Apr 01 2024
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Pet Sounds
The Beach Boys
Not as groundbreaking now as in 1966 but still a nice listen. I particularly enjoyed Lets Go Away for a While which constantly seems ready to transition into a verse but never does. Even without lyrics it says more than most songs can with a dozen verses.
4
Apr 02 2024
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Boston
Boston
A quintessential classic rock album. I'm really not sure what more you can ask for from this genre.
5
Apr 03 2024
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All Directions
The Temptations
Amazing album all the way through. Catchy, funky, and soulful. This one is enjoyable from start to finish and a glimpse of Motown at its height.
5
Apr 04 2024
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Music in Exile
Songhoy Blues
4
Apr 05 2024
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Guero
Beck
Overall the album was very enjoyable, I especially liked the variety between songs and even within individual songs. Beck experiments with a lot of different genres and for the most part is adept with each one. The first two songs are a great example. E-Pro is a catchy rock song while the second one is like a spanish-infused rap, but both are equally effective.
All that variety did result in a couple of missteps in my opinion. I liked the idea behind Hell Yes but the execution was a bit clumsy. However, the biggest offender for me was easily Farewell Ride. This song is all over the place and not in a good way. I expect I'll be skipping this track on repeat listens, but overall a great album.
4
Apr 08 2024
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It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back
Public Enemy
Public Enemy certainly had a lot to say on this album. I didn't delve too deeply into the lyrics but it sounds like they had some interesting points especially on political and social commentary.
I am giving this album a rating of 2 stars based on my personal enjoyment, not because I believe it is a bad album. To me the style of rapping and the production just sounded very dated and I didn't find enjoyable to listen to. I would probably like this album better if I heard it in 1988, but from a 2024 perspective I found that it aged poorly.
2
Apr 09 2024
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Teen Dream
Beach House
Very enjoyable album. Both the production and the vocals were excellent.
4
Apr 10 2024
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Your New Favourite Band
The Hives
I enjoyed album's frenetic energy and pace. It's a very good punk album but I don't see anything in particular that elevates it above other efforts in the genre.
3
Apr 11 2024
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Live Through This
Hole
Solid but unremarkable album. I don't expect I'll be revisiting.
3
Apr 12 2024
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Tubular Bells
Mike Oldfield
I actually enjoyed most of the first two songs a lot, interminable as they were. However, my enjoyment vanished any time he opened his mouth. I think this whole album would have been better served as an instrumental.
The third song, the first short one, was probably the highlight of the album. I found the last song so annoying that it singlehandedly dropped this album by a star. It's not the type of album that I expect to revisit.
3
Apr 14 2024
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At San Quentin
Johnny Cash
Personally I am not a big fan of live albums in general, but this one is very effective for a few reasons. Firstly, the setting makes this concert inherently interesting, as it is being played for prisoners at San Quentin. Cash plays to the crowd wonderfully, joking around with them while also showing his sympathy for their situation. His ad-libs are endearing and add flavor to the recording.
The music itself is also quite good, though surprisingly absent of a few of his biggest hits. I don't mind this, however, and enjoyed hearing some of his other songs for the first time. A Boy Named Sue was especially enjoyable for myself and the prison audience. Cash also plays a new song called San Quentin created specifically for the occasion, and it clearly resonated with the audience, to the point that he immediately played it again as an encore.
4
Apr 15 2024
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Aladdin Sane
David Bowie
I always thought I didn't like David Bowie. It turns out I just don't like his hits which they always play on the radio. This album surprised me very much because I enjoyed it much more than I expected. I particularly liked the final song.
4
Apr 16 2024
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Hard Again
Muddy Waters
Absolutely classic blues from one of the legends of the genre. The album was more or less as expected, though some may be surprised to hear that the iconic Bad to the Bone riff was lifted from Waters' Mannish Boy. The songs do start to feel a bit repetitive by the end but I suppose that is to be expected on a blues album. Also, unrelated to the album but Muddy Waters is such a great name.
4
Apr 17 2024
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Virgin Suicides
Air
I absolutely love the first song and had high expectations for the rest of the album but was immediately disappointed. I'm sure this record is good as a movie soundtrack but it doesn't really work as an album on its own.
2
Apr 18 2024
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Dare!
The Human League
Everyone knows Don't You Want Me but I had never heard of the group or the album before. Overall a solid but unremarkable 80's pop album. They remind me of a slightly worse Depeche Mode.
3
Apr 19 2024
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The Seldom Seen Kid
Elbow
I found this album very interesting and enjoyable. I had never heard of Elbow before (what a terrible name for a band) so I was not sure what to expect. What I found was a lovely, consistently excellent record.
I particularly enjoyed The Bones of You as well as the off-kilter yet balanced song The Fix, which reminds me of something from a bygone era which I can't quite put my finger on. Grounds for Divorce was also a nice change of pace after the first few songs. The crown jewel of the album, however, is probably One Day Like This, with its beautiful string introduction which could background the climactic scene of a Wes Anderson film.
I couldn't quite get to 5 stars so I settled for 4 for this review but I will definitely be revisiting this album regularly.
4
Apr 20 2024
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This Is Fats Domino
Fats Domino
I only listened to half of the album because the rest was unavailable on Spotify. Of course Blueberry Hill is the standout song, but the rest were decent if not a bit repetetive.
3
Apr 21 2024
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Crosby, Stills & Nash
Crosby, Stills & Nash
Great album. Nice harmonies. The Beatles influence is evident from the first minute. Definitely a product of its time but the record holds up very well. I guess that makes it timeless.
I particularly liked the first song, as well as Wooden Ships and Long Time Gone. I also enjoyed the Creedence vibes on Everybody's Talking.
4
Apr 22 2024
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Young Americans
David Bowie
Another Bowie album. This is the second David Bowie I have gotten so far from this list (out of 8!) and once again it's a solid album but I am yet to be truly impressed by his work. Fame is the best and most famous song on this record, but Fascination, Right, and the title track are also quite good. I still feel as if I'm missing exactly what makes Bowie so renowned. Maybe by the time I listen to 6 more of his albums I'll get the appeal.
3
Apr 23 2024
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Aftermath
The Rolling Stones
Starting the record with Paint It Black, one of the greatest songs ever written, certainly sets the bar high for the rest of the album. Unfortunately, it underwhelms. That's not to say there are no other good songs; I Am Waiting and Flight 505 are both solid, and Under My Thumb is a certified classic. But everything else is average at best and a disappointment relative to my standards of the Rolling Stones.
3
Apr 24 2024
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Doggystyle
Snoop Dogg
Certified G-Funk classic alongside the Chronic. Dre and Snoop in their element, at the peak of their creative powers. There's not some impressive message or depth in the lyrics, but Snoop never pretends that there is. Also, I find it absolutely hilarious how often Snoop refers to himself in third person or spells out his own name.
5
Apr 25 2024
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Merriweather Post Pavilion
Animal Collective
Decent album, pretentious name.
3
Apr 26 2024
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Sunshine Superman
Donovan
I'm not exactly sure what it is about this album that I love so much. It sounds like pretty classic 60's psychedelic rock, in the vein of the Beatles, but all the songs work together so well. I enjoyed the mythical, mystical theme about the legend of Camelot. I also enjoyed the use of Indian instruments like the sitar and tabla. Overall, a lovely listen.
5
Apr 27 2024
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Tommy
The Who
I understand this is considered an innovative concept album, especially for the time, but that does not make it good or an enjoyable listen. Several of the songs were actively annoying, and by the end I hated the character of Tommy. The highlight of the album by far was Pinball Wizard. Lowlights were plentiful but Tommy Can You Hear Me and Tommy's Holiday Camp were especially rough.
2
Apr 28 2024
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Hearts And Bones
Paul Simon
Decent but not very memorable. I doubt I'll ever come back to this one.
3
Apr 29 2024
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Basket of Light
Pentangle
At its best, this record conjures visions of nature, of peace, of a time and place and way of life which no longer exist. The female singer's voice is absolutely ethereal. Songs with the male singer are also very good and a nice change of pace because they are a little less folksy. It's a shame that the worst song on the album (Sally Go Round the Roses) makes THREE appearances on the album in the form of re-recordings. Still this is not enough to detract from the excellence of the rest of the album.
4
Apr 30 2024
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Licensed To Ill
Beastie Boys
Some classic songs like Slow Ride and Fight for Your Right but overall the record sounded old and dated. The production especially was a muddled mess at times. I also disliked their voices, one guy especially which made it hard to enjoy.
2
May 01 2024
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Exile In Guyville
Liz Phair
Not offensively bad but just kind of boring and I dislike the singer's voice. I don't see much to recommend here.
2
May 10 2024
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Feast of Wire
Calexico
A brilliant, brilliant album. I am sad to say I had never heard of this album or even the band Calexico before, but I've seen and heard of them now. And I can't wait to hear more from them.
Music like this can only be made by a group from the American southwest, and sure enough Calexico took their name from a town on the Mexican-American border. Just listening to these songs can transport you to the desert. I can almost hear the crinkle of cowboy boots against sand. My mind continuously conjured images of tumbleweed rolling across a vast landscape. That vastness contains a unique solitude which in my view can also be found in the music.
Clearly, this record was heavily influenced by Mexican artists, which greatly enhances the music. The album is consistent, both in content and quality, but never feels repetitive. It is difficult to isolate any particular highlights or lowlights because there really aren't dips in quality. Overall, this is probably my favorite album I've heard so far from this list.
5
May 11 2024
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Nevermind
Nirvana
There have probably been more words written about Nevermind than almost any record in history, so I won't belabor the point. All there really is to say is that this is an amazing album, a historic album, and it remains a fantastic listen more than 30 years after its release. It is certainly front-loaded in terms of the hits, but the quality does not drop off much in the second half, with the exception of the final track which is the only one I didn't enjoy.
5
May 12 2024
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Dummy
Portishead
Eerie, dark, and exceptional. Only reason it's not 5 stars is because it can a bit repetitive.
4
May 13 2024
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Southern Rock Opera
Drive-By Truckers
Southern rock is generally not my favorite, but with that said this is definitely a highlight of the genre. It contains interesting lyrics as well, touching on some political themes throughout.
3
May 14 2024
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Songs In The Key Of Life
Stevie Wonder
What a beautiful, wonderful album. There's really nothing to say about this album that hasn't already been said, but it was a joy to listen to. One note: I didn't know that Coolio's Gangster's Paradise sampled Stevie Wonder.
5
May 15 2024
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Palo Congo
Sabu
This album does not belong on this list.
2
May 30 2024
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Dookie
Green Day
3
May 31 2024
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Beach Samba
Astrud Gilberto
A soothing and pleasant listen, but I doubt I'll ever listen to it again.
3
Jun 01 2024
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It's Too Late to Stop Now
Van Morrison
In my view live albums don't belong on this list, but this one was excellent. Lots of enjoyable songs, especially in the beginning.
4
Jun 03 2024
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Liege And Lief
Fairport Convention
Albums like this are part of why I enjoy the 1001 albums journey. It's not one of my favorites or anything, but it was definitely interesting and there's no way I'd ever listen to this otherwise. Who listens to semi-medieval folk?
3
Jun 04 2024
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Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters
It's a fine album but not particularly memorable. I don't really see much to set it apart from other efforts and I doubt I'll be revisiting.
3
Jun 05 2024
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The Age Of The Understatement
The Last Shadow Puppets
Such a sick album. Sometimes punky, oftentimes lovely. I heard it three times and it's only gotten better on each listen.
I also love the album cover which isn't that important but still appreciated, especially when the artwork matches the album contents.
5
Jun 06 2024
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Dub Housing
Pere Ubu
Musically it's actually kind of interesting but the singing is truly awful.
2
Jun 07 2024
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Aha Shake Heartbreak
Kings of Leon
For what it is, it's very good. No technical notes but I like the overall vibe. Even though I wouldn't say the vocalist is a particularly good singer, he perfectly matches the energy of the album. I also like his weird accent.
Also, it's not very important but I appreciate when the band and the album have cool names. Aha Shake Heartbreak by the Kings of Leon just sounds like it'll be good even if you've never heard of them.
4
Jun 08 2024
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Physical Graffiti
Led Zeppelin
Incredible album, probably my favorite by Led Zeppelin. Straight bangers which is rare for a double album. Favorites are Kashmir and Trampled Under Foot.
5
Jun 09 2024
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Fuzzy Logic
Super Furry Animals
I have no idea why this album is on this list. It's fine, I guess but that's not exactly high praise. It's not famous, I don't see anything unique about it, it's just a decent indie rock album. I almost took a point away just because of the group's god-awful name. So stupid.
3
Jun 14 2024
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american dream
LCD Soundsystem
3
Jun 15 2024
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Slippery When Wet
Bon Jovi
Definitely has some bangers but there is not enough consistent excellence to merit 5 stars.
4
Jun 16 2024
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The Last Of The True Believers
Nanci Griffith
This is not at all my kind of music but I have to acknowledge that it is undoubtedly an excellent album.
4
Jun 17 2024
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Different Class
Pulp
3
Jun 18 2024
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Led Zeppelin III
Led Zeppelin
It doesn't reach the same highs as some of the other Led Zeppelin albums on this list, but it's still consistently very good. Of course Immigrant Song is a classic, and Since I've Been Loving You is another standout. I also love their cover the Yardbirds' Tangerine.
4
Jul 12 2024
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Survivor
Destiny's Child
Decent pop album. Nothing remarkable.
3
Jul 13 2024
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Harvest
Neil Young
Some really nice songs here. Young's singing at times is a struggle but for the most part is ok. He does a great job of making you feel the emotion of the sing, even if you are not paying particular attention to the lyrical content.
4
Jul 14 2024
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Cross
Justice
Not my kind of music but it's certainly well-made.
3
Jul 15 2024
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Stankonia
OutKast
Great album, of course everyone loves the hits like Ms Jackson, B.O.B., and So Fresh So Clean (my personal favorite), but some of the other songs are excellent as well. In particular Gasoline Dreams was a great way to start the album. I also enjoyed the variety and different styles used between songs.
4
Jul 16 2024
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Getz/Gilberto
Stan Getz
It's pleasant to listen to but a bit boring and the songs all blend together. I doubt I'll ever seek it out again.
3
Jul 24 2024
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Machine Gun Etiquette
The Damned
Very enjoyable punk album by a group I'd never heard of.
4
Jul 25 2024
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All Things Must Pass
George Harrison
Oftentimes beautiful, certainly interminable. I will never understand what compels artists to release albums of 2 hours or longer. Just make a second album at that point. I'm in no rush to listen to the whole album again in its entirety, but there are enough great songs and moments to merit a high rating.
4
Jul 26 2024
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Remedy
Basement Jaxx
I'm not really into electronic music but this album is definitely well-made and some of the songs were very catchy. I especially enjoyed Bingo Bango.
3
Jul 27 2024
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Meat Is Murder
The Smiths
Excellent album, the second half in particular is brilliant. I especially like Nowhere Fast and Well I Wonder, though the last two songs are great as well.
5
Jul 28 2024
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Ogden's Nut Gone Flake
Small Faces
The songs aren't terrible but why on earth would they add a narrator?!? Especially one that sounds like an 18th century British officer. Almost gave one star on that basis alone.
2
Jul 29 2024
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Bad Company
Bad Company
Very good classic rock. An easy, enjoyable listen but did not contain enough quality to merit 5 stars.
4
Jul 30 2024
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Paranoid
Black Sabbath
One of the greatest albums ever made by the heavy metal masters at their peak. Has there ever been a stronger opener than the thunderous War Pigs? From the opening riff they convey the doom of war and then follow it up with the masterful title track.
Lyrically poignant and instrumentally flawless, this album truly has everything you could want from a metal band. And there is variety rarely seen in the genre.
5
Aug 03 2024
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White Light / White Heat
The Velvet Underground
Sometimes good but more often pretentious garbage.
2
Aug 04 2024
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Brilliant Corners
Thelonious Monk
I'm sure this is a good and acclaimed jazz album, but I just don't enjoy jazz music.
2
Aug 05 2024
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Forever Changes
Love
Good album. Very 60's. Some brilliant songs but not quite enough to warrant 5 stars. The album starts especially strong but isn't able to maintain that quality throughout.
4
Aug 06 2024
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Vol. 4
Black Sabbath
Classic Black Sabbath. Though not quite on par with their previous two albums, Vol 4 is still excellent. The riffs are as heavy as ever and the whole group seems exceptionally comfortable and in their element. I particularly liked Snowblind, and I also enjoyed Changes, which marks a big departure from Sabbath's normal sound.
4
Aug 08 2024
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I’ve Got a Tiger By the Tail
Buck Owens
I would probably love this album if I was born in 1940. Unfortunately for Buck Owens, this kind of music just doesn't have the same effect in the 21st century. That's not to say there are no good songs; I enjoyed a couple of them but overall it was a boring listen.
2
Aug 09 2024
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Skylarking
XTC
Interesting album, I enjoyed the variety but overall the quality was a bit inconsistent.
3
Aug 10 2024
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Sound of Silver
LCD Soundsystem
3
Aug 11 2024
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New Boots And Panties
Ian Dury
A strange and eccentric record but certainly worth listening to. The music is interesting and occasionally catchy but I was more impressed with the lyrics, which are sarcastic, humorous, biting, and so very British.
4
Aug 12 2024
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Led Zeppelin IV
Led Zeppelin
There are a couple of weak spots on the album, but the peaks are higher than almost any other record in history. Of course I am referring to Black Dog, as well as the iconic Stairway to Heaven and the titanic When the Levee Breaks. When you have three tracks of this quality, it's hard to argue against a 5 star rating.
5
Aug 16 2024
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Blue Lines
Massive Attack
Very rhythmic. The drums were the clear standout of the album.
4
Aug 17 2024
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Hybrid Theory
Linkin Park
Very catchy, I see why this was such a big hit. Still I don't consider it a great album, merely good.
3
Aug 18 2024
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Isn't Anything
My Bloody Valentine
Boring, common, poorly mixed, and with weak singing.
2
Aug 19 2024
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Warehouse: Songs And Stories
Hüsker Dü
Solid upbeat rock record. Reminded me a little bit of Green Day.
3
Aug 20 2024
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Chirping Crickets
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
Thank god for the 60s for bringing music, especially rock music, out of the stone ages and into modern times. It's unbelievable how much one decade revolutionized the genre. These 50s classics just sound so old and dated, and I find them extremely difficult to enjoy from the perspective of a listener in 2024. At times I found it actively annoying.
2
Aug 31 2024
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She's So Unusual
Cyndi Lauper
Cyndi Lauper can definitely rock. This one was a lot of fun. I love the energy, the excitement. It's catchy as hell and I appreciate that it doesn't take itself too seriously. After all, not everything has to be profound. Sometimes it's good to just have fun.
I always find albums like these interesting where there are a couple of massive hits and then some songs are pretty much unknown. I actually enjoyed the unknown songs as much as the hits. I especially liked She Bop.
4
Sep 01 2024
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Strangeways, Here We Come
The Smiths
Classic Smiths. No new ground broken on this one but still enjoyable.
4
Sep 02 2024
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Dirty
Sonic Youth
Solid punk, though it's probably not a good sign for a punk album that the best moments arrive on the slow melodic songs. I appreciate that the record lives up to it's name in the opening seconds of the first track.
3
Sep 03 2024
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Marquee Moon
Television
Very strong album. I enjoyed the progressive rock elements, nice variety between songs, some excellent guitar work. The singer's voice frequently reminded of Mick Jagger, though Jagger is more electric. My favorite songs were the last two and the sprawling 10 minute title track.
4
Sep 04 2024
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The Dark Side Of The Moon
Pink Floyd
What is there to say about this one that hasn't been said a million times? Everyone and their mother knows this one, and probably owns the vinyl. Obviously it's a timeless classic, worthy of a 5 star rating.
The interesting thing for me is that if I rated this album as a collection of individual songs, it would be very good but not masterful. However, when they are all put together, the album is elevated and achieves its status as a masterpiece.
5
Sep 05 2024
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Fly Or Die
N.E.R.D
Catchy, smooth, and cool. Much better than I expected.
4