320
Albums Rated
3.47
Average Rating
29%
Complete
769 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
2000s
Favorite Decade
Hip-hop
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
58
5-Star Albums
14
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arular | 5 | 2.84 | +2.16 |
| Crazysexycool | 5 | 3.07 | +1.93 |
| In Our Heads | 5 | 3.12 | +1.88 |
| Run-D.M.C. | 5 | 3.13 | +1.87 |
| The Bones Of What You Believe | 5 | 3.18 | +1.82 |
| The Blueprint | 5 | 3.22 | +1.78 |
| Phrenology | 5 | 3.25 | +1.75 |
| The College Dropout | 5 | 3.31 | +1.69 |
| The Man Machine | 5 | 3.32 | +1.68 |
| The Chronic | 5 | 3.33 | +1.67 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Here Are the Sonics | 1 | 3.16 | -2.16 |
| Porcupine | 1 | 3.08 | -2.08 |
| Spiderland | 1 | 2.97 | -1.97 |
| The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators | 1 | 2.96 | -1.96 |
| Very | 1 | 2.93 | -1.93 |
| White Light / White Heat | 1 | 2.88 | -1.88 |
| The New Tango | 1 | 2.88 | -1.88 |
| Nick Of Time | 1 | 2.83 | -1.83 |
| Jagged Little Pill | 2 | 3.72 | -1.72 |
| Deja Vu | 2 | 3.7 | -1.7 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Arcade Fire | 3 | 4.67 |
| Aretha Franklin | 2 | 5 |
| Michael Jackson | 2 | 5 |
| Johnny Cash | 2 | 5 |
| Prince | 2 | 5 |
| Radiohead | 3 | 4.33 |
| Black Sabbath | 3 | 4.33 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Echo And The Bunnymen | 2 | 1.5 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Miles Davis | 2, 4, 5 |
5-Star Albums (58)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Black Sabbath
5/5
Did everyone get given Sabbath today, the day after Ozzy's death?
I mean, it was apt and brilliant and exactly what today needed, so it's a 5
5 likes
Ananda Shankar
2/5
The sitar is such an intense instrument that listening intently to an album of it can be overwhelming, sometimes in a good, powerful way, but overall, for me, in a way that batters my senses. Nice to have a range of cultural influences across my albums though, even if I'm not entirely on board.
3 likes
Van Morrison
5/5
I bought his way back after loving Astral Weeks, and particularly Ballerina from that album. It's very different and way more accessible but still a beautiful album and seemingly so full of love. One of my regrets was seeing Van Morrison at Glastonbury and not really engaging with it, an unappreciative 16 year old who didn't know anything except Brown Eyed Girl!
2 likes
Joni Mitchell
4/5
Mitchell's voice is never not beautiful and the arrangements always complement her so perfectly. It's not 'Blue' but very few albums come close to that.
1 likes
U2
3/5
I had the misfortune of growing up around late 90s and 00s U2. This tiff was actually okay.
1 likes
1-Star Albums (14)
All Ratings
John Lennon
4/5
Not a bad start to the year. Had listened and liked before but not owned. Might purchase if the right price! Jealous guy resonates.
Elliott Smith
4/5
Surprised and pleased. Ben Folds vibes. Not heard of him at all before this I don't think so appreciated the find. Sad to hear about passing at such a young age too
Aretha Franklin
5/5
That was brilliant. Starting an album with Chain of Fools like that is outrageous. What a great January pick-me-up on a cold morning. Easily 5 stars. Will purchase for my CD collection.
Genesis
2/5
Never listened to a Genesis album before. It wasn't as bad as I expected, like a softer version of Zeppelin. The theme is a good one, but no songs really caught my attention.
Taylor Swift
3/5
Not my go-to, however, had shared this in class last term as a 10 year album anniversary and had grown to appreciate it a little more than I would have at face value. Happy enough to listen to it again today.
Fleetwood Mac
3/5
Having listened to Rumours so much, you'd have thought that the follow up would have been heard too. I didn't even really recognise any tracks. I enjoyed it, but seemed a bit bloated and not as rich a sound, or as emotionally charged as Rumours. ,3 and a half if I could.
Spiritualized
2/5
A bit drab, not for me
The Charlatans
4/5
A less whiny Oasis. This was actually far better than I would have expected. Have probably heard odd tracks from the group but I would listen again happily. 4 stars just about.
Dire Straits
4/5
This was good. Then went and listened to all of Brothers in Arms too. Sultans of Swing is absolutely brilliant and worth the high rating alone. The voice ans guitar playing is just lovely.
Arcade Fire
5/5
The first album received that I actually owned, 10 days in. It is one of my favourite albums by the group, and I love the group too. An obvious 5/5 for me.
Nirvana
5/5
The start of this album is incredible really. It is hard to comprehend an opening 3 tracks like that. The rest of the album needs some respect too. Absolute 5/5
Boards of Canada
4/5
The found samples within were great. For fans of Endtroducing, I feel this would be liked, and that's me! The opening tracks didn't hook me in completely but it grew well. Whenever the bass hit harder, it was better!
Miles Davis
2/5
Obviously brilliantly talented and a very pleasant listen. But I wouldn't choose to listen too a whole album of trumpet normally. But I guess that's kinda the point! Some beautiful tracks that I felt needed to be listened to in a far more focused and appreciative manner than through my phone while in the shower. Probably a 2-2.5
Frank Sinatra
4/5
Some absolute classics on here and no denying that voice. But what the hell is 'makin whoopie'???!!!! Goes from a 5 star to a 4 just for that track. 'of the times' I'm sure?
Curtis Mayfield
3/5
Without a doubt, a beautiful voice and some powerful messages. Hard times, having heard the Roots cover was good to hear the original! I didn't actually know it was Curtis Mayfield. Strong album but no super stand out tracks. About a 2.5, but will give a 3
Echo And The Bunnymen
1/5
Uninteresting. Not caught me at all. Least favourite yet.
Dr. Dre
5/5
Always a classy, the skits are a bit much now and very dick-based!
Slint
1/5
Well this was a bit of a challenge. The vocals were difficult to enjoy, engage with or understand. If this had been instrumental it may have managed a 3. I think I'm going for a 1.
Fun Lovin' Criminals
4/5
First time listening all the way through. Weirdly once got this album accidentally instead of a Funkmaster Flex album after a mix up placing the CDs by the shop assistant. Didn't listen to it then, but this is much better than Funkmaster Flex. Scooby Snacks and Fun Lovin Criminal are the obvious bangers in here but there is a lot of other good quality with a nice sprinkling of brass instruments throughout. Huey Morgan's radio show on a Saturday on 6 music also shows me he knows his stuff and is super eclectic. £1 on music magpie so going to buy!
Van Morrison
5/5
I bought his way back after loving Astral Weeks, and particularly Ballerina from that album. It's very different and way more accessible but still a beautiful album and seemingly so full of love. One of my regrets was seeing Van Morrison at Glastonbury and not really engaging with it, an unappreciative 16 year old who didn't know anything except Brown Eyed Girl!
Slipknot
1/5
I listened to the first 7 tracks. It's not my thing. I can see how it could be someone's hing though. Only a 1 for me though.
Garbage
4/5
This is strong. Quality 90s fare. Powerful voice and some catchy riffs. Stupid Girl weirdly can on the radio on the way home from work today too, which is a top track.
Kraftwerk
5/5
Only 6 tracks, give me more!!
Radiohead
4/5
I remember being a snob about this album when it came out and you could choose how much you wanted to pay to download it. I felt that it devalued it at the time and wrongly assumed this meant it would have been made in a less caring way perhaps. I own three other albums and love The Bends and Ok Computer so it's a nonsense that I'd never heard this in full. Needs more listening for me to give it it's full value, which I think is probably quite high. 4, later rising to 5 probably from me.
Barry Adamson
3/5
This was really interesting and would never have been something I would have otherwise chosen to listen to. An intriguing experience and a great premise. Feels like it deserved a film to accompany it!
The Boo Radleys
2/5
I'm not convinced that this album truly belongs on the list. There were some nice enough tracks but it hardly felt earth-shattering. I kinda felt like I could have listened to the rather similar-styled Belle and Sebastian and probably any of their albums would have outshone.
Alice In Chains
3/5
Had never knowingly listened before and I have to admit I enjoyed! A great Monday album to get you going. Reading the accompanying notes, it seems they are a lot bigger than I imagined and the album seems pretty well crafted. A strong 3+
Can
3/5
I was quite enjoying this until the 18 minute long Aumng, which I have to admit, lost me a little.
Neu!
3/5
The instrumental parts were good! Not massively enjoyable vocals.
The Crusaders
3/5
Street life is such a tune, and I doubt I've ever listened to the full length track, so that was a pleasure. The rest of the album was pleasant enough!
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
This had one a half listens. Didn't get all the way through last time. I wanted to go back to it though as enjoyed the first half a lot. Beautiful voice and some very nicely crafted songs.
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
3/5
Soothing and enjoyable half an hour.
TLC
5/5
Barely a track that doesn't hit hard. Could go without the interludes of 90s hip hop, but worth it for the main content!
Willie Nelson
3/5
As an album of covers, this holds its weight. It would be easy for it to not seem heartfelt and important. Nelson clearly felt strongly about these tracks and his versions felt necessary.
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
3/5
I feel like this seems like the precursor to a lot of music made by a multitude of different artists. Some really great rhythms that sounds like a lot of modern music. Winner.
Roxy Music
3/5
Haunting vocals and a voice that is probably a bit marmite for some. There are times in this album that it hit well and others where I craved something a little smoother and more fluid. But when it was good it was just right. Not their best album but worth a listen.
Michael Jackson
5/5
Never listened in it's entirety. Only ever really listened to Bad and Thriller as a full piece. Enjoyed this earlier stuff and the joy of it. It isn't the same polished masterclass as later albums but there is still an immense talent being displayed, and not sounding at all outdated.
Johnny Cash
5/5
I've not listened to many live albums, but most of them that I have, have nothing like as unique an audience. It's a brilliant idea, and the choice of songs that are played along with crowd interaction is quite brilliant.
Ananda Shankar
2/5
The sitar is such an intense instrument that listening intently to an album of it can be overwhelming, sometimes in a good, powerful way, but overall, for me, in a way that batters my senses. Nice to have a range of cultural influences across my albums though, even if I'm not entirely on board.
Hot Chip
5/5
This was an absolute tonic. Great album. I have their three that precede this and have somehow managed to go without listening to this. 'Flutes' is a gem, and was blasted with rattling bass in the car. Already purchased for my CD collection before the day is done. Still holds that mix of party and raw heartfelt emotion that all hot chip albums seem to.
Elvis Costello
3/5
Pleasant enough, but didn't do a lot for me
The Cramps
3/5
It's fun, and full-on, and energetic and reminds me of skateboarding as a youth.
Coldcut
4/5
This was a great throwback to when I used to listen to DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist with Product Placement and Brain freeze. They were regularly spun on my CD player whilst doing my paper round. Arguably, those were better constructed than this. Finding a copy to listen to was also a challenge!!
Big Star
4/5
Brilliant. This is exactly the type of rock I can get on board with. This is what the 70s would have sounded like to me when I picture it. This might however be heavily influenced by the song from the opening to 'that 70s show' being on this album (which was a revelation to me)
The Doors
3/5
Never been big on the doors but nice to listen to an album with what appeared to have a cohesive identity and feel. Seemed to link seamlessly and was enjoyable.
Orbital
4/5
This started a bit shakily, but really grew as the album went on, finishing with a couple of really quite beautiful tracks.
X-Ray Spex
3/5
Amyl and the Sniffers must be inspired by these guys somewhat, lots of similarities. It was quite fun and felt much more modern than 1978.
Arcade Fire
4/5
This album has a strong start and finish but gets a bit drab and samey in the middle. It doesn't hit as hard as Funeral or Neon Bible, or arguably even Reflector. But it's still got a lot of great quality within it.
The Verve
2/5
Way too much of this mid-90s dirge. I can see Urban Hymns being on the list, but not sure this one deserves to make the cut.
David Bowie
2/5
I'm sure there will be better Bowie albums on this list, and I'm sure I've probably been given one of the lesser choices for my first of this project. Just felt a bit like it was a laborious vanity project that didn't achieve anything.
Holger Czukay
4/5
This was cool. I love it when I get something completely from left field. Never heard of this in any way, and was fully engaged for the duration. Felt like it was probably breaking a lot of ground on the sampling front, so I can see how it may hold some important significance. Regardless, worthy!
Elvis Presley
4/5
Yes please, some classics here. Never listened to an Elvis album in its entirety until today. Love a good rock n roll/pop tune that clocks in at less than 2 and a half minutes, and he is the king for that.
Shivkumar Sharma
4/5
Beautiful, soothing and a perfect example of using music for great storytelling.
Kraftwerk
3/5
My previous Kraftwerk album, 'The Man Machine' is superior to this, I believe. So it was a shame it didn't live up to those levels, but still solid electronica.
Alanis Morissette
2/5
What is it about her voice that grates so much? The undulating, whiny nature to large portions of this make it hard work. Whenever I listen to Ironic, I can't help but be reminded by Ed Byrne's comedy bit about her being a 'moaning cow'. That 5 minute sketch watched again on YouTube was more enjoyable than the album listen-through for me
Mudhoney
2/5
Whilst this probably had some important cultural and musical impact on a lot of bands that I quite like, I don't think it has necessarily held up particularly well sadly. A little bit flat and uninspiring.
Butthole Surfers
1/5
Sometimes I think there are albums on the list designed just to make you grateful for the other albums that are actually good.
A group of boys get together in their garage, shout 'kuntz' and 'hay' over some poorly constructed tracks.
Ash
4/5
Sounds like my youth
Joan Armatrading
5/5
Oh man, a beauty, after a week of grafting through some dire albums, this was an absolute gem on a Friday. My heart melts at her voice and the stories she can craft for us. I'd heard about her before and a couple of tracks, but that was just... Mighty
Blondie
5/5
Some albums are just perfect aren't they?
Steely Dan
4/5
A really solid, jazz-infused, pleasure
Kate Bush
5/5
There can't be many better album starts. Her voice is haunting and full of love and passion. The energy throughout is brimming. A wonderful creation
Destiny's Child
3/5
It sounds a little dated now. Emotion is a great tune and a real precursor to Beyonce's solo stuff
Gene Clark
4/5
I could listen to this voice all day.
The Rolling Stones
5/5
This was one of the first, if not the very first albums I bought with my first teacher pay check. So consistent, amazing guitar and soulful backing vocals in particular. The country / rock mesh is just right.
Van Morrison
4/5
I love Van Morrison anyway, but the live band with him steals the show here. Strings and brass are beautifully performed to some of his best works.
Klaxons
3/5
Ahh, I'm 18 again. Dancing around with a pint of fosters and an endless desire for 'new' music and other new conquests. Some of that new music wasn't always that great though. This is probably one of those. Still... Memories!
Stevie Wonder
4/5
Love a bit of Stevie Wonder. Not many tracks I 'knew' but there were some beautiful songs and lovely instrumental parts with the groove that you hope for. Well worth the listen!
The Darkness
4/5
Well that was pretty good fun
The Police
3/5
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
Nice for some reggae to show up on my list, the album tracks are great and we're so used to a diet of about 20 Marley tracks that it's nice to branch out.
David Bowie
4/5
Amazing book ends of Young Americans and Fame. And some quality in the middle too.
ZZ Top
3/5
Fortunately I was up for a few guitar solos today, because I'm pretty sure that was 80% of the album.
Paul Simon
3/5
What was it about the 80s and white people trying to do 'Africa' things.. the style of it just feels dated and a bit wrong at times. When it doesn't nick from other cultures it is far more tolerable.
Elliott Smith
3/5
All a little too soft and gentle for me. I feel like this probably has more lyrical worth than I was able to get my teeth into. I had 'Figure 8' as one of my first albums and that album felt a little less soppy with more life in it.
Bee Gees
3/5
Who knew? Where's the falsetto voices, what happened between these two time periods???!!!
Peter Gabriel
3/5
A very strong 3. Didn't expect much from this. A very eclectic range of styles that were all enjoyable in their own right, but maybe felt like it needed to stay more in one or two lanes. Enjoyable listen though!
The Clash
5/5
Absolute behemoth of perfection.
Oasis
5/5
It probably shouldn't get a 5 the be honest. But sometimes music doesn't need to be clever, or created with intelligent musicianship, sometimes it just needs to be anthemic rock.
Tom Waits
4/5
I think this album helped me to understand Tom Waits a lot more and I think would probably make his studio work more accessible. He clearly has a sharp wit and intelligence.
Metallica
4/5
If I'm having some heavy metal, then give me Metallica every time.
Django Django
3/5
Pleasant enough but sort of passed me by
Frank Sinatra
3/5
So gentle and smooth. Like a just-right hot chocolate.
Christina Aguilera
2/5
Corr, bit long that one. Nice enough voice of course but double albums are a real slog for this challenge.
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
Absolute quality.
N.E.R.D
3/5
Lyrically not so great, but in terms of a mash of musical styles coming together to create something unique, it's worthwhile I suppose!
King Crimson
3/5
I'm probably not alone in having the first thought of 'ooh, Kanye West sample'. But this album has a lot more to offer than that. Floyd-esque freaky beauty throughout.
Moby
4/5
This was great at the time and has actually aged really well too. Some intoxicating tunes that might be heavily associated with adverts of the early 00s, but did so because they were catchy, rhythmic, purposeful songs that would be massive earworms.
Beck
2/5
I don't think I've ever really understood the appeal of Beck, and listening to this didn't change my mind.
Miles Davis
4/5
Miles Davis is brilliant, this was an unusual listen in the sense that it sort of washed over me and didn't hook me as such, but sort of went deep into me in the background, unknown. I'd like to listen again when not working to see how it feels a second time.
Dizzee Rascal
4/5
This was revolutionary as a teenager and hit the note of angst-ridden faux gangster 16 year old me. Still has strong vibes.
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
The 13 minute+ tracks are both the best and worst parts of the album. Such musical skill on show but when they are more concise and controlled and less (don't wish to cast aspersions but probably) heavily intoxicated they are certainly more affective. Can't deny brilliance though.
The Undertones
3/5
A fun, short album with some good energy and catchy hooks.
Jeff Beck
4/5
Wow, Zeppelin much? Rod Stewart on vocals, actually liked. Guitar playing outstanding!
Air
4/5
This is quite an impressive piece of music and works together as one seamless whole and creates quite an engaging and almost spiritual feel to it. I do enjoy generally listening to this ambient style of music anyway, but this one felt compellingly coherent, playing I suppose to the requirements of the film.
Fiona Apple
3/5
I read some of the reviews of this album before I listened to it and I think a lot of people were a little too scathing of her. Some people seem to have painted her as overly whiny and talking about how it's so hard to exist in the music game as a woman, but I didn't really get that sort of vibe from the album. I felt that there was a lot of interesting content and I thought actually musically, it was quite impressive and not as generic and made in simple software like was suggested by many. So I was overall quite pleased with my listening experience. Comfortable three stars.
Coldplay
4/5
I always found it interesting that the band apparently hate this album. I mean, yes, lyrically pretty basic, but their most recent material is far more rudimentary in lyrical terms than this and overloaded with synthetic party-pleasing Calvin Harris vibes. Some of the tracks on this are actually quite beautiful. It's not A Rush of Blood to the Head, but that's in a league of it's own (in Coldplay terms)
Oh, and this album is one of my album anniversaries this coming half term in school. 25 years old. What??
Big Brother & The Holding Company
4/5
So Joplin had stuff before her solo work? There you go, who knew! And the style of the recording, really rugged, matches her rugged voice perfectly. Great album.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
Perfect guitar-driven rock, that sounds like it could have been their greatest hits.
Todd Rundgren
3/5
Whilst this was great, it was a heck of a slog to get through 4 sides! All of them had a slightly different, unique character to them and to know that the music was mostly performed and written all by himself is quite remarkable. An epic piece.
Bill Evans Trio
4/5
The best thing for background, but not enough for the foreground.
Gene Clark
4/5
Smooth as silk on vocals and just glides effortlessly from front to back. Lovely storytelling but really cohesive more than anything.
Soul II Soul
2/5
One or two good songs does not a good album make.
Heaven 17
2/5
A very 80s, dancey, slightly risqué album that often sounded like a precursor to some of the big 80s bands. Probably set some tones for the decade to come.
I didn't particularly like those tones though.
Portishead
4/5
Probably one my most 'local' albums of the 1001, beats that still bang and a voice that is still beautiful. More importantly a stylistic and genre defining piece.
The Chemical Brothers
4/5
I'm probably more of a Surrender man really. However, this still bangs. Final two tracks are probably my favourite and more expansive.
Meat Loaf
4/5
Undeniably fun, head-banging, sing-a-long madness
The Doors
4/5
This was preferable to my previous Doors album from the list, Morrison hotel. Whilst that felt pretty coherent and well crafted, this felt more honest and true to their aim. Riders on the Storm is about as good a last track on your last album before you die too.
Fred Neil
3/5
The cover and name didn't make me want to listen. The voice absolutely did. 'That's the bag I'm in' was a great track.
Os Mutantes
3/5
This is that unusual, crazy, but weirdly wonderful stuff that we are after from this isn't it?
Billy Bragg
4/5
There's no questioning Woody Guthrie's lyrical genius and they've pulled it off pretty well here.
Aretha Franklin
5/5
My second Aretha generated and still as beautiful and brilliant as ever. Incomparable.
Cowboy Junkies
3/5
Ordinarily not something I'd hugely get on board with, but the slower pace and country vibes fit my bank holiday weekend camping in the sun with a beer in my hand and headphones on pretty well.
Dead Kennedys
3/5
This was a nice change of pace. Holiday in Cambodia is a THPS trip down memory lane that I'm always happy to take. Short enough and meaningful enough content to be a valid piece of content on this list.
The Stone Roses
5/5
Hard to fault. Criminal that they never produced anything close to as good as this again. Fool's Gold beat stuck in my head non-stop for the rest of the day.
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
Isn't much better than a little Brucey bonus to start your week off. Consistency like few others.
Kings of Leon
3/5
I'd probably like this a lot more if I hadn't been traumatised by the sheer quantity of over-listening of 'sex on fire' in my university days. Which shouldn't make as much of a difference as it does, but it does.
Basically just The Strokes but with more of a southern voice and not as clever. So, there better be some Strokes on this list to compensate.
My Bloody Valentine
3/5
I like this a lot more than I thought I would. It felt a bit dirge-like at the start but it almost took on a hypnotic element.
Pixies
3/5
I'm not particularly in the know around Pixies, and only know the tracks that everyone does. This album felt like a debut album, and like a predecessor to their next great step. Too haphazard for my liking. I'm hoping there is another album on the list from them that can show them hitting their peak?
Joni Mitchell
4/5
Mitchell's voice is never not beautiful and the arrangements always complement her so perfectly. It's not 'Blue' but very few albums come close to that.
Bonnie Raitt
1/5
No. When you play this album and your streaming service follows up with Into the Mystic by Van Morrison and Carey by Joni Mitchell, it helps put this poor showing into even starker perspective.
The Black Keys
4/5
Wow, this album caught some heat in the reviews. This was the first Blac Key's album I remember listening too, and so I don't pine for their grinder earlier albums and lament the change. I also think that although some of the later tracks do sound a bit samey, there is a lot of quality and pop value to the first half for sure.
Burning Spear
4/5
I loved these vibes. Sunny day, important messages but such beautiful harmony and brilliant musicianship. What my day needed.
Ice T
4/5
Bloated. But Ice-T is goated.
Top gangsta rap, does what you'd expect.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Remarkably haven't listened to this one in full before. One listen in, I feel like I've missed out on this. For all of IV being my favourite, there is a heck of a lot of value in this one too. Gotta probably be a near 5, let's round up!
U2
3/5
I had the misfortune of growing up around late 90s and 00s U2. This tiff was actually okay.
Venom
2/5
Scrapes a 2 because many of the lyrics hit well shortly after the death of the pope.
Super Furry Animals
4/5
One of the better British rock contributions of my teenage years, probably deserves a place on the list. There is some great songs and inventive use of vocals and varied accompaniments. I still sometimes sing "You've got to tolerate all those people that you hate," when dealing with some tough ones at work.
Coldplay
5/5
I know people will hate Coldplay, but the piano playing and the level of beauty to these songs makes them brilliant. Whilst this album is brilliant in my eye, it is their only brilliant album and they just got worse year on year after this. My favourite tracks on this are actually mostly the album tracks rather than the singles, Green Eyes and Amsterdam are great.
CHVRCHES
5/5
This album has always been loved by me. I went on a very long car journey with a friend and we set the challenge of an album from the 80s, 90s, 00s and 10s where one was from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. I chose my 10s album as Scotland and went for this absolute gem. Absolutely beautiful album and synth-pop at its finest.
Pantera
3/5
A quite enjoyable and appropriate level of angst for an accompaniment to my weekly Tesco shop.
Tom Waits
2/5
Not my favourite Tom Waits album, his voice is already a gritty one and this album seems to go to extremes of pushing it beyond what I can cope with comfortably. When he smooths it out a bit, I can get on board more.
T. Rex
3/5
Pretty fun, that voice is just smooth as butter.
Bad Company
4/5
Okay, this was cool. Very easy listening. That voice man.
The Velvet Underground
1/5
I mean I just can't even. That final track will haunt me forever.
Eagles
4/5
Possible to not like a band but quite like an album? Yes.
Common
5/5
17 year old hip hop head when this came out blew me away. Kanye and Dilla doing all the beats was always going to hit hard. Common absolutely killed it as well. Didn't need to listen to this again for 5 stars but was a beautiful journey to be taken on once more. Brilliance.
Daft Punk
4/5
Discovery better be on the list, as it took this album, worked out the kinks and stepped it up on the hard hitting grooves. This one has too much distortion and heavy heavy bass. But was the precursor to something great.
Violent Femmes
4/5
That was great fun. Bolster in the sun is a great opening and then I was in for the ride. I'm sure I'm not alone in finding out that Gone Daddy Gone is not a Gnarls Barkleytrack!
Lorde
3/5
Whilst this obviously has some bangers, it is rather generic at times and there's only so much of the subject matter I can relate to as a 37 year old father of 2
G. Love & Special Sauce
2/5
I remember this album when Jack Johnson was getting a lot of airtime during my skate/surf teenage years. I wasn't much good at skating and definitely not at surfing. This album is hit and miss at being good at music. It's the musical equivalent to doing a kick flip in the skating world. Kids with little greater knowledge of music will think it's great but anybody with any expertise know that it's barely scratching the surface.
Iggy Pop
4/5
I spent the whole album not knowing any of the Bowie links and just thinking that I had no idea that Iggy's solo stuff sounded so much like Bowie.
Bowie was rather good wasn't he. This album was also pretty good.
The White Stripes
4/5
Literally spent all of last week listening to this album in my class with my year 6 pupils as it was celebrating its 20th anniversary. Blue Orchid is a banging start and it's pretty good tracks all the way through with a good range of tempo and musicianship on show. Actually prefer this to Elephant and their others.
Blur
5/5
Parklife is my favourite album and encapsulates what was great about them for me: fun, cheeky, hit lines and hooks that become earworms and mundane drudgery of British everyday culture being brought to life.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
3/5
I wasn't 'spellbound' by this. The opening half was strong but the last half felt too samey.
The Beach Boys
5/5
When I think of 'pop music' this is probably the album that first comes to mind, or certainly is up there. Quintessential pop music.
Talking Heads
4/5
I hadn't listened to his album in its entirety. Obviously impossible to have missed Psycho Killer. But this is high quality for a debut isn't it. Great to explore in relation to their later work, which suffice to say I was playing for the rest of the day!
Talking Heads
4/5
2 days in a row of Talking Heads. Debut yesterday and this one today! What a treat. A more mature and confident sound and a desire to talk about some interesting content. Cities is great.
Magazine
3/5
A nice surprise. Good energy. Have to admit the cover made me apprehensive but I got a fair bit of joy, especially the opening 3 or 4 tracks.
Leonard Cohen
2/5
I needed a lift on this Monday morning. This put me in a drab mood for the duration.
John Lennon
3/5
Well well well was exactly track I needed. Its not my favourite Lennon album and it's not a patch on the best Beatles, but it's still got a lot of value.
The Specials
2/5
Everything just feels a little mismatched and incoherent. 2 stars for reminding me of C&A and Enjoy Yourself.
Travis
4/5
Soft Radiohead for pussies. Well it just so happens that I'm a bit of a pussy.
Solomon Burke
4/5
This is that just absolute pure, beautiful music that I'm after, joyous.
Megadeth
4/5
Holy fuck, I did not expect to love this quite so much. The guitar absolutely shreds. Perfect length album, no overly-long tracks. Meaningful lyrical content. Well, there you go, Megadeth, I didn't know.
A lot of time for that cover too.
The Sonics
1/5
How can an album full of covers with just extra 'aaaaoooowwws' be worthy of inclusion on this list. Surely 'influence' alone shouldn't count that much.
Dolly Parton
4/5
A beautiful little album. Tracks that are short and sweet, poignant, and of course, beautifully sung.
3/5
I'm more of a Parklife man, and this doesn't hold as many obvious hits, but there's no denying that it laid the foundations for greatness and demonstrated the beginnings of what those that love Blur love about them. Oily Water is my favourite track here.
Joanna Newsom
3/5
There is an obvious unorthodox beauty to this album. The instrumentation carries the album along in an ethereal state. Whilst I catch glimpses of lyrical genius across the album I get a sense that I'd need to study the lyrics more to recognise just how clever they are, yet that isn't quite how I feel music should be digested. I'm also a sucker for the 3m30-5 min song construction variety which Newsom clearly isn't!
Christine and the Queens
4/5
I listto both the English and French ones. I would say just go French, far less stilted and probably closer to their truth.
3/5 but 1 extra because my name is Chris.
Sigur Rós
4/5
Achingly beautiful and dreamlike. Worthy.
Stevie Wonder
3/5
Being in the shadow of 'Songs in the key of life' must be hard for any album. Solid Stevie.
Björk
4/5
I absorbed this album into me whilst running on a North Devon beach in the sunshine and it washed over me brilliantly. Loved it. 'Post' must be on the list as well surely?
The Who
3/5
It's surprising (to me at least) how poppy, Beatles-like and American early Who was. It's good, probably quite jmportant, but I'm not particularly excited by it.
The Stooges
2/5
Gritty, brassy, feels like a live album with some punk-jazz vibes. I'm not sure whether I was necessitated into it mind, but fair play to that raw energy.
Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
3/5
A surprising 3 stars from an 80s British band with terrible cover and band name that I'd never heard if and probably will forget about in a week or two. I was expecting complete disappointment so I can't moan. Strings were a surprising inclusion and appreciated.
B.B. King
4/5
Whilst this list might be pretty inconsistent on most days, every live album I've had - my 4th now I think - has been a great experience.
Getting this bit right for sure.
David Bowie
3/5
Get rid of tracks 6-9 and replace with something more worthwhile (ie the rest of the album) and then you get 4 stars.
Booker T. & The MG's
4/5
Organs are cool. Green onions are spring onions so it goes from a 5 to a 4 for that reason only.
Guided By Voices
2/5
I don't really understand why they only finished about 3 of these songs. They all start and then they all finish. I feel like there was potential to this. Quite Shins-y at times. But, just, like... finish a song!!
Cocteau Twins
2/5
Dream pop before Beach House cam along and showed you how to do dream pop.
OutKast
5/5
Whilst many might think of The Love Below/Speakerboxxx when it comes to Outkast, this is by far and away their best work. Each track hits. Bombs over Baghdad is a masterpiece. Lots of the features being local artists and it being made in their home town, I think they must have really just hit a perfect moment as artists. Was one of my favourite albums as a teenager and was lovely to revisit today!
PJ Harvey
4/5
An interesting take on the concept of 'England' that required a lot of knowledge and incredible musicianship to craft. Some catchy stuff and a lot of the historical parable-like tales give me Decemberist vibes.
Black Sabbath
4/5
I don't think I'd quite appreciated how Zeppelin, Sabbath are. This album was not as dark as I maybe expected and funking rocked basically.
4/5
Two PJ Harvey albums in 3 days, separated by Black Sabbath.
I would not have expected to be giving all of these albums 4 stars at the beginning of the week.
Such a different album to 'Let England Shake' but there is such brilliance once more. Track with Thom Yorke is perhaps unsurprisingly a standout.
The Auteurs
2/5
Another album on the list I'm not convinced by. I don't think it's distinctly important. Lyrically okay, musically okay, nasally uninspired vocal delivery.
Hopefully it's one of the removed ones across reprints?!
The Young Gods
1/5
Non merci
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
I mean, you can't deny there are some incredible singles on here. 29 mins is a great shout for this project too. 'A hazy shade of winter' did a great job pf packing in a lot for less than 2 and a half minutes. Top track.
Bridge over troubled water was always my favourite probably still is, but this is close.
Paul McCartney
3/5
This felt cathartic amidst all the shit that was happening at the end of the Beatles. I think it was a processing album. It was a chance to come to terms with the loss of an important part of his life for the last 10 years.
Very interesting, but not necessarily enthralling.
Public Image Ltd.
1/5
It just felt a little bit on the side of very average to poor punk, that.
The Lemonheads
3/5
I didn't really feel a lot for this in either direction. So, a 3 I suppose? Just not inspiring me.
Wu-Tang Clan
5/5
Raw, I'm a give it to ya, no trivia, I'm like cocaine straight from Bolivia, my hip hop will rock and shock the nation like the emancipation proclamation.
Absolute 💯
Pink Floyd
4/5
As a rock opera, unmatched. An epic, sprawling, haunting masterpiece. Take 60% of the songs as individuals and you're probably not keen. But as a whole, brilliant.
Japan
3/5
Duran Duran but a little darker
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
How had I never heard the track 'High tide or low tide' before, sounded like it should be one of his best known!!
Solid showing all the way through, as you'd expect.
Scott Walker
3/5
Loved this voice. I'm pretty sure I'd never heard this guy's music before, but his songs sounded instantly memorable. Old man's back again was great.
Black Sabbath
5/5
Did everyone get given Sabbath today, the day after Ozzy's death?
I mean, it was apt and brilliant and exactly what today needed, so it's a 5
Pavement
2/5
Im6mot particularly enthused. Influence or not to some great indie bands, I didn't really enjoy.
Funkadelic
3/5
I mean, it's undeniably funky.
The crying on the last track scared the shit out of me when it happened though. A funky beat made terrifying with that and the rest of the shit going on.
Sade
3/5
One cool muthajazzer
System Of A Down
4/5
All I ever knew was Toxicity and Hypnotize/Mesmerize, perhaps because this one came out when I was ten. It's not toxicity levels of enjoyment but this still had the fun of those albums and the absolute carnage that I loved too.
My wife asked me to turn it down whilst I was making lunch though.
The Band
3/5
There's some pretty good tracks on here and some seriously heartfelt, passionate song delivery. Tears of Rage and The Weight are obvious highlights.
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
3/5
Ice T and Chuck D vibes. Very political and poetic. Lots of important messages, but the delivery becomes a bit too much for an hour's worth. Better when he intersperses with a little more of the comedy and the variety of vocal delivery.
Anita Baker
2/5
I'm not all that sure about this inclusion. There are numerous 80s and 90s female pop/soul vocalists who have surely produced more valuable and influential albums. It was 'nice' enough, but mehh.
The Stooges
3/5
Not my absolute favourite Stooges album, but the vocal range and delivery always impresses well and it hit the spot pretty well.
Goldfrapp
4/5
Beautiful vocals. Clowns and Happiness are lovely tracks.
Goldfrapp were one of the first bands I saw live and at my very first Glastonbury in 2004. Pre this album, but they still hold some significance for me. I also had my first proper snog watching them too, so there's a special place for this group in my heart!
John Grant
3/5
Part of me felt 'pick a lane!' but then the variety was quite cool too. The track about films and aliens made me laugh. Some of the lyrics were madness but also brilliant.
Title track was probably my favourite, but it became more engaging in the last half generally.
The Velvet Underground
3/5
Banana.
Distortion.
Risqué lyrical content.
Some more distortion.
Some great song making hiding amidst the drugs.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
It is bloated. A double album always seems either an extravagance or a lack of a good production team who were willing to whittle it down to an appropriate number of tracks.
The guitar seems to be grooving very nicely in the first half and, as some other reviews seem to have noted, became less enamouring in the last portions.
Still, it's Zeppelin.
Fela Kuti
5/5
Fucking yes man, sitting in sunshine with my 4th pint of the day and this on. Absolutely fucking glorious. What a groove.
The White Stripes
4/5
When they rock harder it works better.
Fatboy Slim
5/5
I can understand people not getting this. But if you've been in a field or tent as a teenager at one of his shows then it'll become clear. Rhythmic, pounding, heartbeat-altering, bowel-bass-rumbling tunes that you will be drenched in sweat after.
Nitin Sawhney
4/5
This is exactly the sort of culturally important, something-I've-not-listened-to-befpre content that I was hopeful of. Unique in delivery and range, some really beautiful, moving pieces and some significant history captured from a perspective other than the mainstream white western world
Neil Young
3/5
I can always happily listen to a Neil Young album but never truly invest in it and love it. His voice is always haunting and emotional and engaging. But I honestly have never listened to an album of his and then wanted to listen to it again.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
I don't have as much or an aversion to Costello as most of the reviewers clearly have. A lot of this felt quite raw and emotional and not necessarily 'polished' and I quite like that about it.
Al Green
3/5
A soulful, beautiful voice and a serene and easy ride throughout the album, yet, not blown away by standout tracks apart from the obvious couple. Happily put on as background any time though.
The Young Rascals
2/5
I left my wallet in El Segundo sample!!
Worth 2 stars at least for that. Doesn't quite have the same level of interest as A Tribe Called Quest have for me though.
Jack White
3/5
There were elements of this that were better than much of The White Stripes I've listened to recently, which was a pleasant surprise. However a lot of the last half just merged into one a little bit.
Marvin Gaye
5/5
Such emotional depth. Often you struggle to hear just how impassioned an artist is with their lyrical content. Not here. Sheer, raw emotion and beautifully crafted from beginning to end.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
2/5
I'm still not inspired after my second offering from Siouxsie. It's okay and I can imagine of it's time it was groundbreaking. Probably doesn't help that it's not my go to sound anyway.
Black Flag
2/5
It feels like something I would have enjoyed as a 16 year old, beers etc. 20 years on, it's a little less up my street now. I did like the music mix that was played after the album of related tracks mind.
The Doors
4/5
This is what I think of when I think of the Doors, and this is good.
Nick Drake
3/5
Beautiful, simple and seemed... Earnest? I enjoyed it but wasn't suddenly awake to a new obsession like many seem to have with this fella. That said, I felt that if I'd explored it more lyrically and contextually then I might uncover a greater interest in him.
Elton John
3/5
Sometimes I'm in an Elton mood, sometimes his voice seems too 'put on' and over-egged and it grates. This album walks the line a bit. Some of the tracks are pure Elton and I'm on board with, but sometimes his faux-American tones take it too far for me?
Amy Winehouse
5/5
Dark, beautiful, sad, a perfect capture of her emotional state. You can feel the pain and the attempt to get through her challenges using music so creatively and astoundingly. Musically brilliant and lyrically engaging.
A shame there wasn't more, a redemptive third album where she is free of pain would have been beautiful.
Dire Straits
5/5
Effortlessly cool guitar work. Songs that sound great and meaningful now, even after 40 years.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
Hard to see past the conflict of 'Oliver's Army' - what has the makings of a brilliant song is tainted.
And then he spends the last track of the album ruminating over peace, love and understanding. Well, there you go.
It was a better album than the last Elvis Costello album on the list. But, reviews suggest I've got quite a bit more to endure.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Give me Exile on Main St please. Now that is a fully complete Stones album that demonstrates their musical value. This is a bit meh.
Neneh Cherry
3/5
I have to admit that this was a lot better than I was anticipating. Only knew Buffalo Stance, a lot of it a similar vein, although not as catchy.
This feels like 1989, must be same era as when Madonna was trying out a similar vibe.
I panicked when I saw 1989 and thought that this may have been included genre-wise at the expense of De La Soul's 1989 debut, but fortunately not as that would have been a rap crime.
Wilco
2/5
When the tempo picks up a bit in the last half of the album, I'm more on board, but the opening half felt a bit drab. It seems to be doing roughly what The Shins do, but with less spirit and enjoyment.
Prince
5/5
Undeniably, a masterpiece.
Miles Davis
5/5
Damn, that was just about the best vibe. My car journey in had large periods where I suddenly went... "Oh, what I'm here already?" I got so entranced by the music.
Very rarely do I replay an album later that day from this list. This time however I nearly went for a third.
Leonard Cohen
3/5
You have to be in a certain place to receive this music, and I don't necessarily think I was quite there. Leonard Cohen's voice has always not quite appealed to me either.
However, the situation, the poetic reflection on everything is quite a marvel. The choir accompanying points often add a pleasant lift.
Teenage Fanclub
3/5
Plenty fun enough, but not enough about it to make me jump on their bandwagon.
Boston
4/5
A lot of fun rocking out to this in the car on the way to work.
I feel like '30-something dad of two' is the audience for this album and I am that audience. Rocking.
Arrested Development
4/5
There is a lot to love about this album: its socially conscious themes and lyrics, the effort to bring in a cultural fusion of themes and music, and great instrumentation.
Mr Wendel and Everyday People were well known to me as a hip hop listener in my teens, I'd never heard the album in full. As with many hip hop albums of the 90s, it is bloated with some filler and overly long as a result. Nas, the following year, showed that a hip hop could be condensed to 10 tracks to great success with his debut.
I have to admit I got a bit bored on the vocal delivery by the end too. Overall, though, a lot to be positive about.
Sister Sledge
5/5
Save yourself the pain of any of the 1995 remaster remixes and just listen to the 8 original tracks.
Hard to believe that so many bangers are on one album. This disco does not suck.
The Cure
2/5
The Cure for what? This was miserable.
I liked the drums on occasion. Scrapes a 2.
Foo Fighters
4/5
There's only one Foos album on the list and it is their debut?
What Grohl did in making this album largely solo is a marvel. But to not have The Colour and The Shape on the list is a big misstep.
This album set them on the way and was still excellent but not the 5 that their follow up was.
Stephen Stills
3/5
Was it listenable? Yeah sure, I felt like I'd heard every track without having heard it before. Will I listen to it again? No, because I left like I'd heard every track before.
Portishead
4/5
Hauntingly beautiful. The instrumentation is brilliant as always with Portishead and the eerie vocals, which can sometimes be too much for me, didn't prove to be so on this album.
The Mamas & The Papas
3/5
The last half of the album felt stronger than the first half. I don't know whether that was simply because California Dreamin' put me in a more receptive mood or what, but it felt that way.
Who gave the okay for that album cover though? What the hell!
Joy Division
2/5
I hadn't realised the circumstances of the album when I listened. Read up afterwards. The album made more sense then. But whilst it might have increased its value it didn't increase the enjoyment for me.
Scissor Sisters
3/5
Undeniably fun, but apart from the singles, nothing all that catchy and memorable. Worth a listen though, and if you can't find a little joy in some of this then you're probably a bit dead inside.
Marvin Gaye
4/5
Sexy
Roni Size
3/5
I've listened probably to more drum and bass than the majority of people doing this list.
Brown Paper Bag is absolutely brilliant, structurally a great template for many further drum and bass artists, and is a very early peak in the album. Effectively, for me, this album works at its best when there are less or no vocals. That is a little bit my preference in the genre anyway, often the lyrics just make me cringe or don't carry enough weight or purpose to be worthwhile.
A lot to love in it, and inspired a lot of great modern artists that have taken the genre forward.
Run-D.M.C.
5/5
Easily one of the most important albums in one of my favourite genres. Understandably dated, of course, it's over 40 years old? There weren't many rap groups around and sonically very little options were available to two MCs and one DJ to create varied production.
It's vital, witty and brilliant so it gets a 5.
David Bowie
4/5
This is my fourth Bowie album from the list and easily the most consistent yet. The short and sweet approach helps, the 10 minute opener an exception - but didn't feel at all like 10 minutes. 6 songs, all strong and a very coherent and powerfully evocative album. Almost a 5.
Soundgarden
4/5
Chris Cornell was a brilliant singer. I always found his voice incredible. It shines on herel. Some tracks seem to foreshadow his end without being obvious, and shows he maybe always had some troubles thoughts and challenges without it being overt.
Very few voices that can challenge him in rock. All said, 16 tracks and 70 minutes definitely started to feel too long. Needed slimming down, but some great tracks within it.
Jacques Brel
2/5
Très français.
Deux croissants s'il vous plaît.
Donald Fagen
3/5
Unashamed amalgamation of all that the 80s had to offer. Felt like the median song of the GTA Vice City soundtrack
Nirvana
4/5
Is it wrong that I prefer a more polished sound? I completely get the point and the fighting back against media and expectations but I struggled a bit with 'Tourette's' and 'Scentless Apprentice' (despite a cool drum groove on this one.)
For those without a background understanding of the band and Cobain's position, 'Rape Me' could understandably be a difficult and shocking listen. Hopefully, there is enough out there for people to comprehend its purpose.
My favourite tracks are those that wouldn't feel out of place on Nevermind: 'heart-shaped box' and 'all apologies' in particular. I don't feel bad about that though. Also, pretty high ranking on the album cover front.
Michael Kiwanuka
5/5
The sound of souls being healed. Listened to it straight through again after finishing.
Keen for more modern listens that have slipped by me. Lovely inclusion.
Echo And The Bunnymen
2/5
Not excited by this. Started and ended well but the middle was uninspiring.
Also, the cucumber, cauliflower, cabbage thing? What the actual?
The Prodigy
4/5
This has more variety and depth than I remember. I always recall thinking that there was a little too much of the same and a distinct lack of bass and depth to songs, but actually there's more there in this listen alongside the classics.
3 kilos gave me bonobo/Quantic vibes (which is a winner).
I got introduced to The Prodigy at the time of Fat of the Land, and that will always be the zenith for me. This is a close second.
Radiohead
4/5
The Bends, Kid A and Ok Computer are some of the best albums going in my book. I don't even consider myself a Radiohead fan particularly.
This one is far less accessible and a hard to access Radiohead album is not a good sign for the general audience members taking on this list. It's a good album, I enjoyed it, but it's so much grittier, no real catchy hooks or even particularly catchy rhythms and bass lines like in other works.
I'm torn between a 3 and a 4. It's a 3 and a half for sure. I'm going to lean to a 4 because I would go back to it and a lot of 3s I don't go back to.
Michael Jackson
5/5
All the best artists are fucking mental. Obviously no different in this case.
Wall-to-wall brilliant pop with amazing production. Absolute 5.
The Stranglers
3/5
This was great, with the exception of a lot of objectification of women in quite a crude way, bringing it down.
Big points for organ playing though!
Stevie Wonder
4/5
On my wedding anniversary. An album saturated with so much love, getting soppy listening to it. Lots of classics, lots of beautiful vocal. Slightly over sweet at times but was okay with that today.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
1/5
This was a lot, both in the literal time sense but also in the sense-battering intensity side of things too. An hour and a half of this is a lot to ask of me. I managed ten of the twelve tracks before i just couldn't take any more. I don't fell like I would have been missing anything from the final 2? But it saved me 14 minutes of challenge.
Underworld
4/5
Way more subtle, layered and interesting than I was expecting. Had a more boisterous 'born slippy' view of Underworld in my head. This gave me a very good different perspective to them.
N.W.A.
5/5
Where this album shines is with the production and sampling. The bass lines hit so hard all across. Gangsta Gangsta's sample hits so good.
Lots of these tracks set the way for so much of rap music for the years to come.
I've criticised a lot of previous albums from 90s, 80s and before for their misogyny and lack of social awareness. But this is fucking gangsta rap you fucking idiots, of course it's going to be like this you muthafucking bitch.
Funkadelic
4/5
Obviously funky, but perhaps less obviously rocks pretty hard as well. Guitar is very enjoyable. About as mad a collection of track names as you could imagine having. I'm definitely under this groove though.
The xx
4/5
Calm, serene and beautiful. Particularly the front half of the album.
Turbonegro
2/5
The sort of lyrical content I would have dreamed up as a pubescent boy.
Enjoyed the guitar. Should have been an instrumental album. Did the band know what the singer was laying over the top of their creations??!
Ramones
4/5
Punchy, raw, straight to the point and completely raucous for 30 mins straight. Yes, there is an element of similarity between tracks, but what were you expecting? For them to turn into Queen or ABBA (or any other 70s stars) for a track or two and then seamlessly turn back in order for some variety? It's hard hitting punk from start to finish.
Otis Redding
3/5
Made me just want to go and listen to Sam Cooke to be fair. Lots of classic songs with excellent delivery and an incredible backing band. Often pine for the original regardless though.
Genesis
3/5
I didn't really get whether this was a 'musical' or not? It felt like it was but I also didn't feel like a got a coherent story or theme to it all?
Nevertheless, for a 90 minute album it actually held up okay. Obviously a lot of fill, but there were tracks, particularly in the first third that were well worth listening too. Needed distilling.
Massive Attack
5/5
Stuck between a 4 and a 5 for this.
Some of the rapping is not for me, feels a bit dated and not effectively complimenting just how audaciously perfect the instrumental elements of this album are. Nelson absolutely smashes it with every second of her involvement and brings it up to the 5 with her levels of perfection.
Yes
2/5
I literally had an hour and a half Genesis album two days ago, that exhausted all of my patience. What the hell is going on with the randomness of the track structure? Here's an 8 minute track (that albeit is a relatively decent album opening), here's a minute and a half of Brahms? What? Felt properly conceited at times. Stop with the high quantity of prog rock.
Franz Ferdinand
5/5
The tonic I needed after a prog rock heavy week. Fun, simple and catchy as hell. Not all music needs to be madly intricate and confusing and difficult to interpret!!
Simon & Garfunkel
5/5
Very few perfect albums out there. This has got to come close.
The Strokes
5/5
Great cover, hard-hitting, catchy songs with lyrics to scream and riffs to tap your toes to. Sub 40 minutes with no filler. Absolute winner.
The Blue Nile
3/5
Had no expectations and was pleasantly surprised. Some of the strings were lovely and the vocals weren't as difficult to engage with as I half expected!
Astor Piazzolla
1/5
Haunting. Felt like I was trapped in a fairground, but not in a good way.
Meat Puppets
3/5
Instrumentals were often epic, vocals were hit and miss. Interesting mix of styles throughout.
New Order
2/5
I like synth, but this is a lot of synth. Best track was Elegia by far. Balanced the synth levels well with an emotive set of other instrumentation.
And also, has anyone noticed that Sumner is just a terrible vocalist?
The 13th Floor Elevators
1/5
The jug is bad. This much jug is absolute insanity.
Does this just make the list because of the audacious amount of jug??
Beatles
5/5
Somehow took me 272 albums to generate a Beatles album.
This is their first 'great' album in my opinion, when they really came into their own in songwriting and experimentation and most definitely is an album that you should listen to before you die.
Jeff Buckley
5/5
One of the albums that I've always felt I should listen to but never did.
Buckley's voice is something special and their are some truly beautiful songs on here. I actually listened to this album 3 and a half times today and it was a special experience. This is what I was hoping I would come across during this journey!
Rufus Wainwright
2/5
I don't have much to say. Yes, sounds a bit like Thom Yorke, yes it's obviously not as good as Radiohead.
Deep Purple
4/5
I plan on suing this app for the whiplash I got today from severe levels of head banging.
Damn, those guitars man!!!!
MGMT
4/5
No denying the quality and staying power of the big singles. The rest of the album plays nicely, and although not as memorable, certainly not a disappointing track amongst them. Solid 4.
Radiohead
5/5
This is my third Radiohead album from the list. Two of the less 'important' ones previously: Hail to the Thief and In Rainbows.
This is obviously a masterpiece and is haunting and beautiful and still packs of lot of relevant meaning considering it's nearly 30 years old. Electioneering is absolutely one of my favourite Radiohead tracks.
The Roots
5/5
This is not the best Roots album. But, this album is definitely one of the most ambitious and genre-encompassing. My preference is to lean towards Things Fall Apart, The Tipping Point or even Illadelph Half-life when I choose a Roots CD to pop on. That said, a re-listen today shows just how much these guys can master music in all of its varieties, and there are still some absolute bangers on here to boot.
k.d. lang
3/5
This was not something I'd go to normally, but this was a beautiful voice to accompany me on my Tesco shop. Very pleasant and calming and at just the right tempo.
The Pogues
3/5
Gave me some nice memories of my visits to Ireland, as regardless of lyrical content and themes, this just screams Ireland at you. Particularly the tracks with The Dubliners. At least fairytale of NY was listened to in November rather than the height of summer.
Malcolm McLaren
2/5
The UK grapples with its changing multiculturalism in the 80s and is influenced and altered, doesn't know if it's appropriation or embracing. I'm still not sure either. Some sounds overwhelmingly 80s, some bang.
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
4/5
Important on a social and political level. Bloated by unnecessary covers and a poor middle to final quarter. Buoyed by some amazing singles, Two Tribes is still an incredible standout track.
The Beach Boys
4/5
This was the most 'Beatles' that I've heard the Beach Boys. I've only ever listened to a couple of their albums all the way through. This one I wasn't even aware of. Much more ambitious and experimental than what I knew by them. Have to admit I prefer a little less of Brian Wilson on the vocals. There are some kooky tracks but also some real quality too.
Dinosaur Jr.
2/5
I saw very little high value musical content in this. Seemed like a lot of drudgery and poor vocal delivery with occasional good instrumental patches. Too much angst for me, although would have probably been of use age 15.
Aerosmith
2/5
Mildly interesting at times, particularly the big tracks that obviously hit hard. But 10 inch is creepy as fuck, especially when you know how big a creep Tyler was.
3/5
Is the cover meant to be a vagina?
If the Beatles had made half of these tracks they would probs be heaped with praise. A lot of good tracks with some quite wacky topics and approaches taken!
Prince
5/5
Such a horny little man. So over sexualised that it is unreal! The first half of the album is absolutely brilliant, last third is mehh, it became a bit too much like I was spectating a Prince gangbang.
I still think it's probably a 5 star album mind!
Bobby Womack
3/5
Soulful and smooth, an easy listen, although not as memorable or funky as I perhaps was hoping.
Taylor Swift
3/5
Taylor Swift gets a lot of shit just for being popular. This is a pleasant listen, it is quite good lyrically, she has an enjoyable voice and although the backing is quite sparse it is enjoyable. I happen to be a fan of Bon Over and The National and their inclusion on the album is obviously great, but their musical influence seems to have made a wider impact on the album too.
I would of course, rather listen to them but this album has good value.
Johnny Cash
5/5
This is my second live Cash album. I gave San Quentin 5 stars, and this is somehow even better. With SQ I had no idea what I was going to hear, with this one I roughly knew what to expect but it's still just delivered so we'll.
The songs are perfect for the environment. The announcements, the boos for the lieutenant, the side comments and jokes. It's brilliant.
Faith No More
3/5
When the singing is really unleashed and the guitars are given the freedom to go for it, this is good. Overall strong but some of it wasn't super exciting in the last third.
Pet Shop Boys
1/5
A lot of 90s UK pop clichés in this.
I also struggle with the clipped, posh voice of the vocalist and always have. Found it a struggle to get through.
I get that this may have some significance for some demographics but not at all for me.
Janet Jackson
2/5
What's the deal with 80s and 90s hip hop albums and the 'interlude'. Why did anybody think this was necessary?
Some of the songs seem a bit preachy and not sure how much she backed this up with actions in her life? Happy to be proven wrong on this.
The tracks where she was more 'Prince-y' and less preachy were far better. But why not just listen to a Prince album?
A lot of the production is very similar and that can be a bit of a drag.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
2/5
Sometimes I feel bad about it, but I am hugely indifferent to any of the work of Neil Young.
Morrissey
4/5
Morrissey is great, I think I'm probably as cynical and grumpy as him, so we make a good match. His voice always resonates for me and his social perspectives are always interesting if not always agreed with!
CHIC
4/5
Funky, delicious Sunday morning for me here. Bass line will be going around my head for the rest of it.
The Who
3/5
Quite a dark, sobering story to tell. I wonder as a Who fan at the time how this would have been received to knock out a rock opera like this. Tackling abuse is always a hard battle, straddling crude and upsetting with thoughtful reflections, but that's kind of the point.
Not much to refer to as a single. I felt like I needed to listen to it, and am glad to have seen it through. I didn't necessarily enjoy it as an experience all that much though.
M.I.A.
5/5
A crazy, exotic mix of London and all of its cultural influences. A great voice to capture it and beats that absolutely bang. Had to listen twice.
Mekons
1/5
There were a couple of tracks where they constructed a song. But mostly it was just nonsense backed by mostly unpleasant violin.
Supergrass
4/5
I like Supergrass. I like this album. Is it a vitally important album of modern music despite its fun? Not sure how revolutionary it was. Still great mind.
Gets a 4 especially as 'Sun hits the sky' was playing with a beautiful sunrise on the way to work.
The Smiths
4/5
'There is a light that never goes out 'is great, and is a love song that I can get behind.
This is a great album, and Morrissey-hate just seems stupid and influenced by other's opinions. His music doesn't preach hate and if I only listened to musicians with my politics then I'd be missing out a lot of good music from my life.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
This is my fourth Elvis Costello album on thus list. Despite never loving one of those previous albums they've all gained a 3. I feel like this was the best of the set. It's going to have to get a 4 on the basis of being superior to his others alone!
Arcade Fire
5/5
This is a beautiful album. I assume this completes my trilogy of arcade fire albums and that they do only have three on the list. 4 and 5 for those. This was always my favourite and was a 5 before I enjoyed having an extra listen today.
Cream
3/5
So it starts alright, and then it just feels like it becomes a little more generic, typical 60s psychedelic rock and I lost most of my interest. Very little stood out after the opening two but it wasn't unpleasant.
Supertramp
4/5
I think that I used to believe that 'Supertramp' weren't a real band but were a pisstake? I just thought with a name like that, they didn't seem real.
This album was great, although my streaming provider made it difficult to listen to the album in full and in order. I did get all of the tracks and I enjoyed it all, just good fun 70s-style rock music.
The Soft Boys
4/5
Felt like it was the inspiration for half the indie bands I like in the 00s. Definitely see this as a precursor to some greatness, albeit not as great, because having to break new ground. Upgraded to a 4 because it clearly has weight in the music I loved as a teen.
Jane's Addiction
3/5
On the whole, this was enjoyable and a great change of pace from the other recent albums. The final two tracks lost me a bit, particularly 'of course' with the repetition of being made to slap yourself in the face by an older brother? Appreciated the guitar riffs most and the strained voice a little less.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
4/5
These are several genre defining songs on one album. There's a pretty high level of quality, originality and interest to this album. Like about a quarter of the artists on this list, they have a shady past, it doesn't ruin the listening experience though.
JAY Z
5/5
Hip hop royalty. First great album after his debut and was executed with catchy bars that were both more mainstream popular and hip-hop underground.
Production value was immensely high.
Eminem did outshine him on Renegade but it's hard not to be outshone by Em.
Ignore the fact that 2 of his next few followups were collaborators projects with R Kelly, that he cheated on Beyonce and was good mates with P Diddly. Take the album on face value!
Kings of Leon
2/5
Can't tolerate the voice for a whole album. Some songs okay but all blends into one long Southern whine.
A Tribe Called Quest
5/5
Absolutely incredible album. Lyrically witty, intelligent and perfectly delivered. Beats that intrigue and hit. Two of the best crew tracks with Scenario and Show Business. Just completely brilliant.
The Kinks
3/5
Fairly indifferent to this UK Beach Boys. But I also hate clowns so a bonus there.
Black Sabbath
4/5
So, it appears that I am a fan of Sabbath. This is my third album and I have enjoyed each! Absolutely rocks and this one showed some great range I feel, Changes demonstrating that particularly of course.
Sufjan Stevens
5/5
The orchestration is often moving and beautiful. The storytelling is engaging and the lyrical delivery is both delicate and powerful. A great concept and brilliantly executed.
Steely Dan
4/5
Dad album. 37 year old dad of 2 here. So, guess what? I like it. Cracker for a debut.
Herbie Hancock
5/5
Some brilliant funky jazz, a lovely surprise. 'Rock it' is the extent of my Herbie Hancock knowledge. Glad I can now say I've listened to this through. Quite the genius.
Bauhaus
2/5
This was quirky as anything so far. Some bits enjoyable, some bits weird as hell. But sort of liked that madness?
Beastie Boys
5/5
The thing about this album as a kid was that it made you feel like you could be them and make music too. It made me write raps with mates, try to rap over some crazy old vinyl we found. It gave me confidence to be white and like rap music. It also crossed the boundaries between the tap and the rock that I liked.
Fight for your right and No Sleep Til Brooklyn back to back is also a ridiculous one-two knockout punch.
Kanye West
5/5
Kanye's spiralling mental health decline over the last 20+ years has been quite the spectacle.
It's a remarkable study into the fragility and madness that power and success gives a person.
Kanye was arguably one of the best hip hop producers ever, and this album is a perfect case for it. His rapping also showed that he could offer some interesting critiques that a lot of hip-hop at this time wasn't willing to offer.
As always, skits are shit and don't offer a lot, but the top tracks offer so much.
It feels painful to give a 5 to a certified dickhead in 2025 but in 2004 at least, he wasn't a complete one.
Joe Ely
2/5
It wasn't terrible. But this isn't really targeted at me. I'm not interested in this southern brand of Americana at all.
The The
4/5
The synths and keys in this were epic. Lyrically okay but I was really on board with the weighty instrumentals that built really well in every track.
Talking Heads
3/5
I probably preferred both of the other Talking Heads albums from this list. This one was great but I almost got lost in the repetitive, hypnotic grooves of every song and whilst I was completely engrossed in it, most of the tracks didn't have the overall capture that I got from previous releases.
The Coral
2/5
As with the majority of early 00s British music additions to this list, they are undeserving of a place. I gather it has since been removed from later additions but it's beyond me how, although somewhat unique and interesting, this can be deemed top 1001 material. Dreaming of You was a very catchy tune in my teens, but a lot of the album is a bit of a struggle now.