479
Albums Rated
3.69
Average Rating
44%
Complete
610 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1960
Favorite Decade
Folk
Favorite Genre
other
Top Origin
Cheerleader
Rater Style ?
97
5-Star Albums
18
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
Top Styles
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Chelsea Girl
Nico
|
5 | 2.63 | +2.37 |
|
California
American Music Club
|
5 | 2.69 | +2.31 |
|
The Infotainment Scan
The Fall
|
5 | 2.72 | +2.28 |
|
Sweetheart Of The Rodeo
The Byrds
|
5 | 2.83 | +2.17 |
|
Warehouse: Songs And Stories
Hüsker Dü
|
5 | 2.86 | +2.14 |
|
Fromohio
fIREHOSE
|
5 | 2.88 | +2.12 |
|
This Nation’s Saving Grace
The Fall
|
5 | 2.89 | +2.11 |
|
E.V.O.L.
Sonic Youth
|
5 | 2.89 | +2.11 |
|
Broken English
Marianne Faithfull
|
5 | 2.89 | +2.11 |
|
Mott
Mott The Hoople
|
5 | 2.94 | +2.06 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Appetite For Destruction
Guns N' Roses
|
1 | 3.71 | -2.71 |
|
The Number Of The Beast
Iron Maiden
|
1 | 3.58 | -2.58 |
|
1984
Van Halen
|
1 | 3.49 | -2.49 |
|
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
|
1 | 3.4 | -2.4 |
|
Hybrid Theory
Linkin Park
|
1 | 3.39 | -2.39 |
|
Eliminator
ZZ Top
|
1 | 3.37 | -2.37 |
|
High Violet
The National
|
1 | 3.24 | -2.24 |
|
Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1
George Michael
|
1 | 3.17 | -2.17 |
|
Pyromania
Def Leppard
|
1 | 3.13 | -2.13 |
|
evermore
Taylor Swift
|
1 | 3.02 | -2.02 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| The Rolling Stones | 3 | 5 |
| Kraftwerk | 3 | 5 |
| Beatles | 5 | 4.4 |
| The Fall | 3 | 4.67 |
| Bruce Springsteen | 3 | 4.67 |
| Leonard Cohen | 3 | 4.67 |
| Joni Mitchell | 3 | 4.67 |
| Miles Davis | 3 | 4.67 |
| Nick Drake | 3 | 4.67 |
| Radiohead | 3 | 4.67 |
| Pavement | 2 | 5 |
| The Clash | 2 | 5 |
| Pink Floyd | 2 | 5 |
| The Byrds | 2 | 5 |
| Neil Young | 2 | 5 |
| Sonic Youth | 2 | 5 |
| David Bowie | 6 | 4.17 |
| Led Zeppelin | 5 | 4.2 |
| Pixies | 3 | 4.33 |
| Queen | 3 | 4.33 |
| Talking Heads | 3 | 4.33 |
| The Doors | 3 | 4.33 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Iron Maiden | 2 | 1 |
| Ice Cube | 2 | 1.5 |
| George Michael | 2 | 1.5 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Van Halen | 4, 1 |
| R.E.M. | 3, 5, 2 |
5-Star Albums (97)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
The Doors · 6 likes
5/5
One of the top two or three debut albums of all time. An utterly unique format for a band - no bass player, a jazz-obsessed drummer, and a keyboard player with a wacky setup, not to mention a sui generis guitar player AND Jim Morrison - the instantly create a sound and a style that both reflected current LA sounds and broke stunning new ground. And this album has some of their and the rock era’s greatest songs.
Frank Sinatra · 2 likes
5/5
My favourite Sinatra album and one of the better vocal albums in jazz-pop history. Frank was feeling blue, midnight blue, with the (predictable) demise of his relationship with Lana Turner, and it really resonates in the choice of material and the performances.
Brian Eno · 1 likes
3/5
Eno created a genre here, but it’s a bit of a dead end. Fascinating but best as a one off for me.
Radiohead · 1 likes
5/5
Essential album that re-established thinking-person’s rock as a viable form of popular music
The Pogues · 1 likes
4/5
A glossy and successful version of of the Pogues, with some great songs though arguably not their best. For those, go to Rum Sodomy and the Lash.
1-Star Albums (18)
All Ratings
Prince
4/5
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
5/5
Composed jazz with third stream elements, at its best among the best of 50’s jazz all time. Propelled by its two centrepieces - Blue Rondo and Take Five - and otherwise filled with attractive piano-trio structured songs, elevated by the extrarodinary talent of Paul Desmond on alto sax in mellifluous and tone-perfect (though often-brief) solos.
Pixies
5/5
Metallica
3/5
Pixies
4/5
Screaming Trees
4/5
Queen
3/5
Led Zeppelin
4/5
fIREHOSE
5/5
Duran Duran
4/5
The Verve
4/5
Peter Gabriel
4/5
Funkadelic
4/5
R.E.M.
3/5
Pavement
5/5
The best album by the best band in the 90’s alt rock movement
Foo Fighters
4/5
Can
5/5
Boston
4/5
Essential seventies classic that has lived on for almost fifty years due to its sparkling production, technical innovation, and a few brilliant songs.
The Beach Boys
4/5
5/5
The Clash
5/5
The Soft Boys
5/5
Tito Puente
3/5
Barry Adamson
3/5
Pearl Jam
3/5
The Fall
5/5
Gil Scott-Heron
4/5
Pink Floyd
5/5
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
Throwing Muses
4/5
Steely Dan
3/5
The song writing is very high quality at times, but the album is ultimately by the mundanity of 1/2 or more of the songs. Absent any noticeable passion, the well-constructed nature of the music is such that it begs you to listen carefully, which for me at least lacks the payoff in the songs themselves.
Eric Clapton
3/5
Rush
3/5
The Mamas & The Papas
4/5
Sinead O'Connor
4/5
Johnny Cash
4/5
David Bowie
4/5
Justice
2/5
The United States Of America
4/5
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
The Rolling Stones
5/5
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
Queen
5/5
Nirvana
4/5
Leonard Cohen
5/5
Primal Scream
3/5
The Police
4/5
Elton John
3/5
2/5
R.E.M.
5/5
Hüsker Dü
5/5
Cocteau Twins
4/5
Everything But The Girl
3/5
Fiona Apple
4/5
Lenny Kravitz
3/5
Ali Farka Touré
4/5
Fleet Foxes
5/5
Depeche Mode
3/5
Meat Loaf
3/5
Dusty Springfield
4/5
The Stranglers
4/5
Michael Jackson
4/5
Iggy Pop
4/5
The Who
5/5
The gold standard for anthemic full-throated guitar rock. Extraordinary song writing and performance.
Stan Getz
5/5
A remarkable partnership that cemented a genre in North America and featured 2 or 3 of the greatest songs injure modern pop oeuvre.
Doves
4/5
The Human League
4/5
Donald Fagen
3/5
Kraftwerk
5/5
The Allman Brothers Band
3/5
Waylon Jennings
4/5
Alice In Chains
3/5
The Beta Band
4/5
Christine and the Queens
3/5
David Bowie
4/5
The Cure
5/5
Robbie Williams
2/5
Tom Waits
5/5
Kendrick Lamar
3/5
Talking Heads
5/5
A remarkable leap forward from ‘77, groove filled with crisp and trend setting production from Brian Eno, and three or four utterly remarkable songs. Extraordinary record
Roxy Music
4/5
Soundgarden
4/5
Slade
4/5
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Overlong but with some extraordinary songs and sounds. My one complaint is the metallic and flangey guitar sound throughout much of the album
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
5/5
The Police
4/5
Muddy Waters
4/5
Beatles
4/5
Although it was an album recorded together and mostly live, it’s not an in the evolved state that the form took later in the sixties and beyond. For the quality of the songs and moreso the energy of the performances, a clear 4
Frank Sinatra
4/5
The Birthday Party
3/5
Elvis Costello
5/5
Among the best debuts in rock history, played in a day and featuring a fully mature voice, rich in subtle harmonics and laced with biting and hilarious lyrics.
4/5
Jeff Buckley
3/5
Bill Evans Trio
5/5
Probably the single most important jazz piano recording from the pre-eminent creator of modern jazz piano. Incalculably vital.
Cornershop
3/5
Cypress Hill
2/5
4/5
Jerry Lee Lewis
3/5
The Fall
5/5
The Smashing Pumpkins
4/5
The Doors
4/5
Talk Talk
4/5
Lou Reed
4/5
Joni Mitchell
4/5
Sade
3/5
The Rolling Stones
5/5
Among the very best rock records of all time.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
Miles Davis
4/5
Third stream classic nonet recording, immensely important in its day, somewhat of a timepiece, as Jazz moved in different directions afterwards, largely due to the influence of a number of these participants
Otis Redding
4/5
Lou Reed
4/5
Isaac Hayes
3/5
Norah Jones
2/5
Janis Joplin
3/5
The Hives
4/5
Various Artists
3/5
Kraftwerk
5/5
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
Patti Smith
5/5
Fugees
3/5
Nick Drake
5/5
Tracy Chapman
3/5
Joni Mitchell
5/5
Dolly Parton
3/5
Jean-Michel Jarre
4/5
Stevie Wonder
4/5
Herbie Hancock
3/5
Nick Drake
5/5
Beatles
4/5
Nirvana
3/5
The Band
5/5
Cyndi Lauper
3/5
Kanye West
3/5
The Monkees
4/5
Surprisingly strong record written and recorded largely by the band. Mickey Dolenz learned the drums, and Pete and Michael played a lot of the guitars. Chip Douglas was the George Martin for the record, a key collaborator and played the bass guitar. Nesmith’s steel guitar and stork’s keyboards are standouts in an otherwise appealingly garage-sounding band. Most importantly the songs are of a high standard and contain some of their very best : You Just May be the One, For Pete’s Sake, Sunny Girlfriend, You Told Me, and the truly remarkable Randy Scouse Git were never bested by the band. Very much worth a listen for those who think of them only as “the Pre Fab Four”.
Radiohead
4/5
Suicide
4/5
Ella Fitzgerald
4/5
U2
4/5
The Strokes
5/5
This record defined the rock scene in the early 00’s.
Syd Barrett
3/5
Interesting but not essential
Björk
4/5
The Offspring
3/5
Count Basie & His Orchestra
4/5
The Flaming Lips
4/5
Miles Davis
5/5
Red Hot Chili Peppers
3/5
Mott The Hoople
5/5
The War On Drugs
3/5
Eels
3/5
Merle Haggard
4/5
U2
3/5
Duke Ellington
5/5
The Byrds
5/5
Simply one of the greatest albums of the 1960’s. Perhaps a little overlooked among so many “Pantheon” releases from the 1966-1968 period, and even among Byrds’ albums themselves, but for me, doubtlessly their greatest synthesis of psychedelic rock, jazz-rock, folk-rock, early (and better than later) country rock, in pristine 2-4 minute songs. Post Gene Clark, it showcases the surprising emergence of Hillman and Crosby as major songwriters. The sonic landscape on the album is extraordinarily rich, and their guitars and harmonies never sounded better.
Madonna
2/5
Bobby Womack
4/5
Carole King
5/5
Simply iconic and changed the game for female singer songwriter music
Fatboy Slim
2/5
The Rolling Stones
5/5
Epochal pantheon record of dirty blues rock, backed up with numerous extraordinary songs.
Neu!
5/5
The Byrds
5/5
Massive leap towards country rock in one record. Gram Parsons’ impact is inescapable. For those like me who love “the Byrds”, this is not them. Go backwards to the glory of their first five records.
Fats Domino
3/5
Great songs don’t constitute a great album. But these are great songs
Van Halen
4/5
Tori Amos
3/5
Iron Maiden
1/5
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
4/5
The Zombies
5/5
A top 10 album of all time, with extraordinarily rich, complex melodic pop songs, perfumes with muscular simplicity and grace. To my ears, far beyond anything the Beach Boys did, and equivalent to the best of the Beatles from the same era.
The B-52's
5/5
Pulp
3/5
The Killers
2/5
King Crimson
4/5
Red Hot Chili Peppers
2/5
Radiohead
5/5
Essential album that re-established thinking-person’s rock as a viable form of popular music
Television
5/5
Absolute classic CBGB stalwarts create a new sub genre of edgy guitar art pop.
Parliament
4/5
Michael Jackson
2/5
Adam & The Ants
1/5
Alice Cooper
3/5
Black Sabbath
4/5
Kate Bush
4/5
CHIC
4/5
The Doors
5/5
One of the top two or three debut albums of all time. An utterly unique format for a band - no bass player, a jazz-obsessed drummer, and a keyboard player with a wacky setup, not to mention a sui generis guitar player AND Jim Morrison - the instantly create a sound and a style that both reflected current LA sounds and broke stunning new ground. And this album has some of their and the rock era’s greatest songs.
The Velvet Underground
5/5
Epochal !
The Specials
3/5
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Blur
4/5
The Kinks
5/5
John Prine
3/5
Pulp
3/5
Leonard Cohen
5/5
Wilco
4/5
Elvis Costello
3/5
Very good but not classic Costello
Blur
3/5
The Psychedelic Furs
4/5
Santana
4/5
Big Brother & The Holding Company
3/5
Caetano Veloso
4/5
The Smashing Pumpkins
4/5
Garbage
3/5
KISS
2/5
Great music at times, but doesn’t belong on this list.
Ananda Shankar
3/5
Grizzly Bear
4/5
Beatles
5/5
Perhaps the first real rock album with sonic themes and mature lyrics. A major stepping stone for the band and the rock movement as a whole.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
5/5
T. Rex
4/5
Adele
2/5
Van Morrison
5/5
Napalm Death
2/5
Nas
2/5
Supergrass
3/5
The xx
4/5
Jimmy Smith
3/5
Soulful and excellent group of tracks played some of 60’s jazz pantheon, highly valued in any jazz collection. But nothing more than that.
Fairport Convention
5/5
Just love this record and the journey that FP took from folk-rock inspired by the American movement, to leaders of the traditional English folk movement with Liege and Lief (which should be on this list)
Simon & Garfunkel
5/5
A more sophisticated version of themselves, capped with some of the most enduring songs.
Kraftwerk
5/5
Kate Bush
4/5
Remarkable
Neil Young
5/5
Epochal 70’s (or post sixties if you will) singer-songwriter that captured the zeitgeist and made Neil Young a star forever
Sonic Youth
5/5
These early-mid period Sonic Youth records are classics in the guitar-noise art-rock milieu. Their previous albums EVOL is my personal favourite (stacked with remarkable noise pop like Tom Violence, Star Power, Madonna, Sean and Me) but many fans prefer Sister, which is tougher and noisier than EVOL. Highly recommended.
Iron Maiden
1/5
The Monks
4/5
Essential proto punk garage
Eminem
3/5
Fred Neil
4/5
Beatles
4/5
A record that sounds utterly different from their earlier efforts. It feels like a seventies album sonically. Some great songs, though I've never been a big fan of a few of them (Maxwell, Oh Darlin', the song suite)
Kings of Leon
3/5
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
Def Leppard
1/5
Ugh
Crowded House
3/5
Arcade Fire
4/5
The Fall
4/5
Great to see The Fall on this list. This isn’t among my favourites but it’s still classic Mark Smith (Nation’s Saving is more fully realized by a ways).
Paul Simon
4/5
Beck
4/5
John Cale
5/5
Crosby, Stills & Nash
5/5
Extraordinary album that bridged the sixties and seventies
Ray Charles
3/5
Ravi Shankar
3/5
4/5
Radiohead
5/5
David Bowie
4/5
New York Dolls
4/5
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
A great collection of songs but not a cohesive album
Mudhoney
4/5
The Isley Brothers
4/5
The Mothers Of Invention
4/5
Stevie Wonder
4/5
Queen
5/5
Funkadelic
3/5
Solange
4/5
Van Halen
1/5
Amy Winehouse
3/5
The Streets
3/5
Elton John
4/5
The Clash
5/5
Epochal
Johnny Cash
4/5
Charles Mingus
5/5
Extraordinary record combining social history, outre jazz and remarkable songwriting
David Bowie
4/5
Hugh Masekela
4/5
The Beach Boys
3/5
Thin Lizzy
4/5
David Gray
3/5
American Music Club
5/5
A band that deserves a bit more fame and/or notoriety that it received in its day, and certainly more than it is remembered today. Intelligent, morose, diverse songs. Like a good version of The National.
Led Zeppelin
3/5
Honestly I was surprised how unimpressed I was with this one when I revisited it. The blues songs, played well of course, are nevertheless somewhat desultory, and the folk-based songs - typically talked about as the defining sound of the record - are a bit hit and miss. It certainly pales substantially versus II and IV, perhaps that its biggest problem.
Beach House
4/5
Rufus Wainwright
2/5
Bonnie Raitt
2/5
5/5
It suffers from overexposure but no matter how you cut it, this is a brilliant album, ahead of its time and yet timeless.
Weather Report
4/5
The Stone Roses
4/5
Essential Manchester zeitgeist album, ultimately a one trick pony band, but at the time it was splendid.
Bad Brains
4/5
TV On The Radio
4/5
Taylor Swift
1/5
Linkin Park
1/5
Curtis Mayfield
4/5
New Order
4/5
Neil Young
5/5
Great songs in dark times for Neil Young.
Miles Davis
5/5
Absolutely vital jazz in transition, Miles always restless and moving to the future. Brilliant playing and atmosphere.
Ray Price
3/5
Nick Drake
4/5
Brilliant atmospheric chamber folk
Kings of Leon
4/5
The Lemonheads
4/5
Infectious, energetic, irreverent, and stoned. The band sounds great and the songs are strong, to which you add the dulcet tones of Evan Dando.
Paul Simon
5/5
Popularized township jive and brought African music to the fore. The combination with Simon’s voice and poetry works brilliantly at times.
Ice Cube
1/5
Pavement
5/5
Perhaps the most important indy record of the 90's, bringing the alt / lo fi movement to the masses, and (speaking personally) changing the way I thought about rock music ever since ( and I was almost 30).
The Young Rascals
4/5
Classic blue eyed soul with strong songs
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
Mercury Rev
4/5
90’s chamber pop with some outstanding tracks
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
4/5
Great introduction to EC as a true blues man (moreso than Yardbirds) and JM always brings energy and credibility to the material. Excellent
ZZ Top
1/5
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
5/5
Black Sabbath
4/5
Essential ! Heavy if simple no holds barred guitar trio with Osborne’s sui generis vocals. Template for much that came after.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
The Pogues
4/5
A glossy and successful version of of the Pogues, with some great songs though arguably not their best. For those, go to Rum Sodomy and the Lash.
The Replacements
4/5
Such an important record for the 80’s alt guitar movement. Filled with noisy crappy and occasionally gorgeous and rocking tunes, it was as good as guitar music got in its day.
The Go-Go's
3/5
Talking Heads
4/5
The White Stripes
3/5
The Notorious B.I.G.
3/5
The Cure
4/5
In my world, early Cure is better. 17 secs is a timepiece and despite or because of its “simple everything” musical approach, still captures my attention and has me listening and admiring it.
Aretha Franklin
4/5
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
Al Green
3/5
Aerosmith
3/5
Lana Del Rey
3/5
Prince
3/5
Morrissey
2/5
Love
5/5
Both a template for socially driven psychedelic rock album-ry, and an idiosyncratic and personal look into the drug fuelled mind of a black man living in LA in the sixties. All through the lens of a rare multi racial band.
Sly & The Family Stone
4/5
4/5
David Bowie
4/5
Devendra Banhart
2/5
Marvin Gaye
4/5
Jefferson Airplane
5/5
So many things to like about this album. The mix of pop, folk and psychedelia, all with an oh-so San Franciscan vibe. It could be described as ramshackle if the songs themselves weren't so perfect. The band was packed with major talents, all of whom shine at different times in different ways. Marty Balin, Paul Kantner, Grace Slick, Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Cassady and Spencer Dryden, yowza.
Tears For Fears
4/5
An essential 80’s pop album. The songwriting and production craft is top notch.
The Who
3/5
The early Who at their best, with energy and cheek galore. Fantastic few songs, but not a true competitor for greatest album.
Black Sabbath
4/5
Sebadoh
4/5
Green Day
4/5
At the time this sounded absolutely glorious
Janet Jackson
1/5
No thanks !
Jane Weaver
5/5
Robert Wyatt
4/5
The Pretty Things
5/5
Joni Mitchell
5/5
Perhaps the apotheosis of sophisticated singer songwriter. More complex musically and arrangement wise and therefore seemingly less personal than others. But it’s brilliant
Belle & Sebastian
5/5
Brilliant early album with knockout songs that established B&S as leader of a new movement of twee pop.
Morrissey
3/5
5/5
Jorge Ben Jor
4/5
3/5
Guided By Voices
4/5
Partnered with Bee thousand, perhaps the quintessential lofi record of the 90’s, and filled with ideas, and some songs too. Motor Away is one of their very best.
Everything But The Girl
2/5
I much prefer their earlier records, which by and large distilled folk into their “thing”, versus this soulful jazz incarnation. Honestly can’t listen to this, much as I have a fondness for the duo.
Bee Gees
4/5
Mature and remarkable record! Give it a listen.
Manic Street Preachers
4/5
Not likely to bring a smile to your face, but serious rock played very well.
Brian Eno
5/5
Cheap Trick
4/5
Essential late 70's power pop that broke this deserving band into the mainstream and influenced rock bands everywhere. Plus it asked the question, "where the hell is Budokan"?
Beth Orton
3/5
808 State
1/5
Harry Nilsson
4/5
4/5
Quicksilver Messenger Service
4/5
I prefer their debut album by quite a bit, though critics generally say that it doesn’t capture these essence. Happy Trails is interesting but to me lacks variety and is a more intelligent release. The band had a lineup of significant talent and is always worth a spin.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Simply their best record imo. Unabashedly borrowing from blues standards and moulding them into a sonic world that only this group of performers could have created. The period from LZ 1-4 someone great rock era runs of records in only a few years. And with apologies to Physical Graffiti - great but bloated - they never made a better record afterwards
Franz Ferdinand
4/5
This album starts with a shot wow - Jacqueline - one of the great openers for a band. And is remarkable afterwards too. It’s still probably the best song but others round out their promise of amped up dance guitar rock with disco syncopations and ironic delivery galore.
Mike Oldfield
5/5
Essential
Nightmares On Wax
2/5
Not my thing
Joan Baez
4/5
Such simple folk purity from a 19 year old JB. Astounding stuff.
Slipknot
2/5
Justin Timberlake
1/5
OutKast
3/5
Ice Cube
2/5
The Coral
4/5
Wildly derivative of various (great) sounds of yesteryear, but full of joy and musical talent. A very solid three stars
Steve Earle
3/5
Strong songs that to my ear weren't enhanced by MOR 80's pop production. Still, some very memorable numbers.
Green Day
3/5
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
Genre defining, the album where NY figures out his sound, both individually as a guitar player, and collectively with Crazy Horse as an arranger and writer.
George Michael
2/5
Ugh
Todd Rundgren
4/5
One of those albums that captures a time perfectly, and in this case also the zeitgeist of “the 60’s” becoming “the 70’s”.
The Adverts
4/5
Basement Jaxx
3/5
Stephen Stills
4/5
Rocket From The Crypt
4/5
Acknowledging the awesome ethos and creative energy of RFTC.
Randy Newman
4/5
Nirvana
5/5
Pink Floyd
5/5
3/5
Carpenters
3/5
Lush and evocative. Also revoltingly saccharine, production wise. Sunday morning music.
One or two songs on a mix are outstanding, but an entire album sends me from the room silently screaming (in attempted three part harmony).
Sonic Youth
5/5
Meat Puppets
4/5
Billy Bragg
4/5
On the front of double five songs, this is a compelling crossover record for BB, sounding like himself but with some powerful tunes and lyrics that stick with you.
Tim Buckley
4/5
Original, honest, jazzy, unique
Supertramp
5/5
At times this record has been derided as lightweight Floyd, or in some other way derivative. I would only say, just listen to it.
Bebel Gilberto
3/5
Lovely stuff from the daughter of my favourite Brazilian singer
Bob Dylan
5/5
Absolutely essential (perhaps last great) collection of songs by the most important writer of his generation.
Sparks
4/5
Hot Chip
3/5
I do enjoy Hot chop but this isn’t my favourite album of theirs
John Lennon
4/5
Minutemen
4/5
An essential group, though not always easy listening
The Jesus And Mary Chain
3/5
Probably a better record then their first, but less cacophony and more song styling might make it less important
Suede
3/5
Country Joe & The Fish
4/5
T. Rex
4/5
Magazine
4/5
Stevie Wonder
4/5
It’s very nearly a five star record, but for me, Stevie’s oeuvres - even at their absolute pinnacle - always contain works that are overly sentimental, borderline saccharine. Key of Life is true to that form with Summer Soft, If It’s Magic, and others. One is reminded of the artist responsible for I just Called to Say I Love You. Mind you, half of the tracks are absolute classics of the era and the genre. It’s a string record and deserves the accolades it receives.
Ute Lemper
2/5
This type of show tune production across various songwriters and eras is 100% not my thing. Putting two stars in recognition of the underlying craft. But no thanks.
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
4/5
The original psychedelic blues band, with great originality, vocally unique, and a surprising amount of propulsion in its rhythm section. The extended jams are noisy and somewhat enervating, but undeniably innovative for their time
Moby
4/5
Billy Bragg
4/5
This is a stellar idea and collaboration. Many memorable songs combining Guthrie lyrics with Bragg / Tweedy music, played with heart and spirit.
The Beach Boys
3/5
Good but not great. Overrated because they are beloved.
Pixies
4/5
Essential alternative guitar record
Beastie Boys
4/5
Perhaps the best Belen of rock, Lo fi and rap, this from a guy (me) who really can’t abide most rap. So take that with a grain. Either way, this record proves that BB’s were real.
Echo And The Bunnymen
4/5
Jeff Beck
4/5
Frank Sinatra
5/5
My favourite Sinatra album and one of the better vocal albums in jazz-pop history. Frank was feeling blue, midnight blue, with the (predictable) demise of his relationship with Lana Turner, and it really resonates in the choice of material and the performances.
The National
1/5
I really really can’t stand the National; pretentious morbidity, want-to-be dark poets. Godawful.
Talking Heads
4/5
Though I mourned the loss of the new wave version of TH at the time, this record clearly anticipates and leads a mini revolution of sorts.
The Doors
4/5
A more muscular version of the Doors, showing evolution as a band. Worthy of four stars.
George Harrison
3/5
This channeling of new wave and pop punk was a great breath of fresh air when it arrived in ‘94. Ear candy and really well made, but not best album calibre imo.
Elastica
3/5
This channeling of new wave and pop punk was a great breath of fresh air when it arrived in ‘94. Ear candy and really well made, but not best album calibre imo.
Emmylou Harris
3/5
Sacrilegious perhaps but really not my thing
Wilco
3/5
Highly regarded by many, and perhaps it suffers as a result. For me Summerteeth is the better record, and YHF feels a bit self conscious and cold.
Teenage Fanclub
4/5
Important in its day and an unexpected breakthrough, this merger of grunge and power pop was misunderstood as a heavy rock record. The Fannies continued to evolve and peaked a few albums later with Grand Prix and Howdy.
Kendrick Lamar
3/5
The Pogues
5/5
The best Pogues record, improving the sound and song mix from their first, though retaining their raw edge, and featuring some extraordinary songs from McGowan. Sick Bed, Sally Mac, Old Main Drag, I’m a Man You Don’t Meet, and most of all, Pair of Brown Eyes, are enduring marvels. Phenomenal record.
Dire Straits
4/5
The apotheosis of pun rock, with brilliant songs and playing by a tight band. DS was never better.
Keith Jarrett
3/5
It’s a landmark piece of modern jazz and a bravura performance, but it’s not a real favourite of mine. The improv style has more to do with folk harmonics then anything jazzy, which to my ears is a bit anodyne.
Grant Lee Buffalo
3/5
Surprised to see this one on the list, though I enjoyed it a lot upon its release. Highlighted by a few great songs, but probably not epochal enough for consideration on this list.
Pretenders
4/5
An important record bringing some of the energy of punk and girl rock into the mainstream, though built around (and perhaps forgotten) a few beautiful mid tempo and ballad numbers. A remarkable first statement for Christie Hynes and her stalwart band, most importantly James Homeyman-Scott.
Leonard Cohen
4/5
Blood, Sweat & Tears
4/5
Mekons
4/5
4/5
Japan
4/5
Ahead of its time, stylish blend of dance and new wave. Really strong record.
The Boo Radleys
4/5
Adele
2/5
Donovan
3/5
A couple of brilliant songs but an overall inconsistent album with a few too many unmemorable psych folk strummers.
Minor Threat
4/5
Classic 80’s hard core, not difficult to listen to by today’s standards. Important in its time
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
3/5
Ryan Adams
2/5
The Temptations
4/5
Fiona Apple
3/5
Louis Prima
4/5
Todd Rundgren
4/5
Brian Eno
4/5
Shivkumar Sharma
4/5
R.E.M.
2/5
Marilyn Manson
1/5
Cowboy Junkies
3/5
Always found this a bit overrated despite being recorded around the block from my house at the time. I’m a fan of the Junkies but not a super fan. Ultimately they outed themselves as a one trick pony imo
Anita Baker
2/5
Soft Cell
4/5
Better than expected
Blue Cheer
3/5
George Michael
1/5
Sorry, still prejudiced
PJ Harvey
4/5
Alanis Morissette
2/5
Never liked her pop take on 90’s heavy rock. Utterly unconvincing.
Air
2/5
Effective mood music for the dreamscapey film in question. Air are craftsmen and the music reflects that. But this nowhere near a 1001 album sorry guys.
B.B. King
4/5
Enjoyable hard rock.
Alice Cooper
4/5
Subversive heavy rock, pretty fun. Worthy of Uber regarded classic
Queens Of The Stone Age
4/5
Eagles
4/5
The Incredible String Band
4/5
Quirky, remarkable, ground breaking in a way. A difficult listen unless you allow yourself to sink into the strange sonic world of ISB
Buck Owens
4/5
Finley Quaye
3/5
MC Solaar
2/5
Beyoncé
1/5
Orange Juice
4/5
Wu-Tang Clan
4/5
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
3/5
Underworld
2/5
Coldplay
3/5
The Youngbloods
3/5
Some strong songs and beautifully played (talented musicianship in this trio format) makes for an enjoyable listen. Not ambitious enough for consideration as a top album of all time though.
Gene Clark
4/5
Gene Clark’s records of the early 1970’s were a treasure, mostly discovered after the fact, and his career never crystallized post Byrds. No Other was his most ambitious and most rock-oriented effort, well worth a listen, and its commercial failure crushed him. I enjoy the record but find it a bit boasted versus the extraordinary one two punch of Roadmaster or White Light.
The Mothers Of Invention
3/5
James Taylor
3/5
Much beloved though pretty anodyne collection of songs, and Taylor got only more boring, and more popular, from this point forward.
Fela Kuti
5/5
CHIC
4/5
Abdullah Ibrahim
4/5
Brian Eno
3/5
Eno created a genre here, but it’s a bit of a dead end. Fascinating but best as a one off for me.
The Charlatans
2/5
An enjoyable 2.5 star kind of thing
Billy Joel
3/5
Slick and well played singer-songwriter classic. Probably Joel’s apotheosis.
Michael Jackson
4/5
Van Morrison
4/5
One of the benchmarks of early 70’s folk-roots-pop (lacking a better description, as it’s also very uniquely Van Morrison),
Many now-familiar almost iconic songs grace the record. Production is exquisite, this is Van’s Harvest.
Guns N' Roses
1/5
Muddy Waters
2/5
G. Love & Special Sauce
2/5
Marvin Gaye
3/5
The Dandy Warhols
3/5
Likeable pop garage-grunge, enjoyable in its day (if a bit glossy) but sounds better today. Inevitably and needlessly coupled with BJM, and in fairness to the Dandies they were shooting for broader appeal I believe. Good crafty guitar pop (but nothing more)
Nico
5/5
# ALBUM RATING GLOBAL
589 CURRENT Signing Off
UB40
Reviews
Wikipedia
588 Mar 04 2026
A Love Supreme (opens in new tab)
John Coltrane
5 3.63
Reviews
Wikipedia
A top ten album for me, the blend of attractive chamber-folk and uncompromisingly Teutonic interpretation from Nico, and subtle subversiveness, is extraordinary. As much today as it was in 1966, this record has the power to polarize….always a good sign.
587 Mar 03 2026
Chelsea Girl (opens in new tab)
Nico
Rate
John Coltrane
5/5
A top ten album for me, the blend of attractive chamber-folk and uncompromisingly Teutonic interpretation from Nico, and subtle subversiveness, is extraordinary. As much today as it was in 1966, this record has the power to polarize….always a good sign.
UB40
2/5
Bob Dylan
4/5
Essential transitional album, from increasingly reluctant folkie to rebellious blues-folk rocker
Arcade Fire
4/5
Perhaps the most important rock album of the year 2000’s. The urgency, the channeling of great artists from the past, the insouciant charm of the band. They didn’t belong in the limelight and yet somehow they ended up there….and weathered it well, for a while.
Fun Lovin' Criminals
2/5
Kanye West
1/5
The Thrills
3/5
Really enjoyable somewhat retro LA sound, great melodies and rock or folk rock arrangements.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
I enjoy this one but slot it into his post-peak period. It’s more self conscious and less pure pop than his first three absolute classics. Perhaps the end of the beginning of his remarkable career….he was never as good again.
Yes
4/5
k.d. lang
3/5
AC/DC
4/5
Björk
4/5
Eagles
4/5
The Zutons
4/5
Paul Weller
5/5
A top 20 album for me and one of the better releases in the 1970’s. The combination of world weary anger, intelligent political commentary and great playing and production is just brilliant.
Marianne Faithfull
5/5
A top 20 album for me and one of the better releases in the 1970’s. The combination of world weary anger, intelligent political commentary and great playing and production is just brilliant.
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
2/5
Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
4/5
A really important album in its day, great confessional songs delivered in Cole’s unique vocal style. One of those artists whose first effort was probably his best, although he shone intermittently in the 40 years since.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5