Well, this is one of my favorite albums of all time, and was released the year I was born. I remember the first time I heard it, about six years old, in a living room listening session with adults. I felt very sophisticated.

It's a sound I really detest: country-rock. Two stars for the obvious musicianship.

I like the indie rock sound, and would have probably been really into it in 1990. But now it just sounds familiar to me.

Wow. Beautiful music. Would rate 4.5 on first listen. I’m interested in seeking out more FF and Father John Misty.

Another 90s rock band that seems to be looking backwards to the psychedelic rock of the 60s. It sounds pretty good, but I was bored. The ubiquitous hit Bittersweet Symphony was the best song on the album for me

I mean, it’s Metallica. Absolutely epic sound.

There was a time when this was a 5 for me. It was so transgressive and thrilling when it came out. Now, the rhymes sound pretty elementary and the braggadocio comes off as silly. The production is still great though, with a lot of funk to it, soul samples, and left field elements, and Dre, Cube and E all sound great on the mic.

Wow! I loved it. Rocked my face off

Not I what I was expecting at all based on the band name. They really threw all their influences in the blender on this one: psychedelica, Beatles, Stones, gospel, samples, lots of instruments, and even a proto-house track. It’s good but I also don’t want to relisten. I’m going 4 bc 3.5 isn’t an option, and I’m more positive than my usual neutral 3 rating

I was psyched for this because I’m a trip-hop fan. Oof. Torch song vocals with spacey electronics. Did not like.

Started off loving the Metallica sound, but the album started to get boring toward the end.

Like some other albums, I enjoyed the first songs but my interest waned by the end. I appreciate the inventiveness and psychedelic grooves, but ultimately grew a little bored.

Leonard Cohen is just so captivating and distinctive. I love his poetry and his delivery. The music is fairly simple and serves, basically, to present his words, which are always interesting. The Biblical allusions may largely escape me but the sense that his work rewards close listening does not.

Some absolute classics and bangers on here, like Tom Sawyer, Limelight, and YYZ. The bombastic drums especially are irresistible. However, some of the album sounds dated 40+ years on, with very-‘80s synths and guitar solos making their appearances. Possibly it was many other bands imitating Rush - this album came out in ‘81 - but regardless, the sounds now carry a heavy whiff of cheese.

For my first full-length Bjork, this was a challenging one. Not super accessible, it’s a collection of arty and left field “voice music.” Lots of interesting elements and undeniable creativity, but I found getting a toehold difficult.

I really enjoyed this all-instrumental intro for me to “post-rock.” Waves of sound, beautiful guitars, some electronic elements, great musicianship. I’m curious to hear more in this genre.

Absolutely stunning album. Lush, hypnotic music. The guitar especially sounds great.

Sigh. I really wanted to love this with my whole, nostalgic Gen X heart. I was prime middle-school age for this when it came out and adored Duran Duran at the time, tho now I can’t remember which one I was in love with. But now in just regular middle age, it all just sounds like serviceable pop, save for the standout “Rio.” And though when I was 13 “Save a Prayer” was the most beautiful song I’ve ever heard, it now…is not. 3 for nostalgia and “Rio.”

My first full Bowie album. “Young Americans,” “Fascination Road,” and “Fame” were the stand-outs to me on the first listen. I appreciate the soul sound, inventiveness, and pure musicality throughout. This sounds fresh and exciting 50 years on.

Sabbath rules. Who knew? Not me. The band and their propulsive, driving hard rock sounds great. Ozzy is a bit nasally but his voice soars with and complements the tunes. It’s awesome to hear the foundation of hard rock and metal being laid. Black Sabbath ran so that Metallica could fly.

I know this is a legendary group. I could not finish. From the opening twangy guitar, to the nasal off-key wannabe Dylan singing, to the utter strangeness of an English band cosplaying as American country boys (songs about Oklahoma and South Carolina?) to the honkey-Tony country rock style…I just couldn’t stand it. The banjo, fiddle, mandolin (?) and piano sound good. I’d give it 1.5 if I could.

1986 teen me probably would have been really into this. But now it’s just too much aural assault on my ears. I appreciate it, but don’t enjoy it.

Pink Floyd does “concept album” better than anyone. Some of their absolute best and most famous tracks like “Another Brick in the Wall,” “Hey You,” “Is There Anybody Out There?”, “Comfortably Numb” and “Run Like Hell” are on this double album. The album is grandiose, utterly transporting and enveloping as is Pink Floyd ‘s way. Still, I haven’t seen the film, and I didn’t feel some tracks stood on their own as masterpieces, especially those that seemed most tied to advancing the narrative. Due to that, I’m giving this a strong 4.5 stars, rounding down to 4.

Only one of my favorite albums of all time and incredibly influential for me at 17 when it came out. Chuck D’s furious and righteous lyrics helped stoke my political and social consciousness, which led to a political science major in college and now a lifelong career in mission-driven work. It exposed me to the sonic wonders of superlative production, bass, and absolute jams, which brought me to glorious bass-heavy dance floors and electronic music scenes and a huge appreciation for hip hop. P.E. - ahead of their time, right on time, and still relevant now.

I was not stoked to see this come up, because I just thought, “Great. White boys doing reggae.” I only knew UB40 from their ubiquitous hit “Red Red Wine,” and dismissed them as a one-hit wonder. Then the music came on. It might be white boys doing reggae, but it sounds so smooth. I was surprised how much I liked the warm sounds, the drums, the swaying I could not help. Initially a four, it dragged for me a bit be the end, and ultimately I felt it was a little too one-dimensional to sustain a 67-minute length. I also thought the inclusion of a “Strange Fruit” cover a bit of an odd choice, and their version does not hold a candle to the original. I’m going 3.5 stars, which in my system knocks it down to a 3.

I’m not the target demographic here - ie, a teen boy - but damn this shreds. It is far too noisy and unrelenting for me to listen to the whole thing in a sitting, or probably ever revisit, but I do appreciate it. The singer/screamer transforms astonishingly from a rather nice regular voice into the most ragged screams you’ve ever heard. And, he even pulls off the rap/rock parts. I also liked the production with some electronic elements.

Here’s another one that suffers for me because I didn’t listen to it at the time. Insanely influential with a sound that became a template, listening to it 32 years later sounds familiar and a bit simplistic to me. Most tracks just don’t command my interest. Several of the rappers sound great and there are some clever parts, production, and wordplay. I’m sorry I missed this in its time.

His songs weave a spell. Such great songwriting, beautiful warm tones to the guitar and harmonica. The band, Crazy Horse, sounds great. Overall, the album gets knocked down a star for me due to the dated-ness of a few of the tunes and lyrical content, and Neil’s unfortunate voice. Still, he’s one of the greats.

I surprisingly quite enjoyed this - the swirling Indian ragas mixed with rock (ie, psychedelia). The songs are catchy too including a couple of well-known ones I like and didn’t know were Donovan. Although now this sounds a little formulaic and of its time, 1966 is early for this so I give Donovan his props.

So fun! Packed with classics. The sound, while simple, is just irresistible.

Disco! Big hits on this one: “He’s the Greatest Dancer” and, of course, the ubiquitous “We Are Family.” You can’t go wrong with Nile Rodgers/Chic production. Nile Rodgers’ clean, plinky guitar is a great complement to the dance floor beats. I’m not as taken with the slower songs but it’s still a solid, enjoyable album.

I do love synth-pop, and there are some stellar moments on this album. I most enjoyed the singles I knew: “It’s a Sin,” “Heart,” and “What Have I Done to Deserve This?” The rest didn’t jump out at me and some sounds dated, a bit too of its time. 3.5 stars

The production is by PE’s The Bomb Squad and Chuck D features, so those elements are great. The lyrical content tho is an odd mix of Black empowerment and boasts about killing people and being the baddest and scariest in town. On the whole, a 3 for me.

This one is big nostalgia for me. I wore out at cassette at 13 when it came out. I haven’t heard it in over 40 years. It’s still killer. Political lyrics, fantastically constructed songs, The Edge’s sharp guitar playing. I’m not a fan of later U2 when they became “the biggest band in the world,” but you can see why they broke through with this album. Bono’s bombastic vocals are too overwrought for me, so it’s bringing it down to 4.5 stars.

Big band in top form!