I had never even heard of this band, so I am going in completely blind. It is very chill, and reminds me of times of the Beatles. I find the lyrics hard to follow sometimes, since it is so relaxing. My mind drifts off and I'm not hearing the words anymore unless Im actually looking at the lyrics on Spotify.
The Murder Mystery song is a rough listen, dont like that one at all. Except the line \"oboe-ing for me\" is rather funny. As for a song I like...Some Kinda Love had a stronger start. But honestly I didn´t really vibe with any of these songs.
I realized I knew what he looked like, but not actually didnt know his voice well at all. So this was an exciting album to go through. I'm also realizing I am so used to short pop song these days. A 4 and half minute song seems SUPER long to my attention span haha.
Track 1 - You are the Sunshine of My Life - The opening track is everyone's favorite cheesy wedding reception song.
Track 2 - But then Maybe Your Baby came on, and I really enjoyed the funkiness. The chorus on that is so good - the song is surprisingly long though.
Track 3 -You and I - Meh. Long.
Track 4 - Tuesday Heartbreak - I liked the end where he let his voice get funky and raspy. I wanted more of that!
Track 5 - You've got it bad girl - Not into this one. The weird chatter in the background is distracting.
Track 6 - Superstition - I didnt realize this was Stevie Wonder! Fun, funky song. I could listen to a whole album in this style.
Track 7 - Big Brother - This is a really interesting protest song. A very different vibe than some of the love songs that came before. That last verse, wow!
Track 8 - Blame It On the Sun - I like the self doubt and reflection here.
Track 9 - Lookin´for another pure love - way too slow for me
Track 10 - I Believe - Meh.
What a fun album! It felt fresher than I expected, and my head was nodding along to every song. My first album on the list that I have genuinely felt like I would listen to again.
Track 1 - Our Lips Are Sealed - Fun, fresh. Like it.
Track 2 - How Much More - Gives me Beach Boy vibes. Again, super fun.
Track 3 - Tonite - Great girls night song. Get dressed up and messed up!
Track 4 - Lust to Love - Darker, confident sound, and I really like it.
Track 5 - This Town - I like the western twangs on the guitar. Makes it feel like a high noon showdown.
Track 6 - We Got The Beat - Probably their most famous song. Its fun, and has a timeliness vibe.
Track 7 - Fading Fast - This reminds me of another song, but I can't place it. Maybe the guitar riff seems a little Hotel California?
Track 8 - Automatic - This also has a spooky, Hotel California vibe. I like it a lot. Great use of silence at key moments to build suspense.
Track 9 -You Cant Walk in Your Sleep - As someone with sleep problems, this can be my new anthem haha.
Track 10 - Skidmarks on My Heart - The car metaphors are a little over the top. My least favorite song on the album.
Track 11- Cant Stop the World - Its an ok ending track.
The music is pretty good -easy to listen to in the background while I'm working. I´m not sure I'd seek it out to play again on my own, but its not like I hated it. I enjoyed the 60's vibe that ran throughout it.
Its interesting that for as huge of a cultural icon that Jimi is, I didn't really know many of his songs. It was nice to experience them for the first time. The album has the personality and power I wanted from some of the other albums on this list.
May This Be Love is a standout for me. Its gentle in a beautiful way.
Probably a hot take though - the second half has some forgettable songs (Tracks 9-13). Album feels too long.
Great album. It is short and sweet, hits all the right notes and then leaves before you get tired.
I had absolutely ZERO idea what this album was going to be. I kinda like it…am I drowning in velvet? Are the whales playing instruments? What is happening?
I especially liked Flugufreslsarinn. Makes me want to be a witch by the sea, waiting for my love who was lost at sea.
I would unironically listen to this album again. What a surprise.
I have tired and tried, but I just don't like Bob Dylan. His voice does nothing for me, so I tried to look at it purely as poetry. Still couldn't connect with the album. I think he has multiple albums on this list, so that is not exciting.
This album is nothing but pure sexy fire.
This is a fun album - I love the wide variety of topics and themes. Reading about the meaning behind each song has been really interesting, and I give her points for taking some risks here.
Each song is its own in depth story. In that way, it reminds me of Taylor Swift's Folklore album.
Great album - easy to listen to, strong lyrics (especially Boxcars).
I feel like this is what I wish Bob Dylan sounded like.
This album is SO fun! It is funky, positive, and makes me want to smile. Really enjoyed it.
Ice Cube is another personality I recognize instantly, but I'd never actually heard his music. I knew him more from movies, honestly.
The album is good. Smart, audacious (the title alone is so good), and frequently funny. Some of the rhymes will be living in my head rent free for awhile. “They asked me did I like Arsenio?, about as much as the bicentennial.” - I will continue to laugh at that.
However, the misogyny and lyrics around women are hard for me to get over. Cant give it a full 5 stars because of them.
Not my thing. This came immediately after I had listened to AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted, which only made it worse. The flow is clunky in comparison. The lyrics aren't doing anything for me - he's seriously out here making pee pee doo doo jokes.
Also this album is LONG.
Fun, punky album. Penetration has those weird cat sounds though.
Best song - I Need Somebody
Easy to listen to. Reminds me that I just really like 80s music. Dark story telling, deceptively soothing vocals. I would listen to this again!
Girlfriend in a Coma is such a weird song, but GREAT story telling. I took it as him having nearly killed her but failed, and now wanting to be alone to finish the job (in case she wakes up and tells on him). Which would be a very dark turn for a song that sounds deceptively uplifting.
Last Night I Dreamt that Somebody Loved Me is a great song.
The cover art is gross. Its not the worst album Ive heard so far, but its not great either. I even read about it and I dont understand why its on this list.
I had no idea what to expect from this, and I really enjoyed it. The music is superb, the vocals lovely. I especially like Stork&Owl, Golden Age, Family Tree, and Halfway Home.
This is the first long album where I look at the number of tracks and go "YES, I want even more!".
Standout lyrics:
"Turn from the fear of the storms that might be".
"We're laying in the shadow of your family tree/your haunted heart and me"
First time listening to Oasis. OMG this is the album with Wonderwall on it, haha!
Love the vibe. At times it almost reminds me of the Beach Boys (Roll With It). Easy to listen to. But over time his voice can get a little whiny. I feel like I'd love a lot of these songs on a playlist mixed with other stuff, so it doesn't get repetitive. Also, She's Electric is too cheesy for me.
Favorite songs: Hello, Swamp Song Version 1, Cast No Shadow, Champagne Supernova
I wasn't feeling the album at first, but then Plump and Asking for It came on. I can feel the rage and despair - so good. I dont know if I would play the whole album again, but I would definitely put some songs onto a playlist.
Favorite lyrics: "I dont do the dishes. I throw them in the crib"
I was so excited to see this on the list, one of my favorite albums of all time. In college, a stupid boy told me to check out The Darkness. They were so fun, it made the stupid boy crush worth it in the end.
The album is just pure fun. Silly, irreverent, the perfect vocals, and banging tracks.
Very chill music. Enjoyable in the moment, but a little forgettable. His voice kind of reminds me of Bob Dylan, but better?
Chill, easy to listen to. Doesn't feel ground breaking, but good for long drives or a backyard BBQ. Some of it is forgettable.
God this album is so good. Sexy, uncompromising, relentless. I like it as much as the first time I heard it many years ago.
Chill album, musically. Has some interesting political messages woven into it. Overall might be too relaxed for me, though.
I love them based on their name alone. Seems to be solid, middle of the road country. Probably wouldn't listen again, but I didn't hate it.
I'm more of a Folklore/Evermore fan, but 1989 is a very strong pop album. It has some great bops on it - Style, Wildest Dreams, New Romantics. Taylor's voice was still developing on this album though, and hadn't reached some of the depth she has later.
These are some long songs - 5 songs but a 45 minute album. And it's ok...but I think I just don't like jazz. I've tried for so many years, but I just can't get into it. The long improv riffs do nothing for me.
Blue in Green is probably the highlight for me.
Feels bland. Memory Boy reminded me of the Beatles, but not as good. Other songs kind of remind me as Oasis, but also not as good.
This is the type of album I like to find on here - something I would have never come across on my own. I like parts of it, and it has a smooth vibe. I can see how he got his start in coffee shops.
Songs I enjoyed - So Real, Hallelujah, Forget Her
This is less misogynistic than Americakka's Most Wanted, which I recently listened to. So it had that going for it. But it also had less memorable lines. Solid album, but I didn't find myself laughing at any puns or just being floored by a rhyme.
Probably wouldn't listen again.
Easy to listen to but really forgettable. I´m unsure about what kind of impact this album made to make it so important and on this list?
The album title gave me flashbacks to the terrible Dr. Octagonecologyst. Thank GOD this is much better.
Nice 70's vibe, with strong political messages. I dont hate it!
I really enjoyed this! Chill, introspective. I want to listen to this in Colorado, on a warm summer evening, while watching the mountains.
Great songs: Between the Bars
I think this album has the disadvantage of being the third rap album from the same time period I've listened to in the last 10 albums. Everyone's flow and production sounds the same! This isn't bad, but I find myself zoning out. Also, some of the slang is so out of date its hilarious.
I enjoy this a lot. I´d really like to understand more about African music - it is such a huge continent with so much diversity. And I know nothing about its musical scene!
Even though I couldn't understand the words, I felt myself bobbing along and vibing with the music. Easy to listen to, and makes an impact even with the language barrier.
This is...something. If I hear the word Constantinople one more time I may scream. Blue Rosebuds is awful too.
At least its only 35 minutes long?
I'm not into the whole hair bad heavy metal thing. Sounds just like all the others...
I knew the name of Elvis Costello but had no idea what to expect. This is kinda punk rock? I thought he did 70s lounge music! What a surprise. I like his voice, but then I grew up on emo music so a sneer doesn't bother me.
HOWEVER, some of these lyrics hit wrong. "She should have kept her legs closed" - yikes. Also him referencing "ugly drug music" in 13 Steps Lead Down - sounds a bit like a slam again 90s hip hop? I'd like to think it is mocking outdated ideas, but I afraid its actually upholding them.
Also, the more into this album I go the less punk it gets and the more lounge music like I feared.
I love the idea of this - an orchestra joining forces with popular music is always a good time. I wish it wasn't a Live album though, since I get annoyed by the clapping and singalongs.
Overall, enjoyed it but I dont think I'd listen to it again.
Diamonds on the Souls of Her Shoes is really good. The album seems to have been influenced strongly by African artists (obviously such as Under African Skies, but in other songs like Homeless too). Overall, it kind of reminds me a bit of Johnny Clegg at times.
Overall, I like it. Not sure I'd listen again. Clegg does it better.
Some songs were great (Uncertain Smile), some were really not (Twilight Hour). I think I just dont like his voice at all - the production was fine.
I enjoyed this a lot. Smooth, sexy, and something I would check out again!
Shit, Damn, Motherfucker is the sexiest sounding song about being cuckolded I've ever heard, haha.
When I was a kid, my uncle told me about Steely Dan. I felt so grown up and cool to be listening to them. Turns out, still get a similar feelings 25 years later.
I hadnt listened to this album before. It is chill, I like it. Im not sure if I like it as much as Gaucho though.
Reelin in the Years is fantastic though!
I immediately fell in love with Please Forgive Me. Then it gets even better with Babylon. The lyrics are complex and interesting but not too convoluted. His voice has interesting texture to it, makes his longing seem so real.
I had never heard him before, I am completely dig it.
I liked this more than I thought I would! I can see how they influenced a lot of the groups that came after them.
If I made an album, I would also put my cat on the cover. So I instantly like this.
Its also nice to have a woman artist again. I've had 50 albums and 2 women so far? Ridiculous.
Sounds is nice, easy listening for a Saturday morning.
Overall, I like it. It's chill rock, perfect for hanging out and cooking dinner, or cleaning around the house. In some ways, feels like a precursor to American Emo music. I would listen again.
Well today I learned that Sade is a band name, and not just the name of the singer lady!
This album is so classic and beautiful.
I wish I knew more about Jamaica, because I think that would help flesh out the album for me. But, its a good listen!
Oh this rocks. Greatly enjoyed it. Never heard them before, but will be listening again for sure.
Love this album! I've listened to Day and Age a million times, but somehow never listened to this one cover to cover. It isnt as slick as Day and age, but still has some real bangers.
I find his voice very soothing. I want to listen while riding through the dark desert at night. Would I listen to it again? Maybe!
I keep thinking he is singing to himself as Sweet Baby James, which is weird to me. But maybe that's the type of positive affirmation we need in our lives.
Sorry to my NJ relatives, but I've never really listened to The Boss. Its an interesting album, which seems to be mostly about grief and death? But a lot of it kind of runs together for me - I think its just his voice.
I did not like Into the Fire, so repetitive. Waitin on a Sunny Day is a much better take on the theme of loss. I also really like the Fuse.
I'm sorry, I just don't think I understand Jimi Hendrix. I WANT to like it more, but its just ok. I guess at least the songs are all short?
I did like Little Wing.
It was fun and chill. Enjoyable, but I'm not sure I would revisit.
Aw man, this one is hard. I recognize the importance of Thelonious Monk, and I'm sure this album rocks some people's world. I just really dont like improv jazz with 15 minutes songs. I've tried to get into jazz for the last 20 years, and I give up.
It's not you, it's me.
Oh this is so good! What a delight! It feels retro, but in a timeless way. Each song is very different, exploring a lot of different approaches and sounds. I can understand this being really influential.
I'm gonna ignore that Sixteen is a little creepy.
I will always love the Temptations. This seems to be a bit more politically introspective than some of their earlier stuff I've hear. I like it! Also has some real funk to it - especially in comparison to earlier stuff like My Girl.
The funkier the song, the better, in my opinion.
Highs and Lows:
Runaway Child, Running wild is an excellently fun song. I'm not often a fan of a 9 minute song, but it kept me hooked with that beat the whole way.
Love is a Hurtin´Thing is a dip in fun and sound, sadly. Hey Girl is like My Girl, but worse.
My confession is that I do not like jazz. And this has a lot of jazzy piano and rifts. I did not enjoy this.
Also I feel like he mumbles a lot - for example, on Solid Air I am not even sure what he is saying a lot of the time.
Over The Hill Was descent.
As an unrepentant Beach Boy fan, this was delightful suggestion. However, I can see why the project was originally scrapped in the 60s. Nothing on here is as compelling as early Beach Boy stuff. In fact most of it seems very childish - they always had some playful songs, but these are just too much at times.
Barnyard is a very weird song. So is Vega-tables...I am deducting points just for those two.
Bummer, I so wanted to like this.
Its ok. Its an easy listen, and I found myself bobbing my head along. But the songs do all sound the same after awhile.
I think its a good album for a workout. I am imagining playing it while in a zumba class or something. It isnt super memorable, and the songs kind of run together for me, but it the beat is good.
Yikes, this started off rough with the slowest song ever made. I hate the title song so much! And the rest don´t get better - its all so repetitive, and her voice is not my cup of tea.
I hate it.
It's chill, easy to listen to. I'm trying to be more present in the moment and spend less time rushing around, living in my head. This type of music helps with that. As another reviewer said - the songs aren't in a rush, they are unfolding.
This wasn't bad. Seemed to have some filler sections, but overall an enjoyable listen with some darker lyrics than I expected.
I really enjoyed Old Friends - its a beautiful take on lifelong friendship and aging.
Fakin´It is great too - we've all felt like that.
I liked this. I am a big soul fan, and this is smooth and fun.
I was into it at first. Funky and fun at parts. But then it felt pretty repetitive.
An album of bangers!
Questionable Song - "When I kissed the teacher" - definitely wouldnt be made today, haha.
Top Tier - Dancing Queen - forever.
Favorite surprise - Dum Dum Diddle.
This was very nostalgic, and I remember bopping to these songs hard in high school. Overall, I think its a pretty good pop album -mostly catchy songs, and Justin's voice sounds good. But its not as strong as FutureSex/LoveSounds.
The unbelievable voice of Tracy Chapman! God, she's so good.
I remember singing along to Fast Car as a child, as if I had any understanding of hardship. As an adult, the sadness mixed with hope, is so much more poignant. If only we really could get in a fast car and have a feeling like we belong.
This is a short, tight album at only 36 minutes. Behind the Wall was a surprise - haunting. Baby, Can I Hold You was a meh spot - but considering the play count on Spotify, I'm the only one who thinks this.
I had no idea what to expect from the title, but this was a nice change of pace from Gilian Welch. Chill vibe, good to have on while working.
Not as into some of the tracks that have random talking on them though, which holds this back.
For a 45 minute album that has a ton of songs on it. I'm a fan of shorter songs, so I'm ok with this.
I also appreciate that the crowd noise isnt overly loud or distracting. I normally dont like live albums because they take me out of the music, but this one doesn't bother me.
I am greatly amused that he said he can't say the word Hell, but he can sing about doing Cocaine.
Overall, I can see why this is a classic. I won't give it a 5 because I probably wouldnt listen again on my own. But I think its solid and enjoyable.
This has one of the strongest openings I've heard lately. Squares is SO good. And then I just kept vibing from there on out. It didn't keep up the energy the whole way through, which is a pity, but overall I really enjoyed it.
I wasn't familiar with this group, so its one of my best finds so far!
First off, it is really hard to find this album. On Spotify half the songs weren't playable, and Apple music didn't have it all. I had to hunt down individual tracks, which took away the experience of listening to the album as a whole.
Which is a shame, because this is good stuff. I would love to be in a small bar in New Orleans listening to him and drinking an old fashioned.
God, this brings me back! This is one of those album I can't objectively rate it - it has too many memories attached. 14 year old me is too busy rocking out to it.
Points of Authority hits especially hard in today's political climate.
The Michael Jackson influence is VERY strong here. But I dont think it reaches his heights - it's pleasant and ok to listen to.
I'm torn on what to give this. 3 means it ok, but I wouldnt listen again. 4 means I would listen again.
I had heard of ZZ Top, but never really listened to them closely. It is rocking - this is the intensity and vibe I love. It's horny, it's silly, it's super fun.
Honestly, I'm just a sucker for 80's rock and I'm going to start embracing it more.
Song specifics: Sharp Dressed Man is SO good. TV Dinners is such an odd topic, is it a metaphor for something I dont understand?
This is so hard to rate. I can't say I LIKED it, but I could also feel how it is important. The lyrics scratch an itch for teenage-college age me, who was often confused about my own emotions and just learning to be angry at society.
I'd take this over a 10th Bob Dylan album, so 3 stars.
What's even to say. It's so damn good. It makes me FEEL.
I'm still not sure what a hoochie coochie man is.
Its embarrassing, but I only knew like one U2 song before this. So it was exciting to actually listen to a full album.
It's good - mellow, nice for driving or doing a workout. It doesn't take my full attention, and I can just have it on in the background.
This is a unique and pretty album. There is this sadness and coldness in the songs like Stay with Me and Broken Heart, but then the lush strings bring a beauty to it. It makes me want to be on the couch during a snowstorm, drinking hot chocolate and contemplating the fire.
Then there are song like Electricity which are a lot more upbeat, great for road tripping.
Overall, I like it and would listen again. Kind of wish it had one consistent tempo though, as the swing between slow to upbeat is a bit jarring.
I went into this with zero expectations as I'd never heard of Scott Walker. But I definitely didn't expect the Seventh Seal opening - what an interesting ballad.
But overall, this feels meh. I don't dislike it. But I feel like the songs aren't doing justice to his voice. I don't know...maybe its the singing style which feels dated. It just feels like the songs are only taking him half way to where he could truly push himself vocally.
This album is really interesting in that all the songs are so, so short!
I don't know what a pink moon is, or why its going to get us. Why is the moon threatening us? Maybe a longer song would have explained.
It was ok. I'm sure its playing in a Denver coffee shop as we speak.
Lots of dark, moody ballads. Kind of like Rocky Horror but less fun? Overall doesn't land for me.
Top song- Christina the Astonishing.
I wish I knew more about Jamaican history, since there are a lot of references that are going over my head. I might have to find a good biography to really understand the impact!
I didn't know what to expect, but the title song goes HARD. But then afterwards it kind of all blended together for me. At times it just sounds...old.
Prince was such an icon. Just, ridiculously good at what he did.
The album is definitely 80s, but it manages to sound timeless in a way a lot of pop albums from this era don't. I think its a lot of live instrumentals. For example, Take Me with U has these gorgeous violins which really elevate it (think how dated it would sound if it went too hard on the synth sounds).
I really enjoyed Computer Blue, Baby I'm a Star, and Darling Nikki, which I'd never heard before. The Beautiful Ones is a bit much for me though.
5 Stars Just for Purple Rain.
