Feb 22 2024
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The Score
Fugees
5
Feb 23 2024
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Imagine
John Lennon
I might be being too generous with 3. The first four songs are very good. The rest of the album is boring, and the final song almost killed me
3
Feb 26 2024
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Dummy
Portishead
This album has recalibrated my '3' rating. I regret not giving Imagine a 2.
This album was perfectly fine, and I enjoyed listening to it but likely wouldn't revisit it. Glory Box and Sour head stood out but the other tracks felt same-y. This may be because I have never listened to trip-hop and wasn't quite able to get past the top layer of the songs.
3
Feb 27 2024
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Play
Moby
Great album. I already knew all the most famous songs - Porcelain, Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad, Natural Blues - but this was my first time listening to everything in between. I enjoyed the new songs, especially Honey and Everloving. Most of the songs didn't draw me in, but none were unpleasant to listen to. This is a great chill album to have in the background with five/six great songs to make me pay attention.
4
Feb 28 2024
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Five Leaves Left
Nick Drake
I really enjoyed this album. The instrumentation was varied and the songs were heartfelt. I had never heard of Nick Drake before and will be exploring his music more.
My favorite song is Cello Song.
I'm going to start rating albums out of 10 in these comments.
8/10.
4
Feb 29 2024
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Electric Prunes
The Electric Prunes
Before even listening the album I want to note that I absolutely love the title. Really evocative and it's the kind of phrase I wish I had come up with.
This record feels like I'm listening to The Zombies' 'Odessey and Oracle". That's one of my favorite albums, and I like this one for all the same reasons.
'The King in the Counting House' especially felt like I was listening to a Zombies song. It also had some moments that felt like the pace changes in Sgt. Peppers.
I'll definitely revisit this album regularly
4
Mar 01 2024
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Planet Rock: The Album
Afrika Bambaataa
The album cover is amazing.
I am sure this album absolutely blew everyone's minds in the 80s. It is clearly building upon the early foundations of hip-hop/funk. I've spent too much time listening to the forty years of music that followed this album to be able to appreciate fully the mind-blowing moment in time that I am sure it was.
I appreciate it for what it is, but likely wouldn't choose to listen to it again.
3
Mar 04 2024
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At Folsom Prison
Johnny Cash
This is one of my favorite albums of all time. I've listened to it through hundreds of times since I first heard it in 2016.
Live shows are about the connection between the audience and the band, and this album captures every ounce of that. Many live albums fall short in capturing the energy in the room. Johnny is playing prison songs to prisoners and his enthusiasm comes through in every track.
I will continue to listen to this album forever.
5
Mar 05 2024
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Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul
Otis Redding
The album is so powerful that it's hard to listen to passively. I spent most of my first listen-through staring into space and feeling the music in my bones. I assumed he was older than he sounds, I am very surprised to learn he was in his early 20s and died a few years later.
I didn't know much about Otis before this. I spent all day listening to his albums and will continue to do so.
10/10
5
Mar 06 2024
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Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
I was bored up until "There She Goes, My Beautiful World." Then I was mostly bored again until a few songs on the second disc.
I didn't dislike many of the songs, but they were almost all too 'raconteur'-esque. Nick Cave's low talk-singing doesn't do it for me. The instrumentation was interesting on quite a few tracks, but I could never find my way to enjoying the big picture.
I didn't hate it, but I'd never listen to it again. 5/10.
3
Mar 07 2024
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Tapestry
Carole King
My favorite song is Smackwater Jack. I really enjoyed many of the songs, namely "I Feel the Earth Move", "It's Too Late", and "You've got a Friend". These are the most played songs on Spotify so I'm with the pack there.
I also didn't know You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman by Carolie King.
It's been 8 dudes in a row, so nice to hear a great record from a lady. Solid album, would definitely play it again. 7.5/10.
4
Mar 08 2024
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Sincere
Mj Cole
This album is definitely outside of my usual listening patterns. Why are there so many whale sounds?
I like Bandelero Desperado. Crazy Love is a bop. Many songs had interesting moments that I enjoyed, but then would repeat the one moment every 4 seconds for the next 5:40. Decent background music if I'm not trying to listen actively, but it wouldn't ever be more than that for me.
2
Mar 11 2024
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Bossanova
Pixies
This was a solid album. I enjoyed it, and would maybe put it on again.
6/10
3
Mar 12 2024
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James Brown Live At The Apollo
James Brown
This album was awesome. The crowd's reactions to him had me laughing at my desk. Great instrumentation, singing and crowd energy. I'll be revisiting this album for sure.
9/10
5
Mar 13 2024
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Fun House
The Stooges
This is grimy. Possibly a little too grimy for me. This album was largely simple chords being played with a guy yelling, and I did not love it.
I like the song 'Loose' and I liked when the sax showed up.
4/10
2
Mar 14 2024
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KIWANUKA
Michael Kiwanuka
This album was awesome. I listened to a bunch of the songs on repeat throughout the day. It had a very interesting set of sounds. Some of the songs felt very familiar to me, but I couldn't put my finger on why.
I'll definitely listen to this again and explore more of his work.
8/10
4
Mar 15 2024
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The Colour Of Spring
Talk Talk
I liked Happiness is Easy, Life's What You Make It, Give It Up, and Time It's Time. The album dragged at times but had a few songs I enjoyed and added to my 'liked songs' playlist.
I probably won't put it on again, but won't be unhappy if I happen to hear the songs.
6/10
3
Mar 18 2024
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Fulfillingness' First Finale
Stevie Wonder
I loved almost every song. I didn't like "Heaven is 10 Zillion..." or "Creepin'" as much.
This is my first time listening to a Stevie Wonder record and I thought it was great. I'm amazed to learn he wrote this when he was 24 and that it was his SEVENTEENTH studio album. I look forward to listening to a lot more Stevie.
9/10
5
Mar 19 2024
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At San Quentin
Johnny Cash
It's rawer than Folsom Prison. There's great banter with the inmates. The setlist and show feels a lot less refined than Folsom, but the songs sound great and the crowd loves it. Johnny's charisma and his ability to connect with the crowd is palpable throughout the entire record.
I really loved the ending sequence with the Carter Family and Carl Perkins on stage as well, especially "Daddy Sang Bass".
RIP Luther Perkins.
9/10
sidenote: I have just learned that both Johnny Cash and BB King played at San Quentin.
5
Mar 20 2024
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Millions Now Living Will Never Die
Tortoise
It's a weirder Explosions in the Sky with far more electronic sounds. The first song, Djed, dragged and was a little too ambient for me. Glass Museum slapped. None of the other songs really drew me in. I was bored most of the time and likely wouldn't play this again.
4/10
2
Mar 21 2024
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Emperor Tomato Ketchup
Stereolab
The opening song was my least favorite on the record. I am surprised it is the most popular by such a large margin on Spotify, usually I like the same songs everyone else does. I found out that the a member of Tortoise (yesterday's band) produced the album.
Quite a few of the other songs were bops, and I liked the vocals a lot. I've added a few songs to my liked songs playlist, and I'd be happy to hear them come on again.
7/10
4
Mar 22 2024
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The Genius Of Ray Charles
Ray Charles
I liked this album a lot, but not as much as I thought I would. I've never listened to Ray Charles before. It was a little too much crooning and some of the songs got a little too slow for me.
I found a few of the most popular songs like 'Come Rain or Come Shine' a little boring, but loved 'Alexander's Ragtime Band'.
These thoughts are a little negative, but that's only because I went into this anticipating a possible 10/10.
8/10. Great album, I want to hear more.
4
Mar 25 2024
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One Nation Under A Groove
Funkadelic
This album was fun. I had to listen on youtube so I'm trusting that the playlist was accurate. The songs had a variety of sounds and I enjoyed the lyrics. You truly can insert the word 'funk' into almost anything.
I probably wouldn't seek this album out but I did like it.
7/10
4
Mar 26 2024
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With The Beatles
Beatles
I really liked some of the songs. "Till There Was You", "Roll Over Beethoven". A lot of the others are a little samey, but it's definitely pleasant to listen to.
I'll give it a 7/10.
4
Mar 27 2024
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Cheap Thrills
Big Brother & The Holding Company
I may not be the badass punk rocker I thought I was. The album was a little too rough around the edges for me. I loved a lot of the instrumentation but had a hard time connecting to the vocals, to the point where I was savoring the parts with no singing. My favorite songs were at the end, Roadblock and Flower in the Sun. I also liked Piece of my Heart, which I've heard on classic rock stations plenty of times.
I'll give it a 6/10 because I did add the aforementioned songs to my liked songs playlist. I don't think I'd listen to the album ever again.
3
Mar 28 2024
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Machine Gun Etiquette
The Damned
This album was great, I'll definitely listen to it again. It was kind of like The Clash but rougher. I was tapping my foot and moving at my desk.
8/10
4
Mar 29 2024
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Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
I didn't like it as much as I thought I would like it. It had a few super famous songs on it, but the other ones didn't do a ton for me. All around I still enjoyed it and wouldn't complain if someone else put it on.
My favorite songs were 'One-Sided Love Affair', 'Tutti Frutti' and 'Blue Suede Shoes'.
6/10
3
Apr 01 2024
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Abbey Road
Beatles
This album was awesome. I liked it a lot more than the previous Beatles record we got - "With The Beatles". The sound is totally different and the songs are a lot more interesting and varied.
The album has literally billions of listens on Spotify for a good reason.
9/10.
5
Apr 02 2024
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Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Wu-Tang Clan
This is one of my all-time favorite albums. Over half the songs are enduring classics and the remainder range from good to amazing.
My favorite song is Da Mystery of Chessboxin'. ODB's verse on this is one of my favorites by him, and everyone else delivers as well. The stretch from Chessboxin' through Protect Ya Neck is an insane barrage of bars with amazing beats. I regularly listen to just that when I don't have time to get through the entire album.
31 years later, this album hasn't lost one step.
5
Apr 03 2024
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Brothers In Arms
Dire Straits
I enjoyed it from start to finish. I was familiar with 'Money for Nothing' and 'Sultans of Swing'. I'd heard 'Walk of Life' before but didn't fully recall it.
This is my favorite rock record we've heard so far. I enjoyed every song. The guitar often took center stage and it was shredding, although it was often an understated slower shred, rather than the ripper guitar solos I am more used to. It reminds me a lot of certain parts of Dark Side of the Moon.
The songs changed mood a lot, going from groovy big tracks like Walk of Life to slower captivating jams like 'Why Worry'. The band has a ton of range and the production captured the diversity of their sound well throughout.
10/10, really dope stuff.
5
Apr 04 2024
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Head Hunters
Herbie Hancock
This was a new experience for me. The only Herbie I had experienced before is Herbie: Fully Loaded. I was expecting this album to be conventional jazz (or what I consider to be conventional jazz) with a saxophone, piano, drums, and an upright bass. I was surprised to hear how electronic and funky it was.
My musical palette is not well developed for this kind of album. I have a hard time listening actively, and it largely fades into (enjoyable) background noise. I liked what I heard, but I'd never put this on when I am trying to actually listen. I'd put it on as I do work, or have some atmosphere around my house.
I liked Watermelon Man the most. Sly gave me anxiety.
I know this album is not a 3 star album, but I'm going to give it a 6/10 purely based on my enjoyment. I am not a jazzman.
6/10
3
Apr 05 2024
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Songs From The Big Chair
Tears For Fears
This album was super mid for me. I don't love their general sound, but I do like a few of the big name songs like 'Everybody Wants to Rule The World' and 'Head Over Heels'.
I'm trying to be use more of the scoring range, so it's going to be a 2/5 from me. I was waiting for the album to end the entire time, and wouldn't listen to it again. The hits didn't redeem it for me. Maybe I just don't like the 80s? It felt like Phil Collins / Genesis but less enjoyable? Is that crazy to say?
4/10
2
Apr 08 2024
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Out Of The Blue
Electric Light Orchestra
ELO is one of the few bands that tire me out from grooving too hard. I typically listen to their greatest hits compilations and haven't listened to as many of their albums as I should have.
I think almost anyone would agree, the hits from this album are absolutely electric. 'Turn to Stone', 'Sweet Talkin' Woman' and 'Mr Blue Sky' are 11/10 songs and I've listened to them hundreds of times. They assume direct control of my feet and head, forcing me to tap and bob along.
A lot of the quieter hits are also fantastic - 'It's Over', 'Across the Border', 'Starlight' and 'Sweet is the Night' stand out to me.
Unfortunately, the album is too long. It's got a runtime of 1h10m, and there are stretches of tracks that start to blend together. I think this prevents it from reaching the highest tiers of album heaven, even if the hits are angelic.
9/10
5
Apr 09 2024
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Catch A Fire
Bob Marley & The Wailers
I listened to this one late, so it didn't get as much attention as I always give. It was OK, the songs felt a little samey. I liked "Stir it up" the most.
I think this just isn't quite my sound, I probably wouldn't ever put this on and listen to it on my own.
5/10
3
Apr 10 2024
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Picture Book
Simply Red
I was only a partial human being while listening to this. I hiked a mountain on Monday for the total eclipse and Tuesday was a total wash.
I'd never heard of Simply Red before this. Unfortunately, the album did not interest me and I had a hard time staying engaged. I don't even remember it well enough to write further thoughts. Maybe not Simply Red's fault.
Sorry Red.
4/10
2
Apr 11 2024
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Devotional Songs
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Note before starting the album: This man has the most albums I've ever seen on Spotify. I must have scrolled past over a hundred to find this?
This one is too far away from my usual listenings. It felt like the beginning of every song had a unique funky section, then they would all turn into approximately the same song again? I more than likely just don't have the palette for this at all.
I'm forced to do something I've never done before. This album gets a 2/10 from me.
1
Apr 12 2024
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Get Rich Or Die Tryin'
50 Cent
I'm surprised at how long this album is. It's got jams on it but also stretches where I'm wondering when the next track is starting.
The first song I really liked was "In Da Club", then I was kind of floating until "If I Can't" and then "P.I.M.P", which was amazing. When it ended I was thinking wow really I'm only half way through this album?
I was bored most of the time, and probably wouldn't ever put the album on again. It would get a 2/5 if it wasn't for the hits being great.
It gets a 5/10 from me, but the 4/10 was lurking.
3
Apr 15 2024
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Tea for the Tillerman
Cat Stevens
This is such a nice and peaceful album. I hadn't listened to it before but knew Wild World.
The songs are relaxing, the theme is enjoyable and I really like the album cover. His voice is a little hard for me to get used to, but it definitely isn't unpleasant.
I added Wild World, Miles From Nowhere, Longer Boats, On The Road To Find Out, and Father and Son to my liked songs playlist.
8/10
4
Apr 16 2024
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Ill Communication
Beastie Boys
The Beastie Boys have always been challenging for me. I am sometimes in the right mood and can absorb their hype, but more often I am not operating at the right speed. It's hard to get into while sitting at my desk, it feels like I should be in Manhattan drinking funky monkeys and smashing wing mirrors.
The beats across the album are so dope. Get It Together, Sabrosa and The Update were an awesome trio of songs. The beat on Alright Hear This was also dope.
I was not expecting the abstract to show up, that was my favorite song.
I loved all of the instrumental tracks. I thought the album changed pace a lot and had great variety. The bars were funny and kept coming fast. Unfortunately I have a very hard time connecting with their style of lyricism, to the point where I have to make an effort to enjoy it. I would not choose to put it on again, so despite my praise it has got to be a 6/10 from me. It would be a 9/10 if they would just stop yelling at me, but then they wouldn't be the beastie boys.
3
Apr 17 2024
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Dance Mania
Tito Puente
This album was so great. I was moving my shoulders and swaying back and forth at my desk from start to finish. I couldn't conjure up any insightful comments about specific tracks, it all blended into some very enjoyable background music right from the beginning. This feels like an album I'd put on at my house when I host people.
I kept feeling like I was in one of the yellow/sepia-filter scenes in Breaking Bad. That reflects more on my limited exposure to latin music than anything else. I would like to listen to more, and I'll definitely listen to this album again. In fact, I'm listening to it again as I write this on our next day of music.
9/10
5
Apr 18 2024
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Hearts And Bones
Paul Simon
Allergies was a strange song.
Update: The songs have not gotten less strange. Cars are cars indeed, Paul.
No part of this album really grabbed me. The songs were all a little boring and it totally lacked the power of Graceland, which is one of my favorite albums. I don't have too much to say here, I likely wouldn't put any of these tracks on again.
Yesterday the Beastie Boy's album was super interesting and diverse, but hard to listen to for some ways. Today's album was easy to listen to, but uninteresting and felt same-y.
5/10
3
Apr 19 2024
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OK Computer
Radiohead
I've somehow avoided listening to this album up until today. I liked it, it was good. It doesn't immediately strike me as a legendary album in the way that Otis Blue or Sgt Peppers would, but I definitely enjoyed it. As with some other records on this list, I suspect this album was a moment in time as much as it was a collection of songs. I wasn't there for that moment, and I've benefited from all the music that was inspired by it later, leaving me feeling like it's a pretty familiar sound.
Karma Police was my favorite song. The other notables were 'Subterranean Homesick Alien', which was a really ambient and cool tracks, and Electioneering.
8/10
4
Apr 22 2024
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Violent Femmes
Violent Femmes
I had heard Blister in the Sun so many times and never knew who it was by. If I had to say who wrote it and when, I'd have guessed a 2010 one-hit wonder indie band.
I enjoyed this album a lot. The vocals were raw in a way that wasn't off-putting, and the guitar / drums were engaging throughout. My favorite songs after Blister in the Sun were Please Do Not Go and Add It Up.
7/10. I'd listen to this again.
4
Apr 23 2024
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Synchronicity
The Police
Walking in Your Footsteps is a funny song. It bemoans the hubris of the dinosaurs and asks if there are lessons to be learned from their death. "Hey mighty Brontosaurus, don't you have a lesson for us." He does indeed Sting, and it's that we're fucked.
The rest of the album didn't really stand out. I liked Every Breath You Take and King of Pain. I'm not the biggest fan of the classic 80s rock sound, and this album is certainly that. I'd probably never listen to it again.
5/10
3
Apr 24 2024
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Arise
Sepultura
We've all been questioning the legitimacy of this list. Who put it together?What are their credentials? How will I know that I'm *really* listening to the 1001 greatest albums? When I cracked open todays album and saw 'Orgasmatron' queued up, I was filled with a sense of calm. The list-makers know what they're doing.
I love the music. It's some sweet metal and I was soft-headbanging at my desk. I just can't make myself enjoy the gravely scream vocals. I was largely waiting for those to stop so I could enjoy musical interludes. Fortunately there were a lot of them, so I made it through the album. I probably wouldn't play this specific record again because of that gripe, but I can tell this album fucks. If I was more of a death-metal-vocals kind of guy I'd probably be giving it an 8, but it's got to be a 6/10 for me.
3
Apr 25 2024
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Casanova
The Divine Comedy
This was such a strange album. I don't have a lot of time to write this review, so I'll just say that I enjoyed the music, didn't love the singing, and somehow came away from it feeling like it was very pleasant and I was happy it existed.
My favorite song was 'Theme from Casanova'.
7/10
4
Apr 26 2024
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Closer
Joy Division
This is my first time listening to Joy Division. It's surprising it took me so long because people love to bring them up in certain music circles.
This was a tougher listen for me. The stripped down (?) punky sound doesn't do it for me. The songs don't have a lot to offer my palate. The vocals are off-putting and hard for me to look past. I did like some of the musical elements. There were a lot more synths than I was expecting. I enjoyed Isolation and Twenty-Four Hours the most.
4/10
2
Apr 29 2024
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Pink Moon
Nick Drake
This album bangs. I listened to it a bunch after our first Nick Drake album. His voice is weird but enjoyable. I think the album has a great diversity of instrumentation and manages to stay fresh throughout. It helps that its less than half an hour long.
The album cover rocks.
I'll definitely listen to it again. 8/10
4
Apr 30 2024
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Be
Common
This is a new listen for me, I don't think I could name a song by Common. I'm only two songs in but this album is awesome. Loving the song 'The Corner'. This is clearly very influenced by College Dropout, or perhaps these kinds of samples were already popularized?
Update: I just realized Kanye is literally on this song. That explains it.
Update 2: He's on the third song too???? Is this a Kanye/Common record??
College Dropout era Kanye is continuing to bleed into every corner of this record, and I'm loving it.
I'm a day late so I'll keep my review brief, but this album rocked. I love this soul samples era of hip hop.
8/10
4
May 01 2024
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Risque
CHIC
I didn't know that I knew this band. They have so many instantly recognizable jams. I love me some disco.
My Feet Keep Dancing felt like an ELO song at times.
The disco sound gets a little same-y by the end. The album is surely made to be enjoyed on a dancefloor, not song by song in my office chair. I enjoyed it, but did get a little bored by the end. If I had a few drinks in me and was on the dancefloor, I don't think I'd get bored.
7/10.
7/10.
4
May 02 2024
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Scissor Sisters
Scissor Sisters
This album is all over the place. I like it a lot. This is the first album on the list that I think I used to listen to? It's coming back to me as a distant memory. Even the album cover is familiar. I think I liked this album a lot in 2005 and then completely forgot it existed.
I really liked general energy. The opening songs were awesome. Take Your Mama was my favorite. The comfortably numb cover was interesting, and I was surprised to learn that was their 'hit'.
I added a few songs to playlists, I'll revisit and think fondly of this album.
7/10
4
May 03 2024
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The Boatman's Call
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Maybe it's just me, but Nick Cave is kind of hard to listen to? This album is different sounding than the last Cave album we were given. He doesn't have a good voice, and he just kind of talks at you. This album was 10 very similar sounding piano songs with him talking over them in the same way on each one. Despite this, I see people remarking online that this album is amazing, so maybe it's just me who doesn't get it?
Not a single song stood out to me. I was bored the entire time. Didn't actively dislike it, but what is there to love about this?
5/10
3
May 06 2024
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1999
Prince
Let's Pretend We're Married goes hard. So does D.M.S.R. So does Little Red Corvette. So does Delirious.
This was my first Prince album and I really liked it. Almost all of the songs were jams, with a few slower songs like International Lover to mix it up. You can feel his charisma coming through in all the songs. Listening to him sing is like listening to Jeff Goldblum talk. It feels like he's trying to fuck the song as he's singing it.
I look forward to hearing more Prince 8/10.
4
May 07 2024
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People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm
A Tribe Called Quest
Tribe are the group that got me into Hip-Hop. I've listened to this album countless times. Even as the first track is starting, I know this is getting a 5/5.
Q-Tip and Phife are both so smooth, the beats are awesome, the lyrics are funny. This album has so many famous songs - Left My Wallet in El Segundo, Can I Kick It etc. I think my favorite song is Footprints. I enjoyed it the entire time, but I think it doesn't quite make it to a 10/10.
9/10
5
May 08 2024
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Run-D.M.C.
Run-D.M.C.
I've never listened to Run-D.M.C before, so I apologize if this is ignorant, but.... are Run DMC eating Beastie Boy's lunch? It sounds basically exactly like a BB album, down to the flow, the beats, and even their word choices? Who came first?
Update: I had to look it up. They existed at the exact same time, in the same place, and were apparently great friends. They were both produced by Rick Rubin so maybe this was his doing somewhat?
The album was fine, I probably wouldn't listen to it again. This sound isn't really for me. I can enjoy it for 1/2 songs, usually the hits, but then it just gets old.
5/10
3
May 09 2024
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The Dreaming
Kate Bush
This album was very weird but good. I am quite behind, so that is all I have to say.
6/10
3
May 10 2024
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S&M
Metallica
I listened to about half of this album. It's a lot, and I think it's super cool that it exists. There are too many songs I don't really want to listen to on it, but I did click through every song I liked. That was about 10 songs, which is honestly a solid album all on its own.
I liked it, but the album in its entirety isn't super consumable to me. Awesome concept, dope that it exists, a little exhausting to listen to.
6/10
3
May 13 2024
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Wild Is The Wind
Nina Simone
Wow, Four Women was a very intense song. I love piano and powerful voices so this album is doing a lot for me. Nina is a beautiful singer. "Break Down and Let It All Out" is another powerful song.
When did the fade out go out of style? Many of these albums from the 60s and 70s just fade out the song abruptly while she's still going.
8/10
4
May 14 2024
View Album
Parachutes
Coldplay
I really like Coldplay, as is required of everyone who has lived in the british isles. Viva La Vida is their only album that I've listened to front-to-back prior to this, and that was clearly a mistake. This album was great and I liked every song. It's a more stripped down version of the Coldplay of recent years, no electronic effects or explosive crescendos, and I like that more. I read someone on reddit refer to this era of Coldplay as 'an easier to swallow version of radiohead'. Whether that's the case or not, I'm on board.
I'll listen to this album more often. God save the queen (sorry charles).
9/10
9/10
5
May 15 2024
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Gold
Ryan Adams
This sure was an album. The songs sound like the inoffensive rock that plays in the background of an autogenerated montage played at a company's goodbye party for an employee.
5/10
3
May 16 2024
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I’ve Got a Tiger By the Tail
Buck Owens
I love a nice twang. This album has a whole lot of twang. I love this album.
Kit is entirely responsible for making me realize I do like country music, so I'm glad we're both here listening. There's something soothing and fun about the sound of these songs. I don't even mind that they all sound basically the same. I've got my foot tapping the entire time. I think my favorite songs were A Maiden's Prayer and The Band Keeps Playin' On.
Those country boys knew what they were doing in the 50s and 60s. I'll definitely listen to this again.
8/10
4
May 17 2024
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Introducing The Hardline According To Terence Trent D'Arby
Terence Trent D'Arby
This album has changed names as Terence now goes by a different name.
Wishing Well is a really fun song. I like the little wind instrument sections in the middle.
Dance Little Sister feels like a song I should be hearing on the dancefloor, not in my office chair.
Besides a few exceptions, this album kind of felt like I'd listened to the same song ten times. It's not my favorite sound, and I probably wouldn't listen to it again. It feels like others have done this better (for me).
6/10
3
May 20 2024
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Let's Get It On
Marvin Gaye
I'm surprised to say that I didn't like this album as much as I thought I would. It was very good, and I'd definitely listen to it again, but I was expecting to be blown away.
The first song, Let's Get It On, was the best one, and I felt that the rest of the album took a step down from there. I enjoyed Keep Gettin' It On and Come Get To This as well.
This is a soulful sexy album, and I'm only being negative because I expected the world from it. That's on me.
8/10
4
May 21 2024
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At Mister Kelly's
Sarah Vaughan
I love the album cover. I love live albums. I haven't heard of Sarah Vaughan before, but I'm loving this record after the first few songs. These old live albums makes me reflect on how amazing it is to listen to these moments in time so many years later. This is an intimate record made in a legendary club, attended by people who are more than likely all dead, and I get to be there too. That's pretty cool.
Her personality comes through in a big way in Willow Weep for Me. I love funny crowd interactions.
I loved the whole album. Very relaxing with some nice crowd moments.
9/10
5
May 22 2024
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Disraeli Gears
Cream
This is a cool album to get into. I've listened to Sunshine of Your Love so many times, so I'm excited to hear what else they cooked up.
I do not quite understand the lyrics on SWALBR, but I do like them. Rainbows with moustaches are scary.
Mother's Lament felt like I was listening to a Monty Python song. I shock laughed at how insensitive it was. "Your baby has gone down the plughole."
This album was fun. It's not exactly my brand of rock, but I liked all the songs.
7/10
4
May 23 2024
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Done By The Forces Of Nature
Jungle Brothers
This was groovy and I liked it a lot. It has Tribe Called Quest vibes to it. I'm sure Q-Tip and Phife were listening to this album while they were writing their own.
The album has diverse beats and non-stop bars. It's got that classic golden-era sound to it. I did get a little bored by the end, it had a 1hr runtime which is a little long for me.
I really love a musical interlude, and Good Newz Comin' was a fun listen.
I think my favorite song was right at the end - 'Doin' Our Own Dang', it woke me up again from zoning out a little.
I didn't give this album the time it deserved to really dig into the lyrics, so I acknowledge that I'm missing a big part of it. I'll revisit this in the future perhaps, but for now it gets an 8 from me.
8/10
4
May 24 2024
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Music in Exile
Songhoy Blues
I think this was the most interesting album yet. The band is described as "Desert Blues" and they are writing music about being pushed out of their homes in Mali by Ansar Dine. The songs itself are a blend of a modern sound (I don't know anything about North African Desert Blues) and old-school blues. Some songs could have fit on the Cream record from a few days ago.
Petit Metier and Soubour were my favorite songs. I've added the entire album to my Liked Songs playlist. This is the first album that I feel like I would truly never have heard had I not started this album journey.
9/10
5
May 27 2024
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Coat Of Many Colors
Dolly Parton
I've listened to this many many times. This is one of the best country albums I've ever heard. I have actually cried in real life listening to the song Coat of Many Colors, it's that heartbreaking.
Coat of Many Colors and Blue Tears are my favorite songs.
I've never listened to any of her other albums back to front and maybe I should!
One or two of the songs I could take or leave, namely The Mystery of the Mystery and that keeps it from being a straight 10.
9/10
5
May 30 2024
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Paris 1919
John Cale
This album started very slow. I wasn't super interested for the first half, but it picked up in the second. I liked "Macbeth" and "Paris 1919", and really all of the songs after Macbeth. It had a lot of very beatles-y moments. I added a few songs to my playlists.
I'd never heard John Cale's solo work before, and I've only listened to The Velvet Underground a little. It's good!
7/10
4
May 31 2024
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Illinois
Sufjan Stevens
I loved this album in high school. It was really great to revisit it and discover that I still love it. There are a lot of standouts on this album, but they almost all come in the first half. "Come On!" "John Wayne Gacy, Jr" "Jacksonville" "Decatur" "Chicago" "Casimir Pulaski Day" are all so good. After those it feels like the album falls off a little bit. I love "The Tallest Man", but most of the other songs from 11-22 feel worse than the first half. "They Are Night Zombies" gets an honorary mention, I love the chanting section.
The album is very creative, has amazing song names and showcases Sufjan's wide musical ability. If the album was 30m shorter, cutting out all second half songs besides the ones I mentioned, I'd give it a 5 enthusiastically. Unfortunately I have to give it an 8/10.
4
Jun 03 2024
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Aladdin Sane
David Bowie
This may be blasphemous but is Bowie just a more boring Elton John? This album felt very similar to Yellow Brick Road to me, but the songs never managed to hit the same highs. None of them really swept me away. I'm not a fan of the kind of talk singing he does, it's similar to Nick Cave but Bowie does squeeze some singing in there. I don't think I'll be adding any of these songs to my playlists.
5/10
3
Jun 04 2024
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Ten
Pearl Jam
This album is either very dated, not for me, or both. The songs are all peak generic dad rock and I associate them with guitar hero / rock band. It doesn't help that my friend Sal always blasts Pearl Jam as a joke.
4/10. Sorry to dads everywhere.
2
Jun 05 2024
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Joan Armatrading
Joan Armatrading
This album is a little boring to me? I've finished my first listen-through and none of the songs really stood out to me. Join The Boys and Like Fire were my favorite songs
I probably wouldn't listen to any of these again.
5/10
3
Jun 06 2024
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Strangeways, Here We Come
The Smiths
This isn't the kind of music I thought The Smiths made, I thought they were a lot more punky.
This was an inoffensive but uninteresting album to me. I liked a few of the songs, "Girlfriend In a Coma" and "Death at One's Elbow".
All in all I wasn't very entertained, but it wasn't bad.
I'll give them a 5/10, leaning towards a 6/10.
3
Jun 10 2024
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Lady Soul
Aretha Franklin
This album has some very famous songs on it. I enjoyed it a lot, the songs were really groovy and she has an awesome voice. It's her twelfth studio album, which is nuts.
My favorite songs were "Money Won't Change You" "Since You've Been Gone" and "Come Back Baby".
8/10
4
Jun 11 2024
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The Clash
The Clash
I've listened to Combat Rock and London Calling a lot. I'm a big fan of The Clash and I enjoyed this album! I'm not sure quite how to describe it, but they're a punk band that has taken the hard edges off? I have had a hard time with the grungier and harder albums on this playlist, but The Clash don't have whatever qualities turn me off from those.
I liked this album less than CR and LC, but it was a good listen. No stand-out songs to report, but I enjoyed having it on. I think a 35m album with songs between 2 and 3m long is my ideal.
8/10
4
Jun 12 2024
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We're Only In It For The Money
The Mothers Of Invention
The longer this album goes on the more I like it. It's a bunch of dudes making fun of hippies in SF, and the lyrics are pretty funny. The songs are short and all interesting sounding, and they aren't taking themselves very seriously. They're also making fun of Sgt Peppers (?), which is one of my favorite albums but I love some satire.
I wouldn't say that this was an incredible accomplishment of music, but it was definitely funny and I enjoyed listening to it.
8/10
4
Jun 13 2024
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Entertainment
Gang Of Four
I've consistently struggled with albums like this. I'm sure they are legendary and formative, and I'm sure that every single band on the THPS soundtrack owned their tapes. I have a hard time listening to it today in 2024 because it seems like very stripped down simple music with some guys yelling.
There isn't a lot for me here, but I'm sure I owe them a thank you for inspiring bands I do like.
4/10
2
Jun 14 2024
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Selected Ambient Works 85-92
Aphex Twin
I forgot I had this album on multiple times. I don't listen to a lot of ambient music, but I enjoyed this. It obviously isn't gripping, but it isn't meant to be. It's pleasant and occasionally interesting ambient music and it was very nice to have on in the background.
7/10
4
Jun 17 2024
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Highway 61 Revisited
Bob Dylan
This album has Like a Rolling Stone on it, which is the only Bob Dylan song I could name off the top of my head. I haven't heard any of the others before but I like them! My favorite song by far was It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry. The album definitely felt a little played out by the end, I was getting a little tired of Bob's voice.
I'd listen to a few of these songs again! 6/10
3
Jun 18 2024
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Off The Wall
Michael Jackson
This album rips. It peaks right away with Don't Stop Till You Get Enough, but stays good the entire time. It didn't lose my attention, and had a really nice variety of songs. Songs like Off The Wall and Girlfriend are classic MJ sounding songs, and She's Out Of My Life is a slow serenade to break it up.
I've added a few songs to my list, and I'd definitely listen to the album again.
8/10
4
Jun 19 2024
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Ghosteen
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
I liked the instrumentals on this album a lot. It was all very grand, slow, and epic sounding. I still don't really like his voice, which keeps me from actually enjoying it. The songs did feel very samey, it felt at likes like I was listening to one long continuous song. It felt a little sigur-ros-y at times, but then Nick's voice came over it and kind of ruined the vibes.
5/10, I likely wouldn't ever put this on again.
3
Jun 20 2024
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All Directions
The Temptations
Run Charlie Run is not a song I'll be playing out loud anywhere any time soon. Funky song though.
I Ain't got Nothin' is so smooth.
The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face is also so smooth. Do Your Thing is a fun ending, I added it to a playlist.
This isn't exactly my type of music but I enjoyed it a lot. Outside of Papa Was a Rollin' Stone the songs are all short and don't get boring.
7/10, fun album!
4
Jun 21 2024
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Liquid Swords
GZA
It is a strange fact that this album was performed at Northeastern University afterHOURS by GZA.
Duel of the Iron Mic has very similar lyrics, flow and beat to Da Mysteries of Chessboxin' on 36 chambers. The line that made me realize it is "I injure every fucking contender". After that I noticed it continuously throughout the song.
GZA has to be the most literary member of the Wu. His bars are thoughtful and his word selection is broad. That really shines through in this album. The similarities to Wu prove how strong his influence was on their sound - most of the songs on this album sound like stripped back 36 chambers tracks. RZA produced this one as well so it's not too surprising.
8/10.
4
Jun 24 2024
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If You Can Believe Your Eyes & Ears
The Mamas & The Papas
I'm really enjoying this, it feels very Beach Boys but with more crooning. Straight Shooter, Hey Girl, and The "In" Crowd may be my favorite songs. The album manages to get a little same-y even with its 34m runtime, so I probably couldn't listen to this all the time, but I did like it a lot.
7/10, I've added a few songs to my playlists.
4
Jun 25 2024
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Young Americans
David Bowie
David Bowie continues to be a little boring for me? I can see what's going on, and why people may like it, but it's not doing it. There's a lot of instruments, a lot going on musically, and good variety in the songs, but none of them really manage to capture me. I really don't enjoy his voice or style of singing very much, and it never feels like a song pulls me in.
I wouldn't listen to this again, sorry David. 5/10
3
Jun 26 2024
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(What's The Story) Morning Glory
Oasis
This is the pinnacle of the brit-pop years. I love every single song. My favorites are Cast No Shadow and She's Electric. Wonderwall, Don't Look Back In Anger, and Champagne Supernova are so famous that you could start playing them at any location in the western world and have a crowd singing along.
I lived in England from '97 to '08 and this was the most played album on the radio and at gatherings for that entire period. I'm sure this is still true today. Their only true rival was Coldplay, whose works never quite reached the heights that this album did.
I've listened to this album back to front hundreds of times, and I'll do it hundreds more. This album is timeless and left a gargantuan mark on the world. It's an easy 10.
10/10
5
Jun 27 2024
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Little Earthquakes
Tori Amos
I've never heard of Tori Amos, so I was interested to see what this would be like. This album is not really for me. I was bored most of the time, and the songs all felt very similar. It wasn't bothering me, but it felt like work to get through.
4/10
2
Jun 28 2024
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The Pleasure Principle
Gary Numan
This album is fun, and I can see how it may have influenced a lot of modern music. There are definitely some bops, the first song I really like is "Tracks". "Cars" also slaps.
This album is interesting, but too many of the songs are duds for me to love it. It's too long. The songs I liked I really liked, so it gets points for that.
6/10
3
Jul 01 2024
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Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Wilco
I've never listened to Wilco before despite them on a lot of billings alongside bands I really like throughout the 2010s. I see now that I haven't missed much. The album is not very engaging, none of the songs ever managed to pull me in and I don't think I could tell you which one the 'hit' was.
This may be a case of me being too used to listening to the bands inspired by Wilco, so Wilco themselves sound a little boring.
Not offensive, but nothing I'd want to listen to again. 5/10
3
Jul 02 2024
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Ellington at Newport
Duke Ellington
This was another amazing live album. I've loved every one that I've heard so far, and I should definitely be listening to more. It is a privilege to be listening to legendary shows being performed so many years ago. As with the Cash shows we heard earlier, they keep a lot of the crowd interaction and in-between moments in, grounding the performance . I am reminded that everyone on these recordings were people just like me living regular human moments. Would people 80 years from now feel the same way listening to a show that I go to and don't think much of? Maybe I should be appreciative of the shows I do get to go to!
As for the record itself, it slapped. It was very long so I was in and out in my attention but I liked everything I heard.
9/10
5
Jul 04 2024
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Rip It Up
Orange Juice
"I Can't Help Myself" is really fun. This album was OK, a little boring at times but definitely an enjoyable album. I've never heard of Orange Juice, but I'm sure they were important and formative for many bands that came later.
6/10
3
Jul 05 2024
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Rejoicing In The Hands
Devendra Banhart
This album reminds me of Sufjan Stevens in places, and Tallest Man on Earth in others. I liked it a lot and added some songs to playlists. There Was Sun is a good example of a song that sounds like TMOE.
I've never heard of Devendra before and I'll listen to some more of his music. Some of the songs bored me, and the album did feel a little bit too long. Despite this I really liked it.
8/10
4
Jul 08 2024
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Hot Fuss
The Killers
This album rocks. It was my first time listening to it, and the whole album was pretty great.
The stretch from Jenny Was a Friend of Mine to All These Things That I've Done is a barrage of ultra-hits which make it pretty hard to give this album less than a 4 off the bat. The rest of the album didn't disappoint, my favorite song past that stretch was Change Your Mind.
It's hard to deny this album a 5. 9/10
5
Jul 09 2024
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We Are Family
Sister Sledge
This album has so many famous songs on it but I've somehow never heard their band name before.
I liked this entire album, it was disco stripped down to its fundamentals. "He's The Greatest Dancer" and "We Are Family" were my favorite tracks. It was all easy to listen to - I was doing lots of foot tapping and head bobbing. It wasn't too long either so I didn't get bored of the sound.
Disco isn't my favorite genre to listen to at my desk chair, but I can see that this is the good stuff.
9/10
5
Jul 10 2024
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Call of the Valley
Shivkumar Sharma
I really enjoyed this. It wasn't exactly my style of music, but it was relaxing. I listened to a re-recording of it by his son (?) on Spotify first by accident, so I've heard this album twice.
I had this running while doing my work, and it was great background music. I really did feel like I was working the fields in the countryside.
7/10
4
Jul 11 2024
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Cross
Justice
Justice are one of the only acts comparable to Daft Punk for me. I heard this album live in 2012, and it was intense. The whole album goes hard, isn't too long and is paced very well.
Genesis is such a badass start to the album.
"Phantom" and "Phantom Pt. II", and "One Minute to Midnight" are my favorite songs.
9/10 This album is iconic. Album art is sick too.
5
Jul 12 2024
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In Utero
Nirvana
I didn't really like this that much. It's definitely Nirvana, and its an iconic sound, but I think I'm too far displaced from the novelty of it to really enjoy it.
I didn't hate it, but I probably wouldn't ever choose to put it on.
My favorite song was 'Dumb'.
5/10
3
Jul 16 2024
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You've Come a Long Way Baby
Fatboy Slim
I grew up right next to Brighton, where Norman Cook is from. He is a local legend. His music was unavoidable in the late 90s and early-mid 00s. He played on the radio constantly, performed in Brighton regularly, and was always being played at gatherings. As has often been the case in this project, I've never actually listened to this album front to back so I'm looking forward to it!
The transition from Right Here, Right Now to Rockafeller Skank is so good. I laughed as it happened.
This was a great album to have on in the background. The songs are varied, while keeping the unmistakable Fatboy Slim sound. My favorites are the ones everyone knows. I enjoyed You're Not From Brighton & Kalifornia a lot as well.
This album is iconic. 9/10
5
Jul 17 2024
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S.F. Sorrow
The Pretty Things
This was a fun album. It all blended into one song as I did my work, but I did like the sound. I didn't get bored of it, which is impressive over an hour. I didn't clock any specific song as a favorite.
The whole sound was very Sgt Peppers. This came out a year later so that isn't too surprising!
8/10.
4
Jul 18 2024
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Dire Straits
Dire Straits
I always knew I liked Dire Straits, but now I know that I love Dire Straits. Nobody else sounds quite like them. My favorite songs were "Down to the Waterline", "Southbound Again", "Sultans of Swing" and "In the Gallery".
I've added this entire album to my liked songs playlist. I'm officially a Strait-Man. Dire-Guy? Straitie? None of these sound great.
9/10
5
Jul 19 2024
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Back to Basics
Christina Aguilera
This album is immediately not what I expected. It is very soulful. Makes Me Wanna Pray is a banger.
Slow Down Baby is great. This isn't really my style of music, but it is very good. I'm seven songs in and starting to get a little bored of the sound. There's another fifty minutes to go.
Still Dirrty is fun, I wish there was even more horns.
OK, we might be changing it up completely for Disc 2. Circus theme? I'm back in.
This side of the album is way better. Welcome and Candyman were great. The rest of Disc 2 got a little same-y again, although I did generally like it more than Disc 1.
I probably wouldn't ever put this on again, and I'm going to rate it based on that, but I did like this album! 6/10
3
Jul 22 2024
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1989
Taylor Swift
This album was OK, it's filled with pop jams and I see why people like it. It's not really my style. I don't really relate to any of the lyrics and I don't think they're particularly profound or interesting. I wouldn't put this on again.
4/10
2
Jul 23 2024
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Graceland
Paul Simon
This is one of my favorite albums of all time. It is up there on my 'Most Played Albums' list and I don't think I'll ever get bored of it. It's got an amazing blend of musical styles. The vocals are amazing, the songs are so catchy, and the african instruments blend so well with Paul's song writing. I love that each song features different artists.
This is easily my favorite Paul Simon work.
10/10
5
Jul 24 2024
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Survivor
Destiny's Child
This album goes kinda hard, my favorite songs are Bootylicious, Sexy Daddy, and Independent Women II.
This is definitely more my style of girlbossing, as compared to Taylor Swift from a few days ago. It's pretty poppy, but I like the R&B sound a lot more than 1989s synth-poppy anthems. I wasn't pulled in by every song but there were some real bops in here.
6/10
3
Jul 25 2024
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The Idiot
Iggy Pop
I have very little to say about this album. I was bored and kind of zoned out and didn't pay much attention. Iggy bores me in the same way that Nick Cave does. I don't really like the vocals, and it's all too slow and nothing is musically interesting enough to get me paying attention?
It wasn't horrible by any means, but I also didn't feel like it had any positives on this listen-through. 4/10
2
Jul 26 2024
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Private Dancer
Tina Turner
I'd never listened to Tina Turner before and this album didn't disappoint. The songs are all over the place and don't really flow into one another but I never felt like it was an issue. It sounds like an album of 10 separate songs, but Tina does such an amazing job that it makes the album feel fresh the entire time. My favorite songs are "Show Some Respect" "I Can't Stand the Rain" "Better Be Good to Me" and "Steel Claw". Did the same person really Make Show some Respect and Steel Claw and put them on the same album?
This is a ton of fun. Good stuff Tina.
8/10
4
Jul 29 2024
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Surrealistic Pillow
Jefferson Airplane
This album has quite a few super famous songs that I didn't know were by Jefferson Airplane. "Somebody to Love" is a classic and I was happy to hear it!
"My Best Friend" is such a fun song. "White Rabbit" and "Embryonic Journey" are also great. I'm liking this album a lot so far. "In The Morning" is a great jam.
This entire album rocked. It was a little too long for me but I was never bored. Lot's of awesome songs and many additions to my playlists.
8/10
4
Jul 30 2024
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Get Behind Me Satan
The White Stripes
"Little Ghost" is my favorite song so far. I also loved "My Doorbell", it sounded a little bit like Cee Lo Green somehow. I'm not sure what the right away to describe these songs is, but they seem almost funky? They make me bop my head for sure.
This album has such interesting and varied percussion. I've heard so many different noises throughout. It's cool.
This album was good. Not a long of songs I loved, but also very few I didn't enjoy. It's going to be a lower 4/5 for me.
7/10
4
Jul 31 2024
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That's The Way Of The World
Earth, Wind & Fire
Yearnin' Learnin' is an awesome song. I'm moving my entire body in my office chair.
This album was super smooth. Lots of variety in the songs and a great run-time. I wasn't bored for one second.
9/10
5
Aug 02 2024
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Talking Timbuktu
Ali Farka Touré
I found this album to be a little boring. Lasidan was my favorite song, and I added it to a playlist. I don't think I have the palette for the West African sound, and I didn't enjoy it that much. I have no complaints and it certainly wasn't unpleasant, but I wouldn't listen to it again.
5/10
3
Aug 05 2024
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Darkness on the Edge of Town
Bruce Springsteen
ADAM RAISED A CANE! This album rocks, classic Bruce.
It start's so hot with Badlands, one of my favorite Bruce songs.
The Promised Land is another favorite, I listened to it a few times. I hadn't heard "Darkness on the Edge of Town" before, I liked it a lot. It was a cool ending to the album.
It isn't bangers the whole way through, but it has a whole lot of them. A few songs were a little boring compared to their peers, but I didn't have a bad time for one second. 42 minutes is a great run-time.
8/10
4
Aug 06 2024
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Rumours
Fleetwood Mac
This is a sensational album. The first five songs are unquestionably the best, but I also loved You Make Loving Fun and I Don't Want to Know.
All of those songs have been added to my playlists. It flows amazingly, it changes moods a few times and doesn't run too long. It's got a few down songs keeping it from being a perfect 10, but this is a special album.
9/10
5
Aug 07 2024
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The Coral
The Coral
This album rocked. I'd never heard of it but had fun the entire time. It's not too long, great guitar, awesome vocals. It rocks pretty hard throughout. At times the album really reminds me of My Chemical Romance? That might be a weird association, but they were around in similar times.
I'm in the process of catching up to a few missed albums so I only listened once. Good stuff.
8/10
4
Aug 08 2024
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The Good, The Bad & The Queen
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
After about thirty minutes of thinking that all the refrains sounded like the Gorillaz, I googled this album and learned that it is yet another Damon Albarn project.
It was OK, I didn't have any negative feelings but I was a little bored. None of the songs truly gripped me. If I had to pick one then I'd say the first song, History Song, was the best one. Herculean sounded the most like a Gorillaz song.
6/10
3
Aug 09 2024
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Songs Of Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen
This was a nice album. It was very peaceful and pleasant to listen to. I think my favorite songs were the same ones as everyone else, "Hey that's no way to say goodbye" and "Suzanne".
It was very samey by the end, but the 41 minute run-time made that OK. It felt like a combination of Simon&Garfunkel and Jeff Buckley?
7/10
4
Aug 12 2024
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Power In Numbers
Jurassic 5
This is a real old-head hip-hop album. I listened to J5 a bunch in high school because one of my friends liked them a lot.
I listened to this album twice, but the first time I was barely listening in a car. The album is straight bars with some pretty simple but funky production. If you like hot lyrics, this is a great album. I like a little more musical production, so this didn't quite pull me in that much.
It's good, but runs a little long. No complaints and definitely enjoy it.
6/10
3
Aug 13 2024
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Reggatta De Blanc
The Police
This is a real old-head hip-hop album. I listened to J5 a bunch in high school because one of my friends liked them a lot.
I listened to this album twice, but the first time I was barely listening in a car. The album is straight bars with some pretty simple but funky production. If you like hot lyrics, this is a great album. I like a little more musical production, so this didn't quite pull me in that much.
It's good, but runs a little long. No complaints and definitely enjoy it.
6/10
3
Aug 14 2024
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Ocean Rain
Echo And The Bunnymen
This was a very 80s album. It wasn't very interesting to me, but I did like a few songs. "My Kingdom" was my favorite.
I wouldn't listen to this again, grateful for the short run-time.
4/10
2
Aug 15 2024
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Gentlemen
The Afghan Whigs
I didn't love the opening song, but it's growing on me.
This album was pretty mid, I didn't love it. I don't have a ton to say, I don't think I'd listen to it again? I don't like the vocals, but I did like a fair bit of the instrumentals.
4/10
2
Aug 16 2024
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Public Image: First Issue
Public Image Ltd.
I did not really enjoy the opening song, "Theme". I like "Religion II" more, it's got a nice guitar riff going on.
Annalisa is making me feel like I'd enjoy them live a lot more. Listening to the record in my office chair is making me not love the vocals, but I think that live I'd be enjoying the instrumental too much to care.
Fodderstomp is a funny song, it almost evokes the Gorillaz a little? That underlying funky bass line with a bunch of weird stuff on top sounds a lot like Damon Albarn.
Overall this kind of music is a little too rough around the edges for me. I think I'd like it in a live setting with some drinks in me, but it's not suited for office listening. Punk is dead in my soul (from 9-5).
4/10
2
Aug 19 2024
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At Newport 1960
Muddy Waters
I knew right away I'd love this album. The live albums are the best part of this experience so far, and this one absolutely did not miss. I love this era of blues. I'd never listened to Muddy Waters before but I certainly will in the future.
I loved the whole album and added it to my saved albums.
9/10
5
Aug 20 2024
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In A Silent Way
Miles Davis
I liked this album, it was very nice background music. It's the kind of thing I'd put on quietly in the background of a nice house party. Not that I've ever had one of those.
Jazz doesn't do anything special for me, so I didn't fall in love with this (presumably) iconic record, but I definitely like it. I don't have the developed nose for Jazz that I'd need to say anything intelligent about it here.
7/10
4
Aug 21 2024
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Melody A.M.
Röyksopp
The first song I'm truly enjoying is Poor Leno. This one is engaging, the others have been too slow and ambient for me.
Röyksopp's Night Out is also fun, even if it did run longer than I like.
Remind Me is nice. I like listening to his hushed whisper singing.
Ultimately this album was not very engaging. I definitely don't dislike it, but it does very little to draw me in. I don't love slow paced ambient electronica too much, and this falls into that category for me. I liked the songs that were more upbeat and had some singing.
5/10
3
Aug 22 2024
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3 Years, 5 Months And 2 Days In The Life Of...
Arrested Development
This album is so funky. I'm loving it and I'm surprised I've never heard of it before. My favorite songs are "Mr Wendal", "Mama's Always On Stage", "Fishin' For Revolution", "Give A Man A Fish", "U", and "Dawn of the Dreads". I added to this list as I went and it just kept getting longer and longer. I was laughing at "Children Play With Earth". They put me on blast and told to put down my nintendo and touch grass.
They have such interesting vocals over all their beats. Great mixtures of singing and bars. They have a lot to say, thoughtful lyrics that reflect their worldviews and experiences.
This was so great the entire way through. I love it.
9/10
5
Aug 23 2024
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The Number Of The Beast
Iron Maiden
Fuck yeah. This album fucks, it had me amped up at my desk the entire time. It's a classic and I don't think there is much more to be said. This album cover is iconic and it has hung on millions of walls as a poster, as well as on millions of sweaty metalheads as a t-shirt.
I think Iron Maiden would be the first name out of many people's mouths when asked about metal. This album is easily their most well known.
My metal reviews have been all over the place. I can't stand it when the singers voice is just angry yelling or screaming. Bruce has a cool voice and I liked listening to it the whole time. It feels like at least he put some effort into hitting notes?
Iconic, holds up entirely. Also possibly rekindling its cultural relevance thanks to Stranger Things' appeal to non-metalheads?
666/10.
5
Aug 26 2024
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If I Should Fall From Grace With God
The Pogues
I listened to this album on a car ride so I don't have any comments on specifics song. I really liked it a lot. It's like Dropkick Murphy's but actual irish people, and way better. It ran a little long and repetitively for my taste, but the songs were great and got me pumped up on my ride.
8/10
4
Aug 27 2024
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Getz/Gilberto
Stan Getz
This album had some very famous songs that I'd heard about but never listened to. I really like a saxophone and clearly Stan Getz does too. I was never bored or unhappy with a song, the instrumental was perfect office background music and the singing was very nice.
This isn't exactly my kind of music but I really enjoyed it.
8/10
4
Aug 28 2024
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Highway to Hell
AC/DC
AC/DC sure do have a consistent sound. I like that sound, and when it first comes on I'm nodding my head and tapping my feet. After thirty minutes I'm thinking 'wow this is still going?'. They are iconic, and this album is legendary, but it really does all sound the same.
This music is at its best when exactly one song comes on the local classic rock station as you're driving down the highway. You bang your head, tap the steering wheel, and drive a little faster. When that same song comes on the same station three days later, you'll do it again.
7/10. I like it a lot, but only 5-10 minutes at a time.
4
Aug 29 2024
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You're Living All Over Me
Dinosaur Jr.
This album was alright. I'm becoming more aware of a portion of rock that I would describe as 'just a lot of noise'? The last half of Tarpit is a great example. It's a howling noise overlaid with the singer tonelessly repeating the same line. Underneath all that is an obscured guitar track and drums that seems like it may be pleasant, but you wouldn't know.
I don't really like having my ears blasted with random noise, and I think I'm just not part of the generation where that was subversive and interesting.
The rest of the songs were pretty alright. The vocals were not offensive but also not great, and it sounded like a whole lot of some pretty conventional rock.
I did genuinely enjoy a few songs, like Sludgefeast and In a Jar.
I probably won't ever listen to this again, but I'd describe it as boring rather than bad? This does not apply to the second half of Tarpit which I don't need to hear.
5/10
3
Aug 30 2024
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American Pie
Don McLean
It is simply impossible for me to start this album and not be singing "The Saga Begins" by Weird Al. I listened to the first song and then went and listened to Al for two hours. This is not Don's fault but I can't separate myself from that, so - sorry Don.
American Pie is an absolutely legendary song, hopefully the rest of the album is as good. Putting your best song first is a bold move.
The next few songs were not that exciting, but I am enjoying "Everybody Loves Me, Baby."
It was all a little slow for me ultimately. American Pie was easily the best song.
It would probably get a 5/10 but American Pie gives it a boost.
6/10
3
Sep 02 2024
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Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea
PJ Harvey
This album isn't doing it for me. Every song sounds kind of the same, and I feel like musically it's been very bland. Her voice is also not my favorite, so it's missing in a lot of ways.
I'm enjoying Beautiful Feeling, but that may be because it's a Radiohead song.
This Mess We're In is also good. It has Thom Yorke on it again.
Basically every other song bored me, and I had a bit of a hard time staying engaged.
It certainly wasn't bad, but it also wasn't good.
4/10
2
Sep 03 2024
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Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots
The Flaming Lips
I love this album! "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, pt 1/2", "Do You Realize", and "All We Have is Now" are my favorites. Do You Realize is a rare song where the lyrics broke through and made me sit back and listen. It makes me sit back and wonder and why I'm in a chair in an office as I listen.
One of my greatest regrets is not seeing Flaming Lips w/ Tame Impala when they came through.
Not every song is incredible, but it's a strong album with a sound I really like, and a run-time that didn't have me looking for the exit.
8/10
4
Sep 04 2024
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Vespertine
Björk
I was definitely waiting for this one to be over. None of these songs drew me in at all. They all sound very similar and that sound doesn't do it for me. It's minimalist ethereal-pop backing with Björk singing, and that's a little boring.
It wasn't bad, but it was too long and boring enough for me that I've got to give it a 4/10.
2
Sep 05 2024
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good kid, m.A.A.d city
Kendrick Lamar
For me, this is one of the best albums of all time. From 2011-2012 I was in a white suburban high schooler transitional period from an "I like everything but country and hip hop" guy, to a "Tribe Called Quest are so underrated" guy. Neither of these are great guys to be, but it's where I was at the time.
This album and Channel Orange both hit me in the same months and absolutely blew my mind. They were so good that for the next four years I basically listened to nothing but hip hop and R&B. Decades of undiscovered music was suddenly available to me, and hip-hop was in a really amazing place in the early 2010s.
Every single song is at least great, and most are incredible. My personal favorite song is "m.A.A.d city". The beats are amazing, the features are perfect, the scene setting skits pull you into the story. I don't have a single complaint about this album. I think it changed hip hop forever. I'm writing this review in the months after the "Not Like Us" mania. I don't think you'd find many hiphopheads who'd dispute that Kendrick is one of the GOATs.
10/10
5