438
Albums Rated
3.15
Average Rating
40%
Complete
651 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1970s
Favorite Decade
Blues
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
45
5-Star Albums
22
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Exile In Guyville
Liz Phair
|
5 | 3.02 | +1.98 |
|
Underwater Moonlight
The Soft Boys
|
5 | 3.06 | +1.94 |
|
Rain Dogs
Tom Waits
|
5 | 3.2 | +1.8 |
|
Time Out Of Mind
Bob Dylan
|
5 | 3.22 | +1.78 |
|
The Stooges
The Stooges
|
5 | 3.26 | +1.74 |
|
Fear Of A Black Planet
Public Enemy
|
5 | 3.34 | +1.66 |
|
Synchronicity
The Police
|
5 | 3.42 | +1.58 |
|
Reggatta De Blanc
The Police
|
5 | 3.45 | +1.55 |
|
Sign 'O' The Times
Prince
|
5 | 3.45 | +1.55 |
|
Play
Moby
|
5 | 3.47 | +1.53 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Live At The Harlem Square Club
Sam Cooke
|
1 | 3.77 | -2.77 |
|
The Score
Fugees
|
1 | 3.69 | -2.69 |
|
Live And Dangerous
Thin Lizzy
|
1 | 3.32 | -2.32 |
|
First Band On The Moon
The Cardigans
|
1 | 3.29 | -2.29 |
|
The Real Thing
Faith No More
|
1 | 3.2 | -2.2 |
|
Vespertine
Björk
|
1 | 3.16 | -2.16 |
|
The Pleasure Principle
Gary Numan
|
1 | 3.14 | -2.14 |
|
OK Computer
Radiohead
|
2 | 4.1 | -2.1 |
|
The Bends
Radiohead
|
2 | 4.01 | -2.01 |
|
A Seat at the Table
Solange
|
1 | 3.01 | -2.01 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| The Police | 2 | 5 |
| Prince | 2 | 5 |
| The Clash | 2 | 5 |
| Pink Floyd | 4 | 4.25 |
| Michael Jackson | 3 | 4.33 |
| Led Zeppelin | 3 | 4.33 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Kings of Leon | 2 | 1.5 |
| Radiohead | 4 | 2 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| A Tribe Called Quest | 2, 5 |
| Pink Floyd | 2, 5, 5, 5 |
| The Who | 2, 3, 5 |
5-Star Albums (45)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Elis Regina
1/5
This is pretty bad to listen to, but it gets worse as it isn't an album that should even be considered.
From a Reddit post:
This is actually a huge mistake of the author of the list, and I've mentioned it before on a post a few months ago about albums with the wrong year. This album is made up from songs from two different albums, "Elis" from 1980, and one song from the 1979 album "Essa Mulher". Somehow, though, the author included this album, despite being a niché compilation from nearly twenty years later. The worst part? The book labels it as from 1979, despite most of the songs on the album being from an album from the next year. Just a mess all around, it really irks me. I don't blame the generator for the wrong year though, as it's just putting what the book said.
As for compilations, they are generally excluded (no best of Queen or ABBA, take notes Rolling Stone), but there are some that slipped through the cracks, such as this and the Hives album. Just the author not double checking the albums he's including, I guess. I'm supposing someone told him he had to include Regina but he didn't actually know anything about the artist, and just threw in some recent thing, which in 2005 would've been this compilation. Still confused where he got 1979 from, though, save for the singular song from the album from the same year.
1 likes
4-Star Albums (93)
1-Star Albums (22)
All Ratings
David Bowie
4/5
1st time listening to this album. Side two is a different kind of Bowie for me but I really liked it.
Rush
3/5
2112, the song which takes up side 1, is representative of the best of Spın̈al Tap's early work.
Despite 2-3 solid songs, closer to 2 than to 4 for me.
Talking Heads
3/5
A couple of good/great songs, you can see hints if greatness to come, but overall closer to 2 than to 4.
Billy Joel
5/5
Great album of pop songs it's only one dud "Everybody Has a Dream" and many classics. While not the most adventurous album, there are subtle divergences from typical pop fair that helps it to not grow stale.
Massive Attack
3/5
Never heard any of this before. Really enjoyed it, especially the final song. A little too inconsistent for a 4 rating, but close.
Bob Dylan
3/5
Certainly some great songs, but also a lot of forgettable stuff. When Dylan is on he's on, but when he's off, it's pretty unlistenable. Take the best tracks and put them on a single album and you might have a 4.
A Tribe Called Quest
2/5
Not for me.
LTJ Bukem
3/5
The second half is better than the first. Nothing outstanding, but good.
Faith No More
1/5
No more.
Dizzee Rascal
3/5
Liked it much more than I thought I would. Nice Billy Squier sample. Tempted to give it 4 stars.
Depeche Mode
3/5
Solid album.
The Police
5/5
Great album. Still sounds fresh. Classic album.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
Never listened to this album before.
It's an interesting thing to attempt to tie national politics with the politics of relationships, but in the end I don't think he did justice to either. Too crafty for it's own good.
A couple of good songs. Rated as a 3- without (WSF'B) PL&U and 3+ with it.
3/5
Never listened to the full album before.
Pretty derivative of The Beatles but these are well-built pop tunes.
Strong 3.
Gary Numan
1/5
I love the 80s. This album represents the worst of it. So many better choices out there.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
5/5
Never heard the album before.
So here was CCR's plan:
Make an album of various forms of roots- and blues-rock
Choose 4 great songs and do solid cover versions of them. Maybe one of them will become a famous version...
Write 7 original songs. Release 6 of them as "Double-A-Sides". See them become incredibly successful.
Don't worry about the album cover. It can be really stupid, and it won't matter.
End up with a classic album.
Why don't more bands take this approach?
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
Hard to have perspective on this album. Listened to it more times than I could count, but haven't listened to it as an album in years.
I'm struck by a few things...the looseness of the band on many of the tracks, the quality of the songwriting, and the incredible performance of the band.
But most of all I really notice the a complete mismatch of the "hip-hip-hooray" sound of the music with the depressing lyrics.
This album was a hit machine...7 top 10 singles and not one of the 12 songs is a dud.
Springsteen knew how to write a pop/rock song, but it was the E Street band that made this album a classic. No "backup band" has ever sounded better.
Cypress Hill
3/5
First time listening to this.
I liked some of the throwaway tracks more than the big singles. The delivery of one of the rappers gets on my nerves. I liked a lot of the flow.
Started as a 2 but got to a 3 by the end of it.
"Just click on the chumpy and feel the funky flows"
Little Richard
3/5
First time listened to this album. Listened once with "original audio" and once in the "Deluxe Edition". It's less than a 30 minute listen!
I can't imagine what it must have been like to first hear Little Richard in 1957. Although his music is rooted in the newly birthed rock and roll style, his audacious performance must have blown people away. So although this album is a little repetitive and not something I'll listen to regularly, it's a significant statement from early rock.
"Well I saw Uncle John with bald-head Sally. He saw Aunt Mary comin' and ducked back in the alley."
Marianne Faithfull
1/5
I had never listened to the album, I don't recall ever hearing any of the songs.
I listened through it once and I hope to never hear any of these songs ever again.
Complete and utter mediocrity.
Sufjan Stevens
2/5
Never heard this album or really ever heard OF this album.
Interesting concept album I suppose. Glad to be made aware of it, but I don't expect to ever listen to this again.
Paul Simon
3/5
Never heard the album before. It had a couple of good songs but overall not great. I won't rush out to listen to it again.
3 stars, but closer to 2 than 4.
"I was born in the boredom and the chowder"
Jane Weaver
2/5
Never heard of this before, or heard any songs on the album.
Seems fine, though a bit inconsistent. Certainly doesn't seem memorable or groundbreaking. Not sure why it made the list.
"I wish you were cool
I wish you were something"
2 stars
PJ Harvey
2/5
Never heard the album, not familiar with any of the songs.
A couple of times I thought a song was gaining traction...but then it shriveled up and died on the vine.
"Don't you don't you wish you never never met her"
Can
1/5
Never heard anything by this artist before.
Sounds like Eddie Murphy's Buckwheat's new electronica band. Now with more backward masking!
The music hit a couple of grooves but the entire thing just unspools by the end.
"When I saw Mushroom Head"
Aretha Franklin
4/5
Never heard album before, but have heard some of the songs. Listened 2x.
Solid album with a few classics on it. Aretha is great.
"Get hip to the consultation of the boolawee"
Cyndi Lauper
4/5
Heard the album before, although haven't listened to it often.
Great pop album. About as representative of the 80s as any album, but it works. She chose a lot of great songs written by others and put her own signature on them.
"The second hand unwinds"
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
2/5
Never heard the album or any of the songs.
All right I guess, but none of the songs seem memorable or resonate. Seems pretty derivative. Not sure why it makes the list.
Girls Against Boys
2/5
First time hearing this album, not familiar with any of the songs.
Seems okay, not really my kind of music. Nothing really grabbed me or stood out.
"We never try"
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
3/5
Never heard this album before. Listened twice.
A good sampling of traditional blues styles. Glad I heard it, I might listen to it again. But not sure I wouldn't be better off listening to the blues performers who came before.
"Well, I'm putting that cotton in a never-full sack"
Common
4/5
Haven't heard this before but very impressed.
"My mother gave birth but she really never had me."
The Rolling Stones
4/5
I've listened before, but not for a long time.
A few classics here but more than half of this album doesn't really resonate or feel that memorable to me.
"My heart is beating louder than a big bass drum, alright"
Sebadoh
1/5
Never heard of this band or heard this album.
Bad songwriting performed by bad musicians. Completely forgettable.
"There's no need to say a word"
Living Colour
4/5
I might have heard the album once or twice back in the day, but not for many years.
It's better than I expected/remembered.
"Now you can tear a building down
But you can't erase a memory"
Lenny Kravitz
3/5
Have never heard the album.
Not bad, but not that memorable. He "oversings" on quite a few songs.
"Go Henry"
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
Never heard the album.
A few classic songs but the other songs were just okay. The "dylanish" song is better off forgotten. Other songs sounded like rip-offs of the music of the time (Procol Harum, 10cc, etc.).
7 O'clock news is an interesting moment in time.
"But all my words come back to me
In shades of mediocrity"
3/5
Had never heard the album. The only song I'd heard was The Cisco Kid.
Really enjoyed the album. Great production.
Strong 3.
"Eat the salted peanuts out the can"
Primal Scream
3/5
Haven't heard the album before, but I've seen them live and didn't enjoy the show. I expected to dislike the album.
At their best, like Medication and Motorhead, they sound like Jesus & Mary Chain (founder Bobby Gillespie's former band). The more experimental stuff didn't resonate with me.
"We're moving like a parallelogram"
Tom Waits
4/5
Hadn't listened to the album before.
I wasn't expecting that this would be so accessible. Really great songs, and a great recording for a live album.
"She's been married so many times she got rice marks all over her face."
Johnny Cash
3/5
Never listened to the album before. Note: Desperado n/a on YouTube Music so I had to go to Spotify for that song.
You select some of the great songs written in country and rock, add one of the great distinctive voices in music, and an all-star cast of performers...so why do less than half of these versions work? I think it's a combination of Johnny's failing health and Rick Rubin losing his golden touch by the 4th album in this series.
But there are a lot of songs that work, and this version of Hurt is an all-time classic.
"And I looked and behold, a pale horse. And it's name that sat on him, was Death. And Hell followed with him."
Beastie Boys
4/5
It's been a while since I've listened to this one. Interesting that it's the 2nd Rick Rubin production in a row.
Still fresh and funky. Although certainly not perfect, almost all of it works. I admire its try-anything approach and the assured production. Hip hop has moved on and hit new heights but this album is foundational.
"White Castle fries only come in one size"
Norah Jones
3/5
Have heard the album a few times.
Beautiful voice. Nice arrangements. Can't figure out why I don't like it more. Maybe it needs just a little more edge, or verve, or something.
A soft 3 stars.
"Does it seem like I'm looking for an answer"
LL Cool J
3/5
Never listened to this album.
Not what I expected...the album has a wide range of styles. A couple of songs come off sounding like the bubblegum rap of Will Smith. But there are a lot of solid songs throughout.
Strong 3 stars
"They're jingling, baby"
AC/DC
3/5
Never listened to the album.
Solid rock album. No duds, and one classic. The rest is good but nothing eye-opening. A couple of Spın̈al Tap moments sprinkled in, as well.
"A body of Venus with arms."
Frank Sinatra
3/5
Never heard the album but have heard many of the songs.
On the best if these songs, Sinatra's smooth effortless singing goes counterplay with the orchestra and creates some classics. I expected an album full of those moments but some songs feel uninspired. In particular the classic Anything Goes sounds tepid here.
ZZ Top
3/5
Not sure I ever owned this one, but I'm familiar with all the songs.
A strange love child of honky tonk and 80's synths. About half the songs here are made more memorable with the drum machine treatment, but the rest would probably be better served in a more traditional bluesy style.
The lyrics are raunchier than I remember... Interesting for what is essentially a pop album.
"You gotta make it hot
Like a boomerang, I need a repeat"
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Listened to before, but not for a while.
Great album. A few small things don't work for me, but overall pretty amazing. Richards' guitar work is great throughout. Jaggers vocals are great on some songs and a bad fit on others.
If the single version of Honky Tonk Women was included, of give it a 5.
"When the train left the station
It had two lights on behind
The blue light was my baby and the red light was my mind."
The Flaming Lips
3/5
Never heard this before. Surprised I liked it considering how much I disliked The Soft Bulletin, their release prior to this one.
Strange but engaging. It will likely take a few more listens to finalize a rating, but giving it a 3.
Miles Davis
3/5
Never listened to it.
Enjoyed it but I might not be qualified to appreciate it.
Pink Floyd
2/5
Listened to before, but not for a long time.
One of the more memorable albums from Spın̈al Tap's psychedelic period.
Syd Barret's sad story makes for great mythic status, but it's clear on this album (for which he wrote most of the songs) that his loss has been overstated. Pink Floyd simply wasn't very good until David Gilmour joined the band.
"That cat's something I can't explain"
Stan Getz
3/5
Never heard before.
I enjoyed listening to this.
Amy Winehouse
3/5
Haven't heard before.
Good album, and an impressive debut.
"I can't help but demonstrate my Freudian fate"
John Martyn
3/5
Never heard the album or heard of the artist before.
Pretty good album, if a little inconsistent.
"I'm the only man bakin' jelly and I keep my devil down"
Astor Piazzolla
2/5
Never heard this before, and never heard of the artists.
I didn't really think this was the type of music that was on this list. In any case, the music sounds just fine, but just left scratching my head.
The Magnetic Fields
4/5
Never heard before.
Albums like this are why I enjoy this list...I might not ever have stumbled upon this album otherwise. 69 songs on 3 albums is a pretty astonishing output.
The music is beautiful throughout, and the lyrics and vocals are sometimes inspired. Unfortunately, the lyrics and vocals sometimes fall (very) flat. I was initially off-put by the first few songs, which almost kept me from continuing on this (long) musical journey. Continuing to listen paid off, as the album soon improves greatly.
I'll be making a playlist of my favorite 20-30 of these songs and playing it (often) in the future.
"Never stuck around long enough for a one-night stand"
Sarah Vaughan
3/5
Never listened to this before.
This is a great-sounding live album which really showcases Sarah Vaughan's voice. It makes for good listening but can be a little repetitive by the end.
The inclusion of songs she didn't know the lyrics to and some of the other interplay makes it memorable.
Steely Dan
3/5
Never heard the album, just some of the songs.
A couple of classics here, in particular Reelin' in the Years still sounds great (and what amazing guitar work). Noteworthy for being Steely Dan's debut album, but not consistent enough to be even considered "great".
"Dirty Work" doesn't hold up, and still sticks out as the Steely Dan hit that doesn't fit with the rest of their most popular songs.
"You been tellin' me you're a genius
Since you were seventeen
In all the time I've known you
I still don't know what you mean"
Pulp
4/5
Never heard the band or these songs.
This is why I enjoy this list. This was an immediate like for me, can't get enough of the 80's style music and hooks.
"Skin stretched tight over high cheekbones
And thousands of tiny dryness lines beating a path"
Skunk Anansie
2/5
Haven't heard any of this before.
I appreciate the energy of the performances and the perspective of the lyrics, but I'm not a huge fan of the songs.
"Lately I can't seem to
Colour what we've lost"
Roxy Music
2/5
Never heard this album before.
I was really looking forward to this, but ended up disappointed.
Ramones
4/5
Have heard the album before, but not for a while.
Rock and Roll distilled to its core, proving that four chords is all you need. This album is the Beatles of New York (if not America) debut, and it still sounds as brash and provocative today. The album is of course incredibly influential.
Listening now, almost all of it works. A few songs feel repetitive, but considering the similar beat, similar chords, and similar singing, it's interesting to hear how there can still be a subtle diversity of songs.
"That girl could still be mine
But I'm tired of the hurt"
Fiona Apple
3/5
Never heard this before.
I enjoyed this. She's a really strong songwriter. There seemed to be a few (what I think were unintentional) off-key notes in her singing. The songs stay in the same genre but vary enough that the album doesn't get boring.
"But as the scenery grows, I see in different lights
The shades and shadows undulate in my perception"
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
Never heard this album before.
It's a good album, and the band sounds great. But the songs don't seem to resonate with me like the best Neil Young songs do.
"It's only someone else's potatoes if you're pickin' someone else's patch"
Minor Threat
3/5
Never heard this before.
Not really my kind of music, but this seems a cut above similar music, especially the lyrics.
"Goddamn it, we were supposed to stay young"
Kings of Leon
2/5
Never heard this before.
Boy I really hate the vocals. He sounds like Randy Newman recovering from a stroke.
Music is okay, lyrics are pretty bad.
"You're givin' all your cinnamon away"
Sex Pistols
4/5
Heard before, but don't listen to it much.
Landmark album and it still sounds great. Listening to it again I'm surprised by how good the musical performances are. And the lyrics are great. And still sound subversive today in a pretty smart way.
Strong 4 stars.
"When there's no future, how can there be sin?"
Bob Dylan
3/5
Heard this before, but not for a while.
Like a Rolling Stone is one of the great rock songs. Listening to it today I was surprised to hear the nice piano and guitar fills. Intersting to think what it might sound like if the "wall of sound" was turned down a touch and had a more balanced mix.
I liked the rest of this more than I expected. Dylan sounds like he's having a lot of fun on this album, despite the cynical lyrics.
"Aw, you never turned around to see the frowns
On the jugglers and the clowns when they all did tricks for you"
Jazmine Sullivan
2/5
Never heard this before. Disappointed in the censoring Youtube Music put throughout this album.
I'm not the target audience, but the music and singing isn't compelling to me.
I like the approach of having spoken word from various "real" individuals prior to each song. This gives a 'reality' to the lyrics. Unfortunately the lyrical message often falls into celebrating stupid cliche'd behavior.
"Take this water and hydrate, bitch"
Björk
1/5
Never heard this before.
This album might become my new go-to when I want to get a lot of things done in a day. Because listening to this 55 minute album felt like 4 hours.
Forgettable.
Peter Tosh
3/5
Never heard the album, but know some of the songs.
Enjoyable reggae but a bit of a downer.
Trivia: The floating man in a suit emoji🕴️is based on a Peter Tosh photo.
"And when me shuby
You feel ketchy"
Jefferson Airplane
3/5
Never heard the album before.
White Rabbit is still a pretty amazing song with a unique structure. Somebody to Love is pretty meh now. The rest of it... Just sounds like the 60s, and not the "good" 60s. And why did so many 60s and 70s bands put traditional blues style songs on their albums? I won't listen to this album again, but I'm giving it 3 starts just for White Rabbit.
"Remember what the dormouse said"
Ella Fitzgerald
3/5
Never heard this before.
Should Box Sets be included in this list? I mean there is 3 1/2 hours of music in this album!
This is good, but I'd be more likely to give it 4 or 5 stars if they focused on a dozen of the best songs.
Radiohead
2/5
I've tried this album before.
Sorry Radiohead, you don't do it for me. Your songs sound derivative and not memorable.
Knowing how popular this band is with critics, I'm guessing I'll be sitting through more of their catalog as the list reveals itself. Oh joy.
New Order
3/5
I'm not sure I've ever heard the album in its entirety.
This is a serviceable album. The song I recognized, Round & Round, is a different version than the single. I prefer the single version.
Not bad, but not that memorable. I rate it a 3-minus.
"Hey, sophisticated lady"
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
Never heard the album before.
Enjoyable listen. Starts off strange (didn't know Jimi was a Space Cowboy), has lots of variety.
Little Wing is the standout, though it ends just as it's getting started.
Michael Jackson
5/5
I've heard the album before.
His first solo album as an adult, and with producer Quincy Jones' influence, it's a unique sampling of the sounds of the late 70's. It also showcases his vocal abilities in a variety of musical styles.
A noteworthy classic.
"Keep on with the force, don't stop"
Marvin Gaye
3/5
Never heard the album before.
Gaye sounds great and his songs mixing sexuality and spirituality feel cutting edge even today. Let's Get it On is a standout but the rest doesn't resonate.
"If the spirit moves ya, let me groove ya good"
The Dictators
3/5
Never heard of The Dicktators, but I have heard of Manitoba's Wild Kingdom, a later incarnation.
I wouldn't have thought this band would appear on this list, but the fact that this album came out in 1975, They must have been pretty unique to not take themselves too seriously and to go this direction. Definitely can see that it might have influenced later bands (Beastie Boys come to mind).
Still not what I would consider a great album, but more listenable than I thought it would be.
Dr. John
4/5
Never heard this before.
Wow. I expected an album with Louisiana roots, but this is much more than I expected. He really went full-bore into the particular vision of this album. It sounds like you just stepped into a secret religious ceremony.
I really like it. It sets such a specific tone and feeling and provides a nice survey of Louisiana music.
"A la Gris-Gris, calimbo-calimbo"
Rufus Wainwright
2/5
Never heard this album before.
I really don't like his voice. The accompaniment is okay on a few songs. Overall didn't find much to like. I listened to it all in hopes of finding a hidden nugget. But I my search ended without success.
Completely forgettable and unremarkable. Shouldn't be on the list. Barely gets 2 stars for me.
Pretenders
3/5
I've never heard this album before.
The first side of the album is such a punk statement from a female perspective. Really ballsy stuff. The hits show up later on the album.
I've never been a huge Chrissie Hynde fan, so only giving the album 3 stars...but this album definitely deserves to be on the list.
"Lust turns to anger
A kiss to a slug
Something was sticky
On your shag rug, look at the tile
I remember the way he groaned
And moved with an animal skill
I rubbed my face in the sweat that ran down his chest
It was all very run of the mill"
Ray Charles
3/5
Never heard this before.
No gems here, but likeable songs with likable singing and likable arrangements.
Not sure a double album was necessary. Would probably rate higher if the best songs were on a double album.
Shivkumar Sharma
2/5
Get used to this album.
It's the music they play in heaven. 24/7.
Ryan Adams
3/5
I've heard the album before.
Good songwriter with lots of different moods on this album.
Lucinda Williams
3/5
I've owned this album in the past.
I like a lot of the album and she's a solid songwriter, but the best song is her cover version of Don't Let Go.
I did notice that just about every song is about a breakup or an ex-lover and lists 2-3 different cities.
"I take off my watch and my earrings
My bracelets and everything
Lie on my back and moan at the ceiling
Oh my baby"
Derek & The Dominos
3/5
I've heard the album before.
I've listened to this album before, but I'm not a big fan of it. I realize that Clapton's voice is the weak link. I'm also generally not a fan of British artists covering blue songs. The version of Little Wing included here completely robs it of it's beauty. I'm not a huge fan of the Allman Brothers, and this album sounds like an Allman Brothers (Duane Allman contributed). There are lots of screaming vocals here... Not in a good way.
A couple of classic songs, so I'm giving it a soft 3.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
Never listened to this album before.
Pump It Up and Radio, Radio are the singles, and the rest of the album is generally just annoying. Though some tracks seem to have inspired later, better, acts. Go To Chelsea in particular is a precursor to Mirror in the Bathroom, which was released 2 years later.
The lyrics are better off being ignored as Elvis comes off sounding like an Incel.
Barely giving it a 3
Ray Charles
4/5
Recently listened to this, and rated it a "3". Listening to it again I'm enjoying this a lot more. His unique vocals, subtle piano, and the backing (big) band works for these classics.
Green Day
2/5
Never heard this album, just some of the songs.
I'm not a fan of Billy Joe Armstrong's voice nor his lyrics. The band is able to find some hooks, though.
Some call Green Day "Punk" or "Hard Rock". I call it "What you get when Katrina and the Waves gets drunk".
Motörhead
2/5
Never heard this album or any Motorhead that I know of.
Was actually impressed by the songs, but downgrading because it's a live album. I didn't see why a live album needs to be on this just, especially one where there audience ads nothing to the atmosphere.
Carole King
5/5
I've heard the album before.
Pretty amazing showcase of songwriting skills. Although some of the performances here might be overshadowed by versions performed by other artists, the quality of the songs and her simple arrangements still sounds great.
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
Never heard this album before.
America, yes. Mrs. Robinson, a classic. Hazy Shade of Winter, gem in the rough. Bookends Theme (Reprise), maybe?
But what the hell is the rest of this album. Feels slapped together. The "concept album" of the first half is laughably poor.
Giving it 3 stars for the hits, but I won't be listening to this album again.
I guess the first side is a "concept album", about the life of one person.
Scott Walker
1/5
I've never heard of this before.
As the first song, Jackie, started playing, my eyes grew wide, and I mouthed "wow". Not sure what I expected but it certainly wasn't this. The song is filled with borderline inappropriate lyrics, and then halfway through I discover the singer was actually "Jackie". Didn't see that coming either!
As much as I'd love to live-blog this album, I'll give the abridged version:
- Psychedelic Cattle-driving song (the aforementioned "Jackie")
- Weird Tom Jones
- Vanilla Neil Diamond
- Creepy James Bond Theme
- Really creepy Spanish-themed soundtrack song ("Next", but could be called "Jackie Strikes Again")
- Song to Murder Hookers To
- Bad Trippy Beatles
- Slightly Creepy Engelbert Humperdinck
- Raunchy Rogers and Hammerstein
- Sappy Burt Bacharach
- If Ernest Hemingway was more misogynistic
- Frank Sinatra sings a bad song.
Glad I've heard this monstrosity, but will definitely never listen to this again.
Randy Newman
4/5
Hadn't heard the album before, but I had heard a song or two.
Really good songwriting. I like his willingness to take on some pretty difficult topics. I also like the nuance of his cultural commentary...Rednecks is critical of both the racist southerners and the self-righteous northerners.
He adopts the perspectives of Southerners in generally empathetic terms.
I also like the Ragtime-tinged Americana of the music.
Iron Maiden
5/5
Never heard the album before but have heard a couple of the songs before.
Pretty amazing album. Rightfully considered one of the greatest metal albums ever written. Great variety, at times quite melodic, and pretty good lyrics.
Crosby, Stills & Nash
3/5
I've heard the album before.
Debut album from a classic band. Their harmonies are truly a unique sound.
The songwriting is hit-or-miss and some of the music and lyrics sound pretty dated.
A few classics here, but not enough consistency for me to rate it higher than a 3.
"Thrill me to the marrow"
Oasis
3/5
Never listened to the album before.
Had high hopes given the quality of their second album, but this one didn't impress me nearly as much. It's a good, but not great, album.
Kid Rock
1/5
Never heard this album, but have heard "Cowboy".
Just insultingly bad. Perhaps it's on this list as a cautionary tale. Never forget, lest this might happen again.
Donovan
3/5
Never heard this before.
There are a couple of memorable songs, but most of this trippy flower-power psychedelic folk album is hard to take seriously.
I'll give it a soft 3 stars.
T. Rex
2/5
Haven't heard this before.
It's fine I guess, but not that memorable. Instead of "Get it On" we get "Telegram Sam", a weaker song based on the same Riff.
This album has no lasting significance...shouldn't be on the list.
The Smashing Pumpkins
3/5
I've heard the album before.
There are a couple of great songs on the album. Otherwise, it's pretty good but not memorable / remarkable enough to be considered "great".
U2
3/5
I own this album.
Haven't listened to this in a while but it's just about as I remember. The hits still resonate, the rest of the album is good but not great. "40" is sneaky good, and I'm tempted to give it 4 stars, but only going to make it a strong 3.
Motörhead
3/5
Never heard this before.
Liked it a lot more than I thought I might. There are some catchy songs here.
Not sure why this *and* No Sleep Til Hammersmith are on the list
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
Haven't ever heard this album.
This is a good listen. The music is solid (the horn arrangements in particular are great) and the songwriting is above average. I'm not a huge fan of Mayfield's voice. It works on some songs but not on others.
"We Blue Monday people
Just trying in a strain"
The Cardigans
1/5
Never heard this album before.
I like Lovefool well enough, so I expected to like this album.
Where to start? Lovefool was clearly a high-water mark for this band. Listening to the album gave me a migraine. The singer's voice is consistently annoying and the music is insipid. By the time Lovefool rolled around, I didn't care. It didn't stop the annoyance.
PLEASE MAKE IT STOP.
"You know, the ABBA makes more money each year than the Volvo corporation" - Not a lyric, just a quote from a Swedish friend while we were in high school. That odd brag still makes me laugh to this day.
Famous Swedish Bands:
ABBA
The Cardigans
Europe
Hmmm...I guess I'll take ABBA?
MGMT
3/5
Never heard this before.
The music is fine with a good variety throughout the album. But nothing resonates with me.
Kanye West
3/5
Never heard this before.
I was expecting to hate this album, because Kanye is such a douchebag. But I have to admit I really liked this.
I was planning on giving it 4 stars but then I heard the final track. After 12 minutes of that self-indulgent stupid track I'm dropping my rating to a 3. What a way to ruin a good album.
Missy Elliott
3/5
Never heard this before.
Much better than I expected. Not something I'd normally listen to, but pretty catchy. I did get a little tired of "This is...a Missy Elliott exclusive..."
"Millze cillzan sillzome plilzay dilzzouble dilzutch"
Slipknot
2/5
Never heard this before.
Not something I'll listen to but I appreciate the variety shown while keeping in the particular style. I think I might like it with a more conventional singer. Of course, then it wouldn't be Slipknot, would it?
Not sure two Slipknot albums need to be on this list.
"You can't see California without Marlon Brando's eyes"
Radiohead
2/5
Another Radiohead album that adds up to nothing.
Frank Zappa
3/5
Never heard this before.
More listenable than I though it would be, but probably not something I'd go out of my ready to listen to again.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
I just recently listened to this album for the first time.
Solid album with a couple of great songs.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
4/5
Never heard the album before.
There's a lot of great folk/country/bluegrass guest star musicians here. I enjoyed the music, but there is so much of it...it goes on and on.
3-star rating for the music as is, 4-star for what the album represents (an important connection between (1970s) modern country and the foundational artists that came before.
50 Cent
3/5
Never heard this before.
It's all right but not really my thing.
Soft 3 stars.
John Grant
2/5
Never heard this before. Interesting to have a modern artist use 70's style. The arrangements are okay but I don't like the songwriting it the singing. Very disappointing. Close to 1 star than 3.
Deep Purple
4/5
Have heard some of the songs but never heard the album.
This is a solid early metal album that still sounds good today. A handful of great songs and no real duds, which is a surprise for 1972.
The Prodigy
3/5
Never heard this before.
Just okay. A soft 3 stars.
Megadeth
4/5
Never heard this before. Better that I thought a speed metal would be.
Aphex Twin
3/5
Never heard this before.
I actually like this album more than the other instrumental albums I've been introduced to lately.
Strong 3 stars.
Coldplay
3/5
Never heard the album before.
I'm not a big fan of Coldplay, but I didn't hate this album. At the same time there's nothing noteworthy here.
a soft 3 stars.
Sister Sledge
3/5
Never heard this before.
Good solid funk/disco album.
Wu-Tang Clan
2/5
Never heard this before.
I recognize it for its historical significance but only a few nice points on this album for me.
3/5
Never heard this before.
Sad that Suba died within a few days of this, his debut album, being released.
The music is fine, but it didn't really resonate.
Neil Young
3/5
I've heard this before.
I appreciate the songwriting but I can't help thinking that this is one album that would be better with a different lead vocalist. Part of the issue might be that Neil is "too close to the material". He is understandably emotional and the lyrics clearly come from the heart. But ultimately the music and lyrics don't move me as much as they are clearly moving him.
Burning Spear
4/5
Haven't heard this before.
Really impressed by this. One of the most consistent and interesting reggae albums I've heard.
Beck
4/5
Never heard this before.
Not what I was expecting. Accessible, memorable, and heartfelt. A strong 4 stars.
Joy Division
4/5
Never listened to this album before.
I like a lot of this. It certainly reminds me of a certain type of 80s music that seems to be forgotten compared to the pop sensibilities that most people associate with the 80s.
This album coming in 1979 was influential in so much of the music of the following decade. Considering how "early" the album is, it sounds more polished and more consistent than I might expect.
I'm going back and forth between 3 and 4 stars; but ultimately the great "sound" of the album and enough songs climbing out of the doldrums push me to give it 4 stars.
David Bowie
3/5
I've heard this album before.
Fripp's guitar work is amazing.
This reminds me of a lot of 80s bands that were influenced by this 1977 album.
But like most Bowie albums, it's pretty inconsistent.
The Go-Go's
4/5
Listened to many times.
Fundamental 80's album that still sounds great. A lot of the "sounds" going on at the time were wrapped in a polished pop package.
Strong 4, but not enough classics for it to be a 5 star.
"(This town) It is so glamorous
Bet you'd live here if you could"
D'Angelo
3/5
Never heard of this before.
There were a few small surprises musically amongst a pretty pedestrian Soul/R&B album. There are clearly influences from Prince and Smokey Robinson on this album. And although there is some talent on display, the overall result isn't that special and pales in comparison to the music it's influenced by.
The Band
3/5
I've heard the album multiple times.
The Band's best songs are some of my favorites all time. I really like Robbie Robertson's writing, Levon Helm's singing, and Garth Hudson's keyboard contributions.
So why can't I rate it higher? On a lot of the songs I don't think that Richard Manuel's voice has the heft to make some of these songs work. Perhaps under the hand of a different producer some of these songs could shine brighter. When the songwriting is world-class, like on The Weight or I Shall Be Released, the production/singing issues somehow add to the impact. But when the songwriting is just good, it feels like something is missing.
Strong 3 stars.
T. Rex
4/5
Never heard this album before.
I like this a bit more than The Slider, and it has the classic Get it On (Bang a Gong).
Lots of variety, it's a good listen.
I noticed that Jeepster had been removed from this album on YouTube Music but I was able to find it as a remastered single.
Ravi Shankar
2/5
Never heard this before.
I understand that it is an influential album, so I'm okay with it being on this list.
But I don't plan on listening to it again.
The Cure
2/5
Never heard the entire album before.
Not much of a Cure fan anyway, but this doesn't resonate with me.
Beatles
4/5
Never listened to this album, but have heard many of the songs of course.
Hard to have perspective on something like this that is so foundational. A number of true classics.
But if I judge it as I listen to it today, I can only give it a (strong) 4.
"Until then I'll cry instead"
Taylor Swift
2/5
Cotton Candy.
It lures you in, using triggering multiple senses... sight, smell and taste. But even as you eat it, it collapses in your saliva. You receive the sensory response you thought you wanted, but it leaves you unsatiated.
I worry that anyone who lives at the carnival doesn't receive the daily nourishment they need for healthy mind and body.
Tears For Fears
3/5
I've heard this many times before.
This is a good, but not great album. Head Over Heals and Everybody Wants to Rule the World are sounding a bit schmaltzy these days.
In general, this album doesn't have the edge, bravado or strong themes of the first album. That album deserves to be on this list...I don't think this one does.
Giant Sand
3/5
Never heard this before.
Not horrible but pretty bland with a couple of okay moments. Shouldn't be on this list.
A soft 3 stars
Blur
2/5
Never heard the album before.
There's a lot of variety here. Not a lot of great songwriting, but there is a lot of variety.
Boys & Girls stands out from the rest due to its catchiness. They've done a good job with making a satirical euro dance hit. But the lyrics are mean-spirited and, in my opinion, problematic.
Nitin Sawhney
3/5
Never heard this before.
Interesting variety of music while still seeming to follow a theme throughout the album.
I guess I'm glad I've heard this, but it doesn't really resonate with me. I did like The Conference.
Soft 3 stars.
Nick Drake
4/5
I've heard this album before.
What a beautiful piece of art that I can't find myself listening to more often because it just feels so deep in melancholy that it will drag you down.
Nick Drake was such a gifted singer and songwriter and it is sad that he was such a lost and sad soul.
The Doors
3/5
Heard the album before.
A couple of great songs but overall The Doors don't hold up as well as some other classic rock bands.
Soft 3
The Vines
3/5
Never heard this before.
Not bad, but it doesn't seem that remarkable or memorable. Not sure why it's on the list.
10cc
4/5
Never heard this before.
I wasn't expecting this. Interesting that this album came out in 1974, the year before Queen released A Night at the Opera. This album bears a lot of similarities.
Inventive, interesting, and very listenable. Although no true classics emerge, I'm glad I've heard the album and will listen to it again.
Portishead
2/5
Never heard this album. But I did own Portishead's first album (which is better than this one). That album is also on this list.
Not bad experimental music but didn't resonate enough with me to pull me in.
Not sure Portishead needs to be on this list at all, much less with 2 albums.
Prince
5/5
Have listened to this album often, but not in a while.
It's nice to have an excuse to listen to this album again. It's a classic that still sounds great.
Great hits, great deep cuts. Interesting that it was released as a double album but has just over 70 minutes of music.
5/5
More than any other album Sgt Pepper's changed rock and roll forever. It is the demarcation line between the black and white of early rock and the technicolor music that would follow.
The production of the album still holds up and it remains a great listen. While not my favorite Beatles album to listen to it certainly is the most important rock album ever made.
Leonard Cohen
2/5
Never heard this before.
There's a lot of Bob Dylan songs I don't like, and none of them are as bad a the songs on this album.
Pink Floyd
5/5
A great album... Every song is a classic.
Pink Floyd at their most heartfelt, with great lyrics throughout. And maybe the best album cover in rock music.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
Never heard this album before.
This kicks off a 4-album run that CCR had over 18 months during 1969-1970. The albums all had at least 2 or 3 classic songs and culminated in the great Cosmo's Factory. I didn't realize that CCR release so many of their classic songs in such a short period. It's really an amazing burst of creativity that seems to have been forgotten.
In any case, this album is short (33 mins, 7 songs), and a lot of the songs are unremarkable.
The one highlight is Proud Mary, possibly Fogerty's best song. It still sounds unique and memorable.
Alanis Morissette
3/5
I've heard the album before.
There certainly a lot of songs that got airplay. There aren't any hidden gems among the rest of the tracks.
The only one of the hits that still resonates is You Oughta Know and her scratchy vocals on that song are her best vocals on the album. The rest of the "hits" don't resonate anymore, and sound more like a punchline than a great song (see:Ironic, Hand In My Pocket).
The songwriting isn't that bad, but every one of these songs (except You Oughta Know) would be better with different performers and producer.
By some accounts, this album is the 13th best selling album of all time. It must have hit at just the right time and place to be so popular. That level of popularity seems really baffling looking at it 30 years later.
Paul McCartney and Wings
4/5
Heard the album many times.
A lot of great songs with a wide variety of styles. In addition to Jet and the title track, I think Nineteen Hundred Eighty-Five deserves to be considered one of the great post-Beatles McCartney songs. Let Me Roll It and Picasso's Last Words are also solid.
Solomon Burke
4/5
Hadn't heard this before but really enjoyed it. Until I did a little research, I didn't realize how popular he was in the 60s. He continued performing until his death in 2002, so I'm surprised I hadn't come across him sooner.
This is some of the best traditional soul, R&B, and blues I've heard. Glad he made the list.
Fun fact: at the time of his death at age 70 , he had 90 grandchildren. Woah.
Khaled
2/5
Never heard this before.
Not sure why this album is on this list. Has never received better than average ratings, has poor record sales, and is not influential or groundbreaking.
It doesn't seem to be anything more than Arabic-flavored pop at mid quality.
At least there's a really bad version of Imagine on the list.
Mike Ladd
3/5
Never heard this album or artist before.
I like the idea of spacey, futuristic hip hop more than this particular execution. It seems like he can't just trust a groove and stay in it.
I'm glad it's on the list, as I haven't heard anything like this, but I probably wont' listen to it again.
Soft 3 stars.
Michael Jackson
5/5
Best selling album of all time, and deservedly so. A great range of styles appear on this album.
Jackson's performance is at his career peak. Quincy Jones' production made it work on a grand scale. There are no mis-hits here.
Although Michael later became a caricature, his musicianship was always strong, and this album really showcases it.
I definitely didn't appreciate it at the time, but it is an all-time great pop/dance album that changed popular music forever.
The War On Drugs
4/5
Never heard this album before.
First listen is really enjoyable, great chill vibe that still moves and sounds interesting. I certainly hear a lot of 80s influence in the music.
Will have to listen to it again to see how it resonates, but a solid album I'm glad I've heard.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
Never heard the album before.
Good album, with a few great songs.
Judas Priest
3/5
Never heard the album before.
Good solid rock/metal album with solid guitar riffs and vocals.
Iron Maiden
3/5
Never heard the album before.
Interesting. Much more variety than I expected. Some of the songs go on too long. Some of the vocals are solid, some not as great (Strange World)
Interesting that one of the highlights of the album for me, the guitars on Phantom of the Opera, resulted in the guitarist getting fired for sounding too much like Queen.
Prince
5/5
I've heard this many times.
It's been a while since I've listened to this album. I had forgotten just how great this album is. 80 minutes that covers the gamut of Prince's abilities in performance and songwriting. The fact that the great pop song "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" doesn't appear until the end of Side 3 of the double album gives an indication of how much great music is included on this album.
Perhaps Prince's best album. Definitely the best representation of the breadth of his abilities.
The Stooges
4/5
Have never heard this before.
The recording and mix seem to be all over the place. It sounds like it was recorded live, poorly.
But the emotion, songwriting and performance is there. You can hear so many later bands in these songs. It was clearly influential.
With a better recording it would be a classic. Even with its shortcomings it deserves 4 stars.
The Associates
2/5
Never heard this album before.
Oh my what the 80's is going on here. I mean, wow. It's just a neon-and-pastel-colored train wreck of an album. Even the two "hit" singles, Party Fears Two and Club Country are head-scratchers.
I'm pretty sure The Associates must be a figment of a mockumentary...an 80's Spinal Tap.
If I'm allowed to laugh at the music, I'm good with it! Otherwise it plays out as a cautionary tale of what was allowed to happen to pop music in the 80's.
The Verve
3/5
Never heard the album before.
The Verve isn't horrible, but their albums are unremarkable. The lead singer's voice sounds unintentionally off-key multiple times on the album.
I don't think the album deserves to be on the list.
Dr. Dre
4/5
Haven't heard this album before.
Not something I'd normally listen to, and the lyrics are a bit rough, but no question the music is really great. It's also great to hear early Snoop Dogg raps.
Miles Davis
4/5
Have heard the album before but haven't listened to it for a while.
Such a beautiful album. I really need to make this part of my rotation. Such a palate cleanser that can also completely reset your emotional state in one listen.
Rush
4/5
I've heard this album multiple times.
Some of Rush's best songs on the album that made them stars. Great musicianship throughout.
The Modern Lovers
3/5
I've heard this before.
Among the various "lead singers who can't sing" I put Jonathan Richman near the top.
But this album is a bit inconsistent. I think the Modern Lovers come into their own a little later on.
But this is the only album from the "classic" Modern Lovers lineup, and it turns out to have been pretty influential.
I can only give it 3 stars...just too inconsistent to rank higher.
Soft 3 stars.
Michael Jackson
3/5
I've never heard the album before.
Lots of big hits, this album was hugely successful.
For me this album doesn't touch Thriller's greatness, and just seems like a guy copying past success.
The Gun Club
4/5
Hadn't heard this album before.
Really enjoyed this album. Great energy and simple arrangements. Loose but well-played. Punk with rockabilly and blues influences. Good stuff.
I love the tidbit that the the bands founder, Jeffrey Lee Pierce, was the guy that gave Blondie a tape of "Hangin' on the Telephone" by Peter Case's first band The Nerves.
Jeff Buckley
2/5
Never heard the album before.
Was hopeful for this album but ended up very disappointed.
His version of Halleluah is solid but the rest of the album is pretty forgettable.
Also not expecting it to sound so much like mellow Led Zeppelin.
Shouldn't be on this list.
OutKast
3/5
Never heard this before.
Didn't really enjoy this that much. The production quality is good, but the sum is less than the parts.
The only song that stuck out to me was B.O.B. That's not enought to recommend the album.
Elvis Costello
3/5
Never heard the album before.
Another mid effort from Elvis Costello, another album that shouldn't be on this list.
Alison and Watching The Detectives are the standouts and the rest of the album are not.
And is it just me who thinks all of his lyrics are creepy?
Soft 3 stars
Various Artists
4/5
Never heard the album before. The title of the album is a bit cringey, although the production by Phil Spector is clearly a major part of this album
There are some great versions here. The wall of sound production generally matches well with the Christmas songs, and gives an updated shot in the arm compared to the original versions of a lot of these songs.
I'm not sure if it's due to the version I listened to on YouTube Music but many of the songs sounded very muddy, which is unfortunate.
It's still a great Christmas album.
The Charlatans
4/5
Never heard this album before.
This reminds me of Jesus & Mary Chain, although the vocals sometimes are more Oasis-like. All in all, I really like it.
Lauryn Hill
4/5
I listened to this album for the first time not that long ago.
Excellent debut (and only) album. Not something I'll listen to often as it isn't my style, but great songwriting, performance, and production throughout.
Beck
4/5
Never heard the album before.
Good album. No "great" songs for me, but a lot of good ones. A wide variety, and solid throughout.
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
2/5
Never heard this before.
I was really looking forward to this but it disappointed me. The album seems to meander all over the place and it rarely connects.
It's an influential album, but not that enjoyable of a listen at this point.
Joni Mitchell
2/5
I've heard this album before.
Not much of a Joni Mitchell fan. I'd like her a lot more if she had more songs like Raised on Robbery and Twisted. But all the other jazzy shit with pretentious and surprisingly misogynistic lyrics is better left forgotten.
Bill Evans Trio
3/5
Never heard this album before.
I guess this is considered one of the greatest live jazz albums of all time.
The production sounds great, you can really hear each of the artists and the crowd "noise" is nicely present without being distracting.
But this isn't the kind of jazz I enjoy listening to. It's not offensive but not something I'd intentionally listen to again. Giving it 3 stars for historical significance and recording quality.
Frank Ocean
4/5
I've never heard this album before.
I wasn't sure what to expect but I like a lot of this album. The experimentation works more often than it misses. The production is great, even if not all of the songwriting pays off.
This is a great choice for this list, as this is so much more than "just" an slow R&B album. There's a lot more going on here and I'm glad I've heard it.
Not my kind of music typically, but I might actually listen to this from time to time now that I've heard it.
LCD Soundsystem
4/5
Never heard this before.
I'm not sure why I've never listened to LCD Sound System. In any case, I really like this album. I don't think the final song (New York, I Love You But You're Bringing Me Down) fits the rest of the album, but everything else on it is fun, engaging and energetic.
The Beach Boys
5/5
I know Pet Sounds often compared to "Sgt Pepper's" but I think it fails in this comparison.
But the album stands on it's own as a big step forward for the Beach Boys and Brian Wilson in particular. There is a lot going on here, and he's done some pretty amazing production work here.
The songs are solid although there's only a couple I'd consider "classics". But all-in-all this is a great album and it did push the envelope and deserves it's credit as one of the all-time great albums.
The Adverts
4/5
Never heard this before.
This wasn't really on my radar, but I'm glad it's on the list. Great early punk rock. Well-played, listenable, and with a good amount of variety. Should be better recognized as a great early punk album.
The Strokes
4/5
Never heard this before.
I like this. I definitely get some modernized Velvet Underground vibes from it.
Van Morrison
4/5
I've heard this before.
Lots of great songs. Just short of a classic.
Gorillaz
3/5
Never heard the full album before.
Definitely a unique album and concept for a band. I like the album, certainly more than Blur. The experimentalism reminds me a bit of London Calling, although this album doesn't rise to that level.
A good set of grooves but just short of 4 stars for me.
Alexander 'Skip' Spence
3/5
Never heard of this album before. Quite an interesting context and story.
Quite a sampling of songs of varying direction, execution and approach. It makes for interesting listening.
I'm glad it's on this list as I'd have never heard it otherwise, and I'm glad to have heard the album and know the story.
Coldcut
3/5
I've owned this album in the past.
I was pretty surprised to see this album on the list. I've owned it and liked it, but I didn't think it was something that anyone still thought about.
It's fun to listen to this 35 years on. The one song that I remembered well is "Stop this crazy thing". It still sounds great. The editing of that song is really great. The production doesn't just sample but splices the samples into a smooth-flowing tapestry of sound.
I remember at the time thinking that cartoon culture was spreading into so many areas, in particular music, and this is a prime example. As it turns out it didn't last but we did see it bubble back up with the Gorillaz.
Despite my fondness for it, not sure if it deserves to be on this list, but it was fun to listen to it again.
Van Halen
3/5
Heard this before.
I certainly appreciate some Southern California rock representation. And this is the album that introduced the world to Eddie Van Halen, whose guitar virtuosity appears throughout the album.
But a lot of these songs don't really hold up and overall this is just a average effort by a rock band. One thing I did come away appreciating more was their background vocals which really are sneaky good.
I think you have to put at least one Van Halen album on this list, but I'll have to think about whether this was the one.
Eagles
5/5
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
Devendra Banhart
2/5
Radiohead
2/5
Paul Revere & The Raiders
3/5
The Doors
4/5
ZZ Top
3/5
Gang Of Four
3/5
Solange
1/5
Drive Like Jehu
1/5
John Coltrane
3/5
Yes
3/5
The Crusaders
3/5
List: no
Elbow
3/5
Ash
3/5
Pearl Jam
4/5
Led Zeppelin
5/5
5
Jacques Brel
2/5
List: no
Lana Del Rey
3/5
Fleetwood Mac
4/5
Charles Mingus
2/5
The Velvet Underground
3/5
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
4/5
Animal Collective
3/5
3
Adam & The Ants
4/5
The Smiths
2/5
Nick Drake
4/5
Kraftwerk
4/5
Magazine
3/5
Marilyn Manson
3/5
Cocteau Twins
3/5
3
Wilco
3/5
Ian Dury
3/5
Goldie
2/5
The Slits
3/5
5/5
Stevie Wonder
3/5
The Yardbirds
3/5
Peter Gabriel
4/5
David Ackles
1/5
Bob Dylan
5/5
The Black Keys
3/5
White Denim
4/5
Prefab Sprout
3/5
The Bees
3/5
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
N.W.A.
5/5
Mekons
3/5
Throwing Muses
3/5
Gene Clark
3/5
Moby
5/5
Alice In Chains
2/5
Genesis
3/5
The Incredible String Band
1/5
The Velvet Underground
5/5
Cream
3/5
Elton John
5/5
The xx
2/5
Machito
3/5
Joni Mitchell
2/5
Michael Kiwanuka
5/5
Public Enemy
5/5
Youssou N'Dour
3/5
Super Furry Animals
3/5
Ice T
4/5
Dusty Springfield
2/5
Eminem
4/5
Spacemen 3
3/5
R.E.M.
3/5
Guided By Voices
3/5
DJ Shadow
3/5
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
Gene Clark
3/5
The Verve
3/5
The Triffids
4/5
Thin Lizzy
1/5
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
3/5
The Clash
5/5
The Black Crowes
3/5
Kate Bush
2/5
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
Nick Drake
4/5
LCD Soundsystem
3/5
Nine Inch Nails
3/5
Coldplay
2/5
Aretha Franklin
4/5
King Crimson
2/5
Tom Waits
5/5
Beatles
3/5
Sleater-Kinney
2/5
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Al Green
3/5
Orbital
3/5
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
Justice
3/5
Janis Joplin
4/5
Snoop Dogg
4/5
Adele
2/5
The Fall
3/5
1/5
The Clash
5/5
Willie Nelson
4/5
Björk
3/5
The Doors
3/5
The Beach Boys
4/5
Electric Light Orchestra
3/5
David Bowie
3/5
Eagles
4/5
Kanye West
2/5
The Icarus Line
3/5
Guns N' Roses
5/5
Arctic Monkeys
4/5
Marvin Gaye
3/5
Dinosaur Jr.
3/5
Minutemen
4/5
Isaac Hayes
3/5
Talking Heads
3/5
Hanoi Rocks
4/5
Ali Farka Touré
3/5
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
Funkadelic
2/5
David Bowie
4/5
The Stooges
5/5
Big Black
2/5
David Holmes
4/5
Air
4/5
Steely Dan
3/5
Venom
3/5
Pink Floyd
5/5
Liz Phair
5/5
Talking Heads
3/5
The Kinks
4/5
Kings of Leon
1/5
Black Sabbath
5/5
Isaac Hayes
2/5
Eminem
5/5
Foo Fighters
3/5
PJ Harvey
4/5
Talk Talk
2/5
Digital Underground
2/5
A Tribe Called Quest
5/5
Radiohead
2/5
Belle & Sebastian
3/5
Deee-Lite
3/5
Tim Buckley
2/5
Siouxsie And The Banshees
3/5
Yes
3/5
Small Faces
2/5
Tito Puente
3/5
Nanci Griffith
3/5
Perfectly serviceable album, but why it is on this list eludes me. So little country/bluegrass/folk is represented, this spot should have been given to an album of greater significance as well as higher quality.
Arcade Fire
3/5
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
5/5
I rate this 5/4.
Milton Nascimento
3/5
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Boards of Canada
3/5
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
Dire Straits
5/5
Klaxons
3/5
The Human League
2/5
The Who
2/5
Santana
4/5
Neil Young
3/5
Bob Dylan
5/5
Mylo
2/5
Syd Barrett
2/5
Nirvana
4/5
Willie Nelson
4/5
John Martyn
3/5
The Young Rascals
2/5
The Soft Boys
5/5
The Cars
5/5
"Hi Brad. You know how cute I always thought you were."
Miles Davis
4/5
The Damned
4/5
Ute Lemper
1/5
Keith Jarrett
3/5
3
Songhoy Blues
3/5
Linkin Park
3/5
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
Aerosmith
3/5
Alice Cooper
4/5
AC/DC
5/5
The Who
3/5
Hard to know how to rate this album. I owned the original on vinyl and that version is horrible. The sound quality was atrocious, and it was 37 minutes long. That version deserves 1-star.
The Deluxe version(s) significantly clean up the sound which better showcases the musicianship of Moon and Entwistle. They also include a few additional songs to get the album to a reasonable length (although I'd remove the complete performance of Tommy from any that include it).
Hole
3/5
Method Man
2/5
Public Image Ltd.
1/5
Muddy Waters
4/5
Fugees
1/5
Pink Floyd
5/5
Neil Young
3/5
Beck
3/5
The Police
5/5
Sam Cooke
1/5
The Cult
3/5
Queen
4/5
Tangerine Dream
3/5
Sly & The Family Stone
3/5
New Order
3/5
The Boo Radleys
3/5
Stephen Stills
3/5
GZA
2/5
Nirvana
3/5
The Cure
3/5
4/5
Nas
5/5
The Temptations
3/5
Fela Kuti
3/5
Led Zeppelin
3/5
The Mothers Of Invention
3/5
Booker T. & The MG's
3/5
Big Brother & The Holding Company
3/5
Johnny Cash
2/5
Bill Callahan
3/5
The Chemical Brothers
3/5
Aimee Mann
3/5
Mudhoney
3/5
Napalm Death
2/5
Wild Beasts
3/5
The Saints
4/5
Jethro Tull
3/5
The Birthday Party
2/5
MC Solaar
2/5
The United States Of America
3/5
Metallica
3/5
Red Hot Chili Peppers
2/5
The Who
5/5
Pixies
3/5
Elis Regina
1/5
This is pretty bad to listen to, but it gets worse as it isn't an album that should even be considered.
From a Reddit post:
This is actually a huge mistake of the author of the list, and I've mentioned it before on a post a few months ago about albums with the wrong year. This album is made up from songs from two different albums, "Elis" from 1980, and one song from the 1979 album "Essa Mulher". Somehow, though, the author included this album, despite being a niché compilation from nearly twenty years later. The worst part? The book labels it as from 1979, despite most of the songs on the album being from an album from the next year. Just a mess all around, it really irks me. I don't blame the generator for the wrong year though, as it's just putting what the book said.
As for compilations, they are generally excluded (no best of Queen or ABBA, take notes Rolling Stone), but there are some that slipped through the cracks, such as this and the Hives album. Just the author not double checking the albums he's including, I guess. I'm supposing someone told him he had to include Regina but he didn't actually know anything about the artist, and just threw in some recent thing, which in 2005 would've been this compilation. Still confused where he got 1979 from, though, save for the singular song from the album from the same year.
Frank Black
3/5
Iggy Pop
4/5
Buena Vista Social Club
5/5
Sly & The Family Stone
3/5
Fatboy Slim
4/5
Manic Street Preachers
3/5
Echo And The Bunnymen
2/5
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
Heaven 17
3/5
Supergrass
4/5
The Coral
4/5
Simple Minds
3/5
Soft Machine
1/5
Faust
3/5
Nightmares On Wax
3/5
The Divine Comedy
3/5
Frank Sinatra
3/5
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
The Smiths
2/5
KISS
2/5
Soundgarden
4/5