Jan 05 2024
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Madman Across The Water
Elton John
Not my usual vibe, but he's clearly a master at what he's doing here.
4
Jan 08 2024
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Talking Heads 77
Talking Heads
Solid, straightforward rock-and-roll, except David Byrne is quite a mind. Not sure how I never noticed it before, but Serj Tankian reminds me of some of Byrne's antics here.
4
Jan 09 2024
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Natty Dread
Bob Marley & The Wailers
Good vibes; no notes.
4
Jan 10 2024
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MTV Unplugged In New York
Nirvana
Took way too long to finally listen to this all the way through. Rare to hear a record this raw these days, with all its imperfections intact, but the vibe undeniable.
4
Jan 11 2024
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The World is a Ghetto
War
I need more 60s/70s funk in my life and this is a fine start. Strong reggae vibes too though.
5
Jan 12 2024
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Either Or
Elliott Smith
I just can't seem to get into Elliott Smith, even after all these years. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ It's fine; maybe I just need the right mood/environment to appreciate it.
3
Jan 15 2024
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All Directions
The Temptations
So good. I have been missing out.
5
Jan 16 2024
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Electric Warrior
T. Rex
Meh. Bang a Gong was in constant rotation on every northern MI classic rock station, and the rest of the songs seem about the same. It's fine I guess, but I won't be listening again.
2
Jan 17 2024
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Deja Vu
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Whoa, the guitar and bass chops on this record. Also, the overall vibe is some rock and roll hippie shit that I'm very much here for.
4
Jan 18 2024
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Ambient 1/Music For Airports
Brian Eno
Nice background music for working. I feel like I've heard of Brian Eno for a long time and never consciously listened or sought out an album. Not sure if I'll do so again, but it was a pleasant listening experience nonetheless.
4
Jan 19 2024
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The Sensual World
Kate Bush
Mm, not my cup of tea for the most part, but there's a ton of lush instrumentation here that I can appreciate.
3
Jan 22 2024
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Paul's Boutique
Beastie Boys
Classic. At once dense and sprawling. Liked it more this time than the last time I listened.
4
Jan 23 2024
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Red Headed Stranger
Willie Nelson
Lovely melllow vibes. Probably not coming back too often, but I enjoyed it.
4
Jan 24 2024
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Teenager Of The Year
Frank Black
I never really got deep into The Pixies, but I always enjoyed their music whenever I happened to hear it. This feels the same, perhaps unsurprisingly.
4
Jan 25 2024
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Southern Rock Opera
Drive-By Truckers
The best rock-and-roll I've heard in a while and it's from the 2000s? With thoughtful social commentary from a (checks notes) _southern_ USA perspective? Hell yes.
4
Jan 26 2024
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Tragic Songs of Life
The Louvin Brothers
Not my cup of tea, but I was sort of enjoying it overall - until the "Religious Overtones" bonus tracks. Yeeeesh. No thanks.
1
Jan 29 2024
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In A Silent Way
Miles Davis
Lovely ambiance.
4
Jan 30 2024
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Beauty And The Beat
The Go-Go's
Bouncy, peppy, fun, but not my go-to.
3
Jan 31 2024
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Tidal
Fiona Apple
Super mellow and lovely. I haven't really listened to much Fiona Apple besides the hit singles; I might have to fix that.
4
Feb 01 2024
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Music For The Jilted Generation
The Prodigy
I'm not exactly the clubbing type, but this was nice background working music.
4
Feb 02 2024
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Blood Sugar Sex Magik
Red Hot Chili Peppers
So good. The drum sound alone on this album - *chef's kiss*.
5
Feb 05 2024
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S&M
Metallica
Undeniably good for what it is. The emphasis on Load/Reload era is striking and unfortunate; good songs in there, but so many more better songs that could have been included. Still solid.
4
Feb 06 2024
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Bryter Layter
Nick Drake
Peaceful; lilting; lovely.
4
Feb 07 2024
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Kick Out The Jams (Live)
MC5
Raw, loud, abrasive rock and roll. Loved it.
4
Feb 08 2024
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Arc Of A Diver
Steve Winwood
There's clearly skill on display here, but this is hold music that I would probably turn down or hope for a callback.
2
Feb 09 2024
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The Renaissance
Q-Tip
So smooth and chill. I love what Tribe records I've heard, but Q-Tip's solo work was new to me. Always fun to discover a new thread to follow from a familiar source.
5
Feb 12 2024
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My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Kanye West
....damn it I hate that this is as good as it is
4
Feb 13 2024
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Led Zeppelin III
Led Zeppelin
Good in a "I know I'm supposed to like this, and I do, just not as much as the true fans do" kind of way. Also, I can't think of another good song ruined by terrible production as much as "Hats off to (Roy) Harper" was.
3
Feb 14 2024
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Henry's Dream
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Why the hell is this first song almost 6 minutes long?? Could have been half as long for the same impact or more.
Overall I see why people find this compelling, but overall to me it feels overwrought and tiring. I think I can handle a few songs at a time, but the album is too much.
3
Feb 15 2024
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There's A Riot Goin' On
Sly & The Family Stone
So much groove and talent just hanging out there, each in its spot, not flashy, just solid and funky. Love it.
5
Feb 16 2024
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Fragile
Yes
"Roundabout" is one of those songs I know I've hard a whole bunch but never consciously or really paying attention until now. Man the organ and the overall timbre of the guitars together is a trip back in time.
Some great songs, and also some... recordings where they seem to have just dropped acid and then pressed record. Overall it's still good. That bass tone and playing alone... man.
4
Feb 19 2024
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Fear Of Music
Talking Heads
Bouncy quirky rock and roll. Loved it.
4
Feb 20 2024
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Dirt
Alice In Chains
Classic. I listened to this one start-to-finish for the first pretty recently, so it's fresh.
4
Feb 21 2024
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Architecture And Morality
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
Oscillating between The Cure and some kind of noise pop I probably would have been into in college.
3
Feb 22 2024
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Roger the Engineer
The Yardbirds
Nice tunes, but I should NOT have stayed around for the stereo versions. Yikes. Yes, technical constraints and all that. Still awful.
Four stars for the music nevertheless.
4
Feb 23 2024
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Songs For Swingin' Lovers!
Frank Sinatra
Not expecting much from this one, as I'm not that into Sinatra. Optimistically starting at 3 stars.
3
Feb 26 2024
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Slippery When Wet
Bon Jovi
Solid guitar rock throughout. I don't think I've ever heard anything but the singles. The other tracks were certiainly weaker, but overall still a great album.
4
Feb 27 2024
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2112
Rush
Definitely out of my usual Rush experience here, but also so familiar. Such ridiculously talented musicians, composers, arrangers. Loved it.
5
Feb 28 2024
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Off The Wall
Michael Jackson
The number of years it's taken me to appreciate Michael Jackson is frankly embarrassing. Love the grooves here.
5
Feb 29 2024
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Scissor Sisters
Scissor Sisters
Pretty fun, if not one I'll be returning to often.
4
Mar 01 2024
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Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Wilco
At its best, this sounds like a more folk/country OK Computer, and it's pretty enjoyable. At its worst, it's a little boring, but still pleasant. Not the revelation I remember it being lauded as, but still quite nice.
4
Mar 04 2024
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Ramones
Ramones
Classic, super important, bouncy and fun
...and WOW it sounds bad (production-wise) in 2024. There should be a list of albums ranked by the ratio of popularity to production quality; this would be high on that list.
4
Mar 05 2024
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The Atomic Mr Basie
Count Basie & His Orchestra
Man, this is so lovely. The bops are bright and lively; the calmer songs are so warm and soothing. Gorgeous.
5
Mar 06 2024
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One Nation Under A Groove
Funkadelic
NASTY and gorgeous.
5
Mar 07 2024
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Fuzzy Logic
Super Furry Animals
It's fine, I guess? Kind of a mess though. Not sure why it's on this list to be honest.
2
Mar 08 2024
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The Village Green Preservation Society
The Kinks
Not really into the britpop albums on this list. This was less of a mess than Super Furry Animals at least.
3
Mar 11 2024
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Meat Is Murder
The Smiths
Finally listening to my first Smiths album. It's more pleasant than I expected.
The bass work on "Barbarism Begins at Home" alone is worth the listen. And the whole album is pretty nice! Though... it probably could have ended one track earlier. -_-
4
Mar 12 2024
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Dookie
Green Day
Happy 30th anniversary, Dookie! This album is a huge part of the way I play drums. It might have been one of the first albums I bought. Absolute classic, I will hear no slander against it.
The building instrumental at the end of "Chump" permanently lives in my chest. I will rock out to "She" until my legs don't work anymore. Even "Pulling Teeth", which I hated and skipped for years, is a song that I've come to appreciate. "Coming Clean" is so bracingly earnest, and I felt that back in the 90s even though I didn't understand it yet. And I will shout-sing along to "FOD" (in the car alone) forever.
Five stars. All the stars.
5
Mar 13 2024
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Roxy Music
Roxy Music
Quite a variety in one album. Pretty enjoyable.
4
Mar 14 2024
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The White Room
The KLF
Not bad, but nothing I'll be returning to. The samples were almost a self-parody, but maybe it just feels dated in 2024.
3
Mar 15 2024
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Mama's Gun
Erykah Badu
Embarrassingly, this is my first time listening to an Erykah Badu album, though I've heard her on other artists' records. It won't be the last. Sweet, smooth, and soulful.
5
Mar 18 2024
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Highway to Hell
AC/DC
Good stuff, but mostly all sounds the same. That's not awful, but it is unfortunate that the main song that stands out ("Night Prowler") is... well, basically what the title sounds like. Yeeeeek.
4
Mar 19 2024
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Cosmo's Factory
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Heard these songs a ton on the radio growing up. It’s fine in that context but it’s not something I’m going to throw on by choice. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
4
Mar 20 2024
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(What's The Story) Morning Glory
Oasis
Better than I remembered. “Morning Glory” is the standout to me at the moment. I’m still tired of the singles as if they were flooding the airwaves yesterday.
4
Mar 21 2024
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Throwing Muses
Throwing Muses
My first time hearing of this band or hearing any of this music. Pretty solid. I know it's from 1986 but I can imagine Sleater-Kinney were into Throwing Muses for a while. An interesting sonic departure at the end of the album, but I don't dislike it.
4
Mar 22 2024
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Penance Soiree
The Icarus Line
Pretty good! Grimy, grinding rock and roll shifting back and forth in intensity. Probably won't seek out more but I enjoyed it.
4
Mar 25 2024
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At Newport 1960
Muddy Waters
Yet another area where I'm embarrassingly ignorant of music I should know better. Absolutely captivating; no notes.
5
Mar 26 2024
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Tusk
Fleetwood Mac
This album has three distinct moods:
1. Manic and unsettlingly energetic
2. Boring and bland
3. Lovely and mellow
Not sure what to make of it, other than three stars.
3
Mar 27 2024
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Let's Get Killed
David Holmes
A great hip-hop record in search of an MC and an editor.
OR
Pleasant background music... when the weird dialogue sample shuts up.
OR
Solid soundtrack music for a movie.
Update: ah, there's the freestyle on track 5
4
Mar 28 2024
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Slanted And Enchanted
Pavement
This record sounds so bad but feels so good. Absolutely glad it's on this list.
4
Mar 29 2024
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Emergency On Planet Earth
Jamiroquai
I mean, I know what they sound like, and it's alright, but on this list? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
3
Apr 01 2024
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Back In Black
AC/DC
So weird to see artists repeat on this list. Can't complain about this album, though. \m/
I think I might end up enjoying this album a bit more than Highway to Hell. We'll have to see how the non-singles hold up, though.
Pretty solid halfway through... until YIKES side A ends with a rape anthem. Gross. Ok.
High hopes for side B, and it did not disappoint. Overall a solid 4 stars despite the above. More steady album than Highway for sure.
4
Apr 02 2024
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A Girl Called Dusty
Dusty Springfield
Fairly enjoyable; strong voice, but the songs fall into two categories for me: 1) not my cup of tea; or 2) I'd rather hear the original.
I will say the recording sounds better than most recordings of this era I've heard on this list, _especially_ the other ones also recorded in 3-channel stereo.
3
Apr 03 2024
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Searching For The Young Soul Rebels
Dexys Midnight Runners
This has got to be the weirdest album on this list so far, but subtly so - like The Clash had a one-night stand with a ska band and it didn't work out, but this album is the kid they're coparenting, and they're all doing their best and kinda making it work, but things are never quite stable.
3
Apr 04 2024
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Tigermilk
Belle & Sebastian
Perfectly enjoyable if not particularly memorable.
4
Apr 05 2024
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Nebraska
Bruce Springsteen
Bleak as fuck, and it doesn't sound that great either. Disappointing overall, despite some redeeming moments.
3
Apr 08 2024
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Live At The Harlem Square Club
Sam Cooke
Such a feel-good jam through and through. I can feel the energy in the room and how it's a party I'd love to be at.
5
Apr 09 2024
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Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Less than one song in and I'm reminded that this is classic, awesome, solid. I don't know what else to say. Everybody knows this is wonderful.
5
Apr 10 2024
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I’m a Lonesome Fugitive
Merle Haggard
Eh, it's almost fine, but I think I'd rather listen to Johnny Cash any day of the week.
2
Apr 17 2024
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Felt Mountain
Goldfrapp
Supremely boring.
2
Apr 18 2024
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Elephant
The White Stripes
Enjoyable overall, but not super memorable outside the singles.
3
Apr 19 2024
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Sound Affects
The Jam
Oh my god that bass tone alone A+++ but so weird along that 80s-AF drum sound.
This shit is great!
5
Apr 22 2024
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Violent Femmes
Violent Femmes
I know they were huge in the 80s (when I was born!), but I can't help but thinking that this has all the earnest lack of pretense as early Green Day but without the benefit of being particularly enjoyable to listen to.
...okay, fine, it's kinda enjoyable, just with some ups and downs - and hugely influential, obviously. That gets it an extra star. Four stars, that's IT
4
Apr 23 2024
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Music for the Masses
Depeche Mode
Churning; brooding; punchy. Pretty great.
4
Apr 24 2024
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Time Out Of Mind
Bob Dylan
Dylan being Dylan. Couldn't really get into this one.
3
Apr 25 2024
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Smash
The Offspring
Man I wore this one out as an angsty teenager. Someone said "Offspring is like Taco Bell for Punk", and yep, sometimes what I want is Taco Bell. Not as much as after I found the real thing, though.
4
Apr 26 2024
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Crossing the Red Sea With the Adverts
The Adverts
Perfectly enjoyable English punk that I probably won't be returning to, personally.
4
Apr 29 2024
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KIWANUKA
Michael Kiwanuka
Lovely and smooth. The gunshot/snare juxtaposition on "Living in Denial" made me jump. Wonderful production and performances throughout.
5
Apr 30 2024
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3 + 3
The Isley Brothers
Oh hi Kendrick, I see you samplin' :D
Sublime. That guitar is WILD and spacey but funky as hell all at once.
5
May 01 2024
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The Poet
Bobby Womack
Smooth and funky. Immaculate basslines; incredible voice.
5
May 02 2024
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Casanova
The Divine Comedy
I made it all the way to one minute into track 3 before I noped the hell out.
1
May 03 2024
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Arrival
ABBA
It's fine, if a little boring, but with rare exception, very much not my style.
3
May 06 2024
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The Bends
Radiohead
If this album doesn't get five stars, nothing on here does.
5
May 07 2024
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Deep Purple In Rock
Deep Purple
Ok this sure as hell started strong.
Equal parts Led Zeppelin, The Doors, and The Who. Damn, I've been sleeping on Deep Purple.
Fantastic drumming too! DAMN.
5
May 08 2024
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Live 1966 (The Royal Albert Hall Concert)
Bob Dylan
This is wild. I know it's cliche, but I'll always wonder how he gets away with that voice; it's beyond parody. This album was a great time, but I do really wish they hadn't edited it so hard, especially that iconic exchange before "Like a Rolling Stone". I love to see it - an artist doing what they want, and the audience is welcome to come along or not. Play it fucking loud.
5
May 09 2024
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Dig Your Own Hole
The Chemical Brothers
Not super memorable? Generally fine. I hate that I write so many reviews that are just like that.
3
May 10 2024
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Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age
QOTSA has always struck me as a little flat, and this record is no exception. Pretty fun guitar-driven jams, but not a lot to get me excited. Three stars feels too low; four stars too high. Four it is.
4
May 13 2024
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Surrealistic Pillow
Jefferson Airplane
Ok, I'll admit it, this one grew on me over the course of the album. Glad I didn't jump out after the first song or two like I thought about doing. On the other hand, it wasn't until the first bonus track, "In the Morning", that I really took notice. I'm not sure what to think now. Four stars, I guess?
4
May 14 2024
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Led Zeppelin IV
Led Zeppelin
Five stars, no notes.
5
May 15 2024
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Rust Never Sleeps
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
What I'd give to spend another afternoon enjoying this with my dad. Neil will forever be wrapped up in memories of him.
The way the crowd is so small and distant at the end... this show must have been MASSIVELY loud.
5
May 16 2024
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Violator
Depeche Mode
At turns wild, smooth, pulsing, brooding, unsettling, and grooving. I'm probably enjoying Depeche Mode the most when they lean into the dirty guitar and throbbing synth sounds, so this album was a bit all over the place for me, but overall I enjoyed it a whole lot.
4
May 17 2024
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Tonight's The Night
Neil Young
A rock and roll party album made oddly eerie when I listen closer and read the backstory. Still so strange to have the immaculate band up against Neil's... well, very *Neil* voice. It all kinda works, though.
4
May 20 2024
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...And Justice For All
Metallica
Most days, Puppets is my favorite Metallica album; Justice second. Still five stars, no notes.
5
May 21 2024
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The Wall
Pink Floyd
I don't think I've listened to this in 20 years, and I certainly didn't appreciate it then the way I do now. Sprawling, chaotic, mesmerizing.
5
May 22 2024
View Album
The Holy Bible
Manic Street Preachers
Damn, I'm enjoying the music here a TON but I get the feeling I shouldn't listen too closely to the lyrics >.<
4
May 23 2024
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Nighthawks At The Diner
Tom Waits
Unlike the last time I attempted to listen to more than half a Tom Waits song some decades ago... I didn't immediately hate it. I have no experience with the rest of his catalog, and I probably won't seek it out until it pops up on this list again... but I'm honestly surprised I didn't hate this one. So I'll approach the next one with some mixture of confusion and curiosity, rather than dread. Win?
3
May 24 2024
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Raising Hell
Run-D.M.C.
HUGE sound and unmatched swagger. Classic.
5
Jun 05 2024
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Songs In The Key Of Life
Stevie Wonder
Absolutely stellar start to finish.
5
Jun 06 2024
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Bone Machine
Tom Waits
Three songs in: nah, not feeling it.
2
Jun 07 2024
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Face to Face
The Kinks
I'm real done with basically all the britpop on this list. It's fine, but I'm not listening to the whole album today.
3
Jun 10 2024
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At Mister Kelly's
Sarah Vaughan
Not my usual, but this was warm and cozy and I enjoyed it quite a bit.
4
Jun 11 2024
View Album
Aftermath
The Rolling Stones
Overall, I am no longer comfortable with how much I used to like the Stones. I can see their importance of these records in their time, and I enjoy the newer stuff still... but man I'm glad rock and roll has moved beyond what this is.
3
Jun 12 2024
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Pyromania
Def Leppard
Someone already said "big dumb fun" and I can't think of a better review.
4
Jun 14 2024
View Album
Cross
Justice
Even better than I remembered, daaaaaamn <3
5
Jun 17 2024
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Queen II
Queen
I don't think I've heard hardly any of these songs before, but Queen is still being Queen here and I'm all about it.
4
Jun 18 2024
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Sticky Fingers
The Rolling Stones
Much less cringy than "Aftermath" (setting aside "Brown Sugar", and/or maybe I just paid less attention overall to lyrics); much more rocking. I remember why I liked the Stones now.
4
Jun 19 2024
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Phaedra
Tangerine Dream
Fine background music, but kinda boring.
3
Jul 08 2024
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Exile In Guyville
Liz Phair
This was a lot. Not sure I'll listen again, but I can get the idea of its influence and role in music history.
3
Jul 09 2024
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Wish You Were Here
Pink Floyd
Love it love it love it. Classic.
5