Jan 08 2024
View Album
Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
The Smashing Pumpkins
The album is almost transcendental techno disguised as teen angst fueled rock. The music is beautifully composed but the immature lyrics and Billy Corgan’s voice are dealbreakers. Props to the Instrumental trax but his vocal ruins the album for me.
4
Jan 09 2024
View Album
Superfly
Curtis Mayfield
Fun and funky. I like the story telling aspect. Made me feel like roller skating.
3
Jan 10 2024
View Album
C'est Chic
CHIC
Jazz funk disco! Savior Fare steals the show- Nile Rodgers guitar solos are exquisite. Pleasantly surprised with this one.
4
Jan 11 2024
View Album
Siamese Dream
The Smashing Pumpkins
If yacht rock was angry, this is what it would sound like.
2
Jan 12 2024
View Album
Homework
Daft Punk
Daft Punk brings zen to electronic house music. Their hypnotic repetition is soothing. All of my love to this album, definitely the best robot guys in the game.
5
Jan 15 2024
View Album
KIWANUKA
Michael Kiwanuka
Really fresh sound. Modern 60-70’s vibes. I enjoyed the range of emotions from celebratory joy to ominous misfortune. Danger Mouse doesn't miss, the production is excellent.
4
Jan 16 2024
View Album
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Beatles
Iconic. The Beatles best work. This album changed music and the recording process. Experimental genius.
5
Jan 17 2024
View Album
At Budokan
Cheap Trick
Iconic. The Beatles best work. This album changed music and the recording process. Experimental genius.
3
Jan 18 2024
View Album
Kilimanjaro
The Teardrop Explodes
As new wave as it gets. Horns, guitars, pop synth, weird lyrics, moody vocals, this album has it all. Some of the tunes have a Dexys Midnight Runner vibe that I really dig. Some of them were repetitive and lame. Overall it was fun to listen to.
3
Jan 19 2024
View Album
A Love Supreme
John Coltrane
Coltrane gets weird in all the right ways. This one took me to another place and time. Very brain stimulating.
3
Jan 21 2024
View Album
Highway to Hell
AC/DC
Pinnacle of AC/DC greatness. This album rocks hard but keeps their blues foundation. Mutt Lange rarely misses, the mix is impeccable, and the band brings it with their raw unrefined sound that is often lost in recording. Take away the in your face sound and some of the lyrics are beautifully penned (others are clearly nothing more than trying to get laid).
3
Jan 22 2024
View Album
Crosby, Stills & Nash
Crosby, Stills & Nash
Each song on its own is enjoyable but actively listening to the entire album was rough. It felt like a lullaby for the Vietnam war. Their harmonies are gorgeous but there isn’t much variety and it got old fast. I’m not sure if the gloom was production or purposeful, but it doesn't feel authentic.
3
Jan 23 2024
View Album
Document
R.E.M.
The godfathers of Indie Rock. I prefer Automatic for the People, but there is no denying the success of Document. Not many pop/rock bands in 1987 were adding dulcimers and watching the songs climb the charts. Stipe jumped the shark in the following years, but this album is solid.
3
Jan 24 2024
View Album
Clube Da Esquina
Milton Nascimento
Wasn’t my jam.
3
Jan 25 2024
View Album
Rock Bottom
Robert Wyatt
Appropriate title. When you think it can’t get any worse, it does. My favorite part of this album was when it was over.
1
Jan 26 2024
View Album
Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle
Bill Callahan
Is Cowboy Folk a genre? The play by play of his nature walks might as well be narration of a low budget 70’s kids show. Hated the pretend John Prine vocals.
1
Jan 27 2024
View Album
Is This It
The Strokes
I adored this album and what the band could have been, but they fell short. It’s an overproduced album by a group of entitled rich kids led by a control freak who is ruled by substance abuse. Is This It was what we needed to jumpstart the change in radio at the end of a decade of dad rock. Its a shame Julian wasn’t held accountable 25 years ago (or ever). This album influenced a lot of experimental garage pop bands on the scene to up their game, that is the contribution of The Strokes.
3
Jan 28 2024
View Album
Deep Purple In Rock
Deep Purple
Never paid much attention to Deep Purple, that was a mistake. This album is the heaviest psychedelic rock imaginable and it’s awesome.
4
Jan 29 2024
View Album
Private Dancer
Tina Turner
The mother of all comeback albums! Tina Turner was the definition of a powerhouse who left it all on the stage. We wouldn’t have a Beyoncé without first having a Tina.
4
Jan 30 2024
View Album
Raw Power
The Stooges
Iggy performs to every person in the house. Great album (go with Iggy’s mix over Bowie’s). The early punk roots mixed with blues and psychedelic rock is a lot of fun.
4
Jan 31 2024
View Album
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill walked into Hip Hop right after we lost Biggie and Tupac. She soothed a lot of hurt with her gorgeous voice from another time. She earned every accolade assigned to her. I’m not a fan of this album, or Lauryn Hill, but her mark is undeniable.
4
Feb 01 2024
View Album
25
Adele
It’s Adele. Her voice is amazing but song choices are dreadfully depressing. Not my jam but can’t deny her talent.
4
Feb 02 2024
View Album
Tea for the Tillerman
Cat Stevens
Perfect album. Problematic person. It’s difficult to reconcile. Do we separate the man from his art? Can we commend one while banning the other? It’s a fine line to walk. This is one of, if not the, best folk album ever recorded.
5
Feb 03 2024
View Album
War
U2
U2 is band people seems to love or hate, not a lot of in between. The album begins with social unrest and civil war and ends with beauty, love, and peace. This tour had the Red Rocks video that sparked a life long obsession with the venue for a lot of kids across the U.S., myself included.
4
Feb 04 2024
View Album
Liege And Lief
Fairport Convention
Cool music, Denny’s style isn’t for me. It’s an excellent album though.
3
Feb 05 2024
View Album
Armed Forces
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
If the Beatles and Dylan had a baby it would sound like Elvis Costello. His music is so smart and weird that I don’t always get it, but definitely appreciate it. He’s in a different class like David Byrne, simply genius.
4
Feb 06 2024
View Album
xx
The xx
The intro was cool in an ambient way. The rest of the album blows. Hopefully this poor band was going through a phase and wasn’t actually as depressed as their music.
1
Feb 07 2024
View Album
Pink Moon
Nick Drake
Pleasant little song length album.
2
Feb 08 2024
View Album
Raw Like Sushi
Neneh Cherry
Highs and lows, but mostly rides the middle. She deserved a better album.
3
Feb 09 2024
View Album
Like A Prayer
Madonna
Weirdest Pepsi commercial ever. Madonna was the original queen of pop. Add His Royal Purpleness and this album became her best work.
4
Feb 10 2024
View Album
London Calling
The Clash
Might be the one thing we can get people to agree upon.
4
Feb 11 2024
View Album
Songs For Swingin' Lovers!
Frank Sinatra
Sinatra was brilliant at phrasing and pacing. He told stories with his voice. I’m not a big fan of this style of big band, but it’s a great album.
4
Feb 12 2024
View Album
The Modern Dance
Pere Ubu
Weird AF. Some of it is really good. The rest is complete suck. If it wasn’t so screechy I would rate it higher.
2
Feb 13 2024
View Album
Neon Bible
Arcade Fire
Arcade Fire has a Springsteen vibe that is very listenable. It’s not stand-out, but solid background music.
3
Feb 14 2024
View Album
Something Else By The Kinks
The Kinks
Lovely mix of children’s sing-a-long songs and straight up pop rock. Some of them have a Yellow Submarine vibe, but I don’t mind. Definitely worth a listen.
4
Feb 15 2024
View Album
The College Dropout
Kanye West
Mental illness is not an excuse for being an asshole.
1
Feb 16 2024
View Album
Red Headed Stranger
Willie Nelson
This album is like going to church. It can make the most tired soul feel alive again. Willie was blessed by the ganja gods, or maybe he is one.
5
Feb 17 2024
View Album
Thriller
Michael Jackson
One of the best albums of all time. Quincy Jones, Eddie VanHalen, Sir Paul McCartney, and Toto stepping in to assist the king of pop was genius. Michael was weird and the charges against him later in life are deplorable. Neither of those things impact my opinion of the quality and impact of the Thriller album.
5
Feb 18 2024
View Album
The Gilded Palace Of Sin
The Flying Burrito Brothers
Adding a B3 to weird country songs doesn’t make them cool. This album’s wasn’t for me but it didn’t completely suck.
3
Feb 19 2024
View Album
Out of Step
Minor Threat
The music was cool, the attempted singing was dreadful.
2
Feb 20 2024
View Album
Parachutes
Coldplay
Modern day yacht rock. The yodel whining gets old, but otherwise the album is beautifully done. Perfect for a rainy afternoon or Sunday listening.
4
Feb 21 2024
View Album
Your New Favourite Band
The Hives
Such an obnoxious album, yet I enjoyed it. It’s very well produced and probably would be in my regular rotation if the vocals didn’t suck so much. The lead singer lacks charisma and ruins the incredible vibe the rest of the band brings. Too much yelling, not enough singing.
2
Feb 22 2024
View Album
Faith
George Michael
In 1987 it was fun to see how long I Want Your Sex could play on the radio in the family car before your mom lost her shit over the smut and changed the station. George went from day-glo shorts to international sex symbol with this album. So much that it almost overshadowed his immense talent. The passion and sincerity in his soulful voice, the honest vulnerability in his writing, his masterful production skills, exceptional musicianship…this album showcases it all. George Michael was leading the charge for equality by singing about communication, sexuality, abuse, recovery, and change.
5
Feb 23 2024
View Album
Opus Dei
Laibach
This was like listening to a 1970’s B movie starring Danny Trejo. It’s not fair to give it an actual rating because I’m not sure what I just experienced.
2
Feb 24 2024
View Album
Live At The Star Club, Hamburg
Jerry Lee Lewis
Fun songs, great showmanship. On their own each song is a treat. As an album it becomes a child banging on the piano.
2
Feb 25 2024
View Album
Pills 'n' Thrills And Bellyaches
Happy Mondays
Rolling Stones vibes on a few tracks. I like the brightness in the percussion without the 90’s compressed vocals shoved down our ear holes. Cool album.
4
Feb 26 2024
View Album
Crossing the Red Sea With the Adverts
The Adverts
You don’t have to listen to the entire album, every song sounds exactly the same.
2
Feb 27 2024
View Album
Ready To Die
The Notorious B.I.G.
Biggies skills were smooth. The skits are terrible and the videos are worse. West coast did it better.
3
Feb 28 2024
View Album
School's Out
Alice Cooper
Much more enjoyable than I expected! Sometimes it crosses over into being a little campy or theatrical, but that’s who Alice Cooper is. The jazz blues influence caught me off guard and some of those bass lines are pure funk.
4
Feb 29 2024
View Album
Time Out
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
There’s nothing left to say. Brilliant.
5
Mar 01 2024
View Album
Rattus Norvegicus
The Stranglers
Punk rock polka. The lyrics may have been “ok” in 1977 but definitely didn’t age well. The Stranglers don’t stand out for me.
2
Mar 02 2024
View Album
Out Of The Blue
Electric Light Orchestra
The first couple of minutes are fun, then reality hits. Overproduced boring crap that goes on for what seems like forever.
2
Mar 03 2024
View Album
Bug
Dinosaur Jr.
Messy distorted noise.
1
Mar 04 2024
View Album
Different Class
Pulp
Creepy AF.
1
Mar 05 2024
View Album
Surfer Rosa
Pixies
Short but not sweet.They found a balance between fantastic songs and genuinely dreadful ones on this album. I’m cool with never hearing it again but appreciate the contribution to the genre.
3
Mar 06 2024
View Album
The Visitors
ABBA
This one didn’t ABBADABBADO-IT for me.
2
Mar 07 2024
View Album
Picture Book
Simply Red
Maybe I’m just not adult enough for this adult contemporary album. Sounds like a dentist office in the 1980’s.
2
Mar 08 2024
View Album
Penthouse And Pavement
Heaven 17
This is the Wish version of Pet Shop Boys.
2
Mar 09 2024
View Album
A Hard Day's Night
Beatles
The warm up before getting weird and changing the course of music forever. The innocence of this album is charming.
4
Mar 10 2024
View Album
(What's The Story) Morning Glory
Oasis
I expected to be annoyed by this album but was pleasantly surprised. Noel’s songwriting was exceptional.
4
Mar 11 2024
View Album
Rum Sodomy & The Lash
The Pogues
This album sounds like it needs a shower. Not a fan.
2
Mar 12 2024
View Album
I Should Coco
Supergrass
Sounds like every screamy band from 1995.
2
Mar 13 2024
View Album
Halcyon Digest
Deerhunter
Hypnotically dreamy. This album was a lovely treat. From beginning to end it felt like being on a secret side quest that only the fairies and I knew about.
4
Mar 14 2024
View Album
Only By The Night
Kings of Leon
Solid album, I enjoyed its run. Too bad Caleb was such a twit. Would I listen to this album for fun? No. But it had its place.
3
Mar 15 2024
View Album
Madman Across The Water
Elton John
Elton is always fantastic. Indian Sunset and Rotten Peaches could have been left behind but the rest of the album is better than good.
4
Mar 16 2024
View Album
Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Wu-Tang Clan
Album is smooth easy listening (until you catch the lyrics). I’ll always be West Coast but the importance and talent of Wu Tang is undeniable. Their influence still goes hard. Check out the FBI file (RIP ODB), it’s outrageous but true.
4
Mar 17 2024
View Album
Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Neil Young songs always have an interesting bridge that take you to the next part of the story. His style isn’t for everyone, but I’m glad it’s for me.
4
Mar 18 2024
View Album
Sea Change
Beck
Has anyone considered hugging Beck? It’s a beautiful album but hauntingly sad.
4
Mar 19 2024
View Album
good kid, m.A.A.d city
Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar is responsible for some of my favorite features, I’m a big fan of Dre and Aftermath, the production on this album is brilliant, the story telling is well done, but the vocals are atrocious.
3
Mar 20 2024
View Album
Stand!
Sly & The Family Stone
Sly wasn’t afraid to take up space and fill every ounce of it. This album made listening fun and sitting still impossible.
4
Mar 21 2024
View Album
There's No Place Like America Today
Curtis Mayfield
The heaviness of social injustice presented in a funk, soul, gospel masterpiece.
4
Mar 22 2024
View Album
GI
Germs
So much rage. The production is brilliant and the band is surprisingly tight. I hated every second though.
2
Mar 23 2024
View Album
The Stone Roses
The Stone Roses
Background music with the occasional attention grabber.
2
Mar 24 2024
View Album
Shaft
Isaac Hayes
Soulful funky story telling.
3
Mar 25 2024
View Album
B-52's
The B-52's
Bright shiny album start to finish.
3
Mar 26 2024
View Album
Appetite For Destruction
Guns N' Roses
GnR was a train wreck waiting to happen but it sure was fun while it lasted. The importance of this album is often minimized because so many of the songs were/are played into the ground. Slash is one of the best guitarists of all time. His riffs from this album have become part of American culture. Axl is a problematic diva, but we lost Shannon Hoon so Axl is the Hoosier we are stuck with. All time favorite GnR song - Rocket Queen.
5
Mar 27 2024
View Album
The Number Of The Beast
Iron Maiden
Sounds like my third grade best friends older stoner brothers room. Never been an Iron Maiden fan but didn’t hate this one. It’s actually a decent album.
3
Mar 28 2024
View Album
Grievous Angel
Gram Parsons
Emmylou Harris is phenomenal on this album. The mix is weird but it’s listenable. Gram Parsons seems mediocre and probably would have been playing clubs in his hometown if he hadn’t been from such a privileged (yet cursed) family. Generational trauma is real, sadly Gram was a victim of his own circumstance.
2
Mar 29 2024
View Album
The Joshua Tree
U2
Joshua Tree is often referred to as one of the greatest albums of all time because it is. Everyone mentions the opening three of this album, but I’d take it to opening five. Running to Stand Still is a profound beauty while Bullet in the Blue Sky is dark heavy driving rock. Every U2 album has its own vibe, this one is urgent and passionate. Not only does Bono make you feel every word, The Edge makes you pay attention. Some of the most profound moments are in the perfectly placed silence.
5
Mar 30 2024
View Album
Low
David Bowie
Floaty tunes, otherworldly sounds.The instrumental tracks were super interesting, possibly my favorite part of the album. I don’t know much about Bowie, looking forward to exploring more.
4
Mar 31 2024
View Album
Phrenology
The Roots
The beats are great, lyrically the ninjas are flying a little much for my liking. The Roots are culturally significant and I respect their work but this album didn’t do it for me. Break You Off was the only track I felt I could say I liked. The rest didn’t connect.
2
Apr 01 2024
View Album
Rocks
Aerosmith
Decent album, but not great. Aerosmith brought the guitars, Joe Perry is front and center as he should be. The production value is lackluster, thin, and brassy. It’s an ok album, not great. Couple of cool songs but it’s mostly forgettable. 2.5 but not enough to round to 3.
2
Apr 02 2024
View Album
Catch A Fire
Bob Marley & The Wailers
Anger, rage, sadness, happiness, love, this one has it all. Bob Marley & The Wailers include funk and soul in their sound but this album even has rock and gospel. It’s a phenomenal reggae masterpiece.
5
Apr 03 2024
View Album
Every Picture Tells A Story
Rod Stewart
Never paid much attention to Rod Stewart’s catalog so this album was a nice surprise. Mandolin Wind kind of sucked but the rest of the album is blues rock and it’s fantastic.
4
Apr 04 2024
View Album
Now I Got Worry
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
Pretty sure he had to worry because it was obvious this album is complete crap. Sounds like a freshman art project or your idiot neighbor who thinks he has a garage band that rocks. Over compressed was a trend but this one sounds like it was recorded through soup cans.
1
Apr 05 2024
View Album
The Dark Side Of The Moon
Pink Floyd
Eerily beautiful album. There is no doubt Dark Side is one of the all time best albums, even the artwork is iconic. It’s like listening to a descent into the madness of a tortured soul.
4
Apr 06 2024
View Album
You Want It Darker
Leonard Cohen
Haunting beatnik style spoken lyrics with beautiful instrumentation and backing vocals. Out of context the album would be weird, but knowing the state of the world and Cohen at the time of production makes the album profound. I don’t want to listen to it again, but appreciate the experience.
4
Apr 07 2024
View Album
Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde
The Pharcyde
Repetitive and childish. Not a fan.
1
Apr 08 2024
View Album
Sunday At The Village Vanguard
Bill Evans Trio
My goodness this album is enjoyable! I’m not educated enough in this genre to give a credible review but 5 stars from me, I loved it.
5
Apr 09 2024
View Album
Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters
There’s a sense of urgency to this album, like Dave was frantic to get out the lyrics and music trapped inside of him. The passion is palpable. Revisiting this album was worth every rough around the edges second. Impressive one man debut. Dave Grohl reminded everyone that you can be a badass rocker while being a most excellent human.
4
Apr 10 2024
View Album
Nothing's Shocking
Jane's Addiction
Janes Addiction is a sleazy dive bar with sticky floors personified. This album had something for everyone. Mountain Song is the epitome of rock while Jane Says is pleasantly pop (by the way, she got clean and has a great life). Summertime Rolls is sheer trippy floating in the ether weirdness. Toss in some punk and jazz, it’s all there. I have a lot of love for this album and its artistic value. Nothing Shocking was the perfect primer for the grunge movement that followed in the early 90’s.
4
Apr 11 2024
View Album
Greetings From L.A.
Tim Buckley
If you’re into bigoted dirty old men, the lyrics of this album are for you! If you can shut that part out, the rockabilly is top notch. I would listen to the instrumental version of Welcome to L.A. often. Buckleys voice is fantastically interesting, the musicianship is superb, but the lyrical content is horrendous.
3
Apr 12 2024
View Album
John Barleycorn Must Die
Traffic
The title track is possibly the worst one on the album. Every member of Traffic is exceptional but this was a weird transitional period for them and it just didn’t work. This album highlights why they went their own ways.
2
Apr 13 2024
View Album
Aja
Steely Dan
My only complaint with this album is how clean it is. It’s almost too perfectly engineered and has lost all of its grit.Steely Dan was pretty great, this album just isn’t for me.
3
Apr 14 2024
View Album
Tago Mago
Can
Tago Mago is mostly an infuriating mess of noise. Just because you “Can” doesn’t mean you should.
1
Apr 15 2024
View Album
American Pie
Don McLean
Not an album I’m listening to on the daily but it’s a lovely folk record that became a piece of Americana.
3
Apr 16 2024
View Album
Born In The U.S.A.
Bruce Springsteen
Much respect to Bruce Springsteen, he is one of the best songwriters of his generation. He writes in reality, even when it’s ugly. I’ve never been a huge fan but if you lived through the 80’s you know almost every track on this album and like at least a few of them.
4
Apr 17 2024
View Album
Venus Luxure No. 1 Baby
Girls Against Boys
Heavy on the bass and drums with fairly bright guitar. Cool album but it got monotonous. The roaring vocals are just meh. I wanted to like this album more than I actually did. After a second listen it was dull and didn’t hold my attention. I’m curious if they ever evolved or if they just burnt out with the same old sound.
2
Apr 18 2024
View Album
Tubular Bells
Mike Oldfield
The guitar at the 14 minute mark was jarring and could have been approached in a more kind manner, otherwise this album is near perfection. Not sure what listening is like for a neurotypical but my neuro spicy brain was bouncing back and forth with the left to right change in the bells. Very soothing and stimulating at the same time. I listened to an anniversary edition that included a performance for the London Olympics and it was spectacular!
4
Apr 19 2024
View Album
Yank Crime
Drive Like Jehu
Sounds like skater punk met grunge in an alley and nobody won the fight. It’s not bad, but not good either.
2
Apr 20 2024
View Album
Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
OutKast
Together Outkast created a lot of unforgettable hip hop. Andre 3k seemed to get most of the attention but this album shows Bog Boi deserved way more credit. His piece of the album is still fun to listen to but Andre 3k’s mostly sounds goofy and desperate. This album is too long, the skits/intros are unnecessary, and it’s certainly not a masterpiece like people claim. Nostalgia doesn’t equal greatness. Speakerboxx alone would have got a 4 but as a whole this one gets a 2.
2
Apr 21 2024
View Album
Modern Life Is Rubbish
Blur
hear a little Madness influence maybe even REM. This album and band may have been playing all around me in the 90’s but I didn’t notice, their sound is bland and mundane.
2
Apr 22 2024
View Album
Rid Of Me
PJ Harvey
Always be yourself, never make yourself small to fit in. If you’re too much for someone they can go find less. After this album, I’m searching for less because this was way too much for me in loud obnoxious ways. The early 90’s had a lot of angry woman rock, some of it was incredible. This album wasn’t.
2
Apr 23 2024
View Album
At San Quentin
Johnny Cash
“I think prison songs are popular because most of us are living in one kind of little prison or another, and whether we know it or not the words of a song about someone who is actually in a prison speak for a lot of us who might appear not to be, but really are.”
– Johnny Cash
4
Apr 24 2024
View Album
Third
Soft Machine
Track one sounds worse than a middle school ensemble before warm ups and should have been trashed. The rest is almost cool. I dug Moon in June. Jazz fusion prog jams with one track of noise.
3
Apr 25 2024
View Album
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
One of the best storytellers of a generation. Tracy Chapman successfully tackled injustice when the rest of the pop chart was filled with love songs and hair bands. Her voice is mesmerizing. Mountains O Earth is a standout.
4
Apr 26 2024
View Album
With The Beatles
Beatles
Fantastic album from a much more innocent time. There isn’t a song on this album that I would skip. The covers are a treat and the originals are gems.
5
Apr 27 2024
View Album
Darkness on the Edge of Town
Bruce Springsteen
Doesn’t sound like 1978, it’s very fresh. I’m not a big fan of Springsteens vocals but really enjoyed this album. The solo in Prove it All Night has a tone of frantic desperation and I love it.
4
Apr 28 2024
View Album
The Sounds Of India
Ravi Shankar
Listener beware, I’m pretty sure I was hypnotized by the last track, Sindhi-Bhairava. The educational pieces of this album were unexpected, the counts are fascinating. Maybe I’m a sucker for a sitar, but this album is great.
4
Apr 29 2024
View Album
American Gothic
David Ackles
Sounds like Neil Diamond doing folk songs on Broadway. The entire album is pompous. If you ever watched The Lawrence Welk show with your grandma you’ll understand the balance of not liking something but not hating it. Definitely not something to seek out on your own but it’s tolerable.
2
Apr 30 2024
View Album
Boston
Boston
All Boston songs sound the same to me. I don’t dislike the band or the album, but I wouldn’t seek it out either.
3
May 01 2024
View Album
Selling England By The Pound
Genesis
Sounds like the music played on a carousel ride while the horses go up and down. This album is cheesy, no wonder Peter Gabriel split to do his own thing.
2
May 02 2024
View Album
Tellin’ Stories
The Charlatans
The Charlatans seem to be the happier cousin of Oasis and Smashing Pumpkins. Sounds like 1997.
3
May 03 2024
View Album
John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band
John Lennon
This album would be globally rated much lower if John Lennons name wasn’t associated. If he would have released this under a pseudonym it would have flopped. I adore the Beatles and a lot of Johns work but Plastic Ono is lousy.
2
May 04 2024
View Album
Songs Of Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen
There seems to be a theme of religious despair, depression, and mortality in Cohen’s work. This is a heavy album that reads like a mental health journal gone awry.
2
May 05 2024
View Album
The Suburbs
Arcade Fire
The suburbs has a familiar sound but it was also very fresh. One of the better albums in the 2010’s.
3
May 06 2024
View Album
Club Classics Vol. One
Soul II Soul
1989 was an incredible year for music but I wouldn’t have associated this album with that time. Back to Life was a popular radio jam but the rest of the album was boring.
2
May 07 2024
View Album
Chirping Crickets
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
One of the most enjoyable albums on the list so far! Primitive bare bones rock n roll when it was still innocent and pure. Buddy Holly lived on thought a lot of artists, this album is an example of why. His talent was immense.
5
May 08 2024
View Album
Joan Baez
Joan Baez
Joan Baez is a badass political and social activist. Her song selection and writing is impeccable but her shrill voice is like nails on a chalkboard. This album felt like an extended play of church camp Kumbaya, and that’s not my jam.
2
May 09 2024
View Album
I'm Your Man
Leonard Cohen
Did Leonard Cohen find a Casio keyboard in a dumpster and decide to make this album with it? Not enjoyable or good.
1
May 10 2024
View Album
Mermaid Avenue
Billy Bragg
I expected to dislike this album. yet here I am giving it a solid 4 stars. Bragg and Wilco managed to capture the vibe of a live bar band at their best. It’s honest and perfectly accompanies the wonderful lyrics left behind by Woody Guthrie.
4
May 11 2024
View Album
2112
Rush
2112 is filled with phenomenal musicianship and creativity. If you take the Ayn Rand crap out of the equation and consider the subject matter within the context of the battle with record company execs and freedom of expression, it’s less douchey.
4
May 12 2024
View Album
Vol. 4
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath is epic, but this album is not. Maybe it’s the cocaine but they missed with Vol. 4.
2
May 13 2024
View Album
Happy Trails
Quicksilver Messenger Service
When the Lone Ranger looking album turns out to be a Psychedelic, you gotta go with it. Not horrible but I wouldn’t seek it out. The band is technical and stiff, they need to loosen up and have some fun.
2
May 14 2024
View Album
Paul Simon
Paul Simon
Paul Simon is a master story teller with exceptional lyrical phrasing. He brought the best and most innovative musicians to his albums. His music just feels good.
4
May 15 2024
View Album
Take Me Apart
Kelela
What’s with the random electronic music? It sounds like a jam is playing in the background while she is singing a different song. Kelela has a cool voice but it drones on much too long with little change in inflection. I didn’t get this one.
2
May 16 2024
View Album
Rust Never Sleeps
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Neil Young is like Dave Matthews Band or U2. Insanely popular, gigantic catalog, extremely dedicated fan base, top rated, yet people come out of the woodwork to let you know they hate them because “they suck”. This isn’t Neil’s best album but it’s damn good.
4
May 17 2024
View Album
Doggystyle
Snoop Dogg
Snoop influenced the lexicon of a generation with this album. Dont take the lyrics too seriously, have some fun with it. G Funk era!
5
May 18 2024
View Album
At Mister Kelly's
Sarah Vaughan
Sounds like an impossibly pretentious dinner party that nobody wants to be at but they still smile politely. It’s nice enough but not how I want to spend a Friday night.
3
May 19 2024
View Album
Third
Portishead
If you are in crisis reach out for help. In the U.S. you can connect to the suicide and crisis hotline by texting or calling 988.
2
May 20 2024
View Album
Cafe Bleu
The Style Council
I liked this album. It’s chill and calming.
4
May 21 2024
View Album
In A Silent Way
Miles Davis
This album was hard to get into. The vibe is hard to identify, I prefer more fluidity. The reprise was very nice, but I probably won’t listen to this one again.
3
May 22 2024
View Album
Goo
Sonic Youth
Quite a few people seem to dig Sonic Youth. I’m not one of them. Overall, Goo was noisy and dull, but not unlistenable. Makes me think of clove cigarettes and teenagers drinking coffee trying to be edgy.
2
May 23 2024
View Album
Tarkus
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
The music of Tarkus is great, the singing is awful. Pretty sure they made up the lyrics as they went. If ELP left this album as an instrumental it would have been a 4 or 5. Sadly it’s pushing 2’s luck.
2
May 24 2024
View Album
Sign 'O' The Times
Prince
His Royal Purpleness never failed to innovate. Even with drum machines and stripped down tracks he created an album that sounds full and fresh. The cultural relevance of Sign O The Times cannot be denied. One of his best albums, even though the singles weren’t his most popular.
5
May 25 2024
View Album
Abraxas
Santana
How can an album with so much going on at once sound so clean? I love the crispness of Carlos Santana’s playing, you notice every note. This is another album that may not be enjoyed by everyone, but it’s a fantastic master class (especially for guitar and organ).
5
May 26 2024
View Album
Truth
Jeff Beck
Jeff Beck is one of the greatest players out there and Rod Stewart isn't a chump, but this album is a horny mess.
3
May 27 2024
View Album
Group Sex
Circle Jerks
Bunch of skater punks slashing around yelling instead of singing. Hated it.
1
May 28 2024
View Album
Back To Black
Amy Winehouse
Unique beautiful voice. Was Amy Winehouse the best at this style? Probably not, but she was the only mainstream artist doing it at the time. Her addiction made her a stumbling mumbling mess and stole every bit of promise from her.
3
May 29 2024
View Album
Guero
Beck
Beck went back to his roots on this one. Smooth and cozy jams. Sometimes he tries too hard but Guero feels just right.
4
May 30 2024
View Album
...And Justice For All
Metallica
The production value of Justice is garbage and the blame falls squarely on Lars Ulrich and his ego. One became an iconic song and I’ve always had a fondness for Harvester of Sorrow. Jason Newstead was the best decision Metallica ever made, it’s a shame he is almost non existent on this album.
3
May 31 2024
View Album
Water From An Ancient Well
Abdullah Ibrahim
Smooth and palatable but it got a little too noisy for my preference. The album cover tricked me into thinking ambient but it’s straight up jazz.
3
Jun 01 2024
View Album
Disintegration
The Cure
Hauntingly gorgeous. Disintegration gave us a mature version of The Cure. Fascination Street is still a musically interesting track all these years later. It takes a winding path that you feel more than you hear. The entire album stands the test of time.
4
Jun 02 2024
View Album
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
What’s with the dreadfully monotonous vocals? Parts of every song are cool, then quickly morph into mundane annoyance. The production quality is great, I dig the mix but not the project. It’s not sucktastic but I definitely wouldn’t tell a friend to check it out.
2
Jun 03 2024
View Album
Fetch The Bolt Cutters
Fiona Apple
Sounds like a mental health crisis. There isn't a single part of this album I enjoyed or considered worthy of being released ,no less making it a “must listen”.
1
Jun 04 2024
View Album
Made In Japan
Deep Purple
The band was tight but the frantic pace was anxiety inducing. Never been a fan of the songs Deep Purple produced but they were definitely a solid band.
3
Jun 05 2024
View Album
For Your Pleasure
Roxy Music
For Your Pleasure is not a noticeable record, the cover art is cool though. Turns out the model (Amanda Lear) was a muse for Salvador Dali. The panther on the cover was given so much Valium it couldn’t move so they had to 1970’s photo shop the poor thing.
2
Jun 06 2024
View Album
OK
Talvin Singh
Better than OK! Added to my library, really great album.
4
Jun 07 2024
View Album
Home Is Where The Music Is
Hugh Masekela
Relaxing jazz interrupted by anxiety inducing horn runs. This album is hell for neuro spicy brains, I would be pleased to never hear it again.
2
Jun 08 2024
View Album
Axis: Bold As Love
Jimi Hendrix
It’s Jimi Hendrix. You just have to accept it for what it is sometimes.
4
Jun 09 2024
View Album
Microshift
Hookworms
Sounds like James Addiction meets Depeche Mode. Hookworm is a band I’ve never heard of but this album was fun to explore. Is it worthy of being on the list? No. But it isn’t miserable.
3
Jun 10 2024
View Album
Nebraska
Bruce Springsteen
Classifying this one as Country Poetry. The entire album is Midwestern sad. Open All Night is a standout gem, but the rest feels heavy. Excellent album for a rainy day or a sad drive across Kansas.
3
Jun 11 2024
View Album
Tommy
The Who
Pretty cool journey! I went into this album knowing a few songs but hadn’t experienced the album beginning to end.
4
Jun 12 2024
View Album
Melody A.M.
Röyksopp
Trip-Hop that lost its hop. Every song had a cool ambient vibe that is promptly wrecked by an off tempo beat drop. Melody A.M. sounds unfinished and thrown together.
2
Jun 13 2024
View Album
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Sounds like Led Zeppelin. Page and Plant were meant to find each other. Not my favorite, but undeniably a great album.
3
Jun 14 2024
View Album
Rejoicing In The Hands
Devendra Banhart
This dude is purposely annoying. He could use his unique voice for good but clearly chooses violence. Lousy writing, performance, and production.
2
Jun 15 2024
View Album
Africa Brasil
Jorge Ben Jor
I didnt get what the songs were about but the rhythms were infectious. Funky 70’s jams!
4
Jun 16 2024
View Album
Moving Pictures
Rush
Quintessential Rush. I never noticed how similar the songs sound on this album. Tom Sawyer was a GenX staple and Limelight is in constant rotation on classic radio. Listening to Moving Pictures made me connect the dots of Rush’s influence on bands that followed. By the third track I was hearing Queensryche. Probably the best album by Rush.
3
Jun 17 2024
View Album
Sail Away
Randy Newman
What a weirdo recording. Not a fan.
2
Jun 18 2024
View Album
White Blood Cells
The White Stripes
Simple stripped down rock n roll with a blues flair from the ground up. I could listen to this album multiple times in a row and not get bored with it.
5
Jun 19 2024
View Album
Beautiful Freak
Eels
Beautiful Freak is a sweet album. It’s melodically comforting and the lyrics are genius. There’s a bit of a mom rock vibe but sometimes that’s nice.
4
Jun 20 2024
View Album
Fuzzy Logic
Super Furry Animals
Less cool version The Dandy Worhals. The songs got aggressively angry and weren’t fun to listen to.
2
Jun 21 2024
View Album
Smokers Delight
Nightmares On Wax
Trip Hop is a strange genre. Smokers Delight has a new age sound that I like but the trax are arrogantly long.
3
Jun 22 2024
View Album
American Idiot
Green Day
Genius album! It’s equally fresh today.
5
Jun 23 2024
View Album
Germfree Adolescents
X-Ray Spex
The entire album was noise. Just dreadful.
1
Jun 24 2024
View Album
Highway 61 Revisited
Bob Dylan
5
Jun 25 2024
View Album
Fragile
Yes
Yes is a no for me. They were a huge band, I just don’t get their music.
2
Jun 26 2024
View Album
Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim
Frank Sinatra
Pretty sure Sinatra was a sleazy douchecanoe but his music never failed to hit that smooth spot. This album feels nice, almost cozy.
4
Jun 27 2024
View Album
The Clash
The Clash
Punk isn’t a high rated genre for me but I really enjoy The Clash. This album is no exception, it’s listenable and carries solid energy without getting aggressive.
4
Jun 28 2024
View Album
So
Peter Gabriel
Hi there. This album is immaculate. It’s a five. I don’t care if you were born in 1998 and you don’t get it, listen again and open your mind. It’s brilliant.
5
Jun 29 2024
View Album
Exile On Main Street
The Rolling Stones
The Stones deserve their own genre. There’s a reason this band has been successfully recording and playing out for over 60 years. Nobody does exactly what they do on or off the stage. Exile is a solid album, not their huge hits but sonically pleasing. Loving Cup is still one of my favorite Stones songs.
4
Jun 30 2024
View Album
Chore of Enchantment
Giant Sand
Id rather listen to the mating sounds of whales than this album. It drags on endlessly and drains the listeners will to live. I would like a few words with the moron who decided this piece of crap album needed “bonus” tracks. 1 star because less isn’t possible.
1
Jul 01 2024
View Album
Born To Run
Bruce Springsteen
Born To Run sounds like a musical or rock opera. The writing is Dylanesque and beautifully poetic in a relatable blue collar tone. As a complete album it gets redundant and tiresome but each song is strong on its own. This album isn’t a masterpiece and I’m not sure why it gets lauded as one. 3.5
4
Jul 02 2024
View Album
Reggatta De Blanc
The Police
I don’t have a favorite Police album, but if I did it wouldn’t be this one. Sting seems like a pretty smart dude but this album is idiotic. Sure, they pulled off a couple huge hits with this one, but it’s hard not to notice they don’t sound like the remaining tracks.
2
Jul 03 2024
View Album
Good Old Boys
Randy Newman
1974 music was way more like a Trump rally than I expected. The bigotry runs deep with this one and all the songs sound the same. I’m pretty sure they changed the lyrics and used this album in a Pixar movie. It’s not the worst but it’s not anything I’d listen to by choice.
2
Jul 04 2024
View Album
Either Or
Elliott Smith
This album seems super sad. The vocals remind me of the whinier Jack Johnson songs. I didn’t love Either Or but didn’t hate it.
3
Jul 05 2024
View Album
Arrival
ABBA
Happy disco sung by a group that sounds like a school choir. Weird lyrics but I enjoyed this dancy number.
4
Jul 06 2024
View Album
In The Court Of The Crimson King
King Crimson
I thought King Crimson was a heavy metal band. Psychedelic jams were a pleasant surprise although the vocals were a little too goody goody, sounded a lot like America. The music was fun but the entire album needed more grit.
4
Jul 07 2024
View Album
Court And Spark
Joni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell is best served in small doses. While this album is fantastic, it gets old quick. Her phrasing is interesting but I’m not a big fan.
2
Jul 08 2024
View Album
Post Orgasmic Chill
Skunk Anansie
Not original or great, but it’s ok.The chics voice is the weakest link but she sure puts it out there. The bass line is pretty cool but all the songs sound the same.
3
Jul 09 2024
View Album
The Chronic
Dr. Dre
Welcome to Death Row. The most influential album of a generation, The Chronic introduced G Funk with real musicians instead of just samples (and that creepy high pitched horror film sounding moog). There’s no denying the Parliament influence and the stacked talent Dre brought to the album. The production value is insane! A bunch of white kids in small town USA got their first glimpse into west coast gangsta rap life. It became part of the lexicon. It was provocative, raw, and definitely vulgar - we couldn’t bump it hard it enough. The lyrics were playful in that time and place, today they would never be acceptable (rightfully so). We’ve since grown up, Dre made millions selling headphones and Snoop is besties with Martha Stewart - they aren’t the same guys. When you know better you do better, this is why cancel culture is harmful. People deserve the opportunity to grow, art can be uncomfortable, some of y’all need to lighten up and appreciate a good Deez Nutz joke.
5
Jul 10 2024
View Album
Fly Or Die
N.E.R.D
Welp, this album is a hot mess. I wanted to like it but couldn’t. The genre crossing is almost cool but comes off cheesy. I’m giving Fly or Die a two because the mix is good, solid production. The actual project is terrible.
2
Jul 11 2024
View Album
Risque
CHIC
Risqué isn’t your standard happy goofy coked up disco album, it gets dark and heavy. Nile Rodgers brings genius to his songwriting, this album is no exception. It’s real and gritty, even sophisticated.
4
Jul 12 2024
View Album
Cross
Justice
First listen and it was ok. Felt like a Peleton commercial after a while, solid treadmill music. Least favorite track was DANCE, enjoyed One Minute to Midnight.
2
Jul 13 2024
View Album
(Pronounced 'Leh-'Nérd 'Skin-'Nérd)
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynrd is the band your redneck uncle loves. He probably has a confederate flag hanging in his garage. Other than the uncomfortable associations, this album was a solid listen. Blues meets country with some rockin guitars. Felt a little power ballad heavy, but it earned its spot on the list without question.
4
Jul 14 2024
View Album
New York Dolls
New York Dolls
Kinda sounds like Great White with a shitty lead singer. Not a fan.
2
Jul 15 2024
View Album
Street Signs
Ozomatli
Latin funk hip hop! Something about this one just brought me joy, the songs feel good. It doesn’t make sense that they aren’t more popular in the U.S., they should be.
4
Jul 16 2024
View Album
21
Adele
Do people go to Adele concerts to cry and hug each other? There’s a couple upbeat songs but even they have hints of despair. Adele has masterful control of her gorgeous voice but the genre wears me out more than the constant radio play Rumor Has It received.
4
Jul 17 2024
View Album
Purple Rain
Prince
Masterpiece of a pop album from start to finish. His Royal Purpleness crossed genres like no one before him and pushed the envelope at every turn. It’s one of the few albums worthy of listening to front to back without skipping songs, but of course there are standouts like “Take Me With You” and the driving “I Would Die 4 U”. Saying the song Purple Rain is Prince’s greatest is like saying Skynrds best work is Freebird or Zepplins best work is Stairway to Heaven. Prince kept everyone guessing and wanting more. Fun fact: play the end of “Darling Nikki” backwards to hear the message “hello how are you, fine, fine cause the Lord is coming soon, coming, coming soon”.
5
Jul 18 2024
View Album
Channel Orange
Frank Ocean
I had Frank Ocean confused with Billy Ocean. Once that was resolved, I found Channel Orange kind of dull. Frank’s voice is nice but not unique - at times he sounds like Pharrell Williams. Lyrically I was less than impressed but it was a smooth tolerable listen.
2
Jul 19 2024
View Album
Paul's Boutique
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys never missed. Paul’s Boutique is my least favorite in their catalog, but it’s a great one. 105 samples was unheard of! Nobody was snarky and creative with their rhymes like the Beasties.
3
Jul 20 2024
View Album
Maggot Brain
Funkadelic
Whoa! This is a rockin funky take you to church album that gets downright nasty. There’s no need for two songs over 9 minutes. This album could be mood dependent but it worked well for a Friday morning.
4
Jul 21 2024
View Album
Calenture
The Triffids
Dreadfully unoriginal and way too long. I don’t understand how this album made the list, most cover bands are better.
1
Jul 22 2024
View Album
The Holy Bible
Manic Street Preachers
Weird 80’s sound, like an album they would have played at the local head shop or skate shop. It’s pretty great and not what I expected. Almost punk, I dig it.
3
Jul 23 2024
View Album
Moon Safari
Air
The first track off this album is pure bliss. Floating through the ether and magical for 7 minutes, then shit gets weird. The synth vocal sound and shrill tones are over used to the point of being campy and the added textures of sounds becomes noise. Not bad, but not going into my rotation.
3
Jul 24 2024
View Album
McCartney
Paul McCartney
Exceptional album. Stripped down in complex simplicity. Either you get it or your don’t, the global rating is biased and should be much higher.
5
Jul 25 2024
View Album
Bandwagonesque
Teenage Fanclub
Whiny boring album that I hope to never suffer through again.
1
Jul 26 2024
View Album
Heartattack And Vine
Tom Waits
This is a rough one. Tom Waits is cool and an incredible musician/writer. At the same time this album wore me out. I would have enjoyed reading the lyrics as poems instead of him grunting them at me. Middle of the road stars, I wanted to like it more.
2
Jul 27 2024
View Album
The Cars
The Cars
Start to finish this album pops and rocks. Really fun to revisit, those hand claps are perfection. Seems they should be a bigger band.
4
Jul 28 2024
View Album
Tuesday Night Music Club
Sheryl Crow
Crazy to think this album was a debut. Sheryl Crow is one of the best singer songwriter players in a generation. “I Shall Believe” is one of my favorites.
5
Jul 29 2024
View Album
#1 Record
Big Star
Not sure how these cats got signed. They are ok, but not good. #1 sounds like it was recorded with a boom box off the radio while your mom did dishes.
2
Jul 30 2024
View Album
Doolittle
Pixies
Nope. This band is not edgy or cool. Enjoy conforming while trying to be non-conformists, kids.
1
Jul 31 2024
View Album
Cee-Lo Green... Is The Soul Machine
Cee Lo Green
Just ok, bordering on cheesy. Definitely not a Soul Machine, more like one of those boxes on sleazy old motel beds that take quarters.
2
Aug 01 2024
View Album
The Soft Bulletin
The Flaming Lips
Trippier yacht rock. The Flaming Lips should be in your face punk, but The Soft Bulletin is a perfect rainy day album. I kinda liked it. Not sure it should be album of the year, but 1999 was a weird time.
3
Aug 02 2024
View Album
Vanishing Point
Primal Scream
Whoa! They would be an incredible U2 cover band. I dig their sound but something is off. The energy is wonky between the music, vocals, and lyrics. I have no idea what they were singing about. Surprised this one is rated so poorly.
3
Aug 03 2024
View Album
Innervisions
Stevie Wonder
How so much talent and soul filled a singular human is beyond me. Innervisions is still fresh and relevant. Those funky bass lines can’t be touched.
5
Aug 04 2024
View Album
Stephen Stills
Stephen Stills
Stephen Stills is a wonderful album, very listenable and enjoyable. The only exception is Cherokee, it doesn’t belong on what otherwise would be a masterpiece.
4
Aug 05 2024
View Album
Haut de gamme / Koweït, rive gauche
Koffi Olomide
Something is off with this cat. It’s sounds like one of those compilation albums where popular songs are made squeaky clean and performed by teens. Like playing a 33 album on 45. It’s not terrible but I’m cool with never hearing it again.
2
Aug 06 2024
View Album
Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs
Derek & The Dominos
4
Aug 07 2024
View Album
Logical Progression
LTJ Bukem
Now we know who created call center hold music.
1
Aug 08 2024
View Album
Who's Next
The Who
Impeccable. Start to finish The Who deliver. Their sound is so clean there is zero room for error. Quite possibly a perfect rock album.
5
Aug 09 2024
View Album
Bongo Rock
Incredible Bongo Band
Strange but in good ways. I expected a drum circle but was pleasantly surprised by how much this album rocks.
3
Aug 10 2024
View Album
It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back
Public Enemy
One of the most important rap albums ever made. This is the Big Bang in the evolution of rap.
Show Em Whatcha Got samples Darkest Light by Lafayette Afro Band. I’ve never heard the actual song but it’s got to be one of the most recognizable samples in rap/hip hop. Wreckx-N-Effect’s Rump Shaker, N2Deep’s Back to the Hotel, Jay-Z’s Show Me What You’ve Got, and hundreds more…but Public Enemy did it first.
4
Aug 11 2024
View Album
Go Girl Crazy
The Dictators
Very campy. Like listening to the Rocky Horror Picture show. It’s kind of funny but mostly annoying.
2
Aug 12 2024
View Album
In It For The Money
Supergrass
The most forgettable album yet. Supergrass does a great job of sounding like every other popular band in the late 90’s. The production is well done and the band seems to be solid but the vocals and songs are a joke.
2
Aug 13 2024
View Album
The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady
Charles Mingus
I don’t know a lot about jazz. This was the least chaotic jazz experience I’ve had on this journey and I liked it. Really smooth, nothing jarring or abrupt. It certainly earned its spot on the list.
4
Aug 14 2024
View Album
Live Through This
Hole
A lot of screaming teen angst in this album mixed with depression. Hole had the potential to do really cool music but missed the train. I’m sure being in Nirvanas shadow wasn’t easy for Courtney Love. She wasn’t taken seriously (for good reason), but she was more than right a few times. Worth the listen not worth frequent rotation.
2
Aug 15 2024
View Album
Hunky Dory
David Bowie
Hunky Dory may be when Bowie gave the middle finger to anyone telling him how he should sound or what he should do. So many genres and influences are identifiable and he owns them all. My fave track is Song for Bob Dylan.
4
Aug 16 2024
View Album
Wonderful Rainbow
Lightning Bolt
Repetitive and noisy are the best descriptors I can come up with. I get they are short staffed but maybe they could invest in someone to growl random words or something to break up the monotony. The metal aspect is cool but the sound gets messy after awhile, like 20 seconds in.
2
Aug 17 2024
View Album
The ArchAndroid
Janelle Monáe
The 50’s throwback fad isnt my jam, but Janelle is one of the best at it. She has such a clean Doo Wop vibe and lovely enunciation. Tightrope was my favorite on this album but all of it is radio worthy. The alter ego is over theatrical but she probably would have been more commercially successful in the U.S. on a different label with more artistic control.
4
Aug 18 2024
View Album
Maverick A Strike
Finley Quaye
Best Reggae Performance of the year award? Was this the only reggae album in 1997? The entire project sounds like a dorky kid in his bedroom making an album using Garage Band on his MacBook.
1
Aug 19 2024
View Album
16 Lovers Lane
The Go-Betweens
Sounds like The Rembrants formed a Smiths cover band. Bordering on lame, but still listenable.
3
Aug 20 2024
View Album
Blood Sugar Sex Magik
Red Hot Chili Peppers
I didn’t care for RHCP when they hit the scene. Under the Bridge is one of the most annoying songs from the early 90’s. The album is not as obnoxious as I expected, too long, but not unlistenable.
4
Aug 21 2024
View Album
Copper Blue
Sugar
Sounds like that one band that sounded like alll those other 90’s alt bands. Never heard of Sugar but this album is better than most of the shiny post grunge noise.
3
Aug 22 2024
View Album
The Boatman's Call
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
This guy is moody af. Musically it’s a beautiful album, Nick makes it weird though.
3
Aug 23 2024
View Album
Brilliant Corners
Thelonious Monk
A lot more piano than I anticipated, but in a good way. Not the style of music I want to listen to on the daily but tolerable.
3
Aug 24 2024
View Album
Bookends
Simon & Garfunkel
Odd production by a couple of strange dudes. Paul Simon is a treasure, but his Simon and Garfunkel days were musically all over the place. What’s with the bizarre talking set break on a 30 minute album? Some of the songs are magic while others are a snooze fest. This 2.5 of a compilation gets a 4 because the few songs that are enjoyable truly shine brightly.
4
Aug 25 2024
View Album
Isn't Anything
My Bloody Valentine
I like this one. It’s weird, it’s loud, it’s not like anything on the radio but in familiar ways. Keep an open mind or do some drugs before this one.
3
Aug 26 2024
View Album
Like Water For Chocolate
Common
Common is just that. Ordinary and boring.
2
Aug 27 2024
View Album
In Rainbows
Radiohead
Radiohead is difficult to review. Some of their music is otherworldly and some of it down and dirty rock. This album is stuck in between.
The whiny high pitched 90’s baby talk vocals are horrendous no matter who is singing, that alone keeps me from being a fan. The band is incredible, no denying it, but there’s so much whine singing.
3
Aug 28 2024
View Album
Endtroducing.....
DJ Shadow
Sounds like the background music in a video game. I don’t mind it but it’s not active listening material.
3
Aug 29 2024
View Album
A Seat at the Table
Solange
Beautiful talented woman, great voice, sucktastic album. There is not a single part of this mess that is enjoyable.
1
Aug 30 2024
View Album
It's Too Late to Stop Now
Van Morrison
There’s something sexy about this one. Van Morrison isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but I really enjoy his music. For the time period the production of the live tracks was outstanding.
4
Aug 31 2024
View Album
Mothership Connection
Parliament
Beam me up! The first track of this album is wasted space but the rest is Parkiament innovation and funk. George Clinton is a wacky dude but he gets art.
4
Sep 01 2024
View Album
Da Capo
Love
Sounds like an identify crisis. Mediocre rip off of every band and sound that was getting paid in the era. Not good, not bad, definitely not original.
2
Sep 02 2024
View Album
Jazz Samba
Stan Getz
Didn’t realize I was familiar with Bossa Nova, no less that I like it. Super smooth and enjoyable album.
5
Sep 03 2024
View Album
Music in Exile
Songhoy Blues
This might be the perfect treadmill album. No clue what the songs are about but the rhythms are fantastic.
4
Sep 04 2024
View Album
Jagged Little Pill
Alanis Morissette
Alanis said what women were thinking. Until this point, men were calling it like they saw it in songs but women were expected to be sad and soft creatures when relationships ended. Jagged Little Pill showed the world we were pissed off and not playing fragile little flowers anymore.
5
Sep 05 2024
View Album
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx
Raekwon
Lame attempt at a rap album. Not only did they suck, they sucked for 18 tracks. The beats are boring and the rap is sloppy. The only thing worse than their rapping is the font on the album cover.
1
Sep 06 2024
View Album
Public Image: First Issue
Public Image Ltd.
Immature ignorant ramblings screamed into the void. Trashy is the best I can come up with.
1
Sep 07 2024
View Album
Bad
Michael Jackson
As an 80’s kid my relationship with MJ’s music is different than younger gen’s - rightfully so. Bad is 3 parts insanely incredible and 2 parts weird. The videos were innovative but Michael comes off predatory instead of sexy. No excuses, things were different then. We don’t want to go back, but that doesn’t change how things like this were perceived and embraced at the time.
Smooth Criminal video is probably the last huge video premier-the choreography is top tier. Man in the Mirror has become iconic and still can bring me to tears. Leave me Alone video was supposed to make fun of all the tabloid stuff but really just reinforced how weird Michael was. We just accepted the music and talent and ignored the strangeness.
4
Sep 08 2024
View Album
Beauty And The Beat
The Go-Go's
New wave surfer girl pop. All the songs sound similar but that’s probably because they only used a few chords. It’s a fun simple album and produced a couple classic hits. Probably not as noteworthy as people seem to think it is.
3
Sep 09 2024
View Album
Abbey Road
Beatles
Best album ever made. The Beatles outdid themselves and George Martin delivered. Abbey Road is work of art. Perfection.
5
Sep 10 2024
View Album
Transformer
Lou Reed
Complicated artistic man from an equally complicated era. Definitely transgressive - making it difficult to know who Lou Reed truly was. I’ve always enjoyed his work but an entire album at a time is too much.
3
Sep 11 2024
View Album
Entertainment
Gang Of Four
Completely new to me but it sounds very familiar. I was surprised to learn it’s from 79, could have been an early 90’s album. Just ok, but I felt the same way when Blink 182 arrived and they grew on me. This album needs more than one listen.
3
Sep 12 2024
View Album
NEU! 75
Neu!
This album starts out as perfect concentration music. It’s enjoyable and keeps my brain focused enough to ignore outside noises. Then track 4 happens and it all goes to hell. Tracks 5 and 6 aren’t terrible but it’s a jarring difference from where the album started.
2
Sep 13 2024
View Album
Scott 4
Scott Walker
Is this a parody? The production value is high, so was whoever signed this dude.
1
Sep 14 2024
View Album
People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm
A Tribe Called Quest
One of the classiest hip hop albums ever made. Perfect for Sunday morning porch sitting.
4
Sep 15 2024
View Album
Smash
The Offspring
Loud but fun. The 90’s were a weird time in music, so many bands sounded exactly the same. Offspring was a standout in their genre but still kinda sucked.
3
Sep 16 2024
View Album
Strange Cargo III
William Orbit
Electronic but maybe a little trance? I don’t know but I liked it. Smaller doses instead of the full album would be enjoyable.
4
Sep 17 2024
View Album
Ágætis Byrjun
Sigur Rós
Look, this album sucks. It’s not magical, beautiful, awe inspiring, or emotional. Is this supposed to be music on some other galaxy? I’m not buying it. I saw Star Wars and the Cantina band jammed.
2
Sep 18 2024
View Album
L'Eau Rouge
The Young Gods
If Billy Idol and Marlyn Mason had a love child it would sound like this. Very interesting textures, especially for ‘89.
2
Sep 19 2024
View Album
Vento De Maio
Elis Regina
Vocal Jazz isn’t my thing but Elis Regina has a fantastic voice. Felt like it should be a vinyl listening album only. Ambiance required.
3
Sep 20 2024
View Album
Palo Congo
Sabu
Some of Sabu is fun and exciting, most of it is obnoxious and annoying. I wouldn’t recommend to anyone I like.
2
Sep 21 2024
View Album
Melodrama
Lorde
Lorde’s lyrics and delivery are impeccable. She rocks the old soul vibe. This album is brilliantly produced, I loved it.
5
Sep 22 2024
View Album
Graceland
Paul Simon
Paul Simon became a favorite and this album started it all. His ability to keep making fresh music by experimenting with different genres and co-oping them into his own style sounds like joy even in his darker periods. He was an old dude to me when Graceland came out, but it was a gateway into a world of really cool music. As an American kid in 1980’s I didn’t know what Apartheid meant - We Are The World and Graceland were my introduction to conversations about what was really happening globally.
5
Sep 23 2024
View Album
Kenza
Khaled
I couldn’t like this album less without hating it. 2 stars.
2
Sep 24 2024
View Album
The Wall
Pink Floyd
It took decades to quietly fall in love with this album. Pink Floyd isn’t one of my favorite bands, but The Wall is a rock masterpiece.
Elvis Morrison, I will not forget.
5
Sep 25 2024
View Album
Rumours
Fleetwood Mac
People talk shit about Taylor Swift writing about her relationships but Rumors is flat out biopic when it comes to lies love loss and infidelity. Impeccable album, certainly one of the best of all time.
5
Sep 26 2024
View Album
Led Zeppelin IV
Led Zeppelin
Have you ever read a book that transports you to a magical world? Well, pack a bag because this album is a similar adventure. Lyrically bizarre at times, but still perfect.
5
Sep 27 2024
View Album
Kollaps
Einstürzende Neubauten
Maybe if this album had a fuller sound with actual music I would have liked it more. Way too much noise and screaming. Sounds like kids making pretend instruments out of random stuff they found in the basement.
2
Sep 28 2024
View Album
1989
Taylor Swift
Perfectly penned pop album. I question the emotional intelligence of people who trash Taylor Swift. Pop may not be something you enjoy, but even a glance shows her immense talent. She is the most prolific songwriter of her generation, an outstanding role model, business woman, philanthropist, and storyteller who also writes, produces and directs her own music videos. She is an exceptional human being who quietly does the right thing every chance she gets. She’s also so damn humble, real, dorky and relatable. Long live the Swifties and all they stand for - they are our past, present, and future.
5
Sep 29 2024
View Album
Back In Black
AC/DC
I like this album a lot, doesn’t mean that it’s exceptionL. AC:DC music in general is simplistic and loud and off color, Back in Black is no exception. There was a time when every other walk up song was AC/DC
4
Sep 30 2024
View Album
Tidal
Fiona Apple
The entire album is moody and none of those moods are happy. If you’re into angry conflicted feelings this album might be for you.
2
Oct 01 2024
View Album
Bringing It All Back Home
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is such a cool dude. His storytelling is top notch and so is this album. Maybe a little harmonica heavy but definitely a gem.
5
Oct 02 2024
View Album
Definitely Maybe
Oasis
Whiny bullshit songs that all sound the same. I don’t hate Oasis when the random song comes on the radio but a full album is way too much. It’s a definitely maybe not for me.
2
Oct 03 2024
View Album
Guitar Town
Steve Earle
I expected this to be a redneck delight but was pleasantly surprised. Steve Earle is a fantastic songwriter and genuinely multi-faceted.
4
Oct 04 2024
View Album
Shake Your Money Maker
The Black Crowes
We really needed The Black Crows when they came on the scene. Music was in a weird in-between place and Shake Your Money Maker produced hit after hit and appealed to multiple genres. I’m not a fan, but I do own She Talks To Angels on cassette single and acknowledge their pop culture significance.
4
Oct 05 2024
View Album
Station To Station
David Bowie
Over rated album. Sure, there’s a lot going on in terms of the usual music you hear in the grocery store, but it’s not great. It’s cluttered sounds and Bowie is overly dramatic in his vocals. I appreciate his art but I’ll never listen to this album again.
3
Oct 06 2024
View Album
Hms Fable
Shack
Sounds like a bad Coldplay cover band. It’s not miserable but wouldn’t pay the cover charge.
2
Oct 07 2024
View Album
Gorillaz
Gorillaz
Sleepy little album that won the lottery with a bunch of college kids who believed it was greatest ever.
2
Oct 08 2024
View Album
Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
Arctic Monkeys
Frantic and aggressive British pop rock. Cookie cutter crap that isn’t special but filled a void when it was released. Nothing special, but dudes seemed to dig it.
2
Oct 09 2024
View Album
Spiderland
Slint
Ever been to a concert and had a dude next to you that wouldn’t shut up? He just kept talking about mundane random shit the entire time the band was playing? That experience is this album. Some dude spouting pointless stories over a band for 40 minutes.
1
Oct 10 2024
View Album
Let England Shake
PJ Harvey
I refuse to believe that anyone truly enjoys PJ Harvey. Even the artistic value of this “album” is low.
1
Oct 11 2024
View Album
Green
R.E.M.
R.E.M. when they were magical. Green has pop perfection, hard rock with driving guitars, in your face folk tunes, and a couple of ballads for good measure. Their voice was extremely important to those of us who saw issues in the world and needed the political rhetoric to remind us we can speak out and fight for change and succeed.
5
Oct 12 2024
View Album
At Newport 1960
Muddy Waters
I don’t the the blues are supposed to make you feel happy, but this album always does.
4
Oct 13 2024
View Album
Slayed?
Slade
All I knew about Slade was Cum on Feel the Noise (because the Quiet Riot cover). This album is kinda fun in a hair band before hair bands were a thing way- but I don’t want to hear it again.
2
Oct 14 2024
View Album
The Marshall Mathers LP
Eminem
Not his best work but a hugely successful well received album. You’re allowed to be offended by his music all you want but it shows your lack of critical thinking. Eminem is the most commercially successful rap artist of all time for a reason.
4
Oct 15 2024
View Album
The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
A Hard Rains Agonna Fall is my favorite Dylan song. Overall, Freewheelin is a fantastic album. Would be cool to stumble across one of those $35k copies in a half priced books.
4
Oct 16 2024
View Album
Welcome to the Afterfuture
Mike Ladd
Mellow melodic beats and slow smooth rhymes make Afterfuture enjoyable. I’d listen to it again without being forced. Mike Ladd has a huge catalog, not sure why he wasn’t more mainstream.
3
Oct 17 2024
View Album
Dig Your Own Hole
The Chemical Brothers
Hated Chemical Brothers back then, still don’t like the sound. It’s too heavy and dark, I prefer my electronica bright and happy. If you’re into aggressive music, this album is for you.
2
Oct 18 2024
View Album
First Band On The Moon
The Cardigans
I’ve never called a 1-900 sex line before but the baby talk vocals of this album are what I imagine it would sound like.
1
Oct 19 2024
View Album
Ramones
Ramones
Iconic album! The Ramones always sound like they are about to get into some shit and it’s going to be epic. The vocals are distinct and the driving surfer punk drums make all of their songs a good time.
3
Oct 20 2024
View Album
Let's Get It On
Marvin Gaye
Smooth sexy album responsible for a lot of babies.
4
Oct 21 2024
View Album
Heaux Tales
Jazmine Sullivan
I didn’t feel empowered. At all.
1
Oct 22 2024
View Album
Power In Numbers
Jurassic 5
Jurassic 5 should have had way more commercial success. Their music can make the gloomiest days feel bright and shiny.
4
Oct 23 2024
View Album
Gris Gris
Dr. John
Short and weird. I loved Jump Steady but it has more of a Dr Seuss vibe than Dr John. I’m definitely going to check out more of his work, he’s a fascinating character.
4
Oct 24 2024
View Album
Horses
Patti Smith
“You’re not Dylan Thomas, I’m not Patti Smith. This ain’t the Chelsea Hotel, we’re modern idiots”
3
Oct 25 2024
View Album
Too Rye Ay
Dexys Midnight Runners
Dexys Midnight Runners had their sound locked in! Most of the album kind of blends together but there are a couple of fun standouts.
3
Oct 26 2024
View Album
Head Hunters
Herbie Hancock
Fresh and fun 50 years later! This album was my first experience with Jazz. My middle school home room teacher played it on a record player. He seemed out of touch back in the age of cassettes and pop, but I sure appreciated the introduction later in life. Thanks, Mr Mac.
4
Oct 27 2024
View Album
Slippery When Wet
Bon Jovi
I still know every word to every track. Somewhere along the line Bon Jovi stopped being rebellious and became my mom’s band.
5
Oct 28 2024
View Album
If You're Feeling Sinister
Belle & Sebastian
Sounds a lot like the guy from your neighborhood who wrote a bunch of slightly dorky songs to impress the girl in the drama club. It’s not horrible, nothing great, but I’m sure she liked it.
2
Oct 29 2024
View Album
Heaven Or Las Vegas
Cocteau Twins
Beautiful floaty dreamy pop. Cocteau Twins didn’t get much airplay in the U.S. but they should have.
4
Oct 30 2024
View Album
Eagles
Eagles
I dig the eagles. Especially Don Henley. Their music is well constructed, impeccably performed, and wildly popular. This album is just ok. 3.5 stars for me.
4
Oct 31 2024
View Album
You've Come a Long Way Baby
Fatboy Slim
Right about now-the funk soul brother! I love this album. Instrumentally it’s perfection. Lyrically it’s just random phrases and words and they somehow make perfect sense. Quentin is a genius- his work with the Beasties, Tribe, even the incredible David Byrne should be a bio of its own.
5
Nov 01 2024
View Album
Real Life
Magazine
Was surprised to like this album. It has a more modern sound The Presidents of the United States mashed up with Green Day is as close as I can come up with.
4
Nov 02 2024
View Album
What's Going On
Marvin Gaye
Intensely beautiful story telling. The entire album is a vibe that you genuinely feel.
4
Nov 03 2024
View Album
Your Arsenal
Morrissey
Such an arrogant prick. Even his music is obnoxious. Sorry Morrissey, I dislike you more than Moby.
2
Nov 04 2024
View Album
Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music
Ray Charles
Fantastic! Not really my cup of tea but perfectly executed. Not sure why Ray Charles doing country/western songs feels like a Christmas movie but it sure does. Definitely an album everyone should hear at least once.
5
Nov 05 2024
View Album
Ellington at Newport
Duke Ellington
I hated this album. Is it incredible jazz? Yes. Are the horns screachy af? Also yes. This one was anxiety inducing. I’m rating it middle of the road because I respect other people’s appreciation, but cannot go higher than a 3.
3
Nov 06 2024
View Album
Let It Bleed
The Rolling Stones
Imagine putting this album on for the first time in 1969 and experiencing Gimme Shelter right out of the gate. Stones are a hit machine, starting with this album.
4
Nov 07 2024
View Album
Ragged Glory
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
It’s an ok album. Lyrically it’s not profound like a lot of Neil’s work. I enjoy his music either way.
3
Nov 08 2024
View Album
Qui sème le vent récolte le tempo
MC Solaar
Cool at first but the beats are just meh.
3
Nov 09 2024
View Album
The Queen Is Dead
The Smiths
I like the smiths better than anything else Morrisey has touched but that’s not saying much. Moody pop masquerading as mod.
3
Nov 10 2024
View Album
90
808 State
This is an entire album of 90’s Nokia ringtones strung together in song form. 808 should be 404 because talent was not found.
1
Nov 11 2024
View Album
Another Green World
Brian Eno
Abstract and noisy in mostly good ways. Made me want to bust out an interpretive dance. If you dig kooky art projects, this album is for you.
4
Nov 12 2024
View Album
Rock 'N Soul
Solomon Burke
Ashamed I didn’t know this man by name. Soulful and sexy R&B with impeccable backup singers. A couple of the songs are cheesy or this would have been a 5. Really enjoyed the majority of the album.
4
Nov 13 2024
View Album
Tank Battles
Dagmar Krause
What is this? Possibly a failed rock opera? Soundtrack to a weird musical? It’s bizarre. I didn’t hate it but didn’t like it much either.
2
Nov 14 2024
View Album
The Slim Shady LP
Eminem
Eminem is one of my favorite artists but this album blows. It’s childish to the point of being lame. If you hate Eminem don’t base it on this album. He has grown into a badass human who used personal struggle to be the best at his craft. He will piss you off and offend you because he gets you, he might even be the dark side of you.
Sincerely yours, Stan.
P.S. we should be together too
2
Nov 15 2024
View Album
Songs From A Room
Leonard Cohen
Sounds like clove cigarettes and sadness.
2
Nov 16 2024
View Album
Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Musically this album is phenomenal but the vocal style gets old fast. Good ol Oogie Boogie.
3
Nov 17 2024
View Album
Rhythm Nation 1814
Janet Jackson
Culturally relevant and slightly provocative for 1990. This album was the precursor to Janet genuinely taking control of her life, career, and freedom of expression. Rhythm Nation introduced a bold Janet who was strong, facing hard topics like social injustice, while at the same time embracing her sexuality and showing the world she was all grown up. Not my favorite JJ album, but it deserved the accolades received.
4
Nov 17 2024
View Album
If You Can Believe Your Eyes & Ears
The Mamas & The Papas
Beautiful Album filled with masterpiece songs.
5
Nov 18 2024
View Album
Darklands
The Jesus And Mary Chain
Better than their first album. Jesus and Mary Chain should have been as popular as Joy Division or the Cure
3
Nov 19 2024
View Album
Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Wilco
Every Wilco song sounds like it belongs on a low budget teen angst movie soundtrack produced for Hallmark. Except for that one song where the chant WIL-CO over and over. That one just sucks.
2
Nov 20 2024
View Album
Ten
Pearl Jam
Ten is a masterpiece, just a monster of a debut album. In a time of pop, glam, and rap, Pearl Jam brought us back to rock. And rock we did.
5
Nov 21 2024
View Album
Elastica
Elastica
Punky grungy pop. It’s a very commercial sound. Good enough to not be annoying yet doesn’t stand out or warrant recognition.
3
Nov 22 2024
View Album
Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
I’ve always enjoyed Elvis - mostly the phenomenon surrounding his popularity. This album is mediocre at best, but it drove the masses wild.
2