531
Albums Rated
4.09
Average Rating
49%
Complete
558 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1950s
Favorite Decade
Reggae
Favorite Genre
UK
Top Origin
Enthusiast
Rater Style ?
173
5-Star Albums
0
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
D.O.A. the Third and Final Report of Throbbing Gristle
Throbbing Gristle
|
5 | 1.88 | +3.12 |
|
Third
Soft Machine
|
5 | 2.43 | +2.57 |
|
Suicide
Suicide
|
5 | 2.46 | +2.54 |
|
We're Only In It For The Money
The Mothers Of Invention
|
5 | 2.46 | +2.54 |
|
Cut
The Slits
|
5 | 2.71 | +2.29 |
|
Histoire De Melody Nelson
Serge Gainsbourg
|
5 | 2.75 | +2.25 |
|
Yeezus
Kanye West
|
5 | 2.77 | +2.23 |
|
Faust IV
Faust
|
5 | 2.78 | +2.22 |
|
Freak Out!
The Mothers Of Invention
|
5 | 2.83 | +2.17 |
|
Sweetheart Of The Rodeo
The Byrds
|
5 | 2.83 | +2.17 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Californication
Red Hot Chili Peppers
|
2 | 3.7 | -1.7 |
|
Black Holes and Revelations
Muse
|
2 | 3.59 | -1.59 |
|
Brothers
The Black Keys
|
2 | 3.58 | -1.58 |
|
Frank
Amy Winehouse
|
2 | 3.45 | -1.45 |
|
Your New Favourite Band
The Hives
|
2 | 3.12 | -1.12 |
|
Highly Evolved
The Vines
|
2 | 3.04 | -1.04 |
|
Midnight Ride
Paul Revere & The Raiders
|
2 | 3 | -1 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Beatles | 6 | 4.83 |
| Bob Dylan | 5 | 4.8 |
| David Bowie | 8 | 4.38 |
| Leonard Cohen | 4 | 4.75 |
| Prince | 3 | 5 |
| Brian Eno | 3 | 5 |
| Miles Davis | 3 | 5 |
| Pink Floyd | 4 | 4.5 |
| Bob Marley & The Wailers | 3 | 4.67 |
| Jimi Hendrix | 3 | 4.67 |
| Talking Heads | 3 | 4.67 |
| Stevie Wonder | 3 | 4.67 |
| Kraftwerk | 3 | 4.67 |
| The Rolling Stones | 3 | 4.67 |
| Pixies | 3 | 4.67 |
| Neil Young & Crazy Horse | 3 | 4.67 |
| Black Sabbath | 2 | 5 |
| Neil Young | 2 | 5 |
| Radiohead | 2 | 5 |
| James Brown | 2 | 5 |
| Nirvana | 2 | 5 |
| The Band | 2 | 5 |
| The Kinks | 2 | 5 |
| Nick Drake | 2 | 5 |
| The Smiths | 2 | 5 |
| Kanye West | 2 | 5 |
| A Tribe Called Quest | 2 | 5 |
| Van Morrison | 2 | 5 |
| Funkadelic | 2 | 5 |
| The Mothers Of Invention | 2 | 5 |
| The Stooges | 2 | 5 |
| Led Zeppelin | 3 | 4.33 |
| Steely Dan | 3 | 4.33 |
5-Star Albums (173)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Willie Nelson
5/5
I would never claim to be a huge Country fan but this one hits just right. Willie’s confidence to let that voice ring with sparse instrumentation is something to behold. 50 years later this one holds up so well.
2 likes
Funkadelic
5/5
Tracks are all great but we’re all here for Eddie Hazel tearing our heart out with the title track.
1 likes
Pink Floyd
5/5
What am I supposed to say about one of the most lauded albums of all time?
1 likes
All Ratings
Isaac Hayes
5/5
Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic is perfect
Beatles
5/5
A glorious mess
Amy Winehouse
4/5
What a voice!
Prince
5/5
Black Sabbath
5/5
Still as impactful all these years later but I can't imagine listening to this in 1970 and how much it would blow your mind.
Common
3/5
Neil Young
5/5
Even second their Neil Young is great.
Beach House
3/5
First three songs remind me why I loved this stuff back in the day but it lost me after a while.
Radiohead
5/5
Joan Armatrading
4/5
Creedence Clearwater Revival
5/5
Roni Size
4/5
Hot Chip
3/5
There are so many better Hot Chip albums.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
Taylor Swift
4/5
can't deny her
Robbie Williams
4/5
Surprised me how much I enjoyed this one. Back in the day solo Robbie Williams didn’t make too much impact in North America until his next album (Want You Back is still a classic) but this was a pretty confident debut.
Brian Eno
5/5
Near perfect
The Flaming Lips
4/5
hard to follow The Soft Bulletin but still great
Muddy Waters
4/5
James Brown
5/5
Kate Bush
5/5
Side A of this is one of my favourites of all time. Side B could never get to those heights but still a fantastic album.
The White Stripes
3/5
Cyndi Lauper
3/5
Yasss queeen
Slipknot
3/5
We get it bro, you vape.
Nirvana
5/5
Testing the audience’s patience with 6 covers (3 Meat Puppets ones in a row!). So incredible and points to what could have been.
Emmylou Harris
4/5
Can't say I was too familiar with Emmylou Harris' work before but this was a lovely aughts country album. Likely won't revisit too often but enjoyed it.
The Stone Roses
5/5
A stone cold classic. Starts off near perfect and ends on another crescendo, only slightly dipping in the middle. Will never pass up the opportunity to listen.
James Brown
5/5
Earl James Brown live show that shows shy he was such a popular concert. I've listened to it a bunch but it never really got into a steady rotation. Still a great listen that I enjoy every time I revisit.
Peter Gabriel
4/5
Far from the prog of Genesis, Gabriel had really honed in his pop chops to the point where someone listening along kept asking if I was sure that it wasn't Phil Collins playing.
The Band
5/5
Stone cold classic. Probably take their next album by a hair but still a favourite of mine.
Meat Loaf
3/5
Naw son. Don’t need this. The best part is the baseball play-by-play.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
3/5
A sign of great things to come but ultimately not a particularly noteworthy album.
Jefferson Airplane
4/5
A psychedelic classic. I was familiar with Somebody To Love and White rabbit before and they’re the standout tracks. The rest is a bit uneven but Funny Cars rips.
The Pogues
4/5
Classic Celtic-Punk.
Eagles
3/5
Give me a break.
Motörhead
4/5
Prime years of Motörhead. Typically Don’t love live even when I’m a huge fan, can’t deny how tight the band sounds here.
Crosby, Stills & Nash
4/5
Timeless but not hitting the highs of Déjà Vu with Young being thrown in the find.
5/5
Maybe the peak of Britpop. Biggest album with the most crossover appeal. Still holds up to this day. Banger after banger.
D'Angelo
5/5
I’m too shy to listen to this!
Joan Baez
4/5
The First Lady of folk’s debut. A sign of the great things to come.
Massive Attack
4/5
Classic trip hop. Can’t say that I like it as much as their debut but still a great revisit
Linkin Park
3/5
I thought that we left this behind in the aughts.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
5/5
Good solid reggae. Doesn’t include some of the bigger hits that we’ve been inundated with over the years and is better for it. More collaborative and free.
Guns N' Roses
4/5
I mean okay. Guilty pleasure but I don't need much more of this. "Feel my serpentine" is something else.
Derek & The Dominos
4/5
I love writing a song about your best friend’s wife inspired by ancient Persian poetry.
Brian Eno
5/5
Fourth and last of the 70s Eno pop albums and maybe the best. Side two gets let’s pop but so atmospheric and great. He’s simply the best.
The Smashing Pumpkins
5/5
A classic of my youth. Holds up so well to this day.
Elliott Smith
5/5
I know it's coming but that last line of Rose Parade kills me every time.
Joanna Newsom
4/5
I believe you that she's great and this album is amazing. I can even recognize it sometimes. I just can't get there.
Roxy Music
5/5
Greatest song ever written about a blow-up doll.
The Doors
4/5
Last album recorded by The Lizard King, probably my favourite Doors album. Mellow Blues.
Hugh Masekela
5/5
Why not have some fun for once? Great South African Jazz.
Beck
5/5
A classic of my youth. Masterful production by Beck and the Dust Brothers. Not quite as innovative as it felt in 1996 but still a classic.
5/5
I will never love it as much as the album that preceded it but it's still Kinks at the top of their game. Victoria is particularly a delight.
Slipknot
3/5
This is the music your parents warned you not to listen to.
The Prodigy
5/5
A few years before they would hand Keith Flint the mic to sing on their biggest hits, The Prodigy released this classic which, might not be as flashy as Fat of the Land but probably holds up better.
Pink Floyd
5/5
What am I supposed to say about one of the most lauded albums of all time?
Violent Femmes
5/5
The three singles stand out but still an early America alternative classic.
The Saints
4/5
I had never heard of these Australian punks but there are some bops here.
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
Excuse me while I kiss this guy.
Elliott Smith
4/5
An ES album I wasn’t previously familiar with. Sad that it was his last but more cheer than Either/Or which is my go to for ES.
Otis Redding
5/5
Among the greatest albums. Infinitely listenable.
OutKast
4/5
Andre 3000 is exhausting sometimes. Could have been an incredible single album.
Miles Davis
5/5
What can you say about one of the greatest jazz albums of all time.
Nick Drake
5/5
Not the Nick Drake album I find myself reaching for usually but you can’t really go wrong with any of his music.
The Beta Band
4/5
Doesn't quite reach the peaks of The Three EPs but still a chill listen.
Talking Heads
4/5
A bridge between the fun but uneven art punk debut and the near perfect two albums that follow.
Elvis Presley
5/5
What can you say about the legend. Suffers only so slightly from the practice of the time of keeping hit singles off the albums but still great top to bottom.
The Velvet Underground
5/5
A favourite of mine. When I first encountered this album I wasn’t ready for it but after repeated listened it just clicked. I don’t need to take drugs if I can just listen to Heroin whenever I want.
Big Black
4/5
The legend Steve Albini. I wasn't as familiar with this album as their next one whose name I'm too shy to say out loud but definitely goes hard.
Anthrax
4/5
Fun metal. Bonkers lyrics at times.
Dolly Parton
4/5
The title track is probably one of the best Dolly songs and the rest of the album holds up well enough but boy were they pumping out albums in those days.
Michael Jackson
3/5
Ms. Dynamite
3/5
Whatever. I guess it’s competent enough.
Meat Puppets
5/5
An album that I hadn't spent too much time before but short enough to listen a few times today. I enjoyed it very much.
Donovan
3/5
Title track and Season of the Witch are stone cold classics but the rest is mostly forgettable Donovan.
Peter Gabriel
5/5
The man’s a legend
Boston
3/5
Opening track rips but the rest doesn’t quite hold up.
Bob Dylan
5/5
Because he spits hot fire.
Garbage
4/5
Garbage. Absolute Garbage.
Christina Aguilera
3/5
Great voice but come on.
Stan Getz
5/5
Classic bossa nova album.
Duran Duran
3/5
The singles are miles above the rest and are among the best Duran Duran songs.
Frank Black
4/5
I had never heard of this album but it was a great listen. Not quite as good as the classic Pixies albums but quite enjoyable and Headache is a classic tune.
Dolly Parton
4/5
Three queens of country.
Mudhoney
4/5
Touch me I’m sick.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
Maybe not my favourite Stevie Wonder album but still an absolute classic.
Beatles
5/5
The first of their truly classic albums. Unfortunate choice for final track though.
Pink Floyd
4/5
I’m a sucker for people who write songs about their bicycles.
Aerosmith
4/5
Sometimes you pump. Sometimes you get pumped.
Bill Evans Trio
5/5
Great live piano jazz. Alice in Wonderland is such a great jazz standard and Bill Evans does magic with it.
Moby
4/5
Drags at times but a modern classic for a reason.
Miles Davis
5/5
Miles' first fusion album. He'd figure out the formula over the years and perfect it but a classic in its own right.
Tori Amos
5/5
Nothing I do is good enough for you.
Alice In Chains
4/5
Would and Rooster are still some of my favourite grunge songs.
Missy Elliott
4/5
Missy be puttin’ down.
Songhoy Blues
4/5
Sure, why not.
Jethro Tull
4/5
Progressive rock? With a flute? Unheard of!
Thick as a Brick is where they really perfected things.
Christine and the Queens
4/5
Listened to both French and English versions. Great pop.
Leonard Cohen
5/5
ACAB includes Jazz Cops. Sorry, I don’t make the rules.
Country Joe & The Fish
4/5
Competent but not that interesting. Decent early psych.
R.E.M.
5/5
REM sells out and we all benefit.
The Kinks
5/5
Davies you geniuses.
Tricky
4/5
Trip Hop staple. Not one that has been part of my steady rotation.
The Band
5/5
Near-perfect follow up to a near perfect debut.
David Gray
3/5
Muddy Waters
4/5
Thanks for being my Hoochie Coochie Man
Earth, Wind & Fire
4/5
You’re a shining star
CHVRCHES
3/5
Ultimately, the next big thing level was probably prematurely taken out of the protective case.
Lana Del Rey
4/5
Ahh to be young and at the Men in Music Business Conference again.
G. Love & Special Sauce
2/5
I would be shocked if this wasn’t objectively the worst album on this list.
The Smiths
5/5
I used to think that this was the best Smiths album. While I still love it, I think that I was mistaken.
Beck
3/5
Never got into this one. I like the Melody Nelson inspired song.
Gang Of Four
5/5
One of my faves. I love a man in uniform.
Terence Trent D'Arby
4/5
I had never heard anything about this artist/album before but I enjoyed it. Wishing Well was rightfully a hit!
Missy Elliott
5/5
Debut album from the legend. Missy and Timbo teamed up and set the blueprint for hip hop in the years to come. Sock It 2 Me/The Rain/Beep Me is an incredible 3 song run.
The Zombies
5/5
What’s your name? Who’s your daddy?
Arcade Fire
3/5
I was so hyped for this when it came out after loving Funeral so much. It let me down then and still does little for me.
John Lennon
5/5
One of my favourite solo Beatles album. Best album with a Cookie Monster reference.
Drive-By Truckers
4/5
This one surprised me with how much I enjoyed it.
Suicide
5/5
my kinda freaks
Led Zeppelin
4/5
A little long. Signs of their fallibility start to show.
Steely Dan
5/5
Not my fave Steely Dan album but you simply can’t deny it.
Jack White
3/5
So funny that albums like this middling one are on this list alongside some canon classics.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
The Boss' 9/11 response album shows a return to form after a decade of mixed albums.
Miriam Makeba
4/5
Groundbreaking for 1960. A little less interesting 60+ years later.
Nas
5/5
The moment that you hear Subway Theme from Wild Style, you know that you have to listen to the album from start to end. A classic.
Jimmy Smith
5/5
Iconic Hammond organ that could only be Jimmy Smith.
Todd Rundgren
4/5
Just when I thought that I was tired of the album we got some really fun stuff at the end. Still a bit too long.
Public Enemy
4/5
Is Flav arguing that the NYPost shouldn’t have written a story about him beating his wife? Wth?
Morrissey
3/5
You’re really going to make me listen to this middling Morrissey album?
Björk
4/5
Debut marks Björk’s arrival with a bang. She would refine and perfect the formula throughout the decade but this album is undeniable. Fun and singular. Big Time Sensuality rips.
Leonard Cohen
5/5
The legend’s swan song.
Pavement
4/5
Trigger cut might be the blueprint 90s indie song.
Bert Jansch
4/5
Some ol’ classic folk.
Kraftwerk
5/5
From the run of albums that spawned multiple music genres. Truly visionary.
De La Soul
5/5
Hip hop classic full of joy.
Dire Straits
4/5
The band would hit their commercial and pop peak with Money for Nothing but a lot of that is present in this quality debut.
Public Image Ltd.
4/5
From the ashes of the Sex Pistols comes this early post punk. No matter what anyone says Fodderstompf is great.
King Crimson
5/5
Fripp demonstrating his genius from day one.
The Vines
2/5
Ewww
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
4/5
Take Five is a stone cold classic. Untouchable. Blue Rondo is great too but the rest of the album doesn’t quite reach to those peaks.
Nine Inch Nails
3/5
Album that has both Closer and Hurt on it. Definitely prefer the Pretty Hate Machine era but Trent was definitely doing his own thing.
Isaac Hayes
4/5
An album full of instrumental classics from Hayes. Title track gets you moving.
Rufus Wainwright
3/5
Adult contemporary Thom Yorke.
The Rolling Stones
5/5
Woo woo
Woo woo
Woo woo
Woo woo
Woo woo
Alanis Morissette
4/5
Canadian angsty classic
Stevie Wonder
4/5
Not my favourite of Stevie Wonder’s classic album run but still great.
Jungle Brothers
5/5
I was more familiar with the JB’s debut album and was never really able to get into it. This one on the other hand really hits the Golden Era hot spot.
Morrissey
3/5
Beg Matt for forgiveness.
As someone who enjoyed the 90s dancey stuff, this return to rock was not appreciated and even though the first few songs start out strong, this is a rough listen.
Electric Light Orchestra
4/5
An album that I never grew up listening to but I know that it has a huge reputation. Always makes me happy to listen but I still don’t quite connect to it the way that I wish I could.
Coldplay
4/5
I thought that I would have been over this album that I listened to a lot in the early aughts but boy did this hit hard on a revisit. I’m sure that most of it is nostalgia but the first half really works and even though it loses steam towards the end, I love it.
David Bowie
4/5
A nice return to form after a decade of silence after a few weaker albums but not quite the classic that was hoped for but would be delivered a few years later with Bowie’s final album.
Van Halen
5/5
Classic metal.
John Lennon
4/5
Imagine there’s no music. Damn deep.
The Who
4/5
For real though, they peed on the monolith.
Parliament
4/5
Album that inspired a whole movement in hip hop. Still funky enough.
Pantera
4/5
I can see it but still can’t get it to 5 stars.
Dirty Projectors
4/5
This album was so big when it came out. I’ve tried but I could never really get into it. Holds up for the most part but can’t say that I was wowed.
Slade
4/5
All I came to do was to Cum On Feel the Noize and instead I had to listen to some fun glam.
Blur
3/5
Much like Deloused in the Crematorium, this is one of those albums where I’ve listened to the first two songs dozens of times but never bothered continuing past that. Definitely miss the fun of earlier Britpop sound.
David Bowie
5/5
Not quite hitting the highs of Low, the middle album of the Berlin Trilogy, somehow coming out the same year as it’s predecessor continues the Eno-inspired experimentation while giving a taste of the pop of the past. Heroes is one of Bowie’s best.
Devendra Banhart
3/5
Never cared for this Freak Folk revival when it happened and it definitely does nothing for me now.
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
4/5
Before things got really freaky, this debut album by Captain Beefheart demands much less from the listener than some later work will. Some of it may even be familiar as music to your ears.
Khaled
2/5
When you’re 15 minutes into a mediocre Algerian pop album and you get hit with an Imagine cover :S
Probably in the album’s favour that I don’t understand the lyrics.
Kanye West
5/5
“Ain’t no question if I want it, I need it” and by “it” I mean the old Kanye
John Coltrane
5/5
what more can be said about one of the most highly-regarded jazz albums of all time. A timeless classic.
Calexico
4/5
Album that I’ve listened to a couple times over the years but never got deep into it.
Tom Waits
4/5
Not my favourite Tom Waits album but still a good’un.
Frank Zappa
4/5
Not as freaky as you would expect from Zappa but still a solid jazzy album.
A Tribe Called Quest
5/5
Tribe arrived fully formed with Instinctive Movements and they followed it up with another classic just over a year later with a sound all their own. Incorporating jazz samples and continuing the lighthearted humorous lyrics, this one holds up to this day as basically perfect.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
4/5
Maybe the peak of YYY’s output, they really hit their stride with this one. Confident and fun.
FKA twigs
4/5
FLA twigs is making some of the best RnB to come out in recent years and this debut landed with a bang with all the promise that she had shown with her earlier EPs. Not something I go to often but great to revisit after a while.
Ramones
5/5
What can you say about the album that basically invented punk and influenced so many. Stripping rock down to the studs and not taking themselves so seriously, the Ramones bursted onto the scene with their stage-perfected sound and nothing was ever the same again.
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
Hey Bruce, you just put out a classic double album of rock and roll with some huge hits. What’s next? What a moody, dark album without a band? Influenced by Suicide? Sure, why not?
The Cars
5/5
three songs in and there is no doubt why Ric Ocasek was a legend in power pop from this point on.
Fleet Foxes
3/5
White people lose it for this stuff.
Rod Stewart
4/5
Greasy, nasty early Rod Stewart was just so raw and fun. None of the hits that he would be known for later but definitely something there.
Finley Quaye
4/5
I guess this is okay late 90s reggae. Sure, why not.
Cheap Trick
5/5
Power pop kings at the height of their game.
Metallica
3/5
I mean fun idea but not sure who this is for and why it’s a double album where every song is so long.
Jeff Buckley
5/5
RIP to a real one.
The Youngbloods
4/5
A band and album previously unfamiliar. I dug it. Can’t say that it left a mark but was pretty fun.
Brian Eno
5/5
Ambient perfection by the patron saint of Ambient. I couldn’t love it more.
Sonic Youth
5/5
Kim Gordon saying FU in The Sprawl is my kink.
A Tribe Called Quest
5/5
Somewhat sillier and joyous than the follow up that is sometimes considered the peak of Tribe, I can’t help but find the energy here more fun and somewhat naive. Regardless the first two Tribe albums are timeless and incredible.
Tracy Chapman
4/5
Tracy comes out of the gate swinging. The album loses some steam as things go ahead and it can be a bit preachy at times but Fast Car alone makes it all worthwhile.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
First Stones album without covers, an important milestone in Richard’s/Jaggers development as song writers. Ultimately, it’s weighed down by some immature, misogynistic lyrics and have aged poorly and weren’t necessarily welcome in its day either. Under My Thumb is still my problematic fave though and with the US version trimming a bit and adding on Paint It Black it’s all pretty great, musically.
Sisters Of Mercy
4/5
classic goth. The Corrosion absolutely rips
Slint
5/5
Post-rock classic. Among my favourites. Slint would be broken up before this album was even released and maybe the transitory nature of Slint added to the legend and mystery. Along with Spirit of Eden Laughing Stock, albums that developed a style and defined a genre.
The Flaming Lips
4/5
Solid album that suffers from following The Soft Bulletin and not meeting those highs but still great.
Elton John
3/5
Legendary singles artist but often uneven albums. This one comes out the gates blazing but loses steam fast.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
2/5
Frusciante’s return is appreciated but it’s not really until the next album where things click. But really nothing can save this album. Really the second half is barely worth listening to and as much as I love Otherside… woof.
Curtis Mayfield
4/5
Not quite as iconic as Mayfield’s debut or Supefly, still one of his classics.
Stephen Stills
4/5
Not one of the first of the post Deja-Vu CSNY solo albums that I go to but still a solid one that holds up great.
Santana
4/5
Smooth from the beginning. Slightly dinged because the two best songs are covers.
Joni Mitchell
4/5
Joni Mitchell never lies.
Billy Bragg
3/5
An interesting project that had its moments but can’t say that it did that much for me.
Dion
3/5
A mid-career album from the wanderer. Not much to get excited about but harmless in the end.
The Sonics
5/5
A classic of early garage rock. A lot of covers on this album but fun to see harder takes of songs recently also covered by the Beatles. The originals are great too. Strychnine holds up among the best of the era.
Sigur Rós
5/5
The peak of Sigur Rós output, dreamlike and so great.
The Smashing Pumpkins
4/5
A classic of my youth. Billy Corgan showing his breadth beyond grunge/alternative but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that a young me would end up skipping quite a few tracks back in the day. Still a cohesive album that takes you on a journey but imagine how tight this would be as a single album.
Stephen Stills
4/5
I doubt if I will ever listen to this album again in my life.
Johnny Cash
3/5
Swan song for the Man in Black being puppeteered out to perform some interesting covers and standards. Not much there there but worth a listen.
The La's
4/5
Here I always thought of the La's as a one-hit-wonder. I guess they are but I didn't know that they had a well-regarded album to go with it. An interesting album. Essentially a progenitor to britpop.
Count Basie & His Orchestra
5/5
Basie in the Placie London!
5/5
What can you say about a legend?
Van Morrison
5/5
Van at his peak.
Syd Barrett
4/5
Shine on you quirky fella.
Beth Orton
4/5
I should listen to more Orton.
DJ Shadow
5/5
Gotta appreciate an album that ends with Lynch.
The Police
3/5
Every Police album sounds the same. Solid singles band though.
Michael Kiwanuka
4/5
I wasn’t familiar with Kiwanuka before. Now sure how I missed on this three-time Mercury Prize nominee (and one time winner) but it was a nice discovery. Quality album.
Run-D.M.C.
4/5
I really do not enjoy Walk This Way
Talking Heads
5/5
The only thing that would make this album better is more Eno!
Gorillaz
3/5
I can't help but feel like every Gorillaz album is too long and self-indulgent.
The Smiths
5/5
So you’re saying that this is one of the best albums of all time? Certainly that means it doesn’t have any silly songs on it. What?? Four silly songs?!
Malcolm McLaren
3/5
Three years before Graceland, Malcolm McLaren would take credit for the work of South African musicians for his benefit. Buffalo Gals is a jam though.
Massive Attack
5/5
I always found trip hop to be a bit cringy. Shara Nelson raises this to an undeniable classic.
The Notorious B.I.G.
5/5
Definitely a skit or two that I never need to hear again.
Sam Cooke
5/5
It’s not very often that I listen to a live album and wish that I was in the room for the recording. This is one of those albums. Cooke is firing on all cylinders and we’re better for it.
The Strokes
5/5
As my cursor hovers over 4 stars, I have to ask myself how can I deny an album that launched (and defined) a scene. That made New York cool again. Nothing groundbreaking, just tight, catchy, confident rock.
Kanye West
5/5
Yes, there are some very cringy lyrics as Kanye appears to have surrendered to his worst impulses but the production is incredible. The cracks are starting to show but still an album that holds up as singular and original.
Steely Dan
4/5
Our lovable weirdos come out the gate fully baked.
Joni Mitchell
5/5
Not a Joni album that I reach for that often but a really great one that demonstrates an evolution of her sound.
Funkadelic
5/5
Fried ice cream is a reality.
Ray Charles
4/5
Mott The Hoople
3/5
Faust
5/5
Krautrock legends never shy to be true to their sound.
I gave serious consideration to put the song Jennifer on my wedding playlist but I talked myself out of it.
The Pharcyde
5/5
Our lovable LA weirdos hit it out of the park with their debut album.
Beatles
5/5
The two best Beatles Harrison tracks plus the B-Side medleys make up for a somewhat uneven album.
Blur
5/5
I’m mature enough to admit that Blur won the Britpop wars of the 90s.
Saint Etienne
4/5
Sweet indie pop classic.
That Neil Young cover though.
Fatboy Slim
4/5
Right about now
Abdullah Ibrahim
5/5
Something for everyone.
David Bowie
5/5
Just what Bowie needed. Eno, Eno and more Eno.
Depeche Mode
4/5
If only the non-single tracks were better. The hits hit hard though.
Grant Lee Buffalo
4/5
Surprisingly, I had never heard of this one. Decent early-90s alternative.
R.E.M.
3/5
Transitory album between their college radio indie pop darlings to ruling the alternative radio waves. Ultimately, Green ends up somewhere between and doesn’t do it for me.
Soft Machine
5/5
Post-Ayers Soft Machine starts moving towards a jazz rock sound. Lots of cool stuff happening here. Rather undeniable if you give it a chance.
Pixies
4/5
This got me into a Pixies mod this weekend and I relistened to the first four albums a couple times. So so good but the drop off between the first two is definitely noticeable. Still a generational run.
Aretha Franklin
4/5
I’m a no good heartbreaker
Joe Ely
4/5
Honk that tonk Joe!
Giant Sand
3/5
I mean. Sure.
The Adverts
4/5
Although I was familiar with Looking Through Gary Gilmore's Eyes, I had never listened to this full album. A nice peak into the early days of punk. A bit more polished than the UK punk that preceded it, the album is a fun time.
4/5
I am brave enough to tell it like it is. Most overrated album in The Beatles catalog even though it ends with arguably their best song. 4 stars! I said it.
The Offspring
4/5
I cannot deny how important this album was for a 10 year old me. Secretly passing around tapes and playing Bad Habit outside of adult earshot was a formative experience. Ultimately, the importance of this album overtime has waned and it hasn’t held up as well as Dookie (not helped by future Offspring forays into pop-rock) but for a moment this album was among the most important in the punk revival and I still go back to the singles still every now and then when I’m looking for a shot of nostalgia.
ZZ Top
4/5
“Legs”? More like beards. Amirite?
Marvin Gaye
5/5
It’s become overrated over the years but still hits hard. Borderline 5 stars.
Duke Ellington
5/5
Some of the sounds those instruments made! Was a pleasure to listen to. Wish I was there screaming as well.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
5/5
Doesn’t get much better than this classic.
Michael Jackson
4/5
The highs are so high but there is some mid here between.
The Mothers Of Invention
5/5
I don’t get it but I like it!
Merle Haggard
4/5
That’s some country.
The Killers
4/5
I’m glad that we can stop pretending that Mr. Brightside isn’t the best song of the 21st Century.
David Bowie
5/5
Sometimes I’m surprised at how good of a song Changes is.
Judas Priest
5/5
Perfect music for Breaking the Law.
Gary Numan
5/5
This album along with Tubeway Army before it and Telekon after bring me so much joy. Sounds fresh to this day.
The Crusaders
4/5
smooth
Ian Dury
4/5
I like when he says bad words.
Iron Maiden
4/5
We’ll cheat and include Sanctuary.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
5/5
A classic with a song so good it had to be included twice.
Klaxons
3/5
Growing up is realizing that the music we loved as a young adult is not that great. To be honest, this one led up a bit better than I was expected but definitely of its time and a questionable addition to the list.
Various Artists
3/5
Wall of sound meets Christmas.
2/5
For a band that hates being compared to Radiohead, they sure sound a lot like Radiohead.
The Temptations
4/5
Papa Was a Rolling Stone is one of those songs that you wish were twice as long.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
5/5
As a typical Bob Marley sceptic, this might be my favourite album of his.
The Waterboys
4/5
Folky fun.
Rage Against The Machine
5/5
Angry with a cause.
The Flying Burrito Brothers
4/5
Fats Domino
4/5
Franz Ferdinand
5/5
Early aughts indie pop rock that is as fun and fresh as the day it was released. A real joy.
Dexys Midnight Runners
4/5
I guess they had to get mature after releasing an all time banger. Not bad but nothing to write home about.
David Bowie
4/5
Hurt slightly by coming after arguably Bowie’s best album, it’s still a classic. Lady Grinning Soul Always sneaks up on me as a great track.
Fun Lovin' Criminals
3/5
I still basically know every word to Scooby Snacks but outside that there isn’t much to get excited here. Very average.
Kraftwerk
5/5
What a classic run of incredible albums. Still sounds fresh today. Always choose the German versions when listening which sometimes masks the silly lyrics.
Dusty Springfield
4/5
Dusty goes soul.
Billy Joel
4/5
Only the Good Die Young is grossssss.
Neneh Cherry
4/5
Fiona Apple
4/5
So great and a sign or even better things to come.
Johnny Cash
5/5
Man of the people. Prisoners deserve entertainment too.
Fela Kuti
4/5
Not my favourite of the Fela albums but what a legend.
The Hives
2/5
But they’re Swedes!
PJ Harvey
5/5
Angry early 90s alternative always goes hard.
Antony and the Johnsons
4/5
Always enjoy some Anohni
Wilco
4/5
I never got into this one as much as some may have which is why I don’t have the same affection/nostalgia but still a great one.
Pink Floyd
5/5
An album of love songs to a best friend going through a mental health crisis.
Alice Cooper
3/5
I’m sure that this was more exciting when it was released but sounds pretty generic today.
The Gun Club
4/5
Cool album I hadn’t heard of before.
Van Morrison
5/5
An absolute ghoul today but this album is still incredible.
Stan Getz
4/5
Don't forget that there was a time where the simple notion of Bossa Nova would send jazz hounds into a fenzy.
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
Stuffers in comparison to the other two JH studio albums and doesn’t quite have the same historic impact.
The Psychedelic Furs
4/5
Solid 80s pop.
Aerosmith
4/5
I don't know this Aerosmith that well but I can see the appeal.
Simon & Garfunkel
5/5
The big breakout. So many great tunes on this one.
The Temptations
4/5
Couple of very cool psych-soul tracks and then a bunch of more safe songs.
David Bowie
4/5
Oh I remember when this dropped out of no where. Especially how it came with the news of Bowie being sick and at the end of his life (he died within days of the album's release). What a swan song.
The Avalanches
5/5
Arguably the peak of sample-based music. Just feels like an album that couldn’t have being released after 9/11. The kind of music that could only be made by two people soaking in that Australian sun, unfiltered by ozone.
Eels
4/5
Novocaine for the Soul was a very important song for my youth. I never listened to the rest of the album until now and while it doesn't quite hit the highs of Novocaine, E is clearly a talented dude and I can get why he has huge fans.
SAULT
4/5
An album of despair and hope that seems impossible in 2025. Progress can seem impossible.
The Stooges
5/5
Probably the best of the OG trilogy. Lives up to the name.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
5/5
Classic early Neil solo album. I really hope that he didn't really shoot his baby :(
Jane's Addiction
4/5
Stop and BCS are absolutely classics that sound so good to this day. The rest of the album is not quite as good but a lot of great stuff all over it.
The Boo Radleys
4/5
Nor a band/album that I have any history with. Found it somewhat hard to really get into but there were some surprises in here to enjoy.
Slayer
5/5
Okay I don’t think that we need songs like Angel of Death but hard to deny the album despite it not being my genre of choice.
Lauryn Hill
5/5
Lauryn Hill said her heart was in Zion
I wish her heart still was in rhymin’
Pixies
5/5
Builds on the highs of Surfer and enters the stratosphere. A top-to-bottom classic.
Fever Ray
4/5
Suffers from following Silent Shout. Karin is still one of the most unique musicians doing it.
Napalm Death
4/5
Not my go-to genre and I’m. It allowed to listen to music like this in the house but there is interesting stuff happening here.
50 Cent
4/5
Too long and lots of regrettable homophobia but the hits here are undeniable.
Sly & The Family Stone
5/5
Sly Stone is a genius.
Bob Dylan
5/5
What a fine young folk musician. Certainly he’ll never plug those instruments into electrical implication devices.
Madonna
3/5
First two songs start so promising with Madonna doing some fun things that sound fresh even today but then the rest of the album slips into more safe choices and less experimentation.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Before this relisten I would have probably said that 4 was overrated and Stairway sucks but, definitely not. Goes so hard and even Stairway rocks.
New Order
5/5
Part of the absolutely incredible run of albums that are all favourites of mine.
The Isley Brothers
5/5
Nasty nasty stuff here. Funny even. Seals and Crofts don’t know what hit them.
Neil Young
5/5
I'll admit that I heard the Saint Etienne version of Only Love Can Break Your Heart before the Neil version.
Elastica
4/5
Boooooojm!
David Crosby
4/5
Coming off Almost Cut My Hair, things are much more chill here but this underrated album has a lot going for it. Never quite hours those peaks but infinitely listenable.
ZZ Top
4/5
Not as fun as Eliminator but it is what it is. Rock our with your beards out.
Beastie Boys
4/5
While one of my favourite bands, I can’t help but be critical. The straight hardcore songs aren’t very good but obviously Sabotage hits perfection. Q-Tip outshines them in Get It Together, reminding you why they excel when they’re playing around and dropping references. Ultimately, I love it all but I see the flaws.
Beck
3/5
Beck being fun again! This was well appreciated back when it was released but it's somewhat flat today when compared to Odelay and other favourites. Still lots of good stuff here.
American Music Club
3/5
I did not feel much here. Not sure why it’s on the list.
Paul McCartney and Wings
5/5
Grows on me more every year. Pop magic.
Jeru The Damaja
4/5
Classic NYC East Coast rap. With DJ Premier boom bap you can’t go wrong. Not in my usual rotation but goes down smooth.
The Doors
4/5
As insufferable as Jim Morrison is, this album is undeniable at times.
Snoop Dogg
5/5
All the while we do it Doggystyle.
Cat Stevens
4/5
I’m a bit colder on this one but you can’t deny the sincerity and talent. A few classics on here.
Beastie Boys
5/5
A lot of people they be jonesin’ cuz they hear me rock the mic.
The Mothers Of Invention
5/5
It’s pretty incredible how fresh this sounds. Zappa was a visionary and errr still catching up to him to this day.
Coldplay
4/5
As much as I want to call it corny schmaltz, it hits all the right spots.
Amy Winehouse
2/5
So it’s innovative because she has attitude? Next album is way better.
Tina Turner
4/5
Strong 80s pop. The start of Tina Turner’s second era.
Frank Ocean
5/5
A modern classic.
Buena Vista Social Club
4/5
Always found this one to be a bit overrated but still full of some great tunes.
Sarah Vaughan
4/5
The Rolling Stones
5/5
Was never a huge fan of when the Stones went super country but can’t deny this one as a classic. Bookended by among the best songs in the Stones catalog.
Gil Scott-Heron
4/5
Peter Tosh
4/5
Title track must have been so transgressive in its day.
The Who
5/5
Always found this one overrated from previous listens but gave it another chance and also listened to some of the tracks from the extended edition and found more to enjoy here. They were clearly a legendary live act and you get a taste here.
U2
3/5
The hits are undeniable but Bono is insufferable. The Edge is the beating heart of this band.
The xx
4/5
I don't have the connection with this album from it's release but I can't deny that it goes down smooth. It's a great listen.
Maxwell
4/5
Neo soul classic
Elis Regina
3/5
Compilation from a lesser known Brazilian singer. Sends out of place in this list as you don’t have any greatest hits style albums so it isn’t clear why this is included. Enjoyable songs but not super cohesive as an album.
Prince
5/5
Stone-cold classic from top to bottom.
Elton John
4/5
Sir John was always a legendary singles artists and this double album benefits from that big time. Ultimately, can’t help but feel that this album is overrated by the fact that it has some of his best known songs but it slips quite a bit in the middle with some weaker album tracks.
The Go-Go's
4/5
Super fun New Wave. A great listen front to back, more than just the singles.
The Sugarcubes
4/5
Bjork, always cool.
Bob Dylan
5/5
Dylan goes electric. Funny enough, I prefer the songs on the acoustic side 2.
Yes
4/5
The guys are so cool in the nerdiest way possible.
Keith Jarrett
5/5
There is a reason why this is the best-selling "jazz" album. It's a bop.
Beatles
5/5
Super Furry Animals
3/5
We get it, you don’t tame yourself that seriously.
Bobby Womack
3/5
George Jones
4/5
This one surprised me. Some great country. Last song goes hard! You didn’t have to do it to ‘em like that George.
Pixies
5/5
The band arrives with a bang with this debut. The formula would be perfected with Doolittle but the influence of this one was huge.
Funkadelic
5/5
Tracks are all great but we’re all here for Eddie Hazel tearing our heart out with the title track.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
Elvis had nearly fullly moved on from the punk music that defined his debut and was demonstrating his ear for amazing power pop/new wave. Working with Nick Lowe would help too.
Magazine
4/5
was not really familiar with this one and didn’t get too much from it. Missing the bite and wit of the Buzzcocks (although Shot by Both Sides is clever. Always fun to listen to these bands with their take on Punk building up to what would be post-punk.
Dire Straits
4/5
The pop in the first half is so good. The soft rock that follows is great too. An 80s classic.
Frank Sinatra
5/5
You know what Ol' Blue Eyes, I get it. Keep on swingin'.
Herbie Hancock
5/5
A Jazz-funk classic. The baseline on Chameleon still gets my heart racing after all these years
Sepultura
4/5
Can’t say that I fully get it but go off king.
David Ackles
4/5
Cool dude.
The Slits
5/5
Cool girls. Although I’m not allowed to look at the cover of this record.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
Building on Music of My Mind, the start of Stevie’s perfect run.
The White Stripes
4/5
The hits loom large and the overall album is probably overrated because of them but still a classic. Not my favourite WS album but who would have imagined that it would birth one of the biggest football chants in the world.
Talking Heads
5/5
The logical next step after Buildings and Food. I used to be contrarian and say that this was my favourite Talking Heads album but I can't act like Remain in Light isn't the peak. Still a favourite though. It gets me going.
Sepultura
4/5
I'll have to take your word for it. I did like the variety.
M.I.A.
4/5
It’s grown me over the years but Kala is just so good that it overshadows the debut
Bob Dylan
5/5
me trying to figure out why these wet women are insisting on such a brutal form of capital punishment.
Air
4/5
Sometimes I forget that this album is more than just Sexy Boy.
Ozomatli
3/5
Ali Farka Touré
4/5
RIP to a legend
ABBA
4/5
The end? At least for 20 years. Not quite the hits that they’re known for but still some fun tunes.
Leonard Cohen
5/5
RIP to a legend. The auspicious beginning.
Rush
4/5
The Toronto kings of prog's arguably best album (but not as fun as Moving Pictures).
Killing Joke
5/5
So badass. Gets me hyped that’s for sure.
Nick Drake
5/5
This album always sneaks up on me with how good it is. Also a tidy 28 minutes!
Bonnie Raitt
4/5
Look at that hai!. No question that Raitt is the real deal.
Pink Floyd
4/5
Always found this one to be overrated.
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
4/5
RIP to a real one.
Cornershop
3/5
I can see the merits. BFA was a hit and holds up to this day but the rest is uneven and, while there are some fun ideas and culture mashing, I can’t see it rising to needing to be included on this list.
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
4/5
Not usually a huge fan of conscious hip-hop, although the 90s variety always goes down better than the more modern stuff. I hadn't heard of this artist/album before so it was a nice intro. Overall pretty solid.
The Beach Boys
4/5
A taste of things to come. The lyrics are still lacking the seriousness that would come but the hints are there. Musically, ideas are being explored that begin to distinguish the Beach Boys from their silly surfing peers. It's still a ways away from what we would eventually get with Pet Sounds but the light begins to show.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
4/5
Classic debut from the early aughts NYC scene. More fun after reading Meet Me in the Bathroom.
R.E.M.
4/5
A transitionary album, taking the band from college rock darlings to pop stars.
The Dandy Warhols
3/5
Can’t say that there was much here to get me excited
Living Colour
5/5
Much like Bad Brains, you never get too far into reading about Living Color before getting the feeling that them being a black band is more important than the fact that they’re just making really great music.
Ghostface Killah
4/5
Return to form from Ghost. Along with Ironman and Supreme Clientele, these albums will always be a showcase why he has an argument of most talented member of Wu-Tang. He sure can tell a story but unlike those first two albums, here he struggles a bit to maintain the quality through the full hour+ runtime and you wish that he would have trimmed a bit more. Still the first half is top form.
Jurassic 5
3/5
A bit uneven but some really great stuff here and smooth flows.
David Bowie
3/5
Bookended by classic tracks, I just can't get there with this one. Station To Station and the Berlin Trilogy around the corner just highlights that Young Americans and the two albums that precede it are a blip in the quality that Bowie was capable to put out. But will always appreciate his ability to switch genres album to album. What a legend.
Kacey Musgraves
5/5
An album that I’ve loved since it was released. Somehow better with age. Great tunes too to bottom.
Willie Nelson
5/5
I would never claim to be a huge Country fan but this one hits just right. Willie’s confidence to let that voice ring with sparse instrumentation is something to behold. 50 years later this one holds up so well.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
4/5
Can’t say that I totally get it but these cuts are obviously super talented musicians. Prog can sometimes feel impenetrable.
Radiohead
5/5
This album has a special place in my heart. I remember borrowing the CD multiple times from the library and rocking out top to bottom. The singles got regular airplay on the local alternative radio station despite being weird and long. Holds up so well to this day as one of the best albums of the 90s.
Every day it gets harder to listen to the band because of their terrible politics (how far they’ve come from their roots) but this album will always exist as a perfect time capsule.
Queen
4/5
Maybe I would have more fondness if I grew up with it but it’s undeniable, if not overblown. Queen at the top of their game but, while they’re one of the best singles bands of all time, their albums can be uneven. With A Night at the Opera, they come the closest to greatness through the track listing. Also it would be years until they make up for the sins of I’m In Love with My Car by releasing Bicycle Race.
Suzanne Vega
4/5
I wasn’t expecting much from the “Tom’s Diner” girl’s debut album. Cozy and light, I enjoyed it very much and not as dated sounding as I was worried. A pleasant surprise.
Ash
3/5
One I had never heard of and really didn’t do much for me.
The Byrds
5/5
Our jangly psych rockers go country and it is good.
Janis Joplin
4/5
RIP to a legend. Went out at the top of her game. Lived too hard.
CHIC
4/5
Le Freak being so legendary and some other great ones on here like InWant Your Love makes the so-so songs stand out more. Still a great listen.
The Chemical Brothers
4/5
Very nostalgic. The formula would improve with Dig Your Own Hole but still great stuff!
Prince
5/5
Do me baby.
The Cure
5/5
This album is everything.
Chicago
3/5
I get it but it’s not for me. Also too long.
Serge Gainsbourg
5/5
Near-perfect if you just ignore the lyrics.
Aretha Franklin
5/5
The Queen of Soul at her peak.
Lenny Kravitz
3/5
But what about scarfs?
The Yardbirds
4/5
Post-Clapton but pre-Page Yardbirds. A band more legendary for its membership rather than its output. A pretty good collection of original work though.
Animal Collective
4/5
I am a huge Animal Collective fan and while this was the album that blew them up outside a more niche act, it also lost some of the weirdness that I love. I often find myself reaching further back when I want to listen to some Animal Collective but I can't lie that since I revested MPP this week, I've been finding myself humming Guys Eyes nonstop.
The Monkees
3/5
A bit too poppy for my liking but I'm happy that the Monkees were able to start writing and performing their own songs. Can't say that I'm surprised that this album ended up sitting behind Sgt. Pepper in the charts through its release window.
Spiritualized
5/5
Album title never more apt.
Black Sabbath
5/5
One of the most important debuts. Start of a great 4 album run that basically started a genre.
Guided By Voices
4/5
One of those albums that I'm sure would be my favourite if I grew up with it. Really enjoy the quick hits; in and our before a song gets stale. I had listened to Bee Thousand a few times before but this one was never on my radar. Really need to spend more time with GBV.
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
4/5
A fun one I wasn’t familiar with before.
Manic Street Preachers
4/5
A Design for Life still rips so hard. Fond memories
Frank Sinatra
4/5
Short and sweet
Metallica
5/5
Yessir
Ryan Adams
2/5
Creep
Lupe Fiasco
3/5
Backpack rap that hasn’t quite kept its edge.
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
3/5
Scorpio and The Message are absolute classics of early hip hop but other than It’s Nasty, everything else on here is filler (considering Wheels of Steel wasn’t on the original release). Clearly the genre was still finding its place and the labels didn’t know what to do with it. The concept of the hip hop album was still being discovered and would be until the mid-80s before we would get the classics of the genre.
John Martyn
4/5
What a weird album. I wasn’t familiar with it before and had to listen to it twice to let it wash over me. Way ahead of its time but also unlike anything else. Not convinced that I enjoyed it but there was enough interesting ideas to keep me engaged and intrigued.
Scissor Sisters
3/5
These guys were so hot and I never liked them. Fun at times I guess but otherwise mostly boring and formulaic.
Christina Aguilera
3/5
More like “back to boring”. Just like Stripped, why are these albums so long?
Super Furry Animals
4/5
I’ve tried a few times to listen to SFA over the years and I don’t knows if it’s the vast discography or just not having a connection with the band from my youth but I was never able to get into them. Honestly this listen was probably the closest I got to getting it. I did enjoy this listen though.
Leonard Cohen
4/5
A slight step down from the debut but gotta love a musician confident enough to integrate a Jew's harp.
Big Brother & The Holding Company
4/5
A bit rough around the edges and I don’t care for the faux live elements but Janis Joplin shines, particularly on Piece of My Heart
Deep Purple
4/5
Heavy stuff.
Kid Rock
2/5
I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I enjoyed Bawitdaba a bit in my younger days but it’s about half way through Cowboy when you realize what a disaster this album is going to be. Some real cringe here and very few redeeming elements. I’m being generous here with the score.
The Pogues
5/5
Building on the highs of Rum Sodomy and the Lash, The Pogues really hit their stride here with their Celtic-folk punk. A lot of fun.
Afrika Bambaataa
3/5
An early hip-hop anchored by one of the most important songs in the development of the genre. It’s followed by a few other great tracks but then weighed down a bunch of weaker tracks. That TEE sample though… goes so hard.
Baaba Maal
4/5
Really cool album that I had never heard of before.
Echo And The Bunnymen
4/5
I’ve made efforts in the last to get into Echo and the Bunnymen and haven’t quite been able to have them leave a lasting impression. Their debut album is good. Not breaking new ground from what was happening in the genre at the time, but they clearly knew what they were doing and that they were worth posting attention to.
Def Leppard
4/5
Fun album that I hadn't spent much time with before. Probably a bit more pop/balldy than I was expecting but good tunes. Pour Some Sugar being irresistible.
M.I.A.
3/5
I loved this album when it was released and listened to it so much. I still have a lot of nostalgia for it and love parts of it but it doesn't quite hold up. I got to this one before Arular and wasn't connecting as much to that album. Today, looking back, I can see that Kala is the weaker album and the luster has dulled a bit. Maybe my perception of this album has been somewhat influenced by the disappointment of where M.I.A.'s career (and politics...) have gone since (although giving the superbowl halftime show the finger was cool). Still a bop though.
Ice T
4/5
The actor???!!
Quality album if not a bit long. I’ve-T’s flow is as smooth as ever and the writing is on point. A few tracks don’t quite hold up but lots to enjoy.
The Who
3/5
The hits are hitting but the concept with the ads doesn’t work for me and it comes off as too silly with filler tracks. Maybe in just not 60s British enough.
Tito Puente
4/5
Dance to the music.
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
5/5
Oh my precious synth-pop nerds. Here they push away from the pure pop and add some juicy experimental stuff. The weird would hit its apex with their next album, creating a pair of incredible albums that sound like nothing else. Dance on Andy.
Marianne Faithfull
4/5
The kind of voice you get from smoking all the cigarettes.
Hole
3/5
While the title track gives a taste, this one doesn’t quite hit the highs of Live Through This. Courbet Love is criminally underrated and it’s a shame Hole wasn’t more prolific in these days as this was a good sign of where they were headed.
Dexys Midnight Runners
4/5
Not only is CoE the most well known song on here by a lot, it’s also the standout track. Yes it’s overplayed, but it’s a classic for a reason. On the other hand, while nothing else hits those highs, it’s still a quality album front to back and has surprises. Weird Celtic-pop with a touch of Northern Soul throwback. A pleasant surprise.
Blood, Sweat & Tears
3/5
The bluesey jazz rock thing doesn’t work for me. I know that a lot of people don’t love this new singer’s voice but I didn’t mind it. Some good tunes, more forgettable ones and as much as love Satie, the bookends on the album are weird and out of place.
Mudhoney
4/5
I don’t often reach for Mudhoney but I’m never disappointed when I do.
Soul II Soul
3/5
While bookended by standout tracks, the album gets pretty generic.
Metallica
4/5
Much maligned “sell out” album. I feel like if this was released by a different band, it would be better perceived. I have to admit that I miss the thrashier sound of their older albums but there are undeniable songs here.
Paul McCartney
3/5
I’m a pretty big Beatles fan and put some of their solo albums up side-by-side with Beatles classics (Plastic Ono Band, All Things Must Pass, RAM) but this one is too much of a trifle to be here. Demo quality tossed off songs. A few choice ones but this album barely justifies its short run time.
Ride
4/5
A good shoegaze album that I enjoyed. Listened to it twice yesterday!
Nirvana
5/5
Two songs in and you know that the band had no intention to just making another Nevermind with mass appeal. Ultimately, you still get a few radio friendly songs and hits in their own right but you can tell that this is the band not compromising and putting out what they wanted. There is no telling where the band would have went from here but listening to this classic further highlight the tragedy of Kurt’s loss.
Os Mutantes
4/5
So fun and unique. I'm sure that a lot of other "psych filtered through other cultures" albums have been lost to time but we're blessed to have this legendary one.
Beatles
5/5
Somehow builds on the complete album that was Rubber Soul and perfects the format. Some really great songs on here and even the album tracks are among my favourites. Ending with the brilliance that is Tomorrow Never Knows must have blown minds. Such experimentation from a pop band.
Pet Shop Boys
4/5
Pure pop from our lovable Brits.
SZA
4/5
More than meets the eye.
Hanoi Rocks
3/5
There are a few interesting moments on here, but ultimately not an album that needs a place on this list.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
4/5
Can't say that Bluegrass is my favourite and I found everything on here super compelling but there was enough here to enjoy. Probably would have done with a bit of cutting from a triple to a double album though.
Wu-Tang Clan
5/5
A grimy classic with a long tail of influence. One of my favourites.
Joy Division
5/5
RIP Ian
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
Never a big singles band, EatB really embody that 80s sound without making a huge impression. Still an enjoyable album.
N.W.A.
4/5
The first three tracks on this album changed that world and helped a genre take the next leap. The rest of the album has some highs but doesn't quite hold up. NWA started as a much more poppy party group which comes out in tracks like Something 2 Dance 2 but this album, coming mid transformation to the scariest gangster rap group was a sign of things to come and seemed to catch lightning in a bottle. With Ice Cube's departure and move out east, NWA would never be as popular and relevant (and controversial) as they were at this time but rap would continue to push boundaries and scare white people for years.
Johnny Cash
3/5
Doesn’t quite capture the same magic as Folsom. Love the spirit of bringing music to the incarcerated but the energy is a bit low and the setlist is a little uninspired.
Tom Waits
5/5
One of the most unique voices in music.
Shack
3/5
Nice at points but mostly forgettable.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
Neil stays relevant with the kids by going grunge.
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
4/5
As dark as promised.
My Bloody Valentine
4/5
22 years later, the Loveless follow-up had no chance of meeting expectations but they did a great job picking up where they left off.
The Replacements
5/5
I often find myself between this and Tim as my favourite Replacements album. While the next album may have been where they perfected the rock-pop to complement Westerberg's voice, this one has its messy self-destructive charm. Androgynous is a special special song.
Rahul Dev Burman
2/5
Gotta question this one’s inclusion in the list. Pretty basic Bollywood soundtrack. Not sure what this is brining of note but nothing particularly exciting about it.
R.E.M.
4/5
A band that I never really took the time to get into beyond the big hits, I for some reason didn’t expect their debut album to show them as fully formed as they would end up. Yes we’re missing the big pop hooks that would define the later hits but the music is probably better for it. I can see why they had the broad “College Radio” appeal and were just seen as a cool band despite obviously being pretty nerdy.
Bad Company
3/5
The iconic album cover has always caught my eye and with the pedigree of the musicians, I was expecting something a little more exciting than competent blues rock but I guess that's enough for most.
Kraftwerk
4/5
Building on the electronic sounds from Ralf & Florian but starting to divorce them from the actual limitations of "organic" instruments, Kraftwerk abandoned the motorik drums and other conventions of more contemporary Krautrock. The band now has basically retconned their history to call Autobahn their debut and it makes sense since this is more representative of where the band went from here. The title track being the standout, there is some interesting experimentation in the second half. They would continue to perfect the sound in their subsequent albums but the foundation is here.
It might be cool to make music about driving on free-flow highways but let's see you write a song about driving in a city in rush hour.
Norah Jones
3/5
You can almost smell the burnt Pike Place Roast when listening to this.
Fred Neil
3/5
At least it's different than most folk albums of the time but still nothing that wowed me.
The Cure
4/5
None of the big hits and pop turn that would come in subsequent albums, this was the culmination of early moody Cure. Dark and existential, I don't have too much of a connection with this album but I enjoy letting it wash over me.
Cream
4/5
Blues rock with a dose of psych. Starts of on a tear and maintains it for a while but definitely starts to falter towards the end. I don’t mind the silly traditional song tacked on at the end.
Throbbing Gristle
5/5
Such a cool album. Ultimately, the sound would be perfected for 20 Jazz Funk Greats but there are so many interesting sounds packed in this album. Definitely not for everyone but it's exactly what I love. Weird, abrasive and playful.
Since this site doesn't allow half stars, I'll go ahead and bump this one up to 5.
Culture Club
3/5
I wish that this album was as transgressive as people thought Boy George was. Pretty middle-of-the-road pop.
Ray Price
4/5
Cool country album with some pretty slick lyrics. I don't know country that well but for the traditional stuff, this is a pretty great showcase.
Dead Kennedys
4/5
Legendary debut album, paving the way for the shift towards a more hardcore sound in punk. Jello's voice can throw you off but he really uses it well and these are just some solid tuned.
Barry Adamson
3/5
Weird album but pretty cool. Wasn't familiar with this one before but cool story. Nothing too exciting.
Cocteau Twins
4/5
The move to full on dream pop is partially complete. Moving away from the more atmospheric and gothic sound unlocked so much and would reach the apex with Heaven and Los Vegas, one of my favourite albums of all time. It pains me not to give this one 5 stars but depending on my mood, I sometimes lose interest towards the back half. Still a wonderful listen any day.
Tom Waits
3/5
“Live” album of Tom Waits doing his thing. Weird lyrics. Jokes. Sparse instrumentation beyond the piano. Definitely not up to the standards that he will hit later in his career but a lot of fun here. Wish it was tighter as a single album though.
Shuggie Otis
3/5
Title track is great but I definitely lost interest as it went on.
LCD Soundsystem
3/5
The comeback album that was a bit of a let down after two classics.
Wild Beasts
3/5
Wears its influences on its sleeves but doesn’t rise above to much effect. I like the vocals but I never got into this one back in the day and it doesn’t do much for me with a relisten.
Adele
3/5
Mid album barely redeemed by a great voice. Not much here beyond the notes that bookend it and the fact that no one on her camp talked her out of releasing the terrible Lovesong cover points to the hubris on display.
Megadeth
4/5
Thrash thrash and thrash some more.
Quicksilver Messenger Service
4/5
The Who Do You Love medley is pretty great. Pretty fun all in.
The Black Keys
2/5
These brothers ain’t got no soul. Boring and uninspired.
Bee Gees
3/5
Beautiful harmonies but it fell flat, especially knowing what was coming for these guys.
Bob Dylan
4/5
After a mostly forgettable 80s and 90s, Dylan comes back with a respectable outing. Admittedly, I've never bothered with the intervening albums between Desire and this one but their reputation tells me not to bother. Maybe one day.
TV On The Radio
3/5
I was really into Cookie Mountain but had already tuned out by this one. Morning stand out here to my 2025 ears.
Deep Purple
5/5
SotW aside, I wouldn't call myself very familiar with Deep Purple's discography but based on this live album, it's clear why they were popular. A lot of energy and rocking out here. I can imagine it being heavenly for fans of the band. I can see why a casual listener may scoff at the noodling and showmanship but if you imagine someone who, in 1972, was willingly buying a ticket to a Deep Purple show, this shows from this tour may still be etched in their memory as the greatest live music event they've witnessed and I respect that these dudes knew how to put on a show.
Bebel Gilberto
4/5
good vibes bossa nova
Gene Clark
3/5
Probably more of a 3.5 but pretty basic folky stuff that doesn't get me that excited. Clark did it better with The Byrds.
Supertramp
4/5
A light four, the start of the 5 year run that would culminate in Breakfast in America. I can't help but have a soft spot for Supertramp. A fun pop band that knew how to write hits.
Steely Dan
4/5
Might be a dude take but Steely Dan is good. Feel like this one is a half step down from Can't Buy a Thrill but step towards the greatness that is to come in the next few albums.
Ministry
4/5
Wild album that I’d like to give another spin sometime soon.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
Definitely not the biggest Bob Marley fan but this album, especially the second half comes with the hits and is undeniable.
Ray Charles
4/5
Lost some of the groundbreaking nature of a soul musician doing country songs 60 years later but still sounds good.
Paul Revere & The Raiders
2/5
A big ball of whatever from a time where much more interesting music of this genre was being made.
The Stooges
5/5
The middle of one of the best and most groundbreaking three-album run. Still as fresh and raw as when it was originally released. Never get tired of this one.
Hawkwind
4/5
Long as hell but some interesting stuff happening here. Not typically a fan of space rock and the infrequent lyrics are painful but I could see myself listening to this again one day but no rush.
Lightning Bolt
4/5
Loud loud loud
The Last Shadow Puppets
3/5
I can see why people were so excited with this when is came out since it was such a departure from early Arctic Monkeys. With hindsight there is slightly less to point to as special.
The Darkness
4/5
I have a huge soft spot for this one as I really appreciated the silly over the top glam back in the day. I can’t say that it’s vital enough to be on this list but I do appreciate that they never took themselves too seriously but still rocked as hard as they could. IBiaTCL is still a rocking great tune.
Pearl Jam
3/5
Only this high due to the nostalgia factor. Otherwise the album doesn’t quite hold up.
Louis Prima
4/5
This album is too fun not to enjoy. Sure it’s shallow and the lyrics can be one note but there is just so much great energy.
Skepta
3/5
UK Grime has never been a genre that I’ve enjoyed. I’ve tried over and over and it just doesn’t work.
Butthole Surfers
4/5
Brash, noisy and sometimes impenetrable. The attitude and energy is amazing at times. Not every experiment works here but lots of great stuff to enjoy. Obviously not for everyone but definitely for me.
Janet Jackson
4/5
great album but nothing is more dated sounding than those digital drums and 80s synths.
Everything But The Girl
4/5
Ooh that Tracy Thorne. Recently having broken UK containment with the Missing remix, this follow up builds on that dance sound. Wrong ended up being another minor hit on this side of the Atlantic and while there is some nice stuff here, getting close to greatness at times.
Blue Cheer
3/5
Not every early blues rock album needs to be on this list. At some point it’s okay to let go and not include every album that was important in the development of Metal.
Coldcut
2/5
A couple of fun songs but overall a boring selection of sample-based dance music.
Miles Davis
5/5
Jazz for cool dudes like me.
I won't claim to confidently know the difference between all the different types of jazz but apparently this was a shift away from Bebop. I guess the slower tempos were new and a surprise to those who expected to be amazed by virtuosic musicians.
Brian Wilson
4/5
Brian Wilson returning to this long lost album was a revelation but it wasn't until the 2011 Smile Sessions compilation that we knew what we were really missing. This album ultimately formed the blueprint for the 2011 Smile Sessions which, in my opinion, relegate this release into more of a curio since the newer release can help us imagine what the album would have sounded like if it was actually released in 1967,
Elvis Presley
4/5
Soulful, good voice Elvis. I think that o prefer the rocking one
New York Dolls
4/5
Proto-punk glam rock! Trash always gets my blood pumping.
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
The first of the S+G classic albums. Great folk stuff.
Liz Phair
4/5
Every time I listen to this album, I’m reminded that it isn’t as screamy as the cover would make you think. I get why Gen X got so excited about this one but the edge is worn off a bit.
Sonic Youth
4/5
I’ve listened to Daydream Nation a bunch but never came back to this one. I can see lot of the greatness that would come next but this one is just a tiny bit lesser.
Billy Bragg
4/5
Bragg is the voice of a generation but not enough people were listening.
Doves
3/5
Dream pop was better before this album and dream pop was better after. Not sure what this adds.
Grateful Dead
3/5
Obviously a band more known for their live output. I knew that this was pretty much their most well-regarded studio album, I was expecting something a bit more impressive. Ended up as a pretty regular folk rock album. Not sure I get what got Lindsay Weir so excited to change her life after listening.
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
The highs are high enough that I can forgive some of the less great parts of the album. Probably overrated as it usually ends up high on lists of greatest albums ever but pretty dang great.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Blues rock with a side of plagiarism. Still hits in parts.
2/5
With how few “International” albums are on this list, I really wanted to like this one but it really didn’t work for me. Uneven and repetitive.
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
3/5
You know, the song The Good, the Bad & the Queen by the artist The Good, the Bad & the Queen from the album The Good, the Bad & the Queen.
Super group making super okay music somewhat competently. A bit of a slog but saved by the tremendous final track. The Sufi video for it rules too.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
3/5
Paul Simon production can't save this one-note album. A few nice harmonies but LBM always seemed to be too safe to be interesting.
Underworld
4/5
Imagine if the album had Born Slippy.NUXX on it though!