Solid. Very 60's, sometimes a little psychedelic-y with some catchy music. Always amazed that they didn't have a bass player, I think. I'm not a huge fan of the Doors and think they're a bit overrated, but I am not a child of the 60's. As with other influential groups from that time, they sound cliched, but they're probably the ones who invented the style in the first place and everyone has been copying them. Kinda like blaming Pearl Jam for Creed.

Like most people in my generation I didn't know who Herbie Hancock was until Rockit which came out like 10 years after this album. I really enjoy the funk-infused jazz. Would be great as part of a playlist for a party or background for work. Very good album.

I was not familiar with this album at all. Apparently this helped popularize Bossa Nova music. I have also learned that Bossa Nova music is like Samba music, but with more emphasis on melody rather than percussion. I appreciate the music and that it sounds like it is played well, but this album is not something I would listen to normally. My parents probably would have enjoyed it though.

2 - SKA! I like Ska. Tragic Kingdom by No Doubt is one of my favorites. Little Bitch instantly makes me think of Sixteen Candles. Great needle-drop in a movie full of them. Again, this album came out a bit before my time so it's hard to grasp how much this album and The Specials set the tone for Ska. Sounds raw like punk, but does not sound as angry unless you read the lyrics. The only problem with ska is it starts to sound repetitive if you listen to it for a long time. Enjoyed this one.

When I went to university this album was standard issue, just about everyone had it. Blister in the Sun, Kiss Off, Add It Up, Gone Daddy Gone are all songs I've listened to probably more than 100 times. The sound is stripped down, acoustic punk. Some would have called it "college radio" at the time. Great music and quite unique.

I am a pretty big fan of REM. Document was huge when it came out. It is what made me initially interested in the band. I went back and got their previous albums which I enjoyed. Very "college radio", but there is a lot of good stuff. Starting with Green I guess they were evolving their sound. I did not care for a lot of it at the time and did not like post-Document REM as much as pre-Document. Also, like post-Joshua Tree U2, it seemed that they started taking themselves a bit too seriously. I'm not sure I have ever actually listened to this entire album, but I have heard a lot of it. It is better than I remember. I still feel pre-Document is better REM, but this is a good album and REM is definitely a great band.

I like hip-hop music, but I don't know a whole lot about Missy Elliott or this album, my loss. It is a good album. Some old school callbacks along with newer things. A lot of big-name contributors. Songs that stood out for me were Bring the Pain, Work It, and Funky Fresh Dressed. It's one of those albums that sound like they put a lot of effort into it, it just sounds good. Definitely worth listening to.

I have never listened to this before, but I recognized 3 songs, Oh Boy, Maybe Baby, and That'll Be the Day. They are catchy songs. This was probably a lot different than typical music in the 50's. Knowing the influence Holly had, it's easy to hear it on the album. Definitely worth listening to. This was the only album released by Buddy Holly and the Crickets while Buddy Holly was alive. He did release two other solo albums which were also popular. The quantity and quality of music he probably inspired is amazing. Holly has been cited as an influence to artists like Bob Dylan, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Elvis Costello, and others. Truly a groundbreaking artist and all before he died at 22.

Very low-key music, sometimes sounds a little country and I heard what reminded me a lot of Pink Floyd at times. This seems like a big departure from the sound of what I'd heard form Beck. As I listened to it I thought it sounds like it was written by someone who had a break up or divorce. I looked at Wikipedia and he had just broken up with his girlfriend before this. I have to give him credit for being a talented artist/song-writer, that does come through. I'm sure if I read through the lyrics I would find a lot of introspection. This album is good in it's own space, but I just found it boring.

Sam Cooke is the King of Soul and his voice is almost instantly recognizable. All of the songs flowed together and this album was great to listen to. Almost 40 minutes of music that felt like about 5. The man had a great voice and was a gifted performer. Twistin' the Night Away is just a great song. According to my extensive research of reading Wikipedia, although this is an album for a live show done in Miami in 1963, the label did not like how it sounded and put it on a shelf for 22 years. So not released until 1985. On Spotify this appears to be the reissue released in 2005 after adjustments to the mix of audience and Cooke's singing.

For me the Talking Heads were a little too leading edge of new wave/progressive music for me. I liked some of their songs, but a lot were incomprehensible or plain weird. That being said, I enjoyed this one. Another one that I have never listened to and recognize only one song that everyone probably recognizes, Once in a Lifetime, which had some popular success and a pretty interesting video at the beginning of the MTV era. There's a lot of riffs or grooves that are just repeated over and over in songs, to nice effect. I had friends who smoked pot and listened to a lot of Pink Floyd, they probably would have liked most of this album for that purpose. Some progressive music can be difficult to listen to, but not the case here. A good album by an influential band.

Ambient? Experimental? Proto-Punk? Proto-Chill Wave? Definitely unique. Not familiar at all with the group Neu! and beyond Kraftwerk I'm not familiar with much German progressive/new wave music. Really, it sounded like some people got into a studio and had some fun making some music. It also made an hour of work go by more quickly. Definitely worth a listen.

I cannot remember what got me initially interested in Fatboy Slim. I think Soul Surfing was music in a commercial and then Gangster Trippin' was in the soundtrack for the movie Go. The music really resonated with me. This album is brilliant and I couldn't even tell you how many times I've listened to it. You should listen to it now! Fun fact, Fatboy Slim (aka Norman Cook) played bass for the Housemartins before becoming Fatboy Slim.

What more can you say about Led Zeppelin and Led Zeppelin III that hasn't already been said a million times. If you like Zep and their music you will like this one. Page's playing is pretty amazing. Another great album by an amazing band.

For albums I know nothing about I'm doing thoughts before and after I listen: Before: I know Joni Mitchell is a singer and she is well known and an influential artist, I could not name one of her songs off the top of my head. Did she do the paved paradise and put up a parking lot one? I expect to hear 70's folksy/contemporary music. I expect I'll recognize one or two songs. After: Recognized Help Me. She did do Paved Paradise, but it's not on this album. Definitely 70's singer/songwriter music à la Carly Simon or James Taylor, but leans more folk to my ear. I think it's a good album, but not my normal cup of tea.

What I expected to hear: cowboy music What I heard: cowboy music, I did recognize El Paso If you like cowboy/country/western music you will love this album. I don't, so this was a tough one to get through.

It is difficult to separate Michael Jackson's music from Michael Jackson the person. Clearly he was a massively talented artist, but not such a great person. Off the Wall is interesting because it seems to be the point right before he began to lose touch with reality. After the Pepsi commercial accident he went completely off the rails never to recover. Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough and Rock with You are really great songs. She's Out of My Life was also very popular. The rest of the album is good. Off the Wall stands out among the rest. Hard to judge this album fairly when his next album happens to be the best selling album of all time, but this one is good.

A good album of Christmas music with a doo-wop twist, the Spector Wall of Sound and featuring Spector artists. I was surprised how many of these specific recordings of these songs I recognized and enjoy. White Christmas, Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Winter Wonderland and Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) are all great. Darlene Love and the Ronettes really stand out too. If you're looking for a good album of Christmas music and can ignore Phil Spector's legacy, this is definitely worth a listen.

I know who the Byrds are and that they're not the Yardbirds. I know very little about this album, but's a big dose of that folky/psychadelicy rock music from the mid to late 60's. Nice harmonies, which makes sense given the people involved. It had some things that definitely seemed Beatles-inspired, music looped backwards and the sitar in some songs. I'm sure I've heard a lot of these songs before but I didn't recognize any while I listened. I appreciate the people involved and the influence of the Byrds, and the Yardbirds for that matter, but found this one a little boring. If you're listening to this on Spotify the original album had just the first 11 songs. The additional 6 tracks are from the 1996 CD reissue, at least that's what Wikipedia says.

For a long time I have tried really hard to like Bruce Springsteen's music, but it just have never clicked for me. I have tried to figure out what it is. Other than I feel like he mumbles when he sings I'm not sure. He is a very talented guy and the E Street Band is great. I have heard they were amazing to listen to live. Steven Van Zandt was Silvio in the Sopranos! What more do they need? Some consider this album to be one of his best, but I still don't get it. I tried.

This is an interesting album. I don't know much about Nick Drake other than he was a folk-type singer and he died pretty young. This seems to be a little different than other folk music. There is a lot of what seems like elaborate backing music and a lot of backing vocals, which do sound good. This is some slow and mellow music and it's not a bad way to spend 40 minutes.

Legitimately never heard of this group so was hoping to discover some new music. Not sure what type of music I would say this is, kind of chill-wavy. All the songs sounded the same to me, kind of bland and nondescript. Apparently this was a pretty highly acclaimed album, but I didn't care for it.

This is a great album by an incredible group. Their follow-up to Dark Side of the Moon, one of the best selling albums of all time. About half this album is a two-part Shine on You Crazy Diamond, along with Wish You Were Here, that are tributes to former band member Syd Barrett. All are fantastic. Welcome to the Machine is an excellent song. Have a Cigar, another great song, always sticks out with the, "by the way, which one's Pink?" line. Dark Side of the Moon is their best selling album, and it is great, but Wish You Were Here is probably their best. It's as close to perfect as you can get.

I know who Common is but not much about his music. I did not realize how long he's been around. On this one, Common has a smooth voice and there was a nice groove that seemed to run through the whole album. Ye produced and it sounds good. He definitely had some talent back when he was still on his meds. Definitely a good way to spend some time and worth a listen.

I've never listened to this whole album and yet I feel like I have. Because, if you've heard one or two Cult songs you've pretty much heard them all. I don't have this album, but I do have their album Love and have listened to it more than a few times. Other than She Sells Sanctuary, I don't think I could name another song on it. I've now listened to this entire album and except that some of the song names are kind of unique, Aphrodisiac Jacket?, I can't really tell them apart. Honestly, these guys are good in small doses, but they are repetitive, but they are repetitive. One last thing, this album's cover is great for the "Guess the Lead Singer" game. Who could it possibly be?

Kathleen Hanna one of the Riot Grrrl pioneers helped form this band after Bikini Kill. I like the raw energy and emotion you hear in a lot of punk music. This album takes the edge off of the rawness so it's a lot more listenable. If you like the arty-punk/riot grrrl styles of music at all, you will like this one. Even if you don't, this is still worth a listen.

This is peak REM and their breakthrough to big mainstream success. I haven't listened to the whole thing in a long time, but it is still great. Although my contrarian self in 1987 couldn't stand The One I Love because it was WAY too popular, it is a great song. Side One of the LP starting with Finest Worksong and ending with It's the End of the World is one of my favorites sides ever. This is an incredible album and as close to REM perfection as you can get.

Some great R&B/Soul music. Let's Stay Together is the one everyone probably knows. Another artist with some troubling history, but this is worth a listen.

I like the Jam, but haven't listened to a lot of their music. Definitely that early 80's new wavy sound. You can hear Beatles influence in some songs, like Start! Good music here.

Janis Joplin was a powerful singer with her signature raspy voice that most will recognize. This is a fantastic blues/rock album that was her most successful work. Cry Baby, Me and Bobby McGee, and Mercedes Benz are all well known from this one. Definitely worth listening to. This was released after her heroin overdose death that made her one of the charter members of the original 27 Club. One can only imagine what she might have done if she hadn't OD'd. Don't do drugs kids.

I've heard of this group, but couldn't have named any of their songs prior to listening. Maybe an opportunity to discover some new music? Nope. This album is OK but there's nothing remarkable about it. Sound like generic mid-00's rock music.

There's not a whole lot you can say about this one. An iconic band in their prime. Brown Sugar, Wild Horses and Bitch are the well known songs and they hold up. A great album and a fantastic way to spend 46 minutes and 15 seconds. Also, I'm sure the album cover had a lot of people clutching at their pearls back in 1971. <Spın̈al Tap Joke Here>

I want to like the Talking Heads more, but I find it hard to listen to a lot of their music, like a lot of this album. The cover of Al Green's Take Me to the River was OK. A big old Meh of an album.