263
Albums Rated
3.34
Average Rating
24%
Complete
826 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1970s
Favorite Decade
Metal
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
44
5-Star Albums
20
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Peggy Suicide
Julian Cope
|
5 | 2.77 | +2.23 |
|
Ragged Glory
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
|
5 | 3.15 | +1.85 |
|
Live And Dangerous
Thin Lizzy
|
5 | 3.32 | +1.68 |
|
Raw Power
The Stooges
|
5 | 3.32 | +1.68 |
|
Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
|
5 | 3.32 | +1.68 |
|
The Chronic
Dr. Dre
|
5 | 3.33 | +1.67 |
|
My Aim Is True
Elvis Costello
|
5 | 3.35 | +1.65 |
|
Smash
The Offspring
|
5 | 3.37 | +1.63 |
|
Garbage
Garbage
|
5 | 3.38 | +1.62 |
|
Hybrid Theory
Linkin Park
|
5 | 3.39 | +1.61 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
|
1 | 3.79 | -2.79 |
|
Wild Is The Wind
Nina Simone
|
1 | 3.64 | -2.64 |
|
Illinois
Sufjan Stevens
|
1 | 3.49 | -2.49 |
|
Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes
|
1 | 3.43 | -2.43 |
|
Come Away With Me
Norah Jones
|
1 | 3.39 | -2.39 |
|
Ágætis Byrjun
Sigur Rós
|
1 | 3.37 | -2.37 |
|
You Want It Darker
Leonard Cohen
|
1 | 3.34 | -2.34 |
|
Unhalfbricking
Fairport Convention
|
1 | 3.14 | -2.14 |
|
Shaka Zulu
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
|
1 | 3.09 | -2.09 |
|
The Rising
Bruce Springsteen
|
1 | 3.06 | -2.06 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Stevie Wonder | 3 | 4.67 |
| Led Zeppelin | 2 | 5 |
| Steely Dan | 2 | 5 |
| AC/DC | 2 | 5 |
| Nirvana | 2 | 5 |
| Neil Young | 3 | 4.33 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Bruce Springsteen | 2 | 1.5 |
| Christina Aguilera | 2 | 1.5 |
| Fairport Convention | 2 | 1.5 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds | 2, 5 |
| Björk | 4, 1 |
| Michael Jackson | 2, 4, 5 |
5-Star Albums (44)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Nas
5/5
One of the best rap albums of all time. The storytelling is on another level, and the flows and beats are all amazing. I own this and have listened to it countless times. 100/10.
2 likes
The Mamas & The Papas
2/5
Not my jam. Some of the hits are fine, and I guess I get why it was a big deal in its day, but I just don’t really vibe with the sound. There were other artists at that time that were doing new and revolutionary things that are more up my alley.
1 likes
Doves
1/5
"I'm just not into the whole ""ethereal"" sound of the reverb drenched indie style of music. Some of it is ok, but a lot of it just feels kind of dreamy, airy, and everything just kind of blends together behind a driving drum beat. It's almost like there's no meoldy to it. I struggle to hear what the guitar is doing, what the bass is doing; are there keyboards or piano? I have no idea. It just sounds like white noise behind the drums (which are in the front of the mix) with some coldplay style vocals. The whole thing is shades of a poor man's Coldplay honestly. Not really my jam. Some parts are better than others, but overall it's just not really my thing."
1 likes
The Specials
2/5
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.
1 likes
AC/DC
5/5
Life changing album. It’s one of those records that the first time you put it on, you know you’re a getting something. Especially as a 13 or 14 year old kid, that records opens your eyes.
1 likes
1-Star Albums (20)
All Ratings
Pearl Jam
4/5
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.
Arcade Fire
3/5
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.
Miles Davis
4/5
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.
Bob Dylan
5/5
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.
David Bowie
2/5
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.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
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.
Elvis Costello
5/5
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.
Garbage
5/5
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.
D'Angelo
3/5
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
4/5
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.
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
2/5
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.
Dire Straits
4/5
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.
Dr. Dre
5/5
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.
Marvin Gaye
5/5
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.
Otis Redding
4/5
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.
David Crosby
4/5
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.
Sex Pistols
4/5
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.
Beatles
4/5
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.
Nightmares On Wax
2/5
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”.
Billy Bragg
2/5
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.
Butthole Surfers
2/5
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.
Dusty Springfield
5/5
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.
The Kinks
3/5
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.
Throbbing Gristle
1/5
This album sucks. “Art” rock is not my thing, it’s just noise as far as I’m concerned. No redeemable qualities here.
Super Furry Animals
2/5
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.
Madness
3/5
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.
4/5
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.
The Cars
5/5
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.
Bruce Springsteen
1/5
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.
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
3/5
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.
Linkin Park
5/5
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.
Neil Young
4/5
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.
Fatboy Slim
2/5
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.
Randy Newman
2/5
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.
Muddy Waters
4/5
Great example of classic Chicago blues. Who doesn’t love Muddy Waters?
John Martyn
4/5
Great example of classic Chicago blues. Who doesn’t love Muddy Waters?
Songhoy Blues
4/5
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.
Booker T. & The MG's
3/5
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.
The Specials
2/5
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.
Orbital
2/5
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.
Joni Mitchell
4/5
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.
Neil Young
5/5
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.
Adele
2/5
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.
The The
3/5
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.
Neu!
3/5
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.
Coldcut
3/5
This is like, 80’s techno dance? I don’t really know how to categorize this but I liked it.
Talking Heads
5/5
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.
Thin Lizzy
5/5
Awesome live album. The performance and production both shine. What’s not to love about Thin Lizzy?
The Stooges
5/5
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.
The Dandy Warhols
3/5
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.
John Lennon
3/5
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.
De La Soul
2/5
Not my style of rap. It’s kind of silly and old school sounding.
Jorge Ben Jor
4/5
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.
Soundgarden
5/5
Outstanding album by one of the seminal Seattle grunge bands. Their masterpiece.
Pentangle
2/5
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.
Lightning Bolt
3/5
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.
Arcade Fire
3/5
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.
Iggy Pop
4/5
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.
Eagles
4/5
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.
Radiohead
4/5
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.
Youssou N'Dour
3/5
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.
Sigur Rós
1/5
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.
Santana
4/5
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.
Moby
3/5
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.
The Sonics
3/5
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.
Hugh Masekela
4/5
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.
N.W.A.
3/5
There’s no denying that this is a classic which broke down barriers and gave people something that they literally had never heard before. That said, I much prefer the g-funk sound that came a few years later. This album is great and groundbreaking, and revolutionary and all the things for what it is; but honestly, it’s a little old school sounding for me.
Beastie Boys
4/5
Amazing album. So many great hits, so many amazing album tracks, so many different styles and influences…. It isn’t hard to see why people call this album their masterpiece.
The La's
2/5
It was ok, but I guess I don’t really get why it made this list. Was it influential or something? It just seems like stereotypical 90’s radio pop. I have to do some more research. It was bad per se, but I don’t see what makes it special either.
Slade
3/5
This was a good album. I can definitely see where it had some influence on things to come. The vocals reminded me of Motley Crue, and the overall sound kind of gave a harder rock vibe that was more edgy than the standard blues rock of the time. Nothing was particularly mind blowing but there were a lot of tracks that I liked and overall I enjoyed it.
Sufjan Stevens
1/5
This was a good album. I can definitely see where it had some influence on things to come. The vocals reminded me of Motley Crue, and the overall sound kind of gave a harder rock vibe that was more edgy than the standard blues rock of the time. Nothing was particularly mind blowing but there were a lot of tracks that I liked and overall I enjoyed it.
Beatles
3/5
This album is really the impetus of modern rock and roll. Sure it takes plenty of influence from the likes of Chuck Berry (they even cover a song here) and the other 50’s guitar blues rock greats, but I don’t think rock would have evolved into what it has without the Beatles, and beginning with this album. That being said, it shows its age stylistically and its one of those albums where I think to myself “if I’m going to listen to the Beatles, it isn’t going to be this”. ‘This’ is great, but I much prefer the later Beatles sound.
The Police
4/5
Great album. Side two is a little stronger but side one is still awesome on its own.
James Taylor
3/5
It’s good, but a little unbalanced. The great songs are great, but there are some misses are just meh. Not bad, but averages out to just a good overall experience as opposed to a great one.
The Kinks
3/5
Good album. Not really anything special that I could see, nothing particularly memorable, but I enjoyed it enough while I was listening to it.
Echo And The Bunnymen
4/5
Great album. Another that makes me ask “why have I not listened to this yet?!” But I love that aspect of discovery. I may not have ever listened to Echo and the Bunnymen without this list.
Michael Kiwanuka
3/5
It was good, but I don’t have much else to say. I enjoyed it enough while it was on but I don’t know if it’s something that I’ll ever pick up again.
The White Stripes
2/5
I like the White Stripes, but they’ve always been kind of quirky and weird. This album is especially hit or miss. Some tracks I really like, and others left me saying to myself “what the hell was that?”. Overall it was ok. Maybe I’m just a greatest hits kind of guy when it comes to them.
The Darkness
3/5
Good album but not great. They are like a mix between Queen, Kiss, and AC/DC… all rock. Just not quite memorable enough to move them into the “great” category.
The Teardrop Explodes
3/5
Very cool album as I’m kind of a sucker for that 80’s new wave sound. This was good.
Jeru The Damaja
3/5
Never heard of this before but I really enjoyed this. The beats are sick.
ZZ Top
5/5
The album that introduced me to Texas boogie! A classic that I’ve had in my collection for years, 10/10.
Pretenders
4/5
Classic.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Another classic 10/10 album and personal favorite.
Queen Latifah
1/5
Dogshit.
Justice
3/5
This album was pretty good, given that I’m not super into or versed in techno/electronic music. I enjoyed it.
David Bowie
3/5
This was a good, solid, Bowie album. And while I certainly enjoyed it, it’s another one that didn’t blow me away, leaving me wondering if I’m missing something. What makes this so great that it’s in this list?
The Temptations
3/5
Good album that apparently marked a change for the group into funkier territory. And of course, I’m all for that. This was really good, not great, but definitely the top end of very good.
William Orbit
2/5
Not really my cup of tea. It’s ok at best as far as I’m concerned, as it’s a little to ambient throughout.
Leonard Cohen
1/5
Not my cup of tea, but I can see why people appreciate it. It’s just a little monotonous and depressing for my liking.
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
3/5
I’m not the biggest fan of salsa, but this was really good. It’s like a funky salsa. Kind of reminds you of eating dinner in a chi chis.
Michael Jackson
2/5
Unpopular opinion maybe, but this album just isn’t that good. This album marked a change in Michael Jackson’s sound away from funk/groove and to more of a straight synth/pop sound. I’m just not a fan. It’s ok I guess but I think it’s disappointing overall. Give me the boogie any day over this.
Janelle Monáe
4/5
This was great. A mix of r&b, jazz, hip hop, and more. Very well executed.
Kings of Leon
3/5
Good album. I’ve always kind of been into Kings of Leon, but not to the point where I would say I love them or anything. They are good rock and roll, albeit can be a bit boring sometimes.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
1/5
Not my jam, but for people who are into this kind of thing I can see why they would like it.
Solomon Burke
2/5
This is classic early rock and roll/soul sound. It’s good/ok, but nothing that blew me away.
King Crimson
3/5
This was a good album, way ahead of its time. It didn’t blow my mind, but it was very good and I enjoyed it. Lots of varied styles and influences. I can definitely see how it was a forefather of the progressive genre.
The White Stripes
4/5
One of the better White Stripes albums. A lot of classics on here. Some weirdness too, but that’s them.
John Grant
4/5
This was great. I wasn’t all that impressed at first, but once I started really paying attention to the lyrics I realized just how deep, profound, and even funny this album can be. This is one where I actually do see what all the fuss is about.
Skepta
4/5
I wound up really liking this once I got into it. The beats are fire. Who would’ve thought…British grime rap.
Black Flag
3/5
Great album that perfectly blends elements of punk and hardcore. Way ahead of its time and very impactful for many other bands in the future.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
5/5
This album is almost masterpiece material. The variety, influences, musicianship, and lyrics are all outstanding. It’s a double album but really functions a lot like two very distinct, individual albums. I really really liked this one.
Sade
4/5
I love her voice, and the smooth jazzy feel is right up my alley. I own this album, as well as several others and have been a fan for awhile now.
Christina Aguilera
1/5
Ok so she’s not a bad singer. No matter much everyone loves to hate on her, her talent is undeniable. She wouldn’t be such a huge star if she sucked. And this isn’t even a bad pop album. Sure, it’s dated now; and very much a product of its time, but it isn’t bad. It’s just an early 2000’s pop album and I don’t like it. Lots of people do, and I get it, I just don’t.
PJ Harvey
4/5
This is another “have I been living under a rock for 41 years?” album. It’s great. It’s grungy, gritty, deep and introspective, and emotional in the just the right way. I can only hope the rest of her stuff is this damn good.
Steely Dan
5/5
What can I say? It’s Steely Dan, that’s always going to be five stars from me. Amazing stuff.
Eminem
4/5
This is a great album for the most part. There are a few misses, but they’re rare. It’s groundbreaking in that no one had really heard anything like this before. It was raw, offensive, crude, and way over the top in the most comical and ridiculous way. It’s too bad that his first two albums were his best and it was all downhill from there.
Michael Jackson
4/5
Not much to be said about this one, as its reputation precedes it. It’s great, but it’s also not nearly as funky as his previous effort. They are both great in their own way.
Marvin Gaye
4/5
Talk about a horny album haha. I love the dichotomy of this and “What’s Going On?”. Scathing social commentary versus ‘hey girl let’s get all the way down’. I know there’s a deeper, catharsis behind the album in reality; but it’s just interesting to me, and speaks to his breath of topics he can be so well versed in. Not to mention the music is perfectly funky and R&B-ey.
Johnny Cash
2/5
I just don’t like it. There. I said it. Everyone raves about the genius of this and I honestly don’t see it. I mean I see why people would like it, it’s not my jam, but it’s not dogshit either. It’s just Johnny Cash mostly solo playing mostly cover songs. There are a few redeeming qualities but overall I’m just not impressed.
Brian Wilson
3/5
It’s good, but I don’t get the acclaim. Maybe I need another listen, or for someone to explain to me why this album is so worthy of this list. I mean it isn’t bad, it’s actually quite enjoyable. It just didn’t knock my socks off.
Jefferson Airplane
5/5
Everything that 60’s psychedelic rock should be. It’s bluesy, but with just right amount of “out there”. I wasn’t expecting to like it this much, but it’s awesome. I get it, and I see what all the fuss is about.
Norah Jones
1/5
Not my jam. I actually like her voice, it reminds me of Amy Winehouse. But it’s just too soft for me. I don’t even know what to call it. It’s jazzy, but it’s not jazz. It’s country-y sometimes, but it’s not country. I don’t know, not my jam… but I can see why other people would like it because it’s not bad.
CHVRCHES
2/5
For being synthepop, this was surprisingly ok. The genre is not usually my thing, but once you accept it for what it is and take it in, it’s not bad. I don’t think it’s something I would go back to over and over, but it was fine while it was on.
Country Joe & The Fish
4/5
This was awesome. I had always heard of them, but never really knew what to expect and kind of had a preconceived negative assumption for some reason. Probably because of the word “country”. Anyway, was I wrong! This is great psychedelic rock… bluesy, a little out there, everything you would expect.
Marianne Faithfull
4/5
Great album. Didn’t know what to expect but this was raw and gritty and emotional, but it also felt like you could dance to it. I love the duality of that.
Nas
5/5
One of the best rap albums of all time. The storytelling is on another level, and the flows and beats are all amazing. I own this and have listened to it countless times. 100/10.
The Temptations
4/5
Great mix of funk, soul, and r&b. A lot of social commentary. I loved it.
David Bowie
4/5
This album is amazing. I wasn’t expecting it to be nearly this good, but I loved it.
Christina Aguilera
2/5
Whoever made this list really likes Christina Aguilera… anyway, this was better than the last one of hers I listened to. Still not my jam, but it wasn’t all bad. Like I said before, she wouldn’t be where she is if she was a bad singer.
Tim Buckley
4/5
I really enjoyed this one. Great mix of styles and influences, not the stereotypical singer/songwriter acoustic drivel. Some real depth here.
Foo Fighters
4/5
Great album that started it all for the Foos. Say what you want about Dave Grohl, but I submit that he’s very talented. He may not be a musical genius, but he knows how to write a catchy song.
John Lennon
3/5
Classic song of course, but the rest of the album is actually really good as well. One of his stronger ones overall I would say. At least of those I’ve heard.
The Divine Comedy
1/5
This is the corniest shit I have ever heard in my life.
Skunk Anansie
3/5
This was good overall. It’s got a wide range of styles and influences, from funk, to rock and metal, to even some techno. I didn’t know what to expect but I was very surprised by what I found.
The Beach Boys
3/5
Sometimes I feel like The Beach Boys were the 60’s version of N’sync. Especially their early stuff, as it can be kind of juvenile and corny. But there’s no denying that it’s revolutionary. People had just never heard anything like that before with those harmonies. And it is good, and catchy. When you’re looking for that signature Beach Boys sound, there’s just nothing quite like it.
The Offspring
5/5
Amazing album. I’ve owned this for years and it never gets old. When 11 year old me heard these songs for the first time on Y100 in Philadelphia, it definitely turned me on to something I didn’t know existed. It really was one of my main introductions to punk.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
This album has some great, iconic Uncle Neil tracks. But honestly, it also has some misses. The songs that don’t hit aren’t terrible by any means, but they are starkly different from the rest. I would have liked a little more consistency but overall it’s still very good.
Peter Frampton
4/5
One of the greatest live albums of all time. Classic.
Animal Collective
1/5
I couldn’t even make it half way through this turd. WTF is this? Lol
Aphex Twin
4/5
This is exactly what I want chill, ambient music to be. You can either lose yourself in it or have it in the background, and either way it works. Big fan of this for when I am in the mood for it.
Steely Dan
5/5
Automatic 10/10 for me. Steely Dan can do no wrong.
Parliament
5/5
Amazing album. P-funk at its best.
SAULT
2/5
So the music on this is great, but lyrically, it really isn’t my jam. I’m all for the cause, but it’s too religious for me.
Fairport Convention
1/5
This album has cemented the fact that traditional English folk rock is not for me.
A Tribe Called Quest
4/5
Great album that you can tell was the impetus for a lot of modern rap. The sampling is just so much more modern, and the lyrics and flow are starting to go to the next level of what rap and hip hop would become.
R.E.M.
4/5
Awesome album. One of those records that’s hard to believe I’d never listened to before, but at least I’ve discovered it now.
AC/DC
5/5
Life changing album. It’s one of those records that the first time you put it on, you know you’re a getting something. Especially as a 13 or 14 year old kid, that records opens your eyes.
The Associates
3/5
Good album. It has that 80’s new wave synth sound that I do like. The vocals are just average but I enjoyed it overall. I didn’t really notice anything that particularly stood out but that’s ok, it was a solid effort.
Koffi Olomide
2/5
Not really my jam unless I’m sitting poolside in the tropics. But I can certainly appreciate why people like it and why it’s a big deal.
Massive Attack
2/5
It’s ok. I enjoyed it as ambient background music but I don’t know that I would ever go back to it again.
Eagles
5/5
Landmark album for the Eagles, and probably my personal favorite. No misses on this one. Outstanding all around.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
Very good overall. Lots of great tracks, a few that are, I wouldn’t call them misses, but just ok. A slightly mixed bag, but the great tracks are great enough to make up for the ones that are average.
Dr. John
3/5
This was good. I like the vibe, there’s some funky weirdness going on here that’s part voodoo, part psychedelic. Cool vibe. Not great, but solidly good.
Astrud Gilberto
2/5
This was ok. I really liked the vibe of some of the songs. Almost like a loungey, chill, Caribbean thing. But there were other tracks that were just straight corny. Very hit and miss, but the good songs were cool.
Sarah Vaughan
4/5
This was very cool. I love that 50’s jazz sound, and combined with a great jazz singer, definitely creates a vibe.
Green Day
3/5
It’s ok. I think if it wasn’t Green Day, and it wasn’t “supposed” to be punk, I might like it more. It’s just so out of character for them. It’s not bad, it’s just not what I’m looking for in a punk record. Give me dookie anyday.
Earth, Wind & Fire
4/5
Great album. It’s funky EWF goodness. Nothing not to like here.
The Young Rascals
2/5
This was good. It had that oldies feel mixed with a little bit of psychedelia. I don’t know that I would ever go back to it, but it was fine
Mj Cole
2/5
Just ok. I’m not a big fan of techno/house/whatever this is. I’ll probably never listen to it again, but it wasn’t terrible.
Mariah Carey
3/5
It’s no Mimi, but it’s still very good, and you can see the different direction she was starting to take towards the more hip hop/r&b oriented sound. Lots of bangers on here, but definitely some misses as well. A good precursor to what was to come.
Lauryn Hill
5/5
What a ride. This is a genius level masterpiece and I can see why it’s so highly regarded. It really delves deep into the themes of what love is/means, and life in the black experience. It’s deep and thoughtful, and the musicianship is second to none. Love it.
Crosby, Stills & Nash
3/5
I know this album is a classic, but I decide if I want to call it great, or just very, very good. There are some great tracks here, but not all bangers. But maybe that’s the definition of a great album as opposed to GOAT
John Lee Hooker
3/5
It was ok. I’m not much for these “comeback” style albums that have a bunch of guest appearances, but I do like the old school blues guys. It was fine, I just honestly didn’t see what the fuss was about or why it made this list.
Black Sabbath
5/5
Classic, one of the albums that started it all for metal and heavy music. Hard to put into words just how groundbreaking this was, people had never heard anything like this before and it changed the shape of modern music forever.
Cyndi Lauper
5/5
I’ve actually been meaning to listen to this for awhile and wow, I was not disappointed. This is pretty much banger after banger. Really good songwriting, unique vocal style, new wave sound….nothing not to like here as far as I’m concerned. Really a great album.
Cat Stevens
4/5
This album has a lot of his hits, which are great, but overall I think he has better stuff. This is still a really good album, but it’s just not my favorite work of his.
Elton John
3/5
It’s a really good album, but I just don’t think it’s enough to be great. The hits are like, iconic, but the rest of the album tracks are just ok. Not necessarily misses, except maybe the one about the Indians, but just “good”. But overall a good album and experience.
The Dictators
4/5
Awesome album, certainly revolutionary for 1975. One of the first examples of what would become punk rock. I loved this album.
Julian Cope
5/5
This started off on a bad foot for me, but wow did it ever redeem itself. This album is great. The range of styles, sounds, and influences is impressive. It’s part Neil Young, part REM, part psychedelic… the list goes on. I also like the lyrics overall as they tend to be on the deeper, more thought provoking side. Excellent listen.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
This is a great album. However, I have a hot take. I don’t see what all the hype is around Stevie Wonder. There. I said it. Let me explain what I mean by that. He’s great, objectively great. He’s a pioneer, musical genius, creative genius, the list goes on. But so was James Brown. So was Marvin Gaye. Al Green, Issac Hayes, Barry White, countless others. They may not have all had same level of commercial success, but that doesn’t make them any less than, as artists. I feel like people put Stevie on a pedestal above everyone else, and I don’t understand why. I see all those other artists as his contemporaries, not being a notch below Stevie Wonder. Maybe that’s just my experience, but I think there is some overhype happening. Still an amazing album though.
Wu-Tang Clan
4/5
Great album, and one of the progenitors of what east coast hardcore rap/hip hop would become. Innovators for sure.
Curtis Mayfield
5/5
Amazing social commentary. Amazing music, amazing vocals. All around amazing.
The Doors
5/5
Never gave this album a full listen before, but it’s awesome. I was right to expect it would be great. It’s bluesy, psychedelic, a little bit of r&b, and even jazz. And Morrison’s vocals really tie the room together.
Ash
4/5
Very cool album. I didn’t know what to expect but it was great. Part grunge, part alternative. And the songwriting is really good.
Alice Cooper
4/5
Another awesome one in the string of 70’s Alice Cooper greatness.
Queen
4/5
One of the heaviest collections I’ve heard from Queen. All very good stuff though. It’s not classified as a concept album, but it follows some themes and definitely dances on the line between prog, hard rock, and queen’s typical theatrical fare. Awesome stuff.
4/5
Everyone knows the hits from this one, but the rest of the album is pretty good too. Certain tracks hit more than others, but I don’t think there’s necessarily a bad one. It’s very good, and I say that as someone who’s not really a fan but more so knows the radio songs and thinks they’re “ok”. But this was good.
Devendra Banhart
1/5
This album sucks. I don’t know if this guy is trying to be poverty Bob Dylan or what, but his voice sucks, the songwriting sucks, it just sucks.
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
4/5
I didn’t know quite what to expect here, but this was cool. It’s gritty, but has a groove to it. Great album.
Jean-Michel Jarre
4/5
This is really good. I dig the vibe and can definitely appreciate the significance. It’s background music, but it’s really good background music.
Nirvana
5/5
GOAT. Automatically 10/10 for me. A huge part of my youth, not to mention an incredible album without the nostalgia factor. Can’t say enough about it.
Beck
4/5
I never actually gave this a full listen but it’s just as good as I expected it to be.
Shivkumar Sharma
4/5
This was great. I have always enjoyed this Indian style of music, and this really scratched that itch. Awesome stuff.
Rufus Wainwright
2/5
It’s ok. It’s not a bad rainy day album, it kind of has that feel. There are some tracks that were alright but for the most part I don’t think I would ever revisit it.
Fleet Foxes
1/5
It’s just ok at best. I definitely don’t see what all the fuss is about. Some of it is alright for a rainy day, other parts are really not my jam. It’s not really “stomp, clap, hey” but it’s in that same vein.
Bob Dylan
4/5
Great, classic album, and a precursor of so much that was to come.
Pulp
3/5
This was good. Not great, but good. Brit pop/rock can be sort of hit or miss from me so I don’t know that I’ll go back to it ever, but it was fine while I was listening to it.
The Fall
4/5
Just my kind of weird, I really liked this. And you can hear how it influenced a lot of the garage/indie style rock of the 2000’s like the Strokes. Only this is better.
Al Green
4/5
Amazing. Classic Al Green, one of his best.
The Only Ones
4/5
Another post-punk, proto-indie album that is really good. I think there’s a whole genre out there I didn’t really know about that I really like.
The Who
4/5
I was surprised with how much I liked this. I expected the typical early/mid sixties sound of early Beatles, stones, etc… and there was a little bit of that, but there were also a lot of heavier sounds that foreshadowed genres to come like metal, harder rock, and even punk.
Depeche Mode
3/5
This is a good album that is borderline great, but doesn’t have that feeling that would push it over the edge. It’s very very good, and I enjoyed it though.
The Mamas & The Papas
2/5
Not my jam. Some of the hits are fine, and I guess I get why it was a big deal in its day, but I just don’t really vibe with the sound. There were other artists at that time that were doing new and revolutionary things that are more up my alley.
Sisters Of Mercy
4/5
Never heard of this, but it’s a great album. Kind of conceptual in that it follows themes, and the music is great. I really liked this.
The Undertones
3/5
This was a really good album. It has a punk/post punk/new wave sound that I really like. Somewhat reminiscent of a mix between the Cars and the Sex Pistols. Good stuff.
The Smiths
3/5
Kind of mixed on this one. It was good but I don’t really see what all the fuss is about. I think I need to try out more of their stuff to really form an opinion. I’ll rate based on my first impression for now.
Neil Young
4/5
Love Uncle Neil, and this is one of his best. Awesome album.
2Pac
3/5
It’s good, but it’s a very mixed bag. There are some tracks that are really great, but then there are some that are just corny, like he’s trying to be some kind of ghetto motivational speaker. But Pac is like that. A lot of his stuff is great, but he can also get on to some corny shit real quick.
Dennis Wilson
4/5
Amazing album. I didn’t know what to expect but his voice doesn’t sound like The Beach Boys at all. And I mean that in the best way. It’s very unique and gritty. The whole album is really well written and executed, big fan.
The Triffids
2/5
This was just ok. Some of it I liked, some was a pass. Overall it wasn’t bad but it wasn’t good either. I liked the themes, but musically it could have driven those themes home a lot more powerfully.
Green Day
5/5
Genre and generation defining album. I remember hearing this for the first time when it came out and being blown away. It was super accessible, but still very much punk. Classics from front to back, will always be one of my favorite albums, hands down.
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
Anything by Hendrix is an automatic 10/10. I can’t even begin to list the ways in which this guy was groundbreaking and revolutionary. Masterpiece…
Rod Stewart
4/5
"This album is quite a dichotomy. It's part folk rock, part hard rock; but it's all great in it's own way. Rod's voice shines as a rock and roll singer here, which is his strength and his best work. This album is from his ""rocker"" era of the 70's (long before ""Do You Think I'm Sexy""). The more folk (even country) style tunes aren't as good as the harder tracks, but they are very good for what they are. Side two is the side that really shines and makes the album."
Gorillaz
3/5
This was good album, but it’s another one of those ones where I don’t see what all the fuss is about. Like I said, it’s good, and some tracks are even very good/great, but it seems like people really rave about the Gorillaz and I don’t know why after listening to this. Again, really good, and I really enjoyed it, but didn’t quite live up to the hype.
Doves
1/5
"I'm just not into the whole ""ethereal"" sound of the reverb drenched indie style of music. Some of it is ok, but a lot of it just feels kind of dreamy, airy, and everything just kind of blends together behind a driving drum beat. It's almost like there's no meoldy to it. I struggle to hear what the guitar is doing, what the bass is doing; are there keyboards or piano? I have no idea. It just sounds like white noise behind the drums (which are in the front of the mix) with some coldplay style vocals. The whole thing is shades of a poor man's Coldplay honestly. Not really my jam. Some parts are better than others, but overall it's just not really my thing."
Led Zeppelin
5/5
What can be said that hasn’t already been written. It’s widely considered Zeppelin’s masterpiece, regarding for its influence, range, and significance in popular and music culture and history. And it’s every bit as warranted. Landmark, masterpiece album.
The Smiths
3/5
This is a very Mellon collie album, but not always in a depressing or “downer” kind of way. It was a good experience, and very well executed, but not necessarily something you would put on at a party. But then again, neither is DSOTM.
The Jesus And Mary Chain
2/5
This album is ok. It’s a little drab and bland to be honest. I get where it was the bridge between post punk and elements of grunge, and I hear that, but it just doesn’t strike me the way I thought it would. It’s kind of like a history lesson. It’s interesting, but it’s not as fun as recess.
Eminem
4/5
Old school Em is the best. Hot take here, but this is his last great album. I like the Slim Shady Eminem. Not really any of his other stuff. I don’t want seriousness, I want to hear him rapping about popping pills, slapping bitches, and not giving a fuck. And this is what we have. He’s one of the best rappers ever.
a-ha
4/5
Great album. It has all the 80’s synth pop new wave sounds that I love. Full of great tracks.
AC/DC
5/5
Literally half this album could go on a greatest hits compilation. But honestly, the entire thing is straight fire. AC/DC at their best for sure, and what a way for Bon Scott to leave us. I don’t really know what else to say, this is just an incredible hard rock album from start to finish.
Beatles
5/5
Another great, classic Beatles album. This was a turning point in their career, where they broke away from the cute aesthetic and moved toward a more mature and experimental sound. The guitars are harder, the themes are deeper, and the style encompasses a lot of different elements. A lot of which had never been heard before. Not only in Beatles music but popular music in general. This album was highly influential and really credited with taking rock ‘n’ roll to the next level of being so much more bubble gum rock. The days of “I want to hold your hand” were over.
2/5
This falls into the “good” category for me. Not “very good”, not “meh.”, but just good. I like it but I don’t love it, I enjoyed most of it well enough, but I’ll probably never go back to it… essentially, there was nothing wrong with it but it didn’t reallly strike me or leave any kind of lasting impression.
The Byrds
3/5
I was absolutely not expecting this to be a full on country album, but honestly, I’m not mad at it. I actually really liked it. And it’s refreshing to hear any kind of country music that I don’t immediately hate with the fire of 1000 suns. But this was really good. The storytelling was great, as was the musicianship. Lots of cool slide guitar and country style chickin’ pickin’.
Beastie Boys
4/5
I honestly have mixed feelings on this. You can’t deny its greatness. However, there is a lot of content here that I feel didn’t age well. The Beastie Boys are not in “gangsta”. For example, in some of the songs they rap about robbing people, shooting people, etc., and that and that just isn’t them. But the beats are fire. The flow is fire. Everything about this album is great except just some of the content seems disingenuous and didn’t age well.
Elvis Presley
2/5
I never really know what to make of Elvis for being the king of rock ‘n’ roll. He certainly didn’t follow the trajectory that one would think he would follow if you listen to all of the artists that were inspired by him and similar type music of the 1950s bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin and everybody that came in the in the late 60s early 70s and then had that classic rock sound that is not Elvis at all. He does employ a variety of genres, which I like, but I don’t like all of them and the ones that I don’t like are tough to get through some of his subject matter is very corny and cheesy, but then there are also some songs that are really good and I do like for example suspicious minds I really enjoy and there are a few others in the beginning of this album that I enjoyed as well but the last half of the album was really tough to get through because I just didn’t like it. So I don’t know what to say other than this was me at best for me. I’m not saying that I’ll never go back and explore more of Elvis‘s catalogue, but I don’t know that I’ll ever go back to this particular album just because it wasn’t good enough all around for me to say that I enjoyed it on any kind of meaningful level.
A Tribe Called Quest
4/5
I’m a big fan of this sound. It melds jazz instrumentation with hip hop beats and funky bass lines. I can’t be certain, but it sounds like there isn’t anything artificial (or should I say electronic) here. It sounds like real instruments. I would like to do some research to see if it’s being sampled, or if these tracks were composed. I also really dig the lyrics and flow. Revolutionary for 1991, as other styles of rap were still sounding very old school, and even a little corny. But this is fire.
Stephen Stills
4/5
What a great album. I didn’t know what to expect when I first listened to this and honestly, I thought it would be more of the typical singer songwriter 70s sound. But it’s so much more than that. It has a wide range of styles and influences and sounds. It also has a Who’s Who of classic rock, stardom guest appearing. The songwriting, the themes, the instrumentation, everything is really top-notch on this.
Roni Size
1/5
I’m going to be honest, I didn’t even make it a quarter of the way through this album. It’s just not my jam first of all, but second of all (and maybe more importantly) this album is LOOOONG. And I mean long…like it’s well over 2 1/2 hours long. It just drones on and on, and everything sounds pretty much the same in not a good way. I will say, it’s not bad per se. It’s just the same two or three techno beats over and over again. To be fair, I didn’t give it much of a chance since I didn’t listen to the entire thing. But I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. It wasn’t nearly good enough to justify that kind of time commitment. There’s way too much stuff out there to listen to that I actually do enjoy.
M.I.A.
2/5
Meh. There are a few songs with good beats, but overall it comes across as a techno/hip-hop/world mash up that doesn’t seem like it can really decide what it wants to be. I certainly appreciate the African/world influence, but I just wish it was done better.
Michael Jackson
5/5
Hot take… this album is better than “Thriller”. That is all.
Miles Davis
5/5
One of jazz’s greatests, greatest albums. This was one of my first forays into jazz and really expanded my view on, and appreciation for, music. This is one of those albums that is an archetype, an idealization for what 1950’s jazz is. When one thinks of this era of jazz, one can’t help but think of Miles Davis. And to a large extent, this particular album.
Genesis
4/5
What a wandering adventure… I can see why people call it a prog rock masterpiece. Now, perhaps masterpiece is a bit strong in my opinion, but nonetheless it is a great album. The fact that our are able to write this way, astounded me every time I hear something like this. It just makes me think who comes up with this stuff? But in the best way. I enjoy most of the themes, lyrically, and the music and writing are impressive at least. Even after doing a deep dive on this, I still feel like I really need additional lessons to truly get it. I think it’s that deep.
Bruce Springsteen
2/5
This is very much not my jam. It’s not that I’m not a fan of the stripped down acoustic sound, I very much am, but this just doesn’t get it for me. I know people rave about this album; and I do know the story behind it and why everyone says it’s so great… and I honestly do see why people love it. It’s just not for me. It’s too much of a downer in too many ways. Aside from Atlantic City, I’ll pass. Give me upbeat Bruce any day of the week.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
5/5
This is one of those life-changing albums for me. I remember hearing this for the first time at a friend‘s house when I was in high school and it was my first introduction to Neil Young and that pre-grunge sound that he is so famous for with crazy horse. It blew me away because I had never heard anything quite like it that wasn’t modern grunge or alternative music. Needless to say the whole album is full of bangers. What a way to be introduced to uncle Neil.
The Clash
4/5
What a totally unique album for its time. This record ushered in the era of (and really, the fusion of,) punk rock, ska, and even funk. Highly influential, and stylistically groundbreaking, The Clash cover all sorts of topics, always keeping you on your toes and anticipating what’s coming next.
Prince
4/5
I’ll start by saying that this album is really very good. However, aside from the two most popular singles nothing else really stood out to me. It’s really good and I thoroughly enjoyed it, but I’m just not getting greatness from the rest of this album. Maybe it is really great and my expectations were just too high?
Björk
4/5
This is my kind of weird. Bjork has an interesting voice. It keeps you on your toes. It’s a good voice, but there’s an uneasiness that I sense about it. It’s like I don’t know if she’s going to start screaming or doing something crazy out of nowhere and I kind of like it. Musically, it’s all over the place in a good way. It’s part techno, part just straight weird, part synth. But again, I like the variety and the quirkiness of it. It’s artistic and eccentric, without being obnoxious.
The Vines
3/5
This album was really good, but ultimately not that memorable. It’s and interesting mix between indie and dare I say, the remnants of grunge. With a bunch of other styles and influences mixed in as well for good measure. I enjoyed it, but it just didn’t have any staying power for me.
Louis Prima
3/5
This was pretty good. I didn’t love all the tunes, but overall it was a good experience. I can definitely hear the beginnings of the transition from jazz and even big band to rock and roll. So I guess it’s pretty monumental in that way. I don’t know that I’ll ever go back to it, but it was still a good experience.
Lou Reed
3/5
Blondie
4/5
Love me some Blondie.
Jazmine Sullivan
4/5
This is actually pretty brilliant. The different perspectives and points of view are enlightening. It almost makes you understand and/or justify the way some of the worst types of people are the way they are. Very introspective and deep, all set to a neo-soul backdrop that is really top notch. I thoroughly enjoyed this.
Rahul Dev Burman
3/5
I enjoyed this. It was interesting to hear the fusion of traditional Indian music with the more western sounds of funk, jazz, and even elements of rock.
Frank Sinatra
3/5
I don’t always listen to old school crooner jazz… but when I do, chances are it’s going to be ol’ blue eyes.
Radiohead
4/5
There’s something about Radiohead that’s just so good. Sometimes it’s almost weird for the sake of weird, but it works. It puts you into an ambient lull but then you hear these little nuances that catch your attention and make you listen closer. It’s so eccentric, but sometimes brilliant at the same time. That all being said, this isn’t their strongest album. That title goes to their masterpiece “OK Computer” (imho anyway) but this is a great album nonetheless.
Elliott Smith
3/5
I enjoyed this, not really knowing what to expect. It’s mostly acoustic, but has a bit of an edge in places, and the lyrics are pretty good as well. It’s like modern singer songwriter stuff. It reminds me of part Bob Dylan, part Cat Stevens, part Gordon Lightfoot, etc…. You can hear those influences. It strikes me as being deeper than the typical 2000’s acoustic chick oriented drivel of longing and lust.
GZA
3/5
This is a great album that I really enjoyed. The beats are fire, and as with any Wu-Tang production, I like the Kin-Fu movie interludes sprinkled throughout. I also think the lyrics and flow are very good as well. That all being said, and as much as I liked this, I’m still yet to understand what makes it special enough to be on this list. Maybe the fact that it’s not just boiler plate, forgettable turn of the millennium hip-hop as so many releases tended to be back then. There’s actually some substance to this, which I suppose foreshadows things that came 15-20 years later.
Cocteau Twins
2/5
This was ok. Not 100% my style, but it was fine and I could pick out some elements that I enjoyed. I don’t know that I would ever go back to it, and honestly it’s one of those albums that I guess I just don’t get. Like why is it on this list? What makes people love this record?
Kate Bush
3/5
Wow, this album was like a fever dream. It’s definitely not the typical pop drivel. I haven’t fully digested it yet, I feel like that would take multiple listens, but there is definitely something deeper here. I’m getting almost like female Pink Floyd vibes. It’s like there’s a concept here that I haven’t discovered yet. Very unique.
Judas Priest
3/5
Great album. Typically Judas Priest fare, solid all the way through.
ABBA
3/5
I know the hits, this album has two of their biggest. The rest is good. I can hear a mix of obvious disco/dance tracks, but there are also elements of rock and other genres as well. I enjoyed it well enough but it wasn’t enough to convert me to an ABBA “fan” per se.
Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
2/5
I’m kind of on the fence with this one. It was ok, but it’s another album that doesn’t jump out to me as being noteworthy in any way. I kind of get a mix of maybe the Cars, the Cure, some other more rock leaning new wave… but nothing really stood out.
Pink Floyd
5/5
One of humankind’s crowning artistic achievements. Enough said.
ZZ Top
4/5
This is a great album, with a ton of hits. Even the album tracks are really good. The only thing holding this album back from being really stellar is the fact that it’s from ZZTops 80’s synth era. I would much prefer the more stripped down sound they had in the 70’s, but these are still great songs.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
5/5
The first time I heard this album (at least some of the songs on it, I didn’t listen to the whole thing straight through for an embarrassingly long time despite owning it since I was probably in high school), I knew I was getting something special. I had never heard guitar tones like this first of all (queue under the bridge) but also I had never heard something so funky. I probably didn’t even know what funk was at the time, but I knew it blew my mind and I loved the sound. I like to think this record got me started on my fun journey discovery. Anyway this entire record is amazing from start to finish. You’re really doing yourself a disservice by skipping anything on here.
Tracy Chapman
1/5
I’m going to be honest here. I didn’t even make it four songs into this album. It’s a total downer, both musically and lyrically, I hate her voice, it just doesn’t have any redeeming qualities for me. Now to be fair, I only listened to a fraction of it, and I get that she’s bearing her soul, and speaking to topics that are deeply personal and meaningful to her, but I just really hate it. I’m not opposed to albums like that, but just not this one. However, if this is your thing, I can see why people would like it. Which is the only reason I’m not calling it complete dog shit.
Muddy Waters
3/5
Great live blues album from Muddy Waters. As with a lot of albums, I’m not sure what makes it “special” as far as being included on this list, but it was really good. But there are a lot of blues albums that are really good.
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
2/5
I don’t know what to make of this album. It’s all over the place. Not necessarily in a bad way, it just seems like a lot of odd choices were made and they couldn’t really decided what they wanted to do. The few tracks are very concept/prog. Then it moves to the hit, which is a straight 80’s sounding banger. But then they also do some weird covers, some slower ballad-y type songs, and a song that seems like it’s supposed to be the musical equivalent of a sex session. Overall it’s fine, but weird. Maybe that’s the point?
Björk
1/5
The first Bjork album I listened to, I liked. It was “my kind of weird”. But this one is another level of weird. I don’t hate it, but it’s too much for my taste. I can see why people would appreciate it, but I’ll never go back to this one.
Nirvana
5/5
There are probably not even a handful of albums that had an impact on popular music the way “Nevermind” did. This album not only defined a generation, it started a movement. Not only musically, but culturally as well. It changed everything forever. I simply cannot overstate the importance of this album on the musical landscape. Nothing was the same after this.
The xx
2/5
Very chill album. It was fine, but almost too chill in spots (if that’s a thing). I feel like I could have used a little more energy sprinkled throughout. I got some White Stripes vibes, but maybe just because of the male/female vocals sharing. Anyway, this was another one that I didn’t dislike, but I also know that I won’t be going back to.
Little Richard
4/5
This was awesome. I didn’t expect to enjoy old school rock & roll as much as I did here. Of course Little Richard is one of the pioneers, but I was surprised at how well this held up. My only gripe is that the standard 1-4-5 chord progression can get a little repetitive after 12 songs, but I also think have to appreciate this through a historical lens. This was the new hotness in 1957.
G. Love & Special Sauce
3/5
I always liked “Cold Beverages”, but never really got into them more than that. After listening to this album in its entirety I’ve discovered that it is actually really good all the way through and I was missing out for a long time. It’s funky, bluesy… very not typical for 1994, but I love that about them. Overall this was a great experience.
Daft Punk
3/5
I feel like this was a bit ahead of its time for late 90’s techno. It was good, but not yet the greatness that Daft Punk would turn out to be. Although you can certainly hear that coming.
Miles Davis
3/5
One of the albums that started jazz fusion for smiles Davis. Great stuff, and a foreshadowing of things to come.
David Bowie
4/5
This is a great album. It’s like rock that you can dance to on side one, but then takes a totally different path on side two. Side two is almost like an ambient, jazz fusion-y, twisting path. It’s kind of like two albums in one, and I love the duality of it.
The Velvet Underground
3/5
Throughly enjoyed this. I’ve never listened to an entire album of theirs before and I’m glad this one came up, great stuff.
The Monkees
3/5
I had always thought that The Monkees were a fraud. That they didn’t actually play their music, and they were a “poverty Beatles”. And while that is partly true, as they didn’t play on their first few albums, this was the first one where they did. And it’s actually quite good. Who would have thought that if you give people creative control and losses the corporate noose, that they could actually come up with some really good songs? Novel idea… Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised with this album. I didn’t want to like it, but I did. You can’t deny good songwriting, and their previous fraudulent activities weren’t really any fault of their own. We’ll say they acted under duress.
Fairport Convention
2/5
It’s not as bad as the previous album of theirs that I listened to. Still not really my thing, but I can hear more of the “rock” in folk-rock this time. On some of the tracks at least. I’ll call this one meh.
Supergrass
4/5
This is a really rockin’ album. I was expecting more of a poppy sound, but was pleasantly surprised. I definitely want to check out more of their stuff.
Duke Ellington
3/5
After some reading I see why this album is significant. At least for Duke Ellington it was. Does that make it worthy of this list? I don’t know. The playing on it is top notch, but isn’t that to be expected? I’ve yet to hear what makes it musically or artistically special. That’s not to say it isn’t a great album, I love jazz and this is right up my alley…but it also doesn’t really stand out for any reason to me.
The Who
4/5
Wow, this is a lot darker than I ever thought it was. It’s brilliant in the sense that it tells a very complex and artistic story that encompasses a lot of deep psychological concepts. The music is great too…. It’s also one of, if not the first, rock operas. It really defines a sub genre and sets the bar pretty high for what storytelling can be in music.
Giant Sand
2/5
Howe Gelb does an alright Lou Reed impersonation, but who needs that when you can just listen to Lou Reed? It’s very chill and has a laid-back sound (like a lot of Lou Reed stuff), and isn’t unenjoyable for what it is… it just feels like a knock off. The lyrical content is interesting enough as well, but not enough to save this from the “Meh.”pile.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
Amazing. I had never listened to whole album from start to finish before, and what a trip. I feel like this is one of those albums that requires multiple listens over time to truly appreciate, but already I see the genius. It’s funky, soulful, beautiful, introspective, socially relevant, and everything in between.
Nina Simone
1/5
Call this blasphemy or whatever you want, but I HATE her voice. It like a cross dressing man trying to sing as a woman. It’s super unsettling and I found myself waiting in agony for it to be over.
CHIC
4/5
Chic is responsible for some of the funkiest, most iconic bass lines of the 70’s. And with Nile Rogers on guitar, they make an unstoppable funk duo. This is a great album that takes funk songwriting to the next level.
Jethro Tull
3/5
Very good. I’ve always been really interested by the concept of having a flute play such a role in rock music, and how that actually works. But Ian Anderson does it.
Gillian Welch
1/5
Oof, this one was really bad. Another one that I didn’t make it all the way through… I just couldn’t take it anymore. I found myself dissociating to my happy place while I patiently waited for the sound of someone strangling a cat to be over. This was a horror movie mashup of country, bluegrass, folk, and blues, but done by a little white girl instead of an old black man or a weathered cowboy. Where does she get off with this kind of blatant appropriation? I actually found myself getting mad while listening to this. Not only because it sucks, not only at the nerve of this woman, but also at the obvious manufacture fakeness of it all.
Deee-Lite
2/5
As far as dance albums go it’s fine. There are a few songs that caught my attention with a funky beat but it’s never something I’ll return to. It’s just not my thing.
Fleetwood Mac
3/5
It’s hard for me to judge this one based on its own merits. I mean, come on… their last album was “Rumours”. So while I tried to put myself in a vacuum and be as objective as possible, it’s hard to imagine someone handing me this record and saying, “here you go, this is Fleetwood Mac”. That ALL being said, I have very mixed feelings on this album. While I think I get what they were trying to do… follow up strong with a huge double album and capitalize on the success of one of the greatest albums ever recorded, I think it falls short. There are some really good tracks, but the only real “hit” that reminds me of (and I’m losing my objectivity here) their previous work would be “Sara”. The rest is a mix of good to very good, with a little weird and even some WTF sprinkled in there. Some of the songs are just quirky, or have strange guitar and drum tones that left me wondering “why did they do that?”. I think this would have been a lot stronger as a single album, but still not in the “great” territory, and I do say that objectively.
4/5
I’ve really been getting into Muse lately, and this album doesn’t disappoint. Great stuff.