Jan 13 2025
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Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes
This is the first album I was given but I know it well. That said I listened to death when it came out and haven't played it in quite a few years.
I read a few reviewers who hated it and gave it 1 star say it was bland or middle class or fake. Or they hate the weedy folky revival of that period.
For me it stands well above it's peers of that time. The melodies and harmonies are a cut above. If you listen to half a bar of most Country or Folk Pop for the first time you could probably pause it and sing the second half. This album is far from avante garde but the tunes wind off in unexpected or surprising directions.
And undeniably the main guy has a great voice.
5
Jan 14 2025
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Africa Brasil
Jorge Ben Jor
Essentially I like everything about this. The sound, production, instrumentation his voice and backing chorus - the whole vibe.
But there's really only a few bangers on it. The first tune Umbabarauma that I know already is the best by far. A lot of the rest have great elements but just aren't killer grooves. Some noodle a bit.
So I admire it - but it's a 3. If it was on in a bar/cafe I'd feel 'hey this is a cool place to hang out'. I wouldn't repeat play it too much at home.
Now and then maybe.
3
Jan 15 2025
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Sticky Fingers
The Rolling Stones
I liked this more than I thought. It's a 3. Basically I like all the slower laid back tracks. Brown Sugar and it's ilk I find really basic. Probably not their fault it sounds so generic as I guess they pioneered the default rock sound. Still a 3. Happy to listen through but won't put it on rotation.
3
Jan 16 2025
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One Nation Under A Groove
Funkadelic
It's mostly missing from Spotify. Two of original 6 LP tracks available.
Still I listened to it all. Title track is one of Funkadelic best and there are a couple of other great tunes. I hate the "Rock" tune and the other two are fillers for me - although still head-nodding mildly groovy.
So it's a 3. Which is liking but not in love.
3
Jan 17 2025
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Talking Book
Stevie Wonder
A lot of tunes sit on the line between toetapping vibe and sickly cloying. Leaning a bit too sweet for me.
3
Jan 18 2025
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White Blood Cells
The White Stripes
It's alright. So so. Basic. I'm never going to listen to it again.
2
Jan 19 2025
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The Yes Album
Yes
It's decent. Occasionally spirals off into boring bits. Bit mostly pretty tight. Solid 3 stats.
3
Jan 20 2025
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Rattus Norvegicus
The Stranglers
They unmistakably have their own sound. Punk era but not really Punk. More like Ian Dury or even the organ makes it like The Doors. Runs out of steam a bit at the end of the 2nd side. But I'll definitely listen again.
4
Jan 21 2025
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Electric Warrior
T. Rex
I think this is a great album. Five stars for many. But I'm just not that into it.
3
Jan 22 2025
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Moby Grape
Moby Grape
Sorry No. I understand the list is skewed to the late 60s/early 70s boomer era. It's absolutely the Golden era and I love so much from then. Maybe this was influential? But it absolutely does not stand the test of time. It's really really mediocre. I kind of liked one tune but was bored by all the rest. Kind of makes a mockery of the lists bias towards a certain milieu.
1
Jan 23 2025
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Immigrés
Youssou N'Dour
Youssou N'Dour - Immigres. I was excited to listen to this. I like it's melancholy groove but it's just a 3 to me. I liked it but didn't save anything for another playlist. I starred the album though to listen again when I'm more in the mood.
3
Jan 24 2025
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Mama's Gun
Erykah Badu
It's pretty basic. I know fans will say it's effortlessly cool and sophisticated. I get that. But I found it pleasant - no more. I liked it more towards the later tracks too.
3
Jan 25 2025
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Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
I really don't know why I've never listened through this - as I love the 2nd album Paranoid. It's really good 4 stars to Paranoids 5. Just the bands dynamic - the drums, bass and guitar riffs make an incredible combo.
That said I lost interest during the last long B-side track and no track is as good as War Pigs on Paranoid .. so 4.
4
Jan 26 2025
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Surfer Rosa
Pixies
It's a good 3. I think Doolittle is a 4 and this is not quite that level. Unlike Doolittle I'm not sure it should really be in this 1001 album list. It was before Doolittle so maybe it's seminal or influential? It's alright.
3
Jan 27 2025
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Sunday At The Village Vanguard
Bill Evans Trio
It's a 3. It's perfectly alright jazz. But it's not near the best of Bill Evans playing with others (Kind of Blue) or Bill Evans own trio best record (Waltz for Debby). Maybe it's here as it's a "historic" recording.
3
Jan 28 2025
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Bad
Michael Jackson
Hard to say anything without an unintended pun.. I'm not saying it's not good. There are many hit songs- Smooth Criminal is probably the one I enjoy most. But I'm just not a fan of this type of 80s pop. And his private life massively puts me off listening to his stuff. Also I both think he's rightly celebrated but even so feel he's ridiculously overrated.
2
Jan 29 2025
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Moving Pictures
Rush
The drummer is good.
1
Jan 30 2025
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Remain In Light
Talking Heads
Yeah love it.
4
Jan 31 2025
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Trans Europe Express
Kraftwerk
4
Feb 01 2025
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Channel Orange
Frank Ocean
Pleasantly surprised. Will listen through again.
4
Feb 02 2025
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Devil Without A Cause
Kid Rock
I don't like this. It's boring and loud and generic. But I'm not giving it one star as - I think - it's not a terrible example of what it is. Even if it's not to my taste.
2
Feb 03 2025
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Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
You hear him in films and TV but I never bought a record or sought it out. I like it well enough though. Everything is short, twangy, and toe tappable. Much longer and some very simple melodies may get tiresome. It's hard to understand why it was ever exciting or challenging. Enjoyed it.
4
Feb 04 2025
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Aja
Steely Dan
It's brilliant. Sometimes very loungy and cheesy but then other times really jazzy and abstract. Really pop and offbeat at the same time.
5
Feb 05 2025
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Ace of Spades
Motörhead
2