693
Albums Rated
3.13
Average Rating
64%
Complete
396 albums remaining
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1950s
Favorite Decade
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Top Origin
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Rater Style
102
5-Star Albums
53
1-Star Albums
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You Love More Than Most
Albums you rated higher than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Devotional Songs | 5 | 2.58 | +2.42 |
| LP1 | 5 | 2.8 | +2.2 |
| evermore | 5 | 3.04 | +1.96 |
| Tuesday Night Music Club | 5 | 3.05 | +1.95 |
| The Rising | 5 | 3.05 | +1.95 |
| Smile | 5 | 3.06 | +1.94 |
| Treasure | 5 | 3.07 | +1.93 |
| Ambient 1/Music For Airports | 5 | 3.07 | +1.93 |
| Before And After Science | 5 | 3.09 | +1.91 |
| 461 Ocean Boulevard | 5 | 3.12 | +1.88 |
You Love Less Than Most
Albums you rated lower than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doolittle | 1 | 3.75 | -2.75 |
| Different Class | 1 | 3.42 | -2.42 |
| xx | 1 | 3.37 | -2.37 |
| The College Dropout | 1 | 3.32 | -2.32 |
| First Band On The Moon | 1 | 3.29 | -2.29 |
| System Of A Down | 1 | 3.26 | -2.26 |
| Songs Of Love And Hate | 1 | 3.21 | -2.21 |
| Fetch The Bolt Cutters | 1 | 3.19 | -2.19 |
| Let England Shake | 1 | 3.15 | -2.15 |
| Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde | 1 | 3.13 | -2.13 |
Artist Analysis
Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Beatles | 5 | 4.8 |
| Bob Dylan | 5 | 4.6 |
| Brian Eno | 3 | 4.67 |
| Talking Heads | 3 | 4.67 |
| Prince | 2 | 5 |
| The White Stripes | 2 | 5 |
| Stan Getz | 2 | 5 |
| Fleetwood Mac | 2 | 5 |
| Taylor Swift | 2 | 5 |
| Michael Jackson | 3 | 4.33 |
| Bob Marley & The Wailers | 3 | 4.33 |
| Bruce Springsteen | 5 | 4 |
| Led Zeppelin | 5 | 4 |
Least Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Dinosaur Jr. | 2 | 1 |
| Leonard Cohen | 5 | 2 |
| PJ Harvey | 2 | 1.5 |
| Fiona Apple | 2 | 1.5 |
Controversial Artists
Artists you rate inconsistently
| Artist | Albums | Variance |
|---|---|---|
| Can | 2 | 1.5 |
| King Crimson | 2 | 1.5 |
| Hole | 2 | 1.5 |
| Belle & Sebastian | 2 | 1.5 |
| Fatboy Slim | 2 | 1.5 |
5-Star Albums (102)
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Popular Reviews
R.E.M.
3/5
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.
7 likes
Leonard Cohen
1/5
Did Leonard Cohen find a Casio keyboard in a dumpster and decide to make this album with it? Not enjoyable or good.
7 likes
Brian Eno
4/5
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.
7 likes
Pixies
4/5
No regrets. Bosssnova is the perfect blend of peak 80’s and welcome to the 90’s rock weirdness. Beginning to end this album is fun and quirky. Well done Pixie pals.
4 likes
4-Star Albums (189)
1-Star Albums (53)
All Ratings
The Smashing Pumpkins
4/5
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.
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
Fun and funky. I like the story telling aspect. Made me feel like roller skating.
CHIC
4/5
Jazz funk disco! Savior Fare steals the show- Nile Rodgers guitar solos are exquisite. Pleasantly surprised with this one.
The Smashing Pumpkins
2/5
If yacht rock was angry, this is what it would sound like.
Daft Punk
5/5
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.
Michael Kiwanuka
4/5
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.
5/5
Iconic. The Beatles best work. This album changed music and the recording process. Experimental genius.
Cheap Trick
3/5
Iconic. The Beatles best work. This album changed music and the recording process. Experimental genius.
The Teardrop Explodes
3/5
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.
John Coltrane
3/5
Coltrane gets weird in all the right ways. This one took me to another place and time. Very brain stimulating.
AC/DC
3/5
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).
Crosby, Stills & Nash
3/5
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.
R.E.M.
3/5
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.
Milton Nascimento
3/5
Wasn’t my jam.
Robert Wyatt
1/5
Appropriate title. When you think it can’t get any worse, it does. My favorite part of this album was when it was over.
Bill Callahan
1/5
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.
The Strokes
3/5
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.
Deep Purple
4/5
Never paid much attention to Deep Purple, that was a mistake. This album is the heaviest psychedelic rock imaginable and it’s awesome.
Tina Turner
4/5
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.
The Stooges
4/5
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.
Lauryn Hill
4/5
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.
Adele
4/5
It’s Adele. Her voice is amazing but song choices are dreadfully depressing. Not my jam but can’t deny her talent.
Cat Stevens
5/5
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.
U2
4/5
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.
Fairport Convention
3/5
Cool music, Denny’s style isn’t for me. It’s an excellent album though.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
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.
The xx
1/5
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.
Nick Drake
2/5
Pleasant little song length album.
Neneh Cherry
3/5
Highs and lows, but mostly rides the middle. She deserved a better album.
Madonna
4/5
Weirdest Pepsi commercial ever. Madonna was the original queen of pop. Add His Royal Purpleness and this album became her best work.
The Clash
4/5
Might be the one thing we can get people to agree upon.
Frank Sinatra
4/5
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.
Pere Ubu
2/5
Weird AF. Some of it is really good. The rest is complete suck. If it wasn’t so screechy I would rate it higher.
Arcade Fire
3/5
Arcade Fire has a Springsteen vibe that is very listenable. It’s not stand-out, but solid background music.
The Kinks
4/5
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.
Kanye West
1/5
Mental illness is not an excuse for being an asshole.
Willie Nelson
5/5
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.
Michael Jackson
5/5
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.
The Flying Burrito Brothers
3/5
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.
Minor Threat
2/5
The music was cool, the attempted singing was dreadful.
Coldplay
4/5
Modern day yacht rock. The yodel whining gets old, but otherwise the album is beautifully done. Perfect for a rainy afternoon or Sunday listening.
The Hives
2/5
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.
George Michael
5/5
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.
Laibach
2/5
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.
Jerry Lee Lewis
2/5
Fun songs, great showmanship. On their own each song is a treat. As an album it becomes a child banging on the piano.
Happy Mondays
4/5
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.
The Adverts
2/5
You don’t have to listen to the entire album, every song sounds exactly the same.
The Notorious B.I.G.
3/5
Biggies skills were smooth. The skits are terrible and the videos are worse. West coast did it better.
Alice Cooper
4/5
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.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
5/5
There’s nothing left to say. Brilliant.
The Stranglers
2/5
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.
Electric Light Orchestra
2/5
The first couple of minutes are fun, then reality hits. Overproduced boring crap that goes on for what seems like forever.
Dinosaur Jr.
1/5
Messy distorted noise.
Pulp
1/5
Creepy AF.
Pixies
3/5
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.
ABBA
2/5
This one didn’t ABBADABBADO-IT for me.
Simply Red
2/5
Maybe I’m just not adult enough for this adult contemporary album. Sounds like a dentist office in the 1980’s.
Heaven 17
2/5
This is the Wish version of Pet Shop Boys.
Beatles
4/5
The warm up before getting weird and changing the course of music forever. The innocence of this album is charming.
4/5
I expected to be annoyed by this album but was pleasantly surprised. Noel’s songwriting was exceptional.
The Pogues
2/5
This album sounds like it needs a shower. Not a fan.
Supergrass
2/5
Sounds like every screamy band from 1995.
Deerhunter
4/5
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.
Kings of Leon
3/5
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.
Elton John
4/5
Elton is always fantastic. Indian Sunset and Rotten Peaches could have been left behind but the rest of the album is better than good.
Wu-Tang Clan
4/5
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.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
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.
Beck
4/5
Has anyone considered hugging Beck? It’s a beautiful album but hauntingly sad.
Kendrick Lamar
3/5
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.
Sly & The Family Stone
4/5
Sly wasn’t afraid to take up space and fill every ounce of it. This album made listening fun and sitting still impossible.
Curtis Mayfield
4/5
The heaviness of social injustice presented in a funk, soul, gospel masterpiece.
Germs
2/5
So much rage. The production is brilliant and the band is surprisingly tight. I hated every second though.
The Stone Roses
2/5
Background music with the occasional attention grabber.
Isaac Hayes
3/5
Soulful funky story telling.
The B-52's
3/5
Bright shiny album start to finish.
Guns N' Roses
5/5
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.
Iron Maiden
3/5
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.
Gram Parsons
2/5
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.
5/5
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.
David Bowie
4/5
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.
The Roots
2/5
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.
Aerosmith
2/5
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.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
5/5
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.
Rod Stewart
4/5
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.
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
1/5
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.
Pink Floyd
4/5
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.
Leonard Cohen
4/5
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.
The Pharcyde
1/5
Repetitive and childish. Not a fan.
Bill Evans Trio
5/5
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.
Foo Fighters
4/5
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.
Jane's Addiction
4/5
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.
Tim Buckley
3/5
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.
Traffic
2/5
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.
Steely Dan
3/5
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.
Can
1/5
Tago Mago is mostly an infuriating mess of noise. Just because you “Can” doesn’t mean you should.
Don McLean
3/5
Not an album I’m listening to on the daily but it’s a lovely folk record that became a piece of Americana.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
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.
Girls Against Boys
2/5
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.
Mike Oldfield
4/5
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!
Drive Like Jehu
2/5
Sounds like skater punk met grunge in an alley and nobody won the fight. It’s not bad, but not good either.
OutKast
2/5
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.
2/5
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.
PJ Harvey
2/5
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.
Johnny Cash
4/5
“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
Soft Machine
3/5
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.
Tracy Chapman
4/5
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.
Beatles
5/5
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.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
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.
Ravi Shankar
4/5
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.
David Ackles
2/5
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.
Boston
3/5
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.
Genesis
2/5
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.
The Charlatans
3/5
The Charlatans seem to be the happier cousin of Oasis and Smashing Pumpkins. Sounds like 1997.
John Lennon
2/5
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.
Leonard Cohen
2/5
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.
Arcade Fire
3/5
The suburbs has a familiar sound but it was also very fresh. One of the better albums in the 2010’s.
Soul II Soul
2/5
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.
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
5/5
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.
Joan Baez
2/5
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.
Leonard Cohen
1/5
Did Leonard Cohen find a Casio keyboard in a dumpster and decide to make this album with it? Not enjoyable or good.
Billy Bragg
4/5
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.
Rush
4/5
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.
Black Sabbath
2/5
Black Sabbath is epic, but this album is not. Maybe it’s the cocaine but they missed with Vol. 4.
Quicksilver Messenger Service
2/5
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.
Paul Simon
4/5
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.
Kelela
2/5
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.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
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.
Snoop Dogg
5/5
Snoop influenced the lexicon of a generation with this album. Dont take the lyrics too seriously, have some fun with it. G Funk era!
Sarah Vaughan
3/5
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.
Portishead
2/5
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.
The Style Council
4/5
I liked this album. It’s chill and calming.
Miles Davis
3/5
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.
Sonic Youth
2/5
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.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
2/5
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.
Prince
5/5
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.
Santana
5/5
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).
Jeff Beck
3/5
Jeff Beck is one of the greatest players out there and Rod Stewart isn't a chump, but this album is a horny mess.
Circle Jerks
1/5
Bunch of skater punks slashing around yelling instead of singing. Hated it.
Amy Winehouse
3/5
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.
Beck
4/5
Beck went back to his roots on this one. Smooth and cozy jams. Sometimes he tries too hard but Guero feels just right.
Metallica
3/5
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.
Abdullah Ibrahim
3/5
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.
The Cure
4/5
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.
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
2/5
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.
Fiona Apple
1/5
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”.
Deep Purple
3/5
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.
Roxy Music
2/5
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.
Talvin Singh
4/5
Better than OK! Added to my library, really great album.
Hugh Masekela
2/5
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.
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
It’s Jimi Hendrix. You just have to accept it for what it is sometimes.
Hookworms
3/5
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.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
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.
The Who
4/5
Pretty cool journey! I went into this album knowing a few songs but hadn’t experienced the album beginning to end.
Röyksopp
2/5
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.
Led Zeppelin
3/5
Sounds like Led Zeppelin. Page and Plant were meant to find each other. Not my favorite, but undeniably a great album.
Devendra Banhart
2/5
This dude is purposely annoying. He could use his unique voice for good but clearly chooses violence. Lousy writing, performance, and production.
Jorge Ben Jor
4/5
I didnt get what the songs were about but the rhythms were infectious. Funky 70’s jams!
Rush
3/5
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.
Randy Newman
2/5
What a weirdo recording. Not a fan.
The White Stripes
5/5
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.
Eels
4/5
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.
Super Furry Animals
2/5
Less cool version The Dandy Worhals. The songs got aggressively angry and weren’t fun to listen to.
Nightmares On Wax
3/5
Trip Hop is a strange genre. Smokers Delight has a new age sound that I like but the trax are arrogantly long.
Green Day
5/5
Genius album! It’s equally fresh today.
X-Ray Spex
1/5
The entire album was noise. Just dreadful.
Bob Dylan
5/5
Yes
2/5
Yes is a no for me. They were a huge band, I just don’t get their music.
Frank Sinatra
4/5
Pretty sure Sinatra was a sleazy douchecanoe but his music never failed to hit that smooth spot. This album feels nice, almost cozy.
The Clash
4/5
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.
Peter Gabriel
5/5
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.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
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.
Giant Sand
1/5
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.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
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
The Police
2/5
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.
Randy Newman
2/5
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.
Elliott Smith
3/5
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.
ABBA
4/5
Happy disco sung by a group that sounds like a school choir. Weird lyrics but I enjoyed this dancy number.
King Crimson
4/5
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.
Joni Mitchell
2/5
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.
Skunk Anansie
3/5
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.
Dr. Dre
5/5
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.
N.E.R.D
2/5
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.
CHIC
4/5
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.
Justice
2/5
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.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
4/5
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.
New York Dolls
2/5
Kinda sounds like Great White with a shitty lead singer. Not a fan.
Ozomatli
4/5
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.
Adele
4/5
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.
Prince
5/5
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”.
Frank Ocean
2/5
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.
Beastie Boys
3/5
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.
Funkadelic
4/5
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.
The Triffids
1/5
Dreadfully unoriginal and way too long. I don’t understand how this album made the list, most cover bands are better.
Manic Street Preachers
3/5
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.
Air
3/5
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.
Paul McCartney
5/5
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.
Teenage Fanclub
1/5
Whiny boring album that I hope to never suffer through again.
Tom Waits
2/5
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.
The Cars
4/5
Start to finish this album pops and rocks. Really fun to revisit, those hand claps are perfection. Seems they should be a bigger band.
Sheryl Crow
5/5
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.
Big Star
2/5
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.
Pixies
1/5
Nope. This band is not edgy or cool. Enjoy conforming while trying to be non-conformists, kids.
Cee Lo Green
2/5
Just ok, bordering on cheesy. Definitely not a Soul Machine, more like one of those boxes on sleazy old motel beds that take quarters.
The Flaming Lips
3/5
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.
Primal Scream
3/5
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.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
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.
Stephen Stills
4/5
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.
Koffi Olomide
2/5
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.
Derek & The Dominos
4/5
LTJ Bukem
1/5
Now we know who created call center hold music.
The Who
5/5
Impeccable. Start to finish The Who deliver. Their sound is so clean there is zero room for error. Quite possibly a perfect rock album.
Incredible Bongo Band
3/5
Strange but in good ways. I expected a drum circle but was pleasantly surprised by how much this album rocks.
Public Enemy
4/5
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.
The Dictators
2/5
Very campy. Like listening to the Rocky Horror Picture show. It’s kind of funny but mostly annoying.
Supergrass
2/5
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.
Charles Mingus
4/5
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.
Hole
2/5
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.
David Bowie
4/5
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.
Lightning Bolt
2/5
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.
Janelle Monáe
4/5
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.
Finley Quaye
1/5
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.
The Go-Betweens
3/5
Sounds like The Rembrants formed a Smiths cover band. Bordering on lame, but still listenable.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
4/5
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.
Sugar
3/5
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.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
This guy is moody af. Musically it’s a beautiful album, Nick makes it weird though.
Thelonious Monk
3/5
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.
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
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.
My Bloody Valentine
3/5
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.
Common
2/5
Common is just that. Ordinary and boring.
Radiohead
3/5
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.
DJ Shadow
3/5
Sounds like the background music in a video game. I don’t mind it but it’s not active listening material.
Solange
1/5
Beautiful talented woman, great voice, sucktastic album. There is not a single part of this mess that is enjoyable.
Van Morrison
4/5
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.
Parliament
4/5
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.
Love
2/5
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.
Stan Getz
5/5
Didn’t realize I was familiar with Bossa Nova, no less that I like it. Super smooth and enjoyable album.
Songhoy Blues
4/5
This might be the perfect treadmill album. No clue what the songs are about but the rhythms are fantastic.
Alanis Morissette
5/5
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.
Raekwon
1/5
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.
Public Image Ltd.
1/5
Immature ignorant ramblings screamed into the void. Trashy is the best I can come up with.
Michael Jackson
4/5
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.
The Go-Go's
3/5
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.
Beatles
5/5
Best album ever made. The Beatles outdid themselves and George Martin delivered. Abbey Road is work of art. Perfection.
Lou Reed
3/5
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.
Gang Of Four
3/5
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.
Neu!
2/5
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.
Scott Walker
1/5
Is this a parody? The production value is high, so was whoever signed this dude.
A Tribe Called Quest
4/5
One of the classiest hip hop albums ever made. Perfect for Sunday morning porch sitting.
The Offspring
3/5
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.
William Orbit
4/5
Electronic but maybe a little trance? I don’t know but I liked it. Smaller doses instead of the full album would be enjoyable.
Sigur Rós
2/5
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.
The Young Gods
2/5
If Billy Idol and Marlyn Mason had a love child it would sound like this. Very interesting textures, especially for ‘89.
Elis Regina
3/5
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.
Sabu
2/5
Some of Sabu is fun and exciting, most of it is obnoxious and annoying. I wouldn’t recommend to anyone I like.
Lorde
5/5
Lorde’s lyrics and delivery are impeccable. She rocks the old soul vibe. This album is brilliantly produced, I loved it.
Paul Simon
5/5
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.
Khaled
2/5
I couldn’t like this album less without hating it. 2 stars.
Pink Floyd
5/5
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.
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
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.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
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.
Einstürzende Neubauten
2/5
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.
Taylor Swift
5/5
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.
AC/DC
4/5
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
Fiona Apple
2/5
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.
Bob Dylan
5/5
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.
Oasis
2/5
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.
Steve Earle
4/5
I expected this to be a redneck delight but was pleasantly surprised. Steve Earle is a fantastic songwriter and genuinely multi-faceted.
The Black Crowes
4/5
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.
David Bowie
3/5
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.
Shack
2/5
Sounds like a bad Coldplay cover band. It’s not miserable but wouldn’t pay the cover charge.
Gorillaz
2/5
Sleepy little album that won the lottery with a bunch of college kids who believed it was greatest ever.
Arctic Monkeys
2/5
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.
Slint
1/5
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.
PJ Harvey
1/5
I refuse to believe that anyone truly enjoys PJ Harvey. Even the artistic value of this “album” is low.
R.E.M.
5/5
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.
Muddy Waters
4/5
I don’t the the blues are supposed to make you feel happy, but this album always does.
Slade
2/5
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.
Eminem
4/5
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.
Bob Dylan
4/5
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.
Mike Ladd
3/5
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.
The Chemical Brothers
2/5
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.
The Cardigans
1/5
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.
Ramones
3/5
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.
Marvin Gaye
4/5
Smooth sexy album responsible for a lot of babies.
Jazmine Sullivan
1/5
I didn’t feel empowered. At all.
Jurassic 5
4/5
Jurassic 5 should have had way more commercial success. Their music can make the gloomiest days feel bright and shiny.
Dr. John
4/5
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.
Patti Smith
3/5
“You’re not Dylan Thomas, I’m not Patti Smith. This ain’t the Chelsea Hotel, we’re modern idiots”
Dexys Midnight Runners
3/5
Dexys Midnight Runners had their sound locked in! Most of the album kind of blends together but there are a couple of fun standouts.
Herbie Hancock
4/5
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.
Bon Jovi
5/5
I still know every word to every track. Somewhere along the line Bon Jovi stopped being rebellious and became my mom’s band.
Belle & Sebastian
2/5
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.
Cocteau Twins
4/5
Beautiful floaty dreamy pop. Cocteau Twins didn’t get much airplay in the U.S. but they should have.
Eagles
4/5
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.
Fatboy Slim
5/5
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.
Magazine
4/5
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.
Marvin Gaye
4/5
Intensely beautiful story telling. The entire album is a vibe that you genuinely feel.
Morrissey
2/5
Such an arrogant prick. Even his music is obnoxious. Sorry Morrissey, I dislike you more than Moby.
Ray Charles
5/5
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.
Duke Ellington
3/5
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.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
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.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
It’s an ok album. Lyrically it’s not profound like a lot of Neil’s work. I enjoy his music either way.
MC Solaar
3/5
Cool at first but the beats are just meh.
The Smiths
3/5
I like the smiths better than anything else Morrisey has touched but that’s not saying much. Moody pop masquerading as mod.
808 State
1/5
This is an entire album of 90’s Nokia ringtones strung together in song form. 808 should be 404 because talent was not found.
Brian Eno
4/5
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.
Solomon Burke
4/5
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.
Dagmar Krause
2/5
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.
Eminem
2/5
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
Leonard Cohen
2/5
Sounds like clove cigarettes and sadness.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
Musically this album is phenomenal but the vocal style gets old fast. Good ol Oogie Boogie.
Janet Jackson
4/5
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.
The Mamas & The Papas
5/5
Beautiful Album filled with masterpiece songs.
The Jesus And Mary Chain
3/5
Better than their first album. Jesus and Mary Chain should have been as popular as Joy Division or the Cure
Wilco
2/5
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.
Pearl Jam
5/5
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.
Elastica
3/5
Punky grungy pop. It’s a very commercial sound. Good enough to not be annoying yet doesn’t stand out or warrant recognition.
Elvis Presley
2/5
I’ve always enjoyed Elvis - mostly the phenomenon surrounding his popularity. This album is mediocre at best, but it drove the masses wild.
LCD Soundsystem
3/5
Too brassy for my brain in one sitting and the “vocals” suck. Other than that it was kinda cool. Hanging middle of the road on this one. It sounds a little dated for a 2007 release.
Orange Juice
3/5
The Clash meets The Cure and falls in love with Blondie is the only way I can describe Orange Juice. Decent new wave sound, solid bass lines. Would make a great John Hughes soundtrack.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
One of the best Stones albums. Sticky Fingers is less in your face than some of their work. Blues, country, rock, it’s all there. Dead Flowers is probably only second to Loving Cup.
The Beach Boys
5/5
Wonderful album. Every track is fully formed and beautifully composed. God Only Knows is a perfection, as is Pet Sounds. I could do without Caroline, No - but that’s preference and doesn’t reduce the value of this masterpiece.
Dinosaur Jr.
1/5
The screaming seems well done if you’re in to that. The entire album is loud and messy and not very fun to listen to.
Ray Charles
4/5
Big band crooner delight. Too bad the album doesn’t end as bold as it starts, it gets a little sleepy. Overall it’s a nice listen.
Suzanne Vega
1/5
Nope. Immature spoken word crap. Suzanne Vega has a beautiful voice, too bad she used it for evil.
The Kinks
4/5
Early pop stylized like the later version of The Beatles. A couple of the songs had sickeningly sweet vocals but most were really great. Didn’t know I liked The Kinks!
Tricky
1/5
Is this supposed to be edgy? It’s a little dark but mostly dreadful. Baby talk isn’t sexy, neither is this embarrassing album.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
5/5
The sound is HUGE on this album. Very full rich tones with gorgeous vocals. I have no idea what we are giving devotion too, but this album is fantastic.
Funkadelic
4/5
I like the funk.
System Of A Down
1/5
The entire album sounds how unstable feels. Maybe they should try meditation or goat yoga. The goofy voices were annoying but the screaming then sweetly singing over rage guitars sealed the deal.
The Jam
3/5
Never heard of this band but the album seemed familiar in a comfortable way. Crisp early 80’s pop rock. The Taxman guitar riff ripoff caught my attention but it was a fun nod.
3/5
Good then not so good then ok. This album was all over the place. It was middle of the road listenable for me.
Sade
2/5
I get it. It’s smooth, the sax is lovely, she can saaaang. It’s still dreadfully dull. The vocal control is incredible but the loud power at the end of every other syllable is obnoxious and becomes a one trick pony. Every word doesn’t need to be dramatically emphasized. No thank you, Sade.
Leonard Cohen
1/5
I get it, the chic stole his money and he was living as a monk but why should we be punished for that? Love and Hate is mostly hate.
Dirty Projectors
2/5
Not as bad as expected from browsing the reviews but certainly lousy. Every song sounds unfinished and lacks direction. The cool moments are quickly obliterated with noise.
Television
3/5
Harsh edges but a good listen. Never heard of Television but definitely hear their influence in later one hit wonders and a couple main stays.
Talking Heads
5/5
The Talking Heads were pure twisted genius. Fresh bright guitars, the entire album is crisp and clean. Lyrically fascinating, dark but so much fun. David Byrne sounds like he could become completely unhinged at any moment. It’s glorious.
Emmylou Harris
4/5
Emmylou’s voice is pure and her phrasing is perfection. The song choices on Pieces of the Sky are not for me, but the album is excellent. Not only is she one of the best in country music, she’s as intelligent as she is beautiful. Her later work is some of her best.
G. Love & Special Sauce
3/5
Not my fave G.Love album but it’s still a fun one. Nice and dancey but the lyrics get a little goofy at times.
Black Sabbath
4/5
This may be the album that brought heavy metal to the masses. There’s no denying the success and appeal of Black Sabbath. Paranoid is top notch in every way and fairies really do wear boots.
Grateful Dead
5/5
Some of the most beautiful lyrics rest within American Beauty. Its endearing charm has already lasted generations. The Dead are a completely different experience live, that makes studio albums a more acquired taste for me. This one isn’t my favorite, but I’m forever grateful.
Kacey Musgraves
2/5
I’ve always ignored Kacey Musgraves because a sleazy guy who was forever trying to play in my park was obsessed with her. Assumed I wouldn’t like her music if she attracted dudes like that. I was mostly right. She has a little girl voice and her lyrics are immature. The album is overproduced for her stripped down sound. Didn’t hate it, didn’t love it.
Van Halen
3/5
Jump was the number 1 song on the hot 9 at 9 for months when I was in fourth grade. It felt like the entire school year. To say this album was popular would be an understatement. I prefer Sammy, but 1984 is pure Van Halen in your face rock.
Steely Dan
4/5
Steely Dan is a sound engineers wet dream. Fantastic album, impeccable production. They did all those songs you know but don’t realize you know, and a few more.
The Doors
4/5
I like The Doors. Blues rock at its finest. Morrison was a weird cat but he inspired generations. It would interesting to see who he would have become later in life. L.A. Woman isn’t a constant rotation album, but it’s great for a rainy day listen or a roadtrip.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
5/5
Green River is one of the very best albums ever made. Fogherty put his soul in every song he touched (he still does). I’ll always love Lodi, even if it’s the oddball on the album.
Blur
2/5
So many top reviews but not a single one explained why I’m supposed to like this shit album. It’s not even good, certainly not great.
Suicide
3/5
If you are facing addiction or a mental health crisis in the U.S. text 988. This album doesn’t matter much, but you do.
Maxwell
2/5
Every song on the album starts the same. Track one is promising but by song two it’s clear that Maxwell is going nowhere fast with this one.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
3/5
Couple of fantastic songs blended with pretentious whiny crap on this one. Never got why Teach Your Children was such a hit, Woodstock is a much more pleasant listen.
Bee Gees
2/5
Not a fan of concept albums nor this flavor of The Bee Gees. This album isn’t fun and it’s pretty hard to get though.
Various Artists
5/5
Upbeat fantastic Christmas album. Fun fact, Cher sang backup for Darlene Love on Christmas Baby Please Come Home. Spector ended up being a murderous lunatic but his musical genius cannot be denied.
Dusty Springfield
4/5
Beautiful voice. I don’t love the tempo of Dusty In Memphis but her vocals are dreamy and otherworldly.
Aretha Franklin
4/5
Aretha takes it to church every single time. This gorgeous woman sings with every ounce of power and life within her. Straight fire. Outside of the vocals this album has some of the funkiest bass lines. Really great listen.
Radiohead
2/5
Dramatic. Whiny. Melancholy. Radiohead could be cool, but they aren’t. The production is nice so it’s getting a 2.
The Jam
4/5
Never heard of The Jam until now. All Mod Cons is one hell of a bop. Not a lousy track on the album, can’t wait to hear more from them.
Blur
3/5
I hated this Blur album way less than the last one. Still didn’t like it, but found some value.
CHVRCHES
2/5
Album is way too long, vocals are childish baby talk, otherwise it’s ok. Indie techno, not super annoying but also not motivating. Middle of the road is the place I’ve landed with Chvrches.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
Nick Cave is like the macabre version of Kid Rock. Some of his work sucks less, but it’s still obnoxious and creepy.
The Only Ones
2/5
The band is great but the singer sounds like an extremely inebriated Bob Dylan. It’s too bad they didn’t kick ol’ slurry voice to the curb, this album could have been good.
The Band
5/5
Back to basics stripped down Americana folk rock. The entire album feels warm and comfortable. All the stars.
Pixies
4/5
No regrets. Bosssnova is the perfect blend of peak 80’s and welcome to the 90’s rock weirdness. Beginning to end this album is fun and quirky. Well done Pixie pals.
The Shamen
2/5
Some of the songs give a Dead or Alive vibe. Maybe it’s the vocals. En-Tacr starts strong but bottoms out after track 4.
Nina Simone
4/5
Wowza! Sultry and moody in all the right ways. I want an entire album of “I Love Your Lovin Ways”.
Wire
2/5
Ya know that part in “Should I Stay or Should I Go” by the Clash where nobody knows what he’s saying so we all sing random nonsense? That’s this entire album. The music is decent but that’s all it’s got going for it.
Waylon Jennings
5/5
I was introduced to Waylon through Alvin and The Chipmunks. They covered his song Luckenbach Texas, and I loved it. Honkey Tonk Heroes is a five star album, beginning to end.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
2/5
Sounds like they hijacked a church organ and played a concert as fast as possible while the clergy worked to bust down the doors.
Run-D.M.C.
5/5
RUN D.M.C. convinced a lot of white parents in the burbs that Rap might be ok. Tricky even showed up at the skating rink wedged between Hall & Oates and Disco Duck. Raising Hell is one of the most important rap albums- without it we wouldn’t have a lot of the artists, art, and fashion that we have today. It’s a shame they weren’t rewarded the way they should have been. Rest well Jam Master Jay. We still love your jams.
The War On Drugs
3/5
The War On Drugs sounds like everyone other than an original band. Coldplay, Springsteen, OK Go, some 80’s yacht rock. It’s a solid album, great musicianship, vocals are decent, songs are bland. Maybe they should have tried drugs? I dunno.
k.d. lang
2/5
Breathy country show tunes. Her voice is nice but the album is a chore to get through.
Elton John
5/5
Bernie and Elton at their brightest. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is fantastic start to finish. This album deserves all 5 sparkling glitter covered feather boa wearing stars.
The Monkees
3/5
I’ve always been a fan of the Monkees. They had a rough road and weren’t ever taken seriously because of the way they were created - but their success was earned and warranted. This isn’t one of their best albums, those were probably The Wrecking Crew, but it’s still a decent record.
Boards of Canada
2/5
A better album title would have been Robot Sounds Rejected by X-Files. A little bit ambient, slightly techno, mostly weird in a “hey, join our cult” way.
Fela Kuti
4/5
Even if you avoid political music you should listen to this one. Passionate and powerful.
Otis Redding
4/5
Otis Redding was the king of the classics bit the production was dreadful on this one. Brassy and turned into one long song.
Cornershop
3/5
Hadn’t heard of Cornershop and wasn’t aware of their other 6 incarnations but the 7th has a groovy vibe. I would have given it a 4 but the 90’s angsty boy Everclear vocals didn’t work for me.
Talking Heads
5/5
The talent of Brian Eno, the artistic vision of the Talking Heads, along with the genius of David Byrne made everything they created feel extraterrestrial. I’ve yet to hear one of their songs that doesn’t suck me in or hype me up. Mad love for them and their influence.
James Brown
3/5
I don’t know what they were doing in 1963 but the frantic hype sounds like cocaine. I dig the instrumental interludes and every song is top notch. Moderation though, this album all at once is too much.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
2/5
Pretentious parading as cool. The entire album sounds like it’s being played at full volume through a blown speaker at a mall arcade.
Neil Young
4/5
Eerily beautiful. The break for silence is fascinating and thoughtful. Lyrics are poetic and profound.
Happy Mondays
2/5
Sounds like a Duran Duran cover band on The Cure night at a local dive bar.
Violent Femmes
4/5
New wave surfer punk! Violent Femmes were ahead of their time. I accidentally walked up to them playing a street concert in the early 2000’s. They played this album front to back. It was even better live.
Jeru The Damaja
2/5
Dude spits slow and over articulates while still managing to mumble. The beats are mediocre and there’s not an identifiable flow. Production is worse than most homemade cassettes.
Dire Straits
5/5
Mark Knopfler fills space differently than other guitarists. It’s never messy or overdone. Perfect crisp clean riffs that demand your attention and often reaction. Rock, blues, country, undefinable. Even with the less than stellar vocals this album earns five stars.
Metallica
5/5
Favorite Metallica album: Ride the Lightning.
Most exciting album and live show: Metallica Black Album
I was ride or die for Jason Newstead and the magic he brought to the band. The Black album showed their complexity and ability to be more than garage dwelling head bangers. The last great hard rock album by a classic band.
3/5
I thought he was singing “Chicken Street” instead of “Shakin”. It addd to the experience. Grungy aggressive rock n roll in the name of resistance.
The Thrills
2/5
Don’t Steal Our Sun is an ok track. The rest of the songs are boring. The band is decent but the album is bland and unoriginal. They tried way too hard to be commercial.
Aerosmith
4/5
So many pearl clutching reviews about this disgusting horny band and album. It must not have been too bad because the majority of the album was (and still is) played on heavy rotation. Aerosmith is a solid blues rock band who made extremely successful pop crossovers mid career. I’m not a fan but Pump is a great record.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
LED Zepplin’s sound has a heavy dark fog that is distinctive and dramatic. Certainly the best at their craft. Could have been a single album, it gets long.
Animal Collective
4/5
First time listen and really liked it. My fave Daft Punk song features Panda Bear. Coincidence? I think not. I dig that floating in the ether over modulated breathy sound.
The Streets
1/5
Possibly the most asinine addition to the list. Everyone associated with this mess should be embarrassed.
The White Stripes
5/5
Elephant is pretty close to perfection. It’s complex yet simple. Hard driving without trying to hard. The pocket screams for attention, it’s glorious.
Leftfield
3/5
When this album came out I would have despised it. Since then electronica and hypnotic sounds have really grown on me. It’s solid music to focus to.
Guided By Voices
2/5
Sounds like cruising around in a 1970’s boat of a car with a bent antenna picking up AM stations from Canada. There were no power windows, just like there was no production on this album. Both are fine, just not great.
Bonnie Raitt
3/5
Gorgeous voice, insane guitar playing skills. Bonnie Raitt is a phenomenal artist. This album is way too commercial for who she truly is, but it got her on the board.
Carole King
5/5
Telemachus. That’s the cats name. This album was the soundtrack of my very early life and I realize what a blessing that truly was.
Simon & Garfunkel
5/5
The song Bridge Over Troubled Water annoys my. Always has. Way too much drama. The rest of this album is fantastic.
The Darkness
3/5
Talented musicians. The repetitive screeching falsetto is insulting to glam rock, otherwise the album is a good time.
Jeff Buckley
5/5
Meticulous songwriting writing paired with vocals that must have come from Buckleys soul. Dark and heavy but not macabre, more like a heavy fog after a summer storm. I need more time with this album.
Tom Tom Club
4/5
One of the most sampled songs is Tom Tom Clubs Genius of Love. Fun album for people who like a solid groove but don’t take themselves too seriously.
M.I.A.
1/5
Good lord this album sucked.
Franz Ferdinand
4/5
Take Me Out won my heart from the first listen. Franz Ferdinand was the sound of the early 00’s and I liked it. Slightly aggressive guitars, interesting compositions, odd lyrics. Felt like a return to rock was coming, but it wasn’t.
Little Simz
2/5
Yelling does not equal rap. Neither does spoken word. Poorly executed even through it seems Little Simz has a nice voice. The entire album is a mess, no cohesion.
Radiohead
3/5
Why is there so much Radiohead on this list? This album is better than the others so far but it’s still pretentious.
The Smiths
2/5
As far as the Smiths go, this album sucks less than the others. Morrissey always sounds like he’s trying to be the star in a high school show choir.
Scissor Sisters
5/5
Several bangers mixed in with some Bee Gees vibing tunes. Overall it’s fantastic. Excellent production, the energy is outrageous.
Dusty Springfield
5/5
fIREHOSE
2/5
The same sloppy bass line gets old fast. Very redundant and not enjoyable.
David Holmes
1/5
This is just unpleasant noises strung together without being melodic. It’s so bad it could be used to keep birds off a building.
Bobby Womack
4/5
Funky sexy soul for the masses. Bobby even channels his inner preacher man passion occasionally. Full robust production. His personal life was bananas but this album is fantastic.
American Music Club
1/5
No way anyone hears this and thinks “wow, this guy can sing”. Worse than karaoke night at the local tavern.
Pavement
2/5
Early 90’s music was a movement. Lyrics heavy with allegory and emotion. Unique and exceptional vocal styles like Shannon Hoon, Eddie Vedder, Curt Cobain, and Layne Staley. Incredible bands were plentiful but Pavement wasn’t one of them. Slanted and Enchanted sounds manufactured. There’s no energy, no soul, no pulse. The vocals are dreadful, the lyrics are nonsense, the band is just ok.
Supertramp
2/5
Supertramp isn’t my jam. It’s a decent album but their music has always felt cheesy to me. Just not a fan. Middle of the road on the tolerance scale.
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
4/5
This album is fun! New wave sound done right.
3/5
Over compressed vocals and a lot of rage. Decent overall, just not my taste.
Kid Rock
2/5
A couple of the songs on the album were wildly popular when it came out. The rest of it was terrible. Looking at only this album, it’s probably a 2.5, it also might help to drink a Bud Light while listening.
Common
3/5
First listen. and I liked it. I also think math is hard, yet I successfully complete it daily. Smooth rap, the lyrics were not for me, but it was still an enjoyable listen.
Queen
2/5
Disappointed in this one. Was expecting Queen II Electric Boogaloo but got pretentious choral drama. Not their standard fun bangers with interesting compositions.
The United States Of America
2/5
Was not what I expected and I didn’t enjoy it.
Nas
3/5
Never listened to Nas and didn’t expect much. The first track reinforced the feeling. By song three I was vibing with it. Very pleasantly surprised.
King Crimson
1/5
Boring elevator music met in the middle by arrogance with amps. Enough of the prog rock, for the love of all that is holy.
Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
4/5
Fantastic mod pop sound. Really well rounded fun album. Never heard of the band but wish I would have known them earlier.
Jacques Brel
2/5
It was fun for about 1.5 songs. I don’t know anything about this style of music but it seemed solid.
Paul Revere & The Raiders
4/5
That B3 makes my heart happy. Really enjoyed this album
Rufus Wainwright
2/5
Pretty sure Rufus was bullied in the 80’s. Adult contemporary boredom is the only way I can describe this album.
The National
2/5
Possibly the most monotone album on the list. Not sure how a band so boring generates so much hype.
Paul McCartney and Wings
5/5
Incredible album front to back. It’s a shame Sir Paul can’t be anonymous in this project: He is immediately judged by assholes who think they are edgy for downplaying his talent. Disliking a band or album because of musical taste is great, we are all different, but making disparaging comments because someone was in the most successful band of all time shows insecurity and immaturity.
Ananda Shankar
3/5
Have there been any studies with neurodivergent people and their response to this style of music? It makes my ADHD brain focus and gives me a nice happy dopamine hit. I’m not cruising with the homies jammin this album, but I think it could help me clean the house.
John Cale
2/5
Lounge act with a sudden attempt at a failed stadium show then back to the lounge. Easy listening on the verge of yacht rock.
2/5
Noisy chaos disguised as jazz. Had to use my fancy anxiety instead of the every day kind.
Ice Cube
4/5
Ice Cube shows off his mastery with this album. I’m not a fan but it’s potentially the best in the genre. You may not like what he says, but given today’s political climate, it’s wise to listen. As far as social commentary goes, it doesn’t get more real.
David Bowie
2/5
Sounds like a James Bond soundtrack.
a-ha
3/5
Take on Me was a big radio hit. The music video was epic and gave the song even more success. Maybe that is why I don’t remember hearing any of their other songs back in the day. This album is really good, they should have been much larger in the U.S.
Country Joe & The Fish
2/5
Country Joe and his Fish need to practice. The music is almost nonexistent and the vocals are boring. The album cover is the best part of this one.
Buzzcocks
2/5
Punk that isn’t as aggressive and in your face. Rough genre to rate.
Janis Joplin
5/5
One of the most powerful female singers of all time. She deserved so much more than the way she was treated. It’s a shame she died before she had a chance to be embraced by the right people.
Todd Rundgren
4/5
Creative and unafraid. I didn’t care for this album but recognize the quality and value. Cover art is really cool.
The Gun Club
3/5
Fun album but it gets repetitive to the point of songs sounding the same. Small doses is the way to enjoy this one.
The Youngbloods
4/5
Kind of rock. kind of folk, all good. Really smooth nice album. I think I liked it-it’s familiar but I’d never heard it before. The Youngbloods shouldn’t have been a one hit wonder.
Belle & Sebastian
5/5
I love this album! First time listener but I’m hooked. Driving music, excellent vocals, smooth delivery. Definitely adding to my home collection.
Orbital
2/5
Looping nonsense. Some of the songs are ok, but it’s mostly fist pumping on repeat. Nothing exciting.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Country blues rock - not their best work but a cool album.
John Martyn
2/5
The entire album sounds like the theme from Love Boat.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
Don’t come at me! I liked this album a lot. The sound is full and interesting. It’s my favorite Elvis Costello album so far and it’s one I will listen to again.
Michael Jackson
4/5
Off The Wall starts out incredible. The last half of the album is just ok, the song choices aren’t great. This was happening in the space before Michael was consumed by his own trauma and shows who he wanted so badly to be. The talent and genius of Quincy Jones cannot be denied and deserves to be mentioned.
New Order
4/5
I fell madly in love with INXS around the same time this album came out and probably would have been equally wild about New Order had I been exposed. Such a fantastic album start to finish. There’s a light airiness to their darkness.
Sex Pistols
4/5
Expected to hate this one but it’s just too good. Musically they were tight, guitars were in your face and interesting. The vocals are the standard hot mess expected from the Sex Pistols but somehow it works. Album standout: Pretty
Donald Fagen
4/5
Overly dramatic early 80’s easy listening at its best. Fantastic album for grocery shopping, elevators, and Sunday after church buffets. Vanilla but enjoyable.
The Who
2/5
Dorky in all the wrong ways. Musically it’s solid, but not all ideas are good ones.
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
2/5
Campy. That’s the most positive thing I can say about this one. Not a fan.
Donovan
4/5
Enjoyed this album way more than I expected to. Maybe I thought Donovan was a different dude because of his Partridge Fam looks, but this album is really well done.
The Birthday Party
2/5
If Hell has a house band, this is it. Sounds a lot like the Riverbottom Nightmare Band from Emmet Otter.
Morrissey
2/5
This dude sounds like a pretentious twit. The music is tolerable but the vocals are like the kid in high school show choir who was trying way to hard to get the solo.
The Fall
3/5
Repetitive and lazy but otherwise tolerable. Sounds like a drunken bar band with an ego as big as their beer tab.
Mercury Rev
4/5
Ethereal and dreamy. Really lovely moody album that I wish I would have discovered way earlier.
Sam Cooke
5/5
Soulful perfection. Ive always appreciated San Cooke but with this album I fell in love.
Sonic Youth
2/5
Poorly produced, noisy stoner rock. The only thing that really stood out was how much it sucked.
Tito Puente
4/5
It’s impossible to sit still when this album is playing. Every track had me smiling and doing a shimmy. Really fun from start to finish.
The Incredible String Band
1/5
You’re in a cult, call your dad.
Can
4/5
Would have never guessed this was an early 70’s album. It sounds like a new release. Very cool vibe and equally interesting.
Massive Attack
2/5
Lots of “excellent” reviews, this isn’t one of them. Best part was when it ended.
Willie Nelson
3/5
Willie is fantastic but this album is a little cheesy.
The Crusaders
3/5
sleazy 70’s chalet vibe but in a good way. Easy listening disco.
Norah Jones
2/5
Nora jones has a gorgeous voice but every song on this album sounds the same.
Peter Frampton
5/5
Frampton’s talent cannot be denied. Live albums are tough to rate but this one is tops.
White Denim
5/5
Missed out on this album when it was released. Really great sound. Will definitely be adding to rotation.
Nirvana
3/5
Not a world class fantastic album, I don’t even enjoy it. But I do remember the excitement around it when it finally hit the Midwest.
Anita Baker
2/5
Anita Baker has a gorgeous voice but this album sure doesn’t showcase it.
4/5
The electric set is my favorite but the entire album is raw and beautiful. Even with the obnoxious harmonica this one gets a five. I’m grateful it wasn’t a kazoo.
Christina Aguilera
2/5
So much drama. Christina over sings everything on this album to the point of making it unlistenable.
Serge Gainsbourg
2/5
This one is questionable. Probably shouldn’t be on the list, but here it is. The music is mostly ok, the theme is creepy af.
George Michael
4/5
I don’t remember this one being so heavy in 1990 or any year after. Today it hits different. Praying for Time applies more today than ever given the political and social climate in the U.S. Beautifully mature and incredibly brave album.
Judas Priest
3/5
As a kid I thought they said “back in the car” instead of “breaking the law”. I wasn’t allowed to listen to “the devils music” but that song was on the radio a lot.
4/5
Sultry is an understatement. Really cool sound, mostly perfection.
T. Rex
4/5
First deep dive into T.Rex and it was nice. Easy listening but you can almost hear Bolans glam.
Slipknot
3/5
Super lame headgear. Otherwise they are really tight musicians, the yelling seems melodic. As much as I disliked everything about this band, I think they are good at what they do.
Britney Spears
4/5
I’m so sorry, Brittney. Gifted beautiful singer but “they” stole her real voice turning her into someone else. This was the beginning of the destruction at no fault of her own.
Hanoi Rocks
4/5
This album is the best of Glam. Hanoi Rocks was a bridge between Crue and Poison. Really tragic because they should still be rockin today.
Moby
4/5
Oh Moby, so many people hate to love you. You’re such a dirty little secret, and this album is really good.
Joni Mitchell
4/5
Beautiful voice, rambling album. I loved it anyway.
Traffic
3/5
Really solid band but there is no reason this album should be so long. It gets cheesy and takes away from the first half.
George Jones
4/5
George Jones was the voice of country music. This album is fantastic beginning to end, can’t say the same for ol’ George.
Killing Joke
3/5
Kind of enjoyable kind of not. I’m stuck middle of the road on killing joke.
B.B. King
5/5
The most vibrant live album I’ve ever listened to. BB King genuinely makes the audience feel every note he sings and hang on every note he plays.
Lenny Kravitz
4/5
I’ve had a love affair with this album and Lenny since its release. It’s still relevant and always creates a positive chill vibe. His friendship with Prince was really sweet and their work together showcases his immense talent.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
5/5
Exodus is one of those rare higher realm albums. It has a magical way of lifting spirits.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
2/5
I really don’t get the appeal of a chic yelling random words. I tried to be supportive but this one is obnoxious.
Spacemen 3
3/5
Floaty groovy album that drones on a little too long. Mostly enjoyable.
Joanna Newsom
1/5
How did this lady get a record deal?
The Byrds
3/5
Sounds like an early Monkees album. Well produced, quality musicianship, but too clean for my preference.
Ian Dury
2/5
B movie soundtrack performed by a creeper.
Billy Joel
4/5
Standard Billy Joel excellence.
Aimee Mann
3/5
Vanilla. Talented but as middle of the road as it gets.
Blondie
3/5
Didn’t age great. Sounds dated and cheesy.
The Undertones
2/5
Mediocre pop punk fairly executed. Not a fan.
Syd Barrett
2/5
Starts out nice and trippy but quickly becomes a poor Beatles knock off with monotone vocals.
Tori Amos
5/5
The perfect album released at the perfect time in my life. We became adults together in a way. The emotional response cannot be denied, truly Tori’s best work. She unfairly gets compared to the angry bitch rock of the early 90’s but Little Earthquakes is profound and explores much deeper topics than her peers even considered.
Earth, Wind & Fire
4/5
It’s hard to sit still when these songs play.
The Fall
1/5
Dreadful noise.
Elvis Presley
4/5
Always enjoyed Elvis and this album is no exception. His version of Fever is top notch.
Led Zeppelin
3/5
So much drama in every performance. It works though. Not the best zeppelin album but pretty darn close.
Taylor Swift
5/5
Catharsis in album form. The awkward beauty comes from the pain of confronting reality. Stripped down showcase of Taylor’s writing ability and vocal range.
D'Angelo
2/5
Featuring songs such as Jonz in my Bonz, Brown Sugar is a nasally mess. Proof that popularity doesn’t equal quality.
Femi Kuti
4/5
Bouncy fun Afrobeat jams. The horns get a little too screechy for my preference but this album certainly earned its place on this list.
Eagles
4/5
Iconic album from one of the most successful bands of all time.
The Temptations
3/5
Expected more upbeat structured songs but this album is filled with funky R&B.
Julian Cope
2/5
Really cool sound but the vocals are a drug induced disaster.
The Soft Boys
3/5
40 tracks is way too many and probably impacts the rating. The Soft Boys go hard on the new wave sound. Definitely would listen again but maybe not all at once.
The Sugarcubes
2/5
The Sugarcubes seemed to be just a little bit too late the the party with their sound. It was an ok album but nothing memorable.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
Clean crisp production takes away some of the feeling and grit. Just an OK album.
Talking Heads
4/5
The creativity is off the charts with this band. A couple of tracks sound like the percussion is played on plastic buckets, otherwise it’s fantastic.
Rod Stewart snuck up on me in this one, and it was kinda cool! Liked this album way more than expected, might even add it to the rotation.
Mekons
2/5
Weird, whiny, wacky.
Beatles
5/5
Rubber Soul is perfection. Beginning to end Fab Four.
The Psychedelic Furs
2/5
New wave is cool in doses. This one drones on and kinda sounds like a song that never ends.
David Bowie
2/5
I don’t get this one. It’s not special or wonderful or even weird. Nothing stands out other than its Bowie
Nirvana
4/5
The simplistic childish lyrics from albums past have vanished, replaced by darker themes and more mature subject matter. The urgency is missing giving In Utero an eerie mellow vibe. Not a Nirvana fan, still an excellent album.
Rod Stewart
2/5
Rod Stewart is incredible but this album is a bore.
5/5
What a wild ride. This was my first listen beginning to end and I get the hype.
Haircut 100
4/5
Band dorks make a cool album then blow their cover by making videos. Possibly the best new wave band musically, but lyrically they are totally lame. Wanted to hate this one but couldn’t.
Brian Wilson
5/5
First time listen but it felt so familiar. Perfectly Brian Williams. Could have done without Barnyard but loved the rest.
The Who
3/5
Exhausting. I like The Who but there’s no need for this live album on the list.
Louis Prima
4/5
Swingin hoppin little diddies.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Seems to be a polarizing album based on it being covers. That shouldn’t take away by how well done it is.
Soft Cell
2/5
They committed to it. Thats gotta be worth something. Mostly annoying monotonous crap.
Radiohead
2/5
Noisy and not creative. Radiohead just doesn’t do it for me.
Faith No More
3/5
Saw them in concert once. That was plenty. The Real Thing is a decent album, these guys should have been bigger than “epic” and the suffocating goldfish.
Iron Maiden
4/5
Hard(ish) rock excellence! Very forward sound for 1980 and way more enjoyable than later Iron Maiden. I give it four horns up.
Mylo
2/5
This isn’t the weapon they think it is. Couple of the songs are really cool, the rest are equally annoying.
Jane's Addiction
4/5
Janes Addiction wasn’t grunge, but their sound was dirty in great ways. Dave Navarro shines on Ritual De Lo Habitual. Sounds like 1990 pot smelled.
Count Basie & His Orchestra
5/5
Smooth and bright jazz at its pentacle. Perfect dinner cooking album
The Replacements
4/5
Complex melodic tunes. Kind of has that Green Day vibe. The lyrics are surprisingly deep (or at least the topics are).
The Human League
2/5
Expected to like this one because of “Don’t you want me” and “Keep Feeling Fascination”. Neither are what the rest of Dare sounds like. It’s just a drum machine and some tolerable singing.
Baaba Maal
3/5
I have no business reviewing this album. I liked the sound and overall vibe. No clue what it was about or how to interpret it.
Suede
2/5
Just ok. The vocals are abrasive but the guitars are cool. Sounds like all the other bands in this genre trying to be something they aren’t. Not much authenticity.
The Zombies
5/5
If The Beatles and The Beach Boys had a secret love child, it would be The Zombies.
Kate Bush
4/5
Beautiful. Her voice bounces around in the ether like magic. The album gets weird a few times, but it’s mostly enjoyable.
The Prodigy
3/5
I thought Prodigy was a late 90’s whiny metal band. This album was way better than that, but still not good. Middle of the road.
Bob Dylan
5/5
Bob Dylan at his best. After this listen I’m looking for this album to add to my collection.
Hole
5/5
Not a grunge gal but this album is peak grunge and should receive way more attention. Exceptional.
Nirvana
4/5
Not a Nirvana fan in general. This performance demonstrated the magic they had managed to capture and proved why they were so loved and popular.
Deep Purple
5/5
Every single change is flawless and interesting. Impressed by how serious they were as musicians. Not really my jam but can’t deny how good the album is
John Grant
2/5
Tried to like it but just couldn’t. The vocals would be great for a children’s lullaby album.
Drive-By Truckers
4/5
Grungy southern rock. Very cool album.
Barry Adamson
4/5
This album is its own mood. Enjoyable yet forgettable background music.
Kraftwerk
3/5
Ambient robots? Not sure how to classify Kraftwerk. Artsy maybe? It doesn’t suck but didn’t scratch any itches.
Hawkwind
2/5
You’re in a cult. It’s rare I think something is “dumb” but Space Ritual fits perfectly fits the description.
4/5
Whew! That was a lot in one sitting. Cool album. But it feels like being yelled at after awhile.
The Monks
4/5
People in the 60’s were more talented and somehow found each other. So many cool bands that splashed then dipped out for a normal life. The Monks were really cool, would have liked more from them.
Shivkumar Sharma
4/5
Beautifully meditative.
Ray Price
4/5
This squeaky clean sounding cat had Willie Nelson, Johnny Paycheck, and Roger Miller in his band. He worked with Merle Haggard. This guy was an OG, even had a marijuana bust! He was a cooler guy than this album, but it’s a solid listen.
Christina Aguilera
3/5
Example of sing vs saaaang in every song. It’s a lot and starts to sound like a parody.
Pentangle
2/5
The music is a five, the disgustingly sweet singing is a rage inducing 1.
T. Rex
4/5
Modern fresh sound. Innovative and cool listen.
The Verve
3/5
Melancholy breakup album. Doesn’t really rock, nothing stands out but it’s well produced.
Stan Getz
5/5
Sultry and smooth. Very enjoyable listen!
Frank Zappa
5/5
Why didn’t someone tell me I love Frank Zappa? Fantastic album start to finish. All the stars.
Cocteau Twins
5/5
Transcendental. Ethereal. Cocteau Twins have been a favorite discovery from this project. I hear their influence on other loved artists (Mazzy Star, Prince, the Weeknd, The Sugarcubes)
Gary Numan
5/5
This is the best example of synth being melodic and interesting. Genius album that paved the way for music in the 80’s.
10cc
3/5
ADHD in album form. These cats are all over the place. It’s fun yet maddening at the same time.
Black Sabbath
5/5
Horns up! Theatrical but not campy. Love the blues foundation and insane composition. Black Sabbath is a master class album. Rest well, Ozzy.
Liz Phair
2/5
The concept is better than the product. The monotonous flat vocals make this album a drag.
Eric Clapton
5/5
461 Ocean Blvd is one of those magical works of art. Each song is exquisitely performed. Enjoyable from start to finish.
Obligatory Clapton is a trash human. Doesn’t change the quality of the album though.
Manic Street Preachers
2/5
The vocals are a more melodic version of Vince Neil circa 2022. WTF is that dude singing about? Overall it wasn’t dreadful but it wasn’t enjoyable either.
Frank Sinatra
3/5
Sounds like getting dumped in the dead of winter while it’s already snowy, cold and miserable. Sinatra is always perfection but this one is served with a heaping side of depression.
Travis
3/5
Kinda has a cleaner more folky Fray vibe. Solid tunes, nice vocals. Is this album one of the best ever? No. I liked it anyway.
Dion
2/5
You can hear the touch Phil Spector on this album. It’s decent but probably not worthy of the list.
The Coral
3/5
Beboppin good time! The overall sound is upbeat, fantastic summer album.
Mj Cole
1/5
Poorly produced filler music. The YouTube ads were more enjoyable.
Underworld
3/5
Hell yeah! Let me in the drum circle! Oh. Oh no. Why is this song so long? It’s cool, but gets a little out of control.
Duran Duran
5/5
From the Nagel art to the bass heavy jams, this is a quintessential 80’s time capsule.
SZA
2/5
SZA has been all over the award show circuit for a lot of years and her performances are usually solid. This album is not a good representation of her talent.
Fugazi
2/5
Loud and messy like a toddler with a tray of spaghetti. Both are fun until you are cleaning up the thrashfest aftermath.
The Allman Brothers Band
5/5
Give me more albums like this one! Passion and energy explodes from these guys. Sooooo good.
David Bowie
3/5
Y’all, I struggle with Bowie. He’s got a great voice, the art is insanely interesting, the production is top notch. Why do I not love it? I want to love it, but it’s just ok for me and gets tedious after while. I don’t even know how to rate this very sane insanity.
Ice Cube
4/5
Ice Cube doesn’t get the credit he deserves for his innovation. The Predator is an excellent representation of the climate of the times.
Method Man
3/5
First listen and it’s solid. His cadence is sick! Beats are solid. The west coast for life girl is feeling this east coast album.
Booker T. & The MG's
4/5
Moderation - the entire album in one sitting makes it feel redundant but man oh mighty is it good.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
Lyrically it’s beautiful but her voice gets me cringy from the pitch.
Richard Hawley
2/5
Monotonous but otherwise decent easy listening.
Massive Attack
2/5
Brad, just because you played this CD when you hooked up with Stacy in your mom’s Astro Van doesn't mean it’s the best album of all time. It’s not even that good. You’re just being nostalgic.
Tom Waits
1/5
If the muppets created a horror flick this would be the soundtrack.
Nanci Griffith
2/5
One of the most pleasant voices but the album dragged. The range is so compact it becomes dull by song two.
The Stooges
4/5
Surprised me with this one. Expected to hate it, but it’s awesome!
Neil Young
4/5
Crisp and happy for a Neil Young album. Enjoyable.
The Yardbirds
3/5
One of the iterations of the Yardbirds that doesn’t have the wow factor. Clearly the guitar work is next level, but the song choices and vocals are mediocre.
The Smiths
2/5
Sounds like a made for tv version of a John Hughes movie soundtrack. Immature ramblings set to a cool guitar sound.
De La Soul
4/5
Fun poppy hip hop. The vibe is infectious! One of my besties was a huge fan, RIP JWS.
Big Black
2/5
Atomizer is an obnoxious, noisy, rushed, angry, mess of an album. It sucked my will to live, but I think that may have been the bands goal.
The Pogues
3/5
Little sing songy for my preferences but it’s a passionate and spirited album.
Lou Reed
4/5
Hauntingly beautiful story telling. Wonderful instrumentation. Vibrant yet sad at the same time.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Led Zeppelin II is about as close to a perfect album as they come. The cymbals, the vocals, the screaming guitars…this album is loud yet impeccably clean. It’s not Houses of the Holy, but it’s something I like even better.
Isaac Hayes
4/5
Every song simmers then bursts into some sex fueled guitar. Not what I’m looking for but Chef can groove.
Johnny Cash
5/5
The man in black owns every song on this album, even if they are covers. Dark and wonderful.
Goldfrapp
2/5
Bad EDM showtunes? Dull and annoying, count me out on this one.
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
Most emotion evoking album on the list, especially if you’ve recently lost someone you love. Possibly his best work that is often overlooked. Big words from someone who isn’t much of a Bruce fan.
Faust
2/5
Like a SNL skit gone wrong. Weird and not very enjoyable.
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
2/5
If you told me Yoko Ono was this bands manager I would believe you.
New Order
5/5
I didn’t understand this album in 1989. Today I adore everything about it. New Order is exquisite when it comes to new wave meets techno. Buy this album, have a dance party.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
It’s hard to rate The Rolling Stones. It’s like comparing ice cream, even if you don’t love it, it’s still really good. I’d be cool with never hearing Lady Jane again but the rest of the album is excellent, a couple of songs are even iconic.
Japan
3/5
Newest of new wave. I’d never heard of this band but it’s obvious some of my fave 80’s groups did, so much so that it feels familiar. Duran Duran may have copied their format. Cool listen.
The Dandy Warhols
4/5
Was late to the party on the Dandy Warhols. Really enjoy all of their albums. That compressed 90’s sound usually annoys me but it works amazingly well for The Dandy’s.
Tom Waits
5/5
Dark and avant-garde, almost a sea shanty vibe. It’s easy to picture a dark wet street in a big city with people of the night acting out their lives. Definitely odd, but fascinating at the same time.
Björk
1/5
What is it with this chic? I get she’s an artist but her voice isn’t great, her arrangements are not appealing, the songs aren’t even fully fleshed out. She isn’t some unorthodox genius and this album is hell to sit through.
Todd Rundgren
4/5
Yacht Rock vibes but an enjoyable listen. Todd Rundgren is a pretty cool talented dude. Wolfman Jack is fun track that I hadn’t heard before, definitely earned the album an extra star.
Public Enemy
3/5
Get old real fast. PE had a huge impact at the time and on music ever since, but this album is exhausting.
Meat Puppets
2/5
Magic Toy Missing was pretty cool. Then the album sucked again.
Ministry
2/5
This is some edge lord shit that I’m not cool enough to get. It’s artsy, controversial, weird, nonsensical, and noisy. If that’s your thing, you’ll love this one.
UB40
2/5
These dorky white boys had the balls to say “we should be as big as Oasis”. The Gallagher brothers may be assholes but their music makes up for it. UB40 did not make that level of contribution with their pretend accents.
Moby Grape
4/5
Why is this rated so poorly? It’s a fantastic album start to finish. Come In The Morning is a be-boppin jam! These cats should have been more popular, they were definitely cool.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
3/5
Cool album but it’s a lot in one sitting.
Astrud Gilberto
2/5
Nope. Not a fan. Bossa Nova is cool but her voice grates my nerves worse than Fran Dreschers laugh on the Nanny
Siouxsie And The Banshees
3/5
Usually don’t care for Siouxsie and the Banshees but this album was cool. I love her voice, the songs are just kinda lame. There’s some depth missing but that may be the point.
Butthole Surfers
2/5
Sounds like playing an album backwards. Dark and growly, also screachy. Lots of random noises that seem unpleasant.
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
Not my favorite Fleetwood Mac album but the songs are bouncy and infectious. They are one of those bands that never missed the mark.
Big Star
2/5
Innocuous non descript album. Ok background music but not exciting or worth seeking out.
2Pac
2/5
2Pac was highly influential but extremely immature and unstable. He would fit in well with the 2025 conspiracy crew. The talent was there, but the music just wasn’t on this album.
Everything But The Girl
2/5
Sounds like the couple who tours churches across the Midwest hoping to be the next big discovery. Lovely voices but very dull album.
Prefab Sprout
2/5
Pretentious 80’s soft rock. 12 year old me probably would have thought it was cool and “deep”. 50 year old me thinks it blows.
The La's
4/5
Very familiar with There She Goes but didn’t know the band name. The rest of the album is a lot cooler than that song, wish they would have led with a different single.
Iron Butterfly
2/5
Rock opera vibes. Iron Butterfly is just ok.
Justin Timberlake
3/5
Extremely talented squeaky clean guy pretending he has grit and failing. I like his music a lot more since he stopped trying to be the dude version of Christina Aguilera.
Jefferson Airplane
4/5
Really influential album. Their sound wasn’t like anyone else. Grace and her powerhouse vocals take it to another level.
Van Morrison
5/5
Van Morrison sounds like a wise old man telling stories that captivate. First time listening and I’m already in love.
The Black Keys
3/5
Polarizing. The band who writes songs you love and hate at the same time. Complexly simple.
Beck
4/5
Beck is probably smarter than most of us. Creative album that changes it up with each song.
Sparks
3/5
Wacky wonderful album. While mostly enjoyable, I don’t want to listen to it again. One and done.
Sleater-Kinney
2/5
Suck City.
FKA twigs
5/5
Beautiful Trax. Had never heard of twigs, this was a good find.
Queen
5/5
Queen brought the weird to the party and it was perfect every time. The compositions never failed to be interesting and complex. Freddie was a true showman. A Night at the Opera isn’t hit after hit, but it’s excellent start to finish.
Elvis Presley
2/5
Not the best Elvis era, but an ok album. Maybe it was growth as a performer or just trauma from life, but the spark seemed to be missing from his voice in this one.
Fatboy Slim
2/5
Concentration music. It’s repetitive and kills you into the zone but you’re not paying attention to the album. At all. Is this good? Maybe if you need to get work done, maybe not if you’re hoping for a dance party.
Hüsker Dü
2/5
Least “special” album on the challenge so far and I’m over 600 deep. Forgettable sound, no change from song to song.
Gene Clark
1/5
Not a fan of the vocal style. The Byrds are over represented on the list and this album isn’t necessary either.
Jean-Michel Jarre
2/5
Early electronic ambient. I’m a fan of this genre but didn’t love the high pitch bubbling. The rest is nice, but not something I could tolerate in regular rotation.
The Isley Brothers
4/5
A little funk a little disco. Good listen. Was really glad to learn I was confusing the Isley Bros with the Everly Bros.
Robbie Williams
3/5
Never listened to a Robbie Williams album before and was pleasantly surprised. The album is great but the last “through your window” song was dreadful as well as long. Went from a 4 to a 3 with that mess.
Garbage
5/5
I left this album in the 90’s but it was time for a revisit. Chics in grunge weren’t great but Garbage was the exception. The perfect mix of sultry aggression. One of the genres best albums.
Scritti Politti
2/5
Unoriginal lousy new wave. The 80’s were a blast and filled with guilty pleasure pop, this album fails to compare.
David Bowie
3/5
The first track was incredible but the rest of the album was a chore for me. I don’t get Bowie. I either love the song or can’t stand it. He must be an acquired taste.
2/5
Bland music disguised as a cool album. Disappointed with this one.
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
4/5
Jack is a master of his craft. The yapping before songs is annoying to me, but I’ll gladly sit through it for his brand of Americana.
Roni Size
1/5
Dafuq is this mess and why is it on the list? When the album couldn’t get more annoying, they hit us with Morse Code in a pitch that would only be heard by dogs if it was any more ear piercing.
Tom Waits
2/5
More annoying than melodic. Sometimes I like Tom Waits, most of the time it just sounds like groaning with accompaniment
Def Leppard
4/5
Gen X anthems on Pyromania. They stepped main stream from High and Dry but not as pop as they end up with Hysteria. It was a fantastic introduction to a heavier sound in contrast to the soft rock that was battling to take over in 83. Just as solid today.
KISS
3/5
I saw the first Kiss Farewell tour in 2000, not sure how many there have been since then. Those dudes have some seriously dedicated fans spanning at least 4 generations. This album is cheesy rock but it’s hard not to enjoy it. RIP Ace. Happened to get this album on his last day on earth.
Ute Lemper
1/5
Dreadful whiny mundane album.
George Harrison
4/5
Beautiful fun album. Maybe it’s a little long, but it’s worth it. George was clearly the coolest Beatle.
Arcade Fire
2/5
Noisy and demanding. The art value is low while begging for relevancy is high.
Stereolab
2/5
Refusing to believe anyone thinks this album earned a 5. It’s obnoxious.
Weather Report
2/5
Thick heavy jazz interrupted by brain stabbing flutes. Standard hold music performed at the highest level. Quality is a 4, enjoyability is a 1.
Billy Bragg
2/5
Started out promising, quickly devolved. As grandma used to say, he can’t carry a tune in a bucket.
Digital Underground
1/5
Humpty, please take this shizz and go back to sleaze city. How did this garbage end up on the radio?
Holger Czukay
2/5
If The Muppets were German, this would be the album they made.
The The
1/5
Is this performance art? Beavis and Butthead would have ripped it to shreds.
The Mars Volta
2/5
The soundtrack for when you are feeding bologna to a frenzied school of piranhas.
The Byrds
3/5
Just ok. The music is better than the whiny vocals. There were so many fantastic bands at this time that it’s hard to believe this album is better than others I’ve not heard.
Fishbone
4/5
They definitely bring the funk. Cool album with infectious bass lines.
Green Day
4/5
Green Day launched it with this album. It’s clean, precise, enjoyable start to finish. It’s a four because American Idiot took it to the next level and deserves a 5.
Tim Buckley
4/5
Gorgeous voice, his vocal range is impressive. Sucks he took the drug route and died so young.
Beastie Boys
5/5
This album is a vibe start to finish. RIP MCA.
The Sonics
3/5
So good but so much unnecessary screaming. Will listen to some songs again, never the entire album.
The Velvet Underground
5/5
The perfect balance of light and dark. Just a beautifully curated album in the strangest of times.
Sepultura
2/5
Probably would have given this album a 4 rating if the doofus didn’t roar and tried singing.
Adam & The Ants
2/5
Welp, more proof the 80’s were weird. Fun, but weird. Goody two shoes was a fun song, this album is not that.
Minutemen
2/5
Didn’t know the dudes that hung out behind 7-eleven at midnight every weekend drinking 40’s decided to start a band.
The Who
3/5
Middle of the road. I don’t dislike The Who, but they aren’t as great as this list seems to believe them to be.
The Sabres Of Paradise
1/5
WTF. How many of these noisy pieces of “art” are on the list? This one doesn’t provide value in any way I can identify.
ZZ Top
4/5
ZZ Top might be the coolest dudes ever.
Nick Drake
3/5
The first half of this album is excellent, the second half gets a little tedious and slightly weird. I’m still on the fence with Nick Drake, but this album is decent.
XTC
2/5
Didn’t get this one. It’s ok, but I don’t want to listen again.
Malcolm McLaren
1/5
Gross untalented appropriation. There are fleeting moments of fun but overall this album needs a shower.
Aphex Twin
2/5
Ambient has come a long way. Kinda sounds like it was made on a calculator watch or a Speak and Spell.
Queen Latifah
2/5
Queen Latifah is crazy talented and has an incredible career to back it up. All Hail The Queen isn’t very good but she got her foot in the door and proved it doesn’t have to be a man’s world.
Depeche Mode
5/5
Depeche Mode didn’t fit in, but neither did the kids who loved them.
Brian Eno
5/5
Beautiful and interesting. The bass lines are out of this world, the entire album is really. Very floaty and pleasing listen.
Keith Jarrett
2/5
Sounds like shopping at Von Maur on a busy Saturday. It’s nice while you’re in the shoe section but after a while your nerves have had enough.
Chicago
3/5
Too clean and the songs get a little long. Otherwise it’s a solid album, just not my taste. There’s some nostalgia because my mom played it a lot when I was a kid, didn’t love it then either.
Dexys Midnight Runners
2/5
Neither fun nor interesting. Not even good background music. This list is pushing its luck.
Jane Weaver
2/5
Do you need to be on drugs to enjoy this album?
Tom Waits
3/5
Sounds like a Simpson’s episode where they never leave Moe’s. The music is fantastic, the speak singing gets old fast.
Burning Spear
4/5
Reggae at its finest. Such a nice surprise after a week in the depths of hell with 1/2 star albums.
Wild Beasts
1/5
Come on. Nobody thinks this album is fantastic or groundbreaking. Their mom didn’t even like it.
k.d. lang
3/5
Little Broadway lot of old country. It’s a nice clean album but bland.
Venom
3/5
The logo is a little too friendly for the vibe. Cool thrashy sound, ridiculous lyrics. Definitely an influence for a lot of metal bands that followed. Feels weird giving the Satan praising, dragon slaying dudes such a high rating, but horns up I guess.
Joy Division
2/5
One weird song after another. Just when you think it’s getting cool, it isn’t.
Brian Eno
5/5
This is an album that saves lives. One of the most perfect ambient albums I’ve ever listened to, possibly my favorite find from this entire project.
Calexico
4/5
Indie rock usually isn’t my thing but Calexico is an exception. There’s something “Kenny Loggins” about the vocals. The entire album is a great listen.
The Cure
3/5
The Cure always has moments in songs that seem like they are just learning their instruments. Intrepid yet timid. Always been a fan. Not my favorite album, but the melancholy is sweet.
My Bloody Valentine
2/5
In smaller doses this would be a fun listen. It gets old quick in album form.
Barry Adamson
1/5
What in the B movie bullshit is this album about?
Napalm Death
3/5
Seems like a solid album choice for driving fast, power lifting, or stealing copper from abandoned buildings.
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
3/5
Could be a soundtrack to a John Hughes movie. Great vibe but forgettable.