Favorite tracks: She's The One, London Belongs To Me This is probably a 3.5, but I'm bumping it to 4 stars because I vibed so well with it today - Christmas Eve, chilling out, drinking coffee and working on a jigsaw puzzle. Heck yeah.

I just don't really care for music like this. Layla definitely feels like the standout track; the others felt a bit meandering and self-indulgent.

So much energy and talent here. Everyday People is just one of the best songs ever. Soul Clappin' II is a new favorite now too.

Really liked about half the songs on here (and moderately liked the others, though some were too slow for my tastes). Probably 3 1/2 stars? Paul Simon's solo material speaks to me a bit more.

New favorite: "The Wild One, Forever" What a good musician. Loved this. 4 1/2 stars.

I liked Caravan and Come Running. Most of the songs felt a little too long, maybe a little samey. But overall I enjoyed it more than I expected. 2 1/2 stars.

Y'know, I've never really liked or gotten into Metallica, but this one was alright. Some corny lyrics, but I respect that they were talented and went pretty hard. Solid 3 stars.

Overall I think this is a really cool project. Musically, it's not necessarily something I'd reach for, but I'm not sure that was the intent? 3 stars.

I usually like music like this, but I found I preferred the samples to the interpolations. Verses felt a little too long. Paper Planes was the only one I really wanted to hit "repeat" on. 2.5 stars?

<Gordon Ramsay voice> Finally, some good fucking music. Nick Cave is cool as hell, and regrettably I only know random songs here and there, so listening to this full album was a treat. I love music that has this kind of energy to it. Moody but assertive. I found this a very captivating record both musically and lyrically. The songs felt distinct, exploring different genres and tempos and themes, yet it made sense that they were grouped together into an album. Again, I just love stuff like this. I already knew (and love) "There She Goes, My Beautiful World," but man that song ripsssss. Other favorites: Get Ready for Love, Nature Boy, Abattoir Blues, The Lyre of Orpheus, and Breathless.

I hadn't heard of David Holmes, which is neat, because I've been wanting to get into this genre and was expecting this list to basically be 1,001 classic rock albums. I got really into Fred again... last year (or the year before?) when his Boiler Room set got big, and I loved Porter Robinson's latest album. Are those reasonable comparisons? I'm an electronic newbie! Anyway, I like this and will be adding it to my collection. It does feel very ~of its time~, but I also love the 90s NYC aesthetic so that's not a problem for me! 3 stars.

Revoke my cred - this is my first time listening to Jeff Buckley!! And I gotta say, this rocked way harder than I expected. I always had the impression that this was slow, folky music. But Buckley has a phenomenal, transcendent rock voice, which elevates and sells every song. I've never loved his version of Hallelujah, but within the context of this album, I feel like I get it now. It feels almost jarringly blunt after several jazzy, wailing kinda tunes. I feel like I'm just saying a lot of adjectives now, so I'll close by saying I'm excited to continue listening to this one, because I think there's a lot more to unravel. 4 stars.

I mean... it's Prince. One of the best to ever do it. Favorite track: I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man. But I really dig most of these. What I especially love about this is that a lot of the songs feel fairly normal at surface level, but there's always something crazy going on with the instrumentation or lyrics or Prince's delivery that really takes everything to the next level. Even the horny songs (and there are a lot of horny songs) are just, like, so good. I want to throw a party just to play this. Doesn't it feel like perfect party music? Hell yeah, Prince. 4 1/2 stars.

Favorites: All I Want Is You, Bitter Sweet, Casanova This was released in 1974?! Feels pretty dang innovative. I've heard a lot about Roxy Music but hadn't listened until now. I see the influence, I see the creativity. I think this is a good album, but not as many songs stood out as I had hoped. Going to stick with 3 stars here. Kudos to the album art, though, for making me act all dodgy while listening at work. 🙃

Favorite tracks: Hungry Freaks, Daddy; Go Cry On Someone Else's Shoulder; Motherly Love; Wowie Zowie; Trouble Every Day; Help, I'm A Rock; It Can't Happen Here. I really needed this energy today, the day after Election Day. I've never listened to Frank Zappa before; he did a bit with Mike Nesmith/The Monkees once, so I had a positive impression going into this. I thought it'd be a lot harder to get into, but I found the songs juuust complex/weird enough while still maintaining their artistry. Idk, I think I have a fairly high tolerance for this specific kind of noodling! I'm glad this exists, and I'm glad I listened to it. I'll enjoy adding it to my collection. 4 1/2 stars.

Favorite tracks: Respect, I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You), Dr. Feelgood, Save Me. Aretha's voice is so good, so engaging. The songs sort of blended together for me, but I did enjoy listening to this. I wish more songs captured the magic and energy of Respect. 3 stars.

Favorite tracks: Pop Song 89, You Are The Everything, Stand, The Wrong Child, Hairshirt, Untitled. Lyrically stunning, musically right up my alley. Michael Stipe's voice just does something to me. 4 1/2 stars.

Favorites: Welcome to the Jungle, Out ta Get Me, Sweet Child O' Mine, My Michelle, You're Crazy Kinda liked this as a change of pace. Not sure I'd reach for it on my own. Axl Rose's vocalizations are a hoot; he really goes all out! I mean, it's an energetic album, you gotta give it that. The songs I liked best were the ones that made me laugh a lil bit (except for Sweet Child O' Mine, which I've always had a soft spot for). 3 stars.

This was a perfect fit for a cool November day. Love the lyrics, her voice, and the overall vibe. I'll have to take more time with this; the tracks that stood out the most were the first and last ones. Oh, and Elvis Presley Blues. 3 1/2 stars.

Favorite tracks: All I Want, Carey, California, This Flight Tonight I just haven't quite heard anything else like this. There's so much personality in the way she sings. I think this album has a reputation for being a downer, but some of the songs are genuinely fun. Life is sad AND fun, y'know? 4 stars.

I have a high tolerance for stuff like this, but it was just so corny. Wanted more razzle dazzle. I didn't find it offensive, and I really loved Nine Pound Hammer, but I won't be picking the album up again. 2.5 stars.

Favorite tracks: Cover Me, I'm On Fire, I'm Goin' Down, Glory Days. I haven't listened to Bruce, aside from the hits. I liked this wayyy more than I expected to, and I liked it even more on repeat listens. The only song I didn't like was Darlington County. This sound is really making a comeback (like, idk, Nathaniel Rateliff or Bleachers), so this album felt surprisingly modern for '84. Dare I say timeless? Ultimately, I think he's an icon for a reason. There's a nuance and complexity to his music that's hard to appreciate when he's, y'know, a superstar with massive hits. (See also: every right-winger misinterpreting Born in the USA.) 4 stars. Happy to have enjoyed it as much as I did. (Also, I'm sorry to bring my review down to this level, but this era of Springsteen is just... phewww. The rolled sleeves? The unbuttoned shirt? The fluffy hair??? Come ON.)

Favorite tracks: Mansize Rooster, Alright, Lenny, Sitting Up Straight, She's So Loose. Whooo the energy in this! Good stuff. Lyrically it isn't, like, groundbreaking, but the music is so fun. Took me a few listens to really get into it, but now I'm sold. 4 stars. Side note, Clueless had such a good soundtrack. Agin' like wine.

Y'know, I liked this! I expected the vocal style to grate on me, but I ended up liking it. Loved the horns, too. I think I'd be delighted if a song from this album came up on shuffle. 4 stars - will be adding this to my collection.

Favorite tracks: Halo of Ashes, Look At You, Make My Mind, Gospel Plow. I like music like this. It doesn't necessarily stand out among similar albums of the era, but it's clear to me that this was a talented group. If I heard one of these songs on the radio, I'd make a note of it, y'know? 4 stars. (On a streak of 4 stars lately!)

Favorite tracks: u, Alright, For Sale?, Momma, i, Mortal Man. I like how the tracks connect and flow into each other, and I respect the chaos of the different styles, instrumentation, etc. I really liked the "conversation" with Tupac at the end of Mortal Man. But overall, I'd say this isn't really for me (nor was it ever meant for me). It felt too long, but this seems like an album where the tracks shouldn't be separated or skipped. I also think maybe I don't like Kendrick's vocals? Ah idk. Going with 2.5 stars on this one, noting again that I am not the audience for this.

Favorite tracks: Every Day I Have The Blues; Worry, Worry Per Wikipedia, the album was recorded on Nov. 21, 1964 (60 years, almost exactly!). The Regal Theatre closed down four years later, and was ultimately demolished in 1973. That's wild, right? I really enjoyed the crowd feedback on this one. It feels so lively, even still. I know nothing about blues music, but maybe I oughta learn. 3 1/2 stars.

I love Willie Nelson, and this was a lovely album, but it also felt like a slightly odd choice for this list. To me, it's best suited to the right mood and environment - I'm thinking winter, cozy, gentle snow outside - but I'm not sure how to rate it for everyday listening. Three stars, I think?

Favorite tracks: Opus 40, Hudson Line, Delta Sun Bottleneck Stomp This feels pretty different from the other albums I've gotten so far. It also feels like it'd fit best in a specific environment - as atmospheric background music when friends come by, say. Someone left a review describing this as soundtrack-esque, which I agree with. I zoned in and out while listening to it, which I think is fine. 3 stars.

Well, I loved this. I don't really have any notes to share. I loved every song, loved the emotion, loved the instrumentation. A true treat.

So, like, I listened to this while stress-cooking for Thanksgiving, but even still, I recognized this as a good type of This Music (which is already music I like). I honestly expected to be bored of it, but I wasn't; the songs felt distinct and fun. Looking forward to listening more. 4 stars.

Favorite tracks: Save Me A Place, Sara, What Makes You Think You're The One, Storms, Not That Funny, Angel, Tusk, Never Forget I love the risks they took on this, especially the Buckingham songs, which feel very wild and innovative and rockin'. (My toxic thought while listening to this: "Oh, okay, I can see why Stevie loved him.") I debated five stars, but ultimately I think there are a few songs that are just "good" instead of "great." So, 4.5 stars.

Thin Lizzy is cool, and there's certainly some shredding here, but I can't really understand why this is on the list instead of a studio album. 3 stars, I guess?

Sympathy for the Devil, Jigsaw Puzzle, Street Fighting Man, Salt of the Earth I'll admit I'm often unimpressed by the Stones, and this album wasn't really an exception. Sympathy for the Devil is energetic and fun, and there were a couple tracks (noted above) that stood out to me, but for the most part, I'd just rather listen to something else. 3 stars.

Cheap Trick is from my hometown, so I feel an affinity for them. Surrender is one of my all-time faves. I think their brand of rock is distinctly authentic and fun and good-natured. A surprising number of live albums have come up on the list lately (this is the third in two weeks), but this one was so fun! All bangers, no bummers. I'm sure there's bias creeping in here, but because this is the only Cheap Trick album on the list, I'm giving it a 4. I genuinely think I will listen to this again.

Favorite tracks: Sad Lisa, But I Might Die Tonight, Father and Son This took me a few listens to get into, but once I did, it felt very warm and nice and peaceful and introspective - all things I like! I'm feeling a 3 for this.

I'm pretty new to Radiohead, so I hadn't heard this one before. I like both their rock era and electronic era, so I dig the sound of this one. That said, fewer tracks stood out to me than I expected. ("Where I End and You Begin," "There, There," and "Myxomatosis" were the highlights for me.) I think if I wanted to listen to Radiohead, I'd probably just pick a different album. 3 stars.

I feel bad giving this such a low score, but it genuinely put me in a bad mood. 1.5 stars?

I was sick with a stomach bug while listening to this, so everything feels a bit hazy. That said, I like this kind of music, and the closer was beautiful. 3.5 stars.

Favorite tracks: Let's Be Friends, The Fuse, You're Missing I thought this was really pretty! And weirder than I expected (in a good way). 3.5 stars.

I really, really like music like this.

I liked this better than the other Aretha album we've had so far (I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You). Feels like the Aretha I've come to expect - vibrant, powerful. I think the star tracks (Chain of Fools and A Natural Woman) are the clear standouts. 3.5/5 stars.

The experience of listening to this album was thoroughly enjoyable and really got me pumped up for a Monday. Dramatic, lush, and honestly just very cool. 4 stars.

I kinda feel like this album took a bit to get started, but once it did, whewww! Some 5/5 tracks, but not all - therefore, 4 stars.

I've never heard of this band! Braced myself but was pleasantly surprised. Good music I'm sure I'd love seeing live. Really enjoyed the unique instrumentation. This isn't usually my preferred brand of indie rock, but this was a strong album. 3.5 stars.

Hell yes Oasis!!!!! Easy four stars, if only for the way Liam pronounces every line on Cigarettes and Alcohol (my fave track).

This just has no personality, in my opinion. The vocals lack energy. This would be more enjoyable if they were just an instrumental band, and if they took, like, any risks. 2 stars for being bland but inoffensive.

This was pretty cool, good energy, but got a little samey for me in the latter half. 3 stars.

Favorite tracks: She's The One, London Belongs To Me This is probably a 3.5, but I'm bumping it to 4 stars because I vibed so well with it today - Christmas Eve, chilling out, drinking coffee and working on a jigsaw puzzle. Heck yeah.

Christmas!

I kinda like how confrontational this is (I think I've mentioned in a previous review that I have a high tolerance for nonsense). I can't quite give it higher than a 3 because, well, it's not really fun to listen to. But good on ya, John, you made my house-cleaning day feel cooler.

I really enjoy listening to Adele! This album was a bit somber and samey for me, but the songs that hit really hit. Overall, I'll go with 3.5 stars.

I'm a sucker for The Kinks, and I loved listening to this. Interesting songs with distinctive lyrics. Solid 4 stars.

This was like "Appetite For Destruction" by Guns N' Roses, but, like, for millennials. Fred Durst just goes for it, man! Feels extremely representative of the era, for better or worse... well, okay, worse. The turn of the millennium was a bad time!! We deserved this; we thirsted for it!! Anyways I'm giving this 3 stars, no I will not be taking any questions.

Excellent album - creative, catchy, and energetic. I think I prefer Bowie's less space-y stuff, so I'll go with 4 stars here.

"This makes me feel better about giving Limp Bizkit three stars." - Me to L. Yeah this sucked.

I was surprised by how much I liked this! I usually zone out during prog rock, but this album demanded more attention from me, in a good way. Each song was creative and distinctive, while still being catchy. I could see myself really sinking into this on repeat listens. I think my creative writing teacher in high school (who I adored) really liked Yes. I have a vague memory of him playing a song for us in class once. Maybe it was one of these? I'll choose to believe it was, and that this is a neat little full-circle moment. 4 stars.

I'm gonna echo this person's five-star review from Feb. 2021: "Classic. Sadly, he's crazy now" I think this is a perfect album. Kanye's expressiveness is captivating, and his ability to weave in samples, features, and styles is unmatched. There are so many magical moments: the "so exciting/suicide" part in Power, Nicki's verse on Monster, the piano in Runaway... No skips, five stars.

I didn't like it, but it was mostly inoffensive to me. The samples are neat, and I guess the energy is fun. I like "Girls" the best; the others kind of sounded the same to me. 2.5 stars.

Favorite tracks: Motion Sickness, Don't Deny Your Heart, Now There Is Nothing, Let Me Be Him, Always Been Your Love Very cool vibes. I like Hot Chip but am only really familiar with the album before this, One Night Stand. Some songs on this album I really liked, others didn't do a ton for me. But I think this will be great spring-to-summer music, so I'll go with 4 stars!

So fun fact, I can't stand Creedence's music and have been dreading their appearance on this list! It's like this weird aversion that's beyond my control. Sorry!!!! Gave it a shot, but his voice grates on me. PROUD MARY KEEP ON BOYNIN'. Also, chooglin'? What are we doing here?? I fully acknowledge this is a Me Problem, but I will be true to myself and give this one star.