236
Albums Rated
3.4
Average Rating
22%
Complete
853 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
2010s
Favorite Decade
Singer-songwriter
Favorite Genre
UK
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
35
5-Star Albums
3
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Swordfishtrombones
Tom Waits
|
5 | 2.95 | +2.05 |
|
Heartattack And Vine
Tom Waits
|
5 | 3.07 | +1.93 |
|
Modern Kosmology
Jane Weaver
|
5 | 3.08 | +1.92 |
|
Too Rye Ay
Dexys Midnight Runners
|
5 | 3.12 | +1.88 |
|
Forever Changes
Love
|
5 | 3.23 | +1.77 |
|
Sea Change
Beck
|
5 | 3.33 | +1.67 |
|
From Elvis In Memphis
Elvis Presley
|
5 | 3.36 | +1.64 |
|
Hybrid Theory
Linkin Park
|
5 | 3.39 | +1.61 |
|
Pretzel Logic
Steely Dan
|
5 | 3.4 | +1.6 |
|
Blunderbuss
Jack White
|
5 | 3.4 | +1.6 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
The Köln Concert
Keith Jarrett
|
1 | 3.39 | -2.39 |
|
Hot Rats
Frank Zappa
|
1 | 3.36 | -2.36 |
|
Elephant
The White Stripes
|
2 | 3.86 | -1.86 |
|
The White Room
The KLF
|
1 | 2.78 | -1.78 |
|
Transformer
Lou Reed
|
2 | 3.67 | -1.67 |
|
Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Wu-Tang Clan
|
2 | 3.61 | -1.61 |
|
The Clash
The Clash
|
2 | 3.54 | -1.54 |
|
Aja
Steely Dan
|
2 | 3.46 | -1.46 |
|
Hot Buttered Soul
Isaac Hayes
|
2 | 3.43 | -1.43 |
|
Ellington at Newport
Duke Ellington
|
2 | 3.43 | -1.43 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Radiohead | 3 | 5 |
| Beatles | 3 | 4.67 |
| Tom Waits | 2 | 5 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Steely Dan | 5, 2 |
| The Clash | 2, 5 |
5-Star Albums (35)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
The KLF
1/5
Don’t get this one. Must have had to be there in the late 80s understanding electronic music landscape for this to hit. Didn’t hit me at all.
1 likes
Supergrass
3/5
I didn’t love the heavier songs and intensity at the start, but the star single I know really well and actually really enjoyed the more mellow back half. Probably won’t come back to this as it didn’t really move me
1 likes
Japan
3/5
Good bass riffs, very dated but I am sure it was revolutionary at the time
1 likes
Blondie
3/5
Way more punk rock than I was expecting. The singles naturally stood out, heart of glass is a great song. Catchy and warm throughout, but very “of the time” sounding.
Still enjoyed but probably wouldn’t listen to it again.
1 likes
Black Flag
2/5
I get it, I can see why it’s influential, but I just don’t love it. Important for heavy music so I’m thankful for its influence
1 likes
1-Star Albums (3)
All Ratings
The Beach Boys
5/5
Radiohead
5/5
Amazing
B.B. King
4/5
Better listening in headphones than through a car or room speaker. Crowd noise sometimes got in the way of hearing the instruments and a little muddy in general but overall a good album and fun up beat blues that makes you smile
Joan Armatrading
4/5
Enjoyed this, didn’t blow me away. Loved the production, the drums and the guitar recording was moorish.
Will give it another listen to see if round 2 grabs me. Still liked it on second listen, but I couldn’t remember a single song. Not as memorable as I wanted.
Tracy Chapman
5/5
Strong start. First 5 songs all remind me of my childhood.
Back half requires more listening but still, very good vibes.
Talking Heads
4/5
Not very hooky, don’t remember a lot of songs after it was over.
Can hear clear influences on modest mouse in a few songs here. Good rhythm and bass lines. Definitely interesting.
Steely Dan
5/5
Really enjoyed this. Heard it’s influence on a lot of songs, heaps of vulfpeck/side project stuff.
Catchy moments, great songwriting and production. On extra listening, I liked it even more, good stuff.
Blondie
3/5
Way more punk rock than I was expecting. The singles naturally stood out, heart of glass is a great song. Catchy and warm throughout, but very “of the time” sounding.
Still enjoyed but probably wouldn’t listen to it again.
Jane Weaver
5/5
Really cool album. Lots of psychedelic sounds, lots of songs very drone-y with cool swirling sounds throughout moved along by beats and bass lines.
Lovely vocals, amazing production, very rewarding listening on headphones. Not catchy at all but will definitely reward in repeated listens.
Donald Fagen
4/5
Good vibes. Would make a great backdrop to the start of a party. Beats are nice, production is very clean.
The songwriting is complex and not super catchy but I think this album would reward on multiple listens.
Rod Stewart
3/5
Good vibe, sounds dated but surprised to hear how rock n roll old rod stewart is.
Still enjoyed it but likely won’t listen again.
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
4/5
Dated sounding but great song writing and enjoyable. The opening track sets the mood and is a great, catchy starter. Probably would only listen again when I’m on the mood to re live the 50s
The Police
4/5
Track opening and closing the album are really great. Some of my favourites for a long time. The rest of the album had a great vibe but not as re listenable as the singles.
R.E.M.
4/5
I really like a lot of REM I think I just have to spend more time with their albums. The songwriting is good but it’s just a bit dated maybe with the choices of instrumentation and production.
Still really enjoyed this album and will likely return to it from time to time
LCD Soundsystem
5/5
Unreal album. Listened before and loved in the past but sort of forgot about it. Was a pleasure coming back to such a great album. Really riled me up and gave me a lot of energy.
Kanye West
4/5
Bangers and fun, I like his newer stuff better.
Coldplay
4/5
Simple, kind of muddy production but a good vibe. Some classic really memorable sad boy songs and I rate it.
Iron Maiden
3/5
Not my cup of tea. Two main singles I knew, just don’t love this kind of music.
Still, you can’t deny the influence I hear from this on a lot of other heavier music.
The production is dated and the bass is too loud.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
Actually enjoyed this. Reminds me of what Wilco is inspired by.
Interesting song writing but not super memorable; needs further listening
The Smiths
4/5
Great album. Really enjoyable songs and production, thoughtful lyrics.
I need to spend more time with this album
Mj Cole
3/5
Very “of the time” dance music. Good when cleaning and working on stuff. Subwoofer is a must or you miss 50% of the music.
Jack White
5/5
Loved this album. Started in the car and was unsure at first, but mowed the lawn and really focused in on the second listen and fully bought in.
Great album, very good reminiscent songwriting reminding me of magic Beatles moments. Catchy hooks and riffs. All over great album, will come back to this again
Adele
3/5
ABBA
4/5
I loved the way this album opened. That first track blew me away. The album started to peter out for me by the back end but still a really enjoyable listen.
Not what I expected from ABBA. Will definitely come back to this for some re listens.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
Beautiful voice, great production for the time but none of the songs grabbed me.
Fishbone
2/5
I get why this is an album on this list, but I just didn’t find joy in it. So much genre changing and bending, everything was surprising but not always enjoyable. Not for me.
Tears For Fears
4/5
The singles were great, the rest of the album was good but more ambient and avante harder than I was expecting. I can hear the influence on nine inch nails from this album. Will be good for repeated listening
Aretha Franklin
4/5
Great vibes. Listened in stereo. Not a bad song on the album but will give it another go in mono to embrace how it was released originally.
Tom Waits
5/5
Love Tom waits. This was great, groovy and little less intense as the albums unusually listen to.
Dirty Projectors
3/5
Interesting, but more obnoxious than anything. Most songs felt like a “look at me look how avante garde i am” and I didn’t really connect with any of them.
I liked the production though and the complexity but meh
Isaac Hayes
2/5
Didn’t vibe with this at all. Really long songs, but none of it really caught me.
I understand the significance of this album on soul and music for the era it came out but you must have had to been there.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Elton John
4/5
Great album, tiny dancer is a classic, the rest of the album is good but very progressive for the time. Lots of long complicated songs. Rewards on re listens
Madonna
4/5
Great album, sound is dated to its era but still some really great up beat tracks. Not the biggest Madonna fan but this was a good listen. Would have gone 5 stars if it weren’t for the autotune ballad and snoozy back half
Van Morrison
4/5
Great single, the rest album was good but didn’t blow me away. Good production and songwriting but I need to relisten more
Flamin' Groovies
3/5
Fun and a good vibe for this era and style but not something that grabbed me. I’ve heard variations on Louie Louie before and didn’t know that this was the original
Talking Heads
3/5
I know the single, liked the album but didn’t love it. All very percussion and rhythm based with repeating riffs as the idea expanded for each song.
I still want to persevere with talking heads so I will return for relistens
The Mamas & The Papas
3/5
Good classic songs of the era. California dreaming is a great song. Album overall was good, I’ll come back to it when I’m in the mood for this typical 60s era music.
Stan Getz
4/5
Good vibe, old school feel great background music for a chill get together
Kings of Leon
3/5
Probably rate it higher if i hadn’t heard so many of the tracks on repeat when it came out and at work.
It’s a good catchy album, but doesn’t reward in repeated listening. Very sparse minimalist production that sounds good but kind of muddy. Still great songs that are very memorable
Japan
3/5
Good bass riffs, very dated but I am sure it was revolutionary at the time
Stevie Wonder
4/5
Great vibe love the production, songs not as catchy as others but good jazz and complex pop songwriting
Led Zeppelin
4/5
Love the production, the warm tape saturation on the drums and the overall vibe of the album. Hard rocking but not taking it too seriously, lots of psych influence in the big breaks and solos. Good stuff listen more
Manu Chao
4/5
Surprised how much I liked this album. Very groovy but understated, upbeat and fun, it felt like the backing track to a holiday through South America.
Catchy minimalist dub/reggae stuff I think would make for great background music to a party
Ravi Shankar
2/5
Interesting intro to sitar but I won’t listen to this again
2/5
Like listening to hold music or waiting room music. Complicated, lots of repeating and chill vibe but nothing to grab me to make me want to listen again.
Elliott Smith
3/5
I thought I’d like this more because a lot of my favourite artists sight Elliot smith as influence.
Reminds me of the father John misty storytelling type but the songs aren’t that catchy so they leave my mind as soon as I hear them. I liked the vibe though, maybe needs some relistens
Led Zeppelin
3/5
Good moments, clearly groundbreaking for the time but sounds of the time to me.
Some of the studio trucks moving the panning of tracks around feels gimmicky now but was probably sick back then.
A few songs were very good, most of them were just okay. I liked it, but it’s not as amazing as I expected it to be
OutKast
3/5
Preferred speaker box to love below, obviously hey ya is a classic and roses is great and the album in general was very good but I expected love below to have more poppy tunes and to be more accessible. Still good but long run time to get through it all
The Cramps
2/5
Not my cup of tea. I’m sure it’s important for music growth but goth rockabilly was not on my bingo card today
Fred Neil
3/5
Good old school folk/western. Nothing amazing that makes me remember clearly how the hooks went, but still a good listen. Probably too long to repeat the whole album
Jimmy Smith
2/5
Good jazz album, instrumentals are great but I won’t re listen as an album to put on but I’d play it behind a cocktail party
Frank Zappa
1/5
Soloist wank instrumentals, noisey and avant garde for the sake of pretentiousness. No from me
Black Flag
2/5
I get it, I can see why it’s influential, but I just don’t love it. Important for heavy music so I’m thankful for its influence
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
Really like the singles we all know. Voodoo child is like the best pump up song, voodoo chile is such a great jam. The tones and solos are clearly so influential on so much rock music.
The middle of the album lost me a bit but overall I enjoyed the more traditional songs over some of the wierder jam songs
The 13th Floor Elevators
4/5
This album was great. Gotta be in the mood for it, but it took me on a full album journey and had so many parts that clearly influenced so many others later. Will come back to this one.
Carole King
5/5
One of the best of all time. Great songs, great production. Can’t fault it.
Keith Jarrett
1/5
Not my cup of tea. Fiddly piano good for background music to fill space but not something I would go out of my way to listen to. I’m sure it’s iconic in the right circles
The Black Crowes
2/5
Rock n rolll but not my cup of tea. I know the main single well, pub classic but otherwise won’t re listen
Billy Joel
4/5
Great 70s pop and ballads. Reminds me of Elton John a lot. I’ve heard the singles but never delved further, enjoyed this, looking forward to more Billy Joel
Pavement
4/5
Don’t love the vocals but they grew on me. I can hear the influence of this over a lot of artists I’ve listened to. That soft punk rock indie sound where the guitars do the singing and the vocals carry the message.
Will listen again
David Bowie
3/5
I like Bowie but not this album as much as earlier ones. The sound he had here was perfected in black star which I think is better.
Thin Lizzy
3/5
Rock and roll fun, very good sounding live album. Probably won’t return to this but still didn’t hate it either
Prefab Sprout
4/5
Sounds just like the 80s, but really enjoyable songwriting and production. The acoustic version is also really great with wonderful songwriting. Very unique but also familiar. Will listen again
Nick Drake
4/5
Great melancholy folk album. Loved the vibe, production and songwriting. This will be a great album to re listen to
Roni Size
2/5
I get it, important to drum and bass history and iconic for the time. But it’s just really long and everything sounds the same. Minimalist production and really long songs get boring quickly.
The bass sound though with the sort of cello sample sound mixed with synth is sick, and a couple of hooky songs stood out.
Charles Mingus
2/5
Musicianship is excellent and production is excellent. I get why this is on the list because the vibe is very niche and very good in this niche but I will likely never listen again because virtuoso instrumentals for the sake of it gets boring fast.
My wife likes it- from the one song she heard.
Beatles
5/5
No words neeeeedd
Cyndi Lauper
3/5
Strong first half, the singles are classics for a reason. Good 80’s vibes and production. I just didn’t like the back half of the album- it got a bit weird
Femi Kuti
2/5
Repetitive and very long songs
The Go-Go's
2/5
Very 80s the non singles didn’t stand up to the quality of the hits
Franz Ferdinand
3/5
Good vibes, I like this era of music but this album got a bit samey towards the end.
Amy Winehouse
4/5
Great album, love the songs and production. It’s very compressed and loud compared to more natural sounding recordings. The only thing keeping it from 5 stars
Love
5/5
Actually loved this album. Never heard of these guys before and was really impressed. Great sound, great songs, will likely give this many more listens
Earth, Wind & Fire
3/5
Classic good, solid well written funk. The singles I knew, not the rest. Was enjoyable but not particularly memorable.
I’d throw it on as background music for a party funk vibe but wouldn’t sit down for an intense listen. Still love the beats, the bass and the horns all over it.
Solomon Burke
3/5
R.E.M.
4/5
Really liked this. The singles are huge but I enjoyed the rest of the album so much I listened twice. Very indicative of rock music at the time at the birth of grunge. Still great song writing and sounds modern to today’s standards but a vintage feel to recording and production
Beastie Boys
3/5
I didn’t hate it, didn’t love it. Lots of samples and sounds that are iconic that I’ve heard later that’s been inspired by this.
I imagine this was groundbreaking when it came out, but I can’t learn to love the vocals
Ministry
3/5
I was worried this would be a punish to get through at first.
Once I got into it, I can see all the influence on NIN and other industrial bands that I like. Actually enjoyed a lot of the unique production, but not all the songs. Still overall more good than average
Ella Fitzgerald
3/5
Lovely sounding album, but very long. After the second disc it all starts to sound the same.
Will revisit this for background music and a get together, or for some study/work music. Overall lovely, just so so long.
Gorillaz
4/5
Been a fan of gorillaz a long time. Have not given this album a listen in over 15 years. Great album, better than I remember. I like the later gorillaz with more song based songs and less instrumental but still the albums production is still great today and inspiring.
Joy Division
3/5
Super well known and beloved, but it just doesn’t resonate with me. Didn’t hate it, didn’t love it, not big on the vocals but it’s unique and enjoyable in its own way.
Middle of the road rating
Sade
3/5
Great opener, songs are good and production great but every song ends up blending in to each other.
For mid 80s it’s got a really classic and timeless sound to it.
Adam & The Ants
4/5
Never been into new wave, but this album was a good listen. The more I hear the more I like in this genre; but this album also was just a cool vibe.
I like the nine inch nails covered one song I was familiar with
Suicide
3/5
Amazing that this came out in the 70s
I don’t personally love it, but I can see why it’s so well regarded because it sounds like the future form the viewpoint of the 70s. I think I’ll give it some more listens because the pedigree of bands inspired by this demand I listen again.
Youssou N'Dour
2/5
It’s nice I get it, I’m just not moved by it won’t listen again
Parliament
4/5
Great funk, very wierd, clearly influential. Great for more listens
Beastie Boys
3/5
I liked the music, but I’m just not into the beastie boys rapping and vocals. Interesting to hear them evolve into a more traditional band than a sampled hip hop artist
Deee-Lite
3/5
Great, fun dance vibes with unique synths, samples and singing. Surprisingly consistent with great songs all the way through keeping me interested through the lot. Just nothing else quite as catch as groove js in the heart.
John Lee Hooker
3/5
Good vibes for a blues album, the opener threw me off with Santana but the rest of the album fell into familiar blues territory.
Not so amazing that I’d come back to it often, but good enough for a listen again
The Modern Lovers
3/5
Gets a bit samey through it, but I can see the appeal. There’s albums like car seat headrest stuff that is clearly inspired by it. Good songwriting but not my cup of tea vocals
The Smiths
5/5
I didn’t get meat is murder when I first heard it, it was good but very 80s and didn’t strike me that strongly. The Queen is dead hit me much harder. Initially I had the same offput feeling but it grew on me as I listened.
On second listen, I finally get what it’s about and why it sounds this way. I think I’ve become a genuine smiths fan..
4/5
Good; solid album didn’t love the back half but the front half is clearly massive for a reason
Elvis Presley
4/5
How good is the production on this album. Genuinely blew me away how great the recording sounds compared to early Beatles when this predates it. Unreal, with great songs, this will come back to me again
Goldfrapp
3/5
Human is a standout, album is good but wierd. Very interesting and lovely sound but too wierd for pop succees
Roxy Music
2/5
The drum sound on this album is unreal, the production is fantastic, but the songs are all forgettable. I might need to revisit this album later to see if my feelings change.
David Bowie
3/5
Not my favourite Bowie Album. Jean genie is a classic, the rest of the albums rock and roll athletics are great but don’t stick with me like other Bowie albums.
Lou Reed
2/5
It takes me a while to warm up to Lou reeds purposely bad singing. Walk on the wild side is great, the front half of the album is better than the back half but the song writing is there to justify it on the list. I can see how it’s influenced a lot but it’s not really for me
Bee Gees
2/5
Long, cinematic but not really memorable. Great production though
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
5/5
Loved this. Great songs, great vibe with a huge array of sounds across the album. Super nostalgic feeling with strong production, and I’ll definitely come back to this.
Beatles
4/5
I love the beatles, but this is probably one of the weaker albums for me. Some classics on here and the start of greatness that comes later. Still worthy of lots of stars and love
Steely Dan
2/5
Didn’t love this album. I’ve tried it before because it’s acclaimed but I just don’t get it. It’s not poppy enough to get in to easily, too complicated to enjoy the listen. Maybe I need to give it more time
Amy Winehouse
5/5
Just great, what a debut album. Amy sounds wise beyond her years, the production is timeless and the songs catchy and memorable. Such an easy listen, loved this
Hawkwind
2/5
I wouldn’t listen again. Revolutionary in terms of pushing the envelope of art but not for me
The KLF
1/5
Don’t get this one. Must have had to be there in the late 80s understanding electronic music landscape for this to hit. Didn’t hit me at all.
The Beach Boys
4/5
Enjoyed this album on first listen, definitely need to do more beach boys. Great production and harmonies.
The White Stripes
2/5
Seven Nation Army is a classic No Doubt but the rest this album didn’t impress me at all
Pixies
2/5
Didn’t rate this, pre cursor tonsome great grunge and 90s rock but not something that grabbed me
Björk
2/5
Pretty strings, forgettable songs, best listen to in headphones but won’t listen again.
Eurythmics
3/5
The single is a classic, it’s a good vibe for this era and style, well produced and great sounding just not grabbing me enough to be more than 3 stars
2Pac
3/5
At first I didn’t want to listen, gangsta rap is not my thing. I didn’t find the lyrics particularly moving or as amazing as 2pac is made out to be, but the production felt like going back to my high school years playing GTA
Neil Young
4/5
Great album, love Neil young not my favourite of his but still excellent
ZZ Top
3/5
La grange is amazing. This albums production is very tight, love the drum sound and the tones in the album just don’t love all the songs. Enjoyable listen, will come back for la grange
JAY Z
4/5
I love Kanye’s early production. No wonder he went on to make great music. This album was surprisingly good, I may come back to it when I’m in the mood
The Clash
2/5
I see why this is important but the style is not for me. I think I’ll enjoy layer clash albums more
John Martyn
4/5
This was great, wierd and wonderful. Will need to come back to this, but amazing that this was created in the 70s
Bob Dylan
3/5
Not my favourite. I want to get into Dylan more but this is not the Dylan I was expecting. Maybe I need more time with it?
Lorde
4/5
Surprisingly good, especially the back half. I am familiar with other Jack antonoff records and enjoyed this as much as Lana del rays NFR
My Bloody Valentine
3/5
Loveless is much better but this still sets the stage for shoegaze. Decent album, really unique and interesting production for the time but I won’t rush back to listen again
Wire
2/5
Not my cup of tea. Not bad just not anything I’d go back to
Bad Brains
2/5
Expected to like this less. Had a feeling it was going to be all screamy and punk and it surprised me that it wasn’t a punish to get through. My wife hated it. Probably won’t listen again.
Pearl Jam
4/5
The front half of the album is full of classics and great songs. I got a bit over the soupy production by the second half and the songs weren’t as impactful. In the right environment I would listen again, particularly the classics like even flow.
Willie Nelson
4/5
A really good vibe, very laid back and pretty. A nice Americana jazz ish album with old songs reimagined. Will return to this for sure and loooking forward to more Willie Nelson in the list
Scott Walker
2/5
Reminds me of Marty Robbin’s era western but no where near as good. Not a fan of the soupy production.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
I keep listening to the stones hoping that it will grab me, but this album didn’t again. It’s not bad, it’s just not moving me the way the Beatles did.
Crowded House
4/5
This album was great, full of classics I was surprised all came from the same album. Amazingly progressive and produced for something of the era and still holds up today.
Sarah Vaughan
3/5
Good vibes as background music, a little long in the tooth by the end. Crowd interaction was cool, but I wouldn’t put this on as a must listen, good background jazz party music
David Bowie
3/5
Heroes the song is amazing, the album was good but the instrumentals on the back half were a bit wierd and boring. I’ll try it again later, but I still love the production of Bowie.
The Stone Roses
4/5
I thought these guys were something else entirely. Enjoyed a lot of this, will require further listening
Syd Barrett
2/5
Don’t know how to feel about this. The weirdness and stripped back sound reminds me of horn of plenty by grizzly bear, clearly must have inspired it. Probably won’t listen again
PJ Harvey
3/5
I liked the vibe and the stripped back sound, but couldn’t get on with the singing. Still, there was some cool progressive sounds and moments here. I reckon I could enjoy more with more listens
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
Enjoyed this much more than electric lady land. It felt more cohesive, the production is awesome. The drums are fat and warm and the guitar tones are amazing. This demands more listening
Electric Light Orchestra
5/5
This was just great all the way through. Mr blue sky is a certified classic but this album was filled with nothing but joy. Loved it.
Abdullah Ibrahim
2/5
Fine for background jazz. Piano in track 2 moved me a bit but generally not my box of frogs.
Black Sabbath
3/5
Sabbath hits have always been great for me to listen to, never sat with a whole album though. It’s good, not great. I’ll come back to this though and give it another chance.
Tim Buckley
2/5
This one was really weird. The production was great, I love that early 70s sound but the vocals and howling were just weird. I won’t come back to this one.
Cream
4/5
Great vibe, great guitar sound, really enjoyable. Sunshine of your love is incredible but the album stands up and is enjoyable alongside it. Will listen again
King Crimson
5/5
This album took me by surprise and blew me away. There was some brass wind jazz noodling that I could take or leave, but outside of that there was so many inspirational sounds. I will come back this for sure
Neil Young
5/5
This is one of the greatest albums ever made. Can’t fault it and is for me an all timer
N.E.R.D
2/5
Didn’t hate it, didn’t love it. It’s cool and was the start of the singers eventual command of the pop industry but.. meh. Won’t listen again most likely
Hole
2/5
Never actually listened to hole. Everyone says Kurt cobain wrote a lot on it, the opening track was like a nirvana love letter. Didn’t feel the album struck me like nirvana does, not bad, not great
Rage Against The Machine
5/5
One of the goats. The production is seriously so clean and raw and great sounding. The songwriting and band are so immersive and the album is a classic
Dire Straits
5/5
This album is great to start. Seriously good. It’s aged a little with the production but is still so damn good. The back half drops away into some strange territory but I still really loved this album.
Le Tigre
3/5
Interesting, intense and mostly enjoyable. I’ve gotta be in the right mood for this kind of thing, but I still enjoyed it
k.d. lang
3/5
Didn’t love it, can see the appeal though. Won’t come back to this one but the closing track is a classic
Shuggie Otis
3/5
Good vibes, but mostly forgettable. Impressive that he records this all himself. Will unlikely return to this as it’s not groundbreaking, but good for background mood building
Fiona Apple
4/5
Surprised at how good this was. Singer songwriter in piano vibes but with a clearly dark ish, grunge feel to it. Makes it sound of the time, but refreshing compared to the bubblegum pop that comes after this
Janis Joplin
3/5
Harsh voice, super rock and roll for early 70s. Move over is a classic, I like to album but not so much I’d race back to it.
Spiritualized
4/5
Some of the noise and length of some songs get monotonous but overall I really liked this album. I think it will reward on re listens because it’s so jam packed with ear candy.
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
3/5
Took me a minute to get my head around this album.
It’s been a bit since an 80s album has come through, but by the end I started to enjoy it. I think I need to spend more time with it to really embrace its complexities.
John Cale
4/5
Loved this. Never heard of John Cale but this album ticks so many boxes of what I like in that folk/rock crossover sound from the 70s
Will come back to this again.
The Rolling Stones
5/5
A classic for a reason. I’ve never loved the stones like I love the Beatles but this is the first time I’ve sat with this album and it’s no surprise it’s so well regarded. Really great production, great songs, just great.
Duke Ellington
2/5
Fun for what it is, great horns. But live recording of jazz that far back doesn’t sound the best and exists merely to create vibe. No singing means no hits so I won’t come back to this
Jacques Brel
2/5
Different, I liked the playfulness and some of the chord progressions were pretty inspiring. But it’s hard to really connect with it when everything is in French.
Sebadoh
3/5
Weird one. I didn’t hate it, it’s definitely one of those albums that was the progeny of a new genre, namely that indie emo thing that happened in the early 2000s. Lots of sounds on this that clearly inspired that sound, but it was too out there for me to really love.
Worth coming back to to listen again.
The Doors
4/5
Really enjoyed the back half of this. The singles are classics for sure but the psychedelic droning songs towards the end are amazing. Will come back to this for sure
Dexys Midnight Runners
5/5
Great album, horns, pop but avant garde. Interesting and weird but nourishing. What’s not to love?
Brian Wilson
4/5
Liked it, but very complex. This will reward on further listens. The vocals are amazing
Faith No More
4/5
This was way better than I expected. I knew epic and always thought it was a great song, but hearing other FNM tracks out of context, I never got it. This album as a cohesive punch was amazing. Awesome sounding production, great songs, just great.
Sam Cooke
4/5
Loved this, what a voice. Such awesome live energy, even though the recording quality is average to today’s standards, still so much mojo. Shame he died so young
Massive Attack
4/5
Not my favourite from massive attack, but happy to hear this in the list. Was a great listen, haven’t done it for this album in years. Fingers crossed for more MA in the list.
Dinosaur Jr.
3/5
Liked this vibe, reminds me of shoegaze but obviously early on. Great guitar tones and sounds just not grabbing me for the songs
Peter Gabriel
5/5
This was so good I was taken by surprise. Sledgehammer is a total classic and I’ve loved it forever, but man what a great album. Listen again for sure
The Style Council
2/5
Wierd jazz instrumentals and then cafe music combined. Not so good that I enjoyed the jazz instrumentals, not so memorable that I could sing the pop songs, so.. meh.
Arcade Fire
5/5
Love this album, had it on vinyl for years. Been a while since I listened, still amazing.
Throbbing Gristle
2/5
I understand the influence this had on future music, music that I love (massive NiN fan, also some of the wierd stuff from Radiohead, many heavy and industrial bands etc)
But this album is 2 tracks I would consider songs, and the rest noise that wasn’t particularly inspiring. It mostly just made me go.. what the hell, am I missing something?
Small Faces
3/5
Interesting, very Beatles vibes on acid, liked it, didn’t love it. The talking story moments between songs was different.
Miles Davis
3/5
Always nice to have miles Davis on, but it’s hard to remember songs without lyrics. These are great background cocktail party or study albums, but would I go back to it to really get in to it? Probably not. Still lovely sounding and great for the era.
Linkin Park
5/5
This is one of my coming of age albums that was a favourite during adolescence so there is a certain amount of nostalgia that clouds my rating against other things I’ve never heard on this list.
But seriously, I don’t know anyone that can listen to this and not immediately have a smile on their face. Great album, genre defining.
N.W.A.
3/5
I know the significance, and there’s some classics here but it’s not my cup of tea in general.
Portishead
4/5
Great album, have it on vinyl. Very cold and dark and super clear that it’s portishead. There’s really not much else like it.
It’s great, but not all timer great.
Dead Kennedys
3/5
This was tough at first, very jarring and screaming guitars were hard to adjust to. After getting through the album, it’s obvious the influence they had on bands in the heavy realm I like, with plenty of riffs and vibes being repurposed elsewhere, ie system of a down and green day. Didn’t love it but I appreciate it.
Radiohead
5/5
My favourite band, has been for a decade. Still a wonderful album to listen to, this was a joy.
Miles Davis
4/5
Great and beautiful for an instrumental jazz album. Not always my bag, but this hit the spot today.
Not sure id listen to it just for a relisten, but 100% the perfect background music for a get together.
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
2/5
This was fine, but weird and I don’t really get it. Brian Eno is great, maybe this had to be done to propel him to greatness?
Ash
2/5
I was expecting something else entirely. This was a bit to “rip your face off” rock than I was expecting. I didn’t mind the songs and the vibe, but the guitar tone was really sharp and grating I found it hard to enjoy and the vocals were mediocre. I’m sure this was peak in this genre mid 90s but I won’t listen again.
Queen
3/5
It my favourite Queen album, but a necessary step to get to a night at the opera. A little too progressive to be compared to my favourite Queen albums, they hadn’t quite honed that super catchy pop element yet.
Arcade Fire
4/5
Loved this but not as much as their debut. Starts strong, i need to spend more time on the back end
Beck
3/5
Got over it by the back half but fun and upbeat album. I’ve always like the more chill beck albums but this one was a lot of fun.
Lauryn Hill
3/5
I see how this is critically acclaimed but I don’t get it. Not my favourite style and it didn’t grab me in a way that moved me. Wouldn’t listen again, but also didn’t hate any of it, it just reminded me of that era of music.
The Lemonheads
3/5
like the vibe, didn’t really blow me away but Mrs Robinson is a classic. Doubt I’ll return to it; but didn’t hate it.
The Jesus And Mary Chain
3/5
I expected not to like this. I’ve been a fan of the dandy Warhols a long time and can see some very clear influence from TAMC on them. Liked the laid back, psych pop vibes on the more chill songs on the album. Overall I probably won’t come back to it, but I enjoyed it while I listened.
Frank Ocean
4/5
Really enjoyed this, I knew the singles but the album as a whole is really great and worthy of all the admiration it gets. Will listen again for sure.
Supergrass
3/5
I didn’t love the heavier songs and intensity at the start, but the star single I know really well and actually really enjoyed the more mellow back half. Probably won’t come back to this as it didn’t really move me
Radiohead
5/5
My favourite band, this is such an underrate album in their discography. It doesn’t have the super genre bending elements of future albums that are so revered, but damn if this isn’t some of the best rock of the 90s. Love it
Red Hot Chili Peppers
4/5
Great singles, good vibes but I didn’t feel like this was amazingly memorable all the way through. Definitely rate it for suck my kiss, absolute tune.
Justin Timberlake
3/5
Great album from my youth, surprisingly fun to listen to the hits again. JT can be seen as just a pop star part of the machine, but I really rate the first half of this album. The back half fell away, so not perfect but still worthy of the list.
Fats Domino
3/5
Good for this era, can visualise the dance floors of the 50s getting down to this album. Guess it was on here because it did this style so well and was influential. I’d probably only listen again though for a throwback to this era.
Elvis Presley
5/5
This album was excellent. I loved it. Could be the way I’m feeling today, but it was just great and I’ll come back to it.
The front half was packed full of songs I hear in pubs and restaurants and public places all the time. There’s no denying the widespread appeal of the singles from this album, but the back half didn’t grab me and I think in retrospect, these songs ushered in an era of soulless rock pop that tarnishes this album for me.
It’s good not great
Manic Street Preachers
3/5
This was a wild ride. Never heard of this band, but I’ve heard their influence on a huge amount of things.
At some point many moments I swear I’ve heard certain melodies, tones, riffs and sounds that they must have influenced a great deal.
I don’t know if I’ll listen again, it’s very intense and jarring at times but it was good.
The Black Keys
4/5
Loved this, simple but really warm and enjoyable production. Great vibe for songs and just overall fun and interesting. The back end of the album kind of fell away for me but still, need more time with this
Michael Jackson
5/5
Tight, not a bad song on it. Classic for a reason.
Aretha Franklin
4/5
Great, Aretha classics. Such a great voice and awesome sounding production for the era.
I’m not the biggest soul person but I still loved this.
Deerhunter
4/5
Enjoyed it, I think I need to listen a few more times for it to become as great as its acclaim suggests. I like a lot of bands that are this style, so with more listens this could be a 5 star album.
American Music Club
4/5
Actually loved this. I tried YouTube because you can’t stream it and bad liquor was the first song for some reason.
At first I thought it was some sort of Lou reed adjacent thing, wasn’t grabbing me, but then Jenny came on and I was hooked.
I went back and found it’s actually more of a Springsteen meets smiths Americana thing and I loved it. In context bad liquor isn’t all that bad, just a weird way to start.
I think there’s a bandcamp high quality download of this, I’m gonna get it and give this another go. It was good.
The Smashing Pumpkins
5/5
Been a big pumpkins fan for a long time. This album is just a huge and great overall snapshot of them at their best. There is so much music but you never feel bored. Love it
Dusty Springfield
3/5
This was okay, good pop vibes of the era and a few good songs. But it wasn’t “blow me away” good.
Marilyn Manson
4/5
I listened to this a bit because it was cool in early high school but it didn’t connect with me then outside of the beautiful people being a great song. In later years I became a huge NIN fan and going back to this now I’m older, despite some of the very harsh sounds and production, I really enjoyed the rawness and the catchy pop sensibilities baked into what is a pretty hard to love style of music. Good stuff, will come back to this on occasion.
Nico
4/5
Very chill, quiet and pretty and also weird. I actually really like the electric guitar quietly driving the folk sound. It’s very timeless. The strings are very of the era and clearly inspired by what was happening at that time (beatles stuff) but still pretty and enjoyable.
The Flaming Lips
5/5
Actually loved this. Was surprised out how great the production and instrumentation was. I’ve known of the flaming lips but never really listened beyond singles. Great vibe and album, I will spend more time with this and other albums from them.
Wu-Tang Clan
2/5
I get why this is important, I just don’t really dig it
The Clash
5/5
Excellent for its era, excellent even now. What a cracking album.
Tito Puente
3/5
Good for this style, not something I’d seek out unless I was having a party
Solange
4/5
Great album. Don’t love all the singing and instrumentals, they have a certain jazzy vibe that’s a bit too discordant for my liking. But the thematic nature and flow of the album is excellent. I think it would reward on relistens
The Beau Brummels
3/5
Western ish beatles ish. Was pleasant and good to listen to, but I felt it was mostly forgettable and nothing stuck with me. Didn’t love it, didn’t hate it
Yes
3/5
Blew me away at first. How something so progressive that sounds so good came out so early in the 70s. Kind of trails off at the end with instrumental fiddly guitar bits, but overall was a good album.
The Pogues
3/5
Took me a second to embrace it, but after a few songs and “getting it” I actually quite enjoyed this. It’s pretty incredible how such a wierd band is so well regarded in terms of songwriting etc. I’d have to be in the mood to listen again, but when I am, it’s great.
Tom Waits
5/5
Love it, still the goat. This is such a great album
The Gun Club
2/5
Not my box of frogs. The songs and production were good, but I didn’t really get the vocals, kind of purposefully bad in a post punk way or new wave or whatever but I just didn’t find it enjoyable.
DJ Shadow
3/5
Chill, and good vibe for working on stuff. Not sure if I’d come back to it, but I’d like to read in to the production more. Definitely a slow burner but it didn’t blow me away
The Stooges
4/5
Great opener, classic and a great vibe. Really dig it at first, the energy carries the album. I got a bit bored by the back end but I can see how important and influential this was. Will listen again.
Kraftwerk
3/5
This album is heaps of fun for the sound and era. It’s got a whimsical optimistic sound to it, like an awkward teenager dancing. I rate it, good vibe.
Ray Price
3/5
Middle of the road ballad country in the golden era of Willie Nelson. Enjoyed it, but nothing outrageously memorable that would have me race back. Night life is a great song.
Public Image Ltd.
2/5
Don’t get it. I understand why it’s important but I’ll never give this a go again. Not sure why it’s considered so amazing, but I can appreciate what it did for future music.
Ute Lemper
2/5
Sounded like the music to a bad musical. Didn’t love it.
The Doors
4/5
Love riders on the storm; such a great song. I also enjoyed half this album, when it’s in the pocket and grooving along with long songs. Some of the more straight up and down rock songs didn’t grab me. I think I’ll enjoy this more on subsequent listens
Pulp
3/5
Common people is great, some close to early Radiohead vibes that I liked, overall didn’t love but didn’t hate this. I think I’ll come back and listen again
Manic Street Preachers
3/5
Great production, huge songs, loved the sound and energy. Just didn’t get the songs to stay with me longer. Not that it isn’t catchy it’s just not that memorable.
The Specials
3/5
Interesting and wacky. Opening track is great, the album overall though is too strange for me. Not into ska and the musak second half is interesting but not memorable or particularly enjoyable. Appreciate that it inspired some great bands like portishead and massive attack. Before it’s time I suppose
Booker T. & The MG's
2/5
It’s tough to love an instrumental album.
I appreciate that this has had lots of samples but meh
The Velvet Underground
4/5
Loved this. Guitar tone and songwriting was great. Interesting and weird but moreish. Good stuff
Milton Nascimento
4/5
Loved this. Like the Brazilian Beatles, some great short and sharp, ambient and pretty songwriting. Production was cool and the whole thing had a great vibe. Will come back again
Orange Juice
2/5
Complicated and layered. I liked the vibe and the songs, but none of them stayed with me and none really moved me.
Beatles
5/5
The start of my favourite era of the Beatles. Love this album, wall to wall, no skips, bangers.
David Bowie
3/5
Not my favourite but not bad. Songs had a really driving feel all the way through and the production was excellent but not enough catchiness for me to come back
TV On The Radio
3/5
The strings on this album are great. The songs are hit and miss with me, I don’t love the vocals unless they’re in that fun punk kind of way.
The back half of the album was better, maybe that’s because I got used to the sound and it grew on me? I’ll have to try again with this one.
Björk
3/5
I was a little worried this would be weird and esoteric, but was surprisingly enjoyable. Bork’s weird singing over some pretty standard 90s rave dance music was enjoyable in the moment. I’m not sure I’d rush back, but if it was on I also wouldn’t mind.
The Band
4/5
Great vibe, love the production from this era. Cripple creek is great, and overall I really enjoyed this album but I think it needs more listens to really settle in to it. I hope theirs more the band albums coming.
Led Zeppelin
3/5
Immigrant song is amazing and such a great way to start an album. I liked the long 6/8 blues jam and the acoustic stuff on the backend but overall considering how well regarded they are, I didn’t connect with this album.
Beck
5/5
Great album, haven’t listened to it in years. Slow burner but so pretty and well produced, it gets better with every listen.
Coldplay
5/5
Great album I listened to a lot when I was younger, kind of boring and simple on re listens but that’s the magic of its appeal that shot Coldplay to superstardom.
Amazing how many memorable songs and singles came out of this album. It’s not as good as their peers of the era, but you can’t deny it’s appeal
Massive Attack
4/5
Love massive attack, never listened to this album but it was really great. The start of something that went on to be amazing.
Little Richard
3/5
Liked it, though it’s dated squarely to its time. Some of the songs were too similar that it all blurred together, great vibe for an “era party” though.
Duran Duran
3/5
Don’t love this era of production, all mid scooped and shimmery. Rio and hungry like the wolf are classic for a reason, the rest of the album didn’t grab me at all though.
David Bowie
4/5
Enjoyed this more than some other Bowie albums. Production is tight, songs are great and interestingly quite long. Fame is such a great song.