracks: She’s Hit; Hamlet (Pow, Pow, Pow)

Fantastic guitar work, especially on the first track, though I admit the album kind of faded into the background as it progressed, and I got a little bored. 3.5 rounded up

I suspect this won’t be the most popular opinion, but the instrumental-heavy second half is what really elevated this album for me. Although I didn’t enjoy it as much as Ziggy Stardust and Blackstar, it’s still a solid and interesting album. 3.5 rounded up

It’s corny, but not entirely charmless. A little hard to rate - it’s not something I’ll listen to again, but relative to other country albums, it’s fine. Solidly middle of the road.

There were moments here where I thought this might earn 4 stars, but they never came together into something more than pleasant enough background music. A mixed bag - the poppier tracks stood out in a bad way. Favorite track: Sea Song

Jazzy classic rock. Good driving music.

Very interesting experimental jazz with the surprising addition of some electric instruments. The very definition of dreamlike, where the narrative thread comes and goes - often hard to follow - but there’s a subconscious logic holding the whole thing together. I expected this to be an easy 5, but the long runtime combined with that dream-logic made it more challenging than I would’ve thought. Definitely one I’ll revisit.

Not bad for what it is (70s pop/rock) but not at all memorable.

It was okay. There were points where it veered toward being irritating, but I don’t think it ever got quite bad enough to warrant a 2. There’s a certain early 2000s nostalgia.

Hmm, not sure what I think of this one. My first notes were “weird, in more of an annoying way than a cool way” and “I can appreciate that this exists, but I don’t really like it.” At the same time, it’s charmingly handmade-feeling. There were moments that reminded me of Bowie, so it made sense when I saw he was involved with the album. I’ll give it a middle rating for now, but I think this is one where my opinion would change with repeated listens.

I think I like tango in general, and this album was nice enough, but nothing about it really grabbed me. I don’t think it’s fair to compare it to elevator music or hold music, but I must admit the thought occurred to me…

Super interesting, fun, and varied (yet still cohesive) pop album. This is one I’ll listen to again - a really pleasant surprise!

I don’t know why I expected to dislike this (as I’m not really familiar with R.E.M.) but it was surprisingly good. Nice and melancholy, though I must admit, also a little boring at times. Favorite tracks: Try Not To Breathe, The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite, Sweetness Follows 3.5 rounded up

Generally speaking, I do like Lana’s whole shtick (if it’s fair to call it that), but apparently it stretches my patience when taken as a complete album. Some of the lyric choices (overly twee? Anachronistic?) that I can overlook or even find charming in a standalone song were hard not to roll my eyes at here.

Really beautiful Indian instrumental music. It conjures peaceful images of pastoral scenes without ever getting boring.

While the actual music was more interesting and varied than on “Sticky Fingers,” most of the lyrics were so insipid that I had a hard time taking the album seriously. That said, the album also includes “Paint It Black,” so I can’t go as low as 2 stars.

I really liked the style of of this album, but it felt too long and some of the lyrics were off putting. Though I wanted to give it 4 stars, I’m not sure it’s quite there for me… 3.5, maybe. Favorite tracks: A Song For Assata, Time Travelin’

What a completely charming album. While I’ve never listened to this artist before, I was predisposed to enjoy his music because I’ve seen comparisons drawn between him and Joanna Newsom - I can definitely see why after listening, though the music here is comparatively minimalist and conventional. Almost went for the full five stars; I think it edges just close enough to sounding twee that I’m not quite there. Somewhere between 4 and 4.5, but a certain re-listen. Favorite tracks: This Is The Way, Rejoicing In The Hands, Todo Los Dolores, Insect Eyes, Autumn’s Child

After submitting the review for yesterday’s delightful Devendra Banhart album, I felt something like whiplash when this one popped up. I can appreciate the catharsis of good, angry metal, but this was neither the album nor the day.

I guess I’m part of the masses, because I quite liked this. Favorite track: Strangelove 3.5 rounded up

I got goosebumps as soon as “Avalanche” started. What a haunting, gorgeous song. I had never heard it before, and it may now be one of my all-time favorites. The good songs on this album are really, really good. I don’t think they all quite meet that benchmark - not enough to be an instant 5 stars - but still an excellent album. I look forward to hearing more of his work. (Maybe I’m being too stingy with my 5 stars here.) Favorite tracks: Avalanche, Love Calls You By Your Name, Famous Blue Raincoat

I didn’t expect to like this, but it went down pretty smooth. That said, I wouldn’t count it among my favorite hip-hop albums; the tracks blurred together and started to feel boring. It’s not one I’m likely to listen to in full again.

Very fun with a raw, youthful energy. Also very repetitive and borderline annoying at times, though the short runtime makes that less of a problem. Even though I liked this and think it set out what it aimed to do, on first impression, I’m having a hard time giving it more than a 3.

Okay, this was a surprise. I was expecting something way more abrasive based on the track list and album artwork, but what I got was a genuinely fun album somewhere between punk and hard rock. A work of lyrical genius it is not, but I don’t get the impression that’s what they were aiming for.

Hard to rate… I like this style of late 80s hip hop, but today it felt a little stale and overly cheesy. This probably would’ve gotten a higher rating on another day - I put the fault more on my mood than the music, which has nothing wrong with it.

Hmm. I didn’t like this quite as much as I thought I would. Frustratingly, there are so many elements I like here, but something about it fell a little flat for me, and I can’t put my finger on what exactly that is… maybe just a case of this being an early example of its sound that was later developed into something more familiar and cohesive. I’m going with a 3.5 rounded up, though I wish it were a more solid 4.

Maybe I’m just off this week - this is an enjoyable, well-crafted album with a pleasant, warm sound, but I had a hard time feeling too enthused about it. Perfectly fine, though not likely to seek it out again.

Another one of those albums that comes very close to something I like, but doesn’t quite coalesce into something I can definitively say I enjoyed. Here, while I liked the punky energy and creative spirit, I think the sheer manic chaos lost me a bit.

Sounds very 80s - I was reminded of Phil Collins - but there’s also some interesting stuff going on here. Some of the tracks are a little generic (“Big Time”), though others, like “This Is The Picture (Excellent Birds),” are more compelling. This isn’t really my thing, and it’s not quite enough to break me out of my 3-star slump. Maybe 3.5. Favorite tracks: “This Is The Picture (Excellent Birds),” “Red Rain”

I ended up enjoying this album more than “Bad” - mainly, I think, because I wasn’t familiar with any of the songs. It’s fun, disco-flavored music that makes you want to move. While the latter half wasn’t quite as strong as the first, it still warrants somewhere between 3.5 and 4 stars.

I really expected to enjoy this more than I did (I’ve never listened to a full Simon & Garfunkel album before, but I like their songs I’m familiar with). It was a little too scattered, a little too overwrought, and a little too poppy. Not a bad album, but a little disappointing regardless. Favorite tracks: Bookends, Old Friends, Hazy Shade of Winter (but The Bangles cover is better)

Fun, energetic, homogenous. There’s some lizard part of my brain that just lights up with these sorts of guitar riffs - the musical equivalent of junk food, maybe. I enjoyed it, but the tracks blended into each other and nothing really stood up to grab my attention; nothing really elevated it beyond a sugar rush.

This was great! I’ve never heard of the band or album, but really enjoyed it. Energetic punk more on the lighthearted side than angry, with a good dose of some weirdness too. I’ll probably check out their other work if it’s not on the list.

Of the four or so Rolling Stones albums I’ve listened to in this project, this has been the best, although I’m still not totally sold. The first and last tracks were the only ones I had heard before, and they were my favorites. “Gimme Shelter” in particular is just an undeniably great classic rock song. 3.5 rounded up (with the .5 pretty much entirely carried by the bookend tracks) Favorite tracks: Gimme Shelter; You Can’t Always Get What You Want

First thought: didn’t I listen to this already? No. Apparently all her albums have numerical titles (her age? Impressive if she was just 21 here) and similar covers. Okay. My feelings toward this album are the same as whatever 20-something the other one was: she’s very talented, and I can see the appeal, but the occasional play on the radio or a grocery store is enough for me. I found myself getting irritated a few tracks in. “Set Fire To The Rain” is probably my favorite song of hers.

It’s pretty boring. It’s not that it’s bad, but I kept waiting for it to build or develop into something more interesting, which never happened. I think this could work well as a soundtrack, sampled in a hip hop album, or with vocals. As a stand-alone album, though, it’s just too bland.

I think I’m biased against concept albums. It was witty and thematically consistent, but I found myself getting annoyed with the heavy-handedness of it all. Not bad, just not the sort of thing that appeals to me.

As far as country goes, this was pretty nice. “Cozy” is the first word that comes to mind. I wouldn’t go out of my way to listen again, but I did kind of like it. 3.5.

I found this album a little disappointing: pleasant enough, but unremarkable, blues. Nothing about it really stood out or fully caught my attention. The most interesting track was probably “Rockin’ Chair.”

Sigh

Great beats; less than great lyrics. Overall kind of fun, but not one I’m likely to revisit.

Another album with elements that I like - the horror theme is fun - but on first listen, not enough there for me to definitively say I liked it. Comes across as a little too cheesy.

I liked this better than the other Dolly Parton album I listened to for this project (“Coat of Many Colors”). Very charming and easy to listen to. One those albums which, despite never having listened to it before, feels nostalgic. 3.5 rounded up

Fun and energetic; the tracks blend together into something that sounds pretty uniform, but it’s all enjoyable enough. That said, it’s unlikely I’ll feel compelled to listen to the whole thing again. Rating is somewhere between 3 and 3.5.

Y’know, I was ready to give this 3+ stars - it has an original sound, which almost always warrants a more charitable score in my book - but by the time “Cuckoo” rolled around, I felt like I was descending into insanity. I will note that I had a headache while listening, which made me less forgiving. Favorite track: We Do Wie Du (Actually, I found out that Cuckoo is a bonus track, so I’ll spare it from a 2.)

In spite of myself, I found this kind of charming at first - partially, I suspect, because I’d never heard it before. (I think a lot of my aversion to pop music can be attributed to overexposure to certain songs/artists.) Unfortunately, that only lasted about five songs before it started to wear out its welcome; paying closer attention to the lyrics, I realized how cheesy a lot of them are. Still, I think there’s something in this not-quite-country, not-quite-generic-pop album that gives it a bit more heart than expected.

This was kind of weird, but not really weird enough to be interesting. Some tracks were pretty annoying, but i also appreciated that it didn’t take itself seriously. I guess I have mixed feelings about it. 2.5 rounded up

I had a hard time deciding how to rate this. On the one hand, it’s pretty nostalgic - “Even Flow” takes me right back to hours of playing Guitar Hero, and several of the other tracks were things I listened to as a teenager. However, I don’t think it really holds up; the vocal style gets grating pretty quickly. I don’t think I can fairly give it more than 3 stars, but there was a time I liked it better.

I was hopeful that this would be the album to break me out of my 3-star (and below) slump. It’s pleasant indie with at least one track that was pretty cool/unique (“This Song”), and another that I really liked (“Stone on the Water”). However, the rest was fairly boring and left my mind as soon as it was over. I don’t think this is the one to break the pattern. C’mon, RNG! Make the next one at least 4 stars! Favorite track: Stone on the Water

Started off fairly strong with “Happenings Ten Years Ago;” with its dark sound, I was hopeful that this would be an album worthy of 3.5+ stars. Unfortunately, what followed was much more generic-sounding 60s rock, which really doesn’t do much for me. “Turn into Earth” was the other standout, but it was too little, too late to save it from a mediocre score.

This was the first full Elton John album I’ve listened to. I like “Tiny Dancer” well enough and “Madman across the Water” was kind of cool, but on the whole, not really my kind of thing. Maybe I didn’t listen attentively enough.

I like the title track, and the rest was okay, but overly repetitive and generally uninteresting. The synths are good, and it’s close to being something much better than it actually is - I just wish it were a little more substantial.

What can I say - I like The Smiths. I appreciate the interesting lyrics where it’s hard to tell if they’re trolling or totally serious. I don’t know that it’s my favorite album of theirs, but really solid regardless. Favorite tracks: Unhappy Birthday, A Rush and a Push and the Land Is Ours, I Won’t Share You

It wasn’t bad - I liked it more than I thought I would given the genre listed as “stoner rock” - but too generic and forgettable. My enthusiasm waned about three tracks in when I realized it’s all pretty much the same sound, and I don’t think I need a whole album of it. It reminded me of Soundgarden’s “Superunknown,” for which I had similar feelings.

Hmm…the story behind this album is interesting (and the cover’s cool), but it’s definitely not my favorite of Bowie’s work. No real standouts here.

so long so boring neither fun nor spooky as the title implies

Too cheesy for me, though somewhat charming. Just okay on the whole. Favorite track: Hearts and Bones

60s pop/rock tends to have a similar sound where it all kind of blends together for me, and I’m generally not a big fan. While this album likewise feels a little generic, for whatever reason, I enjoyed it more than some of its peers; I think having female vocalists helped, and I liked the layered harmonies (even if it feels a bit dated/gimmicky). Of course, I think “California Dreamin’” is doing a lot of heavy lifting here. 3.5 rounded up. Favorite tracks: California Dreamin’, Monday Monday, Got A Feelin’

I diligently listened to all 3 hours and 14 minutes of this album. Ella Fitzgerald’s voice is as close to perfect as I’ve ever heard. The songs are warm and nostalgic - my grandma plays this sort of jazz singer music at dinner parties, and I’m sure I’ve heard some of this album in that context. It feels fitting that this popped up on my dad’s birthday, who also loves this genre. This probably deserves 5 stars and I’m being unfair; I’m docking one because some of the lyrics are a little silly (not that it really matters for the kind of music it is), and because I was admittedly a little miffed at the length of the album when the songs were all pretty similar. It’s clearly not intended to be listened to in one sitting like this - like I said, unfair - but that’s what I did. This would be a nice one to have in my personal collection. It’s like the musical version of a security blanket.

Empty calories - musical junk food. You kind of enjoy it and tap your foot along in the moment, but it’s a shallow kind of pleasure. It’s basically music for advertisements. Also, this is a compilation album, which feels like cheating.

Inoffensive and bland; one that didn’t linger in my memory after ending. I’m not sure exactly why, but I even found it a little irritating. Normally that would warrant a rating of 2, but I’ll go with 2.5 rounded up.

A nice, interesting jazz album. Probably not an enduring favorite, but an enjoyable listen. 3.5 rounded up

It’s somewhat less generic and more interesting than I expected - I liked the synths and darker sound - but I was never fully sold on it. I found it a bit irritating as it went on.

Overall, I found this too repetitive and annoying. Some tracks were kind of fun, though, so I’ll round it up to 3.

I love this album. It’s beautiful, original, and creative, while also managing to be catchy and easy to listen to. This is my kind of pop. If this were the the first time I had listened, I probably would’ve given it a 4 (some parts come off a bit cheesy, I’ll admit), but it benefits from familiarity and sentimentality. 4.5 rounded up.

The first track, “Walk On By,” is excellent. Unfortunately, I feel like the quality decreases as the album goes on - in particular, the (long) spoken word portion of “By The Time I Get To Phoenix” didn’t do anything for me - but “Walk On By” was good enough, and the rest enjoyable enough, that I’m willing to be more charitable in my rating. 3.5 rounded up

This felt like an album I should enjoy - I liked the jazzy elements, the bass, and the organ - but it just didn’t connect. It seemed too scattered and inconsistent.

“Future Days” is a fitting title - this album sounds ahead of its time. Fantastic drums. The title track was probably my favorite. Really chill and pleasant overall. I’m not sure whether to give this 3 or 4 stars; it’s around 3.5, but it didn’t really leave enough of an impression to prompt me to round up.

3.5 rounded up. It reminds me a lot of Depeche Mode, if not quite as good. Synths, reverb, and a dark sound are usually a winning formula for me.

Didn’t hate it at first, but it quickly stated to get tedious. A track or two is fine; I don’t need a whole Foo Fighters album

Fun, energetic punk. I enjoyed it. 3.5 rounded up

Incredible album by a monumental artist. The goosebumps I got during “Four Women” cemented this as a 5-star album early on, and it stayed strong through the end.

The title and cover made me think this would be punk or metal. What it actually was works fine as background music, but I was disappointed nevertheless. Although it was better and more varied than some other similar albums (I can’t think of which specifically), the fact that I kept checking to see how close it was to ending makes it hard to give more than 2 stars.

I only recognized the title track, which I kind of like. Mixed feelings on this one - not totally mundane, and the flute was actually a pretty cool feature - but nothing really moves me to rate it higher than a 3. I think it’s that pseudo-concept album cheesiness that holds me back.

Delightful and nostalgic. Living in the west - and a frequent visitor to El Paso - I’m almost obligated to give this a high rating. I almost went for 5 stars, but hesitated because some of the songs started to sound pretty similar…it’s on the edge, though. Favorite tracks: Big Iron, Cool Water, Billy The Kid, El Paso

From the desert yesterday (Marty Robbins) to the beach today. I’ve liked the other Neil Young albums I’ve gotten in this project, but for whatever reason, this one didn’t really click with me today. (I enjoyed it more on the second listen - I’ll say 3.5 for now.) Favorite tracks: Vampire Blues, See The Sky About To Rain

This was a fun album - especially “1999” - but I wasn’t really matching its energy today. A bit too long and too homogenous. I can see the appeal, though.

Ah, this is so good. Like the Kate Bush album I recently listened to, another example of pop that manages to be wildly original and unique, with a good amount of variety in style and instrumentation. 4.5 rounded up - looking forward to more from Björk!

I really wanted to like this - an album on the border of punk and new wave with a female vocalist? That should be right up my alley. I’m not sure why it didn’t so much for me. I thought the first half was stronger than the second, but even then, I don’t think I can justify a rating higher than 3.

This probably isn’t a 2-star album. I fully acknowledge that I may not judging fairly. However, I just didn’t enjoy this at all today, so a 2 it is.

Same sort of situation as yesterday’s album by The Police - objectively it’s fine, but I didn’t enjoy it at all. Very bland and unnecessarily long.

I did this album no favors by listening while working on a project; it didn’t have my full attention, and this is probably the sort of album that deserves a closer listen. I’ll try to revisit it in the future. I enjoyed it well enough in the background, but it didn’t jump out at me (aside from the yodeling on “Spaced Cowboy,” which I appreciated).

An engaging and enjoyable hip hop album made more interesting with the influences of reggae and soul. I usually don’t like skits, but I found the classroom scenes here pretty endearing.

There’s something kind of weird and unpolished about this album that elevates it a bit above other psychedelic rock - a genre which is never one of my favorites - by nature of being interesting, but it’s still not something I actively enjoyed. Favorite track: Long Gone

Enjoyable and easy to listen to, but a bit much as a whole album (all the songs are very similar, and it starts to get old). There’s something about Sinatra I can’t pin down that rubs me the wrong way, but still, I was tapping my foot along and generally having a good time with this. Probably somewhere between 3~3.5.

Not bad, if unremarkable. The guitars were good but overshadowed by the vocals. I’m not sure why this made the cut.

This was pretty cool - I liked it more than I expected to. I’d never listened to anything by Wu-Tang or its individual artists before, and this made me excited to hear more. There’s a dark, gritty atmosphere that I find very appealing, and no skits is a plus. This isn’t the sort of album I’d consider to be in my wheelhouse, and I’m not that likely to come back to it, but if only for subverting my expectations, I think 3.5 ~ 4 is fair.

This was kind of a slog for the most part - not much more than background music - but there was just enough interesting variation and creative flourish to spare it from a score of 2. Wasn’t interested enough to listen through a second time, though.

This album is probably overrated, but overrated things can still be good. I’ve heard it before and I like it, although it did feel particularly meandering on this listen. Favorite tracks: Weird Fishes, Videotape

I’m typically a little underwhelmed by the Beatles, and although I approached this with an open mind and hoped to enjoy it more, I can’t say it won me over. “A Hard Day’s Night” always takes me back to high school art classes, where the teacher would play it while we worked on projects.

I didn’t think this was bad at first, and it’s probably fine in smaller doses, but it wore out its welcome pretty quickly. It’s too long and not interesting enough to keep my attention. I recently watched the movie “Anatomy of a Fall,” which features “P.I.M.P.” prominently, so it was kind of fun when it popped up here; however, I once again have to endure that steel drum bit playing in my head in an endless loop

Ha! Just a few days after the Method Man album and saying I wanted to hear more from Wu-Tang, I get this. To be honest, I didn’t enjoy it as much as “Tical,” although it’s still solid and enjoyable hip hop. I can’t quite pin down why; I don’t think it has quite the dark sound that I liked so much on Method Man’s album. Maybe it would grow on me with repeated listens. Favorite track: C.R.E.A.M.

Hmm. Aside from “Hallelujah,” I’d never heard anything from Jeff Buckley, but I had high expectations based on things I’ve read. I was a little disappointed, to be honest; the tracks I most enjoyed (“Hallelujah” and “Lilac Wine”) were covers, and the rest didn’t really move me. I’ve put off rating this because I can’t decide between 3 or 4 stars. I think I’ll be charitable and round up from 3.5, but I’m noting that I didn’t fall in love with it like I thought I might.

Not good, but dumb in a kind of fun way. Eh, actually not that fun, though. I was going to round up from a 2.5, but by the end, it’s hard to go higher than a 2. I did sort of like “Lick Summer Love.”

Interesting in places, and overall pretty enjoyable, but oddly sterile and hollow-sounding. Another one where I prefer listening to a song or two rather than a whole album; there where parts where I was enjoying it, but I also got pretty annoyed, especially toward the end.

I’d never heard of Nick Drake before. I admit my hopes weren’t high with this being an album from ‘69 in the UK, but, wow, it’s fantastic. It’s beautiful and timeless - the instrumentals really shine here, and the lyrics are lovely, too. So happy to have come across this. I’ve been feeling a bit burnt out after the past several albums, but this reminded me that there are still gems that make the endeavor worthwhile. Even though I’m shying away from giving a full 5 stars this time, I’ll definitely come back to this album and artist. Favorite tracks: River Man, Three Hours, Day is Done, Fruit Tree

Wow, a nice follow-up to the Nick Drake album yesterday! I’ve listened to and enjoyed this before; some tracks aren’t as strong as the rest, but the ones that are good are very good. I think the rich instrumentals and interesting lyrics save this from being overly sweet/twee, though I can see how others might see it that way. For me, there’s a lot here I’ll continue to return to. Favorite tracks: Concerning the UFO Sighting…, Casimir Pulaski Day, They Are Night Zombies!! , The Seer’s Tower

Super cheesy in places (“Dreamin,” “You Are”), but also some iconic beats (“It’s Nasty,” “The Message”). It has just enough charm to counter the cheese. I was kind of irritable when I listened to this, so it didn’t go over as well as it otherwise might’ve. Favorite track: The Message

Sometimes approaching something I like, but kind of irritating for the most part. I do like “Come On, Eileen,” though.

One of the somewhat surprising things I’ve learned from this project is that I’m not much a fan of grunge (or at least, not the grunge albums I’ve gotten so far). I guess that, aside from Nirvana, I hadn’t really listened to much of the genre. I have mixed feelings about this one too, but it’s been the grunge album I’ve enjoyed most till now. I prefer the rougher sound here to the more polished Nevermind. There’s something almost punky about it, which I appreciate. There’s a bit of nostalgia here - a friend in middle school was a fan of Nirvana and introduced me to their music. I don’t think I really got it then. Maybe I still don’t, but I do like it better now. Favorite tracks: All Apologies, Heart Shaped Box, Radio Friendly Unit Shifter

Not bad, but aggressively mediocre, and sometimes that’s worse

This was pretty cool - wasn’t expecting something so jazzy. It was pretty long and not a total hit for me, but aside from the first minutes of the first track, never boring. Overall, I liked it. Favorite track: Slightly All The Time

I was surprised by how grating I found this. (I wasn’t in the right mood for this kind of album, to be fair) 2.5 rounded up

I think I’ll always have a soft spot for this album, because it’s so closely linked to a specific time and place for me. (Summer 2018, Tokyo) I first listened to it on a total whim on a long bus ride - vaguely recalling that it was considered one of the greatest albums of the last 20 years, and curious as to why - and it grabbed my attention from the first track and I was blown away by how much I enjoyed it. I immediately listened again from the start, and I listened many times over those summer months. It was a transitory period when I was often sad and deeply conflicted, and something about this music in particular seemed to offer an escape. I can’t really rationalize or explain what it is I like so much about this album (although there are definitely objective measures by which it’s great), but despite everything surrounding its artist, it’s one of those that I’ll always appreciate for the role it played in my life. (This time, too, I listened through without stopping and listened a second time.)

This might’ve benefited from a second listen, because it didn’t really have my full attention and it didn’t leave an impression. I liked the first track, but found the rest pretty boring.

At its best (“Unmade Love”), it reminded me of The Smiths; I wish I could say the same for the rest of the album. Unfortunately, nothing else has that melancholy atmosphere, and the rest ranges between confusing, bland, and bad. 2.5 rounded up

Classic for a reason. Not something it’s typically think to put on myself - and some of the impact is dampened a bit by exposure - but it holds up very well. Favorite track: Chain of Fools

The best parts were the African musicians. The worst parts were Paul Simon. I don’t dislike him in general, or at least, conceptually (come to think of it, maybe he’s one of those artists who I feel I “should” like without actually being that familiar with) but this album - which I expected to enjoy - strikes me as cheesy and ersatz. Favorite track: Homeless

I just had “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” a few days ago; up until the second to last track on this album, the spoken-word “H2OGate Blues,” I hadn’t made the connection that Gil Scott-Heron was the artist featured on “Who Will Survive In America.” I was pretty delighted when I realized that - I had never heard of him before. H2OGate was the highlight, and I wish there had been more spoken-word style pieces here, but the whole thing was great. Definitely an artist to explore more in-depth.

Compared to MBDTF, it sounds much less grand and cohesive. Very conflicting and tough to rate. I really like the dark industrial sound, and just about every track has at least one good moment, but the lyrics and themes are frequently gross. Even where I like this album, I feel guilty about it - like the whole thing feels too crude. I was much more willing to overlook these things years ago when I first heard it, and I’m now I’m finding it harder to justify. With MBDTF, I was willing to let nostalgia influence my judgement; here, my view is less clouded by sentiment (although it’s still an album I’ve listened to and enjoyed more than once). Being obligated to assign this a rating, I’m giving it a 3…but I don’t know. I’m not sure how I feel about this one.

Live albums tend to more often be misses than hits for me - but here, it’s the very nature of the live recording and its context that makes the album special. The interplay between Cash and the audience is great, the songs are fun, and I was engaged through the whole thing. A really pleasant surprise - I wasn’t expecting to get much out of this.

Some tracks were kind of fun (“Don’t Be Shy” is the only one I specifically remember), but overall mediocre and forgettable.

Very 80s. I liked the synths, but the repetitive lyrics on some tracks got annoying. Not bad, not particularly memorable.

I mean, it’s not bad. Probably pretty good, even. This kind of music just doesn’t do much for me.

Still not a fan of psych rock, but I’ll give extra points here for the amazing way Janis uses her voice. She was extremely talented.

As with the other Tom Waits album I listened to (Swordfishtrombones), I found the start of this album jarring and abrasive, but I was surprised by how quickly I warmed up to it. Weird in the best kind of way - unsettling, atmospheric, unique. Sounds like nothing else, and I’m glad it exists.

This was actually much more fun and skillfully made than I was expecting - and aside from “Ice Cream Man,” never really annoying. Fairly or not, though, I’m finding it hard to justify more than a 3.

Really, really good. Almost five stars, and I’m on the fence here - could easily go up on a second listen. I’m tired and wish I heard more eloquent comments, but I very much enjoyed this.

A very enjoyable album - the tracks are short, fast, and loud, and that format works really well here. I’ll have to remember to check out other albums by this band.

The music itself wasn’t bad, but the lyrics were. I’m docking a star mostly for “Jailbait.”

Not at all what I expected from an album titled “Bossanova.” I think the first instrumental track set a high bar that the rest never quite reached; nothing here was a definitive standout or an instant favorite, but I liked the overall sound. There’s just enough darkness and variation to keep things interesting. (Actually, yeah - by the end, I was pretty much sold.) Favorite tracks: Hang Wire, Javelina

“The Killing Moon” has long held an esteemed place on my “spooky tunes 4 halloween” playlist, so I was happy to hear it here! I hadn’t heard anything else by Echo & the Bunnymen, though, and there are several gems here. Atmospheric and stylish (if a bit melodramatic). Favorite tracks: The Killing Moon, Nocturnal Me

For a band and album I’d never even heard of, I was surprised how many tunes I recognized. The title track in particular is instantly recognizable, though I never would’ve guessed its name. While I appreciated the lack of vocals and I think this could serve as decent background music, as a whole album it felt pretty one dimensional, and I admit the organ started to feel grating.

I immediately got goosebumps and was on the verge of tears by the end. It’s not perfect - a little less lyrically complex than I might’ve preferred, though warranted given the circumstances - but I feel that kind of strong reaction is what warrants a score of 5.

Not as good as “Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars,” but up there as one of the better David Bowie albums I’ve heard in this project (up to five or six now?) Although I always have somewhat mixed feelings about Bowie, he definitely has a unique and creative sound, which will almost always have me give it the benefit of the doubt. Favorite track: Life On Mars

British reggae? Kind of cool conceptually - and I liked the saxophones - but in reality, I found it way too long and boring. Felt like a bit of a chore to get through.

Ah, I feel conflicted rating this - I can definitely see how influential and important it was, and it’s hard to be too cynical about something this energetic and joyful-sounding. Today, though, I was tired and it just didn’t hit right. Sorry, Little Richard. It’s nothing personal.

Wow, there’s a lot more depth here (both musically and lyrically) than I’d expect from a soundtrack. It absolutely is able to stand on its own. A beautiful soul/funk album.

Wow, I actually liked this a lot, and I wasn’t expecting to! Very atmospheric, enjoyable, and varied. This is the sort of thing that’s great do put on while doing housework to liven up the mood.

It was kind of weird, but I didn’t hate it. There’s kind of a grand, theatrical quality about it; I liked the orchestral arrangements, though the vocals and lyrics were a bit much at times. I’ve never been much a fan of musical theatre, so in the end, it was all a little too dramatic and cornball for me.

I preferred the saxophone to the organ, which is a little unfortunate since apparently Jimmy Smith himself is the organist. A super chill album, and one I’ll likely put on again.

Honestly not bad at all - much more enjoyable than I was expecting. It did feel too long and started to wear out its welcome, but worth the listen.

This was very much up my alley! While it was less musically distinct, I liked it nearly as much as the other Echo & The Bunnymen album I recently listened to; it’s a little less melodramatic, maybe. Favorite tracks: Crocodiles, Pictures on the Wall, All That Jazz

A legitimately fun album despite my misgivings. Like some other albums on this list, it suffers from overexposure - having heard most, if not all of the songs repeatedly (and pretty much never in situations when I’ve intentionally sought them out), it was hard to approach it with fresh ears and an open mind. It’s a very well-crafted pop album, though, and it’s easy to see why its popularity has endured. Maybe a score of 3 is a little unfair, but I just don’t see myself jumping to listen to this in full again. Favorite tracks: Fernando; Money, Money, Money

Metallica tends to be hit or miss for me; it’s the sort of thing I liked a lot as a teenager, but it feels harder to take seriously as an adult. That said, when I got over myself, I really enjoyed this album. I love the energy and unrelenting driving pace. Aside from the title track, the other standout here was “Orion.” Even when the band’s at its best, Metallica’s lyrics can be a little silly, and I was able to appreciate the musicianship more in the instrumental track.

Better than I expected, and more varied. The genre is somewhere between psych rock and folk, and it felt like track-to-track veered pretty wildly across that whole range. It’s got some charm and character. Nothing here completely grabbed me, though, and I’m not likely to revisit it at depth. Favorite tracks: Wild Mountain Thyme, I Come and Stand at Every Door, John Riley

This seemed like something I’d like - jazzy, soulful - but for whatever reason, it just didn’t click. I couldn’t get into it today.

Maybe a little too smooth and polished, but on the whole, I like Common’s style. I thought the start and ending of the album were stronger than the middle. Pleasant and easy to listen to. 3.5 rounded up Favorite tracks: The Corner, Real People, They Say

Completely silly lyrics, exhaustingly relentless…but I couldn’t help but bob my head along. If nothing else, it gets points for achieving what it set out to do. 2.5 rounded up

I wasn’t at all in the mood for this today, and I found it kind of annoying. However, there are some witty lyrics here, which I appreciate, so it doesn’t feel fair to rate it as low as 2 stars.

I’ll admit that I approached this pretty cynically - and to be honest, I’m still not entirely sure why it’s the highest rated album on this list - but it’s good. I don’t think I had ever listened to the album in its entirety, and aside from the big hits, there are some lesser-known gems too (“Within You Without You” was a standout for me). There’s charm, heart, and wit here. Although it lacks the emotional punch for me to give it a full five stars, even I can appreciate it as someone who sometimes finds The Beatles overrated. That said…I can’t help but wonder how much of my rating is caught up in the expectation and hype and history of this album, how much of it is obligation. In my truest heart, I’m still not sure I really get it.

A really strong start, but I thought it got weaker toward the end. Maybe it was getting a bit fatiguing. (I listened to this a while back and put off rating because I couldn’t decide between 3 or 4 stars. I’ll go with 3, but worth another listen)

Fun, catchy, danceable pop that didn’t dip too far into annoying territory. I didn’t love it, but I liked it. I wouldn’t mind listening again, though I wouldn’t seek it out. Favorite tracks: Can You Forgive Her?, Dreaming of the Queen

Pleasant, chill, interesting. I generally enjoyed it, thought it kind of faded into the background and didn’t fully hold my attention. Favorite track: Pitche Mi

I’ve heard a lot about this album, and this was my first time listening to it (although I’d heard “Someday” without realizing it was by The Strokes; in a similar vein, I somehow never made the connection that “Reptilia,” a song I love, was by them). It didn’t disappoint - I enjoyed it a lot, and it felt somehow nostalgic. Definitely something I’d put on again! I listened through twice, and then again a few days later.

Surprisingly punky and biting in places. While I liked the first and last tracks, the middle tracks lost me a bit. Highlights: Broken English, Why'd Ya Do It

Wow - this was really good. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn’t quite this. Definitely not the generic psychedelic rock I sometimes assume when an album is from the 60s. Every track is unique and good in its own way; there are elements of prog rock, folk, and improvised jazz, and the whole thing has a mysterious, otherworldly atmosphere. One of the rare albums where I listened to the whole thing a second time right after it ended. I’m stingy with my 5*s, but this is a high 4. Favorite tracks: Epitaph, 21st Century Schizoid Man

Pretty good! It’s that kind of optimistic (if slightly corny) 90s-style hip hop that I always have a soft spot for. It started off really strong and dropped off a bit as it went; I was going to dock a star for being overlong, but that doesn’t seem quite fair. Maybe a 3.5. As an aside, “What’s Golden” somehow dredged up memories of the PS2 game “ATV Offroad Fury 2.” I have no idea how that game lay dormant in my brain for 20 years, but a Google search confirmed that it was on the soundtrack. Wild.

Like The Smiths, but not as good - in other words, still pretty good. 3.5 rounded up.

I could’ve sworn I had gotten this album already. I realized I had made a second project for weekend albums, which I used for exactly one day - and this was the album I received. I wasn’t too impressed on the first listen, and while it’s still not really my thing, I was more forgiving this time around. It has a unique sound to it and a decent amount of variety that saves it from being completely boring. I think two listens was enough for me, though.

I’ve heard of Fleetwood Mac. I know (from having glanced at the top rated albums list on this site) that this is a beloved album. But as I’m sitting here before pressing play, I couldn’t name a single Fleetwood Mac song or member of the band or even the genre. — …Hmm. It’s well-made to be sure, and I can see why people like it. I’ve heard many of not most of these songs despite not knowing who was behind them. Aside from a few tracks, though, I wasn’t blown away or deeply moved. Maybe I was expecting too much. The tracks with the female vocalists front-and-center are my favorites; the big hits (“Don’t Stop,” “Go Your Own Way”) felt overplayed and hard to approach with fresh ears. I wanted to love this like so many others do. I liked it well enough. I should probably give it another shot. The 4 stars is mostly for “Dreams,” and, to be perfectly honest, a sense of obligation based on its reputation. For the rest of the album, to my own taste based on this first listen? A middle-of-the-road 3. I’m not proud of going along with the crowd, but what can you do. Favorite tracks: Dreams, The Chain

Way too long. It’s kind of fun, and I like the sense of humor combined with the cheesy 90s hip-hop style, but not a fan of the theme (such as it is). No desire to listen to this again.

Really nice! Chill, easygoing music that’s hard not to move along to the beat. Worth another listen for sure - I enjoyed this a lot.

This was pretty good, though I didn’t really like the singer's voice and the tracks were all similar to one another. It’s somewhere between 3 and 4 stars. I like this kind of melancholy, atmospheric style, and I wouldn’t mind listening again. Favorite track: Red Eyes

This youthful combination of anger and humor could easily come off as embarrassing or kind of laughable once you’re no longer a teenager yourself, but here, it really works. Totally fun and with a unique sound. Favorite tracks: Add It Up, Promise

My option of this album was all over the map from track to track. There were a lot of things I liked about it - it’s got this minimalist/lo-fi/industrial/jazzy sci-fi thing going on, which is very cool, but doesn’t come together as cohesively as I would’ve liked. After the first few tracks, the middle felt like a bit of a slog. It picks back up at the end, and the great final track, “Feb. 4 ‘99,” saves it from a rating of 2. Even though I can’t say I fully enjoyed it, this album does feel a little special.

I expected this to be up my alley, but it was a little too chaotic and too juvenile. Somewhere between a 2 and a 3.

It’s fine. It’s on the list for its place in history, which is fair, and it’s not bad at all but certainly not the best of its kind.

Admittedly, I wasn’t giving this album my full attention as I should’ve; I was listening while on a short road trip and may have dozed off once or twice. It was pretty good, though a bit homogenous. I might’ve preferred a studio album to a live one. Even though I’m giving this a 3, I liked it better than yesterday’s Elvis album.

One of those that wavers between kind of annoying and kind of good. I’ll give it the benefit of the doubt and round up. I’m not likely to listen to it again, but it wasn’t bad.

The specific atmosphere of this album hit just right today, and I really enjoyed it. Grandiose, kind of melancholy, very catchy. Listened while driving home at sunset after dropping my sister off at the airport.

A fun pop-punk album! Kind of a unique mix of sounds/styles here, and I think it worked. Good energy, albeit a little more on the polished side than the raw side. I especially liked the female vocalist.

Normally I give a rating of 2 to albums that actively irritated me. This one wasn’t exactly annoying - or even bad, really - but it was so unremarkable that I forgot it as soon as I finished listening, and I’m in a bad mood, so that’s what I’m going with.

Well, it gets some points for creativity and originality. I can’t say it was too boring or generic. Still, for the most part, I didn’t enjoy this too much; it just didn’t click, though there some bright spots. An interesting experience, at least.

Having never heard this album before, I’m not sure why I was expecting to like it more than “Songs In The Key Of Life.” It’s been a while since I listened to that album, but I can’t definitively say I preferred this one. It’s still very good, though.

Pretty good, and super chill. It’s between a 3 and a 4; it did seem a little too long and I lost focus a bit, but on another day, it could just as easily earn a 4.

Hmm. I liked the general “jazziness” of this album, but apart from that, it didn’t resonate with me and I was a bit disappointed by it. 2.5 rounded up

I like the blues conceptually, but sometimes I find it hard to listen to a full blues album. I know this probably deserves better (and there’s some amazing guitar work here); I have to go with my gut reaction, though.

Wow, this was good. I’m not very familiar with Beck, and this wasn’t really what I was expecting. I’m a sucker for this downbeat, sad kind of stuff. “Round the Bend” reminded me of Nick Drake’s Five Leaves Left (an album I regret not giving 5 stars). I loved the use of the strings. I’ll come back to this one for sure. Favorite tracks: Paper Tiger, Round the Bend

Unfortunately, I was just kind of bored by it. “Jacob Marley’s Chain” wasn’t bad. 2.5 rounded up (but it really should probably just be a 2)

3 observations: - I hate the singer’s voice, or at least the weird affect he gives it. I may have been generous and rated the album 3*, but that voice irreparably dragged the whole thing down. - A few tracks in, I had to check which year this came out - it sounds exactly like early 2000s nu-metal, so I was surprised it was so much older. I guess there’s something admirable about that, but I hate nu-metal. - “Epic” took me back to playing Rock Band with my younger sister and joking about what “it” could be. Sorry, though, the nostalgia can’t save it.

Make I’m just getting Bowie fatigue from this list, but this album didn’t do much for me. It was fine.

This wasn’t at all what I was expecting. I didn’t think it was bad at first, but it got knocked down from 3 to 2 for the following: - too long - boring - concept album

I acknowledge that there’s a time and place for drum & bass, and I did the album no favors by listening while not in a dance club or something. In the context in which I listened, though, this was a bit of a chore to get through. It could’ve been improved by making each track a minute or two shorter. I did like the title track, however.

Hmm, kind of a mixed bag. I found a few tracks a little irritating, so I don’t think I can go higher than a 3 this time. Overall, not bad at all, though; I think I’m in a bit of a slump and finding it hard to enjoy most albums lately.

This may well be the Springsteen album I’ve liked most so far, but I still can’t quite definitively say I liked it. It’s almost there, but there’s something here that rings false to me; that may be an incorrect impression, but it’s the sense I get.

I didn’t rate this at the time because I was stuck between 3 and 4 stars. I like this style of hip hop and generally enjoyed the album; the lyrics are thoughtful and sharp, if also a bit heavy-handed and repetitive. It’s the repetitiveness that ultimately knocked it down to 3* - a week later, I still find bits stuck in my head (“Famous and Dandy,” “Hypocrisy is the Greatest Luxury”) in an annoying and intrusive way. Other than that, though, pretty good.

This was interesting. I didn’t like it at first, and it took a while to get onboard, but it wasn’t bad. It’s industrial music with a singer who sounds like a French Tom Waits. It’s atmospherically consistent, though there was a surprising amount of variety from track to track.

I know this album is historically important, and it had some good tracks/beats, but overall, I didn’t really like it.

As someone who generally likes synthy 80s music and new wave, I expected to enjoy this, but I found it irritating and overlong. Although it had moments that showed promise, I’m going with my initial impression in the rating.

Borderline annoying - on the knife’s edge of 2 and 3. Ultimately, it was fine, just not my thing.

Funkier and rock-ier than the type of jazz I usually like, but it was refreshing and a lot of fun. Even though there are just four long tracks, there’s a great deal of variety both within and between them, and I never got bored or eager for it to end. Something I’ve never heard of and am happy to have listened to!

A few tracks in, I was already looking forward to the end. Not the type of 2* where the music was annoying - I can’t even say it was bad, exactly - but so bland and unremarkable that I seriously question its inclusion on this list.

This made about as much of an impression as yesterday’s very similar album - which is to say, hardly any - but I thought the opening track wasn’t bad and there were a few with a bit of a “darker” sound, so I’m being a little more generous with the rating.

Kind of fun, but overall too silly and dated. Not something I’d listen to again.

Pretty cool - I liked the vocalist. I don’t think I gave this the attention it deserves; I’d probably rate it higher on another listen. I’m curious to hear their other albums.

Man, I can be cynical, but stuff like this just melts my cold heart and makes me smile. The joyousness is infectious. Everyone involved seems to be having a blast.

I generally like the Neil Young albums that pop up on this list, though this one wasn’t my favorite. I did appreciate it and its rawness more after reading the backstory behind it as an expression of grief.

While I did like the lo-fi, garage band sound (and that you can hear the early punk influence), I didn’t like the fact that the album was mostly covers. I was on the fence between 2 and 3*, but I’m rounding down because of that.

Wow, this was tough to get through. Like the worst parts of nu-metal, rap, and country mashed together, with some especially jarring autotune bafflingly thrown in. I was surprised to recognize the first two tracks, as I’m not at all familiar with Kid Rock; they’re not good songs, but it’s pretty much all downhill from there. If that’s not enough, it’s also so long? Why?!

Not bad, but it didn’t click with me the way I hoped it might. Favorite track: The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down

One thing. I’ve learned from this project is that 60s psychedelic rock isn’t really my thing - it mostly sounds the same to me. I can’t pin down exactly why, but in comparison to its peers, this album went down more smoothly. For that, I’m rounding up the 3.5.

Very good. I think a lot of female artists are unfairly compared to Kate Bush, but I do admit I hear some similarities here - while still being a distinct and original songwriter. There are powerful moments in almost all the songs. Favorite tracks: Winter, Precious Things, Me and a Gun

Not at all my thing, and I wasn’t in a good mood, so I wasn’t very charitable in rating it. It reminded me a bit of Bruce Springsteen, who I also feel ambivalent toward, but a little worse. The part I liked most was the little instrumental bit at the start of “Maggie May” which seemed totally disconnected from the rest of the song

Play Free Bird! This was pretty good - probably not something I’ll revisit, and not really my style, but not bad. “Free Bird” was the only song I had heard before.

From the first track, I thought this might get as high as a 4* rating, but around “Ooby Dooby,” it started to lose me. This was my favorite of the CCR albums I’ve listened to so far, and probably between a 3 and 4. Favorite track: Ramble Tamble

Bleh. This felt like a similar style to the past few albums I’ve gotten, which I’m a little sick of. I admit I was listening to this while working on something and wasn’t paying attention at all to the lyrics, but the ones I caught were off-putting. It might’ve actually gotten a lower rating had I been paying closer attention.

Really good - raw, claustrophobic, fresh. I’ve never listened to a Fiona Apple album before, although she’s been recommended to me. I’ll revisit this one and I’m looking forward to hearing more of her work.

Not much to say - just good, fun big band jazz. It made for excellent background music while working on some art.

I enjoyed it. It hits a sweet spot between punk and grunge. Through this project I’ve learned that I don’t like grunge as much as I thought I did, but this early version is more appealing to me. I think part of it is that the vocals sound more angry than ambivalent or bored. Probably closer to a 3 if I’m being honest, but I was pleasantly surprised and feeling charitable, so I’ll round it up. Favorite track: Halloween

This is so good, and completely different from the other PJ Harvey album I listened to (“Rid of Me,” which was also excellent). Not as raw or energetic, but haunting and sad, which fits the theme. After listening to albums on this list for just over a year and hearing so many that sound similar and blend together, this album stands out as something unique and beautiful. I keep going for gems like this, and I’m grateful to this project for introducing me to Harvey’s music. Favorite track: On Battleship Hill

I remember being impressed by “Automatic For The People,” but this album just kind of passed over me without leaving much of an impression. A little too same-y. You can definitely hear the influence this had on future indie bands, though. Favorite track: 9-9 Least favorite track: We Walk

This is more what I was expecting of a Beck album when “Sea Change” popped up. I don’t like this one nearly as much (although it’s not bad).

It reminded me a little of David Bowie. Interesting and creative, but I couldn’t really get into it.

From the description on Apple Music I really thought this would be right up my alley, but unfortunately, it fell a little flat. I did like the jazzier bits like on “The Way Young Lovers Do” (if I’m rendering the right track) and I wish there had been more of that, but overall, it came across as too bland and inoffensive.

Lmao, no. This is way too cheesy. Is it supposed to be a sci-fi rock opera? Okay, the second half moves away from that and is better. “Tears” is pretty good and the music itself isn’t bad throughout the album, but the corny lyrics of that 20-minute opening track mean it’s not rating higher than a 3.

I was pretty ambivalent about this at first, though it grew on me as it went on. 3.5 rounded up

It wasn’t bad, but hard to get too excited about.

I don’t want to be a hater, but I didn’t love this