Before listening: I love the Scissor Sisters, I saw them concert, I liked them before anyone else did. The first time I heard Take Your Mama I was blown away. Can't wait to re listen to this! After listening: I still love it! Singles are all amazing, album tracks are very very good. I seriously love this album!
Before listening: If anyone asked me whether I like Soundgarden I would say yes. If they asked me how many songs I actually know, I would say, "Um, Blackhole Sun?". I think out of all the big 90s alt bands, I know Soundgarden and Alice in Chains the least. I was much more of an Audioslave fan in the early 00s than I ever was of Soundgarden. I'm looking forward to this album, although I must say that at the time of writing, I'm not really in a 90s mood. Nevertheless, here we go! After listening: I liked it, there was a lot of good songs here. But oh my God, so much filler. Songs were too long and there were too many of them. Chris Cornell's voice though ... There's a reason people rank him as one of the best vocalists of the era. Overall, still very good.
Before listening: I don't want to do this at all. I'm tired of Radiohead and yes, I am one of those classless people who enjoyed The Bends and OK Computer. In fact, those two albums are some of my favourites all time. After that, well I don't know what the fuck happened. I'm almost certain I won't enjoy this album. There won't be a hook or a chorus anywhere and yet, I'm the asshole for not "getting it". I'm sick of Radiohead and I don't feel bad saying that. After listening: I was right. This was boring and I didn't get it at all. There was zero enjoyment for me and I'd rather listen to Yoko Ono wail into a hat than listen to this again. I hope I get a good album tomorrow and not this experimental trash.
Before listening: I don't hate Adele, I just don't want to listen to Adele. Her album 21 was really good. When this came out, I remember not giving a shit. That song Hello, was apparently like a Lionel Richie song. I don't give a shit about Lionel Richie so I didn't care about that song. That being said, I'm gonna give this a whirl, and I bet I'll be pleasantly surprised. After listening: I found this album to be a little less than alright. I didn't like most of the songs, in fact I only liked three songs, but those three songs were amazing. The rest was pop drivel.
Before listening: I like Simon and Garfunkel, just like millions of others and I get upset when people think Disturbed wrote Sound of Silence. I have, however, listened to Graceland and did not care for it. I don't know if this album is more folk because I can only assume this is his first solo record but what the hell do I know? After listening: My God this was bland. It wasn't bad, it was just ok. Barely any songs stood out to me and I'm pretty sure I won't remember any of them. I can't exactly give it 1 star (I reserve them for "new" Radiohead), but it's not even an enjoyable but flawed 3 star. So this gets my very first 2 star. Congrats Paul Simon!
Look, the hits are hits and everyone knows those songs. But the other stuff - way too long and boring. 6min, 7min tracks. I hate long songs! 3 stars cos the hits are just too damn iconic.
I don't really like Dylan. And I don't like Dylan fans. Sure, I like the odd hit here and there and Tangled Up In Blue is amazing. This album is friggin great! I had no idea what to expect and to be fair I don't the know context at which this album was released. It was truly great from start to finish.
Amazing album. I have no idea why it wasn't as popular as her first one but this one is great!! So many tasty hooks. I love this album!
Before listening: Fuck. I don't care for The Who. This one has Pinball Wizard which is pretty good though. Something about The Who just ... pisses me off. PS It's also a double album which pisses me off even more. I imagine I will be skipping a whole bunch of these songs. After listening: Fine, I'll say it, this wasn't too bad. In fact, of it wasn't such a bloated double album it might've actually been great.
Before listening: I'm excited about this one! I'm a Bon Jovi but I've only ever listened to the Crossroads Greatest Hits. I already know this one has at least 4 hits that I know. Can't wait! After listening: Fuck that album was tight! In my opinion it was wall to wall bangers; even the fillers were solid. I can't help thinking though that Bon Jovi are a lesser Van Halen, and some of these songs would've been much better sung by Steve Tyler (that POS).
Before listening: I absolutely love this album and I don't even really like U2. We all know the hits but Running to Stand Still, and One Tree Hill are some of my favourite U2 songs. After listening: It's still good. I've never enjoyed Edge, but his guitar playing just fits with the band. This album is great, and to me doesn't sound dated at all.
Before listening: This will be interesting. I like only a few songs from RATM but it's a band I've always wanted to listen to more. After listening: Loved it! Very good album. Each song kinda sounds the same though which can be said for a lot of bands but nevertheless I really liked this one.
Before listening: Hmm. I'm not sure how I feel about this. I like MJ but I've never listened to a full album. And I know this one wasn't as well received as Thriller. I also kinda hate MJ for the things he did, allegedly. After listening: Amazing! Those singles are timeless and for me I especially love the ballads. The non single tracks though sound a bit too dated for me. A bit too 80s and a bit too funky for my taste, and that's coming from an RHCP fan.
Before listening: I know nothing about Public Enemy other than Flavor Flav. I don't know what to expect but I know from experience I only like a certain era of rap, ie early 00s. After listening: Wow, that was a pretty good album. Really had no idea what I was in for and then I really enjoyed. I can't help but think that RATM wouldn't exist without Public Enemy. I have no idea whether this is widely known or not, but that's what I'm feeling.
I've listened to this many album many, many times over the years. For some reason, it's hard to count it as one of my favourites simply because it's a live album. But if we're talking just favourite albums, this one is right up there. I remember being blown away by the second half where they go into covers - Nirvana just has a way of making any song sound like theirs. Kurt said that this was a direction he wanted to go to musically and I just wish we had a chance to hear it.
Before listening: Alright, I'm totally ignorant on this one. I've heard of Massive Attack but I couldn't tell you anything about them - their popular songs, where they're from, what genre they're in. I think from memory they're kinda like new punk from the 80s; but they could be a do wop band and I wouldn't know. I'm really looking forward to this one. After listening: I just ... don't get it. What genre are they? I understand eclectic music, but are they rap, reggae, or soul or what? I liked some of the tracks here but most of them I was like what the hell? I do feel The Gorillaz kinda copied their style, so there's that I suppose.
Before listening: I love the Scissor Sisters, I saw them concert, I liked them before anyone else did. The first time I heard Take Your Mama I was blown away. Can't wait to re listen to this! After listening: I still love it! Singles are all amazing, album tracks are very very good. I seriously love this album!
Before listening: I have no idea who this is. The other bands where I didn't know any songs, I at least had heard of them. I have never heard of this band. I'm guessing late 80s punk. After listening: I ... think I liked it. Very atmospheric; not something I'd actively listen to, but I really like the sound of it. Is it a concept album? I tend to hate concept albums but I liked this one.
Before listening: Oh damn, I don't know what to think here. After listening: I think my main problem with Snoop Dogg is I really only remember him when he was a parody of himself, like Drop it Like It's Hot and Buttons. This album is amazing! What I really enjoyed from this album was how he references other rap songs, and then other rap songs that came later reference this record. It's like it's building a lore. This album was great and the other rap albums I've listened to on this list have also been amazing. It's good that there is some rap on this list; a list that is otherwise dominated by classic rock.
Before listening: I know a handful of Elvis Costello songs and I do like them. Mind you, other than She, the songs I know are from the 70s and 80s. I don't know what they sound like in 1994. After listening: I absolutely loved it! Some of these melodies are the best I've heard and even though the album goes for nearly an hour I enjoyed the whole thing.
Before listening: Yeah, I remember this guy. I use to laugh at his songs 'cos I thought they were dumb. BUT I've heard a few rap albums on this thing and nearly all of them have been fantastic. I'll give this one the benefit of the doubt and I'm actually excited to listen to it. After listening: Fine, I'll the L on this one. It was amazing! I tend to hate concept albums but I absolutely loved this. I might actually listen to their other stuff now.
Before listening: I have obviously heard of Judas Priest but I have never heard Judas Priest. I believe they're a metal band; a bit like Black Sabbath? I could be totally wrong but I'm looking forward to this album. After listening: Well, they don't sound anything like Sabbath. I read that they're considered a thrash metal band (like early Metallica) but I feel they are more like a hair metal band; akin to Def Leppard or Poison in my opinion. All that being said, I thoroughly enjoyed this album. First two songs I didn't like very much but after Breaking Law it was banger after banger.
Before listening: I don't want to do this at all. I'm tired of Radiohead and yes, I am one of those classless people who enjoyed The Bends and OK Computer. In fact, those two albums are some of my favourites all time. After that, well I don't know what the fuck happened. I'm almost certain I won't enjoy this album. There won't be a hook or a chorus anywhere and yet, I'm the asshole for not "getting it". I'm sick of Radiohead and I don't feel bad saying that. After listening: I was right. This was boring and I didn't get it at all. There was zero enjoyment for me and I'd rather listen to Yoko Ono wail into a hat than listen to this again. I hope I get a good album tomorrow and not this experimental trash.
Before listening: I've heard of Joan Baez because I think my dad had a cassette. I knew she was a folk singer and it's a bit strange I'd never heard her songs because you better bet your ass I listen to the Mamas and Papas and Peter Paul and Mary and one of my favourite movies is Inside Llewyn Davis. After listening: I think this album is fine. Her voice was so nice and clear and I half expected her to start singing Senor Plow. But nothing about her songs particularly grabbed me. I think this deserves a relisten though and I hope there's more Baez on this list.
Before listening: I like Simon and Garfunkel, just like millions of others and I get upset when people think Disturbed wrote Sound of Silence. I have, however, listened to Graceland and did not care for it. I don't know if this album is more folk because I can only assume this is his first solo record but what the hell do I know? After listening: My God this was bland. It wasn't bad, it was just ok. Barely any songs stood out to me and I'm pretty sure I won't remember any of them. I can't exactly give it 1 star (I reserve them for "new" Radiohead), but it's not even an enjoyable but flawed 3 star. So this gets my very first 2 star. Congrats Paul Simon!
Before listening: I went through a Bob Marley phase a few months ago. Problem is, that phase only consisted of me listening to Buffalo Soldier and Three Little Birds on repeat. I don't know many of his other songs and reggae for me is a right place right time kinda thing. And today may not be the right time. After listening: Nothing blew me away about this album. It was perfectly fine and consistent but, to me, it just had nothing special. I guess I enjoyed it, but I'll probably forget everything about it in couple of hours.
Before Listening: I don't really like NWA but I enjoy Ice Cube. I saw that this album has 'It Was a Good Day', which is one of my favourite raps songs and coincidentally I've been listening to it a lot in the last few days. I'm excited for this one and so far on this list I've liked a lot of the rap records. After listening: I mean, it's alright. Other than the singles I feel nothing really stood out to me. Unfairly, I think anytime a rap album is political I feel they're ripping off Public Enemy. Maybe this album doesn't resonate with me (because I wasn't around during the Rodney King shooting and the subsequent riots) and that's why it falls flat? Maybe people will feel this way about American Idiot and not understand the prevailing views and feelings at the time? You know what, I have no idea what the fuck I'm talking about.
Before listening: This band should've been right in my wheel house, but for whatever reason I just never listened to them. In fact, I don't even know any of their songs. Were they like The Strokes? Or a bit more poppy, like All American Rejects or something? I don't know, I guess we'll have to see. After listening: I really liked it. Hard for me to pin point who they sound like but I'm leaning towards Bloc Party or this Australian band Operator Please. This album was indie goodness at its finest!
Before listening: Alrighty, this is my first Stones album on this list. So this was released in 1966, so after Sgt Peppers. I can only assume it's got a touch of psychedelic because the Stones seemed to be always one album behind the Beatles in style. I actually don't dislike the Stones, however, and I'm looking forward to this one. After listening: I was wrong. I've been wrong before and believe me I'll be wrong again. This album wasn't psychedelic at all. Other than the first song, it sounded to me like the rest of the album was more honky tonk than anything. This record was bland. Very, very bland. Barely any songs stood out and I'm not well versed enough in the Stones discography to understand what came before or after. This sounds to me like the end of their early 60s input and like they are ready to move on.
Before listening: These guys sang 'Cum on Feel the Noize'. Which I only know from Quiet Riot. Which I only know from Oasis. Other than that, I know nothing about Slade. Oh, I also know they misspell song titles for some reason. I don't know if I should take them seriously. To me, they look a joke band, a bit like Spinal Tap or KISS. After listening: I really felt nothing for this album. Wasn't bad, just you know, blah. I'll be honest, the album I had was an expanded version that went for over an hour so your boy DNF. I've already forgotten all of the songs I've heard. That's two boring albums in a row for me (Thanks, Aftermath by the Stones), but oh well, onto the next.
Before listening: I only know two Sinatra songs and you can probably guess which ones. I'll say it - I don't get Sinatra. What the hell is the big deal? What makes him so goddam famous? Perhaps it's because I'm listening to this nearly 70 years later but you know what, I listen to Elvis and Buddy Holly, and I like them. I'll see how this goes but it reckon I'm gonna be bored shitless. After listening: Yep, I still don't get it and I'm gonna leave that to the fact that this music is just far too old for me. That being said, I found myself humming some of the songs all goddam day, so I guess that must count for something. In terms of enjoyment, this should get 0 stars. However, I was humming all day so I'll add an extra star. And then, just for the fact that it's Frank Sinatra, I'll add another star. This is far more respect than I gave Slade.
Before listening: Goddamit, I don't wanna. 'It's Oh So Quiet' isn't even on this album so I must ask, what the hell am I doing here? I'm hoping this would be a bit more poppy, or at least more digestible, than her other work. Otherwise, I'll have one finger poised over the skip button, and my other finger poised over the 1 star. After listening: I don't take back anything I said, other than the 1 star thing. There were actually a few tunes here that were listenable, so I'll give her that. Otherwise, pretty forgettable and barely a decent melody in sight.
Before listening: I certainly don't love all of the genre, that would be insane. Some I hate, but others I just never gave a chance to. Soul is one of these genres. I've never listened to Marvin Gaye or Al Green, but people seem to love them. So I'm gonna give this one a whirl with an open mind, but I really don't expect to like it all that much. After listening: Not exactly my thing, but you know what, this was actually enjoyable. I don't think this is going to awaken anything, but there's a non zero chance I listen to this again.
Before listening: I've never listened to Pavement, but I've listened to Blur's Pavement inspired songs. So they've got like a lo fi sound right? A bit more indie slash grunge? My curiosity has been piqued. After listening: Pavement, to me, sound like the unholy love child of Weezer and The Smashing Pumpkins. They sound very much of their time, which is early 90s alternative, but I just don't find them interesting at all. BUT, and that's a giant Serena Williams type but, context is everything. It doesn't sound interesting to me now, but this was new and exciting back then, amid all the hair metal and thrash that was going on. And for that, they get a star, giving this album a grand total of 1.
Before listening: I've never heard of this band. I consider myself a fan of music and yet this band has never entered my air space. No one has mentioned them, I've never read about them, in my world they don't exist. Worse still, this came out in 2004, which means I was well and truly alive and reading NME in the university library. I have no idea what I'm in for. After listening: I have no idea what the hell that was. Thing is, I kinda enjoyed it, I think. It wasn't as offensive to the ears as Radiohead and I found myself running (I listen to these albums while running) and just getting lost in the music. I will probably revisit this album at some point, just turning it on and going about my day.
Before listening: I really just don't wanna. Nothing about this title makes me want to listen to this at all. I'm not in the mood, just leave me alone. After listening: Definitely DNF. I did try, as in I put my headphones on and clicked play, but this album just did not resonate with me. Nothing about it was enjoyable at all and you're talking to a guy who somehow gave Bjork 2 stars. The fact that it went for over an hour made it even worse.
Before listening: I really want to like the Beastie Boys. It seems to me like it would be a fun life being a Beastie Boys fan. But, alas, I've listened to one of their albums before and I just did not get it. The album was License to Ill which I'm guessing is their most famous album, shrug emoji. I'll listen to this one and I'm hoping so much that I'll like it. After listening: There were some good songs in here, but so much filler. My god, this could've been cut down by like five songs and it would've gotten an extra star. But for now it has to settle for three.
Before listening: If anyone asked me whether I like Soundgarden I would say yes. If they asked me how many songs I actually know, I would say, "Um, Blackhole Sun?". I think out of all the big 90s alt bands, I know Soundgarden and Alice in Chains the least. I was much more of an Audioslave fan in the early 00s than I ever was of Soundgarden. I'm looking forward to this album, although I must say that at the time of writing, I'm not really in a 90s mood. Nevertheless, here we go! After listening: I liked it, there was a lot of good songs here. But oh my God, so much filler. Songs were too long and there were too many of them. Chris Cornell's voice though ... There's a reason people rank him as one of the best vocalists of the era. Overall, still very good.
Before listening: I don't know who these people area and with a title like Emperor Tomato Ketchup, it makes me fear the worst. From the cover and the era I'm guessing electro pop. But I find it hard to believe that any 90s electro pop albums would make this list. After listening: Goddamit, I liked this! First song was a bit shaky but after that it was thoroughly enjoyable. You can't even really fit them into an era - I can easily see this album being released in the early 00s and even today. Surprises are good sometimes...
Before listening: Were these the guys that sang "We are young, we are free"? I don't know much about them except every time someone mentions the Stone Roses, they mention the Happy Mondays. Were they Britpop? Proto Britpop? This should be fun, British 90s rock kinda tickles my nosty itch. After listening: So it turns out Supergrass sang "We are young, we are free." Sorry about that. This album was just ok for me. I can see why they're always associated with the Stone Roses; it's because every one of their songs sounds like fucking Fools Gold! Every goddam one! Anyway, I guess I like the album because I like Fools Gold.
Before listening: 2004? Brown sketches on the cover. My God, I think this might be a folk album! My least favourite modern genre and I blame Mumford and Suns. I hope it isn't but I'm almost certain this is modern folk. After listening: My most hated of all modern genres strikes again! But perhaps I shouldn't be too harsh as I did like some of the songs and they were all the length of an average Ramones song so I can't complain too much
Before listening: I don't know who this is but I'm worried he's some third tear Marvin Gaye or Al Green, two artists I don't even like. I think we're in for a doozy. After listening: This might've been an instrumental so I ran for my life. Don't know if there were words and I didn't bother to wait. Sorry Hugh.
Before listening: I guess with 1001 albums there's going to be a lot of artists I don't know. Snivilisation is another one. Released in 1994, it looks like a pop rock alt album to me, based on the cover. I don't even know what to expect here. After listening: Electronic instrumental. I got the hell out of there pretty fast.
Before listening: There really is nothing I can say about this album that hasn't been said for the last thirty years. It's absolutely fucking brilliant, and it fit the post grunge, alternative style like a glove. I will add though, (and I am definitely guilty of this) that this album has probably become underrated because all the context of its release has been forgotten. Alanis was different, edgy, and she swore in a song. She was a rockstar, and without her, we wouldn't have a lot of the female rockstars that came afterwards. After listening: I said what I have to say.
Before listening: I feel I've heard of Belle and Sebastian but it was sometimes around the 2010s. I reckon I'm thinking of a totally different band here. The band I'm thinking of were kind of like a folk band or something, sang a song about a plane ... I don't know. After listening: I don't know what to say. Modern folk is one of my most hated genres but this album was amazing! I'm sure I'm not the first to say this, but Belle and Sebastian are like a modern Simon and Garfunkel, and not the shitty modern Paul Simon that Vampire Weekend sound like. I loved this album!
Before listening: I've heard of these guys. One of their songs popped up on shuffle once and I did like it. Kinda like a soft, pop, rock sound. There was a guitar solo in it, I believe, and they're rare in music nowadays. I didn't listen to the album although I probably should have. Are they Australian? After listening: Lifeless. With each song I felt nothing, kinda like new Coldplay or new Maroon 5. Everything sounded the same and none of it was interesting. I think this was released in 2014 which, if I recall, music was shit. Fucking Passion Pit, Imagine Dragons, One Republic etc. were everywhere. Turns out they're Americans.
Before listening: I don't hate Adele, I just don't want to listen to Adele. Her album 21 was really good. When this came out, I remember not giving a shit. That song Hello, was apparently like a Lionel Richie song. I don't give a shit about Lionel Richie so I didn't care about that song. That being said, I'm gonna give this a whirl, and I bet I'll be pleasantly surprised. After listening: I found this album to be a little less than alright. I didn't like most of the songs, in fact I only liked three songs, but those three songs were amazing. The rest was pop drivel.
Before listening: Is this some sort of joke band? Like Spinal Tap or KISS? Looks like this album was released in 1968 so just a few years after Sgt Pepper and also around the same time the Rolling Stones copied Sgt Pepper with that Majesty album. After listening: I really don't know what to say. I came in kinda expecting to hate this album - everything about it seemed so silly. But then I found myself enjoying it. It was interesting and fun and didn't take itself too seriously. There were times when I felt that they were doing a bad impression of later Beatles McCartney, but I can look past that. I enjoyed this album, in fact, I feel like listening to it right now.
Before listening: I really like the Stone Roses, although I must say that most of this love came from the Greatest Hits album. They only had two albums so it's kinda weird to have a Greatest Hits but tell that to bloody Savage Garden. I don't know how far the Stone Roses could've gotten if they didn't run into all that trouble. Their sound was awesome, they had charisma, and the songs were there. I really wish that we saw what could've been. But I guess we got Oasis so all was not lost. After listening: I'm gonna give this five stars because I wanna. Not all the songs were great (or even good) which is usually my prerequisite for giving an album five stars but I really don't care - the top songs are some of my favourite of all time.
Before listening: We didn't realize it at the time, and we don't realize it now, but the Darkness saved Rock 'n' Roll. And like the Wyld Stallions, they were trying to save the world. It's just that we weren't ready. The Darkness were laughed at and mocked, and considered a joke band. But they were always incredibly talented and they never took themselves seriously. This album was amazing, and their second album was great. Then they were dropped by their label. And they still produced amazing albums after that! I love the Darkness and this is the album that started it all. You were all just too high on your high horse to appreciate it. After listening: I said what I have to say.
Before listening: I never listened to Crosby, Stills and Nash but my dad did. Now, most of what my dad listened to I liked, but for whatever reason I could never get into folk. I'm sorry, I just don't get it. I imagine this album will be a folk album, so I'm sure you can understand that I'm not exactly tingling with excitement. After listening: Twas not a folk album. There were maybe two songs that might be considered folk but the rest were not. I keep going on about this, but the context of an albums release must be taken into account. Was Stills, at release, trying to break away from folk? Was this a new direction that everyone loved, or was this a foray into something everyone thought was a misstep. This album had gospel, soul and funk elements, which were things I wouldn't have expected. Overall, this was good. Just good. Not great, but I found I did enjoy myself.