May 06 2024
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Arrival
ABBA
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.
3
May 07 2024
View Album
Deja Vu
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
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!
3
May 08 2024
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Metallica
Metallica
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.
1
May 09 2024
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In The Court Of The Crimson King
King Crimson
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
2
May 10 2024
View Album
Beauty And The Beat
The Go-Go's
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.
2
May 13 2024
View Album
Rubber Soul
Beatles
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
3
May 14 2024
View Album
Music in Exile
Songhoy Blues
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.
3
May 15 2024
View Album
Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite
Maxwell
3
May 16 2024
View Album
Djam Leelii
Baaba Maal
Similar to the Songhoy Blues album, but I didn't really enjoy this one as much.
2
May 17 2024
View Album
Vincebus Eruptum
Blue Cheer
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.
2
May 20 2024
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Talking Book
Stevie Wonder
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
3
May 21 2024
View Album
Made In Japan
Deep Purple
A classic live album - great songs, the best Deep Purple line up (Mk. II) and a great recording. Loved diving back into this album.
5
May 22 2024
View Album
Back To Black
Amy Winehouse
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.
2
May 23 2024
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The Doors
The Doors
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.
4
May 24 2024
View Album
MTV Unplugged In New York
Nirvana
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.
3
May 27 2024
View Album
Sound of Silver
LCD Soundsystem
Eh, not my thing. I listened to Fatboy Slim’s “Better Living Through Chemistry” after this and enjoyed it more
2
May 28 2024
View Album
I Should Coco
Supergrass
Fun stuff - never heard this one. Had no idea the song “alright” was supergrass. Thought it was a 70s song.
3
May 29 2024
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Franz Ferdinand
Franz Ferdinand
Oof - no thank you. How did this album make the 1001 list?? Production, songs and lyrics were all annoying.
1
May 30 2024
View Album
A Seat at the Table
Solange
This one wasn’t for me. Felt like it was one big track of mid tempo fluff.
2
May 31 2024
View Album
The Man Machine
Kraftwerk
Really enjoyed this one - I’ll be listening to more kraftwerk for sure.
4
Jun 03 2024
View Album
We Are Family
Sister Sledge
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.
2
Jun 04 2024
View Album
Green Onions
Booker T. & The MG's
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?
3
Jun 05 2024
View Album
Modern Life Is Rubbish
Blur
Eh, nothing grabbed me on this one. It’s fine I guess. Made me appreciate the first Oasis album more.
2
Jun 06 2024
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Spy Vs. Spy: The Music Of Ornette Coleman
John Zorn
Dioffdidndjdisjjdudbdbzisoaknabacwgwosjdvsjdbdbbsjudjdbdjixidbdbhxhsvdudjnxnxkcizhagsidizvsnxbdvsbsbaiskhruegsgwudoidbzbasndjdhdjjdhdjdnnxjfjfjfkfjfnfndvsgjfidnssjslwnebehdnndjdjfndn. FREEJAZZ!!!!!!!
1
Jun 07 2024
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Let's Get It On
Marvin Gaye
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.
4
Jun 10 2024
View Album
Morrison Hotel
The Doors
Really? One Doors album was plenty, thank you very much. Roadhouse blues is fun though.
1
Jun 11 2024
View Album
Synchronicity
The Police
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.
1
Jun 12 2024
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Rattus Norvegicus
The Stranglers
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).
3
Jun 13 2024
View Album
Tonight's The Night
Neil Young
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.
2
Jun 14 2024
View Album
The Slim Shady LP
Eminem
Eh - it’s ok. Once the shock value wears off it’s less than spectacular. Beats are all over the place too.
1
Jun 17 2024
View Album
Transformer
Lou Reed
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
Jun 18 2024
View Album
1984
Van Halen
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.
4
Jun 19 2024
View Album
The Renaissance
Q-Tip
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.
4
Jun 20 2024
View Album
Live And Dangerous
Thin Lizzy
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.
3
Jun 21 2024
View Album
Southern Rock Opera
Drive-By Truckers
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…
5
Jun 24 2024
View Album
Exile On Main Street
The Rolling Stones
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.
5
Jun 25 2024
View Album
A Night At The Opera
Queen
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!)
3
Jun 26 2024
View Album
Marquee Moon
Television
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.
2
Jun 27 2024
View Album
Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
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.
2
Jun 28 2024
View Album
Slipknot
Slipknot
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.
1
Jul 01 2024
View Album
Wild Is The Wind
Nina Simone
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.
3
Jul 02 2024
View Album
Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots
The Flaming Lips
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.
1
Jul 03 2024
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Tank Battles
Dagmar Krause
Didn’t get a chance to listen to more than one song. That was enough
3
Jul 04 2024
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Da Capo
Love
It’s ok - wouldn’t be one I go back to listen to
2
Jul 05 2024
View Album
Machine Head
Deep Purple
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.
5
Jul 08 2024
View Album
James Brown Live At The Apollo
James Brown
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.
3
Jul 09 2024
View Album
Bad
Michael Jackson
Better than expected, but I prefer the other two Quincy produced albums.
3
Jul 10 2024
View Album
Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul
Otis Redding
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.
5
Jul 11 2024
View Album
Deep Purple In Rock
Deep Purple
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.
4
Jul 12 2024
View Album
Golden Hour
Kacey Musgraves
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.
2
Jul 15 2024
View Album
3 Feet High and Rising
De La Soul
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.
4
Jul 16 2024
View Album
The Marshall Mathers LP
Eminem
Oooh, scary! Will the real rapping prodigy please stand up?
2
Jul 17 2024
View Album
Power In Numbers
Jurassic 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.
4
Jul 18 2024
View Album
Phaedra
Tangerine Dream
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.
4
Jul 19 2024
View Album
Nebraska
Bruce Springsteen
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.
3
Jul 22 2024
View Album
Abbey Road
Beatles
Meh, it's fine. I'm not a big Beatles guy. This isn't their best.
3
Jul 23 2024
View Album
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Elton John
It’s fine. I probably won’t revisit this one.
3
Jul 24 2024
View Album
Fetch The Bolt Cutters
Fiona Apple
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?
1
Jul 25 2024
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Fuzzy
Grant Lee Buffalo
Not bad.
3
Jul 26 2024
View Album
Savane
Ali Farka Touré
Good album probably not one I’d return to often but good overall
3
Jul 29 2024
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Pet Sounds
The Beach Boys
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.
1
Jul 30 2024
View Album
Unknown Pleasures
Joy Division
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.
3
Jul 31 2024
View Album
Brutal Youth
Elvis Costello
It’s fine - I prefer This Years Model or Armed Forces, but it’s still EC
3
Aug 01 2024
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John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band
John Lennon
I mean, these songs feel half baked. If only John had a few people to help flesh these songs out…
2
Aug 02 2024
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The Stranger
Billy Joel
Oh hell no.
1
Aug 05 2024
View Album
The Köln Concert
Keith Jarrett
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!
1
Aug 06 2024
View Album
More Songs About Buildings And Food
Talking Heads
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.
3
Aug 07 2024
View Album
Too Rye Ay
Dexys Midnight Runners
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
2
Aug 08 2024
View Album
Microshift
Hookworms
This just felt like one long song. Didn’t find anything that really grabbed me.
2
Aug 09 2024
View Album
KIWANUKA
Michael Kiwanuka
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.
3
Aug 12 2024
View Album
Lady Soul
Aretha Franklin
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.
4
Aug 13 2024
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Jagged Little Pill
Alanis Morissette
And I'm here to remind you that this mess exists... You, you, aught pass.
1
Aug 14 2024
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Apple Venus Volume 1
XTC
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.
3
Aug 15 2024
View Album
Walking Wounded
Everything But The Girl
Oh, that’s not good. Not my thing, too mid temp, too mid 90s electronica. I’ll pass.
1
Aug 16 2024
View Album
White Blood Cells
The White Stripes
What a great album. So many fun, eclectic hooky songs. Didn't appreciate it when it first came, I'm sorry to say.
5
Aug 19 2024
View Album
Ill Communication
Beastie Boys
Still excellent - hadn’t heard this in a while and it holds up surprisingly well.
5
Aug 20 2024
View Album
Chirping Crickets
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
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
2
Aug 21 2024
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Mermaid Avenue
Billy Bragg
Fine. Made me think I need to go pull out The Freewheeling Bob Dylan or Bringing It All Back Home
3
Aug 22 2024
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Bummed
Happy Mondays
Interesting stuff - one I’d go back and give a few more spins. Not a band I’d listened to before.
3
Aug 23 2024
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Slippery When Wet
Bon Jovi
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.
4
Aug 26 2024
View Album
Fear Of A Black Planet
Public Enemy
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.
3
Aug 27 2024
View Album
Rumours
Fleetwood Mac
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.
3
Aug 28 2024
View Album
Automatic For The People
R.E.M.
Everybody hurts a little for having to listen to this album. Earlier REM albums are better (thru Green). This one is way overrated
2
Aug 29 2024
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American Pie
Don McLean
God damn singer songwriters.
1
Aug 30 2024
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Moby Grape
Moby Grape
Not bad. On the whole, a band I’d like to hear more from.
3
Sep 02 2024
View Album
Sea Change
Beck
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.
1
Sep 03 2024
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Bayou Country
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Still amazing how much excellent output came from these guys in two years!
4
Sep 04 2024
View Album
American Beauty
Grateful Dead
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.
5
Sep 05 2024
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Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes
TV On The Radio
Eh, some songs are fine, some are a little long… not my favorite.
2
Sep 06 2024
View Album
Hypocrisy Is The Greatest Luxury
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
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!
2
Sep 09 2024
View Album
The Low End Theory
A Tribe Called Quest
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.
5
Sep 10 2024
View Album
Diamond Life
Sade
It’s fine - but I’m not an 80s R&B guy.
2
Sep 11 2024
View Album
Fever To Tell
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
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.
2
Sep 12 2024
View Album
Permission to Land
The Darkness
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.
1
Sep 13 2024
View Album
Headquarters
The Monkees
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.
2
Sep 16 2024
View Album
Off The Wall
Michael Jackson
Is this a better overall album than Thriller?
4
Sep 17 2024
View Album
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Simon & Garfunkel
I just don't care.
1
Sep 18 2024
View Album
Better Living Through Chemistry
Fatboy Slim
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.
4
Sep 19 2024
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Selling England By The Pound
Genesis
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.
1
Sep 20 2024
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Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs
Derek & The Dominos
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”
2
Sep 23 2024
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Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea
PJ Harvey
Not bad - wasn’t exactly what I was expecting. Pretty mellow overall.
3
Sep 24 2024
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L.A. Woman
The Doors
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.
3
Sep 25 2024
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Led Zeppelin III
Led Zeppelin
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.
5
Sep 26 2024
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Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music
Ray Charles
Album sounds great, Ray's a hell of a singer. I just kinda got bored halfway through it.
3
Sep 27 2024
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Here Are the Sonics
The Sonics
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
3
Sep 30 2024
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So
Peter Gabriel
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.
2
Oct 01 2024
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Songs For Swingin' Lovers!
Frank Sinatra
Frank sounds great - bands sound good too. Some excellent songs and I prefer the fact that the album is mostly uptempo songs.
4
Oct 02 2024
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Dookie
Green Day
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…
1
Oct 03 2024
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Wish You Were Here
Pink Floyd
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
5
Oct 04 2024
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Elastica
Elastica
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!
2
Oct 07 2024
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If You Can Believe Your Eyes & Ears
The Mamas & The Papas
“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.
2
Oct 08 2024
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The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill
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"
2
Oct 09 2024
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Surfer Rosa
Pixies
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.
5
Oct 10 2024
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Dare!
The Human League
Euro synthpop trash.
1
Oct 11 2024
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The Stone Roses
The Stone Roses
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?
4
Oct 14 2024
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Electric Ladyland
Jimi Hendrix
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.
3
Oct 15 2024
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Urban Hymns
The Verve
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.
2
Oct 16 2024
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Konnichiwa
Skepta
Better than expected - probably give it another listen when I'm in the mood for hip hop.
3
Oct 17 2024
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Warehouse: Songs And Stories
Hüsker Dü
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.
3
Oct 21 2024
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Figure 8
Elliott Smith
If you enjoyed it, great. I won’t be going back to this one.
1
Oct 22 2024
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Axis: Bold As Love
Jimi Hendrix
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
2
Oct 23 2024
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Hybrid Theory
Linkin Park
Please note, Nu-Metal was never the correct answer. It continues to be a blight on us all.
1
Oct 24 2024
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Scream, Dracula, Scream
Rocket From The Crypt
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.
2
Oct 25 2024
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Fifth Dimension
The Byrds
If anyone wasn’t high and/or tripping while making this album I’d be shocked.
1
Oct 28 2024
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The ArchAndroid
Janelle Monáe
Nothing here grabbed my attention - I’ll pass
2
Oct 29 2024
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All Directions
The Temptations
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
3
Oct 30 2024
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Darklands
The Jesus And Mary Chain
Not bad - very mellow and easy to have on as background music. Not really what I expected, much quieter than anticipated.
3
Oct 31 2024
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Hms Fable
Shack
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.
2
Nov 01 2024
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Snivilisation
Orbital
Huh, wanted to like this more, but after a song or 2 it wasn't even holding my attention in the periphery.
1
Nov 04 2024
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The College Dropout
Kanye West
Nope - should have stayed behind the boards making beats for others.
1
Nov 05 2024
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The Fat Of The Land
The Prodigy
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.
1
Nov 06 2024
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The Number Of The Beast
Iron Maiden
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.
3
Nov 07 2024
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Risque
CHIC
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.
2
Nov 08 2024
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Exile In Guyville
Liz Phair
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.
5
Nov 11 2024
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Juju
Siouxsie And The Banshees
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.
3
Nov 12 2024
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Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Beatles
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.
2
Nov 13 2024
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Document
R.E.M.
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.
4
Nov 14 2024
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Teen Dream
Beach House
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.
1
Nov 15 2024
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Tanto Tempo
Bebel Gilberto
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.
2
Nov 18 2024
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Mothership Connection
Parliament
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.
5
Nov 19 2024
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Melodrama
Lorde
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.
2
Nov 20 2024
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A Nod Is As Good As A Wink To A Blind Horse
Faces
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.
5
Nov 21 2024
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The Boatman's Call
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
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.
3
Nov 22 2024
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Shalimar
Rahul Dev Burman
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.
2