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Wed Dec 20 2023
Young Americans
David Bowie
The first song and the last song are good, the entire middle of the album is meh. Bowie is great but this album is a pass for me.
2
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Thu Dec 21 2023
Hounds Of Love
Kate Bush
Kate Bush was way ahead of her time and it's pretty sad that it took a feature in Stranger Things to even be heard of in the US. This is her best album but everyone should give her others a listen. She's magic.
4
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Mon Dec 25 2023
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
This holds its own as a debut release but I kinda wish I didn't hear the 2015 Remaster and could listen to the raw original. It's solid for the time but also pretty typical as far as lyrics and guitar riffs go. I won't judge it too hard because I actually like metal, but its too "rock" for me.
3
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Wed Dec 27 2023
The Marshall Mathers LP
Eminem
This album will always hold a place in time for me and listening to it really brought me back to the early 2000's (but maybe not in the best way). Every angry teen grasped the vulgarity and senselessness at the time but listening to it now felt yuck at times. All of the stupid skits and the overly violent, misogynistic, dark songs I once loved were just too hard to stomach this time around. That being said, Eminem is still a beast and the music hits. There's some great songs on this album that I do love, but I will play them individually henceforth.
4
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Thu Dec 28 2023
Goodbye And Hello
Tim Buckley
This album is from 1967 and it shows. Some interesting use of of background sounds (was that wind blowing? a blacksmith?) that give off psych-rock vibes and can hear a jazzy influence but it's just too folksy for me. This one didn't age well. That being said, T-Buck does have an incredible vocal range and gift for expressing emotions. This might be for you, if wispy tones and wailing are your thing ::cue pan flute::
2
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Fri Dec 29 2023
In The Wee Small Hours
Frank Sinatra
I thought I liked Sinatra but this was pretty hard to get through. This album has a lot of songs (spoiler alert: they all sound the same) but thankfully they're all relatively short. This one is too much "dim the lights, pine over lady, sad jilted lover" vibe. His music will always be reserved for Christmas songs for me.
1
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Mon Jan 01 2024
Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Wilco
I like the experimental and ambient feels of this album but altogether it's pretty drab. Jesus, Etc. is the standout for me. Jeff Tweedy's voice has that Americana raspiness you gotta love, it gives me Neil Young and Dylan vibes (whom he as both opened for and played covers of). I like Wilco but much prefer their collabs with Mavis Staples. I'm glad this album was in the list though.
3
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Tue Jan 02 2024
Remain In Light
Talking Heads
Once in a Lifetime is obviously great and Crosseyed and Painless had me tapping my pen. A few of these songs got me going but overall the album didn't do much for me. Some songs felt chaotic and thrown together. I think there's probably better albums of theirs out there and I'm happy to investigate further.
3
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Wed Jan 03 2024
Blur
Blur
I liked listening to this album and really should have checked them out long ago. Like everyone in the entire world, I only knew of Song 2 and that's rather unfortunate because its not even the best song on this album. Death of a Party for the win. Will revisit.
3
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Thu Jan 04 2024
Let's Stay Together
Al Green
Classic opening song but should have ditched it halfway through the album because the rest of these songs probably aren't getting much play. The album is smooth and soulful but nothing I'd write home about. I like his groove but not the one he left on his wife's face.
2
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Fri Jan 05 2024
The White Album
Beatles
Listening to this entire album all the way through is a journey for sure. There's a lot of good songs but there's also a lot of bullshit. Altogether its eclectic and lacking quality control (do we really need 30 tracks here, guys?) Some of them are borderline circus piano and I really disliked Bungalow Bill (probably because I feel like I know this person). What did you kill? My ears, ghat. Did I enjoy this? Not really. Does it below on this list? Absolutely, yes.
3
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Mon Jan 08 2024
A Rush Of Blood To The Head
Coldplay
I think people are pretty hard on Coldplay to the point where one might even be embarrassed to say they like them. Thankfully, I'm not in that boat but I can admit they have a few good songs. My biggest pain point is they seem like they aimed low and didn't take any risks for the formula they're working with. They have a recognizable sound, good hooks, and Chris Martin has a great voice but they just fall flat. This album is dull and designed to capture the ears of mass quantities of boring, simple people. I forgot it was even playing and I hate the cover art so rounding down here. See, its fun to hate Coldplay.
2
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Tue Jan 09 2024
Tusk
Fleetwood Mac
Although it took me by surprise, I really like the change in main vocals on this album. I previously thought no one can top Stevie's voice but then a Buckingham song comes on and I had myself a great debate. I think the draw of this album is that manic, disorganized feel that it does really well. It goes from lo-fi and mellow to banging on a shed and I love it for that. No other band could do this better so caps off. 3.5 stars because I love Fleetwood Mac.
3
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Wed Jan 10 2024
Buena Vista Social Club
Buena Vista Social Club
I enjoyed this album, it starts out strong then sounds the same but I'd be lying if it doesn't make you really want to understand Spanish. BVSC is much better than most other bands in this genre. Very smooth, very playable as background music.
3
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Thu Jan 11 2024
Faust IV
Faust
I love that "krautrock" is even a genre and was actually impressed this album was as listenable as it was. Some of the songs are too long and a bunch of them sound the same though. I had fun listening to it nonetheless and def appreciate their bizarre material.
3
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Fri Jan 12 2024
Bummed
Happy Mondays
I've never heard of this band and now I know why. Pretty BUMMED this album even made this list. It sounded like they recorded this underwater. Very mediocre and forgettable. Dare I say some of the tunes/cadence/riffs sound like they were "borrowed" from other songs by other artists (who incidentally do it much better). I will never listen to this band again.
1
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Mon Jan 15 2024
Here's Little Richard
Little Richard
You expect to see albums like this on the list and it deserves to be here. There's no doubt this was groundbreaking at the time but I do think you had to be there. He's a firecracker for sure, but it's 1 or 2 great songs repeated 10 times just with different lyrics. But it's Little Richard and he's classic, woo!
3
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Tue Jan 16 2024
Songs In The Key Of Life
Stevie Wonder
This is a solid album but it's just too damn long. I had to break it up over two days. There's some really good classics on here and also some skips. This would have been way better if cut down to one disc. I hated the harmonica song at the end and the sound effects in the background of people talking and moving shit around really bugged me. It did not add any charm and the album art is some of the worst I have ever seen. I thought I sorta liked this but after reading my review, downgrading.
2
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Wed Jan 17 2024
Ragged Glory
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
I liked this album quite a bit despite its muffled, unpolished, gritty sound. The guitar really shines here and there's something about the whole thing thats very carefree. Maybe they didn't give a fuck how it sounded and that's what's good about it. The fact that it came out before "grunge" and "garage rock" were even a thing is pretty monumental. It feels dirty and natural, like you're there just hanging at a jam session with friends. There's no golds on here but it's full of truth and passion. Worth a listen.
3
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Thu Jan 18 2024
Dusty In Memphis
Dusty Springfield
This album has a lottt of filler and I'm surprised it makes the list because her only popular song is a cover. She has a good voice but this feels like "white people soul" and, aside from Son of a Preacher Man, I don't care for it.
2
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Fri Jan 19 2024
John Barleycorn Must Die
Traffic
I don't like the band name but I liked this album. It gave me Jethro Tull vibes with the organs and flutes. It's very mellow and makes you want to chill out and smoke a joint after dinner. Very solid, will listen again.
3
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Mon Jan 22 2024
Blue Lines
Massive Attack
This album was really revolutionary in its day and holds up so well. It sounds as good now as it did 30 years ago. Massive Attack basically invented trip-hop and I love them for it. This album has a lot of great tracks before they really found their signature sound. I like some of their other albums better but this is a masterpiece as far as debut studio cuts go.
4
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Tue Jan 23 2024
From Elvis In Memphis
Elvis Presley
I get that Elvis is an icon but this album was so uninspired and mind-numbing, I couldn't wait for it to end. There's a few earlier Elvis hits from other albums that are tolerable but I found nothing redeeming about this collection.
1
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Wed Jan 24 2024
Everything Must Go
Manic Street Preachers
This felt very caught up in the 90's and I didn't hate it but I also didn't like it. Some good horns and melodicals in the backgrounds but not really vibing with the singer's voice. I don't need it, farewell.
2
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Thu Jan 25 2024
Supa Dupa Fly
Missy Elliott
I want to like this one more than I do. I was the sweet spot for when this was released and it is definitely feeling nostalgic. Missy undeniably deserves to be on this list, just not for this album. Still pretty solid so 3.5.
3
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Fri Jan 26 2024
Wild Wood
Paul Weller
Not sure why I have actually never heard one iota about this man, band, album. Really enjoyed it and will listen to more by him. Def channeling the boomer era and giving me dadvibes, but enjoyable through and through. I dig his voice WELLER enough.
3
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Mon Jan 29 2024
Talking Book
Stevie Wonder
How did I already get another Stevie Wonder album from such an exhaustive list? This one was too slow and cheesy for me, should've been called Blabbering Book. Superstition is good but not enough to carry the rest of the setlist. Maybe alright for chillin' in a lounge but not my cup of tea (too much honey).
2
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Tue Jan 30 2024
On The Beach
Neil Young
Finding a way to listen to a full Neil Young album online is like some sort of quest now but it's so worth it. This album is marked with all his signature melancholy and withdrawn vibes of post-Harvest, it's a hidden gem for sure. See the Sky About to Rain is incredible, many good ones on here. I loved this whole album and I miss hearing him come up on a Spotify playlist.
4
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Wed Jan 31 2024
Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music
Ray Charles
The album title makes a big claim and Ray doesn't back it up. Too much orchestra, not enough country. I'm not sure why this is scoring so highly elsewhere, it's monotonous, repetitive, long, and boring. Dear Album: Put These Chains Back On My Heart because I Can Stop Loving You.
1
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Thu Feb 01 2024
Hysteria
Def Leppard
Very cliched but very fun. This is all the things you want from glam rock: ridiculous, poppy, sonic, silly. I bet it's even better in a huge stadium full of people with headbands and glitter. I knew a lot of the songs on this album, but wasn't familiar with the title track (which is actually quite good). The whole thing is so satisfyingly bad, that it's actually good. Though it could be cut down by about 20 minutes.
3
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Fri Feb 02 2024
Roots
Sepultura
This was an interesting listen for me and I didn't completely hate it. I sorta liked the songs that brought in the more tribal aspect and give them props for creativity here. Blending any other genre into demon shriek metal has got to be tough, nevermind adding indigenous drumming and chants, bravo. By the end, I thought this was the soundtrack for a movie like Apocalypto or 10,000 BC.
2
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Mon Feb 05 2024
Sunday At The Village Vanguard
Bill Evans Trio
This album might be alright if you're 85+ years old or currently standing in an elevator. Listening to a
recording of live, improvisational jazz will never stand up to being there in person so a lot is already lost there. This type of playing takes a lot of focus, adaptation, and listening on the musicians' parts so I'll give it that. I did like that there were no horns and the bass was a star player at parts throughout. However, this was just too boring and repetitive for me. Meh 1.5.
1
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Tue Feb 06 2024
Sticky Fingers
The Rolling Stones
Decently mediocre as usual, some good ones but not my faves. Solid listen, not mad at it, just never really been a big Stones fan. I like the album art and I did find one track that made me go "oh yeah" so high 2's.
2
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Wed Feb 07 2024
69 Love Songs
The Magnetic Fields
Despite the wide variety of tracks, this album was downright annoying to get through at way too many points. I don't like the main guy's voice and the vocalist changes are no reprieve either (they're actually worse). Is this whole thing a joke? Not for me at all.
1
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Thu Feb 08 2024
Hot Buttered Soul
Isaac Hayes
Starts good then lost me. I didn't like the super long intro on the last song (By the Time I Get to Phoenix) and 2 out of 4 on here are remakes. Doesn't do it for me.
2
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Fri Feb 09 2024
Spy Vs. Spy: The Music Of Ornette Coleman
John Zorn
You hear one minute of this album and just wonder how the hell am I going to get through 40 more? ::Cue early memories at Nanny and Grampy's house:: The beginning is pure cacophony, like a moving truck full of instruments just flew off the road to avoid a puking cat. Then (almost exactly halfway through) the madness lines up for a few brief moments and it leaves you wondering if you're really just missing something, not understanding it or appreciating it. I'll admit the last half only improves by a small margin and listening to the full album gave me a physical stomach ache. But I can respect the free form style, the fast-pace, and the experiment. It's actually quite difficult to drum this unrhythmically and to make a saxophone squeal like that. I found myself referencing the minute's time to see which "song" I was on (and make some kind of correlation) which made it slightly more tolerable. My ears don't even really know what to do with this. It's like death-metal but make it jazz. It's either a 0 or a 5, no doubt it will be polarizing. I guess I'm glad I heard it but I would never put it on.
1
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Mon Feb 12 2024
Deja Vu
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
This is a great album, I knew all of these songs and didn't realize they were all on the same one. Every track is listenable with Our House being the weakest (however, still good as it shows their range and works on this set). Neil's voice is so good with the rest of the band, I of course like them better when he was involved. Very solid 3.5.
4
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Tue Feb 13 2024
Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul
Otis Redding
This album is soulful, smooth, and a classic but it's way too long. It's full of covers (many with several remasters and various versions) and it's just not really my taste. He's great at delivering emotion and his voice has it but after 2+ hours I was done. The horns started having too much of a big band sound and I just wanted it to end. Knocking points off for the length since it left me feeling annoyed.
3
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Wed Feb 14 2024
Country Life
Roxy Music
This album is just ok, nothing spectacular. I enjoyed the harmonica in a few songs, however any good feelings and enjoyment were promptly erased by Bitter Sweet. I couldn't stand that song, demoting.
2
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Thu Feb 15 2024
Back to Basics
Christina Aguilera
I had high hopes for this album because I really only know her hits and wanted to give her a fair shot. Much too long and did not dig the cabaret circus-vibe that showed up on a few. I was even more disappointed to find out this was mostly produced by DJ Premier. It's mediocre at best but she does have an impressive voice and is more talented than just a pop bop so I'll give her that. Nothing I'd go back and listen to.
2
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Fri Feb 16 2024
Low-Life
New Order
I've been a fan of New Order long before this album so I was excited to see it on here. This isn't my fave by them but it does showcase their mix of styles. Sooner Than You Think is a really good song. This album feels dark and moody but is also somehow upbeat, so that's New Order for ya.
3
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Mon Feb 19 2024
25
Adele
This album is full of great songs but nothing that pushed the boundaries of what she's capable of. She has mass appeal and a wide audience (is there anyone who really doesn't like her?) so this might be why she doesn't stray from what works. She's authentic, she's classy, she's a powerhouse. This album deserves praise and is really solid, her voice is incredible. Pretty hard to pack this many hits on any album nowadays. Just wish she really gave it to us, try something off the menu.
4
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Tue Feb 20 2024
Electric Warrior
T. Rex
This album was much better than I expected going in since I only knew "Bang a Gong" prior. It has a similar vibe throughout, a bit repetitive but listenable. I didn't really know what kind of music T. Rex was making but I wouldn't really consider this glam rock. It's fine.
3
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Wed Feb 21 2024
Da Capo
Love
This is a cleaned up, sober, mediocre version of The Doors which explains why I've never heard of them. I rather liked the last song, despite the length. The rest feel like what comes up on Pandora when you type in "The Doors" and really want to hear a specific song but have to wade through all this other stuff to get to the payoff. The band name is very lame and the singer's voice isn't doing it for me compared to Jim.
2
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Thu Feb 22 2024
Black Metal
Venom
This is everything you want from heavy metal and I can appreciate the major influence they had on the genre (basically creating it). The lyrics are a bit too theatrical for me, maybe revisit some tracks on Halloween, though I did like it a lot more than expected. Good: rapid drumming, can actually understand the lyrics, no overuse of growling. Bad: recording quality, Teacher's Pet.
2
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Fri Feb 23 2024
Timeless
Goldie
This album surprised me, although not timeless, it's pretty decent (it's definitely stuck in the 90's). Good beats, good mix of sounds, good ambients. I liked the female vocals too. However, a lot of the songs are repetitive with no real standouts. It was good as background music while working.
2
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Mon Feb 26 2024
Van Halen
Van Halen
Fantastic. Impressive number of singles on a debut album and holds up really well. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing and knew nearly every song. Even went back to "Eruption" for a couple more listens, legendary playing. I didn't love "Ice Cream Man" but very solid.
4
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Thu Feb 29 2024
Beggars Banquet
The Rolling Stones
This doesn't have the typical Stones feel in my opinion and I think I liked it better. Maybe I'm not old enough to be a real fan. This album has a way more bluesy, folk-rock feel than I expected but the production is terrible. One great song and then a bunch of ok ones.
2
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Fri Mar 01 2024
Rock 'N Soul
Solomon Burke
I recognized the first song and like it so I thought the rest would be pretty good. But it ended up feeling too sappy and a bit boring to me. It sounds like just another record from this time and isn't soulful enough. Too vintage, too much love, and too weak overall: 1.5
1
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Mon Mar 04 2024
Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
OutKast
There's a lot about this album that is done well and I enjoyed it, although the double-solo-album format makes it much too long. Speakerboxxx has a lot of P-Funk influence which I really like, it shifts through several different styles pretty seamlessly. Top scores for creativity and depth on disc 1. The Love Below however, is a bit of a letdown. I really love Andre but this was just indulgent and juvenile. It takes the album down a notch, regardless of all the hits. There are good songs but I don't like the character skits between them all and I wouldn't play disc 2 again. Still gotta appreciate their individual talents and this avant-soul concept. Not as bad as ya'll made it out to be.
2
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Tue Mar 05 2024
The Stranger
Billy Joel
This album is great through and through, he has such a talent for painting stories for the working class. It's very New York (before the internet), it's like memorabilia from a more innocent time (all the feels). How is "Vienna" not a bigger song? I love everything here. In fact, if you don't like this, you're not American.
4
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Wed Mar 06 2024
Night Life
Ray Price
This album is pretty sleepy and ho-hum for something called "Night Life." It also didn't age very well, the sounds are a bit geezer for me. It also had a hint of Beach Boys meets Sinatra that I didn't really dig. That being said, Price does have a quintessential country baritone voice and I liked the spoken intro, that was a nice touch. No doubt he makes the list for his tempo change to 4/4 and his pal Willie Nelson doing backing vocals and bass here. But if I'm doing country, I want all the tropes (rusty tractors, old dogs, and tears in beers) not seedy nightclubs, cigarettes, and depression. This was like an alcoholic blues album for a very lonely old person who sits in a rocking chair and smokes pipes. Tarantino should remash this as a movie soundtrack. I didn't hate it, there's a time and place perhaps.
2
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Thu Mar 07 2024
Here Are the Sonics
The Sonics
My ghat, what is that buzzing sound? The recording quality of this album is abysmal to the point where it's actually distracting. Is that why it's considered "garage rock"? Because this beach-y piano says otherwise. The originals are slightly better than the covers (also too many of those). I can see how people think this influenced early punk but I'd say more The Black Keys really. This sounded like it was from the 50's and was just ok. Service Announcement: You aren't punk if you button the top button on your collared shirt and please stand closer to the mic next time. Oooph, there won't be a next time.
2
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Fri Mar 08 2024
Mr. Tambourine Man
The Byrds
This is like the Beatles crossed with Dylan, with a lot more jingle-jangle and harmonized singing. It's not unpleasant but it's not something I'd play either. Why are there so many albums full of cover songs on this list? The darker, more ominous ones like "Here Without You" and "It's No Use" are a smidge better. It's easy to listen to but you can also forget it's there, middlin.
2
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Mon Mar 11 2024
Either Or
Elliott Smith
I think this album is pretty good, especially for coming out in the 90's. It stands out as different for its decade and definitely inspired Sufjan Stevens, Rilo Kiley, and The Shins to name a few. I like his whispery vocals and introspective lyrics. Very vulnerable and melancholy, also a little haunting given his life story. This album is for anyone trying to cope with something, especially a moody teen. It holds up well, very emotive and beautiful. I dig it.
3
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Tue Mar 12 2024
Head Hunters
Herbie Hancock
Starts off good then tapers off, some interesting sounds and fusions going on throughout. Pretty easy to listen to, groovy but nothing super exciting. At least it's composed and not freeform, very 70's. Jazz and synth are hard to mix well so I'll give it that. I like the eclectic use of various drums. For perspective, if this were in my living room it'd be phenomenal.
2
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Wed Mar 13 2024
Clube Da Esquina
Milton Nascimento
This album started off strong but couldn't hold it all the way through, there's just too many tracks and some are too sleepy. Although, each one is it's own journey (and some are only 20 seconds long). I did really like "Um Girassol" and, unsurprisingly, a lot of the songs have "Estrela" in the lyrics which caught my ear. It's a diverse assortment of styles, very progressive, and I enjoyed the listen. Portuguese is a beautiful language and this band is better than most I've heard in this genre. Solid 2.25.
2
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Thu Mar 14 2024
Blue
Joni Mitchell
This album is poetic and emotional, but it has a specific sound that I'm not sure I can fully appreciate ::cue several very high vocal key changes here:: It's a bit like someone reading their diary aloud in the voice of Mary Poppins but make it Canadian. She's definitely unique but the tone and sound just aren't for me. I mean, she's playing a dulcimer here, that sums it up enough. It's not about to make you jump up and sprain an ankle from jiving.
2
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Fri Mar 15 2024
1984
Van Halen
This album is so 80's it hurts. "I'll Wait" is the best track but I wasn't impressed otherwise. I'm not a huge fan of "Hot for Teacher," the song itself bugs me and the track title sends it over the top. Don't even get me started on "Drop Dead Legs," I despised everything there. I like the album art and there's some good guitar riffs but this felt mundane and a bit cliche'. Some classics but not enough to warrant a higher rating.
2
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Mon Mar 18 2024
Bookends
Simon & Garfunkel
Given the subject matter of many of these songs, how does it still manage to feel so white and wimpy? I found this one a bit boring, they've gotta have better albums than this because they have a handful of good songs and they aren't on here. A Hazy Shade of Winter is good but is cancelled out by At the Zoo (elephants aren't even dumb). Not enough good ones to justify a higher rating or a relisten.
2
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Tue Mar 19 2024
1999
Prince
I def dig Prince but a lot of the songs on this compilation came off as a little cheesy to me, like a bad 80's video game backing track with some hip thrusts thrown in. There's a lot to unpack here so it warranted a repeat listen and was better the second time around. Still, a lot of sound effects and little melodies that tack it permanently to the early 80's (not necessarily a bad thing) that I didn't need. It's a lot of electro synth and drum machine for 9 minutes at a time and all those little beeps and pops sorta overshadow his guitar talents. By the end, you feel like your toes have been licked and your splattered in his sweat (also not necessarily a bad thing). Rounding up because Prince.
3
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Wed Mar 20 2024
Will The Circle Be Unbroken
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
This album is tolerable, it has some good harmonica, up-step banjo, and their voices are perfect for the genre. A more fitting album name would have been "This Circle is Never Broken" because it's like a run-on, never ending loop of knee-slaps. It's way too long and very repetitive. It's fine if you're a pilgrim, have a rag designated for cannonballs, and know anyone with "belle" at the end of their name. I didn't hate it but I wouldn't play it again.
2
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Thu Mar 21 2024
Better Living Through Chemistry
Fatboy Slim
Fatboy Slim has a recognizable sound and this album is a fun listen (even more fun if you get the title). That being said, I don't think he's a standout in this genre, just more recognizable and consumable to the everyday goer. Even if you aren't grinding your teeth while listening to this (and therefore don't get the title), this setlist is still great in the background while you're doing other things, like if you need to take a shower but are in a hurry for example. "Give the Po' Man a Break" had me smiling but "Michael Jackson Tina Turner" was a bit silly. Still not a bad take and I presume there's another FBS album on here, because this isn't his top work.
2
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Fri Mar 22 2024
Paranoid
Black Sabbath
Drum rolls, looming electric bass, heavy power chords, and the simplicity of Ozzy. What's not to like. This album is very solid, even the deeper cuts are good. This must have been bone-shattering when it came out in 1970. I wish I saw it. I can't imagine having to listen to other music afterwards. These riffs are off the charts, I loved it from top to bottom.
4
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Mon Mar 25 2024
Bossanova
Pixies
First listen through a full Pixies album and it's ok enough. You hear people rave about them all the time so I had high expectations. I know some of their songs and do like their sound but this didn't move me like I wanted it to. The songs I know and like weren't on here but there were a few good ones I'd revisit. I think the album is good as a whole and better than a lot of other things that came out in the 90's. It's like experimental surf rock for people who wear jeans and black hoodies to the beach. I liked it just enough to be curious about another full album by them (which I'm sure will appear). They managed to age pretty gracefully, stay out of taglines, and are still somewhat relevant today so props on that. Go Beantown.
3
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Wed Mar 27 2024
Astral Weeks
Van Morrison
This album is pleasant enough, good for a spring day outside, but overall pretty forgettable. Most of the songs are too long and sound more like drafts of songs than full fledged compositions. The whole album is just a 2-string backing track with Van mumbling over the top (and he has a mouthful of mashed potatoes 85% of the time). This felt a bit too improvisational with some wailing and horns thrown in for my likes. It's still better than a lot of other albums in this list though.
2
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Thu Mar 28 2024
Djam Leelii
Baaba Maal
I finally feel like this is what 1001 is for as it's pretty unlikely I would have heard this album otherwise. I really liked it, like a lot. Great listen all the way through. Worldly, tribal, traditional, chanting, energetic, relaxing, it has it all. The songs are beautiful and the whole project is mesmerizing. Check out Tinariwen if you're into this.
3
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Fri Mar 29 2024
Tragic Songs of Life
The Louvin Brothers
I don't really know how to process this album. One minute you're sitting there tapping your toes and the next minute you're wondering if you just witnessed a murder. A lot of the songs sound the same, although I did recognize In The Pines from Cobain's reinterpretation (also much better). I get that it's from the 50's but still too much sexism and too much Jesus for me. Ya'll can keep yer murder ballads, thanks.
1
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Mon Apr 01 2024
Grace
Jeff Buckley
This gets top billing for #1 sad boy album and feels like the soundtrack to every college kid's melancholy phase of the '90s. The tones are eerie, his voice is haunting, and he's very talented. It's beautiful and full of emotion, just not the emotion I'm feeling at this point in my life. I do like it, I just don't want to feel sad right now. But you can't help but think about the tragedy of it all when you listen to this front to back. I'm not crying, you're crying.
3
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Tue Apr 02 2024
Music From Big Pink
The Band
I sum this album up as "old feels." It's pretty bland and sounds like a continuation of basement tapes because it's a bit all over the place. Some boring noodling, a bit of jingly jangly, throw in some Americana and here we are. It's ok but nothing stands out.
2
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Wed Apr 03 2024
The Dreaming
Kate Bush
This album is super experimental and ahead of it's time (like all her work IMO). It's far better than a lot of other stuff that came out in the 80's but it's a bit too theatrical for me. I like a lot about it (except Suspended in Gaffa) but it also reminded me of a really dark Disney soundtrack with little muppets popping out everywhere with hisses and chants. You're transported on this wild journey for sure and it's no surprise that Bjork cites this as a fave or that it took KB 2+ years to craft (she's obviously talented). I really like the variety, from witches to bagpipes, she pulls it off. Night of the Swallow is brilliance but not for the mainstream. In the words of Uncle Ronnie... "fricken bizarre." She's taking big chances and they're working.
3
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Thu Apr 04 2024
Truth And Soul
Fishbone
I have no doubt this band would be fun live but this album is just so all over the place I didn't like most of it. It's way too silly and honestly made me laugh at a few parts before I realized they were serious. The fusion of so many styles is just not working. I like a little more cohesion throughout an album and this was really the worst of all worlds. Tacky vocals, heavy metal guitar, outdated synths, politics, and some horn toots slapped over the top, no thank you. I wish they had a clearer style and literally never uttered the words "Ghetto Soundwave" together again. Their attempts at ska and hardcore are very weak. This album is as dead to me as Freddie, please leave it in 1987.
2
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Fri Apr 05 2024
Merriweather Post Pavilion
Animal Collective
I've listened to Animal Collective before so I welcomed this entry on the list. They have a very recognizable sound, super complex and ethereal. I love their mashup of various sounds, autoharps, synths, sequencers, samples, piano keys, household objects, etc. Their signature feature is probably the repetition of vocals that are harmonized into delay pedals (read as ::mid-word pauses::). They put the art in "artistry" and have really carved out a little niche in lo-fi indie rock. Their deep lyrics and hypnotic loops are so euphoric, it's almost like they wrote these songs while experimenting with psychedelics (wait a minute... ::side eye::). Keep doing what you're doing AC.
3