236
Albums Rated
3.19
Average Rating
22%
Complete
853 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
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Rating Timeline
Average rating over time
Ratings by Decade
Which era do you prefer?
Activity by Day
When do you listen?
Taste Profile
2010s
Favorite Decade
Soul
Favorite Genre
other
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
24
5-Star Albums
15
1-Star Albums
Taste Analysis
Genre Preferences
Ratings by genre
Origin Preferences
Ratings by country
Rating Style
You Love More Than Most
Albums you rated higher than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brown Sugar | 5 | 2.91 | +2.09 |
| Scum | 4 | 2.07 | +1.93 |
| Tank Battles | 4 | 2.12 | +1.88 |
| The Poet | 5 | 3.21 | +1.79 |
| Channel Orange | 5 | 3.31 | +1.69 |
| Rock 'N Soul | 5 | 3.36 | +1.64 |
| Heaven Or Las Vegas | 5 | 3.37 | +1.63 |
| My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy | 5 | 3.42 | +1.58 |
| War | 5 | 3.47 | +1.53 |
| The Suburbs | 5 | 3.5 | +1.5 |
You Love Less Than Most
Albums you rated lower than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Californication | 1 | 3.71 | -2.71 |
| Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness | 1 | 3.68 | -2.68 |
| Dirt | 1 | 3.47 | -2.47 |
| Garbage | 1 | 3.38 | -2.38 |
| Endtroducing..... | 1 | 3.36 | -2.36 |
| Surf's Up | 1 | 3.31 | -2.31 |
| The Slim Shady LP | 1 | 3.29 | -2.29 |
| Virgin Suicides | 1 | 3.24 | -2.24 |
| Dig Your Own Hole | 1 | 3.12 | -2.12 |
| NEU! 75 | 1 | 3.09 | -2.09 |
Artist Analysis
Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Beatles | 3 | 4.67 |
| Neil Young | 2 | 5 |
Least Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hot Chili Peppers | 2 | 1.5 |
| The Prodigy | 2 | 1.5 |
5-Star Albums (24)
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Popular Reviews
The Black Crowes
2/5
Not for me. Didn’t mind some of the songs in a ‘dad rock’ kind of way, like Hard to Handle was pretty cool. But I wouldn’t listen to this again.
5 likes
Kanye West
5/5
Really debated not listening to this (an album I loved over 10 years ago but have rarely revisited) but ultimately too many artists on this list have done terrible, despicable things and I want to approach this as objectively about the actual music as possible so in the interest of completionism I listened. And I have to be honest, it’s still a 5 star album for me. So powerful and original, with such interesting production and some of my all-time favourite collaborations, with Nicki Minaj and Bon Iver. It really is the most definitive and creatively engaging collection in every way. What an awful shame.
3 likes
The Flaming Lips
2/5
Fine, average, doesn’t stand out over any other early-00s indie kind of stuff to me and I have no real knowledge of the band so don’t really know why it was included. The opening track is pretty cool, the rest sort of blended for me. (1.5 stars)
2 likes
Santana
3/5
Very smooth but I did wish I was listening to Smooth feat. Rob Thomas (1999) because Smooth feat. Rob Thomas (1999) is one of the smoothest songs of all time and when I hear Smooth feat. Rob Thomas (1999) life just feels so smooth.
2 likes
Marianne Faithfull
3/5
Was only aware of Marianne via Nick Cave, and don’t think I’d ever heard any of her own music before. This is a very interesting album - I feel like I’m using that word way too much in these reviews but I truly mean it here in terms of there’s a lot to be interested in. It’s quite unusual, from her voice (with its interesting rasp, lisp and cracks) to the structure of the songs and some of the sonic effects. I’m not sure how I feel overall, but Witches’ Song and Guilt were my favourite tracks.
2 likes
1-Star Albums (15)
All Ratings
The xx
4/5
Catapults me back to when I was 17 and living in Brooklyn and used to listen to this all the time on my old iPod, alongside Florence & the Machine and MGMT’s early albums. Very floaty, vibey, chill. Somehow makes me feel a bit cold temperature-wise. I like his voice better than hers, but they do work well together.
Stan Getz
3/5
3. First hearing. Listened to a fair whack of jazz like this with my Dad over Christmas. I’m developing a real taste for it in many ways but also still tend to prefer lyrics-driven music over instrumental at this stage I think. Enjoy the little trills and flourishes, makes me want to laze around on a boat.
Jefferson Airplane
3/5
Familiar with half a dozen Jefferson Airplane songs but had never listened through an album before. Fun, funky. Sometimes almost childlike (in a good way). I like the narrative/literary nature of many of the tracks (like Alice in Wonderland). Go To Her probably slaps the hardest.
Yes
4/5
First time listen. Only marginally familiar with Yes. Great vibes, episodic and journeyish, from some bluegrass-like guitar noodling to harder more psychedelicky sections. Put me in mind of Grateful Dead, The Who, Pink Floyd, The Doors, America. Favourite track was Your Move.
Sly & The Family Stone
3/5
Effortlessly cool and jammy, influential on so much of what was to come. There are some sounds on it I don’t particularly enjoy (like production-wise) but obviously you can’t help but groove along. Made me want to rewatch the documentary ‘Summer of Soul’.
Taylor Swift
2/5
Sorry but I’m not going to listen to this one. I don’t do Taylor Swift. I did used to quite like this album when it came out because we used to dance to Shake It Off at the Zumba class my friend ran. I can’t deny there’s some super catchy pop tunes here. But I don’t want to pay it a revisit in the slightest.
Arrested Development
4/5
First time listen. Loved this! Cool, fun, quintessentially 90s, interesting lyrical content (especially spiritually). My favourite track was definitely Children Play With Earth. “Dig your hands in the dirt” indeed! Words to live by.
The Black Crowes
2/5
Not for me. Didn’t mind some of the songs in a ‘dad rock’ kind of way, like Hard to Handle was pretty cool. But I wouldn’t listen to this again.
Aphex Twin
4/5
I’m sure I remember listening to this back in my uni days as study focus music. I might crack it out again for the new course I’m starting because I seriously enjoyed the vibes. Pulsewidth was my favourite.
Rage Against The Machine
5/5
HELL YEAH. Makes me want to fight everybody but also love everybody. Insanely powerful, classic for a reason.
Tom Waits
4/5
Crazy how avant garde some of this still sounds 40 years on. Unusual, creative, unsettling. At times genuinely offputting, at others enticing and enchanting, even comforting. He truly has one of the world’s most unique voices. I think because I love Nick Cave so much and there’s quite a lot of similarity, it’s almost surprising I haven’t been more into Tom Waits before, I’ve only ever dipped my toes, so I think I’m going to get into him properly now.
Otis Redding
5/5
Otis became one of my all time favourite artists last year, when I happened to buy a vinyl at the record store near my house and couldn’t get it off repeat. The definition of soul! Such a timeless voice, such rhythm and swing and heart. Always devastated the world lost him at just 26 years old.
Black Flag
4/5
Goes hard. Interesting how much heavy punk today still sounds like this. Like I could even throw on a bunch of different local bands from 4ZZZ or wherever and their songs could almost be Black Flag and vice versa (I mean that in a positive way, like the genre is strong). Dug the track TV Party the most, it’ll be going in my playlists.
Roni Size
2/5
Drum and bass isn’t for me. Makes me think of Letterkenny and the skids. I started listening to this driving down Mt Tamborine late last night but it was putting me into too much of a trance, making me feel like I was in Mario Kart or something, and I got worried I was gonna crash, so I had to stop and take it back up this morning in a safer environment! Also makes me want to do drugs? Anyway, I like the tracks with more vocals better, like Heroes and Share the Fall. But overall not something I’d ever listen to again.
Tears For Fears
3/5
Like most of the world, I’ve always been super familiar with Shout, Head Over Heels, and most importantly the classic Everybody Wants to Rule the World (for which my sister and I have a high score on the old karaoke video game SingStar, by the way) and loved those songs, but I’d never heard the rest and must say they definitely weren’t as good. Cool vibes throughout but also some of the sounds are a bit grating. I wish there were half stars because this is definitely not as low as a 3 but I can’t really give it a 4 overall, so consider this a 3.5 and I will be revisiting this album.
The Beach Boys
1/5
This, dare I say it, kind of sucks. And not in a sexy way. It’s a far cry from the big hits like Good Vibrations, Kokomo, etc. The song about feet? Garbage. The song about Disney? Tripe. Pretty much the only track I didn’t mind was Day in the Life of a Tree, and even that feels kitschy and crap (but put me a little in mind of Sufjan Stevens, who I love). Actually, Till I Die is decent too, mostly for the harmonies (and I could hear a tiny bit of Fleet Foxes in that one). But overall, a disappointment from a band I thought I liked but apparently don’t actually know that well. (1.5 stars)
Marianne Faithfull
3/5
Was only aware of Marianne via Nick Cave, and don’t think I’d ever heard any of her own music before. This is a very interesting album - I feel like I’m using that word way too much in these reviews but I truly mean it here in terms of there’s a lot to be interested in. It’s quite unusual, from her voice (with its interesting rasp, lisp and cracks) to the structure of the songs and some of the sonic effects. I’m not sure how I feel overall, but Witches’ Song and Guilt were my favourite tracks.
Air
1/5
This seems an odd choice to me, the score to a film I will never watch (because I read the Wikipedia synopsis after seeing Coppola’s Marie Antoinette and Priscilla and decided it would traumatise me too much). I found it all a bit samey, a bit droney and dull, but I can certainly see how it would work well in a film and a few moments reminded me of Tame Impala or something like that. I didn’t mind The Word Hurricane or Dead Bodies, but overall I just think I’ve heard many better scores and as a standalone album it really didn’t give me anything. (1.5 stars)
Al Green
3/5
Funky and smooth. Can’t think of much more to say! Favourite track was Never Found a Girl, although as a massive fan of the Bee Gees, the cover of Mend a Broken Heart was extremely welcome and appreciated too. (3.5 stars)
R.E.M.
2/5
Not bad but not much stands out. Really liked West of the Fields a lot, but didn’t find any others particularly memorable. At best, made me think of The Tragically Hip or even Crowded House and then I just kind of wanted to listen to them instead. (2.5 stars)
Red Hot Chili Peppers
1/5
I’ve never really liked RHCP and I still don’t. I’ve tried to get into them before, largely because one of my friends is a fan, but ultimately I don’t enjoy the sound of his voice nor the structure, cadence, rhythmic patterns, whatever you want to call it, of the songs. And there’s only so many times you can hear the word California! Scar Tissue is good though, and I didn’t mind Purple Stain or Right on Time either. (1.5 stars)
Cocteau Twins
5/5
Loved this! Dreamy, floaty, floral, relaxing. Had always intended to check out Cocteau Twins but never got around to it before, so I’m glad this finally forced my hand and I’ll be seeking out their other albums immediately. Made me think of Kate Bush, Kate Miller-Heidke, even Magdalena Bay. Also this is a strange reference but I Wear Your Ring reminded me of a piece from the Donkey Kong Country soundtrack called Aquatic Ambience which I listen to probably too often. So many great tracks, I can only understand like 2% of the lyrics (and frequently wondered what language I was even hearing) but it’s all so melodic, maybe how mermaids would sound.
The Icarus Line
2/5
Firstly, since this was not available on Spotify I had to listen on YouTube and having to listen to ads in-between every track really interrupted the flow. That aside, this is very early-00s rock, a bit like The Strokes or White Stripes in places but much more noise-y. Some great guitar work but not something I’d revisit. Spike Island was my preferred track. (1.5 stars)
The Jesus And Mary Chain
2/5
Very middle of the road. I’m starting to feel there’s too many 80s/90s rock albums on this list already. That’s not to say I didn’t like this, it’s easy enough to listen to and the songs about rain were fitting as I was driving through rain, it’s just mid, as the kids would say. Very forgettable. Top tracks were Happy When It Rains (more for agreeing with the title’s sentiment than anything) and April Skies.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
It’s impossible for me to be objective/unbiased when it comes to Nick Cave because he’s easily in my top 10 artists of all time and I’ve been a bit obsessed with him for many many years. It’s also impossible for me to separate this from its context (the tragic death of his 15-year-old son) and therefore it’s an album I very rarely play as it’s totally devastating. It’s almost more spoken word in parts too, but hauntingly beautiful. Sparse, stark, slow, spiritual and so so sad. I put on its successor (last year’s Wild God) straight after in order to kind of progress the story, move on to a sliver of healing and joy again, as Nick has begun to do.
John Lennon
2/5
I’ve never been a Lennon girlie, I’m pretty much ride-or-die for Paul, so I don’t particularly enjoy John’s solo work. Some songs do slap, like unfortunately the infamous Paul diss-track How Do You Sleep is the coolest song on this album, while most of the rest kind of rubs me the wrong way. Still, even if I don’t really like it, you certainly can’t deny the enduring reach of Imagine. (2.5 stars)
Abdullah Ibrahim
3/5
A jaunty, enjoyable jazz outing. The opening track Mandela was my favourite, I’ve already caught myself whistling the refrain. And I mean this in a complimentary way, most of this sounds like it could be the score to a children’s cartoon, like a kind-vibe 90s-00s PBS show along the lines of Curious George or Martha Speaks. (3.5 stars)
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
As much as I love Nick Cave to death, I’ve always kind of wrestled with and never been able to reconcile how to feel about the violence (and sometimes misogynistic or homophobic violence) in his (earlier) music. I think there has to be a place for storytelling of all types (including the vulgar, aggressive, uncomfortable, etc.) in art and media, but also acknowledging some of it is pretty awful to listen to and not to be celebrated or excused. As I said, I don’t really know and probably never will, but interesting to consider. Anyway, Straight to You is always gorgeous, a perfect song. (3.5 stars)
Marty Robbins
4/5
I’ve always enjoyed this sort of stuff. Classic, simple, super singalongable even if you’ve never heard it before. Reminds me of Burl Ives who I listen to a lot with my sister as well as others of that era and ilk. Makes me want to pick up the guitar again. (3.5 stars)
Bee Gees
3/5
I adore the Bee Gees, they are a massive lifelong favourite that I grew up on and still listen to constantly (their greatest hits triple LP might be my most played vinyl) and my crush on young Barry Gibb will never subside, but taking this album honestly at face value, it’s not one of their better outings at all and I’m pretty surprised it’s on this list. Like there are several I’d give five stars but this is far from one of them. How Can You Mend and Don’t Wanna Live Inside Myself are excellent, and great examples of their songwriting prowess, but on the other hand you’ve got the total drivel that is Remembering which sounds like it’s from the Middle Ages or something, and a few others made me want to hit skip too. Interestingly, some of it also sounds quite Beatlesy, like It’s Just the Way. Look, I don’t really have any specific complaints except I guess that a lot of this sounds outdated in a not-fun way, whereas I could listen to their disco days forever. (2.5 stars)
Garbage
1/5
Not to make the obvious joke, but for me it really is in the name: garbage. To quote a song on the album, “this is not my idea of a good time”. Truly did not enjoy this at all and in fact at one point genuinely yelled, out loud alone in my car, “I f*cking hate this!” I’ve committed to no skips so I stuck it out but it wasn’t worth it. Everything about it just annoyed me, the vocals, but I think especially the production and mix. The only track I found tolerable was Fix Me Now.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
3/5
Very cool! A band I’m surprised I’ve never gotten into before because they align so closely with a lot of those I love so I’ll be checking out more of their albums now for sure. Favourite tracks were Overground, Carcass and the extra fun little Hong Kong Garden. (3.5 stars)
Michael Jackson
4/5
Truly having to seperate the art from the artist here. I’m gonna let that go without saying from now on. This album is so good. So funky, so smooth, so cool. Just an effortless listen. Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough is one of the greatest songs of all time and it keeps rolling on from there, with the only semi-low-point being She’s Out of My Life. (4.5 stars)
Jimmy Smith
4/5
Unbelievably cool vibes from the cover alone! The outfit, the dog, the garden and of course the titular chicken. And gladly the music matches, just so chill and easy to listen to, like especially while making dinner.
Ray Price
3/5
This kind of music always reminds me of working in aged care, the oldies absolutely love songs like this and I don’t blame them. There’s a timeless sound here, although I do tend to get a little tired after several tracks. Favourites were 24th Hour and If She Could See Me Now.
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
2/5
Another one that reminds me of my aged care job, these are ‘golden oldies’ and I respect that, even if I don’t find them particularly riveting. Simple but sweet subject matter (love) set to simple but sweet melodies (two or three chords). Also, silly thing to say perhaps but I like that a lot of these older albums are under half an hour. I’m a big advocate for the 90-minute movie and now I’m gonna do the same for the 30-minute album. This is not one I’ll revisit though.
Dagmar Krause
4/5
Glad I found this on YouTube because it is so unlike almost anything I’ve heard before. It reminded me at times of the Sparks musical Annette, of Eurovision, of circus/carnival adjacent films like Dr Parnassus and Nightmare Alley, and even a little of Kate Bush and Marianne Faithful. Obviously deeply political, with heavy hitting lines like “now you know how things can become, don’t you ever forget how it began” that sadly feel as relevant now as ever, I was captivated throughout. I don’t think I’d ever listen to it again but I’m really glad I did today because it was surprising and confusing in a thought-provoking way, like pondering a complicated painting or watching a multifaceted documentary.
Santana
3/5
Very smooth but I did wish I was listening to Smooth feat. Rob Thomas (1999) because Smooth feat. Rob Thomas (1999) is one of the smoothest songs of all time and when I hear Smooth feat. Rob Thomas (1999) life just feels so smooth.
Ravi Shankar
4/5
There should be more educational albums like this! I would love to hear them from all different cultures around the world, gently explaining the rhythms and patterns to listen out for, building appreciation. I’ve always casually enjoyed traditional Indian music and can definitely see why the Beatles and so forth fell into it deeply, even if it’s not something I listen to often. Also cool to read that Norah Jones is his daughter!
Red Hot Chili Peppers
2/5
Blood, sugar, sex, magic? Where did the Red Hot Chili Peppers find my shopping list! Bad jokes aside, I still don’t really like this band. There’s some moments of cool instrumentation and every now and then I’ll slip into a bit of a groove, but overall they just kind of bother me. It’s like teenage boy vibes somehow, plus all the songs start to sound the same.
Flamin' Groovies
2/5
Obviously shades of the Stones and others of that era/style with some moments of Elvis and Cash. My top tracks were Have You Seen My Baby and Whiskey Woman. Overall good though didn’t find it anything particularly memorable or special. (2.5 stars)
The Byrds
2/5
Fine and cute but nothing too special. I understand that cover versions were extremely significant particularly in this era for spreading songs and inter-promoting artists etc. but honestly I’d just rather listen to the originals most of the time. Favourite was I’ll Feel a Whole Better, which is an enjoyable original.
The Temptations
4/5
Really dug this funky album. Just so cool. Favourite tracks were Cloud Nine, Why Did She Have to Leave Me and I Gotta Find a Way. This genre/era is fast becoming a favourite.
XTC
2/5
Couldn’t really get a handle on this one. At times I was very on board and could hear shades of Custard, Ben Folds, even The Monkees. Quite whimsical and jaunty. At other times I was like “what even is this” and felt it was way too kitsch. I think I’d need to listen a bunch more to make up my mind but honestly wasn’t motivated enough to do that. Favourite songs were Grass and Mermaid Smiled. (2.5 stars)
Kanye West
5/5
Really debated not listening to this (an album I loved over 10 years ago but have rarely revisited) but ultimately too many artists on this list have done terrible, despicable things and I want to approach this as objectively about the actual music as possible so in the interest of completionism I listened. And I have to be honest, it’s still a 5 star album for me. So powerful and original, with such interesting production and some of my all-time favourite collaborations, with Nicki Minaj and Bon Iver. It really is the most definitive and creatively engaging collection in every way. What an awful shame.
Dr. John
3/5
Quite the oddity! I mean that positively, and more in the way that I don’t know anything much about the world of New Orleans it comes from. Really enjoyed Danse Kalimba Ba Doom and Mama Roux, not enthralled by the rest. Fun to experience something new to me though.
Jack White
3/5
Very much enjoyed this. Some of it sounds a bit dated but it’s cool and rocky and easy to just casually jam along. (3.5 stars)
Brian Wilson
2/5
Loved the a cappella opening as it reminded me of Fleet Foxes. Have always loved (the original version of) Heroes & Villains, mostly because it’s on the Fantastic Mr Fox soundtrack which is one of my all-time favourite movies. Good Vibrations obviously another huge classic. The animal sounds on Barnyard are so kitschy it’s kind of insane but also I can’t be too mad about it because it’s pretty funny. Most of the album is just very ‘eh’ however and the whirring and jingling sound effects etc. get a bit grating. Also one of the worst album covers I’ve ever seen, Microsoft Word Art looking-ass.
Hot Chip
3/5
Bit of a blast from the past (as I don’t think Hot Chip have once crossed my mind in a decade) and bit of a mixed bag for me but overall pretty banging and a good time! Really dug the first half of the album, especially Motion Sickness slaps. I think that half is more kind of electro and dancey which is fun, compared to the latter tracks which I didn’t really enjoy such as Now There is Nothing and Always Been Your Love. Anyway, chill vibes. (3.5 stars)
Radiohead
4/5
Radiohead make me very emotional and I’ve never quite been sure why. There’s just something in their sound that gets me so melancholy and existential. I really like it but I can’t do too much at once or I start kind of internally drowning. Also I think I’m gonna start getting a bit abstract with my reviews on here so this album is like navy blue and pepper and the nice way some men smell that’s like sort of musky and herbal.
The Monks
2/5
Found on YouTube. Pretty fun, shades of the Stones and the Doors, but overall not something I’ll particularly remember or revisit.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
What are the chances we got all these Nick albums so close together?! I’m still not a fan of the violence (I’ve never liked true crime or murder movies etc. and even his poetic stories on the subject don’t prove an exception) but I do very much enjoy the flow and pacing and delivery. I’ll never forget seeing Stagger Lee performed live, for instance, he’s like a man possessed when he performs that song, and performs is the right word for most of these tracks too, as he’s playing these wild characters, erratic and angry and ugly. But still with some beauty in the music and vocals to be found. (3.5 stars)
Supergrass
4/5
First time listening to these guys (beside Alright, which I’m sure everybody knows and is a huge banger) and I loved it! A super fun album and I’ll definitely be checking out more of their work. Reminded me of Tame Impala on Hollow Little Reign, Last Shadow Puppets on You Can See Me, MGMT on Sometimes I Make You Sad, and Mother Mother on Late in the Day. (4.5 stars)
The Clash
5/5
Truly great. Enjoyed everything about it. Scrappy, fun, silly, tough. Just cool. Plus very significant in terms of so many bands I love today being influenced in some way by their sound (like Midnight Oil and Private Function, for instance). Favourite tracks are I’m So Bored with the USA (how relevant 48 years later!) and Career Opportunities.
Dexys Midnight Runners
3/5
An unusual ride! Like everyone on earth, I knew Come On Eileen extremely well but hadn’t heard the rest. What an odd mix, like Celtic and ska and pop and a Van Morrison cover all got thrown in a blender at the circus. Pretty fun all round! But also somehow off-putting at times.
D'Angelo
5/5
I think it’s been a long time coming for me to become a D’Angelo fan but particularly recently he has kept popping up, like even at the Jordan Rakei concert last week Jordan talked about how much D’Angelo has shaped his music and I was like ‘I really have to get on that’ and then today it was delivered right into my hands and yep, I’m in love! So smooth, soulful, sweet, sexy. Like drifting through a sunset sky on a really nicely scented cloud. Favourite tracks were Alright, Me and Those Dreamin Eyes, and When We Get By, but I think that would change each listen.
Neil Young
5/5
Hesitated to give another 5 stars so soon but I have to be honest and follow my heart! This is always going to be a 5 star album for me, along with several of the great Mr Young’s others. I just love it. It’s so comforting and warm to me. It makes me think of my mum and of Canada and of the beginning of summertime and of tall wheat and juicy corn and campfires and swimming and newspapers and birds. Favourite tracks are Tell Me Why, Southern Man and Cripple Creek Ferry.
Run-D.M.C.
4/5
Really good fun! That classic style which can seem a little clichéd now but still has impact and flair. Makes me want to force a friend to walk around doing the alternating words/lines thing with me! Rock Box was my top pick, closely followed by Wake Up. Cool cover too.
DJ Shadow
1/5
Just not for me. I can definitely appreciate the artistry of certain moments and some of it’s pretty vibey, but overall I found it dull and ended up fast-forwarding through a number of tracks. (1.5 stars)
Radiohead
2/5
Not one of Radiohead’s better albums in my opinion, it just doesn’t strike me much, but I do really like the songs Go to Sleep, There There and A Wolf at the Door. (2.5 stars)
Tracy Chapman
4/5
Solid songs straight from the soul. Of course I knew Fast Car very well but not so familiar with the others so I was quite moved by how political this album was, and saddened at how little has changed in 37 years. Fantastic voice, interesting tunes, some nice country/western influences etc. Very good all round. (4.5 stars)
Chicago
3/5
Liked some elements of this much more than others, like the big-band funk-jazz stuff hits a lot harder than the guitar interludes etc. I think overall it’s the kind of music I’d enjoy seeing live a lot better than recorded.
Queen Latifah
3/5
Funky, fun and still topical, delivered in an instantly recognisable style. Favourites were Come Into My House, Ladies First and Inside Out. I really disliked the baby voice on Mama Gave Birth unfortunately and wasn’t a big fan of The Pros either. But overall it’s cool and a great example of that hip hop era. (3.5 stars)
Public Enemy
3/5
Some cool moments and iconic style but also I had a headache and that high-pitched sound that’s repeated throughout the record did not help!
Peter Frampton
3/5
Pretty cool! Kind of reminiscent of the Eagles and the Grateful Dead. Baby I Love Your Way is one of those tunes I’ve sung around the house for years but I didn’t know any of the others, second favourite was Show Me the Way.
The Cars
4/5
Loved this, top shelf dad rock. Certain shades of Queen, even Sparks and Talking Heads. Of course Just What I Needed is a stone cold classic but I also loved You’re All I’ve Got Tonight and Moving in Stereo. Just a solid solid 35 minutes of rock goodness. (4.5 stars)
David Gray
2/5
Nice but mid. Nothing really stood out to me, besides what I assume is theremin on We’re Not Right. Nightblindness was probably the track I liked most. But I think I’ve forgotten this entire album already.
The Kinks
3/5
Not sure about this one! Some of it was great and I had a great time and thought of the Beatles and occasionally even my beloved Jonathan Richman (like Big Sky and the album title track). Other songs really made me scratch my head going what the hell is this (like Phenomenal Cat and Wicked Annabella). It’s quite an unusual mix in some ways. I’m sure I’ll revisit and rethink so for now I’ll go 3 but that seems unfair.
John Cale
4/5
First few songs of my first listen I was like ‘euh no I don’t like this’ and then I hit Andalucia which I have always looooved the Andrew Bird version and didn’t know that was actually a cover! So then I was locked in. And next comes Macbeth which is wild, and Paris 1919 which is beautiful, and probably my favourite on the album ended up being Half Past France which straight up sounds like Johnny Flynn to me, who is one of my biggggest favourites! A real mix on this album overall, it’s interesting and unusual, very pretty in places and kind of grating at others but grew on me more and more as I listened! Also Cale kind of looks like comedian Paul Foot on the cover of this.
Black Sabbath
3/5
Goes hard, good fun. Favourites were actually probably the slower tracks like Changes and Snowblind. (3.5 stars)
Solomon Burke
5/5
Wow! I feel quite ashamed I didn’t know Solomon Burke and interestingly I read online he has been described as ‘soul’s most unfairly overlooked singer’. Well I’m glad I know him now because this was awesome. Obviously akin to many of my favourites like Redding and Brown. Fun and passionate, my top tracks were probably Cry to Me and Goodbye Baby.
Weather Report
2/5
Might make good study music or a video game soundtrack. Just as its own thing though, I wasn’t particularly captivated. Some of the more Latin feel moments are fun.
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
Interesting! Reminded me of so many different bands I haven’t bothered to write them down. Favourite tracks were The Cutter and Ripeness. Keen to check out some more of their work. (3.5 stars)
Electric Light Orchestra
4/5
Fun stuff! Thought of Sparks and Bee Gees and Beatles and Elton John. Favourite tracks were Sweet Talkin Woman, Across the Border, Night in the City and of course the classic Mr Blue Sky. Also one of the sickest album covers out there.
Neil Young
5/5
Another five for Neil. How could I not! Listened on the original vinyl copy I’ve borrowed (permanently) from my mum. Just a masterclass in songwriting. Also Heart of Gold is the only song I can play (badly) on harmonica and guitar.
John Grant
2/5
Firstly, I don’t understand why this was included. Maybe the artist is a blind spot for me but I just felt it was nothing special, considering it only came out in 2010 and therefore hasn’t even stood the test of time like most of the entries. Secondly, I was kind of hating it until ‘Sigourney Weaver’ when I was like “ohh some of it’s meant to be funny?” and then it grew on me. Moments reminded me of Josh Pyke in terms of the cadence and voice, with others like Jonathan Colton or Custard in subject matter and style, that sort of thing where it’s kind of ironic humour but not laugh-out-loud funny. So overall, not bad but still kind of dull and odd.
Kanye West
4/5
I can’t bear to write a single thing about Kanye but yes, unfortunately still a great album.
CHIC
3/5
Funky, groovy, smooth. Not many huge standouts but an easy ride throughout. (3.5 stars)
Black Sabbath
4/5
Really enjoyed this, effortlessly cool and classic.
Funkadelic
4/5
Perhaps the most aptly named band yet, this is indeed funkadelic! Really cool and went harder/heavier than I expected. Don’t love some of the sound effects in the latter part of the album but most of it was jammy.
The Flying Burrito Brothers
2/5
For a group with such an exciting name, this album sure was a disappointment to me. Some of it’s fine but mostly it felt overly schmaltzy and not-aged-well. (1.5 stars)
Pixies
4/5
Really dug this! Made me think of some of my more modern favourites like Canadian band Mother Mother and sadly defunct Australian band Yves Klein Blue. Favourite tracks were probably Debaser and Monkey Gone to Heaven. Will be checking out more! (4.5 stars)
Hugh Masekela
2/5
Interesting instrumentals I probably don’t know enough about to properly appreciate. Definitely some funky moments but nothing jumped out overall. (2.5 stars)
Patti Smith
4/5
So cool and still fresh sounding in some ways despite it now being 50! Thought of Kate Bush and Nick Cave. Will be digging deep into Patti’s catalogue soon I think. (4.5 stars)
The Flaming Lips
2/5
Fine, average, doesn’t stand out over any other early-00s indie kind of stuff to me and I have no real knowledge of the band so don’t really know why it was included. The opening track is pretty cool, the rest sort of blended for me. (1.5 stars)
Suede
2/5
Another ‘sure, fine’ entry I’ve already forgotten, to be honest. At its best moments, it kind of reminded me of U2. Just nothing notable to me. (1.5 stars)
Lou Reed
5/5
36 perfect minutes. Gets in, has a blast, gets out. Effortlessly enjoyable. Perfect Day an exceptionally perfect song (please see also the Wim Wenders film). Then you throw in Wild Side and Satellite? Just an all-round all-timer.
Isaac Hayes
2/5
Not a real stand-out to me but certainly some solid smoothness and interesting spoken word moments. (2.5 stars)
Kendrick Lamar
4/5
Fascinating throughout and still sounds fresh after 13 years. Heralded for a reason and a banner of what other greatness was to come from Kendrick. (4.5 stars)
Fela Kuti
4/5
Very cool! Kind of reminded me of this reggae album my dad used to play a lot and I loved when I was a kid (Six Boys from Skaville) and of a recent favourite WITCH (the Zambian rock group). Great vibes.
Michael Jackson
4/5
I mean it’s a total classic, isn’t it! (Again fully separating art from artist.) Just full of bangers, with Wanna Be Startin Something or PYT perhaps my favourite. (4.5 stars)
Steely Dan
3/5
I’ve sort of skirted around Steely Dan for a couple years without properly listening until now and this wasn’t really what I expected. Favourite tracks were Deacon Blues and Home At Last, but generally a bit underwhelmed.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
So cool, classic timeless funk and soul and sunshine.
Tori Amos
2/5
An undeniably beautiful voice and some nice witchy vibes. The best bits reminded me of Kate Bush but ultimately a lot of it just kind of bored me. (2.5 stars)
David Bowie
3/5
I love Bowie so much but this is definitely not my favourite of his records. I find quite a bit of it drones on and while interesting doesn’t particularly work for me. Still certainly well worth listening to though! (3.5 stars)
Elvis Costello
3/5
Fine and some fun moments, with my favourite tracks being No Dancing and I’m Not Angry, but overall forgettable.
Neu!
1/5
Really didn’t understand the inclusion of this, it was just… nothing to me. I was excited for a German band I hadn’t heard of before but then… meh. What am I missing?! (1.5 stars)
Aerosmith
4/5
Honestly pretty fire. The dads get it. Best tracks are Uncle Salty, Walk This Way and Round & Round. The cringiest is Big 10 Inch Record. Overall heaps of fun and goes hard.
The Prodigy
2/5
All just kind of sounds like ‘YoU WOuLdN’t STeAL a CAr’ to me.
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
3/5
While I really like and support its political and cultural nature, I don’t think I’d probably revisit this because it doesn’t really stand out over any other hip hop of the era etc.
4/5
Funny timing that just a few days ago I had Poison Arrow stuck in my head but realised I didn’t actually know who the artist was so looked it up and went ‘huh I don’t recognise ABC but cool’. Now this is indeed a cool album! I just had a great time with it. Favourite tracks beside Poison Arrow were Valentine’s Day and Look of Love. (4.5 stars)
Steely Dan
2/5
I just… don’t think I like Steely Dan. I’m not sure why because I like stuff like The Eagles and Grateful Dead which they sort of remind me of. But I just don’t find them interesting or memorable at all. At least not so far.
Television
2/5
Fine, forgettable. See No Evil was my favourite track.
The B-52's
4/5
Slapssssssss. So punk and so funny. Big fan, can’t stop walking around imitating their voices. (4.5 stars)
Supertramp
2/5
I mean, fine. Another one that just didn’t really hit for me, but there’s nothing wrong with it. Some cool moments that made me think of Elton John or something, but probably not a band I’ll revisit. Asylum was my favourite track.
Kacey Musgraves
2/5
Firstly, I was like ‘what, this album is only 2 years old?’ before I realised actually no, 2018 was 7 years ago now. I’m still not convinced that’s enough time to merit inclusion and also I just found it rather dull. She has a pretty voice and I’ve heard she’s a cool person but to me it was all a bit generic. The song Butterflies had a cool sound though. (2.5 stars)
Dirty Projectors
3/5
Sounds totally 2009 and still different from 2009 at the same time. I last dipped my toes in their music a few years back (because frontman Dave Longstreth’s brother Jake co-hosts the digital radio show Time Crisis with Ezra Koenig and I was having an extremely strong Vampire Weekend phase) but still not entirely sure what I think of it. The bits I like best do remind me a lot of Vampire Weekend but there’s definitely a real uniqueness to their sound too. Not something I find myself particularly excited by though but again I’m not sure why. Favourite tracks are The Bride and No Intention. (3.5 stars)
The Divine Comedy
1/5
Sorry but this is godawful. I think it was supposed to be funny and I tried really hard to get into it but I just thought it sounded weird and crap and it couldn’t finish fast enough.
Carole King
4/5
Fantastic stuff, just so easy to listen to. Some huge hits including Feel the Earth Move and Natural Woman. Not much to say really because it’s lovely. (4.5 stars)
Hanoi Rocks
3/5
Some cool moments but ultimately forgettable. Favourite track was Malibu Beach Nightmare.
Bobby Womack
5/5
So fun! So cool! Favourites were Secrets and Stand Up but every track was great and I listened through a couple times. I wasn’t going to give it a five but then I was like actually what’s not to like, what would be my specific criticism to bring it down? And couldn’t think of one so went with it.
Dusty Springfield
4/5
Lovely and reminds me of my mum somehow. What a voice and what a way to convey sorrow etc. through just her tone!
U2
5/5
I grew up on U2 thanks to my Dad and I still love them very much even though I know that’s not like cool now and I still really want to see them live one day. Sunday Bloody Sunday is one of the world’s great songs to me and there’s heaps more on this album to admire. I always hesitate to give a 5 for some reason but I’m just gonna go for it again here because at the end of the day I just love this and if that’s tinged by nostalgia so be it.
Afrika Bambaataa
2/5
Cool (and sick cover art) but ultimately I don’t think I’ll remember it.
Judas Priest
4/5
Liked this a lot more than I expected to. Goes hard! Quite a bit vocally made me think of Jack Black to be honest. Breaking the Law was probably my top track. Will be checking out more of their stuff.
ABBA
4/5
Some absolute stone cold bangers (Knowing Me, Money, Dancing Queen obviously) and some absolute steaming tripe (Kissed the Teacher, Dum Diddle). But overall, undeniable.
Willie Nelson
3/5
Relaxing and comforting like a campfire but also not much that really stands out to me, just pretty and chill. (3.5 stars)
The Vines
2/5
One of those ones that’s just so middle-of-the-road to me I can’t even understand why it’s been included. Forgotten it already. (1.5 stars)
Beatles
4/5
Obviously not the Beatles best work being so early in their careers but still a heap of fun to be had, especially All My Loving and You Really Got a Hold. Just love these four boys form Liverpool eh!
Buck Owens
3/5
That classic sound, good for driving or camping, but not particularly memorable in the long run for me.
Gil Scott-Heron
4/5
I only recently came across GSH actually through the unlikely source of Australian footballer and St Pauli captain Jackson Irvine, who hosts a wonderful monthly digital radio show and played The Bottle. I find it remarkable and frustrating how the messages in this music are still so relevant today.
Public Image Ltd.
1/5
Not for me. I wanted to like it because I often like avant-garde-ish stuff but this has no redeeming qualities to me.
Beatles
5/5
Classic for a reason. So many brilliant tracks. Just beloved.
Gene Clark
2/5
Fine, nice enough but nothing I will remember. I think the best track was the titular White Light. But again I’ve forgotten it already. But I think that’s okay too. (2.5 stars)
Fugazi
2/5
Eh. Fine but nothing particularly special or interesting to me. (1.5 stars)
David Bowie
3/5
I think maybe overall as albums I don’t love most Bowie albums. I love individual songs a hell of a lot and the man himself of course. Fame is an all-timer and I also dug the Across the Universe cover I somehow don’t think I’d heard before. Many cool moments but yeah as a collective I just don’t really think the album does a whole lot for my tastes.
B.B. King
5/5
Again not sure why I always hesitate to give five stars but this was an album where I just can’t fault it, it’s just like ‘what’s not to love’ so five stars it is!
Peter Gabriel
3/5
Some interesting moments for sure. I’m not sure that overall I totally enjoyed it though. And Through the Wire was probably my favourite, followed by Biko. I think I will be checking out more of his work though. (3.5 stars)
Deep Purple
3/5
Cool stuff. I can’t say any particular track really jumped out but I enjoyed it overall, a good classic rock sound. (3.5 stars)
The Doors
4/5
Really cool classic sick stuff. Extra fan of Peace Frog and Waiting for the Sun. Have always enjoyed this band. (4.5 stars)
Fiona Apple
4/5
Interesting, rich, and still fresh sounding in many ways.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
I love CCR and always have. It’s like the very definition of ‘dad’. Just rocks and rolls the right way. Also ‘choogling’ is an objectively funny word.
The Magnetic Fields
2/5
At best, reminded me of Jonathan Richman or Sufjan Stevens or The National. At worst, and at such length (although I respect the commitment to the concept) it drags on and feels dull and repetitive. (2.5 stars)
Black Sabbath
4/5
Once again, kicks ass. Also still makes me think of Jack Black at moments. Just cool and hard hitting. (4.5 stars)
Arctic Monkeys
5/5
I can’t be unbiased about Arctic Monkeys, I was obsessed with them all through my early-20s (like Alex Turner posters on my wall and everything, fully wanted to be Alexa Chung and/or Miles Kane) and now in my 30s I know it’s ‘uncool’ but I don’t care and I still honestly get around every song, including their much maligned new 70s space age spy soundtrack lounge vibe records. This album is banger after banger, IBYLGOTD is particularly generation-defining stuff of course, with Mardy Bum and WTSGD my main favourites.
Frank Ocean
5/5
A genuine favourite (alongside Blond). I am truly in the ‘Frank is a genius’ camp and can’t wait for more music from him one day at long long last, but if he never makes another song then I’m ok with that too because the ones he’s done are perfect and nothing can take that away. Started listing favourite tracks but there’s too many. Pyramids and Lost are particular all timers though. All round effortlessly cool and smooth and funky and easy to listen to.
Hawkwind
2/5
Must admit I fast forwarded and skipped my way through this. Some cool moments but mostly all blended together to me. (1.5 stars)
Van Morrison
4/5
I’ve always loved VM. My mum played him a lot growing up and there’s just something so endlessly warm and nostalgic and enjoyable about his music.
Björk
4/5
So interesting! Human Behaviour is a remarkable song and there are moments in many others that struck me a lot too. I can’t say I particularly love the overall effect but she is certainly very creative and unique and I will be listening to a lot more, as I have always intended to (being a fan of often compared artists like Kate Bush and Aurora). (3.5 stars)
Johnny Cash
5/5
Brilliant. Johnny just never lets me down! Can’t help but sing along and laugh along to his live chat here as well as consider how kind of revolutionary his prison visits etc. were and still feel today.
Jerry Lee Lewis
3/5
Classic tunes done in a classic style. Makes me feel both old and young.
Common
4/5
Dug this a lot! Favourite tracks were The Corner, Real People and They Say. Just cool stuff!
Pantera
4/5
Slaps. The older I get the more I like metal.
The Everly Brothers
2/5
Reminds me of working in the aged care home (positive). Look, I totally understand the importance of this era of music and some of the songs are obviously still sweet and singable, plus the more 12-bar-bluesy stuff is cooler, but overall it’s too whiny and patheticky for my taste (negative). And puts me to sleep.
The Chemical Brothers
1/5
Can’t remember what album I said this about last time but “YoU WouLDn’T DowNLoaD a CAr” vibes. Just not for me although I can imagine it’d go alright for studying. (1.5 stars)
Iron Maiden
4/5
Cool and punchy. Sick cover art lol. And not too long! More albums should be under 40 minutes. (I’ve long thought 90 minutes is the perfect movie length and am starting to think maybe 45 is the perfect album length.) Phantom of the Opera was my favourite track. (3.5 stars)
Laura Nyro
2/5
Not really my style (kind of vaguely grates me in a way I can’t quite pinpoint) but I can appreciate the jazzy vocals. Sounds like she was a very cool person though (bisexual vegetarian etc.) and I’m surprised I’d never heard of her before. How tragic that both she and her mother died at 49 of ovarian cancer.
The Prodigy
1/5
Skipped my way through this (I know that’s not really fair but I just had to) because like I said the other day (on The Chemical Brothers) I really don’t like this kind of music. It’s just irritating to me and the only way I can ever see myself listening to it even a little is for studying wall-of-sound. It makes my heartbeat feel irregular.
Nick Drake
4/5
Lovely, lovely stuff. I’ve floated around Nick Drake for years and enjoyed several of his songs but never dove deep, that’s definitely going to change now because I enjoyed this so much. Especially Hazey Jane I & II. Can hear the influence on some of my favourite current artists like Jose Gonzalez, Nick Mulvey and Roo Panes. A very comforting sound. So terribly sad he died so terribly young. (4.5 stars)
Miles Davis
2/5
I usually like jazz and I think I would probably like this more if I saw it live, like if I was actually in the room where this kind of thing was being played, experiencing it properly firsthand, but recorded like this and trying to listen to it in the car instead of an immersive environment, I struggled and fast forwarded my way through a fair bit. There are also some sounds that I didn’t enjoy, the kind of deliberately dissonant stuff just isn’t for me. I do appreciate the mastery however and the cover art is cool.
Fugees
3/5
Pretty cool, really liked Zealots and The Beast but I don’t enjoy the sketches at the end of many of the songs. Love the alternating voices though, Lauryn is an all timer for sure. (3.5 stars)
G. Love & Special Sauce
2/5
Mostly kind of reminded me of RHCP who I famously don’t enjoy. Other parts were almost Lin Manuel Miranda rap-ish (not really a good thing here either). I didn’t hate it overall. But just not my vibe. (1.5 stars)
3/5
I’ve long skirted around PJ due to her former relationship with Nick Cave who I love but rarely actually listened to her properly. I definitely like some tracks more than others. Overall it’s not my favourite sound, some of it rocks but a lot is also not terribly interesting to me. This Is Love probably my top track. Not an album I’ll come back to likely.
Supergrass
4/5
I believe I gave the last Supergrass album on here a 4.5 and I have to do that again! It’s just really fun stuff. Like solid pop. Which reminds me a bit of bands like OK Go, The Strokes etc. Just poppy and cruisy. Alright is a hugely famous banger but there are heaps of great ones to enjoy here, especially I’d Like to Know and Mansize Rooster.
Talvin Singh
3/5
Admittedly fast forwarded a little through this one but I did find the fusion of like the electronica elements and the Indian elements very interesting! Like a lot of albums lately it just kind of strikes me as music I would only ever throw on in the background of studying if I needed a wall of sound background kind of thing, like I would never consciously play this. But it is a step above the usual electronica stuff for me in terms of that cultural sonic mix. (2.5 stars)
Eminem
1/5
Another one I fast forwarded through. I’ve never liked Eminem. I don’t like the tone or timbre of his voice (like the way he actually sounds, it’s so like whiny and nasally) and I like his lyrics even less (obviously). I understand his influence but there’s just so much better rap out there. Like, basically all of it. (1.5 stars)
The Beta Band
2/5
Maybe not in the right mood to appreciate this today but also this was so entirely forgettable to me I don’t see why it was included. Hopefully this isn’t a silly blind spot but I’d never even heard of them. They didn’t stand out to me. Like the songs were all fine. But it sounds so early-00s and blenderish. (2.5 stars)
Ride
2/5
All a bit samey-samey. It’s definitely not bad, like in general I don’t mind the sound, but it’s pretty generic and drones on after a while. It’s got a kind of genre-typical mixing/production I don’t really like either where everything is sort of at the same level. The middle section of the album (Here and Now, Nowhere, Unfamiliar) was better than the rest but again just pretty ‘nothing’ to me in the grand scheme of things. (2.5 stars)
Deep Purple
3/5
Cool. Extended rock jams. You have to be in the right mood I think. And again I would prefer to actually see it live than recorded. Funny how every kid learned the opening bit of Smoke on the Water on guitar in school music class. (3.5 stars)
Wilco
2/5
Utterly dull. Sorry, don’t really know what else to say. (1.5 stars)
Nirvana
3/5
I’ve never really been a Nirvana fan. It’s a bit too ‘herm yarl’ as they used to say on the Time Crisis podcast (that 90s kind of growly/nasally vocal sound that acts like Pearl Jam and Nickelback have). I don’t mind the hits (basically just Heart Shaped Box on this album) like I can admit some of it goes pretty hard but also I just find a lot of it quite grating.
Primal Scream
2/5
This gets borderline ‘you wouldn’t steal a car’ (I like that in my head that anti-piracy ad is its own genre now lol) at times while at other points it’s almost vaguely Radioheadish or even U2ish or something. I really can’t make heads or tails of it overall to be honest. It certainly doesn’t sound at all like I expected from the name Primal Scream, there’s nothing primal nor scream about it. I don’t know. Star was a cool track though.
Michael Jackson
4/5
Shoulda called this album Good because it’s not bad at all. How many people have made that joke since 1987?! Let me be the billionth. But for real, banger city. (4.5 stars)
The Killers
3/5
Zoe, was it your mum who recently told you something like “I’ve just started listening to this cool band The Killers! Have you heard of them?” I think that was your story anyway and I kept thinking of it listening to this because I feel like it sounds like ‘parent music’ even though it’s not actually of that generation, like some of it is actually very fun and cool, but a lot of it comes across as quite daggy or dorky now somehow. Like it’s a bit… try-hard? But also it’s pretty good? Like it’s both kind of outdated and also some of it slaps. Also really catapults me back to playing Rock Band (or maybe Guitar Hero or SingStar? I can’t remember which game it was actually on but it was definitely one of them) on the PlayStation 2 with my sisters and belting out ‘SOMEBODY TOLD ME’. Now that song still hits like a freight train! As does Mr Brightside obviously even though it’s been so memefied over the years. Some other parts made me think of Franz Ferdinand and Walk the Moon and other bands of that ilk. Mixed bag overall, but enjoyable! (3.5 stars)
Alice Cooper
3/5
Not really what I expected based on what I thought I knew of Alice Cooper from pop culture. A lot of it is very theatrical and even silly (like the meowing cats). I think Public Animal #9 was my top track besides the titular one. And just a shade over 30 minutes which is always nice.
Genesis
3/5
What an odd little odyssey. It all has a serious touch of that ‘70s medieval’ vibe. Meanders and mixes styles often, even frequently jumping around within the same track (a la Bohemian Rhapsody kind of thing) which certainly keeps you on your toes although I’m not sure if I actually like it. Very strange stuff! I have always enjoyed Phil Collin’s voice though. Really hard to rate something like this so I think I’m just gonna have to go in the middle for lack of another idea.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
3/5
Cool stuff! Into the Light and Head Cut were my favourite tracks. Just generally enjoyed the sound, although not sure I’ll ultimately remember any of it. (3.5 stars)
Hole
3/5
Pretty kickass. Not my favourite sonically speaking but a bit does remind me of current girl rock bands that you hear like on 4ZZZ today, and some tracks like particularly She Walks On Me made me think of Amyl and the Sniffers. Asking For It could also be a modern song (unfortunately with that message always relevant).
Goldie
1/5
I just don’t like drum & bass/electronic. I can handle it for a while but then, as the title of track seven helpfully puts it, it gives me ‘A Sense of Rage’. Like I think the sound of the genre at large literally makes me feel anxious. I didn’t mind the tracks with vocals/lyrics as much. But just never gonna be for me. And it feels like it never ends.
ZZ Top
4/5
This bluesy rock really hit the spot today. Effortless to listen to, chugs along in classic fashion. Feels kind of dirty, in the literal mud/grit/hard work sense of the word, and I appreciate that.
The The
4/5
A buffet of rather unusual flavours but one I found myself very much enjoying! That was a surprise to me as they’re a band I had never listened to before (at least not that I can ever recall) and I’m not sure that I will in future again, but I had a great time with this album and listened through a couple times. Infected, Heartland and The Mercy Beat are bangers. Again, it’s all a bit odd and does have some grating moments but overall it’s funky and rocky in that swinging 80s way that’s a little contagious the more time you spend with it. (4.5 stars)
Slayer
4/5
I think I probably mostly like Slayer (and Pantera and similar bands) these days because they remind me of getting drunk with my beloved mate Jordan but they really do slap. Not something I put on often but whenever something like this pops up I’m pretty stoked to head bang and howl along.
Everything But The Girl
2/5
Eh. It’s fine. It’s dated. I’ve forgotten it already. She has a nice voice though. (1.5 stars)
The Rolling Stones
4/5
I love the Stones. And actually every time I listen, which is pretty often nowadays, I love them more. Sympathy for the Devil and Street Fighting Man have long been two of my biggest favourites. Rest of the album is chill and easygoing, much less ‘rock’ than some of the work they’re perhaps more famous for, almost more folky at moments. Great stuff all round, if again maybe not their most standout selection.
Everything But The Girl
2/5
Are you kidding me? What are the chances of two of their albums being only a day apart! Still not into it. Fine and smooth but generally just dull and uninteresting to me. Feels like something that would be playing in a cliche coffee shop in an old television show. Better than the previous one though, more kind of tropical-ish or aquarium-ish.
Beatles
5/5
Absolutely one of the most perfect albums of all time. I just about know every second of it by heart. Listen Zoe, I know you’re not a fellow Beatles girlie, I know you hardly know your George from your Ringo, I know their films aren’t your ‘comfort watches’ that you basically put on any time you’re sick, I know you haven’t read a billion biographies about each member (and even more deeply researched speculative articles about who was in love with each other when), you’ve never had pictures of them on your walls, or cried seeing Paul live or anything, but by god I hope you can recognise how good this is! So much variety is at play, letting each Beatle shine on his own songs as well as together, through silly moments (for example, the lore is that everyone bloody hated Maxwell’s Silver Hammer but Paul was obsessed with it and insisted on including it anyway) and serious (I mean, Something alone has gotta be some of the most beautiful music ever recorded). That end run of Golden Slumbers into Carry That Weight into The End is an unbelievable masterpiece to me, I could listen to the way it flows forever! Delicious. And even the previous run from Sun King to She Came In too! I love the linkages and the little bits of story that kind of get reprised here and there. Like I said, I just think this is a perfect album and I never get sick of it.
Alice In Chains
1/5
Did not enjoy this. It’s the same ‘herm yarl’ things I generally don’t like about Niravana, Nickelback etc. Just doth not please mine ear.
Janelle Monáe
4/5
Janelle is one of the most creative and beautiful voices going today. I have a huge crush on her. I don’t like this as much as her more recent albums but it’s a seriously strong concept and shows great variety.
Van Halen
2/5
Ahh fine. Not really for me. I think I’m just getting a bit tired of 80s rock? Like it’s still fun but I’m just kind of over it in general lately. The artwork is creepy too!
Shivkumar Sharma
4/5
Soothing storybook soundscapes.
4/5
Prime stuff. Funky and unusual and silly and cool and narrative. Such an inimitable voice. (4.5 stars)
Bee Gees
3/5
I consider myself a Bee Gees stan, it’s well documented that young Barry Gibb is one of my biggest crushes in the world, and I will always throw their greatest hits on for a road trip, but I had never heard this one. And probably for good reason. Look, I’m never one to deny ambitious swings and unusual creativity but it sounds like this split the band for good reason. There’s orchestral instrumentals, there’s country music, there’s songs about Edison and Opera. Maybe the fact one is called I Laugh in Your Face actually says it best. But despite the mismatched nature of it all, despite how annoying some moments are, overall I couldn’t help but kind of enjoy the ride. (3.5 stars? I really have no idea)
Cheap Trick
4/5
Had a great time with this! I didn’t realise how many of these songs I knew, mostly from Guitar Hero and the soundtrack to Daddy Day Care. Surrender is probably my favourite but they’re all kind of bangers and you gotta respect a band with deliberate opening and closing (Hello There and Goodnight) songs. I still don’t love a live album but otherwise I find this hard to fault, at least in my current good mood. (4.5 stars)
Bob Dylan
5/5
A perfect album, as far as I’m concerned. I don’t care how cliche people think they are now, I will always love his lyrics, and his stupid little voice. Irresistible stuff. Hard to pick a favourite track from so many greats but I think Don’t Think Twice is definitely one of my all-timers.
Public Enemy
4/5
Like a lot of the rap and hip hop on this list, I really appreciate the power of its messages, still relevant so many years later, and the talent of all those involved but do still feel the overall sound or production is a bit dated. Favourite tracks were probably Burn Hollywood Burn and Fight the Power. Like I said, still so meaningful in today’s world (unfortunately).
Happy Mondays
2/5
Not for me. Fine for a bit but all started to sound the same very quickly.
Rahul Dev Burman
4/5
I probably should have just watched the movie. Really enjoyed the music overall but yeah without any context of the film it’s from, it will probably always be lacking something. Like that 70s sound, India meets Hollywood. Thought the Romantic Theme was particularly good. (3.5 stars)
Beastie Boys
4/5
Still so singular, instantly recognisable and rather addictive. Makes you want to walk around the house yelling and repeating everything. Just fun and energetic!
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Not the Stones’ best work but that’s to be expected being their debut. Still has the great vocals and rollicking rock they’re beloved for, but slightly more bluesy etc. Plus like I always say, 30 minutes is an almost ideal length! (3.5 stars)
The Who
4/5
A rich (as in full and colourful) rock sound which I enjoyed more and more as the album went on. Behind Blue Eyes was my best track. Not something I’ll likely revisit but I certainly enjoyed the classic nature of it this afternoon.
The Velvet Underground
3/5
Not sure what to say about this! Found most of it dull and nothing much stood out initially although Beginning to See the Light was a welcome cool change and then you get the complete oddball surprise of Murder Mystery?! A very strange song but I surprisingly found I liked it a lot. And then the closer is very sweet and soft. So a mixed bag for sure!
Joni Mitchell
4/5
As beautiful and heartfelt as you expect from Joni. What an unmistakable voice. Like a fairy or a siren. Real poetry. I do have to be in the right mood though.
Girls Against Boys
2/5
Not for me. Don’t really know why this was included. It’s fine 90s rock but just nothing particularly interesting and I ended up skipping through songs. (1.5 stars)
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
2/5
I can’t really think of anything to say. Just a whole lot of nothingness for my money. But it’s fine.
4/5
Liked this less overall than I remembered back in the day. I still enjoyed it a lot but some tracks just lulled for me. Of course you have the massive bangers of Supermassive Black Hole (which just makes me want to watch Twilight) and Knights of Cydonia. Those epic ones are what Muse has always done best. (3.5 stars)
Pixies
4/5
Pretty cool! Not sure I’d listen again but had a good time with it this morning. Particularly enjoyed Velouria. Reminded me at times of Mother Mother and some other kind of more modern indie bands I can’t remember now. (3.5 stars)
Gotan Project
3/5
Latiny jazz. Jazzy Latin. What’s more to say really! It’s smooth and good for a background soundtrack but didn’t stand out much to me across the board. (2.5 stars)
Joan Baez
4/5
I love Joan so much. Having become a Quaker in recent years, when I found out she’s a Quaker it really moved me deeply and made so much more sense of her story. This is a beautiful collection of mostly covers and folk tales but she really does have one of the most stunning clear pure lovely voices of all time. (4.5 stars)
AC/DC
4/5
I mean, it’s classic Acca Dacca! Like this is quintessential Australian rock and it still goes so hard. The riffs (like Back in Black) are unbelievably iconic. My only reservation is that some of the lyrical content (like Giving the Dog a Bone and Let Me Put My Love Into You) is pretty damn nasty. (4.5 stars)
Fiona Apple
2/5
Didn’t enjoy this. I wanted to because it feels creative and interesting in content, and had some similarities to artists I used to like back in the day such as Regina Spektor, but I mostly just found it noise-y and kind of grating.
The Smashing Pumpkins
1/5
Admittedly jumped around through this because sorry but I wasn’t going to spend over 2 hours on one album that all kind of sounds the same to me and that sound being the 90s alt thing I never enjoy. And his voice is whiny to me. There is some nice melodic stuff at points though. (1.5 stars)
Creedence Clearwater Revival
5/5
I’ve always loved CCR and I always will. Just feels like that perfect road trip/camping kind of vibe. So many classics here from Back Door to Grapevine. Bayou dad rock forever. (4.5 stars)
Kings of Leon
3/5
Fine. Obviously Sex on Fire and Use Somebody have remained the enduring tracks and to be fair they are bangers. But the rest blended together a bit for me and it borders on the ‘herm yarl’ (that sound which bands like Nickelback and Nirvana have) so that makes me tire of it after a while. But yeah some of it is pretty cool.
Rufus Wainwright
3/5
I feel a little bit biased towards Rufus being that’s he’s Canadian, there’s some lovely stuff on this album, and he reminds me a little at times of (fellow Canadian) Michael Buble, but also I just don’t love it overall. While moments are certainly interesting, I kind of feel somehow the overall effect is rather dull.
Linkin Park
2/5
I tried to put myself in the mind of an angsty teenage boy listening to this and found that helped a lot. In The End remains an obvious banger. But overall not for me.
David Bowie
3/5
Not one of his better works overall, but also I’m starting to think perhaps I just like Bowie much more as a public figure e.g. a fashion icon, actor, creative being etc. than actually his music itself. This album actually reminded me quite a lot of recent Nick Cave in terms of some of the sort of atonality and unusual flow of the lyrics etc. Top tracks were The Next Day and Love Is Lost but to be honest I probably won’t revisit any of this. (2.5 stars)
Boston
3/5
All the rock from this era is seriously starting to blend together for me. What I wouldn’t give for some more jazz! I mean this is solid and songs like More Than a Feeling are pretty iconic but yeah I’ve kind of hit a wall I think.
David Crosby
4/5
Ignoring the fact it’s got some of the worst cover art I’ve ever seen, and a couple of tracks that are just not good (looking at you, Cowboy Movie) this is a beautiful album. As a huge fan of the modern band Fleet Foxes, so much of it reminded me of them and I suspect Robin Pecknold must have been inspired by the sort of harmonies etc. present throughout, but especially my favourite tracks Tamalpais High, What Are Their Names (where the great Neil Young shines) and Orleans. Love the involvement of the Grateful Dead, Joni Mitchell etc.
k.d. lang
3/5
A short and sweet collection of nice country songs. But I’d rather just listen to the OGs Loretta or Tammy or Patsy etc. to be honest, I’m not sure this adds anything much to the genre although her voice is lovely.
Fela Kuti
4/5
Fela gotta be one of the coolest to ever do it. Again I wish I could have actually seen this live because I feel it would hold so much more power than on the recording but still a solid experience, even if I did drift off during the 14 minute drum solo. Couple moments made me think of The Cat Empire too.
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
3/5
I’m a pretty big Gorillaz fan so I was surprised I’d somehow missed this what is basically a side project of several members including of course frontman Damon Albarn but having listened now it’s pretty missable. I did enjoy it overall, and also thought it was a cool little coincidence that Tony Allen was also on yesterday’s Fela Kuti album. The opening track History Song is the best of the bunch. It’s just a bit sort of slow and quiet for me in general.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
A classic collection of bluesy rock with almost gospel influences at times. My favourite tracks are Tumbling Dice and Shine a Light. Just effortless to listen to and that’s always nice.
Van Morrison
4/5
Good old Van. These are classic songs played in classic fashion. I mostly let it fade into the background, especially considering the double length, but he’s always enjoyable. (3.5 stars)
David Bowie
3/5
Hate to say it but we’ve had too much Bowie lately. While I’ll always love his voice, I honestly don’t like a lot of his songs overall or find them quite forgettable. (2.5 stars)
Steely Dan
4/5
I think I mostly like Steely Dan because my mate Jordan likes them. They’ve always got a great road trip vibe, or barbecues, or rambling walks around the countryside. (3.5 stars)
Finley Quaye
4/5
I’d never heard of this artist before so it was extra nice to have a really enjoyable time with this album. Favourite tracks were It’s Great When We’re Together and Ride On Turn the People On. Just cool and easy listening! (4.5 stars)
Joni Mitchell
3/5
Will always adore Joni’s voice and the poetry is something to be admired but as a whole I didn’t overly enjoy this. Nothing particularly stood out either positively or negatively so it kind of faded into the background a bit. That’s nice too in its own way but yeah probably wouldn’t revisit. (2.5 stars)
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
THE album. Like possibly album of all time. Like the title track AND I’m On Fire AND Glory Days AND Dancing in the Dark?! Plus all the others! Genuinely iconic. GOD I LOVE BRUCE. Also if I had three wishes one of them would probably be to make every American who thinks Born is a patriotic anthem like all those yahoo redblooded gunslinging trash people to ACTUALLY READ AND UNDERSTAND the lyrics and their meaning because it might be the most misused song in history! Bruce is NOT FOR YOU. Comprehension skills, idiots! Anyway, as I said, perfect album. Perfect. And I absolutely NEED to see him play live next time he tours Australia and I’m really hoping that’s soon.
Stereolab
3/5
I didn’t like the first song at all and I thought ‘oh no I’m in for a bad time here’ but then as the album continued I found I was having a really good time, especially with the French tracks! Favourites were Cybele’s Reverie, Les Yper Sound and The Noise of Carpet. Not something I’ll revisit ultimately and I also didn’t like the titular track and and a few other really repetitive moments but yeah, a pleasant surprise. (3.5 stars)
Napalm Death
4/5
Started off like “hell no” but by the end I was like “hell yeah”. Didn’t understand a single word but I think I was just in the right mood for the genre tonight!
Iron Maiden
4/5
Another “hell yeah” as far as I’m concerned. Just cool and fun and goes hard. (4.5 stars)
Gang Of Four
3/5
Not sure what to make of this! I think I liked it overall. But I probably wouldn’t revisit it. Damaged Goods was my favourite track. (3.5 stars)
Pretenders
4/5
Pretty cool and Chrissie Hynde obviously kicks ass but it’s also not the most exciting album. Best tracks are Precious (which I was imagining Amyl and the Sniffers doing a cover of) and of course the famous Brass in Pocket (which I used to rock on PlayStation SingStar with my sisters). Mixed bag. (3.5 stars)
Dexys Midnight Runners
1/5
Not good. I don’t even know why. It’s just like… noise… sound. Only song I kind of liked was One of Those Things and that’s only because it samples Werewolves of London. (1.5 stars)
Amy Winehouse
4/5
Solid stuff, smooth and sultry. Hard to believe she was just 20 when this was made.
Arcade Fire
5/5
I’m pretty sure this album would be in my personal top 20. It was probably my favourite album in 2010 when it came out (the year I finished high school in Canada where Arcade Fire were obviously massive) and since then it’s been a companion on almost every road trip I’ve taken, it’s just perfect driving music, right from that rollicking opening. It makes me feel so nostalgic and warm, and I love its sprawling nature that matches its meaningful messages. I must admit my once massive love for Arcade Fire has sadly been tainted in recent years due to the allegations against Win Butler, although I never looked into them much and I’m not going to now either because as I’ve explained before I’m taking this list at purely sonic face value (there are too many artists I couldn’t stand to listen to at all otherwise). Anyway, a big five stars from teenage/early-twenties me and a bit of a cry and a bit of a boogie. Montreal forever.
Radiohead
3/5
I like this album, I think it’s my favourite by Radiohead, but I also think a lot of that is probably because it makes me think of old friends who liked this album and in particular Jenni who always had an In Rainbows sticker on her laptop at camp. Favourite track is probably the opener 15 Step. Overall smooth and interesting stuff, but also never going to be a band I reach for often. (3.5 stars)
Elliott Smith
3/5
I really like elements of this but after a while it all started to sound the same to me and I ended up fast forwarding through a few songs. But again, I like the vocals so not bad. Just rather dull.
Big Star
3/5
Fine. I don’t really have anything to say. It’s fine and decent music, nice tunes, but ultimately nothing memorable. I’d rather just listen to the Stones or something of a similar ilk.
Jazmine Sullivan
2/5
Not sure why this was included. I hadn’t heard of her (although I do know most of the featured artists like Anderson Paak and H.E.R) and it’s too recent to have cemented any kind of status or influence. Her voice is nice but the content of the songs I found pretty cliche and actually kind of off-putting, like it’s not particularly feminist or sexy or anything I think it’s going for. (1.5 stars)
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
3/5
Fine and dandy blues. I enjoyed it broadly speaking but it didn’t stand out over any other music of its kind. (3.5 stars)
The Verve
3/5
I remember in grade 6 at my Christian school we did a dance telling the story of Creation in assembly set to Bittersweet Symphony. I believe I was a bird with feathers stuck on a baseball cap, and my friend was a jellyfish with a classic umbrella-based costume. Looking back, you would be hard pressed to find a song with less suitable lyrics! I can’t believe they chose it, it must have been just an instrumental version? But the song is a real banger nonetheless and that memory made me smile. Rest of the album isn’t great though, there’s a few nice tracks but it mostly sounds like Oasis I think. (3.5 stars)
Living Colour
4/5
Cool stuff. I can’t think of anything else to say right now. Enjoyed it overall but probably wouldn’t listen again.
Kendrick Lamar
5/5
One of the greats of its genre for sure. Such tone, such flow. (4.5 stars)
Miles Davis
3/5
Classic stuff that served well in the background while I did a pile of paperwork. Again with these jazz albums I always think they’d go so much better live. (3.5 stars)
TV On The Radio
2/5
Meh. Okay and kind of fun at times, annoying at others.