If someone put this album on, it wouldn’t bother me. But likewise, if I never heard it again, that wouldn’t bother me either. That’s the problem with it - it does nothing for me. It doesn’t offend, it doesn’t move me, it doesn’t inspire, it doesn’t irritate, it doesn’t make me happy, it doesn’t make me think….it just….is. And that’s not enough for me. However, I still like Bang a Gong.

OMG! Rap sucks! Cheap sounding drum beats repeated endlessly with the same sound to the voice in every “song”. Listening to this junk is like banging your head on a brick wall for an hour. Garbage!

Nice. So laid back. He never sings with any energy; it’s like he’s not sure he has a good voice and so he delivers tentatively. But he does have a decent voice and the songs are pleasant. His guitar playing is good and the backup musicians are good. I’ve never heard Mr. Drake before - but I certainly might listen again.

I like the majority of the background music, the chord progressions, and the musicianship. The voice and the melodies don’t do much for me. Pretty cool music….but also, not. Not a real fan. Not sure they deserve all of the accolades they get. More like a weirdo leading a band without a ton to offer. Not for me.

I listened to the entire album with an open mind……I still hate rap and hip hop. Not my thing. Too much the same. Fast talking’s the game, but it’s lame, inane, insane, trying to make a name, get fame, but I want none of it, no fun in it, put a gun to it and blow that shit away.

If you gotta listen to jazz, might as well be this. Pretty damn good.

The lady can sing! This goes everywhere from rap to what passes as a jazz standard, from a band arrangement to an orchestral accompaniment, from a lead guitar solo to a violin solo, from an R&B vocal to an ethereal chorus sound. The two overtures were good. The last two songs I especially enjoyed. I must admit, this was a very interesting listen. I might even listen to it again.

The lady can sing! This goes everywhere from rap to what passes as a jazz standard, from a band arrangement to an orchestral accompaniment, from a lead guitar solo to a violin solo, from an R&B vocal to an ethereal chorus sound. The two overtures were good. The last two songs I especially enjoyed. I must admit, this was a very interesting listen. I might even listen to it again.

Jazz aficionados will say I don’t get it…and they’re right. What a load of crap. This was a painful listen for several reasons. For starters, I don’t really care for the tone of a saxophone that much. It sounds like a clarinet with a bad head cold. Then, the early stages of stereo recording with its strange separation of instruments; sax in left ear, drums all the way in the right ear, piano and bass minimally spaced in the middle….annoying. Then the worst part, four guys just rambling on their instruments for a half hour. The only good thing I can say is “whew, I will NEVER listen to that again!” I give it one star because I can’t give it negative stars.

If it weren't for the words "motherfucker," "Nigger" and "Shit" this album would be about five minutes long. So it's the "truth" from the hood....what a shitty life. And why glorify it on a recording? Rhythmically interesting at times, but mostly....who gives a shit. Rap sucks.

If someone put this album on, it wouldn’t bother me. But likewise, if I never heard it again, that wouldn’t bother me either. That’s the problem with it - it does nothing for me. It doesn’t offend, it doesn’t move me, it doesn’t inspire, it doesn’t irritate, it doesn’t make me happy, it doesn’t make me think….it just….is. And that’s not enough for me. However, I still like Bang a Gong.

My first real exposure to The White Stripes. A decent rock album. I wouldn’t call it great, but it’s good. Man, does he love that distortion pedal.

Didn’t finish it. A lot of the same sound. I like their earnestness but tire of the voice that renders melody meaningless.

Otis, my man!! Impassioned, soulful singing. If I’m in the mood for R&B/Soul music, this fits the bill. A little pitchy on “My Girl” but other than that, a solid album.

Love the Allman Brothers Band. This is a great album. The “songs” are excellent, the “jams” are just too long. I know that’s their hallmark, but some of them are just too self indulgent. The musicianship is stellar. Their abilities unquestionable. But enough rambling…the more succinct songs are the stronger entries. I give those a five star rating. The jams, three. Average? Yep….a four. Good stuff.

I have never listened to Marilyn Manson before. I always thought it was just the next step after Alice Cooper, without humor. Very negative. Very fatalistic. Very hopeless. Not a style of music I’m all that interested in. And yet…I didn’t hate it. Can’t say I enjoyed it but at least I have heard it, so I can say it was crap based on hearing it not hearing about it.

My favorite Led Zeppelin album. Absolutely great!

As if I needed further proof that the Stones suck. Shitty vocals. Bad sounding simplistic guitar work. Terrible songs. Except for a few good songs in the mid 1960s, the stones have ALWAYS been bad. What a waste of music listening time. A must hear?!? Give me a break. Pure crap.

Listenable. But not raveable.

Listenable. But not raveable. Pretty good overall.

Been listening to it since it was released. Good stuff. David Gilmour is a bona fide guitar God; stellar work.

A descent rock album.

A good hard rock album. But very negative and depressing. Death, drugs and Rock & Roll. And they figure everybody hates them; ie, “we’re our own race - stoners, junkies and dealers” or something close to that. Still…..some decent guitar work.

What total shit. Nobody in the group can sing. No talent on their instruments. Stupid “songs”. All distortion and sound effects. Why anybody thinks this is an album we’ve got to hear before we die is beyond me. Who the fuck picks this crap? And do they know anything about music? What a colossal waste of time.

My favorite Springsteen album. Saw this tour in ‘78 and became an instant Springsteen fan. Amazing show, amazing live performer supporting an amazing album. Great Rock & Roll.

Started off ok. Straight ahead Rock & Roll. No pretentions, just fun rock. By the end of the looong album, I no longer cared much. Not very good songs, not very good guitar work. Sounded like a high school version of AC/DC. Probably won’t ever listen to it again.

Not my cup of tea. I get tired of the sameness; the background singers saying the same thing over and over and over while he rambles over top. I would have liked to have heard more of the guitar work that was displayed on “Games”. He certainly has some talent but it seemed too often lost in the mix.

A slice of a musical era. Interesting to me for that reason only. Not really something I want to listen to again.

Here’s the pathetic thing; if this is considered one of the greatest rap/hip-hop albums of all time, it’s proof how shitty the genre is. This SUCKS!!!!

Very strange album. Moderately interesting at least. Organized noise. There won’t be many (if any) repeat listenings.

It’s ok.

One of Billy’s three best albums. Not a dud on the entire thing. Absolutely Excellent!!

A line from QUEEN JANE APPROXIMATELY sums this up nicely; “And you’re sick of all this repetition”. Too many verses, too many stream of consciousness words, too many boring harmonica fills, too many indecipherable pitches and melodies. More like too many inexplicable accolades. Out of tune guitars, out of tune singing - and this is an all-time “great” album? Not in my estimation.

A solid rock album.

Another highly overrated “artist”. I just don’t get it - what is supposed to be so amazing about this guy? Yes he’s a multi instrumentalist, and maybe quite good at it….but, the songs and the singing are nothing special - poor in fact. Not a fan.

At this point in my life, this (and I use the term loosely) “music” is just stupid. Noise with some idiot kid yelling at me about how miserable he is. I think there was only one song where they actually tried to sing pitches, and then they were terrible at it. I can’t tell if they’re laughing or serious. Either way, it made me laugh a number of times, and for that reason alone I give it two stars. But basically, pure crap.

Peter Gabriel is amazing. So inventive, so creative, so expressive, so intelligent. I love his music…..except Biko. It might be an important political expression, but it’s a dull song - especially to end the album. It’s the only thing keeping this from a five-star rating. But, wow, there’re some great songs on here!

If I cared for this style of music, I suppose this is all right. But since I don’t, I didn’t really enjoy it. Not terrible….not great….just ok.

Aerosmith Rocks. They sure do. Excellent album.

The original “boy band”. Fun album. And it sounds like they had fun making it. Some of the songs are not quite up to par, but others are quite good; including “You Just May Be the One” by Nesmith, “For Pete’s Sake” by Tork, and “Randy Scouse Git” by Dolenz, all originals. Better production would have helped the overall sound, but still a good album of the times.

Meh. Not terrible just not that good. Some interesting sounds and songs, but overall not that appealing to me.

I still hate Rap and Hip Hop! It’s terrible. Total shit.

Queen is definitely still developing here. Some good stuff…some not as much. The Roger Taylor composition is (as usual) the weakest part of the album. The musicianship is good, but it, too, is still developing. Good album, but not as great as what’s to come.

Not bad, but….”By the Time I Get to Phoenix” was ridiculously too long. I would much rather have heard 3 or 4 songs in that time period than the boring story he told setting up the song.

Another “icon” I don’t understand. This rambling improv with no real discernible structure or melody or chord progression or direction going on and on in 18-20 minute pieces is maddening. Not as bad as some that I’ve heard but not really something I’m eager to repeat. I’ll give it two stars because there is definitely music I hate more than this….just not at this moment.

Here The Bee Gees are still developing. Pre-disco; when I liked them better. Some good songs - some not so much. I like “First of May”. “A” for effort.

I never really listened to Christina before; I didn’t think it was my kind of music. And I was right, it isn’t what I typically listen to. But that being said, I was quite surprised. This girl can sing. Her conviction, passion and power help sell what normally I would consider rather banal lyrics. A number of different styles going on here. I must admit, it was an enjoyable listen.

Strange album. Monotonous at times (especially the title track), humorous, sad, serious, interesting…..overall, moderately fascinating. Odd vocals. Glad to have heard it.

When it started, I kind of liked this album - but as it went on it became rather blah. No real excitement to it, just a fairly tepid offering. By the end I was bored with the sound.

Engaging. Energetic. Enthusiastic. Entertaining. Gritty, gravelly, great. What a fun album. Good stuff Mr. Cooke!

The musical artists I listen to I want to be truly artists…not “artists”. Nothing artistic going on here. Bad sounding guitars poorly played, melody apparently optional, words that are not deep but seemingly the stupid hallucinated rantings of a drug addled brain. One of the best live albums of all time? C’mon!!

THIS is my kind of music!! Tull is one of my favorite bands and this is one of the (many) great albums. There is not a bad song on this and most are absolutely amazing. NOTHING bad to say about this album; great music, great lyrics, great performances, amazing musicianship.

I liked this. Not killer, but good. Simple rock songs played and sung well….but not great. I like their sense of humor. I’d listen to it again and that says something to me.

When the album started off, I had favorable expectations. As it progressed, I realized it was fairly simplistic. Interesting soundscapes but hampered by boring melodies sung by someone who never quite learned to tune up the pitches. The vocals got pretty monotonous, sounding almost like they were being made up as the recording was happening; only a few pitches being used and melodic phrases repeated too much to numbing effect. Lyrics were interesting, but they needed a vocalist. Sounded to me like a band that was trying hard but just simply lacked creative talent.

This is my favorite Elton John album. Loaded with great songs.

Not a fan of Eric Clapton. Never have been. Overrated as a guitar player and I don’t care for his voice. This album could change my opinion (except for the voice thing). Never heard this before….I think I’ve missed out. This is a GOOD blues album with nice guitar work. Glad I listened to it.

Slightly bizarre, but oh, so fun. I really enjoyed this. Never heard of them before, glad I have now.

All style and no substance. Iggy strikes me as a lot of flash with no real talent. However, the manic, driving power of the rest of the band, especially James Williamson’s guitar work, is worth three stars.

Stevie is a Wonder. Amazing talent - as a writer, singer, and multi-instrumentalist - he’s just got it all. Truly a magnificent album.

I like the Who…..sometimes; they just aren’t consistent in my opinion. I know this was early Who and they were still developing, and that is most likely the reason why. Not sure why Daltry didn’t do more of the lead vocals - I’ve never really cared much for Townsend’s voice; good guitar player, not a vocalist. I enjoyed their sense of humor but I wanted more songs of “I Can See for Miles” quality. I know good things come out of this band in their future, but I probably won’t listen to this period (album) much.

I really liked this album. It rocked - it seduced - it mesmerized - it delivered a satisfying experience. The electric guitar could be fierce, then a nice acoustic follow up, or even a blend. The words, often (and probably intentionally) blurred together and were hard to understand, but the singing was very effective and frequently beautiful. Excellent album.

I listened to as much as I could stand. You couldn’t tell when one song ended and the next began (except for the pause). Five or six songs in it changed tempo, but still sounded the same….bad. It’s all the same and that’s not a good thing - this is terrible music. Hope I never hear another song by them.

I love Kate Bush’s music and creativity. This, though an excellent album, is not near the top of the list if I was ranking her albums. It’s good, and I like it….but I like most of the others better. Still, it’s better than many other artists’ best efforts.

I’ve heard some of these songs before but never the entire album. It’s quite good though I tire of characters and situations that I can’t much relate to (life in the hood/projects/big city). I could definitely listen to this again…...just not often.

I love this album. It’s so beautifully weird. I love how her songs don’t sound alike (or like anybody else) and yet they all sound like Kate Bush. Soooo creative! This is a good one.

I like the Pretenders…..in small doses. Chrissie Hynde definitely has her own style and sound, and I like it - but not for an entire album straight. She needs to be in a playlist. But overall, good stuff.

Not sure why it’s special; the songs all sound like a thousand other country songs.

This album is terrific! The band is HOT. They must have had so much fun recording this and it comes across magnificently. You just can’t help smiling when listening to this. If you can…you must be dead. The energy, the humor, the talent, all are top notch. This definitely belongs on a “must hear” list.

Some good songs, some not. I feel like the Doors (and Jim Morrison in particular) is a band that people like because they think they’re supposed to, that you’re not cool if you don’t. I don’t think Morrison is a great singer and although he comes across as passionate, he’s just not that moving. And some of the songs are pretentious or just plain stupid. It depends on the song whether or not I like the Doors; I mean, “the future’s uncertain and the end is always near.”

I like Bowie. I don’t love Bowie. This album fits right in with that. I didn’t hate listening to it but it doesn’t do a lot for me. That damn awkward sounding voice. The instrumentalists were pretty awesome at times; I loved some of the jazz/rock/avant-garde/chaotic piano solos. Overall? Meh.

This is an excellent album. Really good songs with good lyrics. Elvis has kind of a gruff smart-ass tone when he sings that sounds like a blend of Donald Fagen, Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen. The instrumentalists were quite good as well. The only thing that keeps me from giving it five stars is the fact that ten or eleven of the songs end with him singing a phrase over and over as it fades out. This compositional method was simply overused and became too noticeable, keeping me from enjoying the songs completely. I hope I can get past that because I like the music.

OMG! Rap sucks! Cheap sounding drum beats repeated endlessly with the same sound to the voice in every “song”. Listening to this junk is like banging your head on a brick wall for an hour. Garbage!

I think this is the kind of album that is going to take a number of listenings to be appreciated. Some of the techniques will take some getting used to; the smearing of the lyrics for example. It isn’t always easy to tell what’s being said - or even when words change. Interesting sounds though.

I got this album as an LP and I played side one a ton….but I rarely turned it over to side two. I think initially I didn’t care for “The Battle of Epping Forest”, and since it kicked off side two, I just didn’t play it. Having listened to the last four songs a lot more closely, I think I may have missed out. There is some pretty good stuff happening there. This was the second Genesis album I owned and it helped solidify them in the upper echelon of prog bands for me in the 70s. Solid album, with “Dancing With the Moonlit Knight” and “Firth of Fifth” being favorites.

Pleasantly surprised. I’d only heard ABBA’s pop songs on the radio (that, and I saw Mamma Mia”) and, though well done, they never really interested me. I think maybe the darker tones (lyrically) of this album helped it appeal to me more. It wasn’t a bad listening experience at all. Quite pleasant actually.

Solid hard rock album. Straight ahead, pounding Rock-n-Roll.

A little too saccharine for me. It rarely gets out of first or second gear. Nice voice…..for about two songs, then it just gets a tad cloying. Needed more variety in the overall sound. It lulled me into a dull state of mind by the fourth or fifth song.

What wasted potential. The band is really good and Euroboy plays some excellent guitar, but….. the “vocalist” and lyricist is/are soooo bad. The lyrics are some of the stupidest and most juvenile I have ever heard; and they all sounded out of date, even for the time in which it was written. It sounds like it was written and sung by some pimply-faced fourteen year old kid. Even the album cover and title are adolescent. A song about a pizza? Really? “Right on, get it on” shouted over and over like it was a profound rock anthem. They must have said “denim” and/or “dungaree” in at least four songs. Rock Against Ass? Are you kidding me. Profanity was used just to try and sound tough and shocking or “hip”. So pathetically stupid it made me laugh at the ridiculousness of it all. Instrumentalists get four stars - vocalist/lyricist get none. I’ll have to settle on two.

Wonderful singing. Great arrangements. Nice music. But George is a better composer than Ira is a lyricist. To me, the lyrics often seem forced, and in an effort to be clever they just come off as trite. I kept finding myself distracted from the music because the lyrics’ banality would get in the way.

Never gets out of first gear. Every song is slow. That annoying wack-a wack-a of the turntable LP being spun and the snare drum on beat two throughout (at least its timbre is changed once in awhile). The song “Numb” is numbing, as are a few others. Now….all that being said….there were some interesting lyrics sung by an interesting (often beautiful) voice. In fact, the voice saves this album and makes it listenable. Not great….but not terrible either.

Liked his humor. Songs weren’t bad. I thought the voice needed to be just a little louder in the mix. Too often it felt a tad lost; I had to work too hard to understand the lyrics , and it was simply a volume issue. I’ve never listened to Morrissey before. Overall, not too bad.

I’ve always heard what a great songwriter Cohen is….not seeing it. Too much the same within the songs. Too much the same from song to song. Suzanne and Hey, That’s No Way To Say Goodbye musically just seemed like theme and variations. His guitar playing style was also always the same…monotonous. Not as bad as Dylan, but similar with his too long of a song with too many words and not enough musical variety.

Listenable but not really my taste in music. The rap parts are what ruin it for me.

I didn’t despise it like their album “GOO” but still not a fan. They still can’t sing, but it doesn’t really matter since their melodies are terrible anyway. Some interesting mood pieces but mostly noise. I did kind of like “Shadow of a Doubt” however; maybe because she doesn’t really sing in that one…just whispers.

Once again, as on Raw Power, the band is working its ass off but all for naught. The problem is the phony vocalist. It always sounds like he’s playing at being a rock star; doing what he thinks rock stars do. All that screaming and grunting and one pitch melodies combined with stupid lyrics is just laughable. That’s not just an adjective, I literally laughed at how bad Iggy Pop is. By the end of the album I was just angry that this garbage passes for “music” and that some idiot thinks this should be on a MUST HEAR list. Last album I gave them three stars because of the band, but the fact that they were on board for L.A. Blues negates their contributions this time - five minutes of noise! Really?! Utter trash.

Ok album. I liked the lyrics better than the music but the music wasn’t terrible. Since they were using Woody Guthrie’s lyrics, it sounded like they were paying homage to his music as well. Simple and straightforward melodies with uncomplicated chords and harmonies. Listenable but not too often repeatable.

Nice. So laid back. He never sings with any energy; it’s like he’s not sure he has a good voice and so he delivers tentatively. But he does have a decent voice and the songs are pleasant. His guitar playing is good and the backup musicians are good. I’ve never heard Mr. Drake before - but I certainly might listen again.

Bass heavy disco dance music. Not being a dancer, I have no use for this drivel. Yes the bass player is good. But….the lyrics are so trite they sound like they were written by an eighth grade girl….who’s not very talented. And then the ridiculous number of times a phrase is repeated within a song is almost cruel. Could you dance to it at the discos in the 70s? Hell yes. Any reason to LISTEN to it now? None whatsoever.

I like the jazz influenced pieces…not so much the rap. Some interesting music, though nothing groundbreaking. A fairly enjoyable listen.

I like the majority of the background music, the chord progressions, and the musicianship. The voice and the melodies don’t do much for me. Pretty cool music….but also, not. Not a real fan. Not sure they deserve all of the accolades they get. More like a weirdo leading a band without a ton to offer. Not for me.

God this shit SUCKS!!!!!!! Nigger this. Mother-fucker that. Killing, guns, the hood. What a life. And it ALL sounds the same. Complete and utter garbage. It only gets the one star because I can’t give it zero. What a waste.

The vocalist is a major joke. Just like rappers and their overuse of “niggah” and “motherfucker” this guy abuses “yeah” and his two-syllable version “yea-ah”. Add to that his “baby” and Billy Idol “ow” - also both used to extreme. Now pile on the fast vibrato at the end of his words, along with his making one syllable words into two by adding an “h” in the middle. And the cherry on top? The lyrics are ridiculous! Forced rhymes, absurd combinations without any cleverness to make them palatable, ie; “Peace Dog,” “Aphrodisiac Jacket,” “Electric Ocean,” etc. It’s ALL laughable. The music, though some of it is not too bad, is so derivative that there’s no point in listening to this band when you can hear the same style done so much better by REAL rock bands. This group is a hard “pass”!

I can never decide if I really like Bowie. Sometimes his voice really works well and other times it drives me crazy. Sometimes the songs sound cool while other times no real melody or form. Sometimes the lyrics are deep and meaningful and poetic and other times just stupid. At least by having Rick Wakeman play piano there was some great keyboard work. I don’t hate David Bowie’s music…..but I don’t REALLY like it either. Coin toss.

Never heard Elliot Smith before. Pretty good. Decent guitar. Nice piano. Fairly good voice. Variety of styles. Ok songs. Yeah….I can listen to this.

This is very pleasant to listen to….but it’s all pretty much the same. Very easy going. I like the sparse arrangements, light background music to accompany whoever has the lead, voice or saxophone. Again with the sax, not always crazy about the sound. His tone sounds like it’s always leaking air - as if the sax’s throat won’t clear. But his choice of notes is spot on. I love that his improvising still has a nice melodic line to it. I preferred the other Stan Getz album, with Charlie Bird, but this would make nice dinner party music.

Absolutely nothing special here. Girls doing punk. The voice gets lost in the mix on some songs making the lyrics hard to discern. No explanation as to why this is a must hear - and it sure isn’t obvious.

The accompaniment behind many of the songs was fairly interesting, but……it’s still rap. Which means too much profanity, too many “niggers” and too much the same. Plus, with all of the “guests,” I don’t know which voice was Kanye’s. Doesn’t matter though, it’s all crap, so I don’t really care.

Simple, straightforward country music performed well. Mostly I, IV, V chords. I probably heard these on “Hee-Haw”. These are most likely good songs….if you like country music. But since I’m not much of a fan of the genre, I’ll pass.

If you liked the Kinks (and I mostly do), I’m not sure why you wouldn’t have liked this when it came out, and why it wasn’t more successful. It’s the Kinks - Ray Davies being thoughtful and quirky.

Pleasant enough, but not moving. She had a nice voice, but….I couldn’t understand her at all! I thought she was singing in a different language. Then I looked up the lyrics online and found out much to my surprise that they were in English. Not bad, but also not worth further investigation.

Never been a huge fan of Black Sabbath. They’re ok, just not great….and I like great. So there are a lot of other bands I’ll listen to before BS.

If I’d liked them in the 60s that would have been better. But they’re just average and they’re doing songs that had already been done. Hearing them now for the first time isn’t winning me over.

I can’t believe I listened to the whole thing. He’s got so much more going on in the background than any other rap music I’ve heard. And one track went right into the next one and the next one and the next one and before I knew it, I was well into the album. I was amused by the humor and just stuck around. I didn’t hate it like all other rap/hip-hop I’ve heard. I’m VERY surprised.

Van Morrison is kind of like David Bowie for me in that I don’t hate his music, but I don’t love it. It’s good….but not great. And, like Bowie, I find his voice a little awkward at times. For example, “Moondance”. Excellent song, annoying vocals. His phrasing is awkward and his voice a tad strident. If he lowered the key a few steps it’d help. Other songs were good (ie; Crazy Love), but they will never be favorites of mine. Solid album though.

Well performed. But it’s still country, so……no thanks.

Once again….rap crap. Killing Me Softly was not too bad, but not good enough to make me want to listen to this version over the original, so why bother? Mista Mista attempts to be this delicate ballad (acoustic guitar and soft singing) but the insertion of all of the “motherf*****s” and the drug addict subject matter made it stupid. And then there’s the rap. Crappy sounding beats under endless talking. It’s not music, just annoying noise. I hate this stuff!