Nov 02 2023
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Led Zeppelin II
Led Zeppelin
Haven't heard The Lemon Song before and it really stands out. Blues influences are very strong. Not much else to say since most songs I've heard before. All songs are pretty good, though.
Favorite Song: Ramble On.
Headphones/Stereo speakers are a MUST
4
Nov 03 2023
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The Köln Concert
Keith Jarrett
Just piano so not much to take in other than it is very relaxing in the initial minutes.
Essentially an hour long piano piece performed live.
The random grunts and other noises are kind of hilarious on such a serious piece.
Can't say I know enough about piano to say how impresive or not this is. Probably good to put on for a quiet party or something.
2
Nov 04 2023
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25
Adele
Never quite hits the highs of Hello which comes on strong right out of the gate - 10/10 song.
Unfortunately the rest of the album can't even get close to the quality and emotion again.
3
Nov 05 2023
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Deep Purple In Rock
Deep Purple
I love Deep Purple, but haven't heard this album before.
Not as good as Machine Head, but it has the sound. Rod Evans' vocals are as powerful as always, but I don't enjoy the 60s inspired trippiness as much as the hard rock sound they carry to future albums.
Solid album, but not genre defining.
3
Nov 06 2023
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The Marshall Mathers LP
Eminem
One of my favorite albums growing up. Brought me into the rap scene at 12 years old. Though, my first listen in a long time.
A lot will find the language and themes to be exploitative or excessive, but it helped Eminem stand out. I remember the moral crisis, but trauma and anger can bring the best art into the zeitgeist.
White rappers have came up in the mainstream before this, but this was the first "gangster rap" white rapper. Eminem crashed through a dividing wall and I think has made ripple effects still felt today in helping bring different groups of people together.
Don't mean to wax poetic about it, but looking back I can say this was one of the most important cultural album of the 2000s.
It helps that the songs are catchy and creative, both lyrically and musically. I think it still stands up as one of the most influential rap albums ever.
Taking off the nostalgia goggles, a lot of the homophobia has not aged well and even Eminem has come to regret it so I can't recommend this album to everyone. Also, the quality tapers off by the end of the album and most of the songs are about his own notoriety he gained from the Slim Shady LP, so not entirely relatable.
4
Nov 07 2023
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Fear Of Music
Talking Heads
I LOVE THE TALKING HEADS
Now that that's out of the way, this album has eluded me as it doesn't contain their biggest hits. I love the experimental feel of the songs, quintessential Talking Heads/David Byrne, however, this album is a bit higher tempo which gives it a different feel.
It is difficult to describe this music, but it's refreshing, especially for something made in 1979. It still holds up today. Not quite at the same level as their more popular albums. 3.5 stars rounded up
4
Nov 08 2023
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G. Love And Special Sauce
G. Love & Special Sauce
TIL G. Love and Special Sauce did the Milk and Cereal song.
Anyway, this is a new one for me. This is definitely something my friends in High School would have listened to, but it's a bit too laid back for me to listen to actively. Feels like something to have in the background when chilling outside on the patio or at a barbecue.
The influences are obvious when compared to other similar acts of the 90s, like Sublime and Beck. They're not quite at the same level, but still not bad.
3
Nov 09 2023
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Maggot Brain
Funkadelic
Origin of the phrase "hit it and quit it"? Might be my favorite track on the album though.
The album is an experience to put it mildly. Some good early funk mixed in with the weirdest sound effects and lyrics that could be chosen. It feels more like a concept to an album than a complete album.
I love George Clinton, but the stuff he would go on to do with Parliament Funkadelic is much better. Same deal for pretty much every member of the band, doubly so for Hendrix
3
Nov 10 2023
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Queen Of Denmark
John Grant
Based on Spotify stats, this is quite the hidden gem. It has the full feel of a singular artistic mind perfecting his craft. Witty, albeit sometimes non-sensical lyrics, a sometimes haunting sometimes upbeat fun music track come together to put in a nice package.
I recommend reading up on John Grant's background to get a better understanding of the music he is going for. Not sure if I will ever come back to this, but it gets two thumbs up from me.
4
Nov 11 2023
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(Pronounced 'Leh-'Nérd 'Skin-'Nérd)
Lynyrd Skynyrd
One I have heard before. It's a classic and probably my favorite band of Southern Rock genre. Fun riffs, soulful singing from Van Sant, solos (the most important part of rock and roll imo), and some catchy choruses.
Tuesday's Gone and Simple Man stand as some of my favorite songs of all time and Free Bird is always a good time despite it's status as a joke when it comes to live performances.
Still a classic. I will come back to this one.
5
Nov 12 2023
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Truth
Jeff Beck
RIP
One of the forgotten legends of the 60s guitar scene(at least by those who didn't live it, like my generation). The blues feel is immediate and though controversial, many future musicians have been thankful for the boom of rock and roll from the 60s.
This is a classic and listening to it even today, you can see why. It is some good classic rock and roll.
3
Nov 13 2023
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The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter
The Incredible String Band
I'm pretty glad that this 60s folk didn't really gain popularity as it's not really for me. If I want to listen to music I may hear in a Dungeons and Dragon's campaign, I prefer Led Zeppelin.
Maybe at a Ren Faire this would be appropriate, but outside of that. I don't think I would ever listen to or recommend this music to anyone. It's not for me.
1
Nov 14 2023
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American Idiot
Green Day
One of my wife's favorite albums. I missed this one growing up, but knew all the singles and a lot of the other songs, just never gotten to listen to it front to back.
When you think of "concept album", Pop-punk is probably one of the last genres to come to mind, but it works pretty well here. I probably have the gift of hindsight due to the musical that was birthed from this album, but the punk sound really goes well with the story telling of the lyrics.
You can feel the 2004-ness of this album if you grew up around that time. A lot of anxiety in post 9-11 with the war in Afghanistan and other political movements coming to the forefront. Green Day really distilled the feelings into ~1 hour of music.
3
Nov 15 2023
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Sticky Fingers
The Rolling Stones
I'm actually a bit surprised at the laid back nature of this album compared to their future hits. It's somewhat refreshing and not what I expected. Some songs have a country/honky tonk feel to them.
It's definitely a classic and I can see why it got them a lot of attention back in the day. I enjoyed it, but it's a little too laid back for my tastes to hoist it as their best album and I'm already pretty meh about the Rolling Stones in general.
3
Nov 16 2023
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Ys
Joanna Newsom
This is certainly something you don't hear every day. I'm not sure what it is or what to think about it, but it's certainly quite experimental and folksy. It hits the Ren-Faire feel for sure.
It's not for me, but I can see the merits in it and can see what people like about it.
2
Nov 17 2023
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Inspiration Information
Shuggie Otis
This is some music to get down to or study. I really like the 70s feel here of smooth jazz alongside Shuggie's sultry voice. It does feel of the time and a somewhat hidden gem compared to the superstardom of Barry White or Stevie Wonder.
3
Nov 18 2023
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Hunky Dory
David Bowie
Not much to say, but I haven't listened to Bowie's early stuff as much, but I love it. Really solidifies my love of the rest of his music in general.
4
Nov 19 2023
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Raw Like Sushi
Neneh Cherry
Even though I was born in 88 and never hearing this before, this album really has me feeling nostalgic. It is pure distilled late 80s/early 90s. I love it. This is probably the best of the bboy trip-hop style music. It's catchy, smart and a time capsule of a genre that is mostly gone today. I would suggest this to anyone who may have missed it from back when it was released.
4
Nov 20 2023
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Histoire De Melody Nelson
Serge Gainsbourg
Hahaha... I have no idea what's going on.
Nice music behind the poetry, though
2
Nov 21 2023
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Since I Left You
The Avalanches
Catchy, fun listen, but I don't think it's something I will come back to. Seems to be very "lo-fi beats" which is not really my cup of tea.
2
Nov 22 2023
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Connected
Stereo MC's
2
Nov 23 2023
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Tellin’ Stories
The Charlatans
Oasis, Blur, ... The Charlatans?
I hadn't heard of them either, but likely because they were a bit overshadowed by the above "New British Invasion" bands. You can hear a very similar sound here with just a little bit more of a grungy feel. I think they're a great accompaniment piece to the above. You can slot this into a 90's mix and nobody would bat an eye.
Worth a look if you like Oasis.
3
Nov 30 2023
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Buenas Noches From A Lonely Room
Dwight Yoakam
Not a fan of country, but this older style is much better than neo-country.
2
Dec 01 2023
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Back In Black
AC/DC
Pretty much classic rock station from the early 2000s simulator. There's a reason boomers love this music. Don't worry about the basic chords and easiest job in rock and roll (drums for ACDC). It's really the resurgence of ACDC lead by Angus Young that makes this album. High energy music will always last. I agree with many overrated lists putting ACDC there, but I still love em.
4
Dec 02 2023
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Document
R.E.M.
One of my favorite bands from the late 80s/early 90s era. I should listen to them more outside of just their singles. High energy album with some thoughtful lyrics. A lot of what I like about simple rock.
3
Dec 03 2023
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Fromohio
fIREHOSE
3
Dec 04 2023
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Searching For The Young Soul Rebels
Dexys Midnight Runners
4
Dec 05 2023
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Californication
Red Hot Chili Peppers
One of the best albums of the 90s
4
Dec 06 2023
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Bayou Country
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3
Dec 07 2023
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The Sun Rises In The East
Jeru The Damaja
3
Dec 08 2023
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Crocodiles
Echo And The Bunnymen
Surprisingly good. Haven't heard of them before, but I really enjoyed the sound. Reminds me a little of the Cure mixed with David Bowie.
4
Dec 12 2023
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Young Americans
David Bowie
3
Dec 13 2023
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Celebrity Skin
Hole
3
Dec 14 2023
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Fly Or Die
N.E.R.D
3
Dec 15 2023
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Sound of Silver
LCD Soundsystem
4
Dec 16 2023
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Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
3
Dec 17 2023
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Bringing It All Back Home
Bob Dylan
2
Dec 18 2023
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Heaven Or Las Vegas
Cocteau Twins
3
Dec 21 2023
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Ramones
Ramones
3
Dec 22 2023
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Blue
Joni Mitchell
2
Dec 23 2023
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Beautiful Freak
Eels
2
Dec 28 2023
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My Aim Is True
Elvis Costello
3
Dec 29 2023
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Steve McQueen
Prefab Sprout
I listened to this one high so it may have impacted the rating.
4
Dec 30 2023
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Seventeen Seconds
The Cure
I prefer other albums from them
2
Jan 11 2024
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Punishing Kiss
Ute Lemper
3
Jan 12 2024
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Make Yourself
Incubus
Well, I already know I love this album
4
Jan 13 2024
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The Yes Album
Yes
3
Jan 14 2024
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A Little Deeper
Ms. Dynamite
3
Jan 17 2024
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Music Has The Right To Children
Boards of Canada
Lo-fi is not my cup of tea
2
Jan 18 2024
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Scissor Sisters
Scissor Sisters
3
Jan 19 2024
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1984
Van Halen
3