My 1001 Albums Journey

Album	You	Global	Diff
We're Only In It For The Money The Mothers Of Invention	5	2.46	+2.54
The Modern Dance Pere Ubu	5	2.48	+2.52
Moss Side Story Barry Adamson	5	2.53	+2.47
Southern Rock Opera Drive-By Truckers	5	2.82	+2.18
Gris Gris Dr. John	5	2.88	+2.12
The Gilded Palace Of Sin The Flying Burrito Brothers	5	2.93	+2.07
Duck Stab/Buster & Glen The Residents	4	2.03	+1.97
Chemtrails Over The Country Club Lana Del Rey	5	3.05	+1.95
Devil Without A Cause Kid Rock	4	2.06	+1.94
In Our Heads Hot Chip	5	3.11	+1.89

Album	You	Global	Diff
The Libertines The Libertines	1	3	-2
I See A Darkness Bonnie "Prince" Billy	1	2.97	-1.97
Out of Step Minor Threat	1	2.93	-1.93
Kilimanjaro The Teardrop Explodes	1	2.86	-1.86
In Utero Nirvana	2	3.83	-1.83
Is This It The Strokes	2	3.81	-1.81
People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm A Tribe Called Quest	2	3.61	-1.61
Violent Femmes Violent Femmes	2	3.5	-1.5
Parachutes Coldplay	2	3.46	-1.46
Strangeways, Here We Come The Smiths	2	3.44	-1.44

Artist	Albums	Average
Pink Floyd	3	4.67
Miles Davis	2	5
The White Stripes	3	4.33
The Rolling Stones	3	4.33
Beatles	3	4.33

Artist	Ratings
Nirvana	5, 2
The Mothers Of Invention	5, 2
The Beach Boys	2, 5

N.W.A.

3/5

Radiohead

4/5

I kept one of the songs as a favorite, Saul to the Moon, which I could see doing for a moody drive at night. Very trippy overall. Plays better with headphones.

Grace

Jeff Buckley

3/5

There’s Hallelujah, of course. The rest is ok. Gets fun when he plays the blues at the end.

Eliminator

ZZ Top

3/5

Leads off with three well-known hits and a couple more. Most of the rest is noise except for the final track, “Bad Girl,” which seems like a warm up for the later “Tube Steak Boogie.” Other than that track, I wouldn’t go back to any of it as an album; they come up enough on my radio stations.

The ArchAndroid

Janelle Monáe

4/5

This is the first album of someone I already loved. Metropolis was a favorite album of mine, and I was surprised that both albums are over 10 years old. Anyway, I love when she’s telling a story. But Tightrope, which has OutKast’s Big Boi talking about MacBooks and NASDAQ, it takes me out of a future dystopia. Anyway, I liked the suite parts.

Ramones

4/5

Californication

Red Hot Chili Peppers

4/5

Enjoyed it overall, even if none of the deep dives added to what I liked about them. I could listen again.

The Undertones

2/5

It’s a light pink that gets repetitive. I went six tracks in and I don’t think it gets better. Not very good. Rather hear the Ramones or T Rex.

Country Life

Roxy Music

4/5

I enjoyed it. It’s a mood. I could come back to it.

Reggatta De Blanc

The Police

3/5

Starts strong. Walking on the Moon is a great start to a workout. Kinda meanders. One song, I forget which, too lazy to look it up…starts with someone saying it’s bullshit…is just well, bullshit. I like this one for its hits and the title track. Not much else.

The Marshall Mathers LP

Eminem

5/5

This is my first five-star. I always (perhaps irrationally) expect an album to tell a story. Marshall Matherd tells a hell of a story. I almost feel bad, but easily can imagine, Eminem compromising with record execs to make that disclaimer at the end. His non Stan role in Stan (a song that changed the language) is how I imagine him to be. And maybe that’s a character too. The others are sad detestable characters. But to condemn them is to condemn any other creator of well-crafted villains. I loved this album, and I’ll come back to it like a favorite read.

Pictures At An Exhibition

Emerson, Lake & Palmer

3/5

It’s fun, but I wouldn’t need to come back to it. I enjoyed the encore “Nutrocker” more than the main performance.

Bringing It All Back Home

Bob Dylan

3/5

It was fine. I enjoyed what I was familiar with . The rest seemed convoluted or within a context deep in some memory hole.

Songs Of Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen

4/5

This is like a book of poetry that you have to judge on a first read. I knew Susannah, and the last song was lovely. The rest deserves more consideration. But I want to read it more than I want to hear it.

Catch A Fire

Bob Marley & The Wailers

4/5

I could just listen to this all day. Lovely.

Punishing Kiss

Ute Lemper

2/5

Never heard of Ute. Notes hit sharp in the first track. Sounds like a cross between Barbara Streisand and Tori Amos. I see a lot of comparisons to Edith Piaf in notes. I get the overwhelming artistry in her work and that of the talent featured in the songs. I just don’t enjoy this. Feels overblown and too operatic without caring about the characters, like a Vegas or Lido show. If I want a dramatic German operatic experience, I’ll listen to Janelle Monet.

Electric Ladyland

Jimi Hendrix

3/5

I love Hendrix, but he’s all over the place here. A couple of good deep cuts, classics. What’s with the applause?

Fetch The Bolt Cutters

Fiona Apple

4/5

So this is where Shameka comes from. I liked this more than I expected and will likely come back to it. Added Relay to favorites.

Endtroducing.....

DJ Shadow

3/5

Exciting at first, but ultimately repetitive.

Vol. 4

Black Sabbath

4/5

Surprisingly pleasant. I did not expect Bkack Sanbath to make good background music while studying Grimm fairy tales. So many decapitations in both….

Chirping Crickets

Buddy Holly & The Crickets

3/5

Eh, it’s Buddy Holly, and not my favorite Holly. 26 minutes across 12 songs goes pretty fast. I have this on infinite playlist. So when the last song is followed by Chuck Berry’s Johnny B Goode, and it’s the best things far and away I’ve heard I. The last 27 minutes, it’s telling me to stop trying to justify Chriping as anything I’d come back to.

Heavy Weather

Weather Report

3/5

So this is where Birdland comes from. Otherwise, it sounds like a forgotten 70’s or 80’s film score. Unnecessary.

This Is Hardcore

Pulp

3/5

Never heard of them. A nice, funny, near Bowie experience. I’d listen again but probably not seek it out.

Franz Ferdinand

3/5

Started strong, Take Me Out is legendary, the rest is okay.

Chelsea Girl

Nico

2/5

I know it’s Nico and the whole arty Warhol pedigree, and the influences on musicians I respect. But this was just awful. I don’t like her voice, nothing caught me in any of the songs, and reading she was likely incredibly racist. I don’t have anywhere to go with this.

They Were Wrong, So We Drowned

Liars

2/5

I get that it’s rock, and I get that it’s noise. But I don’t get noise rock. Pass.

Blue

Joni Mitchell

5/5

This may be my first five-star (I think Marshall Mathers got one also). I was familiar with the hits, but the whole thing is vivid and gorgeous. I will come back to Blue often.

Morrison Hotel

The Doors

3/5

The deeper cuts? Nothing.

All Directions

The Temptations

3/5

I mean, a third of it is Papa Was a Rolling Stone, which is incredible. But the rest is more covers and nothing that grabbed me.

Is This It

The Strokes

2/5

Not for me. I get why my kids would enjoy it.

Violator

Depeche Mode

3/5

It was nice of 1,001 to give me my own personal Jesus on Easter Monday. The rest is meh.

She's So Unusual

Cyndi Lauper

5/5

I adored this and her. It gets five stars just for the Betty Boop stuff at the end.

A Date With The Everly Brothers

The Everly Brothers

3/5

It’s okay. Feels like Happy Days interstitial music, and probably is. Love Hurts started here, and it’s a good version. Cathy’s Clown is better than I remember. If I want an immersive pre-Beatles moment, I guess I’d listen to this and Holly.

Nilsson Schmilsson

Harry Nilsson

4/5

Really enjoyed it and added Gotta Get Up to my favorites.

Jazz Samba

Stan Getz

3/5

I’m sure it was revolutionary and historically significant. I was just bored by it.

The White Room

The KLF

2/5

I…don’t get it. Sounds like pretentious electronic stuff. Bleh.

Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space

Spiritualized

3/5

Best taken in small doses.

Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness

The Smashing Pumpkins

4/5

I love the hits from this album and overall enjoyed the deeper cuts.

The Village Green Preservation Society

The Kinks

3/5

I like the first song, but the rest kinda faded into more of the same.

If I Could Only Remember My Name

David Crosby

2/5

I love CSN, but separately, Crosby’s rough work.

School's Out

Alice Cooper

4/5

I love Alice Cooper, and I think this album was going for a theme of what happens in the absence of school. A critic on the Wikipedia article confirmed that. I get it. I don’t know if I’d come back to it unless I just wanted to hear more Cooper. I liked the West Side Story connection.

Bayou Country

Creedence Clearwater Revival

4/5

I enjoyed it. Between hits and deep cuts, it’s a consistent vibe I’d come back to.

Trans Europe Express

Kraftwerk

2/5

Wanted to like it, but it just wasn’t enjoyable.

Tago Mago

Can

4/5

This is about the trippiest thing I ever heard on headphones. There’s parts of this I’d gladly kick back to. Not the screamy parts though.

In A Silent Way

Miles Davis

5/5

Loved this. I could listen to Miles Davis all day.

Green

R.E.M.

3/5

Stand is always fun, but the rest doesn’t compare to Out of Time.

Selected Ambient Works 85-92

Aphex Twin

3/5

I don’t know music all that well, and certainly not ambient. To rate this, how do you tell where this ends and other ambient starts playing on an infinite list of similar music? Maybe this is one of the best 1000 albums because it innovated or otherwise opened the genre. But without researching it, why is it special?

The Age Of The Understatement

The Last Shadow Puppets

5/5

I’m about 50 albums in and this is the first that I both never heard of and really enjoyed. I’ll be looking into more from this group.

Hounds Of Love

Kate Bush

3/5

I love Kate Bush. But the Pet Shop Boy rap stuff in the deeper cuts was distracting. Running Up That Hill gets regular play.

I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got

Sinead O'Connor

3/5

I love O’Connor’s voice and Nothing Compares is done so beautifully. The rest is fine but not anything I’d go out of my way for.

...Baby One More Time

Britney Spears

2/5

I get this speaks to an audience. It’s just not for me. The If I Were a Rich Girl bit was cute. Satisfaction? Bleh.

Either Or

Elliott Smith

3/5

It’s fine, but not as profound as I think it is for others.

I See A Darkness

Bonnie "Prince" Billy

1/5

First 1-Star in 60 some random albums. This is a total energy suck. Maybe somebody gets a misery-loves-company boost(?) from this, but it just makes just wait for him to stop his warmly whining. And I’m an empathetic, professional Santa Claus. No. Aggressively no.

Modern Kosmology

Jane Weaver

2/5

I do not need to hear we’re turning to dust repeatedly to start my morning. Lotta nihilistic stuff going on, 1,001. This is like Aimee Mann with an electric gimmick-obsessed producer. But the nihilism is worse. Hoping for Weird Al to compensate.

Drunk

Thundercat

4/5

I really liked this. Had no idea what to expect. And yes, we all want to be cats.

KIWANUKA

Michael Kiwanuka

4/5

Surprisingly enjoyable. The first track really kicks.

Emperor Tomato Ketchup

Stereolab

2/5

Boring. I get it, but not for me.

Berlin

Lou Reed

4/5

An amazing album. It’s like a photo album of despair and abuse. Wow.

Sheer Heart Attack

Queen

4/5

It’s early Queen and Killer Queen is amazing. The theatrics, like in In the Lap of Gods, is fun. I might come back to it.

Timeless

Goldie

4/5

This was like a good brisket with an enormous fat cap you have to trim before you get to enjoy the meat of it. That opening long track was more endless than timeless. And I was ready to dismiss it. But the good non-experimental stuff was really enjoyable. I’d come back to everything except that stuff at the beginning.

You Are The Quarry

Morrissey

2/5

Whiny. I get that people think he’s so important to their growing up. But I just waited for the album to be over.

Vulnicura

Björk

3/5

I just feel bad for Björk going through the breakup while listening to this. I love that crazy whirling dervish of an Icelander. Go do your thing, Björk!

Nevermind

Nirvana

5/5

Duh….

Sister

Sonic Youth

3/5

Nothing remarkable. Not much reason to come back to it.

Music

Madonna

2/5

Bleh

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary And Thyme

Simon & Garfunkel

3/5

My God, fans of the non-hit stuff must have been insufferable. The hits are great, but not the rest.

Chemtrails Over The Country Club

Lana Del Rey

5/5

Oh my God is this a beautiful album. Easily the best one so far where I knew none of the tracks. Just plain gorgeous.

The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators

The 13th Floor Elevators

2/5

I’ve loved the first track back from High Fidelity. The rest is just kinda irritating.

m b v

My Bloody Valentine

2/5

Bunch a noise. Not going back to it.

Automatic For The People

R.E.M.

3/5

Pretzel Logic

Steely Dan

4/5

Very familiar with this one. The deep cuts are tolerable. It’s like visiting an old friend.

Dance Mania

Tito Puente

4/5

It’s just an awesome vibe.

Homework

Daft Punk

4/5

Liked it a lot more than I thought I would.

Bridge Over Troubled Water

Simon & Garfunkel

3/5

Less pretentious than Parsley Sage Rosemary and Time. Still, tough to get through some of the deeper cuts.

(Pronounced 'Leh-'Nérd 'Skin-'Nérd)

Lynyrd Skynyrd

5/5

Amazing

Third/Sister Lovers

Big Star

2/5

Can’t get behind the lead singer’s voice. Waited for it to be done.

Home Is Where The Music Is

Hugh Masekela

4/5

Lovely jazz from someone I hadn’t heard from before. I enjoyed it.

Vincebus Eruptum

Blue Cheer

4/5

I really enjoyed this. Just a great 40 minute vibe. I’ll come back to it.

The Doors

4/5

Hard to argue with so many classics. Unavoidable rather than seeking out.

Music in Exile

Songhoy Blues

5/5

Before knowing the backstory of Songhoy Blues, I just thought it was great guitar music and wished I understood what they were singing. Reading about them, it’s a must listen and I think they’re heroic. Preserving their culture with such a context is amazing. I love this band and will come back to it.

Urban Hymns

The Verve

3/5

It’s okay. The Drugs Don’t Work connects along with Bittersweet Symphony.

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Kanye West

4/5

Purple Rose of Cairo is my favorite movie. Hard to reconcile that knowing the things Allen has done. It’s still my favorite movie, and the best I can manage to do is call it that and give it four stars in tiny protest for an incredible film. Dark Twisted Fantasy is one of the best albums I’ve ever heard. Incredible. The lyrics are clever, the orchestration is intense and complex. I’m listening to Monster now. Layers and layers of incredible wit and genius. Four stars because it’s Kanye fucking West.

Guero

Beck

3/5

I generally like Beck. None of these songs are ones I’d come back to, but the vibe is good. I wouldn’t mind hearing it again.

Cloud Nine

The Temptations

2/5

Not great, like Papa Was a Rolling Stone, only they got distracted while writing the lyrics.

Actually

Pet Shop Boys

3/5

Boring, really. Never liked their hits and this just seems like overreaching 80’s synth stuff. Bonus star for a funny album cover.

Liquid Swords

GZA

4/5

Like jazz, I don’t have the sophistication to know why a particular rap song or album is especially good. I just really liked this album. I’d come back to it. Keep your eye on the sparrow!

Crooked Rain Crooked Rain

Pavement

2/5

Irritating. I won’t go back to it.

We Are Family

Sister Sledge

3/5

The hits are fine, but the deep cuts are bland.

New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84)

Simple Minds

3/5

It’s okay. I listened to the original recording because no one has 4 hours for the long version. Harmless.

Brothers In Arms

Dire Straits

4/5

It’s like two albums: one being greatest hits, the other being these long intro deep cuts. It’s lovely.

The Gilded Palace Of Sin

The Flying Burrito Brothers

5/5

Amazing. Somehow like the Dead, but better. Love these guys.

Crosby, Stills & Nash

4/5

I really wonder what it was like for people in 69 to hear such a dense album of hits with those harmonies as the Beatles were going away. It’s lovely. Only too familiar to get the five stars I use for the albums I come back to. They’re in heavy rotation everywhere else.

Blue Lines

Massive Attack

4/5

Liked it much better than expected.

If You Can Believe Your Eyes & Ears

The Mamas & The Papas

3/5

Another band where the less you know about the members (John in this case), the better. California Dreaming is so damn powerful though. Cass deserved better.

Cupid & Psyche 85

Scritti Politti

1/5

I hate this band. I’m halfway through this, and it’s the worst workout experience I can remember. Horrid. I’ll update this if it gets better. But despite my option about most things, I have little hope for this. Screw you, Scritti Politi, you pablum spewing over produced 80-something-schlock muckers.

Caetano Veloso

3/5

Brave guy. Not my kind of music, but I admire his courage.

Here's Little Richard

Little Richard

4/5

Amazing stuff that almost feels like a snapshot of a much more complex several years in the 50’s for him. Weird, crazy genius. Love the music.

Hearts And Bones

Paul Simon

4/5

Loved it. Better than s& g

Winter In America

Gil Scott-Heron

4/5

The album was only available, though I found the title single. I’m now a fan.

Doggystyle

Snoop Dogg

5/5

Doggystyle is like a walk through the most beautiful, vibrant and serene forest you ever walked through, except there’s all of this male genitalia you have to dodge to get through it. By the time you get to a Sukiyaki reference, that all falls away to gorgeousness. Lyrics are still hard to identify with, but it’s beautiful regardless.

Histoire De Melody Nelson

Serge Gainsbourg

2/5

He sure seems to like himself. I don’t.

From Elvis In Memphis

Elvis Presley

4/5

It’s got a good cohesion to it. I’d come back to it.

Virgin Suicides

Air

4/5

Didn’t know what to expect, but I enjoyed this. Kept a couple tracks as favorites.

Paul's Boutique

Beastie Boys

4/5

It’s a trip, it’s got a funky beat, and I can bug out to it.

Haut de gamme / Koweït, rive gauche

Koffi Olomide

3/5

The first track was amazing and I couldn’t help smiling long broadly, tapping my feet, and just being in the world it created. Then the rest of the album passed by being ok enough, but not nearly as strong as the first track. Overall, it’s fine.

Os Mutantes

3/5

Oh, you’re a trippy bunch. Not my thing, but cool.

Talk Talk Talk

The Psychedelic Furs

2/5

Bleh. Hard to listen to. Pretentious.

My Generation

The Who

3/5

Hits aside, it’s stale blues. I like their later albums.

The Idiot

Iggy Pop

3/5

Not bad. Had no idea China Girl was his. Ok as a one-timer.

Since I Left You

The Avalanches

3/5

I loved their two videos from 20 years ago (Yikes). However, the bulk of the album just seems like random noise. I don’t get it.

Mr. Tambourine Man

The Byrds

3/5

After the first two hits (of which “I Feel a Whole Lot Better” really clicks), it’s kinda bland. No great deep cut discoveries. The Bo Diddley stuff in Don’t Doubt Yourself, Babe is ok, but it’s still their voices. I’ll listen to Dylan or Petty first. We ain’t meeting again, guys.

Seventeen Seconds

The Cure

3/5

It’s the Cure. Good for a specific mood, but there’s no “Love Song” on this album.

Van Halen

4/5

Unfairly gets four stars because there’s so much of this out there to stumble upon that I don’t need to hear the album for the few weak deep cuts. It’s amazing work.

3 Feet High and Rising

De La Soul

5/5

Loved this. Had no idea what to expect, but these guys were fun. Definitely coming back to it.

Among The Living

Anthrax

2/5

Sounds like the Aquabats with whinier lyrics and less Mooncheese.

Sound of Silver

LCD Soundsystem

4/5

Surprisingly good. I enjoyed the North American track especially.

Street Signs

Ozomatli

3/5

It’s got an interesting vibe, but not something I’d come back to.

Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor

Lupe Fiasco

5/5

Holy shit! I was already sold on Lupe Fiasco with three tracks favorited before realizing this is the guy that did Daydreamin’. Love, love, love this album. The orchestration is so rich, brilliant lyrics. This is a favorite.

Smash

The Offspring

3/5

I like the hits, not much else.

Something/Anything?

Todd Rundgren

3/5

I love Rundgren, but this seems where the aperture of a film is a little too far back and Rundgren thinks it’s a good idea to show the behind the scenes crap. You like all those false starts and trail off in “Think of Me”? The whole album does that. Bleh.

The Contino Sessions

Death In Vegas

2/5

Irritating.

Fulfillingness' First Finale

Stevie Wonder

4/5

Not his strongest album, but still pretty great,

What's Going On

Marvin Gaye

4/5

It’s a vibe, and the urgency of the social issues is real. But it seems heavy handed. Like the ambiance of voices and the hits are great.

Southern Rock Opera

Drive-By Truckers

5/5

I was ready to dismiss this album as an unwelcome defense of a South with the old references to Neil Young and for Northerners to stay out of Southern business. And maybe they just wanted to put a barrier for only the interested or committed to reach track eight “Three Great Americans,” which was a genuine education for me. I had no idea that Sweet Home Alabama was a character’s perspective, that Young loved the track, the deeper story of George Wallace, or the story of the singers themselves. And it brought me to a real appreciation of their histories, the storytelling and the artistry that went into this and the rest of the album. But why the hell would you stick this track so deep into the album? It clarifies everything? Almost seems like a “you don’t get to understand me till you see me at my worst,” which is shitty behavior whether that’s a Southern thing or not. Just throw it at the first couple of tracks and teach someone something. Damn. Otherwise, a great, epic album.

Autobahn

Kraftwerk

3/5

I get that it’s experiencing the Autibahn in an album, like a long road trip complete with highway hypnosis. I just don’t know if that’s fun. Respect the artistry and the minimalist album cover.

Good Old Boys

Randy Newman

3/5

Pleasant, but not his best stuff.

Rip It Up

Orange Juice

2/5

Nah. Boring.

Foo Fighters

4/5

Love Dave Grohl. Good guy, good first album.

To Pimp A Butterfly

Kendrick Lamar

5/5

I knew nothing about rap/hip-hop until I started this project. And I’ve been exposed to much more gorgeousness than awful, and this is gorgeous. Weirdly, the Apple version is some kind of radio-safe version with silenced profanity. And it takes away from it. Beautiful album.

The Number Of The Beast

Iron Maiden

3/5

Sometimes I get in the mood for this sort of thing. It’s fine. I think it’s consorting with the devil was edgy at the time. Now it just seems juvenile. The music is great though.

Elephant

The White Stripes

5/5

Love White Stripes. Amazing album.

The Boatman's Call

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

4/5

Deep lovely stuff that doesn’t murder anybody this time. Nice!

Ritual De Lo Habitual

Jane's Addiction

2/5

Noisy.

1999

Prince

3/5

The hits are great, but by the time you reach “Something’s In The Water,”… I don’t know who enjoys that. Just seems cacophonous.

Hot Rats

Frank Zappa

5/5

I’m glad Zappa showed up. I love this album so much. Inspired me to take on Joe’s Garage after. I’ll probably take a deeper dive.

Water From An Ancient Well

Abdullah Ibrahim

4/5

Not available in the US on Apple Music. I found the specific track on an album called “3” and am rating based on that. It’s beautiful.

The Man Machine

Kraftwerk

3/5

Not as strong as Autobahn, but good enough to return to.

Synchronicity

The Police

3/5

Goes great, and then you reach Mother, and then…yeah.

Time (The Revelator)

Gillian Welch

4/5

Very sweet, kept a couple of tracks.

Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea

PJ Harvey

2/5

I like a lot of punk/post punk, but this didn’t do it for me.

The Fat Of The Land

The Prodigy

4/5

Hard to get through a title like “Smack My Bitch Up,” but I have to sdmit the entire album goes good with driving on a highway. I’d come back to most of it.

Off The Wall

Michael Jackson

4/5

Classic, and added She’s Out of My Life to my favorites.

Djam Leelii

Baaba Maal

3/5

It was okay, but not something I’d return to.

White Blood Cells

The White Stripes

5/5

It’s just relentlessly rocking, amazing stuff. I could listen to these guys again and again.

Dummy

Portishead

3/5

Not my thing. I get what’s it’s doing, but I really just wanted it to be over.

London Calling

The Clash

3/5

I mean, it’s the Clash, and the hits are legend. But the rest is non hit stuff sung by the Clash rather than something I’d want to hear again.

In Utero

Nirvana

2/5

It’s not Nevermind. Difficult to get through beyond the hits.

Bert Jansch

3/5

Pleasant, but Pentangle is much better to listen to.

At Folsom Prison

Johnny Cash

5/5

Legend. It’s every bit better because of the audience. Such a crazy, bold thing to do. And a great listen.

Queen II

Queen

4/5

Oh, this is a fun one. Playful and harder than glam. Lots of fantasy tropes. Good stuff.

Aja

Steely Dan

5/5

Probably more influential on my growing up than any other album. I love everything about it.

At Mister Kelly's

Sarah Vaughan

4/5

Lovely, lovely voice.

Duck Stab/Buster & Glen

The Residents

4/5

WTF? Then awesomeness. I deeply enjoyed the surrealism of this album and will definitely come back to it.

Raw Power

The Stooges

2/5

Starts innovative and cool, descends into noise. I’m sure it was groundbreaking, but isn’t very interesting.

The Velvet Underground & Nico

The Velvet Underground

3/5

Heroin’s okay, but it’s not as good as other Lou Reed stuff.

Out of Step

Minor Threat

1/5

I don’t know the angry person that enjoys this. Not me.

McCartney

Paul McCartney

4/5

Gets a fourth star for Maybe I’m Amazed, maybe my favorite song at one time.

Dire Straits

5/5

This is one of my favorite albums ever. I could listen to Knopfler all day.

When I Was Born For The 7th Time

Cornershop

3/5

Had a nice groove, but nothing I’d return to.

Cee-Lo Green... Is The Soul Machine

Cee Lo Green

2/5

“Forget” this.

Connected

Stereo MC's

3/5

Oh, that’s where Connected comes from. Rest is okay.

Mothership Connection

Parliament

3/5

Amazing groove. Fun.

Frampton Comes Alive

Peter Frampton

4/5

Legend. Hits are stronger than the rest, but it’s all good stuff.

Colour By Numbers

Culture Club

4/5

Surprisingly solid. I rolled my eyes when I saw it come up, but I give George and the others credit. Lots of good orchestration. I enjoyed this more than I expected.

The Genius Of Ray Charles

Ray Charles

3/5

Lovely early stuff, though the genius comes later.

The Last Of The True Believers

Nanci Griffith

4/5

Lovely, and I added a couple to favorites. Nice discovery.

Ray Of Light

Madonna

3/5

Surprisingly enjoyable. Ray of Light is a new favorite.

Bitte Orca

Dirty Projectors

2/5

Pretentious and annoying. Hard pass.

Garbage

3/5

Nice work. I think I liked stuff from other albums of theirs better.

We're Only In It For The Money

The Mothers Of Invention

5/5

Whoa…. I listened to this album on a treadmill while doing an entire expert sudoku perfectly, taking pride in my concentration. And I imagined Zappa saying I wasn’t listening at all. I’m going to need some time with this.

People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm

A Tribe Called Quest

2/5

I can kick it.

Pump

Aerosmith

2/5

Eh, never was a Tyler fan.

Led Zeppelin IV

Led Zeppelin

5/5

One of few albums I actually know intimately. No question five stars, still stirring.

Treasure

Cocteau Twins

2/5

Irritating. I don’t know who enjoys this.

Songs From The Big Chair

Tears For Fears

3/5

Hits are fine, but was never into these guys.

1984

Van Halen

3/5

Classic stuff, weirdly depressing in a stupid naive ‘84 world view way.

New Forms

Roni Size

2/5

This version wasn’t available in the States, so I listened to the 20th anniversary edition which was. Annoying. Gets a second star for the percussion.

Be

Common

3/5

Great vibe and lyrics. Just not my thing.

Warehouse: Songs And Stories

Hüsker Dü

2/5

You can leave this home.

Brothers

The Black Keys

4/5

I love these guys. El Camino is stronger, but this is a great album.

Justified

Justin Timberlake

2/5

I don’t get it.

Odessey And Oracle

The Zombies

4/5

A special album as “This Will Be Our Year,” discovered at the closing of Schitt’s Creek, is my wife and my song. The rest is glorious and lovely.

Kilimanjaro

The Teardrop Explodes

1/5

Blech. Seriously, just…blech. Tough to get through.

Countdown To Ecstasy

Steely Dan

3/5

Steely Dan used to be my favorite band (and Aja still completely rules). However, listening to the deeper cuts on CtE, and maybe the not so deep cuts, the lyrics are starting to sound like obscure clues in an escape room.

Africa Brasil

Jorge Ben Jor

3/5

Pleasant enough (gets string in the center, but nothing memorable.

Trafalgar

Bee Gees

3/5

It had one interesting track toward the end, Lion in Winter, I kept. Otherwise, its early BeeGees leading up to better stuff in the subsequent albums.

Rust Never Sleeps

Neil Young & Crazy Horse

3/5

Gorgeous music, though the famous bookends are the best parts.

1989

Taylor Swift

3/5

I get the talent, but it all sounds empty. Guess I’m not a Swiftie.

Figure 8

Elliott Smith

3/5

Sweet, but ultimately boring. I like other albums he’s done.

Zombie

Fela Kuti

5/5

New to me and just beautiful. Four songs, and I favorited three of them. Easily the highest batting average of any album.

Miriam Makeba

4/5

Pleasant. I liked the first track enough to favorite it.

Play

Moby

3/5

Lovely at first but fades into the background, and there’s a lot there. Gets tedious at the end.

Who's Next

The Who

5/5

What’s not to love? It’s nothing but hits and I’d still go out of my way to take the album in. Ever read the lyrics to “My Wife”? It’s really funny. I always thought “she’s coming” meant something entirely different. Great album all the way through.

Beyond Skin

Nitin Sawhney

4/5

An interesting album with the backdrop of Indian nuclear proliferation. I liked it more than I expected.

Under Construction

Missy Elliott

3/5

Talented but nothing enjoyable enough to come back to.

Natty Dread

Bob Marley & The Wailers

4/5

Familiar territory, most welcome today.

Microshift

Hookworms

2/5

More worms than hooks.

The Rising

Bruce Springsteen

3/5

Not strongest Springsteen, but you can feel his heart there in the aftermath of 9/11.

If I Should Fall From Grace With God

The Pogues

4/5

So that’s where Fairytale of New York comes from!

A Grand Don't Come For Free

The Streets

3/5

Interesting rap, but not something I’d ciome back to.

All That You Can't Leave Behind

U2

4/5

Beautiful Day was a life changing song for me when it came out, so I have a special relationship with this album. It’s lovely, has a good thread through. I’ll come back to it.

The Only Ones

2/5

Couldn’t get through it. The lead just hits bad. The “hit,” Another Girl, Another Planet has great music, but even that is wrecked by the lead.

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

Elton John

5/5

How can you not give this album five stars? It’s an incredible album with so many strong hits, and the deeper cuts are solid. Always a pleasure to listen to.

Heartattack And Vine

Tom Waits

4/5

It’s definitely a mood. A phlegmy, phlegmy mood which I weirdly love.

In Rainbows

Radiohead

3/5

Not a Radiohead fan, but this was not bad. Kept a couple as favorites.

The Dark Side Of The Moon

Pink Floyd

5/5

I’m cheating as I didn’t give it a fresh listen. Suffice to say I know this album to the point where I know they did Clare Tory dirty on Great Gig in the Sky. It’s five stars. Next!

Headquarters

The Monkees

4/5

I hadn’t realized this album was (after a week at number 1) the #2 album beneath the whole run of Sgt Pepper. And it’s very good. They were right to resist Don Kirshner. I kept some as favorites and, while I always respected Nesmith, have much more for the whole band. It’s a great listen.

Duck Rock

Malcolm McLaren

3/5

Exotic, fun.

Moss Side Story

Barry Adamson

5/5

Incredible, unexpected genius. I’m a new fan.

It's Blitz!

Yeah Yeah Yeahs

3/5

Not as impressive as their later stuff. Passable.

Gold

Ryan Adams

3/5

Meh. Nothing stood out.

Fuzzy

Grant Lee Buffalo

2/5

Somehow manages to be all over the place and boring at the same time.

2112

Rush

4/5

Gorgeous album. Geddy Lee!!!

Iron Maiden

3/5

I get why it’s legendary, but I mostly couldn’t get into it. Not for me.

So Much For The City

The Thrills

3/5

Not terrible. One good track in the middle I saved.

Chicago Transit Authority

Chicago

4/5

Deep cuts are annoying. Otherwise genius.

The Rolling Stones

3/5

Surprising that a new British band would opt for Route 66 as their opening song. Interesting covers. I’d rather listen to their other albums.

The Modern Dance

Pere Ubu

5/5

This was a genuine, real surprise. I love this crazy surreal, Meshuggah.

Diamond Life

Sade

3/5

Kinda tedious after a while, like she was struggling for filler.

White Ladder

David Gray

3/5

Not very interesting. Pleasant enough.

Phrenology

The Roots

2/5

Not for me. Tough to get through.

Revolver

Beatles

5/5

Yeah, what everyone else said.

Oar

Alexander 'Skip' Spence

2/5

Weird, not enjoyable.

Emergency On Planet Earth

Jamiroquai

4/5

There isn’t one single on here that stands out, but the experience of the entire album is joyous. I want to have a Jamiroquai experience rather than any one song. Their concerts must have been great.

The Wall

Pink Floyd

4/5

I never listen to it all the way through, but it’s kind of all over the place with some brilliant moments. I might come back to it again as a full album.

The Libertines

1/5

Awful. Don’t need to revisit.

Vulgar Display Of Power

Pantera

2/5

Not for me.

Your Arsenal

Morrissey

2/5

Annoying and whiny. I know there’s good Morrisey out there, but not on this album.

Tea for the Tillerman

Cat Stevens

4/5

Gorgeous stuff, though Wild Workd is kinda catty when you pay attention to it.

Birth Of The Cool

Miles Davis

5/5

Just gorgeous.

Speakerboxxx/The Love Below

OutKast

4/5

So much here, so much content. There’s a mood for this I’d have coming back to it.

Nick Of Time

Bonnie Raitt

4/5

So many points for Nick of Time. The rest is lovely.

Stephen Stills

3/5

Love the opener, but missing the Crosby and Nash otherwise.

Dusty In Memphis

Dusty Springfield

5/5

I love everything Dusty Springfield does.

No Other

Gene Clark

4/5

Surprisingly good. Nothing stood out, but it’s neat to hear the Byrd’s’ lead singer strike out on his own.

The Blueprint

JAY Z

5/5

I never listened to Jay-Z before. I probably will again at some point.

With The Beatles

Beatles

4/5

It’s ok and revolutionary in its time. But in ‘24, I was patiently waiting for it to be done.

Heroes

David Bowie

3/5

Bland

The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady

Charles Mingus

2/5

I’ve enjoyed some Mingus albums in the past, but this just seemed like a lot of noise.

The Wildest!

Louis Prima

4/5

I love Louis Prima. Keep some of these as favorites.

War

U2

4/5

The hits are amazing, deeper cuts okay.

Five Leaves Left

Nick Drake

4/5

Court And Spark

Joni Mitchell

4/5

I can’t get enough Mitchell. So much sweetness in the stories. Heaven.

Blood On The Tracks

Bob Dylan

4/5

A very pleasant listen. The overall album gives context to the hits.

John Prine

5/5

I’ve always loved John Prine. This is a stellar album of him.

New Wave

The Auteurs

4/5

Pleasant enough. Kept a few songs.

Who Killed...... The Zutons?

The Zutons

4/5

I liked this a lot. Unexpected and geeky.

AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted

Ice Cube

4/5

Better listen than I expected.

Cosmo's Factory

Creedence Clearwater Revival

4/5

A very good time. I wish the legal shit didn’t get in the way later on.

My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts

Brian Eno

2/5

This was difficult to get through. I respect both guys, but no thanks on this.

...The Dandy Warhols Come Down

The Dandy Warhols

4/5

Like these guys a lot more than expected. Excellent 80s vibe.

Hunky Dory

David Bowie

4/5

Amazing first half, gets dumb when he starts to name drop.

Devil Without A Cause

Kid Rock

4/5

Ooof…I really wanted to hate this, and there isn’t much that I can get through without something that says, “Oh right, Kid Rock”. “I Am the Bullgod” *slams,* but you can’t get through it without some ear bleach handy. Fine, he’s better than I thought when he was picking Skynnard’s corpse. But the lyrics aren’t truth; they’re just gross.

Disraeli Gears

Cream

3/5

For all the classics, I get impatient listening through it.

Welcome to the Afterfuture

Mike Ladd

2/5

He sounds like he’s just doing it for his own fun. Nothing wrong with that, but I don’t have to listen to it.

Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo

Devo

4/5

I love these guys.

Aha Shake Heartbreak

Kings of Leon

3/5

I didn’t like it as much as I hoped I would. Passable, but nothing stands out.

Rubber Soul

Beatles

4/5

Not my favorite Beatles album. Drive My Car is just…stupid. I get there’s innovation and stuff we take for granted now, but as a current listen it doesn’t hold up for me. I’ll go to four stars for In My Life, but it’s really a 3.5 for me.

Teen Dream

Beach House

2/5

Eh…whiny and not very interesting.

Here Are the Sonics

The Sonics

3/5

Not too bad, surprised I hadn’t heard of them before. First track hits, the rest, mostly covers, were done better by others.

Brilliant Corners

Thelonious Monk

3/5

I don’t get jazz. I wish I did.

You've Come a Long Way Baby

Fatboy Slim

4/5

Surprisingly good

Traffic

3/5

Impatient for their better work and later albums.

Go Girl Crazy

The Dictators

2/5

Not very interesting. New, I guess for the time, but not much to get my attention.

Fragile

Yes

4/5

Classic greatness.

Celebrity Skin

Hole

5/5

The single Celebrity Skin always slammed for me. But this first listen to the album was revelatory. Especially Nothern Star. What an incredible amount of talent Vobain surrounded himself with, not the least being his wife. Mad respect, Courtney.

Spiderland

Slint

4/5

They have a nice groove. I like it.

Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim

Frank Sinatra

3/5

Sinatra seems sleepy in this one.

Rock Bottom

Robert Wyatt

3/5

Profoundly bizarre. I weirdly liked the last track with the repeating weird Scotsman

Purple Rain

Prince

5/5

Oh, it’s Purple Rain, for pity sake.

Imperial Bedroom

Elvis Costello & The Attractions

4/5

Love Costello. Didn’t know any of these though. Nice surprise.

Coat Of Many Colors

Dolly Parton

4/5

Sweetness. I didn’t know any of these. Just sweet.

The Beach Boys Today!

The Beach Boys

2/5

Squaresville. Just eat your damn fries and start working on pet sounds.

Strangeways, Here We Come

The Smiths

2/5

Even with the Smiths, Morrisey is unbearable.

The Holy Bible

Manic Street Preachers

4/5

Much better than I expected. Damn shame about the lead.

A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector

Various Artists

5/5

Well, duh…

Bad

Michael Jackson

4/5

Not bad.

E.V.O.L.

Sonic Youth

3/5

It’s a mood. It’s okay.

Double Nickels On The Dime

Minutemen

2/5

Bleh.

The Downward Spiral

Nine Inch Nails

4/5

Impression . Liked it more than I thought it would. Definitely good for the right mood.

Songs For Swingin' Lovers!

Frank Sinatra

3/5

Cute, but the title makes it weird.

Shaka Zulu

Ladysmith Black Mambazo

4/5

Heard the 30th anniversary reissue, sounds better with then non-English tracks,

The Renaissance

Q-Tip

4/5

This 1001 Album Generator thing has exposed me to so much rap/hip hop, and Q-Tip becomes one more person added to my favorites list. I enjoyed him.

Let's Get It On

Marvin Gaye

3/5

First track is epic, and then I assume anyone listening is banging the person they played it for, because it just kinda fades to okay.

The Stranger

Billy Joel

5/5

I owned this as a kid. One of my favorite albums ever. Played it so often. Nice to come back to it.

Mott

Mott The Hoople

4/5

It’s a good deep dive. I’m a new fan.

Ragged Glory

Neil Young & Crazy Horse

4/5

A fun background listen as I built a desk.

Teenage Head

Flamin' Groovies

4/5

I never heard of this band and really liked enjoyed them. Mad respect for choosing integrity over fame.

Machine Gun Etiquette

The Damned

2/5

Damned irritating.

Shake Your Money Maker

The Black Crowes

4/5

Love the Black Crowes. They’re stronger on other albums.

The Madcap Laughs

Syd Barrett

4/5

More fun than I expected. Kept a couple as favorites.

xx

The xx

2/5

Crystallized is on my regular playlist, and it’s a great song. But a whole album of the same thing reminds me of the Royal Guardsman doing variations on Snoopy vs the Red Baron for an entire flipping album. It’s the same two people taking turns drowsily conveying their shroom induced imagery. The whole damned album.

Tidal

Fiona Apple

4/5

I love Fiona Apple, especially after regular plays of Bolt Cutters, but never to listened to Tidal in full. I understand why she was frustrated by Criminal overshadowing a lot of solid songs. It’s a good listen.

Gorillaz

5/5

Outstanding. I love these guys.

Welcome To The Pleasuredome

Frankie Goes To Hollywood

3/5

A more self-indulgent than I guessed, but the covers aren’t bad. Relax has such a history (Zoolander flashbacks), and when you step away from that, it’s a pretty good listen. Not quite four stars though.

Lady Soul

Aretha Franklin

5/5

Just gorgeous.

Penthouse And Pavement

Heaven 17

2/5

I guess this was edgy in 1981. Just tedious now. I’d rather listen to Devo for this sorta thing.

Basket of Light

Pentangle

3/5

Pleasant enough neo medieval stuff. Good for the right mood.

American IV: The Man Comes Around

Johnny Cash

4/5

I know Hurt well and enjoyed his other stuff. It was a lively way to finish out his legacy.

Django Django

4/5

Trippy goodness. Did not know what to expect. It’s fun.

Violent Femmes

2/5

Disappointing. I love Blister in the Sun. I figured there’d be more in the album. But it sounds like every song was something the Ramones could do better.

Guitar Town

Steve Earle

3/5

Harmless honkeytonk from a great voice.

The Cars

4/5

A debut album with an incredible list of hits I don’t listen to outside of radio play.

After The Gold Rush

Neil Young

5/5

Gorgeous with every track.

You Want It Darker

Leonard Cohen

4/5

I know this album for the title track, but never through headphones where it’s much more powerful. I listened during a workout where I tried to keep it in the background while reading an article, and I felt like I was disrespecting his poetry rather than passively listening to an album. It’s as dark as you can imagine as I imagine him dying. What was startling was him making one last plea to have a treaty with his love (and God’s?), only to be followed by Cat Stevens’ “Morning has Broken”. That’s a powerful transition, and I recommend giving that a go. I never knew Leonard Cohen (Buckley’s Hallelujah not withstanding) while he was alive, and I’m at least grateful to have become a fan now. Thank you, Mr. Cohen. Rest well.

NEU! 75

Neu!

3/5

Instrumentals are pretty decent. Loses a star for the tracks where they let that guy sing.

Wish You Were Here

Pink Floyd

5/5

Says something when you know every track without ever hearing the album as a whole. And it is better as a whole. “Shine On…” is my go to for destressing. Obviously 5 stars.

Arise

Sepultura

2/5

Not going to get an obligatory love ballad in the middle of this, am I?

Music For The Jilted Generation

The Prodigy

3/5

I'm working as I listen to this, and I get why some people would benefit from it as an industrial background thing. Maybe dance to it if you had that much energy and cocaine in you. But otherwise, it's not my thing.

Green Onions

Booker T. & The MG's

5/5

I love Green Onions, and I’ve been wanting to do a deeper dive into Booker T and the M.G.s. I’m keeping that last track “Coming Home” as a favorite. Surprisingly dramatic.

The Köln Concert

Keith Jarrett

2/5

Nope, the vocalizations suck. Takes me out of it. Kudos for the talent and the improvisation. But nah, I don't want moaning in my piano jazz.

The Stooges

3/5

I Wanna Be Your Dog is on regular play for me (under Christmas songs that aren’t). So I was curious about the rest of the album. It’s interesting and creative, but nothing I’d add to my playlists.

C'est Chic

CHIC

3/5

Beyond the very famous tracks, it’s okay. As a professional clown, get bent.

Tommy

The Who

4/5

Hampered by connective tissue rather than a solid body of music telling a story. Judged by the hits, it’s a great album with a good ratio of stuff I’d listen to again versus filler material. Compare “Tommy’s Holiday Camp” to Les Miserables’ “Master of the House.” If you don’t think that’s a fair comparison, don’t call it an opera.

Let England Shake

PJ Harvey

3/5

She's not bad. Reminds me a little of Kate Bush.

Get Behind Me Satan

The White Stripes

3/5

The first track was great, and I’m thinking to myself that this was going to be an unearthed collection of WS goodness. The rest got mediocre until the final track. And I love “I’m Lonely,” having no idea it was on this album. One more great WS song would have made this four stars.

Eagles

4/5

It’s a nice start.

Siamese Dream

The Smashing Pumpkins

3/5

Not as strong as other things they’ve done. But many.

Chore of Enchantment

Giant Sand

3/5

I really dug the first track, but then it just sounded like a smarmy guy mugging. Kept that first as a favorite. The rest is dispensable.

Ready To Die

The Notorious B.I.G.

3/5

That cover hits stronger than the songs do, but I have a perspective with a hard time keeping up with the relentless lyrics. It probably gets better with repeat listening and a better grasp of those lyrics.

Funeral

Arcade Fire

4/5

I like the general vibe. Nothing stands out, but I enjoyed the overall album.

Life Thru A Lens

Robbie Williams

2/5

Loses a star for making me listen to dead air for almost ten minutes to hear the hidden track (I was in my car). Back atcha, Bob.

Head Hunters

Herbie Hancock

4/5

Grooves. All grooves.

Rattus Norvegicus

The Stranglers

5/5

Love this band. First track is a keeper.

Honky Tonk Heroes

Waylon Jennings

3/5

It’s okay older twangy stuff.

Axis: Bold As Love

Jimi Hendrix

5/5

Amazing. And I don’t normally enjoy bonus material, but learning about the phasing that so impressed Hendrix is fascinating. Great, great album.

Tom Tom Club

3/5

Oh, this is where that IASIP song comes from! The first track is great. Under the Boardwalk is refreshing after the aerial warfare. It's a cute vibe.

Sticky Fingers

The Rolling Stones

5/5

Duh.

Bandwagonesque

Teenage Fanclub

3/5

Not bad. Really liked the opening track.

Blunderbuss

Jack White

4/5

Consistently great.

It's Too Late to Stop Now

Van Morrison

3/5

Makes for a great concert by Van Morrison…if I wanted to experience a Van Morrison concert.

It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back

Public Enemy

4/5

Amazing and explains a lot of phrases that would come out at the time.

461 Ocean Boulevard

Eric Clapton

4/5

Let it Grow is one of my favorite songs. I Shot the Sheriff is okay, but the original is better. The rest is passable Clapton.

Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not

Arctic Monkeys

3/5

Not their best album, not a bad listen either.

Innervisions

Stevie Wonder

5/5

Pretty much anything during Stevie’s three record run is going to get five stars. I like how the one song flies into the next. Just Enough For the City remains an uncomfortable listen.

Crazysexycool

TLC

2/5

Until I listened this album, I always associated TLC with the amazing Waterfalls video. Now I associate them with a poop joke. Gross.

Fear Of A Black Planet

Public Enemy

5/5

Pleasantly surprised by it. Needs a closer listening.

Raising Hell

Run-D.M.C.

4/5

Again, surprisingly good.

The Modern Lovers

4/5

Roadrunner gets regular play. And I have personally called Picasso an asshole. The rest is a good vibe.

Let It Bleed

The Rolling Stones

5/5

Easy five stars. I’ve never listened to the album as a whole. The classics and the deep cuts flow well. I’m surprised at the different version of Honky Tonk Woman. Great experience.

Slayed?

Slade

4/5

I love Slade. Run Run Away is a frequent ear worm. This early stuff is a great vibe. Enjoyed the album. Last track (I think added in the extended version I had access to) was unnecessary.

Getz/Gilberto

Stan Getz

4/5

Lovely vibe. Couldn’t distinguish one song after Ipanema. All sorta blends.

The Slim Shady LP

Eminem

4/5

I listen to Stan often, but never heard The Two of Us, which changed the context of it. Stan makes more sense but is somehow less powerful. He’s a copycat rather than a desperate guy who put his own girlfriend in the trunk without that context. Anyway, the album is great and makes the different personas clearer. Not sure which I’d come back to, probably the whole album as a single experience.

Larks' Tongues In Aspic

King Crimson

4/5

Trippy and lovely. Long time listener to this.

Peter Gabriel 3

Peter Gabriel

4/5

Okay. Classics are strong.

Before And After Science

Brian Eno

3/5

Mad respect for his work and influence on all of those artists. But I didn't get much out of this album.

Too Rye Ay

Dexys Midnight Runners

3/5

I looked at the background of Kevin Rowland, and I was hoping I'd enjoy the rest of this album for the Northern Soul in it. It's okay, but I get why Eileen is exceptional.

Time Out

The Dave Brubeck Quartet

4/5

Take Five is a regular listen. The rest is fine, but I probably wouldn’t seek them out.

Ambient 1/Music For Airports

Brian Eno

3/5

Damn near fell asleep on the road by the time I got to 1/2. That thing is a tactical weapon. Broadcast it at a tank battalion and you’ll have them sleeping in no time. Don’t listen to this in a car. Good sleep aid.

Freak Out!

The Mothers Of Invention

2/5

I like Zappa much better on his own. This comes off as smarmy.

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill

Lauryn Hill

4/5

Charming and lovely. I could background this all day.

The Score

Fugees

4/5

Intense and creative, but I can only get into the Lauren Hill parts.

Buena Vista Social Club

4/5

It’s a groove hard to do crossword puzzles by.

In Our Heads

Hot Chip

5/5

Really, really liked this

Halcyon Digest

Deerhunter

2/5

Pretentious. Bleh

Parachutes

Coldplay

2/5

Pretentious. I like other stuff they’ve done.

Happy Sad

Tim Buckley

4/5

Ok, but I like Jeff’s stuff better.

Abraxas

Santana

5/5

Amazing all the way through.

The Notorious Byrd Brothers

The Byrds

2/5

For the byrds.

Bat Out Of Hell

Meat Loaf

5/5

Colossally great from start to finish. A lifelong favorite.

Low

David Bowie

3/5

Both surprisingly good considering he was sitting on big hits as his contract ended. And yet I don’t get the whole Berlin trilogy thing. Anyway, it’s a good enough listen.

White Light

Gene Clark

2/5

I get why this didn’t sell, and don’t understand why it’s in the list. It’s just bad Dylan.

Clube Da Esquina

Milton Nascimento

4/5

Didn’t know what to expect, but it was lovely. Kept a couple of tracks as favorites.

Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music

Ray Charles

4/5

Classic stuff easy to take for granted. You have to put yourself back in the year to fully appreciate how daring that might be.

First Band On The Moon

The Cardigans

5/5

Love fool was a favorite, but the deep cuts are pretty great too. Renewed fan.

Gris Gris

Dr. John

5/5

Amazing stuff. I loved his more popular stuff, but this is great too.

(What's The Story) Morning Glory

Oasis

5/5

Amazing. It’s like a (relatively) new Beatles album. Wish they’d get along too.

...And Justice For All

Metallica

3/5

Not really my thing. I like tracks on other albums.

Dub Housing

Pere Ubu

3/5

I liked this Ubu album better than their prior featured one. A bit trippy to actually enjoy.

Music From Big Pink

The Band

4/5

Loved, and a very different “I Shall be Released” than I remember. A very good listen.

Only By The Night

Kings of Leon

3/5

Use Somebody is a tune that I never liked that much. It was, however, part of a memory of when I drove my children from Pennsylvania to my home in Connecticut post divorce on a CD that had infinite replay (they liked the song). I would keep my hand level whenever the song would come on, and when Caleb would sing that higher pitched "Use" in the song, my hand would raise up to the top of the car, and then drop, which my daughters loved. Hearing the rest of the album was pretty tedious. There's nothing much for me here.

Being There

Wilco

3/5

Pleasant enough. Nothing stands out.

American Idiot

Green Day

5/5

Amazing. One of my daughter’s favorite albums, and it’s easy to understand why.

Graceland

Paul Simon

4/5

Classic. Still plays well.

Tuesday Night Music Club

Sheryl Crow

4/5

Lovely as always.

Sea Change

Beck

4/5

Lost Cause is a favorite song of mine. The rest of the album compliments it well.

Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde

The Pharcyde

2/5

Irritating. I’ve listened to some rap albums that have completely changed my perspective. This? Oh, shit no.

Deloused in the Comatorium

The Mars Volta

2/5

This was difficult to listen to. Felt like some lesser prog rock. Nothing for me.

Call of the Valley

Shivkumar Sharma

4/5

Delightful. I kept the opening track.

Rum Sodomy & The Lash

The Pogues

4/5

Good stuff, some keepers.

Want Two

Rufus Wainwright

3/5

Got weirdly experimental at the start. It was an interesting, revealing listen.

Rapture

Anita Baker

3/5

I was excited because the first track is so killer. But the rest felt like filler. It's fine, but she's done better on other albums.

Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

5/5

A really great listen. I love Nick Cave. Mostly know him for his blog and Murder Ballads. I liked this one.

Solid Air

John Martyn

2/5

It's respectful of Nick Drake, but it's definitely not Nick Drake. Appreciation the acknowledgement, but I don't know why it's a top 1000.

Dry

PJ Harvey

3/5

Interesting, but not really my thing.

Pet Sounds

The Beach Boys

5/5

Nice homage to Brian Wilson by making this the day’s choice. God Only Knows would be enough to elevate this album to greatness. The lesser tracks are fine, Sentimental 5-star.

Eternally Yours

The Saints

3/5

It’s ok. The lead seems to really like himself to the point of being smugly insufferable.

Time Out Of Mind

Bob Dylan

4/5

The Next Day

David Bowie

3/5

Good early Bowie. Ok for a deep dive, but nothing stood out.

Moondance