they say that art disturbs the comfortable and comforts the disturbed. an album that would make zappa proud, no doubt. dissonant, alien, surreal, anxious... a majority of the songs seem less like songs and more like cries for help. a few decent tracks like the one i've picked make you feel like you're in a demented moshpit, but a giant majority are just... weird.

a deeply rooted industrial album, almost like a massive rusty factory came alive and suddenly made music for the masses. it's almost liminal in a lot of aspects. ghastly hits of metal objects, prophetic lyrics... it's groundbreaking above all else.

light pop music that's easy to listen to. this is a band that's trying to find their way when it comes to the musical world, and their discography, including this album is a good example of that. with songs of family, heartbreak and nostalgia, the vocal and lyrical content are pretty good. the production value makes it seem like a lounge or muzak album, and not necessarily the good kind; it has a "fake" sound that maybe sophisti-pop tracks had at the time, especially with the drum machine usage. it's probably the kind of music you'd hear in the waiting room at a dentist. if you like sappy and somber ballads you miiiight enjoy this album? it's got potential, but it mostly falls flat for me.

another little world endeavor like duck rock, and i'm being really honest with you? this one is better. even if there's a decent amount of it that's almost... intelligent slam poetry? that may be a weird description. there's a fair amount of sung but also a fair amount of really good beats over... sonnet-level spoken word. it's certainly good in its own right, but, at least for my first listen i was more stunned than interested in it,, there's plenty to like though! a lot of producing techniques are AMAZING.

prototype electronic techno goodness. in the 1970s, this is what the future could've sounded like. vocoded vocals, space-age zaps and beeps, driving sweeps, pads, and wide analog drones... this album is quite the trip. the main track is about a road trip.

starting off with probably the happiest, possibly SILLIEST funk album ever produced. the sort of collection where you can vividly imagine the group smiling and enjoying every last groove being dropped. bootsy took me on a trip straight to funkytown and i'm still high from the glitz and glamor. i listened to this shit normally, imagine listening to this shit when you're high. put on your seatbelts, it's gonna be a bumpy, exciting ride. there's a track in here called "promentalshitbackwashpsychosis enema squad (the doo doo chasers)". they don't give a damn and i am here for every last second.

david bowie is certainly a pioneer when it comes to his gritty and sometimes spacey rock tracks, and i definitely think he's up there with one of the greats. however as innovative and as probably influential this album is, it's not as good as i thought it would be. the first tracks had a promising start with more of the rock flavorings, but the second half of otherworldly ambience is... i mean i suppose it's nice, but really it's nothing too worth of note i feel like. and it's a real shame.

imaginative. loose. resonate. this is a performance that needs to be heard to be believed. jarrett lays resonating foundations that build upon themselves to create wonderfully creative and engaging solos. this collection of only four tracks would be perfect for studying or creating all sorts of outlines or sketches... i would give it a perfect 5 if i could, but as great as it is, it's not something i would imagine residing in a spot in my collection, or at least not yet. maybe a relisten is in order. also jarrett's occasionally grunts and exclamations. that's something! hell, maybe i'd do the same if i was that skilled at the piano and making improvisations as i go.

time to take your shirt off, let your hair flow loose and mosh like a rabid creature while you shred the gnar. this album is VERY punk. not just extreme punk, but TOTALLY X-TREEEEEEME punk music. a mostly solid collection of pumping, punchy tracks that'll make you feel like a teenage boy who spent his birthday money on vans kicks and blind skateboards.

wow. this was.... maybe i'm tired. maybe it's something else but i did not... feel this album. as much as i should. the scratchy vocals, the distorted guitars... this is a certain level of the genre that unfortunately i just don't understand fully. i wish i could tell you further than that, it's just not for me at all. is this a good album? i would say that yes, it is. it just has a sound that i personally do not care for. if you like artsy indie tracks with a deep grimy sound, you'll be a fan!

now THIS is an indie vibe that's considerably better than yesterday's listen. emotion-filled tracks with moving guitar strumming, natural acoustic drums, occasional orchestral samples and lyrics filled with a great amount of sentimental value and overall warm, although sometimes sad look back at a past time. if this album wasn't an album, it would be a long, yet pleasant drive across the north, ending the journey at your grandma's old trailer home.

what a good listen!! this collection is a prime example of the turning point in music trends between the very late 60s and early 70s. every last song is wonderfully played out, allowing you to really take a nice little gander at the colorful and dare i say sunshiny side of music around this time. absolutely brilliant.

led. freakin. zeppelin. his name alone should already prepare you for what's to come in this collection. boy do i feel that... that edge, that wonderfully slammin' true hard rock sound that persists within the whole album... absolutely a great variety of stuff that'll get you interested.

this album was most likely suggested to be played on the big day, which i guess we're a little behind one. anyways... it's fine. it's vintage christmas music, typical campy pop from that era. the vocal performances are actually pretty alright! there's just only so much i can say about a woman beltin frosty the snowman.

this album by peter frampton is... uuuuugh this is good, really really good. something about the energy of the crowd, the clear-as-day instrumentals sweeping in, and peter's voice... if you close your eyes are really allow yourself to become one with the audio, i swear you feel like you're actually there. i love this. i love this with every fiber of my being.

hell yeah love me some new wave, british new wave especially has a style all on its own, and i can feel it with most every track. even as a new wave fan myself this is a band i don't recognize, but after giving it a shot i very much enjoyed it. the lyrics especially are some of the most intriguing parts, some stuff that sounds simple ends up being quite profound. what the album sort of lacks in length, only about 35 minutes or so, makes up for in its creative value and relatability i feel. give this one a shot if you're looking for something smooth and moody.

this is only a small sample of ella's entire collection of recordings done of the gershwin songbook, or the great american songbook, a collection of, you guessed it, american written tracks from a century ago. this "best of" album is more than enough to show me just how talented and vocally beautiful ella fitzgerald is, every track is so pleasant to the ears... ella could literally sing some of the vilest darkest heavy metal tracks and she'll sing it in such a way that'll make you curl up in bed and daydream.

13 is an unlucky number, and it appears that this day is probably the most... mixed reaction thus far. fats i've read is a great pianist, and his voice has a real nice tone and twang; i truly do feel like he could make some awesome stuff if he really wanted to. but unfortunately, this album is just not one of those great ones. typical typical typical rock from this time. half the songs sound the same to me. it's just... this isn't one i would recommend.

talk about a cool vibe to kick off the new year. this album is such a good example of some of that real early rock that set the foundation for many more artists, bands, and fans that would come along the line. this is nitty-gritty OG rock... or perhaps punk in its infancy, and man is it a good listen. yes, these guys did the whole revolutionary war getup. i love that.

just like if someone says they don't like the cure, they're lying, the same thing goes for the smiths. absolute peak. every bassline, every hazy guitar riff, every last word sung by morrissey, it all builds right up to create a wonderful set of tracks for your best and your worst days. other members in my family have a certain fondness for the group and i just have to agree with their thoughts.

out there is an understatement when it comes to this album. holy moly. if i were to give a good summary of this stuff? a very wacky trek around the world. we're going to africa we're going to mexico we're going to america we're going where?? this album was actually not mainly written by this malcolm mclaren guy, but rather this is believed to be the very first album by the art of noise, crazy experimental synths, sample-flipping and all. being their first ever album, you can immediately hear their style being established, and while charming it's a little rough, but nothing too bad!

you know what really stinks? listening to albums and you legit have nothing noteworthy to say about it. it's got a real original vibe i would say, like if the beatles were new wave. basically. but i really couldn't give you any... thoughts about this album at all, it just exists. it's just there. that album art is real interesting though.

now this is an album i can get behind. i absolutely adore supertramp, between them and electric light orchestra they have SUCH a full and almost healing nature to their songs; every track literally makes you feel like you're cloud hopping and skydiving gracefully back down to earth. breakfast in america is probably the more iconic album, but that's not to say this earlier venture isn't downright incredible.

rock on babyyyy!! eddie, wherever you are i hope you know that your crazy ear-shattering guitar solos will echo onward throughout the universe for a millennia. if we were to talk about definitive metal albums that changed the world, holy damn this may be that album. please give this one a listen!

now normally i'm not the kind of guy who listens to country, but this ain't your normal country album. usually i grow tired and miserable over the more mainstream genres of country but this is a real... true country vibe that somehow works. i feel like i'm in a trailer park smoking a cigarette. a generally solid and lengthy collection of bassy, throaty vocals, classy sampling goodness, lamentful atmospheres and really artistic compositions.

thought-provoking. wonderfully written. downright... relaxing. damn, half the songs featured here i listened to with my eyes closed, just trying to set a scene with each track. imagining myself sitting in a rusty carriage with neil at the other side, playing his guitar and i'm genuinely just holding my heart and nodding along. i can't say anything else, other than i feel... i feel like this album is so pretty it'll make you tear up. i didn't tear up but i almost wanted to.

sir elton john is up there with a few select musicians that are unapologetically original and inspiring to me. the kind of musicians where you get down on your knees and have a revelation as soon as they start playing the piano. and this album. pure. audio. orgasm. there's a reason why this album specifically is said to be the best one elton has ever written. the man is a composing god, if bach or mozart witnessed a live concert by elton they would scream, cheer and beg for more. gay people sure know how to make music. seriously. some of the best ever musicians are gay dudes. elton john. freddie mercury. george michael. i worship the ground they walk on.

this website really seems to like showing me glam often, not that i mind! it's really interesting hearing true glam; to an outsider i feel like the genre makes people think of shit like twisted sister... when really the actual style of the genre is much more... artistic, diverse, gritty and brash. this album is smooth and bumpy at the same time, some really good rock tracks that i feel like a lot of people, especially newcomers would enjoy if they took some time to themselves. nothing too complicated, nothing too confusing... just juicy, fuzzy, invigorating rockkkkkk.

we've reached yet another album where i unfortunately don't have a lot to say on. the production value is great, the thompson's voices (especially linda's) are easy on the ears, but while there's a few songs that stand out to me, most of the songs i honestly didn't bat an eye to. i don't know why, just another one of those albums where i'm not feeling it too much. the few songs that are good, they're REALLY good, especially the one i've chosen as my fave.

holy blues. half of it is some REALLY gritty americana blues, tom's INCREDIBLY deep and throaty voice compliments the sleazy rough sound the accompaniment has, and another half is some somber light chamber stuff, which I favor. there's a lot of merit in this album, with tom giving his thoughts and experiences about what it can be life to live in this strange forsaken place we call earth... despite his unique voice and meaningful songs it's just another collection that isn't really for me.

another neil young album! i really liked the first one i listened to, and surprise surprise i like this one too. compared to the sometimes melancholy feel of the first one, this one feels, while not OVERLY cheerful just a tad more positive in terms of mood, swapping that pre-grunge sound for more of the humble and hunky-dory country... according to an interview it's a bit calmer due to neil unfortunately hurting his back; he couldn't stand up and perform during that time. very glad he was able to pull through and still make some beautiful songs despite his condition.

yeah, honestly i really liked listening to this! definitely an album that's ahead of its time, being released in the 1970s but having a sound that's commonly associated with 1980s alt rock, trippy synths, drums reverberated to hell, and voices so crackly and gothic you can picture their pure black eyeshadow and lipstick. i am flat out embracing this vibe. it is a part of me.

my god, now this is an album i feel like is worth talking about for hours. this is not an album, this is a journey across the land. what a listen. i absolutely adore every track; just listening to those guitars for a millisecond makes me instantly spellbound, enchanted. i am here and i am happy to listen to every bit of joni's life and the clear-as-day imagery she expresses in every single line. there's certain albums that i've just... i've never heard in my life and after hearing this, i can safely say that this entry is one that has changed my life forever. it's so gorgeous.

humorous, breezy and uber-jazzy. the late and really great amy winehouse's debut album is a spectacle of trip-hop jazzy beatflips, sexy, blunt and honest lyrics, and a REALLY bold and romantic atmosphere all mesh together and make a truly great soul album that i can't get tired of. it's really a shame her life ended the way it had to, but i'm blessed to have listened to her works.

today we have quite the chilled-out album on our hands, every track mellow, mild, and really really lazyyyyyy, like you're on a boat or lounging in a chair on a porch. quite a number of good tracks here and there, especially the one i've chosen as my favorite, but i can't say this entire album is full of notable ones. where it does shine though, it certainly does. i hear there's better out there when it comes to ol' clapton. maybe there's more to come, we'll see!

another little world endeavor like duck rock, and i'm being really honest with you? this one is better. even if there's a decent amount of it that's almost... intelligent slam poetry? that may be a weird description. there's a fair amount of sung but also a fair amount of really good beats over... sonnet-level spoken word. it's certainly good in its own right, but, at least for my first listen i was more stunned than interested in it,, there's plenty to like though! a lot of producing techniques are AMAZING.

venturing right into our first actual hip hop album and this one is actually pretty good i would say! i know there's at least a number of people who aren't into the vulgarity and sometimes shocking material in terms of rhymes, but if you realllllly have an open ear like i am you'll hear all sorts of life experiences and really cool wordplay; even for something like gangsta rap, which subject material tends to lean towards at least a few common topics... probably the whitest white guy take on that but am i wrong? like past albums, not every track is a winner, but the ones that win certainly win. also i'm LOSING my mind with these beats. SO good.

yet another group that pretty much defined the genre in such a way that they should be considered the eternal kings. perfect headbangin, toe-tappin, and adrenaline packin heavy metal music. metal so unbelievably good it's scary.

continuing on our metal kick, yet ANOTHER hall-of-famer group! gosh... while last night's listen, i grew a mohawk, tonight it's swapped with a lush and volumized blonde set of hair. despite the big glam rock energy that persists throughout, the blues influence also has a heavy positive factor in making this album memorable. steven tyler's energetic voice is just the icing on the cake, and some of the lyrics dive a bit into heavy material that's worth civil discussion.

this indie pop album has its fans; apparently one of the tracks was used as menu music for fifa 18. can't really say i found it too interesting of a listen though, even with the often relaxing electronic beats and moderately interesting lyrical content. sorry, it's just not my thing.

music for the oldest of oldheads, full of soul, melody and wit. leave it to ray charles to make a hefty collection full of mostly lovely tunes for swinging or cuddling. oh yeah, and my favorite track broke me. it's the track that plays in the ending scene of tezuka's metropolis (fantastic movie, perhaps someday soon it deserves to be streamed). and holy damn i didn't expect it. not only did i think of that but of course i thought about myself and my own relationship... it's. it's a lot. i wailed like a fucking baby.

oh boy. this album is mostly... irritating. lame uninspired progs, songs that sound so similar you wonder if the player is skipping, ear-bleeding mastering. speaking of ear-bleeding this singer. whoever he is. he looooooves to just hold that microphone really close and SCREECH. like he's SCREAMING into that mic. every single song he does it. UWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUGHHH!! is it that necessary?

very smooth, very chic. the romantic strings and the passionate accordion hits compliment the beats greatly. greatly classy instrumental flips all throughout, mixing the beauty and grace of the spanish tango with uber-hip electronic sounds and drums makes for a nice album i'd say. certain tracks almost have a housey vibe to them.

enough!! enough!! enough with the 12-bar blues prog!! i've counted at least 6 or 7 songs that had it and it's genuinely pissing me off!! jfc what did you guys do, smoke a blunt, find that progression and think "HOLY SHIT WE COULD MAKE AN ENTIRE ALBUM OUT OF THIS"? the lord taught you that?? the whole aesthetic is so cool but it's just been taken down so much by the lack of compositional value.

this is true country music. my mom tells me how lame johnny cash is but i tell her time and time again, him, along with the likes of dolly parton and willie nelson are the true faces of country music. in johnny's case he tells all sorts of stories about his time as a criminal, and he has plenty to tell. despite the genuine stories and interaction with the audience, unfortunately i can only really call this album fine... even as someone that calls this type of country good, for me it's only alright.

they say that art disturbs the comfortable and comforts the disturbed. an album that would make zappa proud, no doubt. dissonant, alien, surreal, anxious... a majority of the songs seem less like songs and more like cries for help. a few decent tracks like the one i've picked make you feel like you're in a demented moshpit, but a giant majority are just... weird.

an album that feels like it came from a dream. soothing, distorted and full of emotion... really i listened to this and i felt like it really really resonated with my mind, body, and soul. in terms of how i'm feeling right now this album nails it to the wall. ughhhhhhh jesus christ on a motorbike.

out of the first three michael jackson albums produced by quincy jones, this is my personal favorite. michael's versatility in style and substance paired with quincy's uber-hard hitting and almost metallic instrumentals make this a fundamentally perfect album. every track, even the filler tracks are without any flaws. michael jackson truly will be remembered as the king of pop for now and forever.

listened to this whole thing while on a walk and i liked it a lot. it's giving james bond but if we tossed out the smooth tuxedo and replaced it with a rough leather jacket. rugged and rustic, this album has more than enough cool... i dunno, windy kinds of sounds, and i was pretty into it.

another power pop set that's more promising than my last listen when it comes to the type of music. energetic and fresh, many of these tracks are peppy and quite rockin'. it's just a generally nice piece of work that gets you nodding your head with the players, and i feel like that's really what the genre is all about. good stuff!

funky fresh hip hop for funky fresh individuals. big beats, vinyl flips and luscious lines from q-tip all meld together to create nothing short of a hip-hop masterpiece. the album's title makes perfect sense, this album does feel like a renaissance period when it comes to this kind of material.

posh, quirky, and still absolutely fresh sounding to this day. i've already known about the first track for ages and it's been getting plenty of replays in my spotify account. the rest of the album is just... genuinely solid, pop that feels both spunky and almost... regal. love you damonnnnn

personal stories, stories of heartbreak, relationships and growing up as a woman. it's pretty empowering, but its got that modern typical trap hip-hop flow and plenty of lyrics that are unsurprising at best, talking about money and her pussy at all. the money and pussy mentions aren't just bragging but even so i just... couldn't get into it too much.

some decently juicy earthy texy-mexy stuff. a lot of tracks are really really just... nice to listen to, humble, dainty and full of sounds straight from the edge of the border. some songs have lyrics but a big majority are instrumental.

snoop's debut album and quite the debut at that. this dude was only 19 years old!! and here he is laying some ultra smooth rhythmic rhymes that's perfect for bumpin at a party or blasting in your car. i ain't even high. completely sober! and yet i feel that buzzzzzz. this album is the shiz. nit.

a really vicious, feral, ragged punk album. this album reeks. like a well-used towel in a locker room. literally, if there was a word to describe this collection, it would be wet. alas between the reverberated drums, ringing guitar twangs and really... really peculiar vocal qualities, it doesn't really do much for a guy like me.

the 60s influence is strong in this album, initially i was a liiiittle skeptical after the first few listens but i soon grew to enjoy it! not just 60s pop energy, but i'm also feeling a little bit of ska here and there and i'm honestly quite happy with what i just heard.

warbly rock that stands out from the rest. pj has this... like i've said. this interesting, warbly voice that persists from start to finish. she kinda sings like bjork. at times. and it's pretty alright i guess! it's just... weird. some albums really hook me, some only reel me close, and some, like this one... it's at a standstill. good stuff but not my cup of tea too much.

i've always enjoyed nilsson's discography. a year or two ago i discovered his album "the point", a wonderfully dreamy rock pop album with an equally fantastic animated film containing a fantastic message. but alas we're not here to talk about that one. like that album, this album is absolutely equal when it comes to song quality and keeping my invested. his folksy instrumentation and his WONDERFUL tenor voice go hand in hand. it's half emotional half chill.

swingin' classic pop from sinatra. instrumentation is glitzy and glamorous, his voice sparkles like wine, and it's the ideal music for that time period when out and about, taking your partner by the hand and dancing in the moonlight. however, as with many albums around this era, there's a lot of tracks that are just... samey. it's nice sure but ol' hipster me wants variety. gimme a decent menu to peruse.

luscious impressionistic jazz music that makes you think. a seamless blend of groove, whimsy and chaos... only a few different tracks but containing very long lengths, jam packed of solos that just go on and on and on, keeping you engaged all the way through. this one's pretty good.

it's big, it's wide, it's... it's quite the sound, you literally feel like you're surfing the soundwaves. the grungy influences and the deep moody... sort of presentation makes for something i thought was pretty good while it lasted.

another album that has a nice vibe but every song is very very similar from one another, mainly the beats. i know i've said before there's a few albums that are like that but this is probably the clearest example of it which i've heard so far. you'll hear the same drum pattern again and again. plus many of the vocals i found more corny than groovy.... but those few tracks that break the cycle? good stuff. but overall it's only aiiiiiiight.

a really late 1970s new wave album that definitely inspired other bands in terms of sound, many people seem to say that japan's whole energy served as a heavy inspiration for duran duran's work especially. moody, mysterious, and sometimes synthy... most songs are pretty nice, really lets you relax your head on a pillow and be one with it all. those basslines are killer.

groovy and optimistic beats and teachings from the heart of nigeria. blissful and reflective lyrics that discuss life as it is. the drums awaken the soul, the voices of the choirs make you wanna sing along... this album is just fun. really really fun, just standing up and clapping along is the mood i get.

god, paul... i love everything you do. this album is just a small sample of his massive, massive musical library. progressive, colorful and just fantastic rock music with tracks for just about every occasion. this is album you really don't wanna pass by, no matter your age, musical taste, views, you just have to agree that this is a good one.

a VERY interesting ambient electronic album with lots of the worldly influences with SUPER deep grooves. this is an album you listen to in the shower at 3am. this is an album that would serve as the soundtrack for a really unheard of exploration action game with tank controls for the ps1.

yes is one of the main names when it comes to prog, you've most likely heard a few of their songs before, either on the radio, on tv, or... yes, the memes. this album definitely has some of the more unheard of songs that most casual listeners have yet to hear. this album, containing only 6 really long tracks is another solid contender in their library. i really can't say anything too complicated other than it's a worthy listen, and just taking some time out of your day to gander would be ideal.

eh. meh. bwah. *blows raspberry* this album is fine. early-era rebellious rock music from the original pioneers of that sound. i know that the rolling stones have done better than this though. much much better. it's not to say this album is bad, it's just serviceable.

very pretty little album. i really liked all the songs i heard. it's soft. it's quiet. it's... it's the musical equivalent of a lovely little garden. the guitars and the occasional strings really add to the experience i feel... straight music therapy, both happy and sad. this man went through a lot... they say he was the van gogh of music. it's unfortunate because you can hear that. in his voice.

another album that's just fine. just eh. i just didn't hear anything that's... that interesting. lyrics are fine. guitar chugs are, they're chuggin. at periods it sounds like the most... bored rock band i've ever heard. it's just. fine.

an early, early folk album, just a simple guy with a simple ol' guitar singing campfire stories to anyone and everyone. it has charm, but it's mostly simple in terms of what the songs are about and how they're played. i just can't be too harsh on it.

jefferson airplane are the kinds of bands that have... no attitude whatsoever, the opposite of any rebellious nature, edginess or anything of the sort. they have the peppiness of the archies but with less of the corny nature. mostly happy with the touch of sadness... this album is pretty good.

damn i didn't expect a dnb album here out of all places...! as someone who frequents the genre when i can i know that ltj is one of the greats. this album is a massive 2-disc collection full of juicy dnb from the era where it shined the most. crazy drumbreaks paired with atmospheric pads and weird samples... what more could you want? my only gripe is that these songs are wayyyyyy too long,, plus when you have 20 or so tracks, this makes for a huge huge album. if it was a little shorter i would rate it higher.

for those of you who like 90s grunge, this album is full of it. makes sense, as one of the founders for the band was courtney love, who was the wife of the late and great kurt cobain. this album is very... emotional. very... very enraged. literally one track she screams "FUUUUUUUCK YOUUUUUUU". and i fuck with that hard. sometimes you're angry at the world, at yourself... and this album is a good listen to when you're having those days. vulgar, honest, and really... really just full of pain.

a flavorful and groovy soul soundtrack. mayfield's melodic voice goes hand in hand with the super duper smooth instrumentation... like this is peak early 1970s soul, and it's so, so... good. like this isn't just smooth soul, this is SEXY soul music. will definitely be checking out more of this guy in the future!

another band i have never heard of until now and DAMN do they slap. seriously, my jaw was to the floor the moment the first track played, with really awesome keyboard accompaniments, super catchy lines, and a whole theme centered around the appreciation for life, then and now... this is absolutely an album i will be listening to again and again.

i'm sorry. i just don't care. it seems that before the mid to late 1960s, music was just so utterly plain. i'm growing a beard out here waiting for some action, and the action never comes, does it? buddy holly, i will not deny that you are literally the founder. the genius. probably the sole reason why rock exists. but even so. i'm not headbanging. i'm not dancing. those crickets sure are chirping.

yet another funky funk album that's on this massive list, and it's another that i really enjoyed listening. some of it love-makin' music, some of it smooth sailing and chillaxin' to the max...in. my descriptions suck, but this album is awesome. greatly written, greatly mastered. love it love it love it! funk me up daddy.

many people, me included believe that this album is probably one of the most iconic rock albums of the 21st century, a modern... blues album. very fuzzy, thumping and infectiously raw. i know you can already hear that iconic riff from seven nation army. lots of people can hear it. a great album with great stories to tell.

madonna's 7th studio album i think was the last of her great era. she's unfortunately past her prime now, or maybe I'm just saying that because i haven't heard enough? i dunno. madonna swaps her usual dance pop style for a really trippy and atmospheric techno new age sound, and she pretty much nails it. beautiful vocals and uniquely produced instrumentals that haven't aged a bit.

the heavy metal album to end all heavy metal albums. it's so extreme, so commanding in its often speedy guitar solos and booming, exploding drums. the kind of music that feels like it was written by not just metalheads, but the ancient gods of metal, zapping you with lightning and supercharging you into the night.

this one's alright! some pretty mellow indie rock tunes. but nothing else to it. i ended up taking a nap directly after listening to it... maybe it was because i was sleepy and the chilled out stuff only encouraged that.

big phatt beats that despite being loud are quite easy on the ears, super tight and super cool. even as a fan of the genre and these guys in general though, i can't say this is the best album i've heard from them, as most tracks stick out but there's a few scattered about that i couldn't care about as much. still though, if you're looking for expertly crafted big beat sounds, this is a good pick.

oh my god. this... okay this album gives me a headache. i don't like it very much. this is like... actual freeform. actual avantgarde jazz. drums pound at unimaginable tempos. saxophones squawk like a pair of birds. there's brief periods of stuff that i am able to follow but the big majority of this album is actually... i just didn't like it. it's not for me at all. i would say if you're an academic who's trying to get all they can when it comes to avant-garde jazz samplings, listen to it. but this album actually ruined my day.

an early new wave album with quite some merit to its name. lovely sets of songs with just the right amount of edge, spunk, and grace. lots of feel-good tracks. but that's about it. can't really say too much other than it's a nice little set of tunes

confusion. rage. anxiety. every lyric i hear in this classic album is just so goddamn resonating with a guy like myself. jesus i can feel it down to my bones. this album is great. first-time listeners will be quick to call it angsty "emo" music but when you're going through plenty... this is an album that really expresses all that anguish and turmoil.

pretty mellow classic reggae music. super slow tempo tracks that'll have you close your eyes and just nod along to. plenty of good messages too... but it's just another album i've listened to and can't write home too much about.

this album was pretty good! with the mixture of guitars and sweepin strings, it makes for a... i dunno, this album feels magical in a way. lots of these songs make me feel like suddenly i've slipped and i'm floating in the air. it happens sporadically.

this... thissssssss. a pretty great example of true classic heavy metal. ozzy is the king of this sort of thing. his voice haunts you in all the right ways. those slick riffs are jawdropping. if this is how metal STARTED, then clearly only things are going to get better from here. all hail the prince of darkness.

another really early new wavy dreamy album on our list. i kinda zoned out and just let the music control me in this instance. cool cool cool. album for dancing at a club, album for sitting on the toilet at 3am.

another rolling stones album on this list, huh. it's definitely got much more of a bluesy sound compared to the last one i listened to, like i can definitely hear it. this album is better than the last one i heard but it's just a sound that doesn't make me bat my eye too much. i don't know why, especially with a band like this.

an enjoyable and lively synthpop album. there's a good amount of funk and i would say maybe disco influence scattered here and there. it starts off relatively on the pop side and then goes a little deep with the synthesizer and drum machine experimentation later on. this was definitely around that era of early 80s business capitalism... rebel stuff mixed in with current sociopolitical issues around that time. it's rad.

now normally i would rate this a little bit lower as i am still not too keen of this genre, but where this album shines is the fact that it's live. and it's not just a normal live album, both cooke himself and the roars of the crowd breathe so much life into this album. the way he engages with the crowd and everything, if i was there in person i would be clapping and singing along too.

some really good mostly high-energy rock-ish pop-ish goodness. great lyrics, and super innovative sounds. probably one of the best jangle pop albums i've heard in this collection thus far. can't think of much else to say.

a wonderfully animated song set that serves as a little memoir of bowie's alter ego. with spacey psychedelic runs and lyrics that literally make you zone out, it's a nice musical journey. this is the bowie i know, unique and sometimes surreal but no pure noise.

this is a great album. songs of recollection and existence... it's beautiful, emotional and melancholic from start to finish. it's done in such a way like no other. this mellowed out rock is just sublime, really makes you think. not sure if i'm feeling a perfect five but a four will suffice.

this is real old school breakdance hip hop. seriously this is the kind of music where there's two teams composed of young men in flashy streetwear flipping and spinning at one another for hours on end. one may be initially turned off by the slightly corny plinky-plonky synth arps but this album is full of classic bombastic programmed beats and crazy stabs.

another indie album i tried to get into but i couldn't get into that much. super-duper sleazy. i feel like i've used that word a few times in the reviews i've done but i don't know any other word to describe it. it's a very... tired sounding album. it's another day where i appreciate the vibe but it just doesn't click. oh well.

i've listened to arctic monkeys most recent-ish albums, this album from earlier in their discography is a lot more uptempo and louder than those. very great example of fresh punk that has inspirations from the rebellious and sometimes rockabilly aspects of the past while also bringing something new to the table. alex turner. what a voice

day 96 —————— aladdin sane david bowie 1973 hard rock, glam rock yet another bowie album! probably the PRETTIEST bowie album i've heard out of the bunch. not only is his songwriting at its peak around this point, i also have to give props to the pianist, mike garson. seriously there's so much life in this album and those amazing flourishes make you feel like you're in heaven.

ahead of its time is the first thought i can give this album. seriously, with some of the processed effects i'm hearing... this was the 1960s! it's very surprising. an interesting amalgamation of tropical and surreal, blending all sorts of genre influences from north america, south america and europe. brilliantly odd. a treat of an album.

prototype electronic techno goodness. in the 1970s, this is what the future could've sounded like. vocoded vocals, space-age zaps and beeps, driving sweeps, pads, and wide analog drones... this album is quite the trip. the main track is about a road trip.

this album is like the abbey road of prog rock. since it's initial release people cannot and will not stop talking about how amazing it is. this album's first side starts like a beautiful nightmare and the second shifts into a very colorful dream. it's almost perfect if not completely perfect in terms of how it's written and played. probably the best usage of a mellotron i've ever heard too.

this album is fascinating in the sense that... i've listened to plenty of fusion albums before but this feels more like... a collage of different genres. is it pop? is it rock? is it electronic? is it indie? it's a very interesting little hodgepodge of sound. a good hodgepodge! i really like how some of the tracks start off in one way then end off sounding completely different.

catchy and sophisticated unremitting bossa-pop from another plane of existence. not everyone would be too keen on the soundscapes that this band lays upon listeners but i am absolutely obsessed with them. if i saw them live i think i would die.

day 102 —————— we are family sister sledge 1979 disco, r&b, soul very sexy, glamorous and confident disco music. every single track oozes positivity; this is an album that'll cheer you up when you're down. some tracks are faster, some tracks are slower... but at the end of the day the entire sound, the entire picture is consistently wonderful to listen to.

utterly amazing in every single aspect. elo is yet another band that i've adored for years, blending in poppy melodic hooks and grooves with dramatic and dreamy orchestral sounds, especially strings. i love their discography and i love this album because it's like a big ray of sunlight in the darkness. it's classy, it's fun, it's so engaging in every aspect. don't let it pass you by.

another rock and roll set with not too much to say. songs are alright all around and it's got a rough ol' sound to it for the most part, but it's another case of either the genre isn't for me or it's the same set of chords again and again. there's some talented songwriters here though.

a very beautiful soft folk album. compared to vega's more experimental ventures later in her discography, her debut is somber, sweet, and just... it's a very relaxing album for a rainy day. listening to the album made me just long for better days.

oh, eminem... it feels unsurprising for me to like this album as i'm a white guy but hey, i liked it and i think that's all that matters. eminem can be very vulgar and VERY shocking when it comes to the material he raps about, so if you can't handle that sort of subject material i would highly suggest staying away. this album isn't just mindless shock value fodder though, it's full of real life experiences and frustrations from his own point of view, growing up and seeing the harsh realities of life and dealing with rabid fans.

jaunty funky latin rock with a strong progressive structure throughout its runtime. some tracks are slow and steady, others get so unbelievably epic you'll be on the edge of your seat. dig those crazy congas.

typical classic country music. sentimental, simple and decently personal. some tracks are perfect for bootin' and scootin'. but i genuinely... i just don't like this genre that much. i'm sorry, i just don't. end of story.

definitely one of the more experimental albums from radiohead for sure, swapping their usual grunge sound with quirky atmospheric futuristic tracks, some pretty firm and industrial while others totally ambient. it's a nice change of pace compared to their usual stuff. there's still plenty of the rock sound if you're looking for it.

a great album from a great songwriter. i'm not at all surprised peter gabriel worked with the likes of phil collins... both are just incredibly talented men who have made countless amazing tracks. this album in particular has a sound all its own, gated drums, soft keys and... xylophones?

more old country music from way back when. very sentimental and sad compared to the other stuff i've listened to? wow. this guy has a really good voice, and when you're sad, you listen to sad music. mostly sad love songs. normally i'm not too fond of country but this album was actually alright. that's rare.

the whole situation between john and ono was... nuts. there's certainly no denying that john's music was equally such. really emotional and psychological stuff. it's absolutely quite the album but it's definitely not the most comfortable i've felt. wow what the fuck.

badass early 80s metal music. rough, tough, and straight up thrashin'. music to listen to when you're riding your big harley davidson across the highway with a cigar and sunglasses. oh yeah brother.

this album is alright i suppose. it's got the typical sort of sound that one would expect from a rock album of this era; even as it's labeled as psychedelic rock it's more of the slightly hazy sort of rock that maybe the beach boys would do? it's got some nice foundations and a VERY long 17 minute track to boot but... yeah i dunno. it's fine. i like the drums and the panning effects.

original motown flava. a lot more slow and steady compared to the other funk/soul albums i've listened to thus far. many of the albums were peak getting down on the floor and shuffling but this one is a lot of slow dance stuff. there's a dance hit or two in here though!

the musical talents run through the jackson blood. not just michael, but her sister too. my god. imaginative catchy new jack swing, but don't get too distracted by the amazing beats, plenty of lyrics about the human condition and the issues of the world today, the good, bad, and ugly. ah who am i kidding the music itselfffff it's so good not to ignore. few artists actually know how to do the new jack stuff right.

what is it with the 1970s and their pretty rock songs? this album is so pretty. i love every track. i just... i can't put it to words. i just could put this stuff on, lean my head back and relax. it's just so pleasant from beginning to end. a talented singer and pianist, that's for sure.

slow bumpin' ragga hop. the instrumentals are pretty great and niomi's flow is marvelous, but there's a lot of emotional subject matter that makes these songs feel like they're dragging you down a bit. not at all downplaying the probably meaningful material, it's just i'm a positive guy and i like hearing positive stuff, you know?

holy damn. a downward spiral is right, this whole album is pretty much the audio concept of someone experiencing just that. from denial to anger to lust to... completely hitting it rock bottom, accepting you're stuck in a big ol' pit. dark subject matter aside it's an AWESOME rock album with the craziest shreds and beats you've ever heard. like running nails against a chalkboard in the best way possible.

thank goodness the world never ended in '99. this is a very funky early synth pop album, absolutely fabulous vocals, an almost poetic and SEXY atmosphere and one-of-a-kind drum machine experiments make prince's songs really stand out among the rest. so good.

wow, this album is pretty heavy. a big theme of this album is reflecting on your life and leaving a legacy... there's a lot of pondering in these tracks and a big part of the lyrics i heavily relate to. i don't know what will happen. and every day i think about a lot of things about my life... i might not get the answer but at least i have music like this that expresses these feelings. i initially wasn't too interested in this album but as time went on? wow.

apparently this is one of the first rock operas ever made, and it's pretty solid. while it definitely has the standard sound that's usually heard on these types of albums from this era it does it in a really good way. there's good psychedelic and then there's the really pretentious stuff and thankfully this is the former. some of the percussion lines are killer.

after taking hallucinogens shortly after expressing dissatisfaction with their previous discography, the beatles would go on a crazy musical journey like no other. this album is a delightful trip from beginning to end. happy, sad, dreamy, fucking nightmare inducing. all of these and more are packed in this undeniably iconic beatles album. truly the epitome of honest and true psychedelia that'll stand the test of time.

peak 2000s hip hop. another kind of album that'll make you want to blast it in your car driving down the avenue. every single track, you WILL bump your head. you will get yourself comfortable and bump the FUCK out of this song. perfect club music honestly.

very chilled out rock. it's mostly mellow but steadily goes into grunge territory. keeps you very interested with what's going on throughout. is it prog? maybe not, but it's very close to it in more ways than one i feel. shame this album was the only one he did.

yet another band i haven't heard of til now with an INSANELY great sound. what happens when you take a typical prog band and take it all the way to the bottom of the states? you get an incredibly sounding collection of impeccable moving and windy rock songs, that's what. this is like... canyon prog. desert prog. dusty prog. does that make sense?

pearl jam babyyyyyyy. this debut album is absolutely amazing. it's passionate, it's very charged and just full of that... i dunno it's a staple of grunge. say what you will about nirvana. nirvana's great, amazing even, but don't you dare sleep on pearl jam.

dolly is no doubt the most graceful country singer-songwriter out there, as someone who doesn't really like the genre too much. this album is pretty fine! mostly soft, slow and sentimental. the songs are great, don't get me wrong. it's just a little too... i dunno. a little religious, a little... just... downcast in a way. i'm still giving it a 4 because it's pleasant sounding.

another band i hold dear to my heart. these guys have been making music for 50 years!! 50!! can you imagine that? they still make stuff today! an incredibly bonkers and theatrical rock album. it's very demented, it's very over the top, and it's right up my alley. these guy's voices are very operatic and i feel like you don't hear that very often in art rock from this era? it's great. it's giving kimonos with powdered wigs.

many people know this guy, me included for trout mask replica, a really infamous avant-garde/outsider music album. this one is definitely a lot more cohesive, really mellowed out yet really trippy rock. early panning experiments. is that a thermin?

pretty nice, mostly soft alt rock love songs. it's quite heavy with the acoustic guitars and it has a SUPER romantic, almost impressionistic vibe to it all. lots of the songs make you want to hold hands with your partner. i feel like if the cure was a little less new wave/punk, it would be these guys.

another beatles album. a mixture of original tracks and covers, including some songs that were pretty popular during that time. while it did sound nice, and those panning techniques are ever-present, this is probably only a four star for me just because this album is more of their earlier sappy love song ventures. beatles in their PRIME beginnings. yeah yeah yeah yeah baby!

absolutely gorgeous and breezy bossa sounds. many tracks just feel like the wind is blowing through your hair as you lounge in the summer sun with a tropical fruit drink in hand. this album's a lot of fun especially if you like your bossa samba smooth dancin' tracks.

seriously a lot of these beats i listen to i feel like is missing from modern-day hip hop music. low-key and deep, this is a collection of really smooth really poetic hip hop that talks about family, prejudice and emotion. both the words and the music whisk you away... i dunno i liked it!

a beautiful classic jazz album and live performance. sarah's soulful and resonant voice paired with her bubbly personality keeps the audience, me included interested in her act all the way through. this was recorded in the 1950s but the quality is absolutely phenomenal for this time; makes you feel like you're there.

a morrissey album, similar sound to previous stuff i've listened to both on this list and before i even started. this album is a lot slower, moodier, and softer than his earlier tracks. still though it's much of the same! lots of lesser known songs here and there.

slightly dreamy, overall very smooth sailin' art rock i would say. lots of the tracks are very artistically driven but keep the tone considerably quiet and cool all the way through. while it didn't stick out TOO much to me, it had a very nice sound and i got in the zone a bit when i listened to it.

day 138 ----------------- surfer rosa pixies 1988 alternative rock, grunge the pixies' debut album is pretty typical grunge, almost... gothic grunge at points. i would say it starts like how edgar allen poe would write if he was in a punk band and it gets so bonkers later on. billingual thrash... sonnets. it was pretty solid, but the lyrics sometimes fall flat. lots of... bones and body talk? okay i guess. that album art ROCKS.

blues-ish rock with a humble, almost country influence. not really much to say about this one, besides the warm instrumentals and the vocals, nothing really spoke out to me. but it's nice. it's a nice little album, like a road trip album. driving out to the woods and letting the wind blow you in your face. also this album's pretty short. it does what it sets out to do and i think that's good enough for me.

i've only really listened to u2's stuff that came out in the late 90s and 2000s, so this was very new to me. this album is fantastic. very lovely dance punk with strong meaning and merit. something about the almost... echoey ghastly... REALLY punchy mastering makes it for me i feel. great listen. really relatable tracks too, some about the unfortunate reality of the world.

eh... not feeling this one too much. distorted, painful... and yep, pretty noisy noise rock. it feels like your ears are scrubbed with a cheese grater. there's the select few tracks that are quieter, but it's just so... wow. wow. there's only so much i can say about a song that goes "#_($+$+_(_+__-+$+::++)]]]BLOODBLOODBLOOD+&+_4++!!-_" some of the beats are creative i'll admit!

this album was pretty good! i really like me some relaxing rock to soothe the soul. there's a few ballads and a few songs that just rock you till you're nice and buried in your chair. i feel like i'm on a boat. maybe that's why they call it yacht rock?

out of all the folk albums i've listened to thus far, this one is REALLY on the folk side, like straight from the mountains folk. with the calling vocals that almost sound like a shepherd calling its flock, occasional fiddles and colorful guitar strums, this album is the... well... the straight up folkiest i've heard in a good while.

we can never get enough pixies, can we? these guys are... really they're good but i just can't fully get into the genre a lot of the time. i don't know why, i don't know how. that's not to say this album isn't good. it's great! very grungy, a lot of tracks are almost hypnotic in nature, especially with those guitars. certain tracks stand out among the rest. this is the best pixies album i think i've heard out of this list.

i feel like such a pretentious hipster for saying all the time "I LOVE PROG ROCK I LOVE PROG ROCK" but it's so true. when the first track is a gigantic 20 minute rock symphony you already know it's going to be the album of the year.

i'll be real i think the only song i've heard from her is royals. and team. this was an interesting little dive into her discography, i'll say that much. lots of songs are melancholy, plenty of material about relationships that could've gone better. it's a very... sleepy album. it's eh.

really good beats here, the usage of classic action film/TV samples and absolutely KILLER drum loops create a nice consistent energy throughout. so many subgenres i'm learning about, all these different areas of the US each having their own style of hip hop...

delightfully creative and quirky tracks, melodic classic rock so BOOMING it'll make your speakers weep in joy. an actual exhibition of sound that you really really wouldn't want to miss out on listening to. this album is... colorful. absolutely brilliant.

REALLY hard-hitting 80s rap rock that's either so unbelievably loud you'll thrash your head like a maniac or you'll cackle at how silly it is, it's both. seriously if they ain't shoutin' some sick bars they're just having a lot of fun. the way the beastie boys rap is like a whole bunch of sarcastic middle school skater boys and i love it.

a distinct and very synthy rock album that while very much sounding like from the time, has a fresh and creative energy i've never ever heard, plus really romantic, almost poetic and... kinda astonishing religious references. this one's a diamond in the vast rough of lesser known 80s alt bands. it's very... dare i say, infectious.

really old country music. the brothers really know how to harmonize well, and i do like the strummin' techniques, but really it's just a genre that is not made for me. from the subject material to the sound, it is literal textbook country music. i feel bad for rating it this low because it's sincere. but even so...

all of the unplugged performances are legendary, and this one is no exception. seriously this performance is historical. kurt's iconic tracks get a relaxing, and... well, acoustic take live on MTV's unplugged. the significance paired with every single song being so naturally great in terms of how it's played... it's the kind of live performance where you couldn't believe it was live.

more of that good classic soul to keep the mind, body and... well, soul in check. this one only has a few really lengthy tracks. it's a really well produced album, i especially like the trippy wailin' guitars... but a lot of the songs end up being a little stagnant, just draaaaaaaagging for long periods of time. one of the tracks is more spoken word than sung.

a very... interesting album indeed. peculiar ambient soundscapes, strange dissonant instrument ensembles, a whole bunch of tracks that just make you go... huh? i'm sorry, this is like actually avant-garde. i can't deal with the squawking horns for that long. seriously, what? it starts decently enough though.

she's got a really good voice! it's not my genre still but this time around it's at least pleasant to listen to. it just really puts it into perspective i feel, songwriting techniques in country pop music didn't really change ever even today, there's a lot of songs i can imagine being written and produced, like... now. just take modern country music but literally have the exact song structure and you've got yourself pretty much a similar experience. very romantic.

later on in the beastie boys' discography, they eventually moved from simply guitar chugs and sound machines to smooth funky flipped breaks AND a live band. some of the hip hop beats are paired with fast thrash rock. it's still just as loud, in your face and WICKEDLY awesome.

this album i've certainly heard before, and it's fantastic. it's very emotional, it's very poetic in the sense that it deals with heartfelt tributes and somber... maybe not melancholic lyrics but very very bittersweet and conscious ones about the realities of life. it's heavy to some. but it's great.

this one is pretty nice. generally soft rock this time. i wanna say there's a bit of a tribal, sometimes disco influence in a few of the tracks... it's a very quiet yet notable and animated album. obviously i prefer the more beat heavy songs when compared to the slowwww tracks.

soft and bluesy country music. this is the music you hear when you're out on the farm and looking at the stars with your hot wife as both of you sit on a truck. it's very nice sounding, but it's just more of the same country,, there's gotta be good country out there, come on...

straight up gangster rap. another one of those albums where it's pretty much the definition of the genre. it's very vulgar, a lot of the material is absolutely not for the average audiences. this is an album you really, REALLY wouldn't want your parents listening to and i mean it so strongly. is it still good? absolutely. scratchy boomin' beats, violent, and yet really catchy lyrics, and despite all the shock value, is objectively great and is a raw and true glimpse at gang culture during this time.

the cure is certainly a darker alternative rock group, and this album is probably the most gothic i've ever listened to in terms of that. it's haunting. the kind of music to listen to when you're wearing a top hat, cane, and ghastly pale makeup. it's solid all the way through, but sometimes it gets pretty morbid.

classy nightclub tracks. soulful vocals and whispered poetry paired with uber-clean beats and basslines. i had a generally good time listening to it all; i do enjoy some house and this one was one of the better dives. some tracks are better than others. i like the tracks that sound more like shit from streets of rage and less of the... positive choral psychedelia.

this album is sickkkk. moody little songs in a variety of fun little styles, certain songs having a tex mex vibe. it's very impactful and so playful in terms of composition that i just gotta rate it high.

at the height of arguably the most craziest time of the year, not just with the pandemic but also with the cultural divide leading up to protests, this album really embodies the empowering and undoubtedly unbreakable black spirit. it's very conscious and very low-key soul music.

songs with real stories, real experiences, and real merit. jennings recounts many of life's journeys, hurdles, and realities in a sweet and simple little collection of ditties. this guy is up there with johnny cash when it comes to gritty, tried and true country music. it's solid.

if you're looking for mambo, this album is certainly... a mambo album! it's very joyful and very groovy, unsurprisingly it IS the kind of music that you'd put on if you're dancing with yourself or with your lover. can't say too much else about it other than it's well produced and performed. everybody mamboooooo!!

eminem's second album release. very ruthless rap that's shocking, but also feels like parody. while some listeners would be quick to call it immature, i like that the guy doesn't take stuff seriously when it comes to how he throws down bars. it's like a slasher/snuff movie in audio form. not for everyone but it's a great one. seriously his humor gets FUCKED.

60s rock that serves as a good example of how experimentation paved the way for what's to come. varied yet consistently jangly and vivacious tunes with creative panning effects. despite having a sound that goes right along with other bands during this time, this album at least does it in a way in which i enjoyed. i like listening to songs where the bands sound like they're having fun you know?

hopeful, confident, romantic and god-conscious, this groovy soul album is straight from the heart, mind, and body. the first track is what most people know this album by, but the remaining tracks are something to listen to as well. a POWERFUL voice of a generation that nobody can match.

another joni mitchell album! i really really liked the last one i listened to. just like the last one, this one is VERY pretty when it comes to composition and writing, the perfect album to listen to when you're sitting in a patio and sipping some wine. emotional, relatable, and transcendent in time. what a great listen.

this album's pretty good for the most part. compared to some of the other indie rock albums i've listened to this one is a bit more lugubrious and spacey in nature. it's the perfect blend of depression and euphoria. it's equally moody, it just balances out. the orchestral sections are also creative.

this is almost... pop metal. it's very bold, brash... there's absolutely no doubt it's the loudest craziest metal you've heard but it's very uplifting and oozing with a certain kind of cheese that only the 80s could have. it's like if phil collins wrote rock. it's kickass.

a deeply rooted industrial album, almost like a massive rusty factory came alive and suddenly made music for the masses. it's almost liminal in a lot of aspects. ghastly hits of metal objects, prophetic lyrics... it's groundbreaking above all else.

arguably the greatest album that robert smith has ever put out in the cure's history. the lush and divine soundscapes transport every listener to a foggy garden behind a rickety house, full of wilted flowers. it's so utterly gloomy, but it's a picturesque sort of gloomy that resonates with a lot of people including myself. a truly artistic and impactful album.

this rock music is pretty noisy but i'm not sure i would call it noise rock exactly. it's very harsh, tinny, like if a band was stuck inside a cheese grater. it's distorted, it's fast, it's like a sludge but it's still got rhythm. albini's vocals are very stubborn and his lyrics are... pretty much the opposite of pop. it's very creative with how drum machines are used.

the last doors album to feature jim morrison, a return to tradition for the band in terms of sound. it's got a solid groove the whole way through. jim didn't exactly end it off with a bang, going for more of a relaxed, almost western blues style. while not every track hits for me, this album as a whole is pretty damn nice.

a gallery of evocative and immense prog rock from the early 1980s, beefy guitars and even beefier synthesizers create a sound that almost feels... i dunno, it's a very great sound. it's not flamboyant... i guess it's just dramatic. really really dramatic. i pictured a mighty wizard shredding a guitar on a cliff as lightning strikes in the background. it's a very creative feat for the genre, a different taste compared to previous dives.

incredibly syncopated hip hop with some of the funkiest beatflips i've heard in a good bit. if the wutang clang were jazz or swing nerds, this is what the result would be. it's not too often when you listen to some underground hip hop and you wanna listen to it a thousand more times but here we are. literally a group i've only heard of till now and i'm a fan.

a heavily acoustic rock album that just oozes in positive instrumentation. this is an album written and performed by a man that doesn't know where he's going but he's absolutely content with it anyways. he's almost a one man band, marching his way down the avenue and just singing about whatever's going through his mind. the album itself takes hints from blues, folk, and even a little bit of gospel; one of the songs literally ends with a rendition of amazing grace. he's really got a rasp in his voice that i enjoy.

grunge with a very sharp and noisy edge to it all. this is a band that is both incredibly scratchy and staticky in sound and full of experimental and emotional merit. my favorite track out of the bunch is a song dedicated to miss karen carpenter, one half of the carpenters, whose life was lost too soon.

nirvana's last album, this one as dark, dreary and impactful as all the others in their discography. something about kurt's depressed and acceptant voice and lyrics tugs at the heartstrings. it's grimy, shocking, and it's possibly one of the greatest grunge albums out there.

relaxing, lovely country songs. willie is the sweetest little country musician i've ever had the pleasure of listening to, and a lot of tracks just make me feel all safe and content. it's just so... it's just nice. so nice. even people who hate the genre would listen to this once and go "oh gosh, isn't this nice?"

you know i've always liked the who. these guys were the original kings of classic rock, and this live album showcases that. despite being played live it really sounds like a studio recording. if that's not enough to convince you, i don't know what will. those guitars will sweep you off your feet, and so will those drum fills.

this album was actually pretty good! yet another guy i haven't heard of and i really dig his modern take on blues music, it's VERY soulful and introspective. the way that a lot of songs are arranged and sung seriously reminds me of similar blues and even yacht rock songs from the 1970s; this guy nails the style to a T.

i've listened to the bee gees' saturday night fever disco tunes, but this album is a side of them i haven't dived much into till now. do you like relaxing rock? this is the album for you. with the tight upright pianos, gentle drums and an orchestral flair, this album is as influential as sgt pepper's. i'm only giving it a four because while the album is very pretty, some of the songs get meat loaf levels of dramatic.

super-groovy and creative funk, some songs upbeat and toetapping while others slow and steady. the energy is unmatched, especially with an album of this time, when the genres experienced quite a peak. this album came out at the end of normalized prejudice and right at the beginning of the civil rights acts in america; many songs embrace afroamerican-centric joy and a sense of treating every race, not just black people... with common respect. we have to ask ourselves, even in this day and age, why can't we all get along? also i like the tracks where sly stone distorts his voice and scats, making himself sound like a guitar.

another generally good alt rock collection, this one having a good mix of dark and light. there's a hit song or two in there, but this is yet another case of an album i only have so much to say on... it's strange, i can't put my finger on it, but it feels like something is missing. it's got a bit of jaunt that i like.

yet another heavy metal hall-of-famer. come on now, the album literally opens with enter sandman. despite what a newcomer may think this album isn't all loud and fast and crazy, with quite a few tracks slower and emotional. nevertheless there's no overstating how wickedly amazing these shreds are. metallica is... metal.

very striking and fervent music this time around. usually i don't really favor classic dance and soul tracks that go on for long lengths, but this album does it in a way that keeps me engaged and interested throughout its duration. the trick is to have a nice few variations if you got a base progression going on. the vocals are smooth, the drumlines are smooth... everything is just so buttery.

i'm not really feeling this one too much. just a dude, his guitar and his harmonica. singing about the world... nothing interesting i'm afraid. it's not that the songs are bad, certainly better than what i could write but... i dunno it's just not hitting. at all. it's the kind of songwriter guitar music that'll get you bored to tears. and i hate saying that because that sounds mean but... i just didn't enjoy it too much. i know bob dylan has made better.

a marvelous merry-go-round of sound. zappa is unmatched when it comes to odd experimentation in his albums, and this album in particular is a shining example of his genius. combining progressive lines with experimental motifs and charming, almost ringing strangeness, this mostly instrumental album is like no other. it's just so silly. i love it. is zappa okay? who knows!!

you can't go wrong with some sleazy 60s soul muzak. there's a good amount of tracks that stick to traditional doo-wop-pop progressions, but it's done in a way that's easy on the ears. if there's one thing i can say, this album is stylish but it seriously lacks variety. you'll listen to one track, you've basically listened to all of them. it's alright for what it is though. the perfect album for relaxing in the sun.

this album starts with this really really captivating psychedelic rock composition and i was at the edge of my seat ready for more, but as the album went on a lot of the other songs became hunky-dory quiet slow guitar pickin' and mellow pop goodness. it started off so strong! it's not to say that this album isn't bad, i think i just expected it to go a completely different direction than it actually did, and unfortunately it did kind of disappoint me for that reason.

another k.d. lang album on this collection. she's really got a specific style of writing country music, softer and sophisticated. this is country not for chugging beer, but for sipping wine. this is mother country. honestly it's pretty decent. lang's voice paired with these glitzy and relaxing instrumentals go hand in hand. it's a very pretty sounding country album. i wouldn't say it's the kind of music i listen to normal but i'm giving it a shot and a seal of approval.

a truly groundbreaking big beat album that literally puts you exactly in the era, the turning point between the 20th and 21st century. such a cultural turn needs massive and monstrous beats. this is the album you listen to when you're chugging mountain dew, watching the matrix on vhs and downloading questionable programs on limewire. the rapping is infectiously aggressive, every drumloop and record flip sticks the landing, and it all adds up to an essential part of an electronichead's music collection. sit down, brace for impact, and get ready to smack your bitch up.

ambient and experimental techno music. the effects are really creative this time around, the mixture of phasers, delays, and gated reverb techniques create instrumentals that sound like an interstellar space lounge. it's an alluring, enchanting album. it reminds me of an i spy picture, like the pictures from the books. everything is so vast, colorful... yet liminal and otherworldly. you can't help but look away, or in this case to stop yourself from listening. it's an oddity.

an album that introduced the genre of bossa nova to the general masses. the titular track, "the girl from ipanema" has been known across generations. overall it's very relaxing bossa nova, stuff to turn on when you're taking a load off. the duo's voices complement each other, the mixture of english and portuguese blending well. it's tranquil, and if you're looking for the perfect album to soothe yourself to, give this one a gander.

soft and sleepy rock music, something about this era of rock has just a specific sound that a lot of bands share and this one is no different. compared to the other bands i have listened to, these guys are very... like i said, soft. quiet. it's very much rock but it's low-key, instead of shouting in the mic and playing passionately they play gracefully, conservatively... even the louder tracks almost feel like the band members are holding back. not that it's a bad thing, it's just these guys like things mild and mellow. it feels like... prototype indie. and it's really cool.

fast paced and high energy power rock. it has a very pop-esque sound, but with vulgar lyrics like these i'm not too sure i would call THOSE pop. i feel like this is the hard kind of rock that your older brother would listen to growing up, if you had an older brother. they don't fucking give a fuck motherfucker!! shit!! the energy and the instrumentals i like, but most of the lyrical content is... yeah it's not my forte. it's like middle schoolers wrote the lyrics. one song they literally go "anus! anus!!"

an informational and detailed introduction to traditional indian music. the album is full of spoken easy-to-grasp knowledge and demonstrations of musical modes, scales, and improvisational techniques that are known across the country of india, and the meaning and feeling what it comes to how it is played, from the sitar to the tabla. i am giving it a high rating not only because of its cultural and historical significance but also its educational value.

finally, true early punk that's not like doo-wop rock with extra screaming. now this is a good example of a band that does it right, loud, nasty, and earth-shaking performances that get both you and the recorded audience all hyped up. this was the era where music experienced quite the big shift in creativity and i'm pleased to report that this is one of the good examples of that. there's the wannabe "punks" with the pompadours and jackets and the REAL punks with the crazy hair and CRAZIER vibes. sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll.

you really can't go wrong with ABBA, the swedish pop group that makes songs that are so peppy you'll actually hurt yourself if you attempt to frown or restrain your body from moving. every song captures your attention and keeps you entertained. it's a deeply energized and harmonious album that'll make you feel great. seriously, who doesn't like ABBA?

melancholy and thoughtful country from the mountaintops. it's an album that makes you think with its lyrics. i really like albums that are like poetry, having plenty of tunes about the human condition and the pondering thoughts about it all... it's also very relaxing. i could probably sleep like a damn baby listening to this.

more of that 70s funk goodness. this is a big interstellar themed one, having an introduction by, like... an alien or something? it's a nice album, but it has more of the typical funk stylings from this era, carefree tracks that go pretty long, funky solos but doesn't break far from the initial foundation. also what's with funk albums having incredibly long track names? seriously like half of these have a track that's named like "superdupergroovydanceyfunkamegaultrasuperebolatuberculosis". i like the clavinet that sounds like a wet fart.

the sexiest elevator music you'll ever hear and i mean this in the most positive way possible. this music is so damn pretty. mixing rnb, bossa nova, and vocal pop, sade has created an album worthy of praise and preservation. it is the sheer epitome of class; absolutely spectacular.

an album that sounds like a foggy forest hike in the middle of winter. there's a true rustic feel to the album, how it's played and sung makes me feel like i'm one with nature. like believe me, you've most certainly heard plenty of folksy tracks but this is folk at its core, with natural vocal harmonies, guitars and... i think those are bodhrân drums. once the first half of the year ends and all that head and sunshine turns into cold temperatures and withering leaves, i'd say this is the perfect time to listen to this.

that album art kicks ass. i assumed this would be some really loud epic rock music that would be out of a comic book or video game, but i was pleasantly surprised by how it actually sounded; this album is full of soft and embittered compositions. many people might think this album is a bit simple and quiet, but i honestly really enjoyed this listen, hearing all the different ways these guys produced their tracks and all. the title is gripping. once respected, now feeling like outcasts.

this album i really liked, very creative and witty especially for this time. i really like not just the instrumentation but also the occasional sound design and foley that is heard throughout. it's kinda funny how it seems like every single rock band from this time sounds like the beatles. like the way they sing, it's practically identical. i wonder why that is. it can't just be because "well, they're popular". maybe it's just the accent.

yet another album that's frankly a contender for a perfect example of a genre. everything from hill's voice to the production value is immaculate, her songs often involving real-life stories and lamentful tales about heartbreak and convictions. the bouncy and lowkey beats weave a collection of songs that feels like a fairytale.

a folk album that's guitar and voice only, you can't get more simpler than that. the songs are not original but up to centuries-old folk songs that make up the roud index. the songs are rather lovely, but baez's voice makes it fall a little flat for me. i feel rude for saying that, but her shaky and operatic voice, while initially sweet sounding, almost sounding like a disney princess at times, eventually gets a little grating on the ears. she can absolutely sing, but it's just not the kind of voice style that i would listen to for long.

i love you dave grohl oh my god. if you want some good grunge, look no further than foo fighter's debut album. grunge rock that isn't overly pretentious, depressing for the sake of being depressing, and/or grimy audio sludge. if kurt was still alive, i truly think he would weep tears of joy listening to this album. also this guy recorded this whole thing in a WEEK. that's nuts.

yet another incredibly exciting live concert album from years ago. i absolutely love vintage live recordings where you can literally feel and hear the awe and wonder from the audience, the young women absolutely SHRIEKING as soon as james sings the first word. some songs are for slow-dancin' others are for boogying down. it's short and sweet.

ambient and slightly minimalist breakbeat goodness. deep pads are paired with infectious drum loops and strange samples. another album i found pretty entertaining, but there's a few tracks that drag on, and some tracks feel like a single loop or riff played over and over for like... 5 minutes. nevertheless it's very solid especially if you're a y2k aesthetic autist like me.

really loud and really awesome rock music. if you're looking for alternative rock that's really vocal centered and almost has a strong rebellious force to it, please give this one a gander. it's kinda giving no doubt if it was grunge. this i feel like is an album that's perfect for playing in the summertime, where the sun is blinding and there's not a cloud in the sky. courtney love's voice REALLY shines in this one.

hmm.... not sure what to think of this one if i'm being honest with you. very ominous hardcore rock with an emphasis on noisy, hedonistic sounds and vocals. this isn't goth, this isn't grunge, this feels and sounds more like... emo... punk? i don't know. it's a peculiar sound, but unfortunately it's not the kind of sound that i enjoyed too much.

another alice in chains album, and it's another i really like!! those vocals alone are so hypnotic, they'll legit transport you to another plane of existence. it's very depressing subject material, but in such an impactful and human way. everything from the deep harmonies to the expressive guitar solos makes this for me. i love every album these guys have put out.

this album hits hard in both message and instrumentation. a very angry and political hip-hop album bringing light to the divisive issues that america faces, especially against african americans. even with civil rights movements and acts in place, why must injustice and police brutality still occur day after day, week after week? why must big organizations and smaller groups treat afro-americans like lesser beings? not only are the lyrics aggressive, but the beats are as well, mixing BIG drum loops with vintage funk samples. also flava flav is featured in this album. white supremacy is a fucking disease.

very warm and perky fusion jazz music that has a fair share of bossa and latin pop influence. heavy weather is a great title, i feel like this album literally sounds like this big.... windy storm, but if said storm had a dozen musicians just circling around and around. these basslines especially drive me crazy in the best way. there's just something so engaging about a lot of fusion albums, even if the songs were written with such thought and complexity, the average listener still has a positive mood and usually can always imagine every band member just smiling and having a grand ol' time. it's what makes these albums, including this one special.

kate bush is another musical artist that writes songs like poetry, her whimsical and ethereal tracks are a treat to the ears. the titular track, "running up that hill" got a resurgence a few years back, introducing her artistic works to a more widespread audience. her operatic voice paired with creative synth and sample techniques weave a marvelous collection of songs that will absolutely captivate both young and old. a brilliant anomaly of an album, this is.

groovin' and lovely early 70's soul. perfect for relaxing with your significant other i would say, it's another one of those chill soul albums that radiates in positivity and... well... love. nothing else matters, just give your girl a hug and a kiss and a cuddle. i was pleasantly surprised with this man's expansive career, writing all sorts of tracks well into the 21st century and never breaking his classic romantic aesthetic.

kinda dark-ish punk rock with a mild pop sound. if there's one thing that sticks out compared to all the others i've heard it's the guitar riffs, probably the nicest sounding i've ever heard in my life. i don't care as much for the slower tracks as usual... while not every song hits for me, it's a well-crafted, almost classy punk pop album. if you like maroon 5 and/or grateful dead, it's a good pick for you. once again, wish i had more to say...

VERY jazzy r&b music; taking inspiration from city pop tracks and romantic soul creates an album that sounds VERY nice to listen to. it's said that the likes of whitney houston took heavy inspiration from baker's discography, and i see why, with very jazzy chords, sappy lovey-dovey and moderately religious lyrics, and a voice so firm and strong it can save a soul from a deep depression. i had a great time all the way through.

this album by bob dylan is a bit different compared to his usual stuff, and i like it better than the last album i heard of his. with a mix of both acoustic and electric rock sounds, this album, while still not 100% my thing, like i've said this album is a lot better than the last. it's almost a nostalgic album, yet i can't pinpoint on what it's making me feel nostalgic for. the sometimes nonsensical lyrics are something else i tell ya! hey mr. tambourine man, play a song for me.

while i don't really turn an eye to aguilera's works, this vintage inspired hip-pop album is an example of how her voice can work somewhat well depending on genre. when she's not singing country, her pop material is confident, loud, and her style is... fascinating to listen to. the main problem with aguilera is that while other artists just sing straight up, she constantly feels the urge to let all her listeners know that she can, in fact, sing. every single track just has constant and neverending adlibs and runs that more often than not break the immersion for me. don't let her sing the national anthem because this woman will spend 10 minutes trying to infinitely run instead of finishing the song. the production really saves this album from lower ratings i feel, it's probably the best part of the album.

while initially i wasn't feeling this spoken word live performance, the more i listened the more i honestly liked it. waits just has this voice like no other, he croaks every line and a lot of the lyrics he recites really resonate. the jazzy accompaniments also are nice to listen to... like with other albums on this list, this one isn't everyone's cup of tea, but if you treat it with the respect it deserves, it's a artistic live performance. kick up a chair and smoke a cig, you dig?

the way these guys sing and play their tunes is a fusion between the beatles and the pet shop boys. this is almost... indie new wave, but refined. fancy. the punk band from high school but it's a very prestigious private school. if you like your melodramatic rock like the cure and morrisey, you might get a real kick out of this one. i thought it was alright!

this one's pretty good. mildly low-key jazz rock. many of the instrumentals are melodious but calm, cool, and consistently smooth as butter. john barleycorn is not a person, but rather a personification of the barley grain, and the fifth track in the album is an adaption of a centuries old folk poem. yet another album on my list that, while not life-changing, i liked. it has a peaceful and nostalgic vibe to it that i feel like both young and old can enjoy. if you also like those vintage kitschy instrumentals with saxes and flutes thrown in, you'll love this.

i'm not surprised people talk about kendrick lamar so strongly when it comes to modern pioneers in the circle of hip hop. there's nobody like him, at least not that i know of. lamar's flow is unlike any other, unpredictable, fresh and varied. conscious and at the same time absolutely innovative and almost downright MAD when it comes to writing his bars. paired with his jazzy beats, it's a perfect mix of sound you don't hear in a lot of albums, let alone any hip hop albums.

very interesting one this time around, what happens when you mix soul music with soft country influence. not only are the songs pretty mellow throughout, unfortunately the tracks aren't too interesting to listen to. they're not bad, just... i'm just not amazed. i feel nothing when i listen to this. it sounds nice, but just... yeah. nothing. i don't have a lot to say. it puts me to sleep, and the sudden high notes from the singer put me off if anything else.

strange, charming, and a bit ahead of its time, this world-funk fusion collection pairs creative instrumental music with various found speech samples. it's a weird poetic showcase on the creativity and absurdity of humanity, especially with some of the samples that are played and replayed throughout the course of the album. the album's concept is interesting too, telling the story of a lost mortal in the world of ghosts... it's creatively made, but it's not totally my thing.

rage's debut album makes a strong political statement right away the moment the listener presses play. fusing metal, rap, and a little bit of funk, this album is an ambitious contender in this list. anti-censorship, anti-authority, and straight up hardcore leftist. it has a wickedly hardcore sound, but the lyrics couldn't be anymore blunt. that's not to say i don't agree with what they're saying, it's just so unbelievably straightforward and vulgar in how it is said, which... makes it at times feel like a punk band from a liberal arts college. tom morello is a god.

janis joplin has SUCH a voice, her rasp can literally shake up whatever room she's in i feel. this alone makes me rank it pretty high. this album is a loud, trippy and almost choral sounding ride. while some people may find it a little bonkers, it's this pivotal turn in rock music that was refreshing especially for its time.

sometimes religious, sometimes lovey-dovey, always smooth sailing with someone like bob marley. this album is nice. very nice, very relaxing... it's the ultimate feel-good reggae album. leave it to bob to write songs about the beauty of love, life, and realizing that everything really will be okay, in the end. let's cherish this life and spend every moment of it grinning from ear to ear.

what happens when an indie group makes a 80s-inspired dance album? the influence from years past is clear with analog synthesizers, drum machines, and a smooth mysterious sound that plenty of artists had then. just like with other indie albums i've heard in this collection, this album too has that mellow indie sound, never too loud, often meta, and sometimes awkward. i can never get into this sound fully, but it's a decently nice album if you wanna listen to synthpop with a modern twist.

got some mid 80s groggy murky punk music, with hints of new wave pop and even a bit of reggae here and there. song material is about identity, society, and confusion. the lyrical and musical content featured throughout is generally nice, especially for all you tried-and-true punksters out there looking for a few jams to mosh at. my favorite part of the album is absolutely the guitars. every single chug rattles your bones. there's a guitar riff that was sampled in a song by hive, all you newgrounds heads might recognize it.

holy damn, no, holy GLAM. i can feel the fishnet tights and the fuzzy blonde hair. there's certainly no denying that this album is a prime example of what makes jon bon jovi's music memorable. belting scratchy lead vocals, deep power strummed guitars, dramatic (and maybe a little cheesy) synthesizers... this album will blow your speakers and your socks clean off. there's the classic tunes like living on a prayer and you give love a bad name, and the other tracks featured throughout are on a similar rockin' sing-along energy. i really enjoyed this one. play this album to your dad and he'll probably love you to death.

another groundbreaking song collection from bowie. apparently in interviews he's stated that he doesn't remember writing this album which is crazy to me. it's unfortunate that i expected a bit more. this album is very good, as with a lot of stuff created by bowie, and i can't deny that he's an important musician in the 20th century, but i just can't get into his sound as much as i'd like to. i don't know what it is... i love the songwriting and especially the lyrics, i just turn less of an eye to how the tracks actually sound. maybe it's his... creative vocal harmonies.

with their mysterious, soft and entrancing rhythms and futuristic instrumentation, the pet shop boys have a wonderful new wave pop sound that'll make you move your feet and get controlled by the beat. songs of overcoming societal norms, passionate love and moody relationship reflections... it's a happy and sad album at the same time. what a treat.

the average listener often feels that björk's music is surreal, strange and even alien. the icelantic musician's experimental songs have sparked discussions about music as a whole and how it is deconstructed as an art form. david attenborough has perfectly summed up how I feel about the artist; björk's music isn't simply background music that you can just turn on, to fully enjoy her music you need to sit down, think, and analyze every word and note. and this album really does make you think, with thought-provoking sonnets in uncommon cadences, ambient soundscapes and sparkling bell instruments, calling this album a raw musical exhibition barely even gives it enough credit. wow.

i love me some classic yacht rock to ease the mind, and steely dan is a good example of that! groovy and relaxing rock music with moderate funk and jazz influence, with lyrics that are sometimes simple and emotional, sometimes batshit and surreal. it all blends together nicely throughout, consistently upbeat and engaging; tracks are progressive and complex but not too strange, making it perfect for the casual and the hardcore rock listener. the strums of the guitars paired with the lush rhodes electric piano create this... wonderful, wonderful album.

gentle and whispered folk music, mostly just voice and guitar. it's sweet, sincere... and honestly pretty emotional. all sorts of songs about being together with someone, losing said someone and being alone with yourself and your thoughts. many of the comments featured throughout each track on youtube is full of stories from people sharing their emotions and memories... this is clearly an album that speaks to a lot of people, and it spoke to me too. if you're moody and if you want an album that'll soothe you, give this one a spin. this album makes me feel nostalgic... bittersweet and nostalgic.

soft country music, sung in a slow, soothing and emotional way. many tracks almost make you feel sleepy, the somber subject material, melodic harmonies and quiet strings set the scene quite well, with many songs about what it's like growing up in the country. it has a pleasant sound, but it didn't hold my interest for too long. if you like your country and you want something to relax to or listen to on a rainy day, you might like this one, but... yeah, i don't have too much to say for this one. i feel like i might listen to this one again and i might rank it higher.

we're looking at a golden jewel when it comes to alternative rock, the often immature and smug, yet meaningful and creative red hot chili pepper's top albums is fun to listen to. catchy lyrics, infectious arrangements, sometimes you can't help but wondering how they cooked up some of this stuff in the studio. i think "california" is said at least 100 times in this album.

very jaunty rock music with an unafraid and EXTREME celtic influence. a single track will make you wanna riverdance in a pub where a dozen red-haired thugs chug heavy drinks and get into heated fistfights. all members of the group create quite the hootenanny with their songs, slurry, and dare i say almost drunken-sounding singing and passionate instrumentation make this album stand out among the rest. if you don't like the sound, maybe you should take another drink lad.

more of that true, classic outlaw country music that we americans have seemed to abandon, especially after 9/11. the opening track, big iron is a historic staple of country music from this time. besides that track though, not too many tracks held my interest for that long. is this good western music? absolutely. is it for me? not really. but i can at least appreciate its significance in music history.

literal space rock, songs that were made to feel like you were in the endless void of it. just floating, who knows where you're going. you're just here. it's a nice album if you're into ambient prog, but unfortunately a lot of it is SO ambient and hazy it only does so much to please me. perhaps it would be nice if it was a dream sequence in a movie but this atmosphere only gets me so interested.

oh joni, never ever change with your pleasant jazzy tunes and intriguing, poetic songwriting... this is another standard joni mitchell fair, however this one doesn't get afraid to dive into the earthy and experimental side, some songs having an african influence. i really do enjoy how joni writes, it's the kind of lyrical content that someone would write on a whim. on a walk, in a café. this album feels... human. does that make sense? human music. i like it!

this is an album that takes heavy inspiration from the smooth and soft soul music that came about in the sixties or early seventies. this personal and meaningful album seems to be treasured by both young and old for good reason; you really don't see a lot of artists make music like this anymore. sleepy and sentimental, these quiet track exude theme of self expression, expectation and the beauty of transient things.

experimental and eccentric psychedelic folk music. with sitars, foreign vocal runs and an almost medieval sound, this album is peculiar among anything else. this is an album that almost feels like a portal into the renaissance era, with all the stringed instruments, posh sounding keys, pipes... despite the usual psychedelic trends that happened around this time, this album does it in a way that's a little different from the others. this is music that a family of gnomes would listen to, sitting in a quaint little cottage in the cold autumn.

a beautifully crafted and volatile british rock album, with plenty of raunchy and rough sounding songs about humanity's turmoils and random turns. partying, exhaustion, love, anxiety. the almost sinister and gothic atmosphere is perfect for those who like their alt rock and gloomy new wave. i love that the material is never too scary, but rather refined in nature. it's a classy emotional, and uniting rock album.

what happens if the likes of david bowie made new wave instead of experimental art rock? this early alt rock blends the usual new wave sound with a bit of a breezy, almost sunny atmosphere. especially for its time, it's very classy and funky at the same time... it reminds me of 1970s japanese funk music at points, but it makes itself stand out with expressive baritone vocals. it's a shame i haven't heard much of these guys before when it comes to new wave discussion, these guys deserve to be up there with the likes of blondie.

an album that has reached levels of notoriety where people who haven't ever heard a song from it easily recognize the album art. this is an quintessential rock album, with simple yet impactful lyrics, lush and spacey instrumentals, and a message so strong it relates to anyone from 10 to 100. expressing existence, change, and the essence of human nature, this album will literally change your life.

ozzy is back with another classic heavy metal staple; plenty of iconic tracks and forgotten gems are scattered about in this edgy and psychological album. with headbanging-level songwriting, flashy drum fills and gritty guitar riffs, this is a pretty good example of black sabbath and early heavy metal as a whole in its prime.

an equal mix of both loud and quiet rock music; i wanna say it's the sort of music you and your uncle would listen to in the car as you stare out the window, seeing endless fields and a golden sunset. i can really see why they call it arena rock, it's definitely the sort of rock and roll that'll get a crowd jumping, whenever it's an arena, party... heck, even a church. the last track especially has a fast gospel-inspired finish.

beck is pretty standard if you're looking for soft... is it rock or is it pop, i'm not too sure to be honest with you. this album is a shy away from what he usually puts out. originally i wasn't too into this album, but the more i listened to it, i actually kinda grew fond over the quiet, mostly acoustic and mildly ambient ditties. the wistful and sometimes indifferent energy that persists is likely due to the singer's breakup at the time.

this mostly german industrial rock album has a very heavy military influence, many lyrics are shouted like a sergeant, the brass stabs are frantic and the big drums are perfect for getting someone to march in place. dramatic and triumphant, this album is interesting, but it doesn't hold my interest too long. boom boom boom, ja ja ja ja nein nein nein nein. i feel like this album would be great for an action movie score. there's some interesting stuff in here; above all else the aesthetic captures my attention.

an album that's said to embody the energy of new york city, the good, bad, and the ugly. pj makes this abundantly clear in her music, which can be either upbeat or slow; her voice is very pretty as well. it has a nice sound, i like the variety in tracks. it's just accessible and it has a nice selection of tracks for all sorts of moods and vibes. wish i had more to say!

grim and funereal, this album definitely isn't a good pick if you're looking for something happy to listen to. this often morbid and dreary sense of songwriting can resonate with plenty of people. it's another one of those albums on here where you have to sit down and listen to it to fully enjoy it. just like how positive and euphoric emotions can be used as an outlet for music, the same thing goes for these complex at times emotions too.

r.e.m.'s debut album is a little different compared to their most known discography, instead of the usual quiet rock their debut is akin to dreamy alt pop rock like the police. i honestly think a lot of this material is better than their most popular songs... maybe it's just me, but i would give this one a listen if you're looking for really solid 80s alt rock.

another really good neil young album in this collection. his immersive storytelling through his songwriting has some full-fledged soft 70s rock sounds thrown in this time around. this sort of raw, imperfect and... natural rock music could only be made back then, which says a lot. the music is emotional and nostalgic, but also very easy and comfortable to listen to. what a guy.

retro inspired, lovey-dovey downtempo beats. this album is impeccable when it comes to this genre and time period of electronic music, mixing vocoded voices and half-century instruments with dreamy mixing and synths. this is a near-perfect blend of old and new. think daft punk, but with a HEAVY 60s funk infuence. it's AMAZING.

this album by the doors is a return to their roots, mainly blues tracks that pack a mighty whallop, with a hard-hitting rockabilly energy and ultra-rooted guitar progressions, this album is a pretty good one. some of the later songs get into a shuffle, definitely the kind of songs made for moving your feet or driving at high speeds. the best part of the album by far is morrison's vocals.

stevie wonder's music is consistently good; his jazzy, carefree ballads and dance tunes can make anyone feel good after a rough day. he's a true virtuoso of sorts when it comes to composing; i often find myself grooving along with the tracks and being blown away by his mesmerizing hooks and accompaniments... it should come to nobody's surprise that even if someone can't physically see anything, let alone an instrument or a sheet of music, they can still understand music on such a deep level.

a classic rock album from arguably one of the most iconic rock bands from the time, this album doesn't surprise me as to why it's in the history books. their second album has plenty of their usual loud tracks, with a few softer ones thrown into the mix to change things up. there's some really crazy audio effects too which are just as mind-blowing as they were when the album first came out. at the turn of the 60s and settling right into the 70s, this album embraces both tradition and experimentation. good stuff!

i'm still a firm tribe called quest defender, and just like the last album i listened to quite a while ago, this one is just as good! poetic and clever rhymes are perfectly blended with the coolest beatflips you've ever heard in your life. it is physically impossible to listen to this album and not bump your head to every single beat. these guys are a master of their craft. from beginning to end, this album is a hip hop masterpiece.

imaginative, blunt, animated and quintessentially british, this album is a staple of 1990s british pop. the air is cold and the atmosphere is murky and you really couldn't have it any other way. many songs in the album never feel afraid to be honest, damon almost venting about his conflicting emotions about himself and the world around him; predatory business practices, purpose, and a few cheeky inside jokes thrown in and you've got yourself an amazing and unique rock pop collection.

some true early new wave music. this is new wave music in its raw infancy, and it's an eye-and-ear-catching spectacle. sweeping analog synths and a clear turning point at the end of the progressive era of rock; this album is mysterious, futuristic, and astonishing. while these early synth techniques are starting to show their age, which may throw a few listeners off, this almost neo-classical take on songwriting will keep you intrigued.

another prog album that takes its listeners on a ride across the world, including time and space. this album is surreal and fantastic, the first track being a 20 minute suite. dealing with emotional journeys, tribulations, and literally going across who knows where, this album is a prog masterpiece, nothing else more needed than that. it'll resonate with a lot of listeners, it did for me, and i'm sure it does to plenty of others.

a crazy and funky pop album from one of the most eclectic bands from the 70s. combining some bossa, latin, gospel, and a few dreamy stabs and drum lines. many people of course are quick to think of tracks like september and the like, but i feel like this is a good example of why you shouldn't always just mindlessly flock to the top hits. an arguably graceful and fantastic funk album, this is. this album could save a life.

yet another good album from the king of reggae music, catch a fire gives listeners an all-you-can-listen buffet of reggae tracks for every part of the day. from moving songs about manmade dilemmas, to rastafari history, to some feel-good anthems, to... getting a little frisky? whatever the case may be, bob marley further emphasizes his free spirit and wise words in his music.

arguably one of radiohead's best albums. compared to their more known and darker tracks, this album is easier to listen to. this sort of jangle actually makes this album sound even greater; while some people may be hesitant, despite the less grimy sound, it's still emotional and elegant to the point of me being obsessed. it's a great album.

sexy soul music; the first track is known to most any person as the first thing you think of when you think of "baby-making music". every single track is smooth, sensual, and seductive. behind the pleasant sound lies a bit of reflection; some of the tracks are made for lying down and thinking about life. it's a good enough time for a guy like me.

this experimental and impressionistic jazz album is pretty much a 1970s version of something claude debussy would've written during his lifetime. while having a simple verse chorus structure, these tracks challenge the listener by their loose and abstract solos. there's some tracks that linger, but most are diamonds in the rough.

tom waits is such an interesting case throughout this journey in music this year alone. he's one of my past coworkers favorite musicians, and i've always found it interesting dabbling into his work. this album, which debuted after a small hiatus on regularly releasing albums is from another world, with many of these tracks sounding like they're from the pits of hell itself. it's a heavy listen. grim and grimy, this album is much more innovative and peculiar compared to his typical jazzy, bluesy rock music, dealing with issues of mortality, absurdity and and deep thoughts. i like his songwriting, but his instrumentation is a little out there.

really it doesn't take a genius to see why pink floyd's works are on here; these symphonic and progressive masterpieces will stand the tests of time. every single track is an experience that nobody will forget. songs of loss, the music industry, and spacey rock movements span this record. it's impressive.

a creative and peppy-sounding rock album; this falls right in line with the optimistic and acoustic sounding band music that persisted from the 60s up until the late 70s. with piano (and glockenspiel) riffs, this album feels like you're happily skipping your way down the yellow brick road, with plenty of stories on every choice of the way. some of the songs sound samey. i feel like this is the kind of music you'd hear in an old 70s/80s movie where the main cast jumps in the air, there's a freeze frame, and then the credits roll.

a quirky and spacey rock album, the aesthetics inspired from japanese science fiction and a title dedicated to a japanese musician. this album gives listeners a fresh and technologically-advanced take on the progressive genre at times, with other influences from pop giving it a sound all its own. it has a short length, and some tracks are a bit hazy or not as interesting as others, but generally this one is a good listen.

my bloody valentine's tracks seem to always be there for your life's worst moments. if you're remotely moody in any way, mbv's pure auditory sludge rock will be a light in a pillar of darkness. with incredibly hazy and mindboggling tracks, this debut album from the group is a treat to listen to. some of the production techniques, and notably some of the tricks with the guitars make this album really stand out, especially for the time. good lord.

another one from metallica, this one just as epic and aggressive as the last one. with a strong sociopolitical centered theme, this one packs a punch. many people think this album is poorly mixed, but the instrumental and lyrical content really prevented me from actually noticing. it's just a really good metal album, like most others in metallica's discography.

a real prime example of music from the caribbean, this album has a lot of dance tracks that's suited for fun gatherings and vacation destinations. it's simple, and straight to the point. while not too complex, nor rich with any deeper meaning, it's definitely an album you could turn on when you're down. i feel like songs get better as the record goes on.

light pop music that's easy to listen to. this is a band that's trying to find their way when it comes to the musical world, and their discography, including this album is a good example of that. with songs of family, heartbreak and nostalgia, the vocal and lyrical content are pretty good. the production value makes it seem like a lounge or muzak album, and not necessarily the good kind; it has a "fake" sound that maybe sophisti-pop tracks had at the time, especially with the drum machine usage. it's probably the kind of music you'd hear in the waiting room at a dentist. if you like sappy and somber ballads you miiiight enjoy this album? it's got potential, but it mostly falls flat for me.

what happens when you take the experimental synth ventures of the 1980s and fuse it with the cool and classic rock music that's been present since at LEAST the early 70s? this badass and pleasure-seeking album could only come from the united states. texas if we're being a bit more specific. get in the truck or bike, chug some beer, watch some football. this album is the definition of "heeeeeeeellllll yeah brother".

queen. no fancy intros. everyone and their grandmother knows about how legendary this rock band is, and this painstakingly precise and theatrical rock album will blow your mind and speakers. there's just nobody on this planet that can write catchy melodies and riffs such as these.

adele to me was always an interesting case for as long as i've lived. with lyrical pop tracks that are heavily inspired by the likes of ella fitzgerald, adele's second album stood out when it released and it still stands out pretty well today. she's a very talented singer and songwriter, and even if a song or two on the album is a cover, it's still fantastic to listen to.

another alt rock album from a forgotten band... it's always fascinating to listen to bands that i've never heard of till now, and i was pleasantly surprised with what i heard. a very melodic and somewhat muddy rock album, when the album first started i didn't think it was anything special, but the more i listened the more i ended up tapping my foot to some of the tunes. some diamonds in the rough here.

animated, pumping synthy dance music from the late 80s. this is music that would fit right at home at a party, whenever it's one you're having in your house or one in a big nightclub. making usage of scratches, samples, creative drumbeats and processed vocals, this album is fun, above all else. i prefer the anthems and cool ambient breaks; i really could care less for the corny breakdancing music.

quite the interesting listen today, it's definitely a rock pop album but it doesn't sound like any other i've listened to, especially from this time period. barrett's voice is tired and almost delightfully deadpan as he sings, invoking a certain emotion that he most certainly felt after leaving pink floyd. it's simple and doesn't have too much going on in terms of instrumentation and production. you can feel exactly how exhausted he felt, being a musician and all. i fuck with it. imagine making a typical "perky" rock album when you're tired of making music in the first place.

a wide hodgepodge of different songs on this one, everything from easy listening acoustic songs to peppy pop tunes. there's a lot of songs that are made for you to sing along to. i don't know, something about happy soft rock from this decade is just a treat all the way through. i always seem to fall in love with the songwriting... it's a good listen and it'll put a smile on your face when you're down. my favorite track also features in the sopranos.

another talented artist who left this world too soon; this album is incredibly solid, especially if you're looking for some indie rock that DOESN'T bore you. i was instantly hooked by some of the intricate and creative song structures; the more i listened to it the more i ended up loving it. clearly this is a guy who's really studied some of the greats from mid-century's past. it only makes it that more upsetting once you learn that smith passed in his mid 30s. it's beautifully haunting.

dark and gothic rock, with content that's very morbid, bleak, and artistically suspenseful. songs almost feel spooky at times; these songs would probably be great at a fancy halloween party. i like the tracks with guest singers better than the ones where nick cave sings himself. it's not to say i dislike gothic material, unfortunately this guy's vulgar and slightly creepy vibes aren't completely for me. i feel like there's probably some good in here for most people, and i enjoy the more fantastical stories.

yet another big name in this list, billy joel's songs break through traditional pop norms in arguably one of the greatest albums of the decade. with strong expression and ambition, these pop songs are some of the best to be ever put out on radiowaves. i think it's quite possibly so defining that if we sent more records to space, like the voyager... this should be a PIVOTAL example of modern pop music in the 20th century.

soft folk rock, brilliantly written and played. i feel like i've often repeating myself at this rate but there's just something about this period of rock music that is incredibly unheard in the mainstream nowadays. collaborating with neil young only makes it shine more. songs of love, peace, and personal reflection are featured throughout here. the meaningful lyrics paired with one-of-a-kind harmonies... it's just fantastic.

now this is an interesting one! haven't heard of the group or album before listening. this album is largely composed of sample flips, taking a lot of forgotten records and breathing new and interesting life to them. i like the very even balance of more energetic disco songs and ambient beats. it's a really hidden gem for electronic dance music.

another entry by the fantastic kate bush, this one smooth, dreamy, and... yes, absolutely sensual. this album is majorly centered around the euphoric and ethereal emotions revolving human intimacy. folksy and cathedralesque, this album, like others in kate's discography is unique and all her own. it's softer compared to her more famous tracks and albums.

depeche mode, one of the biggest names when it comes to new wave music as a whole comes here and blows me away with their dramatic synthesized symphonies. their sound programming skills were like no other back then, and it remains the same today, with otherworldly, divine sounds that knocked the amateurs out with their corny fm patches. it's absolutely, beautifully mortifying listening to some of these tracks.

folk music at its inner roots. with mostly guitar and voice, the raw sincerity and unedited takes alone make this album a spectacle. breezy and sounding like it comes from the deepest appalachian forests, this album is interesting in vocals, lyrics, and instruments. it's not for everyone, but for the most part it's a nice listen.

theatrical, enchanting, sometimes a bit camp. such is typical for queen. it's impressive to see how much they've put out and how consistent the quality has been. yes, this is the album with the famous "bohemian rhapsody", which their manager despised... the first song in the album is a nasty, yet elegant read on him. one minute, songs are carefree and energetic, the next minute songs are dramatic and emotional... besides the iconic tracks, this album is the british rock equivalent of 24-karat gold. bravo, bravo i say.

amy's second and final album released. such talent, taken from us much too soon. her debut album is amazing, but this second one blows that one out of the water. desperate, pleading, emotional and honest, this soul album tugs at the heartstrings all the way through. an album for your bad days, amy really channels that "fed up with the entire world" energy, singing, no... almost venting about her frustrations. despite the material and context, the album has a consistent and sophisticated sound inspired from artists past. to the people who ridiculed her, i hope there's a special place for you in hell.

jane's addiction comes through with their debut album, and they're starting off with a bang. with a decent amount of soft and hard rock tracks, this album, while a bit shocking at times, is a worthy debut. the lyrical content goes pretty deep and some of these songs have kick-ass riffs and fills. there's some jazzband influence as well which i honestly enjoyed. the mixing could be a bit better, and not every song is a winner, but for a debut and especially considering what's to come after all this... it's pretty good for what it is!

interesting listen today. surreal, dreamy and postmodern psy-rock music. with digital synthesizers and mesmerizing, atmospheric arps, the best way i can describe this album in terms of sound is an arcade in a cyberpunk future. we're talking neo tokyo 2019. it's a really specific kind of sound, and for those who are willing to sit down and immerse themselves in the noisy soundscapes, there's a real hidden gem here.

now we're venturing in u2's later discography, and i think that while it does have a generally nice sound, a LOT of companies literally worshipped the ground u2 walked on. this is music for commercials. hazy, dreamy, and mildly psychedelic, this album tries hard to capture my interest but it sometimes misses the mark. i imagine stock footage of people walking on air and busy timelapse times square shots. this is music for a windows xp ad. it's not a bad album, but u2's probable unintentional contribution to this sort of tired pop rock can only make me rank it so much. there's some winners in this album though. some songs are poetic and profound.

this album is amazing. when i think of real and raw indie music from the 2000s i immediately think of these guys. these guys aren't trying to blow your socks away with a brand new sound or nothing. ryan schieber is truthful when he says they're just a rock band, and despite their more ordinary sound, taking the time to listen to each track will make you feel bittersweet emotions and will make you just want to forget everything that's around you and get lost in the music. this is pure y2k sound that isn't hyperelectronic drum and bass. this is pure "sitting on the couch, channel flipping between MTV and VH1, and looking at the sunset".

the biggest and phattest beats from the undisputed king of big beat. plenty of tracks, both ones you've heard on the radio at least a thousand times and more underground beats that are worth a deep dive into. quentin cook has truly mastered the big beatmaking process, every single flip from who knows what vinyl is done in a way so effectively, every loud thump of the drums and every repeating vocal chop is infectious. it's electronic genres like these that dominated the culture and style of the 1990s, and to this day it has a fresh sound unlike any other. fatboy slim is fucking in heaven.