I need a separate rating system for albums that are really good yet also really not my cup of tea. I can appreciate the care, skill and attention to detail that goes into making a really great and sophisticated cup of tea. I’d still rather have coffee.

Stay away from rivers

The one good thing I can say about this: I was late for work this morning and listening to this on my bike made me cycle faster and get there on time. Other than that: hated every second.

I’ve tried a couple of times. It’s pretty, great voice. But not for me.

What the actual f** … Ok, it is kinda funky … No wait, it hurts … Hm, but I like this bit … No, it’s horrible … Although that was kinda great … No, ears are bleeding again … But not in a bad way … Make it stop … Ok, one more minute A very s/m experience, this one.

⭐️ms Jackson, gasoline dreams, so fresh so clean 🫤 call b4 I cum, xplosion, we love deez hoez Too often annoyingly repetitive, some highlights, mostly meh.

⭐️ What goes on, pale blue eyes, beginning to see the light, the murder mystery, after hours Liked this before, listened many times, still lovely.

⭐️ Heresy, Hurt 🫤 Mr Self Destruct, Closer Thoughts after 43 seconds: I hate this. Wasn’t as bad in the end. Would have probably loved this at 16. Alas, not really for me anymore.

Classic - five stars for Mr Tambourine Man alone

⭐️1983, crosstown traffic Enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Remembered some of the songs as just plain wacky but this time around I was feeling it.

I like it, I don’t love it

Pretty bonkers. Fun at first, especially because it starts with an absolute banger - 2.5 minute drum solo anyone? But the whole extravaganza felt a little samey for me by the end.

I only knew the really famous bits, enjoyed the other songs too. Especially Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts.

I was dreading this - thought I would really not enjoy this one. Came away more than pleasantly surprised. Not only did I not hate it, I liked it a fair bit. Very interesting soundscapes, cool rhythms, funky instrumentation .. turns out, that is my jam now. ⭐️ the carrier, the jezebel spirit Really liked this tidbit from Wikipedia: The album title is derived from Amos Tutuola's 1954 novel My Life in the Bush of Ghosts. According to Byrne's 2006 liner notes, neither he nor Eno had read the novel, but they felt the title "seemed to encapsulate what this record was about". So: We didn’t know what it meant, we just thought it sounded cool. That’s how the whole album felt.

I enjoyed the title track, the rest of the album didn’t leave that much of an impression. It’s nice and smooth, but wasn’t very memorable for me.

I struggled to like this more than I thought I would the highlights (what is life, if not for you, all things must pass) are pretty high, the mehs (1/3 of it .. just jams, I dig love) are pretty meh. Overall, it felt more like a compilation than an album.

Somewhere in between not particularly memorable and just plain boring.

Apparently I am not Sex People. Because Ant music, it’s not really for me. Some bits are fun and/or funny, but not enough to sell me on the album as a whole.

I think I‘ve really liked a whole lot of artists who were influenced by belle & sebastian, so I was probably bound to like this. Sure enough, I really liked it. My kind of folky, melancholy pop. ⭐️ get me away from here, me and the major, stars of track and field .. but I pretty much liked it start to finish

The first couple of seconds made me think that this was going to be funkier than it turned out to be .. it’s a cool 2000s hip hop album .. just not my cuppa tea.

I read a review of this that sums up my feelings: „Original is one thing, worth doing another.“ Sure, ethereal pastoral orchestral harpy songs were new to me. But they weren’t exactly missing from my life either.

Positively surprised by this one. The political themes and the 90s beats got to me. Had a lot more time for this than I thought I would. And this gets extra points for contributing to the tony hawk‘s soundtrack.

Nope. This annoyed me either because of that strange sound or those cringy lyrics or that weird quality of sting‘s voice. Mostly all three.

Did not really click for me. The more “serious” themes - compared to “pet sounds” etc - seemed a bit tacked on to me. Interestingly, I learned that I most enjoyed the two contributions by Carl Wilson: feel flows & long promised road.

Love transcends all space and time. This album thinks it does too.

Not particularly memorable or engaging for me.

What a pleasant surprise! I had a lot of fun with this, right from track one. A lot of fun and variety for me, nice find. ⭐️ earthquake weather, e-pro, hell yes

🤘 Classic Rock, Long Beards, what’s not to like?

Interesting experience. First time around, I really loved „Living for the City“. The other songs were enjoyable as well, just not as immediately impactful. Second time around, something must have clicked, because I felt like every song single song was a total banger.

Sure, the rocky bluesy thing is cool. But it feels a bit one note and some of the lyrics are a bit simplistic for my taste.

Bluesy Whatever. Nothing offensive about this - nothing to write home about either.

I think I subconsciously avoided this, because I‘d heard it was somewhat pretentious and „difficult“. I needn’t have worried – this was interesting, moving, fun. Great find for me.

Fun to hear where these guys started off from. Some stuff is very early Beatles to me, in other songs you can already hear the later who.

Yes

The 90s funk and horny sci-fi are .. maybe .. fun for 1-2 songs, but getting through an entire album of it felt like work.

Origins of dream-pop? Of course I was going to like this. Weirdly, no single standout track, but I liked the whole sound.

It’s beautiful, it‘s lyrical, it’s heartfelt. I’m not really sure why I don’t like this more, but it’s lacking a little something for me.

Solid, but no bangers.

Very interesting mixture, I enjoyed the back-and-forth between harder grungier sounds and softer melodic stuff.

I like snoop’s voice and flow - but the lyrics are hard to get over ..

Really cool to hear the origins of that sound - but listening felt a little more like archeology than genuine enjoyment

I’ve tried a couple of times. It’s pretty, great voice. But not for me.

I enjoyed this a fair bit. It’s a bit corny, but not enough to be annoying.

Good stuff. Another hole in my musical education. Another one I expected to like – and did, in fact, like.

More fun than I expected, but I didn’t need a whole album‘s worth.

Only knew some of the songs - had no idea how varied and fun this whole album would be. The hits are hitting, but the other songs are hitting just as much.

Funky, but overstayed its welcome.

Never heard of her - enjoyed this one, but nothing stuck out particularly.

Torn. Moby is pretty cringy (Natalie Portman?), but I remember some of these songs fondly from when they first came out. Some of it is fun easy listening, some of it is annoying or boring. And the album as a whole feels a bit too formulaic to be interesting.

I really like „in your eyes“. The rest of it left me a little colder.

It is too sad too much too sad so sad

Familiar, but a little to cute for my ears these days

In theory, I see the appeal of all this cool improvising and these funky sounds. In practice, it’s just way too meandering and long winded for me as an album.

This was right up my street. I had no idea that this was the origin of „dark side of the street“. What a great name, what a lovely find.

I love her voice.

This whole list has - 50 albums in - made me realize that I‘m a pretty bad judge of what I will like. This, on paper, should be right up my street. So I thought, hey, I will like this for sure. And turns out .. it’s just ok.

Is it weird that I don’t hate this? Maybe a found the perfect use case for this album: get yourself a crying, inconsolable baby. Don’t sleep a wink. Finally get the little one to fall asleep in his carrier, while out for a very early walk. Listen to the album as the sun comes up. Try it, I dare you!

I really like the sound and the voice - but listening to the album in one sitting at the start of the day made me a person who was not fun to be around.

Very mid for me. Nothing offensive, nothing particularly exciting.

I always felt that the look promised something that the sound just didn’t deliver for me.

Howdy. Now I know where to go when I meet a gunfighter and think to myself: “if only there was a ballad playing..”

I ain’t avant-garde enough for this.

Angry, raunchy, camp - I like the energy

I‘d like a little less prog in my rock, please.

Repetition Repetition Repetition Drop The Bass Repetition Repetition Repetition Slight Beat Change Repetition Repetition Repetition Random Weird Sound Samples Repetition Repetition Repetition Next Song Start Again From The Top

Hell no.

Almost too pleasant

Somehow, I was expecting something a little more exciting .. or .. kinky, maybe? Last track was great though.

I had more fun with this than I thought I would. There was a lot going on and I enjoyed the drama and theatrics. But nothing great enough to make me come back for a second round.

A very mid one for me. It’s kinda cool yet not very captivating.

Yes, of course it’s good.

I feel like I knew the two best songs already - didn’t really need the rest.

Started off great and proceeded to loose my interest quickly.

The energy (the .. power?) is pretty fun. But other than that, nothing of particular interest to me.

Passed me by without leaving a mark. Strange for a hip hop album, but hey.

A five for the first and last track alone. What a lady.

Great fun. That tickled a folksy fancy.

This would have been a 3 - were it not for „it’s the end ..“. I love that song.

The boss’ voice started to annoy me a fair amount after a whole album.

A bit same-same after a few tracks. But I’ll have faith stuck in my head for a good week. thanks.

🤘

Stayed in the pleasant synthy background for me.

God, that was a slog. Some songs were ok fun - but a whole 2 hours of it was just too self-indulgent, repetitive and plain boring for me.

Oh what fun. Feels like an album that just gave the right amount of fucks. Not too few, not too many - just right.

All over the place. Felt like I was listening to several albums at once. Too many unfocused ideas that sounded like a hot mess to me.

Easy math. Velvet Underground was a 4. Nico was a 4. Obviously, this is a 5.

This project is teaching me that there’s a definite limit to the amount of 90s hip-hop I need in a day. Not sure where it is, but it’s definitely less than an entire album.

These brothers have a special funky bond.

The one good thing I can say about this: I was late for work this morning and listening to this on my bike made me cycle faster and get there on time. Other than that: hated every second.

For all the smooth buttery horny energy, this didn’t excite me very much.

I had fun with this, but would I listen again? Probably not ..

Plenty meh. Beautiful cover art, though.

Wow, that came out of nowhere. This is what I am looking for in this project: An artist I hadn’t really heard of, a genre I am usually not excited about - yet, this won me over at track one and didn’t let me go. Such a lovely sound, so many great songs, full of surprises.

Call me a creep, but I like it.

It’s silly, but I am not mad at it.

As bland as unsalted potato chips

It’s fine. The albums just kind of blends into one long good jazzy time, but no stand outs.

At first I was annoyed that it was Springsteen again - but this one was a whole load more fun than the last.

This was a fun one. I think I this one would grow on me with repeated plays. So far, a strong 3 - had me excited to hear the next track throughout.

Didn‘t move my funky bones.

One long slightly annoying song.

I like U2, but apart from the well known songs, the rest was pretty bland.

Fun stuff. I can’t really tell if it would go up or down in my estimation with more listens. That makes it a solid 3 for now.

The original brat.

More 90s hip hop that doesn’t do much for me.

I like that noise. Sure, it’s silly. But it’s also interesting, groovy and fun. Cool find

One of my earliest music related memories is not liking Michael Jackson. A friend of mine in primary school was really into his music. And I just didn’t get it. He was loving it so much. And it just didn’t move me at all. Still doesn’t.

Enjoyable, not memorable.

Part of me feels like this list is just a ruse to get people to listen to more 80s British post-punk. So, fine album, but (again) not very memorable - apart from the fabulous line: am I the half in half&half?

Bit too cute for my taste

Excellent.

I hear the groove, I don’t feel the groove

The lion jams in the jungle

I am sure it’s lovely jazz, I am just not sure about my love for jazz.

Pretty inoffensive, pretty uninteresting.

Angry and I like it.

I think this might be the level of jazz that I am comfortable with.

This is so burnt into my musical retina, i still like it like a 14 year old

I expected boring classic rock, I got really enjoyable and interesting classic rock. Cool.

Failed to leave a lasting impression

It’s maybe a tad too long, but there are some really, really great songs here.

Enjoyed this way more than I thought I would - couldn’t tell you what post-hardcore is about, but apparently I like it.

Fun classic

Pretty one note, pretty bland, pretty forgettable.

Solid swampy fun. Wtf is chooglin?

Early Beatles are still pretty solid. Feels a little cutesy today, but the appeal is still there for me.

Did not leave a lasting impression. Pretty, but nothing special for my ears.

Rings my doorbell.

One long annoying „song“

I think I prefer earlier zeppelin a tiny bit

I had fun on this strange, meandering ride. Chicago will be stuck in my head for a while, I think.

The deeper we go on this list, I have even less of an idea of what kind of hip hop I like. Well, at least now I know that beastie boys aint it.

1001 albums you need to hear including quite a bit of rather bland 80s British pop.

I enjoy it. I don’t fully understand it, but I enjoy it.

As the second Public Enemy Album on the list for me, the novelty has worn off a bit. I still like the energy and the lyrics, but I doubt I will come back for more.

That didn’t age well.

Gangsta-cringe

I was so into this when it came out - feel like I have outgrown it a tiny bit, but still a lot of fun.

Mostly interesting as a historical artifact for me.

I like her voice, but the songs are a bit meh.

Didn’t do much for me - also fail to see the added value of the live version.

First one I almost skipped outright. Don’t understand why so many people like this. And that’s without taking the whole creepiness into account.

Oh, we’re finally back to unremarkable 80s English pop. Great.

Left no lasting impression

The last track was plenty strange - other than that, pretty unremarkable, I felt.

Pop Pop Pop Bang Bang Bang

Surprised that there’s bits here I like. Technically it’s impressive, the power is there and pulled me in - but it gets boring, if not a little tedious, quickly.

Of course the title track is a classic and pretty great - the rest is just fine.

Thoroughly enjoyed this. Van Halen leaning into the pop, oh what fun.

Easy listening, in the best sense

I’m guessing this is a „you had to have been there album“. Well, I wasn’t.

This was a great listen, even listening to it while (unsuccessfully) trying to calm a very unhappy baby didn’t diminish it. I think that’s a good sign.

Bowie is still a little too cool for me.

I‘m having a hard time rating this. Historically it’s fascinating. Lyrically it’s moving. Musically it’s interesting. But an enjoyable listen it also really wasn’t.

I had a good time with this catchy, slightly ethereal tree.

Parts of it just leave me stone cold, others I find just obnoxious. Really, really not for me.

Not my favorite beatle

Nostalgia, mostly.

There‘s probably a great album hidden in there somewhere, but I am not digging.

I was feeling this way more than I thought I would - cool stuff!

What the actual f** … Ok, it is kinda funky … No wait, it hurts … Hm, but I like this bit … No, it’s horrible … Although that was kinda great … No, ears are bleeding again … But not in a bad way … Make it stop … Ok, one more minute A very s/m experience, this one.

I had a feeling that there was more here than I had the ears for

I like it. Gives me a fuzzy warm feeling. Just like those glorious beards.

Back when this came out, I thought it was hella cool. Nowadays it’s borderline cringe - but I still like it.

Fun, but very one note

Passed me by without much of an impression

So smooth it’s borderline boring at times. But still great.

Ok, so that’s where that sound came from..

I don’t know what that was - but I had fun with it

I like preacher man, but the rest was bit too sugary for me.

Pretty boring, too long and not helped by the air of douchebaggery. I’d rather listen to punisher.

So chill, so un-essential.

I like the sound one song at a time, but in total even 30 minutes is a little much for me

I think I am genetically predisposed to like this - it’s my mum‘s favorite.

This was pretty much my definition of cool when it came out. Made me want to move to the UK just to get rat-arsed in a random pub in the afternoon.

Didn’t do much for me

My funk tanks are overflowing.

I need a separate rating system for albums that are really good yet also really not my cup of tea. I can appreciate the care, skill and attention to detail that goes into making a really great and sophisticated cup of tea. I’d still rather have coffee.

I didn’t need this much

Her voice is great, but I find it hard to connect with the songs

I was hoping for an entire album of “where is my mind”, but the other tracks fell a little short for me.

I was – and, it turns out, still am – the target demographic for this album. Hence: great, from start to finish.

Easy

Not quite there yet, but gosh darn close

So cool it left me cold

I am not feeling it

Ok cool

Funky but not for me

My life was ok without this one

TIL that “operatic” is not what I want my music to be.

So sad, so angry, so beautiful

Move along, nothing to hear here.

Smooth like butter

Hey 80s emo, I am here for it

Really glad this popped up. Never heard of them or madchester - good stuff

Another entry in the “pretty but not for me” list

Sci Fi RnB? Had no idea what I was missing.

I didn’t feel the funk

Bit too breathless for my taste

Enjoyed this one a lot more than the last sonic youth on the list, very cool surprise

I dunno, very same same for me

I thought I would like this more than I did. Feels a bit self-involved.

Great video game soundtrack

Wow, this one went from slightly interesting to bland to properly annoying really quickly.

My failure to see the appeal of live albums continues.

What a hot jumbled mess

I guess “Babylon” is a little nostalgic considering the gazillion hours of radio air time it had .. but the rest is decidedly mid.

Teenage Kicks is such a banger - the rest is pretty fun as well

It’s cool and all, but something about the sound bugs me

So folky, so nice.

This one was new to me - gaping hole in the musical education. Not as drop dead amazing as I thought it was going to be, but pretty good still.

Interesting - was on the verge of really enjoying this one the whole way through, but never quite got there.

I liked this more than I feel like is ok

Jeez. Like a bad christmas cookie. Just sugar no actual taste.

What’s not to love, great time

Another one where I like the songs individually, but put them all together and .. it’s a bit much.

No fun to be had for me

I was expecting pretentious tosh. I got .. surprisingly catchy pretentious tosh.

Didn’t pay all that much attention and nothing grabbed my attention either.

So many interesting tidbits here. Not sure it came together for me, though.

Stay away from rivers

That didn’t leave much of a mark.

Kinky fun

Left only the softest of marks

That was cool, in a rambly way

Never really got into nirvana. Listening to this, I really don’t understand why. Great stuff.

Feels like arcade fire on an off day

I forget that I like REM

Fine folky fun

Bowie usually doesn’t do much for me, this one especially so.

Those are some good grooves

Made me feel nostalgic, even though I had never heard it before. Interesting feeling.

Excellent

Would have loved this back in my punkier days. Now, just ok.

Such an easy 5

Disjointed meh