Journey in Progress
Discovering music one album at a time
409
Albums Rated
2.59
Average Rating
38%
Complete
680 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
How you rate albums
Rating Timeline
Average rating over time
Ratings by Decade
Which era do you prefer?
Activity by Day
When do you listen?
Taste Profile
1950s
Favorite Decade
Blues
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Harsh
Rater Style
38
5-Star Albums
100
1-Star Albums
Taste Analysis
Genre Preferences
Ratings by genre
Origin Preferences
Ratings by country
Rating Style
You Love More Than Most
Albums you rated higher than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Rock Opera | 5 | 2.82 | +2.18 |
| Reign In Blood | 5 | 2.96 | +2.04 |
| Exile In Guyville | 5 | 3.02 | +1.98 |
| American Beauty | 5 | 3.24 | +1.76 |
| A Nod Is As Good As A Wink To A Blind Horse | 5 | 3.24 | +1.76 |
| Fun House | 5 | 3.28 | +1.72 |
| Made In Japan | 5 | 3.29 | +1.71 |
| Bitches Brew | 5 | 3.3 | +1.7 |
| Brilliant Corners | 5 | 3.33 | +1.67 |
| At Fillmore East | 5 | 3.39 | +1.61 |
You Love Less Than Most
Albums you rated lower than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Bends | 1 | 4.01 | -3.01 |
| Bridge Over Troubled Water | 1 | 3.97 | -2.97 |
| Pet Sounds | 1 | 3.93 | -2.93 |
| Ten | 1 | 3.92 | -2.92 |
| The Stranger | 1 | 3.86 | -2.86 |
| In Rainbows | 1 | 3.84 | -2.84 |
| Dookie | 1 | 3.8 | -2.8 |
| Metallica | 1 | 3.79 | -2.79 |
| Jagged Little Pill | 1 | 3.72 | -2.72 |
| Kid A | 1 | 3.71 | -2.71 |
Artist Analysis
Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Led Zeppelin | 4 | 4.75 |
| Miles Davis | 3 | 5 |
| Black Sabbath | 3 | 5 |
| Deep Purple | 3 | 4.67 |
| Beastie Boys | 2 | 5 |
| The Rolling Stones | 3 | 4.33 |
| The White Stripes | 3 | 4.33 |
| Creedence Clearwater Revival | 3 | 4.33 |
Least Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Radiohead | 5 | 1 |
| The Police | 2 | 1 |
| Slipknot | 2 | 1 |
| Genesis | 2 | 1 |
| The Prodigy | 2 | 1 |
| Eagles | 2 | 1 |
| Tom Waits | 2 | 1 |
| Roxy Music | 2 | 1 |
| The Velvet Underground | 2 | 1 |
| Bee Gees | 2 | 1 |
| The Byrds | 3 | 1.67 |
| Eminem | 2 | 1.5 |
| Fiona Apple | 2 | 1.5 |
| Yeah Yeah Yeahs | 2 | 1.5 |
| Simon & Garfunkel | 2 | 1.5 |
Controversial Artists
Artists you rate inconsistently
| Artist | Albums | Variance |
|---|---|---|
| Bob Dylan | 2 | 1.5 |
| The Doors | 3 | 1.25 |
| Beck | 3 | 1.25 |
| Jimi Hendrix | 3 | 1.25 |
5-Star Albums (38)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
The Police
1/5
I feel like 3 English lads who appropriate reggae and then proceed to do nothing good with it is bad enough. But for them to then overly influence Rush for almost all of the 80s, well, that’s criminal.
3 likes
Drive-By Truckers
5/5
So many good songs, so many great lines. An interesting attempt at trying to explain their "duality of the southern thing" - worth reading more from Patterson about the album and his life in the south. He's far more thoughtful about it than anyone else I've run across.
I can't really be objective here - this is another album I've heard way too many times. For probably a full year I'd blast "Greenville To Baton Rouge" every Friday evening as I was leaving a shitty job.
And this could be 5 stars for "Zip City" alone. I wish that song had been around when I was in high school. But, the whole album is incredible - well worth your time!
I get 10 miles to the gallon, I ain't got no good intentions…
2 likes
1/5
Dioffdidndjdisjjdudbdbzisoaknabacwgwosjdvsjdbdbbsjudjdbdjixidbdbhxhsvdudjnxnxkcizhagsidizvsnxbdvsbsbaiskhruegsgwudoidbzbasndjdhdjjdhdjdnnxjfjfjfkfjfnfndvsgjfidnssjslwnebehdnndjdjfndn. FREEJAZZ!!!!!!!
1 likes
The Rolling Stones
5/5
Stones in Exile in France - somehow a chateau basement becomes the site of pure musical genius (with a trip to LA for tuneups).
Rocks off (that horn line), Rip This Joint (tear down the union hall!) Torn and Frayed (always for a certain guitar player). Ventilator Blues (Charlie sounds good tonight, right?) Happy (Keef!), Turd on the Run (she knows what she did) and the last 4 songs on the album might be the best???
That’s a band powerful enough to turn goat piss into gasoline. Excellent album - no filler.
1 likes
Lou Reed
1/5
Frank Black may like Lou Reed, but I don’t. Even the “hit” singles didn’t really grab me. I don’t love Lou’s voice or delivery. I’ve tried over the years with the velvets and Lou solo but it just never clicks.
At least A Tribe Called Quest got a great sample out of it (Mr Dinkins will you please be my mayor?).
1 likes
1-Star Albums (100)
All Ratings
ABBA
3/5
Well construed pop songs but probably could have left a couple of songs off for a tighter album. Not necessarily repetitive but all the songs are similar - you know it’s Abba somehow. I wonder if anyone in the country realm has covered “Why Did It Have To Be Me” - seems like a no brained hit single for someone. And we’ve come a long way from the mid 70s with a song like “When I Kissed The Teacher.” Surprisingly Arrival isn’t the first song on the album, kind of weird somehow.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
3/5
Record sounds great overall. There are some good songs, thru Woodstock mainly. Overall feel is really piecemeal. It doesn’t feel like there was an overall connection, just 4 songwriters tossing out songs. I’m surprised at the lack of cohesion - Workingmans Dead and American Beauty from the same time/area hold together more. Still the vocals sound great!
Metallica
1/5
Wow - this one doesn’t hold up well. The album is bloated with a 60 minutes run time. It doesn’t need two ballads (it didn’t really need any frankly). It’s all mid tempo, it all blends together. It’s hard to believe Metallica was once a great thrash band hearing this album. Lars gets to suck less but this ain’t Metallica’s best by far.
We do get more of Jason than we heard on …AJFA. But still barely allowed to be heard in the mix (thanks Lars). Poor Jason - heart and soul given for this band and completely spurned by Lars and James when it comes to mixing.
Speaking of James… he’s just giving us his slam poetry notebook for song lyrics - nothing deep in this group of songs. And nothing that is truly memorable either.
This is a mid-life (mid-band?) crisis album. It’s clear the Cliff Burton riffs are all gone and this is a band that just can’t find a way forward. I know it’s hindsight, but this was the beginning of the end. Beware of Bob Rock, he brings profits, but also destruction in his wake.
King Crimson
2/5
Sigh…I’ve tried several times to give this album another chance. 21st Cent. Schizoid Man IS a fun song, but it’s not indicative of the rest of the album. The rest of the album is why “prog rock” gets a bad name. Far too meandering, overly pompous, very much in love with its own cleverness. And fairly dull. The 2 stars are only for the opening track’s catchiness.
Maybe save the
The Go-Go's
2/5
It’s fine? Production sounded good for the early 80s. Music is catchy enough - reminded me of the B-52s and early REM with the guitar sound and the surf inspired solos/flourishes.
None of the lyrics really grabbed my attention. Overall, it’s similar to the ABBA album Arrival. It’s not bad, wouldn’t mind if these songs came up on shuffle, but I won’t be searching this one out for repeat listening.
Beatles
3/5
Not a huge full album Beatles guy. Hard Days Night or Revolver would be my usual choices. (Of course there’s a ton of good singles too)
Northern Soul, US R&B, a little hint of psychedelic music all blended together makes a pleasant album but ultimately not an overall “holy shit” amazing album. Felt like there were more filler tracks with this listen. You can hear where this is ultimately heading with Revolver coming up. And then it’s downhill to the end (in my opinion!)
Stand out tracks for me - Wait, The Word, Drive My Car and Norwegian Wood
Songhoy Blues
3/5
Enjoyed this one - wouldn't have been an album I'd just pick up on my own. Well played, albeit a bit same-y with tempos, etc.
Maxwell
3/5
Baaba Maal
2/5
Similar to the Songhoy Blues album, but I didn't really enjoy this one as much.
Blue Cheer
2/5
I know I had a copy of this album years ago. Hearing it again makes me remember why I got rid of it. It’s a turning point in heavy rock, no doubt. Its influence on stoner, punk, psych and doom metal is totally there. It’s heavy, the bass sounds great, BUT, it’s not really all that interesting to listen to repeatedly. If it’s this or Sir Lord Baltimore or The Stooges? I’m choosing SLB or Iggy.
Stevie Wonder
3/5
Not bad overall. Superstition is one of my personal all time favorite Stevie songs (and Higher Ground). Rest is the album is fine - you can feel/hear where Stevie is headed. Funky times ahead in ‘73 via innervisions
Deep Purple
5/5
A classic live album - great songs, the best Deep Purple line up (Mk. II) and a great recording. Loved diving back into this album.
Amy Winehouse
2/5
I’d never listened to this album way thru. She has a great voice and the first two songs are stand out singles, but I wasn’t totally moved by the album as a whole. I wish the whole album hadn’t been pieced together at different studios with different producers. It’s kind of messy and isn’t cohesive. The Dap Tones are amazing as always, but this is the first album we’ve heard that I don’t think belongs on this list.
The Doors
4/5
Can’t really objectively rate this one. The whole album is too deeply ingrained in my head. The lyrics aren’t always great, but I love John Densmor’s drumming and the overall sound of the band. And this album is really well recorded too. Besides, X covered Soul Kitchen.
Nirvana
3/5
Probably the least essential item in the nirvana catalog. Still fun to hear - no issue if these songs came up on shuffle. Good selection of covers, and props for introducing the Meat Puppets to a larger audience. But still isn’t the Nirvana album I’d run to first.
LCD Soundsystem
2/5
Eh, not my thing. I listened to Fatboy Slim’s “Better Living Through Chemistry” after this and enjoyed it more
Supergrass
3/5
Fun stuff - never heard this one. Had no idea the song “alright” was supergrass. Thought it was a 70s song.
Franz Ferdinand
1/5
Oof - no thank you. How did this album make the 1001 list?? Production, songs and lyrics were all annoying.
Solange
2/5
This one wasn’t for me. Felt like it was one big track of mid tempo fluff.
Kraftwerk
4/5
Really enjoyed this one - I’ll be listening to more kraftwerk for sure.
Sister Sledge
2/5
It’s always fun to find a hip hop sample in the wild (Greatest dancer - used in gettin jiggy with it) and We are family is super catchy. BUT the rest feels like filler and didn’t hold my interest.
Booker T. & The MG's
3/5
Fabulous musicians - but besides Green Onions I’m not going out of my way to listen to this regularly.
Also is the song "Stranger on the Shore" used at the beginning of Callin' Biz on the first handsome boy modeling school album?
2/5
Eh, nothing grabbed me on this one. It’s fine I guess. Made me appreciate the first Oasis album more.
1/5
Dioffdidndjdisjjdudbdbzisoaknabacwgwosjdvsjdbdbbsjudjdbdjixidbdbhxhsvdudjnxnxkcizhagsidizvsnxbdvsbsbaiskhruegsgwudoidbzbasndjdhdjjdhdjdnnxjfjfjfkfjfnfndvsgjfidnssjslwnebehdnndjdjfndn. FREEJAZZ!!!!!!!
Marvin Gaye
4/5
Other than the "Let's Get It On" song, I don't think I've ever heard this album in full. Great album (not my normal listen) - music is excellent through out. Can get a little too mid tempo soul ballad-y for me at times. As someone who loathes "concept" albums, I do wonder if a mix of these songs with the "What's Going On" songs would have yielded a more potent pair of albums addressing both social and sexual issues/themes. And making for a more satisfying overall listening experience.
The Doors
1/5
Really? One Doors album was plenty, thank you very much. Roadhouse blues is fun though.
The Police
1/5
I just don't get the appeal of the Police. Maybe it's because I blame them for all the terrible directions that Rush tried to go in the mid 80's, maybe it's because I still think Sting is just an egotistical jerk.
Anyway, Adult contemporary music is a hell of a drug. Just because it won some awards the year it came out, doesn't mean it should be on this list.
The Stranglers
3/5
Ranked 10th on the NME list of albums of the year for 1977. Just because it came out that year doesn't make it a punk album. Neither do the elaborate keyboards nor the very high production level (it sounds great). So lets say "college" radio before college radio. Wikipedia notes Robert Smith from the Cure loved this album. And that makes a ton of sense. It's a goth-pop-rock experiment? Sure, and at that level it works really well, but punk? No f'n way. Now, I'd never heard this before and I'll probably go back to it (but not when I'm in a punk mood).
Neil Young
2/5
Heh - “Shakey” at best. Not Neil’s finest, I don’t think. I think he is a better singles songwriter than an album man in my opinion. The opening to the song “Tonight’s The Night” is incredible. The rest not as much.
Eminem
1/5
Eh - it’s ok. Once the shock value wears off it’s less than spectacular. Beats are all over the place too.
Lou Reed
1/5
Frank Black may like Lou Reed, but I don’t. Even the “hit” singles didn’t really grab me. I don’t love Lou’s voice or delivery. I’ve tried over the years with the velvets and Lou solo but it just never clicks.
At least A Tribe Called Quest got a great sample out of it (Mr Dinkins will you please be my mayor?).
Van Halen
4/5
Excellent album - I tend to go for the first two VH albums and I forget how good 1984 is. Really hilarious how there was a huge uproar over the keyboards. It’s not that overwhelming.
Q-Tip
4/5
Really enjoyed this one. This is what I've been looking for in these 1001 albums. Something that I wouldn't seek out, but given a chance to listen, I'm really impressed. I love Tribe, but I don't usually go for "solo" rap albums. Really looking forward to going back for another listen.
Thin Lizzy
3/5
Huh, better than I expected, but not what I expected either? Makes me want to hear more Thin Lizzy. But also wondering if they're a better live band and the studio stuff doesn't hold up as well. Terrible review, totally average. Sorry this one needs way more time in my ears.
Drive-By Truckers
5/5
So many good songs, so many great lines. An interesting attempt at trying to explain their "duality of the southern thing" - worth reading more from Patterson about the album and his life in the south. He's far more thoughtful about it than anyone else I've run across.
I can't really be objective here - this is another album I've heard way too many times. For probably a full year I'd blast "Greenville To Baton Rouge" every Friday evening as I was leaving a shitty job.
And this could be 5 stars for "Zip City" alone. I wish that song had been around when I was in high school. But, the whole album is incredible - well worth your time!
I get 10 miles to the gallon, I ain't got no good intentions…
The Rolling Stones
5/5
Stones in Exile in France - somehow a chateau basement becomes the site of pure musical genius (with a trip to LA for tuneups).
Rocks off (that horn line), Rip This Joint (tear down the union hall!) Torn and Frayed (always for a certain guitar player). Ventilator Blues (Charlie sounds good tonight, right?) Happy (Keef!), Turd on the Run (she knows what she did) and the last 4 songs on the album might be the best???
That’s a band powerful enough to turn goat piss into gasoline. Excellent album - no filler.
Queen
3/5
I think Queen is one of those bands that is totally hit or miss for me. Every time I hear these albums, I get a different impression. And that's each individual time I listen to this band.
Q and QII both hit differently, same with Sheer Heart Attack. Great stuff on all of them, but SO disjointed too. I get it, these musical geniuses can't be contained, but damn, it's so hard to get into these albums. I probably should do a "hard" Queen playlist and weed out the 20s Jazz and Opera stuff...
Anyway, not bad today - not a killer but fun to hear (this time!)
Television
2/5
Look, I really want to like this one, I've tried for years to really dig in and listen. But every time, I don't care for the lyrics, singer's voice and the music is mostly at funeral dirge pace. If anything it does feel like I'd imagine the scene in the late 70's around the Bowery NYC area. It's like the punk rock version of prog rock and I just can't accept it. Critics and musicians says it's amazing, but I just don't f'n hear it. I've tried - this probably my 10th listen at this point. Some of them just don't click.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
2/5
Cinnamon Girl is a great single. Probably going to have to hear more Neil in this exercise so I’ll just give it 2 stars and move on. It’s fine.
Slipknot
1/5
No metal band needs a DJ.
No metal singer needs to rap.
That’s where Lars got his St Anger snare drum? A pox on both bands for that one!
Nu-Metal? Nu Thank you, I’ll pass.
Nina Simone
3/5
Nina is an excellent passionate singer. Not a huge jazz vocal fan so I doubt it made the same impression that it would on others.
The Flaming Lips
1/5
First time hearing this album and I just don't care if I finish it or not. Nothing sparks my interest - music, vocals, instrumentation. Seriously overrated band.
Still bummed I went to the side stage to hear the Jelly song at Lollapalooza instead of seeing Parliament/Funkadelic.
Dagmar Krause
3/5
Didn’t get a chance to listen to more than one song. That was enough
Love
2/5
It’s ok - wouldn’t be one I go back to listen to
Deep Purple
5/5
So good - best Mk. II era album. Have to thank the guy playing it a lunch spot in Austin. Went straight to Waterloo from lunch to get my own copy.
James Brown
3/5
Good but not amazing. Love James Brown and this is a fabulous band, but I prefer the later 60s early/early 70s version of JB. Heard this a few times over the years, but even this listen is fun but not something I’d revisit.
Michael Jackson
3/5
Better than expected, but I prefer the other two Quincy produced albums.
Otis Redding
5/5
Wow - basically cut in a day. A epic group of backing musicians and Tom Dowd helping engineer. And Otis of course. Easily a recipe of great soul music.
Deep Purple
4/5
Machine Head is probably a little better but this is still a nice heavy slab of rock with a big helping of B-3 thrown in for good measure. Still Mk II, so it’s going to be amazing.
Kacey Musgraves
2/5
Minimal production, singer/songwriter country. Feels a little like Taylor Swift - just barely disguised songs about something or someone in real life. Not my thing.
De La Soul
4/5
Loses a star for the skits. Never was a fan of hip hop skits. Otherwise an underrated masterpiece debut from De La (and Prince Paul). Truly, this wouldn't have been as big a hit if Prince Paul hadn't worked his magic. Love the rap, but the beats so wonderful.
Eminem
2/5
Oooh, scary! Will the real rapping prodigy please stand up?
Jurassic 5
4/5
Love J5, but it's been a while since I've heard this all the way thru (thanks to Robert for tipping me off to these guys).
It's a very good album. Good beats, great lyrics. Love the verbal interactions between the MCs. Cut Chemist and Nu-Mark shine with their production - seriously two of the best DJs around (still!). BUT, I still prefer the debut album "Quality Control" a little more. So 4 stars for me, it's just a little less impressive.
Random Thoughts:
One of the best throwaway lines ever - "we tight like dreadlocks or Red Foxx and Ripple"
A Day At The Races is probably THE stand out track for me.
Tangerine Dream
4/5
OK - this is what I'd been hoping for with these albums. Something that I'd never heard before, knew nothing about AND (crucially) really want to hear again. I can't even begin to judge this on one listen. So I'll give it 4 stars (because I did enjoy it) and I'll just say it was intriguing enough to give several more listens - like a live Dead show or a good Miles Davis album.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
Well, they blew up the chicken man in Philly last night... (did he just say, chicken man?)
Not one I’d listen to all the time, but every once in a while it just hits right. Still curious what it might have sounded like with a full band but that’s what live shows are for.
Beatles
3/5
Meh, it's fine. I'm not a big Beatles guy. This isn't their best.
Elton John
3/5
It’s fine. I probably won’t revisit this one.
Fiona Apple
1/5
No. Sorry, gonna pass on this one. Don’t need every Beatles or Deep Purple album on this list, nor do we need a late era album from someone who’s run out of real ideas. How about “Exile In Guyville” by Liz Phair instead?
Grant Lee Buffalo
3/5
Not bad.
Ali Farka Touré
3/5
Good album probably not one I’d return to often but good overall
The Beach Boys
1/5
Yep, it’s still overrated. Would have been better to release a single of Wouldn’t it be nice with SloopJohn B as the B side.
Joy Division
3/5
I think I’d need listen to this one a few more times to get it. Pre goth, super mopey - not a go to album for me. Not bad, some great riffs and snippets.
Elvis Costello
3/5
It’s fine - I prefer This Years Model or Armed Forces, but it’s still EC
John Lennon
2/5
I mean, these songs feel half baked. If only John had a few people to help flesh these songs out…
Billy Joel
1/5
Oh hell no.
Keith Jarrett
1/5
Whew, what a week of unfulfilling albums. Figure there'd be some lulls, but wow this week has been a slog. And to round out the week, we get a hour long solo "jazz" piano concert. I didn't enjoy this - I'd much rather hear a jazz trio/quartet, etc. working thru material. Not my cup of tea, your milage may vary!
Talking Heads
3/5
Musically this was an interesting one. Well crafted, slinky post punk/new wave stuff. Very tight band. But I realized that David Byrne’s vocals are kind of hit and miss for me. Don’t think this is one I’ll be returning to on a regular basis.
Dexys Midnight Runners
2/5
So, two tone ska, new wave, the Pogues and northern soul all kinda thrown together with a singer that I know I know that voice but it’s still kinda grating? Not one I’d go back to, but Come On Eileen is far more representative of the rest of the album than I imagined
Hookworms
2/5
This just felt like one long song. Didn’t find anything that really grabbed me.
Michael Kiwanuka
3/5
Shame on me for thinking it was going to be afro-beat. Pretty good album overall. Not one I'd heard of, obviously. I'll revisit this one when I'm in the mood.
Aretha Franklin
4/5
It's Aretha and the album starts with Chain of Fools? Count me in!
Could have done without Eric Clapton's "blues" guitar wanking on
"Good to Me as I Am to You" but that's a me problem.
Alanis Morissette
1/5
And I'm here to remind you that this mess exists... You, you, aught pass.
3/5
Wasn’t on Spotify, so I didn’t listen to this one. But the wiki article didn’t really make it sound appealing to me.
Everything But The Girl
1/5
Oh, that’s not good. Not my thing, too mid temp, too mid 90s electronica. I’ll pass.
The White Stripes
5/5
What a great album. So many fun, eclectic hooky songs. Didn't appreciate it when it first came, I'm sorry to say.
Beastie Boys
5/5
Still excellent - hadn’t heard this in a while and it holds up surprisingly well.
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
2/5
He's gonna tell his baby exactly what she should like and what she needs to do. It's fine - I get this is a small part of the birth of rock and roll but the lyrics don't do much for me.
At least because of Buddy, we can get stuff like this... NFA>Jam>GDTRFB>NFA
Billy Bragg
3/5
Fine. Made me think I need to go pull out The Freewheeling Bob Dylan or Bringing It All Back Home
Happy Mondays
3/5
Interesting stuff - one I’d go back and give a few more spins. Not a band I’d listened to before.
Bon Jovi
4/5
Ok - this has some banger songs on it. I feel like this is probably the perfect guilty pleasure album for suburban parents who grew up when hair bands were a thing. Can honestly say if any band started a set with Let It Rock or Raise Your Hands I’d probably laugh and sing along. Almost all the hits on one album too. Wanted Dead or Alive still holds up as a band on the road song. Damn it I don’t want to give it 4 stars, but I think it’s warranted.
Public Enemy
3/5
So, I don't know exactly what it is, but I don't like this album as much as I like "It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back." I'm not sure if there's something in the production (it can be fairly shrill) or the way the album is sequenced. There are excellent songs, but after "Welcome to the Terrordome" it just seems to bog down and I get bored until almost the end of the album. I don't want to take away from the lyrics (they're great) and I really like PE overall, but I just don't love this album as much as I think I should.
Fleetwood Mac
3/5
It’s that song w/ the skateboarding dude drinking cranberry cocktail. Some fun songs, but not something that I'll be coming back to over and over again.
R.E.M.
2/5
Everybody hurts a little for having to listen to this album. Earlier REM albums are better (thru Green). This one is way overrated
Don McLean
1/5
God damn singer songwriters.
Moby Grape
3/5
Not bad. On the whole, a band I’d like to hear more from.
Beck
1/5
Why is it always the later era album that gets picked for this list? I’d have given any of the earlier albums better reviews. This one sounds like one long boring song. Guh.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
Still amazing how much excellent output came from these guys in two years!
Grateful Dead
5/5
Some of the finest studio work the Dead ever did. No extended jams, just a whole bunch of songs that would stay in the Dead catalogue for the long haul. Along with Workingman's Dead, this is the peak of studio Dead.
And of course, Truckin' rose straight to the top of the charts in Turlock, California.
TV On The Radio
2/5
Eh, some songs are fine, some are a little long… not my favorite.
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
2/5
No issues with the lyrical content - it's excellent and sadly still timely. World hasn't changed much since '91.
The problem is the beats on this album are terrible. It's not engaging at all. Someone listened to PE and decided to try their hand at sounding like the Bomb Squad. Came in more like a wet M-80. Don't love the monotone vocals and the flow is really stuck in mid tempo. Any fluctuation would have helped, but even that could have been overcome with better beats/production.
Be curious to hear this one with each track redone. Where's Pete Rock when you need him? Let Cut Chemist and Nu-Mark at it. Z Trip, ?uestlove, the actual Bomb Squad? Someone get those masters and get to it!
A Tribe Called Quest
5/5
Is this possibly the peak of hip hop jazz sampling? Stunning album all around, the beats/samples and the excellent lyrics. A masterpiece for sure.
Sade
2/5
It’s fine - but I’m not an 80s R&B guy.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
2/5
Eh, NYC art band makes it big I guess? It's ok, not really heading into any new ground. Just lo-fi garage band stuff.
The Darkness
1/5
No matter how catchy one of these songs is, this is a joke band. The rip off Freddie Mercury vocals are horrible. A 2K band playing at being a 1970s arena band. There are plenty of good heavy ‘70s bands that aren’t mainstream and far more capable than these jokers. Don’t wast your time on this one.
The Monkees
2/5
Didn’t expect to find the sample for Mistadobalina by Del tha Funky Homosapien in the song Zilch on this album. That’s a win, otherwise it was a bog standard late 60s pop/psych (sorta) album. Little Americana thrown in for good measure. Nothing caught my attention. I guess I’m more an early Monkees fan because of Last Train to Clarksville and Daydream Believe.
Michael Jackson
4/5
Is this a better overall album than Thriller?
Simon & Garfunkel
1/5
I just don't care.
Fatboy Slim
4/5
Really love the beats and the production on this one. From the "seagulls" on Santa Cruz to great samples, like Roforofo Fight (from Fela Kuti) in First Down. Well worth a few listens.
I've lived with this since it came out...and splurged for the 20th Anniversary set too. It wouldn't be my only desert island disc, but it's in the top 50 for sure.
Genesis
1/5
In the same year this album came out, Black Sabbath released "Sabbath, Bloody Sabbath." A somewhat lesser Sabbath album, but nonetheless, a far greater album than this Genesis effort. The Stooges "Raw Power" was also released in 1973.
Moral of the story, better things were available to listen to than this foppish, limp attempt at prog music. I can't even say "rock" for this album.
Derek & The Dominos
2/5
Not so tiny secret - Duane Allman plays the best guitar on this album. Racist shithead Eric Clapton is just riding Duane’s coattails.
The drummer was nuts, but plays a nice piano. EC is still racist. And Duane Allman gets forgotten for being the true hero of Layla. Two stars for Duane only - if this was just EC I’d select “did not listen”
3/5
Not bad - wasn’t exactly what I was expecting. Pretty mellow overall.
The Doors
3/5
So it’s really3 stars for 3 songs on this one. Love Her Madly, LA Woman and Riders on the Storm. The rest feel like typical Doors songs. It really emphasizes how much the 2 disc cd “best of” really does capture the best of the Doors output.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Fun album - a little lighter than the first two albums. I know, starting off with Immigrant Song isn't "lighter" but the album does slide into more laid back fare after that. Apparently folks don't like "Hats off to (Roy) Harper" but I think it's a fitting end to the album. Easy highest rating, but I really like Led Zeppelin too.
Ray Charles
3/5
Album sounds great, Ray's a hell of a singer. I just kinda got bored halfway through it.
The Sonics
3/5
Eh, it's garage rock alright. Not an album I'd come back to on its own. Prefer to hear the handful of singles in something like the Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era, 1965–1968 box set
Peter Gabriel
2/5
Ok, sledgehammer is better than I remember and I’d forgotten about the song “Big Time” which was very fun. Otherwise, its very 80s and not particularly interesting to me.
Frank Sinatra
4/5
Frank sounds great - bands sound good too. Some excellent songs and I prefer the fact that the album is mostly uptempo songs.
Green Day
1/5
Eh, the better punk album from 1994 is Rancid’s “Let’s Go” - Green Day still doesn’t really excite me. Pop punk and way too produced…
Pink Floyd
5/5
My favorite Pink Floyd album, it’s the one I’ll put on first (never the wall or dark side). Love the guitar work here too
Elastica
2/5
This didn’t age well - and I didn’t think it was all that great to begin with. The production is all mids and treble to me. I didn’t find a hook - even car song and connection didn’t land this time around. I’ll have to go see if Veruca Salt has aged any better!
The Mamas & The Papas
2/5
“California Dreamin’” is a great song, the rest of the album doesn’t do much for me. Super saccharine stuff, way too many orchestral flourishes for me.
Lauryn Hill
2/5
Couple of good singles (Lost Ones, Doo Wop) but the overall album is more disappointing that I remember.
But a great opportunity to mention my favorite Lauryn Hill lines...(from the Fugees song "Zealots")
“And even after all my logic and my theory, I add a “motherf*cker” so you ignant n*ggas hear me"
Pixies
5/5
A masterpiece - a little something for everyone on this album. The Pixies are one of a few bands that could take all their various influences and meld them into their own unique songs.
The Human League
1/5
Euro synthpop trash.
The Stone Roses
4/5
Ok, I liked this more than I expected. I don't think it's the best album in the UK ever, but it's a damn fine album. Little mopey (ala the Smiths), little jangly (ala early REM), a bit rocking too (bet Noel/Liam saw SR a few times...).
I've always enjoyed "I Wanna Be Adored" (as an aside, why don't more bands use that song to walk out on stage to? too meta?) What I didn't remember was how good, "I Am The Resurrection" was. Great song and then they break into a jammy sequence at 3:50 or so? Good stuff. "Fools Gold" stood out too - felt like it would have fit on an Ocean's 11/12/13 movie soundtrack really well.
My biggest complaint is that "Don't Stop" should have been either left off the album or sequenced as the final song. It just kills the momentum that's built up before that.
Madchester, innit?
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
More fluff than I remember. Its worth it for All Along the Watchtower and Voodoo Chile/VC (Slight Return). Pretty decent stuff with Crosstown Traffic, Gypsy Eyes and Come On (Let the Good Times Roll). Otherwise, it's a lot of unfinished bits. Too bad, the good really is good on this one.
The Verve
2/5
I'd rather hear the first couple of Oasis albums and the Stone Roses. Pretty non-descript Brit Pop from my listening. Won't be going back to this one.
Skepta
3/5
Better than expected - probably give it another listen when I'm in the mood for hip hop.
Hüsker Dü
3/5
Far more "college rock" than the earlier punk songs I was expecting from this album. Not bad other than the drums sounding like crap to me. Hearing these songs, you can see how Bob would end up doing "Workbook" in a couple of years. And Sugar too frankly.
Elliott Smith
1/5
If you enjoyed it, great. I won’t be going back to this one.
Jimi Hendrix
2/5
Some good songs but I think these Hendrix albums don’t have the same impact now as they did when they were first released and reviewed. Jimi’s techniques have been discovered and incorporated into everything - 50 years of other guitar players doing this kinda take the shine off the OG material
Linkin Park
1/5
Please note, Nu-Metal was never the correct answer. It continues to be a blight on us all.
Rocket From The Crypt
2/5
This one didn’t click with me. The overuse of horns made most of the tracks way too busy. Nothing stood out riff/hook wise either.
The Byrds
1/5
If anyone wasn’t high and/or tripping while making this album I’d be shocked.
Janelle Monáe
2/5
Nothing here grabbed my attention - I’ll pass
The Temptations
3/5
Good songs - the first three were amazing, but a fair amount of smooth R&B filler at the end (Do Your Thing was fun too). Wish they’d re sequenced this one so it wasn’t so lop sided up tempo to slow stuff
The Jesus And Mary Chain
3/5
Not bad - very mellow and easy to have on as background music. Not really what I expected, much quieter than anticipated.
Shack
2/5
Well, someone’s listened to a lot of Beatles and then wanted to start a band…it’s fine, nothing offensive, but I wouldn’t seek more out based on this album.
Orbital
1/5
Huh, wanted to like this more, but after a song or 2 it wasn't even holding my attention in the periphery.
Kanye West
1/5
Nope - should have stayed behind the boards making beats for others.
The Prodigy
1/5
Some days I almost dread what album is going to pop up next. At least with this one it was so repetitive that after two tracks I knew exactly what the rest of the album sounded like. Sounds like something I won’t ever be listening to again.
Iron Maiden
3/5
OK - this is a 3.5 for me, but I'll leave it at 3 stars in the review. This is Maiden coming together, but it's not all there yet. Bruce Dickinson joins for this album, and it does make a difference to me. He's so damn operatic, even a song about sex work sounds far grander with him singing. He's the human air raid siren after all. Steve Harris on bass is a beast in this band. Love how his bass is so prominent in the mix, it's another weapon for this band. Nicko McBrain won't join until the next album, the drumming is fine, but I prefer Nicko. Not all the songs on this album stand out, but there's enough material here that you can hear how the bass heavy, twin guitar attack is forming. These first four albums all have their moments, but none of them are "must haves." you'll get the good stuff all rolled into one on "Live After Death."
The singles stand out (# of the Beast and Run To the Hills) I liked The Prisoner and Invaders as well. Hadn't heard this album in a long time but still prefer these early songs done live.
CHIC
2/5
Boy it’s a kick in the crotch to hear “Good Times” first thing on 11/6/24. Sigh. Look, it’s a fine disco album, but it’s still a disco album. So, it’s probably great for finding breakbeats but otherwise it’s not exciting to me. Can’t fault the musicians - Nile Rogers and Bernard Edwards are great here. Just not today.
Liz Phair
5/5
Lived with this album since college - don't know how/why I bought it originally. My best guess would be reading "it's a female answer to Exile On Main Street" (which I love too). I don't think that was her intention - maybe just a takedown of the old boys rock and roll collective. Probably more about all the dumb male indie musicians she knew from Chicago....
Regardless, love the low fi production, it fits the album so well. And her lyrics are great, the sarcasm and wit on Soap Star Joe alone just blows me away every time. Can't recommend it enough, it's a winner.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
3/5
Wow, really pleasantly surprised by this one. I'm usually pretty skeptical of "post punk" music. This was way better than I was expecting. I'd be more inclined to check out the rest of the catalogue because of it.
Solid 3 star album and one I'd actually go back to give a more in-depth listen to.
2/5
Oh man. This one is overrated. It’s fine - I’m not going to slag it just for being overplayed/hyped. The songs are ingrained in all of us. BUT, the northern soul and Indian bits were already there from Rubber Soul. The more technical bits - 4 track becoming 8 (or 16?) tracks via mixdown magic happened on Revolver. Jimi’s version of Sgt Pepper is better. I’m not a fan of the bloated orchestra extras on Mr Kite or 64. Also, I think I prefer the tempo on the Sgt Pepper Reprise. Decay at the end of A Day in the Life is cool though.
R.E.M.
4/5
I forget how much I actually do like the early REM catalogue (through Green). Truly the ultimate "college" rock band. Guitars sound great, Stipe isn't mumbling on this one. The album is almost completely up tempo. I'd forgotten how good this one really is. And it's super accessible - I don't think you have to be in a specific mood to hear this one.
Beach House
1/5
Super dull - felt like a funeral dirge the whole time. And not in a good, Black Sabbath funeral dirge way either. Just a boring album.
Bebel Gilberto
2/5
2nd floor, hardware, children's wear, lady's lingerie
Oh, good morning Mr. Tyler, going down?
Lovina the elevator music? No not really, thanks for asking.
Parliament
5/5
I mean it’s Parliament so it’s gots to be funky, right? Even Handcuffs is great minus the lyrics. Uncut funk, the bomb as they so eloquently put it.
Lorde
2/5
I wonder if I’d like this more if it was done with the Dap Kings as the backing band. I don’t object, I’m just not digging the backing/accompanying music.
I won’t be objective here - I love the Faces. I don’t think there’s really any really bad songs in their catalog. In fact I’d say that Rod Stewart is the weak link in this particular band. Amazing group. Fun record, great band. Easy five star review.
Also, Ian Mclagan is such an underrated keyboard player.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
I'm just not in a frame of mind where I can concentrate on this. Zero interest in a nice quiet album where I need to focus on the lyrics. Someday in the future I'll bet this is going to be a great album that I'm thrilled to discover.
Rahul Dev Burman
2/5
Felt like the author was short of the requisite 1001 albums and googled “random Bollywood albums” to add some spice. I guess it beats another Deep Purple album. Other than some DJ mining it for breakbeats, I didn’t hear anything super interesting.
The Band
2/5
I always think I'm going to like this album (and the Band in general) more than I actually do. Its fine, well played stuff, it just never really catches my interest. Up on Cripple Creek is the one that throws it all off. Super catchy, oddly funky for Canadians in 1969, I think the rest of the album needs more of that energy.
It does remind me that I still need to read "Across The Great Divide - The Band and America" by Barney Hoskyns. Suppose to be a good one about The Band.
Dusty Springfield
2/5
Random thoughts…
I had forgotten that Cypress Hill sampled Preacher Man for “Hits from the Bong” - normally think about Pulp Fiction when I hear it.
The US album cover (Dusty with her hands on her face) looks like Keith Richards in drag.
Don’t care for these mid 60s albums where a singer is backed up with an overwhelming helping of orchestration. Most folks aren’t Frank Sinatra and they can’t pull it off. Preacher Man is so different from the rest of this album. Would have been better to find more songs in that area.
Flamin' Groovies
2/5
It’s fine - I was honestly expecting a garage rock or proto punk album based on the cover and my preconceived notions about this band. Kinda underwhelming blues rock when you actually listen. I’d probably end up playing Sticky Fingers by the Rolling Stones rather than this.
Elton John
2/5
Can Elton be a singer/songwriter if Bernie Taupin did all the lyrics? And other than Tiny Dancer, was any song really enjoyable? This one didn’t get me - I’m not an Elton fan anyway and this one sure didn’t help that any.
Jack White
4/5
Fun album. Love the variety of songs and his willingness to explore. Hadn’t heard this in a long time. Interesting to hear the beginning transition from White Stripes to solo Jack White.
Nirvana
4/5
I’ve found over the years since this came out that I respect it more and more. Setting out to make an album you (the band) want to make instead of the album the record label wants (nevermind II !) takes some determination. Steve Albini was the right choice - he wasn’t going to bully or change the band at the urging of the suits (or for his own tastes). Sure there was some compromise for singles edits and what not. But, this is Nirvana 2.0 and if you don’t like it, fuck off and go listen to a Warrant album instead. Now, is this the Nirvana album I’m going to gravitate toward? Usually not, it’s still nevermind. However, there’s an amazing album here and I need to not forget that. Teenage angst to all in all is all we are. A triumph indeed, I wish we’d had a few more opportunities to hear other chances this band might have taken.
Duran Duran
2/5
Maybe I’d feel differently if this album wasn’t made in the middle of the synth “revolution”. It just sounds so dated. I just can’t get past the hideous keyboard production. The guitars and drums just scream early 80s too. To that end, the song New Religion wouldn’t sound out of place on a mid 80s Rush album (that’s not a good thing for either band by the way). Similar technical feel and sound. I’d be curious if it changes how we hear this dreck if there was an Iron Maiden cover of “Hungry Like the Wolf” just to hear the lyrics without the dated backing music. Won’t be one I revisit - it’s just too much of its time.
Donovan
1/5
That was a slog. Just because you add in some sitar and weird organ parts doesn't make it a good psych album. I wasn't impressed nor will I be back to explore this or anything else in the Donavan catalogue.
Girls Against Boys
1/5
Good grief, these are the albums that try men's souls. Wikipedia identifies them as a "post hardcore" group. I don't know what to say other than this band won't be back in my life.
The Specials
2/5
Not bad, more varied musically than I expected.
U2
3/5
Better than I remember but still relies heavily on the singles. The album as a whole is ok, but I’ve always viewed U2 as a more singles band than album band. Still feels like that with this album, but the singles are really good.
Curtis Mayfield
4/5
Curtis Mayfield is a national treasure. Love this one. Reminds me there’s so much of his catalogue that I need to go back and listen to again. And of course …Egg man…
Incubus
1/5
Pre: is this another nu-metal band?
Post: ugh, yes it is.
Really glad I was checked out of the metal scene while this phase was happening
Django Django
3/5
Quirky - better than I expected based off the album cover. Didn’t analyze the lyrics, but I was interested enough to go back for a second listen at some point.
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
3/5
These early hip hop/rap albums are a tough listen. Some good stuff on here but it’s not cohesive yet. It’s 1982 and a genre is still trying to develop. With 3 stars I’m acknowledging the album as an early pioneer more than the overall content provided.
Yes
3/5
More Prog rock. Yup, it's long songs, some of which don't really go anywhere. This is better than Genesis, so that's something to be excited about. I cannot begin to explain how much I even loathe hearing someone my age ramble on about f'n Genesis. So I'd say Yes should be right up my alley and yet, I can't really warm up to it. There's a fair amount of music that's pretty good, but it doesn't blow me away. I will say that hearing "Yours is No Disgrace" made me realize just how much Geddy Lee was indebted to Chris Squire for his bass tone on those early Rush albums. So it's fine - I'd go 2.5 rather than 3 but I'm pretty sure the rest of my crew will give it less favorable ratings.
Herbie Hancock
5/5
Now here's something excellent to start a week out with. No issues with this one, it's been a staple in my collection since college. Love the funk bass and drums mixed in with that early 70's electric jazz.
Wild Beasts
1/5
I didn't find anything here to really hang my hat on. Soft indie rock? Light ambient noise with a Freddie Mercury adjacent voice? I'll pass, it almost put me to sleep at work. And that was at 9am.
Genesis
1/5
Ugh, a prog "rock" album that's light on rock, heavy on pop. But, has a less coherent story than Quadrophenia and Tommy put together. I made it to "The Carpet Crawlers" and nothing impressed me. In fact, many reviews noted how much they loved Carpet Crawlers and it was a complete nothing song for me.
One star - too long; didn't finish. Won't every try to understand Genesis. Good lord this was trash.
Eagles
1/5
I find it fascinating that the one song on here that isn't abhorrent is "Take It Easy" and that's the one that Jackson Browne had already been working on and Glenn Frey helped finish. The song writing overall really feels like amateur hour - lots of trite, sentimental crap. Some of it was so bad I laughed out loud in the car. Now, I'll give them credit for the vocals. The blend of voices really does sound good. That's the one positive thing I'll take away from this album. But it's not enough to get me to give this one a good rating. I know it's the Eagles, some folks really love them and I just can't stand them. Overrated band, overrated genre.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
5/5
Ooh, I really like this one. I realize odd time signature jazz isn’t for everyone but I enjoy it. Had this for a long time but I haven’t heard it in a few years. It needs to get back in regular rotation, Great group of players too.
Fiona Apple
2/5
Not for me - not horrible but not my thing.
Brian Eno
3/5
Almost skipped this, but I’m glad I didn’t. Deserves a closer 2nd listen - not a Brian Eno fan per se, but enough stood out to make me want to relisten.
Various Artists
3/5
Wow, that's a murders row of excellent singers. Christmas music is only good for 2 days of the year, but these are classics.
Supertramp
1/5
Another keyboard driven “prog” album. Nothing new here. This one sounds like a poor mix of Pink Floyd and Yes. This territory has been covered already. Nothing to see here, move along…
Tracy Chapman
3/5
Count me in for the "not my thing musically, but the lyrics are poignant" sentiments.
Crosby, Stills & Nash
4/5
Wasn't expecting much from this one. But I really enjoyed it. I think I prefer CSN to CSNY. Great vocals and the music was good throughout. I'll be back to listen to this album.
Christina Aguilera
1/5
Uh, no thanks. Not my thing, wasn’t enjoyable at all.
Adam & The Ants
2/5
Post punk is so hit and miss. And this was a miss for me. There are elements here that might make for something fun, but those are few and far between. I’ll pass on the ants in general.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Really good album - production is kinda weird in spots, but it doesn't really take away from the overall presentation. I know Springsteen isn't everyone's thing, but I'd say this might be his best full band album. All the good stuff distilled down into a peak songwriting/music experience.
Fun fact - Bob Dylan ape'd Springsteen's style on the Traveling Wilbury's song "Tweeter and the Monkey Man." (well worth checking out, even if you don't like Bruce - it seems like a tribute, but it could very well be a take down depending on what you think of Darkness in general.)
Paul Simon
3/5
I know I'll probably be out of step on this one, but I find Mr. Simon to be a bit pretentious. Also, the production on this album is so mid 80s that I was cringing the entire time I was listening to it. Boy in the Bubble is a good song, that's probably my favorite on the album.
Random thoughts - the zydeco song was good, I did enjoy that too. Why hasn't any DJ taken the "I'm going to Graceland" sample and spliced in "bass-land" instead? Seriously Z-Trip get on that now. And while you're at it, take the accordion/bass from Boy In the Bubble and do something with that.
Stevie Wonder
3/5
Some good stuff here, but way too long. This could have easily been 2 albums. The lack of editing really shows on song length too. Should have been easy to tighten up. It’s still Stevie Wonder so the song writing is excellent, just needs a little help.
Random - the song "Contusion" sounds like something you’d hear in Mario Kart.
Nightmares On Wax
1/5
More like, "Pleasant Slumbers on Wax"
Pre: Oh this is going to be an ICP or Kottonmouth Kings knockoff band (wasn't looking forward to that either)
Post: I was really able to concentrate on my work today, almost like I didn't have any music on at all. Geez.
Let me suggest two other albums to listen to instead:
"The Anomaly" by DJ Logic
and
"Endtroducing" by DJ Shadow
Richard Hawley
1/5
Didn't have any expectations going into this one. Didn't read the wiki article either. Plain pipe rack / bog standard crooner album. Frank Sinatra, but milder. Its fine, it's just fine. Not something I love, nor something I'd follow up on. But no issue with it.
My biggest disappointment? The Ocean and Born Under a Bad Sign weren't fun covers, just Hawley songs that had the same title as other songs that I'd be more interested in hearing covers of. Sigh, I guess it's just another week of mostly weird albums to suffer through.
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
1/5
Ok, this album was put out the same year as Queen’s first album. I don’t know whose ideas got stolen, but Queen did it better. Nothing here caught my ear and made me really take notice. At least it’s a typical 70s album and it was only 35 minutes of time lost.
Beatles
4/5
Solid early Beatles, definitely my favorite album from this era.
Wilco
1/5
So, this is Pavement when they “grow up” right? A little more country and more mellow? I think this one is very overrated. I’d much rather listen to “No Depression” by Uncle Tupelo.
Cream
2/5
Pre: Pretty sure this is supposed to be a highly rated Cream album.
Post: Its a good thing that Sunshine of your Love is on this album, because most of the rest of it isn't memorable. Pretty standard late 60s rock album. One star for Sunshine and one star for Jack Bruce/Ginger Baker.
The xx
2/5
So, so mid. Music isn't bad, but it's not interesting to me. Vocals aren't bad, but they don't capture my attention. I don't hate this, but even if this band came up on a play list I'd probably tune it out. Just super bland music.
Scott Walker
1/5
Good grief, another crooner album? No thank you, I’ll pass.
Depeche Mode
3/5
It’s exactly what you expect from Depeche Mode
Prince
4/5
It’s Prince - catchy pop, weird funk and insane musicianship.
Black Flag
4/5
A classic that hasn't aged at all. Still relevant topics unfortunately, guess we'll never learn.
Jamiroquai
2/5
I honestly didn't know Jamiroquai was a band. I had assumed it was just a DJ/Producer creating everything. Huh. Still doesn't help this album. The production is way to slick and all the songs suffered from being amalgamations of every Soul/Funk/R&B song ever written. It really sounds like they just grabbed their favorite bits and pieces - some strings here, 70 bass lines there, etc - to create every song. It didn't work for me. I love soul/funk and jazz, but I won't be back to this one.
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
Thought Echo and the Bunnymen was a Euro synth/pop band. I was very mistaken. Good album, wasn't expecting it to be a Cure/Bauhaus type band.
I'd give it an enthusiastic 3 stars. Won't be the first thing I go to put on, but I'll be back to listen to more for sure.
Michael Jackson
4/5
Some really great stuff here - but you knew that already. The 2 songs I'm lukewarm on are The Lady In my Life and The Girl Is Mine. Everything else is fun pop - Michael had a knack for a hook.
The EVH guitar solo in Beat It? Wasn't credited to Eddie Van Halen originally. He asked to be left off the credits, apparently to keep peace in Van Halen. A few weeks after released, Ed was in Tower Records and overheard two customers debating if it was Ed or not. Ed wandered over and set the record straight. (Can't confirm that story, but its too funny not to include here - I'd like to think its true.) And he was paid with 2 6 packs. No residuals from Beat It. I'll be Michael (and Quincy) was thrilled to keep that $$.
R.E.M.
3/5
Pre - I'd always considered this the high water mark for the best (college rock) version of REM.
Post - On relistening, I think it's got some strong singles (Pop Song, Stand, Orange Crush) and some good non singles (Turn You Inside-Out, Get Up).
But the overall album is the slippery slope towards "Out of Time/Automatic For the People" (ie REM's folk version).
So, I'd go with Document as the real high mark album for REM mk1.
Iron Butterfly
2/5
The songs weren’t good and the jam didn’t really hold my attention. Seriously, cut out the drum solo. No one needs to hear a drum solo on that. 2 stars just for reminding me about the Simpsons gag where this song comes up.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
This is the 2nd of 3 albums that CCR released in 1969. To my ears there's nothing on this album that's a dud. That is a staggering amount of music, more than some bands can create in 6 or 7 years. My hats off to CCR just for that! The album sounds great, I love the drums. Vocals are on point too. Really enjoyed this, not just for the hits, but everything here was worth it.
Simple Minds
1/5
This felt like one long, very dull song. Nothing stood out and I was only happy when it was finished. Can’t fathom how this album would rate an entire 4 disc box set. Wouldn’t listen again.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
It's fine. For me, it's too long and it reminds me of Tom Waits too much. I think it's the carnival barker/spoken word bits. I've tried with Nick Cave and I just don't really get it. Same with Tom Waits. So, this one's not for me.
As an aside, does it feel like all the really good Tom Waits songs are the covers that other bands do? He's a good songwriter, but he should leave it to someone else to arrange and perform his stuff.
David Bowie
3/5
I've never heard this album before now. I enjoyed it - all of it. I don't fully get it, but I'd be more open to hearing it again over Nick Cave or Euro synth pop. I'm really at a 3.5 on this one, but I don't want to give it a 4 until after I've digested the 2nd half of the album some more.
Steve Winwood
1/5
Wow - this was much worse than I expected. Really hasn’t aged well. Everything just screams early 80s - production, instruments, etc. Yikes. Won’t be back to hear more, which is too bad because I know Winwood is a good musician.
Bad Company
4/5
OK this is solid 3.5 stars for me. The album sounds great - clean, well mic'd, mixed and produced. This doesn't sound like it was from a specific period. The musicians are all great, lots of thoughtful guitar and bass playing on this album. Are all the songs the best ever? Not really, but there's a some excellent songs and a good deal to enjoy otherwise. I wasn't tempted to skip this one. The hits are hits for a reason, they're damn catchy tunes. So I'll give it 4 here, but really that's a sold 3.5 for me. I'll pull this back out every once in a while and I'll enjoy it if a song pops up.
The Kinks
2/5
It was fine - I didn’t really get the hype. Not nearly as interesting as I had expected it to be.
Nine Inch Nails
1/5
Nah. I think after Pretty Hate Machine and the Broken EP, there wasn’t really anywhere else to go with the NIN brand of industrial music. Too same-y and there’s nothing that truly stands out the way PHM and Broken did.
Truly the beginning of the downward spiral of NIN.
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
I can't imagine how this must have sounded to someone on their first listen in 1967. It's an amazing set of songs, the band sounds great. It's psychedelic without losing the blues/funk plot either. It's Jimi playing extremely well.
Portishead
1/5
Ugh, this just felt like an art rock project. I honestly don't think it was made to be enjoyable listening. A muted attempt at a Metal Machine Music type album? Who knows. But, I won't be back to listen again. Hated the way the drums sounded and the singers voice was super irritating to me as well.
Fugees
4/5
I really like this album. Lots of good stuff here, good beats, Lauren Hill is an outstanding vocalist. Not one I put on all the time, but it's good to hear it again and remember just how good it really is.
Couple of my favorite lines -
"2 MCs can't occupy the same space at the same time, it's against the laws of physics"
along with
"And even after all my logic and my theory, I add a "motherfucker" so you ignant n***ers hear me.
And I know the Chinese restaurant sketch isn't in good taste, but it will ALWAYS be funny to me. I love the back and forth on that so much. That's probably the best rap album skit I've ever heard.
Joe Ely
3/5
Pretty decent country album (that's high praise from me, frankly). The band sounds good and it's not a pop country album nor is it completely maudlin slow ballads.
A weird production choice - I don't know if it was the guitar or the pedal steel on "Boxcars" but there was an absolutely horrible pedal effect used on that song that sounded horrible. It pops up again on the solo in Honky Tonkin'. Woof, it sounds so freaking bad.
It's a decent country album, well executed. And Joe sang on the Clash's "Should I Stay or Should I Go" so that's something. No issues with this one. Better than expected frankly.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
5/5
Another CCR album and I really enjoyed this one too. Certainly different, but I like the jam section in Ramble Tamble and the extended Heard It Though the Grapevine. It's an excellent album and it's packed with great CCR songs.
The Clash
4/5
Can't make up my mind if this is 4 or 5 stars. Let's say 4.5, but I'll round down because I know there has to be another Clash album on this list. Really great stuff, the recording isn't always great, but it's punk rawk so is shouldn't matter. What matters is I wanted to throw off the corporate yoke this morning as I was driving to work listening to this album.
And just because it should be noted whenever Joe Strummer is mentioned...Henry Rollins states:
This is not a time to be dismayed. This is punk rock time, this is what Joe Strummer trained you for. It is now time to go. You’re a good person. That means more now than ever.
Buck Owens
3/5
I'll admit, I was more impressed with this album than I expected. I really like that Bakersfield sound, it's probably the country sub genre that I respect the most. Am I going to listen to this rather than BR-549 or Junior Brown? Probably not, but it was well worth the listen and makes me appreciate Buck Owens a lot more.
Einstürzende Neubauten
1/5
Ugh, no thank you. This was bad and wasn't even ironically interesting. Couldn't finish it. I wasn't aware that industrial metal included trashcan lids and anvils.
PJ Harvey
3/5
Wasn’t bad, but 1 listen wasn’t enough. I’d need more time on this album.
The White Stripes
4/5
Really solid album. Really love the White Stripes and hearing this again made me appreciate the eclectic instrument choices.
David Bowie
4/5
I gave it a 4, but it's really 3.5 for me. It's good, but I don't think it's Bowie's best stuff.
Tom Waits
1/5
Is there an instrumental version? I'd really like to hear this jazz band without their vocalist/comedian...
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
1/5
It was ok background music, but I didn't find anything that stuck out. Not really an album I'd go back to or recommend to anyone after hearing it.
William Orbit
1/5
Meh.
Bill Evans Trio
4/5
Love it - an excellent laid back jazz album full of little surprises. Well worth additional listens. Evans played with Miles so you know he can play.
The Police
1/5
I feel like 3 English lads who appropriate reggae and then proceed to do nothing good with it is bad enough. But for them to then overly influence Rush for almost all of the 80s, well, that’s criminal.
Def Leppard
2/5
Eh, I recognized the singles from this album, but I wasn’t blown away by anything. I didn’t hate it, but it’s not going to be something I go back to.
Terence Trent D'Arby
1/5
I skipped around a lot. Even Wishing Well, which I remembered wasn't all that great. Light pop R&B, nothing special to me.
Abdullah Ibrahim
2/5
Not bad, but there are other big band/jazz albums I’d rather hear rather than revisit this one.
Rage Against The Machine
5/5
Still relevant, still powerful. Still unlike anything before it or since.
Green Day
3/5
My wife loves this album. I’m lukewarm on it. But I’ve always been fairly lukewarm on Green Day in general. Y’all ever heard of Rancid? If not, go give them a listen…
Fats Domino
3/5
I enjoyed it, knew a few songs and the rest were decent early rock and roll.
Kendrick Lamar
2/5
No issue with the rapper/lyrics/content. But the too heavy boom bap bass and the few and far between samples didn't do anything for me. At some point (I think probably 1995 or 96) rap passed me by and moved into it's next phase. Everything has to change and evolve, that's the way it should be. But it doesn't strike me the same even with a super talented rapper like KL.
Roxy Music
1/5
I didn’t enjoy this one. Art rock usually isn’t my thing and this album reiterates that. Also, I find that projects associated with Brian Eno aren’t really my cup of tea. To each his own, but I’ll be happy to skip past any more Roxy Music albums.
N.W.A.
3/5
Another album that had a big influence on hip hop production and helped keep a focus on black oppression (particularly at the hands of the police). There's a air of anarchy in the message and the delivery, which never hurts either.
But, the rampant misogyny really holds this album back. It's only gotten more tasteless over the years. Some of the songs on the back half of the album are fairly forgettable too. It hits differently now than it did in high school. I'll give it 3 stars for the good stuff, but its not a stone cold 5 star classic. (If you don't know it, check out the D.O.C solo album, No One Can Do It Better - someone did a lot of lyric ghostwriting...)
Moby
3/5
It's fine - it's just slowed house music though. There's some fun snippets, but it just feels like a really long album.
Slipknot
1/5
Nothing enjoyable here. There’s plenty of other metal bands who are better than Slipknot. Opeth, Slayer and Mastodon all came to mind while I was suffering through this particular album. And none of those bands clean vocals sound like Nickleback either.
The Chemical Brothers
4/5
Fun album, would definitely listen to this one again and I'll be going back into the rest of their catalogue too. Always liked Dig Your Own Hole by these guys, I need to listen to it more often.
Coldplay
1/5
So boring, didn’t enjoy.
Miles Davis
5/5
Amazing album, a great first foray into “electric” music for Miles. This album and the later “tribute to Jack Johnson” are both great examples of this rock leaning era of Miles. I really enjoy it, but it’s not for everyone. Took me a few listens back in the day to get it. I do think it's fairly accessible, if you look at it as a proto funk album and less as a jazz album. Still, a great album overall.
Brian Eno
2/5
Maybe another day I’d hear this and feel differently but not today satan.bland keyboard noodles aren’t really inspiring me to dig into the rest of Brian Enos catalog
Adele
2/5
So, I didn’t really enjoy this one. I’ll pass on mopey pop songs. I was going to say I was a fan of her album “21” but when I listened to that album, it’s really just the songs, Rolling In the Deep and Rumor Has It that like.
John Martyn
2/5
It's fine? The musicianship is good, though parts of this album do sound similar to early Steely Dan (which is just as bad as later Steely Dan).
My biggest issue was the dude's voice. I don't know if it was the cadence or just the sound, but I didn't like it when he was singing. I won't be back to hear this one again.
Beastie Boys
5/5
It would have been a 4 star album, just on the samples alone, but adding in possibly the best Beastie Boys lyrical performances of all time? It's a 5 star album. This is so far and away above License to Ill. It's amazing that these are the same people that created both albums. Too much good stuff to mention everything but easily a very re-listenable album.
- Got more suits than Jacoby and Meyers (the puns on this album are on point)
- I got more hits than Sadaharu Oh (if you know, you know)
And Mario Andretti cause he always drives the car well
Alice In Chains
2/5
The two stars is only for the first two songs. I always get suckered into this album with Them Bones and Dam that River. Then everything else reminds me why I really don't care for this album. The other singles (Down in a Hole, Rooster) aren't all that great. The whole album feels really plodding and overly heavy. Not heavy in a heavy metal sense, just slow and morose. The album is also too long for my taste. The song Would? isn't bad, but stuck at the very end of the album isn't helpful. Not my favorite grunge band (that's Soundgarden) nor the most influential band (Nirvana). Just one of the gang really.
Queen Latifah
4/5
Before: Wasn't excited about this one. Thought there would be one single (Ladies First) that was OK and the rest of the album was going to be filler. Didn't bother to read up on the album, just opened Spotify
After: Really pleasantly surprised. The Prince Paul track (with De La Soul) was good, the 45 King beats were uniformly excellent and Queen Latifah was a much better lyricist than I'd given her credit for. Had to look at the production credits because of the more varied beats than I'd expected. Ladies First made me realize I need to check out some more Monie Love too.
Alice Cooper
2/5
This album was far more theatrical than I ever expected. Really this feels like it's just the album of a musical theater production. Really weird and not what I expected. I guess the Alice Cooper stage show makes more sense having heard the whole album, but I was really underwhelmed with the music in general.
Missy Elliott
2/5
Eh, it was fine. Wasn’t terrible, but it didn’t really grab me
OutKast
2/5
I just didn't care. It's really too long, it's hit and miss with the songs and the production. I was really unimpressed. There's better, earlier OutKast that fits on one album.
Marvin Gaye
4/5
I really enjoy this one. I don't listen to it often, but I really should. It sounds great, love the vocals and the lush orchestration. A triumph in all senses. I like the way it flows together from one song to the next and that elevated Motown sound is really great.
Roxy Music
1/5
Nope, yet another terrible Roxy Music outing. These albums are terrible. I want 70's music, but not that 70's music.
Paul Revere & The Raiders
2/5
Wait, Stepping Stone wasn't written by Minor Threat ? (just kidding).
This album is ok/fine, but keep in mind, the Beach Boys put out Pet Sounds in 1966 too. I don't love that album either, but compared to PR&TR, it's a Beethoven symphony. The whole time I was listening, I was comparing it to the '62-'64 era Beach Boys and it wasn't even a question of who did it better.
Stepping Stone is a good song, but I realized that it's the Monkees cover that I actually prefer. And of course, Minor Threat did a great cover too.
Goldfrapp
1/5
Awful - I think there was one complete song and the rest felt like either fragments of songs or demos that weren’t fleshed out yet.
Talking Heads
2/5
I just think I don't really care for David Byrne. The music was fine, but he just kind of drives me nuts. I couldn't objectively listen to him and the music. I'm not saying he's as bad as the snare drum on Metallica's "St. Anger" album, but he's not fun to listen to, for me.
Radiohead
1/5
So, this is the only Radiohead album I've heard, and I can say that I don't feel like I'm missing anything by skipping this band for the rest of my life.
Kinda lame trip hop with stilted (early) Pink Floyd attempts. All that thrown together with mumbled Michael Stipe vocals (which blessedly helped me not pay to the lyrics). I was going to single out one song, but the whole album is just so pretentious. I just don't see what the hell the music world sees in this band. It's ok, but it's not the second coming of the Beatles.
How does this move someone? How is this fun to see live? How is this enjoyable in any situation? This is just an exercise in pretentious art rock.
I'm fine with being out of touch here. There's a whole bunch of other bands I'd rather listen to than spend another 56 minutes with these fools.
Gorillaz
2/5
I only knew this because of the song, "Clint Eastwood." No idea what was going on, except it was made by Damon Albarn and that I was super tired of that track as a single. Also, this was a time when I was way out of touch with music, so I had no idea it was a made-up band and was only in cartoon form.
Hearing the rest of the album, it feels like an uneasy mix of hiphop tracks and dub reggae. The melodica, echo effects, etc. Seeing that Dan the Automator was a part of this makes a lot more sense. Way less hip hop that Handsome Boy Modeling School, but definitely in Dan's wheelhouse.
It's fine - I don't think it's completely successful, but it isn't as bad as Hail To the Thief. I'd love to hear DJ Format or Pete Rock remix “Rock The House” That was the best song on the album in my opinion. And it reminded me that I should listen to more King Tubby and other dub reggae artists. So two stars for the two Del tracks and Dan the Automator
Haircut 100
2/5
This is Madness. Oh, wait, it's not. I don't really get this album. Music is fine, it's not actively offensive or anything. It's in a weird space where it's not really pub rock and it's not really college rock. I'd also not call it new wave. It's just soft rock/pop, I guess?
I'd say this is the album that a crate digging DJ would find and end up using for a lot of samples and horn stabs. Fun for that, but not for much else. I won't be back to listen to this one again.
Simon & Garfunkel
2/5
The Lemonheads did a better job with their version Mrs Robinson. And The Bangles did a better job with Hazy Shade of Winter too. I’m just not a fan of singer songwriter stuff.
Norah Jones
1/5
Bland, soft pop. Guh.
Nick Drake
3/5
Very good, wasn’t sure what to expect. I like his voice it fit the recordings well. Would be happy to give this a few more listens.
Stan Getz
3/5
It’s fine. Sounds good, but I really hesitate to classify this as jazz. To me it’s a samba album with some members who play jazz on a regular basis. I had no issues with this one but I doubt it’s going to be in rotation at my house. Call it 2.5 and I’ll round up to 3.
Boston
2/5
I knew 6 of the 8 songs on this album just from driving around for years with classic rock radio. Couldn't tell you song titles or that they were all by Boston though. It's fine? Just because I know these songs doesn't really make me want to listen to it all the time. The making of the album was an interesting story, but it's still just mid to late '70s arena rock and that's mostly a meh for me.
Silver Jews
1/5
Nope. He’s just speaking, not singing. It’s annoying and his lyrics aren’t remotely interesting.
Bob Dylan
2/5
Pre: I know this album, it's a classic, probably a 4 star review. Easy.
Post: "Bringing It All Back Home" and "Highway 61 Revisited" are WAY better Bob Dylan albums than Blonde on Blonde. How in the world did I think this album was so good. The only song worth mentioning is "Stuck Inside of Mobile..." and the fact that Al Kooper's Hammond organ playing is so damn good throughout this album. Not nearly as memorable as I'd thought. One to skip if you're not a huge Bob Dylan fan. Go check out the other two albums instead they both hold up quite a bit better than Blonde on Blonde
Johnny Cash
3/5
It's good overall and Johnny is great, but it's just not an album that I'm going to put on. I'm not a huge country fan and after you hear it once there's not a lot to get out of it again and again. Still better than "new" country of course, but it's just not something I go, "I want to hear that today."
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
Good album - not my preferred era of music, but a catchy, enjoyable album overall.
The Boo Radleys
2/5
If I wanted to hear Oasis or the Beatles, I’d just put on Rubber Soul, Revolver or Definitely Maybe.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
1/5
No. Just no. It took two songs, that basically sounded exactly the same and then I was done.
Blur
3/5
It's fine. Love the fuzz bass in Song 2, but the rest is just fine.
Nas
5/5
5 mic review from Source. How can I not give it 5 stars? Also, it’s an amazing album with astonishing lyrics and incredible beats. Gets better with every listen.
Sly & The Family Stone
3/5
Ok, so this album feels simultaneously like a demo, a blueprint for what Parliament/Funkadelic was going to be doing later in the '70s AND why you shouldn't do drugs. It has its own groove, but it's not "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)" at all. I don't think it's Sly's best work, but I can see where some of it is going. Let's call it 2.5 rounded up to 3.
Tina Turner
2/5
Not a big fan of the production of this album. It sounds like 1985 and that’s not a good thing. No issues with Tina, just producing and the song choices to a degree also.
Buffalo Springfield
2/5
This was really all over the place. Felt like too many cooks and no cohesion to the album. Most of the songs were fine, but it didn't feel like an album I'd like to relisten to all the way through.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
It was better than I’d hoped, but it also wasn’t that great. It felt like a lot of the songs weren’t finished to me.
Beck
2/5
I think it's safe to say that Beck as an artist is pretty damn good. He's capable of turning out a couple of really good songs every album. Needless to say, there's a lot of filler here too. 2 stars for the two ultra catchy songs.
The Byrds
2/5
I like the concept of the Byrds way more than the actual execution of this album. Shimmery, jangly guitars, vocal harmonies sure. But these songs aren’t memorable at all. Dylan did Mr Tambourine Man better and Tom Petty’s cover of Feel a Whole Lot Better is far more memorable. Won’t be back to this album, nothing here to get excited about.
Wu-Tang Clan
5/5
Wu Tang Clan ain’t nothin' ta fuck with.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
Not for me, thanks. I’ll pass.
Pixies
4/5
I mean, it's a Pixies album. It's going to be good. But, it's not their best album compared solely against other Pixies albums. Just put it on and enjoy it all over again. Then go listen to the rest of their albums
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
2/5
Didn’t enjoy this one, his live album Weld is better (and all electric). Late 70s Neil seems really erratic, wonder if fewer drugs and an editor could have helped him not release so many poorly constructed songs.
John Lee Hooker
2/5
It’s fine. Bonnie Raitt was the most enjoyable part for me. There are better John Lee Hooker albums out there. Shame we’re stuck with a late era celebrity musician team up album instead of a better album that better represents JLH.
Muddy Waters
4/5
Really enjoyed this one. Great band, including Otis Spann and James Cotton. Muddy sounds fantastic. Great electric blues album!
Gotan Project
1/5
What is the criteria for selecting these albums?! I swear a quarter of them were just what was cheapest in a Tower Records sale bin. If you like accordion and laid back lofi beats, this is your album. Otherwise skip it.
Isaac Hayes
3/5
Would have been higher, but the spoken word part of “By the Time I get to Phoenix” was too much for me.
Thelonious Monk
5/5
Brilliant album, really enjoyed hearing it again.
Miles Davis
5/5
I think Bitches Brew is an excellent album and another example of Miles Davis being at the forefront of jazz as it was evolving.
It’s not an easy album and it really benefits from hearing it several time to let it sink in a bit. I’m sure it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s a damn good album in my opinion.
Radiohead
1/5
Fuck off Thom. Even the half way decent guitar riff on “I might be wrong” gets wasted with his mopey singing. How does a song like “Hunting bears” seem to last for hours when it’s only a two minute song? The whole album felt like it was taking an eternity to finish. The dirge like, lifeless ripoff New Orleans style jazz of “Life in a glass house” was a fitting ending to an absolute shite album. Won’t be back and that’s 2 Radiohead albums I’ll never hear again. How in gods name is this band so f’n popular?
The Young Gods
1/5
French knockoff Nine Inch Nails. Waste of time - obviously another album the author pulled from the Tower bargain bin to pad out the 1001 list.
The Allman Brothers Band
5/5
Heh. It’s 5 stars and it would be more if I could. A blues/rock band at the height of their powers, more interested in John Coltrane and Miles Davis than anything their rock peers were doing. Duane Allman’s slide guitar is astounding. Underrated is Gregg’s keyboard chops. Check out 5:45 of In Memory of Eliz. Reed. Incredible album - the “deluxe” edition provides more songs from that Fillmore stand to enjoy also.
R.E.M.
3/5
Really good album - I enjoy the early REM catalog. Radio Free Europe is such a great song. It’s a good snapshot of the potential and a framework for everything to come. Great bass sound, jangling guitar work, muffled, indecipherable lyrics…
Good but not quite there yet. This is a 3.5 star for sure.
New Order
3/5
Not bad - better than expected for a later era album. I mean there’s a reason none of these songs is in the list of top singles on Spotify…but if something came up on shuffle I wouldnt object.
Machito
3/5
The music was good, but I felt like it was one long song. Very little to differentiate between one song and the next.
Jacques Brel
1/5
Another Tower Records bargain bin find. This isn’t really a 1001 album that you should hear. Feels like a Tom Waits situation. The songs are probably better when someone else covers them. Also less accordion please and thank you.
Sarah Vaughan
3/5
Love Sarah Vaughan’s voice. It’s incredible, however I loathe this type of jazz. I’ve just never clicked with pop song/standards jazz singer stuff. 3 stars for Sarah alone.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Still an amazing, powerful debut album. A band that’s properly recognized but it’s still an incredible start to 5 album run that doesn’t disappoint. Killer stuff, up there with early Sabbath and CCR for an amazing amount of awesome music with no filler.
Radiohead
1/5
So pretentious. Couple of song fragments scattered over 47 minutes. Total waste of time.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
1/5
Not what I expected, not for the better. Take your euro synth pop back to the early 80s and leave it there. Except for "heads will roll," that’s perfect for a Halloween playlist. Also, I'd like to hear that with a Pete Rock remix, a Butch Vig remix, an industrial mix and a house mix that uses "Dance, dance till you're dead" very prominently. 'K thanks.
Brian Wilson
1/5
Let's just admit that Brian Wilson isn't an actual genius. He's a gifted musician with an ear for catchy songs. However, this particular unfinished album should have stayed in the vault and not seen the light of day. It's overstuffed with flourishes and isn't coherent in anyway. It's more of the Pet Sounds feel and it suffers from the same overworked, overproduced "genius" of Brian Wilson. It's not good, it's not entertaining.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
First time hearing this album. It's not bad, but I'd have to give it several listens to really see if it is for me or not. Saw lots of complaints about Joni's voice and that didn't bother me at all.
Cocteau Twins
2/5
It's fine, not terribly offensive or anything, but I don't expect it go back to it ever. Frankly, I was shocked that Cocteau Twins were still releasing albums in 1990.
Sonic Youth
3/5
Eh, it's Sonic Youth alright. It was fine, I guess? I always thought "Teenage Daydream" was the better SY album.
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
2/5
I just...I...no, I can't. I didn't enjoy this, I don't particularly care for singer/songwriters and just a guitar. Nothing against Mr. Ramblin' I just don't like the genre in general. This album? Not on Spotify, but thanks to someone's playlist I heard enough of this album to get the drift. 2 Stars, it's just not for me.
But while we're on that singer/songwriter topic... Why is it that singer songwriters feel the need to talk about their songs before they sing them? And while talking about/describing the song, end up using the song lyrics to illustrate the song before they sing?
So, here's a song about driving all night out to El Paso. It's called, El Paso.
... "Well, it's been all night and I'm still driving on that lonesome road to El Paso."
This drives me crazy. How about, this is a song about aliens and cowboys
and the open road instead? JUST NOT THE FREAKING FIRST VERSE IN UNSUNG FORM.
Thank you for attending my TED Rant.
Tricky
1/5
Eh, another Tower bargain bin selection. Wasn't really hip hop, wasn't trippy, wasn't dance. Just kinda shitty. I don't get the appeal.
Snoop Dogg
4/5
The rampant casual misogyny and overuse of (mostly) dumb skits drops this one down a star, but damn those beats and snoop’s laid back rhyming style are well worth it.
The Rolling Stones
5/5
Absolute classic. Great work from the entire band on this one. This is the start of the best four album run the Stones ever had. Great stuff on this one.
Emmylou Harris
3/5
Great voice, I know who Emmylou is but I wouldn't have listened to this album on my own. This also beats the hell out of pop country.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Beggar's Banquet sounds a whole lot better doesn't it? Heh, this is the primordial stew from whence Beggars, Let It Bleed, Exile and Sticky Fingers all come from. It's not great - it's just blues and covers and blues covers. BUT, there's something else there. Brian's marimba and sitar, the beginning of real progress in song writing. In the end, it's still not quite there. A lesser Stones album for sure, Under My Thumb is great (and I listened to the UK version, so no Paint It Black for me) but the rest isn't memorable. 2.5 rounded up to 3 for me on this one.
David Bowie
3/5
Good album, I enjoyed it. Love the music for the song Heroes too.
Beck
4/5
Really good album, with the exception of Derelict and Computer Rock. Just leave both of those off and that's a 5 star album. It's been a long time since I'd heard this all the way thru and it was amazing how good it was.
Count Basie & His Orchestra
3/5
Really solid Count Basie album. Really enjoyed it and I'd definitely put this one in the rotation.
The Byrds
2/5
Sounds like a very typical Byrds album. There weren't any stand out tracks for me on this one. It’s fine but I think they have better albums. Not one I'd go back to listen to again that's for sure.
Funkadelic
3/5
Great album - but had to listen on YouTube. So no idea on which song is which but Who Says a Funk Band Can't Play Rock is incredible and I’d love for someone to cover that. Some good to great stuff here, I’d relisten for sure.
N.E.R.D
1/5
Serious Tower Records bargain bin vibes with this one. Really terrible, I wasn't impressed with anything that I heard on this one. Hard pass, won't be back.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Really incredible, very consistent double album, more so than I remember.
The Cure
3/5
Good album, easily best suited to a rainy afternoon or evening, but I'd be willing to go back to get more in depth with this one. 3.5 rounded down to 3 for now. Feels like an album that needs repeated listening to really explore it.
Black Sabbath
5/5
Remember when Ozzy wasn't a billion years old? Yeah, good times. This album? Full of amazing songs that still hold up even now. Yes, including Planet Caravan. Geezer's bass tone is great throughout, I love Bill Ward's feel on this album too.
Primal Scream
1/5
Eh, nothing special here. Won’t be back to dig thru their catalog based on this offering.
3/5
I do wish we'd had the Yes album "Fragile" as the first album from this group. Close to the Edge is good, but it isn't built for a one time listen. I'll be back, but I prefer Fragile and I consider myself fairly tolerant of prog rock in general (except for Genesis - stupid lambs on Broadway).
That said, isn't it amazing you can really hear how a band like Rush could evolve from listening to albums like this? Call this one 2.5 rounded up to 3 for now.
Marty Robbins
1/5
Terrible album. Just nothing to like. Mike Ness covered Big Iron and it’s a thousand times better. Every song was way over produced and there was too much added in. Also, the Grateful Dead covered El Paso a fair amount in concert and it’s always a skip for me.
ZZ Top
4/5
Great album - very typical of that pre-Eliminator ZZ Top sound. Just funky, mostly up tempo blues boogie. Also, typical, it's a ZZ Top album with some killer songs and a few that aren't as great. Still overall, it's a great one.
The Prodigy
1/5
Not for me thank you. Was just a waste of time to listen to.
The Offspring
1/5
I really hate this album. This is no stars rounded up to 1 for me. I really hate Dexter’s voice and his cadence for every song on this album. It’s not ok to have just call your guitarist, “Noodles.” It’s a very overrated album and the hit single was way overplayed. Yes, there’s a lot of personal bias here. But remember Rancid’s “Let’s Go” album came out the same year and it’s far superior album. Do yourself a favor and go listen to it instead of the Offspring.
The Velvet Underground
1/5
I think that people who saw the VU in NYC originally, weren't inspired to start a band as much as they saw the VU and said, "I can do better than that."
I really don't care about the VU, "waiting for the man" is great, but the rest doesn't grab my attention. I'll pass - start your own band, with a little practice you'll be better than the VU in no time.
Big Brother & The Holding Company
3/5
Not bad - enjoyed it, probably need another listen or two to really get into it.
Talking Heads
3/5
Enjoyed it more than I expected, I'm not a big TH fan, but I'd listen to this one again.
The Waterboys
3/5
It’s fine, but wasn’t in the mood. Feels like an album the folks from Flogging Molly listened to a lot.
Black Sabbath
5/5
I mean, even with some minor personal quibbles about this album it’s still a damn good album. Easy 5 stars, not shocked this album popped up the day after Ozzy passed.
The Incredible String Band
1/5
Ugh, nope. Just because you throw a sitar in one song doesn’t make it psychedelic. A dumb folk music album with no redeeming qualities.
Miles Davis
5/5
Bigg(er) Band Miles slows down hard bop tempos and finds success.
Nick Drake
4/5
I really liked this one. Just a nice quiet album. Not my typical thing, but I'd be happy to have this one playing.
Jungle Brothers
3/5
I enjoyed the lyrics, but there’s something about the production on this album that’s really weird. It’s mostly treble and the bass isn’t bass it’s more just mid range. Feel like this one is ripe for a remaster to broaden the dynamic range.
The Velvet Underground
1/5
Ugh, again, Black Francis may like Lou Reed, but I'm not a fan. This album is another reminder that I don't really think Lou Reed is a good songwriter and he's not a great guitar player either. I just don't see the love/excitement for this band. They're way overrated.
Motörhead
4/5
Love it - how can you go wrong with live Motörhead?
OutKast
2/5
I just don't really get Outkast. No issue with the rapping/lyrics, I just don't really love the beats/production. It's not them, it's me I guess.
The Cure
3/5
A surprisingly good album. Not what I expected but I’ll be going back to this one I’m sure. A good album to have on while working - not too distracting. 3.5 rounded down to 3 for now.
Barry Adamson
2/5
It's fine, well, actually, it's too long and there are only a couple of good songs here. I enjoyed, "Miles" and "The Big Bamboozle" a lot. The rest were typical movie song throwaways. Nothing that you'd remember after a few days. I prefer David Holmes for this particular movie music micro genre. At least he's funky.
Janis Joplin
3/5
Mixed feeling for this one. It's just an ok blues/R&B album, but Janis's voice sounds great. Seems to be mixed well, but I was kind of bored through most of it. Wasn't one I'd go back to, I don't think.
Oasis
4/5
I really love this album, sure it's not mixed well. But, damn it, it's just a fun album. Everyone needs a good basic rock and roll album to put on now and again.
Bob Dylan
5/5
A classic, probably Dylan's best later period album. The albums after this one just don't have whatever this album does, no other way to explain it. Excellent lyrics and the accompanying music does its job to support what Dylan is putting out there. A easy 5 star album and one that I need to get back into my regular rotation.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
It's 5 stars, the production is solid, the songs are almost all amazing and this is peak Led Zeppelin. Don't love Four Sticks, but otherwise a masterpiece.
Slayer
5/5
Classic thrash metal album. Dave Lombardo rules!
Buzzcocks
3/5
Good, but I prefer the Singles Going Steady album over this.
The Magnetic Fields
1/5
I could care less about this one. This reeks of pretension. (but I must throw in the obligatory, "Nice")
Judas Priest
3/5
Eh, it's just pop metal. Especially Living After Midnight. It's fine, but it's not their best work.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
3/5
Higher Ground is way better. That's my favorite RHCP album by far and BSSM doesn't reach those same heights for me. Again, not bad, but not an album I'd reach for over Higher Ground.
The Crusaders
1/5
Corny overproduced elevator music.
Julian Cope
2/5
Just not my thing. Don't think I'll be back to give it a second chance either.
The Hives
3/5
It’s fine - but nothing to get super excited about. Call it 2.5 rounded up to 3
The War On Drugs
1/5
These are my only notes:
Singer sounds like Paul Simon
Boring indie pop maudlin
The White Stripes
4/5
Very enjoyable - another great album from the WS. I think Jack White might have a future in the music business... :)
Peter Frampton
1/5
In the immortal words of Ian St. Ian (referring to Peter Frampton) “worthless bastard”
Take that talk box out of your mouth Peter it’s annoying.
Paul Weller
3/5
Not what I expected from Paul Weller. Easy 3 stars, I didn't immediately hate it and there were some good moments. Makes me curious to listen to more of his stuff and go back to the Jam as well.
The Stooges
5/5
Fabulous album - some excellent songs and a couple of really good freak outs as well. The sax actually fits in nicely. Can't go wrong with any Stooges album really.
Steely Dan
1/5
I think I’ll let Steve Albini 2023 tweets provide my feelings on this album and any other Steely Dan album…
I will always be the kind of punk that shits on Steely Dan
Christ the amount of human effort wasted to sound like an SNL band warm up.
"They spent three weeks on the guitar solo..." Three weeks of watching guitar players give it their all while doing bumps and hitting the talkback, "More *Egyptian* but keep it in the pocket..."
"Their engineer invented a machine to play the bass drum..." Did he now. And yet it sounds like this.
Look at yourselves. Calling them "the Dan." Go trim your beard.
Two types of perfectionist: One will prepare, revise and rehearse carefully, with intent, honing an idea to a keen edge, ready to cut the cloth of execution. The other makes other people responsible by saying, "do it again," until by chance they are satisfied, then take credit.
There's some video where they talk about every song on an album, and each one begins with the not-bald one saying, "this song is based on my deep love of the blues, just a very bluesy blues. Deep blues." Then lays his jazz dork hands on the fucking electric piano...
Music made for the sole purpose of letting the wedding band stretch out a little.
All you "I used to hate them" people, pleading their case like it's a natural infirmity. "I need readers now, take pills for my prostate. Get winded on the stairs. And oh, I like that cocaine shit music now.
(and it's 1 star only because I can't give it a negative number. FUCK THIS BAND)
Black Sabbath
5/5
A masterpiece - really not much more to say.
Pavement
4/5
Good but felt very repetitive this listen for some reason.
Wilco
3/5
Some decent stuff on here. Probably worth a relisten, but not anytime soon.
The Thrills
2/5
Just didn't enjoy the California pop rock vibe that much. Don't think I need to dig any deeper in the Thrills catalogue.
Amy Winehouse
2/5
I prefer "Back To Black" over Frank. It's not bad and Amy sounds great as expected, but its just not a fully formed an album as Back to Black is. Call it 2.5 mainly for her performance, but I won't be back to hear this one more.
Sly & The Family Stone
4/5
Great album - always forget just how good their version of funk can be.
2Pac
3/5
Don't know why, but I'm just not a big 2Pac fan.
Joni Mitchell
2/5
Won't be taking a listen to this one again, nothing caught my ear.
Goldie
1/5
Oh hell no. There are house and big beat acts that I like, I'm not against edm/dance music. BUT, this is so dull, so boringly repetitive and WAY too long. Seriously, too long, and that's from someone who isn't afraid of a 20 minute jam. Hard no from me.
Pearl Jam
1/5
I'm not a fan of Eddie Vedder. And this album is so weird. It's grunge era album, but it's not really a grunge album. It's just a bunch of regular rock songs that routinely go on to long. Why do we need 5 or 6 minute songs here? Leave the stretching out to Gov't Mule. There are some guitar hooks, but EV is SO over the top with his vocal emotions that I can't get past the vocals. Always been the black sheep of the Seattle bands for me. I've tried a few different times to give this album another chance, but it's not for me.
Just because I took the time to look up the release dates:
8/27/1991 - Ten
9/24/1991 - Nevermind
10/8/91 - Badmotorfinger
I'll always be Team SG first but Nevermind is a stone cold, locked down classic album too.
Elvis Presley
2/5
Not bad, but keep in mind Elvis wrote nothing. He's an entertainer, but songwriters of all colors did the heavy lifting.
Iggy Pop
4/5
Great album, really enjoy this one and Iggy's other solo album "the Idiot"
Beatles
4/5
I really do like this album and it's the Beatles album I come back to the most. Rubber Soul is good too. 4.5 stars for me (rounded down to 4). I think it's the pinnacle of their catalogue, it was all down hill from here.
Sepultura
4/5
I forget how much I enjoy Sepultura. Also weirdly on point for 2025. Sigh.
Earth, Wind & Fire
3/5
Not bad, but I know I'd pick and choose the 3/4 songs I liked best for a funk playlist rather than listening to the whole album
Dire Straits
2/5
Always felt like Dire Straits was a singles band - Six Blade Knife, Sultans of Swing, etc. Brothers In Arms is a confirmation of that. So Far Away, Walk of Life and Money for Nothing are all pretty good. But nothing else really hits for me.
I really wish someone would cover Money for Nothing - sure change some lyrics but that riff, man, that gets stuck in your brain.
Possible lyrics swaps... "the lyin' politician with the overdone makeup / Yeah buddy that's his own hair"
The lyin' politician got his own jet airplane / the little liar claims he's a billionaire"
Thundercat
1/5
"Drunk" was a waste of my time.
The Shamen
1/5
Couple of songs had some promising hooks/samples. Otherwise, pretty plain pipe rack "techno" stuff. Nothing I'd want to hear again. Go find some old school Detroit house music or Fatboy Slim's "Better Living Through Chemistry" instead.
Pantera
2/5
Been a very long time since I'd heard this. I don't think it's aged particularly well. There's something in the production that's really grating on my ears. Music is fine, but kind of feels like by the numbers metal to me now. Revisiting this album doesn't make me want to hear any more. I guess I'm more of a Down guy than a Pantera guy at this point in my life.
Massive Attack
3/5
It's fine. I wouldn't object if this was put on, but I doubt I'd search it out on a regular basis.
Dolly Parton
3/5
I mean it’s Dolly so it’s an automatic 3 stars, but it’s not an album that I’d put in heavy rotation.
The Saints
3/5
Better than I expected. I'd call it 3.5 for a fun mix of pop punk and garage rock songs. I'd listen to it again and maybe check out the earlier catalogue.
Screaming Trees
4/5
Huh, the song Dying Days has a fair amount of keyboard on it. Turns out it's Benmont Tench playing keyboards on this album. A honest to god Heartbreaker playing on a grunge band album? Holy crap. Call me impressed. Really enjoying this album a lot. Worth another listen for sure.
Also, Josh Homme toured with ST when they were promoting this album. Kinda makes sense, him going from Kyuss to this and then moving on to Queens of the Stone Age. I can hear some ST influences now.
Neil Young
2/5
Says a lot that only 2 of these songs made it on the Decade album. I won’t be back to this album.
Depeche Mode
2/5
It's fine - not my favorite genre of music (Euro synth pop!) but Personal Jesus, Enjoy the Silence and Policy of Truth were all great.
Radiohead
1/5
Just so damn pretentious. I just don't understand the appeal. It would be no stars if that was an option.
Aerosmith
3/5
It's weird, this sets the table for damn near every other Aerosmith album I've ever heard. A couple of hit singles, a bad/overwrought power ballad or 2. Something dumb (yeah, big ten inch...record) and/or a straight blues "cover." Add in a couple of album filler songs and presto, instant Aerosmith. 2.5 for me rounded up to 3.
It's fine - I do enjoy the song Toys in the Attic (REM even covered it). No More, No More should be as big a road weary song as Wanted Dead Or Alive is. Both are still way better than that Bob Seger song.
Also...Yo Jay, get that record with the toys on it...(if you know, you know)
Guided By Voices
1/5
Look, if you're going to just give us 1 or 2 minute song snippets, make them fucking enjoyable to listen to. This was not enjoyable. And the production sounds like it was all recorded in a tin can. Sure, it's lo-fi alt rock, but I'd rather hear Pavement than this. Hell, even the album cover screams stay away.
k.d. lang
2/5
Really not my thing. I really didn't find anything here that leapt out or made me want to hear more. It's a me thing, not a kd thing.
Radiohead
1/5
FUCK. On a Friday? I have to listen to more of this terrible band? No, I'm not going to do it. Skipping thru songs, I find it's less art pretention and more sounds like what other bands were doing in 1995. BUT, it's still this stupid band and I've been tortured enough by their stupid fucking catalogue on this website. I really can't even be slightly objective anymore. They're a trash band with a trash front man and they'll continue to be trash as long as I have to rate their trash albums. (only one star because I can't give 0)
Beatles
3/5
Eh, it's not my favorite Beatles album. Needs an editor, feels really all over the place.
Aimee Mann
2/5
This what they mean by "Adult Contemporary" right?
The Temptations
2/5
Fine - other than the title track, this was a pretty bog standard Motown album. Nothing bad, but nothing else really stood out.
Dinosaur Jr.
3/5
Pretty good - no real new discovery, but I enjoyed it.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Great album - I really enjoyed hearing it again. Great production, really sounds timeless. This album and Darkness on the Edge of Town are my favorite Springsteen albums
Lynyrd Skynyrd
4/5
Great album, probably not everyone's cup of tea. I thought the album holds up well as a whole and sounds great - good producing on this one. Closer to the Allman Brothers than Molly Hatchet, doesn't fall into too many Southern rock tropes (or maybe they all came from this album!).
Ute Lemper
1/5
Eh, no thanks. Not something that I found interesting nor something I'd go back to.
Laibach
1/5
I'll pass. Thanks, but no thanks.
Emmylou Harris
1/5
Emmylou has a great voice but the weird techno-y country vibe isn’t working for me. Weird production choices. I’ll pass.
Stan Getz
2/5
It's fine - I'd rather just have the music, but that's just me. Never a bit fan of jazz singing.
Al Green
4/5
Let's be honest here, the only question was if this is a 4 or 5 stars album. I'm going to set it at 4 but it's a 4.5 for me. Great songs, amazing singing, excellent timeless production. I'll be back to re-listen to this album for sure.
Butthole Surfers
1/5
Eh, I'll pass. I much prefer Independent Worm Saloon on LAT. This album didn't really have anything that I enjoyed or wanted to revisit later.
Fever Ray
1/5
Bjork called and she wants her weird music hippie goddess title back.
For this release, Spotify also suggested the "Songs To Test Speakers With" playlist. Seems apt.
It's vaguely interesting but ultimately not something I'm really excited about hearing again and again.
The Beta Band
3/5
Wasn’t expecting much, but I liked it enough to hear it again. 2.5 rounded up to 3
Queen
3/5
I really like this one - call it 3.5, but it's worth a listen and it's probably a good introduction to Queen for folks who only know Bohemian Rhapsody. Good reminder that it's a killer band backing Freddie.
Johnny Cash
4/5
It's 4 stars just for "Personal Jesus" - the rest of the album is pretty good too! Obviously, "Hurt" gets the most attention, but there's a good mix of songs here. Cash's world weary voice fits so well on these albums. Be sure to listen to "Rusty Cage" (on American II) after this.
The Dictators
1/5
The MC5 did this way better in 1969. I wasn’t impressed with anything on this album. The Ramones did the better California Sun cover too. I’m all for proto punk and garage rock but the Dictators don’t stand out.
The Undertones
2/5
Eh, it's ok. No issue with the music. But nothing stood out - just bog standard punk rock.
The Dandy Warhols
3/5
I liked it - little longer than necessary on some songs, but it was fun to listen to. I'll be more favorable to the rest of the catalog after hearing this one.
Eagles
1/5
Oh for fuck's sake. To quote, "I had a rough night and I hate the fuckin' Eagles, man".
This is trash, the Eagles are trash and second only to Radiohead on my "hated artist" list.
Life in the Fast Lane needs a good metal cover - that's probably the only redeeming thing on this album. Where's C.O.C when you need them? Motorhead would have been a good choice too.
Ramones
4/5
4 Stars - some great stuff on here and some filler too. Not ready to make this a 5 star epic pick just yet.
The Who
1/5
This is one of those "classics" that's really overrated crap. Should have been a single with Pinball Wizard as the A side and Sparks as the B side.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
Really enjoy this one - I did listen to the "The Unreleased Original Jamaican Versions" that are on the Deluxe Edition of this album. Sounds far better than the thinner original album that was remixed in London by Chris Blackwell.
Bee Gees
1/5
Huh, someone wanted to make their own White Album. Didn't enjoy, won't ever listen to this again. Didn't realize that disco actually helped the Bee Gees.
50 Cent
2/5
Eh, it’s fine. Not the best lyrics, beats are ok (the Dre produced songs stand out!) but I’m not going to add this to my regular rotation.
D'Angelo
3/5
Good laid back R&B, something I'd revisit on a lazy Sunday morning.
AC/DC
5/5
I mean, there's nothing on here that's going to detract from a 5 star review.
It's classic AC/DC, sounds great and there's not a bad song on the album.
My only issue is that I've heard "You Shook Me All Night Long" too many times. Its a me thing and not something I'll slag the band for.
"What Do you Do for Money Honey" and "Have A Drink On Me" are the stand out non single album tracks here. Just a great group of songs, by a band at their peak.
Spiritualized
2/5
Eh, it was fine, but I'll only remember the album name and not the music.
Pet Shop Boys
2/5
Eh, this was a slog.
Tom Waits
1/5
Tom Waits is best when someone else covers his songs.
(Go listen to Gov't Mule cover "Goin' Out West")
Bee Gees
1/5
Good grief, Odessa was bad enough and now we have to endure more of this crap? Trafalgar is just as bad and just as Beatles yearning as Odessa. It's another one star review (just like the last one) and I'll comment again, I didn't realize that disco actually helped them break free from dull pop songs. Guh.
The Gun Club
4/5
Now this is more like it, the kind of band you'd actually like to find out about. Great album, sure it kinda sounds like X but that's not a bad thing. Don't know what sparked that punk and rockabilly fusion in LA, but it's just as potent as the stuff brewing in NYC.
Jazmine Sullivan
2/5
Nothing here that draws me back to listen to it again. Straight up R&B and nothing too exciting.
Faust
3/5
So 2.5 but I'd really need to dig into this album more for a better sense of it. Don't hate it, but let's call it, "incomplete" for now.
Taylor Swift
4/5
I mean, it's really catchy.