451
Albums Rated
3.17
Average Rating
41%
Complete
638 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1950s
Favorite Decade
Metal
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
52
5-Star Albums
18
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born To Be With You
Dion
|
5 | 2.62 | +2.38 |
|
Next
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
|
5 | 2.72 | +2.28 |
|
Greetings From L.A.
Tim Buckley
|
5 | 2.86 | +2.14 |
|
Ctrl
SZA
|
5 | 2.92 | +2.08 |
|
Highly Evolved
The Vines
|
5 | 3.03 | +1.97 |
|
Under Construction
Missy Elliott
|
5 | 3.14 | +1.86 |
|
Django Django
Django Django
|
5 | 3.21 | +1.79 |
|
Bongo Rock
Incredible Bongo Band
|
5 | 3.26 | +1.74 |
|
The Predator
Ice Cube
|
5 | 3.26 | +1.74 |
|
1989
Taylor Swift
|
5 | 3.27 | +1.73 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Illinois
Sufjan Stevens
|
1 | 3.49 | -2.49 |
|
Five Leaves Left
Nick Drake
|
1 | 3.47 | -2.47 |
|
Come Away With Me
Norah Jones
|
1 | 3.39 | -2.39 |
|
You Want It Darker
Leonard Cohen
|
1 | 3.34 | -2.34 |
|
Technique
New Order
|
1 | 3.17 | -2.17 |
|
Woodface
Crowded House
|
1 | 3.1 | -2.1 |
|
London Calling
The Clash
|
2 | 3.98 | -1.98 |
|
Who's Next
The Who
|
2 | 3.91 | -1.91 |
|
Picture Book
Simply Red
|
1 | 2.88 | -1.88 |
|
Apple Venus Volume 1
XTC
|
1 | 2.85 | -1.85 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Radiohead | 6 | 4.67 |
| Led Zeppelin | 3 | 4.67 |
| The Doors | 2 | 5 |
| Pink Floyd | 2 | 5 |
| Johnny Cash | 2 | 5 |
| Red Hot Chili Peppers | 2 | 5 |
| The White Stripes | 3 | 4.33 |
| Michael Jackson | 3 | 4.33 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Robert Wyatt | 2 | 1.5 |
| Talking Heads | 3 | 2 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Tim Buckley | 2, 5 |
| Queen | 3, 5, 2 |
5-Star Albums (52)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Queen
2/5
This album has your typical Queen operatic flow. The songs don’t give you much “thinking room” between songs as they seem to just move from one to another.
The 1st noteworthy song is The Loser in the End and that’s not even Freddie singing.
This is the 2nd Queen album that has left me with something to be desired. There just isn’t anything special to it. Maybe I was spoiled by cutting my teeth on their greatest hits.
Choice cut: The Loser in the End
3 likes
Suicide
3/5
Imagine really liking this band as an early teen and asking your parents for the album? My mom thought Kiss were devil music so I would have been sent to the loonie bin.
Anywho….
This first 2 songs are sort of trancelike. Not that it puts me in a trance but it reminds me of trance music.
I do like this, 3 songs in. It would then pass the album buying quota.
This is what Lou Reed would sound like if he had so positivity in his voice.
This is decent in a slow moving spaces out way. Be high when listening to this
1 likes
The Louvin Brothers
4/5
Old, old country. That’s what this is.
Sad but happy sounding old time country music.
I hate to cut this short but that’s all you need to know.
Do you like a drum beat that goes bass, snare, snare?
Yea? Well then there you go.
Nothing wrong with this album in my opinion other than lacking a “blow it out of the water” track.
Choice cut: In the Pines
1 likes
FKA twigs
1/5
I’m open to all types of music but this doesn’t satisfy in any way. There’s no momentum to it, there’s no stand out song. It’s like it’s meant to be music for wales. Her voice often stays in the higher tone as she rambles over a collage of musical instruments. If this was the album that got her noticed then excuse me, I have music to make.
1 likes
Elliott Smith
2/5
This one I just couldn’t get in to. I’m all for dark, slow, brooding music and artists but I found myself not listening and trailing off with my thoughts more than I heard the music. As always, respect to Elliot Smith but not my thing.
Choice cut:2:45 am
1 likes
1-Star Albums (18)
All Ratings
AC/DC
3/5
Not bad. I don’t go out of my way to listen to AC/DC but I respect them.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Another album from a band I respect but I’m not all that into. Not knowing where this album sits in regards to the year it was released in the bands catalog, it feels as if they had already made it big and this was a “B-Sides” release. My choice cut was Sweet Virginia.
Radiohead
4/5
Being OK Computer obsessed, Kid A really disappointed me at first. It took numerous listens, a few years away and an open mind to come around to this album. It’s good. It doesn’t have a specific place or time for me where I’m in a situation where I need to hear it but I’d listen and have listened to it on my own free will.
Choice cut: Treefingers.
George Harrison
4/5
This album made me firmly believe that George Harrison was the Beatles. I would say this is a lounge out on your back deck type album or something you put on right before you pick up the acoustic and write a new song. I may not go back to this album in the next 5 years but I will listen to more pre-80’s George, that’s for sure. Choice cut: My Sweet Lord
Al Green
3/5
Another not bad album. There’s nothing bad about it. I don’t think a person could ever dislike a soul album, if that what it would be called. I’d listen to it while doing random chores around the house.
Choice cut: I’ve Never Found a Girl
Elliott Smith
2/5
This one I just couldn’t get in to. I’m all for dark, slow, brooding music and artists but I found myself not listening and trailing off with my thoughts more than I heard the music. As always, respect to Elliot Smith but not my thing.
Choice cut:2:45 am
Queen
3/5
With no background searching done on this album, I feel like it’s written for theater. It’s not what I expected from only listening to their Greatest Hits. There weren’t any awful songs, it’s just that nothing really stuck though In the Lap of the Gods was enjoyable.
Choice Cut: Killer Queen
The Electric Prunes
1/5
This one really confused me. I don’t know anything about this band and I didn’t hear anything special on the album that would make me even slightly believe it was one of the top albums of all time. Musically it was fine but nothing overly stood out.
The Mamas & The Papas
4/5
This was good. Easy listening. Great harmonies. I have always wanted to hear more than their big songs.
Choice cut: California Dreaming
Beatles
4/5
A solid early Beatles album. I often wonder how they made such a big transition from holding hands and love is everything to the stuff on the White Album and beyond. Drugs probably but bless those drugs. This album is just your classic early Beatles sound. I really liked being able to hear the acoustic guitar throughout the album. I don’t know if that was turned up higher than everything else or not.
This isn’t an every day listen album but it wouldn’t piss anyone off if you were playing it loud outside.
Choice cut: Any Time at All
Roxy Music
3/5
It’s like David Bowie, Iggy Pop and Lou Reed had a love child. I’m not sure what the thing about Roxy Music is that makes them influential but I also don’t agree with it after listening to this album. I won’t go to it again but I would listen to more
Eels
3/5
I’m not sure how I stumbled onto the Eels but I did and I’m thankful. I don’t know where to classify the Eels and I don’t know what most of their songs are supposed to be about but I dig it. I wouldn’t give them 5 stars for any album or song but I don’t think they could ever fail. This album keeps you moving and could be the soundtrack for any low key event you may be a part of.
Choice cut: Manchild
FKA twigs
1/5
I’m open to all types of music but this doesn’t satisfy in any way. There’s no momentum to it, there’s no stand out song. It’s like it’s meant to be music for wales. Her voice often stays in the higher tone as she rambles over a collage of musical instruments. If this was the album that got her noticed then excuse me, I have music to make.
B.B. King
4/5
At first I just didn’t care. A live album??? Then I listened. The best part is the interaction with the crowd and just hearing the pure enjoyment in their response. I actually felt like I was seeing BB live. This is just an enjoyable album.
Choice cut: How Blue Can You Get
Wu-Tang Clan
4/5
You can’t go wrong when an album starts with ODB and Method Man. This is back when rap/hip hop was at peak performance. Flow and samples reigned supreme instead of the crap that is out there now. I couldn’t tell you what any of the songs are about, other than maybe Method Man is about….Method Man. This could be one long track for all I care, it just moves from track to track effortlessly.
Choice cut: Method Man
Jeff Beck
3/5
I never research an album so I can form my own opinions. Jeff Beck sounds like Rod Stewart and the he does a song with Rod so maybe I knew that? This isn’t bad but it’s not a returnable album for me. There are hints of a Hendrix sound on the album which is cool. The songs don’t really stand out from each other but Jeff Beck released quite a few albums so he has a reason to be where he is in rock history. It’s just not my trajectory.
Choice cut: Rock my Plimsoul
William Orbit
1/5
Classic 90’s dance/techno/electronics sound. At first I could picture 90’s Duran Duran playing over the music. The songs here don’t seem to separate themselves from the next one. The usual “dead air” occurs between the songs so you know a new song has come on but the tempo doesn’t change. This album could be used as music for when you are on the phone and are on hold.
Wilco
3/5
Wilco reminds me of The Lemonheads. If you don’t know who they are then how about Bright Eyes with less lyrical genius behind them? If you still don’t know, give this a listen on a low key day. It’s not a bad album. It kept me teetering on “do I skip this song or keep listening?”
I may not listen to Wilco again but I’ve officially taken a far step away from my original belief that Wilco sucked.
Choice cut: Misunderstood
The Flaming Lips
2/5
I understand the hype around the Flaming Lips and I also don’t. Their live shows seem like they are more entertaining than listening to the music but then again, maybe they both need to be experienced together. I’d place the Lips in the same category as The Eels. Musically pleasing, lyrically confusing at times. You can go on a journey with this album but I’m not sure where to. I’d listen to more from them.
Choice cut: Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Pt 1
The White Stripes
3/5
With the White Stripes, you always hear songs that could have been on earlier albums. That’s what makes them so good. If you like one album, you like them all. This isn’t their best album. If you haven’t listened to The White Stripes before, start at the first album and work your way in.
Choice cut: My Doorbell
Boston
3/5
The album production is on point. Every instrument sounds at peak performance. I don’t know who was inspired by Boston but I can hear the sound of bands like The Darkness, Bullet for my Valentine and Baroness.
This isn’t an album for someone who doesn’t like guitar driven, fast paced music. You’d be hard pressed to find an Elliot Smith fan putting on Boston when they want to change it up.
I’m impressed enough to listen to more by them.
Choice Cut: Peace of Mind
Pavement
3/5
Pavement have perfected the combination of having a singer that can’t really sing and a band that play slightly out of tune. They’ve turned that combo into album of songs you almost want to skip but you don’t. This album flows nicely together. There aren’t any top 10 songs but that’s not Pavements style. At least that’s what I’ve gotten from listen to 1 album plus 2 other songs.
I have frequently thought to myself that I need to listen to more from this band. Again I have that thought after hearing Unfair.
Choice cut: Unfair
Dr. Octagon
2/5
I miss hip hop albums with sound clips/bytes in them. It made the music more enjoyable. I have always said that I could tell a movie was going to be good if there was a sex scene right away. I now wonder if albums can go the same way. Let’s listen…
Well, the beats are pretty good, the delivery is good for the style of hip hop but it’s not for me. I like a Method Man, Bushwick Bill, Dr.Dre delivery.
Choice cut: Earth People
Portishead
2/5
In my early days of sexual relations with the ladies, I’d always put slow burning songs on to make the mood right. This album would do it. It won’t make you stop mid thrust and say “Ooooo I like this song” but you’d still think it. Aside from Glory Box, that’s a stop thrusting track
Choice Cut: Glory Box
Elvis Costello
3/5
This album isn’t bad. It’s good background music. I found myself doing other things while it was on and not really being drawn to what each song is about. It all seems to blend well together and there are no drastic changes in one song to the other. I don’t think I’d listen to Elvis Costello again but that’s just based on taste
Choice cut: Blame it on Cain
Scritti Politti
2/5
There is definitely a lack of bass on this album. A classic 80’s sounding album. On the other hand, there isn’t anything really catchy with the songs. It really seems like they were greatly fortunate in getting a hit with Perfect Way.
Oddly enough, that song was the only song that broke them from the same monotonous sound.
Choice Cut: Perfect Way
Stevie Wonder
3/5
The album starts off slow and just kind of messy. Living for the City finally caught my attention about half way through the song. I really liked the vocal onslaught that came just before the talking came. Higher Ground really picked up the feel and momentum of the album, that alone deserves a star for helping me understand its greatness.
All in Love is Fair was a nice change from the funk sound to a piano driven one. This album got better as it went on. It’s better than I thought it was going to be.
Choice Cut: All in Love is Fair
Sly & The Family Stone
4/5
For some reason I thought Sly and the Family Stone would sound like a more poppy sounding funk band and I wasn’t looking forward to it. I was wrong. Much like Funkadelic, I got sucked into this sound immediately. My only qualm about this band is the one guy who has a voice that reminds me of a voice that sang in a bunch of Sesame Street songs. For example, in Higher that voice sings “sound is there to help you groove”. Not a fan. Anyways, this is a good album. It’s been so long since I’ve heard an above 3 star album since taking part in this program. I want to give this a 4.5 but I can’t. I’m not done listening yet so my score of 4 can’t go down. I’ll be listening to more by these guys for sure.
Sex Machine is an instrumental journey
Choice cut: Don’t Call Me….
Elliott Smith
3/5
The vocals sound like he recorded this himself when he was trying out GarageBand for the first time. The music is a tad bit more upbeat than his first album.
There still isn’t much to Elliott Smith for me. I can make it through this album. That’s at least a passing grade for me.
Choice Cut: Easy Way Out
The Avalanches
4/5
Frontier Psychiatrist brought me to this band. An unbelievable song that is only great if you watch the video. I really liked this album. Not all of it but most of it. My only issue with this type of music is where do you play it? It seems like it’s fit to have its songs remixed into some dancehall anthem and that’s ok. I can hear it.
You won’t want to play this at a wedding or while you are pregame drinking but you’ll want to play it if pure lyrical singing isn’t your thing. If anything, listen to my choice cut, watch the video and repeat.
Choice Cut: Frontier Psychiatrist
Air
3/5
This is one of those albums you can say is good but you can’t explain why. It’s pleasant to listen to is the best I can come up with.
Sexy Boy does stand out head and shoulders above the rest.
I don’t think I can explain my passing grade for this album. It’s a middle of the road compilation of songs that don’t make me feel emotions at all and I like that.
Choice Cut: Sexy Boy
Destiny's Child
3/5
I just have no interest in listening to this.
I can’t stand people that come off like they they think they are the greatest. Well, aside from Oasis.
Beyoncé is very unlikeable.
I am giving this 3 stars because I don’t doubt it’s ok. I’m just not listening.
Slade
4/5
So, Quiet Riot could have covered any of their songs it seems.
This was a decent album. It’s a party album where everyone is sitting around drinking or drugging. No dancing. I’ll give other albums a listen after this. I’ll be giving this a 4 but it could have easily been a 4.5 if that option was there.
Choice Cut: Gudbuy T’Jane
Tracy Chapman
3/5
A great quality sounding album. Nothing is overdone or not needed. The songs are simple and to the point. This is a Sunday afternoon soundtrack for sitting outside on a summer day or when the world is burning down.
Choice Cut: Fast Car
Van Halen
3/5
When Van Halen are good, they are good and when they are bad, they are bad but not terrible. You definitely have to be into a certain sound to really dig these guy or this album. I’m not a huge Van Halen fan but I have respect for the work, regardless of who is singing for them. This album isn’t disappointing, it has some lesser known bangers.
Choice Cut: Panama
The Beta Band
2/5
These guys sound like Pink Floyd if Pink Floyd didn’t know how to write catchy songs.
I guess that’s all I can say about this album.
Choice cut: Human Being
Isaac Hayes
4/5
I love the guitar on Walk on By. So much so that I will learn to play it myself.
The album wears down around By the
Time I Get to Phoenix, at least through 3/4 of the song, then it gets good again. It’s a decent album
Choice Cut: Walk on By
Eurythmics
3/5
A classic 80’s album that can be remixed time and time again to keep its place in history. Then again, that hasn’t been done so what do I know. This isn’t a disappointment but I’m just not fully invested.
Choice Cut: Sweet Dreams
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
This seems like a “get moving” album. The songs flow together well without them sounding like one long song. The well known hits on this album do separate themselves from the rest of the songs but the “unknowns” hold up fairly well. This isn’t a jaw dropping album but it also hasn’t made me skip a song, even on the expanded edition.
Choice Cut: Wrote a Song for Everyone
Beatles
3/5
This album isn’t as groundbreaking as I thought it was going to be. It’s actually quite mellow, even with the more upbeat sounding songs. This album wouldn’t have made me the fan I am today. I do enjoy the dueling earphone sound this album was recorded with. Meaning different sounds are coming from the left and right side. This isn’t their best album by far
Choice Cut: Yellow Submarine
Stephen Stills
3/5
Bluesy, light rockish and good music production on this one. This album is a soundtrack for some people I’m sure but I just don’t find myself getting carried away in its musical offerings.
Choice cut: Anyway
ABBA
4/5
This was surprisingly better than I thought it would be. Obviously keyboard driven, at least in my mind, it fairs well against other 4 star albums I’ve rated. I think starting off with a 6 minute song was ballsy but it has me going back to it. Soldiers kind of kills the appeal for me but it was short lived. The album seems to be best fit for Broadway . Most of the songs come off less disco’y than Dancing Queen.
I really think this should be a 3.5 star album actually. It’s better than the 3 star albums I’ve dished out but not better than the 4 star.
Choice cut: The Visitors
Paul Simon
3/5
Well, this is exactly what I figured a Paul Simon album would sound like. Peaceful, hippy, smoke a joint, dance poorly and not give a shit about life for a moment. I like that ideology but not to this soundtrack.
This isn’t terrible but it doesn’t get me moving like it should . I don’t have a choice cut because it all sounds the same
Kraftwerk
5/5
It doesn’t take long to hear their influence on the industrial music scene and bands like Nine Inch Nails.
I am giving this a 5 star. I do wish that the vocals were a little louder and that there was a song I could add to my “driving in the city” playlist. It’s a 5 star because it was just an easy to listen to album that never once made me want to skip to the next song. That matters.
Choice Cut: The Model
Bobby Womack
4/5
I don’t know who came first but I’d call this Barry White lite. I just like this type of music so I’m really not sure what it would take for me to be blown away.
There are no songs to be skipped. There really isn’t any songs to get you moving, other than to have sex. It’s actually more of a warm up before you put Barry White on to “drive it home”.
Choice cut: Where Do We Go from Here
The Beach Boys
3/5
Surf music at its peak. I don’t think I really need to explain this album anymore. If you don’t know who The Beach Boys are….well….I’m not sure you’ll like them then. I do. It’s not Pet Sounds but it is their sound.
Choice Cut: Help Me Rhonda
Hanoi Rocks
3/5
These guys could be the worst band in the world but as long as they have Andy McCoy, they will always have legendary status.
I feel like this band’s trajectory would have been different if they had only come out after Appetite for Destruction. No songs need to be skipped but I don’t think any of them could have skyrocketed these guys into superstardom either. It’s just a middle of the pack album.
Choice cut: Tooting Bec Wreck
Metallica
4/5
For me, this type of music makes me feel like listening to it, even if I didn’t know I wanted to hear it originally.
Choice Cut: Master of Puppets
David Bowie
3/5
Classic David Bowie as in lyrically confusing but musically pleasing. I’d have to place this album with most of his other albums. Meaning, it’s not groundbreaking, it’s not hit after hit and I wouldn’t be a fan after listening to the whole thing. I guess I’m a greatest hits Bowie fan. His legendary status is what keeps me coming back for more.
Choice Cut: The Stars
Mekons
2/5
This sounds like Syd Barrett trying to sound like the 80’s versions of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones if the Beatles had made it that far.
More than once while listening to this album I thought to myself “what the fuck?”.
I’ve liked some albums that others have not liked. I guess the tables turned on this one.
Choice Cut: Hard to be Human Again
Devendra Banhart
2/5
Weird hippy shit. I’ve heard worse. I’ve heard way better
No choice cut
Haircut 100
2/5
This album is very 80’s and very much a cabana on the beach soundtrack. It’s like Culture Club minus the guy with the long hair who looks like a girl.
This album is just happy song after happy song with Seinfeld bass playing in the background. It’s not for me.
I need a splash of depression to brighten my day
Choice cut: Milk Film…..I guess
Soundgarden
4/5
The album is good but with Soundgarden I have always felt like you could tell the difference between the hits and the others. The benefit here is that the “others” are still listen worthy they just don’t blow you away.
Choice Cut: the Day I Tried to Live
Public Enemy
4/5
This has pretty much everything I like hearing in a hip hop album that isn’t an affiliate of NWA. I don’t really know how to sell it in a review, I just know that I enjoyed it enough for 4 stars.
Choice Cut: 911 is a Joke
Lauryn Hill
4/5
Shitty attitude, good collection of songs.
Choice cut: Can’t Take my Eyes off of You
CHIC
2/5
I’m guessing they had a lot of faith in Good Times being a big hit because leading off an album with an almost 9 minute song is insane if your name isn’t Pink Floyd.
Randy Newman
3/5
The Toy Story movies ruined this guy but also made his career. Every song on this album made me picture an animated character running through his life from song start to finish. That’s all that I can think of.
This isn’t an easy to listen to album because of that but it’s not bad
Choice Cut: Guilty
Miles Davis
3/5
Jazz is just too un emotional for me. I respect it but I can’t get through an album of it.
Gorillaz
3/5
I remember thinking that Damon Alburn had lost his mind when he started this band. These guys are one of those bands that have really good songs and not good at all songs.
Choice cut: 5/4
Willie Nelson
3/5
I expected more from this album since I had heard such high regard for it. There really isn’t anything special that separated Willie from anyone else in country at the time.
It’s enjoyable. Just middle of the pack.
Choice cut: Time of the Preacher
The Icarus Line
3/5
This is noise. Not bad noise but the noise level stays consistent from one song to another through the first half of the album. That to me, doesn’t separate the songs from one another like I personally like to hear. That also means that there really isn’t a stand out song.
Later listening and they remind me of Jet. So if you like Jet, these guys may be for you.
Choice cut: Caviar
Arcade Fire
4/5
This is good. The singers voice is a little whiney but not unbearable. Maybe it’s because I know these guys are Canadian that holds me back from being all in.
I’d give other albums a listen. There’s good flow from track to track. The music is catchy and crisp. Lyrically It’s not simple which is a bonus.
Choice cut: Crown of Love
Ray Charles
3/5
This is exactly what you’d think Ray Charles is. Fun, catchy and full of energy.
I am not excited to listen to it. Not my type of music but it’s not terrible.
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
I thought I had heard and had seen every Hendrix record there was out there. Guess not, even with a few known songs on this album.
As far as a review goes, I hate to say it so much but again, this whole album is exactly what you’d expect from this artist. Beautiful, innovated guitar playing, solid musicianship from the rest of the band.
It’s not hit after hit but aside from “Exp” all the songs are hovering around the hit category.
Choice Cut: Little Wing
3/5
Blur to me seems a perfect example of a band that couldn’t put their money where their mouth is. The cockiness and battles that Damon Alburn and Oasis had were great but musically it’s a fail for Blur.
The songs on this album aren’t terrible. They almost have an 80’s sound, like if the Pet Shop Boys played guitar. That’s ok but I don’t think this one will get more than 3 stars from me, which is my going rate these days it seems.
Choice Cut: For Tomorrow
Roxy Music
2/5
When I was a kid I loved looking at this album cover. That’s at least 2 stars so far .
Out of the Blue really turned this album from sounding like one long song to a nice mix of musical ear candy.
This is a strange album. It can jump from 80’s synth to circusey to medieval .
It does make me wonder is Jarvis Cocker was influenced by these guys. I feel like this could be a Pulp album.
I prefer their first album over this one. If I had to pick a first listen for someone this wouldn’t be it. It will fall in my typical 3 star album review. That’s my “so-so” category.
Choice cut: Out of the Blue
David Bowie
4/5
This sounds like it’d be a side 2 of a double album for Labrynth .
I have mad respect for Bowie and most of the time I put on one of his albums, I’m left saying to myself “what the fuck are we doing here”? As in I have no idea what direction this album is going and I have no idea how he released a song that sounds like utter trash to me. Not this album. I really enjoyed this one.
Warzawa…..not good
Choice cut: Sound and Vision
Paul McCartney and Wings
2/5
I was actually disappointed with this album without totally hating it. I just expected more Beatles sounding songs instead of Simon and Garfunkel sounding songs.
I passed on this before it was completely finished.
Choice cut: Band on the Run
Charles Mingus
2/5
I listened but not enough but enough where I know I’m just not a jazz guy. I’m sure it’s decent for a jazz album.
PJ Harvey
3/5
I’m surprised that this album is a required listen given that PJ Harvey seemed to be past her prime by 2011.
There is something good about this album. I’ve stayed engaged with every song. Some songs bordering on “not listenable” but not quite there.
Choice Cut: These are the Words that Maketh Murder
2/5
I never thought I’d listen to a DEVO album and here I am hearing 2 in one year. I don’t know, I don’t get it. I’m not impressed by them. The album started off promising with the first song (Uncontrollable Urge). Then followed probably one of the worst covers I had ever heard.
It’s not a terrible album, it’s just not one that I could really enjoy. I’m done listening to DEVO and I’m ok with it.
Choice cut: mongoloid
The Doors
5/5
This album is a ride. Well, for the times I guess it’s a trip. Drops of blues, flamenco, rock and love songs to boot. I did often find myself wondering “what does that mean” when listening to songs but I guess that is the poetic side of the doors that you hear about. This album would do nothing but make me want to explore more.
Choice Cut: Maggie McGill
MGMT
4/5
This one is interesting. When the songs “hit”, they “hit”. The ones that don’t aren’t disappointing, there is just a separation of likability. Having 4 charting songs on an album can’t be denied and liking those songs merits a higher rating than my “norm”. I will give more of their stuff a listen. It has an enjoyable mix of radio, obscure and deep songs to make me wonder more about them.
Choice cut: Time to Pretend
Led Zeppelin
4/5
This one is very blusey compared to what I know of the rest of their stuff. I’m well aware that the blues heavily influenced these guys, it just really stands out in this album. I feel like this album was meant for them. As in they made something that they wanted to make without thinking of selling records . It’s just solid from front to back. The only complaint is that there wasn’t a song where I felt the need to go back to.
Choice cut: Trampled Under Foot
Hole
4/5
Did Kurt really write this album for Courtney? It sure damn seems like this is a female version of Nirvana. You know what though? It works. This is prime female grunge. If you like grunge, give this a go. If you prefer Adele, turn away …..fast
Choice cut: Doll Parts
Bob Dylan
2/5
The album titles screams “hey, I wanna hold your hand” Beatles type music from Bob Dylan. Then you press play and you are lightly socked in the mouth with protest music.
I couldn’t get through this one. I’m all for slow, acoustic driven music but there is no change in the delivery of each song as it passes by. That’s probably just Bob Dylan at this time of his life but that life isn’t for me
Scott Walker
2/5
This guy is what I’d call an experimental Frank Sinatra. By that I mean, instead of clearly laid out songs and well thought out lyrics, Scott writes a bunch of lines, tears the lines up in strips, drops them in a hat and writes his songs by pulling those strips of paper out one by one. It’s like if druggy David Bowie wrote lounge music. I didn’t turn it off but I also don’t remember it a day later
James Brown
3/5
Rarely do I enjoy live albums anymore but this is now 2 for 2 on live albums through this site. This is great background music that from time to time stops you in your tracks and just has you grooving to what it has to offer.
Choice cut: I Don’t Mind
Janelle Monáe
2/5
I’m glad this isn’t an album based off of the first track (suite II overture) , I thought “no f’n way am I going to get through this”. Then again, the rest of the album isn’t for me either. I can’t put my finger on the style of this album either. You have classical, you have disco, you have soul, you have pop and you have a song that sounds like a James Bond theme song…. That’ll be my choice cut I think.
This really isn’t me more than it’s not a listenable album.
Choice cut: Sir Greendown
The Rolling Stones
4/5
If I were to listen to the Stones for the first time, I would have hoped it would be this one. This is solid, not perfect but solid. Lady Jane seems like a throwaway song .
Choice cut: Paint it Black
The Isley Brothers
5/5
That Lady Pt 1&2 is a perfect song to start an album with in my opinion. The jam during the last half of the song had me almost hitting the back button just to listen to it again. I didn’t do that because I remembered that Spotify are assholes and only pay the artist if you listen to the song completely. The thought was there though, that’s how much I appreciated that song.
This is a great album for the genre. I wouldn’t hold it up to an album like Radiohead - Ok Computer or different genre 5 star albums but this is perfect for its class
Choice cut: That Lady pt 1&2
The The
3/5
3 songs deep and this isn’t even remotely close to how I thought it was going to be. Instead of avant- grade style music where words are thrown against a cheesy 80’s beat, you get quality 80’s beats with talking heads type of delivery. So far so good!
By The Twilight Hour I grew tired of listening. No fault of their own, I didn’t hate this album at all but the most exciting it got can be heard in the first 4 songs.
Choice cut: uncertain smile
Big Brother & The Holding Company
4/5
This is sloppy blues but I mean that in a good way. Janis knew how to deliver a song through her singing.
This is a decent album, exactly how I thought listening to a full Big Brother album would be.
That probably doesn’t help someone reading this review but it justifies it to me.
Choice cut:piece of my Heart
Massive Attack
2/5
This was bland. The beats were there but it’s like they just didn’t want to add a little bit more flavor to shake the walls of whatever establishment you are listening to it in.
I’ve moved on
Frank Sinatra
3/5
This is a slow burn album, a very slow burn. Best suited for fine dining or the soundtrack to a black and white movie that was just recently discovered and it had no soundtrack.
This isn’t meant to be listened to at 530am during a work week.
On a positive note: Franks voice is on point and the music is perfect for the genre.
I just have to dip out early on this one.
Ananda Shankar
3/5
Sitars abound on this one. The name says middle eastern and to no shock so is the album. This was a different cover album than I have ever heard. It works.
I’m not sure where you would blast this at full volume but it’s good to say I’ve heard it.
Choice Cut:
Light My Fire
Talking Heads
2/5
I was not impressed with this album. One of my “things” is having songs change tempo and change from nearly track to track. This is one level to me. Sort of what it would be like if someone told these guys to play and sing when they are very tired and feeling sad.
Choice cut: The Big Country
Stevie Wonder
2/5
I was a little concerned with how this album would be when that first song came on. It sounded like a serious Eddie Murphy singing and that just doesn’t work for me.
I was wrong. Good
Not that this album works for me. It’s not a return listen album but gosh darn it, Stevie Wonder has quite a few great licks up his sleeve. I love the synthed keyboard or electric piano that he highlights somewhat frequently on his songs.
Choice cut: Heaven is 10 Zillion Light Years Away
Queen
5/5
This is quite the onslaught of musical experiences. Opera, childlike, get up and dance, rock and roll, soft songs??? Nice. I see why this is one of or is the album that put them on the map.
This should have been called A Night at the Funny Farm
But in a good sense. I was not displeased with this but what’s that matter to the 0-1 people that read this??
Choice cut: lazing on a Sunday Afternoon
Simply Red
1/5
This one was difficult to get through. It was sort of jazzy and what I like to call lazy pop. It doesn’t make me feel anything listening to it. The vocals are nasally to the point where I sometimes think “Red” is imitating Aaron Neville.
I’m assuming this is from the 80’s, I don’t recall reading it.
Choice Cut: Heaven
Guided By Voices
2/5
I expected this to be hippy music. Instead I got a somewhat noisy rock album that occasionally make me think that this is what the Beatles would sound like in the mid 90’s.
Drugs were probably big at this point in their careers.
This also could have been a Syd Barrett album.
This album was just a little on the positive side of not good.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
This is mellow but if you didn’t know that about Neil Young then I guess you do now.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s not all mellow but you’re not going to be destroying personal property in your own personal mosh pit.
All in all, this is an OK album. There are beautifully written songs and then there are songs that he really didn’t know what to say and just threw some words to the wind to see what God felt like saying.
If you know Neil then you know what to expect. That’s about all I’ve got.
Choice cut: Hey hey, my my (either one)
Gene Clark
4/5
How can I sun this up??
It’s what would happen if Bob Dylan sang over Jimmy Buffet music….
I liked this album. I’m afraid though that Gene Clark will get lost in my mind before I really dig deep into his life’s collection but what a fun first ride.
Maybe you’ll feel the same but you have to like acoustic almost protesty sounding songs.
Choice cut: White Light
Happy Mondays
2/5
To borrow from The Simpsons, about the Happy Mondays, I can tell you two things wrong with their name. Well, one I guess. Happy. It’s not very happy. More monotone. Nothing stands out. It’s not terrible in the sense that it shouldn’t be listened to. It’s just not what I’d highly rate.
Choice cut: Grandbags Funeral
Thundercat
2/5
First of all, I’m a big fan of album covers and when I see an awesome album cover, I listen to the band. This one would have caught my eye and I’m surprised I hadn’t seen it before.
Secondly, I thought the main voice on this album was going to be an aggressive sounding one, more like Ice T and not Andre 3000.
Thirdly, this seems like the type of band that the hippies who like Frank Zappa would be in to.
Fourthly, it’s a strange album if you already didn’t get the hint with the Frank Zappa mention.
Choice cut: Walk on By
Dire Straits
3/5
I’ve rarely heard an album where the 3 biggest tracks start off 1,2,3 but this does it. My old motto when CD’s were a thing was the rule of 3. If I liked 3 songs off of an album I would buy it. This makes the cut.
Well produced, everything comes off as the perfect pitch and tone and compliment each other perfectly. But it drops off after the big 3. There are splashes of Bob Dylan, Chris DeBerg, Toto and 80’s soft core porn music. To be fair, I could barely make it through the full songs. I am not calling this album terrible though, it’s just not for me
Choice Cut: So Far Away
Jethro Tull
4/5
Let me start by saying that their best album, by far, is Too Old to Rock and Roll, Too Young to Die. With that, I must hold this album up to that one when I give it my Michelin caliber grading.
So, yes, it follows the same formula as Too Young or perhaps Too Young follows the same formula as this.
I should hate this type of music. The flute being so overpowering in the songs should make these guys a niche, but it doesn’t and that’s why this is good.
I can’t really explain this album. The music in itself could carry it. It’s solid. I don’t find very many “bangers” as the kids say. Sometimes an album doesn’t need that. I’m sure people hate these guys but having an open mind goes a long way when listening to what I can assume every Jethro Tull album sounds like.
Choice cut: Aqualung
Kanye West
4/5
The first thing I remember about Kanye is the video for All Falls Down and the girl from Clueless walking around in it with hard nipples.
Anyways
This is classic Kanye, in my opinion he has not changed his style and delivery. If you find yourself a late blooming Kanye fan, you can rejoice in knowing that album 1 follows the same lines as whatever set of songs you liked later on in his career.
Choice cut: The New Workout Plan
Neil Young
4/5
Well, this is classic Neil. Maybe it’s just me but the album flows nicely from one song to another like it’s one big performance piece. Other than that, here it is, existing in the realm of good but with an unexplainable way of describing why it is good.
Choice cut: Speaking out
Barry Adamson
3/5
Live updates as we listen:
1. What’s going on? Did I press play?
2. Oh ok it’s James Bond type music
3. No, maybe it’s a Get Smart soundtrack with some sound bytes
4. The drums could be a Nine a inch Nails drum loop.
5. Soooo there’s no singing on this album I’m guessing .
6. Ya this is an instrumental album.
7. Ahhh soft core porn music…..in a scary looking house….
8. Oh look, is that a Prince song coming up??
9.skip
10. Nope, not a Prince cover
11. My opinion has been formed.
I can’t give this a low score like I gave Grimes. For what this is, it’s listenable. It’s different but it’s not so different it’s bad.
No choice cut
Fela Kuti
4/5
I’m just not an instrumental guy. On that note. This album sounds like the Superfly soundtrack if it had a sequel.
Funky jazz? Is that what a person would call it?
This album is short. Just enough for me to listen all the way through , which must be a record for how long I’ve listened to music with no words.
Decent
Choice cut: Mr. Follow Follow
David Bowie
3/5
Let’s face it here, David Bowie had better music when he was on drugs. This album could have been written by Stevie Wonder as in it has a very Stevie Wonder funk sound.
Solid musicianship, typical Bowie lyrics, great delivery.
I really can’t sit here and explain a Bowie album. Everyone knows who he is and how he sounds.
Choice cut: Fascination
The Stooges
4/5
This is punk in a somewhat family friendly way. Maybe PG-13.
You could have this album on in the background of really anything. Sex, cooking, driving, home showing…anything.
I don’t feel like there are any “singles” or “big hits” but they all make you enjoy your time spent with the album.
Choice cut: Fun House
Bill Callahan
3/5
Ahh yes an artist who straddles that line between spoken word and singing. It’s like it’s a Lou Reed album if Lou was slightly happier with life.
I would say that Bill Callahan is a lot less poetic than Lou Reed. Maybe he just didn’t do as many drugs. I don’t know. I’m flying off the cuff with my knowledge and thoughts of an artist.
It’s not bad for background music but you won’t be playing it at parties or using it as your main sample when you DJ
Choice cut: The Wind and the Dove
Booker T. & The MG's
3/5
Right away I’m shocked. The song Green Onions, I had always thought was “On the road again” by canned heat. I had never listened to Green Onions on my own and never really heard the whole song. Mind blown already!
Then Rinky Dink comes on and I didn’t realize these guys made that song.
I think I had these guys and Sly and the Family Stone mixed up. I was expecting some Soul/Funk/Disco type music and not fun smelling flowers hippy stuff. Either way, this is a win 2 songs in.
The only issues I have with this album are 1) there isn’t any singing on it
2) even though there isn’t singing on it, I still enjoy it so that tells me that I just don’t like jazz
Choice cut: Rinky Dink
Santana
4/5
I like bongos. That’s a start.
So, it’s apparent that if you have heard anything by Santana then you know what you are getting into with every album. Well, this album at least. It’s not an album you can hate, that’s for sure. I can only imagine what these guys were like to see at Woodstock, high as fuck. You, not them. You can easily be taken away by the jams that they break out in every song.
Choice cut: Oye Como va
Blood, Sweat & Tears
2/5
Starting off with a song that could easily be played by a Gelfling from The Dark Crystal isn’t what I’d call a “hot start” to an album.
This really doesn’t get better in my opinion. Again, as I’ve stated before, I can’t give this a 1 star because it is musically far better than that Grimes album I heard. It’s a 1 star as far as real artists go. Though I did like the musical breakdown of More and More.
Choice Cut: More and More
The Lemonheads
3/5
I’m a Lemonheads fans but even this makes me question why this album is one I must listen to. This album does not create new fans or many new fans, someone has to bite on it.
There is no mistaking what time frame this album came out in. It’s mellow but not too mellow. There’s decent lyrics throughout the album. Vocally Evan Dando isn’t going to wow you or blow you away but he delivers on each song. The music is tight and the production is crisp.
There just isn’t a “wow” factor. Mrs. Robinson didn’t cut it when I heard the original and this one doesn’t do it for me either. Then again, this album came out in the age when one song made you a headliner at the biggest music festivals….
Choice cut: My Drug Buddy
Bon Jovi
4/5
Back in the day, to like Bon Jovi was to be considered a pussy and you don’t like real music. It still kinda is that way but Bon Jovi got you through relationships. Especially the Bed of Roses years.
All in all, this is a solid late 80’s album. I dare anyone to not like at least one song from this album.
You have ballads, sing alongs and just rock on here.
Choice cut: Livin on a Prayer
Incredible Bongo Band
5/5
Not what I wanted a Bongo band album to sound like but it’s a change from the norm, I will say that. I was expecting hippy bongo jamming but got funk bongo jamming.
I was surprised to already know “Apache” with the song “Jump on it” clearly influenced by it.
For the genre, this is a passing grade. This is a perfect background soundtrack for anything. Maybe not a funeral
Maybe not during sex….well, I guess it could be. I must still have Bon Jovi ringing in my head.
This is really a fun album. You forget that there’s no singing on it and that is usually important to me.
Whatever, this is good, listen to it
Choice cut: Dueling Bongos
Little Simz
2/5
This is just an album by someone I have not heard of. It did not do anything to sway me to listen to more from her. She has nice flow. The beats are decent. She swears.
I don’t hear a single. I want to hear a single to justify why an album is on this list.
Choice cut: Selfish
Beck
3/5
I’ll be honest, it’s hard to listen to Beck because I believe that he puts subliminal Scientology messages in his songs. At the same time, I have always wanted to like Beck. Let’s see…
Well, it’s mostly one tone throughout the album. Basically a slow burn.
It’s Beck. Worlds jumbled together to make a sort of poetic verse collection.
Honestly, Lost Cause is a generational song and would result in me buying the album if I had to do that anymore.
Not great but not a terrible album.
Choice Cut: Lost Cause
Led Zeppelin
5/5
This is an album that you can’t hate even if you hate Led Zeppelin. Well, that’s stretching it I guess but if it was based solely on rock and roll with blues influence, you’d be hard pressed to hate it.
Choice cut: Ramble On
Pink Floyd
5/5
Now this album listening party is starting to get good. 3 banger albums in a row? Get the net. Ok, I’m not sure if it’s been 3 in a row for me and I won’t be checking so let’s roll with this.
This is probably the best soundtrack that has ever been released. Soundtrack you say??? Well, watch the movie and try to argue with me. There are great songs and there are good songs on this album. There’s longish songs and there are short songs. They all fit, blend together and take you on a journey, wether sober or not. Enjoy it.
Has anyone not listened to this album? Like even a little bit?
Choice Cut: Young Lust
Badly Drawn Boy
3/5
One tempo so far. Mellow.
Very acoustic guitar driven from the onset and throughout.
It’s not a standout album but it doesn’t fail other than not making me want to hear more from them.
Choice cut: Another Pearl
Willie Nelson
3/5
I think this is Willie’s attempt at jazz? If that’s what the genre is that I’m thinking.
He has a type of delivery that can cross numerous musical platforms. This could be a pleaser for an older generation. Like retirement age. Best suited as a soundtrack for a department store like Khols.
This isn’t where I’d start with a Willie Nelson album but it has its place in the world.
Choice cut. Unchained melody
Moby
4/5
An unlikely music pioneer. I’m sure after this album made it big things changed for skinny, bald and unattractive guys.
I’m a sucker for samples so based on the type of music this is, this album hits in the area of my wheelhouse for this genre of pop/dance.
Clearly aware that his singing is the weakest thing on the album, I feel Moby does a good job singing a lot when the music matches his tone and cutting back on the vocals when it could really bring down a song.
This album doesn’t disappoint if you have an open ear to dance music. It did reign supreme over the music landscape for a handful of years.
Choice Cut: Southside
The Smiths
3/5
This will be a tough one, I HATE Morrisey or however you spell his name.
I do enough of The Smiths to believe that I may like them.
I guess that’s a good thing because this is NOT the album you want to listen to if you are curious about them. Maybe this is their sound and it doesn’t get any better. I really like How Soon is Now? Which isn’t on this album. Shame. I can’t give this a 2 star because it is instrumentally pleasing, it’s just not catchy . It’s not experimental or storytelling to me either so I’m not just sticking to one preference. It’s not even that gloomy and I thought the Smiths were supposed to be one of the kings of gloom. Whatever, I will give them another listen one day. This just didn’t make the cut above mediocrity.
Choice cut: Big Mouth Strikes Again
A Tribe Called Quest
2/5
Although talent wise, these guys are in the upper echelon, musically it’s not my thing. I’d group this in the Fresh Prince and Arrested Development class where I’m just not into the clean rap/hip hop. They do have sprinkles of explicit lyrics but it almost feels like it’s forced.
So if you’re looking for something to play during a garage sale or while cleaning your car next to a school, this will do but maybe stay away from a handful of songs.
Choice cut: Butter
Dolly Parton
2/5
If you know anything about what Dolly Parton sounds like then you can guess what this album will sound like.
Classic old style country.
Not much else to it. It doesn’t blow a person away.
Choice cut: Wildflowers
Burning Spear
3/5
Slow brooding, slowed down Bob Marley like delivery. It’s calming background music.
Choice Cut: Jordan River
Suicide
3/5
Imagine really liking this band as an early teen and asking your parents for the album? My mom thought Kiss were devil music so I would have been sent to the loonie bin.
Anywho….
This first 2 songs are sort of trancelike. Not that it puts me in a trance but it reminds me of trance music.
I do like this, 3 songs in. It would then pass the album buying quota.
This is what Lou Reed would sound like if he had so positivity in his voice.
This is decent in a slow moving spaces out way. Be high when listening to this
Radiohead
5/5
This is the album that I rate all other albums against. There’s just so much to sift through. It takes you all across the rock music spectrum and spits you out slowly at the end.
If you have never heard this album before then it’s safe to assume it’s not for you. It would be mind blowing for me to come across a person who doesn’t know at least 3 songs from here and for them to tell me they didn’t enjoy it.
Choice cut: Let Down or No Surprises
Neil Young
4/5
This one is well pieced together. Less whiney and mellow Neil and more picked up the pace but still a fast shuffle Neil.
Neil still likes to jam out in this one, though I don’t think he’s ever given that up but whatever.
This is a good album with standout tracks you’ve most likely heard.
Choice cut: Words
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
I feel like I everyone knows this album but everyone hasn’t listened to it and I get it.
Cecilia breaks the mold on this one. That’s as much of a banger that this type of band can muster. Keep the Customer Satisfied tries to keep the momentum going and then it drops back into mellowdom.
When they pick up the pace of the music it’s very reminiscent of peak Beatles. But then they let it go.
This is a good album to put on to fall asleep to. That gives it a place in this world.
Choice cut: Cecilia
Throbbing Gristle
3/5
How can I sum this up?
It’s like an alternate world mashup of Kraftwerk and Devo…….
Valley of the Shadow of Death seemed like they accidentally left the record button on….
There seems to be no point to this album then to just experiment with sounds and beats. But at the same time I’m not turned off by it.
I did only get to Weeper though. It’s not a full listen for me but it’s enough to get a ranking of 3, which is sort of my Land of Misfit Toys I guess.
Choice cut: IBM
Pixies
3/5
This is heavier than i thought they were. I can’t speak for other albums but This album definitely screams 90’s.
If I hadn’t known who The Pixies were I may have skipped them completely with Cecilia Ann being their first song on the album and it being instrumental. Stop it with that shit boys.
To me, this is not a standout album at all. It’s not terrible but when you’re looking for something to hook you and don’t find it? You get no more than 3 stars
Choice cut: Is She Weird
Johnny Cash
5/5
This album brought my attention back to Johnny Cash. With only a few weak spots on it, it’s a recommended one for sure. As expected, it’s mellow, sad and uplifting at the same time. If you’re a sucker for covers then this is pretty close to being as good as it can get. It’s not the covers that sold me on this album, though it means something when the original song performer relinquishes his song to Cash for blowing the original out of the water (see Hurt).
The best song on the album is the title track and an original.
Enjoy wallowing in the dark on this one
Choice Cut: The Man Comes Around
Joy Division
3/5
I was a bit disappointed with this one. You really have to be in a mood to get something out of it. Not even a bad mood or depressed mood, just something different than a feeling of just existing I guess. This is the 3rd album I’ve listened to and maybe it’s me but I really feel the blues in this one. I wouldn’t suggest a first time listener to listen to this album though.
Choice cut: New Dawn Fades
Traffic
3/5
First impression? It sounds like early Bowie mixed with White Album Beatles.
Then it’s funk influenced with Steve Winwood singing. Almost like Jimi Hendrix is on guitar with the 2nd song.
Then another Hendrix infused song.
Then back to a funk sound.
I’m guessing this is a cover. Classic hippy music
Then it’s back to an early David Bowie sound with Canned Heat flute
Now it’s Canned Heat flute mixed with Santana
Well, Cryin to be Heard is kinda their song. Trippy organ, a little bit of horns, good harmonious background singing .
Ok, now it sounds like Supertramp
Well, I think if you can’t get what I’m saying with this review, you understand that this album is all over the place.
I don’t hate it but it really doesn’t seem to have a definite classification. I guess it’s a 3 since it’s not memorable but it’s not bad
Choice cut: Cryin to be Heard
The Stooges
4/5
This is pop punk before it turned into music for pussies. It has the right blend of hardcore punk but it has the type of Melodie’s that could have crossed them over into more prominent radio play if the world was ready to hear it.
It’s not a mind blowing album but it does the job to create listeners.
Choice cut: No Fun
Stan Getz
3/5
It’s very peaceful music I will say that. Relaxing.
Not my cup of tea but it does have a place in this world.
I think it’s only fair to not have a choice cut since I need to know what the words mean when I hear them and this album does not have that feature, for me at least.
Taylor Swift
5/5
I interrupted my Tech N9ne listening to listen to this album. I’m not bothered, it’s at least one star because Taylor’s looks get her somewhere in my books. I won’t lie, I’m a bit of a swifty even though I’m male, straight and a Republican.
Ok, let’s see what we’ve got here:
Well, Talent is hard to deny. This was a very pleasing album with almost every song worth being listened to again. There’s no reason not to consider it a 5 star album. For the genre it fits in and the people it’s geared towards, what’s to hate. Lyrically it’s written with thought and skill. The music fits with the words. Catchy choruses. Act like a girl who has had their heart broken when listening to it and see how you feel
Choice cut: Style
Can
3/5
This is a jam album. So much so that I feel like I’ve been listening to the same song for 3 songs now. This as well, has a place.
If I may be picky, the vocals are a bit flat and drowned out. There could also but a deeper sounding bass added to take away the high frequency sound. The drums are solid though.
As I said, it’s jammy. If you like that, enjoy!
Choice cut: Halleluhwah
The Teardrop Explodes
2/5
Did these guys get pissed when America and Asia were taken as band names?
These guys fall into my biggest pet peeve category. There is no real separation of sound from one song to another. No standout track, just pure 80’s pop.
Choice cut: Second Head
The Louvin Brothers
4/5
Old, old country. That’s what this is.
Sad but happy sounding old time country music.
I hate to cut this short but that’s all you need to know.
Do you like a drum beat that goes bass, snare, snare?
Yea? Well then there you go.
Nothing wrong with this album in my opinion other than lacking a “blow it out of the water” track.
Choice cut: In the Pines
Amy Winehouse
4/5
I think the only thing people may not like about Amy Winehouse is her voice and the way she sings. But people also really like her for that exact reason.
Musically pleasing, the band is solid.
Her blusey, soulful singing is on point. I’m assuming this was her breakthrough album.
5 stars says I’ll return to listen to it again.
I just can’t do it.
This is a good start if you’re someone like me who wanted to delve into the world of Amy Winehouse. It’s feel good music covering a world of pain .
Choice cut: You Know I’m No Good
Louis Prima
4/5
Just a Gigolo bridges the gap between those that don’t want anything to do with jazz and those that like jazz. I’m assuming this is jazz.
I can handle the jazz with singing. The purely instrumental stuff, though it’s good, reminds me of Tom and Jerry or some old timey cartoon.
I, for once, can’t pretend what I know the next person to listen to this album is going to like. I say listen to this and try not to enjoy it. I won’t be going back to this but maybe I will delve more into other albums by Louis Prima.
Choice cut: Just a Gigolo
Tim Buckley
2/5
I have to say, if I was told to listen to an album just based on the album cover, I’d pass on this one.
2 songs in and I’m pretty such this will be a rough listen.
Side note, I thought I was listening to early Jeff Buckley at first and was shocked at how terrible he started off in his career. Crisis averted.
This album sounds like the music was recorded first and Tim just had to come up with lyrics to put something on tape.
Pleasant Street was a pretty good song though.
This album is very “keep my castle happy while they eat Court Jester”
This has moments of promise but it’s mostly a fail. I guess in the “protest” era it might have faired alright but that’s a long time ago.
Choice cut: Pleasant Street
Dire Straits
4/5
Water of Love? I can just imagine what the band thought looking at the lyrics before putting music to it. That song was saved by the music and you know what? It’s actually a decent song.
This is really a solid album. Much better than Brothers in Arms and this one only has one standout track. They all compliment each other nicely and the album flows well. Having a single standout track doesn’t make much difference in my opinion of the album. It’s bluesy, kinda poppy and jammy. I really don’t think I’ve sold anyone reading this on this album but sometimes words can’t direct a person any which way.
It’s worth a listen, how about that?
Choice cut: Sultans of Swing
Fleetwood Mac
4/5
This album didn’t blow me away but I get it’s importance and I know the stories that went on behind it. The “big hits” could basically be their greatest hits and that’s hard to believe that it’s all coming from one album. I consider Fleetwood Mac in the same grouping as Supertramp where everyone knows them and seems to like them but they aren’t anyone’s favorite band.
It’s solidly produced, well written and generally a nice sounding album. The non hits don’t really tread water but they don’t really sink either. This is just an album worth listening to but you wouldn’t need to go back to it.
Choice cut: The Chain
Tom Tom Club
2/5
I really thought that whoever did “Rappers Delite” was the same ones that did Genius of Love. Wrong again.
I don’t know what to think of this.
I feel like The Avalanches were inspired by these guys, I like The Avalanches but my taste for them comes in waves
I don’t know what to think of this. At times it sounds groundbreaking, other times it sounds like an interlude during Sesame Street. There’s singing, there’s sound bites, there’s odd sounding instruments. It exists . Let’s leave it at that.
Choice Cut: Genius of Love
Let’s be honest, this is pretty much a Rod Stewart album. Well, before the late 80’s I guess. Welllllll it’s more of a cooler Rod Stewart album. More rock sound, more groove. There is also someone who sings on this album that sounds like George Harrison. He does a good job when pushed to the forefront. I’m not disappointed with this album at all.
Choice cut: Stay With Me
The War On Drugs
3/5
This is like spacey, somewhere between cocaine high and weed low. If you know who Arcade Fire is and like them, I think you’d like this. I found myself searching for a little more from them as I continued to listen. The album could be a soundtrack for mostly anything in life. Long road trip? Pool Party? Showering? Sex? Cleaning the house? Yep, this will do it.
I have no choice cut due to each song just carrying off of the one before it.
Joan Armatrading
3/5
One song in and I feel like this is Joni Mitchell without the annoying whiney hippy sound. There are some “catch me by surprise” songs on here and some “that was a waste of my time” songs. The latter being that they sounded more like Joni Mitchell and that’s REALLY not for me.
This album really started off strong for me and then it just settled into mid tier, which is still pretty good considering I almost skipped listening to it
The KLF
1/5
Wait, is this not the KLF from the nineties? Like, there are 2 bands who thought up that name?
Seriously, this isn’t the “KLF is gonna rock you, yeah yeah, uh huh, uh huh” and then you pretend to call someone from your cordless phone????
If I don’t hear that KLF is gonna rock you song this album will be an utter fail. There is nothing that stands out here, not even the beats. This is like a Mili Vanilli album after they got found out to be fakes.
I really have nothing to offer in a review of this, it’s up tempo but it’s bland.
If you could pull some inspiration from it then you’re a better person than I am. This is better than a Grimes or FKA Twigs album but it’s also still in the rating class as those as well.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
2/5
I thought this album was called Black Chocolate and then got really confused why someone like Elvis Costello would name an album that.
There is definitely an effort put into this album but in regards to what level of orgasm it gives my ears? It’s on the level of “someone knocked on the door after a handful of fist pumps”.
Choice cut: I want you
…..I guess
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
2/5
I couldn’t get this album on Spotify so I picked the album closest in year to this one. I’ll be reviewing Superwolf as if it were this one.
This guy is like a really mellowed out Evan Dando which would make this album a really mellowed out Lemonheads album.
Very slow and less than happy sounding.
This type of music lends itself to a certain type of person who is feeling a certain type of thing in the spectrum of sadness.
That’s a beat around the bush summary for an album that wasn’t the one pictured and could sound nothing like that particular album.
4/5
Imagine not knowing much about the Beatles aside from songs you heard your grandpa play and then seeing this track listing. The only other album that would blow a persons mind would be the White album.
Listen, this is the Beatles, you either like this or not.
I don’t believe that this album is the be all and end all of Beatles albums. After the big 3 tracks at the start, it does fade a bit.
Choice cut: When I’m 64
Radiohead
5/5
Well isn’t this a great start to my week.
Planet Telex is shippable but not terrible.
The Bends is where it’s at if you don’t like the “big” radio songs that came from this album.
I really hated that they strayed away from this sound. This album and Ok Computer will always be their wheelhouse to me.
This album teeters on the bed time music soundtrack. It’s not filled with overpowering guitar or non stop screaming, not that Radiohead is any of that really. It’s just really the heartbeat of the 2000’s, until Ok Computer staked it through the heart and put it out of its misery we didn’t think it had.
This album could be played for any occasion and that’s what makes it so good. Sure there are a few weak tracks but the rest make up for any song writing slipping the band may have had.
Choice cut: The Bends
Nick Drake
1/5
What I’m hearing is depressing hippie music so far. 3 songs in.
Nice guitar playing.
Not big on the voice.
Good lyrical story telling.
Way to Blue sort of shook this album from its monotone downfall but just musically. There’s still that one tone, weak note carrying vocal
Is Nick Drake a poet turned singer? If not, he should have taken that route. That makes his lack of vocal range more acceptable.
I don’t see the appeal with this. Maybe as an instrumental album it could have some standing with me.
I’m sure this is a critically acclaimed album, hell, I recognize the album cover. It’s just not ear hole pleasing for me.
Choice cut: Day is Done
Queen
2/5
This album has your typical Queen operatic flow. The songs don’t give you much “thinking room” between songs as they seem to just move from one to another.
The 1st noteworthy song is The Loser in the End and that’s not even Freddie singing.
This is the 2nd Queen album that has left me with something to be desired. There just isn’t anything special to it. Maybe I was spoiled by cutting my teeth on their greatest hits.
Choice cut: The Loser in the End
Aerosmith
3/5
Classic early Aerosmith, before the pop hooks took over. I think when it comes to Aerosmith, anyone could sing one of their songs and not knowing it, you would say “wow, that sounds like Aerosmith”. They have this sound and it’s a love or hate sound.
This album rocks, that’s for sure. Rocks as in it’s just pure blusey, dirty rock. I can just imagine hearing Sweet Emotion for the first time. It has a very distinct opening and hearing that for the first time would have caught your attention instantly. That song does not fail. Walk this Way needed Run DMC in my opinion .
This isn’t a bad album. It has a steady pace with a few well known bangers.
Choice cut: Adams Apple
Solomon Burke
5/5
This is a good album. First time listener as well. One musical wave of enjoyment .
Radiohead
4/5
After “Ok Computer” I found myself “hate fucking” every Radiohead album after that one. I kept saying to myself “why can’t you be like your sister and stay with the formula that works”. The problem is, is this new Radiohead “formula” works and I continue to eargasm when I listen to the later albums. A person like myself just enjoys it. Do I need to go back to it and listen over and over again like Ok Computer and earlier? No! But I do find myself returning at the most random of times.
Without looking it up, I think this album is supposed to be mixed in with OK Computer tracks to make one super album that never happened. At least, according to Radiohead lore.
I could be wrong though.
Choice cut: All I Need
The Who
3/5
Meh, it’s a live album. It’s good but it’s just a live album. Don’t cut your teeth on The Who via this album.
The Byrds
2/5
This is pure 60’s rock? Or whatever the genre was called that sums up the 60’s. It’s hippy, it’s simple, it’s occasionally oddly structured verses.
It’s not groundbreaking but it’s what I thought the Byrds would sound like if I listened to an album.
I will say, “I come and stand at every door” is a terrible song.
Choice cut: Hey Joe
4/5
Just thinking of how much of a cocky, wannabe know it all, punchable face, fake rock idol dickhead Bono is, I want to give this a zero star. However, I can’t deny this album based on the fact that it produced 4 decent songs and they are listed one after another on the album. It doesn’t get better after those songs. I really shouldn’t say this is a rock album because it’s too “soft” in my opinion but it’s almost peak U2 and you can’t deny the power they once had over the music world. I think if you appreciate other music and just aren’t into hip hop or death metal, you will like this album.
Choice cut: With or Without You
Cocteau Twins
3/5
Musically this is decent. Vocally I’m not feeling it. It sort of has a more upbeat, 80’s style Enya sound. It also has a less poppy Abba sound as well. I can’t exactly plug this album into a specific music category. It doesn’t seem radio friendly. It’s not elevator music or department store music. Maybe for a yoga class???
Choice cut: I Wear Your Ring
De La Soul
3/5
If you wanted to listen to a kid friendly version of hip hop, these guys are your people. PM Dawn is a good path to lead kids down too.
There are plenty of samples in this album, which is a bonus to me. That seems to be a dying art in hip hop these days.
This album, to me, doesn’t tell a story. It’s more of just one short story about who knows what after another.
This was ok. Stuck with the rest of the albums that were just ok.
Choice cut: A Little Bit of Soap
Screaming Trees
2/5
This is noise rock in my opinion. Typical for the sound in the world at that time. I actually thought that annoying bitch from Queens of the Stone Age was in this band so I hated it at the start.
These guys, at times, sound like Spacehog but aren’t as good.
All in all, the vocals can be slightly drowned out but the music flows, every song seems to almost be at that breakthrough point where it could have been a radio hit but they just lack one more undefinable ingredient. I don’t hate this, I don’t love it but I do appreciate it.
Choice cut: Look at You
David Bowie
3/5
At first I thought, can an album be 5 star worthy if there are only 6 songs on it? Especially if the band isn’t Pink Floyd? Then Station to Station comes on and it sounds like Pink Floyd to start and it’s 10 minutes long. Note taken.
Well, it’s definitely not a Pink Floyd album and it’s not David Bowie’s attempt at a Pink Floyd album.
Like every Bowie album I’ve heard, which is 4 of them, this album just kind of hovers between good and ok. There’s not much to it. This won’t make or break someone’s decision to listen to Bowie again.
Brian Eno
3/5
This album HAD to be drug induced.
The thing is, is this isn’t bad, it’s just different. This is art rock I think. A soundtrack for a b movie thriller or a odd space movie.
I could just let the music take me on a thoughtless journey. It’s almost hypnotizing. I’d be ok with Brian Eno’s vocals being removed.
I have no choice cut because I really can’t separate the songs from one another.
Guns N' Roses
5/5
Ahh the album that broke me away from listening to Michael Jackson and Culture Club. The album where I heard my first swear word in a song. The album that produced the video for Paradise City which was the most energetic video I had ever seen. There was no turning back after this album. I had been molded into a new person that still exists today. I masturbated to the moaning in Rocket Queen and to the photo on the album sleeve of the naked cartoon girl. Times were different then and I was thankful for the experience.
A great rock album from start to finish.
Choice Cut: Rocket Queen
4/5
Take out the synthesizer in any Muse song and you’d get what Radiohead would have sounded like if they didn’t go artsy.
Muse is one of those bands that a person would never hate but just not go out of their way to listen to an album. For me, I know it’ll be good and I’ll enjoy an album but I just haven’t taken the plunge until now.
This album if full of energy. So far, you could start a run on song one and not have to slow down until much later.
Muse feels like a band that is there to cheer you on in any sort of competitive thing you may be taking part in. They are a soundtrack for accomplishing anything. Big or small. I could be wrong though. Maybe they hate humans.
Deep Purple
4/5
Sludgey rock. Like Black Sabbath but less evil.
Jammy. There is plenty of time on each song for the mushrooms to kick in, that’s for sure. The solos don’t drag on too long, not that I think that is possible but if you were concerned about it, no need to…..fret.
I don’t have anything for my choice cut. It’s the same formula for each song. Nothing wrong with that but not a perfect album.
GZA
4/5
Ahh samples, I love me some samples. Is that what they are called?sound bytes? Is that better? Whatever it is I dig it. Clips from movies and such. That’s the best type of hip hop to me.
You don’t have to know a lot of Wu Tang to be able to hear it in every solo project from its members. On that note, if you like the Wu Tang sound, you’ll like this. At the same time, much like a Wu Tang album, there aren’t any blow away tracks. It’s good but not great.
Choice cut: Shadowboxin’
Keith Jarrett
2/5
Cool, a happy sounding piano album. No lyrics just a mix between Charlie Brown songs and silent movies.
For its musical category, it’s fine.
For anyone who i’d care what they thought about a certain group or album. Hard pass
Nirvana
4/5
This album seemed to pull back the ascension of Nirvana just a little bit in my opinion. Not commercially but developmentally. There are some bangers, some radio friendly hits and some songs that your mom and Dad would grope each other to. There is also noisy trash. It seems like as soon as the album starts to take off, it’s steered back toward the ground and then driven upwards again.
I find that the deluxe version gives more flavor to the album as a whole.
If you want to cut through the bullshit, ignore
Scentless Apprentice
Milk It
Radio Friendly Unit Shifter
Tourette’s
…..then all is good
Choice cut: Frances Farmer…
Pet Shop Boys
2/5
If my Spotify was alive, I bet it would stop my music and ask “what the fuck is up with you”? That’s the feeling I get with the back and forth and side to side stepping with each album that is suggested to me.
I know the Pet Shop Boys, which is good because I’m not sure I’d find one of their albums listenable if I didn’t.
It’s very soft disco pop with songs that don’t drag on but seem to end a little earlier than they should.
This is not one I’d suggest to someone if they were interested in listening to the Pet Shop Boys. It’s not a strong album, though Go West blows the whole album out of the water.
Choice cut: Go West
Manic Street Preachers
3/5
Since I had heard of these guys before I thought there would be something to them more than what I heard on that album. There is a lack of vocal range and power on these tracks that gives the album an unfinished feel. It doesn’t fully take praise from the songs but it hinders listening to the album in full. It’s mid
Marvin Gaye
5/5
This is smooth and cool.
An album for all occasions
Beck
3/5
I vowed never to listen to a full Beck album because he is a Scientologist. If anyone could put effective subliminal messages into their songs, it’s him. I’m going to go for it though, my mind is strong.
There’s samples, samples are always good to hear in a song. I really feel like it’s a dying art form.
To me, this is classic Beck. Decent songs but not overly great. Somewhat catchy but scattered lyrics most of the time that only he understands, though I feel he geared himself towards a more pop feel with this one. I don’t know, it’s not bad but it’s not blowing my mind. It’s worth a listen to be able to agree with me, which you will.
Choice cut: Scarecrow
The Cardigans
4/5
A hot lead singer? That’s immediately a 2 star, unless it’s Grimes.
Vocally soothing
Musically pleasant, bordering on soft rock.
Lyrically it holds up and doesn’t seem completely out there with good structure. Words aren’t sung just to make it fit.
This was different in it’s time in regards to the sound that they put out. As in they had a distinct sound that could identify them to a person.
There aren’t really any pauses in between songs, which I’m big on, for some reason….that’s another star from me. I’m easy to please.
There are a few songs that take away from the pace of the album, it’s not perfect but it’s interesting to listen to. It’s not at all complex though so don’t think you’re getting yourself into an artsy album .
You really just have to be accepting of a female voice longing for love throughout the whole album. She says “whore”, if you like a little edge in your female leads.
Their worst song is a cover, so that says something.
Choice cut: Choke
Red Hot Chili Peppers
5/5
This album brings back so many memories but they all mesh together except one. I still can’t fully listen to I Could Have Lied due to that song being on when i found out a guy from my grade got hit by a car and died. It’s just too much. I was a fan of the Chili’s back when Mothers Milk came out but this catapulted them into the stratosphere for quite some time.
It’s funky but not completely out there. Under the Bridge is a top notch slow song, so is Breaking the Girl. The big hits were big for them. You have to know at least one song from this album.
I guarantee this is an album that every listener at least likes. It doesn’t disappoint.
Choice cut: Blood Sugar Sex Magik
The Rolling Stones
4/5
I never seem to be disappointed with the Stones albums when they were good, so like the 60’s and 70’s. I get why they were so popular. Gritty blues, acoustic rock, harmonized jams. I’m just confused as to why I say something like I just did and not dig deeper into them.
This album flows nicely, keeping the tempo riding along at a pace you could road-trip in. This is the type of album you could have a conversation over and not get pissed at the other person for talking over your favorite part.
I will say, this album doesn’t make me what to return to it like a 5 star album would, according to me at least, that’s the only fault in it.
Choice cut: Gimme Shelter
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
Not as “revolutionary angry” as some other albums, it’s still in the classic Bob Marley wheelhouse. He won’t lose any fans listening to this album.
This is just that classic Marley reggae that I personally couldn’t never find a replacement for. Does this album make me want to give it another listen soon? No, that is the only fault in it and my rating system.
A good music presentation for any occasion I could think of, just not jaw dropping.
Choice cut: Stir it Up
Lynyrd Skynyrd
5/5
First of all, I disagree with how the bands name should be pronounced.
Ok now on to the album….
I’m not sure there is an Album that has more big hits on it than this one. Which is odd since by default, you should say this is the greatest album of all time. Which it’s not, to me at least. I don’t have a reason why. How it makes me feel I guess.
There is nothing wrong with this album as long as you accept the fact that music in this day and age sounds completely different than back then.
This is pure southern classic rock. Crisp, soul felt and foot tapping.
Fans of almost every genre of music can appreciate this album. If you hate it, it’s based on musical preference. There can’t possibly be any other reason.
The vocals are good and don’t sound out of key or an annoying tone.
The band is solid with not one instrument taking too much control over the others.
The pace of the album flutters in the mid range high and low zones where it’s not too heavy and not too soft, at any point. Enjoy this damn it!
Because of Free Bird, the ending to the movie “The Devils Rejects” is the best ending ever in a movie.
Choice cut: Free Bird
Violent Femmes
4/5
True story, I was in the 8th grade or so and I forgot I was supposed to attend a friends birthday party. Mom my rushed me to “Records on Wheels” where I frantically looked for something to get my friend. I had no idea what he liked musically. My eyes settled on the Violent Femmes based solely on the name. My luck lies in the fact that I saw “Add It Up” first and he really like Blister in the Sun. A win-Win situation.
Some songs on this album re not good but then you have Blister in the Sun and Add it Up which basically cancel out 2 poor songs each with how good they are.
The poor songs sound like the were demos and were never worked on again. Like the idea of the song was done but the lyrics were just ramblings that weren’t meant or stay. Then you have Blister in the Sun, Kiss Off and Gone Daddy Gone which sound the same with different lyrics and add it up and Prove My Love borrowing from each other musically. Even with those comparisons, the songs are effective in their own ways that you give these guys a hall pass for repeating the same sound numerous times.
You really want to fail this album but as each song goes on, it goes from boring to good. They have earned my respect. I enjoyed this.
Choice cut: Add it Up
The Who
2/5
I have heard a few Who albums and was actually blown away by how much I liked them. This album doesn’t cut it for me. I found myself wondering when the current song would be over. There isn’t anything groundbreaking on this album. Nothing intriguing either.
I will say, I just recently noticed that they peed on that monolith and it wasn’t just shadows. Hilarious.
Choice cut: Behind Blue Eyes
Hole
4/5
If I may be so bold to say, this album, song for song is better than any Nirvana album that isn’t Nevermind. Maybe Kurt helped her write this one and maybe he didn’t. Courtney definitely couldn’t replicate this album sound with anything else she did.
This really is a “sold their soul” album in my opinion. It’s just so good from start to finish yet as I have already said, they never had a album like this after. It’s not grunge at all, more of a pop punk formula that consistently works for bands when they get the ingredients exactly right.
The only slight on this album is Courtney’s voice. It wears on you if there isn’t noise to drown it out.
Choice cut: Hit so Hard
A Tribe Called Quest
3/5
I just am not a fan of clean rap/hip hop. It’s no fault of these guys, it’s me.
So based on who these guys are, they get a pass but nothing stands out for me.
I can best sum this up as intelligent Will Smith music. It’s not a sell out like a Will Smith album. There’s a statement being made in this album. It’s just not what I’m looking for. Even with an open mind.
Funkadelic
4/5
This is funk. This is the sound my mind goes to when I hear someone mention funk music. There’s just so much going on instrumentally that it shouldn’t work but it does. There’s instruments that I don’t think I’ve heard before that mesh well. It’s like birds chirping through a fan and another sound like farting through a megaphone….to name a few new sounds.
All in all though, the band is a deep dive band but you have to be ok with the sound. I wouldn’t have called myself a “funk” guy but I explored all these guys had to offer and I was thoroughly impressed. Not that that will influence anyone reading this. I’d be lucky to get 1 like on this review.
To sum it up, if you like funk and less confusing Frank Zappa music, here you go.
Christina Aguilera
2/5
Her looks get her much farther in my books than her music does. Not that she doesn’t have any good songs, it’s just that the music isn’t anything great. Her list of “non hit” music is well deserved to be not largely listened to.
There’s party type anthems on here. There’s some blusey, sultry sounding ones as well. There’s some that should have been left on the cutting room floor.
The album isn’t as seductive sounding as I was personally left to believe.
This also isn’t the album for you if you don’t like good voices who carry notes for too long. I’d much rather listen to Fiona Apple than this. As in she has a much better product, not that I’m picking out the better of two shit products.
Choice cut: walk away
Black Sabbath
4/5
First impressions are that this is a heavy blues album. The band has a great sound, I’ve always been a sucker for that heavy sounding 70’s drumming.
Vocally, not much to praise about. Ozzy isn’t off key at any point but he more or less talks and low range yells throughout this . The more harmonious Ozzy won’t come until much later. Lyrically this won’t win any competitions but that really isn’t the goal here.
This is good and it’s only 5 songs. I could have sworn I was 12 songs deep.
As long as you like blues infused rock from the 70’s you are good to go here. I’ll be returning for more now that I know Ozzy and the boys aren’t really devil worshipers.
Choice cut: The Wizard…
Iron Maiden
4/5
Well, a few songs in and I’m surprised. I really thought my ear drums would be ripped out of my ears, turned inside out and stabbed with knives of noise but I was wrong. This is not as heavy as I thought it would be. It compares to Black Sabbath in sound, though the band are less sludgy and bluesy.
I can see why they are a popular band but I also don’t see what makes them different than a band like Anvil or why they became oneof the “big 4”. For the sound they are producing, it’s good. It was only 1980 when this came out, I don’t doubt that this was considered “too loud and heavy” by uptight parents.
This is good for the genre and the time it was released. Rolling guitars, hard hitting drums, good solos, good vocals. Not evil sounding. I’d listen to more
Choice cut: Running Free
King Crimson
2/5
Well, I hate the album cover. Good thing I didn’t see that as a kid or it would have been the source of my nightmares for years.
Without listening to a note, I’m guessing these guys are heavy. Let’s see.
Ok, first song in and I thought that was a Beatles song.
This is what I think Prog Rock sounds like.
It’s hard to imagine how someone could think to follow up 21st Century with a song like I Talk to the Wind.
Musically this is solid. Lyrically it’s a “try hard”. It’s like medieval sounding where I need a crown and a wench. I don’t think I’ve taken such a downturn in emotions over an album so quickly. 21st Century starts off banging and then the knife of enjoyment is pulled out of your heart and you are bleeding out quickly.
This is a hard one for ranking. I’m not an instrumental music guy but if these guys removed the singing I’d rank it high. It’s not a terrible album but the lyrics are terrible. It’s like a series of David Bowie B sides when he was too fucked up to get through a song in one take.
Choice cut: 21St Century Schizoid Man
The Sugarcubes
2/5
I’m just not a Bjork guy. It’s the voice and the tone. Even with this, the music is weak. The lyrics are ok but this album does not make a statement other than, give me your money for my fun project.
I tried with this one but it really lacks a complete sound. It seems like a demo that accidentally got released.
Calexico
3/5
Based on their Spotify photo and this album cover, I thought these guys were going to be a techno or EDM band. Nope. Complete opposite.
I’m having a hard time putting these guys into a specific musical class. It’s more of a Placebo grouping. Wherever they are placed on the musical genre scale.
I’m pleasantly surprised with this one. I have an issue with the lack of passion in the singers voice but it does fit with the music. The music sort of sets one tone and rolls with it. You could put this one before going to bed and it would lullaby you as you needed it.
Choice cut: Black Heart
The Zombies
3/5
The Beatles St.Peeper era splashed with Beach Boys harmonies. I get it and I like it.
Oh wait, add in Pink Floyd when Syd was there. Yes, that should do it.
Now, just because I like this doesn’t mean I think it should be on this list. I’m lost when it comes to this album. It’s weird. It lacks a stand out track and it’s like a mashup of metaphors, that which I can’t figure out. I kept listening though and that holds some weight. Just not much
Choice cut: Hung Up on a Dream
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
There really isn’t anything special about Bruce other than longevity. This album made its name off of a misinterpreted USA song and ran with it. It sits right in the middle of a soft rock and rock album. If you’ve heard any of his music, whatever song that is, this album hovers around that sound.
Choice cut: Dancing in the Dark
Dirty Projectors
1/5
I’m not even sure what brought me to this. Like I understand it’s this app but what really got this album a spot in a list that supposed to be the best of the best. To best sum up the lyrics on this album, write down every word in the dictionary, scramble them up in a hat or box and then draw the words out one by one to form a verse. No rhyming. No real explanation. Just piece together the words to make something.
The music is pleasing. Everything else is very very weak.
Choice cut: Stillness is the Move
Giant Sand
1/5
This is like if the Flaming Lips singer wanted to make an album that sounded like Bruce Springsteen. That’s not a good thing.
I found myself getting distracted by everything but this album. I actually forgot I was listening to something, which says a lot since music is my thing. There is nothing good about this one, sorry. 2 failure of albums in a row? Sheesh
Pere Ubu
2/5
This is like a straight up punk version of Devo.
There isn’t a lot of variety on this album though. It’s just straight up Devo punk. I really can’t explain it any better.
It lacks a stand out track.
There is no vocal range.
The music is simple but perfect for the vocals.
Don’t ask me what the lyrics are about. It’s mostly noise to me but not ear bleeding noise. I could stand this, I just wanted something more out of it.
Choice cut: Non Alignment Pact
Earth, Wind & Fire
2/5
If every song on this album was an element in their name, it’d go as follows
Earth
Fire
Wind
Wind
Wind
Wind
Fire
Wind
Which, to sum up, says this album is not that good. I expected more groove. Nothing really.
Choice cut: That’s the Way of the World
Rush
3/5
My first thought, “oh fuck, now I have to get through 120 minutes of the prog rock kings”. Then I realized it’s practically an EP…but it’s 40 minutes long.
So all in all, it’s jammy. It’s spacey, it’s what you know Rush sounds like if you’ve ever heard a few notes from them. Did this make me a fan? No it didn’t.
Choice cut: Tom Sawyer
George Michael
5/5
Oh how techno and dance music can make the mighty fall. Madonna and George Michael to name a few. If only he had stuck with this formula, he would have stayed relevant for so much longer. Well and maybe if he didn’t get caught trying to play footsie with that cop….
Anyways..
I want your sex, I remember lip syncing that song in my room, pretending I’m singing to a girl and dry humping the air and specific times.
This album is a sex filled journey that doesn’t disappoint. I know enough about George Michael to know that this album was the cream of the crop for him and what a way to start and leave a mark with.
There really isn’t much to not like on this album. The drums are a little too electronic but that was ok at the time. There are plenty of radio hits. This isn’t perfect but it’s timeless. You could play it to have sex and you could play it at a house party with drugs for free in the kitchen.
Choice cut: Father Figure
Tortoise
2/5
I try to be fair when diving into a band and album I have not heard before. I sat through a whole FKA Twigs album listen once.
I just don’t understand the “greatness” of an instrumental only album, such as this one. Is this supposed to be indie jazz?
I will say, if you put Thom Yorke vocals over top of the music it could work itself as a Radiohead album.
There’s a band called Matmos who have perfected this type of sound and they use every day items to create their “noise” . I especially like it when they use medical equipment. Try them instead.
Choice cut: Along the Banks of Rivers
Bob Dylan
3/5
This review I’ll just sum up the songs one by one:
Rolling stone: good start. This one sticks in your head.
Tombstone: just rambling. It started off ok. I got where he was going. Then it seemed like it was never going to end.
Laugh: this one was a lot like Tombstone. It rambles with one tone. If it wasn’t for the harmonica I would have skipped it after a minute.
Buick 6: listening to the lyrics of any of these songs, you could get taken away with your thoughts. That’s what Dylan is good at. This song follows the same formula as the other ones that aren’t Rolling Stone. It’s just the same delivery over and over. The music Carrie’s this song on this one.
Thin Man: this is a good change of pace. Sort of a bluesy slow jam. It alone increased my review by a star.
Queen Jane: another one that has a different taste to it. Sort of the same formula as Rolling Stone, just a wee bit slower. Not as good
Highway 61: this one falls back into the boring category. It’s just the same delivery again. Someone can say “oh that’s just Dylan” and it may be but I’ve heard enough to know that he has more in him then puzzle piece verses over better sounding music.
Tom Thumb: a bit of an awakening but I get the idea of this album. Probably most of his albums. It’s about the poem and although it may not translate well into singing, the music can carry it into the realm of listenable.
Desolation row: not a bad song to end with but it stayed loyal to the one tone, one delivery formula that plagued this album.
All in all, the album was just ok. A middle of the pack effort but closer to a 2 star than I would have thought a Dylan album could be.
Choice cut: Like a Rolling Stone
Pretenders
2/5
This is like pop punk at its birth. Still more punk then pop but so very close to what we know as pop punk today.
The vocals are short ranged, almost spoken but the hardness in her voice doesn’t make it come off lazy like a Lou Reed delivery.
The music is quick, the guitar is simple.
This album moves along quickly but I don’t find myself replaying a track because it was just that enjoyable.
The best track was Space Invader and it didn’t have any vocals on it. What a waste.
There isn’t much to this album after a full listen. I wouldn’t return.
Choice cut: Space Invader
Fela Kuti
2/5
A 2 song album makes it on this list? 24 minutes long? That’s it?
I’ve heard better drum solos and better jam out performances than this. I don’t feel the urge to move and get into it like I know I should. This album leaves me scratching my head that’s for sure.
Stereolab
3/5
I’ve said this before, it’s really ballsy to have the first song on the album be a long one. I guess my mind wandered off because I didn’t clue in until the song ended.
I thought Stereolab was a poor man’s poor man’s oasis. Get it?
No, they are like the British version of Ween with a little Zappa.
I’m also not sure they sing in English on every song.
This album is serviceable but weird.
The Last Shadow Puppets
2/5
Poppy early 1960s sound even though they are more modern. There is a lack of bass driving this album. I think that’s what gives it that older sound.
All in all, nothing jumps out to me. The band as a whole is pretty solid but they don’t seem to have a “big 4 “ UK sound, if there ever was such a thing. I’d say these guys are far behind Oasis, Pulp, Blur and whoever. What makes this album so great, I cannot tell. It’s a low tier delivery.
Pink Floyd
5/5
Sound bites, guitar solos, drum half solos, music that flows into one another, being a soundtrack for the Wizard of Oz, clear meaningful lyrics. That’s a formula for greatness. This album really cannot fail. Other than a female vocal solo that goes on for too long that is.
There is something about Pink Floyd that people don’t like and I’m sure it exists with this album, I just don’t hear it.
Choice cut: Us and Them
Michael Jackson
5/5
This will be one of the albums that will forever define a generation. Michael made everything cool before he got strange.
The album itself hovers around in the pop genre and then dips it’s toes in a lighter rock sound at times and then goes back.
What am I doing really? No one taking part in this 1000 album quest has NOT heard this album before. I’m done
Various Artists
5/5
So what do we judge this on? The best of the Christmas albums? Sure, it’s top 5. You have to like the old time sound though and not be some Michael Buble freak.
Every song is a cover, every song serves its purpose. Every artist sounds great. Is it the artist that makes the album or is it Phil Spektor? Who knows. I’ll give it a 5 based on the spirit of the album.
There’s no choice cut, pick your favorite song and roll with it, yo I won’t be disappointed unless you wanted the song to sound different.
Talking Heads
2/5
I went in with high hopes but my hopes were dashed. I don’t even know if that’s how you use that term in a sentence.
This album just plods along, one song into another. You catch yourself drifting off in thought for an unknown amount of time, only to discover that you are listening again and find that it’s a different song but same tempo. I did not turn into a fan of these guys after this album. Listen at your own risk.
Choice cut: Once in a Lifetime
Eagles
2/5
Did the song Hotel California propel this into the talk of best album of all time? This album is a lot weaker than I thought it was going to be. I thought banger after banger was going to finger bang my ears when I pressed play. It’s been the complete opposite actually. The album just plods along with mostly half slow tempo songs.
I take nothing great out of this album. Maybe this is the Eagles and I just haven’t realized that until now but if you take their hits and compare it to this album, you’d be very disappointed.
Choice cut: Hotel California
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
I have no idea where this album lies when it comes to the CSNY timeline but I will say that Neil doesn’t stray far away from that bands formula with this album.
Round and Round sort of killed the vibe but the album recovers with the next song.
It’s jammy, it’s harmonized, it’s whiney in that Neil Young way.
Arrested Development
2/5
This is a very positive album. Like in the Will Smith genre of rap/hip hop. On that note, it’s not for me but I can acknowledge that it almost has its place in the list that it is presented in. Most songs flutter just above the listenable level but when they aim for the stars, the blow past them into whatever is beyond the stars they aimed for.
People Everyday and Mr.Wendel carry this album farther than it should have gone.
There are samples. There are, at times, decent hooks but again, it’s the Will Smith friendly hour with these guys. They don’t seem like they could ever be filled with rage.
Choice cut: People Everyday
Common
2/5
Another let down of an album. I have standards and those standards for hip hop don’t fit the “Common” slate.
Parental Advisory alert? Check
Anything else??? No
Musically well produced, decent samples as well but the delivery of his rhymes are weak. There doesn’t seem to be any conviction, anger, direction with his delivery. I know who Common is, that says something but I clearly don’t know it from this album.
Choice cut: Love Is
Joni Mitchell
2/5
I really don’t have an ear for whiney female hippy albums but I’ll give it a go.
This is what I thought it would be. Musically pleasing with a nice finished sound, I just can’t get past the style of singing.
Joni has a nice voice but the range is where my ears draw the line.
I barely got through this.
Choice cut: A Case of You
The Doors
5/5
A crossover blues album? The first one perhaps?
The Doors are a funny band, you either love or hate them. After listening to their whole discography, this is their best one. It has a poppy feel to it with some songs, it carries a darkness as well. Jim often sounds like he is purposely making his voice deep and it can seem a little comical but all in all, this album is a perfect blues rock infusion.
Choice cut: Hyacinth House
The Velvet Underground
4/5
Lou Reed can’t sing and that alone can deter a person from giving these guys a chance. If you can get past the singing, you should find a relatable, foot tapping collection of songs at your service. It’s sloppy 70’s music, maybe it’s the 60’s…what do I know. Sloppy rock and roll that moves you along the rock and roll landscape with a gentle breeze.
Once you accept that I know have to walk you off the ledge that is Nico and her voice. But if you get past that dying cat voice, her harmonies suit each song she is singing on. This album works. It’s not perfect but for the production, musicianship and singing, it’s a positively unforgettable album.
Also, if you ever wanted to know what it felt like to be high without getting high, listen to Venus in furs with the lights off.
Choice cut: Heroin
Robert Wyatt
2/5
I’m hearing a Beatles and Frank Zappa influence with this guy. I’m also hearing vocals that are too low and word salad being thrown at my ears.
It’s a jumbled mess of music and vocals.
I can’t find anything positive out of it other than it isn’t a complete waste of my time….but almost
Skunk Anansie
3/5
Skunk is like Bjork but with far far far better vocals. The band is like peak 90’s WWE theme song music and that’s not a bad thing, as I seem to say more on this app than I do in real life….
I can’t put this band in a specific genre but I guess you could say the are more alternative than anything else. I found myself thinking that Skunk sort of wasted her talents on this brand of music instead of cutting Celine Dion radio hits. There’s something intriguing about the album and it’s not bad, it just tries too hard to be great and it’s not working
Faust
4/5
An almost 12 minute song to start things? Ok, let’s see what you’ve got then….
So the first track is called Krautrock which makes me think of Kraftwerk. The next song sounds like Kraftwerk and Devo and I’m not sure if I’m going to think that through this whole album or not.
I’m hearing hints of Syd Barrett Pink Floyd as well.
If I played this for my grandma she would just call it “awful noise”, I beg to differ grandma. Although I can’t pull a specific track from this album as a stand out, I will say that it is good background noise and I did enjoy it for what it offers.
Leonard Cohen
1/5
I’m all for poetry and verbal imagery but this album doesn’t conjure up any of those. The only thing I feel is “when does the next song come on”? It’s bland but that’s sort of what Leonard Cohen is. He’s not winking any singing competitions. This is not a memorable album for any good reason
Choice cut: On the Level
Jefferson Airplane
2/5
A classic hippy generation album. Grace Slick has that voice that women can lose themselves in and one that could almost make a man murder someone based on the evil sounding harmonizing she dishes out.
The slow songs fail in comparison to everything else on the album, which is shocking because I’m a sucker for a slow song. You could call White Rabbit a slow song if you want and then I’d be wrong but let’s face it, White Rabbit is a monster in its own. It has no label. This album does do much in move the needle I feel. It’s just cookie cutter rock that occasionally dips into the pop realm.
Choice cut: White Rabbit
Doves
2/5
This album has nothing to offer to me. The music is decent but there’s not emotions felt when I hear it. It falls into that realm of blandness where I’m 5 songs deep and I never really heard the first one end.
There’s no jaw dropping song.
There, I said it.
Supergrass
3/5
This is a decent British rock album. Whether these guys are British or not, I really don’t know. This is a middle of the road rock album though. It’s good but it doesn’t have any “return to me” tracks, at least not yet. We are writing as we go folks.
Well, it is done and I’m just blah. It’s doesn’t push the need to listen to them for me but I’m not pushed away by the sound. I’d listen to another album
Choice cut: Sun Hits the Sky
PJ Harvey
3/5
This sounds like a demo. Like the songs are there but not perfectly produced. I feel like this is a late 90s to early 2000’s album. Where women artists were present but stood more on the edgier side of things than the poppy sell out crap they do now.
I had this on as background music I guess. I really lost focus of what I was listening to and got carried away with my thoughts. I’m ok with that.
Choice cut: Fountain
Alice In Chains
4/5
This is what I call sludge rock. I don’t know what the classification really is but to me, this is it. The guitars are heavy driving, they sound almost muddled but it works. Vocally Layne had a distinct voice and he knew how to use it. His voice just suits the music. Or it’s the other way around, either way, it works. Don’t listen to this if you want to be happy. At the same time, this isn’t an acoustic guitar playing under vocals that scream suicide and despair. It’s just a heavy album. If you value rock/alternative you will value this.
Choice cut: Rain When I Die
Dolly Parton
4/5
This album fits the formula that I really dislike but somehow it works. Each song sounds the same and honestly from what I can tell, the stories are almost the same as well. But somehow Dolly makes this work. She keeps you wanting to hear what’s next.
This album does sound more like a folk album than country. More Joni Mitchell and less Dolly……
Choice cut: Coat of Many Colors
Aimee Mann
1/5
This must have come out during the heydays of Jewel, Merideth Brooks and Alanis. If it did, it’s weak in comparison. It’s just poppy bubblegum pop gum pop…..
I don’t like anything about this album really. It won’t get a one star rating because its not horrible pieces together like more deserving 1 star albums. It’s just lacks any sort of emotion from me.
Air
3/5
Instrumentals, talking, singing and samples. This is an album that moves you forward with it but not in a hurried pace. It’s dark without saying it’s supposed to be. I’m not quite sure where you would play this album. The bass is there but it’s not road trip worthy, it’s a little too down sounding to play at a party. Maybe if you were painting your house?
All in all, it’s a decent album for those that don’t want to sing along to something.
Choice cut: Dirty Trip
Fats Domino
4/5
I’m actually surprised by how bluesy Fats is rather than Little Richardy or Jerry Lee Lewisy. This is the classic simple lyrics mixed with quick straight to the point playing. The songs are over quickly and sometimes before you are ready.
Please note, Spotify didn’t have this particular album so I chose to listen to the Complete Imperial Singles. I’d say it’s a fair trade off. This is happy bluesy music. Production wise I’m sure it was the best they had to offer. It’s just simple music as I had said. Nothing to blow you away but enough to keep you listening.
Frank Sinatra
4/5
Sometimes I wonder if these albums were just thrown on here. Like, do they get proof listened to when someone makes a suggestion? Do they have to maintain a certain ranking or they get eliminated from the list?
This is a great swing time album. You have to like that.
This is classic crooner music. You have to like that.
This is a great big band album. You have to like that.
It’s not a great album when out against some of the more known “must listen to albums”. I think there are better Sinatra albums out there.
Listen, you know who Frank Sinatra is, everyone does. You will either like this before you listen to it or you will skip it. Plain and simple. I enjoyed it, I knew I would.
Choice cut: You Make Me Feel so Young
Dusty Springfield
3/5
I expected this to be more poppy like Carly Simon but this is more soul than anything.
I’m not sure I really picked up a theme of this album but perhaps there isn’t one.
All in all it’s not a forgettable album. I can see why Dusty was a middle of the road household name. She pushes the songs along, not really leaving you with a weird look on your face as if to say “what the hell is this trash”. I don’t highly recommend this album and I don’t stand behind it being a well liked one by all. I do give it an “ok” stamp of approval.
Choice cut: Son of a Preacher Man
Elastica
3/5
This is Hole with a better voice but more poppy. I can tell that Connection was the song they rode with to propel them into a part of the music stratosphere. It stands out high above the rest of the songs. That being said, you could do worse with your time giving this album a full listen.
S.o.f.t and Hold me Now but can freely say that they share the limelight with a song like Connection. This is a much better album as it goes on. It finishes stronger in the latter half if you make it that far. Don’t expect any Mariah Carey, glass shattering vocals. This is pop punk with splashes of electronica. It fits it’s early 2000’s family of female edginess.
Choice cut: Connection
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
This is an album where I find myself subliminally saying “hell ya!” After almost every song. To be fair, I had already known a handful of these songs. To be fair, Lively Up Yourself is one of the weakest tracks and that starts off this album. Maybe I’m just a sucker for that reggae beat. I have found myself trailing off with my thoughts, which leads me to not give a 5 star rating. Again, like with so many bands and albums, you have to really like the sound. You have to really like the message, as long as you can find it. This is probably one of his best albums to date, who knows what the family will drum up as the years go on.
Choice cut: No Woman No Cry
Travis
4/5
This is like the love child between Oasis and Muse.
I’d say Driftwood is a low point on the album, at least the first low point. Turn has then returned the album back to its starting position.
This is Brit rock as we know it. The Brit’s have a formula when it comes to tasty spoonfuls of music. I didn’t want to like this album because I don’t like the way the band looks and I hate someone named Travis but I’m sold on them.
Choice cut: Why Does it Always Rain on Me
Blur
3/5
This feels dialed in but at the same time the hooks are there. It’s not a terrible album but it’s weird to think they used to battle it out with Oasis, like both bands were seriously on the same musical plain. I really can’t pin down what I don’t like about this album. Again, it has the hooks, it flows well, lyrically it’s not just pieced together I guess. I just don’t feel “it” when I’m listening. It was a wise choice for Damon to put most of his time into Gorrilaz
Red Hot Chili Peppers
5/5
I feel like this is the official “breakthrough “ album by them. Being a lifelong Chili Peppers fan until this point, that’s what I feel. In my opinion, Blood Sugar is a far better album but we are here to talk about this one.
This is good, as much as this music snob wants to bash it from start to finish, I can’t. I mean, come on, there’s 4 chart making songs here. Possibly #1’s but I’m not doing my research on that one.
And when I thought maybe they got rid of the sound that they originally became known for, that white boy funk and soul, they return the album to their roots with “Get on Top” which I would assume is one of the least favorite song of the commercial Chili Pepper fan. I will also hand it to them, where I wasn’t going to give them another chance because again, I consider myself a music snob, these guys still touched on the sounds from their earlier albums. As noted in the later songs of this album. I’m pleasantly surprised. The Chili’s aren’t sell outs.
Rocket From The Crypt
4/5
Ahhh a band I have heard of but had no clue what they sounded like. I thought more indie than punk. I’d say they are leaning strongly into the full fledged punk sound with splashes of hooks that pop punk bands rely heavily upon. The songs roll through fast making it seem like one of those bands that whip through a 10 song set in concert before acknowledging the crowd.
Choice cut: On a Rope
Tom Waits
3/5
It’s poetic and blusey. Light and dark. The only consistent thing is the odd vocals. Vocals that range from droopy dog sounding to smoked too many cigs range . I knew what I was getting into with this album. This is the kind of emotion I feel like Leonard Cohen needed to liven up his albums. I really can’t say much about this album. I didn’t hate it. I grew tired of it about 3/4 of the way through it but I’m not turned off in any way. I won’t go out of my way to listen to another Waits album but if the feeling is right, I could wander back.
Choice cut: Jersey Girl
Japan
2/5
You could tell me this was Duran Duran and I’d believe you.
This is really just a “meh” album. It’s like someone took all of Duran Duran’s non hits and put them on an album. It would probably hit the charts in its day and it may very well have but it has no rocket to the moon song. This is another “it just existed” album for me. They did not win me over.
Talking Heads
2/5
Not very interesting, I don’t see the importance of them other than creating Psycho Killer and Burning Down the House
Voice cut: Psycho Killer
Muddy Waters
4/5
Well, by the time I noticed I was on the 3rd song I thought I had listen to twice the amount. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? I don’t know. This is peak dance blues. That’s what I’ll call it. Where Robert Johnson and RL Burnside and the likes made blues to wallow in, Muddy made it to move. I’m a sucker for that harmonica.
Choice cut: I Want to be Loved #2
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
3/5
Classical style elevator music. It has a place just not for me. It’s not bad, just hard to get through with my standards
Megadeth
3/5
Rolling guitars, evil sounding vocals, good guitar solos. This is 80’s metal.
I don’t personally believe that this is their best album. It lacks a blow away track.
Maybe I’m getting my bands mixed up but nothing on here compares to Hallowed Be Thy Name or Peace Sells. That’s what I’m searching for.
I’m not totally lost on this album. It had me bouncing back and forth between giving up and soldiering on. I soldiered on.
Choice cut: Tornado of Souls
Curtis Mayfield
4/5
Peak pimping soul music. The grooves and vocals just mesh so well together. If this wasn’t the soundtrack for an action movie, I would have said it should be.
If you like funk and soul, you’ll like this. If you don’t like that type of sound, you may still like this.
Choice cut: Pusher Man
Parliament
5/5
Did every late 90’s early 2000’s hip hop album sample from this album or what?
My Gosh, did I miss the “ship” when it came to Parliament. This album is the shit. Not shit, THE shit.
I got so caught up in the album that it finished and I just kept listening to whatever Spotify played next, thinking it was Parliament. I don’t know how one could not like this album but I’m sure there are hippies, country people and metal heads that will melt like the Wicked witch of the west when they hear it. Her problem was water, I know that.
Choice cut: Mothership Connection
The B-52's
2/5
I call this be-bop music. I don’t know if that is a thing and I’ve heard it before but that’s what I think. It’s a niche, it’s an aquired taste and I think it’s something you can’t binge listen to. These guys aren’t at least.
Choice cut: Rock Lobster
Primal Scream
3/5
This sounds like it would be the bridge album between Blur and Gorrilaz. It has that Brit rock sound mixed with electronic bits. This is a jammy, spaced out type of album. An album that you could leave on in the background for any occasion. Well, maybe not a kids birthday.
Kings of Leon
4/5
There’s a hint of blues in this rock album and that always seems to be a good formula. The Melodie’s are well performed. The guitars and drums really drive the songs. I’ve known of these guys for some time but never really gave them a chance until I’ve been forced to.
This is good. There isn’t an awful song on here. I may not go back to this album again but I’ll keep listening to them.
Choice cut: Use Somebody
Pixies
2/5
It’s a low tier effort with this one. This is the 2nd Pixies album I’ve listened to and I’m starting to wonder what all the fuss is about with them. I don’t know how you will feel about it reader, but I will say this album won’t make you a fan.
Van Morrison
4/5
This album just hums along. It’s another one where you get the impression that Van and the band just whip through songs while performing live and not really stopping to acknowledge the band until quite a few songs in. That’s when you finally get to cdt h your breath. That’s weird with an album like this because it’s not overly uptempo. It just chugs along at a faster than slow pace.
If I was asked to give someone an album that they could go sit around a fire on a beach at night and just get lost in the joy of brain wonder. This would be a possibility.
I also found that this album went on three or four songs too long. Short and sweet would have been better.
Choice cut: Moondance
The Hives
4/5
As expected, this album starts at an 8 and doesn’t look back. Ahem, on a scale of 10 in rockness. I don’t take anything special from it. I did when they broke out on the scene in my highly influential years.
This is the perfect soundtrack for a high octane event you are participating in. It could also been a Jackass soundtrack. Get what I’m saying about it?
Huh?
Do ya?
Punk?
Dead Kennedys
4/5
I did not expect to see a Dead Kennedys album, that’s for sure.
What I’ve heard of and what I had listened to from these guys did not prepare me for this album. What I knew was politics and anger and the same tempo music at every turn. I was right after listening to this but I was also surprised with the catchiness of most of the songs. I was surprised to find out that Let’s Lynch the Landlord was their song after I had heard the much different Faith No More version. The band is better than I thought . I was a DK fan first through nostalgia but I’m now invested. I can’t say the same for you, dear reader. I do not know what you seek to find.
Choice cut: Let’s Lynch the Landlord
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
Ya, ummm I’m not feeling this. What’s supposed to be taken from this album? Is it poetic verse over slow music? Is it just bad singing with good lyrics?
I know Nick Cave and I’m not taken back by his musical delivery. I just can’t seem to pull anything all that good out of what I’m listening to. Maybe it’s my mood or maybe it’s the time of the day. I don’t feel any sort of inspiration or life changing moment arising out of this listening.
Choice cut: Waiting for You
The Temptations
3/5
This wasn’t a soundtrack for sweet sweet lovemaking like I thought it would be. It has some substance to it. I was not overly impressed with it. There’s some low temple jams, the vocals are good and the band are clearly tight. This album just seems to lack anything that caught my attention. I had the ill fated mind wander while listening. Sometimes that’s good when the music seems to have that intention. This didn’t.
I had a choice cut but I forgot what it was and now I’m listening to Blind Melon.
3/5
This album was peak Bowie at his most word marrying best. I could only imagine a sober persons face when he introduced ideas for this album.
This album doesn’t blow me away. It’s pieced together much better than some of his later year albums. On average it’s a up tempo album and the songs just fly by. There’s defiantly some solid tracks. There are some so-so tracks as well. There isn’t trash. I will say that. I haven’t looked to see what the song is called so I can avoid it at all costs next time.
Choice cut: Ziggy Stardust
The Beau Brummels
2/5
I should have known by the band name that this venture wasn’t going to turn out great.
I was fooled albeit briefly with the opening track “Are You Happy”. Then it turned probably 1 minute into the song.
This is druggy Bowie mixed with Syd Barrett Pink Floyd and early Dylan without the deep poetic verses.
We are not in FKA Twigs territory with this one but it’s close. I’m moving on, 6 songs in. That’s serviceable
Roxy Music
2/5
I think this is the 3rd Roxy Music album I’ve listened to since I’ve taken part in this challenge. Are they the best band in the world or something? I don’t get it.
All in all, it’s not terrible but it’s not good. I don’t recall and moments that may have made me think differently. I’m still not a fan
Choice cut: The Bogus Man
2/5
I’m scratching my head on yet another one. How is this an album that I needed to listen to. It bring nothing to the table. It’s even as if PJ lost a step with this one. Instead of venturing into the darkness, she went headfirst into the land of bubblegum and sunshine. Well, it’s more likely she had one foot in the darkness still. This isn’t what i expected to hear from her.
Depeche Mode
5/5
Finally something to keep my attention.
The only complaint I have is how long Enjoy the Silence drags on. In this day and age, with streaming services, no one has time to let the band receive a listen royalty if the main song ends and we have to sit through a barely there instrumental at the end of it. This album can turn a non goth fan into one.
Choice cut: Enjoy the Silence
Beatles
5/5
Ahhh a classic and I’m saying that as a totally unbiased person. This album is widely acknowledged as a classic. I don’t even have to listen to it based on the huge acceptance of it. But I will listen, oh yes I will. You know why? Well, I don’t particularly believe that all Beatles albums are classics. Let me take this bull by the horns and scalp it. Shall I? Let’s see….
6 songs in and silence from me. Well, so far “I Want You” is the weakest song and it’s a 4/5. I must do better to squash this album.
Ok we’ve got them!! Sun King….not good. Down half a star.
That’s about all I could muster up with my critique. It’s a pretty solid album. 4.5 stars but I’ll round up. The good ones are too good.
Choice cut: Here Comes the Sun
Nas
3/5
This is what I call book smarts rap/hip hop. It strays from my tastes of bitches, killing, drug references and living the life of a G. It has a direction and a message. The beats are strong and hard hitting. There’s no bubblegum, intentional radio friendly track on this album. I’m not sure what makes Nas a hip hop icon but that’s ok. I didn’t hate this. Now I’m going back to the Jackass Soundtrack
Choice cut: Memory Lane
Tricky
2/5
I’m not loving this and yet another middle of the road album where I don’t hate it. I think, even though I hate them, that this would be better suited as an instrumental album. The music hits fairly hard. I think the vocals tone it down too much. Not enough intensity in her voice.
Hell is Round the Corner stands out. I’m mean really stands out.
This album could also have been better if Tricky took the lead more. The songs where his vocals dominated seem to be the best.
Choice cut: Hell is Round the Corner
Electric Light Orchestra
2/5
This is a mix of Supertramp and post Beatles Paul McCartney . What’s that mean? I don’t know. And the Bee Gee’s.
I’m not feeling this. Being a late 70’s baby, I’d say this is parent music . Not my bag baby. But if you like mostly The Bee Gees and Supertramp, try this, it’s ok
Ella Fitzgerald
2/5
This was hard to get into. I skipped the first 2 songs, no signing.
It’s Ella outing in the effort that make this album even a consideration to listen to it.
I’m in the hospital and my listening of this was cut short. I will rate it on what I know.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
This was a lot more upbeat than I learned to know of Springsteen. It leaned more towards Billy Joel sounding to me. I wasn’t taken by any of the songs. It’s just a so-so album by someone who was given the nickname “The Boss” for unknown reasons to me now.
Ice Cube
5/5
This is how hip hop should be and should have stayed. This hits. It’s angry, very angry. The sound bites are on point. The beats deliver and the lyrics get their point across. It’s hard to imagine that this is the Are We there Yet guy. To me, in acting, he’s Doughboy. This should please the fringe hip hop listener unless you consider Drake to be badass. If so, don’t bother, this is too much for you
Choice cut: Gangstas Fairytale 2
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
Simon and Garfunkel- 1 strike against
Album name- 1 strike against
Wow, 2 stars knocked off right away. That was easy. Now, let’s see what bullshit we get ourselves into.
I can stand the music, it’s the singing and lyrics that are the problem. I’m an open road too when it comes to music. But, even though I don’t like the lyrics and singing, I’m not knocking the album. 4 songs in and it’s ok for what it is offering.
The harmonizing is tight. The songs have a place and aren’t lazily put into the album as filler.
The upbeat tracks are where it’s at with these guys. It eliminates the wussy sounding voices they can have.
It’s a shame, if you give the Stones or the Beatles this album, sans lyric, it’d be a hit in a broader range.
I know songs from this album that I didn’t think were their songs. It has lasting power in that sense. These guys aren’t for me but I will officially say that I will remove the 2 negative stars I gave it before listening.
Choice cut: Homeward Bound
Arcade Fire
4/5
This album has basically one tempo. One that you can bob your head to as you move from song to song.
The Suburbs is the track that carries it and it doesn’t look back. It’s not a bad album at all. Sort of in the lines of The Dandy Warhols. If you don’t know who they are, well, you should.
Choice cut: The Suburbs
Joni Mitchell
2/5
Oh boy
Who suggested this? A regular Joe or a music critic?
Joni Mitchell’s music is about as appealing as wet farting in a pair of white pants while teaching a high school class full of delinquents. Catch my drift?
So then I throw out any ill feelings towards what I know Joni Mitchell to be. Results?
It’s the same.
It’s whiney even though I’m sure she doesn’t mean it to be.
It’s not catchy although I’m sure she meant it to be.
The music alone isn’t even that good. The only positive is that it at least blends well together. I just don’t see anything good in this album otherwise.
Might I suggest listening to Fiona Apple instead
Kelela
2/5
Another “I don’t get it album”. With all the mighty giants in this list and somehow this album makes it on there to? I will say, it wasn’t unbearable, not even close. It was just blah though. Every song sounds the same. The vocals are good. I sort of wish that Kelley got the Lauryn Hill treatment instead of Lauryn Hill because well, she’s a bitch.
Anywho
This is bland, blah, boring.
Not terrible but not a top album of all time
Eminem
5/5
This was pretty much the last time Eminem was relevant. It’s the last time he really had a sense of humor. The last album before he became mad at everything and needed to sound angry in almost every song. This is the perfect fun hip hop album. Regardless of how serious the content of the song is. It made me a fan but oh how quickly I walked away . It’s hard to pick out a choice cut because the songs are so close together in goodness. I chose Bonnie and Clyde. I like to put it on for my wife and remind her what would happen if she left me.
Uhhh
Did I say that out loud?
Choice cut: 97 Bonnie and Clyde
Robert Wyatt
1/5
Why?
Why is this here?
Not my words, this album.
No thanks
Johnny Cash
5/5
This is a great live album. The recording, even though it’s done quite a while ago, makes you feel like you are there. In the joint, the clink, the slammer. Peak Cash before his heart was broken. Then he peaked again.
Choice cut: Cocaine Blues
Elvis Presley
5/5
This doesn’t sound live, like at all. Well, this is Elvis. You know what you’re going to get. Can you dig it? There are haters but I don’t know why.
The only knocks against Elvis are his hankering for younger girls and the fact that he didn’t write a single song. Like ever. EVER. It blows my mind that someone so musically talented did not ever pick up a pen and write a complete song. Even just words. Mind blown.
Anyways.
Ya
You know what you’re getting with this album. You don’t need me to talk about it.
Choice cut: After Loving You
The Specials
2/5
This started off great and then it’s like the drugs kicked in and they forgot what they were doing. This turned into High Bowie and Syd Barrett territory .
I had high hopes for this one but 7 songs in and I’m taking a hard I turn.
Choice cut: Enjoy Yourself
Public Image Ltd.
2/5
Well, Theme didn’t start me off on the right listening foot.
Religion sounds like a kid forced to make a presentation in front of the class but he really REALLY doesn’t want to.
It’s almost as if The Clash and the Sex Pistols purposely disassembled and tried to create weird 80’s bands far removed from their original sound. The problem was, the Clash guy did it right with their band that I can’t think of the name. Johnny here just falls flat on his face.
Choice cut: Fodderstompf
Black Sabbath
3/5
I forgot that Sabbath isn’t as dark and gloomy and satanic as I always perceive them to be.
This is very sludgy blues. Heavy lazy sounding guitar and drums with a vocal delivery that, as I said, reminds me of the blues.
Choice cut: Changes
Jimmy Smith
3/5
So far this sounds like intermission music. You know? Like that short break before your feature presentation? Ya? No?
I usually struggle with instrumental music. I’m holding on now. It’s not bad.
Annnnd ok I get it, what you hear at the start is what you will hear all the way through. Not my bag baby but for it’s genre, it’s passable.
Van Halen
4/5
I’ve been around long enough to know who Van Halen are. I’ve heard my fair share of songs, hell, I’ve heard quite a few of these. What I haven’t done is fairly critique them.
5 songs in and I’m impressed. I never questioned Eddie’s guitar playing or Alex’s drumming. I’m not a fan of Dave’s screaming or whatever you call it. Moans? Whatever. You get it.
My only knock is it tapers off with the last 4 songs. The momentum has been lost. Other than that, it’s a very passable album, just not perfect.
Choice cut: Eruption
The Residents
2/5
As soon as I plugged in the name of this band into Spotify, I was immediately struck by the thought “isn’t this Devo?” I don’t know why that crossed my mind and then the music started and I’m not debating my initial thought. This is very Devoesque.
Then I wonder why? Why is this here? With the concept of being one of the 1001 greatest albums released, not even close.
With the concept of 1001 albums you need to hear because it’s just so damn different? Sure. Am I interpreting this 1001 challenge wrong? Are these not supposed to be the best albums in the world that you must conquer through your ears? Perhaps I am wrong.
Well, I’ve had enough of listening. Instrumentally it’s passable. It’s just weird. It’d be hard pressed to make a fan out of a first time listener. I may listen again if I stumble upon them in my travels but I will not seek them out.
Kraftwerk
4/5
Kreftwerk just doesn’t give a shit do they?
Europe Endless is way too long of a song to start off with if you don’t know what you’re getting into by hitting play on this album.
This is another decent album by them. I can’t really describe what I felt listening to it but I can tell you that I look forward to crossing paths with Kraftwerk soon
Choice cut: Europe Endless
Dennis Wilson
3/5
Yep, this sounds like Beach Boy B sides to me. It’s not unpleasant. It has its moments.
I especially liked the Pink Floyd sounding Friday Night. You can’t tell me that wasn’t the intent. Maybe Dennis should have stuck to that formula.
Well, here are with Dreamer sounding very Pink Floyd as well. Maybe he’s on to something after all!
Well, I guess not. Back to the b side beach boys .
Pacific Ocean Blues goes back to that Pink Floyd , non beach boys sound that he really should have stuck with. A whole album of that sound could very well have been a 5 star from me…. Maybe.
Choice cut: Friday Night
Lorde
3/5
Ya, ok this was better than I thought. It’s like a more upbeat Enya or a whole album done by Bork that you could understand and it has better singing.
I don’t have a choice cut because it seemed like one long song.
ZZ Top
3/5
Nothing of note has come to mind until I heard “Hot,Blue and Righteous “. That sounds like a song Prince wrote and I’m not at all upset if that were true.
Anyways, I know I should be saying that La Grange is the choice cut off of this album and although technically true, I’m finding Hot,Blue and Righteous to be the real gem of the album. It just sounds so different than what I knew these guys to sound like.
All in all, this isn’t a blow away album for me. It’s blusey, guitar driven, groovy in a non hippy sense. It’s a good background soundtrack. That may be all a person needs.
Choice cut: Hot, Blue and Righteous
The Afghan Whigs
3/5
This album makes me feel like I’m listening to Spotify on shuffle outside of my “liked songs”. I found myself wanting to hit skip a few times. It’s weird because the music isn’t that bad. It may be the unfortunate instance where I just don’t feel like listening to this. Or I’m not engaged in the offering. I’m trying though. This is like Dinosaur Jr. That’s what I’m thinking at this point.
Ya, it’s just the same thing over and over again. Mid level intensity. Decent music. The vocals aren’t terrible . There really isn’t anything to make me turn away from the album but there also isn’t anything to keep me listening. It’s mid but not terrible.
Elvis Costello
2/5
You know, it’s weird, Kinder Murder could be the best track on the album and it wore out the appeal for me before it was even finished. I kept thinking, man, this is a long song and then I look and it’s under 4 minutes. Too repetitive but still, possibly the best song in the album. Hmmmmm
Ya well, I was right. Best song on the album.
This album is bland. That’s all
Bland
Choice cut: Kinder Murder
Marty Robbins
4/5
I caught wind of this guy and album by chance. Listening to a gothic country playlist on Spotify . They’re Hanging Me Tonight was the song and I was hooked to the feeling of it. I was let down to know that it was the best song on the album. There is one theme to this album: Sorrow
It’s one tone. You won’t be hitting the dance floor to any song but you may wish that you were a cowboy back in the day.
Choice cut: They’re Hanging Me Tonight
The White Stripes
5/5
Simplicity at its best. They feed off of each other so well that yo I forget there is only 2 of them in the band.
This is what brought back rock music after grunge. Sure, Jack White may look like Michael Jackson’s brother at this point but so what, this was long before that happened.
16 songs and only 2 I don’t care for. That really doesn’t matter because this album takes you on a foot tapping journey. This album is so good that your mind can lead you to believe that Meg White is a 10. Seriously. It’s that good.
Choice cut: offend in every way
Derek & The Dominos
3/5
This is definitely some hippy hop along music. The title seems a bit off since I find the songs to be more upbeat that lovey. A good love song is slow. It’s made to make love to and allow the make lover to pace themselves to the slow grooves of the songs.
3 songs in and I feel like I’ve listened to 10.
More songs in and it’s still the same feeling from when I pressed play. I don’t hate it, I really don’t but it’s just lacking flavor. Momentum. Anything. It deserves to be higher than a 3 star but I’m finding it may not be possible. It fails drastically in comparison to my normal 4 star and above.
Choice cut: Bell Bottom Blues
Duran Duran
3/5
Is this their best album? I don’t think so. For the time? Perhaps. It’s predictable 80’s pop. The singles hit way harder than the lesser known track. Duran Duran had a target audience and if you’re in that target range and only in that target range would this then be a 5 star album. For now, it does it’s job. It’s not phoned in and it got the girls swooning. Well played.
Choice cut: Hungry Like the Wolf
The White Stripes
5/5
There was a time when the White Stripes steam rolled the competition with album after album. They didn’t really taper off but Meg had her problems and Jack honored her by not continuing under the Stripes name. You can commend him for that. Maybe not his political views but that’s for another time and place. Anyways….
You have to like simplicity, both lyrically and musically to really enjoy this album. It’s so simple but gosh darn it, it works.
Choice cut: Ball and Biscuit
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
A classic blues rock album. These guys know what they are doing. So far at least.
I do find that some of the songs carry on for a bit too long for my liking but this is a perfect outdoor cookout soundtrack. Even your grandma would find something to groove to.
OutKast
3/5
I’ve been down this road before. Andre 3000 is such an intriguing person that my mind when listening to these guys is probably more open than it is with other groups. The problem is, is every time I listen, I’m disappointed. Outlast heavily rely on their hits to propel them into stardom. There is a huge disconnect between those hits and everything else.
The first half of this album is like an experimental Parliament album but it doesn’t work. The feel is there but it’s just flat. There’s swearing and sampling and decent beats but even that can’t carry this album. It’s passable, just not Dr.Dre the Chronic…
The Slits
2/5
I mean, the band name suits the album cover, that’s for sure. Other than that, I can’t think of much to commend on this one. It’s what I would consider female punk. Almost bordering on ska. This lacks anything else of substance though. I’ve made it 6 songs in. That’s noteworthy.
I have nothing to recommend with this album.
Kate Bush
2/5
I didn’t think Kate Bush would have a recommended album outside of the album that Running up that Hill would be on. I doubt it’s worth a listen. Let’s take a deeper look, shall we?
The music is good, the vocals though vocally sound are weakened by the way she sings. It’s another trip down that Joni Mitchell road. I’m ok with female singers but there has to be something in it and like Enya, Joni and now Kate, they don’t have it. I don’t even think I can struggle through this album. It would have been better as an instrumental and if you’ve been following along, I don’t like instrumental albums either. It’s a lose lose with this one.
Spacemen 3
3/5
I can honestly say, I have never heard of these guys before. I’m surprised since I like to think of myself as a finger on the strong pulse of the music industry.
My first impression is that they suit their name. It’s a very spacey sounding album. I can’t give more details than that for a description. It’s just waving sounds like I equate space to feel like. I wouldn’t be surprised if The Dandy Warhols were inspired by these guys.
I’m not so sure that a person would pick a song off of here and I use it in their list of go to songs but I can say I feel the album can be a crutch for someone who may just want to get lost in their thoughts. This is not an album you’d put on to help you fall asleep or fuck or fight or party. Maybe it’s the album at the end of the party that comes on when all that’s left in the house are people who are either too stoned or high to move or those who have passed out or on the verge of passing out.
Choice cut: How Does it Feel
Led Zeppelin
5/5
This is the album that won me over after years and years of resistance. I was a firm believer that if you liked The Doors, you didn’t like Led Zeppelin. It went the same the other way. It’s what I saw around me in my musical journey with friends. There was no in between from what I saw. I have since learned that there is enough room in the musical landscape for both bands and many more.
This is a pretty much flawless album by them. I mean, the first 4 of 5 songs are top hits. That’s not a greatest hits album people. That was just a band putting out their next effort. The only flaw is The Battle of Evermore. Waaaaayyyy too hippy sounding. It’s probably the Joni Mitchell voice in the song. I don’t stand for that peace and love voice nor the shit. War and hate is my realm. Ok anyways.
Good album. It’s timeless as in it will be on a top list from here to eternity. Write that down.
Choice cut: Going to California
Alanis Morissette
5/5
I’m old enough to remember the Too Hot, Too Cold Alanis. When she came bursting back onto the scene it was a welcomed sight. this was really the worlds first taste of angry woman music. Sure there were others before her but they were all mostly relegated to the underground scene. Alanis kicked down and burned that door.
This album touches on all of the feeling a woman, showing signs of being on her period, would exhibit in a turbulent relationship. You’d be hard pressed to not like this album. Don’t get me wrong, there are some weak songs on here, like Perfect and Not the Doctor, but all in all it’s too hard to deny it’s greatness.
And let’s face it, you don’t need me to explain this album to you. Even aliens who haven’t been on this planet yet know of this album.
Choice cut: Head Over Feet
Hüsker Dü
3/5
I thought Husker Du was going to be a lot like Pavement. Sort of that bad singing, angry sounding music. This is like prime 80s punk popish…??
I’m at a loss for words with this album. Not that it’s so good that it blows me away or that it’s so bad I’m dumbfounded. No, it just plods along from song to song with nothing but middle of the road songs. That’s not terrible but it leaves me with nothing else to say.
Good day to you
The Cure
3/5
So far, 3 songs in, I’m not impressed. It’s a lot softer than I thought a cure album would be. It’s funny because I complain about it being soft and my choice cut is about love. Strange innit?
It seems that the only other interesting song is Lullaby.
Everything else sounds the same. Pretty much one long song.
You could have this on in the background while you do random things. That would work. And in that note this ends with another “middle of the road” rating from me.
Choice cut: Lovesong
Crowded House
1/5
I’m not sure I have heard an album where I didn’t feel anything listening to it. I’m not talking about a numbness that takes me on an out of body experience. I’m talking about nothing. I hear the songs start and finish. I hear the different sounding songs. I hear the lyrics and each individual instrument. I feel nothing. This is probably one of the worst albums that probably shouldn’t have been a worst album that I have ever heard. It’s not Grimes or FKA Twigs terrible but it’s not good. I shake my head at whoever thought this album should be included in this list.
I’m off to listen to Blind Melon so my ears can get ear boners
Norah Jones
1/5
Ahh yes the goody two shoes Fiona Apple.
That’s what I’m thinking of.
You could take every one of these songs, throw some Christmas words in each one and bingo bango you have yourself a Christmas album.
Due to that, it confuses my ears and my brain. It’s spring right now and this chick has me thinking that I’m going to freeze my ass off when I go outside.
Not my thing here.
To sum it up, it’s Christmas, McDonald’s, boring, sunshine, slow, piano driven music.
She plays it safe on every song. It’s not worth your time.
Pulp
5/5
I was introduced to Pulp at the bowling alley I worked at. One of my co-workers had Common People on a mix CD he made for the glow in the dark Bowling they had every Friday.
Jarvis Cocker, I heard, writes all of his songs in Strip Clubs.
That alone moves this album to a 3 star at least. But you know what? That’s not where it’s stopping, oh no!
I will say, this is by far their best album.
This is Hardcore does a decent enough job but this album put them so far on the music relevance map that even with sub par albums from after this album for eternity, they are still a top notch band.
I’m not sure there is a person out there who likes rock even moderately that would not ike this album. I listen to this album probably once ever 3 months or so
Choice cut: Disco 2000
Alexander 'Skip' Spence
3/5
Ok, I can get behind the story of this guy. One album, supposedly fucked on acid, rambling his way through a full albums worth of acoustic driven tracks.
Sometimes it doesn’t sound like him but apparently it is.
There I am listening with one ear phone on and all I’m hearing are drums. I’m thinking, who’s more fucked up here, this guy or his music producer for just putting a track on the album of just drums. Then I happened to put my other earphone on and realized the song was recorded on separate tracks. Well, that’s how I describe it. I do like it when artists do that, I just like to know ahead of time.
This guy looks like Garth from Wayne’s World in his album cover photo.
This is more tolerable than Syd Barrett’s music but not as trippy. They both serve a purpose in this world of rockdom.
Oddly enough, I like this but I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone, like if I was asked to suggest an obscure album for a person to listen to, this would not come to mind. At least I don’t think so.
Honestly, this album checks the boxes of almost all that I hate when it comes to a good album. The vocals aren’t great, the songs don’t make sense, there’s no real stand out track and the guy doesn’t look like a singer. But somehow this works. I do pray I remember who he is the next time I have a deep musical conversation. He deserves more of my attention, just not more than once a month.
Choice cut: cripple creek
Gary Numan
3/5
Based on what little I know about these guys other than “Cars”, they sound exactly how I thought they would sound.
The keyboards rely heavily on that same formula they used in “Cars”. What came first? “Cars” or the keyboard notes???? Hmmmm
It’s really amazing how roughly the same keyboard formula can be played throughout an entire album and yet it doesn’t really make the songs sound stale. Like there’s something different enough about one song than the next.
My only knock against this album is I grew tired of the same thing song in and song out. The keyboards. Too much keyboard or synth. You know what I’m getting at….
Choice cut: Complex
Motörhead
3/5
I’m not too sure what makes this album one of the best. The vocals are somewhat drowned out. I’ve heard much clearer live versions of music that aren’t on this list.
From what I know of these guys, they sound the same live as they do in studio albums pretty much.
This is straight forward metal/punk. Not everyone will enjoy this.
Sufjan Stevens
1/5
It’s rare that an artist can lose me with the first song of an album but here we are.
The Blackhawk War continued that trend briefly but we may be on a different course now. Let’s dig deeper…
Ahh it was instrumental…figures
Back to the shitty music again
I thought this guy was a political hippy.
Isn’t that why he changed his name?
Ok so Jacksonville started off pretty good as well but then the vocals and lyrics killed it.
It’s just the same formula from start to finish.
Light almost choir boy singing, good guitar playing but weak everything else.
Cat, as I choose to cal him, flutters in a sound that would appease the wussy side of the alt music crowd.
But that wouldn’t get him anywhere. Much like this album and my approval.
Adele
2/5
I cannae be arsed to listen to this but it’s forced upon me.
It’s not my thing.
Music for scruffs and slags.
Her voice is strong.
The music not so much.
Tom Waits
4/5
Well, this is better than the first album I heard from him. Much better!
It’s like Leonard Cohen got weird. That’s what it sounds like. This is weird but good.
7 songs in and I’m ready for something else but for once this isn’t a knock against the album. It does seem to be repetitive, if you could possibly make this type of music seem repetitive, Nick Cave does.
Choice cut: Clap Hands
Killing Joke
3/5
Is this called Goth Punk? Is that a thing? It’s my thing.
Why put out an instrumental song? Seriously? Especially if there could have easily been lyrics added to it. It’s all there. Don’t half ass it people!
Anyways.
This is decent. Enough to make me listen, maybe enough to make me return to them at a later time. I get the relevance of them.
I’m not sure who they may have influenced that has been in the mainstream so I can’t even say these guys sound like someone else. You’re on your own with this band.
My words can only take a person so far.
choice cut: S.O.36
Nirvana
5/5
Another album that everyone knows of. Maybe you haven’t listened to it so I’m telling you to listen to it.
It’s raw and perfect in its own imperfect assembly. A generation grew up to this album and we are still awesome to this day.
Choice cut: Man Who Sold the World
Green Day
4/5
Fuck Green Day.
Fuck Bliie Joe and his hobbit like stature. No gives a shit what you think since you blasted Bieber when you were a tolerable alcoholic. Now the band looks like fat lesbians.
This album is decent though if you remove the people performing it and pretend that they are nobodies. I’ll give them that.
King Crimson
2/5
This is weird and I feel like I should have known that but I didn’t.
When I think of King Crimson I picture King Diamond and they are really far apart in musical style.
This album had promise . If only they had let the guitars do their thing instead of mashing a bunch of instruments together to make a collective noise, I would have like this much better. I get that it’s artsy prog rock. Sort of operatic at times but so is Queen and they hash out hits in between sleepers.
I’m not impressed and I’m hurt by that. I had very high hopes.
Don McLean
2/5
You know, the title song really feels like it goes on for 12+ minutes. It’s well worth my time so I don’t really care. That was just a thought I had that I needed to express.
I have just realized that Don McLean is the male Joni Mitchell. That’s a problem for me. It’s whiney hippy angled music. I love me some acoustic guitar and a single vocal. This album though, I feel like it falls flat on its face as soon as the final note of the title track is complete.
Woah, bravo Don. I hear “Everybody Loves me Baby” come on and it really brought like to a dull album.
I’m willing to bet the tempo goes lame again.
Oh ya, I was right.
Thoroughly disappointed with this one.
Choice cut: American Pie
Steely Dan
3/5
This is sort of in the realms of super drugged out Bowie mixed with peak Bee Gees. This type of music is for guys who love to get drunk off of coolers and women who have full 80’s bush. It’s yacht rock in my opinion.
Musically sound, bass heavy. It could make you dance like an idiot on purpose.
It has no power against heavy hitter 5 star albums but it would last a round or two longer than expected.
Oh, I hear glimpses of Supertramp in this as well.
Does that help you out enough to understand what this album is about?
Choice cut: Peg
Adele
2/5
Again, she has a voice but the album is weak. Predictable adult contemporary sound.
Nothing blows me away though it’s well produced and I can admit it is probably stellar for the genre it’s in, I just don’t have an ear for that type of sound
Deep Purple
3/5
Bluesy, rolling guitar sound, funky keyboards. These guys are a less dark version of Black Sabbath. Or Black Sabbath is a heavier version of these guys.
It’s jammy. This is a good album for wordless scenes in a movie or for background music in a video game when you’re driving a vehicle.
Choice cut: Smoke on the Water
Christina Aguilera
2/5
Great voice but it wears thin with the way she sings. I like the bluesy, soul sound she sort of pulls off. It’s the vocal range extension that she wants to show off that doesn’t do it for me.
It’s not even close to being the best pop album I’ve ever heard and not even close to being one of her best.
Aphex Twin
3/5
I really was thinking that the album title was just an album title and it wasn’t telling the truth.
If anyone is following me, you know I don’t like instrumental music.
There’s samples though which breaks the album away from the monotonous.
I think a remix album of this would be better.
It’s passable it just doesn’t give me a “wow factor”
Choice cut: Ageispolis
Minutemen
3/5
I didn’t expect to hear these guys on here. That’s based on how little I know of them. I know Corona and being heavily influenced by Jackass, I say, let’s do this.
I can hear some Chili Peppers style in here. I think these guys were first? So I can also say that I’m guessing they influenced the chili peppers???
The bass is strong with these guys. It’s also funky and light punk. Not sell out pop punk. Don’t get it mixed up.
This isn’t bad. It’s not predictable as to what’s next. There really isn’t any singing on here. It’s more talking but it works. I don’t think these guys are on a lot of peoples top bands lists but that’s ok. I long for a favorite band that is more obscure .
I don’t think this would cause anyone to be disappointed in what they have heard with this album. Unless they are primarily a country, rap or classical music type of person. If that’s the case, they shouldn’t be here.
Choice cut: Corona
Michael Jackson
4/5
If you didn’t know anything about Michael Jackson when you heard this album for the first time, you’d take a double take at the album cover and artist name when you first heard his spoken word part on “Don’t Stop”.
This is funky and a good fit for the time. With Michael Jackson though, it’d really big a good fit in any decade. He just has that delivery.
I’m not even that big of a fan with this type of music. I guess I should really call it sensitive funk.
John Coltrane
3/5
I don’t love it but should I? This isn’t my jam man. BUT, for its musical category, it’s good. It really is. The bass lines from song to song really carry you along while Charlie Brown soundtrack music plays over top.
And that’s about all I have.
It’s jazz. It’s not any type of jazz where you won’t know what it sounds like.
I wish there was singing. That’s a knock against this album. But overall it’s enjoyable. It doesn’t hold a candle to the winds chance against rock albums but for its category, I’ll rate it higher than I would if I compared it to rock albums.
Nanci Griffith
3/5
I thought this was going to sound like a Kate Bush album. It doesn’t and I’m really happy with that. I don’t need a Kate Bush album.
So this is country or its as close to a country album you can get.
She’s a country Joni Mitchell but she’s another bearable version of Joni.
This album moves right along. I don’t find myself being taken away with a particular song but I find it peaceful
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
4/5
Well, I didn’t become gay by listening to this like I had thought all these years.
This is a well produced 80’s album. It strays away from the cheesy sound that the 80’s was known for. It’s as if you were actually in a Pleasuredome when you were listening to this.
I’d say this album is the lighter side of Violator by Depeche Mode. Where The Mode dabble in darkness , Frankie shines a light but still keeps the lights sort of dimmed.
I was surprised about how good this album was.
I won’t listen to it again but they earned my respect.
Choice cut: War
The Beach Boys
3/5
I feel like this was around the time that they thought they were better than Brian Wilson and tried to be successful on their own. It’s flat compared to other albums by them.
There’s less overpowering harmonizing than what I’m used to.
This doesn’t even seem like Mike Love on vocals.
Everything about this seems less like the Beach Boys and more like the Land Teens….
Whatever.
Rating wise, it is actually decent. Sure they sound sleepy and disinterested but the songs still deliver enough to make me understand why this album is on the list.
Surfs up, the song, did not hit like I thought it would. I’m sure that was intentional
Choice cut: Disney Girls
AC/DC
5/5
Solid. Very solid. This album doesn’t wear me out like some AC/DC albums do. It’s not as repetitive as some of the albums get.
It’s dark and you really feel like you’re summoning the devil is you listen too long so I don’t. I’m like a 2 song at a listen person. That’s called protection.
A great cover of Hells Bells is done by the Dandy Warhols FYI
Choice cut: Hell’s Bells
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
4/5
Tom Petty is like Bob Seger. You don’t seek him out but when he comes to your attention again, you’re all in.
This is a good album. My only take away is that I don’t think I’d return to it. I don’t have a reason why.
SZA
5/5
First of all, I’m not a fan of this type of music. Women’s hip hop? Or rap pop? I don’t know.
I then have to compare SZA to Rihanna who sits atop the woman’s alter of music.
After those stipulations are weighed, I can feather my way through the unwanted feelings and assess this album.
You know what? I’m glad I listened.
The music is great, the beats hit. Sza’s delivery isn’t even great. Sort of a Jamaican sound vocally. There’s samples! I never hate that.
As much as i wanted to fake listen to this album, I’m glad I didn’t let my music snob attitude win.
My biggest disappointment is that I found the best song to be the 3rd song, which seems to be a constant for me.
If Rihanna is the Queen, at this point, SZA warms the Throne when Rihanna leaves to go to the bathroom.
Choice cut: Doves in the Wind
New Order
1/5
Ok, that first song threw me off. It wasn’t New Order to me at all. It was sort of what Daft Punk would have done.
Now we are at All the Way and this isn’t what i think of New Order either. It’s softer than what I’ve known and expected from them. All the Way could almost pass for a Pet Shop Boys song.
And so on and so on.
Nah, this is weak. It’s weak for the 80’s. It’s weak as a retro listen years down the line.
It’s not memorable.
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
4/5
Though this album does seem flawless it’s biggest and only flaw is the repetitive sound. I don’t blame Buddy and the guys, this was the sound of the era. I just don’t think it stacks up against some of the 5 star greats in my rankings.
This is a good album for a diner. Or a dentists office or doctors office.
Buddy Holly can write music and I’m always surprised to learn that he had done a song that I didn’t think was his.
I will say, hip hop people and metal heads will HATE this album.
Choice cut: That’ll be the Day
Fleet Foxes
3/5
Im lost with these guys. I can’t really pin down their sound.
They are sort of a slow Coheed and Cambria, mixed with the Mars Volta and Spiritualized.
I really like the music but the vocals and words lack for me.
Choice cut: Tiger Mountain Peasant Song
Brian Eno
3/5
I was really REALLY hesitant to listen to this album. I have no interest in hearing what I thought was folky ramblings of two old fucks. Yes, I know what David Byrne represents. Brian Eno, not so much.
I haven’t felt much of a wow factor after the first few songs. The album to me has settled into its sound. That sound is heard on the first track. It’s consistent, sample driven and slightly odd. Almost a spoken word album but it’s a little too funky for spoken word.
Choice cut: Mea Culpa
Garbage
3/5
This is a great representation of the 90’s women led bands. Slightly angry, well delivered lyrics. If you grew up in the 90’s, you knew Garbage.
The singles carry this album and why shouldn’t they? The other songs can hold the album together but not blow anyone away. This is peak 90’s music. What else can I say. I don’t love it but I’d listen to it
Choice cut: #1 Crush
Bob Dylan
2/5
This sounds more like a b sides/rarities album. Some songs come in like they weren’t meant to be released as there was no real start to the song. Love minus Zero seems like a song that Dylan had the melody for but had no lyrics. You know what though? There’s no fault to that. At least not to me. I’m not even a Dylan fan but this album Ebbs and flows.
115th Dream is another melody without lyrics. To me. It mostly isn’t. That’s the “poet” Dylan I’d be told. I skipped it after 2 minutes.
Gates of Eden, same trap. But I will say, at least he incorporated the song title into the song for this rambler.
It’s alright ma, same thing.
This album had me at first. Such a strong grip. It didn’t make me a Dylan fan but it had me. Then it dropped me. Like the Rock Giant and the Nothing. I slipped out of the such “big strong hands” of Dylan and went back to my world.
Side note: Baby Blue is a Dylan song? Damn. I thought it was The Animals.
Score one for Bob.
Choice cut: It’s all Over Now, Baby Blue
Radiohead
5/5
At this point in their career I had fully given up on Radiohead ever bringing back a guitar driven album. Why they won’t? Who the hell knows, only they know.
Much like the 2 other post Ok Computer albums, I wanted to hate this album. I really did.
You see, it’s not a perfect listen at first….listen
It’s a grower before it’s a shower. Ok Computer wasn’t like that but here we are.
This album continues the deep dive into a music genre only fit for them. It’s like Electonicpoprockalternatindy, to sum it up.
Gosh darn it, it works
Choice cut: A Wolf at the Door
Depeche Mode
4/5
Im only 1 song in and it’s got me wondering why I don’t listen to these guys more.
This is Depeche Mode. Slick grooves that want to get you moving. A darkness surrounding you until the album is done.
It’s what you expect from them in their prime. They were a hard band to out do.
This rivals Violator and that album is in my top 10 of all time list. So there.
Little 15 is weak.
Behind the Wheel sounds like I Think We’re Alone Now at first.
Who did that first?? Hmmmmm
Anywho, good album.
Choice cut: Strangelove
The Police
2/5
This album isn’t as strong as I thought it would be. It’s actually quite forgettable. I also wasn’t expecting anything grand from these guys. I guess it is a surprise that Sting hasn’t always been in the easy rock genre.
I was just about to look at the name of the current song I’m listening to because it had me thinking “gosh dang Police, now we are talking”! Then I remembered I changed what I was listening to. So if you want to hear something cool, check out Uluru Rock by Earthless
Choice cut: Walking on the Moon
Ghostface Killah
3/5
I will forever die on this hill. I love me some samples!
I was surprised that this didn’t sound like a Wu Tang album minus that clan. Sure there are appearances but this is really Ghostfaces album.
It serves its purpose. I’m not mad that this album is on the list.
Choice cut: The Champ
Dr. Dre
5/5
This is actually the album that I use to compare all other rap albums. This is perfection in the hip hop world.
Choice cut: Let Me Ride
Cyndi Lauper
4/5
Not bad. I expected something different but I was pleasantly surprised.
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
An obviously solid album. It’s Hendrix. There is a large gap between the “hits” and the “others”. It doesn’t allow this album to fully flourish. The album recording process is not up to par either.
But with all of that present, the hits carry this album to the top tier rankings.
If you don’t know a single song on here then you clearly aren’t from this planet.
Choice cut: Wind Cries Mary
Metallica
5/5
This is their best album even though it’s basically their sell out album. I could almost say with confidence that this album turned non fans into fans.
If you’re wondering what it sounds like before listening, take any song you know by Metallica that isn’t on this album and make it a little “poppy”.
There you go.
Choice cut: Nothing Else Matters
Michael Jackson
4/5
Does this need an explanation?
I didn’t think so.
It’s not perfect but it’s good. Very good
Choice cut: The Girl is Mine
Sonic Youth
4/5
Almost everything I thought I knew about these guys has been smashed through the glass window and now flying with the tornado winds. I knew they were a “noise” band.
I knew Kim sings sometimes.
I found myself forgetting I was listening to them because the songs sound different from each other.
This is a double album and I’m not even through the first album and this is a very serviceable pass.
It’s not an album everyone will love. There really isn’t a standout track yet. They all do their part in forming the greatness that is this album. I don’t have a specific place this album would be best suited for, nor do I know exactly what it is I like about this album. It just surprised me in the most positive ways with how good it is.
Choice cut: JC
The Band
3/5
The Weight just propels this album up my rankings. Does anyone not like that song.
Other than that, the album is ok. I really thought it would be full of different versions of The Weight.
The album is bluesy, folky and jammy
It leaves a person with more to be desired but it’s not terrible.
Choice cut: The Weight
Frank Ocean
2/5
I switched from Megadeath to this. Let’s see how receptive my ears are…
If you took away the beats, the ability to spit meaningful rhymes and gave Kanye some sort of sedation, this could pass for one of his albums instead.
Nothing blows me away, aside from my choice cut. That’s re-listenable again.
Choice cut: Super Rich Kids
Television
4/5
This is a tamer version of Iggy and the Stooges with some hints of early Hanoi Rocks.
My opinion of this ebbs and flows. I do think I like it after all.
The guitar for the verses in Elevation sound very similar to californiacation by the chili peppers. Weird. Has anyone else noticed that? I need to look.
Yep, it looks like the Comparisons have been made.
Choice cut: Friction
Magazine
2/5
I think I’d like this more if it was more…anthemic. It’s just a mold of a numerous, very similar Brit rock bands. It’s sounds like it’s from the 70’s yet it also is similar to the Hives.
Meh, nothing special here
Dinosaur Jr.
2/5
Dinosaur Jr is noise first, followed by singing . I’ve wanted to be a fan of these guys for years and it’s never come to full fruition. It’s not going to happen today either.
This is down the lines of Sonic Youth and not as heavy as Helmet. Crispier than Nirvana but not as commercially made. There isn’t a lack of trying with these guy. It’s just too consistent of a sound from start to finish. Like one big long opus song of garage band noise.
Choice cut: Raisans
Harry Nilsson
2/5
This is like a less drugged up Bowie mixed with Simon and Garfunkel type lyrics.
This guy seems to have a sense of humor based on the album title and the classic British feeling of an album cover which I like to call “ come hither and gaze at me in my night gown as I stare off into space whilst in my kitchen making tea and crumpets”.
I’m at a loss here at the moment. I don’t see or hear anything groundbreaking with this album.
Ok stop the presses. He does “Without You and coconut”? I get it, in a sense. That’s a big song. And yes I may have bought the album just for that song, that’s how good it is. But those songs alone can’t take the album out of mediocrity.
Choice cut: Without You
Rush
3/5
Imagine trying to sell someone on your demo tape and 2112 was the first song? Like, it’s good but who opens with a long intro song with no singing for so long.
Also, Geddy Lee wouldn’t get far in this day and age where looks make more of an impression than music does.
Anyways
I forgot the title track was so long. I’m sitting here thinking, geez, I must be 5 songs deep now. Nope, song #1.
This is fine. It’s what I thought a Rush album would sound like. Prog rock, spacey, jammy, unrelated lyrics.
Choice cut: 2112
SAULT
4/5
Ahhh opening up with an ASMR/phone sex voice. Nice touch.
I can almost hear Kanye rapping over top of Stop Dem” , man that would have hit hard.
Let me just say, I hate protest albums. I do, I hate anything to do with protesting honestly. It never accomplishes anything.
I will say, 3 tracks in and I have yet to want to change the music to something else.
The bass lines are on point. If those hit a little harder I’d run out and buy a system for my truck just to hear that boom.
Ohh and it’s the return of the phone Sex ASMR voice on X.
Black had me nervous. It started off sounding like a Sesame Street skit.
This is another good album with weak vocals/lyrics. I get the point but I look for more substance in my music. That being said, I’m surprised by this. It’s very much worth a listen.
Damn those beats are good.
Black Sabbath
4/5
I expected this.
This is good. It’s not as heavy as I used to think Sabbath sounded. Not as dark either.
I don’t know what I thought.
There are some weak songs on here for sure. Planet Caravan and Electric Funeral are the weak ones.
Interesting note, the first time I heard War Pigs was by Faith No More
Also, the first time I heard Hand of Doom was by Danzig. That’s just how I roll.
So ya, this is sludge rock, blues, jammy and metal, all intertwined with each other. It works and will make one return to them at another time.
Choice cut: Hand of Doom
Todd Rundgren
3/5
Ok, right off the bat:
Song 1 sounds like a sloppy Beatles. It’s catchy and a good starting song
Song 2 blends in with international Feel which is something that I like. It’s the small things people. This song is not good. It has spacey keyboard over a love song basically.
Song 3 Tic tic tic starts off cool. Let’s keep this going .ok well….I don’t know what to say. It’s odd. It’s a jumbled crashing of sounds with sort of yelling vocals, dueling vocals to be exact.
Oh, scratch that. Those were 2 different songs.
Song 5 keeps that tradition of sound king like a low rate Beatles knockoff. Low rate might be too insulting as I still find this good.
Song 6 it really is what the song title says. Dog fighting…..and giggling.
Song 7 bowiesque. It could be the theme song for a dramady in the 80’s
Flamingo is song 8 if you’re still following . Sort of a Zappa thing going on
Zen Archer? Pass
Song 10 another Bowie type song. A bad one
Man, this album is really a tough one for me. It has everything it needs to be a 4 star but as the album goes on it really makes me second guess that. The shit song is a big sounding song, like a song that would be used in a celebration but it still is lacking power to it.
The next song, the French named one, I can’t really explain it. Most of these songs lack that last little something that would have me remember them over and over again.
It’s the same pattern for the remainder of the songs. They are decent but lack something.
Stevie Wonder
3/5
He may not be able to see or to hand Mariah Carey a microphone but man oh man can the guy find the right keys on a keyboard and play some tasty licks!
Buuuuuttttt I’m afraid that’s where it ends. Such a shame.
I mean, you have Superstitious, that’s a damn good song but the rest is weak.
Blame it on the Sun is a cut above the other songs.
I Believe is good as well. Well done
That’s better than nothing
Choice cut: Superstitious
N.W.A.
5/5
I felt like such a badass when I listened to this album for the first time. I think it still holds up compared to the light rap trash that exists today. Hell, any rap or hip hop album for that matter. It hits hard like a fist to the mouth or a vehicle to a pedestrian.
This is what music should be. Entertainment, raw, dirty, funny and nasty.
Choice cut: I Ain’t Tha 1
LTJ Bukem
3/5
I’m down for this sort of up tempo Charlie Brown type music.
It’s a drum-and-bass album. Mix in house music and nice beats that flow.
Would I return? No probably not
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
2/5
This came on strong and just leveled off right away.
It has the lazy guitar sound playing that is matched by lazy guitar solos. That’s fine, I actually like that.
Neil sounds like “this notes for you” Neil which I am not a huge fan of. It’s hollow and flat. The vocals that is.
Nothing carry’s this album. It almost passes for one long song . It’s background music for all sorts of things, just maybe not a funeral or wedding
Choice cut: Over and Over
2/5
This sort of sounds like The Cure if they weren’t goth.
I think that may be all I have to say about this.
It has structure and style it just has no purpose for me.
Cheesy 80’s music.
There, that’s another example.
Choice cut: Tears are not Enough
LCD Soundsystem
3/5
It’s mind blowing to me that 8 times out of 10, I find the 3rd track on an album to be the best one on said album.
So….let’s see
Good production on this album. The vocals seem to be left on distortion for almost every song. I wouldn’t say it works negatively against them, it’s just an observation.
I like samples, we have that.
It’s got that techno vibe
Electronica feel
Hints of pop
Choic cut: North American Scum
Ray Charles
4/5
This starts off in the Frank Sinatra realm of things, moves on to Christmas sounding music, splash in some gospel and now we are onto the old style country.
While this doesn’t blow me away, it’s serviceable. It spans multi generations and can be background music for pretty much any setting. Thats important.
I do not have a standout track, as one of the knocks against it is that the songs don’t really separate themselves from each other. They just all skip along one by one.
David Bowie
4/5
Bowie is always tapped as being the most out of his mind during his heyday but I feel like the bad were as equally out there. Aladdin Sane is an odd odd song.
Drive In Saturday is what I’m talking about in regards to what I want to hear.
This is another classic Bowie album and I can’t put my finger on why that is. It’s just that this album doesn’t exceed my expectations of what I wanted it to be and it doesn’t disappoint.
Drive In Saturday
Cracked Actor
Time
The Prettiest Star
Jean Genie
All good songs that propel This album.
Choice cut: The Prettiest Star
The Stone Roses
3/5
I think I’ve listened to these guys once and I wasn’t impressed. I think of them as a noisy Oasis. Well, I’m older and wiser and music genre broader. Let’s see.
On a positive note, I’m a minute in and I like it.
Ok 5 songs in and I’m thinking a comparison to Supergrass. This is far from anything at the heights of Oasis.
I’m not blown away. This may create some new fans but it’s not a stand out album in my opinion. It’s just….there
Choice cut: Made of Stone
Paul Revere & The Raiders
3/5
When I picture a hippy girl dancing in a field, the guitar for “kicks” would pop in my head.
I get Velvet Underground vibes with these guy. They have better vocals and less poetic meaning behind their words.
Little Girl in the Fourth Row could be a Beach Boys song. It’s such a different feeling when someone uses the words “little girl” in a song, I’m not even woke and it feels weird to me. I get what they are saying, hell, I have songs that I’ve written that have the words little girl in it. I need to change those to “of age” girl I think.
This album really comes in with an upbeat tone and doesn’t seem to let off the gas. It’s not too fast, it’s at a 6 maybe, where 10 is like thrash metal and 5 is The Doors.
Well, this is decent. If you come in to it expecting to hear late 60’s early 70’s rock and you know what that represents, this won’t disappoint. It’s right there in the middle of the pack. Not close to terrible and not close to blowing people away.
Choice cut: I’m Not Your Stepping Stone
Aretha Franklin
4/5
This is bluesy
Soulful
Not a single song is skippable
At the same time, I don’t need to hear them again.
No complaints though. This is good
Choice cut: Do Right Woman
Siouxsie And The Banshees
2/5
I get Sisters of Mercy vibes. No idea who came first.
Sometimes simplicity with lyrics doesn’t work for me. Would Into the Light be considered gothy blues?
There really isn’t much to this band. I’m guessing their legendary status is mostly based on them being a female led band delving into the goth and punk genre. Maybe there are more women in the band, the name would tell me so but I do not research a band when I listen so I’m not influenced by what I read.
I don’t consider this great but everything does work well together. It’s straight forward goth and punk music for the time it as released.
Choice cut: Arabian Nights
Billie Holiday
2/5
This is one tone. Start to finish.
You can’t start a party with it.
You can’t hit the highway and feel the wind through your hair with it.
You can’t commit a murder.
It’s a fine dining soundtrack I guess.
If you like both of those things, this is for you
2/5
Ummmmmm no. I’m not feeling this. It’s very raw sounding. I take no meaning out of these songs nor do I generate any internal feelings from listening to it.
That’s the point isn’t it? Having an album that is considered great mean something to you?
This sounds like kid friendly punk.
Choice cut: universal corner
Michael Kiwanuka
3/5
This started off great. Sort of a Curtis Mayfield vibe going on. 5 songs in and it has leveled out. Now it’s slow and piano baresque.
Sort of like a very mellowed out The Weeknd.
But there’s samples. The music is good, it’s just sort of too slowed down and mellow.
Living in Denial has come to revitalize the album I think. Hold on…..
Ok, ok
Hero is another “back on track” song.
That’s it. It wore me out.
Choice cut: Hero
Stevie Wonder
3/5
It’s Stevie Wonder. You know what you’re getting. To me, it’s middle of the road entertainment. I don’t think anyone will hate this.
The Byrds
3/5
This is more like Simon and Garfunkel and The Beach Boys than Led Zeppelin. I really thought there would be more to these guys. It’s pure harmonizing, which is a talent, I’m just surprised. I fear this is an album of mediocrity. I was really looking forward to listening to these guys. There isn’t much memorable from this album.
I liked where “Wasn’t Born to Follow” was going but then the thing went back to that mellow toned harmonizing style.
That’s it. That’s this album in a nutshell.
Lightning Bolt
2/5
If these guys are just pure noise rock, I get it. It’s good. But that is such a small niche. If this album is supposed to be up there with Beatles, Radiohead and Blind Melon albums? I don’t get it. It’s not a behemoth in the music scene but it is enjoyable.
Interesting enough, when I think I can finger tap on my guitar, I too do the same riff as the opening of “crown of storms”.
This is a heavier White Stripes.
Does that help?
Choice cut: Crown of Storms
Blondie
3/5
This is exactly what I expected Blondie to sound like. Nothing special. It’s not bad either . This sort of had the feel of what the Velvet Underground would have sounded like if they weren’t so drug induced and dark.
Choice cut: Pretty Baby
Fleetwood Mac
3/5
Ya, well, ummmm, ahhh it’s alright.
Choice cut: Save me a Place
Genesis
2/5
I’m really curious about these guys. I know Phil and I love his slow songs but this, I know this is a different breed.
It’s like Rush from what I can tell so far.
And druggy Bowie.
Ya not for me.
I appreciate the musicianship but other than that, I have no idea what’s going on. Bowie and Rush seemed to have more direction.
It’s crazy to see what Phil Collins became after going through this musical maze of sound.
Choice cut: In the Cage
The Human League
3/5
Man, I’ve been on a streak of, what I consider, sub par albums for so long that I’ve lost count. I could check but nah.
This, I fear, will continue that streak. I’m really looking, I really am. I like discovering new bands and albums I hadn’t heard before but this has been a struggle.
This is 80’s music. Which can be good.
Nothing has blown me away or even remotely moved me in any way at 3 songs in.
Well, there were glimpses of hope. Oddly enough, the album got better as it went on. Not enough to salvage an average rating from me. I didn’t become a fan, that’s for sure .
Choice cut: Do or Die
System Of A Down
4/5
I can see what’s confusing about these guys. It goes from punk to metal to something to something. It’s intriguing to say the least.
Operatic vocal tones mixed with a sort of funk style guitar playing. Although screaming may not be Serje’s specialty, he pulls it off very effectively. My grandma and my mom wouldn’t like this but anyone under 50 and older than 18 should find the talent and enjoyment in this album.
Choice cut: Sugar
Paul Simon
3/5
A handful of these songs sound like “You Can Call Me Al”. I guess when you have a successful formula you stick with it as much as possible. Though, he would have had no idea “Al” was going to be his biggest song off of this album.
Paul’s delivery on this album makes him come off as a family friendly Bob Dylan. Less poetic of course.
I will hand it to him, this album does not sound like an 80’s album. He could have released this now and no one would know the difference.
On that note though, there isn’t anything all that good about said album.
It’s soft rock. Bordering on yacht rock.
Bordering on elevator music.
It’s produced well.
The songs flow together. There are no chances taken with this one.
Choice cut. You Can Call Me Al
Meat Loaf
5/5
I really really want to give this 5 stars. I do but if 5 stars is perfect and “All Revved up” is not a good song, what do I do?
Fuck it. I’ll buck my trend. It’s perfect enough.
I mean, the storytelling, the anthemic songs. It’s a rollercoaster.
The Vines
5/5
When I think of the Vines I’m thinking, ok here we go, high octane rock. One song after another, just barely a pause. And would I like it? I’ve heard them before.
Well, I’m punched in the mouth all of a sudden by Autumn Shade.
What? A somewhat mellow song from their category? This sounds more like Jet and I think I like it.
The next song is back up to a somewhat normal tempo for them but it’s a good, somewhat different sounding song than what I expected as well. I don’t care to spell the song out for you because it’s like 3 words jumbled together.
Oh and “Home Sick” really mellows out as well.
These guys are more like Jet than just pure guitar driven. If you don’t know who Jet are, think, a less polished Oasis. If you don’t know who Oasis are, think , a modern rock version of the Beatles. If you don’t know who the Beatles are, why are you even here???
I was mislead by previous run ins with these guys. And who knows, maybe it wasn’t the Vines that I was listening to. Maybe it was the Hives?
Either way, this is a great album in a way that I didn’t even think I would really like it and I didn’t think they could produce enough songs that don’t sound like each other.
This may be my first 5 star album that I probably won’t return to but I do what to listen to more from them out of curiosity .
Bravo The Vines, Bravo
Or Cheerio The Vines, cheerio as I’m assuming that they are British.
Choice cut: Autumn Shade
The Jam
2/5
Let’s hope this was worth me stopping my listening of the songs in my Spotify liked list that I have listened to the least, according to Spotify DJ that is.
Aaaannnndd I’m more than slightly disappointed. This isn’t what I was hoping for. I can’t even tell you what type of music this is. Sort of, not sell out pop?
I don’t know what I expected but it’s not a needle mover for me. Weak vocals, sort of more of a spoken word delivery. No challenging guitar parts or out of this world drumming. It’s simple but falls short of White stripes simple.
You could do better with your day. Like listening to your least listened to songs on your liked list.
Choice cut: English Rose
Tim Buckley
5/5
Ok, ok this is sort of like CCR in my opinion.
I’m hearing Grateful Dead jam outs, sort of. I’m not a Dead fan but from what I’ve heard, their jam outs sound the same.
I’d say this is the more talented Buckley for sure.
Oooooo maybe some Santana vibes as well.
It’s blusey, folky, jammy and it just is a good fire side soundtrack.
Choice cut: Hong Kong Bar
Hugh Masekela
5/5
Is there such a thing as gothic jazz? I need to check on that .
I’m hearing this and I’m thinking, Charlie Brown/Intermission music.
The big Apple sounds like a Fiona Apple song. I know, I know, he was first but he doesn’t sing. So that’s why I said what I said.
After all is said and done, this is by far the best jazz album I have heard. Not that I could recall the last jazz album I had heard but I know there have been a few. So, if this stands out above whatever else I had heard, props to Hugh. I’m in a giving mood as well, this is a 5 star for its category. Against any and all albums in the music world, it fails miserably . But here, against other jazz albums? It’s good.
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
5/5
Ok, I stopped listening to Ok Computer by Radiohead for this. Those are some hefty stairs to climb for greatness.
Right away I’m thinking Bon Scott if he went solo.
If every song on this album was a punch in the mouth, let’s see what the outcome would be.
1-first punch knockdown
2. A dizzying punch
3. Several jabs to an already broken nose
4. Oh ya I’m into this
And it goes on. Thoroughly impressed
The Dandy Warhols
4/5
This is so close to being a great album. I wish Thirteen Tales…. Was the album that introduced the Dandys to this world.
It’s grungy, brooding, shoe gazing, sludgey, poppy and trance like.
Choice cut: Minnestoer
Jerry Lee Lewis
4/5
It’s difficult rating an album that is essentially a greatest hits album. Putting that aside and basing my opinion solely on the live aspect of things, it’s good. I could use more interaction with the crowd and using The Door live at the Hollywood bowl as the gold standard for live albums, this doesn’t make that upper echelon . It’s error free and filler free. One uppity song after another. It’s not disappointing
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
This is good, not great. I’m not sure there is a Bob Marley album that is completely perfect. This is close, don’t get me wrong. I love me some reggae , there’s no denying that.
But take Turn You Lights…. For example. The upbeat version with Lauryn Hill is much better. Swap that song with this album song. That’s a difference maker. Some other tracks just don’t move a person, like The Heathen or even Guiltiness. Anywho. This is still good and if I could give a half star rating it would be a 4.5.
Choice cut: Three Little Birds
Björk
2/5
The music is good
The vocals not so much. There’s just too much broken English which makes it sound half done. I know, I know, it’s Bjork, what did you expect? Not this but I’m not surprised either.
I find no enjoyment in this
Choice cut: Pagan Poetry
Beck
3/5
I’ve said this before. I take listening to Beck music very cautiously because only he can put subliminal Scientology bullshit in the background of his music. I have no proof of that, it’s only assumptions.
This was listenable, that’s for sure. Classic early 2000’s sound. The lyrics mostly don’t make sense but that’s Beck. If you were to base your decision of listening to his next album in his library solely based on this album, you’d move on to his next one. It’s not great but it’s good enough for a casual listener .
Choice cut: Lord Only Knows
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
Well, right off the bat I had to double check to make sure I was indeed listening to Hendrix and not some devil worship metal album.
Then it leveled out. Ahhhh
And now “Little Miss Strwnge” sounds like the Beatles. And look, I’m in an irritable mood and I’m not going to correct any grammar or spelling mistakes that the autocorrect doesn’t pick up. I cannae be arsed as they say on Geordie Shore.
I have to say, I wasn’t in to this album like I assumed I would have been. It seems more spliced together than a concerted effort to put out a best album of all time. The guitar parts are great, 100% it’s just everything else that isn’t a known song of his by this point just falls flat.
Miriam Makeba
2/5
The Click Song stands out above the rest.
It’s pleasing music that’s for sure.
Not my cup of tea
It borders on being a possible Lion King soundtrack
The vocals sound distorted at times which may just have been the recording back in those days.
I don’t know, I wouldn’t listen to her again but I wasn’t completely turned off by the music.
2Pac
3/5
Ahh yes, back when hip hop was compromised of talent and character. I’ll die on that hill.
The issue I have with this album is 2pac’s delivery is quite similar song to song. If the music didn’t stray from the previous track, it would be very confusing.
But with that to the side, this is good but not great. Not as good and dark as All Eyez on Me.
I’d probably listen to this album again in a few years when I forget what the album sounds like. No knock to it in that sense. I guess that’s a good thing? Not great enough to always remember but good enough to want to give it a listen.
Choice cut: Can U Get Away
Skepta
3/5
15 million listeners on Spotify and I have never heard of this guy. His name made me think that I would be listening to some African drum beat album, then the album title had me thinking I’d be hearing some advant garde (spelling?) Asian band.
Nope, it’s a British rap artist.
And I feel like the Brits have the same feel and delivery. It’s angry and all a very similar delivery. I think of Tricky when I hear this.
I love the bass hanging around in the background. I know it would hit hard with the right sound system.
Musically this is better than its complete presentation.
This is nothing compared to NWA but I’d listen to this before a Notorious BIG album. Whatever that means to you.
Choice cut: It Ain’t Safe
The Offspring
5/5
I used to love these guys. Then they went woke and kicked their drummer out of the band for not getting the toxic jab back you know when.
I listen with hatred but not prejudice .
This is a great album. I feel like it broke down the old door of punk and pushed it, although temporarily, into a new level. I don’t know what happened but I feel like when EMO faded, so did the more aggressive punk. I think it faded into pop punk and never looked back.
This is high energy from the start and it doesn’t let off. Couldn’t it be fast and heavier? Sure but this hovers just above the speed limit as to not get caught and told to slow it down.
So ya, there’s guitar and hooks and melodies. This was their best before they sold out and then went woke when that petered out.
I can hate them now but back then I couldn’t get enough of this album.
Choice cut: Gotta Get Away
Missy Elliott
5/5
Missy Elliot knows how to lay down a good beat. Well, maybe she doesn’t know how but whoever she employs to do that, knows how to do it.
And ahhh yes the token Donald Trump shoutout in hip hop before they were told to not like him. Ahhh such simple times back then.
I didn’t expect I’d hear a Missy Elliot version of Bring the Pain. Well, well, well.
Missy has done the job, I will give her another listen. I’m really mind blown over this one. Each track is different from the other. The only constant is the groove, you want to get moving listening to this and I don’t dance. Like not even a little bit.
I could pass on Nothing Out There for Me. It’s not a good song. In fact I was thinking “this song sucks, it sounds like Beyoncé bullshit”and that is never listenable. Then I look and it’s gosh darn Beyoncé. Go figure. Skip.
Choice cut: Gossip Folks
The Flaming Lips
4/5
I like this one better than anything else I have heard from them. Which is enough to have an opinion.
Though there doesn’t seem to be a standout track, this album is decent.
I also thought I was further along in the album that I actually was. Longer songs than expected.
You could do plenty worse things with your time.
Whether this is a positive or negative towards them, I can’t really put them into a category. I guess in this day and age they are indie. The problem with that is these guys are too good for the indie scene. Both musically and lyrically.
Jeru The Damaja
3/5
First thing I think of? Is this some failed audition tape to joint Wu Tang?
There’s hints of ODB and Method Man in this, splashed with KRS One.
I have never heard of this guy and the 90’s were when I was deepest into hip hop. I guess this is a learning day for me.
I guess this would have been a pretty good album back in the day. This was the sound.
It’s not bad. Well in the past though. I can’t see this being a big album nowadays with the trash “hip hop” that is out now.
Choice cut: Da Bitchez
The Zutons
4/5
This is better than I thought it would be. I don’t think The Zutons will ever cross my mind again but if I saw or heard the name again, I’d be reminded of a time I heard an album and enjoyed the musical fingering my ears were given. Not too hard and not too soft.
I’d put these guys in the same category as The Odds, 5440, Dire Straits
Every sound and note is perfected. It’s just a middle of the road, can’t fail album. Like no one should be angry at having to listen to this .
Choice cut: Confusion
Prince
5/5
I remember when I was a kid and I’d see a Prince video and be so confused as to why a dude would wear fishnets. I swore he was super gay. But I understand that he laid pipe quite often with tasty looking dames.
Everyone has heard this album. Even if they haven’t, Purple Rain they have heard. Purple Rain itself makes this album a 5 star. That’s a rare feat. Somewhere after this Prince fell off but his legend is still moving on.
Choice cut: Purple Rain
Radiohead
5/5
I remember being so excited for this album, coming off the heels of the greatest album of all time, Ok Computer. I bought this CD and what I thought was a companion book, the book was $80 I believe. I got in my car, popped in the CD and unwrapped the book only to find out that it was just a limited edition CD. Frig me.
Then I get hit with music completely different than Ok computer. Double frig me.
In the end, even though Radiohead albums get weirder from here, this is still a top notch album, from start to finish. It was a bold move to get experimental at the height of their career but it worked.
Choice cut: Hunting Bears
Pentangle
1/5
Right away I’m wondering if they influenced Radiohead in any way. Musically at least. Vocally it sounds like Nico from her tenure with the Velvet Underground. That’s not a good thing. Ok, the Radiohead thing died with the ending of Light flight.
Musically I can get behind this but man, the vocals are terrible. Like Nico and Joni Mitchell terrible.
Yep, that’s all I have to say.
Choice cut: Train Song
Bad Company
4/5
Yikes, their Spotify profile photo really took some badass points off of my list. I didn’t picture them looking like a backing band for Tom Petty.
These guys don’t hit as hard as I thought they would. I thought they were going to be more Black Sabbath and less Boston.
Even with that slight knock against them I do like this.
They can write catchy songs, that’s all we need ver ask innit?
Choice cut: Bad Company
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
3/5
This sounds like Spiritualized with heavy a Blur influence. Actually at times it could pass for an experimental Gorrilaz album.
It’s a British band from what I can tell.
Anyways, nothing groundbreaking here. It’s passable but that’s really I have to say about that Jenny.
Mariah Carey
3/5
I can’t stand the high pitch bird squawk that Mariah belts out. I don’t care if that’s talent or not.
She can sing though and she can create catchy music. This isn’t my cup of tea as it’s too showy and I feel like that takes from whatever message this album is trying to say. There’s better stuff out there
Emmylou Harris
3/5
Ok, one thing I’ve learned is that Emmylou isn’t a whiney hippy like Joni Mitchell. Great!
What I’m hearing is old country. So far so good.
Ok and now what I’m hearing is a bit of country, a little bit of whiney hippy and a little bit of gospel.
Still so far so good.
So to summarize, if you like Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn, you’re good and will be good with this. If you like Amy Lee and Lauryn Hill, it’s best you pass on this.
Choice cut: Bluebird Wine
Adam & The Ants
3/5
This is down in the realms of drugged up Bowie. I can handle the music and vocals but the lyrics are a tad bit weak. I hear early Cult as well.
This is yet another album in a long line of mediocre albums on this site. I don’t hate it but I’m not writing home about it.
Choice cut: King of the Wild Frontier
Les Rythmes Digitales
4/5
I see the album cover and right away I really REALLY doubt this is one of the top albums of all time.
It looks like Robert Pattinson decided to be a DJ.
But I have to put aside first impressions. We are here for the music.
So up against any other music genre other than techno, this album fails miserably. Like there was a pissing contest with the goal to not get pee on yourself and this guy decided to turn around and piss in the wind.
Isolated, I actually enjoy it. I enjoy the beats more than anything. Lyrically there are times he tries too hard to be edgy and then there are times he just doesn’t care and writes in a simple form.
Like, I like this more than Moby.
How much do I like Moby? I cannot say.
I have no choice cut really. It all feels the same yet it’s different enough to be good.
Fuck it,
Choice cut: Hypnotize
TV On The Radio
3/5
In my quest to figure out if these guys were British because, why not. I found that (a) they aren’t a predominantly white band (b) they look like Living Color and (c) I was really confused as to how they have over 1 million listeners since I had not heard of them before.
This is decent enough, slightly weird crossing back and forth between pop, rock and alternative.
Mj Cole
2/5
This is very generic. Which surprised me since I decided to explore the double album version of this album. Shocker that there could be a double albums worth. I didn’t get through it. It’s just very generic techno
The Crusaders
2/5
So this starts off with soul. Cool
Then it’s a woman singer which I’m just not a fan of. I really don’t know why it’s like that. It just doesn’t hit as hard.
Then the music has resorted to elevator or McDonald’s type of background music. Bella Fleck with Bella Fleck.
I’m not feeling this and I’m not sure you, the reader will feel anything either
Brian Wilson
2/5
I’m not sure I get this. Believe me, I’ve been through my Beach Boys faze and even a Brian Wilson one. I’m just struggling with this album. It has The Beach Boys sound. It has that “I’m competing with the druggy Beatles” sound.
It’s just sort of lost to me.
It’s that classic sound but there’s no takeaway songs. That’s the weakness.
Big Star
4/5
Ballsy album title. Faith No More did it with album of the year and quite honestly, I didn’t think they were wrong.
Can these guys pull it off with just one song? That’s all they need.
Let’s listen, shall we?
First of all I’m hearing Bon Scott mixed with the singer from Supertramp, Roger??? And Tom Petty.
So far I’ve heard songs close to a number 1 sound. Top 10 on the charts for sure.
And there you go, the #1 song. The theme from that 70’s show. I thought that other band whom I cannot recall their name originally did that song. Strange.
This album caught me off guard. It’s good. Sort of Lynyrd Skynyrd without the sweet guitar solos and southern sound.
I’ve followed them on Spotify, that’s how invested I am.
Choice cut: Feel
Scissor Sisters
4/5
This is good. I don’t think I’d find myself seeking these guys out when I want to listen to something. I can’t quite put my finger on the issue. Musically sound, catchy, possibly forced high pitch vocals. I don’t know. The formula is there.
I will say, “Comfortably Numb” is totally raped with their version. Ouch and yikes and the same time. Pass on that.
Other than that, you should find yourself being somewhat productive with this as your soundtrack.
Choice cut: Tits on the Radio
The Smiths
4/5
Man I hate Morrissey but here we are again.
I hate to admit that I don’t hate this like I wanted to.
I was waiting for that I told you so moment. Nothing.
There are weak points, it’s not perfect but I would listen to another Smiths album without question.
Choice cut: Girlfriend in a Coma
CHVRCHES
3/5
I think I may have gotten these guys mixed up with Crosses. This is way more on the poppier side than I had thought they were. Like this floats in the Taylor Swift category.
So yes, this is pure pop with hints of 80’s style synth. It’s a little too intelligent for pure 80’s music.
I’m not sure what the hype is about these guys or girls I guess. It’s not terrible.
If T Swift was a 5 and Sade was a 1, this would be a 3.5
If Radiohead was a 5 and Green Day was a 1, it’d be a 3.5
Get it?
Choice cut: Lies
The Damned
3/5
This teeters on pop punk when I think they want to be punk only.
It’s ok but like most punkish bands, it’s fast and straight forward and it may not have any catchy licks or verses. It’s about anger and rebellion. And to be honest, I don’t think there’s much anger on this album. At least, I’m not hearing or feeling it.
I just don’t know what I think of this album.
I’d lean more towards meh than man!!!
More towards so so than give me more
ABBA
4/5
I mean, it’s ABBA. You either like it or hate it.
If you really don’t have a clue about them, people would say they are disco but this isn’t it. I don’t know, maybe I don’t have any clue what disco sounds like but this to me is pop at its finest. I mean, Dancing Queen? Pfffft, top 25 song in anyone’s lifetime.
The lyrics are just on the right side of not being cheesy. The vocals are strong and harmonized well. You want to tap your foot along to even a least challenging track like “Money, Money, Money” which I thought they were singing Monday, Monday, Monday. Go figure.
Maybe this is still what disco is supposed to be, frig I don’t know.
Choice cut: Dancing Queen
Everything But The Girl
2/5
Right off the bat I can say that if the vocals were better, “I don’t want talk about it” could have been a hit. Maybe not a top 10 hit but a hit nonetheless.
I’m guessing this album is from the late 80’s. I’m not looking it up. That’s why I’m guessing.
Even for an 80’s album, a decade flush with cheese, this fails miserably. I’m not seeing anything….sorry….hearing anything good.
By my standards it’s not terrible enough to not rate nor is it terrible enough for a dreaded 1 star. I’ll give them that.
It’s just, I don’t know man. It’s trying to hard to be something. What that something is, I don’t know, I am not a musical genius. I don’t know why it’s on the list. But that’s not a strange thing for me. I’ve come across that more than a handful of times.
Not the worst album I’ve ever heard but it’s getting shipped off to the land of the forgotten ASAP
Laibach
4/5
Cool album cover.
It’s a live album though.
And foreign.
Yikes.
Oh but it’s Russian. I can dig that. I think it’s Russian. No wait, maybe it’s German. It’s similar to Rammstein so ya, German. I’ll go with that.
I find this hard to believe that this was drummed up in the 80’s. Kraftwerk doesn’t sound like this and I feel like they are the closest to these guys in comparison since Rammstein hadn’t been created yet.
That was a hell of an opening song I will say that.
The next song though….a drunk Cookie Monster spurting angry sounding jargon into a live mic while someone drums who hasn’t really drummed before but knows enough to hold a beat.
I am becoming worried that the opening track was the best one.
Track 3 sounds like a faith no more B side. Which I’d be ok with had this been FNM. It’s not a good one for a new listener to hear three songs in.
And more Rammstein sound
And more
Not as hard hitting though, don’t get to thinking that these guys deserve all the accolades . At the same time, I don’t hate this at all.
I don’t have a choice cut since it’s all so exploratory . I guess the first song will do. I’m not spelling it out.
Enjoy
The National
2/5
I get what they are doing here but I’m not sure it’s as good as it’s perceived to be.
This sounds like a more energetic Bon Iver and that’s probably the only thing I can take out of this.
How about a sadder Evan Dando, does that help?
I’m not excited about this. The music can be good and bearable but vocally it’s quite boorish
Cypress Hill
4/5
This could be an album with different versions of “Pigs” and I’d be happy. That’s all I need. That one aside, this is the only Album by these guys that I like. That doesn’t mean much to you dear reader but that’s ok. My opinion matters. This album is less about weed smoking and more about being a troublemaker and that’s what I dig.
Choice cut: Pigs
Underworld
2/5
I have heard of Underworld so that’s a good start.
So far all I’m hearing now is light techno beats that don’t hit like they should to be.
This album just doesn’t take off. Like, ever.
It’s like the final production was forgotten.
Could it be remixed. Hell ya.
Maybe that’s the point.
But this, this as it stands it just mediocre. Start to finish.
The Clash
2/5
I can’t fault them for not being my taste in music. They scratch that pop punk level ever so slightly and I guess could be to blame for Green Day, Good Charlotte and Simple Plan. Shame on them.
I mean, the album cover would tell you that these guys go hard, like Sex Pistols level but if you knew anything more than a little about them, you’d know that Big Audio Dynamite was their real calling.
This isn’t all that bad. It’s undeniable that it’s an influential album. It just lacks that wow factor for me.
Now you know and knowing is half the battle.
Choice cut: Death or Glory
Death In Vegas
4/5
So far I’m hearing a less frightening Prodigy. Or maybe a less French sounding Air.
Let’s continue
I really go up and down with these guys.
I like it, I don’t know about it, it’s ok….
Gosh this is a tough one.
Would I listen to them again? I don’t know
Would I recommend them to anyone? No
Will I remember that I had heard them if they come across my plate again? No
Does that matter? No
Give it a go. Your ears won’t bleed.
3/5
Ok well, I thought WAR was a band of Mexicans so that surprised me.
I also thought WAR was more rock than anything so that surprised me.
I’d say they are less funky than Parliament but down the same lines of musical journey.
I was originally all in but I find the music wearing on me. Nothing changes.
I wish that wasn’t the case.
Beastie Boys
4/5
This was peak Beastie Boys until the album with So Whatcha Want came out. Then the real Beastie Boys showed their face.
Still, it’s good and worth a listen.
Choice cut: Girls
Gang Of Four
3/5
I don’t know. It’s just another version of the Clash to me. A lighter version or the same, again, I don’t know.
It’s a decent enough album but I’m not feeling anything by listening to it. I want ground moving albums.
Like, why do I need to listen to this one?
Let’s go through the Checklist:
Did I enjoy the album: it’s decent
Will I listen to them again: not on purpose
Will I recommend these guys: no
Will I remember who they are in a month: no
So there you have it.
Choice cut: Damaged Goods
The Velvet Underground
3/5
Knowing what I do about these guys, it’s amazing that at times they can mimic the Beatles . Maybe a little less polished but nonetheless, they do a great job at that mimicking.
What YOU should know is there is nothing quite like “The Gift”. That alone makes it impossible for this album to fail. A genius song.
Then there is the noise aspect of the album.
It just doesn’t make sense nor does it make the album better. Like 3 stars will be just holding on by a thread. These guys are so much better and have proved it with other albums. I feel like this one was a throw in to this list honestly.
Choice cut: The Gift
David Gray
2/5
Based on this guys promo photos, I’m not going to like it.
Let’s delve in.
Not big on the vocals
I’m getting the feeling that this is soft rock with a techno beat.
This album better not have made it on this list based off of one song. I mean, it makes the album listenable but compared to other one song powerhouses, this is the Green Day of talent.
Did I say the vocals are really lacking on this album?
The music is serviceable. Nice bass on We’re Not Right”
The album is filled with Lilith Fair sounding guitar playing. Like that hear me roar women’s movement that came out briefly. You know what I mean? They all played that similar guitar sound that we hear on this album.
Silver Lining could have been an Alanis song.
Maybe it was.
Listen, if I’m supposed to pull some positive out of this album, I did my best.
I think if a woman had sung these songs they would have packed more of a punch. It’s just a low end early 2000’s album to me. I don’t even know if it came out them.
This guy is lucky enough that I at least knew his name.
Choice cut: Babylon
Liz Phair
4/5
I’m pretty sure Liz Phair existed first but I’ll say it anyway. Liz Phair sounds like she is trying to be Hole. I mean, this is prime Hole sounding. If Courtney Love did a whole cover album of this album I wouldn’t think twice about it being a Hole album.
About the album as a whole.
It sounds dark.
It’s on the south side of feeling pop.
Definitely not a sell out album.
These songs don’t catch you bobbing your head to the beat but they do keep you engaged.
Man, this is so much like Hole it’s ridiculous.
So I guess that’s a healthy formula to me.
I give this a pass.
And not even a pass. A 4 star I think. I can’t quite put my finger on it. It’s just not a middle of the road album. It has something extra in it that makes me appreciate it more.
It’s an odd feeling.
I will remember I listened to Liz.
I won’t remember this album other than I think I see her nipple.
I won’t recommend her to anyone
Yet I’m struck by it in a way that is best reserved to almost mind blowing music.
Hmmmmm
Choice cut: Never Said
Bert Jansch
2/5
I stopped listening to Avenged Sevenfold for this?
This Simon and Garfunkel meets Bob Dylan influence? Sheesh
And when I make the comparison to Dylan, I mean only in the frolicking guitar sound. The lyrics are weak like Lou Reeds but it’s far less exciting as Lou’s.
This is blah
This is a head shaker
This is going to my lawyer to see if I can sue for lost time from listening to this
I even skipped to Angie thinking maybe, just maybe he wrote the Stones Angie and that was this guys claim to fame. I’d get that. Butttttt no. Not the same song though I will say I think it’s the best song on the album. So, there.
Choice cut: Angie
Lucinda Williams
4/5
The song the album is named after starts off sounding like Danny California or some California song by the chili peppers.
I feel like this will be categorized in the same area as my review of Liz Phair. This album isn’t good enough for me to care about it but it’s good enough that I’m interested in listening to it.
I don’t get what the sudden of in flux of women’s music is though. Is national woman’s day coming up? The 30th anniversary of Lilith Fair? Bad luck? What is it?
So ya, I think this was Sheryl Crow before she knew who she was. If I’m wrong then they both released debut albums around the same time.
This album is just north of dull sounding
The music compliments that but yet there’s something special about it.
Here I was thinking that this chick only sang that Crazy Mary song that Pearl Jam covered.
I’d give this a thumbs up and a quarter up if I had thumbs
……….
I do have thumbs
The Divine Comedy
3/5
The music far outweighs the singing and lyrics. It’s a shame everything couldn’t mesh.
This could have been a top album for me.
The Divine Comedy have done enough that I’m well aware of who they are. I know no song names and no band member names. I just know of them.
I know I’m sounding like a broken record here but damn it’s a shame that the vocals are so weak. It’s like when Mike Patton records a cheesy b side. Yet his voice still sounds better than this.
I’m torn. On the other hand this will be the 3rd album in a row where it should have been given a lower rating but I’m somewhat captivated by it which keeps me listening. Even if my ears were bleeding, I’d stay plugged in.
This is like a less exciting Frank Sinatra singing over top of Radiohead unfinished songs in the Pablo Honey era.
There, I said it.
Linkin Park
4/5
This is pure energy. Where their strengths lie is also where their weakness is.
The dual vocals bouncing off of each other and sort of pushing one another to that next level. That, gets tiresome.
That’s the only flaw. Being a person who wants just a little bit more, this couldn’t offer it.
So close.
Choice cut: in the End
Franz Ferdinand
4/5
In the Take Me Out video, the drummer looks like Jim Carey.
Moving on.
This is the type of band that you’re never looking for but when you hear them you realize it’s not so bad.
But also, it’s not great. Don’t get me wrong. There really isn’t anything wrong either, it just hovers in that realm of ho hum.
The music keeps on moving. That’s good.
It’s sort of poppy rock . More in the realms of Pulp without the naughtiness .
Choice cut: Take Me Out
Donald Fagen
2/5
This sounds like a Sting impersonator singing b side Huey Lewis and the News songs.
With this, I just can’t.
What is this? Why is it here with the likes of Dark Side of the Moon and the White Album?
I’m glad it’s only 8 songs.
What’s not a glad moment is moving onto the next song before the previous one is over.
It’s that bad.
Like, ok, as an album separate from great albums it’s not horribly produced.
It’s musically inclined.
The vocals are just ok
The lyrics are weak but probably suitable for an 80’s album.
You could have sex to this music as long as the lady you are talking it doesn’t pay much attention to it. If she does, that’s on you Mr. Boring Pants.
Peter Gabriel
2/5
This album has that big band sound. Not big bad as in orchestration, it’s more like a “hey look at me, I recorded in Africa” sound.
Like how Sting would do it or Pink Floyd with the division bell.
I don’t get or see or hear anything special with this album. Even Sledgehammer isn’t a generational sounding song to me. This is just your parents music if you grew up in the 80’s.
Choice cut: In Your Eyes
Justice
4/5
Well the first 2 tracks had me believing that it was just 1 song. I was at the point where I was going to skip it. If you know me, no singing, no bueno. Technically 0-2 right now though the music hits.
I knew DANCE. There’s no beating that one on this album. Damn catchy.
I’d say these guys are a branch of Daft Punk.
That’s the best I can sum it up.
I wish there were more vocals on this. In my opinion it would have been a 5 star.
Choice cut: DANCE
Peter Tosh
4/5
A poor man’s Bob Marley.
Same sound but lazier slower vocals
Like he’s stoned the whole time. And that could be true.
The songs feel longer than they are. I guess that’s a product of the lazier sounding vocals? What do I know…..
Do you like reggae?
Do you like a slower jam?
Then sure this is for you.
It has a purpose here.
I’ll give it that.
Dion
5/5
To me, this is surprisingly good. I am completely caught off guard.
I’m actually at a loss for words.
I can’t describe what it sounds like really either. Like Bowie perhaps?
Well done. Not “to the moon” great by any means.
Choice cut: He’s got the whole world in his hands
Blur
3/5
I would have leaned more to the side of Blur being a gay band had I heard this album first . It’s not as hard and to the point as the Song 2 album.
Side note: Blur and Damon Alburn to that fact have been one of the few British bands/ people that don’t hide their accent in their songs. Sometimes is surprising when you find out a band is British because they sing so normally.
Anyways
I don’t think I will ever give a Damon Alburn project 5 stars. It just lacks a little extra something.
And this album seems to lack direction. I can see why they would get signed, even if it were based on a demo of this album. But it just lacks a little more of something.
It could be that the energy of the vocals never matches the music. It’s also the other way around.
I’m not impressed. Good thing I was prepared for that.
Choice cut: Girls and Boys
Koffi Olomide
1/5
Ok so this album makes me want to go on vacation. It’s a win there. Other than that, I don’t get it. I don’t get it as to why it’s on this list. Does every genre of music deserve representation? I don’t think so. This music may move you in a drunken state but the album doesn’t hold up like a candle being naked farted on. Poor production really kills it I think. It’s heavy on the treble . Nah, not a pass for me.
Beach House
3/5
There’s this sort of laziness about these guys that works for me. Slow slide like guitars and mellow but not too mellow vocals.
There’s an almost trance like state with these songs.
Buuuutttttttt……
Nothing changes. The songs hop from one to another with nothing being better than the previous one. That could work, believe me I know it can but here, it doesn’t.
This had promise. It starts off confusing your ears and your feelings and then just lets you sit there. Like you have been edging this whole time and you never get to the end.
Choice cut: Walk in the Park
1/5
So far this sounds like Wings.
Or a Paul McCartney side project.
Easter Theater. Fuck it, I’m not correcting it. I fucking hate having fat fingers. has a dab of the Beach Boys sound. Oh look at that, there’s an autocorrect built into this thing. Cool.
Temper at zero now.
Fuck it again. This is not good. Boring
I can’t believe these are the same people that put out Dear God. It should be Lord help us all after hearing this album.
Gotan Project
2/5
Nah. That was uneventful
Mudhoney
3/5
I get it. I obviously hear the reason why this album is here. I hear the Nirvana. I even hear Hole. We know who they inspired.
My issue is that every Nirvana song I don’t like sounds like the songs on this album.
It’s noise and it makes sense but it’s not jaw dropping to me and that’s what I need.
Choice cut: Mudride
Joe Ely
3/5
So far? Generic
I do like the production of the album. Everything is so clear. Some would probably say it’s too over produced. I spit in their general direction.
Back to the album.
Slightly more than generic.
It’s ok. That’s about it. Yep. I didn’t hate it
Choice cut: Hinkey Tonk Masquerade
The Beta Band
3/5
I’ll start with…..this is not what I expected. I expected more Bella Fleck and less electro pop Beatles.
I’m trying to figure out why I know of these guys. I don’t hear anything familiar. I guess that says a lot about their reach. If I’m familiar but not familiar with them, that’s a form of Star power because I am a person who keeps my finger on the pulse of coolness via music.
Not that these guys are great. Don’t be fooled.
This is an so so album with upside. I found myself thinking that I do not like a specific song yet I kept listening as it had just enough that kept me moving on. I’m not impressed . I’m not a new fan. I approve of this though. That’s ok for you to listen. Trust me
Django Django
5/5
I wonder when Django Unchained came out if these guys thought they had a bio pic made of them. Nahhh I doubt it.
So on to this album. It’s one of the few that I’m at a loss for words on the good side of things.
This is good. They get a follow from me.
I hope the other albums don’t let me down.
Seriously though, I can’t put my finger on the genre or who they sound like. They are mostly in a place of their own in the pop alt world I’d guess.
I’m also feeling generous. This can’t reach OK Computer but in its own light, it’s good enough
Beatles
3/5
Well produced. Typical spot on harmonizing by the group. Strength of songs though, this isn’t their best work.
Norwegian Wood
Nowhere Man
Both weak
Drive My Car? A classic you say? I say no. Maybe it’s because I heard it way too many times on radio stations at the beginning of the traffic report. I skipped it right away. That’s what I did.
You know what? I’m going to rate this against other albums by them instead of rating them against this little world called the 1001 songs…..
This is not an album I’ll return to.
Instead, go listen to the Love Compilation. That, in my mind is a 5 star and the best Beatles album.
Good night
Mic drop.
Dab.
The Sabres Of Paradise
2/5
That might be one of the worst band names I’ve ever heard. I also think these guys may be French and boy do I dislike the French. Well, French Canadians more. Even more specific, Quebec French Canadians.
6000 monthly listeners on Spotify and these guys deserve my time?
Well, I’ve given them my time and I can’t think of a single nice thing to say about them.
There’s structure to the songs. It’s not just noise.
It’s too repetitive. Nothing grand to note.
Mid to meh
Brian Eno
3/5
I barely found anything good about Brian Eno the first time I had heard him. So far, I’m sensing Talking Heads vibes. I found “no one receiving” went on too long and was too repetitive.
I will say, this has more life than the other Eno album I had heard. It still has me wondering how someone who sounds like this could get signed. The same with Warren Zevon. I don’t get it. Anyways
There also seems to be some Pink Floyd sounds here. Pre vocal Pink Floyd. Very similar. I’m ok with that.
Ya, ok. This saves face for Brian Eno in my books. This is a decent enough album. Well done Eno.
Beastie Boys
4/5
This is peak Beasties. This is memories. It comes in hot and stays hot. Not perfect by any means but a top tier hip hop album.
Choice cut: so Whatcha Want