295
Albums Rated
2.55
Average Rating
27%
Complete
794 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1950
Favorite Decade
Jazz
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Perfectionist
Rater Style ?
9
5-Star Albums
53
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
Top Styles
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
...And Justice For All
Metallica
|
5 | 3.42 | +1.58 |
|
Dusty In Memphis
Dusty Springfield
|
5 | 3.47 | +1.53 |
|
Illmatic
Nas
|
5 | 3.6 | +1.4 |
|
With The Beatles
Beatles
|
5 | 3.65 | +1.35 |
|
Violator
Depeche Mode
|
5 | 3.7 | +1.3 |
|
Let's Stay Together
Al Green
|
5 | 3.76 | +1.24 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Back To Black
Amy Winehouse
|
1 | 4.02 | -3.02 |
|
Who's Next
The Who
|
1 | 3.89 | -2.89 |
|
American Idiot
Green Day
|
1 | 3.77 | -2.77 |
|
Highway 61 Revisited
Bob Dylan
|
1 | 3.75 | -2.75 |
|
Can't Buy A Thrill
Steely Dan
|
1 | 3.72 | -2.72 |
|
Blood On The Tracks
Bob Dylan
|
1 | 3.66 | -2.66 |
|
Pink Moon
Nick Drake
|
1 | 3.65 | -2.65 |
|
The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
|
1 | 3.62 | -2.62 |
|
Lust For Life
Iggy Pop
|
1 | 3.6 | -2.6 |
|
Morrison Hotel
The Doors
|
1 | 3.58 | -2.58 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Beatles | 4 | 4.5 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Bob Dylan | 4 | 1 |
| The Who | 3 | 1 |
| Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds | 2 | 1 |
| PJ Harvey | 3 | 1.67 |
| Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band | 2 | 1.5 |
| The Doors | 2 | 1.5 |
| Joni Mitchell | 2 | 1.5 |
| Amy Winehouse | 2 | 1.5 |
| The Rolling Stones | 4 | 2.25 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Fela Kuti | 1, 4 |
5-Star Albums (9)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Bob Dylan · 2 likes
1/5
I understand the influence, and honestly a great lyricist and intersting song structures..... but that voice.
Steely Dan · 1 likes
1/5
Tightly crafted songs, intricate melody sections both vocally and instrumentally. CLEARLY some of the best studio musicians ever were brought in to lend their incredible gifts to what could only be described as emotionally flaccid wanna be cool.
Lauryn Hill · 1 likes
2/5
Is it a bad album? Not by any means. Is it unbelievably overrated? Absolutely.
Aerosmith · 1 likes
2/5
About as "eh" as can be. Its not bad, its just not good.
Lightning Bolt · 1 likes
1/5
WHO IS MAKING THIS LIST?
1-Star Albums (53)
All Ratings
Kendrick Lamar
3/5
Some real high points and a lot of blah. In general the highs outweigh the lows.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
2/5
Not for me
Nick Drake
1/5
Marty Robbins
3/5
Fun album
Stevie Wonder
4/5
Fantastic album!!!
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
3/5
Like listening to the classic rock station.
Cocteau Twins
3/5
Count Basie & His Orchestra
4/5
Awesome awesome awesome. Ended up buying it. I don’t know why I don’t listen to more big band when I always end up enjoying it so much.
Thin Lizzy
2/5
Not my cup of tea but I can appreciate that its influential.
Morrissey
1/5
Can’t stand Morrisey.
Aerosmith
3/5
Classic. Feels like I’ve heard it a million times because we all have.
The National
2/5
I see the appeal just not for me.
Buena Vista Social Club
3/5
Nice, not something I would listen to often but I definitey wouldnt turn it off when it comes on
Depeche Mode
5/5
Aerosmith
2/5
About as "eh" as can be. Its not bad, its just not good.
Eels
1/5
I should like this, it sounds so 90's. Unfortunately its the worst parts of the era with horrible vocals.
Jane's Addiction
3/5
Its clear why this group and this album are considered groundbreakers in the alternative genre. This music is fun, heartbreaking, silly and morose all at any given moment and there are truly gifted, skilled musicians in this group and some interesting song writing ideas and thought provoking lyrics.
And then there is Perry Farrell's voice. Sheesh. It reminds me of why I only put this on when I want to stroll down memory lane or listen to the instruments while hoping there is a vocal-less mix out there that will drop someday.
Joy Division
1/5
Its crazy that with how much I love New Order I feel the opposite way for Joy Division.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
CHIC
3/5
Japan
3/5
If I were to throw an 80s themed party this would definitely make the list as nice synthy forgettable background music for when the motorcycle gang inexplicably shows up and ruin the party.
I wish half stars were possible, this is as 2.5 as it gets. We are going with 3 because 2 would imply its bad.
Germs
1/5
this is, well, not good.
Arcade Fire
2/5
R.E.M.
3/5
Steve Earle
2/5
Mike Ladd
2/5
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
1/5
Ugh.
Run-D.M.C.
3/5
David Bowie
4/5
Isaac Hayes
3/5
Machito
3/5
Led Zeppelin
3/5
AC/DC
3/5
Frank Ocean
3/5
The Flaming Lips
2/5
The Doors
1/5
Digital Underground
3/5
Red Hot Chili Peppers
3/5
Michael Jackson
4/5
3/5
god i wish there were half stars. 2.5 is exactly what this is. 2 implies its bad and 3 implies its good. this just is.
Electric Light Orchestra
4/5
Spacemen 3
1/5
Supergrass
2/5
Coldplay
2/5
Steve Winwood
3/5
Hüsker Dü
2/5
Im sure this will ruffle some feathers but here we go... Sounds very in the same vein as early REM, in fact if you told me this was REM with a different singer I would believe it. Also much like early REM this is incredibly overrated. 1 decent tune out of a sea of 20 so so songs doesnt make for a must listen. Jesus, there were 20 songs on this. Granted they are very short songs, thankfully.
The Replacements
1/5
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
3/5
Pantera
2/5
KISS
1/5
Once the childlike worship of the makeup wears off this music is terrible.
X-Ray Spex
1/5
Pink Floyd
5/5
Phenomenal.
David Bowie
3/5
Black Flag
2/5
Femi Kuti
1/5
Manu Chao
1/5
Pixies
3/5
Solomon Burke
3/5
What a great voice!
Scott Walker
3/5
I like the orchestral and choral bits. Its produced VERY well. Its ok. This sounds like music in the transitions of Tarantino films. i would go 2.5 but its not an option. 2 would imply its not good so we are going with 3
The Kinks
2/5
Clearly someone is a big fan of The Kinks. This is definitely not their best work.
Tori Amos
3/5
Fugees
2/5
Fela Kuti
1/5
2 albums on this list from Fela Kuti and yet only one for Otis Redding...WTF
Cocteau Twins
2/5
The Byrds
3/5
David Holmes
2/5
I feel as though there was a genre quota number that needed to be met and people who wanted to sound way cooler than what they are listed this.
Jefferson Airplane
3/5
Jefferson Airplane is overrated mid tier music that gets fellated for some odd reason. Yes, there are some good songs on here but as a whole this is a 2.75 at best.
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
R.E.M.
3/5
Traffic
3/5
Laibach
1/5
The good news is that I had never heard this before. I always enjoy the opportunity to broaden my horizons and have been pleasantly surprised and added things into my musical realm.
The bad news is this is not good. I like industrial, I like weird. This is just bad.
The Beach Boys
3/5
These songs are classics for a reason.
Beatles
5/5
SO SO SO GOOD
Fiona Apple
3/5
Billy Bragg
1/5
Yeah, thats not for me
Grateful Dead
1/5
ugh.
I understand that all musical taste is subjective but this is trash. Great news though, this is a poorly recorded version of trash. Wish I could zero star some of these. One star is REALLY being generous.
Tom Waits
2/5
This feels like something someone listens to so they can mention in casual conversation to an acquaintance or someone they've just met in an effort to be cool. Granted, some of the songs have appeal, but you're really ACTIVELY listening to this front to back repeatedly? Nice fucking fedora, goes well with your suspenders.
The White Stripes
3/5
Nice. Perhaps not the best album by them, but its good.
'As ugly as I seem' is fantastic.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
2/5
I should love this, I don’t.
2/5
ehh
Bob Dylan
1/5
I understand the influence, and honestly a great lyricist and intersting song structures..... but that voice.
Lightning Bolt
1/5
WHO IS MAKING THIS LIST?
Foo Fighters
3/5
The Zombies
3/5
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
1/5
Dusty Springfield
5/5
For all the absolute slop this list has suggested, every now and again it recommends something great. This is regarded as a classic masterpiece and rightfully so.
Shuggie Otis
3/5
Dont get me wrong, Suggie is cool and this is nice. But of all the millions of albums that have been released since the dawn of recorded music someone decided THIS is one of a thousand you need to hear before you die. Spoiler alert, its not.
Joni Mitchell
2/5
Simply put Joni doesn't speak to me the way she does to her numerous fans.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
2/5
Leonard Cohen
3/5
Jeff Beck
2/5
Stevie Wonder
5/5
Of all the slop I have subjected myself to by committing to actually listen to what this list has suggested (granted there have been some good albums) THIS is an actual masterpiece.
The Cure
4/5
While far from my favorite album by The Cure any record featuring a song as haunting as "A Forest" is magical.
Pulp
2/5
I see why people like this. Its not bad by any means, Im not going to get up and turn it off as soon as it comes on. That being said I wont ever get up and put it on either.
Its the very definition of "well this exists".
Iron Maiden
4/5
UP THE IRONS!!!
Classic album with only a couple of ho hum songs in the heap of metal goodness.
That being said I can think of 3 other Maiden albums that should be on a list like this before The Number of the Beast.
Gram Parsons
1/5
nope
i get that its influential and that there are a couple of songs that are recognizable.
nope
The Who
1/5
I understand their impact, I just happen to think they blow.
Steely Dan
1/5
Tightly crafted songs, intricate melody sections both vocally and instrumentally. CLEARLY some of the best studio musicians ever were brought in to lend their incredible gifts to what could only be described as emotionally flaccid wanna be cool.
2/5
Critical darling of the 90's! Not sure why.
Black Sabbath
4/5
Interesting that this comes up the day after Ozzy died.
I think this is their most complete album and has my favorite song by them on it (War Pigs). The influence this had on the hard rock/metal genre cannot be understated.
Of the 100+ albums I've listened to on this list this is one of a handful that deserves to be on a list like this.
Neil Young
3/5
U2
3/5
Elton John
3/5
A classic album that displays all the traits of overdoing everything in the 70's.
The high points of this album are amazing, the rest... well it could have been left out entirely. A LOT of skippers on here. Had clear heads won out over cocaine confidence this would be a single album and not a double.
All of that being said I own this on vinyl, cassette, cd and even 8 track.
Funkadelic
3/5
The Go-Go's
3/5
Its not changing the world, its fun. Fun is good. Do people need to hear this album before they die? Absolutely not.
Lauryn Hill
2/5
Is it a bad album? Not by any means. Is it unbelievably overrated? Absolutely.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
2/5
OutKast
3/5
Some absolutely classic songs on this album! A lot of songs I could do with never hearing again. VERY uneven quality wise.
Then again, what do I know? I prefer Big Boi over Andre 3000.
The Residents
1/5
I like off the wall, weird music. This sucks ass though.
Beck
3/5
How in the hell is the Beck album on this list NOT Sea Change?
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
2/5
This sounds like something you would hear in the background of a smoked out room where people use the word "ganja" unironically.
The Police
3/5
As with any Police record its very uneven. A couple of fantastic songs and then a mixed bag of "eh".
I have to question, AGAIN, who is making this list? Of all the Police albums this is the one you picked?
I get that music is subjective and tastes vary, this list feels like someone trying to squeeze in some radio friendly groups chosen at random to legitimize some of the absolute try hard trash someone thinks makes them cool.
Rush
3/5
Emmylou Harris
3/5
A nice, country tinged bunch of cover songs, guest writers and songs written for or by other artists. Country really isn't my thing but older country western is more akin to my liking than the 80s soft rock being peddled as country these days.
Overall a good record that I would never purchase but wouldn't be mad if someone else was playing it.
David Bowie
3/5
Its David Bowie, of course its good. GOOD, its not the absolute masterpiece revisionist history has bestowed upon it. Like a lot of 70s albums this has cocaine written all over it, some great bits and pieces and some things that someone should have talked someone else out of.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
1/5
I am clearly not hip enough to love Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds as much as the critics from Pitchfork or the people that made this list that are trying to cram Nick Cave down my throat 6 (6! fucking 6!) times.
The music is ho hum modern gothic blues done better by other artists. The lyrics float willy nilly between 'almost great, where is this going' to 'did 7th grader write this for his poetry class'.
This feels like the kind of group its fans would hate if they sold 8 million copies of an album.
I wouldn't leave the room if it was playing but I am most certainly never going to purposely play any of it.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
Absolutely classic album by a group at the height of their powers!
The Beach Boys
1/5
This is another album that over the course of time has somehow inexplicably built steam in the critics eyes. Its easy to see how this influenced other groups and blended genres of music later on, it doesnt mean this is A. good or B. something someone NEEDS to hear before they die. I suppose you NEED to hear this if you want to hear the last gasp of a once great pop group.
Michael Kiwanuka
3/5
This is nice, gave me something to add to my collection.
Why its on this list is anyones guess, but it is nice.
The Who
1/5
Nothing of any specific critique other than I think The Who are overrated and I don’t like them.
The Rolling Stones
2/5
I'll side with the original assessment of this album when it came out, its uneven, song quality is all over the place...mostly meh.
This is yet another album that revisionists are trying to make a masterpiece, its not.
De La Soul
3/5
Its fun hip hop from an era when it was ok to have a message, be funny and experiment with samples. Its a shame hip hop has moved so far away from creative mixing and actual lyrical content.
Marvin Gaye
4/5
FANTASTIC! One of the few albums on this list that you really should listen to before you die.
Fats Domino
3/5
Its easy to see how this influenced popular music as well as why it was so popular during its day. Great, short (though formulaic) little dance tunes.
Marilyn Manson
3/5
IF you can get past the part that its Marilyn Manson this is fitting music for its time and place. Well produced and a couple of really good songs in there.
If you cant get past the fact that its Marilyn Manson this is sophomoric edge lord try hard crap that was biting the industrial sound that was becoming more popular at the time.
I wish I could give it 2.5 stars as its neither a 2 or a 3.
Dwight Yoakam
3/5
I am not a country fan, I am however a fan of Dwight Yoakam. 'What I don't know' is fantastic.
Its too bad country and western music these days is just 80's butt rock cosplaying as cowboys.
The Who
1/5
I get it, they are influential.
I think the who blows.
David Bowie
3/5
Not my favorite album by Bowie. Its good, its not great.
PJ Harvey
1/5
I will never understand why music critics fellate PJ Harvey albums the way they do.
If some British dude put this out he would be labeled a wanker.
Good thing this list is insisting on shoving PJ Harvey down your ear holes 4 times with 4 albums.
YAY!
Common
3/5
Solid lyricist with actual story line, theme and thought. This is the opposite of the random phrase mumbling that is nothing more than boasting like a brain dead rooster just strutting around. Solid 3 stars.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
There are some good songs on this. I cannot fathom any scenario that ones musical journey of discovery dictates this NEEDS to be heard before death.
Aretha Franklin
3/5
I get it, shes got a great voice. I dont actively dislike it but I dont fall at the altar of her being the greatest singer of all time.
Good album!
Air
2/5
Cool background music. Its good, no need to purchase physical media of this, nor do I feel the need to add the artist or album to my streaming platforms. Dont get me wrong, its good. I wish there were half star options, this is a solid 2.5 stars. All of that being said this is another in the "you dont need to listen to this album before you die" pile.
John Lennon
3/5
This has always been a strange album for me. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Beatles.
This album has some absolute highs and some skippers for sure. Overall its OK. I own it on both vinyl and cd though it rarely gets played.
Elis Regina
2/5
American Music Club
2/5
Neil Young
2/5
Sigur Rós
3/5
The Smiths
1/5
The Notorious B.I.G.
3/5
The Gun Club
1/5
JESUS
R.E.M.
3/5
Marvin Gaye
4/5
Venom
1/5
I see that its a precursor to thrash. I see why people would like it, I dont. Those lyrics....
Santana
3/5
Not particularly my cup of tea, but classic Santana is classic for a reason. Worlds above the later collaborations that make me want to stab myself in the ear when they come on.
Amy Winehouse
1/5
An unbelievably overrated artist and album. A couple of decent songs and headlines that wanted everyone to believe this is the second coming of Aretha Franklin (you know, a white brittish woman). I just dont get the hype.
But thats just like, my opinion, man.
Blur
2/5
2 stars all day and twice a day on Sundays.
The Allman Brothers Band
3/5
Bob Dylan
1/5
That voice....
The Flaming Lips
3/5
A lot of interesting ideas, a lot of swings and a lot of misses. Those moments that do hit though.... damn. Unfortunately they are usually moments that hit within songs not entire songs.
Worth a listen simply for the lyric:
"Do you realize
That everyone you know someday will die?"
Nas
5/5
An absolute classic actually deserving of the praise it has received over the years and it deserves more. I wish todays hip hop had half the thoughtful lyrical content this does.
Im honestly stunned this made it on this list, its not trying too hard to be cool bullshit like the majority of this catalogue. THIS is an actual album you should hear before you die be you a fan of hip hop or not.
Metallica
5/5
Easily Metallicas most complex, progressive album. If not for the poor thin sounding production this would be a perfect album. This is in my opinion their best album.
Talking Heads
2/5
Eh, not particularly my thing but I get why people like it.
Dr. Octagon
2/5
Well, this exists...
Kings of Leon
1/5
Ugh. Seriously? One of the albums everyone NEEDS to hear before they die?
Sufjan Stevens
1/5
Thats an hour and fourteen minutes of my life I will never get back. If I wanted to listen to listen to show tunes I would go to a show, a good one. Not this one.
Duke Ellington
4/5
Nice! Fun throwback music performed by truly talented musicians and fronted by an exceptional arrangement.
Beastie Boys
3/5
Pet Shop Boys
2/5
Buzzcocks
2/5
Green Day
1/5
Ella Fitzgerald
4/5
Michael Jackson
3/5
I mean..... heres the thing. The lead single "Bad" is absolute dogshit. That said some of ol Mikeys best work is on this.
Brian Eno
2/5
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
1/5
Today I learned that this exists.
The Killers
3/5
First half is INCREDIBLE. You could be a successful touring band just based on these songs for the rest of your music career, and they have.
Second half is much like the rest of The Killers discography...meh.
Blur
2/5
Maybe one needs to be from the UK or super into mid 90s britpop to want to throat this as deeply as the British press and rags like Pitchfork have.
Im not and this is as far on the low end of mediocre as can be.
Prince
3/5
The Lemonheads
1/5
Seriously?
No one NEEDED to hear this in 1992 when it came out let alone pretend like its got something that makes it a legacy album that should be passed over as a must listen.
1 star is being generous, lets go with 0.38.
Travis
2/5
Like quite a few albums on this list I think I need to be from the UK to really appreciate it.
Don't get me wrong its ok, its not bad... I just don't live in a world where this is essential listening.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Why the UK version of this album? The US version has Paint it Black which is the difference between a good album(3 stars) and a VERY good album(4 stars).
This is one of the few Stones records I own. This is before they became a parody of themselves.
Dusty Springfield
3/5
I love Dusty... this isnt the album that you NEED to hear from her. This on its best day is the 3rd best album in her catalog.
David Bowie
3/5
I LOVE David Bowie.
That doesn't mean I'm not honest with myself when it comes to his albums. Just like most of his catalogue there are 1 or 2 GREAT songs on here and a couple of fantastic sections in other songs that are otherwise good to poor. Very uneven throughout. The great vastly outweighs the bad though because when Bowie is on he's genius.
Radiohead
4/5
Fantastic. Simply fantastic.
The Auteurs
2/5
Another on this list that I think you have to be from the UK to truly appreciate. This is about as mediocre as can be.
Elton John
4/5
As with any Elton John album there are SPECTACULAR high points on this album. There is also more than a fair share of "meh". The good far outweighs the bad.
Beatles
4/5
The entirety of the Beatles catalogue is worthy of this list. This isn't their best album, far from it... which still makes it better than 90% of everything else by everyone else.
Kacey Musgraves
3/5
Surprisingly good. While I might not be a fan of her voice it fits the narrative and melody within the songs.
Sarah Vaughan
4/5
Oh my, what a voice. Its insane that this is recorded live. This is fantastic.
4/5
I am a HUGE Bowie fan. As a fan I can recognize that while this is in fact a classic album it is much like a lot of his albums and that's a roller coaster ride of quality. This is with David Bowie the highs are SOOOOO high you can here pieces of it and its influence in music for decades after. We rarely talk about the swing and misses. More hits than misses on this.
The War On Drugs
3/5
I see the appeal. I actually like all the noisy experimental dirges that lose their way from the original song structure and dont feature vocals. The vocals are very take it or leave it, not bad. Its cool. I dont know anyone that NEEDS to hear this before they die.
Thelonious Monk
3/5
Lorde
3/5
Its good, surprisingly good. Life changing? No.
Motörhead
1/5
I will never understand the mass appeal of Motorhead. As a fan of the NWBHM I still think Motorhead is ass.
Muddy Waters
3/5
OutKast
3/5
As with most OutKast albums there are some spectacular highs and some unbelievable lows.
The Cars
4/5
Fantastic! Power Pop at its best. Most bands dream of having this many classic songs over the course of a career let alone a single album.
PJ Harvey
2/5
90s critic darling PJ Harvey!
For the 4th(?) time on this list.
Ugh.
I dont get the media obsession with this. Its on the lower end of mid tier as can be. To be fair this may be the best of her albums.
Fela Kuti
4/5
Surprisingly good!
The Byrds
3/5
Its good, not great. What sets it apart is that it very clearly laid the groundwork for other groups and a "sound" that would permeate and influence a generation of rock musicians. This isnt their best album but its good.
Fleet Foxes
3/5
I should love this more than I do. Interesting melodies, sweet instrumentation and wonderful echo to the production. It also sounds like all of the other "retro folk" groups that came out around this time.
Great background music while cleaning the house.
Earth, Wind & Fire
4/5
Not a lot to say other than in this particular genre of music EW&F stand amongst the giants. Wonderful album.
Napalm Death
1/5
Sometimes things that influence great art blows. Here’s proof.
Joni Mitchell
1/5
I get it I get it, influential... shes your favorite singers favorite singer songwriter.
Her voice makes me unreasonably angry. It sounds like the used tin cans and strings to record this.
I understand why shes on this list, but these are my rankings and I think shes ass.
Moby Grape
2/5
Of all the late 60s San Fran groups this is the one picked for this list.
I think at this point I continue on with this just to see how much more dumbfounded this list makes me.
Moby fuckin Grape...
Otis Redding
4/5
STELLAR
Not many people have the ability to convey emotion on the level that Otis Redding could. While not his best record in my opinion as this is maybe his 3rd or 4th best..... wait. This is the only album on this list by Otis Redding.
Of all the crap I have had to listen to including 6 albums by Nick Cave, 4 by PJ Harvey and yet one, ONE by Otis Redding. 3 albums by Dexys Midnight fucking Runners.
I think I only continue to go through this list just to piss myself off. Today the mission was accomplished.
The Doors
2/5
I wish there was a 2.5 star ranking as that is exactly what the doors were, a 2.5 star band that the death contributing mythos of the lead singer somehow made them legends. Had Jim lived into his 50s they would have faded into the background of the good but not great bands of their era, yet here we are.
Iron Butterfly
2/5
Apparently I am in the minority here, but Iron Butterfly blows.
Listen, I love a good long epic song, but the one song anyone can name on this album is 17 minutes of ass.
An argument could be made that this isn't even within the top 20 albums of 1968 let alone making the cut of albums you MUST hear before you die.
2 stars just for what could be considered its influence on heavy music.
AC/DC
3/5
If you like good ol classic rock its hard to go wrong with AC/DC.
The great thing about AC/DC is if you have one of their albums you pretty much have all of their albums. There is a formula there and they are sticking to it.
Is this an album you must listen to before you die? God no, you've already heard it a million times or one of their other songs that for better or for worse are pretty much the same. Im clicking 3 stars but honestly its a formulaic 2.67.
The Shamen
2/5
Just like every other late 80s early 90s dance club groups only not as good as the stand outs like Black Box, CeCe Peniston, Robin S., Everything but the girl, Crystal Waters, La Bouche.... you get the idea.
Bob Dylan
1/5
In 2002, Freewheelin' was one of the first 50 recordings chosen by the Library of Congress to be added to the National Recording Registry as "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
The best part about music is that its subjective to the listener. This listener gave this record a shot for the first time in a long time. I took into consideration just how important Bob Dylan to music and culture not just during his heyday but how much he has inspired generations of musicians. I often admire the songs he has written that have been reworked and performed by other artists so yes, maybe my now more mature 50 year old ears will appreciate his music performed by the man himself.
Here are my thoughts upon relistening: This guys voice sucks and this blows.
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
While I am thrilled to see that Curtis Mayfield is on this list I can't believe either his eponymous debut album Curtis or even SuperFly isn't the go to choice here.
This album is a solid 3 where the two previously mentioned are 4-5 starts easily.
System Of A Down
3/5
Heres the thing, this has all the elements of music that I truly love. Its melodic where it needs to be, gutteral where it needs to be, ever changing progressive structures and yet..... Ill just say it, the vocals kill this for me.
2.75 just because I wouldnt ever jump up to turn it off but I also would never play it purposely, its good just not something that makes me really WANT to listen to it.
Yes
4/5
Miles Davis
3/5
I'm not a jazz guy, lets start with that caveat.
This is good, I appreciate the idea of fleshing out a musical theme/thought/feeling for as long as it needs to be born, live and breathe and then die. I like music on the more progressive side so maybe that is what I found appealing about this. Much how I appreciate Mozart I prefer Beethoven, I can truly see the appeal of all the delicate twinkly beauty but I prefer a little meat and potatos mixed in.
For ME this isn't something earth shattering but that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it. I can see why this has been and will continue to be fawned over for a long time.
Pretenders
2/5
I am continually shocked at how praised the Pretenders are, especially by the media.
Over the course of decades there are a small spattering of decent songs that other than the take it or leave it voice of Ms. Hynde (I'll leave it) sounds just like everything else in its time frame from this genre. If it was a dude singing these songs you wouldn't remember the band name when the song you recognize comes on.
Frank Sinatra
4/5
Burning Spear
1/5
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
Michael Jackson
3/5
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
1/5
6 times Nick Cave is on this list. I don’t know 6 people that care for his music. His film scores are better than any of these albums.
I get it, the person/people that made this list fangirl over Nick. I don’t.
Fatboy Slim
2/5
Beyoncé
1/5
Ew.
Stan Getz
3/5
I'm not a jazz afficionado so my take on this isn't as glowing as I'm sure it could be.
This is nice. Great background music for a get together where conversation is more important than people gigging out.
No one needs to hear this before they die. Solid 3 though, very talented musicians.
Miles Davis
3/5
Interestingly my favorite bits of this are the saxophones which would explain why I prefer Coltrane over Miles if I am listening to jazz.
Incredible musicianship is what garners this a 3 for me, would be higher if I were a Jazz Guy, but I'm not.
Simon & Garfunkel
2/5
2.5 is more appropriate. Im just not on the Paul Simon is a genius train. Sure, a couple of solid songs here and there. To me they are unremarkable.
The Stooges
1/5
Iggy Pop is overrated trash. I would zero star the shit out of this if I could.
Rush
4/5
Ive never been a fan of Geddy's vocals BUT the musicianship on this is amazeballs. This is fantastically proggy.
James Brown
2/5
Fun if formulaic song structures, talented musicians and back up singers and then James and his scrotum squeeze voice. Yeah, I don't think anyone needs to hear this before they die, I certainly didn't.
Cyndi Lauper
3/5
You know what? It's a bop. Sure there are really only 4 quality songs on this but they are perfect for their place in time. I would go 3.5 if I could.
Paul McCartney
2/5
Oooof, 1 really good and 2 decent songs. Another on this list of seeing things brighter with revisionist glasses. This was panned when it came out and is as 2.25 as can be today as well.
Dr. John
3/5
I get that he was an influential artist for a specific regional style of music and he has been doing this forever, a flag bearer for the combined N.O. sound and tradition.
I wont turn this off if its on and I will nod my head in rhythm if its on. This isnt something I would specifically seek out to listen to.
All of that being said just because I dont view this as a masterpiece that needs to be heard (believe me, unless youre really into this specific style you dont need to hear this before you die). Its good. 2.5 isnt an option so I will go with 3 simply because 2 would imply its bad.
Ravi Shankar
2/5
The only people that MIGHT think this is essential listening in the western hemisphere are people that thought it was cool to go down the Beatles influence path. Even those people aren't listening to this on a daily basis.
What are we doing here?
The Stone Roses
2/5
Yet another album I think would resonate with me if I were from the UK.
It is... unremarkable.
The Clash
2/5
I'll be the guy to say it... The Clash is overrated.
Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
1/5
Not being familiar with LLoyd Cole and the Commotions I was actually excited to see that I would be treated to "4 extra tracks" of rattlesnakes. Surely if 4 extra tracks could be shoehorned in that means the original 10 tracks were so exemplary that these 4 couldn't even make the cut for the already long running 35 minutes and change of music I was about to treat myself to.
WRONG.
This sounds like the music you hear in the background of a bar in a mediocre 80's movie. I can see Patrick Swayze stone faced turning down the town hottie without saying a word and the bad guy somehow being mad that his woman got turned down by the new bad ass in town. That sounds more entertaining than this album was.
Here is a quick lyrical excerpt: She reads Simone de Beauvoir in her American circumstance.
Oh fuck all the way off for suggesting this is an album anyone MUST hear before they die.
Def Leppard
3/5
I'm a Def Leppard fan, one of the first albums I bought (my parents bought for me but I got to pick it) was a Def Leppard album. THAT album is superior to this. I dont know that anyone needs to hear a Def Leppard album before they die but if they did its Pyromania. While Pyromania is clearly very polished rock aiming for the charts this is a damn set of antique silver its so polished for the charts in comparison. That being said it is a perfect reflection of its time and its 7 hit singles speaks to how successful this record is/was.
Lupe Fiasco
2/5
This was not for me.
Beatles
5/5
Not their best album by any means. Still better than 99% of anything released by anyone else. It speaks volumes that this group of guys recorded for 7 years together and had the impact in music and culture that they did. All of their accolades are deserved.
Television
2/5
Its pretty easy to hear how this was influential to the punk, post punk and new wave scene. One can hear how artists used this as a catalyst to create an evolution of what was laid in the groundworks here.
That being said the vocals make me want to punch someone. This is the type of music that critics and writers gargle all the way to the pubes while most people just think they are Ok. I am neither a critic or a writer, other than the vocals this is OK.
Al Green
5/5
THIS is the type of album that deserves to be on this list. A true stand out amongst its genre peer group, outstanding musicianship and phenomenal vocals.
Alanis Morissette
4/5
Perfect time for this when it was released. Surprisingly it holds up well, I had not listened to it in a very long time. The fingerprints of this are all over a generation or two of woman singer/songwriters that were inspired to believe its ok to have raw emotion. Alanis has a very take it or leave it voice and vocal style, Ill take it.
3.67 rounded up to 4.
The Byrds
1/5
Yeah, no. No thank you.
I will never understand peoples strange obsession with Gram Parsons. I guess he did pave the way for the "butt rock in a 10 gallon hat" people pass off as country music today, gee thanks.
I honestly wish I had never listened to this and that there was a score lower than 1 star, but here we are.
Ramones
1/5
One of the most endearing things about the Ramones is that it evokes the feeling that anyone can create music, even 8 year olds. One of the least endearing things about the Ramones is that it evokes the feeling that 8 year olds wrote and played this. The good news is it sounds like 8 year olds mixed and recorded this.
At least the leather jackets are pretty sweet.
The xx
2/5
I mean.... its not bad. I can see why the instrumental track 'Intro' has almost as many plays on streaming sites at the rest of the songs on this album combined, its the best song here.
I listened more than once trying to figure out why this is so critically acclaimed. The answer lies within the Billboard Hot 100 songs of 2009. Here is your top 5: Boom Boom Pow - The Black Eyed Peas, Poker Face - Lady Gaga, Just Dance - Lady Gaga, I Gotta Feeling - The Black Eyed Peas and Love Story - Taylor Swift. Trust me when I say it doesn't get much better than that for the remaining 95 songs. UGH, what a horrible year to have ears.
That being said I can see why critics praised this. In comparison to the rest of the years charts its pretty darn good and doesn't sound like it was produced by the exact same production team as everything else getting play that year. Let me know if in 25 years this is still an album you must hear before you die. Its not.
3 because 2.75 isn't an option.
Bruce Springsteen
2/5
I guess Im just one of those people that dont see what all the hype is about. Run of the mill classic rock sound with some twinkly piano bits thrown in to gussy it up.
It honestly feels like a character in a movie about a "working class singer songwritter" but not a great movie. A decent movie worth watching but no need to go back to revisit.
3/5
Fever Ray
2/5
I don't know, maybe I have to be super into Euro Electronic music to be into this. Its not that I hated this, I didn't hate it at all. I also didn't enjoy it at all.
Keith Jarrett
4/5
This is FANTASTIC. How I had gone the last 50 years without hearing this is a mystery. About 4 minutes in I started looking for a copy of this on vinyl.
THIS is what should be on a list like this.
Jeff Buckley
4/5
I understand that his voice and vocal style are not for everyone.
That being said, what an incredible talent! From the song writing to the sublime guitar tone to the fantastic mixing/production (the sound of the drums on this are top tier) this is a teaser of what could have been. Sure, there are some misses here but there are far and away more outstanding moments. This is on the higher side of 4 stars and easily better than 90% of the absolute crap this list has suggested thus far.
1/5
Have you ever noticed that ol' Bob is usually in photographs by himself? Here's the thing, he's got a MASSIVE head. I'm not even talking about how comically large it is on his thin frame but when you do see him in a picture with another person his watermelon is even more noticeably large when you see what a regular sized cranium is supposed to look like. Is he just pictured with people that possess pea heads at all times?
Oh, clearly he is a talented songwriter (the media has told me so since before he became famous) and influential. His voice ruins any of the faux poetry he is caterwauling though whatever song he is playing. At least this live recording really puts his vocals in the forefront so you can really lean into his odd annunciations and that sweet sweet nasally voice.
How many times is Robert Allen Zimmerman going to be on this list? However many times it is it's that many times too many for me.
Cheap Trick
2/5
Seriously? SERIOUSLY? Who NEEDS to hear this before they die?
Goldfrapp
3/5
Color me surprised, this isn't too bad. Definitely better than the other things I have heard from them. A solid 2.75 stars. It's ok, I don't think anyone needs to hear this before they die.
Bill Evans Trio
2/5
I could do without all the extended bass solos, in all honesty some of them sound like a kid just plucking away. I'm convinced the guy was just going to town and the rest of the trio were trying to make sense of what's happening.
Albums like this are why I'm not a jazz guy. Clearly talented musicians but it just never gets off the "we are kicking around ideas to see what sticks" stage for me.
The Mamas & The Papas
3/5
2 admittedly great songs do not make an album essential listening. Besides, you've heard these songs a million times already. Unless you're completely immersed in the 60s folk vibe this album gets pretty boringly repetitive. I would go 2.75 but that is not an option here.
Dennis Wilson
2/5
Another case of revisionist praise. This was accurately received and critiqued when it came out. It's OK, better than what the Beach Boys were putting out at the time but that's not saying much.
An absolutely rock solid 2.25.
Fantastic hair and beard though... don't even get me started on that chest rug teasing its way past the neck of that tshirt.
Belle & Sebastian
2/5
Well that's 42 minutes I will never get back.
The very definition of unremarkable.
Stan Getz
3/5
What an amazing, warm, smooth and feeling sax tone.
I dont see myself seeking this out or playing it on purpose but if its on I am definitely paying close attention to that incredible tone.
Janelle Monáe
3/5
3/5
This is good, not great. This album falls flat beyond the singles. 3.45 stars
fIREHOSE
2/5
Its not bad, it just is. I cant imagine someone going home specifically to put on this album because it speaks to them on some deep level.
The good news is this is better than about 70% of the absolute ass on this list. So theres that.
Love
3/5
This is nice as is the orchestral work. There is absolutely nothing remarkable about this.
Solid 2.75 stars.
James Taylor
3/5
I can appreciate James, I think he is an underrated guitar player and he can clearly lay on the emotion in his songwriting.
I will never purposely seek out his catalogue to listen to. I will never jump up to turn his songs off whenever they happen to come on.
T. Rex
2/5
Its cool, its very of its time and theres nothing wrong with that.
However, I will never gargle Mr Bolan as deeply as the UK press.
Having said that, this album along with the majority of the big Glam movement sounds incredibly dated today and not always in a fine wine kind of way dated. This is not Salma Hayek at 53.
Solid 3 star record.
Kraftwerk
4/5
While not being specifically my taste their very clear influence on electronic music cannot be understated.
Kraftwerk and specifically this album being cited as major inspiration and influence for New Order, Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails and countless others speaks volumes.
Garbage
4/5
This is a great album. It is difficult to quantify just how different this was at the time and how quickly a lot of it was copied.
That being said I can totally understand how someone could truly dislike this, it isn't for everyone.
The best tracks are far and away the less commercial (though it could be said the polish on the production is that it is in fact incredibly commercial for the time period) non single tracks.
A masterpiece? God no. A really good album? Eff yeah.
Nirvana
2/5
When Kurt writes a good song he REALLY writes a good song. Problem is there aren't all that many good songs on here.
Nirvana truly were a phenomenon in their time which is why I could see putting a record of theirs on this list.... that record should be Nevermind and this should be for people that want to go digging deeper.
The Chemical Brothers
2/5
Are you REALLY into Big Beat and EDM? If so, this is essential listening. If not, dont bother.
2.5 stars.
The Rolling Stones
2/5
I am in the camp of people that believe The Rolling Stones are unbelievably overrated. Here is the catch that separates them from other overrated bands... when they write a good song its AMAZING. This album is a clear cut example of that, 2 flat out great songs, 2 decent songs and the rest sounds like the majority of their catalog, messy and not messy in a good way.
I would say half of this record is 4 stars and rest is 2. 3 stars it is. Special shout out to the dick print.
The Beach Boys
3/5
As with most of the Beach Boys discography this is terribly uneven quality wise. Ill award a star for every song that is not anywhere from crap to just ok. Granted those 3 songs are probably better than most recording artists 3 best songs over a career.
Koffi Olomide
1/5
Jesus...
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
3/5
Spectacular vocal performances highlight that even if I can't understand the words the sentiment behind the harmonies shines through clearly. THIS is something that should be on a list like this.
Pleasantly surprised after an 8 record run of absolute watery shit recommended by the 1001 albumgenerator.
Pavement
2/5
The funny thing is that quite a few of the artists I love cite Pavement as a massive influence and yet... I find them unexciting, messy sounding and Mr Malkumus has a voice that sounds like he's purposely trying to not sound good and all with the delivery of a flat tire. Granted, that's probably the point is to be messy and so cool that you aren't trying. I grew up in the time that these guys were all over the magazines (thats how old I am) getting sucked off by all the critics. I don't get the adoration then and I definitely don't get it now. Its not terrible so I wont 1 star it but its not good either. 2 stars all day every day.
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
Leonard Cohen
2/5
I get it, its just not for me. I'm probably not cool enough.
Dire Straits
3/5
There are a couple of cool songs on here.
I will however never feel the need to purposely download, purchase or listen to this. I'm not going to turn it off but I'm most definitely not going to turn it on.
Since I can't go with the 2.5 I feel this is since it evokes no feelings in me whatsoever I will go with 3 since there are some clearly gifted musicians here, 2 would imply its bad which it is not.
Rod Stewart
3/5
Maggie May is undeniably an exceptional song. The rest is so so and feels repetitive.
Then again I am an unapologetic Rod Stewart hater.
Tortoise
2/5
I mean, its interesting and it is definitely different than anything being put out commercially at the time. I appreciate the odd time signatures and changes.
No one needs to hear this before they die.
Beatles
4/5
Iggy Pop
1/5
The title track is the most palatable track on this album and much like Iggy himself its annoying trash.
Albums like this are why I lose faith in humanity on a daily basis... who thinks this is so good you NEED to hear this before taking your final breath?
Amy Winehouse
2/5
I will never understand the UK obsession with Amy Winehouse.
What is shocking is that she has more than one album (thus far) on this list. If we were to only talk about soul/r&b lets use Otis Redding as an example. Perhaps one of the most talented singers to ever live has one album on this list, Amy has two. Sam Cooke has one. Smokey Robinson has one. Fuck all the way off with that.
Gorillaz
2/5
This hasnt aged well in my opinion. Aside from a couple of catchy tunes its pretty repetitive sounding.
The Rolling Stones
2/5
So an album of almost all cover songs by one of rock musics most overrated bands is essential listening...sigh.
2/5
Its cool, one solid single and 40 more minutes of decent if unfocused meandering does not make essential listening. No one needs to hear this before they die. All credit where credit is due though... this is worlds above the vast majority of crap that has been presented thus far on this list 2.95 stars.
Van Halen
3/5
Culture Club
3/5
Its cool, there are some essential 80s vibe bangers on this. Its also incredibly dated sounding.
What did this album do that qualifies it as something you need to hear before you die? No one knows. Other than being in an 80s playlist mix I find it hard to believe anyone is sitting at work right now pining for the time they can finally get home and crank out some Culture Club.
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
2/5
Lets get this part out of the way... whoever decided this needed to be on this list of essential listening before dying is a pretentious, wanna be cool, wanker. Get over yourself.
That being said there is about 18 minutes of really nice background music in this. The entirety of the Zopf section can do exactly what the person who put this on this list can do, fuck all the way off.
William Orbit
3/5
This is cool and all but absolutely no one needs to hear this before they die. Clearly someone is a big fan and this and it holds some importance emotionally for a place and time in their life, not mine.
3 stars because a neutral 2.5 isnt an option.
Elvis Presley
3/5
This is cool and all but I'm a Beatles guy.
Pearl Jam
4/5
Elvis Presley
3/5
Throwing Muses
2/5
Yeah, this is not for me.
Supergrass
2/5
Seriously? Unremarkable. What is remarkable is that someone deemed this group needed 2 albums in this list of things you need to hear before you die.
WOW
Public Enemy
4/5
LCD Soundsystem
3/5
What is wild to me isn't that LCD Soundsystem has an album on this list being that some people really REALLY like them. I am however surprised that they have 2 albums on this list. One was more than enough for some so so music. Taste is subjective so I won't pretend like somehow I am the be all end all of opinions. 2.5 all day everyday.
Faith No More
4/5
A wonderfully twisted, genre blurring roller coaster of a ride. Honestly I believe Epic is the weakest song on the album even though for the time it was probably the most radio palatable track. I bought this on cassette when it first came out and it was shocking just how different it was from everything else on the radio at the time yet it still had a couple of toes in the poppy alternative box. This is easily one of my favorite records, its not perfect... this is the stepping stone to when they did get it perfect on Angel Dust.
Astrud Gilberto
3/5
This is nice. 3 stars.
I would like to hear a detailed explanation as to why this needs to be on a list of albums you must listen to before you die. As stated above this is nice and that's about as far as it needs to go.
Waylon Jennings
3/5
Ralph Mooney is the MVP here, I could listen to that man play his steel guitar all day. Big fan of all the fiddle, violin, viola and cello players as well.
This is far from my preferred genre but this isn't bad at all. I can see how someone could love this and spend an evening crying into their beer.
3 stars.
Arctic Monkeys
3/5
I get why people would like this but it just isn't for me. This evokes no emotional response out of me other than distaste for the lead singers voice.
I cant 2.5 this (why wouldnt there be half stars?) so 3 it is.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
3/5
3 incredibly gifted musicians and whatever that shirtless guy with the microphone is, the weak link is what he is.
Being a world class musician doesn't make someone a world class songwriter as the majority of this album proves. Though that could be said for any of the RHCP albums.
If we are talking singles this is 4 stars all day every day. As a whole album 2.7.
Queen
2/5
I love multi influenced non genre conforming music. I also have the unpopular opinion that Queen is vastly overrated. Don't get me wrong, there are songs that I absolutely love... the majority however falls flat for me.
I cant deny their influence and appreciate how talented they are as musicians.
The Sabres Of Paradise
2/5
I don't actively dislike it but I don't feel the need or want to ever listen to that again.
I kept waiting for something to happen, then..... nothing happened.
Underworld
3/5
Cool background music.
I cant see myself sitting down with the LP and really pouring over everything and actively listening beyond the this. I'm sure this is great if you are at a live DJ set and everyone is dancing. Granted, this is better than a lot of what has been suggested in this genre thus far as well as out.
I don't dislike it, I don't feel the need to ever purposely listen to this again either. 2.5 rounded up to 3 as a 2 would imply its bad, it isn't.