463
Albums Rated
3.2
Average Rating
43%
Complete
626 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1950
Favorite Decade
Funk
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Curator
Rater Style ?
56
5-Star Albums
22
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
Top Styles
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Giant Steps
The Boo Radleys
|
5 | 2.88 | +2.12 |
|
Ghosteen
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
|
5 | 2.97 | +2.03 |
|
The Dreaming
Kate Bush
|
5 | 2.97 | +2.03 |
|
Pills 'n' Thrills And Bellyaches
Happy Mondays
|
5 | 2.98 | +2.02 |
|
Ray Of Light
Madonna
|
5 | 3 | +2 |
|
Emperor Tomato Ketchup
Stereolab
|
5 | 3.02 | +1.98 |
|
Duck Stab/Buster & Glen
The Residents
|
4 | 2.02 | +1.98 |
|
This Is Hardcore
Pulp
|
5 | 3.14 | +1.86 |
|
Machine Gun Etiquette
The Damned
|
5 | 3.15 | +1.85 |
|
Let England Shake
PJ Harvey
|
5 | 3.15 | +1.85 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Grace
Jeff Buckley
|
1 | 3.73 | -2.73 |
|
Californication
Red Hot Chili Peppers
|
1 | 3.7 | -2.7 |
|
Eagles
Eagles
|
1 | 3.29 | -2.29 |
|
A Nod Is As Good As A Wink To A Blind Horse
Faces
|
1 | 3.24 | -2.24 |
|
Youth And Young Manhood
Kings of Leon
|
1 | 3.1 | -2.1 |
|
Liege And Lief
Fairport Convention
|
1 | 3.1 | -2.1 |
|
No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith (Live)
Motörhead
|
1 | 3.07 | -2.07 |
|
Tuesday Night Music Club
Sheryl Crow
|
1 | 3.05 | -2.05 |
|
The Nightfly
Donald Fagen
|
1 | 3.02 | -2.02 |
|
Fuzzy
Grant Lee Buffalo
|
1 | 3.02 | -2.02 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| David Bowie | 4 | 4.5 |
| Talking Heads | 3 | 4.67 |
| Stevie Wonder | 3 | 4.67 |
| Prince | 2 | 5 |
| Kate Bush | 2 | 5 |
| Leonard Cohen | 4 | 4.25 |
| PJ Harvey | 4 | 4.25 |
| Public Enemy | 3 | 4.33 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Queen | 3 | 2 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Kings of Leon | 4, 1 |
| Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds | 3, 2, 5, 4 |
5-Star Albums (56)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Cocteau Twins · 2 likes
5/5
I still get butterflies within seconds of hearing this album. Lush and dreamy perfection.
Dr. Dre · 1 likes
2/5
Distinct sound, but lyrically harsh without purpose.
The Residents · 1 likes
4/5
A fascinating and entertaining 35 min. Like listening to a creepy cartoon.
Stereolab · 1 likes
5/5
The kind of hypnotic soundscape I can lose myself in. Groovy layered loops and cool vocals make for an upbeat listen.
Metallica · 1 likes
4/5
Incredible album - even for someone who doesn’t listen to metal. “The Thing That Should Not Be” is one of my faves.
4-Star Albums (129)
1-Star Albums (22)
All Ratings
Fela Kuti
5/5
A revolutionary message set to jazz, funk and afrobeat - what's not to like?
Joan Armatrading
3/5
Beautiful vocal range and variability. Simultaneously introspective and joyful.
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
Surprisingly experimental, varied, poignant.
James Brown
3/5
I prefer James Brown's funkier stuff and find it hard to appreciate a live album. Still, the influence he's had on artists over decades is apparent here.
Beck
4/5
Missing, Black Trampoline, Earthquake Weather, Hell Yes, Go it Alone were the highlights on a very strong album.
Jefferson Airplane
2/5
I love Grace Slick's voice but too many of the tracks (the ones she isn't leading) just blur into one another for me in the most uninteresting way.
The Human League
2/5
I had this album, love the nostalgia and enjoyed it as background. Hard to think of it as essential though.
David Bowie
5/5
One of my all-time favourite albums. Beautiful melodies and moving vocals; an exciting blend of glam rock, cinema, pop and folk. Clear inspiration for so many of the best indie bands in the decades that followed.
The Notorious B.I.G.
4/5
Ah, the album that pits my feminist principles against my love of good beats, poignant storytelling and BIG's mellifluous voice and flow - still an incredible listen 30 years on.
Gotan Project
3/5
Stylish and sets a mood - but I don't hear what sets it apart from the atmospheric sea of electronic chill-out world music of the late 90s /early 2000s (think Buddha Bar and Cafe del Mar compilations).
Duke Ellington
5/5
Love this album. Ellington really knew how to make use of his musicians' incredible talents. Diminuendo in Blue is just thrilling.
Booker T. & The MG's
4/5
Smooth, feel-good blues album.
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
4/5
Grows on me with multiple listens. Last 3 tracks are the best. Interesting choice for the list.
Incredible Bongo Band
4/5
Enjoyed this way more than expected - so funky! - and props for providing the samples to some great hip hop tracks.
Cornershop
3/5
This is 50-50 for me. Half of the songs I really like, the other half, not so much. I miss how many different types of music co-existed in the 90s compared to now.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
1/5
Having loved the funk jams of BSSM, this album is so very boring. I can't believe I endured the whole thing.
Leonard Cohen
5/5
The simplicity of the music is hypnotic and allows the poetry to reach deep into the soul.
Eurythmics
4/5
80s synth-pop made timeless by Lennox's incredible vocal talents.
Snoop Dogg
4/5
Can I have this album without the last 4 tracks, please?
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
Some good tracks that I appreciate more with subsequent listens (Rich, Date With the Night, Man, No No No), but I would argue the genre is better represented by other bands of the time - or maybe Karen O's 'beautiful mess' schtick just isn't for me.
Hanoi Rocks
2/5
Tooting Bec Wrecked is the highlight amidst a lot of cheesy schlager-rock party tunes.
The Flaming Lips
2/5
Atmospheric, but also twee and monotonous.
Björk
4/5
This fusion of house, ambient, trip-hop, jazz, bollywood and Björk's iconic vocals has been making me happy since 1993.
The Prodigy
4/5
I come back to this album less and less as I get older, but I can't deny that it still makes me want to wreck stuff or dance til I puke.
The Allman Brothers Band
2/5
They got skills but mostly, I felt nothing and will remember nothing (exception: In Memory of Elizabeth Reed).
Tears For Fears
3/5
This album has so many hallmarks of what I hated most about 80s pop (cheesy sax and electric guitar filler, plodding pace, repetitive). But, some catchy melodies and hooks, esp. Head Over Heels.
Tom Waits
3/5
Always down to drink and wallow with Tom Waits, but I'll save some stars for what I know is yet to come.
The Blue Nile
1/5
I could accept this more if it had just focussed on the soundscapes. But the droning, over-long vocals makes this hard to endure.
Van Morrison
5/5
Just beautiful.
Little Richard
4/5
I know all about Little Richard’s role in birthing rock n’ roll, but I was still surprised by how much I enjoyed the entire album - pure energy and fun. Also intrigued by the androgyny of some of the vocals.
CHIC
4/5
I dig the mid-tempo grooves on this album though nothing quite compares to Good Times.
Kings of Leon
4/5
Just a good garage rock album that gets better with each listen. Really like the bass on this album.
Talking Heads
5/5
Arty, experimental, funky, punky, neurotic and amazing.
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
3/5
An easy-to-listen-to collection of "old time gooders".
Muddy Waters
5/5
Immediately drawn in by his rich, commanding voice, and Otis Span’s piano work.
The Specials
3/5
I like the eerie undertones - Man at C&A, Pearl's Cafe, Stereotype, International Jet Set are the standout tracks.
Pulp
3/5
I like Pulp, but my fave tracks are on other albums. The songs are bright, witty and polished but tracks like Something's Changed and Underwear appeal to me more than the anthems.
Talk Talk
2/5
I respect what they attempted here with textures and moods but it drags and didn’t grab me, even after repeated listens. April 5th was the standout track.
Malcolm McLaren
1/5
So McLaren stole pre-existing music from black artists, claimed it as his own, then spoiled it with his annoying bleating and making it sound like parody. I'm sorry that this is how Brits were introduced to 'hip hop' - but that doesn't make this a must listen for anyone.
Peter Gabriel
5/5
Such a great vocal style and varied arrangements. Reaches an emotional depth that his contemporaries didn’t.
Green Day
3/5
It's fine. I dig the bass, I like the singles - rest of the album gets repetitive.
Queen
2/5
My 2 stars is for Killer Queen alone and bc I’d feel like a jerk giving a 1 when so many people seem to love this.
The Damned
5/5
There’s so much here to love musically, lyrically, creatively.
Violent Femmes
3/5
Impressive that these songs were written by a highschooler, and at the same time could only have been written by a highschooler.
Animal Collective
2/5
With effort, I could find something to enjoy in My Girls, Summertime Clothes and Bluish, but the rest was a chore that left me feeling stressed out.
Michael Jackson
5/5
I love the restraint of MJ’s vocals here compared to later stuff - beautiful. Perfect match for the funky/groovy/soulful brass, bass, guitar & percussion.
A Tribe Called Quest
5/5
Laid back, jazzy, fun, great use of samples.
Ramones
4/5
This is so dumb. What a treat.
Funkadelic
4/5
Funk with a big dose of strange, yet tamer than expected.
Wu-Tang Clan
4/5
Impressively diverse samples, beats and rhyme styles; minimalist and chaotic at the same time – it’s also harsh and violent, which limits how often I can listen to it.
Nirvana
2/5
Angsty.
Madonna
5/5
Indian Electronica Madonna is my favourite Madonna!
Paul Revere & The Raiders
2/5
There’s Always Tomorrow and Stepping Stone are the 2 decent songs. The rest is forgettable.
Run-D.M.C.
3/5
Run DMC, er...walked? so that Beastie Boys could run!
David Gray
3/5
The album we played when having friends around for late evening drinks. A bit bland but associated with some good memories.
Coldplay
4/5
The last good album before Coldplay started phoning it in. Warm, intimate, melodic.
Kings of Leon
1/5
Another one? Ok, Aha Shake Heartbreak was a pleasant surprise so maybe…uh…oh wow…this is super irritating and monotonous. Made multiple attempts to get through this album and I just can’t.
Bob Dylan
5/5
I only ever appreciated and enjoyed Dylan in small doses, but the story telling and introspection of this one kept me hooked to the end.
Screaming Trees
3/5
More variety and depth than I expected from a band I had written off as yet another grunge outfit.
The Cardigans
3/5
Warm and easy, with a bite behind the sweetness. Few pull off the cutesy girl voice as successfully as Nina Persson.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Musically enjoyable, yes, but they lean so hard into replicating American roots and blues that, at times, it comes across as caricature.
Red Snapper
2/5
I had never heard of this band before...and probably didn't need to. Some decent grooves here and there but nothing outstanding compared to other electronica albums released that year.
DJ Shadow
3/5
Cleverly crafted but surpassed by many of the artists and albums it helped spawn.
PJ Harvey
5/5
So good. Amazing vocals, great songwriting, dynamic arrangements, eclectic, rough, sensual.
Metallica
4/5
Yes, their earlier stuff is better - more varied, technically impressive, powerful- but this album introduced me to Metallica and it still rocks.
Run-D.M.C.
3/5
Simple by today’s metric but the beats and MC chemistry still stand apart. Jam-Master Jay and It’s Like That are the stand-out tracks.
Missy Elliott
3/5
The throwback angle doesn't always do it for me but I love Missy's delivery and charisma so even one of her lesser albums is still pretty good.
Blur
5/5
Captures a particular place and time yet still sounds current . Fun, great hooks, incredible range, stellar songwriting. This is a Low is 🤌
Ray Charles
4/5
This one is all about the voice for me. Great early morning or late night listen.
Cypress Hill
4/5
Who knew I liked gangsta rap? Not me. DJ Muggs stellar production and B Real's distinct sound won me over.
PJ Harvey
5/5
Intelligent and wonderfully crafted - the history, poetry, antiwar sentiment, unique take on folk music, the drastic change of her vocal and instrumental style. Truly special.
Pixies
3/5
Good, but not great. I’d add a few tracks to a playlist but would choose Doolittle or Surfa Rosa for a Pixies full album experience.
Sam Cooke
4/5
Infectious energy and joy. Sweaty, soulful and sweet.
LCD Soundsystem
4/5
The “electronic dance-punk” label guaranteed my attention and the album delivers. Fun and catchy, though some tracks too long.
The Verve
2/5
I think I liked this when it was first released- but now find it rather dull.
Nanci Griffith
3/5
Another reviewer expressed my thoughts perfectly: "Listening to this record makes me picture a group of middle-aged white women sitting out on camping chairs, sipping white wine, getting a little rowdy, getting a little sad."
The Thrills
1/5
Nothing noteworthy here apart from the horrible forced American accent.
Miriam Makeba
3/5
Such a gorgeous voice (and an impressive human to boot).
Sarah Vaughan
4/5
Starts and ends strong with SV’s rich and melodic voice and charming persona.
Jimmy Smith
3/5
Mostly laid back, not terribly exciting. Good background.
The National
4/5
I can’t resist a moody baritone. And I can hear the influence of some of my favourite bands…DM, The Smiths, etc
Carole King
5/5
A one of a kind singer-songwriter. This album gets the fivest of fives.
Stereolab
5/5
The kind of hypnotic soundscape I can lose myself in. Groovy layered loops and cool vocals make for an upbeat listen.
The Who
4/5
Not a great fan of the Who but I can’t deny the powerful performance and musicianship on display here.
Ms. Dynamite
2/5
Unremarkable arrangements and nasal quality of her voice made it hard to get through this album.
Judas Priest
2/5
Not sure what I expected from this but it’s basically cheesy rock with some laughably silly lyrics.
Isaac Hayes
3/5
Some funky tracks that are fun to listen to, but the album mostly feels long and monotonous - probably better appreciated with the visuals.
Paul Simon
3/5
This album was everywhere and caused a stir back in the day so I see why it’s on the list. But apart from 2 or 3 tracks, it doesn’t move me the way I had expected.
Marvin Gaye
4/5
Smooth vocals delivering a genuine and heartfelt message.
Pink Floyd
5/5
I can’t think of another album that musically conveys such powerful emotion and human experience even before the lyrics kick in.
Various Artists
4/5
Giving me this album on Dec. 25th guaranteed a good rating. I love Christmas!
Burning Spear
3/5
I was keen to receive the social justice messages but after the first few tracks, I couldn’t sustain my interest and the remaining songs were relegated to background music.
Dr. Dre
2/5
Distinct sound, but lyrically harsh without purpose.
Robert Wyatt
3/5
One of the more interesting discoveries on the list. Immersive and otherworldly but drags after the stellar Little Red Riding Hood Hit the Road.
The Young Gods
2/5
Listened to this at bedtime. Dreamt of murderous clowns.
Rage Against The Machine
4/5
Still relevant after 30+ years.
More from the era of British guys attempting blues. Surely fun for them, not so much for me.
Morrissey
2/5
I liked Morrissey’s early solo work but stopped listening to him in the mid 90s when the racist/nationalistic bullshit came to light. This album doesn’t do anything to win me back.
Fever Ray
4/5
Swedish electronic weirdness- love it!
Metallica
4/5
Incredible album - even for someone who doesn’t listen to metal. “The Thing That Should Not Be” is one of my faves.
Sheryl Crow
1/5
Who told this woman she could sing?
PJ Harvey
3/5
Not connecting with this one as much as some of her other albums but still mesmerized by everything she does.
Cat Stevens
5/5
Listened to this while on a plane and had to stop myself from singing out loud. Tender and timeless.
Tom Tom Club
4/5
I aspire to this level of weirdness and fun.
David Bowie
4/5
The songs with vocals are an easy 5. I’m not yet sure where I stand on the instrumental tracks.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
5/5
So much talent on one album. Loved nearly every track.
Jeff Buckley
1/5
Melodramatic and overwrought- which I don’t always object to - but this was borderline insufferable.
Queen
2/5
Eh…I don’t know, man. It’s a bit much.
Scissor Sisters
4/5
Still fun and uplifting.
The Police
3/5
The singles are the highlights, of course, but the rest of the album is surprisingly playful.
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
3/5
Abba Zaba will stay in my head for a while.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
2/5
This kind of psychedelic noodling is not for me, but an extra point for the sheer weirdness of it all.
The Psychedelic Furs
3/5
Pretty in Pink and Dumb Waiters are the stand out tracks.
R.E.M.
3/5
The End of the World and The One I Love are 5 star songs on a 3 star album.
Arctic Monkeys
4/5
Great performances on all fronts. Reeks of youth.
Cowboy Junkies
2/5
Misguided Angel and Sweet Jane are lovely. The rest is a bit croony and plodding for my taste.
Elton John
3/5
I'm torn. The four singles and two or three others are wonderful songs, the rest - which is a lot - is just ok. I don't see myself returning to listen to this album in its entirety but what's good here is really good.
Happy Mondays
5/5
Can only listen to this while groove stomping. My kind of party.
Oasis
2/5
I don't like Liam's voice or singing style. Never lived up to the hype for me.
New York Dolls
4/5
All energy and attitude.
Bob Dylan
4/5
I once dated an English major who was pretty far up his own ass; he wrote poetry bloated with every literary/ religious/mythological reference he could think of. Some of the acoustic tracks remind me of that guy. Electric half was a delight, however.
Frank Sinatra
4/5
I want to make pancakes to this music and spin around the kitchen . Great arrangements and smooth phrasing.
Derek & The Dominos
2/5
I really don’t have patience for this kind of thing.
Beatles
5/5
Varied, warm, moving, funny and profound.
Lucinda Williams
1/5
Made it halfway through song 6 - couldn’t take it any more. Awful voice, dull as dirt.
The Clash
3/5
Some catchy tunes but I found myself skipping through others.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
They’re not all killers but some fantastic tracks here.
Jorge Ben Jor
4/5
Funky samba! Loving the diverse instrumentation. After a long stretch of guitar dudes, I needed this.
Faust
2/5
I liked a couple of tracks but most just went on too long without getting anywhere.
Eminem
4/5
The content is dark and deranged (and at times wickedly funny), but if you take it as a work of fiction, the way he spins a tale is captivating - I couldn’t stop listening.
Frank Zappa
5/5
Spectacular! I have a new appreciation for Zappa as a musician and composer.
Prince
5/5
I’ve listened to this album so many times in my life. It’s amazing. Prince is amazing. That’s it.
Elliott Smith
2/5
Monotonous to the point that I tune out and can't be bothered to listen to what he's saying.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
Sad and intimate.
Guns N' Roses
3/5
The singles are ubiquitous for a reason.
The Beach Boys
2/5
Pleasant ballads but fairly forgettable.
Jungle Brothers
3/5
I was pretty excited by the first few tracks, but by the end of 60 minutes it had become somewhat tedious.
The Doors
5/5
Do I love rock organ? No. But what would The Doors be without it? Above all, I’m a sucker for that voice. *Swoon*
Jurassic 5
3/5
Enjoyable but lacking variation. Thin Line is the highlight track.
TV On The Radio
3/5
Varied soundscape makes this enjoyable but not super compelling.
Little Simz
4/5
Old school vibes with modern production, and rhymes that vary from angry to instrospective. One of the most exciting artists I've heard in a while.
Yes
2/5
🎸Beedly beedly beedly beedly beedly…sigh.
The Dandy Warhols
4/5
Love the vocals and wall-of-sound. Definitely sets a mood.
Goldfrapp
4/5
A long-time favourite. Dreamy and beautiful.
Steely Dan
2/5
At best, dentist office soft rock. At worst, East St. Louis Toodle-Oo.
Pet Shop Boys
4/5
Sophisticated and chill.
Motörhead
1/5
Sounds like a bootleg recording. I had a laugh skipping through tracks, hearing him anounce different titles to identical songs.
Dr. Octagon
4/5
Yes, the porny bits are off-putting and the lyrics are juvenile, but it SOUNDS so GOOD!
Aretha Franklin
5/5
Goosebumps.
Bee Gees
3/5
Melancholy and Beatlesque, it’s a lovely album - not essential - but lovely.
The Residents
4/5
A fascinating and entertaining 35 min. Like listening to a creepy cartoon.
Arcade Fire
3/5
Despite the grandiosity, it lacks the impact of Funeral.
Kate Bush
5/5
This isn’t even my favourite Kate Bush album but its beauty, intensity and originality place it far above many of the albums on this list.
Donald Fagen
1/5
I feel like I’ve just been on hold for 38 minutes.
Queen Latifah
2/5
QL is cool, but the arrangements here are goofy.
Stan Getz
3/5
Soothing, mellow and clean, but too restrained to be anything more than background music.
Deep Purple
3/5
Best appreciated leaning against a Trans Am, drinking Miller High Life.
Television
3/5
I can appreciate how this would have influenced the new wave and alt/indie bands that followed.
Ray Charles
4/5
Ray could sing a grocery list to me and I’d be enraptured. Last half of this album is gorgeous.
The Beta Band
4/5
Dreamy, experimental alt-pop. Lyrics are as silly as the cover art, but a great listening experience all the same.
Prince
5/5
Shirking my responsibilities to listen to an album I probably know better than any other album on this list. No regrets.
5/5
Never fails to blow my mind.
Beck
4/5
Few albums encapsulate 90s alternative music quite like this one. Carefree and catchy.
Led Zeppelin
2/5
I didn't expect to get bored listening to a Led Zeppelin album, but here we are.
Black Sabbath
4/5
When I was a teenager in the 80s, I think I overlooked a lot of bands because they didn't fit my aesthetic at the time. It seems that Black Sabbath was one of those bands. Great album.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
I like the music, but find MJ's exaggerated American accent grating. Wild Horses is the highlight track.
Tom Waits
4/5
Transports me to a time and place I've never really experienced, but am happy to belong to for a little while.
Common
2/5
Easy listening but ultimately disappointing. I expected jazzy “conscious” rap to be my thing, but the flow and delivery is monotonous and boring.
Public Enemy
5/5
As powerful and poignant now as it was then.
Cream
2/5
In one ear and out the other.
The Smiths
5/5
For all its lyrical melancholy and grim wit, few bands bring me more joy. Nobody plays guitar like Johnny Marr, nobody writes lyrics or sings like Morrissey. Truly one of the greatest bands ever and this is a perfect album.
Caetano Veloso
3/5
Subdued vocals against vibrant musical arrangements give sad-guy-at-a-party vibes.
Louis Prima
4/5
Warm, joyous and playful
Talking Heads
5/5
Fela inspired, punk/new-wave infused, and so much more - an innovative and timeless album.
Fairport Convention
1/5
Medieval fiddle-dee-di is not for me.
Britney Spears
2/5
I’ll admit, at times I can enjoy cheesy manufactured pop, but it’s still cheesy manufactured pop.
Cocteau Twins
5/5
I still get butterflies within seconds of hearing this album. Lush and dreamy perfection.
Songhoy Blues
3/5
Irganda was my fave track. Reminds me of Amadou & Miriam.
Dennis Wilson
3/5
River Song and Moonshine were the highlights. I can see this one growing on me over time.
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
Like being wrapped up in a big fluffy blanket.
Fun Lovin' Criminals
1/5
Some decent instrumentation, but not enough to save this from the lowest rating. The rap/rock is super cringey.
Doves
2/5
It’s fine, I guess. Just very, very bland.
The Fall
4/5
Bonkers.
Bob Dylan
3/5
Some poignant lyrics throughout, but the style and delivery is best in small doses.
XTC
4/5
Went into this only knowing Dear God, discovered an eclectic mix of tunes, ranging from cheery to existential. Captivating melodies and arrangements.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
3/5
The band that reminds me I'm not as alt as I'd like to be.
John Lennon
2/5
Jealous Guy is the highlight, otherwise rather underwhelming.
Simple Minds
2/5
A few decent singles, but doesn't leave much of an impression overall.
Elvis Presley
2/5
I was expecting an album of mature soulfulness a la Suspicious Minds but got hit with a wave of hokeyness instead.
Ananda Shankar
4/5
I was ready to write this off as a novelty album after hearing the cover tracks, but it turned out to be a very cool blend of Indian classical and psychedelia.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
The songs are all new to me, but of the Stones’ albums I’ve heard so far, I like this one best - it sounds like a party.
The White Stripes
5/5
Simple, powerful and varied. Jack White’s charismatic vocals and cool guitars get me every time.
The Jam
4/5
Melodic pop-punk
Lorde
3/5
I appreciate the ethereal electropop sound, but the vocal style wears. Green Light was the highlight.
Syd Barrett
2/5
Trying to figure out what exactly I'm supposed to be getting out of this.
Franz Ferdinand
5/5
Exuberant and infectious. Every track is single worthy.
Janet Jackson
3/5
I had this on cassette in 1989. A good pop album. The interludes are unnecessary but tracks like Rhythm Nation, Love Will Never Do, and Escapade help make up for it.
Ella Fitzgerald
4/5
These are really beautiful compositions, elevated by the amazing Ella Fitzgerald. I listened to the first 2 discs while baking and then had to get on with my day, but I will get back to the rest as time allows.
Gary Numan
3/5
It definitely belongs on the list thanks to its very distinct electronic sound and vocals, a lot of which I like - but it’s still a chore to listen to.
Todd Rundgren
3/5
The kind of thing my local hometown radio would play. Not a compliment exactly, but there is a charm and comfort to it.
4/5
Melodic guitar based rock with a beautiful soft side.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
Beautiful soulful funk. A must-listen alongside Talking Book and Songs In the Key of Life.
Ride
3/5
Nice, but overstays its welcome and doesn’t quite compare to other shoegaze faves.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
2/5
Some lovely arrangements, but rather monotonous and ultimately not particularly noteworthy.
Miles Davis
4/5
Cool, dark, and immersive. More than 50 years after recording, it still sounds cutting edge.
Leonard Cohen
3/5
By the third song in, I had entered a deep and instrospective state, only to be jolted out of it by Diamonds in the Mine - wtf? I do love Last Year's Man and Famous Blue Raincoat, but this is not my favourite Cohen album.
Dexys Midnight Runners
1/5
I don't even like the popular song by this band, so I knew my chances of enjoying a whole DMR album was slim. But this album seems to go out its way to be bad, with lousy vocals and nothing arrangements.
Dire Straits
3/5
I like the mellow vibe of this, and Sultans of Swing is a classic.
Nas
4/5
Nas’ jazzy beats and smooth rhymes won my love back in ‘94.
King Crimson
3/5
The influence this album had on the prog giants that followed is clear. On the whole, not quite my thing, but 21st Century Schizoid Man is pretty cool.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
Cynical pop loaded with catchy melodies.
Neil Young
4/5
Simple, spare melodies and moving lyrics - just a beautiful album.
Van Halen
3/5
This might as well be a David Lee Roth album. Songs like Hot for Teacher and Panama wouldn't be nearly so appealing in other, less showy, hands.
Steve Earle
1/5
If I were walking around a small town country fair, maybe I'd find this mildly charming? But I'm not, so I don't. Could't get past the halfway mark.
The Smashing Pumpkins
4/5
Wavering between raw drum & guitar driven rock and dreamy ballads, there's more than enough variety and nostalgia to keep my little alt heart aflutter.
The Libertines
3/5
I won't remember anything from this album an hour from now, but while listening, I bopped my head along and was in a pretty good mood.
Kanye West
3/5
That dark electro-industrial sound is pretty great. Too bad Ye is such an asshat.
The Magnetic Fields
1/5
I got nearly an hour in before deciding this doesn’t deserve my time.
Al Green
4/5
It’s hard to top the title track, but overall, a smooth, soulful and sexy little album.
Sex Pistols
2/5
I really hate this band, and hate that they became the poster boys for punk. There is so much better out there.
The Monks
3/5
An odd little gem on the list.
MGMT
4/5
Alt-electro-pop yeah! This one passed me by in 2007, but loving it in 2025.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
How does an album of murder ballads end up sounding so silly?
OutKast
3/5
I think this is one I'll have to come back to. Hits and misses, but I do appreciate the eclectic and experimental nature of it all.
The Velvet Underground
4/5
Varies between dark and dirty, and heartfelt and seductive. And I like Nico's singing voice.
Dusty Springfield
3/5
Her voice really shines when showcasing the songs of Bacharach & David.
Wilco
3/5
It's pleasant enough and I don't dislike it, but I also don't know why it's here.
Cee Lo Green
2/5
It's no Gnarls Barkley...
Fleetwood Mac
2/5
For a band that gets so much hype, this was unbelievably dull.
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
Raw and powerful with some beautiful ballads. I don't know enough to appreciate the technical prowess, but I feel it.
Traffic
3/5
Some kind of folk-rock fusion. Not bad.
Billy Bragg
2/5
No charm to this at all. I'd rather listen to Woody Guthrie.
The Doors
4/5
First half of the album, in particular, has some stellar tracks (Roadhouse Blues, Peace Frog).
Leftfield
4/5
I love this era of electronic music and this album definitely belongs on the list. Every bit of it is infused with joy.
Morrissey
4/5
Everyday is Like Sunday and Suedehead are objectively top tier songs, the rest of the album is just for people who like Morrissey's vocal style (I'm one of those people).
Radiohead
3/5
The accolades are excessive, but I’m hardly one to hate on experimental or electronic music.
Butthole Surfers
4/5
Chaotic and absurd and creative -I really like it.
The Black Crowes
2/5
Decent cover band?
Pixies
4/5
8/15 songs knock my socks off, the rest make me smile contentedly.
Elton John
3/5
Started off pleasant enough, the rest drifted into the background until I was jolted to alertness by the lyrics to that Indian Sunset song -yikes!
Grant Lee Buffalo
1/5
Awful. Dull. Boring. Unengaging. Snoozefest. Blah.
Duran Duran
5/5
The best of new wave. Funky bass, catchy vocals and dripping with style.
B.B. King
4/5
Great performances by King and his band.
The Zombies
5/5
Super lovely. Catchy melodies, dreamy harmonies, great bass and piano work - beautiful without being saccharine.
The Black Keys
2/5
I perked up at Ten Cent Pistol but I can't see what sets this apart from other (and better, imo) blues-rock acts. Vocals are particularly dull.
The Cure
4/5
A sound and aesthetic like no other. I have to be in a very particular mood to appreciate this album from start to finish, but Play for Today, In Your House, and A Forest always hit.
Supergrass
4/5
It's a familiar style, but has a bounce and playfulness that I can't resist.
Bobby Womack
3/5
So Many Sides Of You and Just My Imagination are the highlights. The rest suffers a bit from, you know, the 80s. I'd have gone with George Benson's Breezin' from just a few years earlier.
TLC
2/5
Waterfalls is a song for the ages, but I did not connect with any other track on this album.
Iron Maiden
3/5
The drama of it all is very entertaining.
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
2/5
I recognize that the British Blues Boom of the 60s was a cultural phenomenon, but it's not one I care for and I think it's over-represented on this list. Having said that, this album is a worthwhile entry. I especially liked the horn section - interesting to learn that it was only added post-production.
The Bees
3/5
Sets the right mood on a sunny day.
Orbital
4/5
I was so happy to revisit this one. Some of the best of techno and definitely a full album experience.
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
It's funky and mellow but only 2 or 3 tracks stand out to me.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
5/5
Beautiful and heartbreaking. You need to allow yourself to be pulled into a place of sadness and instrospection for this one.
Janelle Monáe
4/5
Such a great voice and style. Album is varied, yet cohesive. Love it.
Meat Loaf
4/5
Someone described this as an album for theatre kids and I couldn’t agree more. This was our pre-show singalong choice in 1989.
The Rolling Stones
2/5
I'm starting to wish "Best Of" albums were allowed in this project so that I could listen to just one Stones album instead of six.
Laibach
2/5
I can't take this very seriously, but it is more listenable than expected. FIAT and Trans-National have some good industrial drive.
The Beach Boys
4/5
I really like the sombre, laid-back sound. Discovering how The Beach Boys evolved beyond surf rock has been a highlight of the project for me.
Dolly Parton
3/5
Lovely voice and storytelling. Dolly's charm comes through on every song.
Dinosaur Jr.
2/5
Noise can be invigorating or overwhelming - this is the latter. Exhausting, monotonous and unpleasant.
ZZ Top
3/5
Best appreciated standing around the barbecue.
Kanye West
3/5
An album that makes me appreciate the value of production. A very strong first half.
Nina Simone
4/5
Good Lord, I feel everything through this woman's voice.
Big Star
3/5
A pleasant surprise - I can definitely hear the influence of this band on some alt rock bands of the 80s/90s. I might rate this higher after a few more listens.
Ryan Adams
2/5
"eyes-closed busker’s vocal affectations" about sums up my thoughts. Pretty unremarkable stuff.
The Band
4/5
This kind of country rock is not my genre of music at all, but...this album is good. Great musicianship and songwriting that all feels very genuine.
Kelela
3/5
Nice voice and good use of bass and dubstep, but not much variation between tracks.
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
2/5
Whatever psychedelic, world music thing he's trying to evoke is instantly spoiled by his vocals. A bit too Duck Rock adjacent.
Parliament
5/5
"Funk not only moves, it can re-move, dig?" It's good for what ails you.
The Replacements
3/5
Enjoyed the lyrics on this one. “Androgynous” was the highlight.
Buzzcocks
4/5
More dumb, fun punk? I’ll take it, thanks.
Miles Davis
5/5
I can listen to this album anytime, anywhere.
Patti Smith
5/5
Wow, this album really did spawn many of the artists I adore, from The Smiths to PJ Harvey and beyond. The poetry and phrasing are utterly captivating.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
4/5
Synth-fuelled indie groves and dance-floor beats along with some lovely ballads.
Small Faces
3/5
First half enjoyable psychedelia; second half narration kills the momentum but the zaniness kept me listening.
Bob Dylan
3/5
Musically, not my style. Lyrics are engaging, of course, but it's a lot to take in in one sitting.
Dion
1/5
Flat, dull and dreary.
The White Stripes
4/5
I still dig the raw, low-fi aesthetic and the expressiveness of Jack White's voice. Fun and fearless.
Beatles
3/5
I appreciate the distinctive jangly guitar and harmonies. Lots of catchy and familiar songs, but not something I would choose to listen to these days. 'I'll Be Back' was my fave track.
Black Sabbath
4/5
As great as everyone says it is.
John Prine
3/5
I really like the anti-war sentiment and the lyrics in general, but musically a bit samey. 'Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore' and 'Angel from Montgomery" are the highlights for me.
Jean-Michel Jarre
3/5
Do I like space music? Maybe? Yes. I like space music. Warm and symphonic.
Santana
4/5
I love this album best at night - so mysterious and other-worldly.
Beck
3/5
It's wonderfully melancholy for when you're in the mood, but sad Beck sounds surprisingly ordinary.
The Isley Brothers
3/5
Smooth, funky grooves. Highlights: "That Lady", "You Walk Your Way", and "The Highways of My Life".
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Oh wow, I can rock out AND bliss out to this one - varied, passionate, my fave LZ so far. "Tangerine" gives me goosebumps.
The Band
4/5
So much heart and soul in every song.
10cc
2/5
Maybe trying too hard to be clever? Overproduced? Not my style of humour or sound.
Brian Eno
3/5
I like elements of many of the songs, but not all songs work as a whole for me. Still, it was a kick to hear sounds and styles that would carry into his production work.
Adele
2/5
I really want to rate this higher to show appreciation for Adele's exceptional voice, but the formulaic adult contemporary vibe is not for me - though I'm pretty sure I'm the target audience for this kind of thing!
Bill Callahan
3/5
A soothing, rich barritone voice and undemanding listen.
Pixies
4/5
The fun kind of noise! Vocals, guitar, bass, song structure, lyrics were all so different at the time and remain distinct from everyone who tried to follow in their footsteps.
Soft Machine
3/5
Appreciate the jazz elements more than the prog rock ones; overall, with time and patience, a cool listen.
2/5
"Overblown" is right. The grandiosity doesn't let up once. It's a lot.
The Teardrop Explodes
2/5
Everything about this album is ridiculous, from the affected vocals, silly lyrics and beepboop arrangements to the lame album art. I don't hate it, but definitely a product of its time.
Napalm Death
2/5
Imagining Cookie Monster fronting a grindcore band was entertaining. Unlikely that I'll return to this, but still grateful to hear something truly different on the list.
Arcade Fire
2/5
Well that was disappointing. Doesn't hold a candle to their first two albums and not needed on this list.
Lightning Bolt
1/5
Couldn't do it. By track 4 I had such a heaviness in my chest - couldn't tell if it was inducing a heart attack or panic attack. Didn't stick around to find out.
Black Sabbath
3/5
Perfectly listenable, but doesn't reach the heights of the first two albums. "Changes" is lovely, of course.
Soul II Soul
3/5
This was cutting edge stuff back in the day, and influential on 90s dance pop. Sure it has some dated elements, but still uplifting.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
More subdued and sentimental than the albums that came immediately before and after, but still a great listen.
JAY Z
2/5
The bombast and ego get tiring quickly, especially against the super slick production. Not my favourite era of hip hop.
AC/DC
2/5
It's mind-boggling how famous this band got by just repeatedly shouting the title of the song over some basic power chords.
Linkin Park
2/5
Very Limp Bizkit-esque and so self-serious. The nu-metal/rap hybrid makes me wince at times.
Q-Tip
4/5
Smooth, laid back grooves with a touch of 70s vibe.
Kraftwerk
3/5
”Ja ja ja. Mach schnell mit die Art things. I must get back to Dancecentrum in Stuttgart in time to see Kraftwerk” - Baron von Herzenberger
A legacy pick for sure, but a bit too minimalistic for me to return to.
The Who
3/5
I respect the endeavour, but not something I would return to.
The Clash
3/5
It's a bouncy step forward for 70s rock, but never really hit me as punk. Overall, enjoyable, yet ever so slightly disappointing.
Queen
2/5
I appreciate the hits, but Queen is not my jam.
Alanis Morissette
4/5
I appreciate her warts-and-all approach to songwriting, and willingness to put it all out there. So many catchy songs too!
The Adverts
2/5
Listening to this right after The Clash and Wire...it's ok, but far from the best example of the genre.
David Crosby
3/5
Soothing hippy-dippy folk with some impressive harmonies. Makes me wish I were high around a campfire.
Leonard Cohen
5/5
These meditations on love, religion, life and death confirm Cohen as a master singer/songwriter/poet. Goosebumps from start to finish.
Beatles
4/5
Many great songs and creative arrangements, but quite a lot of dumb stuff too.
Scritti Politti
2/5
I mean, it's inoffensive but... seriously? listworthy? I don't think so.
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
3/5
Cross between Public Enemy and Gil Scott-Heron, but not as impactful or enjoyable. Yes to the socio-political rhymes, but the delivery and production are lacking.
Neil Young
4/5
The guitars are fantastic. The orchestral tracks are stunning. The lyrics are captivating.
John Coltrane
4/5
A singular listening experience, even for someone who doesn't love saxophone.
Haircut 100
3/5
More Joe Jackson than Duran Duran - I like it. Upbeat and good instrumentation.
X-Ray Spex
4/5
Girl punk, kooky sax - super fun and stands apart from other punk acts of the time.
ZZ Top
2/5
Sharp Dressed Man is the highlight on an otherwise standard 80s rock album.
Blue Cheer
3/5
I enjoy fuzzy guitar and raw production as much as the next gal, but I just hear a band influenced by Hendrix, Cream, etc. and not really innovating anything further.
The Soft Boys
3/5
It's a nice bit of alt-psychedelia that probably came out 10 years too early. Insanely Jealous of You was the highlight track.
Public Enemy
5/5
Musically and lyrically intense and relentless, but never overwhelming thanks to the commanding Chuck D. Timeless masterpiece.
Madonna
4/5
This album has some of Madonna’s greatest singles (out of a long list of amazing singles). Queen of Pop, for real.
Dexys Midnight Runners
3/5
I liked this more than I thought I would. I don't like Come on Eileen, Rowland's strangled singing or Celtic fiddle, but the horns and other string arrangements make for some enjoyable tracks.
R.E.M.
3/5
Songs are fine, but I'm not a fan of Stipe's voice.
Muddy Waters
4/5
If anyone wants to hear quintessential blues, this is it. Energizing and masterful.
Calexico
2/5
I like the idea of it, but ultimately found it dull- the songs never really go anywhere.
Bauhaus
2/5
Quirky early goth - interesting, but not something I can really get into.
The Velvet Underground
3/5
Mellow and restrained. Not amazing, but pleasant.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
3/5
Interesting snapshot of a different time and culture. Some catchy tunes but I could do with a shorter run time and less chitter chatter.
Nirvana
4/5
I can't get too deep about this one, but it sure does sound good loud.
Steve Winwood
1/5
Generic nothingness like this should not be on the list.
The Temptations
5/5
Funky, soulful and poignant. No skips.
Elvis Costello
3/5
Personal and political angst wrapped in a classic 50s rock & roll package.
David Bowie
4/5
The vocals and arrangements never fail to make me feel some kind of way.
Yes
2/5
Minute 2:07 to 5:36 on South Side of the Sky, the bass on Long Distance Runaround, and The Fish bump the rating to a 2. I'm trying y'all.
Supertramp
2/5
I feel that prog rock is so much effort (musically) for such little payoff (in terms of spark and feeling). This is album is no exception.
Marilyn Manson
3/5
I wouldn't want to touch anything they've touched, but it is a decent concept album, even if it drags here and there.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
Good punky pop, and very clear the influence both EC and The Attractions had on new wave and indie acts that followed.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
After weeks of starting and re-starting, I finally got through this epic double album. End result: it's very good. After the aggressive bluesy first half, I was ready for the pretty, folksy second half. Still think it could have been two separate albums, though.
Def Leppard
2/5
I wonder what montages they envisioned while recording...super hokey.
Elvis Presley
3/5
It's what I expect from Elvis. I don't know if I truly 'like' it, but there is a comfort in its familiarity.
Depeche Mode
5/5
One of my all-time faves. Layered, brooding, dramatic - I love it as much at 50 as I did at 15.
Marvin Gaye
3/5
A tale of divorce set to mid-tempo funk and soul. I like it.
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
Top-tier songwriting, full of beauty and meaning.
Talking Heads
4/5
Not my favourite Talking Heads album, but still my flavour of weird.
Willie Nelson
3/5
His renditions here are charming, but a bit more sentimental than I would listen to on the regular.
Throbbing Gristle
2/5
Confusing, but not the worst thing on this list.
John Lennon
2/5
As someone noted, this is "barely ok". Dull and unconvincing.
Soundgarden
3/5
3 or 4 really good tracks, but the rest is fairly nondescript. I say that as someone who really likes Chris Cornell's voice.
Giant Sand
2/5
The indie sound is there, albeit basic. I've known too many guys with bands that sound like this. The 'aren't-you-lucky-I-got-out-of-bed-to-mumble-sing-to-you' vibe is tiring.
The Cure
5/5
Distorted guitars and synths, pulsing drums & Smith’s wailing vocals converge to evoke feelings of fear and despair. Not a casual listen, but a worthy one.
Wire
3/5
Like the overall energy, especially from Surgeon's Girl onward.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
2/5
Pretty basic bar-room american rock. Full Moon Fever would have been a better choice.
GZA
3/5
Chill and hypnotic.
Dolly Parton
2/5
Such pretty voices, but those women are capable of so much more than sad crooning.
Johnny Cash
4/5
First half of the album had me in tears. Such moving lyrics in Cash’s seasoned hands imbues them with a different depth and meaning.
Randy Newman
3/5
So much of this album is just “You Got A Friend In Me” at slightly different tempos.
Kendrick Lamar
4/5
Chill, groovy and gritty; lyrical metric like no other.
The Boo Radleys
5/5
I've loved this album for a long time. It's sweet and melodic with the shoegaze and psych elements I adore. Arrangements are complex and varied, yet cohesive.
U2
4/5
In my mind, U2's best album. Layered and textured, memorable hooks and melodies. Warm despite the electronic turn.
Taylor Swift
2/5
A few catchy melodies, but so formulaic and entirely uninteresting to me.
Mekons
2/5
Flimsy bar band nonsense. Presumably better after a few drinks?
The Smashing Pumpkins
5/5
One of the best rock albums out there. Lush and exhilerating.
Blondie
4/5
Playful and poppy with punk and new wave roots. I want to be as effortlessly cool and sexy as Debbie Harry in my next life.
The Darkness
2/5
Little more than a one-hit wonder.
Alice Cooper
3/5
Theatrical american rock, with some unexpected instrumental elements and arrangements.
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
3/5
Hokey, but easy and accessible.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
What Is and What Should Never Be is the highlight.
Fugazi
3/5
Instrumentals are good, but the vocals are off putting and tiring.
Pink Floyd
4/5
A good one for wallowing in existential dread and despair.
Billy Joel
3/5
It's a bit basic and sentimental but if I think of it solely as a broadway soundtrack, it's quite enjoyable.
Eagles
1/5
So bland and devoid of any feeling, it actually made me angry.
CHIC
4/5
I was in a bad mood when I started playing this and now I'm not. Groovy bass lines, cool vibes - the best of disco funk.
The War On Drugs
2/5
Yep, sounds like Don Henley. Did we need another? It's fine, but very little variation between tracks.
Aretha Franklin
4/5
One of the greatest voices ever. A moving listen from start to finish.
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
3/5
An eclectic collection of instrumental pieces. "The Sound Of Someone You Love Who's Going Away and It Doesn't Matter" is the highlight.
Radiohead
4/5
Instropective and sad, so not one I return to often. Having said that, "Just" and "My Iron Lung" are probably my favourite Radiohead songs.
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
2/5
Sleazy and silly. Not the worst, but not for me.
M.I.A.
3/5
Chaotic, bold, catchy, and always interesting.
4/5
Delightfully weird and uplifting.
The Pogues
2/5
My tolerance for Irish folk music is about half a song.
The La's
2/5
Forgettable 90s alt-rock.
Morrissey
3/5
Some lovely ballads in the first half.
Count Basie & His Orchestra
4/5
Lush and vibrant. Made for a toe-tapping Sunday night.
The Byrds
2/5
Plodding.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
4/5
Perfect fusion of post-punk and goth rock. Amazing bass, drums and guitar and singular vocals.
Slipknot
2/5
I know nothing about the genre, but it was surprisingly accessible and the drumming impressive. Not something I would revisit, but I don't hate it.
A Tribe Called Quest
4/5
Funky, jazzy, smooth. Some of the best of hip hop.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
Meatloaf without the fun.
Terence Trent D'Arby
3/5
He’s talented, no doubt, but the album is all over the place. Not quite as funky, emotional, sexy, or cool as his contemporaries.
Bruce Springsteen
2/5
I appreciate the message, but it's so big and boisterous all the time, it's hard to endure. I'm on Fire and My Hometown are exceptions.
Buena Vista Social Club
3/5
A lovely album, and important for introducing this form of Cuban music to a wider audience; a bit soporific after a while.
a-ha
2/5
There's a reason I've only ever heard of two songs on this album, and even they aren't enough to redeem the other 8 tracks. Dull.
Thundercat
4/5
Jazzy, mellow and weird (in a good way).
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
I get why people dig this band, but it's not my thing. "Long as I Can See the Light" is the highlight.
George Jones
3/5
Soothing voice. There's a churchy sound to the album.
Public Enemy
3/5
Still dig the message, but it's missing some of the artistry of the previous two in terms of songcraft and delivery.
Grateful Dead
5/5
Such a smooth album. Beautiful and breezy.
Baaba Maal
3/5
Pleasant and atmospheric background music, but not enough variation within or between songs to be more than that.
Hugh Masekela
4/5
Tracks waver between energetic and serene, but groovy throughout. Fantastic horn, piano and bass.
The Specials
4/5
Fun and joy for bleak times.
Sly & The Family Stone
5/5
World-weary, jazzy funk. One of the greatest albums.
Travis
3/5
This a comfort album for me. Heartfelt jangly guitar pop. Yes, it's heavily indebted to Radiohead for its style and sound, but much less intense.
Jeru The Damaja
3/5
I'm always going to have a soft spot for 90s NYC hip hop. I still roll my eyes at the misogyny (that's not really misogyny, apparently?), but overall, a fab listen.
Fleet Foxes
3/5
Pleasant listen, but nothing mind blowing. This era of highly produced indie-folk always feels a bit insincere.
The Killers
3/5
Overall enjoyable, with some catchy tracks, but also a lot of filler and moments where you feel they are forcing themselves into a particular sound.
Ian Dury
1/5
Awful. I dislike everything about this.
Tortoise
2/5
Well, someone had fun plinking away on the keyboard and playing with the settings. Doesn't add up to something particularly listenable in the end, unfortunately. Last track is an exception.
Peter Gabriel
3/5
Most of this album was new to me and a surprise. Really appreciate the experimental nature of it - a lot of cool stuff going on. Not all of it is for me, but most of it is.
Amy Winehouse
4/5
Captures that Motown-style soul, but modern musical influences, confessional lyrics and real emotion prevent this from being merely a throwback.
Fleetwood Mac
3/5
It's the quintessential easy-listening album :\
Suede
3/5
Not necessarily the band I'll seek out when I'm in a Britpop mood, but enjoyable.
Tim Buckley
2/5
Ren fair vibes. Not something I would revisit.
Spiritualized
3/5
If you like to fall asleep to music, try this.
Pulp
5/5
Of all of Bowie's musical offspring, Pulp is probably the best. My fave Pulp album.
The Electric Prunes
2/5
First track (I Had to Much to Dream) was promising but what followed was a snoozefest.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
3/5
Accessible and catchy, it’s good but doesn’t command my undivided attention.
Sinead O'Connor
4/5
I had forgotten how many good songs are on this album. All these years later, no one sounds like Sinead.
Richard Thompson
2/5
It’s a step up from Fairport Convention, but I could only picture the cast of A Mighty Wind while listening.
Common
3/5
Overall vibe is alright but doesn’t compare to his contemporaries (D’Angelo, Nas, Mos Def, Erykah Badu, etc.)
Foo Fighters
2/5
It’s...consistent?...but rather mundane after the first 4 tracks.
UB40
3/5
Great instrumentals and overall vibe. I liked this so much more than I thought I would. Not a Red Red Wine in sight - whew!
Suede
3/5
A bit duller than I remember it. Animal Nitrate is the highlight track.
Wild Beasts
3/5
Arty and atmospheric.
Pere Ubu
4/5
A groovy, zany collage of sound. Fantastic.
Circle Jerks
4/5
I have the humour and attention span of a 12 year old boy, so this is top notch.
Baaba Maal
2/5
I understand this was his ‘breakthrough’ album but Firin’ in Fouta and Nomad Soul are much more interesting to listen to.
Green Day
3/5
Quality arena rock.
Alice In Chains
2/5
In the sea of grunge, Alice in Chains stands out, but I can only take a few songs at a time as it’s just too much of the same.
Mott The Hoople
3/5
A few fun tracks in the first half of the album, though the adoption of Bowie’s style is a bit too on the nose. Last half drags.
The B-52's
4/5
I was 5 in 1979. My much older cousin had this album and would let me sit with her giant headphones and listen to this on repeat. As captivating and cool to me at 50 as it was at 5.
Turbonegro
2/5
"Rendezvous with anus", indeed!
OutKast
3/5
Musically, I enjoy this but it is a bit bloated with interludes and filler tracks.
Antony and the Johnsons
4/5
I am genuinely surprised to see the negativity towards this album. It’s full of genuine emotion, story and beauty and stands apart from so much mediocrity on this list.
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
Some amazing tracks and unexpected moments, but not always an easy album to get through.
Elis Regina
3/5
I'm pretty indifferent when it comes to samba, but the jazzy elements and her singing style - beautiful and controlled without being overly sentimental - sets this apart.
Scott Walker
4/5
My first time listening to this album and I love it. Keep your Buckleys and Wainwrights and give me Walker's rich romantic voice and captivating compositions.
Crowded House
3/5
Fall at Your Feet and Weather With You are the highlights on a pleasant but middling album.
The Everly Brothers
2/5
I know it was 1960 and all, but surely there were better, less schmaltzy albums from that time?
Primal Scream
4/5
Feel-good early 90s nostalgia.
G. Love & Special Sauce
2/5
I don't mind the style, but it's hella tedious after the first 2 or 3 tracks.
Le Tigre
3/5
Fun feminist dance-punk
Rufus Wainwright
2/5
Piano-heavy singer-songwriter, I should like it so much more, but the long-drawn out singing style makes me nuts.
The Kinks
2/5
I realize this is the precursor to Blur et al. Apart from that, it's neither offensive nor noteworthy.
The Roots
2/5
I like the bande enough, but Black Thought is tiring after a while.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
So many stellar songs on this album. Despite its length, it's never boring thanks to incredible musicianship and diversity of styles.
The Rolling Stones
2/5
There are six Rolling Stones albums on the list. Could have done without this one.
Kate Bush
5/5
Avant-garde, theatrical, warm, melodic, inspiring.
Leonard Cohen
4/5
I love the romance, wit and despair of the lyrics and vocals, but my god that synth and chorus is painful. Still, I'm enticed by most everything this man does.
k.d. lang
3/5
I love the warmth and clarity of her voice, but not a fan of successive sustained notes.
Einstürzende Neubauten
2/5
This is a hard one to rate. On the one hand, I appreciate the experimental nature, the successful creation of a dystopian soundscape, and the influence it had on later electronic/industrial bands I like. On the other hand, it is brutal and I never want to hear it again. The latter half of the album is easier to listen to than the first.
The Stooges
2/5
Dirt is the most interesting track here.
Slint
2/5
Music by and for people who aren't doing so great.
The xx
3/5
Warm and mellow indie. Nothing special, but I liked it.
The Byrds
3/5
I appreciate that jangly guitar and folk rock generally, but I prefer to listen to the bands they influenced.
Cyndi Lauper
4/5
A fine pop album and the music videos are burned into my brain.
Harry Nilsson
3/5
Oh! This is THAT guy. Nice.
Following Without You with Coconut is hillarious.
The The
3/5
I'm a big fan of Matt Johnson. While I like the bleak, tense feeling of Infected (Heartland is a particularly great track), it's not my favourite TheThe album.