513
Albums Rated
2.89
Average Rating
47%
Complete
576 albums remaining
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1950s
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Rater Style ?
32
5-Star Albums
19
1-Star Albums
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By Genre
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Little Earthquakes
Tori Amos
|
5 | 3.23 | +1.77 |
|
Only By The Night
Kings of Leon
|
5 | 3.23 | +1.77 |
|
Dance Mania
Tito Puente
|
5 | 3.27 | +1.73 |
|
Feast of Wire
Calexico
|
5 | 3.29 | +1.71 |
|
Sunday At The Village Vanguard
Bill Evans Trio
|
5 | 3.32 | +1.68 |
|
At Mister Kelly's
Sarah Vaughan
|
5 | 3.38 | +1.62 |
|
Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs
Derek & The Dominos
|
5 | 3.39 | +1.61 |
|
A Rush Of Blood To The Head
Coldplay
|
5 | 3.44 | +1.56 |
|
Guero
Beck
|
5 | 3.46 | +1.54 |
|
Parachutes
Coldplay
|
5 | 3.46 | +1.54 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Back In Black
AC/DC
|
1 | 3.86 | -2.86 |
|
Straight Outta Compton
N.W.A.
|
1 | 3.51 | -2.51 |
|
The Chronic
Dr. Dre
|
1 | 3.33 | -2.33 |
|
The Slim Shady LP
Eminem
|
1 | 3.29 | -2.29 |
|
System Of A Down
System Of A Down
|
1 | 3.26 | -2.26 |
|
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
David Bowie
|
2 | 4.26 | -2.26 |
|
Songs Of Love And Hate
Leonard Cohen
|
1 | 3.21 | -2.21 |
|
Oxygène
Jean-Michel Jarre
|
1 | 3.08 | -2.08 |
|
Fishscale
Ghostface Killah
|
1 | 3.06 | -2.06 |
|
Hunky Dory
David Bowie
|
2 | 4 | -2 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Beastie Boys | 3 | 5 |
| U2 | 3 | 4.67 |
| Coldplay | 2 | 5 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Public Image Ltd. | 2 | 1 |
| Leonard Cohen | 4 | 1.75 |
| AC/DC | 2 | 1.5 |
| Bob Dylan | 4 | 2 |
5-Star Albums (32)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Bob Dylan
2/5
I. Just. Don't. Like. His. Voice.
Can I just listen to the music without lyrics?
5 likes
Van Halen
5/5
forgot how solid this album is. no, they are not known for deep, thoughtful lyrics at all. what they do showcase on here is the incredible talent of Eddie, showmanship of DLR, and fantastic backing by Michael Anthony & Alex. Ain't Talking bout Love is one of the absolute best tracks
2 likes
Beastie Boys
5/5
sampling done at its finest. it adds to the track, but doesn't overshadow. lyrics are fun, irreverent, and Beasties don't take themselves too seriously. fantastic album. love this album
1 likes
Sparks
2/5
so glam rock is a thing??? does this album just get included on this list because it's so bizarre? is it a parody album?
1 likes
The Black Crowes
3/5
southern rock that was played all over the summer it came out. I remember it well. given what was popular when it came out, it wasn't a huge surprise they got lots of air time.
1 likes
1-Star Albums (19)
All Ratings
Bob Dylan
2/5
like the harmonica, guitar, and piano.....just not his voice. or his lyrics. or the 11 minute long song at end of album
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
2nd disc better than 1st. liked gospel choir. overall kinda "meh"
Violent Femmes
3/5
after about 3 songs, they kinda all sounded same
Red Hot Chili Peppers
3/5
meh. it's not their best work & several songs were so overplayed
Moby
4/5
Really enjoyed this-the instrumental tracks were my favorite. Everloving is a great one-the simple melody then blended & mixed with other instruments and harmonies-fantastic
Sonic Youth
3/5
Would do 2.5 if I could. Opening song was great, but others went a little too far for me.
Derek & The Dominos
5/5
Love the blues influence coming through-the emotion in the lyrics & guitar are great. Anyday and Bell Bottom Blues are fantastic. Clapton is one of the greats-enjoyed listening to this album more now than I did originally a few decades ago. Fantastic
Beach House
2/5
totally "meh" & forgettable. after 2 songs they all blended together & album was about 9 songs too long.
AC/DC
1/5
ugh
Roxy Music
2/5
nope-didn't like music, vocals, lyrics, or cover
Kelela
2/5
after you've heard the first few tracks, there's no real need to hear the rest. but you will hear them again & again since all the tracks sound the same. she gets a 2 star just because she has a decent voice.
Peter Gabriel
4/5
great album-Red Rain is a fantastic track. wonderful building sound & emotion. good to hear the rawness in his voice & it's not overly stylized or autotuned.
The Beach Boys
3/5
overall it's a good album. given some of the other pop music at the time, this was more than generic bubble gum sounds. like that they still have the classic Beach Boy harmonies. lyrically, you can hear some of the mental issues Brian Wilson was wrestling with in several songs.
Public Image Ltd.
1/5
all I hear are disjointed sounds and instruments. nope, nope, nope
System Of A Down
1/5
ugh. so much anger..... think I need to sit in a quiet room for a while. one star is being generous
The Clash
3/5
punk is not my normal style but it's an ok album. so many musicians were influenced by them
Eagles
3/5
I don't think this is one of the best albums by The Eagles, but it is a good listen. Does seem to fade with the middle tracks. Do appreciate the way they can tell a story with lyrics-like The Last Resort.
Public Enemy
3/5
overall I don't mind all the samples & mixing, just feel like it's a huge mash up of samples with not much cohesion.
Herbie Hancock
2/5
it's a funky/interesting listen. think it's best just to put it on & let it play through, rather than listen to one track at a time.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
2/5
instrumentals are nice-interesting to hear a very different type of music. However....after hearing a couple of the songs, they seem to blend together (same formula, building of music/lyrics, and long). his voice comes off as shouting at times, but there is also a language barrier.
Sex Pistols
2/5
meh. guitar is nice, but after about 3 songs with the sing/talk/shout pattern, I'm good
Pretenders
3/5
did not expect to enjoy this album since I generally don't care for Hynde's voice. pleasantly surprised though with her on guitar and the instrumental tracks.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
was not at all familiar with anything off this album. loved all the variety-simple piano tracks, to some big funk sounds. really enjoyed listening
Deee-Lite
2/5
really not my style of music at all. kinda unsure how this even made it onto this list......
Air
2/5
not familiar at all with this movie or soundtrack. some tracks-the instrumental ones-were fine as background music, but others-the ones with dialogue bits-were just really odd since I have no frame of reference to the movie. why is this on the list?
Circle Jerks
3/5
fast paced, in your face punk. listened while I worked out & was easy to keep the pace up. songs are short-not much in the way of more than a refrain/chorus, maybe a hook, but appreciate they can play instruments. not really my style, but not bad
Dusty Springfield
4/5
finally a female artist with a great voice. perfect to listen to on a dreary day while doing some cleaning.
Isaac Hayes
2/5
enjoyed the music & his voice, but by the time he finished his monologue on By the Time I get to Phoenix, I had lost interest. knocked off some of his rating because of that.
Fairport Convention
3/5
enjoyed the blend of traditional instruments & ballads, but her voice got a wee bit boring after couple songs. really enjoyed the Lark in the Morning Medley.
Ian Dury
1/5
ummm.....no. why is this on this list??? music is "meh" & lyrics are just crass. not my cup of tea at all
Primal Scream
3/5
an interesting album. interesting in that there isn't much continuity in sound from track to track-which isn't necessarily a bad thing. not really my style overall, but did appreciate the variety of sounds, use of different instruments. solid 2.5 but bumping to 3 because of variety
Talking Heads
4/5
I enjoy the random, eclectic mix of sounds, instruments. great album to listen to while you're doing other stuff-up tempo & keeps you moving
The Strokes
4/5
not a fan of the album cover, but was very pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the album. vocals, music-enjoyed all of it
Siouxsie And The Banshees
3/5
overall I enjoyed this album-driving drums, guitar, & her voice is strong. they kept the sound moody, but it didn't get too over the top. couple of the longer numbers could have used some editing, but overall a solid 3.5
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
it's a "meh" one. can tell they haven't fully developed or decided on their sound. just ok
Run-D.M.C.
5/5
great album. not usually a fan of early rap/hip hop but enjoyed this. lots of sampling, but sounds are different & fresh, not overdone. keeping this one in my rotation
CHIC
2/5
not my style at all. songs super repetitive & go on too long. vocals are nice hence the 2
Led Zeppelin
4/5
it's not their best-some tracks need editing & not every one needs a drawn out guitar solo in the bridge. but still-a solid 4
The Flaming Lips
2/5
don't understand why this is on the list. way too much use of distortion, discordant sounds. and not a fan of vocals, or lyrics
Korn
2/5
not my style at all. ugh. need to go sit in a quiet room for a while. only reason they get 2 stars is that a 1.5 not available. they can play instruments, and have a distinct sound- I just don't care for it
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
was nice background music. not my normal style but compared to yesterday's Korn, it was giant improvement.
The Velvet Underground
3/5
overall it was an "ok to have on in the background while you're doing other stuff" kind of album. but then I got to Murder Mystery and they lost a star for that-just didn't understand at all. so much discordant sound, mumbling, & plain noise
Metallica
3/5
really like the overall concept and blending the contrasting sounds; HOWEVER, this album needs some editing. TWO HOURS???!! Only a serious Metallica fan could possibly be ok with this run time. Would have been much better served doing a greatest hits type tracks with better use of them as a band & the orchestra-some pieces just felt like they were playing over the orchestra & others were just drawn out needlessly. and some just felt like they were going for a James Bond theme sound. 2.5
Adele
4/5
love her voice & expression in her songwriting, but don't think this is as strong as "21" (and why is 21 not on this list???). a few too many melancholy ballads (although they are good). she shines in the more uptempo tracks-Send my Love, & Water under the Bridge.
The Vines
3/5
it's an ok listen. gave me lots of Oasis vibes (which isn't a good thing). enjoyed the guitar melodies & the piano, and the different tempos of tracks
Tori Amos
5/5
although I don't think this is her strongest album, it's still very good & shows where she is headed-blending piano compositions, strings, guitar with (often) heavy subject matters. Love the contrast of beautiful piano melodies & her voice with darker lyrics. China, Happy Phantom, & Tear in Your Hand are perfect representations of that.
Neil Young
3/5
it's ok-not a huge fan of his voice, but guitar is nice
Elvis Presley
3/5
never listened to an Elvis album before. enjoyed the variety of musical styles-pretty wide range. liked his original tracks more than his covers.
Deep Purple
2/5
it's a No from me-too many wailing "aaaah-ha's", not a fan of metal genre, and a 10 minute long track
Tim Buckley
2/5
sheesh. not a fan at all 1.5
The Who
3/5
yes they are a talented band, but don't think a live album needs to be on here. especially with the super long tracks. I'm happy to listen to a handful of Who songs, but this was about 30 minutes too long. 2.5
Meat Loaf
3/5
if campy-big, musical theater type sounds are your thing.....here ya go. he's a talented musician, just not my style
Michael Kiwanuka
4/5
wow-not familiar at all with this artist so had no idea what to expect. what an absolute pleasant surprise! thoroughly enjoyed this-such an eclectic/funky/soul vibe. great blend of instruments & vocals.
Antony and the Johnsons
1/5
nope-not a fan of the vocals, the vibrato, the lyrics, or most of the instruments. at all. this was a hard one to finish & can't say I'm happy I did
David Bowie
3/5
I'm not a Bowie fan, but did enjoy this album. enjoyed the funkier/soulful vibe.
a-ha
2/5
80's synthesizer heavy music. "take on me" by far the strongest track on album & wish it had not been the 1st one on there. after that it all blended together
Eminem
1/5
not my style at all. lyrics just make me sad-sad that this resonates with so many
The Prodigy
2/5
I don't mind 1 or 2 songs-they're great to workout to or get some work done to-BUT after that they all start to sound alike. and the lack of lyrics really starts to show (so much repetition)
The Human League
2/5
early 80's heavy on the synthesizer music, lot of the songs sound the same
Leonard Cohen
2/5
Cohen is a gifted songwriter but you wouldn't know it from this album. vocals seem very tentative. overall a very boring listen
The Smiths
4/5
Really enjoyed this album. Morrisey’s voice can take the serious lyrics but put a poppy twist on it. Enjoyed instruments & mix of sounds
The Smashing Pumpkins
3/5
it's a solid "meh" album. like the variety of sounds & tempos, some solid tracks, but the super long run time is a negative. and it's a whole lot of Billy.
The Isley Brothers
3/5
it was a nice background listen. could have done without the 3 or 4 different remix/versions of same songs toward end of album
Justin Timberlake
2/5
the instruments on some tracks were nice & enjoyed the funkier/soul sound on a few tracks. but just not a fan of JT's voice, the autotune sound, the falsetto, or the attempts to sound like Michael Jackson
Leonard Cohen
2/5
I'm just not a fan of his voice. appreciate some of the lyrics telling a story, others just seem like rambles.
Os Mutantes
2/5
I have no idea what they are saying with the lyrics, but the music is.....interesting?? some is just flat out strange (what instrument are they even playing here?), some is nice...... it is definitely unique. solid 2.5
Janelle Monáe
4/5
had no idea what to expect with this & was surprised at how much I enjoyed listening. Wide variety on styles, enjoyed the flow from one track to the next, great use of different instruments/genres. some tracks were better than others & the jazzy ones showcased her voice the best.
David Bowie
2/5
still not a fan of his voice; however, the piano on this one was really nice
2/5
I'm not really a fan of concept albums or of Bowie's voice so no surprise that I just didn't care for this at all. 2 due to the music (otherwise would be a 1.5)
CHVRCHES
2/5
again-why is this on the list? it's just very "meh". I will forget this in another hour. 2.5 stars
Tracy Chapman
4/5
Fast Car is an absolutely fantastic song. Enjoyed listening to rest of album-did feel that the songs with just her and her acoustic were much stronger than others.
Beck
5/5
was not familiar with this Beck album & thoroughly enjoyed it. great variety of styles, sounds, instruments, and samples (without beating them to the ground). will happily listen to this again
The Doors
3/5
enjoyed the bluesy-er feel with a couple tracks. didn't enjoy the psychedelic sound of several others. find his voice kind of flat & one dimensional. just not my style 2.5
Leonard Cohen
1/5
after having to listen to 3 of his albums I finally realized-i really don't care for the talk/sing he does. not one bit. this sounds very similar to his other albums that are (somehow) on this list. don't understand why he's such a revered songwriter
Miles Davis
4/5
ahhhhhhh. just a great album to have on, sip a coffee or tea & relax, or do some work around the house. great musicians-good flow into solo sections on tracks.
Saint Etienne
2/5
nope. not my style at all. too many samples, repetition, and didn't care for vocals or lyrics
N.W.A.
1/5
was really surprised at the number of Beastie Boys samples on this album. lot of anger and frustration toward police, very low opinion of women.
Arcade Fire
2/5
it was fine to have on as background music. the male vocalist much stronger & better than the female vocalist. but is this an album I must listen to? nah
Cocteau Twins
3/5
wasn't familiar with artist or album, so expectations were quite low. overall I was pleasantly surprised. maybe I was just in a good mood today, but even though it is not my usual style it made for some nice background music. did give up trying to understand the lyrics tho & just focused on music. solid 2.5
Christina Aguilera
2/5
ugh. back to what basics? over-produced, over done, and overly long. her vocal flourishes on every track are not necessary. and the track to her fans?? nope, nope, nope. 1.5 stars
The Beta Band
3/5
never heard of them. first few tracks were interesting-little bit of 70's vibe & good background music. then tracks kinda blended together. liquid bird got my attention, but then that track faded a bit by the end, and the final track was bit boring. it's a meh from me.
Sade
3/5
her voice is great, but felt the tracks blend in to each other. was ok as background music. lot of the songs hooks repeated too much for me. she does do a great job of blending voice with instruments. 3.5 stars
Charles Mingus
3/5
solo instrumentals were nice, but when they all played together it often felt jumbled. too many discordant notes. enjoyed the flamenco guitar featured in one piece. last track went on entirely too long.
Neneh Cherry
2/5
uuuuuuggggghhhhh. no thanks. this is why late 80's pop music was so lame. overly synthesized, over styled, weak vocals. pass. 1.5
Moby Grape
3/5
took me longer to cobble together tracks from this album than it did to actually listen to it. standard 60's era psych rock but nice guitar and vocals.
Elvis Costello
4/5
great funky vibe. Watching the Detectives is an excellent track. hard to pigeon hole Costello into a genre-little 50's vibe, good guitar, sometimes snarky lyrics-and that is what I enjoy with his music. 4.5 stars
Pulp
2/5
hard pass-the vocals are awful. do not understand the hype with them. yes, frontman sounds bit like Bowie, but the droning/talking/mumbling are boring & so is the overly stylized music. no thanks at all. 1.5 stars
Bon Jovi
4/5
ahhh-an excellent example of hair metal band gone pop. big guitar riffs, drum solos, hooks, and hair. they did it well. great album to work out to
A Tribe Called Quest
3/5
generally hip-hop is not my style but this was not bad. enjoyed the flow from one track to next (tho it started to get boring in a couple spots), liked the jazz vibe & samples.
Fleet Foxes
4/5
knowing they're on the Sub Pop label this was not at all what I was expecting. enjoyed this listen quite a bit. great harmonies, chill vibe, nice guitar
Dexys Midnight Runners
4/5
Not sure that this is punk, but I liked it. I like lead singer’s voice and their sound including the horns. It was certainly different.
Queen
3/5
glam rock not really my thing. musically it's all well put together, but it's just a "meh" from me. wouldn't ever seek it out to listen to again.
Arcade Fire
3/5
this is the 2nd album by Arcade Fire on the list-i enjoyed it marginally more than the 1st. the music is great & interesting. really enjoy the use of different instruments, but just do not care for the vocals. will I seek it out to listen to ever again-nah.
The Charlatans
2/5
ugh-why is this on the list??? it's like listening to Oasis "light". the music was ok & much better than the vocals but will I ever listen to them again-nope. 2.5 stars
Amy Winehouse
4/5
overall I really enjoyed this album. love the Motown/jazz/throwback sound. she's got a great voice & talent at expressing herself through lyrics. that rawness with lyrics is quite a contrast to the music (I enjoyed it). given how her life ended though, it does come across pretty bleak and sad
Thundercat
2/5
I just don't get it. don't care for the falsetto, musically it's too much sampling/synth & all tracks sound same, and lyrics are just random & odd
Elton John
3/5
pros-lots of variety of music/lyrics, he is a very talented musician. cons-album is pretty long & so are several tracks. his voice is ok, I've never been a huge fan & this album did nothing to move me in that direction.
Supertramp
3/5
it's another "meh" album. some nice tracks with piano & harmonica, but others are overly synth & too long
Ministry
1/5
yuck. thrash metal is not my thing at all & this one was hard to get through. tedious. now I need to go sit in silence for a while.
Public Image Ltd.
1/5
once again-i just don't get it. the lyrics amount to shouting or speaking the same line over, and over, and over, and over....... sometimes for only a minute or two, other times for 7 minutes or more. 1.5 stars
Judas Priest
3/5
normally I'm not a fan of early 80's metal. maybe it's because we've had 2 other absolutely wretched albums to listen to, so this one was a (comparatively) huge improvement. it's not my normal sound, but since they had lyrics, and could play instruments it was fine. it's the stereotype 80's metal sound but what would you expect from them
Foo Fighters
4/5
out of all the Foo albums available, why do they only have 1 on this list & why is it their weakest album??? doesn't make sense.
it does give you a glimpse of what their sound will develop into & is still a solid album. 4.5 stars
Radiohead
4/5
great way to begin the week. really solid album. love the blend & layering of guitar with heavier bass, drums, & synth. High & Dry and Fake Plastic Trees-excellent tracks
Big Black
2/5
the drum & guitar bits in the first few songs were ok-not my style but it was interesting to listen to. but the vocals were just unintelligible, then I just tuned them out after that.
Count Basie & His Orchestra
5/5
classic big band/jazz sound. can tell Basie & his orchestra had played together for quite a while-they all blend so well together. excellent album
Abdullah Ibrahim
2/5
not available on streaming service in US. was able to find title track & listen to it. nice enough background dinner music
Van Halen
4/5
classic 80's rock album, but not their best. big guitar, big drums, light on lyrics. some great tracks besides the commercially over-played Panama & Jump.
Johnny Cash
4/5
Cash is a great storyteller with his songs. love the unfiltered interaction with the inmates and his own story of redemption.
The Icarus Line
2/5
just felt like garage band noise. once again-why is this on the list? how is it notable?
Jane's Addiction
3/5
still hate the cover art & Farrell's voice I find whiny after about 3 or 4 tracks. great guitar & sound-especially considering this was 1988 & hair metal was still in play. 3.5 stars
Jean-Michel Jarre
1/5
No-once again why was this on list? Sounds like it belongs on a bad sci-fi movie soundrack.
Bob Dylan
2/5
I. Just. Don't. Like. His. Voice.
Can I just listen to the music without lyrics?
Jefferson Airplane
3/5
never been a fan of psych rock & this album does nothing to change my opinion. apart from the couple of songs where Grace is lead vocal, the other vocalists are very weak. really don't like the tinny guitar sound. Embryonic Journey was a nice surprise but also didn't feature vocals. 2.5 stars
Klaxons
3/5
maybe it's because I had such low expectations but this wasn't bad. it was interesting, some good hooks in a few songs. hard time understanding lyrics in a few.
Sepultura
2/5
it's thrash metal & now I have a headache. not my thing at all. couldn't understand lot of the lyrics due to all the yelling
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
3/5
not a Neil Young fan & not a fan of folk rock either, but this was better than I expected. enjoyed the harmonies, different guitar sounds, and most of the lyrics.
Frank Zappa
3/5
had no idea what to expect with this album but was very pleasantly surprised. the layering of instruments and melodies kept it very interesting. vocally-could have done without vocals on Willie the Pimp. 3.5 stars due to that
Jorge Ben Jor
4/5
Quite enjoyed listening to this while I worked out-kept me interested & enjoyed all the different sounds & instruments
2Pac
2/5
He could tell a story & I understand it’s from his worldview, but language is just too coarse for me
Emmylou Harris
4/5
Loved the variety-some guitar & some piano focused tracks. Not my normal genre but she has a great voice & can tell a story
The Velvet Underground
1/5
Not a fan of this “experimental rock”. It’s just noise w instruments. And I’m sorry but at nearly 20 minute “song” with just nonsense & mumbling words??? No.
Johnny Cash
4/5
he's a great storyteller & can re-imagine songs in a fresh & different perspective. his cover of Hurt is so much better than NIN
Nina Simone
3/5
felt very conflicted on this album. from musical composition aspect, I really enjoyed the pieces. vocally though, it just didn't do it for me. vocals felt flat & cumbersome. 2.5 stars
Can
2/5
another experimental rock album & another one that I just don't get why is really on here. a strange nearly 20 minute track that just rambles on..... only positive is that the music just became blah background noise & I quit really paying attention to it.
Def Leppard
3/5
arena rock. several huge tracks that dominated airwaves back in the day. lyrics on several tracks pretty dated & objectify women quite a bit. Rocket & Hysteria best tracks on the album. apart from Hysteria, 2nd half of album pretty blah
Jethro Tull
3/5
on the positive side-overall I enjoyed the guitar and bass. not a fan of overall vocals, nor of psych rock. it's a meh
Iron Maiden
2/5
just not my thing. like Meatloaf gone heavy, heavy metal.
Buena Vista Social Club
5/5
Excellent album-love the variety of instruments, and tempos. Great vocals. Fantastic listen
Turbonegro
2/5
WHY, why, WHY was this included on list??? Yes, they can play instruments but the lyrics are just so stupid. Sounds like they were written by some 12 year old kid
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
4/5
It’s a very good, solid album. Don’t think it’s his best tho. Love his sound-Breakdown & American Girl are classics
The Triffids
2/5
80’s pop fluff music. Way too long & why oh WHY is this on the list??!
Yes
3/5
Vocals & harmonies quite nice, music nice as well. Some tracks just need editing as they kinda drag & meander too long. 1st half of “seen all good people” really nice but then after the transition, it’s boring
Cat Stevens
3/5
He’s a good singer-songwriter & can tell story w his lyrics.
Beatles
4/5
Some great & classic tracks on here. Do feel like it lags in few spots & really, really did not care for Revolution 9 at all
The Doors
4/5
Pleasantly surprised by this. Enjoyed the more bluesy sound & editing they gave in tracks.
Supergrass
4/5
Not familiar but pleasantly surprised. Enjoyed listening. Like guitars, melodies & energy even if lyrics were sometimes bland
The Rolling Stones
4/5
enjoyed this more than I thought-especially since the album has so many tracks. felt like it was a nice blend of styles & sounds-enjoyed the bluesy-er feel on couple pieces, piano/keyboards, & harmonica in others. pleasant surprise
Elliott Smith
3/5
I enjoyed having this on as background music. but that was about it. several tracks blended together. enjoyed the piano & instruments but his vocals didn't grab me. would I ever listen again-probably not
Jamiroquai
3/5
really like the funk/jazz sound, but.....after a few tracks they kind of start to blend together. and the double disc album is entirely too long. shame.
CHIC
2/5
ugggggghhhhhh. each song is a refrain repeated over, and over, and over, and over. nope
George Michael
4/5
overall I enjoyed this album-he really had a great voice & is able to show it in a few tracks. enjoyed the variety of tempos, and having some tracks piano focused & others guitar focused was nice too. pleasantly surprised.
Sigur Rós
3/5
this is just a different album, and it really has nothing to do with it not being in English. for the most part, I enjoyed the more instrumental pieces (predominantly as background music), but then those pieces would devolve into too many discordant sounds. vocally, the female was stronger than the male (his voice got annoying). was it interesting-kinda. would I ever listen to again-no
Radiohead
3/5
normally I enjoy some Radiohead but this album just didn't do it for me. felt a little scattered/unorganized. couple of the tracks were much better than the rest (I might be wrong & knives out). his vocals can easily veer into the whiny & they did a few times too many on this album. not the best by them.
1/5
Ridiculous album to have on this list.
Chicago
2/5
was enjoying the listen until I reached "free form guitar".
why was that track included on album??
after that all the other tracks seemed to have over-indulgent guitar solos that just rambled on & on
"liberation" was nothing but rambling solos
shame since the opening few songs were really enjoyable
The Byrds
3/5
overall this is not my style of music. musically it's fine, although the vocals get a tad twangy/nasal for me. just confused as to why it's on the list-The Byrds have much more influential music than this
Marty Robbins
4/5
while this is not an album I would normally choose to listen to, I enjoyed it. he's a great storyteller with song choices & arrangements were nice
Sufjan Stevens
2/5
it's another album that is interesting.....but will I ever seek it out to listen to again? no.
it opened with some interesting sounds (the horns with guitar/banjo), and I appreciated use of different sounds, but then it just rambled on.
not a fan of his vocals-the weird whisper/talk is not my style, and I just didn't get the lyrics
2.5
Talk Talk
3/5
an 80's pop album without any synthesizer in it-very pleasantly surprised. enjoyed the listen, & his vocals. could have used some editing though-couple tracks drug a bit
The Band
3/5
early southern rock. not bad. like the mix of instruments & tempos.
Manu Chao
3/5
it was a decent listen, but would I ever seek it out again? no.
a solid "meh"
Leonard Cohen
2/5
yikes-this was dark. still don't like his voice, or his songwriting. at all
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
glad it was a sunny day. good listen while spending some time outside. couple tracks lagged but overall a good listen
John Grant
2/5
musically & vocally, the opening tracks had me interested. but the lyrics were.....random? odd? I mean-Sigourney Weaver?? was this supposed to be more stream of conscious or tongue in cheek? just don't get it & will I ever listen to again-nope
The Only Ones
2/5
they're trying to play like the Clash, or Violent Femmes.....but the vocals are so out of tune. at least most of the tracks are pretty short so that is a positive.
The Slits
2/5
WHY are they on here??? why? vocals-very weak, guess they can play instruments but that's about it
Arcade Fire
3/5
another solid "meh" album on this list.
Steely Dan
3/5
maybe it's because my yoga instructor regularly plays Steely Dan, but I found this a very relaxing, chill listen. 3.5 stars
Crosby, Stills & Nash
4/5
really enjoyed this. guitar & tempos were nice and harmonies are fantastic. understand why this album is on the list (as opposed to SO many others)
Beastie Boys
5/5
hands down by far their weakest album. yes, lyrics can be crass & demeaning but they are also pretty fun and tongue in cheek. love the sounds & samples. fantastic group
Elastica
3/5
enjoyed the guitar, tempo, & overall sound.
but vocals just felt "meh"
another album that's ok but I won't seek out to listen again
Ray Charles
5/5
love the big band sound with Ray's voice. 'Deed I Do, Don't Let the Sun Catch you Crying, and Come Rain or Shine are excellent. he's a great storyteller with his voice.
Al Green
3/5
it's ok-his voice is not my cup of tea but musically was nice. understand why it's on the list but probably won't seek out to listen to again
Morrissey
4/5
Morrisey does have a way with his lyrics-you never quite know what to expect with his songs. yes sometimes he whines a bit, but the lyrics are always unique & surprising. ("We hate it when our friends become successful"). Enjoyable listen
Red Hot Chili Peppers
5/5
it's their best album. love the combo of John & Flea. more maturity in their music. does feel like album lags a bit toward middle, but still overall an excellent album
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
2/5
not available on I tunes & had to search & cobble together tracks-not worth it. at least some attempt at playing instruments was made, but really dislike the whole talk in a monotone attempt as lyrics. why is this on the list??
AC/DC
2/5
not a huge fan of hard rock, nor do I care for Scott's voice. it was ok. felt like lot of the tracks had same sound
Prince
2/5
2, maybe 3, songs by Prince & then I'm done. several of these just ramble on, & on. I don't get the huge hype-too many falsettos, overly synthesized
Arrested Development
4/5
was only familiar w/ "Tennessee" & "Mr. Wendell"-this was a great listen. enjoyed the different sounds, instruments, samples, and vocals. lyrics are great-they have depth & broach serious topics without being too over the top heavy. this is an album that belongs on this list.
Slipknot
2/5
not a fan of this genre at all. don't care for the rage/gutteral shouting at all. the only reason this is a 2 instead of a 1 is that when lyrics are sung & not shouted......he's got a nice voice. lyrics still super dark
Nirvana
4/5
I don't think it's their best album. the energy, the angst, & depression can easily be felt & heard. the contrast in tones in between some of the tracks was pretty stark (Tourette's to All Apologies). I do love the use of the cello in Dumb
Steely Dan
4/5
their lyrics are really good-little bit of snark & sarcasm to keep me paying attention. not normally my style, but enjoy the arrangements & tempos.
Prince
3/5
this album is marginally better than 1999, but I just don't get the hype around Prince. too many falsettos, overly synthesized & produced.
Queens of the Stone Age
3/5
went into this with pretty low expectations but was pleasantly surprised by first few tracks-strong guitar, and enjoyed the vocals. then the 2nd half of album lost its focus & rambled. it's like they ran out of something to say
Alice Cooper
2/5
not my cup of tea. campy, & over the top at times. reminded me of Meatloaf
My Bloody Valentine
2/5
shoegazing?? if this is a good example of it, then I'm not a fan. couldn't understand lyrics, and sounds are just weird. didn't get it at all-too much distortion & reverb
Björk
2/5
so the album started strong-the heavy, drum forward sound on Human Behavior was great, and her vocals worked well with the sound. that was the best track off the album, all the rest were just a mess. the electronic/house music/over sampled & produced sounds plus the baby talk/shouting/out of control vocals were tiring.
Alanis Morissette
3/5
pros-appreciate her rawness/honesty in lyrics & range of topics. in the mid 90's there were plenty of bubble gum fluff pop female artists, so hearing Alanis' strong voice was refreshing.
cons-the shouting lyrics get old after about 4 songs
3.5 stars
Roxy Music
2/5
don't care for vocals, don't care for sound, don't care for the rambling, long songs that just go on & on. just not a fan & why was this on list?
David Ackles
2/5
why is this classified as Country??? this is an odd one-enjoyed some tracks with piano & various instruments, and his voice is nice. lyrics were a bit random. but overall vibe was confusing-some tracks felt like they were trying to be showtunes. very Neil Diamond vibe.
The Jesus And Mary Chain
2/5
this wasn't horrible, but I wouldn't seek it out to listen to again either. too much distortion/feedback & mumbling vocals
Stan Getz
5/5
this was just lovely. everything blended together to create a wonderful sound-vocals, instruments.
Ramones
3/5
it's a solid "meh". after about 5 songs, the rest just blend together & all sound same. it is up tempo & songs are short so that is nice
Public Enemy
2/5
I enjoyed that there was more music & less sampling. just not my style. it is a window into early 90's culture tho
Astor Piazzolla
3/5
enjoyed the use of accordion, xylophone, strings, & piano.
felt like some tracks rambled on too long.
overall not bad, but don't think I would seek it out again
3.5 stars
k.d. lang
4/5
great, smooth vocals. nice blend of sounds. enjoyed this listen
The Flaming Lips
2/5
started out with an interesting sound.....then 2nd half just felt really boring. don't get it
Hugh Masekela
3/5
was great to have on as background music on this dreary day. would I seek it out to listen to again-no. couple tracks need some editing in length-just too long
Sleater-Kinney
2/5
musically this was a fun listen. but enjoying the album was way overshadowed by the vocals. just awful-way too much vibrato/pitchy. at least it was over fast.
T. Rex
3/5
overall this was a pretty good listen. some funky vibes, enjoyed the sounds & instruments. then got to the last track which didn't seem like it belonged with the rest. aside from the final track, it would be ok as background music. 3.5 stars
Ray Charles
4/5
I've heard of this album but had never listened to it. not familiar with most of the tracks in the country genre, so can't compare what Ray does to the originals. overall I enjoyed the listen-he's got a great ear and ability to style music and tell stories. only down sides are the fact it's a double album (gets a little long with about 5 tracks to go), and the "doowop" sound backing vocals on a couple tracks detract from his vocals
Pixies
4/5
great opening track with Cecilia Ann....then Rock Music was probably the weakest on the album (screaming vocals are not my thing). apart from Rock Music, I really enjoyed this album-great driving guitar, drums, and kept the songs from dragging on. Hang Wire was great wrap to the album. 4.5 stars
Soundgarden
4/5
fantastic album-Cornell's lyrics and voice blend so well with driving guitar, drums, and bass lines. his lyrics are understandable, and expressive. great variety of sounds within the album. only flaw is Spoonman-it just doesn't fit on album (yes, I'm biased-didn't like it when it came out & still don't now). My Wave & Kickstand are excellent tracks. 4.5 stars
Mercury Rev
2/5
blah. at best it was forgettable background music. worst-vocals were super weak & sounds were just odd.
2/5
the positive-musicians can play (do I care for that style-no, but they can play).
the negatives-75 minutes is entirely too long and to have several tracks drone on & on & on just gets repetitive. lyrics-ugh. you know when you're a kid and you say the same word over & over until it looses its meaning? felt like he did that on several tracks. case in point "Hot Dog". and why was it necessary to include 10 minute long "Outro"??? that was painful. 1.5 stars
Dagmar Krause
2/5
not available on Apple Music but found few tracks on Youtube. weird, showtunes/cabaret music. why, why, why is this on list????
The Avalanches
2/5
if you like electronic & sampling, then this could be the album for you. unfortunately it's not my cup of tea. it was fine as good background music to workout to for about 15 minutes, then I got bored.
Sister Sledge
2/5
I don't like disco. vocals are fine, but each track just repeats a refrain over and over. and over. and over.
John Lennon
2/5
on a positive-i did not notice Yoko's vocals. Lennon's voice is nice enough & musically, it was decent background music. I do believe the sum is greater than the parts (he's better with the Beatles) & lyrics are bit like a therapy session. will I listen again-no
Metallica
2/5
I've finally realized the Metallica songs I enjoy are the slower paced, more thoughtful ones. the heavy thrash beats, and guitar just all sounds the same song after song. and it becomes completely monotonous with the two tracks that are almost 10 minutes long each. nope.
New Order
2/5
it's just not my thing. was background music. all sounds same & don't care for vocals
The Band
3/5
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. couple tracks lag a bit, but enjoyed guitar & piano. lyrics & vocals are nice. The Weight is best track on album. 3.5 stars
The Rolling Stones
4/5
enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Sympathy for the Devil & Street Fighting Man best tracks on album. overall liked the bluesy/country vibe
John Martyn
3/5
this was not bad-was nice, low key background music. nice acoustic & vocals, kinda tuned out lyrics...... a solidly "ok" listen, but won't seek out to hear again.
JAY Z
2/5
musically this was interesting-had some nice samples, good variety of sounds & tempos. but lyrically-ugh. demeaning to women, overuse of so, so, so many words, and constantly talking about himself.
Ghostface Killah
1/5
can't get past lyrics-so much violence, demeaning treatment of women, language. and musically it's very one dimensional. nope, nope, nope
Beastie Boys
5/5
sampling done at its finest. it adds to the track, but doesn't overshadow. lyrics are fun, irreverent, and Beasties don't take themselves too seriously. fantastic album. love this album
David Bowie
2/5
meh. it's another David Bowie concept album.
The Stooges
2/5
that's gonna be a pass for me. the 3rd track on the album is just mumbling/chanting AND 10 minutes long-my interest was lost. 1.5 stars
Funkadelic
2/5
it's ok as background music, but just all blends together. meh
Minor Threat
3/5
pros-tracks & album are short. they can play instruments
cons-too much screaming w vocals. tracks blended in together
DJ Shadow
3/5
this was an interesting album. it fell into background music but I enjoyed hearing the piano, violin, and slower tempos sampled. would I seek it out to listen to again, doubt it though.
The White Stripes
4/5
when your opening track is Seven Nation Army, it's really hard for the rest of the tracks to measure up to that driving beat. did enjoy the raw sound. also liked Meg's vocals on Cold Night.
Pink Floyd
3/5
I like Pink Floyd but getting through this entire album can be a lot. In general, I'm not a big fan of concept albums either, although this one is better than several others we've listened to off this list. Hey You, Comfortably Numb, and Run Like Hell are classic tracks-great composition, lyrics & delivery with all 3.
The Mothers Of Invention
2/5
nope. I get that it's supposed to be satire/criticism of society/culture at the time but this comes across now as pretentious (lyrics) and painful music. the final track was awful. 1.5 stars
Dolly Parton
4/5
not usually a fan of this genre, but their harmonies were fantastic. refreshing to hear strong female voices. I can understand why this album is on the list
2/5
it's interesting with lyrics and tempos, but not anything that I would seek out to listen to again. another ok background music album. 2.5 stars
2/5
this was a pretty ok listen. however, several tracks really had a Sgt. Pepper's Beatles vibe (not my fav Beatles album)
The White Stripes
3/5
guess it's expected to feel like there's a lack of consistency among the tracks. some great ones & then some very meh ones (Aluminum). when they're on, they're great 3.5 stars
Bruce Springsteen
2/5
never been a fan of the Boss. his voice is too nasal/Dylan-ish. this album did not make me a fan. musically the stripped down sounds were fine. just not a fan of his voice
The Coral
2/5
why oh why was this on the list? 60's psych rock vibe & that is not a good thing. forgettable music
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
2/5
it's an "ok" listen. overall, not a fan of Neil Young's voice or songwriting. another meh album
Rush
4/5
great way to start the week. first 4 tracks are classics-the final 3 are by far the weakest on album. I know some don't care for Getty's voice & I get it. he can come off as whiney/pitchy. and the timing on drums turns some off as well-i get it. but I enjoy both-especially on the 1st 4 tracks.
Orbital
2/5
Nope. nope. nope. so repetitive. nothing but samples over & over & over.... for over an hour. 1.5 stars
David Crosby
2/5
meh. he's better with CSN(Y).
Doves
4/5
apart from the opening track, this was an enjoyable listen. the 1st track doesn't feel like it belongs with the others. does have a Coldplay/Matt Kearny sound. and on a rainy, dreary day it was quite nice. 3.5 stars
The War On Drugs
3/5
meh. musically it was nice (enjoyed the piano on several tracks), but it did all blend together. was nice enough as background music. vocally, he reminded me of a hipster Bob Dylan (not a fan).
Elliott Smith
3/5
90's coffee shop vibes. kinda bland.
American Music Club
2/5
not available on iTunes, or Spotify. finally found 1 track on YouTube & it was pretty meh, so gave up trying to find the rest.
Pink Floyd
4/5
I like some Pink Floyd but just not the long, drawn out instrumental pieces....and there are several on here. Shine On is a great piece, once they get to the lyrics. Wish You Were Here is just a fantastic, fantastic piece (and one of my favorite by them). Rating gets bumped up just because of that track alone
Jane's Addiction
3/5
I enjoyed this much more than I thought I would-usually after 3 songs Farrell's voice just gets on my nerves. instead this was a pleasant surprise. Stop is a great opening track. 3.5 stars-would have been a 4 but I really hate the cover art.
The Who
2/5
I know they are an iconic band but this album felt all over the place. and just all over bland.
Parliament
3/5
funk is not really my thing. this was ok background music on a Monday
Pulp
2/5
why are they on this list with (at least) 2 albums?? voice still sounds like Bowie, lyrics are pretentious/cringy
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
songs do sound a bit the same & blend together, but he does a great job with lyrics. heavy topics but with an upbeat, reggae vibe
Fiona Apple
2/5
that was a long 52 minutes. she's got a great voice, just was a bit too angst/whiny/all over the place
James Brown
3/5
I thought I would like this a bit more. instead it was kinda meh. too much of his "wow", "ow", or various squeals. detracted from the music
The Black Crowes
3/5
southern rock that was played all over the summer it came out. I remember it well. given what was popular when it came out, it wasn't a huge surprise they got lots of air time.
Hüsker Dü
3/5
meh. it's like they were trying to cover REM but missed the mark. was ok as background music but way too long of a listen.
Lambchop
2/5
why, why, WHY did I need to spend over an hour listening to this??? lyrics are nonsense &/or pretentious mumbling. and the falsetto is awful. 1.5 stars. only reason they get bumped to a 2 is the music (when no one was singing) was ok as background
Iron Butterfly
2/5
60's psych rock with mumbling lyrics, and a 17 minute rambling track to close the album with. there I've just saved you 39 minutes
Prince
2/5
uuuuuugggghhhh. way too long, too much falsetto, overly synthesized, and all sounds the same. after the 1st 2 tracks, I was done
Bob Dylan
2/5
multiple albums of his on this list & I still don't care for his voice. can get thru a couple of songs of his & don't really care to listen to more.
Heaven 17
2/5
ugggghhhh. why??? tracks repeat the same refrain over & over, vocals are weak, and it's early 80's overly synth "music". 1.5 stars if possible.
Billy Bragg
3/5
the stripped down raw sound & lyrics had a street busker vibe. was an interesting listen, just way too long.
PJ Harvey
3/5
meh. never listened to her on her own before. usually in collaborations w/other artists. don't feel like I've missed out on anything. won't seek her out again
Lorde
3/5
I thought the 1st track was interesting-the vocals & piano were strong. unfortunately the next few tracks were a snooze. weak lyrics & way too much synthetic keyboard/drum tracks. all blended together. the few tracks which centered on her vocals (without distortion/autotune) & piano were interesting to listen to. otherwise it was another solid "meh"
De La Soul
3/5
not a bad listen. for the most part, enjoyed the lyrics. didn't take themselves too seriously but most tracks had something to say. it is too long-was bored after about 45 minutes.
Pet Shop Boys
2/5
never been a fan & listening to this does not win me over. never liked his vocals, or the talk/sing style. overly synth, repetitive lyrics. best part was Dusty Springfield in What Have I
Killing Joke
2/5
what is the fascination with putting sooooo many Brit-punk bands on this list? oh look, here's another. sounds like so many others. blah, blah, blah.
Black Sabbath
4/5
maybe it's the long string of subpar/mediocre albums, but I quite enjoyed this listen. couple tracks kinda rambled on but other than that, a nice listen
Sarah Vaughan
5/5
I've never listed to a full album by Vaughn before-this was fantastic. she's got such control over her voice, clear tone, & wonderful sound. love that she just rolls during a couple of hiccups during the show. the instruments compliment her & don't take anything away from her performance. excellent listen
Coldplay
5/5
solid album. love the blend of piano, guitar runs, and different time signatures. lyrics are solid. opening track of "Don't Panic" great, but "Trouble" is excellent & one of my favorite.
Marilyn Manson
1/5
between the super long run time, shrill/screaming vocals, anger-fueled lyrics, I felt like I needed to sit in a quiet room for a long time after listening. only positive was that the drummer can play.
Various Artists
4/5
this was a welcome listen on Christmas Day. lots of (what are now) standard Christmas classics on here. could have done w/o Phil Spector's weird/creepy voice over at end of Silent Night.
Super Furry Animals
1/5
elcectic and unique.....yes. really didn't care for it. discordant sounds, weird attempts at harmonizing falsettos, and tinny vocals. not sure why this is taking up a spot on this list..... 1.5 stars
Pixies
4/5
Have never listened to an entire album by Pixies-was about what I expected. tracks are in your face but not over the top. gigantic & where is my mind are the best. really enjoyed Kim's vocals-wish she had more. 3.5 stars
Curtis Mayfield
2/5
so. much. falsetto. after the 2nd song, that was all I heard. couldn't focus on music or lyrics. shame since the first track had a nice, funky, laid back vibe.
Hole
3/5
oh Courtney Love. I never really listened to much Hole back in the day-mostly due to the love/hate the press had w/her. this was the 1st full album I've listened to & was kinda what I expected. couple really strong tracks (Celebrity Skin, Hits so hard, and Malibu), then some really meh tracks (Northern Star, Boys on the radio). Her vocals are all over the place & can easily get shrill/shrieky. Didn't realize how many other artists worked on this album too, which mildly detracts. Malibu best track
Paul Revere & The Raiders
3/5
it was ok. stepping stone & kicks best tracks. was nice to listen to something from the 60's that was not psych rock or folk music.
The Darkness
2/5
are they trying for a Spinal Tap type parody? if so, they nailed it. or are they just too pretentious to notice they missed the mark? over the top repeated falsetto & lyrics of 80's glam rock. nope
MGMT
2/5
meh. lotta synth, distortion, disco-vibes, and weak lyrics.
Nick Drake
4/5
had no idea what to expect & was very pleasantly surprised. the soothing vocals, stripped back acoustic guitar, & occasional piano riffs were really nice. only negative was with his mumbly lyrics
Paul Simon
3/5
folksy, mellow. just not my thing
SZA
2/5
vocally, it was ok. musically, pretty one-dimensional. lyrically, so demeaning coming from a woman. why is this on the list? 1.5 stars
Traffic
3/5
meh. wasn't as psych rock as I expected it to be so that was a positive. background music
Metallica
4/5
really enjoyed the variety of tempos on this album. think Metallica shines best on some of the slower tempo tracks-Sandman, Anywhere I Roam, and especially Unforgiven. lyrics have depth to them which is what sets them apart from lots of other heavy metal groups 4.5 stars
U2
5/5
I don't think this is U2's best album but I do think this album is what began setting them apart from other groups. Drowning Man, Seconds, Like a Song, and 40 are excellent. Love the way they begin weaving in their own stories and backgrounds into their music-with lyrics and music. I didn't discover this album until a few years after its release but it made an impression on me then & has remained
Frank Ocean
2/5
meh. pretty one-dimensional. don't get the hype on his lyrics-more like singing to stream of consciousness. ok as background music but that's about it.
Ryan Adams
3/5
another solid "meh" album. decent background music but nothing I would ever seek out to listen to again. and way too long
The Bees
3/5
was not familiar at all & was (mostly) pleasantly surprised. was great background music while cleaning. couple tracks were better than others & couple were much weaker, but overall pleasant listen. would I seek out to listen to again, probably not
King Crimson
2/5
um, no. prog rock/psych rock not my thing to begin with. but this was just waaaaay too long-tracks and album. felt like it was just bunch of rambling lyrics & music. guitar was nice on "Into the Wind" & that was about it. 2.5 stars
The Doors
2/5
while I'm not a huge psych rock fan, this wasn't too bad. was better than other Doors album we've listened to on this list. but then I reached "The End"...... and ugh. nope-lost a star from that one.
Kraftwerk
2/5
opening with a long, monotonous, overly synth track made me nervous of what would follow, but it was ok. weird & strange, but ok. definitely not boring-felt like it belongs in some odd scifi movie soundtrack
Madonna
4/5
her vocals are strong-great control of her tone & depth. "Ray of Light" is great track, and "Frozen" is one of her strongest period (love her vocals and lyrics have depth). but overall the album is just too long. several tracks just lag a bit. still a really nice listen-especially since electronica is not my favorite
The Go-Go's
4/5
usually I don't really care for Belinda Carlisle's voice, but on this album it works. tracks were short, guitar driven, & enjoyed the listen.
Iron Maiden
3/5
heavy metal not usually my thing so I was pleasantly surprised by this. still wouldn't seek it out again to listen to but understand why this is a classic
Led Zeppelin
3/5
I'm only familiar with a handful of tracks from this album. there are quite a few really good ones on here-love the driving beats, and forward guitars, Plant's vocals are stronger than other albums. BUT it is waaaaaay too long. should have been divided into two entirely separate albums & would have been much stronger. 3.5 stars
Air
3/5
since I had very low expectations on this.....it was better than I expected. not a fan of electronica, but this wasn't bad. had it on while cleaning, so made some nice background music. would I seek it out to listen to again-no, but if it was on I would not object to it
Blondie
4/5
was only familiar with the 2 singles off here & was pleasantly surprised with rest of album. her voice is stronger on several other tracks. enjoyed the blend of a little punk/new wave/rock. it worked.
Adam & The Ants
3/5
brit nuwave/punk, weird lyrics that I couldn't understand most of the time, a song about pirates, and most tracks all sounded the same..... and yet I found myself entertained by it all.
Muddy Waters
3/5
I've never really listened to much blues. while this isn't really my style & doubt I would seek it out to listen to again, I understand why he's on this list
The Killers
4/5
great, great album. big, driving guitar & vocals. love the sounds and variety. except for final 2 tracks-they were just boring & repetitive. shame since rest of album was fantastic. 4.5 stars
The Cramps
2/5
campy, over the top punk. not a fan. really didn't care for vocals, but at least they can play instruments.
Alice Cooper
3/5
well go figure, this was not what I expected & actually enjoyed the listen. very surprised at the variety of sounds among the tracks.
Everything But The Girl
2/5
vocally, she's got a nice voice. but oh my goodness, this was a snooze of an album & not in a good way.
Neil Young
2/5
ugggggghhhhh. his voice. I just can't get past his voice.
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
overall this is just not an exciting listen-it's 60's folk music & ok in background. but they do have amazing harmonies together. Homeward Bound is best track on the album. (and wonder if Seinfeld's puffy shirt was a nod to Paul Simon's on cover)
Sonic Youth
3/5
started so, so strong with the first 3 tracks, then kinda rambled & petered out.
Japan
2/5
this is like a bad cover band of Duran Duran. with only their weakest tracks.
The Pharcyde
2/5
early 90's hip hop. I'm not a fan of the style-lot of samples (although they do a good job of mixing styles & not beating one into the ground), or some of lyrics (but I understand the expression & style).
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
way better than lot of other albums from this time period. who'll stop the rain best track on album. solid 3.5
The Stone Roses
5/5
I've heard lots of mentions of Stone Roses over the years but never given them a listen. this was excellent. still shocked it released in '89. great guitars, enjoyed the bit of distortion, great variety in tempos. this is the kind of album you want to find on this list.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
3/5
not usually a bluegrass fan but this was a nice listen. great variety of tempos, instrumental pieces, & different vocalists. BUT it is really, really long so lost 1/2 a star for excessive length
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
with only 7 tracks on album you would think they wouldn't have any covers.... Born on Bayou is best track on album. overall, not as strong as Cosmo's but still a decent listen
Depeche Mode
4/5
normally synth/electric/pop/dance is not my thing, but this was an enjoyable listen. broody without taking themselves too seriously, enjoyed the variety of sounds & tempos. World in My Eyes is great opener
Earth, Wind & Fire
3/5
strong start.....then kinda lost focus a bit.
Aretha Franklin
3/5
it's a good, solid album. good job of showcasing her voice. do wish it had a little bit more variety in tracks. 3.5 stars
Electric Light Orchestra
4/5
great harmonies, BIG sound, love the blend of orchestral instruments, lots of variety in tempos.....but it is long. 3.5 stars
G. Love & Special Sauce
3/5
it started out interesting-was enjoying the stripped down, unpolished, garage sound. then after 5 or 6 tracks, they all kinda blended together. lot of the same beat & mumbling vocals. like "Cold Beverage"-do we need a whole song repeating you like cold beverages??
Small Faces
2/5
opening track was good & I felt optimistic about rest of album.... then the weird spoken word/story started....and continued through rest of album. shame since the music was ok
Nirvana
5/5
oh I remember this well. no one knew what to expect from their performance & how that would translate to the Unplugged stage....and this was amazing. great choice of doing some of their lesser known tracks & covers. love the stripped down sound. makes Kurt's death just a few months later so tragic
Beatles
4/5
enjoyed the variety of sounds and tempos. and Ringo's "Octopus Garden" holds a soft spot in my heart (thanks Dad). some great tracks on here-the last several just flow together so well.
Yes
3/5
wish it didn't open w/"Roundabout" since that is the best track on album. still overall a fun listen-like the harmonies, and even all the synth. 3.5 stars
Finley Quaye
2/5
a reasonably "meh" reggae album. why is it on the list?
Ice Cube
1/5
cannot get past the continued slurs, f-bombs, and horribly derogatory treatment of women. the track about punching the 7 month pregnant woman in the stomach & getting a coat hanger??? I understand it's "gangsta rap" but this is a hard, hard pass
Santana
4/5
only familiar w/Santana singles. this was a great, chill listen. love the latin influences
Coldplay
5/5
yes, some of the tracks follow the same "pic a simple hook, refrain, build" but it works for them. the blending of instruments, sounds, and harmonies are great.
The National
2/5
this is the type of music to put on when you really don't care what is playing in the background. solid, solid "meh". drums were decent but vocals just boring, mumbling. (and why oh why do folks love this album but hate on some Coldplay???)
Method Man
2/5
ummmm, no. a lot of mumbling, hard to understand lyrics, discordant samples, and tracks that (somehow) all sound the same. there, I saved you from listening to it. 1.5 stars only because I couldn't hear most of the lyrics
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
3/5
so apart from Albarn being the frontman for Massive Attack, Gorillaz, & Blur......there's not really anything interesting or memorable about this album. ok background music in a hipster coffee shop or something but that's about it. why is it on the list??
Pink Floyd
5/5
been a while since I've listened to this album. it is still excellent. love the way the tracks flow together. some of their best lyrics on on here- "Breathe", "Time", and "Us and Them". the instruments are focused and compliment each other. fantastic album start to finish.
Norah Jones
4/5
fantastic voice. great relaxing vie-piano & guitar are great accompaniment to her vocals. 4.5 stars
Dr. Octagon
1/5
HOW is this on the list? the opening track is just gross, & disturbing, and several others are too. over an hour of repetitive beats & lyrics that are nothing but nonsense non-sequiturs (1/2 shark, 1/2 alligator, & 1/2 man). don't want to say any more since I've wasted over an hour listening to this pathetic album. absolute waste.
Joy Division
3/5
80's brit synth rock, overly synth, techno sound is not my thing. tracks ramble & dither on. kind of blend together. overall boring-however, compared to yesterday's horrific album (looking at you octagon) I'm feeling very generous. 2.5 stars
Television
3/5
don't care for the vocals, but was an ok listen. wouldn't seek out to listen to again tho
The Rolling Stones
3/5
opening w Paint it Black is super strong. it is such an iconic sound & song. the rest of the album tho-pretty boring. except for that rambling, overindulgent final track. that made me irritated.
Fleetwood Mac
3/5
Stevie Nicks' voice is my kryptonite-like nails on a chalkboard. any song featuring her as lead makes me cringe. but Christine McVie has a calm, relaxing voice. I actually enjoyed a couple of the tracks featuring her as lead. but the album is just way too long. 2.5 stars due to Nicks' voice & length
Eagles
3/5
so this was their debut album? got some very solid tracks, great harmonies, & their sound of southern rock/country/blues is already distinctive.
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
3/5
not familiar w/him at all. interesting lyrics....dark & melancholy for sure. music was nice, but his voice is a bit annoying. would never seek out to listen to again
Billy Joel
4/5
excellent singer/songwriter, music arrangement is fantastic. do think last 2 tracks weakest on album, but still a great album.
The Offspring
4/5
normally punk is not my scene & usually only a song or 2 at a time, but I enjoyed this listen. good variation & not just the super fast banging drums & heavy guitar. like that lyrics have some depth & even some humor.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
I like Elvis. yes, some of his songs follow same pattern but enjoy this thoughts & commentary on life without all the angst/negetivity of lot of other punk/new wave scene.
Haircut 100
3/5
another "meh" background listen. my interest faded after 1st 30 minutes. to be fair, until that point it wasn't bad-interesting sound & very up tempo. just too long & got boring. 2.5 stars
Culture Club
2/5
if they had not had lots of play on MTV & Boy George's flamboyant style, would anyone have even heard of them?? what else do they have apart from that??? and what is the obsession on this list with boring, mid, brit bubblegum pop????
Coldcut
2/5
overly sampled electronic music that goes on too long & too repetitive.
The Cure
3/5
I've never listened to more than a couple of singles by The Cure at a time. yes, they are imaginative, moody, distinct sound, great creative use of instruments, and have depth to lyrics but-listening to the album as a whole, it all blends together & waters the sound down. 3.5 stars
Van Halen
5/5
forgot how solid this album is. no, they are not known for deep, thoughtful lyrics at all. what they do showcase on here is the incredible talent of Eddie, showmanship of DLR, and fantastic backing by Michael Anthony & Alex. Ain't Talking bout Love is one of the absolute best tracks
Suede
2/5
again-WHY so much Brit pop? and this one is a very poor one. vocals are poor. comes across as a Spinal Tap version of mid 90's alt/indie band that takes themselves too seriously.
Radiohead
3/5
I enjoy their sound & all of its messy distortion. but it is about 20 minutes too long. think about 35 minutes of brooding lyrics is about it for me. 3.5 because of that.
The Police
3/5
this is not one of their better albums. yes, they have honed in on their "sound", but lyrics are super weak. way too much repeating same refrain over, & over, & over. their final 2 albums are much, much better. and Copeland's "on any other day" is just painful.
OutKast
2/5
just don't understand the appeal-lyrics that demean & degrade. and there's a whole lot of it on this long listen.
Joy Division
2/5
(sigh). another brit/nuwave band that I just don't get the appeal of.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
still don't think it's the best Zeppelin album but solid listen. good feel for their overall sound.
The Dandy Warhols
2/5
it started out interesting, then got to "I Love You" and that was just repeated over and over and over, then a couple other pretty interesting tracks, then got to "Green" and everything else after that was just a chore to listen to. 2.5 stars
Dirty Projectors
2/5
meh. some was interesting, some was more noise, and the vocals were hit & miss (female much stronger than male). why was this on the list??
Dr. Dre
1/5
so much violence, demeaning/derogatory language towards women. no more of this please
Sly & The Family Stone
3/5
apart from the 13 minute track, it was an interesting listen. prob wouldn't seek it out again but appreciate it's sound
Johnny Cash
4/5
think Folsom is overall stronger album, but love that he debuted Boy Named Sue at San Quentin. the man was an absolute legend & I'm not a huge Cash fan. love that he went & did the concerts, love the banter between him & inmates. he was an amazing entertainer. 4.5 stars
Cornershop
2/5
Brit indie rock-of course it is on the list (insert sarcasm here)
Steely Dan
3/5
think this is our 3rd Steely Dan on this list. enjoyed the other 2 much more. still enjoy their sound but this was a more "meh" listen.
T. Rex
2/5
I go back & forth on this one. or I only like about every other track. mambo, bang a gong, motivator, & rip off best tracks (and really good). others more of a snooze-especially when he moves to the falsetto
The Pogues
4/5
wasn't sure what "Irish punk" would sound like, but this was a fun & entertaining listen. enjoyed their in your face sound blended with traditional Irish instruments & sounds. it worked for them. slainte
Ali Farka Touré
3/5
this was an interesting listen & one of the reasons to go thru this list. I probably won't seek it out to listen to again, but also wouldn't object if it was on for background music.
Sisters Of Mercy
3/5
I had very low expectations of what "British goth rock" would sound like, so I was pleasantly surprised by this. still wouldn't ever seek it out to listen to again. couple of tracks were stronger than others with a Nick Cave kinda vibe.
Rod Stewart
2/5
I've never really cared for Rod Stewart's voice & this album did nothing to win me over. best parts were the instruments but even they were pretty flat & 1 dimensional.
Black Sabbath
5/5
cannot believe I'm writing this, but I enjoyed this album. they "might" have been heavily influenced by coke, which is even more shocking that it's so well done. "Changes" and "Laguna Sunrise" are great tracks. still shocked that I enjoyed this. 4.5 stars
The Black Keys
5/5
only very marginally listened to the Black Keys so was excited to listen to this album. and it did not disappoint. loved the energy, the distortion & fuzz, and varying tempos. great listen. 4.5 stars
Mariah Carey
2/5
uuuuughhhh. you don't need to have 12 different vocal runs in every single song. don't care how strong your vocals might be-it's way too much
The Auteurs
2/5
it's from freaking 1993-not nu-wave at all. why, why, why is it on the list???? oh wait, it's because it's mid brit pop.
Paul Simon
4/5
Big Brother & The Holding Company
2/5
musically it was ok. vocally, Janis' voice is like nails down a chalkboard.
Green Day
4/5
they went back to more of their punk roots, gave political & social commentary on our culture at the time, and had a bit of a comeback with this release. don't think I had ever listened to it all the way thru before. solid 4.5
Keith Jarrett
3/5
very chill, relaxing listen. would be good listen while reading a book or unwinding after a long day
The Lemonheads
2/5
it's a shame all I can associate this album with is high school boyfriend & the fact that this was all he listened to before we broke up
Venom
2/5
are they trying to be a parody type band? like Spinal Tap?
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
was only familiar with couple tracks on this album. flows together well. classic southern rock sound & guitar work is well done. about 30 minutes of vocals is all I can comfortably take so this was great.
Nas
2/5
don't understand the huge hype & praise for this album. the beats get monotonous, & just don't understand the praise for his lyrics. yes, they tell a story, but his tone is so one-note.
Harry Nilsson
4/5
huh-had never heard of him but knew quite a few tracks on album. had no idea he did so much (and most have been covered). 3.5 stars
Talking Heads
3/5
I enjoy Talking Heads but this was not a great album. they are moving more into their style & sound, but this is pretty ho-hum. was nice to enjoy while walking but won't seek out to listen to again
The Stooges
3/5
meh
Otis Redding
3/5
enjoyable listen with lots of familiar songs (most are covers?). I'm not usually a blues fan but enjoyed this. 3.5 stars
Beastie Boys
5/5
yesssss. there is SO much more to Beasties than "You Gotta Fight" (it's really one of their weakest songs). love this album-they touch on all kinds of sounds, move away from the heavy samples, but still keep their less than serious lyrics.
Grizzly Bear
2/5
snooze. it wasn't offensive, irritating, or annoying.
just boring.
2/5
never have understood the appeal of Devo-guess I'm just not cool/hip enough. and that's ok with me. another solid "meh" album
The Magnetic Fields
2/5
3 albums & almost 3 hours of over-indulgent, self absorbed lyrics with vocals that are all over the place. made it thru the 1st album & that was more than enough. why oh why is this taking up space on this list???? 1.5 stars but I'll round up because they can play instruments & have some variety in sound
Stan Getz
4/5
ahhhh. this was a lovely listen. short tracks that don't drag. really enjoyed the samba influence.
A Tribe Called Quest
3/5
I appreciate that they have depth to their lyrics. overall I prefer the other Tribe album over this one. but still a pretty solid listen. good variation in sounds & samples. 3.5 stars
Death In Vegas
3/5
This just drones on & on. Vocals are weak. Better tracks don’t feature vocals but then they draaaaaaag. Just boring
The Dictators
3/5
Meh. At least tracks were short & sweet
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
Liked the piano focus behind his lyrics. His voice grows on you. Nice, although a bit somber, listen
Michael Jackson
3/5
You could not get away from hearing this album when it was released. So many of his singles got huge air time from MTV. 80’s pop music-I won’t ever seek it out to listen but still know most of lyrics
Gorillaz
2/5
Snooze. Why is this taking up space on the list?? Oh wait, it’s because it’s Blur frontman’s
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
3/5
Enjoyed the different language, tempo & overall sound. Very relaxing 3.5
Tears For Fears
5/5
Great voice, lyrics, sound. 4.5
The Beach Boys
3/5
It is impressive they built successful careers on really 1 signature sound. Yes, was nice to hear other, lesser used instruments on this album
Songhoy Blues
3/5
Nice listen-this is why I wanted to work thru the list. Enjoyed the music & sounds a lot
Janis Joplin
2/5
Musically, this was pretty nice. And vocally, she pulled in some of her shrill shrieks so that was better. 2.5 stars
GZA
2/5
Meh. Overuse of samples & way too much repetition with them or refrains. I just don’t get the hype on why this is one of best hip hops around
B.B. King
3/5
Usually I’m not a big blues fan but BB is a legend & can understand why-great showman &crowd interaction 3.5
Lou Reed
2/5
Still not a fan. Don’t get why he’s held up as an amazing songwriter. Like the US version of Leonard Cohen.
Bob Dylan
2/5
nope. voice still gets on my nerves. and why/how is he considered such a great lyricist??? don't get it at all.
Booker T. & The MG's
4/5
this was a great, short listen. really enjoyed the sound w/some very familiar tracks. did wish that there wasn't a reprise of the opening track though-with such a short album there really isn't any need for that. overall-great listen
The Style Council
2/5
first-more Brit pop?? tried to go in with an open mind & was pleasantly surprised with instrumental tracks. not bad-decent background music. much preferred those over the vocal tracks-especially the final 4 or 5 tracks. the rap attempt and remaining songs felt very bi-polar compared to opening instrumentals. confusing album & confused that it is taking a place on this list.
Femi Kuti
3/5
overall this was a really nice listen. enjoyed the sounds, tempos. but it drug out quite a bit. would have enjoyed it more if songs were bit shorter-all the repetition just made them lag.
Sparks
2/5
so glam rock is a thing??? does this album just get included on this list because it's so bizarre? is it a parody album?
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
first few tracks are little weaker (almost boring), then it picks up with Exodus. rest of the album is a great listen. fantastic vibe & songwriting.
5/5
the first few tracks got chronically overplayed on radio & MTV when this was released. still solid, classic ones but I really enjoy the 2nd half of this album the best. love the sounds, the storytelling & imagery. this album propelled them from stars to mega stars
John Prine
2/5
this was very comparable to listening to a Dylan album. his voice was marginally less annoying, so 1/2 star better for him. 2.5 stars
Kate Bush
4/5
normally I'm not a fan of concept-type albums but this one works. she's got a funky blend of using different sounds & instruments. her voice is strong & distinctive. can hear how she influenced so many others (Tori Amos, Bjork, Florence & the Machine). Cloudbusting & Morning Fog are great tracks, and so is Running up that hill
Aretha Franklin
4/5
great showcase of her voice. pitch, delivery, emotion are all spot on. 4.5 stars
Cream
3/5
so this is supposed to be one of the greatest psych rock albums of all time?? huh-don't get it. I know it was early on in Clapton's career but I expected more. after Sunshine rest of the album just fell flat.
R.E.M.
4/5
love opening with Finest Worksong. it's a good album, but the final 3 tracks kinda ramble & loose their momentum. Life's Rich Pageant much stronger album.
Liz Phair
3/5
now I remember why I never listened to Liz Phair. enjoy her guitar & music, but her vocals & lyrics don't do anything for me. I'll take another pass
Tom Tom Club
2/5
wow-i do NOT get some of these reviews. WHY, why, why is this on the list? the sounds are so incredibly repetitive (and reflective of the cover art).
Quicksilver Messenger Service
3/5
with the opening several minutes of guitar canoodling solos I thought this might be interesting...... but that's pretty much all this album is. would be "meh" as background music
Kendrick Lamar
3/5
meh. hip hop is not my thing. can appreciate the sounds & different samples but don't find him the gifted lyricist that many do.
Michael Jackson
4/5
I think this is a stronger album than Thriller. shows off his range, lots of different styles & tempos. do feel like the 2nd half of album had much slower tempo & wish it had more of the variety as 1st half did.
Black Flag
3/5
normally thrash/in-your-face punk is not my thing so I was pleasantly surprised with 1-being able to understand the lyrics, 2-the lyrics. Gimme Gimme Gimme had depth, and TV Party was about 4 decades ahead of its time. the final track however, was more of what I was expecting & why it's at a 3.5 instead of a 4.
Anita Baker
3/5
she's got a fantastic voice-great tone & control. just wish there was a bit more variety on the album. every song is a heartfelt love song at a similar tempo..... still, overall nice album 3.5 stars
Tim Buckley
2/5
so this is his 2nd album we've listened to on this list (apparently there's at least 1 more). yawn. just don't get it. why is he on list (again)?
Brian Eno
2/5
another day, another album that makes me wonder why it's on the list.....
The Byrds
3/5
another "meh" folksy/psych rock album.
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
2/5
WHY, WHY, WHYYYYYYYY is this taking up space on this list?????? the most "interesting" thing about this rambling mess of sound & noise is the album cover.
Black Sabbath
3/5
once again-not nearly as heavy as I expected it to be. almost a bit mellow. certainly see how this was influential in the music styles
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
he's a good storyteller/songwriter, but his voice just grates on my after a few songs. overall, an ok listen & (unlike SEVERAL others albums recently) I understand why it's on the list. 3.5 stars
The Who
2/5
this was weird. not sure what exactly they were on when they put this together......
The Temptations
3/5
this was not what I expected from a Temptations album-still have solid harmonies but the additional funk vibe was a welcome surprise
Marianne Faithfull
2/5
um, no. why is this on the list??
Willie Nelson
4/5
really enjoyed this one. yes, it's covers but the choices let Willie's voice & arrangement shine even more. and this brings some great memories of listening to my Dad sing some of these.
Steve Earle
3/5
another day, another "meh" album. offensive, annoying, or painful to listen to -not at all. boring & forgettable-yup
David Bowie
3/5
another Bowie album & I still don't get the appeal
Astrud Gilberto
3/5
was hoping more of the tracks would be in Portuguese so having over 1/2 in English was kind of a bummer. and expected to enjoy this album a bit more, but think after about 4 tracks of exact same tempo, & tone in her voice..... it just all blended together. until You Didn't Have to be so Nice-the childs voice & lyrics were just odd.
Calexico
5/5
not at all familiar w/them but this was the type of surprise I want by going thru this list. really enjoyed entire listen-suited to the gloomy, damp day. great variety on sounds, instruments, and vocals. the piano on Book & Canal is excellent.
Can
2/5
"arguably one of the most influential rock albums". by who????? was a reasonable amateur garage band until that ridiculous 17 minute track.
Nanci Griffith
3/5
meh. decent background music but nothing I would seek out again.
Caetano Veloso
3/5
interesting listen & would be fine to have this on again as background music. good variety in tempos
Ray Price
3/5
ok old school honky tonk. wish it had a bit more variety. kind of blended together
Blood, Sweat & Tears
3/5
I remember listening to several of these tracks with my parents. enjoyed the blend of sounds & instruments. bit of fusion of styles. I wouldn't seek it out again, but enjoyed it.
The Cardigans
3/5
was only familiar w/ Lovefool. rest of album was solid "meh". vocals just blended in together......
The Adverts
3/5
more brit punk on this list? did not expect to actually enjoy it, but I did. vocals & lyrics were good, they could actually play the instruments quite well, and enjoyed changes in tempos. 3.5 stars
Kings of Leon
5/5
great listen. enjoyed the driving guitar, melodies, and vocals.
Kid Rock
2/5
uggggggghhhhhh. not a fan of lyrics at all. or his persona. only reason it's getting a 2 is due to music & the variety in sound.
Carole King
3/5
I was looking forward to hearing the original artist on so many iconic songs.....and was left kinda meh.
Rocket From The Crypt
3/5
went into this with very low expectations. started ok, was somewhat enjoying music & vocals weren't bad. then got to Ball Lightning & found myself enjoying the lyrics. maybe it's getting a bump up compared to other albums this week (looking at you kid rock). 3.5 stars
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
still not a fan of his voice, so I was shocked that I actually enjoyed this album. great instruments/ variations/ arrangements. 3.5 only due to his voice
Merle Haggard
3/5
about what I would expect-old school country. good storytelling, & vocals
Nightmares On Wax
2/5
WHY is this on the list??? it's total background music. What is the rationale for taking up a spot on this list???
Gang Starr
3/5
rap is not really my thing, but this was better than a lot of the others on this list. lyrics were not in the gutter.
The Teardrop Explodes
3/5
another day & another early 80's britpop band. and another meh, why is this on the list. was ok as background music but also forgettable.
Wild Beasts
2/5
the opening measures sounded like they might be interesting.....then the vocals began & that was it for me. was this a parody album? why is it on the list?? 1.5 stars because at least it was under 40 minutes
Bill Evans Trio
5/5
ahhhh-this was a great one to have on in the background. loved the piano. just wish it was about 15-20 minutes shorter. still, great listen.
The Kinks
3/5
seems an earlier version of The Kinks. like they don't have their sound yet & trying out styles. not bad, just not memorable either
John Cale
3/5
the music was much more interesting than the vocals, but not enough to keep me engaged. another "meh" album
Mudhoney
4/5
I can see where this had so much influence on others to come from the Seattle grunge scene. solid listen. 3.5 stars
Sonic Youth
4/5
enjoyed this much more than other SY album. guitar, distortions all great. some vocals were stronger than others & did feel like it drug a little in places. but would I listen again-absolutely
Don McLean
3/5
American Pie is iconic. love the storytelling on it. but rest of album was kinda ho-hum, bland folksy. not bad, just not memorable like American Pie
Mike Ladd
3/5
better than a lot of other hip hop on this list (lyrics are trying to have substance, & at least have a variety of samples). just goes on way too long
Amy Winehouse
4/5
I hear a lot more Billy Holliday than Sinatra on this. don't think it's as strong as Back to Black, but not surprising since it's her 1st album. still enjoyed it
The Youngbloods
3/5
the plain instrumentals are stronger than ones with vocals. was ok, but not memorable & wouldn't seek it out again
Duran Duran
3/5
they were never known for lyrics, but had some good hooks & bass lines. remember their videos well.
Soft Cell
2/5
I can totally understand how they are a one hit wonder.
Def Leppard
3/5
hair metal goes pop
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
catchy hooks, interesting lyrics, and short tracks that don't drone on too long. solid album
The Pogues
3/5
enjoyed their blend of traditional songs & instruments with contemporary sounds.
U2
4/5
I don't think this is one of their stronger albums. got some swings & misses. yes, they're trying some new sounds & sometimes it works then others not. Until the end of the world & Wild Horses are two excellent tracks & bump it from 3.5 to 4 just for those alone
3/5
not one of the stronger Beatles albums. can see how it had big impact on other artists &appreciate variety of styles/sounds. just not my favorite.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
5/5
this was a great listen. tracks don't ramble & funky time signatures work without sounding jarring or off.
Motörhead
2/5
meh. it all sounds the same. every track.
Adele
5/5
love her control with her vocals. great album-variety of tempos/styles and the blues influence is great. and her cover of The Cure's "Lovesong" is excellent.
Mylo
2/5
uuuuugh. so repetitive & boring. sounds like what you hear while you're on hold, or waiting for a Fun Run to start. and Destroy Rock & Roll was awful. 1.5 stars
Little Richard
3/5
I understand how this influenced so much that came after it, & enjoyed the bluesy rock & roll, but it all sounded the same after about 3 tracks. 3.5 stars
Hookworms
2/5
oh look-another British group I haven't heard of before. and just like the others so far.....there's a reason for that. boring, electronic-pop ramblings. why is this on the list??
Ravi Shankar
2/5
while I enjoy listening to music from different cultures, this all sounded the same & blended together. and went on way too long.
Skunk Anansie
2/5
oh goody-another British group I've never heard of before. and like soooo many others on this this....there's a reason for that. irritating vocals, mediocre sound. meh
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
2/5
super early 80's synth-heavy pop that drones on & on. boring. I'd ask why it's on list but-they're early 80's brit pop.
The Clash
3/5
maybe it's due to the streak of super-boring albums we've had, but this was enjoyable. wouldn't seek it out to listen to again, but still enjoyable. lots of variety, some depth to lyrics, and they can play instruments. 3.5 stars
The The
3/5
not my favorite style but was an ok listen. nothing I would seek out again, but also not a snooze or annoying.
ZZ Top
3/5
they do have a highly recognizable sound, but just kind of repetitive by end of album. never have been known for depth to lyrics.
Peter Gabriel
3/5
really not sure what to say about this album. every track was different & certainly wasn't a boring listen. but did just feel all over the place. and no idea how Solsbury Hill even fits into this album-absolutely amazing track
Pet Shop Boys
2/5
if you've heard 1 track by Pet Shop Boys, you've heard them all. same synth heavy loop tracks, same monotonous voice, same of everything.
Scott Walker
2/5
can you be bland/boring, and over styled at the same time? why. is. this. on. the. list.
2/5
dive bar punk. not a fan of vocals, but music was ok.
Genesis
3/5
I just don't get it. music is ok, but tracks ramble on.
Paul Weller
3/5
not at all familiar with him & was pleasantly surprised. very laid back vibe & nice for background music. just goes on about 15 minutes too long. 3.5 stars
Paul McCartney and Wings
3/5
way better than Lennon's solo stuff. familiar with few of the tracks & others were ok as background tunes, but don't think I'll seek out to listen to again. 3.5 stars
The xx
3/5
not at all familiar w them. enjoyed low key background music, but vocals were incredibly bland
The Who
3/5
enjoyed this more than I thought. musically interesting, lyrics still hold up today. 3.5 stars
Muddy Waters
4/5
great live performance, energy, & tracks
Rod Stewart
2/5
musically this was a good listen. but I really, really don't like his voice. at all. 2.5 stars
The Everly Brothers
3/5
say what you want about their style, the harmonies are solid. good to hear the OG "Love Hurts"
Bad Brains
3/5
meh
Paul McCartney
3/5
this was a strange listen-felt like it was just a random studio session, just fiddling around with ideas. THEN you get to Maybe I'm Amazed-what great track. did all the work go into that 1 track?? rest of the album is very forgettable-sad since Maybe is such a great one.
Neu!
3/5
not familiar with them, and not fan of krautrock but opening two tracks were exact opposite of what I expected. very relaxing on this dreary day. then got to the 3rd track & it all fizzled out from there. 2.5 stars
Sam Cooke
4/5
this was a great live listen-his voice is strong but still smooth, music great.
3/5
why is this revered as the forerunner to punk? late 60's garage band at best
Kraftwerk
2/5
if you like super repetitive, uber synth, long tracks, with repetitive vocals....then this is for you. super boring.
The Prodigy
3/5
in terms of electronica style music, they are top of the game. interesting beats, driving sounds, & mix of vocals. but this was way too long. I enjoyed Fat of the Land much more.
Massive Attack
3/5
nah. album was fine in background (on low volume), but just seemed all over the place with their sound. 2.5 stars
Neil Young
2/5
I still don't care for his voice-no matter how many times he's on this list (and it is WAY too many). Why, why, why?
Kanye West
2/5
rating him solely on this album-i don't care at all for the language or demeaning treatment of women, but he does communicate his point of view. sounds are all over the place & not in a good way. way, way too long.
Iggy Pop
2/5
don't get the appeal.
My Bloody Valentine
3/5
overall this was better than I expected. was good background music while doing other things. especially since the lyrics are indecipherable. does get a bit repetitive/monotonous.
The Stooges
2/5
second Iggy album in three days. joy.
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
kinda all over the place. but gets added bump for America and Hazy Shade of Winter. 3.5 stars
Tortoise
2/5
forgettable background music. why is it on the list?
Dusty Springfield
3/5
so many familiar tracks on here. she's got such a great voice-depth & strength.
Eric Clapton
4/5
not really sure why this one is on the list. he's got several much better albums. it's an enjoyable listen, but by no means his best.
Tom Waits
2/5
yikes. I do NOT understand his appeal. couldn't pay attention at all to lyrics due to his voice. music bit boring.
Jacques Brel
3/5
no clue what lyrics were about but he sounded like he had a lot of expression & feeling behind his lyrics.
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
he's a great guitarist but it gets lost in the rambling, way too long of an album.
Faust
3/5
such a weird album-kind of all over the place style & sound wise. case in point-Piano Piece. really enjoyed it & will bump it up from 2.5 to a 3
Fela Kuti
3/5
was enjoying this as nice background music (didn't need to focus at all on lyrics). would have been a 4 but the 15 minute drum solo as final track knocked it back. that droned on way too long
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
this is one of the few albums that lives up to the hype. great listen. loved the variety of sounds-blues, rock, & soul. and opening with Purple Haze-fantastic
Laibach
2/5
really strange, theatrical, industrial sound.
Leftfield
2/5
if you're really, really into house style music....then this might appeal. otherwise it's a bit of a bore after the first 4 or 5 minutes.
Aerosmith
4/5
maybe this is getting a boost due to some of the super lame electronica music we've had lately, but it's a decent listen. Back in the Saddle is a great opener, & it's all finished before you get bored. 3.5 stars
Michael Jackson
2/5
late 80's pop that was played everywhere during its time. was never a fan of it then & still not really fan now either. Leave me alone is best track. he definitely ruled the radio & MTV back in the day....
Elis Regina
3/5
enjoyed this listen. she had a great voice & enjoyed the bossanova sound
Portishead
3/5
a bit dark & brooding for my taste. and a wee bit too experimental & boring
M.I.A.
2/5
meh. boring & repetitive sound. can't really understand much of her lyrics so no idea what she's trying to convey
R.E.M.
4/5
crazy to realize this came out same time as Thriller (light years better). great debut album-their sound is already distinct, just like Stipe's vocals are mumbly.
808 State
2/5
so much electronica/edm music on this list. and they all just kind of blur together 2.5 stars
Dexys Midnight Runners
2/5
musically it's is.....interesting. but his vocals are rough. why is this on here???
Van Morrison
4/5
I love some Van Morrison but don't find this to be one of his strongest albums. it's good-he's always had his own style/vibe, just not as focused as several others
Aerosmith
3/5
seriously-why is this on the list??? they have better albums. this is late 80's hair metal/glam/MTV promo'd videos.
Tito Puente
5/5
this was what I wanted to listen to on this list-something I never would have otherwise.....and that is a fun/entertaining listen. there's a lot of boring/mediocre stuff on this list but this album is not one of them. great listen
The Soft Boys
3/5
it's just an odd/weird/strange listen. not quite sure what I was listening to at several points. vocals were bland.
New Order
2/5
super heavy overly synth tracks. with irritating vocals. every last one on this album
Big Star
3/5
maybe it is because they are following a very long string of mid Brit pop, overly synth albums.....but this was better than expected. can see how they influenced 80's power ballads. nice variety of tempos too.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
still not a fan of his vocals, but enjoyed this more than other Springsteen albums on here. enjoyed lyrics and stories more. 3.5 stars
Peter Frampton
3/5
wasn't sure what to expect since this is supposed to be a legendary live album....and it was pretty solid. don't think I would listen again, but pretty good
Talking Heads
4/5
yup-it's a Talking Heads album. has their distinct sound that doesn't really fit into any category, good lyrics, Byrne's funky talk/vocals. just not sure how it's any different from the other Talking Heads we have listened to so far on this list