515
Albums Rated
3.04
Average Rating
47%
Complete
574 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1950s
Favorite Decade
Grunge
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
34
5-Star Albums
22
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
High Violet
The National
|
5 | 3.24 | +1.76 |
|
S&M
Metallica
|
5 | 3.26 | +1.74 |
|
The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady
Charles Mingus
|
5 | 3.32 | +1.68 |
|
Sunday At The Village Vanguard
Bill Evans Trio
|
5 | 3.32 | +1.68 |
|
Brilliant Corners
Thelonious Monk
|
5 | 3.33 | +1.67 |
|
Neon Bible
Arcade Fire
|
5 | 3.35 | +1.65 |
|
Lost In The Dream
The War On Drugs
|
5 | 3.39 | +1.61 |
|
Hybrid Theory
Linkin Park
|
5 | 3.39 | +1.61 |
|
Stardust
Willie Nelson
|
5 | 3.4 | +1.6 |
|
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Kanye West
|
5 | 3.41 | +1.59 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
The Man Machine
Kraftwerk
|
1 | 3.32 | -2.32 |
|
Fragile
Yes
|
1 | 3.31 | -2.31 |
|
Permission to Land
The Darkness
|
1 | 3.14 | -2.14 |
|
Welcome To The Pleasuredome
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
|
1 | 3.11 | -2.11 |
|
The Rise & Fall
Madness
|
1 | 3.05 | -2.05 |
|
Back To Black
Amy Winehouse
|
2 | 4.02 | -2.02 |
|
For Your Pleasure
Roxy Music
|
1 | 2.98 | -1.98 |
|
Sheet Music
10cc
|
1 | 2.96 | -1.96 |
|
Pet Sounds
The Beach Boys
|
2 | 3.93 | -1.93 |
|
Kick Out The Jams (Live)
MC5
|
1 | 2.91 | -1.91 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Led Zeppelin | 4 | 4.75 |
| Metallica | 2 | 5 |
| Bruce Springsteen | 3 | 4.33 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| The Mothers Of Invention | 2 | 1.5 |
| Roxy Music | 2 | 1.5 |
| The Divine Comedy | 2 | 1.5 |
| Public Image Ltd. | 2 | 1.5 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Paul Simon | 5, 2 |
| Kanye West | 5, 2 |
5-Star Albums (34)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Dagmar Krause
1/5
My interest in Weimar-era agitprop has not increased with age.
14 likes
Kanye West
5/5
A reluctant five stars. This is a great album by a very complicated protagonist. I'm going to put it in the sarcophagus.
2 likes
Common
4/5
Really enjoyed this, especially "The Corner" and "Testify." I'm sorry I didn't know this album when it was released.
1 likes
Muddy Waters
3/5
Incredibly talented musician. Not sure I'd choose to listen to this again.
1 likes
Bill Evans Trio
5/5
I love this album -- an amazing trio giving all three guys room to show how accomplished they were. So sad that the bassist died 11 days later in a car accident.
1 likes
1-Star Albums (22)
All Ratings
Keith Jarrett
4/5
This is a great concert that shows how versatile Jarrett was at his peak.
Talking Heads
3/5
Circle Jerks
2/5
Just not my thing. I respect the "break stuff" reaction in music from the time, but I just prefer more versatility in an album than this one offers.
Queen
4/5
Pretty interesting album that I did not know. As it's Queen, it can get a little exhausting to hear anthem after anthem, but these guys were fun in their prime.
The Beach Boys
2/5
There were more instrumental sections than I associate with the Beach Boys (I always think about harmony). But ultimately, I think this music is a creature of its time and hasn't aged as well as other '60s-era bands.
The Beau Brummels
2/5
I had never heard of these guys. I enjoyed a few of their songs, but I found myself looking forward to someone plugging in a guitar and breaking a string.
Ramones
4/5
Fantastic energy. I’m fascinated by the “no guitar solos” approach with such a driving beat.
American Music Club
3/5
Supergrass
3/5
I didn't know this album but enjoyed it to a point.
Frank Sinatra
5/5
Loved this. Sinatra at his best.
David Bowie
4/5
Enjoyed this. There's a surprising amount of diversity on this album given the "Ziggy Stardust" persona.
Dr. John
2/5
Just not my style . But I can't imagine these songs can be played the same way twice, which is sort of cool.
Suicide
2/5
I liked this album a lot until "Frankie Teardrop." But man, I hated that song. It dropped my review two stars.
Fugees
3/5
Ms. Lauryn Hill at her best.
Funkadelic
2/5
This is some crazy stuff to listen to when at work. I'm hard-pressed to think, "What am I in the mood for? 'Maggot Brain'!"
Adele
5/5
Such a fantastic album, and deeper than I remembered. Maybe the songs are a little formulaic, but her voice more than makes up for any criticism.
Paul Simon
5/5
One of my favorite albums of all time.
The Byrds
4/5
Several great songs that awesome artists -- U2, Tom Petty, etc. -- later covered. (Of course, Dylan wrote many of these.) I love the guitar. 30 minutes seems just about right.
Green Day
4/5
Extremely solid album -- just a lot of rage expressed in those weird post-9/11 years. I obviously knew the singles, but hadn't listened to it straight through. I really like the combination of "Holiday" and "Boulevard of Broken Dreams." If I could go 4.5 stars, I would.
Jack White
4/5
Very solid.
Van Halen
4/5
Testosterone much? The lyrics for several songs might not have survived the millennium, but you can't debate the EVH power and the DLR charisma.
Motörhead
2/5
Interesting. If I didn't know this was Motorhead, I couldn't have placed it between 1978 or so and today.
Guns N' Roses
5/5
Maybe the best opening song on any album, and the run from Mr. Brownstone through Sweet Child is epic.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
Certainly I knew some of the songs, but this (long) album was a treat.
Youssou N'Dour
3/5
No expectations for this, but very enjoyable.
Soft Machine
1/5
Yikes. Not a fan. That vocal performance may have been my least favorite song on any album so far.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
2/5
Was this one long song?
Björk
4/5
The White Stripes
3/5
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
3/5
I enjoyed this album a lot more than I thought I would -- six very different, enjoyable tracks.
Tricky
2/5
I felt like my keys should be placed in a bowl for this one -- and then that I couldn't get out of the club because there was one long track.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
Enjoyable, although a little "preachy"/didactic for me ("Mother Earth"??). But Neil Young knows how to sequence power chords.
Fatboy Slim
3/5
Definitely takes me back to the late 1990s, although I can't claim any experience with the British DJ club scene. FS really had a moment, though, and the beats (particularly "Praise You") have held up for 25 years.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Hard to beat. I probably listened to this album 500 times in high school, so I'm biased. It's been a while, so I had forgotten about things that couldn't/shouldn't be said in 2024 (how do you get away with "She's Just a Woman" and "The Lemon Song" on the same album?), but these guys really were at their best here.
SZA
2/5
Hard for me to distinguish between the songs. Not unenjoyable, just felt like I was walking through a supermarket.
Al Green
3/5
Solid Al Green submission from his early days. I could listen to the title track once a week.
The Louvin Brothers
1/5
Really didn't enjoy it, and I find harmonization like this distracting. But I loved this story from Wikipedia: "Ira Louvin was notorious for his drinking, womanizing, and volcanic temper. He was married four times; his third wife Faye shot him four times in the chest and twice in the hand after he allegedly tried to strangle her with a telephone cord. Although seriously injured, he survived. When performing and drinking, Ira would sometimes become angry enough on stage to smash his mandolin when he was unable to tune it, and - when sober - glue it back together." I would give a smashed-mandolin performance more than one star.
The Smiths
4/5
I'm late to the party but a fan of The Smiths. I enjoyed this album a lot, but really love the song "How Soon Is Now?", which apparently was on the initial US cut of this album.
Beck
3/5
I'm not a huge fan of Beck songs when they come on individually, but somehow the album concept works better for me. (Maybe this is why we should listen to more albums.) Really enjoyed the first half.
Steve Winwood
3/5
Pretty enjoyable album by an artist I didn't know well.
Jurassic 5
2/5
Not remarkable musically, and also not significant to me in terms of a particular time of protest, etc., that would give this album staying power.
Nine Inch Nails
2/5
I should appreciate Trent Reznor more than I do. On every album, there are a couple of good songs, but listening to the full thing sort of beats me up.
Elton John
4/5
Very solid album throughout.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
I remember there were so many hits off this album that it got a little tiresome (but the songs were great). The "filler" songs aren't as enjoyable, though, so I'll hold off on the last star.
Willie Nelson
5/5
I love this album. Can't believe it was just his second release.
Pulp
3/5
Pretty repetitive (kind of like "Bright Eyes"), but not unenjoyable. Very much British alternative rock of a certain moment.
Sigur Rós
2/5
Avant garde, to be sure, but I'm trying to imagine any scenario where I'd play this again. Dinner party? On the treadmill? Driving around?
Jimmy Smith
4/5
Jimmy Smith is just cool, full stop. I love the way he gives plenty of space to the quartet. And Stanley Turrentine and Kenny Burrell are awesome on this album.
Buzzcocks
3/5
Expectations were low, but marginally exceeded.
The Police
3/5
Agree with others -- the excellent back half of the album can't quite make up for the craziness of the first half. But it comes close.
Blue Cheer
3/5
Another new album for me (and I thought I knew the history of rock!). I greatly respect the lineage but was glad this was 32 minutes in total. Would be a classic 2.5 rating if possible, but I'll round up on a Friday.
Air
2/5
Did I hear "cleanup in aisle four," or was I reliving a recent HEB experience? Not my favorite.
James Brown
4/5
Unlike some recent suggestions, I absolutely could play this album again. Tons of energy. It must have been unbelievable in 1963, and the sound quality for a live concert that old is fabulous.
Gang Starr
2/5
A little repetitive for me.
Talking Heads
2/5
I like this a little less than the other "Talking Heads" submission. I think they got better as they got out of the disco era, which influenced the percussion a lot.
The Kinks
3/5
I'm not a huge fan of the psychedelic period, but these guys could harmonize well. Enjoyed a couple of songs; the rest sort of merged together.
Metallica
5/5
This hits me in a sweet spot, as it's one of my favorites. Some of the newer Metallica songs are better with strings, and it's great to see Jason Newsted on the very-non-HD video.
B.B. King
5/5
Pretty darn enjoyable, and an excellent recording of a live concert from a long time ago.
Bad Company
4/5
Some great anthems and a pretty deep second side.
David Bowie
4/5
Lots of versatility, and more range on Bowie's voice than I usually expect (especially on "Wild Is the Wind").
Billy Bragg
4/5
Terrific lyrics. Maybe a little repetitive on the delivery. But solid musicianship behind that.
Deep Purple
2/5
I found this really hard to finish.
Amy Winehouse
2/5
Obviously a terrific voice, but I didn't think these songs were nearly as deep as others with her sort of range (Adele or even Lady Gaga). And I'm not a fan of the songs she released here, especially "Rehab," which just makes me sad given her tragic life.
Paul Simon
2/5
There are two great songs on this album, "Hearts and Bones" and "Train in the Distance." The rest are forgettable or borderline obnoxious ("Cars Are Cars").
The Rolling Stones
4/5
This is a great album. I'm glad I listened to it all the way through. Amazing consistency but still a very nice arc.
Cyndi Lauper
2/5
Seems pretty time-specific to the '80s. Not a lot of these songs appeal to me forty years later.
Arcade Fire
5/5
I love this album, especially the anthems.
Massive Attack
2/5
Pretty unremarkable.
Dagmar Krause
1/5
My interest in Weimar-era agitprop has not increased with age.
New Order
3/5
Enjoyable if unremarkable.
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
4/5
I'm disappointed that I didn't know about this album before. Really enjoyed it.
R.E.M.
3/5
Besides the hits, which don't seem to have aged particularly well, I don't think there's a ton of depth here (besides "Nightswimming," which I had forgotten).
GZA
2/5
I'm not sure there's a standout song, and many seemed a bit repetitive.
Muddy Waters
4/5
Fabulous live album. I knew his work much later in his life, but he had a ton of gusto in 1960.
Destiny's Child
3/5
Enjoyed it and love the Houston connections.
Pavement
2/5
I know this band is considered pivotal, but can't say I enjoyed the album.
Sufjan Stevens
2/5
Far too precious and self-satisfied to be enjoyable.
Beatles
3/5
I know I should appreciate the Beatles more, but besides the canonical songs, I just don't enjoy these albums, and not all of the canonical songs are my thing, either. The organ is a lot to handle on this release.
Madness
1/5
This album, besides "Our House," was basically impossible to finish.
Incubus
3/5
Solid album with a lot of energy (if not remarkable).
Madonna
1/5
"Nobody's Perfect," indeed. This felt formulaic and tired.
Judas Priest
3/5
You certainly can hear where 80s-era metal went after this album.
The Smashing Pumpkins
4/5
Like many double albums, I wish this were a single, 12- or 13-track playlist without all the repetition. But you can't debate its impact on the 90s. I wish the lyrics were a little stronger to keep up with the music.
The White Stripes
4/5
The best of the White Stripes/Jack White albums, top to bottom, so far.
Daft Punk
3/5
Definitely exceeded expectations. I would say it reminds me of my clubbing days, but I don't remember being let in to any clubs.
The Residents
1/5
Good God, that was terrible.
Nick Drake
2/5
The backstory about this guy is really sad. It would have been interesting to hear his music had he lived longer. This particular album exhibits all the melancholy that apparently held a tight grip on him.
Steely Dan
3/5
Not my favorite genre, but definitely consistent throughout, and some solid hits among the tracks.
The Temptations
3/5
Strange that "Grapevine" is one of my least favorite tracks on this album. Better than expectations overall.
Van Morrison
4/5
I thought this was great. Van Morrison's voice obviously changed with age, but this was him at his best, and "Moondance" was particularly memorable.
Little Richard
3/5
Lots of energy, but it's hard to remember distinguishing songs besides the obvious.
Kendrick Lamar
4/5
I was really surprised by this. Does that mean I hate Drake?
Garbage
4/5
I liked this album when it came out, and it's held up really well.
Malcolm McLaren
2/5
Nice to hear two Eminem hooks. Otherwise, this was a bit of a slog.
Sonic Youth
2/5
I've read so much about what a pivotal figure Kim Gordon was, but can't seem to enjoy her music.
CHVRCHES
3/5
There's more depth to this album than I would have expected. The songs are really tight for a first release.
Beastie Boys
4/5
Certainly not every lyric survives almost forty years, but this remains an impressive album -- one I've appreciated more over the years.
Talking Heads
3/5
I'm not a huge Talking Heads fan, but there's a nice arc to this album, which isn't super-pretentious.
Ryan Adams
3/5
Decent album; hard to imagine finding a reason to listen to this again.
Ice Cube
2/5
Was ready to go three stars, but just really can't get over some of the lyrics. Nice Snoop Job cameo at the end, though.
George Harrison
2/5
The slide guitar is cool, but this is one bloated album of generally very similar-sounding songs.
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
2/5
I was ready to be done after 26 minutes.
Tracy Chapman
4/5
Such an unbelievable voice. Not every song is special, but there are just enough to push this into four-star territory for me. And "Fast Car" is one of the 20th century's great ballads, period.
3/5
Enjoyable and well-layered. I'd never heard of this album before but am glad to know it.
Isaac Hayes
2/5
It's a solid movie soundtrack, if a product of its age.
David Crosby
2/5
It all kind of runs together for me. His voice is terrific, but I enjoy the CSNY stuff more.
Eagles
3/5
The Eagles are just a quintessential "greatest hits" group, and they can fill two albums. But they miss a lot, and I'm pretty sure I can live without "Chug All Day" and its kind.
Radiohead
4/5
This is by far my favorite Radiohead album, and it's held up well.
Elliott Smith
2/5
Nothing remarkable here.
Black Sabbath
4/5
Man, I like this album. Somehow more than I did 30 years ago.
Iron Maiden
3/5
Solid album -- not sure I'd run through it again.
Dr. Dre
3/5
Deez Nutz!
Pink Floyd
4/5
Very solid album, and tighter than "The Wall."
Ms. Dynamite
2/5
Unremarkable.
Can
3/5
Man, I was ready to go with four stars for the first 38 minutes. Then "Augmn" happened. Can I have those twenty minutes back?
Love
2/5
Don't love this.
The Who
4/5
Lots of stuff to like here, including the synthesizer arc from "Baba O'Riley" to "Won't Get Fooled Again." And Keith Moon was unbelievable. A little bit of a letdown mid-album blocked the fifth star.
Muddy Waters
3/5
Incredibly talented musician. Not sure I'd choose to listen to this again.
Green Day
4/5
Lots of great hits here, and the album really holds up after 30 years.
Miriam Makeba
2/5
"The Click Song." Something about a flea. A dead husband. Many things distracted from a great voice.
Frank Ocean
4/5
Surprisingly enjoyable from beginning to end.
The Smashing Pumpkins
5/5
I loved this album thirty years ago, and love it still today.
The Kinks
2/5
Really just not enjoyable. I like The Kinks' edgier stuff. This ain't it.
Pulp
3/5
Just enough in here to give it a third star, but otherwise very derivative of Pink Floyd. Glad to be introduced to it.
Leonard Cohen
3/5
Great voice. Not my favorite Cohen stuff, but enjoyable.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
For me, it's "Paint It, Black" and "Goin' Home" but not much else here. Still, it's The Stones.
The Pogues
4/5
Really liked this. Wavered between "3" and "4" for a while (again, would love the .5 addition), but I'm feeling generous.
Portishead
2/5
Bleak and depressing. Felt like I should put on a turtleneck and drink coffee in a dark room all day.
Amy Winehouse
2/5
Seemed like one long song. I like her (sadder) songs about addiction more than these songs about dangerous men.
Holger Czukay
2/5
Dangerously close to one-star territory, but the end of "Hollywood Sympathy" was enjoyable. Back from the brink.
Run-D.M.C.
3/5
A quintessential three-star pick. Some notable songs, but not a classic.
Beck
3/5
Solid, but not remarkable.
The Allman Brothers Band
3/5
Enjoyable, but not sure I'd listen to it again. These guys were at the top of their games for this set, though.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
2/5
Can't see much of a reason to revisit this one.
Joy Division
2/5
Not a fan, especially of the live tracks.
R.E.M.
4/5
I think "Stand" only is a middling song on this album. Songs like "Orange Crush" and "World Leader Pretend" hold up. This would be 3.5 stars, but I'm feeling generous.
The Smiths
4/5
I should have appreciated The Smiths more at the time. Enjoyable album.
The Mamas & The Papas
3/5
Very close to two stars, but "California Dreamin'" pushed it over. It's an interesting story that this band had such a short window as music changed around them.
Gene Clark
3/5
Great musicianship. Not such a compelling album.
Yes
3/5
Surprisingly versatile; enjoyable.
Julian Cope
2/5
Enjoyed "Safesurfer" despite the terrible title, "If You Loved Me at All," and "Beautiful Love." Otherwise, seemed artificial and pretentious.
Wu-Tang Clan
2/5
I felt a bit bludgeoned by this one.
Iron Maiden
4/5
Not the Iron Maiden sound I know, but I actually liked this lead singer a lot.
Super Furry Animals
3/5
Consistent and enjoyable.
Echo And The Bunnymen
4/5
Really liked it, especially keeping it tight (less than 40 minutes). Good energy.
The Pretty Things
2/5
Man, that was pretentious. Perilously close to one-star territory. Why do I care about this protagonist?
Nirvana
4/5
This is a close call -- almost five-star worthy, in part because it contains the saddest, most harrowing final song I've ever heard in a concert, especially given what happened six months later. But too many songs in the middle run together for me.
Supertramp
3/5
I enjoyed this -- love the mid-70s saxophone. I like the "cleaner" songs with more piano, which provided the vocals a little more room.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
Very up and down. The best songs are great. The filler songs, not so much. They might need some more chooglin.
White Denim
3/5
Interesting sound and more diversity between songs than I would have expected.
The Go-Go's
4/5
Excellent album; consistent throughout.
Songhoy Blues
3/5
Relatively interesting, but I think I like the biography better than the music. Still, a nice find.
The Mothers Of Invention
2/5
"Trouble Every Day" saved this from receiving a single star.
Adele
3/5
One and a half great songs, and no clunkers, but generally not something I'd put on repeatedly.
Scissor Sisters
3/5
I'm all over the place with this album. Impressive musicianship; questionable lyrics. Not sure I care to listen to it again.
Nirvana
5/5
One of the best opening riffs on any album of all time, and so much power throughout. Nothing peripheral -- just three dudes jamming -- in such contrast to the decade of music before.
Lorde
4/5
Really enjoyed this. Maybe no huge hits, but consistent throughout.
Roxy Music
2/5
Didn't love it. Do we also rate the album cover?
The Prodigy
2/5
Um, no. One saving grace was that I was at the gym for this. Hard to imagine listening to it from a sedentary position.
Beatles
3/5
I know this is considered a pivotal moment in Beatles history, and therefore rock history, but I just can't get into anything but their hits. A reluctant but honest three stars.
Eminem
3/5
Groundbreaking and inventive, but maybe four songs too long for me.
Harry Nilsson
2/5
"Without You" is well-known. "Coconut," apparently, is as well. I don't know why.
Spiritualized
4/5
One of my favorite surprises of this experience. Maybe it just caught me on a good day, but I listened to it twice and really enjoyed it.
Japan
2/5
I don't think I enjoyed a single song on this album.
Slipknot
3/5
Quite a transition from Japan to Slipknot, a band I am pleasantly surprised to see on this list.
Black Sabbath
3/5
Solid but not spectacular. I thought the whole story behind "Snowblind" was interesting. Would not have wanted to party with Black Sabbath in the early 70s.
Radiohead
2/5
Like most Radiohead albums, I must be missing something. I find it very hard to connect to this music.
k.d. lang
3/5
Great voice. Can't say I need to hear this album again.
The Auteurs
3/5
I'm a little confused as to why this is on the list. Enjoyed it enough.
Randy Newman
2/5
Great songwriter. Less of a compelling performer.
Blondie
3/5
This is fine but not that great. Great beat on some well-known songs, but the lyrics ("mucho mistrust"?) undermine overall quality.
Kendrick Lamar
4/5
Very enjoyable -- didn't know this at all. Great vibe throughout with different sorts of songs. I'm excited about the Super Bowl halftime show.
The Fall
3/5
Strangest three-star review ever. Several songs I thought deserved one ("Get Out of the Quantifier," "Damo Suzuki"), and others deserved four ("My New House," "Spoilt Victorian Child").
Sepultura
2/5
This was a wild ride to something between 2 and 3 stars. I did like the Brazilian influences and sounds.
2/5
The lyrics aren't too subtle. Sounds like a rough life. Glad the album was shorter than a TV show.
Joan Armatrading
2/5
Not so great, although I'd like the guy from "Love and Affection" to record my voicemail.
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
I enjoyed this, mainly as a relic from the era.
R.E.M.
4/5
R.E.M.'s first great album, I think. Like the stripped-down sound, which gives a lot more room to the guitars.
Barry Adamson
3/5
What a crazy album. I loved "Miles" but can't say I enjoyed much else.
Depeche Mode
2/5
There's a reason I've never listened to the second side of a Depeche Mode album. This is a "greatest hits" band. Just don't love most of their stuff.
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
Prodigious talent, to be sure, but not every song kept my attention.
Beastie Boys
4/5
Really enjoyed the lyrics and the mixing. Fewer hits than "License to Ill," perhaps, but more consistency throughout.
Kid Rock
3/5
Borderline two stars for the repetitive, testosterone-inspired lyrics, but enough catchy (NFL pregame soundtrack) songs to earn a third.
Bob Dylan
4/5
Great album cover. Excellent lyrics in several songs. Not my favorite voice, but an album I would revisit.
Bob Dylan
4/5
A big surprise. Definitely a lot more surrounding sound for Dylan's voice than the stripped-down folk songs that made him famous. And, no doubt, more references to his own mortality than in prior albums. But still the lyricism. When he's on, his songwriting is hard to beat.
Cream
3/5
Some great Clapton riffs and great percussion, but a little iffy on the lyrics.
Steely Dan
2/5
These guys are talented musicians, but I just have a hard time getting through the songs. Not my favorite musical era.
2/5
Perilously close to one-star territory, which I will reserve for the abominable.
KISS
2/5
Wow, there were some bad songs on this album. The lyrics couldn't be more pedantic and juvenile. (It will take me a while to recover from "Great Expectations") But just enough decent guitar to earn a second star. KISS is another "greatest hits only" band in my book.
Rufus Wainwright
2/5
Can't imagine ever going through this again. The simpler songs with just piano were better than the overly structured ones.
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
One of the great guitar albums of all time, and well-structured melodies featuring very few musicians but lots of layers.
Buena Vista Social Club
4/5
This is such a cheerful album, primarily by artists in a later chapter in life. Lots of different song styles, but all approachable.
Scott Walker
2/5
I really don't want to listen to this again. Saved from one-star territory by some nice strings arrangements. But this would-be poet was not impressive, either in range or lyricism.
A return to form for U2 after the unfortunate Zooropa-era detours. Several perhaps overplayed hits, but awesome second-side songs like "When I Look at the World." Very solid if not spectacular.
The Zutons
3/5
Didn't know these guys at all, but enjoyed the album just fine. Lots of funky instruments and harmonies.
Janelle Monáe
3/5
Enjoyable if unremarkable. No big swings and misses, which I feared. But no real hits, although "Cold War" gets close.
Pearl Jam
5/5
Easy five stars. The hits remain awesome and have aged well. And the songs between ("Once," "Why Go," "Oceans," etc.) remain terrific.
Happy Mondays
3/5
Not unpleasant, but seemed like one long song. I suspect this is more interesting at a rave than on a treadmill.
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
Two great songs -- "Voodoo Chile" and (especially) "All Along the Watchtower." But many of these songs just don't have natural endings, and I think the slow fadeout is always disappointing.
Morrissey
2/5
There's some real musicianship here, but I feel the condescension in every one of his songs. Lyrically, I feel like Morrissey is slapping my face with a wet rubber chicken.
The Band
3/5
This was fine. I know there's a famous Scorsese-produced documentary about their final concert. I can't say I want to watch it after listening to this.
The Notorious B.I.G.
4/5
Definitely some tough, not-kid-friendly stuff on here, but a wonderful arc of an album with often brutally honest lyrics about mortality and failure.
Thin Lizzy
3/5
Not bad, but very much a creature of its time. Excellent drum work throughout.
The Libertines
3/5
As ephemeral and forgettable as anything on this list, but not unpleasant. Hard to cheer for Pete Doherty in any context.
The Mothers Of Invention
1/5
This may have been important satire in 1968, but it's essentially "unlistenable" in 2024.
The Isley Brothers
3/5
Some great songs on here, and overall a good experience.
Charles Mingus
5/5
I love this album. One of Mingus's two masterpieces. You need the right setting for it, but the single-take approach is awesome.
A Tribe Called Quest
3/5
Interesting vibe with no crazy songs. Can't say that 24 hours later I remember any of them, though.
Jungle Brothers
3/5
Some good songs; the entire album could have been 12-15 minutes shorter.
Supergrass
3/5
Some 4-star songs. Lots of 3-star songs. 3.25 seems about right.
Bob Dylan
4/5
Great album -- a great transition from his 60's-era folk to something more layered.
Radiohead
4/5
So many different types of songs, and all sorts of excellent individual musicianship. Thom Yorke can wear on you after an hour, but a solid 4 stars.
Pet Shop Boys
2/5
I've been saving this two-word review for a while: shit sandwich. This was mopey and over-dramatic when released and hasn't aged well.
Janet Jackson
3/5
Lots of energy from the familiar songs, otherwise pretty calm. Not sure I need to listen to this again.
Yes
1/5
This calliope-laden organ tour exhausted me, and the worst rendition of "America" didn't help.
Booker T. & The MG's
3/5
This seems more recent than 1962. But still a three-star performance.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Some excellent drum and rhythm work here. The album maybe could have used one more genius song. Still, very solid throughout.
Sex Pistols
2/5
I'm exhausted and slightly offended.
Brian Eno
3/5
Seemed like an album from 15 years later. No memorable songs, but solid throughout.
Primal Scream
3/5
I'm hard-pressed to think of a reason to listen to this again, or, ten hours later, to remember any songs. Seems somehow simultaneously drug-filled and sleepy.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Not every song is fabulous, and some are even a little rough. But what a fantastic debut. The Page/Bonham combination at its best was as good as it gets.
The Specials
2/5
This may have been an influential album, but it wasn't enjoyable, and each song melted into the next.
The Velvet Underground
2/5
I really want to like Lou Reed, who is mentioned consistently among those who moved rock music forward. But the idea of listening to anything on the back half of the album depresses me.
Red Snapper
3/5
Another album for which I was very glad to have been on a treadmill. Some interesting stuff and good rhythm.
The Waterboys
4/5
Life is often about expectations, and I had none for this album. But I was impressed. Hard to believe this was a controversial change for them -- terrific musicianship and several different types of songs. Like a better "Mumford and Sons."
The War On Drugs
5/5
I love this album. Incredible guitar work over excellent melodies.
N.W.A.
3/5
I know this is a canonical album, but I'm not exactly sure why (besides a series of future frontliners).
Neil Young
3/5
Do I respect this artist? Yes. Do I enjoy any of the songs? Next question.
Moby Grape
3/5
Good guitar work, and very reminiscent of "The Who."
The Cars
4/5
What a great beginning to this album. And it's surprisingly deep (helped by being only 35 minutes long). Excellent debut by The Cars.
Fiona Apple
3/5
Aside from the (few) hits, hard to distinguish between songs, but an amazing performer.
Miles Davis
5/5
A masterpiece.
Paul McCartney and Wings
3/5
A little loose at times, with two solid songs.
Meat Puppets
3/5
This album is a bit of a mess, but it was cool to hear the three songs from Nirvana's "Unplugged."
Dolly Parton
3/5
I thought this was a great album -- a terrific surprise. The first two songs in particular were excellent. Dolly packs a lot into 28 minutes.
Dusty Springfield
4/5
I thought this was terrific -- awesome combination of her voice with the strings.
Soundgarden
4/5
An excellent album. Maybe one too many singles, and some missed songs in between, but tons of layers and opportunities to display brilliance.
Arrested Development
3/5
This album hasn't aged particularly well, and the beat from song to song is maybe a little too similar. "Mr. Wendel" and "Tennessee" do their best to carry this into three-star territory.
Lambchop
2/5
Some good beats, especially towards the back, but generally felt like I was trapped in a mad-lib book I couldn't escape.
Funkadelic
3/5
This was a fun album, with some good textures and crazy guitar action.
Nas
3/5
Great lyrics, if still not my genre of choice.
Neil Young
3/5
More enjoyable to me than most Neil Young recordings, but still not my favorite. The lyrics were especially morose.
The Yardbirds
3/5
There's barely enough Jeff Beck to get this into three-star territory.
Missy Elliott
2/5
Not unpleasant, but certainly not enjoyable, and I can't say I remember a single song eight hours later.
Pavement
3/5
Had to listen to it twice and enjoyed it more the second time. I feel like this band could have been something even bigger. Lots to work with here, including the Dave Brubeck homage. Not crazy about the bitch-slap of Stone Temple Pilots, though.
LCD Soundsystem
4/5
Three great songs, especially "Someone Great," and I'll admit to enjoying the "adult dance party" vibe.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
Older Neil Young seems quintessentially three-star territory.
The Fall
3/5
You can tell this band was influential on indie rock to come, although the voice and lyrics were a bit rugged.
Various Artists
4/5
I can't believe I'm giving anything with Phil Spector four stars, but I also know I'll listen to this album again next year.
Sepultura
3/5
Better than the last Sepultura album. These guys can bring it.
The Offspring
4/5
I've come around on this album, which has aged well.
Elvis Costello
4/5
A very enjoyable and diverse album, especially for just 36 minutes.
Skunk Anansie
2/5
This was a bit of a mess. I can't imagine listening to it again, having heard it for the first time at age 50.
Eagles
4/5
Hard to beat the first three songs out of the gate. Earlier releases were more about harmonization and collective sound; this album gives the individuals a little more room to show their talents. The bass line in "Hotel California"; the lead guitar in "Life in the Fast Lane"; the drums in "Victim of Love" -- these guys were in their prime.
Dirty Projectors
2/5
Dangerously close to one-star territory. Hard to say I enjoyed a single song.
The Who
4/5
I'm glad to hear some Keith Moon from his prime. All four of these guys sounded terrific (I think) -- the recording quality from 1970 wasn't the best. I guess that gives it some charm.
The Temptations
3/5
One classic song, for sure, but a strange collection of songs for a single album.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
Another Neil Young album, another three-star review.
The Specials
2/5
I'm happy this was recorded in 1980. Otherwise, the abominable "Sock it to 'Em J.B." would have had to canvass many more James Bond movies. Ugh.
Dinosaur Jr.
4/5
I underestimated these guys in real time; this is a solid album. A couple of the later tracks, especially "Poledo," almost lost a star, but there's a lot to commend here. Way ahead of its (techno-beat) time.
Depeche Mode
3/5
A classic three-star performance. The singles have staying power. The rest remain a little preachy and condescending.
Radiohead
3/5
Obvious musicianship, as always with Radiohead. But I can't relax around this kind of falsetto harmonization unless it's Art Garfunkel (or maybe Axl Rose!). The great songs remain good. The rest can be difficult.
Michael Jackson
3/5
If any album would make someone enjoy the disco era, it's this one. Great first few songs. As a producer, Quincy Jones was a genius.
Orbital
1/5
Nothing against these guys, but I have no idea why this album is on the list. There was nothing to remember. There was lots to forget, including the insufferable repetition of lyrics about philosophy, prodigal sons, and freak shows.
Eels
3/5
Another surprising album that I didn't know. Perhaps not the most diversity among songs, but good melodies.
The Doors
2/5
One solid song, the title track -- everything works. But every other song is mediocre, and filled with Jim Morrison self-indulgence. Starting with "Changeling" set the tone, and the silly "L'America" song was the same -- repeating "change" or "L'America" doesn't do much for me. All in all, everyone just seems tired and done with being a rock band.
John Coltrane
5/5
An all-time classic. Love that four-note double bass line that gets the album going.
Jean-Michel Jarre
3/5
Surprisingly enjoyable, and I like the story of how this hi-fi album was recorded in such a low-fi way. It sounded like the background music to 80s-era "Miami Vice."
Pixies
4/5
A really terrific album, leading to the "Nirvana sound" that came out a few years later. Love the bass throughout -- Kim Deal was/is the real deal, indeed. Sorry this group didn't stay together longer, but The Breeders were a nice second act.
Echo And The Bunnymen
4/5
Great album. Wish I had known more about these guys in the '80s. Perhaps a little too much "Heaven and Hell" as a recurring lyrical motif, but great texture overall.
Johnny Cash
3/5
Sad to say that I like the idea of this album a lot more than the album itself. Certainly some highlights, including the title track and the song written by the inmate, but most songs blend together.
Sister Sledge
3/5
Like a wedding dance floor soundtrack, but enjoyable.
Emmylou Harris
3/5
Interesting that "Coat of Many Colors" now has appeared on this list twice. Harris is a talented musician, and I enjoyed this album.
Sonic Youth
4/5
Complicated album that merited a second listen. There's a lot to like, especially the in-song tempo changes and the multiple guitars. And I'm a fan of Kim Gordon's vocals. (Interesting transitions this week from Johnny Cash to Sister Sledge to Emmylou Harris to this.)
Doves
3/5
No idea how I missed this album, but these guys are good. I feel like they'd benefit from having one more guitar on most of their tracks.
Frank Zappa
3/5
I didn't think I would like this album given my last few Zappa experiences, but this was pretty enjoyable.
Joni Mitchell
4/5
Such a sad album, with some terrific songwriting.
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
2/5
Somehow unenjoyable and unmemorable at the same time.
Kanye West
5/5
A reluctant five stars. This is a great album by a very complicated protagonist. I'm going to put it in the sarcophagus.
The Strokes
5/5
This is a great album that really has held up. I love the simple drum and bass work behind the expansive vocals. I thought most of the Strokes songs I knew covered like a ten-year period; instead, they all are on the same debut album.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
Second half of the album was good -- especially "Maps," of course -- but I felt a little bludgeoned by the beginning.
Pink Floyd
4/5
It's a consistent album throughout -- maybe the best songs aren't quite great enough to earn a fifth star -- but groundbreaking.
Sam Cooke
4/5
A fun album; hard to believe it's 62 years old. Was his microphone working between songs? The crowd was much more into the music than his banter.
Gil Scott-Heron
2/5
Not my favorite.
Steely Dan
4/5
Entertaining throughout, though perhaps with no true headliners. But very consistent and enjoyable.
Willie Nelson
3/5
The single-concept theme is cool, but the songs are really sparse and somewhat repetitive. Willie had a lot more to say and better ways to say it.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
Fine performance; generally just not my style.
Gary Numan
2/5
Turns out that I'm a fan of the guitar. Not having one on a synth-rock album for an hour is an interesting decision.
Marvin Gaye
3/5
I'd give the album cover five stars. And it's quite a parting gift to an ex-wife (double album, no less). But every song has essentially the same tempo.
Coldplay
4/5
The band at its best. Could maybe have used one more hit, but lots of quality, with the band in its prime and before becoming a bit of a caricature.
Iggy Pop
3/5
Perhaps better than I expected, and the title track is a great song.
Coldplay
4/5
Unbelievable that we have two Coldplay albums within three days. Also interesting that this album was released only one year after "Parachutes." My review is essentially the same -- Coldplay at its best, before the 2010s. This one was more structured and arguably deeper.
Elbow
3/5
Interesting album -- for me, like a quintessential 3.5 stars.
The Streets
2/5
Interesting concept, and a completely unfamiliar album for me. I don't plan on listening to it again. Nor do I plan to adopt "Fair Play" as a saying, as featured in every song.
Crosby, Stills & Nash
2/5
This album hasn't aged well. I know these guys get high praise for their harmonization, but it doesn't carry through for 41 minutes. I hate to say it, having listened to something like six of his albums on this list already, but I think these guys were better with the edginess of Neil Young.
Isaac Hayes
2/5
A couple of good tracks, but the last one was endless.
Peter Gabriel
3/5
Pretty mediocre, if a little (only a little) ahead of its time -- this sounds a little more like a late-1980s album. "Biko" is a highlight at the end.
Ministry
3/5
Although generally not a huge Ministry fan, I liked this album.
Elliott Smith
2/5
This guy sure had a difficult life and obviously was blessed with a ton of talent, but this is just way too precious and sanctimonious for me.
Fela Kuti
3/5
Enjoyable for a while, but the fourth (live) song was difficult.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
This is the most I've enjoyed Bob Marley, and an album I will revisit.
TV On The Radio
3/5
I came to like this band, but can't say I enjoyed this album.
Mott The Hoople
3/5
I'm really not sure what to say -- some good guitar riffs, but lots of strange, morose lyrics about the downsides of rock-and-roll stardom and too much peripheral sound for a great rock album.
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
1/5
How bad does an album have to be to weigh down a classic 80s song I still (inexplicably) like? This bad. This was ridiculous. Bad cover songs. Discursive flights of fancy. A lyrical mess. Hard to understand how this made the cut.
Marvin Gaye
3/5
This seemed long for a 32-minute album. And, despite the great title track, I can't give a fourth star to any album with a song entitled "You Sure Love to Ball."
Franz Ferdinand
4/5
A great, tight, muscular album that has aged very well. Hard to believe this is 20 years old.
Common
4/5
Really enjoyed this, especially "The Corner" and "Testify." I'm sorry I didn't know this album when it was released.
1/5
Atrocious. No redeeming value. I wish I could get those 40 minutes back.
Queen
4/5
Lots of different styles here, all enjoyable. And I'm embarrassed to admit that I didn't know "Stone Cold Crazy" was a Queen song!
Lynyrd Skynyrd
4/5
Very solid album, even before "Free Bird." Several of these would be on an LS greatest-hits collection.
ZZ Top
3/5
I like these guys' sound, but will admit that every song except for "La Grange" seems pretty much the same.
Ali Farka Touré
3/5
Enjoyable enough, but hard to imagine a situation where I'd listen to it again.
Grateful Dead
4/5
This is a tough call, but I think it earned just enough to earn a fourth star. It's nice to see the band evolve out of the psychedelic '60s motif into something more authentic and guitar-based.
Dizzee Rascal
2/5
24 hours later, I can't remember a single song.
Jethro Tull
3/5
I enjoyed the second half more than the first half. A bit heavy on the rock flute for my taste, but excellent work on the guitar.
Dusty Springfield
3/5
I'm disappointed that I mistakenly listened to the remastered double edition, not just the 33-minute original album. Distinctive voice and enjoyable enough.
Aphex Twin
2/5
Ambient, indeed. Like a video game soundtrack.
R.E.M.
3/5
Strange that a debut album is this mellow, given R.E.M.'s later arc. I enjoy their more driving songs a lot more, although this album holds up after 40 years.
Bee Gees
2/5
This really just wasn't enjoyable. I'm at a loss for other comments.
Linkin Park
5/5
I'm perhaps a little nostalgic, but this album helped push me through my final year of law school and remains solid 25 years later.
Blur
3/5
Not too remarkable or memorable.
Fugazi
2/5
Can't say I enjoyed this one.
The Flaming Lips
2/5
Not very interesting and at time far too maudlin.
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
Just enough classics to push this into four-star territory, although I tend to enjoy the later versions of those classics more than the originals.
Radiohead
4/5
I think there's just enough to merit a fourth star, in part because I love "Jigsaw Falling Into Place" and "Reckoner."
Beck
4/5
Definitely some hits here, and consistent throughout.
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
Is there a better "greatest hits" band than Simon & Garfunkel? The best songs are incredible. The worst songs -- or "songs," if you include recording a bunch of retirees in a rest home -- are atrocious. It feels almost sacrilegious, but I can't give this more than three stars.
David Holmes
2/5
The "James Bond" release saved this from one-star territory.
The Smiths
3/5
Pretty middling stuff from The Smiths.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
Another enjoyable album from Stevie Wonder that was new to me. Tons of different tempos and melodies.
Kraftwerk
1/5
Nope. Never again.
Shack
3/5
Ho, hum. Pretty unremarkable but not at all offensive.
Björk
3/5
Amazingly talented artist. And yet, generally I'm good after listening to like three of her songs.
The Triffids
2/5
Pretty condescending and treacly from a bunch of Australians.
Ray Charles
4/5
Impressive stuff from a master.
AC/DC
4/5
Pretty cool story of how these guys tightened up their sound for this album -- eventually leading to even better stuff in the 80s. Less cool story of how the lead singer died of alcohol poisoning just after this release. I had no idea.
John Lennon
3/5
Not great. John Lennon sure was angry in 1970.
Santana
4/5
Hard to believe this is 55 years old. Carlos Santana was and is the man.
Big Star
2/5
Pretentious. Not melodic. Hard to finish the back half. Otherwise, a great album!
Parliament
3/5
Enjoyable, like a wedding reception mix. Definitely ahead of its time.
Van Halen
4/5
One of the great opening sets of songs in rock history, but man, the B-side stuff just isn't great. "Drop Dead Legs" is hard even to type.
Dire Straits
4/5
Just enough great guitar work to merit a fourth star. "Money for Nothing" may not have aged particularly well, but lots of nostalgia on this album.
The Divine Comedy
2/5
Way too much of a lounge act for me. Another surprising choice for the list.
Megadeth
4/5
Very surprising. Should have listened to these guys more in the day, especially the beginning of the album.
MGMT
4/5
Three or four terrific songs, and an original sound that has held up for almost twenty years.
Prince
3/5
I know this album is considered a masterpiece, but I'm struggling to see why. Isn't "Purple Rain" better?
Mekons
2/5
Not enjoyable.
First song: "Is that Rod Stewart?" Fifth song ("Stay With Me"): "That's definitely Rod Stewart." I'm an idiot. Crazy that Ronnie Wood was in the group as well.
Cocteau Twins
3/5
I enjoyed this -- another group I've never heard of before this list.
The Stone Roses
4/5
A surprisingly great album from a group I didn't know -- and one that clearly didn't reach its full potential.
Nirvana
3/5
This is one of those albums I appreciate but, aside from the hits, don't really enjoy. I always had a hard time putting this on to play, although there's some pretty incredible material here.
Roxy Music
1/5
Nope. That. Was. Awful. The only thing redeeming about it was the terrific album cover.
Elvis Presley
2/5
I like some Elvis music -- songs with a little more gusto -- just fine. This seems way too languid.
Elvis Presley
3/5
Slightly better than "Elvis Is Back," but only because more songs have more energy.
Patti Smith
4/5
Original, groundbreaking stuff. I'd hope that if I were fifteen years older, I would have recognized it as such when it came out. I'm sorry I've come to this album later in life.
Louis Prima
3/5
Definitely a better version of "Just a Gigolo" than David Lee Roth's later one. Some fun songs in here.
Caetano Veloso
2/5
Not too exciting.
George Jones
2/5
This sounded like one long, sad song to me.
The Last Shadow Puppets
3/5
Another completely new group for me, and enjoyable enough, but not memorable.
Leonard Cohen
4/5
I'm surprised it's taken 366 albums to get to Leonard Cohen. Hope we get some of his later stuff down the road, but this is a great album.
Black Sabbath
5/5
A classic. Great guitar riffs. Incredible Ozzy range. And a clear rejection of all things hippie.
Belle & Sebastian
3/5
Maybe a little too precious for me, such that I struggled to tell the differences between songs.
The Electric Prunes
2/5
Not too much to like here, and "The Toonerville Trolley" was especially unfortunate.
TLC
3/5
I can't quite tell, but suspect that some of these songs were about sex.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
4/5
A surprising number of hits on this album, which holds up very well.
David Bowie
3/5
Didn't expect not to hear David Bowie's voice on the second half of the album. Overall, pretty enjoyable.
Public Image Ltd.
2/5
Flirted with one-star territory; redeemed in part by "Graveyard" and a couple of later songs. Johnny Lydon/Johnny Rotten just isn't my guy.
Genesis
3/5
Seemingly a rare group that got better as they moved into middle age. I'm not huge on concept albums, and this concept could have been conveyed in 30 fewer minutes.
The Beach Boys
2/5
Hard to get excited about these guys. They don't give you a ton of opportunity to groove in with like 150 songs in 29 minutes.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Easy call. Fast and slow; layered and stripped-down; great melodies and opportunities for all four artists to shine. Plus, what I believe to be Led Zep's two greatest songs, "Stairway" and "Levee."
Bill Evans Trio
5/5
I love this album -- an amazing trio giving all three guys room to show how accomplished they were. So sad that the bassist died 11 days later in a car accident.
Pentangle
2/5
Just too precious for me. I don't think I would have enjoyed the mystical lyrics of this era.
Hanoi Rocks
2/5
Why is this album on this list? And can I remember any of the songs less than 12 hours later?
Def Leppard
4/5
Uneven at times, but "Photograph" (my favorite DL song) outweighs some of the mediocre bits.
Metallica
5/5
Easiest review ever.
Jefferson Airplane
3/5
Strong start; not so great consistency towards the end. Joe Cox loved this album.
a-ha
3/5
It's almost inevitable that the album will get worse after the best song is the first song. It almost did enough to merit a fourth star.
The Bees
2/5
Another strange choice for this list. I couldn't wait for this to end, then realized I had lost 20 more minutes to Apple Play's "extended release" version.
The Darkness
1/5
"Love on the Rocks with No Ice"? "I don't need your permission to take this matter in my own two hands"? Seriously? How did these guys tour with Metallica (albeit briefly)?
Beatles
4/5
The best of the Beatles' albums on this list. Hard not to appreciate the chords and 12-string guitar work.
The Doors
4/5
The best of this band and a terrific debut album. I don't buy into the "Morrison was a poet" motif ("Ride the snake. The snake is long."?), but there's a great variety of songs on here, and, despite myself, I really like "The End."
Kings of Leon
3/5
A couple of good songs; otherwise, frankly not that enjoyable.
Nico
2/5
Flirting with one-star territory. If we only graded precociousness, this is a five-hit wonder for sure. Tell Zamfir to calm down on the flute.
The Black Keys
5/5
A bit surprised I ended up here, but it's one great song after the next. This is the Black Keys at their stripped-down, tight best.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
4/5
I've always liked this album and am glad to hear the whole thing, not just the hits, again.
The Byrds
3/5
Enjoyable, but somewhat repetitive throughout (sans robot sounds).
Gillian Welch
3/5
A little hard to tell, but I may have fallen asleep to this while running on a treadmill.
Bonnie Raitt
2/5
I didn't appreciate that '80s-era country also contained peripheral sounds, over-dubbing, and perhaps excessive harmonization at times. Too bad for Bonnie Raitt, whose voice and guitar excellence gets washed out at times.
4/5
Lots of talent on this album. Impressive.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
3/5
An amazingly short album, with lots of mediocrity. Perhaps not the punchiest debut; better things were ahead.
Kanye West
2/5
With lyrics this offensive, on so many levels, I can't imagine ever listening to this again.
Cowboy Junkies
3/5
I don't think I've ever seen a bigger mismatch between expected sound given an artist's title and the sounds they create. These are not the Dropkick Murphys.
Steve Earle
3/5
I enjoyed this much more than I thought I would. Not sure I would have made it past 34 minutes, however.
Thelonious Monk
5/5
Close call on this -- kind of a classic 4.5-star album for me -- but rounding up for the awesome bass lines.
Astor Piazzolla
4/5
Didn't think I'd end up giving a tango album four stars, but such is life.
John Prine
3/5
Sort of a softer Bob Dylan with less edgy lyrics (and perhaps a less grating voice).
Pixies
4/5
I'm a fan. Several songs, like "Where Is My Mind," continue to last.
Elvis Costello
2/5
Not my favorite Costello work, and "My Science Fiction Twin" was irredeemable.
Basement Jaxx
2/5
I truly have no idea why this is on the list. Sounds like the house music one hears when waiting in line at a bad dance bar.
The Police
3/5
Maybe 1.5 great songs. Too bad when the best part of the album is done in the first four minutes.
Paul McCartney
3/5
It's cool that McCartney played all the components, and the second half of the album somewhat redeemed the first part.
Leonard Cohen
4/5
It certainly won't make you cheerful, but it is excellent.
The Lemonheads
3/5
Was this the same song over and over, until "Mrs. Robinson"?
Doves
3/5
I liked this album but feel like it could have been 45 or 50 minutes and a lot tighter.
Klaxons
3/5
If half-stars were an option, this is classic 2.5-star territory. I enjoyed it a little more than I thought (or feared) I would.
The Kinks
3/5
I probably would have loved this album if I lived in 1967 England. A few too many tea references for me, but obviously a hugely influential group and album.
Public Enemy
4/5
A highly enjoyable series of punches to the face, culminating with "Fight the Power."
Buffalo Springfield
3/5
You can really tell this band was on the verge of an explosion. Different sounds; different vocals; a bit all over the place. I love diverse albums, but this is discordant.
50 Cent
3/5
Unless there's a featured artist, there's hardly any diversity in the tone between songs. And, after years of enjoying "In Da Club," I now like it much less (perhaps because I finally read the lyrics).
The Divine Comedy
1/5
Somehow more pretentious than a mediocre "SING" act at Baylor, plus some extra lounge overlays. I'm not a fan.
The Who
4/5
That's a lot of power for a 60-year-old album, and I continue to be fascinated by the life and times of Keith Moon.
Michael Jackson
5/5
Hard to debate five-star status; even survives the albatross of a clumsy duet with McCartney. The run from "Thriller" to the end is top-notch.
Frank Black
3/5
Some enjoyable tracks, but the cumulative effect wasn't great.
William Orbit
2/5
Electronica almost always starts at the two-star level for me. The needle didn't move on this one at all.
The Zombies
2/5
Major disconnect between me and the global reviews here. I think there's one great song, the last one, and certainly not the one with a roll call of happy married couples.
Bad Brains
2/5
Several songs felt a little more like "Band Against Me."
Justice
3/5
I didn't want to like this, but compared to some of the recent submissions, I'd be more likely to listen to this again. Some interesting stuff.
ABBA
4/5
A nice arc of an album; I'd never heard this before.
Public Enemy
4/5
Pretty powerful stuff that holds up really well decades later.
Mariah Carey
2/5
Had a hard time staying awake through most of this, even while exercising. I respect the shift towards more R&B, as a sign of evolution, but not my favorite.
Drive-By Truckers
3/5
Started relatively well, then ran out of steam (or gas?) quickly, and continued down the road for far too long. Analogy over.
Beastie Boys
4/5
Fantastic album. Love to see how these guys developed into more genres as they aged.
Kacey Musgraves
4/5
Maybe a little delicate for my taste, but there are some terrific songs on here. It's cool when a relative unknown hits a wave of genius.
Brian Eno
2/5
Strange album. Not my favorite.
Pere Ubu
1/5
This is terrible, and "earns" one-star status despite what seems to be some pretty good work on the drums.
Britney Spears
2/5
After the first, was this one long song? Painful.
The Monks
3/5
Pretty interesting; had never heard of them.
Gene Clark
3/5
The Gene Clark backstory is far more interesting (and somehow far more sad, although that's a closer call) than this album.
My Bloody Valentine
4/5
Strong album with a terrific arc.
Alice Cooper
3/5
Interesting album. Not sure I loved it, but some strong songs, and I think I liked the ones that weren't released the most.
Beatles
4/5
The best Beatles album I've heard; interesting that the band took this album as the breaking point for their touring schedule and moved forward as a studio-only group from here. Obviously a ton of progression from their earlier stuff (only 3 years or so before).
3/5
The excellent drum work merits a third star. The not-so-excellent vocals almost took it away.
PJ Harvey
4/5
Solid album from an interesting performer.
MC Solaar
3/5
I think I've already forgotten MC Solaar's name and all the songs from this album, but it was somewhat entertaining.
Fishbone
2/5
This was like getting slapped in the face by a wet glove.
Thundercat
2/5
Kendrick Lamar (and Kenny Loggins!) save this from one-star territory. That may be the worst opening song I've heard in 1000 albums.
Brian Wilson
3/5
I can't say that the music itself was more interesting than the backstory for the album, which itself feels a lot like a relic from a bygone age.
Finley Quaye
3/5
Sort of faded into the background without much of a mark.
Everything But The Girl
3/5
She has a terrific voice, but the songs are pretty unremarkable.
The La's
4/5
"There She Goes" stands up really well, and the album holds together well. Plus, I've given a lot of "3"s in a row, so good timing for The La's.
Nina Simone
4/5
Powerful voice and some iconic mid-60s songs.
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
This is just a great album from start to finish.
Billy Joel
4/5
No one's lyrics are clearer than Billy Joel, and some of these songs are great.
Rage Against The Machine
4/5
This is an awesome album, maybe held back just a tad by some repetitive lyrics. But everything is full adrenaline and testosterone.
Bobby Womack
3/5
Surprising album from a new artist for me. He unfortunately lost a full point for the "When I ain't there to rub your back" lyric.
OutKast
3/5
I get why these guys each did their own disk, but the release is yet another reason why two-disk albums almost never work. Way too many intros/outros, among other problems. But the highlights have staying power.
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
Interesting, tight album with a terrific voice.
The Magnetic Fields
1/5
Infuriating.
Ozomatli
4/5
I'm a fan and embarrassed I didn't know these guys. I blame early career workaholism.
Stereolab
2/5
Another album with seemingly one long, forgettable song.
Tim Buckley
1/5
Self-indulgent, ephemeral, highly forgettable. Tough backstory, but still...
The Thrills
2/5
Somehow sing-songy and pretentious at the same time.
The Pharcyde
2/5
Borderline one-star status.
Anthrax
3/5
I'm still not a huge fan but do appreciate the aggression.
Little Simz
3/5
Little Simz was a surprise! Would have added a fourth star if her name started with "Lil'."
Duke Ellington
5/5
This is more a reflection of historical appreciation and curiosity than pure enjoyment of the sound (besides the Gonsalves sax solo), but I do love this album and the return from obscurity of the Duke.
G. Love & Special Sauce
2/5
Not so special. What was that?
Queens of the Stone Age
4/5
These guys were a fresh sound. I'm not sure the album holds together perfectly, and they benefit from a number of mediocrities before them in this random list, but four stars.
Public Image Ltd.
1/5
Nope. I've lost too much time in my life to John Lydon, and I should never have started the BBC interview at the end of this album. Repetitive, tiresome, and just mean.
Sparks
2/5
This band greatly benefits from being right after Public Image. Completely forgettable.
The Byrds
2/5
Way too many cover songs. Are we sure that the third- or fourth-best Byrds album should be on the top 1000 list?
Rod Stewart
4/5
A surprisingly enjoyable, tight album
The Hives
2/5
This is fine. The songs, besides "Hate to Say I Told You So," blend together. Does not seem worthy of this list.
Justin Timberlake
3/5
Was enjoying it for a while, but it went on too long and became a little too cute.
Wild Beasts
2/5
I was ready to enjoy this album. But the nonstop falsetto is a killer, and the lyrics don't help.
Aretha Franklin
4/5
Fantastic album. So much talent. "Respect" with a bunch of John Lydon songs probably would get three stars by itself.
Hole
4/5
A surprising four-star album that has held up rather well.
Slade
2/5
I'm embarrassed I hadn't heard of them, much less that they wrote "Cum on Feel the Noize" (hard to type). Still, somewhat obvious why they didn't make it in the USA, as the bass lines veer too often into "Spinal Tap" territory.
Haircut 100
2/5
Many songs sounded like the soundtracks to 1980s-era sitcoms.
John Cale
2/5
Somehow self-indulgent and forgettable at the same time.
Tears For Fears
3/5
Some great songs on here, but way too much mediocrity, especially towards the end.
Drive Like Jehu
3/5
A surprising find. Not the best start, with neither "Do You Compute" nor the "Rome" song worth a second listen. But as the songs got a little less frenetic, the drums and bass line became more distinctive.
Rufus Wainwright
2/5
I want a more than two-star album. Sheesh.
The Flaming Lips
4/5
I'm a fan, even though it's a little cute.
Fred Neil
2/5
The opposite level of charisma from Vince Neil. Whenever I see "70s-era singer/songwriter," my expectations drop.
Talking Heads
3/5
Enjoyable enough, but I'd be fine not hearing this again. Somehow many of the songs seem to start very strong but fade each minute.
Cocteau Twins
4/5
Complete surprise. Enjoyed the melodies (not sure about all the lyrics), but a keeper.
Alice In Chains
5/5
I think there's just enough to push this to five-star status, although a number of the middle songs are somewhat forgettable. But the last two songs push it over the top. Is "Would" (the first song on the "Singles" album) one of the top-ten last album songs in rock history? "When the Levee Breaks," "The End," and others would rank higher, but it's a wonderful close to a great album.
Big Black
2/5
Unenjoyable at the time, and unmemorable three hours later.
Quicksilver Messenger Service
3/5
The first forty minutes were pretty interesting; would have been good to see this group in concert during their fleeting career with the original group.
10cc
1/5
No. Never again.
Manic Street Preachers
3/5
Incredibly dark and sad -- what a tragic story about the lyricist. But I'm glad I know the album, which I certainly didn't until now.
The National
5/5
Easy five-star performance for me. "Terrible Love," "Bloodbuzz Ohio," "Conversation 16," and "England" among the many highlights.
Fatboy Slim
3/5
Probably about 20 minutes too long, but if you truncated the back, I would have missed the "Michael Jackson" song.
Fairport Convention
4/5
Was prepared to be skeptical, especially after "Si Tu Dois Partir," but some great guitar work later in the album made this very enjoyable.
The Birthday Party
1/5
Trash. Thankfully not consumed over Thanksgiving.
System Of A Down
3/5
Like a series of right crosses to the face, this album leaves a mark. I like some of their later stuff more, but a very solid start to their career.
Stephen Stills
3/5
Some excellent musicianship throughout, but a little hard to distinguish one song from another. Were they all about Colorado and a woman who hopefully may visit?
Bee Gees
2/5
Not enjoyable. Pretentious, overwrought, and another concept album that doesn't hold up over time.
Napalm Death
1/5
Putrid.
The Replacements
3/5
There's a lot to like here. And then there's the rest of the album.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Probably three songs too long, but overall a good listen from a definitely difficult period in US history.
Super Furry Animals
2/5
Fuzzy justification for being on the top 1000 list.
Roni Size
2/5
No, thanks.
The Afghan Whigs
2/5
The songs themselves are fine/good, if repetitive, but the lyrics are atrocious. I don't want to spend a second with this dude.
The Clash
4/5
Strong album. Lots of power.
Talk Talk
3/5
A quintessentially three-star album: Good musicianship but songs I can't remember 24 hours later.
Incredible Bongo Band
4/5
This may be my favorite album of all time with someone's name before the word "Presents" in the title. I would listen to it again.
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
3/5
Some genius work by Clapton on an otherwise unremarkable album.
The Human League
2/5
All the early-80s features: Synthetic drums. Excessive harmonies. Peripheral noises. And all the reasons to lock the door to this era forever.
Taylor Swift
4/5
Hard to debate the talent here. And overall, a nice album with lots of different styles and rhythms.
Iggy Pop
2/5
Interesting that David Bowie wrote so many (all?) of the songs. That backstory is more interesting than the songs themselves. (Bowie's later "China Girl" was much better.)
Traffic
3/5
Really wanted to give this one four stars -- who knew Steve Winwood could rock like this? -- but a lot of mediocrity on the back half, with songs that haven't aged well. The Shanghai Noodle Factory is not on my bucket list to visit.
Prince
3/5
Was Prince interested in sex? Yikes. Lots of misses among the hits.
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
Classic Springsteen stuff, but also some excellent harmonies and background work on slower songs. I was surprised.
Fleet Foxes
4/5
This is a great album that would hold up in any decade. I'm not sure I want these guys with me in a gang fight, but I'll sit calmly and listen to them any time.
Skepta
2/5
For a group that talks about how original they are, they sure repeat a lot of lyrics.
2/5
Another example of 90s BritPop that I probably don't need to hear again.
SAULT
3/5
Never heard of them but enjoyed this album.
Small Faces
2/5
Is it possible to give a negative one-star for the second half of the album? The first couple of songs, which contain some really solid work, save this from dreaded one-star territory. But this album faded faster than an older Mike Tyson.
The Crusaders
4/5
I'd never heard of the Crusaders but enjoyed this tight album quite a lot.
Björk
3/5
Uncertain effect on my medulla -- not vomiting, but perhaps some light coughing.
The Gun Club
4/5
I could live without some of the lyrics, but I really enjoyed the sound, and the later influences are obvious. Good stuff.
The Everly Brothers
2/5
Very pleased that this lasted shorter than a sitcom.
Terence Trent D'Arby
3/5
Strange album in that the two songs I knew from being released I actually enjoyed less than the ones that were new to me. Can you just change your name and all your album titles whenever you want?