A nostalgic and shimmery sound that left me waiting at the crossroads of what this album could have been. One thing to note is that four songs on this record were already saved in my library. However, it had been some time since my last listen so my ears came into this fresh. I felt as if the majority of the songs failed to take that next step forward. At times the lyrics and harmonies seemed goofy and repetitive. “Nightswimming” did a good job of encapsulating a sense of farewell to a world that REM had built. REM are legends but this record didn’t quite stick with me as much as I wanted it to. Favorites: Try Not To Breathe, Everybody Hurts, and Nightswimming

Bjork: a pioneer, a pure soul, a dreamweaver. This record threw me around in all kinds of directions. It was so unpredictable yet so cohesive. I felt as if though I was floating above Bjork’s body as she started on her journey through a world so unknown - pouring out every ounce of passion and energy she had to better understand it. It was almost like she looked at me and said “Shhh, just let go and follow me. I will show you a new world.” As soon as I thought the ride was going one way, I was thrown into another realm. I compare it to a video game where I’m in one level and then the next. I bounced around between songs of innocence and beauty to songs that made me want to dance without caring or knowing where I was exactly. Then all of a sudden “Like Someone in Love” comes on and time slows down. It slows down enough to where I can live in the moment. I hear the waves crash and play off of the harp in the background and suddenly everything makes sense. This song serves as a breath of fresh air exhaled into a world of tranquility and freedom. But don’t get too comfortable because then I got thrown into another act of Bjork’s play. It truly felt as if though I was watching her coming of age film. When the album concluded and the opening song “Human Behaviour” restarted - I couldn’t help but picture credits rolling down the screen. What a dream this was. Thank you so much Bjork for such a magical adventure. Favorites: Venus as a Boy, Like Someone in Love, One Day

Smooth as butter. Without A Tribe Called Quest the Hip Hop puzzle would not be complete. This record is full of songs that make you wanna cruise with the windows down. Some even made me feel like I was on a subway going around NYC. Favorites: Buggin Out, Check the Rhme, Jazz (We’ve Got)

A rich and colorful record that had me feeling like I was laying in a field of flowers looking up at the sun. I enjoyed the variety on this record. Like I said, first you feel like you’re laying in a field then at other times you’re dancing by the water or floating through thin air. Along with many records from this era, it just has such a natural feeling to it. You can hear and feel every instrument and touch. Of course I’d listened to California Dreamin in the past as well as some others from The Mamas & The Papas but I don’t think I’ve ever played a whole record through. Boy am I glad I did! Truly a band for the ages. Favorites: Straight Shooter, Go Where You Wanna Go, California Dreamin

On Axis: Bold as Love, Jimi paints outside of the lines with pure chaos as his Stratocaster brushes against an alternative universe. Disruption and distortion is the name of the game on a lot of Jimi’s records but especially this one. I admire his guitar play as I always have since first listening to him in high school. Of course there were some songs that transported me to the many worlds Jimi has created for us music lovers. However, it was hard to sink into this record as a whole. Before I go, I must say - If it wasn’t for Jimi then we wouldn’t have a lot of the guitarists and sounds we hear today. Thank you for that Jimi! Favorites: Little Wing, Castles Made of Sand, One Rainy Wish