299
Albums Rated
3.44
Average Rating
27%
Complete
790 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1970s
Favorite Decade
Punk
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
35
5-Star Albums
3
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Want One
Rufus Wainwright
|
5 | 2.9 | +2.1 |
|
Country Life
Roxy Music
|
5 | 3.11 | +1.89 |
|
Le Tigre
Le Tigre
|
5 | 3.13 | +1.87 |
|
No Other
Gene Clark
|
5 | 3.19 | +1.81 |
|
Clandestino
Manu Chao
|
5 | 3.22 | +1.78 |
|
Femi Kuti
Femi Kuti
|
5 | 3.25 | +1.75 |
|
Feast of Wire
Calexico
|
5 | 3.29 | +1.71 |
|
Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
|
5 | 3.32 | +1.68 |
|
Dub Housing
Pere Ubu
|
4 | 2.35 | +1.65 |
|
Blunderbuss
Jack White
|
5 | 3.4 | +1.6 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bringing It All Back Home
Bob Dylan
|
1 | 3.64 | -2.64 |
|
Tusk
Fleetwood Mac
|
1 | 3.46 | -2.46 |
|
The Chronic
Dr. Dre
|
1 | 3.33 | -2.33 |
|
Let It Bleed
The Rolling Stones
|
2 | 3.83 | -1.83 |
|
The Low End Theory
A Tribe Called Quest
|
2 | 3.7 | -1.7 |
|
Blood On The Tracks
Bob Dylan
|
2 | 3.68 | -1.68 |
|
To Pimp A Butterfly
Kendrick Lamar
|
2 | 3.61 | -1.61 |
|
Rust Never Sleeps
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
|
2 | 3.53 | -1.53 |
|
Straight Outta Compton
N.W.A.
|
2 | 3.51 | -1.51 |
|
Paul's Boutique
Beastie Boys
|
2 | 3.47 | -1.47 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| David Bowie | 5 | 4.4 |
| Pink Floyd | 2 | 5 |
| The White Stripes | 2 | 5 |
| Beatles | 3 | 4.33 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Bob Dylan | 2 | 1.5 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Fleetwood Mac | 1, 5 |
| Rufus Wainwright | 5, 2 |
5-Star Albums (35)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Femi Kuti
5/5
Femi Kuti is a groovy, funky, lovely to listen self-titled album. Energetic, a bit on one-note, a bit long, but I didn't feel bored.
And you know, some problems really do be stubborn problems.
I wouldn't call it a masterpiece, and I'd find it hard to compare about my favourites, but I think it's very, very solid record.
4 likes
The Flaming Lips
5/5
I've listened to this album, and didn't quite understand it. So I did it again.
And again.
And again.
And somewhere along the way, I've realized that I don't quite understand it still, but I've grown to like it. It's the right amount of experimental. Easy to listen to, a bit hazy, a bit sweet, a bit bitter.
Maybe one day I'll understand this album better.
2 likes
Rufus Wainwright
5/5
Creative, bringing you theatrical energy of Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman, somehow, with Julian Casablancas-like vocals - both sounding emotional, and delivered with almost lack of care, but in the opposite direction.
Then, the energy it brings avoid being epic like that of Meat Loaf. But still grand, very much emotional.
My worry is that with next listens I'd find the album samey, too-similar, but that remains to be seen. It lands into the type of music I like, and I think it's somewhere between 4 and 5.
1 likes
1-Star Albums (3)
All Ratings
Rush
4/5
Somewhat attractive album, with interesting and somewhat subversive instrumentation. Easily can imagine this album being influential for rock albums afterwards. Album brings fun retro-futuristic at this point beats, but that's part of what makes it appealing.
However, vocals are at least an acquired taste which I haven't acquired yet, and as such, I don't even have a feeling of what the album could be about.
The further in, and during a relisten I feel like I'm sold on all but vocals.
Red Barchetta feels like an interesting song for me - where Bat Out Of Hell I, Bat Out Of Hell II and Bad For Good were all about having freedom, youth related to having a motorcycle/car, here this freedom is taken away, and has to be taken back.
Neil Young
4/5
Album provides a positive music experience, hover, I can't help but feel like Neil Young is a bit too self absorbed. One song about loneliness, then he's bedding an actress. Another one, then he has to sort through groupies. And then he gets a wave of applause.
It's an easy 4, although I worry that I might end up not liking it on constant repeat, but the first listen was a pleasant experience. Save for that feeling of Neil not really knowing what loneliness is.
The Clash
4/5
I think I can feel the lyrics more than they can write themselves, as The Clash tries to be very basic on them in here. Sure, I can feel what the author has in mind, but he wouldn't spell it out for me.
The music itself is enjoyable, even though you won't find anything complex here, and yet, there's a bunch of distinctly different songs.
It's not the lyrics, it's not the melody that's selling the vibe, but you get it anyways.
Wish the album wasn't so simple. It feels like a hesitant 4.
Calexico
5/5
Feast of Wire feels like it knows what it is and what it isn't, providing a great experience of being *somewhere*. And that somewhere is probably close to Mexico, by the sound of it.
Great album to put into background. I've listened to it a few times already, but I'm not sure if there was anything out there. It's not like The Car or Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino - great background music, but they snap out of it, to deliver you an extra hook, to grab the strings of your heart. Feast of Wire usually stays in the background, even if some tracks go for that extra epic feel.
Very, very strong 4, and I'm risking willing to give it a 5 for being something else, something solid. It's held back only by the fact that I'm not sure if it has any hooks for me to return to it.
A Tribe Called Quest
2/5
I don't think that it's a bad album at all, but it's not my type. However, it did feel a bit different than the other hip-hop albums that I know of, and there was a bit of two that had my attention. But is it special? Hard to tell for me.
Hesitant, unsure, 3/5.
Fleetwood Mac
1/5
After your greatest commercial success you can do a lot of things.
Arctic Monkeys released a retro-futuristic Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino, selling you an experience, feelings, ideas, rather than something real.
Fleetwood Mac decided that releasing an underproduced, uninteresting, safe for minor changes in tone album, is the way to go. I'm not sold on it at all.
It does have a few bits which sound like Tame Impala. It is experimental. But majority of it fails. Can't believe it's the same band that released Rumours
Khaled
3/5
I'm not feeling very strong about the album yet, I don't feel like it's either bad or good.
Definitely I wouldn't call it the best, and then, it's of the length that makes it a bit unfocused, and doesn't encourage a quick relisten.
Hesitant 3, but I think it could be a 4.
The Who
3/5
Enjoyable, good rock, great in the background, but I don't think it's anything special. Maybe at the time it was. Wish I gave it another listen, but then, I don't think my opinion would have changed to a 5. Solid 3-4 though.
Rufus Wainwright
5/5
Creative, bringing you theatrical energy of Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman, somehow, with Julian Casablancas-like vocals - both sounding emotional, and delivered with almost lack of care, but in the opposite direction.
Then, the energy it brings avoid being epic like that of Meat Loaf. But still grand, very much emotional.
My worry is that with next listens I'd find the album samey, too-similar, but that remains to be seen. It lands into the type of music I like, and I think it's somewhere between 4 and 5.
Meat Loaf
5/5
Wheey it's Meat Loaf + Jim Steinman. THE rock opera. The album that no one wanted to release, and then it propelled to the top sellers, and made Jim Steinman a writer of a lot of stars, including Bonnie Tyler and Sisters of Mercy.
It doesn't sound as refined to me as Bat out of Hell II, and it's not my favourite, but with the lengthy, emotional, over the top songs, the engine-like riffs and the feeling of being young again, it's a 5/5. It's like living the youth you never had. It gives me chills. It makes me so happy to listen to it again.
Femi Kuti
5/5
Femi Kuti is a groovy, funky, lovely to listen self-titled album. Energetic, a bit on one-note, a bit long, but I didn't feel bored.
And you know, some problems really do be stubborn problems.
I wouldn't call it a masterpiece, and I'd find it hard to compare about my favourites, but I think it's very, very solid record.
Aretha Franklin
3/5
I think it's a good album, but apart from R E S P E C T there are no songs that stand out. Very solid performance, but it's not extraordinary, not for me.
John Coltrane
4/5
Tricky one. I want to believe there's a lot to *A Love Supreme*.
I gave it a few listens. On one hand, it doesn't sound groudbreaking, the other tracks of John Coltrane I've heard resonated with me better.
But then, I kinda start feeling the magic I'm supposed to. Sadly, only in one place so far.
Hesitant 4/5.
Dead Kennedys
4/5
Very interesting album, throws an aggressive idea after an aggressive idea. And some... a lot of those ideas still hold up today. Some were there as a sarcasm to show off humanity's fall.
Experiments with changing speed, some songs are perfectly understandable, some make you go 'wait, you can speak that fast?'
Relatively strong 4. I'm not sure if it's for me, but it has something, and it's better than the previous punk 4 I gave.
The Smashing Pumpkins
3/5
Guitar heavy, a bit noisy. Wasn't sold on first listen, got better on the second, but I haven't yet got hooked. Maybe a third listen would be required. 3-4 territory, with potential to go higher.
Black Sabbath
5/5
Paranoid is an interesting album. From one point of view, it doesn't feel complex, I'd even call it a bit basic. But that's maybe because it's a precursor to all the other ones, and then... being a bit basic doesn't mean it's not good.
It employs the tools it has effectively. I knew some songs off of it, but the ones I didn't, I was vibing to them. Feels like the delivery of it is perfect for what it wants to achieve. Well, maybe, for an album called *Paranoid* I'd expect to hear something that makes me feel paranoid, but no. This is my biggest problem with the album, it sells you on the vibe, but not so much emotion.
I'm a bit hesitant to call it a masterpiece, it'd be a 5/6 for me, but it's pretty good and solid. A bit hesitant 5.
Various Artists
3/5
Tricky one. I feel given those are pretty old, and classics, BUT not really popular in my country, it's hard for me to judge. They're pretty okay though. Unsure 3.
TV On The Radio
3/5
It's not a bad album, even I'd say it's a bit appealing, but I haven't felt hooked once, nor do I have any idea what the album is about.
This is a 3, could've been a weak 4, but then, similar albums have grown on me massively.
It feels emotional, but in a hollow manner to me.
And then as I finish this review, the longer it goes on, the more I'm happy the album finally concludes. Too same-ish.
The Police
4/5
I know The Police and some of their songs, but I've never listened to any of their albums.
Synchronicity is an interesting, and with perfect length to experiment a bit without tiring the listener.
I've enjoyed it, but almost nothing stood out to me. Plus, Every Breath You Take, at first feels like it doesn't fit - then you notice that, hey, it kinda does, but it's just that with it popularity it overshadows everything around it.
4/5, but I see myself giving it a 5 if I could get hooked on it. But still, there remains the problem of one song overshadowing everything else.
R.E.M.
4/5
Pretty solid, somewhat similar across the board, but doesn't get boring. Instrumentation is pleasant. Very easy to listen to.
The Magnetic Fields
4/5
*Astronomy will have to be revised I don't believe in the sun How could it shine down on everyone? And never shine on me*
It's an interesting piece. It's 69 songs! Most of them just keep an idea and go with it - price of them being short, and being one among 68 others. Some are interesting. Some are less.
But it's really hard to get through all 69 of them in one day.
*So there's one thing I crave
When my days become ho-hum and blah
I want a zebra*
And then it went on, and on, and on. And the music got weirder. And at one point I got motion sick. And I'm suspecting half of the experience is so that they can catch you out, unaware.
It's not quite perfect, and it's so long I'd be a bit wary of giving it a 5. And I can't even feel like I can fit a relisten for it, like for so many albums. But I think a 4 fits the album well enough. Maybe one day.
It's just missing yet Another Love Song.
Nirvana
4/5
Pretty good, attractive, even for an album composed of a lot of aggressive riffs and a lot of shouting. Knows what it's trying to do. Nothing really stood out for me as great though.
My biggest problem with it is that it feels like it's trying to conclude a few times, and even with it's unorthodox feeling, it's throwing me off too much.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
It's not bad per se, and I can hear things that could possibly influence grunge and garage rock on this album.
However, for some reason it felt uninspired to me. Was it because in retrospection, after hearing all of those albums already it's kinda average?
And it's just second album of him I'm listening to, and I'm hearing clapping again. Do we really need that?
I don't know, I'm not feeling it.
The Flaming Lips
5/5
I've listened to this album, and didn't quite understand it. So I did it again.
And again.
And again.
And somewhere along the way, I've realized that I don't quite understand it still, but I've grown to like it. It's the right amount of experimental. Easy to listen to, a bit hazy, a bit sweet, a bit bitter.
Maybe one day I'll understand this album better.
Wilco
3/5
The album's alright, it's a non-aggressive indie rock, but I just couldn't held my attention to it. It doesn't feel too interesting.
Rage Against The Machine
4/5
Pretty okay album, but very much one-note and repetitive. Instruments and vocals are pretty good.
Funkadelic
4/5
An attractive, interesting album with a great start and good finish.
Throughout it, there's plenty of attractive riffs, and it's easy to listen.
However, given the length of the beginning and the end, the album feels ultimately short, and it feels like it's just a tiny bit from sticking the landing.
As you consider whether you like the middle part, it's over, and as an effect it is not half as memorable as the start of the album. Very solid 4/5, and maybe a pretty hesitant 5.
The Teardrop Explodes
3/5
Mix The Clash, The Police, The Doors with a hint of maybe of Duran Duran, and I have a feeling like you'd get this album without the low points.
It's not without it merit, and it's pretty okay to listen, but all the high points feel like I've already heard them elsewhere.
Eagles
4/5
Such a lovely place, such a lovely face
Why are all entries with 'California' in it sad?
Hotel California delivers a lot of solid songs, not all of them on the same level, but I was quite aware of some singles from here. The lows aren't as low as I've expected of Eagles, The highs are pretty high, as this one includes their most popular work. The instrumentation is nice, although I wish it was just a tiny bit more cohesive song-to-song.
Overall, I'd hesitate to give it a 5/5, but it definitely deserves at least a 4/5 out of me.
The Smiths
4/5
It's a tricky one, innit?
I've put it on one more time and it just has gone by just like that.
And I would've given it a 3/5 again, but the more I think of it... it's kinda good that it has gone by just like that. I suspect that it might've influenced music I like, that's why it was so natural.
But I can't see the genius of it yet. Maybe there's none.
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
3/5
I find it a pretty solid album, easy to listen to, with some enjoyable moments, but it's very much forgettable.
Roxy Music
5/5
An attractive album, a bit glam, a bit experimentative.
I really enjoyed it, both the style, instrumentals, however the big problem of it is it's totally unmemorable. It's a good experience, but I worry that it's missing that something.
With time I grew to really love the vocals, the delivery. Not the strongest 5/5, far from it, not a masterpiece, but I just really like blasting this album in the background.
Coldplay
5/5
Attractive, pleasant to listen record, but a bit too mellow. I knew this album and I couldn't get into its vibe again until second listen. I wish the first part didn't feel like the album was ending already for ten minutes.
It feels a bit like disjointed sad songs, but, I've gotta give it to Coldplay, they've sold the vibe with all its problems. Wish it was a bit different, it's not my favourite, but I feel like I cannot deny it a 5/5.
Gene Clark
5/5
No Other puts you into a lovely, gently explorative mood, with some tight enjoyable hooks. Every song in here feels like I've already heard it in a good way, and I've enjoyed almost every repeat. Experimental enough, lovely enough, for me to risk a 5/5. Somewhere closer to 8-9/10, really, than a true solid 10/10, but it's very very enjoyable.
Feels a bit like combining the best part of country, eagles, soft rock, soulful music, and a bit of psychedelic experimentation.
Bee Gees
2/5
Majority of the songs don't land, and they feel like they're ultimately missing something. As if they hired half an orchestra, or forget to put soul into their epic single.
It's not entirely without merit, but I'd rather much listen to something else.
The Cars
5/5
Feels like The Cars is going into the party, and everything that happens in with confidence, and the way its meant to be. Funnily enough, I find majority of hooks to be predictable, but it just makes me want to sing along with it more.
It doesn't feel like it's trying to be grand, or great, but it executes its confidence perfectly.
Granted, probably won't be my favourite for a long time, but it's so fun now, and it's so listenable, and you can sing along with it, and I just feel like it's very well executed.
PJ Harvey
3/5
An interesting project, fun to listen to, that I'd like to listen a few more times on to form an opinion on. I suspect it's a 4/5...
...but I just can't get over the fact that the highs are too high and the lows are too low, and I'm not willing to go risk going deaf.
I love the uneasiness the album's throwing at me, the weirdness of it. It's weird, I feel being a bit disgusted by it, I feel my skin feeling weird. But the mixing... there's too much things you just can't hear on the standard volume. And there are other ways you could achieve that effect.
Culture Club
2/5
Colour By Numbers is... not a bad album, but it doesn't feel like majority of it is too strong. Some songs were catchy, but I couldn't remember them next day.
Strong 2, weak 3. I've enjoyed it a fair bit, but would rather to listen to something else
Radiohead
5/5
I don't quite understand OK Computer yet, and I might forget about its existence again sadly. But I think it's a nice piece of art, pulling you in with interesting hooks mixed with futuristic sounding noisier bits. It sounds like a well-executed experiment, it's very cohesive and doesn't feel like it has weak points overall. Plus it kinda was right on the future, right? Just a bit.
5/5, but not my personal favourite. But I respect the craftsmanship definitely.
Jeff Buckley
3/5
Not quite sure how to rate it. It sounds okay, but no part apart from Hallelujah hooked me in. And Jeff Buckley will always be for me Hallelujah guy. But it's a nice version, the songs are rich, a bit dynamic, but the entire album kinda suffers in my eyes from living on the same CD as Hallelujah does. Obviously it's all sang beautifully.
I think it's a strong 3, weak 4.
Pink Floyd
5/5
Pretty much a classic, I've heard this one so many times, and it's so tight, so creative, clean production, and it touches on important - even if, at this point, a bit overdone - themes.
It might've been my introduction to concept albums, and I hope to hear multiple many more concept albums still.
Great, emotional, interesting musically.
Guided By Voices
3/5
Had some enjoyable and interesting moments, but I feel like the format hurts this album a bit. Never could really get into it, maybe I'd need a bit more time. It sounds good in the moment, but I literally don't remember anything from it.
Duke Ellington
3/5
It's good, it's interesting, but I feel like I'm forcing myself to listen to it, and the format makes it inherently hard to review. I'm not sure if it's me, but I feel like listening to jazz is harder than expected, even though I've thought I kinda like the genre - or maybe it's just this format.
Echo And The Bunnymen
4/5
Pretty listenable, with some interesting songs, but nothing special.
Feels like there's a hint of sadness in this album, and I kinda believe in it.
Daft Punk
4/5
Simple, achieves what it aims to. I'm impressed that you can make a song that circles back to the same theme for 10 minutes and it's listenable.
Didn't feel like it's special though. But it's very good craftsmanship.
The Psychedelic Furs
2/5
Eh, it's not a bad album, it has some moments.
But feels like it's a bit too self-indulgent.
You can just randomly start skipping the sections in the song, and everything you'll land on will feel the same-ish, part of the same song, with the same performance.
Metallica
5/5
Solid, technically impressive, memorable, achieves what it wants to achieve.
I feel like there are bits and pieces that are less memorable than they'd like to be, and the album itself is not my personal favourite, but it's a 5 on excellence.
King Crimson
2/5
Not bad, employs a lot of empty moments, but ultimately a bit uninspired, maybe?
It should've been something else. At this point, if I were to listen to it more, I'd be afraid I'm sinking more time to look for its genius, than actually enjoying the album
The La's
2/5
A bit forgettable as an album. Some songs don't feel much different from the others. It's not bad, but I suppose you had to be there to like it and appreciate it for what it was.
2.5/5, but maybe because I don't get it
Television
5/5
Alex Turner just wanted to be one of The Strokes, but The Strokes just wanted to be part of the Television.
Now that we have an obvious The Strokes reference out of the way, I really like the album. It's solid, engaging, a bit slow on the parts, but damn is it emotional, and Torn Curtain just goes into a perfect sad spiral.
The only issue is that when you loop the album it goes into See No Evil a bit too eagerly.
But the sad chords, riffs on Torn Curtain are perfect, and the style engages throughout the record.
The Dandy Warhols
3/5
Pretty interesting as an album, reviewing it is also tricky for me, had it in the backlog for almost 2 weeks now.
A bit elusive, a bit hazy, with just enough mix of a 'I'm interested' and 'meh'.
Ultimately? Interesting project. Interesting project. Interesting hooks.
Somewhere between 3 and 4 for me, and it might've been a 4, but I don't feel like it has enough hooks for me.
Brian Eno
4/5
As my first Brian Eno experience I almost instantly understood just WHY does Bowie's Low and "Heroes" sound like that.
I like it. It's a fun project.
The negative part of it, is that I just can't imagine a particular reason to go back to it. Maybe to listen to in a background. Plus, I'm not sure if the album has *any* theme. It's nice, it's the perfect amount of experimental. But what about it?
It's probably somewhere between 4 and 5.
Big Black
3/5
Fun, but I'm not sure if I'll remember the album. It has random fun bits of aggression, with the "nothing to do? Clearly time to self-immolate".
Like the simplicity of the artwork too. It's somewhere in the 3-4/5 range.
The Police
3/5
My initial impression was that Reggatta De Blanc kinda sucks... but then, on the second listen I was under an impression it's better than I thought.
But then, it's still not something I can imagine myself listening to daily. Could it be a 4? Maybe. Maybe it'd need more time.
Obviously, Message In A Bottle carries this album hard.
Kinda funny how from what I've heard from The Police I was mostly impressed, but then their albums fall short of the overall impression. Not too hard.
3/5
Fun, experimental album, combining noise into pretty attractive. Maybe I wish it was just a tiny bit more than experimental. Can imagine myself giving it a higher score, and can imagine enjoying this album much more one day. Or in an alternative universe.
Traffic
3/5
It's nice, I enjoyed the mix of jazz and rock, but every time I put it on, it felt just a bit less special, and a bit less special and then a bit less special. It's pretty good as a background listen.
Bob Dylan
1/5
Now, I'm not saying the album is terrible, but it's the second album I just couldn't go through. After 50 albums with which I was engaged, no matter what. And the previous one received a 1/5 from me.
After all, what is an English poem-songwriter to a foreigner?
Frank Sinatra
3/5
One of these days, I'll have to get myself a hat, go on a long, sad walk and put on this album.
It's pleasant, but I'd agree with the fact that it's mostly one-tone. Very strong 3. Maybe a 4. Maaaybe a 5.
Norah Jones
3/5
It does feel a bit soulless, it does feel a bit like if it was created in a lab, but it's pretty good at what it does.
But can it be anything but background music?
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
4/5
Friendly, warm, accessible.
Pixies
3/5
I quite like the album, but I feel like apart from some songs that really hit with me, it's samey and not much special.
DJ Shadow
4/5
I'm probably never gonna listen to this one again, but hey, this was fun. Every track a bit different, love the titles not taking themselves seriously.
Deep Purple
4/5
For some reason, I've found it hard initially to see through the facade of it being "The Smoke On The Water Album".
But it's more to offer, including some attractive groovy tracks, and some sadder ones, finishing with a When A Blind Man Cries which feels really deep.
Hesitant 4. Maybe I wish it was something more?
Depeche Mode
4/5
A fun entry! Doesn't feel extraordinary, but it knows what it wants to achieve, comes in, achieves that, comes out.
Dark, mysterious, dancey. I feel a hint of Sisters of Mercy in there.
It's either a 4 or a 5 for me. No weak points, although some song are not memorable. It's SOLID, but I can't really feel exact brilliance in it. Risky 4.
The Hives
3/5
Always gonna give it to The Hives, they're confident. My New Favourite Band? Maybe not, but damn, look at them.
Tight, right amount of angry, but not entirely special, if you ask me.
Roni Size
2/5
Not bad, a little entertaining, but I literally forgot I'm listening to it several minutes in. Another album which likely works on its own, but its length makes it hard to review as I'm not willing to give this one multiple listens.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
2/5
It's not bad, I'm even a bit impressed how modern it sounds given its age. But I feel like it hasn't hooked me in, I don't really want to revisit it either, and it was soooo incredibly hard to listen to it for the first time.
Jimmy Smith
4/5
Friendly, warm, accessible, welcoming, forgettable
Frank Black
3/5
An interesting one! I can definitely tell it's not the best thing since sliced bread, but does it deserve an entry on this list? Probably, yeah.
It's just rock, but it feels both accessible and different. It goes on too long for my taste.
Somewhere in the middle of those 22 tracks is something that I really like, but it's hidden, and I'm unsure if I want to search for it too long. And I think I'd like to find it, but over an hour of songs? Really?
Somewhere between 3 and 4 for me.
Jack White
5/5
Now, not my favourite record from Jack White, but as the only one on this list from him I'll allow myself to inflate the rating a bit.
At the end of the year I always find myself surprised that I've listened to more Jack White than I thought, and majority of his project sound like a perfectly controlled noise. Multiple instruments, uncommon structures, working out great in the end.
Even if I question if the guy doesn't have a bit of an ego, he's pretty good at what he does, he does unconventional things and they all work out. Even this album feels like it has great pacing, even if all the songs are pretty different.
Janis Joplin
4/5
Attractive songs with a very attractive singing style, nice instrumentals, with a playful moment on in.
Unsure if I want to put it on repeat, tho. But I think 4/5 is very fair for this one.
5/5
I didn't know what to expect, going into Beatles - and surprisingly, it's not bad at all. Hell, I think I quite enjoyed the show. Dreamy, weird, intimate, suspicious.
And hey, every time I hear "A Day In The Life" I hear "Young Americans".
Alice Cooper
4/5
This album feels sick. As in, are you alright man? Feeling all good?
Pretty fun, but I have no strong feelings about it apart from that. Strong 3, weak 4.
Haircut 100
4/5
Fun, groovy, I suspect I'd feel a bit bad with giving this one a 3, in spite of it being nothing extraordinary. But does it need to?
Joan Armatrading
4/5
Quite nice as an album, even if hard to get into. I like the voice range, the way it switches up here and there. However, I do wish it was something else, rather than what feels like gloomy singing into night.
Missy Elliott
2/5
Definitely not my type of thing, and I'm unsure how should I go about rating it. But personally don't want to listen to it, and the fact that a heavy majority of songs here feature another artist, it's kinda weird for a debut.
The Rolling Stones
2/5
Not really interesting, a bit of a chore to get through apart from two, by far, biggest songs. Shame, because I thought I like Rolling Stones.
Rush
3/5
I like the fact that it starts with a concept-like connected song, but why couldn't we just... split them up? You know, The Wall is not a single 120 minutes long song.
Strong 3 or weak 4, but not my personal favourite
Boston
4/5
It's pretty solid, easy to listen to, accessible, fun. Can't say it stole my heart, but I feel like denying it's solidness would be unfair.
Baaba Maal
3/5
Pretty fun, dreamy, arabic, but for how same-y and long it is, it ends up overstaying its welcome.
4/5
It took me forever to this album; it's very fun, but there's something about it that makes me stop in the middle. Plus, I wish it had a bit more of a cohesive vision, but I don't think it was a very common idea in the 1970
Nirvana
4/5
It's good and intimate, but I don't think it's a masterpiece. Plus, come on, how can this album's version of "The Man Who Stole The World" be more popular than the original... album?
Manu Chao
5/5
That was pretty fun.
It suffers a bit from ending up being samey, but I've liked it overall as a project, the transitions between songs, the vibe. If it tried to be a bit more, it'd be an easy 4 and a 5 contender, for now I think it's a tricky 4.
Edit:
Listened to this one so many times, I cannot think of giving it anything than 5 nowadays.
Leonard Cohen
3/5
It's nice and emotional, but it's not for me.
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
I really like the kind of psychedelic rock that Jimi Hendrix sings, my personal problem with it is that it's not too easy to consume, and even though I like it, I don't listen to it all that much.
Bold As Love is pretty nice, but I feel like the majority of album lacks direction maybe a bit too much.
Very strong 4, but would be a weak 5 for me.
M.I.A.
3/5
I really, really enjoyed how modern, weird it sounds, but come on. Do we really need Timbaland or another artist to come in and destroy a perfectly good solo album with some weird segue?
Waylon Jennings
4/5
A warm and intimate album in a rare category of albums I dub "kind of album when you're willing to admit things could be a bit better, but hey, let's sing about it and try to comfort each other."
Michael Kiwanuka
5/5
A very very very good record, blends Coldplay-Imagine-Dragons and overall the dreamy sounds from 2010s I've enjoyed in a very good package.
I'm not quite sure if the album deserves a 5, but I think I'm willing to risk it.
I fear I won't replay it as much as I'd like, and it falls into a very similar themes throughout the entire length, but it's enjoyable.
Cocteau Twins
3/5
It starts pretty well, but then it devolves into blurry background noise, which I sadly don't care about.
The Notorious B.I.G.
3/5
It doesn't seem bad, but it's certainly not my type of music, and I'm not sure if I want to hear about murder and sex for over an hour all the time. Let's... not glorify hood life all that much
Leonard Cohen
2/5
It doesn't sound terrible, but musically it is more on a boring, although easy to listen to side. Until I'm gonna pick up on english poems natively, I'm afraid listening to sang poems won't do it for me
Nick Drake
3/5
Melancholic, good for background, but it's the same exact thing for 30 minutes.
Pet Shop Boys
2/5
It's... alright. Listenable. Not very exciting.
I think I've liked other stuff from them more.
Neil Young
2/5
It's ok
Ella Fitzgerald
5/5
Not to say I love this act, but I cannot imagine it being better in any way. A bit (very) long, but great delivery.
Leonard Cohen
4/5
Unlike the previous albums I've had to review of Cohen, including Songs Of Love And Hate and then Songs From A Room, this time I'm actually touched by what he seems to be trying to say. It already starts interestingly, rather than leaning on overused tones, we start with something that almost sounds like occultism. The sadness actually gets to you on this one. Much more of a farewell album than e.g. Blackstar.
Turbonegro
3/5
It's okayish, loud, accessible. But whatever message it might have is drowned under the music.
Arcade Fire
4/5
I think it was a pretty good in-the-background type of album, I'll forgive the fake ending of the album. There's only one problem with it, I didn't really vibe with it. Not my type, I think.
Stevie Wonder
3/5
Apart from obvious big hits, it's not too interesting. Shame.
Elbow
3/5
A nice album, with some very interesting bits, majority of it sounds attractive and approachable. However, I'm not sure how much real soul is there in it. Still, I've liked it.
Blue Cheer
3/5
Good fun, and I enjoy it a bit, but I understand why someone could be put off by this.
Saying that, it's also nothing special. Maybe because it was early, it might be, but nowadays there's not much in it.
Lou Reed
4/5
It's cozy, I'd like to love it, but I find it too slow and one-note. Still, I think it achieves what it wants to.
Perfect Day is such a perfect little song.
Wish the whole album had a stronger direction, but it's still far from terrible
George Harrison
3/5
Really suffers from its length. It has some interesting songs, but I'm on my fifth attempt to go through it and I haven't managed to complete it.
Justin Timberlake
3/5
Honestly? It's better than expected, at least at the start. But I absolutely despise every song being about the same thing. Justin repeating his name every song.
This is an album wasted on being too pop, as Justin's voice's good, the music is enjoyable, even though it's too-ADHD, switching every few seconds at the start.
Just a lot of wasted potential.
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
Easy to listen to, a bit emotional, a bit warm, a bit rich.
Big Brother & The Holding Company
4/5
It's fun, but I think Piece of My Heart carries the album. Janis Joplin's Pearl was more interesting too.
The Doors
4/5
Coming from The Doors, L.A. Woman delivers more... The Doors sound. Tight, but frankly, I worry that they never evolve anywhere but a bit faster and just a bit more exciting. It's fun, but then, almost every song on here follows the same formula.
The songs here, even though mixed pretty well, and having nice instrumentals, maybe lack... purpose?
And there's only one song that I feel like's truly memorable. So that's another point for The Doors over this album.
Madonna
2/5
Musically it's actually... interesting. Light, almost absent sometimes instrumentals, creative autotune, and a few more experiments.
But the majority of the album is somehow... soulless?
I've kinda liked it, even though its weirdness puts me a bit away from it. Especially the temporary musical stops that are somehow motion-sickness-inducing. On it's own it'd be a pretty good 2/5. Inoffensive, I've just heard a lot of better albums.
But the American Pie cover is terrible.
4/5
Attractive, vibe-y, groovy. After months, still not sure if it's a 4 or a 5.
OutKast
3/5
Very catch and fun, but I'm not sure about substance. And I'm not sure if I want to revisit it.
The Shamen
2/5
By its nature not very exciting, but it's not bad. It's just... there. I suppose it'd be good background noise for some. It does what it sets out to achieve, it's just that it's not much.
Steve Winwood
2/5
It's a warm album, but I'm unsure if I can say anything more about it. Easy to listen, but I'm unsure if lovable.
Nirvana
4/5
I feel like it'd be hard for me to not give this album at least a 4 - it's a classic, you know it, you've heard Teen Spirit, you've seen the cover.
And it's hard, listening to it, not to understand why it's a good album - it doesn't really feel like it has a lot of bad parts to it, it's pretty tight and good.
But I also don't feel too much about it, maybe if Nirvana was my band I'd rate it higher. Still, a good album in which it's hard to find a bad part.
Pulp
5/5
It's very Roxy-Music-Country-Life-esque, especially in delivery. I really enjoy this album, but I cannot think of it as a 5. Something's missing.
Edit:
Decided to give it a 5 after all. Not many albums like this one.
Public Enemy
3/5
Pretty fun, I've liked it. However, unsure if I'd ever feel the need to revisit it.
Pantera
2/5
It's okay. I guess the riffs are pretty solid, but I don't really see the magic in the album, and Hollow seems disjointed and badly mixed.
I guess I could've given it some extra points for being early to the genre, but I'm not feeling it too strongly.
Beatles
4/5
Has a lot of interesting bits, especially for its time. However, it's also waaaay too long.
Billy Joel
4/5
Never in my history of listening to Billy Joel would've I understood that he'll prove one of the few singer/songwriter that I like listening to.
Apart from the big ones nothing caught my ear too much, but it still was a pleasant experience.
New Order
3/5
It's pretty okay, I've liked it, but it also doesn't feel much special. The best moment of this album comes when it sounds like Violator from Depeche Mode - but then, Violator came after this album.
U2
3/5
It's okay and pretty at times, at times it sounds like Bowie ripoff, but it also feels soulless. But it's not too bad.
Talvin Singh
2/5
OK
Well, I think it's a cool idea to throw in your arabic motifs, but this whole project is sooo underdefined. It just is.
Beastie Boys
2/5
I think I cannot rate hip-hop albums. It's fun, there's a bit of hip and hop in it, it's enjoyable.
Pere Ubu
4/5
Honestly it's another one of the worst rated albums on this site and it's just another weird album that I love for its weirdness. In between singer songwriters that keep the same tempo for 20 hours, there's this weird little gym that sounds as if The Voidz decided to turn off autotune, and it's a bit hard to listen, but it has more soul that a lot of other records on here
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
Now, Rumours is definitely not my favourite album of all time, and I actually do not really like side 2 too much, but the side 1 of Rumours is very very very solid.
An album easy to listen, emotional, well composed, it's one of those albums that do definitely belong on this list and can compete with the tops of this list.
Elvis Presley
2/5
Sounds like Elvis in Memphis. I guess good enough, but not too interesting?
T. Rex
3/5
Yeah, so this one sounds very glammy... and I think it's the first time I can call an album glam rock without knowing it's glam rock in advance. I can feel the spirit similar to The Rise And Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The The Spiders From The Mars.
And I can feel the other bits of T. Rex too.
But I don't know, it didn't hit me.
Massive Attack
3/5
Fun album, but not as memorable as I'd like it to be, and I don't care much for it either.
Mekons
4/5
Really like the vibes of this project! Postapo vibes, weird, bizarre, low-key The Wall-like. Far from being something special, but completely adequate.
CHVRCHES
3/5
It's okay, poppy, and if I were a fan of pop maybe I'd like it, but it has zero magic for me.
The Jam
4/5
Good, easy to listen background album. Very The-Clashy.
4/5
Not a bad album, surprisingly. A bit too same-ish, but still enjoyable. Some hits here or there.
The Allman Brothers Band
3/5
Just a bunch of guys, playing guitar, having fun doing so. Some slick moves sometimes, but it also does get tiring.
Bob Dylan
2/5
Very Bob Dylan-ish, to be expected. Sounds okay, but gets boring. As per usual, I'm not gonna try to get what he's signing about, I'm not here for foreigner sang poetry.
Dusty Springfield
4/5
Very pleasant and warm singing, easy to listen to. A couple of fun songs here and there.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
Pleasant, good, but I'm not sure if it's anything special to be honest. Or at least for me. It's easy to listen, but I don't feel a strong pull.
And yeah, surprisingly it does sound like Meat Loaf + Jim Steinman, but waay less theatrical.
Sonic Youth
4/5
Sounds like rock revival, except 15 years early! Very fun, very experimental. Not sure if I love the album yet, but it's very much something that should be on this list. For now, a very strong 4 or a weak 5.
Curtis Mayfield
4/5
Very groovy and unique, especially the voice of Mayfield. Worth giving a listen to.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
Chill (apart from Living For The City), warm, but probably not something I'd listen to every day.
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
4/5
This is the greatest, most irritating album I've heard. It definitely belongs on this list, for the sole fact I can hear Jack White in it a few years earlier.
The screeching is worth it on the first listen, but I worry about the next ones. Plus, the album's pretty long for what it represents.
New York Dolls
4/5
Great, fun, electric rock with catchy songs, with hints of glam rock all over it. Very strong 4.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
2/5
Rust may never sleep, but I'm afraid if I fell asleep, I wouldn't be able to tell if a new song is on. Boring.
N.W.A.
2/5
Groovy, vibe-y, but I cannot rate rap/hip-hop. Probably wouldn't go back to it, just because I don't like the genre.
Tricky
2/5
It's okay and I can picture that there are people who enjoy this kind of music very much, but it's not for me. I mean, I didn't hate it.
Mott The Hoople
3/5
Easy listen, but the majority of the album in unremarkable, it even has some moments where it feels like Neil Young/Bob Dylan... who'd like to be them?
Talking Heads
4/5
Dreamy, hazy, weird album, kind of similar to The Voidz and late Bowie.
The haziness makes it hard for me to decide how do I feel about the entire album, but it's probably a 3-4 range, maybe 5 if I were to get convinced after several more listens.
The Auteurs
3/5
Good enough for background listen, but I'm not sure if it's pushing anything forward nor whether it's a necessary listen.
I like the cover art tho.
Duran Duran
4/5
Music to liberate Afghanistan, vibe and cry to
Alice In Chains
3/5
It's not bad, but I couldn't get charmed by it, a bit on one note, and it doesn't feel too special either.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
Fun vibes
Lynyrd Skynyrd
4/5
Consistently very very solid, with some very strong hits. Strong 4, maaaaybe 5, it's just not my favourite type of rock.
Dwight Yoakam
2/5
Both a bit uninteresting and weird
Van Halen
3/5
It's okay, well-crafted, easy to listen, but I'm not sure if it's actually great.
Soft Machine
3/5
Finally a prequel to The Script - #3.
It's pretty fun, unique, but also too long and the first song is too weird. Hard to believe it's live. And I'm not sure if an album like that should just fade out. Or maybe it should.
Love
3/5
It's a nice album, I like it, but the last track goes on for tooooo looooong.
The White Stripes
5/5
Core garage rock and rock revival. Not all the songs here are interesting, but I've had half of them already saved. I wish there was more of a theme to them, but there are a lot of lovely hitst here. Not pure 5/5, but good enough
The Mamas & The Papas
4/5
Mmmm, it's pleasant, California Dreaming is a classic, yet I kinda wish the whole project had a bit more of a structure.
Billie Holiday
3/5
It's okay, but a little too background-y for me to have a strong opinion on it.
Amy Winehouse
3/5
It's pleasant, not sure if too much special. I've expected more from the hype.
Iggy Pop
4/5
Fun, pleasant, frankly I kind of expect more from Iggy Pop. Wish it was more focused in one direction too.
Dinosaur Jr.
4/5
On one hand, a very interesting album.
On the other, surprisingly forgettable? I'll probably have to sit more with it.
Beyoncé
2/5
I did not need to listen to that before dying. Solid production, but soulless.
Paul Simon
4/5
Huh, apparently "signer-songwriter" doesn't mean depressed bore. Someone should let the others know.
Light-hearted, gently warm and soft, with some hits.
The Lemonheads
3/5
It's a pleasant and easy to listen to album, kind of feels like "the first rock album you should listen to".
I'm a bit disappointed by how similar the bits are to each other, but at least it's not offensively bad.
Metallica
3/5
It's good, but I don't think it adds anything to pure Metallica experience.
Belle & Sebastian
2/5
Good for background listening, and probably nothing more.
Green Day
5/5
Gets extra points for having a few hits, including one of my favourite loneliness songs, as well as for being a concept album. I like the weird bits.
However, it also drags on for too long, and it's not my favourite type of rock. Wish there was a moment to breathe.
Low 5.
The Zutons
4/5
IDK, wasn't me.
Low 4, it's fun, it's experimentative, but it should be way more. There's some filler.
Taylor Swift
3/5
An interesting album, in some manner. I can see why people would listen to that.
It's well crafted, and even though the majority of the album ends up on one note, the songs do have a different vibe, even if just slightly.
I suspect there's more to Taylor than this album tho.
Elvis Presley
4/5
Pretty solid and fun, I probably won't be returning to it, but it definitely has earned its place in history (1956!). A lot of lovely little songs.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
5/5
Unsure if it's one of the better 4s or worse 5s, but the Lyre, apart from being scary long is a appealing composition with high dynamism, and epicness that I adore.
Tainted by memory of that British girl who told me to listen to Nick Cave and ghosted me after 2 years
Shack
3/5
Warm and pleasant, not bad, but it also probably doesn't belong on this list
Elvis Costello
4/5
I feel like this album is much more bearable than the previous Elvis' album I've had to go through. Colorful, with a various texture and rhytm, some enjoyable bits. Weaker 4, probably.
The Black Keys
4/5
So, The Black Keys. I genuinely think I should listen to more of The Black Keys, but this album is a bit of a miss, it's too long, it's too samey. It's not bad tho.
The Mars Volta
4/5
Musically, I really like this project, but I'm not sure if it'll become my favourite nor if it's any special.
Buzzcocks
4/5
Mmmm, I like the rawness and anger in it, but then not sure how special it is. Bonus points for an anti-car song.
Harry Nilsson
4/5
Tricky. On one hand I like it a bit, on the other not too much, on the other hand it's explorative. 3.5, I think?
The Black Crowes
3/5
It's okay, but I'll probably never listen to it again. Sounds like a mix of all rock bands I've ever listened to.
Queen
5/5
God give you grace to purge this place
And peace all around may be your fortune
Ah, ah, children of the land
Love is still the answer, take my hand
The vision fades, a voice I hear
"Listen to the madman"
Ooh, but still I fear, still I dare not
Laugh at the madman
____
The only negative thing that I can say about this album is that it maaaaaybe could be 1% better if it had more of an idea behind it, and maybe it's not my favourite album of all time, and maaaybe there are some songs that aren't my favourites.
However, it does contain hits, bangers, underrated bangers, cohesive style, car song, prophet song, the popular song, the time travel song, the "I hate our business-guy" song, the UK song, the popular romantic song, the lovely friend song...
Very strong 5.
Arctic Monkeys
5/5
I'm going to overrate it a bit, as it's not my favourite album, but I do enjoy the other AM albums a lot more.
However, apart from not being my type, and being a bit samey, I don't think it's a bad album at all, and it certainly has made its dent on history.
I wonder if the editors are british, as I'd imagine AM (2013) to be the album on the list, not this.
Marvin Gaye
4/5
At one point I've disconnected my headphones and didn't realize.
Never knew that this is the original for Ecology. Pretty okay.
Sonic Youth
2/5
The good tracks on the album make you realise how bad the rest of it sounds. Shoegaze that's hard to listen in moments.
Dirty Projectors
2/5
Indie background album
Herbie Hancock
4/5
It's good for what it is, but I'm very much doubtful it can rise above interesting background music. Maybe we should celebrate how futuristic or modern it sounds for being a 1973 release?
Ms. Dynamite
3/5
I've liked this album more than I've expected to be honest, but I find it too long for what it is.
Marvin Gaye
2/5
It's not BAD bad, but it's whiny, looooong and repetitive.
The Beach Boys
3/5
A pleasant album, definitely, I wonder if it's one of the first examples of this kind of singing style.
But as well as that, it's not really too exciting, it's just a bunch of meh songs.
Frank Ocean
2/5
Music that sounds like done better in some other records, like it only belongs in the background, and half the time made me wonder if my sound system is broken.
Johnny Cash
4/5
Sounds nice, but mostly gotta appreciate the setting and the idea behind it.
Lucinda Williams
3/5
An album that I both feel like I like, and like I don't like it. Not sure what to think of it in the end. Weird thing.
I think that it has potential to be a bit more, but it's not there. It's such a tricky thing to describe.
Sister Sledge
4/5
Not quite perfect, a bit too one-note, but still fun and pleasant.
Aerosmith
3/5
It's good classic rock, but 80% of this album is a filler. Weak 3.
Pink Floyd
5/5
I'm gonna admit, this album has aged a bit, but it's still the most ambitious shit ever and it rocks and we're living in post The Wall times. I feel like the impact of this album cannot be understated.
Le Tigre
5/5
A fucking bop, prime early example of prison jazz.
Well, I wish it was something more, but it's still fun from the first listen.
Elton John
3/5
Tiny Dancer is an obvious hit, and I even forgot how much I've liked that song. How it takes so long to get into a chorus.
However, the rest of the album doesn't quite hit the high standards set by the opener. Not to say they're bad, but I don't feel interested in them, so much that I feel like I can't complete this album.
Richard Thompson
3/5
It's a pleasant album to put into background, and I can understand why someone would find it much nicer, but I think it's very much depending on someone's personal preferences a 3-5. It can always be not enough, or your favourite album.
Barry Adamson
2/5
I like the concept, but musically it's not so interesting and maybe even tiring.
Kendrick Lamar
2/5
I can't review hip hop nor rap. It was okay, but too much N-words, C-words, B-words, D-words, S-words, etc.
But it did try to be smart? I think?
The Electric Prunes
4/5
It's not quite good and maybe not worth of being on this list, but I feel like it's a bit underrated. I've liked it.
David Bowie
4/5
Pains my heart that the first Bowie album I'm getting is Aladdin Sane, because, as much musically it sounds fine, it never landed, even after years.
Feels like Bowie is singing about some plane of existence I never cared about - is it US life of celebrities? Maybe.
The cover obviously is a fan favourite, but I don't think it's a good introduction to Bowie. And the title has been so much discussed too!
My favourites: Cracked Actor/Time/The Prettiest Star.
It's a 4, a strong one, but I never liked this album too much.
Anthrax
4/5
Tricky. I feel like it's in line with most albums of its type I have listened to. I'll give it a questionable 4, as I've enjoyed it more than less, it was a good background listen.
ABBA
4/5
It has some hits, some fillers, I think ultimately it's pretty good, but not extraordinary. Obviously, Dancing Queen and Money Money Money carry the album.
Super Furry Animals
3/5
I don't think it's a bad album, but I also couldn't pay attention to it. It has some interesting sections here and there, but I struggle to find it rise from background.
It does start with a more aggressive riff, to remind you that you've completed a listen! Hurray!
James Brown
3/5
Not too bad, but not great, feels like your ordinary jazz
David Bowie
5/5
Not my favourite Bowie's project, but definitely up there.
One of my favourite light albums, with a bunch of lovely songs, some of them weird, some of them heartfelt.
And then he decided that this is not a good live album and made something even better in a few months.
The Beau Brummels
2/5
It's not bad, I've liked it a bit, but it's also aggressively not interesting.
The Beach Boys
4/5
I can feel why it could be good, but I wasn't in it strongly on the first listen.
2/5
Meh, it's mostly just trying to be background noise. Not bad at all, just far from being great.
T. Rex
4/5
A pleasant glam rock offering. I wonder if it will stay in my rotation for longer.
Weird that Bowie could make it great, but T. Rex doesn't sound like trying to make it big.
William Orbit
2/5
I don't know, maybe some other day I'd give it something better, but it's just not terrible background music...
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
Pleasant rock album, not sure if it's a 3 or a 4 or a 5.
I kind of think of it as a feminine equivalent of Royal Blood.
The Stooges
4/5
"Definitely hear their influence on similar bands from the 2000s. Like The Strokes. I hate The Strokes. Do not like this."
I like The Strokes.
Weird enough, maybe not compelling enough.
The Avalanches
4/5
Pleasant and unique experience, collage, as some have called it.
At around 3rd or 4th track I got a bit irritated, and before I blinked, all the songs just went by.
Sepultura
3/5
In today's episode of I can't rate anything that's not a rock album, Roots - Sepultura. It was pretty okay.
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
3/5
Pleasant little album. 3.5 for my enjoyment, as there have been better albums, more for historical value - that's a crazily early album!
Rod Stewart
4/5
A pretty, heartfelt album. I think I should listen to it a bit more.
Tom Waits
4/5
Tom Waits has a rather rough and harsh voice, but it's the charm of this album. I don't remember much more about it, but the fact I've rather enjoyed it.
Santana
4/5
Very pleasant psychedelic rock, easily 4+.
Good to finally meet the Black Magic Woman's origin
Ravi Shankar
3/5
I don't think as an art piece it's too interesting, but I like the form of it - a presentation of the culture.
Jeff Beck
3/5
Okay early rock album. Rather pleasant.
Curtis Mayfield
5/5
Very pretty fun album; kind of wish it was more varying in the tempo, but I've liked it enough
Rufus Wainwright
2/5
Ah, I felt like Want One was such an interesting album, bigger than life. Maybe also because it was one of my first here, but I rather liked it.
Want Two has some great parts to it. Still greater than life, but some parts too self-indulgent, too non-sensical, abrasive.
Ultimately, I think it is lesser than the sum of its parts.
Black Sabbath
4/5
Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath
Pretty solid, interesting early metal album.
The Prodigy
3/5
Maybe I'm not jilted enough, I like it, but probably not enough. Apparently electronica is when you repeat the same few key words in the middle section.
Judas Priest
3/5
It's not bad, classic rock, but I keep on getting distracted by something more interesting.
Brian Eno
4/5
Once again, Brian Eno sounds to me like Berlin age Bowie, but weirder. No surprise here. Good record.
Metallica
3/5
If "One" was the only song on this album it'd be 5/5.
The Byrds
4/5
Very pleasant, a bit same-ish, not sure how extraordinary it is.
Iggy Pop
4/5
Experimentative. Not super interesting, but not bad.
Steely Dan
4/5
Very pleasant album, but it's missing this magic *something*. As if there was a layer of instrumentation that's taking it from 85% to 100%. But on its own it's good enough.
The Kinks
4/5
Sometimes I think that music began in ~1972, but then there's an album like this one. It's consistent, enjoyable, but maybe not enough hard hitters and the quality that speaks of its time. Not the strongest 4, maybe a 3.
Neil Young
3/5
I don't remember half of it, but it also makes it one of the better Young albums.
Louis Prima
4/5
I've been giving too many fours recently, but why not? Energetic, fun, and early to the party. Pleasure to listen to, but not sure if I will revisit it.
Hüsker Dü
3/5
It's not bad, it's too long, it's got some good bops.
The xx
4/5
I like the vibe of the album, how it is itself. But it probably doesn't make a difference if it's 20 minutes long, or 40 minutes long, or 60, it's gonna be the same. If there were more albums like it, I would hate it, most certainly. But yeah, makes good use of silence here and there, a bit of an unique vibe, please no more albums like that.
Nick Drake
4/5
40 years too early to write modern pop. Pretty, heartful singing
Van Morrison
2/5
It's not bad, but I don't feel like it being live adds anything. Pleasant to listen to, but yeah, it'd be better in a classic album format.
Definitely not a "have to listen to before you die" contender.
David Bowie
3/5
If it was any other artist, I could maaaybe consider a 4, but I don't think this album deserves it. It has a lot of interesting moments, but it's a bit of a slog, it goes on and on, and no obvious bangers on it.
It is never quite a bore, but I don't think this is it. And it's a shame, because I consider Bowie to have released more interesting albums that are not on this list.
Slade
3/5
Not bad at all, but I feel like I've heard most of it before. Good for a background listen, it does sound like a mix of T.Rex and AC/DC, and maybe a bit of Queen songwriting? Hard to tell.
Simply Red
3/5
I think this album is a bit overhated here, I don't understand the complaints. It feels a bit soulless or artificial, but only a tiny bit, and it could just be overly clean production. But I can see the appeal.
The biggest problem is the lack of flow. I much prefer albums that hold the same style, and perfectly are concept albums. This one ain't.
King Crimson
4/5
I think the first "absurdly long" (oh, that was so long ago) song I've heard referenced was not Bohemian Rhapsody, but 21st Century Schizoid Man. And despite having the album on my phone for sooo soo long I've never really gave the entirety of In The Court Of The Crimson King a listen.
I think having Schizoid Man be soo soo different from the rest of the album is a bad choice. It'd be so easy to listen to all jumbled mess songs or background rock, but it's a mix of both of these - and I think that's a mistake. Both parts are pretty, but together they don't fit.
Bill Callahan
4/5
Soft, warm album, should be perfect for a background listen. I think it really achieves what it set out to do. Just not sure if it's all that *great*, to be on this list.
Dr. Dre
1/5
-1 for every "nigga" within first minute of the record
Frank Zappa
4/5
Very fun album, will need to revisit it
Abdullah Ibrahim
4/5
Pleasant, easy to listen background jazz
Janet Jackson
3/5
*throw your hips to the left* People can't find enough to eat *throw your hips to the right* That's the state of the world today *hands up*
If I ever was in the mood for rhytmical music, I'll now know what to look for, but I don't think I ever was.
Blood, Sweat & Tears
3/5
Pleasant background rock album, rather tight, rather fun
Metallica
5/5
I think this album, even though I never really went through its entirety was my introduction to metal. Overproduced and too commercial? Maybe.
I like it tho. Multiple straight up fire tracks.
They say that Ten - Pearl Jam feels like a "best of" album, despite just being an album... and I get the same vibe from Metallica.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
It's okay as a background album, but it should've been more interesting. It has one song that really makes you go "oh, I was listening to something!"
Guns N' Roses
4/5
A few solid hits that keep on reminding me of Burnout: Paradise. The rest doesn't get boring fast enough to make me drop the score.
Scissor Sisters
4/5
I'm... still not sure how I feel about this rendition of Comfortable Numb. Plus, the album doesn't feel as cohesive as it could be, but it's not bad, but yeah, it's plenty fruity.
Traffic
3/5
Traffic brings out another rock album, that I kind of like, but it doesn't sound super great, not too exciting.
Pet Shop Boys
3/5
I liked "It's a Sin", but everything else just goes on and on, and it's so similar and high paced...
Public Enemy
2/5
Pretty enjoyable, but then I wouldn't repeat to it, I cannot tell hip hop and rap albums apart, and it's very samey at some point.
The Specials
4/5
I don't remember how I originally found The Specials - but it's a bop. Yet, it goes on for too long.
Fever Ray
3/5
Really did cause a fever in me, 5/5.
IDK, it's an interesting project, and something I probably should relisten, but it also draaags onn with the same light ideas. Should've been more focused and heavier.
Hanoi Rocks
2/5
Not bad, not exciting either.
The Smiths
3/5
I still don't really understand The Smiths.
"Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me" feels like the only track worth listening to, and it's a great one.
David Bowie
5/5
The seeeeeeecret life
Of Arabia
Secret secrets, never seen
Secret secrets, evergreen
I was running at the speed of life
Through morning's thoughts and fantasies
Then I saw your eyes at the cross fades
____
Would I rate this album as a 5 if not for the fact I've listened to it a million times? Probably no, not really.
Hell, until recently and going through this list I had no idea about Brian Eno much and the type of his music.
But I did listen to this album like a trillion times, laughed at the absurdity of some songs here, and "Heroes" uplifts the whole album, just like *One* does to *...And Justice For All*... except *...And Justice For All* actively tries to be boring, this one experiments.
*"Heroes"* will forever be one of the most emotional and real tracks I have known, crazy good song, that could've been created at one city, at one time, and in one circumstance only.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFHC6t13hi0
Not the strongest 5/5, but probably we can't have it any other way.
John Cale
3/5
Okayish background noise. But it gets boring towards the end.
The Louvin Brothers
3/5
A bunch of easy to listen to songs, and yeah, probably the harmonization is the thing to focus on here.
Never realized that "Where did you sleep last night" is actually a classic "In The Pines" song before
Beatles
4/5
Interesting early album, I imagine it'd have much more of a direction if it was more modern.
It also caused my head to hurt a bit. 4/5.
FKA twigs
2/5
Laboratory made music that gives you motion sickness
Adele
4/5
While it'd be unwise to say that Adele is not talented, I find a lot of her songs to be boring. This ain't my favourite album of hers, definitely. The problem is that I like her style, it's just a lot of her songs feel like misses to me.
The Icarus Line
3/5
There's a very cool album somewhere in there, and yeah, it's probably somewhere between Royal Blood and The White Stripes with a hint of something else, but then once every few minutes it goes totally edgelord for the sake of it and it gets hard to listen to.
Wire
4/5
And here I thought The Strokes would be only influenced by Marquee Moon.
A lot of fun with noises, though it's kind of crazy to see 21 songs pass by within 35 minutes.
Throwing Muses
4/5
I love it when an album is composed up of random noises which end up in a listenable lovely mess, but this one feels a bit too hard to listen.
Willie Nelson
3/5
Good background country album for that rare moments in my life I need a country album.
Radiohead
4/5
Pleasant background album, that I don't remember details of.
Jefferson Airplane
4/5
Risky 4 - there are clearly songs I've enjoyed here for years, not realizing how old the album is. The vibe is good too, but I cannot really stick it out until the ending.
Mj Cole
2/5
I wouldn't say it's as bad as I've expected it to be, but it also... doesn't really belong on this list? I'd have been totally fine not listening to it before I die, really.
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
3/5
There are parts of the album that I really like, especially whenever it leans more into rock side of things. And then, we have the worse world side of things. Ultimately, I'm really not sure what to make of it. I'd prefer half of the album to be cut out.
Air
4/5
Pleasant space background album. Now I know what music I will code my game to
Skepta
2/5
Within first 3 songs:
✓ best MC ever
✓ no one wants to listen to my music
✓ I fuck hot women
✓ random noise sounds
✓ N-words
X fuck the police
so close to perfection...
Carole King
4/5
...after the thrill is gone
I've expected to enjoy Tapestry, and it wasn't half bad, but everything on it reminds me of After The Thrill is Gone... and I don't get why people hate on Eagles that much, while Tapestry is comparable.
I don't quite love Carole King's voice, but it's easy to get accustomed to within seconds.
The White Stripes
5/5
When I was exploring The White Stripes, I think it was roughly 2022 or 2023, it was one of those bands which I discovered by listening to their best hits, rather than their albums. So despite having a lot of listens, I don't really know what to expect from which album.
Elephant is a bit disjointed, but maybe not too much. Has some good songs...
but holy hell, it has I Just Don't Know What to Do With Myself, it has Ball and Biscuit, The Hardest Button to Button, Little Acorns...
and the song for which I've decided I'll try my hand at playing a guitar. You know which one.
Fela Kuti
3/5
Without Fela Kuti there wouldn't be Femi Kuti, but I feel like where Femi Kuti landed gracefully Fela Kuti is not able to stay afloat - the songs aren't as wonderful, they're too long, but they do have the magic style.
Barry Adamson
4/5
Review shreview.
Oedipus does something interesting in the category of albums that sound like they're taken from movie, but they're not - it focuses more on reactions, vibe of the crowd, and the music is a bit muted. Initially, I took it as too much self-absorbance, now it feels a bit better to me.
Iron Maiden
3/5
Iron Maiden sounds like the most approachable metal ever, not sure if it's a thing for me and not sure if it's a thing for fans. I feel like the songs that are most well known of theirs are not in the included albums, and that's a shame! Because I were learning them on the guitar lessons. 3 or 4, really.
Bill Evans Trio
2/5
My jazz radar might be out of tune, but this ain't exciting nor interesting
4/5
Train album! I think!
It gets too long, but is interesting and listenable, especially the first part. Risky 4.
3/5
So, none of the songs from this album are very popular, and album with most popular songs from The Kinks is not on the list curious.
Comments made me realise that Kinks do sound very Beatlesy. But they also sound very like War, IMO. Hearing this album I began to wonder if it's another post Falklands War album, but no, it's just war themed for a reason that eludes me.
Itself, is not bad, but it's not exciting. A couple of fun hooks, and a foundation for albums to come, sure. 3.5.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
The good thing about this album is that it's interesting, but it's not my style, be it being a little bit too fast on delivery of instrumentals - instead of trying to grow, they just go, and a new one shows up so quick in the first few songs - or be it Elvis' singing style. I wonder what made authors of the book inspired to add so many albums from Elvis Costello.
But still, it's not bad, it's interesting, I'll give it that.
Patti Smith
4/5
I wish I liked the album better, but it's clearly not bad, Patti has a lot of fun in it, and I've liked her other songs.
Dexys Midnight Runners
3/5
I absolutely love the instrumentals here, but the singing style and the nature of the album, the random quips, really bring it down
Super Furry Animals
3/5
Not bad at all, but idk if interesting? Hard call. Worth listening to in the background. At times it feels like it goes much faster than it has the ground to stand on.
The Stooges
4/5
I wish I could write something smart about it, but it went by rather quickly and effortlessly.
Sleater-Kinney
4/5
Surprisingly good, however not all the songs here are fun; I get the vibe adjacent to Le Tigre, however not quite polished or boppy. Risky 4.
However it also sounds like a collection of singles, and not a coherent album.
David Bowie
5/5
"This was such a Bowie move; at the height of his Let's Dance fame, expected to play a handful of the biggest hits at Live Aid, he opens up with 'TVC 15'. Legend."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsnTZHQZzN4
Today I've realized I know almost all songs off of the Station to Station but the last one, which impressed me. And dare I say, I think it's a great album, even if for the intro alone.
I'm not so sure about some of the other tracks here. Because they never stole my heart. But... they're good. Pretty good. I don't know why I don't vibe with them. Yet?
Far from my favourite from Bowie, but I have nothing to say against this album. The worst thing I could say is that my criticism from 21st Century Schizoid Man applies: this album tries to be two albums at once. The initial song, and all the others.
David Ackles
3/5
It's hard to say that it's a bad album, it's not, I quite like it, but it's just so simple and not trying to be anything more. There's a hint of trying a little bit here, and there, something bigger, but no fun writing, no fun moments, it just is. It's not bad for what it is, but it should try to be a little bit more on this list.
The Who
3/5
I feel incredibly whelmed. I guess it's a start into concept albums.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
If you like Led Zeppelin, this is a pretty rad album, but their style of rockin has always made me kind of tired.
Generally, a good album, with the highlight being Kashmir, and then it kind of fizzling out. We need more songs with arabic motiffs!
Faust
4/5
I'd have to listen to it a bit more, but I'm feeling like a risky 4 for Faust IV. Not that I feel like it was anything great, but it was experimentative and pleasant
Snoop Dogg
2/5
Thank you Snoop Dogg, really cool! Didn't really want to listen to The Chronic v2, tho it did hide its bad parts for a second, and the beat was good!
The Offspring
4/5
Pretty fun! Not many greatest of all times, but yeah, The Offspring is fun, and I kind of wish there were more entries of theirs on this list
The Fall
3/5
It's kind of interesting, but very much one-note, and I don't think I could listen to it with much attention. I hope the other albums of theirs don't share this style 1:1
MGMT
4/5
Pretty fun bops in the background.
Cat Stevens
5/5
When the day after asking out a girl I've had the dice fall on Cat Stevens, I've suspected the answer would be no.
Two masterhits, and a good baseline on this album. Could've been better, but it's enough.
Bruce Springsteen
2/5
Sorry Bruce, I think I like you, but I cannot give every guy sitting with a guitar that doesn't impress me a different mark
Stereolab
3/5
French made a great album, which doesn't have much beneath surface and ultimately I won't care if I'll ever listen to it again