108
Albums Rated
3.14
Average Rating
10%
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1960s
Favorite Decade
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Favorite Genre
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Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
10
5-Star Albums
5
1-Star Albums
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By Genre
By Decade
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Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture And Morality | 5 | 3.05 | +1.95 |
| Songs Of Leonard Cohen | 5 | 3.38 | +1.62 |
| Suicide | 4 | 2.46 | +1.54 |
| Blonde On Blonde | 5 | 3.5 | +1.5 |
| People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm | 5 | 3.61 | +1.39 |
| Wild Is The Wind | 5 | 3.63 | +1.37 |
| Doolittle | 5 | 3.75 | +1.25 |
| In Rainbows | 5 | 3.84 | +1.16 |
| Foxbase Alpha | 4 | 2.94 | +1.06 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Van Halen | 1 | 3.63 | -2.63 |
| Foo Fighters | 1 | 3.5 | -2.5 |
| Dirt | 1 | 3.47 | -2.47 |
| S&M | 1 | 3.26 | -2.26 |
| Ill Communication | 2 | 3.65 | -1.65 |
| Born To Run | 2 | 3.64 | -1.64 |
| Raising Hell | 2 | 3.51 | -1.51 |
| Crosby, Stills & Nash | 2 | 3.49 | -1.49 |
| Aja | 2 | 3.46 | -1.46 |
| Iron Maiden | 2 | 3.41 | -1.41 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Beatles | 3 | 4.67 |
5-Star Albums (10)
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Popular Reviews
Foo Fighters
1/5
Started okay then all the songs blended for me. I had to listen twice to remember what I heard but I found it rather bland in general.
2 likes
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
2/5
It has some fun tracks and I enjoyed the Jaques Brel cover, and the overall experimentation and energy
1 likes
1-Star Albums (5)
All Ratings
Black Sabbath
3/5
The voice surprised me on the first track. I appreciate the “heavy” but still slow start. It makes the sound spooky. Second track got country feeling with the harmonica. Third track I enjoyed the least. Fourth track Wicked World felt more bluesy. Final track was alright just pretty long but I did get into the groove later in the song. Overall solid and I respect what it was doing at the time. I think I’d return to the album but not on a frequent basis. Also I consider 3 to be a solid rating
Foo Fighters
1/5
Started okay then all the songs blended for me. I had to listen twice to remember what I heard but I found it rather bland in general.
Nick Drake
4/5
Enjoyed it quite a bit as far as music, lyrics and his voice. I’ve heard his songs before but I enjoyed the album and understanding that this is also his first album. I will listen to it more times.
Elliott Smith
3/5
It’s a solid album and I can understand the influence on current similar songwriting music more than I did before after listening. I don’t know that I would return frequently to it but I enjoyed it.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
I don’t think I’d ever listened to this album all the way through just some tracks. The outstanding tracks on this album like Wild Horses and Brown Sugar were familiar and still enjoyed. The others the songs blended together for me as in I didn’t know what track I was on, but I still enjoyed it. The last two tracks started to really grow on me Dead Flowers and Moonlight Mile.
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
2/5
It has some fun tracks and I enjoyed the Jaques Brel cover, and the overall experimentation and energy
Stevie Wonder
4/5
I enjoyed the album overall- Superstition, Maybe Your Baby, You’ve Got It Bad Girl, Big Brother, and I Believe I liked most. The other tracks I really wanted to skip but very solid album.
Nirvana
5/5
I love the way the first track kicks off the album. The first 3 songs are an excellent streak. Even the songs that are not hits were a nice addition- except I could have done without the last track and ended with Something In The Way. This was a 4.5 for me.
The Kinks
3/5
It wasn’t bad but none of the songs really stood out for me- maybe parts of songs like on Animal Farm and Picture Book. I still enjoyed it
Astor Piazzolla
2/5
I don’t mind the genre but this wasn’t my cup of tea
Roxy Music
2/5
I wanted to like it and appreciate elements of the album but it feels like something is missing for me to really enjoy it and want to return to it. I understand the influence they would have especially knowing that Brian Eno and Bryan Ferry would go on to do their own thing and the people they would work with but as an album this was okay to me. It really highlights how the right pieces have to come together for it to be great. 2.5/5
Alice In Chains
1/5
I was hesitant to listen but it was more tolerable than I anticipated at first. I did get bored by the 5th track and I had a hard time just getting through the rest of the album.
The Police
3/5
My standout tracks were Mother and Synchronicity II. After Every Breath You Take I got a bit bored but generally decent album.
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
5/5
I had listened to a couple OMD songs in the past but never a full album until now. Listening through feels like a journey through landscapes. I love the way the vocals and the synths paint a mood. Some of the tracks remind me of contemporary songs I was listening to from a decade ago whilst this was existing in the 80s. I enjoyed every track and they all worked well together and I think that makes a subtle yet great album.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
I love Nick’s type of voice - it’s the type of voice I want to hear and tends to ground me for some reason. I think I like that it is approachable and gritty and how it fits with the songwriting. I am a fan of Leonard Cohen and his way of singing and genre feels similar which is why I’ve enjoyed Nick Cave in the past. And yes I do really like Into Ny Arms.
Depeche Mode
4/5
You can hear the transition from the 80s to the 90s. Enjoy the Silence is my favorite track on the album. I think after a while the vocals become more monotonous to me and I started to tune it out a bit more but overall solid album.
The Temptations
3/5
I enjoyed the title track Cloud Nine the most. I hadn’t listened to the groovier The Temptation songs before and I was grooving.
At I Heard It Through the Grapevine, it started to lose me a bit- it was not my favorite version but definitely a take so I could appreciate it.
Runaway Child, Running Wild has some vocal moments that I find really intriguing like the “I want my mama” cry blending into the groovy sound. I didn’t love the song but definitely stood out to me as an experiment.
The latter half of the album was less standout and I kept forgetting what I listened to. Last I’ll say I like the album art and how it fits the record. Solid
Guns N' Roses
3/5
I enjoy the rock grit and the hype the band brings to the hits. I think the hits still stand as hits and are so obviously the standouts (even if they really do get overplayed).The rest of the songs fell very flat for me and some transitions were harsh which really brought down the album for me. The only one besides the hits that I could listen to was Nightrain.
2.5
New Order
4/5
If I were to paint of picture of the album sound it would just be the album art: technicolor at times, romantic, and a high contrast between the synth and the broody melancholy of 80s new wave. I typically love the genres within the album and I like New Order but I wasn’t necessarily blown away. I probably will come back to it though
3.5
Talking Heads
4/5
The album has some great tunes I actually hadn’t heard before. Pyscho Killer has been an iconic song for me since I was a teen. I enjoy David Byrne’s style but it can get repetitive and it doesn’t work for every song. I generally enjoy how disjointed the lyrics feel at times especially when they work with the melody and the story. Also; album cover is so simple yet so recognizable.
3.5
A Tribe Called Quest
5/5
I’m not very familiar with their discography but I enjoyed this a lot. I like their rap style and how they sample jazz, funk, and even The Beatles and iconically Lou Reed (did learn that they had to credit only him on Can I Kick It for the songwriting royalties). To start off with a baby crying and then tell us ““I don’t think it’s vital for me to be your idol but enjoy this recital” piqued my interest right away. I don’t think I’d ever heard a song introduce the next song pretty much every time the way the album did. I was grooving in my chair through most of this album and listening via my over ear headphones was key for me with this one.
“It’s the nitty/grittty but my time is itty bitty” is my new motto.
4.5
Coldplay
4/5
Gah- exposing myself here but I have a soft spot for this era of Coldplay and at certain nostalgic melancholic moods I’m in, I like to return to it. I don’t really skip any and let myself be in the gooey Brit pop of the early aughts.
3.5
Stevie Wonder
3/5
Nice and enjoyable album. Nothing in particular stood out for me in either positive or negative way.
Dr. Dre
2/5
Sorry to report that I didn’t really enjoy it. I thought I could but it was just fine. Only enjoyed small moments- which I think were mainly when other people were rapping. Also she’s faking it at “The Doctor’s Office”
Radiohead
5/5
I really do love some songs on this album: weird fishes, jigsaw falling into place, reckoner, house of cards, all I need. 4.5/5
Run-D.M.C.
2/5
I wanted to like it more and I respect the influence of the album. I also do like some of the tracks but their style of rapping for that many consecutive songs got a bit tedious for me.
2.5
Beatles
5/5
First of all- great album cover, iconic and impactful. There are so many great songs amidst band turmoil and at the brink of members quitting the band is an impressive feat. My favorite tracks are Something, Oh! Darling, and I love the Golden Slumbers to Carry That Weight pairing.
I listen to Polythene Pam the least but I started to hear a bit of a glam rock quality to it - very short song but good transition to next song. Not a single song on this album I’d skip.
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
I recognize the album cover but I wouldn’t have been able to name a single song that was on the album. However, I did recognize several songs. I enjoyed Bridge Over Troubled Waters and El Condor Pasa the most. Songs like Cecilia and The Boxer have elements I really like in the songwriting but the production wasn’t quite my taste to feel like they’re perfect. I do realize that I probably would really be into more subdued covers of those songs. I think the song I was surprised by the most was So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright- I read up a little on how Art had initially majored in architecture and asked Simon to write this yet Simon knew little about FLW it’s really about both of them breaking up the duo which is quite nostalgic and sweet. It also sounds more understated than the rest. I understand the love for the album and think it’s a good solid album.
3.5/5
Beastie Boys
2/5
I was surprised by some moments in the album where I enjoyed the samples, but overall the eclecticism of sound and rapping came off more chaotic to me and felt like a cacophony of songs. It could have a lot better with major editing because I do like the pink sound, rap and the jazzier samples coming together at points.
On B Boys Makin’ with the Freak Freak: “Mike D with the vinyl with the grooves so rare, and the rhymes that we’re kicking are doo doo” - self awareness?
Sly & The Family Stone
4/5
It’s a Funky psychedelic treat with darker, gritty and mellow tones. Very enjoyable and would love to dive more into it.
Arrested Development
3/5
I never heard of them before- first off interesting album title. After listening all the way through- I really enjoyed the first half of the album but by the second half it got a bit tiresome. I can hear the parallels to A Tribe Called Quest but I think A Tribe Called Quest first album felt more instinctual and fun. This particular album I think got caught up in what it was trying to portray but perhaps this is just my interpretation for a first time listener especially when listening to these two albums closer together.
2.5
A Tribe Called Quest
3/5
I really enjoyed the first Tribe Called Quest Album- this one wasn’t bad but I didn’t enjoy it at the same level. The sound on this album (a year later) definitely sounds evolved/more edited/minimal/slower paced from where they started. I personally enjoyed the journey the first one took me on much more. The influence they were to have on contemporary rap/hip hop is becoming more apparent by this album to me. Still a solid album but more repetitive to me than their previous album.
Van Halen
1/5
I get the appeal especially when it’s nostalgic and the talent associated with it but it doesn’t quite hit for me. There are elements that I could like but all together it sounds cheesy to me and uninteresting. Little Dreamer was the only one with potential for me to like if it was edited back and Ice Cream Man I liked a bit but it was a throwback sound for them not written by them. The album does not hold the test of time for me like many other albums still do.
The Who
3/5
Album was enjoyable- nothing notable except for songs that I was familiar with already but I don’t necessarily gravitate to.
Out In The Street I think is a good precursor for later released songs and starts to have a bit of their stamp. Other tracks felt more generic and less original.
I can see how it could stand out more when it was released, but albeit the classic status it holds, it’s not memorable or captivating enough to me as a whole.
Judas Priest
3/5
I’m not big on Metal as in I never really got very into it but sometimes it really just hits and I really enjoy some of it. This for me is a great record of the genre. The band noted that their producer helped them cutaway all the fluff and this really elevates the album for me (many albums I rated poorly and prior to this made this more apparent). I was familiar with the hits like Breaking the Law but never listened to less popular tracks. Some songs had patriotic vibes that I did not like. Halford’s voice really gives it a recognizable signature.
Calexico
3/5
I actually did not know what to expect especially because I wasn’t feeling the album cover and wasn’t sure what kind of sound they were. Their sound was pleasantly surprising and I’m wondering why I hadn’t heard more from them before or why I was ignoring it. The sound reminds me of albums to come in the 2010s while this was released in 2003. The Latin influence is very clear and makes it sound like it has a point of view without making it a caricature. Overall solid album but not blown away.
4/5
Album was enjoyable soul funk. Like most people I was only familiar with Low Rider and Why Can’t We Be Friends. I really like the intro song Cisco Kid and also how Four Cornered Room really slows down and gets heavier. The album doesn’t feel superfluous at all despite the length of The World is. Ghetto. I think the sound and the lyrics capture the time and place they were writing and performing at very well and I’m glad I got to know a bit more of War through this album.
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
Little Wing is so so good that it’s overshadows many of the other tracks especially on the second half. I can see how impactful hearing something like this for the first time when it was released could have been. The eclectic mixing for EXP serves a really good intro for the softer mellow sound of Up From The Skies. Spanish Castle Magic really sounds like a precursor to harder rock to come. The second half sounded more similar to itself and I lost track except maybe Bold as Love. 3.5/5
Jane Weaver
2/5
I’m also baffled at the inclusion of this album. I enjoyed most of the tracks and it reminds me of things I was listening to and have been listening to for a while now but I’m not sure what makes it standout from contemporaneous albums that I frankly think might have more iconic potential to be on this list. This album seemed rather way more obscure. Overall, happy to be introduced to the album and come back to it but something I’d expect someone to recommend to me and not to be featured on this list. My standouts were I Wish and H>A>K. I had a hard time rating it. I’ll prob weave those couple songs into my playlists but i think my first impression was better than as I re-listened. I realized the album has a lot of potential and aspects I like but there’s something missing so I’m probably being maybe more harsh because I don’t understand it’s place here.
2.5
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
Definitely an iconic album cover. He’s got his distinct vocals of course so I appreciate he’s got his vocal signature. I do like it best when it’s brought down a notch like in I’m on Fire or Cover Me. On the more upbeat songs at the top of his range, I start to tire of it like in Born in The USA and Glory Days. the verses and the chorus just stay to similar in his vocals and just sounds like he’s screaming for too long. The songwriting I appreciate especially there are several covers of his songs that show that they are great songs. Lots of long standing hits on this one which is commendable. 3.5/5
The Young Gods
2/5
Never heard them and had no idea what to expect. Good start weird and fun enough for me in the beginning but by the 3rd song I got a bit lost and started skipping which I rarely do.
Iron Maiden
2/5
I had friends in middle school who loved them and I never even tried to listen to a single song. I just thought it wasn’t made for me which to be fair it probably isn’t. It’s actually not quite what I pictured the sound to be. I get why it’s liked and I actually was pleasantly surprised that it’s not worse than I imagined. It’s a lot more musical. I like the first and second track best.
2.5
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
3/5
Nice easy listening Jazz. Take 5 was my favorite.
George Michael
3/5
I’m not very familiar with George Michael’s repertoire but I know the hits. The start of the album was enjoyable. I really did enjoy Freedom! a lot more than I have before and stand out. Overall very listenable, but not something I’d likely return to.
Louis Prima
4/5
Louis Prima- What a unique voice. It’s fun and easy listening. Definitely an album to pop in the record player Saturday morning.
Bob Dylan
5/5
Personal Fun Fact: my first concert was a Bob Dylan Concert I was allowed to sneak into. His voice is definitely particular but I enjoy on the album how he delivers his writing. It’s not a great voice but I think it offers a mood to the music. There are moments I’m in the melancholy and happy to hear it right away and sometimes I have to sit with it a bit and it clicks. I’ll be a little biased here and would go on a 4.5 round up
Miles Davis
4/5
I don’t have much to say except it’s a great jazz album! Hopefully, I return to it.
Johnny Cash
4/5
when I think of great live albums and live albums I enjoy, I think of his. His energy and his ad lib just transport you - mind you in several albums to prisons. I admire his musical style and advocacy. Some great songs on here too.
TV On The Radio
3/5
I was familiar with a couple songs which I really like. I was curious to see what their discography is like. It definitely makes sense to me to be on the list as an album that captures an era of the early 2000s. Decent album. It feels like it can grow more on me but early impressions I’m left at a 3.
Moby
3/5
I am not very familiar with his songs. Album cover was familiar. First seconds I was liking it but definitely sounded very repetitive sampling/loops without contributing enough I think. Porcelain I liked most- felt the most complete. Nice Decent background music especially at the second half. 3.5
Cyndi Lauper
3/5
Cyndi is a great 80s icon. I was very familiar with the hits on the album. Fun Pop album overall. Out of songs I hadn’t heard I enjoyed Money Changes Everything most. Time after Time and All Through The Night were/are my favorites on the album. Girls just wanna have fun is a great tune to be introduced to/know.
The Who
2/5
I get it I do but I couldn’t get enough into it even after trying to re-listen. I appreciate their energy in the live however I wouldn’t want to return to the album, I was a bit bored after a bit.
Frank Sinatra
3/5
First off, what a voice. The album did sound more generic to me like what I would think a generic Frank Sinatra album is. It’s harder to distinguish songs from each other. Nothing in particular stood out but it was nice to listen to. The album cover is a bit funny to me also.
Napalm Death
1/5
I was intimated at first at the 28 tracks then realized it’s only 33min! I listened to it low. This is less the type of vocals I enjoy in metal/hard rock. It’s also monotonous- I can’t tell songs apart especially when some are so short. Siege of Power was the only one I could hear a semblance of musicality. Hard time getting through it.
Drive Like Jehu
2/5
I understand what it’s going for but i think I really have to be in a mood for this genre. Songs felt too long and blended for me at points especially since the singing mainly stays in the same exact range. I couldn’t understand anything lyrically. The album improved for me at the second half. My standout was Super Unison. Cover Art is decent.
CHIC
2/5
I do really like disco but this was just okay for me. It wasn’t as fun and distinctive as I like disco to be.
Lauryn Hill
4/5
There are a lot of good tracks on this album. I was familiar with a few tracks and really impressed by the album has a whole. Her mix of rap and singing is done quite flawlessly. Ex-Factor and Doo Wop are my stand outs. The “can”t take my eyes off of you” cover is excellent. I see myself returning to the album just maybe not frequently.
Lorde
2/5
I am familiar with some of Lorde’s hits who could escape Royals when it came out. I never listened to an album through or not sure if I know any other song by her. I like the album cover and recognize it.
The album sounded like carefully calculated pop to me. She’s got a distinct voice that really leaves a stamp on her songs and I don’t mind it. She’s also got more creative lyrics than other pop sensations.
I understand why it’s on the list but not something I’d return to as someone who enjoys some pop. I was ready for it to be over pretty soon into it.
I’m not sure if I enjoy the Jack Antonoff marks on albums which is an epiphany to me, with maybe a couple exceptions.
Anita Baker
3/5
V soulful, smooth and beautiful voice. Not my typical go-to but I enjoyed this enough. Better for background music for me. I think some of the songs are longer than they need to be and I don’t love the production.
Beatles
4/5
I spent my teenage years obsessed with the Beatles discography. I don’t get back to it as much as before but it’s such a treat to listen again through this project and see which I still love.
My favorite tracks on the album:
All my Loving
You Really Got a Hold On Me
Money
Beatles
5/5
I was a massive Beatles fam in my teenage years. I listen much less nowadays but it was nice to revisit these albums after some time and to find a renewed appreciation.
It’s clever album with tons of favorite songs. The album not only captures the period of time but the state of the band as well. It still feels fresh to me in so many ways even if it’s not a perfectly packager double album with disjointed songs all within the umbrella of one album.
Favorite Tracks:
Dear Prudence
Glass Onion
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Happiness is a Warm Gun
Blackbird
Helter Skelter
Revolution 1
“I’m so Tired” is a new favorite. Might listen to it more.
I forget how much I like “Long Long Long”.
Least favorite:
Piggies
Buena Vista Social Club
4/5
There are songs I’m familiar with already. It’s very enjoyable and I would return to listen to the album as a whole again. Nice to have in the background without it being boring. Helped me focus which is sometimes such a plus for me.
Steely Dan
2/5
There are some aspects that I appreciate how they come together/how they’re composed. However, I’m not sure if it’s a couple instruments that take me out of enjoying it or if it’s just the production but I didn’t like it enough to return to it as whole. Aja, Home at Last, Peg were my standouts and I wonder if a current cover would make me like them more. Some songs are a bit too long.
2.5
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Gimme shelter is such a great song- it really sets high standard for the album. I generally enjoyed it but wish all would have been to the same caliber but I guess You can’t always get what you want.
Megadeth
2/5
I’ve heard of Megadeth and the Metallica connection but I have never heard a song by them prior to this. As far as Metal goes, not my favorite. There are some wicked moments but a moment doesn’t make a great track or album. “Good Mourning/Black Friday” and “I ain’t Superstitious” were the most interesting to me.
John Martyn
2/5
Couldn’t love you more and Small Hours were the standout tracks. The rest was just fine. The songs reminded me of songs that would be at the beginning of romantic or drama 90s movies in a generic way. Small Hours I honestly would have enjoyed more with no vocals.
Portishead
3/5
Sour Times is a favorite song. The rest of the album was alright to me but I’d like to come back and listen
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
This album is downright good. Right off the bat- Cinnamon Girl is a great start. The album cover is already setting me up for what I’m about to listen to. This is an album to own. 4.5
Sparks
4/5
“This town ain’t big of us for the both of us” is such a cool song. The album is weird humorous sick glam rock. Someone mentioned the word baroque which is so fitting- makes me think of the movie Amadeus with rock. You also hear the influence they will have in other bands and songs to come.
Television
4/5
I love Television. I love Marquee Moon track in particular although it is quite long. It’s one of a small select number that I can stand being so long. The album sounds cool, there are aspects of it that sound so contemporary to me. I enjoy Tom Verlaine’s vocals with the music which sounds like a form of subtle punk.
Elvis Costello
2/5
Strong debut album. The songs were generally okay. I found them a bit boring to be frank.
The Cure
4/5
First track makes you think you’re about to go into a hard metal album or you’re in an 80s suspenseful movie. The second track takes you into The Cure’s morose synthy rhythms and Robert Smith’s distinctive vocals. I love “A Forest”. I would come back there this album.
David Bowie
4/5
I finally get a Bowie album. I’m surprised it’s 2013 Bowie but also glad it pushed me to listen through. I had heard The Stars and Where are We Now before. I’m a Bowie fan and hadn’t really listened to this particular album. I think it’s a strong come back. He keeps his signature but brings us his new point of view/his new concerns.
The Zombies
3/5
The first track sounds like the most feel good song about someone coming home from prison. By “A Rose For Emily” , the songs lyrics are much somber and darker in a way then the sound. If I wasn’t paying attention on the first listen I would have thought I was listening to a generally okay feel good album. Nothing like harmonizing on a song that contains lyrics “I feel I’ll never breathe again, I feel life’s gone from me”.
I appreciate the writing. the sound I was getting over after several tracks. I like this much better than the early The Who albums with similar sound. My standouts were Beechwood Park and definitely Time of The Season.
Time of The Season just feels too cool for the album.
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
I could probably listen to “Bookends Theme” on repeat. The transition from it to “Save the Life of My Child” was pretty cool. I like the sound of “Save The Life of My Child” but the sound coupled with the story is surprising.
I’m not a huge Simon and Garfunkel person but I do prefer this over Bridge Over Troubles Water. I like the experimentation and the production of this one.
The White Stripes
3/5
I’m familiar with the white stripes but I’ll admit I never listened to a full album. Blue Orchid is fun and pulsating. I enjoyed the songs mostly but not as many stand outs for me on this. 3.5
Bauhaus
3/5
The album was good for working while listening. it was noisy and eerie at points but in a good way.
3.5
Machito
4/5
Opening track was very fun. Overall very enjoyable. I’d listen again. I don’t know if there’s anything specific that places this apart from similar sounds but I’m going off the enjoyment.
PJ Harvey
3/5
I definitely hear the Patti Smith echoed in the delivery of Rid Of Me but more 90s punk rock/more hard. I think more people should know PJ Harvey- it sounds gritty raw and unpretentious. Yet the last half of the album brought me to a 3/3.5
Leonard Cohen
5/5
This was a gift for a Friday album. I immediately was happy to listen and knew I was going to come in with a higher rating.
Cohen’s delivery is not an amazing vocal performance and he knew this; yet I love the distinctive and raw quality of it so much more than the mechanic/soul-less deliveries of others. Every song is a story. Suzanne is one of my favorite songs of all time but I don’t skip a single song on the album.
For those of us who enjoy it, I think it’s something genuine that resonates with us. For me putting a Cohen album is emotional regulation: it’s comfort within his melancholy and evocations.
The Stooges
3/5
I wish the quality of the vocals on Search and Destroy had the gravity Gimme Danger has.
Overall Eccentric and a kind of punk sounding fun album. I’d return to listen again 3.5
Metallica
1/5
I like the play on the abbreviation: S&M (symphony and Metallica). I am familiar with some Metallica but not many so this will be an intro to some of these with the orchestra. Ecstasy of Gold sounds like the start of a Zelda style video game. I like the concept and I think for super fans or in person would be epic? but I personally felt it was too long and was worn out by it pretty quickly. I rather try at a different Metallica album.
1.5
3/5
I prefer this over the previous Kinks 1968 album (village green) I got on the generator. Victoria is a standout track. 3.5
Missy Elliott
2/5
The sound is definitely fly. The Rain is my favorite on the album. I appreciate where this album takes R&B and the debut aspect of it. It is not fully something I’d listen to and enjoy all the way through. 2.5
Bruce Springsteen
2/5
Start was just okay with Thunder Road. I appreciate he’s not yelling as much on this one as he did in Born in The USA. It’s overall somewhat enjoyable but not stand out to me. At points cheesy and boring. I did not like Backstreets.
AC/DC
3/5
I have a soft spot for this sound and gritty vocals especially on the well known ones like Highway to Hell. Night Prowler was also fun. All in all good exemplary album for the genre. 3.5
Mudhoney
2/5
The first track was a good start but After a while I wasn’t too into it but generally decent.
Magazine
4/5
The album cover is pretty rad. I’d never heard of them before and had no expectations.? The sound is pretty fun a little new wave a bit punk at times. It makes me want to check out more and will include some tracks on my music rotation.
Stereo MC's
2/5
The guy singing on the first track reminded me of Oasis goes “trip hop” as Wikipedia described the genre. I didn’t like Everything and after a while I got a bit tired of the tracks.
The Verve
3/5
Rolling People reminds me of U2 meets Oasis which now reading the wiki I can see they were friends/toured with Oasis. I did not realize this band started in 1990 and sounds like it was a long way to a huge hit.
Bittersweet Symphony is such a catchy layered song. The vocals fit the tone so well. I was really only familiar with this song given it was so huge when it came out. The potential this song demonstrates is great and goes way beyond the sample they use. When Oasis existed, I do rather listen to Oasis. With that said I did enjoy Weeping Willow, Lucky Man and Velvet Morning. They were redeeming on my rating.
Crosby, Stills & Nash
2/5
Suite:Judy Blue Eyes went all over and I got over it the last couple minutes. What is the start on Marrakesh Express? The song has elements that remind me of Simon & Garfunkel. Overall not as standout to me even if I like the elements. 2.5
Nas
3/5
I had never listened to Nas that I am consciously aware of. I like the jazzy hip hop the album incorporates. A few of the tracks I really enjoyed much more than I expected especially on the second half. I think it’s an album that could grow on me in the right mood but for this listen I think it’s good and I can see how influential it is.
3.5
Pixies
5/5
Awesome record that I hadn’t listened all the way through for some mistaken reason. monkey gone to heaven is my favorite on the album. I was already familiar with a few songs and I think this is a great album to come back to.
Big Star
2/5
Mmm it’s just barely okay. Nighttime and Blue Moon turned the rating around for me a bit.
Traffic
3/5
Never heard of Traffic before. It’s decent - I enjoyed the first tracks Glad, Freedom Rider and Empty Pages
2.5
Nina Simone
5/5
I do love Nina. This particular album has a mix for me of what I enjoy. By the time I got to “That’s all I ask” I was really into it. The first few songs were my least favorite but the rest was so incredibly good.
4.5
DJ Shadow
3/5
Building Steam is pretty badass. I enjoyed working to it. “Number”song dropped it quite a bit for me and I had to skip that track and then the rest was a bit of a mixed bag. I liked parts of Stem and liked What does your soul look like and Organ Donor as well.
Pulp
2/5
Generally okay album. I really like some moments of some songs and their dramatic build ups. I do enjoy the mix of singing/talk sing. Nothing really stood out. Might take a few listens to grow on me but first impresión is just fine album. 2.5
Supergrass
4/5
I enjoyed this quite a bit. It’s good and noisy in a fun energetic way. I would return to it definitely
Willie Nelson
4/5
Took a hiatus and hadn’t rated this album. I listened again and it is very fitting to the mellow start of a new year. Willie Nelson has a peculiar voice but it gives a balanced grit to the softness of the music and melody.
Muddy Waters
3/5
The sound is plain cool- from the voice to the instruments. After a while, I tired a bit but it’s a solid 3.5
Saint Etienne
4/5
I respect the thematic thread beginning from the intro to the album. I’m not typically invested in albums like this one but I did like the quirkiness paired with the mellow vibe. It surprised me and I would listen again.
OutKast
4/5
The album is cool, sleek and quirky which I don’t think is an easy feat. Masterful genre/sound blending. My stand outs were “So Fresh,So Clean”, “Ms.Jackson” (of course), “B.O.B”.
The Monkees
3/5
Generally reminded me of the Beatles.
“I’ll spend my life with you” and “early morning blues and greens” are closest to a standout of the album for me. The Album went by for me very quickly -nothing really caught my attention much but it was pleasant.
Songhoy Blues
4/5
Once “Soubour” started a turned up the volume. Very Cool stuff.
Suicide
4/5
It’s cool, synthy, neurotic and a bit horny. It’s probably generally abrasive but I enjoyed listening and would listen again. Ghost Rider and Cheree are my favorites.
Public Enemy
2/5
Some of the tracks blended for me. There were aspects I really appreciate especially in context of its time but not very memorable for me and I wouldn’t return to listen.
Soft Machine
2/5
Yikes- the intro was very very rough, once the first track got to 8min in the song transformed.
love the cover art. It started to grow on me a bit and I was able to get through the album.