So cool. Incredible combo of jazz and ambient

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

I liked his voice and playing. Not a huge boogie woogie fan but I liked this

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.

Masterpiece!

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

1950s Brain-Rot

Great top to bottom

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

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

I like the synth stuff and some of the riffs but it's too over the top while still being completely conventional.

Loved it, what a ride!

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

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.

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.

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

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

WOOF

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"

Incredible album! I love the intention and message behind the recording process.

Lovely little nuggets of guitar driven pop. I really appreciate the lack of musical cynicism in Brit-pop.

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.

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?