My 1001 Albums Journey

Albums Rated

3.91

Average Rating

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1023 albums remaining

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1970s

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Grunge

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5-Star Albums

1-Star Albums

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Albums

You Love More Than Most

Album	You	Global	Diff
Bug Dinosaur Jr.	5	2.92	+2.08
Pretenders Pretenders	5	3.35	+1.65
Murmur R.E.M.	5	3.42	+1.58
Dirt Alice In Chains	5	3.47	+1.53
The Modern Dance Pere Ubu	4	2.48	+1.52
That's The Way Of The World Earth, Wind & Fire	5	3.5	+1.5
Bryter Layter Nick Drake	5	3.51	+1.49
The Number Of The Beast Iron Maiden	5	3.59	+1.41
Oracular Spectacular MGMT	5	3.61	+1.39
Van Halen Van Halen	5	3.63	+1.37

You Love Less Than Most

Album	You	Global	Diff
Pet Sounds The Beach Boys	2	3.93	-1.93
With The Beatles Beatles	2	3.66	-1.66
If You Can Believe Your Eyes & Ears The Mamas & The Papas	2	3.42	-1.42
Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea PJ Harvey	2	3.38	-1.38
Since I Left You The Avalanches	2	3.28	-1.28
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band Beatles	3	4.27	-1.27

Artists

Favorites

Artist	Albums	Average
The White Stripes	2	5

5-Star Albums (23)

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Popular Reviews

Pelican West

Haircut 100

2/5

Sounds like a German Oktoberfest ska band doing the cure.

7 likes

Murmur

R.E.M.

5/5

Pulled out the Vinyl for this one, cooled down the beers, and let Hank (son) hear what pure unadulterated rock n roll sounds like. Thoroughly enjoyed it, as I do every time. Not a song on this I don’t love. Perfect.

2 likes

The Number Of The Beast

Iron Maiden

5/5

Bought this CD at FYE when I was in Middle School. Maybe one of the first albums I bought with my own. Loved it then and love it now. Melodic, precise, and those riffs and solos. Got me into classic and thrash metal.

1 likes

The Modern Dance

Pere Ubu

4/5

I liked this more with each subsequent listen. Non-Alignment Pact, Modern Dance, and Street Waves are excellent. Recorder-sounding intro to Laughing takes me back to elementary school music class. Gang of Four, Joy Division, Pixies, Husker Du, Ween - I hear it all in Pere Ubu. This album is punk as fuck. *Added to library and shared with people who give a fuck about music.*

1 likes

All Ratings

Exodus

Bob Marley & The Wailers

5/5

Lovely album to start this with.

The Number Of The Beast

Iron Maiden

5/5

The Dark Side Of The Moon

Pink Floyd

4/5

B side is flawless. Smoke a J for track one, settle in and enjoy the ride.

Deja Vu

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

5/5

Classic.

Oracular Spectacular

MGMT

5/5

Fantastic. Time To Pretend, Electric Feel, Kids - what was college without these songs? Aged well too.

Bryter Layter

Nick Drake

5/5

So, possibly unpopular opinion, but this is my favorite ND album. One of the owners of Action Music when it used to be in Arlington, VA, told me about ND when I expressed an interest in fingerstyle guitar and alternate tunings. He was not wrong. He recommended Pink Moon, which I love and is hopefully on this list too, but I gravitated towards the songs on Bryter Layter, and still love them the most. Fantastic album.

In Utero

Nirvana

5/5

Nirvana doesn't have a bad album. I'm a huge fan of Kurt Cobain and his songwriting and musical arrangements. It seems so trite to write that, but, Nirvana shaped and continues to shape my musical tastes - what I listen to, what I play, how I play it, etc. Heart Shaped Box, Dumb, Pennyroyal Tea, and All Apologies are among my favorite songs.

Dirt

Alice In Chains

5/5

Catching up on this list and going through albums that I know I'd rate as 5's. This is one. Jerry Cantrell is a guitar idol of mine. His punchy complex and melodic riffs and solos that combine metal and grunge and rock and funk and thrash with Layne Stanley's vocals...hard to beat.

Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness

The Smashing Pumpkins

5/5

Okay so I guess all the albums I can quickly mark as a 5 are grunge from the late 80's and 90's. Task: follow Siamese Dream. SP: Bet (to quote Gen Z). It's as good, and maybe Butch Vig gets as much credit as Billy Corgan. As with some of the other grunge albums I rated a "5", this has half a dozen songs that are among my favorites, and that never get old. Those songs single handedly make this a 5, and the rest is gravy (very good gravy).

American Idiot

Green Day

5/5

I professed to hate this album when it came out, because I believed the rhetoric that Green Day had sold out. I took me revisiting Green Day's discog in my 30's to realize that the rhetoric was wrong and so was I. This album is excellent, there's not a bad song on it, and it represents the authentic growth (that perhaps took my own growth as a person to fully realize) of a band that is among my favorites, if not my favorite.

Elephant

The White Stripes

5/5

Oh boy. If White Blood Cells got thinking Jack White is the greatest guitarist of all time, this album cemented that belief. Let's have a ball, girl, and take our sweet little time about it. Ball and Biscuit is one of my favorite guitar and vocal tracks of all time. Hardest button, got her in yr pocket, air near my fingers, black math, no faith in medicine, just don't know what to do with myself. One of my favorite albums of all time.

Nebraska

Bruce Springsteen

4/5

Possible unpopular opinion, not my favorite from Bruce. I love Bruce's storytelling and how he can conjure a complex vignette of feelings and images in my mind with simple lyrics and music. To me, Nebraska was that concept taken to the extreme, and it leaves me wanting every time I come back to it. It's great, but it's not his best, and maybe could have been better.

Wish You Were Here

Pink Floyd

4/5

Wish You Were Here (song) is among my favorites. Shine On You Crazy Diamond (all parts) are tutorials in guitar creativity and excellence.

At San Quentin

Johnny Cash

4/5

This is a fun time and Johnny Cash is pretty fucking cool. I go back and forth on whether he's phony or not but I tend to think he's more authentic than not and I suppose I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. Some bangers on this.

Let It Bleed

The Rolling Stones

5/5

Flawless. Threw this on the old record player for an immersive listen. Good as ever, and cohesive in a great way. Love listening to this like watching a good movie or reading a good short story. The cacophony of sound that lifts you to the fucking rafters at the end of You Can't Always Get What You want is just such a great ending.

Licensed To Ill

Beastie Boys

4/5

Seminal album in more ways than one. Never gets old for me.

The Only Ones

4/5

Loved this. Sick guitar and sad and overall sound.

Fulfillingness' First Finale

Stevie Wonder

4/5

Solid. Loved the harmonica and funk.

Time Out Of Mind

Bob Dylan

4/5

Solid album overall. A bit overproduced, and a bit too long (could have ended at Make You Feel My Love - which I wasn't previously aware that he wrote - and maybe I'd like it better). Glad I listened to it in full, particularly because I hadn't previously listened to Love Sick or Standing In The Doorway, both of which I enjoyed quite a bit. Probably 3.5/5, but since it's Dylan...

The Modern Dance

Pere Ubu

4/5

Led Zeppelin III

Led Zeppelin

5/5

First time I’ve listened to a Led Zeppelin album in full. Love the wide range of styles, especially vocals and guitar. The blues through-line particularly appeals to me and makes what would otherwise be a somewhat scattered mix of songs cohere. Listening notes: (1) I was today years old when I realized that “Immigrant Song” is not by Rush (lel). (2) Celebration Song sounds like it could be on White Stripes’ self-titled (‘99); I never appreciated the LZ influence on Jack White. (3) Tangerine <3.

Head Hunters

Herbie Hancock

3/5

He’s clearly talented and the songs are well done. Fine background music. Not really my thing though. Glad for the listening experience, but, next…

Pretenders

5/5

Brass in pocket, we all know it, yeah yeah yeah. Precious, phone call, up the neck, the wait, space invaders, mystery achievement - these are where it’s at. Love the hard hitting, simple guitar riffs, ever present bass, and casually unapologetic vocals. Unpopular opinion: A side > B side. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Bug

Dinosaur Jr.

5/5

Not their best, but even not their best is amazing and a solid example of why Dinosaur Jr is one of my favorite bands and J Mascis is one of my guitar idols. Glad this was included on this list. Hope more DJR is.

The Köln Concert

Keith Jarrett

3/5

Keith can really tickle the ivories. Nice hearing his emotion too. He’s clearly very talented. I’m sure this was spectacular to witness live. That said, listening at home, I just felt like I was in a room with Peanuts on in the background. It’s fine but not my thing.

That's The Way Of The World

Earth, Wind & Fire

5/5

Perfect.

White Blood Cells

The White Stripes

5/5

“I never said I wouldn't throw my jacket in the mud for you / But my father gave it to me so maybe I should carry you / Then you said ‘You almost dropped me’ so then I did / And I got mud on my shoes” So badass. Also this album made want to play guitar like Jack White. Among White Stripes’ best.

Brothers In Arms

Dire Straits

4/5

Solid album. I haven’t listened to much Dire Straits except for their popular songs. Really enjoyed the guitar and drums and late solos and breaks.

Arc Of A Diver

Steve Winwood

2/5

Never listened to Steve Winwood before. Probably won’t listen again. But enjoyed a few of these.

Guero

Beck

3/5

Liked it more the second time around.

Van Halen

5/5

This album rocks. Had no idea “you really got me” was by VH. Listened twice through and thoroughly enjoyed it all both times.

Songs Of Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen

3/5

Very pleasant to listen to. Haven’t listened to much LC before and will probably revisit this. Suzanne, So Long Marianne, and Teachers.

Murmur

R.E.M.

5/5

Cosmo's Factory

Creedence Clearwater Revival

5/5

lol, oops. the murmur review was supposed to be for this. Blame the beer. Pulled out the Vinyl for this one, cooled down the beers, and let Hank (son) hear what pure unadulterated rock n roll sounds like. Thoroughly enjoyed it, as I do every time. Not a song on this I don’t love. Perfect.

Butterfly

Mariah Carey

3/5

I struggle a bit with these albums that are fine but they I don’t care about.

Stankonia

OutKast

4/5

André 3000 is as talented a musician as the other greats on this list. Hard to follow ATLiens (their best IMO, and hopefully on this list) but it’s solid. BOB, Ms. Jackson, So Fresh & So Clean, Gasoline Dreams, Snappin & Trappin w/ Killer Mike, yeah.

Live!

Fela Kuti

3/5

Groovy and some cool jammin’. I dig the simplicity, feels real, like a fun time. End it after Carry Me and it’d be a 4. I couldn’t get through the 16 min drum solo…

Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music

Ray Charles

4/5

Some of these renditions are fantastic, particularly because they’re so different than the “usual” versions (“You are my sunshine” being the obvious/well-known example, but also “Born to Lose” and “your cheatin’ heart” - both of which I loved). Cool idea and excellent execution, but the relevance is lost on me and I struggle to find when I’d listen to this? But man, Ray, dude’s so good.

Our Aim Is To Satisfy

Red Snapper

2/5

I only really liked Don't Go Nowhere. Reminded me of This Will Destroy you or Panama or something. Keeping Pigs Together was pretty good too. The rest was just meh.

If You Can Believe Your Eyes & Ears

The Mamas & The Papas

2/5

Not really my style.

Getz/Gilberto

Stan Getz

3/5

Pleasant and intriguing. I could imagine being in a swanky bar with this on or being played live.

Pet Sounds

The Beach Boys

2/5

Not really my thing.

Can't Buy A Thrill

Steely Dan

5/5

Really enjoyed this album. Previously had only heard Steely Dan when a song would come on. Loved nearly everything about this though. And had a few “oh, I didn’t know was them” songs. Tough to rate, but I’m going to round up and go…

Tapestry

Carole King

5/5

Follow up Steely Dan they said… I never intentionally listened to Carole King before. Thid blew me away. Love the vocals and songwriting. Love the guitar - acoustic and electric. And the sax. This has it all. Really enjoyed Way Over Yonder and Smackwater Jack (and all the others).

Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle

Bill Callahan

4/5

Eid ma clack shaw Zupoven del ba Mertepy ven seinur Cofally ragdah Eid ma clack shaw Zupoven del ba Mertepy ven seinur Cofally ragdah Yeah, I liked this a lot.

Since I Left You

The Avalanches

2/5

Not really my thing.

Melodrama

Lorde

4/5

Really enjoyed this. Sober I & II, homemade dynamite. Hadn’t really listened to Lorde before but added this and look forward to listening again.

The Joshua Tree

4/5

Can’t believe how many bangers were on this. Love the edge.

Ill Communication

Beastie Boys

4/5

Not much I don’t like from Beastie Boys. Love the punk/hardcore throwbacks too - tough guy and heart attack man.

A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector

Various Artists

4/5

Merry Christmas, Phil. Would have preferred Christopher Lee’s Christmas singles but eh.

Dusty In Memphis

Dusty Springfield

3/5

Didn’t know who wrote son of a preacher man before this. Quite enjoyed this.

Paul's Boutique

Beastie Boys

4/5

Solid. Like the development in sound and production post Licensed to Ill. The Bouillabaisse might have been my favorite.

Bat Out Of Hell

Meat Loaf

4/5

Never intentionally listened to Meat Loaf before this. Base on the name I always assumed they were like insane clown posse. Wasn’t expecting a sort of Freddie Mercury meets Elton John meets Ozzy Osbourne meets Scott Stapp meets Jesse James Dupree. I admit, I really enjoyed this. Bat out of Hell was my favorite but everything was solid.

Billion Dollar Babies

Alice Cooper

3/5

I enjoyed this more the second time. raped & freezing, nice guy, and generation landslide were solid and will add. Rest was fine.

1999

Prince

4/5

Solid album. Still love the hits the most - Little Red Corvette, Delirious, 1999. Love the funk in DMSR, what a jam. Liked the ballad Free a lot too (hadn't really listened to that before). Not sure I can go full 5, so...

Come Away With Me

Norah Jones

3/5

She good. But meh.

Californication

Red Hot Chili Peppers

5/5

Classic and exceptional album. Love it. So many bangers. What a mix of funk and rock and soul - never gets old.

Superfly

Curtis Mayfield

5/5

Never listened to Mayfield until now. This blew me away. Think, superfly, pusherman. Vocals, sax, guitar, arrangements. Loved it.

The Cars

4/5

Solid album. Good Times, Best Friend’s Girl, Just What I Needed. Bangers.

Automatic For The People

R.E.M.

4/5

This project reminds me that REM is so good.

Pelican West

Haircut 100

2/5

Sounds like a German Oktoberfest ska band doing the cure.

With The Beatles

Beatles

2/5

Some good covers on here. Otherwise, just like all Beatles for me - a few hit, mostly miss.

Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea

PJ Harvey

2/5

Sounds like a band that would open for U2 or The Cranberries or Creed. One line was cool. Mostly forgettable for me.

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

Beatles

3/5

Lucy and Help from My friends are solid. Like what’s going on in Within/Without. Like the guitar in good morning - kinda came out of the blue but it rocked (finally). Day in the life was solid too. Enjoyed this more than my average Beatles listening experience…

Dust

Screaming Trees

3/5

Some good guitar and 90s grunge sound. Mostly monotone. Enjoyed it but probably won’t add it.

Seventeen Seconds

The Cure

3/5

Sounds like a mediocre jam sesh.