Jan 13 2025
In A Silent Way
Miles Davis
Excellent musicianship, of course. Structure with no structure. Iām guessing this set the stage for great jam bands of the 70ās and beyond. But, in the end, jams are indulgent & you have to be willing and ready to go along for the ride.
3
Jan 14 2025
Murmur
R.E.M.
This album introduces the REM sound. But they refine that sound in later albums. Itās a good effort, but here they sound like a very interesting and talented bar band that hasnāt yet figured out what its point is.
3
Jan 15 2025
Low
David Bowie
Another āhereās a new soundā album. Listening to Bowie is always interesting and a joy. But he hasnāt yet come into his own on this album.
3
Jan 16 2025
The World is a Ghetto
War
Fantastic opening and closing with some high points in between. Not a āmust haveā as an album because itās a bit overindulgent in places. It actually feels like the soundtrack to an interesting stage-play. Great, but not as funky as WAR can get.
3
Jan 17 2025
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill
Beautiful, musical, & sharp from beginning to end. Has a strong through-line (like an album should). Everything is Everything, and this album is everything. Desert-island album.
5
Jan 19 2025
She's So Unusual
Cyndi Lauper
Cyndi Lauper can sing!! I donāt necessarily love her voice ā but lady hits those notes, every time.
This album so very creative & it showcases Lauperās huge & diverse musical range ā it could have been named āSheās so unusually talentedā
Also, the album made an important contribution to female empowerment in the 80ās through 90ās ā not to mention its influence on the lgbtq movement. The album could also have been named āEveryone is so Unusual & Just Wants to Have Fun (show them respect)ā
This is a powerhouse compilation with some great songs. Iām not the target audience and, i prefer smoother vocal styles, so itās not a desert island album for me. But this is creative transgressive and well executed pop music. Great album ā much respect.
4
Jan 19 2025
Automatic For The People
R.E.M.
This album is politically active & eerily prescient. REM foresees the growing corruption of politics into warring factions weaponizing misinformation and the cynicism & disdain for political engagement that results. It may also (unwittingly?) encourage the anti-intellectual nihilism (āIf you believe they put a man on the moonā) that started in the Reagan 80ās & came to define American politics in the 2010ās.
If Murmur suffers from REM not yet having found its purpose, Automatic for the People suffers from the opposite ā its delivery is a bit too āon the noseā and earnest. The lyrics are all audible, and in some cases, there is no effort to be poetic. This is a moment where an edgy band lost its musical edge for a moment.
There is inspired music here, though. If you Believe is *such* a great song! A solid album that people should hear for its insightful political commentary ā but not āgreatā as an album.
3
Jan 20 2025
Gentlemen
The Afghan Whigs
What you get when you mix whiskey, red bull, & misogyny in an angry & maybe not-so-nice ābroā?
This gets a 2 (āDid not need to hear this but I got all the way throughā).
There are a few good grooves, and some interesting lyrics. And the album clearly inspired a decade+ of imitators.
But, most of the tracks sound similar ā guitars layered over a sinister bass drone (which never achieves the dark vibe of, say, Deep Purple) with gravelly-voiced dude belting out his anger/pain/wounding.
They do a good job doing what they doā i can understand why this is an influential album ā but itās overwrought, humorless, and repetitive.
2
Jan 21 2025
Fear Of A Black Planet
Public Enemy
Sonic wonderland! Sharp rhymes, cutting insights, slick samples, non-stop rhythms with tight transitions. Serious messages wrapped in creativity and humor. What more can you ask from an album? An essential classic.
5
Jan 22 2025
Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music
Ray Charles
I canāt hear Ray Charles sing without smiling. And this album is influential because it was such a departure from Charlesās usual genre. But the arrangements on this album ā all sweeping strings & stilted choruses ā are super dated and out of place. The same kind of arrangement works and sounds so natural on the Billie Holiday album in this collectionā but here, itās a painful distraction from a great performer. Itās a 3 on the strength of Ray Charlesās singing and playing and on execution of the conceptāreinterpreting country/western songs in a very different style.
3
Jan 23 2025
The ArchAndroid
Janelle MonƔe
So much diversity on this album that itās hard to find a throughline. It opens with a great rap piece (Dance or Die) and migrates through some really smart R&B (Locked Inside), though itās hidden under a too standard pop melody and production. Then weāre on to what might be a Bond theme (Sir Greendown) + some very proper-sounding British torch songs (Oh, maker). Symphonic pieces are mixed in with tunes that give Pharrel (Tightrope) & Outkast a run for the money. Definitely hear some of Bowieās influence, which is well applied.
Itās a lot. But, MonĆ”e is so talented, her delivery is so energetic, and the production is generally so interesting, that it makes me want to stick with it and understand what sheās up to. Itās a high 3, verging on a 4 ā but I might come back to this and raise the score.
3
Jan 24 2025
Vol. 4
Black Sabbath
How did i miss this growing up? I guess I was just put off by Ozzieās shtick? (And Iām not a big fan if his voice). But man, this album rocks! Tremendous licks & great musicianship all around (but, Ozzieās voice š). Black Sabbath was clearly leagues beyond the many imitators that followed. Needed to hear this great album before I died (4āļø), but not sure itās coming to the desert island with me. But maybeā¦?
4
Jan 25 2025
Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes
Nice sounds, nice songs. This album is in my core genre, but thereās not a lot thatās surprising about it. I like it (3) but, Iāll take Neil Young to the desert island instead.
3
Jan 26 2025
Bummed
Happy Mondays
Tasting notes include The Clash, INXS, Peter Gabriel/Genesis, and do i detect a whiff of LCD Soundsystem? But this doesnāt hold a candle to any of those artists. I could not get through this album, but that might be partially due to my current setting ā if i was dancing at a party, club, concert, Iād might appreciate this sound. But, listening to it closely for musical entertainment, as a whole album, straight through ā no thanks. (1).
[note ā this listening experience stuck with me in a bad way, so i had to come back to downgrade.it to a 1).
1
Jan 27 2025
Rhythm Nation 1814
Janet Jackson
Some bangers in here. Production is highest level. The youthful flip flop between sexual naivety and aggression comes across as a little dated now. Weāre living in a different world musically. A three for me.
3
Jan 28 2025
Let's Stay Together
Al Green
You can tell this album is a 5 in the first :30 seconds
5
Jan 29 2025
Lady In Satin
Billie Holiday
That voice! She could sing the phone book and it would be a 5. But itās a great album in its own right ā nothing is forced. Even the dated orchestral arrangements are on point and work well with her delivery.
I canāt say how influential Ms Holliday has been, because frankly, thereās never been anything like her before or since.
This is coming to the desert island with me. An emphatic 5.
5
Jan 30 2025
Tommy
The Who
A great concept album thatās well executed. The music is great too, although a lot of the pieces are there simply to move the plot along. Undeniably influential on rock operas and concept albums that followed (eg, the Wall).
4
Jan 31 2025
Music For The Jilted Generation
The Prodigy
Seems like a great and influential classic in the rave scene. Very interesting samples mixed over endless industrial beats. But this is not music for sitting around and listening to ā itās music for dancing. Hard to score against music intended fir a different purpose. Iāll give it a 3, but could be a four based on its influence in the club/dance/rave scene. Or it could be a 2 because you just canāt listen to a whole album of this stuff repeatedly.
3
Feb 01 2025
Meat Is Murder
The Smiths
Ugh. I hate this sound. I think the Smiths might be a major reason that I stopped listening to pop music in the late 80ās and 90ās.
I mean, the instruments are played well and the underlying music is fine. But that crooning, preening, emo ātra la la,ā talk-singing that is the same on every song is SO grating. Plus, you can tell the lead singer doesnāt care about the rest if the music as his vocals are disconnected from the rest of the mysic in almost every imaginable way (rhythmically, at the sound mixing level, melodically). Itās a 1.
1
Feb 02 2025
Ctrl
SZA
Solid modern R&B musically, hi production value, backing lyrics that are straight porn. I donāt need the graphic play by play of sex acts with my R&B. Not sure what got this on the list other than shock value. I realize many many bands have nasty lyrics and themes ā but the metaphors, word play, & double entendre make it more interesting than this.
2
Feb 03 2025
It's A Shame About Ray
The Lemonheads
Good fun rock and roll (Alternative Rock) Sounds like an (better) inspiration for the Rembrandts. Maybe it laid the foundation for the āGarden Stateā sound? Guitar work sounds very Boston (the band/album) to me. Also, the REM influence is clear, but with āsurf rock bandā energy.
3
Feb 04 2025
British Steel
Judas Priest
Cartoonishly simple music and overwrought lyrics. Most songs sound the same and the others are barroom anthems. Lead singer has pipes, but almost all lyrics are spoken rather than sung. Still, itās better executed than i thought it would be.
2
Feb 05 2025
Faith
George Michael
This is a great album ā sounds better in headphones than i imagined it would. Good studio artistry happening here. Not really my style of music ā over-earnest, overproduced, too poppy. Itās a 3.
3
Feb 06 2025
Only By The Night
Kings of Leon
Kings of Leon have a sound. The sound is layered guitars over propulsive rhythms. Sometimes they do really good things with that sound ā other times itās boring.
2
Feb 07 2025
Life's Too Good
The Sugarcubes
Important because⦠early Bjƶrk. Lyrics are kinda hilarious. Sheās great and the music is interesting. But not sure Iāll listen to the whole album again. Afraid this is a 2. (Downgraded after listening to other albums)
2
Feb 08 2025
Raising Hell
Run-D.M.C.
A classic. So influential on the rap and rock that followed. Rhymes and rhythms are *tight*. On the downside, itās definitely āof an eraā thatās passed, so a little dated. But itās still great! A 4. Will listen to it again.
4
Feb 09 2025
The Grand Tour
George Jones
A crooner, with an influential sound. Seems like the basis of a lot of modern country that i do not like, though this is basically just songs from a singer/songwriter. Doesnāt stand up against Johnnie Cash, Merle Haggard, or Hank Williams.
2
Feb 10 2025
The Who Sell Out
The Who
The Who really love the concept album. Unfortunately, their songwriting does not always reach the heights of their imagination. There are some gems here, and the sound effects prefigure autotune and digital voiceovers. Iām down with the anti commercialization, but Iām not buying this album. Itās a 2.
2
Feb 11 2025
You Want It Darker
Leonard Cohen
Cohen is a master songwriter. This album, written as he anticipated his death, is a set of observations on life and death that crystallize regret, sadness, and disillusionment. Iād call them sharply ācynical,ā but his pain is too well earned to dismiss as simple disappointment. This guy lived a good life, with all the perks of tolerable levels of fame ā if heās seeing this much darkness, then whatās in store for the rest of us?
These songs are a modern set of blessings for life and death ā but the reality they anoint is a dark one. On the other hand, would he have bothered to write this album if he found no redemption at all in the end? Cohen is telling us how it really is at the end ā or maybe (maybe) this is his final warning to us: Live life as if all life matters, or life will cease to have meaning at the end ā cultivate the light, not the darkness.
I canāt play this album too often, but Iād like it to be there for me in the darkest moments.
4
Feb 12 2025
Make Yourself
Incubus
The musical definition of the phrase ātake a chill pill.ā Bombastic rap rock by bros that takes themselves way too seriously. One of these songs, with their multi-layered assault of power chords + hip-hop scratching might have been interesting. But a whole album? It all sounds the same ā predictable and way too earnest.
1
Feb 13 2025
I Am a Bird Now
Antony and the Johnsons
Musically interesting. Mostly torch-songs. Worth another listen.
3
Feb 14 2025
Safe As Milk
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
This album is extraordinarily creative music, laid over a blues-rock chassis. I feel like every rock/modern pop song iāve heard since this album is somehow contained in these songs. Not all the songs are easy to listen to, and Vleitās voice is not super pleasant. But this is good ā really good!
4
Feb 15 2025
Brothers
The Black Keys
In the early days of Pandora, I found that the playlist for all my stations would converge to the Black Keys. I liked what I heard, but never chose to listen to them proactively. Why?!?!
The Black Keys are like Doritos for my ears ā designed in some chemical laboratory in New Jersey to be the perfect mix of rock, blues, and soul. Always grooving hard, but remaining in the pocket. Nothing is forced. 5 stars.
5
Feb 16 2025
Blood On The Tracks
Bob Dylan
A great album of fantastic songs. Dylan is unmatched in the song-writing department. But he definitely is matched in the singing department, which is why so many of his songs become popular hits when covered by those who can sIng.
Itās a 4, for sure ā almost a 5. But, I would only play this album once through, at any one time; I would not put it on repeat or shuffle. So, Iāll stick with a 4.
4
Feb 17 2025
The Stranger
Billy Joel
The sound track of my childhood, this album still generally holds up. Mostly great (though occasionally lazy) song writing, with inspirations from the Beatles and disco mixed with the obligatory sax that became a sonic meme for most of the 80s. Respect that Joel is a writer of tight songs, respectable piano player, and reasonably good vocalist ā a complete package.
On the downside, itās hard to ignore the inflated self-image & bravura of a 20-30 year old boy here. This was a feature. Joel was speaking to the boys & young men of newly middle class suburban families who were, letās say ā dramatic romantic hotheads. The cheese was en pointe.
The album is so influential that it became the model for much of the less well-crafted easy listening and lounge music that came after.
But, in the end, this album is like a cuatro formaggio pizza ā too much cheese. Itās a 3
3
Feb 18 2025
Fear Of Music
Talking Heads
Fantastic album. So creative rhythmically and melodically. Joyful. This is a four star.
4
Feb 19 2025
Blood And Chocolate
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Elvis is the Bob Dylan of the garage-pop genre. A truly amazing song-writer. Heās not a tremendous vocalist but heās better than many and the passion he has fir his characters is obvious and endearing. This album lacks the recognizable hits on many of his albums ā but heās channeling Roy Orbison, REM, and others into his world of loveable ruffians. Itās a 3, but might be a 4 on a second listen.
3
Feb 20 2025
Vespertine
Bjƶrk
This is really interesting music āorchestral, etherealā and that voice is ⦠something else. Everything, from the rhythms, synth landscapes, to strings, and vocals is well crafted & intentional. Itās not music i want to listen to every day, but Iām glad I listened to it (at least once) before I died. Rating this a three might suggest Iām ambivalent about it, ā Iām not. Itās too engaging. But a four might imply that I ālikeā this sound and will listen to it a lot ā I probably wonāt (too much work).
I give in ā itās a 4.
4
Feb 21 2025
Suede
Suede
This is not good. The vocalist makes it basically unlistenable.
1
Feb 22 2025
With The Beatles
Beatles
Here we have a very good Bar Mitzvah band in 1963. They play songs that are tight and arranged in the style of the day. But, if you strip away all that the Beatles do after this album, thereās nothing exceptional or highly creative here. Itās fine ā thereās nothing wrong with it. But, aside from a few really fun tracks, thereās little about this album that I had to hear before I died. Itās a 2.
2
Feb 23 2025
Juju
Siouxsie And The Banshees
Many energetic performances here. But. itās too much of the same thing ā and that thing is angsty-anger. They have a particular sound and itās a lot.
2
Feb 24 2025
Talking Heads 77
Talking Heads
Energetic, creative, wry, and funny party music. But not the pinnacle of the Talking Heads art. Itās a 3 ā might be good to listen again, when not on a plane.
3
Feb 25 2025
Bryter Layter
Nick Drake
Good and interesting music. Southern California morning songs for the Laurel Canyon set. Sort of a male Joanie Mitchell with orchestral arrangements (but not as necessary to my music collection as Joanie). 3 or 4, depending on the weather.
3
Feb 26 2025
Emperor Tomato Ketchup
Stereolab
Electronica overlayed with French-fairy lyrics. Most of it is happening at the same pace ā and it relies too much on the notion of melody as rhythm. Itās danceable, but itās hard to take it seriously musically. A lot of noodling around for effect. 2
2
Feb 27 2025
Take Me Apart
Kelela
This is a good example of the modern R&B sound. Singer has a nice voice; songs sound good. Not sure why itās an album i needed to listen to before i died, but now I have.
2
Feb 28 2025
Vento De Maio
Elis Regina
I think Iām at a disadvantage because (a) i donāt understand Portuguese and (b) this particular album was only available on YouTube, which sucks as a portal.
But, while it sounds original and well-produced and the vocals are great, this is basically just a pop-album that seems to have led down the dark path to smooth latin jazz. Not something I really needed to hear in any language. Itās a 2.
2
Mar 01 2025
The Band
The Band
I love The Band. But this is not their very best album ā the Last Waltz is the touchstone for Americana. And Iām surprised the critics who made this list wouldnāt have put Music from Big Pink on the list, since thatās āwhere it all beganā for The Band.
4
Mar 02 2025
Call of the Valley
Shivkumar Sharma
My ability to rate this suffers from my limited exposure to the form Iāve listened to Indian music for a long time, but Iām not a student.
This music is so expressive, soothing, exciting. Always tasteful. Just beautifulā now I have a new artist to follow!
Still, I think there are Indian musicians that Iād listen to before I listen to this album ā Ravi Shankar, Roop Verma, and Arjun Verma come to mind.
4
Mar 03 2025
Sound Affects
The Jam
Derivative. Derivative of some good stuff, so not objectionable really ā just not captivating. Itās a 2 or a 3 ā depending on the mood.
2
Mar 04 2025
The College Dropout
Kanye West
Kanye is a sick man. But that doesnāt change the reality that the music is the highest quality. Still Iām not taking a self-described Nazi to the desert island.
The rhymes are political, creative, tight. The musical backing is great. Still the seeds of Yeās illness are apparent. Between some if the amazing tracks, are lazy and indulgent tracks. At times, heās riding the line between revealing the lives of his characters (eg, the kids choir ā which is hella funny) and exploiting them. Looking back with 20:20, itās clear that sometimes (eg, Slow Jamz) heās mocking his subjects. He might not have meant that at the time ā but thatās where it went. Too bad, because this Kanye is super-talented and has important things to say. Itās a 4 ā would have been a 5 with some more editing discipline.
4
Mar 05 2025
Devotional Songs
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Indescribably fantastic. I have no context for the music. But every time i hear these ragas and Khanās chanting, I smile. Must have this music in my life. Five!
5
Mar 06 2025
GI
Germs
Very good raw punk power. But punk is not my thing. Played like this, itās just too repetitive at multiple levels. The pacing and rhythm are one speed. But itās quality work in that genre, as far as I can tell. A 2.
2
Mar 07 2025
Walking Wounded
Everything But The Girl
You can wear this to work or to the club. Listenable and danceable. SadĆØ-like (but not SadĆØ, of course). Itās a 3.
3
Mar 08 2025
Boston
Boston
I am simply amazed by how well it holds up. The craftsmanship is fantastic and its influence on rock undeniable.
Unfortunately, so many albums, groups, and whole years of rock and roll attempted to replicate the joy & passion of this album but lacked the musicality, authenticity, and talent of the original. The studio work (arrangement, mixing) is impeccable. The harmonies soar; the guitar hooks groove hard, but remain unforced. A favorite & part of the desert island collection.
5
Mar 09 2025
La Revancha Del Tango
Gotan Project
Electronica meets vaguely āworld music.ā Interesting samples and overlays. Good as cafe music, to create a vibe ā or slower pieces in ecstatic dance, I guess? Creative and interesting enough to earn a 3.
3
Mar 10 2025
Manassas
Stephen Stills
Listening to this album allows us to hear Stillsā hard charging blues influence on CS&N.
There are some good songs here ā classic Stephen Stills funky guitar licks & a great rhythm section. His voice sounds good, though Iām surprised he had an old man tamber even this early in his career.
But there are some duds on this album too ā several not great ācountryā songs. And even the better songs sound familiar at this point. Maybe this is where the Stephen Stills sound started (?) but itās a well trodden path.
As an album, itās a 2 for me.
2
Mar 11 2025
Moon Safari
Air
Like air, thereās not much here. Itās listenable, usually inoffensive, and ultimately forgettable. Itās almost the perfect definition of a ā2,ā but sometimes it verges close to a ā1ā for repetitiveness & lack of creativity.
2
Mar 12 2025
Beyond Skin
Nitin Sawhney
This is a really good album. Trip-hop and sampling arenāt usually part of my listening diet, but here, itās mixed seamlessly with middle-eastern and Indian music. The combination is more than the some of its parts. The artist is very talented and i look forward to exploring more of their discography. A four (which might become a 5 with more familiarity).
4
Mar 13 2025
Unknown Pleasures
Joy Division
Sounds flat, heavyābut not in a good wayā and repetitive. The mixing is not great āāsingerā sounds disconnected from the musical backdrop. And, the vocalist is mainly talking through the lyrics. A 2, but on the edge of a 1.
2
Mar 14 2025
Rain Dogs
Tom Waits
Iām not so into the burlesque sound of some of this album. But the blues tracks rock! I appreciate the creativity. Definitely want to give this another listen.
4
Mar 15 2025
Rage Against The Machine
Rage Against The Machine
This is a fantastic album. An essential tool in the box for political advocates, the band synthesizes the frustration, anger, and critiques of punk, metal, & some strains of rap. Speaking of rap, the flow is unique ā a staccato that is timed with the rhythm so the words actually hit you. The rhythms are propulsive and swaggering. While itās political, this music puts you in your body.
There are flaws. A few of the rhymes are lyrically strained. And this is not music I can listen to for too long, like I could have 30 years ago. But, itās still essential and relevant ā and it rocks!
4
Mar 16 2025
Talking Timbuktu
Ali Farka TourƩ
Beautiful, complex, moving, juicy music. The artists are masters, fully in command of the sound and their audience. I could listen to this all day! A 5.
5
Mar 17 2025
At San Quentin
Johnny Cash
I love Johnny Cash. And this album really shows how big his heart and soul were. The connection he makes with his audience is intimate & empathetic. Musically, this is not his best work -/ itās hard to get the best in any live venue performance, let alone in a prison hall. Also, the dialogue is all interesting and touching, but, if youāre listening for music, the talking becomes a distraction (think of listening to this album twice in a row). Itās a 3. I hope there are other Johnny Cash albums to review on this list.
3
Mar 18 2025
Back In Black
AC/DC
AC/DCās sound is iconic & their influence is immense. They set the standard for the bad boys of rock & roll. Some of their songs are fantastic, but others are repetitive and/or sound the same. The vocals are epic at times & just screechy at other times. This is a three.
3
Mar 19 2025
Live At The Harlem Square Club
Sam Cooke
I would give anything to have been at this show. The sound quality is great for a live show of that era and the band & Cookeās voice are so perfectly tuned. Alternately joyous & moving. A five.
5
Mar 20 2025
Jazz Samba
Stan Getz
Filled with classic jazz/samba pieces. This is the soundtrack to a happy life. Five.
5
Mar 24 2025
Tragic Songs of Life
The Louvin Brothers
Provides insight into the origins of modern country & Americana, though iām not sure this is the best example. The harmonies are great ā the folk and gospel influences are clear. Good for studying roots of modern popular music, though, again, I think there are other better examples of the same influences. Itās a 2 or three.
2
Mar 25 2025
You've Come a Long Way Baby
Fatboy Slim
This is really good. Club/party music is not in my wheelhouse, but FBS has produced an accessible, yet really interesting, album worth of beats, riffs, and samples that are designed to keep your dance floor hopping. Itās fun & listenable, very well crafted, and showcases the artistās talent & sharp instinct for what keeps the flow flowing. Four.
4
Mar 26 2025
Dance Mania
Tito Puente
Fantastic! Diversity of sounds; excellent musicianship. Fun!!
5
Mar 27 2025
Siamese Dream
The Smashing Pumpkins
Thereās a fine line between an album that represents a cohesive sound and one where the artist shows too much of their range & produces an incoherent set of (possibly very good) songs. This album demonstrates the other end of the spectrum: when the focus on the bandās sound results in a bunch of songs that all seem the same. The sound here is recognizable (probably because it was pouring out of every radio & speaker in the late 1990ās), but itās hard to tell one song from the next. Testosterone-driven lyrics over a wall of guitar power-chords ā got it, donāt need to keep listening.
2
Mar 28 2025
Nick Of Time
Bonnie Raitt
Iām not the 30-60-year-old-middle-class woman demographic on whose concerns this album focusses (a slightly different group than the subject of her most famous song, āAngel from Montgomeryā). But the songs are obviously great ā lyrically, musically, and vocally. The songwriting artfully (though narrowly) skirts sappy sentimentality and stereotypes. And Raittās vocals and guitar playing are superb. The album holds together as a single work of art.
My only reservation is that the album seems overproducedā Iād like to hear these songs as an acoustic set live, without the synthetic drum tracks and vocal backing chorus. Iāll always welcome a Bonnie Raitt song though ā so itās a 4.
4
Mar 29 2025
Machine Head
Deep Purple
Imagine being a band of great instrumentalists who jam really well together. All you want to do is jam out, trade solos, and ROCK! But, your A&R man says you need songs ā you canāt just jam. So you write some songs , just so theyāll let you jam. Although two or three of the songs are really good ā most exist simply to provide a funky base line & space for soloing.
That imaginary band is Deep Purple. The guitar work, organ/synth, and base lines are propulsive & fun! Richie Blackmooreās talent is undeniable. And, Ian Gillen is among the best Rock vocalists ever. Songs like Smoke on the Water & Child in Time (not featured on this album but one of the top 10 songs in the history of rock) are iconic. But most of the songs (eg, Space Truckinā) have no reason for being, except to organize the band musically. Unfortunately, the songs as a collective effort make this a 2.
2
Apr 03 2025
Duck Rock
Malcolm McLaren
Groundbreaking in the 1980s Hip Hop scene, those tracks sound dated now. But the fusion of street party vibes with international music is fun and livelyā precedes and paves the way for the 90ās world music craze. Need another listen (airplane), but this could be a 3 or a 4.
3
Apr 04 2025
3 Feet High and Rising
De La Soul
So much fun! The rhymes are from a different era (and often a little juvenile). But the party vibe is timelessā turn this in at a party now and people will think: āthat guy/gal throws a great party.ā Will listen again when Iām not on a plane. At least, a four.
4
Apr 05 2025
At Folsom Prison
Johnny Cash
A great album! Cash is in his element in front of a prison crowd. Listening to this made me realize that Cash is best known for sympathetic songs about really bad people. Itās a little creepy that heās celebrating murderers who ākilled a man in Reno, just to watch him die,ā for instance. But, Iāll leave psychoanalysis of American culture for sometime when Iām really Jonesing for a hit of depression.
Jonny Cash is an icon, and an American Original ā and this album shows us why. His voice, delivery, and personality are all on display. But, unlike the other Cash-goes-to-prison album(s) on this list, the music takes center stage here. And the music is great. Itās a four.
4
Apr 06 2025
Shaft
Isaac Hayes
A masterpiece! Combines funk with the symphony to define a whole sound of the 70s. Will want to relisten because of airplane background noise. A four, for sure.
4
Apr 07 2025
Here, My Dear
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gayeās voice and signature sound always bring a smile to my face. But these are barely songs ā more like musings that heās chosen to sing and set to music. Not necessarily bad, but disappointing given the manās talent. Itās a three, at best.
3
Apr 08 2025
Amnesiac
Radiohead
I really enjoyed this, my first exposure to Radiohead! I am told that their earlier tracks are overwhelmingly emo & self-loathing, an approach to music I do not like at all. But i donāt see much self-loathing here.
The album has some very interesting songs, beyond the traditional molds for pop songs. It features polyrhythms & complex layering of samples and soundscapes. Very creative, engaging, and musical. Itās a four, for sure ā but with more exposure, I might move it to a five.
4
Apr 09 2025
The Blueprint
JAY Z
This is great listening! Jay Z has superior skills in front of the mic, as well as in production. The rhymes and flow hit hard and the storytelling is masterful. My only complaint is that the range is limited to battle-rap & misogyny. Iām not offended, but I can tell Jay-Z can say & do more. Itās a four, but I wish it was a five.
4
Apr 10 2025
Pyromania
Def Leppard
Because of this project, Iāve learned that Def Leppard is purely derivative of Judas Priest. In some ways they might be better than the original because their hooks are better. But itās pretty simple music with juvenile themes. Three of the songs are bangers, but the rest miss (particularly the first track). As an album, it fails.
2
Apr 17 2025
Veckatimest
Grizzly Bear
Grizzly Bear is what happens when Crosby Stills Nash and Young join forces to write songs with Steely Dan that are performed by the Flaming Lips. The sound is not as good as those bands, but not bad ā itās highly creative and melodic, but lacks any hooks. A three for now, but could be a four if I became more familiar with the music.
3
Apr 18 2025
Superunknown
Soundgarden
The foundation of grunge, though you can hear the other influences so clearly. Iām not a big fan of grunge and all these songs sound the same to me ā muscle and testosterone. Good hooks, but theyāre all hook, with no space to reflect and contemplate between the riffs. Still, Soundgarden influenced pop rock for a decade, which is impressive and probably led to something interesting. As an album, itās just too 2-dimensional. Itās a 2.
2
Apr 19 2025
What's Going On
Marvin Gaye
A Classic. Such a distinctive, soulful sound that has never been replicated. These are great songs, unlike the M. Gaye album i reviewed earlier, which was all his sound, without the song. A five.
5
Apr 20 2025
Fuzzy
Grant Lee Buffalo
Itās fine, often verging on good. But did I need to hear this before I died? No, I donāt think I did. A two.
2
Apr 21 2025
E.V.O.L.
Sonic Youth
This album is really interesting and creative. Not my kind of music ā their sound is tortured, post-punk. But itās clearly very well done and makes a statement. A three for now, but i may come back for another listen.
3
Apr 22 2025
Urban Hymns
The Verve
I listened to this album a lot during a very down period ā it did not make my life better. Obviously, because I listened to it frequently, I wonāt say itās not a good album ā in fact, it performs best because it is an album. But if i wanted to listen to the Lament of the Heroin Addict, Iād listen to Pink Floyd instead. This is a two.
2
Apr 23 2025
Document
R.E.M.
On the border between 4 & 5. It lacks much of the mystery and depth of feeling of their earlier (but not earliest) work. Lifeās Rich Pageant and Fables of the Reconstruction are, to my ear, their best albums. āThe one I loveā is such a tremendous merger of passion and cynicism, on par with āBoots of Spanish Leatherā that it almost tipped the whole album into the 5 zone. But, there are definitely a song or two i could skip and i think itās too straightforward to be an REM ā5ā. They can do better. Itās a four.
4
Apr 24 2025
Oracular Spectacular
MGMT
Has several hallmarks of music i donāt like. Techno, high pitched waffly male singer, etc. But this is really good! Seems strongly Bowie-influenced in a great way. Despite its techno roots, this album is (intentionally) underproduced and sounds homemade/DIY. Also, the tracks have a high degree of musicality, which I appreciateā itās FUN listening. A four.
4
Apr 25 2025
Hearts And Bones
Paul Simon
I hate this album. I am actually angry that I listened to it. I like Paul Simon, and previously regarded him as a savant. But this is pure trash!
This album actually sounds like it emerged as a joke, or a dare (āyou canāt write, record, and produce an album in under 5 hoursā), or as a threat from his accountant (āYouāre broke! Put out an album, STAT!ā).
The first song is about his allergies. I shit you not. It sounds like it was written by a pre-teen. And thereās an intensely earnest instrumental section and a guitar solo that are completely at odds with the lyric.
Then thereās the song about writing a song that sounds like it was made up on the spot. Several other songs are total dogshit.
The title song is very good, and Iām told itās about his failed marriage to Carrie Fisher. Itās endearing and thoughtful, but it cannot save this album.
The only mitigation for this monstrosity is that it is the album before Graceland (which is brilliant) and, if you see it as warm up finger exercises for that album (the characters and storylines are similar), then maybe itās ok that he put this utterly awful collection when he really should not have. Why itās in the 1001 list is really beyond me though.
1
Apr 26 2025
Arrival
ABBA
I had fond memories of singing ABBA with my dear departed mother on long road trips. I wanted to like it again. But i do not like it now. The songs are trash. Overly serious for such mundane and even silly topics (āi kissed the teacher;ā ādancing queenā). The lyrics are simply dedigned to rhyme and scan ā the story they tell is often internally inconsistent (āthere us nothing we canāt doā & breaking up is āthe best I can doā?? ā weak!) & always delivered as if everything depends on *this one song*. Thereās no snap to this pop ā itās all hyper-orchestrated and soulless. I guess they harmonize well enough. A two bordering on a 1.
2
Apr 27 2025
Want One
Rufus Wainwright
Troubador with a good voice and sweeping orchestration. Couldnāt make heads or tails of it and will need another listen. But i didnāt hear anything that made me want to give it another listen. Itās a 2.
2
Apr 28 2025
Goodbye And Hello
Tim Buckley
Over -earnest, over-wrought vocal of affected lyrics. Orchestration, similar, though some pieces jam a bit. Overall, annoying.
1
Apr 29 2025
Crime Of The Century
Supertramp
Supertramp have a sound āspringy organ synth, choral harmonies, loopy 58-pound weakling lead singerā that I donāt hate. But even though each song is internally creative, they all sound similar ā that Supertramp sound is pervasive. This whole album, while somewhat entertaining, sounds derivative of itself. Itās like every song could be in a sonic sequel to Tommy.
3
Apr 30 2025
What's That Noise?
Coldcut
I canāt find this album anywhere. I listened to a few tracks. Good DJāing. Good jams. Donāt know that Iād want to hear a whole album as a sitting experience l. But i give it a 3 ā provisionally.
3
May 01 2025
Strange Cargo III
William Orbit
Interesting (and early) electronica. Great for dancing, good for the gym. Not really sitting-around-listening-to kinda music. Three.
3
May 02 2025
Live Through This
Hole
Why did no one tell me that Hole is this good?!? I had the impression that Courtney Love was just some Kurt Cobain hanger-on. Why? Oh yeah, because white men (most music critics) pay a lot of attention to other white men, overstating their talent and importance on the regular.
This is better than any Nirvana I know (and granted, I donāt have much Nirvana exposure). In fact, fāk the comparison to other bands. This is epic in its own right. Courtney Loveās vocal and guitar performances SLAY and the rest of the band is up to the task. Excellent drumming; driving bass. The style outside of my usual tastes, which makes how impressed I am even more impressive.
A revelation! A solid 4.
4
May 03 2025
Ready To Die
The Notorious B.I.G.
Killer! BIGās flow is not just a complex mechanism for delivering lyrics (and it would be legendary, even if it were only that), it is his message. That flow, that voice ā itās his instrument.
The music here would get a 5. The skits in between the tunes are really important and tell a story, but they wonāt improve on repeated listens. Not to disrespect the spoken partsā they are epic (though I could have done without the one with the sound effects of BIG getting down with his lady). But, those kinds of non-musical pieces are things i would skip if I put the album on repeat. Itās a solid 4, though.
4
May 04 2025
Highly Evolved
The Vines
Good, straight up rock and roll. Itās a little too loud and angry for me, but i might get used to that on a re-listen. Itās a 3, for now.
3
May 05 2025
Natty Dread
Bob Marley & The Wailers
Easily a 5. Creative, so mysical, fun(!) and yet packs a message. I donāt know of another musician who dominates their genre the way Marley does. He defines the reggae sound, especially the upbeat musical themes. (A lot of reggae and Jamaican culture is much darker ā as in āThem Belly Fullā). A classic that I would gladly play over and over ā especially on a deserted island.
5
May 06 2025
A Rush Of Blood To The Head
Coldplay
Coldplay was inescapable there for a while. But I never intentionally listened to them. Theyāre good. The U2 influence is very clear (sometimes too much) ā theyāre like a happy version of The Verve, but better. This is really good though. Iāll listen to it again. A 4.
4
May 07 2025
We Are Family
Sister Sledge
Really good disco album. Lots of fun and obviously worthy of the attention it got back in the day. Though the sistersā family vibe adds a lot of charm and consistency to this album, I donāt think it pushed the boundaries of disco ā just cemented itās legacy of influence in the 70s and beyond. Good album! A 3.
3
May 13 2025
Dare!
The Human League
There is 1 good song on this album, and you already know what it is. The rest sounds like it was written by 12 year olds who just learned a few chords on a keyboard.
As for influence, itās possible that this album was a breakthrough to the genre of wingey, woe-is-me, nihilist British bands that I truly despise. So, negative credit on the influence score.
Donāt need to hear this album again and didnāt need to hear the whole thing the first time. Itās a 1
1
May 14 2025
The Joshua Tree
U2
This is the kind of album that makes the distinction between a 4 & a 5 very clear. The songwriting and performances are excellent and varied. Yes, U2 has a sound ā and at times (after this album) that sound might occasionally become repetitive. But here they mix up the singles-designed-to-chart with songs (Bullet the Blue Sky, Trip Through Your Wires) that galvanize the whole effort into a singular achievement, rather than just a compilation of songs.
The Edge is a genius of layering guitar parts and rhythms to achieve an ocean of sound. Adam Claytonās bass playing is impeccable; Larry Mullen Jrās drumming is always tasteful, often driving the melody, ever on point. Bono can sing.
Listening to it now, I realize that this is a road trip album, pivoting from very earthy songs (Red Hill Mining Town & those previously mentioned) to songs that express quest and epiphany. This is a great ride & a spiritual reboot. Makes me happy to give it a 5.
5
May 15 2025
Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Wilco
Good. Well constructed and well-produced. But Iām not sure how much i like their distinctive, laconic sound. This album seems a bit repetitive & Iāve heard other Wilco that I like better. A 3 for now, but Iāll give it another listen.
3
May 16 2025
Either Or
Elliott Smith
This is good. Really well-crafted songs that ache with loneliness. Sounds like The Shins and was probably influential on that whole turn-of-the-century sound. Very mellow & a bit depressing. Itās a 3, but might be a four on another listen.
3
May 17 2025
Paul Simon
Paul Simon
There are some classic songs on this album. But the rest are mediocre. One pretty good song is structured too much like āThe Boxerā from his S & G days ā it sounds like heās just working with a good formula to churn out modern Odysseys. Elsewhere, Simon falls into his habit of recording songs he really should have left behind or should have worked on to make them more compelling. The great songs are great, but a few great songs doesnāt justify a four for the whole album. Also, in comparison to his albums that have brilliant songwriting throughout (Bridge Over Troubled Water; Graceland), this album is just a 3.
3
May 18 2025
American IV: The Man Comes Around
Johnny Cash
This album is quite an accomplishment. The first three tracks set an incredible mood ā truly amazing. There are some weaker tracks on this album, Cash is not always singing, and all the songs are coversā so it canāt be a 5 in my book. But on the strength of the first three tracks alone (+ some other excellent covers sprinkled throughout) itās a four.
4
May 19 2025
Will The Circle Be Unbroken
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
This super-important album brings together generations of country & bluegrass artists. Itās the foundation of modern bluegrass, americana, and what remains of good country music in the modern day. For this, i give it credit.
This is a double album and itās long. The music is great, but in a way, it feels more like an encyclopedia than a great work of fiction ā a resource, rather than a single work of art. Some of the songs are fantastic though. As a āsit down and listen to this double album all the way throughā experience, this is a 3. As a resource and historically influential giant, itās a five. On the whole (and because it really is a compilation of different independent artists, not a cohesive band), itās a 4.
4
May 20 2025
Abbey Road
Beatles
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5
May 21 2025
Queen II
Queen
Queen is great. This is a Queen album. But itās not a great album. All the elements of the sound are here, including the quirky interludes. But here, the sound hasnāt congealed into a masterpiece. Itās dramatic and fun of course, just not as fantastic as Queen can be.
2
May 22 2025
Loveless
My Bloody Valentine
Unremarkable, although it seems to be a precursor for bands like the Cranberries, on the one hand, and Coldplay, on the other. But theyāre not as good as either. Not offensive, but didnāt need to hear this. A 2.
2
May 23 2025
Arular
M.I.A.
Very danceable. Very early āgirl powerā sound. But very repetitive. Sounds like an āalbum of the summerā from whatever year. This would be fun as accompaniment to a party or on the dance floor ā thereās no way I want to listen to it from beginning to end. And, now that Iāve heard a few tracks, Iām not aching to listen to them again either (as a listening experience). Itās a two ā i did not need to hear this whole album before I died.
2
May 24 2025
The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground
Iāve known about VU forever and heard and loved Sweet Jane, etc. But I always avoided diving in because I suspected they were too āartyā for me. So i was pleasantly surprised how much I loved the first few tracks on this album, and, of course, Sweet Jane. It would have been a strong 5, but there were a few parts that were too experimental for me (i donāt go much for atonal, in pop music). It lands at a pleasantly-surprised 4 ā Iāll definitely listen again.
4
May 25 2025
3 Years, 5 Months And 2 Days In The Life Of...
Arrested Development
These rhymes and rhythms still sounds fresh and really fun. They are complex and thoughtful, but the groove emerges organically. The message is timeless (unfortunately) and important ā sometimes (rarely) the message doesnāt fit within the rhythm and the rhymes are a little forced. Really a great album. A four ā but could potentially be a 5 if i listened to it enough to become familiar.
4
May 26 2025
Live!
Fela Kuti
An amazing performance by two iconic (and egomaniacal) geniuses. This is platinum-standard stuff for any jam band or funk performer. Slight downgrade because of the dialogue thatās a part of most live recordingsā and the fact that you can hear the tension between the two marquee names in Felaās comments (hushing the crowd after he introās Baker, giving a sing he āwrote for Ginger Bakerā a derogatory title, ⦠etc). A very solid 4.
4
May 27 2025
21
Adele
The lady has pipes! She goes for it. I appreciate that. This is an album full of torch songs designed to feature Adel, and the instrumentation is broad brush and not too complex. The songs are mostly good, a few are really engaging. But this is not an album Iām gonna listen to straight through again. Itās a 3.
3
May 28 2025
Grace
Jeff Buckley
Jeff Buckleyās music is more engaging & better executed than his fatherās music. Heās got a strong voice with great range & his songs are less self-obsessed ā heās revealing his inner world, and itās full of the pain that is in many lives from time to time. Highly relatable. I hear the precedent for Gavin Degraw and other muscular male musician-vocalists. I hear Freddie Mercury as an influence, which is interesting. Iām sure this album is a crossroads of influences and influenced. But thereās something that doesnāt fit ā something is forced.
Itās not bad, i should listen to it again. A three.
3
May 29 2025
Music for the Masses
Depeche Mode
This music is simple/simplistic; the lyrics are also simple/simplistic & often forced. The delivery is very consistent ā disaffected, canāt be bothered; nihilistic.
Iām glad thereās music for every crowd. But itās not my kind of music. Iād prefer not to hear this album or almost any of the individual songs again. Itās a 1.
1
May 30 2025
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Better than I thought it would be. In general, the musicianship is very high quality. The drumming, in particular, was impressive. Mostly itās a steady diet of speed metal with overwrought and preening lyrics on top of guitars on top of guitars on top of guitars Thereās a little variation in the pace of the songs, but not much.
All in all ā Iām glad I listened to it and itās legit to claim that one should hear a great speed metal album before they die. Now that I have listenedāI wonāt need to hear a whole album like this again (except that there are probably more like this in the 1001 list). Itās a three.
3
May 31 2025
Young Americans
David Bowie
Wonderfully fun. Bowie is in peak form as a crooner. This is a 4.
4
Jun 01 2025
Another Music In A Different Kitchen
Buzzcocks
Iām not a fan of punk, but this was musical and interesting. The band is really tight and talented. I enjoyed it more than I thought i would. A solid 3.
3
Jun 05 2025
Yank Crime
Drive Like Jehu
I do not like the scream I hear; I do not like it in my ear. Stop screaming young man; your voice is not nice. Your anger is so hot; I must put this on ice.
Iād be really annoyed if I was stuck in traffic listening to this. Itās a 1. (Have i mentioned that I donāt like punk?).
1
Jun 06 2025
If You're Feeling Sinister
Belle & Sebastian
This is really creative. I did not like the first track at all ā lyrically annoying. But by the end of the album, I was grooving on their fast, self-reflective and revelatory lyrical delivery. The music is good too. Itās a 3 for now, but might be a 4 on a second listen.
3
Jun 07 2025
My Aim Is True
Elvis Costello
Elvis is a great songwriter and performer. He takes tried-and-true rock-and-roll motifs and adds nuance and complexity. His lyrical cleverness is unsurpassed in the pop genre. Always enjoyable listening. This is a 4.
4
Jun 08 2025
Pretenders
Pretenders
Chrissie Hinds is a queen and the band is excellent. Some of the songs are a little too in-your-face for me ā maybe I would have gravitated to that sound when I was younger. But, many tracks are just brilliant lyrically and melodically ā and when Hindsā delivery lines up with the right song, itās magic! There are some absolute classics here ā itās a four.
4
Jun 09 2025
The Score
Fugees
This is a fantastic album ā full of meaning and full of fun. The delivery is fast and smooth. The music is great. Sometimes the cultural references distract from the message. And some of the skit pieces could be shorter ā but they are more entertaining than most rap album skits. Overall, itās a 5 ā the second Lauren Hill album to make it to my desert island.
5
Jun 10 2025
Surfer Rosa
Pixies
Iād heard of, but never listened to, the Pixies. Theyāre great! The music is a little on the edge for me. But, itās creative and delivered with talent and confidence. Could be a three, but it makes it over the threshold to a four.
4
Jun 11 2025
Logical Progression
LTJ Bukem
This is not music for sitting around and listening ā itās a very particular kind of (trance-y, rave-y) dance music. Iām not opposed to dance music, but, as an album, this super repetitive. Also, I wonder if music thatās supposed to move your body and help you reach a higher state can be produced without any physical instrumentation or live players? This is all concocted in someoneās brain, and then manifested in a computer/laboratory. As a result, itās pretty sterile.
Iām told itās an influential album/band ā a great example of drum and bass. Iāll give it a 2, but Iām not going to listen to it again unless Iām at a ravey scene.
2
Jun 12 2025
Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel
Two of my favorite songs ever are on this album. Other songs are fantastic. But some of the theatricality is not for me on some days ā itās not always a five. But, I must have the album with me on a desert island. Itās a 4.5; what to do? Iāll give it a 4 for now. ā> UPDATE: OK, thatās šš¼ridiculous, I would totally play this album back-to-back on my desert island, without question. Iāll go with a 5.
5
Jun 13 2025
Smile
Brian Wilson
Iām sure this is brilliant and Iām just too much of a heathen to understand it. But to my primitive ears, it sounds like Wilson is trying way too hard (āOohh, lyrics in the native Hawaiian tongueā) šŗ. And at the same, time, itās very predictable. Iāll pass. Itās a 2 ā maybe a 1, but he just died, so ⦠2.
2
Jun 14 2025
In The Court Of The Crimson King
King Crimson
I have loved this album for a long time, so itās hard to disconnect it from youthful memories. This art-rock is so creative, fun, and of its time; I still love it. The musicians are exceptional, deftly and cohesively weaving together jazz & rock & elements of klezmer ā the overall effect is serious, humorous, very sad, and often beautiful. Most importantly, they only got a little carried away with themselves & self-indulgent (on āMoon Childā) and were not gawkily theatrical like many art-rock bands get sometimes.
This is a five for me.
5
Jun 15 2025
A Nod Is As Good As A Wink To A Blind Horse
Faces
This is a pretty good, important album featuring a young Rod Stewart. Noisy British garage rock (in a good way).
Itās a 3.
3
Jun 16 2025
A Short Album About Love
The Divine Comedy
I assume the album is a send-up mockery of love songs? Even at that, itās super-over the top. The arrangement is all drama & the lyrics/vocals are all schmaltz. Thereās occasionally some interesting music happening in the background. But itās too much.
The music could be a 2 but the overdramatic lyrics and singing make it, clearly, a 1.
One song i thought was going to be good, devolved into silliness, with lyrics like āif you were a horse, iād clean the crap out of your stable; if you were horse I could ride you through the fields at dawnā¦through the day, until the day was gone. I could sing about you in all my songs as we rode away into the setting sun.ā š¤® And āif you were a dog Iād feed you scraps off of the table, though my wife complains...ā This is one of the better songs. In other words, it sucks.
Itās a one.
1
Jun 17 2025
Transformer
Lou Reed
Several classics on this album. Also several forgettable songs. Some of the more artsy tunes sound like he didnāt want to write something meaningful or enjoyable. Very Andy Warhol.
Iāve become more of a fan of Reed and the Velvet Underground through this challenge. But, as an album, this one gets only a three.
3
Jun 18 2025
Spy Vs. Spy: The Music Of Ornette Coleman
John Zorn
Iām usually not a fan of squeaky, avant- garde jazz. So i was surprised by how much i liked this. This album has structure and direction and some incredible sac playing (and harmonizing). Not my favorite music to listen to, but I can see why itās on this list and Iām glad I heard it. Itās a 3.
3
Jun 19 2025
Aha Shake Heartbreak
Kings of Leon
This album has a different sound than āOnly by Night,ā which I reviewed earlier. But itās still mid, at best. Very repetitive, within its own sound. This album may be more misogynistic than that other album ā I canāt remember (which says something). Iām sure there are great albums (5s) with lyrics that are even *more* demeaning, but the lack of nuance in the repetitive delivery of the not-so-good vocalist renders these offensive lyrics really just offensive.
Iām annoyed that KoL has two albums in this list. I did not *need* to hear this or the previous album. This is a 2.
2
Jun 20 2025
Bluesbreakers
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
Straight blues-rock. The band is obviously influential and has withstood the test of time. The musicianship is exceptional and the non-lyrical parts are the best parts of the album. Clapton is talented, of course, but here, itās hard for me to separate art from the narcissistic cretin who created it.
The musicās strength is mitigated by the vocals. The singer is fine ā hits the notes, mostly ā but his voice is wavering and high-pitched/falsetto, with none of the gravitas or gravel I appreciate in really good blues/blues rock. The singing is humorless and unsexy. Put the same lyrics in Robert Plantās mouth and it might make you blush; Mic Jaggerās tongue-in-cheek delivery would make you smile, despite the misogynistic lyrics (which are characteristic of the genre). But, here the lyrics come across as leering, stalkerish, and creepy.
On the whole, this is a super influential album; presumably thatās why itās on the list. But Iād rather hear the amazing guitar-driven blues-rock and great vocalists that came afterwards. Itās a 3.
3
Jun 21 2025
Paul's Boutique
Beastie Boys
Iām not a Beastie Boys fan. The sound of their voices and bombastic delivery is usually a turnoff. So, I was surprised how much I enjoyed listening to this album. I learned that the BBs signature includes delivering lines in unison, as opposed to solo or in harmony. Also, their use of samples is very creative and fun.
But the nasal voices still irritate me and the delivery is too consistent and repetitive. Itās really the samples & beats that distinguish their tunes, not the flow.
Still, I enjoyed it and the BBs were clearly influential in 80s/90s rap. Itās a solid 3, for me.
3
Jun 22 2025
Let It Bleed
The Rolling Stones
Merry Claytonās vocals on Gimme Shelter are so scorching, so era-defining, i could almost give this album a 5 without listening to the rest. But i wouldnāt do that ⦠(The Stones are in peak form on this track too ā after all these years, itās stunning!).
Iām more familiar with later versions of some of these songs. Country Honk is an early version of what becomes, Honkey Tonk Woman. ā this slower version sprawls a little, but itās really good.
Micās vocals on Let it Bleed are initially too affected, as a man from the US south. Chill out Mic ā people dig your voice even if youāre not originally from blues country.
This take on Rambling Man rambles a little too much at times, but makes up for it other times.
Monkey Man is an underrated banger.
You Canāt Always Get What You Want seals the deal. Definitely hear the Joe Cocker influence here.
(Itās interesting that the two strongest tracks on this album feature back up vocals prominently).
This is a 5!
5
Jun 23 2025
Green River
Creedence Clearwater Revival
This is truly an amazing album. Almost every song is a classic. I listened to CCR a lot in my younger days; and the musical protests and social critique are apt for todayās stormy social climate. Today, I donāt think Iād listen through the whole album by choice (much less repeat it every few days) ā Fogertyās iconic vocals grate on my nerves a little. With much respect to the songwriting and performance, this is now a 4 for me.
4
Jun 24 2025
Buena Vista Social Club
Buena Vista Social Club
Such a beautiful album. Relaunched several careers for these amazing Cuban musicians. Ry Cooder deserves a Nobel Prize. A must-have on any desert island. Itās a five.
5
Jun 25 2025
Fromohio
fIREHOSE
This was really good and interesting. Folk-inflected post-punk. Really excellent musicianship. Could be a 4, but iāll have to come back for another listen. Iāll go with 3 for now.
3
Jun 26 2025
Truth And Soul
Fishbone
Fishbone is nothing if not eclectic. Theyāre really talented and their music is wide-ranging, and hyper-energetic borrowing from multiple genres. But that becomes a problem for this album ā itās so sprawling & trying so hard to be edgy, that itās hard to tell what the point is. Why are all these songs on the same album? In some cases, the band seems to be trying to be weirdā itās like fingernails on a chalkboard. Thereās a lot of talent here, and even more ideas ā too bad they didnāt have a producer who could focus all that energy. As an album, this is a 2
2
Jun 27 2025
Stripped
Christina Aguilera
Thereās no doubt Aguilera can sing. But she does all the R&B tricks on every song. Some of them are catchy tunes ā Fighter makes best use of her vocal acrobatics. But some are just simple & predictable vehicles for another dozen trills and frills. Pretty boring after awhile. Lots of drama (too much) in this R&B-light, early girl power album. But props for singing about her Puerto Rican pride in Spanish ā not necessarily a marketing gimmick in the early 2000ās.
Itās a 3, based on the strength of her voice and two pretty good songs. Probably should be a two.
3
Jun 28 2025
Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters
Q: What do you call it when grunge is all cleaned up and well produced by people who have their shit together?
A: The Foo Fighters
Theyāre talented and this sounds fine. But itās not something Iāll come back to again and again. Itās a 3 (maybe a 2).
3
Jun 29 2025
Live At Leeds
The Who
The Who are the band equivalent of the 98 lb weaklings who get picked on and then they go into body building and learn Karate. Awkward, violent, prep school boys, with something to prove. Unfortunately, theyāre enmeshed in the system theyāre trying to rebel againstā prey in the spiderās web. Theyāre the kind of boys who are sad and isolated and who take it out on the nearest stray cat.
Which is not to say I donāt like The Who ā I do. Pete Townsend & Keith Moon dominate the speakers with unmatched rhythmic intensity. They sound great.
But the lyrics and song structure ā awkward, striving to be the bad boys, but using the language and manners of middle class British Society. God save the queen! Once, this would have been a 4 or 5 for me, now itās a solid 3.
3
Jun 30 2025
Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
OutKast
This was my first listen to the whole double album. Itās really fun, for a while ā but itās a bit long and starts to drag about 1/2 way through the second side. Production & creativity are top notch. The flows are spotless and varied ā influences from Jazz R&B psychedeliaā super funny!
Iāll listen again But this double album gets to be overindulgent at points. After awhile the fixation on gIrls and relationships gets boring. And, though itās funny, sometimes theyāre trying too hard for the laugh line. Itās a little forced. The time investment means I wouldnāt spin it all the way through immediately after playing it. Itās a 4.
4
Jul 01 2025
25
Adele
She uses her voice to great effect; the backing music is simple and minimal. Some of the songs are good, but most are sappy.. I wont be mad if someone wants to play it, but i wouldnāt play it myself again. As an album, itās a 2
2
Jul 02 2025
Dirty
Sonic Youth
This is not my kind of music, but i respect the creativity and i can hear the influence this band had on music that came after. The lyrics on some songs are really bad. But other pieces are really goodāthe anti-fascist number is right on time, these days. Respect. Itās a 3.
3
Jul 03 2025
L.A. Woman
The Doors
The Doors annoy me. I think theyāre overrated. Listening to this album made me realize that they would have been a good blues band. There are a few good tunes here. But the circus-organ sound kills the vibe for me whenever it arises. Itās a 2.
2
Jul 04 2025
Rum Sodomy & The Lash
The Pogues
Really energetic and lively, but with a punk delivery, which is not my thing. Iām listening to get away from aggressively cynical, this is that.
Still, there are some wonderful moments, and the sound is iconic. The instrumental pieces and songs with female vocals, I will listen to again. High quality recording and mixing ā everything is clear as a bell and not a muddled mess (Iām realizing how much pop music suffers when the mix is not right for the musicā here, it is).
I probably wonāt listen to this whole album again (usually a 2). But it gets a 3 for creativity, authenticity, energy, the occasional memorable moment, and the quality of the mix.
3
Jul 05 2025
Pink Moon
Nick Drake
An exceptional album. Iād heard Nick Drake before and liked his sound. But i feared it would become cloying over the course of a whole album.
It didnāt; I really enjoyed listening to this album. The tunes are varied, within a cohesive framework. Drakeās singing is a little high for my tastes. But i might get used to it ā heās not forcing anything.
An easy 4, but i can see this becoming a desert island album after a few more listens.
4
Jul 06 2025
Grievous Angel
Gram Parsons
Great songs, great singing. Emmylou Harrisās voice is sent from heaven.
Many songs on this album have been re-recorded and made famous by others. I think itās more than meets the eye. But sometimes the sound borders on church camp ā potentially grating, a little reminiscent of Donnie and Marie.
I need to give this another listen. Itās a 3 for now.
3
Jul 07 2025
BEYONCĆ
BeyoncƩ
My first experience of really listening to the Queen B. Sheās incredibly talented, great vocals and nice flow on the raps. The production value is off the charts & the rhythms are varied and interesting. But the subject matter ālust & dramaā is for a younger crowd. Also, it doesnāt sound very empowering for women, which is interesting coming from such a powerful female presence.
I love her voice and rhythmic intuition, but iām not likely to listen to this whole album again. Itās a 3.
3
Jul 08 2025
Moondance
Van Morrison
This is genius. A truly exceptional album. This was a favorite during my early college days. Care free good times for me.
Itās impressive how fluent he is in different genres (jazz, gospel, blues, folk-rock) and more impressive how he blends them. Morrison creates a genre of his own here. A desert island mainstay. Itās a 5.
5
Jul 09 2025
Neon Bible
Arcade Fire
I like this. Iād never intentionally listened to an Arcade Fire song before. The music is big, symphonic and sweeping, but not overdone or maudlin. The songs have rhythm, energy, and meaningā theyāre a bit dark and brooding. Iām interested to hear more. This is a 4.
4
Jul 10 2025
New York Dolls
New York Dolls
If the Rolling Stones trued to imitate The Clash, but Mic Jagger wasnāt available, it might sound like this. Itās interesting, but I wonāt play it again. Itās a two.
2
Jul 14 2025
No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith (Live)
Motƶrhead
Speed metal ā itās not my favorite. At all. But, Iāll give these guys their props as they seem to have been major innovators in the genre. Theyāre obviously talented, even though they use their talents to make unpleasing noise. I should give them a two (i donāt like it), but i can see why this should be part of a list of pop music that you āmust hear before you die.ā (Phew, glad I got that out of the way!). Itās a three, but speed metal that comes later will not fair so well.
3
Jul 15 2025
Different Class
Pulp
I just donāt like the Brit Pop sound. This band sounds pretty self-absorbed, which is par for the genre. This is a 1, for me.
1
Jul 16 2025
Eagles
Eagles
This album has some of the Eagles trademark tunes. Theyāre bangers. If any of any of those classics come on the radio, Iām singing along and tapping my toes. But listening to them back to back diminishes them. Theyāre a little too perfectly planned; they wear down over time. The rest of the songs on the album are mid ā thereās a reason those filler songs arenāt in heavy rotation.
Overall, despite the classic hits, this album isnāt that special as an album. Itās a 3
3
Jul 17 2025
Wild Is The Wind
Nina Simone
Simoneās voice and presence are commanding. Many of the pieces are beautiful. In the end, thereās a little too much drama in the presentation, which feels a little stiff. Still Iāll likely play this again and Iām willing to bet that familiarity will soften the few edges. Itās a 4.
4
Jul 18 2025
Astral Weeks
Van Morrison
On the one hand, this is a great album ā as background music while preparing dinner for a hot date, for instance. Itās romantic and lyrical and spiritual.
On the other hand, itās sprawling, unfocussed, and indulgentā as romantic, lyrical, and spiritual things can be sometimes. Itās got few of the hooks and little of the songiness of Moondance.
On the whole, I think itās a 3. Itās great for a specific application, but not a very versatile album.
It's a 3 for now. Iāll listen to it again & see whether familiarity gets me by the self-indulgent tendencies of this album.
3
Jul 19 2025
Channel Orange
Frank Ocean
I like R&B ā itās a genre where Iām easy to please (Iād rank any reasonably good R&B a three, at least). I like the sound and the ethos.
But this is just not good. Heās got a nice voice. Thatās it ā thatās the best i can say.
The album is amateurish. His delivery is terrible; forcing the words into the rhythm and lazily mumbling the key words and syllables. The musical backing is simple; the best that a producer with a bunch of Mac music programmers can deliver. Many of the songs are super-repetitiveā they need editing (if not complete rewriting).
This is a 1. I have no idea how it made the 1001 list, and many of the individual sings are annoying.
1
Jul 20 2025
Live / Dead
Grateful Dead
This is not the best live Grateful Dead album ā of the mass marketed, readily available albums, Iād give that honor to the Europe ā72 double album.
But this version of St. Stephen is powerful and commanding. And this performance of Turn on Your Lovelight is maybe the greatest live jam on a mass market offering.
Starting the album with Dark Star is a losing proposition. Itās great fun at a show, but is not a good intro to an album for anyone other than insiders.
Great performances donāt always add up to a great album. This is a 2.
2
Jul 21 2025
Gorillaz
Gorillaz
Good. Interesting at times, but not that memorable (like I enjoyed listening to it while driving this afternoon, but itās early evening now and I canāt remember anything i listened to).
Iāll go with my 1st impression and give it a 3 ā glad I listened, but it didnāt capture my interest.
3
Jul 22 2025
The Queen Is Dead
The Smiths
No, Morrissey, you donāt āknow how Joan of Ark felt.ā You are not that important, or important to culture or history at all. Youāre super-self absorbed, and it shows in your singing. Really too bad your lyrical delivery obscures the rest of the band, which actually sounds great. Smiths without Morrissey might be a 4. With Morrissey, itās a 1.
1
Jul 23 2025
New Forms
Roni Size
I listen to albums while working out at the gym. Today, the gym soundtrack must have been titled āThe Very Best of the Very Best Soul, Funk, and R&Bā because they were playing double shots of Curtis Mayfield, Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, Sly, Aretha, Ray Charles⦠it just kept going.
Meanwhile, Iām listening to this electronica album. I donāt know whether to say it was a little ok, or a lot not good, but I could not ignore the comparison with the gym playlist⦠š¬ I took at as a sign and just stopped listening to this album after 3 tracks.
Sorry Roni Size⦠thank you for playing. Itās a 1.
1
Jul 24 2025
Paranoid
Black Sabbath
Really good! Iām sorry I didnāt listen to them earlier. Though i can hear that it might have made a younger me feel isolated and angry.
Ozzieās schtick turned me off. But heās really talented. His delivery is great, especially considering that the lyrics are super simple ā childlike. The musicianship is great; they create a mood that holds throughout the album. This is a four.
4
Jul 25 2025
Murder Ballads
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Ugh! This is terrible. Like someone trying to imitate Tom Waitesā dark burlesque sound ā poorly. I donāt want to hear how āā¦all godās children must die...ā repeated for 5 minutes. This is a 1.
1
Jul 26 2025
Tidal
Fiona Apple
A very impressive debut album. Great songs, singing, and arrangement. Iām not the target audience of the character whoās singing these songs (seems to be a tough-as-nails, world weary, late-20ās mid 30ās woman, whoās cynical about love), so the lyrics all run together after a while. I wish there was a little more variance in the character. Itās a 4.
4
Jul 27 2025
Play
Moby
This DJ accomplished so much with his sampling and mixing. He nails every track and the tracks are so varied. A real achievement. Can it be that this is a 5? No, not quite. Itās really good, but a bit directionless aside from the hooks. Itās a 4.
4
Jul 28 2025
Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots
The Flaming Lips
A really wonderful and imaginative album. The songs sound deceptively simple, and Iām not sure what to make of the overall theme (though itās certainly more resonant now than it was when it was released). Iām torn as to whether itās a three or a four.
4
Jul 29 2025
Graceland
Paul Simon
Can confirmā Graceland is (still) genius. Easy 5. The musicality and complexity within and across songs is extraordinary on Graceland. These tunes are mostly not confined to the standard song structure that is Simonās bread and butter. These are musical narratives; the album is a travelogue of songs. Itās a stunning accomplishment.
I cannot fathom that this album was written/performed by the same artist who wrote the self-titled āPaul Simonā (a 3 for me). Certainly this is not the same Paul Simon who released āHearts and Bonesā (a 1, in my book), although the characters and plots overlap a bunch. Iām guessing he did a lot of mind expanding drugs to get from Hearts and Bonesā āAllergiesā & āCars are Carsā to sublime creations like āI Know what I Knowā and āDiamonds on the Soles of their Shoesā. Either that, or we have a āPaul MacCartney is deadā-level conspiracy on our hands! Or maybe, a washed up post-Garfunkel Paul Simon met a fiddling demon at the Crossroads, and made a deal?!?
5
Jul 30 2025
16 Lovers Lane
The Go-Betweens
This is fine, but not in any way exceptional. Singer sounds a little like Lou Reed, and is probably doing his best impersonation. But, like Lou Reed, he canāt sing that well and, Lou Reed he is not. The band is good; the songs are ok. I donāt know why itās on this list. Itās a 2.
2