1001 Albums Summary

Listening statistics & highlights

671
Albums Rated
3.38
Average Rating
62%
Complete
418 albums remaining

Rating Distribution

Rating Timeline

Taste Profile

1970
Favorite Decade
Funk
Favorite Genre
UK
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
72
5-Star Albums
24
1-Star Albums

Breakdown

By Genre

Top Styles

By Decade

By Origin

Albums

You Love More Than Most

AlbumYouGlobalDiff
Scum
Napalm Death
5 2.08 +2.92
Suicide
Suicide
5 2.46 +2.54
The Modern Dance
Pere Ubu
5 2.48 +2.52
Live At The Witch Trials
The Fall
5 2.63 +2.37
The Infotainment Scan
The Fall
5 2.71 +2.29
Scott 4
Scott Walker
5 2.8 +2.2
Call of the Valley
Shivkumar Sharma
5 2.92 +2.08
Kollaps
Einstürzende Neubauten
4 1.94 +2.06
Pills 'n' Thrills And Bellyaches
Happy Mondays
5 2.98 +2.02
Dare!
The Human League
5 3.05 +1.95

You Love Less Than Most

AlbumYouGlobalDiff
Master Of Puppets
Metallica
1 3.71 -2.71
She's So Unusual
Cyndi Lauper
1 3.48 -2.48
Reggatta De Blanc
The Police
1 3.44 -2.44
A Rush Of Blood To The Head
Coldplay
1 3.43 -2.43
...And Justice For All
Metallica
1 3.41 -2.41
25
Adele
1 3.37 -2.37
Ready To Die
The Notorious B.I.G.
1 3.36 -2.36
Smash
The Offspring
1 3.36 -2.36
Channel Orange
Frank Ocean
1 3.34 -2.34
The Yes Album
Yes
1 3.31 -2.31

Artists

Favorites

ArtistAlbumsAverage
David Bowie 8 4.63
Radiohead 5 4.6
Jimi Hendrix 3 5
The Smiths 3 4.67
The Fall 2 5
Talking Heads 4 4.25
Bob Dylan 6 4
Pixies 3 4.33
Joni Mitchell 3 4.33

Least Favorites

ArtistAlbumsAverage
Metallica 3 1
Rod Stewart 2 1
Aerosmith 3 1.67
U2 3 2

Controversial

ArtistRatings
Beastie Boys 5, 2
Yes 1, 4
Fleetwood Mac 5, 2
Beatles 3, 3, 5, 2, 2, 5
Sonic Youth 4, 5, 2

5-Star Albums (72)

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Popular Reviews

Ready To Die by The Notorious B.I.G.

This is a difficult one to review. I liked the music and Biggie's vocals flow well. However, some of the lyrics are absolutely appalling. I'd feel embarrassed to listen to this album with other people around - and considering I'm happy to listen to Kunt and the Gang, that's not an easy thing to achieve. The glorification of violence, the casual homophobia and, in particular, the horrific levels of misogyny mean that I can only give this album 1 star, even though I thought the music was good. Some of the more delightful lyrics: From Me and My Bitch: "And I admit, when the time is right, the wine is right I treat you right, you talk slick, I beat you right" From Just Playing (Dreams). Where Biggie "Dreams of fucking an R&B bitch" "Make Raven Symone call date rape" Fuck off you creepy, vile weirdo.

Beach Samba by Astrud Gilberto

There seems to be quite a lot of these Bossa Nova albums on this list. They all sound pretty much the same, perfectly inoffensive, but pretty uninspiring. They're three star albums for me. This album however, has two standout tracks, Parade - which is annoying and shit and You Didn't Have To Be So Nice, which is self indulgent, annoying and shit. No one, outside of their parents, nonces and Aled Jones botherers, wants to hear children singing. So I'm knocking off a star because of that.

White Ladder by David Gray

My first reaction to seeing this album come up was anger. I had to force myself to listen to it and in listening to it, I examined just what it was that makes me hate this album so much. White Ladder isn't a one star album, sure it's bland as fuck, but the music itself didn't actively annoy me in the way some others have. I think the thing that angers me most about this album is just how popular it was. It's success damaged my faith in humanity a little. Now, considering I'm writing this on the day Donald Trump was re-elected, my faith in humanity has already taken a pretty big hit, but I can at least mitigate that by pretending that Americans are stupider than us civilised Europeans. Unfortunately, this album being so successful in my native UK shows that people here are in many ways just as horrifically idiotic as they are in the US. At least David Gray isn't a proven rapist I suppose. Two stars.

Come Find Yourself by Fun Lovin' Criminals

I am genuinely amazed that this album is on the list. Can you imagine the conversation? "Guys, guys. You know what album must be on the list. That Scooby Snacks album. It's definitely one of the thousand best albums of all time. Hughie Morgan is a visionary." I can understand why some albums I hate are on this list. Maybe they're from a genre I can't stand, are of historical interest or were very successful. I don't hate this album, in fact there's the odd part I quite like, but it is so bizarre to see The Fun Lovin' Criminals alongside Bowie, Dylan and the Beatles as a must listen to before you die choice.

Out Of The Blue by Electric Light Orchestra

This is incredibly cheesy but you'd have to either be a miserable bastard or a desperate try hard to not enjoy it.

4-Star Albums (260)

1-Star Albums (24)

All Ratings (671)

Physical Graffiti by Led Zeppelin
Aug 01 2024

Fine. Not particularly exciting. A little pompous and overblown, but nice enough.

At Newport 1960 by Muddy Waters
Aug 02 2024

Good. I liked this one. The last few, non live tracks feel a bit tacked on, but overall, lovely stuff

Aug 03 2024

Much better than I remember it being. This came out when I was 17 and heavily into American alt rock. I've had Dub Be Good To Me and his remixes of Body Movin' and Brimful of Asha on my playlists for years and I've always had a soft spot for the Housemartins but I guess my teenage cynicism about this album has unwittingly persisted. The reality is, this album is pretty good in places, but is patchy, the singles are enough. The rest is just filler.

She's So Unusual by Cyndi Lauper
Aug 04 2024

This feels like a warning about how American centric this list may be. With so many exciting and innovative artists making music in the 80s, it seems incomprehensible to me that this uninspired and clichéd album could be in anyone's top 100,000 albums, let alone 1000. There's a couple of songs on here, Girls Just Want To Have Fun and Time After Time that are okay, a few that are mediocre and the rest are just incredibly grating with Lauper's vocals turning a bland song into an annoying one. The idea that someone, who presumably has listened to at least several thousand albums thought this was an album to be lauded has made me feel quite angry. It's like claiming Meghan Traynor is the most innovative and exciting artist of the 21st century. Absolute toilet.

Aug 05 2024

I find it almost universally true that a double album would have been much better as a single one, but this isn't really a double album, it's two solo projects that have been released together because of management decisions, so giving it a single rating seems odd as there is, unsurprisingly, no real link between the albums. Speakerboxxx is by far the more consistent of the two albums, and the only one I'd bother listening to again. GhettoMusik I already knew, and liked, from the b-side of Hey Ya! but I also particularly liked Bust and Flip Flop Rock, both featuring Killer Mike. The Love Below is a mixed bag of mostly rather self indulgent songs but featuring one of the true great pop songs in Hey Ya, the only song I'd go out of my way to listen to again. Both albums suffer from the common hip hop inclusion of skits and interludes that don't really add anything other than becoming more annoying the more the album is replayed. There's also a clear degree of grating misogyny, also something that is a frequent feature in, but hardly exclusive to, hip hop. Speakerboxxx 3*, consistently decent with a couple of good songs. The Love Below 3*, mostly 2* songs with Hey Ya! being a 5* banger giving it an extra mark. It's tempting to give the whole thing 2* because listening to it all in one go make it worse than the sum of its parts.

Aug 06 2024

I liked this a lot, it sags a little in the middle, which is the reason I'm not giving it 5*, but there's a lot a good things going on here. 21st Century Schizoid Man is a great start to the album. On Spotify, the only version that is available is a remastered version with bonus tracks that add nothing to the overall experience - which is frustratingly common with older albums, but I'm not marking it down for that.

Rejoicing In The Hands by Devendra Banhart
Aug 07 2024

The music on this album is perfectly pleasant, but Devendra's voice is bordering on annoying. The whole thing has a twee smugness which winds me up. It feels like coffee shop music, if the coffee shop was run by wankers.

Fulfillingness' First Finale by Stevie Wonder
Aug 08 2024

I was looking forward to this as I love a bit of Stevie Wonder but I only know the big hits. I didn't recognise any songs on this album and there's probably a reason for that. Most of the songs are fine but unexciting. Boogie on Reggae Woman and Please Don't Go are better than that, and were the only songs I'd like to hear again. You Haven't Done Nothin' would be up there too, but the base line is so similar to Superstition that I can't help thinking I'd rather be listening to that instead.

Appetite For Destruction by Guns N' Roses
Aug 09 2024

I don't listen to much stadium rock as it's often dull. This however has a sleazy, slightly menacing edge to it that many of Guns N Roses cotemporaries lack. The songs are for the most part punchy and even the longer ones don't really outstay their welcome. Axl Rose might now look like Mama Fratelli from the Goonies, but before all the drink and drugs took their toll he had some serious pipes. His powerful, slightly raspy, vocals add a lot to the music. I think this just about deserves 5*. If I only gave it 4* I'd be setting the bar very high and barely giving out any.

Ill Communication by Beastie Boys
Aug 10 2024

A surprisingly musically diverse album that still remains coherent. There's a lot of distortion on some of the vocals, but it's still very distinctively Beastie Boys. There's hip hop, jazz, world music influences as well as rap-rock before nu-metal came along and made that a dirty word. There's still a few bits of frat boy humour, but the whole thing is a lot more mature than Fight For Your Right era Beasties. I liked this a lot.

Nilsson Schmilsson by Harry Nilsson
Aug 11 2024

This is a perfectly nice album, but nothing more than that. At times it gets quite silly, which isn't a bad thing but it means the whole album feels like a collection of songs rather than a coherent work. I liked Gotta Get Up, Without You and Coconut was fun, but I expect would quickly become grating. Threeth stars

Le Tigre by Le Tigre
Aug 12 2024

This album starts off pretty well, with Decepticon being a fun, bouncy track. Unfortunately, the album falls off sharply after that with the remaining tracks varying between just about ok and not very good. It's a shame, I like the ethos of the band and wanted to like the music more, but it's fundamentally weak. A semi-foof.

Graceland by Paul Simon
Aug 13 2024

I have memories of my dad playing this in the car occasionally when I was a kid and I wasn't particularly impressed by it then and I'm not now. There's nothing wrong with it per se, but there's nothing that draws me in or excites me. The only song that I would go out of my way to listen to is Call Me Al and even that I'd be perfectly happy to never hear again. Threeth Kens out of Val.

The Madcap Laughs by Syd Barrett
Aug 14 2024

There's a little man, in a little house, With a little pet dog, and a little pet mouse, I know where he lives, and I visit him, We have Sunday tea, Sausages and beans. I only really know the legend of Syd Barrett not any of the music. This was a pretty bog standard album. Nothing particularly good or bad about it, with the exception that the only version on Spotify is a crappy deluxe version with outtakes tacked on the end which add nothing other than annoyance. Thanks record companies, on your hands at last a dead star.

Low-Life by New Order
Aug 15 2024

Not the first album that comes to mind when I think of New Order, but a fun one nonetheless. There's no real stand out track here, like a Blue Monday or Temptation, but it's all good quality and it's definitely worth another listen.

Wonderful Rainbow by Lightning Bolt
Aug 16 2024

This is the first album that I've had where I've never heard of the artist. There's a lot to like about this one. It's punchy, aggressive, wall of noise. However, it also does feel relentless. I'd have liked a few contrasting quieter parts to provide more texture and variation to the album. All in all, I'm going to have to give this a few more listens to properly make up my mind, but I think this is a pretty good album, that I'll only want to listen to when I'm in a certain mood or frame of mind.

Grace by Jeff Buckley
Aug 17 2024

I don't really get the hype that surrounded this album. I can only think that it had a lot to do with Jeff's tragic early death. Mostly it's fine, but just that and it does tend towards sounding like a poor man's Manic Street Preachers towards it's more rocky end. Ironically, despite Leonard Cohen being famously self depreciating about his voice and the very 80s production of the original, I still much prefer his Hallelujah to Buckley's. It feels a bit harsh to give this 2 stars, as it's not terrible, so I'm just about giving it a 3.

Smokers Delight by Nightmares On Wax
Aug 18 2024

I read some of the reviews and a lot of people seem to be unhappy with this being background music. I don't really get that. There's definitely a place for music to have on while concentrating on something else or for when you just need to chill out a bit. This certainly isn't up there with the great ambient works of Eno or Aphex Twin, but it's pleasant enough and I'll add it to my rotation of chill out tunes.

Os Mutantes by Os Mutantes
Aug 19 2024

On hearing the first few seconds, I thought I was going to hate this, but it wasn't too bad. I liked many of the songs individually but, as an album, it doesn't really hang together, the changes in style from track to track and sometimes within the same track can become quite jarring. A Minha Menina is a good song as are Bat Macumba and Ave Gengis Khan, but overall, the album is weaker than the sum of its parts.

The Band by The Band
Aug 20 2024

I have neither anything good nor anything bad to say about this album. I'm entirely indifferent to it.

Oedipus Schmoedipus by Barry Adamson
Aug 21 2024

There's a lot to like about this album. It certainly beats the pants off Nilsson Schmilsson, which was recommended last week. There's a diverse range of music on offer that holds together as a singular work well. I enjoyed the contributions from Jarvis Cocker and Nick Cave too. My instinct, after a few listens, is to give it a 4. There's not much that stops it from getting a 5. Vermillion Kisses being the only duff track - a faintly misogynistic and twee story that adds nothing and deserves skipping on every listen after the first. I'll definitely be adding this to my rotation of albums and look for more by Barry.

The Yes Album by Yes
Aug 22 2024

I only really knew Yes from Owner of a Lonely Heart and Rick Wakeman's capes. Unfortunately, as someone who often enjoys a bit of prog, this album feels like a list of reasons why people don't like the genre. There are occasions where you start to feel that something good is about to happen, but then there's a crappy bit of, very dated, synth (not Wakeman's) or a twatty folk track with some random clapping that kills any momentum that was building. To add insult to aural injury, the only versions available are wanky deluxe editions - shit off with your demos, single versions and remixes. Utter guff.

Vol. 4 by Black Sabbath
Aug 23 2024

I'm tempted to write that, even post covid, I'd rather bite the head off a bat than listen to this album again, but it's not that bad. Just. I'm wavering between giving it a one or a two. I definitely don't want to ever listen to this album again, but I don't think it genuinely annoyed me enough to get a one. A, feeling generous, two.

Moondance by Van Morrison
Aug 24 2024

Not as bad as I thought it was going to be, but I didn't have high expectations. Mostly it's fine, but And Then It Stoned Me is the only song I'd want to hear again and the album does tail of towards the end with a couple of real duffers.

Bone Machine by Tom Waits
Aug 25 2024

When I first heard Tom Waits, I found his voice rather over the top and slightly annoying. However he grew on me after a few listens and I started to appreciate his music. This album was like listening to Tom for the first time again. It's so stripped back at first that it was a tough listen and I was relieved when the album came back to more traditional Waits territory. However, after listening a couple more times, I found myself enjoying the whole album - bar the cover of I Don't Want To Grow Up - which I could definitely do without. A gravelly foof.

Bad by Michael Jackson
Aug 26 2024

Michael Jackson, Here's the basic facts son, He was born black, He died white, And in the middle he fiddled with kids. It's hard to get away from the paedophilia accusations, Jackson's own childhood exploitation and abuse and just how many people facilitated these things for a slice of money and or reflected fame. However, for me, it's even harder to get away from the nostalgia this album brings. Bad came out when I was 6 years old and was one of the first albums I ever owned (along with Pump Up the Jam by Technotronic and Get Even by Brother Beyond - my childhood music taste was shite). When I read the reviews before listening again, I found myself agreeing with the more negative ones, but listening to this album again transported me back to a simpler time when I'd get this tape out of my Thomas the Tank Engine tape box, put it in my ghetto blaster (super bass on) and enjoy an untainted Jacko's music in my Superman wallpaper covered bedroom. The slower songs, Liberian Girl and I Just Can't Stop Loving You, are exactly that. But the rest of the album is good fun, even if Jackson can't pronounce basic words like come on or Annie. I expect if I was hearing this for the first time as an adult, I'd be much harsher on the album, but I just can't help but enjoy it.

Ready To Die by The Notorious B.I.G.
Aug 27 2024

This is a difficult one to review. I liked the music and Biggie's vocals flow well. However, some of the lyrics are absolutely appalling. I'd feel embarrassed to listen to this album with other people around - and considering I'm happy to listen to Kunt and the Gang, that's not an easy thing to achieve. The glorification of violence, the casual homophobia and, in particular, the horrific levels of misogyny mean that I can only give this album 1 star, even though I thought the music was good. Some of the more delightful lyrics: From Me and My Bitch: "And I admit, when the time is right, the wine is right I treat you right, you talk slick, I beat you right" From Just Playing (Dreams). Where Biggie "Dreams of fucking an R&B bitch" "Make Raven Symone call date rape" Fuck off you creepy, vile weirdo.

Walking Wounded by Everything But The Girl
Aug 28 2024

I like this one a lot. Top end of a 4 for me.

Bongo Rock by Incredible Bongo Band
Aug 29 2024

This starts off quite fun, but goes on for far too long and you just feel bongoed out by the end. I think I'd enjoy each track individually, but there's 19 of the bongtastic bastards for nearly 80 minutes of bonging. I'll definitely put some of the tunes on my wake up playlist, but I don't think I ever want to sit down and listen to the whole thing again. Three Bongos out of a Wagner.

Marcus Garvey by Burning Spear
Aug 30 2024

This is good. It's a tight 10 tracks of quality reggae. There's a dub version of the music on this album - Garvey's Ghost, which I prefer to the slicker version on this release, it would have been interesting to have that with the vocals from this album.

Aug 31 2024

The cover of this album looks like it was drawn by a 13 year old and, unfortunately, only a few songs from it are available on spotify. I managed to find it on YouTube and it's as good as the cover art is bad. At first I found the songs a bit overlong, but the more I listened to it, the more I got into its borderline prog funk. It's a pain that it's not available to stream. I'd probably listen to it a lot more if it was.

Ghosteen by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Sep 01 2024

A beautifully tender album, made a pretty difficult listen by knowing the circumstances in which it was conceived. I do tend to prefer Nick Cave's more upbeat songs. They tend to cover his tendency for slightly non-sensical and overblown lyrics, which are exposed on this record. Still, a great album for a melancholy mood.

Night Life by Ray Price
Sep 02 2024

Bad, but not so bad it's actively annoying. It's so generic that I didn't notice when Spotify started playing similar artists afterwards. It was great when he sang about getting drunk and hitting his girlfriend though :/

The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
Sep 03 2024

This is a decent album, but compared to Arcade Fire's previous two offerings, it's pretty weak. The only songs I'd really care to hear again are The Suburbs, Empty Room and Sprawl II. The other songs fail to grab my attention and lack the bombast I'm used to from Arcade Fire.

Green River by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Sep 04 2024

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Good fun. Foof stars.

Franz Ferdinand by Franz Ferdinand
Sep 05 2024

A big nostalgia hit as this album was part of the soundtrack of my twenties. A lot of that music I don't really listen to any more (The Rakes anybody?) but there's still a lot of good stuff on here, Michael, The Matinee, This Fire, Take Me Out, Jaqueline and Darts of Pleasure are all a cut above the usual landfill indie of the time.

The Beach Boys Today! by The Beach Boys
Sep 06 2024

I have fond memories of the Beach Boys from listening to them in my Dad's car on childhood summer journeys, but this is actually pretty bad. Help Me Ronda and Do You Wanna Dance are pretty good fun, but the rest of the album is just the same thing but worse, except for a shitty, self indulgent out take at the end. There's a time and a place for the Beach Boys, and it's probably on a best of compilation.

Music for the Masses by Depeche Mode
Sep 07 2024

Starts off strong but ends weakly. Which is a shame as I think Depeche Mode are a sweet band.

Metal Box by Public Image Ltd.
Sep 08 2024

This album a bit of a difficult listen, but when I gave it my full attention I found that I liked it. I doubt I'll listen to it again often but, for the right frame of mind, it's a good album.

Celebrity Skin by Hole
Sep 09 2024

When a new musical trend emerges, music executives are desperate to find something similar to flog and you end up with tat like this landfill alt rock. Celebrity Skin (the song) is fine, Malibu is just about tolerable, but the rest of the album is so dull. It felt a lot longer than its 50 minute run time. Boring

Beggars Banquet by The Rolling Stones
Sep 10 2024

It's surprising the I'm giving an album with the 5 star song, Sympathy for the Devil such a low score, but most of Beggar's Banquet is really bad. I liked Street Fighting Man and Stray Cat Blues but, Dear Doctor and Factory Girl are utter dog shit, some of the most annoying, anger inducing music I've heard since I started 40 or so albums ago. The rest of the songs are pretty crappy too. I can't give this more than 2 stars, frankly it's lucky to get that.

The Wildest! by Louis Prima
Sep 11 2024

At first it felt I little like I was listening to something in a museum. After a while though, I started to enjoy this and, on a second listen, I had a lot of lovely fun.

The Stranger by Billy Joel
Sep 12 2024

Cheesy as hell, but I'm enjoying it.

Sep 14 2024

Queen, are another band, like the Beach Boys and the Rolling Stones, who have a great best of compilation (in this case two great best ofs), but whose album tracks are pretty bad. The album tracks on A Night at the Opera aren't so awful that I'm giving it two stars despite the presence of a 5 star song (unlike Beggar's Banquet) but there's still a lot of guff on this album. Bohemian Rhapsody is an obvious stand out, You're My Best Friend is fun, but don't bother with the rest.

Playing With Fire by Spacemen 3
Sep 15 2024

Found it difficult to get into this one. The bonus tracks at the end of the re-release didn't help. I think there's some good stuff here, but it didn't quite work for me.

Back to Mystery City by Hanoi Rocks
Sep 16 2024

Like several other reviewers, I don't really get why this album is on the list. It's a perfectly serviceable glam / stadium rock album, but there's nothing more than that. Nothing new, interesting, vital or exciting. If it's your type of music, you'll like it, but it's hardly worth going out of your way to listen to.

Doolittle by Pixies
Sep 17 2024

I've listened to this album plenty of times in the past, but over the last few years it's pretty much just been Debaser and, occasionally Wave of Mutilation. I thought going in, that I was going to give it a 4 but, listening to the whole thing, I think it just about deserves a 5. There's a few absolute classics on here and the rest of the songs are upbeat alt rock that puts me in a good mood.

Slanted And Enchanted by Pavement
Sep 18 2024

I like this one, although it does tail off a little on the last few tracks. The vocals prevent it from being a top, top album, but it's still a lot of fun.

Sep 19 2024

Thanks to the random number generator, I've had two Pavement albums back to back. For me, Crooked Rain Crooked Rain is a significant downgrade from Slanted and Enchanted. I enjoyed several songs, particularly Cut Your Hair and 5-4=Unity, but the more polished sound didn't have the energy or little pockets of interest that Pavement's debut album did. Crooked Rain Crooked Rain is still a good album but, as someone who doesn't listen to Pavement all that often, I can't see why I'd listen to it over Slanted and Enchanted. 3 Stars feels a little harsh, but giving it the same 4 as their previous album feels overly generous. If it were out of 10, this album would be a low 7 whereas Slanted and Enchanted would be a high 8 for me.

Highway 61 Revisited by Bob Dylan
Sep 20 2024

Good Dylan, but not great Dylan. This is a step or two behind Blonde on Blonde or Blood on the tracks. Still pretty decent though.

Everything Must Go by Manic Street Preachers
Sep 22 2024

I've always found the Manics' lyrics and willingness to speak out on political issues more interesting than their actual music, which has a tendency towards middle of the road dad rock. There's a couple of songs that I enjoyed on this album, although, as it came out when I was 15, there's a degree of nostalgia colouring my thoughts. Really, the only truly good Manics' songs are Motorcycle Emptiness and a couple of tunes from the Holy Bible.

Bright Flight by Silver Jews
Sep 23 2024

This felt pretty one note and generic. There was nothing hugely bad about it per se, apart from a few slips into tweeness, which blights many American indie bands, but there was nothing particularly good either. I can't think why I'd want to listen to any of it again.

Live And Dangerous by Thin Lizzy
Sep 24 2024

This was quite fun. Very dad rock, but enjoyable.

The Infotainment Scan by The Fall
Sep 25 2024

Pleasantly surprised to see this on the list. I love a bit of The Fall. Easy 5

Armed Forces by Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Sep 26 2024

I enjoy a bit of Elvis Costello. On this album, Oliver's Army and What's So Funny About Peace Love and Understanding are the highlights. For me, the use of the n-word in Oliver's Army has to be seen in the context of the time and as a critique of British colonialism in Ireland - even if it is a rather crude analogy.

Trio by Dolly Parton
Sep 27 2024

This isn't really my thing, but I quite enjoyed it. However, I was amazed the album was recorded in 1987. It sounds a lot more old fashioned than that. Like stepping back in time.

Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morissette
Sep 28 2024

Objectively, this is shit. Alanis' silly voice, the dated production, the often inane lyrics. It's basically music for people who have "Live, Laugh, Love" pictures on their walls. In very small doses, much like the music of William Shatner, I find Alanis Morissette so bad she's funny. It quickly wears off, but it's the only thing stopping this album from getting a one.

Pump by Aerosmith
Sep 29 2024

Pump can be used as a slang word for fart, which seems appropriate in the context of this album. This isn't so bad it makes me angry, but it is definitely very bad indeed. Edit: Actually, the last song - What It Takes, is so terrible, I'm giving this a one. The musical equivalent of shitting in your hands and clapping.

Bert Jansch by Bert Jansch
Sep 30 2024

This was okay, but it felt like a tribute album. Why is a Scot singing about highway's and smokey rivers? There are points where Jansch's Scottishness comes through and the album feels much more authentic and better for it, Needle of Death, in particular is a beautifully melancholy folk song. For the rest though, it just feels like someone pretending to be an American, and even though he's doing it pretty well, it doesn't quite get there.

Reggatta De Blanc by The Police
Oct 01 2024

I liked Message in a Bottle, but this album is soon starting to grate. The cod-reggae feels like it's taking the piss at times. Jesus Christ, On Any Other Day is as bad as anything I've ever heard. I was debating whether Message in a Bottle meant that this album deserved a two, but, fuck me, I hate this song. Does Everyone Stare is several times less awful than On Any Other Day, but it's still offensively shit. This was no 369 on Rolling Stones greatest 500 albums of all time list. How much cocaine were they taking at the time? I've taken 500 dumps that I'd rather listen to again than this heap of tod.

Django Django by Django Django
Oct 02 2024

This is an album that I feel that I should like, but I just can't get into it. In a way it reminds me of Field Music, who make similar indie music that's slightly more interesting and intelligent than the norm, but unlike say, Alt-J, none of their music, nor Django Django's really capture my imagination. Three stars feels harsh, but I can't think of a reason why I'd want to listen to this again - I gave it three full playthroughs and still couldn't pick out a song other than Default, which I already knew.

Disintegration by The Cure
Oct 03 2024

Love The Cure. This isn't my favourite thing they've ever done, but it's still better than most things around.

In The Wee Small Hours by Frank Sinatra
Oct 04 2024

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. However, it really felt like music to have on while doing something else rather than music to sit down and actively listen to. I'll keep listening to it, as a change from my usual Eno and Aphex Twin albums, when I want some background music that doesn't distract me from what I want to concentrate on.

Young Americans by David Bowie
Oct 05 2024

Bowie at his peak is magnificent, but this album isn't his best. Young Americans and Fame are great, most of the rest is fine but nothing more. The cover of Across the Universe is pretty bad. Overall, this just about deserves a four, but there are much better Bowie albums out there.

Dire Straits by Dire Straits
Oct 06 2024

I liked Down by the Waterline and Sultans of Swing, but nothing else on the album really grabbed me. There was nothing I'd go out of my way to switch off, but nor was there much to make me want to listen again. Another band where I'd put on a best of, but not studio albums.

Psychocandy by The Jesus And Mary Chain
Oct 07 2024

I enjoyed the actual album a lot, although it's only available in a shitty extended version on Spotify, which makes it feel overlong at nearly 80 minutes as opposed to the 40ish minutes of the original album. I wish record companies would stop pulling this shit. I only want to listen to the actual album, not a ton of outtakes, alternative versions and b-sides.

Melodrama by Lorde
Oct 08 2024

I didn't really get the reason for this album being on the list. It seems very generic and no better than many other similar modern female pop artists. I'm not a big fan of the genre but, to me at least, people like Taylor Swift, Marina, Janelle Monae, Charlie XCX etc are a significant step up from this. It's not bad, but it's not something I'd go out of my way to listen to again.

Hunky Dory by David Bowie
Oct 09 2024

Easy 5 for this one. There's a couple of songs that aren't amazing, but mostly this is Bowie at his best. Changes, Oh! You Pretty Things, Queen Bitch, Life on Mars. Fantastic.

Siamese Dream by The Smashing Pumpkins
Oct 10 2024

I loved Smashing Pumpkins when I was a teenager, but I've not listened to this album for at least a decade. On putting it on I wondered why, it opens strong and I enjoyed the guitar tone a lot. I don't quite have the same opinion of it as I did 25 years ago, the album gets a bit samey and repetitive and Corgan's lyrics often come across as the words of a teen poet. Corgan also is one of the arseholes of the music world, but I haven't docked the Smiths stars for Morrissey and I won't do that here either. This is a strong 4, it might have got a 5 on a generous day, but the tail end of the album is significantly weaker than the start and prevents it from getting the full 5.

Solid Air by John Martyn
Oct 11 2024

This was decent enough. There were times where I thought it was going to be genuinely good, but it never quite got there. A high three.

Master Of Puppets by Metallica
Oct 12 2024

This is poor. I don't understand how such loud, in your face music can be so boring, but it's really, really dull. I'm just coming to the end of the second song and it's already starting to piss me off with it's shit repetition. An easy one. Total shite.

Arise by Sepultura
Oct 13 2024

I audibly sighed when I saw this was today's album. Yesterday I had Metallica's Master of Puppets, and after listening to that aural turd, I really didn't fancy more of the same. Fortunately, however, while this genre isn't my cup of tea at all, this was significantly better that Metallica's crappy offering. I didn't like the death metal vocals, there was too much growling and not enough singing, but the music had some variation and points of interest to accompany the chugging guitars. It's not something I'd listen to again, but I didn't hate it, like I hated Master of Puppets.

Pictures At An Exhibition by Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Oct 14 2024

I enjoyed this a lot. Definitely the good side of prog. Totally pretentious, overblown and unnecessary, but still very enjoyable despite, or perhaps because of that. This album felt a bit like a rich dessert, too much would make you feel sick, but in smallish amounts (which is why I avoided the extended edition like the plague) it's very enjoyable. A high 4.

In Rainbows by Radiohead
Oct 15 2024

Since The Bends, Radiohead albums have been near universally excellent. This is no exception and an easy 5.

Midnight Ride by Paul Revere & The Raiders
Oct 16 2024

I'd never heard of these guys before. They sound okayish, pretty generic 60s pop. Not the best example of it by a long shot. Not Your Stepping Stone is a good song but besides that there's nothing I'd want to hear again. A harsh 2 but not good enough for a 3.

The Downward Spiral by Nine Inch Nails
Oct 17 2024

I've heard songs by NIN that I've enjoyed but, unfortunately, there weren't many on this album. Hurt was ok, although Johnny Cash's version was far superior (which isn't unusual). Besides that, there wasn't much. I think I prefer NIN when they're slightly more poppy and melodic.

Let It Bleed by The Rolling Stones
Oct 18 2024

After Beggar's Banquet being so bad, I wasn't looking forward to this, despite the fact that Gimmie Shelter is a fantastic song. Listening to it. As soon as Gimmie Shelter finished, I was starting to get annoyed with the album. It's amazing just how big the delta between the Stones', stone cold classic, best songs and their faux honkey tonk, dog shit, album tracks is. In a way, the few good songs being great makes me more angry with the other songs, as they show how good the band can be when they get it right. It's hard to comprehend how a band can write songs as good as Gimmie Shelter or Paint it Black and then think songs like Country Honk deserve to be on the same record. I'm genuinely baffled.

Rumours by Fleetwood Mac
Oct 19 2024

Yeah this is good. Perhaps not quite as good as having cocaine blown up your arsehole, but good nonetheless.

Kid A by Radiohead
Oct 20 2024

Easiest 5 so far. A masterpiece of an album. Probably my favourite thing that they've done.

Hard Again by Muddy Waters
Oct 21 2024

This is good, but too samey to get a 5 from me.

Lady Soul by Aretha Franklin
Oct 22 2024

Yeah, this is the good stuff.

We Are Family by Sister Sledge
Oct 23 2024

Nile Rodger's fingerprints are all over this album and that's a very good thing. Another easy 5.

Buena Vista Social Club by Buena Vista Social Club
Oct 25 2024

This was nice enough, but it didn't really do anything much for me.

The Next Day by David Bowie
Oct 26 2024

I adore David Bowie. The man made some of the greatest albums of all time but, this album being on the list is ridiculous. When you've only got a thousand albums to list, why include a sub par Bowie album when you've already got multiple stone cold classics by the same artist? As an album, this is fine, there are some good songs and I prefer it a lot to a significant number of albums I've listened to so far. However, it falls a long, long way short of Ziggy Stardust, Low, Hunky Dory, Blackstar, Diamond Dogs, Let's Dance, Heroes, Station to Station, Scary Monsters and Super Creeps or the second Eponymous album. So why bother when there's a lot more than a thousand artists that are worth listening to? Where Are We Know and If You Can See Me are my favourite songs but, frankly, I'd rather listen to the Labyrinth Soundtrack than this. Still, just about a 4 for me. I do love David Bowie.

Gris Gris by Dr. John
Oct 27 2024

I'd heard of Dr. John, but not heard his music. I'd assumed it was just more white man, southern funky piano, but this album was a lot more interesting than that. I enjoyed it quite a bit. It reminded me of Captain Beefheart to an extent, but with more structure and less weirdness.

Blonde On Blonde by Bob Dylan
Oct 28 2024

These are the plums I've been looking for all weeeeeeeeeek. The curse of the double album strikes again. This would probably be a 5 if the weaker songs were cut. Just Like a Woman, One of us Must Know and I Want You are classic Dylan but there's too much filler and Rainy Day Women is annoyingly crap.

Oct 29 2024

I was ready to take this piss out of this album, but I ended up quite enjoying it. It's very samey, so the enjoyment wore thin towards the end of the album, even though I don't think the later songs were any worse than the earlier ones.

Another album that I thought I was going to hate in the first 30 seconds of listening to it, but that I started to enjoy as it went on. It's a challenging listen for sure, but after giving it a couple of goes, I think it's actually pretty good. It's certainly different and fits more in the theme of a list like this than one of the more mediocre Beatles or Bowie albums.

Phaedra by Tangerine Dream
Oct 31 2024

Another 40 minute album that's only available in a bloated, multidisc, "deluxe" edition on Spotify, which is shit. I don't need to listen to Barry Chuckles Oh Dear Remix (Radio Edit) when the original song is right there. However, the actual album is pretty good. One to add to my rotation of ambient music to have in the background when I'm concentrating on something else.

Superfuzz Bigmuff by Mudhoney
Nov 01 2024

A 28 minute album that's only available on Spotify as a 'deluxe' edition that's over 2 hours long. Fuck off. As for the actual music, it's pretty bland, middle of the road grunge. Nothing particularly good or bad about it. I wouldn't cross the room to turn it off, that's about it. Also. Muffs.

Exodus by Bob Marley & The Wailers
Nov 02 2024

This is a classic but, for me, it didn't quite do enough to get a 5. I like it a lot, but I don't love it.

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary And Thyme by Simon & Garfunkel
Nov 03 2024

This is okay. Art "Tiny Eyes" Garfunkle has a wonderful voice. However a lot of the songs are run of the mill. The best songs are reworkings of traditional songs rather than original compositions. Overall, decent, but no Bridge Over Troubled Water

Billion Dollar Babies by Alice Cooper
Nov 04 2024

This feels like the soundtrack to a musical theatre show. That's not in of itself a bad thing, but it's amusing to think that something so camp caused any outrage. Overall the album is fine, not really my cup of tea, but decent enough. If you're a fan of Cats, Blood Brothers, Hamilton etc, then you'll probably enjoy this.

Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere by Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Nov 05 2024

I enjoyed this well enough although I don't think it's Young's best work. Just about a 4.

Nov 06 2024

Several years ago, I found out that LL Cool J stood for Ladies Love Cool James and it's been difficult to take Cool James seriously ever since. The title track is a great song, but besides that, there isn't much to recommend on this album, Around The World Girl is pretty enjoyable I suppose. There's nothing particularly bad either. Cool James even promises a woman that he sure wouldn't rape her, which definitely puts him above Notorious BIG.

White Ladder by David Gray
Nov 07 2024

My first reaction to seeing this album come up was anger. I had to force myself to listen to it and in listening to it, I examined just what it was that makes me hate this album so much. White Ladder isn't a one star album, sure it's bland as fuck, but the music itself didn't actively annoy me in the way some others have. I think the thing that angers me most about this album is just how popular it was. It's success damaged my faith in humanity a little. Now, considering I'm writing this on the day Donald Trump was re-elected, my faith in humanity has already taken a pretty big hit, but I can at least mitigate that by pretending that Americans are stupider than us civilised Europeans. Unfortunately, this album being so successful in my native UK shows that people here are in many ways just as horrifically idiotic as they are in the US. At least David Gray isn't a proven rapist I suppose. Two stars.

Duck Rock by Malcolm McLaren
Nov 08 2024

How much of this album was actually by Malcolm McLaren and how much was just plagiarised or others' work that McLaren claimed is debateable. He always was a slimy shit of a man. That said, the actual music was enjoyable. A four star album by a one star human being.

Pretzel Logic by Steely Dan
Nov 09 2024

Mostly bland and dull, occasionally mildly irritating.

Microshift by Hookworms
Nov 10 2024

This is pleasant but nothing special. There are moments when I thought it was going to be more interesting than it was, particularly the tracks with a more electronic bent. However, the guitar parts of the album have a faint whiff of the landfill about them. Ullswater was probably the only song I'd go out of my way to listen to again.

Nov 11 2024

I have fond memories of this album and then memories of their subsequent stuff being surprisingly bad. On listening for the first time in years, the album does not hold up as well as I remember. The singles are very enjoyable still, but the rest of the album falls a bit flat - and indicates that the follow up albums being poor shouldn't have been as much of a surprise as it was. Still giving it four stars, possibly a little nostalgia tinted, but I do really like the singles from this album, so it's kind of deserved too.

The Man Machine by Kraftwerk
Nov 12 2024

I don't think this is quite as good as Radioactivity, but it's still an easy 5.

Nov 13 2024

I enjoyed this. The title track and Big Sky are the standout tracks, but most of it is pretty good fun. The weakest songs are the last two, which means the album ends on a bit of a sour note, but it still deserves a four.

The Fat Of The Land by The Prodigy
Nov 14 2024

I love the Prodigy. I saw them live, they were fantastic and I have fond memories of listening to them throughout my teenage years. However, the elephant in the room needs to be addressed. This album starts with the song "Smack My Bitch Up" and there is no defending this awful piece of misogyny. Unlike Notorious B.I.G's album, where this vileness was a constant undercurrent, the rest of the tracks on The Fat Of The Land aren't so cretinous. If it wasn't for the opening track, I'd give this album five stars. It's a shame really.

Murmur by R.E.M.
Nov 15 2024

Decent R.E.M but not great R.E.M. For me, they've done much better albums.

Nov 17 2024

This was a difficult album to listen to. The music was good in places, but very dark. There was a lot of extremely violent and angry lyrics, particularly directed against his wife / partner. But they, for the most part, didn't feel like glorification. The album tails off towards the end and after the intense first half, that did mean it dragged on a little.

Electric Ladyland by Jimi Hendrix
Nov 18 2024

Mostly excellent. One of the big names of the sixties that seem consistently good.

Talking Book by Stevie Wonder
Nov 19 2024

The upbeat songs are good and Superstition is amazing, but the rest of the album doesn't really do it for me. A 4 because Superstition is just that good.

Nov 20 2024

While this was nice enough. I didn't enjoy this as much as Lady Soul. Which I loved. Respect is, obviously, a classic, but I can't really remember another song on the album. This is a 3 borderline 4 album for me.

For Your Pleasure by Roxy Music
Nov 21 2024

There's nothing as good as Virginia Plain on this album, but I still enjoyed it to an extent. Just about a 4

Rocks by Aerosmith
Nov 22 2024

Another Aerosmith album. For fuck's sake. The idea of using 2 slots for this wank when you're limited to 1001 is ridiculous. As to the music itself. The album is better than Pump. But then again, a solid turd is better than a runny one. They're both still shit at the end of the day. I think this album just about scrapes a 2. It's bad, but my real anger is at the fact it's on this list, not in the music.

Ten by Pearl Jam
Nov 23 2024

There's bits of this album that I liked. Alive and Even Flow are decent enough songs. However the vocals started to annoy me after a while and, as the album is nearly an hour long, I was glad when it ended.

Jazz Samba by Stan Getz
Nov 24 2024

Unobtrusive background music. There's nothing here that I'd choose to listen to, but it would be perfectly pleasant to have on in a restaurant or while I was concentrating on work.

Neon Bible by Arcade Fire
Nov 25 2024

I thought this album was going to be an easy 5 as I loved it when it was released but it's not as good as I remember it being to be honest. Perhaps that comes from over-listening, but when Spotify played Laika when the album finished, I enjoyed that a lot more. It's still a good album, with several stand out tracks, but it just didn't hit the spot.

Getz/Gilberto by Stan Getz
Nov 26 2024

I preferred this to the other Getz album, but it's still music that seems designed to be as non descript as possible. The lyrics helped add a bit of interest but the album is still very much background music.

Lost Souls by Doves
Nov 27 2024

I occasionally listen to The Last Broadcast and think that I should listen to Doves more, but this album is why I don't. It's mostly pretty landfilly, non-descript indie rock. The Cedar Room is the only song on the album that I'd go out of my way to listen to again, but the rest fall into the Elbow/Coldplay generic genre. Inoffensive but not worth listening to again.

Horses by Patti Smith
Nov 28 2024

I've listened to this before and I'm not quite sure why I haven't listened to it more. The album starts off really strong and doesn't get much weaker after that. Gloria and Land are the stand out tracks, but it's all good.

Closer by Joy Division
Nov 29 2024

I prefer Unknown Pleasures, but this is still a great album. Easy 5

Cosmo's Factory by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Nov 30 2024

I feel slightly dirty admitting this. But I like Clarence, Clearwater Revival. The cover of Heard It Through The Grapevine on this album is over long and massively self indulgent shite. Besides that though, I really enjoyed the album. Several of the songs sounded like countryfied versions of Good Golly Miss Molly, but their derivitaveness didn't bother me.

Call of the Valley by Shivkumar Sharma
Dec 01 2024

This is only available on YouTube. It took me a while to get around to listening to it because of that and it will be rare that I get to listen to it in the future. This is a shame, as I've a lot of time for this album. It's very different to what I normally listen to, but makes perfect music to have on in the background while working or to relax to. I think a 5 is deserved here.

Truth by Jeff Beck
Dec 02 2024

I was going to moan about this album being too long before I realised that the last 5 tracks were CD bonus tracks not part of the original work. Musically, it's all pretty samey, which is why the length annoyed me. It also felt rather fret wanky and, frankly, a bit dull.

Dirt by Alice In Chains
Dec 03 2024

This is very similar to Pearl Jam. Although not quite as bad. It has the silly, 90s American rock vocal, but not quite as silly as Eddie Vedder's. More Chris Cornell. It's too long, like Pearl Jam, although it's slightly more varied. If the album was 40 minutes rather than an hour, I'd be tempted to give it a 3.

A Hard Day's Night by Beatles
Dec 04 2024

I like later Beatles albums a lot but this has a lot of twee shite on it. Hard Days Night, Any Time At All and And I Love Her keep this from being a two.

Dec 05 2024

This album is very much of its time. But as a child of the 80s I have fond memories of that time. Sure it's dated, and the wordplay could be sharper and flow more easily, but I don't care. I enjoyed this quite a bit.

Abbey Road by Beatles
Dec 06 2024

Not as good as I thought it was going to be. There's some good stuff on here. Come Together and Here Comes The Sun are obvious stand ours. However, there's also some right toss on here too. Maxwell's Silver Hammer, in particular, can fuck right off.

At Fillmore East by The Allman Brothers Band
Dec 07 2024

This album did nothing at all for me. It just happened and then it finished. Utterly forgettable.

Crocodiles by Echo And The Bunnymen
Dec 08 2024

I couldn't tell you a single song from this album. It was perfectly decent, but nothing stood out at all.

Fear and Whiskey by Mekons
Dec 09 2024

I didn't really get this. There were some songs I liked, Trouble Down. South, Psycho Cupid and Country but the more country the songs were, the less they worked for me.

At Mister Kelly's by Sarah Vaughan
Dec 10 2024

This gave me the same feelings as watching Duck Soup. Historically interesting, but not something I'd bothet to do again. Also, considering the introduction said Sarah had a lyric sheet, she sure did forget a lot of the words.

Pink Moon by Nick Drake
Dec 11 2024

This album has a fragile beauty that I love. Easy 5.

Red Headed Stranger by Willie Nelson
Dec 12 2024

It's not really my genre, but I enjoyed this a decent amount. You could clearly tell the difference in quality between this album and the stuff Spotify autoplayed when it finished.

Sail Away by Randy Newman
Dec 13 2024

While I liked the slightly sardonic lyrics, once I got over that this was the Toy Story guy, I found that the music didn't do much for me. For 70s American piano, I preferred Billy Joel.

Let's Stay Together by Al Green
Dec 14 2024

This album consists of the magnificent Let's Stay Together and 8 more songs that are good, but not as good as Let's Stay Together. I think it just about deserves a 5.

Different Class by Pulp
Dec 15 2024

Easy 5. Pulp were comprehensively a Different Class to the rest of britpop.

Queen II by Queen
Dec 17 2024

More of a conventional rock album than A Night At The Opera and more consistent, but Seven Seas of Rhye is the only song I'd care about hearing again.

Tank Battles by Dagmar Krause
Dec 18 2024

This sounds like the music for an overly earnest regional arts theatre group.

White Blood Cells by The White Stripes
Dec 19 2024

Not as good as I remember, but still pretty decent. Black Math(s) and Fell in Love With a Girl are the obvious stand outs

Out Of The Blue by Electric Light Orchestra
Dec 20 2024

This is incredibly cheesy but you'd have to either be a miserable bastard or a desperate try hard to not enjoy it.

You Want It Darker by Leonard Cohen
Dec 21 2024

I've a lot of time for early Leonard Cohen. Songs like Chelsea Hotel and Bird on a Wire are great. However, at some point in the early 80s, all his songs started to remind me of Chris Rea. I like an egg in my bath as much as the next man but, musically, this isn't a good thing. The album is fine, nothing more.

Time Out Of Mind by Bob Dylan
Dec 22 2024

It's fine. But I don't get why it's on the list. It's hardly Dylan's best.

Bookends by Simon & Garfunkel
Dec 24 2024

Much better than Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme. There's a couple of not great bits that keep me from giving a 5, but for the most part I really liked this.

First Band On The Moon by The Cardigans
Dec 25 2024

I liked Lovefool, but I had to make an effort to finish the rest of the album.

Dec 26 2024

I'm not a big fan of Christmas songs, and the ones I do like are more things like Slade and Wizard. However, this is the best version of these sort of songs that I've heard. Good work for a murderer.

21 by Adele
Dec 27 2024

Adele is clearly very skilled, but it's just not my sort of thing. The singles are nice enough, the album tracks are okay and the cover of The Cure just makes me want to listen to The Cure.

The Queen Is Dead by The Smiths
Dec 28 2024

As good an album as Morrissey is a shitty person. Although considering he's just a bigoted, awkward arsehole, when there are actual, paedophiles, murderers and rapists on this list of albums, grouping him in with the true shits of music seems a bit harsh. Easy 5.

Ágætis Byrjun by Sigur Rós
Dec 29 2024

I've only ever listened to Taak before but this is very good too. Sigur Rós songs often have a fragile beauty to them and, in not knowing what they're saying, it's easy to let the music and emotions wash over you. That said, while I think this is very good. I barely ever get the urge to listen to Sigur Rós. Perhaps it's a me problem, because when I do, I like it, but it just doesn't get to the 5 star point for me.

Dec 30 2024

Both better and worse than I was expecting. This is a pretty erratic album quality wise. At points it was just bland Britpop with a touch of India, but when things were more eclectic, the music was much better for it. A mix of 2-4 star songs, so a 3 seems about right.

Odelay by Beck
Dec 31 2024

Love this. One of my favourite albums from my teens. Easy 5.

Hounds Of Love by Kate Bush
Jan 01 2025

Kate Bush is great. The album gets a bit weird and very 80s in the middle, but I'm here for it.

Is This It by The Strokes
Jan 03 2025

This was good, but not as good as I remember it being.

Elephant by The White Stripes
Jan 04 2025

There's some really good stuff on here: Seven Nation Army, Black Math(s), Hardest Button to Button. There's also a couple of absolute stinkers, It's True That We Love One Another in particular - which stops me from giving this a five.

Jan 05 2025

I think this album is close to Bobbers at his best. It's good enough, but it's still not great. I think he's probably another classic artist where I'd rather just stick to a best of or two. That and Blood on the Tracks, which is genuinely very good.

Moon Safari by Air
Jan 07 2025

I enjoyed this when it first came out, but unlike several albums from my youth that have appeared on here, I think I like this even better now than I did when I was a teenager. My reaction to seeing this pop up was that it would be a 4, but I think it's actually a 5. Lovely stuff.

Beach Samba by Astrud Gilberto
Jan 08 2025

There seems to be quite a lot of these Bossa Nova albums on this list. They all sound pretty much the same, perfectly inoffensive, but pretty uninspiring. They're three star albums for me. This album however, has two standout tracks, Parade - which is annoying and shit and You Didn't Have To Be So Nice, which is self indulgent, annoying and shit. No one, outside of their parents, nonces and Aled Jones botherers, wants to hear children singing. So I'm knocking off a star because of that.

S&M by Metallica
Jan 09 2025

Oh fuck off. Wait, no, it's 2 hours and 13 minutes long. FUCK RIGHT OFF. Actually, not wanting to miss my streak, I gave this a chance and listened to the whole thing and you know what? It was significantly better than I thought it would be. I thought it would be the worst album I'd ever heard and, in reality it was only in the top ten.

Home Is Where The Music Is by Hugh Masekela
Jan 10 2025

I think this is the best of the traditional jazz albums I've heard so far. I enjoyed it, and will definitely listen to it again but, I still didn't love it, just liked it.

Music in Exile by Songhoy Blues
Jan 11 2025

I enjoyed this. Not quite enough to give it a 5, but it was very good.

Bandwagonesque by Teenage Fanclub
Jan 12 2025

Nice enough, but didn't really do anything for me.

The Age Of The Understatement by The Last Shadow Puppets
Jan 13 2025

Better than I remember it being. Although I'd still rather listen to Scott Walker than 00s indie northerners copying him.

Jan 14 2025

A mixed bag. I liked a lot of the music, but I'll never understand why 90s hip hop albums had so many intermissions, skits etc. They always spoil the flow of the album and are rarely enjoyable to listen to, even once.

Come Find Yourself by Fun Lovin' Criminals
Jan 15 2025

I am genuinely amazed that this album is on the list. Can you imagine the conversation? "Guys, guys. You know what album must be on the list. That Scooby Snacks album. It's definitely one of the thousand best albums of all time. Hughie Morgan is a visionary." I can understand why some albums I hate are on this list. Maybe they're from a genre I can't stand, are of historical interest or were very successful. I don't hate this album, in fact there's the odd part I quite like, but it is so bizarre to see The Fun Lovin' Criminals alongside Bowie, Dylan and the Beatles as a must listen to before you die choice.

Boston by Boston
Jan 16 2025

All the cheese and none of the fun of ELO

Suzanne Vega by Suzanne Vega
Jan 17 2025

Not totally awful, but pretty bad. Whiny, uninspired and dull.

Low by David Bowie
Jan 18 2025

Oooh, one of the good Bowie albums. Today is going to be a good day!

The Man Who by Travis
Jan 19 2025

I'm tempted to give this a one, as there really is some whiny shit on here. The singles, Writing To Reach You, Driftwood, Turn and Why Does It Always Rain On Me are just about acceptable enough to give it a two. It's still music for bedwetters though.

Jan 20 2025

This feels like a protean version of music that I would really like. I'm a big fan of Talking Heads and I enjoy a lot of Eno's work too. What stops this album from getting a five is the vocal samples. I'd have much preferred to hear David Byrne's slightly awkward singing than the samples used, which I felt detracted from the music in places rather than adding to it.

25 by Adele
Jan 21 2025

The Venn diagram of people who like this album and people who have owned a "Live, Laugh, Love" poster is practically a circle. I tolerated the first Adele album but, however good her voice is, this really started to get on my tits.

Alien Lanes by Guided By Voices
Jan 22 2025

Better than I thought it would be. There is definitely the air of a demo tape about the album and I would have preferred if the songs were more fleshed out, but I did enjoy the lo-fi production and think this album will grow on me the more I listen to it.

Post Orgasmic Chill by Skunk Anansie
Jan 23 2025

Including this album seems strange. Skunk Anansie's previous albums were inconsistent, but had a degree of edge about them and at least one or two quality songs. This album is much more consistent, but has smoothed away most of the edge the band had to leave a rather bland selection of songs, albeit sung by someone with a wonderful voice, and nothing anywhere near as good as Weak or Hedonism.

Kimono My House by Sparks
Jan 24 2025

I enjoy quite a bit of Sparks, but it's tended to be a selection of songs rather that whole albums. This was really enjoyable. Bombastic, witty, almost circus like music at times. Loved it.

Abraxas by Santana
Jan 25 2025

I thought this was going to be shit but, actually I quite enjoyed it.

Behaviour by Pet Shop Boys
Jan 26 2025

I like the Pet Shop Boys but, a few of their singles apart, I don't love them. Just about a 4 for me.

Lazer Guided Melodies by Spiritualized
Jan 27 2025

I didn't like this as much as Ladies and Gentlemen We're Floating in Space. But I did significantly prefer it to Spacemen 3. It is very much background music, but that's not a bad thing.

Songs Of Leonard Cohen by Leonard Cohen
Jan 28 2025

This album had most of the songs I liked from the best of Leonard Cohen. It can be a bit samey and the religious imagery is overdone, but I liked it.

Kilimanjaro by The Teardrop Explodes
Jan 29 2025

I liked this quite a bit. Julian Cope is a bit of a legend, but the music itself was fun and catchy.

Cloud Nine by The Temptations
Jan 30 2025

Fun enough, although there's no real stand out songs, no My Girl or Get Ready. The Heard It Through The Grapevine cover is a interesting change, but pales in comparison to the original or even to The Slits version. Better than Clarence Clearwater's version though.

3 Feet High and Rising by De La Soul
Jan 31 2025

The skits detract from the great music, but they are mercifully short so I'm not docking a star, although I was tempted. As for the music itself, I love it. Say No Go is probably my favourite track, but the whole album is strong.

Imagine by John Lennon
Feb 01 2025

Can we all just agree that John was the worst Beatle? Imagine makes me genuinely angry, the po faced, total lack of self awareness being demonstrated in this song is ire inducing. That said, on the rest of the album, the music is pretty decent, even though the lyrics are shitty. The only genuinely good song is Jealous Guy. The only song where John Lennon addresses what a prick he was.

Feb 02 2025

I have a friend who's worked with a former member of Jamiroquai and I'm sure it will surprise no one that the Stevie Wonder impersonating, Native American headdress wearing white guy who sings about an Emergency on Planet Earth while owning a collection of highly polluting super cars is a bit of a bell end and loves to phone people up early on a Christmas morning coked up and lonely. That said, I like the music. It's derivative, but it's also quite good fun. Despite Jay Kay being, alongside The Edge, the King of the Hat Wankers.

...The Dandy Warhols Come Down by The Dandy Warhols
Feb 03 2025

More shoegazy than I expected from knowing just the singles. I enjoyed it, but it could have been shorter. It still just about gets a 4, but would have been better if it was a tight 45 minutes rather than just over an hour.

Led Zeppelin IV by Led Zeppelin
Feb 04 2025

I wasn't that impressed with Physical Graffiti, but when Black Dog came on, I thought I was going to really like this album. However, once the first couple of tracks finished, the rest of the music just didn't grab me. At their best Led Zeppelin knock it out of the park, but a best of album is probably the only thing I'd listen to with any regularity.

Little Earthquakes by Tori Amos
Feb 05 2025

I've a lot of time for Tori Amos and I'd listened to this album a few times before. I thought I'd give it a 4 before I listened to it again, but it's probably a 5.

m b v by My Bloody Valentine
Feb 06 2025

Fine, but pretty non descript shoegaze. I don't really get why this is on this list. Wonder 2 was the only song that struck any sort of chord with me.

Feb 07 2025

Mostly this is a pretty bland album. Freedom 90 is great, of course, and I quite enjoyed the jazzy Cowboys and Angels but, for everything else, I was just waiting for it to be over.

Feb 08 2025

I'm not a huge fan of the Beatles and it irks me that all of their albums are on this list. However historically important they were. This though, is the good stuff. One of the two truly excellent Beatles albums'

Iron Maiden by Iron Maiden
Feb 09 2025

Better than I thought it would be, although it was odd to hear Iron Maiden without Bruce Dickinson. It's not really my genre, but I enjoyed it and would happily listen to this again.

Spiderland by Slint
Feb 10 2025

I'd never heard of this before, but it was intriguing enough to give it a couple of listens. Similar to a lot of shoegaze music, it would have been nice to have the vocal a bit more prominent in the mix, but overall, the more I listened the more I started to get into it.

good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
Feb 11 2025

I liked to Pimp a Butterfly, but this was hard work. Falling into rap stereotypes, the misogyny in particular put me off. Musically, it didn't do much for me either. It didn't make me actively angry, more disappointed as Kendrick is supposed to be the gold standard of rap - a bit like when I tried to listen to Kanye West's The College Dropout, I just don't get why this is popular.

Eliminator by ZZ Top
Feb 12 2025

I was all ready to slate this before I listened, but I found myself quite enjoying it in parts. The lyrics are totally inane and the slower tracks wear on my patience at times, but songs like Gimmie All Your Lovin, Legs and Sharp Dressed man were good fun. I wouldn't listen to ZZ Top often, but this daddest of dad rock was alright.

Grievous Angel by Gram Parsons
Feb 13 2025

This was perfectly fine, but it didn't do anything for me at all.

Meat Puppets II by Meat Puppets
Feb 14 2025

I liked the music a decent amount, but found the vocals irritating and something I had to push through to enjoy the music underneath.

2112 by Rush
Feb 15 2025

Fine, but a bit too stadium and not enough prog for my liking.

Elephant Mountain by The Youngbloods
Feb 16 2025

A bit of jazzy pop. I found the poppy bits a bit generic, but I enjoyed the more jazzy numbers. Just about a four, would definitely listen to again.

Bayou Country by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Feb 17 2025

I've enjoyed Creedence Clearwater Revival, but a third album, especially one that's so heavy on the covers seems pretty pointless. The cover of Good Golly Miss Molly did make me smile, only because, on Cosmo's factory, I'd said that "Several of the songs sounded like countryfied versions of Good Golly Miss Molly" so I felt a nice bit of validation. This is the weakest of the CCR albums I've listened to though.

Machine Head by Deep Purple
Feb 18 2025

Highway Star was alright, but the only Deep Purple song I properly like, Fireball, isn't on this album. A lot of the music is pretty dull, livened up only by the more interesting drumming. I don't really get why this was popular.

The Poet by Bobby Womack
Feb 19 2025

This was fine, but nothing to write home about. As for the title, Womack is hardly Keats.

On The Beach by Neil Young
Feb 21 2025

It's fine, but I don't really get why Neil Young was so successful. There's nothing here that grabs my attention or makes me want to listen to the album again.

Feb 22 2025

This is a lot of fun. I don't think the live aspect adds much, but it doesn't take too much away either. For some reason, despite James Brown's massive influence, the album doesn't quite do enough for me to give it a 5. I'm not sure entirely why, it is very good, but I like it rather than love it.

Scum by Napalm Death
Feb 23 2025

This wasn't actually that bad. I enjoyed a lot of the music and, on a second listen, the vocals didn't have the annoying quality that my first impression thought. It's an awkward and deliberately difficult album, but one where I think would benefit from repeat listens - if you have the stomach for it! So, I'm re-rating this almost a year later. Out of all the albums I've discovered because of this list, Scum is the one I've listened to most. I think it deserves bumping up to a 5. Distinctly different and worth perservering with.

Rattus Norvegicus by The Stranglers
Feb 24 2025

Decent enough to just about get a 4. I'd listened to bits of The Stranglers before, but never a whole album. It was actually a little New York Dollsish in parts - although I'd rather listen to them, despite my preference usually being for the British punk they infuluenced.

The Chronic by Dr. Dre
Feb 25 2025

Musically, I enjoyed this quite a bit. The lyrics are pretty one note but, despite some of the reviews on here, they never plumb the depths of offensiveness that Born to Die by Notorious BIG did. Bitches Ain't Shit is tastelessly misogynistic, but not enough so for me to dock a star - like with Smack My Bitch Up on Fat of the Land. I enjoyed the cameo from the Lady of Rage, it added some needed variety to the vocals and I'd only known Afro Puffs before listening to this album.

Peter Gabriel by Peter Gabriel
Feb 26 2025

There's a couple of songs I like on here, not just Solsbury Hill. Humdrum and Waiting for the Big One are alright. Only Excuse Me genuinely annoyed me, but the whole album doesn't really hang together. The difference between one song and the next is often jarring as there is such a mish-mash of styles. It makes the whole weaker than the sum of its parts.

Feb 27 2025

I've never really tried listening to Motorhead, which is odd, as I've always enjoyed Ace of Spades. This album seems like a poor introduction to the band. The vocals are too low in the mix and it's hard to distinguish between songs that I'd never heard before. It's a shame, because I think I'd enjoy listening the the studio versions. It's almost like I'm listening to the echo of something I think I might enjoy. I'm giving this three stars, not because I think the album itself deserves them, but because it made me want to give the "proper" Motorhead albums a go, so it has merit in that at least.

The Grand Tour by George Jones
Feb 28 2025

There's nothing hugely wrong with this album, but I can't say I'd listen to it again, country love songs just don't do it for me. That said, I did enjoy the final track Our Private Life, a more upbeat and cynical song about the intrusions faced when you achieve recognition.

BEYONCÉ by Beyoncé
Mar 02 2025

Better than I thought it would be. There's none of the big hits on here and the album is pretty samey, but I enjoyed it. I don't see myself listening to it regularly, but when I do, I'll enjoy it for what it is. Good pop.

Woodface by Crowded House
Mar 03 2025

It's a bit strange to see this on here. I have fond memories of the singles, Weather With You, At Your Feet and It's Only Natural, as they were played a lot when I was a kid. The album, and frankly the band in general, is just middle of the road AOR without any real excitement or innovation. It's fine, but a long way away from a must listen.

Mar 04 2025

I think Ray Charles is great and he did a great job on this album. There is a fundamental problem though and that's that I find the original songs pretty dull and uninspiring, so however well done they are, this album can only scrape a four from me.

Mar 05 2025

I enjoyed this one. The violent posturing didn't bother me and I can definitely get on board with the anger at the police. There are some misogynistic moments, but they're not like the awfulness of Smack My Bitch Up by the Prodigy or Notorious B.I.G's entire album. They're more 2 dimensional cynical visions of a certain type of woman - one who tries to use her femininity to exploit men - that are probably applied to too many women rather than a celebration of treating women like shit. This doesn't bother me enough to dock it points. Musically, the beats are good, the rapping's often slick. The album does go on for too long and gets weaker towards the end. Cutting the last 3 tracks would make it better overall.

The Colour Of Spring by Talk Talk
Mar 06 2025

I don't get why this album is on the list. It's fine, but utterly forgettable.

evermore by Taylor Swift
Mar 07 2025

Taylor Swift is a cultural phenomenon. It's therefore unsurprising, and right that one of her albums is included on the list. However, musically, there's not anything much to recommend. It reminds me of Coldplay in way, utterly beige music that a lot of people absolutely love but I've no idea why. The Coldplay comparison is a little harsh, as this album doesn't display the cynical attempts at emotional manipulation that Coldplay's music does, and Taylor's lyrics are more personal and confessional, which I respect. It's just so bland though and too long. By the end I was glad it was over.

Mar 08 2025

Free Bird is a great song. The rest of the album isn't as good, but is still pleasant enough. This just about gets a four from me.

Calenture by The Triffids
Mar 09 2025

I've had quite a few bland albums to listen to lately. Usually, I can understand why they're on the list. Sometimes it's because they sold incredibly well - Taylor Swift, Adele or David Gray. Sometimes it's because of their associations with other, important, artists - The Band, or they're historically interesting - A lot of the 50s jazz. This album and band are none of those things. I really don't get why it's on the list. I wouldn't make an effort to turn it off if I was in the middle of something else, which is my definition of a 2, but its non-descript, middle of the road, AOR only just about scrapes a 3 from me.

Mask by Bauhaus
Mar 10 2025

I've a lot of time for goths. Once I saw a group of them playing swingball in the sunshine of a local park and it really brightened up my day. Anyway, I enjoyed this album quite a bit. I'll definitely give it a few more listens.

Be by Common
Mar 11 2025

I'm a STEM guy, but I'm quite partial to a bit of hip hop. Perhaps it's because I'm also a vaguely rounded human being? Anyway, this was fine, but not too exciting. I liked the soulful production, especially when a bit of brass came in, but I'm not desperate to listen to it again.

Mar 12 2025

I feel that I should like this album a lot more than I do. But it's too long and frankly, this period of American Punk just doesn't do it for me. Slint, Black Flag, Gang of Four, they all sound like something I should like, but I just don't that much.

Mar 13 2025

This is a great album. One of my favourite things to put on while working. It's up there with Eno's best stuff for me.

Will The Circle Be Unbroken by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Mar 14 2025

I had no idea what to expect from this. I ended up enjoying it a decent amount. It's not amazing, but it's been better than a lot of the country music I've heard so far.

Kind Of Blue by Miles Davis
Mar 15 2025

I liked this, but I didn't love it. It all got a little samey.

Coles Corner by Richard Hawley
Mar 16 2025

Perfectly pleasant, but dull. I don't get why Richard Hawley gets a lot of critical acclaim. Tonight The Streets Are Ours is the only song I've heard of his that's more than a 3 star song.

Hypocrisy Is The Greatest Luxury by The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
Mar 17 2025

I've never heard of this, it looks fun. I enjoyed this a decent amount. I liked the political lyrics and the jazzy beats. It was definitely preferable to the much more popular gangsta rap going round at the time.

Heroes by David Bowie
Mar 18 2025

Magnificent. Another one of Bowie's best.

McCartney by Paul McCartney
Mar 19 2025

Better than I thought it was going to be, but still unexciting. A top end 3.

Joan Armatrading by Joan Armatrading
Mar 20 2025

Pleasant enough, but I wouldn't go out of my way to listen to it again.

Parachutes by Coldplay
Mar 21 2025

I wanted to hate this but it's not actually that bad. It's certainly better than things like Travis and David Gray, but it doesn't, at any point, stray into acutally good territory. I think the thing that annoys me most about Coldplay is how many people say they're their favourite band. It's like saying your favourite colour is beige or your favourite food is plain rice. It just makes me despair for humanity a little.

The Stone Roses by The Stone Roses
Mar 22 2025

I've listened to this a lot before and thought it would be a 4 star album. However, I think it deserves a 5. I never realised that Fool's Gold wasn't on the original album and, as great a song as it is, it does feel tacked on. Its inclusion also changes the dynamic of the end of I Am The Resurrection - with Fool's Gold following it, the long ending to the song feels overlong and self indulgent, spoiling an otherwise great tune. Without Fool's Gold following, the ending feels like a conclusion to the whole album and significantly more appropriate.

Melody A.M. by Röyksopp
Mar 23 2025

I enjoyed the mellower beginning to the album, but the more uptempo it got, the less I enjoyed it. Still just about a 4 star for me.

...And Justice For All by Metallica
Mar 25 2025

Really? Another Metallica album? What in the name of shitting crikey did I do to deserve this guff. This is absolute shite. Simultaneously dull and intrusively loud. I'd rather listen to virtually anything else.

Heroes to Zeros by The Beta Band
Mar 26 2025

I liked it, but I didn't love it. The Beta Band have done better,

NEU! 75 by Neu!
Mar 27 2025

A bit of a slow burner, but I liked it.

Penthouse And Pavement by Heaven 17
Mar 28 2025

I enjoyed this. It didn't have the immediacy of something like the Human League, but it was interesting and fun.

The White Album by Beatles
Mar 29 2025

This album pissed me off. There's some absolute classics on here. While my Guitar Gently Weeps and Blackbird stand out in particular. Back in the USSR and Happiness is a Warm Gun are both good too. However, for every great song there's a couple of average ones and for every average song, there's one that's absolute dogshit. Wild Honey Pie and Bungalow Bill are particularly egregious. Every time and artist thinks about making a double album, they should be forced to listen to this and cut out all the chaff.

Mar 30 2025

I don't get why this album is on the list at all. It's not good, nor was it a major hit. There are some moments that are quite pleasant, but it keeps drifting into amateur show tune territory, to the point where it becomes pretty annoying.

Here Are the Sonics by The Sonics
Mar 31 2025

Just about a 4. I enjoyed it but it did start to get a bit samey. Fortunately, it's half hour run time meant it didn't outstay its welcome. Also, this is the 3rd cover of Good Golly Miss Molly so far. I wonder if the original is on here.

Surfer Rosa by Pixies
Apr 01 2025

It's not Doolittle, but it's still pretty good.

The Slim Shady LP by Eminem
Apr 02 2025

The singles were okay, the rest of the album was pretty poor.

Venus Luxure No. 1 Baby by Girls Against Boys
Jun 15 2025

There were brief occasions where I thought this album could turn into something I'd enjoy, but they quickly drifted away and the album never really went anywhere. Also, the band biography on Spotify says that the vocals are reminiscent of Mark E. Smith which is a fucking bizarre statement to make.

xx by The xx
Jun 16 2025

It's been a few years since I've listened to this album. I gave it a couple of goes and I think it just about deserves a 5 from me. I've never been a fan of either Romy or Jamie xx's solo stuff but this laid back indie hits a spot.

Arrival by ABBA
Jun 17 2025

I enjoy a bit of Europop, but this album gets pretty samey after a while. Also, When I Kissed the Teacher is very much of another time. Cripes!

Licensed To Ill by Beastie Boys
Jun 18 2025

I'm tempted to give this a one as parts of the album genuinely made me angry. I love the late Beastie Boys, I gave Ill Communication a five, but this is pretty cretinous at times. Part of me, if this wasn't by a band that I have such fond memories of, would I even question giving a one? On reflection, there's enough that I think is okay about this album for me to give it a 2. But this is terrible compared to their best work.

Jun 19 2025

Seems pretty generic country to me, from what I've heard so far on this list. Why do so many country musicians feel the need to slip a bit of domestic violence into their songs about being heartbroken and drunk? As a genre it seems as misogynistic as hip hop.

Blue Lines by Massive Attack
Jun 20 2025

I love a bit of trip hop and this is the starting point. I think I even prefer it to Mezzanine. An easy 5 stars.

Marquee Moon by Television
Jun 21 2025

The random number generator is being kind to me at the moment. This is a great example of New York art rock / post punk. I love it.

Harvest by Neil Young
Jun 22 2025

Heart of Gold is a great song. The rest of the album, I could take or leave to be honest. Just about scraping a 4.

Cupid & Psyche 85 by Scritti Politti
Jun 23 2025

The first few songs on this album were really bland. It got better, but never something I'd actively chose to listen to.

Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
Jun 24 2025

Apparently Frank Ocean is the 120th most streamed artist on Spotify at the moment. Absolute dog shit. Not the worst album I've heard, but definitely a 1 starrer.

Jun 25 2025

I thought I hated Coldplay, but when I listened to Parachutes properly, I had to admit it was alright, not good by any means, but not terrible either. So I wasn't too bothered about listening to this album. A Rush of Blood to the Head however, is exactly what I hate about Coldplay. It feels so cynical with its stadium rock key changes designed to elicit emotion substituting for any genuine feeling. It might as well be Westlife getting up off their stools. I didn't think I was going to give this a one. Technically, there's not a lot wrong with the music. I can cope with a song or two, but a whole album of this manipulative shite really rapidly starts to grate.

Jun 26 2025

I'd only heard Wolf Like Me before and I liked, but didn't love it. This album is pretty good, it's quite varied, so I didn't get bored, which I think I would have if all the songs were like Wolf Like Me. I gave it a couple of goes and I'd happily listen to it again. It didn't hit the heights it needed to to get a 5 from me however. Good, but not great.

Music From The Penguin Cafe by Penguin Cafe Orchestra
Jun 27 2025

It took a bit of getting into, but I'm enjoying this. I didn't realise Eno was involved, it seems that his fingers are in many lovely pies. 4 stars I reckon. Although I might look back and think that after more listens it deserves more, there's been a couple of albums where that's been the case. It's a shame there's no edit button.

Bossanova by Pixies
Jun 28 2025

I like the Pixies, but there doesn't really need to be three of their albums on here. There's not enough variation in them to make it necessary. I enjoyed the more poppy songs on this record, Velouria, Allison, Dig for Fire. They were a bit different to Doolittle and Surfer Rosa. The other songs are nice enough, but tend to be lesser versions of things that came before.

Ogden's Nut Gone Flake by Small Faces
Jun 29 2025

I feel let down by this album. I liked the music on the first side. It was fun 60s psychedila. I'd definitely listen to these songs again. However, the second half of the album is riddled with stupid little spoken word parts, even more annoyingly, they're part of the songs, not seperate tracks so you can't skip them. They really put me off listening to this album again, so I can't give it more than a three, without them it would have been a solid four.

1989 by Taylor Swift
Jun 30 2025

I wasn't looking forward to this and, while I wouldn't go out of my way to listen to it again, 1989 wasn't as bad as I thought. I listened to the Taylor's version of the album as I do respect Taylor thumbing her nose at a controlling record company. I was going to complain about it being overlong, but the original was nearly 30 minutes shorter, so I won't. Ironically, the only song I would like to hear again aside from Shake It Off - which was good fun, is only on Taylor's Version - New Romantics. Overall though, most of the album is just generic, mass market, pop that I feel I could get from anywhere.

Thriller by Michael Jackson
Jul 01 2025

Much like Bad, I wanted to dislike this album, but I don't. The slower songs are weak, particularly The Girl is Mine. For the rest though, I can't help tapping my feet. Obviously the man himself was a deeply flawed character who did some awful things, but judging purely on the strength of the music, I think this album is a four.

Bryter Layter by Nick Drake
Jul 02 2025

This is the most polished and produced of Nick Drake's albums and, while I still enjoyed it, it loses something because of that in my eyes. The thing I love most about Nick's music is his fragile voice and it gets lost a little here, especially when instruments like the saxophone are included. It is a very worthwhile listen. I liked Hazey Jane II and Northern Sky in particular. It's just not as good as Pink Moon or Five Leaves Left for me.

Make Yourself by Incubus
Jul 03 2025

I don't hate Incubus, in the way that I hate a lot of other Nu Metal bands, they don't have that same twatty frat boy energy - even if some of their lyrics are a pubescent poet's idea of profundity. However, listening to this album still feels like quite a bit of work for not very much reward. I like Drive, but that's pretty much where it ends. I wouldn't turn this album off if I was in the middle of doing something else, but I would never choose to put it on either. For me, that's the definition of a three.

Here's Little Richard by Little Richard
Jul 04 2025

This was a lot of fun. Although I expect it would start to wear on me after a while as it is pretty samey.

Jul 05 2025

Like virtually every double album I've ever heard, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road would benefit from having 20 minutes cut from it. That said, the good stuff is very good and the filler isn't anywhere near as frequent or as poor as say, the Beatles' White Album. If the weaker songs, Jamaica Jerk Off, Roy Rodgers, This Song has No Title, Harmony and Social Disease weren't on here, this album would be a definite five. As it is, it's borderline. Having given this another listen, I think it just about deserves a five. When it is good, it is very good and when it's bad, it's not too bad.

Ocean Rain by Echo And The Bunnymen
Jul 06 2025

Another album that's only available as a shitty expanded edition, which is frustrating. As for the music itself, The Killing Moon is a good song and Seven Seas is decent enoug. However, for the rest of the album, I just wanted it to be over. Even at only just over 40 minutes, the album felt like a bit of a slog.

Sound of Silver by LCD Soundsystem
Jul 07 2025

I'm a bit unsure how I feel about LCD Soundsystem, they've got some good songs, but there isn't a lot of variation in the music. When I first listened to this album, I found the repetition in the music of the first two tracks quite hard work, only starting to enjoy myself from North American Scum onwards. On a second listen, while walking the dog, the repetition wasn't so jarring. It became more enjoyable as a background for doing something else. There's definitely better indie electronica from the noughties, Hot Chip being the most notable example. Nothing on this album compares to music on The Warning or One Life Stand, but I found myself liking it nonetheless.

KIWANUKA by Michael Kiwanuka
Jul 08 2025

I've listened to this album a lot today. I thought I liked the odd bit of Michael Kiwanuka and I loved the work he did with SAULT, but I never really got into his music. I think this is partly because there aren't really any obvious stand out tunes that I could stick on a playlist of other music. However, as a whole, this album and Kiwanuka's music in general really grew on me. The more I listened to the whole album, the more I enjoyed it. This is very good indeed.

Led Zeppelin by Led Zeppelin
Jul 09 2025

This is my third Led Zeppelin album so far. Each one has had one or two really good songs - on this album it's Communication Breakdown, but I find the rest a bit plodding and samey. Led Zeppelin is a slightly more interesting album than IV or Physical Graffiti with a light psychedelic influence, but it's still not enough to get a four. A greatest hits band for me.

Slayed? by Slade
Jul 10 2025

I have a soft spot for Slade. Mostly caused by Christmas and Reeves and Mortimer. The odd song is quite fun and I like the simplistic, in your face, style of glam rock. However, let's not pretend that they were actually good. Anyway, where's me cuppa soup?

Amnesiac by Radiohead
Jul 11 2025

I somehow missed this album when it first came out. I'm not sure how, I've listened to a lot of Radiohead, both before and after this album came out. Like everything Radiohead have done, bar Pablo Honey, this is a very polished, well worked piece of music. There's part of me that wants to give it a four, but I think that's because Amnesiac doesn't, for me, hit the highs of The Bends, OK Computer or Kid A. I think I probably prefer Hail to the Thief and In Rainbows too. Another part of me, however, thinks I might be being harsh in not giving this a five as, if this was the first time I'd heard Radiohead, I'm pretty sure I'd give it a five. I guess the problem is that, no matter how consistently good you are, there's only a finite number of songs you can record without a large number of your songs just being worse versions of what you've already done. After all that rambling and several listens, I think I'm going to go with a four. Despite this album being probably being better than several albums I've given a five to, it fails the "do I love it" test, with Life in a Glasshouse being the only song I'd go out of my way to listen to again. At the end of the day you can have too much of a good thing.

With The Beatles by Beatles
Jul 12 2025

Oh piss off. I've just written a review for Amnesiac where I said that there were too many truly excellent Radiohead albums on this list for me to want to listen to a merely good one. Having every Beatles album on this list is a real waste of a limited space. Only Revolver and Sgt Pepper's are truly great albums, the rest of the Beatles works are occasional great songs, a lot of filler and some real shite. This album has the extra annoyance of being nearly 50% cover songs. On the one hand, the cover songs mean there's nothing truly crap like Maxwell's Silver Hammer or Wild Honey Pie on this album. On the other hand, they're still just pub band covers. Ultimately, despite this album barely being more than half an hour long, I was mostly just waiting for it to be over.

Jul 13 2025

I don't hate this in the way that I've hated every Metallica album I've had to listen to, but Peace Sells... But Who's Buying? is still a pretty dull album. I just find that chugging bassline present in so many metal songs incredibly boring. The faster lead/rhythm guitar on this album helps mitigate that somewhat but no where near enough to make me want to listen to this again.

Ritual De Lo Habitual by Jane's Addiction
Jul 14 2025

I like Been Caught Stealing, but I've never listened to much Jane's Addiction before. Trying to listen to the whole album, the thing that strikes me is how difficult it is to get through that much of Perry Farrell's voice. It's incredibly grating. The only other song I vaguely enjoyed on this album was Then She Did, the song with the lowest ratio of Farrell to instrumental. Mostly I found myself wanting this to stop. I'm giving this album a two because of 1) Been Caught Stealing and 2) Only one song genuinely annoyed me, Of Course, where Farrell sings about "It being like slapping yourself in the faaaaaace" Which is what a lot of this album felt like.

The Low End Theory by A Tribe Called Quest
Jul 15 2025

I wanted to like this album, but I just didn't. It's fine, but I much prefer something like De La Soul or Jurassic 5.

The Visitors by ABBA
Jul 16 2025

There's none of the big ABBA hits on here, so The Visitors feels like an unusual addition to the list. It's perfectly pleasant pop, but nothing I'd go out of my way for.

Autobahn by Kraftwerk
Jul 17 2025

I've a lot of time for Kraftwerk. This isn't my favourite of their albums -I prefer The Man Machine and Radioactivity - but it's still very good.

Slippery When Wet by Bon Jovi
Jul 18 2025

Due to my age, I've a nostalgic fondness for the singles from this album. They're not very good, but they remind me of the freedom I had as a child. Thanks to this I'm giving the album 2 stars because otherwise, frankly, it's shit.

Pearl by Janis Joplin
Jul 19 2025

I know of Janis Joplin, but I've never gone out of my way to listen to her before. I enjoyed this album quite a bit. With the exception of Mercedes Benz, which reminded me of the cancer of American Christian materialism. Besides that though, I liked her raspy voice and will definitely include some of her tracks on my playlists.

Scream, Dracula, Scream by Rocket From The Crypt
Jul 20 2025

What a bizarre inclusion on this list. It's up there with Come Find Yourself by the Fun Lovin Criminals for making me think "What the fuck is this album doing here". I have fond memories of On A Rope, it's a fun, if not particularly sophisticated song, delivered with a lot of energy. The rest of this album however, is shit.

Junkyard by The Birthday Party
Jul 21 2025

This album took a couple of listens, but it grew on me and I ended up quite liking it.

Jul 22 2025

U2 front loaded this album with all of their best songs, and I don't like them very much. The rest of the album gets worse. I'm honestly not sure if the music on this deserves a one, or it's just residual Bono that's colouring my opinion. I'm going to be generous and give it a 2 because I don't want to listen to it again to see if I truly hate it or if I just dislike it.

Vivid by Living Colour
Jul 23 2025

After the aural turd that was The Joshua Tree yesterday, it was nice to have a rock album that had bits I actually enjoyed on it. There are some parts where it gets quite funky and Cult of Personality is a good song, but there's still not enough to make me care about listening again. One nice point though is that, despite being American, they've spelt colour correctly, so well done for that guys.

Paranoid by Black Sabbath
Jul 24 2025

I just don't think metal is my genre. This is probably the best metal album I've had so far and I still, with the exception of Paranoid, found it pretty dull. I wouldn't turn it off, but I wouldn't go out of my way to listen to it again either.

Fifth Dimension by The Byrds
Jul 25 2025

This was pretty fun. Although, with the exception of 8 Mile High, nothing really stood out. Just about worth a 4.

Morrison Hotel by The Doors
Jul 26 2025

I like the Doors quite a bit but Morrison Hotel, while still enjoyable enough, is definitely the weakest of their albums, so it's surprising to me that it's on the list. L.A Woman and The Doors are 5 star albums, but this only scrapes a 4 from me.

Supa Dupa Fly by Missy Elliott
Jul 27 2025

I didn't hate it, but I was glad when it was over.

Funeral by Arcade Fire
Jul 29 2025

I played this and Neon Bible to death when they came out. I'm not sure if it's over familiarity or if Arcade Fire were just not as good as I remembered them being but I didn't love this album on relistening. I was pretty sure that I'd give both this and Neon Bible 5's but I've given them both 4's. I still like them, and Wake Up and Rebellion are great tunes, but I just didn't like them enough to give full marks. Also, the new album, Pink Elephant, which I also listened to today, is absolute dog shit.

At Budokan by Cheap Trick
Jul 30 2025

This album is everything I dislike about stadium rock, without doing quite enough to make me truly hate it.

Murder Ballads by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Jul 31 2025

At his best, I love Nick Cave. This album however, is a bit of a mixed bag. Some songs, Where the Wild Roses Grow and The Kindness of Strangers are really good. Most of the others are decent, but there are a couple, Stagger Lee and O'Malley's Bar where it feels like Cave is trying too hard to be dark. They're a bit adolescent. It stops Murder Ballads from being great, but it's still a good album.

Entertainment by Gang Of Four
Aug 01 2025

Gang of Four are one of those bands that I think I should love but I just don't. They've inspired several bands I love and I enjoy punk, post punk and indie rock a lot. However, for me, this album only just about scrapes a four.

Tea for the Tillerman by Cat Stevens
Aug 02 2025

This album had just enough good stuff on it for me to give it a four. I'm not sure poor Salman Rushdie would agree though!

Liquid Swords by GZA
Aug 03 2025

I found it very difficult to feel anything, positive or negative about this album. It was fine.

Vulnicura by Björk
Aug 04 2025

I really enjoy a lot of Bjork's earlier work, but I've never gotten round to listening to her later stuff. While I like this, I don't love it like I loved Debut or post. Perhaps it's one of those albums that take more listens. It's definitely interesting enough to make me want to give it another few goes.

Document by R.E.M.
Aug 05 2025

I've heard this many times before and enjoyed this a decent amount. It's not good enough to get a five from me though.

I Should Coco by Supergrass
Aug 06 2025

I listened to this album plenty when it came out and I'd forgotten how fun it is. It does tail off towards the end and Alright was massively overplayed and feels trite, but the first three tracks on I Should Coco put me in a great mood. A high four.

Aug 07 2025

I like Brian Eno but, at first, I really didn't like this album. However, as it when on, it turned into something I very much enjoyed. The first couple of tracks are the weakest on the album. They border on annoying. From Kurt's Rejoinder onwards though, the album really picks up. Ending with a series of beautiful, soft songs.

Made In Japan by Deep Purple
Aug 08 2025

This sort of stadium, overly long, self indulgent, dad rock just bores me. At first I thought that the two hour long "deluxe" edition of this album on Spotify was the original and was going to give it one star as the sheer length of the tedium got very annoying. However, I realised that the original album was only an hour long, so it deserves a two.

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Aug 09 2025

I didn't get the point of this album. Generic, middle of the road, dad rock. There was nothing particularly good or bad about it.

Aug 10 2025

I enjoyed the music to an extent but the juvenility of the lyrics started to wear thin after a while. I have a childish sense of humour, but mine is more that of a 15 year old, whereas this album's is more that of an 11 year old.

Faith by George Michael
Aug 11 2025

I like the song Faith, but the rest of the album Faith leaves me cold. I was glad when it ended.

Who's Next by The Who
Aug 12 2025

A great start with Baba O'Reilly and a strong finish with Behind Blue Eyes and Won't Get Fooled Again gets this album a four. The rest of the music I could take or leave, but those three songs are very good. Another band where a best of compilation is probably the best option.

Aug 13 2025

Something else is a collection of songs that, while perfectly fine, don't have the charm of those on Village Green Preservation Society. However, it ends with one of the truly great songs in Waterloo Sunset a perfect piece of music which is head and shoulders above anything else on this album and 90% of the songs on this list.

The College Dropout by Kanye West
Aug 14 2025

I remember buying this when it came out. Lots of reviews said is was revolutionary, a masterpiece. I didn't get it then and I still don't get it now. The College Dropout is a bland, self indulgent album, finishing with a twelve minute track that is just Kanye talking about how he got signed (he had to assemble his own Ikea bed - the horror!). I didn't absolutely hate it, and I'm not going to dock marks for his increasingly bizarre behaviour, but this album is a two star album at best.

Dusty In Memphis by Dusty Springfield
Aug 15 2025

I never realised Dusty Springfield was British. I liked this album well enough. Son of a preacher man is a great song. The rest of the album however, doesn't hit that height. It's just about good enough to give it a four.

Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs by Derek & The Dominos
Aug 16 2025

With the exception of the last two songs, every song on this album sounds the same. I wouldn't mind too much as, while a bit bland, there's nothing too wrong with them. But the album is so overlong that it gets pretty dull.

Aug 17 2025

At the time I was definitely more of an Oasis fan than a Blur one, but looking back, I can clearly see that I was wrong. Blur were the far more varied and interesting band. That said, this album seems a strange one to include on the list. Perhaps it's because it was at the very start of what became britpop, but it's mostly pretty poor with only For Tomorrow being any good. Popscene, Blur's best early song, isn't on the album, only the deluxe extended edition. Which again, is mostly filled with very average songs.

I’m a Lonesome Fugitive by Merle Haggard
Aug 18 2025

This was fine. There was a pleasant lack of wife beating, which has been rare on the country records on this list. I wouldn't listen to it again, but I didn't mind it.

Songs From The Big Chair by Tears For Fears
Aug 19 2025

It's nice that the original is available on Spotify, alongside the deluxe and super mega deluxe 3000 editions. Shout and Everybody Wants To Rule The World are the obvious stand out tracks here, but the other stuff is fun enough to just about get a four.

Talk Talk Talk by The Psychedelic Furs
Aug 20 2025

I like Pretty in Pink, but there wasn't much else on the album to make me want to listen to this again.

Back to Basics by Christina Aguilera
Aug 21 2025

When I saw this was a double album, I really wasn't looking forward to it. In reality, it wasn't too bad. When compared to other middle of the road ladypop, I certainly prefer Christina to say Taylor Swift, and especially to shite like Adele, which is music for the Live, Laugh, Love brigade to cry into their prosecco to. If it wasn't a double album, and therefore bloated with filler, I'd give this a 3. As it is, it's a 2 from me.

Elvis Presley by Elvis Presley
Aug 22 2025

The fast songs are fun enough, the ballads are a bit dull. But at the end of the day, this is just a bunch of covers of songs that were done better by the original artists. Tutti Frutti, in particular, pales into comparison with the original.

Brothers by The Black Keys
Aug 23 2025

I really struggled to see the point of this album. There's a point where having retro influences becomes a pastiche, and this crosses that line in places. Besides that, it's just so generic. It wore me down.

Led Zeppelin II by Led Zeppelin
Aug 24 2025

This was like the other 3 Led Zeppelin albums I've heard on this list. There was the odd song where I thought "This is pretty good", but for the most part it was all very middle of the road. This album is probably the weakest of the 4. Partially because Whole Lotta Love, the main song, is such a thinly covered reference to Robert Plant's penis that it might as well be bareback. It's still just about a 3 though. Like the rest of them.

Aug 25 2025

Another album where the only version available on Spotify is a bloated, extended edition. This one is a ridiculous 5 disc version. When it comes to the original songs, I liked them well enough. The singles are the obvious stand out tracks, but the rest of the music was good enough that I'm just about giving a 4.

Mothership Connection by Parliament
Aug 26 2025

This album is the funkiest, funker in funk town, funkhamptonshire. It's almost too funky for me. I love a bit of funk, but Mothership Connection starts to fall down the other side of the funk peak, stopping it from getting 5 stars. It's a 4 from me.

Being There by Wilco
Aug 27 2025

This would be three star album but there is no justification whatsoever for music that is this average going on for this long.

Here, My Dear by Marvin Gaye
Aug 29 2025

There are moments where this album is properly good, but mostly it just happened and then, after too long, it ended.

Electric Warrior by T. Rex
Aug 30 2025

It's been a couple of months since I've had a contender for a 5 star album and I think this just about fits the bill. A couple of the slower tracks aren't particularly great, but I love pretty much everything else.

Paul Simon by Paul Simon
Aug 31 2025

I prefer this to Graceland. Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard is a fun song. The rest of the album is decent enough that I'd just about give it a four, but it's very much at the low end of that score.

Merriweather Post Pavilion by Animal Collective
Sep 01 2025

I'd not listened to much Animal Collective before, but I enjoyed this quite a bit, even if it did start to get a little samey. I'll have to give them more of a go.

Blunderbuss by Jack White
Sep 02 2025

Jack White is clearly a talented musician, but his stuff gets very samey. There's nothing on here that's as good as the best of the White Stripes, but it's fun enough.

All Directions by The Temptations
Sep 03 2025

At the beginning and end of the album, The Temptations are bringing the funk and it's very good. In the middle, as they go more soulful and less funky, the album loses its way a little. But it's still decent.

Maggot Brain by Funkadelic
Sep 04 2025

This didn't grab me in the same way One Nation Under a Groove did, but I still enjoyed it quite a lot.

Searching For The Young Soul Rebels by Dexys Midnight Runners
Sep 05 2025

I only really thought of Dexy's as the Come On Eileen band, which was a bit unfair. This album is good fun, I love a brass section and I enjoyed the Northern Soul cover.

L.A. Woman by The Doors
Sep 06 2025

The best of The Doors albums for me. Lovely stuff.

The Blueprint by JAY Z
Sep 07 2025

I really wasn't looking forward to this, but I actually enjoyed the music a decent amount. The album is overlong and could do with the last 15 minutes or so being cut out as it gets weaker towards the end. Lyrically it's also heavily infected with the cancer of American capitalism, with it's celebration of materialism, but it's hardly the first album to be like that.

Nixon by Lambchop
Sep 08 2025

This album kept feeling like it was going to turn into something I really enjoyed, but it never quite got there. I still liked it and would like to listen to some more of Lambchop's music as I've never really heard of him before.

The Clash by The Clash
Sep 09 2025

This starts off really well. Janie Jones and White Riot in particular stand out. It tails off a little towards the end, which is why I'm not giving it a five, but it's definitely a high four for me.

Tapestry by Carole King
Sep 10 2025

Besides It's Too Late, I'd not really listened to much Carole King, or at least I thought I hadn't, there were plenty of songs on here that I knew, but didn't know they were her's. At first I thought this album was going to get the full five stars, but the album tracks don't live up to the big hits. Still, compared to something like Adele, this is light years ahead, despite being recorded well before Adele was born.

Remedy by Basement Jaxx
Sep 11 2025

On an individual level, I enjoy Basement Jaxx's big hits quite a bit, not just the ones on this album, Rendez Vu, Red Alert, Bingo Bango but their other singles like Where's Your Head at too. However, the album tracks are pretty weak in places and, even with the good stuff, I wouldn't want to hear a full 50 minute album in one go. A couple of songs is enough before it all starts to get a bit samey.

Chris by Christine and the Queens
Sep 12 2025

This is a strange addition to the list. It's just generic pop. Nothing particularly good or bad. It happened, then it ended.

So by Peter Gabriel
Sep 13 2025

A so so album. I prefer Phil Collins.

The Modern Dance by Pere Ubu
Sep 14 2025

This is why I keep listening to the albums on the list. I'd heard of Pere Ubu, but never any of their music, or even what genre of music they played. This album is right up my street, I listened to it 4 times yesterday and I can see myself listening a lot in the future.

Sep 15 2025

This is the sort of music I normally like a lot and Superfly, the only Curtis Mayfield song that I can recall hearing before this album is great. There's No Place Like America Today, just does nothing for me though. It's too mellow to be funky and too funky to be mellow, it sits in a halfway house position that doesn't really work.

Raising Hell by Run-D.M.C.
Sep 16 2025

Only the expanded edition is available on Spotify, with its pointless a cappella versions and demo tracks. As for the actual album, it was good fun, but it got a bit samey. A low four for me.

Hejira by Joni Mitchell
Sep 17 2025

Besides Blue and a best of, I've not listened to much Joni Mitchell. I'm not sure why as Blue is a great album. This isn't as good as Blue, but it's still very enjoyable. A solid 4.

Tommy by The Who
Sep 18 2025

I enjoy a bit of The Who, but this is self-indulgent, over-long, toss. It never made me truly angry, except for Tommy's Holiday Camp, which is mercifully less than a minute long, but I was glad when it was over.

Ace of Spades by Motörhead
Sep 19 2025

I enjoyed this one. It did get a bit samey, but at 36 minutes long, it didn't outstay its welcome.

Sep 20 2025

This is earlyish Dylan at his peak and I still don't like it enough to give it a five. It's decent enough and I did enjoy it, but I struggle to see what all the fuss is about.

Sep 21 2025

I didn't actively hate this, but it wasn't good. I have done farts with more soul than Cee-Lo Green... Is The Soul Machine

Toys In The Attic by Aerosmith
Sep 22 2025

Another Aerosmith album. Sweet Jesus. Why on Earth are three Aerosmith albums on this list? Upon listening. I don't hate this as much as the other two Aerosmith albums I've had to endure. Although there were points (Big Ten Inch Record) that came close. It is still however, very much a bad album.

Pornography by The Cure
Sep 23 2025

There were no real stand out tracks on this album and I tend to prefer the Cure's poppier stuff, but this was still good.

Legalize It by Peter Tosh
Sep 24 2025

This is fine, but there wasn't really anything that made me want to listen to it again. Legalize It certainly doesn't reach the heights of the Bob Marley or Burning Spear albums on this list.

Sep 25 2025

I bought this album about 20 years or so ago, mostly for Tainted Love, but never listened to it much as the rest of the album didn't grab me. Upon revisiting it, I realised that, like a lot of albums on this list, the CD released was spoiled by having several demos, outtakes and alternate versions tacked onto the end of it. When you listen to just the original tracks and cut out the chaff, it's a much better work. It's still not perfect, but I enjoyed it enough to just about give it a four.

Survivor by Destiny's Child
Sep 26 2025

I'm of an age where I have a nostalgic fondness for the singles from this album, but the rest of it is pretty rubbish. If it wasn't for Independent Women, Survivor and Bootylicious, I'd be tempted to give it a one as parts of it do make me genuinely angry. In particular, the complete lack of self awareness in sandwiching a song about how a promiscuous woman is nasty and should be ashamed between songs about their big booties' and going out dating and the very American lauding of wealth and consumption alongside loudly proclaiming their Christianity, are pretty tasteless themes on this album. Well done Destiny's Child, you can buy your own blood diamonds.

The Nightfly by Donald Fagen
Sep 28 2025

This didn't make me angry, my requirement to give a one, but it was very dull.

Dear Science by TV On The Radio
Sep 29 2025

I enjoyed the other TV On The Radio album on this list, but Dear Science didn't really do much for me. It's pleasant enough, but not much more

Figure 8 by Elliott Smith
Sep 30 2025

The cover made me think this album was going to be annoyingly twee, but it was actually decent. Not great, but fun enough

Born To Run by Bruce Springsteen
Oct 01 2025

I like Bruce Springsteen, but sadly I'm not a big fan of his music. Born to Run is a good song, but the rest of the album did nothing for me

Killing Joke by Killing Joke
Oct 02 2025

One thing I've learned from this list is that I like post punk a lot more than the average person on here. I enjoyed Killing Joke a lot, but didn't quite love it in the same way as I did with Pere Ubu. I will definitely add it to my albums though.

Oct 03 2025

I like Talking Heads a lot, but this isn't my favourite of their albums. I prefer the afrobeat influences on albums like Remain in Light. This is still decent enough, just not great.

Achtung Baby by U2
Oct 04 2025

I think there are good arguments on both sides as to whether you should be able to separate art from the artist, and I'm not sure which side I come down on. What I do know, however, is that it's much easier to separate the art from the artist when the art in question is actually any good, not dull, plodding, stadium rock shite. Realistically, Bono is no bigger bell end than Morrissey, but the big difference between the two is that the Smith's made some great music. I'm going to resist the urge to add a Hat Twat Tax and give this album a two rather than a one. Either way though, I'd be happy to never hear this again.

Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield
Oct 05 2025

For a lot of this album, I enjoyed the music. It fits well into the genre of music to listen to while concentrating on something else. However, there's a couple of really wanky moments, a little towards the end of the first side where Oldfield feels the need to introduce the instruments like he was presenting a children's tv program and a couple of minutes on the second side where he twats about with the sailor's hornpipe and some weird monster voice. These moments took me out of my enjoyment and spoiled the rest of the album somewhat.

Blackstar by David Bowie
Oct 06 2025

David Bowie's death was one of the only celebrity deaths I felt genuinely sad about. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he was still making new and interesting music, rather than milking his back catalogue. Because of the circumstances, Blackstar is a difficult listen. It is however, very good. One of the few late stage Bowie albums that come close to matching those from his peak. I'd have to be in the right frame of mind to listen to this album, but in those circumstances, it's a 5 from me.

Hot Shots II by The Beta Band
Oct 08 2025

Squares is a great song and I enjoyed the rest of the album, but it did start to get a bit samey.

You're Living All Over Me by Dinosaur Jr.
Oct 09 2025

I think this era of American alt rock holds up better than the slightly later grunge bands. I enjoyed this album well enough, although I don't think it really did anything to take me away from the best of compilation that I usually go to when I listen to Dinosaur Jr.

Medúlla by Björk
Oct 10 2025

I like Björk a lot, Post, Debut, Homogenic, Vespertine are all great albums. Medúlla however, is so sparse, that it ends up being something I admired more than something I enjoyed. Triumph of the Heart is good fun, but I don't think there's anything else I'd want to listen to again.

Dry by PJ Harvey
Oct 12 2025

PJ Harvey's debut has some great moments, Sheila Na Gig and Dress are, in particular, songs that I love. The album as a whole is a borderline five for me. Perhaps I'm being a little unfair in giving Dry a four. My knowing how good her later albums can be is causing me to mark her debut down but, the album as a whole just doesn't do quite enough for the full five.

Dummy by Portishead
Oct 13 2025

Love this. Trip hop has been one of my favourite genres since I was a teenager and this album is part of where that love started.

Highway to Hell by AC/DC
Oct 14 2025

As a lot of other reviews have said, this is a fun enough album, but it is 10 slight variations on the same song. A low four, as that song is quite good.

Rum Sodomy & The Lash by The Pogues
Oct 15 2025

Fun enough but, like the local wine you drink on holiday tasting far better in France or Italy, I think it would sound much better in a lively Irish pub than at home.

Out of Step by Minor Threat
Oct 16 2025

Decent enough but didn't really excite me.

Led Zeppelin III by Led Zeppelin
Oct 17 2025

Each Led Zeppelin album I've heard has had a great opening tune or two and a rather mediocre rest of the album. This had a great opening tune, but the rest of the album was pretty decent too.

Wild Is The Wind by Nina Simone
Oct 18 2025

This was fine, but more something I respected rather than enjoyed.

Meat Is Murder by The Smiths
Oct 19 2025

Probably the weakest Smiths album for me, but still very good.

I can't believe that this album was included as anything other than a juvenile joke and, as a joke, it is significantly more witty and sophisticated than anything Limp Bizkit have ever done. For a short moment, I found an element of this being so bad, it was actually quite enjoyable. Much like say, William Shatner. However, listening to more than about 20 minutes became a tediously annoying chore.

Time Out by The Dave Brubeck Quartet
Oct 21 2025

An enjoyable and interesting listen. But I didn't love it. Just liked it

Let's Get It On by Marvin Gaye
Oct 22 2025

Much better than Gaye's post divorce concept album, but still not enough to get a five. A solid four.

Africa Brasil by Jorge Ben Jor
Oct 23 2025

I enjoyed this a lot. A high four from me.

Snivilisation by Orbital
Oct 24 2025

I had low expectations of this album, I'm not quite sure why. I think it's because I thought Orbital were more of a dance band. This, mostly quite laid back electronica was quite a bit better than I expected and, while it didn't blow me away, I did enjoy it.

Synchronicity by The Police
Oct 25 2025

After the aural turd that is Reggatta de Blanc I really wasn't looking forward to this album. However, Synchronicity, while still not being something I'd choose to listen too, is miles better than that heap of shit.

Smash by The Offspring
Oct 26 2025

Considering that Americans pretty much invented the genre, 90s skate / pop punk genre was a real low point in punk's history. I wasn't a fan at the time and I think The Offspring were significantly worse than Green Day or NOFX. On listening to Smash for the first time in 30 years, it was significantly worse than I remember. I didn't think it would be a one, but it is utter garbage.

E.V.O.L. by Sonic Youth
Oct 27 2025

I'm a Sonic Youth fan and I have listened to this before, but my go to albums tend to be Dirty, Goo and Washing Machine. This probably deserves to be on rotation as well. A high four.

Aqualung by Jethro Tull
Oct 28 2025

I wasn't really sure what to make of this album, I enjoyed parts a decent amount, but others left me cold. I liked it most when it was more folky. Probably a low four for me.

Another Green World by Brian Eno
Oct 29 2025

A solid, but not spectacular Eno album. The man's done a lot of good stuff.

Zombie by Fela Kuti
Oct 30 2025

I enjoyed this. Probably not as much as Jorge Ben Jor, but still enough to give it a solid four.

The Modern Lovers by The Modern Lovers
Oct 31 2025

I'm not sure what led me to listening to this album originally, as it's well before my time, but I've loved it since I first heard it. A five star classic for me.

Endtroducing..... by DJ Shadow
Nov 01 2025

Although I'd heard the name, I'd not heard anything by DJ Shadow before this album. I feel like I have been missing out. Endtroducing is an original and intriguing album. I gave it several listens and, although it didn't do enough to get a full five from me, I enjoyed it quite a bit. A strong four.

That's The Way Of The World by Earth, Wind & Fire
Nov 02 2025

I felt that this was very middle of the road stuff. There were bits that I enjoyed but, overall, I've heard a lot better from similar artists.

Dirty by Sonic Youth
Nov 03 2025

Nice to see another Sonic Youth album on the list and it's one of my favourites. "Lovely stuff", not my words, the words of Shakin' Stevens.

Power In Numbers by Jurassic 5
Nov 04 2025

I'm not a massive hip hop fan, but I do enjoy the odd bit now and then and J5 is one of my go to albums. Perhaps if I listened to more, I'd appreciate the difference between that album and this one but, as it is, Power In Numbers just feels like a worse version of J5. Still good enough to get a four though.

Tusk by Fleetwood Mac
Nov 05 2025

Compared to the excellent Rumour, Tusk is just a mess. Overlong, self indulgent and with mostly very average songs. Like every double album I've heard so far, it would have benefitted massively from some judicious editing. If it was 40 minutes long, I think I'd give it a 3, but I'm dropping it down to a 2 because there's far too much of it.

Nov 06 2025

The opening of Me Against the World, with its weird glorification of being shot rubbed me up the wrong way, but in the end I didn't hate this. It's too long, but the music is fun enough to just about get a three.

Nov 07 2025

After having to listen to a couple of duffers in a row, it was a pleasant surprise to see a second Fall album on this list. Easy 5.

Garbage by Garbage
Nov 08 2025

I bought this album when it first came out and, while it's perfectly pleasant, there's a reason why I haven't listened to it for the best part of 30 years.

Suicide by Suicide
Nov 09 2025

Suicide starts off strongly with Ghost Rider, which immediately grabbed my attention, before quickly mellowing out. The later songs didn't have the immediacy of the first, but they grew on me with successive listens and I ended up enjoying this album a lot.

Rip It Up by Orange Juice
Nov 10 2025

This was nice enough but, besides the title track and Can't Help Myself, there was nothing that stood out.

Rattlesnakes by Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
Nov 12 2025

I'd heard Perfect Skin a few times before but nothing else on this album and, while it was all decent enough, nothing on Rattlesnakes made me want to listen to it again.

Nov 13 2025

For me, this is the best Smiths album and Paint a Vulgar Picture is my favourite Smiths song. An easy 5.

Black Metal by Venom
Nov 14 2025

Metal really isn't my genre, so I wasn't looking forward to this one. In the end though, it wasn't too bad. The higher tempo made it less boring than the Metallica albums that I've loathed. I wouldn't choose to listen to Venom again, but I wouldn't turn it off if it came on.

Nevermind by Nirvana
Nov 15 2025

I listened to this album to death when it came out, but I haven't listened to Nevermind for decades. I've barely listened to Nirvana at all since my twenties, perhaps just a go of In Utero every few years for a bit of nostalgia. Listening to this again, it's a lot better album than I remember it being, but I just can't get fully into it. I think it's a sadly a case of my overplaying it when I could only afford a handful of CDs ruining it a bit for me.

The United States Of America by The United States Of America
Nov 16 2025

Not what I expected. There were parts that I enjoyed a lot, but it also veered into being 'wacky' rather than interesting at times so I can't give it more than a 4.

S.F. Sorrow by The Pretty Things
Nov 17 2025

A lot of the reviews compared this to Tommy. As an album, I prefered S.F Sorrow. It doesn't have a song as good as Pinball Wizard on it, but it's a more consistently decent bit of work.

The Sensual World by Kate Bush
Nov 18 2025

I enjoyed this, but it didn't quite have the impact that Hounds of Love did. A strong album, but without any real stand out tracks.

Femi Kuti by Femi Kuti
Nov 19 2025

This isn't the easiest album to rate. There were parts that I loved, but there were also parts that sounded like an out of control clown car. I'm going to go straight down the middle with a 3.

Pieces Of The Sky by Emmylou Harris
Nov 20 2025

One of the only country albums that I've heard so far that I actually enjoyed. Good fun.

Elvis Is Back by Elvis Presley
Nov 21 2025

It was fine. But, for me, Elvis has only done a couple of truly great songs. Suspicious Minds and In the Ghetto.

The La's by The La's
Nov 22 2025

I bought this in the 90s and wasn't much impressed. 30 years on and it's better than I remember it being, but still not particularly great. I think a high 3 is the best I can give it.

Blur by Blur
Nov 23 2025

I was very much on the Oasis side of the (clearly manufactured with hindsight) Blur vs Oasis rivalry when I was a kid. Looking back however, it's pretty clear that, while I don't always like Blur's music, they were by far the more interesting and varied band. This album is one of their better ones. It tails off a bit towards the end and would probably have benefitted from only being 10 or 11 tracks long, but I still enjoyed it a decent amount.

Pretenders by Pretenders
Nov 24 2025

Several of the reviews mentioned the Pretenders being more edgy and punky than the hits would lead you to believe, so I was keen to give this album a go. Ironically however, it was the middle of the road hits that were the most enjoyable songs for me. Still, while pleasant enough, there wasn't anything on this album that makes me want to listen to it again.

In Utero by Nirvana
Nov 25 2025

For me, In Utero is clearly the better of the two good Nirvana albums.

Signing Off by UB40
Nov 26 2025

I thought this was going to be shit. It wasn't at all, but it didn't do anything much for me. As cheesy as it is, I'd rather have had the nostalgia of hearing their cover of Red Red Wine.

Fly Or Die by N.E.R.D
Nov 27 2025

I bought this album when it came out because I liked Maybe. Which is a fun song. The rest of the album has some fun moments, but the lyrics are often horrendously cringey. I'm not usually one to be too bothered about the lyrics, preferring to let the music wash over me but "Her ass is a spaceship I want to ride". Really?

Nov 28 2025

Spotify keeps trying to push early XTC on me. I can understand why, as I like a lot of similar music from that time but, Making Plans for Nigel aside, I've never really got into it. This album is quite different to their 80s stuff, with more melody and less edges. It was fine apart from Your Dictionary, which was a bit shit, but nothing more.

Lust For Life by Iggy Pop
Nov 29 2025

The hits on this album are easy 5 star songs, but the rest of the music didn't do enough for me to give it a full 5.

Stand! by Sly & The Family Stone
Nov 30 2025

Liked it, didn't love it.

Hail To the Thief by Radiohead
Dec 01 2025

Another Radiohead album and, as a big fan of their music, it's another difficult one to rate. This is one of their least cohesive albums, but it is still head and shoulders above most of the 400 albums I've listened to so far. It also contains some of my favourite Radiohead songs in 2+2=5, Myxomatosis and A Wolf at the Door. Fuck it. I'm still giving it a 5. A weaker Radiohead album is still a very good album.

All Things Must Pass by George Harrison
Dec 02 2025

There's nothing actively bad on this album but nothing really stands out either and it's just so, so long. You could take half the songs out of this album at random and it would be instantly better. As a result, even though it's three star music, I'm only giving it a two.

Yeezus by Kanye West
Dec 03 2025

I wasn't happy seeing this album come up on the list. The College Dropout was heavily praised in some quarters, but I found it tedious, overlong and self-indulgent. Also, Kanye West is a grade A tod warrior. However, I was very surprised to find myself enjoying Yeezus from the get go. Musically, it's far more interesting the The College Dropout and the whole album feels focused and tight. Kayne isn't a great rapper and his lyrics stray into being mildly cretinous at times, but the rhymes didn't get in the way of me enjoying the music. A surprising four.

Scissor Sisters by Scissor Sisters
Dec 04 2025

I'd forgotten how fun this album was. There's a bit too much filler for it to be a five star, but I had a gay old time.

Birth Of The Cool by Miles Davis
Dec 05 2025

Aside from the final track with its very dated vocals, I enjoyed this album. I don't think it's the style of music that I could ever truly love however.

Crazysexycool by TLC
Dec 06 2025

I didn't hate this but it took an effort to get through it all. A pretty insipid collection of tunes.

Street Life by The Crusaders
Dec 07 2025

The titular track is good fun, but the rest of the album was very dull. Even as music to have on in the background, it felt like a bit of a slog to get through.

Live At The Star Club, Hamburg by Jerry Lee Lewis
Dec 08 2025

There's a lot of energy here and I can understand why Lewis was a great live performer, but this is essentially a cover album making Lewis just a very good bar singer.

Catch A Fire by Bob Marley & The Wailers
Dec 09 2025

This was a more downbeat album than a lot of the Bob Marley songs I'd heard before. I enjoyed it quite a bit, but not enough to give it the full five.

Good Old Boys by Randy Newman
Dec 10 2025

It was fine. Some of the language was pretty awful by modern standards, but I think, with it clearly being used to critise racism, it's pretty unfair to judge it by modern standards.

Talking Heads 77 by Talking Heads
Dec 11 2025

I love a bit of Talking Heads. Their debut isn't their best work for me, although it does have Psycho Killer, one of my favourites. The rest is good, but not as good as the stuff they did when Eno started working with them.

Dec 12 2025

This is pleasant enough buy no more than that. Mr Wendel and Tennessee are good doses of nostalgia for me but I can't see myself enjoying them as much without that. The album's also longer than it needs to be, like so many hip hop albums.

Electric Prunes by The Electric Prunes
Dec 13 2025

Too Much To Dream was great, the rest of the album, not so much.

GREY Area by Little Simz
Dec 14 2025

I liked how tight the album was, without the frustrating skits and interludes that you hear on a lot of American hip hop albums. The songs themselves were fine, but not that exciting. The only Little Simz song I've heard, that I'd go out of my way to listen to again, is Point and Kill, which isn't on this album.

Loveless by My Bloody Valentine
Dec 15 2025

I enjoyed this more than m b v although I needed to listen to it on my speakers. On my earpods, the vocals were so low in the mix that they were barely audible even after fiddling with the settings. It's a bit of a cross between the Cocteau Twins and Sonic Youth, without really hitting the heights of either. Good, but not great.

Ellington at Newport by Duke Ellington
Dec 16 2025

The link takes you to a bloated "complete" edition of this album, which has so much filler on it becomes virtually unlistenable. I found a version on Spotify called the original album which is much more listenable. Still, the music didn't really do much for me. It happened and then it finished.

Green Onions by Booker T. & The MG's
Dec 17 2025

Green Onions is great, but the album got pretty annoying pretty quickly. There's only so many hammond organ covers a man needs to hear in his lifetime.

Heaven Or Las Vegas by Cocteau Twins
Dec 18 2025

This is a great album. I love it's ethereal nature. An easy 5.

Urban Hymns by The Verve
Dec 19 2025

I wasn't looking forward to this as I remember The Verve being pretty dull indie by numbers and Urban Hymns is over an hour long. In the end though, it wasn't that bad. I wouldn't choose to listen to it, but I'd be perfectly fine with having it on while I was doing something else.

Teenage Head by Flamin' Groovies
Dec 20 2025

I was tempted to give this a one as it went on for ages and ended with a load of bad covers. However, I realised that, like so many albums on this list, the version of the of Teenage Head on Spotify was twice as long as the original. As a result, I can't hate it enough to give it a one. Two it is.

I See A Darkness by Bonnie "Prince" Billy
Dec 22 2025

This took a while to listen to as it's not on Spotify. It was worth seeking out, if rather downbeat.

Immigrés by Youssou N'Dour
Dec 23 2025

I couldn't really get on with this album. Despite it only being about 35 minutes long, I was counting down the minutes until it ended.

Street Signs by Ozomatli
Dec 24 2025

It took me a while to listen to this album as it's not on Spotify. My initial impression was very positive, but quickly dropped. There's too many ideas/genres being put into the pot and the result is something that's occasionally very good but is often a mess. Sometimes less is more.

Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness by The Smashing Pumpkins
Dec 25 2025

I have a soft spot for this album. Yes it's massively overlong and Billy Corgan's voice could most generously be described as an acquired taste, but it's a big nostalgia hit. Really it should probably be a three. There's too much guff in it to justify giving it a four. When it's good, it's good though so I'm giving it a low four.

Fear Of A Black Planet by Public Enemy
Dec 26 2025

An odd choice for Christmas day. Fight the Power and Brother's Gonna Work It Out are stand out tracks. The rest isn't as good, but still fun.

Sign 'O' The Times by Prince
Dec 28 2025

I want to like Prince and, with the odd song here and there I do. His music does feel quite samey to me. This album is 2 hours long and it was hard to hear the differences in the songs. All in all, perfectly pleasant music, but I'd never chose to put it on.

Opus Dei by Laibach
Dec 29 2025

Did I expect to hear a Slovenian metal band covering Queen when I signed up to this list? No. Did I enjoy it? Also no. Still leagues better than Metallica though.

Seventeen Seconds by The Cure
Dec 30 2025

I like all the Cure albums I've heard but I've not loved any of them. They do have a great best of though as there's always one or two 5 star tracks

Lost In The Dream by The War On Drugs
Dec 31 2025

The War on Drugs is a great name for a band, but this is a pretty milquetoast album.

Take Me Apart by Kelela
Jan 01 2026

Pretty generic, dull, modern R&B. I don't know why it's on the list.

Remain In Light by Talking Heads
Jan 02 2026

First album of 2026 and it's my favourite Talking Heads album. Hopefully an omen for a good year!

From Elvis In Memphis by Elvis Presley
Jan 03 2026

This is the good Elvis. In the Ghetto was the original album I recognised, but I let the deluxe version run on until Suspicious Minds finished as that's objectively the best Elvis song.

Green by R.E.M.
Jan 04 2026

I have fond memories of this album. It moves well between indie pop and slower, more introspective songs. Probably my favourite of the earlier REM albums.

Permission to Land by The Darkness
Jan 05 2026

This album is utterly derivative, but also good fun and to be honest, I prefer it to a lot of the work it takes inspiration from. I know the Darkness got very frustrated with being labeled a joke rock band because they were totally out of sync with the music at the time, other than Tenacious D and Electric Six, which were joke bands. However, when you write songs about pubic lice or bellends and ringpieces, alongside your songs about herion addiction what do you really expect? All in all though, I like this album quite a bit. The falsetto singing fits with the over the top silliness of the genre. I'd certainly rather listen to this than something like Aerosmith or Motley Crue.

Fun House by The Stooges
Jan 06 2026

Filthy. I'd not listened to this album before, despite listening to The Stooges and a decent amount of Iggy's solo stuff. Now I know why I like the Viagra Boys so much. Sax a ma phone, sax a ma phone.

Machine Gun Etiquette by The Damned
Jan 07 2026

This is music that makes you want to turn up your volume to an anti-social level. Great stuff. The first four songs are as good as any punk song and the rest of the album is a lot of fun too. I liked the odd The Damned song but didn't realise how good they could be.

I Am a Bird Now by Antony and the Johnsons
Jan 08 2026

I can see why some people find the vibrato vocals on this album annoying, but personally I loved them. I Am a Bird Now, at it's best is a hauntingly beautiful album. It tails off a bit after the excellent Fistful of Love, which is why it's not getting the full 5, but it's a strong 4 for me. I'd not listened to this album for years and this was a good reminder to get it back out again.

Homework by Daft Punk
Jan 09 2026

I liked a couple of songs on here, but the album as a whole got pretty tedious pretty quickly. It's too brash to be good background or relaxing music and it's not fun enough to make me want to move around. A disappointing no-man's land of an album.

The Cars by The Cars
Jan 10 2026

Very middle of the road American rock.

Rio by Duran Duran
Jan 12 2026

I love a bit of 80s pop and this album is a good example of it. Rio, Hungry Like the Wolf and Save a Prayer For Me Now are all classics and the rest of the album is decent too. It's not quite enough to get a five, but it's a high four for sure.

Jan 13 2026

Starts well but tails off a bit. This punky album was an exciting debut and I much prefer it to the transatlantic rock band Arctic Monkeys have become.

Sunshine Superman by Donovan
Jan 14 2026

A couple of very good songs and mostly middle of the road others just about gets a 4 from me.

Frank by Amy Winehouse
Jan 15 2026

There are times where the lyrics on this album wind me up. I also think that, were it not for her tragic death, Amy Winehouse wouldn't be as highly regarded as she is. That said, I enjoyed the music and her voice and overall the album deserves a 4.

Penance Soiree by The Icarus Line
Jan 16 2026

This album initially gave the impression it was going to be quite interesting musically, even if the vocals weren't up to much. However, it soon descended into pretty typical American alt rock drudgery.

LP1 by FKA twigs
Jan 17 2026

I listened to a bit of FKA Twigs a few years ago and didn't really bother to listen again. I was probably a bit unfair as this was pretty good.

Now I Got Worry by The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
Jan 18 2026

Pretty middling stuff. I don't mind a bit of heavy 50s influenced rock, but only for a few songs and if I were to listen to some, I'd prefer the piano led Jim Jones Revue to this.

Jan 19 2026

Incredibly generic. Exactly what I think of when I think of mainstream rap music. About as edgy as Taylor Swift.

B-52's by The B-52's
Jan 20 2026

I didn't know this was on here and I'm very happy it is as this album brings a big smile to my face.

Dub Housing by Pere Ubu
Jan 21 2026

I'd never listened to Pere Ubu before this list and I was very impressed with The Modern Dance - which was my first of their albums. Dub Housing is good, but it didn't quite resonate with me in the way The Modern Dance did. A strong four.

Blue by Joni Mitchell
Jan 22 2026

Magnificent. An easy five.

I'm Your Man by Leonard Cohen
Jan 23 2026

I like early Leonard Cohen. Stuff like Famous Blue Raincoat and Chelsea Hotel, but the man went pretty shit pretty quickly. This middle of the road cack is a borderline one.

All Hail the Queen by Queen Latifah
Jan 24 2026

I'm not a big hip hop fan, but I have a soft spot for this kind of 80s upbeat stuff. This album gets pretty repetitive, so I can't give it more than three, but there's the odd song I'd listen to again.

Hot Buttered Soul by Isaac Hayes
Jan 25 2026

This was fine, but I didn't really get the point of the album. The songs were all very long but without much in the way of transitions or changes that could keep them interesting. I didn't dislike it, but I can't think of many reasons to put Hot Buttered Soul on again.

Definitely Maybe by Oasis
Jan 26 2026

Oasis were one of the main soundtracks to my youth but I've barely listen to them for the past twenty or so years. Their debut has a degree of energy that overrides how derivative their music is. An energy that quickly started to disappear as they started to believe their own hype. As a result, I found myself enjoying Definitely Maybe more than I thought I would. It's certainly the peak of Oasis.

The Number Of The Beast by Iron Maiden
Jan 27 2026

Run to the Hills is a great song, the rest of the album is okay. This is the kind of metal that I like, where it leans into the campness of the genre. It's incredibly cheesy, but quite good fun.

Live At The Regal by B.B. King
Jan 28 2026

It was pleasant enough, but a bit like visiting a museum rather than enjoying an album.

Let Love Rule by Lenny Kravitz
Jan 29 2026

I didn't completely hate this, but it required a significant effort to not turn it off an listen to the while album. A very low two.

Basket of Light by Pentangle
Jan 30 2026

I enjoyed this a lot, but not quite enough to give it the full five. Light Flight, the first track, is the standout that the rest of the album doesn't quite live up to.

Van Halen by Van Halen
Jan 31 2026

I don't get the point of this at all. Very dull.

Bummed by Happy Mondays
Feb 01 2026

Pills, Thrills and Bellyaches is a fantastic album. Bummed however, is a long way behind. There's a couple of decent moments, but Wrote for Luck is the only genuinely good song on the album. A shame, as I like quite a bit of Happy Mondays and Black Grape.

Atomizer by Big Black
Feb 02 2026

I didn't really get the point of this album. It's fine, but nothing more.

The Renaissance by Q-Tip
Feb 03 2026

I've not listened to this album for well over a decade and I should have. I'm not the biggest hip-hop fan in the world, but this laid back, smooth album is good, relaxing, fun.

Devil Without A Cause by Kid Rock
Feb 04 2026

So, obviously this is a one, but it's more for the cretinous lyrics than the music. Musically, while I don't like Devil Without A Cause I do at least think it is significantly better than Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water.

Blood Sugar Sex Magik by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Feb 05 2026

I had this album when I was a kid and thought I would enjoy it more than I did. In reality, the lyrics mostly range from weak to mildly cretinous, the vocals can be grating and the whole album is overlong.

Tellin’ Stories by The Charlatans
Feb 06 2026

I enjoyed bits of this album but not enough, even with the Britpop nostalgia, to really want to listen to it again. A high 3.

Inspiration Information by Shuggie Otis
Feb 07 2026

This was pleasant enough but never really got going. It gave the impression it was going to be a good album without ever actually being one.

Heartbreaker by Ryan Adams
Feb 08 2026

I thought this was going to be rubbish, but actually it was alright. Apparently, Ryan Adams is a bit of a twat, but it didn't come through in the music.

Let It Be by The Replacements
Feb 09 2026

This felt a bit music by numbers. It was fine, but the best song was a T-Rex cover that wasn't a patch on the original.

Feb 10 2026

I enjoy a bit of MGMT from time to time, although I tend to go for their second album rather than Oracular Spectacular. I enjoyed this. The singles are poppy and upbeat. The rest of the album is a bit more downtempo, but worth listening to. It's not quite enough to get a five, but it's a strong four.

Feb 11 2026

This felt like a bit of a do nothing album. It was a bit too lively to be fully background or relaxing music but no where near lively enough to make me want to dance. I suppose it would fit as background music for a relaxed house party but that's about it.

Real Life by Magazine
Feb 12 2026

I enjoyed this quite a lot. Not enough for a full five, but it's a high four.

Vento De Maio by Elis Regina
Feb 13 2026

Vento De Maio was good fun. With me not understanding Portuguese, it was effectively an instrumental album, but one I enjoyed a fair amount. I probably won't play it often, but I should remember to put it on every now and again. A low four.

Dare! by The Human League
Feb 14 2026

I thought I was going to enjoy Dare, but I didn't realise how much. I knew and liked all the singles, but didn't know anything much besides that. The album starts and ends strongly, with all the hits. In the middle it's a darker work, more reminiscent of The Human League's early work. It took a couple of listens to appreciate these songs but, with repeat listenings, I came to enjoy them too. I assumed I was going to give this a four, but it just about gets into the five bracket for me.

Californication by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Feb 15 2026

When this came out, I thought it was a bit middle of the road and not up to Blood Sugar Sex Magik. Listening just over 25 years on, I still agree with the first part, but not the second. Lyrically, there are still some awful moments. Around the World and Get on Top are particularly bad, but Otherside and Scar Tissue are genuinely good, if safe songs. Overall, as an adult, I much prefer this to Blood Sugar Sex Magik, although I still don't think it's a great album.

Picture Book by Simply Red
Feb 16 2026

Growing up in the UK, in the 80s and 90s, Mick Hucknall was a figure of fun and derision. Simply Red were also hugely successful. I knew the hits before hearing the album, I'd be amazed if any Brit my age didn't but, because of their middle of the road beigeness and Hucknall's reputation, ever consider listening to a whole album. Now I have, I can see why Simply Red were both successful and mocked. This is music for people who don't really like music. A bit of soul, a bit of funk, a bit of synth and bit of rock all shoved into one package with a decent vocalist. It's like my mum's chilli con carne, whose sole spice comes from half a teaspoon of decade old cayenne pepper. Grindingly dull, but not quite awful enough to deserve a one.

Wild Gift by X
Feb 17 2026

This felt very middle of the road. It starts off with a very Ramonesesque riff but doesn't really go anywhere from there. It didn't make me feel much at all, either positive or negative.

Run-D.M.C. by Run-D.M.C.
Feb 18 2026

It's cheesy, it's repetitive, it's also quite good fun in parts. It's Like That is great, but I wouldn't go out of my way to listen to the rest of this again. A high three.

Sulk by The Associates
Feb 19 2026

I enjoyed this. There are a few weaker songs, but Party Fears Two is great and most of the other songs are fun enough. Close to a five to be honest.

Sticky Fingers by The Rolling Stones
Feb 20 2026

Despite Sticky Fingers not having either of the two great Stones songs (Paint it Black and Gimmie Shelter) on it, I was enjoying it more than the previous two stones albums I listened to. That is, until Sister Morphine, with it's shitty, faux Americanism, that is typical of so many Rolling Stones songs. From there the album went downhill fast. This just about scrapes a three from me.

Dance Mania by Tito Puente
Feb 21 2026

It was fine, but also I didn't realise it had finished and similar songs were being played on Spotify for 5 songs.

Sunshine Hit Me by The Bees
Feb 22 2026

A perfectly pleasant but, ultimately, forgettable album. I'm not sure why it's on the list.

Hot Rats by Frank Zappa
Feb 23 2026

Enjoyable but not loveable for me.

Feb 24 2026

I'd never heard of this and I'm not the biggest hip hop fan by any means. However, this album grew on me as it went on. I gave it a couple of listens and think it deserves more.

Revolver by Beatles
Feb 25 2026

I have pretty mixed feelings on a lot of the Beatles albums', but this is definitely one of the good ones. With the exception of the out of place, but still enjoyable, in a kids tv show way, Yellow Submarine, every song is a hit.

Exit Planet Dust by The Chemical Brothers
Feb 26 2026

There was nothing wrong with this album per se. I just can't see a situation where I'd want to listen to it again.

Throwing Muses by Throwing Muses
Feb 27 2026

I didn't know a lot about Throwing Muses and I'd kind of lumped them in with the 90s Riot Grrrl movement. Listening to their 80s debut, I realised they were a bit more interesting than that, but the album still didn't really do it for me. A high three.

Live At Leeds by The Who
Feb 28 2026

This is the best The Who album I've had as it's mostly a selection of hits. I could do without the talking between songs, which is very quiet compared to the music. But the good Who songs are good. Just about a four.

The Hissing Of Summer Lawns by Joni Mitchell
Mar 01 2026

This didn't have the immediate impact that Blue had, but it's still very good. A strong four.

Chirping Crickets by Buddy Holly & The Crickets
Mar 02 2026

Good fun. I didn't love it enough to give it the full five, but I'm definitely adding several songs to my morning playlist.

Tracy Chapman by Tracy Chapman
Mar 03 2026

This is a beautiful and sad album. Normally when such a successful album is on here it's Taylor Swift, it's Coldplay, it's Adele. Middle of the road anodyne music catering to the lowest common denominator. Tracy Chapman however is so much more than that. Her voice suits the downbeat lyrics and simple, but effective melodies, very well - perhaps it's the passage of time or perhaps the way so many of the songs are about lost hopes and dreams, but even the ostensibly positive Talkin' Bout A Revolution, feels melancholy. Simultaneously sad and comforting. Tracy Chapman is one of those artists that I knew of, liked, but really didn't appreciate enough before starting this project. Five stars.

Darklands by The Jesus And Mary Chain
Mar 04 2026

This was fine, but didn't excite me much.

Reign In Blood by Slayer
Mar 05 2026

I'm not a metal fan, but I much preferred Reign In Blood to anything by Metallica. The much higher tempo made it a far more enjoyable listen. Fundamentally, it's silly music. Over the top and with abrupt transitions from shouting to soloing. I expect if it was much longer than it's 29 minute run time, it would start to wear thin. But as it was, while I wouldn't go out of my way to listen to Slayer again, I did get some enjoyment out of this album.

Mar 06 2026

I think the comparisons I've seen to Coldplay in the reviews are a little unfair. While very stadium, The Seldom Seen Kid feels far more intimate and genuine than Coldplay's work. I'm still not a massive fan, but I enjoyed this album well enough and it certainly didn't incite the anger in me that A Rush of Blood to the Head did.

Rain Dogs by Tom Waits
Mar 07 2026

When I listen to Tom Waits I always initially find him annoying and think I'm not going to enjoy the album. After a while however, I start to enjoy myself. The same was true with Rain Dogs. I didn't like it as much as Bone Machine, but it still just about gets a four from me.

A Little Deeper by Ms. Dynamite
Mar 08 2026

I bought this album when it won the Mercury award and I was pretty unimpressed then. I've not listened to it since until yesterday. It's strange that it won the award (although not as odd as M People winning it!) and it's strange that its on the list. Mostly is fine, bland but pleasant enough. There were a couple of bits that I enjoyed near the beginning of the album Dyna-Mi-Tee and, in particular Put Him Out. However the album goes on for too long and the (oh so 90s/00s) secret track is awful. If the album cut the last three songs, I'd have given it a three. but the weak ending left a bad taste in my mouth.

Greetings From L.A. by Tim Buckley
Mar 09 2026

I didn't know anything about Tim Buckley before listening to this album. Apparently, Greetings From L.A. isn't typical of his work, but it was good fun overall.

Rock 'N Soul by Solomon Burke
Mar 10 2026

This felt very dated. Almost like an early 50s album rather than a 60s one. I couldn't really get on with it. That said, it was pleasant and short enough that it didn't feel like a chore to get through.

Shaft by Isaac Hayes
Mar 11 2026

I enjoyed this album, but one thing struck me. On both Shaft and on Hot Buttered Soul, the other Isaac Hayes album on the list, Hayes doesn't actually sing very much. The albums are mostly instrumental and it's a shame as Hayes has a rich, deep voice that I really enjoy. Just about a four, would have been an easy four if there was more singing.

Repeater by Fugazi
Mar 12 2026

I like their politics but musically, Repeater was a bit of a do nothing album for me.

Want Two by Rufus Wainwright
Mar 13 2026

For some reason I had the idea that Rufus Wainwright was a camp showtunes kind of musician, but this album wasn't like that at all. It took a couple of listens, as I wasn't sure what I felt the first time around, but I grew to enjoy this quite a bit.

Deserter's Songs by Mercury Rev
Mar 14 2026

I thought this was pretty good but I never loved anything on it. Perhaps it needs a few more listens.

Forever Changes by Love
Mar 15 2026

Great album. I was unsure at first whether it deserved a four or five, but a second listen cemented the five for me. Alone Again, Or starts Forever Changes off with a banger and Andmoreagain and Maybe the People Would be the Times or Between Clark and Hilldale, despite the silly names are great songs too. The rest of the album is strong enough to just about get it over the line for full marks. Lovely stuff.

Apocalypse Dudes by Turbonegro
Mar 16 2026

This feels like it was made by fourteen year old boys who think they're "edgy". Even the name of the band, since I found out Turbonegro were white men from Norway, comes across as pathetic. Musically, I didn't like it, but I didn't hate it. Songs like Rendezvous with Anus and lyrics like "Do you want to suck the cock tonight? And taste the outer space truth!" push it down to a one.

Yank Crime by Drive Like Jehu
Mar 17 2026

This was decent enough. The music was quite good but the shoutiness of the lyrics didn't do it many favours.

Hms Fable by Shack
Mar 18 2026

This improved on a second listen but, ultimately, it was still pretty forgettable britpop that felt like it missed the right time and came out a few years after everyone else had moved on.

Scott 4 by Scott Walker
Mar 19 2026

Short and sweet. I knew several Scott Walker songs before this. From this album The Old Man Is Back Again and Duchess, which were still the stand out songs. Everything is good though. A classic.

Damaged by Black Flag
Mar 20 2026

This feels like the American version of the British Oi style of punk. It's music that I feel I ought to like more than I do but I just find it very middle of the road. It's a bit too simplistic for my tastes.

Nothing's Shocking by Jane's Addiction
Mar 22 2026

After Ritual De Lo Habitual I wasn't happy seeing a second Jane's Addiction album on the list. However, Nothing's Shocking was okay even if Perry Farrell's voice is fucking ridiculous.

Guitar Town by Steve Earle
Mar 23 2026

My god this was dull.

Hearts And Bones by Paul Simon
Mar 24 2026

Pleasant enough, but hardly Paul Simon at his best.

Aha Shake Heartbreak by Kings of Leon
Mar 25 2026

I really liked Kings of Leon's debut album, Youth and Young Manhood, it was punchy and fun - a little like a southern Strokes. However, Kings of Leon ditched their potential and turned into a wanky stadium rock band. Aha Shake Heartbreak doesn't contain anything as awful as Sex on Fire, but it clearly is well down the road to that shite and felt like a very long album considering it's less than 40 minute run time. Bits of it are redeemable, which is why I'm giving it a 2, but it's not good at all.

Safe As Milk by Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
Mar 26 2026

This took a few listens to get into. Honestly, if it wasn't for Captain Beefheart being such a critics' darling then I probably wouldn't have bothered. The more I listened however, the more it started to click. Perhaps it's a sign that to do this properly, you need to do an album every few days rather than daily. I can't imagine that Limp Bizkit improves with each listen though!

Unhalfbricking by Fairport Convention
Mar 27 2026

It's not very cool of me, but I think I like British folk music. Not just the odd bit of Nick Drake, but a lot of it. This album was, with the exception of the mock American crap of the final track, very pleasant. It's not going to set the world alight, but I enjoyed my time with it and will definitely listen to more Fairport Convention.

Mar 28 2026

I'd never heard of Bill Callahan, but his voice sounded very familiar and a bit of digging helped me to find out he used to be Smog. I knew and liked the odd Smog song but didn't really know much of his work. This album was pretty downbeat but I enjoyed it. It makes me want to listen to more of Callahan's/Smog's work.

OK Computer by Radiohead
Mar 29 2026

Like every Radiohead album after their debut, this is a very good album. For me though, it doesn't reach the heights of the albums either side of it. The Bends and Kid A are masterpieces. OK Computer is just a strong album.

Oxygène by Jean-Michel Jarre
Mar 30 2026

Pleasant French ambient noodling that probably deserves another listen or two. Preferably with a Gitane, a glass of wine and a supercilious attitude.

Rapture by Anita Baker
Mar 31 2026

This was perfectly pleasant, but I've no idea why it is on the list. It could have been any of a dozen other singers from the same era who sound pretty much the same.

Wild Wood by Paul Weller
Apr 01 2026

Very different from the Jam or the Style Council, but solid enough to just about get a four.

The Undertones by The Undertones
Apr 02 2026

Some fun pop punk. Most of the songs are merely decent, but Teenage Kicks, Here Comes the Summer and Get Over You just about push it to a four. That and Fergal Sharkey's environmental campaigning.

Isn't Anything by My Bloody Valentine
Apr 03 2026

This is the third MBV album I've had and, while they feel like a band I should like quite a bit, I find it hard to get into their music much.

Rings Around The World by Super Furry Animals
Apr 04 2026

I love a bit of SFA. Certainly more than any other Britpop era band besides Pulp. This album is a lot of fun, but a bit all over the place, with some very good songs not really making a coherent whole. Which is why it doesn't quite get full marks from me.

It's Blitz! by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Apr 05 2026

This album starts off with two tracks, Zero, which is fun and Heads Will Roll, which is excellent. Both songs make you feel like It's Blitz! is going to be a great party album but then it makes a handbrake turn into much more introspective songs. These are still good, but the bait and switch really threw me and spoiled the overall album experience. It would have been a much better album if they picked a lane and stayed in it and then switched on their next release. The songs are all pretty good, so this still just about gets a four, but I expect I'll listen to individual tunes rather than the album as a whole in the future.

Idlewild by Everything But The Girl
Apr 06 2026

I was pleasantly surprised by Walking Wounded, the other Everything But The Girl album on the list, so I had high hopes for this album. Idlewild however, was a bit more like I expected. A bit bland and middle of the road. I didn't dislike it, but it didn't really do much for me either.

Goodbye And Hello by Tim Buckley
Apr 08 2026

At times this strays into medieval fayre territory, but I still enjoyed a lot of this album.

Too Rye Ay by Dexys Midnight Runners
Apr 09 2026

I didn't have high hopes for this after not being impressed with the other Dexy's album on the list, but this was good fun.

Rage Against The Machine by Rage Against The Machine
Apr 10 2026

This album starts off extremely well. Bombtrack is good and Killing in the Name is a classic protest song whose repetitive vocals really suits the visceral anger. However, musically, this album is pretty one note. Over it's 50+ minute run time it becomes quite wearing to keep listening to the very samey music with shouted/screamed vocals. This kind of music would be much more appealing if it was a 35 minute album of 2-3 minute songs. By about halfway through, I just wanted it to be over, especially as by far the best songs were the opening 2 tracks. Politics 5/5, music, just about 3/5 and that's only because of Killing in the Name being great.

Sister by Sonic Youth
Apr 11 2026

I'm a big fan of later Sonic Youth records but I'd never listened to this before today. It's not great. Mostly it sounds like typical late 70s / early 80s rock with a sprinkling of extra distortion and atonal weirdness. Sonic Youth have done much, much better work in my opinion.

What's Going On by Marvin Gaye
Apr 12 2026

This was much more enjoyable than the other Marvin Gaye album on the list. Not quite enough for a 5, but definitely a strong 4.

The Wall by Pink Floyd
Apr 13 2026

I'm halfway through and this is my first Floyd album. Honestly, I was expecting more from it. Perhaps it would be better if I watched the film rather than just listened to the album, but this is albums to listen to before you die, not films to watch. The Wall has a couple of good songs. Brick in the Wall and Comfortably Numb being the obvious stand outs. Besides that it's a bit of a bland, overlong album. I'd much rather listen to Dark Side of the Moon or The Division Bell than this again.

The Pleasure Principle by Gary Numan
Apr 14 2026

I didn't enjoy this quite as much as Replicas, but it was still very good. A strong four, possibly deserving of more.

Trout Mask Replica by Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
Apr 15 2026

Not just fast, it's also bulbous.

I See You by The xx
Apr 16 2026

I didn't enjoy this as much as the XX's debut, but I see you was still decent fun. I think the slightly dancier, 90s house elements didn't fit the laid back vocals brilliantly but the music as a whole was just about enough to get a four.

Red Dirt Girl by Emmylou Harris
Apr 18 2026

I'm not a big country fan, but each Emmylou Harris album I've had so far has been well worth the listen. I've enjoyed her music quite a bit.

Truth And Soul by Fishbone
Apr 19 2026

This is pretty bad. I found it difficult to find anything much likeable about it. Certainly it pales in comparison with Two Tone. Frankly it even compares poorly to the ska punk of the 90s like Reel Big Fish or Less Than Jake and they're hardly 5 star bands.

Guero by Beck
Apr 20 2026

I don't think this is Beck's best work, but pretty much everything he's done has something interesting and worthwhile about it. I enjoyed Guero well enough and think it's a low to medium four.

Joan Baez by Joan Baez
Apr 21 2026

Nice enough but I struggled to find anything that made me want to listen again.

Groovin' by The Young Rascals
Apr 22 2026

This was nice enough but I'm not sure why it's considered good enough to be on the list. It doesn't seem to do anything that's massively exciting or original.

Space Ritual by Hawkwind
Apr 23 2026

This could have been a bit shorter. But I enjoyed it.

Sex Packets by Digital Underground
Apr 25 2026

Every song went on for twice as long as it needed to. It all sounded quite basic.

The Only Ones by The Only Ones
Apr 26 2026

One of those, one good song and the rest is pretty forgettable, albums.

Kollaps by Einstürzende Neubauten
Apr 28 2026

I'd never heard of this before but ended up being pretty impressed. I enjoy this kind of industrial music, musique concrete and find it strangely soothing as it forces you to listen rather than letting your mind wander. One thing that prevents Kollaps getting the full five from me is that many of the tracks end abruptly rather than merging into the next piece. This is a bit of a jarring experience when there are no traditional songs and can interrupt your focus.

Antichrist Superstar by Marilyn Manson
Apr 29 2026

I'm not going to mark this down because Marylin Manson is clearly a dodgy fucker. That said, this album is hardly a classic. It's fine, possibly a bit more than that in places, but it's hardly revolutionary.

Apr 30 2026

I enjoyed Original Pirate Material when it came out. It was fun and had a certain mockney charm. This however is dog shit. It feels like a parody of Mike Skinner.

Natty Dread by Bob Marley & The Wailers
May 01 2026

Another solid album from Bobby Marls.

After The Gold Rush by Neil Young
May 02 2026

Although I thought they were decent enough, I haven't been a massive fan of the Neil Young albums I've had so far, so it took a bit of an effort to give this a listen. After the Gold Rush was a better album for me. Still not amazing, but worthy of a re-listen.

The Sun Rises In The East by Jeru The Damaja
May 03 2026

I've a soft spot for this kind of early-mid nineties hip hop which means I got some enjoyment out of this album, but only some. It seemed pretty pedestrian to me.

May 04 2026

I enjoyed the first two thirds of this album much more than The Wall, which I had a few weeks ago. However, the last four songs, from The Gnome onwards are close to a parody of psychedelia and spoil things somewhat. As a result, I can only give this a three.

White Light by Gene Clark
May 05 2026

Perfectly pleasant, but it was a struggle to find anything in this album that excited me.

Electric by The Cult
May 06 2026

I like She Sells Sanctuary, but I've never really listened to anything else by The Cult, so I was looking forward to this. Sadly I was very disappointed. This album sounds like Status Quo doing hair metal.

Copper Blue by Sugar
May 07 2026

Pretty forgettable to be honest. A Good Idea is fun enough but the rest doesn't get past okay.

Kenza by Khaled
May 08 2026

I appreciate having some non-western music on this list, but I struggled to see the point in this particular album.

Imperial Bedroom by Elvis Costello & The Attractions
May 09 2026

There's too much Costello on this list, but that doesn't mean it's not good. I enjoyed this album. Particularly Man Out of Time, HUman Hands and Beyond Belief. It's a solid four for me.

Larks' Tongues In Aspic by King Crimson
May 10 2026

There's nothing on here that's as good as 21st Century Schizoid Man, but I enjoyed it.

Manassas by Stephen Stills
May 11 2026

I wasn't expecting much from this album, but it was surprisingly decent. A bit samey and overlong. Still just about good enough for a four though.

Vespertine by Björk
May 12 2026

I'm a big fan of Bjork, but the albums chosen for this list are odd. Deep cuts rather than the more obvious and accessible ones. I like Vespertine, but it's a bit of a challenging listen at times and lacks something when compared to Homogenic or Post.

In Our Heads by Hot Chip
May 14 2026

I listen to Hot Chip quite a bit and enjoy them a lot. This wouldn't be my choice for their one album on the list but, like everything they do, it's still good.

May 15 2026

I liked this a lot when it was released. It's been a little while since I've given the whole album a play though. Listening again, it kind of makes sense. There are some great moments. Wildfires in particular, but it doesn't quite get to great territory. A sold four.

Cafe Bleu by The Style Council
May 16 2026

There's a few songs on here which are fun enough, which is why I'm not giving Cafe Bleu 1. Because, my God, some parts are jaw clenchingly cringey.

Live / Dead by Grateful Dead
May 17 2026

It's pleasant enough noodling but it never really goes anywhere. I'd happily have it on in the background while doing something else, but I'm not sure I'd sit and listen again.

The Scream by Siouxsie And The Banshees
May 18 2026

This sort of music is right up my alley. I'd never given a whole Siousxie and The Banshees album a go before and didn't realise quite how influential they were. Other bands may have perfected the formula, but this is a very good beginning.

Juju by Siouxsie And The Banshees
May 19 2026

Back to back Siouxsie and the Banshees and it's been a delight. I was wavering between a 4 and a 5, but the more I listen to this, the more I think it deserves full marks.

Live! by Fela Kuti
May 20 2026

I liked Zombie but this was a step up. A real gem of an album.

Actually by Pet Shop Boys
May 21 2026

A mixed bag. Some great songs, It's a Sin and Heart, some proper duffers, One More Chance, It Couldn't Happen Here are some middling stuff. At their best, Pet Shop Boys are great, but over a whole album, not so much. I'll stick with a best of in the future.

Ys by Joanna Newsom
May 22 2026

I liked the music on this. Particularly the string arrangements. However, it was hard to get past Joanna's voice. It reminded me of Devendra Banhart with a similar annoying vibrato quality. I think the music allowed me to enjoy Ys a lot more than Rejoicing in the Hands and, perhaps with more listens I could grow to like this album. As it stands though, I can't give it more than a three.

Suede by Suede
May 23 2026

I didn't really listen to much Suede when they were big. Listening to this album, I don't think I missed out on much. The singles are decent but the rest is pretty average. Suede released a comeback album last year and bizarrely, as these comebacks are usually pretty crap, I prefer it.

Oar by Alexander 'Skip' Spence
May 25 2026

This was pretty good. It's a bit all over the place and doesn't need to be as long as it is, but I enjoyed it nonetheless with Little Hands being a particular favourite.

90 by 808 State
May 26 2026

It's not the sort of music I listen to a lot, but perhaps I should listen more. I enjoyed this album quite a bit. Pacific 202 in particular.

Fever Ray by Fever Ray
May 27 2026

I'd not heard of this before listening but I recognised the voice and, like with The Knife, I just couldn't get on with it. Some of the music was enjoyable, but everytime Karin Dreijer started to sing, it spoilt the song for me. A shame.

Go Girl Crazy by The Dictators
May 28 2026

A poor man's New York Dolls. Pretty forgettable.

At San Quentin by Johnny Cash
May 29 2026

I don't really get the point of this album. I get that Johnny Cash playing prisons is historically interesting, but the recording quality is poor and there's not much going on musically.

Sound Affects by The Jam
May 30 2026

The Jam feel like a band I should like, but, apart from the odd song, they never really do it for me.

Purple Rain by Prince
May 31 2026

I enjoyed this significantly more than Sign of the Times. However, I don't really get the Prince love. This is a good album, but it never reaches the heights that Prince's reputation suggests it should.

A Wizard, A True Star by Todd Rundgren
Jun 01 2026

I like quirky, eccentric music so, in theory I should enjoy this. However, it strays towards novelty territory too often to be enjoyable.

Gasoline Alley by Rod Stewart
Jun 02 2026

I just don't get it. The man's a pub singer.

Jun 03 2026

A couple of okay songs but mostly pretty boring.

It's A Shame About Ray by The Lemonheads
Jun 04 2026

It's not pulling up any tees, but I enjoyed this album enough to give it a four.

Jun 05 2026

I wasn't expecting to, but I quite enjoyed this. It did rankle somewhat to see a song called Mongoloid and, although the lyrics involved didn't seem mean spirited, they did come across as pretty ignorant.

Foxbase Alpha by Saint Etienne
Jun 06 2026

The Only Love Can Break Your Heart cover is great. Better than the original in my opinion. But there's not much else on here to excite me.

The New Tango by Astor Piazzolla
Jun 07 2026

I just found this very boring.

Locust Abortion Technician by Butthole Surfers
Jun 08 2026

I enjoyed this. Discord and noise are right up my alley. There are times where this album veers a bit too close to sillyness, particularly on O Men, and that stops it getting the full five. Overall though, very good.

Hot Fuss by The Killers
Jun 09 2026

The singles do a lot of heavy lifting on this album. They're good, fun, poppy rock. The rest of the songs are decent enough, but there's nothing that stands out.

Nowhere by Ride
Jun 10 2026

This was pretty good. Nowhere starts off very strongly and, while the rest of the album doesn't quite live up to the opening songs, I enjoyed it.

Cheap Thrills by Big Brother & The Holding Company
Jun 11 2026

At its best, this album was excellent. It is however, a mixed bag. The faux live tracks were jarring and there were times where it felt a little samey. The mammy figure on the cover is pretty tasteless too, but I'm not going to mark it down for that.

Tres Hombres by ZZ Top
Jun 12 2026

I enjoyed the other ZZ Top album on this list but I couldn't really get on with this one. It's pretty repetitive and it doesn't have the cheesey pop hooks that Eliminator did. Overall it felt longer than it was.

Private Dancer by Tina Turner
Jun 14 2026

Absolute dog shit with three of the worst covers ever. Want to hear Tina shout Let's Stay Together over triple the notes that were in the original? You've got it. Want to hear her turn Help into a slow shouty ballad? You've got that too. My personal favourite though is her thorough ruination of Bowie's 1984. Genuine audio offal. I'd rather listen to the Fast Food Rockers

Jun 15 2026

This wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. I found myself enjoying it in parts, particularly Mic Contact with it's horns. It does go on for far too long though and has the usual skits that spoil so many hip hop albums. There's also a bizarre foray into crap rock music, that apparently Ice T has done quite a lot of over the years.

Rust Never Sleeps by Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Jun 16 2026

Sigh, another Neil Young album, I now know how people who aren't fans of Bowie, Radiohead or Elvis Costello feel. It's decent enough, but I've not heard in 5 albums that help me understand why Young is so highly rated.

Jun 17 2026

I bought this when it came out but I've not listened to it for years. Listening now, I don't think I've missed out on much. It's a pleasant enough, mostly mellow, album but it's overly long and pretty middle of the road.

Jun 18 2026

I liked a lot of the music on this album but the lyrics often spoiled it a bit for me. The first song in particular has terrible lyrics which really got the album off on the wrong foot.

Pacific Ocean Blue by Dennis Wilson
Jun 19 2026

Can we all agree that the Beach Boys were massively overrated? Pacific Ocean Blue is better than most Beach Boys albums and, thankfully, doesn't Share their irritating tweeness, but it still didn't really do much or go anywhere. Fine but no more than that.

Stardust by Willie Nelson
Jun 20 2026

I like the idea of Willie Nelson more than I enjoyed this album. It's nice enough, but I don't understand what reason there is to include a countrified covers album on this list. I see it was mildly controversial for an artist like Willie to do an album of mainstream covers, but it's hardly Dylan going electric.

Jun 21 2026

I didn't think this project would lead me to hating Rod Stewart. I always thought of him as the Maggie May and Handbags and Gladrags guy, nothing special, but perfectly serviceable. This is my second album of his in a few weeks though and both of them have been bad. Every Picture Tells a Story isn't as shit as Gasoline Alley, but it's still really poor.

The Predator by Ice Cube
Jun 22 2026

At first I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I'm not a big fan of gangsta rap, often because of the lyrical content rather than the music. The Preditor starts off strong though, with a powerful political message. It does sadly descend into misogyny and homophobia towards the end of the album. Ice Cube also keeps saying that he's not anti semetic or anti Korean but I'm not sure why. Perhaps his previous albums had some similarly unpleasant references to those about "bitches" and "faggots". It's a shame as I thought the album was good otherwise and, while it's not as egreously offensive as Ready to Die or Smack My Bitch Up I'm still knocking off a star.

Tom Tom Club by Tom Tom Club
Jun 23 2026

This was quirky fun with a couple of real bangers. It's sadly not on Spotify in the UK so I probably won't listen to it much, but it shows the amount of talent that was in Talking Heads.

Treasure by Cocteau Twins
Jun 24 2026

Not as great as Heaven or Las Vegas, but still very good. A high four.

Pink Flag by Wire
Jun 25 2026

I got into Wire a few years ago. There's a couple of excellent songs on this album. Ex Lion Tamer is a particular stand out. The rest of the album is good, but lacks something that would make it truly great.

Back In Black by AC/DC
Jun 26 2026

At the end of the day this genre of music is basically musical theatre for straight male boomers. I don't mind a bit of a musical theatre and this album is fun at times. Ultimately though, it gets pretty repetitive pretty quickly.

Jun 27 2026

This was a vile listen. Sheer, relentless misogynistic, bile. The other Ice Cube album on this list had a bit of the shameful bigotry that is present in so much gangsta rap, but it also had a lot to say about injustice and racism. AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted has a track called Get Off My Dick and Tell Yo Bitch to Come Here. Virtually every woman is a bitch or a hoe. I'm sure Cube would claim that he was rapping about a certain type of woman, but it's funny how every woman seems to fall into that category. The closest he comes to respecting women is in the track It's A Man's World, where he trades barbs with the female rapper YoYo, telling her how hip hop is a man's domain before reluctantly admitting that she can rhyme. I try not to be judgemental of people's music taste, everyone is different after all, but this is the sort of music that makes it difficult to respect anyone who enjoys it. An abomination of an album.

Mermaid Avenue by Billy Bragg
Jun 28 2026

I like the odd bit of Billy Bragg. I like the odd song by Wilco. There's not much on this album though that makes me desperate to hear it again. It's fine but no more than that.

Nick Of Time by Bonnie Raitt
Jun 29 2026

This album was everything I dislike about middle of the road 80s commercial albums. I don't hate this, in the same way I hated Private Dancer, but it is relentlessly bland.

Car Wheels On A Gravel Road by Lucinda Williams
Jun 30 2026

This was pretty middle of the road stuff. One of those albums where there was nothing really wrong with it there wasn't much to make me want to listen again either. I can see that it had lots of critical praise when it came out, but only one track - the PJ Harveyesque Joy felt worthwhile listening to.

In A Silent Way by Miles Davis
Jul 01 2026

I enjoyed this quite a bit. I'm not sure if my enjoyment of jazz in general is there to give it the full five. I probably need to give this a few more listens.

The Message by Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
Jul 02 2026

I can understand the importance of these early hip hop albums and, in short doses, I find them quite good fun. It's not something I can listen to regularly though without starting to get bored.

The Gershwin Songbook by Ella Fitzgerald
Jul 03 2026

This shouldn't be on the list. It's 1001 albums to listen to before you die and this isn't an album. That said, I listened to a disc a day and enjoyed it to a degree. A lot of the songs felt very dated, but there were the odd ones here and there that I'd like to hear more often and of course, Ella Fitzgerald had a magnificent voice. A three I guess.

Disraeli Gears by Cream
Jul 04 2026

I didn't really get on with the other Cream album, Layla aside. This was much better however, apart from the silly song at the end. I really appreciated Ginger Baker's drumming. Possibly because of the album with Fela Kuti I had a while back.

Head Hunters by Herbie Hancock
Jul 05 2026

I enjoy a lot of these jazz albums, but I love very few of them. This is good, but it's doesn't give me enough to get 5 stars.

Bat Out Of Hell by Meat Loaf
Jul 06 2026

I've said in other reviews that a lot of 70s/80s rock feels like musical theatre. This is one of the early acknowledgements of the overlap, being specifically written as a musical. It's bombastic, quite good fun and gay as a window.

Fred Neil by Fred Neil
Jul 07 2026

I never heard of Fred Neil before today and I never would have listened to him without this project. This sort of thing is why I'm doing it. It's not a great album, but it is definitely a good one and something I'd be glad to listen to again.

Shalimar by Rahul Dev Burman
Jul 08 2026

I wasn't expecting a late 70s Bollywood soundtrack to be on this list. It was good fun. It felt quite Sixties, probably a sign of how culture travelled more slowly pre Internet.

The Hour Of Bewilderbeast by Badly Drawn Boy
Jul 09 2026

This is the only turn of the century, guy in hat with guitar album that I listen to. That's because it's far more interesting and emotionally deep than shit like David Gray. It's a shame that this album was taken out of subsequent editions of the book. It's a worthwhile listen and I'd rather have this than the fifth Neil Young or Elvis Costello offering.

Heartattack And Vine by Tom Waits
Jul 10 2026

I go through the same process with every Tom Waits album. At first, I don't really like it, but after listening for a while, maybe going through the album again once or twice I start to enjoy myself and appreciate the music. It's a weird thing to rate, a singer that you need to warm up for, like you were exercising, so I'm not entirely sure how to score Heartattack and Vine, but I'll score it with how I felt the second time around. A four.

Movies by Holger Czukay
Jul 11 2026

This was good fun and quite funky. I don't really get the low score.

Clube Da Esquina by Milton Nascimento
Jul 12 2026

I didn't find much on here to either like or hate. It was nice background music but not anything more.

Despite all the problems with the Sex Pistols. Them being as much a vehicle for Malcom Mclaren's ego and Vivienne Westwood's clothes as a band, them firing the guy who did most of the songwriting to bring in a talentless smackhead, their use of nazi symbolism to be controversial and Johnny Rotten being far more of a contrarian than someone who has actual well thought through opinions. I can see why this album was so ground breaking. Musically it's simple, agressive and fun and Rotten's sneering delivery adds a lot. It's probably for the best that they didn't do more music as I expect it would have turned to shit pretty quickly, but Never Mind The Bollocks is a seminal album.

Among The Living by Anthrax
Jul 14 2026

This was just about okay but I find metal in general to be a pretty dull genre. The higher tempo helped and I didn't hate this, but I can't see a scenario where I'd choose to put it on.

Maxinquaye by Tricky
Jul 15 2026

This was enjoyable, but definitely a step down overall from Massive Attack or Portishead. Also, considering Martina Topley-Bird was on every single track, it's a bit cheeky to call the album a Tricky one rather than including her in the title.

Jul 16 2026

This feels like the best version of Spiritualized / Spacemen 3. Tons of dirty feedback, actual songs rather than background noodling. I enjoyed this a lot.

Illinois by Sufjan Stevens
Jul 17 2026

It's over long and has some very silly song names, but overall Illinois just about gets a four from me. It's not Age of Adz, which is the only Sufjan Stevens album that truly impresses me, but it's fun enough.

Eternally Yours by The Saints
Jul 18 2026

This was a fun enough, poppy, bit of punk. A bit samey but, at 36 minutes long, it didn't outstay it's welcome.

Jul 19 2026

This was quite nice. A chilled album that I'd happily listen to again, but it didn't really set the world alight.

All Hope Is Gone by Slipknot
Jul 20 2026

I saw Slipknot live once, in between two bands I wanted to see at a festival. They were excellent. It really surprised me how good a show they put on. As a result I've always had a bit of a soft spot for them, despite it not being my kind of music. This is an album of two halves. The first part was good fun, high tempo, slightly poppy, metal. The second was a rather more staid affair. Slightly bland metal introspection rather than the more enjoyable, faster songs.

Ananda Shankar by Ananda Shankar
Jul 21 2026

This was pleasant enough although the Indianified sixties hits felt a bit cheesy. Like something you'd hear in a slightly patronising western film about India. The Darjeeling Limited soundtrack.

D by White Denim
Jul 22 2026

This wasn't as immediate as some of the White Denim songs I've heard. It was more guitar based noodling. It took a couple of listens to get into it, but I enjoyed it.

Arular by M.I.A.
Jul 23 2026

Shane Warne famously said that Monty Panesar hadn't played 33 tests, but had played the same test 33 times. An insight into how the Sikh of Tweek was an effective but unvarying spinner. In a sense M.I.A is the Monty Panesar of music. The song is good fun, but it is just one song. Everything on this album is totally interchangeable. There's no variation or range and there's no reason why I'd want to listen to any particular song over another. Even the tracks that are labeled skits sound exactly like the songs.

Blood On The Tracks by Bob Dylan
Jul 24 2026

I've listened to plenty of Dylan albums but Blood on the Tracks is the only 5 star album for me. His best work.

Done By The Forces Of Nature by Jungle Brothers
Jul 25 2026

This was a fun album at first but, at an hour long, it overstayed it's welcome somewhat with some very samey tracks. The sort of thing where I'd enjoy listening to a song or two, but wouldn't want to listen to the while album again.

Next by The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
Jul 26 2026

I like glam rock and, at first, I thought this album sounded fun. Then we got onto track 2, Gang Bang, which is a massively cretinous song. The whole album has a crude misogynistic and, at times, homophobic tone, which is a shame as the music is quite fun. The vulgarity isn't as violently aggressive as on Ice Cube's AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted or Smack My Bitch Up by the Prodigy, so I'm not giving it a one, but it was close.

A Short Album About Love by The Divine Comedy
Jul 27 2026

I enjoy The Divine Comedy although the jokey nature of the music can wear thin after a while. Fortunately, this album is only half an hour long so that never really happened. I prefer Hannon's poppier tunes, but A Short Album About Love still gets a four from me.

The Score by Fugees
Jul 28 2026

This album brought back some fond memories. It was strange to hear Wyclef be involved in actually good music rather than shit but enjoyable stuff like "Perfect Gentleman" and "It Doesn't Matter" and just plain shit songs like his Pink Floyd cover. The Score suffers from the common hip hop problem of being overlong and filled with skits that you don't really need to hear more than once, especially the mildly racist Chinese Restaurant skit with its ching chong Chinaman. The music however is mostly good. The Roberta Flack cover is great the Bob Marley one is nice enough and the originals are fun. Overall it's a four from me.

Faust IV by Faust
Jul 29 2026

One of the things I've gained from doing this project is an appreciation of Krautrock. I enjoyed a lot about Faust IV, particularly the instrumental songs. One problem, that it shares with Kollaps, is that there are some very jarring transitions between the songs. This prevents it from getting the full five as the music pretty much begs for a smooth transition from track to track. Instead, Faust IV feels like a collection of tunes rather than an integrated whole.

Jul 30 2026

This album was dull, with a mild sprinkling of homophobia, but at least it was unnecessarily long.

Fragile by Yes
Jul 31 2026

I wasn't looking forward to listening to Fragile as I hated The Yes Album. However, I enjoyed this quite a bit. It starts off very strongly with Roundabout and, while the rest of the album doesn't reach the same heights, I still found it a worthwhile listen. It's made me think that I should revisit The Yes Album and see if it's really deserving of the one star I gave it.

What's That Noise? by Coldcut
Aug 01 2026

This was a fun bit of early sampling. It was good to hear Mark E Smith pop up. I hadn't realised Coldcut wrote the music for Telephone Thing. It's a shame that it's not on streaming services, or I'd listen to it more.

Butterfly by Mariah Carey
Aug 02 2026

This was a nice enough album sung very well. I think the criticism of Mariah as being the vocal equivalent of a fret wanker are a bit harsh. She didn't go all around the notes too much for me. Ultimately though, Butterfly is a beige as its sleeve. I'd happily leave it on, but I'd never choose to put it on.

Superunknown by Soundgarden
Aug 03 2026

I owned this when I was 15ish. So there's some nostalgia here and, overall I had a decent enough time with Superunkown. Chris Cornell does suffer from the silly American alt rock voice that a lot of singers at the time used although it doesn't annoy me as much as Eddie Vader or the guy from Alice in Chains. The album's also a bit too long and could do with a couple of the tracks, of which Black Hole Sun is the only real standout, cutting. Overall, while I enjoyed the trip down memory lane, I don't really think there's enough here to give a four, although it's close.

Surf's Up by The Beach Boys
Aug 04 2026

Fundamentally, I just don't think The Beach Boys were very good. This is an alright album musically with some poor lyrics. I don't get why they were so highly regarded.

Fear Of Music by Talking Heads
Aug 05 2026

For me this is the weakest Talking Heads album on the list but weak Talking Heads is still pretty good music and Life During Wartime slaps.

1984 by Van Halen
Aug 06 2026

Hair metal is a pretty crap genre of music in general. This album isn't as bad as say, Aerosmith, but it's still not good. At least it was short.

Parallel Lines by Blondie
Aug 07 2026

Fun new wave pop with some good singles, but it never quite reaches the 5 star mark.

3 + 3 by The Isley Brothers
Aug 08 2026

I enjoyed this but only Summer Breeze really stood out. The rest was good fun, but not great.

Aug 09 2026

Growing up in the late 80s and early 90s R.E.M were everywhere. I had this album and I played it to death from the ages of about 12 to 15. I've not listened to it for years and to be frank, 30 years on I wonder what I saw in it. There's some ok tunes, but overall, this album is nothing more than alright. R.E.M had some good songs, but not really on this album. I'd much rather listen to Green or Monster than this.

A Northern Soul by The Verve
Aug 10 2026

I didn't hate this. So I'm not giving it a one. Getting through A Northern Soul' 64 minutes was however, an act of endurance. Simply dull, dull, dull music.

Cypress Hill by Cypress Hill
Aug 11 2026

I have fond memories of Cypress Hill and this album was okay but, in every respect, I think Black Sunday is by far the superior album. I guess this is on the list because it was first, but I don't think it shows the group at their best.

There's A Riot Goin' On by Sly & The Family Stone
Aug 12 2026

According to this site, funk is my favourite genre. However, I can't really get on with this slower, more laid back style. There's a Riot Goin' On is nice enough, but it doesn't do much for me.

G. Love And Special Sauce by G. Love & Special Sauce
Aug 13 2026

When Come Find Yourself by the Fun Lovin' Criminals came up a few hundred albums ago, I was mystified. Now I understand. This is a sentence I never thought I'd write. The Fun Lovin' Criminals did everything this album was trying to do with more craft, skill and verve.

Hysteria by Def Leppard
Aug 14 2026

Very poor, but at least it was long.

Aug 15 2026

Some might say that Oasis were the second coming of the Beatles. In reality, they were more like the second coming of Slade. That's not the worst thing in the world and, while I'm tempted to give this a low mark, because Oasis are the favourite band of so many shit-munchers, (What's The Story) Morning Glory is actually pretty good.

Wordsmith

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Other

Album origins are grouped into three buckets: US, UK, and everything else. “Other” means the artists you rate highest are from outside the US and UK.