You just can’t beat the work of the “hardest man in show business.” This is such a unique moment in the transition from big band to funk, making heavy use of a full brass band. It was interesting that the curators chose a live album rather than one of his more produced works, but it’s fitting, since he really made live albums successful in a time when they were mostly duds. it was really cool to hear him interact with the audience, and this was my first time listening through this particular album. Not only is his music phenomenal for pure enjoyment, but you have to respect the man’s ability to break out of the gospel mold, impact culture at large, and largely break out of the segregated nature of the music industry!
This is not my cup of tea. The vocals, the lyrics, and the instrumentation all felt tired and uninteresting
Rhythmic, soulful, classic, seductive- this album has it all! Except an ending. For all his many talents, Al Green cannot end a song.
A strange blend of blade runner soundtrack, mad scientist delivering a sermon, and hari krishna worship, this album did not have much appeal for me. Very experimental, with diverse ethnic influences and eclectic instrumentation, but unfortunately without regard to aesthetics
Overall, a well done collaboration. At its height this album features well written lyrics and plays with syncopation and other rhythms while staying melodically enjoyable. On the other hand, 50% of the album is repetitive and uninteresting, and could be cut without significantly impacting the whole
Chill, enjoyable album typical of early 2010s rnb/hip hop featuring simple samples and a strong emphasis on aesthetically pleasing lead vocals in the style of John legend.
Overall very enjoyable rock album perfect for grooving. Good variation of songs within the genre, with some true foot tappers! The album benefits from strong, driving rhythm guitar and prominent percussion.
The infamous “pirate” album, with none of the fun of sea shanties. This is an album only a music critic could love. I couldn’t make it all the way through a single song.
A pivotal album which influenced the post punk scene, it has some innovative use of effects and guitar. There are some bright spots in the album, but I generally found it lackluster and uninteresting compared to later efforts in the genre
No doubt, a pivotal album for DJs everywhere, emphasizing simple, repetitive patterns of drum beats, base notes, and effects. However, far too repetitive for my liking.
I don’t often listen to metal, but found this album surprisingly enjoyable. Vocals and instrumentation worked together seamlessly
I really wanted to like this album, since nick cave has such a devoted following as a lyricist and original musician. But while the recording, instrumentation, and effects were often innovative, on my first listen I didn’t find his lyrics to be extraordinary, and his grating voice made the album all but unlistenable.
George jones is the real deal! Classic country with all the acoustic and slide guitar you could ask for, with some witty lyrics thrown in on the side!
This is great pop! Really enjoyed this!
Bowie has some truly wonderful music! This isn’t it.
Im not a big punk guy (others may disagree) but I found this album really enjoyable! Good guitar riffs and enough variation in style to keep things interesting! The jam’s admiration for the who definitely shines through
This album was surprisingly enjoyable! A fun stepping stone from 80s hip hop to 90s rap with classically self-inflated and hypersexualized lyrics (compensating much?) with a judicious use of sampling. Overall a fun album, if not one I’m likely to return to.
The quintessential breakup album by the queen of country. This is everything.
It’s very good, so I’m sorry to say. But nobody does the Beatles like the Beatles. Cute to see the who try, though.
Impressive lyrics and rhythm. I have to respect Eminem’s rapping ability, as well as his commitment to this concept album. I enjoy some morbid humor, but this was altogether too dark and deranged for me to enjoy it much. Respect, but won’t be returning for another listen.
I was pleasantly surprised by this cross between Men at Work and Michael Jackson’s Thriller. Aside from the heavy use of synth and distortion that is required for an 80’s album, it also seemingly tries to fit in every other instrument, from xylophone to harmonica. It is very much a product of its milieu, and I fail to see much that it offers in terms of originality. It was better than the band name, album cover, and reviews led me to believe. But I won’t be coming back for another listen. Not my cup of tea.
Avante garde. The modern art of music. Not my cup of tea.
The perfect soundscape for driving through the home of the 101st ABN DIV in my truck. It may be overplayed, but man, this album has some incredible guitar licks!
Great guitar work and harmonies. This album consists of morose 70s folk that never quite distinguishes itself from Simon and Garfunkel. But it’s an enjoyable listen, nonetheless
Altogether bland album that imo fails to distinguish itself from the late 90s/early 2000s soundscape. The only standout song was “I miss you” due to the raw vocals, which I appreciated.
I’m a product of my time, and the subversive nature of punk rock is lost on me. Sadly, it all ends up sounding the same. Something for me to work on, but in the meantime I probably won’t be seeking out this album for additional listens
A bit of a marathon, but managed to stay varied and interesting throughout. The who has really come into their own by this album, and I love it!
Excellent. This is pure hip hop. Very versatile mood- good for everything from working out to chilling with a cup of tea
Not awful, but not great. Reminds me of an album of bob dylan b-sides if Dylan were the frontman for a garage band. There were some catchy tunes, but not enough to bring me back.
Simply the best of jazz
Equal parts David Bowie and doc Watson. Freaking awesome!
There’s some great instrumentation in this album, buried underneath her lackluster singing. It would be better without the vocals.
That was weird.
I love and hate old Leonard. He’s such a poet, but not much of a singer. He clearly needed a therapist though.
Go it alone was pretty good. The rest of the album was entirely forgettable
What a great soul album! I’d never listened though a whole war album, but I really enjoyed this!
I love bossa nova, but I’m not sure this album was worth dying for. This is not my favorite bossa nova album. Not even my favorite Gilberto.
Overrated and overall felt like a letdown. Not unlistenable, but it didn’t live up to the world changing hype
Very enjoyable folk! Quite listenable
This is blues as it was meant to be! Every minute of this album make you want to tap your foot and join the beat. I will definitely be coming back to this one!
Not unlistenable. It has its pleasant moments, but this album feels monotonous and unoriginal. I’m left unconvinced that this album has a place on this list.
The worst RHCP album IMO, but the closest to British post punk, so it’s the one included in this list. At least the album includes “under the bridge,” the only song that stands out.
Tim has a very medieval minstrel style. He’s not my cup of tea to begin with, but the album also never seems to hit a groove.
Would be great fun live in an Irish pub. Difficult to listen to more than an hour though
A glorious album by the other queen of pop. Enjoyable all the way through, and with enough variation to keep it interesting
Very cool use of diverse influences and beats from around the world
Man, I do love the flaming lips! Not their best album imo, but still pretty great
Wilco does have some pretty great songs, but somehow this album is able to come off as experimental, try-hard, and drab at the same time.
The Who has fine musical chops, but they’re not exactly Keats. I just don’t get the hype
Now that’s some great millennial music, right there!
Not great.
Awesome folk rock with impressive versatility, encompassing everything from rock to bluegrass and Americana. Loved it!
Weird but groovy
Not my favorite. “Angel” was pretty decent, but the album as a whole felt monotonous and unoriginal.
This is a great, low key album. I listened through it countless times while studying back in the day, and I still think that’s its best use case- background music for studying, working, driving…
The more melodic numbers are fun, but most of the album strikes me as inoffensive, unremarkable background music blaring over your conversation in a cocktail bar in the 80s. It’s fine- I wasn’t saying anything important anyway
Now we know what ac/dc would sound like doing southern rock.
This album is a gift to urban youth hostels everywhere. I can perhaps imagine listening to this if I wanted to relive waiting for friends in a lobby somewhere.
The cover art says it all. Shock value over talent.
Gosh I love bob. He’s one of the best poets among all American musicians. He’s got some good chops too, but his sound does take some getting used to
This album went way over my head. If there is art to it, it passed me by like a ship in the night
Classically wonderful
Not great. But they did sing gospel plow, so that’s nice
As others have noted, it’s good disco music with some great instrumentation, but every song is too long. Which is honestly pretty standard for disco. I mean, Rasputin feels about an hour long, so I think this is par for the course
5 stars by virtue of being miles davis
Honestly, not great. “There she goes again” is listenable, but the rest of the album was a slog. I guess I’m just uncultured, but I prefer music to have some aesthetic beauty
Practically perfect in every way
Folksy, jazzy, and mellow. pretty good!
Californication, around the world, and get on top are definite highlights. It’s a fun but pretty chaotic soundscape that often feels like it lacks direction. But for all that, it’s pretty good stuff
The sound of baggy suits, fat ties, fabulous hair, and bending like Beckham.
This is everything folk rock was meant to be. Perfection.
I expected cheap thrills based on the album cover, but this was much better than I expected! It felt varied and experimental enough, while maintaining a unified feel and still producing an enjoyable sound. Pleasantly surprised
Great low-key funk with some excellent guitar work! I’ll definitely be coming back to this!
Definitely on the long side, but pretty fun for britpop
This album reads like a freshman English lit paper. Boring, unoriginal, and about 3 times too long. They maybe had enough ideas for a decent single, so they made it into an entire lousy album. 2 stars due to failure to edit.
