190
Albums Rated
3.33
Average Rating
17%
Complete
899 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
2010
Favorite Decade
Folk
Favorite Genre
other
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
20
5-Star Albums
7
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
Top Styles
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Punishing Kiss
Ute Lemper
|
5 | 2.4 | +2.6 |
|
OK
Talvin Singh
|
5 | 2.56 | +2.44 |
|
Infected
The The
|
5 | 2.93 | +2.07 |
|
Joan Baez
Joan Baez
|
5 | 2.97 | +2.03 |
|
Tank Battles
Dagmar Krause
|
4 | 2.13 | +1.87 |
|
Fisherman's Blues
The Waterboys
|
5 | 3.2 | +1.8 |
|
Teen Dream
Beach House
|
5 | 3.26 | +1.74 |
|
Live At The Star Club, Hamburg
Jerry Lee Lewis
|
5 | 3.27 | +1.73 |
|
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Kanye West
|
5 | 3.4 | +1.6 |
|
Bat Out Of Hell
Meat Loaf
|
5 | 3.42 | +1.58 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bitches Brew
Miles Davis
|
1 | 3.3 | -2.3 |
|
The Slim Shady LP
Eminem
|
1 | 3.28 | -2.28 |
|
Virgin Suicides
Air
|
1 | 3.23 | -2.23 |
|
Smile
Brian Wilson
|
1 | 3.04 | -2.04 |
|
Sister
Sonic Youth
|
1 | 3.02 | -2.02 |
|
Brown Sugar
D'Angelo
|
1 | 2.94 | -1.94 |
|
Damaged
Black Flag
|
1 | 2.86 | -1.86 |
|
Disintegration
The Cure
|
2 | 3.86 | -1.86 |
|
In Utero
Nirvana
|
2 | 3.82 | -1.82 |
|
Siamese Dream
The Smashing Pumpkins
|
2 | 3.82 | -1.82 |
5-Star Albums (20)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
The Byrds · 4 likes
4/5
This project really is teaching me an appreciation for the nuanced types of music I had previously thought of as 'men with guitars'. I disliked very much the last 'men with guitars' album, but this was delightful and melodic group of men with guitars. Big fan of the eponymous tambourines and beautiful harmonies. A strong 3.9.
The Killers · 2 likes
5/5
What a feast for the ears. After enduring so much drab, bland and average music, how good to listen to something that's just so damn enjoyable. It's also a rare album where I love the slow songs as much as the bangers.
Also maybe it's because I'm about to move house and feeling oddly emotional about being at a transitional point in life, but Change Your Mind and Andy, You're a Star really hit me as beautiful, even the lyrics probably don't hold all that much meaning.
PJ Harvey · 1 likes
3/5
I'm sorry but this was just boring to me. A three for not being bad, but not being good either.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds · 1 likes
4/5
Beautiful. Listening to it in the background I was enjoying the baritone, stripped back Nationals-esque vibes. When I properly sat down and focussed in on the lyrics and the composition, I felt truly moved. Even more so once I'd read the story behind the album.
Neil Young · 1 likes
3/5
I would never listen to this album for a dance party or to sing along, but as cruisy background vibes on a lazy Sunday afternoon, it hits the spot perfectly.
1-Star Albums (7)
All Ratings
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
3/5
3.5/5 stars
Sly & The Family Stone
2/5
Some good songs but nothing grabbed me.
Depeche Mode
4/5
Great album, reminded me of Foals a bit.
Pulp
4/5
Great album. These guys really know how to write a catchy chorus. So many times I tuned out the album in the background, as I normally do, and then got pulled back in by a catchy hook.
Neil Young
3/5
I would never listen to this album for a dance party or to sing along, but as cruisy background vibes on a lazy Sunday afternoon, it hits the spot perfectly.
The xx
3/5
Good album. Chill, simple vibes but with some nice little grooves and catchy tunes. For me very reminiscent of Angus & Julia Stone.
Stan Getz
3/5
What a great groove. Definitely background music for me, but a lovely vibey background music. Was a little hard to un-associate it with elevator music on first listen, but it definitely grew on me.
Jefferson Airplane
3/5
Yes
2/5
This is definitely not my kind of music, neither something I would put on to listen to actively, or to have in the background. But as a once off listen, I had no quibbles. It was an easy listen, and the intrumental breaks were pretty.
Sly & The Family Stone
2/5
Some great songs but nothing really caught me.
Taylor Swift
4/5
I'm not a huge Taylor Swift fan, by this has always been my favourite album of hers. Smooth poppy tunes, fun choruses and great lyrics to sing along to.
The Black Crowes
4/5
After albums worth of psychedelic rock, alt rock, pop rock and folk rock, it sure is nice to go back and listen to some basic good old fashioned rock, no extra adjectives needed. A delightfully easy listen.
Aphex Twin
2/5
I listened to a decent chunk of this. Perhaps it was formative at its time, but we have such a rich variety of ambient music now that it's hard to appreciate it.
Rage Against The Machine
4/5
Yesterday I rated a very generic rock album 4/5 because it was such a refreshing surprise after many alt/post/psych/folk rock albums in a row. I would like to officially apologise for and rescind my high rating for such a generic album. RAtM has reminded me what my heart was truly yearning for all along: punchy, metal, fuck you rock anthems that make you want to smash your guitar against the wall and rage against the Man.
Tom Waits
4/5
The only Tom Waits song I'd heard before was Flowers Grave, so imagine my surprise clicking on this album expecting to hear a sombre, serious melodic tune, only to get hit with the jaunty pirate waltz that is Singapore. Shock aside, I loved this album. It was entirely different and very enjoyable. Looking forward to exploring more Tom Waits music.
Otis Redding
4/5
This album made me feel so much joy. How can you listen to this and not want to dance and sing along? Will definitely go into my regular rotation of albums to listen to.
Black Flag
1/5
Boy this was a tough listen, and the closest I came to stopping an album part way through. Too bleak and despairing for me. Though I can say, I did get a small chuckle out of TV Party.
Roni Size
4/5
Exactly the kind of music I love putting on for a long drive home at night. I listened to Brown Paper Bag while cruising on the highway and delighted at every vocal and instrumental twist and turn. Truly masters of the drop.
Tears For Fears
3/5
This was a groovin style, and I loved the main singer's voice. Not something that I'll be playing again though.
The Beach Boys
3/5
This was a fine album. I really like some of the slower/faster paced songs (Disney Girls & Student Demonstration Time respectively) but as a whole it's not really my genre.
Marianne Faithfull
3/5
I was a bit offput by the vocals at the start, but I decided if I could learn to like Neil Young's voice, I could learn to like this one. Sure enough, by the Ballad of Lucy Jordan I was really feeling the vibe, and by Working Class Hero I was singing along. On a re-listen, I am definitely feeling the groove and now having read the story behind the album it's a totally different experience. I can't rate it higher than a 3.5 because it's really not my type of music, but it's certainly compelling.
Air
1/5
I resented having to waste my time listening to this. Boring and uninspired.
Al Green
3/5
A nice album, but not one I would listen to again or am going to remember in a week.
R.E.M.
2/5
Nothing about this album captured my interest or held my attention.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
3/5
I'm sorry Red Hot Chili Peppers. This album has such a great, unique funk rock flair to it, but to my ears it sounds so dated and cliche! Purely a function of me associating it with my younger, cringe years I think. 3.5 stars.
Cocteau Twins
3/5
This was delightful. Smooth, melodic, music to my ears. Perhaps I wouldn't dance along, but I'd certainly gentle sway. 3.8/5.
The Jesus And Mary Chain
3/5
One of the things I love about this project is trying to understand why I like the music I do. What things are universally good, and what things are subjectively good just to me? I still can't quite work it out. Why did I enjoy this album more than the other alt-rock albums I've had to listen to? Is it slightly more crisp? Is the singing slightly more melodic? Did it just feel a bit less whiny? I don't know, but I'm enjoying the process of working it out. 3.5/5 stars.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
Beautiful. Listening to it in the background I was enjoying the baritone, stripped back Nationals-esque vibes. When I properly sat down and focussed in on the lyrics and the composition, I felt truly moved. Even more so once I'd read the story behind the album.
John Lennon
3/5
Unfortunately, I didn't half mind this album. Some of the lyrics grated on me a little, but the music was much more memorable than I thought it would be. 3.3 stars.
Abdullah Ibrahim
3/5
Delightful background music for the Sunday night blues. Will be keeping this in rotation for the nights I just need a low level ambient mood to filter through the house. 3.6 stars.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
Loved the gritty, baritone singing, the use of slow and fast/quiet and aggressive dynamics within songs, the storytelling lyrics. I think this will stick in my head the same way Rain Dogs from Tom Waits did as a unique and compelling album to come back to. 4.5 stars.
Marty Robbins
3/5
Won't lie, I thought I was going to hate this from the cover. But it was actually good fun! The songs felt a little same-y is my only complaint.
Bee Gees
4/5
Having only heard falsetto disco era Bee Gees before, I was surprised by the melodic lead vocals on this one. I thought many of the songs were quite beautiful and well written, but I wasn't entirely sure if I felt much real warmth behind the singing. A confusing one for me - I will say 3.5 stars, but I'm rating as a four because I want to come back and relisten to consider more.
Garbage
3/5
Yeaaaaaaah the girls. 3.5 stars.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
2/5
I wanted to like this so much, because it felt and sounded so original, but I really couldn't get into the singing style. It's a 2.8 stars for me, but I feel bad about it.
Michael Jackson
3/5
Some absolute hits, but I found myself skipping some songs and wasn't interested in listening to it again. A solid 3.
Jimmy Smith
2/5
A good reminder of why I don't like jazz. Music that can't get to the damn point.
Ray Price
3/5
Mmmm, smooth.
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
3/5
The whingy lyrics? Negative 1 star. The boppy vibes? 5 stars. So landing on a solid 3.5 stars for me.
Dagmar Krause
4/5
Very interesting. It felt like I was listening to a musical, but with far more dissonance.
Santana
4/5
I quite enjoyed this. An uncommon mix of smooth enough to listen to in the background while I worked, but upbeat enough to groove to in the car on the way home. I also do love a Latin groove. Close to a 4, but I'll settle for a strong 3.9.
Ravi Shankar
4/5
Loved this. The style isn't new to me, but so interesting to be listening and learning at the same time, and understanding it through a music theory lense. Very cool to think about how and why music has developed differently in different cultures, what is constant and what is the same. Also just banger music.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
2/5
I didn't like the last red hot chilli peppers album, and I thought maybe it was just not my album. Now I realise - it's just not my band. A shame because they have some great hits.
Flamin' Groovies
2/5
Sorry boys, but I simply did not enjoy this. It felt very same same to other, better music I had heard. A+ band name tho.
The Byrds
4/5
This project really is teaching me an appreciation for the nuanced types of music I had previously thought of as 'men with guitars'. I disliked very much the last 'men with guitars' album, but this was delightful and melodic group of men with guitars. Big fan of the eponymous tambourines and beautiful harmonies. A strong 3.9.
The Temptations
2/5
I have discovered a new genre I do not like, which is this psychedelic/funk/soul combo. It doesn't surprise me that this is influenced by Slh and the Family Stone, which is another album I didn't particularly enjoy. I can hear that it's good music, it just isn't music for me.
XTC
3/5
I really couldn't get a read on this album, but I will say there were many moments where I was hooked into a song with a catchy moment. Supergirl was a particular favourite. A curious 3.5, definitely one that's up for a re-listen.
Kanye West
5/5
To quote another reviewer, 5/5 album but 0/5 human being. Fuck the nazi bullshit.
Dr. John
3/5
You know, everything was there for me to like this album. Gravelly voice, New Orleans vibe, unique subject matter. And yet it feels kind of... inauthentic to me? I feel a little like someone is trying to bedazzle me with a fakery they don't really believe in. I can definitely appreciate why it's on this list, the music is fantastic. Just not one that hit home to me.
Jack White
2/5
Eh. I don't know, I just wasn't a fan. The vocal style is not sure me I think.
Brian Wilson
1/5
Mostly, deliberately listening to these albums without context makes for a great experience. I come in fresh, with no expectations, and can hear the music with no external noise clouding my opinion. Going and reading the Wikipedia article afterwards is just the delicious icing on the cake - I don't need it to appreciate the artistry, but it adds something unique to the overall flavour.
Listening to this album without context however, was ghastly. What is it? A children's album? A gospel album? Why am I listening to 80s music that was made in the early 2000s? What's with the lyrics? Is this some kind of cult I'm not aware of?
Once I had context, it made more sense, but it didn't make it any more enjoyable.
Hot Chip
4/5
Yes good. Not sure how I missed this one as it was solidly within my generation of music. I liked the unique sound, and the vocals reminded me of America. 3.9 stars and will be on the re-listen list.
Radiohead
4/5
I think I liked this. It didn't hit me immediately, but I listened to it a couple of times, and then went back to listen to it again tonight. 3.9, maybe moving up to a 4 with more listening?
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
I was a bit bored by how each song seemed to continue exactly the same way it started. But I suppose that's a ballad, isn't it? Repeating melody and beat to emphasise the sung story. Weirdly reminds me of Johnny Cash in that sense. But I think the stories were not interesting enough to warrant such repetitive songs.
Supergrass
3/5
This was pretty enjoyable. The singing felt very Gerard Way at times (a positive for sure). Doubt I'll listen to it again tho.
The Clash
3/5
The first song was an absolute jam, the rest were pretty same same to me, although I really liked the energy. A solid 3.5.
Dexys Midnight Runners
4/5
What a bop. The strings! The horns! The groove! The harmonies! Here for it. And of course, who can go pas the classic Come On Eileen.
D'Angelo
1/5
I'm sure this is great but unfortunately this genre of music sends me to sleep.
Neil Young
4/5
As a kid, I used to roll my eyes every time Dad would put on this album. Us siblings would all join in complaining about Neil's wobbly whiny voice. But I'll be damned, I think my Dad was on to something. Just a great collection of moving, lyrical songs. Southern Man is such a tune.
Run-D.M.C.
2/5
Have no doubt it was revolutionary in its time, but all I could picture was Whose Line Is It Anyway music improv episodes.
DJ Shadow
4/5
I really enjoy a lot of music in this sampling genre. The classic Frontier Psychiatrist comes to mind, as well as more online artists like Pogo. I am giving this one a pre-emptive and possibly premature four. I enjoyed quite a few songs and I think with more relistening it will grow in me the way other sampling music often does.
Radiohead
2/5
I quite enjoyed the last Radiohead album on this list, but this one felt quite listless and the nasal high singing really irritated me.
Tracy Chapman
5/5
What an incredible voice, and what powerful songs.
Chicago
4/5
Really enjoyed the rock jazz fusion. Some of the instrumental bits went on a bit too long, but that's just me and my antipathy towards jazz. Will be relistening.
Queen Latifah
2/5
Apologies to the Queen, but like another album we listened to a few days ago, this just sounds outdated to me.
Public Enemy
3/5
David Gray
4/5
Very pretty, melodic easy listening. And how good is Babylon. A strong 3.8.
Weather Report
2/5
I listened to this whole album....I think? Hard to tell when each song sounds the same as the last. No surprises to me that this is a jazz album, my nemesis genre.
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
The main thing I thought while listening to this album was 'gee this singer sounds a bit like Midnight Oil' and 'man I'm really looking forward to when Midnight Oil turn up on this project'. So, I guess that's a positive?
Electric Light Orchestra
4/5
I was always going to love this album because it has the greatest feel good hit of all time - Mr Blue Sky. But actually this album is full of great hits - Night in the City and Turn to Stone were particular favourites.
Johnny Cash
4/5
What a life this man lived. Against any other album I'd give this a 5, but as far as Johnny Cash himself goes I know there's better out there, so it's a solid 4.5 from me.
Jerry Lee Lewis
5/5
I assumed I was going to hate this. Old timey music is bad enough, but live old timey music? Even worse.
But actually, this album slaps. It's so fucking good. The energy is huge. Why did rock and roll ever go out of fashion? It's so damn energetic and danceable.
Shame this guy seems to be about as bad a human being as his music is good.
Common
4/5
I really enjoyed this! There's been a tiny bit of modern rap on our list so far, and a decent amount of 90s hip hop, but this felt like an album that straddles that gap. That slightly dated 90s sound, but with the smoother flow that you'd expect in more recent rap. I particularly enjoyed The Food.
Pantera
4/5
I almost skipped this album entirely. About 30 seconds into the semi-screamo vocals of the first song I was ready to say 'not my thing' and skip-listen through the rest of the tracks.
But, I ended up hearing the whole thing out and I'm glad I did. After I got used to the intense vocals, I started to hear the musicality. It's a bit too intense for too long to hold a place on my frequent listening list, but it does feel like exactly the kind of album you want to put on when you're pissed off at the world and just need to rage. Walk is an absolute anthem.
The Everly Brothers
3/5
A perfectly charming and forgettable album. Standout was So How Come (No One Loves Me) - normally whiny songs are not my taste, but this was quite the bop.
The Chemical Brothers
2/5
Normally, I dig this kind of music but I found all the various beeps, dings and alarms really jarring and the overall effect just kinda boring.
Iron Maiden
4/5
Knowing nothing about Iron Maiden except for a very general sense that they were a hardcore band from the 80s(?), I found this album a delightful surprise. The guitar playing was so lyrical and impressive, and the music very grand. Good stuff.
Laura Nyro
3/5
This was quite delightful - the timing and the rhythms felt very off kilter in a good way and the singing was lush. Regardless of originality, it didn't quite capture me. A strong 3.5 stars.
The Prodigy
4/5
Was this good? I'm not sure. Is it the kind of music I love to groove around the house to? 💯 4/5 stars.
Nick Drake
3/5
A lovely airy little album. Ideal relaxed Sunday afternoon listening. 3.5/5.
Miles Davis
1/5
I hate jazz music so goddamn much. I want to punch my phone just to stop the noise. And it's almost TWO HOURS LONG?! Zero stars. Just to be clear, I'm only ten minutes into the first song but I'm voting now because I know it ain't gonna get any better. Wish me luck as I try to endure the rest of this so called 'music'.
Fugees
3/5
Unlike some of the other 90s hiphop albums on this list, this one hasn't aged as poorly. I didn't love a lot of the vocal samples though, maybe because I listened while I was working and they jarred me out of what I was doing. I wish I liked it more because it felt really interesting and creative and like it has a lot to say. Alas, I simply did not.
G. Love & Special Sauce
3/5
A nice little groove, with some catchy hooks.
3/5
I'm sorry but this was just boring to me. A three for not being bad, but not being good either.
Supergrass
4/5
This was fun, and reminded me a lot of more recent British pop rock bands I like. Very punchy and upbeat. I don't think I'll go back and relisten to it, but rating a solid 3.8 for an enjoyable time.
Talvin Singh
5/5
I know nothing about this album, its history, its context or the artist. What I do know is that I've had this on repeat at work all day. The perfect blend of background beats, storytelling moments and eclectic but smooth musical choices.
Eminem
1/5
It's hard to imagine a time when these lyrics were seen as clever and satirical, rather than just absolutely fucked.
The Beta Band
3/5
Mmmmmmmmeh.
Ride
2/5
Yawn.
Deep Purple
4/5
I don't know what I thought heavy metal was before I started this project, but I definitely did not think it was this. The artistry of the guitar playing and the epic nature of the songs is definitely my jam. Not a huge fan of live albums though, so I'll leave this one as a solid 4.
Wilco
2/5
They say don't judge an album by its cover. I looked at this album and thought 'gee, this looks like a boring slow indie acoustic waffle'.
Yeah, so it turns out you should judge an album by its cover sometimes.
The good reviews of this album genuinely make me wonder what I'm missing though. It all sounds sooo same same to me, how was it so highly rated at the time?
Nirvana
2/5
This is bad music disguised as good music. It has all the interesting themes, rockin instruments and intense vocals that should mix together to form a good album. And yet I'm bored as hell.
Primal Scream
3/5
What....is this? I mean, it's cool and clearly experimental, but I did not understand it as a listening experience in any cohesive way. 3 stars for being interesting.
Michael Jackson
5/5
I cannot in all good conscience give this album any less than a 5 when there are so many Certified Bangers on it. It must have been a wild good time when this first came out. The songs in between were pretty fun as well.
The Killers
5/5
What a feast for the ears. After enduring so much drab, bland and average music, how good to listen to something that's just so damn enjoyable. It's also a rare album where I love the slow songs as much as the bangers.
Also maybe it's because I'm about to move house and feeling oddly emotional about being at a transitional point in life, but Change Your Mind and Andy, You're a Star really hit me as beautiful, even the lyrics probably don't hold all that much meaning.
Alice Cooper
3/5
This is a lot tamer and almost more childish than I would expect, knowing Alice Cooper only by their stage reputation. Although I'm only just now finding out that the band is related to but seperate from the singer.
Choosing to cover a West Side Story song was such a choice though, I loved it. Other than that I think the album was mildly interesting but pretty forgettable, and even after reading about it I don't really understand why it's on this list.
Genesis
3/5
A perfectly acceptable background accompaniment to unpacking. I quite liked the rich feeling of the instrumentals, but that is all I really have to say.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
4/5
Very interesting. Heard about the band before, but never listened to an album.
I liked the dark tone, unique vocals and the driving drumbeat. I did wish more songs used the deeper vocal range like Voodoo Dolly though, it's so gorgeous.
I'll probably never listen to this again, but I can appreciate that is very good. A solid four stars.
Hole
3/5
This was good. Normally that half yelling style of singing really grates at me, but this album has enough interesting surrounds and melody to pull it off. It felt like what a lot of modern Australian bands are trying to be. A very solid 3.5.
Goldie
2/5
It's a neg for me. I love a good drum and bass album, but rather than any driving beat or sense of urgency, this felt like bobbing up and down gently in a river but not actually going anywhere. In fact it reminded me, dare I say it, of jazz.
ZZ Top
3/5
This was quite a fun listen and it's nice to get away from all the generic rock, but nothing in it will really stick with me.
The The
5/5
If Midnight Oil, My Chemical Romance and David Bowie had a baby. What a great, weird album. It's going into the rotation.
Everything But The Girl
3/5
Girl, get over him.
I jest, but I do think I would have enjoyed this album more if the lyrics had been a bit less sooky. I did enjoy the very luscious electronic sound and smooth singing. A strong 3.8.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
The problem with never having listened to a lot of classic bands, and then listened to a hundred other albums, is that by the time you get to them, everything just sound a little deritivate. I can definitely appreciate the music is fun and good, but it just doesn't sound all that different to me than half a dozen bands that have come before.
It's a weak four from me.
Everything But The Girl
3/5
Very smooth listening, and great chill background music, but nothing really stood out.
Beatles
4/5
My first Beatles album! I don't fully get it, but you now what, I'm kind of getting there.
I really enjoyed all the songs that felt like the chorus and the verses were spliced together from two different genres, e.g. Come Together. I think if the album had stuck to the minor tunes like that and She's So Heavy, it would have been a five star.
As it was, the harmonies are gorgeous and if nothing else, there's certainly not a dull song in there. I was properly listening the whole way through.
Here Comes The Sun also gives it an extra .5 for being an incredibly nostalgic feelgood song for me, as it's been the background tune for many a family birthday slideshow.
A solid 4.5.
Alice In Chains
4/5
I thought I hated this, and then I listened some more and decided I loved it. I too want to moan and groan about the state of the world with some sick guitar playing in the background.
Janelle Monáe
5/5
I'm such a fool. I'm such a goddamn fool. I know Janelle Monáe's two most recent albums are some of my favourite albums, but I've never gone and listened to her back catalogue. Why have I let myself miss out for so long!
What a bloody good album. I love the thematic nature, the genre switchups, the dancibility and just those oh-so-cool Janelle Monáe vibes. 5 stars, going straight to the top of the roster.
Van Halen
2/5
There was a really sick guitar solo in the second or third song, but other than that, what a waste of good Saturday morning cleaning music time.
Shivkumar Sharma
2/5
I do wish this project had less Western-centric music. Some of these albums are a real stretch to call 'greatest of all time' when you have the whole world of music to choose from. How fun would it be to broaden your music taste across the world instead of just across genres and decades.
Now, did I actually enjoy this non Western-centric album? Not at all. It reminded me of jazz in that very -music that goes nowhere kind of way-. But hey, I'm glad I listened to it.
3/5
Man I really wanted to like this album, but quite frankly, I was bored. It didn't sound much different to me than the thousand other variations of Brit rock on this list. Sorry Bowie 😭
Bee Gees
4/5
Consistently lovely music, harmonic singing and random as hell lyrics. Having just listened to Abbey Road, I'm guessing that was just the theme of music in 1969? I don't think I'll ever listen to this again, but I did enjoy it. Great use of the damper pedal. A standard 4 stars.
Cheap Trick
2/5
What a boring live performance. Saved from a one star by some good songs at the end, even though the performance was bleh.
Bob Dylan
4/5
I didn't get the deal with David Bowie. I mostly got the deal with the Beatles. But a man with a real personality, singing sincere songs on his guitar? Yeah, I really get Bob Dylan.
Public Enemy
3/5
I really enjoyed the sampling and creative layering, but a lot of the rapping felt a bit same samey.
Happy Mondays
2/5
These guys gave me the ick.
Rahul Dev Burman
4/5
Fun and different!
Beastie Boys
5/5
This was so loud and dumb and fun. I love it.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
I can see how these lads would have been a big hit in the day. Just a good rollicking fun time.
The Who
4/5
I don't know that I'll ever listen again, but I enjoyed the vibe of these guys much more than a lot of other stuff in this decade. They're very good. Also Behind Blue Eyes is such a good song, memes aside.
The Velvet Underground
4/5
I'm shook that this is a 60s album, if you'd asked me to guess I would have said 90s for sure. Sounds like if Eels were a bit edgier. I really dig the vibe, despite it being in a genre I'm not normally so fond of.
Joni Mitchell
5/5
I thought I had heard all the voices, but here is a new voice! What a beautiful singing style. I think I was captivated all the way through to the last song, and then it was slightly too much. But all around superb! I loved it.
Girls Against Boys
2/5
I'm sorry, but why do people enjoy music like this? Snooze.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
It wasn't boring. That's about all I'll give it.
5/5
I haven't listened to Muse in a good long while. I was wondering if this album would hold up over time and compared to the many good albums in this list. Pleased to say it absolutely did. Matt Bellamy's heavenly singing, that grimy base, the grit and grandeur of it all. What an album.
Pixies
4/5
Not what I expected from the album title. Points for being more interesting than a lot of these albums. I quite liked it, even though it's not my kind of music. 3.7 stars.
Gotan Project
4/5
Some albums you just listen to at the right place at the right time. I listened to this as I was working by myself on the office doing some decluttering, and it was perfect smooth background music.
Joan Baez
5/5
How beautiful. Reminds me of the voice of Joni Mitchell, but is a little less over-warbled so doesn't get old at all. I really really enjoyed this. Also, didn't know House of the Rising Sun was a folk song before this, so that's a cool little factoid.
AC/DC
4/5
Hell yeahhhhhhhhhhhh 🤙🤙🤙🤙🤙🤙🤙🤙🤙
Fiona Apple
3/5
Reminds me a bit of Amanda Palmer, although obviously precedes her. The disjointed singing doesn't quite work for me across multiple songs, although sometimes it really hits (like on For Her). A really interesting songwriter, I'd like to listen to more of her stuff. 3.8/5
The Smashing Pumpkins
4/5
Musically, this felt a little bit too much like a wall of sound. Although, when I played it on a proper speaker rather than my phone, I did get a better sense of the musicality of it all. But I can really imagine in the right place and time this music would just hit. 'We'll crucify the insincere tonight' is one of many banger lines on the album. 4 stars for making me feel something.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
5/5
That was a damn good time. Kind of shocked how many hits I'd heard of were on here. I do really love this old school kind of rock and roll vibe.
Kings of Leon
3/5
Perfectly inoffensive background music, perhaps because this was all that was played in the Coles and Woolies of the early 2000s.
Rufus Wainwright
3/5
Have to say the only time I'd heard of this guy is his Hallelujah cover on the Shrek soundtrack (which is phenomenal). This sounds like something someone who loves Michael Buble would listen to, although the lyrics would say otherwise. I think it's probably a disservice to Rufus who seems like an interesting guy. But real Mum crooning vibes.
Linkin Park
4/5
Four stars for bringing me back to the day when music like this made me feel things.
David Bowie
4/5
I initially blew this off as forgettable background music, but I kept getting drawn in by the lyrics. So I relistened properly and quite enjoyed it. A strong 3.9. stars.
Boston
3/5
Yep, this was an album.
David Crosby
3/5
Pretty. And boring. Pretty boring.
k.d. lang
3/5
I had only ever heard of k.d. lang in the context of being a gay icon, so a soulful country album was not what I was expecting! Unfortunately not my vibe, but she has a beautiful voice. 3.5 stars.
David Bowie
4/5
Last David Bowie album I didn't get it, this one I'm slowly starting to! Very fun and weird. I particularly enjoyed all the instrumentals at the end.
Finley Quaye
2/5
Sometimes music that is different really strike your fancy and catch your attention. Sometimes it just blends into the background. For me, forgettable, despite sounding so unique.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
I couldn't work out why I didn't enjoy this the way I adored the last Joni Mitchell album. Then I read the Wikipedia page and realised it's a jazz influenced album. Ah-hah, mystery solved. It's so beautiful, but I just can't handle the same-sameyness of it all.
Iron Maiden
4/5
I can hear the talent and I love the genre, but each song sounded a bit same same to me. A weak 3.8.
Pretenders
3/5
100% thought this was the Proclaimers going in, so that was a surprise for sure. I like the sound and the female lead. But I listened to it yesterday and I've already forgotten it
Amy Winehouse
4/5
The voice is obviously incredible, but no song really stood out as a must relisten to me. A strong 3.7.
Elliott Smith
3/5
Perfectly bland, perfectly forgettable.
The Verve
3/5
I thought I had never heard of this band or album before, but I was surprised by how many songs I recognised. And yet, none of them really moved me. A very forgettable 90s sound.
Living Colour
3/5
Nice to get a bit of rock for a change, but I got nothing out of this.
Kendrick Lamar
5/5
Fresh and crisp. The sound really stands out, not just against these albums but against recent hip-hop too.
TV On The Radio
3/5
Like a folksy Franz Ferdinand. Interesting, but not too standout-y. 3.5 stars.
Sly & The Family Stone
3/5
Sly is one of the first bands I listened to for this project, and I distinctly remember not being impressed with them. So maybe that made me a bit biased going in, but it's really just not my jam, even though I can hear the talent in it.
Bebel Gilberto
3/5
Easy smooth listening for my Sydney flight. Though I think in any other circumstances, I would have found it boring.
4/5
This was a fun album! Probably lyrically more so than musically. I am shocked as an Australian that I'd never heard of Australia before. Also adding the famous Churchill speech to music was surprisingly good. I assumed this was a protest album from the lyrics that I paid attention to, so interesting to find out it's more of a thematic story album.
Billy Joel
5/5
Just tune after tune. Although they do feel a teensy bit samesy by the end, I can't justify giving it less than a 5.
The Beau Brummels
2/5
Another generic men with guitars album. Perhaps I'm coming in too fierce but it was a forgettable 2.5 for me. The .5 is for the Wolf of Velvet Fortune, which was pretty fun.
Ute Lemper
5/5
Weird, wonderful, and a diverse mix of divine voices. It's discovering gems like this that make this project such a joy.
Milton Nascimento
3/5
This was mildly interesting, quite pretty, and entirely forgettable.
The Cure
2/5
I listened to this on the plane, which normally enhances music because I have no other distractions and can really focus on enjoying it. And yet, 7 hours later and I cannot remember a damn thing about it except some very middling guitar and singing.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Paint It Black is a top tier song, but other than that, it's just a decent album and nothing more than that to me.
Aretha Franklin
4/5
She's just so bloody good. 4.5.
Dexys Midnight Runners
4/5
These guys are just good, slightly odd fun. I rate it.
Paul Weller
4/5
This was very smooth listening for me. It sounded like every other guitar-y worship-esque singer my parents enjoyed in the 90s. A solid 3.8.
Femi Kuti
4/5
This was great. Both a real bop, and with some bite in the lyrics.
De La Soul
3/5
I wish I could enjoy this kind of music, but it just sounds so dated to me.
Beach House
5/5
I actually unexpectedly loved this? It had that luscious emotive quality that I associate with Gang of Youths and Foals. Definitely will be coming back to this one.
Richard Thompson
4/5
I don't know what genre this is but I really enjoyed it.
Beatles
4/5
Ever Beatles album I listen to I get it even more. This was a great time with some super fun and interesting songs.
Coldplay
5/5
If you'd asked me, I would have said I didn't feel very nostalgic for Coldplay. But relistening to The Scientist at home on a quiet Saturday night hit me like a brick. Suddenly I felt 14 again, feeling all the complicated and new emotions a 14 year old does. Five stars for emotions evoked, and some very beautiful songs.
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
I put this on as a gentle Sunday morning listen and I was not disappointed. A Hazy Shade of Winter and At the Zoo were particular favourites.
The Bees
4/5
I liked this! Like a slightly more upbeat Eels. The repetitive lyrics sometimes got a bit old though.
Nitin Sawhney
3/5
This was interesting for sure, but it did not feel cohesive enough to be compelling. The Conference was a whole vibe though, I could have listened to those tikki takka talkers the whole day.
The Notorious B.I.G.
4/5
Will always find it hard to get into these 90s rap albums, but the lyrics to this were undeniably great. I was hooked on the stories. 3.7.
The Waterboys
5/5
This was really fun, engaging and joyous, with some really interesting musical influences. The lead singer also just seems like a really cool guy. 4.5 stars.
The Kinks
4/5
Not super memorable, but fun! 3.8 stars
Johnny Cash
4/5
Beautiful lyrics and music. What a storyteller this man is.
The Cure
4/5
I don't know that I can get around the strange vocal inflection, but the music is pretty interesting. I like the drums. 3.8.
Silver Jews
3/5
Thank god this was only 35 minutes. I don't hate this sort of unemotive, lyric based indie guitar music, in fact I find it quite interesting. But please, only in small doses. 3.7 stars.
Meat Loaf
5/5
LIKE A BAT OUT OF HELL I'LL BE GONE WHEN THE MORNINGS COMMESSSS (sick guitar solo). Is there any better album to yell along to at the top of your voice on a long car trip? Fucking banger. Have always loved this album and always will.
PJ Harvey
4/5
Good stuff. Not for me, but hell yeah. 3.8.
Morrissey
2/5
There were a few songs here that caught my attention, but it's a two for the incredibly ugh-lyrics - which were bad enough to spoil the experience of the song. The more you ignore me the closer I get was particularly bleh.
Cyndi Lauper
4/5
This was clever, fun, aggressive and overall just a good bop. A very good time.
The Smashing Pumpkins
2/5
Ugh. Boring.
Les Rythmes Digitales
4/5
I loved this, so I assume Jordan hated it. Although even for me, certified electronica lover, I was a bit over it by the end of the second album.
LCD Soundsystem
4/5
The music was not as interesting as i wanted it to be, particularly considering this is my genre of choice, but gee the lyrics were clever and fun. 3.7
Jimi Hendrix
3/5
Fine? Maybe on a different day I would have enjoyed this more, but it was just palatable background sound today.
MC Solaar
2/5
More 90s rap. No thanks.
Sonic Youth
1/5
I endured this because it was only 40 minutes. But what amateur sounding, painful dross.
The Mamas & The Papas
4/5
Not bad at all. Fun songs, pretty harmonies. Only giving it a 3.9 because I don't think I'll remember it tomorrow.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
Nick Cave never fails to hold your attention with his lyrics. This was beautiful, if slower than my usual pace of music.
Dinosaur Jr.
2/5
The aesthetic is cool, the songs were dross.