523
Albums Rated
3.38
Average Rating
48%
Complete
566 albums remaining
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Rating Timeline
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Taste Profile
1950s
Favorite Decade
Grunge
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
54
5-Star Albums
7
1-Star Albums
Taste Analysis
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Ratings by genre
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Ratings by country
Rating Style
You Love More Than Most
Albums you rated higher than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boy In Da Corner | 5 | 2.57 | +2.43 |
| Connected | 5 | 2.94 | +2.06 |
| Aha Shake Heartbreak | 5 | 2.97 | +2.03 |
| A Seat at the Table | 5 | 3.01 | +1.99 |
| Dig Your Own Hole | 5 | 3.12 | +1.88 |
| It's A Shame About Ray | 5 | 3.12 | +1.88 |
| Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo | 5 | 3.13 | +1.87 |
| Here Are the Sonics | 5 | 3.16 | +1.84 |
| Mermaid Avenue | 5 | 3.18 | +1.82 |
| Vivid | 5 | 3.19 | +1.81 |
You Love Less Than Most
Albums you rated lower than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hard Again | 1 | 3.62 | -2.62 |
| Here, My Dear | 1 | 3.21 | -2.21 |
| Larks' Tongues In Aspic | 1 | 2.99 | -1.99 |
| Second Toughest In The Infants | 1 | 2.86 | -1.86 |
| Alien Lanes | 1 | 2.75 | -1.75 |
| G. Love And Special Sauce | 1 | 2.74 | -1.74 |
| Duck Rock | 1 | 2.65 | -1.65 |
| In A Silent Way | 2 | 3.61 | -1.61 |
| In The Court Of The Crimson King | 2 | 3.6 | -1.6 |
| Low | 2 | 3.55 | -1.55 |
Artist Analysis
Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Beatles | 7 | 4.29 |
| Nirvana | 3 | 4.67 |
| The Smashing Pumpkins | 2 | 5 |
| Radiohead | 6 | 4.17 |
| Beck | 3 | 4.33 |
| Pixies | 3 | 4.33 |
| Stevie Wonder | 3 | 4.33 |
Least Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| King Crimson | 2 | 1.5 |
Controversial Artists
Artists you rate inconsistently
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Marvin Gaye | 4, 1 |
5-Star Albums (54)
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Popular Reviews
Rage Against The Machine
5/5
An absolute certified banger from beginning to end. Kinda hard to listen to this that the things they were raging about are still happening and in some ways, are worse. So I guess this album will always be evergreen and relevant.
2 likes
Deee-Lite
4/5
My sister introduced me to this one when I was in middle school,I felt so cool. Most of the album is a chill vibe and then the titular song comes out of nowhere. You can tell they threw everything into it, soooo many samples. Bootsy Collins AND Q-Tip?! I have heard that song 1,000 times and it will never get old.
1 likes
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
4/5
Other than being slightly familiar with this genre from years of yoga, this artist and style of music was pretty unknown to me. Although I had no idea what he was saying, the music was a great vibe and his voice was incredible from the range to the power, it was transfixing.
1 likes
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
I really like the first disc as there’s several songs off that half of the album that I know well and they flow nicely into each other. The second half was slower and more vibey, which didn’t resonate with me as well, but it ended in a soft groove and took me on a journey.
1 likes
1-Star Albums (7)
All Ratings
Derek & The Dominos
4/5
This album has a strong point of view from beginning to end, which I appreciate. It was interesting to hear the context around “Layla,” which I’ve heard 1,000 times, so hearing the whole album gave me more appreciation for the urgency of that song as it tells part of a story that’s told across the album.
Radiohead
5/5
Another strong point of view album with so much going on that I catch something new everytime I listen.
4/5
Another strong point of view album with so much going on that I catch something new everytime I listen.
Iron Maiden
5/5
This album was rocking right from the start and as a lover of theatrical rock (think Meatloaf), I needed to accept how great this album is, which my husband will be thrilled to hear.
The Black Crowes
5/5
Great vibe and consistent.
Nick Drake
3/5
This album feels like Seal’s main inspiration for making music. Very chill and vibey. Not really my thing, but soothing and lovely.
The Jam
3/5
I knew 1 song on here, the rest was fine, very much of an era and style.
ZZ Top
2/5
This album starts strong and has a trend in sound/style that runs throughout. Seems like they run out of steam on the back end of the album, starting with “TV Dinners.”
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
This is the album from Springsteen that I know the least so it was nice to rediscover it.
Oasis
4/5
This is the album from Springsteen that I know the least so it was nice to rediscover it.
Tori Amos
4/5
This is the album from Springsteen that I know the least so it was nice to rediscover it.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Found it interesting that the UK version was almost completely different. Also interesting to listen to this with 2024 eyes and hear the clear influences from Black American music and the lyrics harkening to a very different era of womanhood.
Bad Company
2/5
This was my first time listening to the whole album and honestly a lot of it sounded the same and was one note.
Nico
2/5
I just can’t with her voice. From listening to a lot of Velvet Underground, I knew I would have a hard time with a whole album, and indeed I did. Not for me, but certainly a representation of the scene.
Beatles
4/5
Stereo MC's
5/5
I knew 1-2 songs from this album, but it was great to dig into the whole thing. “Don’t let up” was playing as I was on a tough hiking trail, the perfect motivation music.
Living Colour
5/5
This album goes HARD. I knew 1-2 songs, but it took listening to the whole album to realize how unique this sound was for that time period.
Rocket From The Crypt
3/5
Depeche Mode
2/5
The Mamas & The Papas
3/5
I’ve always loved their harmonies and tone.
The Chemical Brothers
5/5
Frank Zappa
3/5
Interesting psychedelic instrumentals mostly. This is earlier stuff than I knew of his. I appreciated the use of clarinets.
The Verve
4/5
Atmospheric and a chiller vibe than what I know of their other albums. Good background working music.
Coldplay
5/5
This album is a wave of nostalgia. Just gorgeous falsettos and a vibe that is both chill, moving, but simple. I miss old Coldplay.
Mudhoney
3/5
Never listened to a whole mudhoney album. This was a nice time capsule of an era.
A Tribe Called Quest
5/5
Love Tribe, but never listened to this the whole way through. Love this era of rap and acid jazz, trip hop, etc. Reminds me of listening to the radio as my main source of music. Such a great vibe.
Songhoy Blues
4/5
Was happy to be introduced to this style.
Beatles
4/5
A classic.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Have always been partial to this album. Has a strong point of view, albeit one that was heavily influenced by American musicians. Still holds up and goes.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
5/5
One of the best starts to an album. You know what you’re in for.
Kings of Leon
5/5
Steely Dan
2/5
Not for me.
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
3/5
How far music has come. What a time capsule.
The Smiths
3/5
Oh the Smiths. Not one of my preferred albums of theirs, it’s just kind of there. But then “Girlfriend in a Coma” comes on and there it is.
Leonard Cohen
2/5
Beck
4/5
To be in the right frame of mind to listen to lost cause. Beautiful album.
Guided By Voices
1/5
Can’t tell if the run on nature of this album was intentional or not.
Nightmares On Wax
3/5
Chill and I see where a lot of samples from that time came from.
Sheryl Crow
3/5
Fela Kuti
3/5
Public Enemy
3/5
Billy Bragg
5/5
Love “California Stars” and had no idea this was a whole album of Woody Guthrie lyrics. So good.
Van Halen
3/5
Not as full of bangers as some of their other albums and I don’t love the synth era as much, but still solid.
Common
3/5
Lou Reed
5/5
I knew a couple songs off of this album, but it was great to listen to the whole thing. Just great and interesting tunes and musicality from beginning to end.
Sabu
3/5
Fun!
Iron Maiden
3/5
Interesting to hear them before Bruce.
Pixies
5/5
Such a classic. I almost understand Frank Black being such a dick because of how good this album is. But let’s be honest, a good amount of the magic here is Kim Deal so I’ll keep my allegiance with The Breeders.
Beck
5/5
A classic.
Radiohead
5/5
A classic.
Elvis Presley
4/5
Forgot how much I love Elvis’ voice. This album is certainly a vibe and suspicious minds will always be a favorite.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
What a cohesive, well done album.
Rush
2/5
I just can’t do Geddy Lee’s voice, but it was less grating on this album. Prog is fine, this just went on for too long with nothing to keep it exciting.
Tom Waits
3/5
Never been a Tom Waits fan, but I get it a bit more after listening to this. Interesting to hear “Jersey Girl” and realizing that it likely served as inspiration for Springsteen’s “Atlantic city.”
Van Halen
5/5
This album just goes from the jump and doesn’t really have any filler songs. Classic 💎 Dave.
The Smashing Pumpkins
5/5
A beautiful and complex album from start to finish.
Nirvana
5/5
The Louvin Brothers
3/5
The B-52's
4/5
Rock lobster is an all time fav.
Steely Dan
2/5
G. Love & Special Sauce
1/5
Meh. Blues rip off.
The Band
3/5
Dexys Midnight Runners
4/5
It was interesting to listen to the song that all of us have heard too many times in context with the rest of the album.
Lambchop
3/5
Interesting. Have never heard of this guy and although it’s not my typical vibe, it was good to have in the background.
Silver Jews
3/5
Missed this group somehow, fine.
Nick Drake
2/5
Like every other Nick Drake album
Soft Machine
2/5
I see where Budos band gets their inspiration from. Chill but meh
Soft Cell
4/5
Marvin Gaye
4/5
Starts strong, and ends softly, much like the act he sings so much about on this album.
Pixies
3/5
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
2/5
Some of this, I feel like I can get to a place where I get it. It’s bluesy, political, forces you to deal with discordant sounds as a form of expression. But then other times, I felt like I just needed to be on mind altering substances to appreciate it. And then I got distracted by thinking about my father being the same man who loves this band and also voted for Trump. Again, the answer probably has to do with drugs (or lack of them).
Metallica
3/5
I liked it better as Iron Maiden. Guitar solos just came out of nowhere.
Beastie Boys
5/5
Somehow, I’ve never listened to the whole thing front to back. So many good samples and a great cohesive vibe.
The La's
4/5
I only knew the big hit off of this so it was great to hear the whole thing, which is incredibly nostalgic. Went in a little long and stuck in the 60s, but great.
3/5
The first half of this album is the version of Dylan I just can’t do. It all sounds the same and his vocals are hard to handle, let alone understand. The electric half is more my speed, he seems to benefit from playing off of other musicians to keep more structure and pace. So it was nice to hear both and pin point that difference.
Neil Young
3/5
Just kinda there, nothing groundbreaking, but solid.
Lightning Bolt
2/5
Noise is not really a genre I can handle. I appreciated some of the rhythmic elements, but otherwise this just made me anxious.
Dizzee Rascal
5/5
Somehow never heard of this guy so this album was a fun discovery.
Solange
5/5
I’ve never listened to any of her albums so this was great to dive in. Such a strong point of view from beginning to end.
Eagles
3/5
This was sappier than I was expecting.
The Notorious B.I.G.
4/5
It’s certainly a vibe and time and place.
N.E.R.D
3/5
Loves the single from this. The rest of the album is fine, not sure it needed to be in this list though.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
4/5
Eagles
4/5
Solid album from start to finish with maybe the most on the nose song title I’ve ever seen, “Most of Us are Sad.”
George Jones
2/5
Fats Domino
4/5
Bob Dylan
5/5
This is the Dylan I prefer. I can understand him, his voice is more melodic, and his lyrics have a bit more of an edge to them.
ABBA
3/5
Starting an album with “When I Kissed the Teacher” is certainly a choice. I now know that “Arrival” is apparently the song that The Darkness plays before every one of their shows, so there’s that.
The Teardrop Explodes
3/5
I’m a fan of new wave, but had never heard of these guys so glad I had the chance to check them out, but none of this really stuck out to me.
Common
3/5
I preferred this one to “Like Water for Chocolate,” just a vibe.
Drive-By Truckers
3/5
Well the beginning of the album certainly sets a tone.
The Offspring
4/5
Listened to this album constantly back in the day. The only weak spot is “What Happened to You,” which clearly signaled what their sound was going to change to in the future, unfortunately.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
You can tell where Richard’s def took some blatant influences from other guitarists of the day, but a fun record nonetheless.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
Some good tunes and jam moments.
Gotan Project
2/5
This is the kind of repetitive, impossibly hip music that I hear in pretentious clothing stores or trendy cocktail bars. Not for me, but ok for background music I guess.
Mike Ladd
2/5
Blur
4/5
Strong point of view from beginning to end.
Paul McCartney and Wings
3/5
Better than I remember
Wire
4/5
Great album that had a bit more depth than I expect from punk of this era.
Big Brother & The Holding Company
5/5
Somehow I’ve never listened to this whole album and so thankful I did. What a snapshot of an era and an incredible talent.
The Who
3/5
The Prodigy
4/5
A little repetitive but a classic.
Kendrick Lamar
4/5
Strong point of view and throughline across the album. Felt more like poetry at times.
Queens of the Stone Age
3/5
Love QOTSA. As I was listening, I was considering whether this album needed to be included on this list. Certainly “Songs for the Deaf” should be on here, but this one is a quieter, more chill vibe. The instrumentals changed my mind a bit.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
The last song I knew and is a fav, the rest is just a bit much for me.
Tears For Fears
4/5
All the classics. Really a vibe from beginning to end.
Al Green
4/5
A classic.
Machito
5/5
Love discovering records from this era. Great background music for cocktail time, just like my grandparents intended.
Lauryn Hill
4/5
Strong point of view from beginning to end.
4/5
I didn’t know as many songs on this particular album of theirs, but great Kinks vibe either way.
Ozomatli
3/5
This album is very much a time capsule of the 00s so I was #triggered a bit as this was certainly the worst time for music (popular music at any rate). The message is good, despite some trite lyrics, but the package on some songs like “(Who discovered) America?” just reminded me too much of the “Smooth” era of popular music.
Ryan Adams
4/5
Sigh. This is a great album and …New York, New York is one of my favs. Too bad it’s tainted by him being an ass, but I guess many musicians are so….
The Cramps
4/5
Love this album. Always a spooky good time and love the banter at the start of teenage Werewolf
Michael Jackson
5/5
Don’t think I ever listened to this front to back and clearly understood from hearing all the hits how iconic it really was. Minus that song with Paul McCartney, which just sounds creepy now.
The Sonics
5/5
Great album, so many hits I don’t know came from them.
Van Morrison
4/5
A classic.
Beatles
5/5
I think I am constantly surprised by how prolific the Beatles catalog is in such a short amount of time and this is just another great reminder
Pink Floyd
4/5
John Grant
2/5
I wanted to like this, but some of the lyrics weee just too on the nose. Felt more like a parody album in spots.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
Great vibe, so many hits, even a little prog in there. Another solid album, this man just did not miss.
Nick Drake
4/5
A quietly beautiful album.
Elliott Smith
4/5
Ah the “upbeat” Elliot Smith album. The “Bye” at the end of the album is bittersweet.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
More low key than the albums I know better, but still a great listen.
Jerry Lee Lewis
4/5
That was a whole lot of energy, no wonder it’s only 22 minutes.
The Lemonheads
5/5
Have seen this album done in its entirety and it’s a great collection of songs that work well together. Forgot how strong it starts and the quiet way it ends. Takes you in a journey at a time in life.
5/5
Great album with some of my faves.
The Cars
4/5
I knew most of these songs, though it ended more quietly and moody than I anticipated.
Joni Mitchell
5/5
I knew most of these songs, though it ended more quietly and moody than I anticipated.
Beastie Boys
4/5
Great cohesive album with fun instrumentals that I didn’t know were a part of their catalog.
M.I.A.
4/5
I only knew the massive hit single from this album, so had no idea how great the beats and vibe were in the rest of the record. Really catchy and made commuting a little less terrible.
The Doors
4/5
Donovan
3/5
Love Donavan. This album is a bit low key than his others, but still a vibe.
Dexys Midnight Runners
4/5
This is the album that made me realize that they are a ska band and I’m ok with that.
Bob Dylan
3/5
Sounds like other albums of his, always good, but nothing remarkable.
Willie Nelson
3/5
Love Willie as a person, but this album is pretty one note. “Down Yonder” is the one exception, was not expecting to hear a kazoo.
Björk
2/5
I tried, it’s just not for me. This felt very one note, almost literally. Not sure I needed to hear it before I die.
The The
4/5
Great album and a good vibe to have in the background.
Green Day
4/5
Took a as minute to get going and settle in, but a great album with a quiet, weird, but fun ending I had never heard.
The Who
3/5
Interesting concept album I had never heard of except for the one single.
The Streets
2/5
T. Rex
4/5
The xx
3/5
I like an atmospheric album now and then. This was a chill vibe, but not so chill that I was completely uninterested or disengaged from it.
The National
2/5
Just not for me. Everything sounds the same.
Missy Elliott
3/5
R.E.M.
4/5
This album wasn’t filled with a ton of hits, but was a lovely listen.
Pavement
4/5
This almost felt like more of a Pavement album than the big ones.
Cyndi Lauper
4/5
Such a great album that I’ve never listened to the whole way through.
Muddy Waters
1/5
I’m sorry, but this just all sounds the same to me.
Sade
2/5
I know it’s a classic, it’s just not for me. I was also sleep deprived when I listened to this, so not great timing.
Jane's Addiction
4/5
Sigh. I got the odd luck of seeing Perry’s last semi-coherent outing with Jane’s this summer (2024) and these songs resonate with me more than I thought they would given that I’m more familiar with the other albums. So pure in a weird, dirty way.
Ian Dury
2/5
This feels like a joke, but ok.
Adele
4/5
Some of these songs I’ve heard way too much, but it was nice to hear them in context of this debut, which is excellent. You can certainly hear her vintage influences, but they’re packaged in a modern take with a poise and knowing that is wise beyond her years.
The White Stripes
4/5
I know this album well so it was nice to revisit it after so many years. A little inconsistent and a little too on the nose with vintage inspiration, but still a great listen and a lovely reprieve from mainstream music at that time.
Joan Armatrading
3/5
I have never heard of this artist, which is surprising given how clearly she has influenced others that came after her. Great album.
Elton John
4/5
“Saturday” is always a song that will hit for me, even when I was in middle school and saw him in concert. I was not into, but then he played that and played the piano while laying underneath it with his hands on the keyboard. Iconic.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
3/5
CSN and Neil young separated for a reason, better off as separate entities.
Giant Sand
2/5
Way too chill with nothing of interest to grab my attention.
Basement Jaxx
3/5
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
JAY Z
2/5
Foo Fighters
3/5
This was a slow burn more than I realized.
The Slits
4/5
I don’t think I’ve fully appreciated how good and ground breaking this was at the time and still is.
Supertramp
3/5
Marianne Faithfull
3/5
That last song is a doozy.
Klaxons
4/5
I heard the hit off of this album, but never listened to the whole thing. It was surprisingly great.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
Pretty chill, laid back rock n roll.
The Divine Comedy
4/5
Somehow have never heard of this guy despite his music being very up my alley. Love a concept album and this one def hits me in my new wave/emo heart.
Skepta
3/5
Another British rapper I’ve never heard of but was really into.
The Doors
4/5
It’s crazy how Jim Morrison sounds like a 40 year-old man when he’s only in his 20s at this point. A classic.
5/5
I forgot how simply gorgeous this album is. It starts off so sweeping and bombastic, then has tragically and quietly beautiful songs that end softly and resonate with you when it’s over.
Scissor Sisters
3/5
Love this band and the first few songs, but this album gets sleepy.
Talvin Singh
3/5
This definitely a sub genre I haven’t learn too much about. But I enjoyed it for the most part. It was great for working in the background.
Queen
4/5
What a way to start an album. Hearing these songs for the first time back then must have been like a record scratch.
Television
4/5
Another classic, though the title track goes on for waaay too long and is like a quarter of the whole album length.
Isaac Hayes
3/5
Never realized how much of an orchestra was involved in this TV theme and score.
Röyksopp
2/5
A little too atmospheric for me, but a good vibe.
Kanye West
4/5
It’s interesting to go back to this after everything he has become.
Paul Simon
2/5
I love Paul Simon. But this was almost unlistenable. It felt very much like a commercial, especially cars are cars.
Charles Mingus
2/5
Just not for me. I need more structure in my music.
Nirvana
5/5
I somehow have never listened to this album and it’s entirety and it’s really well known for a reason. Such a quietly beautiful snapshot of a point in time before it all changed.
The Last Shadow Puppets
3/5
It was great, but just sounds like the Arctic Monkeys.
The Icarus Line
2/5
Never heard of this band. I see their influences, but nothing on here really connected with me. The singer is trying a little too hard to be Iggy.
5/5
I am very familiar with most of these songs, but hearing them in the order they were meant to be heard along with the few songs I didn’t know made it again very apparent how ahead of their time these lads were.
Crosby, Stills & Nash
4/5
After listening to a CSNY album, I can hear why these guys and young were better off doing their own thing. This is a lovely album with great harmonies.
Elliott Smith
4/5
“Say yes” seems both out of place and right where it should be tonally when taken within context of this album.
Jack White
4/5
I had listened to this a bit when it came out and then forgot about it, but it was great to revisit and hear Jack white being purely him.
Wilco
4/5
An indie classic. I’ve never gone hard for this one, but it’s well known for a reason.
Tina Turner
3/5
Not really my thing, but some good ones here when I get passed the very 80s style.
Various Artists
4/5
Jorge Ben Jor
3/5
Really fun vibe
Prince
3/5
I know this is a classic, but it just sounds too dated.
Sex Pistols
4/5
A classic with a sound that you would expect from those much older and wiser than these guys were at the time.
Funkadelic
3/5
I couldn’t find this one on Spotify so did my best to find most of the songs. Certainly interesting.
R.E.M.
3/5
This band is just meh for me. I guess at the time it stood out given what was dominating the charts then, but it just doesn’t do much for me now.
Sepultura
3/5
Certainly not an album I would typically put on, but found this more rhythmic and melodic than most of this genre.
3/5
I hated this band in high school/college but taking this and nu metal from a neutral perspective given years of distance from it, this isn’t bad. Durst even sings decently on “hold on.” It’s fairly cohesive and ends on a weird outro of Ben stiller laughing and basically making fun of them. Why not.
Screaming Trees
4/5
A great album of the era that I honestly didn’t realize was as good as it is
The Kinks
4/5
Classic kinks. I like their weirder stuff, but this is a great listen.
Gang Starr
3/5
Great chill album with a bit of that acid jazz sample style from that era that I like.
Neil Young
2/5
Love him, but didn’t love this. His voice kept coming in and out and sounded strained through much of this. The country vibe is fine, but nothing memorable.
Joy Division
4/5
Every time I listen to this album, it still surprises me how innovative this was for such young guys who had no idea what they were doing.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
4/5
Other than being slightly familiar with this genre from years of yoga, this artist and style of music was pretty unknown to me. Although I had no idea what he was saying, the music was a great vibe and his voice was incredible from the range to the power, it was transfixing.
Killing Joke
3/5
This is an 80s new wave album and band I had heard of, but have never checked out so it was great to dive into it. No particular song stuck out, but a vibe that I enjoyed.
The Roots
4/5
Rock you hit me like a ton of bricks that started so I was ready to go then the screening started and quickly went into a vibe track. What a way to start an album.
Elton John
4/5
Beautiful from start to finish.
Spiritualized
4/5
A gorgeous, vibey album that starts with a song that will always get me every time.
Arctic Monkeys
4/5
This is my artic monkeys album. Less lounge, more rock.
Deep Purple
3/5
Starting the record off with dueling guitar/keyboard certainly gets my attention.
The Who
4/5
A more melodic, soft, and introspective album from them with the obvious hits I knew, but it was nice to hear it all front to back to see how cohesive it is as a whole.
Radiohead
4/5
Listening to this album the whole way through and not just the singles or songs I know was quite the exercise. I kept thinking about how taken aback and even jarring hearing this for the first time must have been for some fans. Of course, OK Computer came before this so there were signs, but still. Just shows that a band can change their sound and still be them, though Radiohead is certainly more adept at that than most.
The Byrds
3/5
Definitely didn’t know the birds did a country album so this was certainly interesting.
Dr. Dre
3/5
A classic, just not by thing. Found it interesting that he ended with “bitches ain’t shit,” which I’ve decided to interpret as a sign of female power and his insecurities X rather than how it was probably intended.
Laura Nyro
2/5
I liked it better when it’s called The Carpenters, Carol King, or Joni Mitchell. This is like a shrill version of those so I’ll pass.
Little Richard
3/5
Otis Redding
3/5
Wasn’t expecting an album of mostly covers that didn’t sound all that different from the originals but still fine.
2Pac
3/5
This is maybe isn’t the 2Pac album to get me to understand his genius, I don’t feel the immediacy that I feel while listening to someone like Nas or Kendrick.
Franz Ferdinand
4/5
A great flash-in-the-pan album.
Boards of Canada
2/5
Meh. A little too atmospheric for my taste, but I recognize the first song.
Eminem
3/5
Having just listened to his most recent album finally putting SS to rest, it was interesting to go back and listen to this and hear the evolution of his style. It certainly was attention grabbing.
Bob Dylan
3/5
His voice gets harder for me to tolerate in this era. These are all fine, but lacking any real spark or new ideas.
Beatles
4/5
The classes that has some songs that I forgot how much I appreciate just go to classic rock rock ‘n’ roll
Joni Mitchell
3/5
Darker tone for her but still has a way with words and just a cuts to the heart of the matter.
Sam Cooke
4/5
This was a fun listen. What a snap shot of a place and time.
The Pogues
4/5
I had a cursory understanding of the Pogues before this and now I have an appreciation.
k.d. lang
4/5
I had heard of k.d. lang before, but didn’t realize they were country. What a great vibe this was.
David Bowie
4/5
I knew the beginning and end of this album, but didn’t realize the whole thing was funk. Great cover of “across the universe.” David Bowie could truly do any genre.
Orange Juice
3/5
Love new wave and had never heard of these guys. They were right up my alley.
Circle Jerks
2/5
I know they’re classic and groundbreakers, but it just all sounds the same to me I’m sorry.
The Go-Go's
4/5
They just made great songs. The album started to drag a bit in the back half, but still solid.
Marvin Gaye
1/5
I couldn’t get through this one. Just something about talking about a “little girl” in a sexy way and complaining that your woman is cheating on you and clearly he’s a lothario, I’m over it.
Billy Joel
4/5
This album is definitely a classic, but one I haven’t listened to much, especially in its entirety. I appreciated the intro and outro harkening back to his piano bar days. I’m not a huge fan that I appreciated the tone and style.
Richard Thompson
3/5
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
I really like the first disc as there’s several songs off that half of the album that I know well and they flow nicely into each other. The second half was slower and more vibey, which didn’t resonate with me as well, but it ended in a soft groove and took me on a journey.
The Byrds
3/5
This was a chill one. The Byrds are always consistent, this one is a little one note for me, but still a strong point of view and style.
The Flaming Lips
3/5
I know the first half of this album well. The second half drags and feel overall much longer than 47min.
Nirvana
4/5
This album is harder and angrier than I remember, but I suppose that makes sense in hindsight. I enjoy this a lot more than I remember, maybe it’s a sign of our current times and my current mood.
The Vines
4/5
This album is very much a time and place for me as I listened to it often during my senior year of high school. It doesn’t hit as hard as I remember and given distance and more musical awareness, it’s a bit of an oasis ripoff in places, but still great.
The Beta Band
3/5
Beta band is always a vibe.
John Martyn
2/5
Never heard of this guy, let alone realized how influential he was. This album felt a bit yacht rock to me, but it sounds like he explored many genres so maybe this one just isn’t for me.
Miles Davis
2/5
A little too silent for me.
Run-D.M.C.
4/5
I thought this would get repetitive, but it’s a classic for a reason.
AC/DC
3/5
This album starts strong and rocks pretty solidly the whole way though, though the end hits different given my penchant for true crime.
Rage Against The Machine
5/5
An absolute certified banger from beginning to end. Kinda hard to listen to this that the things they were raging about are still happening and in some ways, are worse. So I guess this album will always be evergreen and relevant.
Hanoi Rocks
4/5
This was a fun one. They felt more new wave than 80s hair metal.
Bill Callahan
3/5
Chill morning music
Leonard Cohen
2/5
Not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this. Not sure his sound translated to the 80s well. Felt like Tom Waits, but not as cool and raw.
Pulp
4/5
Love this album. Jarvis is the epitome of a rakish British bloke and I’m here for it.
T. Rex
4/5
Really enjoyed this album. It got a little repetitive towards the end, but still great groove.
King Crimson
1/5
Meh. Guess I needed to be on some mind altering substance to understand the greatness of this album.
Talking Heads
4/5
I wasn’t as familiar with the songs on this album. Nothing stood out per se, it it was as always, dense with musical genius and a great vibe.
The Kinks
4/5
4/5
I think I had vaguely heard of these guys before and I quite enjoyed this despite it not being a genre or style of music that I’m typically into.
Dwight Yoakam
2/5
I’m not a huge traditional country person, but this album gave me pause. At first, it was pleasant with songs like “I Got You,” but then most of the songs, including that one, had darker undertones of jealousy, revenge, hard times, all wrapped up in a lively country bow. But then ended with a random god oriented song that didn’t really match the rest of the tone od the album, which feels like a producer or agent led decision. It certainly held my interest more than most in this genre.
Linkin Park
3/5
This is certainly a nu metal album. It’s def a time and place for me and certainly not a style I gravitate to, but it certainly has a point of view.
Randy Newman
4/5
This is a Randy Newman album I didn’t know and felt more earnest than the others.
The Young Gods
3/5
Felt like French industrial metal meets NIN
5/5
A classic that I could listen to over and over again.
Boston
4/5
Banger after banger and then it slows way down at the end. What a journey.
Burning Spear
3/5
David Bowie
4/5
I listened to this when it first came out and I wasn’t ready to understand it until now, the day after my father passed away. Thank you universe for this being my album of the day in this moment.
Taylor Swift
5/5
This is the one Taylor Swift album I know. Times were different in a weird way then as I know the Ryan Adam’s version the most so hearing this was interesting as the songs took on such a different, but layered and satisfying turn that I hadn’t realized before. I could also have been high.
Alanis Morissette
5/5
This was the album of my youth and continues to hit and be completely on point 30 years later. Every song is raw and and makes such an indelible impression. The secret track will always be to blame for my big emotions in my early 20s.
Red Snapper
2/5
Like most of these atmospheric electronics albums on here, it was fine, but nothing memorable.
Beck
4/5
Love this album. The first half is more my speed as the second half mellows more, but still great.
Steve Winwood
2/5
Weird mix of post disco and early 80s synths. I’m good.
Snoop Dogg
3/5
The Police
3/5
Another good one from them. As a whole, the album is a fine vibe and fairly consistent.
David Ackles
2/5
Not for me, but had some nice songs.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Not my favorite Springsteen album, but it has some of the best hits and certainly a strong point of view. The bookended songs of “Thunder Road” and “Jungleland” really tie it all together.
Throbbing Gristle
3/5
Big props to the organizer of this list as I would def never have listened to this nor even know of this band or honestly much of the genre they came from otherwise. This is not for me, but I can understand its purpose and it’s certainly a statement. The songs also got more melodic and listenable, at least as a background vibe, the more the album went on.
Echo And The Bunnymen
4/5
I’m a fan of these guys, but wasn’t familiar with this album. There were no standout songs for me, but I enjoyed it as a whole.
KISS
3/5
A classic. Beth is a low key ballad that often gets overlooked.
Rahul Dev Burman
3/5
It’s a little “Shaft” meets Bollywood, which makes sense given the time period. Not as many catchy songs as some films from this genre, but overall, very well done.
Talking Heads
4/5
Great, pretty straightforward album for them with the one two punch at the end with “Pycho Killer” and “Pulled Up,” great stuff.
System Of A Down
4/5
Been thinking I should do a deeper dive on these guys and the universe delivered today. This certainly starts off strong with “Suite-Pee,” which grabbed my interest immediately and didn’t let go until “Spiders,” but not before introducing us to their more melodic guitar style, which is transfixing in its own right.
Air
4/5
Chill album where none of the tracks grab me but, it’s a great vibe to have in the background.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
This album feels like most of his albums, I like it, but nothing sticks out and most of the songs sound the same.
Beatles
5/5
Man this album certainly starts off on a grim vibe, which certainly matched my mood when I went to listen to it. The few happy songs stick out as they don’t fit the tone, but it all wraps up well on “Tomorrow Never Knows,” which has always been a fun new age-y song.
Country Joe & The Fish
3/5
Not sure how I never heard of these guys as they’re way up my parent’s alley, especially my dad. Superbird was certainly an interesting protest song that I haven’t heard.
Malcolm McLaren
1/5
Hearing a white man “discover” Black music is not revolutionary, I’ll pass.
Paul Simon
3/5
This one went to different places tonally, but still great.
James Brown
3/5
What a snapshot in time.
The Birthday Party
3/5
I’m a casual Nick Cave fan so did not know about his first band. Reminded me a little of the cure if Robert Smith screamed more.
UB40
3/5
This was a vibe, not mad at it.
The Clash
5/5
A classic ska adjacent album.
Pearl Jam
5/5
A lot of bangers on here, but I’ve never bothered to listen to it from start to finish. It really is cohesive and love the last track and the now elusive secret track.
Bob Dylan
4/5
Bob was clearly working out some issues with the ladies on this one and I’m here for it.
Solomon Burke
4/5
Somehow have never heard of this guy, but I certainly knew the first song as most of us of a certain age and proclivity do from Dirty Dancing. What a powerful voice, loved it.
Big Black
3/5
Somehow have never heard of this guy, but I certainly knew the first song as most of us of a certain age and proclivity do from Dirty Dancing. What a powerful voice, loved it.
Beatles
3/5
This album is brought to you by drugs. Lots of stand alone hits on this, but taken altogether, it’s disjointed and random. Listen, it’s the Beatles so there’s no duds in their catalog, but I think I’ll stick to listening to isolated songs from this rather than the album as a whole.
The Jesus And Mary Chain
3/5
It was good. Although a little one note.
Black Sabbath
3/5
I like the tone of this one, more rock, less prince of darkness.
David Bowie
2/5
I’m ok with an instrumental album, but this didn’t do anything for me.
The Flying Burrito Brothers
4/5
I thought these guys were a joke band for some reason, had no idea this was a Parsons band initially. Really interesting the span of country rock in 1 album that basically originated the genre. I also had no idea my mom loved these guys and now respect her musical taste more…
Guns N' Roses
4/5
This album is solid with a strong concept from beginning to end. I could do without hearing Axl engaging in actual or simulated coitus on the last two tracks, but I guess that fits well with the theme.
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
A bit long and meandering, but a great groove.
Don McLean
4/5
A beautiful album and comment on the country from beginning to end.
Duran Duran
3/5
This was fun. I especially enjoyed “Last Chance on the Stairway,” which was refreshing to hear another bop I haven’t heard 1000 times.
Robert Wyatt
3/5
Have never heard of this guy. It felt like poems that were set to music, which sometimes worked, sometimes didn’t.
Ray Charles
4/5
I didn’t know a single song off of this record, but it was a vibe and consistent the whole way through.
The Black Keys
4/5
I’m not usually an am radio, slow blues rock kind of gal, but this album held my attention. I knew a bunch of songs off of this, but haven’t listened to it front to back, which worked well as a whole package.
Orbital
2/5
This is the second orbital album on this list that I’ve listened to. I’m sure there’s more to the artistry that makes this great and worthy of this list, I just don’t get it.
Bobby Womack
2/5
A little too yacht rock for me, but for a morning vibe, it was fine.
Dire Straits
3/5
Other than the hits, this album was a bit of a sleeper.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
A classic that has been overplayed, but still rings true after all these years.
Death In Vegas
2/5
Fine.
Ute Lemper
3/5
Was confused at first that musical albums were included on this list, but then got it when I looked up her cabaret background. It certainly was interesting, just a little dramatic for regular listening for me.
R.E.M.
3/5
It’s all good, but most of it just sounds the same to me. End of the world still hits and unfortunately still very on point even almost 30 years later.
Os Mutantes
4/5
I love “A Minha Menina,” but I knew by it was what I now know is a cover. Great album that clear had a lot influences from the time and the Beatles, but still a vibe.
3/5
Interesting
Bob Dylan
5/5
Portishead
5/5
Classic moody 90s at their best. What a year for music.
Blur
3/5
A lesser known blur album for me minus the hits. Nothing major stood out, but still a good listen.
Carole King
4/5
A classic from start to finish.
The Smashing Pumpkins
5/5
A classic from start to finish.
The Incredible String Band
3/5
Man white guys looooved their sitars in the 60s huh?
Brian Wilson
2/5
I won’t question the talent of this guy, but this just feels like “Pet Sounds: Part Deux,” like it’s a “Naked Gun” style parody of the first one. I’m guessing a lot of artsy types forced themselves to like and find meaning in this one.
Sarah Vaughan
5/5
I’ve never heard of this artist and man, her incredibly consistent vibrato paired with that smooth as silk tone just had me hooked.
Miriam Makeba
3/5
Marty Robbins
4/5
This album gave me nostalgia for my grandparents. And then I heard “El Paso” and realized I’ve certainly heard this before.
Def Leppard
2/5
Fine. They all kinda sound the same.
R.E.M.
4/5
Still hits and resonates.
Deee-Lite
4/5
My sister introduced me to this one when I was in middle school,I felt so cool. Most of the album is a chill vibe and then the titular song comes out of nowhere. You can tell they threw everything into it, soooo many samples. Bootsy Collins AND Q-Tip?! I have heard that song 1,000 times and it will never get old.
CHIC
3/5
Disco is not my thing, but this feels like the epitome of it so I respect it.
Suede
3/5
Love Brit pop, this was a vibe, but nothing really stuck out
Underworld
1/5
Meh
U2
3/5
Interesting to hear this one in context with the hits I know.
The Cult
4/5
I somehow missed this album when I go down cult rabbit holes and this one went harder and resonated more with me than I anticipated. It’s a sleeper album that I’ll def come back to again.
Miles Davis
3/5
More atmospheric than most of the jazz I’ve been listening to. It’s a vibe.
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
3/5
Was not expecting a 15min song to start things off. There was clearly a whole theme, but was again thrown off by the cover of “Born to Run,” which was great, but stuck out in a weird, non thematic way.
Santana
3/5
I’ll take this 1000 times over hearing “Smooth” ever again.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Love they started the album with “Sympathy for the Devil.”
Mylo
3/5
Not a huge fan of atmospheric stuff, but this one I liked, nice chill vibe with a few fun samples peppered into it.
Radiohead
3/5
Kind of an in between the album for me.
Stephen Stills
3/5
Assuming this is the same guy from CSN(Y), this was, not surprisingly, good. It was livelier than the group stuff so I’ll take it.
The Thrills
2/5
This list has a lot of one hit wonders on it. This album is the epitome of the music I was def not into during this time period. I can have a respect for pop rock, but this one was rough and one note.
Patti Smith
3/5
Love her voice, love the energy.
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
Classic. Most of the songs have been overplayed, but still are so relevant and groundbreaking
William Orbit
2/5
Meh
The Monkees
3/5
Stop recommending albums with 800 dumb studio tracks, it’s confusing. It was fine, I have no idea what the album actually was.
George Harrison
4/5
This was a lovely album, which I knew fairly well, but enjoyed the jam tracks in the back end.
My Bloody Valentine
2/5
Mostly fuzzy and instrumental. Shoe gaze, or whatever this is, isn’t really my thing.
Rufus Wainwright
3/5
This is a beautiful album. I also realized that I have to be in a perfect sunshiny mood to listen to him, otherwise his melancholic voice just takes me to a place of deep sadness.
The Police
3/5
I struggle when albums don’t have consistent themes or tones. This one started with the police vibe I like, then “mother” and “murder by numbers” were very random and true crime adjacent, which I’m all for. Then out of seemingly nowhere is “every breath you take” and wrapped around your finger and we all know what direction they went in after those songs took off. It’s like when sugar ray was a speed metal band but had one random soft CA song on their album and that changed the their sound completely. It was interesting to hear where it happened for the police.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
This is the one. I enjoyed this from the beginning to end. Just a classic sound by way of the 70s.
Fiona Apple
5/5
A masterpiece and includes my all time favorite song to sing sincerely to myself.
Paul Simon
4/5
This album reminds me of listening to the radio and my parent’s albums in the 80s and how these songs still get me to dance, even if some of it is cringe in 2025.
Led Zeppelin
3/5
Not my favorite Zeplin album, but a classic jam the whole way through either way.
Daft Punk
4/5
Has some of my favs, though most of the album is more background droning than anything.
2/5
This kind of jazz is just too free form and random for me.
The Beach Boys
3/5
I will never cease to be amazed by these harmonies sung by young dudes with no formal training.
David Bowie
3/5
I love the title track of course, but hadn’t heard the rest of this album surprisingly. The instrumental tracks near the end were a vibe, but this one was a little inconsistent for me.
Ali Farka Touré
3/5
Public Image Ltd.
2/5
Too noise punk for me.
Elvis Costello
3/5
Another classic from beginning to end. I knew a few songs, but even though most were new to me and didn’t stick out, it was still a consistent mood that made it worth listening to.
James Taylor
3/5
Beautiful start to the album, which ended way more blusey than I ever expected JT to get.
Magazine
4/5
This band is very much my alley so surprised to be hearing about them for the first time. Seems in a similar vein to Television, really into it.
The Sugarcubes
2/5
Here’s that band that Bjork was in before she went solo.
Keith Jarrett
2/5
It was helpful to read that this concert was completely improvised from beginning to end, which is incredibly impressive in context. Jazz isn’t my thing, when things really locked in, I could appreciate it.
Massive Attack
3/5
Wasn’t expecting that doors cover at the end, interesting end to the album.
Willie Nelson
4/5
A beautiful album of covers that I didn’t realize he had made, but truly enjoyable in that signature Willie Nelson voice.
Radiohead
4/5
This feels like their most melancholy album, and I hear hints of what was to come in an iteration of the group with their offshoot The Smile. As always, the album has a consistent tone, from the low key rage of “Packt like sardines in a crushed tin box” to the sardonic use of a clarinet in “Life in a glasshouse.”
Slint
3/5
I had never heard of these guys before, though I had heard washer. Regardless, they clearly were influential on a bunch of bands, and I’m surprised that I’ve never heard of them because the sound is so quintessential of that era.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
4/5
One of the few bright spots musically from this era.
Elastica
4/5
A great album that definitely got my attention back in the day. A little slow on the back end except for “Stutter,”but still a great vibe.
The Velvet Underground
4/5
A lot of my personal favs.
John Lennon
4/5
Sweet beginning and end with some classic Lennon commentary in between.
Fela Kuti
3/5
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
I enjoy this version of nick cave.
Ravi Shankar
3/5
Had no idea this existed, really interesting.
Happy Mondays
4/5
Another band I only just recently heard of that is very much up my alley. Reminded me of Duran Duran and nothing really stuck out, but a good vibe either way.
Hugh Masekela
3/5
Not a big jazz fan, but this one had moments, especially with the piano solos, that I could get into.
David Bowie
3/5
Can
4/5
I’ve heard the album before this a couple of times, but this is the one that made me a fan.
Radiohead
4/5
A beautiful album that has been going into heavier rotation for me lately. Apparently I needed almost 20 years to settle into this one, worth the wait.
Emmylou Harris
3/5
Not my style of music and it has that specific 00s pop sound, but I appreciate it the sadly beautiful songs like the title track and my Antonia. Also was surprised to hear Dave Matthews show up on that track. I’ll take it.
Pavement
4/5
A perfect indie album that captures a vibe with clever lyrics.
Stereolab
3/5
A really chill album with no major standouts for me other than maybe the first track, but still a great vibe that I will likely revisit.
Prince
3/5
Unpopular opinion: Prince is fine. Maybe it’s just me and I’m not partial to 80s pop guitar, too many synths, but I just don’t get it.
4/5
I have not listened to this in a long time and honestly, I think it might be my favorite album of theirs. As a whole, even without the big hits, I appreciate the weirdness here more.
Sly & The Family Stone
3/5
Nice, chill album. Loved “Spaced Cowboy.”
Garbage
3/5
More low key as a whole than I remember, still great.
Kelela
2/5
Not my style of music so maybe I’m missing why this album (and style) is worthy of this list. It was fine, but nothing stood out.
Janelle Monáe
4/5
Loved the start of this album with a beautifully orchestrated piece into fast paced lyrics that immediately grabbed my attention and held it as the first couple of songs blended into the next ,which created a really cohesive experience.
The Stone Roses
3/5
I see why it was influential I guess, but nothing stood out.
Dinosaur Jr.
3/5
“Freak Scene” got my attention, as did “Don’t,” (mostly for the screaming), otherwise it was fine but just not my style of alternative I guess.
De La Soul
4/5
This is the one for me for them. What a time capsule.
The Who
3/5
I have never listened to this entire thing in order, which was quite the experience and now I must grab some kind of mind altering substance and watch this movie.
Pet Shop Boys
2/5
This isnt the pet shop boys album for me. Was a bit of a snooze fest.
Black Sabbath
3/5
Nothing major stood out on this one, but I appreciated the mix of guitar styles and riffs.
Björk
3/5
This is the first Bjork album that I didn’t actively dislike. I’m ok with her stuff in The Sugarcubes, but her solo stuff is just a little too erratic and ethereal for me. This was grounding and really voice based and rhythmic, which was fun.
Portishead
4/5
Somehow have never listened to this one and honestly it may become my new favorite of theirs. All of their stuff has a vintage feel, but this one felt especially classic and vibey.
TV On The Radio
4/5
I am not as familiar with this album somehow and glad I got a chance to revisit it as I feel they settled into themselves more on this one.
Ice Cube
3/5
Better than some of the albums I had to listen to from this era. Ice cube was always legit.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
3/5
I liked the vibe and musical style on this one a bit more than some of his other albums. Don’t think I’ve ever heard of that version of “No Woman, No Cry” before, the peppy tone of it was not what I was expecting.
Pixies
5/5
A perfect album, albeit one that I’ve heard some songs from a bit too much over the years, but hearing it as a whole reinvigorated my love for it.
Aerosmith
3/5
Sigh. Aerosmith became a parody of themselves at some point in the 90s, but definitely Steven Tyler by the early 00s. This album started them on that course, the production is so bloated, it’s like they were trying to go for their version of “Pet Sounds.” “Going Down/Love in an Elevator” still slaps though.
Faith No More
5/5
I am embarrassed to say I don’t think I’ve ever listened to this whole album, and it is a certified banger that I def will revisit. It’s got touches of 80s synth cheese, but the slapping of the bass makes it worth it.
Kendrick Lamar
3/5
I can’t pinpoint why I can’t get into Lamar, maybe it’s his flow. I respect it, it’s just not for me.
The Beau Brummels
3/5
Never heard of these guys, def of an era.
Duke Ellington
3/5
Could have done without the review of the day’s events peppered in between songs, but this is a super clear recording for it being outside and from the late 50s. I’m not a big jazz fan, but this kept my attention.
Eminem
3/5
I’m from an era and unfortunately that included listening to this album many times. I mean, his skits were certainly to the next level, but it’s hard to take this as a cohesive album as a result. It certainly was boundary pushing though.
David Bowie
3/5
The Soft Boys
3/5
I had never heard of these guys and yet here they are being very influential who knew? Me apparently.
The War On Drugs
3/5
I think I liked this band more when it was called Dire Straits, but this was nice at any rate.
New York Dolls
4/5
One of the best openers to an album I’ve heard.
LCD Soundsystem
5/5
This might be my favorite album of theirs. It was a really good exercise to listen these songs within context of the album and realize how cohesive the whole thing is. Having lived in NYC for 14 years, the last track will always gut me. That piano at the end….
Cypress Hill
3/5
I have never listened to a whole album from these guys. As anti-cop, sign of the times 90s south central albums go, this one is more engaging from a music stand point than most.
Jamiroquai
3/5
Great vibe, just didn’t do much for me.
The Velvet Underground
4/5
A classic and a sign of the times, except I could have done without the It girl of the moment Nico, her “singing” just takes me out of it.
Electric Light Orchestra
4/5
This album had me from the jump and held my attention the whole way through, which is surprising as I expected it to sounds the same after a while, but I was pleasantly surprised.
Black Sabbath
4/5
This is the one with all the hits, not the critical acclaim, but still wild to think this was the first of its genre essentially, especially given how chock full off hits it is.
The Temptations
3/5
This album feels like a big tonal shift for what I knew of them. Bet that was something culturally.
David Gray
3/5
He sounds older than 30, but nice chill vibe
Sonic Youth
2/5
Shoegaze, or whatever they are considered, is just not for me.
Gene Clark
3/5
Like Jim Croce but less AM Radio
John Lee Hooker
3/5
Like Jim Croce but less AM Radio
Dirty Projectors
3/5
Fun in a quirky way, but not sure I would relisten.
Sigur Rós
4/5
A gorgeous album that I just didn’t give a chance to for whatever reason (well, mostly because I didn’t understand the point of a made up language). But I realized how much emotion can come through when uou allow it to and surrender to the music, even without understandable language.
Holger Czukay
3/5
Was wondering what the hell this was and then saw he was in the band Can and then it made sense.
The Dandy Warhols
4/5
I’ve only listened to their hits so it was nice to go through a whole album in context. There was a lot more show gaze than I realized, but it still held my attention.
Fun Lovin' Criminals
3/5
I’ve heard Scoobie snacks a bunch over the years, but it was interesting to hear the rest of the album in context.
Leonard Cohen
4/5
What an opening first line of an album, very on brand. I love that the musical theme running throughout this album is the mouth harp.
Johnny Cash
5/5
Absolute classic. What a moment in time.
Kate Bush
3/5
Didn’t realize she was the original artist of “This Woman’s Work,” another reason why I should know her music much more than I do.
Leftfield
2/5
Fine. It’s telling that I looked up and thought “I like this song” and saw that Spotify just started playing something else after this album ended.
Thundercat
4/5
“Them Changes” is what hooked me years ago, so good to go back and listen to this whole album. Was nice to hear collaborations I didn’t know happened. Never heard bass forward jazz before, I’ll take it.
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
What a haunting last song.
Aphex Twin
3/5
This is a little too ambient for me, but I know there’s more going on musically than I realize.
Supergrass
3/5
Always a good time listening to them.
Pink Floyd
2/5
I feel like I needed to be on drugs to enjoy this.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
Karen O is such a treasure of a front woman. Im
Syd Barrett
3/5
His whimsical style made more sense for me here as a solo act than with the early Floyd that showed up on this list.
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
3/5
Oddly enough, this sounded more recent than it was.
Dire Straits
3/5
Cream
3/5
A classic.
Roxy Music
3/5
I knew these guys peripherally so it was interesting to hear their early stuff.
The Saints
4/5
Embarrassed to say I haven’t heard of these guys. Just like Wire, there was clearly more to the punk scene than I have properly explored. This album started and ended in spectacular, and weird, fashion. I’m in.
Black Flag
3/5
As much as most of the songs sound the same, they’re classic for a reason.
John Lennon
4/5
This is way better than the complaining I’ve heard from Beatles fans over the years.
Heaven 17
4/5
This band is peak new wave with punk lyrics, loved it.
Peter Gabriel
2/5
This album was all over the place. It’s funny how a lot of times with massive hits like Solsbury Hill, they come from albums where they stick out like sore thumbs and don’t fit tonaly with the album as a whole.
The Associates
3/5
Another new wave band I’ve never heard of and not mad that I now have.
Chicago
3/5
Beach House
3/5
It’s a beautiful album, just too shoe gazey for me.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
2/5
Prog is just not my thing.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
Kate Bush
3/5
She’s a little all over the place for me.
Bee Gees
3/5
I laughed this album off at first as “The BeeGees before they found disco,” but as it went on, I found appreciation for the orchestration and always beautiful harmonies. It’s a little all over the place, but some lovely songs that seem out of place as a whole record.
GZA
4/5
The kung fu interludes were really interesting
The Afghan Whigs
4/5
Again, never let them to, and somehow never comes up with similar artist, but now one that I absolutely won’t listen to more in the future. Great consistent album from start to finish.
Devendra Banhart
3/5
A beautiful voice I never heard before
Robert Wyatt
2/5
Didn’t read the back story with his other album on this list so I guess this being a post accident album makes sense, though I definitely would not have gotten that sense had I not read the bio.
Tracy Chapman
3/5
It’s all beautiful, it also all sounds kinda the same.
Kanye West
4/5
Controversial, but some really great beats and hooks. Guess this was the beginning of the end.
5/5
I used to think PJ Harvey was too shoegaze or whatever for me, but listening to this album as a whole and realizing how many single songs I love off of it (the thom yorke song haunts me always), I am now a full convert.
3/5
John Martyn
3/5
Blusey in a way that I could appreciate.
Gorillaz
4/5
This is one of my top 5 all time favorite albums so I tried to listen to it objectively. It starts out pretty chill, which is usually difficult to grab my attention, but the varrued styles and hooks help to keep my interest. It probably helped that this one of the few cds at the time so I had nothing but time to listen to it over and over until I gained a deeper appreciation, which is something I do lament with music access today that I don’t give things enough of a chance. Cause this album was and still is totally worth the extra listens.
Simple Minds
3/5
Another great new wave band I just never got into. This album may have changed that though, I love to get into bands way past their prime. Better late than never.
Sugar
3/5
Just a good 90s album.
The Psychedelic Furs
2/5
It’s a fun album at first, but a lot of the songs have the same cadence and tone to his speak sing vocals, which got old by the end (which sounds almost exactly like “Pretty in Pink”).
Stan Getz
3/5
Cool to hear the original (maybe?) version of girl from Iponema
CHIC
2/5
Sorry, it just all sounds the same to me.
Aimee Mann
3/5
I appreciated the lyrical growth of this album.
Elvis Presley
4/5
This may be my favorite version of Elvis, just raw and pure talent before all of the hoopla and excess.
Metallica
4/5
Forgot how fun this album is. I appreciate the added drama the orchestra brings to their music, it’s a great concept.
The Zutons
4/5
This band had come up for me randomly and they occupied and interesting corner of music during this time. I’m into it.
Afrika Bambaataa
3/5
Well now I know who did the original “Renegades of Funk,” which always sounded a left turn song for RATM and now I know why.
Moby
4/5
I got this when it came out and liked the first half, with the second half being a little too slow for my high school brain. But now on read lesson many years later, I find the back half, especially the last song a nice evolution through the album.
Iggy Pop
3/5
Just good, classic rock n roll.
Kanye West
4/5
Another example of needing to separate the art from the artist. It’s a great, provoking album, and a reminder that sometimes the best art comes from complicated and troubled people.
D'Angelo
4/5
The album title honestly says it all. Just a smooth, gorgeous album.
Judas Priest
5/5
This album was chock full of hits and honestly better than I was expecting. I think I’m a fan now?
Skunk Anansie
3/5
Never heard of this band and I wanted to like it, but it felt a bit like Evanescence by way of the 90s to me.
Meat Loaf
5/5
This album is perfect. Starting with that frantic piano line in Bat of Hell that sets the stage for an emotionally unavailable man and ending with a tender, but powerful ballad where he finally is able to say those 3 words, it’s quite the journey in between.
Beastie Boys
3/5
With every Beastie album I hear, it makes me think about how fresh and unique it must have sounded at the time. Their samples are unparalleled.
Madness
3/5
Couldn’t find the whole album on my streaming service but what I heard was find. Interesting to hear more than just “Our House.”
5/5
This is the album that galvanized me and made me a fan despite knowing them just as the “Whip It” band as a kid. It’s wild to me that this sound started in the 70s as it sounds so quintessentially 80s. True pioneers.
Dusty Springfield
3/5
I always enjoy hearing the context of a hit single within the larger album.
The Boo Radleys
2/5
This just felt like they were trying to be the Beatles and go in a different direction that just didn’t pan out.
Nitin Sawhney
3/5
This was an interesting one, though a little disjointed across tracks. I appreciated the pull from various styles, especially on “The Conference.”
Donald Fagen
2/5
There’s something about this era/style that just is so hokey to me. The keyboards and synths just make it hard to take it seriously.
Leonard Cohen
3/5
Send the subject matter and significance, this is a beautiful final album.
Parliament
3/5
Although not my style of music typically, this was quite the vibe and I heard the origination of so manu influences.
Venom
3/5
Never heard of these guys, but I definitely hear them in bands that were influenced by them.
Sebadoh
3/5
First time listening to them. Took me a minute to settle in, but I found appreciation with “Homemade.”
Eurythmics
3/5
Love Annie Lennox, nice to hear her in context with where things started.
Mekons
3/5
Love Annie Lennox, nice to hear her in context with where things started.
The Cure
3/5
I never heard anything off of this album. The rhythmic riffs and darks tone (even for them) was quite appealing.
Metallica
3/5
Pretty straightforward metal
Moby Grape
2/5
Can’t say that anything in particular left an impression
Coldcut
4/5
This is a triphop band I haven’t heard of and feel like I could listen to it a hundred times and miss some of the samples. I couldn’t find the whole album but what I heard reminded me of Dee Lite, so I’m into it.
Run-D.M.C.
3/5
I liked this one more than their later albums because it sounds fresher, prob cause it is. Everything else just sounds repetitive.
Frank Ocean
3/5
It’s a vibe for sure, especially the instrumental one with John Mayer, who’s less cringe when he’s just playing and not singing.
Dennis Wilson
3/5
These are some beautiful songs from a Wilson I didn’t realize struck out in his own. Clearly the talent ran deep in that family.
Sister Sledge
3/5
Elbow
4/5
I wanted to write off this album as an ok album with one hit song, but as it went on, I was pleasantly surprised by the varied and layered textures of each song. Consider me a convert.
3/5
Given that I only knew their self titled hit, I was surprised to hear how instrumental and vibey the rest of their music is, at least on this album anyway.
Wild Beasts
3/5
Although I like a unique voice, the theatricality of his singing was hard to take seriously as it didn’t seem to match the tone of the music at times.
Prince
3/5
Guess I’m outing myself, but Prince just doesn’t do it for me. This album started strong, but just went on for too long.
The Style Council
2/5
This album is all over the place. Was not anticipating rap on a song titled “a gospel,” especially after it started with jazz and then followed it with an aggressively new wave song. It’s like they spun a wheel of genres before writing each song.
Thelonious Monk
3/5
King Crimson
2/5
Psychedelia just isn’t my thing
The Jam
3/5
I know some of their hits, but never listened to songs off this album, which was tight and consistent, though maybe a little repetitive.
Kings of Leon
3/5
Surprised that there’s not one, but two albums of theirs on this list. Hearing the two main singles 1000 times over the years aside, Aha Shake Heartbreak had more going on to grab me than this, which was more of a slow burn.
Anthrax
3/5
Although this is harder metal than I usually prefer, Joey’s hair metal voice provided a nice balance for me and I appreciated his Jim Gillette like metal screams on “I Am the Law.”
Mercury Rev
3/5
This album felt like less twee Flaming Lips.
Big Star
3/5
Mike Oldfield
3/5
Really cool concept for an album. Some odd interludes and definitely wasn’t expecting to hear the exorcist theme to start, but overall it was a fun listen.
Pink Floyd
3/5
Honestly don’t have anything to say about this one
Stevie Wonder
4/5
With every Stevie Wonder album I listen to here, I gain a deeper appreciation for his body of work. I don’t realize the level of social consciousness he had in his music.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
4/5
A bit embarrassing, but my first thought after realizing I recognized these songs was that it seems like this inspired the monster’s inc soundtrack. I know, I’ll see myself out.
Soundgarden
4/5
Just a solid album from start to finish. Interesting how melodic Black Hole Sun is compared to the other songs.
Louis Prima
4/5
This album is just perfect nostalgia and will now be one of my go tos when I need to liven things up.
Queen
3/5
This album is just perfect nostalgia and will now be one of my go tos when I need to liven things up.
Paul McCartney
3/5
A nice little album that is a beautiful time capsule to early love.
David Bowie
3/5
Roni Size
3/5
Strong start and end to the album. The rest in the middle were kind of repetitive and just there for me.
Madonna
4/5
It’s funny for me to listen to this album as I only knew it from 2 singles that I downloaded from a bit torrent back in the day. Completely forgot how obsessed I was with “Don’t Tell Me,” probably because it was one of the few songs I had downloaded at the time, what a time capsule.
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
3/5
This just sounds like Gorillaz lite so I’ll stick to the real thing.
Miles Davis
3/5
All blues was nice, the rest was pretty but just as background music for me.
Pere Ubu
3/5
This reminded me of wire but in a captain beefheart way.