I've never heard of this band, but it was interesting to learn that I somewhat familiar with some of these songs. As a few of them have been used in commercials/pop-culture
I'm sorry, but this album completely bored me out of mind. Also half the songs are way too long for my tastes (at least with their outros). I'm sure it's good if you like ambient-80s-style rock music.
I've always been aware of this band, but have never sat down and listened to any of their songs. And I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. This fun 80s rock album with sick guitars, good energy, and interesting themes. Solid album.
Yeah... this album isn't for me...
This album really surprised me. It feels like I'm listening to a stage play. While the songs may sound very "unorthodox", every song has a unique theme in it's lyrics paired with distinct and catchy instrumentals. Really good album.
Decent techno/dance album. It doesn't blow me away, but I have no complaints
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This is my first time listening to Bored Dylan and will likely be the last. I'm sure he's great if you really like folk music though
It is, at least, an interesting album to compared to the many boring entries I've heard on this list. It has personality and creativity to it, so I can see how this may have influenced/paved the way for other artists down the line, but this album is not for me.
A very fast and loose album filled with a couple songs that I enjoy and others I just don't really care for. It doesn't blow away, but it didn't bore me either. Overall, not bad.
I'd be lying if I didn't say I got into big band music because of the Fallout 3/New Vegas games, lol. That being said, I wasn't expecting music like this to be on this list, so I was pleasantly surprised to see this entry. Much like the big band/orchestra music of the mid-1900s (Sinatra, Frankie Carle, etc), this album has a lot of energy, jazz, swing, and ambiance to it. From the fast-paced tracks like "Kid from the Red Bank" to slower or more low-key tracks like "Lil' Darlin'" and "Duet", this album has quite the range to it in terms energy and tone. No song feels too long or overstays it welcome. I personally get annoyed when most songs on an album exceed 5min, especially if it's because of a very long intro or outro, but that's just my personal preference. Definitely a fun listen if you already like this kind of music. One of my faves on this list thus far.
I can respect the cultural and historical significance it brought to gangsta rap in terms of what it represented before the "Bling" era. But good lord, between the long outros, annoying and obnoxious sound clips, and "interesting" interludes, this album was a pain to sit through. The production quality is solid, but I hate just about everything else on this album. I'm fine with loud and rambunctious music, but the songs on this just came off as annoying more than anything else. I don't care about the vulgarity that plagues this record, but I start to care when it feels like it takes up half your lyrics and has no real message or substance behind it. Despite what this album represents and the influence it brought, it's not all that good content-wise. Plus, it aged quite poorly. Whatever this is, this ain't it chief.
Outside of a few hit singles, I've never been all that interested in Beck. And with this record, the same feeling holds true. For me, a lot of his music feels like meandering alternative rock that just doesn't go anywhere. Personally, this record was just OK. Favorite track: Black Drum
Very different from most records on this list, but it’s still welcome all the same! The artist’s notes about the fact that this music has a different notes and structures than what one is used hearing in traditional western music is a very notable point. As they say, because of these differences, it helps to keep an open mind as an effort to enjoy music that might sound “strange” to you. I’ve certainly heard Indian music before, mostly through sound tracks and theme songs. But I’ve never sat down and listened to an entire album of it, especially in one sitting, and the experience is definitely quite “different”. I think the microtonal scales that this music typically functions under just feels like a lot for me to mentally process, at least after listening to it for long period of time. Thus, overtime, it feels mentally “busy” for me rather than enjoyable. I’d say that due to the fact I’m not used to actively listening to this type of music, it was hard for me to fully enjoy. This is not to diss the record in any way. It’s more or less just the result of my own music experience given what I’m used to hearing throughout my life. That being said, I believe it could be something I could get used to and come to appreciate over time. At the very least, it helped me create a baseline for what it means to broaden my horizons in the type of music I listen to from a cultural standpoint.
“Papa won’t leave you Henry! Papa won’t leave you boy"! Well if Papa sings like this, then I sure hope he leaves. I could not stand this man’s vocals, style, or lyrics. Though, I really dug that backing band’s performance and their occasional vocal harmonization. I would choose this group to support any other lead singer. I can’t stress how much I hate this man’s voice. Favorite track: “Straight To You”
Nice chill vibes. Great for background music, though, nothing super notable for me.
A solid rock album filled with a high-level of musical skill and a great sense of showmanship. Most tracks on here are a little too long for my usual music tastes, but these are live performances filled with improvised solos and crowd interactions, so I can't say I'm surprised nor will I hold that against the album. I can only imagine how electric it would've been to actually watch this live. You can certainly feel the energy even if you're just listening to it.
Sounds like a mix-tape/demo-reel of 90s garage rock songs. I kinda dig it. The quick and rapid disjointedness of tracks was a little off-putting to me at first, but started to grow on me throughout the rest of the record. The artist doesn’t linger too long on a particular idea and gets his message out with a quick verse/chorus or two. Definitely lacks the structure and vision of what we’d hear in a traditional album, but some of these songs were pretty catchy for me, so I can’t complain. Solid collection of short-and-sweet songs. Favorite track: Game of Pricks
Not one I'm crazy about, but a decent record all the same. Favorite song: So In Love
I’m generally not too crazy about RHCP, but this record has raised my impression of them a bit. Certainly a couple of classics on this record paired with a few other songs I never heard before that caught my attention. The vocals/lyrics are bit off-putting to me for a few songs, but it’s mostly the instrumentals from the band that keep my drawn in. Decent record overall. Favorite track: Blood Sugar Sex Magik
Seventeen seconds felt like 17 hours of a record failing to pique my interest. Between the boring vocals and droning instrumentals, this record felt like it was going nowhere. Giving it a 2-star rating because I don’t think it’s bad, like my other 1-star ratings, it’s just boring. Favorite track: Play For Today
Mmmm...no...yeah...no. That's a "no" from me dawg. If any of these songs end up in your Spotify Wrapped, please seek therapy. Favorite track: Human Cannonball, because it was one of the only tracks where I felt like my ears weren't under attack
During this era of hip-hop/rap, Queen Latifah feels like a breath of fresh air compared to her male contemporaries (i.e. NWA, Dr. Dre, etc). She certainly has some skills on the mic (for this era of music) and this record is filled with dope samples and beats. However, her flow and style for most songs do start to get repetitive. For instance, the chorus outro on “The Pros” goes on for waaaaaaay too long. Overall, a decent record and a nice change of pace for what she brought to the hip-hop/rap space during that time. Favorite track: Mama Gave Birth to the Soul Children
After listening to “The Free Wheelin’ Bob Dylan” (my first ever Bob Dylan album) a few weeks ago and hating that album, I rolled my eyes when I got another entry on my list from this man. I cannot stand Bored Dylan’s vocal style. He sounds like someone thinking they can sing while constantly slipping in and out of consciousness. I’ll give him this though, this album sounds much better than the last entry I had from him. Mostly because the instrumentation behind it actually makes the album feel alive. Many of these songs have more of an uplifting swing to it, which I can enjoy. Aside from Dylan’s voice, I found it to be a decent record that I thoroughly enjoyed the instrumentals on.
I’m not super into Beck, but I do recognize the appeal behind his melding of genres (i.e. rock, folk, hip-hop, etc.). I have no strong feelings toward this record. It do be what it be. Favorite track: Where It's At
This album wasn’t for me, but there are some interesting tracks on here. Certainly fits that post-hardcore/noise-rock aesthetic I’ve seen others ascribe to it. I dig the instrumentals, but the vocals, not so much. While this type of music isn’t my thing, I’m glad I gave it try. I didn’t hate it, so it sits in the middle for me with a 3/5. Favorite track: Styrofoam
I was somewhat already familiar with the Tempations, as I my grandma listened to them all the time when I was growing up. Though, I didn’t really have any interest in music at that time, so none of it really stuck with me outside of their big hits (i.e. Get Ready, My Girl, etc.). So it was interesting sitting down and exploring a full record of theirs after all this time. I wasn’t crazy about the 9-minute track on here, but other than that, it’s a solid record. It has some fun funk tracks that stood out to me and overall has a nice and warm sound to it. Favorite track: I Gotta Find A Way
I don’t listen to much folk/country rock, but this was a record I really enjoyed. It’s a great record filled with solid grooves and great melodies. It has a nice and warm mood to it and makes for an easy listen. One of my favorite records on the list thus far. Favorite Track: Tears of Rage
Classic 80s pop band with some solid hits, though in truth, not really my thing. I’m not sure what it is, but the sound of 80s pop music never appealed to me. Could be the heavy use of synthesizer and electronic sounds that dominated that era. Overall, no real complaints about this record though. Favorite track: Hungry Like the Wolf
This record has a nice ethereal/dream-like aesthetic to it, which I can dig. Overall, not bad. Favorite track: I Wear Your Ring
This record has a lack of direction. Mix of tracks that range from “pretty good” to “meh”. The instrumentals are what mainly caught my attention, while the lyrics on most tracks were just ok. That could explain why I liked “Space Child” so much. Solid production quality overall. Favorite Track: Morning Will Come
The instrumentals are fine for the most part, but the vocals are boring and sound uninterested. I’ve heard of this band, but have never listened to them before. After this, I have to say… I’m not a fan. Favorite track: Shadow of a Doubt
A solid record that encapsulates 50s/60s Rock pretty well. Favorite track: Such a Night
A neat Electric Jazz record mixed with Funk and Rock, though it does eventually feel repetitive and long. I think it works as ambient/background music, but not a record I could just “sit down and listen to”. Favorite track: Watermelon Man
A decent 70s record with “Dad Rock” vibes. Favorite track: Night By Night
A solid 70s rock record filled with great jams and cool riffs. Kept me interested the entire way through. Though some parts dragged on a bit in a couple songs. Favorite track: Speed King
I enjoyed this record a lot. Favorite track: Uncertain Smile. That piano solo was killer
Very chill Reggae record with themes around political/social movements. I’m not that big into Reggae, but if you’re a fan of the genre, you’ll probably enjoy it. Favorite track: Live Good
I agree with the common sentiment that she’d make a great poet. I found this record to be ‘OK’, but the melody-writing in some of these songs a little rough. Not bad overall though. Favorite track: Help Me
A really great record filled with a mix of soulful and funky tracks. The power and energy of Aretha’s voice really shines in her more soulful songs and the instrumentals are top-notch throughout the record. From the funky bassline and upbeat drums of “Come Back Baby” to the uplifting accompaniment of strings, horns, and piano in “Ain’t No Way” and “A Natural Woman”. Aretha is truly one of the GOATs of Soul music. Favorite Track: (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman
This record has some really cool beats; Which is a shame, because I hate the themes and most of the “lyrical content” on it. I like the alien-like persona he goes with on some tracks as well as his attempt to rap about science, but most of the lyrics are dribble and utter nonsense. Dude tends to just talk, spit juvenile bars, or repeat some of the world’s most un-catchiest hooks. And now I’m gonna have to call HR after hearing what this dude was rapping about. Favorite track: Real Raw
A little corny and certainly follows the tropes and stereotypical themes most people associate with country music. The dude is a good singer and the record itself isn’t bad, it just feels a little… generic. Like, if A.I. was asked to write lyrics for a country album, you’d likely end up with something like this. Again, not a bad album, it just doesn’t feel unique or blow me away enough to be on this list. Favorite track: Fearless Heart
It’s a project that’s a little too long for my liking, but it doesn’t disappoint. Both records are pretty solid and I had an equal enjoyment for both of them.
Speakerboxxx - Favorite track: The Way You Move || The Love Below - Favorite track: Hey Ya
Not gonna lie, this record feels pretty dull. “Golden Years” is not a good song, “Wild Is the Wind” is uneventful, and his vocals are too unmelodic for me to get into on most tracks; Making for music I never felt the urge to sing along to. I’m not too familiar with Bowie’s works, but I imagine this probably isn’t his best record and am sure he has other records on this list that I would enjoy more. Maybe one of those will make me a Bowie fan. Until then, I have no intentions of touching this record again. Favorite track: Stay
I’ve always known about this folk-rock duo, but have never listened to them. Needless to say, they did not disappoint. The vocals of the pair compliment each other incredibly well. Simon really pours his heart and creativity into the lyrics of these songs, with tracks like “Keep the Customer Satisfied” and “Why Don’t You Write Me?” coming to mind. Overall, solid record. Favorite track: Bridge Over Troubled Water — I had never heard this song before and was surprised to see how many covers of it from other artists exist out there. Especially by some big names like Aretha Franklin, Elvis, and Johnny Cash. Absolutely wild.
A cool record filled with descriptive, scenic, and catchy country songs. Prior to hearing this record, the only song I knew by Marty Robbins was Big Iron; But I’m learning that even outside of that track, Robbins has knack for storytelling through his music and seems to do it through relative ease. And I love the artistry displayed in the guitars. Those and the singing accompaniment compliment Robbins’ singing so well. Definitely a great find to have on this list and is very unique compared to what I’ve heard so far. Favorite track: They’re Hanging Me Tonight
This record is filled to the brim with raw punk rock, which can be a cool aesthetic; Especially if you enjoy the dirty sounds of fast and loose rock n’ roll. Others should enjoy it, but the vibe isn’t there for me, personally. Maybe it's the mixing or the singers voice? Hard to say. Favorite track: Raw Power
Pretty solid grunge record with dark psychedelic elements to it. Though the length is a little too long in my opinion, or at least, there were some songs that didn’t hold up to most of the others; Thus, I could’ve done without them. But they were nothing egregious. Overall, the album has a heavy and distinctive feel to it, which I can dig. Good stuff. Favorite track: The Day I Tried To Live
A solid 80s synth-pop record with dance, upbeat, and occasionally moody tracks. Though admittedly, the vocal mix on this is a little rough and doesn’t match the sound quality of that of the instrumentation; But the lyrics are pretty interesting. This work shows itself to be a coherent and cohesive record overall. No track feels too weird or out of place compared to others. Good stuff. Favorite track: Love Vigilantes. Though, Elegia is a really good instrumental synth/dream wave track that comes in at a close 2nd
I always knew the band, but I never knew their music. I’m glad I finally got a chance to explore a record by them. It’s a solid rock album overall, but admittedly some songs feel like they meander for a bit. I think they’re a good band, but I wouldn’t say they’re “the greatest rock band of all time” good, as many critics and magazines claim. Though, this record is the only reference I have for the band, so who knows, maybe they have another record on this list that changes my mind? Favorite track: Wild Horses
A decent Prog Rock record. It's hard to hate a good rock flute. Favorite track: Wind-Up
