Dec 30 2024
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Cloud Nine
The Temptations
A fantastic album that I listened to three times in one day (granted it's easy to do when the album is only 35minutes). A heck of a first step in this journey. My favorite track is "Runaway Child, Running Wild" minus the 10 second portion of a child crying. Truely a timeless album.
5
Dec 31 2024
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I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You
Aretha Franklin
An odd album. I either really enjoyed a track or completely zoned out. Listened through twice.
4
Jan 01 2025
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Let's Get It On
Marvin Gaye
Listening to this in a car with two rowdy kids probably wasn't the intended backdrop for this album. I really enjoyed the drums throughout the album and specifically the track "Please Don't Stay"
3
Jan 02 2025
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Hail To the Thief
Radiohead
Radiohead is a band that everyone reccomeded to me for years, but I could never get into. I'm glad I finally took the time to dive into this album because I enjoyed it a lot - the songs often lead up to a wall of sound that is always satisfying to me. I only went though the album once and I'm exited to listen through again.
4
Jan 03 2025
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Tres Hombres
ZZ Top
I was dreading La Grange coming up on the latter half of the album since I've over played it so much over the years - but once it hit it was still a jam.
Solid Texas blues. "Hot, Blue and Righteous" was the stand out song this listen through.
4
Jan 06 2025
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Vol. 4
Black Sabbath
As someone who pursues neither metal nor cocain, I'm not sure I'm the intended audiance for this one. I understand this is a very early metal album, but it's interesting how tame it sounds in this "modern" era. A certainly listenable album, but not my cuppa.
2
Jan 07 2025
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Back At The Chicken Shack
Jimmy Smith
An album that was enjoyable but kept fading into the background. The organ was fun. I will probably add this to a "background music while I work" playlist.
3
Jan 08 2025
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Fever To Tell
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
I've always been aware of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs as "Maps" is a bit of a millennial anthem (and the 1000 remixes of "Heads will Roll), despite this I've never listened through an album.
Off the bat Karen O's harsh vocals and the abruptness of the instruments creates a stark juxtaposition from yesterday's jazz album. Fever to Tell is messy and incredibly more chaotic than I thought it would be going in... by song three I'm sold. "Maps" almost stands out by how tame it is compared to the album leading up to it.
4
Jan 09 2025
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Grievous Angel
Gram Parsons
I expect more out of a genre name like "Cosmic American Music." The harmonies are nice when they're present.
2
Jan 10 2025
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A Seat at the Table
Solange
I enjoyed the production on this one - I'm sure it would be fantastic on a pair of good headphones. A little out of my wheelhouse, but I will say this is the first time I've ever enjoyed a Lil' Wayne verse.
3
Jan 13 2025
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She's So Unusual
Cyndi Lauper
I've always struggled with music from the 80's, probably because my first influential music loves were from the 90's and likely a direct response to the previous decade. I'm trying to keep an open mind and an open ear, but oof, right off the bat not a fan of Cyndi's voice or the music. It's grating and kitschy. I do like the album cover, and "She Bop" was fun with the synth.
----
Update, I've made it to "All through the night" and I guess have acclimated to Cyndi's voice. Do I actually enjoy this song? But then "Witness" - what the hell did you just do to reggae? Sorry about your music Gen X.
1
Jan 14 2025
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In Rainbows
Radiohead
It's hard to divorce this album from it's digital "pay-what-you-want" drop that happened when I was in college ensuring that it was in all music discourse around campus. It was probably one of the reasons I never really dove into Radiohead during this time - I was just sick of hearing about them (a true hipster at heart). Well I'm kicking myself now, turns out I enjoy them.
4
Jan 15 2025
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m b v
My Bloody Valentine
What an odd album. The first few songs felt like I was a notch or two off of the intended radio station. It honestly sounded like my headphones went bad. The more I listened to the radio static the more I started to... well "enjoy" isn't the right word... "tolerate" it?
I did actually enjoyed the song "in another way."
Ultimately, I'm conflicted with this album. I think I could be indoctrinated to enjoy it, but on first blush it's not really my jam. A little too much noise and not enough music.
2
Jan 16 2025
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Fear and Whiskey
Mekons
I was listening to this album as I hopped on my bicycle for my commute home last night, then I thought "if I get hit by a car tonight, is this really the last album I want to be listening to?" It's not. I changed it to something else.
Is this "Outsider Music?" I have to be missing some historical context here. It's just sonic goulash that wasn't left to simmer.
1
Jan 17 2025
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The Gershwin Songbook
Ella Fitzgerald
Three hours of music is a lot for one day, but I do love Ella. I can say I listened through the entirety of this songbook - how active I was listening is another story. It was a great collection to be on in the background while I worked.
5
Jan 20 2025
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People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm
A Tribe Called Quest
I was once a rap/hiphop naysayer - I never had any exposure in my formative years and adopted an anti-rap tribalism. I could often be heard saying things like "it's just bad offensive poetry behind worse music." That was until a coworker at a burger shop I worked with was flabbergasted that I wasn't open to hearing any of rap music and insisted that I listen to this Tribe Called Quest album among others. The mixture of those albums (and lets be honest, the adult swim bumps dropping MF DOOM, etc. at this time) opened my eyes and made me realize that writing off a whole genre of music is an ignorant take.
I enjoy the simplistic "Boom Bap" samples that come off crisp and timeless.
"Can I Kick It?" is such a classic. Take a walk on the wild side.
5
Jan 21 2025
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The Dark Side Of The Moon
Pink Floyd
ICONIC. The album. The artwork. Wizard of Oz. Truly my favorite artist from this era.
I really don't have much to say about this one. "Money" is probably my least favorite song on the album - it's always seemed grating compared to the journey the rest of the album takes you on.
"On the Run" might be my favorite track, even though it's little more than an interlude. Always a fun headphones experience.
The drums on the beginning of "Time" *chefs kiss*. I appreciate how every track is able to breathe.
I have memories in highschool just relistening to "The Great Gig in the Sky" on repeat.
I guess I did have much to say.
5
Jan 22 2025
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Me Against The World
2Pac
I'm not the biggest fan of 90's gangsta rap. Several verses had me rewinding to listen again - he's extremely talented, and I appreciated the introspective approach to this album. Would I ever put this on again? Probably not, but I didn't hate it.
2
Jan 23 2025
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Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes
TV On The Radio
Not sure how I've missed this band all of these years. Very noisy and a little quirky. I liked the album, but didn't love it. I could see myself bumping up this score on relistens.
3
Jan 24 2025
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Selected Ambient Works 85-92
Aphex Twin
Ha, I remember buying this album back in highschool and putting it on in the car and my dad commenting "well.. there's not much to it, is there?"
I'm curious to see his take these years later.
I have a soft spot in my heart for 90's electronic music. This is probably Aphex Twin at his most approachable. It's an album that can easily fade into the background, but rewards active listening. The perfect album to put on headphones, close your eyes and drift.
5
Jan 27 2025
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Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs
Derek & The Dominos
When this album started my first reaction was bracing for a struggle, by the track "Anyday" I stopped what I was working on to fully focus on the straight jam coming out of my speakers.
4
Jan 28 2025
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White Blood Cells
The White Stripes
Oh no... this is considered "Classic Rock" now.
Moving past that tough pill, "Fell in Love with a Girl" is a fantastic song with a visually striking music video and was my first exposure to the duo. I struggled with rating this album - I listened to it several times throughout the day and really enjoy several of the tracks, but ultimately this would not be the White Stripes I would put on if I was in the mood for their music.
3
Jan 29 2025
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A Girl Called Dusty
Dusty Springfield
I like the song "Spooky" as much as the next person, but that track wasn't on this album - and I'm not excited to listen to a full album of covers.
2
Jan 30 2025
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Seventh Tree
Goldfrapp
If I really concentrated on a song there was always something there - but it was so easy to zone out and just let the music filter by. Blame this over-stimulated existence. Overall I liked it.
3
Jan 31 2025
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Among The Living
Anthrax
Wow. I liked this much more than I anticipated. I'm typically weary of metal due to the guttural porcine singing - but maybe I just have a bias due to more modern metal. I have so very little experience with the genre other than a short stint in my middle-school "edgy" years.
This album just hit today.
4
Feb 03 2025
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At Newport 1960
Muddy Waters
One of my favorite aspects of going through this list is listening to albums or artists I know by reputation, but never took the time to really sit down and give them the time they deserve. Muddy Waters is one of those artists. I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I also feel that the live format added to the experience (though I typically prefer live albums in general), the whooping and hollering in "Feel so Good" made me feel so good.
5
Feb 04 2025
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The Doors
The Doors
What a heck of a first song on a first album.
My fist passthrough of the album started off strong, but then I was kinda over the vibe by the end of it. I decided to listen through a second time and enjoyed it much more on repeat. Some lyrics were questionable at best - which made me look into the meaning behind them. It's interesting how some tracks were old German poems (Alabama Song) and others were covers (Back Door Man).
The the Vox Continental Organ (had to look it up) that meandered through each song was probably my favorite aspect. I'm not sure what to rate this album - ultimately I see myself going back to certain songs, but not the album in it's entirety. It's quite the mood.
4
Feb 05 2025
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The Yes Album
Yes
I struggled with giving this a 3 or 4 stars. I went through twice and enjoyed Starship Trooper and I've Seen All Good People, but overall the album didn't really make me feel much - it could also just be they day I listened.
3
Feb 06 2025
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Teen Dream
Beach House
Something about this album really struck a chord with me - I finished listening and immediately hit replay. It's the perfect soundtrack to a cloudy day. "Silver Soul" was the standout track.
5
Feb 07 2025
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Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
As much as I'd hate to admit it, I went into this album with some baggage. I had listened to some Led Zeppelin growing up, but mostly associated the band with my peers who fequented such phrases as "why don't they make music like this anymore" and other such "wrong-generationalisms. " Everyone I knew who listened to Zeppelin was a little TOO into Zeppelin.
All that being said, even my salty hipster sensibilities can't find fault in this album. "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You" was the standout track.
5
Feb 10 2025
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The College Dropout
Kanye West
This is a tough one to rate. I've never been a big Kanye fan, even before his current mental health crises (as of the time writing this he's currently on Twitter literally professing his love for Hitler... you can't make this up), but I can acknowledge all he's done for both production in general and hip hop.
Death of an Artist? I still didn't love the album, way too long and too many skits. There were some stand-out tracks: Jesus Walks, and All Fall Down that keep this from a single star.
2
Feb 11 2025
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Boston
Boston
Fun, a little cheesy. Reminds me of playing Guitar Hero back in college and drunken sing-a-longs. Unfortunately I've heard some of these songs too many times and they're hard to take seriously. This is the kind of music someone would put on the jukebox to prove they have no personality.
3
Feb 12 2025
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Lost In The Dream
The War On Drugs
This is the most three-star album I've heard on this list. Very moody and had good atmosphere.
3
Feb 13 2025
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Scott 2
Scott Walker
What an odd album. I was over it by the end of track 1, but stubbornly listened to the rest of the album. I'm not sure why... maybe to just confuse the streaming music algorithm. There were some questionable tracks. Incredibly not my thing.
1
Feb 14 2025
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Chelsea Girl
Nico
This sounds like music that would be in a Wes Anderson movie. (one web search later) Yep. I like Wes Anderson movies... I don't really dig this music. Props to Nico getting on this list with that voice.
I don't even have words for "It Was A Pleasure Then"
2
Feb 17 2025
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Ellington at Newport
Duke Ellington
These 2-hour albums make it hard to keep up. I'm not the biggest jazz fan, but this was good music to have on the background while I worked.
3
Feb 18 2025
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Blue
Joni Mitchell
This album just kept growing and growing. I liked it a lot. "A Case of You" was the standout track.
4
Feb 19 2025
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Bookends
Simon & Garfunkel
I can't see this album without thinking of "Almost Famous:" "It's not poetry... they're stoned."
I, like I'm sure everyone else, has heard "Mrs. Robinson" thousands of times by now, and I was essentially expecting that for an entire album. What I got was a pleasant surprise! I think this album will make my future rotation.
"A Hazy Shade of Winter" was the standout track for me.
4
Feb 20 2025
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Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
I like Iron Maiden, but didn't quite enjoy this one. It's obvious they improve from here.
2
Feb 21 2025
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Darkdancer
Les Rythmes Digitales
This was an interesting album - reminded me of music that would be in a PS1 menu screen. I didn't hate it, but disliked more tracks than I liked. I had fun dancing to it with my kiddos.
2
Feb 24 2025
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A Love Supreme
John Coltrane
I've mentioned it before: I really struggle with jazz. The musicians all seem to just be doing their own thing - it honestly make me feel anxious. Occasionally it sounds nice and I'll start to get into it... then right back to chaos. I also thought the saxophone was mixed way too loud.
I gave it two listens convinced I was missing something. That was enough for me.
2
Feb 25 2025
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Parachutes
Coldplay
It was fine. Listenable. Unoffensive. I have no strong feelings about this album. Would I seek it out? No. Would I change the radio station if one of these songs was playing? Also no.
3
Feb 26 2025
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Survivor
Destiny's Child
An incredibly front loaded album. Survivor is certainly an ubiquitous track from this era, but I don't think the rest of the album performs. I didn't hate it, but don't think this is a must listen *album* just for a few singles.
2
Feb 27 2025
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Smile
Brian Wilson
I dig the harmonies, not so much the random slide whistles.
3
Feb 28 2025
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Jagged Little Pill
Alanis Morissette
Full bias on display - 90's alt is some of my favorite music. It was the song's I was hearing on the radio when I was growing up, and I remember listening to this album in particular in that pubescents shift.
I went into this album thinking I would enjoy the hits and glaze over the rest, but it turns out it's hits all the way down. It's interesting to me that 30 years later (oof) no one else quite sounds like Alanis.
4
Mar 03 2025
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Born In The U.S.A.
Bruce Springsteen
"Well time slips away leaves you with nothing, mister, but boring stories of glory days." Bruce sums up how I feel about his album. Everything sounds so musically uninspired.
I do appreciate the juxtaposition of how "Born in the USA" is used as a patriotic anthem versus the actual lyrics.
2
Mar 04 2025
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OK Computer
Radiohead
I like a lot of things about this album... but I'm just not a big fan of Thom York's singing. I feel that I could listen through this dozens of times and always find something new to appreciate - a different version of myself would be incredibly into this album, but if I'm going to be honest with myself I probably wont be back.
I will say this album is very ahead of it's time. Nothing here sounds 1997.
3
Mar 05 2025
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Faith
George Michael
Maybe listing to this album at work in an office environment wasn't my best choice. I thought it was fine, but it's not anything I would come back to. "One More Try" was my favorite track.
2
Mar 06 2025
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You Want It Darker
Leonard Cohen
This was a funny album. I started out loving it, then I grew tired of how minimal it was and every song started sounding the same - and then I started loving it again. Crazy I've never listened to Leonard Cohen before this album, and I feel this probably isn't the best first one to dive into his work.
3
Mar 07 2025
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Soul Mining
The The
What a funny experience - at the start of my first listen I didn't really like it, but by the end I was sold. On my second listen through I was digging it from the start. I typically don't like cheesy 80's production, but it just works here. Soul Mining was the stand out track for me.
4
Mar 10 2025
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Achtung Baby
U2
I didn't hate it - this album doesn't justify that large of an emotional response. I certainly don't want to hear it again.
2
Mar 11 2025
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With The Beatles
Beatles
It's The Beatles. I'm sure everyone has heard 90% of these songs on this album without seeking them out. I understand that they changed the course of music, etc. ect.
I think this album fine. Okay. Incredibly listenable. There's not a lot there for me to come back to.
Money (That's What I Want) was the standout track to me.
3
Mar 12 2025
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White Light
Gene Clark
I liked it - perfect music for a spring day. Reminds me of drinking a pitcher of beer on a back patio with some friends.
4
Mar 13 2025
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Eagles
Eagles
I guess I never really gave the Eagles a real listen past their unavoidable "Classic Rock Radio" tracks. This was more country than I anticipated. Not bad.
4
Mar 14 2025
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The Köln Concert
Keith Jarrett
I truly never know what I'm about to get when I see the "jazz" genre tagged. And here I thought the purpose of genre was so you knew what to expect.
I dug this. A lot. I found myself closing my eyes so I could concentrate on the music. Before today I would have said jazz wasn't for me. Maybe it's the piano? Maybe I just need to be exposed to more jazz? Maybe it's me who changed? (doubt)
4
Mar 17 2025
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Bat Out Of Hell
Meat Loaf
Silly and bombastic. I guess this is what I expect out of someone named "Meat Loaf" / Tenacious D's father. A fun enough romp I don't see myself coming back to.
3
Mar 18 2025
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Shake Your Money Maker
The Black Crowes
Sounds like southern rock I've heard a million times before. I feel this is another one the context is important for - in 2025 it doesn't sound like anything special. I bet they put on a good live show.
2
Mar 19 2025
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...The Dandy Warhols Come Down
The Dandy Warhols
Noisy and Meandering
I'm surprised I've never heard this band before today - they are very much up my alley.
4
Mar 20 2025
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Call of the Valley
Shivkumar Sharma
Difficult to find the correct version to listen to, which wasn't ideal. Luckily found a vinyl rip on youtube. A pleasant listen.
3