Jan 11 2024
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At Mister Kelly's
Sarah Vaughan
This lady can hold a note, vocal command is on-point and not in your face, very sleepy jazz, low-ceiling club jazz with wonderful live feel, really goes off on the last song
3
Jan 12 2024
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Paranoid
Black Sabbath
A couple of great songs beyond the one ones I'm familiar with. The run of Hand of Doom, Rat Salad, and Fairies wear Boots stand out in the back end. Iron Man sounds dated these days...I guess its just a little overplayed. War Pigs and Paranoid still hold up. I always thought I "knew" this album because of the hits, but its much more complete with everything in context.
4
Jan 15 2024
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Are You Experienced
Jimi Hendrix
Another one that I knew many of the hits from, but never gave the whole thing a listen. There are some great songs on here especially in the second half, but it is a bit long. My last few albums were considerably shorter. Things started to blend a bit but could just be the mood I'm in (its Friday, I'm distracted)
3
Jan 16 2024
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At San Quentin
Johnny Cash
Historic album. You can almost visualize this one with the crowd and the things Cash says between tracks. Boy named Sue is the obvious standout but there were some other great tracks on here.
4
Jan 17 2024
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Pink Moon
Nick Drake
This is an incredible album. This album is why I wanted to start this project. Immensely compelling songwriting coming from a man and his guitar. I know now where some of my favorite modern artist drew inspiration. Highlights include Place To Be, Parasite, and From The Morning. Time to listen 1,000 more times.
5
Jan 18 2024
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The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
David Bowie
This album grew on me by the end of it. There are obviously a ton of hits on it, including my all time favorite Bowie song: Suffragette City, but it took a while to hook me. I feel like the middle of the album slows down a bit. Overall, Bowie is a master of his craft and wrote songs that go beyond one genre. On this album along he has great songs that could easily appear on Stones, Fleetwood, or Elton John albums. As a whole this album is fantastic.
4
Jan 19 2024
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Step In The Arena
Gang Starr
Man, I really thought I was going to love this album but it was a snooze. I love Premiers production, but it gets repetitive in one sitting. Guru never switches up his flow (admittedly, not a common practice in this era) and there are no features so it becomes more noticeable as the record goes on. No real stand out tracks, honestly. This era of hip-hop is filled with so many more interesting artists and albums. Gang Starr definitely holds a place in the history books, but I'll probably stick to best-of albums from here on out.
2
Jan 22 2024
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Back To Black
Amy Winehouse
Banger after bop. Winehouse simultaneously revived and redefined a genre with 11 tracks in 34 minutes. So many great songs on here like Rehab, You know I'm No Good, Tears Dry, and on and on. Her voice is at its prime on this record and each track is composed with that in mind. I'm pretty sure I've listened to this album before, but I (re)discovered some new-to-me songs that are now in rotation. I love this album.
4
Jan 23 2024
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Kid A
Radiohead
One of my favorite Radiohead albums. This one is such a roller coaster with high highs and low lows (sonically). Favorites are National Anthem, Optimistic, Morning Bell. Not sure where this sits on my top Radiohead albums but its definitely top three.
5
Jan 24 2024
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Horses
Patti Smith
I had zero expectations going into this one as I'm not familiar with Patti Smith. I took a chance of throwing this one on during a workout and it surprisingly worked out. The poetic, emotion-packed sing-talk lyrics paired with the rock melodies really drew me in. There were parts that gave me strong Pink Floyd vibes. I thought this album was great and I immediately put it back on when I finished to give the lyrics another listened. Highlights include Gloria, Free Money, Kimberly, Land: Horses.
4
Jan 25 2024
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The Man Machine
Kraftwerk
Not a fan of this album. I was initially excited going into this listen because I know how influential Kraftwerk are, but damn I feel like this album is stuck in its era. It does not age well with the rest of the electronic landscape. It sounds like music from an 80s nerd sci-fi B movie. I was able to hear glimpses of inspired artist, but this was a tough listen overall. The last song The Man Machine was maybe the only kinda standout. The Model stands out in a bad way for me.
1
Jan 26 2024
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Bad
Michael Jackson
Solid album. I've only heard the hits from this one (which there are plenty) but all the tracks flow nicely as a whole. I didn't find myself enjoying the slower songs as much, but they were a nice break from the crazy production. The highlights are obvious but I really enjoyed Another Part of Me - I've never heard that one before.
4
Jan 27 2024
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Catch A Fire
Bob Marley & The Wailers
Chill ass album. Really enjoyed each track even if they faded into the background. I think thats what this music is supposed to do sometimes. Stir It Up is still the highlight but I loved every song that followed. Super strong back half with High Tide or Low Tide being the stand out. Great album.
4
Jan 28 2024
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Paul Simon
Paul Simon
Came in expecting a sleepy album and although it is easy listening, its quite engaging. I'm pretty unfamiliar with Simon but I do know he's a great song writer and this album is a showcase. Not going to be in heavy rotation but I appreciate it.
3
Jan 29 2024
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Group Sex
Circle Jerks
This album brought me back to my middle school/high school days. I mostly listened to punk compilations (shouts out Fat Wreckords) so I never truly dove into full albums, but I remember this first song, Deny Everything, from one of the mix tapes I listened to. All thats to say is I thought this album was great and a fun listen. It was definitely a change of pace comeing from Paul Simon but I welcomed it. Hard to name too many stand outs because each song is so short but Live Fast Die Young is great.
4
Jan 30 2024
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Sticky Fingers
The Rolling Stones
Pretty good album. The first half is definitely stronger than the second half. I've heard many of these songs before and there were no other new standouts. The album cover is iconic, though.
3
Jan 31 2024
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Lost Souls
Doves
Good early 2000s album with a more modern feel. There are glimpses of 90s influences here and there but it still holds up. A few solid tracks but nothing stand out beyond rise and cedar room
3
Feb 01 2024
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Frampton Comes Alive
Peter Frampton
Electric performance. Crowd is definitely into all of it. I enjoyed this one throughout and that peter frampton can really play the guitar.
3
Feb 02 2024
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Real Life
Magazine
Some bowie, some b-52s, some 80s punk. Overall pretty decent album. I usually cant listen to this type of music for an entire album but something about the mix of genres helped me get through it. Probably wont be in rotation but I liked a lot of parts.
2
Feb 03 2024
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Appetite For Destruction
Guns N' Roses
4
Feb 04 2024
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Orbital 2
Orbital
This was much better than I thought it was going to be after hearing the first track. It might've help that I was driving for the entirety of this album, but I thought it was a super engaging, early techno album with a lot of compelling ideas. Each song was unique and yet satisfyingly repetitive. My wife even liked it! Probably too niche to keep in rotation but might throw it on while gaming. Impact, and Halcyon on and on are standouts.
3
Feb 05 2024
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Black Holes and Revelations
Muse
Excellent album from start to finish. This album was part of the core pieces of music that shaped my middle school/high school eras and it still absolutely holds up. It covers so much ground in 50 minutes and doesn't waste a second. I love this album and every track deserves a listen.
5
Feb 06 2024
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Hounds Of Love
Kate Bush
This album was so hard for me to get through for some reason. It wasn't necessarily bad, I just don't know if I was ever in the mood for this style of music. I think, unfortunately because its actually a great song, starting with Running Up That Hill really killed it for me because that song has been played into the ground recently. If that were in the middle or maybe not on this record at all I might have enjoyed it more.
2
Feb 07 2024
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Sound Affects
The Jam
Fun album with some good jams. Not as hard as some of the other punk bands they're associated with, but I still enjoyed it overall.
3
Feb 08 2024
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If I Should Fall From Grace With God
The Pogues
Not really my cup of tea but there were some fun drinking songs on there. I cant understand why their most listened song by a long shot was Fairytale of NY...not a very good song at all. This wont be in rotation but I can see myself blasting a few tracks on St. Paddy's Day
3
Feb 09 2024
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AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted
Ice Cube
Never really listen to ice cube before but I kind of knew to expect. I think this album aged pretty well and had a ton of energy and a lot of fun songs. It probably could have been one or two tracks shorter, but I really did like it more than I thought I would.
4
Feb 10 2024
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Deep Purple In Rock
Deep Purple
Pretty kick-ass album. I haven't heard a Deep Purple song outside of Smoke on the Water and this album made me like them so much more. The guitar solos, the melodies, the vocals. I loved jamming to this one. Speed King, Bloodsucker, and Flight of the Rat were my favorites.
4
Feb 11 2024
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Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
OutKast
God damn this album is long. They should give you two days to listen and rate this one. That being said, this double album has some great songs (some of the greatest: Hey Ya, Roses The Way You Move), a lot of good songs, and a ton of filler. A lot of it is forgettable due to its length, but the gems will be in rotation basically forever. If this double album was condensed into one, it would rate higher for me.
3
Feb 12 2024
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Little Earthquakes
Tori Amos
Pretty decent album that reminded me of the Kate Bush one. I liked this one better - it had consistent, softer sound and I think it has aged a little better. I hear other artists that I assumed were influenced by Amos in this work (definitely getting Maggie Rodgers vibes). I saved a few tracks: Crucify and Tear in Your Hand.
3
Feb 13 2024
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Pearl
Janis Joplin
Never really listened to Janis before. Pretty good and I understand the impact she has across the industry. Certainly a legend
3
Feb 14 2024
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All Directions
The Temptations
Great funk album from a legendary group. This was perfect for the car ride I was on.
4
Feb 15 2024
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Wild Wood
Paul Weller
This was such a great album for my roadmap to the mountains. This albums sound is so different from what I think when I hear early-90s. Definitely going to give this one another listen.
4
Feb 16 2024
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Next
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
Couldn't get through this one. Just too rough around the edges to get into. Something about the presence of this whole album just turns me off.
1
Feb 17 2024
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Arrival
ABBA
Fantastic album. Fun, varied, and timeless. Dancing Queen is definitely the best song on here but its surrounded by tons of other great tracks that make this a worthwhile album.
4
Feb 18 2024
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Rubber Soul
Beatles
One of my favorite Beatles Albums (so far). Right before this project I was making my way through their discography and this was the last one I listened to. This album also holds a special place in my heart because it was the one I listened to the day I found out I was becoming a Dad.
5
Feb 19 2024
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KIWANUKA
Michael Kiwanuka
Overall decent album. Had some songs that I enjoyed but none that took me to the next level. I enjoyed hearing something new and more modern. No songs made it into rotation, though.
3
Feb 20 2024
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Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs
Derek & The Dominos
Pretty cool album from a band I thought I'd never heard of before. I honestly thought Layla was performed by like Eric Clapton or something. But they have a good sound that goes beyond their biggest hit. I enjoyed this one
4
Mar 05 2024
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The Healer
John Lee Hooker
Pretty good blues album with some slick guitar riffs. The second half was a bit more sleepy but its tough to compete when you have Santana on the opening track. I generally enjoyed this album and it help me discover a few extra blues songs when it wrapped up.
3
Mar 06 2024
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Tom Tom Club
Tom Tom Club
Pretty good record with one very famous stand-out. I never knew the history behind Genius of Love but it definitely sounds like a Talking Heads inspired song - as does the rest of the album. I also recall hearing Under the Boardwalk...as a cover or something? I'm not sure.
3
Mar 07 2024
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Car Wheels On A Gravel Road
Lucinda Williams
Not my typical genre of choice but there were some fun songs on this album. Theres something about a genuine 90s country album that brings a certain sound. Like Right On Time, Car Wheels..., Metal Firecracker - I feel like I can imagine them in the studio recording these ones. Its a cool image.
3
Mar 08 2024
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Figure 8
Elliott Smith
A little too on the slow and emotional side for me. It also reminded me of an era of music where I would avoid stuff like this entirely. Im sure its a good album for some, but I wasn't feeling it.
2
Mar 09 2024
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Surfer Rosa
Pixies
Kinda sloppy, a little rough, but had some charm. I didn't really enjoy any one song besides "Where is my mind". A few parts of this album annoyed me so I probably wont revisit.
2
Mar 10 2024
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Highway 61 Revisited
Bob Dylan
First full listen of a Dylan album and I get the hype. Can seem repetitive or lyrically overwhelming at times, but theres no denying he's an influence on the entire industry.
4
Mar 11 2024
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The Last Of The True Believers
Nanci Griffith
I'm always so surprised by these types of albums because I would never choose to listen to them on my own, but when I'm "forced", I end up really enjoying them. So many sweet and simply songs that are just downright pleasant to listen to. I really appreciate this type of music. Banks of the Pontchartrain and Goin' Gone are some of my favs.
4
Mar 12 2024
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Fulfillingness' First Finale
Stevie Wonder
Didn't love this album. Lots of great songs, but just not my speed. There were maybe 2 tracks that sparked my interest but otherwise the music fell into the background. Excited to hear some other Stevie Wonder albums though. Dude is a legend.
2