380
Albums Rated
3.76
Average Rating
35%
Complete
709 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
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Rating Timeline
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Ratings by Decade
Which era do you prefer?
Activity by Day
When do you listen?
Taste Profile
1950s
Favorite Decade
Jazz
Favorite Genre
UK
Top Origin
Generous
Rater Style
92
5-Star Albums
9
1-Star Albums
Taste Analysis
Genre Preferences
Ratings by genre
Origin Preferences
Ratings by country
Rating Style
You Love More Than Most
Albums you rated higher than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suicide | 5 | 2.46 | +2.54 |
| New Forms | 5 | 2.53 | +2.47 |
| Devotional Songs | 5 | 2.58 | +2.42 |
| Born To Be With You | 5 | 2.62 | +2.38 |
| Beyond Skin | 5 | 2.77 | +2.23 |
| 69 Love Songs | 5 | 2.84 | +2.16 |
| Good Old Boys | 5 | 2.86 | +2.14 |
| Street Signs | 5 | 2.87 | +2.13 |
| Kala | 5 | 2.91 | +2.09 |
| Brown Sugar | 5 | 2.91 | +2.09 |
You Love Less Than Most
Albums you rated lower than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crime Of The Century | 1 | 3.41 | -2.41 |
| Little Earthquakes | 1 | 3.23 | -2.23 |
| Ritual De Lo Habitual | 1 | 3.19 | -2.19 |
| Rattus Norvegicus | 1 | 3.15 | -2.15 |
| Real Life | 1 | 3.05 | -2.05 |
| Hunky Dory | 2 | 4 | -2 |
| I Am a Bird Now | 1 | 2.84 | -1.84 |
| Parallel Lines | 2 | 3.76 | -1.76 |
| L.A. Woman | 2 | 3.67 | -1.67 |
| Tres Hombres | 2 | 3.43 | -1.43 |
Artist Analysis
Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Beatles | 4 | 4.75 |
| Radiohead | 3 | 4.67 |
| Black Sabbath | 3 | 4.67 |
| Pink Floyd | 3 | 4.67 |
| Coldplay | 2 | 5 |
| Stan Getz | 2 | 5 |
| Adele | 2 | 5 |
| The Pogues | 2 | 5 |
| A Tribe Called Quest | 2 | 5 |
| Led Zeppelin | 4 | 4.25 |
| The Beach Boys | 3 | 4.33 |
| Marvin Gaye | 3 | 4.33 |
5-Star Albums (92)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Fugazi
4/5
A post-hardcore benchmark album for the scene. Alternative rock interplay between rhythm and guitars throughout the album that tackles intense topics from greed, violence, and drug abuse and does so with an insistence that is prevalent throughout. Honestly, a fantastic good album.
1 likes
Ella Fitzgerald
5/5
an absolutely breathtaking album that is perfect for the workday. Just so beautiful and fun
1 likes
Dion
5/5
beautiful and soothing classic rock that really makes you feel nostalgic and happy - i don't come across stuff like this often, but i really like it.
1 likes
Christine and the Queens
4/5
incredibly fun and poppy, easy to listen to, and creatively composed electronic pop that adds fun twists to prevent it from seeming stale and boring.
1 likes
Primal Scream
4/5
spacey electronic krautrock/dub tracks with neo-psychedelica vibes that is pretty chill and laid back for the most part. Somewhat ambient but still moves forward with a solid groove.
1 likes
1-Star Albums (9)
All Ratings
Snoop Dogg
5/5
Listen Date: 12/6/23; Overall Score was 87/100.
Overall Thoughts:
- absolutely fantastic basslines throughout this album
- it's crazy to see how much of his music was about violence and sex
- lots of fun instruments throughout - weird synths; acid bass; strings; piano; guitar; harpsichord; flute - very well produced album with a lot of unique elements that has staying power
Herbie Hancock
5/5
Each of the tracks has pretty impressive creativity - going from the funky acid bassline over a funky breakbeat on Chameleon to the hectic psychedelic saxophone solo over a perfectly metered cacophony of hand drums, breakbeat drums, and syncopated organ hits on Sly. Then you've got the off-kilter flute melodies on Watermelon and the march like feel on Vein Melter - pretty impressive on a 4 song album.
Nirvana
4/5
incredibly intimate recording that conveys every little nuance about the song. The relatively soft spoken nature of Cobain is pretty evident as is his self-deprecating way of speaking. Simple drums, relatively simply guitar, and a heavy focus on the lyrics in this album. Also, "Where Did You Sleep Last Night?" is sooooo emotional. It's unbelievably raw.
Arctic Monkeys
4/5
Overall Rating: 80/100
Overall Thoughts:
- intense high energy rock that touches on garage rock, post-punk, hardcore punk, afrobeat, and reggae
- easy to see the influence that was made on a number of other artists
- does a good job of maintaining a specific sound without becoming boring
- abrupt switches in style are jarring but keep the listener invested to the album
Radiohead
5/5
such a beautifully discordant yet complex and sincere album. A masterpiece of design and so ahead of it's time, especially when you consider that it was made back in 2000.
David Bowie
5/5
Very creative and innovative - in some sections he has that classic rock sort of feel, but in other sections he delves into experimental almost jazz like sound that would still be considered avant-garde today. Complex and beautiful album.
The Mothers Of Invention
3/5
obviously it was experimental and satirical - the creativity is up there, but the cohesiveness of the project is lacking.
Deep Purple
5/5
absolute banger of an album - still hits today!
John Coltrane
5/5
an all-time great jazz epic composed by one of the greatest jazz saxophonists of his time. By far one of my favorite jazz albums of all time.
Leonard Cohen
3/5
relatively low key album - lot of cohesiveness and weird digeridoo stuff in the background; not my favorite album but not bad
Overall: 66/100
Eric Clapton
3/5
pretty catchy - not my favorite album but easy listening
Ozomatli
5/5
fantastic fusion of LA musicians incorating Indian raga, hip-hop, second line, East LA R&B, funk, and an absolute wedding banger that has been lost in my rotation and is now at the forefront.
Black Sabbath
5/5
absolute banger of an album - definitely see the influences on bands like Wolfmother. Wide range of energy, from jazzier slow jams to frenetic high paced guitars and crazy drums. Huge album, big fan.
Various Artists
3/5
Absolute classic Christmas compilation - definitely should have listened on time
Big Star
3/5
british invasion cult band that sounds like a hodge podge of a lot of different sounds - not necessarily super into it
Peter Gabriel
4/5
really fun pop album with a lot of variation - emotional shifts throughout each individual songs. Peter Gabriel is a brilliant musician.
Magazine
1/5
I feel like if I did a deep dive on this album it would get a higher score, but just on the surface, I really wasn't that into it. Nothing against the musicality of the group, just didn't really do it for me.
Stevie Wonder
3/5
funky grooves and fun piano sounds/synths make this an easy listen. The songs tend to drag a bit, but i still like it.
Jerry Lee Lewis
4/5
According to Wikipedia, this is considered one of the wildest and greatest live rock albums ever. I can see it - this album at times has almost a manic energy that is tantalizing yet accessible at the same time. Incredibly sincere recording captures an intimacy that you don't hear form a lot of older albums.
The Birthday Party
1/5
This album is incredibly polarizing. While I could see the appeal of this album to fans of the post-punk, noise rock, and even horrorcore and emo fans, the unrelenting noise, dark lyricism, and general dysfunctional nature of the album just didn't do it for me.
The Roots
5/5
Unbelievable range in the tracks - seemlessly shifting from boom bap to funk to jazz to hardcore to techno to soul and back again. Features were perfect and definitely suited the song they were on. Overall just a really enjoyable and quality record. Definitely want to review this one more fully.
The Sugarcubes
2/5
kind of like an OC Supertones sort of vibe with vocals that sound like Bjork. It's not bad, and to be fair, it's not just supertones. it's a lot of different sounds of rock from arena to ska. the big stand out is the melodies of the vocals - weird intonations from the female vocalist and almost like post punk noisecore sounds from the male
Massive Attack
3/5
I'm a fan of this album. Definitely a bit of a precursor to this sound, but the creativity is apparent and is a fun listen.
Yes
4/5
Ryan Adams
4/5
beautiful lyrics, relatively soft and gentle for the most part, easy listening and has those blood on the tracks sort of vibes to it
Scott Walker
4/5
the conflation of big band, musical, and pop mixed with some tastefully crass lyricism at points just make this a fun album to listen to. big fan
Robert Wyatt
3/5
Norah Jones
5/5
soft and gentle piano ballads with touches of smooth jazz and singer-songwriter elements. The beauty of this album is that Norah never tries to do too much on it. She keeps the instrumentation tight, the melodies unique and fresh, and doesn't lose sight of that on the whole album.
Miles Davis
5/5
Such a classic easy listen - already heard this album but listened again. So smooth and relaxed, it just makes things feel so much more relaxed. None of the instrumentation feels forced, and everyone is content to sit back when its not their turn and mournful flourish when it is.
Miles Davis
4/5
simple yet beautiful - only 2 songs, but they each tell a story in and of themselves. Delicate touch throughout.
Minutemen
4/5
most of the songs are between a minute 30 and two minutes long - very quick and to the point. there's a lot of creativity throughout this album, as it switches from hardcore to swing to spoken word to americana. Big fan of it.
Ryan Adams
4/5
very easy listen - checked it out in the car. Definitely has more of that early 2000s singer/songwriter acoustic pop sort of sound with the backbeat drums and the acoustic guitar. Good listen.
Coldplay
5/5
I've never listened to this album beginning to end, but compared to this new stuff, it's far more relatable and less maximalist than their later works. Closer to soft rock with elements of shoegaze and grunge.
Stan Getz
5/5
very gentle and beautiful - groovy and yet such sweet tones from the vocalists, the saxophone, etc.
System Of A Down
4/5
incredibly syncopated vocals/hits with hectic guitar, drums and screaming/shouting contrasted with exotic Phrygian minor scales. the live music at the end is absolutely hectic. It's interesting to see the almost thrash/hardcore influences from SOAD's early work compared to the more maximalist epics that they became popular for later
Roni Size
5/5
after looking it up, this album was his debut album from Roni Size & Reprazent and it won the Mercury Award for best album of the year in the UK. It went five times platinum and was one of the most commercially successful jungle albums of the 90s. I can see why - this album is unbelievably creative and uses unbelievable sound design and creativity in the creation of each and every track.
ZZ Top
2/5
it's catchy, and i can understand why ZZ Top is so popular, especially given the timeframe. The modern take on blues rock mixed with rockabilly definitely was a unique take. It just is relatively simple and not my favorite
Frank Ocean
5/5
Just a fabulous album - no complaints
3/5
arena rock with a surprising amount of variety. Definitely not musically super challenging from a chord standpoint, but interesting vocal melodies add some complexity. I forgot how many hits came from U2.
Fatboy Slim
4/5
Super creative tracks with a lot of interesting breaks, samples, and direct and clear inspiration for modern breakbeat and DnB
The Stranglers
1/5
musically it's an interesting combo of post punk, punk-rock, pub rock, and art rock. Lyrically it's weird, and i wasn't in the right headspace to appreciate it.
Cyndi Lauper
4/5
super fun and enjoyable album - really just brings a smile to your face to hear the dated yet still entertaining 80s pop sound that we associate with Cyndi Lauper
David Bowie
2/5
i didn't really listen intently, album didn't grab my attention super well
Violent Femmes
4/5
very distinct vocal sound over alternative rock that feels like it was influential in the creation of They Might Be Giants. Somewhat dark and humorous, the album is classified as Folk-Punk and you see the angsty lyricism over relatively stripped back punk influences.
Abdullah Ibrahim
4/5
Smooth and tasteful jazz which inspiring melodies and a laid back and beautiful sound. Pulls in a number of different musicians that contribute very well to the project. Additionally, his story of escaping Apartheid is really beautiful as well.
Crowded House
4/5
catchy and fun album with a wide range of styles that really bring you back into the album. Ranging from rock to swing to almost big band, it's a really fun album.
Christine and the Queens
4/5
incredibly fun and poppy, easy to listen to, and creatively composed electronic pop that adds fun twists to prevent it from seeming stale and boring.
Hugh Masekela
5/5
Incredibly creative jazz project with world influences that translates into a highly creative and mesmerizing project
Radiohead
5/5
Definitely a bit of a groundbreaking album, that goes without saying. The antithesis to the Britpop movement is rife with mournful vocals heavily influenced by shoegaze-esque guitar walls and glitchy feedback combined with an alternative art rock feel that is spacy, distant, and disconnected yet still big and in your face.
FKA twigs
4/5
forwarding thinking bed room pop with synthetic glitches, chords, and artificial sound that makes for a soundscape of computer-y love songs that have a very real lyricism that contrasts the sound.
Venom
2/5
the combination of Motorhead and Kiss as influences combined with the macabre imagery is clearly revealed in Venom's music and sound, and the impact on future thrash and black metal is also clear. The musical influence of Motorhead is most clear, as the thrashing guitars and driving drums are prevalent throughout. Dark, almost goofy, interludes and sounds also add to the overall feel of the album. Not my cup of tea, but creative.
The Beach Boys
5/5
such a laidback and carefree album. Beautiful harmonies, and the remastered nature adds some tasteful adjustments to leveling and mixing.
Talking Heads
3/5
Very Talking Heads - you have discordant melodies, call and response guitar elements each bar during the verse, odd sounds, social issue lyricism - a great representation of a super influential band.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
surprisingly this album felt like it had a blues rock vibe to it. I digged it.
The Who
2/5
feels like an album by teh who - don't necessarily feel like it did anything special. Maybe a little more creative and nuanced than other stuff i've heard?
Pavement
3/5
per spotify, this is the defining band of the slacker alt-rock genre of the 90s. very easy listen and enjoyable.
Erykah Badu
4/5
sassy funky RnB with beautiful jazz and motown elements woven throughout. A truly groundbreaking album.
Billy Joel
4/5
super catchy and very beautiful melodies - unique and yet approachable chord structures and musical design
The Zombies
5/5
honestly one of the most pleasant and comforting albums i've heard in a while. It's all of the elements of classic rock/pop from the Beatles and indie pop bands without any of the boring chord progressions, topics, and musical blandness. REALLY liked this one.
Burning Spear
2/5
very laid back and somewhat mournful while also being chock-full of social commentary. Definitely hear the Marley influence (obvs) but feel like it's a little more mournful than the positivity you hear in a lot of other reggae.
Eminem
4/5
i forgot how dark eminem's early stuff was - his flow though is unparalleled.
The Stooges
4/5
grimy and bleak rock n roll, definitely feels out of place for 1970; surprisingly tight set given the arena vibe of the guitars - has a lot of feedback, distortion and noise - can definitely see influences on grunge and later hard rock sounds.
The Mamas & The Papas
3/5
the panning on this music is interesting - guitar and drums on left, lead vocals are central, supporting vocals and strings are to the right - very loud vocals compared to the rest of the sound;
Earth, Wind & Fire
5/5
so creative and funky - the jazz and disco fusion is so wonderfully unique and has never really been replicated to my knowledge. unbelievable album.
Antony and the Johnsons
1/5
strange intonations from the vocalists with little traditional song structure and complex melodic variations that make this an interesting listen, albeit one that is uniquely suited for when you are really sad.
My Bloody Valentine
2/5
good background music
Cat Stevens
5/5
soothing and beautiful guitar melodies with deep and thoughtful lyricism - I really like this album.
ZZ Top
2/5
easy listening - nothing super special
The Rolling Stones
3/5
the bluesy rock n roll that formed the counterpoint to the beatles really settles into a bit of a repetitive yet entertaining groove on this album.
Jane's Addiction
1/5
it was okay - wasn't my favorite
King Crimson
4/5
incredibly creative and unique sounds mixed in a real fun and exhilarating way. A wide and diverse range of influences combined to create an enjoyable sound!
Supertramp
1/5
80s prog rock - had a bit of a pop tilt to it, wasn't a huge fan.
Nirvana
5/5
i loved this album - the combo of the grunge with almost a hardcore influence was superb.
Adele
5/5
Pitchfork called this album "Amy Winehouse meets opera" and i agree. incredibly vocal range over relatively simple and sparse instrumental arrangements that compliment without overpowering.
Fairport Convention
3/5
sort a folk rock/country fusion with some celtic influences too. a unique sound on folk rock that really reflects the UK.
Dexys Midnight Runners
3/5
their breakout album provides a fun upbeat rock that has some early ska elements coming from the horns with vocals that are reminiscent of the talk heads. Fun listen.
Fishbone
2/5
fun mix between ska and funk and almost operatic vocals. wide range of musical influences from thrash to hardcore to ska to prog. The lyrics were a little odd, but I didn't mind it.
Pink Floyd
4/5
good album - forgot to write down notes but i think i really liked it.
Pixies
4/5
i really liked this album - the vocalist is definitely pretty influential for future sounds.
Beach House
3/5
feels almost like tame impala mixed with synth pop - definitely see the beach house influence on this generation of tik tok stars.
Nas
4/5
such a good album - didn't relisten
Booker T. & The MG's
4/5
I didn't know the song name was green onions but i love it and i'm tempted to try and make a remix of it. also, the rest of this album is very easy listening and i'm a big fan.
Nick Drake
3/5
very soothing and beautiful while also really sad and heartbreaking. i like it.
Pearl Jam
3/5
classic 90s grunge rock that feels pretty nostalgic - all of the songs are pretty fun to listen to, albeit a bit repetitive.
Sepultura
2/5
Anger and dark thrash metal with a classic feel
SAULT
4/5
fantastic album that incorporates soul, spoken word, funk, breakbeat/east coast, lofi, and other elements into easy listening music with deeply impactful phrases that emphasize their importance.
Beatles
5/5
there is little to no doubt that this album is absolutely one of the greatest albums ever created. It's staying power, creativity, and breadth is unparalleled. Easiest 5.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
i really do like led zeppelin a ton - it's crazy to see how much they influenced wolfmother
Red Hot Chili Peppers
4/5
the amount of funk dripping off this album is unparalleled. The creativity and musical dexterity of these musicians is clear.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
3/5
a lot rockier but also a lot more acoustic driven stuff. Still pretty good.
Def Leppard
3/5
relatively easy listening classic hard rock - enjoyable and good melodies, albeit a little repetitive.
Dion
5/5
beautiful and soothing classic rock that really makes you feel nostalgic and happy - i don't come across stuff like this often, but i really like it.
Steely Dan
4/5
Super catchy and funky - I like the creativity
Michael Jackson
3/5
very catchy pop album with some surprisingly complex percussive and bass elements mixed in.
Beastie Boys
4/5
incredibly fun album and still a very genre-defining and breaking album - the combo of guitars with boom bap beats that were often too slow or too fast. very cool.
Fela Kuti
4/5
super catchy afrobeat jazz fusion that is trumpet heavy and has elements of vocal lines that repeat and build. Strong african tribal influences and social commentary in song titles and in the lines. Feels very influential to a band like SAULT.
Bill Evans Trio
4/5
beautifully chill and relaxed jazz that provides a true coffee shop atmosphere while also being a little dark and mournful. Super good album.
Jeru The Damaja
4/5
groovy fun hip-hop with meaningful content that has apparently been called one of the top 100 hip hop albums of all time - completely produced by DJ Premier. This is a fun listen - i liked it.
Kanye West
4/5
a fun infusion of pop and chipmunk soul with Kanye's storytelling abilities, plus a twinge of sadness tied to his recent albums. good album.
Keith Jarrett
4/5
apparently the entire performance was pretty much improvised on a sub-par piano that forced him to adapt his playing style to get certain sounds out of it. I love this concept and the story itself makes the album that much greater.
Johnny Cash
4/5
very intimate and personal live recording that really gets you thinking about how even inmates like good music. the history behind this album is even more interesting, considering that Cash had wanted to perform at a prison after watching a film while in the Armed Forces, and he even performed a song written by an inmate. The story is really cool and adds to the overall vibe of the prison-heavy setlist.
Anthrax
3/5
really like that thrash metal sort of sound - still has the high energy and the great riffs
Dead Kennedys
4/5
fun and energetic album - lots of discordant melodies, fast drums, heavy distortion, and social commentary all packaged into first gen hardcore punk
Pet Shop Boys
3/5
very chill mix between 80s synth and like moby - songs take a while to develop but I like the potential for sample
Ray Charles
4/5
unbelievably soothing and beautiful music that really encompasses the big band sound. Ranges from slow and emotional to high energy charleston type sounds.
Blondie
2/5
some fun new wave, but it's never really been my sound. However, I can see the appeal.
Public Image Ltd.
1/5
i kind of understand the whole post-punk movement, but it really isn't a sound that i'm a super big fan of - it feels like it meanders and oftentimes is just so disjointed that i can't get into it. I didn't realize that John Lydon (Sex Pistols vocalist) founded this band though
Buck Owens
3/5
sounds like this type of country is called the Bakersfield Sound - it's a country variation that was used by merle haggard and brad paisley. pretty simple and catchy - the mixing is odd but i like it.
Paul Simon
3/5
Fun and easy listening - unique melodies with pop influences and a lot of fun
Santana
4/5
really beautiful album with some wonderful guitar melodies and rock elements throughout - really like it.
Harry Nilsson
3/5
wide ranging and very creative - subtle and yet pronounced at the same time. I like it.
King Crimson
4/5
really fun and creative album, especially considering it came out 1969 - big fan of it and the creativity it sparked on everything from Kanye to future prog rock.
Ray Price
3/5
easy listening and smooth country influences make this nice background music.
Radiohead
4/5
a chill yet fairly dark album - definitely has that quintessential radiohead sound to it but is far less ethereal than other ones i've heard.
Ute Lemper
4/5
super easy listening, unique voices, and beautifully crafted from beginning to end. kind of listened in the background, so i can't give it 5.
Michael Jackson
5/5
i had already reviewed this album, and it's an absolute banger - only 9 songs on the whole album, but when 4 of those songs become absolute classics, you know it's got staying power. unique, creative, fun, and dancy.
The Police
4/5
surprising amount of sorrowful reggae in the album contrasted with moments of high energy drums with sorrowful and emotional guitar leads.
Lou Reed
3/5
the album was actually produced by david bowie, who was a big fan of the velvet underground and produced Lou's 2nd solo album - Perfect Day & Walk on the Wild Side are 2 of Lou's biggest solo songs. the glam rock influences of the album are contrasted with his matter of fact coolness and laid back delivery of vocals.
The Saints
2/5
fun punk album with good riffs, but gets a little repetitive
Supergrass
4/5
very fun and playful power pop sound that clearly influences future australian bands like Wolfmother - really is a fun and enjoyable album.
The Who
4/5
classic and fun album that never really hits a slow spot - it's got enjoyable riffs, great drums, clever melodies, and is overall a really great album!
The Doors
2/5
pretty chill listening, it was alright - not my favorite album ever.
The Pogues
5/5
super fun and energetic album that has a massive amount of creativity and variety as the overlap between irish music and punk music is explored to its fullest. I absolutely love this album.
Roxy Music
2/5
a bit of a different album but i didn't hate it. kind of a weird and slightly discordant combination, but it sounds like these guys were big players in the glam rock era.
The Dandy Warhols
3/5
an interesting mix of psychedelic and shoegaze that makes for a fun atmospheric sort of vibe.
The Isley Brothers
3/5
super catchy and a much wider variety of sound than i would have expected after having the song shout drilled into my head.
Johnny Cash
4/5
really sad but also incredibly deep and meaningful songs that really showcase his skills and songwriting capability
Death In Vegas
2/5
interesting combination of big beat and rock with influence of shoegaze and what would be called post punk in the future. good background music.
The Magnetic Fields
5/5
honestly, i REALLY liked this album and thought i might be a little annoyed after a while, but i'm not and i love it.
Big Brother & The Holding Company
4/5
it feels like some of the live stuff is chock full of sample potential. definitely a fan of this album.
The Black Keys
5/5
absolute banger of an album. no notes.
Amy Winehouse
3/5
soothing and enjoyable while still fun and loosy goosy (i don't know why but that phrase makes me think of amy winehouse) - also a lot of fucks.
Nick Drake
5/5
i really loved the complexity and beauty of this album. With everything ranging from intimate singer-songwriter jams to complex jazz-influenced band numbers, this album feels incredibly cohesive and just downright wonderful. I love it.
Einstürzende Neubauten
1/5
i mean it's a lot of cool sounds, but it's not for me.
Everything But The Girl
5/5
chill vocals over a the mid-90s precursor of break beats, liquid dnb, and house elements with glitch elements mixed in make this an easy listening album and perfect vibe for the workday.
Nine Inch Nails
2/5
the industrial rock is alright, but i feel like lyrically this album is really disconcerting and not in a clever or creative way but just in a crude and thoughtless one.
Queen
4/5
catchy and creative with quintessential queen sounds while also having sort of a fantasy bent to it.
Marvin Gaye
4/5
super vibey and funky - definitely showcases Marvin Gaye's range as well as the range of any and all relationships.
Elliott Smith
5/5
if this guy doesn't list nirvana as an influence, he's a liar. It's really heavy and emotionally heartbreaking stuff but the alternation between the heavy shoegaze-y sound with the subdued almost whispered singer songwriter stuff is beautiful.
Primal Scream
4/5
spacey electronic krautrock/dub tracks with neo-psychedelica vibes that is pretty chill and laid back for the most part. Somewhat ambient but still moves forward with a solid groove.
Marvin Gaye
4/5
really great album that’s super funky and really pretty. Lots of current events being tackled through religion, love, and RNB
R.E.M.
3/5
definitely is a heavier rock offering than previous R.E.M., and it feels like the vocals are mixed better. Definitely has an alternative rock x post punk feel to it.
Al Green
4/5
a total vibe as far as classic motown sound - it's a total bop throughout, and the way in which Al's earnest and beautiful voice floats over top is unbelievable.
3/5
fun rock n roll with a dated feel that’s pretty mellow and was making me kind of sad but I didn’t mind it
The Fall
2/5
albums feels long especially given the garage rock hardcore horrorcore vibe of the album
The Charlatans
3/5
a fun and enjoyable album with some quality horrorcore post punk sound that i really liked - only downside was that the songs tended to drag a bit.
The Who
5/5
unbelievable live album - the live riffing is incredible
3/5
a wide ranging album that touches on a lot of different genres and feelings, from high energy to soft and gentle.
Hüsker Dü
2/5
interesting album with some variation but still relatively straightforward
Turbonegro
3/5
high energy hard rock/punk with some guitar solos and dark lyrical subject matter. Topically understand the inclusion, but that offsets my score.
Janet Jackson
2/5
definitely a very percussive and groovy album - somewhat of a more sensual and laid back version of the 80s pop sound.
The Velvet Underground
4/5
definitely has a wide range of weird, but ultimately it's relatively chill and easy listening.
Joan Armatrading
4/5
such a unique and potent voice that feels like it is capable of such power and such control at the same time. The musical elements definitely form a way to feature these vocals and not to overpower them.
Mercury Rev
3/5
creative and fun album with a wide range of pop influences
Robbie Williams
4/5
very catchy pop tunes with a hint of theatrical that I’m actually a fan of. Feels a little derivative of stuff but can’t really put my finger on what
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
much softer and more singer-songwriter than the other stuff i've heard -r eally good.
Talking Heads
4/5
really catchy and creative percussion and relatively repetitive sounds that form almost a bit of an addictive drone
Neil Young
3/5
very folksy combination of sort of the medieval sounding pop sound of the 70s with country influences. I like the vibe of this album.
Nick Drake
4/5
really beautiful album - listened in piece meal
Suzanne Vega
3/5
mournful melodies with some lilting melodies that transition well between spoken word and soft melodies. Complex chord progressions are often unexpected but convey the mood well.
Carole King
5/5
i didn't realize carole king was responsible for so many classics! Absolute banger of an album!
Bon Jovi
4/5
fantastic classic album with a lot of bangers!
Led Zeppelin
4/5
unbelievable album per usual - i really really like led zeppelin, although some of their songs go on for way too long.
Little Simz
5/5
I listened to sometimes i may be introvert before this one, but it's cool to see how Little Simz tone and clear understanding of her strengths and weaknesses sounds just as good over a glitchier electronic style album as it does over R&B and soul samples.
Joy Division
5/5
classic album that is really easy to listen to but also incredibly innovative and creative considering the time that it was made. It's easy to see the influence on a lot punk, indie, pop, and garage music going forward.
Dinosaur Jr.
3/5
an interest combination of hard rock, shoegaze, punk, and grunge that feels like it might have influenced everyone from Nirvana to They Might Be Giants. Ultimately, it's categorized as alternative rock, but the wide range of influence still shows throughout the album in a subtle yet impactful ways.
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
3/5
really sad but pretty album - its a bummer it's not on spotify
M.I.A.
5/5
i just love MIA and wish she would come back with stuff like this - such a creative and unique album that oftentimes has little to no melody outside of her voice yet still hits with meaningful and intentional lyricism calling out international affairs.
Sly & The Family Stone
3/5
pretty chill album with soothing Motown, RnB, funk, and soul sounds. Sort of zoned out listening to it, but i didn't mind the vibe.
Coldplay
5/5
Beautiful album that is full of classics and has a mournful yet nostalgic feel throughout
Genesis
4/5
a long and pretty album that i started and stopped multiple times.
Lucinda Williams
4/5
soothing and beautiful country that really is easy to work to - i might have to do this more often.
Thin Lizzy
4/5
just a freaking fun album with a lot of old school flare and rock and roll that is easy and fun to listen to.
George Harrison
4/5
interesting to hear the mashup of genres with prevalent Beatles motifs throughout. Easy listening though and holds up through the years.
Stan Getz
5/5
the title of the album says it all. Jazz samba tastefully presented that is simple yet complex. Wonderful collaboration that comes in at 33 minutes. Big fan.
Simple Minds
4/5
one of the defining albums of the new-wave/new-pop movement from Scottish Band Simply Minds, this album maintains the distinctive new-wave sound while still achieving timeless pop sensibilities. Had to note the guest appearance from Herbie Hancock on keyboard for Hunter and the Hunted. Incredibly pretty sound that influenced U2's 1984 The Unforgettable Fire and ultimately influenced Bono's sound.
Aretha Franklin
5/5
the 12th studio album by Aretha Franklin hit a peak of number 2 on the Billboard Top 200 Pop Charts and stayed at number 1 on the R&B charts for 16 weeks straight. It's frequently ranked in the Top 100 albums by major publications and it's easy to see why. The smooth jazz-influenced R&B instrumentation perfectly highlights Franklins powerful and complex voice. Perfect album.
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
2/5
Incredibly odd chord charts and almost atonal melodic intonations from both the instruments and the vocalists make this an odd album, but there is still some minor pop sensibilities. Not sure how i feel, but it was definitely an experience.
A Tribe Called Quest
5/5
the combination of jazz and rap has been and always will be one of the coolest combinations. Total trailblazers that didn't get their due at the time and are now the precursors of some of the greatest rap albums of all time.
Gene Clark
3/5
a soothing country album with dulcet tones and simple instrumentation that still hits home. I liked it.
The Black Crowes
2/5
some fun 90s rock - nothing too crazy going on.
The Beach Boys
5/5
loved it the first time i listened, love it now. hands down one of the most creative and ground breaking albums of all time.
The Coral
3/5
i liked this album - it was a little odd, but still pretty catchy.
Bobby Womack
4/5
super funky disco album with some deep and soulful lyricism that adds to the intensity of the album. Big fan.
Nitin Sawhney
5/5
definitely feels like a more stripped back and less autotuned precursor of fka twigs. a mix of almost operatic ethereal indie folk and ambient electronica with stripped back 90s pop electronic breakbeats. the sound shifts from reggaeton to ethnic liquid dnb/breakbeat while still maintaining the relatively beautiful and yearning musical structure.
Leonard Cohen
4/5
a dark and brooding yet delicate and pretty album that feels a little bit like Johnny's last 2 albums. I liked it.
The Killers
5/5
it's just such a great album - such a fun mix between high energy alternative rock and synthwave with instantly recognizable vocals from Brendan and also really great drumming as well.
Van Morrison
4/5
eloquent and gentle album that shifts between jazz, singer-songwriter, americana, and rock while still maintaining that easy confident air that comes from Van Morrison. It's easy to see why he's so popular.
Orbital
2/5
very glitchy and ethereal but also very drawn out and sort of progressive - i can see the input of this style on music, but it wasn't my favorite.
Fugazi
4/5
A post-hardcore benchmark album for the scene. Alternative rock interplay between rhythm and guitars throughout the album that tackles intense topics from greed, violence, and drug abuse and does so with an insistence that is prevalent throughout. Honestly, a fantastic good album.
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
fun rock/psychedelic album that highlights jimi's guitar skills. Sort of listened in the background, but still good.
Muddy Waters
4/5
fun and groovy sound with Muddy's raspy vocals and fantastic guitar work. Great live album.
Quicksilver Messenger Service
3/5
i thought i had saved something on this, but it's a good representation of the 60s and 70s San Francisco hippie sound with psychedelic rock on a live recording.
OutKast
5/5
unbelievable album that still holds up as incredibly creative and thoughtful - you can see the precursor to miami bass, the triplet flow, phonk music, and so many other influences in here. The creativity and thoughtful is clear throughout.
Dire Straits
4/5
Overall Thoughts:
- emphasis is definitely on the lead guitarist - everything forms sort of a bed for the guitarist to go over the top
- very laid back for the most part without a ton of complex melodies or structures outside of guitar solos, stripped down
- touches on blues, country, funk, latin, and other influences while still maintaining a similar structure throughout the tracks
- definitely has post-punk influence but doesn't feel tied to it
4/5
wide ranging sort of prog sound with an enjoyable almost cinematic sound to it.
Saint Etienne
3/5
According to wikipedia, the debut album from Saint Etienne drew on a love for club culture and 1960s pop samples, which is evident in the recording. The repetitive hooks and sampling make for a groovy and fun sound that builds enjoyment instead of getting old.
Beatles
4/5
it's a great album - nothing too much to say, also cuz i sort of zoned when i was listening and just vibing to the beatles sound.
Skepta
4/5
surprisingly low on the typical grime sound, but it is quite a brash and confident album about Skepta's capabilities.
David Bowie
4/5
a relatively short album as far as total song, but each song is a bit of an epic that has progressive elements which slowly build on each other and don't really feel repetitive. The Thin White Duke, a Bowie persona derived from his high anxiety, paranoia, and cocaine addiction at the time, became a face for the project which incorporated a wide range of experimental that has become relatively acknowledged as his pre-eminent work.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
5/5
always love listening to this album - DBQ has really done a great job of bringing jazz into more of the limelight as far as the public image, and the digestibility of their sound mixed with stellar musicianship and complementary relationships between the instruments is highlighted in the album.
Slipknot
4/5
absolute banger of an album. Incredibly intense with a lot of dark imagery, but really well mixed and mastered, with some awesome riffs, some difficult topics, and overall powerful offering.
D'Angelo
5/5
the heavy jazz influences from the chords to the melodies are in perfect harmony with the drums (both live and sampled) and the R&B crooning that just is so tasteful and glorious. Incredible album.
Tim Buckley
2/5
kind of weird sort of mix between rockabilly, folk, and indie with some odd eccentric tendencies from Tim thrown in. didn't hate it, but also wasn't a huge fan.
The Smashing Pumpkins
3/5
nice rock album that's a bit heavier than i remember but i stil lreally liked it
The Specials
3/5
history wise this is a pretty interesting band that combined the ska/2 tone revival in the 70s/80s in britain with intentional anti-racism messages and political activism. While probably a little derivative/appropriative of Jamaican culture, the album has a relatively light hearted musicality with the intensity of punk. Fairly clever and unique.
Deep Purple
4/5
unbelievable live album - like absolutely floored. It's not often i can listen to a 20 minute version of a song and not get bored, but the twists and turns of the solos and extended builds keep you thoroughly invested.
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
3/5
soothing yodeling folk music that unfortunately isn't on spotify in its entirety but is still nice and peaceful.
Goldie
3/5
really chill and album incorporating some pretty solid breakbeat tracks
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
absolute banger of an album that i sort of zoned out on, but i loved the vibes.
4/5
really catchy and enjoyable album. Forgot to rate it at first, but i did like it.
The Who
4/5
the playful and DIY nature of The Who's My Generation album highlights an infectious energy that is clear even in the studio recordings of the album that mixes elements of rhythm & blues with mod pop rock tendencies and almost a little bit of rockabilly
Ali Farka Touré
4/5
soothing music that really touches on ethnic instrumentality and structure while still maintaining a sense of familiarity that makes it easily consumable.
The KLF
3/5
it's definitely got like an 80s influenced dance sound that feels like a mix between that synth pop era with also some precursor sound to modern electronic. it was nice.
Ella Fitzgerald
5/5
an absolutely breathtaking album that is perfect for the workday. Just so beautiful and fun
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
4/5
interesting mix of grunge-influenced synth pop and indie alternative that has had a lasting impact
Laura Nyro
5/5
incredibly creative and fun soul & RnB album with a lot of variation within individual songs, often for just a couple measures before reverting back. A very groundbreaking and unique album that feels like it has a ton of soul that's amplified by Nyro's passion and ad-libs.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
2/5
catchy americana/old school country. not my cup of tea, but was still nice.
The National
2/5
very chill and laid back album - i didn't listen too intently, but it was very relaxed for the most part, or at least there weren't any massively jarring arrangements that i feel like i heard. maybe i didn't give it a fair listen.
Sade
5/5
absolutely beautiful and breathtaking album that is super tight and also really chill. Either to listen to and doesn't really lose anything throughout the whole album. Plus, smooth operator.
David Bowie
4/5
easy listening classic rock with a wide variety of sounds and musical creativity that oscillates from arena rock to almost psychedelic to new age.
Christina Aguilera
3/5
high energy pop anthems which incorporate elements of 90s pop with hip-hop, latin, and RnB
Sebadoh
3/5
lofi indie rock that hinges on grunge and garage rock with some punk influences as well on this album. it's also the original band for the Dino Jr. frontman, which is pretty funky.
Hanoi Rocks
3/5
Finnish glam metal sounds a lot like a pop punk precursor, but it definitely feels a lot more uplifting and leans on a lot of common tropes. Also, they incorporate saxophone?
Pulp
4/5
honestly a really fun and enjoyable album from a band i hadn't heard of. The music is catchy, it stands out as unique and creative, and i haven't really found an album in a bit that i've gotten fully invested in. Big fan.
Pink Floyd
5/5
it's a beautiful sweeping epic that is both soothing and also challenging. Incredible guitars, vocals, saxophone, and drums, as well as complex lyricism and song structure make this wonderfully deep album a masterclass in music.
The Strokes
3/5
really catchy album that highlights the masterful use of vocal filters and straightforward guitar work from the Strokes. Big fan.
Oasis
4/5
relatively laid back and enjoyable album that succinctly presents the Oasis britpop sound mixed with watered down grunge elements and indie folk that create for an easy listen.
Malcolm McLaren
4/5
this is such an interesting album - there's such a wide range of musical influences coming through, and it feels like it switches from sampled beats to live performances of world sounds that range from African to Gospel to boom bap. The motif that repeats is someone calling into a radio station which seems to fit the duck radio theme. I surprisingly loved this album.
Bob Dylan
4/5
RESEARCH: finished the trilogy of rock albums put out by Dylan in 65 and 66. One of the first double LPs in rock music history. Combo of nashville studio musicians with quality literary sensibilities. Basically is moreso blues rock than rock n roll I'd say, but is fairly ahead of its time while still incorporating Dylan lyricism and creative motifs and fugues that pull from blues, folk, americana, and rock n roll.
Linkin Park
5/5
honestly, i forgot how good this album was. Despite a consistent motif throughout both sonically and lyrically, it continues to strike at the heart of loneliness, sadness, despair, heartbreak and yearning for something greater. Chester's vocals embody the theme, and the lyrics of Mike really build out the message before slamming home that beautiful nu metal sound.
a-ha
4/5
as far as Norwegian pop goes, it's tough to find an album goes that has stood the test of time longer than this one. The synth pop influences permeate this emotional album that is a fun listen and goes by quick. Great LP that's got some fun nostalgia attached.
4/5
a fun and enjoyable brit rock album with elements of alternative rock, grunge, and singer songwriter that maintains a playful energy throughout despite touching on heavy topic matter. Ultimately leaves you with a feeling of nostalgia and somewhat peaceful at the end.
The Only Ones
3/5
fun album that switches from jazz to classic rock - pretty good.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
a classic and beautiful album that encompasses the wide ranging sound of led zeppelin from the aggressive blues rock on Black Cat to the genre-defining rock ballad of Stairway to Heaven. It's such an easy listen that has clearly defining elements that reflect the famous Led Zeppelin sound.
Gorillaz
4/5
it's pretty crazy to realize the staying power of some samples and a groovy drum beat from the 90s. Classic loops and timeless melodies make this album a great one to put on repeat.
Morrissey
4/5
very poetic and melodic offering from morrissey that tells stories in his usual somewhat haughty way that ranges from smooth ballads to punk infused rock songs. Overall an enjoyable listen with an unforgettable tone.
Bob Dylan
3/5
classic dylan sound with the poetic lyricism and more of a focus on the twangy bluegrass/country sound.
Orange Juice
4/5
groovy and mellow album that stays funky while still maintain a sort of nostalgic and ethereal atmosphere. Lead singer reminds me of a-ha.
LCD Soundsystem
4/5
this new disco sound that LCD Soundsystem was instrumental in is mildly euphoric and deeply groovy - i'm a fan.
The White Stripes
4/5
i forgot how many bops The White Stripes had - the beauty of it is that it really isn't that complicated as far as instrumentation or song structure. The incredible takeaway is the fact the structure and the development of the hooks, the drums, the sudden changes in tempo and style of a track, and the wide ranging subject matter. Really a wonderful album.
Boards of Canada
4/5
such a soothing and calming mix of ethereal sort of glitch hop and post rock sigur ros esque elements.
PJ Harvey
3/5
a dark and sexy album that showcases Harvey's composition chops and creates a dense body of work that is fairly digestible and has a number of fun cuts.
The Mothers Of Invention
3/5
i'm not gonna lie - i've never really been a huge fan of TMOI. This album was definitely a bit more palatable.
The Smiths
4/5
when i listened to this album the first time, i really wasn't the biggest fan. However, this second time, it really was more of an enjoyable listen. Morrisey's vocals are far more soothing than i remembered. The guitarwork and drums is nice, and there is some interesting variation in the songs that aren't as monotone as i originally thought.
Queen
4/5
surprising amount of variety from Queen that I wasn't expecting. There was some funk, some punk, some ballads (obviously), and just an overall fun and classic feel to this alubm.
Primal Scream
3/5
psychedelic electronica that forms a trance-like basis that's fun to work to. Really need to re-listen to this album.
Donovan
5/5
i absolutely loved this album - it's everything i love about the 60s and 70s sort of singer-songwriter with the mysticism inspired instrumentation over top of the very forward/mono mix of the singer and the playful sort of imagination fueled fever dream that happens when you write on LSD.
Michael Jackson
4/5
super funky dance inspired album with some fun Michael cuts that i haven't really heard before. I dig it!
De La Soul
3/5
super catchy and fun loving album - a ton of fun
Franz Ferdinand
3/5
classic fun album with a predictable and familiar sound that touched on sort of the indie grunge/garage punk sound of hte day.
Dennis Wilson
3/5
a long album that spans a number of genres that all are tastefully done and show the wide range of musical interests that this former beach boy likes.
The War On Drugs
5/5
this album was just an absolute beauty. it mixes sort of that classic indie rock sound with elements of post-rock, ambient, psychedelic, glitch, grunge, singer-songwriter, and many more. Probably one of my favorite albums I've heard this year.
Songhoy Blues
3/5
I've never once listened to "Desert Blues" or timbuktu punk as it was originally described, but i'm a fan. You experience the emotional sorrow of the blues while still maintaining the distinct sound that put them on the map. I'm a fan.
Beck
4/5
such a chill and sad album that mixes post-rock with indie singer-songwriter, "folk slacker", lo-fi, ambient, and so many other genres. Throughout it though, the mournful and ernest crooning of Beck shines through. He also takes certain elements on this album that might be common in other iterations of music like his and plays them through the extreme, such as the consistent climbing of notes throughout hte end of "Guess I'm Doing Fine". Per Spotify, this album was a post-breakup album that maintained his psychedelic influences while shifting hard into mournful tones that are clear throughout.
Iggy Pop
3/5
a very poppy offering that's fairly uplifting and fun. historically, this was the second album that Iggy & David Bowie worked on together, but in this one, Iggy demanded more control over the production and leaned more towards a hard rock and proto-punk sound than The Idiot. Despite little promotion, it was Pop's highest charting album until 2016, and is frequently praised as Pop's most energetic album and widely regarded as one of his best works. I totally get the energy from this album, and at the time, especialyl with Bowie influences, this really seems to carry a lot of interesting confluence between art pop and rock music.
Travis
4/5
a very laid back and soothing rock album that feels very nostalgic and familiar but also really sad and lonely. great album.
Grateful Dead
5/5
i've already listened before, but this album really brings out the folksy country americana elements of grateful dead. the first album to utilize David Grisman, and leans more away from the Bakersfield sound and more into major key progressions, less guitar solos from Garcia, and more harmonies.
Queen Latifah
3/5
a fun and enjoyable album that has a surprising amount of nods to modern ATL trap.
Frank Sinatra
5/5
i already love sinatra, so it's gonna be hard for me to make this anything but a five star. I'll try though.
The Cure
4/5
beautifully mournful and sad album that's really just brimming with restrained morose.
Le Tigre
4/5
a fun and enjoyable punk album that touches on current events and also on timeless activities while also slowing down into sort of droning electronic tracks.
Manu Chao
4/5
A beautiful and soothing album written while the artist was wandering in Latin America and South America for 4 years, and the contented nature of the tracks shines through
Bob Dylan
5/5
clearly a wonderful and highly enjoyable album - i like the combination of the blues with the singer songwriter on this one. Definitely my favorite Dylan album.
Jorge Ben Jor
4/5
an exciting fusion of soul and funk with latin grooves and musical styles that i really enjoy.
A Tribe Called Quest
5/5
Before tribe went jazz they went boom bap. This album highlights the wide range of sound that the tribe has experimented with while not losing their biting wordplay and meaningful lyrics
Gotan Project
5/5
not gonna lie - i was not expecting this album to be this good. the combination of laid back hip hop/pop grooves from the drums with the basslines and the accordion solos really does it for me. Fantastic album.
Culture Club
3/5
a really fun album that combines funk, soul, electronica, and other elements into an enjoyable listening experience throughout.
Happy Mondays
2/5
a fun little album that had some interesting elements from different styles - felt almost like a dancier Talking Heads.
Black Sabbath
4/5
this EP from the very beginning has the distinct BS sound while still sounding raw and at the beginning of it's refinement. The epicness is still there while having a certain innocence to it. great album.
The Temptations
4/5
so groovy and so fun - that funky soul with elements of modern RnB is so beautiful and so much fun to listen to.
Stephen Stills
3/5
a relatively low key yet fun album that's incredibly enjoyable and i'm a fan. Nothing really stood out as super crazy, but it was a nice listen!
Peter Tosh
4/5
soothing and relaxing reggae that pairs well with a sunny day! Definitely going to add this whole album to my reggae playlist.
Cypress Hill
4/5
the eponymous release of Cypress Hill is an absolutely filthy yet exciting adventure into the world of 90s hip hop that we can see reflected in everything from Eminem to Suicideboys. Super fun album.
Supergrass
3/5
high energy punk music with pop sensibilities that was a debut offering from Supergrass, a band that has impacted everyone from train robbers to taylor hawkins.
Adele
5/5
adele is really just chock full of quality tunes. Someone who is able to use relatively stripped back instrumentation and simple pop sensibilities to form this luscious and beautiful sound that feels sincere and also playful at the same time.
Madonna
4/5
i don't think i realized how beautifully simple and yet emotionally tactful Madonna's melodies were on this album. Also, the chord progressions are not at all straightforward - almost playful and yet sorrowful, which seems to be reflected in some of catholic imagery she weaves into her songs.
Randy Newman
5/5
my initial response to this album was shock, but further research paints an interesting picture. Originally intended as a concept album from the perspective of a fictional character named Johnny Cutler, the album involved into a satirical and pointedly critical album regarding the perspectives of the inhabitants of the Deep South that touches on slavery, racism, hypocrisy of the North, and cultural divides that pervasively covered the nation. The album has received several deep critical studies and analysis of the songwriting, and the easy, playful country tunes are contrasted with the cutting analysis by Newman's lyrics. I like this album a lot - stuck between a 4 and 5, but feels like this deserves a 5.
Sparks
4/5
a very bright and creative offering that still is fairly avant garde today despite being created in the 70s. Definitely want to listen to this band more.
Portishead
3/5
some classic trip hop with very laid back vibes that feels like it should be featured in a love making scene in a gritty teen drama.
The Prodigy
5/5
super fun high energy electro breakbeat precursors that have had a huge impact on electronic music as we know it today.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
this is such a fun album - pulling in elements of indie alternative, proto-pop-punk, even some emo-type vibes, along with Costello's somewhat pretentious but very deep lyricism makes for a fun listen.
The Go-Go's
4/5
a super fun high energy pop-punk album that has some classic punk/new wave pop bangers that were quintessential to the 80s punk wave
Brian Eno
3/5
sort of all over the place as far as experimental sound design goes - the continuity comes in the unpredictability.
The Allman Brothers Band
3/5
just a really enjoyable live album with some awesome soloing and a good background listen.
Depeche Mode
4/5
a gothic synthpop offering from Depeche Mode that reflects the shift in composition for the band where pre-production was limited, demos were incomplete, and the creativity was highlighted. Tracks changed, and ultimately created a comprehensive body that showcased the bands creativity in a complex and powerful way.
Megadeth
4/5
its a bop but i also had to listen to it in the background. It doesn't feel fair to give it too bad a rating, but what i did hear i enjoyed.
Waylon Jennings
4/5
this is a such a beautiful and tasteful album - so enjoyable to listen to.
Beatles
5/5
this is just a wonderful album - i'm playing catch-up, but i enjoyed it greatly
Iron Maiden
4/5
catchy, epic-sounding tracklist that mixes it up with complex guitar riffs, soaring vocals, and an overall high-energy sound.
Public Enemy
5/5
such a high energy and exciting album that includes classic hip-hop samples and formed such a fantastic basis for future generations. The high energy beats utilizing free jazz, heavy funk, and other samples are contrasted with sociopolitical rhetoric and dense lyricism at a fast beat.
Gang Of Four
3/5
a jarring yet enjoyable punk inspired album that includes odd yet catchy guitar riffs, grating lyrics, and sharp percussion in the mix. A fun album.
The Pogues
5/5
the concept of combining traditional Irish folk music with punk is such a common concept today that it's crazy to think of it as genre-shattering in the 80s, but that's what The Pogues did. I can already tell that I love this album a couple songs in.
Ian Dury
4/5
surprisingly crass and creatively musical album - am not used to music like this from the 70s, but i honestly did not mind it and thought it was playful and fun.
Otis Redding
5/5
Otis Redding is perpetually one of the greatest songwriters of our generation - so much intensity and passion in songs where you can barely understand half of his words but you can feel all the passion.
Pink Floyd
5/5
such a wide-ranging and beautifully complex album. The political commentary mixed with the range of musical influences makes this an incredibly album.
The Louvin Brothers
4/5
surprisingly dark and uneasy ballads with close harmony folk singing makes this album fairly easy listening unless you're hearing the lyrics, in which case there's a deeper more unsettling sound to the project.
Public Enemy
4/5
such a banger of an album - crazy samples, brutal lyricism, hard scratching, and high energy.
Nightmares On Wax
3/5
super groovy and chill sampling with some odd choices that further build up the weirdness and relaxed nature
The Cure
3/5
super dark and mopey album which some really dark lyricism that isn't necessarily the most exciting thing i've ever heard but i see it's influence, especially into the more synth-heavy rock of today.
Janelle Monáe
5/5
Absolute banger of an album - so creative and complex and fun
Astor Piazzolla
4/5
who would have thought that marimba and accordion could go so well together! Incredibly live jazz album with a ton of creativity and excitement.
Brian Eno
4/5
gorgeous, relaxing, spacious and soothing album.
The Band
4/5
apparently this band that combined Americana, folk, rock, R&B, jazz and country influenced everyone from George Harrison to Elton John to Eric Clapton to the Who dropped this second album in 69. They started out as Bob Dylan's first electric band on tour and later formed a separate unit that has frequently been called one of the influential bands of all time. It's cool to hear the background and then hear the wide range of influences on this album. Definitely worth a listen.
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
4/5
just a really smooth fun album that combines reggae influences with psychedelic synths and sort of that 90s breakbeat electronic influence - pretty impressive endeavor that was enjoyable to listen to.
Thelonious Monk
5/5
a hard bop composition whose title track was so complicated that the first quintet to record it had 25 takes, devolved into anger, and ultimately was created by the editor pulling together multiple takes. a super fun jazz album with heavy havana influence.
Sarah Vaughan
5/5
super chill smooth jazz album from the compatriot of etta james and other wonderfully talented vocalists - even has some humorous moments where she drops her music and then freestyles lyrics over a cover.
Tom Waits
5/5
I was not prepared for this album, but the raw and unfiltered energy that comes from this mournful grizzled old crooner who jumps from beatnik poetry to smooth jazz vocals to highly hilarious crowd work is both personal and breathtaking. I couldn't look away.
T. Rex
3/5
A pretty fun album to listen to - it was primarily in the background
The Pretty Things
5/5
such a fun and enjoyable album that is chock-full of sample material that i'm planning to use for beats. Additionally, I need to follow up on this idea, but if it turns out that Wolfmother wasn't heavily influenced by The Pretty Things, I'll be shocked.
Janis Joplin
4/5
high energy and emotional blues-influenced soul that was Joplin's second solo album and final studio album really showcases her emotional vocal range over tracks that encapsulate her generational voice. Working with Paul Rothchild (The Doors, etc.) helped create a polished album that was incredibly impactful in highlighting her soaring tones.
Marvin Gaye
5/5
a sexy and soulful album that utilizes soul and doo-wop sounds to highlight Marvin's sexy and sensual delivery that portrays sex as a spiritual experience and resulted in what is called "one of the most sexually charged albums ever recorded."
Talk Talk
4/5
Talk Talk's 3rd studio album transitioned from synthesizer-heavy art pop into a piano, guitar, and organ album that leans into a more organic and improvisational experimental pop sound that moves away from new wave and more towards an 80s and 90s sound.
Ms. Dynamite
4/5
An absolutely dope album - big fan
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
A fun rock album that highlights some poppy-er sides of the boss, or at least that’s how I feel - there is still depth in the lyricism and biblical symbolism but this feels more pop sensible
Wu-Tang Clan
4/5
absolute banger of an album.
Stereolab
3/5
very odd album but also surprisingly enjoyable with pop sensibilities
Bad Company
4/5
Super fun and enjoyable album that’s very soothing and a great listen in the car
Michael Kiwanuka
3/5
Such a chill and enjoyable album
Foo Fighters
3/5
high energy and non-Stop garage punk diy sort of vibe
Jeff Buckley
5/5
such a wide ranging and emotionally powerful album - absolutely loved it
Silver Jews
2/5
relatively chill album with an alright singer that's got some country twang to it.
SZA
5/5
such a vibey and enjoyable album that switches through different styles of RnB and remains romantic and sultry while still maintain transitions and creative takes on psychedelic influences
Manic Street Preachers
4/5
surprisingly creative and enjoyable album with pop punk influences and also some radiohead sort of vibes.
Marty Robbins
4/5
quite literally a bunch of wild west ballads that are mournful and sad and often involve suffering and sort of the Appalachian ballad type of songs of death and lost love
Led Zeppelin
3/5
i'm not gonna lie, this isn't really my favorite LZ album. It feels like a lot of the songs tend to drag on and on and don't really add too much as far as lyricism. Obviously there are redeeming moments like the creativity of Kashmir, but overall, i'm not a huge fan.
Tori Amos
1/5
honestly, i feel like if i listened to this album with an extensive understanding of the background, influences, and conceptual elements of the album i would like it better. However, i did not, and i don't.
Suicide
5/5
a love of dissonance, Neo-Beat vocals, and a ground shifting sound that birthed synth pop in the early 80s. A fun and repetitive/pseudo-psychedelica sound makes this a pretty fun listen. According to wikipedia, this album which was from a punk band that pioneered synth minimalism and proto-drum machines birthed the source of synth pop, post-punk, and industrial rock. The more i'm learning, teh cooler i think this album and this band is
Sugar
4/5
this album was honestly a lot of fun - has that 90s grunge/alt-rock sound that makes for an earworm. I enjoyed it.
David Bowie
3/5
A 2013 album that was Bowie's first album in 10 years (his 25th in total) that is sometimes described as his bleakest album, this art rock/rock album has a lot of lyrics about conflict and has moments of faster tracks that feel more distorted than some of the album at his peak, but that could just be the recording. While I can definitely see how some people would be a huge fan, I think that it's alright for me.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
a laid back and relatively chill reggae album that touches on social issues and also the empowerment of underprivileged groups. Definitely a nice fun listen.
Todd Rundgren
4/5
Incredibly creative musicality that includes a lot of aggressive switches in tone and sound within tracks. Absolutely love the psychedelic mixed with DIY/distortion filters. High energy yet controlled.
Tom Waits
3/5
Interesting mix between beatnik jazz, funk, soul, and ballads all with Waits signature ragged crooning
The Cars
4/5
an enjoyable synthrock/power pop album that spawned "Just What I Needed" and other famous classic hits, The Cars debut album infuses what was modern equipment at the time into their sound that today sounds like it was made a good 10-15 years later at a minimum while also creating ear candy hooks and high energy riffs, lead lines, and other melodic creations.
Air
4/5
super vibey downtempo album that marked the birth of that genre, this Air album is incredibly thoughtful and soothing, yet also creative and complex. Very good.
Julian Cope
3/5
a wide-ranging exploration of different sounds that allegedly kickstarted Julian Cope's trademark sound after 7 previous albums. It's definitely got a lot of unexpected twists and turns that still form a relatively cohesive work.
Paul Revere & The Raiders
3/5
a fun album with some wide ranging influences and a general enjoyable sound.
The Beau Brummels
4/5
I’m not gonna lie, I’m preferential to the 70s style ballads on the guitar and will always be a fan. I’m surprised I haven’t heard of this band, but definitely will listen going forward.
Steely Dan
5/5
a debut studio album that combines soft rock with jazzy guitar solos, yacht rock elements, and a classic style that is incredibly well developed for a debut album.
Beck
4/5
very disjointed, almost industrial, indie garage type music that changes from glitchy to psychedelic to smooth jazz-infused soft rock to breakbeats. Sounds almost like some Gorillaz stuff. Great album.
Rage Against The Machine
5/5
incredibly high energy rock metal/funk from Rage Against the Machine that fully highlights their passionate civil discourse against absolutely brutal and merciless riffs, throat-shredding screams, and slamming drums. Fantastic album.
The Beach Boys
3/5
far less summer-y and more of a mournful offering from the beach boys that still incorporates their harmonies but leans more into the classic rock ballad sound - definitely sort of a pre-cursor to a lot of indie music.
Pixies
3/5
high energy drums with screaming guitars, fast paced songs, and the quintessential "Where's My Head" - this album lives up to the hype, despite the fact that "Where's My Head" is one of the slower numbers.
Funkadelic
4/5
honestly a super fun album that fuses funk with psychedelic soft rock and other ballad elements - not on spotify, but found the album on Youtube, and i really enjoy it.
Digital Underground
2/5
it's definitely pretty raucous, especially for the time. I'm not gonna lie, some of the discordant percussion between the scratching and the drum sample sort of throws me. Didn't listen to the whole thing, and total content with that.
Anita Baker
4/5
Unfortunately had to go to YouTube for this one, but Anita baker crooning over beautiful toons that span the emotions makes it worthwhile.
Elton John
5/5
just a wonderful art pop record with rock sensibilities, incredibly syncopated piano playing (Elton John loves syncopation i've realized) and incredibly moving and sincere songs telling stories of struggle, love and everything in between. Great album.
Metallica
3/5
honestly, it's a great metal album. To a certain level, the tone on the guitars and James Hetfield's voice makes me zone out between songs until the guitar solos
Beatles
5/5
this album is so complex and beautiful - so many famous hits and such diverse styles of music. It's really a pinnacle album.
Neil Young
3/5
Listened to this in the background and was surprised at how young Neil young sounded and also how many ballads he did in the piano! Enjoyed it.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
a double parted album that consists of gothic rock with blues elements on the first half and more of an elegant, waltz-like sound on the second half with the inclusion of a gospel choir throughout. Definitely pretty dark throughout, but still interesting.
Stephen Stills
3/5
just a sweet fun little album - i listened a while ago and completely forget, but i am also behind on my reviews so i gotta catch up
David Bowie
4/5
incredibly funky motown-esque offering from David Bowie that incorporates tight basslines, high energy vocals, choirs, and other elements that absolutely slap.
The Stone Roses
5/5
legitimately such a good album. An incredibly fun mix of electronica with synthwave and 70s style guitar makes for a fantastic 90s british pop.
Pet Shop Boys
4/5
this album indicates the shift for Pet Shop Boys from subdued electronic pop to multiple-layered dance music with strong disco influences. Also coincided with the lead singer discussing his long rumored homosexuality, so this album is sort of treated as a coming out album. It's definitely got a lot of bright and positive instrumentation that makes for an enjoyable listen.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
5/5
absolutely zero idea what any of the songs are about but the beautiful melodies, vocal riffs, and trance-inducing drones of the beat are perfect. I'm a huge fan.
Skunk Anansie
3/5
i can see the appeal of this sort of stuff, but ultimately wasn't a huge fan of the vocalist's tone. musically i appreciate it, and lyrically i appreciate the earnestness and aggressive passion of the lyrics and uniqueness of the song structures
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
4/5
a fairly short yet enjoyable album (the longest of the 12 songs on the album is 2:36), this was the only album created by Buddy Holly & The Crickets (a band created to avoid legal ramifications resulting from Buddy's split with his previous manager). It's fun, enjoyable, and exhibits Holly's first real efforts to record his music the way he wanted it to be recorded.
The Doors
4/5
it's honestly a really enjoyable album to listen to - the organ consistently appears through the album and it's a lot of fun to hear that added. definitely a worthwhile listen!
k.d. lang
4/5
a beautiful cabaret flavored folk and jazz album that showcases a soothing and rich tapestry of music. Really quite enjoyable to listen to, and it's clear to me why k.d. lang is so well known in Canada.
Taylor Swift
4/5
while this might be a hot take, this felt like the first time that Taylor wrote from a primary position of introspection and relative peace. The thoughtful compositions are far more reserved and peaceful, and it made for a nice change of pace that i really enjoyed. Also loved the feature list, and "no body, no crime" is criminally underrated.
TV On The Radio
5/5
a surprisingly fun and funky combination of soul, post-punk, art rock, indie rock, and funk. the album title apparently came from a note that the producer wrote in the studio. Tunde Adebimpe has a voice that reminds simultaneously of Gorillaz and The Talking Heads - warm and towering. Incredible album.
Kraftwerk
4/5
the 7th album by the multi-media Kraftwerk project, this groundbreaking blend of synthetic voices and computerized rhythms that paved the way for electro, hip hop, techno, and synthpop was the first time that Kraftwerk had molded their computerized sound into something that was danceable. Definitely has a raw computerized sound compared to the music of today, but as trailblazers in the space, this was incredibly innovative and groundbreaking at the time. The album allegedly was highly satirical and covered political topics - however, i can't speak German, so that element is lost on me.
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
pretty chill and more experimental album primarily driven by Lindsey Buckingham wanting to avoid falling into a pattern after the commercial success of Rumors. Far more sparse songwriting arrangements intended to compete with the world of post-punk, Tusk sounds far more clattery, half-formed, somewhat weird, and desperately separated from the sound of Rumors.
Nico
4/5
this was Nico's debut album after collaborating with the Velvet Underground and was named after the Andy Warhol film in which she starred. a relatively simple album combining 60s baroque pop (think baroque compositional techniques mixed with rock to create a majestic, orchestral sound) with chamber folk over sparse instrumentation and beautiful composition. a really wonderful album.
The Specials
3/5
a fun reggae inspired album with some great horn parts, pretty relaxed and spacy instrumentation, and just good vibes
Lightning Bolt
4/5
this incredibly combination of noise rock, technical musicality, and just overall bright and vibrant noises is awesome - i loved it.
Derek & The Dominos
3/5
Clapton's final attempt to be in a band resulted in one album with dueling guitars over a wide range of blues and classic rock inspired songs. Fairly fun to listen to, and birthed the stalwart "Layla"
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
a defining rock album that broke Springsteen out of his commercial failures in the first 2 albums and sought to emulate Specter's Wall of Sound production. It incorporated broader, more pop-centric musicality and also sought to encapsulate broader and more accessible feelings of feeling trapped and wanting to escape to a better life.
Arcade Fire
5/5
the beautiful debut album of Arcade Fire that combined chamber and baroque pop with indie and symphonic rock that starts out with a 4 part suite dubbed the Neighborhood suite that focus on life in a small town during a power outage in winter and then expands to encapsulate beautiful, anthemic classics that deal with death, change, and loss of childhood innocence. The album's title and themes are drawn from a number of deaths experienced by band members during the album recording process, and it's melancholy yet emotionally charged tracks ranging from the euphoric yet witsful "Wake Up" to dance-influenced, art pop tinged, punchy indie rock anthem of "Rebellion (Lies)". Incredible album.
Black Sabbath
5/5
this album has it all - from long energetic blues influenced metal epics to piano driven ballads. It sounds like the group was struggling heavily at the time with falling into further addiction while simultaneously producing their album by themselves for the first time in the career. However, in the words of Ozzy, they had never been tighter on an album. The reckless drug use coupled with the constant fear and anxiety of getting caught and arrested led to a really deep and emotional album that had a ton of classics.
LTJ Bukem
4/5
super chill and fun dnb. i really liked this album for background music
Beck
3/5
Beck's highest charting album that included "E-Pro" and "Girl" incorporated alternative rock and hip-hop with sampling and psychedelia into a fun album.
James Brown
5/5
tell you what - this album tells you just how popular James Brown was with the ladies. The level of crowd noise on this album mixed with Brown's sultry ballads combined with beautiful screeches make this album unbelievable.
The Velvet Underground
5/5
[PREVIOUSLY REVIEWED] - this album would be considered avante-garde today, let alone in the 60s. Unsettling juxtaposition of the musical elements with the lyrical albums that has a wide range of sonic influences from folk to soft rock. Unbelievably creative.
The Verve
4/5
this alt/psychedelic rock album from the Verve, a contemporary of Oasis, followed a contentious recording period with a number of famous stories that resulted in a distinctly UK-sounding alt rock album that incorporates some psychedelic soul sampling and creates for a full yet floaty rock album that is very clearly 90s, but in a good way.
Pere Ubu
4/5
this might be one of the most discordant albums i've ever heard - it stretches from loud raucous guitar and vocals that sounds almost like mewithoutyou to intensely slowed down psychedelic dub music with discordant noises and polyrhythmic overlapping percussive elements.
Sigur Rós
5/5
a beautiful epic that combines sigur ros hopelandic lyrics with soaring and emotional post rock that soars and flies into emotional spaces you didn't know you could feel.
Sam Cooke
4/5
such an enjoyable and fun live album with big band, early funk influences, and just an overall energetic vibe!
Brian Eno
3/5
Brian Eno's first solo album that starts to combine his avant-garde composing style with elements of his future ambient and atmospheric compositions.