The Cars
The CarsIt always blows my mind to go back and see how many great songs came off the first album of classic bands. The Cars is no exception. This album makes me love the Cars al over again. I can’t imagine anyone not liking it.
It always blows my mind to go back and see how many great songs came off the first album of classic bands. The Cars is no exception. This album makes me love the Cars al over again. I can’t imagine anyone not liking it.
Amazing. So much soul on one album.
I really wanted to like this album. Unfortunately, the only song I actually enjoyed was a cover. Two stars because I was able to finish the whole album.
Powerful and influential, this album flows like an album should. Whether or not you agree with his politics, Chuck D is a brilliant writer and Terminator X mixed like few others ever would.
I never got into Morrissey when I was younger, so I’m glad I finally sat down with a whole album. No, that’s wrong. I was totally fine with never having heard this. I’m amazed that such poorly written lyrics were even allowed to be put to music, such as it is.
Unless you’re on far too many mind-altering substances this is mostly unlistenable. I tried and just couldn’t do it.
As an Irishman, I’m obligated to like the Pogues, which is fine with me.
I liked it more than I expected. The drums especially stood out as excellent.
It’s Prince, so it’s good. The drum machine and synthesizer created a very 80’s sound, however. Whether that’s good or bad is very subjective. The first half was enjoyable, I was feeling 3/5, maybe 3.5. But it took off in the second half. Maybe because I’m more familiar with some of those songs, maybe because they’re just the stronger songs, I’m not sure. But part two pushed it to a solid 4/5 for me.
I generally listen to the album of the day during my morning commute. I am not a morning person. DO NOT listen to this album during a morning commute if you are not a morning person. That said, I appreciate the influence this album had on the use of synthesizers. It’s decent for ambient sound.
I like David Bowie, but never really know what to expect…which is part of what made him great. But sometimes it’s too far out there. This, however, is a solid work throughout.
The Kinks are possibly the most underrated band of the British Invasion. Too many times I have mentioned them to people who have never heard of them. While this album doesn’t have any of the songs that they are most known for, it’s still solid from beginning to end and well worth the listen.
One of the greatest debut albums. There are so many great songs, it’s almost a best of album on its own.
Marvin Gaye could sing an infectious disease textbook and still make women swoon. Even with the pin and, at some points, bitterness on this album, he’s still incredibly soulful. It was admittedly a little difficult to listen to sometimes having gone through a divorce myself, but that’s a testimony to how honest this album is.
Is this the worst album on this list? No. Is it at least mildly interesting or enjoyable? Also no. My drive to work would have been less boring had I listened to nothing at all. “This album has music on it” is about the best I can say.
Uh, no thanks.
An excellent album. Well written songs and she has a great sound. I’m glad that I finally actually listened to some of her music.
I’ll give it two stars since it’s closer to the old, real style of country and not today’s bro country, which gets negative 7 stars. Still, his voice is hard to get past.
This sort of jazz has its place. Unfortunately, that place is most often a dentist’s office. It’s technically well done, but definitely not the best example of jazz.
Great songs from beginning to end. Even the non-hits are incredible. This was a genre defining album.
It hurts to not give an album that has both Tennessee and Mr. Wendell, but then there were U and Natural, which aren’t bad, but definitely not great, either. The majority of the album is spectacular, though, and I would listen to it again any day. Also, I believe that with the energy and message that Arrested Development rings, the world would be a better place, if there were more hip-hop along their style.
If these guys weren’t such raging scumbags, I would’ve liked this album much more. Frankly, they had no right to make such a good album. Slash is disgustingly good. Mr. Brownstone is an astonishingly well constructed song. This album probably deserves five stars, but they’ve made my skin crawl for the last 35 years, so the best I can give is three.
Much of this album sounds like it was written to be the background music for a hospital or cop drama. Just about any song would fit perfectly as the detective who is obsessed with a case comes home to find his wife has left him. He has a flashback of them being happy when they were dating and having a picnic, then back to him sitting at the dining room table in the dark with a glass of whiskey… Or one of the emotional scenes in Scrubs after one of J.D.’s patients dies. Anyway, I was looking forward to this album because I never really got into Coldplay, but had always heard they were great. I figured I had been missing something. Nope. I haven’t missed anything. This album is just there. Technically, I suppose it’s well done, but there wasn’t any meat to bite into. There just isn’t anything driving it forward or drawing me in or giving me anything to care about. It’s just a group of Brits being whiny and sad. (I’ve noticed that this type of stuff sells really, really well in the UK. Are they doing ok over there?) Clocks is pretty good.
I can understand if you don’t like Bob Dylan and you can’t get past his voice. It’s not the most…traditional singing voice. Bob Dylan is not for everyone. But if you can’t I feel sorry for you; you’re missing out some of the best stuff ever created. This album is so iconic that even if you don’t like it, the artists you listen to do, and the artists they listen to do, etc. It changed the shape of songwriting. It deserves to be on this list for that alone. Plus, it’s just so very, very good.
It makes sense what many of these albums are on this list, even if they aren’t my personal taste. This, however, makes no sense. It is so bland it makes rice cakes interesting. It is at best background noise, but mostly it’s sleep inducing. Which I guess is good if you’re an insomniac.
This era of Metallica was crazy good. Even as a Megadeth guy, I cannot deny that this album is excellent and deserves its spot on this list.
I really tried to like this album, but could not. If this is one of the most influential rap albums, I can only imagine the genre would be much better if this album didn’t exist.
Incredibly repetitive. Not the worst, but not something I care to hear again. I was able to listen to the whole thing without being terribly annoyed though.
This is second Suede album I have gotten on this list. I questioned the thinking behind putting the first on. This makes me question the validity of all the choices on this list. I don’t think anyone should ever have to listen to one, let alone to suede albums. Or even songs. This album might be better than the first, but that’s kind of like saying, I’d rather be punched in the stomach than n in the face. There needs to be a setting on Spotify called “Just Exploring" so that you can listen to new stuff without Spotify thinking it’s something you want to hear again. I now have two Suede albums counted against me.
I was beginning to question this endeavor after getting the second Suede album in as many weeks. Then this showed up. It has always made me sad when I find out someone has never heard of Louis Prima, so anything that introduces him to people can’t be all bad. If you don’t at least find some enjoyment out of this album, I am sorry to say that you are the problem. I can only assume you don’t like fun and hate to be happy This music is pure entertainment, a little goofy, and man, that cat can swing. Not only that but Keely Smith (his wife, by the way) has a fantastic voice that complements the upbeat sound (and silliness) of Louis and the band.
It always blows my mind to go back and see how many great songs came off the first album of classic bands. The Cars is no exception. This album makes me love the Cars al over again. I can’t imagine anyone not liking it.
Not the worst thing I’ve ever heard. But I don’t ever want to hear it again. I guess I just really don’t click with UK pop.
She has a good voice and I suppose this is a pretty good album. Just doesn’t seem to hit with me.
I’ve never been a fan of ABBA (once considered breaking up with a girl after seeing ABBA’s greatest hits in her CD collection), but I also never listened to one of their albums, so I figured I’d give it a shot. I guess their big hits really are their best stuff.
I’m not really sure what I just listened to; that first track totally disoriented me. He is reminded me of Martin Short’s style when he does his Broadway schtick, with a little Shatner-esque delivery on Next. I didn’t hate it, but it has no business being on anyone’s “must listen” list.
Meh. I never could get into the Cure. Wait, are you telling me this isn’t the Cure, but a lesser sullen, goth-ish, British band of the 80s? Well then, I like it even less now. I’m increasingly concerned that the book this list was based on is some wank who believes Brit-pop and its ilk to be the pinnacle of recorded music and is trying to foist as much of it as he can on unsuspecting music lovers.
Why is this album on this list? At least it very clearly explains why they are a one-hit wonder. Dexys Midnight Runners don’t seem to know how to start a song, let alone finish one. After 12 minutes I still have no idea what she’s like. And what is with all the mumbling? Does Warren Zevon know they ripped off Werewolves of London? This album raises so many questions that I don’t even care enough to know the answers to. I fully expected them to pull off three stars, or at least a very solid two, but found I disliked it more with every unnecessary minute.
Interesting album. Since my Portuguese isn’t that great, I obviously can’t say much about the lyrics. I did enjoy it though, and could see listening to it again or possibly more of his stuff.
90s alternative is probably my comfort food as far as music goes, and this definitely has the feel of the early 90s. Unfortunately, that’s really about all it has going for it. I just didn’t find any of it very interesting. Mostly it’s just there. I wouldn’t jump over a couch to shut it off, but I’m not going to intentionally listen to any of this again. Knowing that Michael Stipe loves this album actually knocks it down about half a star for me, too.
My dad loved Sade, so this gets one star right off the bat just for him. Fortunately, it’s a good album, too. This isn’t the most exciting, upbeat music, it then it wasn’t intended to be. It’s relaxing soulful jazz, of sorts, and she has a voice that’s smoother than butter on a baby’s butt, too. Not my go to, but pleasant and well made.
Ahhh….acoustic Dylan. It’s a shame that he’s so divisive; folks seem to either idolize him or loathe him with very little in between. Admittedly, it’s not all the most complex musically and he definitely doesn’t have the best singing voice, but his songwriting is just so good. And this is folk, after all. The guitar isn’t really expected to be terribly intricate. Besides, this album has “Don’t Think Twice…” on it, so it’s a big win for me.
I believe anyone who is going through the process of listening to all these albums is open minded and curious enough about all types of music should at least have some exposure to progressive rock. King Crimson is a great choice to do that. I don’t know them well enough to know if this is their best album, but I still found it pretty interesting. I don’t listen to much prog anymore but when I did I always felt almost apologetic when playing it around others. It’s kind of an acquired taste, it’s easy to get lost in the technical instrumentation, and sometimes it’s just odd. Great music for geeks and music nerds alike. But some great bands have prog roots or leanings (Peter Gabriel era Genesis and Rush spring to mind). It’s cool to listen to a band that stayed firmly entrenched in their niche for decades.
This is one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time and a master class in sampling. Easily the best Beastie Boys album. The was they wove so many different songs and styles together that there are web sites dedicated to listing the little snippets and phrases; there are just too many to catch otherwise. It is also astounding how seamless some of the transitions in B Boy Bouillabaisse are. Just a great album from start to finish.
The Band are good musicians and they make good music. This is a very good album. It saddens me that, k knowing this, I’ve never been able to get into them. They just don’t seem to do it for me. But at least I can recognize their ability. I’m going with 4/5 because I feel that’s what they deserve, not because of my own level of enjoyment.
I admittedly haven’t listened to much Adele specifically because I always viewed her as a pop artist, and so have written her off as such. However, forcing myself to actually listen to one of her albums, I cannot deny that she has a fantastic voice, very soulful. But I just don’t like pop, and that what too much of this is. The first couple songs, which I was familiar with, did a good job of showcasing her voice. One and only deserves to be bigger than it is as well. However, the rest of the album had far too many played out pop tropes for my liking. All in all, I have a better appreciation for Adele than I did before giving this album a proper listen, but I still don’t see why it would be one of the biggest selling albums of all time.
This sounds oddly familiar, kind of like the Turtles, but Brazilian. It was interesting, not bad, but psychedelic rock just isn’t my bag, man. Can you dig it?
The impact this album has had is hard to fathom. I can’t even count how many times I’ve heard an artist refer to it when talking about influences; probably more than any other work. That alone earns it a spot on this list. And understandably so. Their harmonies are unparalleled, the songwriting is amazing, and the music is great. The fact that I never listened to this entire album before is probably criminal. From a personal standpoint, The Beach Boys was the first concert I went to when I was twelve (opened up for by THE Katrina and the Waves), so they will always have a place in my heart.
Steely Dan is an undeniably great band. But for some reason, they always feel like the music is hear through the door when I was stuck in my bedroom all night while my parents had dinner parties back in the seventies. Which is weird, because my parents never had any dinner parties. While I appreciate all of the songs on this album, I wish that I could get into them more. It just isn’t my style. But that doesn’t change the fact that every song is excellent.
Of all the albums I’ve heard here so far, this is the first that I was unfamiliar with that I actually liked. I had heard of XTC way back in the day, but never heard anything by them. I once almost bought one of their albums just to fill the missing “X” entry in my alphabetically organized CD collection. If their other stuff is similar I may have actually liked it and listened to it more than once. I found it hard to put my finger on what made this music familiar…at one point i thought I heard Who influences, and another sounded like it almost belonged on Genesis’ Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. That’s actually unexpectedly high praise. It mostly kept me engaged, but at some points I lost interest. All in all, I could see listening to this album again. I think that’s still the only spot that didn’t get filled. Bummer.
I listened to this album so many times when I was in my late teens/ early twenties. I am curious how my old guy self would to react to hearing it for the first time now. I don’t blame all those who are just now introduced to Ministry being repulsed or confused by what they’re hearing. Industrial metal is not for the faint of heart. This album is a sonic assault. So heavy, so aggressive, yet at the same time not just a wall of noise hitting you in the face. Not only that, but within that push of sound they built in fantastic pauses to really drive it home. Ministry was one of my favorites back in the day, but I am torn on what rating to give it. On one hand, I want to give it a 5, but at the same time I stopped listening to this years ago when I became a Christian. (Don’t worry, not getting preachy, this is just for background.) I still enjoy it from a musical standpoint, but sometimes it’s hard to separate musicality from message, and it can be difficult to listen to it with a clear conscience. But man, Just One Fix is so well done.
This and Cowboys From Hell we’re on heavy rotation (on cassette!) when I was 18. Nothing better than Pantera for a foul mood; it’s incredibly cathartic. I don’t know how many times I went hoarse trying to sing along with Anselmo. I haven’t listened to them much in the last several years, but it still holds up. Its a toss up which is the better of the two albums, but this has walk, so it probably has the edge. I never could get too into anything after this one though. It would get 5 stars from me if it weren’t for By Demons Be Driven. Never cared for anything along those lines. It’s a shame about Darrell.
Eminem definitely has talent - Stan is pure brilliance - but none of that is on this album. This is some of the worst garbage I’ve ever heard. Just a bunch of violent, “I’m so mean and tough” posturing. The fact that this is so highly regarded makes me sad for society as a whole. And if the argument is that it’s a character called Slim Shady, well it’s an awful character and not one that I would want to listen to. Even that is faulty, though, because as “Slim Shady” he repeatedly refers to himself by his actual name. So if it’s a concept, it’s poorly executed. A bunch of hateful, unnecessarily vulgar, obnoxious garbage. Yes, i understand you don’t care what I think, Marshall, you’ve said it plenty. So much that I think you doth protest too much.
I didn’t get to finish this whole album yet, which is unfortunate because so far it’s the first artist on this list that I was entirely unfamiliar with that I actually really enjoyed. Great songwriting, some really good guitar work, just all around good music. I will definitely be returning to this and listening to him more.
I can’t believe that I never listened to a whole Motörhead album before. I think I would have listened to them a foot bit back when I was younger. This is just good old school heavy rock. And I will most likely listen to them again, but only a song or two. A whole album is just too much of the same for me now.
The Black Keys make some good music. It’s not the best, but definitely not the worst. There’s a good mix of soul and blues and some old classic rock that makes it hard to pinpoint what era this belongs to at some points. There are a couple solid tracks that help to keep the rest afloat. I’ll definitely listen to them again, but their not going to be my go-to group.
Dusty has one of the greatest voices ever. Unfortunately, I have to be in the mood for this style…it’s just a little too slow for me some days. However, there’s never a bad time to hear Son of a Preacher Man. That song alone gets an album four stars.
Most of the time I listened to this I felt like I should be hacking into the server of a bank or following an enemy spy or some other action/adventure montage. The rest of the time I was bored. I literally fell asleep sitting at a red light listening to this. Twice. I see no reason for this album to be required listening for anyone outside people making spy movies. It wasn’t entirely bad, just unnecessary.
I expected a lot more from this. The highlights were Flava Flav and Yo Yo, who actually had a flow and rhythm to their voices. Most of the rest was just Ice Cube yelling while rhyming and swearing. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anything this misogynistic, either. This type of stuff makes me appreciate just how talented guys like Chuck D really are. Oh, and the other highlight was the last track where he shouted out to a bunch of rappers who were significantly better then him.
Amazing musician, awful person.
This is what I came here for. This stuff is awesome, and I probably would not have come across it otherwise.
Good stuff.
I can’t stand REM. especially Michael Stipe and his voice. The rest of the band might be good, but I can’t get past that whiny voice. On closer listen, no, the band isn’t any good either.
I might have dug this when I was 17, but not so much as an adult. Although I never really cared for the whole demon aesthetic. I can see how this could have been pretty influential though.