157
Albums Rated
3.66
Average Rating
14%
Complete
932 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1980s
Favorite Decade
Metal
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
30
5-Star Albums
3
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| ...Baby One More Time | 5 | 2.67 | +2.33 |
| Central Reservation | 5 | 3.05 | +1.95 |
| Wild Wood | 5 | 3.09 | +1.91 |
| Vivid | 5 | 3.2 | +1.8 |
| Me Against The World | 5 | 3.25 | +1.75 |
| Private Dancer | 5 | 3.29 | +1.71 |
| Live And Dangerous | 5 | 3.32 | +1.68 |
| Red Headed Stranger | 5 | 3.35 | +1.65 |
| Ready To Die | 5 | 3.37 | +1.63 |
| Come Away With Me | 5 | 3.39 | +1.61 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odelay | 1 | 3.46 | -2.46 |
| Oedipus Schmoedipus | 1 | 2.79 | -1.79 |
| Violator | 2 | 3.7 | -1.7 |
| A Grand Don't Come For Free | 1 | 2.67 | -1.67 |
| Low | 2 | 3.55 | -1.55 |
| Hail To the Thief | 2 | 3.44 | -1.44 |
| Amnesiac | 2 | 3.41 | -1.41 |
| Elvis Presley | 2 | 3.38 | -1.38 |
| Blue Lines | 2 | 3.38 | -1.38 |
| Debut | 2 | 3.37 | -1.37 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Beatles | 3 | 5 |
| Led Zeppelin | 2 | 5 |
| Nirvana | 2 | 5 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Radiohead | 2, 5, 2 |
5-Star Albums (30)
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Popular Reviews
Nirvana
5/5
To me, this is the most perfect live record that has ever been released.
While Nirvana is known principally for their roles as pioneers of the grunge movement with their loud, abrasive punk rock roots, this recording shows their sound goes beyond that. There are raw, emotional lyrics (mostly written by late great Kurt Cobain) and beautiful melodies that exist beyond their signature sound. Though Cobain doesn't have the most angelic voice in the game, his power and angst at lead vocal fits like a glove for the songs they write and perform.
There is a good mix of stripped-down versions of songs from three of their studio albums, but the most notable tracks from this concert to me are the covers. In a stroke of genius, they didn't cover other over-played rock tracks like a cover band at a dive bar. Rather, Nirvana did a version of the Christian song "Jesus Doesn't Want Me for a Sunbeam", a traditional folk song "Where Did You Sleep Last Night", and for me the masterpiece of this record which was a David Bowie cover, "The Man Who Sold The World". A lesser band could've rested on their laurels and simply played only their monster hits like "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (which didn't even make it on the setlist). But this dynamic recording skirted those expectations and it paid off.
My favorite artists are always ones that can sound as comfortable in an acoustic setting as they are absolutely shredding, and this album is no exception. This session solidifies their short but iconic reign at the top of the rock landscape, and made them an all-time influential band.
10/10
4 likes
Beth Orton
5/5
This is an absolutely top-tier singer-songwriter album in my eyes. Real feeling an emotion behind the vocals, simple but beautiful hooks, and and evokes calm with some tracks and raw vulnerability with others. I'd never heard of Beth Orton before this, but this record makes me want to research her discography much deeper.
Notable Tracks:
- Stolen Car
- Couldn't Cause Me Harm
- Pass in Time
- Central Reservation - incredible song
- Feel to Believe
9/10
1 likes
David Holmes
2/5
This is one of the few albums I haven't been able to finish since I started this project. Not because I really disliked the music, but because it was so boring I couldn't stand it. The verbal monologues at the beginning of the tracks were a little interesting, but after that it was just repetitive backing tracks to a 2000s action movie DVD menu screen. Couldn't bother listening to the whole thing.
3/10
1 likes
1-Star Albums (3)
All Ratings
Van Halen
4/5
Short but sweet, perfect intro and synopsis of Van Halen's quintessential sound and numerous hits in their debut album that remain VH standards to this day.
7/10
Pink Floyd
4/5
Never listened to this album and I'll have to agree with the general consensus that this album is one of the standard-bearers of the concept of a rock opera. I particularly love the musical motifs that make consistent appearances across many of the songs. For me though, definitely a stronger first half of the album than the second. Terrific mainstream hits like "Another Brick In The Wall (Part 2)" and "Comfortably Numb", along with awesome tracks I wasn't familiar with like "Young Lust" and "Mother".
7/10
5/5
This album is iconic, and not in a Gen Z use of "iconic" way, but legitimately a milestone in rock and roll history. Numerous all-time classics on this album mixed in with (although some of them not for me) some experimental jams tell a very interesting story. There were even a few tracks I hadn't heard before that are real earworms that will make their way onto my Beatles playlist going forward like "Lovely Rita", "She's Leaving Home", and "Fixing A Hole".
9/10
Meat Loaf
3/5
In a lot of respects, it's easy to see how this album is one of the top selling albums of all time even to this day. Meat Loaf's vocals set him in the upper echelon of rock singers, and these are on full display with Bat Out Of Hell. While I personally prefer a more traditional song structure as opposed to the longer, storytelling style of the songs in this rock opera, there's still some iconic hooks in some of these songs that make for a good singalong. I also appreciate the campiness and "subtlety" of a brick to the face in the themes that recur throughout. Even if this isn't an album I'm likely to revisit as some of the others I've heard on this project so far, I enjoyed it still and it holds an important place in history.
7/10
Deep Purple
4/5
This is exactly the kind of sound that made me fall in love with classic rock and metal as a kid. Catchy riffs, lengthy guitar solos throughout (even a bass solo on "Maybe I'm a Leo", and some longer jam sessions mixed in was the perfect formula for a great listening experience for me. The mix between the simplicity of the main riff of "Smoke On The Water" and the jazzy licks of "Lazy" was perfect for my money. Definitely adding some of these tracks to my normal rotation.
8.5/10
Radiohead
2/5
Radiohead for me falls firmly in the camp of bands that I should like but just don't. I have tried on multiple occasions to look deeper into their catalog to find something that I latch onto, to no avail. In my heart I know the songs are technically and musically "good", even some I find enjoyable like this album's opener "2+2=5", but ultimately I don't find this band to be for me. Some elements I will give credit to are Thom Yorke's vocals and some of the synthy/electro-rock elements to be interesting. Overall though, while I recognize their merit and don't disparage anyone to whom this band is important, but I don't think I'll be revisiting Radiohead.
5/10
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
This album is a masterpiece; one of the greatest of all time. The perfect balance of catchy rock n roll jams and vulnerability during a tumultuous time in the band's history. There are about 9 songs on this record that could be this or any other bands biggest hit, and they had all on one album. Of course there's hits like "Go Your Own Way" and "Dreams" which are all-timers for a reason, but songs like "You Make Loving Fun" and "Never Going Back Again" (which WILL make me cry just in the intro alone) are also beautiful pieces of music that carry so much weight and meaning. I could go on and on about this album - it's perfect.
10/10
Paul Simon
4/5
Hearing to this album for the first time, I'm realizing that I've slept on Paul Simon for years. I know he has the reputation of being the quintessential doctor's office waiting room artist, but for good reason, because this album is a masterclass of putting listeners at ease. Countless soft-rock gems on this album, including "Think Too Much", "Heart & Bones", "The Late Great Johnny Ace", and my favorite on the record "Train in the Distance". Also the wicked guitar solo on "Allergies" is nothing to sneeze at - pun very much intended. Paul Simon has made it into the rotation for those cozy days with this easy listening masterclass.
9/10
Tom Waits
2/5
This album was very divisive for me. The opening 4 tracks were not a pleasant listening experience for me to put it lightly, and I considered skipping the rest. While I do enjoy some unconventional singing voices in music history like Leonard Cohen and Neil Young, Waits' voice was particularly grating to me, and the instrumentation had me picture a random assortment of percussion items being thrown against the studio wall. However, in sticking to it, the more folksy tracks like "Who Are You This Time", "Jesus Gonna Be Here", and "I Don't Wanna Grow Up" opened me up to the potential of his soulful songs. If this album had been all tracks like that, I might regard it higher, but the majority of the album being more experimental and "artistic" bring this down for me.
3/10
Led Zeppelin
5/5
This is possibly the greatest work from one of the most iconic and influential rock groups of all time. This album showcases all the best attributes of Led Zeppelin. From the no-nonsense hard rock jams like "Black Dog" and "Rock and Roll", to groovier jams like "Misty Mountain Top", the stellar musicianship of the members of the band are on full display here. And this is not even mentioning one of the most played songs of rock history which also happens to be on this album, "Stairway to Heaven". This song has a reputation of being "overplayed", but it's for good reason - because it's perfect, just like this album in my opinion.
10/10
Beatles
5/5
Of the countless staples in the lineage of The Beatles, this may be their most seminal record. When you start off a 17-track record with 2 timeless classics in "Come Together" and "Something", you know you're in for a treat. This album also boasts showing multiple sides of The Beatles aura, mixing off-beat, whimsical tracks like "Octopus's Garden" and "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" with the vulnerable "Here Comes The Sun" (my personal favorite song of their catalog). This album builds wonderfully into the iconic, well-flowing trilogy to end the record of "Golden Slumbers", "Carry That Weight", and "The End". With all these elements together, to me, it doesn't get better in the pantheon of The Beatles.
10/10
Michael Jackson
4/5
I'll start this review noting that Michael Jackson the person I believe has done some monstrous, truly vile things in his personal life, and no amount of alleged abuse and suffering he had to endure as a child can excuse it.
That being said, this is my review of this album just based on the music alone.
One of the best-selling pop albums ever recorded, and for good reason. Massive hits like "Thriller", "Billie Jean", and my personal favorite "Beat It" (featuring an all-time guitar solo by Eddie Van Halen) push this record into the top tier of pop records. Couple that with lesser-played but still smash hits in "P.Y.T." and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin", it's no wonder this album is iconic. Some of the lyrics on this album puzzled me, and to be honest Jackson's vocal performance has only ever been slightly above average to me. But the overall grandeur and spectacle that this album provides easily pushes this into 4-star territory for me.
8/10
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
3/5
This is the first listen on my journey where I was completely unaware of the artist prior to listening to the album, so I was going in completely blind. What I was met with was a delightful, new wave listening experience. In the best way, it felt like I was listening to a John Hughes movie soundtrack. For me, the album was a little frontloaded with great tracks like "She's Leaving", "Souvenir", and "Maid of Orleans". I also particularly liked the mostly instrumental "Sealand", which to use a Gen Z phrase had immaculate vibes. There is definitely a particular sound to this artist and album that felt familiar and influential to more modern acts like Tame Impala and The Killers, the latter of which I'm a huge fan of. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by this record, and wouldn't mind looking more into Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark as a whole.
6.5/10
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
2/5
This is another band on this project that I'd heard of, but not had any actual experience listening to, so I was going into this album with no frame of reference. To be honest, I was expecting a yacht-rock type of album, which this was not. Much more of a prog-rock/jam band style coming from this trio, which is not inherently a bad thing, just not my cup of tea. While I thoroughly enjoy some adjacent bands like Rush, this was too far on the side of Phish to me to want to revisit. The instrumentation was on point, but it was too sporadic and experimental-jazz like for my taste.
4/10
Neneh Cherry
3/5
This being the first hip-hop record on my list, and with an artist I had never heard before, this was a fun experience. The album started off hot with "Buffalo Stance", a very of-the-time (in a good way) 80s rap banger. Followed soon after by the more sentimental "Kisses On The Wind", Neneh shows some diversity here. However, not much more was notable to me on this album, especially in the middle of the 11-track record. There are a couple more strong songs to close out the tracklist in "Outre Risque Locomotive" and "My Bitch", which saved this album from being completely front-loaded for me. Overall though, a pretty fun listen, and "Buffalo Stance" remains an underrated gem.
5/10
Funkadelic
4/5
Having a little familiarity with this band and always having an appreciation albeit not much knowledge with funk as a genre, I was stoked for this listen.
And Funkadelic did not disappoint, starting off at 100 mph with "One Nation Under A Groove", "Groovallegiance", and "Who Says A Funk Band Can't Play Rock?!", admittedly the latter not as good to me as the two former despite rock being my preferred genre.
The track "Into You" was reminiscent to me of a local Indy band more active in the 90s called Dog Talk, who blended jazz, funk, rock, and big band much like Funkadelic does on this record.
The live version of "Maggot Brain" was mostly guitar solo that melted my brain start to finish - really top-tier stuff. And the last track that made an impression was "Lunchmeataphobia (Think! It Ain't Illegal Yet!)" because honestly it was much heavier of a rock track than WSaFBCPR from previously in the album.
I found myself tapping my feet and bobbing my head during 90% of this album, which is exactly what Funkadelic sets out to do here. The quintessential funk band and sound for my money, and this record was a great way to kick off a Friday.
8/10
Billy Joel
4/5
This album to me is the prime example of Billy Joel's wide range of musicianship that helps his songs stand the test of time. There are consistent piano-centric motifs throughout, but stylistically this record had the best of both worlds. With sentimental pop classics like "Just The Way You Are" and "Scenes From An Italian Restaurant" to more traditional rock songs like "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)" (my personal favorite Billy Joel song ever) and "The Stranger", this album showcases excellence in multiple areas. With "Only The Good Die Young" having those sounds plus more with the killer saxophone solo, this record scratches just about every musical itch one could have, and to me encapsulates the perfect retrospective of Joel's catalog.
8.5/10
2Pac
5/5
Only really knowing the song "California Love" but aware of 2Pac's well-regarded status as one of the great rappers of all time, I was excited to listen to this especially, and I was not disappointed.
This record is the perfect glimpse into the struggles of 2Pac's upbringing and a morbid foreshadowing of sorts of his untimely death. You really see his outlook of paranoia and impending doom with tracks like "Me Against The World", "If I Die 2Nite", and "Death Around The Corner", the anxiety almost fueling his lyricism and musical ability.
In a slightly different but also vulnerable vein, "So Many Tears", "Young..." and "Dear Mama" (the most notable track from this record), show the more sentimental side of Pac. This openness was ahead of its time in the rap genre as a whole.
2Pac's rap prowess is unmatched as shown terrifically here, paired with some stellar vocal features and the catchy beats, this album hits on all cylinders. Though this music is not representative of me in particular, it's evident why and how 2Pac is so mourned and beloved by his generation.
9/10
Solomon Burke
3/5
This is another album on this journey where I had no prior knowledge of the artist, so this was a fun and ultimately quick exercise. Solomon Burke's 12 songs on this record are a terrific mix of 50's style doo-wop and some folky sounds as well. The opening tracks "Cry To Me" and "Goodbye Baby (Baby Goodbye) as well as "You're Good For Me" nail that quintessential jukebox soda fountain vibe, and have some incredible lead and backup vocals to boot.
Then later in the record, Burke throws in some tracks that have more of a folksy "The Mamas & The Papas" sounds with "Won't You Give Him (One More Chance)" and "Hard, Ain't It Hard".
Associating those two genres that are synonymous with the 50s and early 60s, Burke puts forth an excellent album here. Not usually one I'd go out of my way to listen to, but enjoyable nonetheless.
7/10
Ray Price
3/5
As someone who has a great appreciation but not much experience in listening to classic country, this was a very enjoyable listen to me.
You have slower ballads that have more of the 50s pop crooner influence throughout, but particularly later in the album like "Are You Sure" and "Let Me Talk To You" that shows Price's sensitivity.
Then there are some tracks that lean more heavily on the country western genre like "Night Life" and "Sittin' and Thinkin'" that are very reminiscent of the greats Johnny Cash and Conway Twiddy.
Also some definite blues influence (as is the case for alot of the classic country artists) on "Lonely Street" that was a great element to solidify the range on this record.
Very fun listen that made you feel like you're sitting on a porch swing with the radio turned on on a humid summer night.
7/10
Radiohead
5/5
Earlier on in this project, I mentioned that I wouldn’t be revisiting Radiohead after being underwhelmed by “Hail To The Thief”. However, I am at the mercy of the random album generator in this regard, and was tasked with “OK Computer” today to my dread. This is the first foray into this band that I actually thoroughly enjoyed.
Early on in the album, I was ready to write this listen off as halfway through “Paranoid Android” it seemed like they were building up to a flourish that would never come. But when the heavier riffs kicked in, I was blown away. This song and “Electioneering” later on the track list both showed me Radiohead’s rock prowess in a way no other song I’d heard from them did (“Creep” notwithstanding).
Then further along tracks like “Let Down”, Karma Police”, and “ No Surprises” gave me vibes of both Nirvana and Muse, bands of vastly different eras and sounds that I enjoy greatly, and this was no exception.
9/10
George Harrison
4/5
George Harrison's first post-Beatles album is a terrific blend of their signature sound blended with a more heavy rock and roll sound that often eluded the Fab 4.
There was definite Beatles influence early in the album with "I'd Have You Anytime" and the classic "My Sweet Lord". In a similar arena, there were a couple songs on disc two that were reminiscent of Fleetwood Mac to me in "Apple Scruffs" and "Awaiting On You All". These tracks borrowed elements from these two artists without seeming plagiarized.
More apart from that soft melodic sound, we had a few harder rock tracks that are not often represented in the Beatles years. "Wah-Wah" and "What Is Life" from disc one, and "Art of Dying" and "Plug Me In" from disc two exhibited the kind of rock sound that would come into the mainstream in the 2 decades that proceeded this album, and even had some killer solos as well.
Though Harrison was understandably in the shadow of 2 icons in The Beatles, this album leaves an indelible mark on the rock landscape, and convinces me that The Beatles wouldn't have reached the heights they did without his contributions.
8/10
Scott Walker
3/5
This was another artist I've encountered on this project that I had never heard of, and what all Scott Walker brought to the table caught me by surprise, even though the album clocked in at just over 30 minutes in total.
He is not the typical late 60's singer-songwriter by any means. Though there are some of those elements in songs like "Angels of Ashes" and "Rhymes Of Goodbye", there's definite country and gospel influences showing as well.
You are also able to hear a more robust sound that is more suited for a rock-opera with a backing orchestra on songs like "The Seventh Seal" which opened the album and "Get Behind Me" later on the tracklist.
This album packs alot in such a small package, and Walker should be commended in his versatility. The fact that I hadn't even heard of him with this terrific work shows the wealth of talent in his era.
7/10
Tina Turner
5/5
This terrific album by Tina Turner turned (no pun intended) me from familiar with her work to a bona fide fan. The ratio of absolute bops to skips is staggering.
Obviously there are multiple tracks that exhibit her chops as a soul icon with the album opener "I Might Have Been Queen", the seminal "What's Love Got To Do With It", and another smash "Let's Stay Together". The catchiness and vocal performance on these songs stands the test of time even in 2024.
Another aspect of Turner that I was only partially aware of was her rock influence, which are evident on the tracks "Show Some Respect" and "Steel Claw". These songs blend the rock sound of that era with some 70s funk sounds wonderfully.
These songs combined with the titular epic "Private Dancer" create one of the most complete R&B records I've ever heard. An absolute powerhouse of an album.
9/10
The Streets
1/5
I was part of a group project in 5th grade where we had to make a song about an organ, so me and a few friends did a rap about the heart. This album reminded me a lot of that experience, and make no mistake, we were terrible.
Their flow is very disjointed and poor, the beats are by and large forgettable, and even the production sounds like it was recorded from the microphone that comes with Rock Band for the PS2.
At a certain point I was wondering if this was a Lonely Island-esque kind of album that is a parody of rap, but even if it is, it's not funny. I really grasped at straws to like anything about this record, and came up empty.
2/10
Nirvana
5/5
To me, this is the most perfect live record that has ever been released.
While Nirvana is known principally for their roles as pioneers of the grunge movement with their loud, abrasive punk rock roots, this recording shows their sound goes beyond that. There are raw, emotional lyrics (mostly written by late great Kurt Cobain) and beautiful melodies that exist beyond their signature sound. Though Cobain doesn't have the most angelic voice in the game, his power and angst at lead vocal fits like a glove for the songs they write and perform.
There is a good mix of stripped-down versions of songs from three of their studio albums, but the most notable tracks from this concert to me are the covers. In a stroke of genius, they didn't cover other over-played rock tracks like a cover band at a dive bar. Rather, Nirvana did a version of the Christian song "Jesus Doesn't Want Me for a Sunbeam", a traditional folk song "Where Did You Sleep Last Night", and for me the masterpiece of this record which was a David Bowie cover, "The Man Who Sold The World". A lesser band could've rested on their laurels and simply played only their monster hits like "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (which didn't even make it on the setlist). But this dynamic recording skirted those expectations and it paid off.
My favorite artists are always ones that can sound as comfortable in an acoustic setting as they are absolutely shredding, and this album is no exception. This session solidifies their short but iconic reign at the top of the rock landscape, and made them an all-time influential band.
10/10
Coldplay
4/5
While Coldplay of late has been criticized for having a more commercial pop sound, this album is a terrific display of their potential in the pop/alt-rock landscape.
This record ranges from more sensitive, vulnerable tracks like “The Scientist”, “God Put A Smile Upon Your Face”, and “Clocks”, to more of the alternative spectrum with “In My Place”, “Daylight”, and “ Amsterdam”(the latter half in particular). All my favorite bands share that characteristic of being able to balance harder rock songs and softer ballads, so this was a very enjoyable listen for me. Musically, the actual instrumentation can be on the more basic side especially when accompanying Chris Martin’s wonderful singing voice, but other than that, this album is definitely on my re-listen radar.
7.5/10
in my place
god put a smile upon your face
the scientist
clocks
daylight
amsterdam
7/10
David Bowie
4/5
This was a remarkable album put forth by Bowie, simultaneously being ahead of his time and exhibiting the quintessential sounds of the 70s and 80s.
Notable Tracks:
Changes
Oh! You Pretty Things
Life on Mars?
Quicksand
Fill Your Heart (incredible sax and piano runs on this track)
Queen Bitch (catchy with elements of Queen and Bob Dylan)
8/10
Sade
5/5
While I had heard of the name Sade before, I had never had a proper listen to any of her albums, and boy was I missing out.
Her smooth voice is a top-notch example of soul and the jazzy instrumentals make me feel like I'm in the middle of a rainy city night in a old-school film noir. The saxophone work in this album alone puts this album into the upper echelon of records I've heard in this project thus far.
Sade will absolutely be a repeat listen for me again in the future based on this effort.
Notable Tracks:
Smooth Operator**
Your Love is King
Frankie’s First Affair
When Am I Going To Make A Living
Sally
9/10
Miles Davis
4/5
As a lover of lyrics, I can’t fully get behind listening to a full jazz album like this. But as a former trumpet player, I have such admiration for Miles Davis as a musician to be able to perform at his high level for multiple 20-minute songs.
In particular, the while the opening "Shhh / Peaceful" was nice but a bit repetitive, the titular "In a Silent Way" kept me engaged throughout and was a perfect listen.
To conclude - "If peeing your pants is cool, consider me Miles Davis."
7/10
Dusty Springfield
3/5
Dusty Springfield brings a nice blend of classic country crooner and 50s/60s doo-wop pop vibes with this album. While there are a lot of so-so songs and covers on this record, there are a few that stand the test of time and are still played and referenced to this day. Shoutout to Dusty for serenading me during many a shift at Walgreens with the classic "Wishin' and Hopin'". A light, pleasant listen for a Friday morning.
Notable Tracks:
You Don't Own Me
When The Love Light Starts Shining Thru His Eyes
Wishin' and Hopin'
6/10
Metallica
4/5
This is one of the most iconic and influential metal albums of all time for a reason. Following a solid debut and sophomore effort with "Kill 'Em All" and "Ride The Lightning" respectively, Metallica delivers this album which some consider to be their magnum opus, in particular the titular track "Master Of Puppets".
While the heights of this album are astronomical, the secondary tracks are middling in my opinion and knock it out of my top 2 Metallica albums (#1 being "...And Justice For All", and #2 being "Ride The Lightning"). That being said, it does not get better than classic Metallica in the metal genre, and this album is a prime example.
Notable Tracks:
Battery - perfect opener for a Metallica album
Master Of Puppets - iconic simply put
Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
Orion - their best instrumental song in my opinion
8/10
Paul McCartney
3/5
With this being Paul McCartney's solo debut album after being in the biggest band of all time, obviously expectations were astronomical.
While there are glimpses here of McCartney's greatness, with the entire 13-track record clocking under 35 minutes, it doesn't provide much depth ultimately. Also, half of the songs on the album being instrumentals is not something I anticipated. With McCartney's strengths lying in his lyrics and songwriting, it was a bit of a disservice to me to have this ratio of songs with no words at all.
With a lot to live up to, I believe Sir Paul falls a little flat in this initial solo venture. There are a few highlights, but this is far from the most memorable project he's been apart of.
Notable Tracks:
Valentine Day - first of a few cool instrumentals
Every Night
Oo You
Maybe I'm Amazed - never heard the original version before, but it stacks up to the more famous live version
Lorde
3/5
My musical taste usually leans toward straight-up rock, but in instances where I've dug deeper into a modern pop artist's discography like Carly Rae Jepsen or Kelly Clarkson, there's so much more depth and genuine talent than what often gets played on the radio. For the reason, I was eager to hear a full album from Lorde.
While this album doesn't floor me like the works of the singers I listed above, there was a lot about this record I liked. I did enjoy the more stripped-down tracks as opposed to the over-produced electro-pop tracks, but she really delivers on those tracks. The songs where it's just her and a piano remind me of a more recent favorite pop singer in Olivia Rodrigo, which is a compliment in my view.
Overall, this wasn't a massive triumph of an album in my eyes, but by and large I prefer this record to the majority of what plays on pop radio in 2024.
Notable Tracks:
- Green Light
- The Lourve
- Liability
- Writer In The Dark - way better on the album than in that cringy viral video where she hushes the crowd
5/10
Living Colour
5/5
Living Colour were far ahead of their time and show how much more dynamic they were and are as a metal band with this album and its myriad influences.
Not only do they show their ability to shred with "Cult Of Personality", but there are other genuinely pretty sounding melodic songs on the record as well like "Glamour Boys" and "I Want To Know". Both of these styles are on full display with Corey Glover's epic vocals, which are among the best in rock and surely metal history.
Not only that, but one thing that strikes me on many songs on this album is the band's use of rest notes for guitars with the rhythm section still keeping emphatic time. The space between riffs and hooks only make them more impactful, and it's effective throughout the record.
Like I've said with other highly-rated albums on this project of mine, this album beautifully blends gorgeous melodies with heavy rock, so this album hits that upper echelon for me. Living Colour is an all-time underrated band in my opinion.
Notable Tracks:
- Cult Of Personality
- I Want To Know - beautiful melodically
- Middle Man
- Desperate People
- Glamour Boys
- What's Your Favorite Color? - my favorite funk-forward song on the album
9/10
The Band
3/5
To me, this album is reminiscent of the the name The Band in and of itself - pretty generic. I didn't find it grating or annoying to have on in the background while working, nor did it really make me stop and listen either. I do like their more prominent use of the piano whereas alot of bands in that era and decades after either have piano-centric tracks or strictly guitars and drums, The Band blends both in a very pleasant way.
I don't think I'll go out of my way to delve more into The Band's discography, but I wouldn't skip them if they come up on shuffle either.
Notable Tracks:
Tears of Rage
The Weight
Chest Fever (cool keyboard intro and solo)
6/10
The Replacements
4/5
Going into this record, I was under the impression that The Replacements were more reminiscent of a British new wave band. While some songs had hints of that sound, I was pleasantly surprised to hear a great amount of influence from 70's punk bands like The Clash and Sex Pistols. There was a great mix of tracks on this album with fast-paced punk sound (some even with some thrash metal vibes) with some slower, softer songs to balance out.
Clocking in at just over 30 minutes, this record packed a very memorable punch to me in a compact package, and very much makes me want to put The Replacements more permanently in my daily listening rotation.
Notable Tracks:
Favorite Thing
We're Comin' Out
Unsatisfied
7.5/10
R.E.M.
3/5
In general, I'm not the biggest R.E.M. fan compared to other similar artists of their era. Their hooks and some other elements of their music is catchy and checks my usual boxes. There's something about Michael Stipe's voice that kind of grates on me. I did enjoy quite a few tracks on this record, but likely not enough to want to revisit this.
Notable Tracks:
- Disturbance At The Heron House
- Strange
- It's The End Of The World AS We Know It (And I Feel Fine) - admittedly I don't love this song, but it's one of their most recognizable songs
- The One I Love
- Fireplace - cool sax solos
Paul Simon
5/5
Based on my previous experience with Simon on this project, I was looking forward to revisiting him again. What struck me is that there doesn't seem to be any singular genre represented on this record.
Where his album "Hearts and Bones" landed firmly in the easy-listening genre to me, "Graceland" has elements of 50s rock, big band, doo-wop, reggae, and traditional African sound with the song "Homeless" featuring Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
I keep forgetting about the sheer quality of Simon's songwriting and hooks only to be absolutely blown away, and this album takes the cake in that regard. An absolute blast to listen to.
Notable Tracks:
The Boy In the Bubble - love the bass horns
Graceland - not surprisingly had a 50s rock vibe
Gumboots - REGGAE MUSIC
Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes - doo-wop intro which transitions into island vibes
You Can Call Me Al - all-time catchy song with an all-time bass guitar breakdown
Homeless
9/10
The Smashing Pumpkins
3/5
While I'm not the biggest fan of The Smashing Pumpkins by and large, their era and subgenre of music is among my favorite in history, so I can appreciate their contributions to punk and alt-rock.
In general, I find Billy Corgan's voice to be on the more whiny and grating side. However, this album ended up being to my liking much more than anticipated. They definitely kept the 90s alt-rock sound throughout, but had some different elements thrown in that were very interesting to me. In particular the bell parts on "Disarm", and fun, punky rhythms on "Geek U.S.A." and "Silverfuck" were more true to the time period and caught my ear.
Overall, The Smashing Pumpkins aren't leaping into my top 10 bands anytime soon, but this was still an overall enjoyable listen for me.
Notable Tracks:
Cherub Rock
Today
Disarm - like the use of the bells
Geek U.S.A. - punkier than elsewhere on the record
Silverfuck - cool rhythm parts
6/10
Curtis Mayfield
4/5
Even as someone who is not very familiar with the Blaxploitation genre outside of parodies (shoutout "Black Dynamite" and "Undercover Brother"), I'm deeply appreciative of funk as a musical style. This soundtrack is a perfect example of that style.
I was struck originally with how these songs were so reminiscent of 70s crime movies, and upon research I found that Superfly the film is perhaps THE Blaxploitation movie of note, even earning a spot in the Library of Congress by the National Film Institute because of its significance. The reason it sounds so much like other films of that era is because it was one of the pioneering movies and soundtracks of the time.
Notable Tracks:
Pusherman
Freddie's Dead
Superfly - I didn't even know I knew this one, but it's iconic (rightfully so)
7/10
Michael Kiwanuka
4/5
Having never heard of Michael Kiwanuka before listening to this album, I wasn't sure what to expect, but man did I enjoy the hell out of this record.
He blends together the sounds of an indie singer-songwriter, soul, and some smooth jazz as well seamlessly. It was a rainy day when I listened to this, and this album provided a pitch-perfect, laid-back soundtrack to stay inside and relax.
I'll definitely be revisiting this artist more in the future - the vibes are simply too immaculate not to.
Notable Tracks:
- You Ain't The Problem
- I've Been Dazed
- Living In Denial
- Hero
- Hard To Say Goodbye
- Final Days
8/10
David Gray
4/5
My goal in undertaking this project is to delve deep into many artists and albums I had never heard of in order to broaden my musical horizons, and this album fits that bill to a tee.
I usually tend to avoid more electronic-sounding beats, but David Gray kind of blends it in a very intriguing way with an acoustic sound that keeps me engaged. The ratio is more in favor of actual guitar and sometimes piano, which gives me the impression that Gray took more pride and care in the recording of the musicianship rather than creating this all on a computer, which I very much appreciate. Gray also has a nice singing voice very much in the style of a singer-songwriter in keeping with the soothing nature of the record to me.
All in all, this listen has been a terrific experience and now knowing that Gray has a large following in the UK and 11 other studio albums to listen to, I'm excited to delve more into his catalog.
Notable Tracks:
- Please Forgive Me
- Babylon - pretty sure this was on the Walgreens in-store playlist from the 2010s that gives me nostalgia for my time as a Customer Service Representative (cashier, let's be honest)
- We're Not Right
- White Ladder
- This Year's Love - beautiful song from a memorable scene in The Girl Next Door, a movie I bought in high school because I thought Elisha Cuthbert was hot, only to stumble upon a genuinely great movie
8/10
Van Morrison
3/5
Having only heard of Van Morrison from the uber-popular "Brown-Eyed Girl", I was interested in this pull.
I would put points against this album because even though it only had a 38 minute runtime, I ended up checking out mentally at parts, particularly in the back half. That being said, the initial 2 tracks were outstanding, and there were multiple songs on the record that wowed me. "Moondance" is a song I've heard for years and assumed it was a standard from the 50s or earlier, so I was pleasantly surprised to hear it on this album. For my money, that song should be his overplayed song over "Brown-Eyed Girl".
In summation, there are times where Van's voice doesn't really thrill me and some of the songs were bland, but what I did like I really liked, and there's much more range to this artist than I anticipated.
Notable Tracks:
- And It Stoned Me
- Moondance - did not know this was a Van Morrison original!
- Brand New Day
- Everyone - harpsichord integrated surprisingly well with the rest of the straight forward pop instrumentation
6/10
Thelonious Monk
4/5
I had heard this name before, but I'm going to be honest, judging just based on the name I thought he was an ancient Greek philosopher. So seeing that he's actually a jazz musician, and this album has 5 tracks and still clocks in at 42 minutes, color me intrigued.
This seemed like a pretty basic, understated jazz record (subtlety is absolutely NOT a bad thing when it comes to jazz in my opinion by the way), until I realized this was all the way back in 1957. Knowing that, this record seems far ahead of its time in its smoothness mixed with some dynamic shifts as well. While there was one stand-out song for me in "Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues-Are", the rest of the record blended so well from song to song that it was hard to distinguish the beginnings and ends of tracks. Really felt like one long sonata as opposed to 5 disjointed songs.
A real joy to listen to and I'm glad I'm able to be exposed to names I'd heard of but never delved into.
Notable Tracks:
- Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues-Are - cool drum break compliments the catchy hook
7/10
Run-D.M.C.
5/5
It's no secret that I'm a big fan of artists blending rock with other musical styles. On this record, the "Kings of Rock" do this to an excellent degree, along with some other vintage 80s rap.
Run-D.M.C are masters in the rap group stylings that you don't see often anymore in that they often alternate lyrics in quick succession as opposed to separate verses. Rather than this method seeming clunky or disjointed, they compliment one another seamlessly.
Additionally, their use of rock guitars and rhythms mixed with a turntable could easily sound forced or out of place. On the contrary, you can hear them embody the "rockstar" persona and it shines through in their perfromance.
I love this group. They were far ahead of their time in their experimentation with other genres without sounding too outlandish. Definitely added some tracks to my rap repertoire with this record.
Notable Tracks:
- Peter Piper
- It's Tricky
- My Adidas
- Walk This Way
- Is It Live
- Raising Hell
9/10
The xx
2/5
I’m not a huge proponent of lo-fi songs with lyrics. If I’m listening to lo-fi music, it’s when I’m focusing on work and it has to be strictly instrumental. Lo-fi songs with lyrics on them by and large just lack the overall punch to be memorable, and this album and artist suffers that in my opinion.
There were a couple tracks I enjoyed, but not enough to revisit The xx in sincerity.
Notable Tracks;
- Dangerous
- Performance
4/10
Buck Owens
4/5
Because most of modern-day country has me jaded for most of the genre, I'm always fascinated to look back on classic country to see where the true artists shine. So this record piqued my interest for sure.
I really enjoyed this mix of twangy niche songs with some genuinely earnest country ballads. Coming in a right around 2 minutes per track, Owens has a great knack for leaving an impression with real efficiency. Wouldn't mind revisiting his other work in the future.
Notable Tracks:
- I've Got a Tiger By the Tail - catchy as all hell
- Trouble and Me
- If You Fall Out of Love With Me
- Streets of Laredo - bass register very impressive
- Act Naturally - "does the term 'cruel and unusual punishment' mean anything to you?!"
8/10
Baaba Maal
4/5
Of all the albums out of my comfort zone I've listened to in the last few months, this was the furthest but also the most rewarding.
Obviously as a white, American man this collaboration between 2 Western African artists was not made for me and I was not able to understand what exactly they were singing about. However, as a huge fan of the actual music being performed there were dynamic rhythms and a wide array of instruments used that kept my attention throughout this album. And even though I wasn't able to understand the subject matter of the songs, the musical stylings coupled with the heart and emotion of the vocals did portray the feelings being felt in a universal way. Another great thing about this record is that even though it was made in 1989, I feel it could be made in almost any decade and not feel out of place, a sign of true artistry.
This may have been one of the most gratifying listens I've had to an album to date because if not for this experience, I would have no idea to go out of my way to listen to artists like this. Definitely makes me want to broaden my horizons beyond even the English-speaking world in terms of music - as corny as it sounds, the universal language (gtfo math).
Notable Tracks:
- Lam Tooro
- Loodo
- Salminanam
- Djam Leelii
- Kettodee
8/10
The Stooges
4/5
Being that 90s/00s pop-punk and alt rock is probably my favorite music era, I'm always fascinated to delve into the foundation of punk, which The Stooges are major pioneers in.
The Stooges toe the line perfectly in my opinion between being listenable and pleasing to the ear while also maintaining that punk edge. While they still have the main tenants of punk's core (fast, loud, unapologetic), the majority of the songs have some catchiness and melodies therein.
Very cool album and makes me want to dive deeper into the inception of punk at large.
Notable Tracks:
- Search and Destroy
- Gimme Danger - very cool guitar solo
- Your Pretty Face Is Going To Hell
- I Need Somebody - bluesy
- Death Trip
8/10
Kate Bush
4/5
In recent years, I've made it a point to seek out more female-led bands and singers, and having a passing familiarity with Kate Bush, I'm eager to listen to a complete record of hers.
My first impressions give me a lot of similar sounds to Pat Benatar, which is about the highest compliment I can give to a vocalist. The vocals and backing instruments (drums in particular) give a very big sound that makes you feel like you can run through a wall.
That being said, the back half of this album is alittle lacking in that regard. Still a good album that I even had the inclination to relisten to right away (not a common occurrence with me), but with a couple changes could've been a 5-star from me. Overall, a very good listen and I'd happily add Kate Bush to my rotation going forward.
Notable Tracks:
- Running Up That Hill - already iconic pre-2021 but Stranger Things vaulted it into the stratosphere
- Hounds Of Love
- The Big Sky
- Watching You Without Me
- The Morning Fog
7/10
Christine and the Queens
3/5
As the 2nd record in a row I've listened to which is not entirely in English (albeit a much different style), I'm stoked.
Even with a good portion of this album being in French, the similarities to other artists like Sia with electronic elements thrown in make this a catchy record in any language. Like I said with the Baaba Maal record, even when I wasn't able to understand the lyrics, the music and vibe of the songs is universal.
Notable Tracks:
- Comme si
- The walker
- Doesn't matter
- Goya Soda
- Feel so good
- The stranger
- Comme si on s'aimait
6/10
Khaled
3/5
One thing I'm loving about this project is the discovery that non-American artists tend to use a lot more instrumentation style than standard U.S. pop.
Khaled, one of the most popular Arab pop singers in the world, showcases this to a tee. He still has that distinct Middle Eastern vocal style, but across this record it coincides with styles like jazz, reggae, and hip-hop to name a few. Though I wasn't able to understand the subject matters of the songs, I still enjoyed listening.
Notable Tracks:
- C'est la nuit
- Imagine - unexpected cover, but good!
- Ya Aachkou - mix of 80s hip-hop, flamenco, some jazz, really cool
- El Aadyene - nice reggae vibe
5/10
Thin Lizzy
5/5
In my opinion, Thin Lizzy is one of the most underrated bands of the 70s. Not only are there albums underappreciated, but now knowing that their live show is incredible just puts the cherry on top.
Every song from this record either equals or surpasses the studio recordings. The musicianship and lyrics were all on point throughout. Even their signature sound of harmonizing guitar solos were flawless, a mighty impressive feat. Not to mention when "Cowboy Song" transitioned right into "The Boys Are Back In Town" it was goddamn perfect and my mind was blown.
Overall, this was a damn near perfect live recording, and makes me want to listen to Thin Lizzy even more.
Notable Tracks:
- Jailbreak - even better than the studio recording and it's not close
- Rosalie / Cowgirl's Song
- Still in Love with You - great classic power ballad with some sick guitar solos
- Sha-La-La
- Baby Drives Me Crazy - nails the blues vibe, and THE Huey Lewis on harmonica??
9/10
Alice In Chains
3/5
While I love this era of rock, and there are a few tracks of AIC's that I love, I didn't find too much more on this album that I gravitated to outside of the tracks I already knew. Overall a good band, but I unfortunately wasn't wowed by this record.
Notable Tracks:
- Them Bones
- Rain When I Die
- Rooster
- God Smack
- Would?
6/10
David Bowie
2/5
By and large, I can't get much into David Bowie aside from a few tracks here and there, so I'm always curious to dig into a new Bowie album that I haven't heard before.
Having said that, I was even more underwhelmed by this album than what I've heard previous. Almost all the songs seemed half-baked to me. As if the foundation for a good song was there, and then they just stopped building on it and said "that's good enough".
I do like that there were a few more experimental instrumental tracks in there, but for an album that's already less than 40 minutes, if nearly half the tracks do not have words, there's not much else to speak of.
I'm already about half out on Bowie in general, and this may push me fully into the "out" column.
Notable Tracks:
-Be My Wife
3/10
Stephen Stills
2/5
This was a fine album to me. Nothing particularly special about it, and even some catchy folk songs on the record. But nothing that I'm particularly eager to revisit any time soon. I wouldn't turn it off if it came on, but it's not 100% for me.
Notable Tracks:
- Love the One You're With - don't really agree with the message of the song, but it's a good song
- Go Back Home - terrific guitar solo
- We Are Not Helpless
4/10
Donovan
3/5
I'd never heard of Donovan before, so I was going into this blind. I'll quote what I actually said out loud after finishing the album - "That was pretty good!"
I really like the different 60s elements that were comingled on this recording. You have the singer/songwriter stylings of a Paul Simon mixed with a little more psychedelic vibe like The Doors. It leaned a little too far onto The Doors' side of the spectrum for my liking at times, but all in all there was plenty in this album to like from my POV. I may not actively seek out Donavan much going forward, but I wouldn't skip these tracks if they came up again!
Notable Tracks:
- Legend of a Girl Child Linda
- Season of the Witch
- Guinevere
- Celesete
6/10
The Sugarcubes
3/5
I can't say Icelandic alt-rock would've ever come up on my Spotify search if not for this project, so this was intriguing to get into to say the least.
With that in mind, there were many elements to The Sugarcubes that resemble some of my favorite artists. Vocals similar to Heart (no small feat), and instrumentation of acts like Stevie Nicks and Garbage (again, high praise) made this a very relatable experience even though they are not state-side.
That being said I probably won't circle back to this band, but I enjoyed my time with them and it's cool to hear similar styles of music being popular elsewhere in the world.
Notable Tracks:
- Motorcrash - ska vibes
- Coldsweat
- Deus
- Cowboy
6/10
Franz Ferdinand
3/5
There are a couple Franz Ferdinand tracks I know and are catchy as hell, so I was curious to see what else they have to offer with a full record.
This is definitely a solid record with a lot of the landmarks of mid-00s alt rock. Catchy, simple hooks that are easy to dance to and some you can headbang to as well. Perhaps not enough oomph to make me want to revisit the record as a whole, but a pleasant listen to anyone who's a fan of that era.
Notable Tracks:
- Tell Her Tonight
- Take Me Out
- Auf Achse
- Michael - hell yeah
6/10
Willie Nelson
4/5
Having not ever listened to a full Willie Nelson song up to this point in my life but at the same time knowing his iconic status in country-western lore, I am glad to have this album come up.
Even though this album was released in 1978, there is something evergreen about it that I would believe it came out in the 50s or even today. That's the quality that makes Willie Nelson one of the great American songwriters. The feelings and heart he emits in this record makes you really believe and relate to the words he sings.
With a couple fantastic covers thrown in and beautiful use of acoustic guitar and accompanying harmonica throughout, this album showcases the golden age of country perfectly with not many qualities still found today.
Notable Tracks
- Stardust - perfect campfire lullaby vibe
- Georgia On My Mind - terrific cover
- Blue Skies
- On the Sunny Side of the Street - very catchy
8/10
Bebel Gilberto
3/5
This is the first Portugese-language album I will have listened to start to finish, so looking forward to it!
I very much get Norah Jones vibes from this record, and I mean that as a tremendous compliment. There were multiple songs with catchy hooks on this record despite being in multiple languages. Additionally there are instances where when one is not able to fully comprehend the words to a song, listening can feel like a drag. But on the contrary, this 41-minute album flew by!
I may not come back to listen to this album again, but it was a great way to start my Tuesday!
Notable Tracks:
- Sem Contencao
- So Nice (Summer Samba)
- Bananeira
6/10
Kendrick Lamar
5/5
Kendrick Lamar is one of the most revered, respected hip-hop artists of this century, and the fact that this record is often considered his best just goes to show his quality of work.
Between the beats, instrumentation, flow, and social issues touched on, this album is nearly flawless. Admittedly I don't listen to a ton of rap, but even with the 1 hour 17 minute runtime, I found myself engrossed throughout this record. For the life of me there's hardly anything to nit-pick about this album, so I won't!
Notable Tracks:
- Wesley's Theory
- For Free? - Interlude - love the jazz backing track
- King Kunta
- Hood Politics
- Complexion (A Zulu Love)
- The Blacker The Berry
- i - not as good as the live version from SNL, one of the best SNL performances all-time in my opinion
10/10
Jerry Lee Lewis
4/5
Some of the music of this era of 50s rock can sound corny a lot of the time to me, but hearing the bombastic energy and crowd reaction of this live set gives me another perspective that I really appreciated. Some of this frenetic energy can be seen as a precursor to the punk era in a lot of ways, and the rabid fanbase only bolsters the comparison. The songs are simple and short, but the performance is spot on and the live element puts them into a new light that was a very cool listen.
Notable Tracks:
- Money
- Great Balls Of Fire
- Good Golly, Miss Molly
7/10
Kraftwerk
3/5
Not gonna lie, after about the first 30 seconds of the first track I thought I would dread this. However, after the 36-minute album was finished, I was actually pleasantly surprised.
It's a little odd don't get me wrong, but it did make me feel like I was in an early 80s cyber-spy thriller. If you're here for the lyrics, this won't be for you, but the beats and the electronic hooks are catchy. This was a perfect listen for me to focus on work, and Kraftwerk will now be in my "lock in" rotation.
Notable Tracks:
- The Robots
- Spacelab
- The Man Machine
5/10
Carole King
5/5
Having heard the name of Carole King before but not being specifically familiar with her discography, I was blown away by this record.
There are so many pop standards on this record alone that I couldn't believe were all originally recorded by one person, let alone on one album. The songs are also timeless in that if Adele sang these same songs as originals in her voice in 2024 they would still be bona fide hits the same as they were in 1970.
Impeccable vocals and musicianship throughout, King has heard a new fan in me today.
Notable Tracks:
- I Feel the Earth Move
- So Far Away
- It's Too Late - guitar and sax solos
- Beautiful
- Way Over Yonder
- You've Got a Friend - I was only familiar with James Taylor's version which I love, and this is an amazing version in its own right
- Where You Lead - not the biggest Gilmore Girls fan, but this is a classic theme song
- (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman
9/10
Belle & Sebastian
3/5
I don't know, something about this album didn't really grab me. On paper, this falls under the category of an album I should've enjoyed. I'm a big fan of quite a few 90s soft rock artists, and the songs I did enjoy were a pleasant listen. However, I just wasn't wowed by this album. It wasn't a slog to get through; it just disappeared into the background as I was working. They're not all winners!
Notable Tracks:
- The State I Am In
- She's Losing It
- I Could Be Dreaming
5/10
Elvis Presley
2/5
I'll admit I'm not the biggest fan of Elvis in general. I think he's terribly overrated and is more a product of being in the right place at the right time more than anything else.
As exhibited on this album, he has some talent don't get me wrong. Rock and roll in the 50s had a very distinct cadence and structure, and by and large, Presley seldom deviates from that formula. In my opinion, that repetitiveness is not conducive to longer listening sessions.
There is not much to take away on this album for me, and there were a couple tracks that had me almost bored to sleep. Overall, Elvis remains under the "not for me" umbrella.
Notable Tracks:
- Blue Suede Shoes
3/10
Pixies
4/5
Only knowing Pixies from "Where Is My Mind?" and "Waves of Mutilation" (shoutout Rock Band on PS2), I was expecting a more alt-rock, indie vibe from this album. However, this 1990 release proved to have more grunge and punk intermixed, which was a pleasant surprise.
This band has been on my list to delve into for awhile and this record just makes me more excited to do so since they wade in more of the waters that some of my favorite bands are in.
Notable Tracks:
- Cecilia Ann - a rare instrumental album opener
- Ana
- All Over the World
- The Happening
- Hang Wire
- Havalina
7/10
Led Zeppelin
5/5
The fact that this is Led Zeppelin's studio debut and it's already absolutely littered with hits is just ridiculous. This record could be any other bands greatest hits album easily, but they're bringing this heat right out of the box. It seems like the band immediately hits their stride with their brand of bluesy, rock and roll epics and they only transcend from here.
As you can see, I'm a big fan of Led Zeppelin, and their status as one of the greatest bands of all time is just cemented every time I listen to a full album of theirs in one sitting.
Notable Tracks:
- Good Times Bad Times - one of my all-time favorite Led Zeppelin tracks
- Babe I'm Gonna Leave You
- You Shook Me - classic bluesy
- Black Mountain Side - good instrumental
- Communication Breakdown
9/10
Metallica
4/5
I had heard a couple tracks on this album in the past, but had never listened to the over 2-hour performance, so I was eager to give this a listen.
Honestly while the orchestra gave some real robustness and depth to a lot of the songs they played, there were some that there wasn't a lot of value added. That being said, the tracks that benefitted from the strings in particular were taken to a whole different level. I'll definitely revisit those songs again, but not likely the whole recording.
Notable Tracks:
- Master of Puppets - transition from The Call of Ktulu was top-notch
- Of Wolf And Man
- The Thing That Should Not Be
- The Memory Remains
- For Whom The Bell Tolls
- Sad But True
- One
- Battery - a surprisingly good fit with the orchestra
7/10
Dire Straits
4/5
This was a fantastic debut album from Dire Straits, featuring an all-time classic song in my opinion. Lots of cool elements exhibited here like rock mixed with jazz and blues, and some really catchy rhythms and hooks to boot. Very enjoyable album, and inspired my "All-Timers (don't @ me)" playlist which is sure to be supplemented by this project.
Notable Tracks:
- Down to the Waterline
- Southbound Again
- Sultans of Swing - all-timer
8/10
Paul Weller
5/5
I thoroughly enjoyed this record. Expecting just a singer/songwriter type a la James Taylor, a lot of tracks had elements of quality country music while others had more 70s big band elements like The Ides of March. All the while the lyrical and vocal soul of Weller is also apparent throughout.
I had never heard of this man before today, and this record tells me I need to dive deeper into his catalog.
Notable Tracks:
- Sunflower
- Can You Heal Us (Holy Man)
- Has My Fire Really Gone Out?
- 5th Season
- Shadow Of The Sun
9/10
XTC
3/5
This album was very intriguing to me. It started off as a pretty standard sounding 80s new wave record - nothing wrong with that. Then I started noticing some Indian or perhaps African style percussion instrumentation thrown in as well which was a surprise. Somehow it kinda worked!
Then about halfway through the album the sound shifts to a very Beatles-sounding album akin to "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band."
A wide net of influences on one record can sometimes be jarring, but in a way it worked for XTC on this record. I was interested throughout - overall a good album!
Notable Tracks:
- The Meeting Place
- That's Really Super, Supergirl
- Ballet For A Rainy Day
- Season Cycle
- Dear God - biggest hit on the album
6/10
Blur
4/5
A fantastic showing by one of the most notable British alt-rock acts of the 90s and 00s. With influences of straight-forward rock, glam, punk, and electronic, there's a little on this album for just about any fan of rock at large.
Notable Tracks:
- Beetlebum
- Song 2 - iconic
- M.O.R.
- On Your Own
- Death of a Party
- Chinese Bombs
- Movin' On
7/10
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
This was a fantastic new wave album. Catchy, experimental grooves throughout and a lot of fun to listen to.
Notable Tracks:
- Pump It Up
- Hand In Hand
- (I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea
- Lip Service
- Big Tears
- Radio, Radio
8/10
Simon & Garfunkel
5/5
I've grown a huge appreciation for Paul Simon during this project, and this album cements him and Art Garfunkel's status as one of the great singer/songwriter duos of all time.
Notable Tracks:
- Bridge Over Troubled Water - just epic, probably better suited for later in the album
- El Condor Pasa (If I Could)
- Cecilia
- The Boxer
- Song for the Asking
9/10
Fugazi
4/5
Fugazi is a band I've been meaning to dig into for a long time being that they're considered pioneers in the punk scene, and this record does not disappoint! With a unique blend of the classic punk edge, pleasant-sounding melodies, and even some groovy funk elements, it's easy to see why Fugazi are highly regarded.
Definitely a new artist on my list to dig deeper into because of this selection.
Notable Tracks:
- Turnover
- Brendan #1 - surprisingly groovy instrumental
- Blueprint
- Sieve-Fisted Find
- Greed
- Styrofoam
8/10
Anita Baker
4/5
This album was a terrific mix of 80s R&B, classic pop, and some gospel elements as well. I also loved the change of pacing from soulful slow jams to Whitney-esque bops to close out the record. Anita Baker's voice is great, and it's only highlighted by the backing singers as well.
All in all a great listen and a good introduction to Ms. Baker for me.
Notable Tracks:
- You Bring Me Joy - great sax solo
- Been So Long
- Same Old Love (365 Days a Week)
- Watch Your Step
7/10
Massive Attack
2/5
I feel like I could've skipped this album and not missed much. There were a couple cool tracks with good backing beats and grooves, but by and large the cadence and rhymes resembled something from a kids' YouTube channel about safety tips and lessons. I appreciated some of the crossover of musical styles, but this was a pretty boring listen for the most part for me.
Notable Tracks:
- Be Thankful For What You've Got
- Five Man Army
4/10
Hüsker Dü
4/5
Only knowing the lead singer of this band from a track he did with Foo Fighters ("Dear Rosemary" off of Wasting Light), I was eager to listen to this being that Hüsker Dü is known as punk royalty and Bob Mould has a very unique voice for the genre.
Fair play to the more down and dirty early punk rock sound which mainly relies on the descriptors of "fast" and "loud", but the more melodic, dynamic punk bands are the ones that I have a deep admiration for and like to revisit. Hüsker Dü definitely falls under the latter category. Mould's smooth, deep voice sets this band apart from the oftentimes shrill shouting that accompanied alot of the pioneering punk sound of the day. Pleasant-sounding hooks mix well with the rhythms and edge that is more synonymous with punk, and made for a very interesting listen. I can see why this band has stood the test of time and is fun to listen to even in 2024.
Notable Tracks:
- These Important Years
- Charity, Chastity, Prudence, and Hope
- Standing in the Rain
- Back from Somewhere
- Turn It Around
- You Can Live at Home
7/10
Astrud Gilberto
4/5
This was an incredibly soothing samba album that delivered on multiple fronts. Aside from the signature samba sounds, there are hints of jazz, American marching band, and even a little folk in there. Gilberto's beautiful voice and the top-notch instrumentals made this a delightful listen in under 30 minutes.
Notable Tracks:
- Stay
- Misty Roses
- Parade (A Banda) - an ode to marching in parades which is amazing
- Oba, Oba
- Canoeiro
- You Didn’t Have To Be So Nice
- Nao Bate O Corocao
8/10
The Cult
3/5
This was a pretty straightforward, 80s rock and roll record, and I mean that in a great way. Very catchy hooks, choruses you can sing along to, and some killer guitar solos that were the highlight of the album for me. Also have some 80s punk influence in there as well which is always a welcome addition for me. I might just have to throw some of these songs into the rotation every once in a while.
Notable Tracks:
- Wild Flower
- Peace Dog
- Bad Fun - shout out Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4
- Love Removal Machine - should out Guitar Hero: World Tour
6/10
Dusty Springfield
4/5
I was on the fence about the first Dusty Springfield album I listened to during this project, but this record was a major improvement in my eyes. This album was an excellent display of folk-pop prowess with some terrific other elements thrown in like some country and even big band sounds. Springfield especially stayed true to the themes of the time - this album was mostly about fuckin'! Even so, this was a very pleasant listen and I would gladly run it back with this record any time.
Notable Tracks:
- Just a Little Lovin'
- So Much Love
- Son of a Preacher Man - her most popular hit for good reason - it's catchy as hell
- Don't Forget About Me
- Breakfast in Bed - cool horn parts
- I Can't Make It Alone
8/10
The Who
5/5
Actually hearing the full record front to back, "Who's Next" just solidifies my belief that The Who is one of the greatest bands of all time.
From one of the great rock anthems ever written in "Baba O'Riley" to gorgeous ballads that drift between sentimental and heavy like "The Song Is Over", this band can do it all. The musicianship is also top-notch with Roger Daltrey's powerful vocals, Pete Townshend's masterful guitar playing, and Keith Moon showing all over this record why he's regarded as one of the great drummers of rock history.
Even besides the obvious commercial hits from this album, the rest of the tracks hold their own as well. The relistenability here is staggering and The Who will forever be a constant on any playlist I compile.
Notable Tracks:
- Baba O'Riley - this song being the opener is bonkers
- Bargain
- The Song Is Over
- Getting In Tune
- Going Mobile
- Behind Blue Eyes
- Won’t Get Fooled Again
9/10
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
3/5
I guess I shouldn't have been surprised based on the cover art for this record, but there were sections of this album that were a little bizarre for my tastes. I do find some of the free-form jazz stylings mixed with psychedelic rock of the day to be intriguing though.
In a way it's also surprising to me that this album is from 1976 since a lot of the experimental portions of this record are reminiscent of sounds that didn't really come into vogue until the 80s. While I don't particularly go out of my way to listen to that kind of music, I appreciate when artists take big swings like that.
Aside from the more jazz-like sections, the more Grateful Dead-sounding portions were very pleasant and beautiful. And I will say that if nothing else, this record certainly kept my attention which I cannot say for every album I've listened to for this project. Overall, I have no regrets in taking the time on this album today.
Notable Tracks:
- Penguin Cafe Single
- Zopf: Surface Tension
- The Sound Of Someone You Love Who's Going Away And It Doesn't Matter - that's a Fall Out Boy-ass title; also first 2/3s of this were good, then it got weird, then back to pretty-sounding
- Hugebaby
5/10
Buena Vista Social Club
3/5
This was a fun listen, however for me there wasn’t much setting it apart from other mariachi music that I’ve heard. Musically, the style is always impressive so you can’t really go wrong.
Notable Tracks:
- Chan Chan
- Pueblo Nuevo
- Veinte Anos
- Orgullecida
Fever Ray
3/5
Reminds me of a Swedish Sia mixed with Billie Eilish. In a way this album was slightly ahead of its time, but still not very much for me.
Notable Tracks:
- If I Had a Heart
- When I Grow Up
- Dry and Dusty - Super Mario Galaxy sand world vibes
- I'm Not Done
5/10
Stan Getz
3/5
A very acceptable smooth jazz album. Aside from a couple songs and some solo sections here and there, there wasn't much that jumped out to me unfortunately. The musical skill was on point, but a lot of the melodies and rhythms were repetitive to me.
Notable Tracks:
- The Girl from Ipanema
- Para Machuchar Meu Coracao
5/10
Willie Nelson
5/5
This record is another example of Willie Nelson being one of the great songwriters and storytellers in country music history. His simple yet descriptive lyrics paint a beautiful picture in such short order. Even the songs that are instrumentals also bring out big emotions despite using no words. Nelson is one of the best to ever do it, bar none.
Notable Tracks:
- Blue Eyes Crying In the Rain
- Red Headed Stranger
- Just as I Am - beautiful instrumental
- Denver
- Down Yonder - another great instrumental with ragtime influences
- Bandera - one last beautiful piano piece to close out the album
9/10
Quicksilver Messenger Service
3/5
Though a lot of this album didn't capture my attention, the seamless transition between the first two tracks is always a huge plus for me. There were also a lot of good blends between 60s/70s rock and classic country which I appreciated. Overall a fine listen, but not one that was particularly memorable for me.
Notable Tracks:
- Who Do You Love - Pt. 1
- Maiden Of The Cancer Moon
- Calvary
- Happy Trails
6/10
Elbow
4/5
Having never heard of this band before, I very much dig their vibe. I see a lot of similarities here with other 2000s Brit-rock bands like Muse and Bloc Party, and TV On The Radio from the U.S.
The sentimentality of some of the tracks mixed with some more grandiose sounds and even some punk as well. While some tracks droned on a bit, I still thoroughly enjoyed this album all told.
Notable Tracks:
- Starlings
- The Bones of You
- Weather to Fly
- One Day Like This
7/10
Beck
3/5
I'm always kind of split on Beck. On one hand, his more alt-rock focused songs align pretty well with most of my musical tastes. On the other hand, the concept of "white guy rapping over rock instruments" can be grating if it's not done well (Beastie Boys being an exception).
I will say the songs I enjoyed outweighed my distaste for the rest, so all in all this was a good record. I don't think I'm inclined to go out of my way for more Beck, but they're good in small doses in my opinion.
Notable Tracks:
- E-Pro
- Black Tambourine
- Scarecrow - good groove
- Farewell Ride
6/10
Arcade Fire
5/5
I adore this album. I have been listening to this record for around 15 years now, and I discovered it at a very formative point in my life and it's a very important album to me. As far as I'm concerned, this is Arcade Fire's magnum opus, and there are multiple songs on the record that can and will reduce me to tears. This is a beautiful, near-perfect record to me and one that I will continue to revisit until the day I die.
Notable Tracks:
- Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)
- Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)
- Crown of Love
- Wake Up - absolutely one of my favorite songs of all time
- Haiti
- Rebellion (Lies) - seamless transition from Haiti as well
- In the Backseat
9.5/10
Peter Gabriel
3/5
There are definitely some iconic 80s pop tracks on this album that do most of the heavy lifting, but there are numerous lengthy tracks that are more like drawn-out chants to me than songs. Maybe as an artist in Gabriel feels more of the need to experiment more with the synth jams, but from a listener perspective, the poppier hits are what draw me in more.
Overall, not a terrible album because of the handful of catchy tunes, but the record as a whole didn't compel me to delve into more than just the hits.
Notable Tracks:
- Red Rain
- Sledgehammer
- Big Time
- In Your Eyes
5/10
Tim Buckley
3/5
This was a really solid album from a previously unknown artist for me. A lot of cool elements here that signified some trademarks of that time period, reminiscent of Santana, The Doors, and his vocals even remind me of Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin. Where some of the tracks may drag a bit, there are a few tracks with myriad of instruments to keep me entertained throughout. Definitely worth looking more into Buckley after this record.
Notable Tracks:
- Move with Me
- Get on Top
- Make It Right
5/10
JAY Z
4/5
This is my first time listening to a full Jay-Z album front to back and I was pretty impressed. I've heard some of his hits but none from this album, and I can see why he's so highly regarded of his era.
His rhythm and flow is top-tier and the backing beats had me constantly bobbing my head along. Not to mention the more melodic samples were masterfully utilized.
Definitely considering digging into some more of Hova's work after hearing this record.
Notable Tracks:
- The Ruler's Back
- Takeover
- Izzo (H.O.V.A.)
- Heart Of The City (Ain't No Love)
8/10
3/5
It's hard to deny the musicianship and skill that this album exhibits. However, it's hard for me to stay engaged with the freeform jazz genre altogether. Aside from the lack of lyrics (never been the issue for me), a lot of the rhythms sound the same 45 minutes into an hour-plus long album, and the solos just tend to ramble. I usually note "Notable Tracks" in my reviews, but when each drawn-out song is indeterminable from the other, it's hard to differentiate.
Again, the technical ability of each of these artists is undeniable, but this genre as a whole just isn't for me.
5/10
John Lennon
4/5
No matter how one feels about John Lennon as a person, his songwriting ability and overall icon status in music history is undeniable. This solo record is a perfect demonstration of that. It's got a good mix of emotional piano-led songs and up-tempo Beatles-esque catchy tunes.
While not all of his tracks are exactly my vibe, Lennon (particularly with "Imagine") showed here that he is not entirely defined by The Beatles.
Notable Tracks:
- Imagine
- Crippled Inside
- Jealous Guy
- Oh Yoko! - unfortunately a very catchy tune
7/10
The Velvet Underground
4/5
I went into today's album expecting to dread the album based on my past listening experiences with Lou Reed ("Lulu" with Metallica was straight trash). But I was actually very pleasantly surprised with this record.
The Velvet Underground pretty seamlessly blends a lot of elements of different rock styles here, from groovy jams of the 60s, early punk influences, and even some 50s doo-wop vibes. Reed's voice still isn't the greatest for my taste, but it coincides very well with the music on the album.
I hadn't given this band a fair shake before, but based on this record, I may be inclined to delve deeper into their discography soon!
Notable Tracks:
- Sunday Morning
- Femme Fatale
- Venus in Furs
- Run Run Run
- European Son
7.5/10
The Charlatans
3/5
While there wasn't anything particularly special about this album in my eyes, it was a pretty fun listen.
While there are some British influences at play here from bands like Led Zeppelin and Oasis, I particularly enjoyed the tracks that sounded like they took a page out of some Southern rock playbooks from the U.S.
I don't think I'll likely revisit this band, but it was a pleasant experience regardless.
Notable Tracks:
- With No Shoes
- North Country Boy - fun American Southern rock vibe
- Tellin' Stories
- Get On It
6/10
Guns N' Roses
5/5
Honestly, I wasn't expecting much from this record. I obviously knew of the 3 mega-hits from this album, but (aside from liking "November Rain") nothing after this their debut album was worth it to me. However, while the triforce of hits do still deliver, there is a lot to this album that stuck out to me.
Axl Rose's early career screaming rock vocals are iconic, the hooks throughout this album are catchy as hell, and Slash's solos are masterful. This record to me explains why GNR remain the gold standard for 80s hair metal. While the rest of their discography pales in comparison, "Appetite For Destruction" is a veritable greatest hits, which is quite a feat in a debut record.
Notable Tracks:
- Welcome To The Jungle
- Nighttrain
- Paradise City
- Sweet Child O' Mine
- You're Crazy
- Anything Goes
9/10
Motörhead
4/5
This is an essential album for the early days of metal. Motörhead nails the dirty, low-down, heavy vibe that is at the core of metal to a tee, and that is on full display throughout this record. It accomplishes exactly what it sets out to do. Some of it doesn’t age the best, but all in all it’s and excellent record.
Notable Tracks:
- Ace of Spades - one of the great hard rock songs ever written
- Shoot You in the Back
- Fast and Loose - bluesy vibe
- Bite the Bullet
8/10
Bob Dylan
4/5
Overall I did like this album. One obvious criticism of Dylan's work is his less-than-stellar singing voice, and some of his tracks were alittle disjointed at times for me. But the songs that connected with me were very heartfelt and well-written. That and the folksiness of the harmonica always gets me in my feelings somehow. I don't think I'll go into a deep Dylan kick based on this record, but I respect his place in the pantheon of great songwriters more deeply now.
Notable Tracks:
- Visions of Johanna
- One of Us Must Know (Sooner or Later)
- Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again
- Just Like a Woman
- Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands
7/10
Fleetwood Mac
4/5
While this record does not quite reach the zenith that "Rumors" does in terms of flawlessness, I still found myself quite enjoying most of this album. The album is lengthy enough that there's a sound somewhere on it for almost anyone, but in my opinion they sacrificed quality over quantity because of that.
Again, still grade-A work, but knowing Fleetwood Mac is capable of more, it's not their best.
Notable Tracks:
- Over & Over
- Think About Me
- Sara
- Sisters of the Moon - awesome build-up and amazing guitar solo
- Tusk - insane drum part
8/10
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
4/5
With a Woody Guthrie feature, a song that Dolly Parton famously covered, and even a song from a Black songwriter in a very tumultuous time in American history considering, the influence that Jack Elliott had on Country-Western music is clear here. While not all of the songs resonated with me, I really appreciated the work behind this record.
Notable Tracks:
- San Francisco Bay Blues
- Mule Skinner Blues - I'm familiar with the Dolly Parton cover, but this version is solid too
- Cocaine
7/10
Fairport Convention
4/5
There is quite a lot about this album that stood out to me. The lead singer's range and vocal style reminded me quite a bit of Brandi Carlisle, whom I love. I also really appreciated the inclusion of the mandolin, violins, and wind instruments, giving some of these tracks a Celtic feel. Some of the vibes of these songs could have been dropped in almost any decade and worked somehow; that's the mark of some excellent songwriting.
I definitely think I'll look more into Fairport Convention based on this record. Really fantastic work.
Notable Tracks:
- Come All Ye
- Matty Groves
- Farewell, Farewell
- Medley: The Lark In The Morning
- Tam Lin
8/10
New York Dolls
3/5
I'm always down to listen to punk bands that I'm not as familiar with, particularly ones I've heard are influences of bands I love. With a cool mix of Elton John and Sex Pistols vibes, the New York Dolls really caught my attention with this record. You don't often hear catchy piano riffs intermixed with the fast and loud punk sound, but they somehow made it work. Very fun listen!
Notable Tracks
- Personality Crisis
- Frankenstein
- Trash
- Subway Train
6/10
Lou Reed
4/5
Again, there was a period in time where because of the atrocity of an album that Lou Reed collaborated with Metallica to create, I would never consider to listen to any album Reed had a hand in as a result. Turns out, a lot of his work really is great and falls under my interests.
At this point after listening to and enjoying multiple of Reed's work during this project, I'll have to hand it to him that "Lulu" was just an experimental misstep in the careers of 2 iconic artists. "Transformer" (particularly in the front half of the album) was terrific and it's an album I'd gladly revisit.
Notable Tracks:
- Vicious
- Perfect Day
- Hangin' 'Round
- Walk On the Wild Side
7/10
Steely Dan
3/5
Honestly, a little underwhelmed by this album overall. With Steely Dan songs I'm more familiar with, what sets them apart is their long, intricate solos and musicianship as opposed to the songwriting itself. Seeing as this record only had a 33 minute runtime, none of the songs had time to really breath, let alone go on to showcase the instrumental skills that Steely Dan are known for in my eyes. Still a terrific band, but this record didn't have a lot to write home about for me.
Notable Tracks:
- Rikki Don't Lose That Number
5/10
Ash
4/5
This was a terrific album by a previously unknown band for me. Very much tread the line between pop-ier sounding like Oasis to dirty/grungy sounding like Smashing Pumpkins at times. Good mix of tempos and feels of songs throughout kept me intrigued, and some seriously kick-ass hooks and solos included as well. Definitely recommend and I'd definitely listen again
Notable Tracks:
- I'd Give You Anything
- Kung Fu
- Oh Yeah
- Let It Flow
- Innocent Smile
- Darkside Lightside
7.5/10
Buffalo Springfield
4/5
Every time I am introduced to a Buffalo Springfield album during this project, I'm expecting a nice country/pop album with a very pleasant-sounding female voice. And then I realize I'm thinking of Dusty Springfield, and I get surprised again by Buffalo Springfield!
They have a great sound that mixes 60s rock with folk elements, blues, and even soul music. Any taste can find something they like off this record, and that's the sign of some quality musicians. Their versatility is very impressive, and made each album I've heard from them thus far worth my time.
Notable Tracks:
- Mr. Soul
- Bluebird
- Hung Upside Down
- Good Time Boy
7/10
Doves
3/5
This wasn't my favorite album in the project so far, but I did find some gems in there that I enjoyed in the moment. I think their strength lies in the Explosions In The Sky-esque instrumental movements rather than the lyrics. But there were some good grooves and hooks in there that I liked.
Probably won't revisit them going forward, but a solid listen nonetheless.
Notable Tracks:
- Rise
- Melody Calls
- Catch The Sun
- A House
5/10
The Black Keys
4/5
To me, this record represents more of the quintessential sound of The Black Keys. While their record "El Camino" probably had more commercial success, the lo-fi, stripped down sound of this record is a true reflection of what this band is all about to me. With bands like this and The White Stripes, it's truly remarkable that a full, rocking sound can be created with as little as two musicians.
Notable Tracks:
- Next Girl
- Tighten Up
- Howlin' For You
- She's Long Gone
- Black Mud
- Sinister Kid
- Unknown Brother
7/10
David Bowie
4/5
While I recognize David Bowie's status as an icon in pop-rock history, not only via his music but via representation of the androgynous and queer community, his music isn't always up my alley. There was however a fair bit of this album that impressed me.
While I knew of the hit "Fame" and its funky sound, there were multiple songs on this record that mirrored that style that were great. Some of the slower tracks did seem to drag to me, and made me almost want to skip and move on to the next.
The fusion of styles in a lot of this album and songwriting were enough to hold my attention, but it still doesn't hit that higher echelon for me. I'm not inclined to seek out Bowie, but I can't deny his magnetism.
Notable Tracks:
- Fascination
- Right
- Somebody Up There Likes Me
- Fame
7/10
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
3/5
With a couple catchier exceptions, this was a pretty paint-by-number 50s rock and roll album to me. Repetitive, short tracks made for an efficient album, but not much to revisit for me.
Notable Tracks:
- Oh Boy!
- That'll Be The Day
- Last Night
5/10
Beth Orton
5/5
This is an absolutely top-tier singer-songwriter album in my eyes. Real feeling an emotion behind the vocals, simple but beautiful hooks, and and evokes calm with some tracks and raw vulnerability with others. I'd never heard of Beth Orton before this, but this record makes me want to research her discography much deeper.
Notable Tracks:
- Stolen Car
- Couldn't Cause Me Harm
- Pass in Time
- Central Reservation - incredible song
- Feel to Believe
9/10
Beck
1/5
This album was so annoying and pretentious it was painful to listen to. How this man won a Best Record Grammy I will never know. Almost every time a song sounded like it was going in a nice direction, it diverted in a nonsensical, unpleasant way. I hated this record. I award Beck 1 star, and may God have mercy on his soul.
Notable Tracks:
- Hotwax - only notable because of how much I despised this song
- Minus - a decent punk song
2/10
Sister Sledge
3/5
Though there wasn't a whole lot to revisit in this record, the fact that it has an all-time anthem in "We Are Family" instantly gives it credibility. Very talented group, but not a lot of substance to me past that one song.
Notable Tracks:
- Lost in Music
- We Are Family - all-time iconic classic
6/10
Nirvana
5/5
One of the most important albums in rock history (regardless of sub-genre) in my opinion. This record perfectly showcases Nirvana's genius on all counts. Melodic without losing it's grungy edge, loud and rocking while keeping on message, and simple but beautiful songwriting.
No matter your opinion on Nirvana, this record without a doubt influenced millions of music-lovers, and hit all the marks of a near-perfect record in my eyes while doing so.
Notable Tracks:
- Smells Like Teen Spirit - can't think of a more effective album opener
- In Bloom
- Come As You Are
- Breed
- Lithium
- Territorial Pissings
- Drain You
- Something In The Way
10/10
Rush
4/5
I'm a big fan of Rush, but had never listened to this album front to back. I was under the impression that the entire album was instrumental as the majority of the first track is, but was honestly a bit let down discovering that it wasn't. While the 2112 Overture and the ensuing movements of the first track hold up and are fantastic, there aren't that many moments to write home about for the rest of the record.
That being said, a middling Rush record is still better than 98% of what any other band could muster, so this was still a great listen for me.
Notable Tracks:
- 2112: Overture
- The Twilight Zone
- Something For Nothing
7/10
Kings of Leon
3/5
Aside from the big hits from this record, there's not much here that sets it apart from other rock bands from this era. I did dig the drum sound a lot on a few tracks, but that's one of the few things that stand out for me.
Notable Tracks:
- Sex on Fire
- Use Somebody
- Manhattan
- Revelry - love the drum groove
5/10
Robbie Williams
3/5
I've never heard of Robbie Williams outside of accidentally finding him when trying to Google Robin Williams, so this album was a new venture for me. For me, this was a very middling record. Some quality vocals for sure, but most of the other elements didn't stand out much to me. Was a pleasant listen, but had a very "loudspeaker music at a Kroger" energy to me.
Notable Tracks:
- Ego Agogo
- One Of God's Better People
5/10
4/5
After hearing the rest of U2’s discography from the podcast “U Talkin’ U2 2 Me?”, I already knew this was my favorite of their albums. It’s always nice to revisit though. As much of a bad rap the band gets, they truly had some of the catchiest, most beautiful melodic rock of the 80s and 90s.
Notable Tracks:
- Where The Streets Have No Name
- I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - probably my favorite U2 song
- With Or Without You
- In God's Country
8/10
Cyndi Lauper
4/5
One of the best pop artists of the 80s (and WWE Hall of Fame snubee) Cyndi Lauper killed it with this record. A terrific blend of pop catchiness and tenderness, this album perfectly encapsulates all of Lauper's strengths to a tee.
Notable Tracks:
- Money Changes Everything
- Girls Just Want To Have Fun
- Time After Time
- All Through the Night
8/10
Depeche Mode
2/5
All in all, this album did not wow me. There were a couple cool and catchy tracks, and I was surprised by the chill ambience of the instrumental songs on the end of the album. But for the most part, the tracks were repetitive and did not do enough to really keep my attention.
Depeche Mode seems to fall under the category of "not for me".
Notable Tracks:
- Sweetest Perfection
- Personal Jesus
4/10
LL Cool J
4/5
Having only heard the song "Mama Said Knock You Out" and a couple J-Lo collabs, I didn't really know of LL Cool J's real hip-hop prowess. But this album sold me as a fan.
He has a flow that could fit in anywhere from the early 80s to the mid-00s while still having that old school rap attitude. J also showed his vulnerability with some softer, R&B sounding tracks on this record too.
Definitely worth digging deeper into his work for me.
Notable Tracks:
- The Boomin' System
- Around The Way Girl
- Murdergram
- Mama Said Knock You Out
7.5/10
Siouxsie And The Banshees
3/5
I wanted to like this band more than I ended up doing so. In the first few tracks of the album, I got vibes of The Cranberries and Kate Bush, whom I love. However, later on in the record it got more into Bikini Kill and Hole territory. While I respect those artists and they have their merits, that style is not altogether for me.
Could be worth looking into this artist (or the other aforementioned artists for that matter), so all in all not a bad listen.
Notable Tracks:
- Spellbound
- Into The Light
6/10
The Flaming Lips
4/5
I am a certified fan of The Flaming Lips after this record. It combines punk elements with more a melodic, full, almost Beatles-esque sound so beautifully. Definitely a vibe I can get behind and look forward to delving into more.
Notable Tracks:
- Fight Test
- Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt. 1
- In the Morning of the Magicians
- Do You Realize??
8/10
Earth, Wind & Fire
4/5
While this record did not include my all-time favorite EWF songs like "In The Stone" and "September", it introduced me to some new jams that will surely be in the rotation going forward. This album still included the quintessential EWF sound of funk mixed with R&B and even World music that they're known for. Super delightful and upbeat listen.
Notable Tracks:
- Shining Star - I'd be hard-pressed to find a better album opener on any record
- That's the Way of the World
- Yearnin' Learnin'
- Africano - cool funk instrumental
- See the Light
8/10
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
4/5
This is a great album that could fit just about anywhere from the 50s through the 80s in about 4 different genres and be a work of art. There are folk, psychedelic, country, and rock elements at play, but they all meld together wonderfully. I was skeptical about this record, but I'm a definite fan now.
Notable Tracks:
- Teach Your Children
- Almost Cut My Hair - "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" vibes
- Woodstock
- Our House
- Country Girl - awesome harmonica riffs near the end
7.5/10
Pretenders
4/5
Fun album from a fun band! They are fantastic at having more punk-centric tracks mixed with poppier fun melodies. Underrated act that I need to delve further into.
Notable Tracks:
- Precious
- Tattooed Love Boys - shout-out Guitar Hero 2
- Space Invader
- Kid
- Brass in Pocket
- Mystery Achievement
8/10
Miriam Makeba
4/5
It’s unbelievable that this album came out in 1960 to me. The vocal performance and stylings are legitimately timeless and could fit in any decade to me, even today. This record not only showcased a fair amount of African language and influence, but also some jazzy blues tunes that could fit in the 1960s American South. Terrific record and a very soothing listen top to bottom.
Notable Tracks:
- The Retreat Song
- The Click Song
- Olilili
- Mbube
- One More Dance - so endearing and funny
8/10
Norah Jones
5/5
Norah Jones manages to keep a very consistent cozy vibe throughout this record without being repetitive. Her soothing vocals combined with the soft tone of the instrumentals make this a perfect winter/rainy day listen. No songs really worth skipping on this album for me.
Notable Tracks:
- Don't Know Why
- Seven Years
- Feelin' The Same Way
- Come Away With Me
- Turn Me On
- Lonestar
- Nightingale
- The Long Day Is Over
9.5/10
Arctic Monkeys
4/5
This is a very upbeat, fun record from start to finish. A good mix of 80s punk with some Rolling Stones influence thrown in, the pacing on this album was so good, I felt like it was only 20 minutes long despite it being over twice that length. While Arctic Monkeys very much gained more popularity in the 2010s, this record is a much more accurate representation of their essence to me. A great band nonetheless and this album still hits in 2024.
Notable Tracks:
- The View From The Afternoon - fun, fast-paced track to open
- I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor
- Dancing Shoes
- Riot Van - nice change of pace amidst punk chaos
- Perhaps Vampires Is A Bit Strong But...
- A Certain Romance
8/10
Barry Adamson
1/5
Honestly, I listened to this after the election in 2024, was already in a depressed mode, and this record only made it worse. It's way too avant-garde and pretentious for me to derive any joy from. The moments I did like were so fleeting and brief that it just made me more mad because at least there was a morsel that could have been duplicated but wasn't. Pardon my misplaced anger and hatred, but eat shit and die Barry Adamson.
Notable Tracks:
- Miles
1.5/10
Solange
3/5
This soulful record is a nice departure from other current pop artists. Solange really has a lovely voice, and that coupled with the cool drum tracks and jazzy piano made for a very interesting listen.
Notable Tracks:
- Cranes in the Sky
- Don't Touch My Hair
- Where Do We Go
- Borderline (An Ode to Self Care)
- Junie
6/10
Elliott Smith
3/5
At first this was a pretty unremarkable album to me and not much stood out. But in the latter half of the record, I noticed a lot more late-era Beatles sound, which was fun to listen to.
There were a few instrumental tracks that could've probably been tossed in my opinion, but overall not a bad album.
Notable Tracks:
- Stupidity Tries
- Wouldn't Mama Be Proud
- Happiness
5/10
Public Enemy
4/5
I freely admit this album is not for me as a middle-class white man. However, the discontent and unrest present throughout this album is as prescient now as it ever has been in mid-November of 2024 (iykyk). It's artists such as Public Enemy speaking truth to power that has been at the core of hip hop since it's inception and keeps it as fresh as ever. Given that the themes are (unfortunately) evergreen and the amazing DJ skills of Terminator X on display, this album still holds up 36 years after release.
Notable Tracks:
- Bring The Noise - also love the lyrical and rhythmic allusions to this track throughout the rest of the record
- She Watch Channel Zero?!
- Night Of The Living Baseheads
- Black Steel In The Hour Of Chaos
- Party For Your Right To Fight
8/10
Radiohead
2/5
This record bored me to tears. It's frustrating to me because I adored "OK Computer", so I know Radiohead has the capacity to make an engaging album to me, but this was certainly not it. More droning, ominous tones with poetry behind them then actual songs. There were a couple tracks with actual rhythms and instrumentation that made them catchy, but beyond that it was a chore. Still waiting for something beside the one album for me to latch onto for this band.
Notable Tracks:
- I Might Be Wrong
- Knives Out
3/10
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
This album was a great, relaxed way to start the day for me. While the record doesn't have a lot of standout moments for me, the chilled reggae vibe is apparent and consistent throughout. Couple that with the nice blend of protest music and more whimsical subject matter, you have a perfect representation of the genre.
Notable Tracks:
- Concrete Jungle
- Stop That Train
7/10
Van Halen
5/5
With three of their biggest hits plus additional tracks that show what Van Halen is all about, this has to be their finest work. Catchy hooks throughout, irreverent subject matter, and Eddie's game-changing guitar playing are on fully display on this record. There are a couple tracks that are forgettable, but everything else more than makes up for it in my mind.
Notable Tracks:
- Jump - essentially the opener and one hell of one at that
- Panama
- Drop Dead Legs - killer guitar solo
- Hot for Teacher - probably my favorite Van Halen song
- I'll Wait
9/10
Alice Cooper
3/5
While Alice Cooper is a great artist, I wish he would've leaned more into the theatrical, dark aspects of his live act in his studio recordings. Aside from "I Love the Dead" being more about the macabre, there's not much that sets him apart from other 70s/80s hard rock musicians. I still enjoy his work, I just think a little more differentiation on his part would have pushed him into another echelon for me.
Notable Tracks:
- Elected
- Billion Dollar Babies
- No More Mr. Nice Guy
- Mary Ann - early Beatles vibes
- I Love the Dead
6/10
CHIC
3/5
Since there are only a few tracks on this record and it stills clocks in at 42 minutes long, some of them tend to drag. That being said, this was a very fun disco record. Some iconic and danceable grooves throughout, it will surely keep your feet moving the whole time.
Notable Tracks:
- Le Freak
- I Want Your Love
6/10
Red Hot Chili Peppers
4/5
While this is admittedly my favorite RHCP album, it definitely suffers from being very front-loaded with about 5 too many tracks. While I'm not as charmed by this band as I was in my teens, this album shows they have definite chops in the instrumental department and subject matter areas. This might have gotten into 5-star territory without some of the fluff tracks, but all in all, a very fun, nostalgic listen for me.
Notable Tracks:
- Around the World - terrific opener
- Parallel Universe
- Scar Tissue
- Otherside
- Californication
- Road Trippin'
7/10
Björk
3/5
While I enjoyed this album moreso than I anticipated and it was rather serene, there wasn't much that was memorable to me. She's good a good voice and there was a good mesh of electronic and even some jazz elements, but some of the tracks tended to drag. I probably won't go out of my way to listen to more Bjork, but I had a nice time with this all things considered.
Notable Tracks:
- Stonemilker
- Family
6/10
Cocteau Twins
3/5
For a dreary morning, this ethereal alt-rock record was a perfect fit. What I love about this project is that even for music made in languages I don't understand, I can still find connection and joy in the actual music. That fits the bill with the Cocteau Twins on this album. Great vocals and harmonies, and the vibes of the instrumentation were exquisite.
Notable Tracks:
- Ivo
- Lorelai
- Pandora (for Cindy)
6/10
Britney Spears
5/5
This is such a terrific pop album. Some slow stretches in the second half of the record, but catchy, danceable hooks are all over the place here. Couple that with the talent and charisma of Spears, there's no wonder why she became such a cultural phenomenon. And it still stands up today.
Notable Tracks:
- ...Baby One More Time
- (You Drive Me) Crazy
- Sometimes
- From the Bottom of My Broken Heart
- I Will Still Love You
- Deep In My Heart
- Autumn Goodbye
9/10
Duran Duran
3/5
This was a unique mix of prog experimentation with very catchy hooks that makes Duran Duran unique. While they didn't have too much success outside this record, their sound is distinct and stands up to this day in my opinion.
Notable Tracks:
- Rio (prog mixed with quintessential catchy 80s chorus)
- Hungry Like The Wolf - one of the catchiest choruses of the 80s
- Hold Back the Rain - bassline is sick
- Last Chance on the Stairway - ROCK MUSIC NEEDS MORE MARIMBA SOLOS
7/10
David Holmes
2/5
This is one of the few albums I haven't been able to finish since I started this project. Not because I really disliked the music, but because it was so boring I couldn't stand it. The verbal monologues at the beginning of the tracks were a little interesting, but after that it was just repetitive backing tracks to a 2000s action movie DVD menu screen. Couldn't bother listening to the whole thing.
3/10
Beatles
5/5
After listening to this whole record, if someone were to ask for 1 album to represent The Beatles as a band, this would be it. It spans every different styling of music that they produced over the years and has hits and hidden gems alike. While "Abbey Road" remains my favorite Beatles album, this quickly jumped up the list for me as top 3 for sure.
Notable Tracks:
- Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
- While My Guitar Gently Weeps
- Blackbird - one of the great songs ever written
- Rocky Raccoon
- Birthday
- Helter Skelter
9/10
The Notorious B.I.G.
5/5
Possibly my favorite rap album I’ve listened to during this project thus far. A perfect encapsulation of the struggle of gang life in that era set to a masterful flow and infectious beats. Definitely some work I’ll have to revisit.
Notable Tracks:
- Things Done Changed
- Gimme the Loot
- The Loot
- Juicy
- Big Poppa
- Respect
9/10
Björk
2/5
I strongly preferred the songs that relied on the singer-songwriter side of Bjork rather than the techno side, which was to the detriment of this record. She has definite talent, but the further she gets from electronic music the better.
Notable Tracks:
- Crying
- Come to Me
- The Anchor Song
4/10
The Undertones
3/5
While this was a fun punk album and slightly ahead of its time, I found it a little repetitive. Still a fun quick listen for a Friday morning, and I enjoy any album in this project that introduces me to a new punk band.
Notable Tracks:
- Family Entertainment
- Here Comes the Summer
5/10
The War On Drugs
3/5
I enjoyed some things on this album like 3 tracks listed below which leaned more into the indie rock side of things. However, the majority of this album more resembled Explosions In The Sky-esque wonderous film score vibes. While that's not always a bad thing (I do love Explosions), I would have preferred the indie side to have been more relied upon. Not an all-around bad record, just meandered a bit for my liking.
Notable Tracks:
- Red Eyes
- Eyes To The Wind
- Burning
5/10
Rush
5/5
From one of the greatest "nerd rock" acts of all time, this might be Rush's magnum opus. Including catchier hits like "Limelight" and "Tom Sawyer" in addition to more technical instrumental sections and full tracks, this record is Rush to a tee. Universally revered while also being underrated, this trio belongs in the conversation of best band of all time.
Notable Tracks:
- Tom Sawyer
- YYZ
- Limelight
- The Camera Eye
9/10
Hookworms
4/5
I was dreading this album after the first couple minutes of the opening track, but I ended up really enjoying it! Some progressive stuff mixed with more standard indie fare, it checked more than one box for me. Not sure if I'll dig into this artist more, but I enjoyed this album.
Notable Tracks:
- Negative Space - starts off weird but picks up midway and gets real catchy
- Ullswater
- Opener - to have this song mid-album, the hypocrisy!
- Shortcomings
7/10