A classic! How do you not like Bad Moon Rising?

I’m a sucker for any 70s/80s bass-forward three pieces. I think I walked around for years with Message in a Bottle rattling around in the back of my skull. But there’s so many good songs on this album that didn’t get airplay or videos on MTV. Regatta de Blanc, Bring On the Night, and No Time This Time are favorites. By the same token, there are some head scratchers - On Any Day and Does Everyone Stare sound like a totally different decade and band.

Classic Ray Charles

This is one of my favorite albums by a hugely talented artist. I listened to this cassette until it snapped in my boombox. Also bought it on vinyl, CD, MP3s and FLAC. No bad songs. The only things better are the live versions of many of these songs on the Secret World Live tour, but that’s because I really like the contrast of Peter Gabriel’s and Paula Cole’s voices. Also, I jammed my thumb while making the bed listening to this album. I ended up in pain and listening to In Your Eyes. Reminds me of high school…

On his 26th album Bowie knew he was dying and still reinvented his sound and message. The artistry is on full display, although this was somewhat of a hard listen for me on a Monday going to work. Dark and moody, reflective, and at times sonically dissonant, but his genius still shines through. A struggle to start with Blackstar at ten minutes, but Dollar Days and I Can’t Give Everything Away are a strong close on the coda of an amazing lifetime of music.

It’s not everyday that a child actor goes from being slimed on You Can’t Do That on Television to creating a new, edgy adult persona…and getting away with it. Jagged Little Pill was everywhere when it first came out, and I can’t listen to it without thinking about how it became so ubiquitous that they made a pretty bad Broadway jukebox musical of these songs. So trying to divorce myself from all that and listen to it now with fresh ears and an open mind, I can hear why it was successful. It echoes the angst of then-popular grunge with just enough of a pop sugar coating to make it radio-friendly (mostly). I just never got into that grating voice warble though… You Oughta Know is an anthem for jilted lovers set to crunchy guitar effects and it still rocks today. Other notable ones are Perfect, You Learn, Hand in My Pocket and Ironic (although that last one feels more like a joke now than it was meant to be…ironically). I didn’t remember the deeper cuts on the album (Forgiven, Mary Jane, Not the Doctor, Wake Up), sometimes with good reason, but the lyrics are raw and heartfelt throughout.

I discovered the Doors while going through my dad’s vinyl collection in the early 1980s. Along with King Crimson, the Doors were one of the first bands to expand my view of music beyond what was on the pop radio stations. This is a great experimental spoken word poetry album set to complex music that still somehow feels of the 1960s (with a couple of songs that “broke through” to popularity). The End is a haunting, if somewhat overly long and self-indulgent, piece that echoes through my memories.

I generally like experimental music, I want to like Tom Waits (Tommy the Cat by Primus is a favorite of mine), and I’ve tried before, but I just can’t get into it. Tom Waits sounds like Cookie Monster on a three day bender… Johnsburg, Illinois and Rainbirds are OK. 2⭐️

If you have one jazz album in your collection it should be Miles Davis — Kind of Blue. Ironically enough, I recently got my old MiniDisc player out of storage, and Kind of Blue *IS* my only jazz album. Davis is a genius and is accompanied by greats in their own right on the other instruments. A masterpiece, and the most iconic example of modal jazz improvisation. Where is the six stars button? 😁 5⭐️

Yesterday I got Miles Davis - Kind of Blue followed by…this. Opposite ends of the jazz spectrum for sure. I gave Kind of Blue five stars, so logically this gets: 0⭐️ (sigh) 1⭐️

The Pixies set the stage for so much of 90s alt-rock, particularly the loud-quiet-loud song structure. You can hear a bit of what they do in so many other bands. Bossanova doesn’t have any hugely well known songs, but maybe that’s for the best. 4⭐️

Games Without Frontiers is one of my favorite Peter Gabriel songs, and I knew Intruder, No Self Control and Biko, but I’ve never listened to this whole album before today. Family Snapshot was a standout favorite, and you can hear the evolution from Solsbury Hill and the seeds of later, more contemplative Gabriel in songs like Red Rain and Don’t Give Up. Unsurprisingly, I’m a big fan. Early post-Genesis Peter Gabriel still has more progressive/art rock sound and sensibilities. I’m a huge Robert Fripp fan (yay, King Crimson!!) and also with Steve Lillywhite producing and Kate Bush’s backing vocals. Oh, Phil Collins is here too, but playing drums like he should. 5⭐️ all day

I was wondering when I would get my first rap album. Expected Tupac, Dr. Dre, Snoop, Eminem, Jay-Z, Biggie, or A Tribe Called Quest or any other of the pioneers of rap. Instead I got a modern British rapper that I’ve never heard of. Trying not to let that affect my rating, listening to this with an open mind, it still was just OK. UK rap is not my thing. 3⭐️

This is fine; it sounds like so many other bands I heard at bars and fraternity parties in 1994. The Special Sauce is better than G. Love’s vocals and lyrics. Maybe I’m just not that big a fan of Philly… There are better options from the early-mid-90s in this college rock meets jazz/funk genre that I would pick for this list - Blues Traveler, Dave Matthews Band, Cake, Govt Mule, and Rusted Root all come to mind. 3⭐️

Already knew Don’t Dream It’s Over and a couple of their radio hits, but I had never heard this album. The bass lines are complex and interesting, and the songwriting is catchy. Favorites: chocolate cake, it’s only natural, fall at your feet, weather with you, four seasons in one day, and there goes god. When I started this project, I wanted to discover good music that I had not given a chance. I will most likely listen to more Crowded House (and Split Enz). 3⭐️ (really somewhere between 3 and 4).

In the great Oasis vs Blur debate of the late 90s, I was squarely on Team Oasis. That’s not to say I didn’t listen to or like Blur, but they weren’t “my” band. With the distance of time, I can appreciate why folks were pro-Blur. It has a neo-Beatles/Rolling Stones vibe (more Rolling Stones, whereas Oasis were definitely more Beatles). That sound just hits something fundamental in a lot of people. Songs on the album I liked - Beetlebum, Song 2 (obligatory), M.O.R., On Your Own, Look Inside America, and Movin’ On. 4 ⭐️

In college, my friends and I hung out at a bar called Limerick Junction, so I’ve heard my share of Irish music in various styles. The Pogues are an energetic fusion of punk and traditional Irish songs and instruments. This really takes me back. But beyond nostalgia, this is a solid album. The musicianship is high throughout and the singing is…exactly what I would have expected. Not an album I would put in rotation, but a fun listen! 3⭐️

Not sure what to make of this one. I see this as an evolution of folk music and singer-songwriter lyric-driven albums, but maybe it’s from an alternate dimension. The guitar is clear and straightforward, but got a bit repetitive by the end. Banhart has one of those voices you either love or hate. I tend to like a higher, nasal male tone (I see you Geddy Lee and Les Claypool), so this worked for me, except when some phrasing bordered on going too “country.” Songs I liked: A Sight to Behold, The Body Breaks, Will is my Friend, Tit Smoking in the Temple of Artesan Mimicry (for the name of nothing else), Rejoicing in the Hands, Fall, the music from Insect Eyes, and Autumn’s Child. Things I didn’t understand: Poughkeepsie - what’s the deal with naming Elvis albums?, counting in so many songs, the lyrics to Insect Eyes. Not sure I would ever choose to listen to this again, but not mad that I gave it a chance. I’m going to give this one: 3⭐️

This one feels like the poster child of 90s grunge-inflected pop/rock. The album's techno-minded sound and Manson's alluring persona complemented and countered the grunge sound Vig had helped pioneer after producing Nirvana's 1991 album Nevermind. The musical techniques used on Garbage felt radical at the time and had a clear influence on subsequent popular music, pairing distorted heavy guitar sounds with dark, sultry, sometimes angry female vocals. Normally I would list the songs I liked on the album, but on this one there are no bad tracks. 4⭐️

I was a little kid in 1978, when my dad left this record on his turntable in the basement. For years, as he puttered around doing woodworking and going through his fishing gear, echoes of Mark Knopfler’s guitar licks and Dylan-esque singing filtered up through the vents as I played upstairs. It was one of his favorite albums. So it’s hard for me to think of this as anything but a classic of literal dad rock. Listening to it now, I’m honestly into this a lot more than I anticipated. Some really fantastic guitar playing and the vocals are catchy and bluesy. It’s not what I would choose everyday (like my dad) but I'd definitely listen again…at least to Sultans of Swing. 4⭐️

I knew some of Robyn Hitchcock’s solo work and of course Katrina and the Waves, but had no idea that they both originated in the Soft Boys. Another reviewer described this as: “What if The Byrds were a punk rock band?” which is the perfect description, so I’m stealing it. A fun listen, and you can hear the influences on jangle pop / 1980s indie rock. Songs I liked: I Wanna Destroy You, Tonight, Queen of Eyes, Underwater Moonlight, I Wanna, Er, Over You. 3⭐️

I really love 70s rock, but this album is just OK. It’s repetitive and not a fan of the singing style. It’s one that I think I would have liked more if I heard it when it first came out. Bang a Gong is clearly the best song on the album, and almost sounds like a different band wrote and performed it. That’s even more true with It’s a Rip-off - it’s like someone finally got them in the studio when they weren’t on shrooms (but maybe on uppers?). Also, what did “bang a gong” actually mean in the UK in 1971? 2.5-ish⭐️ (but I’ll round down)

I’ve probably seen the video for One a hundred times. I have heard other songs on this album though the years on occasion, but definitely not a thrash metal guy. Fine to listen to this as part of the 1001 albums project, but for sure not putting it into my rotation. As many other reviewers have pointed out, this is all guitars and drums. Where is the bass in the mix? I understand that this is a quintessential album for the genre and Metallica is a group of technically gifted musicians, so I am going to rate it higher than my “do I like it” score: 3.5⭐️ (rounding up to 4 for overall rating; my personal “like” score is 2.5)

Fleetwood Mac is my mother’s favorite band, and this is her favorite album. I remember hearing it constantly, echoing in from another room; it is the background music of my early childhood. I have no way to separate this personal history from the music, so I will just say it’s a timeless classic and leave it at that. 5⭐️

Perfect mix between synths and guitars in the evolution of New Order. You can hear where so many later bands were inspired by New Order’s use of synthesizers and drum machines in dance music, and putting the vocals low in the mix. I like it, but can’t help comparing it to later New Order that is more well known, and I think, better. 3-ish⭐️ (4 for the pioneering instrumental parts, and 2 for the vocals and lyrics)

This is a genre-defining, timeless album. You can see where so many future bands got their influences from, but it is a well-executed classic in its own right. 5⭐️

I had heard of the Jam, but never got into their work. Really enjoyed this! It hit that nostalgia punk/pop/New Wave spot in my heart. Sounds like “what if the Clash, but more fun?” I was hooked with the first track! Songs I liked: Pretty Green, But I’m Different Now, Start!, Set the House Ablaze, Dream Time, Boy About Town, Scrape Away 4⭐️

I really like 80s music, but not sure if I need more of it created in 2018. That said, it is well executed and cleanly produced. The 1001 Albums Generator is doing exactly what it promised, because there is no way I would have come across modern French pop music on my own. I would not put it in rotation, but not mad that I listened to it. 2.5⭐️ (rounded up to 3 for rating)

Honestly I can’t even say I liked most of it, but man, they sound like they are having so much fun! “Avant-garage” is a great way to describe the sound. It feels like, “What if Talking Heads, but David Byrne had a stroke and no one told him?” 2.5⭐️ (rounded up to 3 for rating)

I’ve never been a straight ahead blues rock guy. My preferences have always tended more towards art, psychedelic, progressive, and jam band. Based on that, suffice to say in the Beatles vs. Stones debate I’ve always found myself with both feet firmly planted in the Beatles camp. That said, I have always respected the Stones for their musicianship and longevity. This album with its diverse rock-n-roll, blues, and country flavors just isn’t my bag. There are some great songs on this record, especially the "non-hits" and slower tempo like Sweet Virginia, Loving Cup, Let It Loose, and Shine A Light. In the end, my respect for this work is high as a classic album, but it still doesn't translate into something that makes me want to listen to it repeatedly. 3.5⭐️

What can I say that hasn’t already been said (by Eddie Murphy)? Stevie Wonder is a musical genius! 5⭐️

It's decent country rock music with old timey Americana themes (played by mostly Canadians), but it's really not my thing. No song makes me want to give it a second listen. Should have stayed as a backing band for Dylan. 2⭐️

It's the Van Halen album that first blew up for them, and showcases their instrumental prowess as a band, the best of Diamond Dave's shtick, and the most fun songwriting. This album was everywhere throughout the 1980s, and Jump, Panama and Hot for Teacher have lived on as staples of classic rock radio. On listening today, I was most surprised by how synthesizer-forward so many of the songs were. And House of Pain sounded much heavier than the other songs; not as good a vehicle for David Lee Roth’s vocal style. 4+⭐️

This is the campy, theatrical, dark rock that I expect from Alice Cooper, but it had some surprises and was more entertaining than I hoped for. Mary Ann sounded like it could have been lifted as an outtake from an Emerson, Lake and Palmer album, and Hello Hooray, Elected, No More Mr. Nice Guy and Unfinished Sweet were great tracks. I can do without ever hearing Sick Things and I Love the Dead again. 3⭐️

All I knew about the Dandy Warhols was their name. In 1997 I was living out of the country, and way more interested in exploring the music of a new continent, so this one slipped by me. This sounds like “what if Garbage, the Breeders and the Lemonheads decided to get together to try to make a Velvet Underground album, with a little Pink Floyd thrown in for good measure.” A bit uneven throughout, but overall a really enjoyable listen! Songs I Liked: Boys Better, Every Day Should Be a Holiday, Good Morning, Whipping Tree, Cool as Kim Deal, and Pete International Airport 3.5⭐️

An underground classic that got lost in the mainstream because 1994 was an amazing year for hip hop releases. I hope some of those records are in this project too (e.g., Nas - Illmatic, B.I.G. - Ready to Die, Big Daddy Kane - Daddy’s Home, Beastie Boys - Ill Communication, Outkast) DJ Premier is amazing as always with the beats, and the lyrics and flow are a great example of mid-90s NY bravado. Best track: You Can't Stop the Prophet 3⭐️

My favorite Beastie Boys album! This was the CD in my car stereo on repeat for 1994. Truly a classic and such a variety of musical styles; so many great tracks. Favorites: Sabotage, Root Down, Sure Shot, Get it Together, Flute Loop, Heart Attack Man, Tough Guy. 5⭐️

Interesting storytelling and I like Marty Robbins’ timeless voice. Not my scene, but my grandpa used to love this stuff. Songs I liked: Big Iron, El Paso, The Master's Call, Hanging Tree 3⭐️

I’m more familiar with older Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, so this was a first listen for me. I’ve always thought of Nick Cave and Tom Waits as being in the same genre and experimenting in similar musical spaces. But I’m more partial to Nick Cave, primarily because the vocals are more melodically pleasing and some of the music remains more accessible while still pushing traditional boundaries. This double album did not disappoint, with some great songs that I would play on repeat (There She Goes, My Beautiful World, Nature Boy, Messiah Ward, Let the Bells Ring, Easy Money, Supernaturally, and O Children) and some others I would not (Fable of the Brown Ape, Lyre of Orpheus, Cannibal’s Hymn). Overall, makes me wonder why I waited so long to seek this out. 3.5⭐️

I encourage anyone who is about to listen to this record to also read about the story leading up to this performance. Absolutely ridiculous circumstances surrounding the show that really puts the songs in a different perspective. The music itself is great as well. Impressive improvisation throughout. Also surprising to me that a solo piano free-improvisation record became a best seller. 3.5⭐️

This album is called Timeless, but I think they meant to say “Time, less” as in the less time spent with this, the better! I understand this is a foundational album for jungle/drum’n’bass, but it’s really not my thing. Maybe if I was into Ecstasy…? 2⭐️

Well, country really isn't my genre. Not by a long shot. So I wasn't thrilled to get this album. After a full listen-through, I will say it was proficiently played 1960s-1970s style country music and Prine’s lyrics are clever, but a lot of it reminded me of songs from the Muppet Show - think Kermit the Frog singing The Rainbow Connection. I like the Dave Matthews Band version of Angel from Montgomery a lot more. 3⭐️

Usually with older bands on this list I’ve at least heard some of their work, even if I’m not familiar with their full catalogue. With Love, I didn’t know a single song. This album is all over the place - folk rock, jazz, baroque and the last song tried to do some kind of psychedelic soul thing. Most of the better songs sounded like they were doing an impression of the Doors, really early Pink Floyd, the Beatles or the Rolling Stones. This album feels like they had a lot of the building blocks, but didn’t really put them together in new, unique or interesting ways. 2⭐️

I love ELO and this album is no exception! Good rock with various styles, ranging from classic to progressive. Jeff Lynne is the fifth Beatle! Favorite Songs: Mr. Blue Sky, Turn to Stone, Sweet Talkin’ Woman, Jungle, Steppin’ Out, Standin’in the Rain 4.5⭐️

I play bass, therefore I love Earth, Wind and Fire. 4⭐️

A jazz standard filled with notable classics. Dave Brubeck is so precise and complex, and the rest of the team backs him up superbly, particularly Desmond and Morello on the highlight Take Five. 5⭐️

This is peak 60’s Dylan. The actual album is split down the middle between electric and acoustic songs, reflecting the fissure that was taking place in music (and society). The whole album is an expression of Dylan’s out with the old and in with the new sensibility. One of the first and still one of the best music videos is for Subterranean Homesick Blues. Also, true story - I got kicked out of Sunday School for singing Subterranean Homesick Blues (without the cue cards). 5⭐️

Certified. Legendary. Status. It really doesn't get much better than this. It's innovative and creative and manages to alternate between fun and meaningful without giving the listener whiplash. "Stankonia" is a timeless classic and the best of OutKast, Atlanta rap, Southern rap, and a great of overall hip-hop. 4+⭐️

Live music that's so well recorded and performed that you can barely tell. Jams that are intricate and interesting, but go on for just a bit too long. Classic! Favorite songs: Whipping Post, In Memory of Elizabeth Reed, Hot ‘Lanta 3.5⭐️

I like Jeff Beck as a guitarist (particularly with the Yardbirds), less so as a singer. You can hear where Rod Stewart really evolved into his sound over time in his later solo work; some of this seems uneven to me, especially Shapes of Things. No massive stand out hits but the overall sound is great classic rock without the cheesiness or overplayed aspect of some of the other bands of the time. Loved some sneaky Led Zeppelin vibes in Beck’s Bolero! 3 ⭐️

My dad was a dentist in the 1970s through the 1990s, so I think this record was obligatory for his work playlist. It’s like the background music to my childhood visits to his office. Do It Again and Reelin' In the Years are well-known classics, but my favorite song is Dirty Work. The rest of this album is actually decent too though. There's really no other band that sounds like Steely Dan. 3.5⭐️ (I’ll round up to 4 for rating)

Kate Bush to me has always been inextricably linked with one of my favorite artists, Peter Gabriel. Hounds of Love has so many progressive rock inspirations that it is one of those very few examples of progressive pop music. Instrumentation, lyrics, pure weirdness ('Waking the Witch'!) go hand in hand to create something very unique. It could be released now and still sound fresh and relevant. This is indeed a classic that is really timeless. 4.5⭐️

I have always loved the Sweet Jane cover but had never listened to this album until now. The soft vocals here are hauntingly beautiful. The mix of covers and originals are kinda cool. The lore surrounding the album is cool. The genre mixing is cool. Albums like this are more about creating an overall vibe and less about making those album defining, standout tracks. Favorites: Sweet Jane, Dreaming My Dreams With You , I Don’t Get It 3⭐️

Great wallowing in sadness album. Great sonic production by Nigel Godrich. Not what I expect from Beck based on his earlier, popular work. I guess I’m more of a “two turntables and a microphone” guy. 3⭐️

This is just middle-of-the-road, bluesy, bar room rock and roll. Nothing unique or surprising but everything was just...fine. Faces is most notable for what some band members did after Faces broke up. Although I think the world would have been perfectly good without Rod Stewart’s solo career. 2⭐️

I had this cassette in high school, and like so many other suburban white boys listened to it all the time, thinking I was a bad ass. There’s real shock value, and 35+ years later I can do without some of the language and imagery. But damn, it’s still a fun listen! There are some bangers on here, they had a point of view, and the fact that I still remember a bunch of lyrics tells you how much of an impression it made. Also, the unsung hero of this album and of N.W.A. generally is the D.O.C. In an alternate timeline where he didn’t injure his vocal cords he could have been as big as Dr. Dre or Ice Cube… 4⭐️

I have to admit that Reggae is not my jam. This was fine musically and after reading the Wikipedia article I understand why it was included in this project. But I wouldn't choose to listen again. 2.5⭐️ (round down to 2 for the rating)

I feel like anything I would have to say about this album would be woefully insufficient. I mean, this is the epitome of a 5 star classic rock album - the Who at their musical peak (yes, including Tommy and Quadrophenia). Some of the best rock songs ever made on this album, including the monumental Baba O'Riley, the blistering Won't Get Fooled Again, and the deeply intense Behind Blue Eyes. Favorite Songs: Baba O'Riley, Bargain, Behind Blue Eyes, Won't Get Fooled Again, Going Mobile, My Wife 5⭐️

Some of the best works that the Police are known for, a few okay tracks, and one awful song (Mother). Overall, the good far outweighs the bad. You can hear the changes from earlier albums where they were a true three piece group. On this album, with Sting being the focal point, they lose that cohesion and it’s clearly the swan song of the Police. Favorite songs: Synchronicity I and II, Every Breath You Take, King of Pain, Wrapped Around Your Finger, Murder By Numbers 4⭐️

This is funnier than I remember but also lots of horrible messages. People say it hasn’t aged well, but this was also intentionally shocking when it came out in 1999 (and remains so today). Slim Shady was always a goofy, immature, admittedly evil persona that Marshall Mathers created so that he could spew terrible shit in fantastically complex rhymes. The flow and the storytelling are still top notch, and Dr. Dre’s beats…*chef’s kiss*! 4⭐️

The definitive Guns N Roses album! One of the best rock albums of all time, even if a couple of tunes from it are way too overplayed on radio (paradise city, sweet child o mine) it's still just amazing. I'm more of a Use your Illusion kinda guy, but this is still the work that people know them for, and that’s what makes it a timeless classic! 4⭐️

Words that came to mind while listening to this album: melancholy, emo, minimalist, moody, tortured, sparse. It feels like the music that gets played in very hipster coffee shops and trendy, overpriced goth clothing stores. Which is not to say that I didn’t like it. The interplay of the male and female duet vocals is engaging, especially on Stars, Basic Space and VCR. The instruments are muted and create a sonic fabric, layered over each other in a way that washes over the listener. Cool ambient mood music to put on in the background. 3⭐️

Love this album - was really nice to listen to it again. I was way more into Pearl Jam than Nirvana. This CD basically had a permanent position in my Aiwa 3-disc changer. Was one of the best debut albums of the early 90s and still holds up today. All great, no filler songs (except maybe the final track is a bit too long). 5⭐️

Tangled Up in Blue is incredible. The rest of the album reminded me why I'm a distant admirer rather than a fan of Bob Dylan. The vocals are an acquired taste. I feel like I like Bob Dylan in spite of the singing, not because of it. The lyrics however are really inspired. My suggestion is to have them available when you listen to this album. It really helps your enjoyment. Favorite songs: Tangled Up in Blue, Shelter from the Storm, Idiot Wind, Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts 3.5⭐️

It's fundamental, basic, and timeless. This may not be the first, but it is still the most prototypical hard rock album. People love the songs on this record so much, and have heard them so many times in movies, TV shows and at sporting events (and for me growing up they were a staple of school dances), that they don’t have to think about them anymore. They’re just part of the experience. Which is good, because the lyrics (such as they are) don’t really matter. It’s all about loud, bold, power chord, blow your socks off rock (but in the best possible way). 4⭐️

One of my favorite Nirvana albums. Something magical about this performance, although maybe it's my nostalgia. The stripped down sound of acoustic Nirvana and the raw, intimate emotion of Kurt Cobain’s voice throughout really singles this out. Nirvana would never again achieve this level of artistry, and we are all better off for the fact that it was captured as a moment in time. For my money, this is the definitive version of The Man Who Sold the World. They out-Bowied Bowie. 5⭐️

I wouldn’t have sought this out, but happily surprised. It’s well done, chill, jazzy bossa nova. I don’t speak Portuguese, but enjoyed the vibe very much. Might put it on in the background next time my in-laws come over for dinner. 3⭐️

I’ve worn out my copy of Simon & Garfunkel’s Greatest Hits, so a fan of their work generally but not to go on a deep dive. America and Mrs. Robinson are, of course, excellent. Great cover of Hazy Shade of Winter, too. Several other songs I hadn't heard before that were good, but not great. Voices of Old People isn't something I would listen to again. 4.25⭐️, because I can't quite round up to 5.

already knew most of the songs, but hearing it all come together as one album makes it all the better. Some classic stuff here. 4⭐️

Not my usual genre, but this was very big, bold and mostly catchy, which I don't usually get out of electronic music. Sounds a bit like older Daft Punk, which is a plus for me. 3⭐️

Johnny Cash all the things!!! Cool concept. Hurt and Personal Jesus are my two favorites. 3+⭐️

I have been waiting for this album since I started the project! Rush is my favorite band and this is my favorite album. It showcases their musical virtuosity, high concept lyrics and storytelling, and it’s still a banger by today’s standards. Each is a master of their respective instrument, and the sum is more than each part. Quite possibly the easiest 5 star review I’ve given. 5⭐️

Meh. Trying to be Nirvana and Oasis at the same time is hard. And these guys came up short. Not sure why this album is one I must hear before I die. 2⭐️

Anita Baker has a very strong vocal performance, with high quality mid-1980s production, but it feels electronic and sterile. Nothing to hate, but the quiet storm isn’t for me (it’s only for the grown and sexy people). 3⭐️

Ah, this one is filled with nostalgia for me! I think of this album as the midway point between R.E.M being an indy band and getting huge. The one album that could keep everyone happy. Document was always my favorite, but this one has a lot of hits. Always makes me appreciate the band and want to go through the back catalog. 4⭐️

Great album, lots of awesome heavy riffs mixed with interesting chord progressions to give a little something for everyone. Ambitious keyboard + guitar work, and what's not to love listening to the OG Jesus Christ Superstar wailing away? 3⭐️

Compact wall of sound with intriguing but beautiful melodies in what is one of the more significant shoegaze releases. Not sure it’s an album I had to hear before I die, but a worthwhile listen nonetheless. Favorite songs: Seagull, Decay, Dreams Burn Down, Nowhere 3⭐️

It's obvious from the first track that so many bands that followed them were influenced heavily by the Stooges. This album is raw and visceral. The feeling of this whole album is one of an amazing live show, where the power and emotion is front and center. 3⭐️

It’s my first full time through this album although I’ve heard Personal Jesus, Enjoy the Silence and Policy of Truth a million times. Really like this vibe and will revisit this album in the future. 4⭐️

An interesting concept, but I have neither the time nor the inclination to listen to the soundtracks of movies that don’t exist. But even more so when a lot of it isn’t great music. Another album from this project that I’m quite certain I didn’t need to hear before I died. 2⭐️

It was kind of interesting at first but it lost me over time. I ended up just not really liking it without being able to put my finger on why. 1969 must have been a crazy time! 2⭐️

Not quite at the levels of OK Computer, but it's super complex and experimental annd extremely well mixed. Radiohead really is one of the best modern bands. 4⭐️

A good Neil Young album, but certainly not his best. Some songs really don't click with me, but they are compensated with some great rockers such as Country Home and mansion on the Hill. Peak grunge phase Neil Young and Crazy Horse. 3⭐️

A raw & abrasive almost-masterpiece of the OG PJ Harvey trio. Steve Albini is truly fantastic here and elevates the music and lyrics fantastically. Favorite songs: Rid of Me, Man-Size Sextet, 50ft Queenie, Snake 4⭐️

I like psychedelia. I think weird and unorthodox music like psych/prog rock is vastly more interesting than anything that's been on the pop charts for ages. I like nontraditional song structures, with strange chord progressions and time signatures. I really enjoy the 1967-1979 era when rock musicians were really pushing the boundaries of music, creating cohesive mind-expanding albums instead of cheap radio pop singles. Even though this album shows its age, it is much more inventive than anything produced in this century. I find it fascinating that music like this ever sold, back in the day. It's the opposite of radio-friendly. I will say that this album is not a great intro to Pink Floyd. Their later albums are more well known and definitely the reason they are considered one of the timeless classics of rock. Favorite Songs: Astronomy Domine, Lucifer Sam, Interstellar Overdrive, Bike Also, the album cover looks like a bunch of rejected actors for 1960s Doctor Who (which is a positive!). 4⭐️

Was never really a Smiths fan, but now I can appreciate the band musically. I still think that Morrisey is one of most overated singers of all time though. 3⭐️

I should start by saying that this kind of low key adult contemporary music with the occasional country twang is absolutely not my thing. Not that I hate it. It just would never occur to me to listen to it. But I'll do my best. The first thing to note is that k.d. lang is an excellent singer. The music and lyrics are…fine. I can recognize what they are going for, appreciate it, but still not really like it. But Constant Craving is a bop! 3⭐️

Honestly, there's nothing really stand out here. Some of these songs are duds some are okay but nothing tips the scales either way. On balance, it's decidedly mediocre. I liked A House Is Not A Motel and Bummer In The Summer alright though. So it's saved from a failing mark on the weight of those two songs alone. 2.5⭐️

I enjoyed this album a lot, especially since it's not a style I normally listen to. The Cisco Kid is great. I also liked City, Country, City even though it clocked in at 13 minutes. 4⭐️

No thanks on the Lolita-esque, proto-ASMR concept album. First I thought I didn’t like it only because it was in French and I didn’t understand it. Then I read what it was about and I was sure I didn’t like it. 1⭐️

Interesting and eclectic blend of styles, and politics, and it's rare to find something that is so mixed up like this. The vocals get a bit grating and one-note at times. So for its uniqueness I guess I see why it is on the list, but I didn’t enjoy it. 2⭐️

Beautiful ephemeral pop that I could listen to on loop forever. Couldn’t tell if the lyrics were in English 95% of the time, and I didn’t care. What a great layered, wall of sound album. 3⭐️

Singer/songwriter meets jazz piano for nice chill background songs. I love the tone of her voice. Unfortunately, it’s become standard “Starbucks music” but that shouldn’t take away from the album, which was hugely popular when it first debuted. 3⭐️

I mean, it's a timeless masterpiece! Monster hits every single track (Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Welcome to the Machine, Have a Cigar, and Wish You Were Here) Some of the best and most popular progressive rock music ever written. No complaints, only positive thoughts for this one. 5⭐️

Celebrity Skin is a great power pop album and an interesting way to depart from the grunge style from previous Hole works. The changes in the line up and production style (thanks to Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins) resulted in an album about California that works very well as a single theme record. Love's lyrics are at her peak, exploring themes of superficiality and sexism. "Celebrity Skin" and "Malibu" perfectly embody 1998’s music scene. 3.5⭐️

These are the kind of records I expect to get from this project. Classic in every sense of the word. An undoubtedly important and influential piece of music. Without Little Richard’s success I don’t think most of the rest of the list would even exist. However, this seems like a "you had to be there" kind of thing. Seeing him perform during that era was probably insane. It's definitely an album that doesn’t fully capture that live concert experience. 4.5⭐️

Not unpleasant, and I can see how some R&B fans might like this, but it's not for me. Every track sounds exactly the same. Mariah doesn't really sing songs so much as just moan scales. 2⭐️

The Stones at their best, a golden age far much better than their later career from the 80s on. Paint it Black is far and away the best of the album. 4⭐️

Kinda surprised to find this album on here. No real hits; I guess All I Know is the most famous song on this one, but does not compare to Nearly Lost You (far and away their most well-known track). It's not a bad album, but there's nothing remarkable about it either. To me, it's just another of the dozens of bands that put Led Zeppelin through a Nirvana filter. 2.5⭐️

I’m too old for this to be “the music of my youth” so I never listened to a full Arcade Fire album before today. But I have always heard that Arcade Fire was on the vanguard of this generation of indie rock. I quite liked this. Good energy, musicianship and lyrics; I will seek out more of their work. 4⭐️

This is the album that made Oasis a household name. And for good reason. It's an undeniable powerhouse of a record. There's not a bad track on here. Anyway, here's "Wonderwall." 5⭐️

Cheap Trick captures their sound in an amazing live venue. This live album does exactly what all live albums should: make you wish you were in the crowd that night (even if, like me, you are not the biggest Cheap Trick fan)! 3⭐️

Never really been fan of “White Rabbit”. I mean it’s ok, but it’s no “Somebody to Love”, which easily makes it into in the top 5 songs of the 60’s. The rest of the record pales in comparison to those two hits, but it’s enjoyable overall. This band is clearly at their best when they’re playing in rock mode rather than folky acoustic shit. 3⭐️

I feel like there is music that music theorists love that I just don’t get and this album is it. In one word: Pretentious. In two words: Whisper Shouty. 2⭐️

No thank you. Just noise. Completely unnecessary inclusion. 1⭐️

I am not a country fan, and this sounds like just about every other country record from the late 50’s or early 60’s that you’ve ever heard. Not objectionable, but not necessarily an album I needed to hear. 2⭐️

Brilliant corners is simply a timeless classic. Monk's style may be off putting for some with his crunchy dissonant, off kilter dissonant piano playing, but therein also lies his genius. Allstar band. Highlight for me is Bemsha Swing. 4⭐️

Chris Cornell was the lead in spirit as well as voice; what a masterful performance! The guitar work is also stellar, and really set the tone for a lot of harder rock that came after (e.g. Foo Fighters). Unsurprisingly, Black Hole Sun is my favorite track. 4⭐️

This was a interesting record, but definitely sounds like a study of rejected James Bond movie theme songs. I like the singer’s ethereal voice and the arrangements. That said, one time listening to this is more than enough for me. 3⭐️

"Wait. Let’s try this again. Do you see the band on stage?" "No, I don’t see The Band, that’s a different group entirely!" "On stage, Skippy! Look, see the band?" "No I don’t!" "Get rid of those John Lennon glasses and look! There, there’s the band!" "No, that’s not The Band! The Band is performing later on. Who is onstage." https://youtu.be/MC7lUOT3xPg This is the best thing about The Band. They should be the backing group for Dylan; not everyone should go out on their own. Without focus, this is a jam on record. A couple of classic songs (The Weight, Long Black Veil) surrounded by forgettable, generic bluesy folk rock. 3⭐️ (2⭐️ of which are for The Weight)

Beautifully arranged album, Suzanne Vega has a gorgeous, wistful, voice which lends itself perfectly to her fantastic guitar playing. You can definitely hear the influence artists like Lou Reed and Bob Dylan have on her work. 4⭐️

Like a 70s porn flick…this has not aged well. Not my bag, and doesn’t even seem that Tim Buckley was popular when he was putting out music (putting out…see what I did there? I could write these lyrics). White boy sex funk honky tonk bullshit. No thanks. 1⭐️

I'm familiar with the usual Kinks songs but had only heard one of the tracks on this album (Picture Book). I am always down for a concept album, even when some of it doesn’t work. I keep listening to the title track over and over again. It's got a Lewis Carroll feel to it. There are a few silly songs on the album towards the end (what’s with the Wizard of Oz munchkin voice effects?), but they don't really distract from the whole and even those have some parts that are worthwhile. 3⭐️

To me Moby comes across less as a musician, and more as a reupholsterer. He chooses old African-American spirituals, as one might find a beautiful old sofa. He hammers the old melodies into shape, puttying over any small imperfections. He then applies some new material, slick beats crisp and bright (like new fabric on an old sofa), to make the original content marketable to a contemporary consumer. It's a professional and precise product but it feels cold and inauthentic. (Note: This is not my original writing, but it so perfectly captures how I felt listening to this album that I am going to “borrow” it - thanks!) 2.5⭐️

Beautiful, lyrical, ethereal. The opening and closing tracks are exquisite. Kate Bush is in a class of her own. 4⭐️

This is why I’m doing this project. Absolutely not the kind of music I would ever come across organically, but an important work. I appreciate being introduced to this album, as it also lays groundwork for later psychedelic influence from the likes of The Beatles, Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, and many others I'm sure. 3.5⭐️

After the muddled production and ultracomplicated song structures of ...And Justice for All, Metallica decided that they had taken the progressive elements of their music as far as they could and that a simplification and streamlining of their sound was in order. While the assessment made sense from a musical standpoint, it also presented an opportunity to commercialize their music, and Metallica accomplishes both goals. The best songs are more melodic and immediate, the crushing, stripped-down grooves of "Enter Sandman," "Sad but True," and "Wherever I May Roam" sticking to traditional structures and using the same main riffs throughout; the crisp, professional production by Bob Rock adds to their accessibility. "The Unforgiven" and "Nothing Else Matters" avoid the slash-and-burn guitar riffs that had always punctuated the band's ballads; the latter is a full-fledged love song complete with string section, which works much better than might be imagined. The song- and riff-writing slips here and there, a rare occurrence for Metallica, which some longtime fans interpreted as filler next to a batch of singles calculated for commercial success. The objections were often more to the idea that Metallica was doing anything explicitly commercial, but millions more disagreed. In fact, the band's popularity exploded so much that most of their back catalog found mainstream acceptance in its own right, while other progressively inclined speed metal bands copied the move toward simplification. In retrospect, Metallica is a very good commercial success, but not quite great, album, one whose best moments deservedly captured the heavy metal crown, but whose approach also foreshadowed a creative decline. 4⭐️

As someone who is squarely Gen X, I think I get what they were going for in the moment, but from the first note (or scream) this was a complete fail. There were so many good albums that came out in 1996 that could have been on this list: Gin Blossoms - Congratulations I’m Sorry, Cowboy Junkies - Lay it Down, Stone Temple Pilots - Tiny Music…, Barenaked Ladies - Born on a Pirate Ship and Rock Spectacle, Marillion - Made Again, Slater-Kinney - Call the Doctor, The Verve Pipe - Villains, Local H - As Good as Dead, Veruca Salt - Blow it Out…, The Cranberries - To the Faithful Departed, DMB - Crash, The Wallflowers - Bringing Down the Horse, De La Soul - Stakes Is High, A Tribe Called Quest - Beats, Rhymes and Life, R.E.M. - New Adventures in Hi-Fi, Rush - Test for Echo, Cake - Fashion Nugget, Weezer - Pinkerton, Nirvana - From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah, Phish - Billy Breathes, Counting Crows - Recovering the Satellites, Paula Cole - This Fire, Wilco - Being There, Rusted Root - Remember or even Nerf Herder. But instead we got…this… 1⭐️

This is heavy music--there's a lot going on here, and I don't think this is a jazz album to drop in the middle of a broader range of styles and say, "Here, this one is one of the best." It may be, but it's for hardcore jazzheads. I think "Mingus Ah Um" or "Mingus Plays Piano" is better for the general listener to get familiar with Mingus. This would be better suited for "1001 Jazz Albums To Hear Before You Die." Great album? Probably. Over my head? Definitely. 3/5, just because our esteemed editors haven't read the room. Including this album is just pretentious or lazy; not sure which. 3⭐️

I liked her wistful way of singing, perhaps for one song at a time. I don't love a whole album of her voice. Her songs are pretty but aside from "Stolen Car," nothing really stands out to me. 2.5⭐️

Classic Prince! Huge hits, a few good grooves, and some random crap that still sounds funky. This one is an easy: 5⭐️

New album to me and truly nothing grabbed me. Meh version of standard 90s pop rock IMO 2.5⭐️

An amazing collection of guitar-driven pop songs. Always happy to hear this record, and still holds up after more than 25 years. A hugely influential album. In my opinion, the pinnacle of pop punk. 5⭐️

Tragic figure. You can really tell he was influenced by the Beatles, particularly Lennon. Smith ultimately inspired later artists like Ben Folds and the Shins, two of my favorites. Great stuff here, but think it was included since it was his final work (and the iconic album cover). Either/Or is still my favorite of his albums. 4⭐️

The front half of this one is great. I remember when the single for Faith was released and it was a massive hit. You can hear the strong Prince influence on the front half, which is probably why I like it. Then, the back half hits. Seems like they lost steam and ideas. Also, essentially 14 minutes of this thing is devoted to "I Want Your Sex." Catchy tune, but c'mon. 3⭐️

Offspring is like Taco Bell for Punk. If someone said "I want Mexican food" it isn't my recommendation, but it deserves it own category for just how tasty it can be, ya dig? 3.5⭐️

Like a VERY 90's Pink Floyd! 2.5⭐️

Far too sexy for me. Makes me feel uncomfortable. Fuck knows what that says about me. 4⭐️

This is one of my all time favorites. Zeppelin at their most varied, including crushing blues, heavy metal, acoustic and folk. Since I've Been Loving You is among my all time favorites. 5⭐️

Pleasant. But if I never heard it again, or never had heard it, I don't think my life would be any the poorer. 2⭐️

Jay-Z was always big but this is before everyone's grandparents knew who he was. H to the Izzo is a classic. Takeover is ruthless. Girls, Girls, Girls is funny as hell. I like the reminder that before Jay-Z hung out with Obama he stabbed a guy in a club a month after this album came out. Definitely gets a little repetitive (drugs, girls, etc) but I like that each song has a structure and arc and sticks to a subject unlike most rap today. The middle of the album is little weaker and I was excited for Renegade. Foundational album and I didn’t remember that it came out on 9/11/01! 4⭐️

I don't blame Robert Wyatt for making this album full of noodling nonsense. I blame the project for including this album - so many other good experimental works came out in 1974 that could have been included instead of this one. Weather Report Mysterious Traveller would be a good choice! 1⭐️

What a debut! Costello came out of the gate running. Pure anger, spitting power pop. BT: Welcome To The Working Week, Alison, (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes 4⭐️

I am not a Joni Mitchell fan, but I do think she has a way with writing lyrics. What saves this album for me is the inclusion of the best bassist of the 1970s, Jaco Pastorious. Mitchell appears to have given Pastorious the record and just said, please bass all over this, and the result is glorious! 3⭐️

Post-punk/post-rockabilly, proto-grunge - call it what you will, but this is fun. I’ve liked the Meat Puppets for a long time. Not my favorite album (that would be Too High to Die), but a good representation of their varied styles. 3⭐️

What a classic album. Their first, legendary. Eruption is a true form guitar solo turned song. 4.5⭐️

You can't really argue with what Madonna does, love it or hate it, she's very good at her pop thing. This album is full of classic pop tracks, easy to sing along with, easy to dance to, easy to relate to. I'm not a big pop fan these days but I enjoy most things she put out through the 80s. It's so streamlined and polished. Good stuff. 4⭐️

Fun, upbeat, different to what I would usually listen to. Honestly enjoyed listening to this album. 3⭐️

Well, this was a strange one. A bit folky. A bit rocky. A bit jazzy. A bit country. A bit too averagey. Nothing stood out for me, and there was nothing to get my teeth into. It flowed over me like water over a rock. And left me just as cold. 2⭐️

Damn awesome execution of this idea. Ray Charles voice is timeless, and though some of the strings and background vocals are a bit overdone, the blues approach to country/western is very cool. 4⭐️

What have I done to deserve two Joni Mitchell albums in one week? Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue. 2⭐️

Mark Knopfler is a beast all over this project, one of the best rock albums ever made. Effortlessly cool and technically brilliant. 5⭐️

'Physical Graffiti' is a Zeppelin album that I've had to warm up to over the years. The diversity of musical styles on this album is just unreal, with each track hitting you in its own unique way. At first, it didn't grab me the same way Led Zeppelin II or IV did. This another one where the first half is full of great stuff and the longer it goes on, the more I wish it had stopped. This is an amazing ten song album, but there are fifteen songs. Still…4⭐️

I like this more than I thought I would. I am glad that this album was selected instead of one of the folk albums, since I tend to not be a big fan of folk. "Like a Rolling Stone" is on this one, and it is the greatest song ever written, according to Rolling Stone (seems sus, but whatever). I'm more of a, "A Change is Gonna Come" guy myself. My personal enjoyment: 3⭐️ Did it belong on this list: 5⭐️

So oddly enough I got Bob Dylan’s Highway 61 Revisited yesterday, and now this. Wow, what a change a few decades make - and not for the better. This was a dirge and a slog. The people who say that you shouldn’t listen to anything from Dylan after 1975 are onto something. 1⭐️

One of the most important records ever made, John Coltrane's A Love Supreme was his pinnacle studio outing, that at once compiled all of the innovations from his past, and glimpsed at the future innovations of his final two and a half years. 5⭐️

I don't need to listen to this album (for the 5 millionth time) to give it 5 stars. Every song is a winner. 5⭐️ 5⭐️ 5⭐️

Classic alert! They have a pretty unique sound as a band, only problem I have with them is they never really stray from this sound. IMO this is the only portishead album you really need to listen to, the others all sound the same but worse. 4⭐️

Bland Company. Short average dad rock. Not bad but not memorable. 3⭐️