I get it. Proto-ska from the UK. I actually didn’t know that ska was a thing in the 70s but since it was I can see how influential this would have been. It didn’t blow me away but it was fine.

Great album that I’m already very familiar with. I’ve always thought that Pearl Jam actually has some pretty dark themes but it doesn’t come off as overly depressing because the songs rock and a lot of them are relatively upbeat. But if you actually listen to the lyrics there is some heavy stuff here.

It’s ok. I listened to this album once probably 15 years ago and wasn’t really a fan. Since then, and with another listen, there are definitely tracks that I like, and overall my opinion has moved more into the “not bad” category. I’m not a huge fan of the indie genre, so honestly a lot of it sounds the same to me and I really don’t see what all the fuss is about with this album. I know people love it, and it’s very critically acclaimed. Maybe with some more exposure to the genre I’ll be able to appreciate it more.

So I know that I really like Jazz. However, I’m still at the point where it all kind of sounds the same to me (blasphemy, I know). But I know this album is objectively great and genre defining for its time. Not to mention the all-star cast including Bill Evans, John Coltrane, and Cannonball Adderly. I just need to continue my journey to discover more jazz that I like, and get a more trained ear to pick up on subtle differences between artists.

What can I say about this album that hasn’t already been said. It’s a masterpiece. I own it and have listened to it many times. But each time I get a new appreciation for it. 10/10 album, perfection.

Not my cup of tea. It gives off some pretty heavy Radiohead vibes, but honestly, if that’s what I’m in the mood for I’ll just go listen to Radiohead. And if I want to listen David Bowie, it’s not going to be this. It’s not bad per se, there just isn’t anything here that would ever make me come back to it.

I can definitely see why people would like this, and even though I like a few tracks (the first track is actually quite beautiful), an entire album of it is too much for me. I got a very spiritual vibe from it, but not in any kind of interesting or endearing way, and the style is kind of plodding after awhile. However, just because it isn’t my cup of tea doesn’t mean it isn’t good, but my rating will reflect my personal opinion.

This is my first real exposure to Elvis Costello and it’s one of those things where you say to yourself “why hasn’t anybody told me about this guy?!” This album is amazing. He’s like a mix between Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, and Buddy Holly. Quality songwriting, different styles and grooves, varied themes, all around amazing stuff, I love it.

This was one of those albums that I was always interested in as a teenager, but never bought it, because, well… broke teenager. And it’s probably better I didn’t, because I don’t know that I would have liked this when it came out in 1995. 30 years later, I love this. There is a lot of anger here, but a lot of other emotions as well that 12 year old me wouldn’t have been nearly in tune with or known how to process. Musically, it’s like the perfect blend of rock/grunge and electronic. It’s done really well with tons of catchy riffs but also driving beats and bass. Big fan of this.

I like this album, although not as much as his later release “Voodoo”. It’s the same fusion of jazzy vibes with R&B grooves but “Voodoo” just takes it to another level. That being said, this is a very good effort. Typical D’Angelo… very sensual, and explores the gamut of lover’s emotions from shock and betrayal, to one night stands, to being deeply in love.

Queen has always been a weird band to me. I really like a lot of their stuff, but there’s also some of their stuff that just seems silly and even stupid. But this album is mostly good stuff I would say.

Despite being a supergroup with a pretty all-star lineup, this project is definitely not what I was expecting. I don’t really know what I was expecting… but it wasn’t this. I know this album was praised, and maybe I just don’t “get it” but I don’t think it’s for me. There just isn’t anything on here that makes me want to come back. Maybe I need to give it another chance. But for now, “meh” at best.

This is an album that I’ve always been interested in but never gave it a deep dive. I’ve always liked the popular tracks, but now that I’ve listened to the whole thing I can see why it is so highly regarded. Dire Straits has a sound that is all their own, of course led primarily by Mark Knophler’s signature guitar twang. Not every track is a standout favorite for me, but generally I really like it and it’s a solid listen.

I’ve been on the Chronic for decades. It’s a classic that defined a genre and pioneered the G-Funk sound. One of the best albums of all time.

This is a classic album that spans generations. Even 50+ years ago people were already asking “what’s the matter with the world today?”. Marvin explores a myriad of complex social topics such as poverty, inner city struggles, faith, returning from war, addiction, and concern for future generations. 10/10 album that cannot be overhyped… it’s that good.

This album is mostly cover versions of other songs (there are a few originals) but in any event, you can’t go wrong with Otis Redding. His soulful spin is as pleasant as always, and I really need to dive more into his original material. I always obviously knew that like “Dock of the Bay” but I want discover everything else that is out there from him.

I’d always seen this around, like on Discogs, but never gave it much thought. I always liked CSN/CSNY but just figured, “oh it’s probably ok but I’m sure I can easily slip it”. And was I wrong. This album is great, and much more than I was expecting. The last few tracks are a little weird, but over all the musicianship, lyrics, etc… here are top notch.

This album would still be great even if it didn’t create an entire genre on its own. The fact that it did, just adds to the novelty. The Sex Pistols are raw, unapologetic, crass, and brilliant. The helped to define punk when it was still in its infancy, and the songs are great too.

As with all Beatles albums, this was so far ahead of its time both musically and stylistically. I think people sometimes forget how revolutionary these sounds were in 1966. There just wasn't anything else like it out there. In an era where popular music was still solidly entrenched in the classic Motown sound and bubblegum rock, any kind of eastern sounds, distorted guitars, and lyrics about “making love" were virtually unheard of. It's hard to pick favorites off a Beatles album, as they are all practically greatest hits collections in their own right. That being said, this isn't my favorite Beatles album, but it's definitely up there.

I had no idea what to expect here, and purposely didn’t do any research before listening. I don’t know what I was expecting, but I was surprised when it turned out to be electronic/trip-hop. It’s not what I typically listen to, but it’s ok. Since I’m not well versed in the genre it kind of all sounds the same to me (although I’m sure that’s not the case to the trained ear). So for me, this would be ambient background music at best. Not anything that I would really come back to, but I can appreciate it, and it certainly isn’t “bad”.

This is an interesting one. It's a collection of unfinished Woody Guthrie songs (that were just lyrics, no music) that was commissioned by Guthrie’s daughter to be finished and recorded by Billy Bragg (who I had never heard of), who chose Wilco as his backing band. Apparently she wanted the songs to be in a style that would appeal to a new generation, but maintain her father’s original lyrics and meaning. It’s very well done, and I like a lot of it. Certain songs are more captivating than others, and there isn’t anything that particularly resonated with me upon my initial listen, but it’s ok. Like I said, I enjoyed it, but I don’t know that I would necessarily come back to it. We’ll see.

For being the Butthole Surfers, and being avant garde noise rock, this is surprisingly ok. Not my favorite genre, but it wasn’t unlistenable. I do like a handful of their songs, but in general their stuff is a little out there for me. But this wasn’t terrible. I don’t know that I would go back to it… but it was ok.

Wow. I had no idea. Of course I’ve heard “Son of a Preacher Man”, but I had no clue that the rest of this album was FIRE. Her sweet, sultry, sexy voice puts you in a trance as she covers topics from falling in love, to lust, to breakups, and even some psychedelics. The accompanying music is also amazing, with a jazz feel, but it also draws from several different styles as well. What a ride, I love it when I discover an album like this. 10/10.

Very heavy Beatles vibes here. I’m guessing a product of the time. I’ve always been interested in The Kinks, but never really dove into their stuff. I like this album, although I’m not blown away. I would like to listen to more of their material that spans their career to see how they evolve.

This album sucks. “Art” rock is not my thing, it’s just noise as far as I’m concerned. No redeemable qualities here.

It’s ok. They’re a Welsh band, which is mildly interesting. There’s definitely a wide range of sounds and influences here, from rock, to techno, to acoustic/folk. It’s not bad, it’s actually enjoyable for the most part, there just isn’t anything too memorable as far as I’m concerned. Nothing that screams “playlist” to me.

Had a hell of a time finding this album, apparently it was never released in the US. Anyway YouTube came through. I had no idea that the 80’s classic “Our House” came from this, but there it was. That’s obviously the highlight, but the rest was actually quite enjoyable as well. It’s a good 80’s new wave, synth, horn/ska time.

Another solid album from The Kinks. I really enjoyed this one. The more I get exposed to their stuff I feel like they were a really talented band that just couldn’t keep up with their contemporaries. After all, I’m sure it wasn’t easy to compete with the like of The Beatles, the Stones, Zeppelin, The Who… the list goes on. But definitely a quality album here.

10/10 album, hands down. I’ve owned this for years and it’s one I can go back to over and over again. So far ahead of its time. The entire album is like a greatest hits collection as far as I’m concerned.

At first I didn’t think this was too bad, but that was only a few tracks in. The deeper I got the more I found myself just waiting and wishing for it to be over. This album is great example of one that makes people think things like “oh he should’ve hung it up years ago”. It’s a downer both lyrically and musically, it’s rarely upbeat musically, it’s totally stylistically different than everything I love about Bruce Springsteen. This album is a turd, and I say that as a fan.

I really enjoyed this. Everyone has heard the hits, but the rest of the album is very good as well. The impetus of rock and roll, personified.

Nu-metal had been around for a little while by the time this album came out, but I feel like this is the album (and the band) that pushed it to the forefront of pop culture at the time. It’s hard to explain just how huge this album was to those who weren’t there to experience it first hand. It was everywhere, constant radio play, MTV (when they still played music at least some of the time), at the mall, in high schools…. Everywhere. I remember being in high school and cruising in my Oldsmobile with my CD player (with tape deck cord converter) BUMPING this album. 10/10 for me for pure nostalgia purposes alone, but I also feel like it stands the test of time.

Another classic 70’s album from Uncle Neil. I own an OG copy on vinyl have listened to it numerous times. This album never really got the credit it deserves in my opinion, but it has his classic 70’s sound that everyone loves. I guess probably because there really isn’t a “single” or even cult favorite track that everyone loves. Like how “Cortez the Killer” totally makes “Zuma”. But I love this record. I think it’s a nice balance of his crazy horse sound and his solo sound.

Techno is another genre of music that I’m not well versed in. As such, the best I can say for this album is it’s ok. I don’t dislike it, but it also didn’t strike me in any kind of way. I will say that I’ve listened to some Chemical Brothers stuff that I find more appealing. But I don’t know how to really verbalize the differences, or even what they’re called. So this album was fine, but nothing that I would necessarily come back to either.

This album is just ok. I don’t think Randy Newman is really my jam. He has some songs that are pretty decent, but he’s a little too quirky for me I think. Even though some of his subject matter is actually quite serious, it still has kind of a corny, show tune-y vibe for me.

Great example of classic Chicago blues. Who doesn’t love Muddy Waters?

Great example of classic Chicago blues. Who doesn’t love Muddy Waters?

A Malian desert blues band? This shit is HOT. Their story is incredible as well. They blend electric blues guitar with traditional rhythms from Mali and it works really well. I’m a big fan of this and I absolutely love discovering new bands and artists just like these guys.

Listening to this album really drives home just how influential it really was. I feel like this really laid down the rudiments for what would become the most basic rock, funk, and popular rhythms and grooves. It’s not something that I would put on just for the sake of it really, but it’s influence can’t be denied and it’s definitely a fun time.

I get it. Proto-ska from the UK. I actually didn’t know that ska was a thing in the 70s but since it was I can see how influential this would have been. It didn’t blow me away but it was fine.

More techno, which isn’t terrible, it’s just more of the same as far as I’m concerned. It’s ambient at best for me, it doesn’t hype me up or excite me at all. That being said, and as I’ve mentioned with other electronic/techno albums, I’m not well versed at all in that genre so a lot of it is going to be lost on me. But from what I’ve heard here it isn’t enough to pull me in to dig deeper.

I actually really enjoyed this. I never really got into Joni Mitchell but this album was great. A wide range of influences can be heard throughout, the subject matter is engaging and thought provoking, this is just really well done and it makes me want to dive into more of her stuff.

Another classic from Uncle Neil. One of his most highly regarded albums and it’s not hard to see why. This is peak Neil solo career, one of my all time favorites.

You’ll never hear Taylor Swift sing like this… because she fucking can’t. But in all seriousness, Adele has an AMAZING voice. That being said, her songs just aren’t my particular cup of tea. There’s only so many sad piano songs about loss and heartbreak I can take, and an entire albums worth is a lot. But like I said, I can absolutely appreciate the brilliance of this album, I just personally need something less slow and depressing.

I had no idea what to expect going into this but it’s like new wave/post punk, and I kind of dig it. Basically a one man band with some guests and studio musicians. It’s got a good mix of typical “80’s” sounds as well as some good non-synth instrumentation as well. The lyrics are good as well. I enjoyed this.

Another where I had no idea what to expect. This album is very sound-scapey but I liked it. There are parts that are very peaceful and songs that are a little more upbeat, but as a whole it’s very calm and ambient. Almost no lyrics. Not something I would listen to all the time, but I enjoyed it.

This is like, 80’s techno dance? I don’t really know how to categorize this but I liked it.

Love this album. It’s funky and groovy and way ahead of its time, as the Talking Heads were. I never delved this deep into their stuff before but I’m glad I did.

Awesome live album. The performance and production both shine. What’s not to love about Thin Lizzy?

Classic. One of my all time favorite albums. It immediately struck me when I first heard it as a teenager and it has been in solid rotation ever since. 10/10 album for me. The rawness, the power, I guess that’s why it’s called Raw Power. Another one that was waaaaay ahead of its time.

This is a band that a vaguely remember hearing about but never actually heard them. They are somewhat typical 90’s alternative. They have Radiohead vibes sometimes, smashing pumpkins vibes, grunge vibes at times… nothing super memorable but they’re ok. I enjoyed it.

This album was pretty good. I had never listened to the whole thing in its entirety before but I liked it. The whole mommy issue thing was a little weird but I guess he had some stuff to work through.

Not my style of rap. It’s kind of silly and old school sounding.

I really liked this. It’s funky and groovy and has that Afro-beat feel. It also has a lot of tribal sounds that are really great. This was a good time.

Outstanding album by one of the seminal Seattle grunge bands. Their masterpiece.

British folk rock just isn’t my thing. I don’t want to give it a one star review because it isn’t terrible or unlistenable. I’m sure lots of people like it, I just really don’t.

For being noise rock, I’m surprised at how listenable this is and how much I liked it. I didn’t love it, but if you take it for what it is, it isn’t bad at all.

More of the same from Arcade Fire. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, I’m just not huge into the genre. It isn’t bad, I just don’t think it’s ever going to be a “go-to” for me.

If you like Iggy Pop (and I do!) this is a great album. Awesome riffs, vibe, attitude, it’s all there. Go listen to it.

Awesome debut from the Eagles. Lots of hits, great lyrics, and of course their trademark sound. I’ve always been a huge fan of the Eagles, so of course I’ve heard this album many times, but it still never disappoints.

I feel like Radiohead has always had one foot in the alternative world and one in the electronica world. Some of their albums lean more heavily toward one side than the other, but this one is a really nice balance. I’ve owned this album for years and have listened to it many times, and it’s always an enjoyable experience. I have to be on the mood for Radiohead sometimes, but when I am this is one of the better ones.

I had never heard of Mbalax music before, but I really enjoyed this. It’s a nice mix of world, afropop/beat, and even some funk. Not to mention N’dour has an amazing voice.

This is one that just isn’t going to be my cup of tea. It’s one of those albums and one of those bands that people really rave about for some reason, but I just don’t get it.

Great 70’s Santana. The kind of record you can put on and just chill. Not a bad track, just great guitar, jams, and grooves. Awesome stuff.

I really liked this album. Normally techno isn’t my thing, but this is different. It’s not just mindless beats, there’s a lot more variety to it.

It’s ok, about what you would expect from the 60’s. It’s good but I don’t really see what the fuss is about or why it made this list. But I enjoyed it, I just don’t think I would ever go back to it.

I don’t really have too much to say other than this is a great jazz album, with a slightly world infused sound. If you like jazz, you’ll love this.