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

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.

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.

Not bad. I don’t go out of my way to listen to AC/DC but I respect them.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

This was good. Easy listening. Great harmonies. I have always wanted to hear more than their big songs. Choice cut: California Dreaming

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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….

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Weird hippy shit. I’ve heard worse. I’ve heard way better No choice cut

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

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

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

Shitty attitude, good collection of songs. Choice cut: Can’t Take my Eyes off of You

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.

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

Jazz is just too un emotional for me. I respect it but I can’t get through an album of it.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Slow brooding, slowed down Bob Marley like delivery. It’s calming background music. Choice Cut: Jordan River

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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