427
Albums Rated
3.18
Average Rating
39%
Complete
662 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1990s
Favorite Decade
Grunge
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
64
5-Star Albums
18
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Youth And Young Manhood
Kings of Leon
|
5 | 3.1 | +1.9 |
|
It's A Shame About Ray
The Lemonheads
|
5 | 3.13 | +1.87 |
|
The Predator
Ice Cube
|
5 | 3.26 | +1.74 |
|
The Yes Album
Yes
|
5 | 3.31 | +1.69 |
|
Sea Change
Beck
|
5 | 3.33 | +1.67 |
|
Blur
Blur
|
5 | 3.33 | +1.67 |
|
Red Headed Stranger
Willie Nelson
|
5 | 3.35 | +1.65 |
|
Urban Hymns
The Verve
|
5 | 3.36 | +1.64 |
|
Parklife
Blur
|
5 | 3.38 | +1.62 |
|
Either Or
Elliott Smith
|
5 | 3.38 | +1.62 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
good kid, m.A.A.d city
Kendrick Lamar
|
1 | 3.61 | -2.61 |
|
The Gershwin Songbook
Ella Fitzgerald
|
1 | 3.53 | -2.53 |
|
The Specials
The Specials
|
1 | 3.3 | -2.3 |
|
The Bones Of What You Believe
CHVRCHES
|
1 | 3.18 | -2.18 |
|
evermore
Taylor Swift
|
1 | 3.04 | -2.04 |
|
Car Wheels On A Gravel Road
Lucinda Williams
|
1 | 3 | -2 |
|
Sheet Music
10cc
|
1 | 2.96 | -1.96 |
|
Destroy Rock & Roll
Mylo
|
1 | 2.89 | -1.89 |
|
The Sounds Of India
Ravi Shankar
|
1 | 2.85 | -1.85 |
|
Live / Dead
Grateful Dead
|
1 | 2.83 | -1.83 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Radiohead | 4 | 5 |
| Pink Floyd | 3 | 5 |
| R.E.M. | 4 | 4.5 |
| The White Stripes | 3 | 4.67 |
| Beck | 3 | 4.67 |
| Nirvana | 2 | 5 |
| Fleetwood Mac | 2 | 5 |
| Van Halen | 2 | 5 |
| Blur | 2 | 5 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Taylor Swift | 2 | 1.5 |
| Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band | 2 | 1.5 |
| Bee Gees | 2 | 1.5 |
| Kendrick Lamar | 2 | 1.5 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Ice Cube | 5, 2 |
5-Star Albums (64)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Kings of Leon
5/5
No private session used for Spotify. I have this CD somewhere, used to listen to this album a lot while on road trips or getting pumped up at the gym. Note to self, listen to this album more. This album just rocks.
1 likes
Lucinda Williams
1/5
I did you a private session for Spotify as I don't want Spotify to think I have any interest in listening to contemporary country because I don't. It's derivative and bland. This album is no exception. I admit I was in a bad mood when I listened to this and probably am giving it a worse review because of it, but hey music should make me feel better, now more irritated.
1 likes
Cornershop
4/5
No private session needed for Spotify. Loved the couple of hits they had in the 90s from this album, I had listened to this album in the past, but except from the hits nothing stood out to me which is probably why I never went back to it, but it's still a great album.
1 likes
ABBA
2/5
Went with a private Spotify session. Turns out it was a good call because I found this album to be very bland without the upbeat hits I had come to know ABBA for. I can't imagine ever wanting to listen to this again, it didn't annoy me, so it's not getting 1 star, but came awfully close.
1 likes
Richard Hawley
4/5
No idea what I was getting into here, but went without a private Spotify session. This album is incredibly pleasant, not my normal jam, not that is a bad thing. Mellow, sweet and thoughtful. Seems like a great album for a Sunday morning.
1 likes
1-Star Albums (18)
All Ratings
The Police
5/5
I have always loved this album, though I had to stop listening to it because some of the great songs on it got way over played on the radio and when you listen on cassette tape, it's hard to skip. I still listen to it a couple times a year and I always find the themes in it interesting: stalking, extinction, sadism/masochism and murder. These were themes in a number one album, I am a little out of touch with number one albums today but isn't it all about breakups and unrequited love. The song Synchronicity II is probably somewhere in my top 50 song.
Beastie Boys
3/5
Late 80s to mid to late 90s I disliked Beastie Boys and this album is why. It's full of misogynistic novelty songs. Much later, I think when Hello Nasty was getting a lot of radio play, did I revisit them. Hello Nasty, Ill Communication, Check Your Head, Paul's Boutique are all incredible albums with clear purpose and style. It got me to really appreciate the musical journey and maturation of the Beastie Boys. It also left me a little upset I missed out of 10+ years of listening to new music when it was new. I still dislike this album.
Songhoy Blues
3/5
I liked the rhythm and the melody, but I didn't connect with lyrics as I don't understand the language. Lyrics are important to me and these might be great lyrics, but they are lost on me. My loss. Anyway, it sounds like it could be a great album, but it won't make it into my rotation.
Lauryn Hill
2/5
Meh, not for me...I'm not the hip.I like some of the songs, there were parts that reminded of 70s soul that I was getting into, but I have never been into that rhythmic grunting into the mic and this album is full of that. Yo. uh. yo.
Funkadelic
5/5
I have heard some of the songs, but have never listened to the album. It was a good experience, so good I did it twice. Liked a lot of the songs and loved the guitar, so much I had to lookup the guitarist, it's Eddie Hazel. I will have to file this one away for whenever I am feeling funky.
The Doors
5/5
I was in college when The Doors movie came out, I swear everyone had that soundtrack and the music from it was ubiquitous. I got so burned out on The Doors I went out of my way to avoid hearing them for decades. Burnout aside, there is no denying this is a great album.
AC/DC
4/5
It's been said that AC/DC has made one album but released it a dozen times. I tend to agree, but it's ok if that album is good. These albums are straightforward balls to the wall rock and there is certainly room for that in this world. Washing a Camaro to in my driveway while wearing ill fitting denim shorts and a tank top seems like a perfect time to listen to it, but playing it on a Friday afternoon will wrapping up for the week works, too.
Pink Floyd
5/5
I loved this album since the first time I have heard, which was several decades ago. It has some of my favorite guitar on it and great lyrics. The lyrics were that more intense when I learned the backstory of the album and who it was they were wishing were here.
Common
3/5
I think I could really get into this album, digging the beats and the flow of the lyrics; however I probably won't ever listen it again because of the prolific use of the n word. I grew up in Northern Idaho, plenty of racists who used that word out of hate and ignorance so now it jars me like a record scratch. I get the idea of trying to own that word, but I don't want it anywhere near my vocabulary. I feel like an eavesdropper listening to music that isn't for me and I probably am.
4/5
From this album I only knew "Cisco Kid", heard it lots on the radio as a kid. Listened to the album three times, funky and eclectic. Great listen.
Pere Ubu
3/5
I was a little apprehensive when I read "Dub" in the title as I hate DubStep, but then I saw the date the album was made and started feeling better. Then I listened to the album and felt great! I don't recall ever hearing about Pere Ubu. After listening to the album, as much as I enjoyed it, I can understand why it stayed underground and why I had not heard of Pere Ubu.
Adele
2/5
If I was a middle aged divorced woman who trying to get motivated, I think this album would connect with me. For the record, I am not a middle aged divorced woman. This album does nothing for me except make me desire for the end. Great voice though!
Nirvana
5/5
Like a lot of people I loved Nevermind, then, probably like a lot of people was kind of surprised when the follow up In Utero had such a more raw sound. Turns out that is what Kurt wanted after not liking how polished Nevermind was and he gets that in the second track "Scentless Apprentice", "Milk it", "Radio Friendly Unit Shifter" and even the guitar solo to the radio hit "Heart-Shaped Box". Speaking of the raw sound, RIP Steve Albini. Oh, and yes, I love the album
Randy Newman
4/5
Mellow piano driven music with a sweet and sincere voice, nice blend of instruments and a jaded sarcastic view of the world, trying to say something. I like it. Randy's sound is so distinctive, it's hard not to picture Woody from Toy Story, strolling through the south, possibly singing the lyrics to Rednecks.
Gorillaz
5/5
I was a big Blur fan at the time Gorillaz came out, so of course I had to check this out. I liked the album a lot and it was on constant rotation for a while, it liked the upbeat tempo and how it was different, hip hop for white nerdy guys. Pretty sure this was the first cartoon band I liked since Bam-bam and Pebbles.
Taylor Swift
1/5
I didn't want to listen to this album. I just find this type of music bland. After waiting for my wife to leave for work, enabling a private session in Spotify, I went for it. My trepidation was not unwarranted. This music is bland and does nothing for me. 60 minutes is too long for this.
Elton John
5/5
I love this album, have it on vinyl and CD. I stopped listening to it because some of the songs on it got overplayed on the radio, to the point that I don't want to spend anymore time of my life listening to music and hearing these songs again. But hey, now that I stream everything it's easy to say "Hey alexa/google/siri next song."
LCD Soundsystem
5/5
LCD Soundsystem: the band that made no longer hate the electronic/dance music genre and opened me up to a wider music world. This album is another of their awesome collection of songs. I like the beats, the synths, and the thoughtful lyrics. I can enjoy music I can spastically dance to without taking MDMA.
Cyndi Lauper
2/5
I didn't like a lot of music that came out of the eighties, especially the music I was forced to listen to on the radio and NightTrax. To synth heavy, drum machines, bass from as synth. This album is the epitome of 80s music I didn't like. There are a lot of songs that are considered "classics", classics for the eighties, but still classics.
Tim Buckley
2/5
I liked the blend of country/jazz/rock but after several listens, nothing really called out to me as something I needed. I tried to imagine a scenario where I would like to listen to this album, but the only the only one I could think of is an acid trip in a dive bar. That thought scares me, so I conclude this album is not for me.
Aphex Twin
3/5
I don't know what to do with Ambient music. I suppose I am not supposed to be actively listening to it, but have it in the background to provide a mood. Like the Muzak in an elevator. Unlike some music, there is nothing that bothers me, there just isn't anything to get into. Ambient music being it's goal, I have to give it credit for hitting that.
Electric Light Orchestra
4/5
Music from my childhood, doing loops around the Roller Rink after our parents would drop us off on a rainy Saturday morning, wholesome kid fun while drug deals were happening near the bathrooms. That last bit of information wouldn't matter to me until later. The Orchestra part of ELO is what makes their music fun and cinematic, making my awkward loop around the rink epic.
Pink Floyd
5/5
I love this album, easily in my top ten and one of the albums I can just sit and listen to, rather than treating it as background music. This is one of the albums that I have listened to for decades and as my life changes, I get more and different meanings from the songs. I love Gilmour's guitar work in this album, I love the lyrics, not generally a saxophone fan, but it works here.
Cowboy Junkies
4/5
I only knew this album from the cover Sweet Jane, great version. I like this album mellow yet groovy, with a beautiful haunting voice. This album works best on maybe a lazy Sunday morning when you have no interest in getting amped up but just want stay lethargic.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
4/5
I like Tom Petty, his impressive catalogue of music is one those that chronologizes my life, or at least the first 4 decades. Most of his work with The Heartbreakers I get from the radio or his Greatest hits album, so it was good to deep dive into one of his earlier works. I like this album, but when I am in the mood for older Petty I will probably go back to the greatest hits.
The Cult
4/5
Well, this rocks. Straightforward, uncomplicated rock.
Frank Sinatra
4/5
I could get into this, maybe hanging out on Friday evening drinking martinis? I don't drink martinis and I don't plan on starting, so I will have to work out something else. It's mellow, it's chill, it's Frank's voice and phrasing.
De La Soul
4/5
Of hip hop and rap I have said that it feels like I am eavesdropping, listening to music that wasn't made for me. I don't feel that way with this hip hop album and not just because they were sampling Hall and Oates. It's funky, it's fun. Never been a huge fan of skits between songs, they get repetitive after a few listens of an album, but this album is still a joy.
The Specials
1/5
I don't like Ska.
Santana
4/5
Jazzy, funky, excellent bright, crisp guitar work. What is not to like??
Sepultura
3/5
I like angry music, but this pushes it. I think I could get into everything except for the vocals, but still I rather listen to this than Taylor Swift.
Radiohead
5/5
I loved this album when it came out and I still love it. Not at all what I expected after The Bends and OK Computer, but still fantastic, lots of synthesizers, but not in a 80's way, but more orchestrated.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
I had never sat down to listen to this album, but somehow I knew all the songs. It's what you would expect heavy rock mixed with the blues.
UB40
2/5
I wasn't aware reggae could be so bland. When I saw it was UB40 I thought I would have to listen to that annoying cover of "I got You Babe" or the pointless cover of "(I can't Help)Following in Love With You" or obnoxious cover of "Red Red Wine", luckily no, it was just some truly forgettable music, music as interesting as the form on the cover of the album.
Ray Charles
5/5
I liked this a lot, not sure when I would put it on in my regular music listening day, but this is good. I forgot how nice and smooth Ray's voice is.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
4/5
I like the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs. This is one of their albums I didn't get into as much as their first, I think its because this more mellow and more slickly produced. This album sounds like it is dance floor ready, I didn't mean that in a good way. Still love Karen's voice.
R.E.M.
5/5
This is the album that got me into REM, probably not the album really both some of the songs on it. I wasn't confident enough in high school to own a REM album, that was for the goth kids who were comfortable enough to be different, though they were all being different together. Those last two sentences have nothing to do with the album. Stipe's voice, Buck's guitar and 11 songs that rock.
Soundgarden
5/5
I began my life as an office stiff no too long after this album came out, long before streaming, even before people could carry around their entire music library in their pocket, I had about three CD's at my desk I could rotate through. This album was one of them, I loved this CD and listened to it several times a day for a good year. Needless to say I had to stop, not just because I was listening to it all the time but some of the songs were also getting constant radio play. I love Soundgarden but don't listen to this album much because I wore it out. Great to revisit it, it rocks.
The Clash
3/5
I appreciate The Clash for their significance in punk and alt rock, I like a lot of theirs songs but have trouble sitting through an entire album of theirs. This one is alright.
Miles Davis
4/5
I used to listen to this album on rainy nights, haven't had one of those in a while, but I need to keep this album in mind for the next one.
Fugazi
3/5
Next time I am working in the garage I am putting this on.
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
3/5
My dad is a Buddy Holly's fan, so I am familiar with this music. In fact I spent far too long trying get the percussive strumming pattern correct on "Not Fade Away". I like this album, but don't know if I would ever put it on, unless I was trying to make it like I was in the 50's.
Metallica
2/5
I like metal, but this is just a little to thrash for me. I like the black album, which i know would make true Metallica fans call me a poser and I am ok with that.
Count Basie & His Orchestra
3/5
I like it, won't ever be in heavy rotation, but another remember this on a rainy Thursday afternoon.
4/5
Of course I was familiar with The Kinks, but not this album, I probably have heard some of the songs but not a lot of them. While listening to the album the second time through I realized that this had to be a concept album and there was a story here, so I looked it up.
Erykah Badu
2/5
I got really excited for this album after the first song, but then it went into the whole "background music at a strip club" genre, heavy bass and drums, keyboards and lots of moaning.
Adele
2/5
Incredible voice. I really liked the upbeat songs, but the mellow songs forced black and white images of women breast feeding their babies near a window or doing yoga. Adele, great for you for being able to create those images, but I don't want them.
Alice In Chains
5/5
From what I've read every song on this album is about drugs and addiction. Luckily I can't relate to that, but I do love this album.
Buffalo Springfield
4/5
I had never heard this album before, though it did have a familiar sound. It seemed very much of it's time despite the diversity of the music.
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
It's a classic, lots of hits.
Nine Inch Nails
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. Industrial noise rock at it's finest. It's a little too melodramatically angry for me, I know some folks really connected with it, but not me. Hurt is a classic, though.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
No private session used for Spotify. I have my own best of Nick Cave/Grinderman playlist. While listening to this album I added one to it, I need to go back and give this another listen. Liked the opening intensity.
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
I had this on CD for a while, but listening to it depressed me. It's a great album, but not good for my mood, I gave it to a girlfriend at the time because she seemed to like it. I know there are a lot of classics on this album and I can microdose these maudlin masterpieces, but I can't listen to an entire album without wanting to dress up in my finest brown corduroy, find a bench in Central Park in the fall to sob on.
Tears For Fears
5/5
My older sister had this on cassette growing up, so it got a lot of rotation at the house and on road trips. Probably one of my favorite keyboard solos every on "Head over Heals"
The Black Keys
4/5
Not my favorite Black Keys album, but it's a good one.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
I occasionally go through phases where The Best of Stevie Wonder is in high rotation. It's not the official "Best of" but one I rolled on my own, without songs like "I Just Called to Say I Love You", "Part time Lover" and "Overjoyed", for reasons I hope I don't have to go in to. Though "Overjoyed" is on a Yacht Rock Playlist of mine. So when I listened to this album I avoided checking out the track list in advance to be surprised by the tracks. I was surprised by some of them, didn't find anything to add to my "Best of", but already had a couple on there.
Massive Attack
4/5
Another listening adventure today, I know Massive Attack but have never sat through one of their albums all the way through. I liked it, sounded better in the afternoon's listening session than the morning's.
The Who
3/5
Classic, but seems dated.
Joe Ely
3/5
If someone ever asked me "What is honky tonk?" I would point them to this album a definitive work on honky tonk. It epitomizes, screams and bleeds honky tonk. I don't like honky tonk, though.
Supertramp
4/5
Classic, listened to it twice. I don't know if I will ever put it on, but will try to remember.
Frank Sinatra
4/5
I had heard this version "The Girl from Ipanema" before, or at least one of the versions before, didn't realize it was a whole album. Lovely.
Queen
4/5
I don't know if was me or my sister who had The Best of Queen on cassette back in the day. It doesn't really matter, as it was a family favorite and played consistently on road trips. Played so much that I can no longer handle those hits and got tired of Queen, but now that I am older I can like going through Queen's catalog and listening to the songs that weren't ruined for me by overplaying.
Little Richard
5/5
Did not use a private session for this. Fun, rock and roll from one of the originals.
Ali Farka Touré
2/5
I did not use a private session for Spotify. Had no idea of what I was getting into, though it did seem possible to judge a album by it's cover. Jazzy and acoustic, had no idea what he was singing about. I don't know why I would ever put this on, nothing against it, though.
Derek & The Dominos
3/5
I try to separate the music from the musician as much as possible, but Clapton makes it hard. Beyond that this is a fine album, I like blues, but the meandering blues gets a little old and repetitive, the only thing interesting after a while is the guitar solos, even that gets a redundant. Layla is a classic, but so much so that it gets filed under songs I never need to hear again.
Jurassic 5
2/5
Not for me. I have gone on about how I feel listening to albums with heavy use of the N word.
Dire Straits
5/5
Classic, unique unmistakable style.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
mumbly, dramatic, yelly, saxophoney. Never got the man's appeal. I still don't.
The Isley Brothers
4/5
I use Spotify and I have learned that a lot of these albums will really screw with the recommendation algorithms if I don't use the "Private Session" option, looking at you Taylor Swift and Adele. There are other times I see an album and definitely want it change my recommendation algorithms, this is one of the albums that I thought would add a good funk skew.
Eric Clapton
3/5
Used a private session on Spotify, I have learned this is important to not mess with recommendation engine for Spotify. And now I feel compelled to report on it, there will never be an album that gets five stars if I deem a private session necessary.
Anyway, about a decade or so I read a headline in the Onion that said "Eric Clapton's next album will be a blues inspired rock". I am paraphrasing, but I don't know if I ever laughed as hard as anything from The Onion. It still makes me smile. Kudos for Eric for covering a reggae song, instead of just blues standards.
Fatboy Slim
3/5
Didn't use a private session on Spotify. I have heard most of these songs, but never sat down and listened to the whole album. I was amazed how repetitive this crap is, maybe it should only be played in the background, maybe it should only be listened to when you are tripping balls, but when soberly focusing on the music, this crap is annoying. I don't want to use the word repetitive again as it would be repetitive but Fatboy has no issue being repetitive with beat or being repetitive with the lyrics, so why should i avoid being repetitive in my use of the word repetitive?
Deep Purple
4/5
Did not use a private Spotify session. Yes, this a classic album. Smoke on the water is so popular and easy to play it gets banned from guitar stores. I have actually seen this sign in guitar stores and not just in Wayne's World. File this album under albums to listen to while I work in the garage.
Cream
4/5
Did not use a private Spotify session. Classic psychedelic ball tripping stuff. Don't believe me? Look at the album cover, fool.
Morrissey
3/5
Private session on Spotify. Spotify has been trying to turn me into a Morrissey fan for years, not interested. After listening to this album, still not interested.
ABBA
2/5
Went with a private Spotify session. Turns out it was a good call because I found this album to be very bland without the upbeat hits I had come to know ABBA for. I can't imagine ever wanting to listen to this again, it didn't annoy me, so it's not getting 1 star, but came awfully close.
R.E.M.
4/5
No private Spotify session needed. Not my favorite REM album, those came later. Not my least favorite either, those come much later. I like it, listen to occasionally.
Iggy Pop
4/5
I did not use a private Spotify session. I knew several of the songs, of course, but hadn't listened this album. Probably because I thought I had heard "Lust for Life" enough for one lifetime, but that isn't even the best song on the album. I heard a lot of Pixies/Frank Black on this album, wasn't aware of that before.
The Verve
5/5
No private session need for Spotify, I enjoy this album, and that over played song in conveniently the first track so it's easy to put in CD player, hit play and then the skip button.
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
1/5
Album was not available in Spotify, found in on the horribly named YouTube Music. Kind of which I didn't try so hard to find it, it's disjoint, difficult, and disturbing. Maybe it was a bit much at 8:30 on a Tuesday morning. I am familiar enough with Captain Beefheart to know what I was getting in to, but man, this was more than I wanted. Couldn't wait for it to end.
Willie Nelson
5/5
No private session used on Spotify, not for Willie. I like this album for what is, its got the feel of saloon in Deadwood in the 1880s and then heading back to the outskirts of the town to sleep under the stars. I am not sure when I will listen to this album, but I will try and find a place for it. Perhaps if I lived in trailer with a neon Budweiser sign in it.
The Fall
3/5
Not using a private Spotify session. I knew of The Fall for more of their less punk more pop music(though using the words pop and The Fall seems wrong) never really listened to the punk version. This is music to listen to in a crowded bar, drinking low quality mass produced beer, while getting pushed shoved, and getting covered in other people's sweat and drinks. I tend to avoid that scene these days.
Leonard Cohen
4/5
No private session needed. Not my favorite Cohen album, but I like it as a cap of a career. It's a tribute to his song writing skills that he can write songs that match his fading vocal skills.
Kraftwerk
3/5
no private session used for Spotify. Catchy electronic tunes, not really my thing, but I can see why folks are into it. I don't know if I would ever find myself in a place where I think I need to put it on, though.
808 State
2/5
I did not use a private spotify session for this one. I need more hair gel, la looks perhaps, a bright blue track suit, sun glasses and a massive boom box. It's called 90 but firmly planted in 80's. I don't like EDM, I don't much care for 80's music, so this wasn't for me.
Steely Dan
5/5
No private session needed for Steely Dan. I am surprised how polarizing a band Steely Dan is, I know some people who hate them. I think it's because their music is a little more complicated than bands like The Eagles and Steve Miller Band. Anyway, at one point in college I went through a Steely Dan phase, Deacon Blues will always have a special place in my heart for some reason.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
No private session used in Spotify. I was never a huge Stones fan, maybe because I lived through the 80s where the stuff they were putting out and forcing us to listen was that great. Yes, they have some classic songs, but there is a lot of blues inspired rock, which tends to meander and features Jagger's voice, which I have never been a fan of.
5/5
No private session used for Spotify. I really don't need to listen to this album as I have listened to it lots and I know I love it. I listened to it anyway, happily, then the rest of the day was going through some other excellent Bowie albums.
Billy Joel
5/5
No private session on Spotify used and another album I really don't need to listen to know that I love it. I happily listened to this album anyway. So many classic hits, none of which I am tired of hearing.
Cornershop
4/5
No private session needed for Spotify. Loved the couple of hits they had in the 90s from this album, I had listened to this album in the past, but except from the hits nothing stood out to me which is probably why I never went back to it, but it's still a great album.
Sly & The Family Stone
3/5
No private Spotify session needed. The second track made me uncomfortable, despite the guitar work. Once I got past the second track, I enjoyed the album and new several of the songs, but was the enthused by it.
Marilyn Manson
2/5
Did not use a private spotify session. Nu Metal has always been hit or miss with me. This one is a miss.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
No private session needed for Stevie. Great album a couple of songs I love, when my son's birth was approaching I created a play list for the occasions and the hazy weeks afterward. Of course "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life" was on it.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
No private spotify session used. I like this album, knew a couple of songs from it but had never listened to the album in it's entirety. Has a definite mood to it, though I don' t know when I would want this mood. Smoking some pot in a basement with wood paneling? Road trip when I don't mind if the driver nods off for a bit? Not sure.
The Temptations
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. Some classic songs here, but don't see this going into the regular rotation.
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
2/5
No private session used for Spotify. Captain Beefheart is out there musically however this album was a little more straightforward which was a surprise, at least that is how the album started and then it got more into the Captain Beefheart I was used to and can take, but only in small doses.
Sonic Youth
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. I listened to this album three times, hoping something would catch, nothing did. I liked the album, but there wasn't anything here to really grab me, nothing wrong with it, though.
Sister Sledge
4/5
No private spotify session used. I like funk and groove, so disco shouldn't be a stretch. I did like this album, put images of me in my head wearing a really tight shirt, unbuttoned to expose my gold chain medallion and pathetic excuse for chest hair. Then I think it's fortunate I was to young to go to disco clubs in the late 70's/early 80's.
Nick Drake
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. I knew the song "Pink Moon", skilled acoustic guitar with mumbling lyrics over the top. Not a bad vibe. This is the entire album, though. I might have heard more songs from this album, but I thought they were all Pink Moon. It's alright, but it won't be in rotation.
Jane's Addiction
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. I have a mixed view on Jane's Addiction, some good songs but a unsure about Farrell maybe because he is the inexplicably cool and overly confident kid on the playground who made fun of me for wearing the same shirt twice in one week. I like every aspect of this album except Perry's voice, it sometimes works but mostly not.
My Bloody Valentine
2/5
No private session used for Spotify. Another one of my favorite music jokes is something along the lines of Q: "What effects pedal does the My Bloody Valentine's guitarist use?" A: "All of them". It's funny because it's close to the truth, it's an interesting sound but at times it makes me feel a bit disoriented. I do like noise rock, but not shoegaze, this isn't for me.
PJ Harvey
3/5
No private session for Spotify on this one. I like this album, it rocks. Though nothing really stood out to me make into rotation.
Bob Dylan
3/5
Not using a private spotify session, though I thought about it. It's hard to get past Dylan's nasally drone and my dislike of that much harmonica, but the melody sound nice and I've been told that he is a great lyricist. There is definitely appeal here, but I don't get why people rave.
Arcade Fire
4/5
Not private session used for Spotify. I am have managed to avoid the drama around the lead singer of this band, so I can hang back and join the passionate rock.
Billy Bragg
4/5
No private session used for Spotify, no point as I have listened to this album a fair bit. I like it's mellow, twangy and folksy enough to be different, but not too twangy and folksy to be too much. This goes into music for when I am waking up category.
Barry Adamson
3/5
I did not know what I was getting in to, but I went without a private session in Spotify. I had heard the mellow and groovy "Something Wicked This Way Comes" before, but can't say I knew it was Barry Adamson. I like this album, but don't know when I would put it on and listen to it. It's got some chill stuff, that you know, maybe put on when you are trying to set a romantic mood and then "It's Business as Usual" comes on and then instead of sex it turns into some murder-suicide pact.
Richard Hawley
4/5
No idea what I was getting into here, but went without a private Spotify session. This album is incredibly pleasant, not my normal jam, not that is a bad thing. Mellow, sweet and thoughtful. Seems like a great album for a Sunday morning.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
5/5
No private session used for Spotify. "Free Bird" is a meme at this point it's under the category of songs I never need to hear again, but "Tuesday's Gone" and "Simple Man" are far from that category. Next time you at a concert and you think you are hilarious by shouting out "Free Bird" try either of those two other underplayed classics. Back to the review, southern rock personified. Classic. Genre Defining.
Iron Maiden
3/5
Did not use a private session for Spotify. When I was in junior high and high school I knew people into metal, but I shied away from of it because of the satanic imagery in a lot of the album covers. Yes, I was raised religious. Now as a jaded adult I realize the bands aren't into Satan, it's just their schtick. I look back and wonder did I miss much avoiding metal when I was younger, really no need to wonder I can visit the music now. A couple of classics on here, but really didn't miss much.
Taylor Swift
2/5
Another Taylor Swift..hell yeah, using a private spotify session on this one. Not for me, it's somehow too sweet and bland at the same time. This is the second Swift album I have had to listen to for this undertaking. This first one had me desperately desiring the end of the album. This one made me eager for the album but I didn't hate the experience,so there was an improvement.
Isaac Hayes
3/5
No private session used either time I listened to this album. I knew the title track of course, but that was it. I was surprised how easy listening the rest of the tracks were, but given it was for a movie, I get how it they could work in the background.
New Order
3/5
I didn't use a private Spotify session. More of a Joy Division fan, mainly because New Order is to synth. Too many keyboards. Morris's steady drum work sounds programmed. I can hear how it influenced a fair number of 80's bands, mostly bands a didn't care for.
Pink Floyd
5/5
No private session used for Spotify as I have listened to this album many times before and some where in the basement is the compact disc manifestation of this album. I love Pink Floyd, this is my fourth favorite Floyd album and it is still worthy of five stars, it could be higher but it is a little too inconsistent in mood, though it works perfectly in the movie. Gilmour is a guitar hero of mine
The Black Crowes
4/5
No private session used for Spotify. It's rock, straight forward rock with a southern flare. I don't know if I will ever have this one in constant rotation, but it's good.
Nanci Griffith
2/5
Another one where I am not sure what I am getting in to, but I am not using a private spotify session. A bold move, I know. Country, country fried country. I respect it for what it is, not for me.
Dolly Parton
3/5
Did not use a private Spotify. Another country album. It's Dolly, appreciate her voice, but it's not for me.
N.W.A.
3/5
I did not use a private session for Spotify. If you have read my previous reviews, and I can't imagine you have, you will know that I feel like an eavesdropper listening to music with a prolific use of the N word. This album definitely falls under that category, even if it didn't it wouldn't make it into my rotation, but I can appreciate what it is.
R.E.M.
5/5
No private session required for Spotify. I used to listen to this CD a lot and really the last REM album I got into. It's a great album, more mellow than their previous work, but good. Three mellow songs from the album got constant radio play, so maybe that is why I strayed away from REM. Early REM epitomized college rock for me, then they had super mainstream success with this one. How dare they?
The White Stripes
5/5
No private session used for Spotify. I like this album a lot, it's around here somewhere. Oddly, "Seven Nation Army" hasn't fallen into the category of songs I never need to hear again, maybe because it's only old enough to drink, I will see how it feel once it starts getting AARP mail. Anyway, the albums rocks.
The Residents
2/5
No idea what I am getting in to here, but no private spotify session. I hate to judge a book by it's cover, but damn, it tracks here. I had heard Constantinople before and it never made me think "hey, I have to hear more of this!" My first impressions on not needing to hear more of this and the cover indicating what type of music I would be hearing was spot on.
Jack White
5/5
No private spotify session used on this one, I have listened to it many times before. I like it, White's guitar work is a lot of fun and this album rocks in general.
Van Halen
5/5
No private spotify session needed, I have this on CD somewhere. This album is a lot of fun. Eddie's guitar work is transcendental and got a lot of kids playing the electric guitar, only to find out setting their goals to play Eruption was far out of reach. Eddie, rest in peace, you golden god.
The Doors
4/5
No private session used for Spotify. I was in college when Oliver Stone's doors movie came out and went through a Doors resurgence where everyone had the sound track. The more sophisticated, or maybe they just had more money to spend on CD's, had this one. I don't mean to disrespect the other members of the Doors, but the band wouldn't have had the success it had with the Cult of Morisson, it's basic bluesy rock otherwise.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
I did use a private session on spotify for this one. This project has been having me listen to a lot of Rolling Stones and I think Spotify thinks I am a fan now, I am not. Sympathy for the Devil is a classic, followed by whiney bluesy rock. I don't like Jager's voice, I don't get it.
The Beach Boys
5/5
No private session needed for Spotify, I love this album. When I was younger I thought of The Beach Boys as a feel good happy rock, but then I got into Pet Sounds, dark melodious material here "Good Only Knows", "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times". I don't know if it's the greatest rock album ever made, but it's up there.
Animal Collective
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. I have heard songs by Animal Collective, but never sat down for an album. This one is a bit too hyper or manic for me, I listened to it twice, but probably never again.
Emmylou Harris
2/5
No private session used for Spotify, familiar with the name, but not the work. Country, honky tonk twangy country. The type of country I don't like.
The Who
3/5
No private session for Spotify. Of course I know "The Who" but never really listened to their stuff that isn't on the radio or intro for CSI shows. So I listened to a lot of bad attempt at blues, won't be listening again.
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
I did not use a private spotify session. Curtis brought the funk and falsetto, didn't really get into as much as I thought I would.
Faust
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. I got in to kraut rock some through CAN, there was one track on this album I liked a lot, some not so much.
Van Halen
5/5
I did not use a private Spotify session for this one. I have owned several VH albums in my lifetime, but not this one, probably because it was played everywhere. Van Halen jumps in to the synth saturated 80s, but still rocks. This album is a lot of fun.
Ms. Dynamite
2/5
I did not use a private session for Spotify. Too many uses of the N word to make me fell comfortable. I think this is a good representation of this type of music, I don't like this type of music.
Johnny Cash
4/5
No private session for spotify. I really like Cash's "American" anthology, have a playlist based on my favorites from those four albums. Definitely like his version of rock songs, could do with the gospel, but still appreciate the wrinkly timber of Cash's voice.
Jefferson Airplane
3/5
Did not use a private spotify session. Knowing the two classics from this album and with a title like "Surrealistic Pillow", I expected something more psychedelic and trippy, but it was more folksy and bluesy. The folksy stuff isn't for me, but there is enough good in this album to overlook it.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
2/5
I didn't use a private session for Spotify, though Spotify didn't let me listen to the whole album. I think I got a feel for it, not my thing.
Yes
5/5
I did not use a private spotify session, I have this album on CD somewhere and used to play it a lot. Love the classics on this album and it helped me get into progressive rock.
The Beta Band
4/5
Did not use a private Spotify session for this one. I have listened to some songs of the Beta Band, but never sat down for a full album. It was good, worthy of another listen.
Blur
5/5
Did not use a private spotify session for this. I got into Blur when I lived in London and couldn't figure out why we Americans embraced Oasis, but "Song 2" was Blur's only Top 40 song in the states.
The Cars
5/5
Did not use a private Spotify session for this album, definitely listened to it before. Ric Ocasek said something along the lines of "we did our greatest hits first", good line and some truth to it. Lots of classics in this album.
Radiohead
5/5
No private Spotify session needed, listened to this album tons and its lying around here somewhere. Radiohead has a lot of great albums, sometimes I am convinced this is their best. This is when they were just rocking, not getting experimental and I love it.
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
Did not use a private spotify session for this. One of those bands I know a few songs from but never listened to an album, so now I am. I liked what I heard, but it won't make it to my regular rotation.
Beck
5/5
No private session used for spotify. I bought this album when it first came out. Listened to in regularly to start off a Sunday morning.
OutKast
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. It's hip, it's hop. I appreciated the lack of skits that seem to be a thing with the these types of records, though the use of the N word, as always, makes me feel like a voyeur, so much I can't listen to this on the regular.
Beck
5/5
No private session used for Spotify. I love this album, I was amazed by what it blends musically. I got into Beck previous albums and became a fan of the Dust brothers. I love every track on this album.
Kings of Leon
5/5
No private session used for Spotify. I have this CD somewhere, used to listen to this album a lot while on road trips or getting pumped up at the gym. Note to self, listen to this album more. This album just rocks.
Aimee Mann
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. I love Aimee's voice, sweet and lethargic. This is a solid album with a couple of standout songs.
Röyksopp
3/5
No idea what I was getting into here, but did not use a private Spotify session. I did take a clue for the album's title and listened to in the morning, maybe AM part meant after midnight when all the cool kids are just starting to head out.
Ray Charles
3/5
I did not use a private Spotify session for this double album. Not what I expected given the nod to Country and Western music, not bad, but it's not making any to any rotation.
Jerry Lee Lewis
3/5
I did not use a private Spotify session for this one. It's about what I expected, rock/blues standards show casing high energy raucous piano playing. Not making it into my regular rotation, but respect it for what it is.
Neil Young
2/5
I did not use a private spotify session for this one. This album was about what I expected, I listened to it yesterday and I can't remember that much about it.
Sufjan Stevens
3/5
Did not use a private session for Spotify, also was familiar enough with this album that I knew to listen to it in the morning as that seemed like the time it would click with me. I think it was still the correct time, but wasn't a lot of clicking. It's fine, I did like the absurdly long song titles.
Ice Cube
5/5
I did not use a private session for Spotify. Again, with the skits. What is about these types of records that think we want to hear the same skits over and over again? I like listening to songs I like repeatedly, but listening to the same skit over and over, despite how much I like it, isn't something I like.
Rant aside, I did like this album. I listened to it twice, it can't make it on steady rotation because of the heavy use of the N word that makes me feel like a voyeur.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
4/5
No private session used for Spotify. I have certainly listened to and loved some of this bands songs, but have never sat through a whole album...not including best of. I have always enjoyed the guitar work on Monitor, one of many solid hits on this album.
Coldplay
4/5
No private session used for Spotify. I find Coldplay albums very polarizing I either like them a lot or find them to poppy and bland. Considering I like their older albums, maybe they have always just had poppy songs, I like older pop music not newer pop music. Coldplay has changed, I have not.
Anyway, this is one of the albums I like. Several of these songs got a lot of airplay, so that might me when I was younger I did enjoy popular music more. This is pop and mellow, so not quite as fun, but I still like it.
The Temptations
2/5
I did not use a private spotify session for this one. I never got into this, I tried. Not for me. I did appreciate the wide range of voices.
The Fall
3/5
I did not use a private Spotify session for this one. I have listened to The Fall from time to time, but I don't think I have sat through a full album. After sitting through a full album, I don't think I will do that again. I like The Fall, but maybe just in smaller doses.
Sparks
2/5
No private session used. This whole album had a frantic, energetic style that was exciting at first then a bit grading after a while. Reminded me of Queen, but without the contributions from other members to balance things out. Looked forward to it ending as it was hurting my ears.
Alanis Morissette
5/5
No private session used for Spotify. I remember when this album came out, there was a vast sea of angry white men rock, angry white women rock was a welcome change and this album was embraced with constant airplay. Now, I will admit I have spent too many hours discussing the song "Ironic" and how none of the stories in the song were ironic at all, but it's still a nice song.
Eminem
2/5
I did not use a private session for Spotify. There are a couple of treasures on this album, but dear lord, so much anger, misogyny and homophobia. I have nothing against angry music, but this was over my limit. Get help. Why must hip hop albums have skits?
Little Simz
2/5
No private session used for Spotify. Wasn't sure what to expect. I did like the orchestration and wide use of instruments, though it did get repetitive after a few songs.
Ian Dury
1/5
I did not use a private Spotify session. I am familiar with some of Ian's song, which I liked, but knew they were more novelty songs and was worried that the album would be a collection of novelty songs, some filler, and none of which where good enough to make it on my radar before. I was correct.
Ash
3/5
I did not a private session on Spotify. I knew of Ash from the delightful song "Burn, Baby Burn". There were a couple of songs on this album that had the same rocking intensity which I throughly enjoyed; however I did find some of the tracks really lacking and didn't play well with singer's strengths. Some of these songs might make it on a playlist, but I won't listen to the album again, twice was enough.
Dusty Springfield
3/5
I did not use a private spotify session for this one. Lots of classics on this album, love her voice. Don't know when I would put this on, though. Maybe if traveled back in time to the sixties segregated south, running a whites only diner and I liked soul music.
Elvis Presley
3/5
I did not use a private session for Spotify. I never got into Elvis, don't plan on it. I have heard these songs before, classics, but I won't be intentionally listening to them again.
Sonic Youth
3/5
I did not use a private session for Spotify. I have listened to a fair bit of Sonic Youth and have listened to some of their albums, but I can't recall if I have listened to this one or not.
Mariah Carey
2/5
Hell yeah I am using a private spotify session for this one. Was never a Mariah fan, she has great voice, but not into the music that she is singing over. Looks good on the album cover.
Red Snapper
2/5
Didn't know what I was getting into here, but I did not use a private Spotify session. This type of music seems to be not the type you actively listen to, but it's the background at bar or during some action scene in a movie. It's too repetitive to be interesting and not that much different than a lot of this type of music, some of it seems like I have heard it before, it the background, but I think there a lots of DJs doing this. I could have died without hearing this album.
Moby
5/5
Did not use a private session for Spotify. I have this CD somewhere, probably a lot of people do. Lots of hits on this album. Generally, I am not a fan of dance/EDM but I like this album, so Moby did something awesome. I was happy to hear they didn't change "South Side" to the one with Gwen Stefani pointlessly whining over it with her nasal drone.
Joy Division
3/5
I did not use a private session for Spotify. I have listened to Joy Division songs, but never sat through an album. I liked this album, but I didn't find anything in this that would keep me coming back.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
I did not use a private spotify session. This album is everything I thought it would be; however I won't be coming back to it. Never been a huge Neil Young fan, this album dd not change my mind. Not band, mind you, but not worthy of repeating.
Lucinda Williams
1/5
I did you a private session for Spotify as I don't want Spotify to think I have any interest in listening to contemporary country because I don't. It's derivative and bland. This album is no exception. I admit I was in a bad mood when I listened to this and probably am giving it a worse review because of it, but hey music should make me feel better, now more irritated.
Eels
4/5
No private session used for Spotify. I love Eeels, have most of their albums, seen them in concert a few times, have even read Mark's autobiography. This isn't my favorite Eels album, but I do like it a lot.
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
No private session used for spotify. Classic album filled with groundbreaking music, ground breaking music that still works almost 60 years. I know how some musicians reacted to Jimi when they heard him, the guy was once a generation innovator.
Booker T. & The MG's
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. I am quite familiar with Green Onions, that tasty cool jam. Beyond that it was all new, the songs seemed to have the same style and sound as Green Onions, but without the same catchiness.
Beatles
3/5
No private Spotify session used. I have listened to later works of The Beatles a lot, good to revisit their roots when they were white boys doing black rock and roll, but I will always go back to their later stuff if I want to listen to the Beatles.
Various Artists
3/5
I did not use a private Spotify session for this album, though it would have been better before Christmas. Before he came out being a gun loving weirdo, I knew Phil as the Wall of Sound innovator, the genius behind countless classics. I like this album, it is exactly what I would expect from a Phil Spector Christmas album, but like most Christmas albums it will only get pulled out once a year.
Machito
2/5
No private session used for Spotify. It's a brisk sunny January day in the Pacific Northwest. The groovy rhythms and the blaring horns did not fit. The rhythms I dug, the horns were as pleasant as car horns while being stuck in traffic.
5/5
I did not use a private Spotify session for this one. I haven't listened to this album for quite a while because most of the songs have been overplayed on the radio and MTV. It is a great album though.
DJ Shadow
4/5
I did not use a private Spotify session for this one. I liked it, not the hip hop N word and sketch heavy album I have become used to this site having me listen to, but a nice, somewhat ambient, background music.
Sinead O'Connor
4/5
I did not use a private spotify session for this one. I liked this album more than I thought I would, I knew the Prince cover and the more upbeat "The Emperor's New Clothes", I was glad to hear that was an good combination of music styles and instruments that kept it interesting. Sinead's got a lovely voice that definitely adds to the tracks.
Sonic Youth
3/5
No private session used. I don't know if this is the 3rd or 4th Sonic Youth album this site has had me listen to. I like it, but again it won't go into steady rotation.
David Bowie
3/5
No private session needed here. I am a big fan of Bowie, but I don't think this one is in my top five Bowie albums. Not an insult to Bowie, but praising his other albums and productivity. "Heroes" is the stand out in the album and the album was graced with that title, otherwise meh, not his best.
Cocteau Twins
3/5
I did not use a private session for Spotify. A very 80's album release in 90. It's interesting, but I won't be listening to it again.
Elliott Smith
5/5
No private session need for Spotify, I have listened to this one a lot, usually my first album of the day. So many good mellow, but rocking, songs on this album. All the songs are good, but "Between Bars" standouts out in a collection of great ones, painfully easy to relate to given some of my relationships and issues with booze. Elliot is a great guitar player and song writer, who left us too soon, luckily for us he left with a few awesome albums, including this one.
LL Cool J
2/5
I did not use a private session for Spotify. It's a so-so album, I don't know how revolutionary it was when it came out, but I am guessing it was pretty derivate but this album was helped out by have someone like LL. I was thinking about three stars until I had to sit through "Milky Cereal".
Coldplay
5/5
No private Spotify session used. I loved since it came out. I don't know if Coldplay got more poppy since then or I am became less poppy but not a fan of their newer stuff. But I will always love this album.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
No private session used for Spotify. Elvis Costello is the only Elvis. I have my own best of Elvis Costello play list, there are a couple of songs from this album of it, so of course I like it, though I do prefer my best of rather than listening to this album on it's own.
The Smashing Pumpkins
4/5
No private session used for Spotify. I have this CD somewhere, or maybe an ex has it. It's got some beautiful songs on it. It's been a while since I have listened to a lot of Smashing Pumpkins and I forgot how accustomed I had become to Billy's nasal whine, which this time through took away from a lot of the songs. Sometimes I listen to a double album and think "this would have been better as a single album" meaning about half the songs could have been eliminated, but not this album.
The Cardigans
4/5
No private session used for Spotify. I didn't realize The Cardigans were the first band on the moon, I will have to fact check that later. Nina has a very sweet voice and the rhythms are interesting. I remember Love Fool when was ubiquitous which is probably the embodiment of the mellow but catchy rhythms and Nina's voice. Also, I checked with ChatGPT, it said the Eagles were the first band on the moon.
Bee Gees
1/5
I did use a private spotify session for this one as I was expecting some disco crap, instead it was bad folky music, bad music, stupid lyrics, poor harmonizing. I could have died without hearing this.
Mike Oldfield
3/5
No private session used for spotify. I had no idea what to expect, but a 56 minutes album with four tracks had me nervous. I did read a bit about while listening to it and read Mike played most the instruments on it, there are a quite a few so props to that. Not bad, don't know when I would listen to it again.
The Stooges
3/5
I did not use a private session for Spotify. Iggy is one of the legends in rock that has a long and influential career, that when I listen I kind of think "yeah, he has a few great songs!". I like the energy of this album, but won't be listening to it again.
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
No private session used for Spotify. There are a lot of classics on this album and it's a nice variety of styles of songs where the talented song writers of the band were free to showcase their own song writing ability. Then there is the whole history and background of the band and this album and the added flavor of knowing what some of the songs are really about.
The Birthday Party
3/5
I did not use a private session for Spotify on this one. I wasn't aware of this part of Nick Cave's career. It's intense, as you would expect, a little too much just to have in the background chilling. Next time I want to start a fight with strangers who walk down my alley, I will put this on!
Green Day
4/5
I did not use a private session in Spotify for this one. Good solid rock album, couple of classics.
Kate Bush
3/5
Did not use a private session for Spotify. Albums fully grounded in the 80s, has the 80's classic "Running Up That Hill" which was given new life from "Stranger Things". Won't be listening to it again, though.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
I have to use a private session for spotify for any Rolling Stones album, because I am not a fan and there are quite a few Rolling Stones albums on this site. This album has a few classics, then the white guy take on blues that I find grating.
Thin Lizzy
3/5
I did not use a private session for Spotify, though Spotify only let me listen to four songs from the album, which were the four biggest Thin Lizzy hits. Those songs rock, though.
Hüsker Dü
3/5
Did not use a private session for Spotify. I got in to Husker Du late after stumbling upon a Bob Mould concert at a music festival, that show rocked. So I had high hopes for this album, though I did feel let down a bit as some of the songs took me out of the groove, it seemed like it was the non Mould songs that did it.
Bee Gees
2/5
Yes, used a private session on Spotify for this. Would it be crappy disco Bee Gees or even worse folksy Bee Gees? Somewhere in the middle, it turns out, Bee Gees trying to be the Beatles. I didn't hate this album like I did the last Bee Gees album, but never again will I listen to it.
Bon Jovi
2/5
Definitely using a private spotify session for this one. I didn't like it when it came out, hair metal cheese, with the MTV network shoving the hits from the album down our throats. I don't know how many hair metal bands the success of this album spawned, but I hated that genre. An album as juvenile as its name.
The Smiths
3/5
I did not use a private session of Spotify. Spotify was trying to make me a Morrisey/Smiths fan for a while, but it didn't take. Morrisey had an interesting voice an it's used extensively even when there are no lyrics. Speaking of lyrics, they are quite morbid. This doesn't suck, but I will always take The Cure over The Smiths.
Lou Reed
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. Interesting album, couple of classics and then a couple of weird songs made weirder by Lou Reed's voice. I do like some of the songs on this album, but some I don't think I will ever listen to again, or at least that is my hope.
Blood, Sweat & Tears
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. I have heard some of the songs on the radio throughout the decades, but have never listened to the album. Spotify had me listen to the expanded version, which seems for fans, not the casual listener as it got a bit to horny, as in spazzing out with the horn section, that I could have done without. If I do listen to this album again, it won't be the expanded version, though I probably won't be listening to this album again.
Duran Duran
5/5
No private session used for Spotify. I listened to the album a few days ago on my own. I like it a lot, sure it's 80's cheese, but the bass lines are awesome, enough guitar to keep my interest and I don't mind the keyboards.
Dexys Midnight Runners
3/5
I did not use a private session for Spotify. Dexys Midnight Runners, the perennial answer to "Name a one hit wonder" question. I think this album represents the 2nd through 8th Dexy's songs I have listened to that aren't their big hit. Fun to listen to in that regard. I listened to it twice, so I liked it, but don't know if there will be a third listen.
Frank Ocean
2/5
After some contemplation I did not use a private session for Spotify. This album was fine, nothing really jumped out at me, but nothing annoyed me. It was like drinking tepid water in a room temperature doctor's office. There is no point in giving it another listen.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
I did not use a private session for Spotify. For me, reggae was always background music for a warm beach with a ocean breeze coming in. Or maybe background music for a bunch white guys in shorts, smoking pot and playing hacky sack. This is a fine album for either of those activities, but I will stick to the former.
X-Ray Spex
2/5
I did not use a private session for Spotify. I was nervous about signing up for a double album, but then I realized this was punk, so the songs aren't long. Yes, it's punk, but with a saxophone, which is different. Different but not compelling.
Justice
3/5
I did not use a private Spotify session, though I had no idea what I was getting into. Turns out it was dance music. I immediately regretted my decision to listen to this album in the morning, thinking dance music would be to frantic for the morning, but it wasn't jarring. Not massively repetitive like some other dance music. I liked it, will have to listen to it again.
Dr. Octagon
4/5
I didn't use a private Spotify session. I have listened to this a few times in my life. There is a thing called nerd rock, is this nerd hip hop? I can get into this because, unlike a lot of hip hop, doesn't have a prolific use of the Nword or based on gangsta life, but aliens, time traveling and gynecology.
Meat Loaf
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. I have always found Meat Loaf's music a bit too dramatic and too much going on, so I never sat through one of his albums. Of course I have heard a lot of these songs which is why I was able to form an opinion on Meat Loaf, which turns out was correct.
Michael Jackson
4/5
No private session used for Spotify. This album is a lot of fun. Arguably better than "Thriller", more fun that "Thriller" anyway.
No private session used for Spotify. I got out of U2 before this album came out, but most of these songs were unavoidable.This album is good, a little too poppy bland to be great, but still fun
The Byrds
3/5
No private Spotify session used. Very much of it's time. Mellow, hippie somewhat trippy, not bad, but not my thing.
My Bloody Valentine
2/5
No private session used for Spotify. I listen to this album occasionally, my reaction is always "is this what they were going for ?" The album is way overproduced, the effects make me nauseous, the vocals are buried and distorted.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
5/5
I did not use a private spotify session for this one. This album was the soundtrack to my sophomore year in college and will always have a special place in my heart, despite loathing the last few RHCP albums and finding out what type of person Anthony is. I really appreciated how after "Mother's Milk" the band could have gone mainstream and mellow, but instead came out with "Give it Away". As an older man, some of the lyrics seem overly sexual and sophomoric, but hey, I was a sophomore when this album came out.
Joni Mitchell
2/5
I did not use a private spotify session for this one. Seems like in the early seventies there was a mumbly singer on a acoustic guitar genre. I have no use for it.
Rocket From The Crypt
2/5
I did not use a private spotify session for this one. Straight forward rock, had issues with the singer's voice and nothing else really stood out to me.
The Lemonheads
5/5
I did not use a private session for Spotify. I listen to this album every so often, I like it a lot. It's got some great classics on it and I like their rocking version of Mrs. Robinson.
Mike Ladd
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. No idea what I was getting into here, hip hop with ambient feel, I listened to it twice and I did like the feel of it. Won't sure there will be a third listening, though.
Judas Priest
4/5
No private session used for Spotify. This album was big with cool kids in junior high, it was a let to metal and heavy for a Presbyterian boy like me, I stuck with my mellow Styx and Yes. Anyway, this is a good metal album.
Earth, Wind & Fire
4/5
I did not use a private session for Spotify. There is a reason why "Earth, Wind & Fire" is played at every wedding reception I have ever been to, and that reason it's a lot of fun. It's fun, it's funky, and gets white people to dance.
Run-D.M.C.
3/5
I did not use a private session for Spotify. A complaint about this album is that it resurrected the rotten corpse of Aerosmith and they went on to write some of the blandest, cheesy rock songs of the 80s a clear departure from their heavy seventies classics. Back to this album, it's got some hip hop classics, I am sure it's an essential part of the hip hop genre and it catchy; however not my genre.
4/5
I did not use a private session for Spotify. I like this album, it's got some new wave classics on in. There is one song on it that is hard to listen to, so it ain't all zingers. But its fun.
Deep Purple
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. I have never sat and listened to a Deep Purple album before, now I have and it what I expected. Rock igniting Heavy Metal, the heavy metal organ never really took off, but I'm good with that.
Boston
5/5
No private session used for Spotify. I had this on cassette when I was much younger, I purchased it for 3 dollars at the neighborhood comic book/music store called "Dr. Rocks". Completely useless and off topic information. This album, like the Cars' first album, could just be their greatest hits. It rocks, screaming thunderous guitar. Scholz's guitar work is intense and Delp's vocal work is perfect.
4/5
No private session used for Spotify. I used to listen to Muse, and this album a lot, not sure why I stopped. Best band in the genre "Space Pirate Rock" I can think of. It's fun, it's high energy, and super dramatic.
Kid Rock
2/5
I did use a private session on Spotify because of Kid Rock. Trying to get over what I think of Kid Rock, the over the top misogyny on this album, the horrid use of the auto tune when he isn't "rapping", there are a couple of great novelty songs on it.
George Harrison
3/5
Of course I didn't use a private session on Spotify for this one. I like a lot of the songs on this album. Whenever I listen to a double album I think "Wow. this would be an excellent album if it didn't have half of these songs." This double album was no exception, I would start with cutting those meandering jams songs at the end. I get Harrison had something to prove after having some of his song writing stifled while in the Beatles,
Charles Mingus
2/5
No private session used for Spotify. I listened to this album twice, trying to get into. I like some jazz, but this goes a bit off the rails for me, it's too eclectic and admittedly over my head.
Public Enemy
4/5
did not use a private spotify session for this one as I just listened to this album Friday of my own volition. I like this album, hip hop with social commentary an album that takes itself and its message seriously, but not too serious with a little levity provided by Flav.
Kendrick Lamar
2/5
I did not use a private spotify session for this one. Absurd, over-the-top , uncomfortable amount of the use of N word. This was not made for me and I am fine with that. More profanity than I care for in general. As far as the music some its that strip club music, bass heavy with a lot of moaning and grunting. Credit to Kendrick for making something so explicit and then later doing the halftime at the SuperB owl. If there was any doubt I was losing my edge and getting out of touch with the cool kids there shouldn't be anymore.
Brian Eno
2/5
No private session used for Spotify. Giving credit were credit is due, this album did have the plodding, boredom, and slight anxiety of waiting for your flight at an airport. Not sure why I would listen again.
Public Image Ltd.
2/5
I did not use a private session on Spotify for this one. Never cared for Rotten's voice, his poetry/lyrics weren't working for me either. I didn't have any trouble finishing this album, but I won't be going back for another listen.
Joni Mitchell
4/5
I did not use a private spotify session for this one. I enjoyed the more than I thought I would. I like Joni's voice, the piano was nice, but over stated, and lots of acoustic guitar. Good album for the morning while enjoying your third or fourth cup of coffee. This album is very much of it's time, so it won't be going into steady rotation.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
I did not use a private Spotify session for this one. CCR, southern fried bayou rock from a bunch of Northern Californians. They had a thing they were going for and nailed it, then stuck with it.
The Sabres Of Paradise
3/5
No idea what I am getting in to here, but I did not use a private session. Seemed like ambient music, so I just had it on the background, didn't pay much attention to it and there wasn't much there to grab my attention. So I guess it works great as ambient music.
Dusty Springfield
3/5
II did not use a private spotify session for this one. I like it, it's in the genre of white-folks-appropriating-music-from-others-but-doing-it-more-commercially-successfully-because-they-are-white, but that is not why I like it.
Joy Division
3/5
I did not use a private session for Spotify. Love the complicated drums, didn't love the keyboards, the voice I have mixed feelings about. This album is another fine example of a 70s band embracing the keyboard heavy 80s.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
No private session used for Spotify. When I was a young lad laying in bed, listening to my clock radio the song "Whole Lotta Love" would come on and that interlude would terrify me. I get it now, Plant is simulating an orgasm, why did Plant's orgasm's scare me?
Radiohead
5/5
No private session used for Spotify, I used to listen to this album a lot when it first came out. I liked the previous albums, Kid A and Amnesiac, but like the more upbeat rock despite the album being a commentary on the 2000 US election(we thought we had it bad then, simpler times).
Violent Femmes
5/5
I did not use a private spotify session for this one. For whatever reason, I didn't think much of the Violent Femmes throughout the 80's and 90's. Sometime in the early 2000's, a then girlfriend left this CD in my car and I started listening to this album a lot and came to the conclusion that this album was just good fun, sometimes frantic, rock. I really like the Femmes now, listen to them regularly, even seen them in concert. Back to this album, it rocks. Where that CD is now, I can only guess because its gone, daddy, gone.
Paul Simon
5/5
I did not use a private session for this one. Great hits on this one, Simon use of the african rythms and singing really work, gimmicky, but it works.
The Zombies
3/5
I did not use a private spotify session for this one. I knew several of these songs. Overall it's a good upbeat album with a lot of nice harmonizing. "Care of Cell 44" is a track on some playlist, it seems like a typical love song until you listen to the lyrics and hear a song about a lover being released from prison. The album is too dated to make into constant rotation, but it's still good.
Fela Kuti
2/5
I did not use a private session for this one. I could have guessed what I was getting into and thought it might be a bad choice for a Friday morning. I was correct, too frantic, world music, african rythms and jazzy, to listen to in the morning. So I listened to some other mellow music for a while and came back to this one, still didn't work for me but was better in the afternoon.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
2/5
I did not use a private session for this one, though I really should have. I don't like reggae and Spotify probably thinks I do now. It's repetitive, all the songs seem the same to me. It's fine for background music when you are on a vacation, but other than that, it's just lost on me.
Metallica
4/5
I did not use a private spotify session as my algorithm could use some more metal. Mixed with the head-banging metal is some classic metal crossovers, crossovers so ubiquitous they can be made into the theme song for a Disney movie. Lots of love for some of the songs of the album, but some of it goes to hard for me.
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
3/5
I didn't know what I was getting into, but did not use a private spotify session. I like the rhythms, did not understand the lyrics. I meant to go back and listen to it again in the afternoon, but did not get a chance.
Herbie Hancock
3/5
No private spotify session used. Pretty much what I thought it was gong to be, keyboard driven jazz. A little to frantic in some parts, but not too over the top. Some of these songs would work great if you get yourself in a car chase in San Francisco.
Michael Kiwanuka
4/5
I did not use a private spotify session despite not knowing what I was getting in to. A bit nervous at first how the album started, but it mellowed out nicely and turned out to be quite enjoyable. Listened this album twice and then some of Kiwanuka's other stuff. Never heard of him before, now going to go on a deep dive. This is definitely why I signed up this project.
Parliament
3/5
I did not use a private session on Spotify for this one. I have actually seen Parliament in concert, fun! This album is fun and obviously had a huge influence on a lot of artists.
Manic Street Preachers
3/5
I did not use a private session for this one. I had one Manic Street Preachers album that got some play, it wasn't this one, though it could have been. I like it, as promised it does get a manic so you have to be in the correct mode to listen to it.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
I did not use a private session for this one. I have my own playlist of my Best of Stevie Wonder and of course some of the songs are on it. Its a good listen for some rhythmic funk.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
I will always use a private session for any Stones albums this site has me listen to, I just don't like them that much and I don't want Spotify to think I do. Couple of classics on this album, but rambling white boy blues that I get tired of. Jagger might be a prototypical frontman, but dear lord, I don't like his voice or the way he uses it.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
I did not use a private session for Spotify. I was trying to view the album from a guy who grew up in an industrial town, looking forward to get out, though I still couldn't relate that well.
4/5
No private session used for Spotify. I never really got into Oasis, maybe because I didn't have to because Oasis was unavoidable. Most of those songs appear on this album, so I like it for the nostalgia.
Jethro Tull
3/5
I did not use a private Spotify session for this one. I have never listened to a Jethro Tull album, I just knew them as the Aqualung, progressive rock with a flute. This album confirmed that. A little different, but fun.
Quicksilver Messenger Service
3/5
No idea what I was getting into here, but did not use a private spotify session. A lot of this album is an Bo Diddley extend cover. I listened to this album twice, but I don't seem to have any strong feelings toward it, neither positive or negative.
Goldfrapp
3/5
No private session for Spotify used. I knew Goldfrapp, but never listened to an album. Mellow, interesting, part ambient, part James Bond music, some portishead.
The Kinks
3/5
No private session used for Spotify, either time I listened to this album. Dated by fun, good to go into a Kinks deep dive. Not sure I will listen again.
Kanye West
2/5
Definitely using a private session for this....individual. A challenge to separate the art from the artist. Uncomfortable use of the N word and a lot of misogyny , music isn't off putting, but everything else is. I can't.
The Roots
2/5
No private session used for Spotify. Uncomfortable use of the N word. Music was a bit annoying. I wasn't desperate for this album to end, but I did welcome it.
Rod Stewart
3/5
I did not use a private Spotify session for this one. It was an interesting dive in to Stewarts early solo stuff as I mostly knew his work from the cheesy 80's. This album kind of reminded me of Colin Hay's current work, which I love. I think I would have like Stewart more if was more familiar with his earlier work, but that train has sailed.
The xx
2/5
I did not use a private session for this one. Lots of mumbling which I think was supposed to come off as sultry and sexy, but instead me tired.
Rush
5/5
I did not use a private Spotify session for this one. I have this somewhere on CD and used to have it on cassette as well. I love this album, the entire first half is an epic song and then the second half has a few more classics. How different and talented Rush was blew my mind and it still does.
Carole King
4/5
No private session used for this one. Turns out I was listening to a classic, I knew most of these songs from my childhood and throughout my life. Lovely voice, brilliant piano, and sweet lyrics.
The Jesus And Mary Chain
2/5
I did not use a private Spotify session for this one. 80s music on Benadryl, boring.
Louis Prima
4/5
No private session used for Spotify. I didn't know what I was getting into, but once it started rolling I knew. I knew a lot of these songs and of course covers of a lot of these songs. I don't know when I will listen to this again, but I get why it is on the list.
Public Image Ltd.
2/5
I did not use a private session for this one. Lydon's voice matched the grating, annoying instrumentation. I didn't need to hear this, I don't want this.
Yes
4/5
I did not use a private Spotify session for this one. I like progressive rock, or at least go through phases where I listen to a lot, so I have listened to a lot of Yes in my day. I like this album, it's got some classics and I like the blend of classical guitar with 70s rock.
The Prodigy
3/5
I did not use a private session on Spotify for this one. I had the sensibility to not listen it for the first thing in on a Monday morning. This albums has some classics and is great for what is, electronic music. Not a huge fan of electronic music, though.
Arcade Fire
4/5
No private session used for Spotify. I have listened to this album in the past and I do like it. It's got a lot going on as far as instrumentation, tempo and key changes. Bit dramatic, but it works.
Tortoise
2/5
No private session used for Spotify and no idea on what I was getting into. I did not get into this instrumental snore.
Elastica
4/5
No private session used for Spotify. I have listened to the album before, got some great songs and I can recall when the album came out and some of the songs got airplay, it was a nice change from the male grunge that was usually on the radio.
U2
4/5
No private session used for this one. I have listen to this album a lot in the past, but who hasn't? Once U2 got big it was a great one to go back to for more U2.
David Bowie
3/5
I did not use a private Spotify session for this one. I love Bowie, this isn't one of my favorite albums from him, but it's still good.
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
I did not use a private session for one. I used to have this on CD, but I gave it away as it is too folksy for me. I love Paul Simon's work, but Simon and Garfunkel is just to mellow, though I can not deny that some of the songs are classic.
Miles Davis
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. Listened to this on a rainy morning, which I think helped. Not exactly my type of music, but was still enjoyable. Not silent at all, though.
Alexander 'Skip' Spence
1/5
No private session used for Spotify, but I have no idea what I am getting into. Mumbly, trippy, mellow, and a cacophony of crap. Maybe if I was on acid I could fool myself into believing this is worth listening to. I only give out one star reviews when I am desperately looking for the album to end. This one earned it.
James Brown
2/5
I did not use a private session for this one. I can understand the appeal of seeing him live as he was quite the performer, something was lost going to an audio only format. I expected more soul and horns, but got some fifties crooner, which wasn't bad.
R.E.M.
4/5
I did not use a private session for this one as I have listened to it many times. I went through a REM phase in college, but didn't like some of their newer albums. Back to this album, it rocks. Has some great classics.
Curtis Mayfield
4/5
I did not use a private session for this one. I knew a lot of the tracks on this album, but don't know if I ever sat a listened to it. Now that I have, I will have to listen to it more. Funky, upbeat and bad-ass.
fIREHOSE
3/5
I did not use a private session for this one. I know fIREHOSE, but have never sat down a listen to an album. I like it, can tell how it influenced bands I like, but not going on the heavy rotation play list.
Tom Waits
4/5
I did not use a private session for Spotify. Back in the day this was a favorite of mine for rainy Saturday mornings. I love is voice, the intensity of his voice, and the chaotic nature of some of the songs.
Fats Domino
3/5
No private session used for spotify. I think I have heard most of these songs at some point, early rock n' roll, lots of piano and saxophone.
Kendrick Lamar
1/5
I did use a private spotify session for this one. Listening to these lyrics and knowing he played the SuperBowl halftime show reminds is undeniable proof I am out of touch with things. Between the frequent use of the N word and misogyny I get distracted from the music.
Christina Aguilera
2/5
I did use a private Spotify session for this one. I never got the allure of Brittany's music and I lumped Christina in that category of just selling sex bundled with bland music, this album cover and title helps justify that.
Grizzly Bear
4/5
No private session used for spotify. Didn't know what I was getting into, though I realize I have heard "Two Weeks" at some point. I listened to this album twice, I like it it's mellow but builds up to chaos nicely at some points. It kind of reminded me of Jeff Buckley at some points.
Rufus Wainwright
2/5
No private session used for Spotify. I have never been a huge fan of Rufus's voice, I fine it whiney, mumbled and sounds like he just woke up, but probably should have stayed in bed longer. His voice is featured a lot in his music, so it's a problem.
Bruce Springsteen
2/5
After some consideration, I decided not to use a private Spotify session. Although not a Springsteen fan, I have listened to this album before because of how revered it is. It's mumbly and mellow, I have never been to Nebraska, but if this what it is like, hard pass.
Air
5/5
No private session used for Spotify. I love this album, used to be my go to on weekend mornings. I don't know why I love it as it's electronica with heavy keyboards, but this just works.
Beck
4/5
No private session used for Spotify as it's another album I had in heavy rotation for a while. It's not one of my favorite Beck album, but I still like it a lot. Lots of good, head nodding rhythms when a nice collection of different instruments to keep it interesting.
Prince
3/5
I did not use a private Spotify session for this one. Lots of hits. It's funky enough, but too many keyboards and I got to say the screaming got to me towards the end.
Brian Wilson
3/5
I did not use a private spotify session for this one as I have listened to it before. This was my album for the day after Wilson's death was announced , coincidence or not, it was still nice. This album has it's moments, I like how it reminds of Pet Sounds, but it's uneven, even the different parts of the songs are uneven.
Ella Fitzgerald
1/5
I did not use a private spotify session for this one, I should have. I only made it through disc two, there was a lot of anger from me when I had to listen to "Rhumba" get rhymed with "Number", "Slumber" and "Dumber". FU GERSHWINS!
The Velvet Underground
3/5
I did not use a private Spotify session for this one as I have listened to it before. It is hard for me just to sit and listen to The Velvet Underground as there music is a little too odd and detuned, but I can appreciate the impact they had. I used to hate the song "Heroin" because it made me feel on edge, but then I realized since the song was about heroin, it was supposed to, I recognized the talent it going for that emotion and grabbing it. Still, I can't put on this record and just chill.
Marty Robbins
2/5
I should have used a private spotify session for this one, but I forgot. Nothing wrong with this album, it is what it says on the tin. I just can't imagine listening to it on my own volition.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
I did not use a private spotify session for this one. It's a Joni Mitchell album, sweet voice, nice melodies, but won't be on steady rotation in my house.
David Ackles
2/5
I did not use a private session on Spotify for this one. I didn't know what I getting in to, I am still a little confused. Discount Randy Newman? Way to dramatic and melodramatic, as if Calculon created an album.
Bill Evans Trio
2/5
I did not use a private Spotify session for this one. It was about what I expected, up tempo jazz but it was a little too frantic for my taste.
MGMT
3/5
I did not use a private Spotify session for this one. I have heard a few of these songs on the radio, a lot, but have never listened to the album. It's music with a good beat, interesting lyrics, but leans way too keyboard heavy for me. I am fine with just hearing these songs on the radio without playing the album.
Fatboy Slim
2/5
I did use a private spotify session for this one, as not a fan of EDM. I also waited until the afternoon until I gave it a listen as I thought I would be more receptive to it. A positive comment about this album: it is one of the most appropriate titled albums I have heard in a while as you need to be on club drugs to enjoy this redundant noise over repetitive beats.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
I did not use a private session for either time I listened to this. I am a fan of Nick Cave's post punk angry harder music, but never got into this album. Its a complete departure but pleasant in mellow way. I will have to try to remember try to this out on chill Sunday morning.
The Triffids
2/5
I did not use a private session for this one. No idea what I was getting in to, but between it being an 80's album and the dude's hair I got nervous about keyboard heavy poppy rock. After giving it a listen, the album is more straight forward rock, a bit gothy and gloomy, sort of shoe-gazing, but with some country twang.
Bob Dylan
3/5
I did not use a private session for this one. Don't like his voice, his harmonica playing is amateur, but it all works. Maybe it's the lyrics, maybe its a genius who can make the most of his musical short comings.
The Flaming Lips
4/5
I did not use a private spotify session for this one. I have this on CD somewhere and listen stream a few times a year. I was always impressed how they could take a song like Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Pt.1, which with it's head bobbing beat and hooks could have been a radio hit, but added lyrics about a girl fighting a robot to make sure it never went mainstream. I like the music and the fact the album has the theme.
CHVRCHES
1/5
I did not use a private session on Spotify for this one. From the synth heavy opening chords, to the poppy sound I could tell from track band isn't for me. Generic poppy keyboard driven trash. Another album I could have died and not heard and been better off for it. The bonus tracks are what dropped it from a 2 star to a 1 star, I didn't need more of that crap.
Cypress Hill
3/5
I did not use a private spotify session for this one. I liked it more than I thought I would, lots of the use of the N word that makes me uncomfortable.
Living Colour
3/5
I did not use a private session for this one. I had this on CD, purchased not long after it came out. I listened to it a lot, because I was poor and didn't have a lot CDs. It was interesting to listen to and see how it held up. At the time, I didn't realize there was a Talking Heads cover on the album. It's rock, verging on metal, but the dude can sing so they featured that and the other dudes can play, I especially noticed the guitar work. Anyway, the album holds up, but I also understand why I gave my CD away to my friend Shawn.
ABBA
3/5
I did not use a private Spotify session for this one. Like ELO, there is a huge orchestral and cinematic feel to this music. Also, like ELO, it reminds me of the roller rink. This album has some hits and some other decent songs, one 50's style song that I didn't like.
B.B. King
2/5
I did not use a private session on Spotify for this one.
Franz Ferdinand
5/5
No private session used for Spotify. I have this excellent album on CD somewhere and it was my vote for 2004's album of the year. I don't know if won, I don't care, if it wasn't this album then whoever these experts are were wrong.. This album rocks, happy to see it come up.
Ali Farka Touré
2/5
I didn't use a private spotify session, maybe I should have. It's interesting, but it's not for me. African rhythms, whiny lyrics I don't understand, still beats Taylor Swift.
Mylo
1/5
No private session used for Spotify, but with regrets. Mylo - go to hell if you think you are going to destroy rock & roll and replace it with this synth heavy, electronic, music for robots on their break from the sprocket factory.
Crosby, Stills & Nash
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. Couple of classics on this album, rest of it was pretty good. Loved the harmonizing, gets a little to folksy in some places, but it's a great album but won't make it into regular rotation.
Guns N' Roses
5/5
No private session used for Spotify. I didn't ever own this album, but I knew plenty of people who did. Lots of classic songs on this one, more than one of them have hit the I am ok with never hearing this song again level.
King Crimson
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. I have certainly have heard 21st Century Schizoid Man and The Court of the Crimson King before, but haven't listened to a complete King Crimson album.
Madonna
2/5
Yes, I used a private spotify session for this album. I look at the album cover and wonder exactly she is selling, because it isn't great music. There are lots of radio hits on this thing, but listening to them didn't make me feel nostalgic, it made me feel angry that the local radio station and MTV crammed this crap down our gullets.
Maxwell
2/5
I did not use a private spotify session for this one and I had no idea what I was getting into. I loved that first track, groovy and jazzy, wah wah on the rhythm guitar, but then it got very r and b and I started losing interest.
The White Stripes
5/5
No private session used for Spotify. I love this album and the band. Both Hotel Yorba and Fell in Love with a Girl have made it to into guitar jam songs.
Neil Young
3/5
I did not use a private spotify session for this one. Very moody music, not on the beach mood, maybe sitting on the prairie watching the prairie dogs, while wondering if this life is still worth living. It's not bad, just won't make it on rotation.
Dexys Midnight Runners
2/5
I did not use a private Spotify session for this one. "Dexy's Midnight Runners", the perennial answer to the question "What is a one hit wonder?" There is nothing on this album to change that answer. Don't care for the singer's voice, couldn't stand the falsetto.
Black Sabbath
4/5
I did not use a private session for this one. The day after Brian Wilson's death I was given a Brian Wilson album to listen to and I thought that was a happy coincidence. Now the day after Ozzy's death I am given a Black Sabbath Album to listen to, so no, neither was a coincidence and Bravo to the 1001albumsgenerator. A lot of classic metal on this album.
Tom Waits
3/5
No private session used for spotify, I have definitely listened to this album before, "Goin' Out West" is one of my favorite of Tom Waits songs. This album is weird, but it works.
Harry Nilsson
3/5
I did not use a private session for this one. I am aware of Nilsson, but never really listened to him actively. Of course I have heard several of the songs on the album, but never really knew to attribute them to him, could because Nilsson gets covered a lot. Anyway, fairly solid album, but won't make it on steady rotation.
Muddy Waters
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. I am not a huge blues fan, bunch of familiar chord progressions with lots of solos. This was better than most I have been required to listen to though I didn't need to versions of "Tiger in Your Tank."
Stevie Wonder
3/5
I did not use a private spotify session for this one. I love a lot of Stevie's songs, have my own best of for him and that playlist has several songs from this one.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
I did not use a private spotify session for this one. Wasn't familiar with this one and was curious what Nick Cave I would get. The music that seems to be made for a speed induced fight in a pool hall on a Tuesday afternoon or the ballads that would serve well as background music for a film?
Barry Adamson
3/5
No private session used for Spotify and I had no idea what I was getting in to. Interesting stuff going on here, mood music for a nightmare. I liked it, but not sure when I will listen to it again, I will have to keep it in mind next Halloween.
Johnny Cash
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. The music is really basic, but hey when its Cash's deep timbre of a voice singing it makes it work.
The Offspring
4/5
No private session used for Spotify. This album has lots of classics on it, a bit of filler it seems, but overall it's nice and angry, I can get into it.
The Pogues
2/5
No private session used for Spotify. Folk punk really isn't my thing, it sounds like Christmas. Too many songs on this album and as long as we are talking about excess, there are too many people in this band playing too many instruments at the same time.
Lupe Fiasco
2/5
I did not use a private session, though I should have. Not my music and too much use of the N word. I'm sure Fiasco was meant to be tongue in cheek, but it fits.
Neu!
3/5
I did not use a private Spotify session for this one. I like CAN, so I can get into this. I did enjoy the instrumental tracks more than the ones with vocals.
Queen
4/5
No private session used for Spotify. I like this album, it's got some overplayed hits but it has some good Queen songs that weren't played to death on the radio and didn't make it on The Greatest Hits album. Interesting to hear the songs that were written by some of the other members of Queen as well.
Eminem
2/5
I did not use a private session for spotify. What is with albums and skits? How many times do you want to hear the same skit? I like to listen to songs over and over but not bits. Anyway, this album is quite as worrying as the last Eminem album this site had me listen to, but Eminem's issues are leaking through on this one still. It's got some cool songs with awesome beats, but it also has some bad songs with terrible hooks, between that and the skits, I won't ever listen to this album again. I may listen to the hits.
Big Black
2/5
No private session used for Spotify. Heavy, discordy, screamy. 2/3rd of those are not real words, but I Big Black doesn't deserve real words and I think they are fine with that. Probably won't listen to this album again.
The Allman Brothers Band
2/5
I did not use a private Spotify session for this one. The more blues records, especially live ones, that this site has me listen to the more I realized I don't really like the blues. It's all seems similar: standard beat, walking bass line, and a 4,5,1 chord progression on the guitar. Throw in some uninspired lyrics and a a bunch of solos. I did make into the jam band part of the album, which was better but still not my thing. I will save the jam band rant for later.
Bob Dylan
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. Dylan is one of those artists that I think I would like a lot more if wasn't for all the hype. It sets my expectations way too high. I tried to set my expectations aside and just listen and there is some interesting music here.
The Doors
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. I am not old enough to remember the Doors in the their original glory, but old enough to remember when everyone became a Doors fan because of the Stone's movie about the Doors, which got to be a bit much a left a negative feeling with me about them. I used to listen the radio at night when I was a kid, trying to fall asleep and Riders of the Storm used to scare the hell out me. Right, back to this album, it's got some great Doors classics, including the one that terrified me, some songs that seem like filler, but its got enough interesting music to make it good.
Keith Jarrett
2/5
No private session used for Spotify. Talented piano player, but not my thing. Maybe if someone was over and I wanted background music that might impress them, but that isn't my thing either.
Janet Jackson
3/5
I did not use a private Spotify session for this one. In 1995 I shared an office with an older gentleman, we both liked to listen to the radio while working but our tastes were different so it was set to a non-offensive, bland station. I must have heard Escape 3 times a day then and this is six years after this album came out, the point is that this album got played a lot. Keyboard heavy, in your face rhythms, very digital and 80s. Escapade is at 44 million plays on Spotify. Ken(the dude I shared an office with) and I never went an Escapade together despite the constant encouragement from Miss Jackson, I do feel we missed out.
Terence Trent D'Arby
3/5
I did not use a private session for Spotify on this one. I remember when this album came up and my mind went to "Wishing Well", but after listening to it I now recall all the different great songs on this album. Lots of fun songs with a good beat, some R&B songs, and I like Terence's voice.
The Notorious B.I.G.
2/5
No private session used for Spotify. As typical with this genre, I feel like a eavesdropper as the frequent use of the N word makes me feel uncomfortable that and the misogyny. Not my thang.
Marvin Gaye
3/5
I did not use a private spotify session for this one. Never sat down and listened to a complete Marvin Gaye album but I did know several of the songs off of it. I liked the flow of the album.
Thelonious Monk
3/5
I did not use a private session for Spotify on this one. I have a hard time figuring out when is the best time to listen to classic jazz like this, I found driving around at night when it's raining works well; however there is no rain in the forecast and the sun sets around 9, so I can not experience in this album the way I think I really need to. This album is a lot more accessible than some other jazz classics.
Christine and the Queens
2/5
No private session used for Spotify and I had no idea what I was getting in to but was a bit concerned when I saw it was a double album. I know I have made my opinions one double albums before, but typically a double album would be much better as a normal album, getting rid of some of the crap. Anyway back to the double album in question, its not my thing, really digital and synth heavy, pretty poppy. The switching from French to English and back was confusing as I wasn't sure if I was mishearing the lyrics or not. All that being said, I didn't mind it, might have rated it higher if it wasn't a double album because it was a bit much.
Sabu
1/5
No private session used for this one, though a little trepidatious about based on the title and cover. I started playing it as the first album of the day, the franticness hit me early and I quickly realized needed to wait until after the second cup of coffee. Drums, yelling in a foreign language, whistles and single notes on a guitar. This album would be great for dancing naked around a pubic hair singeing bon fire in the Spanish speaking parts of Latin America, beyond that, not much else.
The White Stripes
4/5
No private session used for Spotify. I love The White Stripes, this isn't my favorite of theirs, but it still rocks!
Janelle Monáe
3/5
No private session used for Spotify, not sure what I was getting in to and, to be honest, I am still not sure what I got in to after listening to it. Quite a lot of different musical styles going on here and there is nothing wrong with that but it does make it hard to dial into it. I didn't have time to give it a second listen, but I need to go back to it.
Stephen Stills
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. I knew who Stephen Stills is, but never sat down and listened to one of his solo albums, but this is about what I expected : rootsy rock, seems somewhat southern, lots of guitar, with some country influence. I listened to this a few times, but not sure I will remember to listen to it again.
The Fall
3/5
No private session used for this one. I listen to The Fall from time to time, because there music is different, it's raw, different, and mumbly. The Fall has been around for a while, but this probably my favorite incarnation.
Primal Scream
3/5
No idea what I was getting in to, but no private session used for Spotify. Some fairly straight forward rock, which is my thing, mixed with digital dance music, which normally isn't my thing, but I liked the album as a whole. I gave it two listens, but should give it more.
Buena Vista Social Club
3/5
Did not use a private session for this one. I used to listen to the album a fair bit, fun to listen to in the summer when hanging out outside and chilling. This album holds up, but certainly better on a warm weekend afternoon outside then first cup of coffee in the morning.
Blur
5/5
No private session used for Spotfiy. I like Blur a lot, more than I like Oasis, but let's not go there, leave it alone. I had forgotten how much I enjoy the songs on this album, there are a lot of great ones, including Song 2 that finally gave the band much deserved attention in the US.
Afrika Bambaataa
2/5
No private session used for Spotify. If I was asked to come up with an album that defined the urban 80's this album would be on the top of the list. I knew nothing about this album before listening to it, but my mind went to 1985 and I was close. It was refreshing to hear a hip hop album that is just fun, not angry and not hitting the n word constantly. All that being said, I won't be listening it to again, but I didn't hate it.
10cc
1/5
No private session used for Spotify. Know the band for at least one song, never listened to an album. Disjoint, erratic and sometimes annoying. It's like it's trying to symphonic but misses the mark.
George Michael
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. Lot of heavy rotation MTV songs on this album, but it's cheesy fun, file it under guilty pleasures. Very synth heavy even on the drums, which is an 80's thing, but not my thing.
Joan Armatrading
2/5
No private session used for Spotify and know idea what I was getting in to. Judging a book by the cover it will be in the 70's style of complicated acoustic guitar behind mumbly singing. But no, guitar yes, definitely not mumbly singing, nice voice with minimal backing instrumentation. Singer songwriter stuff.
Fiona Apple
4/5
No private session used for Spotify. I like Fiona's work a lot, mellow, lots of a piano and then there is her low sultry voice..let's just say it works for me and leave it that.
Dirty Projectors
1/5
No private session used for spotify. Hated it, too electronic, too many random noises, too much whining in the background, too many tempo changes and all around annoying. Math and music have a lot in common, so here is a mathematical term to describe the album: disjoint.
Slade
2/5
No private session used for Spotify. I know Slade, but never have listened to an album until now. There is no arguing the impact Slade had on rock and making it more commercial. That being said, I don't think I will listen to this again..that last track alone was a bit too annoying.
Hole
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. Courtney is definitely a polarizing figure, but I love 90's rock and, as always, I try to separate the musician from the music. Some classic 90's angry rock here, which is nice to hear from a female perspective, but also some crap songs showcasing Courtney's questionable vocal range.
Kanye West
2/5
I am going to use a private session, because f this guy. Separate the man from the music, DazRocket, be objective! Too much use of the n word for me a white man who wants the word nowhere near my vocabulary. Lots of stuff here I don't want to hear again, it's not that it sucks really, but telling s story over background music isn't something I need to hear more than once. Does that last track count as rapping? If so, I am a rapper.
The Cure
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. I don't know if I ever sat through a The Cure album though I like a lot of their songs. This album doesn't have a lot of the songs that got played, and hey still get played(and deservedly so), but its still good.
a-ha
2/5
No private session used for Spotify. A-ha another standard answer when the one hit wonder question comes up. Once the hit came up, which is the first song, it was some pretty mellow, generic, synth heavy 80's music with a high pitched voice. Yes, I know "The Sun Always Shines on TV" got radio play, but it wasn't a hit.
Marvin Gaye
2/5
No private session used for Spotify. Second Marvin Gaye album this site had me listen to. Gaye has a good voice, but I can't get into it. I could see putting this on when trying to set the mode for a romantic entanglement, maybe that is how I should be listening to it, but 1 hour 13 minutes is about 1 hour longer than I need.
Laibach
1/5
No private session used for Spotify. Also no idea what I am getting into for the next hour. While listening to this I try to keep in mind that the list doesn't contain the best albums but also contains interesting albums..the kind your hipper than thou college acquaintance mocks you for not loving. I did not like this album horrible voice over orchestra music with some EDM to really screw with me. I can't imagine listening to this, maybe background music at a Halloween party when you get sick of Monster Mash and Thriller.
Van Morrison
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. Love the song, but never listened to the album or any Van Morrison album. The album is pleasant, has a lot of nice songs, pretty mellow.
Rage Against The Machine
3/5
No private session used for this one. A perfect album for these times, though I did have to wait until the afternoon to listen to it. I can be a pretty angry man, especially with what is going on with the country's plummet into fascism, but even for me this was bit much.
Radiohead
5/5
No private session used for Spotify. I love this album and have on CD somewhere. So many good songs on this one, it's a classic, probably my favorite from a band that has a lot of great albums.
Primal Scream
2/5
No private session used for Spotify. This is the second Primal Scream album I have been tasked to review in the last few weeks. I was excited because the other Primal Scream was a great listen, but this one was a bit of a disappointment as nothing in it really grabbed me and that was after two listens.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. I don't know if I will get into Nick Cave the balladeer or the Nick Cave with the unique take on "Stagger Lee". It was a nice combination of both and quite enjoyable. I had heard the opening song and love the energy of it.
Prince
4/5
No private session used for this one. I have definitely listened to this one before and dear lord are the a lot of radio/MTV heavy repeats contained therein.
The Strokes
5/5
No private session used for this one. I had this on CD when this first came out and this one was in my car so I listened to it a lot. It's one of those albums that definitely takes me back to a specific time in my life, so much so that I don't listen to it much now because I worry that it won't take me back to a specific time in my life. It will lose it's time traveling ability.
Butthole Surfers
2/5
Not using a private spotify session for this one, but I am going to wait until I wake up some as this might be maddening. There are bands I appreciate in small doses and I have always imagined the Butthole Surfers would be one of those groups which why I have never listened to an entire album from them...my intuition was correct. Interesting, but images of doing speed in a dive bar's mens bathroom fill my head.
The Smiths
2/5
I did use a private session on Spotify for this one, I don't want Spotify to think I am a The Smiths fan, for quite a while Spotify was trying to turn me into a The Smiths fan, it didn't take. Nothing wrong with this album, as in I wasn't looking forward to it's end, in fact I listened to it twice. It won't be listened to again.
Aerosmith
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. This is the Aerosmith I actually like not the slow ballad crap artists that they unfortunately became..."You See Me Crying" has a hint of that, but is mostly overshadowed by some classic rocking. You still get the juvenile lyrics that the band never got passed, even in their 80's or however old they were when they wrote "Love in an Elevator". That was uncalled for, not because it isn't true, but because I should be focusing on this album. It mostly rocks and contains two awesome rock classics.
Miles Davis
4/5
I didn't use a private session for Spotify on this one. It's a drizzly Friday morning, sipping on French press coffee, and this is perfect mood music.
Neil Young
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. Neil writes some great songs, but I do have some issues when he goes to his high pitched whiny voice. I listened to it a couple times, worth listening to again.
Def Leppard
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. I remember when this overhyped album came out, it was everywhere and it sickened me. It's not there best work, that being Pyromania, it brought Def Leppard to the masses with quite literally sugary rock songs with keyboards. Now that I have said that, and am listening to it, it is a lot of fun. Oh yes, Def Leppard, two words, they couldn't spell either correctly.
Arrested Development
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. More lighthearted, uplifting and fun then the gangsta rap that was everywhere at the time. Enjoyable listen.
Peter Frampton
4/5
No private session used for spotify. This album gets a lot of hype, rightfully so, but with a lot of albums and bands that get a lot of hype it has a lot to overcome. I like this album, it's a classic, but I don't see me listening to it on heavy rotation.
Sigur Rós
2/5
No private session used for Spotify. A band that I know I know, but can't recall how and when I listen to their music. I knew one of the songs. I like that song, but didn't need an albums worth of it.
The Smiths
2/5
For quite a while Spotify was trying to make me a Smiths fan and I kept resisting, I don't want to start this again so I did use a private session for Spotify. This album is pretty meh and that long song is unbearable.
Marianne Faithfull
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. I knew of this album because I like the intensity and crassness of the last track and it's fun to imagine Tina Turner singing it. Back to the album, it's interesting because just listening to i I wouldn't be able to pick when the album was released and I mean that as a compliment.
2Pac
3/5
No private session used with Spotify. I enjoyed this album a lot more than I thought I would. It's not as angry as I thought it would be, yes, some use of the N word but it didn't rub me to much.
The Who
3/5
No private session used for one. I have listened to a complete The Who album before, but it wasn't this one. This was psychedelic, with flavors of Monty Python, and I had never associated a brass section with The Who before, but clearly this happened..seeing this album was released in 1967 it all ties together.
Paul Simon
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. I like Paul Simon's music a lot and I impressed with his long and varied career. I listened to this album a couple of times and then listened to other Paul Simon albums throughout the day.
Iron Maiden
2/5
No private session used for Spotify. Iron Maiden was lumped into the bin of satanic bands that I tended to avoid when I was in junior high and high school. This wasn't as heavy as I expected and seemed more hair metal than heavy metal.
Roxy Music
2/5
No private session used for Spotify. Never got into Roxy Music and this album cover reeks of desperation, I like it and have spent too much time admiring it, but it seems like if the music was great they wouldn't need to have a cover like this. Anyway, the way the dude sang bothered me, music wasn't bad though. I listened to it twice, but I won't listen to it again, might enjoy the album cover some more though.
The Who
2/5
No private session used for Spotify. This is the second Who album in a week. This is more what I expected from my apparently limited knowledge of The Who, more straightforward rock. I think I would enjoy this album more if I was a Who fan.
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. I liked this album, listened to it a few times nice to hear tunes from this guitar god that aren't overplayed, I need to listen to it more.
Public Enemy
4/5
No private session used for Spotify as I have listened to this album quite a few times. Angry, yes, but angry with a point and thought provoking. Use of the n word, including the name of of song, but it's used to make a point so it seems purposeful and not gratuitous.
Cat Stevens
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. On a business trip, still at the hotel and this was a nice one to play while getting ready for the day. I will have to remember this mellow, thought provoking album future mornings.
Lambchop
2/5
No private session used for Spotify. Seemed like another ok one for listening to in the morning on a business trip. I don't recall Lambchop, but I do recall Grumpus. This album was groovy, but I didn't care for his voice, especially when the falsetto.
Genesis
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. I like Phil Collins era Genesis and I like prog rock for the most part. I have listened to this album before, but haven't got into it, maybe it's too prog rock for me, but it's not bad.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. Somewhere on CD I have the best of CCR which I enjoyed back There are a lot of tracks on this album that were on that greatest hits album, so it was fun to listen to and be amazed about how a band from California mastered southern fried rock. It's got some great hits on it, but some crap as well which is why I will stick to the best of...I know that makes me not a real fan and I am cool with that.
Pearl Jam
5/5
No private session used for Spotify. No secret I love the grunge scene and this album is definitely one of the seminal grunge albums and a perfect companion to rainy, dark days in Seattle.
Dr. Dre
2/5
No private session used for Spotify. Eavesdropper guilt was in full effect listening to this. I have covered this before, but the use of the N word makes me think I shouldn't be listening to this and this album has an extreme amount of the N word. Add the misogyny and I can't think of why I would listen this again. No offense, Doc, but this wasn't made for me.
Ice Cube
2/5
No private session used for Spotify. I did enjoy this music; however the use of the n word, misogyny, and homophobia makes it uncomfortable to listen to. I get it, it's not for me.
Jacques Brel
1/5
I did not use a private session for Spotify on this one. A French Balladeer from the sixties. This is music I didn't know I needed as I was correct.
King Crimson
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. I have always considered myself a progressive rock fan; however doing some deep dives of the genre made me realize I liked the more commercial side that came out it : Trevor Rabin era Yes, Phil Collins on vocals era Genesis and Billy Sherwood out of King Crimson and fronting Asia. Listening to those albums there is is flourishes of progressive rock, but a fair amount more meat of popular music. Back to the album, I like it, but won't put it on heavy rotation like Asia's first album that mixes prog rock with commercial rock.
Dennis Wilson
2/5
No private session used for Spotify. I don't think I ever listened to Dennis Wilson's solo stuff, well I know I haven't because I didn't know he had solo stuff. The first album seemed over produced, the second album sounded like generic blues rock with Dennis's voice sounding like Randy Newman but without the clever lyrics.
Nick Drake
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. I have listened to several Nick Drake albums from this experiment, 70's mumbly soft voice paired with lovely acoustic guitar. This album has more instruments thrown in to the mix and gets pretty upbeat. Great one for the morning coffee, maybe the second cup.
TLC
2/5
No private session used for Spotify. HipHop Soul isn't my thing, didn't one of those girls, I don't know if it's T L or C has a nasally voice not fit for mainstream radio.
Nirvana
5/5
No private session used for Spotify. An acoustic performance by a band known for their loud heavy music, it shouldn't work but it does. A tribute to the talent of the band and a sad reminder of incredible music Cobain would have made if he lived past 27. It's great hearing some of the overplayed Nirvana songs in redone by the creators and fun to hear their take on the covers.
Manic Street Preachers
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. I listened to this album several times yesterday, not my favorite MSP album, but it's good. If I recall, it's their first album since Edwards weird ass departure and it still works.
Ravi Shankar
1/5
Hell yeah I used a private session for this one, no offense to Ravi, but Indian music gets me in the mood for Indian food and I don't want Spotify's algorithm to make me wander of for some Lamb Vindaloo. I prefer my sitar in the background of Beatles songs and while I pounding down curry. Any album that has to have instructions on how I should enjoy the music is not music I am going to enjoy.
Alice Cooper
2/5
No private session used for Spotify. Alice Cooper is someone who associated more with his gimmick than his music. I know a few songs from him, but despite how long he has been making music, it's odd I only know a few of his songs. After listening to a whole album I can tell it's a lot of theater and somewhat bland music.
ZZ Top
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. I have always liked ZZ Top's music, but never was really into it until I started playing the guitar again and started enjoying their music for that alone, this album is good for that and makes it fun listen.
Sarah Vaughan
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. This album was quite pleasant and fun to listen to. Not sure when I will listen to it again, but I will try to make a point of it.
Peter Gabriel
3/5
Slipknot
2/5
No private session used for Spotify though it did take me a while to listen to this album because I knew I would have to be in right mind set. I was surprised by the dichotomy of this album the thrash/death metal with cookie monster voice and then they put stuff on like "Snuff".
But its mostly music I am just not angry enough to listen to, I didn't mind it, but don't see me putting it on ever again.
Julian Cope
2/5
No private session used for Spotify. I found this album kind of bland, though I did find myself grooving on some of the guitar. I was going to give it a second listen, but at 1hour 16 minutes, one listen is all I have time for and I have to stick with my first impression.
George Jones
2/5
No private session used for Spotify. This is the kind of music I would imagine one listens to when they drink too much Budweiser, with the occasional shot of Jack as a chaser, sitting in a dingy, sparsely populated bar in the afternoon with the door occasionally opening for a regular to stagger in exposing a blazing hot sun while you waste away thinking about how the woman of your dreams cheated on you with that guy you always kind of looked down upon because you thought he speaks sort of effeminately and drives a Prius. This music brings me down, but I am fairly sure its going for that, so kudos, i guess.
Jeff Buckley
5/5
No private session used for Spotify. I have listened to this album a lot over the past few decades. I love a lot of the songs on this album and don't dislike any. His guitar and voice are awesome and he knows how to get the most out of both.
Ray Price
2/5
No private session used for Spotify. Not my thing, I certainly don't associate this music with Night Life as the album title implies. I associate it with driving down to your well in your beat up ford pickup to figure out why the well has run dry only to find your dog, Trigger, had fallen in the well and it's rotting corpse was causing the problem, then you remember you got drunk the other night because your girl left and you had kicked Trigger in the well in a fit of blind rage as Trigger liked the girl more than he liked you probably because your ex girl didn't get drunk and start kicking dogs.
Nico
2/5
No private session used for Spotify. I once did a deep dive on The Velvet Underground and learned about Nico...wasn't impressed with her voice so this will be interesting. While I was listening to this I was taking note of the music, maybe my mind was blocking out the voice, but I thought that had to be John Cale and a lot of it was. A lot of production time went into the music only to have eclipsed by Nico's voice. Someday I will do a deep dive on manufactured music stars.
David Bowie
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. I am into a lot of Bowie albums, but never got into this one. It's more experimental and less poppy, without that mainstream anchor song a lot of his albums have.
Paul McCartney and Wings
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. A couple of classics on this album, but a couple of stinkers that balances things out nicely...I guess.
Liz Phair
4/5
No private session used for Spotify. I have listened to this album quite a bit over the past few decades, listened it to it three times today since it came up. I like how it has some 90s rock, but some indy and moody mixed in. Some raunchy lyrics without coming across as juvenile.
Grateful Dead
1/5
No private session used for Spotify. The Grateful Dead is one of those bands I think I would enjoy more it it wasn't for the cult following...no band can live up to that kind of hype. It's a live album and I don't like jam bands, trying to keep an open mind but the first song is over 23 minutes, so we are not off to a good start. No, its not the hype, I dislike the album sincerely. Jam bands aren't for me..I am begging for this crap to end, which means its a dreaded one star dooming me to spread anger through the cult. To them I give a sincere "put down the pipe, go take a shower and put on some clean clothes."
The Flaming Lips
4/5
No private session used for Spotify. This is the first The Flaming Lips I got into. I remember struggling with the lead singer's voice and I still kind of feel that, but there is some great music on it and a few outstanding tracks.
Pentangle
2/5
No private session used for Spotify. I had no idea what I was getting in to. Lot going on here music wise, it seems really folksy and stuff I might listen to wearing a cloak, running around the damp forests of the pacific northwest pretending to be a druid, though thinking about it, I am not sure if I am wearing anything other than a cloak..anyway woodland creatures would be frolicking with me. None of that crap is going to happen, so I won't listen to this again.
Abdullah Ibrahim
3/5
No private session used for Spotify. Another one where I had no idea what I was getting in to. Apparently it's jazz, and it's the type of jazz I like..has a clear melody and focus, not meandering and frantic.
Elvis Presley
2/5
After some consideration, no private session used for Spotify. I was always more of a Costello than Presley when it came to my Elvi. This album, noting Elvis is back, released in 1960 sounds very fifties to me. I can appreciate his voice, but the music isn't for me.