Journey in Progress
Discovering music one album at a time
150
Albums Rated
3.51
Avg Rating
13
5-Star Albums
14%
Complete
939 albums remaining
Rating Speed
6.1
Per Week
172
Days Active
Reviews
140
Written
93%
Review Rate
vs Global
0.13
Avg Diff
3.51
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
Britpop
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Balanced
Rater Style
0
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rings Around The World | 5 | 2.97 | +2.03 |
| Golden Hour | 5 | 3.09 | +1.91 |
| Meat Is Murder | 5 | 3.32 | +1.68 |
| Beauty And The Beat | 5 | 3.39 | +1.61 |
| My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy | 5 | 3.42 | +1.58 |
| Parachutes | 5 | 3.46 | +1.54 |
| Arrival | 5 | 3.49 | +1.51 |
| Devotional Songs | 4 | 2.58 | +1.42 |
| good kid, m.A.A.d city | 5 | 3.61 | +1.39 |
| Don't Stand Me Down | 4 | 2.62 | +1.38 |
You Love Less Than Most
Albums you rated lower than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| (Pronounced 'Leh-'Nérd 'Skin-'Nérd) | 2 | 3.76 | -1.76 |
| 1984 | 2 | 3.51 | -1.51 |
| Rio | 2 | 3.49 | -1.49 |
| Rumours | 3 | 4.46 | -1.46 |
| Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus | 2 | 3.32 | -1.32 |
| Wish You Were Here | 3 | 4.3 | -1.3 |
| The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars | 3 | 4.26 | -1.26 |
| Virgin Suicides | 2 | 3.24 | -1.24 |
| Scissor Sisters | 2 | 3.23 | -1.23 |
| Hysteria | 2 | 3.21 | -1.21 |
5-Star Albums (13)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Jungle Brothers
4/5
I was skeptical when I saw a rap album from 1989 because lots of early rap is corny and overly long and not very interesting. This album surprised me with its catchy beats and well-produced songs. Even in "Doin our Own Dang" the ideas of sell outs and copycats are discussed , showing that Jungle Brothers had something worth emulating. The Mc's don't always have very insightful bars, but their flow is alright. Even at an hour long I didn't think any song overstayed its welcome. Like, 3.75 stars
1 likes
Beatles
3/5
I don't want to say this album is over hyped, but a widely acclaimed album doesn't mean it's a perfect album. It's interesting to hear the Beatles perform in different genres with various influences. However, at 30 tracks, there are edits that could've been made. "Why Don't We Do It In the Road?" more like why don't you cut it from the album? I was not a Beatles fan before, and I am not a Beatles fan after listening to this, but it was insightful to hear prominent 60s rock and pop.
1 likes
All Ratings
Portishead
3/5
Low to Mid-tempo. Cool beats to sample. Sounds very 90s
Fleetwood Mac
3/5
A classic. I don't like the guy's voice as much as Stevie Nicks. Some bangers.
Daft Punk
4/5
Great album. I love dance music. Some bangers in here. The first 2 thirds are better than the last third. This album is an excellent choice to put on when performing long physical tasks
Eagles
3/5
Not as cringe as I thought. "Hotel California" is a great song, it turns out. "Life in the Fast Lane" is harder to focus on, because of how cliche it is at this point in time. It does have a lot of cool production elements. "Victim of Love" sounds like a generic rock song. "Pretty Maids in a Row" is kinda eh. "Try and Love Again" is kinda eh, but has nice harmonies and cool guitar playing. Not as cringe of an album as I thought
Kraftwerk
2/5
"Europe Endless" more like "Hurry Up! End This!" These songs are so LONG. I get it, that this was really influential, and ahead of it's time for 1977, but OH MY GOSH these songs just drone on. "Trams Europe Express" is kinda cool, because you can hear how it's been sampled over the years. But then "Abzug"?? HOW is that a different song. Cool to be aware of, but I don't know when I would want to listen to this again
Fela Kuti
4/5
A great funk rock performance. Songs are very groovy, especially if you're in the position to listen to 15 minute songs.
Led Zeppelin
3/5
Pretty good. I haven't listened to much classic rock, but the guitars and drums sound great on this album, and the vocals have so much personality to them. I do feel like some of the songs are too long. Does "In the Light" need to end with "light" being said 25 times? I don't think so. Similarly, "Kashmir," great song, too long. "The Wanton Song" is pleasant throughout.
Suzanne Vega
4/5
"Solitude Standing" is a great singer songwriter album. Really cool story telling. "Tom's Diner" is iconic!
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
An interesting rock album. Very unique vocal performances. Songs sound very simple compared to rock music today, although still after of it's time. Could easily fit within the 2010s. "Maps" is totally overrated though.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
3.5 stars. I have not enjoyed other NC&TBS albums, but this one I did. The singers vocal performance is actually complimented by he arrangements, rather than him simply talking over a more interesting backing track. "Waiting for You," is actually pretty good, and the singer actually sings! The title track is pretty good too. Lyrically the songs are also more story driven and not as vague and abstract like on the album "Abbatoir Blues." At 68 minutes/11 songs, some songs do feel rather drawn out. It was actually beneficial to not listen *too* closely sometimes otherwise it would feel like these were going on forever.
Neil Young
3/5
Pretty cool singer songwriter album . "Til the Morning Comes" is also nice, but like 30 seconds long?
Super Furry Animals
5/5
Really great album. Very ahead of it's time for 2001. The lead singer sounds like Damon Albarn, so it felt like listening to a contemporary Blur album. Great production. Sounds like it was influential in the rock space.
Hugh Masekela
4/5
Bob Dylan
4/5
Pretty good singer songwriter album! Bob Dylan tells his stories and plays his harmonics, and some of the songs are even a little catchy
Jamiroquai
4/5
A pleasant, funky album. "Blow My Mind" is pretty groovy. "Revolution 1993" is 10 minutes and flows well throughout. Conscious and jazzy songs.
Turbonegro
3/5
Simply put: a fast paced rock album by a bunch of Norwegian dudes. Sounds a little reminiscent of 80s rock. Funny lyrics and titles like "Good Head" and "Rendezvous with Anus"
Supergrass
4/5
Very upbeat, pleasant and fun rock music
The Smiths
5/5
An excellent rock album with lots of energy. Fast and catchy guitars, memorable vocal performances from Morrissey. Am album with criticisms and messaging. Dread and discontentedness sound great coming from the Smiths
Arcade Fire
3/5
It's aight. A few exciting songs, although I didn't listen to the album very closely in terms of lyrics. I feel like I would have liked this album more a few years ago, but unfortunately some songs are overplayed now. Crown of Love and Rebellion are still great tracks
Aimee Mann
4/5
An excellent sort of pop album. Has lots of elements from different genres. Lyrically engaging. Sounds very modern while also showcasing 90s rock themes. A great listen. 4.5 stars
Michael Jackson
4/5
John Prine
4/5
A very well written folk album. I don't know who the FRICK John Prine is, but man can this guy write a song. "Illegal Smile" is a funny song. "Your Flag Decal..." is also funny and kinda sad. "Sam Stone" is almost funny for how sad it is while John Prine sings it so thoughtfully. "Hello in There" is a very beautiful, sensitive song. "Spanish Pipedream" sounds nice, although it's kind of an odd story. I don't know WHAT "Pretty Good" is about. "Six O'clock News" is also tragic, but subtle enough I don't really know what the story is. Many songs stand out, and even though John Prine sings with a very hick sort of affectation, he performs each song well.
Thin Lizzy
4/5
A big, stadium rock and roll album that's NOT overbearing and ostentatious. "Southbound" has a catchy melody and a nice, almost gentle chorus. "Dancing in the Moonlight," is very nice, jazzy, and there's saxophone! The album features lots of energetic, pulsing guitars and crashing drums and grizzly vocals. There's famous songs like "Jailbreak" and "The Boys are Back in Town," the latter of which is actually not a very interesting song compared to others. While it's a well produced album, and the performances are great, I feel like my exposure to Thin Lizzy is not best served through a live album. There are a couple of interesting introductions of songs, like on "Rosalie," but other moments, like crowd hyping and distant back up vocals take away from the experience.
Janis Joplin
3/5
3.5 stars. Jazzy sort of rock and roll album. Pleasant enough. I didn't love Joplin's voice at the start, but it grew on me. Realized "Cry Baby" is in that perfume commercial with Natalie Portman
Jurassic 5
4/5
Really great production on every track. "Freedom" and "If You Only Knew" are really good. "What's Golden" may be the most popular, as I'm pretty sure I e heard this song before. Some of the verses are kinda basic, like on "High Fidelity," where the lyrics don't stand out very much. But there are songs like "One of Them" with a more explicit point or theme. Still, great composition on pretty much every song.
The Only Ones
3/5
A pretty solid rock and roll album. Great instrumentals and different elements from the band. I just don't like the vocals very much. I don't like the sound of the singers voice.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
3.5 stars. I've never been a fan of reggae, and I was worried that I wasn't going to like this album. I did enjoy it, but I found it too easy to zone out and enjoy the tunes rather than listen to what Bob Marly was singing about. I know he's really influential for his activism and speaking out against the struggle of Jamaicans, however it was often difficult to hear that in the songs without reading along with the lyrics. There are many points where these criticisms aren't over the top, so a close reading of the songs' messages is more difficult. It all sounded great, but I feel like I couldn't truly appreciate what the music was delivering.
Billy Joel
3/5
3/5
Beatles
3/5
I think this was a great example of how the Beatles are great composers. The guitars and drums are simple but very catchy and pleasant. The guys aren't incredible vocalists, and their lyrics leave a lot to be desired for me. I was a bit disappointed when the "Mr. Postman" cover appeared. Do I need a Beatles cover of this song? Not really, but how else would you know it's the 60s? I was more disappointed when I saw that about half the album was covers. And then I checked - "Til There Was You," a song I really enjoyed, was not a Beatles original! So this album is probably a really good representation of what the 50s/60s music landscape was like. Still leaves me underwhelmed by the Beatles.
The Cardigans
3/5
"Your New Cuckoo" and "Lovefool" are good songs of course. "Losers" is a cool song too. "Iron Man" is an interesting song lyrically, with different textures in the instrumental. There are lots of alternative instrumental elements throughout the album, but the somewhat dreamy atmosphere and delicate vocals get tiresome for me after a while, even with it being a short album.
Buzzcocks
3/5
3.5 stars. Fast-paced punk rock album. More in the style of punk rock, since the lyrics are hardly ever political, rather they're mostly focussed on romantic angst. Favorite tracks include "You Tear Me Up" "Get Your Own" and "I Need." "Orgasm Addict" caught me off guard for how juvenile it seems, but I suppose it's on brand. Energizing songs, although it's easy for songs to blend together/sound very similar.
Billie Holiday
3/5
A pleasant enough album with some jazz standards. Holiday's voice is very mature, and sometimes I'm into her delicate singing, other times not as much. The moments where the album really shines are when the vocals, the orchestra, and the lyrics blend for an enveloping performance. "You Don't Know What Love Is" is very cool & suspenseful. "For All We Know" is a nice combination of plucky guitar, sweeping orchestra with Holiday's voice floating through. Otherwise however, the rest of the songs have the same tempo and mood they're not distinguishable to me. "But Beautiful" only reminded me of other versions I prefer. I didn't care much for the alternate takes at the end of the album, except for the audio story of "End of a Love Affair" was really interesting and made me appreciate the song and the performance more.
Elton John
4/5
Pretty cool rock/pop album. Good for walking around, although I would probably need to be engaging in something to enjoy this album. The so far are long and take their time to fade or transition into something new. Lots of catchy elements
Prince
4/5
I can't believe I never realized that this album did not actually come out in 1999. Title track is of course, great. "Little Red Corvette" is also a really good song. These songs...are all SO LONG. I feel like I'm missing something. It does give the feeling of being at a live show and watching the band ease there way in and out of sections. Lots of these songs either have really long outros or just keep repeating the hook between long verses, or both. Still, each songs creates its own atmosphere with a variety of production elements. "D.S.M.R.," groovy, a very steady beat. "Something in th Water" is a really cool song; it's eerie and a lil sad, however, there's a quirky outer-space-sounding synth melody that is quite distracting. "All the Critics" and "International Lover" are also pretty good.
Keith Jarrett
3/5
Very cool concept of one man making up the piano concerto, improvising, playing for an hour. You even get to hear little vocalizations as he "feels" the music. Unsurprisingly, I found myself not paying attention and zoning out, at times. Even considering the scenario, it's hard to remain captivated without the performer in front of me in a room full of people. Part II c does sound good as a stand alone song. Pleasant enough if you want to fill your home with something a bit whimsical.
Shivkumar Sharma
4/5
Cool sounding house album. I wish it was longer!
Metallica
3/5
I very rhythmic and influential album. The lyrics sometimes compliment the grittiness of the songs. Some of the songs drag on a little, as if you would be banging your head and knocking into people during the repetition. "Enter Sandman" is such an iconic song, and "Struggle Within" is a great closer. 3.5 stars
John Martyn
2/5
2.5 stars. Some of it is smooth jazz, some of it is bluesy, the ending track is very psychedelic. Martyn's vocals really caught me off guard - on a bad way - on the opening track. Some songs he has a great performance, like on "Certain Surprise" and "Couldn't Love you More." The latter track is my favorite, with a nice combo of bright synth(?) and acoustic guitar. The album has a very 70s sound to it, with various horns sprinkled in on some songs. Kind of passable as soulful, technically smooth jazz, I guess. Ultimately, I don't think I'd have play this one again.
Radiohead
4/5
Funkadelic
4/5
3.75 Stars. I've know this is very famous, and it took me a while to even approach this listen, as "Maggot Brain" requires a certain level of calm and focus to appreciate. I'm surprised this is their most popular song, as it's a very slow burn, atmospheric psychedelic rock track. The structure of this album is intriguing, as the book ends are really long, experimental songs that don't allow much for a passive listen. The tracks in between these, however, are really catchy, groovy and funky songs. It's nice to find where Sleigh Bells got the sample for their most popular song ("Can You Get to That" / "Rill Rill") While the album it's a casual listen as a whole, it is certainly an engaging one. Did not appreciate having fart sounds in my ears, though
Slayer
3/5
The guitars and the drums sound awesome! The lyrics though... Not something I want in my brain, even as a passive listen. I don't know how anybody in the 80s would've known what these guys are saying at a concert or listening on speakers. But that's how they getcha.
Blur
4/5
Solid 3.75 stars. An emblematic Brit pop album, especially in the sense that many songs sound very British. Specifically "Bank Holiday," the title track, and, even though there are barely any words, "Lot 105." "This is a Low," pretty good song; have no idea where the places it lists are. "Tracy Jacks" and "Trouble in the Message Centre" illustrate the banalities of suburb/modern working class life. Big hits include "Girls & Boys," "End of a Century," and "To the End"
The Verve
3/5
Very light 3 stars. The album is...pleasant. The lead single was overplayed, but it's a cool song when actively listening to it. Reminiscent of Rufus Wainwright with the lead singers singing and Oasis with the instrumentation. All the songs sound good, but nothing really stands out. Album is very long for all these songs to be pretty indistinguishable. The words are hard to parse out with how the singer sings them, and even looking at them, they seem superficially deep. Nice enough, but no real reason to return to it.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
2/5
Not really an album for me. I don't care for the aesthetic of these songs or the fact that they don't change a whole lot and it feels like they drag on. "Gimme Three Steps" and "Free bird" are pretty good. I feel to much like a hillbilly listening to these tracks.
Gram Parsons
3/5
Nice folk album
Ravi Shankar
3/5
A very straightforward and guided introduction to different acoustic song types generating from India.
Coldplay
5/5
An excellent alternative rock album. The songs are dreamy, comforting and engaging. You can hear sounds and and themes that the band would develop further in their careers. This album holds up well, as it would easily fit into the indie rock space today.
Stan Getz
4/5
3.75 stars. A pleasant album to keep you company, especially if you're doing something like cooking or using public transit. It's a shame that this style of music sounds like royalty free music, or a backing track, just based on how it's been used in media over the past 30 years. It's a delightful array of sound, and the saxophone is captivating. Favorite song was "E Luxo So"
Kendrick Lamar
5/5
Engaging narrative flow, the voicemail interstitials set up, punctuate, and contrast the songs surrounding them. Contains a variety of bangers and pensive tunes. Excellent production. Singles that I didn't really like sound better in the context of the whole piece. An excellent album listening experience.
Sly & The Family Stone
3/5
Amy Winehouse
5/5
4.75 stars. A really great album. Amy's voice is so rich and is so evocative. Mark Ronson's production makes every instrument sound clear and full, and you can appreciate the sound of the full band on certain songs. It's a great, modern jazz album that still sounds like one of the classics. Some lyrics I don't quite understand, or the vulgar nature seems a bit awkward to me, but that's just my preference. Not a bad song on here and a really great listen overall
David Bowie
3/5
ABBA
5/5
4.9 stars. It's hard not to rate this album highly cuz there are SO many hits. "Tiger" is a new favorite. "When I Kissed the Teacher" I am choosing to believe is about an adult Geometry class. The title track is a departure from all of the upbeat singles, but it does create anticipation for "Fernando." Only weak song is "Happy Honolulu," sounds like a kinda bland 50s song, and they don't even pronounce Hawaii right.
2Pac
4/5
3/5
Really it would be a 2.5/5. I was excited when I saw that it was 80s new wave from the UK, but I didn't find the songa very interesting. Look of Love and Tears Are Not Enough are good, but not like to be on my rotation
The Darkness
3/5
Big showy rick elements and impressive vocals. Very upbeat album, although it does get tiring for me listening to the whole album. Pretty interesting though
Pink Floyd
3/5
Miles Davis
4/5
Yes
3/5
3.5 stars. An interesting rock album with lots of different progressions and cool instrumentation
Def Leppard
2/5
2.5 stars. There are lots of interesting elements to the tracks. Very excited vocals, big thumping drums, shredding guitars, echoing backing vocals. But it gets kinda tired as the album goes on. Some songs are toooo long. Pour Some Sugar on Me is such a ridiculous song. The title track Hysteria is kinda cool though. It all sounds VERY 80s hair metal
Björk
4/5
4.5 stars. I thought I would have to force myself to enjoy this album but it was really good. Lots of cool, noisy and syncopated elements. Each measure of each song is fascinating. Only 4.5 because no one particular song stood out to me, but it was a very engaging experience.
Air
2/5
2.5 stars. An alright album if you're lost in thought and want something in the background. "Clouds Up" sounds like it was not meant to be the focus of my attention. "High School Lover" was good. The songs, especially the closing track, are too apparently the soundtrack to something else.
Pink Floyd
4/5
Pretty good. It's apparent how influential the album has been over the years
Beastie Boys
3/5
3.5. Lots of cool production elements. The jazzy interstitials were probably my favorite part. Beastie Boys don't really have bars though
Primal Scream
3/5
Pleasant songs to listen to. Some sound like backing tracks, others sound like atmospheric songs. "Higher than the Sun" and "Inner Flight" were good
Christina Aguilera
3/5
Overall a pleasant album, but too many songs! Every song sounded nice, but some weren't so distinct from another. The album didn't seem totally cohesive, more like a collection of songs that sounded pretty good. Christina Aguilar also insists on belting every part of the song on multiple tracks, which can be grating if not distracting. There are some big hits, like "Fighter" and "Beautiful." Of course "Dirrty" is a BANGER and such a fun song. A pretty good album with some skips.
Kanye West
5/5
An incredibly cutting edge album. Kind of heartbreaking to hear Kanye speak so self-awarely of his shortcomings. So SO many features on this album, a huge collaborative effort. Quite a few iconic songs like "Power" and "Monster" and "Runaway." Sounds very 2010s, but still very modern.
Joni Mitchell
4/5
4.5 stars. Beautiful album. Elements of folk and pop. Tracks like "Just like This Train" and "Raised on Robbery" sound full and upbeat. I really enjoy the use of harmonies on various songs. A great sounding album
Dexys Midnight Runners
4/5
This album takes it's time. "This is What She's Like" doesn't sound like a drag even at 12 minutes in length. Includes a variety of genres and elements. A pleasant surprise for an album from right in the middle of the 80s.
Johnny Cash
4/5
Johnny Cash sounds great. It's interesting to hear him interact with the crowd. The songs are catchy while still maintaining intentionality with their lyrics and Cash's performance.
Van Morrison
4/5
A nice jazzy folksy album. Van Morrison sings very soulfully. "Moondance" is deservedly a huge hit. "Brand New Day" and "Glad Tidings" are good songs too.
Van Halen
2/5
Pretty corny sounding. Some of the elements, whether it be the guitar riffs or the drums, sound cool on their own, but all together it's all just dripping with bravado and self-importance. The lyrics are corny. Even the singles aren't that enjoyable. Without the synths, "Jump" doesn't have anything going for it and just drags on
Laura Nyro
3/5
A nice jazzy album. Laura Nyro has a beautiful voice. The opening track is great. Some songs do sound kinda dated; I'm not a fan of 70s-esque horn sections. Sometimes it feels like Nyro is over singing, like a cliche show off singer. But generally the album is a pleasant listening experience.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
4/5
Hard to find this album. I thought I would only appreciate this collection as an observation on music from other cultures, but lots of sections were very catchy and symphonically charged. Khan sings very passionately.
Michael Kiwanuka
4/5
A pretty good sound rock album. One of the singles was kind of overplayed, unfortunately.
Alice Cooper
3/5
3.5 stars. A pretty good rock album. I didn't think I was going to like this, based on what I thought Alice in Chains would sound like. But the songs are constructed well. Alice Cooper gives a good performance. Even "No More Mr. Nice Guy" is alright despite having heard this song dozens of times.
The Velvet Underground
4/5
3.75 stars. A very gritty and experimental rock album. Nico's voice is so beautiful. "I'll Be Your Mirror" is wonderful. You can definitely hear the influence of this album in different rock and alternative groups today.
The Who
3/5
A pleasant rock album. I didn't think I would like The Who as I don't enjoy a lot of classic rock, but this has a nice 60s sound to it. "My Generation" is definitely a skip though, as I've heard it too many times. There are a couple of interesting covers/interpolations such as "Shout and Shimmy" and "Heatwave". 3.25 stars
Grizzly Bear
3/5
3.5 stars. I would've rated this album higher when I was younger. It's an eerie album. Lots of elements that would end up being big in the indie rock space in the 2010s. The singers have really dreamy affectations. "Two Weeks" and "Ready, Able" are big hits. A pleasant album, although some songs are indistinguishable sonically.
Erykah Badu
4/5
An excellent jazz/funk/psychedelic rock listening experience. "Didn't Cha Know" sounds great. "Booty" sounds like a really shady track, and ends up being a song about solidarity of not wanting to take another woman's unfaithful man. "Bag Lady" is so groovy.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
I'm finding I'm not a fan of Nick Cave & the bad Seeds. How do they have 3 albums on this list? I don't enjoy the lead singers droning speak-singing. The lyrics sound like a stuffy poem I would have to study for an English class. The choir-style backing vocals and crashing drums are interesting, but it's not enough to elevate the album. "Breathlessly" wasn't so bad, but I skipped around through most of the songs. It was best when I wasn't paying much attention to each track and just let it play in my background. It's probably a more enjoyable experience live with all the elements together. 2.5 stars
2/5
I suppose "1001 albums to listen to" is not exactly a promise that every album will be good. Fred Durst has such a goofy ass flow. The album cover is HIDEOUS. On "Getcha Groove On," the beat is pretty catchy, and Xzibit starts the track off well, and then Durst's chorus is soo underwhelming. Lots of the instrumentals aren't half bad, but the lyrics are not impressive and rather corny. Maybe in 2000 this was really revolutionary stuff. I can see how songs like "My Way" and "Rollin" could get a group of people going. The aesthetic is clear throughout most of the album, but does stray to a more sensitive approach with a few songs. "The One" is very boring, but I appreciate it and a few other songs for showcasing a perspective other than "kiss my chocolate starFISH" The slow songs do exemplify that the band is not very engaging without all the heavy guitars and big drums, as they can feel like they drag on. Though don't get me wrong, the fast songs can drag on too. Also, you could cut about 4 or 5 songs from the album. But good for them for getting Method Man, Red Man, and DMX for another version of their most popular song. "The Outro" is cute. Would be a lot better if it weren't 10 minutes long
Missy Elliott
4/5
A great album with thoughtful themes woven throughout. Some bumping beats with tact lines and bars. "Work It" is an iconic song, and the 50 Cent remix at the end wasn't bad. I really appreciate Missy Elliot's interstitials at the end of tracks to give more insight into what her concepts are. The album can sound very 2000s at times, but it's still a really cool listen.
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
A quirky little album. "Voices of Old People" is certainly not a banger, but it did force me to stop and listen to what the voices had to say. "Old Friends" is a really beautiful song. I guess "Mrs. Robinson" is the big hit from this, and it definitely has that Simon and Garfunkel sound, but it doesn't blow me away compared to the other songs.
Jungle Brothers
4/5
I was skeptical when I saw a rap album from 1989 because lots of early rap is corny and overly long and not very interesting. This album surprised me with its catchy beats and well-produced songs. Even in "Doin our Own Dang" the ideas of sell outs and copycats are discussed , showing that Jungle Brothers had something worth emulating. The Mc's don't always have very insightful bars, but their flow is alright. Even at an hour long I didn't think any song overstayed its welcome. Like, 3.75 stars
Beck
3/5
I can tell this album was probably really cool at the time, and some people probably still like it, but it's just not for me. I don't like the sound of Beck's voice. Most of the lyrics I don't know what the H he's talking about. "Blow back derelict wind, lay my soul in the fallow field," what does that even mean? Some songs sounded good. "Novacane" had some good production elements. "Minus" sounds cool. "Where It's At" is a WHACK track, I did not enjoy it. This is an early Beck album, so it probably gets better from here. 2.75 stars
Michael Jackson
5/5
4.75 stars. An incredibly well produced album. Quincy Jones really did it on this one. Very progressive sound elements coming from 1982, with still a little bit of disco influence. So many great hits on here, even with more underrated tracks like "Lady In My Life" and "P.Y.T." "Girl is Mine" is pretty a goofy song, I don't know what woman would really be trying to choose between 24 year old MJ and 40 year old Paul McCartney, and them "arguing" softly in the song is laughable. But it's a very engaging listen, an excellent pop album, and at a tight 42 minutes its over before ya know it
Deep Purple
3/5
3.5 stars. I was apprehensive about this album, as I typically don't enjoy 70s rock. I also don't usually enjoy live albums. However this performance was definitely aided by the energy of a live show. Songs like "Smoke on the Water," which I've heard a million times, is more bearable with its different flourishes and personal touches. I did find my head bobbing along, as I tried not to think about how each song was going to be 12 minutes
Thundercat
4/5
I've wanted to listen to this album for a while, and I'm glad I finally did. Thunder at is such a funky guy, and it's great to hear all these beats and his gentle vocals and his funny bars. It's a nice surprise throughout the album to hear all the features included. I would say this album does feel a little long, as I was waiting for the single "Them Changes" throughout the first half of the album, and once it came, there was so much more of the album left. The last few songs I didn't feel like progressed the ideas in the album much more. Still a very enjoyable listen.
Scissor Sisters
2/5
2.5 stars. This album was...fine? I didn't really appreciate all the falsetto singing. The electronic composition of the songs sounds dated, like it's either from the 90s or even the 70s. Maybe it sounded better in 2004. "Mary," and "Lovers in the Backseat" sounded pretty good. I'm not super sure what they're talking about in the song "Tits on the Radio" but it sounded pretty eh.
Sister Sledge
4/5
A pleasant funk/disco album. Big hits like the title track and "He's The Greatest Dancer." "Thinking of You" is also a great song, and it's pretty short for a disco track! Funky bass lines and quivering strings and dreamy vocal performances.
Cornershop
4/5
4.25 stars. A little psychedelic, a bit funky. The album fits well within the sound of the late 90s with added influence of Indian music. "Good Sh**" is interestingly put together. "Good to Be Back on the Road Again" has a beautiful female vocal performance. The instrumental tracks also provide cool soundscapes with steady beats. An engaging listen with frequent use of sitar
Manic Street Preachers
4/5
This was an interesting album experience, as I thought the instrumentals were very pleasant and engaging, not a generic rock, but well composed for a rock band. I've begun reading the lyrics to songs for this project, as it's easy for me to zone out and not really pay attention to what I'm listening to. The lyrics, ay caramba, lots of them are graphic and/or grotesque and/or visceral. It's hard to understand the Welsh vocalist 80% of the time, especially when lots of words are crammed into one line. It's a very energetic and fast paced album with lots to criticize. "Faster" was one of my favorites as the speaker scrutinizes themselves. "This is Yesterday" especially stands out for it's lack of brutality, and it's a pleasant listen.
Beatles
3/5
I don't want to say this album is over hyped, but a widely acclaimed album doesn't mean it's a perfect album. It's interesting to hear the Beatles perform in different genres with various influences. However, at 30 tracks, there are edits that could've been made. "Why Don't We Do It In the Road?" more like why don't you cut it from the album? I was not a Beatles fan before, and I am not a Beatles fan after listening to this, but it was insightful to hear prominent 60s rock and pop.
Green Day
3/5
3.5 stars. A very energetic album. A few hits such as "Longview," "Basket Case," and "When I Come Around," all which sound better in the context of tje whole album. Unfortunately I am not a fan of the punk rock sound, even less so Billy Joe Armstrong's often unintelligible affectation. "Pulling Teeth" and "F.O.D." are good songs though
The Rolling Stones
4/5
3.75 stars. The Stones construct their songs well, whether they are upbeat or slower, more emotional tracks. The elements are thoughtfully added together, some string sections and satisfying drum crashes, and Mick Jagger performs all the vocals well. A couple of big hits on here like "Brown Sugar" and "Wild Horses." "Bitch" and "Dead Flowers" are good songs too. I'm not usually a fan of classic rock, nor do I resonate with wanting a visit from Sister Morphine, but this was a pleasant listen.
M.I.A.
4/5
A very catchy and electronically - influenced rap album. M.I.A's lines aren't necessarily simple, but they're compact and short, which adds to catchiness of each track. It's insightful to hear her perspective on being a refugee in the western world. "Galang" is a popular song from this album, but all of them are good. I especially enjoy all the glitches and edits to the vocals.
Adele
3/5
Adele is an incredible and amazing singer; it's wonderful to hear her sing (except for the repeated growling on some of the singles.) The singles were actually my least favorite part, although I'm biased because I heard them so much when they came out. "Set Fire to the Rain" was the least enjoyable because...what does that even mean? It also felt like the singles were these big flashy pieces against the other tracks that had almost a jazz club or coffee shop vibe. I think I got ballad fatigue from this album. No one song is bad, but many of them didn't click with me. It is at least interesting to hear how many different perspectives about an relationship Adele can sing about. I didn't expect the "Love song" cover. "He Won't Go" is a good song. It's a very soulful pop album, but it just wasn't my cup of tea.
Nine Inch Nails
4/5
A very intense industrial album. Trent Reznor is a great producer. Even with the brutality of the lyrics and sound elements, the songs maintain an engaging and even catchy quality. Big hits include "Closer" and "Hurt," the latter of which is a great closing track. Unfortunately I do find myself resonating with lots of the lyrics. "I Do Not Want This" and "Eraser" are good. It can become an awkward listen while at work or at 8 in the morning.
Santana
4/5
4.25 stars. An excellent Latin(?) funk(?) rock album. I don't really know where Santana falls in the genres spectrum. He's an excellent guitarist. The composition and the mixing of his backing band creates a full, engaging sound that is great for sitting in a car or dancing around. There's not a lot of singing, but the songs that do have singing are all the more special. I can see why "Oye Como Va" is one of my mom's favorite songs.
ZZ Top
3/5
3.5 stars. I was apprehensive when I saw this title, as "Sharp Dressed Man" is an overplayed song, but it sounds better within he context of the album. Lots of great guitar and well constructed instrumentals. "Thug" has a really good bass line. The lyrics are where this album is lacking. "I Got the Six" sounds great, EXCEPT for the vocals. "Legs" sounds nice, gross lyrics. Why is there a song all about TV Dinners?
Isaac Hayes
3/5
3.5 stars. A pretty good soul album. I knew each song was gonna be long when I only saw 4 tracks. With that in mind, it's an easy ride through the album. "Walk on By" is pretty good
The Young Rascals
4/5
4.5 stars. They really didn't lie when they said they were groovin. A very enjoyable album with some genre variety, especially impressive for the 60s. The title track is great. "I Don't Love you Anymore" also has some great vocals. Lots of excellent mounds coming together for this album.
Duran Duran
2/5
2.5 stars. Lots of the elements to the songs are cool, with the distorted guitars and bass lines and synths. It definitely sounds like the 80s, but hardly any songs stand out. Even "Rio" and "Hungry Like the Wolf" kind of blend into the rest of the album. "Last Chance on a Stairway" sounded nice. It's all fine.
The Go-Go's
5/5
This album has no skips? The vocal quality of the singer is enchanting and the songs are catchy and upbeat. Even the songs that aren't as pop centric are still engaging and entertaining to listen to. Reminiscent of surf rock that would become popular in the 2010s.
The Yardbirds
2/5
2.5 stars. The album was fine, not bad, but it's not a sound I'm particularly interested in, nor am I a big fan of older styles of rock and roll. There is some interesting arrangement of vocals, like on "Turn Into Earth." "Jeff's Boogie" sounds nice, even if it does evoke Royalty Free music. "He's Always There" was an exciting listen with the reveal that this was definitely used in a Pussycat Dolls song.
Queen
3/5
A well constructed rock album, although most songs did not really stand out to me. "Killer Queen" I already understood to be a good song, but I think I appreciate it a little more now. Anytime there are Freddy Mercury harmonies they are marvelous. But this album did not blow my mind.
Steely Dan
3/5
3.5 stars. I was a little apprehensive about this album, as I haven't enjoyed Steely Dan for how overplayed some songs are and how uncool the band is in my head. They even say "fuck" in "Show Biz Kids" and Tidal didn't mark it as an explicit song, that's how uncool they are. But I gave "Bodhisattva" another chance, and it's a well constructed song. The instrumentation and production on these songs is fire. "The Boston Rag" has this great piano and guitar pairing at the end. "Pearl of the Quarter" really good. I just don't particularly care for the lyrics of the songs, nor do really I enjoy the sound of the singer's voice. But Steely Dan is not uncool.
Metallica
3/5
An 80s metal album, and at 54 minutes for 8 tracks, these songs are long. Some don't feel so long, but the mid- to slow-tempo songs feel long. Even some of the faster paced songs like "Master of Puppets" is long at 8 and a half minutes. "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)" and "Disposable Heroes" are well written lyrically, but I didn't enjoy the listening experience all that much. "Leper Messiah" was my favorite, as it has a driving melody and it's less than 6 minutes long. Oddly enough I did also enjoy "Orion" for the most part even though there weren't any lyrics to carry it. "Damage Inc" was okay.
Funkadelic
4/5
This was a difficult album to review as it wasn't on my streaming service, so I had to listen to the whole album in one long YouTube video. However, what it did highlight was how the songs were engaging and sounded good even jumping right into the middle of one. The songs are long, but not in a droning way, like it's a ride with different discoveries along the way. Many goofy and poignant and psychedelic references throughout the lyrics. An interesting album if you're not in a rush and just looking to jam.
Laibach
2/5
2.5 stars? I was interested when I saw a description that Laibach is industrial music. This is more like ... dark metal music? The bassy vocal performance isn't something that I like. And some songs sound like 80s video game soundtracks. Honestly the descriptions of their other albums sound more interesting. I just wasn't for me. I don't yet understand why these Slovenian guys are cosplaying as Germans. I have found some intriguing articles and analysis about the band, but I don't want to have to do extensive research to "get" their music. Perhaps I will if I'd like to delve into the Laibach discography.
Steely Dan
4/5
I was hesitant, as I tried listening to this album once and couldn't stand listening to the singles that have been overplayed. Listening to the whole album and hearing all the instrumental elements, however, made it such an enjoyable and engaging experience. The lyrics are pretty whack, though. "Deacon Blues," what the HELL is this guy singing about? "Black Cow" and "Peg" sound really groovy. I still don't really like the singer's voice and affectation, but these are undeniably good songs. & A quick 38 minutes
The Damned
4/5
Something like 4.25 stars. I am very impressed by this album. I generally don't like 70s rock and I don't generally like punk music, but this album sounded great. The lyrics are often very clever and insightful and the songs are energetic and catchy. There a lots of interesting instrumental details and additions. "Anti-Pope" is a good representation of the album as a whole.
Fugees
4/5
A very well produced album. I know "Killing Me Softly" is pretty much a cover, but I didn't realize how many samples and interpolations there would be on the album. The lyrics are often well thought it and poignant. The Chinese restaurant skit was humorous, but also kinda came outta nowhere? The album was certainty an interesting listening experience
Ice T
3/5
3.5 stars. I feel like if the album started in the middle, and included some of the better songs of the latter half, it would have been a great album. "Rich and Infamous" is an entertaining and insightful song. "Body Count" is a really cool mesh of punk rock and rap. "Pulse of the Rhyme" is great. "New Jack Hustler" has a great beat. Even "Prepared to Die" is a really cool spoken word interstitial. There are other intriguing moments on the album, with vulgar images of brutality and Ice T's visceral disdain for haters and government agencies. However, at over an hour long, there are plenty of edits that could've been made. Some songs seem to drag on, especially with Ice T's simplistic flow and rhymes. Many bars aren't very impressive, and especially the more braggadocios songs come off as corny. Some really cool stuff on here, but not an album I want to keep spinning as a whole.
The Black Keys
4/5
4.5 stars. Revisiting after listen to this dozens of times as a teen, I was ready to realize wasn't as good as I remember, but it still holds up very well. "Next Girl" and "Only One" are great. Every song a simple but subtly complex with excellent production. "Black Mud" is a very bluesy instrumental, and "TATLY" has a great vocal performance by Dan Auerbach, with a very dramatic piano-y beat. My least favorite songs were actually the singles. "Tighten Up" sounds very pop-py, especially with the whistling. It was more fresh sounding at the time, and the switch up at the end of the track is interesting. "Howlin for You" is a song that, if I were listening to for the first time today, I would find rather boring until the last minute where the track progresses. "Unknown Brother" is a really touching song that I'm just now realizing may have inspired the title of this album. "These days" is nice, but it's kind of a sleepy song. I would rather have "Never Gonna Give You Up" as the album closer.
Ryan Adams
2/5
2.5 stars. Ryan Adams is clearly a good songwriter, just so many songs are long and slow, not only does it make the album drag the songs don't often distinguish themselves from each other. "Nobody Girl" is an interesting analysis on a self proclaimed free spirit, but does it have to be 9 minutes long? "Gonna Make You Love Me" is an upbeat songs, but isn't interesting lyrically. "Firecracker" is folksy with harmonica, and there are some gentle and touching songs like "La Cienega..." "When the Stars Go Blue" and "Wild Flowers." It's elevated coffee shop music.
4/5
A very cool and detailed rock album. I was nervous seeing the 37 minute run time with only 3 tracks. It was best to listen to it as a listening experience rather than one song after another.. The instrumentals are very intricate and rich with many different elements and influences. I really like the vocal performances too, especially midway through the first track. Definitely an album I could see myself buying and spinning to fill the house.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
Very light 3. A folk rock album, there are some interesting elements like the guitar solos, but many of the songs blend together and leaving me impatient for the sound to change up. If I'm not paying too close attention, it sounds fairly pleasant. The title track and "Down By the River" sound pretty good.
Common
3/5
It would be great if the album as a whole was more like "Payback is a Grandmother" and "Ghetto Heaven Pt 2" as those have insightful lyrics and jamming beats. I know Common is one of those quintessential conscious rappers, but many of the bars were just off-putting and corny. Lots of good production on here, but definitely not a record I'd be spinning on my own.
Antony and the Johnsons
4/5
4.5 stars. "Hope There's Someone" is haunting but touching & beautiful. "Man is the baby" a beautiful thoughtful song. "You are my sister" is a nice heartfelt song. There's an over use of vibrato which gets tiring. "Fistful of Love" is soulful and tragic. "Spiraling" is a gentle but heartbreaking performance / description of spiraling into despair. "Bird Gerhl" is also very heartfelt while being a hopeful. A very sensitive and emotional listening experience.
The Who
3/5
Not as bad as I thought, considering I haven't enjoyed The Who in the past, and when I've heard the singles off of this album in other playlists, I've always found them rather boring. "Baba O'Reilly" was actually pretty cool, as well as "The Song is Over." "Bargain" is interesting lyrically with some chill production elements, but it's otherwise really repetitive and a bit boring. "My Wife" is kinda lame. The famous "Behind Blue Eyes" is an alright song. "Won't Be Fooled Again" is cool, but it shouldn't be 8 and a half minutes long!
Nas
3/5
3.5 stars. It's a rather dense album. A passive listen is still enjoyable, but without depth. "One Love" has a great beat. I like the "Human Nature" sample in "It Ain't Hard to Tell," which is also a nice closer to the album. I know it's a really famous album, but I feel like I have to really focus on each line to fully experience what makes it good, which makes it difficult to appreciate on the 1st or even 2nd listen.
The Divine Comedy
4/5
3.75 stars? All the tracks sound great, and the vocal performances are very big and engaging, but most of the lyrics are a huge turnoff. The songs only start making sense halfway through the album. "The Frog Princess" was an interesting song, but has a sad and almost mean spirited ending. "A Woman of the World" is a bit odd, but is understandable. "Through a Long & Sleepless Night" is a pretty badass song; "Theme from Casanova" is pleasant and an interesting presentation of the theme of the album. "The Dogs and Horses" serves as a big and dramatic closing number.
Echo And The Bunnymen
4/5
3.75 stars. Pretty catchy tunes and are pleasant to jam along to. Sounds very 80s with the dark guitars and distant vocals. Notable songs are "Do It Clean," where I thought the line was "I got a barrel of piss" and "Monkey" which is also catchy. You could pick any song and it would sound cool.
Gillian Welch
3/5
3.5 stars. A nice singer songwriter album. "Dear Someone" is a nice song. It's a very gentle album, amd can feel a bit one-note at times, but still pleasant.
Public Enemy
3/5
3.5 stars. Super energetic album. There are plenty of instrumentals on here that still hold up. Chuck D's flow doesn't sound corny or overly simplistic like other proto-rap albums sometimes do. Flava Flav, on the other hand, seems to only serve as hype, and I don't feel like he contributes much to the album other than ad libs and interjections. While the album is energetic with many cool samples (including a soundbyte that would later be used for a Ludacris sample) I felt a bit fatigued having to sustain that level of energy for about an hour.
DJ Shadow
4/5
3.75 stars. I've revisited this album a few times for this project, each time seeking to find some stand out moments or songs, but I just end up vibing for the rest of the album. I think "Stem/Long Stem" and "What Does Your Soul Look Like" were particularly good? It speaks well of the album that all the songs flow together. It does have a certain charm with having a 90s simplicity to the mixing and editing, but still sounds modern.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
3.5 stars. Another Bob Marley album, another struggle to pay attention to what he's actually talking about while the music sounds easy going and groovy. Some titles are very distinct, such as "Slave Driver" VS "Baby Got a Date." Simple music with an interesting perspective.
Alanis Morissette
4/5
I didn't realize so many singles were on this album! I know Alanis Morissette's vocal style has been made fun of over the years, but it's really engaging within the context of the album as a series of emotional songs. "Forgiven" is a new favorite production wise, although on this song I didn't really care for the lyrics. "Mary Jane" and "Not the Doctor" were also a bit too ambiguous for me to follow. It's an impressively produced album, with lots of thoughtful and provoking lyrics, although I'm not sure it's something I'd want to listen to all the time .
Faust
4/5
4.5 stars. I was hesitant when I saw it was a German band from the 70s, but it was actually really really good. Very ambient and psychedelic with industrial elements. It's good for zoning out, but still held my attention. "Krautrock" and "Giggy Smile" were maybe most notable, but all the songs flow into each other well.
N.W.A.
3/5
A very impactful rap album. Some of the beats are pretty funky, although some of the production elements sound dated today. MC Ren, for being featured on so many tracks, has lots of unremarkable bars. This is definitely an example of what people who don't like rap think what rap is. I think Ice Cube has lots of poignant lines and biting deliveries. Some songs seem aggro for aggro's sake, like "I Ain't The 1." I can appreciate the album in small doses, but I'm a big fan of the works spawned after this
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
4/5
3.75 stars. I was really apprehensive when I saw that it was some old timey looking record from the 70s, and it's 2 hours long. However there's not a bad song on the album. It's a pleasant collection of honky tonk bluegrassy songs. Included are charming spoken introductions to some songs, a few of which are simply the band preparing to perform. There are also instrumental tracks that are just as enjoyable as the ones with vocals. "I Saw The Light" is probably my favorite song out of all 40ish on here. The album serves well as a piece to keep me company as it gently underscores whatever is going on. It is not a piece that really commands attention, because once I did, I remembered that the whole thing is TWO HOURS. Nice songs, but had many moments of "how many more songs are there??"
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
4/5
4.5 stars. Very straightforward, well-written & performed pop songs with great electric guitar accompaniment. Holly has great vocals on every song. Trio back up adds a very charming touch. Favorite songs are "Maybe Baby" "That'll Be the Day," and "Empty Cup." You can hear how influential this sound has been to other artists. Not a band song on here. Great album if you're into 50s rock/pop sound.
The Specials
3/5
3.5 stars. Good ol fashioned ska. Island guitars and horn sections, often having a big band sound. Favorite tracks include "Nite Klub" and "Blank Expression." "Doesn't Make It Alright" has a straightforward message, and offers a nice gentler change of pace from the other songs. "You're Wondering Now" is clever as a closing track.
Willie Nelson
4/5
4.5 stars. A very jazzy, gentle country album. The title track sounds beautiful, "All of Me" is super catchy. The arrangements are great paired with Willie Nelson's touching vocal performance.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
The songs all sound great, but I don't think I really "get" them. There are interesting perspectives being told, like on the famous "Sympathy for the Devil" and "Jigsaw Puzzle," but I am not left with a particular message or feeling in mind. "Prodigal Son" and "Factory Girl" are more simplistic lyrically, although I don't enjoy these more for being easier to understand. "Stray Cat Blues" is about...getting freaky with a 15 year old? "No Expectations" was a very beautiful sounding song. The construction and performance of the classic rock sound is pleasant, but I am not sure I can really appreciate what the album has to offer.
Steely Dan
5/5
4.75 stars daaaang this album is good. I can see how it out Steely Dan on the map. Songs are super catchy and well produced. "Do It Again" is such a classic. "Only a Fool" sounds especially nice. "Change of the Guard" has a rocking guitar solo. There are songs on here that suffer from the writing style of "what the HELL are these guys talking about?" but there are other simpler songs that are less perplexing
Frank Sinatra
4/5
A very pleasant mix of Frank Sinatra's voice and bossa nova grooviness. "Girl from Ipanema" slaps, of course. Other notable tracks include "Once I Loved" and "Sinatra/Jobim Medley." There are frequent dramatic and romantic moments in this piece. "Baubles Bangles and Beads" and "Didi" were not particularly interesting to me. It's an enjoyable experience with some Italian(?) singing sprinkled in for extra charm.
Carole King
5/5
5.5 stars? The production is excellent and the vocal performances are so powerful and expressive. Carole King is such a great songwriter. I had to look up if "You Make Me Feel" was an original song, as it's been covered by so many people. Revisiting this album, I have a new appreciation for "Beautiful," which is upbeat with delight keyboard flourishes, as well as "Will You Love Me Tomorrow," with its beautiful vocals and harmonies. Very endearing and timeless. One of the greatest pop albums of all time.
Nirvana
4/5
4.5 stars. I have not enjoyed Nirvana in the past, and it would be easy to write off this album as a bunch of grumbling. Subtitles ON for this one. I used to find Cobain's affectation grating, but I enjoy it now, and can see how it blends with the rest of the song elements. Even though not every lyric made total sense, like on "Scentless Apprentice" and "Rape Me", I still appreciated the emotions behind the singing and the energy of the instrumentation. There are also songs that are simple, "Dumb" and "All Apologies" that make it easy to enjoy what the band has to offer. Also "Heart Shaped Box" kicks ass
MGMT
3/5
3.5 stars. "Kids" was featured in a FIFA game at some point, which has immortalized it in the consciousness of people who were kids or teens in the 2010s. It's crazy to think that this album came out in 2008, as it seemed to influence the indie rock sound for the next several years. I never really listened to the lyrics, amd they seem pretty abstract that I still don't understand these songs better. "Pieces of What" I feel like I almost get it. "The Handshake" is an interesting song that describes how making a deal, presumably with a record label, results in unfortunate outcomes. It's an interesting piece of indie rock music history.
Morrissey
4/5
The album has great production and composition throughout all the songs (I could do without Morrissey's rolled R's, it sounds ridiculous.) Favorite would be "Suedehead," which sounds great and features some very 80s synths. Other notable songs: "Every day is Like Sunday," "I Don't Mind if You Forget Me," and "Margaret on the Guillotine." "Alsatian Cousin" has a real funky bass, and "Last Night, Maudlin Street" tells an interesting story and paints very specific visuals.
Depeche Mode
5/5
This album SLAPS. "World in My Eyes" has great production, very alluring and energetic. "Halo" has a nice melody. "Policy of Truth" is very evocative lyrically. "Clean" is a dramatic, pulsing song and a cool closer. Even the less interesting songs, like "Blue Dress" and "Sweetest Perfection" include great lead ins for the heavy hitters on the album. The really famous singles like "Personal Jesus" and "Enjoy the Silence" still shine and are especially well out together, and the album version includes long, flowing outros to transition to the next song. Each song is either excellent in its own right or serves the flow of the whole piece. Such excellent production value that creating sultry and eerie and danceable moments. Very well constructed, especially for the album-listening experience.
Saint Etienne
4/5
Very catchy and groovy songs. "Only Live Can Break a Heart," "Spring," "nothing Can Stop Us," and"Kids and Make Up" are favorites. The interstitial of guys at a poker game was ... a bit too long for me.
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
3/5
Solid 3.5 stars. A straightforward noisy rock album. At times the lyrics are simple, other times they're inaudible but it always sounds pretty good. Lots of short tracks keep the album engaging. It also includes moments of heavy distortion or experimental sounds. Notable tracks include "Wail," "Love All of Me," "Can't Stop" and "Sticky."
Fleet Foxes
4/5
A very well produced folk album. Swelling vocals and harmonies. Notable tracks include the very popular "White Winter Hymnal," "Ragged Woof," and "Quiet Homes." The album sounds like adventuring through the mountains, or a long road trip, or spending the evening in a warm log cabin.
Johnny Cash
4/5
4.25 stars. I really like Johnny Cash, and this album feels like listening to a series of songs that he particularly likes as well. Apparently this is a series of mostly-cover albums, and I'd be interested in checking out others. This over of course had the very famous cover of "Hurt," and is the last album he released before he died. That eeriness looms over much of the album, especially with songs like "I Hung My Head" and "Desperado." Because of the stage Cash is at in his life, his singing has a weathered quality to it, which doesn't lend itself very well to the more belty songs. For this reason I don't think I would have the album on rotation. But Cash's charm remains a feature throughout, and it's nice listening to him perform songs that we both enjoy.
Kacey Musgraves
5/5
Such an excellent country album. Kacey Musgraves has such a sweet voice, and such thoughtful and clever and emotive lyrics. The production is so modern and innovative. It feels like a warm country album with glittery pop embellishments. I thought the singles were great when the album came out, and new favorites include "Slow Burn" "Wonder Woman" "Happy & Sad" and "Golden Hour."