Mar 05 2024
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Ten
Pearl Jam
Like 5/10? Front half is radio hits. Some of these are long dong songs. Would probably drink coffee to again. I suspect this will be among my higher-ranked on this list, sad to say.
2
Mar 06 2024
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Stardust
Willie Nelson
Solid fit being covers. Neat arrangements.
3
Mar 07 2024
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Revolver
Beatles
Best Beatles album
5
Mar 08 2024
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Hounds Of Love
Kate Bush
I feel like I don't like fairies enough to appreciate this album
2
Mar 11 2024
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Grace
Jeff Buckley
I forgot what I was going to write. Didn't get interesting for me until Eternal Life.
2
Mar 12 2024
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Blur
Blur
Song 2 is an essential Jock Jam™. The songs are all over the place here but that keeps an hour of material fresh.
3
Mar 13 2024
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Southern Rock Opera
Drive-By Truckers
When I typed in "Drive" and YT suggested "Like Jehu" I very much almost just went with that. I'm sure there's people that appreciate this album, but I'm not sure I want to meet them. I do not need a country rock opera concept album in my life.
1
Mar 14 2024
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Hearts And Bones
Paul Simon
This is Sunday morning listening. Not controversial in the slightest. Not bad, not moving.
Lemmy: do you want to rock?!
Crowd: ehh
Paul Simon: I got this
2
Mar 15 2024
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Bossanova
Pixies
Solid mix of songwriting, all gas no brakes
3
Mar 18 2024
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The Bends
Radiohead
Not as bad as I was bracing for, but not something I'm going back to anytime soon.
2
Mar 19 2024
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C'est Chic
CHIC
Hell yes
5
Mar 20 2024
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Pacific Ocean Blue
Dennis Wilson
Is this Kurt Russell. It runs either good or background.
2
Mar 21 2024
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Songs In The Key Of Life
Stevie Wonder
Classic without thought. It's always there with all the samples and swipes.
5
Mar 22 2024
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From Elvis In Memphis
Elvis Presley
ELVIS WAS A HERO TO MOST BUT HE NEVER MEANT SHIT TO ME
... with Memphis in the title, my first thought was that it was a live album. It's not! He's talented for sure but I think he knew he was milking it with the voice. Like going all Cher on it before Cher. Good songwriting, though.
3
Mar 25 2024
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Red Headed Stranger
Willie Nelson
Pretty chill. Apparently I didn't keep notes on this, so, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty chill.
4
Mar 26 2024
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Here's Little Richard
Little Richard
THIS ALBUM IS STILL HOT FIRE AND IT HASN'T FLICKERED OUT ONCE SINCE 1957.
5
Mar 27 2024
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I'm Your Man
Leonard Cohen
It's... like some dude started songwriting when he was HORNY then by the time came to record he was hopped up on barbiturates
1
Mar 28 2024
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Chelsea Girl
Nico
Not a fan of the vocals. Love the instrumentation.
2
Mar 29 2024
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Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Elton John
Classic. I remember playing this working at a hole in the wall comic shop. Starting a pop album with an 11 minute song is baller. Then Candle in the Wind! Benny and the Jets! The title track! Not an instrument out of place nor wasted.
5
Apr 01 2024
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The Velvet Underground & Nico
The Velvet Underground
Better than Nico solo, but just not for me.
2
Apr 02 2024
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Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Didn't like this one as much as Live from Memphis. He's not at full strength yet, as you should expect from a debut album. Wonder what happened to him.
2
Apr 03 2024
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Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
A good album, but I feel like I never have to hear Led Zeppelin again. Forgot how influenced by the blues they were and it's all over here.
3
Apr 04 2024
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Histoire De Melody Nelson
Serge Gainsbourg
Hmm this is a provocative co--looking at what this album is about--OH NO
Didn't know I'd need to bust out Muzzy to interpret this. "Je suis la jeune fille" YEAH APPARENTLY
I took French in school because I thought Gambit was cool at the time. He's not. I took a 200-level course in college for a gen ed. Went to class one day after a GWAR show and I still had some of their fluids in my ear. Classmate thought my ear was bleeding until I said I saw GWAR. He understood then.
Interesting instrumentations. I can see where it's influenced so many. Horrible subject matter. Wish this was GWAR.
1
Apr 05 2024
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Pearl
Janis Joplin
I got excited as soon as I saw this pop up.
"Buried Alive in the Blues" is a great instrumental - upbeat and energetic. How has this not been used in a movie or show?
The instruments are balanced well, production crisp. Her voice is something authentic and not forced IMO.
4
Apr 08 2024
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Moving Pictures
Rush
Yeah, I'm a nerd that likes Rush. Gimme math equations to listen to.
5
Apr 09 2024
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This Year's Model
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
I don't have a lot to comment on this. Mostly I listen to these while working so a rating and elaboration is secondary. This is a bopper, okay?
5
Apr 10 2024
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Miriam Makeba
Miriam Makeba
Well, this is nice. Soothing. Peaceful. I don't know the language in some of the songs, but I'd hope Miriam wouldn't pull one over on me and sing about kicking rabbits or anything nefarious like that. Rabbits are cute, they don't deserve that. I'm not saying something's intrinsic cuteness is tied to whether it's kickable or not, because snakes freak me out, I wouldn't call them cute by and large, but I wouldn't want one to be kicked, either. This has some good beats, but, again, don't beat up animals. Unless it's a life or death thing. But even then, a bear wants to kill me, who am I to stop a bear? If I don't have my bear repellent on me, that's my fault and I'm just not fit to survive.
5
Apr 11 2024
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Licensed To Ill
Beastie Boys
Only the debut album by one of my all time favorite groups, no big deal. Everything instantly hits, but then peeling it back and breaking it down, they did their homework.
5
Apr 12 2024
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Electric Warrior
T. Rex
This didn't do much for me. Not bad, but not compelling.
2
Apr 15 2024
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The Low End Theory
A Tribe Called Quest
All-time favorite. Great beats and verses.
5
Apr 16 2024
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Tapestry
Carole King
KITTY
Classic parent jams
4
Apr 17 2024
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If You're Feeling Sinister
Belle & Sebastian
Not bad. Better than expected for college indie?
3
Apr 18 2024
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The Colour Of Spring
Talk Talk
Well, the art is really cool.
Not quite a Cure or Depeche Mode kinda thing but I think it could be in the same neighborhood.
3
Apr 19 2024
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Truth And Soul
Fishbone
Upbeat!
3
Apr 22 2024
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I Should Coco
Supergrass
First guess: I'm not familiar but will recognize something from this.
Sure enough, I was right. Some of it is cool, but it's SO upbeat, it feels sugary. I'm diabetic and I need insulin listening to this.
2
Apr 23 2024
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Nilsson Schmilsson
Harry Nilsson
I know nothing about this.
Ah, another time I was wrong and recognized stuff without knowing it. HITS. Those aside, there's a good variety of bass-thumping rock and ethereal. Big surprise here. Plus doing the "schm-" prefix has to be a first for major American rock. Hell yeah.
4
Apr 24 2024
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Faith
George Michael
Again, I'm not sexy enough for this.
2
Apr 25 2024
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Trio
Dolly Parton
I liked it. Not the strongest effort of anyone, but good on its own.
3
Apr 26 2024
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The Specials
The Specials
Although I love the Bosstones, I've never listened to the Specials. Anticipating an enjoyable listen to me.
"A Message to Rudy" is very notable but I was dreading if that set the tone as far as energy for the whole album. Thankfully, "Do the Dog" picks right up (pun intended).
Yeah, I'm really liking it. "Concrete Jungle" is a bopper. But "Too Much Too Young" is a drag.
4
Apr 29 2024
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Reggatta De Blanc
The Police
This was a bopper.
4
Apr 30 2024
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The Wall
Pink Floyd
I don't think I need double-album rock operas in my life.
2
May 01 2024
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Purple Rain
Prince
THIS is how you do a concept album! Suck it, Pink Floyd!
I defy anyone to find a single note out of place or played where it's not needed on this. It's the 80's encapsulated. It's perfection. It's also the best $5 I ever spent for a perfectly playable LP with the poster!
5
May 02 2024
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The Yes Album
Yes
I'm not as familiar on this one as The Fragile, but it's tight.
4
May 03 2024
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Station To Station
David Bowie
I tried listening twice and it didn't stick with me.
2
May 06 2024
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Birth Of The Cool
Miles Davis
HE DEFINED COOL.
5
May 07 2024
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1999
Prince
I need a 6 Star option for this. Non-stop party. I don't care that I'm partying like 35 years ago, I don't party but this is the one exception.
5
May 08 2024
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Midnight Ride
Paul Revere & The Raiders
This is a metal album cover. They're gonna play some doom. Whatever this sounds like, I'm listening to Candlemass afterwards.
Sure enough, this is rock. Probably as hard as it went in the 60's.
5
May 09 2024
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Pet Sounds
The Beach Boys
Yeah. Classic.
5
May 10 2024
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Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
3
May 13 2024
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We Are Family
Sister Sledge
4
May 14 2024
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Tea for the Tillerman
Cat Stevens
"Sad Lisa?" Because Lisa needs braces?
3
May 15 2024
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At San Quentin
Johnny Cash
Sorry, Johnny. You weren't around to see it knocked down.
5
May 16 2024
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Songs Of Love And Hate
Leonard Cohen
Whenever you see a photo of Leonard Cohen smoking a cigarette? He's not huffing tobacco; he's huffing his own farts.
1
May 17 2024
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American Beauty
Grateful Dead
"You're my woman now
Make yourself easy"
What the FUCK
I've never been so happy to hear "Truckin" start as this listen-through because I knew it meant the album was almost over.
1
May 20 2024
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Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots
The Flaming Lips
2
May 21 2024
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The Queen Is Dead
The Smiths
So, I'm almost 40, grew up in hardcore, and this is the first time ever listening to The Smiths on my own.
It's fine. The instrumentation is good.
What the fuck is with some of these lyrics? I don't know if it's bias or not, but it feels to me like Morrissey is inauthentic with his vocal delivery. Like, he actually thinks he has a bighead, because he does, but then he plays it down, because he thinks he's just that smart? Fuck Morrissey.
2
May 22 2024
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Music From The Penguin Cafe
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
I'm giving this minimum 4 stars no matter what based on the art alone.
But, really, for being a more calm album, it still goes through different and ambitious ideas. I'm able to clearly picture in my head activities and interpretations as done by penguins, fulfilling the mission. Wait, that's not the mission? Shouldn't have been so penguin forward. This is an album by penguins, for penguins.
4
May 23 2024
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Brothers
The Black Keys
2
May 24 2024
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21
Adele
I was familiar with the hits before and didn't mind them, but didn't pay them much attention. The songwriting and emotion here is genuine, playing up strong influences in R&B, without being inauthentic.
If I knew there was a Cure cover, I would've checked it out a lot sooner. Well-done on that.
4
May 27 2024
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The ArchAndroid
Janelle Monáe
This is out there. Ambitious. Not totally disconnected to itself but a span of things, like a soundtrack for a movie at times. Grand. Vibrant. I'm not smart enough to provide a sufficient review, but I like it.
4
May 28 2024
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Kind Of Blue
Miles Davis
An anytime kind of album. Cleaning, cooking, great for being alone with your thoughts. It'll take you on a jazzy journey.
4
May 29 2024
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Bad
Michael Jackson
Honestly not that great. The non-single tracks reek of filler. Not the Minor Threat 7", either.
2
May 30 2024
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Vespertine
Björk
Never listened to Björk before. Soothing, ethereal. Reminds me of Zola Jesus. Not that they're necessarily that close, but if you r enjoy one, it's worth checking the other to change things up.
4
May 31 2024
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3 + 3
The Isley Brothers
At first this just seemed like sex jams, albeit really good ones like opening with Who's That Lady. You Walk Your Way really opened up to its true cadence, in my mind. Great versions of Listen to the Music, Sunshine (Go Away Today) and an actually bearable version of Summer Breeze with that little bit of guitar having me do the metal claw.
4
Jun 03 2024
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Slippery When Wet
Bon Jovi
Milquetoast. Putting any more effort into describing it would do a disservice to my brain.
1
Jun 04 2024
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The Man Machine
Kraftwerk
This was one of those where I can recognize all the craft (heh) going into it, but it's just not for me.
2
Jun 05 2024
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Repeater
Fugazi
This is my second-favorite Fugazi album after In on the Kill Taker so I'll gladly listen to this any day. And yes I will listen to the version on streaming with 3 Songs because you can't stop me.
Turnover starts the album off unsuspecting but by the time Guy starts yelling, you're locked in. Then Ian gets groovy with the title track.
Merchandise is upbeat and always gets stuck in my head as a materialistic guy, then Blueprint brings the tone right down.
Quit reading this shoddy review and listen to the album!
5
Jun 06 2024
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A Grand Don't Come For Free
The Streets
Yeah, this ain't it.
1
Jun 07 2024
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Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea
PJ Harvey
Pretty good. Pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty good.
3
Jun 10 2024
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Endtroducing.....
DJ Shadow
Solid beats. That's all I've got, I'm on 4 hours of sleep right now.
3
Jun 11 2024
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Blood Sugar Sex Magik
Red Hot Chili Peppers
The instruments are good enough. But then you put on Anthony Keidis and it's like putting diarrhea on a cake.
2
Jun 12 2024
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Peter Gabriel 3
Peter Gabriel
I'm not sure the measured influence of this album, as far as I can't recall it mentioned in conversation, but given the timing of it, elicits a lot of what came in pop music afterwards. I Don't Remember and Family Snapshot really call this out, whereas the earlier tracks kind of go the more industrial route, almost like Killing Joke at the time.
Never thought I'd compare Killing Joke to Peter Gabriel, but I'm not upset.
The whole album flows well and doesn't take too much off the gas unless it needs to. Not One of Us is a great standout track towards the end.
I'll be damned if Phil Collins didn't take a bit of Biko into making In the Air Tonight. Also a great subject to write about. Closing an album in 1980 with an anti-apartheid song is what's up.
4
Jun 13 2024
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Deloused in the Comatorium
The Mars Volta
One of those "I know there's a lot of talent that went into this, but it's not for me" albums.
2
Jun 14 2024
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The Village Green Preservation Society
The Kinks
Hell yeah, this is some rock and roll music.
4
Jun 17 2024
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Pretzel Logic
Steely Dan
So I was dreading this. I always proclaimed to hate SD based on the hits and knowing a friend is a HUGE fan I wanted to avoid eating my words. So, how did this end up? Well, big fan of hot pretzels for 15 cents so the cover is a promising start. As for the music:
Rikki Don't Lose That Number - Not going to judge this too much as it's a hit, heard it a thousand times.
Night by Night - ... Not bad
Any Major Dude Will Tell You - Not feeling this one
Barrytown - Promising start. Didn't like the wavering voice, though.
East St. Louis Toodle-Oo - Not bad? If it were set to like a Tom and Jerry cartoon? No, could see it more for an Itchy and Scratchy one. I think it's the talkbox.
Parker's Band - Ok, this was probably the best one since Night by Night.
Through With Buzz - Me too! Fuck you, Buzz!
Pretzel Logic - This is funky but seems melodramatic.
With a Gun - Western kinda start. Probably one of the best tracks on the album.
Charlie Freak - Honestly, this album has a back half.
Monkey in Your Soul - I just like the track title.
Overall? It's okay.
2
Jun 18 2024
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Joan Armatrading
Joan Armatrading
This is some cool stuff. Not wildly bombastic, but there's range.
3
Jun 19 2024
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Beauty And The Beat
The Go-Go's
Pleasantly surprised to see this one pop up. Don't know them outside of the hits but glad to have this as an introduction. Belinda's vocals remind me of Delores from the Cranberries (Rippity pippity).
The songs of heartbreak from the female perspective in pop music, very often, are from a position of submission or capitulation to a masculine, but "How Much More" is level-headed and feels realistic in its lyrics.
Love the instrumentation throughout. "Lust to Love" is just a solid songwriting example.
Great album beginning to end, unlike this review.
4
Jun 20 2024
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The Marshall Mathers LP
Eminem
TLDR: This album could've been called "I Should Go to Therapy."
I'll get the one good thing to say out of the way: The music to Kim sounds like the Corporate Ministry theme from the WWF and that goes.
I wish this album went past the submission process for this list and I didn't listen to it. Some of the albums I've listened to for this I'd consider BAD but this was maybe the worst to get through so far. Why?
Beats - solid 3/5, would be 3.5 if I could rate it as such
Flow - 3/5, not my bag but not bad
Delivery - 4/5, it's powerful and committed
Lyrics - instant, irredeemable 1/5. So much so that it weighs everything else down.
I grew up in the 90s and graduated high school in 2003. Eminem was inescapable. I never got into him, at the time not being into rap but since opening my mind. I've added "Without Me" to my running playlist. But, damn, dude, these lyrics are SO misogynistic and homophobic, what the fuck am I supposed to do with this? Forget the murder fantasy schtick, I love death metal and Gravediggaz did it great, but, oh yeah, the rape fetishizing too. Fuck off with this.
1
Jun 21 2024
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Aftermath
The Rolling Stones
Hot damn there's some good shit on this!
4
Jun 24 2024
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I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You
Aretha Franklin
It's Aretha. C'mon.
4
Jun 25 2024
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Darkness on the Edge of Town
Bruce Springsteen
Not my favorite Bruce album, but that's like saying Rocky Road isn't my favorite ice cream. There's still all the elements that make it great, plenty to appreciate on its own, and it hits me good enough on such a certain day.
4
Jun 26 2024
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The Wildest!
Louis Prima
This is a bopper!
4
Jun 27 2024
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Aja
Steely Dan
Didn't Guantanamo Bay prisoners get tortured to this album?
1
Jun 28 2024
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The Downward Spiral
Nine Inch Nails
So, two women that broke my heart in seemingly irreparable ways were both big NIN fans. Tried approaching this without that bias, as I do like some industrial, mainly Ministry and Killing Joke.
This is fine. For as batshit as the opener goes, the second track hits the E-brake and just changes the mood entirely. Then stretch that out a bit.
Really, remove the bias, I'd probably skip this anyhow.
Love the Johnny Cash cover at the end though.
2
Jul 01 2024
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British Steel
Judas Priest
I have the 1980 US release with Breaking the Law as the first track, but honestly prefer the wider release with Rapid Fire starting things off. This is a top 3 album by a top 2 artist for me personally, so yeah, I was a little excited.
There's so much power and commitment in the songs and no slacking. Rapid Fire is the metal song, and Metal Gods and United are the metal anthems. Living After Midnight has gotten stale from me just in seeing them live but I can still recognize that it's a party song.
You Don't Have to be Old to be Wise? Heck, that's just something to keep in mind. Also to keep in mind, JUDAS PRIEST FUCKING RULES.
5
Jul 02 2024
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Heroes
David Bowie
I like Neuköln and that's about it.
This didn't do anything to sway me on my indifference of Bowie.
2
Jul 03 2024
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Cloud Nine
The Temptations
It's the Temptations. Shut up and listen.
5
Jul 04 2024
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Power In Numbers
Jurassic 5
This fits right in with ATCQ, Digable Planets, etc. Powerful MCs.
4
Jul 05 2024
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Live At The Harlem Square Club
Sam Cooke
Sam Cooke LOVES his woman.
This album is less of a live set, more of a party and a proclamation. His energy is bombastic, the audience part of the band. It's electric.
The backing band is great, but they are a bit behind because this is Sam's show, and he shines. Incredible capture of a night from 60 years ago.
5
Jul 08 2024
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It's Blitz!
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
How the hell is Yeah Yeah Yeahs one of 1001 albums that's essential to listen to before death? This is not revelatory at all. It's just power pop. And I hate the vocals. And the name.
2
Jul 09 2024
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Led Zeppelin III
Led Zeppelin
So, II is my "favorite" Led Zeppelin album, but this is also a band as a whole that I'm quite content never hearing again. I don't mind blue-influenced rock, and they were definitely wearing it on their sleeve, but they're like the Deftones in that any intricacies in the songwriting that could be appreciated by my dumb brain are blown away by some fan, unprompted, going "OH THEY'RE HTE FUCKING BEST DOOD" (no I'm not fixing that typo). Should I let someone else's opinion dwindle mine? No. Except when it goes beyond playing something ad nauseum. Much like tube TVs had a percentage of static coming directly from the background radiation of the universe, Americans have a not-insignificant play of Led Zeppelin in their collective conscience.
... Right. This was about a single album. It's fine.
2
Jul 10 2024
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Triangle
The Beau Brummels
Funky lil folk album. Thought at first I was going to dread it, but not that bad.
2
Jul 11 2024
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Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
OutKast
Okay. I love some Outkast. I usually go for Stankonia because it's tight and ALIVE.
This is, to be sure, two albums. 2 hours 15 minutes. A lot to listen to at once as a package. I preder Speakerboxxx, but The Love Below has some highs, and the better singles. The whole package of Speakerboxxx just works better for my tastes. Love the ambition, though. No one as big as Outkast can I think of has done something comparable, and they were always pushing the boundaries like that. Who's even close? Boris?
4
Jul 12 2024
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m b v
My Bloody Valentine
So. My Bloody Valentine. M B V. m b v. Ah yes here we go. There it is.
Droney, spacey, ambient, shoegazey -- hey, spell check, quit yelling at me, because I ain't listening. I can spell tociluzimab and Bill Sienkiewicz without questioning myself.
If you know what it is from their older releases, don't be too shocked here. I'm at a bit of a loss as why this one in particular is on here instead of, say, Loveless, but I'm not the nerd that came up with this. I'm a nerd following along.
The instrumentations flow like they were an extension of nature. The vocals, too. I honestly don't know what they're saying without looking at the lyrics, so it could be about the Armenian genocide or a recipe for Beef Wellington (do NOT let that shit go out raw!) but the presentation is less dependent on the words here.
Since it is a bit spacey, I tried a little bit of playback at double speed. Not as amusing as playing something like Cursed - I or Ride the Lightning at 33 instead of 45. That, you ride out.
3
Jul 15 2024
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A Girl Called Dusty
Dusty Springfield
First of all, this is damn near impossible to find on streaming.
Secondly, great voice. I'd think Adele picked up on it here and there
The songs range from okay to sappy... Like super. Ok album that goes way too long.
2
Jul 16 2024
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The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill
Solid
3
Jul 17 2024
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Definitely Maybe
Oasis
Bro, I'm listening for the first time because I always thought the Gallaghers were insufferable.
The instrumentation is fine, bro. The vocals lose me. Seems like the tracklisting could flow better.
The lyrics in Supersonic especially... not for me.
Cigarettes and Alcohol is just Bang the Gong.
Married with Children feels totally unnecessary.
"SAID MAYBEEEE" maybe 125 times, bro. Get a little less indecisive before finishing a song.
2
Jul 18 2024
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Traffic
Traffic
A notably long album for the time.
And you feel it. SHEESH.
Boring and then when it's not boring, like Vagabond Virgin... yeeeewwwww
1
Jul 19 2024
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In Our Heads
Hot Chip
One of those ones where I can't criticize, but is 100% not for me.
2
Jul 22 2024
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American IV: The Man Comes Around
Johnny Cash
Not my favorite of the American releases, but you can't go wrong either.
5
Jul 23 2024
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Raising Hell
Run-D.M.C.
If this was the 101 albums to listen to before you die, this would be a first-round pick for me. Ok, maybe it would've been KING OF ROCK. Can't lose either way.
"It's Tricky" is a hell of a jam. It shows how much power both Rev and Darryl have in their deliveries.
"My Adidas" - of the time, for sure. Classic. Wouldn't cheer Adidas these days, though, dropping Bella Hadid for supporting a free Palestine. Shame.
"Walk This Way" is why this was included, undoubtedly. Run-DMC brought Aerosmith back to the front... for better or worse. But the overall rock sampling by Jay was also something huge for rap.
These three were a well-oiled machine. There's no denying what they did for music.
5
Jul 24 2024
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Hunky Dory
David Bowie
2
Jul 25 2024
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Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel
Not feeling this as much as IV. Definitely don't need Slowburn. If I wanted that I'd just put on Stevie Ray Vaughn. Down the Dolce Vita makes up for it, though.
2
Jul 26 2024
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Bridge Over Troubled Water
Simon & Garfunkel
3
Jul 29 2024
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A Hard Day's Night
Beatles
The third album from one of the biggest bands ever ain't their best, but so early on, that's to be expected. The elements are there. I don't care for some of the stuff like "Any Time at All," but I also like a lot of the songs, like... "Any Time at All." What? Do I like this song or not? I really can't tell. What is going on? Why is everything getting hazy? Paul died in 196------------------------------sdddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd..................................................
3
Jul 30 2024
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Sea Change
Beck
As someone who does not shop at Abercrombie and Fitch, or take downers, I'm not into this.
1
Jul 31 2024
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Snivilisation
Orbital
I think I like this album? I really wasn't expecting that given 1. it's electronic, and 2. over an hour. But the more time that passes with this, the more it branches out in different directions. Plus I like the lil character on the cover.
3
Aug 01 2024
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Henry's Dream
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
I dig it. I listened to the remaster and the production was a little slick, but I think it can still ring true that there's powerful delivery on here.
3
Aug 02 2024
View Album
Paranoid
Black Sabbath
Finally, we're back on the winning track with these! You're locked in right away with War Pigs. Lots of bands try to capture it but Faith No More is the only one that got close.
I always loved Paranoid as a faster Sabbath song. My friends' band played it some years back at a show and I was going off.
Planet Caravan: If you start talking about the Pantera version, I'm going to call you a baby.
Iron Man: Overrated? Probably. Hard as hell? YES.
Electric Funeral: Frenetic.
Hand of Doom: I'm pretty sure this is about Black Sabbath's mission statement.
Recently, I've been listening to a lot more Dio Sabbath, and I really don't get how this list didn't include ANY Dio, but that's an aside to this - It's fucking Sabbath. It's not Technical Ecstasy, Born Again, or 13 - THIS is textbook Sabbath.
5
Aug 05 2024
View Album
Appetite For Destruction
Guns N' Roses
This is a bit of a blind spot as far as never checked out, can't say I've had strong feelings against it, but never got around to it. I got two songs in before I had to pause for work and "It's So Easy" was already in my head.
Fuck it, I'm at "Paradise City" and I'm gonna re-start the whole thing.
I'm already losing count of how many times I do that Axl Rose slither move.
Obviously, a lot of hits came from this. Even the ones that didn't, like "You're Crazy," are pretty good. Definitely catchy.
I think "Anything Goes" is the best example of what crappy bar rock bands have been trying in vain to capture since 1987. She's not gonna fuck you, bro. That and "My Michelle" are probably the low points of the album for me.
It's no 9 Shocks Terror, either the Lip Cream release or the Clevo band, but it'll do.
4
Aug 06 2024
View Album
Hot Buttered Soul
Isaac Hayes
I like the layers of the music that are going on here.
3
Aug 07 2024
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Third/Sister Lovers
Big Star
I don't know... I wasn't feeling this. It felt like an overcooked noodle of rock.
2
Aug 08 2024
View Album
Nowhere
Ride
Yeah, this is solid. Drug Beatles bass with contemporary Britrock.
3
Aug 09 2024
View Album
Dust
Screaming Trees
A little over 10% through this, and this is one of my favorite album covers that I hadn't seen prior, so far.
Another case where I'm familiar with the name but not the music. Not in the same cul-de-sac as The Cure, but in the same town enough that it's that powerful rock delivery.
I don't know what Gospel Plow is about, but it kinda diverts the flow of the album. Makes sense since it's the last track. Nevermind.
3
Aug 12 2024
View Album
Live!
Fela Kuti
This is POWERFUL right out of the gate.
It doesn't stop, either.
5
Aug 13 2024
View Album
Elephant
The White Stripes
This one was not for me. I'm definitely not a fan of Jack's vocals. The lyrics, I don't care for.
1
Aug 14 2024
View Album
Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge
Mudhoney
I think this may be my first time listening to Mudhoney on my own? To skip the inevitability of talking Nirvana, I like a whole lot of Sub Pop stuff past and present. And probably future.
Some of this fits on the chill, almost Dino Jr side of the scale, then some of it is energetic and right at home on a cool skate video, like Foundation's The Good Times are Killing Me, which also has... Modest Mouse. Okay.
4
Aug 15 2024
View Album
Arrival
ABBA
Why did ABBA kiss the teacher
Kinda easy to see why Dancing Queen became an anthem. It hits everything.
Why Did It Have to be Me? More like Why Did You Have to Go Away from Disco? This is so out of place.
Tiger seems a little goofy on the surface but honestly it's a bopper.
2
Aug 16 2024
View Album
Kings Of The Wild Frontier
Adam & The Ants
I knew right away that I was going to dig this. Like the music overall, LOVE the drums.
4
Aug 19 2024
View Album
There's No Place Like America Today
Curtis Mayfield
I'm immediately interested in this. I only know Curtis Mayfield from Superfly, plus the first track is called BILLY JACK. Great movie hero.
More chill than that, musically.
"Depression ain't quite just what you promised." - I don't fully understand it, but I think I feel it.
I put this album on immediate replay after a first listen. No ragrets.
4
Aug 20 2024
View Album
The Gershwin Songbook
Ella Fitzgerald
Three hours.
I know this is from a time where attention spans aren't what they are now, but three hours. Was this intended for a single listen?
I made it three songs. When I saw the fourth was "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off," I did that with this album and put on Mobb Deep.
* ok, I'm trying again. But I'm not enjoying it. This is just not something I can find something to admire - plenty of talent, but nothing I'm enjoying.
If this was 1001 macaroni and cheeses to try before you die, we've had Stouffer's, we've had the solid box vegan one, we've had the shitty box ones that don't even reconstitute. We've even had a couple of real delicacies. This is the Costco 30 pound bucket and you're told to eat it all at once.
At least it's not a concept album.
2
Aug 21 2024
View Album
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Beatles
It's drug Beatles.
4
Aug 22 2024
View Album
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
So there's 3 good songs on here but fuck Paul Dianno. This is like like telling everyone to check out the Chicago Bulls before Michael Jordan... okay.
3
Aug 23 2024
View Album
1977
Ash
I'm digging this and surprised I'm not already familiar. 90's TV show / movie background music but with a bit of substance to it as well. Perfectly serviceable alt rock.
3
Aug 26 2024
View Album
The Score
Fugees
4
Aug 27 2024
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Feast of Wire
Calexico
This sounds like the soundtrack to someone struggling to pick which color Patagonia puffy vest to buy
1
Aug 28 2024
View Album
Hard Again
Muddy Waters
I really don't know blues well, but Muddy Waters is definitely one of the main names I'd associate with the genre. This album is a good exposure to blues - classic off the bat and engaging throughout.
3
Aug 29 2024
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Tellin’ Stories
The Charlatans
I don't think I need this! Not bad but not for my ears!
2
Aug 30 2024
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Queen II
Queen
3
Sep 02 2024
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War
U2
This is some solid stuff. Good before the band became a parody of themselves.
3
Sep 03 2024
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Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul
Otis Redding
Smooth like butter. Some different takes on big songs than you're used to.
4
Sep 04 2024
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Bright Flight
Silver Jews
As soon as I started this album, I blurted out: "oh god."
This album is an exercise in survival.
1
Sep 05 2024
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Strangeways, Here We Come
The Smiths
Another exercise in suffering.
1
Sep 06 2024
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Tubular Bells
Mike Oldfield
2
Sep 09 2024
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Chirping Crickets
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
3
Sep 10 2024
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Getz/Gilberto
Stan Getz
This is music for some kind of vacation I don't think I'll ever have... But I'd like to.
3
Sep 11 2024
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Green Onions
Booker T. & The MG's
Instant favorite. Instantly recognizable. A feel good album!
5
Sep 12 2024
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Phaedra
Tangerine Dream
Intense; establishes a mood right away
4
Sep 13 2024
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All Things Must Pass
George Harrison
Maximum 3 stars: over 2 hours, plus the track listing on streaming sites is all screwed up from the original order. It's really not THAT far off, but it should be exact, and certainly not with isolated tracks right in the middle.
Anyways, George was probably the best Beatle, this proves it, and that he had this so long because all these ideas were held up and let out "like a fire hose" to quote him are a shame.
3
Sep 16 2024
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Document
R.E.M.
So, this wasn't bad. End of the World is an obvious standout. Not much to remark on, honestly.
3
Sep 17 2024
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If I Should Fall From Grace With God
The Pogues
I thought I already paid my penance for this type of music when I listened to Flogging Molly in high school.
2
Sep 18 2024
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With The Beatles
Beatles
IT'S STIIIIIINNNNGGG
4
Sep 19 2024
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A Wizard, A True Star
Todd Rundgren
Rodd Tundgren.
I can tell right away that this was an influence on Jack White.
This is a bit dynamic, isn't it?
3
Sep 20 2024
View Album
(Pronounced 'Leh-'Nérd 'Skin-'Nérd)
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Didn't hate this, to my own surprise. Of course I was already familiar with a lot of it. Gotta call out the bass because that was really good.
3
Sep 23 2024
View Album
Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs
Derek & The Dominos
You know how there's overrated talents? People regarded and loved and they may be talented, but not as much as what everyone makes them out to be? Some say Dimebag Darrell Abbott is one of those. I'd say he was definitely talented, but part of that talent was ripping off Exhorder.
Eric Clapton, however, is definitely overrated.
And a piece of shit.
1
Sep 24 2024
View Album
Play
Moby
Before listening to this, my only formed opinions of Moby were that:
- He did the Sopranos theme. He didn't.
- His restaurant is good. Not the best cinnamon roll ever, but after a full brunch, it was small enough to enjoy without being too indulgent.
Anyways. This is something where I was aware of, had never heard, but had no objection to listen to. On that itself, it wasn't bad. Solid beats, not surprisingly. More hits than I remember and I think those, especially Southside, are among the lower points of the album. The back half, like Corrosion of Conformity's Animosity, is where the magic lies.
3
Sep 25 2024
View Album
The Idiot
Iggy Pop
I'll always know Iggy Pop first as Michelle Trachtenberg's dad on The Adventures of Pete and Pete.
His music is fine.
3
Sep 26 2024
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Haunted Dancehall
The Sabres Of Paradise
I like it. Knew nothing of it going in. Probably good study / work music.
3
Sep 27 2024
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Cheap Thrills
Big Brother & The Holding Company
I'm not TOTALLY sure what to make of this album. Love the cover, at least. It's solid stuff and some notable songs but I'm not entirely sold either.
3
Sep 30 2024
View Album
Blunderbuss
Jack White
I really don't see how this is an essential album to listen to before one's exit from this mortal coil. It's fine. It has some weird stuff. I just don't care.
"I Guess I Should Go to Sleep." Guess this album should've ended with that.
Like this is why Ronnie James Dio was snubbed entirely??
2
Oct 01 2024
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Ramones
Ramones
I can't possibly add anything that hasn't already been said about this. Classic.
5
Oct 02 2024
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Honky Tonk Heroes
Waylon Jennings
I fail to see this as necessary. So, here's a recipe:
Mini Pecan Pie
Ingredients
• 1 pie crust storebought or
homemade
• 1/3 cup light corn
syrup
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 and 1/2
tablespoons unsalted
butter melted
• 1 egg lightly beaten
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
extract
• 1/2 cup chopped
pecans
Directions
• Preheat oven to 350°F
• On a lightly floured surface, roll the pie dough out
into a 12-inch circle. Using a 3-inch cookie cutter (or
glass), cut out 12 circles from the dough
• Place each piece of dough in each muffin cavity of a
12-count muffin pan, making sure each piece comes
up the sides just a little bit (you may need to stretch
the dough just a bit). Transfer the muffin pan to the
refrigerator while you making the filling.
• In a mixing bowl, mix together the corn syrup, brown
sugar, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract until
fully combined; then mix in the chopped pecans.
Remove the muffin pan from the refrigerator. Evenly
distribute the filling (about 1 full tablespoon)
between all 12 muffin cavities, making sure the pecan
pie filling does not come up over the edges of the
dough.
• Bake at 350°F for about 25 minutes or until the filling
is set. Remove from the oven and cool in the pan for
about 10 minutes
2
Oct 03 2024
View Album
White Light
Gene Clark
Wasn't sure what to make of this at first, but it clicked about halfway in. Fits under the same roof in my mind as James Taylor, Jackson Browne or a little bit of Warren Zevon (though he has his own shack, let's be real).
3
Oct 04 2024
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If I Could Only Remember My Name
David Crosby
Maaannnn this is some Sunday morning listening.
2
Oct 07 2024
View Album
Illinois
Sufjan Stevens
This album makes me hate Chicago.
You know this was background music for mid college bros trying to get laid and probably succeeding.
This album is an affront to every instrument used in its creation.
1
Oct 08 2024
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Bookends
Simon & Garfunkel
This is some dependable stuff.
3
Oct 09 2024
View Album
Sticky Fingers
The Rolling Stones
This is more of a mix than I had anticipated, and while I think I've listened to some other albums around this era of the Stones (Let it Bleed, Hot Rocks), I don't think I've given this one a full listen. Can't You Hear Me Knocking lost me a bit, but Bitch brought it back around. Overall, a good listen.
4
Oct 10 2024
View Album
Tank Battles
Dagmar Krause
So, this isn't available on streaming, so I'm relying on a Youtube playlist.
Uhh... this is a musical? At least it sounds like it. To what I understand (reading Wikipedia), this is a late-80's take on songs written some time before, which is reflective in the tunes. Is it good? Is it recommended? I don't know. I'm definitely not the target audience for this. You mention German music and I go to Teutonic thrash right away - Kreator, Sodom, Destruction, a little Tankard. It's not bad, to be sure, just not my kind of listening.
2
Oct 11 2024
View Album
Life's Too Good
The Sugarcubes
I didn't know that Bjork was in a band before going solo. Before going into this, it sounds like this is pretty tongue-in-cheek.
It's pretty good! Definitely Bjork with the ethereal vocals.
3
Oct 14 2024
View Album
Tommy
The Who
I used to listen to this a ton as a kid. So much of it was still familiar despite not having listened for years. Thinking of it now, I wouldn't search it out. Rock operas aren't something I entertain really.
3
Oct 15 2024
View Album
You've Come a Long Way Baby
Fatboy Slim
I knew some of this was going to be recognizable. I didn't know it was going to be 3 songs right off the bat.
I do like this. Understanding and familiarizing more beat-driven (electronic?) stuff has been a standout with this project for me.
Also, the original cover is way better than the American one.
3
Oct 16 2024
View Album
Chicago Transit Authority
Chicago
I know some Chicago, basically the hits. I love 25 or 6 to 4. Chicago is the only band my mom has a hoodie for. Never listened to this beginning to end.
It's solid. The bass is killer. The instrumental songs are great, not waste.
4
Oct 17 2024
View Album
Giant Steps
The Boo Radleys
What is this besides an average if not meandering 90s rock album? What am I missing here?
2
Oct 18 2024
View Album
Qui sème le vent récolte le tempo
MC Solaar
First thought with today's album: A Tribe Called Qu'est que ce.
Lots of comparisons to American hip hop, I feel the beats are closer to Erik B and Rakim. For the quantity of tracks, it stays fresh, and I only know my high school class level of French, but the delivery is good.
This is one of those cool discoveries from this project.
4
Oct 21 2024
View Album
Sunday At The Village Vanguard
Bill Evans Trio
I don't have anything with Evans as the main feature in my library, but I have Kind of Blue, so his sound is familiar. Relaxed but not boring. Solid. Great quality for a live recording as well.
3
Oct 22 2024
View Album
Gunfighter Ballads And Trail Songs
Marty Robbins
Solid G-rated murder ballads
3
Oct 23 2024
View Album
Olympia 64
Jacques Brel
Another French album. This guy looks like the dude from Dragnet. Not Colonel Potter, the other one.
I can only follow some bits and phrases of French, and the rest is by tone. That said, he carries emotions through his voice effectively, for whatever those French emotions are. A lot of contempt, I think. It passed the time on the morning commute pretty well until it ended. That's more Philadelphia's fault then Jacques, though.
This being a live album, I was expecting the audience to express more. Maybe they're a more polite audience. Or they just have contempt for Jacques.
3
Oct 24 2024
View Album
Psychocandy
The Jesus And Mary Chain
Well, I'd be a hypocarite if I didn't like this. I don't know why. But I like it. That I know. It's solid.
3
Oct 25 2024
View Album
Butterfly
Mariah Carey
We get it, you can SING
2
Oct 28 2024
View Album
Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
Arctic Monkeys
I like the guitar work but nothing else.
2
Oct 29 2024
View Album
Garbage
Garbage
I liked garbage for a while and only recently appreciated that they've taken an industrial driven beat to the mainstream.
4
Oct 30 2024
View Album
Penthouse And Pavement
Heaven 17
Flock of Dodos
1
Oct 31 2024
View Album
Beautiful Freak
Eels
Boring. I can't think of why this is on here but Quicksand isn't. PRO TIP: Don't listen to this one while driving. I very seriously had to pause it to put on something else just so it didn't drag.
"Your Lucky Day in Hell," huh? Sure feels like I'm in hell listening to this but I'm not lucky if I'm listening.
1
Nov 01 2024
View Album
What's That Noise?
Coldcut
This is pretty funky stuff. Solid beats.
4
Nov 04 2024
View Album
The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground
This was fine.
2
Nov 05 2024
View Album
Sign 'O' The Times
Prince
I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man is probably my favorite Prince song.
4
Nov 06 2024
View Album
Talk Talk Talk
The Psychedelic Furs
This is another one filed under "I know the name, never heard, had nothing against." Putting it on the first time was too stop-and-go, so I waited until my morning rush of meetings was done and started again.
I'm digging. Reminds me of Dramarama.
3
Nov 07 2024
View Album
A Walk Across The Rooftops
The Blue Nile
Didn't really register for me
2
Nov 08 2024
View Album
No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith (Live)
Motörhead
It's been maybe the longest stretch of this experiment so far that I've seen a guarantee 5 star.
Motorhead. Everything louder than everything else. Don't like it? Fine. They are the best rock band ever.
I remember a lot of the experience of buying the cassette. Used, 6 years ago, Washington DC, with someone I fell hard for and ended up breaking my heart. Still have the cassette though, and something of this magnitude is worth many times the $6.99 I paid.
I remember one specific experience driving to this. I was working a comic book convention in New Hampshire with a local shop, and while the owner drove the box truck with all the inventory back to the shop in Massachusetts, I drove his bigass truck and put this on. It gave me focus for such an ungodly beast.
Really wish I got to see them just once. I love Motorhead old and... older, I guess. Not just the s/t and Iron Fist but also Bastards and Kiss of Death. I have a Motorhead / Star Wars mashup (sorry) tattoo of a clone trooper helmet with Snaggletooth on top, saying "BORN TO LOSE / LIVE TO WIN."
Maybe even better than the Ramones at keeping things simple.
5
Nov 11 2024
View Album
25
Adele
There's one crack of her voice in "When We Were Young" that damn near broke me.
After the last Adele listen for this, I didn't add Adele to my rotation, but did appreciate her, so I wasn't disappointed to see this.
She has a command over her voice that calls from the surrounding instrumentation. Like an MC in the sense that she knows how to use the accompaniment to add to the delivery.
4
Nov 12 2024
View Album
Live At Leeds
The Who
Don't really care for the Tommy tracks live
2
Nov 13 2024
View Album
Boston
Boston
This is classic rock. No other way to put it.
4
Nov 14 2024
View Album
Unhalfbricking
Fairport Convention
I knew right away that I did not need this in my life.
1
Nov 15 2024
View Album
The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn
Pink Floyd
I actually don't hate some Pink Floyd? Reminds me of Spinal Tap.
3
Nov 18 2024
View Album
Odelay
Beck
Talented but nothing I need
2
Nov 19 2024
View Album
James Brown Live At The Apollo
James Brown
There's nothing like James Brown live. Apparently. Because he's dead.
4
Nov 20 2024
View Album
Pelican West
Haircut 100
It's not bad at all, but I also don't see myself going back to it often.
2
Nov 21 2024
View Album
Ace of Spades
Motörhead
Okay, so here's a Motorhead memory from me:
One of my friends' bands (Life of Crime, I think?) were playing a basement show and said a cover was for me. It was Ace of Spades. I went nuts.
Best rock band ever and I can't be convinced otherwise.
5
Nov 22 2024
View Album
Phrenology
The Roots
I used to listen to this quite a bit, but with listening yesterday, I remembered how 100% straight through was a bit much.
Rock You is a perfect opener, energizing and bringing the listener to attention.
The Seed (2.0) is what I've always gone back to. The beat is incredible, the flow is great, and Cody Chestnutt wraps it all up nicely.
The beats on this, at first you think they're minimal but then you pick up on everything going on. Very cool in that sense.
Break You Off is where it starts to lose me. I think compared to the tempos before that, it's just a downer.
Complexity would've been a great closer, but then it kept going for 13 minutes.
3
Nov 25 2024
View Album
Blue Lines
Massive Attack
From my group chat:
I think I may have to check other albums from them because I liked a song that they did with Mos Def but cant say I liked the album overall
3
Nov 26 2024
View Album
Crosby, Stills & Nash
Crosby, Stills & Nash
Classic stuff, really. The first two tracks are hardwired into my brain from such a young age - when I first heard and can remember hearing those songs, they were 20 years old. That was 35 years ago. I'm turning to dust.
3
Nov 27 2024
View Album
The Clash
The Clash
Despite loving London Calling, I just never went into the rest of The Clash's discography. Pretty much what I was expecting, though, in a good way.
3
Nov 28 2024
View Album
Peggy Suicide
Julian Cope
I like some stuff with similar elements, and there's particular songs I like, but the longer this album went, the less I cared for it.
2
Nov 29 2024
View Album
Remain In Light
Talking Heads
I'm familiar with some Talking Heads beyond the hits, but not a lot. They pushed the envelope, showing that you can understand music and it doesn't have to be just self-fellating, but substantive and connecting with people across the board.
4
Dec 02 2024
View Album
Channel Orange
Frank Ocean
Crack Rock. Instant 12 stars.
5
Dec 03 2024
View Album
Lust For Life
Iggy Pop
It's Iggy Pop. I like Iggy Pop.
4
Dec 04 2024
View Album
Shaft
Isaac Hayes
Isaac Hayes was objectively cool before becoming a Scientologist.
4
Dec 05 2024
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Jazz Samba
Stan Getz
This is feel-good stuff.
4
Dec 06 2024
View Album
Rid Of Me
PJ Harvey
3
Dec 09 2024
View Album
(What's The Story) Morning Glory
Oasis
Dang it, I like an Oasis album. My friend Nick of Moral Injury was right in saying I'd prefer the back half.
4
Dec 10 2024
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Head Hunters
Herbie Hancock
This cover is already 5 stars on its own.
3
Dec 11 2024
View Album
Beggars Banquet
The Rolling Stones
Instant win, leading off with my favorite Stones song. No Expectations flips the script but doesn't lose any momentum in the process. Dear Doctor shows their knowledge of what's going on outside of strict rock and roll.
Jigsaw Puzzle is pretty classic Stones.
Street Fighting Man is one of those bigger songs that has been in a few TV shows and movies, but for good reason, I guess.
I'm too lazy to write through this as I work. Shit's good!
4
Dec 12 2024
View Album
The Who Sell Out
The Who
I think I just like Who's Next as a full album.
2
Dec 13 2024
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Darkdancer
Les Rythmes Digitales
I was liking it at first, but the more I listened, the more annoying it got for me. It's irritating.
1
Dec 16 2024
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The Stranger
Billy Joel
Bops
4
Dec 17 2024
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On The Beach
Neil Young
SHUT UP it's Neil Young
4
Dec 18 2024
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Freak Out!
The Mothers Of Invention
This is another one that goes downhill. I hate that I spent my lunch break listening to the second half of this.
1
Dec 19 2024
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Scream, Dracula, Scream
Rocket From The Crypt
Perfect album. Rock at full blast. Long live the Swami.
5
Dec 20 2024
View Album
evermore
Taylor Swift
It's not Folklore
3
Dec 23 2024
View Album
More Songs About Buildings And Food
Talking Heads
You could see where they were going in the future here, and very very fun to listen to on its own.
4
Dec 24 2024
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Music From Big Pink
The Band
Hell yeah. Aside from the atrocious Bob Dylan cover art.
4
Dec 25 2024
View Album
Permission to Land
The Darkness
My first thought seeing this... really? Well, okay. See what this is about.
Good start, but the vocal cadence of the singer? I think I don't like it. He just tries to squeeze in too many words in the verses.
The songwriting is there. I don't mind the falsetto. It's just that syncopation,
The hit single "Get Your Hands Off of My Woman" is indeed a hit single.
I'm not much of a glam guy but this is ok. I don't know that it necessarily qualifies for top-1001 necessary listens before you die, but I didn't write this book. Maybe I'll do my own so RONNIE JAMES DIO gets some recognition, you plebs.
I don't think I can give "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" a fair assessment. I've heard it way, way too much. That and I don't believe in it. Embrace nihilism because it's the only thing that will meaningfully embrace you back.
"Givin' Up" fits this dark mold except it's upbeat. Small steps.
The cover artwork elicits Boston's self-titled. To truly embrace nihilism, I would recommend Dystopia's album "Human=Garbage."
2
Dec 26 2024
View Album
A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector
Various Artists
Phil Spector was a weird piece of shit, but you can't argue that he knew music.
4
Dec 30 2024
View Album
Meat Is Murder
The Smiths
This is the third Smiths album I've been obligated to listen to for this project and I hate them more. Okay instrumentation, and then it's a race for worse vocals or lyrics. Thanks for somehow influencing actually good bands like Quicksand, I guess.
2
Dec 31 2024
View Album
Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Wu-Tang Clan
Basically Method Man is like
Roll that shit, light that shit, smoke it
And then Baby U, he a psychopathic
He a psychopathic thinker
And and, then we got, then we got the Ol' Dirty Bastard
'Cause there ain't no father to his style
That's why he the Ol' Dirty Bastard
Ghostface Killah, you know what I'm sayin'?
He on some "now you see me, now you don't"
Know what I'm sayin'? And and, the RZA
He the sharpest motherfucka in the whole Clan
He always on point, razor sharp
With the beats, with the rhymes, whatever, any DJ
[Raekwon]
And the GZA, the G is just the Genius
He, he's the backbone of the whole shit
[RZA]
It's self-explanatory, Genius, word
[Method Man]
He the head, let's put it that way
We form like Voltron, and GZA happen to be the head
You know what I'm sayin'?
I'll fuckin', I'll fuckin', sew ya asshole closed, and keep feedin' ya, and feedin' ya, and feedin' ya, and feedin' ya.
5
Jan 01 2025
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Hot Shots II
The Beta Band
Honestly, not that bad, but nothing about this grabs me to come back for more.
2
Jan 02 2025
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Let's Get It On
Marvin Gaye
I'm not sexy enough
3
Jan 03 2025
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Buffalo Springfield Again
Buffalo Springfield
3
Jan 06 2025
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In Utero
Nirvana
Probably my least-favorite proper full-length by Nirvana but still lots to like here. They knew what they were doing. Even if they didn't.
4
Jan 07 2025
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If You Can Believe Your Eyes & Ears
The Mamas & The Papas
So I thought this was bringing back some core memories, but then I realized I was thinking of the Carpenters. But this is good stuff. They worked the angle that they weren't the prettiest (and to be fair, I think a lot of popular music at the time didn't care as much about aesthetics as today). But what am I saying? I don't know! Listen to it! Or don't!
4
Jan 08 2025
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Funeral
Arcade Fire
I was frozen with my bemused reaction to seeing Arcade Fire long enough to take a picture of it and send to my group chat.
Arcade Fire? Arcade Firestorm that shit.
By the time I got to "Wake Up," I had to chug coffee to do just that.
1
Jan 09 2025
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Out Of The Blue
Electric Light Orchestra
This is deserving of an overly wordy review, but it's 4:30 am here. It's good. I will listen to it again.
4
Jan 10 2025
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Next
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
I'm not familiar with this going in to this listen, but the Wikipedia article citing Robert Smith calling Alex Harvey a forefather of punk is enough to get me locked in.
3
Jan 13 2025
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Californication
Red Hot Chili Peppers
I hate that I even typed in that dumb title to listen to this album. It took 30 seconds for this to turn to shit.
In order not to recognize the talents of a band that doesn't deserve it, I'm referring to them as Jalapeno Peppers That Were Neutered by a Tech Bro so They Have No Heat.
This album starts with a cool bass line, because Flea on his own is rather talented, but once the singer takes over, it's all JPTWNbaTBsTHNH as usual.
The first song isn't over and I'm getting Sepultura ready to clear my head afterwards.
What the FUCK is with that fake-Chinese?-mimicry?
You know what? I'll go ahead and say all the instrumentation is fine. Anthony Kiedis fucking sucks. Completely destroys anything credible.
I take that back. The rest of the band are enablers. They all fucking suck.
"How long how lonnnnnnnonnnnnnnnnng" will I have to listen to this fucking album.
You can tell Kiedis is a sex pest because he writes nonsensical lyrics he as a thirtysomething at the time would think teenaged girls would like. Sure enough I googled and found an article from the mid-2010s (AFTER this album was made) where he was dating a 19-year old.
1
Jan 14 2025
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Bryter Layter
Nick Drake
3
Jan 15 2025
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Red Dirt Girl
Emmylou Harris
Liked it more than I thought I would!
3
Jan 16 2025
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I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight
Richard Thompson
Not bad but not for me
2
Jan 17 2025
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Seventeen Seconds
The Cure
I should work this into my Cure rotation more.
4
Jan 20 2025
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Kid A
Radiohead
Out of respect for the friends I have who love Radiohead, I will not comment about this album.
1
Jan 21 2025
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Tidal
Fiona Apple
I love love love this album. I just picked it up a couple of months ago in a depression, not knowing the depression was about to get worse.
It was an album I had loved in the past with a partner, this and Extraordinary Machine together. With that breakup, I had to put them away for a while. This was YEARS ago and I've had breakups since then where I could reclaim those musical memories faster. But I'm back to Fiona Apple. And I'm grateful.
I think this is good sad-boy music, but this is something that also says "it's okay, not everything is your fault, and there may be an end to this."
Also, Fiona, if by some weird chance you read this, I'll run into traffic for you. Just saying.
5
Jan 22 2025
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OK Computer
Radiohead
1
Jan 23 2025
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Something/Anything?
Todd Rundgren
LESS IS MORE. This shouldn't have been a double-length album. It made me angrier the further into it I got.
1
Jan 24 2025
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Winter In America
Gil Scott-Heron
This is a different kind of record. I like it.
3
Jan 27 2025
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Home Is Where The Music Is
Hugh Masekela
Holy crap, this is good!
4
Jan 28 2025
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So
Peter Gabriel
The upbeat singles of this album hide that the majority of it is sullen and deep. Both prove how solidly effective Gabriel is as a musician. I've grown a new appreciation of him through this project.
4
Jan 29 2025
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The Beach Boys Today!
The Beach Boys
Overlooked by Pet Sounds, but great
4
Jan 30 2025
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Exile On Main Street
The Rolling Stones
Good, but very long.
3
Jan 31 2025
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The Modern Dance
Pere Ubu
Not my thing, sorry.
2
Feb 03 2025
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Tres Hombres
ZZ Top
There's only one album I've driven down the highway to at 100mph and this is it.
5
Feb 04 2025
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The World is a Ghetto
War
Good stuff right here. If you disagree, that sucks.
4
Feb 05 2025
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Caetano Veloso
Caetano Veloso
3
Feb 06 2025
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Junkyard
The Birthday Party
This is cool. Can hear The Jesus Lizard and Melvins in it right away.
4
Feb 07 2025
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Water From An Ancient Well
Abdullah Ibrahim
Why does the streaming service of my choice have the whole album EXCEPT THE TITLE TRACK?
Anyways, this is a good album. Not the most bombastic jazz and that's quite all right. You can tell there's a story with the movements.
3
Feb 10 2025
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American Idiot
Green Day
Dookie is one of the most influential albums of my life. This is not Dookie. Ambitious, maybe, but that didn't make for good listening for me. Each song I was hoping to be the last and there'd be another. And another.
1
Feb 11 2025
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London Calling
The Clash
I don't know, I think this lil ditty is a classic.
5
Feb 12 2025
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Moby Grape
Moby Grape
Can't recall hearing this before, but it hit right, right on the first track. It's a shame there isn't a proper upload of it on streaming. Makes such a gem really hidden. I'll have to search out a physical copy.
4
Feb 13 2025
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Take Me Apart
Kelela
2
Feb 14 2025
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Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret
Soft Cell
My first job was at an arcade. One day, as I'm clocking in and getting situated, my boss is singing just the part of Tainted Love about getting away.
He quit the next week to become a cook at Hooters.
Great album.
4
Feb 17 2025
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Violent Femmes
Violent Femmes
Hey, this was pretty dang good.
3
Feb 18 2025
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Heaven Or Las Vegas
Cocteau Twins
Pretty good stuff
3
Feb 19 2025
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New Forms
Roni Size
This is not for me. Good instrumentation, but very, VERY repetitive, over 70-80ish minutes and I'm lost.
2
Feb 20 2025
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Machine Head
Deep Purple
FUCK YEAH
5
Feb 21 2025
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Untitled (Black Is)
SAULT
I thought it was solid beginning to end. Maybe loses a bit of steam but hey.
3