Journey in Progress
Discovering music one album at a time
342
Albums Rated
3.44
Avg Rating
51
5-Star Albums
31%
Complete
747 albums remaining
Rating Speed
4.7
Per Week
511
Days Active
Reviews
340
Written
99%
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vs Global
0.08
Avg Diff
3.44
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Ratings by Decade
Which era do you prefer?
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When do you listen?
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1950s
Favorite Decade
Soul
Favorite Genre
other
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Balanced
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6
1-Star Albums
Taste Analysis
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Ratings by genre
Origin Preferences
Ratings by country
Rating Style
You Love More Than Most
Albums you rated higher than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orbital 2 | 5 | 2.69 | +2.31 |
| Only Built 4 Cuban Linx | 5 | 2.86 | +2.14 |
| The Last Broadcast | 5 | 3.05 | +1.95 |
| The Seldom Seen Kid | 5 | 3.26 | +1.74 |
| Faith | 5 | 3.27 | +1.73 |
| Homework | 5 | 3.29 | +1.71 |
| Siembra | 5 | 3.3 | +1.7 |
| Bitches Brew | 5 | 3.3 | +1.7 |
| The Man Machine | 5 | 3.32 | +1.68 |
| The College Dropout | 5 | 3.32 | +1.68 |
You Love Less Than Most
Albums you rated lower than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your New Favourite Band | 1 | 3.13 | -2.13 |
| Kimono My House | 1 | 3.06 | -2.06 |
| Cosmo's Factory | 2 | 3.93 | -1.93 |
| Back In Black | 2 | 3.86 | -1.86 |
| In Utero | 2 | 3.83 | -1.83 |
| Dookie | 2 | 3.8 | -1.8 |
| Arise | 1 | 2.73 | -1.73 |
| Slipknot | 1 | 2.68 | -1.68 |
| White Blood Cells | 2 | 3.68 | -1.68 |
| With The Beatles | 2 | 3.67 | -1.67 |
Artist Analysis
Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums and high weighted score
| Artist | Albums | Avg | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pink Floyd | 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Miles Davis | 3 | 4.67 | 3.83 |
| Kanye West | 2 | 5 | 3.8 |
| The Smashing Pumpkins | 2 | 5 | 3.8 |
| Radiohead | 4 | 4.25 | 3.71 |
| Michael Jackson | 3 | 4.33 | 3.67 |
Least Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums and low weighted score
| Artist | Albums | Avg | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band | 2 | 1.5 | 2.4 |
5-Star Albums (51)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Coldplay
5/5
A very meaningful album to me. Has been with me most of my life. Many memories listening to this.
Music is very good too. Clocks (glad they delayed the release to include it) and The Scientist are amazing, but I wouldn't skip a song.
Lots of hate for Coldplay, but back then, they were on top of their form, and made great sounding music.
2 likes
Baaba Maal
3/5
Happy to have listened to this album which is out of my comfort zone. Hard to rate really, but appreciated it being here, and found it to be an interesting listen.
Some great music coming out of Senegal. Makes me wonder number of lost musicians there are in Senegal and the African continent.
1 likes
Fugees
5/5
Top top top.
Deservedly known as one of the best in hip-hop. Wyclef Jean, Pras Michel, and (especially) Lauryn Hill created quite the art here. I would argue it's the latter's best work too.
Manifest/Outro is my favourite here. Incredible.
Bought on CD recently too!
P.s., did you know Fugees is a shortening of Refugees? I certainly didn't.
1 likes
Neil Young
4/5
A very pleasant listen.
Out on the Weekend started it off very nicely.
Heart of Gold is an absolute gem.
Old Man was lovely.
Words (Between the Lines of Age) was a cool way to end it.
Apparently Young made this mostly acoustic due to a back(?) injury he picked up on his ranch.
Easy 4 stars, but the other songs, although pleasant, were not very memorable.
1 likes
Q-Tip
3/5
Solid album, but somehow disappointed - expected somewhat more from the "lead" of Tribe.
WeFight/WeLove, Move, Believe and Shaka are gems, but rest is a bit of a let down for me!
1 likes
4-Star Albums (113)
1-Star Albums (6)
All Ratings
The Temptations
4/5
groovy
Common
3/5
nice hip hop grooves, produced by Kanye. Not one I'll go back to very often though. 67/100
Miles Davis
5/5
jazz classic, what more to be said.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
2000s indie, standard enough. Heads Will Roll, Soft Shock and Skeltons were my song highlights (latter especially). Decent 3.28 star I'd say. Like the electronic influences.
Michael Jackson
4/5
The third of four on the magical Off the Wall - Thriller - Bad - Dangerous run from Michael Jackson. How to follow up from Thriller, the greatest selling album of all time?
Mr Jackson wanted to sell 100,000,000 copies of Bad (Thriller sold 72m) but never reached such a level with this. And if I'm honest, although it's a very solid album, I think it's the weakest on this incredible four album run.
This album did encourage me to go on a Michael Jackson marathon and boy was that a wonderful journey. Very interesting to see all the other names and characters that were involved in the development of this album and music videos (Martin Scorsese directed the video for the song Bad, which was supposed to be a duet with Prince!). Also being reminded of how important dance was to MJ by watching some of the music videos associated to the album (or short films, as he liked to call them).
4.2 stars. Liberian girl may have been my favourite revelation from this listen.
The Jesus And Mary Chain
2/5
some nice songs but I spent most of the time waiting for it to be over.
2.4 stars as there are some lovely basslines and some of the songs hit well.
Ali Farka Touré
4/5
what a refreshing listen! I hope this list will have more global music like this, it really opens the mind.
A very pleasant listen. At the start I was a bit unsure of what I thought of it, but it built very well as the album progressed.
Have never heard music from Mali before, but will definitely go on the search for more West African music now!
A solid 4 stars from me. Will return.
Favourite songs:
Savane
Soya
Machengoidi
Soko Yhinka
Banga
Led Zeppelin
4/5
This put me on a long overdue Led Zeppelin marathon. In doing this, I could put some perspective on where this particular album stands in their collection. Definitely an interesting listen, a solid 3.8 stars (rounded up to 4) for me.
The Rover and Kashmir as my favourite songs. I do think it was slightly too long though, at 82 minutes.
Nonetheless, good starting point for a timeless band.
Nirvana
2/5
ughhhh. While I can respect the impact Nirvana have had on music, they're the first band I've come across on this that I really wanted to turn off halfway through. However, "Heart-Shaped Box", "Pennyroyal Tea", and "All Apologies" were all decent listens.
Deciding between 2 and 3 stars presented quite the dilemma. Go with my gut, basing it solely off the music I heard and give them two? Or try to claim that "I understood them" and give them three for street cred?
Ultimately decided on the former. Nevermind is the only Nirvana album I can struggle through.
4/5
Very funky. Makes me want to explore the US more. Ghettos and all.
Favourite song:
Cisco Kid
Very honourable mention to the three long tracks in a row:
City, Country, City
Four Cornered Room
The World is a Ghetto
Great find.
David Ackles
2/5
This looked promising. Cool album cover. Description had me initially sold - a chance to find an overlooked, forgotten gem? Couldn't wait.
But ultimately, a very average album. Nice in parts, with "Another Friday Night" and "Waiting for the Moving Van" being good listens, but ultimately nothing to really note here. Not sure it deserves a spot on this list tbh.
Sounded like a cheesy movie in parts. I really wanted to love this album; become one of Mr Arckles' few listeners on Spotify. But oh well.
A not unpleasant but ultimately uninspiring 2*.
The Shamen
2/5
nah.
Human NRG and Possible Worlds showed promise and bump it up to 1.8 stars, which I'll round off to 2 for generosity's sake.
The Black Crowes
3/5
The Black Crowes' (Atlanta, Georgia, USA) "Shake your Money Maker" is not my cup of tea to be honest. Sounds very ZZ Top to me, or like something you'd hear on the movie "Cars". Not necessarily bad things, but just not my favourite type of music.
Favourite songs:
Seeing Things
She Talks to Angels (written by one of the band members when they were 15!)
3.3* for me.
The Cure
5/5
Wow, what an album. Perfect length, amazing atmosphere, booming bass, Robert Smith's unique vocals.
The Cure's second album, recorded on a low budget (the song "The Final Sound" was supposed to be more than 52 seconds but they ran out of tape).
I saved most of the album to my "album era playlist", a first on this run of album listens. I also immediately played the entire album again upon finishing. A good sign! I imagine myself coming back to this album regularly.
Favourites:
Play for Today
Secrets
In Your House
A Forest
M
At Night
Seventeen Seconds
5 stars. Best I've heard thus far here.
Dr. Octagon
3/5
Vulgar is probably the best way of describing this album, for better and for worse. Was interesting though. A low 3 stars.
Sparks
1/5
oh man, I just found this album annoying. Probably cruel to give it my first one star as I'm sure much worse will follow, but I just got nothing from this and two stars seems too generous.
vocals were more annoying than anything I've ever heard.
Adele
3/5
looking at the writers' credits for this album was an education in the who's who of pop production. Max Martin, Greg Kurstin, Bruno Mars, even Rick Rubin who was unimpressed by an earlier version of the album.
Following up 19 (my personal favourite of hers) and 21 was always going to be difficult, and Adele claimed she suffered writer's block for years. Working with those at the forefront of pop production always helps! But ultimately I think this falls a bit flat compared to her older stuff. Less soul behind it.
Of course, vocal performance as always was stunning, but it was brought down by "safe" songwriting and an overly-pop feel (I understand why she went further down that route though - the album was credited with saving the pop music industry the year it came out!). Also interesting to note that all the other big names in pop music (apart from Coldplay) rescheduled release dates to avoid chart competition with Adele. Some power!
Favourite songs:
When We Were Young (co-written with Tobias Jesso Jr.)
Love in the Dark (co-written with Samuel Dixon)
Million Years Ago (co-written with Greg Kurstin)
All I Ask (co-written with Bruno Mars and his entourage - and it indeed sounds like a quintessential Bruno Mars song...)
Sweetest Devotion (co-written with Paul Epworth, some nice instumentals on this one)
I hope that this is not the only Adele album they chose for this list. If it is, I really wonder why 19 or even 21 weren't chosen instead.
3.3*
Adele
4/5
The best-selling album of the 21st century. A number one album in countries as diverse as Brazil and Denmark, South Africa and Mexico, Argentina and Hungary.
21 seems simple in its premise: a break-up album with rare occasions for other topics. If you take a step back and think about it as a piece of art written by one person about another, it is deeply personal - yet it resonates with a good chunk of the world. I guess most people have been through a relationship breaking down (?)
The guy-who-is-everywhere-but-nowhere, Rick Rubin, was supposed to produce the entire album, but in the end only produced 3 songs I believe. Adele chose to keep the more raw-sounding versions she had created with other producers during or just after her break up. Indeed, she was told to add some layers to Someone Like You, the simple piano and vocals deemed to be too little. Thankfully she decided to retain it as is.
It's hard to overstate the universal success this album was, winning awards left and right, breaking sales records, across many countries.
The music itself is a refreshing mix of styles, from soul to country to ballad and a few things in between. I had forgotten how good it was (and indeed, think it builds beautifully on 19). Turning Tables is a special song, I really felt a wealth of emotions when listening to it. Other honourable metions are:
Take it All
I'll be Waiting
One and Only
Lovesong (a cover of The Cure! Very well done)
Someone Like You
Indeed, the "b-side" of this album is popular music at its absolute finest. First side is slightly less interesting but still shows moments of brillance.
Nostalgia factor is very high on this too, I remember listening to it when I was a kid, played on repeat by both my mother and father.
A solid 4.2 stars. Beautiful stuff.
(P.S., in a true random fashion, this album came up for me the day after Adele's 25. This album is on a completely different level to that)
(P.S.S., I was going to give this 5* but a weekend of reflection brings it down to 4)
Television
4/5
nice basslines
3.6 rounded up to 4.
Marquee Moon
Guiding Light
Torn Curtain
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
1/5
I'm all for experimentation in music but it has to have some redeeming quality. This has nothing.
Bad Brains
2/5
standard enough rock album, nothing stand-out for me.
Billy Bragg
2/5
some interesting lyrics, pleasant to listen to, but nothing special really.
2.5 stars, rounded down.
Bill Evans Trio
4/5
It's the Bill Evans Trio. Amazing to listen to while working or reading. Also, if you listen more actively, you are also rewarded. Have to be in the right mood to stick it on but always pleasant. Maybe not my favourite from them, but still lovely.
ZZ Top
3/5
Arcade Fire
4/5
Never gave Arcade Fire a chance before this listen. Brilliant stuff - a nice mix of light rock, electronic elements and interesting subject matters, as a man of the suburbs too.
Favourite songs:
The Suburbs
Ready to Start
Half Light I
Half Light II (No Celebration)
Suburban War
Wasted Hours
We Used to Wait
Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)
Think I'll definitely be returing to this. 4.3 stars
The Notorious B.I.G.
5/5
what a journey. Among the greatest hip-hop albums I've listened to. 5 stars.
Fela Kuti
3/5
Prince
2/5
Sign of the Times was a great start to the album. After that I quickly lost interest. Stopped halfway - was far from being unlistenable, but was just very meh.
Bon Jovi
2/5
Livin' on a Prayer, You Give Love a Bad Name, Wanted Dead or Alive
are three great songs. The rest is corny thrash.
Has aged very poorly. 2*
Neil Young
4/5
A very pleasant listen.
Out on the Weekend started it off very nicely.
Heart of Gold is an absolute gem.
Old Man was lovely.
Words (Between the Lines of Age) was a cool way to end it.
Apparently Young made this mostly acoustic due to a back(?) injury he picked up on his ranch.
Easy 4 stars, but the other songs, although pleasant, were not very memorable.
Beatles
2/5
Ehhhhh...
Looking forward to listening to their later work, to understand how they went from being a cheesy cover band of American rock 'n' roll hits (they do have original stuff here too but strinkingly unoriginal) to THE BEATLES. Because listening to their first two albums makes it seem to me that they could easily have vanished after these and lost to time. Nothing special at all.
Don't get me wrong, it's pleasant enough music to listen to, especially if you want to be transported to an American road-side diner in the 1950s. But the fact these lads were from Liverpool makes it all the less authentic. I'd listen to the music that these songs cover/mimic, listen to the Beatles later stuff, but I won't be returning to this... ever.
Can't see why it's on this list, unless it's just to show how much they developed in such a short time...
Kraftwerk
5/5
What a listen. Then understanding the impact Kraftwerk had on music, an easy 5 stars.
Every song is an absolute tune. I feel like The Model was already very familiar to me somehow, but it hits hard as the lead single.
Neon lights is brilliant too, U2 actually did a cover of it on their Vertigo single. Also learnt that Talk is strongly based on Computer Love by Kraftwerk!
Anyway, a classic album that has aged spectacularly. Shout-out to the German language version too. 5 star brilliance.
Cat Stevens
3/5
pleasant, nothing more nor less
Carole King
3/5
A very pleasant listen.
Carole King was undoubtedly a songwriting genius, and I have much respect for her.
It's too late
You've got a friend
(You make me feel like) A natural woman
are the standouts.
However, I just gave Cat Stevens 3* for Tillerman, and this is a similar vibe, so I'll have to give the same here. Pleasant but wouldn't be rushing back to it.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
2/5
just meh
Radiohead
3/5
Expected more from Radiohead. Some good songs:
Sail to the Moon
Backdrifts
There, There
Scatterbrain
but rather uninspiring stuff. Cool album cover though.
Tears For Fears
4/5
tears for fears man!
can hear the vague kraftwerk influences.
some parts of the album are a bit of a drag but overall great stuff.
3.8*
Dire Straits
4/5
easy listening but rewarding at the same time. 4 stars!
Led Zeppelin
4/5
neat.
Don't enjoy Black Dog and Rock and Roll to be honest, but rest of album is solid.
The Battle of Evermore
Stairway to Heaven (albeit overplayed)
Going to California
When the Levee Breaks
are classics. Going to California is one of my favourite Led Zeppelin songs.
1971!
Arrested Development
3/5
guess there's a reason why "gangsta rap" is king.
Not as bad as I thought it would be though
Ice Cube
3/5
An enjoyable listen, probably won't be rushing back to it as the lyrical content is a bit grating at times.
Favourite songs:
The Nigga Ya Love to Hate
Once Upon a Time in the Projects
Endangered Species
A Gangsta's Fairytale (my favourite of album)
Who's the Mack
It's a Man's World
Why are hip-hop albums so long?
Kanye West
5/5
Wow! Production top-class, lyrics interesting and a welcome break from gangsta rap, incredible range of samples used. There's not one filler song here. Hip-Hop at its absolute finest.
Love the skits too, as a degree holder it's a nice kick in the teeth from a different perspective. Last Call is an epic way of finishing it all off.
Watched the Kanye documentary about Coodie and Chike a few weeks before listening to this, gave a great background on what the man went through to get to the point of being able to release this album.
A producer, and a rapper?! One for the ages. Kanye is a lot of things, but he's undoubtedly a musical genuis too.
Leonard Cohen
4/5
poetic masterpiece that is very pleasant to listen to. High 4* from me.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
bad moon rising and lodi were highlights. Pleasant but not the most memorable.
Pulp
2/5
some fun, but mostly meh. 2.5 stars. Britpop...
2/5
very, very boring. Some hits bring it up from a one star rating
TV On The Radio
4/5
cool album, had low expectations as the album cover was so basic. Picture of the three main members peaked my interest though.
Started well.
I repeated Family Tree and Love Dog straight away.
DLZ also a decent bop.
Was going to give a (high) 3 stars but in the end it was a fun and interesting listen, deserving a (low) 4 stars.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
An album that starts with Gimme Shelter is always going to be pretty damn good. Love in Vain continues well. Some decent but somewhat forgetable songs until we get to the last part of the album, with Monkey Man and You Can't Always Get What You Want finishing it off strongly. 4.25*
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Two Rolling Stones in a row. Nothing on Let It Bleed in my eyes. Wild Horses is an absolute classic though.
Gorillaz
4/5
Loved the mix of genres, and there were some interesting songs along the way. However, parts of the album were rather boring. Disappointingly so -- just not much going on.
Re-hash, Clint Eastwood, Sound Check (Gravity), Rock the House as my favourites.
With the exploration of different genres, it did sound a bit cheesy at times, like lowest common denominator stuff for a given genre.
None other than Ibrahim Ferrer of Buena Vista fame showing up for Latin Simone (Que Pasa Contigo) brings it up to a low 4* for me.
David Albarn is a musical genius, but better things were to come from the Gorillaz.
3.6* to be exact
The Kinks
3/5
ok, sounded like the Beatles a lot of the time
Green Day
4/5
wanted to give this five stars but it falls just short with a few songs I don't care much for. But when it hits, it hits hard. Are We the Waiting is my favourite.
Grew up with this, never really knew what it represented. Nor that Green Day had another album ready to go and the master tapes were stolen, then they went back to the drawing board.
Also annoying that on Spotify they merge most of the songs together (apparently because the original digital release was on iTunes and they wanted to retain gapless playback between those songs).
Anyway, a high four stars from me!
Elvis Presley
5/5
First of all, brilliant album cover.
Reading about the history of Elvis is rather interesting. One can't say simply that Elvis simply "stole" African-American music and made it white in a time where racial segregation was still unfortunately prevalent. Of course, he was strongly influenced by this music, but he had the vision to bring it to a new (white) audience. And it appears he was well aware of the debt he had to the black performers that came before him.
There's an argument that his music helped to reduce the boundaries between white and black culture at the time and that seems fair.
Then to the rather immense cultural impact Elvis had. He was one of the first sex symbols, potentially.
Some quotes from wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_impact_of_Elvis_Presley#Danger_to_American_culture):
Frank Sinatra opined: "His kind of music is deplorable, a rancid smelling aphrodisiac. It fosters almost totally negative and destructive reactions in young people"
His actions and motions were called "a strip-tease with clothes on" or "sexual self-gratification on stage".
In August 1956 in Jacksonville, Florida, a local juvenile court judge called Presley a "savage" and threatened to arrest him if he shook his body while performing at Jacksonville's Florida Theatre...
Sounds crazy now, but Elvis shook up the music game quite significantly.
The music, from 1956(!), is still a pleasant listen today - albeit somewhat cheesy at times. Can't give anything but a 5*, all things considered. Great stuff.
Michael Jackson
4/5
A classic. A few weaker songs bring it down from 5 to a high 4*
Rocket From The Crypt
2/5
not sure why this album is on here. Very average.
Giant Sand
3/5
Not what I was expecting - sort of a mix of Beck and Leonard Cohen. Interesting listen and instrumentation was nice, but spoken-word vocals could get a bit annoying. Not fully sure why it's on this list.
Baaba Maal
3/5
Nice for a change! However, in my ignorance, and not understanding the language sung in, it did get a bit too repetitive for me, and it was very long.
Jorge Ben Jor
4/5
vibey
Fats Domino
3/5
Fats! 35 top 40 singles in 8/9 years in the late 50s/early 60s. Amazing. Pleasant listen, hard to know just how fresh it was at the time but still sounds fun.
Rod Stewart
3/5
Rod Stewart is better and more interesting than I thought. Solid album of covers and some originals.
I saved Gasoline Alley, Country Comfort, and Jo's Lament.
He's not just a pop star, after all! Getting sick of rating these albums, I enjoyed it and may return.
Roxy Music
3/5
Expecting more with Eno tbh. Beauty Queen and Bogus Man were interesting. Not bad, but probably won't return
The Mothers Of Invention
2/5
Frank Zappa is a wild cunt
2*, fucking bizarre but entertaining at times.
Black Sabbath
4/5
Listening to Black bloody Sabbath and enjoying it, thoroughly? Who'd have guessed it.
Wheels of Confusion, Changes and Laguna Sunrise as my favourites.
Listened to this while walking along the Seine from Trocadero to Monnaie, odd choice for such a setting but it worked!
Public Enemy
3/5
Have been listening to a lot of hip-hop recently, and while I can appreciate the art, I found it to be less pleasing to listen to than most of the hip-hop I've listened to (including from this era).
Political message is interesting! But not as easy on the ear as the hip-hop I'm more familar with.
3.5 star rounded down
Thundercat
4/5
groovy, jazzy, funky, soul-y. Lovely stuff.
The Offspring
2/5
why so angry man? one song brought it up from 0, not bothered to remember which
Garbage
5/5
just garbage, man.
From the silent gaps on Supervixen to the distortions on Stupid Girl, and much in between, a very rewarding listen.
Milk is my favourite song. For some reason, I don't really like "only happy when it rains", despite it's popularity.
I remember seeing this album as a kid as my parents owned a CD, had never listened to it before though.
4.5 star and not pure perfection as the 5 star suggests, but nonetheless, a fantastic listen.
The Doors
4/5
Great listen, The Doors always hit the mark!
However, not as enjoyable as Strange Days nor their self-titled debut for me. Too bluesy.
Hyacinth House and Riders on the Storm were my favourite songs, with honourable mentions for Love Her Madly, Car Hiss by My Window and LA Woman.
Led Zeppelin
3/5
3.5 stars, not quite worthy of a four.
Love Led Zeppelin, and there are some interesting songs on this album, but overall it may be my least favourite of their albums.
Music seems quasi-directionless at times.
Decent listen nonetheless!
Hole
2/5
meh with a side of ok
Aerosmith
3/5
rock, but too much roll
Black Sabbath
4/5
i never would have listened to this album would it not have been for this list. Black Sabbath as a name scared me off. Glad I listened though, brilliant album.
Paranoid, Planet Caravan and Iron Man was quite the run of songs. Still a bit too heavy in parts for my personal tastes but good stuff!
Beatles
5/5
I used to be a Beatles-sceptic. This is the second time I listen to this album through. I am now starting to understand the hype for the Beatles (their earlier stuff was not at all to my tastes and seemed rather generic, but this is gold).
Can't decide between 4 and 5, I think it's exactly 4.5 star but I'll round up (with some hesitation)
Red Hot Chili Peppers
4/5
Listened to this on CD, as I thought I should have at least one Chili album in my collection, although I wasn't a big fan of their work. Wanted to give it another try, and wasn't disappointed. Brilliant listen.
The Band
3/5
Another good find! I'd give it a 3.6 but will round down to 3. Tears of Rage, Chest Fever and I shall be Released were my favourites.
Kate Bush
3/5
Knew the name, not the music. Cool album, probably won't be revisiting but was nice while it lasted.
Sensual World, The Fog, Never be Mine, This Woman's Work were my favourite songs. Did not expect Sensual World to be celtic!
Dolly Parton
5/5
WOW! Another artist I probably would have never listened to a full album from, had it not been for this list. What an incredibly pleasant listen. Comforting, to a level little music/art in general can reach.
The title song is beautiful. She has some voice.
Beatles
3/5
An inoffensive Beatles record. Fun listen.
If I Fell, Can't Buy Me Love, Things We Said Today, You Can't Do That were my favourites.
Absolute favourite was "And I Love Her", however. Fantastic song altogether.
Feck it, is this list driving me to liking The Beatles? (this was their first album that I found anything of note in)
Daft Punk
5/5
What a bloody album. Didn't expect to enjoy it so much, even as a house lover (thought house was best consumed in mixes or singles).
Listened to this walking around the mean streets of the 17th and 18th Arrondissements of Paris, stopping at a cool looking bar and just taking this album in in its home ground.
5*, without doubt.
Mike Oldfield
3/5
Some moments of beauty, interrupted by some odd sounding human-made sounds. Shame, in a way.
Also really stumped as to how this album reached such popularity - I know the movie contributed a lot, but still. In a way, nice to see people being so open to such an album!
Richard Thompson
3/5
Decent enough! Calvary Cross and Great Valerio were cool. Probably won't return much but pleasant while it lasted
Sister Sledge
4/5
disco funk brilliance from this philly sister group. Shoutout to the ever-groovy Nile Rodgers too.
easier to love was my favourite song, great bop.
Probably wouldn't have bothered with this album had it not been for this list!
R.E.M.
4/5
A very decent alternative rock album from the guys from Athens, Georgia. Following directly on from their wildly successful Out of Time, it was probably R.E.M.'s most productive writing time.
Was afraid that the non-singles on the album would not reach the heights of Everybody Hurts and Man on the Moon, but for the most part they delivered. Liked Star Me Kitten especially.
3.8 stars, rounded up!
Beatles
5/5
I finally get the Beatles hype. This website, and the persistent insistence of some (read one) friend, has brought me to the dark side.
Not sure whether this or Revolver is my favourite of theirs, but damn is it good. For 1969 too! Easy to hate the Beatles at a superficial level, but once you give them a chance, any music lover would have to take something from them.
Because and Sun King as my personal favourites (both Lennon), but shout out to Harrison's contributions too, very enjoyable.
I agreed with the rest of the Beatles' assessment of McCartney's Maxwell's Silver Hammer (not bad, but cheesy enough, didn't like.) I also agreed with Lennon that Mean Mr Mustard and Polythene Pam were "a bit of crap I wrote in India". But other than that, a top top album.
5*, a worthy milestone in music.
George Jones
3/5
Country, what a sound. All sounded the same to me ultimately, but it was pleasant enough background music. 2 star is a bit too low, so low 3 star for me!
Burning Spear
3/5
An interesting reggae album with punchy and important topics covered
Earth, Wind & Fire
3/5
funky soul brilliance. Not quite 4 star but 3 star is far too low too. 3.67 for me.
That's the Way of the World, All About Love (First Impressions), Reasons as the standouts for me.
EWF originated in Chicago, but on Spotify they're most listened to in Santiago, Chile and Mexico City, then Paris! Worldwide appeal.
Moby
4/5
A strong 4 from me. Absolute gem of an album. Moby may be the most uncool DJ of all time, but he makes (made?) some great music.
Malcolm McLaren
3/5
Don't understand all the hate for this album on here. What a great exploration of different genres from the Americas. And I mean, for all the hate over the appropriation of hip-hop by a British white dude, Eminem went and created one of his catchiest songs from one of said gringe hip-hop songs. Solid 3* from me, interesting listen.
The Velvet Underground
3/5
A bit odd. The Gift was oddly satisfying to listen to. Prefer their other stuff.
Jimmy Smith
4/5
What a fine jazz album. Easy but fun listening.
Kanye West
5/5
Thanks Taylor for the inspiration. You helped produce an album Kanye will probably never top.
Got this on CD at an Oxfam in Paris for €3, and was reminded about just how damn good the album is. The first Kanye album I can remember listening to as a kid. I've since put on this CD with friends over and we all agree - it's just hit after damn hit.
5* for me, no bad songs on the album. All of the Lights (interlude) as my absolute favourite for sheer beauty.
Well played, Mr West!
The Clash
4/5
A deserved classic. Favourite songs were:
London Calling
Spanish Bombs
The Card Cheat
Train in Vain (Stand by Me)
Making Elvis' iconic album cover even more iconic.
Jamiroquai
3/5
groovy, but missing something I can't quite put my hand on.
The Everly Brothers
4/5
A very pleasant listen. Can imagine my grandparents listening to this back in the early '60s.
Music from this era is often very hit or miss, but this album hit the spot. Their voices are like chocolate melting.
4*
Frank Zappa
3/5
Interesting listen from 1969
The Pogues
5/5
Shane MacGowan and the gang have produced a masterpiece here. Listened to it 3 times in a row.
A beautiful mix of traditional Irish with some world music and punk.
Always liked the Pogues but couldn't get through a full album with my previous music tastes. Now it flows like water.
A poetic look into the Irish diaspora experience.
5*
Derek & The Dominos
4/5
Derek & The Dominos. I know it's a double album, but still felt a bit too long. However, the music was damn fine. Clapton and co. at the top of their game.
Favourite songs:
Nobody knows you when you're down and out
I Am Yours
Little Wing
Layla (of course... second half was quite the adventure too)
Thorn Tree in the Garden
Bluesy wonders. High 3* for me (rounded up)
The Bees
4/5
Wow, what a revelation. Thought it would be yet another British album that was included on this list for less than impartial reasons, but I absolutely loved it.
What an interesting album!
Honestly saved more than half of it. Brilliant stuff, what a mix of genres. Reminded me of the Winnie the Pooh world and forests in rural Dublin/Wicklow.
Pere Ubu
2/5
Jaysus. Had just about enough to make it a high 1*, rounded up to 2*
The Style Council
2/5
Another cheap British white guys imitation of Black music. The author of this list certainly let his British biases shine through, and this is a prime example of this.
It wasn't even that bad until it got to the incredibly cringe "A Gospel".
I'm all for musicians taking styles from different peoples and bringing forward the art, but this is just a cheap imitation. Give me the original stuff that predates this by about 20/30 years.
Count Basie & His Orchestra
3/5
fun jazz record, still think I can only really appreciate the genre fully when it's performed live
Sarah Vaughan
4/5
brilliant
A Tribe Called Quest
3/5
Wanted to like this, and I appreciate the impact it had on hip-hop, but I just don't get as much out of this as expected. Far from my favourite style of hip-hop. Oh well!
The Flaming Lips
3/5
Some great songs, and some absolutely awful songs. Pt 1 is my favourite.
Todd Rundgren
3/5
A high 3* album. Great fun, and some nice hits. Made mostly by one fella who was sick of shitty session musicians. Awesome.
The Cars
4/5
Second half brought it up to 4 stars for me - Moving in Stereo in particular was a stand-out. Love The Cars, Heartbeat City is my favourite album but this is a fine beginning to their career too.
Boston, baby!
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Went for the UK version. Really enjoyed some songs, others not so much. Also wasn't as musically revolutionary as the wiki overview teased at. I guess it was the 60s though...
The Monkees
2/5
God no. Just felt fake. Turns out it is, to a certain extent. It's rare to get music that sounds so ok but is just annoying me the entire time. 1* would be my current preference but I know that's unfair.
Van Halen
2/5
basic-sounding rock, boring enough. Jump is great though. Just not a big fan of this era/pop rock
Incubus
3/5
Red Hot Chilli Peppers do metal. Not the biggest fan of the genre tbh, can't stand guitars making the noises they do in metal.
However, this had a few songs that were quite nice actually. The Warmth and Drive were saved. I Miss You is okay too.
I'd give it 58/100, I'll give it a (low) 3* so
Rush
2/5
When prog rock is good, it's great. When it misses, it makes me cry. This is in the latter camp unfortunately. Will not remember one song from this album. Last part, after the 10min wander, was decent though. A 2* that is unfair but displays my disappointment.
Steely Dan
5/5
Absolutely awesome. If you find a better six songs to launch a debut album, I need to find out more (john.cena@gmail.com).
Listened to this for the first time in an incredible seaside town in Western Italy this summer. Blue skies, blue sea, beautiful women, blissful scenes. The perfect music to accompany it.
Have yet to find a Steely Dan album that gets close to this masterpiece.
Eurythmics
3/5
Another one of the Kraftwerk-influenced UK synth-pop groups. Nice combo.
Love is a Stranger and Sweet Dreams as favourites. Nothing too innovative here but easy to listen to.
The Darkness
2/5
I believe in a thing called Love was a great throwback. The rest was better than expected, given my disdain for harder rock. Falsetto was cool, to a point. 3* is a bit too high, so high 2* instead.
Everything But The Girl
2/5
boringggggggggggggggg
Norah Jones
4/5
Very mellow, but interesting for an easy-listening piece.
Reminds me of the Wicklow Mountains and my father, who loves this album.
Recorded in NYC by an Indian-American!
Yes
3/5
Roundabout was a fantastic start to the album. The rest didn't quite live up to this high standard. I'm a fan of Yes, but this isn't their best album for me. Liked mood for a day too.
Can we also just appreciate how damn annoying Spotify is with these older albums? The only version I could find was the super deluxe version, which is 4 hours long! The original was 41mins. I wish Spotify would try to include the original too (I know it's an issue with digital remastering and the like, and remastered versions usually adding additional content, but still)
Dusty Springfield
3/5
pleasant old-school listening. Can imagine my grandparents listening to this back in the day
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
5/5
Absolute brilliance. Reminds me of my travels in Latinoamérica, and makes me want to book another trip there right away.
Salsa can sometimes lose my interest after 20mins or so, but this was awesome, varied, fun, groovy, sexy.
10/10. Two legends of the game.
Péru, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, and the rest to come!
Elbow
5/5
Remember seeing Elbow on the Brits, probably around 2008, as a 10 year old. First reaction was anger -- why are they wasting time on such a band, and especially one that is called Elbow?
Over time, they grew on me though. One Day Like This was a large reason why for many years. Especially hearing it in the BBC Children in Need Medley. Epic stuff.
In recent years, apart from One Day Like This, I largely ignored Elbow. I had never listened to this album in full. What a damn treat!
Can hear the Radiohead influences, especially early in the album. Also Genesis, as they mentioned also themselves. But they bring something unique that I cannot quite put my finger on too.
Saved most of the songs, absolutely flawless stuff.
A very easy and very solid 5* album. Will be revisiting a lot.
p.s., completely produced, performed and written by themselves, bar the feature of Richard Hawley in one song.
"Throw those curtains wide
One day like this a year will see me right (for life)"
Amy Winehouse
4/5
Amy Winehouse x Marc Ronson record of absolute class. Cannot fault this one at all, the aesthetic is masterfully crafted.
Grew up listening to this one too, thanks to my mother. Brings me right back! A very high 4* for me.
Alice In Chains
3/5
Grateful to be finally listening to some metal, that odd genre that is beloved by many. Usually I run as far away as I can from anything that even hints at being metal, but this album is decent (although the songs I like are less heavy lol)
Down in A Hole
Rooster
are great!
Low 3*, 2.6 would be more accurate.
Fatboy Slim
2/5
Even as a big electronic music fan, this misses the mark somewhat. Starts strong but fades into little.
I may be mad, but I just don't get the Fatboy Slim appeal overall, personally!
T. Rex
4/5
Interesting listen. Few songs later on that were a bit meh to me, but the good stuff is very good. 76/100, low 4*.
Cosmic Dancer as favourite.
Curtis Mayfield
5/5
Wow oh wow. Silky damn smooth. What a find. Every damn song is an absolute hit.
Little Child Runnin' Wild
Freddie's Dead
Give Me Your Love (Love Song)
Eddie You Should Know Better
No Thing On Me (Cocaine Song)
as absolute favourites, the entire thing is fucking awesome. Will be keeping this for occasional playing for the rest of my life!
Joy Division
3/5
Some good hits, and I should love it, but something about it just misses the mark for me.
First listening to it on an airport bus in Pisa, Italy probably didn't help. High 3*
Manu Chao
4/5
It's Manu Chao baby. The man almost deserves a 5* for the first five songs alone, but gets a bit boring in the middle unfortunately. Spikes up in the end again.
Everyone's favourite FrenchxSpanishxEnglish musician!
Great latin vibes.
Queen
3/5
3* overall, including a 5* song and some other interesting moments.
The Youngbloods
3/5
Fun but nothing to write home about. As good an example of a 3* you're likely to find. Right in the middle.
The xx
4/5
An album from my mid to late teenage years. Was certainly an "in" style for a while. Reminds me of the like of City of the Sun and London Grammar.
"Intro", although heavily used in many different media, is an almost epic song to start the album. The rest of the album mostly delivers on the promise of this song.
Islands, Heart Skipped A Beat, Fantasy and Night Time as my favourite of the rest.
Gets a bit tired by the end, so 4* seems to be the fairest. Good ol' Jamie XX on the production and electronic stuff. Nice!
Oasis
4/5
Oasis may not have reinvented the circle, but they made the circle sound pretty good.
Although Liam is some arsehole, and I can't really like them that much... the music shines through.
I can see how it appeals to the audience it appeals to. Everyone needs art they can relate to.
Columbia as my favourite of the album. Solid stuff.
Richard Hawley
3/5
I wanted to dislike it, but shut up and take my damn money. Almost gave it 4* in the end.
Very mellow listening, in a good way.
Joe Ely
2/5
Just country music to me. Fairly inoffensive, but not my style.
Astor Piazzolla
3/5
Not sure what tango is still, even after staying a month in Argentina. Clearly fantastic musicians, but think it'd best been seen live. Also not sure how one would dance to this, but what do I know?
A Tribe Called Quest
5/5
I've been listening to a lot of music, of all types and forms, in the last few months. Between this list, RYM, and recommendations from friends, there's no shortage of wonderful music. I'm starting to realise that my music taste is evolving and I'm slowly starting to appreciate music that I hadn't before.
This album is one of them. In the past, I would have struggled to get through the entire thing. Now, I'm looking forward to going through A Tribe Called Quest's discography afresh. Will they ever reach the near-perfection of this debut album? I doubt it honestly. But hopefully I'm wrong. Awesome stuff.
Also learnt that Lou Reed was a bit of an arsehole, only clearing the Kick It sample in return for 100% of the royalties from the song. Oh well!
Cream
3/5
Disraeli what? Cream who? World of Pain is the answer to all. High 3* again. Getting a lot of these recently - closer to 75/100 though, but not quite 4*
Missy Elliott
4/5
Had somewhat low expectations going into this, but was pleasantly surprised. Missy has some skill, and Timbaland is fire on production as he often is.
Bring the Pain, Gossip Folks, Work it, Pussycat as my highlights.
Interesting to get the perspective of a female hip-hop artist from 2002. Overall, interesting lyrics and chatter throughout. Solid stuff!
Holger Czukay
3/5
Very interesting listen. Probably will not return to it, but cool while it lasted.
Portishead
3/5
Not as good as Dummy, and probably not needed in here as well as Dummy, but still an interesting listening from Portishead. High 3*, The Rip is fantastic. Machine Gun very cool too.
David Bowie
4/5
Word on a Wing, Wild is the Wind.
Rest is pretty great too.
Green Day
2/5
Big fan of American Idiot. Had never listened to this album before. Will probably never again (or will to see just what the hell I am missing). Didn't do anything for me. Very disappointing.
Important at its time but not for me.
Lambchop
2/5
meh with some eyyyyy
Ella Fitzgerald
4/5
Mellow, easy listening for 3+ hours from a woman who has a voice of silk
Air
3/5
Does Lisbon refer to the city or a family? Are the Lisbon Girls from Lisbon, POrtUgal, or the Lisbon family. Who knows. Great listen. High 3* (73/100)
Michael Kiwanuka
4/5
Not fully sure why this is on the list, but definitely a pleasant surprise. Kiwanuka has a great voice, instruments are awesome, and production by Danger Mouse was top. Easy 4*
5/5
Populist masterclass. And who am I to judge? Noel is some musician. Liam is some bollocks but can sing a damn tune. Fucking brilliant.
Listened to this on the quais of the Seine, a little drunk after having two shitty French beers. Felt like an absolute madlad, playing the air drums, air guitar, and singing in Liam's odd stance. Champagne Supernova ended when I was on Pont Neuf, looking at the Louvre. I saluted the place, while paying my respect to this fine piece of art
N.E.R.D
2/5
What a disappointment, given the musical talent making up N.E.R.D. Didn't resonate with me. High 2*.
R.E.M.
3/5
Not R.E.M.'s finest work, and reminded me of why I didn't always like them in the first place.
Frank Black
2/5
This is an album I didn't need to hear before I die.
2* as more boring than anything else.
Rage Against The Machine
4/5
This shouldn't have been an album I enjoyed. I have disliked this sort of music as long as I can remember. But something about this particular work clicked for me.
The contrast of (at times) beautiful instrumentation and the roughness of the, we could say, loud singing, is actually very cool.
Maybe I was in a more angry mood than i thought i was in today, but this was quite the listen.
Fuck the world, inter alia.
The Rolling Stones
2/5
Cowboy Music, or Everyone's Favourite American (yet somehow British) Band. Didn't do much for me.
Sade
3/5
Usually a big fan of Sade (which I just found out was a band), but this, while undoubtedly silky smooth, was a little too monotonous for an extended listen. Love Deluxe is my preferred output from them.
The Damned
2/5
so many people are weak and then have to
seek answers from pedlars of hope.
**
Although the content and message of these lyrics could be debated, they are interesting enough to bring it up from a one star.
Apparently this band influenced the Goth sub-culture too...
Has not dated well.
The Hives
1/5
Why the actual fuck is this on this list?
The Strokes
4/5
indie people annoy me but this album's class cannot be denied
Jack White
3/5
Remember seeing this album cover a lot when I was younger. Finally listened in full. Not a bad listen, but nothing overly interesting for me either. 3*.
On and On and On was my favourite.
Primal Scream
4/5
I thought this would be, naturally, a lot of screaming and shouting. Turned out to be one of the most interesting albums on this list.
Love the idea of a rock/indie band taking on board a DJ that had never produced in a studio before, and they come up with this.
Brilliant stuff, high 4* for me.
Slint
3/5
Listened to this on a 787 from Paris CDG to New York's JFK. Washer and Good Morning Captain are my favourite songs on the album. Missing a little something, but glad to give it a listen again.
Album cover is great too.
Tracy Chapman
3/5
Easy listening with some interesting and thought-provoking lyrics. Got a bit tired by the end, even though it is a relatively short album.
First two songs are world-class.
Portishead
5/5
Brilliant. Trip Hop is an interesting genre for me, and this album is arguably its finest example.
Hesitated between 4 and 5*, but listening to it on CD with a proper sound system puts it to 5 for me. Sounded absolutely incredible.
Fugees
5/5
Top top top.
Deservedly known as one of the best in hip-hop. Wyclef Jean, Pras Michel, and (especially) Lauryn Hill created quite the art here. I would argue it's the latter's best work too.
Manifest/Outro is my favourite here. Incredible.
Bought on CD recently too!
P.s., did you know Fugees is a shortening of Refugees? I certainly didn't.
Lucinda Williams
3/5
Pleasant, but not overly special. Love the album cover though. Kind of summarises this music well - cosy, but nothing out of the ordinary.
2/5
nicht pour mise, go raibh (maith agat)
Lou Reed
3/5
Interesting album from Lou Reed that I hadn't come across before. Some really great songs, such as Berlin, Caroline Says II and Sad Song, but I lost interest somewhat for the rest.
High 3*. Drugs!
Radiohead
4/5
not bad for some b-sides. 72/100
Beatles
3/5
Some gems, but incoherent overall. A bit of a chore to get through, but there's no denying the creativity. I had to put down everything and double check it was the Beatles when that heavy rock song came on, for example.
3* for overall experience (4* for innovation and creativeness, the drugs must have been great)
Willie Nelson
4/5
A lovely country album about a stranger with ginger hair.
Steely Dan
4/5
Jazz rock, nice listen but a much bigger fan of Can't Buy A Thrill.
At times, this seems like it's not going anywhere.
75/100, so low 4*
Marty Robbins
4/5
Really don't know Country well at all. Glad this list is showing me the way.
Marty Robbins, a man who released 52 studio albums in his 57 years on this earth, provides an interesting listen.
Big Iron and El Paso are deservedly classics. El Paso is very Spanish sounding, can really hear the influences of a range of music backgrounds. Hadn't made the connection between Country and Mexican, Hawaiin, even Irish music before. Country may be more musically interesting than I had previously thought.
Cool Water, Strawberry Roan, Little Green Valley were also memorable.
Definitely still have to be in the right mood for an album like this, but after ignoring it yesterday, I'm glad I gave it a try today. Going on a country exploration now - my favourite part of this list, inspiring musical rabbit holes.
Run-D.M.C.
3/5
Hip-Hop making it to the mainstream. Lots of history in this one. Also learnt that Run is a practising religious minister.
Some hits, but somewhat naturally, as pioneers, their sound now feels a bit dated. Absolute respect for what they did for hip-hop in general, and the foundations they laid, but better was to follow.
Found it interesting to contrast the subject matter of the lyrics to what hip-hop became after. This - in a refreshing way - was quite tame.
5* to respect its influence, 3* listening experience.
The Band
2/5
as boring as the album and artist titles suggest.
George Michael
5/5
Funky pop that hits way harder than I expected. 4.5, rounded up.
Not a skippable song on the album, and many gems.
Wow!
Q-Tip
3/5
Solid album, but somehow disappointed - expected somewhat more from the "lead" of Tribe.
WeFight/WeLove, Move, Believe and Shaka are gems, but rest is a bit of a let down for me!
Keith Jarrett
4/5
Very pleasant piano concert. A lot more interesting than other piano sets I've come across. Nice!
Funkadelic
4/5
Maggot Brain (song) alone is one of the finest songs I've listened to. The mix of the simple riff with some of the finest guitar playing I've heard makes for epicness.
Honestly, I think they should have just made that song 30 minutes and this would have been a 5* album.
The rest of the songs are fun but not at the same level. Can You Get To That being my second choice. 4*
Listened to this on the Champs-Elysees after my class at Petit Palais was cancelled. Walked all the way up, and after switched on some Isley Brothers. Arc and all!
Louis Prima
3/5
Brought me back to the 1950s alright! Fun listen. Italian-American sounds.
John Martyn
3/5
Fun listen, probably won't return. Interesting back story too.
One World and Small Hours were highlights.
Coldplay
5/5
A very meaningful album to me. Has been with me most of my life. Many memories listening to this.
Music is very good too. Clocks (glad they delayed the release to include it) and The Scientist are amazing, but I wouldn't skip a song.
Lots of hate for Coldplay, but back then, they were on top of their form, and made great sounding music.
My Bloody Valentine
4/5
Why this is one of the top rated albums on Rate Your Music has always been beyond me. Indeed, it's the exact ranking that reminds you that the people using that website are not really representative of music consumers more generally.
That being said, as much as I wanted to dislike this album, it's a great listen. Didn't understand a word they said, but I guess that's the point.
Also, Kevin Shields is a Cabo lad, so has to get some credit for that (g'wan Ireland...)
when you sleep, come in alone, soon
are my favourites.
Supergrass
4/5
Album cover was familiar, didn't know much going in though. First few songs were interesting, then "Alright" came on - what a song. Lose It, She's so Loose, Time, Sofa (Of My Lethargy) and Time to Go are other songs I enjoyed.
I'd give the album 71/100, which I'd round up to 4*
Charles Mingus
3/5
Pleasant jazz
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
Cool enough listen. Stars are Stars and Rescue as take aways.
Public Enemy
4/5
wow! Haven't fully enjoyed other albums of Public Enemy I've listened to, but this was brilliant.
Lyrics were very interesting and offered an insight into 90s America for Black men. Production and beats were very cool too.
I'm currently making my way through Malcolm X's autobiography, and this album is in a similar zone to that.
Lost at Birth, Can't Truss it, How to Kill a Radio Consultant, Move, More News at 11, Shut 'em Down. Brilliant stuff.
Special mention to 1 Million Bottlebags for its interesting social commentary.
I finally "get" Public Enemy.
Duke Ellington
3/5
Interesting concert, listened to the original version.
Thin Lizzy
4/5
Fantastic "live" album from Thin Lizzy. Special mention for Still in Love with You, an absolute masterpiece. Song came on just as I was passing the Palais de Tokyo in Paris, the contemporary art mixed with such a song are a scene I will always remember.
Dragged on a bit for me in the end, but overall great.
Finished at the Louvre.
Paul Simon
3/5
Folk Rock, middle of the road. Fine, won't return
Radiohead
5/5
Truly lives up to the hype. Had not listened to this in full for a long time, and never fully appreciated just how great it is. I remember listening to numerous songs from this album via the soundtrack of season 1 of Westworld (didn't bother with future seasons, S1 gave me everything I wanted), it became a part of my soul then somehow.
Song-by-song
I used to not like Airbag as an opener, how off was I? When it started playing yesterday on my earphones, I realised that I'd have to move to my home speakers to give the album justice. What an opener!
Parnoid Android is one I had saved for a long time, before I even listened to full Radiohead albums. The weirdly distorted guitars make for quite the listen.
Subterranean Homesick Alien kind of reminds me of Coldplay at their best, or perhaps better put: Coldplay if they had gone down a different route. Guess that opinion is rather personal though.
Exit Music is one of the most beautful songs I've come across.
Let Down is the most emotional one on here for me, the overall vibe is just so sad and dystopian.
Karma Police is one I had played off-album quite a bit before, but holds up very well still, even after countless listens.
Fittier Happier is the only song I didn't save from the album, and could be seen as a lull, but I think it adds to the aesthetic and atmosphere of the album in a way that fully warrants its inclusion.
Electioneering is one I hadn't saved before but grew on me with this listen. Sounds like Radiohead doing 2000s indie/Britpop, but I guess this came before that time so may have influenced what came after. Good bop.
Climbing Up The Walls - damn, I overlooked this song in the past. The drums in the introduction hit damn hard. That little "ding-ding" that interactions with it is wonderful too. Perhaps one of my favourites from the album after these listens.
No Surprises is of course another one I had listened to many a time before, to the point that I think I am over-exposed to it at this point. Can remember I was blown away the first time I listened to it though.
Lucky just sounds so damn good. One of my favourites from the album as well.
"Pull me out of the air crash
Pull me out of the lake
'Cause I'm your superhero
We are standing on the edge"
The Tourist is a beautiful way to finish.
Honestly listened to it about 4 times in full yesterday, and will probably go and buy the CD this week.
A true masterpiece. 5*
Talking Heads
2/5
Wow, David Bryne's voice is fucking grating at times man... album did nothing for me. Better came from Talking Heads after (if I remember correctly)
Basement Jaxx
3/5
The singles are interesting, the rest not so much. Chill listen, probably won't return.
Made for a slightly upmarket Ibiza dancefloor.
Sex Pistols
4/5
immaculate energy drives this album home. Can't believe I've finally listened to the Sex Pistols, I almost felt I wasn't allowed...
Reading their story was interesting, to say the least too. Interesting that John Lydon was born to Irish parents but considered himself British, amongst many other things.
A band that thrived off the controversy that brought them to the forefront. Damn did they do that well. Of course, they didn't last very long, but they never were going to.
Anyways, how the hell do you review an album like this? 4*? 3*? 2*? Difficult one...
Lynyrd Skynyrd
3/5
Seymour Skinner produces some decent rock.
Nirvana
5/5
Wow, what a performance. Didn't really like any full Nirvana album before, too grunge for my tastes. But this is a simple masterpiece. There's not a song I would consider skipping - and that "where did you sleep last night" performance! Wow.
An entirely unexpected 5* for me. Reminds me of why I'm following this list - trying albums I otherwise wouldn't!
OutKast
5/5
Big Boi and Andre 3000's break-up record. 2 separate albums lumped in to one because Outkast were one of the biggest acts at that time, and the name sold. And boy did it sell, still in the top 3 selling Hip Hop albums of all time.
Big Boi's album is by far his best solo work. GhettoMusick is a banger, Bowtie & The Way You move likewise. War, Church are interesting. Flip Flop Rock is great, although almost ruined by Jay Z being an arsehole as he tends to be.
Overall, a strong Southern hip-hop album following on somewhat naturally form Outkast's previous releases (but never quite reaching the level of the first 3 albums in particular for me). Probably a 4.25* album for me.
Andre 3000's album is truly iconic - this came out in 2003! Easy to see the influence it had on artists like Frank Ocean, Tyler the Creator to name but a few.
Happy Valentine's Day, Spread are great. Where are my panties is actually a fairly entertaining dialogue. Prototype is strong effort, Hey Ya is one of the greatest songs out there, Roses is cool albeit a bit grating.
The run from Behold a Lady to Love in War (passing by Pink & Blue) is pure brilliance. Dracula's Wedding is nice too, as is the cover of My Favourite things.
Take Off Your Cool is truly beautiful. Has been on repeat since I first listened to the album a month ago. Vibrate is a good listen on the topic of masturbation (I think...). Overall, André 3000 channels his heartbreaks and experiences in love into an amazing record about love.
Probably 4.5* for me.
Overall, I am going to give a 5*. In 2h15m of music, there really is a level of consistency that would be hard to find on any other hip-hop album. In a way, this was the perfect way for Outkast to end - quit, while you are ahead.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
5/5
Saw Neil Young, thought "here we go, another Young album I have to get through". Really wasn't looking forward to it, was not in the mood.
Turns out to be my favourite Neil Young album thus far, and an absolutely beautiful record. Every song is great. Crazy Horse bring a lot to the table.
Wow! That's why I love this 1001 albums process so much. You are forced to listen to albums you otherwise wouldn't.
Pretenders
4/5
Space Invader and Private Life - amazing. Brass in Pocket, Up the Neck - solid. Some less interesting songs, but nice listen overall.
71/100, will round up to 4*
Foo Fighters
3/5
Fair play to the man for doing this all alone, for fun, post-Nirvana. Some saves too:
This Is a Call
Good Grief
Exhausted
Sly & The Family Stone
4/5
Funky stuff. Sly and band are quite the musicians.
Saved:
Africa Talks to You ("The Asphalt Jungle")
(You caught me) Smilin'
Time
Spaced Cowboy
Runnin' Away
I have to listen to Peter fucking Gabriel after this. Lucky me.
Peter Gabriel
3/5
Wasn't in the mood for the 80s yesterday. Turned off after one song. Was going to leave it at that and give it an exaggerated 1*. However, listened to it in full today and enjoyed it. Easy-listening, probably won't return unless I am in a very specific situation (that I don't best want to see myself in). Mercy Street was great.
Adam & The Ants
3/5
Better than expected. Los Rancheros and Killer in the Home were highlights for me. Fun!
ABBA
5/5
Probably the best pop album of all time, and hard to forget the sheer impact it had on pop culture more generally. And beyond that, it's a great listen for the most part.
Dancing Queen (!), My Love My Life, Knowing Me, That's Me, What Did it Have to be Me, Arrival, Fernando, Happy Hawaii!
Mamma Mia and people paying top dollar to see their hologram in London, to name but a few of their enduring influences.
5*
Joni Mitchell
2/5
truly one of the most boring albums I've ever listened to
John Martyn
3/5
May You Never has been deeply entrenched in my soul for my entire life, not entirely sure why. I think it used to be played on the radio in Ireland a bit.
Rest of the album is chill, chill, chill. 3.5 stars but I'll round down.
Simple Minds
3/5
Fun pop from the 80s. Definitely sounds of the era. Somebody Up There Likes You (instrumental) and King is White and In the Crowd were my favourites.
Baaba Maal
3/5
Happy to have listened to this album which is out of my comfort zone. Hard to rate really, but appreciated it being here, and found it to be an interesting listen.
Some great music coming out of Senegal. Makes me wonder number of lost musicians there are in Senegal and the African continent.
Fiona Apple
3/5
My first full Fiona Apple album. The songs were all rather long and it became a bit of a chore by the end with no respite, but some gems to be found too.
Sullen Girl and Tastes Like Honey were my favourite songs.
Overall, interesting accompaniment for the most part, and Fiona Apple's attitude added a bit to the performance.
High 3*, probably 6.8/10
Guns N' Roses
3/5
3* for Sweet Child O' Mine (basic, I know). The rest is a bit too hard for my tastes (apart from Jungle and Paradise City).
Was interesting reading the history of the album on wiki (iconic album cover was not supposed to be the album cover, for one...)
Soul II Soul
4/5
Yet another British entry to the list, was expecting to be disappointed. However, although it probably doesn't deserve to be on this list, it is a fun listen.
Keep On Movin', Back to Life (Original and Popular Mix), Jazzie's Groove (Piano Version) all great.
Good vibes overall. A low 4*, enjoyable but not groundbreaking.
Sepultura
1/5
Instrumentation was actually pretty good, but it seems I'll never get used to the singing style of death metal.
More a review for the entire genre than this album in particular, as I think these Brazilian fellas are far from being bad musicians.
Will never understand how this music is so (relatively) popular. Made it to song 5.
Barry Adamson
2/5
almost threw up during the first song. Something Wicked This Way Comes was cool though. Rest was a bit odd. High 2*, 58/100
Bob Marley & The Wailers
5/5
Bob Marley and The Wailers at their finest, man.
Cyndi Lauper
3/5
Sounds like the 80s. I enjoyed it more than imagined. Some great covers in here (including Girls, didn't know that was a cover!), and some interesting co-written songs. Kind of got bored by the end but overall a fun listen
Les Rythmes Digitales
2/5
Started out interesting, ended interestingly, but a lot of duds.
Stuart Price was born to Readingers holidaying in Paris and seemed to have quite the attachment to French culture after, hence the creation of a faux French dance album I guess.
Best to stick to the producing and muscial direction, as he did.
Ravi Shankar
3/5
Reminds me that placing a numerical value on music is all relative - how an album or song compares to the area of music it is talking to.
Thus, it is silly placing a value on this, for which I have no reference point.
Really enjoyed listening to new music though, and appreciated the explanation of the music throughout. I'll give an arbitrary 3*, glad to have listened and happy it was on this list.
Miriam Makeba
4/5
Music to my ears.
Low 4*, very pleasant listen.
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
Thought it would be a bore, but came away pleasantly surprised. Great listen, will return. Saved most of the songs on the album.
My favourite S&G listen thus far.
4/5
Great stuff altogether. Five Years is a masterpiece. However, for me it kind of loses slight interest by the end. 4.5*
N.W.A.
4/5
A classic of hip hop. Production top notch. Beats are cool. Rapping decent, glad to revisit.
Orbital
5/5
Simply one of the best electronic albums of all time.
Don't usually do this, but it deserves 5* for Halycon + On + On alone. Rest of the album is brilliant too though.
Walk Now's British traffic light pedestrian crossing sample was damn cool. Lush 3.1 was amazing too.
+ On + On + On. Input Out.
Brian Eno
3/5
Was expecting ambient electronic, got some Roxy-esque art rock. Not bad at all, what a musical mind. 7/10, rounded down. Hate this 5-point scale at times. Too little room for nuances.
Blur
4/5
Brilliant early Gorillaz album. No cartoons though. Some classic hits and the rest - which I hadn't heard before - is pretty great too. 75/100, rounded up to 4*.
Jeff Buckley
4/5
Brilliant stuff. Mojo Pin, Hallelujah, Lover and Forget Her are brilliant songs. Some songs were less interesting to me.
Album was first recommended to me in Porto Venere in Italy, not sure I listened to it then but reminds me of there.
Hard to rate, but I'd say 4.6/5, not quite worthy of rounding up to the perfect 5.
Goldfrapp
3/5
Interesting trip-hop like album. Lovely Head and Pilots as my favourites. Missing something compared to the best trip-hop albums though.
B.B. King
4/5
Will probably appreciate this more on multiple listens. Pleasant - running out of adjectives to describe music with after 250 albums lol.
High 70s, rounded up, although I couldn't pick one song out as a particular highlight. Read as one.
DJ Shadow
5/5
So glad to be able to re-listen to this after a while on the side (although Midnight In A Perfect World was on regular repeat in the meantime). Absolutely deserves to be considered one of the pinnacles of instrumental hip-hop. Not a weak song on the album.
Really brings hip-hop to the next level in a way, it's an album that should be able to convey to even the most hip-hop sceptical person the musical credentials of the genre.
5 STAR!
(Highlights are #2, #4, #6, #8, #13, #14, #15)
Sonic Youth
2/5
Not for me. Just a bit odd, idk
Blur
3/5
Some interesting, Gorillaz-like songs, but overall falls a bit short compared to Parklife, the other Blur album I've listened to from this list. 13, if I remember correctly, may have been better too.
Still, Song 2, Death of a Party, Strange News from Another Star and Essex Dogs were great. 3.65*, rounded down.
Dr. Dre
4/5
First side is 5*, some of the best hip-hop I've listened to. B-side was a bit of a letdown, 3* max. Shame, it was going so well.
4* overall.
Listened to at Chateau d'Eau in Paris, a "dive bar" to beat them all. Simple but effective. BYO music, food and cheap beer provided. Good place to catch up on the WhatsApps. Anyway, I digress.
Pink Floyd
5/5
One of the greatest. All top class sounds. Pure brilliance. May even be better than Dark Side in some ways, although I'll always love that more.
They really are the finest prog rock stars of all time
Happy Mondays
3/5
I expected a lot more when I saw it was psychedelic funk. Got better as the album went on though, some saves.
3/5
A Brazilian flavoured electronic album was not something I asked for. But interesting (and easy) listen in the end. Nice background music (not in a bad way).
Suba is also an interesting fella. Leaving Serbia for Brazil with a UNESCO scholarship, embracing the culture and art, and then unfortunately dying in a fire in Sao Paolo just after this was released. He left behind a nice tribute to Brazil and electronic music.
High 3*
The Police
3/5
Some great hits. Still find it odd hearing a white dude sing in a reggae style though. Nice that all music can be tried by all, but just rubs me the wrong way sometimes. Overall, will just return to the singles.
The Waterboys
4/5
What a revelation. A wonderful mix of Irish trad and rock elements, with a very different sound to the Pogues, the other leaders in this domain.
Listened to while cleaning the apartment and went out to try to buy it straight away. Despite the website saying they had it, and my best efforts to make it across Paris with superhuman speed, turns out the FNAC did not have it.
Only returned to a month later or so. Still sounds great, but not quite the 5* listen I thought the first time. High 4*, will be returning many a-time (these ratings are just an indication of one's appreciation, you know...)
The Undertones
3/5
Took me until the last song to figure out the lads were from Derry. Very 80s, not my cup of tea, but some humourous and interesting lyrics. Low 3*
Aretha Franklin
4/5
Some performer, pleasant listen. Hard to rate in a way. 75/100 rounded up.
Michael Jackson
5/5
Disco, pop, funk, soul, R&B - a great coming together of different sounds.
The best pop album of all time, and in my humble opinion Michael Jackson's best - I'd pick this over Thriller in a heartbeat.
Shout-out to Quincy Jones too who undoubtedly brought a lot to the album.
The Chemical Brothers
3/5
Classic 90s electronic. Alive Alone was great stuff altogether. Decent listen, probably won't return but may check out more of Chemical Brothers' discography.
Blondie
4/5
Classy stuff. Few duds in the middle but overall great new wave. One Way or Another is an obvious classic, as is Heart of Glass. Fade Away and Radiate and Pretty Baby are also nice.
Sounds like the 80s, even though released in the late 70s.
Low 4*
Brian Wilson
3/5
Heroes and Villains was great. The rest was very pleasant. Interesting to hear the history of the album! Look forward to listening to some Beach Boys albums when they inevitably come up here!
Radiohead
5/5
When those first few notes of Everything in its Right Place played, I knew I was in for quite the treat.
Difficult to choose which of Kid A or OK Computer I would take to a desert island with me. Both are amongst the best albums I've heard (and in both cases, I went in thinking that there was no way Radiohead could live up to the almost mad hype that surrounds them). Thankfully, I don't live on a desert island and don't plan on moving to one where I'd have to choose between these two. I can listen to both 5* albums for the rest of my days.
That fills me with joy.
In a move reminimisent of bygone days, I actually went out to a media store (FNAC, Paris) just to buy this album. Had to try a few places before finding Kid A without Amnesiac. A great feeling when I finally found it and went home to listen to. Like going to the cinema to see the classics, this was fitting for such an album. Helped me savor this album for what it is (without new music playing immediately on its ending, as with popular streaming services...)
Public Enemy
3/5
Hasn't dated as well as Apocalypse 91 in my opinion. Some good tunes nonetheless, and I appreciate the political messaging.
Neil Young
4/5
I went on a mad Neil Young listening spree there about 2 months ago. I would put this album in the upper-middle category of Young's music, but not quite at the level of Everybody Knows, Harvest, Gold Rush, Zuma.
Still, it's Neil Young, great stuff.
Borrowed Tune, Roll Another Number, Albuquerque as my favourite.
Duran Duran
4/5
Very 80s. Very British. Liked on first listen, was annoyed somewhat listening this time, but may have something to do with missing the opening hours of Gilbert Jaune Musique in Paris (or rather making it but being thrown out in shame after 10mins). Anyway, shows the effect of mood on one's perception of music.
Save A Prayer and The Chauffeur reminded me of the utter brilliance of the album though, if the others had failed...
4*, take my fucking money and all that...
Robert Wyatt
3/5
Interesting instrumentation, interesting backstory, but I found the vocals to be a bit grating and - given the quality of the instrumental parts - a bit unnecessary (although I know he had a lot to say).
2* vocals, 4* instrumentation, low 3* overall
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
The issue with this site is that I am always reluctant to give a 5* but I need to distinguish this with other albums I've given a (low) 4*. This is a fantastic album for me and really lived up to the mad hype that surrounds it, despite my reservations. But it's not quite 5*. So let's think of this 4* as a 4.5* rounded down. Cruel, but these sort of tough decisions are inevitable on a 5-point scale.
The Boxer is a song that we did in choir in primary school, never consciously knew who it was by. Lovely surprise on listening, amazing throwback.
Fun to read the history of the album's creation too!
Beck
4/5
What an experimental journey. Loved most of it. An interesting blend of genres, even in the one song.
Saw Beck live in L'Olympia Paris a few summers ago, only getting to listen to a full album now. Got the tickets for free from my boss at the time. Brought the Peruvian fella. Good stuff, and an album I'll definitely return to (even if Beck's voice is a bit annoying)
Listened to at Irish Pub by Hotel de Ville and on the way back, on a lovely summer's eve.
The Blue Nile
4/5
Interesting album. Exceeded (low) expectations. The bass in the first song is very funky. Quite a few sounds here too. Happy to come across this on the 1001 journey!
75/100, rounded up.
The Jam
3/5
Eddie Vedder sounded a bit different back then
4/5
An interesting prog rock album from 70s England. Some great moments, but overall not my favourite from the era. Great album cover though, and always nice to hear some progressive rock!
High 3* rounded up. 3 seems a bit too low.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
3/5
Interesting listen, a bit dark for a summer afternoon in July. Can definitely see how it influenced things to come.
Muddy Waters
2/5
Hypocritical to give this a 2* and Elvis' first album 5*? Yes.
But fuck it, not in the mood for tutti frutti shite today. Sorry.
Pentangle
2/5
Sounds like an album that was prepared for the Earl of Livingstone in 1633.
Usually like Medieval stuff but this falls flat.
Miles Davis
5/5
"music is the greatest of the arts for me because it cuts through everything, needs no aids. it is. it simply is. and in contemporary music miles defines the terms. that's all. it's his turf." ~ Ralph J. Gleason, liner notes.
How can you rate an album like this? It's like rating a Dali or Picasso painting. Although not the easiest listen - indeed, quite a challenge at times - I recognise geniuses at work. I will spend my life figuring out why this is such a special work.
5* (listened to on CD which I picked up in Book Off in Tokyo, Japan).
4/5
Has grown on me overtime. Easy to forget it was released in 1967! Of course, it must have sounded groundbreaking in its day. I think now it suffers from sounding less unique, which is a bit unfair as it probably had much influence on a lot of music which was to follow.
On first listen, with C on a trip to Paris about a year ago, I'd have barely given it a 3*. I've listened to a lot of music since then though, and coming back to this I am seeing it in new light. Almost 5*, but a small bit of me says no. Not that it matters much!
Sang "With a little help..." with my school choir back in the day. Lucy in the Sky, Getting Better, Within You Without You also top stuff.
Personally prefer Revolver and Abbey Road. Amazing to see their progression though, as some of their older stuff included on this list have aged very poorly. This, certainly not!
The Zutons
4/5
Had heard of this album before (and indeed a few songs on it). Was sceptical going in, but a fine example of 2000s indie/alternative from the UK. Saved half the songs. For what it is, I can't complain!
Saint Etienne
4/5
Pleasant listen. Kind of like a soft Portishead at times. Only Love was fantastic. Carnt Sleep, Girl VII, Nothing Can Stop Us too. Definitely would return to, low 4*
Lou Reed
4/5
First introduced to Walk on the Wild Side by a friend in Bilbao in the Basque Country. Was blown away.
Perfect Day and Goodnight Ladies as my other stand-outs. Some songs in here that are not my style, but overall a decent listen.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
DAD ROCK, sounds, tastes and smells like the 80s. Undoubtedly some great songs, but hard to believe this followed up Nebraska. Two albums that are rather far apart... still, better than other Springsteen albums I've listened to.
John Cale
4/5
Didn't know John Cale before, nor that he was Welsh or in the Velvet Underground. Got just two days after Transformer by Lou Reed came up too. Pleasant listen for the most part.
Loved "the endless plain of fortune", and "Half Past France", but especially liked "Andalucia". What an awesome name. If I have a daughter I may well call her that now (🇪🇸).
Didn't like some songs, so I should really give 3* but the good songs are very appealing to me. Low 4* (damn this 5 point scale...)
Billy Joel
4/5
Billy Joel! The Stranger, Scenes from an Italian Restaurant, Vienna, She's Always a Woman, Get it Right the First Time, Everybody has a Dream - world class songs.
Top stuff, 84/100, but not quite a 5*, which I will try to reserve for only the very best.
David Bowie
3/5
Lazarus and I Can't Give Everything Away were great. The rest didn't do much for me. I appreciate his late life attempt to explore new musical trends, but I personally don't get the hype for this album from a purely musical perspective. Falls a bit flat. His older stuff is of much more interest; one could argue that this album should not be here.
Iron Maiden
2/5
I just don't like this type of music. Don't know why exactly, but it is one of the few genres that I just cannot get in to. I did, however, like a few songs on this album, which must say something...
The Pharcyde
3/5
Solid album, but I prefer their second. Some great beats and interesting (...) lyrics!
Black Sabbath
4/5
What a wonderful rock album. Had not listened to this album of theirs before, but just as good as the albums to come. Rock at its finest! I'm so glad I finally got over my fear of Black Sabbath too.
Doves
5/5
Wow! This album blew me away. This is what I like the most about this 1001 list and website - a band I had never heard of produce an album that pops up and stops me in my tracks.
Honestly easily top 3 indie albums I've listened to - all the good stuff of Indie without its more annoying traits. Truly indie at its finest.
I'd give 4.5*, but will round up to 5* (in what may be my most risky 5* to date)
Nas
5/5
It's Illmatic, my friend. Some of the finest producers of the day. Nas.
Saw the 30th anniversary tour in Paris and although the DJ was not great, Nas' performance only reaffirmed my love for the album.
Memory Lane and Life's a Bitch as my absolute favourites, but the whole thing is just brilliant.
NEW YORK!!!
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Never had much time for Mr Springsteen, but this album was simple but powerful. Much preferred to other stuff I've heard from him. My Father's House was special.
The Dandy Warhols
4/5
Another gem discovered through this list. Started strong, a few duds, but the highs are damn high.
Be-in, Good Morning, Green, Hard on for Jesus, The Creep Out.
Lovely mélange of genres!
Stevie Wonder
5/5
The best funk-soul crossover of all-time. What an album, what a musician, what a man!
Visions, Living for the City, Golden Lady, Higher Ground, All in Love is Fair, He's Misstra Know-it-all.
Some of the finest songs out there. From the Stevie Wonder albums I've listened to, it's certainly his best.
Picked up on CD in Dublin!
Britney Spears
2/5
has not aged very well. Fun album though with some questionable lyrics. Feel sorry for poor old Britney though, the industry (and family...) really does treat people poorly
Snoop Dogg
4/5
A reminder that Snoop Dogg did not become a cultural icon just by chance.
G-Funk at its finest.
5 full song saves. A tad vulgar, but it's in the domain I guess.
Sly & The Family Stone
4/5
SEX MACHINE, STAND, EVERYDAY PEOPLE
Funk - e!
Listened to (in spirit) by the lake in Bois de Boulogne after a dental visit where basically everything that could have gone wrong did! But who cares! We got the music!
Stephen Stills
3/5
Good stuff, faltered a bit as it went on though. Probably too long for its own good.
3.5*
Hawkwind
2/5
A bit too long, hard to distinguish between songs, and the occasional spoken word was a bit annoying. Made sure to listen to the proper (pre-2007) version but still too long.
Hard to rate really.
The Prodigy
5/5
I had a lot to do yesterday. Last day in Paris before the return home for the hibernation. Had a guy come to set-up the new WiFi box - which led me to get little sleep as I kept waking up thinking I had missed him.
Then I had to book a work trip for September, answer emails and make progress on a paper.
Also had to cancel the old internet, eat lunch, set up driving stuff, clean, sort the CDs, buy trousers for a wedding. Then fit in a dinner with my roommate in Belleville.
This album provided the perfect soundtrack to what was an action-packed day. Had been on my list of to-listens recently, so was very happy to see it. It didn't disappoint - indeed, the energy it provided was perhaps unrivaled from any music I've heard previously. Made me think I could have done even more...
Of course, Smack My Bitch is in rather bad taste and their explanation for it was not altogether very convincing. But it is an incredible song (on Spotify the video shows up when playing the album, didn't expect to see breasts on that of all apps lol)
The run from Narayan to Climbatize via Firestarter is incredible.
The ENERGY! It's not a perfect album, but it cannot but receive a 5* from me.
Fleet Foxes
4/5
Sound of my late 2010s. Reminds me of Three Rock, Mountain Biking, Sally Gap, writing papers for undergraduate, the college library, the Dublin coastline.
Brilliant folk rock, a near 5* musical experience. High 4*
The Smashing Pumpkins
5/5
Wow! Listened to this about a year ago and it didn't really resonate with me - saved 2 songs.
Skip forward a year later and I saved all but 2 songs on the album. Maybe my music taste is expanding, maybe I didn't give it a proper listen first time, but wow!
I know this album is very popular on RYM (and that's indeed how I found it originally), which sometimes can be a bad thing, but turns out I was wrong.
Bought this in Tokyo but gifted to COG. Will have to buy afresh.
5*
Elastica
2/5
This is like the fluff you add to an essay you're writing for a class you don't care about - you have 400 words and you need 600 more, so you add this and hope for the best.
British bias of the author coming in again. Made me wonder - was this book written for a British or an international audience? If the former, 1001 albums you (as a Brit) must listen to before you die would explain the inclusions on this list a lot better.
The Brits make great music, but there's a whole world of music out there that seems to be overlooked in this list because of the need to include all his local favourites. Oh well.
Ray Price
3/5
Lovely, some voice, although diminishing marginal returns hit in eventually. Will return to individual songs, however, but the album didn't have enough variety to encourage an active re-listen.
Parliament
4/5
Amazing album from George Clinton and his very talented musicians. Fun-kay.
4.5/5
Pink Floyd
5/5
The night before this album I went to a bar in Paris called The Wall. It is named after this album, and has some Pink Floyd murals in the back, as well as the album cover as the sign above the door. A dude dressing up as the Slash works there every night and is always hitting on some new girl. I have spent many a great night in that bar, and I have been a Pink Floyd fan for at least the last 8/9 years.
So why was I sleeping on this album? I think the "rock opera" designation put me off, as did opinions of some fellow Pink-loving friends. Also because Another Brick in The Wall was used as a song for an Irish road safety ad back in the day ("another death on the road"). That, I think, did the most damage to the album in my mind.
I also think I wasn't ready for a concept album in many ways. I cared more for how an album listened overall than caring about the lyrics and the story they may be telling. Of course, it's not the greatest story ever told, but it is an interesting insight into a troubled rockstar's mindset.
Highlights for me:
... in the flesh?
Another Brick in the Wall, Part 1
Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2
Mother
Goodbye Blue Sky
Young Lust
Don't Leave Me Now
Another Brick in the Wall, Part 3
Hey You
Is There Anybody Out There?
Comfortably Numb
In the Flesh
Run Like Hell
Outside the Wall
Reading about the history was mad too - Wright leaving the band and then coming back as a touring musician and being the old band member to make money off the tour, Robert Ezrin on production and ensuring Waters and the rest could put up with each other just enough to make the album, a 40ft wall between the crowd and the band being gradually constructed at each concert, fake Pink Floyd to begin each concert, the fact this was chosen by the band over another concept album which became Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking, Waters doing a 2010-2013 solo tour of this which is one of the highest grossing tours of all time... incredible stories for an incredible album.
Hard to compare to Dark Side or Wish You Were Here, but a 5/5 undoubtedly. Waters and the gang delivered one final time.
Gary Numan
3/5
Synth-y. Listened to around Trocadéro and Champs de Mars. Decent songs but a bit tired by the end. Kraftwerk ?
Al Green
4/5
Silky smooth.
How Can You Mend A Broken Heart is one of the best songs I've heard.
Will revisit, high 4* (85/100)
Slipknot
1/5
Yeah I gave it a listen for the sake of this list, and I understand why it's on the list due to cultural impact amongst a very specific part of the world's population (no judgement though).
But yeah the vocals are just unbearable, drums do seem pretty wild but it's just too heavy for me. Impossible listen.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
Nice folk album. Saved 4/10 songs. A bit monotonous at times, especially as I'm not really a lyrics guy.
All I want, River (Jingle Bells?), The Last Time I Saw Richard as favourites.
I was in a folk-loving period there a month ago, maybe I would have appreciated it more then. Perhaps it will, also, grow on me. For now a solid 3*.
Pink Floyd
5/5
The greatest album of all time for me.
Solomon Burke
3/5
Pleasant 60s rock and soul from a guy who had a major impact on the way soul went. Happy to have listened, probably won't return.
The Smiths
4/5
I used to listen to the Smiths back in 2018 and 2020. This album especially, although I don't think I had ever listened to the album in full. Glad to get round to it finally.
The Queen is Dead - what a way to open it. Frankly, Mr Shankly is a bit annoying tbh but I still love it. Never Had No One Ever, Cemetry Gates are very solid. Bigmouth Strikes Again vs There Is a Light - how to choose between them? Surely my favourite Smiths songs.
I had not known that Johnny Marr and Morrisey were a part of the immediate Irish diaspora. I knew there was something slightly off for them as English personas.
Anyway, a fantastic album, probably around 4.5* but I, for some reason, cannot give it 5*
Patti Smith
3/5
Don't really know why, but this didn't strike me as being too interesting. Some highlights, and I'm sure it was important for its time, but hearing it now I was left a bit bored.
Isaac Hayes
4/5
If it weren't for the 10min intro on "By the Time I get to Phoneix", it would be the Chef's kiss.
Arcade Fire
4/5
Every indie boy's favourite album because Pitchfork told them so.
It is great though. Along with Suburbs, my favourite of the 2000s indie rock efforts.
Electric Light Orchestra
3/5
Ah ELO. A good throwback to my youth, getting picked up by a friend's mother and listening to the greatest hits album on CD. Mr Blue Sky was a particular favourite. Brings me right back.
Overall a fun poppy "rock" album, good vibes, easy and interesting listen. Not quite a 4* for me but may return eventually.
Beach House
4/5
Beach House, a duo from Baltimore and Paris (to a certain degree), create dreamy music. I don't think this is their magnum opus - Depression Cherry is dream pop perfection - but this is almost as good. Something about it just got me hooked all those years ago and I am happy to revisit now.
78/100, rounded up.
Beck
2/5
Idk man, Beck is a weird one for me. Interesting music but somehow it largely ends up falling flat for me. Feel like it lacks soul or something, idk. Broken Drum was cool.
Ray Charles
4/5
1959! Wow. Very pleasant listening. Much of what came after him sounds similar, even was reminded of Amy Winehouse and the like at times. Brilliant.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
Nick Cave. A name I had come across many-a-time. For whatever reason, as I tend to do sometimes, I had decided I didn't like him without knowing anything about him or his music. When this came up, I put it aside for a week or so. Great, I have to listen to the fella...
I finally put it on on the way back from work, listening on the streets of Paris - was completely shocked, I was not expecting anything of the sort. I was intrigued but didn't really know what the hell to think about it. A weird mix of Leonard Cohen, Hans Zimmer and slight reminders of Aphex Twin and the like even. Listened to the full thing again, reading more about the album and the fellas behind it (well, mainly him and Warren Ellis it seems).
Ended up going down a Ned Kelly wormhole, after reading that he was enamored with him growing up. What a story! And what a story behind Nick Cave. An interesting, flawed, yet seemingly good natured and wise man.
I'd give 4.3/5. Will definitely listen to more of his stuff - also like his idea of constantly evolving, exploring different genres and the like.
A wonderful life lesson from this list is to give any and all artists a chance, despite what prejudices you may have beforehand. Let the music speak. It has opened my mind to many musicians I would have previously said I didn't like, having never listened to them before.
Mylo
3/5
Fun listen, some throwback hits. Destroy Rock & Roll was a very annoying song though, to the extend that it loses a star for me. Good to know I now recognise the names of many rock and roll artists though, thanks in part to this list. 3.5*
Funkadelic
5/5
who says a jazz band can't play funk?
funkgroovylatenightvibesandrhythms
weird versions on Spotify, will have to pick up on CD.
One Nation Under A Groove is undoubtedly one of the best songs of all time.
4.5* but will round up, would happily return at any point.
David Bowie
2/5
Did nothing for me. Bowie is undoubtedly a legend, but too much of his stuff on this list. No stand-outs (even when I tried Panic in Detroit about 4 times as I thought it had potential, fell short in the end).
John Lennon
4/5
What a brilliant album. Lots of different sounds, and some beautiful gems. Mother, Working Class Hero, Love as the stand-outs - Mother in particular is incredible. Working Class Hero will be returned to a lot too, but the entire album is a great listen.
Have on CD, listened there. Not quite a 5* for me, and I have given "worse" albums 5*, but there you go. Hard to keep intertemporal consistency with ratings for such a long list.
Ananda Shankar
4/5
Wow, what a cool fusion of Indian and more electronic elements. Had never heard of this guy but will happily return to this album in the future, and check out some of his other work.
Low 4*
The Smashing Pumpkins
5/5
A musical masterpiece. Did not think Siamese Dream could be topped but here you are. The mix of genres is impressive, and keeps the 2h playing time very interesting.
Listened to this on a flight from Paris to Lisbon, which was much longer than I had thought - hadn't brought a book or anything and it was in the early evening so not the best time to sleep. Stuck this on and kept me more than captivated.
The first CD was so solid in its own right, I could not imagine where it would go next or how it would keep the same quality up - but somehow the second CD was even more special.
Despite its lofty length, I felt the need to listen to it again - at first, I relistened to the last four songs a few times (beautiful ending), and then a couple of days later, while walking around Lisbon, I played the album through at different moments.
Was assuming the album would be on this list, and I'd revisit it in a year or so, but it came up about a week later. Didn't want to get back into it straight away, but finally listened again and can undoubtedly confirm it's brilliance.
More than 10m copies sold, no.1 album in the US, not bad for the longest album I've listened to.
Definitely up there with the best double-albums of all time!
The White Stripes
2/5
can't really remember anything other than Jack White's voice is a bit annoying but the instrumentation is good. 2.87* rounded down.
p.s., like the slow part of a novel, this album kept me from following the list daily for weeks.
White Denim
3/5
god the 2010s "rock" scene must have been pretty boring for this to be (apparently) so critically acclaimed. Not bad, and saved some songs, but in a week I won't be able to tell you the album name nor the artist.
Miles Davis
4/5
cool indeed
Laura Nyro
3/5
simple and pleasant singer-songwriter from the golden era. Nothing special, but an ok listen. I'm sure some of the lyrics were punchy at the time.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
2/5
A bit too hickedty dickedty for my liking, which is a shame as I really thought I'd like this album. May give another chance eventually. Instrumentation was nice.
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
4/5
Fair play to the penguins. The sound of someone you love who's going away and it doesn't matter is a masterpiece. On repeat since I heard it first.
Listened to after my first Spanish class back + on the way to the Spanish bar in Montparnasse.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
Nick Cave strikes again. A big revelation from this list indeed. Listened to while walking around the 13e and finding a bag of records in Buttes (all classical, but some find nonetheless).
Into My Arms is a classic, People ain't no Good sounded familiar (Shrek 2), (Are you) is great and my favourite of all - Far from Me. On repeat, bass line was fire.
I'd say 4.2/5 (84/100)
King Crimson
5/5
To add to the pretentiousness around this album, I first listened to this while walking around the Louvre. Was not expecting to find the source of a famous sample used by Kanye West to start it off.
I Talk to the Wind and Epitaph are masterpieces in my eyes. Listened to both in an underground rock bar in Tokyo, I was reminded of their excellence. Moonchild (first part) is beautiful too (although drifts around a lot afterwards).
Not the easiest listen in places but overall a masterpiece, and one of the best prog rock albums out there.
Marvin Gaye
5/5
mercy, mercy me (makes sense that this is the soul album of reference)
Raekwon
5/5
I went through a Wu-Tang phase in February 2025, which co-incided with a trip to Morocco. Of all the Wu-Tang albums I listened to during this time, this stuck with me the most (with GZA's Liquid Swords being very close). Walking along the seafront in Rabat, I was taken aback by the quality of this album.
RZA's production here is among the best I have ever heard in hip-hop. The beats are wild, unique, comic-book like. Raekwon and Ghost Face's flows go perfectly with it.
I cannot claim to have any understanding of the tough & rough life Raekwon and co. lived, but the music sounds so good and like a fine book or movie, I am given a glimpse of what life was like for the creators.
Highly influential album, looking forward to watching the 30th anniversary doc.
Kendrick Lamar
5/5
A special hip-hop album, which transcends most of the genre's previous efforts through its amazing instrumentation, mix of styles and storytelling.
I remember listening to this during my secondary school era one evening, following the lyrics closely and trying to make sense of them. Had never done that for an album before. But such was the popular and (especially) critical fervour over the album, I decided I had to give it a proper go.
On re-listening now, I've realised just how great the instrumental aspects of the album are. Almost feels like a funk album in points.
A listen that requires attention, certainly easier albums to listen to out there, indeed from Kendrick himself, but this is clearly a special project.
5*!
Elton John
3/5
Hold me closer, Ghetto Gospel.
The Black Keys
3/5
Some fantastic songs on this. Too Afraid to Love is a particular stand-out. Everlasting light and Howlin' For You are also great (latter is very nostalgic, FIFA and all that). But yeah, something about the Black Keys just doesn't hit quite right for the most part. Not sure what it is exactly, but yeah...
The Fall
4/5
A very cool album indeed. Didn't listen very actively at the start and made my way more than halfway in, until I got to "Gut Of The Quantifier" - which made me realise I hadn't really been listening, that this was a great song, and that I should start again and listen properly.
Great decision, ending up saving many songs.
Very cool sound, L.A., Gut, Paintwork, Petty (Thief) Lout as my favourites. Album cover is cool too, pretty apt. Will definitely return to.
4.2*
Magazine
3/5
Shot by Both Sides, Motorcade, Light Pours Out of Me were all saved, great songs. Rest were fine. Will return to those songs but not the album.
AC/DC
3/5
Well, it's AC/DC, isn't it? TIL that they were originally Australian. Last one with Bon Scott too, how little did I know...
Night Prowler was the highlight for me. Great energy on the album in general, but not exactly my style overall.
3.6/5, rounded down.
Supertramp
3/5
Ah good old Supertramp. Everyone's favourite prog rock/Brit pop crossover.
Their first studio/commercial album! Didn't like the start so much but final few songs were top stuff. Not as good as what was to follow ultimately but high 3* for me.
Antony and the Johnsons
2/5
Not really for me. Just couldn't really get in to it, didn't do much for me.
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
2/5
Not for me, but I'm Glad brought it another star. 2.5/5. Captain Beefheart, eh?
Elliott Smith
3/5
genuinely had to check a few times if this was Surf-jam Stevens or not.
Sad mood these days so why not. Nothing particularly special though, and even for 1996, hardly a fresh sound (may be wrong on that though)
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
5/5
Listened to this while walking the Quais de la Seine in Paris on a fine October evening. Couldn't think of a better album for the setting. The beautiful warm tone of the lights of Paris, mixed with this. Pure perfection. Top jazz album.
Nick Drake
5/5
For me the best folk album of all time. His other stuff is special too, but the simplicity of this album and the pure beauty of it make it his best for me.
Thanks to Island Records for always believing in the man! Will be listening for a lifetime.
Morrissey
3/5
Interesting album, some catchy stuff along the way, and some genuinely wacky lyrics.
Struggles of being of Irish origin in England is addressed a number of times. Intriguing, apparently it made him big with Mexican/Latinos in America.
I'm Not Sorry was my favourite.
Low 3* (2.8 rounded up)
Bobby Womack
4/5
Beautiful soul. Guy came from absolutely nothing with his voice and guitar. Great stuff.
Secrets,
Games,
Where Do We Go From Here
As standouts, and of course:
If You Think You're Lonely Now
as an absolute highlight.
That guitar riff...
Jeff Beck
3/5
I thought Beck and Jeff Beck were the same people for a long time. I have since learnt that they are not.
This is good, sounds like Led Zepplin in places, undoubtedly Mr Beck is a great guitar player but not quite my style.
Glad I listened, but won't return to very often. 3.6/5 rounded down
Bob Dylan
4/5
A solid folk rock album from your man.
Love Minus Zero, Mr Tambo, It's All Over Now, Baby Blue are all fantastic songs. Bob's dream was graphic but a bit annoying.
Took a while but finally got into Mr Dylan.
Shivkumar Sharma
4/5
Wow, interesting album. Very difficult to rate, but I will certainly return to. More as calming background music, but still enough things of interest for more active listening too. I particularly liked "The Shepherd Girl".
3.5* rounded up.
Paul Simon
4/5
Who'd have thought South Africa of all places would bring Mr Simon back to the forefront. Interesting project, could have went further down the rabbit hole of SA music tbh but not a bad effort. 3.8*, rounded up.
AC/DC
2/5
great 40min song. How this is one of the best selling albums of all time is a mystery to me.
Solange
3/5
Ralph Schumacher does soul. Nepotism never sounded so good.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
3/5
Interesting. Glad I double-checked the track-listing and found that half of what was on the Spotify version was bonus. An interesting 45mins of listening.
As a friend following this list but unable/unwilling to comment said, it's the sort of music I'd hear in an Arab country and find it very interesting and engaging, especially hearing live. But hard for the Western ear to listen to it on the way to work or whatever.
Hard to rate, but cool inclusion
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Not my favourite Led Zep album, but still top stuff. Does feel like the transitionary album between II and what follows.
Tangerine and That's the Way were my highlights.
Nirvana
5/5
Not an album I could listen to at any moment, but undoubtedly a classic. The soft/loud dynamics are incredible. Really a 4* for me but I've given some objectively worse albums a 5* so here we are. Their Unplugged is still my favourite work from them. Shoutout to Butch Vig here too, the Beato interview with him gives some nice insights into the writing of this album. Cobain!
Public Image Ltd.
1/5
always beware the albums that are only known for potentially being inspiration for better albums
Weather Report
3/5
decent jazz fusion, led by an Austrian
Joan Baez
3/5
Great voice, nice guitar, gets a bit boring by the end but calming listen overall.
Curtis Mayfield
4/5
Mayfield in this era just could not disappoint! Love to the people was a highlight for me, but the entire thing is just wonderfully soul and funky. Interesting lyrical content too
Depeche Mode
4/5
Bringing electronic to the masses. 3.8* rounded up. First listened to on the RER B after a post-Aussie hike around St-Remy-Les-Chevreux
The Cure
4/5
not their best, but the best pornography I've listened to hands down
Calexico
2/5
this listen just kind of happened