413
Albums Rated
3.25
Average Rating
38%
Complete
676 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1980s
Favorite Decade
Punk
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
53
5-Star Albums
14
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Black Monk Time
The Monks
|
5 | 2.94 | +2.06 |
|
Duck Stab/Buster & Glen
The Residents
|
4 | 2.03 | +1.97 |
|
Water From An Ancient Well
Abdullah Ibrahim
|
5 | 3.04 | +1.96 |
|
Rain Dogs
Tom Waits
|
5 | 3.2 | +1.8 |
|
Time Out Of Mind
Bob Dylan
|
5 | 3.22 | +1.78 |
|
John Prine
John Prine
|
5 | 3.22 | +1.78 |
|
Darklands
The Jesus And Mary Chain
|
5 | 3.23 | +1.77 |
|
Crooked Rain Crooked Rain
Pavement
|
5 | 3.24 | +1.76 |
|
Fun House
The Stooges
|
5 | 3.28 | +1.72 |
|
Raw Power
The Stooges
|
5 | 3.32 | +1.68 |
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 Soft Bulletin
The Flaming Lips
|
1 | 3.28 | -2.28 |
|
A Seat at the Table
Solange
|
1 | 3.01 | -2.01 |
|
The Bends
Radiohead
|
2 | 4.01 | -2.01 |
|
Aha Shake Heartbreak
Kings of Leon
|
1 | 2.97 | -1.97 |
|
Joan Baez
Joan Baez
|
1 | 2.96 | -1.96 |
|
Goodbye And Hello
Tim Buckley
|
1 | 2.83 | -1.83 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Public Enemy | 2 | 5 |
| Prince | 2 | 5 |
| Pink Floyd | 2 | 5 |
| The Stooges | 2 | 5 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Leonard Cohen | 4 | 2 |
| Radiohead | 3 | 2 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| A Tribe Called Quest | 5, 2 |
| Green Day | 2, 5 |
| U2 | 2, 5, 4 |
| Beatles | 4, 2, 5, 3, 3, 5 |
5-Star Albums (53)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Not sure I've ever heard the album before, but I know the "hits".
This album seemed like a pretty big deal when it came out, U2 returning to form with some big hits.
But listening to it now, the hits don't seem that great and the rest of the album is really bad. The quality of their songwriting on this album is really low compared to their early years.
And so many cringey lyrics.
"Grace, it's a name for a girl
It's also a thought that changed the world"
1 likes
Pixies
3/5
Never heard the album before.
Not something I'd listen to everyday but there is a lot of interesting stuff here. It's both edgy and hooky at the same time.
"Yo soy playero pero no hay playa"
1 likes
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.
1 likes
4-Star Albums (97)
1-Star Albums (14)
All Ratings
The Smiths
2/5
I might have listened to this a long time ago, but I don't recall.
Never been a huge fan of Morissey's voice or the stream-of-consciousness lyrics. But the music is pretty good.
In the end it adds up to a below-average listening experience.
"She said, " 'Ey, I know you, and you cannot sing' "
Common
4/5
Haven't heard this before but very impressed.
"My mother gave birth but she really never had me."
The Police
5/5
istened to this album many times.
Great songwriting by great musicians.
How does Mother make it on this album with Murder by Numbers only a bonus track?
"Many miles away, there's a shadow on the door..."
Nick Drake
4/5
I might have listened to this once or twice.
Beautiful, wistful music which is at times depressing.
"I could have been
One of these things first"
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"
Sigur Rós
4/5
Never heard this before.
I am really blown away by it. Unique and beautiful.
I like the closing song Avalon, but discovered they purposely slowed it waaaay down. It sounds beautiful at a more proper speed:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmOdTrfiBmc
"Ég gerði skip tilbúið og fór með litla bæn"
Leonard Cohen
2/5
Everybody knows I used to be a poet
Everybody knows I have a gift for words
Everybody knows my songs are inconsistent
Ah, that some of them will be turds
Everybody knows I've got no choice
Everybody knows I've got limited range
So I sing real low
Everybody knows.
Everybody knows I'm from North of the border
Everybody knows I've got backup singers
Everybody knows I'm a real bummer
Ah, the haunting chords still linger
Everybody knows there's a hit here somewhere
If I can just decide where it goes
Everybody knows.
Eurythmics
3/5
Have listened to the album before; in fact, I just revisited it a couple of weeks ago.
Solid album with great Dave Stewart arrangements that showcase Annie Lennox' vocals.
Lots of good songs which are elevated by the classic Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) which remains fresh, distinctive, and breathtaking.
Strong 3 stars.
"It's savage and it's cruel and it shines like destruction"
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?
Jack White
4/5
Never heard the album before.
Great rock and blues album, a good amount of experimentation and stylistic variety but never sounds disjointed or out of place. I'm really impressed.
"I won't let love disrupt, corrupt or interrupt me"
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"
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.
The Flaming Lips
1/5
Never heard this album.
I wasn't prepared for lyrics written by 2nd graders or music created by AI. Wait, this crap was created by grown-ass adults? With 8 previous albums under their belt?
Also, no more mentioning Superman in a song. That should have been outlawed in about 1990. But here we are, songwriters can't help themselves.
"I stood up and I said, yeah".
Sonic Youth
3/5
Never heard before.
Fine I guess, but nothing stood out to me. I probably won't listen to it again. Closer to 2 stars than 4 stars.
"The zoftig chick is mine"
The White Stripes
4/5
I've heard the album before.
I love Jack White's guitar playing and vocals. There is a lot of diverse things going on than might appear at first glance. They achieve a pretty amazing sound with just a guitar and drums.
"All they got inside is vacancy"
Ray Charles
3/5
Good album, but I was expecting something better
Led Zeppelin
3/5
Listened to before, but not for a while.
Fuzzier than I remember. These are classic Led Zeppelin songs, but not my favorites. But you can't deny the quality performances. Definitely a harbinger for things to come.
"Got me a girl, and I kissed her and then and then
Whoops, oh no, yeah, well, I did it again"
The Hives
3/5
Never heard this before.
Simple catchy songs played with energy.
Odd that they included a compilation album on this list. I found the first half of the songs pretty unlikable. But the second half, which are taken from the Barely Legal album, are a lot better. I was prepared to rate 2 stars but going to give it 3 stars.
"Outsmarted, I'm selling you for scrap"
Tito Puente
3/5
Never heard before.
Sounds good, not something I feel knowledgeable to review though.
"Mi chiquita quiere bembe"
David Bowie
3/5
I thought I'd listened to it before, but it didn't sound familiar.
Interesting experiment with the second half being ambient music. Nothing stands out on this album. I enjoyed the second half more than the first.
I wouldn't think it needed inclusion on this list but I guess it respresents a major pivot in Bowie's career.
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"
Common
3/5
Never heard this before.
Enjoyed the music and the flow more than the rapping.
"Few understand the union of woman and man
And sex and a tingle is where they assume that it land"
Johnny Cash
3/5
I don't think I've listened to this before.
It's a really fun album, and Johnny seems like he's really relating to everyone around him. It makes for a great listen. Great songs, as well.
And loved June Carter's performance on Jackson.
Strong 3 stars.
"These men have receptions:
Matlock 850632 and
Batshelter 839879"
FKA twigs
2/5
Never heard this.
Not my kind of music. I appreciate aspects of this but I didn't care for it.
"You're younger than I am broken"
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Listened to many times.
One of the great rock albums. Page's guitar playing is extraordinary, but his overall songwriting and use of odd time signatures has never been duplicated (although many have tried).
And despite the oversaturation of "Stairway to Heaven" it remains the pinnacle of rock epics.
"The dark Lord rides in force tonight"
Joni Mitchell
2/5
Never listened to this album before, I'd only heard "Help Me.
Just not a Joni Mitchell fan. Her vocal acrobatics, while interesting, often take me out of the moment. She is a good lyricist and tells stories from some unexpected perspectives.
I did like Raised on Robbery, which I hadn't heard before.
But I won't be listening to this album again anytime soon.
"First he bought a '57 Biscayne, he put it in a ditch"
Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
3/5
Never listened to the album, had only heard "Perfect Skin".
Distinctive vocals. I'm normally a fan of jangly guitars, but this album doesn't add up to much. Not memorable.
Talvin Singh
1/5
Never heard this album before.
It gives New Age music a bad name. Utterly pointless. So glad when it was over.
The Byrds
2/5
Never heard this before.
It's an album of The Byrds doing country music. I think I'd rather hear the Byrds do jangly folk rock, and rather her country music from actual country music artists.
Not horrible, but not something I'll be listening to again.
The Band
4/5
Listened to many times, including recently after reading Testimony, Robbie Robertson's autobiography (highly recommended).
There are two classics on this album, and I like the variety amongst the rest of the songs. But as much as I respect Robertson's ability to handle just about all of the songwriting duties and dole the songs out to the three different lead vocalists in the band, I just don't enjoy the album as much as I'd like to.
Going to give it 4 stars for the classic songs which are amongst my favorites of all-time.
"Virgil Caine is the name and I served on the Danville train
'Til Stoneman's cavalry came and tore up the tracks again"
Miles Davis
3/5
Never listened to it.
Enjoyed it but I might not be qualified to appreciate it.
The Cars
5/5
Listened to very often.
Crazy that this came out in 1978...pre 1980s. Great album, excellent songwriting, talented musicians. All time classic.
"With your eyes of porcelain and of blue
They shock me into sense"
"Hi Brad. You know how cute I always thought you were."
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"
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
2/5
Never heard this before.
Wow. I guess this is fine for those who enjoy it? I guess it's interesting because they rip off, I mean, are inpired by, classical music? Maybe because they paved the way for Trans-Siberian Orchestra?
Led Zeppelin
3/5
I've heard it before.
The guitar and bass performances are great. I don't think Bonham was as good here as on the 1st or 4th albums.
But Robert Plant's vocals just don't match a lot of the musical style here.
Only a couple of good songs, otherwise a mediocre effort.
Bob Dylan
4/5
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"
Run-D.M.C.
4/5
Never heard this before.
Wasn't sure what to expect, but I really like this. I like the spare production and the varied sound.
"We're risin', surprisin', and often hypnotizin' "
Not sure I've ever heard the album before, but I know the "hits".
This album seemed like a pretty big deal when it came out, U2 returning to form with some big hits.
But listening to it now, the hits don't seem that great and the rest of the album is really bad. The quality of their songwriting on this album is really low compared to their early years.
And so many cringey lyrics.
"Grace, it's a name for a girl
It's also a thought that changed the world"
Deerhunter
3/5
Never heard this before.
Didn't care much for the really slow songs, the rest of it was fine but not really noteworthy in my mind. I waver between giving it 2 or 3 stars, but feeling generous so i'll give it 3.
Sly & The Family Stone
3/5
Never heard before.
Not exactly what I was expecting. Okay, but I probably won't listen again.
"The nicer the nice, the higher the price"
Depeche Mode
3/5
Have heard this before.
Solid album with some good songs but a little inconsistent. Clean has a nice callback to "One of These Days" by Pink Floyd.
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
3/5
Never heard this before.
I like the variety of influences and styles, but ultimately doesn't resonate with me.
Part of the issue is Alburn's voice. Sometimes he sounds like he's searching for the note. I think this might be a stylistic choice as opposed to just being a bad singer, but it generally doesn't work for me.
The music and the arrangements are solid.
"And the country didn't look the same that day"
k.d. lang
3/5
Haven't heard the album before.
I enjoyed listening to this album. lang's voice is pretty amazing. Great pitch, tone, and range. The songs are a little hit and miss, but the album is enjoyable.
"You just keep knocking
And waking my heart"
Slipknot
2/5
Never heard this album before.
I'll start by saying this isn't my type of music, and not something I will probably listen to in the future.
Having said that, I enjoyed this more than I thought I would, and I appreciate the variety on this album.
Jethro Tull
3/5
Never heard the album before.
I think Jethro Tull is high risk / high reward. There distinctive sound due to the vocals, flute, and rock/folk arrangements has created some all-time classic songs. But when it doesn't work it seems a bit pointless.
This album has a couple of classics, but the rest of it I didn't need to hear before I die.
"Salvation a la mode and a cup of tea"
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 since tracks seen 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 of being ignored as Elvis comes of sounding like an Incel.
Barely giving it a 3.
David Bowie
3/5
I've heard the album before.
It's a good listen. Great piano work. Strong 3.
3 stars
The Zombies
4/5
Never heard this before.
Initially I didn't think I'd like it, but I liked it a lot. I actually listened to it twice "just to be sure". It's funny that "Time of the Season" is thrown on at the end. Apparently not all the band liked it, and it wasn't released as one of the first two singles. The band had broken up by the time it became a hit.
The piano parts are better than in many similar 60's bands. The lyrics are often pretty depressing. There is more variety here than at first glance.
Glad it's on the list as I wouldn't have listened to it otherwise.
"She watches her flowers grow
While lovers come and go
To give each other roses from her tree
But not a rose for Emily"
Bob Dylan
5/5
Never heard this album before.
This album covers a variety of musical styles, but much of it reminds me of the guitar-driven funky grooves from Dylan's late 70s / early 80s period when he had Mark Knopfler on guitar. A lot of this album sounds reminiscent of early Dire Straits.
The relatively straightforward lyrics match well with the music, and the production creates some nice atmosphere. Make You Feel My Love is one of the most disarming songs Dylan ever wrote, and I really like this arrangement, which focuses on his vocals.
The album is accessible (except maybe the 16+ minute Highlands), emotional, and even a little playful (he seems to be sending up his own nasally vocals at multiple points in the album).
This might be the best Dylan album I've ever heard.
5 stars.
Stevie Wonder
3/5
I think I've heard this album before.
Two great songs, the rest are pretty so-so.
Pixies
3/5
Never heard the album before.
Not something I'd listen to everyday but there is a lot of interesting stuff here. It's both edgy and hooky at the same time.
"Yo soy playero pero no hay playa"
Sepultura
2/5
Get used to this album.
It's the music they play in hell. 24/7.
Billy Bragg
3/5
I used to own this album. Interesting album of lost Woody Guthrie lyrics. Great work by Wilco and Bragg to put then to contemporary music.
Brian Eno
3/5
Never heard this before.
An example of why this just is great. Might have otherwise never heard this great album.
Some of it sounds like Bowie Plays the Velvet Underground, but there is so much other variety in other songs it's hard to summarize.
Rarely do albums strike the balance between inventive/dissonant and hooky so well.
Thelonious Monk
2/5
Never heard it.
I generally don't like modern art or modern jazz I'm not qualified to judge this.
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
Sinead O'Connor
4/5
I own this album.
I haven't listened to this album in a while and I wasn't sure it would hold up, but the raw emotions still shine through and her voice sounds as unique and impactful as ever. All of the upbeat songs work as do most of the ballads.
"Everyone can see what's going on
They laugh 'cause they know they're untouchable
Not because what I said was wrong
Whatever it may bring
I will live by my own policies
I will sleep with a clear conscience
I will sleep in peace"
Buzzcocks
4/5
Never heard this before.
This is proper pop-punk. I really enjoyed this. So much better, than, say, Green Day's Dookie for example.
Haircut 100
3/5
I've heard some of the songs, but don't recall listening to the album.
Knowing Haircut 100 just from their popular songs, I always thought they were interesting and a little off-beat. Wasn't sure what to expect from the album, but there is a lot to like. The rhythms are not typical for an 80's band.
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.
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"
Solange
1/5
Never heard this before.
I know that I'm not the target audience but this album is mind-numbingly bad. Insulting lyrics.
The attempts at political statements through the interludes aren't bad on their own, although they aren't particularly revelatory or insightful. Their inclusion seems disingenuous alongside lyrics like "I tried to drink it away, I tried to put one in the air, I tried to dance it away, I tried to change it with my hair"
Funkadelic
3/5
Never heard this album before.
The first song is a great instrumental which sounds ahead of its time.
Pretty much everything on this album works. I bet they were amazing to see live. Strong 3 stars.
"Power to the pussy"
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
2/5
Never heard the album before.
I appreciate the variety of muscial styles and the performances of the musicians.
The songs don't resonate with me. Part of the issue is Costello's voice. It's not just the nasally "I'm not going to try to sing" vocals. It's that he is regularly off key and looking for the note.
I would probably rate this album 4 stars if the songs were instrumentals and 5 stars if sung by a proper vocalist.
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.
Kraftwerk
4/5
Never heard this before.
Kraftwerk was certainly way ahead of its time. This is a great early electronica album that's still a lot of fun to listen to. The album seems very subversive.
Bears similarities to Jean-Michele Jarre's early albums which came out around the same time.
"Я твой слуга
Я твой работник"
Goldfrapp
3/5
Never heard of this band before.
Very accessible with music with ethereal echoes of Kate Bush.
The Clash
5/5
I own this album.
Haven't listened to this in a while, but it just gets better over time. So much more melodic and well-performed than other punk albums.
"Move up Starsky...Suck on Kojak"
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
Listened to this album for the first time recently.
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 2 without (WSF'B) PL&U and a 3 with it.
Van Morrison
4/5
I've heard the album before.
Interesting mix of styles, all punctuated by his instantly identifiable vocals. Very listenable and lively. A few classics here, and Moondance is still a wonder; doesn't seem like there is anything like it on another rock album.
A classic album -- strong 4 stars.
Beatles
2/5
Had never heard this album before but had heard a couple of the songs.
Wow, wasn't prepared for this shockingly mediocre effort. A lot of cover songs, and these versions are better forgotten.
Amongst the originals, it's pretty telling when the Ringo Starr song might be the best on the album.
Unless the goal is to tarnish the reputation of The Beatles, this album should not be on this list.
2 stars.
Teenage Fanclub
3/5
Never heard this before.
In theory I should be all over a hooky band with jangly guitars and Alex Chilton copycat syndrome, but this seems "just okay".
It all seems quite derivative, which isn't bad if they were great songwriters.
"And say, there's a black cat on the floor.
Big deal."
Nirvana
3/5
Heard the songs but not sure if I've heard the album before.
The presentation is illuminating to hear Nirvana songs in this setting. It highlights Cobain's talent as a songwriter.
It's still a bit inconsistent and choosing to perform 3 Meat Puppets covers is...interesting. They probably should have just stopped after inserting "Where Did You Sleep Last Night" and "The Man Who Sold The World".
Roxy Music
2/5
Never heard this album before.
Ferry's voice isn't always in tune...he sounds a lot better on later albums.
Some nice moments ("Editions of You" is a standout), but overall doesn't add up to a particularly memorable album.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
I've heard the album before.
Sympathy For The Devil is one of the all time great rock tracks. Street Fighting Man is also solid, but the rest of the album feels like filler.
Funkadelic
2/5
Never heard this before.
I enjoyed the Maggot Brain album a lot more than this one. Interesting that the song Maggot Brain shows up here.
I don't think I needed to hear more than 1 Funkadelic album before I died.
The Stone Roses
5/5
I thought I'd heard this album before but it's been a long time.
I really like this album. Great song writing, hooky with some nice harmonies and a little fuzziness. Reminds a bit of Jesus and Mary Chain's mellower stuff.
Just when the album sounds like it's winding down, it hits you with "This is the One", another great song, and finishes with the fun jam song I Am the Ressurection.
Fun Lovin' Criminals
3/5
Never heard this album before.
I liked the arrangements but not that memorable otherwise.
Mudhoney
3/5
Never heard this before. Pretty good album. Might "stick" a little more on future listens...
Black Sabbath
5/5
Never listened to the album before, but know many of the songs.
Pretty interesting to step back in time to 1970 when this came out. Listening to this you can hear them stepping away from the typical rock blues of the time into something new and different...heavy metal.
Also didn't expect this to remind me so much of an early Zeppelin album.
Herbie Hancock
3/5
I haven't heard this album before.
Good album. Not something I'd listen to often.
Dirty Projectors
2/5
Never heard this before.
Pretty unlistenable. fluctuating between a 1-star and 2-star rating.
Dolly Parton
2/5
Never heard this before.
I was hoping for something much better. I'm not a fan of the production choices. I've got issues with the mix throughout, and the arrangements don't maximize the impact of the songs. In particular, Dolly's voice doesn't sound that great. She just doesn't sound up to the level of the great female C&W singers that came before her like Loretta Lynn.
There's a lot of better traditional country albums out there. Not sure why this one was included in this list.
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.
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 Marley & The Wailers
4/5
Never heard the album before.
It takes a little while to get going, but the second half has many great songs.
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."
M.I.A.
4/5
Never heard this before.
I like it more than I expected to. Inventive, unique and hooky. Great debut.
" 'Cause Bingo, now I'm hittin' a 6"
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"
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"
Red Hot Chili Peppers
2/5
I've heard this album before, but not for a long time.
I like a few Peppers songs but generally have always thought they are overrated.
This album hasn't gotten better with age. Just sounds like a band ripping off other acts. And Kiedes really can't find a note to save his life.
I do like the guitar work on Under the Bridge.
Keith Jarrett
3/5
Never heard this before.
By having an album of piano instrumentals on this list it really opens it up to a lot more choices. It seems strange to me that this type of album would be on the list.
Researching I did find that this is the second best selling album in jazz history, which is shocking to me.
The music is just fine but it probably won't replace the various instrumental albums already in my playlists.
Soundgarden
4/5
I've heard this before.
Interesting listen. I recognize Soundgarden for the technical talent, and Cornell does have a great rock and roll voice. But I've just never enjoyed Soundgarden as much as others do.
Rating it a 4 star for its impact and quality but I probably won't listen to this again anytime soon.
Traffic
3/5
Never heard this before.
There are some nice moments on the album. The lead vocals from the various band members are sometimes great and sometimes just okay. THe bass lines are generally pretty great throughout. They variety of styles on display is interesting. Although a couple of Mason's songs have a goofy-60s-did-Ringo-write-this vibe.
But evaluated years later, this album just settles into the "good, not great" category. Feelin' Alright? is noteworthy, but Joe Cocker's later version blows it out of the water. This seems to be an example of the parts being greater than the sum on this album.
Elton John
4/5
I've heard this many times before.
First, Tiny Dancer.
The opening moments of that incredible piano music can still induce chills. Might be my favorite piano accompaniment of any rock song. Add Taupin's amazing lyrics that are both grounded and soaring, the layers of arrangements, the subtle little guitar parts...what a masterpiece.
Levon is also great, and Madman across the Water is great, but the rest of the album is just good.
A Tribe Called Quest
5/5
Never heard this album before.
Really enjoyable. So much to like about this album, but the overall production is particularly noteworthy. No mishits on the album. Confidence to provide humorous lyrics alongside some social statements. The entire album exudes confidence without trying to hard. Effortless music making.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
4/5
I've heard this album multiple times.
Classic rock-and-roll album. Like a lot of CSN&Y (especially with the Y) it's a Frankenstein that shifts pretty dramatically depending on the songwriter.
The Graham Nash contributions (Teach Your Children, Our House) don't age that well. They are well written songs but seem pretty cheesy 50 years on.
Crosby's contributions are just okay.
Young's Helpless is great, but Country Girl is forgettable.
Carry On (Stills) still soars and the CSNY version is the best of Joni Mitchell's Woodstock.
Comes up just short of 5 stars for me.
Queen
5/5
Listened to the album many times since I bought my first copy on 8-track.
One of the top handful of albums ever made.
The diversity of sights, sounds and smells on this album are breathtaking.
Brian May's diverse guitar work sparkles throughout. Death on Two Legs alone displays a variety of guitar styles that no other rock guitarist uses.
Freddie's voice was coming into it's own, but the use of harmonies with Brian and Roger are unique and underrated.
This album more than any other is what this list is made for. Everyone should hear this album before they die.
Public Image Ltd.
1/5
John Lydon is a talentless fuck and a waste of my time.
Santana
4/5
I've heard this album before.
Such a unique sound, great album with a couple of classics and amazing musicianship throughout.
Frank Sinatra
3/5
Never heard the album but have heard many of the songs.
On the best of 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.
The Chemical Brothers
3/5
I've never heard this before.
This is okay, but doesn't really resonate with me.
A soft 3 stars.
Miriam Makeba
4/5
Never heard this before.
Want sure what to expect, but really enjoyed this varied and interesting performance. Perfect example of why I enjoy this list.
Country Joe & The Fish
2/5
Never heard this before.
Another meh 60s album. Another 60s band doing country songs (poorly) and blues songs (even worse).
Flower Power!
Jerry Lee Lewis
4/5
Never heard this album before, but have heard all the songs.
It's a little hard to listen to the first song, High School Confidential, while realizing he was at this point on his third marriage, this time to his 13-year-old cousin who wasn't yet in high school when they married...
Also, he only just died in 2022? Given the stories of his crazy lifestyle I'm surprised he made it that far...
What this is also teaching me is what crap Youtube Music can be. Only 8 of the 13 songs on this album are included there, and they give no indication something is missing!
But focusing on the music, Lewis is a great entertainer, and his energy is infectious. I'm not often a fan of live albums, but this is a really good one.
"She got ruby lips, she got shapely hips,
Boy she makes Jerry flip"
Public Enemy
5/5
Landmark album.
Might not be something I listen to much, but still sounds fresh and relevant.
Kings of Leon
1/5
It's like they are trying to make annoying insipid music intentionally. It's like the bad Hemingway competition for rock music.
The Triffids
4/5
Never heard this before.
Good example of the value of this list. I really like this album and this band has never been on my radar.
I feel like this album has "classic" status hidden somewhere in it. Unfortunately, the arrangements often overwhelm the songs, and the lead vocals, while strong, don't always work in the various styles of the album.
But at its best (Trick of the Light) it's great 80s pop music with good lyrics.
Elvis Costello
2/5
Never heard it before and if I'm lucky won't hear it again.
How on earth does Elvis Costello have six albums on this list?
What a chore to listen to all 15 tracks (no I didn't bother with the additional tracks added for the remaster/cash grab version). There's nothing relevant here. Just a guy who likes chord changes noodling away in his studio making boring music.
The Kinks
4/5
I don't think I've ever heard this before.
I'm not normally a fan of 60s British bands with lots of "affected" songs. But this album was a lot better than I expected it to be.
Ray Davies definitely approaches songwriting from a very different direction, and the results can be very odd at times. But he somehow knows how to put together the odd pieces to make interesting and memorable songs.
The production of this album is sneaky good...it is a real pleasure to listen to it on headphones. The subtleties really come out when you are really paying attention.
I also found it interesting that the entire direction of The Kinks during this period, to focus on traditional English musical styles and topics, were a result of the band being blackballed from touring in America for 5+ years.
While not something I'll probably re-listen to a lot, credit is due to Davies for making an early example of a concept album with thoughtful lyrics.
Just memorable enough for me to give it 4 stars.
The Smiths
2/5
I've heard this album before.
Nice melodic arrangements, but Morrisey's vocals detract and result in an album that never resonates or seems to match the passion of the lyrics.
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.
Megadeth
3/5
I've never heard this before.
Interesting. Not something I'd listen to probably, but not bad.
Vocals remind me a lot of Steven Pearcy from Ratt, which was also a San Diego / SoCal metal band. Ratt preceded Megadeth by a few years, so I wonder if Pearcy had any influence on his vocals.
Def Leppard
4/5
I've heard this album many times.
Apparently Mutt Lange who produced this wanted to make a "hard rock version of Thriller." The resulting seems very formulaic and designed to be hits. The production pulls out all the stops to use every studio trick available in the late 1980s. It certainly sounds much more pop than metal.
No doubting how hooky so many of these songs are and it's easy to understand how they are still listened to today. But boy the lyrics are insipid. But I guess that's not why we listen to hair metal / hair pop, is it?
There's also some really questionable "rhymes"
Hysterical -> Hysteria
Armageddon it -> Are you gettin it?
And I want, and I need, and I lust -> Animal
I'm giving it 4 stars for all the hits, but I still prefer Pyromania and think that album is a lot more interesting. I guess this makes this list because it's considered a pinnacle of hair metal albums. I would have chosen Pyromania for this list instead.
Rage Against The Machine
3/5
Never heard the full album before, but have heard some of the songs.
I've never been a fan of the band. Morello's guitar work is good, but I'm not a fan of the vocal style. And in general I feel like they're overrated.
I also think it's a bs move putting a famous Pulitzer Prize-winning photo of the self-immolation of a true political martyr.
Prince
5/5
Prince at his most confident, with his songwriting skills, his band, and his eccentricities all working together.
Classic album from start to finish.
Antony and the Johnsons
4/5
Never heard this album before.
The album is a little inconsistent, but the highlights are great. In particular, "For Today I Am a Boy", "Fistful of Love" and "You Are My Sister". Lead singer Anohni has a unique voice that lifts these songs.
Glad to have been introduced to this unique artist.
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 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"
Red Hot Chili Peppers
2/5
Never heard the album before.
Frusciante is great, the band sucks.
Cocteau Twins
3/5
Never heard this before.
The album is fine, but not remarkable. Not sure why it's on this list.
Buena Vista Social Club
5/5
I've heard the album many times.
A great sample of Cuban music by a bunch of great musicians. Culturally relevant for significantly increasing the popularity of Cuban music (and indirectly Cuban culture) in American society around the turn of the century.
The Everly Brothers
2/5
Never heard this before.
I can see how this might have worked as an introduction to a broader range of musical styles to suburban America while keeping it palatable by having clean-cut white boys performing.
But looking at it now, there's nothing palatable about it. Any emotion or energy in the underling music is diluted through the production and results in an unlistenable album for me. For example, comparing it to Please Please Me (which came out 3 years later and bears surface similarities), there is so much more energy and inventiveness to the music.
I'm also surprised at how often the harmonies seem to be off and how often they seem to slip in and out of tune. There are some exceptions (Always It's You, Cathy's Clown), but having only paid attention to the Everlys from afar, I thought their quality pipes and harmonies would be rock solid.
It's interesting to hear the first recorded version of Love Hurts.
Even considering it as a historical document, I can't give this album more than 2 stars.
Happy Mondays
2/5
Never heard this before.
What a fucking ugly cover.
Apparently this is the result when you record an album while taking ecstasy constantly for the sessions.
Meandering, sloppy, an unremarkable.
George Michael
3/5
I"ve heard the album before.
Chock full of hits, this is a pretty good pop record with nice production throughout. Definitely an album of the 80s, and one of the definitive albums of the 80s.
The title song still sounds good, although it really sounds like Footloose by the way of Freddy Mercury.
But all-in-all this album doesn't really age that well and leans more toward cringe. Which is unfortunate, because there are signs that Michael can really belt out some vocals. But the songwriting just doesn't hold up.
Why can't you set your monkey free?
The Verve
3/5
Never heard the album before.
This is okay I guess. Not sure it deserves to be on the list. It's pretty unremarkable.
Garbage
3/5
Never heard the album before.
Okay album with some noteworthy hits. Otherwise not that remarkable.
The Sabres Of Paradise
2/5
Never heard this album before.
Yawn.
Grateful Dead
3/5
Never heard this album before.
Although I don't consider myself a huge fand of the Dead, I did enjoy a lot of this album. The recording sounds great...I can't believe it was recorded in 1969.
This is a "historic document" as it laid the groundwork for jam bands for the future. (Which probably earns them an equal amounts of blame and praise)
The band sounds energetic and "young" and I enjoyed songs like Turn on Your Love Light a lot. Dark Star is famous for the Dead, but it really does sound like every meandering jam band song I've heard at a festival.
In any case, the plusses are greater than the minuses for me, and I'm giving it a (strong) 3 stars.
Buffalo Springfield
3/5
Never heard the album before.
A few great songs on here, but overall the album is a bit hit and miss.
Strong 3 stars.
Duke Ellington
3/5
Never heard this album before.
Kind of an odd album, especially with the announcements being included throughout. The mention of a "young Quincy Jones" was pretty funny to hear.
Overall the sound of this live album is pretty clean.
I didn't find this to be mind-blowing. But it's a very famous album. and increased the popularity of jazz festivals. The story of how the original album and CD release were "faked" but that they were fixed in a later release is also interesting.
Overall I get why it's on the list, but can't rate it higher than 3 stars.
A Tribe Called Quest
2/5
Not for me.
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.
The The
4/5
I don't recall hearing this album before.
Really enjoyed this album. "Post-punk" comes in many flavors but this is the kind I really like. It's edgy but melodic with some sharp lyrics.
"See I didn't want to be with any people I know. But god knows, I didn't want to be alone."
5/5
I've listened to this album many times before.
U2's songwriting on this album is amazing. The Edge's incredible guitar work permeates the album. Bono sings with passion but always in service to the songs.
Before this album they had some great songs but hadn't really understood how to put it all together to achieve greatness. After this album they had some great songs but they just couldn't capture the spirit of this album (though Achtung Baby comes close).
This album was the high point of U2's career, one of the best albums of the 80's, and one of rock and roll's great achievements.
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."
CHIC
3/5
Have never heard this album before.
The best songs on this album still resonate and don't sound dated. It's a lot of fun, and very enjoyable.
The quality starts to fall off the last 3 songs, but still a good listen.
Jane's Addiction
3/5
I've heard this album before.
I'm not much of a fan of Jane's Addiction, but there are some good songs on this album
They have similarities to the Chili Peppers but they are always doing a lot more interesting things than the Peppers.
Experimental and influential so they deserve an album on the list. My preference would be only one album, but I get why this and "Nothing's Shocking" are both on the list.
Leonard Cohen
2/5
Never heard this before.
This list has taught me how much I don't like Leonard Cohen. Before the list I thought, he's that guy that wrote Hallelujah which is a memorable song. Now I have had the chance to hear a bunch of his boring albums.
The Cure
3/5
Haven't heard the album before.
It's well-crafted but didn't resonate with me.
Dire Straits
4/5
Have listened to this album many times.
This is Dire Straits at their most crowded pleasing. Filled with hits and hooks and produced with an 80s sheen, this was their best selling album.
There are a lot of great songs on the album, and no obvious missteps. Knopfler's guitar work is integrated with the songs so are at first a bit more subtle than their other albums.
A really great album, although probably not my favorite Dire Straits album. But it was significant at the time and most of it still sounds great today.
If it doesn't transcend to the level of classic, is just a little short of that.
Strong 4 stars.
Arcade Fire
3/5
Never heard the album before.
This album is just fine, but I wasn't moved by it and probably won't listen to it again.
Big Brother & The Holding Company
3/5
Never heard the album before.
Interesting choice to try and make a studio album sound like a live album by just adding crowd noise.
Generally another bad 60's blues album. The only saving grace is Joplin's voice which is one-of-a-kind and when used properly is really amazing. The only standout songs for me are Piece of My Heart. and Turtle Blues.
Giving it 3 stars for historical significance, but generally not that great an album to listen to.
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.
Jeff Beck
2/5
I've never heard this album before.
Another 60s album with bad blues. Ugh.
This album meant a lot to a lot of people. But looking at it now there isn't much about it I can recommend.
- The rhythm section is inconsistent. As in, they can't keep a beat to save their lives.
- Rod Stewart had yet to figure out how to best use his voice. On a few of these songs his inclusion is a negative.
- The guitar playing is beautiful on some songs but pretty sloppy on others.
- The production values are as bad as anything I've heard in a long time. It makes this album unlistenable on headphones.
Barely giving it 2 stars.
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 as the songs on this album.
Elliott Smith
3/5
Never heard this album before.
Nothing obviously wrong with this but it isn't really that special either.
Talking Heads
3/5
I've heard this before, but not often.
Solid debut album that includes lots of experimentation but a sense for hooks and grooves. Psycho Killer remains a pretty amazing track.
Trivia: One of the producers on this album was Tony Bongiovi, cousin of Jon Bon Jovi.
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.
Carpenters
3/5
Never heard this before.
Mellow rock is a guilty pleasure of mine. But The Carpenters definitely puts that to the test.
Lots of famous songs on here, but the arrangements bring more cringes than chills. This version of "Never Fall in Love Again" does work for me, though.
Karen Carpenter has a beautiful voice and just a heartbreaking life story. Despite my misgivings of the arrangements I'm still going to give this 3 stars.
R.E.M.
3/5
I've heard this album many times.
R.E.M. is one of my favorite bands. Document fits in between their early masterpieces and their later pop-oriented (and more successful) albums.
The band sounds great, as always, although some of the music (Finest Worksong, Disturbance..., King of Birds) seems like retreads of songs from earlier albums . Others (It's the End..., The One I Love, Exhuming McCarthy, Strange) are the first move in the direction the band would showcase in later albums.
All in all it's a bit uneven. Despite my love for the band I'm only giving it a strong 3 stars.
Led Zeppelin
3/5
I've heard this album before.
Some great songs on here, and Jimmy Page's guitar talents are on display throughout. But overall the songwriting isn't consistent enough to support a double album. Though, ironically, the very fun Boogie with Stu, recorded previously, was only included because it was a double album...Page said he'd never put it on a "single album". The same is likely true of Black Country Woman.
With apologies to Mark Ratner, I'm only going to give this one 3 stars.
Simple Minds
3/5
I've heard some of the songs but never heard this album.
This album is fine, but shouldn't be on this list. Simple Minds is not a band I'd say anyone has to hear before they die. And this album is nothing special. The biggest song (Promised you a Miracle) was a hit at the time, but listening now it sounds disjointed and not that special.
Would I rather listen to this over another Elvis Costello album? YES! But would I rather listen to an album by the (large number of) better bands left off this list? Unquestionably.
Barely giving this 3 stars.
Neneh Cherry
3/5
I've never heard this album.
I remember Neneh Cherry from the late 80s, specifically Buffalo Stance. Hearing that song now makes me wonder why it became particularly popular. It certainly doesn't resonate or seem at all special.
The rest of the album is the same. Not horrible but not at all memorable.
This album shouldn't be on this list.
Soft 3 stars.
Death In Vegas
4/5
Never heard this before.
I don't love everything on the album, but as I listened through I appreciated it more. The best songs are at the end and remind me of Jean Michel Jarre.
Nirvana
4/5
I've heard this before.
This is a seminal album in rock. It's never had the impact on my personally that it has on many others, but I recognize and appreciate why it's important.
Grohl's drumming really stands out to me.
Jorge Ben Jor
4/5
I've never heard of this album or artist before.
The opening track is pretty awesome...it sounds like David Byrne by way of Dr. John. And it's about soccer/football!
The entire album is interesting and vibrant, all the way to the end. He's got a knack for catchy melodies.
It has a well-deserved spot on this list. Glad to have been introduced to it.
Beth Orton
3/5
Never heard this album before.
I couldn't remember how I'd heard Beth Orton, as none of the songs on this album are familiar. I finally figured out that I know "She Cries Your Name" (not on this album) which is an okay song.
Overall I'm pretty unimpressed by this album. I don't find her vocals particularly compelling, and she doesn't write any of the material. There are far better singers out there who also write much better songs.
At least this is the only album of hers on the list. It doesn't deserve to be on the list.
Soft 3 stars.
The Beta Band
4/5
Nick Drake
4/5
Pink Floyd
5/5
Supergrass
4/5
Joe Ely
4/5
3/5
KISS
2/5
Bob Dylan
3/5
Janis Joplin
4/5
Kraftwerk
4/5
Leonard Cohen
2/5
Ms. Dynamite
3/5
Otis Redding
3/5
Green Day
2/5
Bad Company
4/5
Peter Gabriel
3/5
The Specials
4/5
Beastie Boys
4/5
Lorde
3/5
ABBA
3/5
Frank Black
3/5
Ute Lemper
2/5
Sarah Vaughan
3/5
David Bowie
4/5
Fred Neil
2/5
Mj Cole
2/5
Love
2/5
Marvin Gaye
3/5
3/5
The Waterboys
4/5
The Psychedelic Furs
3/5
Cat Stevens
3/5
Aretha Franklin
4/5
Coldplay
3/5
Bert Jansch
3/5
Elvis Presley
5/5
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
3/5
Harry Nilsson
5/5
Gotan Project
3/5
Blondie
3/5
Le Tigre
3/5
R.E.M.
5/5
The War On Drugs
4/5
a-ha
2/5
Frank Sinatra
4/5
The Stooges
5/5
Alice In Chains
2/5
Boston
5/5
Eels
4/5
Air
4/5
Crosby, Stills & Nash
3/5
Radiohead
2/5
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
The Stooges
5/5
Kate Bush
4/5
Neil Young
3/5
The Rolling Stones
3/5
King Crimson
2/5
Neil Young
3/5
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
The KLF
2/5
Green Day
5/5
Unexpected:
- I'm giving a written review even though I don't do that anymore
- Everyone describes Green Day as punk but they are actually very derivative and polished
- I hate most modern "rock opera" / "concept albums" but I like the structure of this one
- The two worst songs on this album are the most popular
- I hate Green Day but I'm giving this album 5 stars.
Deep Purple
4/5
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.
3/5
The Adverts
3/5
Cream
3/5
Pink Floyd
5/5
The Young Gods
2/5
Dion
2/5
The Residents
4/5
Booker T. & The MG's
3/5
Dire Straits
5/5
Traffic
3/5
Grateful Dead
4/5
Rocket From The Crypt
4/5
Kendrick Lamar
3/5
Sam Cooke
1/5
Japan
2/5
Halfway between Roxy Music and Duran Duran, and not as good as either.
Joan Baez
1/5
Eagles
5/5
Van Halen
3/5
Kanye West
2/5
Ice T
4/5
Beatles
5/5
Peter Frampton
4/5
The Mamas & The Papas
3/5
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
Fatboy Slim
4/5
Killing Joke
3/5
Yes
3/5
The Velvet Underground
5/5
5
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
2/5
2/5
Frank Zappa
3/5
Massive Attack
3/5
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
The Temptations
2/5
John Grant
2/5
Queen
4/5
Pavement
5/5
ZZ Top
3/5
The Velvet Underground
3/5
Cypress Hill
3/5
Dolly Parton
3/5
Brian Wilson
4/5
Talking Heads
3/5
Run-D.M.C.
5/5
The Cure
3/5
Dizzee Rascal
3/5
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.
Beck
3/5
Eminem
3/5
Prefab Sprout
3/5
The Young Rascals
2/5
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
Nas
5/5
Fiona Apple
3/5
The Kinks
3/5
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
4/5
John Prine
5/5
Radiohead
2/5
Miles Davis
4/5
Abdullah Ibrahim
5/5
50 Cent
3/5
Cocteau Twins
3/5
Prince
5/5
Guns N' Roses
5/5
Barry Adamson
3/5
The Isley Brothers
3/5
Emmylou Harris
3/5
The Beach Boys
4/5
Arcade Fire
3/5
Britney Spears
3/5
Black Sabbath
4/5
Echo And The Bunnymen
2/5
Beatles
3/5
Joy Division
4/5
Dr. Dre
4/5
Blur
2/5
My Bloody Valentine
3/5
Sister Sledge
3/5
Sade
3/5
Miles Davis
4/5
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
3/5
Tim Buckley
1/5
Pixies
4/5
Television
5/5
David Bowie
3/5
The Jam
3/5
Magazine
4/5
The White Stripes
4/5
Electric Light Orchestra
3/5
Patti Smith
4/5
Thin Lizzy
1/5
Fugees
1/5
3/5
Fela Kuti
3/5
Michael Kiwanuka
5/5
Ryan Adams
3/5
The Fall
3/5
U2
4/5
Amy Winehouse
5/5
The National
2/5
2
Beyoncé
4/5
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
2/5
Michael Jackson
5/5
Radiohead
2/5
The B-52's
4/5
The Monks
5/5
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
Janelle Monáe
5/5
Bill Evans Trio
3/5
Lynyrd Skynyrd
5/5
Nightmares On Wax
3/5
Terence Trent D'Arby
3/5
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).
Parliament
5/5
Nitin Sawhney
2/5
Fiona Apple
4/5
Anita Baker
2/5
The Temptations
3/5
Miles Davis
2/5
The Specials
2/5
Sabu
2/5
Erykah Badu
2/5
Elvis Costello
3/5
The Who
5/5
The Who's only great album. One of the best rock albums of all time. Great songs from start to finish.
Van Halen
4/5
Joni Mitchell
2/5
Sex Pistols
4/5
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
3/5
Beck
4/5
Kelela
2/5
Nice idea/production, but the songwriting and vocalist aren't very good.
Röyksopp
3/5
OutKast
3/5
James Brown
4/5
N.W.A.
5/5
Super Furry Animals
3/5
Flamin' Groovies
4/5
Tom Waits
5/5
Depeche Mode
2/5
The Rolling Stones
5/5
Dr. Octagon
2/5
Primal Scream
4/5
Les Rythmes Digitales
1/5
The Cure
3/5
The Black Keys
3/5
Underworld
3/5
The Blue Nile
3/5
Madonna
2/5
Al Green
3/5
Nirvana
3/5
Nick Drake
4/5
TV On The Radio
2/5
Iggy Pop
5/5
The Band
3/5
Beastie Boys
5/5
Circle Jerks
3/5
Nanci Griffith
3/5
Madonna
3/5
Metallica
5/5
Arcade Fire
3/5
The Zutons
4/5
Sufjan Stevens
2/5
Genesis
3/5
Supertramp
3/5
Not a bad album, but Breakfast in America is much more consistent and has a wider range of styles. It should have made this list instead.
Stan Getz
3/5
AC/DC
3/5
My Bloody Valentine
3/5
The Pogues
3/5
Public Enemy
5/5
Beatles
3/5
The Only Ones
4/5
Van Morrison
4/5
Burning Spear
4/5
Nina Simone
4/5
The Notorious B.I.G.
2/5
David Bowie
3/5
David Ackles
1/5
Sparks
3/5
5/5
The Thrills
3/5
Tom Waits
3/5
Saint Etienne
2/5
James Taylor
3/5
4/5
Metallica
3/5
The Rolling Stones
4/5
The Jesus And Mary Chain
5/5
Dr. John
4/5
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"
Fairport Convention
3/5
Def Leppard
4/5
I'd really like to give this 5 stars but it comes up just a little bit short.
The Cramps
4/5
PJ Harvey
4/5