462
Albums Rated
3.45
Average Rating
42%
Complete
627 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1970s
Favorite Decade
Grunge
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
74
5-Star Albums
11
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Giant Steps
The Boo Radleys
|
5 | 2.88 | +2.12 |
|
Out of Step
Minor Threat
|
5 | 2.93 | +2.07 |
|
Truth And Soul
Fishbone
|
5 | 2.96 | +2.04 |
|
Floodland
Sisters Of Mercy
|
5 | 3.04 | +1.96 |
|
New York Dolls
New York Dolls
|
5 | 3.12 | +1.88 |
|
Permission to Land
The Darkness
|
5 | 3.15 | +1.85 |
|
The Bones Of What You Believe
CHVRCHES
|
5 | 3.18 | +1.82 |
|
School's Out
Alice Cooper
|
5 | 3.2 | +1.8 |
|
Vivid
Living Colour
|
5 | 3.2 | +1.8 |
|
Pink Flag
Wire
|
5 | 3.21 | +1.79 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Songs Of Love And Hate
Leonard Cohen
|
1 | 3.21 | -2.21 |
|
The Modern Lovers
The Modern Lovers
|
1 | 3.06 | -2.06 |
|
Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret
Soft Cell
|
1 | 2.87 | -1.87 |
|
BEYONCÉ
Beyoncé
|
1 | 2.85 | -1.85 |
|
Harvest
Neil Young
|
2 | 3.82 | -1.82 |
|
Penthouse And Pavement
Heaven 17
|
1 | 2.61 | -1.61 |
|
Calenture
The Triffids
|
1 | 2.55 | -1.55 |
|
Now I Got Worry
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
|
1 | 2.52 | -1.52 |
|
Arrival
ABBA
|
2 | 3.5 | -1.5 |
|
She's So Unusual
Cyndi Lauper
|
2 | 3.48 | -1.48 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| David Bowie | 5 | 4.4 |
| Pink Floyd | 3 | 4.67 |
| Stevie Wonder | 3 | 4.67 |
| Radiohead | 3 | 4.67 |
| The Kinks | 2 | 5 |
| Funkadelic | 2 | 5 |
| Kendrick Lamar | 2 | 5 |
| AC/DC | 2 | 5 |
| OutKast | 2 | 5 |
| Nirvana | 2 | 5 |
| Beatles | 2 | 5 |
| Talking Heads | 3 | 4.33 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Leonard Cohen | 3 | 1.67 |
5-Star Albums (74)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
The Magnetic Fields
2/5
“I’m making a Garden State knockoff but I’m on a budget and I can’t afford the Shins.”
“Say no more fam, I got you.”
4 likes
Kendrick Lamar
5/5
I've been told so many times to listen to Kendrick Lamar, but rap / hip hop generally speaking wasn't my thing. Or, at least, I thought it wasn't my thing - until I started making my way through the 1,001 album list - and now I'm learning that I was wrong.
Certainly not fine poetry, but my takeaway from this album is Kendrick has a unique way with words and metric, and he lays it on top of a smooth beat and some well crafted melody.
I'm not surprised this album is polarizing - but even as a non-rap fan, I really do think it's extremely unique and interesting. I can't help but give it five stars.
2 likes
Slipknot
3/5
I bought this album when it came out after hearing Wait and Bleed on the radio. I listened to it for a while, but have since put it on the shelf for about 20 years. Occasionally a song or two would make it on a workout playlist, but I haven’t properly listened to it in a very long time. So, I have the benefit of familiarity, but also have fresh ears.
In retrospect, listening now many years later, I find Slipknot to be a bit of a gimmick band with the costumes and multiple drummers. Maybe the best comparison, to me they are the Millennial version of Kiss - where people liked the music, but the schtick made them more popular than they maybe would have been otherwise.
The percussion is a standout part of this album, but ultimately over the years, it feels a little over the top. I’d pick a standout single drummer over the multi-drummer spectacle every time.
Also, it was only a year later that Mudvayne’s debut album came out, and I feel like that album has everything this album has, but with much better songwriting.
My verdict on this one - it’s heavy, with cool percussion, and it stood out at the time it came out. But in the end, I find that it hasn’t held up well for me aside from a few standout tracks (Wait and Bleed, Spit It Out, Scissors)
1 likes
Happy Mondays
4/5
This might be a weird take but it sounds like what U2 would be if they were more indie / electronic sounding. Not sure if that’s a compliment or a criticism. Had never heard it before, and I was pleasantly surprised, but also didn’t hear anything mindblowingly memorable to warrant a 5 rating.
1 likes
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
3/5
Kind of fun but generally feels like a knockoff of an early 70’s Alice Cooper album, but with none of the lyrical charm of Alice Cooper.
One exception - The Faith Healer is a really cool song and stands out significantly from the rest of the album. Bumping it up a star for that song alone.
1 likes
4-Star Albums (147)
1-Star Albums (11)
All Ratings
The Kinks
5/5
The Temptations
3/5
Depeche Mode
4/5
The Zombies
4/5
The Smashing Pumpkins
5/5
One of my all time favorites. Mayonnaise might just be a top 10 alternative rock song of the 90’s.
Dolly Parton
3/5
Country Joe & The Fish
2/5
Hugh Masekela
5/5
Sheryl Crow
3/5
Super Furry Animals
2/5
Elis Regina
2/5
Deep Purple
4/5
50 Cent
3/5
The Young Gods
1/5
John Coltrane
5/5
Snoop Dogg
5/5
Michael Jackson
5/5
The Mars Volta
4/5
Van Morrison
4/5
Ryan Adams
4/5
Alexander 'Skip' Spence
3/5
Not an album I’d probably ever listen to again, but after reading the history and listening with context, it was a worthwhile listen. This kind of stuff is exactly why I love this project.
The Smashing Pumpkins
4/5
This was a defining album growing up for me. Over the years, I feel like I’ve looked back on it with rose colored glasses. A lot of it still holds up, but listening to it with fresh critical ears, there’s some bloat to it. The first part (disc 1 from the original CD release) sets the bar high, but the second part (disc 2) doesn’t quite stick the landing as well as it could.
Still, a great album, and still hold it very near and dear to my heart, but not quite perfection.
Cyndi Lauper
2/5
Devendra Banhart
2/5
Cowboy Junkies
3/5
Earth, Wind & Fire
3/5
The Stooges
4/5
N.W.A.
4/5
Johnny Cash
3/5
Sepultura
4/5
Blur
4/5
Aimee Mann
2/5
The Doors
3/5
Incredible Bongo Band
4/5
Finley Quaye
3/5
De La Soul
4/5
Beyoncé
1/5
Big Black
2/5
When I first started listening to this, I didn’t like it. Then when I looked up the details, I realized it was Steve Albini. I still don’t like it, but it makes more sense now.
The Beau Brummels
2/5
Funkadelic
5/5
10cc
4/5
I actually weirdly like this. It’s all over the place, and some strange songwriting, but every song on this was an enjoyable listen. A 4 star rating in my rating system is for albums I enjoyed and would come back to again, and this certainly fits that criteria.
Suicide
1/5
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Magazine
4/5
George Michael
3/5
Some really great stuff on this one, but ultimately as a whole it’s a bit forgettable.
Happy Mondays
4/5
This might be a weird take but it sounds like what U2 would be if they were more indie / electronic sounding. Not sure if that’s a compliment or a criticism. Had never heard it before, and I was pleasantly surprised, but also didn’t hear anything mindblowingly memorable to warrant a 5 rating.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Janelle Monáe
3/5
Sonic Youth
3/5
I’ve tried to get into Sonic Youth many times in the past, and I’ve come to the conclusion that I like the idea of Sonic Youth more than I actually like Sonic Youth. It’s very clear they were highly influential, wrote great music, and created a totally different sound. And while I find myself appreciating it, I don’t particularly enjoy it.
Green Day
5/5
Maybe a biased rating because this was the first album I ever bought when I was 9 years old. I still listen to it regularly and love every single song. A pop punk masterpiece.
Burning Spear
3/5
Reggae has never been a genre that I’ve spent any meaningful time with - so it’s hard for me to rate, because I don’t have much reference point. But it was an enjoyable listen, and I hope there’s more reggae to come so I can start to learn more about the genre.
This is a rating I may look back on and want to change, but such is the nature of this project.
Queen
3/5
I’m very conflicted with this one. I love Queen in general. I love how this album totally flipped rock songwriting on its head. I genuinely believe that two songs on this album are two of the best songs of all time. But, in the end, I never find myself coming back to the full album. I appreciate what they did, and I appreciate the musicianship, but ultimately as an album, it doesn’t do it for me. And, if I’m being honest, I think that’s true of every Queen album.
Neil Young
3/5
I grew up listening to Neil Young via my father. I have an appreciation for Neil Young, and an enormous amount of respect for him as a musician and as a person. But, I can take or leave his music. Love him as part of CSNY and appreciate his songwriting, but it’s not for me.
Let’s put it this way - I have respect for him taking a stance and removing his music from Spotify, but I can’t say I’ve missed his music.
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
Orbital
2/5
When I started listening, I thought this might have potential to go somewhere. Unfortunately, for my taste, it got worse instead of getting better. Not offensive or bad, but feels pretty generic.
Amy Winehouse
3/5
Of course her story precedes her, but I’ve never really listened to Amy Winehouse before this list. After listening, I can see why she’s held in high regard. I’m not the target audience, but I can certainly appreciate that she had some serious talent.
Not an album I’ll come back to, but glad I heard it.
David Bowie
4/5
This is a heartbreaking listen if you have context around what was going on with Bowie when he wrote it. Hauntingly beautiful.
That being said, as much as I appreciate this album for what it is, if I’m gonna listen to Bowie, I’ll pick almost every other one of his albums before this. Makes it hard to rate, but tipped to a 4 because ultimately, it’s a special piece of art.
Alice Cooper
5/5
This might be my most pleasant surprise so far. Absolutely fantastic.
Ozomatli
4/5
It’s not earth shattering but it had me grooving the entire time. Very enjoyable listen even if it’s not a “great” album.
Beach House
2/5
Honestly, this was a bore and totally uneventful. Maybe “dream pop” is just not the genre for me, but nothing at all about this album caught my interest.
Maybe something I’d put on as background noise to fall asleep? Is that why it’s called dream pop?
The Mamas & The Papas
3/5
Feels like California Dreamin’ single-handedly got this album on the list, which I can’t argue with - it’s a fantastic song. The rest of the album isn’t bad, but nothing stands out like California Dreamin’ does.
It’s perfectly fine, but there’s nothing here that hasn’t been done better elsewhere, imo.
A Tribe Called Quest
4/5
Fantastically written hip hop. I tend to prefer hip hop with more melody incorporated, vs. stripped down to the beat and vocals, but even though this one is more the latter, it still does it for me.
Pink Floyd
5/5
Personally, I think this album is better than Dark Side of the Moon. The opening track is David Gilmour at his absolute best.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
Neil Young is always conflicting for me. I wrote this in my notes for one of his other albums, but I have an enormous amount of respect for him as a musician and as a person, but generally can't get into his music.
The exception to this is when he straps on an electric guitar with a band and lets it rip. I remember as a kid, my dad would always listen to Neil Young, while I was busy listening to Nirvana/Alice in Chains/Soundgarden/Pearl Jam. Then, when Mirror Ball came out, he put it on for me, and my 11 year old mind was blown.
Long story short, that means that this album is split for me. First half, could take or leave. Second half, I really enjoy, even if it's not in regular rotation for me.
Calexico
3/5
Wasn't expecting much when it popped up but this is a pretty unique album. Not sure I'll come back to it often, but very enjoyable listen.
Turbonegro
3/5
Very interesting mix of guitar-driven glam rock and punk, both genres that I love - but unfortunately, kind of falls in the weird area between genres. It’s generally enjoyable, and doesn’t take itself too seriously. A little juvenile in general with the lyrics, but music like this isn’t exactly intended to be highbrow to begin with.
Will definitely be coming back to some of the songs, because it’s a fun listen. But as a full album, it’s not overly compelling.
Public Image Ltd.
4/5
I dig it. Starts off with a total assault to the ears, then settles into some really good stuff. Not an album I’m going to put on everyday, but definitely one that will stick with me.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
Bruce Springsteen is one of the greatest performers I’ve ever seen live. But, I’ve always thought his actual music is wildly overrated. Badlands is a classic, but the rest is just generic Springsteen.
This is a harsh take, but I’ve always felt like Bruce is just the NY/NJ equivalent of country music.
That being said, it’s also not awful. Perfectly fine, just not up to the hype.
Jane Weaver
3/5
This was a welcome break from a long streak of 60’s/70’s/80’s. I enjoyed it quite a bit, even if it wasn’t overly groundbreaking.
Femi Kuti
3/5
Part of what I love about this list is that it’s not just your typical classic rock albums you’d find in a box of records at a yard sale. Never would have listened to this album if not for this list.
Quite enjoyable, love that there are lots of jazzy/funky themes incorporated into a traditional African sound. Likely never will make it into my regular listening habits but I’m glad I listened to it.
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
Yeah, it's totally cliché, but this is legitimately a top 10 album of all time.
Everything about it is fantastic - the vocals, the harmonies, the guitar playing, the songwriting. There's a reason it has sold over 20M copies.
Minutemen
4/5
Really liked this. My complaint about it is the length of the songs, for several of them I was really into the groove and it would suddenly end. Very punk in that sense, but this would be a truly great album if they took the top 15-18 tracks and fleshed them out a bit more.
Instead, it’s a bunch of great music mixed with a bunch of songs that ultimately feel like filler. Reminds me of Sandinista in that sense, although even as a big Clash fan, I think this album as a whole is better than Sandinista.
Gene Clark
3/5
Had never heard this album and when it first started, my reaction was “oh boy, another one of THESE albums.” But I’ll admit, it got more interesting as it went on. Some moments that I enjoyed, but ultimately not one I’ll be rushing to come back to again.
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
4/5
Had seen this album mentioned before but had never heard it. Immediately felt like I was listening to a bunch of Cure / Depeche Mode songs I had never heard before, but as it went on, it also showed that it has it's own unique flavor of Synthpop / some Post-Punk.
I'm still a Cure guy through and through, but this was much more interesting than I expected. I also think it's unfair to compare them to The Cure, despite some similarities - this is something different entirely when you look at it as a whole.
Muddy Waters
3/5
I’m conflicted what to give this one. If you’re a fan of the blues, this is top notch early blues. But I feel like on this recording specifically, a lot of what made Muddy Waters so influential is buried by the rest of the band.
What I love about Muddy Waters is equally his voice and his guitar work - yet on this album, his guitar work takes a back seat to the other instruments for a lot of it. This is a cool performance if you already know Muddy Waters, but if you don’t, it might not stand out.
Ultimately, 3 stars - because I like it, but I would listen to his other work over this almost every time. I’m not sure if Folk Singer is on this list - maybe it is - but that would have been my choice.
Ice Cube
4/5
Biggest surprise of this entire project is how much I love late 80's and early 90's hip hop. I guess I should have known I would, because I've always liked the hits, but going deep into the albums, there's a lot of great stuff that I missed.
Lauryn Hill
3/5
Enjoyable listen, but didn’t love it as much as I thought I would. I like her work in Fugees better than her solo work.
3/5
Not bad, but feels like background music, or music from a movie soundtrack. Maybe I just have a bias against electronic music.
Extra star because the Brazilian flare makes it a bit more interesting than usual.
Nightmares On Wax
2/5
I’m glad I know this album exists now, because there are a few specific moods where I will want this kind of music in the background. But, generally, didn’t really enjoy actively listening to this.
Bob Dylan
3/5
Mixed opinions on Dylan, great songwriter but don’t always love his music. This album was interesting to start, because it’s a bit more bluesy than I usually expect from Dylan, but ultimately nothing really stood out.
The Prodigy
5/5
IMO the best electronic album of the 90’s, fantastic and unique the whole way through.
The Who
5/5
The songs themselves on this album are quite good, the music in isolation is a 3.5/4 to me.
But man, the storytelling on this album is just top notch. To sum it up, everyone knows the song Pinball Wizard. But to really KNOW the song, you need to know it in context - and when you do, it takes it from a good song to a truly great song. For that reason, it gets a 5 from me.
Judas Priest
5/5
I’m going back and editing this review because a year ago, this generator was the catalyst for me listening deeper to Judas Priest. Long time Maiden/Sabbath fan but never quite got into Priest.
At the time I gave it 4 stars. Really liked it but it didn’t blow me away.
Well, now after countless listens over the past year, plus going deeper into Priest’s catalog, I’m hooked. They deserve their spot on the “God tier” of British heavy metal.
This was the catalyst that got me into them. I’d say that’s enough reason to warrant the change to a 5 star rating.
Beastie Boys
3/5
k.d. lang
3/5
Dirty Projectors
2/5
I reserve 1 ratings for albums that I just can’t bring myself to listen all the way through. This one I was at least able to get through.
I often like experimental / noise rock, but this one I just don’t see it. Odd choice for this list, IMO.
Kate Bush
3/5
Really interesting listen, and cool that this album has had a resurgence in the last couple years.
Atmospheric, great vocals, and cool layering of sounds. Fits a certain mood very well.
In my rating system a 3 is an album that I enjoyed listening to but won’t find myself coming back to much. This fits that, although it’s among the better 3’s I’ve given.
Boston
4/5
Sure, it’s kind of a cheesy cliché classic rock album, but it’s fun as hell and every single song was a hit. The only other album I can think of that has as high of a concentration of hits on a single album is The Cars self-titled.
Also, the sound quality on this recording is really something special. Borders on overproduced, but it works for me. On a good system, this album sounds absolutely huge, but without sacrificing dynamics. For all you vinyl collectors out there, find a copy with “Wally” in the deadwax and you won’t be disappointed.
The “corporate dad rock” criticisms it often gets are valid, but if you are able to put that aside and just enjoy the music, this is a really good album.
The 13th Floor Elevators
4/5
Ah yes, the album everyone forgot about until High Fidelity came along. An album that deserves to be remembered.
I’m not a huge psychedelic rock person in general, but this feels like a different take on the genre to me.
Madness
3/5
I’m surprised people hate this as much as they do, but I’m also surprised some people love it.
My takeaway is that it was fun to listen to and catchy, but not really much more than that.
In summary, if you’ve heard Our House (let’s be honest, who hasn’t?) you’ve heard the album.
Herbie Hancock
5/5
One of my all time favorites of any genre. Funky, jazzy, everything you want from a great Herbie album.
Kendrick Lamar
5/5
I've been told so many times to listen to Kendrick Lamar, but rap / hip hop generally speaking wasn't my thing. Or, at least, I thought it wasn't my thing - until I started making my way through the 1,001 album list - and now I'm learning that I was wrong.
Certainly not fine poetry, but my takeaway from this album is Kendrick has a unique way with words and metric, and he lays it on top of a smooth beat and some well crafted melody.
I'm not surprised this album is polarizing - but even as a non-rap fan, I really do think it's extremely unique and interesting. I can't help but give it five stars.
Frank Sinatra
3/5
This is lovely… but I can’t help but want some more upbeat songs mixed in.
DJ Shadow
5/5
This is totally dope. Caught me entirely off guard.
Joan Baez
2/5
Perfect example to me of how it’s possible to appreciate music, but not like it.
Linkin Park
4/5
When it came out, I didn’t like this album. As a huge grunge person, as the mainstream converted to nu metal, I liked each iteration less and less.
But over the years, I’ve come to appreciate this album. It’s not an all time favorite, but I think it’s a very solid effort and Chester Bennington stood the test of time - unfortunately to a tragic end.
Overall I’d say it’s a 3.5 for me but rounding up.
The Police
4/5
Really cool album - lots of fun, and a really unique sounds that isn't limited to just Sting's voice. Also, sonically, a really great listen - the production on this album is fantastic.
Only complaint is a few of the tracks feel a little flat and don't really land with me. But, the standout tracks (both Synchronicitys, O My God, Miss Gradenko, Every Breath You Take, King of Pain, and Wrapped Around Your Finger) are phenomenal.
R.E.M.
4/5
R.E.M. is one of those bands that I constantly underestimate because they weren’t that “cool” when I was really getting into music as a kid in the early 90’s. But this album was a pleasant surprise. I’ve always known the hits, but there are some real gems on here.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Imagine you’re in 1969, and you hear about this new hyped up band led by Jimmy Page from the Yardbirds. You buy the album, and the first thing you hear is Good Times Bad Times. How do you not immediately fall in love with this band?
This album is fun because it shows the two sides of Zeppelin - as great songwriters, but also as blues scholars. Ultimately, it’s not my favorite Zeppelin album, because what came after was so damn good. But, Good Times Bad Times may still be my favorite Zeppelin song.
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
1/5
I kept wanting to like it and it kept giving me reasons not to. And I even tend to like noise punk, but not this one.
AC/DC
5/5
There's a famous Angus Young quote - "I'm sick to death of people saying we've made 11 albums that sound exactly the same. In fact, we have made 12 albums that sound exactly the same." The good news is, I'm a huge AC/DC fan, so by that logic, I love everything they have ever done.
Jokes aside, love 'em or hate 'em, AC/DC is as consistent as they come. But, there's something special about the Bon Scott era - and this is my 2nd favorite Bon Scott album (behind Powerage).
A biased rating, but this is an undisputed 5 stars for me.
CHIC
3/5
Makes you want to dance and Le Freak is obviously a classic. But, it kind of feels like a one trick pony at times.
The Boo Radleys
5/5
This is awesome. It’s shoegazey without being entirely shoegaze. It’s a long album, sure, but the dynamics that come and go throughout keep it interesting. And multiple moments where the sound just flies high and feels transcendent.
I have a weird feeling that it may ultimately not stand up to repeated listens, but on first listen, I absolutely loved it.
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
3/5
Kind of fun but generally feels like a knockoff of an early 70’s Alice Cooper album, but with none of the lyrical charm of Alice Cooper.
One exception - The Faith Healer is a really cool song and stands out significantly from the rest of the album. Bumping it up a star for that song alone.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
I’ve never been big into reggae, not because I don’t like it but because it’s never been something I’ve had a lot of exposure to. But listening to this, you can tell why Bob Marley is the most well known - it’s reggae through and through, but with some really poppy hooks that make it more memorable.
Very enjoyable listen on a Friday.
Wilco
2/5
I’ve listened to this album a few times over the years because a lot of people whose opinions I respect love it, but it never quite landed. Was excited when it came up because I wanted to give it a close, attentive listen.
My opinion hasn’t changed. It just doesn’t do it for me. Certainly not bad by any means, but just not my cup of tea.
Sam Cooke
5/5
If you don’t listen to this and feel at least a little bit happy, I swear you don’t have a pulse.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
I really like part of it. Another part of it is generally fine. The rest is… kind of annoying I guess?
Some good stuff here, and appreciate the songwriting, but listening to it was a bit of a rollercoaster.
Love
2/5
There are too many psychedelic rock albums on this list for me taste.
Fatboy Slim
5/5
The king of using sampling to create infectious hooks. Overall this album just makes me happy.
Maybe it’s nostalgia, but I honestly only knew a few songs from the full album and even the ones I didn’t know, I enjoyed.
Steely Dan
3/5
Of all the Steely Dan albums, this is certainly one of them.
To their credit, the thing I love about Steely Dan is their commitment to high quality production. Every one of their albums sounds great. But aside from a few highlight songs on each album, they all kind of all blend together.
Duke Ellington
4/5
Great stuff. My only complaint, and this sounds silly, but I find that jazz with trumpet as the lead can be a little too shrill sometimes. Otherwise, this is a fantastic listen.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
3/5
I listened to it, and enjoyed it, but forgot to write my review. Finally getting to reviewing it a week later, and I remember it generally, but couldn’t tell you a single thing about it.
I’ll maybe come back to it, but it didn’t land as memorable on first listen.
T. Rex
3/5
I’m mixed on this one. On one hand, it’s cool as hell - lots of elements mixed in, great instrumentation, great harmonies - it’s got a lot to like and clearly good music. But, on the other hand, not a single song on this album got me really excited - Get It On is a perfect example - it’s a very good song, but for me, it generally blends in as fun but forgettable on classic rock radio.
Overall, musical appreciation is a 4+ but enjoyment is a high 2, maybe low 3. Overall, I’d say a 3+ for me.
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
4/5
Sure, it’s dated, and older rock and roll is not as timeless as some other genres (jazz, etc.) - but there’s still a lot to appreciate here. Some fun hooks, some cool guitar work, and overall a really fun time piece to listen to.
The Human League
2/5
Don’t You Want Me is catchy, but it’s also cheesy and borderline annoying - and it’s the best song on the album.
Suede
4/5
This grabbed me right off the bat with the great guitar layering on So Young. Really enjoy the album as a whole, but did feel like there were some ebbs and flows.
Definitely will come back to this one.
Merle Haggard
2/5
Remember in middle school when you would ask your friends what kind of music they liked and the standard response was “Everything but country?”
This album is why.
In its defense, if you like this kind of country, I could see this being a quality example. But, I stand by my original statement.
Beastie Boys
4/5
I’ve never quite understood why the Beastie Boys are held in such high regard. At least, that is, until now.
It’s not because I haven’t heard half these songs a million times, but rather because going through this list has put context around them for the first time.
I always assumed this album came out in the early 90’s. When it popped up, and I saw 1986, it made me realize that, at the time this came out, it was so fresh and different and way ahead of its time.
Ultimately, it’s still the same old whiney and grating Beastie Boys, but context is everything and that makes me appreciate them more. And No Sleep Til Brooklyn will
Always be a banger.
The Cramps
3/5
Not bad, but kind of feels like a watered down Misfits.
Underworld
3/5
I have a hard time listening to electronic albums like this critically, because they are fatiguing to listen to in normal settings.
That being said, can tell there’s a lot here (literally and figuratively) - and I really enjoyed the more low key tracks.
Overall, my takeaway is that it’s good electronic, but a bit long and not for every day listening.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
This is classic, textbook Creedence. I like Creedence, but I do feel like they sort of blend into classic rock radio and don’t stand out.
Lots to like here, but also doesn’t stand out to me.
Frank Ocean
4/5
Lots of really good stuff going on here, I love the layering of sounds and the smooth vocals. I can see why the hype exists.
In the end, really enjoyed it, but it’s not quite up there with some of my favorite hip hop / R&B that I’ve heard on this list. A strong 4 from me.
David Crosby
3/5
Sebadoh
3/5
Eh, it’s fine. I was excited to see a Sub Pop album that I had never heard before come up, and it was an ok listen, but there wasn’t anything that grabbed me enough to want to come back to it. Soul And Fire, Sacred Attention, and Bouquet for a Siren came close, but otherwise, nothing specific stands out.
To its credit, it’s unique - my favorite part of the album is how it borders on pure chaos at points. That’s ultimately what I’ll remember about this album, is how well they strike the balance between traditional songwriting and chaos. They remind me of the Meat Puppets in that sense, but I feel like the Meat Puppets stick the landing better.
Overall, some good moments and a unique listen - but as a whole, doesn’t really land for me.
Side note - after writing this, I was intrigued enough that I went to their main page on Spotify and checked out their top tracks. Actually really like some of their other stuff, might have to revisit this one at some point. I’ll admit, I didn’t like the Meat Puppets at first, and now I love them, so maybe these guys will grow on me like they did.
Stan Getz
5/5
Yeah, this is just awesome. A 35 minute vacation from everything around you.
Slipknot
3/5
I bought this album when it came out after hearing Wait and Bleed on the radio. I listened to it for a while, but have since put it on the shelf for about 20 years. Occasionally a song or two would make it on a workout playlist, but I haven’t properly listened to it in a very long time. So, I have the benefit of familiarity, but also have fresh ears.
In retrospect, listening now many years later, I find Slipknot to be a bit of a gimmick band with the costumes and multiple drummers. Maybe the best comparison, to me they are the Millennial version of Kiss - where people liked the music, but the schtick made them more popular than they maybe would have been otherwise.
The percussion is a standout part of this album, but ultimately over the years, it feels a little over the top. I’d pick a standout single drummer over the multi-drummer spectacle every time.
Also, it was only a year later that Mudvayne’s debut album came out, and I feel like that album has everything this album has, but with much better songwriting.
My verdict on this one - it’s heavy, with cool percussion, and it stood out at the time it came out. But in the end, I find that it hasn’t held up well for me aside from a few standout tracks (Wait and Bleed, Spit It Out, Scissors)
OutKast
5/5
Was never a huge hip-hop listener growing up, but this album was the one exception. Specifically, The Love Below pulled me in and I have always held it in super high regard.
Over the years, though, I've come to realize that I actually like Speakerboxxx better. The Love Below has higher highs, but Speakerboxxx is more consistently awesome.
In the end, collectively, it holds up as one of my all time favorites.
The Smiths
4/5
Somehow, this is the first time I’ve listened to a full Smiths album. Knew a couple of the songs but a few were new to me.
Generally, The Smiths are very up my alley, especially the guitar work, which is exceptional. This is a solid collection of songs, but it doesn’t feel as cohesive as I’d hoped when it popped up. Sometimes it feels like Morrissey is singing whatever he wants, without much regard for the rest of the music.
That’s a nitpick though - overall I loved this album, even if it isn’t quite perfect.
Harry Nilsson
4/5
I have a preconceived notion of what this album was going to be because of Coconut.
And I was totally wrong. Just when you think you know what’s coming next, it keeps you guessing.
Overall, some really great stuff and some really weird stuff, and both are a lot of fun.
The Pretty Things
3/5
I listened to this with noise canceling headphones while walking and it made me dizzy.
I didn’t realize it was a concept album when I listened, so it probably warrants another listen with that in mind. But overall, enjoyed it, even if it feels similar to a lot of other British rock.
Ride
4/5
I’ve seen a lot of bands described as shoegaze that aren’t really shoegaze. This is what I really expect when I think of shoegaze. Moody, airy, maybe kind of bland at times, but backed up with great instrumentation and a cohesive wall of sound.
I listened to the deluxe edition, and it’s really long - maybe a little too long - but I did like it quite a bit.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
Of the “big three” Stevie Wonder albums, this is my least favorite. But it’s still Stevie at his peak, and Superstition may be his greatest ever song.
The Stone Roses
5/5
Have always know about this album but have never given it a proper listen.
A fantastic listen that kept surprising me with each track. It’s got a cohesive vibe, but without every track sounding the same. Great guitar work, spacey but catchy vocals, and a groovy rhythm section. What more can you ask for?
This is one of those albums to put on when you need that uplifting chill vibe. Will definitely be in regular rotation for me in the future.
Sugar
3/5
90’s rock / alternative is my genre of choice, but I had somehow never heard this album. Glad to have found it.
Feels a little like if the Pixies and REM had a baby. Some great guitar work, and really enjoyed a few of the songs. Overall though, I’m not sure it stands out enough to me, despite me really wanting it to.
Buena Vista Social Club
3/5
Super enjoyable listen - didn't leave a review after I listened because I wanted to listen again.
But I realized that once I was done with it, I haven't thought about it since. Will maybe listen again some day but not one that stuck with me for the long haul.
TV On The Radio
4/5
Listened to Return to Cookie Mountain back when it came out and always liked it, but for some reason didn’t continue on with the band past then.
Well, I guess I should have. This album is very solid, with a few moments of brilliance. The back to back duo of Golden Age / Family Tree is the highlight for me, yet the songs couldn’t be more different.
Debating giving this one a 5, but it doesn’t quite hit that level all the way through. It’s close, though.
Gram Parsons
2/5
I get why it’s on here and that Emmylou Harris is the bright spot, but overall it didn’t land for me.
David Bowie
5/5
Probably my favorite Bowie album. So many classics on one album.
Radiohead
5/5
Napalm Death
2/5
Some good thrashy riffs, and some crazy drumming, but I didn't exactly enjoy listening to it. I tend to like heavier music / metal in general, but this is a bit too much.
Beck
4/5
I know Beck from Mellow Gold and Odelay, but had never heard this. Quite the change from what I was expecting.
Very interesting listen, and really enjoyed a mellower, more introspective Beck. Although, I would have maybe liked a little more variety - with the exception of a few parts, it’s a little too low key for me. If I want low key, I feel like I’ll generally go elsewhere.
Still, though, very solid effort that I’ll come back to at some point.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
4/5
All their best hits on one album, with some really good southern rock tracks in between.
Maybe stating the obvious, but in particular, some really great guitar work. Putting the meme aside, the solo in Free Bird is objectively an all time great guitar solo. And Simple Man is a fantastic track. The rest is solid, but not on the same level as those two songs.
Overall, a really good album all the way through, but also not quite at the level to warrant a 5 rating in my book.
Rush
4/5
I like Rush a lot in general, but strangely this isn’t my favorite Rush album. Moving Pictures, Permanent Waves, and A Farewell to Kings all land much better with me.
Still though, I like this album a lot, and it’s classic Rush through and through.
Iron Maiden
5/5
Pure, unadulterated, fun British metal. Some of the best guitar work in the genre.
Bruce Dickinson’s voice has grown on me, but it’s still not my favorite. Really my only complaint about Maiden.
I’d rate other Maiden albums higher (Powerslave in particular) but since I believe this is the only Maiden album on the list, it gets a 5 from me.
Nirvana
5/5
I could write my perspective, but it’s nothing that hasn’t been written before. Plain and simple, maybe my personal favorite album of all time.
And Drain You isn’t just my favorite song on this album, it might be my favorite song of all time, period.
Nick Drake
4/5
This album was way before its time. Timeless and still holds up to this day. No wonder he's had a resurgence in recent years.
It's an album for a specific mood. Maybe the fact that I listened to this on a cold rainy New England day enhanced it. But it's a very well written album.
The Crusaders
3/5
The Crusaders were my intro to jazz back in the day - accessible and groovy.
A fun album, although a bit same-y after the first track. That's kind of The Crusaders in general, fun but not much variety in their sound.
Count Basie & His Orchestra
3/5
This was fun, you can see how it’s the bridge between big band and rock and roll. Enjoyable listen.
Stereo MC's
2/5
I didn’t entirely hate it, but there was nothing about it that I enjoyed. It’s like a weird middle ground between pop and hip hop, but it doesn’t do either well.
Keith Jarrett
4/5
Standalone, this is a great performance. Really nice music to listen to.
Alongside the story, this is a super cool piece of music history. Very glad to have been introduced to it through this list.
Robert Wyatt
2/5
*slaps roof of car* this bad boy can fit so many discordant sounds in it.
To be fair, there are moments when it’s not entirely awful, and even interesting / unique - but, ultimately, feels like it’s trying too hard to be edgy and it’s also not something I’d ever want to listen to again.
The Police
3/5
Generally speaking I enjoy The Police, but the only full album of theirs I really like is Synchronicity (also on this list)
A few really solid songs on this one but overall doesn’t feel that special as an album.
Maxwell
3/5
Smooth as hell, which was very enjoyable for the first few songs. But after a bunch of songs, the enjoyment wore down.
Throbbing Gristle
1/5
Maybe we should stick to 1,000 albums to hear before you die from now on.
Elvis Presley
3/5
Always a good listen, obviously packs less of a punch today than it did when it came out.
But Blue Suede Shoes will always be a banger, regardless of era.
Eurythmics
3/5
Enjoyed it more than I expected but ultimately not something that I think will stick with me long term.
Belle & Sebastian
2/5
I’ll be honest, I’m coming in with a negative bias. There’s not many genres of music I hate more than the “emo-cutesy-folky-whiney” variant of the indie genre. So the baseline here is pretty low.
In an attempt to put my bias aside, here’s what I’ll say about it… to start, this is a very well produced album. Great instrumentation, and the quiet / loud dynamic definitely keeps it interesting. I like that it’s much more than the “acoustic guitar with soft drums and some strings” that you usually get from this flavor of indie music. There’s some good musicianship here. If there was less cutesy lyrics and a different vocal delivery, I might actually somewhat enjoy it.
But that being said, I just can’t bring myself to enjoy it. This one will be put back on the shelf forever, unless someday I decide to make an indie movie where someone is going on a long train ride in the rain to try and win back their high school sweetheart and I need to pull a couple songs for the soundtrack.
Brian Eno
3/5
This one goes in the category of albums I appreciate, but don’t enjoy. These kinds of albums are always hard to rate, because it’s hard to separate the two.
I love Talking Heads, and there are elements of the same things I like about them on here, but as a whole it’s a little too out there for me to fully enjoy it.
With my enjoyment at probably a 2, and appreciation at a 4, this ends up coming in at a 3.
Nas
4/5
I've said this in other hip-hop reviews, but it's generally a genre that I didn't dive into in the 90's. Was much more of an alternative / rock fan than a hip-hop fan. It's been fun to go back and listen and realize how much I missed.
I expected this one to be a 5 based on what I've heard about it. But for some reason, it didn't quite resonate with me as much as others. Still excellent, but didn't quite hit a 5 for me.
Unfortunately, I don't have enough context for where it fits in the timeline, and maybe that's the difference between my opinion and others.
Still, will definitely listen again and put it on my list of great hip hop albums.
Soft Machine
3/5
Some really good things going on here, but also feels a little all over the place. Certainly different. In the end, feels like it isn’t quite jazz, and isn’t quite prog rock, so it lands in a weird in-between.
Isaac Hayes
3/5
Funky and fun to listen to, but ultimately forgettable.
Fiona Apple
4/5
I’m a 40 year old white guy from Boston whose favorite bands are Nirvana, Black Sabbath, and Queens of the Stone Age.
And I’m not afraid to admit that, not only did I somehow already know about half of the songs on this album, I also really liked the other half that I didn’t know.
Not necessarily going to be something I listen to all the time, but I can’t deny it’s a great album.
Paul McCartney
3/5
I don’t dislike this album, but I think the common criticism is fair - it feels like a bunch of half-baked ideas.
Arcade Fire
4/5
I loved this album when it came out, because it was so different.
A few songs on it still hold up (Rebellion and Wake Up in particular) but overall, I don’t find myself as compelled by it as I used to be.
Still like it a lot, even if it’s not quite the desert island album I used to think it was.
Little Richard
4/5
Obviously, context is important with this album. It’s arguably THE album that started what rock music is today.
But even without context, it holds up as great music. I hadn’t listened to it much since I was a kid - biggest thing that sticks out is that it’s blues-ier than I remember, in a good way. And the vocals are really something special.
Not an album I will listen to frequently going forward, but was awesome to revisit it. A time piece that deserves its place in music history, and holds up surprisingly well.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
Enjoyed this a lot. Nick Cave has that Springsteen like baritone voice, but with much more interesting songwriting IMO.
Liked the first half of this more than the second, but overall really liked everything.
Donald Fagen
4/5
Have you even been sitting in your posh vinyl listening room, drinking aged whiskey, listening to Steely Dan, and thought to yourself, “I really wish this Steely Dan record was a little more Steely Dan-y?” Well let me tell you, you’re in luck, because this album is just what you’ve been looking for.
Joking aside, I actually like this better than some Steely Dan records. And one of the better sounding albums you’ll here - people criticize it for being overproduced, but I think it sounds incredible.
Beck
4/5
This was a new one to me, I’ve listened to other Beck albums (mostly the older ones) but had never heard this album aside from the first track.
Scratches a similar itch to Gorillaz - alternative/hip hop/electronic mix with a good vibe to it. Only complaint was that it dragged a bit at parts, but overall, really liked it.
Metallica
3/5
Metallica is one of my favorite bands, but I’ve always felt like this is their most overrated album.
Generally speaking, this album doesn’t do anything new and different. Everything on here feels like a rinse and repeat from their previous two albums, but with a harsher sound and worse production. Even One, which is an all time great Metallica song, feels like what would come out if Fade to Black and Sanitarium were put together in a blender.
Say what you will about the Black album, but at least they did something different and stepped up their game on production. Sure, pure thrash Metallica is awesome, but had they made another album like Justice, it would have started to feel stale.
Now that I’ve gotten the criticisms out of the way, this is still a great full throttle Metallica thrash album. Also, tons of credit to them for being to pull this album off after a period of enormous loss.
Dr. John
2/5
This didn't really do it for me. It's got a cool vibe going on, and an interesting mix of different styles blended together - but I can't say I enjoyed listening to it.
Air
3/5
I listened to this twice a couple weeks apart - because after the first listen, it felt like an album that I would enjoy more on second listen. Yet, even after a second listen, I still come away from it feeling like it was fun but forgettable.
Might revisit it at some point but for now, it feels kinda meh to me.
Wire
5/5
This was a great surprise. Loved it. Everything I like about that old school punk sound is here, I’m actually surprised I’ve never heard it before.
The Cure
5/5
I’m a little too young to have experienced The Cure in their prime, but so many of the bands I grew up listening to cite them as influences. I have always known the hits, but never went deeper into their catalog until recently.
Other albums of theirs took a few listens to sink in. Pornography, in particular, took some time before I “got” it.
This album, however, was love at first listen. And now, listening to it critically again, I love it even more than I did on first listen. It has a way of balancing moody and brooding with optimistic and airy. Absolutely fantastic album that has secured a spot among my all time favorites.
Dinosaur Jr.
3/5
I want to love Dinosaur Jr because I love their general sound, but the songwriting on this album just doesn’t do it for me. They never feel cohesive enough to want to listen repeatedly.
Pearl Jam
5/5
90's alternative / grunge is my music of choice, which is equally due to merit and nostalgia. So off the bat, my rating comes with a bias.
I generally put Pearl Jam near the bottom of the list of my favorite bands from this era, I think as a whole they are very overrated. But, the two exceptions to this are their first two albums, Ten and Vs.
I tend to think Vs. is a better album as a whole, but the highs on Ten are some of the best songs in the genre. Once, Alive, Black, and Release are among my favorite songs of all time. And, of course, Even Flow and Jeremy are all time classics.
My only complaint about this album is it's front heavy, and the B side is weaker by comparison. But overall, an amazing album that lives up to the hype for me.
Peter Gabriel
4/5
Gotta love Peter Gabriel / Genesis for having one of the more unique sounds of their era. Much more influential than most people realize.
A Tribe Called Quest
5/5
Yet again, this album proves to me that I didn't listen to nearly enough hip hop in the 90's. I loved Low End Theory, which I got a couple months ago, and I loved this even more.
Coldplay
4/5
I know Coldplay is polarizing, and rightly so given their recent work - but their first two albums rightfully put them on the map, and they are among my favorite albums of all time.
Rush of Blood to the Head is a better IMO, but this album is still excellent, and I think Shiver is my favorite Coldplay song.
LTJ Bukem
2/5
I had to listen on youtube because it's not available on streaming, and after a few tracks, I officially decided I wouldn't miss it on streaming.
Fine enough background music, but not something that I'll ever actively listen to.
Massive Attack
4/5
Quite enjoyed this. Never really listened to it during its heyday, and I imagine it was more impactful at the time, but it still holds up strong by today's standards.
Television
5/5
I knew what I was going to give this before I even listened, and lo and behold, it holds up to my already inflated view of how great it is.
Cypress Hill
3/5
Fun enough, but ultimately didn’t change my opinion on Cypress Hill.
Small Faces
2/5
It’s not horrible, but man, there’s a lot of 60’s psychedelic rock on this list - and this one doesn’t really stand out from the crowd.
Maybe I’ve just had it front loaded, but at this point, I could do without any more for a while.
Aretha Franklin
3/5
Of course, an incredible voice and a classic style. But it’s an album for a certain time and mood, which is few and far between for me.
A perfect example of how appreciation and an understanding why it’s great doesn’t always equate to something I deeply enjoy and want to listen to often.
R.E.M.
4/5
There’s a lot here that I like, but none of the songs stick out as overly memorable. I like their later, more expressive stuff better.
The White Stripes
3/5
I don’t love The White Stripes but I very much respect Jack White as a musician. I love his work with The Raconteurs, but for some reason the White Stripes never quite landed for me.
Had only previously heard about half of the songs on this album, but the rest was pretty much what I expected. Some great riffs and a unique sound, but doesn’t quite land as a whole for me. Didn’t hate it, but also don’t see myself going back to it often.
U2
3/5
I enjoy old school raw U2, but in small doses. That’s probably true about U2 in general, although in general I prefer their late 80’s / early 90’s sound to the early sound.
Standouts on this album for me are New Years Day and 40.
Talking Heads
4/5
Not my favorite Talking Heads album, but that doesn't mean it's not awesome.
PJ Harvey
4/5
This album is a vibe. Really unique and solid from front to back.
The Magnetic Fields
2/5
“I’m making a Garden State knockoff but I’m on a budget and I can’t afford the Shins.”
“Say no more fam, I got you.”
Miles Davis
4/5
I prefer later stuff in Miles Davis’ catalog, when he gets more experimental. But this is still a straight up fun jazz record.
Screaming Trees
3/5
I find it interesting that they picked Dust over Sweet Oblivion on this list. But, at least it made me listen to Dust more closely again.
This album isn’t bad. It’s arguably the most interesting Screaming Trees album I’ve heard, but doesn’t quite pack the punch of some of their more grungey stuff.
Eminem
4/5
Offensive, appalling, juvenile, and completely off the rails. So, just about everything you come to expect from Eminem. And that's kind of the point.
Yet weirdly, it's also incredibly self-aware and a few parts of it border on humility (e.g. Who Knew)
In the end, its catchy as hell, oddly clever and even poetic despite the subject matter, and doesn't pretend to be anything it's not. I can't fault that. And actually, I kind of enjoy it.
The Verve
4/5
Bitter Sweet Symphony is an all timer, 11/10 kind of song for me. I knew that already. But somehow, had never listened to the full album.
Quite enjoyed it. I loved it while I was listening to it, but looking back a day or two later, it's not as memorable as I had hoped. But still really enjoyed it and will listen again.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
I am definitely not the target audience for Joni Mitchell and I didn't expect to like this.
Probably not something I'd listen to again, but I didn't hate it. I get why people like her so much. Pretty unique songwriting, even if it gets a little repetitive sounding.
Miles Davis
3/5
Important historically because it marks the first foray into this style for Miles Davis.
A good listen, but IMO, his earlier, more traditional work is more classic, and his later work in this style is better. This sits in a weird position in the middle.
Willie Nelson
2/5
Like it in concept, but don’t love the execution. I’d rather listen to Willie singing originals.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
3/5
I’m definitely not in a position to critically evaluate this album.
But general feeling - I didn’t feel an overwhelming need to turn it off, but also wasn’t looking forward to the next song at any point.
Peter Frampton
3/5
I have played guitar since I was 12 years old. I've lost count of how many times people said to me over the years, "Oh you're a guitarist, you must love Frampton Comes Alive"
Sure, Frampton is a very competent guitarist and this album is by no means bad. But I don't quite get why people think of it as a standout guitar album when there are so many others that did it better during that era.
That being said, it's a fine 70's rock album and enjoyable enough listen.
Stan Getz
4/5
Getz / Gilberto is a favorite of mine. Was excited to listen to another Stan Getz album that I had never heard before.
Really like his work and enjoyed the more upbeat tracks on this album - in true bossa nova fashion, it had me nodding my head while listening during my commute. Especially love the inclusion of Charlie Byrd, as I’m a sucker for jazz guitarists.
Only complaint, it didn’t quite grab me with memorable hooks as much as some other jazz albums. It’s very enjoyable, but can fall into “background music” territory at times.
But overall, will definitely be listening to this again.
Dire Straits
3/5
The first three tracks are incredible, but that's no surprise to anyone. I do like the rest of the album, but admittedly it's a bit of a drag to get through. It's almost like they used up all their energy in the first three songs.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
2/5
There's nothing about this that hasn't been done better elsewhere, IMO.
Missy Elliott
3/5
I’m conflicted on this one. I can see why it’s widely acclaimed, but I also found it grating at times.
She clearly has talent and parts of the album are brilliant. And she proves she can go toe-to-toe with the greats on the feature tracks.
Yet something about it left me feeling like I don’t want to listen to it again. For every brilliant moment, there’s a whiney moment where she feels like she’s trying too hard that brings it back down.
Prince
3/5
Enjoyed this, although against other things in Prince's catalog, it feels like more of the same, but without quite as much magic.
The Smiths
4/5
Aside from a few songs here and there, I never gave The Smiths a thorough listen before going through this list.
Politics aside, this is a very good album. Particularly like the guitar work of Johnny Marr, who has a way of making a simple riff sound very impactful.
Great balance of rock / pop / something else unique that makes them stand out. And as an album, this one feels more cohesive than Meat is Murder, which is the only other Smiths album I’ve listened to in full.
Public Enemy
4/5
Still holds up in 2024, which means it must have been really special when it came out.
Bring the Noise is an all time classic. The rest of the album is similarly high quality, even if it doesn't quite ever hit the same high as Bring the Noise.
Rage Against The Machine
5/5
This album needs no introduction. I remember the first time I listened to this as a kid when my neighbor brought it over to my house. I instantly fell in love with Rage's sound.
As I've gotten older, I've realized that I had no idea what I was listening to - and now that I know, it adds even more meaning to the album. Sadly still relevant 22 years later.
Aside from the music itself, this is also a phenomenally well recorded and produced album. The combo of Andy Wallace / Bob Ludwig at the helm for mixing / mastering can't be beat. I'm lucky enough to own an original 1992 vinyl press of this - and even as someone who generally questions the "vinyl always sounds better" mentality, this one really does. When I have friends over who have never heard a hi-fi system, this is high on my list of albums that I use to show how good recorded music can sound (I'll get off my audiophile soapbox now)
IMO Rage never quite captured the magic of this album again, even though I do like their subsequent work. This album is just too good to beat.
Dusty Springfield
3/5
Good example of an album I appreciate but likely won't listen to again. Beautiful voice, great songwriting, just not my usual cup of tea.
Supergrass
4/5
I’m a sucker for British pop rock that borders on punk. This is an excellent example of that.
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
3/5
AC/DC
5/5
Top 25 favorite albums of all time for me.
Even coming from someone who prefers the Bon Scott era, this is the ultimate AC/DC album - and maybe even the ultimate hard rock album in general.
Shoot to Thrill is a perfect song.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
This is a band where before listening, I only knew the one hit, Maps. Decent enough song.
Nothing else on the album really felt compelling, but also didn’t feel like I wanted to turn it off.
A fine listen but won’t come back to it.
The Sabres Of Paradise
2/5
Actually pretty decent for background focus music at work. But definitely not something I'd actively listen to.
The White Stripes
3/5
Feel the same way about this one as the other White Stripes album on the list - enjoyable enough listen, but not something that grabbed me enough to come back to often.
Fishbone
5/5
This right here is why this project is worth it. Just when I was starting to get very fatigued by album after album that doesn’t interest me, this comes along. Right up my alley, and not only had I never listened to it, I had never even heard of it.
The variety is astounding. How do they meld so many genres into one and stick the landing?
Instant favorite.
King Crimson
4/5
Music is an interesting thing. With 50+ years of hindsight... yes, this style has arguably been done better elsewhere, and yes, this arguably isn't even among the best albums that came out in 1969.
But, without any hindsight, this album must have felt super unique and interesting when it came out. And it does still hold up today - particularly, 21st Century Schizoid Man is a jam.
In historical context, this is a 5/5.
Today, probably a 3/5.
So, averaging out, I'll call it a 4/5.
5/5
Nothing to say that hasn't already been said about this album. Absolutely outstanding.
Even the lesser known songs on the album are excellent, not a single track I'd skip.
Sex Pistols
5/5
One of my all time favorites, and not just because of its influence. It has held up for me over the years, and I continuously come back to it.
CHIC
3/5
Enjoyable, fun listen with some good energy.
A few songs are longer than they need to be, but I like a lot of prog rock, so who am I to talk?
Ananda Shankar
3/5
Tough one to rate. The covers are cool and fun, but sorta gimmicky. The rest is cool enough, but doesn’t feel like it’s saying anything in particular.
It’s fine. Sometimes I think 3 ratings can be the worst ratings, because they are just there. At least if I’m giving something a 2 or a 1, it’s evoking emotion.
Paul Simon
3/5
I like the idea of Paul Simon more than I actually like listening to Paul Simon.
Some awesome standout tracks but as a whole, I want to like it more than I actually do.
The Birthday Party
2/5
I generally like Nick Cave and was excited to hear his origin. And listening to this, I learned that Nick Cave actually tamed it down later in his career, which I didn’t think was possible.
I like how over the top and weird it is. And there were parts that I enjoyed. But not many.
Side note, the generator labeling things like this as punk, then telling me I don’t like punk, is about the most punk thing I can think of. Bravo.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
Coincidentally, I got The Birthday Party and this back to back, which was a fun comparison.
This album is excellent, everything you expect from a good Nick Cave album.
Willie Nelson
3/5
If you like Willie Nelson, I can imagine this is a very good Willie Nelson album. The storytelling and songwriting are excellent, and the stripped down feel is unique.
Personally, I’m not the biggest fan of Willie and his style, but I respect the hell out of him, and this only reinforces that. Just not something I’ll be putting on repeat.
Crosby, Stills & Nash
3/5
A few standout tracks, and of course the iconic CSN harmonies. No doubt a beautiful sound, but gets a little same-y and drags a bit as a full album.
Kendrick Lamar
5/5
I said this in my review of Good Kid / mAAd City, but hip hop has never been a genre I gravitate towards, so I hadn’t really heard much Kendrick Lamar before doing this list.
I was blown away by Good Kid / mAAD City. Gave it a 5. Got this album and expected similar.
But somehow, I’ve been blown away again. Astonishingly good. Maybe the best hip hop album I’ve ever heard.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
I’ll be honest, when Creedence popped up, I wasn’t looking forward to listening to it. Then I saw the track list, and realized that without knowing it, I already loved this album.
So many classic tracks. And the tracks that weren’t hits hold up strong too.
The Beach Boys
4/5
If you asked me before I started this project which albums on here am I definitely going to give 5 stars, this would have been one of them.
Yet listening to it critically, I just don’t know. It’s very well done and I 100% get the acclaim. But it’s kinda… meh? when I listen to it closely.
God Only Knows is still possibly my favorite song of all time. But the album as a whole doesn’t do it for me as much as I would think. One of those albums that I like the idea of it more than I like the actual album.
Still, I have to give it the benefit of the doubt, it’s brilliant music. I just don’t personally love it as much as I thought.
Richard Hawley
2/5
To me, this is an example of music that is phenomenally well made and well produced, but the end product doesn't quite add up to the sum of its parts. Some really beautiful instrumentation, yet the songs themselves feel a little boring and uninspired.
A 5 from a production standpoint, but overall misses the mark for me.
Tom Waits
3/5
I liked it at first, but as it went on longer and longer, I found myself wanting it to end. There was a lot I liked about it, but not something I'll rush to listen to again.
Patti Smith
5/5
Ok I totally slept on this album. Just awesome.
Led Zeppelin
3/5
I love Zeppelin, so of course I enjoy this album. But in comparison to the rest of their catalog, for me, this is in the bottom tier of Zeppelin albums alongside Presence and In Through the Out Door.
Some standout tracks, and I like the dynamics of the album, but overall doesn't hold a candle to the behemoths of the Zeppelin catalog (namely II, IV, and Physical Graffiti)
U2
4/5
A younger me loved this album. An older me tends to appreciate early 80’s U2 more than their later catalog.
Still, I do think this is a great album, even if they lost a bit of their edge.
Throwing Muses
4/5
Being from New England, I've vaguely known Throwing Muses but never given them a thoughtful listen.
Should have done it earlier, like this a lot. It feels to me like it's well before its time - sounds like it could be a mid-late 90's album.
The Doors
4/5
The Doors aren’t my favorite, but this is a very good Doors album.
ABBA
2/5
ABBA is only famous because they covered all the songs from Mama Mia.
Fela Kuti
4/5
This was a lot of fun.
Korn
3/5
Unashamed to admit I like this album. Maybe it’s nostalgia, but I genuinely think there are some great songs on here, in particular the first three tracks.
Definitely a mixed bag with a few duds, but overall I do like the album. It’s not Korn’s best (their debut gets that crown for me), but I understand why it was the one that was picked.
James Brown
3/5
Fun but I wanted to like it more than I did.
Talking Heads
4/5
A solid Talking Heads album. Doesn’t quite hit the highs of Speaking in Tongues or Remain in Light, but solid all the way through.
Primal Scream
4/5
This is all over the place, but not entirely in a bad way. A lot of really good stuff here, although in some cases it feels like it’s wandering around aimlessly.
Will def listen again.
Bauhaus
4/5
Very much enjoyed this. One of those bands I always knew I should listen to, but never really did. Feels like a mix of The Clash and The Cure, which is a top notch combo for me.
Feels like this will be a grower over time.
The Auteurs
3/5
It’s… fine?
If someone told me they liked this album, and I should listen to it - sure, it’s pretty decent.
And I get that this list is an imperfect science - but there are some pretty big hitters that aren’t on here. And yet, this is.
Feels more like an album for the “1,001 albums that flew under the radar and you might enjoy” list.
Thin Lizzy
3/5
It’s decent enough, but I find it odd that this is the pick from Thin Lizzy on this list. Jailbreak is a classic album, that would have been my pick.
Maybe they wanted to capture more of their career without having to include multiple albums?
The Cars
5/5
Not just a 5, but a contender for my favorite album of all time. Just chock full of amazing songs and fabulous instrumentation.
The Modern Lovers
1/5
I didn't enjoy this at all, feels like a bad knockoff of a bunch of other things.
Grant Lee Buffalo
2/5
I listened to it, and after it was done, I can tell you what the album sounds like, but can’t tell you anything about the individual songs. Nothing stood out to me.
Otis Redding
4/5
A very straight forward, enjoyable listen. Nice to have one of those once in a while.
Fats Domino
3/5
Much like a lot of things from this era, enjoyable listen and obviously influential, but doesn’t quite stand the test of time. My two young kids loved it though, so maybe more timeless than I thought.
Tears For Fears
5/5
Peak 80's right here. A lot of the typical 80's sound is off putting, this nails it to perfection.
4/5
Sloppy, all over the place, not super coherent. In other words, the perfect way to kick off punk rock.
Is it anything special musically? No. But it is fun to listen do? Absolutely yes.
Björk
2/5
I’m 300 albums in and I’ve already gotten three Bjork albums. I hope it’s over.
Milton Nascimento
3/5
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
Solid Creedence.
Queen
5/5
Two words: Brian May.
I’ll be honest, I’ve always been a hits guy when it comes to Queen. Their more popular albums never really did it for me beyond the hits, so I never explored further. But I should have, because this is awesome. I’ve been missing out.
3/5
Probably never going to listen to this again, but I enjoyed it way more than I expected I would.
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
I had two Simon & Garfunkel albums within a few days of each other, and going back and rating them, they kind of blend together. As I said in my other review, I want to like Simon & Garfunkel more than I actually do.
Björk
3/5
I am pretty sure I need to listen to this 5 more times to properly opine.
I've tried to get into Bjork over the years, and this was the closest I've been to "getting" it. I can see why people like her, but it still didn't quite blow me away.
This rating may change with time, and if nothing else, a closer listen has intrigued me enough to try again soon.
Kanye West
4/5
If I separate the art from the artist, this is easily a 5. In 95% of cases, I can do that (e.g. The Smiths) - but for some reason, I just can’t hear Kanye’s voice and not associate it with who he is.
But, credit where credit is due - not just a great rap album, but a great pop album thrown in there alongside.
I’ll give it a 4 because I can’t allow it to be on my favorite albums list. But I can’t deny it’s great.
Pink Floyd
5/5
Obviously.
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
A mixed bag for me. In general, I want to like Simon & Garfunkel more than I actually do.
Lots of good stuff here, but also a few snoozefest songs.
The Fall
3/5
Red Hot Chili Peppers
4/5
Ah yes - the first REAL Chili Peppers album, at least as I see it.
My general opinion on the Chili Peppers, which I think most agree with, is that the band consists of three absolutely world class musicians fronted by arguably the most annoying vocalist in the business. If they had a great vocalist, I really do believe they would be universally seen as one of the all time greats.
This album captures them in a nutshell - smooth as hell bass lines, tight rhythm guitars, great lead guitar licks, solid as hell beats, and... weird non-sensical hip-hop style vocals about California and sex and drugs.
In the end, I allow myself to look past it and just enjoy it. I love this album for what it is.
Lou Reed
3/5
Great songwriting for sure, and a lot of it I really enjoyed, but also some of it fell flat for me. Bowie's influence on the production comes through very clearly, and it really works at times. But it felt like it dragged on the further I got into the album.
Pixies
4/5
Feels like a slightly tamer version of the Pixies when compared to Doolittle / Surfer Rosa, but I kinda like that.
Sigur Rós
4/5
Radiohead: We made ambient noise that's just enough like music that someone will think it's deep.
Sigur Ros: ...hold my beer.
(Joking aside, I'm a Radiohead fan, and I do really like this - but similar to Kid A and Amensiac, it's definitely a mood)
Yes
3/5
To me, Yes is a slightly above average compared to their contemporaries. I prefer Rush / Floyd / King Crimson to Yes, but I much prefer Yes to say, ELP.
Instrumentally excellent and a fun listen, but not one that I have in regular rotation.
Sisters Of Mercy
5/5
Man this has gotta be the peak of 80’s post punk / goth rock. It’s like they said “Hey, Pornography is a great album, but what if it we made it catchier? Oh, and don’t forget to make the drums sound like Motley Crue.”
Side note, I put this on while hanging with my kids and my 1 year old was INTO it. Not quite sure what that says about me as a parent but I’m here for it.
Steely Dan
3/5
Ever been to a fancy burrito place that prides itself on super high quality "artisan" ingredients? They carefully craft each part of the burrito with their own special recipe, but then when they put it all together, something is missing from the completed package?
That's kinda how I feel about Steely Dan. I enjoy listening closely to Steely Dan because there are so many layers of quality. Yet, when you pull it back and listen to the whole, I never find myself really loving any Steely Dan songs.
Songhoy Blues
4/5
Never would have listened to this if not for this list, and glad I did. Such a unique album.
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
2/5
Holy identity crisis Batman. Feels like it tries to do something unique, but ends up only going half in.
Ian Dury
2/5
There are two kinds of people in this world - people who say “I can’t hear accents in music”’and people who have listened to Ian Dury.
This albums feels like what would happen if Arthur Dent was a musician.
808 State
3/5
Catchy beats, though nothing really stands out - but then, when you realize when it came out, this was way before its time.
Nirvana
5/5
Extremely biased, because if you asked me even before starting this project what my favorite album is, I'd say this.
But I honestly think that, bias aside, this is an incredible performance.
The Allman Brothers Band
4/5
The Allman Brothers have always been a "know the hits but don't often listen to them" kind of band for me.
Much bluesy-er than I expected in a good way. Will definitely be giving this one another spin very soon.
Machito
3/5
I generally like my jazz music with a little more finesse vs. brute force, but on the brute force end of the spectrum, this is really fun.
Genesis
4/5
I enjoyed this a lot more than I was expecting. When I think of Genesis, I normally think of the Phil Collins fronted, more poppy Genesis of the 80's. Turns out, I really like Peter Gabriel fronted Genesis (which isn't surprising, because I also like Peter Gabriel's solo work)
Only criticism is that it dragged a bit. Felt a little indulgent at times.
Leonard Cohen
1/5
Under absolutely no circumstances will I ever listen to this again.
Bill Evans Trio
5/5
Fantastic. It’s easy to write an album like this off as “boring” but man, there’s some really fantastic musicianship here.
B.B. King
3/5
Clearly an excellent performance and 10 out of 10 would want to go back in time and be there in person.
Listening on recording in 2024, it's a 5 on the appreciation scale but a 3 on the enjoyment scale.
Missy Elliott
3/5
The Divine Comedy
4/5
Whatever, I enjoyed this.
Jacques Brel
2/5
OutKast
5/5
I always felt that Speakerboxx / Love Below is Outkast's magnum opus. But listening to them both many years later as part of this list, I actually might like this album better. Absolutely fantastic.
The Psychedelic Furs
3/5
I like this a lot more in theory than in practice.
Genesis
4/5
Björk
2/5
Previous impression of Bjork: don’t get it, and don’t like it.
Updated impression of Bjork: sorta get it, still don’t really like it.
John Lennon
2/5
It's ok, but I'm pretty convinced if this album had any other person's name on it, it would be considered very mediocre.
Jefferson Airplane
3/5
There are a bunch of good songs on this album, but only a few great songs. And you can guess who sings the great songs.
Gang Starr
3/5
Enjoyed it, but IMO not quite up to the same level as some other 90’s hip hop. Great flow, but needed a little more to make it interesting to me.
Jack White
4/5
As someone who could never really get into the White Stripes for some reason, I actually enjoyed this more than I expected.
Beatles
5/5
An obvious one, and not just because it’s the Beatles.
Radiohead
5/5
This album is the perfect in-between of alternative Radiohead and experimental Radiohead.
I still think OK Computer is their magnum opus, but I've really grown to love Hail to the Thief over the years.
R.E.M.
4/5
This album has grown on me over the years. Nightswimming is such a fantastic song.
I personally prefer Monster, because I like the more alternative / grunge-y REM sound. But preference aside, this is definitely their magnum opus.
Van Morrison
3/5
Once you've heard a Van Morrison album, you've heard them all.
Pere Ubu
4/5
You know what? I enjoyed the shit out of this and I’m not ashamed to admit it. Sure, some parts of it were a bit too out there for me, but overall I enjoyed it a lot.
Sonic Youth
3/5
I’ve always wanted to like Sonic Youth because I feel like I should, but they’ve just never sunk in for me. This listen didn’t change that.
The War On Drugs
4/5
Sure it’s not the most groundbreaking original sound, but I enjoyed listening to it a lot. And in the end, isn’t that what it’s about?
This is a nostalgia rating, because this album came out during my formative music years when I was discovering U2 beyond just the hits.
Would have been a 5 back then, but over time, it's objectively very generic U2.
Various Artists
3/5
Merry Christmas 2024!
Sly & The Family Stone
4/5
There is not enough funk music in the world to satisfy how much I love funk music.
Not my favorite Sly album (Fresh is my personal favorite) but still a fantastic album from one of the best in the genre.
Joni Mitchell
5/5
This has always been an album I knew I should listen to, but never did, because it’s not my usual style.
Still not something I’m gonna listen to all the time, but man, if this isn’t great songwriting, I don’t know what is.
Violent Femmes
3/5
This is very up my alley in theory, but I didn’t enjoy it as much as I hoped I would.
Crazy how ahead of its time it was though - I’m going to have to take Blister in the Sun off all my 90’s playlists.
Sufjan Stevens
4/5
This album is a grower for sure. I know that because I listened to it when it came out in 2005 and didn’t “get” it.
Now 20 years later, I like it a lot.
Ice T
3/5
A fun listen. Not in the top tier of 90’s rap, but to me 90’s rap is like pizza - even mediocre pizza is still good.
The Strokes
3/5
I’m so conflicted.
To me, this album is both great and unremarkable all at the same time. I like it enough that I own a physical copy. I enjoy it when I’m listening to it, and it’s got a great vibe to it - but I never reach for it to listen to. Everything I like about it, I like something else in my collection better.
Firmly in the 3 star category for me.
Radiohead
4/5
I was a Radiohead fan during their alternative era - The Bends / Ok Computer are two of my favorite albums of all time.
Kid A lost me when it came out, and I drifted away from Radiohead. Later in life, I've learned that I just didn't give it enough time.
I have a feeling this one will be the same and that I'll be back to change this review. But for now, it hasn't grown on me enough, and still doesn't touch OK Computer in my book.
Tom Waits
3/5
Tom Waits is growing on me, but still not sure I'll ever fully get there.
Paul Revere & The Raiders
3/5
I don’t hate this, but it also feels very average compared to other similar groups from the era.
The Fall
4/5
This is the second album from The Fall I've gotten, the first being This Nation's Saving Grace.
I like this better, the raw production fits their sound a lot better.
Badly Drawn Boy
3/5
There was a period of time when I feel like indie music tried too hard to be deep and beautiful, and lost a bit of what makes music fun and enjoyable.
Not a bad album, but nothing about it is making me want to listen again.
Beastie Boys
3/5
Growing up I always found the Beastie Boys to be annoying and grating. But over the years, and going back into their catalog, I've learned to appreciate how much they were before their time.
I still don't love their music, but I have more of an appreciation of how innovative they were as I've gotten older.
The Velvet Underground
4/5
It would be impossible for this album to live up to the hype, but I still enjoyed it quite a bit.
Parts of it are WAY ahead of their time and I genuinely can’t believe it came out in 1967.
Not something I’m gonna put on all the time, but it deserves the praise.
ZZ Top
3/5
This album is fun, but I feel like this album is precisely when ZZ Top went from solid guitar driven southern rock to straight up cheesy.
Still, enjoyable enough.
Dr. Dre
3/5
An important part of history as the beginning of an amazing era of hip hop, but over time, this has fallen in the ranks for me.
Mariah Carey
2/5
Honey is a banger but nothing else quite did it for me.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
At some point I hope to revisit this, but my honest truth right now is that I don't know enough reggae to critically evaluate reggae.
Funkadelic
5/5
Pretty sure George Clinton has never made an album I don’t love.
5/5
PJ Harvey has a ton of range and it's all on full display here. Excellent album.
Curtis Mayfield
5/5
Straight up awesome, love everything about this album.
Talking Heads
5/5
IMO the best Talking Heads album.
Holger Czukay
4/5
Delightfully weird and different. Actually liked it quite a bit.
Soundgarden
5/5
I’m biased, but I love this album so much. It strikes a perfect balance between the radio friendly sound of My Wave / Black Hole Sun / Spoonman and the heavier, more grungy sound of Mailman / Limo Wreck / 4th of July.
A nearly perfect 90’s alternative album.
Neu!
4/5
First song: “This is rad. I’m gonna love this.”
Second song: “Ok, not as good as the first, but I’m still into it.”
Third song: “This is a nice interlude-y kinda song… but it’s 9 minutes long??”
Fourth song: “Ok now we’re talking, I’m into this… wait, it’s still going?”
Fifth song: “Oh so this is what we’re gonna do again? A meandering 7 minutes followed by an unnecessarily long outro of… not really anything?”
Sixth song: “Ok, I’m back. This is awesome.”
Listen, I’m a prog fan, so I’m not afraid of long songs. But if you’re gonna write a 9 minute song, at least switch it up a little bit.
Yet, all that aside… I still loved it. If it was just a tiny bit less self indulgent, this would have been an instant favorite.
Peter Gabriel
4/5
Might sound cliche, but In Your Eyes really is one of the most beautiful songs ever written.
In general, Peter Gabriel is an artist I'm not going to rush to put on when I want to listen to music, but when I do listen to his music, it comes with deep appreciation for his songwriting.
Iggy Pop
4/5
Iggy and Bowie? Sign me up.
Only complaint is, at times, it’s a little TOO Bowie. But overall, when the balance is struck between Bowie’s dramatic flare and Iggy’s punk edge, it shines.
Run-D.M.C.
3/5
I wanted to like this more than I did. Maybe my expectations were too high given the legendary status of It’s Tricky and Walk this Way, but feels like nothing else quite reached the level of those two.
Jethro Tull
4/5
If they took the handcuffs off a little bit more, and rocked a little harder, this would be an easy 5 for me. I even love the flute - it’s unique.
But I found myself bored to death when it slowed down and did the more generic “psych” style. So, a star off for too much of that.
Einstürzende Neubauten
3/5
I was pretty excited when this came up because I wanted to see what all the fuss was about.
Most of this project has been either listening to albums I already know with a more critical ear, or discovering new albums I've missed. But every once in a while, with an album like this, I simply try to understand it, with no pressure to enjoy it.
What they did here is certainly not enjoyable, but I will say, they succeeded in what they set out to accomplish. Taking a bunch of non-musical sounds and making them at least marginally musical. For that, I'll give it a 3.
I will never listen to this again, but if anything, I am thankful for this being in my brain, because I'm a big Metallica fan and now the snare sound in St. Anger is a little more tolerable.
Chicago
3/5
Enjoyed this much more than I expected. Changes my view on Chicago.
Not necessarily going to go down as a new favorite, but enjoyable nonetheless.
Also hot take, if Free Form Guitar was on say, a Van Halen album, or another band known for guitar wankery, it wouldn’t get as much hate as it gets on here. But yeah, 7 mins of that is much too long.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Generally speaking, I can take or leave Bruce, but this album is the exception.
Still not necessarily my favorite, but hard to deny how many timeless hits there are on this album.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
Prob in my top 20 albums of all time. Timeless and phenomenal.
Cat Stevens
4/5
Knew a few songs before, but a few were new to me. In particular, On the Road to Find Out was new to me and stood out as an instant favorite.
Definitely will be playing this one more regularly.
The Adverts
3/5
I’m a punk fan in general so I liked this, but it doesn’t really stand out in any way to me.
Leonard Cohen
2/5
I'm just decidedly in the camp of people who can't do Leonard Cohen.
Shades of Dylan at times, which makes it not entirely awful, but I'm also not the world's biggest Dylan fan, so that's not entirely a compliment.
Beck
4/5
Delightfully weird and all over the place.
I'm a very surface level Beck fan, but I could see myself going deep into the catalog.
Marvin Gaye
3/5
Was excited to listen to this full album, but came away a little underwhelmed. Some really good highs, but overall, came away feeling like it all blended together and wasn’t super memorable.
Fleet Foxes
3/5
On the one hand, I appreciate this album and consider it very good music.
On the other hand, it doesn’t make me want to listen regularly.
The National
4/5
This album is a mood, but a mood done very well.
Leonard Cohen
2/5
I get why Leonard Cohen is highly regarded, but to me, he's like Dylan but more boring.
Electric Light Orchestra
3/5
I want to love ELO but there’s something about them that just doesn’t quite add up for me.
Everything about them is up my alley - layered instrumentation, upbeat catchy melodies, a little weirdness. But for some reason, I just like it, I don’t LOVE it.
The Killers
4/5
The highs of this album are amazing, but I do feel like some of the filler songs haven't stood the test of time as well. The proverbial Side A is much better than Side B.
David Bowie
4/5
Middle of the pack for Bowie, which still means it’s great.
Public Enemy
4/5
Good stuff right here.
Pretenders
3/5
I’m in the camp of “like the music, don’t love the vocals”
Still enjoyed it.
Elastica
4/5
This album has always been very underrated in my opinion. I loved it growing up and still really like it to this day.
However, imagine my surprise earlier in this list when I got Pink Flag… still love this album, but that was interesting to learn.
Happy Mondays
2/5
I liked the other Happy Mondays album on this list, so was excited to listen to this one.
Definitely didn't like this one anywhere near as much.
TLC
3/5
Objectively, this is a very solid album in the genre.
Subjectively, it's fine, just not totally my cup of tea.
Soft Cell
1/5
Man, this album is just everything I don't like about 80's music. With some much good music in the world, why would I ever listen to this?
Minor Threat
5/5
I haven’t listened to this album in years and that’s a damn shame. As good as it gets in the genre.
David Bowie
4/5
Definitely in contention at the top of my list of favorite Bowie albums.
Ziggy Stardust and Hunky Dory will never be topped for me, but I find myself coming back to this album almost as frequently as those two.
Tricky
4/5
A little all over the place, but kind of in a good way. Felt like Gorillaz meets Massive Attack, with a little Prodigy thrown in from time to time.
Needs a few listens but came away with a positive impression.
The Triffids
1/5
At least it's not another Leonard Cohen album.
Garbage
4/5
This album is way better than I remember it being.
The Pogues
5/5
I’m very biased. I’m of Irish descent, from Boston, and I used to see the Pogues every St. Paddy’s day in Boston. Those shows are some of my favorite memories of live music. Fantastic musicians and such fun nights of music.
This album has my four favorite Pogues songs - Pair of Brown Eyes, Sally Mclenane, Body of an American, and Rainy Night in SoHo (the last two being on the deluxe version) - so I’d say it’s pretty special to me.
A very biased 5 but a 5 nonetheless.
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
It’s Curtis Mayfield so obviously it’s not bad. But I prefer his stuff that’s more on the funk side of the spectrum as opposed to the soul side of the spectrum.
Skepta
2/5
I didn’t think it was totally awful, but I also didn’t really enjoy it.
Talk Talk
3/5
I could see this album being better in the right mood, but it didn’t catch me on the right day. Thought it was interesting but kind of blended into the background.
Will do a deeper listen at some point and maybe my opinion will change, but it didn’t blow me away.
Sarah Vaughan
3/5
It’s great for what it is, but not something that’s going to stick with me for a long time.
The Afghan Whigs
3/5
I liked it at the beginning but it got a little tedious by the end.
Tom Waits
2/5
Not giving it a 1 because I see the appeal. But I just don’t really like Tom Waits.
The Rolling Stones
2/5
Paint It Black is an incredible song. But, this album has confirmed for me that I really only like a handful of Stones songs.
Buffalo Springfield
3/5
Not bad but also didn’t wow me. Feels like it’s on here for the historical significance more than the music itself.
Rush
4/5
About as perfect of a Side A as it gets. Side B kind of drags a bit, but still an amazing album.
The Clash
5/5
The Clash get a lot of credit (deservedly so) for London Calling, but to me, this album is just as good, if not maybe better.
Different, and maybe it's just that I like the raw punk sound of the Clash, but I just really love this album.
Tom Waits
2/5
Two Tom Waits albums in the same week. And the same rating, same reason - I see the appeal, so not going to give it a 1, but I also just don’t like it.
Also are there really 5 Tom Waits albums on this list but not a single Heart album??
Hole
4/5
Can't stand Courtney Love, but can't deny that this album shreds.
The Velvet Underground
4/5
I find The Velvet Underground to be highly overrated.
But, that doesn’t mean they are bad. In fact, they are quite good. Like this album a lot. But for me, it’s not on God tier like a lot of people put it on.
The Black Keys
3/5
Solid, not earth shattering but enjoyable enough. I know a lot of people who absolutely love The Black Keys, and I don’t quite see the obsession. But also, I do enjoy their music.
The United States Of America
2/5
It’s good but laser beams are my least favorite instrument so that kinda ruins it for me.
Louis Prima
3/5
Listened to this with my 2 year old in the car and she was very into it. Good, fun music.
Travis
2/5
The definition of generic radio music - unoffensive and pleasant, but doesn't compel me to want to listen ever again.
Neil Young
3/5
My dad loves Neil Young. I find his music pleasant enough, but I've never quite understood it.
This album reinforced that.
Belle & Sebastian
2/5
Better than the other Belle & Sebastian album I’ve heard, but still a little too cutesy emo for my taste.
Digital Underground
3/5
Enjoyed it while I was listening but didn't leave much of a lasting impression.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
What else to say that hasn't been said.
I can't officially name a "favorite album of all time" because it's constantly changing - but this album is always in that discussion.
Echo And The Bunnymen
4/5
I read Flea's book about a year ago, and he wrote about a formative musical moment for him - tripping on LSD at an Echo and the Bunnymen concert. I've been excited for this album to come up ever since.
No LSD for me during my listen, but man, this album is cool. I need more listens to let it fully sink in, but the initial impression was very good.
Dire Straits
3/5
Like the guitar playing a lot more than I like the songwriting.
Super Furry Animals
4/5
I really didn't like Fuzzy Logic when I got it, so wasn't very excited about this one.
A pleasant surprise, actually quite liked it. I don't think it will ultimately become a favorite, but I will definitely listen again.
Might have to go back and listen to Fuzzy Logic again too, maybe I was in a bad mood that day. Music is funny like that...
Arcade Fire
4/5
I loved Funeral back in the day but somehow never dove deep into this.
Funeral has higher highs, but this album feels more consistent. Enjoyed it a lot.
Ministry
4/5
Nice to be on this side of a controversial album for once. Liked it a lot.
Van Halen
3/5
I much prefer 70's Van Halen to 80's Van Halen.
Hot for Teacher is a banger but the rest of the album I could take or leave. Even Jump and Panama. Maybe it's fatigue from having heard them a million times, but they just don't do it for me.
EVH's guitar work though, of course, is fantastic - so adding an extra star.
The Jesus And Mary Chain
2/5
This feels squarely in the “influential at the time but hasn’t aged well” category. Feels like the Stone Roses buried under a wall of noise.
I dunno, it’s not horrible it just doesn’t feel like something I’ll ever go back to.
Alice Cooper
3/5
School's Out was one of the best pleasant surprises of this project for me so far. I had high hopes.
This one didn't quite hit as well. And actually, I think Killer is better than this and may have been a better choice for the list.
Still, it's fun and wacky and very on-brand Alice Cooper. Can't entirely hate it.
Dead Kennedys
5/5
Gotta love the Kennedys. All killer no filler.
Pink Floyd
4/5
I like this album a lot, I'll start there. It's great, but flawed in my opinion.
Concept albums can work, but in general, I don't love long, drawn out concept albums - because it gives an excuse for an album to be over bloated and self indulgent under the guise of the "narrative"
Again, I like this album and still giving it a 4 because there's some great stuff here, but IMO the bloated-ness holds it back from being great like DSOTM and WYWH.
The Flaming Lips
5/5
Listened to this back in the day and always liked it.
With fresh ears and more appreciation for music over the years, I now see why so many people love this album. Fantastic listen.
Public Enemy
4/5
All the Public Enemy albums generally sound the same, but that also means they are all good.
Daft Punk
3/5
Interesting that they picked this album and didn't put Discovery or Random Access Memories on the list. Personally, I like this the least of the three.
With so many other artists questionably having multiple albums (looking at you, The Fall) this seems like a group that would have at least two.
Frank Zappa
4/5
Zappa can shred.
ZZ Top
4/5
Growing up in the 80's and 90's, my impression of ZZ Top was formed by hearing the radio edits of Eliminator/Afterburner-era songs on the radio. So when people described ZZ Top as a "great guitar band" I kind of always rolled my eyes.
Then, I listened to their early catalog, and realized they really are a great guitar band.
Is it anything crazy unique or special? No. But, it doesn't try to be anything it's not - just good, straight up southern rock and roll. And they are one of the better bands to do it.
Mylo
3/5
Sorta generic? Although "Missing Persons, Duran Duran" may haunt me in my dreams.
That being said, it wasn't bad enough to say I'll never listen again.
4/5
I used to love U2 - but over the years, they have lost their luster.
However, this album still stands the test of time. So many great songs, and the production is excellent.
Only knock is that Side B falls off a bit after a nearly perfect Side A. Still, excellent album all around.
Doves
2/5
What if Coldplay didn’t have catchy hooks?
The Lemonheads
3/5
Fine, generic 90's rock. Not much else.
And honestly, even though I've listened to Mrs. Robinson a million times, after listening to it with critical ears, the only reason their version is good is because the song is good. They didn't add much except a change of style.
But, it's still 90's rock, which means it's better than a lot of stuff out there.
Heaven 17
1/5
I got three songs into this it’s just not for me.
Def Leppard
4/5
Not exactly the pinnacle of great music, but it's fun as hell, so who cares? Does exactly what it's supposed to do.
Orange Juice
2/5
Didn't hate it but didn't particularly take much away from it. Gets a little repetitive sounding and the songs all kind of blend into each other.
Neil Young
2/5
Listening to more Neil Young albums still isn't going to make me like Neil Young.
Justice
4/5
How did I miss this during my EDM phase? Liked it a lot.
The Gun Club
4/5
This was really cool. Didn't feel as special/different as a lot of people say it is, but still enjoyed it a lot.
Steely Dan
3/5
I like the idea of Steely Dan more than I ultimately end up actually liking Steely Dan
The Go-Betweens
2/5
Doesn’t really stand out from the other 80’s albums on here
New York Dolls
5/5
This album is just awesome. Someone recommended it to me a number of years back, because I had never heard it. It was love on first listen.
Way ahead of its time.
The Zutons
3/5
Country of origin UK? ✅
One obscure single that some people may know but most likely don’t? ✅
Sold less than 600k albums? ✅
Congratulations! You have qualified as an essential album that people simply must hear before they die.
Don’t get me wrong, I actually did enjoy this album, it’s decent.
But to pick this over MF Doom, Tool, Heart, Bill Withers, Chuck Berry, Stone Temple Pilots, Blink 182, Weezer, Stevie Ray Vaughan, They Might Be Giants… I could go on… seems crazy.
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
3/5
Strikes a really good balance between weird and accessible. Didn’t exactly “enjoy” listening to it per se, but can see it being a grower.
The Associates
1/5
It started off bad, and got progressively worse. There are so many other bands / albums in this genre that I would listen to long before I even considered listening to this again.
Slayer
4/5
All killer no filler.
Can’t fault the straight up thrash metal - heavy rhythm and shredding.
Although, I do prefer the ebbs and flows of Maiden / Metallica to straight thrash.
4/5
Love me some LA punk.
However, Los Angeles is the better X album in every way, IMO.
Barry Adamson
2/5
I’m glad others enjoyed the chaotic nature of the album, but to me it ends up being a few interesting ideas thrown together into an incoherent mess.
CHVRCHES
5/5
Finally a modern album that feels essential. I knew The Mother We Share prior to listening, but didn't know the album.
Loved it. Captures the 2010's electronic / pop genre perfectly.
Iron Maiden
4/5
Love me some Iron Maiden. Not my favorite album by them, but still really like it.
The Darkness
5/5
One of my favorite bands of all time and this is where I fell in love with their sound.
Love Is Only A Feeling and Growing on Me would make this five stars by themselves. But the rest of the album is excellent too.
The perfect balance of great musicianship and not taking itself too seriously.
Scissor Sisters
4/5
Forgot how much I like this album. Tons of fun.
Billy Bragg
3/5
Enjoyed the first few songs, felt unique and different. And to its credit, it’s definitely got a lot of variety in instrumentation between songs.
But man, 22 songs of his voice really starts to wear on you about halfway through.
Decent enough but in limited doses.
Queens of the Stone Age
5/5
I'm biased because QOTSA is maybe my favorite band...
This album is pure desert rock / stoner rock perfection. Raw and heavy, but refined enough to be accessible. So many stand out tracks, but You Can't Quit Me Baby is my personal favorite.
However, I do find it odd that this album was picked over Rated R or Songs for the Deaf.
My Bloody Valentine
3/5
I want to like this more, because I love so much that was inspired by it, but it's just not my cup of tea.
That being said, I can still appreciate it without necessarily liking it.
The Band
4/5
Usually don't love this genre of music but for some reason The Band is different.
To me, this album is American Beauty, but sang in tune (and this is coming from someone who really likes the Dead)
Beatles
5/5
It's Abbey Road. Enough said.
Spiritualized
4/5
This was quite the journey. I'm not entirely sure I loved it, but I certainly liked it enough to give it another listen or two to find out.
Kings of Leon
2/5
I saw these guys as an opener when they first came onto the scene. Honestly, it was painful to get through, I really didn’t like it.
One of my friends told me he liked this album, so I gave it another shot. My opinion was unchanged.
I forced myself to listen again. I see slightly more redeemable qualities than I did 20 years ago… but still don’t like it.
Alanis Morissette
4/5
Obviously I knew the hits. But the rest of the album is great too, maybe even better than the hits.
Would be 5 stars if Alanis sang like a normal human being. I get it, that's her thing, but it sorta gets old after 13 tracks.
Bad Company
2/5
Song named after the album named after the band. Who did it better, Black Sabbath or Bad Company? Tells you a lot of what you need to know.
I can see how people would like it, but to me, this is the definition of corporate rock. Peter Grant struck gold with Zeppelin, and Swan Song was born, but it never landed - and Bad Company is the example of that.
Parliament
5/5
Greatest Funk album of all time and it's not even close.
The Divine Comedy
3/5
Enjoyed the first Divine Comedy album I got on this list. Was a bit of a pleasant surprise.
This one is fine enough too, but I don't think the list needs both.
Bee Gees
2/5
Someone once told me that the Bee Gees were much better before disco.
After listening to this, I'm not sure I agree.
Brian Eno
3/5
Feels like an album that could grow on me with more listens, but didn't do a whole lot for me on initial listen. Felt like it's weird for the sake of being weird vs. going anywhere interesting.
Arrested Development
4/5
If anything has come from this project, it’s forcing me to go deeper into 80’s/90’s hip hop. And I’m thankful for it.
Love the samples, great beats, and I enjoyed it - but ultimately came away not entirely blown away. Maybe it will grow on me to be five stars, but for now, it’s a four.
Animal Collective
2/5
I didn’t want to turn it off, but I also don’t have any desire to turn it on again.
G. Love & Special Sauce
3/5
I like G Love, but even I think a full album of G Love is a little too much.
Kraftwerk
4/5
Not something I’ll come back to often because it’s not really my cup of tea.
But man, this album was made in 1974? No wonder it’s so influential.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
3/5
Highly influential to one of my favorite genres, and I can see why.
However, I feel it doesn’t hold up as well as some others. Feels very dated and less timeless in 2025.
Enjoyed it, but not one that will stick with me for the long haul.
Joe Ely
3/5
Surprisingly not terrible for 70’s country.
Thundercat
4/5
Not at all surprised this is polarizing but count me in the “love it” camp.
Part Curtis Mayfield, part Andre 3000, part something entirely different.
Not quite 5 stars but close and could grow there with time.
New Order
3/5
As far as New Wave / Post-Punk goes, this is solid.
But I generally don’t like the genre outside of some standouts (namely, The Cure) so it didn’t entirely land for me.
Everything But The Girl
2/5
Didn't like them in the 90's and still not a huge fan.
But objectively, it's not bad music, just not my thing.
Jeru The Damaja
3/5
Pretty much what I expected from a 90’s rap album. Which is generally good.
But this one doesn’t really stand out from the pack for me on first listen.
Metallica
5/5
Heavily biased rating but I have loved this album since the day it came out.
From an objective eye, it’s imperfect. But from an enjoyment standpoint, I love it.
When it came out No Leaf Clover was an instant favorite, and it’s held up very strongly to this day.
Sabu
2/5
I could see how this could be good if I enjoyed this type of music. But I don’t particularly enjoy this type of music.
Roxy Music
4/5
Delightfully surprised by this, had never heard it before. Weird in all the right ways. A couple duds on first listen but the majority of it was great.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
3/5
Kind of like the Chili Peppers in general, this album for me is an example of the whole being less than the sum of its parts.
Some real standout songs - Scar Tissue, Otherside, Around the World, Parallel Universe, and Purple Stain are all solid - but as a full album, it doesn't quite get there for me.
And this is coming from a decently big Chili Peppers fan. Love a lot of what they have done, but I don't think they have any great full albums outside of Blood Sugar Sex Magik.
Everything But The Girl
2/5
Dentist office music from the 80’s
I’ll admit that Everything But The Girl deserves a spot on this list, but certainly not three spots.
Living Colour
5/5
Killer guitars. Funky bass lines. Catchy hooks.
It took me many years before I listened to this album beyond Cult of Personality, but once I did, it was an instant favorite. And it still is to this day.
Queen
4/5
I’ve done myself a disservice over the years not paying much attention to early Queen. Of course, the hits on the later albums are great, but these early albums feel better as a whole. And Brian May rules.
I prefer Sheer Heart Attack, but this one is very solid too.
Jeff Buckley
4/5
A bit self indulgent, but he got away with it because he was so damn talented.
Not surprised this has held up as a classic, even if it’s not necessarily my favorite album of the 90’s.
Q-Tip
4/5
This list has taught me that I like rap/hip hop more than I thought.
Loved every Tribe Called Quest album on the list, so it’s no surprise I like this too.
Dexys Midnight Runners
2/5
If there’s also a song called Plan B, shouldn’t it have been called Come IN Eileen?
Love
3/5
I can only listen to so much 60’s psych rock, but this was at least a little more interesting than run of the mill.
More like a 3.5, and maybe it’ll grow on me on another listen.
The Only Ones
3/5
You know that moment when you realize a song you love is actually a cover, and you feel embarrassed? Well, TIL Blink 182 didn’t write Another Girl, Another Planet.
This would have been an easy 5 with a different singer. The instrumentation and songwriting is fantastic, but you know it’s bad when you find yourself saying, “Man, the original version is way better, but I like Mark Hoppus’s vocals more.”
Incubus
4/5
I love this album. But I’ll try to be objective.
Some really unique standout tracks, but definitely some songs that are filler-ish, and the flow is a little weird. As individual tracks, l like everything, but as an album, it’s a little choppy.
But man, the balance of spacey/airy sound and heavier rock is so well done. They are unique in that respect.
That being said, I’m surprised this was the pick on the list and not Morning View.
Mott The Hoople
4/5
Previously really only knew Mott from their big hit.
Quite enjoyed it, like a more rock-forward Bowie, so it makes sense why Bowie gave them All The Young Dudes.
More of a 3.5 because it didn’t blow me away, but I’ll round up because it was a fun listen.
KISS
3/5
Kiss checks a lot of boxes for me (loud guitars, gimmicky, don't take themselves too seriously) - but I just can't get there. I like a few songs here and there but overall, they just don't do it for me.
And this is coming from someone who's favorite band is The Darkness, so feels like it should be up my alley. But it's not.
2 stars but rounding up to 3 for Detroit Rock City because that song rules.
Big Star
3/5
A few of the songs were region blocked on Spotify, and I can't say I cared enough to seek them out and hear them after listening to the others.
Enjoyable enough but ultimately forgettable.
Aerosmith
3/5
I might be biased because this was the first Aerosmith album I bought when I was a kid. But I still think it rocks despite its flaws, and Joe Perry's riffs are always a blast.
As others have said, not exactly musical poetry... but, I mean, you guys have seen Steven Tyler, haven't you?
Adam & The Ants
2/5
It's almost like 1980 came and a whole bunch of British bands were required to make annoying music.
Weather Report
3/5
This album is in a tough spot, because it’s going to be too jazzy for rock fans, too mainstream sounding for jazz fans, and not funky enough for R&B and funk fans.
Minus some occasional Kenny G vibes, I found it fun and interesting, although not something I’m going to reach for in the future.
Still glad I heard it.
Billy Joel
5/5
Billy Joel at the height of his prowess. A great balance of fun, heartfelt, and earnest. Love this album.
The Beta Band
4/5
I wanted to hate this as I was listening to it. Overly self indulgent British indie music usually isn’t my thing.
But somehow with each successive song, they did something that subverted my expectations and made me like it. I feel like it could grow on me significantly.
Stereolab
3/5
Good vibes for a certain mood.
5/5
Hot take - the Kinks run of 6 albums from Face to Face through Muswell Hillbillies rivals the 6 album run from Rubber Soul to Let It Be.
(I’m leaving out Yellow Submarine from the Beatles run given the nature of that album)
This album is in the top half of that run for me. Lola, Village Green, then this.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
The year is 1991. I'm 7 years old. I hear Higher Ground on the radio...
...it's the Red Hot Chili Peppers version. I fall in love. I tape it off the radio onto a cassette...
...my dad hears me listening to it and hands me this album on CD. And I'm introduced to a whole world of amazing music I never knew existed.
Ultimately, Songs in the Key of Life is my favorite Stevie Wonder album. But this one is close behind.
(...and for the record, I still love the Chili Peppers version)