204
Albums Rated
3.68
Average Rating
19%
Complete
885 albums remaining
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1960s
Favorite Decade
Funk
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Cheerleader
Rater Style ?
57
5-Star Albums
5
1-Star Albums
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You Love More Than Most
Albums you rated higher than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Born To Be With You | 5 | 2.62 | +2.38 |
| Justified | 5 | 2.68 | +2.32 |
| BEYONCÉ | 5 | 2.85 | +2.15 |
| Kilimanjaro | 5 | 2.86 | +2.14 |
| The Colour Of Spring | 5 | 3.07 | +1.93 |
| Welcome To The Pleasuredome | 5 | 3.11 | +1.89 |
| #1 Record | 5 | 3.26 | +1.74 |
| Since I Left You | 5 | 3.28 | +1.72 |
| The College Dropout | 5 | 3.31 | +1.69 |
| 25 | 5 | 3.36 | +1.64 |
You Love Less Than Most
Albums you rated lower than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got | 1 | 3.25 | -2.25 |
| Live 1966 (The Royal Albert Hall Concert) | 1 | 3.15 | -2.15 |
| Dig Me Out | 1 | 3.08 | -2.08 |
| Histoire De Melody Nelson | 1 | 2.75 | -1.75 |
| The Queen Is Dead | 2 | 3.66 | -1.66 |
| Bringing It All Back Home | 2 | 3.65 | -1.65 |
| Low | 2 | 3.55 | -1.55 |
| Blonde On Blonde | 2 | 3.5 | -1.5 |
| Public Image: First Issue | 1 | 2.42 | -1.42 |
| Parklife | 2 | 3.38 | -1.38 |
Artist Analysis
Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Kendrick Lamar | 2 | 5 |
| Led Zeppelin | 2 | 5 |
| Radiohead | 2 | 5 |
| Kanye West | 2 | 5 |
Least Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Bob Dylan | 4 | 2 |
5-Star Albums (57)
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Popular Reviews
Dion
5/5
Beautiful ballads and songs that rock and move and make you want to dance. So many genres are spanned on this album with BeeGees, the Eagles, disco, and even Simon and Garfunkle adjacent songs. I have never heard of this singer, but what an excellent song writer. Production is outstanding with supremely awesome backing instruments. This album is a banger and feels like it could be the Guardians of the Galaxy Pt 4 soundtrack.
1 likes
Radiohead
5/5
A deeply complex album with so many great sound scapes of distorted synths and guitars. Goes in so many directions of beautiful melodies and darkness. A very special album.
1 likes
Sleater-Kinney
1/5
Like listening to screeching cats. Different vocals could fix this, but this absolutely unlistenable. Reminds me of that video of Yoko ruining John Lennon and Chuck Berry's live performance.
1 likes
The Avalanches
5/5
Never heard of this group and was blown away. So many good hooks and samples and so very much of the 2000s. I didn't think that decade had a "sound." Loved this album.
1 likes
Kendrick Lamar
5/5
Masterpiece, one of the best hip hop albums of the last 2010s.
1 likes
1-Star Albums (5)
All Ratings
Nina Simone
4/5
Fantastic album outside my comfort area of more modern music. Nina Simone has such a deeper voice than I expected. Heartfelt soulful lyrics you don't hear in modern music. The more upbeat songs are fun but still maintain the same emotion of the more somber stuff. Doubt this will be on my normal rotation, but really enjoyed the experience.
Sister Sledge
5/5
Love this album. So many songs I've heard and didn't realize I had heard. Even the songs that I wasn't familiar with were bangers. Great album, will definitely listen again in the future.
Buena Vista Social Club
5/5
Bob Dylan
2/5
It was fine. I can't stand the sound of Bob Dylan's voice. I understand his cultural significance, but his music is just not enjoyable to listen to and sounds all very similar. This album is too long and repetitive.
5/5
Classic in every way. One of those albums you hear something new every time.
Jerry Lee Lewis
4/5
Totally rocking album! The level of energy must have been nuts for a concert in the mid 60s. I feel like I was watching him live. Very glad to have heard this album and a lot of the hits included were surprising.
Suede
3/5
Very cool intro to Britpop. I have listened to almost nothing in this genre and enjoyed it. It takes some time to get through the vocals. The guitar's sound on this album is incredible and rich. Probably not staying on the rotation, but enjoyed it. Sounds a little like The Cure or the Pixies for a new listener.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
5/5
Loved this album. Excellent music to focus on listening for details or to have in the background while working.
ABBA
4/5
Love it. Abba is so much fun. Not a bad song on this album. In the wrong mood, this album might drive you nuts, but so upbeat, fun, and positive. Makes just about anyone want to tap their foot along.
Fleet Foxes
5/5
Dreamy and wonderful, a wall of vocals, reminds me of 3 parts, Mumford and sons and folk bluegrass, andPet Sounds. Loved this album the first time I heard it.
2/5
Super 90s British alternative pop. I didn’t hate it bit most songs sound similar and have odd progressions that just don’t jive with what my ear was hoping for. Vocals are not what I would call pleasant.
David Bowie
3/5
Album started and I immediately hated it. Then I listened more and it starts to form this eerie and cohesive melancholy and dark album of chanting and echoey saxophones and beats. The production is outstanding. Album is interesting from beginning to end, as it starts to lighten up and become more hopeful. I wouldn't have listened past the first 3 mins if it wasn't for the challenge of listening to this album. Glad I stuck through it.
Pere Ubu
2/5
I tried, but I just couldn't get into this. I like the mix of the instruments. It's that rare occasion where you can actually hear the bass guitar separate from the guitars. The issue here is it all sounds bad. The vocals are monotonously annoying. Screeching sax that sounds like a Yoko Ono sabotage. Reading other reviews, people enjoyed the experimental punk aspect of it. It just doesn't sound good. There's no world where I would want to spend time listening to this on purpose.
Sepultura
4/5
Thrash metal at it's best. I have not listened to Sepultura in the past. I found my self hyped and moving during this, taping my feet to the blast beats. Very cool album, very rowdy, not for everyone. Love the dynamics as well.
Joy Division
3/5
Meh, it's fine. I can clearly hear the influence it drove and why it was so influential, but as an album to actually listen to, droning with annoying vocals, musicianship is mediocre at best. Glad I've now heard Joy Division, but don't expect to be listening to them again in the near future.
Simon & Garfunkel
5/5
Classic in every way. Some of these songs just get better every time. Opening track/title track is probably my least favorite, but listening to this album again gave me a renewed respect for S&G.
The Cure
4/5
Where I didn't enjoy Joy Division at all, this album is fantastic. Dark and brooding, thick sound, depressing content, but works in the context of the album. I loved every second of this and am much more familiar with "happy" Cure than "sad" Cure.
Steve Earle
3/5
Not a country fan, but I found this album to be very easy going, very folky, and very pleasant. There's nothing earth shattering happening on here, but soulful lyrics and good compositions make for a good listen.
Cream
3/5
Fuzzy guitars, some good songs, some ok songs.
Kendrick Lamar
5/5
A hip hop masterpiece. Some of the songs are more like sketches, but the entirety feels complete. King Kunta is worthy of a 5 star rating by itself.
X-Ray Spex
2/5
Kind of cool punk rock, vocals wore me out by the end. Silver lining to this album is that it has some dynamite sax in it.
The Stooges
2/5
New to this album, but not to Iggy Pop. I know he's very high energy in live shows and an entertainer, but his vocals are the reason I can't get on board with this album. I've always found his voice grating. The band itself is awesome though unfortunately.
George Harrison
5/5
This album is a total masterpiece. I have never heard it before other than My Sweet Lord. Every song is great, but in particular the ending to the second part starting with Art of Dying to the end is outstanding. Will definitely listen again.
Bee Gees
2/5
This isn't it. I think most view the Bee Gees as a fun and energetic group with excellent falsettos and harmonies and you can dance. This album is a slog. Long and meandering. Not a single song was memorable. The high points sound slightly Beatles-adjacent without the fun. No thanks to this album.
Dirty Projectors
2/5
Some cool moments, but just can't get into this album. I enjoy Indy/garage/alternative rock, but so many of the songs feel disjointed, melodies that meander, noise at strange moments. Odd harmonies over harsh synths. Nothing here is terrible, nothing here is great. It's all fine, but largely forgetable.
The Avalanches
5/5
Never heard of this group and was blown away. So many good hooks and samples and so very much of the 2000s. I didn't think that decade had a "sound." Loved this album.
Funkadelic
4/5
So so funky. I was taken aback by the album title and cover. Loved the music. Recording sounds incredible. Even listening digitally, I can almost hear the crackle of the vinyl. Super cool album!
The Monks
3/5
Such a different 60s sound that I can trace influence to experimental rock, Zappa, punk, and likely prog rock as well. Enjoyable? Not sure, interesting and cool though for sure.
Electric Light Orchestra
4/5
Cool and thick album that's not like much of what I've heard from this time period. A lot of this album sounds like it could be contemporary alt rock. The production, vocal harmonies, and thick soundscapes are really what make this album stand out. Also, it's mostly upbeat and fun which is appreciated for an album that's so dense.
David Bowie
5/5
I have never understood David Bowie or "gotten" his music until this album. Shame on me for having never listened to it beyond the couple hits I've heard. This album is a masterpiece. Loved every second of it and I think this is where you send someone like me who doesn't "get it."
The Velvet Underground
4/5
First experience with Velvet Underground. Really liked what I heard and can imagine how wild this must have been for the time. I get a lot of rockier Bob Dylan vibes from this, but without the unpleasant voice.
Mike Oldfield
2/5
Music meanders, themes are used and layered atop repeating arpeggios and prior themes. It sort of works but also is self indulgent and boring. There's strange vocals announcing what is happening, sometimes with grunts. This is an art piece album and just not for me as much as I enjoy a good jam. This is not sophisticated enough to be considered a classical piece.
The Police
4/5
Album is a total sonic banger beginning to end dabbling punk, progressive, garage rock, with ultra tight rhythms and progressions. Modern Sting is still amazing, but classic Police has an energy that so unique.
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
5/5
This album surprised me from beginning to end. Originals that I know, 11 min lead in to Relax, covers that are well executed. I haven't read on this album but it sounds like a concept album and ironically reminded me of the Weeknd's Dawn FM. Really enjoyed everything here. Highly recommended and a very nice surprise.
Sinead O'Connor
1/5
This has to be one of the most boring albums I've ever heard. Ex. Emperor's New Clothes is the same 2 chords the entire song. Next song, Black Boys on Mopeds, 4 chords on repeat the entire song. Most songs have no vocal interest. Doubled up vocals for style or to hide the lack of singing ability? I went into this one expecting to enjoy it and thought well I'm almost done... oh wait, there's a second disc!?
The best song with amazing dynamics, an interesting arrangement, and a cool vocals... was written by someone else.
Talking Heads
4/5
I think this is their first album. It's so weird and strange with unconventional melodies, chords, rhythms, but contextually, it's hard not look away and not appreciate the strangeness of David Byrne's whole situation here. I really enjoyed it. Not all tracks work. There's sort of a sameness that starts to come across by the end of the album, but I appreciate it and I think it only works because of the energy present.
Red Snapper
4/5
Cool and atmospheric, at times sounding like early 2000s hacker music and others building soundscapes with soft backbeats. Very much enjoyed this after not having heard this group. Excellent music to walk or work to during the day.
The Doors
4/5
I've always been mixed on the Doors. It was a good revisit to listen with a fresh perspective. While some of the hits, I'm probably good to not hear again for awhile, some of the lesser known tracks are great. It's hard to believe this album isn't the greatest hits album. The End is timely and powerful as always.
Supertramp
4/5
The opening and ending to this album are absolutely amazing. I have never heard Supertramp until today. I loved this album. I will probably need a few more listens for it to sink in. School and Crime of the Century are absolutely stellar songs. This has been a blank spot for me of 70s rock so I'm glad to finally listen.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
I have loved this album most of my life. Immigrant Song is such a powerful album opener, but there's so many great tracks here. Friends has an amazing melody. Since I've Been Loving You might be my all time favorite Zeppelin song.
Bob Dylan
2/5
Bob Dylan is overrated plain and simple. I have tried so many times to "get it." I don't get it. His vocals are awful. The music is essentially just standard blues progressions with a folk flavor. Nearly every song on this album is indistinguishable from the rest. I'll give 1 additional star for Mr. Tambourine Man.
Boston
5/5
A total classic from beginning to end. Arguably a perfect rock album.
Elliott Smith
3/5
Somber and mellow, good for a rainy day and a blanket and coffee. RIP Elliot. I respect him but the constant need to double vocals on every track feels like hiding weak singing. The album is fine.
Ride
3/5
Album sounds ahead of it's time, like a folkie Manchester Orchestra with U2 elements, then add the grunge edge. While I love the sound of the band, the album has about twice as many songs as it should. The vocal melodies are generally drony and monotonous. While I like the Fleet Foxes style lyrics, there's just too much similarity and sameness to the songs, lacking much sonic interest. The good that's here is really good though.
Leonard Cohen
2/5
Initial impression... what is this? As the album continues, my thought is that this exists for Cohen and not for the audience. I wouldn't call this enjoyable, but it's thoughtful and pretty at times. I just can't get past the vocal spoken word style performance. Cohen passed away in 2016, the same year of this album. It does feel like a dark goodbye, but while I'm sorry he's gone, it doesn't make this more listenable.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
5/5
A lovely album from beginning to end, grungy guitars and keys, Karen O howls and growls and can sing so softly and sweetly. Fantastic album and extra cool to have the deluxe version on Apple Music which had additional acoustic versions of the songs.
Hüsker Dü
3/5
I was decided that I didn't like this album after 3 tracks and wrote of how similar songs sound, the guitars distortion sounds shrill, vocals unimpressive, but the more time I spent with it, I got it. By the end I started to enjoy Husker Du.
The Thrills
4/5
I really enjoyed this album. Sounds straight out of the 60s pop rock scene, hints of Beach Boys, Weezer, and the Flaming Lips with some folk country tones as well. Unique lead vocal. Really enjoyed this album.
Depeche Mode
3/5
Love the sinister synths and dark vocals. I don't know this group other than "Personal Jesus". Overall great beats and arrangements. I actually enjoyed the bonus tracks more than the core album.
Al Green
5/5
One of the all time greatest soul albums! Loved every second!
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
Not a huge Neil Young fan, but this was a good reacquaintance. 3/4 of the album is fantastic going from classic folk to rock. While I'd prefer the folk stuff more, I appreciate it all. Last two tracks are grungy and just don't work as well as the rest of the album. While the last is a reprise of the first song, I like the acoustic version better.
Aerosmith
4/5
Excellent classic blues rock album. With songs like Sweet Emotion and Walk this Way, it's easy to see why this one was a big deal, but the deep cuts that lean heavy into hard rock with the focus on blues riffs really make this album complete. Steven Tyler sounds amazing on this album as well.
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
While this album is full of strange, psychedelic flourishes, sometimes self indulgent, it's impossible not to be taken by Jimi's voice over the top of that outstanding Stratocaster sound. 15 minutes of Voodoo Chile blues jam, the opening of Gypsy Eyes, and countless other jams. I enjoyed the songs but the improv and fun with less structure, I really enjoyed. Closing the album out with All Along the Watchtower and thenVoodoo Child gives these songs a lot more context than hearing them as a singles.
The Smiths
2/5
This is one of those bands that I just simply don't understand it's massive support. The singing is unpleasant, the songs are largely similar. I just don't find anything about it amusing or pleasant. By the end of the album, I appreciate the band's contributions, but Morrissey is so whiney, I just want to hate everything about it.
Funkadelic
4/5
Totally wild album. It's funky yes, but it's spacey, constantly changing, strange sounds, spoken words in the back ground, crazy synths. It's a fun time and enjoyed it. Unfortunately not available on Apple Music so I had to listen on YT which sort of degrades the experience not knowing the active track. Still recommended!
The Rolling Stones
4/5
The Rolling Stones are the Rolling Stones. I don't know that they are my jam, but I appreciate them for what they are. That being said, Gimme Shelter is one of the greatest rock songs ever so I'll give this album an extra star for that song.
Ramones
4/5
It's fun, simple, straight ahead rock. I could die a happy person if I never hear Blitzkrieg Bop again, but otherwise a very fun album that's easy to listen to with short catchy songs.
Sonic Youth
2/5
Grungy and noisy, definitely a precursor to things that came soon after with Nirvana, PJ, and Soundgarden. Sadly, everything is samey. Two heavily distorted chords to start the song with sometimes sort of a riff. Mumbles and low falsetto lyrics. It’s sort of cool and sort of boring. I almost feel like I could join the band, crank up a fuzz pedal and make it up as I go.
Justin Timberlake
5/5
It's a banger of an album. Nearly beginning to end is pop perfection with great beats, synths, and obviously the production of Timberland. Maybe the best pop album of the 00s.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
5/5
Had not heard any other album than Exodus. In my opinion, even outside the hits on this one, this is a far superior album. The music is dense and flowing while still melodic. Less of a spectacle and more soulful. Loved it.
Fleetwood Mac
4/5
Beautiful album. I've listened to Rumors so many times, but really hadn't heard this one. It's so mellow and heartfelt with much more slower songs on the edge of country and soul. Really beautiful.
Jethro Tull
3/5
A lot more depth and interest in this album than I was expecting. I only knew Aqualung going into it. While I enjoyed it, it started to feel a little similar by the end. Overall, good classic rock knocking at the prog door.
Peter Tosh
4/5
Once this album got going, it was excellent. Starting your first song all about legalizing weed is not very inspiring, but eventually it kicked in. Peter Tosh has a lovely voice as well. If you don't like reggae, this isn't going to change anything, but otherwise, dynamite album.
Pearl Jam
5/5
A masterpiece of 90s rock/grunge from beginning to end. All killer, no filler. A must listen for any music fan.
John Lennon
3/5
Good album overall and love the raw sound of it. While not on the levels of the Beatles, I enjoyed it overall. Working Class Hero, Well Well Well, and God are all great tracks. Album is probably a bit longer than it needs to be to tighten it up, but overall good.
Tim Buckley
4/5
Very diverse album with jazz, folk, Americana, and classic rock. I had never heard Tim Buckley before, but impressed with the range of emotions covered. Beautiful voice. RIP.
Beatles
3/5
I haven't listened to this album fully in many years. I'm sad to say, for me, it doesn't hold up as well as I remember. There's so much filler nonsense that is a waste of time. The track listing needs significant editing down to maybe 20 tracks which I've heard is a popular exercise with this one. There are some amazing experimental and iconic tracks, but it's self indulgent and just simply too much.
Crosby, Stills & Nash
5/5
Beautiful compositions and arrangements with outstanding harmonies. This is my first experience with CSN at an album level. This one delivers. All killer, no filler, and pleasant to listen to all the way through.
Ice T
4/5
This album was not made for a white guy in his 40s, however I really liked it. I remember when Ice T was front and center with conservative dried up politicians. Early hip hop is so different than today. Ice T's lyrics cut and the samples are awesome. Really enjoyed this one.
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
4/5
Atmospheric, jazzy, experimental, chaotic, and somehow chill. It’s hard to even tell what decade this may have been recorded. I definitely loved the whole experience with the exception of the few noisy tracks.
Fatboy Slim
2/5
I had this album back when it originally released. I'll say what I thought then and it still stands. The beats and samples are infectious and very reflective of the time, however it's so so repetitive. I'm trying to listen to this to start my day at work. It's upbeat and fun, but makes me want to throw my monitors through a window.
Sabu
3/5
Cool rhythms and vocals throughout with some nice polyrhythms and guitar work. The percussion is very cool. I love that there are long periods of percussion only. Sadly, this is not a genre I will listen to often, but enjoyed this album to start my day.
Serge Gainsbourg
1/5
The music is wonderful, the concept of a spoken word story narrative is fascinating. I don't speak French so I looked the "plot" up. This story is literally rape. The narrator is wealthy, hits a young girl under 15, seduces her, and then she dies. It's a sad and unpleasant story. I don't care if it's older and times have changed. This content should not be celebrated. Disgusting.
Beach House
3/5
Chill summer pop. Band's name and album title all fit the vibe very well. Easily could listen to this on the beach. There's a rich thickness to the music as well that goes beyond a casual listen. While some reviews wrote about it doing nothing special, not every album needs to re-write history.
Paul Revere & The Raiders
3/5
Fun album with a classic 60s sound. Nothing too memorable on this album, but no regrets giving it a listen.
Stevie Wonder
3/5
A very groovy album. When Stevie gets funky, he's at his best. He has such dynamic range that when he leans into the ballads, I don't think they serve him as well. About 50% of this album is marvelous and the other half feels underwhelming. Stevie has a voice like no other and that makes anything he creates worth a listen.
The Beach Boys
3/5
I love the Beach Boys, but at this point it's to the latter part of their amazing albums. I liked this one ok, but there's not much in the way of standout songs. I really liked Disney Girls. Overall not a bad album.
David Bowie
2/5
No, just no. I'm sorry but at this point I'm sure we are into the "weird" Bowie. Maybe it's all weird, but this is my 3rd or 4th Bowie album on here. This is an album and not a collection of singles. I'll give it that, but there's nothing here that I found enjoyable. Long meandering soundscapes, sounds, mumbling. There are a couple tracks to start the album that are closer to traditional songs, but this just simply doesn't work for me.
Beyoncé
5/5
A masterclass of production. I'm indifferent to Beyonce as an artist, but this album is a marvel of hip hop and R&B, with swooping pans, background synths and vocals fading into the background, each track doing unexpected things. Truly a marvel of modern pop production. While I only listened through fully once, this is an album that warrants multiple play throughs to digest.
Can
3/5
Fascinating long form jam album with the final track going nearly 20 minutes. Hard to describe, but it almost reminds me of an extended electronic piece that you might hear today. Everything is structured and somewhat predictable where it goes. A nice album to listen to while working or relaxing.
Talking Heads
3/5
I like the darker and strange tone to this album more than the prior Talking Heads album. I don't know that I had a stand out song on this one outside of the intro. As per usual, if you like the Talking Heads, you are probably in, if not, then you likely don't like it at all.
Dinosaur Jr.
3/5
Very cool and rowdy album. I can't believe this is a mid 80s album. It sounds so far ahead of it's time and comparable to a lot of punk rock/rock of the mid 90s. I don't know there was a standout song for me, but definitely a cool album.
The Teardrop Explodes
5/5
This album is a banger. Equal parts the Police and the Talking Heads. Tons of energy, tons of groove, with that classic David Byrne weirdness. Loved this album!
M.I.A.
4/5
Such a cool and different hip hop album from what commonly goes main stream. MIA's culture and place are a huge part of what makes her so unique. I can understand why someone wouldn't jive with it, but her lyrics and flow with the non traditional beats and samples make it so interesting to listen to. Love this album.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
5/5
A near perfect album. Even the lesser known songs like The Night Time is the Right Time is great. So much soul and such distinctive sound. This is the benchmark for CCR.
Grateful Dead
4/5
Excellent album and entry point for GD. I’m not the biggest fan but the harmonies and songs in general are very pretty and accessible. It’s not the jammy hippy music you might expect from their reputation.
Slade
3/5
Feels like a precursor to 80s hair metal but still rooted in 70s classic rock. I love the snarl of the lead singer. It feels like KISS and AC/DC but still having a bit of connection to 60s rock.
Dire Straits
3/5
Some bangers on this album and Mark Knopfler’s classic style is here but the album feels largely self indulgent with most of the songs running far longer than necessary.
The White Stripes
3/5
It’s the White Stripes, a band that I want to like more than I actually do. The gritty guitars and drums mixed with Jack’s nasally snarl is fun but gets a little samey eventually. It’s cool but but while there are some sweet grooves, it’s not particularly pleasant to listen to after a 5 or so songs.
R.E.M.
4/5
It's THE REM album. So many great songs and a great consistent feeling throughout. Awesome harmonies, tight music with the band's mix being perfection.
Aimee Mann
3/5
Excellent sounding guitars and there's a sweetness all over to the arrangements. I can't get into Mann's vocal style. This is peak 90s female singer songwriter. While it doesn't sound dated, it does lack a distinctive personality.
Billy Joel
5/5
A flat out masterpiece from beginning to end. Nothing more can be said of this album. It's perfect.
Brian Eno
3/5
Very cool experimental album. Cool grooves and soundscapes through out. This one probably needs a few listens, but more melodic than expected.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
Excellent more relaxed album that Green River with some slow cooker jams. Born on the Bayou makes me laugh a bit since Fogerty is a Californian, but none the less, this album hits most of the right notes.
Fela Kuti
4/5
Fantastic album with a great groove. Love everything I've heard from Fela Kuti so far. I also dig an album with only 4 tracks but each are over 10 mins. This is my favorite from Kuti so far.
Mercury Rev
2/5
Lots of positive reviews on this one. I just couldn't get into it. I enjoy the alternative psychedelic nature of it, but the vocals are odd and unpleasant. Lots of weirdness abound that just doesn't sound very good. I couldn't latch onto a single track. It didn't work for me.
Bee Gees
2/5
A little sleepy for me and some of the vocals have been ruined by Jimmy Fallon's impression. I don't know there was a song that I loved on this album. It was all fine for background music, but I just can't get into the quieter Bee Gees albums.
Sleater-Kinney
1/5
Like listening to screeching cats. Different vocals could fix this, but this absolutely unlistenable. Reminds me of that video of Yoko ruining John Lennon and Chuck Berry's live performance.
Public Enemy
4/5
This one was much more engaging than I was expecting. Chuck D is incredible and it's odd to hear Flavor Flav sound aware of his surroundings. Great samples and beats. Classic album.
Kendrick Lamar
5/5
Masterpiece, one of the best hip hop albums of the last 2010s.
Wire
3/5
Cool 70s punk rock that’s actually listenable vs what much has sounded like on here. Nothing remarkable but the fuzz on the guitars is sublime.
Nick Drake
5/5
A beautiful jazz/folk album with incredible guitars, beautiful arrangements, and calm tenor falsetto vocals. Really enjoyed this one.
Jeru The Damaja
4/5
90s NY rap with a cool flow, no unnecessary language, and good story telling complimented with great samples. Excellent chill hip hop to enjoy.
Dion
5/5
Beautiful ballads and songs that rock and move and make you want to dance. So many genres are spanned on this album with BeeGees, the Eagles, disco, and even Simon and Garfunkle adjacent songs. I have never heard of this singer, but what an excellent song writer. Production is outstanding with supremely awesome backing instruments. This album is a banger and feels like it could be the Guardians of the Galaxy Pt 4 soundtrack.
Tom Waits
2/5
Incredible blues opening with the first two tracks and then Tom Waits comes back in and ruins everything with his awful vocals. And it continues with beautiful songs and arrangements however Tom Waits cannot sing. The same continues through the rest of the album.
Arcade Fire
4/5
A sad and nostalgic folk album with thickness and substance. It's beautiful and rough around the edges at the same time. Vibes of Beck's folkier areas of work. "The Suburbs" tracks are haunting.
Sheryl Crow
4/5
Classic Sheryl Crow album with hits, bluesy singer songwriter material that's casual and heartfelt. The album has aged well and remains a classic.
1/5
bob sucks
Duran Duran
3/5
Cool 80s album that makes me feel like I'm waiting for my haircut at Regis in the mall, especially with that album art. Some hits, but nothing super remarkable here.
Radiohead
5/5
A deeply complex album with so many great sound scapes of distorted synths and guitars. Goes in so many directions of beautiful melodies and darkness. A very special album.
The Beach Boys
4/5
Full of classics, feels like a greatest hits album. Excellent as always.
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
Meh, it's fine.
A Tribe Called Quest
4/5
Excellent, I know nothing about this group, but have heard the name for years. Excellent chill hip hop.
Wild Beasts
3/5
Synthy alternative with male and female vocals. It's good background music, but nothing tremendous here to write home about.
Death In Vegas
2/5
Just sort of boring electronic music with some rock elements. It's fine, just sounds like I should be hacking a mainframe while I'm listening.
Curtis Mayfield
5/5
This album is about as cool as it gets. The orchestra/band is so tight throughout the album. The vocals are outstanding. It's impossible not to move while listening. The instrumentals are just as fun as the songs with vocals. You can clearly hear the influence in this album in modern music.
The Only Ones
2/5
Vocals are inane and absolutely unpleasant. Sadly the band sounds great, excellent guitar tones and playing. Unfortunately can't hide the incredibly drony and unlistenable vocals.
Paul Simon
5/5
What a wonderful and sweet album. There's so much variance in instrumentation and arrangements. Paul Simon has a wonderful voice and there's so much diversity of music on this album. Every song is great. Awesome recommendation.
The Afghan Whigs
3/5
I've heard of the Afghan Whigs but never listened until today. Sort of a post-hardcore / Alt rock combination. I had to warm up to the vocals, but eventually came around. Cool vibe and interesting arrangements.
Sufjan Stevens
5/5
A magnificent and wonderful album beginning to end. "John Wayne Gacy" is one of the most haunting songs I've ever heard. A perfect album.
Raekwon
4/5
Excellent chill hip hop album from a Wu Tang legend. A little heavy on skits, but great album overall.
The Icarus Line
4/5
Post hardcore crossed with a bit of Queens of the Stone Age. Excellent vocals and band sounds amazing as a whole. Not heard of this band, but it rocks.
James Brown
5/5
Amazing live performance and the quality is well worth a listen and beyond a normal live album. Younger people like me think of James Brown as an older singer, but you can hear so much energy in this performance. Fantastic live album.
Adele
5/5
A wonderfully beautiful album full of soul and heartfelt lyrics. This is my first Adele album. What a masterpiece!
Michael Jackson
5/5
A Michael Jackson masterpiece. Every song on this album could have been a single.
Pavement
3/5
Grungy 90s indie rock sound. Like the vocals and the guitar sounds. Not sure without the nostalgia this does much for me overall, but not a bad listen.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Classic debut album full of blues rock. I'm a big fan of the Zep so I love all their albums, but this is an excellent start point. Awesome album.
Deerhunter
2/5
2 or 3 ok songs but mostl a snoozefest of warbly quiet alt rock.
Bauhaus
4/5
Kooky and strange. I hated it at first, then the weirdness continued and ultimately had a good time with this. It reminded me of a sinister Talking Heads with the rhythmic repetitions of Radiohead. Cool album.
Sly & The Family Stone
5/5
Wild and funky throughout. Some songs like Everyday People almost sound like a different band compared to Sex Machine. I could listen to this album everyday.
The Blue Nile
2/5
A little sleepy for me. Lyrics and vocals are a little… fine. I enjoyed the electronic flair. Overall just an album that’s… fine.
Morrissey
2/5
The music is actually rather engaging. There's a richness of the music that really elevates everything, but Morrissey is so smug in his lyrics and songwriting that it ruins it all. Even the better songs on this album are hindered by his insufferability.
Coldcut
4/5
Wow, this album sounds so ahead of its time. Cool samples and turntable work. Great album (not on Apple Music)
Kanye West
5/5
Excellent album. Kanye is Kanye but he makes amazing albums and not just songs. This is before his work got more obtuse. Some great singles and an excellent cohesive sound throughout the album
Iggy Pop
3/5
An oddly strange but fascinating album. Iggy Pop’s vocal style is an acquired taste but there’s so much dark bluesy pop on this album with excellent arrangements and production. Can’t say I’m jonsing to listen again soon but enjoyed my time with it.
Abdullah Ibrahim
3/5
Excellent jazz, but unsure if I really heard the real album or not. Not available on Apple Music and had to listen on youtube and it was a playlist so not sure if I even heard the right thing.
Kelela
4/5
Futuristic soul, R&B, and electronic music with cool vocals, thick layered and atmospheric sounds. Very cool album that probably would take multiple listens to really catch all the details.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
Wow, what an album. Easily a top 20 of all time for me.
Kanye West
5/5
Excellent Kanye album, lots of great tracks and guests. Definitely can hear on this one where he's starting to turn towards more eclectic beats and sounds. Great album from beginning to end.
Queens of the Stone Age
4/5
A banger of grungy and fuzzy guitars, unpredictable melodies of falsettos. Amazing riffs and thick arrangements. The more I hear of the Queens, the more I want to hear.
David Bowie
4/5
A haunting and beautiful epic but short album. Great vocal performances and one that probably needs to be listened to multiple times to get everything from it. One of my favorite Bowie albums from this list so far.
Paul Simon
4/5
Ultra eclectic sweet and chill album full of global genres with toe tapping rhythms and the light falsetto of Paul Simon. Great album but it might drive some crazy for how upbeat it is.
The Smashing Pumpkins
5/5
Truly a masterpiece of early 90s grunge/hard rock. I don't think there's a bad song on this album. I'm not the biggest fan of Billy Corgan's nasally sound, but it's less prevalent on this album. The guitars sound incredible here. It might be my favorite guitar sound of the 90s. Excellent album.
Rod Stewart
3/5
An OK folk rock album, Rod Stewart’s voice is gravelly and fun. Songs are overly long. OK album overall.
The Doors
4/5
A lot of dark bluesy sounds on this album. The keyboards are as always strong. I don't love the Doors but a solid album.
Metallica
3/5
I remember thinking this album was very cool when it first released and a novel idea. It hasn't aged well and it just doesn't fit the music well. It being live, guitar tones sound muddled and less clear. It feels a bit self indulgent. It's fine, but probably won't revisit again.
Cowboy Junkies
2/5
A boring and sleepy album that sounds virtually the same from beginning to end. This one didn't do it for me, but it's pleasant enough, hard to recommend unless you are trying to sleep.
Neil Young
5/5
A truly beautiful and layered album, lyrically dynamic, great harmonies, arrangements are beautiful. Neil Young at his best. Excellent album.
Elvis Presley
4/5
It's Elvis! Probably my first actual full album, but excellent. Amazing instrumentation and incredible versatility of Elvis's singing. Lyrics are obviously bland and of the time, but very impressed!
Public Enemy
4/5
A powerful album full of great story telling and writing with a few exceptions. Samples hit hard, vocals hit harder. This is an angry album that almost hits like a metal album, ironically culminating in a crossover track with Anthrax. Had to turn down the *N word song. Outside of that, great album.
David Bowie
4/5
A rewarding and interesting album. I didn't now Bowie at all before doing this list. The transition to blues/soul from glam sounded great to me. Others seem to be mixed on it. Once again, the arrangements and production stand out and excellent backing vocals.
The White Stripes
5/5
What an excellent album. I had no idea so many iconic songs came from this album, with a couple that I didn't even realize were the Stripes. Excellent all the way through. Love Jack White's fuzz. Everything is simple and rockin'.
Waylon Jennings
3/5
Kind of sleepy, more of a crooner style singer than I was expecting. Not my cup of team, but pretty with nice pedal steels and great production. Not much to dislike here, but not much to love. It's fine for an older style country.
N.E.R.D
4/5
Layered and simple rock/funk hip hop album. There's just not much out there that sounds like NERD. A great album, but not quite as impactful as the debut. Awesome overall nonetheless. Pharell's vocals will always be unique, fun, and soulful.
Black Sabbath
4/5
A wonderful hard rock album that paved the way for metal and hard rock for years to come. There are certain songs on here I hope to never hear again for the rest of my life, but I respect the effort and influence this album has brought.
Scott Walker
4/5
Thoughtful and beautiful arrangements, sorrowful lyrics. This is an album full of ballads and wonderful production. Not everyone's cup of tea, but impactful and serene while having consistent sad undertones, what a beautiful voice.
Beck
5/5
Wow, I know so many songs from this album but have never listened to it all the way through until today. This album is a knockout. So much diversity in sounds, it's rough and grungy, beautiful and poetic, and funny and thoughtful. It's no surprise why he became so iconic coming off this after his debut. A total masterpiece.
Big Star
5/5
Magnificent and epic, capturing folk and classic rock sounds, excellent vocals and guitar sounds. Harmonies are incredible capturing something like the Eagles and CSNY without as much of a southern sound. Beautiful album.
Television
5/5
A mega banger of a masterpiece, Ramones meets the Talking Heads with wicked riffs and solos that of classic rock bands. I can't believe I've never heard of this band. Stellar record!
Donald Fagen
4/5
Love this album. I’m listening thinking man this sounds like Steely Dan… oh. Anyway, the album is awesome and full of cool progressive yacht rock bangers. A fun album!
Dolly Parton
4/5
A lovely and sweet country album. Dolly’s voice is so wonderful. Even though this isn’t a “new album” it feels contemporary and classic. Wonderful lyrics and I love Dolly’s tiny vibrato.
Emmylou Harris
4/5
Soulful and sweet, beautiful vocals and older country that is wonderful and heartfelt. Really enjoyed this album as a Kacey Musgraves fan
Radiohead
5/5
An absolute electronic masterpiece. When this first album came out, I didn’t care for it and wished it has more traditional rock sounds and it’s grown on me over the years to be one of my all time favorites.
Hawkwind
2/5
It’s cosmic hard rock and is fun for awhile, but then it just keeps going and going. Becomes very repetitive after awhile. I know it’s live so renditions will be more jammy but it’s just too much. I don’t think I’ll spin this one again.
Gorillaz
3/5
Classic late 90s Brit Alt Rock. Some songs are fine, some are great. Obviously the standouts were radio hits, but some good additional tracks. Aged ok and is worth a listen years later.
Jungle Brothers
3/5
A rap album that feels a bit dated, but with some good licks and beats.
Stan Getz
5/5
Incredibly soothing and relaxing album with familiar songs. Vocals are matched so perfectly with the music. This is one you put on when you can’t go on vacation, but you close your eyes and can almost imagine you are on a beach in France.
The xx
2/5
Ok drony alt rock. Some of it’s nice and interesting, but it gets repetitive as the album progresses. Many sounds feel like they are building towards something and the pay off never comes. Pretty forgettable overall.
Leftfield
3/5
90s electronic that's sort of cool and sort of very dated and hard to take seriously. More vocals than I was expecting. Not very memorable, but fine.
MGMT
5/5
This album is just about as perfect as it gets. I've listened to it probably a hundred times but never mind listening again. There's something nostalgic about it with thick synths and unexpected melodies. It just sounds so cool and thick. Highly recommended album.
2/5
I have only quit on one or two albums on this list so far. This is borderline unlistenable noice. It's technically very impressive spastic jazz. I survived 20 mins and that was enough. It's so chaotic and unpleasant. The drums and woodwinds in particular started to injure my brain. 2 stars for it being impressive albeit awful.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
A very interesting album. This is not a pop driven album with sing along tracks. I can tell this one is very personal. I jived with about half the tracks while some are more poetry set to music almost. I think this is one that needs multiple listens to really appreciate, but probably not on my rotation.
4/5
Another Bowie Banger! Lots of excellent music here. I’m enjoying ever Bowie album I get and this one is no exception. It’s zany and fun, awesome vocals, awesome production, totally wild and weird.
Public Image Ltd.
1/5
This album straight up sucks. I wish I could unhear.
The Temptations
5/5
A wonderfully diverse album covering a range of emotions and dynamics. There’s sweet soul and funk, classics, and songs I hadn’t heard. It’s great to listen to the Temptations outside the “greatest hits” vacuum and hear a real album. Great one here!
Elbow
4/5
A mix of Coldplay with elements of Muse. A good and diverse mix of British pop, anthems, thick arrangements. Good album overall from a band I wasn’t familiar with.
Bebel Gilberto
3/5
Light and jazzy, bossa nova elements create a nice and relaxing experience. Not familiar with her music, but a sad and tragic end. Definitely a good album to put on while making dinner with a glass of wine.
James Taylor
4/5
Sweet and lovely classic American from James Taylor. His blues and classic covers are wonderful as well. Excellent vocals and guitar playing. Wonderful album and a great snapshot of James Taylor's work.
Marvin Gaye
5/5
A wonderful soulful album. Everything is great on here. There love and protest, joy and sadness. Full range of emotions on display with excellent production and backing instruments. A perfect album.
Steely Dan
5/5
A wonderful jazz rock album. Every song hits, great instrumentation, incredible harmonies and vocals. It's a feel good album throughout and shows why Steely Dan went on to be legends.
Black Sabbath
4/5
And thoroughly grungy rock album. Thick fuzzy guitars with non traditional arrangements. Ozzy sounds great although I’ve found is voice to be a little grating as I’ve gotten older. This album has clearly influenced everyone from Metallica to the Queens of the Stone Age. Probably my favorite Sabbath album.
Prince
5/5
Not much anyone can say about this album other than that it’s perfection. Incredible album experience. I listened straight through twice. Masterpiece of rock, soul, and pop with amazing guitar work, percussion, backing vocals, and guitar, but man, Prince was 100% committed to the album vision and performance.
The Sabres Of Paradise
3/5
It’s 90s atmospheric electronic music. I can’t say that I have strong feelings for or against it. Good background music to make you feel like you are a hacker while you are doing spreadsheets at work. Def captures the 90s sound and would say I expected that it was new than it was. Not a bad way to spend 45 minutes.
David Crosby
4/5
Nice album of folk and bluesy Americana songs. The songs that hit the hardest are the ones that have the classic CSR thousand harmonies. Some of this is beautiful and some of this is hippy rock. It doesn’t all mesh together perfectly but nice experience listening
Oasis
3/5
A nice first album (to my knowledge) for an iconic rock band. All the pieces are here for what they eventually go on to do. Pop Brit Rock music, with great hooks, vocals, guitars. I don’t know if there’s a standout track here per say, but it all works as an excellent debut album.
Christina Aguilera
4/5
An excellent snapshot of 2000s pop divas. Album is balanced with harder dance pop songs, ballads, and everything between showcasing how unbelievable CA is as a singer. I always felt it was very unfair how she was portrayed when this album dropped. She was lumped in with Spears was no where on the spectrum of CA. This album is a little dated, but hits all the notes you expect and is a good snapshot of CA’s total work.
Linkin Park
5/5
Nothing else you can say about this album than it’s a banger. Every song hits. I believe this is in the top 10 best selling albums of all time, if I recall correctly. The rap rock combo hasn’t aged the best but Linkin Park always had their own sound especially with the two vocal set up with Chester (RIP). Excellent album.
William Orbit
2/5
There’s really nothing remarkable or even very interesting about the music here. It’s thick electronica with deep arrangements, but just sounds like elevator electronica. I appreciate some creative choices here, but it’s nothing I would listen to again or would recommend.
Louis Prima
5/5
A wonderfully upbeat mix of jazz music, beautifully recorded, classics you recognize that you don’t remember from where. Vocals are outstanding. This is one you could put on anytime and have a smile brought to your face immediately.
Grant Lee Buffalo
3/5
A nice alt folk rock 90s release that I haven’t heard before. It’s got some Americana vibes with classic 90s acoustic blues rock. Great vocals and a sort of hard to nail down sound in terms of time period as vibes well with the Ryan Adams’s of the world.
Nas
5/5
Lyrically impressive, great flows, chill beats and backing tracks. Excellent album to listen to and chill. I haven’t really listened to NAS before and this one lived up to the hype. Definitely will be on the regular rotation.
Cocteau Twins
4/5
Really excellent synths 80s pop, similar to what I’ve heard called Dream pop in the modern sense. I’ve never heard of this group, but most of the album is great and the first track is excellent. Great vocals and keyboards throughout. Fun album and a nice surprise.
Genesis
3/5
This is a wild and diverse album. Very very proggy and not very similar to their later albums. Amazing keyboard work. Rich, thick arrangements of sound. You can hear the influence of this album in many of the prog jam bands that are currently popular like Umphrey’s McGee. While it’s got a lot of energy, there weren’t many tracks I connected with. Sonically however, it’s outstandingly diverse.
Talk Talk
5/5
Sad 80’s synth pop without the synth. Album hits all the notes of the decade and sounds but with non traditional instruments of the time. I’m blown away by this one having never heard it. Excellent think arrangements of sad 80s pop. Loved every second!
The Who
5/5
Outstanding album filled with unknown songs. The hits are the ones I least like. While iconic, the rest of the tracks are a perfect mix of classic rock, Brit invasion, and oldies sounds. I can’t believe how good the vocals are. It sounds like a different singer than later Who albums (maybe it is?). Such a great and lengthy album that really captures mid sixties rock and the Who sound.
Bob Dylan
3/5
Probably the best Bob Dylan album I’ve listened to. Somehow producers were able to make his voice tolerable. The blues based album is cool and calm and very listenable. It’s still Bob Dylan, but less unpleasant.
Ice Cube
3/5
A solid “gangsta” rap album. No standout tracks. Lots of rap from this era sounds pretty similar but Ice Cube’s voice is uniquely his own. You can hear the anger in his voice throughout. Solid, but probably won’t revisit.
Black Sabbath
4/5
A sludgy dark rock album that totally rocks. At only 5 songs, it's a lean album. Sounds like nothing else from it's time. I like Vol 4 better, but a great introduction to Black Sabbath.
Bruce Springsteen
2/5
This is vanilla, boring, and overly long Springsteen. It's self indulgent and completely uninteresting. There's nothing really wrong with it, but it sounds like it was produced as a committee. So many earlier albums to highlight for this list. This is a no for me dog.
Weather Report
4/5
Woah! Wild jazz alert. What a fun album. Technically astounding with the instrumentation. I'm not a jazz expert, but I really enjoyed the fusion across genres and specifically the musicianship. That bass player, whoa!
Jack White
3/5
It's fine. Jack White is fine. Every album I hear of his, I'm like, ok sure. His vocals I sort of like, but then sort of hate. The ultra fuzzy low fi shtick is ok as well. As with all his albums, it's always fine and never great or bad. Same with this one. That being said, I really don't understand the worship of him or his playing and music. Solid 3/5 everytime for him.
Frank Sinatra
4/5
A fun and calming bossa album. I read these are reworkings from a prior artist, I don't know about this but it's fun and Sinatra's voice is unmistakably solid and reliable. I could listen to him sing the phone book. Some great tracks on this one.
Simply Red
4/5
Outstanding Pop and soul album. Some really sound standing vocals that surprised me. Most of the album feels at home with 80s pop/synth but then there are soul tracks that almost sound like another artist. Really enjoyed this album overall.
Blur
2/5
Every song is kind of weird, nothing really sounds good, production sounds great but I’ve discovered from this list that I don’t like Blur at all. It’s goofy, full of awkward melodies that don’t work. It’s just unpleasant rock music’s with a few decent moments.