353
Albums Rated
3.49
Average Rating
32%
Complete
736 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
2000
Favorite Decade
Metal
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
76
5-Star Albums
16
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
Top Styles
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Post Orgasmic Chill
Skunk Anansie
|
5 | 2.99 | +2.01 |
|
Kimono My House
Sparks
|
5 | 3.06 | +1.94 |
|
If I Could Only Remember My Name
David Crosby
|
5 | 3.07 | +1.93 |
|
Wild Wood
Paul Weller
|
5 | 3.09 | +1.91 |
|
Dear Science
TV On The Radio
|
5 | 3.16 | +1.84 |
|
Close To The Edge
Yes
|
5 | 3.18 | +1.82 |
|
In It For The Money
Supergrass
|
5 | 3.23 | +1.77 |
|
Mama's Gun
Erykah Badu
|
5 | 3.25 | +1.75 |
|
Since I Left You
The Avalanches
|
5 | 3.28 | +1.72 |
|
Wonderful Rainbow
Lightning Bolt
|
4 | 2.28 | +1.72 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Entertainment
Gang Of Four
|
1 | 3.25 | -2.25 |
|
Hysteria
Def Leppard
|
1 | 3.22 | -2.22 |
|
Ray Of Light
Madonna
|
1 | 3 | -2 |
|
Steve McQueen
Prefab Sprout
|
1 | 2.98 | -1.98 |
|
Ingenue
k.d. lang
|
1 | 2.94 | -1.94 |
|
Quiet Life
Japan
|
1 | 2.85 | -1.85 |
|
Kings Of The Wild Frontier
Adam & The Ants
|
1 | 2.83 | -1.83 |
|
Nick Of Time
Bonnie Raitt
|
1 | 2.83 | -1.83 |
|
Club Classics Vol. One
Soul II Soul
|
1 | 2.82 | -1.82 |
|
Strange Cargo III
William Orbit
|
1 | 2.77 | -1.77 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Beatles | 5 | 4.6 |
| Led Zeppelin | 4 | 4.75 |
| Bob Dylan | 4 | 4.75 |
| Nirvana | 3 | 5 |
| Black Sabbath | 3 | 4.67 |
| Stevie Wonder | 2 | 5 |
| Nick Drake | 2 | 5 |
| Green Day | 2 | 5 |
| Kanye West | 2 | 5 |
| David Bowie | 3 | 4.33 |
| Creedence Clearwater Revival | 3 | 4.33 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| k.d. lang | 2 | 1.5 |
| Madonna | 2 | 1.5 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Eagles | 5, 2 |
| Marvin Gaye | 2, 5, 5 |
5-Star Albums (76)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Skunk Anansie · 5 likes
5/5
Absolutely fire from start to finish. The vocalist is incredible and the constant attention grabbing soul behind the songs makes up for what would might pass for average instrumentals in today's scene. The skank heads, lately, and secretly were some of my favorites.
Lightning Bolt · 2 likes
4/5
This gives me a whole new kind of appreciation for Noise Rock. Even when I have no clue what's going on, the drums and the guitar are just so good on some songs that it pulls me right back in. Not every song is a hit, but the ones that are absolutely rip. Favorites are 2 Towers and Longstockings
Living Colour · 2 likes
4/5
Totally shocked by this one. I enjoyed it from front to back and loved some of the creativity they had with some tracks. Sadly not all the songs were on Spotify, but the ones I was able to listen to were great. Open Letter (to a landlord) was hilarious, and songs like Funny Vibe and Middle Man were just so catchy I couldn't help myself from having a good time. Great blend of rock and funk.
T. Rex · 1 likes
3/5
Great sound, okay voice, and nothing to stand out here. It's good, but could be better. Jeepster and Get It On were some favorites
Pulp · 1 likes
2/5
Really boring and not at all what i thought when I read "this is hardcore". No songs stand out and the whole album just wasn't my style
4-Star Albums (113)
1-Star Albums (16)
All Ratings
Black Sabbath
4/5
While it isn't the most "Black Sabbath" of the Black Sabbath records, it's still a solid testament to their talent and influence. Vol. 4 feels like an experimental journey for the band, and as with any good experiment there are some hits and some misses. This one is a net positive for the band, but there are some background items that drag it down a bit. Favorites are Wheels of Confusion, Changes, and Snowblind.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Physical Graffiti does an insane job of being the absolute best of both worlds. The first 6 tracks feel like more kick-ass Led Zeppelin, and I think that would be a 5 on it's own. Once that's done, though, we get EVEN MORE Led Zeppelin, only this time it's something new. They play with some more ideas here that feel vaguely non-Zeppelin while still having that same charm. Even the tracks I don't like all that much feel well produced and completely within the concept of the album. Favorites are Custard Pie, Trampled Under Foot, Kashmir, and Ten Years Gone
Hugh Masekela
4/5
Really solid jazz record with a ton of quirks. A lot of the jazz records I hear have one central guy who plays one instrument that all the songs are built around, and this feels like that on the song level instead of the whole album's level. Really cool collection of skills. Favorites were Part of a Whole, Minawa, and Maseru
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
I've never been the biggest Springsteen fan but as an album it's alright. Especially for the 80s, it could have been SO much worse, so cudos Bruce.
Muddy Waters
4/5
I don't usually have too much drive to listen to classic Blues, but I really liked what this album had to show. There's really an endless amount of character in each song. That being said, I felt the length a little too much and felt it start to drag in the early middle. Favorites are Mannish Boy, Jealous Hearted Man, Deep Down in Florida, and Crosseyed Cat
Fela Kuti
3/5
This one's just okay. I'm only judging the first 2 tracks here since 3 and 4 are from a re-issue.
Supergrass
4/5
Variety is the spice of music, and this album is no exception. Most songs feel like a unique trip down the same few roads, which keeps things interesting and experimental. The mixing is pretty terrible and distracting on a few tracks, but overall things stay fun to listen to. Favorites are Alright, Lenny, and Time.
Grizzly Bear
3/5
Nice and vibey, but not too standout. I really liked Two Weeks and While You Wait For The Others
Beck
3/5
Dollar General Radiohead ass album.
Serge Gainsbourg
2/5
Honestly very interesting musically, but the ASMR vibes of a Frenchman speaking directly into my ear canal makes me hate this. I'm sure the music videos were cool but man I can't stand it. The instrumentation is the only thing keeping this from a 1 for me.
The Fall
2/5
This feels like one of those albums that people like just because it's a bit edgy. Didn't really click with me.
k.d. lang
2/5
I guess it's just the style but these feels like it should be a christmas album.
Joni Mitchell
5/5
This is my favorite Joni Mitchell album. I think it perfectly covers all of the styles she's good at and shows just how much talent she has across the board. Writing, Production, and performances are all top notch. Favorites are Help Me, Car On A Hill, and Raised on Robbery
Blondie
4/5
Well made pop rock with some absolute bangers on the track list. Feels very ahead of it's time. Favorites are Hanging on the Telephone, One Way Or Another, and Heart of Glass
Sparks
5/5
This album blew my mind for one big reason. Just about everything they do sounds like Rush married with David Bowie. It's not as good as either's peak, but it's just SO much like them. So much so that I immediately thought "huh I wonder which Rush album influenced them", only to find out this came out before Rush's first album even released.
I love how theatrical and dramatic this album comes across. It adds to the overall immersion of it. Each song feels like it's own little adventure that I can't help but get swept away by.
Glam Rock isn't my favorite genre. Hell, it isn't even in my top 5, but this album is just so good at what it does it now just might be up there. Favorites were This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us, Here In Heaven, Thank God It's Not Christmas, and Equator.
R.E.M.
4/5
I liked this one a lot more than I thought I would. I don't exactly hold R.E.M. in the highest regards, but this was a pleasant surprise. It's relaxing and well produced 80s style rock, and it never gets too annoying. Hell, I even thought at one point "maybe R.E.M. isn't as bad as I always thought". Crazy.
Pixies
5/5
This is just one of those I can't help but hold in the highest regard. As the kids say these days, "this shit is bussin".
Madonna
2/5
This one is really just a product of the 80s. I don't think it holds up all that well today, but Madonna will always be an icon. Thanks Deadpool
Ananda Shankar
3/5
I like the first half of this one a lot, but the second half is pretty boring. Both of the covers on side one are done really well. I love the general style of mixing the sitar and indian influence with both the Stones and the Doors. It's super unique. Favorites were Light My Fire and Metamorphosis.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
5/5
I mean, come on now. This one's obvious.
Common
5/5
Incredibly produced and performed. Every track here feels like it was given full attention in the studio. Kanye really knew what he was doing here with Common
James Brown
3/5
It's fine. It's just a live album from the 60s. Nothing too crazy was happening here.
Frank Ocean
4/5
There are some great performances here but the production is a bit lackluster. Most of the tracks end up sounding the same except for a few standouts like Lost and Pyramids, which are my highlights off this album. Fortunately, his voice is just so good on some of these tracks I forget about the production and just get absorbed. It evens out.
Daft Punk
4/5
It's great, but it isn't perfect. This made waves, but not nearly as much as their next few records. This just feels like the precursor to Discovery, which I think is just a better-made album. All the same, Homework really shows that Daft Punk did their Homework when making this and made something really special. Favorites are Daftendirekt, Da Funk, Around The World, and Rock'n Roll
k.d. lang
1/5
I honestly liked her first record way better. This one feels like it sorta loses the plot. The production is better, but I liked the style of the first so much better. This one came off as very repetitive. Favorites were Save Me, Miss Chatelaine, and Constant Craving.
Keith Jarrett
3/5
I meannnn It's alright. Dude is REALLY good at piano, so I'll give him credit for that
Talking Heads
5/5
I had listened to Fear Of Music previously on the list and noted that it wasn't really my style back then. That's completely changed. Listening to this now really opened my eyes, even if it's slightly different from Fear Of Music it's got so much character and it's just really well made. I love it's uniqueness and the constant blend of sounds. Simply put, I get it, and I love it.
Dion
1/5
Hey Johnny! Gimme an album with Nothin!
Nothin?????????
The Cars
3/5
Solid bunch of songs but some real stinkers in the middle. I'm In Touch With Your World has to be one of my least favorite songs ever and brings this down a whole point.
Count Basie & His Orchestra
3/5
I never really know how to rate Big Band, so I never know what to say. I liked it, thought it was good.
Tito Puente
3/5
This is really fun and just genuinely good dance music. I'm sitting at work and want to tango.
Frank Sinatra
3/5
It starts off really strong but just kinda fizzles. Can't say I really remember anything other than You Make Me Feel So Young and I've Got You Under My Skin.
Blue Cheer
3/5
The years have taken a toll on this one but it's still really good. The guitar tones here are especially heavy and an absolute joy, especially on Rock Me Baby. I'd give it a 3.5 if I could
Charles Mingus
3/5
Track C and the Medley were phenomenal, but Tracks A and B didn't really stand out to me. I appreciate that the album gets better as it goes on, but it just didn't start very strong for me.
Aimee Mann
2/5
This album overstays it's welcome before the end of track 3. I think I would get more entertainment from a mason jar full of rusty nails. Could've Been Anyone and Jacob Marley's Chain were really the only ones I liked.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
This album is mind boggling. It's got pop, it's got jazz, it's got Stevie's signature R&B, literally what more can you ask for. The records first few tracks feel like the start of a roller coaster, slowly going up the hill and prepping you for the rest. Then, Contusion fucks, simple as that. It's like if prog rock and jazz had a baby. From there leading into Sir Duke and I Wish should be a crime for how it makes me feel. The rest of the first record is just as good, Pastime Paradise is a classic, Summer Soft is beautiful, and Ordinary Pain is a joy to listen to. AND THEN IT KEEPS GOING. As if the first record wasn't good enough, he just does it again. It's almost like he could SEE the LOOK on my face. Anyway, he's totally not blind.
Tracy Chapman
5/5
Mountain O' Things sounds like it comes straight off the Donkey Kong Country soundtrack and I can't get over it. Incredible.
Wilco
4/5
Before this I had heard Heavy Metal Drummer a million times and fell in love with it. Now, listening to the rest of the album, I fell in love all over again. This has got great flow, experimentation, and songwriting for the whole runtime. Now the runtime might be just a bit too long for the content they have, but it certainly isn't unbearable. Favorites were War on War and Heavy Metal Drummer
Soundgarden
4/5
While this album, in the simplest terms, fucking rocks, I do think a bit more variation could do it some good. A handful of the songs feel a bit too boring and unnecessary, and considering it's 70 minutes long there are definitely some bits that could be trimmed. Fortunately, it still fucking rocks.
Favorites are Superunknown, Black Hole Sun, and Like Suicide
Fleet Foxes
3/5
Fleet Foxes is a band I've never heard of, and I'm a bit sad I never did. I've always been a fan of this late-2000s folk boom style and this is no exception. It isn't splitting the sky or reinventing the wheel, but it's just good at what it does. It's cozy and easy to listen to, with some great vocal layering and cool effects in the second half.
Miles Davis
3/5
I don't know why the first track is called "Shhh / Peaceful". Mr Davis I am nowhere near at peace listening to this.
Bauhaus
3/5
Perhaps it's just the sheer abundance of Punk and Post-Punk on this list, but I really didn't hate this one. The drumming across this album was performed and mixed really really well for this style, which makes it sound a bit more 90s and added some enjoyment for me. I did, however, hate every instance of a jumpscare on the tracks. -1 bro.
David Crosby
5/5
I don't know nearly enough about the CSNY cinematic universe, but hearing this now after already listening to a ton of the group stuff really shows how much Crosby influenced the group's sound. This is spectacular. Really just feels like a warm hug. The guitar sounds like it's right in front of me.
Sam Cooke
4/5
Honestly pretty surprising for a 60s live album. Unlike any Beatles or James Brown show, you can actually hear the audience care about the music instead of screaming the entire time. They also sing along and they AREN'T out of tune, which is genuinely surprising. It helps that Sam Cooke is just such a good performer.
Amy Winehouse
4/5
I really love Amy Winehouse and her style here, but some of the mixing here really makes me angry. It doesn't feel stylistic, just bad at times. It's not egregious enough that it makes me hate it, but it's really noticeable. Outside of that this album is wonderful. Fantastic instrumentals, production, and vocals on every single track. I think with a remaster this would be an easy 5, but it should not sound this aluminum-can-y made in 2006.
Morrissey
3/5
While I still hate this guy's voice, and I don't think anything will change that, I didn't hate this record. The songwriting and mixing here is incredibly done, and the songs are generally catchy. Of the few I've listened to, I'll even say this is my favorite Morrissey album so far.
It's still very British so no 4.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
Is it well made? Definitely. It feels like a portal into the writer's soul. Now would I ever willingly listen to it again? No.
3/5
Not too crazy about this one. I think there are some great songs in isolation but I'm not a fan of how this comes together as a whole. I really like her voice and style, but she could use some more interesting flows and themes for sure.
Madonna
1/5
Holy snooze fest this is just LONG. At first I really liked the electronic sound of this album but lost interest really quickly when there was no variability and nothing that engaged me. I was also clocked out by track 11. If you're going to make a 66 minute album at least give me a reason.
Booker T. & The MG's
3/5
While I think the performances are great and there are some really stellar tracks, the lack of lyrics and relatively unwavering style makes this pretty boring. Using an Organ as your lyrical instrument, makes everything sound like elevator music for me. The first half was great on the first listen, but it just doesn't stand out as much for me. Favorites are Green onions, Rinky Dink, and 'A Woman, A Lover, a Friend'.
Beatles
5/5
Weird as shit and I love it. So many greats here. Every time I listen to it I love it a little bit more. This is the Abbey Road of th early years, taking everything they knew from the first half of their career and just saying "hey look what we can do". Genuinely not a bad song on the tracklist, but I'm Only Sleeping is a Chef's Kiss/10 and my favorite one here.
Alice Cooper
4/5
Chat, is it bad that I just learned that Alice Cooper was the name of his band too?
Sex Pistols
5/5
This album is really good punk rock, but it just sounds like punk rock. They were clearly influence by all the punk rock greats, since they released this in............NINETEEN SEVENTY-SEVEN?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! THEY WEREN'T INFLUENCED, THEY ARE THE INFLUENCE.
Soul II Soul
1/5
This is a little too good at being background music. It never really did anything to grab my attention. First listen was fine but the second listen honestly earned it negative points. Only favorite was Feeling Free
Tears For Fears
4/5
This album is all the great parts of 80s pop condensed into 42 minutes. That being said, it is still 80s pop so I can't give it a 5.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
First half was pretty normal Led Zeppelin but I really loved the folky stuff they did on the second half. It was a cool variation on their usual stuff. Favorites were Immigrant Song and Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Iggy Pop
2/5
It gets an extra point for being so Bowie but I just don't like this. I think Iggy Pop would go on to do much better stuff than this.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
3/5
This is like if the Fun Loving Criminals figured out they were actually terrible at hip hop and decided to make an alright rock band. I think this one would be so much better if they cut the runtime in half. Hearing the same pretty good song 9 times is a lot better than hearing the same pretty good song 19 times.
Doves
4/5
I really liked this one. Gave me a lot of early Coldplay vibes. I love the flow between songs. Favorites were Intro/Words, There Goes the Fear, and The Sulphur Man
The Beach Boys
4/5
There are some bangers here for sure, and it's a step in the right direction for them, but ultimately it just falls short of amazing for me. The songwriting and production really grew on me as I listened to it, though I kept thinking there was just something missing. Pet Sounds is held back by it's influence, and doesn't have enough punch to break through the barrier of the years to come. Favorites are Wouldn't It Be Nice, Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder), Let's Go Away for Awhile, and I Know There's An Answer.
ZZ Top
5/5
A great enjoyable album. A lot of songs on here I've heard before and I loved it from front to back. Standouts were La Grange and Jesus Just Left Chicago
Bob Dylan
4/5
A fantastic and influential Bob Dylan record. What it lacks in groundbreaking and interesting instrumentals it more than makes up for in lyricism. He has a great way of pulling you into his emotions and keeping you there.
Basement Jaxx
1/5
God this album is terrible. The only redeeming song is Red Alert. At the end of Same Old Show you can hear an ambulance, which is the artists subtle way of telling you that you'll die by the end of the record and you'll need an ambulance to pick you up
Heaven 17
4/5
Some great vibes and instrumentals but overall it doesn't feel groundbreaking. Very catchy and enjoyable. Penthouse and Pavement and The Height Of The Fighting were the standouts
The Allman Brothers Band
4/5
Pretty good live album, but nothing too crazy. The ending song was incredible and the opening song really hooked me, but the middle was just alright. Not bad by any regards.
Gillian Welch
4/5
Very good but not too outstanding. I love bluegrass music for its calmness, but when listening more to the lyrics of this one it truly carried. Welch is incredibly talented as a songwriter and I really enjoyed this
Supergrass
5/5
Incredible AltRock album. So much soul and heart in the vocals and instrumentals. It feels very influential for a lot of my favorite artists. Standouts were In It For The Money, Tonight and You Can See Me
Van Halen
4/5
Van Halen has a fantastic sound and vibe to most of their albums, with this being one of the most unapologetically Van Halen records. The shredding guitar and the rasp of the voice is phenomenal and addictive. Standouts are Panama, Jump, and Girl Gone Bad
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
4/5
Really fantastic record, I love the power behind the leads voice and the ripping guitar riffs. Few standouts for me were Tick, No No No, Black Tongue, and Maps
Pet Shop Boys
2/5
Really not great. There were a few good tracks here and there but everything just felt very uninspiring and cheap. Not a fan of the production on this at all.
Elvis Costello
4/5
Really big fan of this album. It's chill, it's fun, it's creative, and it's just really good. Costello's voice is fantastic and his music matches
The Smashing Pumpkins
4/5
I love the smashing pumpkins, they have such a great sound. The emotions of the songs are great and I never get tired of listening to them
Billy Bragg
2/5
Instrumentals are good, but I just hate this guy's voice. It sounds like Garth Marenghi from Darkplace, which isn't a good thing. Boring
Led Zeppelin
5/5
It's hard to hate a Led Zeppelin record, especially one as good as this. A ton of iconic songs as well as some lesser known ones. Great variety and great production.
Wu-Tang Clan
4/5
Wow this was a creative album. This is my first time listening to a Wu-Tang album and the style feels very genre-defining and fun. Incredibly talented group.
Johnny Cash
4/5
Really fantastic production for a Cash record. Objectively it's a very average album, but he has some great iconic covers on here like Hurt and We'll Meet Again that hold a special place in my heart. Overall a great album with some great vibes
Pulp
2/5
Really boring and not at all what i thought when I read "this is hardcore". No songs stand out and the whole album just wasn't my style
Beatles
5/5
This was the first album I listened to on this list and never truly appreciated it as much as I should have until much later. This album is objectively insane. I'll never understand how one band can do this much and still manage to make it all so good. Absolute banger from front to back, especially the Garth Merenghi cameo when he sings "Good Night". Really appreciated having an aspiring horror author come in to sing that before he made it big.
The Who
3/5
Never wrote a review for this one my first time listening to it, but finally came back after a few hundred albums and needed to bump it down a bit. There are some really fantastic live albums out there, and this one does not hit any of the same highs as those.
Electric Light Orchestra
4/5
Good
Billy Bragg
3/5
Japan
1/5
Very bland, each song feels the same as the last. Doesn't feel too original or groundbreaking.
Kendrick Lamar
5/5
This album speaks for itself. Incredible album with incredible style, lyrics, and production.
Nirvana
5/5
Every song is emotional, this was my first time listening to this album and loved most of the tracks.
Nirvana
5/5
Really a perfect grunge album. Each song feels special and iconic.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
I mean I know a lot of people love the rolling stones, but this one was just alright. Nothing too mind blowing. Great production, some creative songwriting here and there. I enjoyed listening to it a lot. Unapologetically Rolling Stones
Dennis Wilson
3/5
I really like the production of these tracks, and it was overall a very good vibe. Nothing too groundbreaking, but good all the same. I'd give a 3.5 if I could
Sebadoh
2/5
It was just alright. Good songs here and there, not the biggest fan
5/5
An incredible album that has influenced so many artists of today. David Bowie is genuinely one of the most talented and influential musicians. Five years, Moonage Daydream, and Ziggy Stardust are some of my favorites
Radiohead
3/5
This album was just okay. Nothing really blew me away. There were a few good songs on there but this feels like a weaker Radiohead album
Kate Bush
3/5
Kate Bush has some great instrumentals and very catchy songwriting, however I feel her lyrics are a little too repetitive. I enjoyed the album a lot but sometimes I was listening to the same words over and over and over again. Not bad, but not perfect. Standouts were Hounds of Love and Jig of Life.
Pere Ubu
3/5
This record feels like a unique and creative descent into madness and I kinda liked it. Wasn't really for me but I could recognize some of the influence.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
4/5
Fantastic for a Jazz record. The instrumentals are absolutely stellar and the emotion of each song shines through. Standouts were tracks 1, 3, and 5
Milton Nascimento
4/5
Really good instrumentals all the way through and some very emotional songs. The language barrier doesn't stop bangers.
Joan Armatrading
4/5
Great instrumentals all the way through and many songs had a lot of soul. Great listen from front to back
Eagles
5/5
This is an incredibly well produced record with a ton of talent and influence. Fantastic from start to finish
Scritti Politti
1/5
Generic, boring, and repetitive. It sounds like I'm in a roller rink from start to finish.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
Very very good, but I got a little bored by the latter half. Despite that, Bob Marley is iconic and influential.
Iron Butterfly
2/5
Boring and tedious. Really didn't enjoy this but it wasn't the worst thing ever.
Nanci Griffith
4/5
Very good and interesting but not too groundbreaking. Lots of songs I liked.
David Ackles
2/5
Very odd album, it feels like a Broadway musical but just with the one guy.
Yes
3/5
This record has some great songs, and some really not great songs. The first and last songs are great but there isn't a lot more than that.
Eminem
4/5
Lyrically interesting and emotional all the way through. A few of the tracks miss the mark. Stan, Real Slim Shady, and Kim were some standouts
Aretha Franklin
5/5
So many amazing things about this record. It's filled with so much emotion and just amazing vibes. Instrumentals vocals and songwriting are all on point.
4/5
Actually very good, not too many skips and some great instrumentals that I really enjoyed all the way through. Standouts were the look of love part 1 and 4 ever 2 gether
Marvin Gaye
2/5
Some great songwriting but an overall boring album. Didn't really connect with me. A lot of the songs just felt boring and long. Great lyrics and emotional storytelling but overall not for me
Ramones
4/5
I mean it's the same song with different lyrics for 30 minutes, but it's a good song each time. Super enjoyable
Fatboy Slim
3/5
It's fun and well made, but it just isn't my vibe.
Suicide
1/5
Fitting name, boring ah album
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Love me some Led Zeppelin
Nick Drake
5/5
I can't put my finger on how, but this one really hit deep with me. Instrumentals were fantastic and the songwriting kept me interested the whole time.
Willie Nelson
3/5
Just okay, pretty boring but well made covers. I liked Don't Get Around Much Anymore and Blue Skies
Shuggie Otis
3/5
Interesting ideas here and there but overall boring album. I liked the first few tracks but lost interest before the halfway point
The White Stripes
5/5
Insanely good and consistent album. Really loved some of the variety here. Great from front to back
Foo Fighters
4/5
Never a dull moment, but certainly some skips. Some of it was a lot better than other parts and this definitely isn't their best album
Green Day
5/5
Literally 0 skips. Fantastic songwriting and heart through the whole thing and easily one of the most recognizable albums of the 2000s
Skunk Anansie
5/5
Absolutely fire from start to finish. The vocalist is incredible and the constant attention grabbing soul behind the songs makes up for what would might pass for average instrumentals in today's scene. The skank heads, lately, and secretly were some of my favorites.
The Temptations
3/5
It's good but a little inconsistent. Their funk is great but the R&B dragged a bit
Al Green
4/5
Really great sound and vibes on this one, never got bored with it but it also didn't stand out the whole way through.
Green Day
5/5
Banger after banger. Just really good all the way through. Too many highlights to name
Gorillaz
2/5
There's a few good songs on here, but overall it's just not very good. A lot of it feels like they wanted to stand out, but it doesn't work too well
Kacey Musgraves
3/5
It's a great blend of country and pop, but it just isn't all that great. Definitely some standouts, but overall just okay
The Mamas & The Papas
3/5
Good not great. Some certified bangers here, but nothing too standout.
Elton John
5/5
Fantastic from front to back, a lot of great talent on here and a real showcase of Elton John's best. Almost feels like a greatest hits album
Joni Mitchell
3/5
Joni Mitchell does a lot of interesting instrumentals on this album but none of the songs stood out to me at all. It was fantastically written and performed, but I don't think it was my style. 3.5 if I could.
Jethro Tull
4/5
Who knew flutes and rock music work so well together. A lot of great tracks with interesting and unique musical choices. Some work, some don't, but the album as a whole works great. The vocalist has a lot of weird quirks while singing here that compliment the overall sound of the album to make it enjoyable. My favorites were Cross-Eyed Mary, My God, and Up To Me
Leonard Cohen
3/5
This one is frustrating. The songwriting is good, and some of the production is great, but overall it just doesn't stand out to me. His voice is good but boring, feels like he could give a lot more but he doesn't. I'm glad there's a lot of backing vocals to make it more interesting. I'm also disappointed by all the fake instruments used in the production. The songs also feel very repetitive. I want to give this a higher score, but I feel like there's too much holding him back.
The Mothers Of Invention
2/5
There's some good, there's some bad, there's some really freaking weird, but it's overall okay. I can see and appreciate the effort while still accepting it's really not for me
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Great first half, but the second half dragged a bit for me. It's also a little difficult for me to get over his voice, it's just a little too crazy for me. 4.5
Donald Fagen
3/5
I like the style but it didn't stand out to me Green Flower Street and The Nightfly were my favorites. Wish it had a little more
Fats Domino
4/5
Short and sweet. Great voice and instrumentals. Really liked "La La"
Goldie
2/5
It was pretty good at first, but when the remaining 2 hours was the exact same thing it got old quick
T. Rex
3/5
Great sound, okay voice, and nothing to stand out here. It's good, but could be better. Jeepster and Get It On were some favorites
Orbital
3/5
A much better approach at drum and bass than the previous one, but still drum and bass. It's just not really my thing
Leftfield
2/5
Pretty good, but nothing too great. It was listenable but boring
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
5/5
This one was great. It started off okay and ended incredible. Fell in love with it very quickly. My favorites were Powderfinger, Hey Hey My My, and Ride My Llama
ABBA
5/5
Banger after banger, bops all around. It's simple, but great.
Circle Jerks
2/5
There's some substance here, but overall I really don't like it. It's short and basic punk.
Arcade Fire
4/5
Great vibes and talent, loved the overall style of this and it was a great break from all the electronic from earlier in the week. Standouts were Modern Man and Suburban War
The Rolling Stones
5/5
Incredible album all the way through. One of my favorites Stones albums so far
Talking Heads
4/5
Very good but a little out of style for me. A lot of songs I liked still
The Chemical Brothers
3/5
Honestly much better than a lot of the other electronic albums we've had. Got old quick because it's out of my normal genre circle, but still well made
Earth, Wind & Fire
5/5
Incredibly enjoyable and funky all the way through. Their use of different instruments and incredible vocals feels so fresh even today. Loved Reasons and Happy Feeling the most
Rocket From The Crypt
3/5
A lot better than I was expecting. It mixed a lot of punk elements that I liked with some great sounding rock elements. Some of the guitar riffs were interesting too, like on Ball Lightning. Suit City and On a Rope were some other favorites
The Soft Boys
4/5
This one came out of nowhere for me. Not including the 30-some bonus tracks on Spotify, this album did a lot of interesting things musically that really caught my interest. Every song sounded unique from the last and tried to do something interesting , and It works very well for me. My favorites were Tonight, Queen of Eyes, and Underwater Moonlight
Eminem
3/5
I understand what he was going for here but I really didn't like the album as a whole. It's hard for me to get over my dislike of Eminem's voice as well. I understand that this is very much from the 90s, but I don't think it ages well. His storytelling is incredible and the characters he creates are interesting and fleshed out, which gives this extra points for me. However, it feels very much like a first album. Favorites were Rock Bottom, My Fault, and Still Don't Give a Shit.
The Smashing Pumpkins
3/5
It's good but just too long. If this were two separate albums it might have been better, but there doesn't seem to be a reason that this is a 2 hour album. Nonetheless, there are some great performances here, like on 1979, Farewell and Goodnight, and Tonight Tonight. The lead's voice isn't great, but it's unique and matches their style well. Great 90s rock, but could be a lot better.
Alanis Morissette
5/5
An incredible, emotional, angst-filled, pop-rock album. I only knew Ironic going into this one, but was blown away by how much went into each song. Some of the mixing sounds dated but the production still holds up overall. Her voice sounds amazing and raw, and when she decides to layer it it sounds refreshing and awesome. My favorites were You Oughta Know, You Learn, and Ironic.
Nico
2/5
Boring and uninspiring. The singer lacks all ounces of emotion in every single song. She sounds bored, which in turn makes me want to sleep. The instrumentals were alright and had some interesting mixing that I thought was done well, but it's ruined by the singer's lack of effort and emotion.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
5/5
The songwriting here is just stellar. Each of these artists writing and performing together makes for some of the best folk rock ever. The mixing and performances are all great and bring a lot of heart to each song. My favorites were Woodstock, Almost Cut My Hair, and Our House
Jimmy Smith
3/5
Solid jazz, solid performances, and some memorable bits in each song but overall it doesn't click with me. When I grow too old to dream was my favorite. The whole time I could just imagine a bunch of dudes standing together in the studio smiling at each other playing some tunes. Good vibes
The Smiths
4/5
Emotional, iconic, well written, well produced , and an overall classic. Makes me want to wear a T-shirt with their name on it and walk around a grocery store.
Nine Inch Nails
5/5
One of the most well made, unique, and emotional rock records I've ever listened to. Every song feels unique and full of energy and empathetic emotion. It's like I'm staring into Reznor's soul while listening.
Iggy Pop
4/5
Never listens to Iggy Pop before but damn this was good. Tons of bangers and a whole lot of talent. Each song was unique and interesting and stayed that way all the way through. Favorites were the passenger and sixteen.
Germs
1/5
This one felt like a whole lot of senseless noise. The mixing was terrible, all I could hear were the cymbals and the guys voice. Guitars barely stood out. I didn't find any kind of overarching theme that stood out and nothing felt like it needed to be here. This feels like the butt of a punk rock joke
The Jesus And Mary Chain
3/5
Overall pretty good, but a little forgettable. I found myself having to listen a few times just to remember most of the songs. I liked "Happy When it Rains" and "Fall"
Living Colour
4/5
Totally shocked by this one. I enjoyed it from front to back and loved some of the creativity they had with some tracks. Sadly not all the songs were on Spotify, but the ones I was able to listen to were great. Open Letter (to a landlord) was hilarious, and songs like Funny Vibe and Middle Man were just so catchy I couldn't help myself from having a good time. Great blend of rock and funk.
Thelonious Monk
3/5
Some very creative and interesting jazz, but it's also not totally my thing. The tracks had great buildup and performance, with the title track probably being my favorite.
The Band
3/5
Great vibes, but nothing that stands out too much. I don't notice too much flow between songs, but there a lot of good tracks like We Can Talk, Lonesome Suzie, and Caledonia Mission.
The National
3/5
Well made and written, but most songs sound exactly the same and end up being forgettable. I enjoyed the sound of this overall and I felt it had some great mixing and production, but it never clicked with me to be more than a 3.
Beck
4/5
I was thinking of giving this a 3 but the second half really saved it for me. It feels very experimental and while it doesn't always work, it makes for a very unique experience and some great ideas. My favorites were sissyneck and Where it's at.
Paul Weller
5/5
This one's got everything I want. It's a little jazzy, it's a little rocky, and it's got a weird spelling of Pajamas. Love it. Favorites were Sunflower, Country, and 5th Season
Throbbing Gristle
1/5
This is a joke. Whoever added this to the list needs to do standup. Nothing worth listening to in the whole runtime.
Judas Priest
3/5
This record was a ton of fun to listen to, but it never felt great enough to wow me. There were a lot of tracks I liked and I loved the overall sound that they captured here. It feels powerful and influential. Favorites were Metal God, Breaking the Law, and Steeler
Linkin Park
4/5
While I don't think it's their best record, Linkin Park has such a unique and powerful sound that can't be found anywhere else. Their music as a whole influences so much, and a lot of that can be found right here. They do a fantastic job of sewing real emotions into their songs and it stands tall to this day. Favorites were Crawling, In The End, and A Place for my Head
Bee Gees
2/5
What was the point of this? They heard the Beatles and added nothing of substance to make it unique. Give them a couple years and they'll make something at least a little worthwhile.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
I find this album especially interesting purely because it's 2 full length albums back to back. On their own I think they'd still be good, but putting them into one package and juxtaposing the punchy energetic first half with the slower more personal 2nd half creates something unique. I really like the use of layered vocals, especially on disc 2. It creates this sort of floaty feeling that fits so well with the mostly unplugged feel of the second half.
Favorites were "There She Goes, My Beautiful World", Abattoir Blues, Easy Money, Supernaturally, and O Children
Roxy Music
3/5
Certainly an interesting experimental record, but the lead's voice is just awful sometimes. Really brings down the experience. Favorites were Re-Make/Re-Model, Virginia Plain, and Would You Believe?
Jorge Ben Jor
4/5
This album becomes a million times more enjoyable than it already is when you imagine Glep from Smiling Friends singing the whole thing.
5/5
Apparently I forgot to rate this when I listened to it, which is ironic because this is one of the most unforgettable albums of all time. From start to finish there is not a thing about it to be changed. They absolutely perfected their style of each and every track and created something truly special. Wonderwall is here too.
Marvin Gaye
5/5
Mr. Gaye! Mr. Gaye! Question from the Gazette! You just released one of the most successful, influential, and well-produced records of the 1970s just 2 years ago! It tackled complex topics surrounding racism and politics, and made a solid case for being one of the greatest albums of all time. What will you do next?
Marvin Gaye: 😏
Beach House
3/5
The vibe of all vibes. This is the perfect rainy weather album. Mixing here is incredible, I always felt like the piano and drums were right next to me. My biggest issue with album's like this is some of the songs just end up being forgettable. Maybe that means they're too good at being chill, but it just doesn't work well for my brain.
Favorites are Silver Soul, Used to Be, and 10 Mile Stereo
Joy Division
3/5
Doing this in 1979 is really impressive, and it really nails post-punk vibes, but I just can't bring myself to like it all that much. I respect it for being an incredible debut record and for ushering in the 80s, and it's got an incredible concept that it sticks to through the whole runtime. I just don't vibe with it.
Astrud Gilberto
2/5
It's got a fine sound to it but it's just alright overall. The song with the kid was pretty bad.
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
2/5
Overall boring and I don't see the point. The songwriting had some interesting bits, but never enough that I cared what was being said.
Antony and the Johnsons
2/5
This one's just kinda boring. I was thinking of giving it a 3 since it was just alright, but then I realized I couldn't remember a single song.
The Police
3/5
The Police are stuck in this Limbo where they aren't exactly awful, but they also don't stand-out. There's nothing here that I fell in love with, but just like the last record I reviewed there's nothing that I despised. It's just alright.
The Everly Brothers
2/5
This has to be one of the most poorly aged albums on the list. Lyricism so bland it made me completely zone out. There was some actually interesting instrumentation on Sigh, Cry, Almost Die, and Love Hurts was pretty well written, but the rest was just bad. I think the general style of this one is good, instrumentation was alright throughout, so I'll give it some credit for that. Favorites were Always it's You and Love Hurts.
The Kinks
3/5
This is good, especially for '66, but it's got a lot in common with a sandwich. Party Line and Sunny afternoon are massive highlights, but the inside of the sandwich just gets a bit bland after a while. There's a lot of good here, and an insane amount of creativity that makes this enjoyable to listen to. There's just some drag with tracks like Dandy and Rain Day in June that just get annoying on second listen. Some of the second half is fairly forgettable, and I don't really have a desire to come back to this one.
U2
4/5
I've never been the biggest U2 fan but this was objectively pretty good. I always associated them with the 90s, but they made some pretty good tracks here in the 80s that definitely would have made some waves in either decade. Sunday Bloody Sunday sounds like a song straight out of the late 90s, which is really impressive and I loved it. Guitar mixing here feels unique especially on Like A Song... . I think it does drag a bit, but "being good in the 80s" point brings it up a bit. I initially applied the British Tax bringing it down to a 3, before being informed they're Irish, so top of the morning to these laddys you get a 4. Favorites are Sunday Bloody Sunday, New Year's Day, Like A Song..., and Surrender
Frank Sinatra
3/5
Started off strong but never really kept up the momentum. I think the two of them work incredibly well together, I just wish they got a little more creative.
Big Brother & The Holding Company
5/5
Cheap Thrills is an awful name because it implies this album isn't absolutely awesome. It also gets bonus points for releasing in the 60s and not being slop. There are some genuinely great guitar tones here, and some really recognizable riffs. A lot of influence can be traced back to this one and there really is a little bit of everything here. There's a bit of Blues, a bit of Metal, a bit of Rock and Roll, and they kinda do all of it well. Favorites are Summertime, Ball And Chain, Piece of My Heart, and Flower In The Sun
Neil Young
4/5
I don't have a whole lot of Solo Neil Young to compare to outside of Rust Never Sleeps, but this one feels like a slightly weaker album than that one. I think the second half carries in instrumentals, while the first half has some better lyricism. There are some pretty forgettable tracks here, but also some of my favorite Young tracks. Favorites here are Old Man, Alabama, and The Needle and the Damage Done.
Nirvana
5/5
This might be the most personal album I've ever listened to. Live albums usually make me feel "wow they sound pretty good live thats cool", but Nirvana puts such a cool spin on the live performance that I wasn't expecting. The unplugged medium really adds a ton to the emotion of their music too. Favorites were The Man Who Sold The World, Dumb, All Apologies, and Where Did You Sleep Last Night
Public Image Ltd.
2/5
There's some very creative writing on this one but some of the songs just don't work all that well. Fodderstompf loses this one a whole point for being 7 minutes long, and I have to take the British accent tax as well.
Crosby, Stills & Nash
3/5
It's really good, it's really well done, but it would be so much better if there were one more guy in the group. Favorites are Suite: Judy Blue Eyes, Pre-Road Downs, and Long Time Gone
Supertramp
4/5
The Pink Floyd influence is insanely strong here but I don't mean that as a disservice one bit. This is inspired writing at it's finest. I think it takes a lot of what Pink Floyd does so well and buts a unique, laid back twist on it. The keyboard is tight and impressive, and I loved the changes in guitar tones. It's definitely a bit too British at times, but never too much that it gets in the way of my experience. Favorites are Bloody Well Right, Hide In Your Shell, and If Everyone Was Listening.
Pulp
2/5
Ew British
The Darkness
3/5
I mean it's *fine*, but not too groundbreaking. The leads voice is genuinely impressive, and I had a good time with a lot of the guitar riffs, but there're a few tracks that blend into the canvas. This would have broke records about 10 years earlier. Favorites are I Believe in a Thing Called Love, Stuck in a Rut, and Friday Night
Def Leppard
1/5
More than once I found myself checking back on my app thinking the album ended and it started playing Guns 'n Roses (derogatory), only to find out it was still in fact Hysteria by Def Leppard. This album is too long and does not nearly do enough to deserve the length. First 5 songs are alright and the rest is completely forgettable.
The Who
3/5
From the snippets I've heard from the actual musical, I was expecting a lot more from this, especially the second half which had most of the songs I recognized. Instead it was just okay. It's definitely a huge step away from what they were doing earlier in the 60s and bridges the gap to what they would do throughout the 70s, which is ultimately just better and more impressive versions of what they did here. It's a good rock opera with a decently put together story, even if it is very odd. Favorites were 1921, The Acid Queen, Pinball Wizard, and Go To The Mirror!.
XTC
4/5
Certainly a bit too British for my tastes but the overall experience was a net positive. I love the playfulness of a lot of the songs and how experimental they get with a few different styles. It also gets bonus points for coming out in '86 and not sucking penis, so good job XTC. Favorites are Another Satellite, Grass, and Dear God
Khaled
2/5
WTF is Imagine doing here, stop letting John Lennon win he doesn't deserve it. Otherwise it was *fine* I guess, I don't have much to compare it to.
The Avalanches
5/5
The Avalanches know how to groove, but some of the songs get lost in the sauce here. Since I Left You is an incredible start that blends really well into Stay Another Season, but the stuff they're doing on Radio just doesn't hit for me. Then you have the middle of the album which all blends together really well, but becomes forgettable until A Different Feeling hits. Favorites are Two Hearts in 3/4 Time and Frontier Psychiatrist.
EDIT: It's been a few days and I have to come back to this. I now accept that some of this might not be my style, but oh my god I have nothing but the highest respect for this album after realizing the number of samples that went into this. It's just damn impressive and needs to be commended.
King Crimson
5/5
Honestly one of the best things to come out of the project. Iconic, powerful, terrifying, and interesting are all understatements. The writing around this one was really well done too, and the buildup might be the best in the group's history. I just wish Giorno didn't defeat him so quickl... huh?... oh this is about the album isn't it. Yeah that's really good too.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
First track left me feeling disappointed, but then the rest of the album was like Stevie walked up to me, slapped me across the face, and scolded me for ever doubting him. Everything here is great (except for the first track, not like Stevie can read this anyway).
Queens of the Stone Age
4/5
This album is literally OOZING character. Queens of the Stone Age nailed it the first time, and then nailed it again the next couple times. I don't think this one's as good as Songs for the Deaf, but it doesn't make it bad by any means. Favorites are Regular John, The Bronze, and Mexicola.
Blur
4/5
This one's really hard for me to rate. It's British, like REALLY British, but somehow it doesn't suck? It doesn't really make sense in my brain. The instruments mix really well with the wacky crap they add in. Favorites here are Girls & Boys, End of a Century, and Magic America
Kanye West
5/5
This genuinely feels like Kanye at the top of his game. I've always treated this album as the precursor to his downfall, and going back to it now feels like opening a time capsule of his music. I think this acts as the apex of his ideas on Graduation, while also going all in on the bravado. Favorites are Power, All Of The Lights, Runaway, and Lost In The World.
The Chemical Brothers
4/5
This genre is just cool man. I love all the tracks on here, they all have great vibes and nothing makes me even think about skipping. With all that said it's STILL recognizable compared to other stuff in the genre. Great stuff.
Eagles
2/5
This is the album equivalent of when you're in high school and you are making a happy birthday banner for your friend but you don't space out the letters beforehand so you get overconfident and start with a huge H before quickly realizing that you're going to run out of room on the banner and all the other letters are going to be really small and ugly and won't come out anywhere near as cool as that first Letter.
That guitar solo is pretty great though.
The Isley Brothers
5/5
This album is tight. The guitar, drums, and melodies all blend so perfectly and are performed at the top of their game. Not a dull moment to be heard. Favorites are That Lady, What it Comes Down To, and Summer Breeze
John Lennon
3/5
This feels like a 'Hey Paul look at me I'm solo now" kind of album. There are some really great tracks, but also some meh tracks. Lennon's got such a great creative mind that shines on tracks like Crippled Inside and How Do You Sleep?, but tracks like Jealous Guy just don't hit for me.
Amy Winehouse
4/5
This album feels like something I would listen to on a rainy day with a hot coffee while cleaning my apartment. I love the jazzy style of the instrumentation and how well it fits with Winehouse's vocal style. Looking at it critically, it feels like something is missing from a lot of the songs that I can't quite identify. It's just short of amazing. Favorites are You Sent Me Flying / Cherry, In My Bed, and October Song
Willie Nelson
4/5
Willie Nelson has this amazing ability to make you feel like a 1800s cowboy no matter where you are or when you were born. He encapsulates this classic southern vibe so well and creates a blanket of country to wrap yourself in. Fantastic songwriting and performances from him. Favorites were Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain, Red Headed Stranger, and Can I Sleep in your Arms
Goldfrapp
3/5
A fantastic vibe trip all the way through, and it sets the stage for a lot of singer-songwriter music of the later 2010s. This gets buried by a lot of other music from the time, but it's honestly very well made. The mix of more electronic instruments with Goldfrapps vocals creates an almost acoustic feel. Favorites are Little Bird, Road to Somewhere, and Eat Yourself
Mike Oldfield
2/5
WHERE ARE THE DRUMS DUDE I WAITED 49:18 AND ALL YOU COULD DO WAS HIT SOME BELLS AND PLAY SOME CRAPPY GUITAR
Iconic though.
Public Enemy
4/5
Adding this one to the list of albums I can't listen to when I have my player's window up on my desktop at work. The hard R is crazy. However, the album is very good. The lyrics are tight as hell and the beats are unique and punchy. I didn't mind the instrumentals/interludes here either, they helped with the flow and fit the overall message of the record.
The Doors
3/5
Good but a bit forgettable. Not a whole lot sticks out here apart from Roadhouse Blues and Peace Frog for me. I like the Doors, just don't love them.
The Fall
2/5
I need an Infopainment Scan after listening to this. It's crazy how the easiest way to ruin a really great guitar riff and a killer drumbeat is just start yapping into the microphone.
Favorite tracks are Past Gone Mad and Glam-Racket
Depeche Mode
2/5
If this is for the masses, consider me the individual. It isn't the worst 80s album I've ever heard, which really isn't that hard. Who knew all you had to do to make a good 80s album was try a little bit! It is definitely way too long though.
Favorites were Strangelove and Nothing
The Flaming Lips
4/5
The Flaming Lips certainly aren't the most normal band you've seen, but the oddities in their sound just make it more interesting. The little bits of electronics mixed with the acoustic sound immerses you in the story they're trying to tell and I really like that. Favorites are Fight Test, Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots pt 1 (which is then immediately followed by the atrocious Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots Pt 2), Ego Tripping at the Gates of Hell, Are You A Hypnotist, and Do You Realize??
Sonic Youth
4/5
I had to listen to this a few times to form an opinion on it, but I think ultimately I like it. It's a musical marvel but a lyrical mess. My first listen I thought to myself "this has got to be one of the worst written albums I've heard in my life". But as I kept listening something clicked. The off-key and weird lyrics started to fit in with the noisiness of the guitars in a way that made me uncomfortable, but that was the whole point. This album is able to swap between great Alt and great Noise so frequently that I just have to applaud it.
Dirty boots is really good, Tunic is really bad, and the unnecessary fade out between Mary-Christ and Kool Thing just makes me angry. But it works. They even dip into a bit of shoegazey ideas in the second half of the album and I just can't get enough of those. It's not a perfect album, but I definitely like it more now than on my first listen.
Favorites are Dirty Boots, Disappear, Cinderella's Big Score, and Titanium Expose
Mott The Hoople
3/5
Pretty good with some real bangers. It feels very British, but not in the bad way. Favories are Honaloochie Boogie and I Wish I Was Your Mother
Beatles
3/5
This is like the weird middle child of the Beatles, which is weird considering it's their second album. They did a lot more interesting stuff on A Hard Day's Night and Please Please Me, but this one sort of blends in along with Beatles For Sale. It's still the Beatles so it's not bad, they can just do so much better. Favorites are All My Loving, Till There Was You, Please Mister Postman, and You Really Got a Hold On Me
Siouxsie And The Banshees
4/5
I was really expecting to hate this at first but I ended up really liking it. This takes so much that I don't like about post-punk and makes it a lot more interesting. The guitar tones here are a genuine highlight from top to bottom. Favorites were Carcass, Helter Skelter, and The Staircase
Robert Wyatt
2/5
This one's weird as shit, but not in a way that I liked. "The Duchess" has got to be one of the worst songs I've ever heard. However, there's an idea here, and the production is pretty good, so I won't give it the 1 I almost did. Favorite was Blues in Bob Minor
Magazine
3/5
While I think it's a well made album, there aren't a lot of standouts here for me. The songs sound very safe for the most part and don't try anything too crazy, which I feel is a big part of success in this genre. Favorites were My Tulpa and My Mind Ain't So Open
Frank Zappa
5/5
Absolutely love the experimentation and expression here. Frank Zappa is a weird looking dude, and his voice sounds like the troll under the bridge in my hometown that I had to solve riddles for to get to school, but his skills on this one are clear. The guitar's sound fantastic, and I love the use of a standup bass on a few of the songs. It adds a very unique feeling inside an already unique sound, especially for '69. Favorites are Willie The Pimp and Son of Mr. Green Genes
CHIC
3/5
Ah, yes, the true origins of Hip Hop. Mostly forgettable album, but the bass is groovy as hell throughout. Favorites were Good Times and My Forbidden Lover
Queen
4/5
While the whole thing gives theater kid, it kinda bangs. May's skills on guitar are insanely unique and add so much character to the band. Mercury is obviously iconic, though it can't save him from being a little too weird on a few tracks. Favorites are Stone Cold Crazy, Misfire, and Brighton Rock
Black Sabbath
5/5
Black Sabbath does this really cool thing where they somehow manage to make one of the coolest, hardest, and kick-ass albums you've ever heard sound just okay in comparison to their next few records. This isn't a dig at this album, instead an incredible cudos to everything they did as a band in the early 70s and a genuine "WOW" at how they just keep getting better. Favorite was The Wizard
PJ Harvey
2/5
This album doesn't stand out to me. Nothing done here feels special or influential to any specific genre. It's well crafted, but not great by any means.
Wild Beasts
2/5
This one's mostly forgettable, and I had to listen a few times just to get the whole thing in my brain. The second half drags a lot. I feel like The Fun Powder Plot and All The King's Men are my favorites, but even those are pretty forgettable too.
Sister Sledge
2/5
I mean it's alright, the title track is obviously iconic but the rest of it all just sounds exactly like that one. There's not a whole lot of out-of-the-box thinking here.
The Verve
4/5
They sound like they're trying to do the same stuff Oasis did, with a little added flair psychedelic rock. However, some definite bangers on this record. Bitter Sweet Symphony is iconic and I loved the songwriting and instrumentals in Sonnet, The Rolling People, and Catching the Butterfly. Where they excel is in the psychedelic sound they add to these indie tracks.
The Notorious B.I.G.
4/5
90s rap does this really awesome thing sometimes where it creates some of the most timeless and iconic beats and bars, and then sandwiches them with some of the weirdest interludes you've ever heard in your life. Despite that, this album is an absolute jam. I don't think it's as good as what he did on Life After Death, but we wouldn't even have that one without this one, which lays the groudwork for it to run on. My favorites are Things Done Changed, Machine Gun Funk, Ready To Die, Juicy, and Big Poppa.
John Martyn
4/5
Great sound and a great album. Whoever was playing the guitar needs a raise. The whole thing feels groovy but also relaxing. Favorites were Over The Hill, I'd Rather Be The Devil, and Dreams By The Sea.
David Bowie
4/5
Not as good as some other Bowie records but still good. It's really hard to hate anything this guy does. Favorites were Young Americans, Fascination, and specifically the guy playing the Saxophone on like every song.
Hot Chip
2/5
I sincerely hope that when they said "eat hot chip and lie" they weren't talking about this one, because it really isn't all that good.
Many of the songs on here have interesting concepts they delve into but ultimately fall just short of retaining that interesting nature. Songs like Don't Deny Your Heart with it's very 80s influence totally clash with These Chains' and Night and Day's synth-pop style. Much of this sounds like baby's first synth-pop.
Highlights were Don't Deny Your Heart and Flutes
Coldplay
4/5
I think Coldplay did something really special here that they were never really able to get away from after their start. The instrumentals and Vocals do such a great job of feeling light and unique for the time. I don't think it's as good as Parachutes, but it's still a banger.
TV On The Radio
5/5
I was expecting to hate this one, but ended up listening to it at least 4 times. Something about this feels unique and resonated with me a lot, though I can't put my finger on it. It's like they're standing on the edge of what LCD Soundsystem was, but found a way to make the sound their own.
Prince
5/5
Just found out Prince was homophobic, bummer because his music slaps
Pixies
4/5
This is my first Pixies record and I loved it. They've got such an influenced sound that creates something even more influential. They took the best from genre's I hate and made something not too shabby. Favorites were Velouria, Down to the Well, and Stormy Weather
Simply Red
3/5
Gave this one a few listens and I enjoyed it a decent amount. It's not perfect but it finds a nice little corner to enjoy. I love the control of the lead's voice. Also anyone that covers Heaven has a thumbs up in my book. Favorites were Come to My Aid, Heaver, and Holding Back the Years.
Elliott Smith
4/5
This is the exact style of album I would have on repeat while I was in high school, in a complementary way. The softness of the overall sound blends incredibly with the acoustic instrementals, and it has a great mix of low and high energy tracks to keep you entertained. I love how personal and sincere this is. Favorites were Between the Bars, Rose Parade, Pictures of Me, and Say Yes
Love
4/5
While it overall isn't my vibe, there's a ton of heart put into this and it ends up being a very interesting album. They find a way to avoid the trap of 60s mediocrity, but there are certainly some misses. You can feel them smashing against the music barrier and putting a good dent in it. Favorites were Alone Again Or, A House is Not a Motel, Live and Let Live, and and Bummer in the Summer.
DJ Shadow
5/5
This album feels like something out of a dream. The amount of creativity in each and every song feels exciting and every aspect feels deliberate and planned. The heart that DJ Shadow pours out of it like a waterfall. Favorite tracks were The Number Song, Building Steam With A Grain of Salt, and Midnight In A Perfect World
The Byrds
3/5
I find it hard to listen to mid 60s albums because they usually all sound the same. This one, however, does a good job of innovating in some weird places. I personally love the gremlin speaking in my ear during the third track. My favorites were Have you Seen Her Face and The Girl With No Name.
Sade
4/5
Eating this one up. Love the vibe of the whole thing and Smooth Operator is just a banger. Her voice feels like rain on my skin. Favorites were Smooth Operator, Your Love is King, Frankie's First Affair, and I Will Be Your Friend
Travis
3/5
"Mom, can we get Radiohead?"
"Billy, we have Radiohead at home."
Radiohead at home:
Rush
4/5
An incredible, iconic, and timeless prog rock record. I've been a big fan of rush for a while and this is easily one of their best. It isn't perfect, as songs like Something For Nothing and a few sections of the titular 2112 drag. However, sections like Discovery and Temples of Syrinx, and tracks like A Passage to Bangkok and Lessons are still some of my favorite rush pieces to date.
Sufjan Stevens
5/5
Both the names and the runtime are far too long, but it's still incredibly well made, well written, well performed, and well produced.
Adam & The Ants
1/5
Bro wants to be David Bowie so bad.
John Grant
4/5
Some honest to god bangers on here, and some genuine chuckles on a couple tracks as well. A lot of it feels like the evil twin of Sufjan Stevens.
Jamiroquai
3/5
It's funky and it's fresh. It might not be traditional funk, but it's a fantastic blend of funk and pop that is entertaining most of the way through. It also uses the didgeridoo, which is so unique I gotta give it some extra props. Favorites were Too Young To Die, Emergency on Planet Earth and Hooked Up.
Norah Jones
4/5
This album makes me feel like I'm getting stood up at a bar during a rainy night in New York City. Unmatched Vibes.
a-ha
2/5
Take on Me is such a banger I forgot how much I hate the genre for a second. Unfortunately I was reminded almost immediately.
Mj Cole
3/5
I thought it started out strong but was left underwhelmed as it went on. Cole had a vision here but it just wasn't all that interesting of one. Slum King is a banger though
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
These guys are allergic to making bad music.
5/5
Banger after banger after banger. Each track stands out and cements itself deep in your mind. Even the not-so-popular tracks are catchy as hell and very good. The worst song on this album would be someone else's one hit wonder. Favorites were Day in the Life, Getting Better, When I'm Sixty Four, and With a Little Help
Ian Dury
2/5
And the John Cleese Award for most British sounding thing I've heard all year goes to New Boots And Panties by Ian Dury! It was a real tough competition but Ian really pulled through with his stellar accent and general British wackiness.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
5/5
Nearly perfect from start to finish. I don't think there's a song on here I dislike. Usually I trash records from the late 60s early 70s for sounding unoriginal and boring, but CCR is just not one of them. They found their shit and they rocked with it. Favorites were Lookin' Out My Back Door, Up Around The Bend, and I Heard it Through The Grapevine.
Gene Clark
4/5
Lot of good stuff here. The instrumentation was really well done and the overall vibe was very tuned. There's a lot to like about this album and a lot of the songs hold up for 74. Favorites were Some Misunderstanding and Strength of Strings
Gang Of Four
1/5
Pretty basic and Pretty boring. Still really not my style of music. There were a few I enjoyed on here but overall it didn't click with me. Favorites were Contract and Damaged Goods
The Zombies
3/5
Found this one really interesting. There's parts of it that feel just a bit held back by the time, but you can tell they were trying to do something interesting. Drags a bit in the middle, and Butcher's Tale (Western From 1914) is a crazy inclusion, but still very good. Favorites were Care of Cell 44 and I Want Her She Wants Me.
Paul Simon
2/5
I had to listen to this one a few too many times to feel comfortable enough to rate it, which is usually a bad sign. Overall pretty forgettable. Sounds like they put a fart filter over the Bass guitar. Favorites were I Know What I Know and Homeless
TLC
4/5
An immaculately vibey album. These are some of the most interesting beats and flows I've heard in a while. I absolutely loved the N64-ass stuff they used on "Diggin' on You". Intermission-lude and Sexy-Interlude were definitely not needed, but I adored the other ones. Favorite songs were Creep, Diggin' On You, Waterfalls, and Sumthin' Wicked This Way Comes.
Yes
4/5
I liked this one better compared to "Fragile". It felt a lot more creative and I really enjoyed some of the deep cuts on this one. The Clap feels like such an odd addition, but it's also kind of my favorite song, there's just something cool about it. Favorites were The Clap and I've Seen All Good People.
The Police
2/5
I mean it wasn't the worst thing I've heard, but I certainly wouldn't come back to it. Best songs were Message in a Bottle and Bring On The Night
Belle & Sebastian
4/5
I was eating this one up. I loved the laid back feel of the tracks here. There's a few moments that are cool but very out of place. I loved Electronic Renaissance, but it really does not fit on this album. Favorites were She's Losing It, We Rule the School, and I Don't Love Anyone.
Billy Joel
5/5
Somehow Billy created something without a single skip on it. This feels like a greatest hits album in the best way. Each track is packed full of emotion and talent and not a single song here fails to make you feel good. I'd give it 6 stars if I could.
George Harrison
5/5
Incredibly George. For his first album after his breakup with his boyfriends, it does a great job of setting himself apart from the sound of the Beatles while also showcasing what he brought to the table of the group. Favorites were My Sweet Lord, What is Life, Isn't it a Pity, and Art of Dying.
Isaac Hayes
3/5
Even though its a soundtrack and it feels like it shouldn't be on this list, it's kinda fire. It's like a snippet of the 70s. Favorites were Walk From Regio's, Cafe Regio's (this one's a banger), and No Name Bar.
Beastie Boys
5/5
This one's just a ton of fun. It's a staple of the 80s and inspired a ton of 90s artists. The crossing of Punk and Rap make for such an interesting sound that stood out then and still stands out now. Favorites were No Sleep til Brooklyn, Fight for your Right, Paul Revere, Brass Monkey, and Girls.
Iron Maiden
5/5
This ripped. Absolutely loved it. They nailed their own unique sound and were just plain awesome. Favorites were Prowler, Transylvania, and Charlotte the Harlot
Aerosmith
2/5
Pretty disappointed by this one. Not a lot stood out and it felt kinda lazy. I liked Uncle Salty, Walk This Way, and Round and Round.
Buffalo Springfield
3/5
I absolutely love what Neil Young did on this record. He has such a unique writing style and sound that really stands out here. I hope him and that Steven Stills guy work together more. Favorites were BlueBird, Rock & Roll Woman, and Broken Arrow
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
While tracks like Heads Will Roll still stay relevant, though mostly because of social media and party movies, there isn't a whole lot else here that persisted very far. That being said, it still holds up today and has a ton of fun tracks, and it is by no means boring or unoriginal. My favorites here were Soft Shock, Heads will Roll, Dull Life, and Runaway.
The Teardrop Explodes
3/5
A lot of cool stuff on this one, and definitely better than a lot of other britpop adjacent albums on this list. Some of the psychedelic tones they play with are super interesting, especially on songs like When I Dream and Poppies In The Field. Not a whole lot I'd add to my playlist, but some definite bangers here.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
Great album, loved the style a lot more than their debut. Did get genuinely jumpscared by the slur though. Favorites were Oliver's Army, Goon Squad, and the ending track.
The Doors
4/5
Not my first blues rock, but definitely my first album by "The Doors". They do a fantastic job of writing blues instrumentation and lyrics, making it a really enjoyable listen. I also wasn't expected some of the psychadelic influences on this one, which was a nice surprise. Favorites were Love Her Madly, L.A.Woman, Hyacinth House, and Riders on the Storm.
Van Morrison
3/5
It's fun but I don't get a whole lot out of it. While I don't think there are any bad songs here, I also don't think there are any fantastic 10/10 songs here. Favorites were were Moondance, Into the Mystic, and These Dreams of You
Sigur Rós
4/5
I loved this one. It felt magical and odd in the best ways. There were a ton of gradual changes and flows in this that made me feel like I was floating through the whole runtime. Favorites were Tracks 2, 5, and 8
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
While it isn't the best rock record I've ever heard, nor is it life-altering or groundbreaking, its just damn good all the way through. These guys have a ton of talent and each track, whether it is well known or not, is flowing with the unique identity of CCR.
4/5
Absolutely loved this album growing up. One of the first I had on CD and one of the albums that got me in to music. Listening to it now, I can appreciate the influences of Radiohead and how Muse made their own sound off of it. Starlight, Invincible, and Knights of Cydonia are bangers with great mixes of guitars and synths, and there isn't a better playing-baseball-in-a-thunderstorm song than Supermassive Black Hole
Bonnie Raitt
1/5
I don't understand why this is here. This sounds like the album that Phineas and Ferb's Mom released during her one-hit wonder phase
Kanye West
5/5
The College Dropout broke minds back in 2004 and still breaks them in 2024. In 2004, people said "wow, this Kanye guy is making a whole new sound and is changing the rap industry forever! I sure hope he doesn't become anti-semitic one day " and in 2024, they say "aw dangit".
R.E.M.
2/5
This ones just alright. I really liked the political themes they were trying to touch on through this record, but not all of them landed where I think they were aiming. I liked Stand and Turn You Inside-Out
The Young Gods
2/5
I'm sure they're saying something rebellious, but I sure as hell have no idea what it is. The riffs and vocals on this were good, but everything done on this album just feels underdeveloped.
Morrissey
3/5
I really loved when he said he would be the last British person I would ever truly know. Got me really excited about the rest of my life.
The Velvet Underground
3/5
Mixing so good at one point the guys voice scared me because I thought someone was talking behind me. Lyricism and songwriting are both really interesting and well-done, but overall it isn't really for me. I liked What Goes On and After Hours
Joan Baez
2/5
While her voice and guitar playing are top-notch, the album is boring overall. It's a very personal album for her but never hits the highs of what I expect from folk music. Many of the songs fall flat and become forgettable. However, there are still some tracks I enjoyed, and I was definitely thrown off by finding out she did House of the Rising Sun before the Animals (though I'm aware hers isn't the original either). Favorites were Silver Dagger, House of the Rising Sun, and Rake and Rambling Boy.
Fun Lovin' Criminals
2/5
There isn't a whole lot goin on here but it isn't awful. It doesn't feel like any of the songs have any weight to them. More fun, less criminals. Favorites were Bombin' the L and The Grave and the Constant
Björk
4/5
Weird as shit, cool as shit. It isn't too often you hear something this weird and unpredictable. Favorites were Who Is It, Oceania, and Triumph of a Heart
Buena Vista Social Club
3/5
Really vibey and well made. Hard to click when it's in a different language, but I can still groove. This is a lyric blindness dream. Favorites were El Cuarto de Tula, Candela, and Buena Vista Social Club
AC/DC
4/5
AC/DC found some kind of chemical reaction that makes every one of their songs feel as if it was injected with a double shot of electricity and rode with it for years. Their song's aren't all that original, but damn they are catchy and great on this record. Highway to Hell, Girl's got Rhythm, and Shot Down in Flames were my favorites.
Röyksopp
2/5
Decent but boring in terms of "must listen before I die". It doesn't feel like anything on this record made big enough waves to give it that title.
PJ Harvey
2/5
I just felt disappointed listening to this one. I thought the mixing was especially awful for the musical style of the album. The instruments were all much louder than the singer, but they weren't doing anything interesting to make it seem intentional.
Happy Mondays
3/5
Never heard of Happy Mondays before, but I enjoyed this one a decent amount. It was a really unique sound, and I liked the kinda psychedelic tones I was hearing. Favorites were Loose Fit and Step On.
The Blue Nile
3/5
When I read "Sophisti-pop" on the wiki I really was expecting to hate this, but I think those bottom-of-the-barrel expectations let me enjoy this a lot. I thought it was very well done. It takes a lot of what the normal 80s synth-pop records were doing and builds on it. Great use of instruments and mixing, especially in songs like Automobile Noise and From Rags to Riches, even if I didn't like the songs all that much. However, I loved how From Rags to Riches just sounds like music straight out of Earthbound. My favorites were Tinseltown in the Rain and Heatwave.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
Really groovy. I ended up liking the second half a lot better than the first, but it's all around pretty good. Costello's expression in his songs are really a standout here. Love the use of instrumentation and the audio balance was fantastic. Favorites were Lip Service and Lipstick Vogue
Echo And The Bunnymen
2/5
There's a lot of interesting blends of genre & artist here. I hear a bit of Bowie, a bit of Smiths. It's just so bri ish. It isn't bad but it was kinda boring. Favorites were Crocodiles and Pride
Gil Scott-Heron
4/5
Fantastic groove and a ton of soul in here. Really similar to Marvin Gaye's "What's Goin On" in the sense that it touches on some important political points at the time of its recording. Had to listen on youtube so I don't have favorite tracks, but it was a good vibe.
3/5
It had a few interesting parts but overall it wasn't my vibe. I thought Broken Witch and There's Always Room on the Broom, and I loved their use of ambient noise and motifs on tracks like Flow My Tears The Spider Said, They Took 14 For The Rest Of Our Lives, and Hold Hands And It Will Happen Anyway. Noise rock isn't my thing, but I felt this was really well made and coherent for what is ultimately the musical equivalent of button mashing in Smash Bros
The Monkees
2/5
This would be really great if it was made like 5 years earlier, but it just doesn't really stand out to me as a late 60s record. Perhaps that's my Beatles supremecy talking, but who knows. I love what they did with songs like I Can't Get Her Off My Mind, No Time, and Randy Scouse Git.
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
For how little familiarity I have of almost any other Fleetwood Mac album, its crazy to me that almost every single song I knew by them prior to listening to this ended up being on the album. Writing is great and very personable, and the variety of styles makes the album very fun to listen to. Favorites were The Shain, Don't Stop, Dreams, and You Make Loving Fun
Boston
4/5
A ton of classics here and some great cuts I've never heard. With a powerhouse as huge as tracks 1-4, they still landed it smoothly with the second half. Favorites were the entire first half and Something About You
Orange Juice
3/5
I really love the sound of this one compared to other similar albums I've listened to. Something about it just makes it a lot more fun to listen to. It feels unique and catchy. My favorites were Turn Away, I Can't Help Myself, and Hokoyo.
Erykah Badu
5/5
The flow here is absolutely incredible. I adore how well each song leads into the next and how groovy everything is. Vibes and vocals are immaculate. It's simplicity moves mountains. Favorites were Cleva and Green Eyes
Venom
2/5
I hear the influence, but I don't hear anything I like. Favorites were Don't Burn the Witch and Buried Alive.
Coldplay
4/5
Genuinely a very solid album. Coldplay gets a lot of undeserved hate for making consistent music and putting on awesome shoes (though that obviously isn't factored into the review). This record feels relaxing, with most of the songs just making you feel like you're floating. I love their style, and I love their message. My favorites were Shiver, Spies, Trouble, and the hidden track Life is for Living.
Fiona Apple
2/5
This one feels a bit lazy. There wasn't a whole lot I liked about it other than the drums on a few of the songs. She has the potential to do something really great, but I don't think she put it all into this one. Favorites were Newspaper and Heavy Balloon
Björk
4/5
Sorry but all I could hear during Frosti was Freddy Fazbear coming for me. I love the mystical style of this one and her voice is immaculate. Reminds me of the vocalist from the NieR soundtrack. Favorites were It's Not up to You, Pagan Poetry, and Unison.
William Orbit
1/5
I accidentally listened to half of Strange Cargo II and that half was better than this whole. Great background music though gotta be honest.
Pink Floyd
5/5
https://i.giphy.com/87jGhdRVzUOJNh2s0q.webp
David Bowie
4/5
David Bowie has this unique ethereal sound in his music that makes it stand out, and I feel like that's most present on this record compared to his others. While it doesn't sit as high as Ziggy Stardust for me, this is still a very good album. Favorites were Watch That Man and Time
Suzanne Vega
2/5
While I thought the lyricism was really good, I feel like the musical style was just overall boring for the time. When you had people like Kate Bush to compete with, it's kinda hard to compare imo.
Ravi Shankar
4/5
Man it's like I was back in college watching a youtube video explaining how differential equations worked. Incredible vibe
UB40
2/5
Never been a huge fan of Reggae. It just doesn't really click with me. Overall I found this well made, but boring for my taste in music. Just kinda blended into the background.
A Tribe Called Quest
4/5
A great and solid hip hop album. I adore the punchy jazz undertones I was getting while listening. The raps are smooth as hell and its a crazy fun listen. Favorites were Verses from the Abstract, Show Business, and Scenario
The Bees
4/5
Incredibly feel-good and vibey. I loved 60s/70s vibe a lot of these songs had. Favorites were Angryman, A Minha Menina, and Sky Holds the Sun
Bert Jansch
3/5
This guy plays a damn smooth guitar
Air
4/5
It's just a good vibe all the way through. Everything feels really deliberate too and I love how chill it all is. Favorites were Le Voyage de Penelope, Sexy Boy, and Talisman
Genesis
2/5
I honestly didn't like this one. It felt uninspired and boring above all. A lot of flashy instrumentals for what felt like it lacked a lot of heart. Firth of Fifth was the only song I really liked here.
Beyoncé
3/5
Definitely not my favorite of Beyonce's records, but still very good. There is a ton of great production and mixing on here to pair with her incredible vocals. However, as a straight white man, I can't say that the themes of this one really resonate with me. Favorites were XO, Superpower, and Pretty Hurts
Brian Wilson
3/5
Usually I try to judge an album on its own merits and mostly ignore the story behind them. This one makes that pretty easy. Good album though. Favorites were Good Vibrations, Roll Plymouth Rock, and Old Master Painter (s/o my goat)
Bob Dylan
5/5
This guy would definitely win the Timothee Chalamet lookalike contest. Favorites are Subterranean Homesick Blues, Maggie's Farm, Bob Dylan's 115th Dream, and Gates of Eden
Eric Clapton
4/5
Despite some general mediocrity from the songs, Clapton's skills on the guitar make this such a joy to listen to. Favorites were I Shot the Sheriff, Let It Grow, and Steady Rollin' Man
The Clash
5/5
Honestly the first Punk record I really vibed with on the list. I had some trouble getting into the other ones but this was completely different. Undeniable talent. My favorites were Remote Control, What's My Name, and Police and Thieves
LCD Soundsystem
5/5
This one is just a wild ride from start to finish. Not as good as their self-titled in my opinion, but fantastic in it's own right. The whole middle of this album blew me away. Favorites were North American Scum, Someone Great, All My Friends, and Us V Them.
Jane Weaver
2/5
Eh, good not great. It sounds like it's trying to stand out and trying to blend in at the same time and I don't think it works all that well at either. Well-made, just uninteresting. I liked Did You See Butterflies and Modern Kosmology.
Nick Drake
5/5
Another banger from Drake. The uniqueness of his voice and songwriting just shines with his incredible use of instrumentals. I also really appreciated the instrumental-only introduction track as it really shows off, along with the rest of this album, how great of a songwriter and musician he really is. Favorites were Hazey Jane II and Poor Boy
Joe Ely
2/5
Well made and fun, but not crazy good by any means. Doesn't feel like a landmark album for anything. Favorites were Boxcars and Fingernails
Prefab Sprout
1/5
I just can't find anything I liked about this record. It's boring and uninspiring. There's nothing here that hasn't been done better somewhere else.
Django Django
3/5
Not bad, but not amazing. I think the vibes of this album carry it in my mind. While Default certainly isn't the best song I've ever heard, it's so damn catchy I can't help how much I like it. I really enjoy the slight slowdown in the middle, of the album with Love's Dart. It feels unique, and it doesn't suffer anywhere, but it isn't really for me. Favorites were Hail Bop, Love's Dart, Life's a Beach, and Skies over Cairo
Quicksilver Messenger Service
2/5
An enjoyable ride with it's own set of highs and lows. This felt more like a jam piece than a coherent album, which provided some good vibes but not a ton of substance. I thought everything from Who Do You Love pt1 to pt2 was awesome and the flow of it was magical, but the second half after that doesn't really stand out to me at all. Calvary in the second half and Where You Love in the first both feel FAR too long for their own worth and could have been a lot shorter and just as good. Instead, it makes the album drag on both sides.
Tricky
2/5
I get it, but I also don't. Trip hop is such an interesting genre conceptually but It's very hard for me to get really into it past enjoying a couple songs here and there. The first half really had me vibing (though I have no clue what Black Steel is doing on this record), but the second half had me "Strugglin'" (which was my least favorite song on the album by a mile). Favorites were Hell is Round The Corner, Aftermath, and Brand New You're Retro
Johnny Cash
5/5
Johnny Cash is such a likeable guy. The way he banters and works with the audience is so personable and genuine, and it makes him really sound like he's having a ton of fun recording this record. Love the man, love the music.
Blood, Sweat & Tears
4/5
This feels like a variety album and I adore it. I loved the way it started with Variations on a Theme and did it's own thing with it to make it sound totally new and interesting. Blues, Pt. 2 gave me so much whiplash I thought I was *listening* to Whiplash's soundtrack. Really great Great mixing on the different instruments as well. Jazz Rock at its finest, my favorites were Blues Pt 2, And When I Die, and Spinning Wheel.
Method Man
3/5
Never listened to much Wu-Tang, but this one's alright. The flow is all well done, but I feel like the mixing was a little odd at times. It sounded like he was rapping through a styrofoam filter from a couple feet away from the mic for a few of the songs. Favorites were Bring the Pain, All I Need, and What the Blood Clot
Marvin Gaye
5/5
Had something cool written for this and I don't wanna write it again. This album is incredible.
Mudhoney
3/5
This was crazy ahead of its time. I was expecting it to be a crappy punk-purist style album, but it surprised me how much I ended up liking it. Very punchy. Favorites were Touch Me I'm Sick and Need
Liz Phair
2/5
Whiny vocals are my thing and I love that music, but this just feels like an unrefined version of it. Lyrics don't hit, instrumentals don't hit. If she had a couple more years she would be awesome, but it just isn't there yet.
White Denim
4/5
This one was great. I loved the creativity and wackiness of the tracks here. I'll accept that this is the closest I'll come to a King Gizzard album on this list.
Primal Scream
4/5
The more I listened to it the more I just kept loving this album. It's weird, it's unique, it's got a lot of variety, and it just slaps. Favorites were Movin On Up, Don't Fight It, Feel It, Loaded, and Damaged.
Queen
3/5
I still don't really see queen as much more than a Greatest Hits band, but this album really wasn't terrible. It had some good and some bad, but you can really tell which songs are wayyyy better than others. I'm In Love With My Car is good. Favorites were Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon, The Prophet's Song, and Bohemian Rhapsody.
Black Sabbath
5/5
EASY 5 stars. This album is perfect. No notes. Favorites were all of them.
Franz Ferdinand
4/5
Really Solid record with some great deeper cuts. I think the majority of the world really only knows this band for Take Me Out and a slightly smaller subset for This Fire, but those are just two out of a handful of highlights within their style. Standouts for me apart from the other two were Auf Achse, Cheating on You, and Come On Home
Grateful Dead
4/5
I feel like 24 years into life is an awful time to say that I've never listened to a Grateful Dead album before. I don't have a real reason why, I just never got around to it. With this being my first, it was a damn good first. My brain keeps locking in on the guitars throughout this one. I think the tones fit so perfectly with the wind-in-your-hair vibe, and the whole album just feels like a calm October day. Favorites were Sugar Magnolia, Candyman, and Ripple
Bob Dylan
5/5
Bob Dylan at maybe his lowest point is also Bob Dylan at his highest point. This record is a perfectly written and spectacularly performed rendition of how it feels when you're playing Fortnite with your friends and they all drive away in a car, leaving you to die downed and alone in the storm. Or when your wife leaves you, I guess that sucks too.
Bob Dylan
5/5
An album so good, they needed Timothee Chalamet to tell the world just how good it was.
Favorites are Tombstone Blues, Queen Jane Approximately, and Highway Revisited.
Steely Dan
4/5
This feels like the weakest of the early Dan albums, which is saying a lot considering it's still very very good. Can't Buy A Thrill sets the bar so high with it's smash hits and "I need to get a beer" vibes, and Countdown to Ecstasy is their message to the world that they can simply do it all. It's a bit more laid back than the previous, and they even pick things up again with Pretzel Logic, but this middle ground creates a little time capsule at the peak of Chill Dan. Favorites are The Boston Rag, Your Gold Teeth, and Show Biz Kids,
5/5
This fucking rocks. The break in the title track with I Get Up, I Get Down was genuinely perfect. This is one of the only albums on the list that I listened to multiple times purely because I needed to hear it again and again. Every time you think "wow that track was amazing, I bet the next one won't be as good", it always is.
Laibach
4/5
I see 80s, I frown. I see German, I grin. This rocks, it's punchy and full of energy. Give me Ein Lightbeer!
The Beach Boys
4/5
This feels like a perfect blend of 60s style with 70s inspirations. It's so damn catchy and not at all what I expected from the Beach Boys. Loved this one a ton. Favorites were Long Promised Road and Student Demonstration Time.
Lightning Bolt
4/5
This gives me a whole new kind of appreciation for Noise Rock. Even when I have no clue what's going on, the drums and the guitar are just so good on some songs that it pulls me right back in. Not every song is a hit, but the ones that are absolutely rip. Favorites are 2 Towers and Longstockings
The Strokes
5/5
Easily one of my favorite albums of all time and it's always held a special place in my heart. This influenced so much of my taste growing up. The uniqueness of tonalities in both the vocals and guitars keeps every song, no matter the tempo, feeling energetic. This one's like a time capsule and I just can't get enough. Too many favorites to name.
Steely Dan
5/5
There isn't a bone in my body that could give this a negative review. I love the Dan baby.
Spiritualized
4/5
Never heard of Space Rock before, but I like Space and I like Rock so I guess that makes me a fan.
Absolutely loving the shoegaze-y tones on this record. Every guitar part sounds punchy and interesting, and the way they mix in some brass and string instruments to a few songs, really complements that wall of distortion being thrown at you. The record drags a bit in the middle, but starts and finishes very very strong. Favorites are the title track, Come Together, Broken Heart, and Cool Waves.
Beatles
5/5
This one has the best Ringo song, therefore it's the best Beatles Album.
Rage Against The Machine
5/5
This is one of those albums that is just so unique and so perfectly encapsulate the energy the band tried to create. I literally could not think of a better name for this band, nor this album and it's themes, than Rage Against The Machine. Favorites are Take The Power Back, Killing In The Name, Fistful Of Steel, and Freedom
Janelle Monáe
4/5
Surprisingly good for an artist that a) is so recent and b) I've never heard of outside of a movie. There are some really interesting genre blends here and the production is pretty stellar on most of the tracks. Honestly if the album ended at track 11 I might've given it a 5, but I think the last bit doesn't have the same punch and causes an unnecessary drag. Favorites were Dance or Die, Cold War, Oh, Maker, and 57821.