361
Albums Rated
3.32
Average Rating
33%
Complete
728 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1950
Favorite Decade
Jazz
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Curator
Rater Style ?
56
5-Star Albums
19
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
Top Styles
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Elvis Is Back
Elvis Presley
|
5 | 3.18 | +1.82 |
|
Kenya
Machito
|
5 | 3.27 | +1.73 |
|
Dance Mania
Tito Puente
|
5 | 3.27 | +1.73 |
|
A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector
Various Artists
|
5 | 3.3 | +1.7 |
|
Live At Leeds
The Who
|
5 | 3.32 | +1.68 |
|
Gunfighter Ballads And Trail Songs
Marty Robbins
|
5 | 3.33 | +1.67 |
|
A Girl Called Dusty
Dusty Springfield
|
5 | 3.33 | +1.67 |
|
Fear Of A Black Planet
Public Enemy
|
5 | 3.34 | +1.66 |
|
Neon Bible
Arcade Fire
|
5 | 3.34 | +1.66 |
|
My Aim Is True
Elvis Costello
|
5 | 3.35 | +1.65 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Metallica
Metallica
|
1 | 3.79 | -2.79 |
|
The Number Of The Beast
Iron Maiden
|
1 | 3.58 | -2.58 |
|
Surfer Rosa
Pixies
|
1 | 3.5 | -2.5 |
|
Dirt
Alice In Chains
|
1 | 3.47 | -2.47 |
|
...And Justice For All
Metallica
|
1 | 3.43 | -2.43 |
|
Smash
The Offspring
|
1 | 3.37 | -2.37 |
|
System Of A Down
System Of A Down
|
1 | 3.26 | -2.26 |
|
Permission to Land
The Darkness
|
1 | 3.14 | -2.14 |
|
Meat Puppets II
Meat Puppets
|
1 | 3.02 | -2.02 |
|
Music Has The Right To Children
Boards of Canada
|
1 | 2.91 | -1.91 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Led Zeppelin | 5 | 4.8 |
| Bob Dylan | 4 | 4.5 |
| The Rolling Stones | 4 | 4.5 |
| Beatles | 3 | 4.67 |
| Stevie Wonder | 3 | 4.67 |
| Steely Dan | 3 | 4.67 |
| Stan Getz | 2 | 5 |
| Arcade Fire | 2 | 5 |
| The Who | 5 | 4.2 |
| Joni Mitchell | 3 | 4.33 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Metallica | 3 | 1.33 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Miles Davis | 5, 2 |
5-Star Albums (56)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Arctic Monkeys · 2 likes
2/5
Kind of a disappointment… maybe I liked it less because I expected it to be better or something else? 2.5
Little Richard · 1 likes
4/5
Feels so revolutionary for 1957 and a blast to listen to
Nick Drake · 1 likes
4/5
Really cool. Not sure what I was expecting but great guitar playing on musically and lyrically interesting songs was absolutely welcome
Van Halen · 1 likes
2/5
Like listening to the classic rock station at work… could be a lot worse but not really moving the needle
Bob Dylan · 1 likes
5/5
I find it funny how incredibly transgressive this was to folk fans at the time, which is a testament to how deeply embedded Dylan is into the cultural consciousness that this just sounds like “normal” music. Loads of good songs and excellent wordplay. One of Dylan’s most fun albums, I think
1-Star Albums (19)
All Ratings
Violent Femmes
4/5
Always great, best xylophone solo in a rock album ever
Elliott Smith
3/5
I’m sure this was sort of novel at the time but not really all that special. Not bad though
Van Halen
2/5
Like listening to the classic rock station at work… could be a lot worse but not really moving the needle
LCD Soundsystem
3/5
This feels like something you need to listen to more than once to really dig into. Enjoyed it overall. It’s like Beck, Arcade Fire, and Phillip Glass all rolled into one.
Isaac Hayes
3/5
The Mahler of soul - very cool, wow those tracks are long though
B.B. King
4/5
Great stuff. BB kills it.
Rush
2/5
Interesting - only got through the first couple tracks
Nine Inch Nails
2/5
The Clash
3/5
Enjoyed but not my favorite Clash album, might have to give another listen
Big Star
3/5
Didn’t give a dedicated listen, liked it in the background though
Harry Nilsson
3/5
“A good pop album.” - J. E. Shaull
Beastie Boys
4/5
Beastie Boys are a treat as usual, could see this becoming 5 star with repeat listens
The Teardrop Explodes
3/5
Not bad! Very New Wavey to my ears
Red Snapper
2/5
Like rap without the rapping
Guns N' Roses
4/5
“I’ve got an alligator suitcase under my arm”
Take hair metal but make it actual music! Surprisingly enjoyable.
Jorge Ben Jor
3/5
I feel like this this is setting the bar pretty high for world music - quite good
Joni Mitchell
4/5
Really interesting and fun, she explores other genres a bit with that same spectacular voice!
Sonic Youth
2/5
Blah
Jethro Tull
3/5
Cool, want to listen again
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
Quite good!! Liked the anger/love theme
3/5
Tears For Fears
3/5
Really don’t care for Shout, likely from too much time hearing it in a certain dishroom, but rest of the album was quite good
Frank Ocean
4/5
Really great R&B - was pleasantly surprised that this album was included. Loved the themes of wealth and disaffection
Deep Purple
3/5
Not bad - kind of like B-level Who in my mind
The Fall
2/5
Whatever
Pixies
3/5
Almost didn’t make it through the first 2 tracks… Got whiplash from hearing a really great song followed by a song that I don’t really need to hear again. Would give this simultaneously 2 and 4 stars so will settle with 3
Frank Zappa
4/5
Really cool, liked this a lot.
Serge Gainsbourg
1/5
Le pédophile raciste
Elton John
3/5
Great instrumentation and arrangements, starts strong and then tapers a bit.
Chicago
3/5
A lot to enjoy but got a bit overindulgent at times. Didn’t expect any of their hits to have came from this album but was pleasantly surprised!
Red Hot Chili Peppers
2/5
Got a few tracks in and got busy but don’t really plan to start it up again. Not a Chilis guy
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
Banger after banger - only complaint is that Simon is such a great writer of diverse songs he can’t help himself and the tone of the album is a bit disjunct
The Sugarcubes
3/5
Didn’t make it all the way through but sincerely enjoyed everything I heard
Common
4/5
Great beats and production! I wonder who was in charge of that…
Seriously though liked the lyrical content and the flow quite a bit over outstanding production
Jane's Addiction
2/5
I liked the song about being in the shower but every other song is like “we said this crazy thing… are you shocked?!?!”
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Inject Moby Dick into my veins!!!
Probably the most lewd of the Led Zeppelin og studio albums (not to discredit it) - too much incredible stuff going on to write about but what gets me is any time the beat drops out and Jimmy Page comes in strong is next level stuff
OutKast
3/5
Lots of good music but would have benefited from being 2 albums instead of one… liked it a lot but docking for being unnecessarily long
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
Good but didn’t impress me - Radio, Radio is always good though
Beatles
5/5
Wall to wall bangers! Lennon/McCartney really coming into their own as songwriters and the whole group maturing as musicians. Couldn’t help but sing along the whole time, an outstanding pop/rock record.
Erykah Badu
3/5
Enjoyed, great vibe
Iron Maiden
1/5
No thanks
Fugees
3/5
Good stuff, didn’t amaze me though. Maybe a deeper listen would change that
Stereo MC's
3/5
Fun dance vibe but nothing special imo
Soft Cell
2/5
Weird britpop. Tainted Love is a certified Singstar classic though. 2.5
Nirvana
3/5
Gets a little bit “hard rock” for me at times but some really great tunes interspersed
4/5
The Wikipedia blurb said it best: “jazz-funk”. Loved it!
Bob Dylan
4/5
Interesting how Bob does a lot of interesting wordplay in the verses and returns to the same words at the end of each musical phrase. Lots of good music that of course merits serious lyrical study that I don’t plan to do - oh well! Enjoyed it a lot.
Alice In Chains
1/5
Derivative
Stevie Wonder
4/5
No one does it like Stevie! Want to spend more time with this album.
Sinead O'Connor
3/5
Don’t have anything bad to say about this. Wasn’t bad at all
Neil Young
3/5
WOKE Neil Young strikes again! Really liked the first tune, lots of typically prescient political fare. Not his best but very enjoyable.
Joy Division
3/5
Cool vibe, felt like proto-Talking Heads almost?
The Smiths
3/5
Absolutely A+ vibe - I’ve always felt like I should listen to the Smiths and I love the feel. Lyrics a bit depressing when I was listening carefully and Morissey was a bit out of tune some. Should listen to more of their catalog!
Blur
3/5
Woohoo! Can sort of hear 2000s alt starting to develop here
Gang Of Four
4/5
Cool stuff. Not much to add!
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Take the blues, put it in rock band instrumentation, and turn it up to 11. Absolutely insane debut album!
The Mamas & The Papas
3/5
Some really great tunes and some “meh”. Great vocals all around though!
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
More of a mellow Jimi Hendrix vibe - got some great tunes but when I want to listen to Hendrix I’m looking to rock out a little more.
Hole
4/5
Actually really enjoyed, not sure what I expected. A good alt rock vibe.
X-Ray Spex
3/5
Listened to the first few tracks and likely won’t go back but some decent, standard punk
Funkadelic
3/5
Cool acid punk sound overall but the bookends feel a bit indulgent. Worth the listen.
George Harrison
5/5
The first disc could be a 5 star album on its own - outstanding songwriting, production, and performance from one of the most underrated musicians of the 20th century!
Johnny Cash
4/5
Unique Johnny Cash vibe here. If I’m not mistaken he was heavily on drugs in this period so that sort of explains a little bit of the goings on in this album. Really good stuff, A Boy Named Sue is an all time performance for him
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
4/5
Really fun and light. Super enjoyable but funny that this was objectionable music at one time.
Peter Tosh
3/5
Standard reggae. Fun to switch it up but won’t come back to this probably
Judas Priest
2/5
Honestly not the worst thing I’ve ever heard but didn’t feel like finishing it.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
Great stuff - surprisingly versatile artists based on the rep they have among classic rock listeners. Not a bad song on the album.
Aphex Twin
2/5
Not really exciting or moving but I guess that’s the point. Pretty much muzak as far as I’m concerned. I did note how much this seemed to influence future video game music though!
John Lennon
3/5
Need to give a better listen - some really nice songs and some stuff that is not really worthy of Lennon’s songwriting acumen but I wasn’t listening super carefully
Stan Getz
5/5
Love love love this album! Great playing all around and a pristine vibe. Makes me want to be on a Brazilian beach
Elvis Costello
5/5
Peak Elvis Costello - Alison is easily my favorite song of his. Lots of great stuff on here, no complaints at all
Pulp
2/5
Seems like it was meant to be satirical or make a point but it was a little erotic for my taste… some good tunes here and there though. Probably 2.5 stars
Pearl Jam
3/5
Some good stuff but didn’t blow my mind
Genesis
3/5
Not Genesis at their best but definitely making some interesting musical decisions
Talking Heads
3/5
Missing a lot of what makes the talking heads great - but you can see it developing! Not a bad listen, Psycho Killer is always fun
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
5/5
Didn’t get all the way through it but have listened to it many times before - awesome album, huge diversity in music but all great performances
Ray Charles
4/5
Ray Charles singing jazz standards - what could possibly be bad about that?
Parliament
4/5
Great tunes. Shorter than I wanted it to be!
Boards of Canada
1/5
Deep Purple
2/5
Not bad but I’m deducting a star on principle because I disagree with the idea that out of all the music in the world that TWO Deep Purple albums should be required listening
Buena Vista Social Club
4/5
Have listened before - great Latin music. Very fresh and interesting
The xx
3/5
10 years ago I would have been really impressed by this but I think it was just kind of good.
Butthole Surfers
1/5
Blah - liked the southeast Asian stuff they included later in the album but doubt it was because they liked the music
Kate Bush
2/5
She’s talented and creative but I don’t really get a ton of that here. Kinda whatever
Radiohead
3/5
Lots of cool stuff going on here. It didn’t really strike me like I expected but definitely worth the listen. Really enjoyed the last tune
Nirvana
5/5
Kobain simply embodies grunge in this - vocals are more about effect than strict technique, sort of elitist but down to earth? Excellent song choices and performances on a basically perfect live album!
Sister Sledge
3/5
Really good vibe but nothing special otherwise
Dexys Midnight Runners
3/5
Didn’t make it all the way through but was surprised by this one. Good stuff overall!
Tom Waits
3/5
Some of the worst singing you’ve ever heard followed by a really touching ballad with outstanding orchestration - over and over again. He’s obviously really talented but so many musical decisions I will never understand… it’s good I guess?
The Soft Boys
3/5
Not bad but just made me want to listen to a better band the whole time. Kind of like a bridge between the Stones and New Wave stuff
Fela Kuti
4/5
Really enjoyable stuff. A lot of the tunes could be a little more succinct but other than that no complaints
Eminem
3/5
Against all my instincts I think this is a good album. I wasn’t an angry enough young white boy to be into Eminem when he was making his hits but he’s obviously a very talented and creative artist and this album has a lot to say
Miriam Makeba
4/5
LOVED this.. great voice and made me want to dance the whole time.
Antony and the Johnsons
2/5
Vibe killer!! Probably just caught me at a bad time
Destiny's Child
3/5
Not bad - wasn’t really feeling the vibe tonight but not complaining.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
2/5
Better than their last album but not interested
The Allman Brothers Band
4/5
Everything that’s great about southern rock in a proto-jam format
Turbonegro
1/5
Started with some potential and then ended up being basically what I expected it to be
Lambchop
3/5
Pretty good but not fitting my vibe right now. Would have loved it on the day it was scheduled probably
JAY Z
4/5
I am loath to admit this is a good album. It’s hard to tell how much of this is him playing a character so I will refrain from endorsing any ideas herein
Bob Dylan
5/5
Some of the 20th century’s best poetry that also happens to be set to absolutely excellent music
Tracy Chapman
4/5
Really good stuff overall, very prescient
Aerosmith
2/5
Undeniable talent and creativity but really not my thing.. would give 2.5
Fleetwood Mac
3/5
Good vibe but doesn’t have the juice
Ali Farka Touré
3/5
Really good vibe, need to do some research into this guy
The Band
5/5
Lots of good songs and a few truly great ones. Tons of musical ideas happening here. Always happy to listen to the Band
David Bowie
3/5
Eh. Not bad but not really worthy of inclusion here except as a study of how once great artists age
Nick Drake
4/5
Really cool. Not sure what I was expecting but great guitar playing on musically and lyrically interesting songs was absolutely welcome
Animal Collective
1/5
Way too much work to listen to this. No thanks
The Doors
4/5
Really good stuff. More standard performance from the Doors but a lot tighter in most places. Some really great songs here, love the bluesy focus
The War On Drugs
2/5
Meh. Didn’t grab my interest at all
Aretha Franklin
5/5
Unquestionably one of the greatest vocalists of the 20th century. Great album with some even greater songs. What could you possibly complain about?
Jeff Buckley
5/5
Didn’t listen all the way through (this time) but this album deserves its legendary reputation. Absolutely killer stuff
Lynyrd Skynyrd
5/5
Most bands don’t have the courage to do a 7 1/2 minute rock song in 6/8… let alone absolutely crush it. Instant 5 from me, also helps that I already love half the songs on the album
Meat Loaf
4/5
Honestly this was really good. Don’t know how often I’ll go back to it but I loved the arrangements and Meat Loaf has a really good voice.
Massive Attack
2/5
Not bad but not good enough to keep listening to
Elliott Smith
3/5
Good vibe but didn’t seem that special. Didn’t listen very carefully though
Bill Callahan
3/5
Sort of like if the Beatles and the National had a baby while listening to “LoFi Beats To Study To”
Soundgarden
2/5
Is this better than not listening to music? Probably. Would I choose to listen to it over almost any other music that I know? Probably not. Black hole sun is a good song though
Incredible Bongo Band
2/5
Feel like I’m in Starsky and Hutch
Paul Simon
4/5
Great vibes. Love Rhymin Simon
ABBA
3/5
Fun tunes but I don’t want anyone to see me listening to the first song
Kendrick Lamar
4/5
No one is doing it like Kendrick. This album shows that he isn’t ever trying to be a hit factory - he makes really catchy tunes but they don’t really go to full song length. Always incredibly thoughtful
AC/DC
4/5
Probably closest to 3.5 stars but really enjoyable. Super unique sound which is cool even though it demolished the lead singer’s voice
ZZ Top
2/5
Not bad. Sort of like a southern Aerosmith. Probably 2.5
Miles Davis
5/5
Honestly think this might be my favorite Miles Davis record - really unusual and creative choices but still uptempo and not fully into “cool” mode (which is great in its own right). Love the instrumentation
King Crimson
3/5
Honestly I really enjoyed this. First song is great - really enjoyable when you want good music but not an incredibly active listen.
Quicksilver Messenger Service
3/5
Very cool - kind of like a dirtier Dead in some ways
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
Probably my least favorite effort from Mr. Simon thus far but still has some really great tunes. He knows how to write em and Garfunkel knows how to sing em!
Lucinda Williams
3/5
Interesting lyrically but didn’t blow my mind
The Doors
4/5
The Doors at their Doorsiest. I love this album but I don’t find it to be earth-shattering.
Van Morrison
5/5
Somewhere between R&B, rock, and jazz - wonderful to listen to all the way through. I reach for this album every fall, so many great songs
Herbie Hancock
4/5
This one eases you into the craziness - starts out almost like dance music and then lets loose. Really enjoyed it but some of the synthesizer stuff feels really trite today even though it was much more novel then
The Beach Boys
5/5
Instant 5. Absolutely love this album. Captures so well what it’s like to be young with some of the most innovative production techniques possible at the time. For a long time I didn’t “get” it but once it clicked I understood all the hype
Mudhoney
2/5
Not terrible but didn’t feel like coming back to it after I got back into the car
James Brown
4/5
FUNKY! Wish I could see this show to go along with it. You can hear his transition from R&B to hard funk happening which is really cool
Bob Dylan
5/5
I find it funny how incredibly transgressive this was to folk fans at the time, which is a testament to how deeply embedded Dylan is into the cultural consciousness that this just sounds like “normal” music. Loads of good songs and excellent wordplay. One of Dylan’s most fun albums, I think
The Jam
4/5
Really great vibe, feels super early for the sound they made which is cool. Enjoyed the listen
Public Enemy
5/5
So much of what rap is now and has been for the last 30-some years started right here. It’s incredible in many respects that so many of the political talking points are still current to this very day. Loved this front to back
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Love the Stones but I think the hype caused me to be a little disappointed in this one. I’ve listened a long time ago and it’s a good album but doesn’t seem all that special. Good tunes and very typical that you can tell their influences (in a good way). Probably 3.5 but I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt
OutKast
3/5
Pretty good but not great. Love Mrs. Jackson though
The Zombies
4/5
Great vibes, some cool harmonies. Nice to hear 60’s style rock
Nico
3/5
Peaceful and pretty but not boring. Great vibe but probably won’t come back
Various Artists
5/5
Awesome, Phil Spector is a genius except for in his personal life
Elvis Costello
3/5
Very fun, not super special imo
ZZ Top
4/5
Really cool sound.
U2
3/5
Typically self-important but not outright annoying and didn’t sound bad so no major complaints I suppose
Sonic Youth
2/5
This album reminded me of my sister.. hard to listen to!
Billie Holiday
4/5
Always great to listen to - sensitive and really unique.
Bill Evans Trio
4/5
Tight sound from the group and really strong playing from all 3 of them. Good tunes too!
Willie Nelson
5/5
This album is all the best things about Willie with no fluff. Great singing, playing, and wordsmithing. Not an album whose greatness jumps at you, but the more you think about it and experience it the more it makes sense. A creative genius in his prime.
Koffi Olomide
2/5
Fine. Nothing wrong with it and fun rhythms but not really anything interesting happening whatsoever
Kanye West
5/5
Modern masterpiece! So much I could say about this one… a thorough exploration (and critique) of fame and Kanye’s own psyche. Most of the album is him playing a character, but inspired by his past and his thoughts and the pressures of fame. Absolutely titanic rap album that completely changed the game
Rufus Wainwright
2/5
Love his voice but tapping out early. Super over-produced and doesn’t seem like he has much to say? Maybe just not feeling it
Marty Robbins
5/5
Perfect album. I love all of it from front to back! What I always find funny is that the music is all a complete anachronism but sounds so perfectly “western” - it’s like the country music version of a spaghetti western
Nick Drake
4/5
Fuck the haters… this is awesome
Stephen Stills
4/5
Great rock album - sounds really 70s for being released in 1970. Worth looking up all the people he got to play on this one
The Associates
3/5
Good vibe but won’t come back to this
Sepultura
1/5
Good vibe for the video game I was playing but I wouldn’t call it “good”
Arcade Fire
5/5
Outstanding production and some great musical performances. This one was incredibly thought-provoking when I was a teenager and is slightly less so now but only slightly. Great reaction to the ascendency of mass media and most of all George Bush - probably 4.5
Black Sabbath
2/5
Black Sabbath is way more inoffensive to me than most metal, early or otherwise, so this is just kind of whatever. No real big hits here
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
Read that a bandmate described him as “a combination of Beethoven and John Lee Hooker” and that pretty much sums it up… wow! Earth-shattering music
System Of A Down
1/5
Gotta say I instantly feel worse after listening to music like this
Suede
3/5
Not bad, good vibe but didn’t feel like finishing the album.
Songhoy Blues
3/5
Cool sound and good vibe. I love knowing that music from this part of the world is the origin point of the blues and then is mixed back into it
The White Stripes
4/5
Awesome sound, something very unique in 2003. Love all of Jack White’s projects basically
3/5
Was really enjoying this but don’t feel like coming back at the moment. Probably 3.5
The Offspring
1/5
Funny intro but nope
Fun Lovin' Criminals
2/5
Nothing wrong with them, just made me want to listen to better rap
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Not a very tuneful Bruce album but I forgot how many hits were on here
Prince
4/5
Very cool but didn’t make it all the way through for time reasons. Really on the edge but I’ll give Prince the benefit of the doubt and go 4 stars
Pixies
3/5
One or two really awful songs but mostly good ones. Pretty much the MO for the Pixies
Super Furry Animals
3/5
Actually not all bad. Some nice stuff in there but won’t return
N.W.A.
4/5
Damn that shit was dope!
Dire Straits
3/5
Lots of odd vibe switches but I think the opening to Money for Nothing is arguably one of the coolest in all of rock - probably 3.5
Kendrick Lamar
5/5
Accidentally listened to this one a day in advance… fantastic album with a lot of his most easily digestible work. Insanely talented guy
Mariah Carey
3/5
Not my favorite style of music but a couple good tunes. More importantly, her voice is absolutely insane. Wish I fit her style more because I love listening to her sing!
Peter Gabriel
3/5
A fine pop album. Doesn’t do much for me
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
Super cool vibe. Won’t come back but really enjoyed
Pixies
1/5
One or two good songs but consider this vote a protest against a THIRD Pixies album
Van Halen
3/5
Honestly liked this much more than anticipated. Some good songs
Basement Jaxx
2/5
Not for me
Little Simz
2/5
Not bad per se but sorry to say the UK is still baby brother when it comes to rap
Slade
1/5
Like hair metal without the musical talent… not a slay
Talking Heads
4/5
Funky in a way that only the Talking Heads can be… Once in a Lifetime is an outstanding song of course but the rest are a little less memorable/tuneful. Great album though
The Rolling Stones
5/5
One of the all time greats. So many different styles and it all still sounds like the Stones. No skips necessary
Fatboy Slim
2/5
Not bad really but didn’t fit my vibe AT ALL
Joni Mitchell
4/5
Not my favorite effort by Joni Mitchell but I gotta give her credit for making this musically interesting. I really liked the lean into jazz fusion and the themes were cohesive. Probably 3.5 but she’s earned the benefit of the doubt
Cheap Trick
3/5
Inoffensive. A couple nice songs
Cocteau Twins
3/5
Good but maybe I didn’t give it a detailed enough listen. No real thoughts on it, will probably go back
David Bowie
3/5
Interesting vibe for Bowie but still good. Not likely to return though.
Crosby, Stills & Nash
5/5
Not a bad song on the album. Judy Blue Eyes alone puts this in 4 stars territory but the rest of the album is so solid
The Byrds
3/5
Really interesting musically but don’t predict I’ll be back. Cool to think about where it is in relation to other music happening at the time
Thundercat
3/5
Kind of like a cross between Kendrick (fittingly) and the Wii soundtrack. Enjoyed it much more than I anticipated, probably 3.5
Michael Jackson
5/5
Outstanding collaboration between the King of Pop and Quincy Jones. Insane talent meets creative genius, and it only gets better from here!
Dusty Springfield
5/5
Banger after banger, what a voice. Had no qualms about her before but didn’t think about how good this album could be
The Electric Prunes
3/5
Enjoyed that a surprising amount. Kind of like proto-proto-punk?
Machito
5/5
Badass Latin sound - don’t know what you haters are on about
CHIC
3/5
Listened to the first two songs and liked them well enough. Didn’t really feel like coming back to it but might sometime.
Supertramp
2/5
Some cool stuff going on here and there. Don’t have much of an opinion
Rage Against The Machine
4/5
Like if the Chilis actually had something to say… actually enjoyed this quite a bit, maybe it just hit me on the right day
Terence Trent D'Arby
3/5
Somewhere between Prince and a soul singer… not bad at all.
The Strokes
4/5
On the bleeding edge of the 2000s alt sound. Love it!
Led Zeppelin
5/5
A different sound from Led Zep but still badass. My least favorite of the four untitled albums but any band would be over the moon to have an album like this. You can see the building blocks of IV in this one
Metallica
1/5
Doesn’t even have any of their songs that are arguably good… big fat NO from me
Dolly Parton
4/5
Short and sweet! Great songwriting and even better singing
Robert Wyatt
3/5
“What kind of spider understands arachnophobia” is a great line. I think on the right day this is a 4 for me but I don’t feel a strong urge to come back and finish the whole thing so I’ll say 3.5
Brian Eno
3/5
Cool but didn’t wow me. Enjoyed the listen
The Stranglers
3/5
Cool early punk sound. Won’t be back but liked it.
Beatles
4/5
A little bloated but still so many great songs. Sort of a transition point between Magical Mystery Tour and Abbey Road which are both incredible albums
Amy Winehouse
3/5
Great singing but the songwriting is not as mature as Back to Black which is unquestionably her best album
Fugazi
2/5
Whatever
Manu Chao
3/5
Cool vibe but won’t return
Spiritualized
3/5
Fine. I can see some alt stuff that I enjoy much more developing here but not enough to stick around.
The Who
5/5
Awesome. Incredible live sound from artists in their prime at the top of the rock pyramid
The Cars
4/5
Started off with the hits and then slumped in the middle but regained its momentum by the end. Glad I listened all the way through.
Eagles
4/5
Didn’t listen to this as carefully as I would have liked but cool nonetheless. Hotel California is a good song but I could go without hearing it for a year or two
Marvin Gaye
4/5
Babymakin music…
Hugh Masekela
4/5
Didn’t get far in but really enjoyed what I heard. Great piano player
Cyndi Lauper
3/5
Unremarkable but not unenjoyable
Black Sabbath
3/5
Honestly enjoy this. Probably won’t revisit except for the hits but it’s good lowbrow rock
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
2/5
Couldn’t find on Spotify?
Drive-By Truckers
4/5
The whole thing is cool. Hard to put it in words but wish I was drinking on a warm porch
Calexico
3/5
Cool but won’t come back
Steely Dan
5/5
Most groups take about 4-5 albums to get this good but Steely Dan leads with an absolute masterpiece chock full of hits and great album tunes… and then they ONLY GET BETTER!
Michael Jackson
4/5
Not Mike Jackson at his best but a good effort nonetheless
The Verve
3/5
Cool but not great. Bittersweet Sympathy probably puts this above a regular 3 but not by much - 3.5
Coldplay
5/5
I’ll admit I haven’t listened recently to this one in order to review it but it was going to get a 5. Outstanding songs the whole way through
Depeche Mode
3/5
Kind of a vibe but I don’t get the fuss from some sectors
Sly & The Family Stone
3/5
Fun and powerful in its own way but not really all that special musically
T. Rex
4/5
Good music and really crazy that this album released in ‘71. Extra points for basically inventing glam rock
Beck
3/5
Just listened to this on Sunday, ironically. Not Beck’s best but wouldn’t discourage a listen. Gets bonus points for being more creative than 9/10 other artists of the period. 3.5
Elvis Presley
5/5
Maybe it’s a failure of imagination on my part but it seems abundantly clear to me why Elvis is king of rock and roll. So singularly talented and insanely charismatic even when recorded. Can’t imagine music without him and this album is no exception
Morrissey
4/5
Enjoyed more than I thought I would… a little bit one note from time to time but otherwise really nice music.
The Smashing Pumpkins
3/5
Fun-enough 90’s rock. Not a song I didn’t mildly enjoy. 3.5
5/5
A tale as old as time: some drunk Irish assholes get together to make incredible music
Goldfrapp
3/5
Against all odds I sort of enjoyed this. Like a vibey, toned-down, and extended James Bond theme
Venom
1/5
Blows chunks
Gene Clark
3/5
Didn’t end up finishing but definitely enjoyed all I heard. 3.5
A Tribe Called Quest
5/5
Now I understand the hype around this group… really fun and interesting album that gets bonus points for a typically great Busta Rhymes feature
Carole King
5/5
The female singer-songwriter par excellence. Her voice isn’t manicured but it works so well with her songs and her piano playing is very enjoyable. Absolutely love this album
Slipknot
1/5
One of the worst things ever to come out of Iowa
Arctic Monkeys
2/5
Kind of a disappointment… maybe I liked it less because I expected it to be better or something else? 2.5
Iggy Pop
3/5
No huge opinion on this one - sort of like a grimier Velvet Underground. Not bad.
The Smiths
4/5
“There Is a Light…” is definitely a great song and I think the rest of the album more or less keeps up. Really enjoy this one. 4.5
4/5
Fun Kinks-as-Beatles album. Really enjoyed it
Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
3/5
Fun new wave vibe. Not much else noteworthy
Roxy Music
2/5
No hate but didn’t love it. 2.5
The Who
3/5
One of those albums that probably makes way more sense in its time and place. Enjoyed the music though! 3.5
The Police
3/5
Overhyped
Little Richard
4/5
Feels so revolutionary for 1957 and a blast to listen to
The Rolling Stones
5/5
This album has maybe one skip for me… a classic in the truest sense.
The Crusaders
4/5
Okay this was cool. Smooth jazz without being elevator music
Joy Division
2/5
Liked the drumming but the rest was sort of anemic, 2.5
Booker T. & The MG's
5/5
Insanely cool and seemingly without effort. Kept trying to find ways to not let this be 5 stars but I failed
Adele
4/5
A lot of overproduced pop songs on here but also some absolute classics. Finishes much stronger than it starts
Radiohead
3/5
This was fine but I’m not really in the mood. Want to understand the deal with Radiohead but as yet I have failed
Mott The Hoople
3/5
Didn’t get far into it but didn’t expect it would surprise me at any point. Some nice stuff going on here and there but it always strikes me how these guys are like a Bowie clone
Joanna Newsom
3/5
Not available. Sad! Trying to catch up.
Jurassic 5
4/5
This was really cool. Super great flow and good lyrical content
The Clash
5/5
THE punk album. Also has a lot of ska. Insanely cool, defiant, and thoughtful at the same time.
The Psychedelic Furs
2/5
Just was not into this, idk why
Scritti Politti
3/5
Completely anodyne pop. Wont return but didn’t mind
The Beach Boys
4/5
Insane catalogue choice but I actually liked it. A couple duds but some really cool stuff happening
Garbage
3/5
Was perfectly satisfied with this and would definitely listen again but didn’t find it to be incredibly interesting
The Velvet Underground
4/5
Starting to get their whole vibe. Really enjoyed this overall, dirty but often spare at the same time
Richard Hawley
3/5
Cool melodies that feel past their prime but maybe that is intentional considering the album title? Not a bad listen either way
Fever Ray
2/5
Vibey but not my thing. 2.5
John Martyn
3/5
Really cool vibe, would like to return. 3.5
The Smashing Pumpkins
3/5
Interesting in some ways but I’m not listening to this whole thing
Pink Floyd
3/5
Going somewhere but not totally succeeding. Bonus points for ambition though! 3.5
The Roots
3/5
Cool stuff going on but wanted this to be better than it is
Richard Thompson
3/5
Don’t predict I’ll return but really enjoyed this. 3.5
M.I.A.
3/5
Don’t know if I’ll make it all the way through but pretty fun and creative.
Kate Bush
3/5
Got a bit weird for me but I mostly enjoyed
Thin Lizzy
3/5
A lot more musically interesting than I anticipated. 3.5
The Who
4/5
The Who in the process of stepping out of the enormous shadow of the Beatles… still awesome. A bit bloated but still love it. 4.5
Simple Minds
2/5
Standard 80s fare but I ain’t listening to all that
Bon Jovi
2/5
Wild how many hits come off this but it’s not particularly good. Listenable I guess
Stevie Wonder
5/5
I could listen to Stevie Wonder sing anything
Leonard Cohen
4/5
Was kind of shocked by how much I liked this. If Cohen could sing at all this would be amazing but his belching (for lack of a better word) honestly works too. Really cool 4.5
King Crimson
2/5
Not for me.. not near as cool as their last entry
The Triffids
2/5
Inoffensive but not sure why I’m supposed to think this is important
Miles Davis
2/5
A little bit too ambient for me. Respect the creativity at work here but probably won’t be back. It had a good vibe though 2.5
The Rolling Stones
4/5
The Stones want to be American so bad… at least musically
Depeche Mode
2/5
Not bad at all. Not really moving the needle though. 2.5
The Thrills
3/5
Not finishing today but would like to revisit this. Cool sound
Marvin Gaye
3/5
Very good but nothing crazy as far as Marvin Gaye goes. Excellent vibe 3.5
John Lee Hooker
4/5
Cool collab album, enjoyed listening. No bad songs.
R.E.M.
4/5
Super original sound for a debut album with some great tunes. I didn’t get to listen to the whole thing but I think I may have before. Expect that the rating could rise with repeat listens.
Fats Domino
4/5
Fun and creative. What’s not to like?
Rahul Dev Burman
3/5
Didn’t make it through for many reasons unrelated to the music. This was cool and I’d like to come back. I have a soft spot for Indian music
Black Sabbath
2/5
This gets better as you go. RIP Ozzy but not the best thing in the world. Cool to hear how it evolved from Led Zeppelin though. 2.5
Tito Puente
5/5
Banger after banger… doesn’t even have his biggest hit on the album which says a lot! No album has made me want to dance more
Prince
4/5
Some very good tunes but I don’t think it really deserves the legendary status it enjoys. No hate to Prince whatsoever
The Temptations
4/5
Funky music sho nuff turns me on!
James Taylor
4/5
James Taylor has a voice that is like your favorite t-shirt… very familiar without being feeling too worn. Soft but appealing. Loved this
Wilco
3/5
Didn’t listen as close as I could have but this was good. Bonus points for making this album in 1996, 3.5
The Darkness
1/5
Ambitious but not for me. There is some level of talent here I must admit. 1.5
Joan Armatrading
3/5
Kind of like funky Joni Mitchell. Won’t return but I enjoyed it.
Neil Young
4/5
Neil Young doing Neil Young stuff. Some classics on here and I love the sound. What would have made it truly great would be to have CSN involved
Bad Company
3/5
Platonic ideal of a 3 star album. Fun to listen to but not coming back. Brownie points for having a hit that shares the band’s name… that takes balls
Eels
2/5
Trite but musically interesting. 2.5
Meat Puppets
1/5
I cannot take this seriously
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
Not my thing but fine.
Pink Floyd
3/5
This is music for adults who can’t get over the fact that they didn’t like school. Not terrible though. Reluctantly awarding 3 stars
Mike Oldfield
3/5
Oddly mesmerizing. Don’t know how bad I want to come back but I can sort of understand the hype.
Janelle Monáe
3/5
Not my thing but she is obviously very talented and creative. It has its moments though!
Slint
2/5
Didn’t feel like finishing but didn’t mind. 2.5
Nick Drake
4/5
Supremely vibey but didn’t blow my mind. Will return though.
Stan Getz
5/5
Immaculate vibe! Hard to beat.
Germs
2/5
Seems like these guys are rebelling against logic. Doesn’t make a lot of sense and not really my thing but the sound is salvageable.
Sonic Youth
3/5
Really good vibe for today but I don’t plan to be back. Definitely enjoyed though.
CHIC
3/5
Vibey. Glad to hear the origins of Rapper’s Delight
The Who
5/5
The arena rock blueprint. Insanely good from front to back
AC/DC
4/5
Like Led Zeppelin from concentrate… really great stuff. Not all amazing songs but definitely some all timers. 4.5
Arcade Fire
5/5
Listened to this many times without a very critical ear but on examination it’s a super prescient depiction of societal decay and alienation. Also super interesting sonically
Blur
3/5
This was kind of cool. Seems innovative for the time.
Donald Fagen
4/5
Doesn’t have the texture I look for in a Fagen project but still really good. Seems to be an homage to late night radio which is cool
Metallica
1/5
Not altogether intolerable but I really can’t listen to this kind of stuff for more than a song at a time. 1.5
MGMT
4/5
Awesome alt pop. Basically set the tone for the genre for the next 5 or so years. 4.5
Led Zeppelin
5/5
If jet fuel became music… earth-shattering
Tim Buckley
3/5
This is stellar cooking music. I don’t have to pay close attention but I get an A+ vibe. 3.5
Kraftwerk
2/5
Not really my thing but gets bonus points for being insanely influential and ahead of its time. 2.5
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
Will definitely come back to this. Really enjoyed it.
Derek & The Dominos
4/5
Really great stuff not even counting Layla which is a generationally good song. Loved it. 4.5
R.E.M.
4/5
Really enjoyed this. A lot more robust production than what I’m used to from REM and it paid off. Would love to return.
The Cramps
2/5
Not offensive but not good. Punk without anything interesting going on.
Eurythmics
3/5
Inoffensive 80s pop. Slightly more interesting than average but not by much.
Blondie
4/5
Super fun album. Well-deserved reputation.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
Hard to not enjoy this.
Traffic
3/5
Cool but didn’t blow my mind.
Girls Against Boys
1/5
Not offensive but no thanks. 1.5
Queen
3/5
The best moments are when they sound like Queen instead of someone else. Obviously have yet to reach their apotheosis as rock legends at this point. Enjoyed it anyway! 3.5
Stevie Wonder
5/5
Seriously this guy is a genius. How does he do it?!
Thelonious Monk
4/5
Didn’t get to listen to the whole thing but great group and Monk has a sense for the piano unlike anyone else. Enjoyed it.
k.d. lang
4/5
This really hit. Excellent vibe, great production, and wonderful singing.
Johnny Cash
4/5
Johnny Cash is simply larger than life… it feels like you know him when you listen to this. 4.5
Roxy Music
3/5
Can see how this would be influential but I thought it was just fine.
Green Day
5/5
Very formally ambitious for a punk album and probably the best example of 2000s rock. Crazy amount of hits
David Bowie
3/5
Enjoyable but more subdued in a way than a lot of his other stuff. 3.5
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
Fun and kind of funky. These guys don’t really miss.
The Saints
2/5
Meh. Not a bad sound but feels derivative for 2009
The Stooges
3/5
Not bad at all but maybe just wasn’t the vibe for updating my gradebook. Had no issues with it per se.
Radiohead
3/5
This is perfectly fine but I am driven insane by the fact that I simply do not get the Radiohead hype. What am I missing?!?!
Fleet Foxes
5/5
I had no idea what to expect the song that everyone knows and I thought this was fantastic. Really original and listenable.
Metallica
2/5
I simply do not get the appeal
Bob Dylan
4/5
Ramshackle even for Dylan but still cool. Technical and endearing at the same time.
Steely Dan
4/5
Superficially fantastic but lacks the depth and intricacy that give steely dan their legendary status. Makes sense that this is a transition point for them.
Norah Jones
4/5
Despite my trauma response, I can’t honestly say this is a bad album. It’s lightweight but cool in its own way.
Björk
2/5
Not doing much for me. Björk is very talented though.
Nightmares On Wax
2/5
Truly not bad but not feeling this today. 2.5
Aerosmith
3/5
Wannabe Led Zeppelin but not all bad. Had its ups and downs.
Janis Joplin
5/5
I don’t know what else to give this except 5. Joplin probably has the best voice of anyone with clear vocal damage
Beatles
5/5
A love letter to American music by the Beatles. Not a single miss
The Who
4/5
A bit conceptual, even for me, but all great music.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Not a steaming hot take but Led Zep peaked at IV. Lots of good stuff here but doesn’t have the same brilliance overall.
Joni Mitchell
5/5
Rich with meaning and musical texture while only featuring 2-3 instruments at time. Impeccable songwriting and production. Joni’s voice is so pure and clear and her musical instincts are outstanding. Couldn’t be less than a 5!
Steely Dan
5/5
Probably the best-produced album of all time. So insanely good with some super dense jazz fusion AND at least 1 top 40 hit. On top of that it is simply wonderful to listen to.
Louis Prima
5/5
So fun. Feels like you’re at a great jazz show. Prima has a voice to boot!
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
5/5
The most listenable time signature experiments ever created.