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Sun Jan 07 2024
Frank
Amy Winehouse
Was disappointed to start here. Going into it I'm not a fan of Amy but really only knew Rehab. The song was annoying and overplayed for me at the time, which turned me off. Then the irony with her death just really made it clear my life would be fine if I never heard her again.
But I wanted to try this 1001 albums journey. The intro scatting had me just about pull the plug after 6 seconds, but I stuck with it and it wasn't too bad after that. The style was interesting and jazzy, but overall not really anything that will find its way into my playlist.
Best song - You sent me flying
1.5 / 5
2
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Mon Jan 08 2024
Synchronicity
The Police
Album 2/1001
Going into this album I was aware of The Police and their radio hits, so pretty excited to get to a full album. Was quite surprised by the variety here since the singles all were fairly similar.
"Walking in your footsteps" made the dinosaur loving kid in me happy, while simultaneously feeding into my present-day anxiety about the future ahead of us. "Mother" was an odd track, but aside from that it was a great album and was not disappointed. No choice but to give their ultimate album a 5/5
Best Song: Synchronicity II ( likely guitar hero nostalgia )
5/5
5
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Tue Jan 09 2024
Play
Moby
3/1001
Not overly familiar with Moby going in aside from "South Side" which happens to be on the album. So I was expecting a more electronic overall sound, but was surprised by a variety of bluesy songs.
I didn't always take notice of the instrumental tracks, but made sure to tag "Inside" as a future playlist piece.
A comfortable listen, that really went well with the rainy day outside.
Favorite track: "South Side"
4.5/5
5
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Wed Jan 10 2024
Parklife
Blur
4/1001
This is the third album in a row I've been excited to listen to. Another artist I'm familiar with from "Song 2" and later Gorillaz.
Right away "Girls & Boys" brought me back to the 90s when I probably last heard that song. Somehow this album escaped me for 30 years, but no bother regretting that now as getting to hear a fantastic album like this for the first time in a treat
Full of that great British rock style.
Favorite track: "Girls & Boys"
5/5
5
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Thu Jan 11 2024
The Downward Spiral
Nine Inch Nails
5/1001
Another exciting album and I believe we're at 3 90s in a row. If I've heard this album before it was a long time ago.
"Closer" is by far the most recognizable song here, and I'm still perplexed at how it passed radio censoring even with the edits. As if there is some other word that fits in that blank. Elementary age me didn't quite get it, but at any rate...I appreciate the sound of the album and what Trent was doing, but there weren't enough standout tracks to bump it to a 5, and the top track has its own issues
I also forget "Hurt" was their song, great by them and Mr Cash
Favorite track: "Closer" I guess
4l5
4
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Fri Jan 12 2024
Songs From The Big Chair
Tears For Fears
6/1001
Only 8 tracks on the album, but it is incredible. Banger after banger. Kicking off with "Shout" gets right into the unique vocals of this band. Some songs were new to me, but all are fairly consistently good.
I'm still very early into this 1001 album journey, but this was my favorite so far.
Favorite track: "everybody wants to rule the world"
5/5
5
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Sat Jan 13 2024
Power In Numbers
Jurassic 5
First album I'm going into with no idea about what it is. From the cover I'm guessing some hip hop.
Apparently that's what it is, "If you only knew" comes in with this flute and says 'we only tryin to give you something you ain't used to' which is appropriate for a person like me hearing the album.
Not many other songs were relatable. I still don't know what to do with songs that have the N word, but "what's golden" was a grooving tune.
If it wasn't evident yet, I'm not familiar with hip hop and the rhymes. Has Gene Simmons been seeing demons? Do swordfish rotate tracks or double back? I'm for sure out of my league 'like Jordan playing baseball' on this one.
Favorite track "What's Golden"
2/5
2
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Sun Jan 14 2024
461 Ocean Boulevard
Eric Clapton
Pretty good chill out album from Clapton. Not a real standout track for me on this one. I was hoping for a more rock centric album with the start of "Motherless Children" but it mellows out after that. Sheriff is the main single I recognized, and there are almost some points in "Let it Grow" that sounded like Stairway to Heaven in the guitar.
Nothing to skip here, and there is something to be said for an album you can just put on.
Favorite track: "Motherless Children"
3.5/5
4
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Mon Jan 15 2024
Third/Sister Lovers
Big Star
Cover impressions: cult or lesbian incest? Yikes.
Apparently that is the alternate cover and this is a male rock band featuring Alex Chilton-- who I only know of thanks to a song by The Replacements that was featured in Rock Band 2.
"Kizza me" starts off poorly with a weird, almost constipated vocal and desperate, distressing lyrics. That same strained style of singing continues through most of the album. "Big Black Car" kind of escapes that, but is rather boring instead. "Holocaust" is deeply depressing.
Had hopes for "Kanga Roo" but I can't imagine what it means to want someone like a Kangaroo.
I didn't expect a rock album to be my first 1-star but I don't get this album."Get me out of here, I hate it here" is the most relatable lyric.
Favorite track: "Til the end of the day" -- apparently this was technically a bonus track added in later releases and a Kinks cover. No wonder it was good. Otherwise "Nightime" would be my favorite original track.
1/5
1
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Tue Jan 16 2024
25
Adele
Adele clearly is a rare megastar in terms of global popularity. Very difficult to have not been aware her in the 2010s. I don't think I've heard a full album from the start but I know it won't be too bad going in.
For me being mid-30s, seeing the notes mention this is the reflection reflection of a 25 year old really makes me feel old and unaccomplished. So many songs are so dramatic and would be much more relevant coming from someone 55+.
"When we were young" from a 25 year old is kind of silly, but I can't help but think about my mom dealing with dementia and just made me cry.
"River Lea" has me wondering how many other forms of water have been blamed for things (the rain).
By the time "million years ago" comes on I feel like now it must be some kind of joke that a 25 year old is writing this and is trying to be serious. Taylor is 34 right now and having a grand old time. Go have some fun Adele.
Overall an album I can appreciate, but not particularly my cup of tea. I assume 21 will be on this list sometime and from the singles I know from that I can't rate this one the same. Probably not fair to deduct points by comparing her to herself or complaining the songs are too mature for her age, but I'm going to do it anyway. There isn't a "fun" song here. As I get a little further down the list I may treat this as a 5, but it is a 3.9 at most for now, and I'll round up.
Favorite track: "Hello"
3.9/5
4
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Wed Jan 17 2024
S&M
Metallica
This is the first album on the list so far that I've actually owned, and it answers my question about double albums and live albums at the same time.
Big fan of Metallica so this is a treat to listen to from start to finish again. I don't think I've done that since I had access to a CD player. The transitions from song to song are so clean and an aspect of it that I've been missing listening to it a track at a time.
If you've seen them live you know what's coming to start up and the orchestra version of "Extacy of Gold" is just awesome, as are most of the instrumental tracks. For the vocal tracks, the theatrics and drama work better for some than others. "The thing that should not be" and "Hero of the day"
The new tracks made for the album "No Leaf Clover" and "-Human" are both great and tend to be my favorites on each disk because of not having a clean studio version to compare to, and the orchestra has a much more relevant part.
Great album and concept. I'm only about 10 in on this 1001 album journey, but this was my favorite so far.
Favorite track disk 1: "No Leaf Clover"
Favorite track disk 2: "-Human "
5/5
5
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Thu Jan 18 2024
Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim
Frank Sinatra
This album was way before my time, but I can tell going into it that it is something pretty special. (Also neat to get another orchestra album right after S&M).
While listening to this I was reading more about the history or this album: who Jobim was, more about Sinatra, and just the goings on about music during the time. A collaboration album like this is a great seed to grow a whole lesson out of and it makes me want to be a teacher of a music history class if only to share this with a whole room of students.
Nothing I've said so far has really anything to do with the tracks themselves, but I'm not sure anything needs to be said. Every one is just a pleasant experience that just emanates a timeless, classic sound that can be listened to forever.
I know I'm just at the very tip of an iceberg for Sinatra's career and I'm already starting to see why he was such a big deal.
Favorite track: "If you never come to me"
5/5
5
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Fri Jan 19 2024
Rising Above Bedlam
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
WHAT?!??
I kept listening to this without any idea who or where it came from, foolishly thinking the nex song would tell me more about what this is supposed to be. Then I finished the album. I have no idea what this is and maybe that is for the best.
Favorite track? "Ungodly Kingdom" I guess.
1/5
1
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Sat Jan 20 2024
Pretenders
Pretenders
I was pretty hyped for this album having heard more about Pretenders by reputation rather than tracks. That hype kinda let me down during this album as it sounded pretty average to me through most of it.
"Brass in Pocket" is clearly the top track here although I didn't recognize it by the name. It just makes me wonder how so many bands end up with one song that is just miles ahead of anything else on the album.
Some elements of "The Phone Call" sounded like the Sonic 2 stage completion sound, and "Space Invader" was a pretty cool instrumental. "Tattooed Love Boys" was a song I recognized from Guitar Hero, but didn't quite sound right. I went back and checked and the GH version was an 'as made famous by' cover version and that cover actually sounded better to me.
Overall not a bad album that was probably more significant in its time, but doesn't quite hold up.
Favorite track: "Brass in Pocket"
3/5
3
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Sun Jan 21 2024
Like Water For Chocolate
Common
Me reviewing rap is about like me grading gymnastics. I can't tell the good from the bad. The fact that this album is here at all helps me know it should at least be decent just as an olympian should be pretty darn good.
So it was about as expected. I can identify it as a rap/hip hop album, and some of the collaboration tracks were pretty good. But if I don't like it I don't like it, that don't mean that I'm hatin.
Favorite track: "The 6th Sense"
3/5
3
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Mon Jan 22 2024
Five Leaves Left
Nick Drake
This is a fine album. It takes a certain mood and setting to sink away to it, but if you find that it could really be special.
I got to wondering why I hadn't heard more from this guy who was just past 20 when this album came out. Then I found out why. Such a sad outcome.
I'm not sure if the rest of Nick's works are in this list, but I'll be checking in on them on my own.
Favorite track: "Day is Done"
4/5
4
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Tue Jan 23 2024
Paranoid
Black Sabbath
Such an iconic album for metal, can hardly believe it is over 50 years old now. Barely topping 40 minutes and only 8 songs, I was thinking of just giving 4 stars, but once those last 2 jams played I had to keep it at 5.
Favorite track: "Paranoid"
5/5
5
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Wed Jan 24 2024
Suede
Suede
From the band name and cover art I would have guessed this was from 73 and not 93. No idea what I'm in for here.
Very impressed with the couple opening songs.
I know exactly what group of kids would be listening to this from my high school 20 years ago, and it was those kids that turned me on to the likes of Placebo and Bowie during late night trips to IHOP.
The more I listen to this the more annoyed I get that I didn't know about them earlier, but the fact that I've got 8 other albums from them to listen to makes up for it.
For now, I owe this one another listen paying more attention to the lyrics as I was heavily distracted by the guitar (in a good way) the first go around.
Favorite track: "Metal Mickey"
5/5
5
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Thu Jan 25 2024
Guero
Beck
Beck albums are just weird because you can be listening to it then just get to a track that you know so well from something else and are just kind of taken out of the moment trying to remember where you know this song from.
This album starts off right away with one such track in "E-pro" which sent me down a rabbit hole to find out it was from a Destiny 2 trailer and also Rock Band 2. A couple of tracks "Girl" does the same thing, which was a Nissan commercial.
There just aren't many artists in my regular rotation that I accidentally listen to 50 times without noticing. This should be good but it is also kind of distracting and kind of makes those tracks feel out of place.
Favorite track: "E-Pro"
3.5/5
4
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Fri Jan 26 2024
Chirping Crickets
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
12 songs in 25 minutes.
Any time I hear some of these historical albums I can't help but wonder what it would have been like to hear these in the time.
This one is short and simple,and impressive for such a young kid. By today's standards it may not have been anything, but for it to be 60+ years old and still full of songs I've heard of is incredible. True classic.
Favorite track: "That'll Be the Day"
4.5/5
5
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Sat Jan 27 2024
Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters are a gift to music. Granted that gift came at the price of Kurt Cobain, but from the start Dave had something special. I didn't realize this was only just over a year following the loss of Kurt and that is crazy, but not even as crazy as Dave doing it all practically solo in a week.
The first 4 tracks are my favorites, then the rest kind of all blend together. Not necessarily a bad thing in a debut album but it does keep it from being a 5* for me. No disrespect to Mr. Dave.
A good start to what would be one of the best pure rock bands for the next 30+ years.
Favorite track "this is a call"
4/5
4
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Sun Jan 28 2024
In Our Heads
Hot Chip
Cover Impression: Probably another British pop-type band.
Kinda disappointed how close the guess was knowing nothing about the band. However there was an electronic piece I didn't expect which is nice.
This is one of the newer albums I've had on the list and I'm not sure I'd have thought it would be something to revise my list for, but it is a decent album and a few moments reminded me of some other bands such as dredg and Brother.
Favorite track: "Look at where we are"
3/5
3
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Mon Jan 29 2024
The Predator
Ice Cube
I'm more familiar with Ice Cube's acting career than music so this will be interesting.
Starts off very aggressive and I feel that will stay through most the album. I get the idea behind being a scary gun gangster, but for me the fictional aspect is in conflict with the authenticity that I may be wrongly expecting.
On the other hand, reading these lyrics and actually sounding intimidating maybe says more about how he transitioned to an actor.
"It was a good day" had a nice break from being so violent. It is kind of wild reading the comments on these songs and how these songs are still relevant 30 years later. I've just had a sheltered suburban life I guess.
"Check Yo Self" comes off as a silly version of the rest of the songs, in a good way. Or maybe that is just me.
Favorite track:"Check Yo Self"
2/5
2
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Tue Jan 30 2024
Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes
Cover Impressions: This is probably the most interesting art I've seen on this list so far. Doesn't look like many of the things happening here are pleasant. Guessing more British rock again?
Welp, it's American Folk, and the name does sound somewhat familiar... Likely from checking out other SubPop artists, just never found my way to them until now.
Sometimes it seems like I think I like folk music more than I actually do. The setting it paints in my mind is nice, but I always get bored sitting at a tavern table or on a stroll.
Nothing objectionable here, but I think I fell asleep a couple times.
Favorite track:"Your Protector"
3/5
3
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Wed Jan 31 2024
The Message
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
I've heard about this album in the history textbooks, but not sure I've heard it with my ears.
It starts off a lot more funky than I expected with "She's Fresh" and that keeps on going into "It's Nasty" which features a sample I've definitely heard before--probably in several other places.
A couple albums ago on the 1001 journey I had Ice Cube's the Predator, and I can't believe I had a thought that this album would be somewhat similar based on reputation. The Furious Five are so much more fun.
The title track was a neat journey and kind of a surprise considering how much it is referenced later on. Overall I had a lot of fun with this album.
Favorite track: "It's Nasty"
5/5
5
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Thu Feb 01 2024
My Generation
The Who
In completely different areas I've seen either documentaries or articles about Keith Moon and John Entwisle being unique talents with their instruments, and I'm glad I was able to go into this album with that in mind because they were the highlight of a somewhat disappointing album.
I thought I was fairly familiar with the Who's songs, but I think only the title track was one I knew pretty well, and maybe another couple of heard of but not much beyond that.
For a debut album that is nearly 60 years old is likely it would have been more impactful at the time, but I know what this band does later on and there are better things in store on this list (I expect).
Favorite track "My Generation"
2.5/5
3
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Fri Feb 02 2024
Pills 'n' Thrills And Bellyaches
Happy Mondays
Cover Impressions: I have no clue what to expect from this ransom note of an album cover. Maybe some psychedelic stuff due to the pills, graphics, and positivity towards Mondays.
So I wasn't too far off. And I don't immediately hate it so I count that as win. I know I've heard this singer before. Upon a quick search, "Dare" by Gorillaz was the first hit, then upon further looking I had bought a random CD from a second hand store that had a cow on it, and one of those songs was "In the name of the father" by Black Grape, which I rather liked and is this singers follow up project after Happy Mondays. That has nothing to really do with this album, but does help me place the voice and now I'm coming into this with a little different perspective.
As this album goes on, I'm thinking now that a full album of this voice and style is a bit much. After the 4th track I had to take a break for a couple hours. That will likely deduct a star or two.
Coming back from that break seems to have helped a lot. The second half seemed less extra. "Loose Fit" and "Step On" could make their way into a playlist.
Favorite track "Step On"
3/5
3
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Sat Feb 03 2024
The ArchAndroid
Janelle Monáe
This album is as interesting as it is impressive. So many songs jump across genres and have such a feel-good energy. Ranging from something fit as a James Bond movie or a shonen anime intro, then off to a classical piece or some silly quirky fairy-like song...all while having an almost seamless transition between it all. I don't know what you call all of that, but I like it.
I will admit when it showed up with 18 tracks and I knew nothing I took a big sigh, but now I've listened to it twice so far.
Favorite track: "Come Alive (War of the Roses)" the first time, "Cold War" the second time through.
5/5
5
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Sun Feb 04 2024
Natty Dread
Bob Marley & The Wailers
I know Bob Marley is a legendary artist, has a movie coming out about his life and all that, but I don't quite understand it--at least not from this album or the other songs I've heard so far. Sure they are fine to chill to but trying to focus on the typical musical scoring rubric leaves a lot to be desired -- and maybe that is the point.
At any rate, I felt the songs were largely repetitive and accept that I may just not be getting it.
Favorite track?
It's not bad music, but it's not great either.
2/5
2
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Mon Feb 05 2024
Kilimanjaro
The Teardrop Explodes
(regarding 1001 journey: Lately I've been on a down streak and I've come to realize it is not the 1001 best albums, just ones you should hear for better or worse)
This album almost had me going, ready to really take it over the coals, until I eventually picked up that it is a joke album, or satire. I should have expected it when the for track literally has "Ha Ha" in the title, but it wasn't until track 5, "Poppies" before I figured it out.
Unfortunately every track seems to be making the same joke over and over which eventually got dull, then it kept going on and on to where I had to wonder if maybe it really was just a terrible album and not actually a joke. Now I don't know what is worse.
Favorite track: "Poppies in the Field"---because it made me realize it was a joke.
1/5
1
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Tue Feb 06 2024
A Night At The Opera
Queen
Never heard this album in full. Really only maybe the top 3 tracks, so I try to approach each album with as little bias as possible. Recently on this 1001 journey I've had a run of stinkers, so to test my bias I tried to be as critical of this as I could and I just can't find many flaws here.
Some of the songs that eluded me to this point are very surprising and just give me a lot more respect for Queen. "'39" , "The Prophet's Song" and are all unique to what I've known previously.
Great album from start to finish, and finishes with what may be in the running for my favorite track in this whole journey, "Bohemian Rhapsody". Happy to add more Queen songs to my playlists.
Favorite track: "Bohemian Rhapsody"
5/5
5
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Wed Feb 07 2024
Maverick A Strike
Finley Quaye
Cover Impressions: no clue. Black eye or sunglasses? The left side does look very bright so maybe the latter. Sunglasses give me a bluesy soul vibe.
You could have given me a million guesses and I don't know if Scottish reggae would have been my guess for this artist. However, the Scottish part really doesn't show here unless that is the characteristic of the voice that is a bit odd to me. All I can think to describe it is a Chris Tucker like sound a la Ruby Rhod.
Just earlier this week I had a Bob Marley album and I think this one is a bit more vibrant and dynamic. Overall not bad, just not my cup of tea.
Favorite track: "Sunday shining"
2.5/5
3
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Thu Feb 08 2024
Paul Simon
Paul Simon
Paul is definitely a storyteller, but most of these stories are somewhat tedious and boring. On one hand I like songs that play along with pictures in my head, but I'm not sure I'm really invested in what happened to someone else's chow fun, or about a hobo that maybe tied his shoes with 3 loops that one time. I do happen to like the unreleased version of "Paranoia Blues" better than the original.
These may be the kind of songs that grow after a couple of listens so you Can Still follow along if you miss a verse, but I found my imagination drifting away from the plot. Could be something good to fall asleep to.
Favorite track: "Hobo's blues"
2.5/5
3
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Fri Feb 09 2024
Music in Exile
Songhoy Blues
World music always fascinates me and fills me with questions of what the scenes did/do look like, who were these bands influenced by, etc.
This album starts off musically closer to something in a modern blues-rock groove than what I'd expect from an African band. I really only knew of Ladysmith black mambazo and this is pretty far from that. Did their blues and rock follow a similar evolution as what we saw stateside?
Whatever the story is, the fact is the first half of this definitely rocks. The second half seems to lose some of the powerful guitar sounds and gets more traditional to almost more have a sound I more associate with the middle east.
That style shift plus me being unable to really understand the story or lyrics ( my fault, not fair I know) holds this album back a bit, but happy to have heard it and will throw a couple tracks on a playlist.
Favorite track "Soubour" - but really could be any of the first 4-5
3/5
3
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Sat Feb 10 2024
Parachutes
Coldplay
Coldplay and I have never really connected. From the radio songs I felt they had kind of a U2 aura, and while I somewhat like most of U2 I just never found a need to look more into Coldplay from what I heard.
Now after hearing this album I realized they aren't much like U2 here at all and I owe U2 an apology. Pretty much all the tracks have a pouty cry feel and nothing upbeat. I'm generally not in a mood that vibes with this style and feel thankful for that.
Favorite track: "Shiver"
2/5
2
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Sun Feb 11 2024
Myths Of The Near Future
Klaxons
Cover Impressions: WTF are we getting into now. Reminds me a bit of the happy Mondays cover mixed with some of the appropriation of Jah Wobble's. Which would make my guess some kind of British mess.
I'm equally disappointed and pleased with the album I heard vs my expectations. It was different enough have me be wrong about the style, but there are still some similar criticisms or rather just some bits that just aren't for me.
I like the more driving sound and spacey feel, and think it is closer to something I like rather than dislike, so may come back to give it another listen. The first 3 tracks were probably my favorites of the lot
Favorite track: "Golden Skans"
3/5
3
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Mon Feb 12 2024
Back To Black
Amy Winehouse
Amy was my first album on this 1001 thing, and almost ended it immediately. Now we are back for round two.
I'm still not a fan, but I've improved my opinion of her after hearing these albums. I think I prefer the first one, but not by much. "Me & Mr. Jones" may be the first song I can recall hearing the word 'f*ckery' and that is amusing.
The short runtime of these tracks is appreciated as they keep the album moving along. A few songs had some music elements that kept me expecting to hear different lyrics such as the "ain't no mountain" in "Tears dry on their own " which likely would have been my favorite track without the sampling.
Overall, a decent album with some unique talent. Glad to have heard it by the end of it.
Favorite track "Back to black"
2/5
2
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Tue Feb 13 2024
Doggystyle
Snoop Dogg
What wonderfully silly album art. Unless it's been cancelled, then whatever...
The music and skits? Also had a fun energy about them that didn't seem to take itself as serious as some other rap albums may tend to do. "Ain't no fun" is a perfect example, then there are other sprinkles of levity like Pic-a-nic casket, etc.
Snoop obviously has made a good career so is doing something right, so I respect that. It just isn't for me, although I think the "what's my name" track is pretty good.
Favorite track "what's my name"
2/5
2
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Wed Feb 14 2024
Happy Sad
Tim Buckley
Cover Impressions: reminds me of Nick Drake based on time period and sadness. I've heard of a musical Buckley before but think it was Jeff not Tim.
So that wasn't too far off as a guess. Jeff is one of Tim's sons, and like Nick Drake, Tim died before age 30.
The album is pretty easy to listen to. As singer songwriter stuff goes I like this style over the Paul Simon album I recently had on 1001 so that was a pleasant surprise. These songs are long though, not really a bad thing but is probably why Tim doesn't see much radio play today. I'd have to give it another listen or two to really rate the songs out because 10 minute long, soft meandering songs will lose my attention most days.
Overall I liked the kind of Doorsy feel some songs had, and will put it in a list for a listen in the future.
Favorite track: "Buzzin Fly"
3/5
3
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Thu Feb 15 2024
Vauxhall And I
Morrissey
I've heard of Morrissey and apparently came up with an idea of what they sounded like and just the general genre of music they were and was not accurate in that guess. First off, I thought he as a more recent artist and was basically like Kings of Leon or something. I was off that mark by an ocean and a generation.
Morrissey is markedly British and much closer to something like Depeche More than what I assumed. This is generally a positive comment IMO of both groups.
There wasn't a standout track for me, but was fine to listen to running errands in the car. Some of the songs I like the beat and not the lyrics, and others I think the lyrics are more interesting but still I prefer the Smiths singles I've heard (just found out he was the singer).
Favorite track: "Hold on to your friends"
3/5
3
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Fri Feb 16 2024
Swordfishtrombones
Tom Waits
There have been several artists I thought I knew on this 1001 journey, and I don't think I've been more wrong with Tom Waits. I guess I just assumed all Toms are the same and he was similar to Tom Petty. Nope. At least not in this album.
This album is pretty wacky in a good way. Several songs sound like they are sung by a Muppet, and that isn't a bad thing earlier, just an unusual vocal style. From seeing this is his 8th album I wouldn't have expected him to only be 34 at the time.
"Underground" sets the tone right away and is a song id love to see Tenacious D cover if they haven't already, then it just keeps going on a wild ride. I've been critical of similar oddball albums, but this one just makes sense out of its strangeness in a way I really can't explain.
Favorite track "Underground"
4/5
4
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Sat Feb 17 2024
Songs For Swingin' Lovers!
Frank Sinatra
Mr. Sinatra can sing anything, all day long and I'd be cool with it. Maybe the people who have been listening for 50-60+ years could be getting tired of it, but I'm just on the top of the old blue eyes iceberg.
This is only my second album from Frank so I'm not sure if they are all basically one theme or if this is just a collection album of the love-type songs like Weird Al's food album, but at any rate it is an easy listen from start to finish with a couple recognizable tracks.
I feel like there are better albums yet to come on this list so I'm potentially unfairly keeping from the 5/5 category which I maybe gave out too frequently to start.
Favorite track "I've got you under my skin"
4.4/5
4
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Sun Feb 18 2024
Let's Get It On
Marvin Gaye
When this album showed up I started thinking about what is the highest score I'd give an album based on a single song. "Let's get it on" is such a part of popular culture it basically is a genre of its own.
Then I realized the whole album is pretty much the same vibe. Even the song about the possibilities of him dying has that iconic feeling,and is now incredibly sad given his story.
I didn't realize he had so many albums and hits, so I know there are several songs that I like better and can't quite give it a 5, but it's pretty close.
Favorite track "Let's get it on"
4/5
4
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Mon Feb 19 2024
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Elton John
It is wild to me that this album is over 50 years old and was his 7th, considering I saw Elton on this tour just over a year ago. The last album has me debating how high I'd rank an album by one track and this has at least 5 great songs, and not really any skips.
The fact that all of these songs are so solid when he put out about 100 songs in the 5 year span this came out is crazy prolific. I would have probably been just fine if the tour was just a 50th anniversary of this and played from start to finish. Since it was actually a farewell tour, I'm glad some of the other iconic songs in his career made it in as seeing him live was a definite bucket list item for me.
Saturday morning was alright for giving this album a full listen, probably my top rated album of this 1001 journey so far, and the first to make my vinyl shopping list.
Favorite tracks "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" and "Saturday Night's Alright"
6/5
5
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Tue Feb 20 2024
The Next Day
David Bowie
I knew there would be some Bowie on this list, am kind of surprised to have it be a more recent one, but that just tells me there are more on the way.
Apparently this is the 25th?! Album from Bowie. I feel like I don't quite know enough about his career and just maybe the 20 biggest hits, so it's hard to properly get all the context and proper frame of reference for a proper rating, but i do have a ton of respect for Bowie's career and the backstory of this album being the first in a decade, and ultimately being his penultimate album. The story of the secrecy about its recording and release are really interesting, and I wish I was paying closer attention at the time.
I kind of view this album in the same light as Ozzy's recent recordings. You can tell the effects of age on the voice, but the creativity and spirit is in tact. The title track comes right out rocking and is a bit chaotic. "The Stars (are out tonight)" kind of kind of centers things out and there are quite a few standouts like "(You will) change the world" I also dug into the EP and all of those were great too
. "Atomica" and some of the remixes are really great.
While listening to that EP and the album again after reading about it, the lyrics, the controversy, and thinking of other artists that put out albums into their 60s+ all just made me realize how special Bowie and this album are.
If you listened to this album and didn't catch the Next Day Extra EP, make sure to check that out. It is incredible and helped solidify this as a 5/5 album.
Favorite track "The Stars (Are out tonight)"
5/5
5
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Wed Feb 21 2024
Chemtrails Over The Country Club
Lana Del Rey
I know very little about Lana outside of her boring "Video games" song, and I kind of put her in the same boat with Amy Winehouse. Not really anything I was interested in hearing more of.
Now I'm not sure if my bias is taking over, but so far the first few tracks suck. Nothing I'd ever opt to listen to normally. Apparently she has fans as almost all the tracks have 4+ million plays on YouTube music which is crazy. I guess it could be okay background noise or music to sleep too.
Tl;dr. Not for me.
Favorite track "Wild at heart"
1/5
1
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Thu Feb 22 2024
The Cars
The Cars
The Cars are a fun band. I feel like most of their songs are fairly upbeat and positive, and quite a few have to do with cars or driving themes. Seemingly effortless and effective use of a blend of instruments, with the synthesizer taking it over the top. Very enjoyable without much to complain about
For a debut album it really did everything well. Almost half of the songs were popular hits and it's tough to pick a favorite, but I'll go with the 1st track since it put me in the good mood for the rest of the album.
Favorite track "Let the Good Times Roll"
5/5
5
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Fri Feb 23 2024
Opus Dei
Laibach
Cover Impressions: oof. This is tough to judge. Is it foreign? Metal? Kinda get retro video game bad guy vibes from like Streets of Rage or maybe a bit of Bald Bull.
I'm going to count that guess as a win, because the opening track really has some Rammstein vibes, and now I've got to look up the story of these two bands......
It is a pretty fascinating story of the history with this band, their country, and and the fact there are a whole collection of bands inspired by this style in an obscure genre Neue Deutsche Härte.
I had no idea there was another deep voiced industrial band that does clever wordplay with translations to get different meanings a la "Du Hast". But this album has both "Leben heißt Leben" and "Opus Dei" as different takes on the same song in a very similar way.
This revelation is very similar to finding out there was a Midwestern 8 member masked nu metal band before Slipknot.
There are quite a few songs that are very repetitive to near annoyance, and probably not something that would be a regular playlist item for me, but I did enjoy learning about the existence of this band.
Favorite track "Leben heißt Leben"
2.5/5
3
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Sat Feb 24 2024
Hot Buttered Soul
Isaac Hayes
Only really knew "Shaft" and Chef from Issac Hayes, so this should be a good listen. 4 songs for 45 minutes is crazy.
I do kind of wish I hadn't been aware of Chef on South Park before hearing this as that is a bit of a distraction. Even so, the 12 minute opening track is great, has a good groove and build up. The second track with its crazy name is keeps on with the grove, and then the last is more spoken than a song.
Overall it's a cool album and kind of fun to have same song for the full length of my commute.
Favorite track: "Walk on By"
3/5
3
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Sun Feb 25 2024
Superfuzz Bigmuff
Mudhoney
Some of these albums I wish had a little justification as to why Some of these albums I wish had a little justification as to why they're on the 1001 albums list. It's and ok album and may be significant to the formation of the grunge in the 90s, so that is pretty cool.
Having the entire decade that followed in front of me doesn't help this album stand out to what came after, particularly if we're going off the EP and not counting the re-releases.
Overall ok album, better as a history note than a frequent listen.
Favorite track "If I think"
2.5/5 on the 1001 albums list. It's and ok album and may be significant to the formation of the grunge in the 90s, so that is pretty cool.
Having the entire decade in front of me doesn't help this album stand out to what came after.
3
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Mon Feb 26 2024
Apocalypse Dudes
Turbonegro
Cover Impressions: not expecting this to be an album id enjoy, but sometimes those are the ones that surprise me.
LOL What a surprise. I did not expect to be baking a motherf*cking pizza tonight, but you pretty much have to after that opening track.
I'm a big fan of silly songs, but I'll admit they can wear out their welcome pretty quick. "Rock against Ass" sure sounds like a silly song, but I don't quite get it. Then there are many more tracks that are just a bunch of teenage immature nonsense. Yes, I'm aware how old I sound saying that.
High school me probably would have loved this, maybe not for the right reasons, but it is what it is.
Favorite track "Age of Pamparaius"
2/5
2
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Tue Feb 27 2024
Lost In The Dream
The War On Drugs
Never heard of this band, but they are nice to just have on. While listening to them I heard little bits and sprinkles of so many other artists like Tom Petty and Bob Dylan to The Killers, U2 and beyond. There were probably a dozen times I was reminded of something else for just a second to get a nice sense of comfort then kept on enjoying the jams and discovering something great.
It probably helped that I'm just in a good mood overall, but this is definitely a band I'll be coming back to. As I was listening tonight, I just had it on while cooking and stuff so I don't know specific tracks much towards the end, but I liked most of what I heard. Probably should be a 5 tbh
Favorite track: "Red Eyes"
4.4/5
4
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Wed Feb 28 2024
So
Peter Gabriel
I often get the Genesis boys confused, but I generally like both of them. One of the only times I've actually seen Peter on camera outside of the wacky videos was during the 93 Grammys and he wore this big purple joker suit, so that's my mental image of him for better or worse.
This familiar album has some hits. I don't understand how he can vocalize like he does while singing the words "Red Rain". It's an eerie tone/note...where does that grit come from!?
"Sledgehammer" gets bonus points for the video,and is a great song.
Thanks to the Kate Bush resurrection I could clearly identify her in the third track, which the song can be a powerful message and good to hear when you're down.
But with practically every track running over 5 minutes the rest of the album can kind of drag on a bit until "In Your Eyes" which is a beautiful classic and helped solidify this as a solid 4+
Favorite track:"Sledgehammer"
4.4/5
4
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Thu Feb 29 2024
The Wall
Pink Floyd
Here we go with another double album. I don't think I've heard the whole thing but know at least half the tracks by the titles alone, so we're at instant 5/5 territory and I'm just here for the ride.
So after listening, the tracks I knew seemed quite a bit different from the others and almost feel like a different band. Some had more of a Styx vibe and was actually kind of a let down. Valso, the number of tracks that benefit from being played together also somewhat inflates the great song count on this. Nobody wants to have "Empty Spaces"and not let it continue to "Young Lust" or "The Happiest Days of our Lives" into Brick pt 2.
Even counting some of those as a single track, there are still 5+ songs I want in my playlist and I've more or less been giving a star per song on my made up rubric. Plenty of great songs here although somewhat buried within some odd filler that somehow doesn't really hurt it at all for me.
Favorite tracks: "Comfortably Numb" and "Run Like Hell". If I can combine the two double -songs mentioned above they are in here too.
5/5
5
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Fri Mar 01 2024
The Sun Rises In The East
Jeru The Damaja
I see an angry disembodied elf in the cover art, and that is probably not what they were going for here.
As I typically say with most of these hip hop/ rap albums, I don't know how to grade or compare these. In my world this sounds similar to Biz Markee without the funny. That could be a terrible comparison, but I'm just not a fan of the content even if I can appreciate the flow, spit, or whatever.
Favorite track "D Original"
1/5
1
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Sat Mar 02 2024
James Brown Live At The Apollo
James Brown
James Brown puts everything on the stage and I'm sure this was a fantastic show to be in the crowd for. Live albums can range wildly in quality and this one sounds pretty good all things considered.
The other part with live albums is they have a greater opportunity for appreciation when the listener is familiar with the material to pick out the special parts.
I liked the album pretty well, but I know there is better James Brown out there. It also got a bit screamy from the crowd towards the end..
Favorite track: "Think"
2.5/5
3
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Sun Mar 03 2024
Here Come The Warm Jets
Brian Eno
When I was a kid I thought Bono was short for Brian Eno just because of letters. Obviously the voices are very different.
This album was a pleasant surprise considering what I was expecting. It has a playfulness about it that was also unexpected. I was driving while listening so didn't take normal notes.
Favorite track "Needles in the camel's eye"
3.5/5
4
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Mon Mar 04 2024
Phaedra
Tangerine Dream
Nearly 18 minute title/opening track, and the enhanced edition of the album is nearly 3 hours.
While that track was busy ruminating I was surprised to see it's 50 years old with that kind of spacey sound. Then I heard almost a Pac-Man like noise and realized they had some electronics back then too.
I can't imagine the amount of people that probably freaked out during a trip while listening to this as it does build up some anxiety. The rest of the album kind of has this same feel so it wouldn't work as a background noise album to fall asleep to.
I checked on the mythology of Phaedra to see if that gave any clues to why it has this feel, and that's more of a Jerry Springer story than anything else.
At any rate, my favorite thing about it he album was that it came out 50+ years ago, so I'll give it an extra star for that. No real favorite track as they all are super long and similar.
2/5
2
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Tue Mar 05 2024
2112
Rush
Literally someone last week told me I should listen to this album all the way through as it was the best Rush album and not Moving Pictures. Comparing track lists I'd be inclined to say the latter but now I'll at least be giving 2112 a listen.
Second album in a row with an opening track clocking in at over 17 minutes, however this one is more digestible and commonly broken into several songs. Now I'm trying to figure out if there was a video version of this that I watched at some point or if Rush is just that good at painting mental pictures. The one video I can find is a comic book, but I am pretty sure I've seen some people in a tatooine-like environment finding instruments.
The other tracks here are pretty forgettable, so it's not quite perfect, but the first side is really good
Favorite track "2112" - first 2 sections in particular
4.5/5
5
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Wed Mar 06 2024
Hunting High And Low
a-ha
I figured a-ha was a one hit wonder. I thought maybe the appearance on 1001 would mean a hidden gem awaited me, but I don't really care for the album. I hear bits and beats that remind me of other songs, and pretty much every time that happens I'm kind of disappointed it isn't that other song.
"Take on me" is a classic though with a classic video too.
Favorite track: "Take on me"
2/5
2
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Thu Mar 07 2024
If You're Feeling Sinister
Belle & Sebastian
This album and I did not click. I felt the lyrics were fairly mundane and boring, and kinda the same for the music. Hard to tell if it is a foreign thing or not.
Sometimes it is what it is and doesn't really make sense as to why. I don't really have anything to say any why I think it's boring. Yes that was a reference to one of the lyrics.
Favorite track "Get me away from here I'm dying"
2/5
2
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Fri Mar 08 2024
Penthouse And Pavement
Heaven 17
Based on the cities listed on the cover, looks like we have another UK album today.
So often am I bewildered at songs 40 years ago so plainly stating concerns, struggles and issues that are still present today. "(We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang" plainly labels the GOP as fascist and racist in an almost joking manner that it's hard to tell if it's ironic that they were right, or just calling it like they saw it.
The rest of the tracks could easily be used as a montage song throughout the decade and would fit right in. That upbeat synth has its charm, but it does kind of wonder around without much direction.
Overall pretty interesting, but limited in lasting appeal.
Favorite track "(We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang"
3/5
3
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Sat Mar 09 2024
The College Dropout
Kanye West
This is in jeopardy of being my first full on skip. Maybe he wasn't a birch on his first album, but modern Kanye is the opposite of genius.
I tried, just can't do it. One of the instances where the person isn't worth looking for value in. It could be the greatest rap album in the world, but Kanye is a POS.
0/5
1
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Sun Mar 10 2024
Who Killed...... The Zutons?
The Zutons
This was a fun, unexpected album. Had bits that reminded me of the white stripes, Weezer and a few others, almost to the point I figured it was a side project for someone else.
I didn't get a ton of time for notes, but I liked it more than not.
Favorite track: "Zuton Fever"
3/5
3
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Mon Mar 11 2024
A Date With The Everly Brothers
The Everly Brothers
Pretty nice album for what it was at the time. As I said with buddy holly, it would have been great to be around at the time of these artists to experience them as the scene evolved.
Listening today I can't get past hearing these as oldies and just have to take the word of what I read about their influence in the timeline of music.
Favorite track " Love Hurts"
3.5/5
4
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Tue Mar 12 2024
The White Album
Beatles
Legendary album by reputation, and when I opened it up to stream I assumed it was a super bonus edition because of the 30 tracks, but no that was what it came with at the time. Crazy.
"Back in the U.S.S.R" is a great opener, has so much going on with the parody, melody, drum situation. That screech is kind of rough, but still a great song.
With this being one of the biggest band's albums, there is a whole backstory to every song, a little footnote about who wrote it, what the studio was like while recording, how the lore of the song came about. It's all very fascinating.
There is also a wide variety of music here with all 4 taking a hand at writing, singing,and I can't think of another band that has quite that kind of rotation. This kind of approach also gives way to several different genres and tones, ranging from rock, folk, blues, songwriter and satire, love, or nonsense songs.
Favorite tracks "While my guitar gently weeks" "Revolution 1""Back in the USSR" "Blackbird"
6/6
5
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Wed Mar 13 2024
Only By The Night
Kings of Leon
Going into the album I knew a couple singles and that is it. From what I heard of those they were fairly good songs at first, but the cry of the singer is a little overdone.
Unfortunately every song seems to do that too. There are a few other artists that do a similar cry but in moderation and that helps a lot for me at least.
Favorite track: " Use somebody"
2/5
2
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Thu Mar 14 2024
Master Of Puppets
Metallica
Second Metallica album on the 1001 journey for me and I'm here for it.
As a kid, I got into Metallica with the black album and didn't really look backwards in their catalog until much later. In star wars terms I'm a prequel kid and knew bits of the original trilogy of albums, but it wasn't until recently I noticed the lyrics to " Master of Puppets" and realized the greatness.
Pretty legendary album in the metal world, but I do think the first half is stronger than the second. Not quite perfect, but closer to 5 than 4 stars
Favorite track "Master of Puppets"
4.5/5
5
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Fri Mar 15 2024
My Aim Is True
Elvis Costello
I think it's Elvis Costello that has a goofy voice to me, don't recall exactly what it is from the name alone. If he had a hat on the cover I'd be more sure, but we'll see with a listen.
The first few tracks were actually pretty good. Once it got to "Alison" I heard the weird voice I'd been thinking of. Luckily that was really on a couple tracks so maybe those happen to the popular/singles and did him a disservice.
Other than that, the other weird thing is some songs just seem to fade out in the middle of it and don't really finish in a traditional sense. Don't think that is necessarily bad, just odd.
Better than I expected coming into it, but still has a few flaws.
Favorite track "Less than zero"
3/5
3
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Sat Mar 16 2024
Sticky Fingers
The Rolling Stones
The Stones have been around forever, but I don't think I've ever listened to a full album of theirs. I've heard dozens of hits but really have no context as to what came out when, so hopefully this will be fun, and that there may be a few more from them on the list.
With the somewhat risque cover, then opening with "Brown Sugar" this band clearly was a bit naughtier than I imagined. It's not great to think about a 60 year old singing these songs, which is about how old he was when I kind of noticed them. Thanks largely to twisted metal black.
Overall it was a decent album, I was looking through their catalog to see if there was one main album that had more hits than others and most had just a couple recognizable songs, so this may actually be the best overall as I liked a lot of the filler so going to bump it up to a 4.
Favorite track "Can't You Hear Me Knocking"
4/5
4
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Sun Mar 17 2024
Trans Europe Express
Kraftwerk
All I knew going into this was that Kraftwerk was German and Electronic music. It very much sounds like both of those things even though the lyrics are English.
I applaud their use of the electronic instruments given the time period, but the songs are a bit flat and repetitive to where I feel that is intentional or the style they were looking for. So on one hand I feel they executed their vision very well, I just keep finding excuses to not like it for some reason.
"Hall of Mirrors" for example has some clever lyrics and commentary, but it goes on for about 2-3 times longer than I would prefer to the point I end up getting annoyed a bit, same for most of the vocal tracks.
The instrumental tracks are a bit better IMO.
Favorite track "Franz Schubert"
2/5
2
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Mon Mar 18 2024
Bayou Country
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Creedence is another band that I just know the Greatest hits from, so when I've got to look back at a single album at a time it's hard to really place it in context of their career.
Apparently CCR was only around for about 4 years so that is crazy. What a force to have had that many hits in a short time.
After listening to the album it did take some of that wonderment away because the non-hits were pretty forgettable. I also have a limited tolerance for Fogerty as the songs over 3 minutes get real close to having me hit the skip button, with the title track here being an exception, maybe because it's the first one.
Favorite track "Born on the Bayou"
2/5
2
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Tue Mar 19 2024
Sunday At The Village Vanguard
Bill Evans Trio
Cover Impressions: No clue what this is based on the cover. 60s has me thinking it could be traditional oldies style like Buddy Holly, but the cover guy being so old makes me think it could be big band kind of jazzy stuff like Dave Brubeck.
Definitely was closer with the Brubeck. This album reminds me of riding around in the gigantic back seat of my grandparents Cadillac DeVille. It's very calming music for me, but the live claps and some distracting guitar noises kind of detract from the overall experience.
I'd be interested in adding these to a home music playlist if there are some studio recordings.
I wasn't able to keep track of which song titles were which, but I think one of the Alice in wonderland takes were probably my favorite.
3/5
3
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Wed Mar 20 2024
Killing Joke
Killing Joke
1
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Thu Mar 21 2024
The Colour Of Spring
Talk Talk
Second album in a row with these timid mumbly vocals and I don't really care for it. It kind of has a similar problem that Michael McDonald has with articulation.
Musically this one is better, and there are better moments than others, but those better moments are a let down once the vocals don't meet the build up of the instruments. I'm sure this isn't the most PC take, but it reminds me of Peter Gabriel if he had a stroke.
Favorite track "Time it's Time"
2/5
2
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Fri Mar 22 2024
Car Wheels On A Gravel Road
Lucinda Williams
Not a big fan of country or folksy but it may be the recent string of poor albums that made this seem a little better than I'd probably rate it under normal circumstances.
That said, it didn't really keep my attention and took a couple days to get through it.
Favorite track "Drunken Angel"
2.5/5
3
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Sat Mar 23 2024
Birth Of The Cool
Miles Davis
I really went into this album underestimating the "Cool" but I'll be darned if this 70 year old album isn't indeed Cool.
I didn't keep track of track names as it all just kept flowing pretty smoothly until the last track with the vocals. I'd maybe take that out of the playlist, but other than that I was pleasantly surprised by this.
Favorite track "Move"
4/5
4
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Sun Mar 24 2024
Tusk
Fleetwood Mac
Not the expected pick for Fleetwood Mac, so I'm guessing there are multiple albums on the list.
Tusk wasn't a bad album but when a popular band has an album with this many songs I haven't heard of, I kind of rely on history for being the judge on these tracks and are relatively unknown for some reason.
At any rate, it was fine to have on while doing chores. Normally I'd be reading up about what the circumstances are that lead to this album being forgotten by radio and that could give some extra helpful context.
Favorite track "Not That Funny"
3/5
3
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Mon Mar 25 2024
Untitled (Black Is)
SAULT
So this album is a bit tricky to critique. Similar to the dilemma I had with the show Empire. I couldn't quite describe why I didn't like it without sounding racist. For this album, if I were to replace the instances of the word black with white, I think it would be a controversial album lyrically, but musically it would be the same.
I can understand this album isn't for me, and that is fine. Not everything is meant to be relatable to me. Like what you like.
Favorite track "Monsters"
2/5
2
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Tue Mar 26 2024
Let's Stay Together
Al Green
I'll admit I've sometimes confused Al Green for Marvin Gaye or vice versa, but that is meant as a compliment.
Both are great and soulful singers that generally have a positive outlook and message. I sat in my car on this nice spring day eating my lunch just chilling to this album, windows down with a nice breeze and sunshine. Very pleasant afternoon break.
Favorite track "Let's Stay Together"
4/5
4
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Wed Mar 27 2024
Let England Shake
PJ Harvey
I had not heard of PJ Harvey and I made a variety of bad assumptions about what this album would be. After a couple tracks the shock of being so wrong wore down and I started to ponder if this was something I actually liked.
I decided it was just an ok album for me. I see it had a lot of awards and that is kinda how it feels. A lot of the critically acclaimed media kind of has a tier of polish that I can't seem to distinguish.
Favorite track (I don't recall)
3/5
3
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Thu Mar 28 2024
Live 1966 (The Royal Albert Hall Concert)
Bob Dylan
What a coincidence this album showed up now. My friend was planning on coming to town next month and one of the few concerts during that time was Bob Dylan. I'm sure 1966 Dylan is no comparison for 2024 Dylan but at least it helped me definitely say that I'm not interested in seeing Bob live in present day.
I've always known I didn't really care for his singing, but I thought maybe as a bucket list to see a legend it would be cool. I can't do it. I respect his writing and legacy, but the nasally, meandering vocals are like nails on a chalkboard for me. I took pride in being able to make it to the second 'Jingle Jangle' of tambourine man as that was the longest I lasted for a song before skipping up to that point.
Somehow something changed in the album during "I don't believe you" that made the rest of the album tolerable. When the full band is in gear and it takes a more rock style the vocals also take it down a notch. It almost became enjoyable for the second half. Did my tolerance level up or did it really change? Who knows, but it's over now and that ma just be an unsolved mystery.
Favorite track "I don't believe you"
2/5
2
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Fri Mar 29 2024
Joan Baez
Joan Baez
I really enjoyed this album, and guess I didn't realize folk singers would be singing songs that have roots back hundreds of years. Maybe it's just Joan's style that really brought back the olde time feel of these tracks.
As an example, "House of the Rising Sun" sounds drastically different here than in the Animals version, but nevertheless is a folk song.
At any rate, the nerd in me is drawn towards this bard-like telling of these tales and is just fascinating.
There are a few that end up being more old west style and cross the line into a country music, but overall it was a nice album.
Favorite track "House of the Rising Sun"
4/5
4
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Sat Mar 30 2024
Blood Sugar Sex Magik
Red Hot Chili Peppers
(1001: 83/1001 and I think this may be the 4th album I've owned on the list)
Has been a while since I listened to the full album. It's got some funkiness I forgot about, and I've been listening to more Mike Patton and really see more similarities than I expected. All of the are good things by the way
Another fun bit about listening to this again after having played the run of Rock Band and Guitar Hero games is that I notice Bass and drums a lot more now and Flea's bass is always wild.
If you're mostly familiar with the singles, the other tracks may be a little surprising lyrically,or not. The style of the singles vs the others is almost like a different band. It is really tough to pick a favorite here as there are at least 5 contenders, which means 5/5
Favorite track "Give it away"
5/5
5
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Sun Mar 31 2024
The Coral
The Coral
Cover art: what is this? A high school project? I wouldn't be surprised if I find out this collage was made with scissors and a glue stick. Historically the weird covers have been British, but we'll see.
British rock band again and it was another pretty good album. Just as I was getting in to the first track it ended abruptly, which as I checked the run time to confirm something didn't happen I thought 'was that meant to tease me and leave me wanting more?' either way it worked.
Throughout the rest of the album I kept trying to place what it reminded me of, and the only specifics I could come up with was that it was an older style rock. Some influences even back to the 60s but with modern instruments and techniques. "goodbye" is an example of what I'm talking about.
I don't think there was really a song I wanted to skip, pretty solid overall.
Favorite track "I remember when"
4/5
4
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Mon Apr 01 2024
Tuesday Night Music Club
Sheryl Crow
This album came up for me on Easter and that was just a perfect day for it. This is one of my dad's favorites and I've got good memories of driving around to garage sales and road trips listening to this.
For a debut album is was great, but looking back knowing the rest of her career she is probably going to stay as a greatest hits kind of artist for me.
Favorite track "All I wanna do"
4/5
4
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Tue Apr 02 2024
Be
Common
I say this for most rap/hip hop albums, but I'm not a great person for rating these. It's not my area and I just don't have a wealth of knowledge to compare accurately.
However, in the limited experience I do have, Common is one of the best with the lyrics and flow. The best way I can describe it is that it feels real. Deducted points for Kanye though
Favorite track "Go"
3/5
3
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Wed Apr 03 2024
Teenager Of The Year
Frank Black
It took me much too long to realize this was the Pixies singer. I had a very strong suspicion that this was a side project, not sure exactly what made it feel like that, but maybe is is the somewhat irreverent lyrics.
Once I finally looked it up it all made sense. I'm not too into the Pixies yet, I've heard a few songs that I enjoyed, but never sought them out. I'd guess there is an album or two on this 1001 journey.
With my ignorance of the Pixies and Frank, I may be missing the key that unlocks my perception of this album. Many of these songs seem like they should suck. But they also seem like they are partly satirical which makes the suckiness intentional for those songs, and make them a bit better. As of now I just assume they are kinda duds out of a massive 22 tracks and understandable.
Favorite track "I want to live on an Abstract Plain"
3/5
3
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Thu Apr 04 2024
Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
Arctic Monkeys
I always seemed to mix up arctic monkeys with other bands such as Cage the Elephant which I heard in the opener here, and the Black Keys for a song on a later album.
As this album progresses it seems the singer gets more and more British. It's kind of humorous as the accent comes and goes, and maybe it's me, but it seems the more British it sounds, the more cheeky the lyrics get. Coming yo a peak at "Mardy Bum".
There is a lot to like here, but something is keeping it from going to a full 5. It could be something as silly as the obnoxiously long song titles, but it is what it is today.
Favorite track "The view from the afternoon"
3.8/5
4
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Fri Apr 05 2024
Nevermind
Nirvana
This is one of the big ones. Its time and place in the transition from decades and styles is what elevates it beyond just being a great album into a legendary one.
It possibly has gotten a bit too much credit now, but still should not be understated either, although I don't think anyone is trying to do that.
"Smells like teen spirit" is just such a perfect Nirvana song with its contradictory,mumbly lyrics. It's something that sounds lazy were it coming from almost anyone else and that is what makes it special. Why does Kurt get to get away with that? I dunno.
Several other generational tier tracks on this album and it's just hard to find anyone with criticism of this album that isn't just being a contrarian asshat.
Is every track perfect? Great? No. Is the sum of the parts perfect? No. But it wasn't trying to be perfect. And whatever it tried to do, it did it. It also did a ton that it didn't try to do too. But I don't know what I'm sayin'
What's the message I'm conveyin'?
Favorite track "Lithium"
6/5
5
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Sat Apr 06 2024
Definitely Maybe
Oasis
(1001: got kind of spoiled this week with Nirvana and Oasis back to back)
Oasis is a great example of why British music just seems to work. I'm not really comparing them to the Beatles exactly, but their easy melodies and vocals make it just nice to listen to. The only really meaningful comparison I can make is that they are British.
I definitely prefer the hits on their follow up a bit more so apples to apples I'd give the other a 5 and this maybe a 4.5 and round up, but it's still great.
Favorite track "Live forever"
4.5/5
5
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Sun Apr 07 2024
That's The Way Of The World
Earth, Wind & Fire
This is a really nice, happy little album. Sometimes a bit excessive with the high notes, but it's a good "Good mood" album. I'm not sure it could switch a bad mood good, because it might just be annoying in that state of mind.
But ain't nobody got any reason to be that angry. Just listen and have a good time. It is a little short, and didn't have a ton of standout tracks like the lead single, but not really a bad track unless you don't like some flute jams.
Favorite track "Shining Star"
3/5
3
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Tue Apr 09 2024
Revolver
Beatles
(1001: I had the White album recently so that was good to give some extra context for the Beatles)
Revolver is commonly listed as the best Beatles album or close to it. Id have to agree it is really good. I may prefer the White album just because of the higher highs, but I do think there are worse songs on White so as an average per track I think Revolver is more consistently good.
Great album to have for a day off.
Favorite track "Eleanor Rigby"
5/5
5
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Wed Apr 10 2024
Buena Vista Social Club
Buena Vista Social Club
Limited feedback available for a foreign album, but would be something I'd be fine with having on in the background of a restaurant.
Favorite track "Pueblo Nuevo
2/5
2
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Thu Apr 11 2024
The Age Of The Understatement
The Last Shadow Puppets
YouTube music opened up with just the EP and as I listened to that I thought it reminded me a bit of Arctic Monkeys, and as I was checking to make sure this wasn't just 4 songs, I saw it was the same singer. So that makes the comparison pretty good!
I do like this album better than the AM debut I had a week or two ago. A few of these tracks really get that heavy accent and I'm not a fan of that, but good overall.
Favorite track "The age of the understatement"
4/5
4
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Fri Apr 12 2024
1989
Taylor Swift
I'm probably the last Millennial to hear this album. It was pretty good. I don't quite understand the level of hype for Taylor, but I acknowledge the songs are fun, poppy, and have a lot of replay value. Most tracks feel iconic and most fit into a nice movie soundtrack.
Glad to have heard it. I'm not quite a Swifty but will add a couple to the playlist for sure.
Favorite track "Blank Space"
5
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Sat Apr 13 2024
Hybrid Theory
Linkin Park
Peak 2000s music here, at least on the alternative side of things. High school me was so proud buying this with my first paycheck, but now present day me hurts knowing these songs are just a couple years away from the classic rock stations.
More hits on this album than not, and my most consistent criteria for rating is one star per song I want on my playlist. This has over 5.
Favorite track "Papercut"
6/5
5
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Sun Apr 14 2024
Truth And Soul
Fishbone
Didn't know what to expect here, but on the second track I was thinking that is probably about what a band called Fishbone should sound like.
It's an interesting album all around and kind of a surprise for the 1001 thing, but on the other hand it could well be the best representation of a funk-ska-punk rock band there is.
Pretty fun album, had some good variety and nothing too heavy in the lyrical sense. Mostly felt light-hearted even amongst the social comments and what not.
Favorite track "Question of life"
4/5
4
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Mon Apr 15 2024
Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
This album took me forever to get through, but not necessarily because of anything bad. It is listenable, but just a busy weekend for a double album.
The first song gave me some Talking Heads vibes (from what little I know of them) then I constantly kept coming to that comparison throughout the album. Obviously the singer doesn't have that same tone, but the somewhat odd lyrics and phrases reminded me of what my minds ear thinks of the Talking Heads this weekend.
Probably an album I'll come back to when I'm not what is now 3 albums behind schedule.
Favorite track "Messiah Ward"
3/5
3
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Tue Apr 16 2024
The Yes Album
Yes
This album came up right around another band that I thought kinda sounded like Yes but without the keys. And yeah, that's not as good.
Gonna keep this one short, but it's a nice album that helps reinforce that I like some keys in my rock.
Favorite track "I've seen all good people"
4/5
4
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Wed Apr 17 2024
Manassas
Stephen Stills
(1001: keep getting double albums when I'm behind schedule)
Apparently this is a debut double album. I think it's kind of weird to put everyone's name on the cover unless this is some kind of supergroup. Upon review, I guess it was somewhat of a supergroup, but I've really only heard of Stills.
At any rate, the opening tracks have some good bluesy rock that kind of reminds me of Clapton, and maybe a less horn-y Blood sweat & tears. Later on it gets more country before going back around.
For me, this album didn't have any great songs. I didn't really like the country ones either so just kind of mid all around. I recently had Yes and their synth really elevates what could be a similar sound to Stills.
Some may prefer the simpler sound. I'd be fine having this on in the background doing chores or whatever.
Favorite track "Rock and roll crazies"
2.5/5
3
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Thu Apr 18 2024
World Clique
Deee-Lite
Cover Impressions: I feel like I've at least heard the artist name before. Kind of looks like. B-52s situation going on.
A couple tracks in, I realized this isn't so much b-52s, but I did figure out where I had heard them--Jock Jams.
I had a lot of cooking to do this evening so this was great fun to have on and dance around the kitchen for a little workout. I'm sure if anyone saw me it would be on the Internet by now, but some good old 90s fun, being locked into the rec center at Funscape.
Favorite track "Groove is in the Heart"
4/5
4
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Fri Apr 19 2024
Dirt
Alice In Chains
This is one of my favorite albums ever. Nevermind was on my 1001 list earlier this month and I've got this one right up there with it. 90s Seattle scene is tops for me no question, with Soundgarden and Pearl Jam at the peak.
I've recently been checking out some YouTube channel reactions to some of these songs and the ones with Alice in Chains specifically brought some new appreciation and respect for Layne and the way him and Jerry were able to meld their voices. It is just so haunting and harmonious at the same time and makes such a unique sound. Probably best exemplified in "Down in a Hole". The unplugged video really shows off this magic well.
Some of the tracks are a bit dark lyrically, and some hit especially hard considering what happened with Layne, particularly "Junkhead" and "Dirt" but over half the album is full of songs I could hear any time.
Grunge classic and appropriately named as this is some of the dirtiest sounding guitar work you could hear.
Favorite track "Down in a Hole"
6/5
5
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Sat Apr 20 2024
The Specials
The Specials
Not quite what I expected, another not really my cup of tea. The production quality seemed really inconsistent and that's not normally a thing I notice. Some vocals sounded detached from the recording, and some other sounds or instruments were really jarring in some songs.
The first track sounded familiar, and was probably my favorite of the album. Just not a big Ska guy. I recently had a Fish Bone album on this list and liked that style a lot more.
Favorite track "A message to you Rudy"
2/5
2
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Sun Apr 21 2024
Gentlemen
The Afghan Whigs
I had all but forgotten about this band, and I actually saw them open for Aerosmith in 99 as one of my first concerts. As young as I was at the time, I didn't pay much attention to them as it was primarily there for Aerosmith.
25 years later rediscovering this band, they aren't that bad, but I feel they aren't all that memorable either. I listened to most of this on my way home a few hours ago and don't really recall much about it. I didn't really feel the need to skip songs, but for a 90s alternative band, I'd expect to be a lot more excited to discover the rest of their catalog.
Meh
Favorite track "Fountain and Fairfax"
2.5/5
3
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Mon Apr 22 2024
The Man Machine
Kraftwerk
(off track comment:I knew I had missed a Kraftwerk album on this 1001 journey, and was driving so I couldn't recall which album. This will be my second from them, and the first was pretty robotic--which I get is by design,but I mean industrial/factory robots. I accidentally guessed it was Computer World, which I started and it had a lot more life in it.... hopefully this one is closer to that than The TransEurope Express)
So this album is probably in the middle between the two mentioned above. Coincidentally that follows release order, so apparently they get better as they go on.
This album also stood out for having the silly german dorky stereotype, which is a good thing.
Kind of a shorter album, but pretty good.
Favorite track "The Model"
3/5
3
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Tue Apr 23 2024
The World is a Ghetto
War
When I saw this was a War album I thought for sure they would have Low Rider on it. I was mistaken. But I'm not too mad at this because this was a pretty good album overall. I also learned there is a lot about War.thr band that I had no idea about.
As I've mentioned before with some of these older rock bands, I kind of want that extra component to take it up a level and War has that with the keyboard and sax, etc that gives it the kind of funky or progressive type of sound.
Some songs almost kind of reminded me of a Pink Floyd sound, and others kind of dragged on a bit on the run time, but I'm looking forward to discovering more albums from what I wrongly assumed was a one-hit-wonder.
Favorite track "The Cisco Kid"
3.5/5
4
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Thu Apr 25 2024
Court And Spark
Joni Mitchell
When this album started, it reminded me a lot of the recent Joan Baez album I had on this list. Come to find out the two had a bit of a rivalry back in the day.
From what I've heard from these two, I prefer Joan over Joni. There were some songs on here that probably would be better for me if they weren't so distracting vocally. The phrasing in the lyrics was hard to follow because it was delivered via a rollercoaster of dynamics. A pause in a phrase could happen seemingly mid sentence and other thoughts seemed to blend together without any separation.
Also, when I could follow the lyrics, sometimes they were very random. Maybe a couple extra listens are required to get in a little more familiarity and not be trying to keeps up with everything all at once.
Favorite track "Help Me"
2/5
2
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Fri Apr 26 2024
Goo
Sonic Youth
I can't decide if I don't really know Sonic Youth, or if I think they are a different band than what I'm thinking of. I was kind of surprised to see this as 1990 because it sounds more mid 90s to me. I guess that's a good thing as maybe they were more of a trendsetter.
This album really reminds me of high school, but not during my time there personally, but the vibe of the album is very high school drama club and that seems to remain a fairly consistent vibe over multiple generations. Lyrically many songs had me picturing the SNL skit about a high school theater show. Everyone all in black, speaking what is very deep thoughts for teenagers.
Overall it's kind of a mixed bag for me. The only single I recognize is "Kool Thing" from guitar hero.
Favorite track "Kool Thing"
2/5
2
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Tue Apr 30 2024
Feast of Wire
Calexico
This album really surprised me. Judging the cover alone, this is an album I'd pass on 10 out of 10 times. I expected either a female singer or something more latino, if not both. What I got was something that blends of many bands I like such as Death Cab, Flaming Lips, and Beck.
Where the postal service went more electronic in 2003, here was this band pulling out cellos, accordians, and an array of other horns. Had I known about this band back 20 years ago I think this would have been right up there with Give Up for my tops.
The volume of tracks and variety also make this album special. It's a mix tape of so many different styles, going from a dramatic bond-theme type song, to Mexican, and instrumentals, and then some alternative/indie tracks and more. All are solid tracks and may not be the best individually, but this is an album that is made better because of the collection of tracks here.
Favorite track "Black Heart"
5/5
5
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Thu May 02 2024
Smile
Brian Wilson
The Beach Boys are an iconic band and have such a unique sound. Not a ton of variety in the sound, but what they do works.
I expected a lot of that to carry into this album, and it kind of does, but it also has so many other things going on--mostly to the album's detriment. Many songs feel like they change completely verse by verse, and it really starts to sound like it was made in an asylum.
The schizophrenic nature of the songs mixed with the happy singing style is almost unsettling. Couple that with the title Smile it almost gives off the elements of the Joker. However, it's obvious that wasn't the intention so that just makes it a bit awkward.
Favorite track "Good vibrations"
2/5
2
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Fri May 03 2024
Tigermilk
Belle & Sebastian
This is the second Belle & Sebastian album I've had, and both left me with the same kind of notes. Something with the lyrics just doesn't work for me. Last time I said they were boring and mundane, and that's about what I hear here too.
I typically like singer songwriter/ indie stuff but idk, just not something I care for.
Favorite track: idk maybe "I don't love anyone"
1.5/5
2
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Sat May 04 2024
At Folsom Prison
Johnny Cash
Johnny is a badass and this was a really interesting concept for a live album. I'm not sure if he was the first, but definitely one of the most iconic.
His story, voice and career are all legendary. Genuinely one of the most interesting people.
In terms of this album, I'm not typically a fan of live albums, but this one is neat just for the concept. It sounds fine for the recording technology of the time.
Classic, and definitely a fun piece of history. This would be a great lesson for a music history class.
Favorite track "Folsom Prison Blues"
4/5
4
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Sun May 05 2024
Electric
The Cult
Gran Turismo introduced me to The Cult, and although none of those songs are on this album, it started a musical path that would lead me to discover many other bands I wouldn't have otherwise.
In terms of this album, I just like the unique flair to the singer's voice. It has a certain haunting quality that I can't quite pinpoint the comparison here, but it's in a range of dio, Danzig, or idol. None of those sound quite right.
The majority of the album sounds kind of corny now, but in a better way than that description would normally fit (save the born to be wild cover, that wasn't great).
Overall a okay album, curious about why this was the album picked out of the Cults catalog, unless there is more than one on the list.
Favorite track "Love Removal Machine"
3/5
3