1001 Albums Journey

The hits are HITS but the rest is just filler mostly. Too many AUOOOOOHS and YEAAAAAAHSSSSS

I’ll admit I am a massive fan of this album because as a kid Yellow Submarine was one of my favorite movies and I played the violin. The composition of the tracks, from George's sitar features to the fucking mod nonsense of She Said She Said… this is kinda an unfuckwithable record. To give it less than 4 stars would be criminal.

Interesting percussion! Lots of that “slappa da bass” running through the woods up that hill kind of sound. A more palatable weird girl sound- not as fucking weird as Nina Hagen but with some Brian Eno smoothness. The kind of record I’d put on to lull me to sleep after a 10 mg edible. Precursor to that garbage new age crap that every 8th grade art teacher would put on during class to inspire creativity. All in all not my cup of tea but the reverb heavy recording style screams itself to sleep by the very end.

AUTOMATIC 5 STARS. ARE YOU FRIGGIN KIDDING ME. Jeff Buckley should be considered a legend in every regard. Do his vocals turn some people off? Sure but so do other legends like Geddy Lee and that fuckin guy from Placebo but lyrically and emotionally this shit slaps and will make you remember that one ex who destroyed your soul but you can’t blame them because they’re too beautiful to even be alive.

Oh Damon. This one could have been better. As a huge Blur fan this one stuck to a predictable formula to stay relevant. A few standout tracks but for the most part this is what happens when your feud with the Gallagher overshadows the songwriting. (Middle of the Road, indeed!) Oh Flimsy Steve. Song 2 may have been one of the most popular tracks of all time though, which, good job lads, but what the fuck is Beetlebum? Justine should have knocked you on your ass for that one. Otherwise a fairly unremarkable record with a couple of fun bright spots but listen to Parklife or The Great Escape instead for the better Cool Britannia sound. Or just listen to Oasis 😈

Fuck this shit entirely. Imagine the worst guys you know suddenly decide to act like storytellers like they’re Bob Dylan only they were football players and only drink light beer. Pass!

I love Paul Simon but I’m woefully behind on his less acclaimed albums. First track immediately reminds me of older stuff but it’s not corny, even with the synthy drum sounds. This man knows what’s up with percussion! I got a bit bored by track 4 which clearly seemed to influence Under The Sea from the animated Little Mermaid movie. It also feels like each track was a practice track for better songs? Cars Are Cars seems like a throwaway track with its icky 80’s clap sound too. Definitely not a bad record but he’s got a predictable sound which is better done on other records.

OH SHIT OH DAMN OH FUCK. Finally something good! I’ve always liked this one a lot. Pixies discography is pretty much essential listening so kicking the day off with Cecilia Ann feels sooooo right. There’s so much going on right off the bat and it’s just so much fun. I can imagine pixies shows around the time this came out must have been crazy. Good ass simple fun songs with tons of energy, nice and quick listen. Doesn’t need much of a deep interpretation beyond the cool stuff that jumps out, like the crispy guitar tones in The Happening to the radio friendly Dig for Fire it’s like a good ass mess of frenzy and chill.

SON OF A BISCUIT. One of the best records ever made?? Oh inDEED. I could write an entire dissertation on this record. When I was a wee bairn I bought this record the day it came out. What can be said about this record that a million other reviews haven’t? Five stars out the gate.

DISCO SUCKS! Just kidding. This shit fucks. Literally! You can’t watch a single tv show, movie or anything about the 70’s without a snippet off of this record. Everyone knows Le Freak of course but this is the soundtrack to cocaine fueled nightclub shenanigans, late night drives, chill nights with your boo, really anything that you want to capture a feeling that makes you feel GOOD. The music itself makes you want to boogie. Funky as fuck and will make your day rule. Nile Rogers can do no wrong and the history of the band is so cool. Each track has its own theme, its own sound, its own FEELING. Savoir Faire sounds like how it feels waking up with your new babe after a night out partying and having coffee in bed. The vibes on each song are so distinct and unique but the tracks all lead into the next one perfectly. If you need some fun tunes for a party this one’s a great start, makes you wanna get all freaky deaky. This record has gorgeous string and horn compositions and incredible vocalizations that were defined by this era. The fact that Rogers was hugely influenced by Brian Eno is also important because of the crossover influences of the time period. Honestly I wish this record was longer because it takes a hold of you and it’s just so CHILL. The track “At Last I am Free” isn’t a disco track but a perfect slow jam that is so beautiful I was surprised to be so moved. Listening to this album will put you in a better mood, I can guarantee.

If you’ve never listened to this your life hasn’t been worth being alive for. Every single track on this record is legendary. Honestly this is another one that truly deserves to be a requirement for anyone who likes music in any capacity. Love songs, funk, soul, gospel, all of the best of the best of this time frame for ol Stevie after the Motown years. Reminds me of music on a Saturday morning helping mom wash the curtains. The production is also incredible. Music made in the mid to late 70’s had so much spirit and emotion behind it and this captures it perfectly.

Eyyyy it’s da king! I never even heard of this album but it’s a decent one. Kind of a slow start, and the vocals on the first track didn’t impress me but it does improve a bit. It’s got some good tracks that sound great live and again the production sounds a bit dated but hey, this was the top of the line for that time period. In The Ghetto was definitely a choice, but at least it made me think of Cartman singing it on South Park. Suspicious Minds is probably my favorite track, as well as the only song off this album I’ve heard before, but it just has more energy on it than a lot of the others. Not an album of bangers, kinda drifts into overblown emotion towards the end but hey, it’s ELVIS. Worth a spin but don’t expect much.

I don’t think I’ve listened to a Willie Nelson record on purpose but here we go. Admittedly I am not a country fan but I always appreciate good songwriting. First few tracks didn’t do much for me but I did like the storytelling element. I feel like that’s his trademark. I can picture a campfire with some bros listening to this while getting shitcanned on natty lite but they’re having a great time so it’s nice. The title track has a cool waltz feel to it, which I’ve always been a fan of. Something you can sway to! And who doesn’t love an outlaw story anyway. I think it’s about someone stealing a horse and a yellow haired lady? Very cool little ditty even if murder is a thing. The rest of the record has a few moments of more upbeat stuff, like in Down Yonder, but the man is a legend for a reason. Not my favorite kind of chill but definitely deserves a spot in this list.

Another first time listen! Kicks right the heck off into Tutti Frutti and already my mood is better. This is a super quick spin so I needed a few to really take it all in. The deluxe version including the outtakes and different takes are just as good as the original material too. Proof positive that this was the GREATS behind the instruments. You just can’t mess with the ancestors of rock!

Ah yes the new wave, cocaine guy Cohen album. I dont hate it, as it reminds me of, say, Blixa Bargeld vocals (which on this record are WAY too loud in the mix) but I’ll give it a shot. The first track had me giggling like picturing him on a stage that’s set up like an Olan Mills photoshoot. Smoke and laser shit. The lyrics are ridiculously silly, as if he’s describing a drug fueled night where you think you’re captain America on copious amounts of speed. Track 2 starts off with a sexy sax solo which seems to take itself seriously, so of course it’s terrible. This sets off a horrible theme of longing but it’s gross, like the kind of slick weirdo in his older years trying to hook up with someone 30 years his junior: YUCKY. Track 3 sounds like how I sound when I’m drunk and trying to figure my life out, so I’m whispering to a stranger in a bar in a French accent for some reason. Reminds me of a Disney villain describing his devious plans. The lyrics get progressively worse so I kind of tuned out a bit for I’m Your Man, but god damn dude too much coke makes your bits n pieces inoperable! Cripes man! Jazz Police legit made me spit my coffee out. Absolute garbage track. How is this record on this list?? Jeez haha.

As a big fan of VU, the old Bowery scene, old NYC lore and all things proto punk etc I’m kinda embarrassed to admit I haven’t done a full and proper listen to this one. I’ve never been a fan of her vocals but that’s just a personal thang. First few tracks are mostly just, for lack of a better term, easy listening. Very pleasant, chill as heck. Songs to sip tea to. It seems far less interesting than the tracks she played with VU but for a solo album it’s solid. Winter Song has a ren faire lilt to it which is a welcome change from the folky sound but then it goes back to its old form. Lyrically it’s all over the place but not terribly cliche. The mid-60’s sound production is obvious as well but done better than others from the same time. Interesting compositions too but for the most part it’s nothing groundbreaking although it is enjoyable.

Another absolute classic! Very excited to see this one, as a kid this was one of my mom’s favorites. We’d listen on Sunday mornings as she watered the plants and sang along. You really can’t mess with ol Reggie. This album has just about everything- symphonic composition, poetic lyrics, a real storyline you can follow. It’s fun and somber, both of which evoke all sorts of emotions. The remastered version brings out a lot of tones and sounds that I probably missed out on as a kid so this is definitely a treat.

With the Nico album coming up here the other day it made me think a lot about this one, the myths and the legends involved in its making. Say what you want about Lou reed but the guy was an arteeste. Nico was definitely Warhols muse for a minute but this record changed the landscape of NYC for better and for worse. Heroin too but whatever. I love songs that tell a story and this album is full of them. Waiting for the Man is all about waiting for the next fix and Venus in Furs is so sexy it feels illegal. Nico’s songs aren’t too bad but again her vocals aren’t my favorite but good on them for trying, eh? John Cale is a friggin genius and I wish the guy got more props. They all do tons of weird shit here and for 1967 it was unheard of. Bunch of strung out but beautiful people slumming it in a loft painting and recording? Jeez man. Insanely impressive music here. Early experimental industrial sounds inspired a whole separate no wave movement and the track Heroin proves that dissonance in sound can be just as emotive as music. Automatic 5 stars.

It’s 50’s Elvis, fam. Classic. Sure the guy lifted all his best moves and sounds from Black artists but we all knew that. Fun album, lots of fun tunes. Just remember the guy married a child and died on the crapper.

OH SNAP I was waiting for some Led Zep. In another universe these guys never would have made it out of the pub but they had the magic, the special shit, and probably Satan helping out. You know what I’m saying. But imagine you’re some dumb hippy stoned out of your ass and you hear the opening riff of Good Times Bad Times. BOOM you’re in a different world whether you want to be or not. Did they also lift half their sound from Black American rock and blues? Obviously. You can’t deny it. But the lads were onto something, and it still holds up decades later. This is not my favorite Led Zep album but it is outstanding. Robert Plant is one of the best vocalists of all time and you can tell in Babe I’m Gonna Leave You just how good he’s gonna be. It’s a great debut album because you know they have potential that will come later. And of course scandals and thelema and whatever. 1969 may have been the best year for music and this record belongs in the top tier of it.

An album about a French pervert who hits a 14 year old girl with his car and then falls in love with her. Typical. Is it influential? Sure. But I prefer my trip hoppy loungey music without statutory rape and death even if it is French. Fuck this guy. Listen to Stereolab

Here we go! Classic as fuck here. Janis defines the 60’s with her intense vocals that she belts out with gusto. The realest blues come from the lived experience of pain and heartbreak, and this record defines it. There’s the tracks everyone knows, like the first track and Me and Bobby McGee, but A Woman Left Lonely is incredibly beautiful. The organ and walking bass lines are what gives this one some cool sounds and feel. But this is HER record, not just the singer of Big Brother’s solo album. Her life was kinda tragic and it sucks for sure. This came out after she died of an overdose. 27 Club member, her favorite drink was Southern Comfort. But you know she loved to play music and loves the blues, so her legacy is immense. Rippity pip Janis!

Ugh. Prog. This one’s gonna be hard. Pretty much everything I knew about Rush was from tv and movies. Everyone knows the hits, Tom Sawyer especially, but I never listened to this start to finish. It’s pretty much what you’d expect with cool drum fills, unusual time signatures and guitar solos, some synthy flourishes and gloopy bass. YYZ is a bitchin riff fest. I don’t hate Geddy Lee’s voice but it’s not my preference (as a Placebo and Smashing Pumpkins fan, I get it.) People go HARD for this band which I also never really understood. In my mind it’s fairly par for the course for 80’s music. The production is kinda meh, it feels very treble heavy, but I suppose that’s the intended effect. I can say this probably sounds fucking awesome on some good ass headphones and a J but it didn’t strike me particularly well. Also a fun soundtrack if you invite the boys over for some D&D and chill haha.

The man himself! Definitely a fan of THIS Elvis. This is yet another one I never sat down with start to finish but I’ve always enjoyed the hits from this record. It’s post punk but kinda not really? I think this was the breakout record but 1978 was a fucking banner year for a lot of bands lol. I’m a sucker for the Hammond organ sound and it’s all over this album. It’s fun, funky and is great for a nice sunny day. It has a timeless feel that is kind of hard to capture for post punk BUT it isn’t really post I guess? I remember as a kid hearing Radio Radio and liking it but I didn’t appreciate him until much later. Songs like (I don’t want to go to) Chelsea have a fun ska beat and are just cool little stories. Top notch stuff here, great tunes and production. Gonna add this to my regular rotation for sure!

I learned about this one because of that craptastic Makeba song that was all over the internet last summer but this is a great one. Her life as an anti apartheid activist in South Africa is in itself incredible but as a singer she’s untouchable. First song hits out of nowhere and immediately you feel the power of her voice. What struck me right away was the non-drum percussive sounds that accompany her impressive vocals. The second track flips to a gentle lullaby which is just as good as the punchier track before it. I don’t speak Afrikaans but the music is beautiful enough to make me tear up. The Click Song starts with her introducing the story of the song and it’s like listening to your favorite teacher. The album is short with 14 tracks, but I think this is her debut so the songs are also short to fit them onto a vinyl record. Old ass RCA Victor shit lol. The production is very good for something that came out in 1960! Seriously just stop what you’re doing and treat yourself to this record and learn about her life. It’s absolutely gorgeous.

An obvious classic tbh! I spin this regularly. The full album is FULL of classics but it’s one you can really sit down with all these years later. Sometimes the raps are a little bit cringe but this was their post hardcore, pre rapcore days so they were 100% in party mode here. First track hits HARD with a Led Zeppelin drum beat and it just takes off from there. Super dancey, super FUN stuff. Most of these songs use immediately recognizable samples (heavy on Led Zeppelin for some reason) but it works. For the time, this was groundbreaking work. The MC volley is one of my favorite things, the mic passing as it is. Honestly this is a massive record so I’ll cap it as a must listen for anyone.

My man Marc Bolan, rippity pip in peace. I feel like T-Rex is really not as appreciated as other bands in their genre. They helped coagulate the velvet goldmine sound, the glam rock that Bowie helped perfect as Ziggy Stardust. Even though they made it to the rock n roll hall of fame, deservedly, I wonder why they didn’t get as famous as Bowie or even Eno. T Rex has a great bluesy sound without being derivative. Understated and classy. This was the breakout record with Bang A Gong, but heaters like Cosmic Dancer are where they shine. Sexy booty rock haha. Like this is what you play when you’re trying to seal the deal ya know? 😏 Jeepster is a kinda silly love song but it still works. Planet Queen is another funky slow one. Basically, this album is heavy on the chill vibe. Perfect choice for lounging or doin a J in your living room.

I’ve loved Carole King since I was a kid. Another one of my mom’s favorites! I can remember seeing some late night Singer Songwriter CD compilation with a few of her songs and it’s an instant nostalgia hit to listen to this album start to finish. Her vocals are just so… cozy. Comforting! This is about as easy listening as I can handle, so it’s a nice little treat. Her songwriting credits are absolutely fucking INSANE for all of the songs that she wrote for other people but I think she kept some of the best ones for this record. I didn’t know that this went 14 times platinum either lol. There’s not much I can really say about it other than it’s songs you know, and it’s just really really fucking good.

FUCK YEAH! One of the best bands from Glasgow. I’ve loved this band for years and I think this record is one of my favorites. One of the coolest bands to exist if I’m being honest. Their musicality, lyrics, and the recording of this really takes off from their debut but I would argue this one shows off a more mature and polished sound. The album starts with a quiet little number Stars of Track and Field, which is a great track and gives you a taste of what’s coming. Like Dylan In The Movies is another great one with their trademark soft riffs over strings. The vocal arrangements are also great with Stuart, Stevie and the crew. When they play live they all sing and it’s fucking cool as hell. I love almost everything this band has put out because yeah it COULD be super pretentious indie rock but it isn’t. It’s fun well written music that calls back some nostalgia but still feels modern.

FUCK YEAH FISHBONE! What a weird band. I found these guys after seeing the video for Party At Ground Zero on beavis and butthead and being like what the FUCK IS THIS?? (That’s not on this record but is worth listening to!) Funky and fun, this is a great album. Freddie’s Deaf is a classic but the whole record is fun and you might accidentally learn something too. It’s definitely a dated sound with synthy crap but also has a healthy sprinkling of real brass and riffs. Upbeat stuff!

Is my mom in charge of this project? She was OBSESSED with Harry Nilsson lol. Yet another record that brings me back to cleaning house on a Saturday morning before getting shipped over to grandma’s house. This album is kinda like a “guys being dudes” soundtrack. Very dated, but still listenable. There aren’t too many standouts here other than the MASSIVE hit Without You. Lyrically dude has some spunk and some spicy stuff but for the most part I don’t think it’s particularly interesting. Son of Schmilsson is actually better in my mind, but this is still decent. The track Down has some bluesy elements but his vocals are actually pretty strong, so it’s probably my favorite song on this. Coconut… another one everyone has heard but almost nobody remembers who sang it lol. Not a bad record by any stretch but I feel like people who were into this sound kinda knows it’s not his best.

I will openly admit to being a massive George Michael fan. I bought this one as a kid on cassette and then promptly lost it at school so I’m guessing that was fate telling me to knock it off and chill out lol. While it’s a great debut album it’s not as deep as Listen Without Prejudice BUT! this is the ultimate GM sound. All that 80’s goodness and Wham! fun but the slow jams are a look into his lyrical style and ugh I cannot love this enough. I cant remember if he was Out at this stage or if that came later but once you look at his actual life the songs kinda make more sense. Dude was going through it for a long time and that pain comes out for sure. Fortunately he did it sexy as hell so it doesn’t drag, and is an honest to goodness great record. If you can get past the kinda corny production you’ll really like this one. Literally everything else except for underground music that came out in 1986-87 had this sound so deal with it lol because the heart and soul of his words far outweigh the cheesy music.

Wow what a beautiful record. It’s got so much- country, bluegrass, honky tonk, even a couple more contemporary sounds but the real star of this one is the VOCALS. Like are you fucking kidding me. Three absolute legends all together?? Fuck man. If you’ve ever seen O Brother Where Art Thou you’ll know what this one sounds like. Each of these singers is an absolute treasure like cmon it’s DOLLY here. But the way their voices just compliment each other is absolutely outstanding. I listened to the 2016 remastered version and I gotta say it sounds like it was recorded recently. There’s plenty of fiddle and mandolin in the band and piano and ugh it’s just all so beautiful. Lyrically it’s mostly love songs but they’re the kind of love songs that are about lost love or longing. The first track almost brought me to tears in the dunkin drive thru haha. If you’re feeling bummed out or kinda meh this will lift you up for sure, even if the songs are a lil bit sad. I think my favorite song on this is Wildflowers but yeah this is incredible.

OH HELL YES. The purveyors of 2tone ska! I still spin this one regularly so it’s hard to critique in any meaningful way lol. It is impossible to overstate how important this band and this record are. The resurgence of ska and honestly the skinhead movement (skinhead was born in Jamaica, remember) are directly related to this band. How I wish I was in London in the late 70’s to witness it. And honestly? It’s just a fun fucking record. You can’t help but move around a little bit! Remember how Thatcher and Reagan were actively dismantling the economy in the US and UK so bands turned to political action? You can’t remove that from the creation of this record. It was tumultuous but bands like the Specials made it… special. Everyone knows the hits like A Message To You Rudy (a cover of a rocksteady song from the 60’s!) but anti racist songs like Do The Dog and Concrete Jungle highlighted what was really going on. Fun ass songs you can dance to AND get radicalized by? Fuck yeah. Both for history and for being a solid record you gotta give them the ol 5 star. RIP Terry Hall!

Absolutely legendary. Took the full double record for a spin, which I haven’t done in forever, and was pleasantly surprised how many of these songs are just impossible to forget. Knowing the story of the concept makes it so much more enjoyable too. At face value it’s hard to tell what the god damn fuck is going on, but on its face this is just a solid fucking album. Roger Waters is one of the best songwriters that has ever existed and this record is proof of that on top of Dark Side of the Moon and Animals. This one doesn’t have Syd Barrett but his PRESENCE and attribution as the inspiration for the main character Pink is clear. I can’t say enough about this becoming to be honest it is a listening experience top to bottom. You already know the hits. You saw the movie. Give it another listen!

It’s fucking Prince. PRINCE. I don’t even need to say anything else. This record changed the world.

I didn’t love this because I’m not a huge fan of prog in general but this was a cool album. There’s quite a bit of material here and the way they track a few songs are similar to orchestral movements. Kinda cool! There’s also some cool vocals and I’m a sucker for the organ tones, especially on I’ve Seen All Good People, but for the most part I felt a bit bored with the record. Maybe it’s because it’s so familiar, and it’s not BAD by any stretch, just not the sound I prefer.

FUCK YEAH FINALLY! What a weird record this is haha. I celebrate his entire catalog so keep that in mind as I fangirl yet again. This is a very short album but it packs a lot on. The two hits, Golden Years and TVC15 are solid as heck but the whole package really fits what Bowie was doing in this time. Man was COKED UP according to his own words and the songs have weird themes of occulty shit but it’s Bowie at his finest tbh. Berlin really had an effect on the guy later on but this was kinda the start of the Thin White Duke time period and people even slung the word fascist around but the guy was so fucked up he can’t remember recording this haha. The real thrill of Bowies songs are courtesy of his backing band, and the arrangements on this record are dope as fuck. Real weird shit. Not bad for the guys tenth album! This one isn’t my favorite but it’s just really fucking solid. The guy is a legend for a reason!

ONCE AGAIN ITS TOO GOOD TO CRITIQUE Anyway Prince. Fun fact: my ex husband bought the last ticket to the last show he ever played in Atlanta. The hits are thee fuckin HITS here. You immediately get punched in the face with 1999. Then it’s Little Red Corvette. Then Delirious?? Look it’s Prince here so you know you’re gonna fuckin party regardless of if you want to or not. Even the lesser known songs are jamz. You literally can’t fuck with this album. Did you also know that if someone doesn’t like Prince you can legally beat them up with a roll of nickels in a sock? I’m not a lawyer tho so use discretion there. If you really listen you can hear how masterful of a composer the guy is. There’s layers in there that you can really tell have an effect on the overall sound of the tune. Even the album cover has lots of cool details and shit. Purple Rain aside, this is Prince and the Revolution at their finest. Just a solid record start to finish and hot as heck. If you don’t like Prince after hearing this then you should jump in the nearest ocean immediately.

This is one of those classics that I was always aware of, and had heard the singles, but haven’t given the full record a spin. I was pleasantly surprised by this one and how much I enjoyed it. Super simple poppy rock songs but done well. They were also known for wearing silly costumes a la Paul Revere on a horse but what’s a little gimmick to set you apart? The first track Kicks reminded me of listening to oldies (lol) with my mom and grandfather. We’d put a record on the turntable and I’d always tune into the very small sounds coming off the needle. The rest of the album is fun! There are some slow jams like Little Girl In The 4th Row (I’ll always be weirded out how in the 60’s women were pretty much only ever called Girls but whatever) and I’m a sucker for a good organ/ early synth with a touch of Mod Sensibility sound so I liked it a lot.

Oh shit the GOAT! Stoked for this one. This is one of those albums that completely fucked everything up. Sonically it’s light years beyond anything else that was coming out around this time so even by that metric it’s an essential record to listen to. They truly kicked the door in for so many reasons with this one. Wouldn’t It Be Nice starts this off with what these guys are best known for- soaring harmonies and that falsetto! Lyrics on this record go far beyond the simple times of Barbara Ann too. Real life stuff. Again this is one of the best records of all time so I don’t have much else to add other than find a high quality rip with some good headphones and do a J about it.

Ok finally back in the game! This band has always confused me because they seem rad but some shit I just couldn’t listen to. This record though, this was FUN. Fight Test sets the vibe for the record, but as a concept it really makes it. It’s chill but also kinda makes you think about stuff. Trippy, dancey stuff for the next few tracks but it really is solid. The title track has what I like to call a Glorp factor with glorpy fuckin sounds here and there. And it tells a story, as weird as it is. Was the band trippin balls for this whole thing? Maybe. Robot sounds are all over the place haha. But this is a great record for both a sunny morning and a drizzly night.

I fucking hate Morrissey and I think most people who love the Smiths feel that way. Nevertheless! This is definitely an essential spin for anyone who can appreciate a good tune and some riffs. Ignoring Morrissey is one of the best things in the world because Johnny Marr exists. I listened to the 2011 remaster and it sounds great. The thing about the early Smiths is it was a bit of a mess but they manage to make the songs work and have that quintessential Sound. There are a ton of great documentaries about this era of the Smiths too but I digress. This band is fuckin BRITISH. The title track kicks things off nicely and then you have Frankly Mr Shankly which tells some stupid story which is classic Smiths. Half the lyrics are lifted from literature and poetry but Moz was always the first to admit it so there you go. Hating Morrissey aside, I like this record a lot but it’s not my favorite. It is a great record in their discography, though, so anyone with even a slight interest in British music will need to listen to this. And of course we know the hits from this one, Bigmouth Strikes Again and There Is A Light That Never Goes Out, but they don’t have a lot of filler here either. Go buy a Johnny Marr record now. Dude still kills it AND he’s way less fascist than Steven lmao.

What the hell is happening. Why is there a penguin cafe, and why does it have its own soundtrack. Also can I go to the penguin cafe and meet one of the penguins for science. That aside, this was kinda cool. Weirdo classical prog? I dug it as like… background music but it had some unsettling moments lol. Gonna have to research this one a bit more.

White guys doing blues! What could go wrong? To be tbh with you I like this record a lot. It’s fun, it has some groove, and I think it sounds great. I don’t know a lot about the band but the hits were pretty big back when this came out. Did they have some scandal at some point? I don’t know. All these guys kinda blend into each other. The first few tracks are pretty good. There’s some riffs in there for sure. The single Tighten Up had its moment and a cute video with some kids but it’s a solid tune. It’s definitely got that radio friendly vibe but every 2010 alt rock band did lol. Same kinda thing for the other big single Howlin For You- you might tap a toe or something. The rest of the record has some really cool bluesy but modern sounds, the vocals are fun, coupla two tree riffs. The track The Only One has a sick organ track, and I am famously a sucker for that. I think my favorite track is Ten Cent Pistol because it really has a unique sound. Kinda sultry? Sure I’ll go with that. For a modern-ish band it uses some classic techniques that don’t feel faked. I’d definitely be into seeing them live but for what it is, it’s a decent album.

Oh SHIT. I’ve never listened to this start to finish so let’s fuckin goooo! They call this guy the King Of Pop and I can see why. The album has tons of hits but it’s not an “all killer no filler” record. The real stars of this album were the music videos since MTV was at its peak in the lateish 80’s. The first two tracks were gigantic hits (Bad and The Way You Make Me Feel) but I am less familiar with the next couple tracks, Speed Demon and Liberian Girl. If they didn’t have videos, I definitely never heard them. My initial reaction is ok kinda funky, kinda silly, danceable but kinda meh. Liberian Girl is a corny love song that I didn’t love but it’s cute. Just Good Friends is another dance song which is kind of forgettable. Same with Another Part of Me. Like… it was 1987, so the pop sound makes sense but it’s really nothing particularly great. There’s a reason some of these were singles but most weren’t. If I was older when this came out I’d probably have more nostalgia about it but so far it’s not that impressive. The B side of this is actually WAY more impressive with gigantic hits like Man In The Mirror and Smooth Criminal- its a huge upswing. These songs are just better than the other ones lol. They are less pop nonsense and have a bit more meat? I dunno they just sound like they put more effort in. The last few tracks (minus the slog Can’t Stop Loving You) are MJ at his best IMO. The guy was under pressure to top Thriller and while as a whole the record is meh, the hits were what carries it into the Best Albums of All Time category. And Leave Me Alone is one of the best FUCK YOU songs ever haha. I think this record was definitely meant to appease the fans who waited 5 years after Thriller but it’s a bit boring. The videos were far more memorable than the songs.

It’s actually spelled Bongiovi. I got through the first few songs but it’s honestly just typical overproduced 80’s nonsense. The man can sing and Richie Sambora can kinda riff but this is the soundtrack to teasing your hair to Mars and jumping in some guys T top Camaro for a cruise down Broadway. Pop rock as fuck with no real purpose except to party with someone named Sharon and smoke Newport 500s. No thanks.

De übet Krautrock record! What a classic. The fact this came out in 1977 and bands still try to rip this sound today is testament to how cool this record is. It’s fairly short at just over half an hour but if your calculator had a favorable record, it would be this one. The first track We Are The Robots sounds a little silly but it’s a great starter. It’s cute to hear a robot German voice! The second track Spacelab is what I’d imagine hold music for the Martian consulate would sound like. Or one of those old Epcot center ride train music would be. Metropolis sounds like it would fit well on Autobahn, which is my favorite Kraftwerk record. Fun and funky little number. The Model is probably the best known track since it’s so dancey. Another fun little number. Neon Lights and The Man Machine close it all out with some highly pleasant soundscapes. Kraftwerk has always sounded intentionally sparse to me but this album is legit a relaxing and fun listen.

I listen to this regularly so this will be short lol. Fugazi is one of those bands that I will absolutely judge someone over, and if they can’t fuck with this they don’t get fucked with. Embrace is my favorite Mackaye band but I digress. This is one of those records that every track is perfect. No skips. It’s an experience, if you will. Some bands have an entire lifestyle that matches their music and this is one of them. Automatic 5 stars bitches!

I was only familiar with this guy in passing and white British guy rap isn’t exactly my forte BUT I wanted to give this a shot. First impression isn’t terribly bad, I like the flow. I know next to nothing about grime and drill but im enjoying the story. I guess this is a rap opera but it sounds like a concept album? Is there a difference? Idk. It’s chill! The only thing that I’m not super into is you gotta pay attention to follow along. The music is cool and I like the different characters but I would recommend not listening at work or if you have to focus on something else. It’s funny, and the story is interesting so points for that at least. I appreciate British humor as well so if you’re looking for something with a storyline and some funny parts this is a good one.

Polly Jean! This is my family record of hers which may sound blasphemous BUT the vibe of this one resonates with me. I actually haven’t listened to it in a while. The vocals on this remind me both of Patti Smith and a bit of Natalie Merchant but not in an obnoxious way. The songs are catchy, especially tracks like Good Fortune and This Is Love (the singles) but the thing I like the most is the attitude. It’s a great continuation of the high she rose from the record before this but it’s not so similar that there’s no progression. The quieter tracks are no less intense than the more rockin tunes too. The duet with Tom Yorke of Radiohead is my favorite track, This Mess We’re In. Her collaboration tracks tend to be massively beautiful. Honestly it’s nothing particularly groundbreaking, but it’s absolutely lovely. Worth its place in this list for sure.

I’ve been listening to this on a weekly basis since it came out for the most part. Absolutely timeless. I think the best part of this record is the recurring themes in the music (very similar to orchestral composition) but this is just an incredibly good album. I think it can be hard for some people to get into instrumental music, which is what this is, but each track is unique. The hip hop influence makes this interesting and it’s extremely obvious that this is more than just beats. Anyway just listen to this at some point in your life because it rules, almost 30 years after it was released.

GOD FUCKIN DAMN IT. I knew this one would come up at some point. I loved this in high school back in the 1900’s, but it hasn’t held up. The hits were HUGE, but the rest of this album is filler. Funky stuff sure, but it’s a LOT. The lore behind the recording of this is actually more interesting than the record itself. A lot of the lyrics are shitty juvenile nonsense but then you have Breaking The Girl thrown at you and it’s like WTF WAS THAT lol. This is basically a horny frat boy record, without a lot of variation in sound. This was also their biggest record and they established themselves as rock stars for it. I don’t hate it but it did grate on my nerves after about 40 minutes. Listen at your own risk lol.

I have absolutely no idea about this record and I can’t say I know anything about his stuff before sledgehammer! But here we go. This starts out cool with some soft industrial sounds but then it kinda bored me. Typical 80’s proggy stuff, I did like the first few tracks. I listened to the remastered version but it feels a bit sparse at times, like unintentionally sparse? Not a lot of low end but maybe that’s just my speakers. Anyway I definitely liked this but other than Games Without Frontiers it was all new to me.

I hate everything about this record. Steely DUMB amirite? Yacht rock and Don Fagan suck and I’ll fight anyone who disagrees. I’m sure he’s an ok guy in general but this asshole has a stranglehold on too many dads. Anyone claiming them in 2024 has a brain disease. FUCK THIS SHIT

I don’t know a ton about the go gos but I saw a cool documentary about them. Lol. I’m not a huge fan of this sound, but I remember being a kid seeing their videos on MTV. They were kinda everywhere, and their connections to other bands at the time like the Specials was cool. This album is definitely a huge departure from the yucky LA punk scene they came up in but it’s not a bad one by any stretch. They do the new wave sound pretty good but I’d argue it’s more like… power pop? Fun little pop songs you can sing along to? Gotta love it. The sound is like a cleaner garage girl group, and it’s a quick listen so there’s not much to critique. Boys, the beach, having fun with your pals? Hell yeah.

Fuck this shit.

I would imagine there are a lot of Stones records on this list so I’m glad this one made it. I think this one is my favorite of the Brian Jones era since it’s just so weird. It starts with Mothers Little Helper which has always stood out in my mind as a fucking bizarre one lol. There’s a lot going on here but each track has its own thing. Going Home is a cool bluesy song that could probably be a minute or two shorter but it’s a jam for sure. Out Of Time is a very British Invasion kind of sound too. This album is a pretty good indication of where the band was headed as far as Jones experimentation but it’s not so experimental that it’s too much. Definitely a solid listen that could use some more attention!

I have to admit I am not a fan of the Boss but I wanted to give this a fair shot. I know he’s a legend and yadda yadda yadda but whatever. Is it a bad record? Not at all. The songwriting is definitely good and the vocal harmonies are great. This one doesn’t have a ton of songs I’d heard before so I was pleasantly surprised at the upbeat tracks like the intro Badlands, but he lost me a few tracks in. Lyrically there is some beautiful stuff here. Adam Raised a Cain is a great example. I really, really tried to get into this record but it just didn’t hit. I think it’s better than the 80’s crud he pumped out later on, though. Fans of the guy would probably slap me but I wasn’t particularly impressed.

Finally some good stuff! What a fun record. Extreme classic sounds here, great 60 years later. Is it swing? Yeah but it’s ORIGINAL swing so it’s fine. Starts off with a bang with Just A Gigolo, an absolute BANGER. It doesn’t stop with the next few tracks either, just some good ass music. There’s a lot of duets here too with Keely Smith, who I never heard of, but she’s got some PIPES. The big band sound is front and center here with some masterful brass solos. You’ve heard most of these songs before. If you care about music at all, you have. But this is absolutely joyful and fun music that deserves to be on this list.

I FUCKING HATE STEELY DAN I’m only listening because this one doesn’t immediately make me insane like the others because my mom didn’t force my sister and I to listen to it in an inescapable car en route to Maine to see my aunt. Anyway like my other review fuck Don Fagen and yacht rock bullshit. Cocaine does not make everyone a better musician and this is PROOF lol. At a mere 35 minutes I am enduring this for the team. I get that they put a lot of effort into this and got a bunch of pro musicians and it was engineered all profesh but still this is GARBAGE. I’d love to poke this guy in the eye. The interlude in Aja, the title track, sounds like dentist office hold music. And that’s the best song on the fucking thing!! Deacon Blues was the “hit” on this one but dear god it SUCKS. Peg was also a single but again what the fuck is this. Funk for “mayonnaise is spicy” white guys?? The only listenable track for me was Josie but only because it’s the last song and it means it’s almost over. “Shine up the battle apple?” What the fuck does that mean. Go fuck yourself. Are they good songwriters? Ugh YEAH I GUESS as far as ability but god damn I hate this shit. Not as much as that French pervert Serge Gainsbourg but it’s close. This is music for people who hate music.

I listen to this several times a week and i physically cannot be objective. This record was my number one for years and i know it back to front and all the Halo remixes too. You could say I am a fan. This record has EVERYTHING… dance, trance, prance? Fuckin GROOVIN for the most part. Almost no skippable tracks, ALMOST. But this is the album you put on when you need a good cry, a good staring out the window with headphones, a good sit in the closet with a boombox record. Or maybe that’s just what I did but when you have a nice big closet why the fuck NOT. How do I even start… the opening track Mr Self Destruct has a single beat which I always took as someone being whipped. COME ON THAT IS SO FUCKING COOL. In 1994 finding subversive shit was hard if you didn’t know where to look so I’d imagine this was the entryway for a LOT of people into darker music. Not to be gatekeeping or anything, but this record did eventually kinda turn into entry level NIN but I blame Closer for that. Anyway. Lyrically the record spans from super deep shit to absolute fucking nonsense so there’s a lot of ground to cover. I’ve always hated Closer lyrically and thought it was the throwaway track because the rest of the album is just insane. The exception to that is Big Man With A Gun because… what the fuck is that? Cmon bro that one could have stayed in the vault. Nobody cares about your dick ya goober. Industrial AND dancey is kinda hard to pull off without sounding corny or silly and I think this was his best effort at mixing the two. The goofy parts of Pretty Hate Machine and the actually creepy parts of Broken melt down into something way more accessible here, and it rules ass. It’s also fairly diverse with the transition from the 1st track into Piggy which is weirdly chill but evolves into chaos. Which also rules ass. Heresy could be a LITTLE bit corny with the god is dead stuff but again this was 1994 so that sort of thing was still controversial. March of the Pigs is such an insane song too. Weird ass time signature, calming piano… brilliant. Ruiner is heavy and cool and slogs along with this weird tension I’ve always loved. The Becoming is so intense. Every young person goes through some depressing time and comes out different and this song captures that feeling. Plus the lyric “god damn this noise inside my head” is cool as fuck. My first long sleeve band shirt had that all on the back and if anyone has one in a small bang my line lol. I think my favorite tracks are Eraser and The Downward Spiral. Eraser is a slow burn and it fully dissolves as it goes but maintains that intensity and feeling like yes, I am indeed losing my mind. Reptile… just gross. Sexy and sticky kinda groove and it makes you want to take a shower haha. Hurt is probably the other track I’d argue brought this into the light BUT it was the Johnny cash version that got all the credit. And I get it, but the original version is the best one. Many people who are smarter than I am have written a ton about this record so I’ll spare the rest of my feelings but i can’t overstate how important this record was. Trent was really onto something during the Broken years and he crafted this record and the b sides out of something special. Yeah some of the lyrics are a bit sophomoric but the guy knew he was gonna be huge. The Fragile is sooooo long and there are too many filler tracks on it so this is my favorite album of theirs by far. Find the B sides and remixes too. All incredibly good.

It’s Bowie. You know it’s good.

Ok back at it. I first heard this when I worked at a record store and was like whooooooa this is DOPE. Haven’t listened in years though. Lots to sift through here but for the most part it’s a chill record. Soulful, some dancy stuff, lots of groove. I definitely got used to skipping through the skits but it makes for a good story, as far as the overall experience. There are a few standout tracks like Doo Wop (That Thing) but it mostly blends together. My favorite track was always I Used To Love Him with Mary j Blige, which is a smooth track for sure. Their voices work so well together. Every Ghetto, Every City is also up there for top tracks. Honestly though this is a great record to listen to start to finish since it’s so cohesive. Sometimes the tracks do blend together but that’s definitely not a bad thing. Her raps and her vocals shine BRIGHT here. In the Fugeees it was a bit more pronounced, but this record absolutely showcases her talents. Everything is Everything is probably my current favorite track, listening from a 2024 perspective. It’s a great song with lots of cool vocal layers. This is also a fairly lengthy listen at over an hour and 15 min but it’s worth it.

MY DAWGS. I will never shut up about this record. In my eyes it is flawless.

These guys were the blueprint for whatever Man Fashion this is. But I will give it a shot! I don’t know what it is about 60’s English dudes trying to recreate the blues. It’s got some funk and some groove but I guess the influence on these blokes was pretty huge. The record starts out pretty well, with You Can All Join In. Some great stuff here, nice riffs and some interesting sounds. Pearly Queen isn’t a bad track but the lyrics are a little uhhhh sus. Cool little improv towards the end! Don’t Be Sad is a hard left turn into some weird vocal harmonies, but the Hammond organ sound is cool. I’m a sucker for 60’s organ sounds. Pretty sure Who Knows What Tomorrow Might Bring is about drugs, but it’s a funky little number. Definitely a laid back kinda song, which is weird if it’s about cocaina. Feelin Alright was the first track i recognized but I didn’t know they did this one and Joe Cocker covered it. How bout that. Nice touch with the saxophone too. Vagabond Virgin lost me. Creepy lyrics aside, it’s just kinda boring. Not much to describe. 40,000 Headmen tells a story but also kinda lost me a bit. Cryin To Be Heard is a slow burn, about halfway in you get the crescendo to something cool but then it kinda fades. Could have trimmed a bit off the intro IMHO but it’s alright. No Time To Live is also similar with the drawn out intro, but doesn’t really go anywhere. Means To An End was a welcome change from the kinda bummer tracks leading up to it. Fun riffs but it’s a weirdly short song. Then it goes back to before with the slow ass intro with Here We Go Round The Mulberry Tree but at least it DOES go somewhere to a more interesting ending. The last few tracks I checked out again for. Medicated Goo is decent but I wasn’t particularly interested in the rest. The whole album is consistent but the middle struggled to pull me in so by the end I was like ehhhh. Not bad but not one I’d seek out for some British guys playing blues.

Hell yeah! Let’s fuckin dance lads. I had to describe these guys in the group chat as a band you hear when you’re shopping at the Gap in 2012. It’s not particularly groundbreaking as far as dance music goes but it’s still fun and upbeat so it’s hard to be mad at it. I would even argue this is Regular Person music since it’s very inoffensive, and not everyone is a huge music fanatic so it works in a broader sense. It’s honestly not a bad record, with some cool tunes and sounds. Lyrically it’s innocuous and fun. Not sure why it’s on this list though, it’s decent but nothing I’d seek out on my own.

Ehhhhh I feel like the mythology around Johnny Cash and his actual life was probably better than the music he put out but that will probably get me arrested so I’ll just leave that there. He definitely had his moments in the early days though and I’d argue he defined “outlaw” country as well. This one is mostly covers including the nine inch nails song Hurt, which I’d say ruined the original since morons worldwide thought Cash wrote it. Anyway. Start to finish it’s a cool record. Since most of the songs are covers you know them. I admittedly skipped to the end of a few songs because they’re good but I just didn’t have the attention span for a few. My favorite track here was the duet with Nick Cave, I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry. For some reason it felt more like a true story than the others, I dunno. This was the only one that actually caught my attention. Tear Stained Letter is the more upbeat track which was my second favorite song. This isn’t a bad record by any stretch, but you definitely have to be in the mood for it. Very quiet and sparse, but I think that was on purpose. The guy was ancient and dying so it’s not a surprise that it’s fairly subdued. The last track, We’ll Meet Again, is actually a pretty cool ending. Sucks the guy passed away so soon after this came out but he was an illustrious musician and deserves the acceptance.

ITS FUCKING BOWIE. Unfuckwithable. This one is one of the weird middle ground records with some classics but also a lot of the tunes have a similar feel. Kinda folky, kinda quiet, but you can tell the Glam is coming. This is another one of those records that is essential, actually, in the Bowie canon. It’s just that good. I’ll skip the track by track because it’s tedious but seriously this one is a masterpiece.

This is my top “here’s some songs guaranteed to make you ugly cry for hours” simply because I was forced to listen to it in high school marching band. We played a lot of these songs so there is ENTIRELY too much nostalgia and emotion. Neverthaless here we go. Imagine simply writing Bridge Over Troubled Water and expecting the world not to change. Lollerskates. They punch you in the face and push you over almost immediately, as if they’re saying HEY MAN FUCK YOUR GOOD MOOD BUT LIFE IS SO BEAUTIFUL SO SUCK IT UP. I truly do not think there is a more beautiful leading track on any record, ever. These two goofballs have vocals that could stop a bank robbery. I’m literally crying right now. Literally. Anyway it’s just ON from there. El Condor Pasa is a massive switch from soaring melodies to Mexican pipe flutes and weird ass lyrics but somehow Paul Simon fuckin kills it. It’s dreamy and disconcerting at the same time. What is even happening right now. AND THEN? Cecelia. A fully upbeat, clap your fuckin hands kind of ditty, all percussion with a sick guitar accompaniment. Then we get the dang flute again but it’s a great lead into what I can only describe as what a skeleton playing its own ribcage? You know exactly what I mean. It fully forms at the end with more harmonies and oh shit I’m crying again. But this time it’s happy tears I think. Keep The Customer Satisfied is another upbeat and fun track but the horns… THE HORNS. You aren’t ready. There’s a touch of organ here too which adds a subtle flavor. Clever and cheeky. So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright is a sleepy, quiet track because you need a damn minute after Customer. I’d imagine this was intentional. Slow and calming. Also what the fuck is this song even about? #1 track for architects I guess. Kinda beatnik-y. The Boxer is yet another one that I am guaranteed to bust out crying to. It tells a sad but inspiring story but the music is insanely good. Starts out quiet but builds to an intense crescendo and you are left feeling like you just got knocked over again. HARMONIES, DUDE. CRIPES. Listen to this track loud for maximum effect tbh. Baby Driver is another weird one that is probably my least favorite but it’s still a fun listen. CB radio crap was all the rage around this time so it’s sort of understandable. Only Living Boy In New York… you bet I’m tearing up again. There’s some weird vibes here but it is such a powerful song. The way these two goofy lads put vocals into the mix as if it’s another instrument is outstanding. The lack of verse/chorus/verse here is also incredible. It’s just MUSIC. But the story is also lovely and it leaves you wondering about this fictional character and what happened to them. Completely switching gears again, Why Don’t You Write Me is an oddly poppy song but it’s not too silly. Not my favorite song on the record next to Baby Driver but it’s got some cool moments. The live version of Bye Bye Love included here isn’t bad, kind of a weird track to include but it’s great. They were an incredible live band for sure. Finally Song For The Asking is a quiet little one but a great ending. It’s almost like they’re saying “hey man, glad you made it this far, let’s do it again sometime.” And then you do.

Back at it babey! Auto 5 stars here.

I actually love this record so this will be easy. Children know these songs so you know it HIT HARD. Jack White did not reinvent anything here but it has a butt, if you will. White people butt tbh.