1001 Albums Summary

Listening statistics & highlights

597
Albums Rated
2.5
Average Rating
55%
Complete
492 albums remaining

Rating Distribution

Rating Timeline

Taste Profile

1950
Favorite Decade
Metal
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Critic
Rater Style ?
52
5-Star Albums
158
1-Star Albums

Breakdown

By Genre

Tap a bar to see the albums behind it

Top Styles

Tap a bar to see the albums behind it

By Decade

By Origin

Albums

You Love More Than Most

AlbumYouGlobalDiff
Southern Rock Opera
Drive-By Truckers
5 2.82 +2.18
When I Was Born For The 7th Time
Cornershop
5 2.91 +2.09
Kick Out The Jams (Live)
MC5
5 2.92 +2.08
Reign In Blood
Slayer
5 2.96 +2.04
Exile In Guyville
Liz Phair
5 3.03 +1.97
A Nod Is As Good As A Wink To A Blind Horse
Faces
5 3.22 +1.78
American Beauty
Grateful Dead
5 3.24 +1.76
The Stooges
The Stooges
5 3.26 +1.74
Made In Japan
Deep Purple
5 3.28 +1.72
Fun House
The Stooges
5 3.28 +1.72

You Love Less Than Most

AlbumYouGlobalDiff
The Bends
Radiohead
1 4.02 -3.02
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Simon & Garfunkel
1 3.95 -2.95
Pet Sounds
The Beach Boys
1 3.92 -2.92
Ten
Pearl Jam
1 3.91 -2.91
In Rainbows
Radiohead
1 3.87 -2.87
The Stranger
Billy Joel
1 3.86 -2.86
Dookie
Green Day
1 3.79 -2.79
Metallica
Metallica
1 3.77 -2.77
Grace
Jeff Buckley
1 3.75 -2.75
Jagged Little Pill
Alanis Morissette
1 3.72 -2.72

Artists

Favorites

Tap an artist to see their albums

ArtistAlbumsAverage
Led Zeppelin 5 4.8
Miles Davis 3 5
Black Sabbath 3 5
The Rolling Stones 4 4.5
Deep Purple 3 4.67
Pixies 3 4.67
Beastie Boys 2 5
The Stooges 2 5
The White Stripes 3 4.33
Creedence Clearwater Revival 3 4.33

Least Favorites

Tap an artist to see their albums

ArtistAlbumsAverage
Radiohead 5 1
Tom Waits 3 1
The Who 3 1.33
Metallica 2 1
The Police 2 1
Slipknot 2 1
Genesis 2 1
Orbital 2 1
Kanye West 2 1
The Prodigy 2 1
Eagles 2 1
Christina Aguilera 2 1
Scott Walker 2 1
Roxy Music 2 1
Goldfrapp 2 1
The Velvet Underground 2 1
Bee Gees 2 1
Leonard Cohen 2 1
Morrissey 2 1
The Byrds 4 1.75
Eminem 2 1.5
Fiona Apple 2 1.5
Yeah Yeah Yeahs 2 1.5
Simon & Garfunkel 2 1.5
Elliott Smith 2 1.5
The xx 2 1.5
The Kinks 2 1.5
Elvis Presley 2 1.5
The The 2 1.5
Brian Eno 3 2

Controversial

Tap an artist to see their albums

ArtistRatings
The Doors 4, 1, 3
Beck 1, 2, 4
Jimi Hendrix 3, 2, 5
Bob Dylan 2, 5, 3

5-Star Albums (52)

View Album Wall

Popular Reviews

Reggatta De Blanc by The Police

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.

Exile On Main Street by 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.

Transformer by 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?).

Dioffdidndjdisjjdudbdbzisoaknabacwgwosjdvsjdbdbbsjudjdbdjixidbdbhxhsvdudjnxnxkcizhagsidizvsnxbdvsbsbaiskhruegsgwudoidbzbasndjdhdjjdhdjdnnxjfjfjfkfjfnfndvsgjfidnssjslwnebehdnndjdjfndn. FREEJAZZ!!!!!!!

Southern Rock Opera by 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…

1-Star Albums (158)

All Ratings (597)

Arrival by ABBA
May 06 2024

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.

Deja Vu by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
May 07 2024

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 by Metallica
May 08 2024

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.

May 09 2024

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

Beauty And The Beat by The Go-Go's
May 10 2024

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.

Rubber Soul by Beatles
May 13 2024

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

Music in Exile by Songhoy Blues
May 14 2024

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.

Djam Leelii by Baaba Maal
May 16 2024

Similar to the Songhoy Blues album, but I didn't really enjoy this one as much.

Vincebus Eruptum by Blue Cheer
May 17 2024

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.

Talking Book by Stevie Wonder
May 20 2024

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

Made In Japan by Deep Purple
May 21 2024

A classic live album - great songs, the best Deep Purple line up (Mk. II) and a great recording. Loved diving back into this album.

Back To Black by Amy Winehouse
May 22 2024

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 by The Doors
May 23 2024

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.

May 24 2024

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.

Sound of Silver by LCD Soundsystem
May 27 2024

Eh, not my thing. I listened to Fatboy Slim’s “Better Living Through Chemistry” after this and enjoyed it more

I Should Coco by Supergrass
May 28 2024

Fun stuff - never heard this one. Had no idea the song “alright” was supergrass. Thought it was a 70s song.

Franz Ferdinand by Franz Ferdinand
May 29 2024

Oof - no thank you. How did this album make the 1001 list?? Production, songs and lyrics were all annoying.

A Seat at the Table by Solange
May 30 2024

This one wasn’t for me. Felt like it was one big track of mid tempo fluff.

The Man Machine by Kraftwerk
May 31 2024

Really enjoyed this one - I’ll be listening to more kraftwerk for sure.

We Are Family by Sister Sledge
Jun 03 2024

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.

Green Onions by Booker T. & The MG's
Jun 04 2024

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?

Jun 05 2024

Eh, nothing grabbed me on this one. It’s fine I guess. Made me appreciate the first Oasis album more.

Dioffdidndjdisjjdudbdbzisoaknabacwgwosjdvsjdbdbbsjudjdbdjixidbdbhxhsvdudjnxnxkcizhagsidizvsnxbdvsbsbaiskhruegsgwudoidbzbasndjdhdjjdhdjdnnxjfjfjfkfjfnfndvsgjfidnssjslwnebehdnndjdjfndn. FREEJAZZ!!!!!!!

Let's Get It On by Marvin Gaye
Jun 07 2024

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.

Morrison Hotel by The Doors
Jun 10 2024

Really? One Doors album was plenty, thank you very much. Roadhouse blues is fun though.

Synchronicity by The Police
Jun 11 2024

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.

Rattus Norvegicus by The Stranglers
Jun 12 2024

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).

Tonight's The Night by Neil Young
Jun 13 2024

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.

The Slim Shady LP by Eminem
Jun 14 2024

Eh - it’s ok. Once the shock value wears off it’s less than spectacular. Beats are all over the place too.

Transformer by Lou Reed
Jun 17 2024

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?).

1984 by Van Halen
Jun 18 2024

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.

The Renaissance by Q-Tip
Jun 19 2024

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.

Live And Dangerous by Thin Lizzy
Jun 20 2024

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.

Southern Rock Opera by Drive-By Truckers
Jun 21 2024

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…

Exile On Main Street by The Rolling Stones
Jun 24 2024

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.

Jun 25 2024

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!)

Marquee Moon by Television
Jun 26 2024

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.

Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere by Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Jun 27 2024

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 by Slipknot
Jun 28 2024

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.

Wild Is The Wind by Nina Simone
Jul 01 2024

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.

Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots by The Flaming Lips
Jul 02 2024

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.

Tank Battles by Dagmar Krause
Jul 03 2024

Didn’t get a chance to listen to more than one song. That was enough

Da Capo by Love
Jul 04 2024

It’s ok - wouldn’t be one I go back to listen to

Machine Head by Deep Purple
Jul 05 2024

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.

Jul 08 2024

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.

Bad by Michael Jackson
Jul 09 2024

Better than expected, but I prefer the other two Quincy produced albums.

Jul 10 2024

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 In Rock by Deep Purple
Jul 11 2024

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.

Golden Hour by Kacey Musgraves
Jul 12 2024

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.

3 Feet High and Rising by De La Soul
Jul 15 2024

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.

Power In Numbers by Jurassic 5
Jul 17 2024

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.

Phaedra by Tangerine Dream
Jul 18 2024

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.

Nebraska by Bruce Springsteen
Jul 19 2024

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.

Abbey Road by Beatles
Jul 22 2024

Meh, it's fine. I'm not a big Beatles guy. This isn't their best.

Fetch The Bolt Cutters by Fiona Apple
Jul 24 2024

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?

Fuzzy by Grant Lee Buffalo
Jul 25 2024

Not bad.

Savane by Ali Farka Touré
Jul 26 2024

Good album probably not one I’d return to often but good overall

Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys
Jul 29 2024

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.

Unknown Pleasures by Joy Division
Jul 30 2024

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.

Brutal Youth by Elvis Costello
Jul 31 2024

It’s fine - I prefer This Years Model or Armed Forces, but it’s still EC

Aug 01 2024

I mean, these songs feel half baked. If only John had a few people to help flesh these songs out…

The Köln Concert by Keith Jarrett
Aug 05 2024

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!

Aug 06 2024

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.

Too Rye Ay by Dexys Midnight Runners
Aug 07 2024

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

Microshift by Hookworms
Aug 08 2024

This just felt like one long song. Didn’t find anything that really grabbed me.

KIWANUKA by Michael Kiwanuka
Aug 09 2024

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.

Lady Soul by Aretha Franklin
Aug 12 2024

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.

Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morissette
Aug 13 2024

And I'm here to remind you that this mess exists... You, you, aught pass.

Aug 14 2024

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.

Walking Wounded by Everything But The Girl
Aug 15 2024

Oh, that’s not good. Not my thing, too mid temp, too mid 90s electronica. I’ll pass.

White Blood Cells by The White Stripes
Aug 16 2024

What a great album. So many fun, eclectic hooky songs. Didn't appreciate it when it first came, I'm sorry to say.

Ill Communication by Beastie Boys
Aug 19 2024

Still excellent - hadn’t heard this in a while and it holds up surprisingly well.

Chirping Crickets by Buddy Holly & The Crickets
Aug 20 2024

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

Mermaid Avenue by Billy Bragg
Aug 21 2024

Fine. Made me think I need to go pull out The Freewheeling Bob Dylan or Bringing It All Back Home

Bummed by Happy Mondays
Aug 22 2024

Interesting stuff - one I’d go back and give a few more spins. Not a band I’d listened to before.

Slippery When Wet by Bon Jovi
Aug 23 2024

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.

Fear Of A Black Planet by Public Enemy
Aug 26 2024

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.

Rumours by Fleetwood Mac
Aug 27 2024

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.

Aug 28 2024

Everybody hurts a little for having to listen to this album. Earlier REM albums are better (thru Green). This one is way overrated

American Pie by Don McLean
Aug 29 2024

God damn singer songwriters.

Moby Grape by Moby Grape
Aug 30 2024

Not bad. On the whole, a band I’d like to hear more from.

Sea Change by Beck
Sep 02 2024

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.

Bayou Country by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Sep 03 2024

Still amazing how much excellent output came from these guys in two years!

American Beauty by Grateful Dead
Sep 04 2024

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.

Hypocrisy Is The Greatest Luxury by The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
Sep 06 2024

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!

The Low End Theory by A Tribe Called Quest
Sep 09 2024

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.

Diamond Life by Sade
Sep 10 2024

It’s fine - but I’m not an 80s R&B guy.

Fever To Tell by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Sep 11 2024

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.

Permission to Land by The Darkness
Sep 12 2024

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.

Headquarters by The Monkees
Sep 13 2024

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.

Off The Wall by Michael Jackson
Sep 16 2024

Is this a better overall album than Thriller?

Sep 18 2024

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.

Sep 19 2024

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.

Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs by Derek & The Dominos
Sep 20 2024

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”

L.A. Woman by The Doors
Sep 24 2024

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 III by Led Zeppelin
Sep 25 2024

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.

Here Are the Sonics by The Sonics
Sep 27 2024

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

So by Peter Gabriel
Sep 30 2024

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.

Songs For Swingin' Lovers! by Frank Sinatra
Oct 01 2024

Frank sounds great - bands sound good too. Some excellent songs and I prefer the fact that the album is mostly uptempo songs.

Dookie by Green Day
Oct 02 2024

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…

Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
Oct 03 2024

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 by Elastica
Oct 04 2024

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!

If You Can Believe Your Eyes & Ears by The Mamas & The Papas
Oct 07 2024

“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.

Oct 08 2024

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"

Surfer Rosa by Pixies
Oct 09 2024

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.

Dare! by The Human League
Oct 10 2024

Euro synthpop trash.

The Stone Roses by The Stone Roses
Oct 11 2024

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?

Electric Ladyland by Jimi Hendrix
Oct 14 2024

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.

Urban Hymns by The Verve
Oct 15 2024

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.

Konnichiwa by Skepta
Oct 16 2024

Better than expected - probably give it another listen when I'm in the mood for hip hop.

Oct 17 2024

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.

Illinois by Sufjan Stevens
Oct 18 2024

No, sorry. I'm not going to listen to this one. I'm not a fan of what I've heard from Sufjan, so I’m going to pass.

Figure 8 by Elliott Smith
Oct 21 2024

If you enjoyed it, great. I won’t be going back to this one.

Axis: Bold As Love by Jimi Hendrix
Oct 22 2024

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

Hybrid Theory by Linkin Park
Oct 23 2024

Please note, Nu-Metal was never the correct answer. It continues to be a blight on us all.

Scream, Dracula, Scream by Rocket From The Crypt
Oct 24 2024

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.

Fifth Dimension by The Byrds
Oct 25 2024

If anyone wasn’t high and/or tripping while making this album I’d be shocked.

The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe
Oct 28 2024

Nothing here grabbed my attention - I’ll pass

All Directions by The Temptations
Oct 29 2024

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

Darklands by The Jesus And Mary Chain
Oct 30 2024

Not bad - very mellow and easy to have on as background music. Not really what I expected, much quieter than anticipated.

Hms Fable by Shack
Oct 31 2024

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.

Snivilisation by Orbital
Nov 01 2024

Huh, wanted to like this more, but after a song or 2 it wasn't even holding my attention in the periphery.

The College Dropout by Kanye West
Nov 04 2024

Nope - should have stayed behind the boards making beats for others.

The Fat Of The Land by The Prodigy
Nov 05 2024

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.

The Number Of The Beast by Iron Maiden
Nov 06 2024

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.

Risque by CHIC
Nov 07 2024

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.

Exile In Guyville by Liz Phair
Nov 08 2024

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.

Juju by Siouxsie And The Banshees
Nov 11 2024

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.

Nov 12 2024

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.

Document by R.E.M.
Nov 13 2024

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.

Teen Dream by Beach House
Nov 14 2024

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.

Tanto Tempo by Bebel Gilberto
Nov 15 2024

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.

Mothership Connection by Parliament
Nov 18 2024

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.

Melodrama by Lorde
Nov 19 2024

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.

The Boatman's Call by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Nov 21 2024

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.

Shalimar by Rahul Dev Burman
Nov 22 2024

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 by The Band
Nov 25 2024

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 In Memphis by Dusty Springfield
Nov 26 2024

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.

Teenage Head by Flamin' Groovies
Nov 27 2024

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.

Madman Across The Water by Elton John
Nov 28 2024

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.

Blunderbuss by Jack White
Nov 29 2024

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.

In Utero by Nirvana
Dec 02 2024

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.

Rio by Duran Duran
Dec 03 2024

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.

Sunshine Superman by Donovan
Dec 04 2024

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.

Venus Luxure No. 1 Baby by Girls Against Boys
Dec 05 2024

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.

More Specials by The Specials
Dec 06 2024

Not bad, more varied musically than I expected.

Achtung Baby by U2
Dec 09 2024

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.

Superfly by Curtis Mayfield
Dec 10 2024

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…

Make Yourself by Incubus
Dec 11 2024

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 by Django Django
Dec 12 2024

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.

The Message by Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
Dec 13 2024

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.

The Yes Album by Yes
Dec 16 2024

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.

Head Hunters by Herbie Hancock
Dec 17 2024

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.

Two Dancers by Wild Beasts
Dec 18 2024

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.

Dec 19 2024

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 by Eagles
Dec 20 2024

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.

Time Out by The Dave Brubeck Quartet
Dec 23 2024

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.

Tidal by Fiona Apple
Dec 24 2024

Not for me - not horrible but not my thing.

Dec 25 2024

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.

Crime Of The Century by Supertramp
Dec 27 2024

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 by Tracy Chapman
Dec 30 2024

Count me in for the "not my thing musically, but the lyrics are poignant" sentiments.

Crosby, Stills & Nash by Crosby, Stills & Nash
Dec 31 2024

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.

Stripped by Christina Aguilera
Jan 01 2025

Uh, no thanks. Not my thing, wasn’t enjoyable at all.

Kings Of The Wild Frontier by Adam & The Ants
Jan 02 2025

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.

Darkness on the Edge of Town by Bruce Springsteen
Jan 03 2025

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.)

Graceland by Paul Simon
Jan 06 2025

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.

Songs In The Key Of Life by Stevie Wonder
Jan 07 2025

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.

Smokers Delight by Nightmares On Wax
Jan 08 2025

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

Coles Corner by Richard Hawley
Jan 09 2025

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.

Next by The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
Jan 10 2025

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.

A Hard Day's Night by Beatles
Jan 13 2025

Solid early Beatles, definitely my favorite album from this era.

Jan 14 2025

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.

Disraeli Gears by Cream
Jan 15 2025

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.

xx by The xx
Jan 16 2025

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 2 by Scott Walker
Jan 17 2025

Good grief, another crooner album? No thank you, I’ll pass.

1999 by Prince
Jan 21 2025

It’s Prince - catchy pop, weird funk and insane musicianship.

Damaged by Black Flag
Jan 22 2025

A classic that hasn't aged at all. Still relevant topics unfortunately, guess we'll never learn.

Jan 23 2025

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.

Porcupine by Echo And The Bunnymen
Jan 24 2025

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.

Thriller by Michael Jackson
Jan 27 2025

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 $$.

Green by R.E.M.
Jan 28 2025

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.

In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida by Iron Butterfly
Jan 29 2025

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.

Green River by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Jan 30 2025

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.

Jan 31 2025

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.

Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Feb 03 2025

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.

Low by David Bowie
Feb 04 2025

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.

Arc Of A Diver by Steve Winwood
Feb 05 2025

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 by Bad Company
Feb 06 2025

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.

Face to Face by The Kinks
Feb 07 2025

It was fine - I didn’t really get the hype. Not nearly as interesting as I had expected it to be.

The Downward Spiral by Nine Inch Nails
Feb 10 2025

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.

Are You Experienced by Jimi Hendrix
Feb 11 2025

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.

Third by Portishead
Feb 12 2025

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.

The Score by Fugees
Feb 13 2025

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.

Feb 14 2025

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.

Cosmo's Factory by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Feb 17 2025

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 by The Clash
Feb 18 2025

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.

Feb 19 2025

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.

Kollaps by Einstürzende Neubauten
Feb 20 2025

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.

Dry by PJ Harvey
Feb 21 2025

Wasn’t bad, but 1 listen wasn’t enough. I’d need more time on this album.

Get Behind Me Satan by The White Stripes
Feb 24 2025

Really solid album. Really love the White Stripes and hearing this again made me appreciate the eclectic instrument choices.

Aladdin Sane by David Bowie
Feb 25 2025

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.

Feb 26 2025

Is there an instrumental version? I'd really like to hear this jazz band without their vocalist/comedian...

Music From The Penguin Cafe by Penguin Cafe Orchestra
Feb 27 2025

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.

Sunday At The Village Vanguard by Bill Evans Trio
Mar 03 2025

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.

Reggatta De Blanc by The Police
Mar 04 2025

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.

Pyromania by Def Leppard
Mar 05 2025

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.

Water From An Ancient Well by Abdullah Ibrahim
Mar 07 2025

Not bad, but there are other big band/jazz albums I’d rather hear rather than revisit this one.

Rage Against The Machine by Rage Against The Machine
Mar 10 2025

Still relevant, still powerful. Still unlike anything before it or since.

American Idiot by Green Day
Mar 11 2025

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…

This Is Fats Domino by Fats Domino
Mar 12 2025

I enjoyed it, knew a few songs and the rest were decent early rock and roll.

good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
Mar 13 2025

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 by Roxy Music
Mar 14 2025

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.

Mar 17 2025

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...)

Play by Moby
Mar 18 2025

It's fine - it's just slowed house music though. There's some fun snippets, but it just feels like a really long album.

All Hope Is Gone by Slipknot
Mar 19 2025

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.

Exit Planet Dust by The Chemical Brothers
Mar 21 2025

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.

Parachutes by Coldplay
Mar 24 2025

So boring, didn’t enjoy.

In A Silent Way by Miles Davis
Mar 25 2025

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.

Another Green World by Brian Eno
Mar 26 2025

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

25 by Adele
Mar 27 2025

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.

Solid Air by John Martyn
Mar 28 2025

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.

Paul's Boutique by Beastie Boys
Mar 31 2025

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

Dirt by Alice In Chains
Apr 01 2025

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.

All Hail the Queen by Queen Latifah
Apr 02 2025

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.

School's Out by Alice Cooper
Apr 03 2025

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.

Under Construction by Missy Elliott
Apr 04 2025

Eh, it was fine. Wasn’t terrible, but it didn’t really grab me

Apr 07 2025

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.

What's Going On by Marvin Gaye
Apr 08 2025

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.

For Your Pleasure by Roxy Music
Apr 09 2025

Nope, yet another terrible Roxy Music outing. These albums are terrible. I want 70's music, but not that 70's music.

Midnight Ride by Paul Revere & The Raiders
Apr 10 2025

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.

Seventh Tree by Goldfrapp
Apr 11 2025

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.

Fear Of Music by Talking Heads
Apr 14 2025

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.

Hail To the Thief by Radiohead
Apr 15 2025

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 by Gorillaz
Apr 16 2025

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

Pelican West by Haircut 100
Apr 17 2025

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.

Bookends by Simon & Garfunkel
Apr 18 2025

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.

Five Leaves Left by Nick Drake
Apr 22 2025

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.

Jazz Samba by Stan Getz
Apr 23 2025

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 by Boston
Apr 24 2025

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.

Bright Flight by Silver Jews
Apr 25 2025

Nope. He’s just speaking, not singing. It’s annoying and his lyrics aren’t remotely interesting.

Blonde On Blonde by Bob Dylan
Apr 28 2025

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

At Folsom Prison by Johnny Cash
Apr 29 2025

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."

Crocodiles by Echo And The Bunnymen
Apr 30 2025

Good album - not my preferred era of music, but a catchy, enjoyable album overall.

Giant Steps by The Boo Radleys
May 01 2025

If I wanted to hear Oasis or the Beatles, I’d just put on Rubber Soul, Revolver or Definitely Maybe.

Devotional Songs by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
May 02 2025

No. Just no. It took two songs, that basically sounded exactly the same and then I was done.

Blur by Blur
May 05 2025

It's fine. Love the fuzz bass in Song 2, but the rest is just fine.

Illmatic by Nas
May 06 2025

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.

There's A Riot Goin' On by Sly & The Family Stone
May 07 2025

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.

Private Dancer by Tina Turner
May 08 2025

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 Again by Buffalo Springfield
May 09 2025

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.

Court And Spark by Joni Mitchell
May 12 2025

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.

Guero by Beck
May 13 2025

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.

Mr. Tambourine Man by The Byrds
May 14 2025

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.

Murder Ballads by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
May 16 2025

Not for me, thanks. I’ll pass.

Bossanova by Pixies
May 19 2025

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

Rust Never Sleeps by Neil Young & Crazy Horse
May 20 2025

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.

The Healer by John Lee Hooker
May 21 2025

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.

At Newport 1960 by Muddy Waters
May 22 2025

Really enjoyed this one. Great band, including Otis Spann and James Cotton. Muddy sounds fantastic. Great electric blues album!

La Revancha Del Tango by Gotan Project
May 23 2025

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.

Hot Buttered Soul by Isaac Hayes
May 26 2025

Would have been higher, but the spoken word part of “By the Time I get to Phoenix” was too much for me.

Brilliant Corners by Thelonious Monk
May 27 2025

Brilliant album, really enjoyed hearing it again.

Bitches Brew by Miles Davis
May 28 2025

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.

Amnesiac by Radiohead
May 29 2025

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?

L'Eau Rouge by The Young Gods
May 30 2025

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.

At Fillmore East by The Allman Brothers Band
Jun 02 2025

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.

Murmur by R.E.M.
Jun 03 2025

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.

Technique by New Order
Jun 04 2025

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.

Kenya by Machito
Jun 05 2025

The music was good, but I felt like it was one long song. Very little to differentiate between one song and the next.

Olympia 64 by Jacques Brel
Jun 06 2025

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.

At Mister Kelly's by Sarah Vaughan
Jun 09 2025

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 by Led Zeppelin
Jun 10 2025

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.

Kid A by Radiohead
Jun 11 2025

So pretentious. Couple of song fragments scattered over 47 minutes. Total waste of time.

It's Blitz! by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Jun 12 2025

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.

Smile by Brian Wilson
Jun 13 2025

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.

Blue by Joni Mitchell
Jun 16 2025

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.

Heaven Or Las Vegas by Cocteau Twins
Jun 17 2025

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.

Dirty by Sonic Youth
Jun 18 2025

Eh, it's Sonic Youth alright. It was fine, I guess? I always thought "Teenage Daydream" was the better SY album.

Jack Takes the Floor by Ramblin' Jack Elliott
Jun 19 2025

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.

Maxinquaye by Tricky
Jun 20 2025

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.

Doggystyle by Snoop Dogg
Jun 23 2025

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.

Beggars Banquet by The Rolling Stones
Jun 24 2025

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.

Pieces Of The Sky by Emmylou Harris
Jun 25 2025

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.

Aftermath by The Rolling Stones
Jun 26 2025

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.

Heroes by David Bowie
Jun 27 2025

Good album, I enjoyed it. Love the music for the song Heroes too.

Odelay by Beck
Jun 30 2025

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.

The Atomic Mr Basie by Count Basie & His Orchestra
Jul 01 2025

Really solid Count Basie album. Really enjoyed it and I'd definitely put this one in the rotation.

Jul 02 2025

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.

Jul 03 2025

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.

Fly Or Die by N.E.R.D
Jul 04 2025

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.

Physical Graffiti by Led Zeppelin
Jul 07 2025

Really incredible, very consistent double album, more so than I remember.

Disintegration by The Cure
Jul 08 2025

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.

Paranoid by Black Sabbath
Jul 09 2025

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.

Vanishing Point by Primal Scream
Jul 10 2025

Eh, nothing special here. Won’t be back to dig thru their catalog based on this offering.

Jul 11 2025

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.

Jul 14 2025

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.

Tres Hombres by ZZ Top
Jul 15 2025

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.

Smash by The Offspring
Jul 17 2025

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 & Nico by The Velvet Underground
Jul 18 2025

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.

Cheap Thrills by Big Brother & The Holding Company
Jul 21 2025

Not bad - enjoyed it, probably need another listen or two to really get into it.

Talking Heads 77 by Talking Heads
Jul 22 2025

Enjoyed it more than I expected, I'm not a big TH fan, but I'd listen to this one again.

Fisherman's Blues by The Waterboys
Jul 23 2025

It’s fine, but wasn’t in the mood. Feels like an album the folks from Flogging Molly listened to a lot.

Vol. 4 by Black Sabbath
Jul 24 2025

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 Hangman's Beautiful Daughter by The Incredible String Band
Jul 25 2025

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.

Birth Of The Cool by Miles Davis
Jul 28 2025

Bigg(er) Band Miles slows down hard bop tempos and finds success.

Pink Moon by Nick Drake
Jul 29 2025

I really liked this one. Just a nice quiet album. Not my typical thing, but I'd be happy to have this one playing.

Done By The Forces Of Nature by Jungle Brothers
Jul 30 2025

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 by The Velvet Underground
Jul 31 2025

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.

Stankonia by OutKast
Aug 04 2025

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.

Seventeen Seconds by The Cure
Aug 05 2025

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.

Oedipus Schmoedipus by Barry Adamson
Aug 06 2025

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.

Pearl by Janis Joplin
Aug 07 2025

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.

Definitely Maybe by Oasis
Aug 08 2025

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.

Blood On The Tracks by Bob Dylan
Aug 11 2025

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 IV by Led Zeppelin
Aug 12 2025

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.

Reign In Blood by Slayer
Aug 13 2025

Classic thrash metal album. Dave Lombardo rules!

69 Love Songs by The Magnetic Fields
Aug 15 2025

I could care less about this one. This reeks of pretension. (but I must throw in the obligatory, "Nice")

British Steel by Judas Priest
Aug 18 2025

Eh, it's just pop metal. Especially Living After Midnight. It's fine, but it's not their best work.

Blood Sugar Sex Magik by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Aug 19 2025

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.

Street Life by The Crusaders
Aug 20 2025

Corny overproduced elevator music.

Peggy Suicide by Julian Cope
Aug 21 2025

Just not my thing. Don't think I'll be back to give it a second chance either.

Aug 22 2025

It’s fine - but nothing to get super excited about. Call it 2.5 rounded up to 3

Lost In The Dream by The War On Drugs
Aug 25 2025

These are my only notes: Singer sounds like Paul Simon Boring indie pop maudlin

Elephant by The White Stripes
Aug 26 2025

Very enjoyable - another great album from the WS. I think Jack White might have a future in the music business... :)

Frampton Comes Alive by Peter Frampton
Aug 27 2025

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.

Wild Wood by Paul Weller
Aug 28 2025

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.

Fun House by The Stooges
Aug 29 2025

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.

Aja by Steely Dan
Sep 01 2025

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 by Black Sabbath
Sep 02 2025

A masterpiece - really not much more to say.

Slanted And Enchanted by Pavement
Sep 03 2025

Good but felt very repetitive this listen for some reason.

Being There by Wilco
Sep 04 2025

Some decent stuff on here. Probably worth a relisten, but not anytime soon.

So Much For The City by The Thrills
Sep 05 2025

Just didn't enjoy the California pop rock vibe that much. Don't think I need to dig any deeper in the Thrills catalogue.

Frank by Amy Winehouse
Sep 08 2025

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.

Stand! by Sly & The Family Stone
Sep 09 2025

Great album - always forget just how good their version of funk can be.

Timeless by Goldie
Sep 12 2025

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.

Ten by Pearl Jam
Sep 15 2025

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 by Elvis Presley
Sep 16 2025

Not bad, but keep in mind Elvis wrote nothing. He's an entertainer, but songwriters of all colors did the heavy lifting.

Lust For Life by Iggy Pop
Sep 17 2025

Great album, really enjoy this one and Iggy's other solo album "the Idiot"

Revolver by Beatles
Sep 18 2025

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.

Roots by Sepultura
Sep 19 2025

I forget how much I enjoy Sepultura. Also weirdly on point for 2025. Sigh.

That's The Way Of The World by Earth, Wind & Fire
Sep 22 2025

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

Brothers In Arms by Dire Straits
Sep 23 2025

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"

Drunk by Thundercat
Sep 24 2025

"Drunk" was a waste of my time.

En-Tact by The Shamen
Sep 25 2025

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.

Sep 26 2025

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.

Blue Lines by Massive Attack
Sep 29 2025

It's fine. I wouldn't object if this was put on, but I doubt I'd search it out on a regular basis.

Coat Of Many Colors by Dolly Parton
Sep 30 2025

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.

Eternally Yours by The Saints
Oct 01 2025

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.

Dust by Screaming Trees
Oct 02 2025

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.

After The Gold Rush by Neil Young
Oct 03 2025

Says a lot that only 2 of these songs made it on the Decade album. I won’t be back to this album.

Violator by Depeche Mode
Oct 06 2025

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.

In Rainbows by Radiohead
Oct 07 2025

Just so damn pretentious. I just don't understand the appeal. It would be no stars if that was an option.

Toys In The Attic by Aerosmith
Oct 08 2025

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)

Alien Lanes by Guided By Voices
Oct 09 2025

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.

Ingenue by k.d. lang
Oct 10 2025

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.

The Bends by Radiohead
Oct 13 2025

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)

The White Album by Beatles
Oct 14 2025

Eh, it's not my favorite Beatles album. Needs an editor, feels really all over the place.

Whatever by Aimee Mann
Oct 15 2025

This what they mean by "Adult Contemporary" right?

Cloud Nine by The Temptations
Oct 16 2025

Fine - other than the title track, this was a pretty bog standard Motown album. Nothing bad, but nothing else really stood out.

Bug by Dinosaur Jr.
Oct 17 2025

Pretty good - no real new discovery, but I enjoyed it.

Born To Run by Bruce Springsteen
Oct 20 2025

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

Oct 21 2025

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!).

Punishing Kiss by Ute Lemper
Oct 22 2025

Eh, no thanks. Not something that I found interesting nor something I'd go back to.

Opus Dei by Laibach
Oct 23 2025

I'll pass. Thanks, but no thanks.

Red Dirt Girl by Emmylou Harris
Oct 24 2025

Emmylou has a great voice but the weird techno-y country vibe isn’t working for me. Weird production choices. I’ll pass.

Getz/Gilberto by Stan Getz
Oct 27 2025

It's fine - I'd rather just have the music, but that's just me. Never a bit fan of jazz singing.

Let's Stay Together by Al Green
Oct 28 2025

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.

Locust Abortion Technician by Butthole Surfers
Oct 29 2025

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 by Fever Ray
Oct 30 2025

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.

Hot Shots II by The Beta Band
Oct 31 2025

Wasn’t expecting much, but I liked it enough to hear it again. 2.5 rounded up to 3

Queen II by Queen
Nov 03 2025

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.

Nov 04 2025

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.

Go Girl Crazy by The Dictators
Nov 05 2025

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.

Hypnotised by The Undertones
Nov 06 2025

Eh, it's ok. No issue with the music. But nothing stood out - just bog standard punk rock.

...The Dandy Warhols Come Down by The Dandy Warhols
Nov 07 2025

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.

Hotel California by Eagles
Nov 10 2025

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 by Ramones
Nov 11 2025

4 Stars - some great stuff on here and some filler too. Not ready to make this a 5 star epic pick just yet.

Tommy by The Who
Nov 12 2025

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.

Catch A Fire by Bob Marley & The Wailers
Nov 13 2025

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.

Odessa by Bee Gees
Nov 14 2025

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.

Nov 17 2025

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.

Brown Sugar by D'Angelo
Nov 18 2025

Good laid back R&B, something I'd revisit on a lazy Sunday morning.

Back In Black by AC/DC
Nov 19 2025

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.

Lazer Guided Melodies by Spiritualized
Nov 20 2025

Eh, it was fine, but I'll only remember the album name and not the music.

Behaviour by Pet Shop Boys
Nov 21 2025

Eh, this was a slog.

Bone Machine by Tom Waits
Nov 24 2025

Tom Waits is best when someone else covers his songs. (Go listen to Gov't Mule cover "Goin' Out West")

Trafalgar by Bee Gees
Nov 25 2025

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.

Fire Of Love by The Gun Club
Nov 26 2025

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.

Heaux Tales by Jazmine Sullivan
Nov 27 2025

Nothing here that draws me back to listen to it again. Straight up R&B and nothing too exciting.

Faust IV by Faust
Nov 28 2025

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.

1989 by Taylor Swift
Dec 01 2025

I mean, it's really catchy.

Dog Man Star by Suede
Dec 02 2025

Wasn't appealing - felt pretty pretentious and I had to hear it on youtube. Won't be back, won't be looking into this band any further.

Rapture by Anita Baker
Dec 03 2025

Just R&B - Anita’s voice is great but I’m not going to come back to this album.

Be by Common
Dec 04 2025

It was fine. Beats were ok (mostly Kanye, with two J Dilla tracks). For me it felt mostly the same. Same tempo, same flow, same attitude, same rehashed points from song to song. Was hoping for more and never really got there.

New Wave by The Auteurs
Dec 05 2025

It's fine, but got pretty annoyingly the same after the first few songs. Nothing special, kind of disappointing after the start of the album.

Club Classics Vol. One by Soul II Soul
Dec 08 2025

Another disappointing album. Decent bits here and there, but nothing I'd get super excited about. Seems like it would work well, with R&B, funk, jazz, breakbeats, etc. but just never does.

Life Thru A Lens by Robbie Williams
Dec 09 2025

Not bad, catchy. Not my usual thing, but better than expected. Let's mark it as 3, but it's a 2 and a 1/2 for me.

Fear and Whiskey by Mekons
Dec 10 2025

Wow - not what I expected. Not in a good way either. I’ll pass on the weird 80s production and oddly Pogues like instrumentation.

Rock 'N Soul by Solomon Burke
Dec 12 2025

Much better than the rest of the selections for this week! Great singer

Stephen Stills by Stephen Stills
Dec 15 2025

Had some interesting songs (go back home, black queen, love the one you’re with) but nothing that’s going to bring me back for repeat listens. Feels like songs that were mostly rejected from CSN/CSNY sessions.

Scissor Sisters by Scissor Sisters
Dec 16 2025

I don't particularly care for the Elton John like vocals or the several songs that sounded similar to the Bee Gees. I'm just not convinced this mishmash of sounds/genres is workable for this album. It's pop, dance, rock, funk, etc. but it just doesn't fit together cohesively.

Caetano Veloso by Caetano Veloso
Dec 17 2025

Interesting, easy listening. I enjoyed more than I expected. This is the type of album I’d been hoping for - unknown and rather off the beaten path musically. Could easily see this as a Sunday morning record. Also needs a Nu Mark/Cut Chemist remix…

Electric Warrior by T. Rex
Dec 18 2025

Good album - not everything on here is amazing but a fun listen nonetheless.

London Calling by The Clash
Dec 22 2025

I mean, it's the Clash. Sure, it's way too long and it's a mishmash of styles, but it's still amazing.

Californication by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Dec 23 2025

All bands get to a point where they've outlived their usefulness. That's Californication for the RHCP. All the early albums led up to Mothers Milk (still the best album for me), Blood Sugar Sex Magik takes the band into the stratosphere fame/fortune wise. And then, it all kind of falls apart and by 1999 we get served this 0 Scoville unit bell pepper of an album. Nothing hits for me - Around the World starts out great and then that weak ass chorus kicks in and you know this isn't going to end well. The rest of the album is a mess too. Too much junk and too little funk.

Don't Stand Me Down by Dexys Midnight Runners
Dec 24 2025

I mean for a northern soul album it’s fine - I think there are better albums and I’ll probably pass on any more DMR in the future

Back to Mystery City by Hanoi Rocks
Dec 25 2025

Eh, it’s fine but there are other hair metal bands I’d rather hear

Loveless by My Bloody Valentine
Dec 26 2025
Back to Basics by Christina Aguilera
Dec 29 2025

No thanks I’ll pass

The Modern Lovers by The Modern Lovers
Dec 30 2025

Not bad, but I did lose interest from Hospital to the end of the album. No issues with this one, but it's not a immediate add to my list of want to replay albums.

Dec 31 2025

I just didn’t care for it. Didn’t move me to any newfound interest in this band.

Jan 01 2026

Going to give it 3 just for the combination of Franks voice and Jobim for the boss’s nova sound. Overall, I’m not a huge fan, jazz singers really don’t excite me.

Time (The Revelator) by Gillian Welch
Jan 02 2026

Eh, it’s fine. I like her voice but I’m just not a slow country/slow bluegrass person.

She's So Unusual by Cyndi Lauper
Jan 05 2026

It's fine - the hits are really good and the rest of the album isn't bad, but it's not exactly something I'd be actively wanting to listen to a lot.

A Love Supreme by John Coltrane
Jan 06 2026

A truly lovely album and one that I enjoyed re-acquainting myself with. More of this please.

The Sun Rises In The East by Jeru The Damaja
Jan 07 2026

Good, but there's something weird in the production that I can't quite put my finger on. Lyrically, it's excellent, but the production seemed almost bass free at points and some of the samples didn't seem to accent anything. So, 3.5 rounded up to 4 for me, definitely one I'll head back into at some point.

If You're Feeling Sinister by Belle & Sebastian
Jan 08 2026

Honestly, I don't know if this album is very twee, or it's a great Sunday morning album. I can't make up my f'n mind on this one. So, three stars with a mind to revisit on a lazy weekend morning.

Call of the Valley by Shivkumar Sharma
Jan 09 2026

This is horrible. Skip this and just listen to Ravi Shankar’s “Three Ragas” album instead.

The Specials by The Specials
Jan 12 2026

It's fine - if you were new to ska/rocksteady, this would be a decent introduction. Just keep in mind the best songs on this album are covers and make it a point to find the originals - Monkey Man and Rudy A Message to You. No issue with the band, but keep in mind there's a lot of ska/rocksteady that's way better!

The Colour Of Spring by Talk Talk
Jan 13 2026

Some thoughts: If this is a change of direction for Talk Talk (away from synthesizers apparently) it means that I can happily avoid the early albums too. This is exactly the kind of crappy pop album I would have avoided and/or ridiculed in high school. Just terrible AOR music, made by pretentious artists for pretentious yuppies. Feels like someone just heard some Pink Floyd in 1986 and wanted to get in on that sweet guitar tone for some of these solos. Such a mishmash of styles, funk bass, overwrought keys and that PF style guitar. Nothing really fits and it's obnoxious. Who thought the harmonica was a good idea on "Living In Another World"? Seems pretty obvious that these guys were working out of "Oblivious to Reason" Studios.

Heavy Weather by Weather Report
Jan 14 2026

I get it, I think, but I don't really enjoy it. The jazz funk bass playing is stellar, the keyboard sonically is annoying. I just can't get excited about this sort of end of the progressive march of jazz. I mean it's fine, but does it excite me the way other jazz albums do? Not really.

Colour By Numbers by Culture Club
Jan 15 2026

I really hate the fucking harmonica on Karma Chameleon, it seems completely out of place. Otherwise, I'm neutral here. It's fine, but the very '80s production really drives me crazy. Not one I'd revisit, not one I enjoyed for the production either. I've heard it and I'll move on without looking back.

Halcyon Digest by Deerhunter
Jan 19 2026

What a way to close out a week. Could have used something more interesting, enjoyable, upbeat, fun, less low-fi. If you like low fi bland, mopey, aimless folk rock, well, here's your album. I'll pass.

The Genius Of Ray Charles by Ray Charles
Jan 20 2026

Is it weird that I always think Ray is a blues combo guy and then get surprised that he’s really a big bang vocalist? Great voice, no issues with this one. Call it 3.5 that I’ve rounded to to 3

Buena Vista Social Club by Buena Vista Social Club
Jan 22 2026

Yeah, sounds like it always does. Just a little to long for me but a great album

The Coral by The Coral
Jan 26 2026

Eh, nothing really jumped out at me for this one. Really a huge mishmash of song genres that never really seemed to find a right path.

Scott 4 by Scott Walker
Jan 27 2026

Good grief. No, this is not an enjoyable album.

Jan 28 2026

Songs are all long, nothing except for "nothing compares to you" stands out and even that isn't a song I particularly love. Wasn't thrilled to see this pop up today and I'm glad it's over with.

Haunted Dancehall by The Sabres Of Paradise
Jan 29 2026

Seriously? How many fucking horrible, lackluster albums are we going to have to be subjected to during this project? Nothing here but down tempo techno, "Tow Truck" and "Theme" were catchy at least. Otherwise, horrible dreck that I'm not ever going to listen to again.

Sincere by Mj Cole
Jan 30 2026

Must have saved a lot of money on production costs using the same sad drum and bass loops for every song. Another shitty album this week. This project is the gift that keeps on giving....sigh.

I'm Your Man by Leonard Cohen
Feb 02 2026

Really? This is an album I must hear before I die? More of this BS is going to put me in an early grave frankly. It’s just toned down Tom Waits. Hard fucking pass.

Songs Of Love And Hate by Leonard Cohen
Feb 03 2026

ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME? Two Leonard Cohen albums in a row?? This one feels more like a poor man's Dylan ripoff. Can't believe we get a Friday and Monday bookend of this crap.

Logical Progression by LTJ Bukem
Feb 04 2026

Yeah, so it's not for me. I'll pass on the drum n' bass where everything sounds the same...

Third by Soft Machine
Feb 05 2026

It’s a really long record. I’m not convinced in this case that quantity helps make up for lack of quality. It’s a kind of dull jazz rock album and I know there are better albums out there in this genre.

Rhythm Nation 1814 by Janet Jackson
Feb 06 2026

It's fine - half of it is mopey R&B and the rest is something I enjoyed! The up-tempo singles are amazing and the production holds up better than I expected. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis aren't always my favorite production team, but damn did they crush this one.

Feb 09 2026

Guh, not for me. The production drove me crazy, the style wasn't for me. Just a big pass for me.

Let It Bleed by The Rolling Stones
Feb 10 2026

Peak Rolling Stones, hot off Beggar's Banquet. A very Americana album, blues, gospel and country entwined with the rock... Stand outs (non-singles): Live with Me, Midnight Rambler

To Pimp A Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar
Feb 11 2026

Great album - I know I shouldn’t be pleasantly surprised by KL at this point, but I was. I’m a little late the party, what can I say?

Close To You by Carpenters
Feb 12 2026

This was horrible. The cover of "Help" alone made me want to harm the people who created this as well as those who assisted in the creation of this album. This is not an album that you must hear. This is another in a long line of albums that I've endured, but didn't find any redeeming value in.

At San Quentin by Johnny Cash
Feb 13 2026

Look, it's not something against Johnny Case, but I don't really see the point in this album. "At Folsom Prison" was so good and the set list this time around isn't as great. I'll say 2.5 rounded up to 3 for Johnny Cash, but this seems like an unnecessary live album.

Celebrity Skin by Hole
Feb 16 2026

I just don't care. It's not an engaging album to me, I find Ms Love to be an obnoxious singer and this album feels very pieced together. It just feels shiny and fake.

New Forms by Roni Size
Feb 17 2026

I’m kind of ambivalent towards this one. A double album of very similar isn’t normally something I’d go for. Bits and pieces were fine

The Rise & Fall by Madness
Feb 18 2026

It was fine - I’m still not a huge 2 Tone fan.

The Gilded Palace Of Sin by The Flying Burrito Brothers
Feb 20 2026

Good stuff overall. I liked the mix of R&B/gospel and country - an appealing Americana blend. Not something I’ll listen to all the time but worth coming back to at sple point.

Clube Da Esquina by Milton Nascimento
Feb 23 2026

Hmm, this wasn't what I was expecting. And I didn't really like the mix of straight pop and Brazilian influenced tinges. Not upset I had to listen to it, but I won't be going back a second time.

Feb 25 2026

Wow, these guys sound just like Flogging Molly! (just kidding, I know who came first here.) Seriously, It's a fine album, when you're in the mood for a little Irish music. It's not in the main rotation, but every once in a while (like mid March, let's say) it's not a bad thing to pull out and play.

Doolittle by Pixies
Feb 26 2026

Yeah, it's a 5 star album. No one else like the Pixies and that run from Come On Pilgrim to Trope Le Monde is a thing of beauty.

The Real Thing by Faith No More
Feb 27 2026

I'd forgotten how all over the place this album is. It's in a good way, mind you, but wow does it leap around. Excellent stuff, Mike Patton sounds great, the band sounds incredible. This is my favorite Faith No More album hands down. Still only 4 stars as it's an "if I'm in the mood" album rather than a throw it on any time kind of album

California by American Music Club
Mar 02 2026

It's fine - frankly we've had worse albums on a Friday. 2 stars, wouldn't lose my mind if someone threw this one the stereo. But I'm not going out of my way for it.

Emperor Tomato Ketchup by Stereolab
Mar 03 2026

Very twee, but I kind of liked it? It was an easy album to put on and kind of ignore while I was working. Not a ringing endorsement, but that's how it goes sometimes.

Appetite For Destruction by Guns N' Roses
Mar 04 2026

This album was the death knell for hair metal, liberating everyone from too much hair spray and an overabundance of neon. It's a greasy, straight ahead rock and roll album, but it's got punk attitude and the band plays with a Faces like swagger. The whole album is worth the listen, there's nothing that disappoints. And sonically, there's not many albums like this one. The bass is so incredible throughout. Easy 5 stars!

Mar 05 2026

I wasn't really looking forward to this one. And it didn’t get better when I did listen. The mix of rap/R&B wasn't great and Cee-Lo's voice gets really annoying after a couple of songs.

D by White Denim
Mar 06 2026

So inoffensive that it didn’t really register with me while I was listening to it. Fine but bland would be my only comment.

Hot Fuss by The Killers
Mar 09 2026

Honestly, I just don't care. I've heard the singles and it's not an album I really want to put anymore time into

Dr. Octagonecologyst by Dr. Octagon
Mar 10 2026

Eh, the story is BS, but there's too many good things to ignore this one completely. 2 stars, the "story" really pulls this one down.

Mar 11 2026

This is the same band that wrote "You Really Got Me" ? I'll pass, thanks. Too cute for me - I'm not really interested in full album's worth of nostalgia for an English village.

Mar 12 2026

Full album was not on Spotify in 2026? The few songs I heard didn't make me want to investigate any further. Hard pass.

Sign 'O' The Times by Prince
Mar 13 2026

Some good, some not so good. Very typical Prince albums for me.

Mar 16 2026

I know Richard Thompson is a excellent guitar player, I just wasn't moved by anything here. Disappointed, I was expecting more

Future Days by Can
Mar 17 2026

Doesn't bother me - wasn't bad to have on in the background of what I was working on.

Different Class by Pulp
Mar 18 2026

Sounds like a bad 80's movie soundtrack to me. I really didn't like this at all. I have no idea how this is supposed to be such an acclaimed Britpop album.

Mott by Mott The Hoople
Mar 19 2026

This album sounds exactly like the cover looks. Foppish, cheesy, completely overblown "rock star" trash.

Garbage by Garbage
Mar 20 2026

On paper I don’t hate this album. But in reality the album's songs sound almost all same. Really needed some change of pace songs I think. The singles are pretty good, but even then both are similar (stupid girl/ only happy when it rains). Overall, nothing really stands out about this album for me.

In The Wee Small Hours by Frank Sinatra
Mar 23 2026

Sinatra has a great voice, but I really hate these maudlin, over orchestrated concept albums. I get it, the guy is bummed his girl is gone. But I don't need to hear that over and over on a Friday. Great talent, but I'm not going to come back to this one. I'm sure these songs would be better if they weren't all grouped together on one album.

LP1 by FKA twigs
Mar 24 2026

Yeah that wasn’t interesting at all. Won’t be back to re-visit this.

The Who Sell Out by The Who
Mar 25 2026

The Who are so hit and miss for me. A really great singles band but very few good full albums. This album is no exception - I can see for miles is a great song but damn the rest of this album is terrible. Also, I’ve always found the cover to be unsettling - no one should be sitting in a pile of baked beans. Yuck. One star for the one good song on this album.

Throwing Muses by Throwing Muses
Mar 26 2026

Didn’t mind the music itself, very college rock (not surprising for a 4AD release). But the vocals were NOT pleasant at all. Really annoying from the start - I had to skip around and nothing made it better.

Stardust by Willie Nelson
Mar 27 2026

Excellent album - one I’ve heard a bunch as my mother even has a copy.

Chelsea Girl by Nico
Mar 30 2026

Just really not interesting to me - Nico plus string instruments was not a recipe for success.

Safe As Milk by Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
Mar 31 2026

Good album - a little dated, but far more accessible than later albums (still don’t get Trout Mask Replica). Well worth a second listen for sure.

From Elvis In Memphis by Elvis Presley
Apr 01 2026

It’s fine - doesn’t really have any uptemp stuff. Feels similar to the Sinatra album “In the wee small hours” rather mopey and bland for the most part. Won’t be back to this one.

Suzanne Vega by Suzanne Vega
Apr 02 2026

Look, it's not horrible. But, I really didn't hear any of it even though I was listening to the album. An "in one ear and out the other" kind of album for me. The album production was great (especially for 1985!) and I didn't have an issue with the music or the singing. It was just a bland singer-songwriter album that didn't catch my attention.

Rejoicing In The Hands by Devendra Banhart
Apr 03 2026

Oh man, I'll pass. Another singer songwriter album, minimal instrumentation and it's really "twee." Another filler album for sure. Skip this one kids, it's dull.

Led Zeppelin II by Led Zeppelin
Apr 06 2026

It’s a really good album - stood the test of time with (almost) uniformly good songs.

The Modern Dance by Pere Ubu
Apr 07 2026

Interesting stuff - you can hear line between punk and new wave being crossed back and forth all over this album. A band I've heard of but never actually listened too. I'd investigate this again, when I'm more in a mood for it.

Swordfishtrombones by Tom Waits
Apr 08 2026

I just don’t get Tom - I don’t love the odd instrumentation or the “weirdness” for the sake of being weird. I’d rather hear a straight ahead cover of one of his songs by another artist. It always sounds better.

Apr 09 2026

A frustrating album. One you want to love and tell everyone about, but the reality is it’s kind of a mess. the rappers are almost indistinguishable from each other and the mix (to my ears way too much mid range) doesn’t help. Great samples but too many damn skits. Some good lyrics mixed in but mostly just ok stuff.

Either Or by Elliott Smith
Apr 10 2026

Well played, production sounded good. I was personally just bored and all the song ran together for me. Not something that I'd want to revisit

Younger Than Yesterday by The Byrds
Apr 13 2026

A lot of these later '60s psychedelic adjacent albums just aren't very good. I do love "So you want to be a Rock and Roll star" but frankly I think the Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers version is much better. Great song, just better execution by TP&HB. So yeah, two stars, better Byrds albums later in their catalogue.

Infected by The The
Apr 15 2026

Woof, what a dog. This needs to stay in the mid 80s and never be head from again. Weird mix of genres, weird production - overall just weird.

Band On The Run by Paul McCartney and Wings
Apr 16 2026

I find that none of the solo albums of former Beatles are good. They all work better together than apart.

My Generation by The Who
Apr 17 2026

Early Who is similar to early Stones - hint that of what’s to come but not quite there yet. 2nd star is just for My Generation and The Kids Are Alright. Nothing else is worth saving here.

I See You by The xx
Apr 20 2026

Not for me, I'll pass on this one.

Apr 21 2026

It's fine for background music, but I doubt I'll be back to listen to this again. Easily forgotten for me. Call it 1.5

Felt Mountain by Goldfrapp
Apr 22 2026

Good lord. We've been in a slump with these records lately. These 2000s records are just so uninspiring. There has to be good stuff somewhere in this era but it's not on Felt Mountain that's for sure. Dull, repetitive, and way too pretentious for it's own good.

Live At The Regal by B.B. King
Apr 23 2026

Good album but not a 4/5 star album for me. Enjoyed it but I’m not pulling this out all the time for a re-listen.

Dig Me Out by Sleater-Kinney
Apr 24 2026

Good album, love the music. The really high vibrato vocals really get to me after a few songs. I think it’s the combination of the vocals and the shouted way they are sung. I’m just fatigued listening to it. For me it’s really distracting - enough to go from 3 stars to 2.

S&M by Metallica
Apr 27 2026

Oh hell no. This is really 0 stars, but I can't move on unless I give it one star. I hate that Jason's last album with Metallica is this awful trash.

Apr 28 2026

Not bad - wasn't too long, wasn't overly annoying. Post Punk is not something I'd turn to all the time, but if these songs came up on shuffle I wouldn't fuss about it. Definitely need to hear more of The Fall but I've enjoyed this one.

Talk Talk Talk by The Psychedelic Furs
Apr 29 2026

Not bad overall, but still feels dated in places (that sax really?). The early 80s production drives me crazy at times. I'd call it 2 stars but I'd be willing to invest a little more time in this band based on what I've heard so far.

2112 by Rush
Apr 30 2026

Full disclosure, I do adore Rush. I don't mind Geddy's voice, the prog rock doesn't bother me. Hell, I've even softened my stance on the mid 80's reggae tinged albums. So, for me, "Tears" seems like it would have been better moved to the start or end of the 2nd side of this album. It just seems to kill the momentum of the album. Anyway, great songs, great album.

Bubble And Scrape by Sebadoh
May 01 2026

It's ok - but I felt like all the songs ran together and they sound similar to Pavement. Doesn't really make me want to check out anything else in their catalogue.

evermore by Taylor Swift
May 04 2026

It's probably a 2.5 overall for me. Another reminder that I'm really not the target audience for Taylor's music. Nothing was actively offensive or made me cringe, but nothing on the album really spoke to me either.

The New Tango by Astor Piazzolla
May 05 2026

Not something I'd listen to again. This quickly blended into the background for me.

Rising Above Bedlam by Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
May 06 2026

Eh, it was fine. Don’t mind the dub bass or the world music vibe, but it just got old really quickly. The biggest revelation for me was seeing Jah Wobble’s picture in the Wikipedia article. Not what I expected.

Since I Left You by The Avalanches
May 07 2026

...Flight 22 is off to Honolulu…Flight 22 is off to Honolulu... Originally heard about this album on a Questlove podcast with The Avalanches. It didn't click right away, but "Live at Dominoes" stuck out (and got stuck in my head). Went back and a few more spins made me realize this was a great one. Worth a second shot - or just go back and listen to "Live at Dominoes"

The Only Ones by The Only Ones
May 08 2026

Better than I expected - but I feel like it’s going to take a few more listens to really get into it. Call it 2.5 rounded up to 3

Viva Hate by Morrissey
May 11 2026

Another confirmation that Johnny Marr is a saint for putting up with the Moz. This album isn’t great, it’s basically all the whining and none of the great music from the Smiths. #TeamMarrforever

Truth And Soul by Fishbone
May 12 2026

I really hate that plink-y Casio keyboard. Totally distracting (for me) from the rest of the music. Some great parts/bits but nothing ever really coalesced into great songs…

May 13 2026

Call this 2.5 rounded up - it’s not my favorite Smiths album but there’s still some interesting stuff on here.

Imperial Bedroom by Elvis Costello & The Attractions
May 14 2026

A more mature Elvis Costello? Yes, for sure, but a more entertaining EC? That's entirely up to the individual. Personally, I didn't hate it, but it wasn't as entertaining to me as EC's earlier records.

May 15 2026

What a great album - first time I've heard this album in its entirety. It's criminal that Columbia Records really didn't know what to do with Aretha Franklin.

Happy Sad by Tim Buckley
May 18 2026

This can't possibly be the "best" Tim Buckley album to start with right? This was far too long and fairly dull. I'll be skipping this one from now on.

Movies by Holger Czukay
May 19 2026

Weird but mostly enjoyable. Not what I was expecting or normally what I'd listen to.

Legalize It by Peter Tosh
May 20 2026

I felt like this was just another reggae album. It was good, but felt very similar to the early Bob Marley albums I've heard.

It's A Shame About Ray by The Lemonheads
May 21 2026

I think the Mrs Robinson cover really skews this album. The rest is fine to bland - but damn it they did a great job on that cover

May 22 2026

"I got a letter from the government the other day / I opened it and read it, it said they were suckers" Yep, Chuck D still on point with that one. Is this PE's overlooked masterpiece? Fear of a Black Planet is great, but I think this one is just a little better.

Station To Station by David Bowie
May 25 2026

Really great album - one I’ve never heard all the way through before.

Songs The Lord Taught Us by The Cramps
May 26 2026

I enjoyed this one, but it's not going to be on repeat at my house any time soon.

May 27 2026

I don't expect this to be a big hit for most folks. But that's ok - the story behind the album, the folks involved and using Wally Heider Studios as a clubhouse of sorts appeals to me. The music ain't bad either! Good lazy Sunday morning kind of album.

Penance Soiree by The Icarus Line
May 28 2026

Just feels like a mashup of a thousand other bands - but nothing really jumps out. I can hear Soundgarden, White Stripes, Jesus Lizard, Sonic Youth, The Stooges - just to name a few. Not worth having to sit thru this album ever again.

May 29 2026

Oof. That was bad. Another $1 bargain bin find at Tower Records for sure. Remember, be very suspicious of any album on there where the only accolade in Wikipedia is “included in the 1001 albums you must hear book”

KE*A*H** (Psalm 69) by Ministry
Jun 01 2026

It's fine - it's a weird in between metal and industrial that I never really realized until relistening to this the other day. I don't know why but it just doesn't land for me. Jesus Built My Hotrod is pretty damn catchy...

Soul Mining by The The
Jun 02 2026

It's not as bad as the other The The album we've listened to, but it's still a early '80s pop album and nothing special at that. 2 stars, won't be back.

Atomizer by Big Black
Jun 03 2026

Never really listened to this one - enjoyed what I heard but not sure if I'll listen a lot,

Chore of Enchantment by Giant Sand
Jun 04 2026

All the dumb things that Tom Waits does? Do all that and be a worse songwriter. Then you’ll have this album.

Darkdancer by Les Rythmes Digitales
Jun 05 2026

So, it's an ok album - it's not the best thing I've ever heard. I confess, I skipped to the middle of several tracks just to get thru them. HOWEVER, "Hey you what's that sound?" was sampled on either a 2 Many DJs or Fatboy Slim mix and I'd never heard the original. I was honestly floored when that song started. And it's a banger so, that's the one big caveat on this album. Still 2 stars, but damn that song is catchy.

Shaft by Isaac Hayes
Jun 08 2026

I like Isaac Hayes, but I'm not a huge fan of this particular album. Feels like a hit and some filler. I realize its for the movie, but even then, the rest of the music is just ok.

Ace of Spades by Motörhead
Jun 09 2026

Another great album from Motörhead!

A Short Album About Love by The Divine Comedy
Jun 10 2026

This fascination with crooners and their orchestrated albums is going to drive me insane. I just don't care for this stuff. I do hope someone gets more out of it than I did, but one listen was more than enough for me.

A Date With The Everly Brothers by The Everly Brothers
Jun 11 2026

Really hard to get excited for this one with no “hit” singles. It’s fine - they sound great but nothing on this album made me want to re-listen or hear more of their catalog.

Come Find Yourself by Fun Lovin' Criminals
Jun 12 2026

Wow - didn't expect this album to show up on this list. I'm not going to be super objective with this one. Picked it up on a whim at a college radio cd sale. Didn't expect much then, but the whole album was worth listening to from the first spin. The rapping isn't up to Rakim or Q-Tip standards, but it fits in well with the album. So many hooks and snippets that have gotten stuck in my head over the years. Great album, worth a few spins if you're not initially hooked. Give it a shot, huh? Way better than a lot off other little known artists on this list.

NEU! 75 by Neu!
Jun 15 2026

As Krautrock as you can get. Very easy to listen to and get lost in, but just as easily moves into the background while listening at work.

Jun 16 2026

Pretty good - I'm not a huge fan of the short interludes but the fleshed out songs were quite good. Completely unaware of this group, so this was a nice find for a Monday.

Grace by Jeff Buckley
Jun 17 2026

Really? This is supposed to be, "one of the greatest albums of all time"? I'm both bored and horrified at the voice I'm having to endure. Pop crooner with a few songs dipped briefly in a au jus of grunge. The best part of this album was when it finished Spotify jumped to the Smiths song, "Bigmouth Strikes Again" as if to apologize for what I'd just had to endure.

This Year's Model by Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Jun 18 2026

Really love this album - the lyrics, the songs and the band are all excellent. This early run of 4 albums (TYM is #2 in that sequence) is well worth investigation, but This Year's Model is the one that I'd listen to first over all the others.

Homework by Daft Punk
Jun 19 2026

Enjoyed it way more than I expected. Very much in line with Krautrock, that repetition somehow works for this album. Usually, it would be a turn off, but this album hit me just right, I guess.

Funeral by Arcade Fire
Jun 22 2026

Yeah, I'll pass. What the hell was that? I don't feel like I can adequately describe that album - genre defying, but not in a good way. What a mess, just a hodgepodge of styles all jam in together. Not worth it for me.

Floodland by Sisters Of Mercy
Jun 23 2026

It’s ok - Could be worse. Really felt like a album Peter Steele loved in middle school.

Paul Simon by Paul Simon
Jun 24 2026

Ok, I’ve heard it and I can move on. Nothing here really sticks out it’s about what I expected.

Ready To Die by The Notorious B.I.G.
Jun 25 2026

It’s provably a ridiculous hill to die on, but I get really tired of the extended amount of sex braggadocio rapping from Biggie. It just gets boring after a while. He’s got a way with words and the beats are great but damn I’m tired of hearing about his exploits.

Apocalypse Dudes by Turbonegro
Jun 26 2026

I was really hoping this would be a stoner rock band, based on the album cover alone. I think it obvious I knew nothing about this particular band going into it. Instead, it's like the Queers found "regular/basic" rock music and made a bunch of butt jokes. Call it 1.5 just for some riffs.

Pretenders by Pretenders
Jun 29 2026

Pretty good - I've never heard this album all the way through. I'd be willing to go back to it to see how it holds up a few more time.

The Libertines by The Libertines
Jun 30 2026

Just feels like a paint-by-numbers version of bands before them. I don't hear anything here that's really original, just echoes of past bands mixed together.

Jul 01 2026

There is nothing worth hearing from the Nu Metal genre/era. Go listen to some jazz, some NWOBHM, some good old house music, the Allman Brothers, James Brown or some golden era hip hop. anything other than this trash.

G. Love And Special Sauce by G. Love & Special Sauce
Jul 02 2026

Lord save us from more annoying white boy blues schtick. Folks this is just another Tower Records bargain bin pick. The record was cheap and it's helping to pad out this damn list.

Spiderland by Slint
Jul 03 2026

I literally can’t remember anything memorable about this album and I just listened to it.

Jul 06 2026

Love this album - a fun, weird, off kilter album, but also so damn catchy. The mix of genres shouldn’t work but it does for me. PS - if you enjoy this album check out the song “Buttoned Down Disco” by Clinton as well.

Young Americans by David Bowie
Jul 07 2026

Huh - not really sure if I like this white boy funk era Bowie. Enjoyed the music but I’d need more time with this album I think.

Jul 10 2026

At first glance, I assumed this would be a 2 stars album. It would be ok, the hit single would add in a star and it would be fairly mundane Euro Synth Pop music. That lasted until track 3 when the abomination of a cover of "Wrap It Up" was inflicted on my ears. It's fucking bullshit. Seriously, it's trash and fuck the Eurythmics for doing this. They took an Isaac Hayes and David Porter written song and destroyed it. The Sam and Dave version is a stone cold classic. Hell, even the Fabulous Thunderbirds did a decent cover. BUT this pair of clowns fucked it up. That single song was so bad it colored my feelings for the rest of the album. This is a 0 star album in my option. I have to give it one in order to move on, but it's a 0 star album for sure. Idiots.

The Stooges by The Stooges
Jul 13 2026

It's the Stooges, you really can't go wrong with this one.

Surrealistic Pillow by Jefferson Airplane
Jul 14 2026

Good album, very representative of the San Francisco psychedelic scene. Yes, I know it's easier when you're one of the founders of that particular scene! I still think that "Somebody To Love" is the outlier song on this one. Finding out it was written by Slick's brother, and originally done by her earlier band makes way more sense. Still, the Airplane knock it out of the park. Can't believe I never realized that the song "Today" was the same song that Tom Scott covers (but his version ends up in Pete Rock/CL Smooth's "They Reminisce Over You").

Electric by The Cult
Jul 15 2026

Not bad, but it's also not "Sonic Temple". It's getting there, you can hear where the Cult are going, but again, it's not fully fleshed out. Let's call it 2.5 (and I'll round up to 3 for this rating)

Miriam Makeba by Miriam Makeba
Jul 16 2026

It wasn't bad - the music was fine, the vocals were good. Just not my cup of tea, but I'm not going to mark it down for not being my thing.

Still a few songs that I don't totally love, but damn, this is a really great album. I didn't realize just how many bits and pieces are stuck in my brain. The chance to go back through the Bowie catalog has been really fun.

Shadowland by k.d. lang
Jul 20 2026

Look - she's got a great voice and I'm sure the band are all the best of the best Nashville had to offer when this album was recorded. But, it just doesn't grab me. It feels like an exercise in how how to sound really vintage (but doesn't pull it off).

With The Beatles by Beatles
Jul 21 2026

It’s not bad it’s just not very revolutionary either. You know exactly what you’re getting with mid 60s Beatles

Jul 22 2026

Hey - I like this album, I like their first album too. It's fun - it's just a damn rock and roll album. Sometimes that's more than enough. Does it sound good? Not really, it's a mess. It is what it is, can't go and look back in anger at the mastering/mixing process, but it would get more stars if it was better produced.

Run-D.M.C. by Run-D.M.C.
Jul 23 2026

It's ok - there's some good and some bad. It's early so the formula isn't firmly established. Better days and beats ahead...

High Violet by The National
Jul 28 2026

I shouldn't have listened to this right after lunch. I nearly fell asleep. It's not for me.

At Budokan by Cheap Trick
Jul 29 2026

Really enjoyed this one - need to go back and listen to those first few albums again, I remember enjoying them the first time around...

Your Arsenal by Morrissey
Jul 30 2026

Honestly, I'm giving it 1 star for all the baggage that comes with listening to Morrissey. Some artists can't outrun what they've said/done/continue to be. Love the Smiths, but I'm a Marr guy. I feel like that needs to be said too. This album does sound better than I expected. Not one I'm coming back to, but I gave it a listen because of Mick Ronson producing.

Jul 31 2026

This album flew by and I must confess I never really heard a break between songs. Very typical of the other Mayfield albums I've heard. I'll go back to this one for sure.

Fishscale by Ghostface Killah
Aug 03 2026

Fine, I guess. More often than not, the solo Wu albums just don't hold up for me. That whole cocaine/turf wars bit has always bored me. Great producers and some decent beats/lyrics scattered about the album. Nothing that I'm overly excited to come back and revisit.

Duck Rock by Malcolm McLaren
Aug 04 2026

Not surprisingly, the hack who found Vivienne Westwood and lucked into the Sex Pistols didn't really know what he was doing with his own "music". Sure he found some ok stuff, but he pasted it together as if it was a hip hop mix tap. The music is fine, but McLaren is an exploitive hack. Review more for the person than the album.

Aug 05 2026

...Brother Wayne...Brother Wayne Kramer... Really that's all you need to know. It's incendiary music, too short and too long at the same time. It's a beast of an album and very worthy of 5 stars. This is revolution!

Moving Pictures by Rush
Aug 06 2026

Really amazing album, I'm not sure if it's Rush's pinnacle or not, but it's up there with the best of their work. Let's call it 4.5 rounded up to 5 - I still don't love The Camera Eye even after all these years. It's the only thing that really bogs down on this album

Street Signs by Ozomatli
Aug 07 2026

It's ok - the first album ("Ozomatli") is better though.

Rid Of Me by PJ Harvey
Aug 10 2026

Really enjoyed this album and I know I need to listen to it more often. Great music and Steve Albini recording it too? What a great sounding record.

The Queen Is Dead by The Smiths
Aug 11 2026

It's a hell of a record. Sounds amazing and Morrissey hasn't lost his mind yet. I could probably give it 4 stars just for "Bigmouth Strikes Again" Marr sounds excellent and Andy Rourke is a very talented bass player. It's worth a re-listen to just his bass parts. Seriously underrated talent.

Oxygène by Jean-Michel Jarre
Aug 12 2026

I'm not sold on this one. It's ok, but after two tracks, I was bored. Just never found anything to pull me in. Recommended if you want to fall asleep or just need some really dull dinner party music.

Psychocandy by The Jesus And Mary Chain
Aug 13 2026

Not something I'm going to always run back to, but worth hearing occasionally.

Something/Anything? by Todd Rundgren
Aug 14 2026

I skipped around quite a bit on this one. It's a really long album and to me, all the songs sound really similar/have a similar structure. There were some decent parts, but overall, really nothing that wow'd me. This feels like the kind of bloated '70s music that the punk kids were really rebelling about...

War by U2
Aug 17 2026

Really great album - always glad to revisit this one.

Meat Is Murder by The Smiths
Aug 18 2026

I like the Smiths, but this album isn't a particular favorite. Still good, but there's better to be found.

Critic

Average rating: 2.50 (0.76 below global average).

Other

Album origins are grouped into three buckets: US, UK, and everything else. “Other” means the artists you rate highest are from outside the US and UK.