183
Albums Rated
3.28
Average Rating
17%
Complete
906 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
2000s
Favorite Decade
Grunge
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
15
5-Star Albums
5
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Post Orgasmic Chill | 5 | 2.99 | +2.01 |
| You're Living All Over Me | 5 | 3.08 | +1.92 |
| Billion Dollar Babies | 5 | 3.11 | +1.89 |
| Be | 5 | 3.35 | +1.65 |
| Hot Rats | 5 | 3.36 | +1.64 |
| Locust Abortion Technician | 4 | 2.38 | +1.62 |
| The Köln Concert | 5 | 3.39 | +1.61 |
| Ellington at Newport | 5 | 3.43 | +1.57 |
| James Brown Live At The Apollo | 5 | 3.46 | +1.54 |
| The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan | 5 | 3.63 | +1.37 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Songs Of Leonard Cohen | 1 | 3.38 | -2.38 |
| Faith | 1 | 3.27 | -2.27 |
| The Boatman's Call | 1 | 3.2 | -2.2 |
| 69 Love Songs | 1 | 2.84 | -1.84 |
| Scott 4 | 1 | 2.8 | -1.8 |
| Graceland | 2 | 3.74 | -1.74 |
| Hotel California | 2 | 3.6 | -1.6 |
| Guero | 2 | 3.46 | -1.46 |
| Aja | 2 | 3.46 | -1.46 |
| The Dark Side Of The Moon | 3 | 4.43 | -1.43 |
5-Star Albums (15)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Skunk Anansie
5/5
- I am somewhat astounded that I have never heard of this group before. A hard rock/punk/metal band with a queer black female lead singer (who describes the group as "clit-rock"), interesting guitar work, a black bassist, that (on the whole) does not shy away from experimenting, going headfirst into political themes, or punching their critics in the mouth? I am disappointed that I could not worship Skunk Anasie at 21 and now am learning to embrace them at 35. Seems like they did not expand from Britain very well.
- Do I love every track on this album equally? No. "Secretly" is divine. "On My Hotel Tv," "Lately," and "Cheap Honesty" slap. But even the tracks I am not thay invested in are great to have on. I think "Charlie Big Potato" is a bizarre choice for an opening track (and a single for that matter) but whatever.
- First group that feels like a gift delivered to me by this list.
10 likes
Slayer
2/5
- This one hurts, because this is the most disappointing album for me thus far. I like a lot of metal, but Slayer's work here was just not on my wavelength for the most part.
- I find the message of "Jesus Saves" to be interesting and enjoy "Criminally Insane" and "Raining Blood" (the latter largely because I remember it being an absolute bitch to try and do well on in Guitar Hero III).
- Unfortunately almost every track feels virtually identical despite the fantastic guitar work. The tempo never changes. The tone never changes. The lyrics never become less than overbearing. And any moments of innovation feel drowned out by the monotony.
- Also, I do not believe that the members of Slayer are in any way Nazi sympathizers...but "Angel of Death" is admittedly tasteless. And a very hard sell for the first track.
3 likes
Robbie Williams
2/5
- In the year of our Lord 2024, a biopic came out about Robbie Williams. He was played by a mo-cap chimpanzee. Got great reviews but bombed hard at the box office. Every Brit in existence was shocked to hear that Robbie Williams was essentially unheard of in America. This album demonstrates why.
- A bizarre mishmash of mediocre U2, mediocre Michael Bublé, and mediocre Beck. (Do you really think you can pull off the vibraslap, Robbie?)
- Legitimately enjoyed "One of God's Better People." Legitimately despised "Life Thru A Lens" (the track).
- The hidden track is an almost humiliating example of letting someone live in your head. You are an adult, Robbie...grow up, man.
- Rounding up from 1.5 stars. One feels mean and I am admittedly biased by the sheer audacity of the whole chimp film narrative.
1 likes
1-Star Albums (5)
All Ratings
Pink Floyd
3/5
- Strong concept album that works much better as an album than as individual tracks.
- Discovered that I like "Time," just not the opening.
- Also discovered that "Time" and "Money" are both on this album, both have annoying starts, and rediscovered that I do not care for "Money."
Elvis Presley
4/5
- The haunting, somewhat jaded version of Elvis Presley that I prefer. Most of his sound that I like is contained in this album.
- I do believe that the history associated with the album is arguably better than the album itself.
Eagles
2/5
This album is a lot of fine with a couple of great songs mixed in. A bit too soft rock for me all-around. (Also impossible for me not to see The Dude being annoyed.)
Michael Jackson
4/5
- The middle of this album, i.e. Thriller, Beat It, and then Billie Jean, is possibly the best back-to-back tracks ever released.
- The rest does not quite live up to that.
Frank Zappa
5/5
- Knew absolutely nothing about this beyond Frank Zappa's name. Wow...had me almost immediately and did not let go.
- Personally found Son Of Mr. Green Genes to be a true banger, but I could see almost all of this pumping me up.
- Interesting, energetic, and often deep.
Daft Punk
3/5
- Started strong. Not an EDM fan, but I can see the appeal
- This high wore off...multiple tracks were tough to get through.
- Continually reminded me of where Daft Punk would eventually end up, but that just made me want to listen to that music instead.
Quicksilver Messenger Service
2/5
- On the one hand, I like the sound. I would argue that it is a generic psychedelic rock sound, but this is probably because Quicksilver Messenger Service is foundational to that sound.
- But the first half of this album is one jam session that goes on for 30 minutes...I am admittedly done after five have passed.
- It may be important. I found it boring.
Beatles
4/5
- First half of the album is strong. Very entranced by the back-and-forth of slow and fast tracks.
- Second half of the album is near perfect. The stretch from "Golden Slumbers" to "The End" is some of the best work the Beatles ever did. This part is so good that I am tempted to bump the whole album to 5 stars.
- God, I cannot stand "Maxwell's Silver Hammer." On the flip side, "Octopus's Garden" is an extremely fun jam.
3/5
- First album I have been given that had a cultural \"impact\" that I noticed in my lifetime. I saw Muse live the year after this came out (at a festival...they were not the only act) and it was very obvious that their American fanbase was growing. They would be much bigger five years later.
- Some fantastic tracks (some of which I had never heard), but the album does feel a bit same-y throughout.
- No doubt a fun listen. But I also do not necessarily feel like anything is being pushed. The sound is largely quite safe.
The Byrds
3/5
- Pleasant. The Byrds' sound is nice and peak 60s rock. Nice to listen to.
- On the flip side, it is just that: pleasant. Do not feel anything challenging here. It sounds a lot like earlier work from the Beatles, but a few years behind.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
4/5
- Initially concerned because this album is over two hours of country.
- While it is not what I would usually listen to, I have to respect the improvised nature of it all (which was apparently accurate), the craft on display, and the blending of generations.
- Personally found "Nashville Blues" and "Tennessee Stud" to be fun, but the best track was probably "Dark As A Dungeon."
- Did I mention it is long? Found myself ready to tap out in the second half.
The Pogues
3/5
- This is so Irish it practically bleeds green. Fun, but it can be a bit much at times, particularly on the faster tracks. It is hard for me to get entranced when the rhythms are so constant and some of the instrumentation feels stereotypical.
- Mix of traditional Irish folk, country western, and some punk? (The punk is arguably more of an influence and attitude than a sound, which I find somewhat disappointing.)
- A few of the slower tracks are more impressive to me; \"A Pair of Brown Eyes\" is particularly nice.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
- Pretty quintessential Stones sound throughout; there is no mistaking who this is.
- \"Wild Horses\" is one hell of a track.
- Would definitely listen to this album again, even if it does not continually grip me throughout.
Yes
3/5
- Hella eclectic at times. Fair amount of creativity, though I could do with less keyboard (and pan flute?). Instantly dates the sound at moments.
- Do not know Yes well. Appreciate how heavy the bass is. (The bass in "Yours Is No Disgrace" is solid.)
- Some of these tracks are very long. Works well for some, not as much for others. ("Perpetual Change" becomes laborious, despite the rather melodic vocal bridge.)
- The organ in "Your Move" does a lot for me.
Fever Ray
4/5
- Never heard of this artist, but intrigued; instantly gives the vibe of being post-Björk and a more moody and experimental contemporary of Teegan and Sara. (In fact, their vocals are indistinguishable from the latter at times.)
- Great vibe all-around. Easy to turn on and soak in. Not sure if any of the tracks stand out, per se.
- Glad to have a break in genre and style on this list (I was getting so much 60s rock). Wish I knew how much music was like this was on the list--if it is standing alone, it deserves 4 stars for just that.
Scott Walker
1/5
- Oh wow. I am actively annoyed by almost all of this immediately.
- "The Seventh Seal" sounds epic, but the meandering lyrics and Walker's refusal to rhyme makes it all seem lazy.
- I find "The World's Strongest Man" and "Hero Of The War" plesant? And "Boy Child" has some interesting backing?
- I am legitimately confused how this even included on this list. Because this is a super rough listen.
Leftfield
2/5
- I appreciate that this is one of the first albums I have had that seems to have some heavy non-white influences. Somewhat annoyed when I found out that the duo is indeed white, though.
- Found the first half more engaging than the second half. I do not feel like I have a good read on electronic music. Nothing was bad. But nothing stood out either.
Radiohead
5/5
- Okay...I get it now. First Radiohead album I have listened to in full. And now I respect why people like this band so much.
- Looking it up, this was apparently considered an experimental departure for them. I hope this is the vibe of more of their albums, because I feel for it hard.
- Adore "How to Disappear Completely" and "Motion Picture Soundtrack." Was worried when "Optimistic" came on (did not jive for me as much), but it was not much of a departure and the album quickly veered back to where I wanted it to be.
- Listened to the album two more times over the weekend.
Frank Sinatra
4/5
- Nothing "new," but these classics are classics for a reason. The Chairman of the Board could croon, no doubt about that.
- All are relaxing to listen to, even if 90% of the tracks are essentially identical.
- Between the album title and a couple of the track names (lookin' at you, "Makin' Whoopee)...a lot of immature giggles.
Rufus Wainwright
4/5
- Not that familiar with Wainwright, but I can see the appeal.
- The instrumental backing is the most impressive part here--saw one critic call it luscious and I can see why. Bombastic, fun, and rich.
- Wainwright's voice does not quite live up to his ambitions and many of the songs were a bit "same-ish", but fun all the same.
Björk
3/5
- Engulfs me for two tracks then loses me for two tracks. Repeat.
- "Venus as a Boy" stands out and I am very entranced by the classic feel of "Like Someone in Love."
- Not a fan of her British dance/electronic hits. Just not my thing.
The The
2/5
- Did not know this group. I will admit that I am not very enticed to learn more.
- It is...fine? I am probably being too harsh, but I found this largely unremarkable.
- Looking up the album, there is a lot of praise for the lyrics...considering that I listen primarily for overall sound and vibe, I am not shocked that this did not click for me.
The Flaming Lips
3/5
- Fun sound in general, though it does get somewhat same-y after awhile. A couple of tracks drag.
- Ears perked up when "In the Morning of the Magicians" started. Like much of this one, but it is the only one that teuly catches my attention.
OutKast
4/5
- The first segment of this album (from "Gasoline Dreams" to "So Fresh, So Clean" to "Ms. Jackson") is as engaging as any hip-hop album I have listened to.
- I do feel that the latter half of the album sags, though "B.O.B." is phenomenal and a few others almost reach the height of that first chunk.
New York Dolls
2/5
- Apparently the New York Dolls walked so that KISS could run?
- Fun sound, but nothing truly jumps out and I am not sure why this particular album is being cited for being noteworthy. I guess just how early this sound was emerging?
Marilyn Manson
2/5
- Obligatory "Fuck Marilyn Manson."
- While I am not the biggest fan of his music, I get the appeal and this is essentially his classic stuff.
- I felt gross even playing his music given all of the allegations against him lately...that lowered the grade.
Jane's Addiction
3/5
- Pure early grunge, though also early enough to have a whole lot of diversity of sound.
- "Ted, Just Admit It..." is a bit more interesting and has some interesting thematic qualities. And "Jane Says" is fairly iconic.
Talking Heads
3/5
- I see why people like this and I especially see how it was somewhat groundbreaking in the 80s. This album is eclectic and oftentimes bizarre.
- Unfortunately, it just does not do much for me. I do like "Once in a Lifetime" and see why this particular song pops up often.
Isaac Hayes
3/5
- Love "Walk On By" and Hayes's voice is indeed "Hot Buttered Soul" personified.
- Why are all of these tracks so long?
- Started to lose me with the rest of the album. Fun, but very prolonged.
De La Soul
4/5
- Fresh, clever rhymes delivered with energetic, bouncy rhythms by young, passionate dudes that seem to be reading their raw, sincere bars off the notebooks they scrawled them into. Totally into this.
- Not dated...honestly feels quite innovative for 1989.
- Unfortunately, a couple of the singles (of which there were 8? Why?) stand out way more than the rest.
- "The Magic Number" is frenetic and captivating. "Eye Know" is quietly confident and pulsating. I also like "Me Myself and I", but way more for the mixing than any of the rap.
Gil Scott-Heron
4/5
- All of the slowest, most brooding tracks are solid 5s. This includes "Peace Go With You, Brother," "Rivers of My Fathers," and "Song for Bobby Smith." Each is engaging, melodic, and haunting.
- Some of the other tracks felt like more generic soul.
- "H2Ogate Blues" is fantastic and sadly just as relevant now as it was in 1974.
- Gil-Heron's voice is unique, even for soul. Smooth, but with enough of a rasp to give it some weight. Usually 100% with it, but some of the more prolonged notes start to feel pressed and approach being out-of-tune.
The Blue Nile
4/5
- Unexpectedly really into this groove. Am really into the first four tracks as well as "Heatwave" -- not feeling "Easter Parade" as much, though I like it more than the other versions of this type of track I have heard. (Feels less pretentious?)
- Adore "Tinseltown in the Rain" and "Stay." These synthesizers and other electronic elements, including the percussion, are mesmerizing.
- This had to have been an influence on The Killers (especially Brandon Flowers).
Charles Mingus
4/5
- I am by no means a jazz aficionado, but I at least know that 1) Charles Mingus was incredibly influential in the jazz world and 2) that this jazz is not in any way generic or boring.
- I did like the second half (tracks C and D) more. There were more unusual moments sprinkled throughout these that caused me to perk up.
N.W.A.
3/5
- I know this album was incredibly important, specifically in bringing gangsta rap into legitimate mainstream consumption, and I have a lot of respect for that...but I do feel like it becomes repetitive after awhile. One of those artistic achievements wherein I believe being "the first" is a more important piece than the actual quality of the product.
- The first four tracks are solid. But, I think diminishing returns are found almost immediately. The opening track ("Straight Outta Compton") is so goddamn electric. And even if "Fuck Tha Police" is not quite as kinetic, the thematic material boosts it. But, I find myself wanting to tap out about halfway through it all.
Cream
3/5
- The guitar work is delightfully crunchy and strong (no surprise there) and there is no question that Cream was bringing a new psychedelic sound to the table.
- Actually more entranced by the one blues track ("Take It Back") than I was by much of the rest. A cool sound overall, but this album does get repetitive.
The Youngbloods
2/5
- Unfortunately, the "We have the Beatles at home" of bands. The Youngbloods are trying things, but it is all fairly uninspired. Album is all over the place, but not in a captivating way. More just confusing and jarring.
- "Sunlight" is a genuinely touching song. Very heart-warming.
- Also found "Ride the Wind" interesting; apparently I find the more "easy listening" tracks to be a better direction for the Youngbloods.
- Found some of the more gimmicky tracks ("Don't Let the Rain Bring You Down") downright annoying.
Dwight Yoakam
2/5
- Admittedly not a fan of the titular song given that it involves hunting down and killing a woman in her sleep for having the audacity to leave you for another man.
- I do not enjoy, or even love, a ton of country. But this all sounds....fine? Somewhat generic. I feel that very little of it stands out at all.
Nas
3/5
- With regard to lyricism, a solid 5/5.
- Unfortunately I just find Nas's rap style to be...fine? A true lack of variety on that front, given that his diction, rhytms, tempo, and cadence are all fairly monotonous. I found myself more engaged during AZ's verse and choruses of "Life's a Bitch" than anything Nas was directly producing.
Dire Straits
3/5
- Mainly know Dire Straits as the band that produced "Sultans of Swing." Apparently almost all of their music sounds almost exactly like that one track.
- A super cool guitar riff starts the album. And the persistently syncopated rhythms are fun. But everything really does feel like the diet version of "Sultans of Swing."
Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
2/5
- Never heard of this group; they have the smallest Spotify presence of any group on this list I have seen so far.
- Very generic new wave pop-rock. Most of the songs sound extremely similar.
- In general I find Lloyd Cole's vocals (a bizarre mix of Bob Dylan and flashes of Linda Perry from 4 Non Blondes) to be hard to tolerate.
- Super interesting backing on "Are You Ready To Be Heartbroken?" If everything was this caliber, it might merit a 3 or higher.
- Not offended...but why is this album included?
Skunk Anansie
5/5
- I am somewhat astounded that I have never heard of this group before. A hard rock/punk/metal band with a queer black female lead singer (who describes the group as "clit-rock"), interesting guitar work, a black bassist, that (on the whole) does not shy away from experimenting, going headfirst into political themes, or punching their critics in the mouth? I am disappointed that I could not worship Skunk Anasie at 21 and now am learning to embrace them at 35. Seems like they did not expand from Britain very well.
- Do I love every track on this album equally? No. "Secretly" is divine. "On My Hotel Tv," "Lately," and "Cheap Honesty" slap. But even the tracks I am not thay invested in are great to have on. I think "Charlie Big Potato" is a bizarre choice for an opening track (and a single for that matter) but whatever.
- First group that feels like a gift delivered to me by this list.
Elliott Smith
4/5
- Some of the most interesting indie singer/songwriter work I have encountered. Smith's whispered delivery is beautiful, hypnotizing, and haunting.
- A few tracks do not engage me as much in the middle, so the album does suffer a slight dip, but the first four tracks and the final two are fantastic.
- Loving "Alameda," "Between the Bars," "2:45 AM," and "Say Yes."
Elvis Presley
3/5
- A more "old-fashioned" album, in the sense that the tracks are all fine but not connected together outside of the fact that Elvis is performing them.
- The real bangers are all the ones you know, "Blue Suede Shoes," "Tutti Frutti," and "Blue Moon." None of the rest are disappointing, but they are just not particularly memorable.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
- Never been a big fan of Zeppelin...have always found them to be incredibly overhyped. But there is no question that their standard fare is a step above most other straight rock from the period.
- Pretty much turn this album on and just let it play. No one track truly stood out and wow'ed me, but I also found it all to be enjoyable.
- I do not find the bluesy sound they have on occasion to be as fascinating as their heavier stuff. Much like Elvis, part of me wonders how much the praise they received was for using songs and techniques from people of color but with an "acceptable" (i.e. white) appearance.
The Magnetic Fields
1/5
- Me after 5 minutes: "Some interesting stuff here." Me after 30 minutes: "Okay...I am done." Me after 60 minutes: "40 songs left to go?" Me after 65 minutes: "How are there now 42 songs left to go?"
- A concept album is, by nature, always going to be a bit "much." But this just felt so self-indulgent, too. I was forcing myself to get through it. Cut this baby down to 45 minutes and you could have an amazing album. Instead it felt cloying and too clever for its own good.
- One of the first times I have been turned off by the addition of synth.
Big Star
2/5
- Never heard of Big Star, which probably makes sense because they seem to have dissolved before this album was released in its "proper" form.
- Like "Holocaust" and "Nature Boy" (which I only knew from Moulin Rouge). The dark, moody pieces are legitimately interesting.
- Unfortunately, the rest is extremely generic and out-of-sync with these tracks. I very much disliked "Big Black Car" and "Jesus Christ"...apparently those were packaged together on a single? Woof.
Bob Dylan
4/5
- First Dylan album I have listened to in-full.
- The lyricism is everything. The music behind it is often comforting and unobstrusive without ever being monotonous, but Dylan's lyrics are what makes this music stand out.
- Is Dylan my thing? No, not really. But I have to admire the words he weaves, even if I do not understand where 50% of it is going.
- "Mr. Tambourine Man" is definitely the standout.
Jimmy Smith
3/5
- Chill and smooth. Honestly feels like background music to a relaxing pre-90s comedy.
- Would not change the station if this came on. But I would never seek it out either.
- How can you even separate the tracks in your head? They continually bleed into each other. "Minor Chant" started in a cool way...but then right back to sounding like everything else.
- I am probably being generous with this score. I do not mind the jazz, but why is this something everyone should hear?
Oasis
3/5
- The first time I heard of this website, I entered an email out of curiosity and this album is the first one that popped up. I was admittedly turned off because I did not want my first experience to be Oasis.
- Some good tracks on here -- I heard "Live Forever" the first time in preparation for a guitar lesson. I also think "Bring It On Down" and "Cigarettes & Alcohol" are relatively strong and stand on their own.
- Second half is better than the first half...but it is still Oasis, which means I can take or leave Gallagher's voice and am never that impressed.
Radiohead
4/5
- This feels like the most 4-star of albums. Easy to get immersed in Radiohead's mesmerizing soundscape and the musicianship is incredibly clear, but I also have difficulty pointing out specifics that truly garbbed me.
- Love the start...first two tracks ("The Bends" in particular) are extremely solid.
- Radiohead has a weird ability to lull me into an absolutely acceptable, slightly more than fine track, and then insert a funky, jarring guitar jam element into the back third to wake me back up. This is often very pleasing (looking at you, "(Nice Dreams)" and "Just"). However, sometimes you are liking the vibe of the song a lot and the shift is very unwelcome because it harshes your musical buzz ("Iron Lung").
Q-Tip
3/5
- I like a lot of the backing here and both "Move" and "Life Is Better" are fairly innovative (particularly with the addition of Norah Jones in the latter).
- This album seems to be set at a single, unvarying tempo and Q-Tip's rhythms are lacking in variety. Great flow, but I never felt surprised.
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
3/5
- The influence on future hip-hop and rap is undoubted and there are moments of sheer brilliance here. There are, unfortunately, also very dated moments of mediocrity.
- First two tracks ("She's Fresh" and "It's Nasty") are full-on 5/5 bangers. Make you wnat to party.
- The opening guitar groove of "(It's a Shame") is pure delight. Instantly transports you to some island paradise. The call-and-response is also good, but then it loses me in the verses.
- "The Message" is obviously not only good, it is unbelievably impactful, too. Hard to imagine something this developed emerging in 1982.
- I am not a fan of "Scorpio." And "You Are" seemed so sweet. And then Jesus arrived. Woof.
Earth, Wind & Fire
3/5
- Pure funk and soul. Impossible not to turn this album on without instantly imagining the bedrooms of the 70s.
- Some better tracks (I recognized "Shining Star" instantly), though ultimately little of it stands out on its own.
- Probably should rate this higher because Earth, Wind & Fire's sound is so unique compared to many other groups on this list, but I do believe that is the primary reason why this album was included in the first place.
Nick Drake
3/5
- Had an insane amount of difficulty ever understanding what Drake was saying. But the vibe is nice and relaxing and I can see all of these tracks appearing as the opening song in an indie picture.
- Nothing bad here. But I would not seek it out either. The stripped down nature of it all is nice.
Alice Cooper
5/5
- Kind of surprising that I am giving this 5 stars. But I have found myself listening to the album multiple times in the past 24 hours, so my rating should reflect that.
- I like Alice Cooper's style; on this particular album he is giving me shades of "Paul McCartney's evil twin"? This was most reflected in "Mary Ann."
- Was not expecting there to be so much variation in these tracks, particularly with the often odd backing elements and distortions. All of these songs are bangers. They are all fun, raucous, mesmerizing, disturbing, affecting, or some combination of the above. Personally love "Hello Hooray."
- "Sick Things" and "I Love the Dead" are both incredibly dark and macabre, but both kept me hooked in.
The White Stripes
5/5
- Good god, inject this straight into my veins. Pure garage rock sound. I knew the White Stripes were talented (and had heard of this album and its incredibly famous opening track), but I did not realize how stellar their sound was overall.
- Raw...so fun and raw that you keep feeling it in your chest; the blues influences are right in your face. And simultaneously simple, surprising, and masterful.
- Jack White essentially makes his guitar into a tommy gun with the staccato syncopation of many of these solos.
- I added half the songs on this album straight onto my "Liked" playlist. First time that has happened.
Steely Dan
4/5
- Never listened to Steely Dan all that much, so I was surprised by the incredibly obvious jazz influences (which were often more than just influences).
- "My Old School" singlehandedly took this from a 3 star to a 4 star in my mind. Hell of a banger.
The Velvet Underground
3/5
- I am not shocked that this was not commercially successful in 1967. There are some truly experimental moments on this record and you can feel the Velvet Underground pushing into what what would be more psychedelic rock. That being said, some of those moments, while interesting, are not particularly fun to listen to.
- "Heroin" is fantastic. (Never thought I would say that.) Easily the best track.
- Found "The Black Angel's Death Song" to be somewhat aggravating. And "European Son" goes on way too long. I see where the thought was behind both, they are never mindless, but I also was not feeling the groove.
Willie Nelson
4/5
- Willie Nelson may be the most comforting singer I have ever heard. I just never want to turn him off.
- Everything here works amazingly well with his style.
- Anything groundbreaking? No (beyond him just changing style in 1978). But would I gladly listen to all of this at almost any time? Yes. One of the first albums on this list that justifies buying a vinyl.
Eric Clapton
3/5
- Enjoyed "Please Be With Me" and "Let It Grow," even if the latter sounds cheesy with Clapton's vocals.
- Nothing on this is offensive...it is all pretty standard Clapton fair. Too bad that he is a monumental POS.
Slayer
2/5
- This one hurts, because this is the most disappointing album for me thus far. I like a lot of metal, but Slayer's work here was just not on my wavelength for the most part.
- I find the message of "Jesus Saves" to be interesting and enjoy "Criminally Insane" and "Raining Blood" (the latter largely because I remember it being an absolute bitch to try and do well on in Guitar Hero III).
- Unfortunately almost every track feels virtually identical despite the fantastic guitar work. The tempo never changes. The tone never changes. The lyrics never become less than overbearing. And any moments of innovation feel drowned out by the monotony.
- Also, I do not believe that the members of Slayer are in any way Nazi sympathizers...but "Angel of Death" is admittedly tasteless. And a very hard sell for the first track.
Culture Club
3/5
- This is very much not my speed, but I do have to give credit for some catchy tunes. More of a fan of the songs with the more mournful tones ("Black Money" and "That's The Way"), though that honestly may be more of a result of the inclusion of the gospel singer. Also found "Miss Me Blind" to be more what I wanted.
- "Karma karma karma karm--" noooooope.
- The harmonica is driving me up the wall a little bit. Sounds like it belongs on an 80s children's special.
Bon Jovi
3/5
- Is Bon Jovi the least threatening hard rock band in existence? Something to ponder.
- The hits are strong, which anyone who has attended karaoke can attest to. I personally enjoy "Wanted Dead Or Alive" the most of those. But I was actually surprisingly really into "Raise Your Hands" (a legitimately fun party ballad) and "Without Love" (which has that quintessential 80s melodramatic charm). Maybe because I have not heard them 1000 times.
- Some of the non-hits are fine? A couple are rough. Not a fan of "Social Disease."
Eminem
3/5
- I have always enjoyed Eminem, but I am admittedly no more than a casual fan. With that in mind, listening to a whole album is a bit more of a rough experience than I initially envisioned.
- Some great tracks -- in particular, "Stan" is a true standout and such a different work. I also found myself more taken by "Drug Ballad."
- He has unquestionable skill...no doubt about that. I can see why this album is historically important.
- Some extremely rough material; at 35, it is hard for me to listen to "Kim" or "Criminal" and not be a bit disgusted with the misogyny and the use of gay slurs.
Prince
3/5
- Some strong tracks ("Slow Love" and "I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man" in particular), but combined with a lot that felt like generic Prince fair. Better than many artists? Sure. But standard stuff for Prince.
- Not sure how I feel about "The Cross." Evocative, but not sure if it is being sincere or not with regard to the religious undertones.
- People like this more than "Purple Rain"? Wtf?
Gram Parsons
3/5
- I am not overly fond of most country music, but nothing here bothered me. I found the slower tracks, such as "Brass Buttons" and "$1000 Wedding" to be more engaging than the faster ones.
- I would not turn off this album. Neither would I ever seek it out again.
John Lee Hooker
3/5
- I am definitely not a connesuir of blues, so I am honestly not sure how novel this album might be. It felt like standard fare. Good, standard fare, but standard nonetheless.
- "My Dream" stood out -- negated some of the more cliche blues rhythms and chord changes. More of this and it might have made it to 4 stars for me.
Jack White
3/5
- I like Jack White (and I think the White Stripes's "Elephant" is divine), but this all just blends together.
- A friend had once recommended me "Sixteen Saltines" -- unfortunately, after listening to this whole album, that is the only track I see myself returning to all that often.
- Needs more crunchy guitar...it pops up at moments, but not enough to justify the slow rhythm and blues that dominates almost all of this.
Supergrass
4/5
- Never heard of Supergrass and was very pleasantly surprised; honestly shocked this came out in 1995 because it has the feel of a lot of garage rock, pop-punk, and indie alt albums of the 00s.
- Do I love every track? No. But they are almost all super catchy. In particular, "I'd Like to Know," "Caught By the Fuzz," and "Sitting Up Straight" are all solid and display some fun, frenetic guitar work.
- "Time" is probably my favorite, though...very authentic rhythm and blues callback with some grit.
Haircut 100
3/5
- Credit where credit is due: Haircut 100 is a New Wave, early Britpop band that did not immediately run me up the wall. Most of these tracks are absolutely fine.
- Very much enjoy "Love Plus One," which I do believe is the best song on the album. Some interesting guitar work on a few other tracks, such as "Surprise Me Again."
- Not quite sure why it is on this list, but I was not insulted by its inclusion either.
Thundercat
3/5
- Possibly the most recent album I have had on this list so far? I was somewhat surprised that I knew nothing about it.
- A totally pleasant listen; in fact, it is all incredibly relaxing. But it also never seemed to deviate from the first 5 minutes of material.
10cc
2/5
- There are some creative moments on here, particularly some quirky guitar slides and some bizarre lyrics. But this all honestly sounds like the discount version of a half-dozen more cohesive bands, such as the Beatles, Rush, etc.
- I enjoyed the goofiness of "Hotel" but it does not gel with the rest of the album. Also really liked the opening moments of "Clockwork Creep," but my interest does not hold up for the whole track.
David Bowie
3/5
- The opening title track (i.e. "Station to Station") is very good; particularly solid given that it is 10 minutes and keeps me engaged for its entire runtime. Nice build up of suspense followed by a cathartic change of pace.
- The rest of the album is fine, but it essentially washed over me with little impact. I did like "Wild is the Wind," though it weirdly sounded incredibly reminiscent of "Gethsemane" in 1988's Jesus Christ Superstar?
- The fictional Thin White Duke was totally a Thatcher / Reagan supporter.
The White Stripes
3/5
- Starts strong with "Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground," but I personally find the rest of the album having a hard time living up to that, with the exception of "I Can't Wait" (my favorite track).
- Honestly a bit disappointed because I love "Elephant" so much, but this feels safe in comparison? I do detect much of the kineticism that defines that album.
Beck
2/5
- Maybe I am just prickly today, but Beck was not doing it for me. I feel like this album is occasionally trying to have some weight and grit, but it all feels overproduced.
- Beck is known for just incorporating random sounds, which sounds like something I would like, but it becomes predictable to the point that it grates on my nerves.
- I do not outright hate any tracks here...but I do not necessarily like any of them either. I would probably be inclined to skip every one.
- Like Beck, I grew up in a heavily Latino area. But "Que 'Onda Guero" just makes me cringe.
The Cure
3/5
- Difficult for me to separate The Cure away from the vibe of their biggest pop hits, especially with the distinct nature of Robert Smith's voice. I appreciate the dark sentiment of this album, but his vocals often take me out of it.
- "The Hanging Garden" and "Siamese Twins" both stand out, especially with the heaviness of the bass and percussion. I believe the latter to be the best track.
- "Pornography," the final track is an interesting, avante-garde mood piece.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
- Never listened to an Elvis Costello album; my point of reference is mainly "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me."
- Not a total fan of him in this more New Wave era, though I have to admit that a lot of this sounds like a 50s throwback. I like the fact that he sounds like Billy Joel with way more personality.
- Enjoy "Party Girl."
- Found "Sunday's Best" to be annoying. But the rest of the album was pleasant.
The Who
4/5
- Typical The Who, but typical The Who is pretty damn solid. Energetic, fun, and just a little bit heavy with the guitar.
- This would have been awesome to see live.
David Bowie
4/5
- The second half of this album, which contains the moody, almost entirely instrumental tracks, is divine. It starts strongly with "A New Career in a New Town" and ends strongly with "Subterraneans" and everything in-between is worth listening to. If the entire album sounded like this, then five stars.
- The tracks on the first side are fine, even more than fine, and they have way more heart and charisma than the previous album (Station to Station). (This is particularly true of "Speed of Life.") But it just does not match up to or totally coherent with the second half.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
1/5
- Definitely not feeling this; largely an excessively lugubrious, tedious dirge.
- "West Country Girl" seems to have the correct style for Cave's voice; this feels like it all should be closer to Johnny Cash than to Rufus Wainwright.
- I actively do not like multiple songs here, including "Lime Tree Arbour," "There Is a Kingdom," and "Green Eyes." A real chore overall.
Sugar
3/5
- Started so strong with the surprisingly catchy "The Act We Act." Immediately made we wonder why I had never heard of this group. Somewhat heavy, but still surprisingly light given that grunge was hitting hard at this point.
- Unfortunately the rest of the album did not live up to this. I enjoyed "Helpless," but found most of everything else somewhat uninspired. Additionally, I was not a fan of whatever was happening with "Hoover Dam."
- Almost gave this two stars, but I think that is too harsh...if Sugar (a band I had never heard of) had lived up to that first track, they probably would have been gunning for four.
Linkin Park
4/5
- This takes me back. The first album that I essentially know back-to-front because I listened to it so much as a pre-teen/teenager. (Thanks for the lack of explicit lyrics, LP...otherwise, my mom would have never let me buy this album.)
- Nü metal may have burned out as quickly as it rocketed skyward, but I have such a soft spot in my heart for it. And Linkin Park was its peak. Other metal groups were more sophisticated (Nine Inch Nails, System of a Down) and others were more hardcore (Slipknot, Korn), but LP was easily the most far-reaching for most of a decade.
- Linkin Park's soundscapes are legitimately fascinating. Such a cool mix of guitars, electronics, percussion, record-scratches, and industrial effects. And the vocals are similarly a group effort...Shinoda and Bennington are both essential to each track.
- Love every song (except for maybe "By Myself"). Even "Cure for the Itch" has grown on me over time.
-RIP Chester. You meant a lot to a young me.
R.E.M.
3/5
- I am really not a fan of R.E.M. At all. I will say that I liked this album a bit more than I was expecting, but that is because I was expecting the absolute worst. I just find the band's sound to be annoying 99% of the time and very characteristic of what I do not enjoy about rock.
- Lush sounds overall, but I am most impressed by R.E.M.'s ability to specifically focus on certain instrumental isolation. There are just distinct moments when the percussion, the guitar, or the piano will just pop out; those are the best moments.
- Enjoyed "Laughing" (once again, those percussive isolations) and "Perfect Circle."
- Found "Talk About The Passion" grating. "We Walk" was even worse.
- This does sound remarkably forward-thinking for 1983. Still do not enjoy it overall, though.
David Bowie
5/5
- Was unsure how I felt after the first listen, so I gave it another spin and must now give this five stars. It is too unique to do otherwise.
- Some classic Bowie tracks ("Changes", "Life on Mars?") punctuated by some very solid, lesser-known, often introspective songs ("Quicksand" is a great example).
- There are no bad tracks here. There are some tracks that do not totally fit together, but every one is good, if not great, in its own right. I was a bit turned off by "Kooks" originally (never a fan of a song being shoehorned in, no matter the importance to the artist), but it is so heartwarmingly sweet, clever, and catchy that I just have to give it it's due.
Beastie Boys
4/5
- Was planning on going with 3 stars for the first half of the album, but the second half really won me over.
- Not sure how complimented the Beastie Boys would be by this take, but I think the work they do on their backings far outshines their ability as rap artists. And, for this reason, a lot of the experimental/instrumental tracks truly stand out to me. "Sabrosa," "Shambala," "Transitions"...this is where I find myself most impressed.
- That being said, "Sabotage" is "Sabotage" for a reason. Banger of a track.
The Smiths
3/5
- Not sure I have ever heard a Smiths track, well enough a whole album. Not surprised that this is what Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel are fans of in "500 Days of Summer."
- Not a fan of britpop, which this apparently influenced, so not a shocker that I felt this was fine. The sound is fine. The tones are fine. I would not turn it off, but I would never seek it out either.
- Marr's jangly guitar is fine. Morrisey's vocals are take or leave.
- "Cemetary Gates" is clearly the best track, though somebof the backing on "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out" is interesting.
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
3/5
- I know Buddy Holly is extremely influential to early rock music, though I will fully admit that I do not truly understand how this is the case.
- Had a pleasant voice that could keep a catchy tune. Everyone knows "That'll Be The Day" and why not? It is fun.
AC/DC
3/5
- AC/DC is fairly essential party rock music. And the title track is a fun romp. However, almost all of the other tracks have the same structure and style as that one and they so not compare.
- "Night Prowler" was a nice change of pace.
Dr. Octagon
3/5
- I appreciate Kool Keith's commitment to the bit. Every track, including the skits, follows suit.
- Was not expecting so many physics references in "No Awareness." They are just used as jargon, but still.
- DJ Qbert's scratching is often the highlight. The backing tracks are never bad, but the beat can get a bit monotonous.
- Kool Keith is capable of mixing up the rhythms, but these tracks still blend together. I like the emotionally detached style, but that does not help.
Fleet Foxes
3/5
- I like the overall vibe of the album more than its actual sound. I am fond of 00s/10s indie folk, so it seems like this would be right up my alley. But I am unsure why 1) this particular Fleet Foxes album and 2) Fleet Foxes themselves were chosen to essentially stand for this moment in music history.
- The tracks largely blend together. I like the instrumentals more than the vocals, but even they are hard to differentiate.
Adele
4/5
- Very tempted to give this 5 stars, because the first half is just that good. Multiple great tracks and it all builds to the combo of the epic "Set Fire to the Rain" and the enticing "He Won't Go."
- I admittedly lose some interest in the second half...not sure if it is more a result of the genre or my own tastes?
- The first album of this kind I have gotten on the list. I hope there are more like this that break the mold a bit.
Bob Dylan
5/5
- I was not raised on Dylan, but this album finally makes it clear to me why he is so revered.
- The first three tracks are one of the strongest openings I could imagine for an album. (Absolutely adore "Girl from the North Country.)
- Incredibly poignant gut-punches with the political messages of many of these. Listened to this the day after the 2024 election and almost broke down crying during "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall." As relevant as ever.
The Stone Roses
3/5
- Not familiar with this group. The album encompasses an odd smorgasbord of genres that are hard to connect.
- "I Wanna Be Adored" sounds like a precursor to grunge. Definitely my favorite track of the album. (I liked "Made of Stone," too.)
- After that, the songs veer much more toward 60s psychedelic ("Don't Stop" being the most obvious example). This seems to be the Stone Roses typical sound.
- The final track ("Fools Gold") is such a departure, circling around to mediocre funk, that it solidified this as a 3 star, rather than a 4 star, effort.
Adele
4/5
- While 21 was a 4.25/5 rounded down, this is probably a 3.75/5 rounded up. This album never hits the stellar highs of that one, but it is still quite solid.
- There is no doubt in my mind that "Love In The Dark" is the best track. Almost gives you the same emotional push as "Set Fire to the Rain."
- Once again, wish there were more albums like this overall.
Nirvana
4/5
- Just by tuning into alt rock radio off and on for 20 years, I have heard at least half of this album.
- Very much enjoy "Heart-Shaped Box," "Dumb," and "All Apologies." Probably heard each 100 times, but they are still effective.
- Discovered "Pennyroyal Tea." Also "Radio Friendly Unit Shifter," but that one was possibly the least inspired track.
- Nirvana is Nirvana. Sit back and enjoy the distortion.
Butthole Surfers
4/5
- Avant-garde garage rock? I had no idea that was the Butthole Surfers oeuvre.
- Really digging this for the first half. Great crunch, enthralling beats, keeps your heart pumping. Comes to a head with "Human Cannonball."
- Loses me a bit after that stellar track. Found the next two to be a bit grating and "Kuntz" to be more bewildering than anything else.
Steely Dan
2/5
- Quite disappointing, especially after being surprised by Steely Dan's \"Countdown to Ecstasy.\" Probably why I am being as harsh as I am.
- I was not raised with Steely Dan, so my point of comparison is Chicago; this sounds like Chicago with much less brass and much less heart, which just makes it sound like dated easy listening.
- No stand out songs. I almost got into \"Deacon Blues\" and \"Peg.\" The title track grated on me (and when on for over 7 minutes).
Megadeth
4/5
- I might be cheating here, but the video for "Peace Sells" is so fucking good that it boosts this from a 3 star to a 4 star album by itself.
- All of this is fun. But "Peace Sells" truly is the standouts. (I also like the instrumental "Good Mourning," too, though I am not a huge fan of "Black Friday.")
ZZ Top
4/5
- It is possible I am being too nice with this, because very little wow'ed me here. ZZ Top feel like rock journeymen. Very competent. Very successful. Nothing that makes them sound like authors.
- I am impressed by their ability to get under your skin without relying on the fastest of tempos. These songs make you want to party, but they do not exhaust you.
- But some of these tracks, namely the singles, are very powerful. Gimme All Your Lovin', Sharp Dressed Man, and Legs are all bangers. TV Dinners is pretty dumb (and dated).
Steely Dan
3/5
- Well...I liked this more than Aja, but less than Countdown to Ecstasy. I have heard a lot of Steely Dan recently.
- Found "Barrytown" to be a fun groove. And there was some interesting guitar in "Charlie Freak."
- Get out of here with "East St. Louis Toodle-oo"...pick a lane! Are we old timey jazz or something modern?
Air
3/5
- While I get that Air purposefully developed this to be its own beast, rather than acting as a traditional film score, this feels like an odd inclusion.
- Very difficult for me to separate this from the movie, a film that I do not particularly enjoy and find to be meandering and listless. This album does reflect that to some degree.
- Totally seems like this should be my vibe, but while I enjoy its synth tones, I found it to be lacking a propulsion that is necessary for me to want to revisit it.
Marvin Gaye
4/5
- Not sure if many songs truly stand out on their own, except for the couple that I have heard in movies time and time again as a stand-in for sexual chemistry. But this whole album is a pleasant vibe.
- Gaye's voice is unquestionably beautiful. And the sheer comfort that comes with the orchestral backing is easy to chill to.
- Almost downgraded this for having a song called "You Sure Love To Ball," complete with a woman moaning as an introduction. But, it is ballsy...no pun intended.
Beastie Boys
3/5
- There is an early episode of Futurama where the Beastie Boys guest star and it is revealed that Fry loves them. Fry is also frequently shown to have the depth of a puddle. Just saying that it tracks.
- The backings deserve 95% of the credit. Going by just the Boys' vocal sound, this would probably be a 2 star, despite their fun interactions and overlaps. They are still young and raw here, though that never really goes away.
- "No Sleep Till Brooklyn" is the standout.
- Amazing how much Brass Monkey is mentioned outside of "Brass Monkey." It is like their muse.
Pearl Jam
4/5
- Once again an album that I have heard half of from just being a teenager who tuned into alt rock radio.
- Surprised by 1) how much more connection there is between Pearl Jam and the hard rock (and even hair metal) of the 80s with regard to the focus on guitar riffs and 2) how much Eddie Vedder's vocals influenced so many, often maligned, bands of the 00s like Creed, Nickeback, etc.
- Pearl Jam will never be my default grunge band, but the one-two punch of "Black" and "Jeremy" is nothing short of masterful.
The Band
3/5
- Not shocked that "The Weight" is the only track in this album I know; it stands head-and-shoulders above everything else.
- Like the rambling, unfinished nature of much of this. But there is way to much organ/keyboard for my liking.
- I am sure this is influential. But The Band walked so that so many others could run.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
2/5
- I respect the technique, but that is about it. I have admittedly never heard of ELP, but I am not shocked either. This feels pretentious and dated.
- The first track is a 20-minute jam session focused way too much in the keyboard. Yeesh.
- The other side of the record had some interesting moments (like "The Only Way"), but I really wish it was all more like the final "Are You Ready Eddy?" which was a completely different vibe.
The Young Rascals
3/5
- I was going to be generous and give this 4 stars because I was satisfied with essentially everything on here and actually really into a few tracks (like the quintessential "Groovin'," but also "Find Somebody" and "If You Knew"). They just make you want to dance with the nearest person.
- The feel-good soul the Young Rascals have on here is top notch. The rock pieces are good, but not as engaging. Kudos for using bizarre instrumentation at times, including an accordian and a harmonica.
- I am dinging this down to 3 stars for being part of the blue-eyed soul movement, which is more than a little problematic in origin.
Aphex Twin
3/5
- I am perfectly fine vibing with everything here, though I cannot tell a single track apart. This feels like the groundwork for a lot of synth and lofi music that I have frequently listened to over the course of the last decade.
- More my speed than all of the other electronica music I have encountered on this list so far. But it does little to differentiate itself beyond other ambient, atmospheric tracks.
Nina Simone
4/5
- Passionate and enthralling, with incredibly relevant lyrics and almost painful expression.
- Wanted to rate this even higher, but some of the tracks eventually begin to sound like a singular, non-distict mass.
Fela Kuti
4/5
- Not familiar with Afro beat, but this is slick as hell. I feel like I just fell into a heist movie.
- A mixture of jazz, funky, soul, and West African influences? Sign me up.
- The first track (the titular "Zombie") goes hard--it is 5 star level music. The rest of the songs do not quite live up to the infectious nature of that song, but I appreciate the overall groove of this album.
- Do yourself a favor and look up Kuti's activism, including the history of this album. Wow.
Django Django
3/5
- I legitimately thought I would love this after the intro and the first track "Hail Bop." But then it all...did the exact same thing?
- These tracks are definitely different from a sonic point of view. But the structures are all identical to the point of feeling like they were designed by AI. 1) Bizarre percussion / synth beats, preferably with random sound effects that Beck would give a side-eye to. 2) Unaltering rhythm. Not fast. Slow, but not tooooo slow. 3) Monotonous vocals layered into harmonies.
- Not shocked that much of this albums Wiki page is focused on the commercials these songs have been in. I hate none of it. But, for being "art rock," it feels weirdly safe?
Van Morrison
4/5
- Very tempted to give this 3 stars, because Van Morrison often feels like a one-trick pony with some of these songs. But damn...that trick is pretty engrossing. I can see how getting high and just vibing with this would be unbelievably relaxing.
- "Crazy Love" is essentially perfect. A couple of other tracks ("And It Stoned Me", "These Dreams of You") are almost just as fantastic.
- Enjoy "Moondance", though the vibe of this song is almost old-fashioned big band jazz in comparison to everything else.
- Do not enjoy the last two tracks, especially "Everyone." Too fast and too busy.
The Afghan Whigs
4/5
- Considering how often I have listened to this over the last week, I should probably give it top marks.
- Never heard of the Afghan Wings (besides maybe an occasional mention). Very entranced with the overall sound; not quite as hard-hitting as some other bands of the period, but still highly engaging.
- Adore "Be Sweet." Also find "My Curse" to be solid, though I do not know ow the singer.
- The biggest hang-up I have is the lead vocals. Usually pretty strong, but not strong enough to truly set this band apart.
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
- The first half to two-thirds of this album is unreal. The initial, titular track through "The Boxer" (which always makes me start to tear up) is a simply phenomenal mix of melody, lyricism, and existential fragility.
- I appreciate that the "world music" influences (such as the flute in "El Condor Pasa") feel natural and unimposing.
- The final few tracks just largely fail to grip me? Maybe I am just too familiar with the greatest hits?
Common
5/5
- This is exactly my type of rap/hip-hop. I fully own that.
- Lyrically solid. Melodically interesting. Contains deep messages. But still a bop. Common does a good job of mixing up rhythms and keeping me invested, no matter his speed.
- Like most of the tracks on here. In particular, "Be," "GO!," "The Food," and "It's Your World." But honestly, I am more impressed that it all blends without feeling monotonous.
The Kinks
2/5
- I did not know that an album could be this British. Almost offensively British.
- Every Kinks song I know is fast, fun, and carefree. I am not familiar with this more "complex" side of them, but I also do not care for it. Another "We have the Beatles at home" album, but this time to a somewhat painful degree, particularly with regard to the vocals.
- I was going back and forth between 2 and 3 stars. Enjoyed "Death of a Clown." But was actively annoyed by "Harry Rag," "Tin Soldier Man," and definitely "Lazy Old Sun." All felt very slight and half-baked.
Shivkumar Sharma
3/5
- Indian music is very much outside my wheelhouse, so it is difficult for me to evaluate this with any degree of expertise. I appreciate the exposure.
- From what I can tell, it is good? Not something I would ever seek out on my own, but that is more due to personal taste. I could see this being mindblowing to Western audiences in the 60s.
- Glad I found a copy of this on YouTube, because there was a New Age album of the same name on Spotify that was not as impressive.
Missy Elliott
4/5
- A smooth mix of R&B, hip hop, and rap. It is impossible not to get entranced by Elliott's vocals or hyped by her bars to some degree.
- Solid overall, but I do feel Timbaland doing a lot here...I am not sure how much some of these would stand out without his influence. Same for a lot of the accompanying artists (though the amount of female representation is awesome).
- "Sock It 2 Me" and "Beep Me 911" are my faves.
- Note: Thought this was 2002's "Under Construction." So I listened to that entire album first...and it better be on here, because that was 5/5 fire.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
- Probably the first classic rock band that I latched onto myself rather than inherit from my family. John Fogerty has one of the quintessential rock voices.
- Saw CCR described as a better "single" band than an "album" band, and I cannot really disagree. Most of the songs are solid (though I do not like "Ooby Dooby"), but they do not necessarily immediately track into each other.
- One of the few bands that I like to hear jam. In fact, the slower, more meandering bridge of "Ramble Tramble" is the best part.
- "Who'll Stop The Rain" and "Long As I Can See The Light" are all-time classics.
Harry Nilsson
2/5
- Apparently Nilsson is known as the "American Beatle." So this might be the first time that I understood why people who did not grow up with the Beatles do not get the hype...because this was not doing much for me.
- There is obviously a lot of craftsmanship and complexity at play here. But I did not find much enjoyable to listen to.
- "Without You" is solid. "Jump Into The Fire" was similarly strong, but boy did I feel that seven minutes.
- I like weird stuff. But this was too quirky for my taste...apparently I only want my quirky to be British.
- The fact that "Coconut" was on the Billboard Top Ten makes me simultaneously proud and disappointed in my nation.
Lou Reed
4/5
- Preferred this to the Velvet Underground, which might be a hit take.
- Notably dark but never taking itself too seriously. Reed knows how to bring in some unusual topics for the time, such as the gender-bending, without seeming to be either edgy for edgy's sake or pretentious.
- "Vicious," "Andy's Chest, "Hangin' Around," and obviously "Walk On the Wild Side" are all fantastic.
- "Perfect Day" is a bit incongruous and feels more dated. Almost did not like "Goodnight Ladies," but the clarinet does a lot.
Femi Kuti
4/5
- Wild that I received this album and one by his father (Fela Kuti) so close to each other. Even more wild that they seem to be equally accomplished as musicians and as activists.
- The whole groove of this album is stellar. You can let it play in the background and you will find yourself bopping along.
- "Plenty Nonsense" slaps.
- Did prefer the instrumental sections to the call-and-response, but that is just personal taste. I did like how explicitly political much of it is.
Richard Hawley
2/5
- A couple of borderline interesting songs; "Cole's Corner" sounds like it could be crooning me at Christmas and "The Ocean" has some atypical backing that had me perk up.
- "Who's Going to Shoe Your Pretty Little Feet" should be taken out and shot. Just horrible.
- I do not dislike much here. But including this album instead of hundreds of other way more diverse and groundbreaking options is rage-inducing. Why should I listen to an old white Brit imitate styles from decades past when I can just listen to the originals and be much more entertained and engrossed?
The Rolling Stones
3/5
- Not used to hearing any music from the Stones this early in their career. Honestly did not realize that they started as essentially pure rhythm and blues.
- Lot of covers on here. On the one hand, I do not mind the sound, largely because I like these songs. On the other hand, you have a group of white Brits building their career on the work of people of color who never saw anywhere near the same level of success. So...it is complicated?
- To their credit, "Take Me" is the best song they can perform, probably because it sounds more like "them." Which makes sense, because they wrote it.
Aretha Franklin
5/5
- When America eventually fades away and archeologists are searching for pieces of our long-forgotten culture, we would be lucky to have this be the one thing they found.
- So far, this is the best album I have encountered on this list. No debate necessary. Just phenomenal.
- Surprised to find out that "Baby, Baby, Baby" is my favorite. Did not know it.
The Allman Brothers Band
3/5
- I can see why this album of extended jams made them famous. The guitar skills are much more noteworthy in a live setting.
- Some elements of the songs stand out, and none are bad, but they do get a bit repetitive.
- I know it was typical for the time, but too much keyboard just deflates my enthusiasm. Instantly makes it feel dated.
Billy Bragg
3/5
- An interesting project and Guthrie's lyrics are the real standout. That being said, I wish they had been put to a more musically creative Americana...the choices here are fine, but all could be produced by any live band at any bar on a Saturday night.
- "Way Over Yonder In The Minor Key" was the high point, but "Eisler On The Go" may be the most interesting.
- Yeah...I will pass on "Hoodoo Voodoo," thank you.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
- Has a smoother cohesion than another CCR record I already reviewed ("Cosmo's Factory"), though I was more impressed by the individual tracks on that one.
- The middle third, "Wrote A Song For Everyone," "Bad Moon Rising," and "Lodi," is superb; about as good as it gets. But I was less pulled in by the rest.
Stan Getz
4/5
- I know very little about jazz, but this was a super pleasant listening experience. Apparently this album was the birth of the bossa nova craze and while I am sure it can get derivative, I have no complaints.
- The Larin influences are obvious but a nice change of pace from other jazz styles.
- Very much felt like I should be playing a chill Nintendo game.
Joy Division
3/5
- Familiar with the band, less with the actual music. Thought I was going to love this, because I adore the first track ("Disorder"). Sounds like it could be from an indie rock band from the early 00s. That fast bassline is super fun and modern.
- Unfortunately, the rest of the album did not live up to that initial jam. Definitely find their faster stuff more interesting. The rest gets monotonous.
- Feels like a mix of the Doors and David Bowie?
Leonard Cohen
1/5
- It took me awhile to come around to Dylan. This is a bridge too far.
- A lot here is not working for me: Cohen's monotonous delivery. Boring, often simplistic arrangements. Dated accompaniment. I felt my hand hovering over the "skip" button on almost every track.
- The only plus side I see is the lyrics. But A) that is typically the last thing I focus on with music and B) if the only thing to pull from this are the words, make a book of poetry rather than an album.
Keith Jarrett
5/5
- Admittedly not something I would ever seek out on my own, but I was quite struck by this. Wonderfully transcendent at times.
- Considering this is a solo effort, the amount of skill displayed is hard to describe accurately. "Impressive" seems too tame.
- This cat is living proof that race is a construct.
Wild Beasts
3/5
- Never heard of Wild Beasts; get the impression they made little impact in the States.
- Percussion is top notch...explosive and all over the place with the rhythms.
- Two lead vocalists. Like Tom Fleming. Unfortunately, Hayden Thorpe (who is on the majority of the tracks) is doing way too much and I find his performance grating.
- Largely fine.
Rocket From The Crypt
3/5
- Band name and album title hint at goth metal. Bit surprised to hear heavy pop-punk with ska influences.
- "Used" is the best track. "On A Rope" and "Young Livers" are strong, too.
- Would have definitely not minded if this came on the radio in high school, but I doubt I would have ever sought it out. A bit too standard fare for that.
- Speedo on lead vocals sounds like the progenitor of Jacoby Shaddix from Papa Roach.
Alice In Chains
3/5
- That's grunge, all right.
Beatles
4/5
- One of the most famous albums of all time and part of the back-and-forth inspiration/competition between the Beatles and the Beach Boys. What is there left to say?
- Tons of creativity on display. That being said, about one-third of this album is not nearly as rich as the rest. For every fascinating "Tomorrow Never Knows," there is a meh "Good Day Sunshine" (a track I have never loved).
- Hot Take: "Yellow Submarine" is the highlight. I could listen to that bizarrely warm beat on repeat.
The Dictators
4/5
- Personality: 5/5..."Handsome Dick Manitoba" may be the greatest name for a frontman ever. And I am in love with the album cover.
- Considering the emphasis on humor, this is surprisingly strong with regard to how much the guitar gets your blood pumping throughout.
- Not sure if "Back to Africa" has aged well...but it is super catchy. "The Next Big Thing," "California Sun" (a cover, no less), and "Two Tub Man" are straight bangers.
- I bet their greatest hits album is spectacular.
ABBA
4/5
- First side: Wow. Sunny, fun, and so, so catchy. "Knowing Me, Knowing You" is arguably the best song on the album. "Dancing Queen" and " When I Kissed The Teacher" are iconic. And "Dum Dum Diddle" is way better than it's reputation.
- Second side: Meh. Do not care for "Money, Money, Money." And "Tiger" is borderline cringe. "Why Did It Have To Be Me?" is surprisingly interesting, though.
- Used to not care for ABBA at all. Hits different when you get older and just want to forget your problems for awhile.
Big Black
4/5
- "Hmm...this is a bit abrasive." Proceeds to listen to album straight through four times in 24 hours. Something about the audacity of this sound got its hooks in me...I have no idea how they created some of these sounds.
- "Passing Complexion" is surprisingly nuanced in its subject matter?
- Wild hearing a well-developed and essentially modern Nine Inch Nails progenitor in 1985.
Duke Ellington
5/5
- Sensational. Vibrant. Enduring. Possibly the best swing jazz I have ever heard. I had to turn this off while I was working because I found myself wanting to dance too much.
- Some of the out-of-control solos at the end of "Festival Junction" and "Diminuendo In Blue" light you on fire.
- First album on the list where I listened to the original LP and found myself actually wanting to listen to the extended album.
Neil Young
4/5
- To be blunt, Young's tenor is simply beautiful--melodic, but raw, it always pops.
- Thought-provoking, often borderline confusing (some illicit substances definitely pushed some of these lyric), and typically engrossing.
- It did not steal me away the whole time, but there are moments when you can just forget yourself and flow with it.
LTJ Bukem
2/5
- I am horribly uninformed on electronic dance music...but I can barely tell any of these tracks apart.
- I feel like I have absolutely no opinion on any of this. But it lasts for over two hours.
The Band
3/5
- Ah...almost had me. Enjoyed the catchiness of "Across the Great Divide" as well as the melodies and harmonies of "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down." But then there was more of the album.
- Nothing offensive here. The Band is just not my speed. If late 60s rock could be consolidated into a single miasma, they would emerge.
Derek & The Dominos
3/5
- Obligatory "Fuck Eric Clapton."
- Vastly prefer rock Clapton to blues Clapton. If I wanted that, I would go back to the source. "Bell Bottom Blues," "Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad?," and "Layla" (duh) are standouts.
- This album would be half the length if you cut the jamming from 90% of the tracks.
- I mean...doesn't the album title tell you what the band thought was their best selling point?
The Doors
3/5
- The Doors may be the one exception to my general distaste for keyboards in rock music. For some reason, they add to the overall tone rather than making it feel dated.
- Not overly impressed with Morrison's lyrics on this one, but the raw nature of his voice is still engrossing. And saying "goddamn" on a super popular album from 1971 shows some balls.
- Highs and lows on here, but I never see myself seeking this out for another listen.
The Offspring
4/5
- The most 'yeah's per capita of any band.
- Have always enjoyed the raw sound of the Offspring over their 90s punk contemporaries (like Green Day); the underlying hint of violence that comes from Holland's vocals gives me the same thrill as the Sex Pistols.
- A lot of super solid tracks here ("Nitro," "Bad Habit," "Gotta Get Away," "Self Esteem"). But while they do a good job if mixing up rhythms and tempos, sometimes even mid-song, their songs do eventually start to blend together.
- "Come Out and Play" is catchy as fuck. But having that be their breakout when they are a very white band essentially calling out observed black gang violence...not the best.
Terence Trent D'Arby
3/5
- It is a disservice to Maitreya to say that he is the "We already have Michael Jackson at home" of singers. But the similarities in vocals kept bumping me. Maitreya is more raw and that can be exciting.
- Some of these are very dated ("Rain"), but others still stand out in a good way, most notably "If You Let Me Stay" and "Let's Go Forward."
- Some interesting lyrics. "As Yet Untitled is particularly beautiful.
The Only Ones
3/5
- Rather surprised that this is considered punk, but I can see how it led to quite a few pop-punk groups in the 90s and 00s. Has a flavor of Arctic Monkeys to it, too.
- Considering how very British Perrett's voice is, I was surprised at how often I grooved along with it. But it did lose me occasionally with its whiny drawl. (Also having Kakoulli on backing vocals made an odd tension considering how much more melodic her voice is.)
- Not surprised that "Another Girl, Another Planet" is the only track with longevity. It is the clear standout.
George Michael
1/5
- All for a gay icon who could sing with the best of them, but these lyrics are giving me (as the youth would say) "the ick."
- I did not mind "Hand to Mouth."
Black Sabbath
4/5
- Knew I enjoyed Black Sabbath. Did not realize how innovative they could often be. The complete musical gear shift when the first track transitions from "Wheels of Confusion" to "The Straightener" is sick.
- Would have liked to have seen the weirder elements ("FX") integrated into a song, but I appreciate these drug-addled dudes just keeping them on the album wherever.
Dusty Springfield
3/5
- The first two tracks are extremely solid. But I also feel that that is the high point.
- A couple of these ("Do Re Mi," "Colouring Book") feel more dated than fun. Springfield is often nice to listen to, but she is not grabbing me like a lot of soul singers from the era.
- "Twenty-Four Hours From Tulsa" is brutal af.
Neneh Cherry
2/5
- "Buffalo Stance" is extremely fun and also way more cohesive than any other track here. An ideal blend of vocals, rhythms, and electronica.
- Most of this album is just frustrating from a listening standpoint. Rhythms do not match. Melodies do not resolve. Rhymes do not rhyme. But these do not seem like intentional artistic choices or efforts to disrupt expectations. Instead it just feels like spaghetti being thrown at the wall?
- I did not mind "Kisses On The Wind" or "Outré Risqué Locomotive" (what a title).
Elis Regina
2/5
- When I lived in Korea, older people would constantly be listening to heavily dated, seemingly (to my ears) indistinguishable music that was a mixture of easy listening, crooner ballads, and disco, always in their native tongue. No disrespect, but it actually seems like many countries have something similar...this is just Brazil's version.
- Liked a track or two which felt like they may have had a more Latin flair?
- My experience was definitely hindered by having to listen to this on the increasingly dumb YouTube app filled with ads.
Heaven 17
3/5
- Enjoy the first three tracks despite them not being my "thing," per se. Especially appreciate them calling out Reagan as early as 1981.
- Definitely prefer the funkier "Pavement" half then the more electronic "Penthouse" half.
- Was most impressed by the bass. Then learned that that was just a session musician they added...so take from that what you will.
James Brown
5/5
- The musical equivalent of a drive-by. A short, frenetic burst of energy that practically forces you to dance.
- Everything is solid; "Lost Someone" is simply unreal, though.
- Brown is such a master of levels. Levels of pitch, levels of volume, levels of emotion -- no surprise he started in gospel.
Pink Floyd
4/5
- First half is a solid 5, despite the fact that I hate the children singing in "Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2." Engrossed and terrified by "Goodbye Blue Sky."
- Second half is solid at moments, but goes off the rails. Although I appreciate the anti-fascist commentary, it is a bit too tongue in cheek. And "The Trial" feels ripped out of a musical (and not in a good way).
- Enjoyed this more than The Dark Side of the Moon. Sue me.
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
- It feels like any album by Simon and Garfunkel is at least a 4 star effort, largely because the lyrics are so piercing and evocative.
- "The Dangling Conversation" was a new, thought-provoking discovery. I also found "Patterns," "Homeward Bound," and "A Poem on the Underground Wall" to be great additions (even if the lattermost song is silly in retrospect).
- Putting the 1966 news over the final track was a gut punch. Feels very true to now (i.e. March 2025).
Iron Maiden
3/5
- Iron Maiden is one of the metal bands I am most likely to turn to, but I have no familiarity with their earliest output. I am not shocked that it is relatively shallow and unrefined, which is not helped by Paul Di'anno's vocals just not standing up to the later Bruce Dickinson.
- Fun sound (the opening guitar work on "Prowler" to start the album is legit blood-pumping) and obvious skill, but this is just a fraction of what this band would grow to be.
Doves
3/5
- Temu Coldplay. Which sounds ruder than I intend, especially because I do not love Coldplay.
- Nothing here is bad; in fact, I find a lot of the diverse instrumentation legitimately interesting. But these tracks are fairly generic, which is not helped by Goodwin's vocals being the beigest of beige.
- Enjoyed "N.Y." and "Pounding."
The Killers
5/5
- If you want any white person under 40 to feel like the party is popping, turn on "Mr. Brightside." Even my students, who were born years after this album came out, know that song by heart.
- An album that I listened to more times than I can count in high school. Wild to think how popular this was and how new this sounded when it first hit the scene.
- Flowers is definitely the face of the band, but major props to the basslines in particular. The other members do not get enough credit for the musicality of these songs.
- The first five tracks go about as hard as that of any album you can imagine (shout out to "Smile Like You Mean It"). It then suffers a slight lull, but comes back strong. With only one or two exceptions (I never cared for "Andy, You're A Star" that much), you can see justifications for someone calling each track their favorite.
Muddy Waters
3/5
- I want to rate this higher, because I know Muddy Waters is a legend. But every blues track sounds like the same three songs to me. And even those blur together.
- I think "Deep Down In Florida" was my favorite?
Tori Amos
4/5
- This music is not written for me. But I appreciate it for giving me a glimpse into an experience decidedly not my own.
- Beautifully haunting, both in lyrics and tone.
- First few tracks are extremely solid, though I think the album takes a definite downturn with "Happy Phantoms" and "China." But "Me and a Gun" is so transcendentally devastating that I excuse those missteps.
Germs
2/5
- I like punk. But I also like melodies. And changing tempos. And being able to breathe for five seconds. So I am probably just a poser.
- Rough going for much of this, largely because Crash's vocals are intentionally scrubbing sandpaper on your eardrums.
- Did somewhat like the chunk from "Our Way" to "The Other Newest One."
- Looked up this band. They sound exhausting.
Blur
3/5
- Do not dislike anything here, but nothing stands out either. Every track should be in the background of a 90s coming-of-age drama, specifically b/c it does not draw attention to itself.
- Knew "Song 2" (who doesn't). "Strange News from Another Star" and "Movin' On" were pretty good.
- 3 stars for being pleasant, I guess?
Van Halen
3/5
- I like fun. But Van Halen in general, and this album in particular, is one speed of fun that never changes. This band almost demands that you do not go plunging for depth.
- "Jump" is probably the best track, if incredibly overplayed. "Panama" is also fun if you do not pay attention to the banality of the lyrics. And the drums at the top of "Hot for Teacher" are unique. That's all I got.
Cyndi Lauper
4/5
- The first four tracks are essentially perfect. Boisterous and energetic, but well-balanced by some solid emotion. ("Time After Time" is heavenly.)
- Loses a bit of steam after that, though I applaud the inclusion of "She Bop." Unfortunately the last few songs just make me want to skip back to the beginning rather than drag myself through the rest.
- Bonus point for the sheer amount of style ingrained in her performances.
Prefab Sprout
3/5
- Feast or famine here. Swinging from delightful 4-star ditties to incredibly dated, emotionally flat 1-star borefests.
- Tracks 2-5 ("Bonny" to "Goodbye Lucille #1) are all very solid and I find myself entranced. Unfortunately these are buttressed by the cacophony of "Faron Young" and the painful "Hallelujah."
- Some hot spots beyond that, but for every fun twist in "Horsin' Around" there is a slog in "When The Angels."
- Sidenote: These lyrics are truly nonsensical. Usually does not bother me, but this is starting to go past interesting to silly.
Rush
3/5
- Surprised by how much I liked a couple of tracks on the first half of the album. "Red Barchetta" is unquestionably fun and "Limelight" is poignant without feeling pretentious. "Tom Sawyer" is fine; too much keyboard for my taste.
- Very much lose interest in the latter half. Not a huge prog rock fan to begin with and the more electronic elements began to grid on my nerves.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
- Once again, I find myself not being totally onboard with Zeppelin, but just as much realizing that I have to respect their sound. I find their whole vibe somewhat dire (in a good, pulse-pounding way), which is interesting given how bright some of these lyrics are. It ended up giving a lot of the album an underlying irony in my mind.
- Plant's vocals are so well-suited to rock. I do not think they jive as well with the softer second half of this album, but the first half is very solid.
- Thought about giving this only 3 stars, but "Immigrant Song" may be the best rock song ever written? So that alone bumps it up.
Violent Femmes
4/5
- "Blister In The Sun" is from 1983!? It was on alt-rock radio in the 00s and I assumed it was only a few years old!
- Raw, cutting, and beautifully simplistic in its instrumentation while being joyously complex in the arrangements. The bass and the drums do wonders here.
- The first half is stronger (adore "Kiss Off"), but I gotta give credit for always trying new ideas. The xylophone in "Gone Daddy Gone" is pretty gimmicky, though.
Fugazi
3/5
- Huge respect for Fugazi's ideals and their commitment to them. When I think of artists using their platform in effective ways, Fugazi is always in the front of the pack.
- Like the underlying sound. Hard-hitting without being frenetic. But I do wish that their political stances were more clearly apparent in the songwriting. Yes, there are references, but I would not be shocked if it went completely over the heads of those who listened.
- Like a lot of punk, many of the tracks start blending together.
Milton Nascimento
3/5
- I cannot gauge this properly because I am so culturally separated from this music. That being said, there were a couple of moments that sounded like a grasp towards the Beatles more eastern moments (the "Nº 1" tracks) and I was delighted to see that that was in fact a major influence.
- Like both tracks with "trem" (train) in the title. Not sure what that says about me.
Electric Light Orchestra
3/5
- A clear example of overindulgence. There are some wonderful tracks on here (namely "Turn to Stone" and the beautifully smooth "Sweet Talkin' Woman") and thank God they are near the front or else they would be buried in the hour-plus of this unnecessary double album.
- ELO often has a cool sound, particularly with their clean vocal harmonies and use of additional, frequently odd instrumentation. But then they fall into these repetitive traps -- looking at you, "It's Over."
Paul Simon
2/5
- Huge respect to the African artists Simon worked with. And "You Can Call Me Al" is fun to dance to. But god...Simon just seems like an insufferable twat.
- Apparently there were concerns of cultural appropriation and musical imperialism...how could there not be? It is hard to listen to some of these when you recognize that there is a white American at the center directing everyone else.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
- He can be annoyingly saccharine and many of his fans seem to see nothing but the surface of his songs, but Springsteen just hits many of the right buttons for me.
- A lot of stellar tracks on here: the rage-filled "Born in the USA." The sensual "I'm On Fire" (great earworm of a guitar riff). The beautiful nostalgia of "Bobby Jean." And the wonderfully hopeful and nervous "Dancing In the Dark."
- "My Hometown" may be one of the most subtly depressing songs ever recorded.
- A bit too hokey for me to give 5 stars, but an argument can be made for a solid 4.5. I sing too many of these songs at karaoke to say otherwise.
Dinosaur Jr.
5/5
- Pure bangers from start to finish. A lush soundscape of guitars and pained vocals with occasional harsh but electrifying overtones.
- Impossible to hear this and not see exactly where grunge would emerge. That entire movement sounds like it might as well just be this sound.
- Hard for me to identify many "best of" tracks (which is usually a negative), but I am so engaged by the whole thing that I cannot complain. I would probably lean toward "Little Fury Things," "Sludgefest," "Tarpit", and "In a Jar."
- "Poledo" is mesmerizing.
Robbie Williams
2/5
- In the year of our Lord 2024, a biopic came out about Robbie Williams. He was played by a mo-cap chimpanzee. Got great reviews but bombed hard at the box office. Every Brit in existence was shocked to hear that Robbie Williams was essentially unheard of in America. This album demonstrates why.
- A bizarre mishmash of mediocre U2, mediocre Michael Bublé, and mediocre Beck. (Do you really think you can pull off the vibraslap, Robbie?)
- Legitimately enjoyed "One of God's Better People." Legitimately despised "Life Thru A Lens" (the track).
- The hidden track is an almost humiliating example of letting someone live in your head. You are an adult, Robbie...grow up, man.
- Rounding up from 1.5 stars. One feels mean and I am admittedly biased by the sheer audacity of the whole chimp film narrative.
The Smiths
3/5
- Once again, unoffended but also unimpressed.
- The Smiths' unwillingness to ever shift rhythms or tones when a song starts irks me. They just hit a pattern and it does not change until the next song starts.
- "Well I Wonder" was a welcome change due to its more solid bass. I also appreciated the opening bravado and important message of "The Headmaster Ritual."
- Appreciate the sentiment of "Meat Is Murder," but it is heavy-handed and not exactly an enjoyable listen.
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
- Absolutely wild that you can just listen to the lesser known tracks of this album and still have a groundbreaking experience. The diversity of styles is unreal.
- Obviously Hendrix's guitar is the highlight; his use of distortion is a miracle to listen to. But his voice also brings a lot to the table and kudos to Redding and Mitchell (the other members of the Experience) for bringing their A-games.
Deerhunter
3/5
- Totally pleasant, but I have listened to this album a half-dozen times now (typically while working) and I am not sure I could say anything distinguishing about it. It washes over you...not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing.
- I think "Revival" is my favorite?
Kings of Leon
3/5
- My instinct is to give this 4 stars. Nothing revolutionary, but the four track combo that stretches from "Sex on Fire" to "Revelry" is about as solid as 00s rock got.
- Buuuuuttttt "17".....yeesh.
- Will always have a soft spot for "Use Somebody." The best track, bar none.
Mike Ladd
3/5
- The dense soundscape of this album is enticing and lush. Not sure it should result in a 10 minute electronic track smack-dab in the middle, but I appreciate the balls to do that.
- The final track ("Feb. 4 '99") singlehandedly cements this as a 3. Honestly more like a 3.5. Impactful and still sadly relevant .
- Was very turned off by "Bladerunners" because 99% of the commentary felt sexualized. But it ends with some interesting social comparisons?
Christina Aguilera
3/5
- Have to highlight the diversity of styles put on display here. Somewhat works against the record as a whole, but the eclectic mix is fun.
- Some stellar tracks on here, namely "Impossible," "Beautiful," "Cruz," and even "Dirrty."
- Thought I preferred more somber Christina, but did not care for "I'm OK."
- Why is this so long? Some of these tracks are over 6 minutes.