Journey in Progress
Discovering music one album at a time
233
Albums Rated
3.4
Avg Rating
25
5-Star Albums
21%
Complete
856 albums remaining
Rating Speed
3.6
Per Week
459
Days Active
Reviews
225
Written
97%
Review Rate
vs Global
0.02
Avg Diff
3.4
Avg Rating
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How you rate albums
Rating Timeline
Average rating over time
Ratings by Decade
Which era do you prefer?
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When do you listen?
Taste Profile
2010s
Favorite Decade
Grunge
Favorite Genre
UK
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Balanced
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5
1-Star Albums
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Ratings by genre
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Ratings by country
Rating Style
You Love More Than Most
Albums you rated higher than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Make Yourself | 5 | 3.07 | +1.93 |
| Smash | 5 | 3.37 | +1.63 |
| Lost In The Dream | 5 | 3.38 | +1.62 |
| Chocolate Starfish And The Hot Dog Flavored Water | 4 | 2.47 | +1.53 |
| Illinois | 5 | 3.49 | +1.51 |
| The Marshall Mathers LP | 5 | 3.49 | +1.51 |
| Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots | 5 | 3.58 | +1.42 |
| Superunknown | 5 | 3.66 | +1.34 |
| A Grand Don't Come For Free | 4 | 2.67 | +1.33 |
| Slipknot | 4 | 2.68 | +1.32 |
You Love Less Than Most
Albums you rated lower than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viva Hate | 1 | 2.96 | -1.96 |
| Hypocrisy Is The Greatest Luxury | 1 | 2.88 | -1.88 |
| The White Room | 1 | 2.79 | -1.79 |
| The Queen Is Dead | 2 | 3.66 | -1.66 |
| Chore of Enchantment | 1 | 2.64 | -1.64 |
| Dusty In Memphis | 2 | 3.47 | -1.47 |
| Different Class | 2 | 3.42 | -1.42 |
| This Is Fats Domino | 2 | 3.38 | -1.38 |
| Debut | 2 | 3.36 | -1.36 |
| You've Come a Long Way Baby | 2 | 3.35 | -1.35 |
Artist Analysis
Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums and high weighted score
| Artist | Albums | Avg | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beatles | 4 | 4.5 | 3.86 |
| Pink Floyd | 4 | 4.5 | 3.86 |
| Radiohead | 3 | 4.33 | 3.67 |
Least Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums and low weighted score
| Artist | Albums | Avg | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morrissey | 2 | 1.5 | 2.4 |
5-Star Albums (25)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Run-D.M.C.
2/5
Well this first RUN DMC Album was a snoooooozer. Rock Box was kind of innovative; mixing the rocking guitar lick with hip-hop, but the album as a whole was BORING.
1 likes
Pearl Jam
5/5
Immediate 5-star on this one. This is one of my favorite albums of all time and one that shaped my music tastes at such a young age. Eddie is one of my favorite vocalists ever and this album still goes hard.
1 likes
1-Star Albums (5)
All Ratings
Jack White
4/5
What an album to start with. Jack has done a lot for the conceptualizaton of rock music and a lot for the city of Detroit. This album mixes rock, folk, blues, and classical music in ways that most artists could only dream of. Jack doesn’t miss. I could say these things for most of his catalog though. I think Weep Themselves To Sleep is my favorite track on this album.
Deep Purple
4/5
I guess I never knew how much deep purple rocked. There’s a lot of bangers on this album even though it’s a live recording, I think the stand out track for me is child in time. Also shoutout to the 6 minute drum solo in the mule
Jethro Tull
3/5
Jethro rocks. There are lots of corollaries to pull from this band and this album, but I don't want to type them all.
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
Yeah, this is groovy and cool, but I wouldn't necessarily listen to this album on the regular. Most of the tracks sound very similar, but that's what soul and funk was in the early 70's... horns, drums, groove.
It was definitely the first time I listened to this album in its entirety, and I did dig it. And you can’t deny the crunchy guitar licks and replay value on Pusherman and Superfly.
Marvin Gaye
5/5
What an incredible album. I’ve always had a special place in my heart for Marvin. I can vividly recall the time when my dad played me the title track of this album. I was 10 or 11 and we were out in the garage during a family party and this song came on and he and my uncle Ron just stopped talking and cranked it up and jammmmed. That speaks to the influence Marvin had on all sorts of people. Just lovers of music listening to a guy pour his soul into his craft. Beautiful.
The album itself is incredible. Really groovy, soul Motown. Feel good bass lines and bongo/drum beats. Impeccable transitions between songs. The variety of instruments used throughout the album. Music for people who love to feel.
Gene Clark
3/5
This was a fine album, a nice outdoor on a summer Sunday kind of vibe. Gene's a great guitar player and a fine singer, but most of the songs started blending together for me upon second listen.
Pet Shop Boys
3/5
I can't tell you if I've ever sat down and listened to the Pet Shop Boys, but this was pretty fun. Very mid-80's synthpop, bubblegum style lyrics and beats. It was enjoyable, but I don't think I need to listen to it again anytime soon. I guess there is a time and a place for 80's pop, but it wasn't today.
Lorde
3/5
This album is great. Lorde is great. She’s always had a very unique approach to her music and this album definitely exemplifies that. I think this album falls really well between her first album and her latest release. She’s grown more as an artist in this album the tracks tended to be a little bit more direct and composed.
The Stooges
3/5
This is fine. Experimental psychedelic rock at its finest. A 10 minute track with some moans and groans. Guitar work is pretty great throughout.
Rod Stewart
4/5
Rod Stewart has some jams. His solo stuff, his time with The Faces, his collaboration tracks. He just does it and does it well. This album is great, easy listening, great strum work and Rods got one of the most recognizable and talented voices in rock and roll.
Nirvana
5/5
Nothing much needed to say for this. The best-unplugged album of all time.
The Offspring
5/5
I forgot how awesome this album is I remember my brother having this album when I was really young and getting really into it really early I feel like it’s banger after banger between the guitar riffs and the base lines and riffing drums. This album is special, and I feel like one of the first that got me into the idea of punk rock.
The KLF
1/5
Yeah meh. I had to find this album on YouTube because it's not on Spotify. AND it's not my cup of tea. The 90's Brit Electronic house/acid stuff is not it for me. I made it through about half the album and then turned on something else.
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
3/5
This album was very interesting. I’d never heard of the Penguin Cafe Orchestra but it hit the right spot listening during work. It was easy to listen to, a little bit experimental at times, but nice background music.
Björk
2/5
Just not really a Björk fan. Sure, she’s done some cool shit over the years and people really love her, but it’s just not in my wheelhouse.
Rush
4/5
This was the last of what I consider the Classic Rush era. A bit more produced than their previous releases, which takes away from the heaviness of the songs, it still resembles classic Rush more than the later 80's Rush. While a casual fan favorite, and perhaps the most enduring of Rush albums, it is classic, but not their best. For fans of raw progressive rock, pick up Fly by Night, 2112, Hemispheres or Permanent Waves as an inroad to exploring the best of Rush. A fantastic album nonetheless.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
First off, I can't believe this album is 45 years old and it's his FOURTH studio album. Bruce is undeniably one of the greatest American Singer-Songwriters alive. And he is still making music.
This album is a whirlwind of emotions. It's overall probably a little darker than his previous albums and it's gritty—a real blue-collar rock and roll album. The songs vary between darkness, hope, love, and loss. I don't know that I've ever listened to this album front-to-back, but I played it 3 times in a row at work yesterday and heard new things each time.
Standout tracks for me - Racing in the Street, Something in the Night, and Streets of Fire
MC Solaar
3/5
This album was very interesting. I figured I wouldn’t like it because 90’s French Hip Hop is not normally my thing, but it tickled my fancy a bit. Great to listen to while working on dumb spreadsheets or marketing presentations. I’d spin it again.
The Pogues
4/5
The Pogues are the inspiration of a lot of punk/ska bands from the 90’s and this album proves that. 19 songs is it a little much but each is enjoyable. Irish rock kinda rules when you take the departure from st pattys in Chicago Flogging Molly and Dropkick tunes.
4/5
I can’t give this a 5. It’s a nostalgic album and surprisingly has some replay value, even 23 years later, but it’s so goddamn dumb. Fred is so corny, the music is so corny, but at the time, THAT SHIT SLAPPED.
I can’t say I remember this album being as long as it is and some of the songs being as long as they are, but ok. Matt will give this a 5/5 rating FOR SURE
Motörhead
3/5
Ya know, I didn't have a chance to listen to this all the way through, but I do love some guitar-heavy Motorhead. My only complaint about this band is that Lemmy has virtually zero range. Every track sounds very similar, vocally. He is a talented front man and the songs tend to rock, but it's kinda boring.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
Crazy to think this was edgy punk/pub-rock in the 70's. I've always admired Elvis Costello. He inspired so many punk/emo/rock artists lyrically and musically. This album was a great listen, I really enjoyed it. It's timeless.
Best Tracks:
No Action
This Year's Girl
Carpenters
3/5
This was a lovely listen. I knew a few of the Carpenter's songs, but there were certainly more I didn't know. I don't see myself throwing this album on at home to "jam" to or in the car alone, but there is a time and place for this kind of love ballad-style music.
PJ Harvey
2/5
I don't know much about PJ Harvey other than she influenced a lot of indie rock girls and did a lot for women in rock music. Phoebe Bridgers and Julien Baker talk about how influential she is, but this album ain't it man.
Michael Jackson
4/5
What’s not to love. Prime MJ. Banger after banger.
Yes
4/5
I love yes, but I didn't get a chance to listen to this album today although I've heard it plenty. Roundabout and Heart of the Sunrise are the standouts.
Queens of the Stone Age
4/5
Yeah. YEAH. I love me some QOTSA, but I'll admit I haven't given the self-titled album much of a shot. I became a fan of Josh Homme and the Queens on the Songs for the Deaf album. This band has been so consistently solid from this record to their latest release, "In Times New Roman."
The only downside to this album is it's a little bit droning at times. The diet-grunge guitar and bass lines are lost in monotony at times.
Michael Jackson
4/5
Two MJ Albums in about a week. This one, same as the other, is just riddled with hit after hit. Michael knew how to make a jam with staying power. Sure he was maybe a kid-diddler, but he certainly knew how to make music.
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
3/5
This album was kinda fun. It was a great background listener while working today. I've heard of Ruben Blades before and I know he's a force in the salsa/jazz scene, but the only sound I've heard from him is Pedro Navaja, and that was in The Mask.
Linkin Park
4/5
This album held up man, I think I liked Meteora better than Hybrid Theory but my angsty 8th grade self was back when I popped this on.
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
I’m a S&G fan. I’ll start by saying that. However, I feel like I wasn’t high enough for this album. There’s some good tunes and beautiful melodies but overall it’s a mid-tier album for me.
Standouts are The Dangling Conversation and Homeward Bound
Van Morrison
4/5
Van Morrison rocks. I guess I never gave him much of a listen past the hits but this album was a good listen. I think the stand out tracks for me are Moondance and caravan. I’ll definitely revisit this at some point.
MGMT
4/5
I love this album. This was a peak college album for me. This would get a 5-star rating from me if some of the non-hit tracks were a little better, but it’s still like a 4.5 in my book. Youth, Time to Pretend, and Electric Feel are my favorites.
Jane's Addiction
4/5
I remember hearing "Been Caught Stealing" early on in my childhood quest to discover rock and roll. Perry Farrell and Dave Navarro were absolute rockstars in the 90's. I didn't know many of these songs; some were borderline "meh" but I love the energy, big-ass-basslines, and driving guitar work. The second half of the album has a real "jam band" feel, with 8- or 10-minute songs and plenty of solid musicianship. I get a lot of Iggy Pop and Bowie vibes throughout.
4/5
Muse is absolutely one of my favorite mid-2000’s rock bands. This album is fantastic and Matt Bellamy is an incredible singer and showman. Map of the Problematique and Knights if Cydonia are the standouts for me on this album, but all are worth a listen. I will say, Absolution is a “better” Muse album and I hope to see it on this list. That album is front to back bangers, beautiful vocals, tight drum and guitar work. Absolution would get a 5 for me, Black Holes gets a 4.5
Frank Sinatra
3/5
It's fine music done by a great singer. Great for throwing on at an Italian dinner party, but not my typical daily listen. I respect the Sinatra lore and he's one of the greats, so I can't go lower than a 3.
Elvis Presley
3/5
First time listening to an Elvis album front to back. Felt much more country than I originally anticipated. While not adding tracks to my favorites, I enjoyed the entire album from start to finish, more than I thought I would.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
This is prototypical American Rock and Roll. Bruce is one of the best, and I think I said this on the other album we've seen on this list, American rockers of all time. First off, there are some classic bangers like “I’m On Fire,” “Born in the U.S.A.,” and “Dancing in the Dark.” I was hoping some of the songs I hadn’t heard on the album would be similarly good, but they were fine at best. However, I can't do below a 4 on this.
Terence Trent D'Arby
2/5
MEH. This dude is a talented singer, I'll give him that. But, it reminds me of diet, spoiled, Michael Jackson.
Yes
3/5
It's the second Yes album on the list. As I said when writing about "Fragile" I am a Yes fan. They have some really groovy rock vibes: great vocals, fun basslines, and guitar work. I liked "Fragile" better than this album, but it's still solid. 3.75
Sam Cooke
3/5
Yeah ok. I figured we'd get some Sam Cooke or Otis Redding or Percy Sledge on here at some point. I think Sam is a great stage performer and this live album shows that off. It's just not something I would sit down and throw on repeat. I recognized a lot of the songs, and it's cool 60's alt-music but not my normal go to.
The Clash
5/5
I don't think I've ever spent the time to listen to London Calling in its entirety. Beyond being incredibly influential this album just plain rocks. Plus it covers a wide variety of genres around punk and post-punk/jam/groove songs.
You can tell bands like RHCP, Rancid, Mustard Plug, and the like took a ton of inspiration from this album. There is so much underlying ska rhythm here. The music itself is technical, yet effortless. What impresses me most about London Calling is how there are 19 tracks and none of them are bad.
Overall this album is fantastic and worth the praise it gets as one of, if not THE, best punk rock album of all time.
Earth, Wind & Fire
3/5
This album starts out great and then slowly gets meh. The first three tracks are peak-disco feel-good jams, but then the album gets more R&B romantic disco. It's not BAD, it's just not my cup of EW&F tea. I much prefer the big band, crispy vibes EW&F.
Blondie
3/5
It's a fun album, kinda cheesy, early-80's pop-rock. The hits are the hits and Debbie has some range, but overall mid.
Adele
5/5
I think this is her best album front-to-back in her catalog. Adele is at the top of the mountain in terms of vocal range, tone, and style. She doesn't miss. If you are a fan of music of any kind, you have to respect what Adele has done with her 4 albums.
Fats Domino
2/5
I respect the Fats Domino hustle and 50's music in general, it's just not for me. It's slow and boring.
Metallica
4/5
I used to give a lot of shit to people who loooooved Metallica, hell I used to specifically hate on them for no real reason. As I've gotten older, I've realized some of my music opinions in my earlier years were straight trash. Mostly mind-melded by friends and loved ones.
I really enjoyed this album. There's alot not to like about Metallica, but they can JAM and this album absolutely rocks.
Electric Light Orchestra
4/5
I've never listened to this album front to back. It's solid. The production is fantastic, but it's a bit too long and boring at times. It's great classic pop-rock and the hits are HITS. Mr. Blue Sky and Turn to Stone absolutely slap. But overall, this could be 5 to 6 songs less than it is and be really good.
The Police
4/5
I didn't have a chance to listen to this full album, but I know a few of these songs pretty well. I'll revisit this one, but it's hard for me to give less than a 4 for the beautiful New Wave production on this album.
Elvis Presley
3/5
I don’t feel like many people would want to listen to this just because, but the influence is important. Elvis is a good singer, but I can’t like his music as much, since it doesn’t feel as genuine. Tutti Frutti is cool, but Little Richard does it better.
Sufjan Stevens
5/5
Sufjan is one of my all-time favorite songwriters of this generation. I think he would be up there as one of the best, but his catalog is so big. Also being a Michigan-born dude, he holds a special place in my heart. Seven Swans got me into Sufjan but Illinois was my favorite early album from him. AND Javelin's release this year was another top-5 album of the year for me.
This album is so full of beautiful songs and poetry. The guitar work, the lyrics, and the musicianship, are all flawless.
Run-D.M.C.
2/5
Well this first RUN DMC Album was a snoooooozer. Rock Box was kind of innovative; mixing the rocking guitar lick with hip-hop, but the album as a whole was BORING.
Meat Puppets
3/5
This album was really interesting. I assume the Meat Puppets inspired some bands with their unique sound and approach to a mix of Jam Band/Psychedelic, Prog Rock, Country, and Punk. There are glimpses of Primus, Grateful Dead, Radiohead, and Violent Femmes.
Lake of Fire was cool to hear. I knew the Nirvana version was a cover, but was reminded that it was originally a Meat Puppets song when hearing this album. Plateau and New Gods were also cool.
Metallica
4/5
Copypasta from Master of Puppets...
I was never a "fan" of Metallica due to all the tryhards of the world, but as I grew up I realized that these dudes rock. There are certainly things left to be desired with the band and with this album, but overall it was a fun album. I knew most of the tunes, but never listened to the album in it's entirety.
Sigur Rós
3/5
I like Sigur Ros for what they are. Icelandic/Nordic Atmospheric Indie Rock with nods to ambient instrumental jams. It's great music for certain things but not all things. I had never listened to this album but I know a bunch of their other stuff. Jonsi, the lead singer's solo stuff is pretty cool too; similar sounding but his voice is very mystifying and calming.
Marvin Gaye
4/5
This album, much like the debut album from Marvin that we had on this list earlier, us a Jam. Marvin hit on all cylinders man.
Screaming Trees
3/5
This was fine. And nothing more than that. Some of the songs were a bit monotone and blended together in a bit of a boring way. I know Mark Lanegan from his work with QOTSA, but I was never turned onto the Screaming Trees.
His voice is great and some of the guitar work on this album is fun, but overall it’s a little boring. Surprised it’s on this list tbh.
Green Day
5/5
It's a perfect album front-to-back. Nostalgic but somehow still relevant today. I still know every song.
1/5
What even is happening in all this noise. I just can’t understand why this would be top 1001…
ZZ Top
3/5
Yeah, this is a great example of the hits overshadowing the rest of the tracks. This album is fine, but the 3 hit songs are the best of the bunch.
Leonard Cohen
4/5
Leonard has such a unique sound and lives in that chesty, cigarette fueled rasp-voice that he does so well. This album came out a few weeks before he died and I remember playing the title track for my dad back in 2016. It's a great listen front-to-back. Easy, mindlessly relaxing at times.
Sabu
2/5
K
Depeche Mode
3/5
Depeche Mode is cool. Dave Gahan has a very recognizable voice and singing cadence. This album is the only album I've listened to by them, and they've had 139 albums, so they must be doing something right, but it's just not my favorite. The hit songs are good and have serious staying power, but some of the other tracks are just kind of boring.
Bob Dylan
4/5
OutKast
3/5
Loved this album as a youth, but other than the 3 BANGER singles, I don't love it as much anymore. Maybe I'm old...
The Doors
4/5
I don't think this album is overrated. I think it's justly rated. Good vibes, good jamming guitar and organ work, good Jim.
Country Joe & The Fish
3/5
This is cool. Kinda Jam band ish. Grateful Dead likely pulled some inspo from Country Joe. It was easy to listen to while working. But I don’t expect to come back to it.
The Divine Comedy
3/5
This was ok I guess. I tuned out a bit while listening, which speaks to how boring it was overall. It kind of reminds me of bad broadway or showtune music. Mehhhh.
Bebel Gilberto
2/5
Fine. I wasn't in the mood for Portuguese Sambah today or maybe ever?
King Crimson
3/5
This was an alright trip into prog rock in the 60's with some nods to English antiquity. Great to listen to at work.
Derek & The Dominos
4/5
I think it’s some of Clapton and Duane Allman‘s best work. Unfortunately we lost Allman pretty quickly after this record but it’s really good blues rock. Obviously Layla is the number one track and a hit for a good reason but the rest of the album holds up and got some replayability.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
Nick Cave has always been an enigma to me. There are A LOT of people out there who reference him as one of the best, but I don't know that I can get behind it. I was turned on to Nick Cave a few years back from the Peaky Blinders theme song, but had no idea he was such an accomplished artist. This album is equal parts spooky and funny, but I don't think I would listen to it with regularity.
Kanye West
4/5
This is a great album, I'm just not the biggest Kanye fan... He means a lot for the hip-hop community and his works are generally fantastic, but he's a bit of a twat.
Richard Thompson
3/5
Meh. This was fine to listen to. Easy to throw on in the background, but nothing blew my socks off.
Bon Jovi
4/5
Peak JBJ. It's stadium hair rock at it's finest. Equal parts silly/cheesy and bad ass rock. The singles are the hits for a reason, they still hit after all these years and JBJ's voice is iconic.
Eagles
4/5
I'll always love the Eagles man. They have such a unique "California Rock" style to their music. Equal parts Rock, Soul, Funk, and Blues with a dash of country twang. Don and Glenn are legends and deserve all the praise they get. Plus, 5 hit albums in 5 years is insane. Each album from their self-titled in 1972 to this one in 1976 is filled with hits. These guys rule.
LCD Soundsystem
4/5
I know some LCD Soundsystem, and I have friends that are really into these guys, but I never dug deep on the ol' Brooklyn Boys. This was rad, I liked this album a lot. Easy to jam and bop your head to, not over-complicated, but still technical enough for the heads. Will go down the LCD Soundsystem rabbit hole now.
The Flaming Lips
4/5
I love the Flaming Lips. Wayne Coyne is a gift. They have so many albums with great tracks and they don't seem to be slowing down.
Sly & The Family Stone
2/5
I like Sly. I like what they did for Music during the 60's and 70's. But this album is a snoozefest.
U2
4/5
U2 was never not cool. I became too cool for U2. I was wrong. This album is great and this band rules.
Talking Heads
3/5
I like the Talking Heads a lot but this album was really boring and one dimensional.
Coldplay
4/5
I used to hate on Coldplay for no reason. This album is great. Chris has such a distinct, calming voice, and all these tracks are easy to get into.
The Allman Brothers Band
3/5
This is fine. A live album from the early 70's is bound to sound not great, but the Allmans can shred and Whipping Post is a jam.
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
3/5
This is aged, but still had some good jams. I like the vibe throughout but you can tell it's 80's. It's Nasty and The Message are definitely head-boppers though.
Johnny Cash
4/5
Johnny Cash rules. I wish I was a bigger fan because his catalog is humongous. This was a great album and from what I read up on, a really incredible, ground breaking live show at the prison.
Dusty Springfield
2/5
It’s fine. I’ve…had…better
Brian Eno
3/5
I liked this as an album I listened to at work while doing mindless reporting.
Ash
4/5
man, this album kinda holds up still. A couple bangers, a couple recognizable tracks.
Soundgarden
5/5
One of my favorite 90’s alt grunge albums ever.
Beatles
4/5
It’s the Beatles. What the did for music in such a short time is unequivocal.
Incubus
5/5
This album is still so good. Can’t believe it was a 1999 release. I know every song. Can’t not be a 5 for me.
The National
4/5
I love The National. "I Am Easy to Find' was one of my most-played albums of 2019, and I don't think they've made a bad album. Ever. I really like the direction that Dessner and Berninger took the National after this album though. High Violet is a little boring and they've got much better stuff as they've grown and increased production value and musicianship.
Kanye West
3/5
Kanye's first legit album. It's great. There are a lot of great songs and his style was infectious when he hit the scene. But he is such an idiot human, that 3 is the best I can muster.
The Mamas & The Papas
4/5
Great album front to back, it's been a while since I've listened to any Mamas and Papas but, this was a fun listen.
David Bowie
3/5
This is the first time hearing this and I love it! David Bowie fearlessly delivers lyrics with unusual melodies, while still managing to appeal and create hooks. Really impressive!
Sarah Vaughan
3/5
Great jazz supper-club-style album. Sarah has a beautiful voice. I could see putting her on during a dinner gathering.
Method Man
3/5
I liked this. This is WuTang era Method Man. He's got a great flow and this album has a few bangers, but it's very 90's and sounds a bit dated.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
This album rocks. It’s just a little long for my taste. The Stones have such a massive catalog, I don’t think I’ve listened this this one and I’ve been down the rabbit hole.
Prefab Sprout
3/5
I'd never heard of Prefab Sprout before yesterday, but this is about as 80's synth/jazz Brit pop as you can get. Tons of love ballads, love lost ballads, and emotional 80's bops on this album. It's not the worst, but I don't think I'd revisit it.
Sex Pistols
4/5
I figured we'd get this album at some point. I love what the Sex Pistols did for Brit Punk and Punk worldwide. Johnny Rotten was a punk god for a lot of years, and probably still is. This album is great front-to-back and carries a lot of momentum for punk bands to follow from the 70s all the way into the modern era.
David Bowie
4/5
Solid album front to back from one of music’s greatest to do it.
The Smiths
3/5
You know, I like The Smiths but Morrissey is a bit of a twat. All their moping and whining works in some situations. This album was easy to listen to, kept my attention, and I borderline enojiyed a few of the tracks. The guitar work is easily the savior of this album.
Wu-Tang Clan
4/5
Absolutely ahead of its time record, 31 years later this album is still gritty, hard, and amazing. It really highlights the skills of Method Man, RZA, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon, and ODB. I’ll continue to play this album once or twice a year, forever.
Eagles
4/5
Absolute dad rock. Warm, easy-listening rock, toe-tapping, head-bopping, great harmonies. Nothing is sexy about this album, but it just goes the whole time. Any outdoor get-together could have this on in the background and you would see no fewer than 7 people grooving at all times.
Pink Floyd
5/5
This is the best Pink Floyd album. Yes, Dark Side is great. Animals is great. The Wall is great. Wish You Were Here is the bee's knees.
Alice Cooper
2/5
Hard MEH
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
2/5
Ya know, I'm good. I'm good to put this one behind me. Boring. And I feel like I like Elvis Costello...
King Crimson
3/5
Second King Crimson record. Same review as the first really...
"This was an alright trip into prog rock in the 60's/70's with some nods to English antiquity. Great to listen to at work."
Michael Kiwanuka
4/5
I love me some Michael Kiwanuka. Most of his albums, including this one, are so inviting and easy to listen to. His voice is magnificent and the guitar work is just as good.
Os Mutantes
2/5
This was interesting I guess. Brazillian psychadelia rock fusion. I didn't love it.
Gram Parsons
2/5
I appreciate Gram Parsons for what he did for music. I am just not really a country/rock-country guy.
Grizzly Bear
4/5
The Beach Boys
4/5
The Beach Boys are quintessential when it comes to the conversation around American Pop Music. Brian Wilson is a hit-maker. They've become synonymous with "California culture" and their music has shaped a lot of American pop acts. The album itself is great. Easy, smooth, inviting, worth a few listens in a row.
Radiohead
5/5
Radiohead is always up there on "best albums of all time lists" for OK Computer and Kid A, but this album is great too! Thom Yorke, for all his dreary lyrics and melancholy singing, is an indie rock icon. Loved this album for a while and glad to see it on this list. I'm sure we will see Kid A and OK Computer on here too.
Fatboy Slim
2/5
I bet this album was cool when he played the songs live at a 90's rave and everyone was rolling their faces off.
Eels
3/5
The first track Novocaine for the soul took me back to the mid-90s. But, the rest of the album was boring.
Deerhunter
3/5
I got excited because I thought this was a Dear Hunter album, but it's not.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
3/5
I feel bad giving this a 3/5, but whatever. It's fine. I think CSNY are a bit overrated. Neil Young is great. David Crosby is good. The harmonies are great. But overall, I'm non-plussed.
Kraftwerk
3/5
Interesting album for sure. 1970's electronic is certainly interesting.
Snoop Dogg
3/5
I didn't have a chance to listen to this all the way through, but it's an iconic album with some rock-solid singles.
Sebadoh
2/5
This album stinks and is boring
Portishead
4/5
I've listened to a bit of Portishead in the past and know that they have a place in the 90's fem-led rock zeitgeist, but never listend to a full album. This wass a treat. Dark, moody, lyrically heavy. I dug it.
Supertramp
3/5
This is a good album. Supertramp has better stuff though. My dad is a big supertramp guy.
Slipknot
4/5
I used to looooooove this album. John Piechocki got me into slipknot when my delicate emo ears was only graced by The Starting Line and Taking Back Sunday. This album still bangs.
Charles Mingus
2/5
Pink Floyd
5/5
One of the greatest. Wish you were here is a better album in my opinion, but The Wall is timeless and fantastic.
The Smiths
2/5
"There Is a Light that Never Goes Out" is an alright song, but I genuinely don't like Morrisey... Sorry not sorry.
Tito Puente
3/5
Sure do have a lot of 50's latin jazz on this list...
Shack
3/5
Another Britpop band from the 80's/90's eh? This album was an alright listen, a little flat and bland at times. I found myself forgetting it was on while I was working, but all-in-all it was fine.
The Band
4/5
Classic album, easy listening. The weight is a classic.
Franz Ferdinand
4/5
Loved this album when it came out and it still holds up 20 years later (20 years!?) Franz has that early-2000's Strokes/Interpol sound and it works. All the tracks are worth listening to.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Not my favorite Zeppelin album, but still a masterclass in guitar and vocal work. Houses of the Holy and Ten Years Gone are standouts. Oh and Kashmir, but that's a given.
Giant Sand
1/5
Chore to listen to. Boring. Lazy songwriting. How is this one of the best albums of all time...
Slint
2/5
"We are trying to make experimental music like Velvet Underground, but we aren't talented"
Sly & The Family Stone
3/5
I like Sly. This shit grooves ands slaps, but suffers from what most late 60's funk and soul music suffers from; some of the tracks are just boring or sound too similar to the other tracks.
Adele
4/5
Second Adele album on this list. We had 21 already, which is a better album imo than 25, but still top notch. She's an incredible vocalist.
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
I like it enough.
Tom Waits
2/5
This is not the album to introduce people to Tom Waits. Small Change and Closing Time are "better" albums. Rain Dogs was hard to get through...
Guns N' Roses
4/5
Absolutely deserved of this list, especially as a first album. GNR has so much rightly earned fandom for a band that really only had 5 albums. Hit after Hit on this album. Between Axl's unmistakeable vocals and Slash's unbelievable guitar work, this album belongs in a time capsule to perfectly describe late 80's rock.
Buena Vista Social Club
4/5
I really enjoyed this album.
Death In Vegas
2/5
90s electronic noises are done better by other dudes.
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
Mannn, I love Jimi. Such pure sound. This album is probably my third favorite Jimi album, but it still slaaaaaps.
Marilyn Manson
2/5
You know, looking back at 90's Jake, I thought I would appreciate this album more, but I couldn't get through it. I heard the guy took out a rib to munch his ween.
Songhoy Blues
3/5
This was fine. Cool music, cool story behind this band. I probably won't revist it though.
Nine Inch Nails
4/5
This album holds a lot of significance and I respect the hell out of Reznor and NIN. There are some good tracks on here but also some experimental 90's duds. I can't bring myself to give this less than a 4 though due to Trent's brilliance.
The Flaming Lips
5/5
I just listened to this album again, organically, last week. I love Wayne Coyne. His personality, stage presence, ability, and overall aura is awesome. I've seen the Lips twice and they put on an unbelievable show. Of all their albums, I know this one the most, which I'm sure is the case for most, but this album truly rocks front-to-back.
The War On Drugs
5/5
Ghostface Killah
3/5
I don’t know that I’ve listened to a Ghostface album. He’s always been a feature on other tracks, but this album isn’t bad! He’s got a really good flow. I could do without all the skit tracks and it’s a bit long, but I enjoyed it.
The Kinks
3/5
Yeah this is cool. Very Beatles/Monkees feel. I’ve never heard this album but I dig it.
Queen
4/5
Freddie is my favorite vocalist of all time. News of the World is a better album than Sheer Heart Attack, but I still really like this album.
Crosby, Stills & Nash
3/5
This stuff is easy listening and fine, but it all kind of blends together. Adding Young to the mix didn't do a whole lot for me other than highlight his unique voice.
The Lemonheads
2/5
Most of this album is not enjoyable. There are a couple good-adjacent songs. But mostly mehhhh.
The Streets
4/5
I have such a love/hate with British hip-hop. Some of it is very good, some is super cockney and hard to piece together. This album was a surprise to me. I actually enjoyed it, front to back. Really inviting, easy-to-listen-to hip hop, with more of a poetry feel than a hip hop feel.
Beck
4/5
Tom Waits
3/5
I liked this album better than Rain Dogs, but it's still an acquired taste. Some people really love Tom Waits, I guess I am just not one of them. However -- Tom Waits while Jeremy IIrons and Ben Folds.
John Martyn
3/5
Interesting listen. I did not know John Martyn before today, and it was alright background guitar-driven music.
The Verve
4/5
I was surprised at how well this album held up over the years. I listened to it twice over the weekend and enjoyed it each time.
The Prodigy
4/5
What a trip down memory lane with some of these jams. I enjoyed revisiting this album. There are some duds on the tracklist, but overall it's a fun listen.
The Velvet Underground
2/5
Look, I know Velvet Underground has a huge historical significance and huge cult following, but this album was on the wrong side of experimental rock...
Beatles
5/5
It's hard to not give the Beatles a 5. What they did to rock music in 7 albums is unbelievable. This album has one of my favorite Beatles songs on it "In My Life." They do have "better" albums than Rubber Soul, but it's still a fantastic record.
4/5
This is probably my 2nd least favorite Beatles album, but still better than most.
Steely Dan
4/5
I love Steely Dan. Great rock/jazz fusion on this album. Tons of great sax.
The Last Shadow Puppets
4/5
I'm surprised I missed this album and had never heard of this "supergroup." I am a huge Arctic Monkeys fan, so I really dug this. Kind of a duet-style pop rock album. Good front-to-back.
Dexys Midnight Runners
2/5
I tried... It's just not my jam.
Tina Turner
3/5
A great voice, but other than the hits, the rest is sort of forgettable. Tina is a fantastic singer, but I was kind of bored, especially with the cheesy 80's music.
The Strokes
4/5
Count Basie & His Orchestra
3/5
This is like the 5th 50's Jazz album that we have seen on this list. It's not bad music, some of it is even worth revisiting and I enjoyed some of these tracks. but not my normal day-to-day. I'm sure there is some significance to Count Basie, but it didn't fall on a day when I had a ton of time to dig into him.
3/5
Some of this album was really enjoyable. Great Oasis-esque Britpop/indie jams. Most of this album was forgettable and bland.
Destiny's Child
4/5
Donovan
3/5
This was so outrageously psychadelic 60's in a nutshell... Mostly in a good way but sometimes a little too ridiculous. Lots of random medieval vibes and random sitar.
Bob Dylan
4/5
Pinnacle Bob Dylan album filled with plenty of reasons why he is regarded as one of the greatest American Singer/Songwriters in history. He's a powerful songwriter with a lot of stream-of-conciousness style lyrics, but they always just work. Masters of War is my favorite song on this album. He's a force.
The Cars
4/5
Ric Ocasek and The Cars were a hit machine. So many recognizable songs on this album. Not all great, but certainly have the staying power.
Pink Floyd
3/5
The Syd Barrett age of Pink Floyd was an interesting one. Heavily psychedelic-forward rock. It's definitely not my favorite or even top 3 albums from the Floyd Boys, but it's got its place on this list for a reason.
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
1/5
I don’t know man, maybe I’m just not hip to 90’s television sounds and slam poetry rap. Those things alone are all pretty cool, but combined… pass.
Steve Winwood
3/5
There are some cool aspects of this album but overall it’s a little boring. Steve Winwood has a great sound and wonderful voice, but the album as a whole was not memorable.
Fela Kuti
3/5
This was groovy. Nice bakground working music.
Bob Dylan
3/5
We just had a better Bob Dylan album a few days ago. Apart from Rolling Stone, this album is just okay.
Antony and the Johnsons
3/5
This was a super unique and interesting album. I enjoyed it all the way through, but don't know if I will ever want to revisit it. Anohni is an interesting character.
Johnny Cash
4/5
Great listen. Not as good as Folsom Prison, but still fun. His banter with the guards and inmates is very Johnny Cash.
The Afghan Whigs
4/5
The Afghan Whigs are cool and have been cool for a long time. They've got such a unique sound and style to them. They are definite genre-benders. I dug this album. I had only heard their later stuff prior to this but then spent most of the day listening to their 90's catalog.
Morrissey
2/5
Morrissey is such a twat.
Eminem
5/5
This album is still a banger. Slim has some of the best lyricist style and flow ever.
Beatles
5/5
There’s a reason why The Beatles are on every “top” list. What they did for rock and roll in 7 years in unfathomable. True Goats.
Morrissey
1/5
Eat a bag of dicks Morrissey
Pink Floyd
5/5
It's an absolute 5, but not my favorite Floyd album. I like Animals and Wish You Were Here more, but Dark Side is still outstanding and there's a reason why it's on so many "Best Rock Albums Of All Time" lists.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
5/5
There’s a reason this album has billions of streams. It’s timeless. So many great songs about life and love and journeys. Bob was one of a kind.
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
3/5
Very 80's Brit pop. Tears for Fears/Dexy's vibes for sure. The album progressed nicely and although some of the songs were a bit boring, I liked it overall. 3.6
Cornershop
3/5
I had never heard another Cornershop song besides Brimful of Asha. Who knew they were so Indian/Bollywood Brit Pop influenced?
Nick Drake
4/5
I really enjoyed this whole album.
Nick Drake
4/5
Back to back Nick Drake. Again, what a lovely sound Nick gets out of his guitar. Beautiful melodies, great lyrics.
Paul Weller
2/5
Meh, this was fine. Kind of boring. Kind of Ok.
Baaba Maal
2/5
Late 80's West-African jams wasn't in my plan for the day... Still isn't really. I'm sure it's beautiful lyrics, but I am not feeling it.
Leonard Cohen
3/5
Leonard Cohen is one of the greatest songwriters/musicians of the 20th century. But this album was pretty cheesy. Very heavily 80's inspired. Electronic influences. Weird dark humor lyrics.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
IV is a fantastic album. It's got one of the most recognizable and accessible Zeppelin songs in Stairway, and it's got one of my personal favorites in Battle for Evermore. It's probably a close tie for me between IV, III, and Houses of the Holy for my favorite Zeppelin album, but why choose? They are all electric and timeless.
Isaac Hayes
3/5
Issac Hayes is an incredible singer if you like hot buttered bass vocals. He's the dude who did the Shaft theme song, and that's really all I got.
Elton John
4/5
It's a great album. There are a few snoozer tracks, but the hits keep hitting after 50 years.
Talking Heads
3/5
Love the Talking Heads but other albums are way better.
The White Stripes
4/5
Absolute classic Detroit garage rock album. This is the album that got me tuned into Jack White as a guitarist and musical talent.
Steely Dan
4/5
Did we have a different Steely Dan album already? Either way, I was surprised with the songs I was aware of but never knew it was from SD. This is pure 70s rock and I’m here for it. It’s still a band named after a dildo though right?
The Roots
4/5
The Roots never disappoint man. Black Thought and Questlove, before the Jimmy Fallon days… these dudes could write and flow.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
3/5
This was enjoyable in a 50's orchestrational chill kind of way. Listened at work while designing something, it was great background music.
The Temptations
3/5
Motown Michigan significance and stuff. Temps have better albums though and this one was kind of boring. I will be smited for saying that.
Coldplay
4/5
You know, I spent a lot of years shitting on Coldplay. Very much like how I was with U2. This album is legitimately good. There's a reason why their fan base is so prominent and multi-generational. Nice work Chris!
Common
4/5
Maaaan this takes me back to high school/college. I used to love this album so much. And it hasn’t aged terribly either. Still bangs.
Joy Division
3/5
This album is so highly regarded by so many people as the album that made alternative or indie music... I didn't hate it, but it wasn't particularly engaging or enjoyable. It's a cool sound for the late 70's, but overall meh.
The Adverts
3/5
A very Sex Pistols/Dead Kennedys esque band. I'd never heard of The Adverts, but this album was ok. Certainly have to be in the mood for this one.
Pearl Jam
5/5
Immediate 5-star on this one. This is one of my favorite albums of all time and one that shaped my music tastes at such a young age. Eddie is one of my favorite vocalists ever and this album still goes hard.
David Bowie
3/5
Bowie far past his prime. The album is interesting, but its boring. Bowie was an incredible songwriter and performer, this just doesn't hit for me.
The Darkness
4/5
I loved this band back in high school man. Still hits.
Funkadelic
3/5
Fun little groovy album.
Cat Stevens
4/5
Great album front to back. Lots of great memories and feelings from this one.
Frank Ocean
4/5
I love Frank. Blond is a better album but this still rules. I haven’t listened to Channel Orange in a long time and it was cool to revisit it.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
I fell off a bit over the holidays but there didn’t seem to be anything too pressing that I missed. This however is a great album and highly underrated band. It’s a shame that their music has become part of various TikTok dances, but it’s also cool to see them being exposed to a new generation. It’s like a Gen Xer fucking to Englebert Humperdink.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
3/5
Dire Straits
4/5
This is a great album with a bunch of hits. I missed Dire Straits early on in life, but these guys rock man.
Nightmares On Wax
3/5
Cool album, great background music at work
Dead Kennedys
3/5
Dead Kennedys are cool. Early punk rock. Full of angst and they probably hate their parents and eat the rich.
Marty Robbins
3/5
I can see why something like this would be on this list. It's very pleasing on the ears. Light, fun, simple, great melodies. Just not my daily listening preference, but glad I am now familiar with it.
The Stooges
4/5
Iggy is great. This album slaps.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
4/5
Pinnacle Lynard Skynard album. All the hits are certified bangers. Some of the other, non-hit tracks are great too. Ronnie Van Zant has such a distinct voice and their southern style riffs and drum fills are fantastic.
Pulp
2/5
Meh. A more enjoyable Morrisey...
Red Hot Chili Peppers
5/5
This is an all-timer. RHCP is one of the best American Rock bands of my generation. This album has so many great tunes.
SAULT
3/5
really interesting album. I'd never heard of Sault before yesterday. Huh...
The Smashing Pumpkins
5/5
It's the second album in the Smashing Pumpkins catalog and one of the best. It has great staying power and replayability—lots of hits, lots of great melodies and lyrics. Disarm is probably my number-one SP song.
Radiohead
5/5
This album may be the most agreed upon Top 10 album of all time from every walk of life. The heads love this album. The casuals love this album. Thom and Johnny loves this album. And it's their 7th album... Nuts. OK Computer may be "better" but it's still an absolute 5.
Thelonious Monk
2/5
Fine. K. More 50’s piano quartets.
Cowboy Junkies
2/5
Sweet Jane
John Lennon
3/5
This was good... And it has a lot of significance... But nearly every Beatles album is better than this Lennon solo album... Yes, Imagine is good.
Hüsker Dü
3/5
Not overwhelmingly good, but entertaining. Way too many songs on a single album though.
Arcade Fire
4/5
I didn't get into Arcade Fire until like the mid 2010's and this was the first album I listened to by them. Very underrated band IMO.
Radiohead
3/5
Not my favorite Radiohead album, but some good stuff on it.
The Slits
2/5
K. I read that this band had a lot of cultural impact for female punk. I didn't like annnnnny of it.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
Maps?