Jan 05 2024
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Blonde On Blonde
Bob Dylan
Wildly overrated everything made it seem like it was supposed to be some deeply profound work the songwriting is mid at best and good lord his voice is agonising to listen to for more than 15 seconds.
2
Jan 08 2024
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Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Pretty okay album. Liked the instrumentation on it and señor Nick’s voice was nice (better than Bob Dylan’s by far). Liked that most of the songs told stories but lyrically some of it made no sense and was just kinda weird. Supernaturally (track 5 on the second album) was pretty solid.
3
Jan 09 2024
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Violent Femmes
Violent Femmes
Pretty good, didn't love it but it did remind me of a stripped-down down more chaotic version of Cage the Elephant's album Thank You Happy Birthday or kind of like the Black Keys. The sound was really interesting but I did not love the lead dude's voice (still better than Bob Dylan).
3
Jan 10 2024
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Blood Sugar Sex Magik
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Well, that was an experience. Look I love the Chilis but this was just not even close to their best album. They had some solid songs on here, Breaking the Girl, Under the Bridge, I Could Have Lied, but that was completely offset by the brain-numbing experience that was the 8-minute, 16-second long atrocity that was Sir Psycho Sexy. I mean that song is up there with The Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands by Bob Dylan for worst song I've heard so far, this one mainly because of the lyrics, the Dylan one because of his voice, and the fact it's so freaking long. Overall you can hear where the band will be going, which is Californication and By the Way which are both vastly superior to this so there's that I suppose. Any Chili's album before Californication is not worth your time and this album is proof of that. I'm going to give it four stars but that's only because I cannot give it 3.5 which is what it deserves.
4
Jan 11 2024
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Play
Moby
Ok I was not expecting to like this at all since it's electronic but I absolutely loved this album, it'll probably be my go-to study music if I want something without too many lyrics. It isn't the harsh almost dubstep-type electronic I was expecting and I really like that. Really, really nice actually knew a couple of the songs he sampled from which made those more enjoyable. I do wish this site would stop giving double albums though since they are obnoxious and nobody wants to sit down and listen to 29 songs.
5
Jan 12 2024
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Goo
Sonic Youth
Originally I was gonna give this a 3 but I bumped it down to a 2 because the lyrics don't make much sense most of the time and half the songs are just fuzzy, scratchy, overdrive-filled guitar riffs. For Mote and Titanium Espose about half the songs were just overdrive guitar screeching. That takes no skill and just hurts your ears I don't understand what you think you're accomplishing by doing that. Also the song Mildred Pierce is absolute trash. Who in the world even is Mildred Pierce and why should I care that she's dead? We will never know because the whole song is just screaming Mildred Pierce or why. It's just not good songwriting or good songs.
2
Jan 15 2024
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Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs
Derek & The Dominos
Phenomenal. All those idiots who wrote bad reviews about it are fools. You listen to Clapton play precisely so you can hear him noodle around on the guitar for 3 minutes a song because he is one of the greatest to ever do it. The fact that you believe this isn't how blues "should be" is moronic because have you ever considered that maybe blues could be more than just what you have in your tiny little box or the fact that Eric Clapton transcends blues? Anywho, the album is incredible, best we've had so far, Layla remains one of the greatest songs ever written, and Bobby Whitlock's vocals add so much depth to this album when paired with Clapton and the guitars. So choice.
5
Jan 16 2024
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Teen Dream
Beach House
Well that was 55 minutes of my life I will never get back. That was like staring at a beige wall for almost an hour. It was bland, uninteresting, the lyrics made no sense, you could barely tell what was even being said, musically it was a total drag, nothing happened. It was like they were trying to make an album with as little emotion or flavor as possible, and they succeeded. Sarah and Ian might like this but I hated this it didn't make me feel anything and that is the opposite of what music is supposed to do. Blah.
2
Jan 17 2024
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Back In Black
AC/DC
All things considered that was pretty meh. Angus Young's guitar was pretty nice but that was offset by Brian Johnson's voice which I strongly dislike (though not as strongly as I dislike Bob Dylan's). There was also very little variety across the album it was mostly the same feel to every song. Yeah this album didn't really do it for me it was just overall very monotonous and monochromatic in terms of sound, lyrics, and feel. I really don't get all the hype around AC/DC I don't really think they're that special.
3
Jan 18 2024
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Country Life
Roxy Music
Ok so overall I really liked this album it was really nice to listen to. The guitar was nice and not monochromatic (unlike Back in Black), and the guys voice was nice to listen to (unlike Bob Dylan). I also liked the stylistic changeup after the chorus in the first song it kept it interesting and lively. I really liked the last song it was really solid had a fun feel to it. The only real critique I have is the cover art, which while not as bad as some of Jane's Addiction cover art, is still not something I would like to have a poster of in my room.
4
Jan 19 2024
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Take Me Apart
Kelela
That was awful. Every single song for the 53 minute run time was about a relationship or just sex. There was nothing else. Is there nothing else going on in her life or in the world that she could have drawn inspiration from? The album felt incredibly slow and just plodding along, was super boring. Musically nothing happened (mainly because the only instrument was a keyboard) and lyrically it was just the same things over and over again. This was just not an album I needed to listen to before I died. It's supposed to be revolutionary or so the critics say. How? Is it revolutionarily bad? I think I'm actually worse off for having listened to this album.
1
Jan 22 2024
View Album
So
Peter Gabriel
Very solid, definitely the best from this week. Honestly I would have given this album a 4 star even if all the other songs on it were purely mid because In Your Eyes is just that good. Thankfully the other songs were very nice to listen to. There was a nice mix of poppy stuff and then more relaxed and mellow songs such as Mercy Street. Mr. Gabriel has a very lovely voice and this was a very lovely album. In Your Eyes is the second best song we've heard so far behind Layla.
4
Jan 23 2024
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Pet Sounds
The Beach Boys
Ok so you may call me a heathen but I don't hear how this is supposed to be some sort of masterpiece or revolutionary sound. The only reason I'm not giving this a 2 is because of God Only Knows and because some of the songs have solid lyrics. However, otherwise I found this whole album profoundly mid. Musically it was just kind of blah and I think that's just me I am not a big fan of The Beach Boys sound, it sounds plastic and like they're all smiles and basically 60's frat boys. Brian Wilson's falsetto isn't terrible which is nice but he uses it an awful lot and there's constant ohhhhh's and ahhhhhh's in the background which I just felt was completely unnecessary. Overall it might have been revolutionary in the 60's but it is well past its prime now.
3
Jan 24 2024
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Metal Box
Public Image Ltd.
Ok there is a reason nobody likes experimental type music except for the "enlightened" music critics. It's because it sucks and is painful on the ears. Music shouldn't be a slog to have to get through or something you must force yourself to endure. That is exactly what this album (I feel like even calling it that is hurtful to other albums out there) was, a painful, slow, agonizing experience. John Lydon's voice is worse than Bob Dylan's (wow I know I can't believe it either). The songwriting was terrible as well. If you could understand the lyrics (which is a big if) they made zero sense for many of the songs. The guitar is screechy and shrill the whole time and entirely too bright and tinny. The drums are completely forgettable. The bass is the only non agonizing piece to this album but it's also quite boring (but at least not bad). This was the musical equivalent of Birdemic (if you know you know).
1
Jan 25 2024
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System Of A Down
System Of A Down
Ok look I like hard rock/nu metal but more in the papa roach, HU, some Beartooth vein not the Korn/SOAD vein where it's just some guy screaming into a mic. I mean I don't understand how anyone could sit through that and think, "wow that was really good, I really enjoyed that". That was awful. The only reason it might not be the worst album we have listened to is because the instruments were played well (mainly the guitar and drums). Otherwise this album was an absolute pain to sit through. "Have you ever wanted to die?" they ask on one song. Yes, yes I have, because I had to sit through this album.
1
Jan 26 2024
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The Clash
The Clash
Ok so I know what you're thinking. "Kieran I thought you loved punk how could you only give this album a 3?" Well I do love punk so just hear me out. This album is good but honestly I don't think it is great. Most of that has to do with Joe Strummer who does the lead vocals for most of their work. I don't like it. I don't like his voice and it is really hard to understand what in the world he is saying most of the time. Should I Stay or Should I Go is one of their best songs but that is sung by Mick Jones not Strummer. I really don't feel like this album is super special. I'm sure it was at the time because this was the birth of political punk as we know it (maybe not quite stylistically cause it is quite slow by comparison to punk in Cali later when punk became a big thing) but definitely in lyrics. However I think that kind of hurts it in the long run because eventually you will have people born (like me) who have no idea what events they are referencing and it has not meaning to us, which drains the songs (and the album) of some of its punch.
3
Jan 29 2024
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Hotel California
Eagles
What a pleasant surprise. I had the same mindset for this album coming into it as So by Peter Gabriel of even if all the songs on it are purely mid its getting a four because Hotel California (the song) is just that good. It has one of the most rad guitar licks in existence and is such an incredible song lyrically, musically, and emotionally. The album itself was great as well, the songs were flowing and poetic. Musically it was a nice mix of rock and piano/strings on some of them so very nice variety. Very solid album.
4
Jan 30 2024
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Fear Of A Black Planet
Public Enemy
Well I liked that a lot more than a lot of other hip hop/rap groups that I've listened to in my time. The lyrics actually meant something which was really nice and every other song wasn't about sex, drugs, and depravity, which was a refreshing change. Public Enemy was rapping about issues bigger than themselves not just how great they were which I really liked. This was really solid. I also really liked what the Bomb Squad did on this musically it was really solid and full of energy which was great.
4
Jan 31 2024
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Head Hunters
Herbie Hancock
Very funky. Loved this thought it was great, very different from pretty much anything else we've had so far. It was different but not in an experimental way. Loved the instruments, really well done. Even though the songs were long they didn't drag (take notes Bob Dylan). Loved this.
4
Feb 01 2024
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Devotional Songs
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Well that was at least novel to hear. Dude had a really cool voice and this was certainly unique although honestly I'm not sure I really needed an hour and a half of it. Did get a wee bit repetitive after about the first disc. Again what is the deal with this site and giving double albums nobody likes them. Overall all a rather enjoyable and interesting experience although I haven't the foggiest idea what was actually being sung. I actually rather liked that to be honest cause it meant I didn't have to pay a lick of attention to the lyrics which is normally something I try to focus on.
3
Feb 02 2024
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Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols
Sex Pistols
So much better than Public Image, I mean seriously it's night and day. I still am not over the moon about it, I'm gonna give it a 3 but that's just cause I don't love Lydon's voice and the lyrics get real repetitive in a lot of the songs. Otherwise I thought it was a solid album, this is the first one to sound like what punk would become, at least more so than The Clash. I also didn't realize this was their only album, pretty alright job for just a one and done.
3
Feb 05 2024
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Pretenders
Pretenders
I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand I really liked Chrissie's guitar playing and the overall music of this album. Instrumentally it sounded really good. Gave me some Police vibes on some of their songs especially on "Private Life". That was cool to hear. On the other hand I don't love Chrissie's voice. I don't really know what it is about her voice that bothers me but I don't like it. Also I was just kinda ambivalent about most of the songs except "Kid" and "Brass in Pocket" those were both pretty good although "Kid" was by far my favorite. Overall the album was just kinda okay.
3
Feb 06 2024
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Fulfillingness' First Finale
Stevie Wonder
So at first I was kinda lukewarm about this. To be honest I've never really listened to Stevie apart from "Isn't She Lovely" and "Superstition" and his two Christmas songs (which are both incredible). Also this is really embarrassing but I didn't know he was blind til today just found out about that. Didn't love the first track felt really plastic but then after that the album really deepened (in my opinion). The second track deals feeling that sense of brokenness in the world (which is very relatable) and was pretty profound. After that there's a nice mix of deep meaningful tracks, some about love, some about the world, and overall it was a really solid album. He has a very nice voice (take notes Bob Dylan).
4
Feb 07 2024
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World Clique
Deee-Lite
Well that sucked. This album had a lot of the things I hate in music. It was stupid, the lyrics were dumb and naïve, they had no depth, it was all just love and smile more and flower power. Musically it was buns as well. It was all just electronic crap with equally bad and worthless lyrics over top of it. I hated this. That felt good to get out of my system.
1
Feb 08 2024
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Virgin Suicides
Air
I listened to this while doing some school work so I can safely say that apart from the last song this is very nice study music. It had nice variety to the sound, and was musically very interesting. I have no idea what it's about other than it's a soundtrack for a movie but I like it. I found it very pleasing to listen to.
4
Feb 09 2024
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Group Sex
Circle Jerks
Finally some So Cal punk. Was not my absolute favorite punk album but def my favorite so far. Sure they had some questionable songs but they also had stuff like "Beverly Hills" and "What's Your Problem" or "Red Tape" that have some substance to them. All of the songs at least had a point which is more than can be said for some of the other albums we've been forced to endure. That's why I love punk because it's not about making the music sound pretty and getting everybody to like it, it's about getting a point across and playing really fast. I thought Circle Jerks sounded great on this album (they played really fast), their songs were short and catchy and very punk, very anti establishment/the man and I really liked this album. Can definitely see hints of this in early Green Day and other So Cal punk bands. Also I really liked that the album was only 16 minutes that was refreshing (wish Bob Dylan's albums were this short).
4
Feb 12 2024
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Dusty In Memphis
Dusty Springfield
Did not like. All the songs blurred together. It wasn't even interesting enough to keep my attention I started doing something else and just had this on in the background. Not my cup of tea. If the songs had other subjects besides just love and relationships this might have gotten a three. But it didn't so its stuck with a two.
2
Feb 13 2024
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Hot Buttered Soul
Isaac Hayes
Eh. Didn't really love it. I mean I don't really care who the artist is (maybe with the exception of Eric Clapton or Hendrix) I don't want to listen to a song that's almost 20 minutes long, especially when half of it isn't even music it's just the artist telling a sad story about a broken relationship. Mr. Hayes has a nice voice and the first two songs were pretty good but I didn't love the second two on the album and the last one was about half the album's length so yeah. Not really my style, lyrically and in their subject matter the songs are very monochromatic.
3
Feb 14 2024
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Liege And Lief
Fairport Convention
Pretty solid. Was very enjoyable to listen to. The whole thing reminded me of Midsummer Murders which made me happy cause that's a great show. The instrumentation was great and the lady's vocals were very nice. Loved all the story telling. Very solid.
4
Feb 15 2024
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New Boots And Panties
Ian Dury
Did not like. The lyrics were terrible and this dude is incredibly horny. The only reason this isn't a 1 is because of the instruments they sounded quite nice. Did not like.
2
Feb 16 2024
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Vanishing Point
Primal Scream
I quite enjoyed this here album. At first, when I saw that the first song was 7 minutes long and there was another that was 8 minutes long I was a bit apprehensive. I thought this was going to be another Public Image Ltd. debacle like that of four weeks ago. However I was pleasantly surprised. I really liked this, not quite enough to give it a five star but a solid four. The instrumentation was very well played and there was quite a bit of variety. Some of the lyrics were a little bit questionable but I can ignore that because the rest of it was quite good. There were songs with many different styles which helped the album not to drag. Would listen to again.
4
Feb 19 2024
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Remain In Light
Talking Heads
It was interesting. Liked the sound of it but it was also just really weird. It wasn't necessarily a bad weird (like Public Image Ltd. or Sonic Youth) more just the album lacked consistency and even in some of the songs themselves there wasn't much unity. Not really my style but still sounded nice.
3
Feb 20 2024
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Is This It
The Strokes
I really liked this album. I had heard a couple songs by The Strokes before but never really listened to them much. This was pretty solid, not enough to get them a 5 since quite a few of their songs kinda sound the same and there isn't much variety in terms of what their frontman does vocally or really overall with their sound. However lyrically I felt there was enough variation and combined with the different feels to each song, I felt there was enough variety to keep one interested for the entire album so this gets a 4. Kinda reminds me of Cage the Elephant.
4
Feb 21 2024
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Juju
Siouxsie And The Banshees
Well I had a really low bar for this album since it said it was British post punk and Public Image Ltd. did not give a favorable impression of that, but this passed it. A solid 3 although on another day I might have given it a 4 but I had just finished studying o chem while listening to this so that may contribute to it getting a three. Regardless, it was an interesting listen, the vocals were great the instruments were played quite well and the overall sound was very different which was kind of nice. I don't love the 7 minute song at the end, that just kind of drug on.
3
Feb 22 2024
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Crocodiles
Echo And The Bunnymen
Well it wasn't bad so that's cool I suppose. I dunno this kinda falls under the category of an album by a band that sounds okay but didn't blow my socks off or anything, it was just kind of mid. I didn't hate it and they sounded good it was just kind of weird and we've had a bunch of kind of weird albums back to back to back so that has kind of gotten old for me. I'll probably never choose to listen to this album or this band again and will most likely forget about them in a couple days.
3
Feb 23 2024
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Raising Hell
Run-D.M.C.
I saw a review on here that I completely agree with. This album is great but it's also kinda disappointing because the first four songs are so fire that after that it's just kinda a letdown. Seriously the first four tracks are absolutely baller. After that it's not that the songs are bad they just don't measure up to the opening set which is understandable. Overall a very solid album.
4
Feb 26 2024
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C'est Chic
CHIC
I really struggled #1 to get through this album but then #2 on whether to give this a 1 or a 2. I finally landed on 2 but that is solely because of the bass and the guitar (especially on track 3). Otherwise I hated every second of this album. I don't care that Chic is supposed to be some revolutionary band that inspired generations. They're overrated. I don't care that the did Le Freak. The lyrics sucked it's all just get up and dance and that will somehow make everything better. Also the songs just repeat the same couple phrases for about 5 minutes. It's awful. There's a reason disco died and I really hope it stays dead. I did not like this.
2
Feb 27 2024
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Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
I'm gonna give this a four but it's really more of a 3.5 for me. I love Page's guitar playing, it is supremely rad. However I don't love that literally every song was about a woman who had done them wrong and several of them were over 5 minutes long which I didn't love. I do like Plant's voice though so they've got that going for them which is why I decided to round up to 4. Seriously though Page is an absolute beast on the six string.
4
Feb 28 2024
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The Soft Bulletin
The Flaming Lips
This album is fortunate it caught me on a good day otherwise it would be getting a 1. Happily for all parties involved I was in a good mood so this gets a 2 but my goodness I did not enjoy sitting through this album. So far all the indie albums this site has forced me to endure have been absolute buns. I don't know if that's just because this site is choosing stupid indie bands or if this just means I do not like indie as a genre (which could very well be the case and I'm perfectly fine with that). Wayne Coyne's voice is awful. He cannot sing. Somebody had to have told him that early on because I don't understand how someone could enjoy listening to that man try to sing. It is unpleasant on the ears. The instruments were great.
2
Feb 29 2024
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Follow The Leader
Korn
That was so much worse than anything I could have expected. I was really trying to keep an open mind to start off with but then we got to tracks 4 and 5. That's when I would have stopped if I was just listening to this for kicks. However I am a man of principle so I soldiered on. Then we get to track 8. I mean where do I even start? That made me want to weep and then die it was so pointlessly bad. I mean who thought that would be a great idea to write a diss track between Limp Bizkit and Korn and have it just be a bunch of slurs? Seriously why? Jonathan Davis has a serious problem with women apparently. Almost every other song's main idea was just violence against women. Also what in the world was his attempts at scatting? That was balls. It actually made me laugh a couple times because it was so out of the blue and so wildly awful. I mean Anthony Kiedis does a better job and he's not really known for incredible vocal prowess. The only small glimmer of not terribleness was the instruments, they were played well and sounded at least not god-awful. However almost all the songs sounded the same. This was such a stupid album from a stupid band. I listened through all of it and I still don't know what in the world was the point of all that. Also I would like it to be known that after enduring this I listened to Lenny Kravitz (5 specifically) to help restore my faith in humanity and remind me that there is good music out there that is pleasant to listen to.
1
Mar 01 2024
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Superfly
Curtis Mayfield
It was pretty good, I dunno I didn't really love it but it was much better than yesterday's album (although that was not a very high bar). I liked the lyrics on a lot of the songs, they were very interesting and very much got your attention. It sounded really nice overall, just not really much my style.
3
Mar 04 2024
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The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground
I really liked this album. Not quite enough to give it a fiver but it was very pleasant to listen to (I could very well have such a high opinion of it bc we had to endure Korn a couple days ago so anything sounds really good compared to that). The only real critiques I have of this album is the fact that most of it is so quiet and slow. That’s not a bad thing but it might be nice to have just one or two songs that were a bit more upbeat but that’s a minor critique. Also I didn’t really love the Murder Mystery song, it was just weird and very hard to understand. I do really like the album other than that it has a very cozy feel, something I would very much choose to listen to on a dreary day while I sit inside and stare out at the rain.
4
Mar 05 2024
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S&M
Metallica
Ok I know it was over 2 hours so y’all are probably gonna knock it for that but I really liked it. I like Metallica’s sound a lot and it was really cool to hear them with the orchestra as well. Yes I would probably prefer if it wasn’t over two hours but at least it was an enjoyable two hours with a band I like and enjoy the sound of. If this had been two hours of Korn I may have done something drastic.
4
Mar 06 2024
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25
Adele
I cannot give this a 5. I want to but I simply cannot as there is not enough variety. I love the album overall it's a very solid 4. There are a couple songs that aren't just her belting out melancholy lyrics (which she does incredibly well) as in Send My Love, but overall most of the rest of the album is just kinda slow melancholy songs. Again she sings them super well its just that's not really something I want and entire album to be. Also every time I hear Hello all I can think of is the scene from The Amazing World of Gumball where Pluto is singing about not being a planet, "the hurt I feel is deep insiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiide/my planet status has been deniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiied". It makes me laugh which is unfortunate because Hello is not exactly a super happy song but I can't help it.
4
Mar 07 2024
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Highly Evolved
The Vines
Yes they sound like Oasis, however unlike Oasis, they are not (to my knowledge) a bunch of pretentious jerks who think they're God's gift to music. Also I don't think they're the second coming of Nirvana. You can definitely hear Nirvana's influence on them, but they are not in the same league. That being said I thoroughly enjoyed this album. It honestly reminded me a bit of Cage the Elephant on their debut and Thank You Happy Birthday. They had nice variety on their stuff so it wasn't just 45 minutes of garage band rock. Really liked the fast hard hitting songs, they sounded great on them, but then they also sounded really good on the slower more melodic songs which was really cool to hear because normally bands on this list (at least recently) have been really good at one or the other but not both. Really liked this one a lot.
5
Mar 08 2024
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Little Earthquakes
Tori Amos
The piano was nice and the lyrics were interesting I suppose but I really didn’t care for her voice all that much. Also having two songs that are over 6 and a half minutes long on one album was a bit much. I don’t understand why artists do that.
3
Mar 11 2024
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On The Beach
Neil Young
I liked. Nice guitar, I know some peeps don’t love his voice, I didn’t have a problem with it. Yes the lyrics are a little weird in spots and I didn’t understand what he was getting at but he sounded nice and it was kinda relaxing to listen too. Again, I do wish there weren’t three songs that were around 7 minutes, that’s just not necessary.
4
Mar 12 2024
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Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
I mean it's Elvis, I like his voice and "Blue Suede Shoes" is a great song but honestly other than that I feel like his songwriting was pretty mid. The album seriously slowed down after the first couple tracks and his guitar playing was also not great. Maybe that had something to do with the recording equipment that was available at the time, but I didn't think his guitar skills were very good. Overall just kinda meh.
3
Mar 13 2024
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Deep Purple In Rock
Deep Purple
I was not expecting to like this album at all, however I really did. Ritchie Blackmore on guitar was exceptional and I loved the variety going from crazy guitar licks to organ (??!! I mean what hard rock band uses an organ?). I really liked it, it added some nice spice and uniqueness to their sound. Yes, they had some long songs, but they sounded really good and weren't monotonous in their sound (mainly because of the organ and guitar licks). Overall very solid and a nice surprise.
4
Mar 14 2024
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Goodbye And Hello
Tim Buckley
This was such a stupid album. I can't in good conscience give it a 1 because the instruments were played well but holy cow I did not like this. He sounded so pretentious, I can't really describe why but he sounded so pretentious. The lyrics were super medieval themed for some stupid reason and oh, of course, there's an 8:41 song for absolutely no reason right towards the end of the album where this fool just rambles on and on and on. Then there's some random song about a hobo. Did not like this album, I mean what was even the point of making us listen to this?
2
Mar 15 2024
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Live At Leeds
The Who
Eh, didn't really like. Not sure this album really had a chance with me cause I don't normally like live albums all that much so maybe that should be taken into consideration when viewing my review. They sounded pretty good instrumentation wise but I could not understand about 80% of what was being sung. Also fun little trivia, Green Day did a cover of "A Quick One, While He's Away" on 21st Century Breakdown. I thought it was a weird and strangely long song when I first heard them do it and I think it is just as weird and even longer upon hearing the original live.
2
Mar 18 2024
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Bat Out Of Hell
Meat Loaf
So I had never heard of Meat Loaf til now so my expectations were entirely based upon the album cover so I was expecting like thrash metal. I was quite wrong and I am oh so happy I was. I really, really liked this. It was like a mashup of Journey and Queen. He does an incredible job with the power ballads. On track 6 the little baseball commentary is perfect for that song and was a great touch and a great way to add some humor into it. I loved the opening song the title matched the feel and the intensity of the song, so well done. Really liked this a lot (again I'm quite surprised). Very swag only complaint I have is that spoken word stuff at the beginning of track 2 was kinda weird but I can ignore that because the rest of the album is so good.
5
Mar 19 2024
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KIWANUKA
Michael Kiwanuka
I was not expecting big things from this album because we have not had much luck with soul albums from this list in my humble opinion (cough cough Kelela cough cough), but this was fantastic. Easy 5 stars and one of my favorite albums that we've had so far. His voice is great, lyrics also great with a story and umph behind them. Musically it was great with splendid variety from slower more melancholy songs to more upbeat tracks. I absolutely loved this album.
5
Mar 20 2024
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I Am a Bird Now
Antony and the Johnsons
Another day, another album I simply did not need to listen to before I died. This album had a lot of things that I really dislike about alternative/indie music. The lyrics, for instance, made little to no sense for many of the songs. You can try and pretend that they're mysterious or profound or that maybe I just don't understand but seriously has nobody thought that maybe, just maybe, they're just nonsensical? I mean what was the meaning of the last song "Bird Girl"? No sense. Also I could not stand this fool's voice. Good Lord the amount of vibrato was just obscene. If this had been a solely instrumental track this would be an easy 4 maybe even a 5. But it isn't so this gets a 2.
2
Mar 21 2024
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Young Americans
David Bowie
Eh, I'm not a big Bowie fan. I mean his voice isn't awful but I don't love the vibrato. Also it's all just pop stuff. Not really my style. Wasn't bad but I really didn't need to have listened to this before I died, it just was not that good or profound.
3
Mar 22 2024
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Hunting High And Low
a-ha
Eh, it was whatever. It's just pop. Not my thing, "Take on Me" is a classic but it's kinda overplayed and this just wasn't my type. Totally mid.
3
Mar 25 2024
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The Slim Shady LP
Eminem
Look, he's an angry elf but I think this album was solid. Some of it, specifically "Role Model" gave me the same feel as "Idol" by Hollywood Undead. It's the idea of are you sure you really want to be like me? Are you sure you want to be just like your favorite artist? I really appreciate it when artists do that and for Eminem to recognize that so early in his career is kinda astounding. Yes his music is violent and twisted but there's a point to it. He's throwing a lot of the stuff that culture already revels in and profits off of back into the mainstream's face. Maybe instead of everybody hating on Eminem, we should take a look around at our culture and try to change that. Then again, maybe he's just pissed off and none of this has a deeper meaning. I kinda like that it's not clear, it makes him more interesting.
4
Mar 26 2024
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The Fat Of The Land
The Prodigy
I really enjoyed this. Listened to it whilst studying for O chem (I think electronica stuff is what I appear to gravitate towards for study music which I find interesting). I liked that there was actual singing/rapping/whatever vocals and not just sampling of other people's vocals. Also I agree with Big Kev, the cover art is very swag, I really like the crab.
4
Mar 27 2024
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Dare!
The Human League
Another day, another totally meh pop album. This just was not even remotely good or special enough to be on this list but for some moronic reason it is. Everything is plastic and fake sounding. They also try to stick in some songs like "Do or Die" and "Seconds" I'm assuming in an attempt to sound serious but I simply cannot do that after listening to the first couple tracks and the ridiculous cover image. Yes, "Don't You Want Me" is a classic, but that cannot save the album. The only reason this isn't a 1 star is because his voice doesn't make me want to kill myself so they've got that going for them I guess.
2
Mar 28 2024
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Songs From A Room
Leonard Cohen
This dude's voice is on par with that fool from The Flaming Lips. I don't care what he sounds like on other albums or other songs but he sounded bad on this one. The man cannot sing. The entire album is incredibly slow, boring, and tedious. It's just this fool with his acoustic guitar (which he does not play super well, he's about on Elvis' level) and a super simple bass line that even I could play and occasionally a keyboard. Why is this on this list? I know I keep asking that question and it will never be answered but I will ask it again. This album was absolutely not special and I never needed to hear it. It was drudgery.
2
Mar 29 2024
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Strangeways, Here We Come
The Smiths
Very enjoyable 4. Really liked Morrissey’s voice and the juxtaposition of his floaty voice and happy feel to the song with the somber and macabre (at times) lyrics. Very much liked the guitar was great overall just very solid album.
4
Apr 01 2024
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Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
The Smashing Pumpkins
Ok look, this album has some really good songs on it like "Bullet with Butterfly Wings", "1979", "Zero", but it just doesn't need to be so freaking long. I do not understand why Billy thought making a double album would be a great idea. I don't want to listen to his voice for 2 hours. It starts to sound whiny after 2 songs. However I did like the variety between lullaby feel songs and the grittier, grungier feeling songs, that made this not absolute agony to sit through. I feel this deserves a 3.5 but I can't give it that so it's getting a 3.
3
Apr 02 2024
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3 + 3
The Isley Brothers
I'm gonna give this a 4 but that's only because I thought the music was so good. I could understand a 3 because it just kinda repeats. Over, and over. Didn't love that. They sound so, so good but seriously why repeat the songs? The different versions do not sound any different. It was kinda cool to have the interviews at the end to get some of their story that was neat. Again, sounded superb (loved the guitar and vocals) but I really feel some more thought could have go into the actual production of the album, that's the only thing holding this back from being a 5.
4
Apr 03 2024
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Justified
Justin Timberlake
🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮. This was abysmal. Point the first: Every song sounds the same, there is no originality or variety across this album, it's just Justin singing about girls THE WHOLE TIME. Point the second: This album gives the impression that this fool is just a total womanizer. Point the third: "Cry Me a River" is just not a very good song. It simply isn't. Lyrically it is the exact same as all the other crap on this album but it has the added bonus of terrible beatboxing in the background to try and make him seem like he's all that cause he got beatboxing on an album. Point the fourth: His voice is not that great. It sounds dumb and plastic. Point the fifth: WHY ARE ALL OF THE SONGS OVER 4:30 MINUTES LONG. I don't want to listen to any pop song that long, let alone this drivel. Absolute bunsssssssss.
1
Apr 04 2024
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Songs Of Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen
This sounded exactly the same as his other stupid album the "Songs in a Room" catastrophe. This dude is buns. I know I gave that other album a 2 but this is getting a 1 because I was in a bad mood when I sat down to listen to it and this did NOT improve it. His voice is bland and uninteresting. The music is also bland, uninteresting, and boyishly repetitive. Seriously it's just an acoustic guitar with the occasional 4 note bass line. His lyrics are just mindless drivel that people think is profound or mysterious because they can't understand it. It isn't, it just doesn't make sense. This was such a boring album. On a totally separate note he kinda looks like a young Adam Sandler.
1
Apr 05 2024
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Os Mutantes
Os Mutantes
I'm not quite sure what I just listened to. Didn't understand a lick of it since I don't speak a word of Portuguese, however it was pretty fun and enjoyable. I'm not really sure if I would like it more or less if I could understand what they were saying. I did like the mashup feel to it, made it interesting and gave it nice variety. The cover was super wonky, the guy in the back looks really stupid ngl, while the guy in the front looks totally stoned, which is kinda amusing. This whole album was kinda amusing, much better than Cohen.
3
Apr 08 2024
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The ArchAndroid
Janelle Monáe
Look, usually with concept albums I can kinda take it or leave it. This I'm kinda in the middle with it. I didn't really love it, but that's not really through any fault of its own. She's got a great voice and the songs are really well made. It's just the whole dystopian cyborg thing that just doesn't really do it for me. I dunno, it sounds good but really didn't do anything for me, and the lyrics are kinda weird on some of the songs (which didn't really surprise me). Again, just kinda middle of the road for me.
3
Apr 09 2024
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Hunky Dory
David Bowie
Eh. I'm still not a Bowie fan, this album hasn't changed that. I just don't really like his voice and his stuff is so pop it's just not really my style. His eyes look cool though.
3
Apr 10 2024
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The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
David Bowie
Well at least we're a third of the way through. I did like this one slightly more than the other Bowie albums, "Starman", "It Ain't Easy", and "Suffragette City" were my personal favorites from this album. However all that being said I still don't think he has all that great of a voice and a lot of his stuff I think just sounds so fake and naive. He's still not my style and I have to go through another 6 of his albums. He is not good enough to justify 9 albums being on this list.
3
Apr 11 2024
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The Bones Of What You Believe
CHVRCHES
Aight I need to apologize to Mason for all the crap I gave him about electronic music back in middle/high school. I thoroughly enjoyed this here album. I loved the lyrics, they did a good job of telling stories. I felt that the sounds were different on each song so the whole album didn't sound monotone. I also very much liked that they had different vocalists (granted it was only for two songs but still that's more than most bands). Very nice album.
5
Apr 12 2024
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Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Very solid album. I love Tracy Chapman's voice and the guitar is great too, very melodic and fits the feel of each song, and has nice variety too. Her songwriting ability is tremendous and she does such a good job of telling a story and making you feel what she's feeling from the song. That's a powerful gift. The only reason this album isn't a 5 is because I have to hear enough about racism, violence, and how broken the world is regularly on the news and I don't necessarily want to be reminded of that in the music I listen to. However, Tracy Chapman does such a good job of making it personal that it doesn't feel preachy or showboaty, she sounds very genuine and that is something that is also very difficult to do in the music industry.
4
Apr 15 2024
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Guero
Beck
The first time I ever heard Beck was as a kid when "Loser" came on the radio and I hated it. Thankfully my musical taste has vastly matured since then. However that was the only song by Beck I had ever heard until this here album came along. I had no idea what to expect. I absolutely loved it. This was such a good album. It starts off with E-Pro and that has such a nice guitar riff to drive it along. Each song has something that drives it, be it Beck's voice (which I think sounds better on this album than it ever did on "Loser") or the jangly acoustic guitar on "Farewell Ride". This was such a good album. If I still listened to CD's I would totally go out and buy this one.
5
Apr 16 2024
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L.A. Woman
The Doors
Another day, another album that I don't understand how it made it on this list. I mean it wasn't awful, the guitar was nice and the instruments were played well and sounded good in the songs but I did not like Morrison's voice and the songs were just kinda weird lyrically and did not resonate with me at all. Seriously what is supposed to make this album soooooo good that it makes it one of the 1,001 albums that I NEED to listen to before I die? Someone please explain.
3
Apr 17 2024
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Songs Of Love And Hate
Leonard Cohen
Please no more. My farts sound more melodic than his voice. The man literally cannot sing. His voice is so flat and out of tune it is painful. Again, see my previous reviews of his previous terrible albums. He's straight up awful. The guitar is pathetic and a joke that sounds the same, not only on every song, but on all of his albums too. He is a one trick pony and it's a terrible trick. No mas por favor.
1
Apr 18 2024
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Kind Of Blue
Miles Davis
I didn't love this album. I liked it a lot and it was very nice to do some school work whilst listening to it but I didn't love it. I did like the sax men wombo combo of Cannonball and Coltrane, but that's because I am a little biased towards the saxophone. I did not however very much enjoy the trumpet, but that is through no fault of Miles Davis. He is a phenomenal trumpet player I just am not a big trumpet/brass kinda guy, I think it sounds too bright and tinny for my taste. My favorite parts of this album (kinda surprisingly to me) were the parts where it was just the piano, the bass, and the drummer keeping time in the background. It was very lovely.
4
Apr 19 2024
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Foxbase Alpha
Saint Etienne
This was, once again, not an album I needed to hear before I died. It was boring, uninspired, lackadaisical, and generally kinda stupid. I could not tell you what the point of the album was at all. The samples were just strange (the one asking Willy if he wanted any sweets was particularly stupid and annoying). Was this supposed to be revolutionary or impressive cause it was neither. Does not deserve to be on this list at all.
2
Apr 22 2024
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Straight Outta Compton
N.W.A.
This is the stuff that ruined hip-hop/rap for years. There is no justifying this, and definitely no justifying this being on this list. It's just violence, misogyny, and drugs. All this album does is glorify the depravity of humanity. There is nothing redeemable about this album. Stuff like this is the reason I stayed away from rap for so long. Gangsta rap is up there for me as a contender for one of the worst genres of music of all time.
1
Apr 23 2024
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The Suburbs
Arcade Fire
This album probably had a shot at getting a 5 from me if I hadn't listened to the second half after watching the Bruins lose tragically. It still gets a solid 4, I really liked the lyricism and the way they told the story of suburbia and nostalgia and looking back on where you came from. The instrumentation was also really solid and had some very nice variety. Liked that they switched up the lead vocalist every now and then, variety is the spice of life. Solid album.
4
Apr 24 2024
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Heaven Or Las Vegas
Cocteau Twins
Totally whatever. Really did nothing for me. Didn't hate it but it just really was quite boring. I couldn't understand a word of what she was saying and it felt like there was no passion to it, just sounds. I mean I guess it didn't sound bad so that's cool I guess. Really not my cup of tea, very uninspiring.
2
Apr 25 2024
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Back to Basics
Christina Aguilera
Eh, I mean she can sing and has an incredible voice but WHY WITH THE DOUBLE ALBUM. I hate double albums don't understand the point of them. Anyways I also don't really understand why this album was on the list, there really wasn't anything super special about it beside's her voice. Her songwriting abilities are mid at best, the only reason this album doesn't get a lower score is because of her voice.
2
Apr 26 2024
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Heroes to Zeros
The Beta Band
Honestly I was expecting to hate this album with every fiber of my being. I did not. I thoroughly enjoyed this. Maybe it was because I was listening to this after studying for o chem all day and the vibe was just what I was looking for. Maybe it was because it was super low-key and they didn't seem to take themselves stupidly seriously. Whatever the reason I really liked this one. What an unexpected, pleasant surprise.
4
Apr 29 2024
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Diamond Life
Sade
Totally and utterly mid. Her voice is pretty good I guess but the songwriting is just the same sort of feeling over and over. Did absolutely nothing for me. Very boring, very bland, not nearly special enough that I NEEDED to listen to this before I died.
2
Apr 30 2024
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The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady
Charles Mingus
I would really like to give this a 3.5 but I can't so imma give it a 3 because I didn't love the chaos. I really liked the piano and trombone but I felt that it felt kinda scattered and spastic in places and I didn't love that. The trumpet was cool at first but I kinda got over it after the first little bit. Other than those two things it was pretty groovy.
3
May 01 2024
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Raw Like Sushi
Neneh Cherry
Boring and stupid. This should not be on this list, the amount of sub par pop/hip hop albums on this list is astounding. Really dumb. Not impressive at all, just stupid. Did not like.
2
May 03 2024
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My Aim Is True
Elvis Costello
Very solid. Liked all the different sounds and styles he had on this. He had stuff that was fast and fun, slower and more poignant, and then kinda funky stuff. The variety was really nice. His voice sounded pretty good and the instrumentation, while simple, was still quite nice, it wasn't pretentious sounding. Also the whole album was pretty short which was nice.
4
May 06 2024
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Different Class
Pulp
Very nice album, thought they sounded great, production was really good. Loved the stories the songs told, tracks 1, 3, and 5 were my personal favorites. Didn't love how preoccupied they seemed to be with sex although they were telling stories about people and society so I suppose that makes sense. Very solid album.
4
May 07 2024
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Slippery When Wet
Bon Jovi
Quintessential 80's. While I don't love hair bands and hair metal, this is a pretty solid album. They have three all time classics that are mandatory to sing along to and a couple surprises that I really liked in "Raise Your Hands" and "I'd Die for You". Yes, most of it is cheesy, over the top, and extravagant but that's what makes it fun. Sometimes that's all music needs to be is just fun. Their hair was kinda ridiculous though I could not imagine having to deal with that much hair all the time. Also their guitarist Sambora was surprisingly really good. Like really, really good. Did not expect that from a hair metal group.
4
May 08 2024
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The Low End Theory
A Tribe Called Quest
Pretty solid hip hop rap album. The lyrics were pretty solid and I liked how they actually told stories for a lot of the songs. Kinda sad to see where hip hop has gone since this album.
4
May 09 2024
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Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes
I’m not a huge fan of indie music in general cause it’s usually incredibly boring and everybody seems to LOVE it but this was pretty good. The folksy feel to it was quite nice and nice break from what we have been having listening to. The vocals were superb and the harmonies were great. It was really nice to listen to a band with great vocals. The only critique I have that prevents it from being a 5 is that it’s just kinda tame and boring. It’s very much dinner party music which, while nice enough to listen to, is not something I would sit back down and listen to again.
4
May 10 2024
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Searching For The Young Soul Rebels
Dexys Midnight Runners
This dudes voice is AWFUL. Seriously he’s on par with Bob Dylan for me (and that’s really saying something). Does he try to make his voice sounds this bad? Is this something he’s worked at? He’s completely unintelligible and painful to listen to. The only reason this isn’t a 1 is because of the instrumentation, the horns and others were nice but my goodness his voice is PAINFUL. Not worthy to be on this list and should not have been forced to listen to.
2
May 13 2024
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Sheer Heart Attack
Queen
I don't get all the hype. Yeah Freddy Mercury can sing pretty well and play the piano pretty well but I don't understand why they are held up like gods in rock. I just don't think they sound that original and they sound kinda pretentious. I dunno maybe it's just cause they're not my style. The production was really well done though they sounded very crisp.
3
May 14 2024
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Funeral
Arcade Fire
Preferred "The Suburbs" over this. Not sure what whoever that mixed this was thinking but his voice was absolutely buried under the instruments, could not tell a darn thing he was saying. Musically it was nice but seriously I could not tell you a single word that he said and that kinda annoyed me. Also I felt like Win's voice sounded better in "The Suburbs" than it did in this but it wasn't an awful album just very meh.
3
May 15 2024
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Tellin’ Stories
The Charlatans
Congratulations to the makers of this list they have now added another genre of music for me to hate in Brit Pop. This is the album that finally did it for me. Everyone who compared them to Oasis was right and I hate Oasis so this sucked. His voice was terrible, whiny, stupid sounding, and he sounded kinda like Bob Dylan on a couple songs which was a double kick in the teeth. The only good tracks were the two instrumental ones where I didn't have to hear his voice. There is nothing about Brit Pop that makes it worthy to be on a list of albums I NEED to listen to before I died. This was stupid, whiny, boring, dull, and not enjoyable.
2
May 16 2024
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Back To Black
Amy Winehouse
Her voice reminded me a lot of Adele, which was nice. Both her voice and musical style were very enjoyable along with the overall feel of the album but I can’t rate this higher than a 3 because of the lyrics. They’re so sad especially in light of how soon after this she died of the very life she was condoning in this album. If the lyrics had a better purpose to them this would probably be getting a 4.
3
May 17 2024
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Drunk
Thundercat
I'm just kinda mildly confused. His voice sounded good although it did sound kinda autotuned. The overall production of this album honestly reminded me of psychedelic type music mixed with r&b. It was all kinda confusing, although musically I didn't think it sounded too bad. It did kinda all blend together there by the end although the collabs were pretty nice. I dunno I don't really understand why this is on the list nor do I think this was spectacular or anything. It was fine as background music but otherwise all he talked about was getting high which I couldn't really relate to. The album cover gets two thumbs up though.
2
May 20 2024
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Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Elton John
I have now discovered that I am not a big fan of Sir Elton. I mean his voice and piano sounds great and he's a lot better than a lot of the crap we've had to endure on this list but I am just not a fan of his work or this album. I do find it kind of perplexing why I dislike so much of this album and yet I like Meatloaf so much but I think it comes down to the feel of the two artists. Elton just has too much glitz and glamor and overall pizzaz. Meatloaf felt more real and tangible and earthy. Also this album is just kinda too long it really could've been a wee bit shorter and maybe this would have gotten three then.
2
May 21 2024
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Crime Of The Century
Supertramp
Really liked this, did kinda remind me of Pink Floyd. I really liked the slower parts with the keyboard and saxophone contrasting with the heavier guitar parts coming in. The lyrics were really great too, loved the storytelling that went on in them. Didn’t love that almost every song was over 5 minutes but it’s a 70s rock album so what can you do. Really struggled on whether to give this a 5 instead but there were a couple tracks that I really didn’t connect with so imma give it a 4.
4
May 22 2024
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KE*A*H** (Psalm 69)
Ministry
Well I will never listen to that again or this band again. Did not like. However still think this was better than Korn. At the very least not every song was filled with braggadocious macho bs and misogyny. Yes some songs had some really bleh lyrics but I could barely understand what the dude was saying bc his voice was buried so far in the mix and there were effects on it half the time which was honestly a plus. Overall industrial metal is apparently not my thing.
2
May 23 2024
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Public Image: First Issue
Public Image Ltd.
England ought to be ashamed of itself. This was just as bad as their other album "Metal Box" that we had to endure. There's probably only about three other bands that have ever existed that I hate with as much passion as I do this sorry excuse for a band. Let's start with the songs. They're really, really bad. I don't care if they're supposed to be some sort of profound commentary on society and music and religion as an institution, they sound like crap. I mean just downright awful. Once again the only part of the songs that wasn't nails on chalkboard for me was the bass line. Everything else, the drums, guitar, and vocals, was just torture. If you wanted to drive me to insanity you would just need to play Public Image Ltd. and that would do it. Secondly, WHY WAS THERE A 56 MINUTE INTERVIEW WITH LYDON AT THE END??? Nobody cares what you have to say John, you're a terrible musician as well as being a bloated, conceited, arrogant wannabe philosopher who thinks he's the funniest thing the world has ever seen and the messiah of music. You're just not. You never have been and never will be. You are not and never will be "ten times better than anything else out there". I mean what an arrogant and pretentious statement to make?? How deluded and narcissistic can you be?? This was just a travesty and England ought to be ashamed that they produced such a band.
1
May 24 2024
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British Steel
Judas Priest
I really enjoyed this which I was not expecting. They can play really well and don’t just rely on playing some boring riff or progression over and over again for an entire song. The lyrics were interesting and solid. It sounded a lot like Metallica which was cool with me cause I like Metallica. I think the fact I had just had to endure another Public Image album before this one made this sound even better.
4
May 27 2024
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Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters
Look I love the Foo’s but I don’t understand why this is the album they chose to put on this list. It’s really solid (especially compared to a lot of the terrible tunes we’ve had to listen to) but they’ve got some other better, more complete and mature albums out there. Overall though it’s still a very solid album. The guitar riffs are great, the drums fill out the songs and drive them nicely, and the lyrics sound very cathartic. Cool to see where a band that became as big as the Foo’s started out at.
4
May 28 2024
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The Bends
Radiohead
I dunno I mean it’s okay. They sound good but honestly I prefer the sound and feel of “Creep”. I get it the band didn’t want to be pigeonholed but this album really didn’t do it for me. It sounded okay but just okay. I really don’t have any sort of real critiques of it it’s more like the songs just didn’t do it for me, there was no connection, nothing resonated with me. Also his voice starts to sound kinda whiny after a while so that didn’t help either. Don’t really get all the hype around Radiohead tbh.
3
May 29 2024
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Atomizer
Big Black
This was such a conflicting album for me. On the one hand I love, love, love the sound. Love the bass line being all over the place and super prominent, the songs being driven by the drums (drummer did a great job), and the guitar was great. Normally I don’t like a super bright, tinny sounding guitar but this worked within the context of the songs and the overall sound really, really well. However, I hated the lyrics. They ranged from super wonky to super gross and stupid. Did not like most of the songs lyrics and that’s a big hit to their star rating for me because of it. “Kerosene” is an absolute banger though.
2
May 30 2024
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The Atomic Mr Basie
Count Basie & His Orchestra
I mean it was a fine album to listen to. It sounded really good which is more than I can say for quite a few of the albums we've had, but I don't think it would ever rise above the level of background dinner music for me. I just don't really connect with jazz/big band music as much as other genres. It just doesn't really do it for me. Also I don't understand why this was on the list, sure it sounded fine but good/revolutionary enough for me to NEED to listen to it before I died? I don't really think so.
4
Jun 03 2024
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1984
Van Halen
Such a fun album. Are some of the lyrics shallow and questionable, sure. Are the songs relatively simple and lack real musical depth and complexity, yeah. Is the David Lee Roth the world’s greatest singer, no, no he is not (but he is a superb frontman). But do they have one of the greatest guitarists of all time? Absolutely without question. Eddie is an absolute beast. “Hot for Teacher” and “Girl Gone Bad” have some seriously underrated licks on them. “Panama” is just such a fun song along with “Jump”. The lyrics may be meh in places but Eddie more than makes up for it.
5
Jun 04 2024
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At Folsom Prison
Johnny Cash
Do I like country? I think I may, at least Cash. Loved this album. Normally I think live albums are dumb and don’t sound very good but this was great. You could hear the cheering from the crowd, the announcements over the intercom in the prison, Cash’s little asides to the crowd, it was great. Also who else is like “yah know what, imma record an album in a prison for a bunch of inmates and then include some songs from one of the inmates on it”. I don’t know of anybody else who would. The songs were all great, he is such a good storyteller and has the gravitas to tell darker stuff without it seeming fake and like it’s just for shock value. Really, really liked this album.
5
Jun 05 2024
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Penance Soiree
The Icarus Line
I mean it was okay. It kinda reminded me of The Vines. The lyrics were kinda meh but instrumentally it sounded pretty alright. I dunno this really didn’t sound that innovative or fresh to me just kinda some more meh garage rock. Don’t think this should’ve been on the list and don’t understand how it got critical acclaim and stuff it’s not that great.
3
Jun 06 2024
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Nothing's Shocking
Jane's Addiction
If this was made in a vacuum then I would give it a 3. However it was not and therefore will be receiving a 4. This is because this was such a unique sound when it came out. It changed the course of music and pushed it towards grunge and away from crappy, worthless pop and the hair metal. Personally I really don’t mind Farrell’s voice I know that can be a sore spot for some people. Dave Navarro is an absolute baller on the six string which was awesome to listen to. Also I loved the drums, they really helped propel the album along.
4
Jun 07 2024
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Oxygène
Jean-Michel Jarre
Somewhere there is an elevator in the Star Wars world that is playing this. Totally mid. I get that this is supposed to be a historic album or whatever but it sounds seriously dated and literally put me to sleep. Nothing happens in this entire album. It’s just spacey sci fi vibes.
2
Jun 10 2024
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Highway 61 Revisited
Bob Dylan
Oh my goodness. I cannot give this a 1 bc the instruments were good (with one exception) so it’s better than Leonard Cohen (but only marginally). HOWEVER, this album is still buns and Dylan is arguably the most overrated artist of all time. His voice remains like nails on chalkboard. He just flops around from word to word like a stoned fish out of water. His lyrics are STUPID. He’s like Beck but worse because everyone thinks he’s some sort of poet who captures the essence of America. HE’S NOT HIS SONGS JUST DONT MAKE SENSE AND YET EVERYONE ASSUMES THAT MEANS HE MUST BE A GENIUS. HE’S NOT. Also I mentioned this earlier and now will come back to it, the instrumentation was pretty good except for one instrument, the harmonica. It’s only natural that an artist as whiny and stupid sounding as Dylan would have a harmonica prominently featured on this album (and most of his others too). The harmonica is the most whiny and painful sounding instrument and Dylan doesn’t even play it well so it sounds even worse. This was a painful album from a wildly overrated artist that I never want to hear again in my life.
2
Jun 11 2024
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Surrealistic Pillow
Jefferson Airplane
It was okay. It was another 60s psychedelic rock album. “Somebody to Love” was a good song and otherwise there wasn’t anything super annoying which was nice. Also the songs weren’t stupidly long which was nice (unlike Bob Dylan). None of the other songs really did anything for me at all but I at least didn’t hate it so that’s something cause a lot of the stuff on this stupid list I do end of hating.
3
Jun 12 2024
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Myths Of The Near Future
Klaxons
Pretty solid. They kinda reminded me of The Strokes and Cage the Elephant. Pretty good overall, and enjoyable listen. The sound was very nice and crisp. They kept it interesting from song to song and had nice variety. Lyrics were kinda weird at times but nothing that made me do a double take. Would listen to again.
4
Jun 13 2024
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Arise
Sepultura
Thrash metal just really isn’t my style. I don’t like the guys voice, I hate how every thrash metal band has pretty much the same sound, it’s just some dude screaming into the mic while trying to make his voice sound deep and gravelly. They don’t do a very good job of it. The instruments all sound the same in thrash, you can barely tell what the guitars are playing, they’re basically just a rhythm section. The drums are the only bit that sound good. Overall this album was pretty meh, the lyrics were ok I guess, better than a lot of the other metal stuff we’ve had but still don’t love.
2
Jun 14 2024
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Deja Vu
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Quite enjoyed this album. Loved the harmonies and the musical skills displayed. The guitar sounded great loved the little electric riffs in a lot of the songs. I also liked how the acoustic was used thought it was great not just the stereotypical use of it as a rhythm instrument.
4
Jun 17 2024
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Hot Rats
Frank Zappa
I was gonna give this a 4 until “Gumbo Variations”. That song single-handedly brought this down a star. The saxophone sounded awful he sounded like a dying sheep bleating out its last breaths. Also the fiddle (or violin I dunno even what it was) sounded equally as bad and the song just kept going and going and going. Otherwise I found the first half of the album quite enjoyable. It was fun, funky and sounded good. For that it gets a 3.
3
Jun 18 2024
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Africa Brasil
Jorge Ben Jor
I enjoyed this even though I have not learned any more Portuguese between this album and the last Brazilian group we listened to. It was very upbeat and joyful sounding and pretty funky too. Even though I couldn’t understand a lick of what he was saying I enjoyed it.
4
Jun 19 2024
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Me Against The World
2Pac
I was expecting to hate this cause I typically hate gangsta rap but I actually kinda enjoyed it. I’d like to give it a 3.5 but I can’t so it’s gonna get a 4 and I will explain why. He didn’t glorify the thug life so much as explain it as a matter of necessity and a product of how he was brought up. I appreciated that and the fact that he was very cognizant of the repercussions of his lifestyle and the wake of death that it leaves behind. You can’t say the same for very many other rappers. I don’t think he quite deserves the god tier status that he occupies in rap/pop culture and I don’t really understand why he’s so deified but that’s a minor point.
4
Jun 20 2024
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Pieces Of The Sky
Emmylou Harris
She’s got a great voice. I loved the storytelling and the way she sang them. I know almost all of them weren’t written by her but I really don’t have a problem with that, there’s nothing wrong with acknowledging somebody else’s song as really good and you wanting to sing it. That’s some pretty big kudos to that artist. Thought she sounded great this was a nice listen.
4
Jun 21 2024
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White Light / White Heat
The Velvet Underground
Just because your music is dIfFeReNt and aRtSy doesn’t make it good. After the first song I was like oh okay maybe this won’t be that bad. This song was okay even it Reed was just repeating the same things over and over (same thing for tracks 4 and 5). Then I got to track 2. Who puts a spoken word track on an album. It was bad. The story was stupid and really depressing and had no purpose being on the album other than making me hate it. Then track 3 happened which I didn’t like either. Track 4 was okay just like track 1. Track 5 was good up until the 2 and half minute attempted guitar solo that’s was BUNS. Then track 6. I mean what the heck guys. Why. First off it’s almost 18 minutes long. Secondly it’s AGAIN the same lyrics just repeated over and over and over. Then there’s another terrible attempt at a guitar solo that hurt me inside. This album was just pathetic. Did not deserve to be on this list and don’t want to ever hear it again.
1
Jun 24 2024
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American IV: The Man Comes Around
Johnny Cash
This is such an incredible album. Cash’s voice is what makes this album so powerful. It sounds so troubled and world weary and this gives the album such a gravitas. His cover of “Hurt” is just spectacular. So, so good. There’s such emotion and power from Cash with just his voice, a guitar, and piano. Very few artists can do the same with such a stripped down accompaniment. This album is even more powerful sounding because it was his last. In my opinion this album is bulletproof.
5
Jun 25 2024
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Wild Is The Wind
Nina Simone
Eh. Her voice really didn’t do it for me it was too fluttery. The songs were just kinda the same vibe from song to song so this album was just kinda meh. I really didn’t think this was all that special of an album personally. Musically and instrumentally I thought it sounded good but that was about it.
3
Jun 26 2024
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Future Days
Can
It was better than I expected. It was kinda nice and vibey good background music. I really didn’t think this was anything too spectacular so I don’t really know why this was on the list but whatever. I do wish the last song wasn’t almost 20 minutes long that’s just too long.
3
Jun 27 2024
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Hysteria
Def Leppard
There are only two hair metal bands that I find acceptable: Van Halen (bc Eddie may he rest in peace) and Bon Jovi cause they have some actually good songs. Def Leppard is not one of them. This album and this band is ridiculous and just awful. This is neither metal nor hard rock it’s just some pop artists who think they know rock. It’s quite disgusting. All of their songs sound the exact same. All of their lyrics are just about girls, sex, partying, and drinking. Dudes really have a one track mind. Musically they all sound the same. EXACT SAME. Some might say oH bUt ThEy HaD sEvEn SiNgLeS. WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO BE IMPRESSED BY THAT? Seven carbon copy singles. Big freaking whoop. This band is a disgrace to anything resembling rock, they’re absolute trash and deserve no place on this list.
1
Jun 28 2024
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Aqualung
Jethro Tull
I actually liked this. I know a lot of peeps did not like the flute but I thought it added a fun little line above the music that most other groups don’t have. Didn’t mind his voice, thought the guitar and bass worked well with the flute and I really liked the riffs. It sounded like a nice fusion of folky kinda stuff with rock. Pretty enjoyable.
4
Jul 01 2024
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The Number Of The Beast
Iron Maiden
I surprisingly really enjoyed this. I was expecting much more of like a screamo thrash type stuff cause I’ve never listened to Iron Maiden. Thankfully it was not like that at all. Honestly they reminded me kinda of Metallica/Guns N’ Roses mashup with the guitar shredding and Bruce Dickinson’s voice with the vibrato. I also liked that the album had some songs with heavier societal topics rather than just songs about partying and stuff in that vein. “22 Acacia Avenue”, “Run for the Hills”, and “Gangland” all helped give this album more weight while not compromising on their sound. Very solid album over all. The cover art is pretty cool too.
4
Jul 02 2024
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Buena Vista Social Club
Buena Vista Social Club
If they had taken off like four or five songs from this album it would have gotten a 4 from me. It was really enjoyable and loved the sound. It was fun, festive, and full of life. Again, I really didn’t mind not being able to understand pretty much anything they were saying. However, I really wish this hadn’t been as long of an album, it started to drag about halfway to three quarters of the way through.
3
Jul 03 2024
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Apocalypse Dudes
Turbonegro
So at first I was like well this album may be getting a 4. I love the sound, it’s so punk and so fun, and the lyrics were kinda stupid but kinda funny. Then tracks 5 and 6 happened and I was like well now they’re down to a 3. I liked track 7. Then 8 and 9 were bleh and 10 was okay. 11 and 12 were pretty solid. And then we end on track 13. Because of that I think I’m going to land on a 2. Honestly if you could just cut out the lyrics for pretty much every song this album would be a 4 as just an instrumental.
2
Jul 04 2024
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Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Look as far as debuts go, this one is pretty cracker. The songs are varied from slow and sad to more upbeat and lively. “American Girl” is such an incredible song (maybe my favorite of Tom Petty’s) and is such a banger of a way to end the album, although it is an interesting choice to have it at the end but I love it. You can hear how much promise this group has and what they will become.
4
Jul 05 2024
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Calenture
The Triffids
Another totally mid 80s pop album. There was nothing special about it, but at least it wasn’t painful. It was typical over polished pop songs that were almost all about love and the drum line sounded exactly the same on every single song which really annoyed me but otherwise this was totally forgettable.
3
Jul 08 2024
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The Yes Album
Yes
Psychedelic rock is kinda hit or miss for me but I liked this one. The lyrics weren’t completely nonsensical drivel and the instruments sounded really nice. Loved the guitar and the drums. I didn’t mind the length because so much of it was instrumental bits and not stupid lyrics repeating over and over. Would listen to again.
4
Jul 09 2024
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Tea for the Tillerman
Cat Stevens
I actually quite liked this album a lot. The simple tunes were great, the storytelling equally great, I really, really liked this. His voice sounded great. The songs were simple without getting super repetitive and devolving into just some dude and an acoustic guitar around a campfire. Would recommend.
4
Jul 10 2024
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The White Album
Beatles
This album never really had a chance to be a 5 star because it’s a double. It’s just so long. Sure there’s some really solid songs on here. “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da”, “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” is just incredible love Harrison’s melancholy voice it’s perfect for this song. I also really liked “Yer Blues” and “Helter Skelter” hadn’t heard those before. But it’s just so long and “Revolution 9” is not what I want to be listening to towards the end especially since I wasn’t high as a kite while listening so really didn’t like that. Overall a solid album but not necessarily a great one.
4
Jul 11 2024
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Morrison Hotel
The Doors
This may be a hot take but I liked this one a lot more than L.A. Woman. I very much liked the variety, from upbeat twangy electric guitar to slower more plodding songs with a nice splash of blues all across. I liked the organ that was interspersed throughout. The storytelling was nice too, it wasn’t all coked out nonsense that only makes sense if you’re high as a kite. Pretty good album I would listen to this one again.
4
Jul 12 2024
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In It For The Money
Supergrass
This was so close to being a 5. It started off so strong and I loved it. It was like The Strokes but with less overdrive on everything. But alas they couldn’t keep it up. The second half of the album really drags and that’s what drops them to a 4. That and the fact it can be really hard to understand him at times. Otherwise it is a great album. I would totally listen to it again but maybe stop about half to 2/3 of the way through. Otherwise this was really solid. I was kinda concerned when it said it was BritPop that this was just gonna be another Oasis (🤮🤮🤮) wannabe but thankfully it was not.
4
Jul 15 2024
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Exile On Main Street
The Rolling Stones
I had never listened to a Rolling Stones album before so wasn’t really sure how much I would like 67 minutes of Mick Jager but I quite enjoyed it. I loved the overall feel and energy of the album. It was just always going there never came a point where I thought wow this really drags. That’s pretty hard to do typically on an album this long but they succeeded I thought. I also really liked all the horns on the album and the brass thought they added a nice touch (and kinda one I didn’t expect) and added some nice layers. Overall very enjoyable experience.
4
Jul 16 2024
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Figure 8
Elliott Smith
It was okay. I think that instrumentally it sounded good but his voice started to get on my nerves after about 4 songs and it was a 16 song album so that wasn’t great. Otherwise I don’t really see why this is on the list I mean it wasn’t bad but it wasn’t exactly extraordinary either. Totally mid and something I will forget I ever listened to in about 32 hours.
3
Jul 17 2024
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Emergency On Planet Earth
Jamiroquai
Well I mean that was an experience. On the one hand it felt like total cultural appropriation bc the white Brit sounded like Stevie wonder and the lyrics reminded me of Bob Marley with all the social activism and stuff. I also felt like they were trying too hard to be socially relevant and woke before it was cool. On the other hand I thought they sounded pretty alright musically it was funky and alright. I also don’t understand why they’re on the list. They’re some second rate Brit funk wanna be and I didn't need to hear this before I died.
3
Jul 18 2024
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Risque
CHIC
Bleh. I already knew I wasn’t gonna like this from the other Chic album we had to listen to and I was right. There’s a reason disco is dead. Each song just drags on and on and on and on. The lyrics are just the same crap repeated over and over and over and over. The only reason this isn’t a 1 is because the bass lines are solid and Nile Rodgers can play the guitar really well. Otherwise this album was unpleasant to experience just like the last one. Disco should stay dead.
2
Jul 19 2024
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Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1
George Michael
This was a very nice listen. I had never heard any of George Michael’s solo work before and I’m glad I now have. His voice is incredible and sounds so, so good. The songs lyrically were divers, not just a bunch of feel good, sound good pop fluff. The Stevie Wonder cover was very well done. Overall this was just a great album. The only reason it’s not a 5 is that many of the songs, while they sounded really good, didn’t really connect with me. Otherwise very well made and sounding album.
4
Jul 22 2024
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Ágætis Byrjun
Sigur Rós
This was quite the album. I wasn’t really sure what to expect with Icelandic post rock but it was not this. I think if I had been listening to this on a cold, gray day then this would have gotten a 5 because that would be perfect for this album. However I was not so it’s getting a 4. It was very soothing and whimsical in its sound. Honestly it almost put me to sleep (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing). I really didn’t mind that I couldn’t understand a single word cause it helped me to focus on the overall feel and tone of the album rather than splitting my attention between the musical side of it and the lyrics. Overall very interesting album and what I hoped to be introduced to by this list.
4
Jul 23 2024
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Amnesiac
Radiohead
I just don’t get it. We already had one Radiohead album and I didn’t love it thought it was just mid. This one I actively disliked. Everyone raves over how good they are, how forward thinking they are, how monumental and epic of a band they are. I just don’t get it. The dude cannot sing. He sounds terrible and so freaking whiny. The lyrics are just meaningless drivel. He just drags each word out waaaaaaaaaaaay too long. You can’t understand what he's saying at all and even when you do it makes zero sense. I just don’t understand why they are so revered when this is what they put out. They are one of the most overrated bands in history. The only reason this isn’t a 1 is because if you took out whiny boy the tracks would have sounded at least decent if not pretty good. So wildly overrated.
2
Jul 24 2024
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They Were Wrong, So We Drowned
Liars
This was terrible. The cover art looks like it was made by 10 year olds and the music sounds the same. The lyrics are trying to be all mysterious and edgy but they’re just weird and nonsensical. Even the instrumentation sounded like it was being played by a bunch of middle schoolers who just found out how to play instruments. This was garbage and I don’t understand why it’s on the list.
1
Jul 25 2024
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Chicago Transit Authority
Chicago
I actually quite liked this. I was initially put off by the length of the album but the songs were so good I didn’t mind. The guitarist and drummer were on point the entire time (except for that weird track “Free Form Guitar”). The horn section sounded great I really liked the long instrumental parts to each song. I do wish the last song wasn’t quite as long but it sounded really good so it’s whatever. Really well done album the band sounds great.
4
Jul 26 2024
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Sweetheart Of The Rodeo
The Byrds
It was okay country. The vocals were totally mid and the instruments were kinda forgettable. This whole album, while it sounded fine, was just very forgettable. I don’t really know why this was on the list. Pretty meh.
3
Jul 29 2024
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Gunfighter Ballads And Trail Songs
Marty Robbins
Pretty solid. I thought this album was gonna be a total drag but I quite enjoyed it. “Big Iron” was probably my favorite song so it’s kinda unfortunate that the album starts with that but that’s okay. Reminds me of Johnny Cash at least in his style of writing and story telling ability.
4
Jul 30 2024
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Illinois
Sufjan Stevens
You know this could’ve been a 5 if it wasn’t so bleeding long. I thought his voice sounded really nice, same with the songs. It was all very flowing and melodic. The song titles were super weird but that’s whatever. I liked the little instrumental tracks throughout. Did not like that this song was over an hour long. That’s just too long.
4
Jul 31 2024
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The Colour Of Spring
Talk Talk
This was totally mid. It sounded fine but that was it. There wasn’t anything that made me go wow that’s really good. It totally faded to the background pretty fast. Couldn’t even tell you a single lyric from the album. Really don’t understand why this is supposed to be some incredible album or band for that matter.
3
Aug 01 2024
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The Band
The Band
Totally mid “southern” rock. Really just very bland. The songs just kinda blended together and none of the dudes voices sounded any good. The are a joke especially when you call yourself “The Band”. Totally mid.
3
Aug 02 2024
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Clandestino
Manu Chao
This week has been nothing but mediocre albums that I could’ve died having been content never having heard. His voice was good but I didn’t understand very much at all due to my Spanish not being muy bueno. The one song in English I didn’t like it didn’t flow at all. I would give this a 3.5 if I could but I can’t so it gets a tres.
3
Aug 05 2024
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You Want It Darker
Leonard Cohen
This was so much better than all his other crap that everyone loves for some reason. His voice actually sounds good (reminds me of Mark Lanegan may he rest in peace), much better than his other albums. Also he changed from nothing but acoustic guitar! I’m so proud it only took him his entire music career to do it. The strings and piano accompaniments were great. They added variety and nice ambiance to complement his voice. The lyrics also made some sense and weren’t just random poetry that everyone seems to love even though it’s gibberish. Overall I really wish his other albums sounded like this, this one was great.
4
Aug 06 2024
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Natty Dread
Bob Marley & The Wailers
Felt like I was right back at work (thank you Joe). I do love Bob Marley just to have in the background. It’s such a great vibe and he’s such a great artist at making good vibes. But the flip side (and this is what makes him so good) if you really listen to the lyrics they’ve got some oomph to them which can be a tough line to walk for many artists. Overall a very great album. Solid vibes man.
4
Aug 07 2024
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Queen Of Denmark
John Grant
I really liked the majority of this album. His voice was great, the musicality was great, it sounded really smooth and polished. I loved the differing varieties and feels to the differing songs. The only critique I have is track 10. I get what he was doing with it but at the end where he just said a bunch of slurs I just felt that kinda ruined the song for me. He had accomplished his goal so far throughout the song without that being necessary so I just don’t really know why he added that at the end. Otherwise very nice album.
4
Aug 08 2024
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The Only Ones
The Only Ones
As soon as this fool started yodelling I knew it was gonna be a long 42 minutes. His voice is 🤮🤮🤮. I mean it’s not quite Bob Dylan bad but boy is it close. Everything else was great. The guitar, the bass, the drums, even the occasional horns were okay. But his voice was just awful. The lyrics were meh. The instruments saved this from being a 1 for me.
2
Aug 09 2024
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Cut
The Slits
Welp another “punk” British band that’s supposed to be glorious that is a total flop. The only reason this isn’t a 1 is cause the lyrics aren’t too bad although tbh I did fall asleep for about half the album cause it was that uninteresting and not entertaining at all. I don’t get what’s supposed to make them so special. Totally bleh and could’ve been just fine dying without ever having heard them.
2
Aug 12 2024
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Neon Bible
Arcade Fire
Quite enjoyed this. Much like “The Suburbs” it had a very nice sound and the lyrics, while they didn’t make 100% sense 100% of the time, were at least interesting and attention grabbing. I thought Win’s voice sounded good, much better than on “Funeral” which I did not like nearly as much. Overall a very solid album that I would listen to again.
4
Aug 13 2024
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Aja
Steely Dan
Pretty solid. Ngl had it on while unpacking my stuff in my room so wasn’t paying it the fullest of attentions but it was enjoyable as nice background stuff. Nice vibe, would listen to again, wouldn’t mind if someone put it on.
4
Aug 14 2024
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Crosby, Stills & Nash
Crosby, Stills & Nash
I was expecting this to be a solid 4 for me but I think this deserves a 5. The harmonies are just so, so good. Not only do the vocals sound incredible but so does the instruments as well. The lyrics are great as well have depth and tell stories. I really, really liked this album a lot I would totally listen to it again. It’s a great vibe and such a pleasure to listen to.
5
Aug 15 2024
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Licensed To Ill
Beastie Boys
Look it’s not their best album but it’s just so much fun to listen to. The energy doesn’t ever drop at any point. Each song leads into the next and makes you want to get up and go. Do some/most have questionable lyrics, sure. But the energy and wonky lyrics I think makes up for that. These guys don’t take themselves seriously at all which I think is what makes them so good and fun to listen to.
5
Aug 16 2024
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Elastica
Elastica
Another day another bleh Brit pop band. I don’t understand why there’s so many on the list, it wasn’t a good time for music then and unlike a fine wine it has not gotten better with age. I could not understand what the chick was saying most of the time and music was just meh at best. There wasn’t anything extraordinary about this album at all. Also the album starting off with the one guy in the band grunting/moaning or whatever that was was not a good start. Didn’t need to hear this totally bleh album.
2
Aug 19 2024
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The Genius Of Ray Charles
Ray Charles
Okay so the only reason this isn’t getting a 5 is because of the big band stuff in the first half of the album. I’m just not a big band fan. It’s too much, too many instruments clashing together. Also it completely overshadows Ray’s voice which is kinda the whole point of the album. His voice is just so, so good. He sings with his soul. He makes every song sound achingly beautiful (at least for the second half). The slower stuff is where he really shines. Really great album.
4
Aug 20 2024
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Let's Stay Together
Al Green
Solid 4. At first I was kinda in between a 3 and a 4 because every song was about a woman and love gone wrong but then I realised that it was still a very nice album to listen to. His voice sounded good, musically it was on point, each song was unique. Overall nice album and one I wouldn’t mind someone putting on.
4
Aug 21 2024
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Your Arsenal
Morrissey
Very nice listen. I like Morrissey’s voice quite a bit I find it kinda soothing. The songs were nice and a pleasant experience to listen to which is more than can be said for many albums we’ve had (cough cough Bob Dylan cough cough). Very solid.
4
Aug 22 2024
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Californication
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Such a great album. They sound so good, the songs have range and variety from catchy and fun to slow and more melancholy, like "Porcelain". Then you have some real classics on there with "Around the World" (which is such a great way to kick off an album), "Otherside" (which was the first Chilis song that I can recall listening to and really liking), "Scar Tissue" (first Chilis song I learned on guitar), and "Californication" (which is one of their all time best songs). Top to bottom its just great music, everyone in the band is on point and it doesn't have any super weird, super sexual songs like "Sir Psycho Sexy" which kinda ruined Blood Sugar Sex Magik for me. Overall awesome album.
5
Aug 26 2024
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Highway to Hell
AC/DC
When I saw this was the album I sighed. I just don’t like AC/DC. It’s the vocals. Bon Scott isn’t any better than Brian Johnson, in fact I think they sound eerily similar. This is sad because if it was anybody with decent vocals this album (and Back in Black) would probably be 4’s. If you take out the vocals it’s a solid album. Angus Young is an absolute hoss on the guitar and that was great. Everything is great except the vocals, and that really, really hurts this album’s rating (and my ears) so it’s a 3 for me (only because of Angus).
3
Aug 27 2024
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1999
Prince
This album was hanging onto a 2 only because of "Little Red Corvette". Then "Automatic" came on and it all went down hill real fast. I just don't get Prince, I don't get the appeal, either from his music or his style, none of it makes sense to me. This dude had a one track mind. All he talked about in this album was sex, sex, and more sex. This album was just awful. It didn't help that every other song was like 8 minutes long. You can hate me if you want but this dude was just not it. I do not understand why he is so revered if this is the stuff that he put out.
1
Aug 28 2024
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3 Years, 5 Months And 2 Days In The Life Of...
Arrested Development
This was a very nice experience (so much better than yesterday's album). I really liked this album, it was just very enjoyable to listen to. They lyrics were refreshingly uplifting, had depth to them, and (this was probably most surprising to me) were pro-faith which isn't normally something that occurs in rap/hip-hop. I really liked the way they seemed to approach and view life and society, was a refreshingly different take from the gangsta rap that helped ruin rap. Overall really enjoyed this album and wouldn't mid somebody putting it on again. Also I love the closest dude's clothes on the cover they look super snazzy.
4
Aug 29 2024
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All Hope Is Gone
Slipknot
So much better than Korn. I was really expecting another "Follow the Leader" album and I am so, so, so glad it's not that. I actually quite liked this album. Yes the masks are kinda kitschy, but the music was solid I thought. The dude can actually sing (which is much more than I can say for Jonathan Davis). Also he doesn't try to do any stupid scatting (like Jonathan Davis 🤮). They can seriously play their respective instruments, the drums were awesome, just straight fire. I also appreciated that every song wasn't completely overrun with double kick drum cause I feel like that happens a lot in metal. Also the lyrics weren't complete trash which was really quite a surprise and nice. Were they pretty dark in places, sure, but they at least had meaning and weren't the mindless gratuitous violence of Korn. Very surprised but would listen to again.
4
Aug 30 2024
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In Utero
Nirvana
So, so good and such a great example of grunge. Is this Nirvana's best album, no, but is it still straight fire? Absolutely. All of the songs on here help showcase and channel all the angst and snarl that was in Nevermind and then let it off the leash. "Dumb" remains one of my favorite Nirvana songs along with "Heart Shaped Box". Kurt does a really good job of channeling his emotions into each and every song and lyric which makes it even more tragic that his death wasn't prevented.
5
Sep 02 2024
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Can't Buy A Thrill
Steely Dan
Very solid. An enjoyable album that I wouldn't mind if someone put on again. The lyrics are fun and interesting, the sound is great, harmonies are fantastic. The only thing I have (and it's kinda nitpicky) is that the songs kinda blend together to a degree but thats not too bad cause they sound good. Overall really solid album that sounded really nice.
4
Sep 03 2024
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Purple Rain
Prince
Honestly I kind of struggled with whether to give this a 3 or a 4 which is absolutely shocking to me considering how much I despise 1999. I think the reason I'm gonna give it a 3 instead of a 4 is because of tracks 3 and 5. I really didn't like them, 3 because there was waaaaay too much falsetto and 5 because I don't want to hear about how horny Prince is, I already had an entire album of that in 1999. However, "Let's Go Crazy", "When Doves Cry", and "Purple Rain" are just bangers there's no two ways about it. This was a much better album than 1999 but I don't feel bad that I only know Prince's hits, his other stuff has been either bleh or just meh so far.
3
Sep 04 2024
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Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age
I actually quite enjoyed this, I loved the kinda slow fuzzy guitar, the overall feel of it. Loved that there were instrumental tracks on it, the lyrics were interesting, the songs varied in their speed and overall feel, would listen to again.
4
Sep 05 2024
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Billion Dollar Babies
Alice Cooper
Good album. Liked the kinda weird lyrics (except the last song that was just strange). The instrumentation was nice and loved the way everything was put together. Sounded really good and a nice and enjoyable listen.
4
Sep 06 2024
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Isn't Anything
My Bloody Valentine
Such a stupid, stupid album. Can’t tell what the blithering idiot who’s singing is saying (and I really don’t care after all that anyways), the instruments sound like they’re all being played wrong and out of time, and the whole experience made me feel nothing but frustration and annoyance. Maybe there’s a reason nobody had never made music like this before, it’s cause it sucks, is boring, uninteresting, and vague. Stupid album that never should have been on the list and I never want to hear again.
1
Sep 09 2024
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Debut
Björk
Okay look I'm sure this was all cool and innovative and boundary pushing when it came out but that was 31 years ago and I'm not sure it has retained that. The biggest problem I have with this is her voice. I know she's speaking English but I have no idea what she's saying about 90% of the time. The music is cool and funky though which is nice but most of the songs kinda sound the same and again, not a fan of her voice. Also the sweater she's wearing looks really itchy.
2
Sep 10 2024
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Jagged Little Pill
Alanis Morissette
Okay the only thing holding this album back from being a 5 is her voice. She does not sound good when singing and doing the weird scream/groan/grunt whatever it was that she did a bunch in the opening track and then sometimes throughout the album was unpleasant. Otherwise I loved the lyrics they were witty, funny, and made you think. Musically it sounded really good. I just cannot stand her voice or the song "Ironic". The only thing ironic about that song is that NONE OF THE THINGS IN THE SONG ARE ACTUALLY IRONIC. It really bothers me.
4
Sep 11 2024
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For Your Pleasure
Roxy Music
I loved this album. I really liked the one we already listened to by Roxy Music (even though nobody else did apparently) and I really, really enjoyed this one too. The lyrics were fun, interesting and kinda poked fun at various areas. The random saxophone solos were an unexpected and fun little surprise that I liked. The other instruments sounded really good, the production on this thing was really great. I will admit the last three tracks were probably the weakest on the album but overall very solid album and one I would definitely listen to again. Nice little surprise this one.
5
Sep 12 2024
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American Gothic
David Ackles
Look if an album has remained undiscovered for 52 years maybe it just isn't good. This felt like some strange musical soundtrack, which is not my preferred genre. The dude just kept telling random, weird stories that didn't resonate with me. Also the actual music felt tacky and forced. Also didn't like his voice reminded me of like a lighter, worse, not Australian version of Nick Cave at times, which I didn't like cause it felt like a rip off. This album was just bleh.
2
Sep 13 2024
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Psychocandy
The Jesus And Mary Chain
At first I was like "okay a lot of distortion but there's some catchy hooks and lyrics buried underneath, I can get behind this". Then after about the ninth song I was like "okay guys it's just the same schtick over and over again". Each song sounds very much the same which is disappointing. That's probably my biggest complaint is just the repetitiveness of the album. Also using crazy fuzz on every single song just kinda dulls your overall use of it, too much of a good thing and all that. Really disappointed me beginning was pretty strong.
2
Sep 16 2024
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Getz/Gilberto
Stan Getz
I was in a good mood when I sat down to listen to this and this only served to elevate that so it's getting a 5. Such an immaculate vibe, the music has such a close and intimate feel, very personal. Loved the vocals, didn't matter that I couldn't understand most of it cause it wasn't in English, I did not care, honestly I think that kind of enhanced the experience. Sounded really good for being recorded in the mid '60s. I would listen to this again. "The Girl from Ipanema" was the best track on here but it all was really solid.
5
Sep 17 2024
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Ramones
Ramones
I know this is kinda sacrilegious to say as a punk fan but I had never actually listened to the Ramones before now. Now that I have I can safely say this album is bulletproof punk in my humble opinion. Each song is like 3 or 4 power chords, it's fast, it's kinda rough, ain't too polished sounding. It honestly sounds like just 4 guys playing in someone's basement and I love it. It makes it so much more personable and enjoyable. The lyrics are fun, kinda stupid, but also kinda genius in parts which is the line that, when punk walks it well, is at its best. I mean they have a song about sniffing glue that made me laugh when I saw it. Just a great album from top to bottom from some of the legit OG's of punk.
5
Sep 18 2024
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Apocalypse 91… The Enemy Strikes Black
Public Enemy
Look, this is a great album from a great group. They lyrics (for the most part) have a lot of purpose and intentionality behind them, they are about actual issues not just stupid gangsta rap bs and Chuck D has incredible delivery. The Bomb Squad is also great, love them. However I just don't understand why Flavor Flav is even a part of the group. Like what is he bringing to the table? I feel like he's kinda a joke, he doesn't have the same intensity as Chuck and just sort of appears on random tracks. I really feel like he undercuts a lot of the seriousness on this album and I think that kinda hurts it. Still great overall.
4
Sep 19 2024
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The New Tango
Astor Piazzolla
I just don’t get it. Why was it on the list? It wasn’t impressive and didn’t make me go wow at any point. I honestly can’t believe people paid and chose to listen to this for an hour of their lives. Really stupid I don’t get why this was on here or why I needed to listen to it. Whateve
2
Sep 20 2024
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Ingenue
k.d. lang
This album deserves a 4 but depending on my mood I could totally give this a 3 and be okay with that. There's a couple songs that are kinda upbeat like track 3 and track 7, but otherwise it's all slower stuff. Thats not really a bad thing but when it's an entire album of that it can get a little old by the end. She does a great job with the slower stuff, has a great voice. Track 7 was my personal favorite off this album.
4
Sep 23 2024
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Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots
The Flaming Lips
I'm absolutely shocked i'm doing this but I'm giving this a 3. At first I was thinking this was a 2 at best but I think that was mostly because I really didn't like The Soft Bulletin. This I liked a whole lot more. The only thing holding this album back from a 4 or even a 5 is the fact that Wayne Coyne cannot sing. He always sounds out of tune. It sucks. Seriously if almost anyone else had been doing the vocals (besides Bob Dylan) I would have had no problem giving this a 4 maybe even a 5. But instead we have dear old Wayne yodeling away for 47 minutes. Loved the ethereal feel, the psychedelic feel, the storyline (especially at the beginning that was fun), and way they kind of switched between serious and kinda silly with the lyrics. Great album, shame that their frontman can't sing.
3
Sep 24 2024
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Home Is Where The Music Is
Hugh Masekela
Solid 4. It's very nice music to listen to, great to have on in the background. It doesn't really grab my attention and demand I give it respect but that's okay not every album needs to do that. I thought everyone played their instrument really well, they sounded really good, the sounds sounded different so it didn't just feel like one gigantic song for an hour (I feel like some jazz albums do that). Overall nice listen would put on again maybe not regularly though.
4
Sep 25 2024
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Dig Me Out
Sleater-Kinney
It’s okay. I mean the lyrics are solid, the instruments sound good, like the punk overall feel but I am not a fan of her voice. It’s just too much, can’t understand what she’s saying, it doesn’t really sound good, just very eh for me. That’s my only big complaint for this album. I also don’t really feel like it does anything particularly awesome that makes me go wow so I don’t really know why it’s on this list but you know I’ve said that a lot so it is what it is.
3
Sep 26 2024
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The Slider
T. Rex
Totally mid and typical glam rock. There’s very little going on musically, it’s just kinda the same lyrics repeated over and over again, the band thinks they’re really cool, totally mid. Just whatever don’t understand why I needed to hear this before I died.
3
Sep 27 2024
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Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music
Ray Charles
Look, Ray Charles had an incredible voice. He sounded great on this album. The problems I have with it are that it is 1. A double album and over an hour long and 2. Every single song is about a woman that he either can't have or broke his heart in some way. Every. Single. Song. Like seriously can the man not come up with some other material to sing about? Is there nothing else in his life or the world that captivates him? It just makes for a very long 74 minutes when every song has the same topic.
3
Sep 30 2024
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Bossanova
Pixies
I don't know why I haven't listened to the Pixies before this. So good, so deserving of their reputation. There's so much variety, ups and downs, slower stuff and faster stuff, love it. The way the album starts is great love the slap in your face that "Rock Music" brings. The surfer vibes are great. This album is absolutely immaculate.
5
Oct 01 2024
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Superunknown
Soundgarden
I don't care if you don't like grunge, you have to admire Chris Cornell's voice. He had one of the best voices in music, one of the absolute best to ever do it, may he rest in peace. This album is just fantastic. It has everything that is key to grunge, the angst, the pounding guitar, hammering bass line, driving drums, fiery guitar solos, and of course a superb frontman. Album has solid variety, love how vulnerable Chris is on some of the songs with the lyrics. Just a fantastic album from start to finish, absolutely bulletproof in my opinion. "The Day I Tried to Live" is one of my all time favorite songs.
5
Oct 02 2024
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Deserter's Songs
Mercury Rev
Very much gave me Flaming Lips vibes, seriously this just felt like a knock off of them. Liked the sound and the music of it but again, just like the Lips, dude can't sing well at all. Made it kinda cringey to listen to. I did like this more than The Flaming Lips because there were much more instrumental tracks on it where I didn't have to listen to the man sing, but seriously why did they make this dude their frontman he does not sound good.
3
Oct 03 2024
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Chocolate Starfish And The Hot Dog Flavored Water
Limp Bizkit
Sigh. There's so much potential in this band and they just squander it. Wes Borland is a great guitarist and has great stage costumes and looks super freaky with his contacts. John Otto is a great drummer, sounded really good on this album. DJ Lethal is incredible as always (thank you for "Jump Around" btw). I really don't mind Fred Durst's voice. But the lyrics. Good Lord they range from trash (which is the vast majority of their stuff) to meh to actually a couple good songs. On this album there's like two songs that I would listen to again. That's not great for an album thats an hour and 15 minutes long. I mean come on guys. Not a big fan of the Bizkit but they are still better than Korn in my opinion.
2
Oct 07 2024
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Since I Left You
The Avalanches
This was an enjoyable one. I liked the sheer volume and variety of the samples, I mean there was stuff from everywhere. I loved that and it gave the album great variety and feel but also made it feel cohesive in its scatteredness. Best track was "Frontier Psychiatrist" such a fun little song, liked the story. I also really loved how different tracks would flow into each other so you couldn't really tell where one was ending and another began if you were just listening. Really helped tie the whole album together because it all felt like a progression, a cohesive whole with a lot of diversity, which can be very hard to do and do well. This album did that.
4
Oct 08 2024
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We Are Family
Sister Sledge
Meh. It's disco, which should have stayed dead. I really am not a fan of disco, never have been, never will be. They just kinda repeat the same things over and over for 5 minutes, it's really boring. The music isn't even interesting either it's just bland and repetitive.
2
Oct 09 2024
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John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band
John Lennon
Yeah whatever. I could not care less what John Lennon had to say. He doesn't believe in anything, doesn't care about anything other than himself and Yoko, cool we get it. It's because of that that I never understood why he was so popular and so idolized. Most of his songs on this verge on experimental (which I hate) and the others are just like "Imagine" (which is one of the most overrated songs of all time). I don't get why this is on the list, it wasn't very good at all.
2
Oct 10 2024
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...And Justice For All
Metallica
I know this is a long album and has some long songs on here but I'm here for it. Metallica is one of the few bands that I don't mind having 8, 9 minute songs on an album. A whole lotta other bands just sound pretentious and "artsy" when they do that but I think Metallica sounds great. The lyrics for this album are tough, hit you in the mouth, all about justice and how it is twisted in our world. Love that that's the focus and not just something shallow and dumb or super self focused like a lot of metal bands do. Also Lars Ulrich on the drums is always a treat to listen to and James Hetfield is just phenomenal on the rhythm guitar. Just lights out. Superb.
4
Oct 11 2024
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Low-Life
New Order
meh. It was better than I expected I guess, the instruments sounded pretty nice but didn't really like the dude's voice and couldn't understand much of the lyrics at times. Also when I could they did not resonate withe me so I didn't really care. Very mid didn't need to hear this before I died.
3
Oct 14 2024
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Music From Big Pink
The Band
Whatever. Just like the other album from The Band that we had to listen to. Seriously you name yourselves "The Band" and then this is the best you can do? How pretentious can you be? Totally mid '60s "southern" rock. Very mid. Most of the dudes cannot sing well at all. Also "The Weight" is a super overrated song, makes no sense, dude on lead vocals does not sound good, who the heck is Fanny and why is she taking a load off? The song makes no sense. I don't get why this band is on here at all let alone twice so far. Stupid.
3
Oct 15 2024
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Beggars Banquet
The Rolling Stones
Very fun album liked this one a lot. Songs were down to earth, fun, cut with some seriousness, catchy, sounded good, the whole package. The album was the perfect length, no song was obnoxiously long. Loved the overall feel and sound to this album and I think I just talked myself into a 5 for this.
5
Oct 16 2024
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Solid Air
John Martyn
I really struggled with what to give this album. I think I'm going with a 4. After the first song I was like wow this is getting a 1 but then the second song hit and the one after and I was like wow this guy can actually sing he just chose not to on the first song. This cycle kinda repeated a couple times. On the tracks where John mumble, slurs his way through the lyrics it's not great, kinda painful. On the ones where he actually sings it's quite lovely. The instruments sound really nice and I absolutely loved that aspect of this album. That's kinda the only reason this album is getting a 4 is because of that.
4
Oct 17 2024
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The Blueprint
JAY Z
I’m not impressed. You’ve made a ton of money (somehow), hustled a bunch of drugs, and banged a bunch of women and then made a career bragging about it. Congrats? You sold your soul for this? Really? I don’t understand how he’s supposed to be a generational talent or artist. This isn’t art.
1
Oct 18 2024
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Fishscale
Ghostface Killah
I just don’t get it. You grew up slinging drugs, kept slinging drugs, started rapping bout slinging drugs and banging a bunch of chicks. WoW aReN’t YoU cOoL. Am I supposed to respect you because of this? Cause I don’t. Also why are all the trashy rap albums unnecessarily long?
1
Oct 21 2024
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Paul's Boutique
Beastie Boys
Twas a fun little album. Does it have the deepest lyrics, no. Is it profound? Also no. But is it just fun to listen to? Absolutely and that’s the appeal. Nobody takes the Beasties seriously, not even them. That’s the joy and what makes this album so fun to listen to.
4
Oct 22 2024
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Aladdin Sane
David Bowie
Another day, another Bowie album. I get that he was a super influential pop figure but he just wasn't a good enough musician to warrant the 8 or however many albums he has on this list. His voice is mid, songwriting is mid, overall feel is mid. I really don't see what's so special about his music. It's totally mid.
3
Oct 23 2024
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The Stooges
The Stooges
Didn't really care. The songs were just kinda there didn't do anything for me one way or the other. Didn't really mind them but didn't make me really feel anything either. Iggy's voice was fine. Instruments fine.
3
Oct 25 2024
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Out of Step
Minor Threat
meh. Normally I like the fast punk feel of stuff like this but this didn't do it for me. Really hard to understand the dude, lyrics were okay. Songs just felt very much like copies of each other. Not really a huge fan of this but it was short so had that going for it.
2
Oct 28 2024
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Endtroducing.....
DJ Shadow
Really solid. Wasn’t sure what to think before I started but I quite liked this. Very mellow, low key. Loved the variety to the samples and the way later songs incorporate stuff from earlier songs. Nice vibes would put on again.
4
Oct 29 2024
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Elephant
The White Stripes
Solid, solid rock album. The Whit Stripes had such good chemistry. Songwriting was great, funny in spots, guitar was great, drums great. “Seven Nation Army” is one of the most famous songs of all time. Really solid album overall.
4
Oct 30 2024
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The Wall
Pink Floyd
So it's a good album and an interesting one too and it sounds good. It just so. freaking. long. Way too long. Too much. Not a fan of that. This is why so many concept albums fall flat. They're too much.
4
Oct 31 2024
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We're Only In It For The Money
The Mothers Of Invention
Well that was an experience. Once I found out it was made by Frank Zappa it made a lot more sense. Super weird, kinda fun, liked the shots at hippies, that was amusing. I think imma stick with a 3 but could be persuaded to give it a 4 if it just made a bit more sense. Overall weird mildly enjoyable listen.
3
Nov 01 2024
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Trio
Dolly Parton
Nice. Classic voices that mesh really well together and sound really fantastic together. Love the different feels to each song. Overall a very enjoyable country album that sounded really nice.
4
Nov 04 2024
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The World is a Ghetto
War
Fun little album, really enjoyed it. Only reason it's not getting a five is cause I didn't really love the last song but otherwise great album. Really liked the longer songs which is kinda rare, instruments sounded really good, liked the mix of instrumental and vocal tracks, nice variety. Overall very solid and would listen to again.
4
Nov 05 2024
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Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)
The Kinks
Nice little album. The Kinks are another one of those really famous and influential bands that I have never actually listened to until now. Quite liked it. Liked the lyrics a lot loved the critiques and the way Ray Davies presented them. Their overall sound on this album was also very enjoyable. Would not have guessed that this was made in '69 sounds much more clean cut and modern than that.
4
Nov 06 2024
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White Blood Cells
The White Stripes
Very solid album, I didn't know that they did "We're Gonna Be Friends" til now so that was a fun little revelation. Really like their sound, very stripped back, garage band feel which I really dig. Reminds me of "Get Free" by the Vines for many of the songs. Great album loved that the length of the songs varied and none were obnoxiously long.
4
Nov 07 2024
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Nebraska
Bruce Springsteen
Okay so in terms of my enjoyment this was probably a 3. I’ve never really listened to The Boss much before and I’ve found his voice is kinda meh. I really couldn’t understand a lot of what he said. However, I think this album is a 4. It is really well crafted, the storylines and the lyrics are compelling, the feel of the album is very appropriate for what Springsteen was going for. I did like the stripped back melancholy feel to the whole thing.
4
Nov 08 2024
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The Coral
The Coral
Kinda meh. Liked “Wildfire” a lot but otherwise pretty meh. Vocals were fine, music sounded fine, lyrics were fine. But that was also the problem everything was just fine nothing extraordinary. Not bad just meh.
3
Nov 11 2024
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Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
I think I quite like Neil Young. This album was great I really enjoyed it. It took its time and kinda wandered which I really liked. Maybe that was because I was listening to it on a sunny Friday afternoon and was in a good mood but it doesn't matter. I loved the longer songs that just kinda noodled around for a while in the middle I thought everyone sounded great during those bits. I don't mind Young's voice, it's not my favorite but it doesn't bother me. I liked the wandering feel to the lyrics and the overall album. This very much felt like an album I should listen to while driving through Montana or somewhere out west.
4
Nov 12 2024
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Moving Pictures
Rush
I mean when you open with "Tom Sawyer" it's gonna be a solid album. I struggled with whether a 4 or a 5 on this and I think imma go with a 5. Peart was just a master on the drums. I quite like Getty's voice it's very distinctive and reminds me of middle school (which isn't necessarily a good thing but it doesn't remind me of anything bad). "YYZ" I really liked. The whole band sounds really good, really talented group. Iconic and the first Rush album I have every listened to.
5
Nov 13 2024
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Orbital 2
Orbital
This was really stupid. Half the album was just some random phrase repeated over and over again, it was really frustrating. The samples were bland and repetitive. Overall a boring and uninteresting album that was way too long. Stupid.
2
Nov 14 2024
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If I Could Only Remember My Name
David Crosby
Meh. He was better in CSNY. Do not like his voice solo, instruments sounded perfectly fine on many of the tracks but his voice just didn't. Also lyrics were kinda meh and bland. Overall just felt like a bleh album. Nothing doing for me.
2
Nov 15 2024
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The Last Broadcast
Doves
Booooooooring. At first I thought it would just be another Oasis but thankfully the dude's voice wasn't as whiny so I guess that was something. Still didn't think they sounded very good, kinda outta tune and sad sounding which isn't very pleasant to listen to for almost an hour. Also too many of the songs are too long and just drag on and on and on. The comparisons to Coldplay are stupid, these guys have nothing on Parachutes or Rush of Blood to the Head, those albums blow this outta the water. Another stupid brit pop album that nobody cares about.
2
Nov 18 2024
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Lost In The Dream
The War On Drugs
eh. Nothing very special. I did like the instrumental bits, track 7 was nice but it all kinda sounded the same. I did like how ethereal it sounded but the tracks have a tendency to just go on and on with no end goal that they're pushing towards they just kind of exist for two unnecessary minutes longer than they should. Also the dude's voice sounded like Bob Dylan on most tracks and sometimes sounded like a mashup of Dylan and Eddie Vedder on "Yellow Ledbetter" cause I could not understand about 90% of what he said. Not a fan of the voice or the unnecessary length but musically it sounded mostly solid.
3
Nov 19 2024
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Either Or
Elliott Smith
I don't get the hype. I mean Apple Music had an essay written about how influential and life changing this album was and it did absolutely nothing for me. His voice is mid and he just whispers the whole album. Did not like. The lyrics were fine I guess none of them stuck with me so that doesn't help its case. Was really expecting something more from this highly touted artist/album.
2
Nov 21 2024
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Wish You Were Here
Pink Floyd
Was kinda expecting this to be a 5 but no dice. The two 12 minute songs was really what hurt it. Also I didn't think the other two songs were phenomenal, but really well done. "Wish You Were Here" is the best song on this album (and one of their best of all time) but that's kinda the only shining moment on this album. Everything else is just kinda meh for me although production wise it is really well put together and sounds good, just didn't connect for me.
4
Nov 22 2024
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Ritual De Lo Habitual
Jane's Addiction
Okay. Normally I'm okay with Farrell's voice but it annoyed me on this album. The last half were just a bunch of obnoxiously long songs where he droned on and on about stuff that didn't make sense. Only really good song on here is "Benn Caught Stealing". Everything else just feels like Farrell is spasming out on the mic with the lyrics. Guitar was great though.
3
Nov 25 2024
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My Generation
The Who
okay. I was really expecting more from such a revered band but this was just kinda mid 1960's brit rock. Just whatever. Didn't really grab my attention at all. Kinda tuned most of it out to be honest. Last track was the best.
3
Nov 26 2024
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Mothership Connection
Parliament
Very funky. Not really my preferred cup of tea but it was okay. Nice background music. Very weird band and weird sound.
3
Nov 27 2024
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This Is Hardcore
Pulp
Meh. Liked their other album we had on this list. His voice was mildly annoying in this album. Also it was a really long album which I wasn’t a fan of. Best song on the album was the last one everything else was okay or decent but nothing really wow. Don’t know why I NEEDED to listen to this before I died.
3
Nov 28 2024
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Catch A Fire
Bob Marley & The Wailers
I've never been a big reggae kinda guy so this album was kinda lost on me. I always kinda feel like it's just the same sort of slow beat in the background with lyrics over top. Musically it doesn't feel like there's that much variation which leaves a lot of emphasis on the lyrics. The lyrics were solid, political as Marley's often are, just didn't really make me go wow this is incredible. Reggae has always kinda just been background music for me and this album did not change that.
3
Nov 29 2024
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Fetch The Bolt Cutters
Fiona Apple
Nice voice and I liked the instrumentation but she just kinda repeated the same lyrics over and over again for most of the songs. Did not like that, lyrics were kinda eh and not very enjoyable also just kinda weird. Not my jam also didn’t feel good while listening to it so that may have impacted its rating negatively.
2
Dec 02 2024
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James Brown Live At The Apollo
James Brown
I think I'll give this a 4 just cause it has such great energy. Normally don't really like live albums but this one I really liked the crowd interaction, they clearly loved them some James Brown. Did not like how hard it was to understand or hear him on some tracks. Otherwise cool album.
4
Dec 03 2024
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Shake Your Money Maker
The Black Crowes
Decent. Better than I thought. I really dislike "Hard to Handle" so I thought the whole album was gonna be like that and thankfully it wasn't really. Dude was very hard to understand for most of it but musically it sounded really nice and my kind of southern rock. Wish the vocals were more intelligible but otherwise solid.
4
Dec 04 2024
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Warehouse: Songs And Stories
Hüsker Dü
okay so musically I liked their style and feel. Their voices however, were painful. They cannot sing. The background vocals sounded great though, especially on "Ice Cold Ice" and "Up in the Air". However the main vocalists sounded downright bad. And then there's the length. You make me sit through an hour and 9 minute long album, I want some variety to spice it up. This album had none of that, it was the same stuff over and over and over again. Nothing fresh or new later in the album that they hadn't already done earlier. Not a fan of that.
2
Dec 05 2024
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Nixon
Lambchop
Musically it was very vibey and just kinda floated in the background. Didn't really do anything for me either way. His voice however was just plain bad. Did. Not. Like. Did not remind me of Cohen the way his voice sounded but the lyrics sure did. Most of it was poetry-esq nonsense that felt like he was trying too hard to be mysterious and deep. It was just stupid. Don't know why this was on the list.
3
Dec 06 2024
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In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida
Iron Butterfly
I actually quite liked this one. Thought his voice was funky but I liked it. The music was nice, I didn't mind the 17 minute song because they sounded good on it, there were nice transitions and variations in it, and the other songs on the album were all like 3 1/2 minutes. Overall really enjoyed.
4
Dec 09 2024
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Sign 'O' The Times
Prince
Just painful. It started off okay but I've learned that Prince only made good singles, never great albums. All his albums that we've had so far (which are supposedly his best) have been either okay or hot trash. This was no different. First off, it's an hour and 20 minutes. No album should be that long. Secondly, the first couple songs start off okay, decent even, and then fall off a cliff. It's just a bunch of whatever nonsense lyrics or just Prince doing his squeaky falsetto over and over and over and over again. Also the "drums" actively annoyed me. Dude is still super horny and manages to have about half the album be about his sex drive. I don't understand how this fool got so famous.
2
Dec 10 2024
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Blood On The Tracks
Bob Dylan
please no more
2
Dec 11 2024
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Penthouse And Pavement
Heaven 17
this was dumb 80's synth pop. Nothing special, boring, repetitive, mildly annoying. Bleh.
2
Dec 12 2024
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Talking With the Taxman About Poetry
Billy Bragg
That was dumb. I don't want to listen to some wanker who thinks he knows better than everyone else whine about how messed up society is for over an hour. Your voice doesn't sound good enough for that. Also the random pot shots at America were not appreciated. You don't even live here why you trying to tell us how our country should be? Kinda pretentious. Thus music was good though.
2
Dec 13 2024
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Dry
PJ Harvey
Very nice. Liked her voice. Songs were nicely written and sounded good. Classic artist.
4