This album definitely made me remember how much I loved when they would play The Eagles on 106.7 Lite FM growing up. It was easy listening, something to bop along to, songs I could belt out to while driving around suburban NJ. And alas...the older version of me enjoyed this music just the same - for what it is and what it's not. Did I expect to be blown away by this album? Absolutely not. Did I find myself tapping my foot to the beat while listening and genuinely enjoying myself? You bet. I'm giving this a 3. There weren't any songs I really disliked, but in the same vein, no songs on this album will have staying power with me (and Hotel California is just too overplayed).

If Lilith Fair existed in the 70s, Joan Armatrading would probably be the headliner. I'm surprised I've never heard of her before, because I see so many female singer-songwriters I love reflected in her music. It's a bit of Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Indigo Girls, Annie Lennox, and Kate Bush mixed in with an extra funk that feels specific to the mid-/late-70s (in good ways and bad). Her music feels layered and experimental, without ever going too far off the rails and feeling directionless. I especially like the first track. Giving this one a 4.

Definitely hear the Paul Simon of it all and enjoyed aspects of this album a lot, but the last song really ruined it for me. Appreciated the ride, but hated the ending. Would give it a 2.5, but rounding up.

Wish I was cool enough to listen to Beck in 3rd grade. I really liked this album - though maybe not as much as I thought. It took me a couple listening sessions to finish and found the middle part of the album a little rambling. That said, Ramshackle is a sleeper hit and have been listening on repeat. Giving this a 4.

Shout out to Randy in the group who introduced me to Elvis Costello's greatest hits at a young age. I loved this album and re-listened to several songs. I don't think My Aim Is True was meant to upend the musical world with some sort of artistic breakthrough so much as modernize and elevate music from the 50s and 60s. But that intention works well in this album (which I felt was generally pretty tight) and for me in terms of my personal taste. Probably would give this a 4.5, but averaging up to a 5.

I enjoyed this way more than I thought. Not a banger of an album I'll have on repeat, but into it.

This just didn't do it for me. Didn't really find the songs too memorable, but his voice is incredible.

Maybe in a different time and place, this album would toe the fine line between indie rock and rough around the edge perfectly...but not today.

Not my favorite Taylor Swift album and maybe a few fillers here, but overall, 1989 really demonstrates what Taylor Swift does best. Her songwriting that transports you to a specific moment in time, with all the textures and people and places. Her mastery of creating a bridge that stays in your head and shapes the trajectory of the entire song. Her NGAF dorkiness that just makes you want to let your freak flag and cheesiness come out (cue: Shake It Off). Giving this a 4. No haters allowed.

Definitely some rocking songs on this album, but not an album that's going to stay with me. Green River is a standout and an amazing first song to kick off. Overall enjoyed the ride, but won't be returning.

I love so many songs on this album and it definitely takes me to a specific post-graduate malaise I experienced when it came out. That said, I don't feel like it quite hits today like it did then. Maybe that sound now feels overdone by all the other musicians that have come after. I'd give this a 3.5, but rounding up because I plan on revisiting.

Overall liked this and all the classics I know from it, but didn’t feel very cohesive (which maybe was intentional). Giving it a 3!

I know this was a more experimental album for Madonna, but didn't do it for me. At all. Some interesting sounds and melodies, but overall, not wowed by this.

Van Halen probably wouldn't have been for me in the 80s and it certainly isn't today. A couple hits, but nothing I'll be coming back to.

I loved this album when it came out and listened to it pretty much nonstop during winter / spring of 2021 when it felt we were just starting to see the light at the end of the COVID tunnel. It still hits. So many great jams. I could do without the narrative intermissions, but this is a pretty perfect album IMO.

I think Hallelujah is super cheesy and overplayed, but besides that, I enjoyed this album. Probably won't be returning, but a nice album to listen to with interesting lyrics and sounds.

This was so-so, veering on somewhat forgettable. Bittersweet Symphony is a classic and an amazing song, but nothing else really stood out. Feels like a wannabe Oasis.

I wasn't blown away by this and maybe I'm biased because Paul > John (even though it's not really a competition). To me, this album proves strength in numbers and how much better their individual music could have been if created together.

Back to Black is a 5/5 - a great album where all songs could be standalone singles, but work together flawlessly. This album was more exploratory. You could tell she was younger, still figuring things out. I appreciated that aspect of this album, but wasn't my favorite of hers.