“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.”

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.

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)

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.

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.

One of my all time favorites. Mayonnaise might just be a top 10 alternative rock song of the 90’s.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Some really great stuff on this one, but ultimately as a whole it’s a bit forgettable.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This might be my most pleasant surprise so far. Absolutely fantastic.

It’s not earth shattering but it had me grooving the entire time. Very enjoyable listen even if it’s not a “great” album.

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?

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

IMO the best electronic album of the 90’s, fantastic and unique the whole way through.

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.

To me, Judas Priest is the bridge between Iron Maiden/Dio-era Sabbath and hair metal. They have the feel of the former, but definitely also have a bit of that glam feel of the latter. In other words - metal enough to be credible, but cheesy enough to be fun. I dig it, but it’s also a clear reminder why Sabbath and Iron Maiden are the gods of British metal. This album specifically is solid all the way through, but a little same-y at times. I’d say 3.5 stars, but rounded up because it rocks.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

One of my all time favorites of any genre. Funky, jazzy, everything you want from a great Herbie album.

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.

This is lovely… but I can’t help but want some more upbeat songs mixed in.

This is totally dope. Caught me entirely off guard.

Perfect example to me of how it’s possible to appreciate music, but not like it.

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.

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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

Makes you want to dance and Le Freak is obviously a classic. But, it kind of feels like a one trick pony at times.

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.

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.

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.

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.

If you don’t listen to this and feel at least a little bit happy, I swear you don’t have a pulse.

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.

There are too many psychedelic rock albums on this list for me taste.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Don’t You Want Me is catchy, but it’s also cheesy and borderline annoying - and it’s the best song on the album.

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.

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.

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.

Not bad, but kind of feels like a watered down Misfits.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Yeah, this is just awesome. A 35 minute vacation from everything around you.

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)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I get why it’s on here and that Emmylou Harris is the bright spot, but overall it didn’t land for me.

Probably my favorite Bowie album. So many classics on one album.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This was fun, you can see how it’s the bridge between big band and rock and roll. Enjoyable listen.

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.

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.

*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.

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.

Smooth as hell, which was very enjoyable for the first few songs. But after a bunch of songs, the enjoyment wore down.

Maybe we should stick to 1,000 albums to hear before you die from now on.

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.

Enjoyed it more than I expected but ultimately not something that I think will stick with me long term.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Funky and fun to listen to, but ultimately forgettable.

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.

I don’t dislike this album, but I think the common criticism is fair - it feels like a bunch of half-baked ideas.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Gotta love Peter Gabriel / Genesis for having one of the more unique sounds of their era. Much more influential than most people realize.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Fun enough, but ultimately didn’t change my opinion on Cypress Hill.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Not my favorite Talking Heads album, but that doesn't mean it's not awesome.

This album is a vibe. Really unique and solid from front to back.

“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.”

I prefer later stuff in Miles Davis’ catalog, when he gets more experimental. But this is still a straight up fun jazz record.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Like it in concept, but don’t love the execution. I’d rather listen to Willie singing originals.

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.

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.

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.

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.

There's nothing about this that hasn't been done better elsewhere, IMO.

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.

Enjoyed this, although against other things in Prince's catalog, it feels like more of the same, but without quite as much magic.

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.

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.

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.

I’m a sucker for British pop rock that borders on punk. This is an excellent example of that.

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.

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.

Actually pretty decent for background focus music at work. But definitely not something I'd actively listen to.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ok I totally slept on this album. Just awesome.

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)

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.

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 aren’t my favorite, but this is a very good Doors album.

ABBA is only famous because they covered all the songs from Mama Mia.

This was a lot of fun.

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.

Fun but I wanted to like it more than I did.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

Not just a 5, but a contender for my favorite album of all time. Just chock full of amazing songs and fabulous instrumentation.

I didn't enjoy this at all, feels like a bad knockoff of a bunch of other things.

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.

A very straight forward, enjoyable listen. Nice to have one of those once in a while.

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.

Peak 80's right here. A lot of the typical 80's sound is off putting, this nails it to perfection.

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.

Solid Creedence.

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.

Probably never going to listen to this again, but I enjoyed it way more than I expected I would.

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.

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.

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.

Obviously.

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.

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.

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.

Feels like a slightly tamer version of the Pixies when compared to Doolittle / Surfer Rosa, but I kinda like that.

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)

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.

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.

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.

Never would have listened to this if not for this list, and glad I did. Such a unique album.

Holy identity crisis Batman. Feels like it tries to do something unique, but ends up only going half in.

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.

Catchy beats, though nothing really stands out - but then, when you realize when it came out, this was way before its time.

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 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.

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.

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.

Under absolutely no circumstances will I ever listen to this again.

Fantastic. It’s easy to write an album like this off as “boring” but man, there’s some really fantastic musicianship here.

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.

Whatever, I enjoyed this.

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.

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.

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.

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.

As someone who could never really get into the White Stripes for some reason, I actually enjoyed this more than I expected.

An obvious one, and not just because it’s the Beatles.

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.

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.