Journey in Progress
Discovering music one album at a time
495
Albums Rated
3.06
Avg Rating
28
5-Star Albums
45%
Complete
594 albums remaining
Rating Speed
5
Per Week
692
Days Active
Reviews
397
Written
80%
Review Rate
vs Global
-0.24
Avg Diff
3.06
Avg Rating
Rating Distribution
How you rate albums
Rating Timeline
Average rating over time
Ratings by Decade
Which era do you prefer?
Activity by Day
When do you listen?
Taste Profile
2010s
Favorite Decade
Pop
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Balanced
Rater Style
19
1-Star Albums
Taste Analysis
Genre Preferences
Ratings by genre
Origin Preferences
Ratings by country
Rating Style
You Love More Than Most
Albums you rated higher than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 5 | 3.27 | +1.73 |
| Yankee Hotel Foxtrot | 5 | 3.3 | +1.7 |
| If I Should Fall From Grace With God | 5 | 3.34 | +1.66 |
| 25 | 5 | 3.36 | +1.64 |
| Fleet Foxes | 5 | 3.43 | +1.57 |
| The Velvet Underground | 5 | 3.54 | +1.46 |
| Funeral | 5 | 3.57 | +1.43 |
| Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots | 5 | 3.58 | +1.42 |
| Duck Rock | 4 | 2.66 | +1.34 |
| Transformer | 5 | 3.67 | +1.33 |
You Love Less Than Most
Albums you rated lower than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Man Machine | 1 | 3.32 | -2.32 |
| Emergency On Planet Earth | 1 | 3.27 | -2.27 |
| Close To The Edge | 1 | 3.19 | -2.19 |
| No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith (Live) | 1 | 3.06 | -2.06 |
| Rage Against The Machine | 2 | 4 | -2 |
| Swordfishtrombones | 1 | 2.95 | -1.95 |
| Innervisions | 2 | 3.87 | -1.87 |
| I’m a Lonesome Fugitive | 1 | 2.85 | -1.85 |
| Metallica | 2 | 3.79 | -1.79 |
| Tago Mago | 1 | 2.79 | -1.79 |
Artist Analysis
Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums and high weighted score
| Artist | Albums | Avg | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beatles | 6 | 5 | 4.33 |
| The White Stripes | 3 | 4.67 | 3.83 |
| Adele | 2 | 5 | 3.8 |
| Green Day | 2 | 5 | 3.8 |
| Nirvana | 3 | 4.33 | 3.67 |
Least Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums and low weighted score
| Artist | Albums | Avg | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Can | 2 | 1.5 | 2.4 |
| Tom Waits | 3 | 2 | 2.5 |
5-Star Albums (28)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Metallica
2/5
I liked the parts of this album that didn’t include vocals by Metallica. Probably doesn’t bode well for a review of a Metallica album…
Also I will be honest and say I did not listen to all 2+ hours of this
1 likes
Bob Dylan
4/5
I only knew the words to the first song, but the album made me feel very nostalgic for all the Dylan that was played while I was growing up.
1 likes
Megadeth
2/5
I expected this to be unlistenable and it wasn’t. I also appreciated the guitar work. I’ll never listen to this again, but it wasn’t as awful as I thought it would be!
1 likes
Beastie Boys
3/5
As Jackson would say, good but not my favorite. 2.5 rounded up to 3.
1 likes
1-Star Albums (19)
All Ratings
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
Portishead
4/5
Very lovely. If I still worked in an office and played music on a speaker, this would be added to the rotation. It was enjoyable but not so distracting that I couldn’t work while listening. I recognized Sour Times (probably because Joe has played it at home).
Kraftwerk
1/5
I can appreciate how innovative this must have been in 1978. But I hate it. It sounds like a less shitty version of songs I used to play on my electronic Casio keyboard. I never need to listen to this again.
4/5
After getting over my embarrassment at realizing I was familiar with Muse because Supermassive Black Hole is on the Twilight soundtrack, I really enjoyed this album. A couple other tracks were familiar to me and I listened to some songs twice today.
Frank Ocean
4/5
Shout out to Frankie Ocean. Big fan. My favorite of the albums we’ve listened to so far (I know, not a ton…).
Janelle Monáe
4/5
I wasn’t familiar with Janelle until Make Me Feel, which I love. This was very enjoyable too. I adore her voice! Especially love Come Alive.
The Strokes
4/5
I wonder how many of the mix CDs I’ve ever made include “Last Nite” (hint: it’s a lot). I liked them 20+ years ago and think the album still holds up today.
The Doors
4/5
This is an album I didn’t think I knew but must have been played at home a lot when I was younger, because it was definitely very familiar. Alabama Song wasn’t as familiar and I particularly liked it. I give the first half of the album (through Light My Fire) a 5 and the second half a 3 because it was so boring to me.
SAULT
3/5
As Jackson would say, this was good but not my favorite. I’ll admit I was more distracted while listening today. The tracks were hit and miss for me. I don’t love songs that sound more like spoken word poetry. Loved the last track!
Iggy Pop
2/5
This was not my favorite. I don’t like his voice, I couldn’t make out many of the lyrics, and the music didn’t grab me. I didn’t actively hate it but I never need to listen to this again.
Arcade Fire
3/5
Favorite tracks were Rococo and Wasted Hours. I wasn’t familiar with the most popular songs on the albums (first two tracks). Solid 3.5, enjoyable but not my new favorite.
Soundgarden
3/5
I’ve love Black Hole Sun for a while. Still love it (played it again after listening to the full album) but the rest of the album didn’t grab me. I didn’t dislike it but it didn’t wow me.
Drive Like Jehu
1/5
It’s a no for me, dawg. I gave each song the old college try, but to be honest I don’t think I listened to any song in its entirety. And then I put on my Summer of Taylor Faves playlist.
Alice Cooper
3/5
I had no idea what to expect from this album and prejudged it based on Alice Cooper’s looks. I thought it would be super screamy but it was full of catchy melodies and I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. Probably not going in the regular rotation, but a big improvement over yesterday!
Goldfrapp
3/5
I liked having this on in the background while I worked. Pleasant enough, but nothing I need to listen to again. Felt like it should be on the James Bond movie soundtrack.
Solomon Burke
3/5
Another solid 3. Is Cry to Me in a movie? It was familiar to me.
Jurassic 5
4/5
Marty Robbins
3/5
I had no idea what to expect with this and liked it more than I thought I would. Some very catchy tunes!
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
Another solid 3. Blue Chair was my favorite track. None of the songs were familiar to me.
Hüsker Dü
2/5
Not my favorite. Spotify compared them to REM, which I can see, but it seems like they took a screamier approach while REM took a mellower approach. I can also see why one became mega popular and the other became a cult favorite only.
John Lennon
4/5
I liked the second half of this album more than the first half. Probably a 3.5 but rounding up to a 4.
The xx
4/5
I’ve liked Islands for a while now but didn’t know the rest of this album. Enjoyed the chill vibe, would listen to this again while working.
Prefab Sprout
2/5
Not my favorite and none of the songs grabbed me. Sounded way too 80s and not in a fun way. I didn’t hate this but I never need to listen to it again.
David Bowie
2/5
Not a fan. I found it boring, none of the songs grabbed me. Give me other Bowie!
Derek & The Dominos
3/5
I thought most of the songs could have been about half as long, but I liked this enough.
The Offspring
4/5
This was really fun. I had forgotten about some of these songs and really enjoyed revisiting them. Love the string of curse words in Bad Habit! Might have to add that track to my running playlist.
Eminem
2/5
Really didn’t like the skits. Some songs were catchy but won’t be adding this to the regular rotation. 2.5 rounded down.
Christina Aguilera
4/5
You know I loved this. Incredible voice, some jams I forgot about. Big fan!
Julian Cope
1/5
The first track asks “how much can you take?” My answer: not 154 minutes. I listened to disc 1 all the way through but only the beginning of each track on disc 2 because I’d had enough.
Drive-By Truckers
3/5
When I saw the words “southern rock opera” I was very skeptical. But found myself bopping along and never wanted to turn this off! Worthy of 3 stars in my book.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
4/5
I completely forgot about Zero, which I LOVE! I started playing the album while I was cooking breakfast - the track instantly put me in a great mood and I was dancing all over the kitchen to it.
I was familiar with Heads Will Roll and think it holds up. I didn’t know the rest of the album but thoroughly enjoyed it. Will definitely be adding Zero to my running playlist and will come back to this album.
Harry Nilsson
4/5
One of those fun albums where I didn’t realize I knew a number of the songs. Very enjoyable! Especially love Gotta Get Up.
Incubus
3/5
Did I have a poster of Brandon Boyd in my college dorm room? Yes. Was it because I loved Incubus’s music? Not so much. This was fine. I liked the slower/softer songs and was turned off by the screamier songs. 2.5 rounded up to 3.
Sade
3/5
This album felt like elevator music, which made me wonder if elevator music in the 2060s will be Beyoncé, Cardi B, SZA, etc. I never wanted to turn this off, but probably won’t listen again.
Peter Frampton
2/5
Way too long. I knew a few songs and those were ok but this was not my jam overall.
Kendrick Lamar
4/5
I know it wasn’t THAT long ago but I distinctly remember the first time I listened to this album. At the time, Alix Sanchez and I were in a routine of going to the downtown YMCA to work out together early in the mornings. I must have learned during our workout that this album had dropped because I listened to it while walking home and I’m sure I was bopping along just like I was bopping along listening this morning.
I love Kendrick! Favorites on this album are King Kunta, Alright, Momma, and i.
The Pogues
5/5
OK I absolutely loved this. I listened first thing in the morning and then was thinking about it all day and listened again while I made dinner.
I think I love Irish music? I had no idea they were the band who sang Fairytale of New York (and had only heard the Philadelphia Eagles’ Fairytale of Philadelphia version). I’d like to learn the lyrics to be able to sing along!
Summer of The Pogues 2024, anyone??
Faust
2/5
To quote Joe’s review of my new favorite band The Pogues, “meh”
Method Man
3/5
This was fine. Never wanted to turn it off but nothing particularly grabbed me. 2.5 rounded up to 3.
The Jesus And Mary Chain
4/5
It’s no Pogues but I’m surprised how much I liked this album. Favorite tracks include Taste of Cindy and You Trip Me Up. I wouldn’t have guessed this album was made in the 80s.
Steely Dan
4/5
This must not have been one of the Steely Dan albums in as regular of rotation growing up because other than the first track, it wasn’t super familiar. Very enjoyable though!
The Rolling Stones
4/5
You know I love any track about jigsaw puzzles. I also love Sympathy for the Devil but that seems like less of a hot take.
Les Rythmes Digitales
3/5
I read the summary of the artist on Spotify and got nervous when it said the lead singer was inspired by Kraftwerk. Ended up liking it more than expected, found myself dancing/bopping along while listening. Still not my favorite but 2.5 rounded up to 3.
Beatles
5/5
I can’t imagine giving a Beatles album anything but a 5.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Going in I thought this would be a sure 5 because Wild Horses is one of my all time favorite songs. Unfortunately I didn’t love the rest of the album as much, so knocked it down to a 4.
Louis Prima
3/5
Didn’t know he did the original Jump Jive & Wail, which I love. The rest of the album was enjoyable enough, but can’t see myself ever returning to this. 2.5 rounded up to 3.
Sister Sledge
3/5
We Are Family still slaps but the rest of the album was meh for me.
The Mamas & The Papas
4/5
Went back and forth on whether to rate this a 3 or 4, but landing on 4. I can hear mom singing along to California Dreamin’ - major nostalgia factor here!
Doves
4/5
This really grew on me as I listened. I didn’t love the first few tracks but thoroughly enjoyed the end of the album.
William Orbit
1/5
This was not for me. I listened to at least part of each song but ended up skipping through quite a bit.
King Crimson
3/5
As suspected, I did recognize the first track and it just made me want to listen to Kanye’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy album, which I did almost twice through on Friday. Loved that first track of this album and liked the rest enough.
Elliott Smith
4/5
This was lovely. Favorite tracks were Son of Sam, In the Lost and Found, and Happiness/The Gondola Man.
Dire Straits
3/5
This was fine enough. Didn’t love it or hate it. 2.5 rounded up to 3.
Barry Adamson
3/5
Wow. Nobody can accuse this album of having all tracks that sound the same! I LOVED track 1, thought tracks 2 and 3 were meh, then had to skip track 4 because it was so creepy. Really struggling with how to rate this because I have very strong feeling in both directions about various tracks. Guess that makes this a 3?
The Dandy Warhols
3/5
I wanted to love this more than I did.
Beastie Boys
3/5
Did not realize how many of these songs I knew. Also did not realize how problematic the “Girls” lyrics were…
Iron Maiden
3/5
I thought I would absolutely hate this and I didn’t. Still not my favorite, but much more listenable than I was anticipating. I particularly liked Charlotte the Harlot.
Can
2/5
Not my jam. Reminded me of elevator music.
The Black Crowes
3/5
I love She Talks to Angels. The rest of the album was decent. Solid 3 stars.
The White Stripes
5/5
I was only familiar with Seven Nation Army and Hardest Button to Button (and the original of I Just Don’t Know What to Do with Myself - fun to hear this cover!). Really enjoyed the rest of the album, thought there was great variety and the last track was very fun. It made me want to insert some family names - “I love Nate White like a little brother.” 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 (just slightly below my beloved Pogues and the Beatles!).
The Smiths
4/5
The only familiar track was There Is a Light That Never Goes Out (which I’m pretty sure I only know from the 500 Days of Summer soundtrack…). I really like that song and very much enjoyed the rest of the album too. Probably 3.5-3.75 rounded up to 4.
T. Rex
3/5
This was fine.
Fleetwood Mac
3/5
Don’t think I was familiar with any of these songs. In the words of Jackson, this was good but not my favorite. 3.5 rounded down to 3.
Jamiroquai
1/5
I really disliked this. The songs weren’t doing it for me and were way too long. They all sounded the same to me too.
Radiohead
3/5
If we call off the wedding, it’s because I am only giving this 3 stars and Joe can’t marry someone who has neutral feelings about his third favorite Radiohead album.
This definitely sounds like Radiohead! But the songs all sounded pretty similar to me and none of them particularly grabbed me.
Taylor Swift
5/5
This is the perfect pop album. The only thing that would make this better is if the 1001 albums had the Taylor’s Version of 1989 instead of the original (some bangers in the vault tracks and the Kendrick Lamar version of Bad Blood makes me feel like I could conquer the world). My “solid 5s” for this project so far are The Pogues, The Beatles, and this. I contain multitudes!
Pretenders
4/5
I listened to this twice and Mystery Achievement really grabbed me both times. I was familiar with Brass in Pocket but had no idea that was the song title or that it was by the Pretenders. 3.5 rounded up to 4.
Culture Club
3/5
I was grooving to this but most of the songs sounded basically the same to me. 3.5 rounded down to 3.
Lupe Fiasco
3/5
I was listening to this on the plane this morning and there was terrible turbulence and my first thought was “I can’t die while listening to Lupe Fiasco,” so that probably tops it out at about a 3.
Pavement
4/5
I wasn’t familiar with this but enjoyed it quite a bit. Favorite tracks included Cut Your Hair, Gold Soundz, and Range Life.
David Bowie
2/5
Didn’t love this.
The Clash
3/5
I liked this but it didn’t blow me away. None of the songs were familiar.
Belle & Sebastian
4/5
Loved this. Especially Expectations, She’s Losing It, and My Wandering Days Are Over.
Manic Street Preachers
2/5
Too screamy for me.
The Kinks
3/5
This sounded familiar but not sure why (maybe all Kinks music sounds familiar)?
Black Sabbath
3/5
I expected to hate this and I didn’t! It was far less screamy than I thought it would be. I love “Changes” but admittedly didn’t realize the original was by Black Sabbath. Probably won’t be adding the album to the regular rotation, but liked it well enough.
Nirvana
5/5
Loved this. I was just a little too young to appreciate Nirvana in their heyday so trying to make up for it now.
Tom Tom Club
3/5
I knew a couple of the songs and like those enough. The rest of the album was unremarkable. 2.5 rounded up to 3.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
Great lyrics, but I just don’t love reggae.
Talking Heads
4/5
One time I attended a birthday party for a family friend and an obnoxious 9 year old girl was there. She asked if we wanted to hear a song she wrote, then proceeded to sing “Low” by Flo Rida. In response, Andrea Elyachar’s wife Susan asked if the little girl wanted to hear a song she wrote, then started singing Psycho Killer, with which Andrea, mom, and I enthusiastically joined in. This is my core memory related to this album. I didn’t know any other songs, but enjoyed the album and really love Psycho Killer. 4 stars.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Favorite tracks that I didn’t already know: Cover Me and Darlington County. I really enjoyed this and listened twice through!
Radiohead
4/5
Joe has promised not to call off the wedding even though I’m only giving this a 4. #phew
I didn’t realize how much I enjoy Karma Police until this listen through. Overall liked this better than In Rainbows but I still think too many of their songs sound the same, which is holding me back from a 5 star rating.
Leonard Cohen
3/5
I liked this but didn’t love it.
A Tribe Called Quest
4/5
Loved this. It was so catchy and I found myself dancing along. Best lyrics: “All I do is write rhymes, eat, drink, shit and bone.”
Dinosaur Jr.
3/5
Really enjoyed the first and last tracks. Liked most of the others. Hated track 9 so much I almost turned it off.
Joni Mitchell
4/5
Loved this. I feel bad I didn’t know California was on this album (or even by Joni…). Knew River and loved it; still love it. Also liked Carey.
Metallica
2/5
Not for me
Haircut 100
2/5
All the songs sounded the same to me and I wasn’t into the general vibe. Another no for me.
AC/DC
3/5
I liked the songs I already knew (Hells Bells, Back in Black, You Shook Me All Night Long) and wasn’t wowed by anything else.
Lou Reed
5/5
Loved this. I only knew Perfect Day and Walk on the Wild Side but added 5 more tracks to my 1001 albums faves playlist. I adore Lou Reed’s voice and thought many of the songs were super catchy.
Moby
2/5
Didn’t hate this but never need to listen to it again
Fela Kuti
3/5
I liked this enough while listening but don’t think I’ll ever revisit it
Butthole Surfers
1/5
The best part about this album is that it’s only 32 minutes long.
Metallica
2/5
I liked the parts of this album that didn’t include vocals by Metallica. Probably doesn’t bode well for a review of a Metallica album…
Also I will be honest and say I did not listen to all 2+ hours of this
Prince
3/5
Loved Starfish and Coffee, the rest of the album was meh. 2.5 rounding up to 3, perhaps influenced by how much I’ve disliked the other albums this week.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
3/5
I knew and loved Under the Bridge. Also added Apache Rose Peacock to my faves playlist. Otherwise this was just meh for me.
Johnny Cash
4/5
I liked this way more than I thought I would, especially The Man Comes Around and Sam Hall.
Van Morrison
3/5
Liked the second half of the album a lot more than the first. Beside You was SO whiny! Favorite tracks are Madame George and Ballerina.
Germs
3/5
I liked this more than I expected to. I can’t see myself returning to this album but had I been a teenager when this was popular, I bet I would have been really into it. Felt a little like Blink 182 to me. 2.5 rounding up to 3.
My Bloody Valentine
2/5
This was very boring and not at all memorable. Rounding up to 2 because it didn’t grate on me.
Bob Dylan
4/5
This was definitely familiar (thanks, Dad!). Favorite tracks are Tangled in Blue; Lily, Rosemary, and the Jack of Hearts; and Shelter from the Storm. 3.5 rounded up to 4.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
Didn’t like this as much as It’s Blitz. Maps is great, none of the rest of the songs were familiar or grabbed me.
Björk
3/5
I thought I would hate this and I didn’t. The throat singing wasn’t for me, but the rest was fine to good. Favorite track was Who Is It.
Beastie Boys
3/5
Didn’t like this as much as Licensed to Ill and wasn’t familiar with any of the songs. Definitely sounds like the Beastie Boys! I think I would have been really into them if they had been popular when I was a teenager. 2.5 rounding up to 3.
The Undertones
4/5
I liked this a lot. Songs were catchy and I ended up listening through the album twice. Favorite tracks were There Goes Norman and I Told You So (also enjoyed their cover of Under the Boardwalk).
Songhoy Blues
3/5
I liked this enough while listening but probably won’t return to it.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
I like Bad Moon Rising. Other faves were Cross-Tie Walker and Night Time is the Right Time.
Raekwon
2/5
Not my fave
Buena Vista Social Club
3/5
I liked this more than I expected to. I thought it was really pretty and the faster songs made me want to dance.
Elis Regina
3/5
Another “this was fine but not my favorite”
Sam Cooke
4/5
Really enjoyed this! Listened while Darlo and I were taking a walk on Friday morning and found myself bopping along consistently.
R.E.M.
5/5
I predict this will be our group’s first album where we all rate it 5 stars!
I didn’t need to listen to know this would be a 5-star album for me, but I did anyway. Twice. I was right.
Nightswimming is my favorite track (and one of my all time favorite songs) but this album is full of great songs. I saved way too many to my “1001 albums faves” playlist.
I needed this after a string of mostly “meh/fine” albums!
Mekons
3/5
We’re back to “meh, this was fine”
Radiohead
4/5
I like this more than In Rainbows but not as much as OK Computer. I really love Fake Plastic Trees and like Planet Telex and High and Dry quite a bit. 3.5 rounded up to 4.
Incredible Bongo Band
2/5
Not that incredible to me. I liked a couple of the cover songs enough but this album could have been about 1/3 of the length.
The Stone Roses
3/5
Favorite track was (Song for My) Sugar Spun Sister. 3.5 rounded down to 3.
Dire Straits
2/5
I knew at least the intro to Money for Nothing (did not realize it contained the bad F word) and Walk of Life, which I swear was in a movie or TV show. I like Walk of Life and really liked the title track, but otherwise thought many of the songs dragged on wayyy too long.
The Black Keys
3/5
LOVED the first track and then the rest of the album kind of fell flat.
Neil Young
2/5
It’s a no for me, dawg.
Pixies
3/5
I’ve loved “here comes your man” for a long time and still love it. The rest of the album was not as much of a love. Some tracks were too screamy for me and the others didn’t grab me. I’m sorry, Joe!
Miles Davis
4/5
I don’t love jazz but this was great. Pretty sure I listened to this during my “Jazz for Non-Music Majors” class I took in college to fulfill my artistic experience requirement.
Marvin Gaye
3/5
It was a little weird listening to the title track to this album while walking through Aunt Mary’s neighborhood. Didn’t know any other songs; album was fine.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
This was good background music as I tried to sleep on the plane, but probably won’t become part of my regular rotation.
Bee Gees
3/5
Solid 3
Cheap Trick
4/5
Already knew (and liked) Surrender and I Want You to Want Me. Also added Come On, Come On and Clock Strikes Ten to my favorites list. Enjoyed this album a lot!
Nirvana
4/5
Didn’t love this quite as much as the Nirvana MTV Unplugged album, but still quite enjoyable.
CHIC
2/5
Not a fan of this…
Don McLean
4/5
I love the title track so much that this album is getting a higher rating, but know it’s only from this one song. The rest of the album fell flat for me.
Aretha Franklin
4/5
Fabulous voice, love Respect. None of the rest of the tracks stood out to me but I enjoyed the album. 3.5 rounded up to 4.
Al Green
3/5
Bob Dylan
4/5
I only knew the words to the first song, but the album made me feel very nostalgic for all the Dylan that was played while I was growing up.
Arcade Fire
5/5
I LOVED this! My least favorite tracks were the ones with the female vocalist up front, but they weren’t bad songs. The first track grabbed me instantly!
Malcolm McLaren
4/5
I liked this way more than I expected to after reading the Wikipedia summary. Double Dutch, Punk It Up, and Jive My Baby were my favorite tracks. 3.5 rounded up to 4
Wilco
4/5
It’s been a good week of albums!
George Harrison
4/5
This was longer than I wanted it to be, but I really enjoyed a handful of songs and the rest of the album was pleasant. 3.5 rounded up to 4
Beck
4/5
This was such a good week of albums! Really enjoyed this and added four tracks to my faves playlist.
Muddy Waters
3/5
I recognize he’s very talented but this just isn’t my favorite genre of music
Meat Puppets
3/5
My favorite tracks were the ones Nirvana covered on their MTV Unplugged album. The rest of the album was fine
Janis Joplin
3/5
This was fine
Michael Jackson
3/5
I was pretty excited when I saw this was today’s album and then I listened and was disappointed. Added a couple of the big hits to my faves list and the rest of the tracks really didn’t do it for me.
Public Enemy
2/5
This didn’t do it for me
De La Soul
3/5
Enjoyed this enough while listening to it but probably won’t ever return to it
Adele
5/5
I was very torn between rating this a 4 or 5, but decide if I gave American Pie a 4 based only on the title track, this earned a 5 based strongly on Someone Like You (but with a much better supporting track list). I’ll say this is the weakest 5 I’ve given so far, but still think the album is deserving.
LTJ Bukem
2/5
That’s a no for me, dawg
Miriam Makeba
3/5
Stevie Wonder
3/5
Leonard Cohen
3/5
I wanted to love this and just didn’t. I like his voice but I felt like he was just barely singing and was almost more chanting/speaking the lyrics.
Can
1/5
I hated this. Not quite as much as Kraftwerk though…
The Mothers Of Invention
2/5
At least this was short?
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
3/5
Was thinking this was going to be a 2 star but The Message and The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash brought it up to a weak 3.
Elliott Smith
4/5
I can see why this made the saddest albums list (but I really liked it!). Say Yes was my favorite track.
Neil Young
3/5
Better than the first Neil Young album we reviewed but still not my favorite.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
2/5
Ready for something other than Neil
Young…
Genesis
2/5
I didn’t think anything could make me miss Neil Young, but Genesis did it!
Stephen Stills
3/5
This was find. Added Don’t Look at My Shadow to my faves playlist. Probably won’t ever listen to the rest of the album again.
Beatles
5/5
Not even my favorite Beatles album but they’re going to be an automatic 5 star for me in this project! Favorite track is Can’t Buy Me Love with close runners up of If I Fell, Tell Me Why, and Anytime At All.
3/5
This was fine
Beatles
5/5
Beatles = 5
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
I certainly appreciate Jimi’s talent but this was only so-so for me
The Young Rascals
3/5
Added the title track to my faves list. Liked this well enough but probably won’t listen to any other songs again.
OutKast
4/5
Really torn between 3 and 4. Some excellent tracks but I got frustrated by the total length of the album. Rounding up because Hey Ya is such a classic.
Sly & The Family Stone
3/5
Really like Everyday People. Really don’t like the rest of this album.
David Bowie
2/5
I think I don’t love Bowie
Little Simz
3/5
Paul McCartney
3/5
I’m so sorry, Paul, but this wasn’t my favorite
Jerry Lee Lewis
3/5
I had fun listening to this but it seems odd that you get to have an “album” that’s 22 mins long…
The Isley Brothers
2/5
John Lee Hooker
2/5
I just don’t love blues. Nothing against John!
The Jam
4/5
I enjoyed this quite a bit and listened to it twice. Favorite tracks were David Watts, English Rose, In the Crowd, and Fly.
JAY Z
4/5
Some fun throwbacks and some new discoveries
Fleet Foxes
5/5
Well I listened to this approximately 6 times in a row on Friday, so I think I’m rounding my 4.5 up to a 5. White Winter Hymnal has been a favorite for years but I wasn’t familiar with the rest of the album. New favorites include Ragged Wood, He Doesn’t Know Why, Your Protector, Blue Ridge Mountain, and Oliver James.
Sex Pistols
3/5
I liked this more than I expected to, but probably won’t listen again
The Flying Burrito Brothers
2/5
My favorite part of this was that they titled not one but two tracks “Hot Burrito.” The actual music didn’t do it for me.
Os Mutantes
2/5
Koffi Olomide
2/5
Not for me
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
Bangers! Bangers! More bangers!
Led Zeppelin
4/5
I’m so glad we’re doing this project because I keep hearing familiar songs and teaching me the title and artist. For example, I totally knew Black Dog but never would have known that’s what the song was called or who performed it. I’m also glad we’re doing this after Joe has been taking guitar lessons for a while and explaining some things to me along the way, because it’s giving me even more appreciation for how talented these artists are.
I liked this album a lot more than I expected to and they are SO good at what they do. Not getting a 5 from me because I can’t see this being an album I add to my regular rotation. But a very solid 4!
The White Stripes
4/5
My Doorbell is one of my favorite White Stripes songs but otherwise I wasn’t familiar with this album. I love the White Stripes’ sound, so hard to imagine anything by them being less than a 4 for me. I liked the first half of the album better than the second half, especially Blue Orchid, Forever for Her, and Little Ghost (in addition to My Doorbell).
Nine Inch Nails
3/5
Overall mess screamy than I expected. I love Closer. Probably won’t ever listen to the rest of the album again .
1/5
Too long. And bad.
Green Day
5/5
This is one of my favorite albums of all time and was probably the most excited I’ve been for an album listen thus far in our project.
In my third year of college, something happened to my computer and my iTunes library got wiped. I borrowed this CD and uploaded it to my iTunes and for longer than I’d like to admit, it was the only music on my computer. I’d love to see the iTunes stats for how many times I listened to it…
I added all but the last track to my 1001 albums faves playlist (even more than Taylor Swift - I left two tracks from 1989 off!). Easy 5.
The Smiths
3/5
I listened twice to see if I’d like it any better the second time. Not really. It all sounded the same to me. I like the Smiths but this was just meh for me.
Keith Jarrett
3/5
This was fine to have on as background music but I never need to listen to it again.
Soft Cell
3/5
I love Tainted Love and dumbly didn’t realize that Where Did Our Love Go was a separate song (I thought it was just an extended version of Tainted Love), so also like that one. And then I hated the rest of the album. Probably 3.5 rounded down to 3 based on how much I love those two songs and how much I hate the rest.
Eric Clapton
2/5
I liked Willie and the Hand Jive and not much else.
Peter Gabriel
3/5
I can hear my mom singing Red Rain. Lots of nostalgia here. Probably 3.5 rounded down to 3.
Stevie Wonder
2/5
Not a fan
SZA
4/5
3.5 rounded up to 4. Drew Barrymore was my favorite track, with Doves in the Wind and Anything getting honorable mentions.
Giant Sand
3/5
I’ll be really honest - I didn’t make it through the whole album. What I listened to was fine. Didn’t leave me wanting more but I didn’t dislike it.
Solange
3/5
3.5 rounded down to 3. Love her voice and liked the album as a whole but no individual songs grabbed me.
5/5
Bangers! Bangers! More bangers!
Common
3/5
I like how he looks more than his music
Merle Haggard
1/5
The only thing I liked about this was that the album was very short
Prince
5/5
Probably 4.5 rounded up to 5
DJ Shadow
3/5
I liked this more than I thought I would based on the description, but probably won’t ever listen again (sorry, Joe!)
David Bowie
3/5
Beck
4/5
Liked this more than I thought I would! Added a couple tracks to my faves playlist (E-pro, girl, earthquake weather, and rental car).
Super Furry Animals
2/5
This was fine, not great
Red Snapper
3/5
Slightly more fine than yesterday’s album
Leonard Cohen
4/5
Liked this a lot more than the first Leonard Cohen album we reviewed. 3.5 rounded up to 4.
The Verve
3/5
Does everyone picture Reese Witherspoon driving away in Ryan Phillipe’s sporty convertible at the end of Cruel Intentions when they hear Bittersweet Symphony or is that just me? I like that track enough, the rest of the album didn’t grab me but I didn’t hate it. 2.5 rounded up to 3.
Arctic Monkeys
4/5
Liked this a lot! Going to give it another listen when I have more time so I can pick my favorite tracks.
Mercury Rev
3/5
This was fine
Joy Division
2/5
Did not enjoy this
Minor Threat
2/5
Too screamy for me (at least it was a very short album!)
Amy Winehouse
4/5
I’ve always liked Amy but had never listened to this album in full. Still like her - probably 3.5 rounded up to 4.
Curtis Mayfield
2/5
I wasn’t a fan of this (for which Joe might divorce me)
Joanna Newsom
3/5
I liked this more than I expected to! I find her voice really grating but can appreciate the lyrics and beautiful harp.
N.E.R.D
4/5
Before listening to this, the only NERD song I knew was Lapdance, so that’s what I was expecting from this album. It was way catchier than I expected and to nobody’s surprise, my favorite track was the one with the guys from Good Charlotte. 3.5 rounded up to 3.
Eels
4/5
I really liked this and listened twice. Added a number of songs to my faves playlist too.
Queen
4/5
I didn’t know any songs on this album but generally like Queen and enjoyed this. 3.5 rounded up to 4.
Elvis Presley
3/5
I had higher expectations for this and was a little disappointed. Too cartoony for me.
Michael Kiwanuka
4/5
Liked this quite a bit! I wasn’t familiar with this artist but can see why he won a Grammy.
Sonic Youth
2/5
This seemed like an appropriate album to listen to the day before Halloween. That was the best part for me.
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
3/5
This was fine
Miles Davis
3/5
Didn’t like this quite as much as Kind of Blue. 3.5 rounded down to 3.
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
3/5
I can see why this would have been really popular at this time
Johnny Cash
3/5
George Jones
2/5
At least it was short
Deee-Lite
2/5
Not the banger album I was hoping to get today…
Jimmy Smith
4/5
Maybe it’s because it came after a string of sub par albums, but I liked this more than I expected to. 3.5 rounded up to 4.
Oasis
3/5
I had higher expectations for this and it was just fine
Gillian Welch
4/5
3.5 rounded up to 4. I didn’t know any songs off this album but love Look at Miss Ohio from her 2003 album.
Megadeth
2/5
I expected this to be unlistenable and it wasn’t. I also appreciated the guitar work. I’ll never listen to this again, but it wasn’t as awful as I thought it would be!
The Divine Comedy
1/5
Was this supposed to be a rock opera? It felt like the soundtrack to a bad musical. Hard pass.
Green Day
5/5
Bangers! Bangers! More bangers! This album totally holds up for me.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
Solid 3. I immediately recognized Pump It Up as the song that Olivia Rodrigo’s Brutal was allegedly copying, so I’d say there’s at least a bit of merit to that claim.
Adele
5/5
Easy 5. I bought this album on iTunes when it came out because I loved it so much. The voice of an angel!
The Divine Comedy
3/5
Liked this way better than the first Divine Comedy album we listened to. 2.5 rounded up to 3.
Dexys Midnight Runners
2/5
James Brown
3/5
Dolly Parton
2/5
Sorry, Dolly. I love you so much but did not love this album.
G. Love & Special Sauce
2/5
I didn’t hate this as much as Joe, but I never need to listen to it again
Tom Waits
1/5
I’m sorry, Tom. I love “Come On Up to the House” but this album was not for me.
Pixies
3/5
I expected to like this more than I did
Talking Heads
2/5
Once in a Lifetime is great…and I really didn’t like the rest of the album.
Talking Heads
3/5
I liked this better than the last Talking Heads album, but I just don’t love them (sorry, Dad!)
Jazmine Sullivan
4/5
Jazmine is great. Put It Down and Price Tags are my favorite tracks from this album.
Scott Walker
2/5
Not for me
Fishbone
2/5
This was ok. 2.5 rounded down to 2
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
4/5
American Girl is an all-time fave. I didn’t LOVE the rest of the album but liked it enough to round up to a 4z
The Prodigy
4/5
I wasn’t familiar with this band or album but really enjoyed it. If I had known about this in my high school punk pop phase, I would have been all over it.
Scissor Sisters
4/5
I’ve loved Take Your Mama for many years but had never listened to this full album. Really enjoyed the whole thing, especially Mary and Music is the Victim.
Abdullah Ibrahim
3/5
Jazz isn’t my favorite genre, but I enjoyed this
The Byrds
3/5
Iggy Pop
3/5
Michael Jackson
5/5
Foo Fighters
3/5
Sorry I didn’t love this more, Dad!
Sugar
3/5
The Flaming Lips
5/5
I loved this. I listened twice and by the end had added almost every track to my faves playlist. Instant adds were the title track (part 1) and Do You Realize.
Radiohead
3/5
Not my favorite Radiohead album but I like their sound enough for a 3
Duke Ellington
3/5
Laura Nyro
2/5
Various Artists
3/5
This is a weird one to rate. I love Christmas music in the month between Thanksgiving and Christmas but not the other 11 months of the year. This was a solid mix of many classics but I’m not adding any to my albums faves playlist because I don’t need Rudolph in June.
The Monks
2/5
Rage Against The Machine
2/5
I thought I would really despise this and while it wasn’t my favorite, I didn’t hate it as much as I thought I would! 2.5 rounded down to 2
A Tribe Called Quest
4/5
Liked this a lot! Favorite tracks are Luck of Lucien, Can I Kick It, and Ham ‘N’ Eggs. Loved all the sampling!
Mike Oldfield
2/5
I liked the bells enough but could have done without the growling
TV On The Radio
4/5
Overall I liked the album quite a bit but the standout track for me is Family Tree (I probably listened to it half a dozen times yesterday)
Adam & The Ants
2/5
Van Halen
3/5
Stevie Wonder
2/5
Didn’t do it for me
Kraftwerk
3/5
I liked this WAY better than the first Kraftwerk album we listened to, especially the last track.
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
3/5
This was fine but could have been way shorter
Muddy Waters
3/5
Otis Redding
3/5
Yes
3/5
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
2/5
This was weird and not my favorite (but Relax will always remind me of Zoolander, so that’s a plus!)
The Human League
3/5
I like Don’t You Want Me and not much else. 2.5 rounded up to 3.
Lightning Bolt
1/5
Congratulations, Kraftwerk. I found something I like even less than you! This gave me a headache. I listened to a bit of every track but skipped fairly quickly to the next track so I didn’t have to spend so much time listening. Officially my new least favorite album of this project!
Lynyrd Skynyrd
4/5
I liked this a lot more than I expected to! Clear favorite track is Tuesday’s Gone and second favorite is Things Goin’ On.
Dusty Springfield
4/5
Some classic faves on here. 3.5 rounded up to 4.
Fela Kuti
3/5
Pleasant enough but not really my thing
The Sabres Of Paradise
1/5
This was terrible
Rod Stewart
3/5
Meh. Maggie May is clearly the best Rod Stewart song and I didn’t think any of these tracks came close, but I didn’t dislike it.
Santana
3/5
Run-D.M.C.
3/5
Tricky and Walk This Way are two of my favorite workout songs and I was hoping to discover some new faves but the rest of the album didn’t do it for me.
Morrissey
3/5
Alexander 'Skip' Spence
2/5
This felt never ending
Holger Czukay
2/5
The Smiths
3/5
Dr. Dre
4/5
I think the universe was smiling down on me when I added Nuthin’ But A G Thang to my 1001 albums favorites playlist and it was the 420th song I’ve added.
Björk
3/5
I don’t know why but I wasn’t expecting to like this at all and ended up enjoying it much more than expected. 3.5 rounded down to 3.
Thelonious Monk
3/5
Brian Wilson
3/5
Billy Joel
3/5
This was tough. I LOVE Only the Good Die Young. And then there’s the rest of the album. I guess that makes it a 3?
Funkadelic
2/5
Not for me
Underworld
2/5
Again, not my jam
M.I.A.
4/5
Finally, an album to break my “meh” review streak! I didn’t know any of these songs but added a bunch to my favorites playlist. Solid 4!
James Taylor
2/5
Not sure who the target audience is for this but I don’t think it’s me. At least it was only 31 minutes!
Nirvana
4/5
Definitely loved the first half of the album more than the second. I knew more songs on this than I thought I did. I liked the MTV Unplugged Nirvana album we had last year better than this, but still a solid 4.
Beastie Boys
3/5
As Jackson would say, good but not my favorite. 2.5 rounded up to 3.
Beatles
5/5
Love
2/5
I was ready to give this a 3 until the last track…and now it gets a 2.
Doves
3/5
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
He’s very talented and I enjoyed the album enough but I probably won’t be adding this to the regular rotation.
The Doors
3/5
Really liked Peace Frog, thought the rest of the album was just ok.
The Cult
2/5
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
David Bowie
3/5
Joan Armatrading
4/5
I listened to this multiple times. The first track grabbed me right away and I absolutely loved it. I didn’t love the rest of the album QUITE as much but it was still great.
Jeff Buckley
3/5
I love Hallelujah…and don’t love the rest of the album.
Elton John
4/5
Khaled
3/5
Eagles
3/5
MGMT
4/5
I was really torn between a 4 and 5 for this, but outside the three hits and a couple other tracks, I don’t think the album as a whole is quite up there as a 5. So 4.5, rounded down to 4.
The Who
3/5
Solid 3.5 and I went back and forth between rounding up or down…landed on down.
Dion
3/5
Eurythmics
2/5
3/5
I’m embarrassed to admit that until listening to this, I didn’t realize “With or Without You” was by U2.
Johnny Cash
4/5
Radiohead
3/5
Sorry I didn’t love this more, Joe!
Miles Davis
3/5
2.5 rounded up to 3
Led Zeppelin
3/5
Carole King
5/5
Bangers! Bangers! Bangers!
Nick Drake
4/5
I had a minor obsession with the Garden State soundtrack (I know, so unique) and there’s a Nick Drake song on there (not from this album) that I love. I don’t think I’d listened to anything else by him but I thoroughly enjoyed this!
Pink Floyd
4/5
Joe has threatened divorce over this rating but it’s just not a 5 for me. Very solid 4 though!
Todd Rundgren
2/5
This was rough
New York Dolls
4/5
I liked this more than I expected to based on the Wikipedia description. Favorite songs are Lonely Planet Boy and Pills. 3.5 rounded up.
Ali Farka Touré
3/5
Soukora was my favorite track. 2.5 rounded up to 3.
The Notorious B.I.G.
4/5
I’d never listened to this whole album and liked it more than I expected, adding 4 songs to my faves playlist
Depeche Mode
2/5
I was very excited for this album to end.
Boston
3/5
I liked this more than I expected to (and am a little embarrassed about that)
The Kinks
4/5
I suspect this album was played at home while I was growing up, because it was fairly familiar. I enjoyed it a lot!
Miles Davis
3/5
I listened to most of this early in the morning while stretching and warming up for a run, which was a lovely way to start the day.
Funkadelic
3/5
2.5 rounded up to 3
Hugh Masekela
3/5
My Bloody Valentine
3/5
Very neutral feelings about this one
B.B. King
3/5
Wu-Tang Clan
4/5
I listened to the whole album twice and then my two favorite tracks (WTC A’int Nuthing Ta F’Wit; CREAM) another 2 or 3 times today. Very solid 4!
Beatles
5/5
Bangers! Bangers! Bangers! Love the originals and covers.
Rush
2/5
I won’t be rushing to listen to this again
R.E.M.
4/5
4.5 rounded down to 4. I’m embarrassed that I was today years old when I realized it was “Talk About the Passion,” not “Talk About Compassion.”
Tim Buckley
2/5
Queens of the Stone Age
3/5
Stan Getz
3/5
Bob Dylan
3/5
Sorry, I didn’t love this!
Chicago
3/5
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
3/5
Tough rating for this - torn between 3 and 4, but rounding down.
Bee Gees
3/5
I had no expectations going into this album and it ended up being a solid 3
5/5
This album contains my favorite song (Champagne Supernova) plus a bunch of others that I love. Easy 5!
Black Sabbath
4/5
I expected to hate this and ended up really enjoying it, likely because I was familiar with the first half of the album from Joe playing the songs on guitar. Exceeded expectations!
Bob Dylan
4/5
I liked this better than our last Dylan album, especially Like A Rolling Stone and Ballad of A Thin Man.
Einstürzende Neubauten
1/5
I’m proud of myself for listening to the entire album, which I described as “if you gave a bunch of elementary school kids with no musical talent random instruments and told them to make noise, along with some grunting.”
White Denim
3/5
Big Brother & The Holding Company
3/5
The White Stripes
5/5
Very tough decision between a 4 and a 5, but calling this a 4.5 rounded up because I listened to it probably 5 times today and kept adding more songs to my faves playlist.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
3/5
Stereolab
2/5
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
2/5
What a string of weird albums…
Led Zeppelin
3/5
I certainly appreciate how talented he is, but this just isn’t my favorite. 3.5 rounded down to 3.
Nina Simone
3/5
I listened to this while walking Darlo before work, which was a lovely way to start the day. But probably won’t return to this. 3.5 rounded down.
Korn
2/5
I hated this less than I expected!
Frank Sinatra
3/5
Another album where I have very neutral feelings. I’m never going to complain about listening to Frank, but I’m also never going to choose to listen to Frank.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
3/5
Pearl Jam
4/5
When I was 14 I thought I was so cool and worldly by purchasing the “No Boundaries: A Benefit for the Kosovar Refugees” album. The first track of that album is Last Kiss by Pearl Jam. That’s probably the only Pearl Jam song I can name, but they’re one of those bands whose music I know without knowing I know it. I recognized a couple songs on Ten but never would have been able to name the song titles. 3.5 rounded up to 4
The Who
4/5
I remember going to see a very community theater rendition of Tommy the musical with the whole family in maybe Merriam or Roeland Park. I think it was for your birthday, Dad? I didn’t really know what to expect but enjoyed it! This isn’t my favorite Who album, but definitely a solid 4.
Slade
3/5
Robert Wyatt
3/5
If I didn’t know the backstory, this probably would have been a 2.5 rounded down. But it’s getting rounded up because I’m moved by Robert’s story.
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
2/5
Wowww the lyrics to Gang Bang were something
Nick Drake
4/5
This is a very solid 4.5 and I listened a few times to see what way I would be rounding. I’ve loved One of These Things First since it was on the Garden State soundtrack but didn’t know any of the other tracks.
Alanis Morissette
5/5
Didn’t need to listen to know this would be a 5. So many memories listening to this album growing up. An early “name that tune” mishap where dad asked me to fill in the lyrics for “Hand Over Feet” and I said “baby” and listening while playing in my closet with Mary and the Benage girls. So many bangers! I didn’t know the music videos but Joe showed me a couple, notably “Ironic,” which was apparently mind blowing in the late 90s.
Hole
4/5
Dr. Octagon
3/5
Whew that intro track was not a great start, but after that I enjoyed the album enough. I didn’t pay close attention to the lyrics, so that could be why I liked it.
Depeche Mode
3/5
Air
4/5
I might get disowned by both of you for this, but I’m just not loving it enough for a 5.
Van Morrison
3/5
3.5 rounded down
TLC
4/5
I thought I would be familiar with more of this album than I was. I think I was just a little too young to have gotten into it when it came out, so really only knew the hits. Enjoyed the rest!
The Clash
4/5
Sarah Vaughan
3/5
Frank Zappa
2/5
Not my fave, sorry Frank!
Lorde
4/5
At the beginning of the pandemic when I was working a million hours, I would take dance breaks to Green Light and it was a bright spot in those long days. I’ve loved that song for years but had never listened to the rest of the album. I really enjoyed it, especially Liability, Loveless, and Writer in the Dark. Sober II gave me Imogen Heap vibes and the album as a whole reminded me of Olivia Rodrigo’s slower songs. 4.5 rounded down.
T. Rex
3/5
I liked this more than I expected to. Favorite tracks were Metal Guru and Rock On. 3.5 rounded down.
The Waterboys
3/5
I had high hopes that this might be up there with the Pogues when I saw it was Irish! Alas, it was just ok.
The Beach Boys
4/5
This album was totally unfamiliar to me and sounded much different from The Beach Boys music I know. I liked it a lot, especially Take a Load off Your Feet and Student Demonstration Time.
Violent Femmes
4/5
I wasn’t familiar with any songs except Blister in the Sun but really enjoyed the album, adding 8 of the 12 tracks to my favorites playlist. 4.5 rounded down.
Nas
4/5
I listened to this three times in a row and my favorite tracks were Life’s a Bitch and Memory Lane. Very solid 4.
The Pogues
4/5
I very much enjoyed this but not quite as much as the first Pogues album we had. I don’t like their slower songs as much and it felt like this album had more slow songs than the prior one. Still a solid 4 for my beloved Pogues!
The Mothers Of Invention
2/5
This started out ok…and then went downhill.
fIREHOSE
3/5
Earth, Wind & Fire
3/5
2.5 rounded up
Supertramp
3/5
Youssou N'Dour
2/5
This reminded me a bit of the music we’ve been dancing to at Zumba class. 2.5 rounded down.
Mudhoney
2/5
Only listened to the first 9 tracks. 2.5 rounded down.
Iron Butterfly
2/5
2.5 rounded down
Bob Dylan
4/5
The Go-Go's
3/5
I have to admit I was first introduced to Our Lips Are Sealed by the Hilary and Haylie Duff version, not the Go-Go’s version. 3.5 rounded down to 3.
Tricky
4/5
I judged the album by the cover and I was wrong. This was way more mellow than I was expecting and I really enjoyed it.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
2/5
This grew on me a bit and I liked it more than I thought I would after not loving the first 30 seconds…still not my favorite, but 2.5 rounded down.
Django Django
4/5
Television
4/5
I’m sorry I didn’t love this as much as you two do!
The Cure
3/5
Sonic Youth
3/5
Sepultura
1/5
I didn’t think it was possible to dislike an album as much as Kraftwerk, but congratulations to Sepultura! This was awful. I’m proud of myself for listening to approximately 15 seconds of each track. I couldn’t do any more.
Fugazi
2/5
The Smashing Pumpkins
4/5
Solid 4. I hadn’t intentionally listened to much Smashing Pumpkins before this and liked it a lot more than I anticipated.
LCD Soundsystem
4/5
Wasn’t super familiar with this (besides All My Friends) and really enjoyed it.
David Crosby
3/5
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
3/5
I was between a 2 and a 3 for this and then got to the last track, which I loved!
Rahul Dev Burman
2/5
The Killers
4/5
Going in I thought this would be a 5 for sure, but the second half of the album wasn’t worthy.
Blue Cheer
3/5
John Prine
2/5
Black Sabbath
3/5
This was way calmer than I was expecting!
Jack White
4/5
3.5 rounded up. Favorite track: I Guess I Should Go to Sleep.
The Libertines
4/5
Strong 4. I listened to this a couple times through on Friday and thoroughly enjoyed it, especially Music When the Lights Go Out.
The Modern Lovers
2/5
Pretty boring
Gary Numan
2/5
Cars is kind of fun, so rounding this 1.5 up to 2.
Bon Jovi
4/5
I thought this would for sure be a 5 but I don’t think it’s worthy. The hits are great, the rest is…less great. 4.5 rounded down.
Buzzcocks
3/5
Wilco
5/5
Love the whole album, especially I Am Trying to Break Your Heart, Jesus, Etc., and I’m the Man Who Loves You. They’re excellent live and Jeff Tweedy’s memoir is worth a read.
Laibach
2/5
I was listening to this and thinking the voice sounded familiar, but I couldn’t place why. And then it dawned on me: Cookie Monster. That’s not a compliment.
Alice In Chains
3/5
The Flaming Lips
4/5
Didn’t love this quite as much as the first Flaming Lips album we got, but still a solid 4.
Spiritualized
4/5
When I saw this described as “space rock,” I was prepared to hate it. It was quite lovely, especially the first track 3.5 rounded up.
Kate Bush
2/5
Not my favorite. Kind of sounded like show tunes gone wrong at some points. Sorry, Kate!
Grant Lee Buffalo
3/5
I’ll admit I judged a bit and thought we were getting a country album because the artist’s last name is Buffalo. Happy to be wrong!
David Ackles
2/5
That’s a no for me, dawg
Steve Winwood
2/5
Another no
Booker T. & The MG's
3/5
Track 2 was on the Dirty Dancing soundtrack, so automatically rounding up
Tortoise
3/5
Janet Jackson
4/5
3.5 rounded up to 4 for nostalgia reasons
The Allman Brothers Band
3/5
You can kick me out of the fam for this, but I didn’t love it. It was fine?
Queen
3/5
Love Killer Queen, the rest was fine
Dusty Springfield
2/5
Sorry Dusty, not for me
Lana Del Rey
4/5
Machito
2/5
Morrissey
3/5
Primal Scream
3/5
I will admit I prejudged based on the album and artist names and thought it would be very screamy and terrible. It was ok!
Ray Charles
3/5
Bunch of very ok albums the week
Run-D.M.C.
3/5
Sebadoh
3/5
Track 1 started and I had really high hopes for the album…and then it got a little screamy for my taste. 3.5 rounded down.
The Sugarcubes
2/5
Not for me
Siouxsie And The Banshees
2/5
Meh. 2.5 rounded down.
The Velvet Underground
5/5
I’m doing it, despite The Murder Mystery being weird. I haven’t been as captivated by a song as I am by Pale Blue Eyes in a loooong time.
The Cure
3/5
I’m sorry, but I was kind of bored by this…
Pulp
4/5
Britney Spears
4/5
Still love the hits plus a couple other tracks but some of these songs are just straight up bad.
Motörhead
1/5
Hard pass
Roxy Music
2/5
This was listen-able, but I didn’t enjoy it.
Tom Waits
3/5
Tom Waits
2/5
3/5
The Zutons
4/5
I guess I like dad rock?
Stan Getz
3/5
Marilyn Manson
1/5
Couldn’t make it through
Suicide
1/5
This was going to be a 2/2.5 through the first four tracks and then we got to the moaning on Girl and the weird chanting on Frankie for TEN MINUTES and I was out.
Elvis Costello
3/5
Alison always makes me think of the critically acclaimed 2001 film, Get Over It. The album sounds familiar - guessing it was played at homr while I was growing up.
Pere Ubu
2/5
Pet Shop Boys
3/5
2.5 rounded up
LCD Soundsystem
3/5
GZA
3/5
3.5 rounded down because I enjoyed this but probably won’t ever return to it
Aphex Twin
2/5
I didn’t actively dislike this or anything but it’s just not my favorite genre. 2.5 rounded down.
Sly & The Family Stone
2/5
The Specials
2/5
Pavement
4/5
Jean-Michel Jarre
2/5
All sounded the same to me
Sleater-Kinney
3/5
This reminded me a bit of Garbage. 3.5 rounded down.
Franz Ferdinand
4/5
Sabu
2/5
Elvis Presley
3/5
2.5 rounded up
Basement Jaxx
2/5
I wanted to like this more than I did
Girls Against Boys
2/5
Jane's Addiction
3/5
Thought I would hate this but had neutral feelings!
Ghostface Killah
4/5
I really enjoyed this! Saved a number of songs to my favorites playlist.
Arcade Fire
4/5
Didn’t love this quite as much as Funeral but Arcade Fire is one of my favorite previously unknown artists I discovered through this project. 4.5 rounded down.
Gram Parsons
2/5
David Gray
3/5
American Music Club
2/5
2.5 rounded down
The Last Shadow Puppets
3/5
This was pleasant! 3.5 rounded down.
The Avalanches
3/5
Meh. 2.5 rounded up.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
3/5
I was grooving to this!
Frank Sinatra
3/5
I liked this more than other Sinatra albums. 3.5 rounded down.
Jeff Beck
2/5
Justice
2/5
DANCE is saving this album from being a 1. A couple later tracks were giving me a headache and I skipped after 30 seconds or so.
Leonard Cohen
2/5
Woof. Only good thing is we spent the weekend singing “THEN WE TAKE BERLIN” and giggling.
The Stranglers
2/5
Barry Adamson
2/5
Based on the album’s tagline, I expected to hate it. It was tolerable! 2.5 rounded down.
Neil Young
4/5
My favorite of our Neil albums so far!
Portishead
2/5
Goldie
2/5
This was way too long for me.
ZZ Top
4/5
Sharp Dressed Man will always make me think of Poppa White. I liked the album more than I expected, so that plus nostalgia = a 4.
Slipknot
1/5
For many tracks, I liked the song until the singing started, which is not a great review. A couple of the less screamy songs weren’t the worst thing I’ve ever heard. 1.5 rounded down.
The Roots
3/5
Rhymes and Ammo was my favorite track (this millennial loves a song that tells me what to do).
Kendrick Lamar
4/5
I went back and forth between a 4 and a 5 and landed on 4.5 rounded down because there were enough tracks that weren’t my favorite. But I added 5 to my faves list and REALLY like those!
Dennis Wilson
2/5
Meh. 2.5 rounded down.
Mudhoney
2/5
Another meh, 2.5 rounded down.
Led Zeppelin
3/5
Clearly some mad guitar skills, but not my favorite.
Linkin Park
2/5
I honestly thought I would like this more. It was pretty bad, especially the second track where he screams “shut up when I’m talking to you” - had to skip that one.
Cyndi Lauper
4/5
I did the Time After Time dance from Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion at my 16th birthday party (and the two friends who joined me let me be Michelle because it was my birthday), so there’s a big nostalgia factor going on here. 3.5 rounded up.
Peter Tosh
3/5
Manic Street Preachers
4/5
Very enjoyable. Australia was my fave track.
Björk
3/5
Manu Chao
3/5
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5