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Discovering music one album at a time
514
Albums Rated
3.7
Avg Rating
79
5-Star Albums
47%
Complete
575 albums remaining
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4.9
Per Week
731
Days Active
Reviews
239
Written
46%
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vs Global
0.4
Avg Diff
3.7
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Which era do you prefer?
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2010s
Favorite Decade
Grunge
Favorite Genre
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Generous
Rater Style
4
1-Star Albums
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Rating Style
You Love More Than Most
Albums you rated higher than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orbital 2 | 5 | 2.69 | +2.31 |
| Apocalypse Dudes | 5 | 2.9 | +2.1 |
| Paris 1919 | 5 | 2.95 | +2.05 |
| All That You Can't Leave Behind | 5 | 2.98 | +2.02 |
| Real Life | 5 | 3.05 | +1.95 |
| Your New Favourite Band | 5 | 3.13 | +1.87 |
| 3 Years, 5 Months And 2 Days In The Life Of... | 5 | 3.15 | +1.85 |
| Exit Planet Dust | 5 | 3.16 | +1.84 |
| Technique | 5 | 3.17 | +1.83 |
| Soul Mining | 5 | 3.17 | +1.83 |
You Love Less Than Most
Albums you rated lower than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pornography | 1 | 3.31 | -2.31 |
| Country Life | 1 | 3.12 | -2.12 |
| Life Thru A Lens | 1 | 2.73 | -1.73 |
| Follow The Leader | 1 | 2.65 | -1.65 |
| So | 2 | 3.55 | -1.55 |
| Eliminator | 2 | 3.38 | -1.38 |
| Slippery When Wet | 2 | 3.29 | -1.29 |
| Bad Company | 2 | 3.26 | -1.26 |
| Rain Dogs | 2 | 3.2 | -1.2 |
| Vespertine | 2 | 3.17 | -1.17 |
Artist Analysis
Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums and high weighted score
| Artist | Albums | Avg | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Led Zeppelin | 4 | 4.75 | 4 |
| Jimi Hendrix | 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Pixies | 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Black Sabbath | 3 | 4.67 | 3.83 |
| Stevie Wonder | 3 | 4.67 | 3.83 |
| Yeah Yeah Yeahs | 2 | 5 | 3.8 |
| Aretha Franklin | 2 | 5 | 3.8 |
| A Tribe Called Quest | 2 | 5 | 3.8 |
| Hole | 2 | 5 | 3.8 |
| David Bowie | 5 | 4.2 | 3.75 |
| Beatles | 5 | 4.2 | 3.75 |
| Bruce Springsteen | 3 | 4.33 | 3.67 |
| U2 | 3 | 4.33 | 3.67 |
Least Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums and low weighted score
| Artist | Albums | Avg | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Waits | 4 | 2 | 2.43 |
| Roxy Music | 3 | 2 | 2.5 |
5-Star Albums (79)
View Album WallPopular Reviews
Linkin Park
4/5
The cultural impact of this album really can't be overstated. Growing up when it came out, I can tell you this was everywhere. There were at least 4 huge songs off this album. Despite this, Linkin Park has mostly faded into history, and in the end it doesn't even matter.
6 likes
Van Halen
4/5
Some great stuff on here even it's showing its age. The B side doesn't quite have the energy of the first 5 or 6 songs but it's easy to see how it could be so big at the time.
1 likes
Kraftwerk
3/5
Am album ahead of its time in a lot of ways. Perhaps it's the age and 1970s influence, but I found myself grooving one minute and then bored the next.
1 likes
Kate Bush
3/5
Very unique sound. Tracks like Running Up That Hill have taken on a second life which is what this album will likely be most known for. Want to give it another listen at some point.
1 likes
U2
4/5
A few well known songs and an all around solid album from start to finish. Despite its age doesn't feel dated or even necessarily a product of its time, just good music.
1 likes
1-Star Albums (4)
All Ratings
Dire Straits
4/5
Knew Sultans of Swing but nothing else. Had that 70s almost country twang. Good overall album even if ot loses steam at the end.
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
4/5
Pretty brisk with 12 songs in under 26 minutes. Some honest gems in this mix even if it did feel like a "50s pop" album. Knew a few songs beforehand. Nothing cohesive about it, just a good collection of songs.
Neil Young
4/5
Never been a big Neil Young fan but would give this another listen.
Lorde
3/5
Good but nothing really stood out to me. Consistent from start to finish. Very emotionally laden. Fans of Taylor Swift would like for sure. 3/5 on the 1001 album scale.
Black Sabbath
5/5
Some strong Led Zeppelin vibes. Would come back to it and listen again. Was a pretty quick 40 minutes.
Talking Heads
3/5
Knew a few songs before but nothing that well. Ranged from good to kinda boring.
Portishead
5/5
Been a minute since I heard this album. I remember liking it, let's see if it holds up.
Holds up. 5/5
The Mamas & The Papas
4/5
I feel like this is exactly what the mid 60s music sounded like outside of The Beatles and The Beach Boys. Some great songs, some ok songs, some covers that were fine. California Dreamin still slaps. 4/5
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
5/5
Great album from start to finish. I'm partial to the genre, and Heads Will Roll is quite well known, but this is some indie-rock (indie-pop) at its peak. Keeping this one in rotation.
Belle & Sebastian
4/5
De La Soul
4/5
Some super creative stuff on here that makes it well worth listening again. I don't love the skits but I get that they're a product of that era.
Miles Davis
4/5
I can appreciate how unique this album was when it first came out. Even though it may not catch you immediately it makes you want to listen again.
The Auteurs
4/5
Similar feel to Oasis, maybe had some Beatles influence as well.
Bob Dylan
4/5
Some absolute amazing tracks. A bit slow in the back half but I get why it's considered a classic.
Justin Timberlake
2/5
My immediate reaction though is that this album is just boring. There are a few singles that I remeber from back when it came out (Senorita, Cry Me a River, Rock Your Body), but if a song didn't feel dated it felt slow or just not about anything. I keep finding myself checking how much time is left in a song only to discover that most tracks are roughly 5 minutes long and that the album is somehow over an hour!
Mostly the music just isn't interesting to me. Nothing really catches outside of the singles, and for an album where Justin's actually solid vocals are the primary focus there are some really dumb lyrics to highlight them. Maybe this was sexy when it first came out, but for an album old enough to hit the clubs it talks about, it doesnt feel that way anymore. There are 3 or so decent, fun songs but the rest of this Hit-Clips era album is just filler.
I just don't get the hype.
Garbage
3/5
This is what the 90s sounded like.
Stan Getz
4/5
Some of the best background music I've ever heard.
Arcade Fire
5/5
Beautiful composition, excellent song writing and album cohesiveness, brilliant raw emotion throughout. Insanely relistenable.
David Bowie
3/5
Nothing really jumped out at me. If you're a Bowie fan it's good, but otherwise there's no need to rush out and listen to this when Black Star does it so much better.
Bob Dylan
3/5
Neil Young
3/5
Decent album overall, a bit dated but some solid tracks on here. The controversy with Skynyrd over "Alabama" is an interesting part of pop culture history.
Various Artists
3/5
Better than most versions of these songs but that's a pretty low bar to clear. Phil congratulating himself on the only track about Jesus seems pretty on brand.
Dead Kennedys
5/5
Powerful album both lyrically and musically. A lot is packed into just 33 minutes. With its super left viewpoint and harsh lyrics this will not be an album for everybody, which is exactly what the band intended. A few lines haven't aged well but at 43 years old that's pretty impressive.
Machito
4/5
Thoroughly enjoyed this quick moving, energetic album. Can only imagine what it would have sounded like live.
Tori Amos
4/5
Sex Pistols
4/5
I can appreciate how groundbreaking this was when it first came out. Through sheer imitation over 40+ years it doesn't feel quite as special anymore, though that doesn't diminish the music quality. It's classic punk driven by raw vocals, high energy, and simpler (though not quite 3 chord simple) melodies.
5/5
The answer to the question "What if The Beatles were a 90s band?" Honestly I love this album, jokes about Wonderwall and all.
Burning Spear
3/5
Yes
3/5
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
3/5
Definitely the inspiration to some later folk music. Still has the real country kick to it.
Rush
5/5
A classic in its own right. A few elements are a bit dated but overall an album that lives up to the hype even for non-fans of the band. Some absolutely brilliant composition and musicianship.
Louis Prima
4/5
A master of a forgotten genre. Almost feels like novelty music due to over use of some of his songs, but can't deny there are some solid tracks on this album.
SZA
4/5
The Cure
1/5
I don't care that this is considered the birth of Gothic rock or whatever. It's boring, whiny, and 1 dimensional. It makes me sad in the way that seeing your houseplants slowly die does. Not real sadness, just general melancholy and annoyance that I'll have to clean up the dirt I spill taking it out to compost later.
The Who
4/5
Radiohead
4/5
Solid as a complete album with a few standout tracks like Pyramid Song. I personally don't love Radiohead but can't deny this album's merit.
Iron Maiden
4/5
It almost feels novelty except that musically it's so well done.
Caetano Veloso
3/5
Always good to get some non-English albums in the mix.
Cypress Hill
4/5
The Rolling Stones
4/5
A few absolute classics on here.
Linkin Park
4/5
The cultural impact of this album really can't be overstated. Growing up when it came out, I can tell you this was everywhere. There were at least 4 huge songs off this album. Despite this, Linkin Park has mostly faded into history, and in the end it doesn't even matter.
Elvis Presley
4/5
This is where I wish we could rank between stars. From a historic perspective its an obvious 5 in terms of what it meant for rock. And of course the music is good. However, it's an album of cover songs, and by modern standards the recording quality just hasn't aged well. Still, it's a classic with some of the most famous version of these songs.
Jurassic 5
4/5
A style of hip hop that just isn't done anymore. Some great vocals, composition, and a few stand out tracks. Maybe ran a bit long and with some lyrics that don't quite hit at times, but overall a very fun listen.
Count Basie & His Orchestra
4/5
Solid throughout, with some brilliant musicianship. No single strong track in my opinion but a good overall album.
Goldfrapp
2/5
Just kinda forgettable.
Joni Mitchell
4/5
Couldn't tell you why I liked this album, it just all fits together beautifully.
Beach House
5/5
This album has really grown on me over the years. Even though dream pop isn't really my thing each song is unique in its own way, keeping the album fresh all the way through.
T. Rex
5/5
Julian Cope
3/5
Why is this album 2.5 hours long? I mean it's fine but that's just too much.
4/5
Buena Vista Social Club
4/5
Delightful. More non-English music please!
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
Could have been a bit shorter but still its an all time classic.
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
Really enjoyed this album. Not quite as high profile as Electric Ladyland but the music is just as good and at 40 minutes it's a highly cohesive album.
The Coral
3/5
Musically it's not bad, but as an album felt more disjointed than creative.
3/5
Not something I would normally have selected. Nothing jumped out at me but I'd gladly throw it on as background music.
The Stone Roses
3/5
Fine all around. No weak spots but nothing that would make me want to listen again. More of a 2.5 than a 3.
Sigur Rós
3/5
Very pretty, but almost too mellow.
Solomon Burke
4/5
Peter Gabriel
4/5
Innovative, unique, and makes me want to listen to more Peter Gabriel. Not often you hear an effectively used Marimba but it absolutely works. Could see changing this to a 5 in my head on subsequent listens.
Miriam Makeba
5/5
Beautiful vocals, a unique and effective variety of song styles, and an amazing artist history to go with it. If you are unfamiliar with Miriam Makeba do yourself a favor and read up on her career and life in general.
David Bowie
4/5
Almost feels like I need to give this two different reviews. The A and B side are vastly different, with the A side typical Bowie rock and the B-side an avant garde mini-album. Very interesting as a whole.
Van Halen
4/5
Some great stuff on here even it's showing its age. The B side doesn't quite have the energy of the first 5 or 6 songs but it's easy to see how it could be so big at the time.
Pink Floyd
5/5
I've long lost count of how many times I've listened to this album over the years. From the bookends of Shine On You Crazy Diamond to the three great featured songs it's an all time classic. Earns it's place alongside Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall.
Youssou N'Dour
4/5
Found myself grooving along to this one.
Stephen Stills
3/5
Nothing bad but nothing noteworthy in my opinion. Country flavored singer-songwriter music.
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
Knew a few of these songs before I listened to the full album. The whole thing is just bursting with energy, will be returning to this one later.
David Bowie
5/5
Songs I knew from this beforehand were "Changes" and "Life on Mars?". It's that classic Bowie feel with something for both casual fans and ones who want a deeper dive. Great album within Bowie's catalog and in general.
The Pogues
4/5
Paving the way for bands like Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly, this album does an excellent job of blending traditional and modern styles. Occasionally felt like a collection of singles rather than a cohesive piece, but still entertaining throughout.
Miles Davis
4/5
Incredible for all the reasons so many better critics and musicians have written about before. Unless you are an afficionado though this is a challenge to listen to. Worth it for sure, but certainly not a casual little album.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
4/5
Multiple great songs on this album that have become essentially "soundtrack music." Some solid, old school dinner party jazz.
Daft Punk
4/5
Infectious beats that stick with you. Must be listened to with a proper speaker or headphones. Not every track is a banger but it's clear why they were so popular in their heyday.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
The epitome of classic rock. Good blues/country influence and really no weak spots, impressive given its 84 minute time. Kashmir is likely the most well known track. It's only lacking the truly standout tracks that many of their other albums have. Great for fans, but a deeper cut than say Led Zeppelin IV.
The Cars
5/5
Just classic after classic on this album. First time listening and probably knew half the songs. Some of the better pop-rock of that era, it's the kind of music that's catchy without you really noticing. It's Boston for people with a pop preference. 4.5/5, nothing groundbreaking but solid all the way through.
Muddy Waters
4/5
Isaac Hayes
4/5
Some great vocals and emotions on display. The extended versions could go on a bit long, but if you think of this as a concept album it all fits together very well.
Paul Simon
5/5
Some excellent singer-songwriter music.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
This album has some of Bob Marleys most well known songs, ones that have become genre defining in their own right. Though the full album can sound a bit repetitive at times, the genuine joy a track like Three Little Birds or One Love produce demonstrate exactly why Marley's music and legacy have endured for so long.
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
Like an amalgamation of so many 80s bands. Hints of Peter Gabriel, U2, Talking Heads, and The Cure. Nothing particularly exciting on this one .
Peter Gabriel
3/5
For reasons I can't quite explain Solsbury Hill is a song I just can't stand. The rest of the album is fine though.
U2
4/5
A few well known songs and an all around solid album from start to finish. Despite its age doesn't feel dated or even necessarily a product of its time, just good music.
Beck
4/5
Bizarre and a bit nonsense at times but truly unique and risk taking. Deserves some a close listen as even some of the simpler seeming songs genre bend in both subtle and blatant ways. Off the beaten path for sure but worth the trip.
Dusty Springfield
3/5
A few great tracks, but almost aggressively 1960s. Somewhere in the 3.5 range.
Germs
2/5
I can see how this was groundbreaking at the time, but I don't feel like I gained much from this. Found myself checking how much was left multiple times. Even as a fan of punk music this just didn't vibe.
AC/DC
4/5
This album contains some of the most well known rock songs of all time in Hells Bells, Back in Black, and You Shook Me All Night Long, but there are a few duds on here as well. Arena rock at its peak.
Peter Tosh
4/5
Enjoyable the whole way through. Chill, relaxing, well made music. Helps that I agree with the message too!
Fugees
5/5
Old school rap group at its absolute finest. A brilliant blend of hip hop and R&B that allows songs like Ready or Not, Zealots, and Fu- Gee-La to work right next to the amazing, transformational cover of Killing Me Softly With His Song. Lauryn Hill's vocals are the standout throughout the album, but nearly every track has something to offer from everyone involved.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
CCR are of course the patron saints of movie montages set in/around the Vietnam War era. This album features several well known tracks by them that are still good to this day. They exemplify southern rock, and this particular album has no weak spots to speak of.
The Who
4/5
A strange album in hindsight, but a risk taking rock opera that just isn't made anymore. Includes several classics like Pinball Wizard. Not sure if it's something I'd keep on rotation since it's material gets super heavy at times, but the singles are all catchy and musically it's very well done.
Mekons
3/5
I can see why critics seem to love this album. It's raw, genre blending, and not afraid to rake risks. It jumps from punk to country to rock to Irish folk styles effortlessly. Unfortunately this didn't quite materialize in a way that worked for me. Some tracks like Hard to be Human Again were stronger than others. Wish I liked it more than I did, and wouldn't advise against listening to it.
Kanye West
4/5
This album is a real listening exercise in separating the art from the artist. I want to judge the album without having my opinions of Kanye influence it but it's hard when his personality is so pervasive throughout. Regardless, this is one of the best produced albums you will ever hear. The lyrics bounce between juvenile and deep, but there some incredible tracks on here that elevate the hip hop of its time and still don't feel dated.
Hugh Masekela
4/5
Marvin Gaye
4/5
Tom Waits
2/5
It's a unique listening experience, but not one that was particularly engaging. Very much a product of its time and the problem with the 1970s LA based humor is that it's audience 50 years on is pretty niche. Nothing sonically negative, but feels creative just for creativity sake.
Super Furry Animals
3/5
Songhoy Blues
4/5
Enjoyed this one from start to finish. On top of the music itself their formation and history is worth reading up on too.
Marty Robbins
4/5
First of all, single greatest album cover in the history of music. Second, the influence a record like this had on country nusic and especially someone like Johnny Cash is obvious. Though novelty or sounding like a movie soundtrack today, they songs themselves are catchy and arrangements are a fun example of a bygone style.
Meat Loaf
3/5
Some fun rock, some lame power ballads, and genuinely funny lines. Kind of a mixed bag.
Radiohead
4/5
One of those albums where the brilliance shines through even if it's not always for me. Intensity and energy are present even in the quiet parts of this album.
The Cure
3/5
Brooding and melancholy. Dark and a bit Gothic. Oddly didn't feel nearly as long as it's run time. Fans of The Cure will love it, most others will recognize the one or two singles that everybody knows.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
A classic in pretty much all respects. No weak spots, catchy songs, still known to this day. Doesn't hit at that deeper level to quite warrant a 5, but as close as it can get.
Fleetwood Mac
3/5
Some mid-tier Fleetwood Mac
4/5
Easy to see why this album is considered a classic. Starts out with 3 huge songs though it fades a bit on the second half. Largely compelling material in an album with no real weak spots.
My Bloody Valentine
4/5
Noisy but quite good
Simply Red
3/5
There are a lot of interesting musical choices from unique instruments to genre mixing to lyrics that don't quite go where you expect. But at its core this album just isn't deep or exciting or that fun. I can see it's appear as a pop act of its time but there's no real itch that it scratches today.
Dexys Midnight Runners
3/5
Come On Eileen has 600 million listens. The next closest track has just over 6 million. That sums up this album pretty well IMO.
Duke Ellington
4/5
Metallica
4/5
The music Is great even it this album doesn't have Metallicas biggest known hits. Only challenge is the track lengths which average roughly 7 minutes each.
Kraftwerk
3/5
Am album ahead of its time in a lot of ways. Perhaps it's the age and 1970s influence, but I found myself grooving one minute and then bored the next.
Jane Weaver
4/5
Reminds me of a combination of St. Vincent and Black Moth Super Rainbow.
Saint Etienne
3/5
Exemplifies a lot of new trends from the early 90s including trip-hop and incorporation of dance beats. Probably goes on a bit long with several filler tracks able to be removed.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
5/5
Absolutely overlooked this album during the 2000s indie wave. Outside of Maps which is super well known is a great rock album that brings to mind early White Stripes and other noisy, distorted guitar rock. Will be jamming to this for a while.
Depeche Mode
4/5
Knew a few tracks off this already. A bit of an acquired taste but started to really enjoy it towards the end.
Finley Quaye
4/5
Upbeat and a great blend of genres.
Grant Lee Buffalo
3/5
A lot of U2 influence but with an Americana vibe. Can see how this would go on to influence later bands. Really a 3.5 but rounding down because it's just not that memorable.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
4/5
Love the funk elements and some of the singles like Under the Bridge are classics. Suffers a bit from its attempts to be edgy that haven't aged amazingly. Largely a great album though with just one or two skips along the way.
Janis Joplin
4/5
Great album from start to finish. Me and Bobby Mcgee is obviously the well known track here with others like Mercedes Benz following suit. Far better writers have penned far better reviews of Joplin over the years, but I expect this is one I'll eventually come back to.
Jimmy Smith
4/5
Just some great jazz.
Traffic
3/5
A wholly unique blend of genres with jazz, rock, folk, and even British traditional influences. The album itself just didn't strike me in a memorable way.
FKA twigs
3/5
I remeber when this album was on everyone's lists for AOTY. Back then I just didn't get it. Upon relistening 10 years later I kinda get it now. Some beautiful vocals that are honestly underutilized and a largely cohesive album, just not one that hits for me.
Dusty Springfield
4/5
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
So many hits on this album.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
Good album from start to finish. The songs stay fresh throughout.
Pearl Jam
4/5
Some mega hits on the first half but a bit repetitive towards the end. A staple of the genre though.
Jeff Buckley
4/5
Some great tunes, Hallelujah especially, but a bit boring towards the end.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
Glad I gave this a second listen, some of it hit a lot better after the first go. Might be an acquired taste, but one that almost makes it for me.
Prince
4/5
As talented and entertaining Prince is, his music is not always the most interesting. Obviously there a few mega hits like 1999 and Little Red Corvette that make this album worth a listen, but a number of songs could be cut too. 3.5/5 but rounding this one up.
Michael Kiwanuka
5/5
Enjoyed this one all the way through. Felt like a truly cohesive album.
Anthrax
4/5
Liked this one a lot more than I was expecting. Though the lyrics bounced between serious topics at times and utter crap at others, the music itself shreds. Will likely listen again.
Fela Kuti
4/5
One of the great things about the 1001 albums list is just how much great jazz is on here that I would have never heard about otherwise.
Kate Bush
3/5
Very unique sound. Tracks like Running Up That Hill have taken on a second life which is what this album will likely be most known for. Want to give it another listen at some point.
Nina Simone
4/5
Just a lovely album from start to finish.
Paul McCartney and Wings
4/5
A fun pop-rock album with catchy tracks like "Band on the Run" and "Jet". Nothing spectacular but not low points either.
However, it's impossible to rank this without comparing it to The Beatles. In that sense it's lacking. The originality, risk taking, and soul of the group just aren't there, even if musically this is a wholly competent and even engaging listen.
Ali Farka Touré
3/5
Some excellent guitar work, but an hour of it felt a little repetitive.
Started out strong with some absolute classics like Beautiful Day. Ended up just a bit weak towards the end, but there is enough quality on this one to overcome that.
Pixies
5/5
One of my favorite albums by one of my favorite bands. Aside from Where is My Mind (which isnt even the best track on the album, thats Gigantic) there are at least 8 other amazing songs and no weak spots at all.
Moby
5/5
Red Hot Chili Peppers
5/5
The sheer amount of well known songs off this album makes its place on the list undeniable. Less wild and crude than some of their earlier work, this is RHCP fully realizing their potential.
PJ Harvey
4/5
Raw, but with such passion behind it.
The Pretty Things
3/5
It's like if the Beatles made a rock opera. Works some of the time.
Nitin Sawhney
4/5
As a sucker for experimental genre blending this was a really interesting listen, especially for an album that came out in 1999. There's some excellent musicianship here and a unique concept throughout. Not ever track is needed though and a few go on too long, but otherwise this was a good find.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
CCR are an odd case of the buisness side of music interfereing with the music side, in that multiple songs on this album have been used ad nauseum in TV, movies, truck commercials, and parodies off all of those. It's very good music, but annoying to listen to for the approximately 10,000th time.
B.B. King
3/5
Fun little live album, forgotten a soon as it was done.
Slayer
3/5
I don't like this, but it's also really good. It's excellent execution on everything it tries to do, but I don't enjoy much of it. It absolutely shreds, and doesn't resonate with me at all.
Megadeth
4/5
Not really a metal fan but found this more accessible than Slayer. Despite being a bit gimmicky in hindsight it's still very good with highly competent musicianship.
Blue Cheer
3/5
The importance and ground breaking of multiple genres of this album cannot be overstated. However as an album it peters off towards the end, and it's most well known song is a cover. The music is enjoyable but more history than greatness.
Radiohead
4/5
Pulp
4/5
Some solid Britpop.
Lou Reed
5/5
Can
4/5
Really enjoyed just letting this album wash over me. Got into a solid groove most of the time, with a only a fee sections that dragged on a bit.
Blur
4/5
Fun album, but feel like I needed to "be there" to fully appreciate it.
Jefferson Airplane
4/5
Another interesting case of music management affecting an albums perception. Somebody to Love and White Rabbit are mega hits that are still frequently used in media nearly 60 years later, while the rest of the album is fine but nothing special. However these two songs could easily be considered overplayed. Does that taint the album or make it a classic? To me oddly it does both.
The Beach Boys
5/5
Might be the perfect pop album of its era.
Johnny Cash
3/5
A few really good covers, but this felt more for Cash fans than anyone else.
Mj Cole
2/5
Just didn't hit for me, nothing terribly interesting on this one.
Fiona Apple
4/5
Excellent album with lyrics I want to go back to explore and varcgy songs that don't feel like they've aged a day.
Cyndi Lauper
4/5
John Lennon
3/5
It's both good and incredibly dull.
Scissor Sisters
4/5
Really grew on me as the album went on. Planning on exploring some of their other music.
Elis Regina
3/5
Music was nice but man did the book mess up this entry.
Bad Company
2/5
Maybe this was really exciting stuff back in the day but it mostly just felt like generic dad rock in this listen. Some pretty weak lyrics all around too.
The Doors
4/5
Another 60s album that kinda suffers from its own popularity. The popular songs are used ad nauseum, and it does take some of the shine off what would otherwise be some absolute classics. A bit weaker on the back end but certainly a good listen still.
The Strokes
5/5
Pixies
5/5
Astor Piazzolla
3/5
Now I know what you're thinking, "Oh jeez, just another bandemoneon and vibraphone player teaming up for the glory, money, and fame." But NO! These are two musicians at their finest, doing what they do best. Piazzolla continues his unparalleled advancement of the entire genre of Tango. Meanwhile you have the master of marimba, the virtuoso of vibraphone, the GOAT of glockenspiel, Gary Burton himself tearing it up throughout the entire album. It's unusual, really good for a live album, and despite not being sure if I enjoyed it I do respect the musicianship. Good genre expansion for the 1001 album list.
Aimee Mann
4/5
Wu-Tang Clan
4/5
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Just some excellent classic rock.
Tim Buckley
2/5
Not feeling this one. Poignant lyrics but not much else working for me.
Roxy Music
1/5
It's like a bad Bowie impression. Didn't enjoy it and promptly forgot it.
Björk
2/5
Jerry Lee Lewis
3/5
Not bad for a live album. A few covers thrown in there but I get that was the style at the time.
Tracy Chapman
5/5
Beautiful album. Only minor issue is it suffers from feeling a tiny bit dated.
Ute Lemper
2/5
Some nice musicianship but otherwise I have no clue what's happening on this album.
Beatles
4/5
The inflection album between light poppy easy Beatles and more experiential interesting stuff.
Love
4/5
Album ranged from some excellent single tracks to being a little boring at times. The highlights well overcome its weaknesses though.
Aretha Franklin
5/5
Undeniable talent from Franklin herself and some absolute classic tracks.
Funkadelic
5/5
Peak genre blending.
Metallica
4/5
Ice T
4/5
Talking Heads
4/5
Not my favorite Talking Heads album but Psycho Killer is an all time classic.
Beastie Boys
4/5
Some lyrics haven't aged great but there are still some absolute bangers on here.
Deep Purple
3/5
Billy Joel
4/5
Great singer songwriter album. Some odd musical instrument choices for some of the solos but it was the 70s I guess.
Suede
3/5
Music was good but nothing really stuck. Really a 3.5
Morrissey
2/5
Might have been a 3 but holy shit are these lyrics sophomoric.
Blondie
3/5
Can't deny its place on this list for having multiple mega hits. Mostly light fun pop music.
Bon Jovi
2/5
Corny, annoying, dated, especially the second half of the album. Can't deny Livin' on a Prayer slaps though.
The Boo Radleys
3/5
The 13th Floor Elevators
3/5
Just some straight up psychedelic rock. Nothing too cohesive about it as an album but a good collection of songs.
Curtis Mayfield
4/5
Crazy that a sound track out sells the movie it's for.
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
Judas Priest
4/5
The Divine Comedy
4/5
Richard Thompson
3/5
David Crosby
4/5
The Offspring
5/5
Harry Nilsson
3/5
Wild album in hindsight, with cultural impacts ranging ranging from novelty sings to corny ballads to legit hits. It's inconsistency is its biggest flaw, but it's place on this list is deserved.
Elliott Smith
4/5
Bauhaus
2/5
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
2/5
Occasionally grooving but mostly just waiting for it to be done.
Ray Charles
4/5
Eminem
3/5
Despite the misogyny and homophobic lyrics it's still a really good album in a lot of respects. The over the top nature is central to it of course, but I think it struggles a bit with age to just become shock for the sake of shock. Kinda tough to rate it higher compared to some of Eminems follow up albums.
Tim Buckley
3/5
Started good, got boring in the middle, ended well.
David Ackles
3/5
Röyksopp
4/5
Ramones
4/5
Some great tracks from the early era of punk. Even at 30 minutes feels a bit repetitive by the end, but mostly an enduring classic.
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
An all time great album. Multiple mega hits that have fully stood the test of time.
The Undertones
4/5
Stevie Wonder
4/5
Johnny Cash
3/5
Michael Jackson
4/5
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
The Undertones
4/5
Straightforward early brit punk.
New Order
5/5
This is what "80s music" is supposed to sound like.
Buck Owens
4/5
The White Stripes
5/5
Supergrass
3/5
Most songs are better than Alright, but that still doesn't make this especially memorable. Not bad, just kinda forgettable.
D'Angelo
3/5
Television
4/5
It's impossible not to hear how this band could have influences groups as varied as Talking Heads, Pixies, Radiohead, and many others. Gonna have to give this some more listens
Guided By Voices
3/5
The Cure
3/5
Maybe I just don't get The Cure. This was fine but I'm not sure why it's on this list.
Eminem
4/5
Even with this being a challenging listen at times there are some truly outstanding tracks on this album. Drags a bit in the second half but worth it for the highs it hits.
New York Dolls
4/5
Led Zeppelin
5/5
This album feels like reconnecting with an old friend. Excellent from start to finish.
Paul McCartney
4/5
5/5
Amy Winehouse
5/5
The Psychedelic Furs
4/5
Leonard Cohen
4/5
Carole King
4/5
N.W.A.
3/5
I can see why it was so influential at the time. Unfortunately hasn't aged well in either lyrics and style. Even excluding the bonus tracks it goes on about 15 minutes longer than it needed to. Overall some great stuff mixed with some corny filler.
Bob Dylan
4/5
Dylan has never been my favorite but there are a few tracks I can't get out of my head. Will for sure revisit this one.
Django Django
5/5
King Crimson
4/5
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
3/5
Marvin Gaye
4/5
The Smiths
4/5
Not really my thing but one of the better albums that isn't really my thing.
Korn
1/5
Whiney nu metal vocals, twice as long as it should have been, and some homophobic lyrics thrown in. Should have left this one in 1998.
Sugar
3/5
This was fine. Definitely in the good tier of early 90s alt rock. Not super memorable but scratches the itch for that genre for sure.
Otis Redding
5/5
Possibly the quintessential soul album. Even with being roughly 50% covers this albums simple yet effective delivery makes you want more.
Al Green
4/5
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
Good quick album of some classic chill music.
Gary Numan
4/5
Pixies
5/5
ABBA
4/5
Just some great pop music.
Guns N' Roses
4/5
Actually liked it more than I expected. It's still corny as hell but honestly pretty fun overall.
Stan Getz
3/5
David Bowie
4/5
Cocteau Twins
4/5
A Tribe Called Quest
5/5
Excellent album, some of the best hip hop to come out of that wra.
Nick Drake
4/5
Deep Purple
4/5
Animal Collective
4/5
The Black Keys
5/5
Solid album from start to front.
Johnny Cash
4/5
Booker T. & The MG's
4/5
A Tribe Called Quest
5/5
Jeff Beck
4/5
Orange Juice
4/5
The Bees
4/5
The Isley Brothers
4/5
A few classics on this one.
Pink Floyd
5/5
Easy 5. Complete album from front to back.
Lauryn Hill
5/5
Happy Mondays
3/5
Frank Sinatra
4/5
R.E.M.
4/5
Stevie Wonder
5/5
The La's
3/5
The Residents
3/5
Not even sure what to do with this album. On the one hand I didn't like it, but on the other it's definitely something I've never heard before. Giving it points for being interesting if nothing else.
Big Brother & The Holding Company
4/5
Dire Straits
4/5
Coldplay
4/5
Very 2000s feeling but still has some great tracks.
Mariah Carey
3/5
Carey's vocals rescue what would otherwise be a pretty bland album.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Erykah Badu
4/5
Super chill album
Frank Sinatra
4/5
Electric Light Orchestra
4/5
Queen
3/5
The KLF
3/5
Morrissey
3/5
Willie Nelson
3/5
3/5
Mercury Rev
4/5
Unique and creative.
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
The Hives
5/5
Love some good short punk rock
OutKast
5/5
Dr. Dre
4/5
Michael Jackson
4/5
Soft Cell
3/5
Beastie Boys
4/5
Siouxsie And The Banshees
5/5
The Band
4/5
Roni Size
4/5
The Doors
3/5
Supertramp
4/5
The Doors
3/5
Maybe I'd appreciate The Doors more if their entire discography hadn't been absorbed into the Boomer Nostalgia genre. Some ear worms for sure on this album but nothing that makes me want to seek it out again.
James Brown
3/5
The Lemonheads
4/5
Radiohead
4/5
Soul II Soul
2/5
Parliament
4/5
Charles Mingus
3/5
Buzzcocks
4/5
Marvin Gaye
3/5
Dizzee Rascal
3/5
Beatles
3/5
Beatles
4/5
Billy Bragg
4/5
Blood, Sweat & Tears
4/5
Just a fun listen.
Travis
2/5
Radiohead
3/5
I know this album is beloved and there's honestly some beautiful music here, but for whatever reason Radiohead just never clicks for me.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
DJ Shadow
3/5
George Jones
4/5
Beth Orton
4/5
Thelonious Monk
3/5
Not bad but far from the most impressive thing Monk has done.
CHIC
4/5
Oasis
3/5
Not bad but kinda forgettable.
Suzanne Vega
2/5
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
2/5
Some good tracks on here but a lot more filler than anything.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
The White Stripes
4/5
Syd Barrett
2/5
Jazmine Sullivan
4/5
Ravi Shankar
4/5
Can genuinely say I learned something today, plus I got to hear some good music.
Nick Drake
3/5
The Smiths
3/5
Roxy Music
2/5
Emmylou Harris
4/5
I always like a well done genre blend. This wasn't always the most captivating but the high point were beautiful.
Roxy Music
3/5
This is the best of the three Roxy Music albums I've gotten so far. Maybe it's personal preference, but there's a fine line in glam rock between fun and annoying fluff. This band just strays into the latter side too much.
Soundgarden
4/5
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
AC/DC
4/5
Talk Talk
3/5
Black Flag
4/5
Beatles
5/5
Even with some filler on it this is by far the Beatles most interesting album. Some absolute classics here. I could make some minor critiques for why its not perfect but it's much closer to a 5 than a 4.
Steely Dan
5/5
The kings of Yacht Rock
Serge Gainsbourg
2/5
This is supposedly a masterpiece but just isn't doing it for me.
The Damned
4/5
LL Cool J
3/5
Miles Davis
4/5
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Maxwell
2/5
The Chemical Brothers
5/5
Cee Lo Green
4/5
Jack White
4/5
Prince
4/5
Common
4/5
Aretha Franklin
5/5
Anita Baker
2/5
Black Sabbath
4/5
Doesn't quite have the bite of the ST debut album, but still good nonetheless.
Beck
3/5
Faith No More
3/5
KISS
3/5
Somehow too safe for glam rock. A few good tunes but otherwise forgettable.
Herbie Hancock
5/5
Ella Fitzgerald
3/5
Absolutely get why it should be here, by this is a tough one to get through even with a whole weekend to do it.
Kendrick Lamar
5/5
The Human League
3/5
The Jam
3/5
The Stranglers
4/5
For people who want psychedelic rock but don't like The Doors.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
Muddy Waters
4/5
Country Joe & The Fish
4/5
The The
5/5
Sheryl Crow
4/5
Run-D.M.C.
3/5
Pretty dated but I see why it's here.
Iggy Pop
4/5
Public Enemy
4/5
Sepultura
4/5
Honestly, liked this a lot more than I expected. Too long but some real bangers on here.
Arrested Development
5/5
Prince
4/5
ZZ Top
2/5
The Specials
3/5
Destiny's Child
3/5
Solid first half, weak back half. A few classic songs from the early 2000s, but needed to be 17 minutes shorter.
Motörhead
4/5
Great first half, but holy crap there are some lyrics that aged badly.
The Who
4/5
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Atlantic City is an all time classic.
Stereolab
4/5
Teenage Fanclub
3/5
Eurythmics
3/5
George Harrison
4/5
Some good stuff, some nonsense. One of the better post-Beatles album I've heard. Feeling generous so a 4, but probably closer to a 3.5
Green Day
5/5
5/5
Hole
5/5
My Bloody Valentine
3/5
Some great stuff and some stuff that was really grating.
The Smashing Pumpkins
4/5
King Crimson
5/5
Everything But The Girl
2/5
The Louvin Brothers
2/5
Drive Like Jehu
4/5
The Go-Go's
3/5
Actually liked everything other than their 2 most popular songs.
Jethro Tull
4/5
fIREHOSE
4/5
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
3/5
Sade
3/5
Air
4/5
Peter Gabriel
2/5
Dagmar Krause
2/5
I don't even know where to begin. On the one hand I want more unique, non-english stuff like this. On the other hand I don't really want this.
Magazine
5/5
Van Morrison
4/5
Marianne Faithfull
4/5
The Magnetic Fields
4/5
Way too long but also really good.
Britney Spears
3/5
Goes down pretty smooth, and really a massive nostalgia trip. Probably about 50% filler, but kind of a perfect encapsulation of late 90s pop music.
Brian Wilson
2/5
Interesting for sure, but did I actually enjoy it? Not really.
Lupe Fiasco
4/5
As plenty of others have mentioned, Kick Push and Daydream alone make this a standout album. It's one I want to come back to, but on first listen it's solid all around.
Arctic Monkeys
4/5
High energy and never dull.
Bee Gees
3/5
Technically not bad, but gonna be forgotten by tomorrow.
Janelle Monáe
5/5
Not sure how I slept on this when it first came out, but this was great from start to finish. Going to have to dig deeper into her discography after this.
Japan
2/5
A few interesting bits but mostly pretty boring.
Kate Bush
4/5
Gorillaz
5/5
The Jam
3/5
Tom Waits
2/5
Cheap Trick
3/5
Taylor Swift
4/5
Madonna
3/5
Miles Davis
4/5
Silver Jews
3/5
Isaac Hayes
4/5
In this age of AI generated nonsense I cannot think of a better album to throw on in the background of literally anything.
SHAFT!
The Replacements
4/5
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
4/5
More non-English albums like this!
Elton John
4/5
Tiny Dancer - Might be one of the best songs of the 70s
Levon - One of Eltons better songs, for sure on his greatest hits list
Rest of the album - Songs
John Martyn
2/5
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
4/5
Decent start, weak middle, excellent finish. For historical importance I'm gonna bump it up to 4, because it undeniably should be on this list.
Robbie Williams
1/5
From Angels on this is the most annoying album I've listened to on this list. Just straight up cringe pop to me.
808 State
4/5
Sarah Vaughan
4/5
The Divine Comedy
2/5
I don't get it.
The The
4/5
The Flying Burrito Brothers
3/5
Janet Jackson
3/5
Black Sabbath
5/5
The Kinks
4/5
Santana
4/5
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
Don McLean
3/5
American Pie plus some other boring songs.
Sinead O'Connor
4/5
Tom Waits
2/5
Raekwon
4/5
Pavement
4/5
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
Patti Smith
5/5
N.E.R.D
3/5
Devendra Banhart
3/5
Tom Waits
2/5
Alice Cooper
4/5
Todd Rundgren
3/5
Nick Drake
4/5
Aerosmith
4/5
Billie Holiday
4/5
Iggy Pop
4/5
The Associates
2/5
Keith Jarrett
4/5
George Michael
3/5
Pink Floyd
2/5
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
Alice Cooper
4/5
Jungle Brothers
4/5
Fatboy Slim
5/5
Crowded House
4/5
The Dandy Warhols
3/5
Weather Report
4/5
The Triffids
2/5
Forgetting it as I listened to it.
Joe Ely
4/5
The Specials
4/5
X-Ray Spex
4/5
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
4/5
Digital Underground
3/5
Baaba Maal
4/5
Public Image Ltd.
3/5
Won't deny that it was influential and groundbreaking. But did I enjoy it? Not really.
Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
3/5
Perfectly fine pop album. Nothing really memorable or interesting, but goes down smooth.
The Velvet Underground
4/5
The Style Council
3/5
Interesting but in a forgettable way? Props for giving rapping a shot, random 1980s British band.
Jeru The Damaja
2/5
Leonard Cohen
3/5
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
Slipknot
4/5
Public Enemy
4/5
The Last Shadow Puppets
4/5
MGMT
5/5
MC Solaar
3/5
CHVRCHES
4/5
Sisters Of Mercy
4/5
Orbital
5/5
Q-Tip
4/5
Emmylou Harris
2/5
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
4/5
Hole
5/5
The Streets
3/5
Dolly Parton
2/5
Crosby, Stills & Nash
3/5
Sonic Youth
2/5
I really wish I could like Sonic Youth.
Leftfield
3/5
Astrud Gilberto
3/5
Soft Machine
3/5
John Cale
5/5
David Bowie
5/5
Greatest final album a musician has ever put our?
The Shamen
3/5
The Blue Nile
3/5
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
4/5
2/5
One of those albums that probably get really fun towards the end of six pack. However I was sober for this whole listen, so I did not really enjoy this.
Fela Kuti
4/5
Massive Attack
3/5
LTJ Bukem
3/5
Coldcut
4/5
Steely Dan
4/5
Turbonegro
5/5
GZA
5/5
Heaven 17
3/5
The War On Drugs
4/5
Red Snapper
4/5