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Wed Jan 03 2024
Abbey Road
Beatles
It seems a little ridiculous to give the first of 1001 albums a perfect score, but if this isn’t a 5 what is? Not a truly bad song in the bunch. The worst songs on her would be at least above average on most others. Here Comes the Sun and I Want You are tops. I immediately started it again after the last track ended.
5
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Thu Jan 04 2024
Mothership Connection
Parliament
Really cohesive and easy to listen to all the way through without noticing how quickly the time is passing. A lot of familiarity with the beats suggests that it’s heavily sampled, which is not surprising given how catchy it is. Can’t help but make the funk face and bob your head.
4
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Fri Jan 05 2024
Rust Never Sleeps
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Gotta be honest, hate that this isn’t on Spotify. Made it difficult to listen to straight through/get a feel for the album as a whole. While I already knew I found Neil Young’s voice annoying, I really like quite of few of his songs. I was surprised at how much his voice stuck out to me here and how much it diminished my enjoyment of this album. My My, Hey Hey and vice versa are good but the rest was a slog.
2
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Sat Jan 06 2024
Made In Japan
Deep Purple
A completely fine album. I listened through once and barely remembered any of it (except Highway Star, but that could be Guitar Hero nostalgia). I thought maybe I wasn't paying enough attention so I started listening through again. Two hours was too much for a full second listen but I am unmoved. Also, I’m not sure how I feel about listening to a live recording when I’m not familiar with the studio version. I like to compare. Maybe one day I will listen to the studio cuts of the new to me songs. I have a feeling this band is better live (guitar solos, etc.)
3
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Sun Jan 07 2024
Music in Exile
Songhoy Blues
3.5
This album made me really want half stars. I thought Mothership Connection could have been a 4.5 but was fine putting it at 4. Now this deserves to be somewhere between Made in Japan and that. I’ve made the formal decision to round halves down and mentally move Mothership Connection to 4.5 retroactively)
As for an actual review, I am an uncultured swine and sorry I can’t understand the lyrics. Very interesting groove to the whole thing and I really love their voices. The second half (Wayei and on) made me want to bother with that whole half star thing.
3
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Mon Jan 08 2024
Boston
Boston
Another perfectly fine album. If every track was as good as Foreplay/Long Time it would be a 4. This is the first album I expected to rate higher before listening to it. More Than A Feeling is overrated (or at least overplayed)
3
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Tue Jan 09 2024
Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
Arctic Monkeys
This is my first album so far that got better on successive listens. At first a thought “there was a time in my life when this would have been a solid 4 for me” but was going to give it a 3. Ended up looping it all day and it really grew on me. Still Take You Home is a highlight.
4
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Wed Jan 10 2024
Faith
George Michael
Faith the track is a 4, but it’s only a few minutes of nearly an hour. I had never listened to the rest so I had high hopes but I wasn’t as impressed.
3
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Thu Jan 11 2024
Beggars Banquet
The Rolling Stones
Surprisingly country/bluesy, though I admittedly haven’t heard much of their discography that wouldn’t appear on a greatest hits album, I was expecting something harder. Sympathy for the Devil is a great song and Factory Girl is a new-to-me goodie.
4
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Fri Jan 12 2024
Pacific Ocean Blue
Dennis Wilson
3.5
I feel like I need a little more time to sit with this one to decide if it really deserved a 4. I listened to only the original track listing for the rating (there’s stuff from an album released posthumously on the Spotify link). What’s Wrong, Dreamer, and Pacific Ocean Blues are new to me bangers. The beginning of Friday Night sounds like the beginning of It’s All Coming Back to Me Now.
3
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Sat Jan 13 2024
Highway to Hell
AC/DC
3.5
I started this at basically the same time as my best friend and husband and this is the first album that any two of us have gotten.
I thought it was good and appreciate the context it was released in, it’s just not my jam.
3
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Sun Jan 14 2024
Sunshine Hit Me
The Bees
4.5
Another album full of bangers that I probably never would have discovered but for this project. Also super excited to get some more stuff that isn't classic rock or adjacent. Eclectic is the perfect word to describe the album as a whole, almost to the point that it feels disjointed. Regardless, I have a feeling most of these tracks will make it into my regular rotation. Angryman and Sky Holds the Sun are immediate favorites.
4
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Mon Jan 15 2024
Pyromania
Def Leppard
This was not as bad as I feared it would be, as I was expecting more metal, but it’s still not my jam. Photograph was the high point and not great. Slightly curious to know if I was wrong about Def Leppard being harder or if this was a weird time for them.
2
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Tue Jan 16 2024
The Queen Is Dead
The Smiths
3.5
I’ve never listened to The Smiths and I truly cannot decide if I like Morrissey's voice. It took a second listen to hear much of anything else and a third to realize how bizarrely dark the lyrics are. I love the music either way.
3
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Wed Jan 17 2024
The Infotainment Scan
The Fall
1.5
I have a feeling there’s something I’m supposed to “get” about this, but I’m definitely not getting it. Many cool instrumental parts but also a lot of weird sections. More importantly, this guy’s voice and delivery are brutal. Feels like endless samples of Christopher Walken talking.
1
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Thu Jan 18 2024
Twelve Dreams Of Dr. Sardonicus
Spirit
3.5
Weird and funky in the exact ways I like it. Quite a few bizarre choices and the whole album didn’t flow together as much as I would have hoped but I feel like this one will grow on me over time.
3
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Fri Jan 19 2024
Crossing the Red Sea With the Adverts
The Adverts
I am quite surprised to find myself enjoying a punk album. Not my favorite thing I’ve ever listened to, but I didn’t find any of it offensive and even liked a few tracks. That’s a feat for me in this genre.
3
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Sat Jan 20 2024
Gunfighter Ballads And Trail Songs
Marty Robbins
What a find. This feels like the good angel to Johnny Cash’s bad angel (who is one of only a handful of country artists I would have said I really liked before starting this project). Marty is on the list! Can’t wait to listen to more of his stuff.
4
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Sun Jan 21 2024
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx
Raekwon
RZA is the king. Surprised I haven’t heard this before considering how much I love 36 Chambers.
4
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Mon Jan 22 2024
Fear and Whiskey
Mekons
I can appreciate that they’re doing something unique here, but that doesn’t mean I like it or really understand what’s going on.
2
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Tue Jan 23 2024
Black Holes and Revelations
Muse
I was tempted to give this a 5 as soon as I saw it because I am a sucker for Muse, but I listened through quite a few times today to make sure I wasn't being biased. Turns out I was. I still love all of the tracks I already have in my regular rotation, but the rest of it didn't excite me as much as I remembered.
4
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Wed Jan 24 2024
Elephant
The White Stripes
4.5
The whole world has heard Seven Nation Army and The Hardest Button To Button but I think they deserve the hype. In The Cold, Cold Night has been a favorite of mine for a while as well. Happy to have discovered Black Math and Ball and Biscuit today.
4
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Thu Jan 25 2024
More Specials
The Specials
3.5
That was an interesting first listen. It started off with “Oh, ska. Nice!” and ended with “Wait wtf just happened?” It felt like a trip that started out all nice and fun and ended in a weirdly scary place. Can't say I didn't enjoy it though. I'm a sucker for horns.
3
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Fri Jan 26 2024
The Specials
The Specials
Two Specials in a row. I think this dampened my review of this one (with the only Specials song I’ve heard before). It’s likely just as good as the one before, but I’m feeling less excited. Too much ska is definitely a thing.
3
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Sat Jan 27 2024
21
Adele
4.5
This is only the second album of 25 that I was very familiar with prior to starting this project. While critics would disagree, I liked 19 more than this. She has an amazing voice nonetheless. One and Only, Take It All, and Don't You Remember are great and didn't get the play they deserved.
4
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Sun Jan 28 2024
American Beauty
Grateful Dead
I’ve never really listened to Grateful Dead. First impression: I’m pleased this isn’t super long. Overall, I didn’t hate it but it didn’t excite me in any way. Truckin’ is pretty cool though.
3
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Mon Jan 29 2024
Moby Grape
Moby Grape
Music was fine, but I had such a hard time finding a way to play through the whole album. Probably lost half a star just for that (petty I know). Will revisit with more patience one day.
3
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Tue Jan 30 2024
Madman Across The Water
Elton John
Elton really set himself up opening with Tiny Dancer. Definitely a top 5 Elton track. Levon is pretty good but the rest of the album was not as enjoyable as I expected.
3
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Wed Jan 31 2024
Duck Rock
Malcolm McLaren
I appreciated this bad boy more after reading the context and it started off much stronger than it finished but overall fairly enjoyable.
3
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Thu Feb 01 2024
Rust In Peace
Megadeth
I’m far from a metal fan but I was pleased by how inoffensive this was.
3
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Fri Feb 02 2024
Something/Anything?
Todd Rundgren
3.5 Started off in solid male Carole King territory, got a little weird in the middle, and finished off nice and poppy again. 90 minutes is a bit too long but overall pretty fun.
3
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Sat Feb 03 2024
Brilliant Corners
Thelonious Monk
4.5
I am quite certain that there is a lot I don’t understand about jazz, but that was a great listen through and through.
4
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Sun Feb 04 2024
Juju
Siouxsie And The Banshees
2.5
A little gothy, but I think that’s mostly because of her voice. I enjoyed the beginning of the album but felt it got a little tired at the end. Not the worst thing I’ve heard by far.
2
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Mon Feb 05 2024
Colour By Numbers
Culture Club
I like the horns all over the place, but Karma Chameleon is really the only above average track.
3
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Tue Feb 06 2024
Either Or
Elliott Smith
Despite never hearing of this dude, this album sounds familiar in a good way. Quite a few bangers. Looking forward to more listens as I feel it may move up.
4
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Wed Feb 07 2024
Out of Step
Minor Threat
I hated just about every second of that. The best thing about the album is that it’s only 20 minutes long.
1
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Thu Feb 08 2024
Fisherman's Blues
The Waterboys
What a treat. An hour forty-five is way too long but I’m really loving the more traditional sounding stuff on disk two so I’m not sorry it’s there.
4
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Thu Feb 15 2024
Peace Sells...But Who's Buying
Megadeth
2.5 Second Megadeath album on my journey and sadly it was not as good as the first. I am realizing there are parts of metal I appreciate though.
2
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Fri Feb 16 2024
Superfly
Curtis Mayfield
4.5 This is the first album I've discovered through this project that I wish was longer. The storytelling is obviously a highlight but the instrumental tracks are really just as good
4
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Sat Feb 17 2024
Kid A
Radiohead
It feels like I am supposed to like this more than I do. First few tracks hit nice. By the end it felt more pretentious than ambitious. I don't get the hype but I didn't hate it.
3
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Sun Feb 18 2024
Electric Prunes
The Electric Prunes
A medieval canticle? Demonic children’s music? What were they on when they put this together? Can’t say I didn’t enjoy it though.
3
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Mon Feb 19 2024
B-52's
The B-52's
Deliciously stupid and incredibly fun. Rock Lobster is a 5 and Planet Claire is close behind.
4
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Tue Feb 20 2024
Parsley, Sage, Rosemary And Thyme
Simon & Garfunkel
I was already familiar with a number of the tracks on here and didn't realize until I got back to the beginning that I didn't catch one clunking filler track.
4
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Wed Feb 21 2024
Loveless
My Bloody Valentine
1.5 The first few tracks were a true test of my patience. The second two thirds was better, but not by much. It felt like weirdly discordant electronica and not at all my style. Not as unpleasant as Minor Threat though.
1
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Thu Feb 22 2024
I Should Coco
Supergrass
I wouldn't call this groundbreaking in any way, but it was really enjoyable. The only song I had heard before was Alright, which still hits, but Mansize Roof, Time, and Sofa of My Lethargy are even better.
4
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Fri Feb 23 2024
Live At The Star Club, Hamburg
Jerry Lee Lewis
I am quite conflicted about this one. He seems personally abhorrent, but my general policy is not to knock art for that (though I'd hesitate to put money in his pocket). He is an amazing musician and I love this genre, but most of these songs (the best ones) are not his and his versions aren't particularly transformative. Also, I am generally not a fan of live recordings. All that being said, I can't stop listening to this, so I will settle at a 4.
4
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Sat Feb 24 2024
If You Can Believe Your Eyes & Ears
The Mamas & The Papas
3.5 I'm a sucker for a good harmony but 2.5 bangers out of 12 tracks does not a masterpiece make.
3
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Sun Feb 25 2024
Viva Hate
Morrissey
The Queen is Dead has moved up in my ranking since I reviewed it earlier in this endeavor. Now I know that I like The Smiths more than I like Morrissey. Still not sure if I like his voice.
3
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Mon Feb 26 2024
Imperial Bedroom
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
There is a LOT happening here. Not every track is a banger but none of it is bad. Much better than I was expecting based on my limited experience with Elvis Costello
4
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Tue Feb 27 2024
Hunky Dory
David Bowie
I was starting to feel a little silly getting 50 albums in and giving only one 5 (my first album, Beatles), but here it is. Each track is different but the whole doesn't feel disjointed. What a pleasure.
5
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Wed Feb 28 2024
Oar
Alexander 'Skip' Spence
In a sense, that’s exactly what I expected an hour long demo from a man on a comedown from a nervous breakdown to sound like. Seems like it would have been a good album if it was edited.
2
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Thu Feb 29 2024
Cypress Hill
Cypress Hill
3.5
Excellent beats and flow but the lyrics leave a lot to be desired. The first listen where I wasn’t paying much attention to them was the best run through.
3
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Fri Mar 01 2024
Trout Mask Replica
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
1.5
I can’t believe I listened to that whole thing. I like his voice and I can tell everyone on here is good at their instrument. It was painful, but I think that’s the point. Not all of the tracks were tough (Ella Guru, Sweet Sweet Bulbs, and Sugar N’ Spikes were legitimately enjoyable) but I can’t get above 1.5 considering the remaining hour.
1
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Sat Mar 02 2024
Bayou Country
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Nice, tight, and full of bangers. Pretty same-y but it’s so short that it doesn’t rub me the wrong way. Chooglin’ might be my new favorite word and, like other commenters, I heard “voulez” all through Bootleg.
4
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Sun Mar 03 2024
I See A Darkness
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
2.5
I have been putting off rating this one because I've tried to get into it a few times over a few days and kept leaving halfway through with "sad and boring". I finally got through it all and this is where I am landing but I am wiling to try again in the future. A Minor Place is dope.
2
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Mon Mar 04 2024
american dream
LCD Soundsystem
Before listening I was familiar with the name LCD Soundsystem and nothing else. They were older and less electronic in my head. I read a review here that called this "dance music that you can't dance to". That sums up about half the album perfectly. If they had cut that out, you'd have a normal length perfectly fine album.
2
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Tue Mar 05 2024
S&M
Metallica
Again, I find it hard to fairly rate a live album when I am not very familiar with the original recordings. The Ecstasy of Gold and The Call Of Ktulu made me really excited for the remaining two hours. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy myself that much again until the last few tracks. Maybe that's just because I am most familiar with One and Enter Sandman, but maybe there's a reason I am familiar with them. Those few tracks were solid 4s but the middle 90 minutes brings it down to a 3.
3
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Wed Mar 06 2024
Deloused in the Comatorium
The Mars Volta
There's a lot going on here. The music itself is dense but very enjoyable. An easy 4 on its own. The vocals, on the other hand, were shrill to the point of distraction and annoyance at points. Would love to listen to a fully instrumental version of this.
3
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Thu Mar 07 2024
Little Earthquakes
Tori Amos
3.5
Beautiful piano and an interestingly haunting voice. Definitely a little Kate Bush-esque, but if that’s the worst thing you can say about an album you’re in great shape and good company.
3
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Fri Mar 08 2024
Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge
Mudhoney
More punk than I was expecting, which is not my favorite genre. Didn't love the probably purposefully low production quality, but other than that nothing stuck out as terrible. Just not my bag.
2
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Sat Mar 09 2024
Raising Hell
Run-D.M.C.
Starting an album with Peter Piper, It's Tricky, My Adidas, and Walk This Way is ballsy. The rest of the album certainly isn't bad but it's a little samey and pales in comparison.
4
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Sun Mar 10 2024
Bossanova
Pixies
3.5
I was expecting to like this more than I did based on what I knew of the Pixies before starting this project. Very happy to have discovered Is She Weird but the back end of the album really dragged on.
3
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Mon Mar 11 2024
The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter
The Incredible String Band
I hear a lot of interesting instruments here but this is a perfect example of "just because you can, doesn't mean you should".
1
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Tue Mar 12 2024
Document
R.E.M.
3.5
I haven't listened to R.E.M. much beyond the greatest hits, but I was pleasantly surprised here. Pretty enjoyable all the way through and not as samey as I was expecting based on the little I knew before. Nice surprise sax in Fireplace and Indian sound in King Of Birds. Exhuming McCarthy is joining the obvious in the regular rotation.
3
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Wed Mar 13 2024
Mama's Gun
Erykah Badu
4.5
Funky and enjoyable all the way through. Another one that I just played over and over on loop all day. Beats for days and such an interesting voice
4
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Thu Mar 14 2024
Bluesbreakers
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
The pros: I like blues and the whole band is crushing it on their respective instruments. The recording also sounds exceptional.
The cons: The best parts of this album are standards and none of these versions are the best I've heard. This What'd I Say cover should not exist.
Would probably be a 5 if I had never heard the originals.
4
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Fri Mar 15 2024
Cafe Bleu
The Style Council
2.5 I made it a full 50% through this album thinking it might be my first 5 on an album I wasn’t very familiar with before. And then we got to the rap track. What a travesty. It never really recovered after that. Plus, I’m all for eclectic but this was truly all over the place.
2
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Sat Mar 16 2024
Can't Buy A Thrill
Steely Dan
4.5
I think I like dad rock now…
(Slowly transforms into Tony Soprano driving while dissociating)
4
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Sun Mar 17 2024
Aqualung
Jethro Tull
Hadn't heard much Jethro Tull beyond this title track before this. It certainly slaps, as does Hymn 43 and Locomotive Breath, and I could listen to the intro on Up to Me on loop for hours. Enjoyable all the way through, including all the flute.
4
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Mon Mar 18 2024
Green
R.E.M.
3.5
Second R.E.M. album this week and second time in this project that I've gotten two albums from the same artist very close together. More pop/commercial than Document, which isn't a negative for me, but it feels less impressive so I am going with the same rating.
3
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Tue Mar 19 2024
A Girl Called Dusty
Dusty Springfield
I am a sucker for this genre and Dusty certainly has a beautiful and iconic voice, but this album falls into to the same category of complaints I had with Jerry Lee Lewis and the Bluesbreakers. It's hard for me to give an album a 5 if I am enjoying a track but thinking of a better version of it.
4
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Wed Mar 20 2024
Alien Lanes
Guided By Voices
I am learning that I really dislike that I think intentionally fuzzy sound. Also, while I am generally a big fan of brevity and often criticize albums and songs for being too long, this swings too far in the other direction. Every song feels like an incomplete thought and even ones I am enjoying (A Salty Salute, Game of Pricks) seem to end abruptly. Not a great experience overall.
2
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Thu Mar 21 2024
Blunderbuss
Jack White
4.5
This one took a few listens to grow on me as I felt irrational loyalty to the White Stripes, but this is pretty unquestionably just as good if not better. Sixteen Saltines, Freedom At 21, I'm Shakin' (admittedly a cover), and Trash Tongue Talker rip. The finish is a bit weaker but not a clunker to be found.
4
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Fri Mar 22 2024
Figure 8
Elliott Smith
2.5
This is my second Elliott Smith album and about halfway through this I decided to see what I gave Either/Or. I was shocked to find a 4 because I am finding this guy's voice annoying and didn't note it at all in my first review of him. Maybe that says something about how compelling I found the first album, but this one doesn't hold up for me.
2
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Sat Mar 23 2024
The Gershwin Songbook
Ella Fitzgerald
Interesting that most of the criticisms of this album on here reference the length but the current Spotify link pulls a shorter compilation album. I agree with many reviewers that a best of compilation album is not very fair and decided to click over to the 3 hour original. As you can see from my other reviews, I am predisposed to dislike albums much over an hour long and this definitely fits the "way too long" bill. Also, I usually take points off for extensive use of covers, and this is essentially a cover album. At the same time, if aliens came down from space and we needed had to show them what music is and wanted to be sure it wouldn't get us obliterated, we'd have to pick Ella Fitzgerald. Sure, it's old and it's jazz and that's not a lot of people's thing, but she has the greatest voice to ever exist. 5s for all 3 hours!
5
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Sun Mar 24 2024
Talking With the Taxman About Poetry
Billy Bragg
3.5
I was surprised to see how many reviewers knocked this for the guy’s voice. I am usually very susceptible to focusing on a voice I find grating and decreasing the rating because of it. While his voice isn’t good, I wasn’t distracted by it. Slightly above average album for me. New to Billy Bragg and happy to have discovered Greeting to the New Brunette and The Marriage. Not rating on reissue material but this cover of The Tracks of My Tears was interesting.
3
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Mon Mar 25 2024
There's A Riot Goin' On
Sly & The Family Stone
Funktastic. I regret being so hesitant to call something a 5 at the beginning of this project because I like Mothership Connection more than this but I am not going to penalize this album for my stinginess two albums into this project. Consider this a post-hoc bump for Parliament too! The intro to Just Like a Baby is transcendent and Thank You for Talkin' to Me, Africa is hypnotizing.
5
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Tue Mar 26 2024
Tapestry
Carole King
An arguably perfect pop album from one of the greatest songwriters of all time. Even the most slept-on tracks here (e.g. Way Over Yonder, Smackwater Jack) are beautifully written, performed, and produced. Insta-5.
5
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Wed Mar 27 2024
Remedy
Basement Jaxx
3.5
Finally, some electronica that's actually meant for dancing. Certainly something that I would prefer listening to in a club than at my desk or in my car, but still a genre I enjoy. Wasn't familiar with the album or artist before this project, and it's fine. More enjoyable in the first half than the second.
3
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Thu Mar 28 2024
Appetite For Destruction
Guns N' Roses
3.5
Like most I would imagine, I was familiar with the big hits before listening here. I was disappointed that none of the remaining 10ish tracks excited me as much. Maybe it's because this isn't exactly my genre, but I don't think I will be adding anything else to my playlists.
3
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Fri Mar 29 2024
Drunk
Thundercat
Never heard of him. I can see why some reviews have referred to this is as background music, but being pleasant to listen to isn't a knock. I am curious but not dying to listen to his other stuff.
4
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Sat Mar 30 2024
Pretenders
Pretenders
Spent my entire first listen recognizing this woman's voice but unable to place it. Then I got to Brass in Pocket, a great song that I am embarrassed I didn't know the title or artist of. Lovely new wave with great vocals and fun instrumentals.
4
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Sun Mar 31 2024
Come Away With Me
Norah Jones
Already knew how much I loved her voice, which is the standout of every track. Musically not that complex and a few of the top tracks are covers, but I could listen to this all day long. Again, easy listening is a positive!
4
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Mon Apr 01 2024
Hejira
Joni Mitchell
A true neutral for me. Nothing to dislike, but also nothing that really spoke to me. Coyote feels like a good example of Joni Mitchell's sound, but it's not all that exciting. Legitimately surprised this is here.
3
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Tue Apr 02 2024
Amnesiac
Radiohead
Again, it feels like I am supposed to like this more than I do. I'm starting to think I just don't like Radiohead, which surprises me based on the albeit few songs I had heard before starting this project. Still don't get the hype, still I don't hate it.
3
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Wed Apr 03 2024
Imagine
John Lennon
3.5
I am a big Beatles fan, but I am not very familiar with their solo stuff (except for All Things Must Pass, which I love). I had only heard the title track before this listen. I was expecting to like this much more than I did. I guess the band really was greater than the sum of its parts.
3
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Thu Apr 04 2024
Real Life
Magazine
Considering my general distaste for punk-y things, I wasn’t too excited to listen to this. I am so happy to be doing this project because I loved it and never would have heard it otherwise. Funky in a weird way and so much interesting instrumentation.
4
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Fri Apr 05 2024
C'est Chic
CHIC
3.5
Short, sweet, and to the point. I like disco but unfortunately the rest of the album can’t hold a candle to Le Freak and I Want Your Love
3
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Sat Apr 06 2024
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Her beautiful, hypnotic voice is the best thing about every single track. The hits are bangers, but the album overall is a little samey and I didn't hear a standout track that I hadn't heard a million times on the radio. Nonetheless, enjoyable through and through
4
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Sun Apr 07 2024
Broken English
Marianne Faithfull
One of the most interesting voices I've ever heard, but that was really the most noteworthy part of this album (negative or positive). I'm not a prude by any means but Why'd Ya Do It had both of my eyebrows up by my hairline for six whole minutes
3
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Mon Apr 08 2024
E.V.O.L.
Sonic Youth
This reminds me of the My Bloody Valentine album I got a while back. Not a ringing endorsement. I didn't have to aggressively power through any tracks, but I was kind of wishing it was over so I could move on to the next one the whole way through.
2
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Tue Apr 09 2024
Garbage
Garbage
3.5 I was very young when Garbage was a cool bad to like, but in my mind they were significantly more grungy than this. This album is quite pop-y when you listen to the whole thing. Not surprising it was so successful. Queer and Vow are new to me and going on the playlist. Like the intro to Milk too
3
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Wed Apr 10 2024
Felt Mountain
Goldfrapp
3.5 What a trip. Smooth, jazzy space western vibes. Human will be stuck in my head all day.
3
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Thu Apr 11 2024
Buffalo Springfield Again
Buffalo Springfield
3.5 Some new-to-me bangers (Mr. Soul, Bluebird, Hung Upside Down) but overall eclectic to the point of disjointed. Starting to wonder if I will come to the same conclusion about CSNY as I have about the Beatles (solo/different groupings stuff just doesn't hit the same).
3
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Fri Apr 12 2024
Melody A.M.
Röyksopp
Perfect music to work to. I know that sounds like a diss, but there is something to be said for something you can loop to carry you through the day. While there's nothing bad on here, Eple and Poor Leno stand out as especially good.
4
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Sat Apr 13 2024
Zombie
Fela Kuti
I know I am less than 10% of the way through the project at this point, but I am confident enough to commit to writing that this album will end up being a top 10 find for me when this is all said and done. Minus points for Duck Rock after hearing this. Couldn't help but bop around through the entire hour even after I realized what it was about.
5
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Sun Apr 14 2024
Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
The Smashing Pumpkins
Hadn't heard much of these guys beyond the big radio hits and those hold up. Unfortunately, the rest of the two hour runtime isn't as good and a solid chunk goes beyond "not as good" and into "just not good". I think I would have given this a 4 if it was average length. Points for diversity though.
3
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Mon Apr 15 2024
Follow The Leader
Korn
Pre-1001 Generator I would have guessed that I wouldn't like this album because I'm not really into metal. Now I can confidently say metal isn't my favorite but it's not without its positives. Still searching for the positives in this one. Can't believe they got Ice Cube on this.
1
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Tue Apr 16 2024
Liquid Swords
GZA
4.5
I repeat, RZA is the king. Definitely my favorite Wu solo album prior to starting this project. The beat on Liquid Swords is one of my favorite of all time. GZA is so, so smooth throughout. I could listen to this on repeat all day.
4
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Wed Apr 17 2024
Heaux Tales
Jazmine Sullivan
3.5
I was expecting to like this more. Really strong concept and her voice is outstanding but I found it a little boring musically. Usually I appreciate something so short but this left me wanting more in a bad way.
3
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Thu Apr 18 2024
Os Mutantes
Os Mutantes
Trippy in the best ways. Somewhat sad to find out that one of The Bees songs I fell in love with early on in this project is a cover, but happy to have now heard the original (A Minha Menina). I do wish I could understand the lyrics but thoroughly enjoyed it nonetheless.
4
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Fri Apr 19 2024
Fifth Dimension
The Byrds
Excellent harmonies and lots of impressive guitar throughout, but nothing really jumped out at me. I found the whole album really fading into the background even on successive, more focused listens. Enjoyable but not particularly memorable (except for Mr. Spaceman)
3
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Sat Apr 20 2024
Bookends
Simon & Garfunkel
I am irrationally bothered by the fact that this is referred to as a concept album when it feels like they gave up on the concept half way through a 30 minute runtime. I won't go below a 3 because neither side is bad and I love A Hazy Shade of Winter but I was close.
3
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Sun Apr 21 2024
#1 Record
Big Star
It's a shame that these guys didn't stand the test of time they same way the bands they obviously influenced did because I don't recognize anything other than the That 70s Show theme song (which I didn't realize was a cover). A few too many ballads even though they're all perfectly good but Feel is going in the rotation
4