Nov 01 2024
View Album
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Simon & Garfunkel
Bridge is an amazing song - those vocals are heavenly.
Such a complicated relationship between the two of them. But somehow the music was beautiful, having arisen out of both love and contempt. Not so sure about the choice for the closer, but all in all this is a masterpiece.
5
Nov 04 2024
View Album
Bryter Layter
Nick Drake
Everything that Nick Drake did was lovely in its own way. Hopeful to beautifully bleak. Bryter Layter is a wonderful album but for some reason I prefer Nick on his own. Nevertheless, excellent work and highly recommended.
4
Nov 05 2024
View Album
Automatic For The People
R.E.M.
R.E.M. somehow solidified their place in history with this album. True to their roots, innovative, and somehow accessible. I love every song.
5
Nov 06 2024
View Album
Meat Is Murder
The Smiths
I bought this album on cassette when it was released in the USA. It was my first Smiths album. Somehow it resonated with me deeply, and to this day still does. I am likely a bit biased here as this music elicits an emotional and nostalgic feeling in me. Happy and sad. Beautiful lyrics and musicianship.
5
Nov 07 2024
View Album
Reggatta De Blanc
The Police
Excellent. Listening to this album via headphones really highlights the virtuosity of the Police. Second cousins to Rush in this regard. Quirky songs, odd rhythms, this has it all.
5
Nov 08 2024
View Album
Heroes
David Bowie
A great album. As many have noted, not as breathtaking overall as the cream of the crop in Bowie’s discography, but there are a few standouts. And ‘Heroes’ is a song for the ages.
4
Nov 11 2024
View Album
Gunfighter Ballads And Trail Songs
Marty Robbins
I have listened to this record for over 40 years. It somehow makes the violent, tragic, and hopeful world of the old west in the US come alive beautifully. I am a fan of Marty, and even enjoy his Hawaiian music. Check it out!
4
Nov 12 2024
View Album
Fear Of A Black Planet
Public Enemy
Hearing these jams took me back a few years. I was able to catch Chuck D, Flavor Flav, and crew live a few times in the LA area. The music is infectious and the messages are more relevant than ever. I grew up in the Hawthorne area and worked in Carson, so even this white kid felt the energy around this form of socially conscious rap music. I was a little closer to the west coast sounds of Dr. Dre and Ice-T initially but these guys won me over with their astute assessment of racism in America. Five stars.
5
Nov 13 2024
View Album
Trio
Dolly Parton
I love all three of these amazing singers, but I must say that individually each of them have better albums with better material. I do appreciate the lovely blending of their iconic voices on Trio.
3
Nov 14 2024
View Album
Reign In Blood
Slayer
Blech. I didn’t enjoy this one much, but I guess the technical skills are there for playing at a high rate of speed. I can rock but need a bit of melodic beauty to temper the chaos.
2
Nov 15 2024
View Album
Vento De Maio
Elis Regina
Note that this album was not available on Apple Music. Dull, light jazzy kind of filler music for me. The language barrier didn’t help either. Probably a very talented singer but without an emotional connection, I won’t be listening to this again.
2
Nov 16 2024
View Album
Hunky Dory
David Bowie
Absolute masterpiece. I was engaged with every song despite their dissimilarities is subject matter and musical styles. A classic.
5
Nov 17 2024
View Album
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Muddy, silly, heavy, sloppy, awesome! Who could not love this?
4
Nov 18 2024
View Album
...The Dandy Warhols Come Down
The Dandy Warhols
It was okay, perhaps good. Was it great? Not sure. Was it unique? Not really. I may need to listen again. Three stars for now.
3
Nov 19 2024
View Album
Unknown Pleasures
Joy Division
Amazing album. I never tire of this dark musical journey.
5
Nov 20 2024
View Album
Live And Dangerous
Thin Lizzy
For me this was somewhat dull predictable formula arena rock. Too many long and uninteresting guitar solos. I lost interest after a few songs.
2
Nov 21 2024
View Album
Tidal
Fiona Apple
4
Nov 22 2024
View Album
Abraxas
Santana
I’ve had a used copy of this record for decades but hadn’t listened in some time. I was blown away! Not only because of Carlos’ guitar playing but also the song craft and amazing rhythm section. A true masterpiece.
5
Nov 23 2024
View Album
The Wall
Pink Floyd
Hard to be unbiased about this one. I purchased the album when it came out based mostly on the hit - ABITW part II, plus I was previously familiar with DEOTM. I was 11 years old. This album affected me greatly, and I found parallels between Roger/Pink and myself. The musicianship and songwriting are unparalleled, and the storyline is epic. Probably the best concept album of all time.
5
Nov 24 2024
View Album
Teenager Of The Year
Frank Black
Absolutely fantastic and unexpected. I missed this album when it came out. An instant favorite for me.
5
Nov 25 2024
View Album
Eagles
Eagles
A few great songs here and plenty of wonderful harmonies. Peaceful and easy.
4
Nov 26 2024
View Album
Nevermind
Nirvana
Incredible and timeless.
5
Nov 27 2024
View Album
Bluesbreakers
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
This kicks ass!
4
Nov 28 2024
View Album
Go Girl Crazy
The Dictators
Zany, unexpectedly cool!
3
Nov 29 2024
View Album
Time (The Revelator)
Gillian Welch
Incredible songs, performances, voices, and vibe. This album has such a country gothic feel to it. True masterpiece.
5
Nov 30 2024
View Album
Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters
Amazing that Dave was able to pick up the pieces and record this gem all by himself. Excellent.
4
Dec 01 2024
View Album
Heartbreaker
Ryan Adams
A really great album. I feel like it could grow on me over time.
4
Dec 02 2024
View Album
Juju
Siouxsie And The Banshees
A classic for me. I’ll never forget seeing the Spellbound video on MV3 after school in LA.
4
Dec 05 2024
View Album
Back In Black
AC/DC
Absolute classic. No bad songs here - they are all dumb and awesome.
5
Dec 06 2024
View Album
Blur
Blur
Seems like a 2 1/2 for me but will be generous and begrudgingly award Blur a 3. I’m hearing something akin to a band that’s trying too hard. Gimmicky, derivative perhaps. Still some decent hooks, though. The good hooks are oftentimes lost in sound effects and such that detracted from my listening experience.
3
Dec 07 2024
View Album
Ill Communication
Beastie Boys
Very enjoyable, musically diverse and creative. Will forgive the Boys for being brats.
4
Dec 08 2024
View Album
Logical Progression
LTJ Bukem
If three hours and 27 minutes is considered to be the compilation/summary, I can’t image how long the original tracks must have been. Seems like a nice 45-minute compilation would better suit more normal human attention spans.
3
Dec 09 2024
View Album
Black Monk Time
The Monks
Zany, wild man!
3
Dec 10 2024
View Album
Jagged Little Pill
Alanis Morissette
The most perfect of perfect albums for me.
5
Dec 11 2024
View Album
Cut
The Slits
I very much want to love this. I like the voices, the quirky beats, the instrumentation, and THAT COVER. But the songs don’t quite grab me. Plodding, not melodic. Heard it through the grapevine was a highlight. I still like this and perhaps with repeated listening it would grow on me.
3
Dec 12 2024
View Album
Club Classics Vol. One
Soul II Soul
I’m, Soul II Soul was lacking….in Soul. Sorry, the a cappella songs were okay but those drum machines were monotonous. Give me some Parliament, Commodores, Earth, Wind, & Fire, or Chic for my Soul fix.
1
Dec 13 2024
View Album
Scott 2
Scott Walker
I could swear that this was Annibale Giannarelli, the cheesy singer in a few spaghetti westerns, and made popular again by Quentin Tarantino. Anyway, this album and I did not connect in any way. Memories of the Lawrence Welk show minus the accordions.
1
Dec 14 2024
View Album
Marquee Moon
Television
Pretty cool. I’ve heard a lot of hype about this album for years, and it is very very good. Love the guitar sounds. Not quite a five-star album for me yet, but perhaps with repeated listening it could get there.
4
Dec 15 2024
View Album
Rattus Norvegicus
The Stranglers
Excellent songwriting and production. A really great example of what punk is capable of becoming with a little sophistication. Well, never mind the lyrics. Not so sophisticated.
4
Dec 16 2024
View Album
My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts
Brian Eno
Wow, this was interesting. I surprisingly liked it. Torn between a 3 and a 4. Will splurge.
4
Dec 17 2024
View Album
Aftermath
The Rolling Stones
Geez, this is great.
5
Dec 18 2024
View Album
Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables
Dead Kennedys
A true classic of west coast punk.
4