More interesting to me as a historical alt/pop rock artifact than an album as a whole. I liked the poppier songs more than the hard rock ones.
Pretty inane stuff. I had trouble with the gauntlet of songs about fucking groupies in the first half of the album. Recording sounds great!
There was something cool going on in every song. Too unrelenting for my non-rave lifestyle.
Loved the last two songs, liked how raw this album was. I could have used less guitar and more synth but seems like this was a transitional record
First record on the list that I enjoyed all the way through. Really really like it
Some I would have never listened to without this list. I like it, I hope there is more Jazz to come
Big meh, other than her voice, nothing going on
So cool. Incredible combo of jazz and ambient
Every song is a gem. Incredible playing
It has its moments, as many highs as lows. Pretty inane lyrics. Closer to 2.5 than 3
Would have been 4-stars but need to dock 1-star for pedophilia. I am sure I will have to do this more than once on this list.
What a surprise. Total masterpiece!
More of a 2.5. It was fine? A bit of a slog after Bad Blood and I was glad it was over.
Lovely recording. Very enjoyable listen
Mesmerizing lyrics, stripped down production. I liked it a lot but a little too heady for me personally.
4.5, has some all-timers on it
A bit of a mixed bag but the highs are very high
Good album, but not quite enough going on for me. Would have liked less guitar and vocals and more from the rest of the band
Not my style of music, but the musicianship is undeniable
3.5 Really cool but a little sleepy for me
I need to listen to more of The Kinks
I was pleasantly surprised, lots to like. This may be their sell out album but they sound great!
A lot of cool shit going on here. I think I liked the shorter songs a little more than the Tarkus, but a fun trip nonetheless
3.5 Deeper than your average The OC Soundtrack indie pop of the time. A bit lightweight but that might be the point.
I liked a lot of it, wasn't wild about some of it. I think reviews that love it and reviews that hate it are both right. It's legend might be more interesting than the music itself, but there is still a lot to like
4.5 Absolute monster of an album. Was not expecting to like it so much
3.5 - Incredible line-up of musicians but it didn't come together for me. Didn't tickle my brain in anyway
Not for me. Some of the Noise stuff was interesting, but the blues at Woodstock '99 vibe didn't work for me
2.5 This twist on Blues-rock was still too blues-rocky for me. The non-stop lyrics kept me from turning my brain off,which is the way I get into a groove listening to avant garde music. It's cool that it was a shock to the system at the time. I didn't enjoy listening to it all that much
After initially not loving this and it's sonic mush recording, I was pummeled into submission by a wall of guitars and hooks. I didn't see it coming
I've never heard a genre of music be created by sarcastically playing a different genre. Loud and weird. I appreciated it more after a second listen
A one-trick pony that lasts over 2 hours. When it works it's pretty cool. When it doesn't it all sounds like an extended riff on Live or Let Die. Too much Load and Reload.
I feel like this is more historically significant than musically significant and it's only historically significant because it was popular. The other popular hip hop at the time was way more dynamic and sonically interesting.
I can't give a full throated endorsement of the album because of the amount of racial slurs sung by a white man, even though they are in the service of shining a light on racism and hypocrisy. I really liked this album, loved the message and the music. No song stayed past it's welcome. Breezy listen.
I am just starting to understand British Pop. I had trouble getting into Definitely Maybe on this list as well as this album. I realized I was viewing them through the lens of Alternative or Indie Rock and while they fit somewhat in those genres, the currency they are really trading in is Pop. This album surprised me by using British Pop as a connective tissue for a blend of soul, psychedelic, and a little prog even. Very heady. I'm excited to explore the genre more.
I liked the pop stuff more than the rock stuff
3.5 Album starts out really strong, not enough great songs down the stretch.
A collection of perfect little pop morsels
It is amazing how much meaning and pathos are crammed into the lyrics of these beautiful two minute long songs. I really enjoyed actively listening to this.
A little too much talkbox jamming in the second half for my liking, but has some great songs on it
Chris Cornell is incredible. Great record
So so good! Incredible production! Everything in excess and it all works!
I really dug this. Great synth sounds and pop production.
Relentlessly heavy while still being upbeat and catchy. So much energy from a band making the music they want to make. Love a hidden track as well
There is something to geek out about in every song. Great grooves and hooks. Really cool use of horns for adding texture to guitar riffs.
Great songwriter, great voice!
He's a great pop songwriter but this didn't do a ton for me. Easy listen!
Great, emotional, story-telling, fun production. Cool ass palette of synth sounds.
There are a handful of great moments on here, but overall was just ok. The harmonies alone can't carry it. Needs Neil Young
There is a TON of artistry here, but it's not my jam
What am incredible talent! I'm hoping there is more from her on this list!
Really cool music. Great recording
There is a lot to admire about this album. Pouring your end of life experience into a final piece of art is a beautiful and courageous way to go. Unfortunately I did not like the music. I didn't like it when it came out and was hoping a revisit would changey mind. I'm glad his final statement has resonated with so many people
Fun album. The intense noodling can sometimes ruin the groove, but I think a lot of people are here for the noodling. Sonically pleasing, loved the opening and closing of the album. An artistic statement.
Pretty incredible that this was a truly independent recording. This story-telling singer songwriter style of lyric isn't my favorite. I definitely liked the brit-pop leaning songs more than the folk-pop leaning songs. 3 days to record all of this with a relatively new band roster. The finished product is a testament to incredible artistic vision.
I had no idea I liked Radiohead this much. These songs are great. Big and bombastic but still personal. Arena rock that is simultaneously heady. Great great production.
I had always heard of this band but wasn't familiar with their music. It wasn't what I expected, but approaching from a jazz perspective helped me go with the flow. Incredible production lived up to the hype, just not sure how I feel about the genre. Another album my them could easily be a 5 but this one is getting a 3.5.
I had never heard of the genre Sophisti-pop before. Currently not a genre I like, but maybe there are bands that do it differently. This album was way too sedate for me. I'd need something dreamier or psychedelic to be into a full album of songs at a slow tempo with sparse instrumentation. I like the band name and I liked a short organ solo in one of the songs, so there's that.
Mostly fun albeit frivolous
Influenced by the garage rock revival of the early aughts but way more than a carbon copy of the White Stripes like a lot of bands of the era. Finally a debut album from this list that truly impresses and stands alone without the caveat of "it has its faults but let's see what they go on to do"
An undoubtedly beautiful album, but just not my thing
Pretty inane stuff. Sonically pleasing but overstayed it's welcome.
Great samples, a few throwaway tracks. I'm not a huge fan of 80s rap. It's a little rudimentary and plodding, but this album won me over.
It's hard to not give this 5 Stars, but knowing the fully-realized Elephant is on the horizon, makes this proof of concept a 4.5
I didn't like this quite as much as "Are You Experienced" but its still really good and the titular track is an all-timer
One of the many albums on this list that was completely new to me AND helped round out my understanding of more current bands I am already into.
I liked his voice and playing. Not a huge boogie woogie fan but I liked this
A great hang and a very fun listen!
I love her voice and the arrangements were simple but perfect. I like this kind of country, fun selection of covers as well
The album comes shooting out of a cannon. Big and bold, really interesting sonic choices made with conviction. The lyrics and the vocals stay are incredible throughout, though I feel like the arrangements became a little less eclectic in the second half and bordered on filler. Great album!
Pleasant enough, with some great playing. Looking forward to getting more Dan
This album kept growing on me as I listened. It is fantastic!
Lovely album, immaculate vibes. Kept growing on me and ended on the perfect note.
I loved this album. I have been obsessed with various Ambient and sample heavy electronic albums in the past but have never explored either genre seriously. Another win for me on this excessively long list of albums!
An improvement over License to Ill in every way. Lush productions without comprising the punk attitude they established
Post-war, post-environment, post-joy: "Industrial music for Industrial people".
The first track may immediately alienate, but lean in and turn it up.
Challenging and rewarding! Chock-full of artistry!
While I heard the foundational elements of the next 35 years of hip-hop throughout this album, the incessant misogyny and relentlessly in-your-face production wore on me. I do think the second half was stronger than the first. I wish Dre would have been able to produce this.
I've heard very little Iron Maiden. I was not expecting this album to be so lush, interesting, and full of instrumental sections. The Prog influence and a variety of tempos results in a dynamic Heavy Metal experience I really enjoyed.
A beyond excellent live recording a raw document that is still in incredibly polished because of the musicianship on display
I like the synth stuff and some of the riffs but it's too over the top while still being completely conventional.
How this record fits in the context of Billie Holiday's legacy is noteworthy, but this album didn't do all that much for me on just the merits of what was recorded
Way more eclectic than I was expecting! I have never been interested in Led Zeppelin so I now know this was a somewhat divisive disappointment for fans. It will be interesting to see if I like their earlier albums!
I have come to appreciate the lack of cynicism in 90s Brit-Pop. This album, inspired by American Indie Rock, adds a counter culture edge but maintains it's pop sincerity.
I'll be thinking about this one for a while
An explosion of British pop in a huge variety of styles. A little too esoteric to connect with me emotionally, but that may come on future listens.
The first half of the album is nearly perfect. It's simultaneously the ultimate example of the music of it's era but it also expands upon it while connecting it to pop and rock in the 80s. The second half lost me a bit until the final three songs.
Unfortunately still incredible. Even most of the skits work. The first half of the album is perfect and the second half is more a product of its time than it is flawed.
I enjoyed this while driving around in a rainstorm but that's about it. I'm not wild about bossa nova, especially played this straight. This being a fusion with electronic music is overstated. I'm sorry that guy died in a fire.
Wonderfully recorded, tear in your beer country played with yeoman-like precision and heart
A true "album" experience. I can hear the influence from this record in a lot of the genres I love today. Excellent album top to bottom. Great songs individually and especially exceptional as a whole.
I have never listened to an entire Paul Simon album before. Sometimes his Simon-fication of popular music from different countries is tiresome to me. However, listening to a full album there was much more good than bad. I really liked the artists he featured and his lyrics are top notch
I listened to the SACD release of this album. When it hit, it worked really well for me. I admire how experimental it is for a major release, but feels too much like a grab bag. I liked the more ethereal tracks.
Five stars through and through. So clearly a cut above the rest, this was an easy one to rate despite never listening to a full album by The Cure. The long instrumentals are captivating, the introspective lyrics connected with me, and the album is thematically driven, without getting lost in the sauce.
I love Built To Spill's "Perfect From Now On" and see a lot of parallels. An artist on the verge of breaking big, takes the long way and goes introspective instead of delivering a radio-friendly product.
The production and music are great, but I found this a little tedious in parts. I think I'm more into rock n roll and ambient Bowie than the crooning wailer. That's not a criticism, just a preference
I liked the Country, Country-Rock, and Americana influenced on the album, but the 80s Pop schmaltz didn't totally work for me, but "Fearless Heart" and "Someday" both won me over
I didn't enjoy this as much and "Moss Side Story". I liked the more traditional jazz tracks more than the ambient noir this time around. The ambient tracks are still great, I think I liked the blend of Moss Side better
I've given U2 a chance during this process and the big hits do work for me, but there are way too many long songs with very little going on other than guitar effects and Bono crooning. This one starts out strong but fades fast.
An album I have listened to only once prior. Like Paul Simon, the diction in the lyrics conveys a ton of information without getting in the way. Beautiful music with an honorable sentiment.
A good power-pop/punk album. Songs are overlong and album is overstuffed. I like the general texture and some great hooks
An explosion of hip-hop treacle
A little light on content, but a cool artifact of Music History! Great live sound, unique atmosphere
I liked the Electronic tracks the most as well as "The Anchor Song". Overall the album is too discordant and intellectual for me. I think I get what Bjork is putting down, but it's more challenging than I like my tunes.
Intricately themed and with plenty of lyrical nuggets to chew on, You Want It Darker gives us one last satisfying helping of Leonard Cohen. Definitely read the Wikipedia entry on this one and Greg Kot's review is also enlightening.
Too intellectual, but not heady. I feel there is some comparison to Bowie's more esoteric albums but Bjork's music is unapologetically rough around the edges and unsettling. I can see how that's a major part of the appeal. For me, it feels like art designed to be unraveled and examined, which I am somewhat disappointed in myself for not being into, but it's managing to not scratch a single musical itch for me. Overall it's not for me, but I'm glad her art and it's audience found each other.
A really nice record that sounds great. Excellent production and good songs
I'm glad he was able to create the stark album he wanted his debut to be. As much as I like his lyrics and appreciate his artistic vision, I like the songs with more production instead of less. I also missed the dreamier tone of his first album. Still a worthwhile listen!
A good collection of pop songs that showcase Cyndi Lauper's incredible voice. I liked the ballad tracks the most.
This one didn't hit for me as hard as "Good Old Boys" but I like the way Randy Newman approaches song writing and, as always, he brings killer musicians to play on the album
Great playing, great recording
Not much to say, it's Sinatra. This doesn't do all that much for me, but nothing wrong with it
Good vibes, really liked "Why Must I Cry"
A beautiful album that doesn't take itself too seriously. Especially a treat on SACD
Incredible album! I love the intention and message behind the recording process.
An incredible balancing act of minimalist and maximalist elements. The result is otherworldly yet familiar.
Lovely little nuggets of guitar driven pop. I really appreciate the lack of musical cynicism in Brit-pop.
Bowie doesn't do much here. The production is great, but overshadows him. Putrid cover of "Across the Universe"
I only knew Yeah Yeah Yeahs from "Maps" and had no idea they had a synth heavy album. Karen O's expressive vocal performance and lyrics took this record to the next level. I wish they kept their foot on the synth-pedal all the way through the album, but the final three tracks aren't without merit thanks to O.
I don't know if you can make music this earnestly without sometimes stepping over the line into second hand embarrassment. I thank Moby for his service.
Solid rock album with pop sensibilities and a punk edge. A couple classic tracks as well
I am so happy Brian Wilson was album to put this project to rest with a result he felt good about. There are some lovely little nuggets of psych and champer pop in here that I really enjoyed. The doo-wop pop orchestral arrangements don't land with me, but I'm glad this exists
Like if the grand finale of a fireworks show lasted for and hour and ten minutes. Which is as cool and, at times, as boring as you'd think it would be. The playing on the album and the quality of the recording are there to fall back when times get tough.
My least favorite of the Sonic Youth albums I have listened to. It feels like it's serving too many masters at the expense of the ambient and noise elements I like the most. A touch of pop, a touch of grunge and experimental songs. I see how this album and the three before it creates a road map for Alt Rock deep into the early 2000s but this one didn't hold me from start to finish.
I have a soft spot for "angsty guy in a garage upset about a girl or the absence of any at all" music. Some of the songs on this album scratched that itch, others were the kind of defiant 70s dirtbag music (a genre that I have now learned is called proto-punk) I haven't been a huge fan of in the project. Bucking the system by writing the most simplistic songs possible with radically inane lyrics, doesn't resonate with me. I did like those sadboy songs though, so who am I to judge?
All style and frill that pummeled me into submission and completely won me over
I was surprised to see how acclaimed this album is. I was relieved when Dylan himself said he doesn't like the recording. There are some good songs on here, though I much prefer the folk ballads to the blues tracks. I feel emboldened in my feelings considering alternate takes, live performances, and songs that didn't make the record are some of the most treasured versions of these Dylan's late 90s output.
A glimmer of what's to come shines through at moments on this album. While I like the raw aggression of this version of SOAD, this album feels bloated despite being only 40 mins. Still good!
Wow wow wow wow wow. Get on board and go for a ride!
There are two versions of this album. The original 1998 recording makes a lot more sense to me genre-wise, than the remaster with added guitar tracks and additional songs. I like the aggressive guitar work and the interplay with the drums is awesome. The vocals don't do much for me. Docking an additional star because Josh Homme seems like an abusive shithead
An absolutely wonderful album that takes you on a beautiful journey.
I really like the production on this album. A light touch that leaves room for Eminem to dominate each track. Despite leaving room for Em, the beats still have an impact. The lyrics have ages the most poorly. Misogyny and homophobia aren't the poignant social statement that uses to be I guess (eye roll).
One of the first punk bands to have fun doing it! This is a breath of fresh air in the early days of the genre compared to the rebellion through incredibly discordant and inane music of some of their peers in NYC.
I liked this a little less than his first album, but it's a really solid set of songs. Beautifully performed and recorded
I really liked the programming and pop hooks, but did not love the rapping (nothing against rap, I'm only against her rapping)
One of the best debut albums I have listened to. A new genre, fully formed out of the gates and absolutely ripping!
It may be nostalgia that accounts for the fifth star, I can't be sure, but this album is an all-timer. Very of its time, yet the melodies and and hooks are so dialed in, I think it has entered and deserves its place in the rock canon.
I have no idea what these blokes are saying, but I like their style!
The third Sonic Youth album I have listened to and this is the one that hit for me. The long instrumental sections with great guitar interplay were my favorite parts of Goo and Dirty and this album is chock full of them. Both Thurston's and Gordon's vocals don't do all that much for me; lyrics or performance.
A handful of really good songs. I found the second half of the album to be a bit of a let down. It stayed sonically pleasing throughout but I didn't connect with a majority of the songs. A couple songs will make it into my rotation and I would like to hear more from Simple Minds, especially a live album. 3.5
Beautifully arranged and performed pop standards. Willie's delicate voice shines!
I get how it's impossible to listen to this album and not think about Cobain's death, but I think viewing it as some sort of evidence of a tortured soul is a little overblown. It's just a very heavy album, with some noise elements. The kinds of albums Steve Albini produces or The Melvin's make. Hell, even Sonic Youth has tracks as discordant and loud as In Utereo and no one is saying Thurston Moore is spiralling and in need of help. It's art, it's confrontational art in the context of pop music, but I think this is the album Nirvana wanted to make. It's not some unintentional howl of pain, it's a heavy genre of music that all the members of the band dug. Anyway, I liked it.
I didn't expect to be charmed by so many of these songs. It's an exhaustive (and exhausting) historical record of the Gershwin Songbook performed to perfection.
After listening to this I feel like Billy Corgan is still being punished for being the only Alternative artist in the 90s to admit to caring and daring to try his hardest. This is one of the greatest albums ever. It's scope is audacious, it jumps from genre to genre, and yet it feels like a cohesive work. Mammoth, personal and also a little overwrought, but it's not embarrassed
I've learned that I dislike the sound of almost every Celtic instrument and this album features them all. I feel guilty not liking this album because it seems like a very earnest endeavor and reflects a lot of passion. Alas, it's not enough.
Some great moments carry this album, but it feels like the kind of cultural moment where you just had to be there.
An album of love songs about love songs paying loving tribute to many genres while still maintaining a unique, dark, sense of humor through it all.
The album is a mixed bag, seemingly by design. Not afraid to go for the cheapest rhyme. Sometimes eye-roll-inducing but often incredibly pleasing, the way only a stupid lyric can be. As I was thinking this, Stephin Merritt said it better than I could:
"A melody is like a pretty girl
Who cares if it's the dumbest in the world"
After some googling, that lyric appears to be a riff on a song written by Irving Berlin. It is a good reminder that I won't even scratch the surface of this album's depth on a single listen.
Undoubtedly a masterpiece to Merritt's fans, and still worthwhile for the rest us, despite its excessive length.
I listened to this in the most optimal setting I an imagine: driving to work at 3am. It hit all the right notes. On a deeper level, I love how much musicianship is on the recording. Little trills and flourishes which points to the kind of creative collaboration that is necessary for a great album.
This was bad. The broadest possible socially conscious pop/hip hop. Any message rings hollow due to a cravenly boring commercial sound.
An explosion of genres, creativity, positivity, and catchy hooks. A love letter to musicians and the people that are affected by their music. This album is full of wonderful surprises and keeps pulling more tricks out of its bag through the very last track.
The rounded off SpongeBob of albums. I liked "The Chauffeur"
I'm not getting R.E.M.. This is the second album by them I've listened to and I think I get them less than before. The lyrics are somewhat engaging and there will be a stray melody here and there that connects with me, but I'm not finding much to latch on to.
Great recording, excellent playing, wonderful voice! Ain't nothing wrong with that!
Some above average psychedelic rock. I'd throw this on anytime of day. Looking forward to more Spirit of it's on the list!
This "challenge" has given me a much deeper understanding of the genres of music I like and the ones I don't. I like a lot of things about this album and the blend of genres Elvis Costello is playing in (Garage, punk, pop), but the overriding pastiche of "Rock And Roll" the genre from the late 40s and early 50s with capital Rs and a fully spelled out "and" is a quality that doesn't connect with me. It makes sense that an artist feels a connection to the music of their parents generation, but it holds no special place in my heart (or ears).
I like the raw energy of this album. The noise and ambient stuff works for me more than the experimental and no-wave stuff. I'm hearing the Lou Reed and Pattie Smith influence which I am not that into. Still an enjoyable album over all.
Very aurally pleasing! Calling it great background music isn't fair because it does reward a listener for leaning in, but it is also great background music
Enjoyable Pop with a touch of that fun late 60s weirdness. I'm glad The Monkees were allowed some creative control over their music even if it's not all that essential.
I've listened to this album so so many times. I love all the instrumental sections, often times near the end of songs, they add a new melodic wrinkle and some energy before one last time through the chorus. It all just works!
Some cool stuff here, but it's smothered out by an unrelenting early aughts pop veneer on a lot of tracks boy band crooning, Black Eyed Peas style conscious rap about everyone getting along. Without knowing this bad well, and only listening once, it feels like they were trying to hard for a crossover hit. Which they might have succeeded at as far as EA Sports is concerned.
This record surprised me by leaning into some pop sensibilities and using them to elevate the confrontational aspects of pink and No-Wave. Lou Reed harnesses his ghost writing experience for his own artistic ends instead of turning his back on the whole shebang like other artist in the scene.
I wish this was my first R.E.M. album from the list. I only knew them as "very important" and the subsequent albums go down lots of interesting rabbit holes but this album lays bare all of the wonderful musicianship. From a genre perspective, it is unbelievable that this album came out in 1983. I stopped trying to parse the lyrics and enjoyed the band.
Radical, groundbreaking, and understated. Do yourself a favor and fully commit to the ride.
I am always very skeptical of blue-eyed soul but it seems like Dusty was a real one. Despite not being a huge "Rock n' Roll" fan, her incredible voice carried the album along with the ballads and soul arrangements.
A chalk outline of a folk record. A strange modern choice for this list to go along with Adele's "25". Is this album only interesting in the context of Taylor Swift? I think my biggest issue with her records is instead of sweetening her music with pop production, it feels like it is dumbed down. I don't like being in league with the people that don't like Taylor Swift. I wish everyone would find more interesting music to obsess over .
Maybe the most well known, or at least most commercially successful piece of property experimental music. This was my first time listening to the whole thing. I really liked the more avant garde sections as well as the more traditional guitar work. I did not expect the last section to sound so much like "Jib Jig" from Donkey Kong Country 2.
High energy that won me over by the end. Just barely didn't overstay it's welcome. Hit the Over on .5 songs about vasectomies.
Speakerboxxx 5/5, The Love Below 3/5. Exquisite production on the whole thing. I was surprised I didn't like The Love Below more, but the hits still hit.
A great rainy day album until the interminably long "Gypsy Woman" acts as the equivalent of a 12 minute long highway rumble strip. Hey! I'm trying to get some sleep while I'm driving here! Honk! Honk! ;p
Breakbeat is a really cool fusion of genres and this album was a lot of fun. My favorite part of the album were the slower sections. It brought a nice change of pace. I wish there was more of that variation through the entire album.
A wonderful, confidently understated album that gets big when it has to. A Scottish take on the Jangle Pop genre.
A little bit of everything, sometimes all at once, and always engaging (and of course incredible production).
A blues based album I liked! If I may re-use my review of The Clash: "I have no idea what these blokes are saying, but I like their style!"
I was picking up what they were putting down. I often don't connect with country-rock tinged psychedelia and usually favor either heavier rock or pop influences, but this album has the right shiftless druggie vibes for my shiftless druggie lifestyle!
Your most annoying friend just got broken up with and you have to spend 51 minutes alone with him
Somewhat uneven in concept but consistently excellent in execution
Better than I thought it would be, but still not great.
Lovely compositions but a tribute to a style of music I don't have much interest in. A little too sleepy and creating a loving tribute with no twists doesn't have the same magic as the original artists of the genre.
