Really a stellar album. High cohesion between tracks and an excellent performance from the artists. Half of theses tracks will be in a DJed wedding reception and you would be happy to hear them.
Over produced and boring.
A monumental album from the 90s seemingly filled with endless hit singles. On a full album listen, the weaker tracks stand out, but not by much. A very good picture of the mid 90s
I might have my thumb on the scale given how formative this album was to be in the 90s. RATM helped expose hip hop to me, a suburban white kid, who really only related to their anger. Underneath that you've got a heavy groove rock band and this album is on par with some of the best stomp grooves that we heard from Zeppelin. Vocals always left something to be desired but ZdlR was famously described as "rapping like Bob Dylan sang" implying the quality of his lyrics and delivery way outshined his vocal capabilities.
This record also showcases RATM at their most primitive, less synthetic noodling and more traditional guitar play from Morello, simpler song structure and delivery.
The downside to this album are likely in kicking off a much maligned nu-metal genre and thoroughly confusing Republicans on what machine they were raging against.
I would accept this as a 3.5 star up to a 4.5 star album in most conversations so landing it at 4 makes the most sense to me.
Likely a top 5 genre setting album for punk. The Clash has been noted as "the only band that matters" and you can tell where they are headed on this STD.
Their equally influential peers lacked the musicality of the Clash. That ability carried the Clash through waves of stylistic changes and tweaks, creating one of the more well rounded discographies of this time period. That said, this album sneaks a peak at that ability vs some of their contemporaries (looking at you Sex Pistols) but the style and ethos are there.
Every track brings something to the table but highlights for me are the opening Janie Jones, I'm so Bored with the USA, Career Opportunities, Police & Thieves (showing early ska reggae influences that would become more prevalent)
It's a great album and likely the second starting point for the Clash after London Calling (another excellent album).
I have a very limited experience with jazz and even smaller experience with bossa nova. That said, it's an incredibly well recorded and played album. Effortless to listen to and enjoy with little to no knowledge of the style, which is always a fantastic marker to me.
First time with this album and I can't help that I'm missing something from the early '00s zeitgeist to completely understand.
After listening, I put on the Streets first album Original Pirate Material and things made more sense. The first album was clearly UK garage/grime and carried well versed wordplay. This sets up the second album as a more ambitious undertaking, a spoken word concept album.
While impressive in concept, I felt the album falls flat, especially when you see what Mike Skinner is capable of as an artist. Wordplay feels stretched and hollow. Tracks often feel like the non musical interludes in the Wall, hokey and forced.
There are highlights on the album. I enjoyed Fit but you know it and the immediate follow, Such a Twat. The final track is one of the better tracks as well and does a nice job of wrapping up the story.
I don't regret listening and will likely listen to other albums from the Streets but I can't say I enjoyed this album.
Growing up, I listened primarily to pre-Rubber Soul Beatles on the local Oldies station. Until I discovered a copy of Sgt Peppers. From that point on, I began to listen to the three album run beginning with Revolver and ending with the White Album.
I've easily listened to this album 100 times and even now I find new aspects of the album to enjoy. This album covers a wonderful spectrum of what the Beatles did and could do.
With as vast as jazz is, I don't know if I am able to truly comment on an album like this. That said, what I do know is how it made me feel.
Despite struggling to find the pocket in the first and second track ,once arrived, it was a warm and entertaining listen. Jazz albums attributed to leaders always feel somewhat slight as the players across the board are masters in their domains and the limelight is spread and shared evenly.
I'm excited to hear more as I progress through this exercise.
The '00s selections so far have felt too new to some extent. Listening to this, I can definitely hear some of the influence in returning some different elements to arena rock.
Overall, the album is fine.
I was introduced to Capt Beefheart in college through Trout Mask Replica, which I anticipate seeing in this list. Weird, challenging album. Entirely unique and honestly haven't heard it in ages.
I was introduced to Safe as Milk about a year afterwards (2005 or so). I was shell shocked by how much more accessible the album was and truthfully genius.
You can clearly here where the band is going and where their influences came from. A wonderful blues album that gets slightly more acid laced psychedelic as it goes on.
The CD reissue tracks are clearly unfinished but if you wrap the album up after the Autumns Child you have a wonderful and cohesive 12 song run.
The Grown So Ugly cover also inspired me to listen to the Black Keys, which is definitely a positive for the early Black Keys work.
Top Tracks, Zig Zag Wanderer, Where there's woman, Grown so ugly
A classic rock album and an interesting prog album. Packed with synth and a handful of jazz influenced interludes, the album builds a harsh look at the price of stardom in its tribute to the former front man, Syd Barrett. Pink Floyd had fully transformed by this point and we're well on their way to their chaotic falling apart.
This album is effortless to listen to in the background and has likely cycled through the backdrop of burnt out bars for years.
The title track plays this unique trick in sounding exactly like Pink Floyd but filled with emotion that the band has slowly become disassociated from over the course of its tenure.
A little shocked to see Supergrass in the list but it's a solid album.
Had never heard of Ride and was confused to have a band from the 90s I hadn't heard before.
Holy cow was I blown away.
I've become more of a shoegaze fan in the last ten years or so but never really ventured outside of older staples (MBV, J&tMC, Coceau Twins) and this was a delight. Definitely adding into my rotation
The American recordings were closer to a songbook than an album. Varying tracks showcasing either Cashs ability to write or perform. What makes it interesting is the song selection for his covers. A mixture of tracks that influenced him or that he likely influenced. People easily anchor onto his cover of Hurt; however, the two covers that stand out to me are his cover of Stings I hung my head and Hank Williams Im so lonesome (I could cry). Two tracks that nearly bookend his fabled career.
There are a few weak spots in the album, no doubt, but it is nice to hear Cash be Cash.
Best likely described as Zeppelins folk album. The blues numbers aren't quite turned up to 11 like the remainder of their catalog and several songs feature picks and runs similar to traditional music from the British Isles, later finding itself in Americana and even bluegrass.
Zeppelin has a loving sloppiness to their sound: clean enough to impress but off enough to be human. They come off as too cool to care in those instances.
Bonham and JPJ are easily in my top 5 rhythm sections as they so cleanly build grooves with Bonham's brutal attack on the drums and JPJ cleanly driving the band forward. Even in what might be their least heavy album, that pocket still carries.
Plant, prior to the full tilt destruction and remodel of his voice, was (and still is) a special treat. LZ was always destined to be a live human blues jukebox but the things they insert and add into that repertoire are what made them great.
Immigrant Song stands out. The most brazenly Led Zeppelin track and the oft used in movies and commercials (rightfully so if you want a track that drives energy). After that though the album, as said earlier, calms down. Since I've been loving you and Gallows Pole perfectly represent the ability of the band to both imitate traditional music and then rearrange, respectfully.
My personal preference is That's The Way.
Hindsight being 20/20, by the end of III, you know IV is coming. You hear it throughout the album, you heard traces of it on the previous albums. Part of an incredible run of albums.
I had avoided giving PIL a shot because I found the Sex Pistols to be a bit on the annoying side mainly with regard to vocals. You can imagine my surprise to hear what I did. A much more mature sounding band and vocalist.
A clear evolution of punk.
Hey!
Been trying to meet you
Hey!
Must be a devil between us or whores in my head.
Pixies one of the most notable alt pioneers with massive range of influenced artists shine on this album. Great cohesion and definitive sound for the band. Even now, the album sounds like it was released yesterday based solely on performance.
Kanye, before all of the controversy or maybe at least most of it, had a real spark. Juxtaposed vs his later albums it is shocking. Kid from Chi who want to talk about black power and God to... Whatever you may say he is now.
This album is a primer on mid early 00s production. You can tell what items he has kept to himself for his inevitable debut.
This album only lulls in a couple of tracks and really only carries a couple of consistent faults: a few too many skits (though some are great) and Kanye poorly singing one too many hooks.
Remarkable how well it held up and how it transported me back to that time.
I miss the old Kanye, straight from the 'Go Kanye
Chop up the soul Kanye, set on his goals Kanye
Wild that MIA is on this list twice (and I've already heard both). Of the two albums, I would prefer this album. Stellar production and shocked by some of the samples ($20 and Blue Monday).
Two weakish tracks Mango Pickle Down River (vocals not great) and Come Around (Timbaland really drags the track down). Outside of those two, album is a great listen. Big energy.
In the spirit of 70s hard rock. Jane's Addiction combined driving rhythms and shredding guitar. What they brought uniquely to the table was their enigmatic lead singer.
Prompted that Nothing's Shocking, we listen to songs that bounce between shocking and not. The contrast carries until the end balancing Jane Says against Pigs in Zen.
They intended to shock and intended to calm. While heavy handed at times, the music is stellar. Mountain Song pushes a wonderful Zeppelin esque bass line through epic swells. The album is Oceansized , As Perry wishes. Full/deep and interesting.
Electric Dylan in a chilled out Traveling Williburys. It's a vibe album as I feel you lose the plot every couple songs. Difficult to differentiate at the lowest points but pretty stellar at their peaks.
Difficult album to find streaming. I hope I picked the right one on YouTube.
That said, feels appropriate to hear this album after the year boygenius had. Post-punk energy, howling passionate vocals. Tidy song writing.
The original album I listened to was a later TM album and it suffered from what this had in abundance: energy and tight songwriting.
Wish it was easier to hear this album
Similar to early Pink Floyd psychedelic, there's a blend of simple blues/jazz and early rock with an extensive use of flange and distortion. Some of the early tracks on the album don't know how to transition or morph or even end, but the more traditional song structures hold fairly strong.
It has a wonderful chaotic garage energy mixed with its psychedelia. The album struggles from trying too hard at points and when settled is a pretty familiar and enjoyable listen.
An odd artist who didn't really fit her time, is she alternative rock, is she jazz, is she experimental? All of the above most likely.
A crazy good debut, incredible at 19(!?). Several tracks were consistently played on the radio and never cloying or overplayed (to my dated memory).
There are some lulls on the album, keeping it from a coveted 5 spot but truthfully just barely. A very good and nearly timeless listen.
Stellar album.
Jimmy's talent is apparent and produces a warm and calming sound. Easy to listen to but interesting. Super approachable jazz without being milquetoast.
Not a clever name. It's a lot of bongos.
Interesting to hear the origin of some super famous samples but otherwise ...
Classic hardcore album. First time listening to them but easy to see how important this was in the evolution of punk.
I remember buying this album when it first came out. I was never much of an electronic music fan but the singles were EVERYWHERE.
It has been a couple of decades since I listened to this album and I enjoy it more now than I ever did. Some of it is nostalgia some of it is better familiarity with electronic variants and dance music.
Really a solid album
I've avoided Steely Dan as a I see it as a sign of an aging white male. Listening to Aja for the first time was educational. Several great tracks, some extraordinarily famous samples from hip hop. Honestly, I wonder why I've avoided it so long.... I'm getting old aren't I?
Solid album with great vocals. Hard to place significance and history of a piece like this but even unknown as an album it produces a wonderful nostalgia.
I put this off because I thought there was no way I was going to truly enjoy a Bonnie Raitt album. I was slightly shocked. This is apparently still full heel turn by country. This is way less pop and more honky tonk blues. Half the tracks fill that honky tonk vibe, the other are over produced tear in my beer love songs. I don't mind the latter but I don't think Hank did it this way.
Listening to Willie cover these American standards really helps to showcase the quality and simplicity of his voice.
While it's a great compendium of American songs, it feels like it shorts out not having one of the greatest singer song writers with his own music. I hope to hear him again on this list.
The missing Beach Boys album and it wonderfully scratches that itch. I would have loved to hear this as produced at the time but the modern production suits fine.
Brian Wilson, as always, is a sneaky great song writer and lyricist. Tracks that become ear worms that also floor you with content.
Really great listen.
A little shocked to have this new of an artist on the list, especially when we are in an era of what have you done lately and it feels like it has been a little quiet on SZA's front.
This album is really a stellar MLD. Her vocals/lyrics are great and it is backed with some excellent production and guest features from equally talented players.
I don't think I have given too much serious listen to SZA before but will listen out for new stuff from this listen
Early '00s indie classic and began an impressive run from Arcade Fire. Uniquely alone in their catalog, Funeral carried a childish nostalgia that wasn't recaptured.by the band. Hopeful and naive at times. The band would become a little darker from this point out.
On this listen, maybe the first start to finish intentional listen since I listened on CD. I noticed a lot more texture, especially as the album ended. Listening to the sounds slowly escape from the band and merge into silence. An impressive and important album for its time.
You don't judge a goldfish by it's ability to climb a tree. That said, while I understand the significance of this band and album I don't think they swim around the fishbowl or climb a tree as effectively as a few of the other groups and albums on this list. I don't think it's a 1 star but not certain it's a full 2 either.
Not a bad album but not a great Stones album. Nice to really hear the roots in American blues l
A somewhat landmark album for independent hip hop. Kool Keith is a peculiar wordsmith and he may just create a couple of subgenres with this album.
As interesting is how this album has aged and/or what would be acceptable as a modern release. As an album, half of the tracks are absolutely great, another third are good, and only a few misses. The production is, however, stellar and borderline timeless across the entire album.
Wild at times to consider how post punk and nu wave are basically siblings. The album is a bit cloying at times but it never lacks style or substance. The high points out weigh the low points and honestly the biggest flaw of this album is that Dreaming is not on the album.
A classic live album that showcases how good a jam band can be. The Allman's always had a welcoming sound but you feel it doubly on their love tracks
Pink Floyd went on a streak of excellent albums and it's easy to argue which is your favorite. You may even be able to argue which are 4s and which are 5s. I think marking this album as a 5 star is surely the most consistent agreement.
While I prefer Animals, there's no doubting the thoughts and intentions into making this album. The blend of rock, soul, and synths. The pacing and the cleanliness of it all. Really a spectacular album.
Stevie's prolific career means that there are great songs that you are just tired of hearing because you've heard it in every grocery store, waiting room, or elevator in your life. This is a less touched album and it really exemplifies his greatness.
First listen, I was absolutely blown away. Second listen did not diminish.
A good not great album. A couple great songs, mostly good songs, some okay.
Honestly the first time listening. Listen to the original and not Taylor's version. There are a handful of great singles on this album. She's definitely an interesting and talented artist but the fanaticism is lost on me somehow.
At first, I felt this album was a poor copy of Public Enemy but after the third track I realized it was more Gil Scott Heron than Chuck D. It's really an interesting album of conscientious rap. Production is dated and likely lost to time at this point. I'm uncertain if I'd rate this as a must hear but it was interesting nonetheless
A proto metal band. Perhaps influencing trash more than Sabbath would. Progish at times but thick crunchy sounds and well put together. A surprising listen as I've never been one for Deep Purple.
Pretty stellar glam rock album. Has a few lulls but the hits are great. I'd rate it between a 4 and 5 but will round down here
Maybe the crest of the hair metal zeitgeist, where everything began to roll back and unwind from. Sitting on the edge of the nineties and still bellowing the over indulgence of the 80s, Hysteria has insanely slick production quality. Half of the tunes you know as singles the other half could masquerade as one. I distinctly remember this album as av first grader at the time. Insane that hair metal was an option for me then.
It's groundbreaking in excess to an extent and is borderline obnoxious how much you want to hate it but can't.
Incredibly raw albums with moments of polish or brilliance. Janis yo-yos as she finds her voice as does the band. When the track is good, it's great. When it misses, it's not by much
Oddly well paired with Hysteria. Linkin Park may have been the peak of the nu-metal pop cross over. Album is slickly produced and there are a solid 3-4 singles on the album. It feels dated, but a lot of that ties back to me and my age when this album came out.
It's well done but derivative and that makes it a little inoffensive, which felt counter to the movement. Honestly, not a terrible showing from the nu-metal era though
An interesting proto punk band. A little more KISS than the Stooges or MC5. I wasn't blown away by anything with the album but there are some solid tracks and some of the extended catalog that played in afterwards was suitable.
A little surprised this is on the list as I rate their first three albums all higher. The importance of the White Stripes might be undersold and may have been lost by this album. The simplicity of the band hid the talent and focused on the song writing.
I sure hope their earlier albums are on this list.
Timbaland with the slick production and Missy at top of her game
An all time great hip hop album
An incredible album. Saw another take calling this the Soil Side of the Moon and it entirely tracks. It's a very tight and cohesive album flowing seemingly effortlessly from track to track. All performances are thoughtful, additive, and balanced. The groove sets and it is easy to get lost in the flow of the music or pay attention to all of the details. Great for ambient or intentional listening.
It's hard to place where REM fits in the history of rock. Their quality is superb but it's slightly difficult to find their influence in modern rock given the scale of their best albums.
This isn't their best work in my opinion, but the highs are as good as any of their albums. The ending of this album just floors me with emotion, doing what they do best
Remarkably definitive for a genre and a career. Unsure if Snoop ever reached this peak again.
Fairly low on my list of Bowie albums.
How does one separate the art from the artist? Ryan, a notorious asshole on top of his grooming and abuse allegations (which tracks), has produced some fantastic music...but I don't think this album is it. It has more nostalgia from the release of NY NY post 9/11 than top to bottom quality as an album. He's thin, watered down as an artist here.
Separately judging this from the artist here.. there's not much art.
Hard for me to rate fairly but I can say I enjoyed it and found it interesting
Very polarizing. Several fantastic songs and several droning messes.
I couldn't help but think of Ross and Chandler's college band
Once chic to hate on Stevie Nicks or Fleetwood Mac, this album cares not for that. While some of the songs have become overplayed earworms at different times of their existence, the songs are actually good. They were overplayed for a reason. One of the chillest listens from one of the most complicated bands.
An under represented outside of Wes Anderson movies 60s Rock band. They produced tracks that could easily fool you as another band "oh I thought this was the Who" or "I thought this was the stones" their chameleon like effect makes this album feel like earlier Pink Floyd at times (Syd Barrett See Emily Play era) or maybe some of the pre-rock opera Who. That feature often is lost on single album listens and really speaks more to the entire catalog of the Kinks.
That all said, this album is a warm spot for them. A very comfortable and enjoyable listen, maybe lacking some of the hot spots of Lola v Powerman ...
An odd selection from the Arcade Fire. I'm of similar age to the band, so their phases affect me similarly since I'm likely dealing with the same thing at the same time.
This album always crosses me as an album about becoming an adult and aware of the noise around you, whereas their first album was more about the dreaming nostalgia of youth.
The album speaks to me. (Antichrist Television Blues) is my highlight and positioned well into the album peaking with a existential crisis call. Slowly the album collapses under the passion of My Body is a Cage, the toil of growing up preventing the desires of the individual.
The Arcade Fire often feels like a band of evens and odds. Their odd numbered albums, to me, are the most acclaimed. The evens are sneaky.
This is an even album. It's sneaky. I don't think it should be on this list, but I do love it.
The Black Album might be the breakthrough point for thrash and speed metal coming out of the hair metal 80s. Wide popularity of the album of a changed Metallica changed their success and careers. Many people considered this to be a bad thing. Most Metallica fans would cite one of the previous four albums as their best. The truth is that this album always lingers below that surface for it's influence. Their self titled helped to create new metal bands and new metal sounds. Without being the best or the favorite, it is radically important.
A couple of interesting tracks but overall the album felt aimless
A truly wonderful soundscape. Sufjan explores excess and minimalism as an artist and often on the same album. Illinois is a large album, long and full. There are silent spots but there is so much volume as well. The album only fails in small parts and id argue from being too much. Some restraint would taper the album but it would also take away from the experience
Not bad but meandering and ultimately kind of goes nowhere.
I did not know what to expect and I'm not certain I understand this style well enough to rate it.
