Dec 30 2024
Who's Next
The Who
5
Dec 31 2024
Ill Communication
Beastie Boys
I had no expectation of enjoying this album so much. The breadth of music genres coexisting throughout this work is brilliant and refreshing. What a treat!
4
Jan 01 2025
The ArchAndroid
Janelle Monáe
She's a massive talent, incredible voice and vocal range and a great songwriter..The production is just a bit too slick for me. Not my cup of tea.
3
Jan 02 2025
Nilsson Schmilsson
Harry Nilsson
4
Jan 03 2025
Purple Rain
Prince
3
Jan 06 2025
Five Leaves Left
Nick Drake
I don't know how or why I missed this one.
5
Jan 07 2025
Wish You Were Here
Pink Floyd
To my mind, this pales in comparison to The Dark Side of the Moon, but still a great album.
3
Jan 08 2025
Ocean Rain
Echo And The Bunnymen
Musically simple and uninteresting. Lyrically puerile. Just bored me.
2
Jan 09 2025
Darklands
The Jesus And Mary Chain
Well constructed. Great rock & roll.
4
Jan 10 2025
Elvis Is Back
Elvis Presley
I don't know how this album made it onto the list. His first album after getting out of the Army and all the magic is gone. His voice is still there, but the rawness and passion is gone.
3
Jan 13 2025
Here's Little Richard
Little Richard
Killer album! Every cut is a classic. So many rockers owe so much to this guy.
5
Jan 14 2025
Siamese Dream
The Smashing Pumpkins
Powerful. Loved it.
4
Jan 15 2025
Exile On Main Street
The Rolling Stones
I think this album defined their sound for the remainder of their career. My five favorite Rolling Stones albums all predated this one, but I still think Exile is genius and it deserves no less than five stars. I could listen to Sweet Black Angel all day long.
5
Jan 16 2025
The Man Who
Travis
Soft pop. Lethargic, boring and uninspired.
1
Jan 17 2025
Medúlla
Björk
What a brilliant and beautiful album! The rich and dense vocals, complex rhythms and overall musicality make this a joyful listening experience. OMG!
5
Jan 20 2025
A Night At The Opera
Queen
I loved this album when it came out. Still love Bohemian Rhapsody. Unfortunately, I no longer get much enjoyment from their music. Brian May is an amazing guitarist and Freddy Mercury was a brilliant singer.
3
Jan 21 2025
Disintegration
The Cure
Simple, persistent, heavy rhythms. Minimal harmonic progressions. Ethereal keyboard backgrounds. I assume this is what fans are drawn to. This is not a negative appraisal of the music. It's just not for me.
2
Jan 22 2025
In The Court Of The Crimson King
King Crimson
I guess this is the progenitor of all the great progressive groups that would appear in the next few years. Such talented and inventive musicians would add to the canon of King Crimson and continue to produce great music up to the present day.
4
Jan 23 2025
Exile In Guyville
Liz Phair
I liked a few of the songs, but there were many that just sounded like first take demos. Minimalism has its place, but these tunes just bored me.
2
Jan 24 2025
Django Django
Django Django
Uninteresting
Uninspiring
Unimaginative
Simplistic
Boring
1
Jan 27 2025
Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Wu-Tang Clan
I can see why these guys made such a big splash and became so influential. This is some powerful music with a whole lot to say.
3
Jan 28 2025
Green
R.E.M.
I enjoyed this very much. Great songwriting. Interesting melodic lines, harmonies and syncopation. It just had a very unique feel. Love it!
4
Jan 29 2025
Bossanova
Pixies
Straight ahead rock. Did not do anything for me. I think it's simple and boring. Not for me.
2
Jan 30 2025
Aha Shake Heartbreak
Kings of Leon
Not much here for me. Different spin.
2
Jan 31 2025
Grievous Angel
Gram Parsons
Great album. Too bad he threw it all away due to his drug habit. One of the most important things he did was discovering Emmylou Harris.
4
Feb 03 2025
Cosmo's Factory
Creedence Clearwater Revival
John Fogerty is very talented and the driving force behind Creedence. Too bad the boys couldn’t get along. He wrote some great songs, but I never felt compelled to buy any of their music. It was/is Ho hum to me.
3
Feb 04 2025
Franz Ferdinand
Franz Ferdinand
Quite enjoyed this one.
3
Feb 05 2025
Africa Brasil
Jorge Ben Jor
very funny. Beautiful music.
4
Feb 06 2025
Green River
Creedence Clearwater Revival
All these years later and I still find them lacking. Can’t put my finger on it.
3
Feb 07 2025
Rid Of Me
PJ Harvey
Good writing. Great energy. Interesting musically. I’m only 30+ years late in discovering her, but I’m happy I did.
4
Feb 10 2025
Ramones
Ramones
Simple, straightforward, head banging punk. “Let’s Dance” is my favorite. Otherwise, ultimately bores me.
2
Feb 11 2025
From Elvis In Memphis
Elvis Presley
Elvis lost me when he joined the Army. The Colonel sabotaged his career, putting him some mostly awful movies and making other bad career choices for him. Elvis' voice is still powerful here, but the music and arrangements never let him cut loose like he was capable of. The Army robbed Elvis of his "kick ass."
2
Feb 12 2025
You've Come a Long Way Baby
Fatboy Slim
Well done, but too repetitive for me.
2
Feb 13 2025
Boston
Boston
Excessive, soulless drivel.
1
Feb 14 2025
Tidal
Fiona Apple
This album is wonderful! Musically sophisticated, lyrically insightful beyond her years. Stellar through and through.
5
Feb 17 2025
Harvest
Neil Young
This album has not aged well for me. I remember being ambivalent about it at the time. I enjoyed some of it, but was mostly underwhelmed. I guess I feel the same about his entire oeuvre.
2
Feb 18 2025
Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
OutKast
Great blend of hip hop, funk, jazz, electro-pop and more. This is a very interesting and listenable album. I can see why it's rated so high.
4
Feb 19 2025
Gold
Ryan Adams
Some good to great songwriting. Some good to great rockers. I found it derivative. So much had already been said. It did not captivate me.
3
Feb 20 2025
All Things Must Pass
George Harrison
I haven't played this for many years, but listening to it now is like hearing from an old friend. Still hear the joy he felt after breaking away from the Beatles and unleashing all the great music he had stored up. I would give this five stars but for the unnecessary and self-indulgent inclusion of the boring jam on the third disc. Oh, well. He'd been anxious to break away from the stifling atmosphere of the Fab Four for a long time. So, a little self-indulgence may have been warranted and, certainly, forgiven.
4
Feb 21 2025
Apocalypse Dudes
Turbonegro
Not what I expected. Just great balls to the wall rock. If this is death metal, then I like it.
2
Feb 24 2025
The Number Of The Beast
Iron Maiden
Never liked heavy metal. Musicianship is undeniable, but it doesn't do anything for me.
1
Feb 25 2025
Songs For Swingin' Lovers!
Frank Sinatra
Great album! I think the Nelson Riddle arranged albums are his best.
5
Feb 26 2025
The Hour Of Bewilderbeast
Badly Drawn Boy
Great songwriting and unique and interesting arrangements and aural landscapes. I need to spend more time with album. Love it.
3
Feb 27 2025
At Folsom Prison
Johnny Cash
I remember what a big deal this was for a major artist to make a live album at a high security prison. The group played well, but Johnny's acoustic guitar was horribly out of tune when he played solo. Weird someone in his group didn't whisper in his ear. But, his unique voice, songs and performance shine through.
3
Feb 28 2025
Smokers Delight
Nightmares On Wax
Languid and spiritless.
1
Mar 03 2025
Automatic For The People
R.E.M.
Pleasant enough album. I like Man On The Moon, but everything else doesn't move me.
3
Mar 04 2025
Green Onions
Booker T. & The MG's
Every time I hear Green Onions I feel bliss. This album opened me up to a whole new world of music. Takes me back to the best part of my youth. Thank you Booker T & The MGs.
5
Mar 05 2025
Machine Gun Etiquette
The Damned
Noise, Noise, Noise. That about sums it up for me. Didn't like it.
1
Mar 06 2025
The Madcap Laughs
Syd Barrett
Sloppy, unengaging writing and performance.
1
Mar 07 2025
We Are Family
Sister Sledge
The musicianship is good and the music is often funky. But, the insipid string lines floating above are the reason I thought disco was so soulless.
2
Mar 10 2025
Jazz Samba
Stan Getz
Getz and Byrd nailed it on this one. Every tune is a delight. I was too young to appreciate this in 1962. But, when I started delving into jazz a few years later, this Brazilian influenced jazz really caught my ear. Just brilliant!
4
Mar 11 2025
Lust For Life
Iggy Pop
Just great, kick ass rock and roll. Sorry I didn't listen to this in its day.
3
Mar 12 2025
War
U2
I love Bono's voice and the Edge's atmospheric guitar sound. Great listening.
4
Mar 13 2025
A Rush Of Blood To The Head
Coldplay
I've enjoyed some of Coldplay's music, but this didn't impress me.
2
Mar 14 2025
Triangle
The Beau Brummels
I didn't pay much attention to the Beau Brummels back in the day. This album just seems dated psychedelia to me now. Interesting contributions from Van Dyke Parks and Randy Newman. The use of French horns and bass trombone is interesting as well. One of the horn players, Gale Robinson, was my teacher for a short time in the early 70s. Who knew?
2
Mar 17 2025
The Doors
The Doors
I loved the Doors. This has some great tunes and performances and some that are fairly weak. I collected all of the Doors albums and, unfortunately, they were all uneven. But, when they shined they were untouchable.
4
Mar 18 2025
Bayou Country
Creedence Clearwater Revival
I didn't like CCR then and still don't like them. This first album sounds like a second rate garage band. I've had to suffer through three of their albums so far. I'm sure there's more to come.
1
Mar 19 2025
More Specials
The Specials
Enjoyable album. Lot of great songs, great playing, singing and loads of humor. Love it.
4
Mar 20 2025
Guitar Town
Steve Earle
I love Steve Earle's music. I hadn't heard this one before, but I'll be listening to it again. He's a such a great writer and performer.
4
Mar 21 2025
The Köln Concert
Keith Jarrett
Just an amazing album. He's a genius.
4
Mar 24 2025
My Aim Is True
Elvis Costello
Great rock'n'roll. Gotta love it!
3
Mar 25 2025
All Directions
The Temptations
Great vocals, beautiful and funky songs, incredible productions. Magnificent!!
4
Mar 26 2025
Hotel California
Eagles
The first side of this album is great with four very strong Top 40 hits. Turn the record over and it just (imo) peters out. I guess that's the reason I was never a huge fan of the Eagles. I always felt their output to be very inconsistent.
3
Mar 27 2025
Back to Mystery City
Hanoi Rocks
Tight band. Their music just doesn't do anything for me.
1
Mar 28 2025
The Predator
Ice Cube
This is powerful music. I didn't give it a fair chance when it came out. Which is a real shame because it is so brilliant, insightful and moving. But, I love and appreciate it now.
3
Mar 31 2025
Hunky Dory
David Bowie
Doing his full on Anthony Newley voice here. More piano based. I enjoyed it, but not my favorite Bowie.
3
Apr 01 2025
Tusk
Fleetwood Mac
This iteration of Fleetwood Mac was horrible. Christine McVie was its only saving grace. She could sing and wrote decent tunes. Otherwise, they were rubbish. Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac was a brilliant and memorable band. I never understood this band's attraction.
1
Apr 02 2025
Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
Arctic Monkeys
When I started listening to this, I thought it was sounding fairly uninteresting. But, I ended up enjoying it quite a bit. I love Turner's lyrics and delivery (love his Sheffield accent) and the band kicks. I'm sure their live performances must be exciting and fun.
3
Apr 03 2025
It's A Shame About Ray
The Lemonheads
Great album! Dando writes insightful songs and has a great voice. Too bad he got taken down by substance abuse.
3
Apr 04 2025
Dust
Screaming Trees
Unfortunately, I've never even heard of these guys. What a pleasant surprise! A collection of really thoughtful, well-written, well-played and engaging tunes. Sometimes psychedelic, grunge, and hard rock played to perfection.
4
Apr 07 2025
Wild Is The Wind
Nina Simone
Beautiful album. Nina was such a powerful singer, performer and activist. This album is very moving. Love it.
4
Apr 08 2025
The Man Machine
Kraftwerk
I get nothing from this music. To me, it is completely lacking in warmth and soul. I acknowledge and appreciate their musicianship, but it just sounds lifeless to me.
2
Apr 09 2025
Scott 4
Scott Walker
The orchestration and lyrics were a bit busy, clunky and disjointed. Nothing seemed to flow. A very talented artist, but this was disappointing effort.
2
Apr 10 2025
Private Dancer
Tina Turner
Great artist! Great album! She had some of the top musicians and producers on this date. She kills it, as always. Overcame a hard life and an asshole husband and blessed us all with her gift.
Thank you, Tina!
4
Apr 11 2025
One World
John Martyn
What a great album! Another artist I missed completely. I don't know how to describe his music other than singular. Coming from the British folk tradition of the sixties, he then drew from Jamaican music, jazz, funk, blues and developed a new style of music all his own. Now I'm going to have to explore his entire catalog. What a happy surprise!
4
Apr 14 2025
The Stranger
Billy Joel
I can't deny his talent, but I've never enjoyed his music. It lacks dynamism, depth, tension. Sounds contrived to me.
2
Apr 15 2025
Fulfillingness' First Finale
Stevie Wonder
An amazing album! His classic albums made during 70s are the epitome of creative songwriting, performance and production. I haven't listened to this in ages. I need to get back to his catalog. This music fills my heart with joy. Love you, Stevie.
5
Apr 16 2025
This Is Fats Domino
Fats Domino
The original album was issued in 1956 with 12 tracks (6 more than offered here) with the two bonus tracks added in 1957. I love Fats Domino, but this is kind of weak.
3
Apr 17 2025
Survivor
Destiny's Child
Incredible singing with tight harmonies, great production and all-around wonderful performances throughout. A pleasure to listen to, although this type of music is not my go to genre. That being said, "Happy Face" lifts my spirits high. I'll be adding that to my Happy Tunes playlist.
3
Apr 18 2025
Southern Rock Opera
Drive-By Truckers
I'm just not a fan of a lot of Southern rock. This just bores me.
1
Apr 21 2025
London Calling
The Clash
Great album! So much more here than I expected. I didn't like punk in general, so didn't even give this a listen at the time. How wrong I was! This is just fantastic rock and roll. It covers so many styles of r'n'r and does them all well. Wish I didn't have such a closed mind.
3
Apr 22 2025
...And Justice For All
Metallica
Great playing. Unfortunately, it’s just noise to me.
1
Apr 23 2025
Close To You
Carpenters
Utterly soulless. The Carpenters were very talented, but this music is cringe-worthy.
1
Apr 24 2025
Club Classics Vol. One
Soul II Soul
Drum machines, insipid disco strings, monotonous rhythms and vocals. It's all great and appropriate for dancing and dance clubs. So, it's perfect for that. But, I never went to dance clubs because I don't enjoy dancing. So, this music just bores me.
1
Apr 25 2025
Hms Fable
Shack
Generic pop rock. Pleasant enough.
3
Apr 28 2025
Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music
Ray Charles
Brother Ray could do no wrong! This is perfection. Love it!
4
Apr 29 2025
Songs In The Key Of Life
Stevie Wonder
All of Stevie’s albums in the 70s were part of my constant listening during that decade. So much consistently brilliant music from this phenomenal musician. Every song on this album is genius.
4
Apr 30 2025
The Contino Sessions
Death In Vegas
This, mostly, sounds to me like incidental soundtrack music. Pleasant enough, but it’s not very interesting.
2
May 01 2025
Ogden's Nut Gone Flake
Small Faces
Great album. I didn't listen to it back then and I don't know why. Probably because it wasn’t given much airplay in the U.S. I was too lazy back then. What a shame.
4
May 02 2025
The Low End Theory
A Tribe Called Quest
Sophisticated rap, great writing, wonderful grooves and Ron Carter to boot. Great listening to start my day.
3
May 05 2025
Elephant
The White Stripes
What a wonderful album. Jack's guitar sound is so biting and sensual. It just amazes me the sounds and textures he brings out of his guitar. Meg's minimalist drumming is so solid and vital. The album is a joy to listen to.
4
May 06 2025
Queen II
Queen
Formulaic, bombastic, soulless. Maybe just victim of some of the more excessive progressive rock trends of their time. Brian May’s brilliant guitar chops were wasted here. Plenty of talent throughout this band, but it got lost in marginal music.
2
May 07 2025
Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols
Sex Pistols
Hated this album, and Punk in general, when it came out. Now it strikes me as just great, basic, honest, in your face rock’n’roll.
3
May 08 2025
Hot Buttered Soul
Isaac Hayes
I liked Isaac Hayes, but this album is kind of ponderous and lackluster. Not a whole lot of excitement here.
2
May 09 2025
Scum
Napalm Death
Chaotic, intense, loud, repetitive. Ultimately, boring. I enjoyed listening to this once. There will be no repeat listenings.
2
May 12 2025
Sign 'O' The Times
Prince
Great musician, composer, arranger. But, this is mostly tedious. And drum machines are like fingernails on a blackboard to me. A few listenable songs is the most I can say.
3
May 13 2025
Come Away With Me
Norah Jones
This is a beautiful, soulful album. When this was released, I remember being so blown away by her beautiful voice and stunning arrangements. She has continued making great albums through the years and she just keeps getting better.
5
May 14 2025
All Hope Is Gone
Slipknot
Very intense throughout. Some of it loud, angry, negative, brutal. Other times introspective, sensitive, beautiful. I could listen to this again to find more. But, mostly, it’s too dark for me.
2
May 15 2025
Is This It
The Strokes
Back to basics rock. Influences seem to come from early white rock. Very New York attitude and sound. Pleasantly listenable.
2
May 16 2025
White Blood Cells
The White Stripes
I just love Jack's guitar playing, so raw and punchy. This is basic rock and roll at its best.
4
May 19 2025
Neon Bible
Arcade Fire
Interesting, unique orchestrations. Not what I expected at all. I need to listen to more of their work. Nice surprise.
3
May 20 2025
With The Beatles
Beatles
Brilliant album. Brilliant group. The best rock and roll music ever. I love everything they did. In my mind, no one can top them.
5
May 21 2025
If You're Feeling Sinister
Belle & Sebastian
The vocals are weak and the musical arrangements are simplistic and unimaginative. Not very engaging. It just strikes me as weak pop. Disappointing.
2
May 22 2025
Smile
Brian Wilson
Beautiful album. Almost forty years after it was first attempted by the Beach Boys, Brian finally finished his masterpiece. Most of these tunes send shivers down my spine.
5
May 23 2025
The Gilded Palace Of Sin
The Flying Burrito Brothers
What a great band! Too bad this first iteration of the group imploded so quickly. Gram Parsons just couldn’t get out of his own way. Chris Hillman never got enough recognition for his contribution to country rock. I’ve closely followed his career from The Scottsville Squirrel Barkers to the Byrds, FBB, The Desert Rose Band and all his solo work.
4
May 26 2025
American IV: The Man Comes Around
Johnny Cash
Johnny’s last album released during his lifetime. A moving recording at the end of his illustrious career. This a heartfelt and beautiful record. His voice and dilivery are still strong and emotive. Love it.
4
May 27 2025
Dookie
Green Day
Nice album. Straight rock and roll. Got a little repetitive and mundane for me, but an enjoyable listen.
3
May 28 2025
...The Dandy Warhols Come Down
The Dandy Warhols
Repetitive drones, killer guitar riffs, boring drives that morph into decent tunes, uplifting songs about heroin use, sometimes evoking Pink Floyd, but being less clever, ...I like it, but probably won’t listen again.
3
May 29 2025
Low
David Bowie
Another trendsetting album from Bowie. You could never identify him with any particular musical niche. He was forever changing it up. Bringing in Brian Eno and Toni Visconti was just genius.
4
May 30 2025
Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Wilco
I hadn't heard this album before. I'm just amazed at the soundscapes Tweedy puts together. Just genius. Love it.
4
Jun 02 2025
Head Hunters
Herbie Hancock
I was all over this album in 1973. Herbie was at the forefront of the jazz/funk/rock fusion movement at the time and Head Hunters was blasting from every turntable. Chameleon and Watermelin Man were ubiquitous. Sounds somewhat dated now, but still an innovative move forward at the time. Herbie is one of my top musical heroes.
4
Jun 03 2025
The Gershwin Songbook
Ella Fitzgerald
What a perfect voice. She nailed every one of these songs. Over three hours of beauty.
4
Jun 04 2025
I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got
Sinead O'Connor
A strong voice, but often grating to me. At other times it forceful and adds great emotion and strength to her songwriting. Unfortunately, her music comes off as a bit to self indulgent for my tastes.
3
Jun 05 2025
Chris
Christine and the Queens
Great voice. Very emotive. I just don't like synth-pop.
1
Jun 06 2025
Sweet Baby James
James Taylor
I've always been a big fan of James Taylor. Great songwriter, guitar player and singer. But, although this is a very good album, I don't think he had hit his stride yet. For me, that wouldn't happen until a few albums later. That being said, this is still a brilliant album.
3
Jun 09 2025
Darkness on the Edge of Town
Bruce Springsteen
I like his music and this is a good album. I saw him in concert a few years ago. He puts on a great show and his band can't be beat. That being said, this particular album did not rock my world.
3
Jun 10 2025
KIWANUKA
Michael Kiwanuka
He has a beautiful, powerful voice. The music is simple, but very emotive. The overall soundscape is moving. I liked it to a degree, but not enough for repeated listening.
3
Jun 11 2025
Eli And The Thirteenth Confession
Laura Nyro
She was a great musician and songwriter, but her voice was not that good (especially her upper register). Nevertheless, other artists interpreted her songs to great effect. For that alone, she gets 4 stars.
4
Jun 12 2025
Rum Sodomy & The Lash
The Pogues
4
Jun 13 2025
Pet Sounds
The Beach Boys
Brilliant! Genius! One of my favorite albums of all time. I get chills every time I listen to this. Sadly, Brian is gone now, but he left us with little slice of Heaven.
5
Jun 16 2025
Meat Is Murder
The Smiths
I like the music because it’s good rock and roll. I do not care for Morrissey’s voice. It’s just dull.
2
Jun 17 2025
Violent Femmes
Violent Femmes
The music, lyrics, performance are all subpar. Didn’t like it. I can understand why teenage outsiders would strongly relate to this, but it doesn’t move me.
2
Jun 18 2025
Suicide
Suicide
I don’t find anything worthwhile in this music. But, after listening to many albums over the past few months, I’ve come to the realization that the parameters I have set for what’s good music are extremely narrow. I’ll listen to something that I think is completely useless, then ask someone what they think of it and be told that it was a life-altering event for them. I just wish I could be more open to varying types of music. I’m going to try to be more open.
1
Jun 19 2025
Hejira
Joni Mitchell
One of my favorite Joni Mitchell albums. Deep, introspective songwriting and stunning musical arrangements are helped along with some of the best musicians around. Jaco Pastorius’ fretless bass playing is always a delight to hear. Beautiful album.
4
Jun 20 2025
Let It Be
The Replacements
Great rock’n’roll band. Too bad chart success evaded them due to bad decisions on their part. Enjoyed this quite a bit.
3
Jun 23 2025
The Score
Fugees
Interesting album. Lauryn Hill has such a great voice. “Fuck the sheriff, I shot John Wayne.” Classic. Love it.
3
Jun 24 2025
Time Out
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
This is a classic. Considered one of the best jazz albums ever. I agree. Brilliant from start to finish. Brubeck was a trailblazer and just a very fine person. This album makes me believe there is still hope for us wretched humans. God bless you, Dave Brubecj.
5
Jun 25 2025
Before And After Science
Brian Eno
I love this album. Ambient, funky, beautiful music. Eno is always interesting and forward thinking.
4
Jun 26 2025
Golden Hour
Kacey Musgraves
The lyrics are juvenile, the musical accompaniment is unchallenging/puerile and her voice isn’t particularly pleasing. This is really boring. It’s kind of like The Carpenters if they’d used a steel guitar. Or like most Nasville country music these days.
1
Jun 27 2025
The Only Ones
The Only Ones
Great album! Great rock’n’roll! The songwriting is clever. The band sound really kicks it. I’m surprised they didn’t have a longer career.
4
Jun 30 2025
Either Or
Elliott Smith
Nice songwriting. Just didn’t grab me.
3
Jul 01 2025
Stardust
Willie Nelson
I remember listening to this when it was first released and gaining a new appreciation and admiration for Willie’s talent. He’s not just a great Country star, but a genuinely stellar musician. Five stars!
4
Jul 02 2025
Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes
Lush harmonies, great musicianship and good songwriting are there. Unfortunately, it all started sounding the same after a couple of songs and I lost interest.
2
Jul 03 2025
Mama Said Knock You Out
LL Cool J
Not much to say, except I really enjoyed listening to this. It’s out of my wheelhouse, but it’s interesting musically, intelligent and has a consistent and great groove. Love it.
3
Jul 04 2025
Sail Away
Randy Newman
This album blew my socks off back in 1972. Still does. Such brilliant and unique songwriting and arrangements. Newman’s wicked and biting sense of humor floors me. The best.
5
Jul 07 2025
2112
Rush
I find nothing the least bit interesting or musical about this. I like some prog rock, but this ain't it. Full disclosure, I find giving any acknowledgement or credence to Ayn Rand extremely offensive.
1
Jul 08 2025
Led Zeppelin III
Led Zeppelin
They really switched it up by Jimmy going more acoustic guitar centered on this one. And John Paul Jones shows off his great talent as a multi instrumentalist. Just a brilliant album!
5
Jul 09 2025
Leftism
Leftfield
"Hello! This is Mega Company, Inc. Your call is important to us. All of our agents are busy assisting other customers. Your call will be answered in the order it was received. Thank you for your patience." And then this music starts playing. Maybe I could relate to it if I enjoyed dancing. But, I don't. This is just bad elevator music to me. Insipid, boring, uninspired, repetitive, mind-numbing...I could go on. This is the first album I couldn't make it through. Life is too short!
1
Jul 10 2025
Yank Crime
Drive Like Jehu
So this is emo. So many music styles I never listened to. This has been a real education for me. This album is very interesting musically with its odd time signatures, polyrhythms, outside melodies and lyrics. Little too intense for my tastes, but intriguing nonetheless. Well played, boys!
3
Jul 11 2025
Peace Sells...But Who's Buying
Megadeth
Very talented musicians. I just don't care for most heavy metal. The studio album is listenable. But, like a lot of live albums, this one is muddy.
2
Jul 14 2025
At San Quentin
Johnny Cash
This was Johnny at the height of his popularity. Seems dated to me now, but this is where I began to have a greater appreciation for country music and other types of music. I was just listening to rock and pop. Then I started hearing Johnny Cash, Miles Davis, Anton Dvorak and others. My musical palette exploded. Thank you Johnny.
4
Jul 15 2025
Grace
Jeff Buckley
Tragedy that he died so young and needlessly. This is a very good album. He was a very talented musician. Some of these songs are a little too pop oriented for me, but the heavier rock songs are killer.
3
Jul 16 2025
Honky Tonk Masquerade
Joe Ely
Another incredible artist and album I totally missed. This is country at its best. Real. Not Nashville. I need to go back and listen to his entire catalog.
4
Jul 17 2025
Hybrid Theory
Linkin Park
Visceral. Intense. Engaging. At times, beautiful. "In the End" is my favorite tune. I can see why they became huge from the beginning. Can't say it won me over, but I'll listen again.
3
Jul 18 2025
The Blueprint
JAY Z
I expected to be more impressed. Didn't do anything for me.
2
Jul 21 2025
Disraeli Gears
Cream
This sure didn't age well. Starts with a couple of great rockers, followed by some horrible psychelia, then a couple of nice blues tunes. An album with four decent tunes and seven stinkers does not belong on this list. Sad.
2
Jul 22 2025
Blunderbuss
Jack White
What a brilliant album! White goes in so many different musical styles and he inhabits them all so effectively. I especially enjoy Little Willie John's "I'm Shakin'".
4
Jul 23 2025
Nebraska
Bruce Springsteen
Springsteen is right up there with Bob Dylan and John Prine in his genius of writing about and for the Everyman. His writing is simple and cuts right to the bone. This album is genius.
4
Jul 24 2025
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
I bought this album when it came out in 1970. Didn't like it then. Don't like it now. They did create the template for heavy metal, but this pales to the explosive bombast that the genre became. This is no more than heavy rock. The band members are all very good musicians. But, I just don't find any emotional intensity in any of it. RIP Ozzy.
1
Jul 25 2025
Time Out Of Mind
Bob Dylan
Fantastic album! A return to form after several years of sub par albums. Dylan reminds me of Miles Davis in his penchant for changing his musical approach and, in so doing, moving music into new and exciting directions. Or some such bullshit.
4
Jul 28 2025
Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Nice album. Great writing and musicianship. Just bored me.
3
Jul 29 2025
Moondance
Van Morrison
What a classic! I forgot there were so many brilliant and well known tunes on this album. A true innovator.
4
Jul 30 2025
Rising Above Bedlam
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
Interesting music and timbres. Excellent musicianship. But, it got a bit repetitive after awhile.
2
Jul 31 2025
Pearl
Janis Joplin
She was a powerhouse singer. This is an iconic album. Every song is perfect. But, until now, I never paid enough attention to Richard Bell’s piano playing. It just fits perfectly and adds as much to the funky feel of the album as Joplin’s singing. The whole band is a monster.
4
Aug 01 2025
Fear Of A Black Planet
Public Enemy
I rejected hip-hop out of hand when it first appeared because I didn’t understand it. My understanding began to change when I heard this music in Spike Lee films. I began to recognize its significance, relevance and beauty as a musical form. Listening to this for the first time free of my former biases made me realize how much I was missing. This is a beautiful album.
3
Aug 04 2025
Aftermath
The Rolling Stones
This was the first Rolling Stones album that really knocked my socks off. However, this was one instance that I like the U.S. over the UK version. But, I could never understand why the U.S. companies edited the UK versions to make an extra buck. That aside, this had some brilliant tunes-Mother's Little Helper, Lady Jane, Under My Thumb, Paint It Black (on the U.S. version). But, the two tunes that still kill me every time are Flight 505 and High and Dry.
5
Aug 05 2025
Strangeways, Here We Come
The Smiths
Bottom line-I just don't like Morrissey's voice. It sounds whiney and lacks finesse. The songs are well written, the music is performed well. In the end, I just find them bland.
2
Aug 06 2025
Live Through This
Hole
Decent rock and roll, but her voice is so annoying to me. Don’t like this at all.
2
Aug 07 2025
Hail To the Thief
Radiohead
Hybrid of rock and electronic music. It works well. Sonically pleasing. Intelligent without being overbearing. I can see why this did so well.
3
Aug 08 2025
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Not what I expected. I thought they would be more heavy metal. Just sounds like high-powered, guitar driven rock’n’roll to me. I’m impressed. Well done.
3
Aug 11 2025
British Steel
Judas Priest
Pedestrian music. Sophomoric lyrics. Rocks pretty hard, but does not move me at all.
2
Aug 12 2025
Natty Dread
Bob Marley & The Wailers
I have so much respect for this guy. Besides being a great musician and musical innovator, he was just a good, selfless human being. Can’t say enough good about this man and his music.
4
Aug 13 2025
O.G. Original Gangster
Ice T
I love this album. Ice-Ts lyrics are so intelligent and thought provoking. And his music is so sophisticated and refreshing. I didn’t know he also does heavy metal. “Body Count” is amazing!
His brilliant quote, “I feel sorry for anyone who only listens to one form of music“ is so true. I have to constantly remind myself that every kind of music has meaning and connects with someone. And if I don’t like it, tough shit. If it connects with someone, it’s wonderful and worthwhile music.
4
Aug 14 2025
Debut
Björk
She is so incredibly talented. Tying together so many music genres in every outing. She never ceases to amaze me. And her voice just gives me chills and thrills of delight.
4
Aug 15 2025
Among The Living
Anthrax
It’s just painful noise to me. Medley: A.D.I./Horror of It All began with some subtlety, but descended quickly into bombast. Yuck!
1
Aug 18 2025
Born To Run
Bruce Springsteen
This is the first Springsteen album that got me to start listening seriously to what he was doing. Great music, great writing and seriously great rock’n’roll.
4
Aug 19 2025
Electric Ladyland
Jimi Hendrix
After all these years, I still deeply regret the untimely death of such a great artist. He was just getting started. In this album, he had almost totally moved beyond psychedelia and into blues rock and later into straight blues. Who knows where he would have gone, but I’m sure it would have been earth shattering.
4
Aug 20 2025
Rhythm Nation 1814
Janet Jackson
Very slick. Great voice. Great songwriter. She’s a very talented musician. But, the production is just too over-produced for my tastes.
2
Aug 21 2025
Tea for the Tillerman
Cat Stevens
I enjoyed this back in the day, but it’s dated now. Simple, well written tunes. Dated, hippie worldview that I embraced at the time. Seems quaint now. But, he hit the mark for his time. I still enjoy some of the tunes.
3
Aug 22 2025
Don't Stand Me Down
Dexys Midnight Runners
I liked some of the music. But not enough to think it deserved to be on this list.
2
Aug 25 2025
Back To Black
Amy Winehouse
Another great artist lost to substance abuse. She brought together soul, r&b and jazz and made a powerful mix that was brilliant. She left a lot. She could have done do much more. What a shame.
3
Aug 26 2025
Raw Power
The Stooges
Raw and in your face. Sorta tame compared with what was to follow, but unique and shocking for its time. To me, it’s just simple hard rock’n’roll not played very well.
1
Aug 27 2025
Reggatta De Blanc
The Police
Their five albums between 1979 and 1983 were some of my favorite rock albums of all time. But, this album was the first that got me hooked. Andy Summers is one of my favorite guitarists. Such brilliant melodic ideas and great finesse.
5
Aug 28 2025
Gorillaz
Gorillaz
As innovating as their virtual artistry may be, their music is mind-numbingly boring.
1
Aug 29 2025
Vanishing Point
Primal Scream
I like this. Great writing and musicianship. Rock ‘n’ roll, electronica, ambient sounds, psychedelia and more. Kept me interested throughout the album.
3
Sep 01 2025
Exodus
Bob Marley & The Wailers
Wonderful album. Religious songs on Side 1 and love songs on Side 2. Bob's vocals are brilliant and the band smokes. Thoroughly enjoyable listening.
4
Sep 02 2025
There's No Place Like America Today
Curtis Mayfield
Brilliant horn arrangements, tasty guitar licks (love those wah-wah pedals), great vocals and insightful social commentary all make for a wonderful album.
4
Sep 03 2025
Darkdancer
Les Rythmes Digitales
Electro-pop. Drum machines, mind-numbing repetitiveness. This music has its place. Just not anywhere near me.
1
Sep 04 2025
Ellington at Newport
Duke Ellington
One of the greatest live (although some of it was recorded in the studio) Ellington big band albums ever. Ellington, Cat Anderson, Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Clark Terry, and more of the biggest names in jazz at the time. This album revitalized Ellington's career and he stayed at the top of his game for the rest of his life. Brilliant!
4
Sep 05 2025
Our Aim Is To Satisfy
Red Snapper
This is a group of really talented musicians. Synthesis of different styles of music. I understand its appeal, but it is still too repetitive and ambient to hold my interest.
2
Sep 08 2025
Brothers
The Black Keys
Stripped to the bone rock'n'roll. Enjoyable to listen to for awhile, but then it got a bit boring. Not essential for me.
3
Sep 09 2025
Amnesiac
Radiohead
Their music is a bit more musically complex, avant garde and interesting than a lot of other rock. Unfortunately for me, Thom Yorke's voice is an annoying distraction.
3
Sep 10 2025
The Age Of The Understatement
The Last Shadow Puppets
The orchestral accompaniment is saccharine and boring. The lyrics are mundane and the singing is grating. This was a tough one for me to get through. Pretentious rubbish.
1
Sep 11 2025
Sticky Fingers
The Rolling Stones
A great album that looms large in my listening history. This was a major change in the Stones musical direction and it took a bit of getting used to for me. Pared down to two guitars, bass and drums (mostly) this is a rawer version of the band. Mick Taylor was a perfect foil for Keith. Too bad they weren’t able to keep Mick around. He didn’t fit the bad boy image of the Stones but he was, in my opinion, the best guitarist they ever had. Moonlight Mile sends shivers down my spine every time I hear it.
5
Sep 12 2025
Black Monk Time
The Monks
Tried listening to this with my 1966 ears. I don’t think I would have given it any credence back then. I understand how it could be considered influential. But, all my 2025 ears hear is simplistic, uninteresting music.
1
Sep 15 2025
Parklife
Blur
Britpop. Another category I totally missed. This is one of the reasons I enjoy this list so much. Without going into specifics, I just enjoyed this album very much. Very refreshing. I look forward to exploring their other albums.
3
Sep 16 2025
Pretenders
Pretenders
Just great rock’n’roll. That’s all.
4
Sep 17 2025
The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators
The 13th Floor Elevators
If I was going to host a psychedelic party, I’d use this as the soundtrack. Fortunately, I’m never going to host a psychedelic party. This is horrible!
1
Sep 18 2025
Stand!
Sly & The Family Stone
What an epic group. Sly Stone was a genius who never got his due. This band and album were a precursor to so much exciting and innovative music to come. Love it!
4
Sep 19 2025
Channel Orange
Frank Ocean
It's impossible for me to review Frank Ocean and this album objectively because I don't understand it. I have a friend who insists good popular music ended around the turn of the century. I think he's wrong. Popular music just changed direction radically and many of us just don't understand or accept that change. I'm one of those people. I just don't understand most of this music (except for occasional forays into marginally decent r&b). Therefore, it doesn't affect me. I'll give it three stars as a neutral, non-understanding rating. Popular music has left me behind. I have left it behind.
3
Sep 22 2025
Back In Black
AC/DC
I never had much use for AC/DC. Brian Johnson's voice really grates on me. Hard rock, arena rock leaves me flat. No subtlety.
1
Sep 23 2025
Rock 'N Soul
Solomon Burke
Powerful voice, great performances and brilliant songs. The background accompaniments are simple, but effective. It's no wonder he was copied so extensively.
3
Sep 24 2025
Picture Book
Simply Red
I bought this album when it came out, and I quite enjoyed it. That enjoyment faded pretty quickly. I guess I got bored with the synthetic quality of the music (a widespread sin of many groups during the 1980s). I like Hucknall’s voice, and (at its best) the band can be quite soulful. But the music often sounds synthetic and soulless.
2
Sep 25 2025
I Against I
Bad Brains
Wow! Totally unexpected. These musicians are so good and the music is so intense. Love it.
4
Sep 26 2025
Machine Head
Deep Purple
Bombastic, boring, uninspired
1
Sep 29 2025
xx
The xx
I appreciated some minimalist music, but not this. There has to be something interesting musically happening and I can’t find it here.
1
Sep 30 2025
American Idiot
Green Day
What a great album! Top to bottom, just killer rock’n’roll.
4
Oct 01 2025
Dear Science
TV On The Radio
This isn’t bad per se. It's just very lifeless to me. Love Dog is ok.
2
Oct 02 2025
Parallel Lines
Blondie
Trivial pop rock. I never saw the allure of this band.
1
Oct 03 2025
Surf's Up
The Beach Boys
'Til I Die and Surf's Up are sufficient for this album to qualify as being rated 5.
5
Oct 06 2025
Kind Of Blue
Miles Davis
Just the best selling jazz album of all time. Brilliant music based on brief modal sketches by Miles. Every cut is a masterpiece. So What is the most creative and soulful tunes I have ever heard.
5
Oct 07 2025
OK Computer
Radiohead
I really enjoyed this album. Great songwriting and interesting melodies. These guys are top-notch musicians. I expected some pretentiousness and, instead, found thoughtfulness and profoundly listenable ballads and biting rock and roll.
4
Oct 08 2025
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
I saw Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers in concert right after this album came out. I didn't know anything about him. I was underwhelmed by the music and walked out. I imagine he played this music that night. It's mostly average rock and roll with the hits standing out (American Girl is my favorite song by him). I love everything that came after this and still kick myself for walking out on him all those years ago. My youthful pretentiousness caused me to miss out on his burgeoning genius.
4
Oct 09 2025
Faust IV
Faust
The first track was long and boring. I thought I was in for a long, annoying slog through some uninspired shit. But, it turned around soon after and began to get interesting. I won't be putting this into my regular listening rotation, but it is an early example of forward looking musicians trying to move on from the mostly boring standard fare of rock and roll at the time. Surprisingly good.
3
Oct 10 2025
Ingenue
k.d. lang
Beautiful voice, brilliant songwriting and musical arrangements. I'm a sucker for smooth, emotive female voices like k.d.'s. Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O'Donovan, Becca Stevens, Joan Armatrading, Joni Mitchell and Petra Haden come to mind. This was a treat. Not paying attention to k.d. lang for all these years was a boneheaded move on my part.
4
Oct 13 2025
3 + 3
The Isley Brothers
Just great music. Whether doing their own songs or interpreting other writers, these guys are so soulful and rocking. Love every second of this album.
4
Oct 14 2025
James Brown Live At The Apollo
James Brown
I'm sorry I never got to see him live. I had a ticket for a show, but he died before the concert. One of those lost opportunities. His music is so soulful and funky. His band was so tight. This album was a high water mark. Brilliant!
4
Oct 15 2025
Duck Rock
Malcolm McLaren
Kudos for being an innovator and creative champion for unrecognized and unrepresented in the art and music community. But, he was self-serving and exploited many of the artists he produced. His nihilism just left me with a bad taste in my mouth. I like some of the music on this album, but that is tempered by my negative opinion of the man. The music has good qualities. The man didn't.
1
Oct 16 2025
Spiderland
Slint
"Atypical rhythmic meters, harmonic dissonance and irregular song structures" do not necessarily make for good music. Most people gave this music a rating of 5. It comes across as boring and lifeless to me. I don't get it.
2
Oct 17 2025
B-52's
The B-52's
What's not to like about the B-52's?Quirky, clever, fun. I always enjoy hearing their music. They remind not to take myself too seriously.
3
Oct 20 2025
Pornography
The Cure
I love this list because it gives me the opportunity to discover bands/artists that I missed over the years. It's a revelation when I discover I like one of those albums. Unfortunately, too often I find that I was right to dismiss an artist/band/album without a listen. This is one of the latter. This is boring, depressing and just bad music.
1
Oct 21 2025
Vol. 4
Black Sabbath
Ponderous
1
Oct 22 2025
Duck Stab/Buster & Glen
The Residents
I think we might need this sort of thing to keep us from taking ourselves too seriously. Interesting and clever, but I'll never listen to it again. Well, maybe I will.
3
Oct 23 2025
Slipknot
Slipknot
I can't stand screaming vocalists. It just grates. Otherwise, there's some decent music happening. Great drumming. I'll never be a fan, but there's a modicum of inventiveness here.
3
Oct 24 2025
Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)
The Kinks
I didn't listen to this album back in the day. The only song I'm familiar with is "Victoria". This is in the vein of a lot of concept albums happening (especially in England) at the time. This is unique among them. Kudos to Ray Davies for some brilliant songwriting and a great band performance. I'd give it a 5, but it sounds dated to me and, therefore, not an album I want to listen to on a regular basis.
4
Oct 27 2025
Transformer
Lou Reed
I know that he was very influential and brought a whole new perspective to rock and roll, but I was never much impressed by his music.
3
Oct 28 2025
Brilliant Corners
Thelonious Monk
Perfection! I could listen to Monk all day.
5
Oct 29 2025
Ananda Shankar
Ananda Shankar
Very dated. Didn't do anything for me. Two stars for effort.
2
Oct 30 2025
I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You
Aretha Franklin
This album is flawless. Lot of hits and great performances from Aretha and her stellar backing musicians. What a voice!
5
Oct 31 2025
Scissor Sisters
Scissor Sisters
I guess this is something if you like to dance. I don't like to dance, probably because I don't like to be subjected to this type monotonous, puerile drivel. I liked Music Is the Victim. I'll give the album 2 stars for that.
2
Nov 03 2025
At Fillmore East
The Allman Brothers Band
I saw later line-ups of this band in concert and they were fantastic. But, the original group could not be touched. Great musicians and music.
5
Nov 04 2025
A Hard Day's Night
Beatles
I love this album so much. So many great tunes. A Hard Day's Night, If I Fell (Oh, the John/Paul harmonies), And I Love Her, Can't Buy Me Love, You Can't Do That. But, it ends with Lennon's brilliant and complex I'll Be Back (for instance, he employed Picardy thirds to great effect without having any knowledge of music theory) which foreshadowed greater things to come. Sixty one years later and hearing this album still fills me with joy.
5
Nov 05 2025
Shake Your Money Maker
The Black Crowes
Great album. At times it sounds as if they were taking cues from the Sticky Fingers/Exile On Main Street era Rolling Stones. If so, not a bad pedigree. Good stuff.
3
Nov 06 2025
For Your Pleasure
Roxy Music
I don't particularly like Bryan Ferry's voice or songwriting. But, I love Brian Eno. So, I'm sort of 50/50 on this one.
4
Nov 07 2025
Back to Basics
Christina Aguilera
Christina has a brilliant voice, but I just don't like this kind of slickly produced pop.
3