433
Albums Rated
2.83
Average Rating
40%
Complete
656 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1960
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Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Critic
Rater Style ?
61
5-Star Albums
61
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
Top Styles
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Fear and Whiskey
Mekons
|
5 | 2.61 | +2.39 |
|
Jack Takes the Floor
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
|
5 | 2.71 | +2.29 |
|
Ys
Joanna Newsom
|
5 | 2.79 | +2.21 |
|
Hot Shots II
The Beta Band
|
5 | 3.01 | +1.99 |
|
Billion Dollar Babies
Alice Cooper
|
5 | 3.11 | +1.89 |
|
Your New Favourite Band
The Hives
|
5 | 3.12 | +1.88 |
|
Run-D.M.C.
Run-D.M.C.
|
5 | 3.13 | +1.87 |
|
Younger Than Yesterday
The Byrds
|
5 | 3.14 | +1.86 |
|
John Prine
John Prine
|
5 | 3.21 | +1.79 |
|
Every Picture Tells A Story
Rod Stewart
|
5 | 3.23 | +1.77 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Songs In The Key Of Life
Stevie Wonder
|
1 | 4.07 | -3.07 |
|
Kind Of Blue
Miles Davis
|
1 | 4.05 | -3.05 |
|
Lady Soul
Aretha Franklin
|
1 | 4.05 | -3.05 |
|
What's Going On
Marvin Gaye
|
1 | 3.94 | -2.94 |
|
Let's Get It On
Marvin Gaye
|
1 | 3.78 | -2.78 |
|
Dummy
Portishead
|
1 | 3.71 | -2.71 |
|
Birth Of The Cool
Miles Davis
|
1 | 3.64 | -2.64 |
|
A Love Supreme
John Coltrane
|
1 | 3.63 | -2.63 |
|
Jazz Samba
Stan Getz
|
1 | 3.56 | -2.56 |
|
Head Hunters
Herbie Hancock
|
1 | 3.55 | -2.55 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Simon & Garfunkel | 3 | 5 |
| Beastie Boys | 3 | 5 |
| Nirvana | 2 | 5 |
| Neil Young | 2 | 5 |
| Neil Young & Crazy Horse | 2 | 5 |
| Joni Mitchell | 3 | 4.33 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Miles Davis | 3 | 1 |
| Marvin Gaye | 3 | 1 |
| Frank Sinatra | 3 | 1.33 |
| Leonard Cohen | 2 | 1 |
| Stevie Wonder | 2 | 1.5 |
| Everything But The Girl | 2 | 1.5 |
| Fela Kuti | 2 | 1.5 |
| Portishead | 2 | 1.5 |
| Isaac Hayes | 2 | 1.5 |
| Muddy Waters | 2 | 1.5 |
| Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds | 4 | 2 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Deep Purple | 2, 5 |
| The Beach Boys | 2, 5 |
| Public Enemy | 5, 2 |
| Led Zeppelin | 5, 2, 5 |
| David Bowie | 5, 2, 5, 3, 2 |
5-Star Albums (61)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Kelela · 2 likes
1/5
This album sounds the same as any number of low end R&B from the late 90s to the early 00s.
There are others who did it better then and the fact that this was decades later means it wasn’t even novel.
Boston · 2 likes
5/5
Finally a great palate cleansing enjoyable album. Undeniably great and easy to listen to.
Björk · 1 likes
4/5
This is possibly the most unoriginal take but Björk has such a beautiful and unique voice that mixed with the intense music is spectacular.
I need to be in the right mood for it but when I am it hits perfectly.
The Go-Go's · 1 likes
5/5
A banger from start to finish. I didn’t know what to expect only having heard the hits but I was optimistic from those and it did not disappoint.
When you need an album to get you going and keep you going.
Everything But The Girl · 1 likes
1/5
Maybe it shows my age but this album and type of music just reminds me of boring background noise. Sort of like the elevator music for a new generation.
I remember some of the hits of everything but the girl being on the radio and music compilations but I don’t think I ever enjoyed it then either.
I can’t see how this is an album that anyone needs to hear. I’m sure there are people who enjoy it, but should everyone hear it ? no.
4-Star Albums (58)
1-Star Albums (61)
All Ratings
Bob Dylan
4/5
Glad to finally listen to the full album. Lesser known songs are better than the (overplayed?) hits.
Radiohead
2/5
I admit I may have missed the boat on this one but can’t get into it now.
Leonard Cohen
1/5
Every song sounding the same had me looking forward to the ad breaks.
Made me think of Johnny Cash “The Man Comes Around” but pales in comparison in every metric. That album I have listened to over and over, this one I struggled through the whole thing. Give it a miss.
John Coltrane
1/5
Mercifully short and thank god I had my dog to play with while listening. Certainly other people’s cup of tea but definitely not mine.
Stephen Stills
3/5
So much better than the jazz and crooner nonsense of the last albums.
Straight ahead folk/ rock in the vein of Neil Young but a lesser version. Bobo Neil Young.
ABBA
3/5
Perfectly pleasant and innocuous pop music. Nothing challenging but nice to hear some of the less played songs. Particularly the title track.
Nirvana
5/5
One of the albums and songs that I can still remember the exact first time I heard it.
I hadn’t listened to the whole album in a while and am pleasantly surprised how it holds up.
Miles Davis
1/5
Ugh, noodling jazz at is most noodling.
Michael Jackson
2/5
I can’t say I was ever a MJ fan. I find most of the hits tired and overplayed by this point.
Overall fine for background music but not something I would put on just to listen to.
Echo And The Bunnymen
2/5
I don’t know why but I was hoping for a big revelation on this album. Unfortunately to me it just sounded like an early U2. Not bad but I won’t be revisiting it.
Raekwon
3/5
Not my favorite style of rap but can clearly see( hear) the how this album influenced the genre.
Probably not an album I would revisit but also did not dislike the experience.
The Smiths
3/5
I’ve always heard about the Smiths but have never actually listened to any of them.
I can see returning to the Smiths in the future.
David Bowie
5/5
I could take or leave the first few songs but by the time I hit the last song I was hooked.
Halfway through the final song I got a message that a long time client who I had just negotiated a release from jail had died. He was 61, homeless and a lifelong alcoholic. How fitting.
The Strokes
5/5
Just as good as the first time I heard it.
I can listen to the whole thing through and be happy with every song.
Crosby, Stills & Nash
4/5
Easy to listen too, like a familiar piece of cozy clothing.
First song is the most interesting and best.
Stevie Wonder
1/5
Lots of songs, hooks and beats I recognize. It obviously has had an impact on music going forward but even though I enjoy the ones that took from this I don’t see revisiting it.
I was interested to hear the variations in song style while still all remaining a cohesive album.
Dexys Midnight Runners
3/5
Decent album for what it is. I can’t see returning to it but it was enjoyable.
Who copied who werewolves of London by Warren Zevon or this?
Could hear traces of their most famous song throughout.
What’s with all the talking parts?
Earth, Wind & Fire
2/5
Funk will never be a favorite of mine but I can hear the building blocks within it and find myself singing along to some of the songs so I can’t hate it.
David Bowie
2/5
Sonically interesting.
Not enough lyrically for me.
Hero’s is the standout and the only track I would seek out to listen to again.
Keith Jarrett
2/5
Was dreading this listen but found it enjoyable. Maybe it was just the mood or what I was doing at the time but I didn’t hate it.
The Roots
2/5
I remember the first time I tried to get into the Roots. My cousin lent me this album and I listened to it several times. It didn’t take then and it still didn’t now.
I like some of the raps and the DJing but the throwbacks to funk and soul just kill the vibe for me.
Aretha Franklin
1/5
The iconic songs are indisputable. The rest are best left for a soul fan.
I’ll wait to hear the best on compilations and scores. I don’t need to listen to a full album.
Joy Division
2/5
Again I did not know what to expect but I had hoped for something a bit more listenable.
Challenging but not in a good way.
Nirvana
5/5
First Nirvana album I ever owned(cassette) and first live album as well.
Kurt Cobain’s voice, the stripped down sound, the song choices all come together for a perfect album.
I listened to my cassette on unending repeat and I could likely do the same now.
Truly a must listen for me and influential on my musical taste going forward.
3/5
An interesting listening experience. This was the first time I had listened to the Liars in particular and “noise rock” in general.
The use of noise or samples as an instrument changed with the songs depending on how pleasant it was. Simple lyrics often used similar to the noise was effective.
It will be interesting to see where this genre evolves.
Otis Redding
4/5
Otis Redding singing covers of early rock sounds makes this album a fun listen.
I enjoyed the faster paced songs better so side two (especially satisfaction) was the go to listen.
Liz Phair
3/5
No surprises here, not necessarily a negative but there was nothing that brought it out from just background music.
Barry Adamson
1/5
This album is the least enjoyable one to date. Even if it were a soundtrack to a real movie that movie would be insufferable based purely on this representation.
Meandering and annoying.
Simon & Garfunkel
5/5
A classic from tip to tail. A few songs get a little slow but it’s easily balanced out to make a near perfect album.
One of the albums that I could listen to it on repeat without getting bored.
The Band
4/5
I’m not as much of a fan of the slower songs but the more uptempo ones more than make up for it.
The weight itself would carry the album.
Various Artists
2/5
Good if you like Christmas music, I don’t. Even listening to this on Christmas morning was a chore but the rest of the house liked it.
Aimee Mann
4/5
Nice and pop-y with lyrics that actually tell a story.
Not exactly my wheelhouse of music but I could/ would happily revisit the album.
Carole King
4/5
This is true easy listening but not in a bad way”doctors office” way. The lyrics, voice and melodies mix together for a pleasant and easy and enjoyable experience.
Basement Jaxx
4/5
This album is definitely of a time, that does not mean it still gets your heart rate up even on a sleepy holiday evening.
However I came to realize that the happiness at hearing some of the better known tracks and remembering the general time of when it was relevant makes me realize it is nostalgic but not timeless.
Stevie Wonder
2/5
A one track album in that you should listen to superstition and then skip the rest.
Repetitive lyrics, slow pace and scatting. Pass
The Flaming Lips
3/5
Not the most entertaining Flaming Lips album in my opinion but still listenable. A bit more atmospheric than my regular fare.
Interesting
Mekons
5/5
I had never heard of Mekons and am glad that I have. I have a feeling they may start making the rotation in the up coming new year.
An interesting mix with country influenced music in behind the music at the forefront.
Happy new year!
Primal Scream
3/5
First time hearing of or listening to this band which is too bad because if it had found its way to me around release time I could see being into them in a big way.
I enjoy the mix of genres and having ambient with lyrics is nice. I can see listening to them again, in the right situation.
Giant Sand
3/5
Shiver, Satellite and others that were more melodic and often had female backing vocals were enjoyable whereas the monotone talk singing became tedious.
Overall I enjoyed the album on the whole.
Eagles
5/5
A classic classic.
Even though I own the album this is the first time I think I’ve listened to the whole thing and certainly all in a row.
I was very impressed by the final song and wish it got more play possibly in place of the title song because admittedly if you listen to the right (wrong?) radio stations it can get tedious with overplaying.
The Only Ones
4/5
I am torn on this album. I liked the songs, the style the vocals everything. That said there were no songs that stood out in such a way that I thought I would seek them out again, but should they come up again I would not be unhappy.
Maybe I will come back around to them again but I cannot see why that would be.
The Hives
5/5
Like other of the era, the Hives just get you going, even on a sleepy Sunday Night.
This best of / compilation album is a great reminder of the band for those that were around when these were originally released and probably a great primer for those who were not.
This album will likely find its way into my rotation.
MGMT
5/5
A great album led mostly by two very strong songs, kids and time to pretend.
Upbeat music contrasted with the actual lyrics. You can just allow the songs to wash over in happy pop or pay attention to the lyrics for an alternate experience.
A great album.
The Beta Band
5/5
First time ever hearing this band and by extension album. The chill out music and vibe is cut with enough selections of samples, vocals and more to keep it from getting too sleepy and boring.
Two songs were immediately put on my regular playlist.
Glad for this recommendation.
Ryan Adams
4/5
An interesting listen. I wasn’t sure what to expect having only heard the name but not the music.
I ended up having an enjoyable experience with this album although I didn’t listen to the lyrics too intently.
I didn’t think I would like it as much as I did.
David Bowie
5/5
Another 5 star for Bowie. Never having done the dive into Bowie that I should have it is a revelation to hear the albums now.
Looking forward to more Bowie albums on this journey.
Sly & The Family Stone
3/5
This album was a surprise. I was expecting something more soul-y but it had a lot more funk.
“Don’t call me ****** whitey” was a revelation and I have tried to look at o see if there was a story behind it because it seems powerful but I found nothing yet.
A fun album.
Lauryn Hill
2/5
I love her voice and Doo Wop (the thing) will never not be great. That said I just don’t enjoy this album.
As good as Doo Wop is “Nothing Even Matters” is why I can never get into this style of music.
But then it’s followed by Everything is Everything and I wish for an album made up of similar songs.
Iron Maiden
3/5
From top to bottom a very listenable album.
It would not be a go to to play/ listen to and will never be in the rotation of what I regularly listen to but it has its place.
Enjoyably listenable.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Absolutely classic album. From the first track through the last, the hits remain great and even the “lesser known” songs are great.
Heavy and driving throughout, this album moves from start to finish.
Too classic.
Death In Vegas
2/5
I would have expected to like this album more but found it to be just okay.
Not an artist I will seek out. Could be interesting as a soundtrack but on its own it’s not enough.
Gang Starr
2/5
I like old school rap as much as the next guy but I just don’t see what’s special about Gangstar or even this album in particular.
The beats were as expected the rhymes and flow predictable.
If this was the first of its type or a throwback to this sound I could perhaps see the relevance however it is from the time period it sounds like, and that’s not a good thing.
There are others I would rather listen to when I want to listen to old school rap.
1/5
From the linked Wiki page… “Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water was listed in the book for 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, but later removed in recent editions of the book.”
From the tired “look how many times we swear” fake edginess to the “borrowing” of other popular songs lyrics this album is better left in the past.
Forget it.
Nick Drake
5/5
A revelation! I’d only ever heard “One of these things first” from his other album on a compilation but didn’t know until I heard the voice.
I think was hoping each successive song was longer.
The stripped down sounds of just voice and guitar made the songs so much more interesting and intense.
Amazing. I will be looking for this album.
Everything But The Girl
1/5
Maybe it shows my age but this album and type of music just reminds me of boring background noise. Sort of like the elevator music for a new generation.
I remember some of the hits of everything but the girl being on the radio and music compilations but I don’t think I ever enjoyed it then either.
I can’t see how this is an album that anyone needs to hear. I’m sure there are people who enjoy it, but should everyone hear it ? no.
Linkin Park
5/5
I don’t think they were the first of the Nu-metal bands or even if that’s how they would be categorized.
Having had the chance to listen to this within days of limp bizkit it shows how much above LP is/ was above the others.
To have this as their debut album is something.
They were not a group I listened to when they came out and only got in through the Jay-Z mashup album and moved backwards, but I think they were the top of the genre at the time.
It would have been interesting to see how they would have evolved if Bennington had survived.
Not only at the top of the sound at the time but still a great album to this day.
Beastie Boys
5/5
I only wish I could give this album more than 5 stars.
An absolute must, was likely my foray into any hip hop and responsible for making me a life long beastie boys fan. Bought every album after and the earlier ones I had missed.
Even the instrumentals don’t bother me.
I still miss my old scratched up green cd.
Brian Eno
2/5
I genuinely enjoyed the songs with lyrics and would have enjoyed an album full of that.
That said an album where the majority of the songs were without lyrics was not something I could enjoy.
The United States Of America
1/5
Sonically interesting but li found it to be lacking in connecting that with the lyrics.
It could be that the actual meaning of the lyrics were the known to this far after the release but I had hoped that the “…approach reflecting an anti-establishment, leftist political stance” would have been more clear.
I can see how it influenced some music down the line but that was not enforced my own subjective enjoyment.
The Verve
2/5
If only the whole album sounded like Lucky Man and Bittersweet Symphony this would be a stellar album. Unfortunately the rest is okay, not good, not bad but just okay.
Fine for background listening.
Supertramp
2/5
Without Dreamer and Bloody Well Right this album would rate even lower on my scale.
I’m not even sure those songs are even that good but they have a strong nostalgia factor from the radio as a youth. They would have been old even then but were still on our limited options for rock radio stations.
I’ll be happy to stumble along those two tracks in later years for the same reasons but I would not seek out anything more from this album or the album as a whole.
Nick Drake
3/5
I was hoping that I would enjoy this album as much as I liked Pink Moon. I found that the extra background accompaniment took away from the vulnerability of the songs.
I don’t know if I would have liked it better if I hadn’t had the other one to compare it to, or if it was just a mood tonight. I will likely try the album again or hear some of it while listening to other Nick Drake music so I hope it grows on me over time.
If it doesn’t I still have his other work.
Blur
2/5
Aside from Song Two which I still cannot fairly assess due to its being so overplayed when it first came out. You honestly couldn’t turn around without hearing the song. Unfortunately it ruined it a by association made me dislike the band without going deeper.
Therefore this was my first time listening to the full album (or even partial).
The songs were pleasant enough if not too memorable and I can see how people liked them.
Unfortunately they sound “ of a time” and listening though pleasant would not be something I did without a project like this one.
New Order
1/5
The first song was promising but it went quickly downhill from there.
Unfortunately the 80s sound just sounds so dated, more so than older music which can sound timeless.
I think because of that music like this is does not have the staying power of music without such a distinctive era based sound.
It also means that if you are like me and do not enjoy thie sounds of this time period all the music sounds so similar and unenjoyable.
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
3/5
I enjoy the sound of the 50s early rock and roll and you don’t get much better than Buddy Holly for that.
You can hear the early building blocks of rock and roll which spreads to music of today.
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
4/5
Much more interestingly pleasant and melodic than I expected by the name of the album and songs.
Moody but peaceful with lyrics to match.
Might not be good if it doesn’t match your mood at the time but great when it does.
Bob Dylan
4/5
Undeniably great album.
Well known and lesser known songs are likewise interesting in their lyrics and musically rocking.
Can have it on as the only thing you’re paying attention to or as enjoyable background to dip in and out of.
So far I have yet to find a Dylan album I don’t enjoy.
Guns N' Roses
3/5
Trying to put myself into a place to think what it would be like hearing this album for the first time.
From the opening welcome to the jungle through Mr Brownstone and sweet child of mine. Now classic it’s hard to imagine how hard they would have hit the first time. Even after repeated listenings throughout my life they’re still great if not a bit overplayed.
Solid album.
Queens of the Stone Age
1/5
Boring.
It’s not new, it’s not challenging it’s not even noodley and angering. It’s just nothing.
I wouldn’t even want it as background noise.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
1/5
This was a slog.
And long.
Saying more would be too give more time to an album that has already taken enough of it.
Fela Kuti
2/5
This would not be an album or music that would ever be on my radar if it weren’t for this project.
I enjoyed listening to the album for something new but would not return to it for listening pleasure.
That said it wasn’t bad but I would have liked it more if the songs were shorter.
Pixies
2/5
Enjoyed it for the nostalgia but other than Where is my Mind I won’t be returning to it.
The Byrds
3/5
Nice and mellow. I would happily have the Byrds playing at most times.
Certainly a good listen.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
2/5
This album was okay.
I enjoyed the music much more than the lyrics and vocals, but at the same time wouldn’t want it only as an instrumental.
Perhaps for Elvis Costello fans this is an important album but I admit I don’t get it.
Elliott Smith
3/5
Beautiful voice and songs.
Gorillaz
4/5
Great and unique album.
Even this many years after the success of the album there is no other band that has had the sound and associated success as the Gorillaz.
Songhoy Blues
2/5
A fine album. Despite not understanding the lyrics (obviously) it was a good background.
The Clash
5/5
I feel like anything I could say about this album would have been written 10,000 times before.
It’s a masterpiece, a solid album from start to finish and an experience the first time or the hundredth.
Elton John
3/5
Hit or miss album. Some truly great tracks in Saturday Night and the title track but others run from awful ( the Jamaican one) to fine.
I will happily listen to and seek out some songs but the whole album is unnecessary.
The Modern Lovers
3/5
The main vocalist has a very distinctive voice which I think could be divisive but I found it was enjoyable.
I was surprised at how modern it sounded for an album from 1972.
Some songs sounded like Pulp, which I enjoyed.
Jerry Lee Lewis
2/5
I found it to be low energy for a live show.
I was expecting more and was disappointed in what I thought was going to be a raucous recording.
Miles Davis
1/5
Jazz: nope
Miles Davis Jazz: double nope
Stephen Stills
2/5
Hit or miss songs with more misses than hits.
I was expecting to like this album more than I did but it was not the folkish sound I expected from Stills.
I understand he may have been trying to experiment in different areas but it’s not what I enjoy.
The Stone Roses
3/5
A very interesting album as it seems like it is “the” bridging album between the sound of the 80s to what was to come.
I have never come across an album that has parts with the 80s synth sound and then moves on to arrangements and music that are still heard now.
I’m glad I heard it but I don’t see seeking out more unless they come up in this project again.
Jungle Brothers
2/5
A good example of what early rap.
I'm not sure what makes this album better than other early rap albums of the time.
Good to listen too, not sure why this is more special than others.
Badly Drawn Boy
2/5
This was an okay listen.
Nothing bad but nothing memorable.
Good melodies though.
Van Halen
2/5
I know this album and I’ve heard the hits many times. I have no reason to doubt it was influential but to me it just sounds dated.
The Temptations
1/5
Not for me.
I listened to it but that’s about all I can positively say.
3/5
Strong album.
A number of hits and even the deep cuts are enjoyable.
Simon & Garfunkel
5/5
Perfection!
I know everyone has different tastes but I truly believe all people should hear this album.
It was probably one of the first albums I would have heard on cassette while driving with my parents and gave loved it since.
My top two are a tie with only living boy and the Boxer. The only song I would leave is Frank Lloyd Wright.
White Denim
3/5
Interesting jam band like mix. Highly listenable.
Guided By Voices
2/5
Very short songs.
I had to restart a few times because I would walk away and then didn’t really realize when it ended.
I couldn’t make out what was special or unique about it or why it was on the list but I didn’t hate it.
Portishead
1/5
This was a boring album. Slow and repetitive. Maybe we are so far past when this was new that it has become boring but I feel like others have done this much better.
2/5
Not much to say. Not my cup of tea but didn’t hate it.
Marvin Gaye
1/5
Did not like.
The Kinks
3/5
Nice to listen to album.
Like listening to a Beatles record if you didn’t know any Beatles music.
I feel like I’ve heard similar albums from similar artists so I’m not sure why this one is singled out but I’m sure it’s my lack of knowledge.
Arctic Monkeys
4/5
I love the low production sound. So stripped down that it sounds real, raw and as close to live as you can get.
I’m not sure if it’s the British accent or the lyrics but it almost reminds me of early punk.
Great album top to bottom.
Wild Beasts
2/5
It was fine.
Korn
2/5
Listening to this album brought back memories of the late 90s/ end of high school. It was fun to hear the songs again but after the first few it already stayed to get old.
By the time ice cube came on I was tolerating it and when Fred Durst came around I was done.
The last few songs I was waiting for it to be over.
I know that this album ushered in the nu-metal sound as I knew it but it has not aged well.
Rush
2/5
Although it was interesting in the musical arrangement it was not enjoyable though not enough to hate it.
Air
2/5
Not the right album for a quiet night at home. I could see before or after activity so not an every time anytime album.
Adam & The Ants
2/5
It was fine. I’m not sure what was special.
Ghostface Killah
2/5
The Cars
5/5
To find out this was a debut and not a greatest hits album took me by surprise.
I don’t know I knew and enjoyed so many songs by the Cars.
Great album.
Beyoncé
3/5
Listened to the extended version. Hit or miss on the songs.
I had not heard any of these songs which surprised me as I would have thought I’d at least know a single from any Beyoncé album especially one on a list like this.
OutKast
3/5
Long but enjoyable.
Some legitimate hits.
Robbie Williams
3/5
Not what I was expecting from a former boy band member.
I know he has a huge following in Europe but never really took hold in North America.
Nice to her at least once and have an idea of what his music is like.
Iron Maiden
3/5
I was surprised by the highly melodic music of this album.
Previous to this I only knew Iron Maiden as a name, if I heard their songs it was not knowingly so I was expecting something with more screaming and crunching noise.
Pleasantly surprised.
Genesis
2/5
Musically nice but nothing exciting. No songs that stuck out.
Pulp
2/5
I didn’t know this Pulp album and having heard it that does not surprise me.
Good background music but no songs stood out good or bad.
Little Richard
3/5
Fun and fast paced. There’s a reason why Little Richard’s music is still around today.
That said the songs tend to land on the repetitive side which lessens the enjoyment of the full album.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
I prefer the Stones slightly later sound that has more of a rock element but this was interesting to hear their early and heavily blues influenced start.
Suzanne Vega
2/5
The female singer-songwriter genre is one that I have only recently been getting into.
I have listened to ones from the 60s and 70s and then more contemporary but this was the first from the 80s. So it was interesting to hear this album that continued on the line.
That said nothing stuck out or will make it to my regular listening.
Rocket From The Crypt
3/5
This sounds similar to music that I listen(ed) to and have a nostalgic fondness about.
Despite that I could not get into this album. Some of the songs were on the verge of being catchy but it never got to that point.
Willie Nelson
1/5
Awful!
I was hopeful when I saw Willie Nelson’s name but before the first song had even hit halfway I knew I was in for a punishing listen and then it got worse.
The songs took forever to get through and I kept checking how many were left until it was over.
The B-52's
3/5
Fun and pop-y.
The songs sounded more “real” than Loveshack which was their only other song that I knew and found to have a novelty song sound.
I especially enjoyed the cover of Downtown that ended the album.
Janet Jackson
2/5
I think I would have enjoyed this album if it was shorter with less ballads.
I can enjoy the nostalgia of the 80s pop, especially with a social commentary but but not enough to make me like the whole album.
Yes
3/5
The musicianship was clear and impressive however I do not enjoy this long “jam band” style of music.
I prefer songs that have a tighter arrangement.
Not for me but I can see how people would like it.
Björk
4/5
This is possibly the most unoriginal take but Björk has such a beautiful and unique voice that mixed with the intense music is spectacular.
I need to be in the right mood for it but when I am it hits perfectly.
A Tribe Called Quest
3/5
A good example of mid-early rap. I could have done without the remixes of the deluxe edition as they added nothing to the experience.
The first half of the album was more solid than the latter.
The rhymes by today’s standards seem lame but at the time were unique.
Good for a blast from the past when picking select songs but not an album I would listen to in full again.
Joni Mitchell
5/5
I’m only starting to get into Joni Mitchell album so hearing this early work was great.
Her voice at the time was amazing as were the lyrics.
Great album
Eminem
4/5
It was interesting to listen to this album again after close to 25 years. Certainly I have heard the singles in the interim but not the entire album.
For one I am glad that “skits” seem to be a thing of the past.
Secondly it’s interesting to remember the controversy around some of the songs and think how those would be different now. Some things have become more permissible and others much less.
I wonder if someone hearing this for the first time could be more upset by the challenging lyrics or is it more recognized as shock for shocks sake after many more similar artists, interviews, discord about it.
The album itself still sounds strong, the rhymes clever and the delivery novel.
It should be heard at least once.
Hole
5/5
Great sound, great songs, great album.
XTC
2/5
It was fine. I’m sure I’ve heard XTC before and probably will again but won’t be seeking it out based on this album.
T. Rex
4/5
I knew a few of the hits and have always enjoyed the distinct vocals and crunchy guitar.
Nine Inch Nails
3/5
Like a lot of these (and one of the reasons I started the project) I have never listened to a full NIN album. I knew and liked a few of the songs and still enjoyed them listening to them this time.
I found listening to an hour of it a bit strong.
I had never actually heard the original I hurt myself today, having only heard and very much enjoyed J. Cash's cover. I still contend the cover is better but it was interesting to hear the original.
R.E.M.
4/5
Fun album to listen to, as the hits still resonate and the deeper tracks are enjoyable.
I could still hear some of the earlier REM sound and at one point heard a vocal that in someway reminded me of Kurt Cobain. Glad I listened.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
2/5
That’s it? that’s Elvis Costello? Huh no thanks
Moby
2/5
This album sounds more dated than some much older albums.
That said it is representative of a particular sound and style from the time.
Interesting to revisit but it won’t make it into rotation.
Buzzcocks
3/5
Good early British punk but for my mind others do it better.
Depeche Mode
2/5
This album should be locked in a time capsule only to be released for study and not enjoyment.
Harry Nilsson
2/5
From the description I thought I would enjoy this more than I did.
Aside from the “novelty(?)” song about coconuts this was a one and done.
Talking Heads
3/5
Enjoyable. Admittedly I was working on other things while listening so it did not have my full attention but it was solidly mid range.
Teenage Fanclub
3/5
Another in the list of heard the name but never the music.
Nothing that jumped out but was nice to listen to.
Deep Purple
2/5
A big no thanks to this album.
Long jams in any style of music just tend to get on my nerves.
Patti Smith
4/5
I listened to it twice, so there was definitely aspects that I liked but it won’t make a regular rotations.
Rod Stewart
5/5
I would give this album five stars for Maggie May alone, but after hearing the songs the whole album is incredibly enjoyable and a good listen.
Frank Sinatra
1/5
This was a rough one, luckily it was short.
Both ing songs sung over boring music.
Elvis Costello
5/5
An unexpected favorite. Right out of the gate I loved this album. The mix of musical styles and influences was great.
Beck
3/5
I like Beck but I would not choose this as his most influential or even 2nd or third best album.
Still enjoyable but not a must listen.
Paul Simon
3/5
Aside from the two big hits from this album I don’t find this is the best Paul Simon album.
I’m not sure if there are others of him solo on this list but if this is on there should be.
Still enjoyable though because of the singer/ songwriter skill of Paul Simon.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
Not a fan.
The Band
3/5
The night they drove old Dixie down and up on cripple creek aside I found the songs to be a bit long for me.
Not my favorite The Band album but still enjoyable.
The Go-Go's
5/5
A banger from start to finish. I didn’t know what to expect only having heard the hits but I was optimistic from those and it did not disappoint.
When you need an album to get you going and keep you going.
The The
1/5
Not for me. Is it for anyone? It must be but I don’t see it?
Cyndi Lauper
3/5
Highly listenable album. Many hits from it as there should be.
Unfortunately some have been overplayed but still enjoyable.
The Jam
5/5
Fantastic. An easy and fun listen. I ended up letting the algorithm keep playing more songs by The Jam after it ended.
Led Zeppelin
2/5
It seems almost sacrilegious to say but aside from the big hits I'm just not that big a fan of Led Zeppelin.
This was a long album and rambled on and not in a good way.
I'm not convinced.
The Rolling Stones
2/5
My least favorite stones album.
Coldplay
3/5
This was a fun reminder of a particular time in my life.
Simply Red
1/5
I don’t know who this music is for but I certainly wasn’t me.
This was the was the closest I came to not finishing the whole album.
Alanis Morissette
4/5
Nostalgia from the first note to the last, especially when the harmonica first comes in.
Definitely took me back to a clear time and place.
An enjoyable listen
Michael Jackson
2/5
This album has a number of songs that were hits at the time but even so I do not find them enjoyable except maybe for smooth criminal.
The Adverts
2/5
There are better early punk albums.
Deerhunter
2/5
It didn’t hold my interest for very long. I listened to the whole album but at a point with nothing to latch onto it just became background.
David Bowie
3/5
I found this to be a middling Bowie album which puts it above a number of other artists but not near his best.
I would listen to these songs in a compilation but not the album alone.
The Prodigy
5/5
I listened to this album more than a lot when it first came out. It was basically my introduction to this type of electro dance music.
At some point I stopped listening and hadn’t heard it in many years. I was a bit nervous of how well it aged over that time but I was so happy to find I was enjoying it all over again.
Brian Wilson
4/5
A fun popy album with great harmonies. Easy to listen to and enjoy.
The xx
3/5
Good enough
Cat Stevens
4/5
Great voice and thoughtful lyrics.
George Harrison
3/5
Nice and easy album although the re-issued version had a number of songs which isn't bad when they are new but I do not need to hear various iterations of the same songs.
The La's
3/5
Enjoyed it.
Simon & Garfunkel
5/5
Great Album, great songs and songwriting. There’s not much more that can or needs to be said.
Beatles
5/5
Not much to say about how great this album is that hasn’t already been said.
Sebadoh
1/5
Ugh. No thanks.
David Gray
1/5
Thumbs down
The Smashing Pumpkins
4/5
I was starting to think this would be a difficult re-listen but once I got into the “hits” and settled in it was a pleasing experience.
The Cure
2/5
I can understand the appeal of this album and I enjoy it more than ones when the Cure moved towards a more new wave sound.
That said I did not enjoy it on its own and not based against the bands later albums.
The KLF
3/5
I was surprised that I knew some songs from this album. Based on the name alone I had no recognition but I was pleasantly surprised to hear songs I knew and enjoyed.
The Cardigans
3/5
Somehow in my mind I confused the cardigans and the cranberries. Therefore I went in thinking I was going to hear the distinctive sound and voice of the Cranberries, which I enjoy, and that tainted the first few songs.
After an adjustment I ended up happily listening to the remainder of the album. It was good but nothing outstanding and even though it has been years since I heard the single i could only remember how overplayed it was which made me unable to fully enjoy it.
The Zombies
4/5
I liked this album. I only knew one of the songs but enjoyed them all.
Fatboy Slim
2/5
Okay but got boring. Used to love it but now it gets repetitive.
Dion
2/5
Too much like easy listening for my enjoyment.
GZA
1/5
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
A classic album with classic songs.
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
Unarguable that this album be on this list.
Not a go too for me but I can appreciate the influence and still have fun listening to it.
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
I understand the appeal but it’s not for me.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
I really enjoyed this album. I only knew a few songs but you can hear the Springsteen that went on to all the hits.
Tricky
1/5
I did not find anything new or interesting in this album. There are better albums in this genre.
Cocteau Twins
4/5
I enjoyed it.
The Byrds
5/5
Very easy and satisfying to listen to. I could happily return to this album multiple times.
The Doors
2/5
Not an album I would return to but with the exception of a few slow songs not bad for background.
Fela Kuti
1/5
Hated it. Would give it zero stars if able. Long and pointless songs.
Radiohead
2/5
I enjoy earlier Radiohead. I know this is an important album to some as it is a shift in direction but I did not find it enjoyable.
Television
2/5
It was good but I wasn’t wowed.
Kelela
1/5
This album sounds the same as any number of low end R&B from the late 90s to the early 00s.
There are others who did it better then and the fact that this was decades later means it wasn’t even novel.
Beatles
3/5
One of my lower ranked Beatles albums.
Thelonious Monk
1/5
Awful. Close to an hour of mindless, rambling instruments playing over each other.
Not for me.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
It’s good but less from what I would expect from Springsteen.
I wasn’t overly impressed.
10cc
3/5
A fun album.
Buena Vista Social Club
2/5
I liked it more than I thought I would. I saw the movie back when it came out and did not enjoy any part of it. So I was surprised when I found I didn’t hate this album.
Not great but better than expected.
The first few songs of the album were strong and good but it falls off a steep cliff after that and by the time you get to the Christmas song (Peace on earth) it’s just trying too hard.
Koffi Olomide
1/5
This was a chore to get through. I had to break it into 3-4 sections just to get through. Oof
David Bowie
2/5
I found this hard to get into. I prefer the older albums of Bowie. I won’t go back to this one.
Rage Against The Machine
5/5
Given the riots currently occurring in California this album seems oddly prescient.
The fact that it still holds up is a testament to this album and the power of their songs.
For me this is the protest album of my generation.
Isaac Hayes
2/5
I get that this was a popular movie at the time but I don’t see the appeal of this album.
Reminded me of an elevator.
The Beach Boys
2/5
This seemed to be trying to be different for different sake and therefore forced and hacky.
Steely Dan
2/5
Okay album not great not terrible.
Country Joe & The Fish
2/5
Fine but not enjoyable
The Doors
3/5
This was interesting to listen to but I wouldn’t listen again.
Kendrick Lamar
3/5
I’m a fan of Kendrick Lamar but I found this album underwhelming.
I don’t much enjoy interstitial and I’m willing to let some in as this was a “concept” album but found it took me out of the listening experience.
All in all I find he has gotten better with age and experience and this early one is not where I would have hoped it would be.
N.E.R.D
2/5
I hope that the earlier “In search of…” is also an album on this list. To me that was a much more satisfying and enjoyable album.
I bought this when it came out on the strength of the previous one but did not buy anymore after being disappointed by this one. I feel the same this many years on.
Marty Robbins
5/5
I have a definite soft spot for old country that only came about in the last 10 or so years.
This was a fun album to find. I knew the hit of El Paso but the rest were new but yet felt comforting.
Elis Regina
1/5
Took a few times to finally get through this album. I kept finding reasons to turn it off before forcing it back on.
James Brown
1/5
Eugh… no
Miles Davis
1/5
I tried, I really tried but when I checked how much longer was left and I was only on the second song I had to give up.
I hope that this is the only one I’m not able to finish but here it is.
This should have negative stars.
Abdullah Ibrahim
1/5
I think the random generator is trying to get me to drop out.
I’ve been hit with an onslaught of shitty jazz including my first unable to finish album yesterday. I was hoping for something/ anything better and then I get this.
It was like getting thrown an anchor when I needed a flotation ring.
The only thing I can hope for is is that maybe I am getting them all out of the way at once.
Pray for me
Massive Attack
2/5
This was better than my last few albums , but that is a low, low bar.
I am not a fan of this music although reading the description I would have thought I’d like it better.
I wouldn’t ever go back to it but given how low it can go I’ll give it a 2.
Boston
5/5
Finally a great palate cleansing enjoyable album. Undeniably great and easy to listen to.
Tom Waits
1/5
This has to be a two part joke right? One, this has to be a parody album. I’m convinced because there is no way something can be this bad on purpose. I’m tempted to listen to other Tom Waits songs to confirm this but I just can’t because if I’m wrong and people actually listen to this unironically I just don’t know how to deal with that.
The second part to the joke has to be that this album is on this list. If it’s a parody why have it on, and if it’s not god help us.
Underworld
2/5
Uninspired and repetitive.
Jorge Ben Jor
1/5
Not for me.
Pentangle
3/5
Interesting mix of musical styles. Fine for a listen.
The Everly Brothers
3/5
Good old fashioned rock and roll. It’s easy to see the roots.
Cream
3/5
A solid album. I wouldn’t want to listen to it everyday or even ever week but the musicianship is undeniable.
Booker T. & The MG's
2/5
This album sounded like a band warming up before a concert. A tease of something exciting that could come but ultimately nothing.
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
4/5
This album was a revelation. I had never heard of it and I was judging it based on the title and my less than high enthusiasm for blues.
That said this album was totally unexpected and different. Although I expect it would have become a top tier album for me 15 years ago I still appreciated it and liked many of the songs.
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
2/5
It’s was fine.
Would give it a 2.5 but can’t so I’ll drop down because this is not a round up.
Elvis Presley
3/5
I enjoy a good Elvis record so that was good but not my favorite. I think that I like his older music more.
Pere Ubu
4/5
I enjoyed listening to this unorthodox album. I am not sure how I would classify the music and I’m sure it’s polarizing but I liked it.
AC/DC
3/5
I was surprised to only really know one or two actual songs but since they all sound the same it didn’t make a difference.
I’ve never been a huge ac/dc fan even though it was often played in locker rooms before practices.
It was fine.
Black Sabbath
5/5
Great album. It has some of the most iconic Black Sabbath songs and iconic rock songs in this genre. It has iron man which is often one of the first songs early rock guitarist learn to play.
It’s iconic and still fun to hear.
Peter Gabriel
4/5
This was a nice album. Easy to listen to songs that don’t get in the way.
The Rolling Stones
5/5
One of if not the top Rolling Stones albums of all time and one of the best complete albums as well.
From start to finish it’s hit after hit and the songs are still relevant after all these years.
Santana
3/5
If you like Santana this is the album for you, I’m not a huge fan but I appreciate the skill.
Not something I would seek out but it was not objectionable.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Several big hits on this album and some lesser known gems (to me) make for a a very entertaining listening experience.
Drive-By Truckers
3/5
I would have enjoyed this more if it were shorter. It seems double albums are the purview of the ultra fan.
Some of the songs were interesting and fun to listen it but it seemed like a lot of filler.
Dolly Parton
4/5
I never knew of this trio but I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it. Just like everything with Dolly Parton.
The Who
4/5
Good album but as I wonder often in this project wouldn’t a “best of” of many of these bigger named bands get us to the core idea faster?
Or is that antithetical to the project?
Burning Spear
2/5
First time hearing it, will be the last time intentionally listening to it.
Not that it was necessarily bad it’s just not at all what I like to listen to.
Rufus Wainwright
2/5
For some reason I always expected to like Rufus Wainwright more than I do.
I do like his voice but I find the songs too slow.
4/5
This album was a real surprise for me. I only ever knew the Kinks for “you really got me” and “Lola”. I enjoy those songs when they come and I assumed it was a two hit wonder situation.
I was so glad to find that’s not the case and there’s a whole catalog to dive deeper into.
The Mamas & The Papas
3/5
Fun and poppy and has all the hits.
Nico
2/5
When I first heard her voice I thought this could be something very interesting but as the songs passed nothing really jumped out at me as something special.
The Specials
4/5
Great album. Lots of fun to listen to at the end of a long day. Upbeat and interesting.
Van Halen
4/5
Probably the best for Van Halen. Which if you’re a fan would be great but as a casual listener was just moderate.
Still more listenable than others on the list.
Duran Duran
2/5
I just can’t get over the dated sound and the fact that these songs have been used in the everything to denote “80s”.
Overplayed and not pleasant.
Black Sabbath
4/5
Great rock album.
The Beau Brummels
4/5
I had never heard of the Beau Brummels and given their sound I am surprised by that.
It sounds similar to bands I would have heard and liked early on and so it was a pleasant listen.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
2/5
I’m not a fan of the Chili Peppers in general to start and I found this album underwhelming.
Stan Getz
1/5
How does someone judge what is good Jazz and what is bad? I honestly cannot tell the difference and no amount of albums is able to either. To me it all sounds the same, awful.
3/5
This was a strange one in the fact that I could see how it was influential but it didn’t strike a cord for me.
It was fine and seemed intense but I just couldn’t find a way in.
Judas Priest
4/5
This was a fun album. What I was expecting to be slow hard and dreary was instead almost popy and straight ahead.
I really enjoyed the listen.
Herbie Hancock
1/5
How on earth does anyone listen to this for enjoyment?
To me this is as close to auditory torture as I have experienced.
Never again Mr. Hancock
Blood, Sweat & Tears
4/5
With the exception of the instrumental numbers I really liked this album.
Again it was a band that I knew mostly just name and major hit, Spinning Wheel, but I found I really enjoyed the others as well.
Supergrass
4/5
Fun.
First time I heard supergrass
Dr. Dre
3/5
Has anything in rap music aged as badly as the skit? Luckily not many in those album but still annoying.
Also I found this album did not hold up as well as his next big album 2001.
Dirty Projectors
3/5
A quirky and pleasant album.
Totally new to me.
The Cramps
3/5
I definitely enjoyed listening to this album. I probably would never have despite having heard of them.
Muddy Waters
1/5
I already wasted the time listening I'm not wasting more rating...
Gary Numan
3/5
I was skeptical at first after reading the brief description. Then when I had to check whether i had inadvertently skipped back to the beginning when song 4 sounded so much like song 1.
However, as it went on I found myself enjoying the songs and hearing influences of future music of a number of genres.
Pretenders
3/5
Very 80s but not in an objectionable way.
I am still puzzled how music from the 80s can feel so dated when other music from other time periods that precede it do not sound as dated.
Pantera
2/5
This album was a bit too much for me personally. Although I would pick this over Jazz ten times out of ten it’s not something I would voluntarily listen to again.
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
What more can be said about this album. It’s a classic through and through.
Pink Floyd
5/5
Even though I typically do not enjoy mainly instrumental music there is something special about the way Pink Floyd does it.
Even after many times hearing it it’s still great to listen to.
Beck
2/5
What happened to Beck?
I must admit that if I had heard this album under a different name my opinion may have been different. However, I just could not get over what I knew Beck to be and it took me out of being able to possibly enjoy this album.
Foo Fighters
5/5
This is a great album. It was one that I have not listened to in over 20 years but this listening brought it all back. I still knew all the songs and many of the lyrics.
I won’t let 20 years pass again.
The Residents
1/5
I’m still trying to figure out what this was. I know technically it’s music, but is it?
I guess all art has its experimental edge but I’m not overly sure why it’s on this list.
I would still take this over the Jazz 10 times out of 10
U2
2/5
Some great songs but too many average songs for me to really get into it.
Holger Czukay
1/5
Not a fan. Too experimental but still better than jazz.
Public Enemy
5/5
The standard for rap that has a message.
The fact that the message remains relevant to today is both impressive for its writing and scary for the lack of social progress.
The Flaming Lips
2/5
One good song in my opinion. Not enough to make the album a must listen.
Listen to the single and leave the albm.
Frank Sinatra
2/5
I was surprised that I did not hate this as much as I thought I would.
It would seem that it was a best of type album as it covered most of the Sinatra songs that I had previously heard.
It was okay as background but I couldn’t have listened to it as the only thing.
ZZ Top
3/5
It was as solid ZZ Too album. If you like them you’ll like it if not it’s not for everyone.
I was happy to listen to it but it won’t make the regular rotation.
Slint
2/5
Ali Farka Touré
1/5
Not for me.
Common
3/5
I found it enjoyable but nothing that grabbed my attention. Could probably do with a few more listens.
The Allman Brothers Band
2/5
I usually enjoy live albums more but I found the “jam” quality of the songs to be tedious.
Aphex Twin
1/5
Boooring!
Jethro Tull
3/5
I had an hour long out and back drive so I got to listen to this album in two parts.
Most of the songs were new to me and the ones that I did know I had only heard a few times.
I found this album to be enjoyable to listen to in all aspects of
Joan Armatrading
2/5
This was not my style of music for the most part but I did enjoy the last song.
The Sabres Of Paradise
3/5
I did not think I would enjoy this album but as I continued listening I liked how the it sounded like real instruments playing in a way to make an electronic music sound.
Interesting.
Thin Lizzy
3/5
I really like live albums because there is the opportunity for the artist to change it from the studio album and hearing the audience is fun.
I realized that this enjoyment is very much lessened when you only know a few songs.
This was fine but I don’t need to hear it again.
Funkadelic
3/5
Fun listen.
Tears For Fears
2/5
I’ve written before that the 80s feels more dated and of a time than any other musical period and therefore feel old and over.
Give it a miss
FKA twigs
2/5
Meh
Bad Company
3/5
Straight ahead and enjoyable rock.
Tracy Chapman
3/5
Only knowing the hit song I was not expecting to enjoy this album like I did.
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
I don’t know how/ why I continue to sleep on Bruce Springsteen.
I enjoy his albums when I hear them and need to seek them out more.
I thought this was great.
Christine and the Queens
3/5
I did t listen to the French version but the English side was filled with adequate pop songs.
Fairport Convention
4/5
I really enjoyed this album.
Joni Mitchell
5/5
Always amazing!
Johnny Cash
5/5
From the idea of playing a live album in a prison through to the completion, this album is amazing.
The interstitial quips to the audience of inmates are an amazing glimpse of both Johnny Cash and the audience.
This may be the best live album of all time and top album overall.
Cypress Hill
2/5
Listening to this album was like oh hey! it’s Cypress Hill ! To quickly oh hey… it’s cypress hill….
They’re great for a mixed tape but just not on their own.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Not my favorite Springsteen album but still worth a listen.
T. Rex
3/5
I love the sound of T. Rex. I don’t know them well enough to say this is the album that represents them the best but I enjoyed it.
Shack
3/5
This album was fine. Nothing great, nothing horrible, just straight down the middle.
Fleetwood Mac
2/5
I am hoping that there is another album that has better songs because otherwise I do not understand the hype about Fleetwood Mac
Metallica
2/5
Meh-tallica
The Chemical Brothers
4/5
This album is great example of the electronic dance music movement that really spread wide during the period.
They were arguably one of the best known to participate in the style for reasons that are obvious in this album.
Catchy hooks, good beats and interesting choices.
Pulp
2/5
When I owned this album on CD when it first came out I must have listened to the full thing at least once however it quickly became just listening to the hit “Common people”. That single is still a fun pop song but does not make up for the rest of the album.
John Lennon
3/5
As a Beatles fan I thought I would like this album more. Aside from Imagine I couldn’t really get into any of the songs in any real way.
Not great considering the artist.
The Velvet Underground
2/5
It felt like this was trying to be interesting just for the reason of being interesting.
Pushing boundaries is not always pretty but it seemed like this was unnecessarily so.
Faith No More
2/5
No thank you.
Maybe if I’d heard them at a different time in my life I would have liked it but not now. The best part was the Black Sabbath “War Pigs” cover and even that was only good because it reminded me of the original.
John Prine
5/5
Amazing and a revelation.
I can’t believe I’ve never heard (if) him before.
I’ve already ré listened to Quite Man back to back and downloaded the album. The lp will be purchased soon.
I live the simple lyrics that have such complex ideas and meaning. It takes a truly talented artist to pull this off so well.
Dusty Springfield
4/5
Lots of great pop hits.
Truly a prolific and talented artist and a great album.
The Saints
3/5
I enjoyed this Australian flavor of pretty straight forward punk.
Thundercat
2/5
Lazy and one note.
Pass.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
2/5
It was okay.
Leonard Cohen
1/5
This low, slow talk-singing is very grating.
I know he has many fans but I don’t know how.
Grateful Dead
3/5
This album is an easy entrance to the Grateful Dead because it has more of their shorter hits than the longer jams.
I find their longer jams can get a bit tedious for me so this is a great album to show their musical style in a more listenable format.
Overall an enjoyable album.
David Crosby
2/5
From someone in Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young this was about the sleepiest album I have heard in a long time.
I would have thought with the people involved this could have been a fun an rock forward album and not this weak showing.
The Stooges
5/5
Great album by a great band.
The Young Rascals
3/5
I didn’t know this group or the songs but they were fun and catchy for a Saturday morning.
Megadeth
3/5
I don’t and never have listened to metal. I only know Megadeath as a pop culture reference.
That said I had no negative feelings to this album. I can’t say whether it’s great or not but I found it fine.
Sarah Vaughan
1/5
From the lazy rhymes to the put on sexyness. This album is a scat break away from a crime.
Saint Etienne
3/5
Not at all what I was expecting by the cover.
I liked the majority of the album and the few songs I didn’t were still fine just not exactly what I was wanting.
The Go-Betweens
3/5
A middle of the road album. Not a bad listen but nothing that stands out
N.W.A.
5/5
An album so integral to the foundation of rap that they made a movie about it.
Although some of the lyrics are cringy at best with today’s lens it is still a seminal work.
Lou Reed
2/5
A few great songs but not an albums worth.
Again a best of would be best.
PJ Harvey
3/5
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
3/5
Based purely on the name I thought I would have trouble even making it through. To my surprise I enjoyed listening but I don’t see going back to it.
The Beach Boys
5/5
Amazing!
I think The Beach Boys often get lumped into the classification of easy listening type “yacht rock”.
This album should dispel any of those thoughts immediately upon hearing it.
A great album that can be listened to on repeat even after all these years.
John Martyn
1/5
There are no word to describe how truly awful this album is.
I must therefore resort to colors. This album is light institutional green.
Intended to be calming but instead truly maddening to all those but the recently lobotomized.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
5/5
It should be no wonder that this band became and has remained as big as they have.
I was surprised that songs that I knew so well were actually skynyrd songs, knowing mostly their later work.
It was/ is great
Motörhead
3/5
I like the lead singers voice and the songs were good.
Now I know who Motörhead is.
Bill Evans Trio
1/5
No
Spacemen 3
1/5
To be used only as very distant background music if you can’t find anything else and silence bothers you.
Solomon Burke
3/5
I always enjoy listening to the beginnings of rock and roll and this album was no exception. I won’t revisit it but I didn’t not enjoy it.
2/5
When I bought this album on CD when it first came out I remember I listen to it a few times ripped the three songs I liked and gave it to my sister.
Many years later I feel the same about this album a few great songs but otherwise not worth keeping around.
Pet Shop Boys
2/5
Leave it in the 80s
Beastie Boys
5/5
I will never not love this album.
The Sugarcubes
3/5
I had no idea that Bjork was in a band prior to going solo but I knew as soon as I heard the voice.
Anything with her unique vocals prowess is at least interesting and in this case a good album.
The Smiths
2/5
ThI only thing I liked about this album was the song names.
Screaming Trees
2/5
I did not find this album interesting or enjoyable in any way. The sound and musical style was reminiscent of many bands that have done it better.
The Pretty Things
3/5
I personally can never follow/ understand a rock opera or album that tells a full story.
I enjoyed some of the songs but maybe deeper listening and paying closer attention is necessary.
That said it was still enjoyable.
The Smiths
3/5
So far this is the Smiths album that I have enjoyed the most. However, that does say much as the others were very low in their review.
Billy Bragg
4/5
Enjoyable.
Marvin Gaye
1/5
No, not for me.
Even my wife said it was getting too much.
Scritti Politti
1/5
I’m not convinced this isn’t a Guantanamo level torture test
B.B. King
3/5
I enjoyed this album.
Kendrick Lamar
3/5
Hit and miss but the sting message carries it
Lana Del Rey
3/5
Okay but I found it got reparative and a bit whiny towards the end.
Elliott Smith
3/5
I don’t remember what I gave the last E. Smith album but I thought this one was better.
You definitely have to be in right mood for it but I can understand why it was used in movies to invoke a mood.
The Sonics
4/5
Early rock with a bit of an edge.
Joanna Newsom
5/5
What an amazing voice, the only other singer I could see a comparison with would be Bjork.
I enjoyed the musical through lines of the music in all the songs like it was chapters in a book but with the same characters.
Elastica
2/5
It was alright
Neil Young
5/5
Not my favorite Neil Young Album but still a great album with great songs. Nothing wrong with it I just love some others more.
a-ha
2/5
This album just sounds like a soundtrack to an 80s movie. It’s dated and doesn’t work in a time beyond its own.
The Boo Radleys
2/5
Nothing outstanding
Talking Heads
2/5
Good for background music. Nothing that made me stand at attention.
Kanye West
4/5
In a struggle to part the art from the artist I did like this album.
I found it was closer to College dropout, late registration and graduation trilogy than the later work. I loved that early trilogy at the time and still enjoy the songs when I hear them today.
It was the Kanye music I like.
Tim Buckley
2/5
Everything But The Girl
2/5
This album needs to crawl back into whatever 80s hole of boringness it oozed out of.
Yuck
Jimmy Smith
1/5
This was awful
Marilyn Manson
2/5
I didn’t enjoy Marilyn Manson when he first came out and I don’t enjoy him now.
It always seemed like shock for shocks sake and nothing real behind it.
Fiona Apple
2/5
Outside of one or two songs I was underwhelmed by this album. Good vocals but nothing more. It’s never a good sign when I’m counting down the tracks to the end of the album.
Count Basie & His Orchestra
1/5
So bad no reviews
Run-D.M.C.
5/5
This is the first full Run DMC album I’ve listened to and I was happy to find it had the same fun energetic feeling as the songs I’ve heard.
Would happily listen to it again.
Public Enemy
2/5
This album did not age well.
Bebel Gilberto
1/5
Hard pass
Sufjan Stevens
3/5
Strangely entertaining
Don McLean
2/5
S’okay
AC/DC
4/5
Cliched but it still rocks.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
5/5
One of Neil Young’s best albums and that says a lot.
The intro/ outro on this album really work to set the tone while still standing on their own as great proto grunge songs.
In between the rest of the album charges ahead with a mix of thought out lyrics and often aggressive melody.
Top notch
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
3/5
I get that it needs to be on the list because of it’s influence on Rap but I feel like it’s been given enough of its due.
Billy Joel
2/5
It was strange that there were a few songs that I loved and sang along to and the rest I wanted to turn off.
To have such highs and lows in one album is not something I have come across before.
Neil Young
5/5
Neil Young is perfection. His range is so wide from singer- songwriter to country to protocol- grunge.
Great!
Marvin Gaye
1/5
I don’t get why people like his music
Goldfrapp
3/5
Decent vacuuming music
Stereolab
2/5
Nah
The Who
4/5
Strong beginning and ending but the middle was hit or miss.
There were more hits than misses so a solid album but I wouldn’t choose to listen to the whole thing straight through.
Machito
1/5
Not the worst jazz but it was gunning for it
Deee-Lite
2/5
How did a tired one hit wonder get an album on this list?
Oasis
3/5
I’m sure it made an impact for some people. I’m not that person.
Big Brother & The Holding Company
3/5
Historical for sure
Cheap Trick
2/5
Some huge hits.
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
5/5
Do I love older country? I think I do. I never would have guessed and grew up thinking I “ hated” country but I could listen to this all day long.
Arcade Fire
4/5
I wish I had been in a better mood when I listened to this album.
I think it could be really good but the frustration for other external events did not allow it to break through.
TV On The Radio
2/5
The last two “bonus tracks” were awful and made the album suffer as that was the last thing heard.
Assuming that the original album did not have these it was a fairly straightforward rock album with few surprises. Likely well liked by fans but nothing that made me need to follow up with this band or want to listen to this album again.
Tom Waits
3/5
I don’t see the appeal but I really liked the second to last song.
The Smashing Pumpkins
5/5
One of the first more modern albums that I can unequivocally agree needs to be on the list, meaning everyone should hear it before they die.
A long album (maybe a bit too long) it spans an amazing amount of musical styles yet always with a SP flavor.
I loved this album when I had it on double cd and while I would likely only play pieces of it nowadays I still think it is musically relevant.
Arcade Fire
3/5
Good
The Flying Burrito Brothers
4/5
Interesting album. I don’t think I’d ever heard a pro draft dodger song.
Very listenable.
3/5
This album was fine. I listened to it in the car and it was perfectly okay for listening to in that space.
I wouldn’t necessarily listen to it again but wouldn’t turn it off.
Should be a 2.5 if that was possible
Pearl Jam
5/5
Great album, great selection, great band.
Soft Machine
1/5
To say that this album was a chore is to do a disservice to chores. It was long an laborious without any sense of cohesive musicality. At time it sounded like a cat walking over a keyboard but somehow even worse than that.
Do not listen
Portishead
2/5
Not a portishead fan. Unusually I like this type of music but this women just does not do anything for me.
Frank Sinatra
1/5
Frank Sinatra is widely know to have connections to all sorts of unsavory underworld figures and mobsters of the time. After hearing this album and knowing of his success I can only surmise that there were credible threats out there that you had to like him.
I cannot see how anyone in their right mind and not under duress would willingly listen to this schmaltz more than once.
If there is a hell and I ended up there I am relatively sure this would be the soundtrack.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
5/5
Great album. Maybe not the best of Neil Young but still great with amazing songs.
The Jesus And Mary Chain
2/5
First time and last time. I thought the album started out well but I was soon just tired of the music
Justin Timberlake
1/5
Maybe one good dance track. Not enough for a full album and definitely not something that needs to be heard.
R.E.M.
4/5
This was the first time I listened to this full album. I’d heard all of the “radio” hits as anyone my age would. That said I really enjoyed the album and can see why they became the stars that they did.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
I like Joni Mitchell’s voice but this less structured sound is not my thing.
A good album to listen to if you’re a huge Joni Mitchell fan but otherwise there are albums of her that are so much better.
Todd Rundgren
3/5
I’m not sure what to make of this album. Most of it was okay but not an essential album or anything that shows a musical progression that I could ascertain.
Fleet Foxes
3/5
Good I guess. I wasn’t wowed by any of the songs or the album as a whole.
I’m not sure why it made the list but alright.
Radiohead
3/5
I didn’t listen to this when it came out but I probably should have. I thought they were more experimental and I would not like it. I found myself enjoying it.
3/5
I’ve never heard of Spirit and now I have.
Wu-Tang Clan
5/5
Great album and truly one that changed the direction of rap. Although I do not know if any groups were as big and wide ranging as them it seems to mark a change towards collaboration.
As well as mix between the harder edge of gangster and the clever lyrics.
Wilco
3/5
Not what I was hoping for. I’d heard of this album many times and was excited to finally have a reason to listen.
Unfortunately I found it boring.
Gene Clark
4/5
I found it to be Dylan-esque at time in a good way.
An enjoyable album.
Pixies
4/5
A good Pixies album. Not my favorite but still even a secondary album by the Pixies is a good album.
The Human League
2/5
Too eighties. Sounds dated.
DJ Shadow
3/5
This album was interesting in the way that the DJ was able to create new songs completely composed of samples.
It was enjoyable to listen to to hear what was created and I think is important to see what can be done, however it is not something I would return to more than the first listen.
Dolly Parton
4/5
Good because Dolly is great but not the strongest album of hers in my opinion.
Still fun to listen to.
Radiohead
4/5
The album that I most associate with Radiohead. It must have come out at the right time in my life.
Given the above it is my favorite of their albums and a solid all around album.
Muddy Waters
2/5
I’m sure this is a fine album for people who really like this type of music.
I don’t hate it but it’s not something I would go out of my way to hear.
Roxy Music
2/5
I listened. It was okay. I won’t listen to it again.
Prince
2/5
I know some people absolutely love Prince but aside from some of the hits I wasn’t that impressed.
The Triffids
2/5
This felt very long.
Sugar
2/5
Not a fan.
Arcade Fire
4/5
The second fulll album by Arcade Fire that I have listened to through this project and again found it enjoyable and easy to listen to.
Christina Aguilera
2/5
The self indulgence of this album is so blatantly apparent, and in no place more than the last song on the first album.
There are a few good songs and sadly with some cuts this could have been a solid single album but the huge overreach brings it way down.
Mercury Rev
2/5
I listened to it. I didn’t hate it but I won’t seek out more Mercury Rev.
R.E.M.
2/5
I found this REM album to be underwhelming. I had never heard their debut and given how big they got I was expecting more.
I guess if you’re a completist this album is a must hear but as a part of this project it’s not.
The Slits
2/5
One and done.
Doves
2/5
Another fine but uninteresting album. It sounded like any number of albums of the time.
I would not seek it out.
Mj Cole
1/5
Ugh. I got free cds with the purchase of beer that were 100 times better than this.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
An interesting record. I’ve never heard of murder ballads before and it made me pay attention to the lyrics more.
Pretty good
Morrissey
3/5
Some good stuff in this album. I don’t know much about Morrisey but if this is his best album I agree with it being on the list.
Beastie Boys
5/5
I just received this album on vinyl for Christmas. If its not my favorite Beastie Boys albums its in a close battle Ill Communication.
Along with that it is probably at the top of my favorite albums of all time. It hits the perfect mix of nostalgia and am album that always has something new to offer.
The whole dynamic between the three and the use of samples overlayed is worth listening to and also fun. Unlike some albums that are important and or significant but difficult to get through this one is easy as pie.
Alice Cooper
5/5
This is Alice Cooper? I thought all the songs (except the few hits) would be like the final song but I was so pleasantly surprised.
(Aside from the last song) this album was great with songs that I could see listening to many times.
I guess that I bought into the persona but only in a negative way! I’m glad that I found out how wrong I was.
Garbage
3/5
I was squarely in the time and age where if Garbage had caught my ear and made an impact it would have.
I can see why the radio hits were picked, they are the best songs on a mediocre album.
Mike Oldfield
1/5
Tubular Bells, more like tubular balls!
This album sounds like the background of a movie I have no interest of watching.
I did get a laugh when he would announce the names of the instruments because it was so absurd.
How and why this was ever made is a mystery.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
This was long and tedious.
Was there a point to it?
Ride
2/5
So this is showcasing music?
I don’t think I’m a fan.
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
2/5
Too 80s.
Did this decade give us anything that lasted?
Deep Purple
5/5
Even if this album just had Smoke on the water it would need to be on the list. The sheer number of guitarists that play that riff as their first piece on a guitar would be a staggering statistic.
The fact that the rat of the album is as solid as it is ad even starts out with another hit just solidifies its need to be on the list.
Great album
A Tribe Called Quest
5/5
A great album.
Great artists all collaborating around great beats with great rhymes.
Moby Grape
3/5
A good listenable album. I’d not heard of Moby Grape previously but their sound was in line with what I would expect from the time.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
1/5
Lady Smith Black Mambaz-no. This is not a style of music that I can get behind.
Sade
1/5
From the very first notes I could tell I would not enjoy this album.
Why does Kenny G get the brunt of the ridicule when this is essentially the same except with a female vocalist.
Awful
Prefab Sprout
3/5
Finr
Lou Reed
2/5
This album is entirely forgettable. When it came time to write this I could not remember a single memorable item.
The Afghan Whigs
2/5
Smashing pumpkins did it better.
Little Simz
3/5
Extremely listenable and fresh sounding.
Clear and not overproduced.
The Stooges
3/5
My least favorite stooges album. I find it lacks the intensity and rawness of the other albums.
Good but not great
Missy Elliott
4/5
There are a few songs on here that broke through to the mainstream in a major way which already means it should be on this list.
The other songs were not my style but had an effect on rap going forward.
Listen to the hits skip the rest unless you’re a Missy fan
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
3/5
From the description I thought I would not like this album. Synth is usually too 80s but I found its use here was not overbearing on most tracks and therefore the album was pleasant.
Ice T
3/5
Good for gangster rap which is not my favorite style but I still enjoyed It.
Isaac Hayes
1/5
Who actually enjoys this?
What made people actually record this?
When are you supposed to play this?
Where can I ask for my time back?
Why dear lord why?
Kid Rock
2/5
I am very conflicted on this album (except the last track, that is straight trash).
I was the perfect age for this music when it first came out and I have good associations with a number of the songs and my life at the time.
On the other hand the artist has taken a hard turn into an area that I absolutely despise.
Listening now I have both of these in mind and I cannot reconcile them.
I think the bad outweighs any nostalgic good. Plus that last song ugh.
Pet Shop Boys
3/5
Good