Nov 22 2024
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The Doors
The Doors
What better way to start this challenge than with the debut album of one of my favorite bands? This one's really solid, and contains a great mix of energetic blues-rock and slower psychedelic tracks. Fun times all the way through.
5
Nov 25 2024
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MTV Unplugged In New York
Nirvana
This is an essential MTV Unplugged show. It has its highs and lows, regarding the repertoire and Kurt's performances, but the highs are very high, raw and unforgettable.
4
Nov 26 2024
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Hybrid Theory
Linkin Park
Before listening to this, I never really understood why this band had such a huge and dedicated fanbase. I get it now. Leave me alone!
5
Nov 27 2024
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Rock 'N Soul
Solomon Burke
I didn't know who Solomon Burke was until this album was generated, but now I'm glad it did! I'm big on rock and big on soul, so what more could I ask for?
5
Nov 28 2024
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Californication
Red Hot Chili Peppers
I've listened to this from start to finish many times throughout my life, so giving it a 5 is easier for me now than it would have been the first time, given the sheer volume and variety of songs contained. I truly believe all the tracks hit, and range from fun and inconsequential to touching and poignant.
5
Nov 29 2024
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Sunday At The Village Vanguard
Bill Evans Trio
This was really difficult to rate. My goal here in this challenge is to only listen to records once, but this took me many tries! You really have to concentrate for instrumental albums. Listening in a loud bus doesn't work. Letting your mind wander off doesn't work. Actually take the time to have a cup of coffee, stare at nature and let the music take you where it wants to. Trust me, it's worth it.
4
Dec 02 2024
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Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Wu-Tang Clan
Man, what a cool theme for a hip-hop project! Always wanted to listen to this one, and it did not disappoint at all.
5
Dec 03 2024
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The Next Day
David Bowie
I had no idea what to expect from this one, but was pleasantly surprised. It's a bit bland overall, but the lyrics are inspired (as you'd expect from Bowie) and some tracks stand out from the rest. Nothing mindblowing, but an enjoyable rock album.
4
Dec 04 2024
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At Fillmore East
The Allman Brothers Band
Sometimes I felt like I was personally there, at the concert, over half a century ago. That's how mesmerizing this record is.
5
Dec 05 2024
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Gris Gris
Dr. John
Music, album cover, artist, theme, lyrics, genres... I truly don't know which part of all this is the weirdest. I love it.
5
Dec 06 2024
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There's No Place Like America Today
Curtis Mayfield
"So In Love" might be the quintessential soul song for me. Something about the horns, the feelings evoked... I can't put into words just how much I love this song. That being said, for some reason, some tracks just didn't hit, in my experience. So, a 3 it is.
3
Dec 07 2024
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Moving Pictures
Rush
It usually takes a full listen to an album until a prog rock band clicks for you. Well, now I can finally say I get Rush.
5
Dec 08 2024
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Chirping Crickets
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
It's funny to watch Yesterday (2019) and wonder what the world would be like if The Beatles didn't exist, but we live in a reality in which Buddy Holly didn't make it past 22, and that's pretty darn unfortunate as well.
4
Dec 09 2024
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Beyond Skin
Nitin Sawhney
The bleak themes and lyrics tie this diverse and exotic LP into a cohesive, meaningful experience. Interesting stuff.
4
Dec 10 2024
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Blue Lines
Massive Attack
The soul influences were the icing on the cake here. I'm not very familiar with trip hop, so this was a great starting point.
5
Dec 11 2024
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The Rising
Bruce Springsteen
This sounded like a really bad idea of an album until I listened to it. Lots of good songs, actually. Kinda cheesy though.
4
Dec 12 2024
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Face to Face
The Kinks
I enjoy the satirical lyrics, and musically, it's right up my alley.
4
Dec 13 2024
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Liege And Lief
Fairport Convention
I didn't expect to enjoy this, but it's a really solid record, with interesting lyrics and beautiful singing.
5
Dec 14 2024
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Ágætis Byrjun
Sigur Rós
Everything about this was novel to me. The record is touching, even if you can't understand a single word. And once you search for the translated lyrics, you understand they are as beautiful as the music. This is timeless and transcendental.
5
Dec 15 2024
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Steve McQueen
Prefab Sprout
In the LP's solid first half, the band's creativity is balanced with pop sensibilities and delivers catchy songs. And then it falls off. Or maybe, it gets too sophisticated for me. Who knows.
3
Dec 16 2024
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Let England Shake
PJ Harvey
Despite her popularity, I had never heard anything from PJ Harvey. I guess this is different from her usual style, which I'll presumably explore in the future, but this album was really consistent and enjoyable already.
5
Dec 17 2024
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She's So Unusual
Cyndi Lauper
I hate to admit it, but this rocks. I'm always the first to complain when "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" comes on, as I find it overplayed and silly, but the full album made me appreciate Cyndi Lauper more. Her singing quirks drive me insane after a while though, so I'll only listen to this when I'm in a good mood.
5
Dec 18 2024
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Goo
Sonic Youth
Raw as fuck. The lyrics match the anger from the distorted, deafening guitars, and the combination makes for a nice album to commit violent acts to.
4
Dec 19 2024
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Here's Little Richard
Little Richard
Thought an entire album of this formulaic (but fun) music genre would get boring after a while. Thing is, it's Little Richard. To this day, few match the raw energy and talent he did, and those few probably owe much to him in that respect.
5
Dec 20 2024
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Pieces Of The Sky
Emmylou Harris
Love to discover old school country music. Having never heard much of the infamous modern stuff, my limited experience with this genre has been really positive. Emmylou delivers here lovely performances, and the whole record sounds, at times, like you're attending a gig at the coolest bar in town.
5
Dec 21 2024
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Axis: Bold As Love
Jimi Hendrix
This might be the strangest Hendrix project. It grew on me over the many listens I gave it through the years, and some songs are truly among the best of his.
5
Dec 22 2024
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Dance Mania
Tito Puente
Never would've imagined I'd listen to an entire album of this. No regrets.
5
Dec 23 2024
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D
White Denim
Somewhere between modern indie-folk and Revolver era Beatles, lies this record. Needless to say, this is really cool.
5
Dec 24 2024
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Nilsson Schmilsson
Harry Nilsson
The transition from the emotional "Without You" to the... erm, interesting "Coconut" will forever be etched into my memories.
4
Dec 25 2024
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KE*A*H** (Psalm 69)
Ministry
Didn't expect to like this so much as I did. Musically, it reminds me of Metallica, and all the blasphemy makes the whole thing stand out.
5
Dec 26 2024
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A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector
Various Artists
It felt incredibly weird listening to something so wholesome, especially with that final message, being orchestrated by someone so vile and despicable. I don't think I've ever felt so uncomfortable while listening to music.
4
Dec 27 2024
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The Score
Fugees
A diverse and engaging record with great lyrics and delivery. I surprisingly knew some songs, and they go hard.
5
Dec 28 2024
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Blonde On Blonde
Bob Dylan
Instant favorite! Not very familiar with Dylan, but now I get why this album is so well praised.
5
Dec 29 2024
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The Madcap Laughs
Syd Barrett
I've listened to this a lot throughout my life. For some reason, I strongly relate to Syd's music. This album is heartbreaking, and listening to this during the challenge made me notice masterpieces I'd never noticed before, such as 'Dark Globe'. The transition from it to 'Here I Go' is one of the highlights of Barrett's career.
4
Dec 30 2024
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Out Of The Blue
Electric Light Orchestra
This album is pure magic. Puts me in a great mood every time.
5
Jan 04 2025
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Live At Leeds
The Who
Nice, solid live performance from The Who. I, of course, only listened to the original tracklist, which is relatively short. The tracks are all fire though, and this is the band in its best lineup, so it's a blast.
5
Jan 05 2025
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Aladdin Sane
David Bowie
Didn't expect to love this one as much as I did! Following up 'Ziggy Stardust' must have been tough, but this was satisfying as its sequel. The album offers great variety, and the songs are grittier than the previous overall. In contrast to that, there are beautiful and meditative songs, such as 'Time' and, my personal favorite, 'Lady Grinning Soul'. Great day for a Bowie fan.
5
Jan 06 2025
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Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
OutKast
This is one of the records I only got to know because of the project. 'Hey Ya!' and 'Prototype' were the ones I knew before, and because of that, I always wanted to know what else OutKast had to offer. I'm glad to see my expectations were met.
5
Jan 07 2025
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Straight Outta Compton
N.W.A.
Some real classics in this! If you can abstract the immorality from it, and not take it too seriously, you'll find it's a very fun and engaging project.
5
Jan 08 2025
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Here Are the Sonics
The Sonics
As punk as 50's style music can be. Some of the lyrics and imagery are surprisingly dark too lol.
5
Jan 09 2025
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Second Toughest In The Infants
Underworld
Only knew 'Born Slippy' prior to this, so I had high hopes. Unfortunately, only the longer songs were interesting to me. The rest was kinda bland and pointless to my ears.
3
Jan 10 2025
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Underwater Moonlight
The Soft Boys
The lyrics in this are just my thing! Surreal, dark and creative all around.
5
Jan 11 2025
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Siamese Dream
The Smashing Pumpkins
I always wanted to listen to this one, because most songs I know and love from the band are from this album. Not only is it consistent, but it has even more all-timers than I thought.
5
Jan 12 2025
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Vauxhall And I
Morrissey
I'd imagined I'd like this one, but never expected it to be a 5. Guess Morrissey's really that good (as a musician!).
5
Jan 13 2025
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The Scream
Siouxsie And The Banshees
Took me a while to finally listen to a Siouxsie album. It's as cool and dark as I thought.
5
Jan 14 2025
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At Mister Kelly's
Sarah Vaughan
Nothing more fitting for a rainy morning than this album. A cozy listen.
5
Jan 15 2025
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The Predator
Ice Cube
One of my favorite rap records so far. It's got some heavy lyrics and messages that, unfortunately, still stand true to this day.
5
Jan 16 2025
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Bluesbreakers
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
Solid blues-rock thing. Nothing really mind-blowing, but if you like blues, it's got just everything you'd hope for.
5
Jan 17 2025
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Black Metal
Venom
As cheesy and on-the-nose as this gets, it's fun as fuck and very novel to me.
5
Jan 18 2025
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1989
Taylor Swift
I went into this with an open mind and open heart, but no. It just doesn't seem to be that good. There are some bangers, sure, but much of the album is generic and forgettable. Well, deservedly so, this is my first 2-rating.
2
Jan 19 2025
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Among The Living
Anthrax
"Responsibility
And what are all our lives worth?
What kind of sentence would you serve
For killing the earth?"
5
Jan 20 2025
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Cosmo's Factory
Creedence Clearwater Revival
"They're selling independence
Actors in the White House
Acid indigestion
Mortgage on my life"
5
Jan 21 2025
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Brilliant Corners
Thelonious Monk
""
5
Jan 22 2025
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The Sensual World
Kate Bush
"Hello, I know that you're unhappy
I bring you love and deeper understanding"
5
Jan 23 2025
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Lady Soul
Aretha Franklin
"If you had a dollar
And I had a dime
I wonder, could I borrow yours
As easy as you could mine?"
5