Jan 05 2025
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Doggystyle
Snoop Dogg
An absolute West Coast hip hop classic. This sound defined an era. Wacky intros/outros, Dre beats, rapping about bitches, drugs, and the streets. A lot of lyrics that'll make you cringe, but man, "Ain't No Fun (If The Homies Can't Have None)" is my favorite Snoop song and I'll sing along with my whole heart forever lol
4
Jan 06 2025
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Natty Dread
Bob Marley & The Wailers
I smoke way too much weed to not be more in to Bob Marley than I am, but reggae just never quite grabs me. I respect the hell out of him, his music, his message, his legend, though. I gave this album a couple listens today too, the few stand out repeat listens: "No Woman No Cry," "Them Belly Full," and "Natty Dread."
3
Jan 07 2025
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She's So Unusual
Cyndi Lauper
That sweet sound of 80s synth pop music. She was way more punk than Madonna - but Cyndi was just as much a Queen of Pop. An iconic female vocalist - one I can only dream of being able to sing a long with (those high notes are no joke!) Not the kind of record I'd sit and listen to front to back again, it kind of gets weird at the end...or maybe it's just that there's too many hits at the front of this one. When Cyndi comes on the radio, I'll never change it. I forgot what a jam "All Through The Night" is.
4
Jan 08 2025
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Talking Book
Stevie Wonder
This is the kind of album you put on in the late afternoon in the Springtime, when it's still bright out, everyone is outside, but before you have to start making dinner. Funky, groovy, easy listening. Not a song on here will bring down the vibes. Low key stand out "I Believe."
4
Jan 09 2025
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The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
This is what *my* soul music sounds like - the piercing harmonica notes, guitar strumming, with his troubled voice, and thoughtful, smart lyrics. This album reminds me of my Dad, it reminds me of being in college and finally being ready to get schooled on some of music's all-time greats. A front-to-back listen makes me feel sad, melancholy, but somehow hopeful. An American Classic.
5
Jan 10 2025
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Hot Fuss
The Killers
I liked this album when it came out, even though all my friends thought they were too cool to like The Killers. 20 years later and this album still holds up, certified millennial bangers start to finish. Haters gonna hate.
5
Jan 13 2025
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The Bends
Radiohead
The first time I heard "Fake Plastic Trees" was in the movie Clueless. "Yuck! The maudlin music of the university station. What is it about college and cry baby music?" This song made 10 year old me feel emo before I even knew what emo was. When I later heard Radiohead's more electronic music I was shocked, because this acoustic Thom Yorke is what I knew. That soundtrack is still my all time favorite, too.
That being said, this was a really great listen. I think it's definitely overlooked when selecting a Radiohead album. I've overlooked it, and it might be one of their best. Thom's voice really hits me in these songs. I feel them deeply...or maybe that's just the 10 year old emo in me. Other favorites: "(Nice Dream)" "High And Dry"
3
Jan 15 2025
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Debut
Björk
I’m familiar with Björk, but have never really sat to listen to any of her full albums. I wasn’t aware how many club bangers were tucked in to this album. I’m a big fan of “There’s More To Life Than This”, “Violently Happy,” “Crying” and “Big Time Sensuality.”
For me, I think it’s Björk’s vocal melodies that make certain songs feel uncomfortable. She’s such a powerful vocalist, so she can pull it off, but I’m definitely a bigger fan of the poppier, dance stuff.
4
Jan 16 2025
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Head Hunters
Herbie Hancock
Funky, groovy, jazzy. "Sly" got a bit overwhelming/uncomfortable, but just about any good jazz will do that to me. Solid 20 minute start to this album, no notes, just vibes.
3
Jan 17 2025
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Tea for the Tillerman
Cat Stevens
Something about Cat Stevens voice that makes every song sound like a memory from a time or a place that may not even be my own. It's like a soundtrack to an old familiar movie. Uplifting, energizing, but also sad and somber.
3
Jan 20 2025
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Bridge Over Troubled Water
Simon & Garfunkel
This reminds me of the early days of shopping for vinyl records, desperately trying to beef up the small collection. I feel like it was a first-purchase for many indie, young, millennial college students - probably because you could find it at almost any thrift store, or because there was a song on the Garden State soundtrack, and we all felt hip for knowing it from its original album. That being said, it's one of the greats for a reason. The whole album feels like a soft, nostalgic lullaby, with appropriate hand-clapping and foot-tapping breaks. The kind of album you know all the words to without even trying. "The Boxer" will get an instant repeat listen almost anytime I hear it in the car.
5
Jan 21 2025
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Band On The Run
Paul McCartney and Wings
First time listening to this full album. McCartney's voice will always be so recognizable. After JUST finishing the album "Bridge Over Troubled Water" I can't help but hear a Simon & Garfunkel influence (very specifically in "Mamunia") - but maybe that's just the sound of the early 70s. Solid listen, McCartney proving he's going to make catchy sing-a-long rock'n'roll with or without The Beatles.
3
Jan 23 2025
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The Stone Roses
The Stone Roses
This was a new discovery/listen for me, so that's exciting. I'm surprised I've never heard of The Stone Roses before, as a lot of the indie music I was in to in the early 2000s sounds like they took inspiration from them - bands like The Shins, Animal Collective, come to mind. I'm also surprised this came out in 1989, because I can also hear heavy influence from late 60s/70s rock'n'roll. At times trippy, not too heavy, with some euphoric vocals.
4
Jan 24 2025
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When I Was Born For The 7th Time
Cornershop
Another first time listen here. I went in not knowing what genre, what to expect, or anything about the artist...and TBH, I'm still not really sure. Is this Bollywood? Rock? Folk? Funk? Whatever genre it was, it didn't really land any of them for me. Felt like background music that just kind of stayed in the background, which is too bad because there's some unique influence in there. There were a few tracks that could have been edited out of the final track list, but I did appreciate the "Norwegian Wood" cover at the end.
2
Jan 27 2025
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Getz/Gilberto
Stan Getz
I love this album. Like many, this is what got me in to Brazilian jazz, bossanova nova. I still don’t listen to much, but it’s such pleasant, easy listening. There’s almost no other soundtrack I’d want when I’m sitting poolside with a cocktail. It sounds like vacation.
5
Jan 28 2025
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The Band
The Band
The Band sounds like the music I grew up listening to with my Dad. Back then, nothing really stood out to me as super catchy, no lyrics stuck with me to sing along with, it was just kind of generic “Dad music” that I tolerated. Decades later, I feel exactly the same about this. I really tried to give this a couple listens, give myself the time to sit with this classic and appreciate it - but I kept finding myself slightly bored, and reaching for the skip next track button. It’s not unlistenable music, just uninspired and falls flat for Rock n Roll.
2
Jan 29 2025
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Very
Pet Shop Boys
Some real electro-pop. It’s 90s, it’s gay, it’s beautiful. “A Different Point Of View” is the kind of song that makes me want to stand in the center of the dance floor and sway around with my eyes closed and arms above my head.
4
Jan 30 2025
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Jack Takes the Floor
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
This album made me sad. As I’m making my way through the list, there are so many albums I wish I could talk to my Dad about - this was definitely one of them. It sounds like something he would have liked, and maybe even something his dad would have liked too (especially the yodeling in there.) And it’s because they’d love, I love it. I know he’d have all the good back stories and tidbits on his influence and collaborators throughout his career. Jack sure is ramblin’ but I can appreciate it. It’s Americana, simple, but the songs will stick with you and pierce ya right in the heart. It did for me.
4
Jan 31 2025
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Repeater
Fugazi
This was never really my thing, and even when it kind of was - I was more in to pop punk, than punk rock. But I can appreciate this album, and what Fugazi did for the scene. I was actually happy to give this a listen, because it’s not an album I would have played on my own. It’s hardcore rock and screaming lyrics, but it’s dialed and tight - what many many bands after them were influenced to do, and just didn’t do as well.
3
Feb 03 2025
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Music in Exile
Songhoy Blues
These are the kinds of albums that make me most excited to get through this project. I know there is so much music out there I've never heard, and wouldn't know where to look. The language barrier isn't an issue for me, as I can barely understand or retain the lyrics for most English songs. I go off melodies, vibes...it's a feeling. Solid groovy, funky, rock. The vibes here are strong, and I respect the hell out of artists who make music out of protest and defiance. These songs needed to be made, and I'm glad they did, despite the laws they were fleeing.
3
Feb 04 2025
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Sign 'O' The Times
Prince
This is when I learned TLC’s “If I Was Your Girlfriend” was actually a Prince cover. So that’s cool. This album is eclectic and smart. Prince is a powerhouse musician and vocalist. My Dad was a big fan of Prince, so I grew up with his music on - I wish I could talk to him about this album, especially compared to his others. I always knew Prince was cool, and this album feels cool to listen to.
5
Feb 05 2025
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Abraxas
Santana
Sexy and groovy, but it also rips and wails. Santana is a guitar legend. This was a solid listen, and at under 40 mins it's honestly the perfect length album.
3
Feb 06 2025
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C'est Chic
CHIC
A bunch of hits on here that I recognized, but was never aware of CHIC. The first couple of songs had “chic” in the lyrics and I was kind of hoping they’d keep that going through the whole thing. This is solid disco. Put this on the dance floor and you’ve got me grooving and moving. Great sound, great beats, great production.
4
Feb 07 2025
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Vespertine
Björk
Powerful, weird, whimsy, dark, and breathy. I can’t tell where one song ends and the next begins in this Icelandic fairytale.
2