Jan 03 2024
Led Zeppelin IV
Led Zeppelin
5
Jan 04 2024
Get Behind Me Satan
The White Stripes
2
Jan 05 2024
Purple Rain
Prince
5
Jan 06 2024
I Should Coco
Supergrass
4
Jan 07 2024
Dookie
Green Day
3
Jan 08 2024
Rust Never Sleeps
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
5
Jan 09 2024
Darkness on the Edge of Town
Bruce Springsteen
4
Jan 10 2024
Zombie
Fela Kuti
4
Jan 11 2024
Let Love Rule
Lenny Kravitz
Post listening I still donβt know who Lenny Kravitz is. He takes liberally from those who came before him (perfectly fine) but brings nothing new to the table. A couple of decent songs, but too many throw-aways.
2
Jan 12 2024
Foxbase Alpha
Saint Etienne
2
Jan 13 2024
Tea for the Tillerman
Cat Stevens
5
Jan 14 2024
Let It Be
The Replacements
5
Jan 15 2024
Third/Sister Lovers
Big Star
4
Jan 16 2024
To Pimp A Butterfly
Kendrick Lamar
5
Jan 17 2024
SΓ£o Paulo Confessions
Suba
3
Jan 19 2024
The ArchAndroid
Janelle MonΓ‘e
........ no. Look, it's not about genres, it's about creativity. The most creative thing that happens on this record, that was completely unexpected, was the thieving of "I am a Tangerine" by the Shondells. That and the song by Of Montreal that was basically an Of Montreal song ...... so, points for that. It's not a record that I would say anyone "needs" to hear .... unless you want an example of what a lack of creative vision sounds like.
2
Jan 20 2024
Doolittle
Pixies
The first time I heard this record, I was completely taken aback. It was so fresh, so unexpected, something I heard but hadn't heard before. It basically cleared out all the cobwebs at the time on it's first play. Exhilarating .....
5
Jan 21 2024
The Madcap Laughs
Syd Barrett
3
Jan 22 2024
All Things Must Pass
George Harrison
5
Jan 23 2024
Hot Fuss
The Killers
Why? Undoubtedly the top boring album generated so far ..... bored ... boring, boring, bored. 1/2 stars ....
1
Jan 24 2024
Disraeli Gears
Cream
5
Jan 26 2024
Oracular Spectacular
MGMT
An absolute stunner of a debut album. One of those records that is released every so often that blows out the cobwebs on the music scene, rearranges what is possible and, afterwards nothing is the same for a while.
5
Jan 27 2024
Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
3
Jan 28 2024
All That You Can't Leave Behind
U2
I was planning on writing something that references the past creativity of this band, the struggle that continuing that creativity can sometimes be ..... and how this album is a perfect illustration of that dynamic.
Wait, I guess I just did.
Anyway, this album? So disappointing. 1.5 but I'll give out 2 because their responsible for so much great stuff that it's hard to fault them for coming up short .......
2
Jan 29 2024
Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters
.... stop the pain. This is surely on the list of boring records generated so far. It's early so I'm not sure where it lands on that list but right now it's at the top right under Hot Fuss. 1.5
2
Jan 30 2024
Who's Next
The Who
Why can't I give it 10 stars?
5
Jan 31 2024
Private Dancer
Tina Turner
It pains me to rate a Tina turner record so low but that plastic 80's sound just grates on my ears. Tina has a voice and it's the only redeeming thing about this record. I don't know how someone with so much soul could soldier through the experience of making something that winds up so soulless and not go crazy but, here we are. 2.5 because it's Tina .....
2
Feb 01 2024
Scissor Sisters
Scissor Sisters
If you gene spliced 10cc into Ween and then ran it through a studio with Beck helming the production, this would be the result. Glorious, beautiful, funtastic.
I started this project hoping I would be introduced to a gem that I had know nothing about, that I had somehow missed and I have been rewarded.
5
Feb 02 2024
The Boatman's Call
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4
Feb 03 2024
Deja Vu
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
I get that some of you will dismiss this record because all the β60βs hippieβ trappings that come along with it β¦. but β¦.. you just canβt fuck with the musicianship, the writing and certainly not the singing on this record. The arrangements and production are perfect. Do yourselves a favor and listen to this on a real sound system. Fuck Spotify and YouTube (good lord what are you doing?).
A 5 for sure that would be a 10 if the scale went that high (11, in fact, for all the Neil haters out there).
5
Feb 04 2024
The Clash
The Clash
...... the only band that mattered.
....10/5
5
Feb 05 2024
System Of A Down
System Of A Down
- 2.5 ..... doesn't hold up -
2
Feb 06 2024
Dire Straits
Dire Straits
What else could this be but a five? Their second record consisted of work from the same sessions and that one is pretty damn good as well.
A truly great album.
5
Feb 07 2024
Arrival
ABBA
As a species, what the hell were we thinking? Ok, this stuff sort of comes out of 1950's/60's variety hour entertainment .... except the arrangements are boring and thin. Ok, maybe this was Eurovision before there was Eurovision? The sad part is we are now forever forced to look back and admit that we made this band important, we gave them hits and gold records ..... it's so embarrassing.
1.5 for the 2 songs with hooks .......
1
Feb 08 2024
Killing Joke
Killing Joke
2
Feb 09 2024
Rust In Peace
Megadeth
3
Feb 10 2024
Abraxas
Santana
5
Feb 11 2024
Van Halen
Van Halen
5
Feb 12 2024
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
David Bowie
5
Feb 14 2024
Eliminator
ZZ Top
4
Feb 15 2024
Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes
TV On The Radio
4
Feb 16 2024
Chore of Enchantment
Giant Sand
This album always seems to be trying too hard ..... 2.5 for the risk taking ......
2
Feb 17 2024
Beauty And The Beat
The Go-Go's
ok .... Better than expected but there is better music from this time period. 2.5 for the hits .......
2
Feb 18 2024
Pills 'n' Thrills And Bellyaches
Happy Mondays
Ok, kinda boring ..... perfectly competent.
3
Feb 19 2024
Fromohio
fIREHOSE
4
Feb 20 2024
Violent Femmes
Violent Femmes
3
Feb 21 2024
The Infotainment Scan
The Fall
3
Feb 22 2024
The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground
5 stars just for βWhat Goes Onβ & βPale Blue Eyesβ β¦β¦β¦.
5
Feb 23 2024
Bummed
Happy Mondays
I just can't get into these guys ..... it's probably a failing on my part .....
2
Feb 24 2024
Buena Vista Social Club
Buena Vista Social Club
5
Feb 25 2024
Hybrid Theory
Linkin Park
.... is generic, angst-ridden narcissism a thing?
This record is currently competing with "Hot Fuss" for the "shittiest record on this list" Championship belt .... .5 stars
1
Feb 26 2024
Come Away With Me
Norah Jones
ok, I'm really conflicted with rating this because, again, competent, even skilled but boring .... I'm not even gonna say "it's not my thing" because Hey, Laura Nyro is amazing and maybe that's the source of my conflict with a number of the records on this list: They're fine but does anyone really need to hear these??? ... ever??
2
Feb 27 2024
Parklife
Blur
2.5 stars - It's perfectly fine but I would rather listen to XTC.
2
Feb 29 2024
Tommy
The Who
5
Mar 01 2024
Darkdancer
Les Rythmes Digitales
2
Mar 02 2024
Since I Left You
The Avalanches
........ why?
1
Mar 03 2024
Mama's Gun
Erykah Badu
4
Mar 04 2024
Bossanova
Pixies
... aaahhhh the Pixies.
4
Mar 05 2024
Blood Sugar Sex Magik
Red Hot Chili Peppers
3
Mar 06 2024
Da Capo
Love
4
Mar 07 2024
Another Green World
Brian Eno
Eno's fills and textures evolve into the song structures themselves. He makes so much possible for others to follow.
4
Mar 08 2024
Aladdin Sane
David Bowie
4
Mar 09 2024
The Downward Spiral
Nine Inch Nails
2
Mar 10 2024
The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn
Pink Floyd
5
Mar 11 2024
Reggatta De Blanc
The Police
4
Mar 12 2024
It's Blitz!
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
4
Mar 13 2024
Picture Book
Simply Red
2
Mar 14 2024
Phaedra
Tangerine Dream
2
Mar 15 2024
Technique
New Order
4
Mar 16 2024
Figure 8
Elliott Smith
5
Mar 17 2024
Axis: Bold As Love
Jimi Hendrix
5
Mar 24 2024
Sweetheart Of The Rodeo
The Byrds
4
Mar 25 2024
Revolver
Beatles
An absolute power-shot β¦..
5
Mar 26 2024
You Want It Darker
Leonard Cohen
5
Mar 27 2024
Midnight Ride
Paul Revere & The Raiders
4
Mar 28 2024
Here Are the Sonics
The Sonics
3
Mar 29 2024
New Wave
The Auteurs
2.5 because it apes everything before it but brings nothing new to the table.
2
Mar 30 2024
Home Is Where The Music Is
Hugh Masekela
3
Apr 01 2024
Songs Of Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen
5
Apr 02 2024
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill
4
Apr 03 2024
If I Could Only Remember My Name
David Crosby
A pretty solid record considering itβs basically a musician in mourning hanging out with musician friends free jamming and rolling tape β¦.. 4 because itβs basically recorded improv.
4
Apr 04 2024
Exile In Guyville
Liz Phair
This album is an excellent example of some of the challenges that come with the format of this project. I find myself over and over having a difficult time contextualizing the the records that we're listening to and as in everything, context matters.
We hear these things out of context and then we're asked to rate them. Something feels not right about that.
It's great to discover things that we've not heard before and it's great to go back and listen to things that we've heard numerous times and have forgotten about or dismissed on a certain level due to familiarity.
But ....
It's difficult to understand why these records were considered ground-breaking. We can't un-hear things while looking back. The way we hear about music has changed, the distribution channels have changed, the politics have changed and all of these issues matter when it comes to the reception of these creations put out by these artists.
I remember when this record was released; the write-ups, the criticisms, the hoopla .....
Mentioning this record in the same breath as "Exile on Mainstreet" .... I'll admit, I scoffed heartily. I mean, that's one tight record; the playing, the writing, the production, it's all there. Who would dare?
Well, Liz Phair did. Say what you will but that's a ballsy move and I gotta give it up for that. Additionally, in 1993 the sexual politics of this record (within the music biz) are so out front. Now, we take it for granted but then?
So, I'm listening to this and I'm trying to keep this stuff in mind, admit to myself my built-in prejudices and assess fairly. There's some really good writing here, some really good songs. Sometimes it DOES remind me of "Exile on Mainstreet". There's also some of it that just doesn't hold up. There's some of her singing that I just can't get past. So, I ask myself, why do I give artists like Bill Callahan a pass on his singing but not Liz? She owns her voice just like he does and that's what matters; it's HERS, her art, like or not, here it is. I'm not sure I know the answer yet.
Anyway, it's not perfect but 4 stars for owning it.
4
Apr 05 2024
Space Ritual
Hawkwind
3
Apr 06 2024
Marquee Moon
Television
5
Apr 07 2024
Like A Prayer
Madonna
2
Apr 08 2024
Apocalypse 91β¦ The Enemy Strikes Black
Public Enemy
4
Apr 11 2024
The Band
The Band
Just about a perfect record ...........
5
Apr 12 2024
You've Come a Long Way Baby
Fatboy Slim
2.5 for whatever this did for electronic music at the time .....
2
Apr 13 2024
Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea
PJ Harvey
3
Apr 14 2024
The Hissing Of Summer Lawns
Joni Mitchell
Joni β¦.. youngsters wonβt get it but this album is astounding. Just listen β¦β¦.
5
Apr 15 2024
Let's Get It On
Marvin Gaye
4
Apr 16 2024
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Simon & Garfunkel
Perfect.
5
Apr 17 2024
Done By The Forces Of Nature
Jungle Brothers
4
Apr 18 2024
Mama Said Knock You Out
LL Cool J
Some old skool rap just doesn't age well ...... 2.5 for the vintage ....
2
Apr 19 2024
The Stranger
Billy Joel
4
Apr 20 2024
Electric Warrior
T. Rex
5
Apr 21 2024
Kilimanjaro
The Teardrop Explodes
5
Apr 22 2024
Very
Pet Shop Boys
... so Very underwhelming.
1
Apr 23 2024
Violator
Depeche Mode
4
Apr 24 2024
In The Court Of The Crimson King
King Crimson
5
Apr 26 2024
KE*A*H** (Psalm 69)
Ministry
.... steppin' on Motorhead's jock while running everything through electronics and samplers but still coming up with something that sounded like nothing else ..... 3.5
3
Apr 28 2024
Casanova
The Divine Comedy
4
Apr 29 2024
Dusty In Memphis
Dusty Springfield
Very solid record from a time when the execution of the craft mattered; not perfect but really close. 4.5
4
Apr 30 2024
Never Mind The Bollocks, Hereβs The Sex Pistols
Sex Pistols
.... do I really need to add anything to this?
5
May 04 2024
Lust For Life
Iggy Pop
4
May 05 2024
Traffic
Traffic
just a beautiful record ........
5
May 06 2024
The Modern Lovers
The Modern Lovers
5
May 07 2024
Machine Head
Deep Purple
Recorded in a closed-for-the-winter hotel using the Rolling Stones mobile recording unit, this is a record of the band PLAYING. What you're hearing is what happened with very little "studio" applied. ..... fucking amazing. 10/5
5
May 09 2024
The Specials
The Specials
5
May 10 2024
The World is a Ghetto
War
4
May 11 2024
Maggot Brain
Funkadelic
5
May 12 2024
Music for the Masses
Depeche Mode
3
May 14 2024
Raising Hell
Run-D.M.C.
4
May 15 2024
Back to Mystery City
Hanoi Rocks
2
May 16 2024
Live At The Witch Trials
The Fall
3
May 17 2024
The Low End Theory
A Tribe Called Quest
5
May 18 2024
3 Feet High and Rising
De La Soul
5
May 19 2024
The Rise & Fall
Madness
4
May 23 2024
Illmatic
Nas
3
May 24 2024
Born To Be With You
Dion
1
May 25 2024
London Calling
The Clash
yer kidding, right? .... the only band that mattered.
- a perfect record - not one weak song -
- the standard -
5
May 26 2024
C'est Chic
CHIC
Disappointingly boring .....
1
May 27 2024
Goo
Sonic Youth
- It's kinda boring and static. There's just not that much for me to latch onto ..... maybe it's me .... -
2
Jun 05 2024
Murmur
R.E.M.
Such a strong debut. So different, such a unique sound.
5
Jun 06 2024
D.O.A. the Third and Final Report of Throbbing Gristle
Throbbing Gristle
4
Jun 07 2024
Smash
The Offspring
1
Jun 08 2024
Songs In The Key Of Life
Stevie Wonder
5
Jun 09 2024
The Idiot
Iggy Pop
5
Jun 11 2024
Pretenders
Pretenders
5
Jun 12 2024
L'Eau Rouge
The Young Gods
2
Jun 13 2024
Moondance
Van Morrison
5
Jun 14 2024
Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)
Eurythmics
3
Jun 15 2024
Either Or
Elliott Smith
3
Jun 16 2024
Duck Rock
Malcolm McLaren
- w t f ? -
2
Jun 17 2024
Time Out
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
5
Jun 29 2024
Parachutes
Coldplay
3
Jun 30 2024
Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor
Lupe Fiasco
Another pleasant discovery. Chi-town shoutout ......
4
Jul 01 2024
Cypress Hill
Cypress Hill
4
Jul 02 2024
Sunday At The Village Vanguard
Bill Evans Trio
4
Jul 03 2024
Hms Fable
Shack
- Why? Perfectly competent; completely uninteresting; so not vital. -
2
Jul 09 2024
Darklands
The Jesus And Mary Chain
4
Jul 10 2024
Talking Timbuktu
Ali Farka TourΓ©
4
Jul 11 2024
Music For The Jilted Generation
The Prodigy
2
Jul 12 2024
Born In The U.S.A.
Bruce Springsteen
4
Jul 14 2024
Mott
Mott The Hoople
4
Jul 15 2024
Nebraska
Bruce Springsteen
4
Jul 16 2024
Gunfighter Ballads And Trail Songs
Marty Robbins
..... so good.
5
Jul 17 2024
The Slim Shady LP
Eminem
3
Jul 18 2024
Triangle
The Beau Brummels
2
Jul 19 2024
Dog Man Star
Suede
- Are the Brits responsible for the most inconsequential, non-discript pop / rock music? Serious question .... -
2
Jul 20 2024
Are You Experienced
Jimi Hendrix
5
Jul 21 2024
Moving Pictures
Rush
5
Jul 23 2024
Merriweather Post Pavilion
Animal Collective
4
Jul 24 2024
Homework
Daft Punk
4
Jul 25 2024
Hot Shots II
The Beta Band
2
Jul 27 2024
Ten
Pearl Jam
- I'm sticking with my original assessment of this band: Most Overrated Band of the 1990's. -
2
Jul 28 2024
Live At The Star Club, Hamburg
Jerry Lee Lewis
4
Jul 31 2024
Power In Numbers
Jurassic 5
5
Aug 01 2024
Trout Mask Replica
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
5
Aug 02 2024
No Other
Gene Clark
- This project continues to surprise me. I guess I didn't know music as much as I thought ..... or maybe there's just so much out there it's not possible to grasp as much as we think we can .... thanks for this one.
It's a beautiful record that exemplifies, at it's core, what the creative process is really about. We do this because we must. Maybe our efforts will be appreciated, maybe they won't but make it anyway. Don't give up. It's what makes us human.
5
Aug 03 2024
Wish You Were Here
Pink Floyd
- Absolutely one of the best Pink Floyd records. Tight, imaginative, atmospheric, reverent, dark and beautiful. -
5
Aug 04 2024
Nick Of Time
Bonnie Raitt
- 2 because it's Bonnie Raitt .... -
2
Aug 05 2024
The Next Day
David Bowie
- Another record I did not know existed ... how is that possible when it comes to David Bowie? .... I blame myself.
It's also another record that proves what an absolutely unmatched artist Bowie was; second to his last record of a long career yet still full of work of high quality.
If I'm so blessed to have even a portion of this much to say this late in my career, I would die fulfilled.
He was a gift to us. May we never forget.
4
Aug 06 2024
In A Silent Way
Miles Davis
5
Aug 07 2024
Guitar Town
Steve Earle
4
Aug 08 2024
Rings Around The World
Super Furry Animals
3
Aug 09 2024
Slippery When Wet
Bon Jovi
- I'm giving it a 3 because Bon Jovi let Triumph the Insult Comic Dog on their tour bus to rip bongs and film ....
3
Aug 10 2024
Blonde On Blonde
Bob Dylan
- I don't think I need to write anything about this one .... -
5
Aug 11 2024
Siamese Dream
The Smashing Pumpkins
4
Aug 12 2024
Fisherman's Blues
The Waterboys
- 3 because it's not like these guys can't play, they're clearly good musicians and they care about this music, ..... at a certain point, I didn't. I'm sure it's a failing on my part so +1 = 4 ... -
4
Aug 16 2024
Crime Of The Century
Supertramp
4
Aug 17 2024
Disintegration
The Cure
5
Aug 19 2024
Modern Kosmology
Jane Weaver
- A perfectly competent record, even interesting at times but .... it feels completely out of time. I've checked and rechecked the year of release because when i think about this one, I can't understand how you could make and release this record in 2017 ....
so
I'm conflicted and unsure how to rate it. It's not bad, it's just .... not. 2.5 rounded up ... -
3
Aug 20 2024
Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots
The Flaming Lips
5
Aug 21 2024
Twelve Dreams Of Dr. Sardonicus
Spirit
- Another just about perfect record, this one from a criminally overlooked band. -
5
Aug 22 2024
Faith
George Michael
- ok, so come on, why? Not my thing, crazy polished production .... 2.5 because I'm not into it but I guess a 3 because of the craft ....? -
3
Aug 23 2024
Exile On Main Street
The Rolling Stones
5
Aug 24 2024
A Love Supreme
John Coltrane
5
Aug 27 2024
Station To Station
David Bowie
5
Aug 30 2024
Junkyard
The Birthday Party
4
Sep 01 2024
Toys In The Attic
Aerosmith
- "Rocks", which SHOULD be on this list, is the best Aerosmith album and rocks harder than so much you won't believe it ..... "Toys in the Attic" is pretty fuckin' solid but only gets 4 stars because "Rocks" is ... well, hopefully you'll listen to it. -
4
Sep 02 2024
You're Living All Over Me
Dinosaur Jr.
- boring -
3
Sep 03 2024
Live At The Harlem Square Club
Sam Cooke
- Another artist I wish I would have had the chance to hear live. It would have been amazing.
The recording is not great so I can only give it a 4 but, man what a show this must have been. -
4
Sep 11 2024
Lazer Guided Melodies
Spiritualized
2
Sep 12 2024
A Short Album About Love
The Divine Comedy
- the joke is good ..... once. -
1
Sep 13 2024
The Trinity Session
Cowboy Junkies
3
Sep 14 2024
3 + 3
The Isley Brothers
- so, "Who's That Lady" is a banger, there's some amazing playing on this record, weird cover versions of songs I just would not expect .... maybe that's on me ... but good weird, not bad weird. It's adventurous, fun, crazy and most definitely of it's time. It's not perfect .... -
4
Sep 15 2024
The KΓΆln Concert
Keith Jarrett
- This one is a perfect example how the whole idea of "rating" some of these records just doesn't make any sense: How do you rate this? It's art, a performance executed under extreme circumstances ... I'm not qualified to "rate" this ... and neither are most of the other yahoos signed up for this project ...
5 because it's art and art is everything .... -
5
Sep 16 2024
Deep Purple In Rock
Deep Purple
3
Sep 18 2024
Rubber Soul
Beatles
5
Sep 19 2024
Pretzel Logic
Steely Dan
- .... the kids just don't understand. -
5
Sep 20 2024
Lam Toro
Baaba Maal
4
Sep 21 2024
Back At The Chicken Shack
Jimmy Smith
5
Sep 26 2024
Behaviour
Pet Shop Boys
3
Sep 27 2024
Stripped
Christina Aguilera
- ... more like 1 hour 18 minutes of my sonic life that I'll never get back ..... boring, weak writing, musically uninspired ..... -
1
Sep 28 2024
Pink Moon
Nick Drake
5
Sep 29 2024
First Band On The Moon
The Cardigans
4
Sep 30 2024
Unhalfbricking
Fairport Convention
- they were like 20 yrs. old when this album was made. -
5
Oct 05 2024
Hounds Of Love
Kate Bush
4
Oct 06 2024
Good Old Boys
Randy Newman
5
Oct 08 2024
If I Should Fall From Grace With God
The Pogues
5
Oct 10 2024
Live!
Fela Kuti
5
Oct 15 2024
The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway
Genesis
4
Oct 18 2024
Don't Come Home A Drinkin' (With Lovin' On Your Mind)
Loretta Lynn
4
Oct 19 2024
good kid, m.A.A.d city
Kendrick Lamar
4
Oct 30 2024
Seventeen Seconds
The Cure
4
Oct 31 2024
Seventh Tree
Goldfrapp
- it's funny to me that no one mentions neo-psychedelia when reviewing this record cause it's so trippy ..... -
4
Nov 01 2024
Led Zeppelin III
Led Zeppelin
- .... seriously. -
5
Nov 02 2024
Sea Change
Beck
- one of the greatest artists of our time -
5
Nov 12 2024
Stankonia
OutKast
5
Nov 13 2024
Berlin
Lou Reed
- A really hard record. Rough in a good way, sad, haunting, beautiful, Lou makes you work for this one. So rewarding if you have the stomach and heart for it. -
5
Nov 14 2024
Antichrist Superstar
Marilyn Manson
- over rated -
2
Nov 15 2024
En-Tact
The Shamen
- ...... why? -
1
Nov 16 2024
The Man Machine
Kraftwerk
4
Nov 17 2024
The Velvet Underground & Nico
The Velvet Underground
5
Nov 18 2024
Africa Brasil
Jorge Ben Jor
4
Nov 19 2024
Mothership Connection
Parliament
- yeah -
5
Nov 27 2024
New York Dolls
New York Dolls
- so enjoyable .... did not realize that the Todd was involved with this one. I'm sure he made it better .... -
4
Nov 28 2024
Protection
Massive Attack
4
Nov 29 2024
Sex Packets
Digital Underground
3
Nov 30 2024
A Rush Of Blood To The Head
Coldplay
- ... was planning on writing a thing laying out why coldplay is completely competent but bad band and this is certainly an album that no one needs to hear before they die ... but it's way more effort than they deserve. Let's just leave it at completely uninspired and uninspiring; the definition of generic. -
1
Dec 01 2024
m b v
My Bloody Valentine
- I don't think anyone does soft aggression like they do. -
4
Dec 02 2024
Roxy Music
Roxy Music
- 1 9 7 2 -
5
Dec 03 2024
Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music
Ray Charles
4
Dec 04 2024
Dig Your Own Hole
The Chemical Brothers
4
Dec 05 2024
Dummy
Portishead
- Not much sounded like this when it was released ... it still holds up, a testament to the creative energy of this work, it sounds as fresh today as it did then. -
4
Dec 07 2024
The Chronic
Dr. Dre
- yeah, this record killed almost everything that was good about hip hop - some decent tracks but, as others have said, doesn't age well. The book this website is based on is bullshit - there are toooooo many records included that NO ONE needs to hear. ..... one good thing about this project is I'll never need to read the book .... a weak 2.5 for the good tracks -
2
Dec 08 2024
Head Hunters
Herbie Hancock
5
Dec 12 2024
All Hope Is Gone
Slipknot
- not really into the growling / screaming vocal style of this type of music and not really into this band .... this one is, however, a great example of what's both right and wrong with the concept of this book / website .... aside from musical tastes, this record is most certainly NOT a record that everyone "needs to hear". It's just not. It's not even considered their best by people who are INTO this band so, no.
but .....
I did get to hear something I never listened to before. I think I'm better for it .... expanding horizons and all that.
OK, I'm ready for more pain, hopefully tempered with some really fantastic art .... -
2
Dec 17 2024
It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back
Public Enemy
5
Dec 18 2024
Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul
Otis Redding
- R E S P E C T -
4
Dec 19 2024
Penthouse And Pavement
Heaven 17
- Better than expected; remember to put this one in it's proper context. -
4
Dec 20 2024
Gris Gris
Dr. John
5
Dec 21 2024
The Doors
The Doors
5
Dec 22 2024
Central Reservation
Beth Orton
- at times beautiful, at times pedestrian but always sincere. 3.5 but leaning towards 4 ...... -
3
Dec 31 2024
Straight Outta Compton
N.W.A.
- not perfect but pretty good .... today it sounds more "old skool" than I expected ... and, of course, some of the lyrics don't age well ..... but who gives a fuck? -
4
Jan 01 2025
Let England Shake
PJ Harvey
- This album is art and art is not easy. -
4
Jan 04 2025
In Utero
Nirvana
- Did not hold up ..... a few good tunes but somewhat boring. -
3
Jan 05 2025
Innervisions
Stevie Wonder
- masterpiece -
5
Jan 06 2025
D
White Denim
- Good but not quite great. I found myself wishing the mix did not bury the lyrics as much as it does, almost like there was not as much confidence in the singing as there was in the playing. Quite enjoyable, another good discovery (as many others have noted). -
4
Jan 07 2025
War
U2
- Another masterpiece. This album punches you in the face from the jump and never really lets up. This is the good U2. -
5
Jan 08 2025
The Predator
Ice Cube
4
Jan 09 2025
The Visitors
ABBA
- fuck you -
1
Jan 10 2025
Underwater Moonlight
The Soft Boys
- I had to go back and check the release year ... so forward looking, so good. -
5
Jan 11 2025
Elephant
The White Stripes
- Just not very good. It's mostly a pastiche of blooze rock and not bringing much new to the table. The writing is atrocious for the most part; so very boring/unimaginative. Jack White sounds like he sometimes has ideas but they never really go anywhere. He's also made a great career out some of the shittiest guitar tone ever put down. I was going to give it a 2.5 rounded up to 3 but I'm rounding down because of the song "Little Acorns" .... -
2
Jan 12 2025
The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady
Charles Mingus
- ART - .... another one I'm just not qualified to "rate". -
5
Jan 14 2025
Locust Abortion Technician
Butthole Surfers
4
Jan 15 2025
Sticky Fingers
The Rolling Stones
- No question. One of the great rock records. -
5
Jan 16 2025
Viva Hate
Morrissey
- so, not a big Smiths fan and don't really care enough about them and Morrissey to know anything about him (apparently a bit of an asshole, no shortage of those these days ....). As such, all I can go by is the listen .... which is as it should be - and I just didn't really care while I was listening to this one. I'll listen to it again ... maybe it needs a few spins. 2.5 but I'm gonna round down ..... -
2
Jan 17 2025
Survivor
Destiny's Child
- why -
2
Jan 18 2025
The Yes Album
Yes
- An absolutely perfect album, arguably a masterpiece. -
5
Jan 19 2025
Feast of Wire
Calexico
4
Jan 21 2025
Brothers In Arms
Dire Straits
4
Jan 22 2025
Nevermind
Nirvana
4
Jan 23 2025
Out Of The Blue
Electric Light Orchestra
- The weakest songs on this release would make a great album ...... -
5
Jan 24 2025
Remain In Light
Talking Heads
5
Jan 25 2025
The Cars
The Cars
- the number of great songs on this release is frightening. The arrangements and production are perfect. The writing great and the guitar work is beautiful. Another perfect album. -
5
Jan 28 2025
Graceland
Paul Simon
5
Jan 29 2025
Pet Sounds
The Beach Boys
5
Feb 01 2025
Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
OutKast
5
Feb 05 2025
Welcome to the Afterfuture
Mike Ladd
- OK, so, what would happen if Hawkwind discovered sampling and turntablism?? We have the answer with this record. It's also the lost sibling of the likes of DJ Shadow, DJ Krush, Kool Keith's scifi raps while with the Ultramagnetic M.C.'s and it prefigures Delton 3030 by 10 yrs or more. Good stuff ... -
4
Feb 08 2025
After The Gold Rush
Neil Young
- ..... it's Neil ... -
5
Feb 09 2025
Blue
Joni Mitchell
5
Feb 13 2025
Unknown Pleasures
Joy Division
4
Feb 15 2025
Nilsson Schmilsson
Harry Nilsson
- if you don't know this record, do yourself a favor and devour it. -
5
Feb 17 2025
Billion Dollar Babies
Alice Cooper
- An absolute masterpiece. 10/5 -
5
Feb 20 2025
Amnesiac
Radiohead
3
Feb 21 2025
Tusk
Fleetwood Mac
- The thing that we consistently forget when we're (expected to) rate these releases is that these are ALL someones works of art; they are the results of somebody expending creative energy to make something that has not been made before, that we've never heard or seen or thought of before. We lose sight or (more likely) have no concept of the enormity of that task.
Keep in mind that these artists are doing this in the midst of a grinding, capitalist machine attempting to wring whatever money possible out of these personal creations.
This album was conceived of and created in the wake of the unprecedented commercial success of it's predecessor, placing unfathomable expectations and stress upon it's creators. Yet they still go ahead and explore, take chances, do the unexpected; they try (and often succeed) to make something we've never heard before. That in itself is astounding. 5 stars for making art when the universe was aligned against them .... -
5
Feb 24 2025
Fear Of A Black Planet
Public Enemy
- P E -
5
Feb 25 2025
Young Americans
David Bowie
- Another in a string of great releases ... he was a blessing to us... -
5
Feb 28 2025
Songs The Lord Taught Us
The Cramps
- Good stuff .... I've been introduced to the parents of Jon Spencer (he basically copped his entire shtick from this band). This is is the Fugs, The Holy Modal Rounders, rockabilly Pere Ubu, the same vein of Americana that Handsome Family is in, Elvis on acid .... it goes on and on ... too bad it's such a shitty recording .... great fun. -
4
Mar 01 2025
Rage Against The Machine
Rage Against The Machine
- it just doesn't hold up ..... -
2
Mar 03 2025
Electric Ladyland
Jimi Hendrix
- .... do I need to explain? -
5
Mar 04 2025
Beggars Banquet
The Rolling Stones
- it's hard to argue with the string of records that this release starts off. The number of just truly great songs is impressive and marks the beginning of the peak of Rolling Stones output. -
5
Mar 07 2025
A Little Deeper
Ms. Dynamite
- ..... well crafted but sort-of generic. -
3
Mar 08 2025
Can't Buy A Thrill
Steely Dan
- If all you think of is "soft rock" when you think about Steely Dan, then you don't get them and you never will. Certainly one of the great debut records ..... -
5
Mar 09 2025
Let It Bleed
The Rolling Stones
- Album #2 in the greatest run of releases of all time .... -
5
Mar 10 2025
John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band
John Lennon
- Maybe I'm getting a little liberal doling out 5's here but this is another great one ....... -
5
Mar 11 2025
Blackstar
David Bowie
- To produce something so relevant, so solid, so enjoyable so late in life after so much output .... -
5
Mar 12 2025
Palo Congo
Sabu
4
Mar 13 2025
The Dreaming
Kate Bush
4
Mar 14 2025
This Is Hardcore
Pulp
4
Mar 17 2025
Tago Mago
Can
5
Mar 18 2025
KIWANUKA
Michael Kiwanuka
4
Mar 19 2025
Stand!
Sly & The Family Stone
- Sly ..... -
5
Mar 21 2025
Lady Soul
Aretha Franklin
- ..... 5 just for "Chain of Fools" .... -
5
Mar 22 2025
Talking Book
Stevie Wonder
- 5 just for "Superstition" ..... but shit, "Maybe Your Baby" and "Big Brother" are right up there as well. -
5
Mar 25 2025
More Songs About Buildings And Food
Talking Heads
4
Mar 26 2025
Songs From The Big Chair
Tears For Fears
4
Mar 27 2025
Here's Little Richard
Little Richard
4
Mar 29 2025
Superfly
Curtis Mayfield
5
Mar 30 2025
The Libertines
The Libertines
- Liked this better than I expected. I will need to look into their other output based on this listen. -
3
Apr 01 2025
My Generation
The Who
5
Apr 02 2025
My Aim Is True
Elvis Costello
- If you don't understand what a great songwriter Elvis is, I can't help you. Another stellar debut album ..... -
5
Apr 03 2025
Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)
The Kinks
- The Kinks are amazing. If you don't appreciate them, I can't help you. -
5
Apr 04 2025
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
3
Apr 06 2025
Something Else By The Kinks
The Kinks
- They remain, even on this project that encourages people to LISTEN .... undervalued, under-appreciated and over looked. The Kinks are a gift to us .... -
5
Apr 07 2025
Untitled (Black Is)
SAULT
- I knew this was English before I looked up the Wiki entry ..... I can't put my finger on why I knew it; but there's a certain lack of soul .....
A couple of good tracks but somehow more boring than it should be. -
3
Apr 08 2025
25
Adele
- I made it through 5 songs and just couldn't do anymore. Many have mentioned how good her voice is ... even that wasn't enough to get me through some of the worst pap written these days. Pair her up with someone who can turn a phrase, for gods sake. Until them she's a talent criminally wasted. -
2
Apr 10 2025
Shaka Zulu
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
- voices as instruments .... beautiful -
5
Apr 11 2025
British Steel
Judas Priest
4
Apr 12 2025
Play
Moby
3
Apr 13 2025
Golden Hour
Kacey Musgraves
- competent but so absolutely derivative ... 2.5 -
2
Apr 16 2025
Ogden's Nut Gone Flake
Small Faces
- late 60's art music ..... -
5
Apr 19 2025
Back To Black
Amy Winehouse
3
Apr 23 2025
Atomizer
Big Black
- Punk -
4
Apr 25 2025
Bitte Orca
Dirty Projectors
- I read some of the other reviews and, I have to say, the folks dismissing this as "hipster bullshit" are way off base. I also don't really hear Captain Beefheart; there's not nearly enough dissonance and cacophony.
The person who cited Steve Howe / Yes, however, nailed it. Longstreth is clearly aping Mr. Howe's stylings and some of his passages.
The thing is, he's just not as good as Steve Howe. That's fine; not too many people are that good and aspiring to Yes quality creative output is nothing to scoff at.
I think the bigger issue is Dirty Projectors, at least on this record, try to do too much within the same song just a little too often. I once had an instructor tell me "you don't have to use every trick in your bag of tricks every time" .... while listening to this record I was reminded of this advice. Remember, kids; self-editing is a good thing.
Having ranted this out of my system, I can say that I still enjoyed the record. It wasn't something I could immediately categorize. That too, is a good thing and usually means we should pay attention to the thing that we're having trouble filing away. Art is, after all, fundamentally the search for the unknown.
It's not a perfect record so, 4 stars.
4
Apr 26 2025
Ellington at Newport
Duke Ellington
5
Apr 29 2025
Neon Bible
Arcade Fire
- boring -
2
May 01 2025
Will The Circle Be Unbroken
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
5
May 04 2025
The Healer
John Lee Hooker
- 3.5 cause it's J.Lee Hooker - some good stuff but I NEED to hear one of his early releases .... -
3
May 05 2025
Coles Corner
Richard Hawley
- Another introduction to an artist I had not encountered up until this project & exactly why I signed up in the first place. It's not a perfect record but it's pretty damn good. Sincere, high quality, personal. I'll checking out the remainder of his output as well. -
4
May 06 2025
This Year's Model
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
- He's such a great writer / composer that it's really hard to give this release the full 5 right off the bat and I was leaning towards a 4 ... but, consider; for almost anyone else this would be a perfect record.
.... 5 stars just for "Pump it up". -
5
May 07 2025
There's A Riot Goin' On
Sly & The Family Stone
- 5 for "Spaced Cowboy" ..... I didn't realize he used drum machines on this one .... -
5
May 09 2025
Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge
Mudhoney
3
May 10 2025
Juju
Siouxsie And The Banshees
- I can't summon up a 5 but I look at the year released and I would have thought it was later than 1981 .... it's probably a shortcoming on my part as I was never familiar with this genre at the time so it's hard for me to put the work in context. Easily a solid 4. -
4
May 11 2025
Scott 4
Scott Walker
4
May 15 2025
Queen II
Queen
- I understand why people have a hard time with this one; it's not the Queen we know and love. The parts are there but they have not quite gelled yet. That said, this is a great record and from any other band, it would be considered at the top of their output. I'm only going to give a 4 because the debut is similar but it IS a masterwork. It's astounding how good this band was. -
4
May 16 2025
69 Love Songs
The Magnetic Fields
- art -
5
May 17 2025
If You Can Believe Your Eyes & Ears
The Mamas & The Papas
4
May 18 2025
Honky Tonk Heroes
Waylon Jennings
4
May 19 2025
The Grand Tour
George Jones
5
May 21 2025
Grievous Angel
Gram Parsons
4
May 22 2025
Fuzzy Logic
Super Furry Animals
3
May 23 2025
Make Yourself
Incubus
- Why.. why ... whydidineedtohearthis? -
1
May 24 2025
Sheer Heart Attack
Queen
- An absolutely great record. They are hitting their stride on this one. Under-rated, criminally. -
5
May 25 2025
Aha Shake Heartbreak
Kings of Leon
- I read the reviews on this project and so many times think "There are so many people who just don't know shit about music; the history or how to listen anything, new or old."
This is unquestionably a great album. The writing, the composition, the playing - it has it all. This record is clearly their own, referencing music history while bringing their own voice to the output. -
5
May 27 2025
Cheap Thrills
Big Brother & The Holding Company
- One of the great live albums from the 1960's -
5
May 28 2025
The White Album
Beatles
- ..... really? -
5
Jun 03 2025
Teenager Of The Year
Frank Black
- It's ok ..... I don't think it's a release we all need to hear before we die unless you need a good example of the struggles of following up an extremely successful project with a solo effort. The writing is just not there ... it sounds like he had some ideas but really should have "spent a bit more time in the woodshed" before committing to a release .... unless he just didn't care and wanted to get this behind him. A weak 2.5 ...... -
2
Jun 04 2025
Rocks
Aerosmith
- Easily their best .... and hardest ..... album of their output. They get the closest to the Stones here with their display of just nasty, filthy guitar rock & roll. Their masterpiece in my opinion, often overlooked. -
5
Jun 05 2025
The Colour Of Spring
Talk Talk
4
Jun 06 2025
Green River
Creedence Clearwater Revival
5
Jun 07 2025
Live At Leeds
The Who
5
Jun 08 2025
Drunk
Thundercat
- Every one of the folks on this project that panned this record, this is your assignment: Go back and
- LISTEN -
to this record. Put all of your pre-concieved notions, all of your musical baggage, OUT of your mind and listen to the music.
This is absolutely one of thee best records released recently. It's forward looking while referencing the past, it's inventive, creativity at it's best. It draws from so many yet is not pastiche. Y'all need to clean out your ears.
10/10
5
Jun 09 2025
Ananda Shankar
Ananda Shankar
3
Jun 12 2025
Rain Dogs
Tom Waits
5
Jun 18 2025
Is This It
The Strokes
2
Jun 19 2025
Now I Got Worry
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
4
Jun 20 2025
McCartney
Paul McCartney
- A very strange record, as others have noted here. Difficult to rate for all the obvious reasons that I don't think I need to recount.
I struggled with it but, in the end, I have to give it up to Paul; the greatest band breaks up and he goes out and makes art .... by himself. This is NOT an easy thing to do by a long shot and unless you've actually created something, you just don't understand how hard it really is let alone doing under the microscope that he was under.
Yeah it's not a finished record, it's a lot of him just fucking around. But, you know what? That's what creativity is. He let us all into his studio, a most intimate space, to listen to him work. It's a very generous record and that's probably why it's so heart-warming to people.
This is Paul finding himself and his path forward. Thanks, Paul.
5
Jun 21 2025
Swordfishtrombones
Tom Waits
5
Jun 23 2025
Water From An Ancient Well
Abdullah Ibrahim
4
Jul 01 2025
Time Out Of Mind
Bob Dylan
2
Jul 02 2025
Ritual De Lo Habitual
Jane's Addiction
- Doesn't hold up .... Perry Farrell has to be high up the list of vocalists (I use the term VERY loosely here) who annoy the fuck out of you .... and, frankly, musically very boring. -
2
Jul 03 2025
Signing Off
UB40
- Such a good record. Damn soulful for a bunch of Englishmen. .... and for all of you claiming this record is boring, everything sounds the same; you're failing at the basic premise behind music. Listen ..... -
5
Jul 04 2025
Appetite For Destruction
Guns N' Roses
- lots-o-hits, I know but, with a little distance it's really just ok rock pastiche ..... -
2
Jul 06 2025
New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84)
Simple Minds
- It's fine, it's just not that interesting. -
2
Jul 10 2025
Colour By Numbers
Culture Club
2
Jul 12 2025
Sign 'O' The Times
Prince
- not a perfect record but so very good. Still gets a 5 just for the quality / ambition ratio. -
5
Jul 14 2025
Blue Lines
Massive Attack
5
Jul 15 2025
The Coral
The Coral
- gonna give it a 4 because it's not perfect .... it's adventurous and that's worth a lot these days. Solid playing, decent writing but at times obvious .... pretty good stuff. Another unheard band for me to explore. -
4
Jul 16 2025
Bitches Brew
Miles Davis
- Miles -
5
Jul 17 2025
Music From The Penguin Cafe
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
- art -
5
Jul 18 2025
Car Wheels On A Gravel Road
Lucinda Williams
- Here's another example of the difficulty of this whole idea of rating these albums; I just can't place this record in the context of when it was released even though I'm certain that I heard then. My memory fails me.
Listening to it now, the sound seems somewhat boring but, at the time of it's release, it was refreshing. I'm just unable to reclaim that experience ..... that's a failing on my part.
It's a solid record with good writing and good performances. It's quite enjoyable.
She made art and I'm not qualified to judge ..... -
4
Jul 21 2025
1977
Ash
- uuuhhhmmmm, ok. Sort of middling, somewhat competent. Not ground-breaking. Am I betraying my State-side bias? ..... 2.5 -
3
Jul 23 2025
Chemtrails Over The Country Club
Lana Del Rey
2
Jul 24 2025
Vol. 4
Black Sabbath
- there is nothing else to say except Rest In Power, Oz -
5
Jul 27 2025
Loveless
My Bloody Valentine
- so good ..... -
5
Jul 28 2025
Sunshine Superman
Donovan
- 5 for the title track and Season of the Witch .... -
5
Jul 31 2025
Pacific Ocean Blue
Dennis Wilson
- I'm torn with regards to this one: there's a lot of interesting things happening here but then I think about the other releases just before, during or just after this one, I put it in the context of the times and it loses some of it's luster for me. Worth hearing for sure, I'm not convinced it's the lost masterpiece that some are trying to make it out to be.
It is art so, 3.5 ........
3
Aug 02 2025
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
- For so many other bands, this would be a 5 star debut that they would roundly pleased to have produced. For this group it's nowhere near their best which makes it so difficult to rate. Even the songs that weren't hits are pretty damn solid and there are a few that could have been hits ..... Once again context matters.
I'm going give it a 5 just for "Breakdown", "Strangered In the Night" and "Rockin' Around (with You)" -
- Also, according to many others on this project, this is the only Tom Petty release on this list .... WTF? They had at least 3 better releases after this one. Considering some of the absolute DRECK that IS included, that's an absolute travesty. -
5
Aug 04 2025
Metallica
Metallica
4
Aug 06 2025
Rid Of Me
PJ Harvey
4