Jan 10 2024
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That's The Way Of The World
Earth, Wind & Fire
I liked it, it was funky and fun to bop along to.
3
Jan 10 2024
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Reggatta De Blanc
The Police
Another that I like but not life changing. If I had been there at the time maybe albums like this would hit different.
3
Jan 11 2024
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Ramones
Ramones
This was a fun one! It was quick (wonder what their concerts were like?) but all was enjoyable. At the time they were so cutting edge, but in the context of today they would fit right into the Alt Rock genre (a lot of bands must consider them a big influence). Fun to hear them at their career beginning for what must have just been a fun few days of writing, recording and partying.
5
Jan 12 2024
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Made In Japan
Deep Purple
Tangent review...first live albums have never been my thing unless it is a band I absolutely love and/or have seen in person. I just feel like I miss so much of the context, what was happening, the crowd size and energy and other details, and that makes the crowd noise just seem like background dissonance (purely my feelings). That being said I do enjoy that this was a concert that does not feel purely prescribed and every detail planned (not saying those experiences are bad, just different and more the norm today). All in all it was a fine album and it sounds like the fans enjoyed it, but I am not a major fan so I would have just as much enjoyed the songs in a studio recording.
I do hope they sang more than 7 songs at the concert, while they were long, seems like I would have been disappointed that is all I heard.
3
Jan 14 2024
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Electric Ladyland
Jimi Hendrix
Be prepared for an unpopular opinion. I was so excited to hear this because its Jimi Hendrix, but honestly I was not impressed. Is he talented? There is no doubt he is amazingly talented! But a lot of the songs were just random guitar rifts (that are amazing) but didn't really connect or feel like they had a purpose. The music feels like a guy who is amazing at guitar is just messing around at his home and you are sitting on his couch. It is great skill but I am not sure I can consider it a great album.
2
Jan 15 2024
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James Brown Live At The Apollo
James Brown
It was good, lots of energy and you can tell they were having fun.
3
Jan 16 2024
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Tres Hombres
ZZ Top
I was thinking ZZ Top was harder, so this was a pleasant surprise. I liked Have You Heard the best. If it was on I would listen and enjoy it but probably not search it out.
3
Jan 17 2024
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Alien Lanes
Guided By Voices
This felt like an America's Got Talent audition record, nothing was finished or a full song, just parts of songs that left me wanting more. I think I could like this band, but I wouldn't listen to this again because it just left me wanting more.
2
Jan 18 2024
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So Much For The City
The Thrills
I never heard of this group so it was a pleasant surprise. It was super interesting to see an Irish band producing such a new wave surfer/beach sound. I would listen again and search out their music more.
3
Jan 19 2024
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Surfer Rosa
Pixies
This is how you do haunting dissonance correctly. The Pixies have a beautiful dysfunction to them. Can I listen to them everyday, no. But they do this sound and feelings so perfectly.
4
Jan 20 2024
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Honky Tonk Heroes
Waylon Jennings
I realize why I like old country more than current country, it has substance. It brings rural life to reality, its not drinking beer with a girl on your side while driving a tractor. Its hard work, bad choices, consequences, while navigating pain, heartache and love. They may be 'hillibillies' but they have intelligence, depth and are just trying to make a life for themselves and family (and have a little fun while doing it).
4
Jan 21 2024
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A Hard Day's Night
Beatles
It was fun to go back and see them in the beginning as just a simple pop band (that still had substance) and what think about how far they came. Not a lot of hits on this but they were still good.
4
Jan 22 2024
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Deja Vu
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
I am a big fan of folk type music and this gives me a country, folk, rock vibe so overall I dig it. It also so reflective and in a weird way nostalgic. I dug it
4
Jan 23 2024
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Chocolate Starfish And The Hot Dog Flavored Water
Limp Bizkit
I mean the sound is cool and there are some real good damn the man songs. For angry rock it is not bad. But seriously why you so angry...you grew up middle, white class males in Jacksonville, Florida! You say you were bullied (which can be traumatic, no denying that) but you have spent the rest of your life spewing anger and hatred at everyone else. You have even said Putin is a nice guy...WTF. I want to believe your life was really that bad and that you are trying to share those feelings through art, but in today's climate this album gives real white privy incel vibes
2
Jan 24 2024
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Follow The Leader
Korn
Not my type of music, but at least it has substance, depth and really goes in deep to those icky feelings we all have sometimes. It doesn't just talk about F the dude who hurt me and I don't care. It goes deeper and focuses on the real impact. Probably won't listen again but can give it credit for having depth.
3
Jan 25 2024
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Straight Outta Compton
N.W.A.
3
Jan 26 2024
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If You Can Believe Your Eyes & Ears
The Mamas & The Papas
There wasn't anything wrong with the individual songs, but as an album I didn't get it. I also don't feel like I have an idea of who they are as a band. One minute it feels like 1950's, then 1970's then almost country, and 1960's female blues ballads. But even the cover of the album confused (and made me laugh) me so I guess it all makes sense now...none of it is supposed to make sense!
3
Jan 28 2024
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Ritual De Lo Habitual
Jane's Addiction
I know this probably unpopular to say but I was not a fan of this album. As a band they have had a huge impact on modern music and Perry Farrell has really impacted the greater music world. But it just felt grating on my ears (ain't no right). So much screaming voices vs a screaming guitar, it was just a lot.
2
Jan 29 2024
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Loveless
My Bloody Valentine
It made me feel old because my first reaction was, "I can't understand what they are saying." But overall I enjoyed the music, beat tune and dissonance, which seems to be what the music is really about.
3
Jan 30 2024
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Amnesiac
Radiohead
3
Jan 31 2024
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The Rise & Fall
Madness
4
Feb 01 2024
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Cut
The Slits
I really wanted to love this one (go girl power!) But for me it was so much of the same sound over and over.
2
Feb 02 2024
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Either Or
Elliott Smith
2
Feb 03 2024
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Californication
Red Hot Chili Peppers
4
Feb 04 2024
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...The Dandy Warhols Come Down
The Dandy Warhols
3
Feb 05 2024
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I'm Your Man
Leonard Cohen
2
Feb 06 2024
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You've Come a Long Way Baby
Fatboy Slim
4
Feb 07 2024
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Rock 'N Soul
Solomon Burke
4
Feb 08 2024
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Nebraska
Bruce Springsteen
2
Feb 09 2024
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Music
Madonna
4
Feb 10 2024
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All Directions
The Temptations
4
Feb 11 2024
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Kenza
Khaled
3
Feb 12 2024
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Elephant Mountain
The Youngbloods
3
Feb 13 2024
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Transformer
Lou Reed
4
Feb 14 2024
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Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge
Mudhoney
2
Feb 15 2024
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Are You Experienced
Jimi Hendrix
This is what I was thinking a Jimi Hendrix album would be like. Developed songs that play on his unique voice and amazing guitar riffs.
5
Feb 16 2024
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For Your Pleasure
Roxy Music
2
Feb 17 2024
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The Seldom Seen Kid
Elbow
3
Feb 18 2024
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Moby Grape
Moby Grape
4
Feb 19 2024
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Run-D.M.C.
Run-D.M.C.
4
Feb 20 2024
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Thriller
Michael Jackson
5
Feb 21 2024
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Highway to Hell
AC/DC
4
Feb 22 2024
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Van Halen
Van Halen
4
Feb 23 2024
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Take Me Apart
Kelela
3
Feb 24 2024
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Back In Black
AC/DC
4
Feb 25 2024
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Repeater
Fugazi
meh...others do it better. The vocals are not great, the lyrics are too straightforward, the guitar and drums are good but nothing unique about it. Their sound just feels like a lot of other 80's and 90's bands and nothing stands out enough for me to want to add this to my mix.
2
Feb 26 2024
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Autobahn
Kraftwerk
3
Feb 27 2024
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Melodrama
Lorde
4
Feb 28 2024
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Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite
Maxwell
2
Feb 29 2024
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Seventeen Seconds
The Cure
3
Mar 01 2024
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Green Onions
Booker T. & The MG's
It was interesting. Sometimes I was bopping along and good without lyrics (I Got a Woman) and other times I really wanted lyrics. Listening to Rinky Dink felt a little unsatisfying without Mickey and Sylvia. All in all it was a good listen and fun to recognize a talented group that probably does not receive enough praise.
3
Mar 02 2024
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The Downward Spiral
Nine Inch Nails
2
Mar 03 2024
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Time (The Revelator)
Gillian Welch
Pretty and haunting
3
Mar 04 2024
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Remedy
Basement Jaxx
3
Mar 05 2024
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The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Maybe an unpopular opinion but meh. I mean overall it is easy good listening but with all the music now it is just fine. At the time maybe it was revolutionary and different but now it is just fine.
3
Mar 06 2024
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The Notorious Byrd Brothers
The Byrds
Easy listening hippie music. Nice for a chill relaxing day hanging out and enjoying the sunshine.
3
Mar 07 2024
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The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter
The Incredible String Band
I'm not really sure what this album was. In the 60s with some recreational substance this may have made sense but I was just confused!
2
Mar 08 2024
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Public Image: First Issue
Public Image Ltd.
I am sure this one has a point and was really revolutionary at the time, but it hurt my ears :( I want to appreciate it for its purpose and I am all about protesting and getting your message out there through art but I would just never listen to this again.
2
Mar 09 2024
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Pet Sounds
The Beach Boys
Waiver between a 2 and 3. Way now emotional then I realized the Beach Boys were. Vocals not great though. Funny this generation complains of later musicians just screaming into the mic
3
Mar 10 2024
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Parsley, Sage, Rosemary And Thyme
Simon & Garfunkel
Calm peaceful and deep. Side note.... How could two people that create such calm and soothing music eventually hold so much hate in their hearts that they could not be in the same space together.
3
Mar 11 2024
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Violent Femmes
Violent Femmes
Listening to this one was like a night on the town! We are jazzed up and ready to go wild and by the end of the night slurring your words and rambling about not living in Chicago.
5
Mar 12 2024
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good kid, m.A.A.d city
Kendrick Lamar
Complex and deep. Rap is not my preferred musical genre somewhat because most of it feels so one note and the same thing over and over. But not this, at times yes but it was still deeper, had substance, and made you want to listen to the lyrics and words not just dance along and shake your booty.
4
Mar 13 2024
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Peggy Suicide
Julian Cope
At times seems like music they would play at cult activities and rituals. Started somewhat mellow but also trying to pull you in with all the terrible stuff out there. Safesurfer felt like something they would play or chant as some creepy ritual was occurring. Then the end was like you were brainwashed and stuck in a weird dissonance. Guitar and actual instrument parts were good but overall it made my insides feel icky and kind of sad.
1
Mar 14 2024
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Pictures At An Exhibition
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
I was really excited about the concept of this album and appreciated the idea. At first I found I struggled because I had in my mind what I thought the pictures should look like so I went back and tried to visualize them in my mind. It was better, but still some just didn't make sense in my mind. Overall I appreciated the idea behind the album (and would love to see the pictures they created in their minds) but overall not a winner for me.
2
Mar 15 2024
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The Modern Lovers
The Modern Lovers
It was fine, if it came on the radio I would keep it on and sing along. But nothing revolutionary or different. Maybe they one of the first but felt very much like other music of that time.
3
Mar 16 2024
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Blood On The Tracks
Bob Dylan
It's the better Dylan album with some deep lyrics.
4
Mar 17 2024
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Dusty In Memphis
Dusty Springfield
I googled Dusty and found out about her personal life. Glad I did, because the songs hit a lot deeper and lyrics have more deep and double meaning then I knew.
4
Mar 18 2024
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Kimono My House
Sparks
Its different but good. It feels like a mix of old and new, with some alt rock or punk influences.
3
Mar 19 2024
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Homework
Daft Punk
The beats and sounds are good but EDM is really not my thing. I can dance along with it but after a while it just gets repetitive as beats and bass lines over and over. But I hate critiquing it too bad because that is EDM, so in that world they might be amazing, but to me its just meh.
2
Mar 20 2024
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Parallel Lines
Blondie
Its Blondie...look at that cover...nothing more really needs to be said.
5
Mar 21 2024
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Live At The Star Club, Hamburg
Jerry Lee Lewis
Hard to push past the individuals problematic personal life to really appreciate the music and not have it tainted by questioning what was he really singing about in these songs.
But the idea of the album and the rawness of the recording is refreshing in a way you rarely get anymore. Concerts are all in such large venues and have such fancy recording equipment, but this feels like you were in a small club bopping along.
3
Mar 22 2024
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Figure 8
Elliott Smith
It was like less dissonant Radiohead. A lot of feeling, emotion and pain behind some very beautiful melodies. Listening to the whole thing made me sad but it was musically enjoyable.
4
Mar 23 2024
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Morrison Hotel
The Doors
Simply the Doors, simply good!
4
Mar 24 2024
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Crooked Rain Crooked Rain
Pavement
I really enjoyed this album. Alt Rock that was just fun to listen to. Right amount of anger and build up but not too much. Most songs had awesome bridges that really enhanced the song. Some felt so different the rest is the song but also so right.
4
Mar 25 2024
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The Madcap Laughs
Syd Barrett
I am so back and forth on this album. Some songs were amazing and I enjoyed them a lot (Octopus for example) but others were just weird (and not a good way). One person was off tempo, off beat, off pitch, off tone, too long or something else.... For me it was not cohesive and very scattered, which is maybe the point. Because of that and the few songs that I connected with I will give it a 3.
3
Mar 26 2024
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Getz/Gilberto
Stan Getz
Good relaxing day drinking on a beach or somewhere warm and tropical. I don't understand the words without translation but that is almost good. Reading the lyrics after listening I did pick up on a lot of the meaning and feelings just by the melody and his emphasis.
3
Mar 27 2024
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Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots
The Flaming Lips
Never heard this album so I am glad it came up. I always enjoy an album that has a story throughout and is a full experience, plus I really enjoyed the music. Do you Realize is a hit so it was really interesting to see how it fit into this story and I appreciate it way more!
5
Mar 28 2024
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Connected
Stereo MC's
Electronic music typically don't resonate with me unless they have lyrics I can sing along to...so this album was a pleasant surprise for me. The song Everything to me was everything in this album, electronic, 90's hip hop vibes and 70's jazz vibes, the back up singers, and a fife!
4
Mar 29 2024
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Greetings From L.A.
Tim Buckley
No subtly here. Album made for a smash session. Good beat and jazzy sound. Left me wondering if seven songs too much or not enough ;)
3
Mar 30 2024
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Rubber Soul
Beatles
I liked it
4
Mar 31 2024
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The Number Of The Beast
Iron Maiden
It was much more pleasant than expected. The singer really reminded me of other 80s hair band. Probably won't seek it out again but my ears aren't bleeding.
3
Apr 01 2024
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Eli And The Thirteenth Confession
Laura Nyro
She had a beautiful and soulful voice but overall it just didn't do it for me. It felt like an outfit with just one to many details. If you could have taken off one bow or random jazz rift I think I would have really enjoyed it.
2
Apr 02 2024
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The Bends
Radiohead
This is one I liked better then expected. Personally I never really understood the appeal of Radiohead. I only ever listened to what they played on the radio and those songs to me are whiny, creepy, dissonant and just blah. They left me very underwhelmed and didn't ever make me want to seek out more.
I really liked The Bends and Bones. As an album it was much better then a stand alone song on the radio. Not anything magical or transcendent to me, but it was better then I expected.
4
Apr 03 2024
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Come Find Yourself
Fun Lovin' Criminals
I don't know how I felt about this album. Was it a bop? Yes. Was it something I could find myself signing along to? Yes. Should I be or do I have any context to connect with what they are singing about? Probably not.
At times it feels like they are romanticizing a lifestyle that at times I don't think should be romanticized, but that might be my privilege goggles talking. Maybe its not romanticizing but putting a satirical spin on things (Methodonia) or they just need to laugh and be proud because it is a world that is so put down.
3
Apr 04 2024
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I Am a Bird Now
Antony and the Johnsons
The voice was nice and the meaning in the lyrics was deep but it was so repetitive. Repetition in each song and even between songs the lyrics seemed the same. After looking the band up I saw that the lead singer had history as a performance artist and that tracks with the vibe of the music (to me). Not something I will be listening to again anytime soon.
2
Apr 05 2024
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Psychocandy
The Jesus And Mary Chain
I seriously had to fast forward multiple songs because it hurt my ears to listen. I don't know why or how they make it sound like that but I wish they hadn't. The parts of the song before that happened I enjoyed, but then the sound quality would get distorted and I just couldn't handle it. I want to give it higher, but honestly I just could not listen to it again even if I wanted to.
1
Apr 06 2024
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Different Class
Pulp
3
Apr 07 2024
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Moving Pictures
Rush
I wish I could give it a 2 1/2. Do I like the songs individually? Yes. Do I want to listen to an entire Rush album? No. It was too much Rush. Which is weird, because they are not a particularly hard sound or super unpleasant sound. On a side note the album sort of reminded me of every theme song from an 80's action cartoon.
2
Apr 08 2024
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Tom Tom Club
Tom Tom Club
It was really interesting to hear this and realizing others had sampled their song. After realizing that it felt like the album was written for people to sample their songs! Good beats and melodies, but so repetitive. I can imagine a DJ listening to their songs and finding lots of opportunities to use them to tie songs together, play over or under other songs, and mix and sample. On their own though they didn't really do much for me.
2
Apr 09 2024
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In Rainbows
Radiohead
Chill and eerie. I enjoyed it.
3
Apr 10 2024
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KIWANUKA
Michael Kiwanuka
This was really enjoyable. Some were a little funky but all in all they were so beautiful and different. It was one of the first albums I felt was really something different and didn't remind me of something else we had listened to. Hard to Say Goodbye was a little long but the rest were just beautiful mixes of so many different sounds that just worked so well together.
4
Apr 11 2024
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Songs The Lord Taught Us
The Cramps
It was weird (but I had a feeling it would be). At times I dug the weirdness (The Mad Daddy) and other times it was a little too weird for me (Mystery Plane and I am a Teenage Werewolf). I appreciated that the music was something outside my comfort zone but it pulled from genres that I could appreciate. Side note...the individuals in this band would be fascinating to travel with and follow around. I don't think I would fully understand their outlook on life and the world, but it would be fascinating to learn about it and experience it for at least a short amount of time!
3
Apr 12 2024
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Daydream Nation
Sonic Youth
I wish 17 year old me had found this album because I would have loved it! Overall I really enjoyed this music, the right amount of rock with some anger. Sometimes a little too much dissonance for 40 year old me. Also now I don't need multiple 7 minute songs in one album. But overall I would gladly listen and enjoy again.
4
Apr 13 2024
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My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Kanye West
I have never listened to a Kanye album, but have heard how talented he is and this album reflects that perfectly. His lyrics are deep and impactful. The beats and songs are mixed so seamlessly. Each song was unique yet fit so well together as an album. The only one I wasn't a fan of was Devil in a New Dress (tracks didn't line up as well and 'background' vocals to me were too prominent). Wish he could get some mental health help so his music could be the complete focus of his legacy.
4
Apr 14 2024
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Spy Vs. Spy: The Music Of Ornette Coleman
John Zorn
This album should have been called insects dodging traffic. Did they say everybody go to a different room, play you instrument as fast as you can and then we will put it together?? Organized chaos makes sense for one don't but over and over it's just noise and really loses it's purpose for me.
1
Apr 15 2024
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Golden Hour
Kacey Musgraves
I was excited for this one because everything I've heard about Kacey as a person was good. She is country but also a little progressive. But I was disappointed by love song after long song that was still rooted in mysigony. There were glimpses I loved, like Happy and Sad. It was a fine album and I still really like Butterflies and I would have loved this in high school but now I just want something a little deeper. By the end I was craving anything that was not a love song, but Rainbow was just enough to save it. I don't like any song individually which is why it's getting a 3 not a 2, but I wouldn't want to listen to this album in totality again
3
Apr 16 2024
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Automatic For The People
R.E.M.
I really enjoyed this album but I really enjoy R.E.M. There music is so chill on the surface but deep in the lyrics. Only potential criticism is you always know you are listening to R.E.M. because it all sounds very similar.
5
Apr 17 2024
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Live!
Fela Kuti
Back and forth between a 3 and 4. Going off on long instrumentals is not my thing so the last song was really a struggle for me. Overall though it was good sound, it had passion and emotion that you could feel. The musicians were talented and really riffed well with each other. For me personally at times it was just too long and I wanted to get to the next sound.
3
Apr 18 2024
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Heroes to Zeros
The Beta Band
I kind of really dug this album. It was sooooo different from anything, but still really cool (70's acid trip, modern electronic, high school band). I can see why the commercial success is low and personally I don't think they would do good playing big venues and having big fan bases. I want to see them play in a garage or a small club because their music has an intimate presence and the ability to be different but not pretentious and so unique but digestible. I really liked the first four songs. Easy and Wonderful were only okay, but they picked up again after and finished great (really liked Out-Side and Pure For). I am so glad I found them too and I will search them out more.
4
Apr 19 2024
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It's A Shame About Ray
The Lemonheads
I really dug this album! They sounded so familiar do it was a pleasant surprise to hear Mrs Robinson. I loved the very late 90s sounds, seemed right out of Empire Records! Only complaint is that songs blended together and didn't really distinguish between each other
4
Apr 20 2024
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Fragile
Yes
How do we explain our music.... We draw inspiration from Rush, but we are sophisticated (Cans and Brahms), spiritual (We have heaven) incorporate some scatting (to be culturally sensitive) and end by doing acid so that the entire thing makes no sense and nobody take knows what they are listening to
2
Apr 21 2024
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Channel Orange
Frank Ocean
I was excited because I had heard good things about him but nope, no, not again. Raw dog, DD tities just the start of the mysigony all over this album. Rich people are bad unless it's him, drugs are bad except when he uses them, woman are beautiful when they do things for him. I was originally confused by the collaboration with John Mayer but by the end it made perfect sense.
1
Apr 22 2024
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Queen Of Denmark
John Grant
It was beautiful and haunting melodies. The lyrics were interesting and different but also strange. I have mixed feelings, I didn't not like it but also don't love it. I appreciate the talent behind it, but don't think I would listen again. I think I would need to listen a few times more to really appreciate it but I am not sure I want to...
3
Apr 23 2024
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Unknown Pleasures
Joy Division
All seemed really one note and just blah.
2
Apr 24 2024
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Fishscale
Ghostface Killah
Not my thing, but I appreciate the depth
3
Apr 25 2024
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In It For The Money
Supergrass
This is the type of music I like in small doses. I don't know why but I love one or two songs by a group like this but then the similar type of sound just gets to me. I really liked Richard III and It's Not Me
3
Apr 26 2024
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Life Thru A Lens
Robbie Williams
I don't really see why this was an album I had to listen to before I died. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't anything amazing. It felt like a lot of pop albums and could be played on Bob FM. I wouldn't change it, but I am also not seeking it out.
2
Apr 27 2024
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What's Going On
Marvin Gaye
I like it, beautiful, deep but simple
4
Apr 28 2024
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The Age Of The Understatement
The Last Shadow Puppets
This one started off rough for me but by the end I really liked it. For the first couple songs I felt the lyrics were too heavy or something for the melody...it just didn't flow right to me. But after that it really felt right.
4
Apr 29 2024
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The Blueprint
JAY Z
I get it you are really good but I didn't need you to tell me that in every single song. A little bit of variety would have been appreciated. It was good but some variety would have made it better.
3
Apr 30 2024
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With The Beatles
Beatles
There was something so clean cut and young about this album. I don't know if I enjoyed the motown covers. They just didn't have the same energy and passion as the originals. I didn't really feel like they were pleading with the mailman for their letter, but maybe they were in the British culture. I liked the original songs on the album.
3
May 01 2024
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More Specials
The Specials
As an album this felt all over the place...but kind of in a good way. One minute it was ska and punk and the next was reggae and island. But reading their background it was about mixing cultures and finding new sounds so they met their goal. Good interesting listen
4
May 02 2024
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Antichrist Superstar
Marilyn Manson
Yeah this is just too much. I get it you are angry and creepy but no man. Just creepy and weird and not something I want to listen
2
May 03 2024
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Bluesbreakers
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
Ooo this was nice! For me this was just right in a lot of ways. It was blues, but folk, but rock and a little something else in between. I would listen to this over and over.
5
May 04 2024
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Rage Against The Machine
Rage Against The Machine
Angry but in a good way. They aren't constantly screaming and the guitar and drums make sense and aren't just loud to be loud. I really love Rage and their music. It is deep, meaningful and important. They take a look at deep issues in a musical genre that does not traditionally focus on these ideals.
4
May 05 2024
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Gris Gris
Dr. John
I mean it's voodoo music... So I'm afraid to say anything bad. Let's just say it was interesting but I won't listen again. I did like the New Orleans vibe though.
2
May 06 2024
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Stand!
Sly & The Family Stone
It was good. Some songs were a little long for me liking. I liked the sound
3
May 07 2024
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The Wildest!
Louis Prima
This was a fun one! I wanted to get up and dance multiple times. Love the trumpets and just going to it with the jazz and blues influence. I love listening to it and thinking how 'wild' this was back then!
5
May 08 2024
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The Köln Concert
Keith Jarrett
It was beautiful and a really interesting concept. It is amazing how his mind is able to think of such beautiful melodies on the spot. My only criticism is I wish there were more breaks. I didn't really always see how the melodies moved into each other or found that weren't cohesive. Parts were beautiful but could have been stand alone songs not just a chain. I wonder if in person he shares anything about the songs, in terms of what he is thinking or feelings as he is playing the movements, are they manifesting from feelings in side of him that he is trying to convey or just random melodies he is stringing together.
3
May 09 2024
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Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)
Eurythmics
It was interesting to listen to an album of a band and singer I have heard about my whole life but never listened to. It was good but all very one note and similar. Her voice is beautiful and the music is good, would have just liked a little more variety.
3
May 10 2024
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Odelay
Beck
I remember my sister buying this album when I was younger. I didn't really get the music but it impacted me somehow. I really loved Where its at then and just seemed different but cool. I get the music now and he is so different and is who he is. It's unique and different and for that he gets props. I love that even if he doesn't get the credit he deserves he just silently keeps going and making his music.
4
May 11 2024
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Hotel California
Eagles
I was hoping for more depth and different sounds. I love Hotel California but the rest was just music. Good for the background, but nothing that would headline a playlist.
3
May 12 2024
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Brilliant Corners
Thelonious Monk
Jazz isn't really my thing
2
May 13 2024
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Bitte Orca
Dirty Projectors
I listened to almost this whole album and felt a familiarity to it, then heard No Intentions and realized I saw them at Lolla one time. Its weird music, but something so serene and beautiful. Makes me want to sit in a green hillside and watch the clouds go by.
4
May 14 2024
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Maggot Brain
Funkadelic
It was fine but similar to a lot of other rock funk groups. It had a lot of Jimi Hendrix vibes, with the lead singer even sounding like him. Wars of Armageddon, I get was supposed to be sounds competing, but it was just unpleasant to listen to.
3
May 15 2024
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Black Holes and Revelations
Muse
I really like Muse. I think they have a very unique sound and Matt Bellamy's voice is very unique. They have a haunting, rock, vibe that is really beautiful, thoughtful and thought provoking. it is a good mix of electronic, synthesizers and instruments, that are used to cover up bad sound but make new unique sounds.
With that said a whole album of them got to be a lot. Sounds were different but the uniqueness of his voice and sounds became less unique (and maybe almost whiny by the end). Beyond the hits I really enjoyed Assassin and Exo-Politics.
4
May 16 2024
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Metallica
Metallica
A polarizing band so I need to start with a disclaimer, I am not a Metallica fan and I am not a Metallica hater. I never seek them out (except Whiskey in a Jar, there version slaps) but I don't change the radio if they come on. Critically listening...same cords and beats over and over and the lyrics are just cliché one liners over and over. But maybe that is part of the appeal and why they are mainstream? Overall we as humans are not as deep as we want to believe and we like something we can understand and connect with quickly. But does that make them exceptional musicians? Nope.
Does that make them popular in a genre that wants to be different and go against the grain? Nope. But the psychology behind creating hit after hit (like pop music) in a genre where other bands can't do that, that is a talent.
3
May 17 2024
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Pretenders
Pretenders
So I liked all the pieces individually but not necessarily all together. I liked the lyrics, I liked her voice and I liked the instruments. But (for me) together they just didn't mix always, making songs seem long and drawn out (Private Life felt like it wouldn't end). I liked The Phone Call and Up the Neck. I also really liked the lyrics in Tattooed Love Boys and the music of Space Invader. I wouldn't give up on the band but maybe this album.
3
May 18 2024
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Paul Simon
Paul Simon
Mellow, deep and shine good bops. I really liked Armistice Day.
4
May 19 2024
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Faith
George Michael
There is no subtly on this album, you know what he is singing about along with some bopping melodies. Really loved dancing around to music my sister and fam introduced me to long ago.
3
May 20 2024
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Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Beatles
I am going back and forth. There were some great tracks but then some that were just so out there that it seemed somewhat comical. It was also felt like such a departure from what they were, its like good kids who tried acid once and became completely enlightened and have to make sure everyone knows that they have done this. I don't hate it, but it makes me wonder if another band had released this album if it would have received such critical praise.
3
May 21 2024
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Led Zeppelin IV
Led Zeppelin
My mom had this record and as a kid, I remember the album cover but never put it together with the music that we would play. Its just right...its authentically trippy, his voice is right for the music, the melodies and chords are perfect, it flows but nothing is overdone. It is, passionate, meaningful, an album you can hear, feel and see all at once. My favs are Misty Mountain Hop and Going to California.
5
May 22 2024
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John Barleycorn Must Die
Traffic
This was a fun jazzy little album. The mix of instruments was a fun way to bring new life to pop/rock music of the 60s and 70s. Lyrics are deeper and conveying a message that is important at the time (and still today). Gives me major summer outdoor festival or evening concert vibes.
4
May 23 2024
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Smile
Brian Wilson
So at first I liked it but then I was just confused and stayed that way. I wanted to smile but I just couldn't get past my sense of confusion plus burning was particularly amazing or revolutionary. It felt like the guy at the party that is way high and thinks he is amazing and making something amazing and everyone is looking at him like he is crazy
2
May 24 2024
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OK Computer
Radiohead
Controversial unpopular opinion...for me I have never really understood the appeal of Radiohead. Nothing is bad about them but there is also nothing stellar to me so I went deep on this album, listened to it multiple times, read the lyrics along with the music, without the music and read numerous breakdowns, reviews and abouts the album.
By immersing myself in it, I understand the appeal and it is very well done for what it is. It is looking at our capitalized society at its worst, explaining those flaws and letting everyone know how wrong they are.
But in doing that he completely loses me in what he wants to do to change it and make it better. Or what to even appreciate about in our society. In a way it gives me a little bit of boomer vibes, "Well in my day we used to...." Or when you say it is a beautiful day the person responds, "Yes but the way in the Ukrainian is still going on..." True, but we can appreciate today for what it is, see the small joys in life and try our best to improve it moving forward.
I give it a four for the technical quality of everything involved because that is impressive.
4
May 25 2024
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The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady
Charles Mingus
I really tried to listen and immerse myself but just still not appreciating the genre. I did appreciate this one and connect a little more than others before
3
May 26 2024
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The Doors
The Doors
Classic great album, everything on this just works!
5
May 27 2024
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New Wave
The Auteurs
At first I thought I would really dig this one, it has a very 90's sound which I typically like. But it really drug and didn't really go anywhere. I wasn't 100% sure what he was whining about most of the time, maybe being too famous and how hard that is (not sure where he was famous...).
2
May 28 2024
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American Idiot
Green Day
One of my favorite albums of all time! Together this album is amazing and each song can stand so well on its own. This one came out when I was in college and really allowing me to to question and change a lot of world views/stances. I have listened to this album numerous times before but still love it today.
5
May 29 2024
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1999
Prince
This is a great album. It has a lot of great hits on it (Little Red Corvette is my fav). Sexy jams are fun and exciting, and Prince might be the best at it. As a lady it is nice to hear a singer talk about making their partner happy in a way that actually feels like the person knows what they are talking about. He has the swagger to back up what he is laying down, you know what I mean ladies.
I wish Prince got my credit and love for his deeper stuff like 1999, Free and All the Critics Love U. Yes there is sex in all of it, but its beyond that, its talking about critical issues (nuclear war, sexuality, insecurity, etc) in a way that is not been done.
4
May 30 2024
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Since I Left You
The Avalanches
Techno is another genre I'm just not super into but this album wasn't too bad. It's typically so repetitive (we get it you have a flight tonight!) or just so focused on a beat that I don't see any beauty in it. But this was pretty good to me. Songs were not too long and they were not so repetitive that I was bored
4
May 31 2024
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Lost Souls
Doves
This was a weird one...I didn't hate or even dislike anything, but I will never seek this album or them out again. Their music is in my preferred genre so I could like something by them but nothing in this album pulled me in to want to investigate them as a band further.
2
Jun 01 2024
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It's Blitz!
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
I loved this album! Skeletons was my fav. I love how every song is different but still work together so well. i had heard the singles off this album and enjoyed them. Loved the whole thing together
5
Jun 02 2024
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On The Beach
Neil Young
Chill vibe and a good folk music.
4
Jun 03 2024
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Our Aim Is To Satisfy
Red Snapper
Nothing offense about it, but nothing that I love either. I will give it a 3 because I don't really know what is considered good music in this genre. It didn't hurt my ears, I didn't want to turn it off, but I could have walked away and not felt like I missed anything important.
3
Jun 04 2024
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Nevermind
Nirvana
I've probably listened to this album entirely before, but I don't remember. It is interesting how many of the songs became hits or regularly played on the radio, can't think of another album that has so many radio singles.
I know its cliché but I like this album. I feel like Kurt was a really tortured soul that carried really deeply about others. This album touches on the struggles of mental health and violence towards women. He gives the topics the right amount of seriousness, anger, and action they deserve. I can see people thinking this album is overhyped because in a way it probably isn't anything special and they pulled inspiration from a lot of other bands. But I do really enjoy it and wish he had lived longer and made more music.
5
Jun 05 2024
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Live At The Witch Trials
The Fall
Its very punk...too punk for me. Lyrics were great, just too much dissonance and yelling for my taste. For the genre it is right on point and great, but just not my taste really.
2
Jun 06 2024
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Liquid Swords
GZA
I am not a rap expert by any means...and this is not my jam. But I can appreciate it is amazing. Everything flows completely naturally, it is deep and haunting, but methodical and perfection. Songs move naturally into one another, but also build and amplify one another. There are basic beats that enhance the lyrics, and not overshadow them. It is not something I will probably listen to again, but its talent and impressive on so many levels.
4
Jun 07 2024
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Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Elton John
Just beautiful... This is a great album and everything mixes so well. The lyrics can at time seem like gibberish but that is part of the appeal to me. On the surface you just want to dance around but deep down it says something
5
Jun 08 2024
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Back To Black
Amy Winehouse
I was really unsure on this one. I heard a lot of reviews at the time and requests from her father to not buy it. The idea was it was glamorizing addiction and furthering her self-destructive habits. First, to me it does not glamorize addiction, there is a lot of sadness and bluntness behind her music. To some it may be glamorizing but in reality it is just her speaking about her life. For her family, I understand the concerns and can only imagine the difficulty they deal with when it comes to losing their daughter to such a difficult disease. In the end this was a dark beautiful album that reflects on a life full of hard times.
4
Jun 09 2024
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Hearts And Bones
Paul Simon
I mean it's fine...I like his lyrics but for me it's pairing it with the 80s rock that just doesn't mesh. He is a poet and a great one, but it doesn't jive with the 80s rock vibe that others do so well.
3
Jun 10 2024
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The Idiot
Iggy Pop
Going between a 3 and a 4, but ultimately a 3. I really thought he was British, gave me those vibes. It was short and I think that was good for me. I enjoyed it but it got a bit repetitive in each song, but then each stood pretty good on its own.
3
Jun 11 2024
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Come Away With Me
Norah Jones
She has a beautiful soulful voice that brings beauty to pain. My biggest issue is that it all starts to sound the same, meshing one song into the next and never really separating into their each distinct song. Sometimes I also found myself drifting out and thinking of it as background music in a department store. I liked it, but for me it was not earth shaking, but at the time I could see it being a departure from a lot of other pop music that was coming out.
3
Jun 12 2024
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Rhythm Nation 1814
Janet Jackson
I am about 99.9% sure I owned this cassette tape when I was very young, so listening it now was such an awesome experience. I was able to connect and sing along because I remembered it all, but old enough now to process what she was talking about. Janet Jackson does not get enough credit for her contribution to the musical world. Great album and so many amazing one off songs. She really weaved it all together into a wonderful album.
5
Jun 13 2024
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Step In The Arena
Gang Starr
Never heard of them so no idea what to expect. Better then I thought, good lyrics, good beats.
3
Jun 14 2024
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Rain Dogs
Tom Waits
Bear with me....at first I was super confused...then it reminded me of "Money Makes the World Go Round" from Caberat (which made me think of Schitt's Creek) and then the album started to make more sense if I listened to it as a soundtrack for a musical. All those weird Lousiana/Bayou characters (except Hang Down your Head, that is a New Yorker) signing and narrating all of these crazy bad evil things happening around them. I am not sure if I would listen to it again, but it helped me contextual the music and be able to get past the initial weirdness to appreciate it.
3
Jun 15 2024
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2112
Rush
Anytime I hear Rush I think of the character from the Goldbergs that was obsessed with them, his love and obsession for the band make me laugh. His obsession and the general love around the band confuse me slightly. I mean don't get me wrong its not bad...but its not life changing. I read one review of the band and it said they are known for their wide vocabulary and are credited with teaching people new words. Bravo on that I suppose...the 20+ minute song was good, but also could have been broken down into multiple songs and likely done the same thing. I don't know maybe Johnny Atkins just set the bar for this band too high for me to truly appreciate their greatness. For now its a 3....
3
Jun 16 2024
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Pyromania
Def Leppard
So ironically 80's. At the time I remember family members really grooving to Def Leppard and I likely grooved along too. I still love Photograph, but the rest don't really hit the same today as they did then. Not anything wrong with it, but now that we are out of the 80s the dramatic riffs and action movie oriented lyrics don't elicit the feelings they used to.
3
Jun 17 2024
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All Hope Is Gone
Slipknot
I just can't get into this music...I tried really hard to be open minded to their anger, lyrics and music (each part individual) to try to understand but I just don't. In Psychosocial and Dead Memories they don't yell all the time, and honestly those part aren't terrible. If they did more of that maybe I could give it a 2, but the screaming is just overwhelming. But as is I would never choose to listen to them again.
1
Jun 18 2024
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At San Quentin
Johnny Cash
This show is something that would be next to impossible to do today and that is part of what makes it special but more how much Johnny connects with the prisoners and treats them like humans. His interactions with this specific crowd make this such a unique event. His lyrics speak to the need for prison and police reform in a way that was appropriate for his background, and can be applied to any background.
5
Jun 19 2024
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The Gershwin Songbook
Ella Fitzgerald
Beautiful voice, beautiful lyrics, and beautiful music....but way way way too much...
Halfway through the second disc, I just zoned it all out and it became department store background noise. Certain songs would bring me back slightly (They All Laughed, I Got Rhythm) because of Fitzgerald's voice, not the composers. But it just all started to blend together and turn it into an experience I just wanted to end.
This is made for someone that either eats and breathes Fitzgerald or Gershwin, for me as a casual listener it made me actually like it less the longer it went, which is a travesty since her voice is so amazing!
I honestly don't know if I like any band or composer that I would want to listen to 6 albums of their music in a row without some variety mixed in. And maybe that is part of the problem, Gershwin doesn't write enough variety in their music, it all starts to sound the same over and over.
3
Jun 20 2024
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Woodface
Crowded House
Never heard of this band or any of their songs. This album really grew on me and it almost felt like two different bands from the beginning of the album to the end. I really liked Weather with you, Italian Plastic and There Goes God. Harmonicas draw me in and I just can't help but like them.
3
Jun 21 2024
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MTV Unplugged In New York
Nirvana
For some reason this didn't sound all that different to me then their normal music except it wasn't as much drums. But after researching some turns out Kurt wasn't full acoustic and refused to play without his amp and effect boxes. The other thing I learned is they didn't want to play their hits...however most of the songs became hits after. So in retrospect this album isn't as shocking and groundbreaking as it probably was at the time. With that said its a good album. Grunge bands are interesting for live albums because they aren't usually super interactive with the crowd and don't use a ton of effects so it ends up being a lot like a regular album in terms of sound.
Favorite songs with Lake of Fire (go Meat Puppets) and Where did you Sleep last nigh (learned that Kurt refused to do an encore because he did not think he could top this song).
4
Jun 22 2024
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The Village Green Preservation Society
The Kinks
I enjoyed this album. I like the title track and Animal Farm. Started off pretty "normal" and got trippier by the end.
4
Jun 23 2024
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Black Metal
Venom
Not my jam, not my genre
But at least the screaming seems almost like signing, not just screaming. The guitar and drums are not always just loud noise, but actual music (that is pretty good at time). They are actually signing about something and not just whining about how horrible life is. These guys are making legit satanic music and are proud of it. They also might be angry and are at least doing it in a way that is musical. Not my thing...but at least it has elements of music in it.
2
Jun 24 2024
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The Stooges
The Stooges
The intros for the first two songs had me so excited, but the lyrics were so blah. It was repetitive over and over and he didn't have any passion in his lyrics. Then We Will Fall was just weird...it was trying to be cultish (but not enough passion), trying to be druggy (but not trippy enough), trying to be sleepy (but just kept going). There were redeeming moments (guitar and drums on first two songs) but really it was just blah.
2
Jun 25 2024
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Brothers In Arms
Dire Straits
Beyond the hits this one had some songs I really enjoyed, like The Man's Too Strong and some I didn't like Ride Across the River and Your Latest Trick. After a while the autotune of the voice kind of bothered me. I just wanted to hear his voice along with the more raw guitar in songs like One World. It wasn't a great voice (learned from Brother in Arms) but sometimes natural is just better because otherwise it is just the same thing over and over. I could go back and forth on this album between a 2 and a 3 depending on my mood that day.
3
Jun 26 2024
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Wild Is The Wind
Nina Simone
This was a beautiful album. Everything about it is unique and different, but that works for her. It is a mix of everything all at once but she does it in a uniquely beautiful way. I love that she doesn't feel she needs to fit into a box or a genre but just does her music the way she feels and in the way that expresses what she wants to share.
4
Jun 27 2024
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High Violet
The National
I enjoyed each song individually (I like folk, indie, alt rock) but as an album less of a fan. Each song was well done, deep and introspective. I also really connect with the themes of aging, change, being retrospective, and how that can manifest into anxieties, depression and sorrowful feelings. I am at 40 now and feel a lot of that emotion and ideas.
But for me personally I need something with a little more energy in the music to bring me up followed by the current songs to bring me back down. Yes all the feelings he has are real, but there can be beauty in anxiety, depression and sorrow. I am sad because something was good or I can find beauty in today's world even in small parts like a sunset. As an album it left me wanting that piece.
3
Jun 28 2024
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This Is Fats Domino
Fats Domino
This was just fun and interesting. I loved bopping along with it and enjoying some great 50's music.
4
Jun 29 2024
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Cloud Nine
The Temptations
It was a nice album. Now that I am older I can listen to the lyrics and appreciate this music on a deeper level. I like the beat, bop and harmony of voices.
4
Jun 30 2024
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Ambient 1/Music For Airports
Brian Eno
So meh...I mean it was fine background music for an airport, mall, mediating or whatever you might need this kind of music. From today's context I don't see how this was amazing and influential. Not bad...you can just hear this kind of music anywhere.
2
Jul 01 2024
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Strange Cargo III
William Orbit
After the first couple of songs it reminded me of opening music from ER and then all I could think is 90's sitcom opening credits or 90-00's movie background music (Gone in 60 Seconds). Which at first made me think meh...but writing those few cords that stick with you and make a moment in a movie more memorable are amazing. So I will give it a 3 because there is something there but I think I have heard enough of it.
3
Jul 02 2024
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Doolittle
Pixies
I love the Pixies, but hadn't listened to their albums before this project. This album has a lot of the songs I had heard to make me fall in love with them. They are just so unique, but do it perfectly. For me the music has a 50's sock hop vibe, with punk rock vocals, and 70s/80s style lyrics. They created such a uniquely perfect sound that really welcomed a new generation of alt rock. They were so unique, and to this day you can hear bands that were 100 influenced by them.
5
Jul 03 2024
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Happy Trails
Quicksilver Messenger Service
I started off liking but then got confused. It has some interesting jams, but I didn't really see how it connected or how it was really an album. It felt like some guys that are trippin and just playing their instruments. Don't get me wrong they are talented, but I just didn't get it as a collective piece. Which at first isn't a big thing but after looking into the album more the reason it is popular because of what it is as a collective album. I liked Mona and Who Do you Love - Pt. 2, but I didn't get how those really connected with Calvary or Which Do you Love.
2
Jul 04 2024
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Dust
Screaming Trees
This is a band that I had heard of but never knew much about them and hadn't listened to their music. Personally the name of the band was a little deceiving (at least for this album), I thought there would be a lot of screaming so I was really pleasantly surprised! I really like this album and this band, one I will look into more.
4
Jul 05 2024
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Hounds Of Love
Kate Bush
Going back and forth between a 3 and 4. Some songs were great, some were nontraditional but worked (gave me Taylor Swiftish nontraditional song vibes). Then some were just straight up weird performance piece/modern dance songs.
3
Jul 06 2024
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Dire Straits
Dire Straits
This is an album I would have loved to be placed in the historical time because I have to think it was pretty revolutionary and impactful at the time. Today when I hear it I think, yeah this is Dire Straits, they are mellow, cool and I like it. But coming out in the late 70s in England this was probably super revolutionary. Overall a good album and I would listen again.
3
Jul 07 2024
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Paranoid
Black Sabbath
Never listened beyond the hits. This is metal I can find palatable. We aren't screaming and growling just because and the lyrics are actually deep and meaningful instead of being mad for no real reason. I won't be coming a Black Sabbath fan anytime soon but overall not a bad album.
3
Jul 08 2024
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m b v
My Bloody Valentine
It started out good and I enjoyed the first couple of songs. But as time went on it really started to sound exactly the same.
2
Jul 09 2024
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Stardust
Willie Nelson
These are all remakes but he does an awesome job making them his own. Willie does not have a traditionally amazing voice, but he has so much feeling and passion in his voice. I felt happiness, sadness, love and everything in between.
5
Jul 10 2024
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The Slider
T. Rex
I was really unsure what to expect, especially after the first song was called metal guru. But this was a pleasant surprise. The guitar on some songs was pretty fire. Rabbit Fighter and Baby Strange were some of my favorite songs. Perhaps Slash have found some inspiration from this guy.
4
Jul 11 2024
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Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
It was an interesting album that went back and forth before really artsy and more radio/commercial. Overall I liked their sound a lot. Sometimes the lyrics and music sounded disconnected and didn't go together, but I still liked both parts. Reading about them it sounds like they changed their sound over the years so it would be interesting to hear different albums, and understand why this was the album that was seen as influential and not others. Overall I see how a lot of current alt rock has roots in their sound (Nature Boy's opening reminded me a little of Flo and Machine's ship to wreck.) Really liked There She Goes, My Beautiful World, Messiah World, Nature Boy and Breathless.
3
Jul 12 2024
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Jack Takes the Floor
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
This might be less country and more hillbilly hill music (saying that in the best possible way). New York was not bad, but the yodeling on Mule Skinner's Blues was just bad. Reading about him, he is influential in that he changed every expectation life would have set for him and became a singing cowboy. Good inspiration to try something totally outside of your comfort zone if it is what you truly love!
3
Jul 13 2024
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Green
R.E.M.
R.E.M. is one of those bands you can't really go wrong with. This album is a little more upbeat overall (upbeat for R.E.M.) which is kind of a nice change for them. I don't think there is a bad song on this album. Stand is great but my favorites might be Orange Crush or Pop Song 89.
Only criticism is they do start to sound similar after awhile, but for some reason that doesn't bother me with R.E.M. When you hear one of their songs you instantly know its them because everything sounds similar, but it also sounds different and unique. That is part of what makes them great.
5
Jul 14 2024
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Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space
Spiritualized
It was fine and different. Reminded me of modest mouse. Some songs drug, just repeating sounds. My favorite was cool waves and the use of so many sounds that worked in harmony and didn't feel forced. Mixed feelings in cop shot cop. It really rocked out and had a good sound but it just kept going over and over and then got weird.
3
Jul 15 2024
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Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
This is beautiful, deep, meaningful and wonderful. Beyond being a work of art, she feels so intimate and genuine. She is sharing her innermost thoughts and feelings and we are blessed to hear them from her in such an amazingly perfect way.
5
Jul 16 2024
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Station To Station
David Bowie
There were some great ones (Golden Years makes me so happy!) Then some I was a little more confused about. I couldn't quite understand the concept of the album, sort of felt like some random songs he wrote and liked, but didn't really have a connecting thread, but decided he liked the songs so much he would make an album. I would listen again and enjoy it
3
Jul 17 2024
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Born To Run
Bruce Springsteen
Never been a super fan of Springsteen so I did a look work looking into this one and it really moved up this rating. Still not my fav, he has a little too much macho facade for me, but his lyrics really are deep and meaningful to the white working class poor experience. He wants love, to get out of his town and working class life, but feels stuck and knows he can only give so much to live up to the macho lifestyle. He also discuss the complicated return of working class young men from Vietnam. This experience did not make me a Bruce Tramp, but I do see why this album is influential and appreciate what he created.
4
Jul 18 2024
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Illinois
Sufjan Stevens
CJ introduced this one to me and I enjoyed it then and have a deeper appreciation for it now. I think part of the draw is understanding Illinois history and connecting the references to the songs. His melodies and music are very unique and different and beautiful. The concept of the album is really cool and turns history into music. I would say some of the references are a little over done and forced and not sure I really enjoy having a song that gives time to Gacy. But overall I enjoyed it and will listen again and again. Favs are Decatur (awesome rhyming) and Jacksonville.
4
Jul 19 2024
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OK
Talvin Singh
This was really kind of cool! Light, OK and Eclipse were my top three. It was amazing to see a blend of electronic, Indian and classical influences together in such a unique yet perfect manner. Light especially was so beautiful with the electronic beat emphasizing the melody that had classic vibes but played with an Indian instrument (I think) supported by Indian rhythms. Electronic is not my thing so I probably won't listen again, but I give this one props for being something I would say is influential and different to the music world (or at least my music world).
4
Jul 20 2024
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Deep Purple In Rock
Deep Purple
It was fine, it was for certain rock music. Biggest criticism is a lot of the bass line and drums are similar from song to song and to other bands. When Into the Fire started I thought it was Iron Man by Black Sabbath. Flight of the Rat also really reminded me of another song but I can't place my finger on it. Overall it was good, and another where it would be nice to have heard it at the time to understand how it impacted future music.
3
Jul 21 2024
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To Pimp A Butterfly
Kendrick Lamar
Second Kendrick album and I am just as impressed as the first time. He is so talented (not sure why Drake thinks he even has a chance of being this good). He speaks of a world and a life I am far removed from, but his words help me see that world. He makes it seem so natural, simple and easy but it is soooooo deep and complex.
4
Jul 22 2024
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If You're Feeling Sinister
Belle & Sebastian
While nothing hit me as amazing it hit in a way I am not sure I have ever felt before. There was something oddly familiar about this album and it felt like it could have belonged to almost any time frame from the 60's on. It was comforting like a glass of hot chocolate.
4
Jul 23 2024
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Electric Warrior
T. Rex
Second album by this artist, and I am not mad about that. This guy is really good. T. Rex makes music fun and makes me want to listen to it again. There is talent here, rock and roll vibes (but not too much), some awesome guitar, lyrics that you can hear and understand and just want to get up and dance. There are 50's vibes that move into folk (Cosmic Dance) into a more rock vibe (Get it On) with a little blues for good measure (Lean Woman Blues). Last time I saw Slash's inspiration, this time I am getting Black Keys vibes.
5
Jul 24 2024
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They Were Wrong, So We Drowned
Liars
It could fit with a performance art piece or as music for a serial killer or the army to play to torture someone (Steam rose from the Lifeless Cloak). I guess it is a two because at least it was organized. However my soul feels like it needs a shower now.
2
Jul 25 2024
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Ocean Rain
Echo And The Bunnymen
Waiver between 2 & 3...it was just fine. Things were on the border line of good. Lyrics were weird and felt forced at time. Melody and music was good but also felt like they were trying to hard.
3
Jul 26 2024
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McCartney
Paul McCartney
Mellow, chill and more folk then the Beatles. But he knows how to make catchy music that sticks with you (that is what is success). Much more pop and simple then some of his counterparts but more folky then the group.
3
Jul 27 2024
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Live At Leeds
The Who
For me this started a little slow, but then got a lot better as it moved along. I had never heard Happy Jack or Amazing Journey before but I really loved them. For a live album it was great, the right amount of talking and playing. Plus the songs really flowed into one another and didn't leave a lot of down time to fall out of the music. The My Generation Live Medley was terrific. It is something you expect to get at a Live concert and it was a great rendition.
4
Jul 28 2024
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Horses
Patti Smith
I enjoyed this and it was deep and interesting. It seemed more poetry written to music, and not necessarily songs. I would like to listen a few more times and really pull apart the lyrics to get more of the deeper meaning.
4
Jul 29 2024
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Low
David Bowie
There were a lot of different feels and emotions in this album. At first I wasn't sure about all the heavy instrumental songs, but they were good, A New Career in a New Town was one of my favs. I don't know if they all worked together but most of the pieces I really enjoyed.
3
Jul 30 2024
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All Things Must Pass
George Harrison
For the most part it was really good. There were some that just seemed a little out there Behind that Locked Door (sounded country), I'd Have you Anytime and Let It Down (Yacht rock anyone!). I honestly didn't know he wrote soo many Beatles songs. Not being a Beatles head, I credited much of their hippier sound to Lennon but it seems much of it may have come from George. Wah-wah, Apple Scruffs and I Dig Love were some of my favs. The last three songs were an interesting surprise, not sure if I loved them or was confused by them. This was a cool double album and great to see his talent shine. My only complaint is that it was a little long, some songs felt meh (Beware of Darkness) and maybe it was because it was just so much.
4
Jul 31 2024
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Don't Come Home A Drinkin' (With Lovin' On Your Mind)
Loretta Lynn
I had heard songs by her before but never albums. As an album she is kind of a bad a$$. For the time frame and the country conservative world, go Loretta telling your man to leave you alone when he comes home drunk! Or being all scandalous and doing the things a man does in I Got Caught! I need to investigate the wonderful world of Loretta Lynn further, you go girl with your beautiful voice and awesome lyrics!
5
Aug 01 2024
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Pills 'n' Thrills And Bellyaches
Happy Mondays
I didn't know what I was expecting, but it was okay but weird. The fife on Bob's Yer Uncle, the sampling on Kinky Afro, the rock guitar of grandbag's funeral. I don't know if it was a cohesive album, so it was confusing overall. But individually most of the songs were okay. Wavering here between a 2 and 3
3
Aug 02 2024
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Hot Shots II
The Beta Band
Never heard of them but I kind of liked them. I really enjoyed Human Being and Broke. The song Gone and Quite really drug. But overall I enjoyed it, nothing spectacular but I would listen again.
3
Aug 03 2024
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Slippery When Wet
Bon Jovi
This is full of bangers! Livin on a prayer slaps even Cubs fans secretly think so :) At the time and for many years this music was just amazing. But now it hours different. We blame Disney princesses for problematic views in relationships but I would say this type of music influenced me and generations way more! All it takes is an I love you and that excuses all bad behavior. Or sex in my back seat makes up for our flight and me being a jerk. Not saying a don't love it but maybe just problematic
4
Aug 04 2024
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Devil Without A Cause
Kid Rock
Trying to be open minded on this one. Not too proud to say I grooved to Cowboy back in the day. However i am much older now. The mesh of rock, rap and country is pretty good and it was revolutionary. His rap is decent. BUT...the lyrics are full on misogyny, racisms, reasons how amazing he is, and just tired and cliche after a while. Pair that with the fact that he grew up on a farm in a small town OUTSIDE of Detroit and his family was fairly well off. Its just poser music
2
Aug 05 2024
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Bringing It All Back Home
Bob Dylan
For some reason Bob Dylan always makes me cringe slightly because to me he has a pompous air about him. But maybe that is because he knows he is good, and he is good. I think my fav might be 115th Dream, because it is so ridiculous and it makes it seem he actually has a sense of humor. Maybe he is not as arrogant as my subconscious thinks....
4
Aug 06 2024
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Talking Heads 77
Talking Heads
I didn't hate it, but it really just started blending together after a while so it was somewhat easy to tune out becoming background music.
When I would force myself to really listen the lyrics were good and deep. They are different and their jams are funky. For me the melodies just blended together and became long as an album.
3
Aug 07 2024
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Colour By Numbers
Culture Club
This is just mostly happy and weirdly jazzy cluby. It is just very different, but in a good unique way that seems to exude Boy George.
4
Aug 08 2024
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Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
I am not an Elvis fan...so I went into this with an open mind. I felt like I know a lot of the songs, but necessarily by him, which lead me to find out he didn't actually write the majority of his songs, but redoing songs doesn't seem unusual back then. Now the voice...its unique, its expressive, but to me its over the top. I Love you Because just seemed gross and to me not great. The faster songs were better, but even then I didn't think his voice was terrific, just different. This is iconic and did make me want to dance, but overall for me it isn't amazing, just okay.
3
Aug 09 2024
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Hybrid Theory
Linkin Park
I love this album and it means so much to me. It really changed me. This came out when I was in high school and I listened to it on repeat over and over. It was the first time I felt like it was okay to not always feel okay and even if you are bubbly and happy on the surface a lot can be going on underneath. It sounds angry but actually really sad, and for real reasons. Mike's rapping says all everything while Chester's singing and screaming makes you feel the emotion so deeply. The opening of papercut takes me to a different place, with a perfect move into one step closer and just moves so well all the way until pushing me away. Beyond the hits I love A place for My Head. RIP Chester, you were an amazing artist
5
Aug 10 2024
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Live At The Harlem Square Club
Sam Cooke
This was a hidden gem. I just wanted to bop and dance along in this club. It sounded like a great night to be apart of. So many classic songs and such a great voice.
5
Aug 11 2024
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Eternally Yours
The Saints
Good punk music, and it was enjoyable. I would listen again.
3
Aug 12 2024
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Raw Power
The Stooges
I get the title raw power (which was my favorite song on it I guess)...for me it was just a little too much. It was a little all over the place at times. I didn't get or like I Need Somebody. For what it was it was good, but just not my thing exactly.
2
Aug 13 2024
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People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm
A Tribe Called Quest
This is a group I had heard of but never heard. I really appreciated it and how well it was written. Rap gets so bogged down but tittes, drugs and how amazing the rapper things he is so I always really appreciate rappers that go beyond the obvious and talk about deeper topics and do it so flawlessly and effortlessly. This was a great example of an album and group that did that. Titties, drugs and their egos may have been included but they all had purpose and reason, not just because it sells records. Overall great album.
4
Aug 14 2024
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Killing Joke
Killing Joke
This was an interesting album and a sound I had never really heard before. Electronic and metal mixed...So it somewhat mellowed the metal vibe and it was metal enough that it avoided the repetition that electronic music can have. It was not heavy vocals, but I was okay with that. It was something I wouldn't listen to again but I can appreciate this as something different and musically unique, that did not make my ears hurt.
3
Aug 15 2024
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The Grand Tour
George Jones
This was old style country and it was not bad. Nothing struck me as amazing, but it is something that would be good for a night around a fire or out fishing.
3
Aug 16 2024
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Post Orgasmic Chill
Skunk Anansie
Never heard of this group or album so I was really unsure what to expect.
Plus metal is not my thing and the title is a little different, but it was much better than expected. I am sure true metal heads hate it but I really enjoyed it. I understand why its on this list, it has screaming and metal sounds but its enjoyable, and there it evokes more than just "I am screaming because I am mad." One top of the emotional depth it focuses on female and black struggles, something metal never does. I started a list of the songs I liked but I really liked all of them. Only criticism is that it started hard and almost the entire second half was a lot slower, maybe more of a mix on the back half. I feel like they would be an awesome live show and I band I am going to investigate more.
5
Aug 17 2024
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The Cars
The Cars
I am naive and didn't realize all the hits The Cars created, but hearing them all together the voice is very obvious (how did I miss it!). This is one of those hard one because now its so mainstream, its hard to think of it at the time. Really thinking it is a mix of rock, mixed with pop,...but there are also little pops of country and sock hop, making it a quintessential 80s sound, a sound they helped create. I have always love Just What I Needed. It was all so fun 80's..I just want to dance along with lots of smoke, big hair, a shiny clothing, laser lights and wind.
4
Aug 18 2024
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The Marshall Mathers LP
Eminem
I go back and forth on this one...he is talented, he talks of his experiences in a way that are somewhat deep and reflects on a culture of blaming media for everything instead of looking inside.
With that said...he is so derogatory, sexist, homophobic and mean. I agree that the media is not to blame, but you are also not blameless using such angry rhetoric and not expecting others to connect with you and feel justified.
Is he talented, yes...did I enjoy him when it first came out, yes...does it hit different today, most definitely
3
Aug 19 2024
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Catch A Fire
Bob Marley & The Wailers
It is beautiful and wonderful. It feels like a big Jamaican hug. Sitting on the beach with family and friends, appreciating, love and sharing our current world, life and blessings but also believing we can have more and dreaming of how to change the world so we can get there.
4
Aug 20 2024
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Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Metal will never be my thing, but I can appreciate Black Sabbath and what they built for the metal genre. They had darkness and deep vibes that were not just screaming, dissonance and loud. Their lyrics could be heard and understood along with music that didn't hurt the ears but was different, dark and haunting. This album has a sound that was groundbreaking and different.
3
Aug 21 2024
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Honky Tonk Masquerade
Joe Ely
This was interesting...it was very Hill Billy Rock. His voice had a very Texas twang and drawl with traditional country elements (steel guitar and fiddle) but then had some very rock elements in songs (like Jericho). His voice had the twang but also something rockish folkish about it with the story telling elements. Something was there, not my favorite but something was different and I appreciate it.
3
Aug 22 2024
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She's So Unusual
Cyndi Lauper
This one just got better and better. The hits are great but even the non-hits are amazing. I love her and will add this album to my favs :)
5
Aug 23 2024
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Abbey Road
Beatles
So much growth with this group. Their music has depth and really built with the time and age they lived in. I Want You was kind of a weird song and didn't totally feel like it fit.
4
Aug 24 2024
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Disintegration
The Cure
This is a band i knew because of their hits, but hits can be deceiving. They were more electric, trippy, sometimes rockier than I expected. In my high school brooding days I probably could have gotten really into it, but today it starts to blend together after a while. Sounds are interesting and different, Prayers for Rain for example had some really interesting melodies and sounds. Vocals overall were interesting and different (compared to other bands) but eventually all sounded the same.
3
Aug 25 2024
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Clandestino
Manu Chao
I wanted to translate these songs to really understand because they were really fun and interesting. My body just wanted to move along and dance with the music. It was an interesting mix of traditional sounds with modern influences. I do not have a lot of experience with the world music scene so this was a great opportunity to be exposed to something beautiful, talented and amazing.
4
Aug 26 2024
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Frampton Comes Alive
Peter Frampton
Amazing on guitar...amazing. Beyond that, its cool and probably would have been a good concert but nothing that is life changing
3
Aug 27 2024
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My Generation
The Who
Not what I was expecting from The Who. All I know from them is much trippier and hippy 60's-70's vibe, which you started to get in The Ox. At first listen it reminded me a lot of the Beatles sound, so I can see at the time why it wasn't as well received since it didn't have a super unique sound. Overall it was good, and there were glimpses of who they would become but I'm glad they evolved because their later sound was much more enjoyable and unique.
3
Aug 28 2024
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Triangle
The Beau Brummels
It could have just been the picture on Spotify (the group picture gave me mad barbershop quartet vibes) but this one was really odd to me. I got the hippie, San Fran vibes, but it just didn't feel authentic. Something about the guys voice and lyrics made me feel like he was a bit of a poser. It wasn't bad, just odd
2
Aug 29 2024
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More Songs About Buildings And Food
Talking Heads
This is a band I wouldn't know how to describe, but Spotifiy uses art-school punk and that seems so appropriate. There is something very mainstream about them but also artistic and unique, likely why they are so popular.
I don't know how to describe or explain them or the feelings I get from their music, so I can't say what it is I like or don't like exactly. The mainstream factors are missing so its hard to explain.
Love Take me to the River. Beyond the hit for me in some songs it seems perfect, Found a Job, Stay Hungry and Artists Only, I didn't feel left wanting. But others (I'm Not in Love) just seemed like they were missing something or didn't make me feel full and left me wanting.
Overall they are unique, different, talented and I am sure they hit certain people just right. For me it was hit and miss, but I just don't know why (but that might be what they are going for)
3
Aug 30 2024
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Rising Above Bedlam
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
This was an interesting album, and had a lot of good beats and sounds that made me want to move along. If you took the lyrics out some reminded me of TV theme songs. I really liked some of the songs (i.e. Ungodly Kingdom, Relight the Flame), but then some got a little off. Bomba or Rising Above the Bedlam for example, I liked either the music or the lyrics, but they didn't really go together (to me they had different rhythms). Pretty cool that the band is led and organized by the bassist, that is not often the case, but I it did add a different layer to the music that I appreciate.
2
Aug 31 2024
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Wish You Were Here
Pink Floyd
Gonna be unpopular but its kind of slow and draggy to me. I like Have a Cigar, but honestly felt like it was much longer than 7 minutes. I also didn't see how there were 5 parts to the first Shine on Crazy Diamond.
Is it beautiful, yes...is it trippy, yes....is it talented and cool, yes. If I am feeling really introspective and thinking, sure I would listen but it is not something I would listen to all the time. My favorite was Shine on You Crazy Diamond, Pts. 6-9
Not bad, but not my favorite by them
3
Sep 01 2024
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Rio
Duran Duran
Good bops, deep thoughts, makes me overall think but also feel good.
4
Sep 02 2024
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Reign In Blood
Slayer
I did not enjoy it, but some of it is not as bad as I feared. For instance Necrophobic was pretty bad but Angel of Death did not completely assault my ears. Guitar riffs were actually pretty good. But no thanks...I don't need to hear about death, violence and love for satan on the regular.
2
Sep 03 2024
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Dummy
Portishead
It was hauntingly beautiful. If I was feeling a little down I would love to listen to this and just wallow (honestly!). The melodies are beautiful and emotional and the singers voice adds beautiful complexity to the songs.
3
Sep 04 2024
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Junkyard
The Birthday Party
This is just awful. It almost made me physically ill. Why do we need to write a song about the carnage of a car crash? Every song he is just repeating himself over and over, while it sounds like toddlers are hitting things with hammers. No thank you....
1
Sep 05 2024
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Punishing Kiss
Ute Lemper
She has an interesting voice, but something about it was just so over the top.
And she did not write most of these songs, just sang them, which amazes me she was able to find this many over the top songs to sing. It felt very musical theater or opera overall because it was just sooo much. Plus the lyrics were so literal (Split). The song Tango Ballad sounded very Phantom of the Opera-esque. Its not that it is bad, it was just too much and so in line with musical theater, all I could do was image her in my mind signing these songs sh dramatically moving about on state, singing so hard she is spitting and out of breath, rolling and collapsing on the floor. Which shows she has passion and emotion, but maybe a little much for me.
2
Sep 06 2024
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Low-Life
New Order
All of their songs had a lot of deeper thoughts and feelings, that have a dark edge to them. I really liked Love Vigilantes, on the surface such an 80's rock/pop song but listening to the lyrics it was far deeper. One could argue that their musical genre doesn't lend itself well to all of the deeper meanings, and could make light of some of those topics. Overall I enjoyed this album and would listen again.
4
Sep 07 2024
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Bossanova
Pixies
To me this was totally different then the Pixies' first two albums but I still really dug it. This was harder and you can see how they grew and helped to develop the 90s rock era but still kept their own Pixie charm. The Happening really was a perfect mesh of their previous sound with those newer 90's sounds.
5
Sep 08 2024
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Debut
Björk
I thought Bjork was more slow, so I was a little surprised of the electric dance beats. I really enjoyed Human Behavior and One day. I was sitting outside on a beautiful day watching the clouds and that was the perfect setting for Venus as a Boy. Overall though, I don't know if I like her voice and vocal style with the techno sound. I love the voice and the sound separately. But I would love the songs with more folk sound to match her voice better. But she really has a beautiful calmness to her music that I appreciate.
3
Sep 09 2024
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Bandwagonesque
Teenage Fanclub
Never heard of them, so based on the name only I thought they would have a younger sound and angsty. They have been angsty but in a good way with an older vibe sound. The sound had something 50'sish about it (For some reason I thought of the Wonders from That Thing you Do) but more rock and roll less pop. I Don't Know and Metal Baby were my favs, but all was really good. Going to find more by them!
4
Sep 10 2024
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Axis: Bold As Love
Jimi Hendrix
Hendrix is great and talented in so many ways. I also really love his voice, it is something so soothing, calming and yet strong with his voice. Guitar is amazing. My only complaint is sometimes the amazing guitar doesn't always feel like it connects with the rest of the song, it is just turns into an amazing guitar riff with some random music in the background. But then there are songs like One Rainy Wish or Castles Made of Sand that seem to work really well. Bold as Love was really amazing guitar work
4
Sep 11 2024
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Apocalypse Dudes
Turbonegro
Better than expected and I kind of dug them. Where they anything revolutionary, not in today's world but I would listen again. One criticism is i didn't feel like they always had a lot of emotion and feeling behind their lyrics. Not bad, just not passion.
3
Sep 12 2024
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Immigrés
Youssou N'Dour
It was interesting to see the mixture of traditional African music with more modern influences. Pitche Mi had some fun trumpets and the emotion in the vocals was really nice. I didn't understand but I could feel the love, sadness and emotions. I wanted to be at the party in Immigres and Badou made me want to live a simple life at the beach.
4
Sep 13 2024
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Moon Safari
Air
They got me with Sexy Body (it was in 10 Things I Hate About You). The artist name and album fit, they was something very celestial and aethereal about the music overall.
4
Sep 14 2024
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The Slim Shady LP
Eminem
This just does not hold up...I mean I get it you are mad and had a terrible upbringing. Yes it is trying to be lighthearted, but stapling your teachers nuts and murdering your woman, and rape just aren't light hearted to me. Now he is talented and his raps are very solid but just not topics I want to listen to.
2
Sep 15 2024
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Sweetheart Of The Rodeo
The Byrds
Some of this didn't hit quite as good as some of the other old country. Still not bad, but started to sound really similar as the album went on.
3
Sep 16 2024
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Rings Around The World
Super Furry Animals
This one had some highs and lows (that would also go for the bands mentality when creating this album). Tradewinds was cool and I like Sanitised, but Miami Vice just wouldn't end. Best way to explain is just quirky. It was like Mighty Mighty Bosstones meet Train meets Green Day meets Modest Mouse meets early Beatles meets a little of everyone. As a cohesive album it was really a miss, but more of a buffet of everything that went on in these guys heads all day long.
3
Sep 17 2024
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Harvest
Neil Young
He has beautiful and interesting songs.
3
Sep 18 2024
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Roots
Sepultura
So I really hoped that this would be in Portuguese so I wouldn't have to really pay attention to the lyrics. Overall comment what is it with metal singers singing like they really really really need to cough? That singing just ruins it for me and takes out the originality of the vocals, making all metal sound the same. Also they just repeat scream the same lines over and over...the repetitiveness lyrics just make the songs longer without adding much. All of the songs just sound the same after a while.
Metal rant done...I read reviews which lead me to reading the lyrics for the songs. That helped and there is some beauty there and refreshing to see them speak of real world issues.
I liked tiny parts of Ratamhatta...the parts that showed the Brazilin influence. Jasco and Itsari were really cool.
I can see how someone could give this a 3 or 4 (maybe) but I really can't listen to this again.
2
Sep 19 2024
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Hunky Dory
David Bowie
This feels so Bowie and so good. It was cohesive made sense and was fun. Musically everything worked together and had such a unique beautiful quality. Love Changes, Pretty Things and Queen Bitch
4
Sep 20 2024
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Dare!
The Human League
It was through and through late 80s early 90s and feels like each song came straight out of a movie I watched growing up. Good, nostalgic but nothing stunning. Sort of blended together as it went on.
3
Sep 21 2024
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The Chronic
Dr. Dre
This is so iconic and good. It is not trying to be too overboard but just simple and chill (if that is a thing in rap). The other thing I appreciate is that its not too much. So many rap artists just go so hard and far with themes of violence, superiority, misogyny. Yes those themes are here, but at a level that matches where culture was at this time without. Dre may not be as big as his proteges but this shows why he was able to recruit such amazing talent, because he is good and knows what he is doing.
4
Sep 22 2024
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I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You
Aretha Franklin
She has such a beautiful voice, that is so effortless and yet passionate and emotional. So much love and pain in the album, truly a classic and beautiful album.
5
Sep 23 2024
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Music From The Penguin Cafe
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
3
Sep 24 2024
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Parachutes
Coldplay
I was once on a bus at Disney World having a deep discussion about Coldplay and if you could just like Coldplay or if you could only love or hate Coldplay. At that time I was not a Coldplay fan arguing it all sounded the same. Chris Martin's voice is so distinct yet always the same, and the instruments just always have the same balance of everything. I was also in my 20s and wasn't drawn to the existential lyrics.
Listening to a whole album also some variety (I would argue Martin's voice is still one note). I liked the guitar on Shiver and Spies and Sparks were interesting. Now that I am older I appreciate the lyrics more now.
They have grown on me but I don't love them. So future self wins the battle declaring you can just 'like' Coldplay.
3
Sep 25 2024
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In A Silent Way
Miles Davis
I do not listen to jazz at all so I am completely unaware if this is good, bad or influential in the jazz world.
What I do know is I like it. I don't listen to jazz because I don't feel like it has a flow, I feel like it is all over the place and the instruments don't really work together but do their own thing. However, for me this was totally different, worked together and made sense in coherent musical pieces.
It was different because it was more electric and not just jazz band instruments, which was also cool and a different experience.
It did give me the vibes of background music in an elevator or a store, but it was still enjoyable.
4
Sep 26 2024
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Madman Across The Water
Elton John
This one to me was just good. I want to like it more because the songs tackle some tough topics (misaligned wealth, drugs, exterminating native populations, etc.) but for some reason they just miss slightly to me.
Absolutely love Tiny Dancer!
3
Sep 27 2024
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Hypocrisy Is The Greatest Luxury
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
Reminds me of what Rage Against the Machine tries to do. Focusing on societal issues that are important and needs to be discussed. But this falls shorts in some ways. The lyrics are good and tackle important topics but are so straightforward with no symbolism. The beats weren't bad, but had a high school and unpolished vibe. I could also see how they can be polarizing, by talking about the hypocrisy and issues within the culture that is the typical rap audience. Overall I can see some glimmers of good and influential in the album.
3
Sep 28 2024
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Here's Little Richard
Little Richard
This guy had energy! I can only imagine he sweat like his album cover when he performed because it is so full of life, energy, fun and emotion. Nothing is super deep, but its so fun it doesn't need to be. This is music you can dance to and have a good time! While no piece on its own is spectacular, all together it is!
5
Sep 29 2024
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The ArchAndroid
Janelle Monáe
She has a beautiful voice and super deep, symbolic beautiful lyrics. It was super unique and different. The scifi feelings imparted on classical, hip hop, R&B and afrocentric sounds was really interesting. The only criticism is there might have been a little too much on the album and it didn't all seem to flow all the time. But it really did feel like it could be the soundtrack to a scifi musical about a droid looking for love.
4
Sep 30 2024
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Dub Housing
Pere Ubu
I am not sure where I am at with this one. It started okay (kind of liked Caligari's Mirror) but then it just got weird and borderline painful to listen to. I didn't hate the content and meaning, just too much of everything. Maybe I am getting old but half the time I couldn't even understand him.
2
Oct 01 2024
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Heroes
David Bowie
This is not the first Bowie album to follow the Bowie format. They start with traditional Bowie songs and move into these instrumental sections, making them somewhat disconnected as an album but I am sure it is because he wants these other songs to get noticed and out to the masses. I liked Joe the Lion and Heroes. The rest were good but were just a little too far out there for me to love.
2
Oct 02 2024
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E.V.O.L.
Sonic Youth
I didn't mind Tom Violence, Shadow of a Doubt or Secret Girl.
The rest had too much of a performance piece vibe for me. The sounds weren't all bad, I just felt like they should be along with an art installation or a performance. On their own they felt unfinished. Some were totally lost on me, like Into the Kingdom, and didn't really fit into the whole album.
2
Oct 03 2024
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The Wall
Pink Floyd
This was a classic album that was good to listen to as a full album and not just the hits. Spotify wouldn't let me listen to Disc 3 so I am focused on 1 and 2.
One weird observation The Trial sounds like Jack Skeleton! His lament song had to have been inspired by the Trial. It sounded just like it could fit perfectly into the Nightmare before Christmas!
There were the obvious classics that were great (Run Like Hell, Young Lust, Another Brick in the Wall, Mother). I also really liked Goodbye Blue Sky and it was one I never heard before. I also liked some of the middle songs that transitioned between and gave you a better idea of the entire feel of the album. There were a couple that I did not enjoy or were just out there (Empty Space and Vera) but overall it was a great album, and really should be included on lists like this one.
Didn't like Empty Spaces, Vera
Obvious ones I like Run Like Hell, Young Lust, Another Brick in the Wall, Mother
I couldn't listen to the majority of Disc 3
4
Oct 04 2024
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Arc Of A Diver
Steve Winwood
Very 80's, it is interesting how some music just oozes that time period and I would say this album does that.
I liked Arch of a Diver and While You See a Chance. After a while though the 80s sounds just blended together and nothing seemed super special. Each song was also just a little long.
3
Oct 05 2024
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Arrival
ABBA
Somehow this group can be polarizing, but honestly they are just fun. I don't know where they fit into the evolution of disco and the music scene in the 70's but honestly they are just fun and something to dance to. Even their slow songs I can't help but shake to. Is there anything life changing here, no, but sometimes just dancing and smiling is enough! The fact that they are still known today speaks something to being able to write a catchy fun song.
4
Oct 06 2024
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Twelve Dreams Of Dr. Sardonicus
Spirit
Never heard of this group or album so I did a little reading. I don't hate this album but I don't see how there is soooo much love for this album. It isn't bad, but it isn't anything amazing. I also don't really get the connection to the 12 dreams. Some songs on their own were okay, but overall it was slightly disjointed to me, and not in a good way.
I liked Animal Zoo, Street Worm. I sort of liked Nature's Way and Mr. Skin, but they were also a little repetitive.
I didn't dislike it but it I didn't love it and probably won't make me investigate them move. Just another psychedelic album.
3
Oct 07 2024
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The World is a Ghetto
War
I liked the Cisco Kid and Where was You At. Four Cornered Room had a good political message and appropriate lyrics and music. Instrumental jazz/funk is not always my thing, but I really liked City, Country, City because it made sense and worked as a cohesive song but also as solos. The World is a Ghetto was also a good song and the music conveyed emotions and music in an amazing way.
4
Oct 08 2024
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Disraeli Gears
Cream
This album screams hippie drug-tripping rock. I only knew Sunshine of Your Love, so the rest was new to me. Beyond that one I enjoyed Strange Brew, Tales of Brave Ulysses, SWLABR, and Outside Woman Blues.
There lyrics were interesting and very descriptive and symbolic, likely connected to their trips, which was really impressive and neat (most of the time). Dance the Night Away wasn't overall my favorite but the picture they were weaving with the lyrics was well done.
4
Oct 09 2024
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Maxinquaye
Tricky
This was a weird album but not unpleasant, just really outside of my musical preferences. Rap, R&B, techno and not typically what i pull towards, so I wouldn't listen again. That's not to say its bad, its actually works well together and is cohesive. The signers voice is beautiful and evokes deep emotion. The beats and music go very well with the vocals complementing it almost perfectly. There is a lot of depth here and as I listen I can imagine the person that loves this. I respect it for pushing the boundaries of music and making something that is beautiful and unique.
3
Oct 10 2024
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Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age
Knowing this band this album fit really well, and wasn't anything shocking. I do like the band and think they are a good mix of heavy, rock, alt, techno and all around different, but it works. I wasn't a huge fan of the guitar riff songs, sort of like they were drunk or tripping and just got distracted. But overall it was a solid album from a solid band.
3
Oct 11 2024
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Grace
Jeff Buckley
Something about this album seems overdone and F-boyish...he gives me strong John Mayer vibes. Just too much emotion and too much 'love' seems overdone and not sincere...like if I close my eyes, tremble and cry one tear the girls will come running. Also what is he doing in Corpus Christi Carol.
With that the actual written lyrics and guitar aren't too bad. There is a lot of depth to some and they are touching. The guitar has some good riffs and compliments the overall songs.
But the guy just gives me f-boy creep vibes...he should have stayed a songwriter.
2
Oct 12 2024
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Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters
I love fighting Foo and this album is the start. It's raw simple and yet unique. It starts with some hits and moves into some lesser known songs that still rock like Floaty and Weenie Beenie.
4
Oct 13 2024
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Future Days
Can
Pretty, would be good background ambient music. Nothing offensive or painful
3
Oct 14 2024
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Clube Da Esquina
Milton Nascimento
Chill and pretty.
3
Oct 15 2024
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Master Of Puppets
Metallica
Oh Metallica...never had a connection or felt strong either way about them.
Listening to their album for the first time, there were some nice parts. The guitar riff halfway through Master of Puppets was nice. Orion was good mostly because it was different and showed depth. The rest of it just meshes together and ultimately sounds the same, loud drums and loud guitar. Maybe that is my problem with metal...its very two things, loud and screaming (and I don't like either). I will give them a 3 only because I can see the influence here. They made metal mainstream and something more people can enjoy. Some might argue that is bad, but I think anytime you can introduce people to something and make more people accept it you are doing something right. Maybe they are sellouts, but they did make metal palatable and a few good sounds.
3
Oct 16 2024
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Every Picture Tells A Story
Rod Stewart
There is a lot of repeating lyrics over and over. I don't mind that in some songs and it does make it catchy, but song after song it starts to feel a little uninspired. Every picture tells a story was good and I do love Maggie May, really hits home for some bad relationships. He had a little more twang to his music then I realized, which I appreciated. Overall I liked the range in his music, and it worked. I would listen again or investigate more than the hits
3
Oct 17 2024
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Kenya
Machito
I enjoyed the trumpet and brass throughout the songs. Frenzy fit its name really well. It did start to blend together after a while, but I also wanted to dance in my seat and shake my booty most of the time. It really was a mesh of sounds and genres into some fun music. I can imagine being in an old smokey big band club watching people dance, move and have a good time.
3
Oct 18 2024
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Franz Ferdinand
Franz Ferdinand
I know Take Me Out is their mega-hit, but for my money The Dark of the Matinee is the best (but I do love Take Me Out). Then it also had Darts of Pleasure, just awesome. Michael and Come on Home were top songs I had never heard before.
Cheating on you and The Fire weren't my favs, but I still enjoyed them. I knew I liked their individual songs, but this was the first time I listened to an entire album and I am happy I did because it did not disappoint. Their mix of rock, electronic and weird indie rock vibes are wonderful and make this an amazing album. They have their own unique sound so you know you are listening to Franz Ferdinand, but each song has unique moments that make it great.
5
Oct 19 2024
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Let's Get It On
Marvin Gaye
If you are with someone and they turn this album on there is no doubt what they are looking to do! He has a beautiful voice, smooth and silky. I like the saxophone in If I Should Die Tonight.
Maybe it says something about my love life, but it was a little long. A full 31 minutes of sexy and slow that sounded the same was a little longer than I need ;)
3
Oct 20 2024
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Lazer Guided Melodies
Spiritualized
Overall, it was just some weird background noise. It wasn't unpleasant but it didn't really feel like much of anything.
2
Oct 21 2024
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Destroy Rock & Roll
Mylo
Pretty repetitive overall. I guess some of the beats were cool, but it wasn't anything amazing...Someone might sample his beats which sample other people's beats, but they could also sample the original and probably do it just as good or better. He turned it into music you would hear playing in a hipster hotel lobby or hipster department store.
2
Oct 22 2024
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Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)
The Kinks
Very Sgt. Pepper vibes...hippy dippy with some obvious recreational substances in the background ;) I liked most of the songs but then they kind of went off into weird trippy places. Australia started off cool but then the drugs kicked in.
Mr. Churchill and Nothing to Say were probably my favs and Drivin' was a hit but I found it somewhat annoyingly repetitive.
3
Oct 23 2024
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The Holy Bible
Manic Street Preachers
Hmmm...So I kind of like the music on this one. There are some good guitar riffs and the melodies really work. I find myself overall enjoying the songs on the surface. I liked Faster and This is Yesterday.
Its the lyrics I start to have issues with...but its not for their meaning. I agree with the sentiment and feelings in the music, they really are bringing light a lot of important issues and aren't trying to sugar coat it but go hard and deep. However, there is something a little white privilege mansplainy and holier than though about the way they present it. There is a way to ally with groups and explain feelings, but for some reason the level of raw and unfiltered lyrics almost push them into a cheesy "we know better" than those actually immediately impacted by the issues. But it was also the 90's and this fit music of that time period. I might check if they have more current stuff to see if that vibe continues or was just the 90s vibe.
2
Oct 24 2024
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Suzanne Vega
Suzanne Vega
Cracking was spoken word to music...it was fine, just a little to poetry and not enough music for me. But the rest were nice. The Queen and the Soldier was hauntingly beautiful.
One of the reviews I read said they were going to tell their kids this was Taylor Swift as a joke, but she really sort of does the same thing. Her music is less traditional song form, but more of a written poetry form making songs that have traditional elements but also more story and poetry.
Its so late 80s or early 90s...I probably won't listen again but if I had been the same person I am now then I think I would have loved this and listened on repeat.
4
Oct 25 2024
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What's That Noise?
Coldcut
The title made me worry but this was overall pleasant to listen to.
Only place I could find this was YouTube Music so I can't speak to individual songs because it was on LONG file. I emphasize long because it was long. I think that might be my problem with house, trap, party, electronic (whatever you call it!) music. I don't mind the beats and the rhythms but they just keep going and repeat over and over with little changes here and there. I personally need something more to break it up, otherwise I zone out. I also know its for dancing and just dancing to the same exact beat and rhythm over and over gets boring to me.
It wasn't bad to listen to, I just didn't need it to be sooooo long. I am also not sure what was so influential about this, sounded a lot like other music in this genre.
3
Oct 26 2024
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Band On The Run
Paul McCartney and Wings
I didn't dislike it, parts were really good but overall I feel like he was saying, "I'm smart, I'm pretentious oh and I was the best member of the Beatles, but I'm amazing without them." I don't see as much growth from him, just trying to make money doing a water downed Beatle album
3
Oct 27 2024
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White Blood Cells
The White Stripes
I like Jack White and the White Stripes. He is unique and different, but in a way that works. They are Gothically playful....like Now Mary is this weird little interlude that is fun, yet sad. The only thing I would say is it is a little pretentious (in a good way) and its not cohesive. Each song is its own little work of art, but they would belong in different wings in the museum.
4
Oct 28 2024
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Fear and Whiskey
Mekons
I kind of dug this album. Each song was fun and different and I really liked that. I didn't like Psycho Cupid and was worried where the album might go from there but it stayed on a good course. I really liked Last Dance and Lost Highway. They all were different but had a flare that let me know they were all the same band.
4
Oct 29 2024
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Songs In The Key Of Life
Stevie Wonder
There is a reason Will Smith, Coolio, Ja Rule and Snoop (probably more) all sampled songs on this album...its great! I think I envisioned more albums like this on the list. Looking at the samples you can easily see how much his music influenced so many musicians and future music. Pastime Paradise really got me, Gangster Paradise was just a rip off of this song! Stevie Wonder is so amazing, this album makes me want to dance and move with such ease. I always knew he was amazingly talented but I had never listened to an album. The second album started to drag after the first couple, but As was a good addition late in the game.
5
Oct 30 2024
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Songs From The Big Chair
Tears For Fears
It was an interesting mix of Pop, jazz/blues and something of the aethereal 80's vibe. Overall not a bad album. It was all very pop but something a little deeper. I was not a big fan of I Believe, it was sort of slow and blah. After a pretty up beat start, it seemed really down. Everybody Wants to Rule the World is a winner in my book. I didn't realize they did Shout and Head Over Heels, so that makes it pretty cool. The Working Hour and Listen weren't too bad either. Listen was cool but it got a little long. I wonder with songs like Listen, is that something the band really liked and believed in and so they fought to get it on the record but the producers were like, nope that is not good but we will give you one.
4
Oct 31 2024
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Permission to Land
The Darkness
So I like The Darkness (I Believe in a Thing Called Love is one of my FAVORITE songs!) but I always thought they were an 80's hair band, so when I originally found out the album was released in the early 2000's I was shocked. Everything about them screams 80's hair band, doing their rock and roll thing. So when it comes to be influential I am not sure I can really consider them that, because they really just bought into something that was already there.
Now they did it well...its a fun album and they don't take themselves seriously. They seem like some guys that liked 80's music and said f@ck let's just have fun, make some music and add a 2000's flamboyantness to it. New to me favs were Givin' Up, Stuck in a Rut and Holding My Own (classic 80's ballad).
I waiver between a 3 and 4, because I really like the music, I like the album but is it influential, I don't think so.
3
Nov 01 2024
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Something/Anything?
Todd Rundgren
Yacht Rock...a genre I don't think we have had yet. It starts off fine, nothing super special in my mind, but just was yacht rockesque. Reading I did see he did pretty much all of it himself and there was some cool recording techs on the second half of the album. It got long but the lyrcis were really what bothered me. Slut, just straight up rude, Marlene is 17 and you don't care because you "love" her, Some folks whiter than me...just not going to try and change problems because it ain't your problem, Piss Aaron...I don't even know what is happening in this one. So I don't think I am going to be listening this one again.
2
Nov 02 2024
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Eliminator
ZZ Top
It has some hits on it, but those hits are pretty overplayed. As a whole it is cohesive and let's me know who they are and what kind of music they are. Lead singer has a unique and interesting voice. There is also something hard about them, but also kind of mellow which is a bit of a change.
3
Nov 03 2024
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Tusk
Fleetwood Mac
I love Fleetwood Mac...they are so calming, beautiful and deep. I would also say they blur the lines of folk, rock and a little of their own. Even when they were young they were still mature and deep. Stevie is wonderful and deserves the praise, but Christine and Lindsey are also amazing (and don't get enough credit). They have such depth and range and this album was a beautiful example of that.
5
Nov 04 2024
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Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim
Frank Sinatra
His voice is beautiful and you can feel the emotion. The band is also beautiful. I feel like this music all blends together after a while. Reminds me of watching Lawrence Welk with my grandparents.
3
Nov 05 2024
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Brothers
The Black Keys
I always loved the Black Keys and their songs on the radio but never listened to a full album
The Go Getter was not my favorite but that was about it. Beyond the hits it was still great. Ten Cent Pistol, Everlasting Light, Howlin for you all great.
I also liked I'm Not the One, it just had a dark gritty sound that was great.
Unknown Brothers was good, had a loving vibe (maybe it was the jingle bells) that just feels heartwarming in a rock way.
These Days was beautiful, touching, emotion filled and brings a tear to my eye.
Their sound is just so uniquely them. Spotify calls it blues, rock, and it is but also more. The voice, the synthesizers, use of drums, and everything just makes these sound that is so deep, raw and something worth listening to again and again.
5
Nov 06 2024
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Fever To Tell
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
This was an rocking album that kept me grooving until the end. So much angry beautiful girl rock, that showed how we can be strong but still have weak moments. Rich was rocking, Date with the Night was good and Man had a fun voodoo vibe. No no no grew on me and then kind of went weird. Maps and Y Control are just downright amazing. Tick was kind of a weird short ok interlude, Pin was better.
I also love their background and that they have such classical training but then go so punk rock with the band. Will I listen again? Yeah, yeah, yeah!
5
Nov 07 2024
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Basket of Light
Pentangle
It says they are classified as folk, but for me its a little closer to celtic hippy, with an Alice and Wonderland playfulness and Indigenous undertones. I imagine this group sitting around a bonfire with a large group of people dancing around with long hair, flowers, limited clothing, and a lot of mind altering substances. It is really its own kind of thing, that I could really see was new at the time.
Lyke-Wake Dirge felt a little cultish. I liked Training Song and Hunting Song (but it got long). I don't hate it, but I don't think I would seek them out again. Sally Go Round the Roses was good but felt really out of place.
2
Nov 08 2024
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Freak Out!
The Mothers Of Invention
There are some good moments, but all in all it seems too straightforward and amateur. Hungry Freaks, Daddy was weirdly spoken word and kind of felt like third graders 'singing' at a school concert. Who are the Brain Police again felt really amateur and little kiddish. Go Cry on Someone Else's Shoulder has roots of being good, but they didn't do anything cool and different, it just felt like they were trying to mock it but didn't do anything cool, they just played bad. Wowie Zowie, I get it you are trying to be satirical, but you weren't good. Then Return of the Son Monster Magnet was just some weird bad LSD trip sex orgy, that a person didn't want to be at and was trying to get out of but couldn't seem to find a way out because everyone was wearing bird or monkey masks before turning into cartoon chipmunks that just kept going (much like this sentence). Motherly Love was okay, but left me confused. Are you actually saying you are mama's boys or mocking being a mama's boy...I honestly can't tell and I think that might be one of the overall problems with this album. I can't tell what they are trying to do because they aren't really doing any of it well. It really felt like third graders wrote and performed this album.
2
Nov 09 2024
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Pearl
Janis Joplin
Just beautiful. Her voice is just beautiful and full of raw emotion. The lyrics really touch the heart and the time period. Listening to the whole album was so much better than just one song because it of all worked together to write a story. I hate to say this b Bobby McGee (beautiful song!) almost felt out of place and to commercial for the rest of the album. Half moon and my baby were my favorites.
5
Nov 10 2024
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Exile On Main Street
The Rolling Stones
Overall a good album, and interesting none of the big hits were on here. They really have a good rock, folk, and roll vibe. Its almost 1950's and country at times but really upping the rock vibe. Sweet Virginia was my favorite and Tom and Frayed and All Down the Line were seconds. Shake Your Hips sounded just like they covered ZZ Top, but actually ZZ Top stole it from RS who covered it from Sim Harpo and he was not even the first. I didn't appreciate the second half as much because it got long, especially Let it Lose.
3
Nov 11 2024
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Goodbye And Hello
Tim Buckley
I wished I could have listened to this one when it was released. It is psychadelic folk rock...I feel like I have listed to 3-4 albums like this during this project. So the idea of it being great or influential with today's lens isn't one I see. For that genre it is fine, nothing amazing, but nothing terrible. It is a little depressing and sort of a downer. Probably wouldn't listen again because I prefer others that have done similar music more.
3
Nov 12 2024
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War
U2
This is a beautiful album and U2 is a beautiful band. Bono is such an amazing song writer and Edge is a great guitarist. They work so well together to create beautiful, thought provoking and important music. This album brings to light so much sadness and tragedy, and they don't shy away from events that happened. Yet they advocate for change and being better humans in a way that makes the music uplifting and hopeful. They are also unique and focus on their strengths and don't try to emulate anyone else or be anything they aren't.
5
Nov 13 2024
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Songs For Swingin' Lovers!
Frank Sinatra
This is just love, pure and simple. It is not pretentious, possessive, or overtly sexist. It is just pretty and beautiful. I really like You Brought a New Kind of Love to Me and Too Marvelous for Words, they were just about pure love. All the songs were really short, which is kind of nice. Each song was its own feeling or expression of love, so the variety in this kind of music was beautiful. For me it did start to blend together, and if I wasn't focused on different songs I missed that it had changed. I do always question singers from this genre on how much is original or how much are covers, so I do wonder that (I know Anything Goes was a musical and that was the title song). But even if not original he did bring life to these songs with his beautiful voice. His voice, very few compare, I would love him to sing me every one of these songs all day long.
4
Nov 14 2024
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The Sensual World
Kate Bush
There were some beautiful moments, but also just a little too experimental. I really liked This Woman's Work, and lyrics were interesting and deep in songs like Between a Man and a Woman or the Fog. But then those just became more singing poetry or singing story telling. They didn't always tie together as a song, leaving me wanting something more from them that tied each together. Her voice is also a little much after a while. It works with the 80s musical stylings, but it just also just is a lot after the whole album.
3
Nov 15 2024
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Fisherman's Blues
The Waterboys
Overall I really enjoyed this. The Celtic folk vibes mixed with rock are awesome. I see how this group probably influenced modern bands like Flogging Molly. I also like groups like this that connect with their original roots but expand to more modern sounds.
I will only give them a 4 because some songs just went a little to long, like We Will Not be Lovers or And a Bang on the Ear. They are really cool songs overall but I didn't need it to be over 5 or 6 minutes.
4
Nov 16 2024
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Stankonia
OutKast
Outkast is really amazing and creates something that is so different yet pulls on themes from rap, R&B, jazz, blues that traditionally work well together and mesh with deep electronic/techno techniques. Is it a little vulgar, sure but its also building on musical themes and so different and unique, yet so consumable. They also look at some deep political and social themes in a really intelligent and well done manner.
This album is really a story and builds upon itself, bringing a cohesion but also allowing for songs like Ms. Jackson and B.O.B. to stand on their own. I also think its amazing how two individuals with such different approaches to music styling mesh so well together. I would love to be a fly on the wall of their creative sessions to see how they create their music.
5
Nov 17 2024
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Ready To Die
The Notorious B.I.G.
I like slower rap because I can understand it better and there are a lot of good rhymes. Now I don't like all the b*tches, hoes and misogyny. I also don't know if I look at the violence as trying to make a political statement or just being violent. Plus P. Diddy just sort of makes this all tainted of me. Is it influential...for sure East Coast and West Coast probably wouldn't be nearly what it is without it. I just think maybe for actual music and not just cultural influence, others do it better.
3
Nov 17 2024
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Slipknot
Slipknot
I might be sick after this album, beause its an hour I won't get back.
Brief moments on Spit It Out, but then it went weird. Tattered & Torn, had a sort of interesting dissonance but again it went too far.
So beyond the loud noise and screaming, its so repetitive. They just scream the same lines over and over. There is just so much anger and hate in this album, that it feels like a little bit on my inside dies, when I think there are people this angry out there.
1
Nov 18 2024
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1984
Van Halen
Van Halen is a band I always think it going to be so much harder than they are, and for me that is good. To me there is something fantasy or mystical to their music, its like you are always in the clouds and everyone is dressed in silver or gold flowing gowns. Yet they can rock a guitar and write a catchy song that makes you dance and sing along.
4
Nov 19 2024
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Music in Exile
Songhoy Blues
This was pretty and I enjoyed it, and I love getting album like this one. I never would have heard of this band or experienced their music and protest over being exiled from their country. I couldn't understand it but I didn't have to, to feel the passion and emotions in their voices. There was a good mix of traditional African sounds, with modern Blues. Mali brought a tear to my eye thinking of the sadness and love they have for their homeland.
4
Nov 20 2024
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Beyond Skin
Nitin Sawhney
It felt at times more classical and Indian influenced then electronic. Overall it didn't get me extreme electronic vibes. It also had a lot of instrument sounds that were pure and not electronic. So it was not what I was expecting (dance/rave vibes), but it was also refreshing to see a different way electronic music could be used.
I liked pieces individually, but sometimes they were just so on the nose (Immigrants) that the lyrics didn't have as much depth. I also don't think it was super cohesive as an album. It was really all over the place in terms of the style of song. Each piece alone wasn't bad, but together I didn't always get it.
3
Nov 21 2024
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Germfree Adolescents
X-Ray Spex
Saxophone and punk is way funner then I thought it would be! Punk sometimes is too punk for me and pushes it to a place that is not enjoyable. But this is the right amount of punk and then the addition of the saxophone gives it a fun and different sound. It almost becomes punk mixed with 50's bop music (clapping and talking part in I Can't Do Anything). Let's Submerge and I Can't Do Anything are my favorites.
3
Nov 22 2024
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If I Could Only Remember My Name
David Crosby
Nothing was amazing or grabbed me but it wasn't bad, just simple folk music
3
Nov 23 2024
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Let's Stay Together
Al Green
At first it seemed sweet, but then I stayed wondering what kind of guy are you, Al, that you can't keep the lady! Not bad but nothing I still come back to.
3
Nov 24 2024
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I See You
The xx
There was a lot I liked about this one at first. I liked the horns in the first song and I liked that it was almost electronic, but still very indie and alt. It seemed like it would almost fit betters in the 90's. The other problem is it kind of drug and just went on and on. I would prefer to listen to this band with one or two songs at a time, but not the whole album. I enjoyed pretty much all of the songs but just too much of one thing.
4
Nov 25 2024
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The Infotainment Scan
The Fall
Why are people grudgeful and Service were good. Good chill, electronic punk vibe. Some songs seemed long and were a little too punk for my liking. But overall a decent album.
3
Nov 26 2024
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Sound of Silver
LCD Soundsystem
Was not a big fan of the beginning but it got better. I enjoyed Someone Great, All My Friends and Us vs Them. Singers voice reminded me of others so it wasn't super unique.
3
Nov 27 2024
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The United States Of America
The United States Of America
Hard Coming Love wasn't bad (had a weird falling down a rabbit hole sound). The second half just became a little too much, and for me their message got muddled into all the weird sounds and musical tangents. Their message and meaning was good and I appreciate the lefty lyrics, but it just gets so mixed into a circusy acid trip that I am no longer paying attention to what they are saying.
2
Nov 28 2024
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Synchronicity
The Police
I have never listened to an entire Police album and the beginning of this album was not what I was expecting at all! Mother...ummm seems like YOU have some issues and need to work through those. Synchronicity II started what I expected from this album. Overall the beginning of the album was a little more synthesizer then I expected. It really felt like two albums (songs 1-5 and songs 6-11). I did not like the first half, but enjoyed the second half for the most part. Tea in the Sahara was a little too slow for me.
3
Nov 29 2024
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Movies
Holger Czukay
So its palatable and doesn't hurt my ears but I have absolutely no idea what the purpose of the album is. It is really all over the place and goes from one end of the musical spectrum to another, but with very little purpose or plan.
2
Nov 30 2024
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A Girl Called Dusty
Dusty Springfield
You Don't Own Me is one of the best songs ever but then we go into Wishin' and Hopin' and I lose all of the feminist touch. I love it over all and her voice is quite beautiful. However, some of the songs are so 1950's it is frustrating, but I can look past it because of the time frame.
4
Dec 01 2024
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Sister
Sonic Youth
Liked Stereo Sanctity. Hard but grunge, this would have been perfect for high school me but I'm not quite so angry now so I'll go with a three.
3
Dec 02 2024
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American IV: The Man Comes Around
Johnny Cash
I know they are mostly covers or rerecorded...but dang he is good. His voice envokes such emotions. I know Hurt isn't his song but his version is better hands down and makes me cry every time. Knowing his life and they way he carried himself when he aged just brings so much more depth to his music. Nothing was pretentious or overdone, it was just him and the way he does music, which is beauty in sadness and pain.
5
Dec 03 2024
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Born In The U.S.A.
Bruce Springsteen
Just good stuff...
5
Dec 04 2024
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Kollaps
Einstürzende Neubauten
Jack hammers are music now...Steh auf Berlin was just awful
Negativ Nein and U-Haft-Muzak were at least palatable
Schmerzen horen just stops in the middle of nowhere and moves into an awful grating sound of Jet'm
I don't think I could listen at home because my dog would not be able to handle that.
Super repetitive and not in a good way
Kollaps wasn't so bad but then the weird metaillic wind
The screaming at the beginning of Schiess Euch Ins Blut is what I am feeling the whole song!
1
Dec 05 2024
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Dear Science
TV On The Radio
I liked Love Dog and Family Tree, but didn't love anything. Overall it was a different vibe, but good. I won't go back to it, but I could appreciate that this has a lot of musical difference that is beautiful.
4
Dec 06 2024
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Technique
New Order
It wasn't bad...it was just 80's
3
Dec 07 2024
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Siamese Dream
The Smashing Pumpkins
I go back and forth on this album (and Smashing Pumpkins in general). Part of me loves them and is so deep, different and I can connect with what he is singing about so much. Then other times (Silverfuck) just seem so pretentious and overdone. Overall I think it is a great album. Love the hits and many of the lesser knowns.
4
Dec 08 2024
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Pink Moon
Nick Drake
Quick listen, but a calm one. Nothing really hit me, but it all sort of made me want to float away.
3
Dec 09 2024
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John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band
John Lennon
It wasn't bad...but it wasn't anything special. I guess I was expecting something more since it was the John Lennon, but I feel like it could have been a lot of people from this folk rock era.
3
Dec 10 2024
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Kid A
Radiohead
I am going to steal a line from another review I read about this album...I feel like I am supposed to like them more than I do because they are Radiohead.
There are some interesting beats and mixes (Idioteque for instance) but overall I don't love it or see how it is so groundbreaking. It was different from Radiohead's previous album so yes for them it was a big departure, but its sad electronic music at its core.
3
Dec 11 2024
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american dream
LCD Soundsystem
Blending together, very dreamy vibes to start out and then it got more raw and rougher.
I have a hard time with things that don't seem to go together. It is like they wanted to write lyrical poetry and make cool vibes and then force them together.
Didn't hit for me
2
Dec 12 2024
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Rock Bottom
Robert Wyatt
I don't get blues scatting, I don't get it even more when it isn't harmonious.
Little Red Riding Hood Hit the Road #1...was she on LSD?
Alife turned into some weird folk cult chant where an animal was being sacrificed.
Little Red Riding Hood Hit the Road #2...The end was okay, but it was like three songs mixed together. But then the lyrics those just went way way left.
1
Dec 13 2024
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Imperial Bedroom
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Never listened to Elvis Costello so I had no idea what I was getting, but sort of expected big things.
At first his voice was pretty, but then some just got sort of annoying and whiny (Man out of Time specifically), especially The Long Honeymoon.
Human Hands made me think of Mighty Mighty Bosstones. It took me a while to get my thoughts on it, but then it hit me...they sort of all feel like TV show sitcom theme songs (Human Hands really solidified this).
Part of me wants to give this a 2 because I have no desire to listen to it again, nothing was really that amazing or unique, and not really sure who he influenced because its so blah. But its not offense or does not hurt my ears so I guess I will bump it to a 3.
3
Dec 14 2024
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Blunderbuss
Jack White
I started to make notes about specific songs, but really I just loved the whole album. It was unique and different and great.
5
Dec 15 2024
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Illmatic
Nas
Memory Lane was good. I appreciate this one, I can understand it, its draws a picture well of a story and feelings on a world/life (I don't understand) and it is not solely focused on ho's and how great he is. I am not a big rap fan, but I can appreciate there is something really impressive behind this album.
4
Dec 16 2024
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Solid Air
John Martyn
Most of this was a three for me, but the last song I'd Rather be the Devil, was fire. I could listen to that all day.
3
Dec 17 2024
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Music From Big Pink
The Band
Songs 4-7 would be ranked a 4. Some in the beginning and end (To Kingdom Come, The Wheel's on Fire, and Suzie) are closer to 2's. There is very little cohesion.
3
Dec 18 2024
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Younger Than Yesterday
The Byrds
Overall I enjoyed it. Nothing hit me as, "Wow this is so amazing, or different" but nothing was overtly offensive. It reminded me a lot of Beatles era music. I could have it on and enjoy it, but nothing about this album makes me want to seek it out again.
3
Dec 19 2024
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Destroyer
KISS
First time listening to a Kiss Album.
Looking back on the 70ish Rock bands, is kind of funny because they were considered so hard and cutting edge at the time, but in retrospect they are fairly tame. But they did lay the ground work for a lot of other musicians so I won't take that from them.
There fast songs were great, guitars, lyrcis, drums, I enjoyed them all.
The ballads however...RIDICULOUS!!!! Beth I hear you are lonely and that I am a bad boyfriend, but I am just going to spend a few hours with my boys. This one was even funnier when it was followed by a song asking the woman if she really loved him ROFL. Great Expectations...so hilarious! This was so 70's-80's rock band, believing that women just would cream for them because they could play the guitar and drums and somehow singing it slowly to me was romantic!
Stick to the fast rock songs and I could give it a four, but those ballads were just sooo bad and did not hold up. I want to believe they were so bad it was a joke, but I really don't think so.
3
Dec 20 2024
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Hysteria
Def Leppard
I feel like my older sister had this cassette tape and it made me feel like a big kid to listen to her music. This one particularly stood out because something about the cover made me think I was listening to real adult rock music. I remember Love Bites coming on and wanting to fast forward, because I didn't get it....now I get it and it's a good one! I didn't know why but I did know there was something dirty about Pour Some Sugar on Me (but still shook my hair around!).
One thing I have always loved about Def Leppard is that you always know its them, because they have their own unique sound. But they balance it so well, that each song does sound different.
Animal is just amazing, I love it! And beyond that, they are just all good! There sound is unique but great, they have good lyrics and overall there is nothing bad here. This is a great album, turn it up, sing along and dance!
5
Dec 21 2024
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Parklife
Blur
Nothing really grabbed be but I enjoyed most of it. There were some random almost pretentious songs in the middle that didn't feel totally necessary.
3