View Album
Wed Jan 17 2024
Bone Machine
Tom Waits
I know karate, voodoo too.
“Pitchy” as a feature, not a bug
That one slow song… good to hear some variety.
And then a couple songs that were just jamming. Can’t believe they made the album cut.
Some songs I was really impressed with his singing, and others I just felt were terrible.
3
View Album
Thu Jan 18 2024
Halcyon Digest
Deerhunter
The first song gave me a bad impression, but I think if I was high it might have been my favorite. They eventually settled into a nice chill vibe which I’m all about. Lots of simple repetitive guitar riffs which are easy to catch onto.
At the same time, nothing really stood out to me as amazing.
3
View Album
Fri Jan 19 2024
Liege And Lief
Fairport Convention
I really like the lead singer’s voice, and the musical style is right up my alley. Lots of really beautiful melodies, with light yet rhythmic backing.
Things were different in the 60s - 8-minute songs?? Wild. My only criticism might be my own lack of attention span.
I would definitely listen to this again, though I’m not sure in what context.
I didn’t pay attention to the lyrics, but based on the music I assume they were poetic and meaningful.
4
View Album
Mon Jan 22 2024
Bayou Country
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Lots of attitude from the singer, loving the instrumental solos, especially harmonica. Clearly high-quality improvisers.
Up Around the Bend, Proud Mary - absolute classics. Though it seems Up Around the Bend was not actually on this album. Silly Spotify.
Kept listening to CCR all day after this.
5
View Album
Tue Jan 23 2024
We Are Family
Sister Sledge
Wow, apparently I never knew who sang “We Are Family” before. Nothing too interesting or surprising here. Slightly boring, and even the main hit (while legendary) didn’t give me enough feels that would put this album above any of the others we’ve listened to so far.
2
View Album
Wed Jan 24 2024
The Sensual World
Kate Bush
I don’t know much about Kate Bush other than that song from Stranger Things, but this is a good album. Every song is weird enough to keep me intrigued, but not so weird that I want to turn it off.
Some of these songs feel like “studio only”. There are a lot of random instruments that wouldn’t be practical to bring on tour, unless you just use a keyboard for them instead. And she also harmonizes with herself a fair bit. Or, they just would sound different live.
3
View Album
Thu Jan 25 2024
Beautiful Freak
Eels
Never heard of these guys before. It’s a definite vibe - I came in and out of enjoying it, even within one song.
The riff in Susan’s House was sampled by Atmosphere (Yesterday). Never realized that was a sample until now.
Ah, and that song from Shrek “My Beloved Monster” sort of stood out as a different style.
The more I listened to the album, the more I appreciated it. Quite a variety of different styles in the end. Definitely enjoyable overall.
3
View Album
Fri Jan 26 2024
Lust For Life
Iggy Pop
I quite like some songs (Some Weird Sin, The Passenger), but it still isn’t something I would put on regularly.
This album is almost the opposite of the previous Kate Bush one for me. Either the songs were boring and generic, or too weird that it gave me the ick (Turn Blue).
Maybe this influenced a lot of more modern music, but now with modern music already in existence I’m not going to be returning to this album any time soon.
2
View Album
Mon Jan 29 2024
Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Wu-Tang Clan
A lot of it is just straight rap with a simple beat behind. It’s refreshing because I don’t listen to too much of that style. I thought it would get old after a few songs, but it actually got better the more I got into the album.
I like the beat for 7th chamber, method man, and forgot to look at the names of the rest of the songs after I started this list. But there were a lot with sick beats/flows.
4
View Album
Tue Jan 30 2024
Brothers
The Black Keys
I’ve heard of the Black Keys before and probably know some of their stuff without knowing it was them. Ah yep, I’ve heard Howlin’ for You.
I really like the funky bluesy rock style overall. They remind me of the Cold War Kids, though a bit more polished. These Days was a nice soft departure from that style though, showing a bit of range in the album, and was a banging song overall.
Really good album. Super impressed.
4
View Album
Wed Jan 31 2024
Deja Vu
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Almost cut my hair feels like somebody just got high and wrote down the first things that came to their mind, then they wrote music behind it.
I like the mix between electric guitar solos and folksy wholesome music, but it also made it so I couldn’t figure out the identity of the group. Four-part harmony?
Deja Vu is super catchy. In general I liked the songs, but nothing to set it apart from other decent albums.
2
View Album
Thu Feb 01 2024
Off The Wall
Michael Jackson
Michael’s voice really is beautiful. So much range, both in notes and musical style.
I didn’t listen to the entire album, but I feel like I heard enough to give it 3 stars.
3
View Album
Fri Feb 02 2024
Planet Rock: The Album
Afrika Bambaataa
It’s not bad, but it just sounds too cheesy to me. They definitely put effort into the beats, which were groovy, just not what I like to listen to.
I don’t recognize any of the songs, so there isn’t any nostalgia element for me.
Haven’t given a one star yet, so feel like I should get one in the books.
1
View Album
Mon Feb 05 2024
Murmur
R.E.M.
I’m digging this album. Some groovy beats and weird musical choices, then some classic rock sounds, but it kept me on my toes.
This is an album that I can’t believe is 40 years old. It still feels so modern - or could at least be from the 2000s.
4
View Album
Tue Feb 06 2024
Time Out
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
I remember when Simon Cowell used “elevator music” as an insult on American Idol. Well, here we have it.
Everybody Jumpin’, while an obvious predecessor to “Jump On It”, just doesn’t have the same energy.
Calming and fine to have in the background, but nothing I’ll be returning to with any measurable amount of excitement.
2
View Album
Wed Feb 07 2024
Disraeli Gears
Cream
I’ve heard cream a bit before, whose songs are largely based on the singer rocking out and occasionally switching to a soft falsetto with Eric Clapton wailing on the guitar in the background. It’s a definite yes for me.
Sunshine of Your Love - classic.
Outside Women Blues has really weird timing, but I still kinda dig it.
A Mothers Lament reminds me of Monty Python. It’s a weird one to end on, but I’m glad they had this random silly departure from their usual style.
There’s a lot to love on this album.
4
View Album
Thu Feb 08 2024
Murder Ballads
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
This whole album has such a weird vibe, which was sort of the point I guess, based on the name.
But even if we want to excuse the subject matter, still the music was pretty boring, the lyrics were strange (“I’d crawl over 1000 pussys just to get to one boys juicy butthole” - paraphrased, but not far off), and nothing stuck out in a positive direction.
Not sure if “Death is Not the End” was meant to be uplifting, but for me it was creepy AF.
1
View Album
Tue Feb 13 2024
Sheer Heart Attack
Queen
Freddie Mercury’s voice is truly incredible. Some of the rhythms on songs I’ve never heard of are insane, super impressive.
There’s also a huge variety of style in a single album, which I always appreciate, and shows the versatility of all the musicians.
That being said, I did find myself a bit uninterested by a few of the songs, so would be hard-pressed to give it a 5.
4
View Album
Wed Feb 14 2024
The Poet
Bobby Womack
Groovy beats about love with great singing as accompaniment. I really like the vibe, but it all just sort of blended together after a while and no specific song stuck out to me.
All good, but nothing great.
3
View Album
Fri Feb 16 2024
Fetch The Bolt Cutters
Fiona Apple
Newspaper was very cringey - not enjoyable listening for me. Also “I Want You To Love Me”. And…. the whole album. Nevermind. It’s the whole album.
Some songs were actually fine. But I still wouldn’t put them on over much else.
That being said, I don’t regret listening to the album, because now I know that I shouldn’t ever listen to Fiona Apple again, and can happily judge others for doing so.
1
View Album
Thu Feb 29 2024
Go Girl Crazy
The Dictators
Overall, not great, not bad. Some of the songs gave me ska vibes without the brass, which was interesting. I can’t say there was a huge amount of creativity though, in my opinion.
I Got You Babe made me realize that I forgot to watch Groundhog Day this year. *sad face*
3
View Album
Fri Mar 01 2024
Crazysexycool
TLC
Too much is going on in the harmonies (background and singing) to really appreciate them, other than the general vibe. Or maybe just the mixing is bad. Not sure. I do like the general vibe though.
Their voice(s) sounded a lot better and cut through more when the pitch was a bit higher, but for some reason a lot of the songs had them singing low for a significant portion. I do like the bits with rapping though.
“Waterfalls” is played so often in the UK. It’s fine, but not sure why it’s that popular.
2
View Album
Mon Mar 04 2024
Heroes
David Bowie
David Bowie’s voice is frustrating. It seems like he intentionally speak-sings which makes his music and voice recognizable, but I would like to know what notes are written at some point.
And then the other half of the album was random ambient sounds.
I feel like I like the idea of David Bowie - purposely making a lot of non-mainstream choices just to subvert expectations. But I don’t actually like David Bowie in reality. If I was really into music I might appreciate it more, but as a casual listener I just want a bit more of easy listening. It seems he is always trying to make some point, but I don’t know what.
1
View Album
Tue Mar 05 2024
Highway 61 Revisited
Bob Dylan
I really like Bob Dylan’s style. Every song on this album is one that I would be happy to come up on shuffle. Some I knew before, some I didn’t, but I would happily listen to this album again.
My only criticism is that a lot of the songs sound very similar in style, and listening to the whole album together didn’t give me a whole lot of emotional journey, but rather a blur of one feeling.
4
View Album
Wed Mar 06 2024
I Am a Bird Now
Antony and the Johnsons
My first thought was “Sam Smith vibes”, but it changed as I heard a bit more, and gave some Hozier vibes at some points as well. Regardless I love the voice(s), and I’m glad I know a bit more about Antony/ANOHNI and the Johnsons.
3
View Album
Thu Mar 07 2024
Vol. 4
Black Sabbath
Wheels of Confusion itself takes you on a journey. I kept having to check whether it was the same song still playing, or if I missed the cut somewhere.
Changes was a bit of a stylistic curveball. I had no idea that Black Sabbath originally did that song! Amazing. This is the only song I recognized from the album.
Then WTFX. I don’t understand why several albums have included random stuff like this. Maybe in this case it was to cleanse your palate after changes and get you back in the metal mood? Or maybe that was some new super inventive technique? No idea.
Laguna sunrise also completely different style. So nice.
All in all, a surprisingly diverse album from a band that in my previous mind was one-dimensional. I have heard a lot about Black Sabbath, but never really listened to them. I now understand and appreciate their impact a lot more. If that isn’t worthy of 5 stars, what is?
5
View Album
Fri Mar 08 2024
She's So Unusual
Cyndi Lauper
Two all-time classics on a debut album has to give Cyndi some love.
I liked the whole album. All upbeat, catchy songs. Nothing really blew me away, but a positive experience overall.
3
View Album
Tue Mar 12 2024
From Elvis In Memphis
Elvis Presley
I know a fair few of Elvis hits, but I can’t say I’ve ever listened to any of his albums. He seems to do a good job of walking the line between more traditional singing (vibrato, slow-ish and “pure”) and rock-style “screaming” and can switch between them at will.
I like the style, there’s some variety, but I can’t say I really loved the album. A lot of the songs were pretty unremarkable. But then again, there were some absolute bangers (Suspicious Minds, Kentucky Rain)
3
View Album
Wed Mar 13 2024
The Last Broadcast
Doves
I wonder if the lead singer’s name is Ian, because this sounds like a Christian rock album without the Christ.
I sort of liked a few of the songs (the beginning of There Goes the Fear, M62 and NY), but overall I’m not very impressed.
Wow, and then I actually know “Caught by the River”, but I have no idea from where. Another pretty good one, but can’t bump up the whole album.
2
View Album
Thu Mar 14 2024
3 Years, 5 Months And 2 Days In The Life Of...
Arrested Development
Absolutely loving all of the beats. I also like the rapping style. It’s very conversational and easy to understand, with a chill vibe.
I started to lose some interest toward the end, but still a good album. I’m surprised I haven’t heard much about arrested development before.
4
View Album
Mon Mar 18 2024
On The Beach
Neil Young
Pretty enjoyable. I feel I could sit around a campfire and listen to Neil Young for hours. But everything just blended together. Nothing stuck out at all, and at the end of the album a Bob Dylan song played, and I realized how much more character and charisma Dylan has compared to Young. I’m between a 2 and a 3 here.
2
View Album
Tue Mar 19 2024
Fragile
Yes
Some parts of Roundabout seem vaguely familiar. I like the guitar instrumentals and background, but I feel like it’s a bit much.
Random classical music.
There’s a lot of vocal harmony, which is interesting but in my opinion doesn’t really match with the background music. And it’s a lot of “la la la” and “doo doo doo”, which makes sense if you’re singing a capella, but why not just make those sounds with actual instruments if you are using them anyway?
Heart of the Sunrise is amazing.
The album really grew on me as time went on. I have my qualms with it, but pretty good overall.
3
View Album
Wed Mar 20 2024
Bad Company
Bad Company
It’s fine.
3
View Album
Fri Mar 22 2024
2112
Rush
Absolute monster of a first “song”. I love it. It varies from sci-fi to hard rock instrumentals, to acoustic, but even within hard rock the rhythms and progressions aren’t very repetitive which keeps it interesting.
The rest of it is pretty good as well, but nothing crazy.
4
View Album
Mon Mar 25 2024
The Downward Spiral
Nine Inch Nails
Definitely not my style. Can barely understand any of the lyrics, distortion of the backing tracks is way too high. Most of the album sounds like a factory where the parent company would be legally required to tell employees to wear ear plugs. I know it was all intentional, but still.
I’ve definitely heard a few of these songs, but never knew the context.
By the latter half of the album, I really started to appreciate how they put the album together. So many different styles that brought me through a range of emotions. It sort of reminded me of the Nick Cave album, but it was actually well executed.
Some appreciation here, but I still don’t really want to listen to it again.
3
View Album
Tue Mar 26 2024
Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes
This one is very much my style. I’ve heard and forgotten about a lot of these songs. Relaxing but upbeat, with elements of nature thrown in everywhere. I would definitely listen to this again.
But I can’t say anything surprised me or really blew me away.
3
View Album
Wed Mar 27 2024
Ingenue
k.d. lang
This album was fairly enjoyable but a bit boring. It gave a sort of musical theatre feel, but without a story. Don’t have a whole lot to say about it.
2
View Album
Thu Mar 28 2024
White Light
Gene Clark
Pretty good. Reminiscent of John Denver and the like. I almost dropped it to 2 stars because of the iffy rendition of Stand By Me, but will keep it at 3 because I genuinely enjoyed the rest.
3
View Album
Fri Mar 29 2024
Tidal
Fiona Apple
This album is wayyyy better than “Fetch the Bolt Cutters”. There are actually several good songs on here, Criminal being just one of them, which honestly didn’t stand out to me.
Never is a Promise really stuck out to me for some reason. Lots of switches in and out of dissonance, chest voice and falsetto. Really impressive and beautiful.
I came into this expecting to give 2 stars maximum, but this is a really high quality album.
4
View Album
Thu Apr 04 2024
Pyromania
Def Leppard
I sort of like the style, but I feel like it all blended together and nothing stood out to me. Not bad, not great.
3
View Album
Mon Apr 08 2024
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Kanye West
The feeling I get from this album is that Kanye had quite a few ideas that he really liked and are objectively good, and then sort of filled in the rest with random stuff that would “suffice”.
This is true for lyrics: some lines really had me thinking, while others felt like an 15-year old white boy had written them. For beats as well: Every song had a good beat, but most of the time I didn’t feel like it went anywhere beyond an initial build. And also for collaborations: it seems like he wrote down a list of people he wanted to be on the album and then just threw them together randomly.
Even with all this criticism, I still pretty much liked all the songs. Favorites were Runaway and Blame Game (though the last part was weird and cringe).
Also, lots of random product placement. Wonder if he got paid for that.
3
View Album
Thu Apr 11 2024
British Steel
Judas Priest
Classic hard rock sound. The singer has huge variety in his his voice. From the “grungy” rock sound to operatic in some instances, and the more flat (but still good) sounding in songs like “United”.
Nothing stood out a whole lot, but it was all enjoyable.
3
View Album
Mon Apr 15 2024
What's Going On
Marvin Gaye
Wow, the deluxe edition on YouTube has literally 6 versions of “What’s Going On”. The album is alright, but sort of boring. Not super impressed.
2
View Album
Tue Apr 23 2024
The College Dropout
Kanye West
Where “Dark Twisted Fantasy” was a jerky rollercoaster with its inconsistency, “College Dropout” is a coherent unit with several absolute bangers on it.
Loved all the school spirit skits. Never heard them before.
Whenever a new song started, I felt the new beat might be my favorite of the album. All so fresh.
5
View Album
Wed Apr 24 2024
Veckatimest
Grizzly Bear
Personally, I just don’t really get it. I’m not sure what they are going for. It isn’t bad, despite their best attempts to throw random dissonant chords everywhere, but it’s not something I would listen to again.
The singer is quality though. Vague Simon and Garfunkel vibes through the album, but don’t like the style as much.
2
View Album
Thu Apr 25 2024
New Forms
Roni Size
I like it a lot more than I thought it would. I sort feel like there’s a story being told by the music, with changing environments and random characters added in. It would be a good background to a video game, sort of reminding me of Ratchet and Clank.
But it is wayyy too long. Even if it was a normal length, I’m not sure I could have finished it but in reality I made it about 7 songs in and decided I didn’t want that noise in my life all day.
2
View Album
Mon May 06 2024
Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
Arctic Monkeys
A lot of absolute classics on here. Favorites are Fake Tales of San Francisco, Mardy Bum, From the Ritz to the Rubble, A Certain Romance.
I like the style so much that I wanted to give it 5 stars, but several of the songs sound pretty similar and are fairly skippable in my opinion.
4
View Album
Thu May 09 2024
Music From The Penguin Cafe
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
I recognize the album art for some reason, but no idea why…
This album has been more enjoyable than any of the other purely instrumental albums we have listened to so far, in my opinion. It has a feeling of light heartedness and whimsy, which takes me away from the problems of the real world.
Oh, I guess there is also singing (From the Colonies), which is very depressing.
I liked the lighthearted parts, but could barely make it through some of the terrible squeaking on string instruments. Just… why?
2