206
Albums Rated
3.03
Average Rating
19%
Complete
883 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1960
Favorite Decade
Metal
Favorite Genre
other
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
28
5-Star Albums
34
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
Top Styles
By Decade
By Origin
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Beatles | 5 | 4.6 |
| The Who | 3 | 5 |
| U2 | 3 | 4.67 |
| Joni Mitchell | 3 | 4.33 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Kanye West | 2 | 1 |
| Queen | 2 | 1.5 |
| Kraftwerk | 2 | 1.5 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Run-D.M.C. | 1, 4 |
| Eagles | 2, 5 |
| The Beach Boys | 1, 4 |
5-Star Albums (28)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Snoop Dogg · 1 likes
1/5
Refuse to listen to this type of trash. I know enough to know I will hate it. I have a visceral reaction to this type of music and it ain’t good.
Kacey Musgraves · 1 likes
1/5
Pop cheese, I am not her audience. Super boring milquetoast.
Nick Drake · 1 likes
3/5
I enjoyed the jazzy/folk arrangements. Flute, saxophone, piano. Very nicely arranged, and very creative. Easy breezy vibe. Unique artistic expression. The fact that he chose two songs, including the title track, as pure instrumentals is a testament to that.
Lana Del Rey · 1 likes
1/5
Really didn’t like this. Too many airy & breathy love songs that all sound the same. Not creative or interesting musically. Too heavy on vocals.
Chicago · 1 likes
4/5
When they came along there sound was so unique. Other than Blood Sweat & Tears there wasn’t anyone else fusing funk, psychedelia, rock, and soul. Their energy and horn arrangements are infectious. Pretty fun to rock along to.
1-Star Albums (34)
All Ratings
Tim Buckley
2/5
The first 2 tracks are listenable and enjoyable. But not much else that would make me come back here.
Run-D.M.C.
1/5
I get how this album makes this list because of its first of its kind nature and influence on rap. But as a stand alone work it doesn’t really hold up today. It sounds kinda silly and simple.
The Who
5/5
I love the Who and this album beautifully captures their raw buck wild unchained energy. Daltrey is a force but Moon, Entwistle, & Townsend bring another level of unbridled intensity. I can’t think of any bands in recent memory that even come close to how these guys absolutely own rock & roll.
Curtis Mayfield
2/5
Frank Black
3/5
Creative & unique sound and arrangements. 3-4 min song length makes it easier to listen to 22 tracks. Lyrics are nearly impossible to discern any meaning. Practically gibberish.
Eric Clapton
3/5
My fave Clapton album
Queen
1/5
I hated this. It actually irritated me and made me angry.
Joni Mitchell
4/5
Possibly Joni’s best album. More mature evolved songwriting and arrangements. Jack Pastorius’ contribution on bass is other worldly. Can help but notice that apart from Coyote (an all time great) many of the songs sound the same.
Michael Kiwanuka
3/5
I’ve gone back to this album a couple of times now since first listening to it. This is a supremely interesting and marvelous creative work. Love final days & the interlude.
Jurassic 5
4/5
I was shocked how much I enjoyed this. I’ve already gone back to it again. And will do so again.
Beatles
5/5
Sheryl Crow
3/5
I actually had never listened to this album from start to finish and it is really enjoyable and highly listenable. I have a newfound appreciation for Sheryl Crow.
2/5
Pretty mediocre. I would not have included this work in this compilation.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
Brilliant work from a musical genius
Led Zeppelin
4/5
A fantastic album, never understood why this was considered an inferior album to the first five.
The Black Keys
3/5
The more I listened the more this grew on me.
LL Cool J
2/5
It must be a culture thing. Definitely an age thing. But I do not relate to or enjoy this.
Michael Jackson
4/5
Lana Del Rey
1/5
Really didn’t like this. Too many airy & breathy love songs that all sound the same. Not creative or interesting musically. Too heavy on vocals.
Justin Timberlake
2/5
Not a fan. I actually really don’t like his voice. If I want to listen to R&B, there is a long list of other artists I’d rather listen to.
Deep Purple
4/5
I knew the 3 radio play songs but had never listened to this album from top to bottom. I actually loved it. Come on! Let’s go Space Truckin! It has a super fun flair and energy. Sure, it’s a bit dated but that is hardly a criticism. Most music is a product of its time. Very little is timeless. Still, I really enjoyed this and had fun with it. Doesn’t sound like heavy metal but I can see how this was an influence on that genre. The high pitched howls are awesome. Just going for it.
Eagles
2/5
One of the most overrated bands. This album is so boring.
Soundgarden
5/5
I listened to this over and over when it first came out. Not one throw away track on this. Top to bottom just an outstanding album. Amazing songwriting, musicianship, and production. It transcends the grunge genre and is a master work from a band that was peaking. Sadly their next album would be their last.
The Temptations
2/5
Papa is awesome. The rest is meh.
Neil Young
5/5
Just his 3rd studio album. Not a bad song to be found. Such a unique force and special talent: piano, guitar, harmonica, poetic songwriting, and arrangements. Some may not like his voice, I find it compelling. He shows such range on this album from gentle ballads to shredding savage guitar and vocals.
2/5
Nice fusion of soul, jazz, and funk with a laid-back vibe. Clearly very talented group. There are a couple of good grooves. Still, some of these songs are way too long. I don’t mind a long jam as long as it holds my attention. I will not revisit this. I was actually very surprised to learn that this was Billboard magazine's Album of the Year and best-selling album of 1973. Never would have guessed that. I’ve never even heard of this album before
The Rolling Stones
5/5
There’s a reason the majority of the songs on this album are all time classics. Bitch and Can’t You Hear Me Knocking are standouts. Moonlight Mile is a lush & soulful closer. Brown Sugar is a victim of cancel culture but the times they are a-changin’
The Verve
2/5
If you’re going to make an album with this many songs it better be worth it to the listener, which this wasn’t. I don’t like the tone of the singer’s voice. He’s whiny and annoying. A lot of the songs sound the same. Despite its popularity I don’t particularly like Bittersweet Symphony. Catching a Butterfly was my fave but the rest is forgettable.
Sonic Youth
4/5
Loved this. So edgy. Hard mix of punk inspired in your face unflinching walls of sound. Keeps you guessing with interesting tempo changes, distortion, tension, & sparse melodies. Very unique sound. Neil Young chose them to be his opening act when I saw him at MSG in 1990. He was clearly an inspiration to their sound along with many other 90’s grunge bands.
Billy Joel
5/5
Syd Barrett
3/5
His solo work is not as good as his work with the other members of Pink Floyd. Pipers and the other singles he produced with them is genius and truly pushed the envelope. On the surface Madcap is not impressive musically but its merits are found in its true originality. Syd’s music is unique. No one sounded like him. It’s as if he’s saying, “Here’s my music. If you don’t like it, oh well!” There’s a whimsical psychedelic nursery rhyme childlike quality to it. I like it.
The Cars
3/5
R.E.M.
4/5
Paul Simon
5/5
5/5
Genesis
1/5
if I’m going to listen to prog rock, this is not it
Nick Drake
3/5
I enjoyed the jazzy/folk arrangements. Flute, saxophone, piano. Very nicely arranged, and very creative. Easy breezy vibe. Unique artistic expression. The fact that he chose two songs, including the title track, as pure instrumentals is a testament to that.
Nick Drake
3/5
Dire Straits
5/5
Bob Dylan
4/5
Isaac Hayes
1/5
Did not like this. Is this album here because it was influential in the elevator music genre? Do Your Thing is a long bloated mess. Cafe Regio is probably the only redeemable song here.
Various Artists
4/5
The Doors
4/5
Foo Fighters
3/5
Roxy Music
3/5
Steely Dan
3/5
Not my favorite but has some gems. Fagan is a brilliant songwriter, but this album feels disjointed and doesn’t have a good flow. If you’re a fan of the band (like me) you’ll still enjoy it. Otherwise I wouldn’t tell my friends you have to listen to this album before you die.
Marianne Faithfull
1/5
Quicksilver Messenger Service
1/5
A big gap between QMS and other bands that command this genre so much better. Songwriting is not the most important aspect of the music I listen to but you have to at least try to. Would not listen to again.
5/5
Nirvana
5/5
Adele
4/5
That voice. Incredible talent. When she wails it is moving.
Wire
3/5
Had never heard of Wire but learned they helped form the core of punk from 1976-1978.
Unique fresh and original. Clearly super influential. The 3 Girl Rhumba riff was sampled by Elastica in their 1994 song “Connection”.
Dolly Parton
3/5
I’m not a fan of country but that’s some might fine singing the blues. Beautiful harmonies.
David Bowie
3/5
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to appreciate Bowie’s ingenuity and creativity. He was such an original and pioneer. This album is so interesting with the atmospheric instrumentals. And I’ve always loved the groove of Sound & Vision.
Bobby Womack
3/5
This is good not amazing 80’s soul. Still way more enjoyable than much of what followed. Had never heard of Bobby Womack until now so for that I’m thankful for this project. However don’t believe this is an album I HAVE to listen to.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
3/5
Not a big fan of their sound, but I’ll give it a three because Free Bird is a classic American song
The National
1/5
Very boring and numbingly repetitive. I didn’t like one song and since they all sounded the same the whole album is terrible. I can listen to depressing music if it’s at least somewhat cathartic, which this was not. Why did I have to listen to this album before I die? Swing and a miss.
Van Halen
5/5
VH’s zenith. Top to bottom insane. Every musician is in peak form.
The Killers
2/5
Linkin Park
3/5
This is a major contribution to, at the time, was a very different take on grunge & metal. This is overproduced and formulaic but if you listen to the lyrics is expressive and vulnerable real songwriting which is more than I can say for most of the garbage that came out of this era.
The Flaming Lips
1/5
Have never liked this band. The lead vocalist is awful. Their songs are disjointed and don’t have any flow. I did like Suddenly Everything Has Changed.
Sade
3/5
Not great top to bottom but the first three songs are fantastic. She was just getting started and got better with subsequent albums. She is a singular talent, very unique style, the kind of artist that when I’m in the mood she is all I want to listen to. Her band is terrific, very underrated.
Lauryn Hill
4/5
Remarkable effort. Not my favorite genre but much respect for her ability to both rap, sing, play guitar, and compose / craft such creative songs. Lyrically she is expressive, vulnerable, and to my surprise talks a lot about her faith in God and how much it affects her. I felt like I was on a journey through her personal experiences of motherhood, failed relationships, and recovery. It’s a shame her artistic output was so short lived; she burned brightly albeit brightly.
Steely Dan
4/5
4 solid stars. I’m stingy on giving 5 stars. On such a scale 5 stars is the hall of fame. As awesome of a debut as this album is on the remarkable 10 year arc of this band, I give it a 4.
It’s a great album but not hall of fame which is Aja. In 1972 NOBODY sounded like this. They are true American originals. Superb smart songwriting, terrific musicianship and composition. A classic.
Elvis Presley
2/5
Really interesting contrast, listening to this next to Sinatra‘s Songs for Swingin’ Lovers which came out the same year. I understand how groundbreaking and popular Elvis was, but I just don’t like his style. It comes across very forced and cheesy. He was meant to be experienced live because he was an electric performer, but The music in my opinion doesn’t stand solidly on its own.
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
This was so enjoyable. Great slow grooves and expressive soulful songs. Would rate higher, but every song being sung falsetto gets a little monotonous.
Nitin Sawhney
1/5
I really didn’t like this. Kind of annoying actually. I think I could’ve died in peace not having listened to this. Immigrant was ok.
Frank Sinatra
4/5
Golden voice in his prime. This is a book of standards. Captures the zeitgeist.
Queen
2/5
I know Queen’s music primarily through their most popular songs on the radio and now I realize why. I have only listened to an entire album through the 1001 project. If this record is considered Queen’s finest it only confirms that they are the quintessential greatest hits band. This is a disjointed mix of genres with no flow. Too many campy silly songs mashed up with bloated overblown prog arrangements. Not a fan. Freddie Mercury is obviously a unique vocalist and performer, but also an overactor. If I never hear Bohemian Rhapsody again, that would be fine by me.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
5/5
I had never listened to an entire CCR album. Shame on me! Every tune (except Ooby Dooby which I would like to set on fire) is executed flawlessly. I hear influences of Chuck Berry, the Beatles, and the Dead and yet they have a completely original sound. Fogerty shows a mastery of writing a 2 1/2 minute rocker that neither feels too long or too short, and leaves you wanting more. Then out of nowhere they show their range and ability to absolutely jam on Grapevine. This is such a phenomenal cover; they take Motown to the Bayou and stretch out effortlessly. They find a groove and settle in to a space that you don't want to end. I remember like it was yesterday as a 20 year old college student shooting pool in a bar in Tucson, AZ when someone played this on the jukebox. What a feeling.
Nirvana
3/5
The sadness that comes through these songs is palpable and leaves a heavy residue. Kurt committed suicide just 4 months later.
David Bowie
2/5
Innovative and pushing the limits of pop music. I can hear his influence on other bands. Fearless and original but just not something I would come back to listen to again as a complete album. I wouldn’t mind the instrumental only tracks but they’re just not very good. Heroes is probably my fave of all his songs.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
Neil Young is an acquired taste. He’s one of my absolute favorite artists. This album is very good, but not his best. Not particularly fond of thrasher or ride my llama. Still, if you like his music, then this is a worthy listen. Live Rust is a superior live recording.
Frank Zappa
3/5
Inspired jamming. Really enjoyed the creative and instrumentals. Frank should not sing LOL.
The Flying Burrito Brothers
1/5
Awful. Not for me. Maybe I could take one track in a playlist but a whole album of this was boring & painful. Don’t care how influential they were.
The Adverts
2/5
Elton John
2/5
Not required listening in my opinion. Decent album but no one song really moves me.
Dire Straits
4/5
This is a band in full command. I love how they let theses songs breathe and are in no hurry. Why Worry? is lush and dreamy. And Money For Nothing has an all time riff that is unforgettable. One of the greatest openers to a rock song and Sting complements it flawlessly. I will always connect to this band and this album because of how much my dad played it. The Man’s Too Strong was one that he particularly liked. I have vivid memories of him playing those power chords at max volume. It’s a beautiful thing to pass music down to your children.
Elliott Smith
1/5
Boooooooring Snoozefest. Every song sounds the same. Uninteresting in every aspect: musically, lyrically, vocally. Low energy, plodding, breathy. Scratching my head why this is must listen material..
George Harrison
4/5
David Bowie
4/5
Outstanding work. He’s one of a kind.
This is the 3rd album on this list and is my favorite so far. More approachable and not as far out on the edge as the exploratory Berlin albums. Across the Universe cover is absolutely brilliant.
The Doors
5/5
This is the one Doors album I come back to listen to over and over again. Every track other than the last is flawless. Jim’s vocals have fully matured. His ability to float from crooning to full on rage is mesmerizing. The segue from Peace Frog to dreamy Blue Sunday is beautiful. Robbie’s guitar is sublime and transports you. The Spy, so groovy and jazzy. They are exploring and pushing each other to greatness.
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
Great follow up to Are You Experienced? but nowhere near as transcendent. If 6 was 9 is such a wild trip. So uniquey Jimi. Castles is brilliant.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
3/5
Some of their absolutely best funky groovy music. Their fusion of punk, funk, & rock is so unique. The only complaint is the album is too darn long. They could easily trim off 5+ tracks and have a tight killer album. I dock this 1 star for being too bloated.
Johnny Cash
3/5
Great storytelling and simple guitar. He’s one of a kind. You can hear how rowdy the crowd is and the intimate interplay. He does what he wants. Refreshing to see an artist true to himself and his audience.
Bee Gees
1/5
Awful. Make it stop. Why is this on the list.
U2
4/5
Being such a big fan from Boy through Joshua Tree, I hated this when it first came out thinking they’d sold out. It has since become the album I come back to and listen to the most. The songwriting and production is brilliant. From The Fly where the Edge shreds to the gorgeous ballad So Cruel, the band shows their range not shown by today’s bands. This album does not age. It sounds as edgy and fresh as when it first came out. U2 announced their recreation with the ballsy proclamation Achtung Baby!
Black Sabbath
2/5
Clearly a super influential band that spawned the metal genre. The atmospheric title track effectively imparts a dreadful feeling. Although all the references to Satan & Lucifer feel like a gimmick used for shock value. That aside evaluating this based on its own merits not a very good rock album.
Tito Puente
4/5
Exuberant and joyful. -1 star as an album because all the songs sound alike. But for 38 minutes pure body moving rhythm. Love the percussions & horns.
Jefferson Airplane
3/5
This is a time capsule that transports you to a singular cultural moment. This was the first major record out of the Haight-Ashbury movement that opened the door for all the SF bands. Amazing how dated it sounds to me today versus when I first listened to this in the late 80’s. I don’t think I ever played it from top to bottom. There are some high points, mostly the Grace Slick tunes, and How Do You Feel -> Embryonic Journey -> White Rabbit is a sweet progression to close out the B side.
Frank Ocean
2/5
This debit album was crazy critically acclaimed. I must be obtuse because I found this boring and uninspiring. I didn’t connect with any one song. Most of this sounds the same. The songwriting is awful. It sounds like a dumb person trying to sound intelligent. I don’t get it..
The Beach Boys
1/5
Not a lot to like here but I do love the instrumentals on Feel Flows & Till I Die is mesmerizing.
Brian Wilson is a master of layering vocal harmonies. RIP.
Dolly Parton
4/5
Not a fan of country in general but her poignant storytelling with that sweet beautiful voice is easy to listen to. Love that each song is sub 3 minutes. Just enough. She makes it seem so easy.
Nas
1/5
I get that this is an expression of someone’s lived inner city experience. Consequently I do not relate to this “music”. I have a hard time calling it music when there are no musicians of any tangible instruments. I find this grotesque and dark dominated by youthful arrogance.
Joni Mitchell
5/5
I reserve 5 star ratings to the greatest albums of all time of which there are a select few. This is one of them. A masterful album by a true original. There’s a purity to this that is raw, intimate and evocative and her voice is angelic. I’ve listened to this album many times over the years and will continue to come back to it.
The Allman Brothers Band
5/5
This is awesome southern blues rock. Every one in the band is in peak form. This album captures the feel of this era. There was something about the Filmore that brought out the best in certain bands like the Dead & the Brothers. I never tire of this, so good!
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
Seminal album. A near perfect 70’s rock album with solid contributions from multiple artists brilliant in their own respective way. The sum of parts is far better than anything each member created as a solo artist. This album is timeless and will endure for generations.
Pere Ubu
1/5
Utter crap. I get they’re trying to break ground and push boundaries but this is unlistenable.
Ray Charles
2/5
Can’t overstate the influence but in today’s context just not very exciting to listen to. If I’m going to listen to Ray it’s his later music.
Kraftwerk
2/5
2 stars for innovation but just not my thing.
John Prine
4/5
I’d heard of John Prine but had never listened to an album let alone could name a song of his. I came away from this album with a legit respect. His songwriting is rootsy & intimate. Had I not followed along reading the lyrics I would not have appreciated this as much. Driving through the back roads of rural Pennsylvania while listening to this was a treat. After the first two tracks I thought I was going to hate this. I initially.thought how could this twangy hick music be appealing? I went back and listened to some of these tracks more than once and the more I listened the more it
grew on me. Highlights are Hello In There, Sam Stone, Paradise, Pretty Good, and my favorite track is Angel from Montgomery, followed by Quiet Man. Bonnie Raitt & Susan Tedeschi each deliver stunning covers of Angel and take it to another level. His songwriting clearly influenced some of the greats.
Milton Nascimento
4/5
Don’t care if I don’t understand the lyrics, this has many transcendent moments musically. So many dreamy sequences, lush and at times haunting vocals. Suffers a bit from sounding very dated. Brazilian Portuguese, what a romantic language.
Songhoy Blues
3/5
Highly listenable. Excellent musicianship, esp the guitar. Hard to keep coming back being that I don’t understand Mail and the impact of the lyrics is lost.
The Clash
4/5
Prior to listening to this album I only knew a few radio singles by the Clash. I loved this album and have a newfound affection for this band. This is what makes the 1001 album project so enjoyable. Thanks Stu 👊🏻
The Cure
4/5
I’m a fan. I appreciate and respect Robert Smith’s originality, phenomenal guitar work, and arrangements FAR more today than when I first listened to the Cure as a teenager.
The Smashing Pumpkins
4/5
Pretty incredible accomplishment to put out so many quality songs. As a whole the album traverses many genres but not seamlessly. The transitions feel clunky so it feels more like an anthology than a cohesive work. Some of the songs are so dark and angry that I can say I heard them but would be glad to never hear them again. Some tracks are keepers and I come back to over again. Billy is a sensitive soul who pours out a lot of hurt and sadness. Super vulnerable and the angst is palpable in his vocals and guitar. Jimmy Chamberlin is up there with Bonham. He drives the band and is a force to be reckoned with.
Merle Haggard
3/5
Too twangy for me although the songs are well written, great voice, typical great country story telling.
Black Sabbath
3/5
Solid album. Each band mate is at the top of his game.
CHIC
2/5
A couple of catchy groovy disco dance tunes but suffers from being overly repetitive. It’s clear they influenced a whole movement but on its own musical merits not very inspiring.
Chicago
4/5
When they came along there sound was so unique. Other than Blood Sweat & Tears there wasn’t anyone else fusing funk, psychedelia, rock, and soul. Their energy and horn arrangements are infectious. Pretty fun to rock along to.
Grateful Dead
5/5
The Streets
1/5
OMG. Absolute trash. Why on earth is this on here. This may be the worst album I’ve listened to. 0 stars.
Depeche Mode
3/5
I couldn’t stand this band when they first came out, but I have grown to appreciate their unique style. This is not just Euro pop. Even though most of it is electronic, there is some depth and interesting moments musically.
Janis Joplin
3/5
Lorde
1/5
Meaningless pop drivel. Melodrama is the perfect title.
Nina Simone
2/5
First album I’ve listened to of hers. Did not like it. Is her other work better? Don’t get at all why this is must listen to. Is it because she is boldly singing about African American themes during civil rights era?
U2
5/5
I haven’t gone back to listen to this album for a very long time. I was stunned how good this is from top to bottom. Not a skippable track to be found. This album rocks hard. Bono‘s vocals are in peak form and remind me what an absolute force he was, as is the Edge and his original shredding sound. His haunting solos on Surrender are awesome. Energy is off the charts.
Bob Dylan
4/5
His songwriting and emotional delivery is what makes this album so magnetic. He’s a one of a kind force. An acquired taste for sure but objectively he’s an amazing artist to be appreciated.
Muddy Waters
3/5
If you don’t like the blues this is not for you. I loved the energy and intensity. It sounds like a live album. Muddy is an authentic America original. Only criticism after listening to the entire album is it all starts to sound the same.
Aerosmith
3/5
Another example of a greatest hits band. Never a good album, just a couple of bangers from each one. Joe Perry is overrated. I do love Sweet Emotion. Never gets old.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
An explosion of creativity from a singular talent. Suffers a bit from bloat. Were there enough quality songs for a double album? I don’t think so. Eliminate the subpar tracks, which are predominantly on disc 2, and you have a tight all time great album. That may be picky because there are so many all time great songs here.
Kanye West
1/5
I hated this. I don’t care how creative Kanye is I despise the vulgarity, the misogynism, and the immature boastful arrogance. Just foul.
Eagles
5/5
Total 5 star. Iconic album where every track is so good it feels like a greatest hits compilation. They nail the rocking songs as well as the ballads. The title track is so overplayed but that’s what happens when something is that perfect. I love Joe Walsh and the attitude he brings. Last Resort is an all time favorite. The lyrics delivered by Henley especially after he the key change toward the end make me cry every time. I don’t know but that song really gets me.
Drive Like Jehu
3/5
Who said punk songs have to be 2:30?
I actually appreciate the long form format and how it allows for them to stretch out and jam a bit. Lead singer’s voice is great. This album was a nice surprise.
3/5
Vulnerable and evocative lyrics. I appreciate that she is breaking ground raising awareness and giving the middle finger to a male dominant world where when women were second class. This is an important album for its contribution to the feminist movement but I am just not a fan of the genre.
R.E.M.
3/5
Solid album though certainly not my favorite from this band. Stipe’s voice is in prime form. 3.5 stars.
The Who
5/5
Stunning creativity, musically, conceptually, lyrically. Just a masterpiece from Pete’s incredible mind brought to life. Much of his personal past and trauma imbues the story. This is timeless and will endure like all great classical works.
Kanye West
1/5
Liz Phair
2/5
Uninspiring musically. Dull droning vocals. I find her annoyingly vulgar and tries too hard to be edgy.
James Brown
2/5
Early, too early. JB’s magnetism and control of the crowd is on full display. This is a glimpse of the father of funk he would later become. Lost Someone is a 10 min window into his artistic brilliance. Not much more you can expect from a live recording from 1962. Still, only 2 stars because everything up until Lost Someone is not worth listening to.
Van Halen
4/5
Crazy debut with tons of energy. Sounds like a bunch of high school guys full of testosterone with their hair on fire. Eddie is coming out the gate like a comet.
Talking Heads
3/5
David Byrne is a one of a kind talent. Incredible rhythms and creativity.
There is nobody else who sounds like this. I’m glad I listened to this but don’t see myself revisiting. Great for music appreciation. The last few songs are atmospheric and drag. Prefer much more the first half.
Muddy Waters
4/5
That voice and what a band. Got My Brand Ok You and Got My Mojo Working sizzles.
Super Furry Animals
4/5
Wow. Loved this. Total surprise. Had never heard of this band before. This is right up my alley. I love the experimental vibe and exploration. Will come back to this.
Cream
4/5
Key contribution to the psychedelic canon. Amazing tone from Clapton's guitar. Sunshine of Your Love still and will always sound great. Just an epic all time rock song that stunned the music scene when it first came out. 5 stars for the first 7 songs. Minus 1 for the last 4.
Snoop Dogg
1/5
Refuse to listen to this type of trash. I know enough to know I will hate it. I have a visceral reaction to this type of music and it ain’t good.
Anita Baker
3/5
Love her voice. Amazing tone & control. You Give Me Joy is my fave. Just not a fan of every song being a hyper emotional love song.
Sebadoh
2/5
Kacey Musgraves
1/5
Pop cheese, I am not her audience. Super boring milquetoast.
Beck
3/5
Not my fave Beck album. The lyrics are kinda annoying. Odd word combinations that don’t mean anything. At least not to me. Some groovy rhythms but overall not memorable and not something I would come back to.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Love the intensity and grit. Badlands is just badass. Love the harmony that Little Stevie adds. That quintessential E street Jersey sound.
Arctic Monkeys
4/5
Great energy, attitude, and fun. A most welcome addition to rock and roll in the early 2000’s.
The Fall
1/5
Some interesting moments musically but those vocals… I use that term generously … the lack of talent makes this hard to listen to. Certainly not a must listen to album.
Method Man
1/5
Garbage
Run-D.M.C.
4/5
My first intro to hip hop / rap. Summer of ‘86 I was about to start high school and my neighborhood friends and I played this cassette all summer long. I even wore a pair of those shell top Adidas. Seems so dated today but still fun to listen to. Proof that you don’t have to be crazy crude and vulgar to be cool.
Marvin Gaye
5/5
This is one of the great albums of all time. A timeless masterpiece. The progression from Lets Get It On to this is incredible. This is a lush jazzy beautiful heartfelt call for social change. You can feel his pain and heart breaking for the state of Black culture with a deeply vulnerable and raw delivery.
Yes
4/5
So original and creative. Simply no one else with this sound. Such a talented band.
Moby
1/5
Background music.
a-ha
2/5
Proof that you too can have a catchy synthesizer and a good singer and make it in music. There are so many albums that should replace this on a must listen to list. Not required listening at all.
Supertramp
4/5
Love their sound. The vocals, the arrangements, electric piano, guitar. It’s all working for me.
Ride
2/5
Droning begins to all sound the same
Coldplay
4/5
Love their sound. Great compositions, wistful songwriting, can rock hard as well as deliver on ballads.
The Kinks
3/5
I’ve never listened to this. Odd, playful, and interesting. Although I like their later stuff much better this is cool to see their beginnings.
Beatles
4/5
Brilliance. I love singing along to these even though they seem so simple through a 2025 lens. Hard to understand in today’s context the incredible impact of this band. Artists were not writing their own songs and performing them. The Lennon-McCartney collaboration is magic.
Morrissey
3/5
This album surprised me. Morrissey can sound a bit like a lounge singer to me at times but this rocked harder than expected.
Rage Against The Machine
5/5
What a debut. A punch in the face out of the gate. Whether you agree with their views or they go over your head (like me) this is powerful and infectious. The riffs just keep coming wave after wave. Is there another vocalist like Zack? A unique talent. Every member is an amazing musician. Great production. Can’t listen too often because it’s so intense but what fun to revisit.
Portishead
3/5
Had not heard of the term trip hop before, but that’s an apt description of this album. Successfully creates an atmospheric experience and when you zone in there are some very interesting and creative spatial effects going on. The problem is zoning in. This quickly becomes background music because there isn’t enough distinction from one song to the next, just nuanced changes. The tempo and vibe is the same for 44 minutes so it can get monotonous and the vocalist is pretty one dimensional. Still, for what it is, I like it. Just not an entire 11 track listen. A track here and there sprinkled into a chill playlist is where this lands for me.
Public Image Ltd.
1/5
Very experimental and pushing boundaries in 1979. Clearly an influence on new age bands that would arrive in just a few years. Just not very enjoyable to listen to. The guitar and Lydon’s vocals are downright irritating.
Dexys Midnight Runners
1/5
No wonder they broke up after this album. It’s awful.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Jan ‘69 debut of arguably the greatest all time rock band. Every band member is a virtuoso musician in his own right. Heavy blues influence. Vocals are raw. Plant really evolves between this and II.
Pearl Jam
5/5
Flashback to when I was 19 years old and first heard this. Still has the same freshness, unbridled energy, and angst that I related to back then. In retrospect, having heard so many bands from then until now, in my opinion Eddie Vedder is the best rock vocalist of this generation. He is totally committed, vulnerable, nothing is held back. He is able to infuse so much emotion into his delivery. And Mike McCready can seriously shred.
Joni Mitchell
4/5
Her voice and phrasing is just mesmerizing. She moves effortless from her chest voice to her head voice. The harmonizing on several tracks is angelic. Her expressiveness and vulnerability draws you in. Must listen to tracks are Help Me, Free Man in Paris, and Raised on Robbery is just fun.
Booker T. & The MG's
2/5
I get that it’s 1961 but this is super simplistic and uninspiring. I don’t feel any soul in it. The electric organ is actually irritating. Did not enjoy and will not listen again. Green Onions is overrated. I don’t get why that song gets so much airplay.
Iron Butterfly
1/5
I’m shocked how bad this album is. The songwriting is awful. Childish, sappy, cliche’ love songs set to droaning bad long form jams. The title track, which supposedly is the highlight of the album, is too long because the jam is just not good. There are many superior bands during this period that are so much better. The Doors, the Dead, Pink Floyd, etc. This is most definitely not required listening.
Beatles
5/5
The older I get the more I understand the brilliance of this band. This album is perfection. The ingenuity, lyrics, musicality, production, it’s all working and so unlike anything any other band was doing. They truly are the greatest.
Cocteau Twins
3/5
I never really listened much to this band, but I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this particular album. Her vocals and some of the harmonies are really good. Minus a star because they overuse a dreamy echo effect and you can’t understand the lyrics at all.
Count Basie & His Orchestra
4/5
From a far gone era, but man that band is phenomenonal.
The Chemical Brothers
2/5
Some nice grooves but essentially a one trick pony. The songs run into each other and you can barely distinguish one from another. Hard to call them musicians when they don’t play any instruments. They’re essentially DJ’s.
Goldie
2/5
Too darn long. I just can’t get through it all. Not to mention electronica is too sterile for me. I just can’t see myself listening to this again in any context.
Talking Heads
4/5
Were it not for this album project I would not have discovered Talking Heads. I just love this band. David Byrne is so strangely magnetic. Wild, odd, & unbridled. What a unique talent and creator. They stand alone in defining their own sound.
The Police
4/5
From the 80’s but not of the 80’s. Ages well and sounds great today. The 2 sides couldn’t be more different. I listened to side 2 a thousand times when this first came out.
Very full and complete sound coming from 3 dudes. Sting’s voice is in peak form and Stewart Copeland is one of my fave drummers. Enough has been said about the outlier Mother. I like that they’re pushing boundaries and exploring. IMO Synchronicity II is the best song here. Full of attitude, energy, angst, and bite.
Brian Eno
2/5
Spa music. Relaxing but nothing special. Pretty blah.
LCD Soundsystem
3/5
A couple of really interesting tracks. Call the Police is the stand out. I’d come back to this.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
Several really good high energy tunes on here and a great band. Suffers from being too long. Not enough content to justify a double album. Should’ve just trimmed it to the best songs and made one great album.
Love
1/5
Awful. Had to labor to listen all the way through. I couldn’t make it to the end of the last track.
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
3/5
I don’t like it, but I respect it. I enjoy listening to bands, pushing boundaries and exploring new turf.
Elvis Presley
3/5
1969 Elvis is a different artist than during his 1950’s popularity and still much of the same shtick. I can’t help but feel a lack of conviction in what he’s singing. Perhaps because he didn’t write his own songs. He feels like more of a performer and less than authentic. Still, he delivers some poignant moments to here. The band is great. I’m Moving On, Gentle On My Mind, Suspicious Minds and In the Ghetto are stand outs.
The Replacements
2/5
Pretty good for early 80’s rock but in all pretty forgettable. Not a must listen to album by any means.
Ice T
1/5
Couldn’t get past the first two songs. Nothing redeemable, absolute trash. I see no artistic value in listening to some pompous fool bragging about all the sex he has and how awesome he is. Zero stars.
Faust
2/5
Pretty unique for 1973 but after so much has been built on this it’s not very interesting to listen to today
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Down & dirty rock & roll. Edgy & a little raunchy. Some all time great tunes here. Midnight Rambler, Gimme Shelter, You Can’t Always Get What You Want. The band is firing on all cylinders, the rhythm section in particular.
Elbow
3/5
This album is solid. Very surprised I’ve never heard of this band. Well written songs and composition. Layer upon layer of texture.
A Tribe Called Quest
2/5
Adele
3/5
Ridiculously talented vocalist, but I can only take so much of a whole album of nothing but dramatic songs about relationships. Can begin to sound the same.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
3/5
Enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Art rock. Probably will not revisit this but the vocals and guitar work are definitely worth a listen. Much higher energy than I expected.
Otis Redding
4/5
Otis Redding is a unique and transcendent talent. This album is mostly covers and his versions of Respect and Satisfaction are tremendous. His energy and authenticity are infectious. You can’t help but start shaking your booty when he gets going, but he can also nail a ballad. Taken so young, our loss.
The Only Ones
4/5
This is why I appreciate this project, being exposed to new music I’ve never heard of. I thoroughly enjoyed this album. Clear influence on future bands like Oasis. I read many reviews where they really dislike the vocals, but I had no problem with them. Yes they are in the lower register but they work with the bands sound and what a sound it is. The band is tight. Drums and Guitar work are outstanding. Will revisit.
The Mamas & The Papas
4/5
They have such a unique sound, the production quality is terrific. Love their harmonies and dreamy arrangements.
Beastie Boys
4/5
I forgot how friggin awesome these guys are and this album in particular is their best. If you know me, you know hip-hop is not my thing but the interplay between the 3 of them is electric. Nobody was doing what they were. They are pure fun, having a blast going from punk to disco to rock to rap. All of it works. Sabotage is an all time banger.
Kraftwerk
1/5
Sorry but no. Just can’t get into Germann dweebs geeking out on their electronic gadgets. No soul whatsoever.
Beatles
4/5
1965 - so innovative, leading edge. This is the transition album that had to come before their peak of Revolver and Sergeant Pepper. Lennon’s tunes are the stand outs and who doesn’t appreciate a token goofy Ringo track. You could never write Run For Your Life in today’s cultural context, a little scary LOL.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
5/5
Debut with Crazy Horse. A true original. 1969 nobody sounds like this. I love the blend of country harmonies and raw exploratory jams like Cowgirl & DBTR which forged a template they have been using for the last 56 years. Stu & I saw them in May 2024 and the boys still bring that overdriven hard rockin’ rebel attitude!
Joan Baez
2/5
I understand how influential this was in 1960 but really tough to listen to in 2026. The tone of her voice and overuse of vibrato are like fingers on a chalkboard. I couldn’t get through the whole album. I totally understand how a female singer, songwriter, folk artist was groundbreaking and paved the way for so many to follow.
Janelle Monáe
3/5
Eclectic really interesting blend of genres. I thought this would be bad hip-hop. I was pleasantly surprised.
The Specials
2/5
This album grew on me as I listened through it. Still, Ska is pretty one dimensional and died out for a reason. It tends to all sound the same after a while.
The Prodigy
1/5
Just not a fan of electronica. Soulless & boring.
Mike Ladd
2/5
Some interesting moments with the production and creative mixing but the spacey digital effects were overused. Interesting listen. Not something I need to revisit.
Alice In Chains
5/5
We live in a yin and yang world of light and darkness, happiness and sadness, pleasure and pain. There can’t be one without the other. This album was a game changer. It plumbs some dark places but does so in a courageous, vulnerable, and even beautiful way. It may be disturbing some. I found myself identifying with the rawness of disappointment, despair, and addiction. Down In A Hole hits me in a deep place like few songs can. Jerry Cantrell is the architect here but there is something about Layne Staley’s vocals that is gripping and visceral. The harmony with Cantrell make their sound uniquely identifiable and haunting. This a 5 for me. Landmark album in the grunge genre.
Steely Dan
4/5
4th and final Steely Dan album on this list, and it’s a gem. Bodhisattva, Your Gold Teeth and My Old School are standouts. How do you not sing along to My Old School. Ever wonder why there are 4 albums on this list? And the very 1st album generated for us is Aja? Most well-known artists get one album. Even legends often get just two. So when an artist lands four entries, that puts them in rare company. It signals sustained greatness across multiple releases, not just one classic record. Just sayin’ 😬
Gram Parsons
3/5
Enjoyed this. Not usually a fan of country, but this rocked a little and had some nice ballads. Sounds like he may have had an influence on Eagles. Great harmonies with the amazing Emmylou Harris, particularly on Love Hurts. Shame that he OD’d before this got released.
The Who
5/5
Pretty much as perfect a record as you can make. This plays like a greatest hits compilation. Does not feel old or dated. Rock & Roll.
The B-52's
4/5
Super fun quirky creative album. A whole lot of unbridled spontaneous squeals, screams, and howls. Who doesn’t want to be at this party!
Neil Young
3/5
This has a sad vibe to it which makes sense given the band was gutted after the overdose death of 2 dear friends. Not their best work but the title track carries the album.
The Beach Boys
4/5
Spacemen 3
1/5
This is crap
Dirty Projectors
1/5