1001 Albums Summary

Good production for an old rock album. Probably would have listened to this in high school during the era when I was listening to classic rock more. Fits right in. Some slower almost Velvet Underground sound on one or a couple tracks, but mostly just standard pretty good rock. Last song (Rip Off) was distracting and was really the only miss.

Blah. Not for me. Double album of suck.

Went from 1 to probably 3.5ish. It's like I've just left a FIFA menu screen open for an hour. Actually pretty good for work background - there's a chaos to it, but it's driving not distracting. I don't think I want to put it on 'just to listen to' though. I don't need to be in a Mission Impossible movie soundtrack.

One banger (Alright), and a number of tracks on the B side that remind of White Album Beatles or something like that. A good mid-90's alt/punk/indie and makes sense that they were contemporaries of Green Day.

I feel like I'm supposed to like the Police...but I don't really think I do. I don't get pumped up by their frantic movement. It's not something that I ever find myself wanting to put on, and in fact, most of the time, would rather turn it off.

I mean. Good stuff. If it was on I wouldn't change it. It's probably a 3.5 in my book - not quite a 4, but 3 feels too low.

Unfortunately I feel like the Boss never quite hits for me unless it's one of his big hits. Title track is a 5 star banger. Everything else I would probably turn off.

Really rock opera. A familiar sound but unfamiliar songs. Hard for me to get into because if I wanted this sound, I'd pick the familiar. Edit - coming back to this several months later. On several relistens, my ranking comes up to a 3.

Didn't connect with the majority of the album. Like the 2 songs I know, was quite bored with the ones I didn't.

Surprisingly good to just leave on and let roll.

So many great tracks on this. Can put it on and just let it spin, although have to take a break between the orgy and Me Myself and I, but then it's back to hitting.

So overplayed at the time, but listening to it intentionally after [a long] time away from it, man, this is solid. One of those 'this is the sound of a time in my life' albums, even if I didn't listen to it on purpose - and couldn't even escape it - at the time.

It's fine. I could imagine myself listening to a couple tracks off this maybe in early college thinking I had found an obscure band and convincing people to like it, but in the end...it's just fine.

First time I read the reviews of an album to understand why it made the list. I get that in context it helped bridge between psychedelic and the country-folk movements...but as a standalone without that context in 2025, it was kind of just...there. Nothing really to note. I think the B side picks it up from a 1 to a 2 star for me, but barely.

Very much a moment in time album for me. Tons of great songs, but when listening to the album straight through, the outros can be distracting or sometimes unnecessary. Still so solid all the way through.

Nope.

So much excellence - pretty close to 5 stars.

Some great songs, would be easy to put on and just have on in general, but not always something I'm super drawn to.

Some nice new finds on this beyond the hits. My Best Friend, How Do You Feel, JPP McStep B Blues - shockingly Mamas and the Papas sounding. But several slow dribblers kind of bring the album down on the whole for me.

Some iconic stuff on here. A couple skips for me though which brings it down from a 5.

I mean. I'm fine with it. It's a beat poet time capsule of late 60's New York, which is really cool, but it's also not the music I'd put on just to listen to. I'd put it on because I'm supposed to and because it's important - but obligation doesn't make me fall head over heels for it beyond the couple of songs that I already knew.

20 albums in and this is my first pleasant surprise. This feels like a tv show that you have to watch the first couple episodes that aren't that great before you start getting into and you're like, 'yeah, actually, i'm going to keep watching' and it grows on you. Ends up being a really familiar without ever having heard a song before. Really enjoyed the majority of it.

I don't know when I would put this on. It's not compelling enough for me to want to listen to intently, but it's also not driving enough for me to want as ambient background. It's like - if I want to zone out I could put this on and not pay attention to anything around me, including the music. That may be a little harsh - a couple tracks do light up a little bit, but just not enough throughout the album as a whole.

Easy to listen to all the way through. Love the history and thinking about the guys cheering and jeering along. Think I enjoy San Quentin a shade more though.

From a forgotten era before we knew he was batshit crazy. Mayonnaise colored Benz, I push miracle whips. This album is undeniable.

Ok 90’s beats but not ok enough to hold this up as something I’d be inclined to put on again.

This. Is. So. Good. I could put this on any time and just de-stress. Relax. I need more of this.

It started out ok - pretty fun in fact. But it wore on me as the album went on and ended up being pretty tiring.

I feel like this is kind of unremarkable R&B. I’m amazed that this was album of the year for NPR in 2021. I perked up when I heard Anderson Paak come in, but that was about it.

Classic country, easy listening, lovely harmonies, and a nice discovery in general.

Listened twice fully through. Their are a number of moments where I think, ok, it's gonna kick in here and be great. But then it just...doesn't. Samples are good. Messages are good. But as a complete musical package, it feels underwhelming and overly repetitive, with many tracks that don't go anywhere.

Good grief.

Didn't even have to listen to know it's a 5...but I listened anyway because it's so good. Personal connections to music can easily outweigh the quality itself, but in this case, it's just so solid. What a way to announce yourselves to the world.

Doesn't quite connect with me. It's kind of a 'if I'm not paying attention and it's playing I wouldn't turn it off' but it's not something I can see ever actively putting on beyond a track or two. Horns and strings are nice backing on some of the songs. I'm probably a 2.5 on this. 3 feels generous, but 2 feels harsh.

If Game of Thrones had a spinoff series that followed Tyrion Lannister around as a bard, this might be the result.

I mean. I guess it's fine. It's still Joni and her lovely voice, but I don't think I'd ever really be in the mood to put this on over something else by her.

Doesn't hit me the way the critical acclaim made me think it would.

Definitely feels like an 'album you should listen to before you die' - and I hadn't beyond knowing the hits from this. I am definitely not a psychedelic guitar fan at this point, but this is really quite good even when it's not my everyday taste.

Chill. If it was a shade more chill, I'd probably bump to a 4, but as it stands, I'm in the 3.5 range. I like her voice sometimes, but other times it gets a little to piercing and takes away from the vibe.

It's albums like this where I wish we had 1/2 stars. For me there are some fantastic tracks - Withered and Died is an all time favorite, but I only knew a modern cover (Kate Rusby). The original is marvelous as are a number of other of Linda's songs. That said, I get a little underwhelmed by Richard Thompson's solo songs. In the end, I'm at a 3, but I wish I could give that extra half star up to 3.5 just for Withered and Died on it's own.

Some huge hits and some huge misses. I can't deny the power of the first 3 tracks, and several others on the album are great compliments. I feel like it would at least be a 4, but the misses really miss - so, wanting to skip close to half the album feels like it brings it down.

So easy to listen to the whole thing straight through and then feel like you should do it again. B&S was one of my very first introductions into 'indie' music in the late 90's and these tracks were literally some of the very first that opened my ears to what else there is beyond radio. Glorious.

Not super plussed by any of it - nothing really stood out at all during the listen. I enjoyed the last track, but only because Bill Murray sang it in Lost in Translation.

Surprisingly good - some real bangers - good production and beats for '92. Just had Fear of a Black Planet (Public Enemy) from '90 a couple days ago and this feels like night and day better - fuller sound, more complete tracks, just more fun in general. Enough stuff to listen to that if it's on, I'd usually be good to leave it on.

Some great stuff, some a bit more forgettable. That said, some really timeless and compelling social statements that feel all too relevant today. I'm probably at a 3.5 on it, but the social commentary bumps to 4.

There is a LOT of good stuff on this. Blending R&B, Disco, Jazz, Pop, Soul, Gospel...big boppers to iconic ballads.

There are times when I might like an album like this. Today doesn't feel like one of those days. A great vocalist who I've never listened to, but I'm not connected with any of the songs - they seem like they should be nostalgic like Barry Manilow, but they are unknowns to me and really fall into the background. Hard to identify anything noteworthy or memorable.

Hadn't heard this album. Didn't look at the tracklist before putting it on and figured it was time to listen to some lesser known Creedence. Track 1 was new to me - so, it seemed par for the course - it was fine. And then...the rest of the album is literally just a CCR Greatest Hits album - I literally couldn't believe that hit after hit after hit just kept playing. It's shocking that you can have this many great songs on a single regular release album.

As with every album in this project, I listened all the way through. I don't connect with this on any level - the rage, the deep dark frenzy, the music (or lack thereof). It's an assault. Hard pass, never again.

Some of the lyrics are quite powerful - relevant - timeless, but too often everything feels a little aimless and ambling. I guess spoken word doesn't really draw me in enough to have the content overcome the approach.

There are moments of relief while listening to this, but that's not what I'm putting an album on for. 90% of the time I'd rather take this off than keep listening.

The only tracks I'd actively be happy to put on are Sushine of your Love and Take It Back. Beyond that, it doesn't feel like it's worth the time.

Felt run of the mill all the way through but I didn’t mind.

On first listen, I was struggling to give this as high as a 2, mostly because I wasn't paying attention, and I would only cue in on the distracting chaos that occasionally happens (and that really happens at the end for the last 3 tracks - so that's the taste I had in my mouth after chewing on this album). But then I started it again...and again...3 full listens. I kept hearing those first couple seconds of track 1 thinking this is bound to be great. But I kept having to convince myself to get over the talk-singing as soon as the vocals enter - I found it really unappealing. But as I pushed through and forced myself to pay more attention to the songs...the music, it's actually pretty smooth sailing. A classic mid-60's sound that somehow reminds me of They Might Be Giants - surprising musicianship with occasionally (or not so occasionally) ridiculous or far-reaching lyrics. If this were a 12-track album, it might even approach 4 star territory for me, which, on first listen I would have though was ludicrous. It's really a lesson in listening intentionally, and not boxing something in based on preconceived notions ('oh great...a Frank Zappa album...not gonna like this'). Overall, I think I'm at a 3.5 falling to a 3. But I'd listen to the majority of this again and it would probably continue to grow on me.

I can hear the appeal on more than just the hits. I may not reach to put it on, but I can leave it on if it's already spinning.

There are times when I like this, there are other times when it makes me anxious. The last track feels like the intro for a band walking on stage, and the intro music stops right when the band hits the first chord of their first song and the crowd goes wild...but...no one was that interested in the intro walk-up music - it was just there as filler to create a little bit of energy and anticipation.

Art Garfunkel barricaded himself into a honeymoon suite in Hutchinson, KS in May 2004. He dislocated the fire alarms and smoked his brains out and wouldn't leave. I know this because my cousin got married and had that very suite booked, which, was to be used for a bridesmaid 'getting ready' room, and ultimately for my cousin and his new bride to spend their wedding night. However, upon prying Art from the room, the hotel staff had considerable work to do to make it habitable and were forced to put my bridesmaids elsewhere to prep for the wedding while they aerated the room. Thankfully, my cousin and his new wife were able to stay in the suite, so all was not lost...except for maybe a little dignity for good ole Art. All that said, this album is a 5 every day of the week.

Listened a couple times before I felt like I could actually put some thoughts down. It feels completely familiar without ever having heard it before. A good chunk of the album is an easy listen - if I had known this at the time, mid-90's teenage me would have been happy blasting this in my '85 Honda Civic. I was never into the Pixies - never even explored them, but in looking Frank Black up, realize that he's their lead. I don't know if that plays into this album or not, but just an interesting tidbit. Probably a 3.5 for me - would listen again.

I was going to give this a blind 5 - objectivity out the window. But then I was like, no. I need to listen to this intentionally and critically. I think I'm at a 4.5. Side A is a 5 without at doubt, but I feel like the B side falls off a bit and lands me in the 4 range if I have to pick whole stars.

Perfect example of what this project is all about. Likely never would have found this on my own and now I have a new favorite record of classic cowboy songs.

Great vibe pretty much all the way through.

This was fine to have on - I don't feel strongly either way about it - would be as happy to leave it on as I would to pick something else.

An album of bookend bangers. A bunch of flyover states in between. I'm fine to leave it on after the opening track - don't need to put it on particularly - but as it gets going through, may as well leave it on for the closer.

A drum circle singalong in the bayou with chaotic instrumentation at times and growly vocals. Oh - and flute. A little to gritty, dark room, late night 'hey what if we did this?' and the stoned guy in the corner is like 'yeeeaaahhh mannnn!'. A couple tracks are listenable and a little more organized.

This is terrible. Old man whispersinging. I really feel like there is nothing redeeming about this album. Why is this here?

Would be a solid 5 if the stopped at 12 tracks but it kind of wanders after that and I get a little tired.

I'd have to be in the mood to put it on, but if I am, I'm happy to let the majority of it ride. While admittedly not being into Wu Tang at the time, this is a nice dose of nostalgia.

Really hooky and lots of fun riffs. It's an easy 3.5, but I'm rounding up just for so many great songs.

There's not a ton on here that excites me. There's stuff I know - and know well - but do I really ever want to reach for it and put it on? Eh, kinda not at this point, beyond just a kick of nostalgia.

What a strange ambling tour inside this guy's mind. It's like you're just listening to the inner monologue of a guy walking home from a pub. Great instrumentation.

Horny guy in the 70's makes album. Good music. Too bad there's vocals.

When I feel like I *HAVE* to listen to something, and I can tell I'm forcing myself to get through it because I'm supposed to, I know the rating isn't going to be that great. As much as I've heard about Brian Eno, I've never explored him, so no idea if this is a good representation or not. Some of this is a 2 for me, some is a 3. I think in the end, I can get to a 3. To me this sounds like what the Beatles might have sounded like if they were still together in '74 - occasional hooks to draw you in, but long stretches of experimental droning and crowing and instrumentation. Very White Album vol 2. But there's no nostalgia tied to this like there is for the Beatles for me, so it can get a little tiring.

Yep. An album everyone should hear before they die.

Compositions are incredible - Abbey Road/White Album come to mind. But too many of them are a little too odd to get me really excited about the album as a whole. The big hits are great, but beyond those, I didn't connect with as much of the cute/weirdness of it as it's clear other people do.

Feels like it could be a good backdrop to a current indie album - at least at the beginning. But the reverb talking vocals and the vacancy of many of the tracks were just...bad. Track 1 (Ghost Rider) is kinda interesting. Track 2 (Rocket USA) you realize, oh, we're just gonna talk for most of this, but the drums and synths still kind of keep things going. Track 3 (Cheree) feels like it really is just a mid-2010's indie band instrumental track where the vocals haven't been laid down yet. And it kind of deteriorates from there. Frankie Teardrop is a complete mess - pretty useless from a music standpoint, and with it being Track 6, you're already pretty tired of what you've been listening to.

4.5. Some absolutely spectacular tracks on here, but a couple that wander too aimlessly and get either boring or abrasive...or both. This is the first time I've really listened to this critically even though I've been reasonably familiar with most of it for years.

2 absolutely iconic tracks in between a lot of standard 70's rock that I won't take off if it was on, but I might not reach for if it wasn't.

They have another one on this list?! Good lord. The first one was murder to my ears...this one isn't much better.

I could put this on just about any time and enjoy it. Listened through 3 times before landing on that, and enjoyed it every time.

3 absolutely top of the heap tracks packed amongst, unfortunately, some really unremarkable filler. I listened through several times to see if I was missing something about the other tracks, and I can’t even recall the songs as soon as they have ended. I remember listening to some of this back when it first came out and thinking, guess I’ll stick with the hits. It still holds true now that I’m listening to it almost 20 years later with intention. That said, Time to Pretend, Electric Feel, and Kids are in a league of their own.

I don't know what to do with this. Sometimes jazz hits, and sometimes it doesn't for me. Too often throughout this album, the sax and/or trumpet are too chaotic - too much noodling. Highlights - Maseru really kicks in nicely, Nomali, and then Maesha takes me somewhere and I'm happy to go. But overall, there's too much that I would want to actively push stop on.

A little bit rock a little bit punk. It's fine. A couple listens warms me up to it being kind of middle of the road. Driving rock with some nice organ.

Middle of the road Stones for me. Not tons to reflect on. It's fine to put on and it's fine to not put on.

Only knew the hits previously, but just listened to this through about 4 times over the course of the weekend and can't get enough of it.

Feels very standard Irish bar music. Perfectly serviceable if that’s what the evening calls for.

Sounds fine. Good enough music. Not particularly remarkable to my ears.

Side A is 5 stars all the way. Side B really lets off and becomes overly repetitive. But I can't deny the catchiness of so much of this album.

I guess I'm ok with some of this, but not enough to want to put it on, and most likely would probably take it off once it got past the first couple tracks. It goes on for a loonnng time. Probably a 1.5 for me.

So much of this goes absolutely nowhere. Unknown to me, and probably won't revisit. There's some musicianship that I'm occasionally appreciating, but overall, not really connecting with it - particularly the lead singer.

I'm finding through this project that Leonard Cohen isn't for me. This is something with the brooding intensity that you'd hear and think you're really in it with him. But then you start to get tired of being in it with him and decide it's time to leave him in his doldrums. Except for Diamonds in the Mine which is quite the departure itself. Nice instrumentation, nice deep drone of a voice, just not something I want to listen to.

I didn't go into this with an open mind - I'm not a jam band listener, and that's what I was expecting this to be. It's not that! It's tight, it's rhythmic, it's coherent as a full album but also as independent songs and feels like a true piece of art. I listened through once and realized that I want to hear it again to see what I wasn't paying attention to. It's really great all the way through. Only track that I'd probably be tempted to skip is 2nd to last.

Pretty classic 4-piece Brit sound. Think I must be a sucker for it. I skipped 'There She Goes' every listen because it's the only song by the La's I knew. The rest of their sound keeps growing on me. Great find despite already knowing their one big hit.

The musicianship is excellent, an undeniable voice, and an incredible opening track. So good they reprised it on track 4 with an equally good (better??) version. However, literally everything else on the album doesn't do anything for me - to the point of boredom. I've listened through 3 times, and will probably listen again, but I just can get excited about anything but the title track and it's reprise.

Some people like 'precious' music, some people don't - and I get why they don't. But I LOVE it.

This feels like something I'm supposed to really like. I think it's fine. It can get repetitive and long - especially if it's meant to be in the foreground. If it's a sideshow to drive the background, it works really well. It's as classic as classic gets on blues riffs, but that doesn't mean I want to dive into the deep end of it for the whole time. I think live would be a different story.

Good - not great for me. Fine to listen to, but I can't say that I'm going to reach for it. Never surprises me when he pops up on a soundtrack - just catchy enough to set the romcom mood.

It twangs like '67, but nothing really draws me in to want to listen more. And there's too much to listen to on this already.

I can listen to this if someone I’m with really wants to, but I don’t think I’d put it on for myself.

This is get-shit-done music. Turn on the drone techno and just get in the flow. That said, it's not something that I find myself thinking I'll seek out when I want to actively listen to something. And if I'm really wanting some vibe driving background tracks, there's a lot of other stuff I'd put on first.

At least it was short. This really doesn't go anywhere for me.

I know this is a 'should be 5 stars' album based on what so many people say, but there are a couple tracks that are just kind of there. I'm comfortably at a 4.5, but just can't quite give it the 5 that it seems like it's supposed to have.

This is fun. Happy to have this discovery purely based on this project - will probably listen to this many times again.

Great vibe all day long.

For what it is, it's pretty undeniable. Plenty of songs beyond the hits (which are plenty) to rock out to. Guitars, drums, synths, screamy melodies and I'm pretty sure I can hear the hair as well.

Some faves, some skips, but overall pretty fantastic.

I don't know. I didn't really connect with the Smiths and this feels more of the same. It's a very quintessential 80's sound but...I'm just bored.

This is a journey of a double album. I really like the first half - I came into this album thinking I'd be in the 2 territory, but the first half is an easy 4 for me. But the 2nd half gets pretty long, without as many of the melodic hooks. So I land on a 3, but man, this definitely surprised me. Need to pocket my preconceived notions.

First time ever listening all the way through. Feels like variations on a theme. 3 great songs (Another Brick in the Wall, Comfortably Numb, Run Like Hell) and the rest is all just kind of...there. I get it - groundbreaking, monumental, etc. etc. - but I still have to want to listen to it today.

On first listen I think this kind of passed me by - it was fine but not much more. On second listen it really clicked much more - so many similar sounds from the time, this time it just happens to be in Portuguese (and French).

There are some nice moments, and if it’s already on I’d probably leave it on, but there isn’t enough that would make me reach to put it on. The album cover might be more iconic than any of the songs outside of Supercut.

Really enjoy the surf rock tracks, less inclined to go for the ballads, but all in all, this is pretty classic.

I'm one of the 'I don't get this' listeners. I know people love Sade. But this just passes me by and I feel no connection or draw to it. It's fine at best.

Started out ok but I think I just got a little tired of it

This is so sad. What a wandering journey through loss and longing. You have to be in the right mood for this, but if you are, there isn't much better. I listened to Madeleine Peyroux's album Careless Love on repeat when it came out. I knew her vocal style was very much Holliday-esque, but I never actually went back and paid heed to the original. I'm glad I've finally spent time with the Billie - I'll happily listen to more.

I like Joni but this passed me by a bit. Dont love it, don’t hate it, just a little indifferent.

Back to back Joni and consecutive releases - what are the odds!? That said, this one passed me by a bit like yesterday’s did - probably a 2.5.

A great representation of a couple years into the British invasion. Never heard any of it but it all felt familiar. 3.5

This is one of the biggest 180’s I’ve done on an album - this project or otherwise. Came into this knowing their hits and maybe an additional track or two, but never actually gave them a listen, and didn’t know anything off this album. What a blast! Like - I can’t hardly believe how much I enjoyed it - I remember not ‘getting’ Beastie Boys appeal when they were coming up, but listening now, I could rock this just about anytime anywhere. Sounds of Science is a new favorite track, but man, just let this whole thing ride - all the samples, the back and forth lyrical interplay, the beats - so much fun.

Really pleasant - can definitely have this on in the foreground or background. 3.5.

This is not for my pleasure. It does nothing for me. The seemingly forced vibrato, the corny crooner style. To be fair, I'm surprised this was from '73. 10 years ahead in terms of sound, but that doesn't necessarily make me like it. Grey Lagoons is great to my ears, but it doesn't save the rest of the album.

I don’t know when I would ever want to listen to this - he has a great voice, the music is perfectly pleasant, but I couldn’t really get excited about any of it. The instrumental break in Is That Enough feels like the soundtrack to a grainy mid-70’s movie scene where a guy is walking in the city on a damp dark evening. Seems like MJ took a lot of his spoken word style from something like this.

This is excellent all the way through. Sing along to the ones you know, marvel at the ones you don't.

So much good here. I actually hadn't given it a proper listen in quite a while, and really hadn't given credit to the non-hit songs. Some weirdness in some of the latter half of the album, but not enough to bring it down for me.

After a couple listens, I do like the instrumentation, but the vocals aren't really for me. Feels like it must be a punk standard. 2.5

Grungy clubby party beats. Remember this album cover being pretty ubiquitous, but never gave it a listen. Good stuff.

C'mon. I'll admit - there are a couple of skips of this - Songbird and Oh Daddy do absolutely nothing for me. But everything else is just monumental.

Ehhhhhhhhhhh...pretty underwhelmed. I didn't go in expecting a lot, and that's what I got.

Solid 3.5. Smoothest voice, but I get pretty dragged down by the slower ballads. Rounding up just for the groove that happens otherwise.

Kinda bummed that this really sucks so much. I remember not being as into this as others when it came out, but man, no wonder. Feel like there's very little redeeming qualities across the entire album.

A perfect example of noughties indie. I remember seeing this album all around, but just never latched onto any of it - must not have downloaded any tracks at the time, and therefore it was always 'somebody else's' band, so I never got into them. It definitely would have been up my alley. Starts off so strong, then slides into some falsetto groove taunts. Feels like it has all kinds of influences - contemporaries like Arcade Fire and some of Beck's funkier side, to a clear Prince vibe at times. Surprise fave is Dancing Choose, but also really like Halfway Home and Golden Age.

John Prine always felt like someone else’s artist. I didn’t know him growing up, And when you hear a name enough times as if I should have known him (and he should already be a favorite), it kind of feels like - welp, I missed that boat so why even try? Well I’m glad I finally was forced to listen. This is great. Super approachable, common man storytelling, Nice picking, nice slide - just comfortable music to really listen to or have in the background. 4.5.

I thought I was 4-5 tracks in before realizing it was still the first track. I would probably take this off most of the time. It's not terrible, it's just that I don't need this much drum and bass in my life at this point. It's really really really long and doesn't really change. 1.5.

After just having heard a new-to-me Cure song a couple days ago (that I loved), I was pumped to see this pop up on the generator. Unfortunately, I left feeling pretty underwhelmed with the listen as only Play for Today and A Forest give me anything to really come back to on this.

Feels middle of the road. Nothing notable but all perfectly easy listening to my ears. Definitely notable that they took more control over the songwriting and instrumentation vs the first two albums where it was more professional songwriters and session musicians playing in support of the TV show. They went from a fake TV band to an actual real band on this album.

Feels like about as Classic Rock as the 90's could get. Harkens back to about 20 years earlier with a Stones/Zep vibe. While I won't choose to put it on all that much, this is pretty great all the way through.

Have seen the cover for years, never put it on before. Definitely wasn't expecting the synth and crash at the beginning of 'Save the Life of My Child', but everything after that pretty much eased into standard S&G sound. I'm good with it, and don't have the complaints that others seem to have about the concept album A side and the inclusion of Mrs Robinson on the B side - this was the first full length album after it was in the Graduate - why wouldn't they include it?

Moments that I really enjoyed, but not enough of them. I could see this influencing Faithless and others, but that doesn't mean I necessarily need to have it on. Track 4 sounds like I'm walking around a village in Dragon Warrior IV or something.

Not bad, just boring. Late 60's psychedelic jam session.

This is a pretty low bar album. I feel like Breakdown is verrrry mid-tier at best, even though it's a familiar tune. And then American Girl hits. And it HITS. One of my favorite songs of all time. How that is the last track instead of the first, I'll never know. This lingers in the 2/5 range until track 10, at which point it jumps a full star up to a 3.

Supremely listenable for a live album - such a pleasure to relax with. Easy 4.

First listen a 3, probably because it was unfamiliar after the opener Radio Free Europe. Second listen a 4. Super easy to listen to - I've always enjoyed Michael Stipe's voice, so that made it quickly familiar even with only one listen under my belt.

The more I listen the more I like it. First listen was ok at best, but then it keeps getting better and better. And unlike many, I dont even mind the 8 minute story at the beginning of the last track!

Enjoyed this a good bit more than I expected. Feels way ahead of its time. I started the album a number of times and really enjoy it at the beginning, but it really wears on me and by track 6 or 7 I'm ready to be done. If it stayed at the level of the first couple tracks I'd be at a 4, but as it goes on it drops for me.

Locked in. What a blast to listen to. Is it perfect? No. Is it a 5-star joyride? Absolutely. One of my favorite albums from the early- to mid-2000's.

I've never listened to this album, despite it being one of the seemingly most recognizable covers for 40 years. It was in every BMG/Columbia House catalog in the 90's, every used CD section in the 2000's, and seems like it's on every important/must listen list, etc. etc. A little underwhelmed by the first 5 tracks. Mother sounds like a direct lift from Pink Floyd's Wall from just a couple years earlier. Listening a couple times helps me gain appreciation for the others, but not really that one. But then Synchronicity II wraps up the A-side on a high note and launches us into a B-side that is CLASS. King of Pain, Every Breath You Take, and Wrapped Around Your Finger all in a row - c'mon. So good. But to be fair, they were also the tracks I already knew because they were hits. I enjoyed Tea in the Sahara as well, but could do without the CD bonus track Murder by Numbers. I feel like 3 is a shade to low, but I feel like 4 is too high for my own personal taste. 3.5 falling to 3 because I'm still mostly just drawn to the hits.

This is pretty great. I've enjoyed West African music in the past, but had never heard of Ali Farka Touré - glad to have the chance to be introduced. I'll admit it's just a shade slow for me - I love the sonic landscape of the songs, but I've associated a similar sound with a slightly faster pace previously, so this can feel a little lagging at times. That said, still something I'd be happy to have on pretty much any time.

Ozzy passed yesterday so we all get Black Sabbath today. As much as I can appreciate some of their stuff, I can also get a bit weary of it. This is fine. I can listen to it. But I can tell I also get tired of it at times. If I am happy when it's over...how many stars is that? But I kind of enjoyed some of it along the way. It's probably 2.5 stars from me, but rounding up because I do appreciate certain sections and moments to make it worth it.

Sounds for an art installation? I understand that it's important, but it's not something I'm going to want to put on. There are moments of enjoyable rhythmic musicality, but for the most part, it just feels like sounds.

Kicking off with potentially his best ever song (almost feel like it should have been a closer). Rolls into Zevon (never heard before - also great), and then fades into oblivion for me even after multiple listens.

I've owned this record for years. It's actually 2 records. I can honestly say I've never listened to the 2nd record. Side A is some of the best music in history. Side B first track is really fun...but it just keeps going maybe a little too long. 2nd track starts to fall away, becomes overly repetitive...and is even longer. And thanks to this project, I can confirm now that there's no need to listen to Side C or Side D again.

I enjoyed this, and tend to quickly get drawn in to this style, but it wasn't quite the pinnacle that I thought it would be. I can't put a finger on what's missing for me - maybe a shade too slow too often? I'm happy to have learned the genre - Tropicalia - so that I can find more from it. This is feel good music, often without knowing what is being said. Think I'm at a 3.5, but leaning higher than lower.

Not for the faint of heart. Never listened through before, but man this hits. I didn't realize it was '88 - I would have pegged it more in '90-'92 range. Definitely not something that I would have listened to as a kid at that time, but I certainly knew about it. More than 35 years later I'm finally listening to it - anger, violence, misogyny - none of that makes me feel good about listening, and even worse about liking it. But the beats, the voices, the the soundscape is inescapable. Dre, Cube, and Easy E's voices are so iconic, it's hard not to like their verses even when I haven't heard it before.

A little surprised that this makes the list, but at the same time, it was a great discovery for me. A great electro-synth vibe throughout. Particularly enjoy: Motion Sickness (that raspy bass synth), These Chains, Flutes, and Let Me Be Him

Do I need this? Not really. Did I enjoy listening to it? Kind of. How much? Um...medium? Like - it was good - but I feel like I've heard a lot that sounds like this before. I can see why this would make the list as early as it is. But that doesn't mean I really want to listen to it. It's fine. It's ridiculous. It's fine. Is that a 3? A 2? A 2.5? It's good enough...for a 3. I feel like the 'take it or leave it' albums cause the most ranking strife, because I don't have a strong opinion.

Neil Diamond...meets Belle & Sebastian...with a sprinkle of Rocky Horror Picture Show? I don't know quite how to describe it. Crooner Campy? I actually like good chunks of this. Would I ever listen to it around anyone else? Absolutely not. But when it's in my earbuds and I'm driving and I can absorb all the ridiculousness of it, I'm good with it. So much good instrumentation. Hits: Something for the Weekend, Becoming More Like Alfie, and Songs of Love - which feels like B&S are singing - a different style/voice than the bombast of the rest of the album.

The first half of this album almost felt like easy listening grunge. I guess I'm fine with it. I probably would never reach to put this on. It feels incredibly familiar without ever having heard any of it (except Black Hole Sun). Probably because I can't differentiate grunge from itself very well. Is this Nirvana? Alice in Chains? Silverchair? Today years old learning that Temple of the Dog and Audioslave are also Chris Cornell bands. I will say I loved the shit out of the rhythm on Spoonman. That said, after that track, the sound really started to wear on me and still had half the album to go. It feels pretty long. Great it you love it, not so great if it's not your thing.

Listening back to this now, I remember how different it felt when it came out - it was so stylish and accessible. Even the skits are really cool to listen through as the album progresses. Everything the Fugees did in the mid- to late-90's couldn't be touched, and L Boogie definitely had it goin on. 4.5 falling to 4 just because there are a lot of 5 minute songs that feel like they go on for a long time.

So glad to have been introduced to this album (and Muddy Waters in general). I knew his name, and probably would have had a sense of his style, but this forced me to sit down and listen to it. This would be easy to put on any time.

Kind of shocking what 3 and 4 chord progressions did to music in the 50's. The power, the energy, the flair. That said, it gets really repetitive in 2025 for my taste.

Not much to say. Rocks like few albums can rock, but there's enough lulls that I can't give it a 5.

I remember this coming out very clearly. It felt like a measure of your musical superiority to enjoy it beyond a track or two. For that reason, I never listened to it, because I hate when something becomes a perceived barrier to entry - you're not really 'into' music if you don't think this is the greatest album/accomplishment of the 21st century. And that brings me to today. On first listen, it felt like an art installation made out of sound that, while you're curious to look/listen, you'd never hang it on a wall in your house. It can be a little hard to digest. Confusing. On second listen, it starts to grow on you...tracks beyond the more pop-sensible songs start connecting. You start opening up to soundscapes that you aren't used to. On third listen, you think, 'I probably want to come back to this exhibit - but I still don't want to bring any friends - I still need to figure this out for myself.' On fourth listen, it feels complete. You don't quite know why. If you listen too closely, it falls apart. It's a confusing delicacy that you still wouldn't hang in your house, serve at your table, or dare challenge someone else to consume. But you've been through it, and you no longer turn away. On the more practical side - Rahzel on the beats was always my favorite part of this album (even 20 years ago when I didn't want to listen to the whole thing). It's so cool to hear the percussive sounds he provides and know...that's a dude doing THAT. Who Is It, Where is the Line, Desired Constellation, and Triumph of the Heart all stand out to me, but the whole thing is a strange and wonderful journey.

...how is this any different (or better) than the same sound that had already been out for a couple years? Bloc Party (2005), The Bravery (2005), etc. I don't really see why this makes the list. That said, it's ok noughties indie rock. Neither great nor poor. If I had any connection to it at all, I'd probably score it higher. As it stands, I'm underwhelmed.

Hard to be objective on this. Vivid memories of the first listen of Packt Like Sardines, and pretty much everything on this album was a hook for me from then on.

Maybe I don't like psychedelic rock...especially live.

Oof. This strange cabaret lounge overly theatrical crooner style is really not for me.

Yup. Good stuff. Could listen to this almost any time.

Music without melody does nothing for me. At least it was short.

This particular album has always been a bit tarnished for me due to my roommate's significant overplaying of it, but man I've loved KoL for a long time so even with that, it's hard for me to be objective. It took their subsequent releases (Aha Shake Heartbreak & Because of the Times) to get me to go back and grow into what's going on here with their debut. It's the grittiest, least accessible - and I get it, Caleb's voice is a lot to deal with in their early albums. You connect with it, or you don't. No judgement here. That was actually what pushed me back early on, but as you get used to it, you start to embrace it. Once you're in, there's so much fun to be had on this.

First album by the Stones - 1964. Had never heard any songs off this. It helps me understand why the Beatles were the face of the British Invasion in the US in early '64. There's always been a 'plant your flag' argument whether you're a Stones fan or a Beatles fan, but that is clearly based on the more comprehensive catalog. I'm imagining hearing this album for the first time in April or May of '64 after you've already had the Beatles on air for months (holding the #1 spot on Billboard with 3 different songs from February 1 through early May), and it might have just sounded like a bit of a knockoff. But that could also easily just be my imagination - this record hit #1 for 12 weeks in the UK, but only reached as high as #11 in the US. All that said, the Stones grew to monumental status like few bands ever have, and you gotta start somewhere. This is their somewhere - it just didn't have a radio single to compete with what was already happening in the US with the Beatles.

Very low key. I feel like I should like the Boss - I feel like I want to - but this isn’t getting me there.

If you would have told me this was a side project by Wayne Coyne, I would have said 'of course it is - it's obvious.' But it's not. But it's still pretty great. The more I listen to it the more I enjoy it. Really happy to have been introduced to this one.

This album really should be listened straight through. Not a ton of singles, but as a complete piece, a well-articulated narrative on gangs, drugs, violence, and consequences. There's a lot to unpack with this one, so I'll be glad to put it on again in the future.

Just had Amnesiac about a week ago. Seeing another Radiohead album pop up is a very welcome start to my day - especially this one. I'm all in.

I'm game for disco. When it slides into the R&B side of things, I start to lose interest. He's the Greatest Dancer is fantastic.

This...felt like a waste of time.

This sound was everywhere at the time - for a good reason. I had actually never listened fully through this particular album, but it didn't disappoint.

I grew up with a Beach Boys Greatest Hits tape. I loved it. I still do. But that was almost the entirety of my knowledge of the Beach Boys. Then Almost Famous came out and introduced me to Feel Flows which became an instant favorite. But I still never looked into any other Beach Boys beyond what I knew to that point. The cover of Surf's Up doesn't look it would be anything related to fun and sun and surfing. It looks dark, ominous and brooding. And so it goes with the album - this isn't the polish pep I was expecting - even with the cover casting a shadow. Other than Student Demonstration Time - which catches my attention for being kind of ridiculous in a bad way - once I can separate myself from my summer sun expectations, this ends up being a pretty great record.

Pavement has ALWAYS been someone else's band. Someone who was cooler, hipper, wiser, and just a little more 'in' than me, just a little more ahead of the curve and once I arrived I was way too late. They always felt exclusive to a group that didn't include me, so I never listened. Screw those guys. I like this - quite a lot! I wish I would have swallowed my melodramatic self-pity sooner. The only person blocking the door was me.

This is a vibe. I'd have to be in the mood for it, but man it takes me back to the early 90's like Technotronic, C&C Music Factory, and so many others. As a complete album it doesn't hit quite as well as some of those contemporaries, but if it's on, I'm happy to let it ride.

His sleepy voice has grown on me considerably after multiple listens. Perfect Day and Wild Side were already solid listens, but everything else was new to me and all but NY Telephone Conversation treat me well. I’m at a solid 3.5.

I’m ok not really liking this. Little Babies was kinda fun.

I mean, the comparisons to Tracey Chapman are inescapable. Joan is a totally new artist to me, and while I still don't find anything that gets me super excited after several listens, it's still a perfectly comfortable listen all the way through. [3.5]

Really easy to listen to all the way through. Great 60's rock sound. Can't believe I never put them. While the genre isn't what I tend to reach for much these days and for never having heard them, this really feels like an instant classic to my ears.

Iconic Kanye 2k production sound - you can hear it in an instant on The Corner. Super smooth album, easy to listen to - background or foreground. Listening to this now, I realize how much of it I know, but at the same time, am fully aware that I never gave it an intentional listen at the time.

I understand that people like this. I also understand that I don't.

I listened to this a couple times and then waited several days (just because I didn’t feel like I was ready to rate it yet). When I came back I found myself enjoying nearly all of it. This ends up being a really enjoyable album beyond ‘I Can See for Miles’.

This is not 'guy-sitting-on-a-chair-playing-the-same-riff-on-guitar-that-everyone-associates-with-blues' blues. This is big band coming at you rattling the plates on the table while everyone around you cheers along. This is definitely worth the listen. Side note to say that I loved recognizing the original sample that Primitive Radio Gods used for 'Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth with Money in my Hand' - it comes from 'How Blue Can You Get?'.

I thought I was about 4 tracks in when I looked and realized I was only halfway through song 2. This wears on me.

Have never listened to Tina Turner other than the inescapable hits (of which a couple live on this album). I'm guessing when the editors put this in the list, they were referring to the original 9-track US release (maybe the 10-track international release that adds 'Help!'). I'm guessing they weren't referring to the 25-track 30th anniversary edition, nor the 5(!) disc 40th anniversary edition. So I feel like all judgement should be reserved for that original release. So with that context out of the way...I kind of think this is really great. Flavors of Fleetwood Mac and Prince. Hints of Disco and Yacht Rock. New-to-me faves are I Might Have Been Queen and Steel Claw.

This better than I was expecting. Trip-hop and techno vibe rather than just straight pop. That said, I kind of lost interest by the time it got to Shanti / Ashtangi. So that means I can handle about 7 songs before I check out. Felt forced to listen to the back half - Frozen was really overplayed when this came out, so no real desire to revisit it - it's not a bad song, just a little underwhelming compared to its popularity.

Never listened to a Willie album before - perfect for a Sunday morning mow.

I think if I had a previous connection with the Smiths, I would rank this higher, but I don't - this was a first (and second) listen for me. I'm fine with it - may not ever think to put it on, but can let it ride if it's already playing.

Feels very campfire/bunkhouse. Not as clean and composed as others, but I can get with it.

Wow. WOW. This album takes me places. This is the first I've ever listened to anything by Michael Kiwanuka, even though I've been aware of him by name for some time. The opening track 'You Ain't the Problem' was instantly an all-time favorite. I literally haven't been able to stop listening to it. What an incredible throwback sound. I actually had to give myself a number of listens to the rest of the album to get over the fact that the rest of it slows way down and doesn't sound like the opening. But once I did get over it, the ride was so smooth. I'm coming up on about 200 albums rated, and this is the 5th to go instantly on my want list without having been exposed to it before this project.

About as classic as it gets.

Not clear why this makes the list. That said I can listen to it if someone wants to.

This is SHOCKINGLY good. I have never listened to a Peter Gabriel album, and could have only named Solsbury Hill as his. I would have said In Your Eyes was Phil Collins, and Sledgehammer could have been any number of yacht rockers. Hell, if you had put this album on without telling me, the majority of the time I would have thought I was listening to Sting. All that to say, what a nice surprise! 2 big hits with Sledgehammer as track 2 and In Your Eyes kicking off the B side. Kate Bush shows up on track 3 which was so pleasant. So many of the unknown-to-me tracks are such a soundscape. Again. I am shocked. This is great.

Elliott Smith is wonderful.

Really surprised how much I liked this. Great musicians, great voices. 4.5 dropping to a 4 just because I’m rarely if ever going to put it on myself, but definitely enjoyed it all the way through.

Feels like something to listen to privately - so that you can really sit with it. This is art. This is human emotion. This is how music stretches you.

Yep. I'm good with this.

Pretty solid for early 90’s rap. If that’s what I was in the mood for, I’d probably reach for several other albums first, but this would still serve the purpose.

Sometimes music sounds like what comfort food feels like. This is that music. So comfortable.

Sorry I never gave these guys a chance at the time - even saw them live as one of the the openers for DMB at Soldier Field in 2000. I remember they had fun energy, but it wasn't something I was going to run home to buy. This is a fun bounce. It's trapped in early 2000's pop/rap/latin that was super popular at the time - J Lo, Enrique Iglesias mashed with Jurassic 5 (cue Chalie 2na on Who's To Blame), Black Eyed Peas, etc. That makes it feel a little generic listening to it for the first time, but it also still makes it an enjoyable, familiar listen.

I've owned this album for over 30 years and can guarantee I've never listened to the whole thing. To me, this was always a 3 song album. The first listen through confirmed why I felt that way so long ago, and while it feels harsh, I rated it 3 stars. Listening through again, I can bump it up to a 3.5ish, but in the end it keeps falling to a 3 because so much of the album doesn't do much for me. And this project is 'Albums' to hear before you die, not just 'listen to the hits off of an album'. And while I laud GNR's ability to drop some literally timeless tracks on their debut album, as a whole, it's hits and misses for me.

Appreciate the introduction. Recognized Wishing Well when it came on - likely never would have come across this otherwise. Probably a 3.5 for me - better than average though I doubt I’d reach to put it on.

Ehhh. I'm not mad. I just don't really need most of this. There are some nice moments, but generally speaking, I don't have a reason to spend more time with it.

This has been a hard one to rate. There's stuff on here that I never would feel the need to put on (Sway, You Gotta Move, Sister Morphine). There's stuff on here that's totally new to me that's perfectly enjoyable (Can't You Hear Me Knocking, Dead Flowers, Moonlight Mile). There's a couple classic tracks on here that are absolutely fantastic (Brown Sugar, Wild Horses). Is that a 3? That feels low. Is it a 4? That feels high. I have the hardest time rating albums that I am waffling on - especially when they are iconic bands like, you know, that pesky little startup called the Rolling Stones. I think there's enough good stuff on here to get it to a 4, even though I'm not likely to reach for this to put on.

There are some voices that I'll never get tired of, and Elliott Smith's is one of them.

Someone just got back from study abroad and had some ideas! In all seriousness, there are some ok sounds on this, but it feels very appropriated and not authentic - or at least feels very like a dated sampler from a course in ethnomusicology. And it's a much better output than his former band Public Image Ltd.

Part of me feels 'token global music entry', but the other part of me is really happy it's here. A big reason for this project for me is to discover things that are important, meaningful, and hopefully good in some context. This is one of those where I never would have come across it, and even if I had, I doubt I would have been curious enough to put it on and give it an honest listen. That said, after a listen, it's not something that I'll necessarily reach to put on, but I'm happy with what I hear along the way.

Does it feel a bit appropriated from the 60’s? Yes. Is it still really great music front to back? Also yes. I never gave this a chance when it came out because it was too hyped, but it’s pretty great now and I’m glad I got around to it.

Eh. CSNY but without any actual good songs? I enjoy the harmonies that are ubiquitous amongst their music, but that’s about it. This solo effort seems like it rode the wave of success of previous group efforts, but doesn’t hit the mark of quality for me.

A hint of spiciness, a little hint of soy sauce, a little hint of a tomato - you know - a little hint of the spice. This album is all over the place. I don't know what preconceived notion I had of Todd Rundgren going into this, but it wasn't this. Actually - I do know - it was Bang the Drum All Day - and this was not that. From Yacht Rock to Elton John to Queen to possible video game soundtrack inspiration - I don't quite know where to put this in my head. It feels a bit 'Pinball Wizard' without the storyline. I could swear that the Mario 3 theme pops up on Breathless at about 1:32 into the track. And that same track kicks off with a play on the OG Rainbow Road theme...20 years before you find yourself falling off the edges. I think individual songs are in the 4 category for me - I Saw the Light, Wolfman Jack, Breathless, Couldn't I Just Tell You, and Slut, but there's a lot of stuff that's a little bit too middle of the road to give the entire double album that rating. So I settle with a 3 - knowing that this was a lot to take in, but also developing a whole new appreciation for the artist.

The first 10 seconds of track 1 are the only thing I'd ever want to hear from this, and that's only because it was the sample for Uptown Baby - a song 1000x better than anything that would follow on this album. Beyond that, get it off, throw it far far away from me. I don't want to listen to music because it was technically engineered at the highest level - ooo! I bet you'd love to read a math textbook next! I want to listen to music because it's good music, and this is not that.

I can't give this a 1 because 1's are reserved for things that I actively want to never have wasted time on to begin with. So that means this can only ever be a 2. It's not BAD bad, but the noodling jazz flute organ sax psych fusion just isn't for me. Good musicians that bore me to tears. This is what Ron Burgundy listens to, but not in a fun way.

COME ON. I had Traffic yesterday with it's jazz flute organ psych fusion and now I'm IMMEDIATELY met with jazz flute electric guitar psych fusion from Santana. Ok. Now that I've calmed down, once I get into the album a little bit, it's not half bad. The back half of the album is quite good, but the early collaborations in general just don't do it for me.

Some absolute classics. Some hidden gems if you've only been exposed to the singles. Only a couple skips. I wish more albums on the list could be like this one - a fantastic representation of the scope of an artists' sound across the spectrum of their work - before and after. This is quintessential Outkast.

Much better than I was prepared for. If I'm not paying super close attention, I'm pretty happy with it from beginning to end. If I am paying attention, some of the tracks can get a little long and/or pedobear. [4]

This fits so well between Magical Mystery Tour and Yellow Submarine. I'm sorry I never knew of this before. Loved the music from side A, loved the Cockney narrated journey on side B. This was a great discovery!

I didn't like almost all of this. I can see how it would be influential to people at certain times in their life if they were exposed to it at that time, but outside of that context, I'm left wondering what the fuss is. He has a good voice. There's good instrumentation. But I was mostly bored and/or put off by the majority of the tracks.

This was the lift I needed after Jeff Buckley yesterday. This would be easy to put on and feel good about at any time. I feel like I've tried finding big band all in one place in the past and it has felt hit and miss - this feels like it's all hits no skips.

This can't not be a 5. It's too good.

Man. This is the brand of 80's that I'm not a fan of. I listened a couple times through and forgot to actually review it and here I am a couple weeks later listening again to remind myself what it was. It's not offensive, it's just blah. Gets an extra star for Stay.

I feel about as indifferent about this album as it seems Lana does. If I put this on as a background soundscape and treat her voice as an instrument, it's great. If I pay close attention to it, I'm as bored as she is.

I understand that people like this - it’s the same sound over and over, and if that sound doesn’t connect with you, it’s just not something you’ll ever put on. A couple palatable tracks even though this isn’t really for me, but that may just be because I’ve heard it so many times before.

This is really fun. All over the place. Moments where it takes a big turn and sounds completely different. Moments of calm, moments of frenzy. Whips around to different genres. Would make for good road trip tunes for sure.

Only ever knew 2 songs by Don and I'm glad this project forced me to listen to the whole album. I've never heard someone sound so much like Paul Simon (in a good way). This was really an enjoyable listen.

Starts and ends strong. Everything in the middle is a hard pass.

I don’t know what feels like it’s missing on this, but it definitely feels it’s missing something - action? Motion? The sounds seem like they should add up to something more than they do.

This felt longer than it was, and that's probably not a great sign. It's not baaaaaaaad, but it's not that great to my ears either. I can take late-80's early-90's dance music/samples/rhythmic beats in doses, and this was too big a dose.

Every college band at a liberal arts school in the 90's? To be fair, I didn't hate it - and in fact - at the time when I was at a liberal arts school in the 90's I probably would have absolutely loved this if I had discovered it then. But as it stands, I'm listening to this for the first time in 2025 and it's fine. Take it or leave it.

The Who are to the British Invasion as Kenwood is to vintage audio. They've got some really good stuff, but a lot of pretty middling stuff as well, and people just like other bands/brands better.

Wow. No.

Most of this I actively don't want on and would take it off if it was. I was good with Sugar Kane and Personality Crisis, but as a whole, I really didn't like this.

Ministry 2 days ago. This today. I just don't connect with hard rock and metal. At least there is some music on this. Jumps up to a 2 for Livin After Midnight.

Middle of the road. Drones through a rainy Tuesday morning. I'd be fine with it on, but there isn't much to remember about it other than Bittersweet Symphony which is incredible.

Beyond a couple singles, this ended up being a little too much barding for my liking.

There's some good stuff, but quite a few misses. The fact that this is specified as the re-released Platinum version (with the 6 extra tracks) helps because all the remixes are a level up.

I understand that the ‘first’ makes this have weight, but I don’t understand the hype of the actual music. It’s fine. A nice riff and a nice refrain that both come back throughout. But beyond that, there’s a lot of waiting.

I liked Hot Shots II that I got earlier in this project, but this one doesn't strike me nearly as well. It's...fine? Multiple Beta Band albums that I need to hear before I die probably isn't true. It starts off strong with Assessment, goes into the very Beck-sounding Space, but fades away after 4-5 tracks into ambiguity and becomes pretty repetitive as you go through the 2nd half. That said, still a pleasant sound throughout.

Somebody said DVD menu music. Yep. That's it. It's not bad, it just goes nowhere.

First time listening to a Bob Marley album other than Legend. This was great. So easy to listen to.

First EW&F album I've ever listened to. Took it through 4 spins. Some of this is really fun, some of this I kind of fall asleep to. It kept growing on me with subsequent listens though - even the slower tracks. It's probably a 3.5 for me, but the positivity and good vibes push it to 4.

Completely unknown to me. I don't think I'll come back to it. This project continues to reiterate that I don't find joy in punk and post punk.

Really enjoyed this. Had a couple of these tracks on a mix tape, but had never heard the full album. Would happily add this to my collection if I came across it.

I only knew Bring The Noise (which I love), but hadn't listened to anything else. Just a consistent iconic sound. I can't believe this came out in 1988.

This really shouldn't be on the list considering the album with Bittersweet Symphony is already here. These songs go literally nowhere. They are fine. They are background Oasis filler tracks. The sound is fine - not offensive, and I probably wouldn't even take it off if it was on because it sounds fine. But there's so much other music worth putting on in the first place.

Eh, not that excited about this - even the hit at the end.

This is...ok. Is it music? Sure. I don't know how to articulate what I don't like about a lot of this - is it really just his voice and delivery? The talk-singing? It might be. But sometimes it's pretty good. There She Goes My Beautiful World, Nature Boy, Let the Bells Ring, Breathless. A lot of the music is pretty great. Had to look up why on earth O Children has 200M plays as of this review. Harry Potter. -shrug- I feel like there are too many skips for me to call this a 3. It's a 2.5, but falls to a 2 just because I get too annoyed at too many tracks.

I really hate albums like this in the project. They tend to be things that I wouldn't really want to put on, but after listening through I can't think of anything interesting to say about them. So then I have to listen to them again and try to figure out what I must have missed and it feels like a time suck. This isn't terrible. Dog Eat Dog is a fun opener. Antmusic has a nice rollick and roll to it. But I think I just quickly get bored after that - the talk-singing on Ants Invasion - that breed of 80's just doesn't do it for me.

This was pretty fun. Had to look up the genre of hip hop - grime - not something I'd say I'm particularly drawn to, but spinning this several times didn't get old. It's hard not to take off a star for him being a Sp*rs fan, but I've gotta let the music speak for itself.

Radio in the early 90's. I didn't love it, but I lived it.

Really enjoyable 30 mins. So much energy.

His campy delivery has never made me want to listen to him. There's music here, I just don't really care for it.

The first punk album I haven't wanted to throw across the room. Fun grungy listening.

Solid all the way through. Grungy rock that I wouldn't have associated with Neil before listening - just because I don't really ever listen to him.

As much as I have heard and enjoy Nirvana's 'hits', this project is forcing me to come to terms with the fact that I don't connect with so much of their music. I get that it's is absolutely seminal to an entire genre of music and to my generation, but that doesn't mean it's for me. That said, god damn I love All Apologies.

Sorry. Don't want this. This project continues to reinforce that prog rock doesn't do it for me. Despite the occasional friendly-to-the-ear riff in this, too much of it makes me want to throw it across the room.

I'm right in the middle on this - do I want to listen to it over and over? No. Does it have it's place on this list? Absolutely. While I appreciated the instructions/commentary a couple times, it actually interrupts the album where I'd be less likely to put this on, and might rather pick something different from him where it's just the music straight through. It's still cool to have a brief lesson though.

Easy to put on - several in the front half that are super well known. It definitely blends together in the back half - to the point that it's like, why am I still listening to this. If it had kept some of the energy of the earlier tracks, it would be higher, but as it stands, it falls to a 3 with it's ambling nature.

I...don't think this is for me. The southern rock that I've been introduced to in the past has been the 'greatest hits' - and this doesn't really come close to that. It has the same sound - but not the pep - nothing to make me remember any of it. And with it being a double album, there's a lot of songs that I don't remember as soon as they are done. The one that stood out was Three Great Alabama Icons - that was the only one that actually made me stop and pay attention.

Can't really be objective on this. All I hear is magic.

This? This is the Pixies? I feel like they have a huge following and I've never given them a chance, and I feel pretty let down by what I hear. There's a number of very different sounds on the album - but too many of them turn me off. I was good with Allison, and I liked Havalina, but those are a couple lesser-streamed tracks on this album, so it seems like that's not what Pixie fans are excited about from them. Feels a little like a 'guess you had to be there' album.

I'm pretty good without this. Purposefully harsh sounds.

This is great to put on when you want to concentrate - it doesn't go anywhere specific and when you catch on to where it might be going, he changes - with long spells of skilled improvisation but more new age than jazz to me. Piano for piano's sake.

A couple absolute classics here - the first 2 tracks are excellent. That said, for only 7 tracks in total, it feels like a really long album due to the repetitive nature of the songs and sounds. Epic for the time it was released, however, at this point, just something that I value for the importance of it, but not because I want to give it a daily spin.

French circus grunge growling? I can't believe I listened to the whole thing.

I was only vaguely familiar with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs from their first release or two - which were fine to my ears, but nothing I was yearning for. So by the time this would have come out in 2009, I had already made up my mind that it wasn't really for me and didn't pay attention. Well seems like I should have paid attention. I really enjoyed this - much more musical than what my preconceived notions of the band were. The front half is really great - almost 5 territory for me, but I definitely got a little bored in the back half. That said, a really nice discovery thanks to this project.

I get why people like her...but when this came out, and almost 30 years later, I still am just kind of bored with it.

If I'm in the mood for a little angst, this probably fits the bill. I know that it will be very rare that I reach for it, but I enjoyed it more than most early punk that has come up on the list. You can tell the influence this had on modern bands. If someone else was into it and wanted it on, I can let it ride.

This feels like the quintessential definition of 'tickling the ivories' and great vocals to compliment. Fun all the way through.

Damn it. So corny but so good - infectious. Beyond the obvious hits, that synth run in Dum Dum Diddle is a blessing.

Eh. Nah. Don't get me wrong. There's music here. It's just generally not what I want to be listening to.

Surprisingly enjoyable listen. Traditional 70's rock - more pop than hard rock. Some slower stuff as well including a cover of Velvet Underground's Femme Fatale.

Kind of a hard one - supreme talent and something I'd basically never want to listen to. Add to that, very vanilla songs in general. Huge hits on the radio everywhere in '97? Absolutely. But the full album really sucks the life out of me.

This really is a blast if you're in the mood for the genre. Probably a 4.5 for me, rounding down because I'm just not often in the mood for the genre.

Pretty hard to not consider this incredible. I couple tracks I can do without which pulls it down to a 4 for me.

Even with Once in a Lifetime, this does relatively little for me. It's not bad, but I just don't really want it.

Fantastic tapestry of traditional Latin/Cuban sounds.

Great tunes, great vibes. I never find myself particularly wanting to put on Bob Marley because he's really overplayed in specific circumstances, but when it's on, it's really quite good.

This was great. Shockingly accessible. One of those albums I never listened to because I thought I knew what it would be. So glad to have finally given it a chance, and will be happy to spin it in the future.

Iconic sounds in both the twang of the guitar and the harmonies in the voices. Easy to listen to anytime.

So much more accessible than I was mentally prepared for. Really enjoyed it all the way through.

I mean...River and Case of You almost make this 5 stars by themselves - add to that other songs like Carey and California and it almost seems a sure thing. But I get a little lost in all the wandering of the other songs. It's not that I don't enjoy them, they are just a little too ambling for me. So I land on a 4, but this is still an album to own and cherish.

This is the classic rock that it seems like I should like, but something has just always rubbed me a little wrong about Clapton. I really have no idea what it is. A lot of this feels like repetitive blues riffs over and over - and despite how good the guitar work is, I just get bored. I Looked Away is a great starter. Bell Bottom Blues is fine - could have been a 3 minute song. Keep on Growing provides a nice boost but then it goes on for 6 and a half mins. I've never been a fan of the jam band tracks that go forever - maybe that's what's bothering me about this - too many songs feel like they are the last song of the encore and everyone's having a great time. But I can't do that on EVERY song! It loses it's luster. Nobody Knows instantly drags if I'm not in the mood for that lope. I Am Yours...no. And so it goes with this album I guess. Some great tracks that I appreciate (even like), and some tracks that I get so tired of. This feels like the most hand-wringing pearl-clutching 3 I'll ever give. I'm annoyed that I've thought about it this much and it still comes out as 'average'.

Short, good stuff all the way through from CCR.

Would have no qualms adding this to my collection. Never listened straight through before, but enjoyed it all the way. Nice that it's not so long that it might start to wear on you if this weren't your thing.

Really nice West African sounds - sometimes more concrete songs, other times, more atmosphere. Not necessarily going to put it on to listen to, more to feel.

Feels like this would have been on the Empire Records soundtrack. Enjoyed it more than I was expecting - not really abrasive - easy-listening femme punk?

Eh. Ok. If it weren't for Come Out and Play and Self Esteem this might land in 1 territory.

I was ready to fall in love with this and it did almost nothing for me.

5. No apologies. Love this all the way through. Actually hadn't given the full album a spin...ever? Was great to listen intentionally. Love the flow, the production - honestly Lupe's first 3 albums are all classics for me at this point.

Absolute classic but I fade after the first several tracks when it feels like it turns into 80’s lullabies.

What a fantastic discovery - and here I thought I knew The Byrds. Great country sound all the way through - love the ever present slide. Really like 'One Hundred Years from Now' since it brings their vocals back to the sound that I'm used to from the band.

Good lord. I understand why stuff like this makes the list (and that some people really like it) – because I’d never be exposed to it otherwise, and my goal is to broaden my musical awareness. And now that I’m aware of this, I’m pretty confident I don’t need to hear it again. First 3 mins of In N Out of Grace were good, then it went right back into nope mode.

This is Christmas.

The disco here is great...the R&B is not (see: Savoir Faire, At Last I Am Free...of that song). Funny Bone was a great closer that actually pulled me back up from a 2 to a 3 on this.

I’m never going to think to put this on, but it’s kind of ok if it already is playing.

This isn’t background music. It’s in your face. I’ve listened through 4 times now and each time I come away with a different feeling - I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. But every time I listen I like it more. It probably started as a 4 for me, but at this point I think it’s grown into a 5 and only see it being better yet with more listens.

This is an album that I might have purchased on a trip to Europe in the late 90's thinking I loved this and it was something I didn't have access to at all at home in the States. And then I'd get home, and I'd realize I have a double album of something that reminds me of somewhere else, but that I don't really get a whole lot from listening to other than that.

After a couple of listens I just don't connect a ton with this.

This is fine. It's a 2.5 for me. I guess if I'm feeling generous I can get to a 3 after a couple of listens.

I've listened to this probably 5-6 times at various points, and still can't quite land on how I feel about it. Feels like an existential crisis (yes, I take this project seriously!). You'd think my penchant for Arcade Fire, Fleet Foxes, and Bon Iver would put this squarely in my 'love it' category. Sometimes I like it, sometimes I'm annoyed or just bored. It gets to the last track and where I thought that I didn't like the 2nd half of the album, I realize I've been enjoying the concept nature of the last several songs. I'm good with the first half. Maybe it's just Dory that sucks the life out of me. This feels squarely in the 3.5 rating range. A little better than middle of the road, but 4 feels a bit high. I guess with all the wringing of hands I've been doing about this album, I'm going to leave it at a 3 and be done with it for a while.

Chill. It's not exciting in any way, but it's also not bad in any way. Good atmosphere ambient beats.

Took a couple of listens to get into everything past Jet (which is an all-time favorite), but once the familiarity set in, this became a pretty easy classic.

Man. This really is greatness. It's not something I'm going to reach for generally speaking, but all the way through are fantastic singalongs, stories, and incredible piano jams and accompanying instrumentation.

What more could you ask for? Also, best B side in history.

I'm a sucker for this. I can put it on and just feel good. I don't know if it's technically perfect music or if it's just filler - I don't think I even care. I feel good and that's all that matters.

3.5. Great 80’s pop - on a grumpy day it falls to a 3 just because I’m rarely if ever going to reach to put this on, but today I’m feeling good so we’re rounding up.

This is fine. Nothing to get me super excited, though unlike some it seems, I don't mind a solid live album on the list. I like the crowd interaction on this, but don't get blown away by the performances themselves.

3.5, but I have a soft spot for this because I got it when it came out so it’s been with me a while. I basically never put it on - or even remember about it - but this was a nice stroll - some Beach Boys-y harmonies and a nice Southern California vibe.

Never listened to Beastie Boys intentionally beyond the biggest hits before this project. Now after giving Paul's Boutique a 5 and getting this today, I feel like there's nothing else to say except I am a fan. Love the variety on this - the instrumentals in the back half, Q-Tip's cameo, along with plenty of standard Beastie Boys sound that I didn't realize how much I enjoyed.

Completely new to me, never even heard of the Waterboys, and so was immediately delighted to both know and enjoy track 1. Sadly, I got kind of bored as it roles on - and I'm one for banjos and fiddles and Irish pubs. I land pretty middle of the road on it - if I'm not paying attention it's perfectly serviceable Irish jaunts, but if that's what I was in the mood for, I'd probably reach for something else.

I don't mind this era of classic country - it's not something I'd ever think to put on, but some good twangy slide guitar is always a cure for something.

Waterboys the day before yesterday and now this. It's actually probably good to have them close together - kind of like a bourbon tasting - gives context from one to the next about how they are different, more (or less) complex, etc. etc. Where Waterboys felt more consistently average throughout, this has more ups and downs - some really great songs and then some really meh songs. I would probably give this an edge and call it a 3.5 (Waterboys was a 3 for me), but this falls back to a 3 just for the 'I need to be in an Irish bar where people are rollicking along in order to get the most out of it' feeling.

For pretty much never being in the mood for this genre, this album is pretty great almost all the way through. Was a little bored some of the time first time through (Hot Blue and Righteous and Sheik felt like they just soak up any of the energy that I was feeling), but everything started to fit together nicely on second listen and those lower energy songs actually give you a little bit of a reset to go again. Waitin' for the Bus into Jesus Just Left Chicago is a great opening combo.

I gave Orbital 1 a 3. I don't think I can get to a 3 on this one. It's not bad, but when it feels a lot longer than the hour and five minutes that it says it is, I can tell that it was wearing on me. I like the riff in Impact, and don't mind Monday. I guess enough people listen to the Hackers soundtrack to make Halcyon and On and On the top song by a mile for Orbital. It's good, but not good enough to save the album.

I mean - most of this is an all out party. Can’t be denied.

My first favorite Beatles album. The designation has changed over the years, but there is so much fun on this. Little moments like the bass at the end of 'And Your Bird Can Sing' and the fade-in guitar to 'I Want To Tell You' to the horns in 'Got To Get You Into My Life' (and don't forget the drum fills at the end of each verse!) - just so much to love across this entire album.

I'm a little more familiar with music from Mali and the Ivory Coast, so it was interesting to hear something geographically so close still have something in it that's not quite the same. I liked it, but I might pick something from the other countries if I was feeling for a flavor of West Africa. Here's what I got when I looked up the difference between Senegalese and Malian music: Senegalese and Malian music, while sharing West African roots, differ in their prominent instruments, rhythmic focus, and vocal styles, with Senegal featuring strong Mbalax rhythms, sabar drums, and soulful singers like Youssou N'Dour, while Mali emphasizes the kora (harp-lute), ngoni (lute), balafon (xylophone), and Mande traditions, often with more vocal-centric or intricate kora playing compared to Senegal's complex rhythms, though both have thriving modern hip-hop scenes influenced by global sounds.

Some stuff on here for a FIFA menu screen, but not enough to keep me interested in the full album (though I still listened through a couple times).

I...don't...get it. I don't think I'm going to get it. This is my second Nick Cave album in the project...and it's not getting better.

I like some things by Billy Joel, and there is some really great instrumentation and singing on this, but sadly it feels like it passes me by a bit.

Good, bordering on great. I found myself losing interest a time or two, but overall, what a solid clean rock album.

A sprawling masterpiece. While owning this album for nearly 30 years, I don't think I had ever listened to it completely straight through. This project finally sat me down to do it - once wasn't enough - I had it on fully through three times. And while there are occasional times when I start to drift away and lose attention, they manage to hit me with a hook, a riff, or some other sound that brings me back to remind me how good what I'm hearing really is. This is the kind of album that makes me realize what a 4-piece rock band can really do.

Perfectly serviceable. Never listened to ELO intentionally before. Fun, easy, polished. Certainly a little Beatles-y at times.

Australia caught my attention for going too long, but other than that, pretty palatable.

60's pop at it's peak. Can't go wrong with this one.

As a fan of Nada Surf, I feel like these guys must have been their direct influence. Really enjoyed it - and I think if this had been something that I knew at the time, it probably would be 5 stars of enjoyment for me. As it stands it's a solid 4 that I'll be happy to continue to listen to.

I'm a little torn. Some iconic stuff. Some stuff that's not super great. Some stuff that was a really fun discovery because I never bothered to listen to the complete double album before. I guess if I'm not looking for something specific, this a fun, diverse ride. 3.5? I liked more of it than I didn't. Guess that's leaning into a 4.

For those looking on Spotify, you can find the title track on a different album (Cape Town Revisited). First five tracks are great - 5 star worthy - but then The Wedding takes a real Kenny G turn and the follow-up The Mountain doesn't do much for me either. Ends on an ok note with Sameeda. Would happily spin the front five many times again.

There is music here, so I'm giving it a 2. But I literally never need to hear this.

Such an easy 5. What a sonic relief and so pleasant to listen to. Absolutely top notch.

Completely unknown and completely surprising. This is such a fun album. A lot of world sounds and hip hop for this being a white guy from the UK, but so be it. Can't deny the fun.

A good vibe but not great. I think initially I thought this would be an easy 4, but as I listened, there was a bit of boredom or disassociation with the music and it wasn't sweeping me up like I thought it might. I love downtempo, lofi, etc. etc., and also find a lot to love about world music, but this was sadly a little less interesting that I thought it would be at the start.

A familiar voice singing unfamiliar songs. It was fine. Not something I particularly need.

Surprisingly enjoyable all the way through. Would happily spin again.

I only knew him previously for the collab with Wilco. This was a real treat - one that I'll be happy to come back to. Some great stuff to just croon along to and really chew the lyrics.

Great Latin discovery! Never heard of these guys before, but man, what a joy to have on. Would love to add this to my collection.

Nothing to say that hasn't already been said. Love this.

I thought that I would like this when I first put it on, but I kind of got bored pretty quickly. Listened through twice. It would be fine to have on, but I really want to actively listen to something, I wouldn't chose this.

Where has this been all my life? 1000% confused this with Aphex Twin and was shocked and pleased at what started playing. It was bordering on 5-star territory for me, but I feel like the back half fades a bit and I lose some interest, but overall, a great 80's ethereal sound and a great discovery for me.

The first four tracks are pinnacle level achievement. Some of the most critical early rap in history. That said, it can't help from fading a little after that. It's a 5 for importance, but I drop it to a 4 just for how often I'd see myself wanting to listen to the whole thing as opposed to just the openers.

It's unreal how good this is all the way through. An all-timer for me.

Pretty great all the way through. An anytime listen.

While I have appreciated many things that Neil has done, this one doesn't do as much for me.

While instantly recognizing several of these songs, I've never known this album or artist. This is pure magic. Big band swing at its finest.

I understand the importance, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. LP1 isn't for me at all - 45+ minutes of chaos isn't music to me. LP2 is quite good until it gets to the last track which feels closer to a fit for LP1. It kinda makes me sad when stuff 'this important' isn't something I ever really want to revisit. I'm supposed to like it, to value it, to oooo and ahhh at it...but I don't.

Eh. Doesn't do a lot for me. Fine to have on I suppose. The context of him passing shortly after this was released doesn't change the music - it just gives people warm fuzzies about it.

Good enough. Rock Opera doesn't usually excite me when I'm not also watching it. Saw the show put on several years ago and had a blast. But just sitting here listening to it makes me feel like I'm missing 'the rest'.

This is great pretty much all the way through. And talk about burying the lead - In the Ghetto and Suspicious Minds just pop up out of nowhere at tracks 12 and 13.

I can't deny the pipes, a couple tracks are pretty great, but beyond those there's almost nothing on here that I'd actively want to put on. And the double album went forever.

I'm fine with this. Not offended, not excited - just happy little 60's songs that I've never heard before and probably won't again.

A perfect example of a jazz trio - exactly what I'd reach for if the mood called for it. My issue is, my mood so very rarely calls for this. If I'm sitting there watching these guys, then yes, I'm all for it. But too many other times I'll pass this over for something else. That doesn't make it bad in any way, just...not what I'm going to reach for.

Yeah. I'm good with this now. I tried these guys out in the late 90's and didn't get it - there wasn't enough for me. Now, this is the vibe that I can do all day.

Man I love this album.

Just like I loved what I got from the generator yesterday, I don't like this equally as much.

There are skips on here...but not nearly enough to knock it down from a 5. So many incredible standalone tracks. This may be a case of familiarity breeds appreciation because I've heard this in its entirety so many times, but I can't help it. It's top.

I was pretty annoyed with this the first time through - why is this - of so many incredible albums over the last 70 years - on this list? Thankfully I listened again, relaxed a little, found some tracks I like, and am happy to let other songs on the album drift into the ether.

Eh...it's almost ok sometimes. Not something I found myself getting particularly excited over.

I've found through the first year-ish of this project that I guess I'm not much of a Nirvana fan. That said, this is excellent.

Man. I only new Missy for the bigger radio hits. There is SO MUCH good stuff on this. For a while I was thinking this was a straight 5, but it fades for me with several of the R&B tracks on the back half. But when you've got Ludacris, Jay-Z, Method Man on tracks, and then 50 shows up on the Work It remix, all of whom just compliment and elevate what Missy brings, you've got a STACK of great tracks. It's really a time capsule of sound for the early 2000's, but I'm here for it. 4.5, just can't quite give it the 5 for the back half skips. Favorite discovery: Back in the Day (feat Jay-Z), Funky Fresh Dressed (feat Ms Jade)

For as middling as some of The Who's stuff has been for me, this is excellent pretty well all the way through. It took a couple of extra listens to convince me in the middle of the album, but some of that could just be for that absolute pinnacle of quality of the bookend tracks that I was comparing them to.

This is something I'd never put on, despite liking some of ELP's other stuff, but mostly because I already love Mussorgsky's original. I really like some parts, I really don't like other parts.

This is some of the really good Bob Dylan.

Not even close to an album I need to hear before I die - especially after enduring multiple other Tom Waits albums on this list. Yes. This is a recording. That doesn't make it an album. Are there any stand-up comedian albums on this list? I looked. There aren't. Those are 'albums' too - some might argue considerably more coherent than this aspiring comic. It doesn't make sense to include something like this without including other divergent non-music albums. All that said, the backing musicians were fantastic. I'd give them a 4, Tom Waits a -2.

I never gave this a listen at the time because it was SO everywhere that I was sick of the radio hits. But listening to it now 30+ years later, man, there is so much great stuff on here in addition to the hits.

I loved the first half of this. The back half drops off and if I'm not paying attention still gives a great atmosphere to just exist within, however, if I AM paying attention, it gets a little slow.

I don't think I was as mad at this album as other reviewers have been, but maybe because I wasn't paying close enough attention all the way through. The music has been perfectly fine, and yes, I'd tend to agree that Tim is grating. It's maybe a little sub-par for me, and not something I'm really ever going to want to put on again. But it was ok.

Nice steady vibe all the way through. Plenty of other stuff I'd reach for first, but this is a good enough ride.

I liked this more than I thought I would. Easy listening early 90's alt/indie.

After several listens, there is an intensity here that I really appreciate. I actually didn't much like it on first listen, but that's because I didn't have the attention to give.

A perfect 3-star record. Nice to listen to while it's on, completely forgotten when it's not. New band for me - would be happy to listen again, if I ever remember to think of them.

This did very little for me. I'm not against some solid 80's synths, but I just couldn't find something that I connected with throughout.

Super polished - almost fake. Still it's fine to listen to.

Enjoyed this way more than I was expecting. A couple full listens through, a completely new band to me, makes for a nice discovery.

I remember not really giving this album a chance 20ish years ago when I was going back and trying to learn some back catalog of some bigger bands that had stuff out before I was really paying as much attention. Well this is WAY better than I remembered/was expecting. Beyond the couple hits that I do remember, the first 7 tracks are all excellent. Fades a bit for me after that, but overall, this is close to 4.5 territory for me.

Just like London Calling popping up for me 3 months ago, this is so much better than I thought it would be and wish I had given the Clash a chance so long ago.

Sorry to the vintage punk fans out there...this isn't for me and it's not going to be.

I love so much of this. But man it drags so much from Girlfriend to I Can't Help It. Sorry Mike. It drops it to a 4.

Not much to say about this that hasn't been said. If you can relax your mind and let this just 'be', it will take you places. Listened a couple times through today while doing some web testing, now going to cue it up and show my daughter the Wizard of Oz in a new way.

Took a number of listens to warm up to the ones I didn't know, but eventually this grew on me really nicely. It becomes a cool indie conglomeration of different styles and sounds.

This feels like something I would have bought about 20 years ago (so not that far off from its release) because the cover kinda looks cool and I hadn't heard of them and maybe that would give me a little indie cred. I would have taken a quick listen on the headphones at the shop (album 4 of 6 at the new music listening station) on the Tuesday that this came out, and it would have sounded perfectly pleasant. Just pleasant enough to take it home. And after a brief stint in heavy rotation in the car with the other couple CDs I would have gotten that day, it would have found its way to a stack with the rest of my hundreds of CDs at home. And unfortunately, once it found its place there, it wouldn't have gotten played all that much because, while it was perfectly pleasant, nothing really stands out. And so it drifts into the background. I like it when I hear it, but I forget it when it's gone. And 20 years later, I'd still like owning it because the cover is still kinda cool, and it's not a hugely known band, so the little bit of indie cred maybe still applies. So, this is kind of a 3.5 for me, because it so clearly would have fit the mold of how I bought so many CDs around the time period that this came out, and knowing that if I had listened to it at that more formative time of life, it would bring back great memories locked into those couple weeks it was in heavy rotation in the car.

I think I would have liked this at the time. At least enough to get the album. But I don't have the nostalgia to lean in on, so it falls a little flat.

I've always put off listening to Hole. Turns out I'm ok with that.

Kind of the definition of a 3 for me. Some tracks that grow on me that I'd be happy to listen to again. Some tracks that are kind of annoying. Did it need to be on the list? Not really. Am I ok having heard it? Sure.

I had a great time listening to this today. 3 times through. Funky jazzy groovy.

2.5. I'm ok with the music, but man, if you're waiting to listening to something else, this feels like it goes on forever.

In contrast to the Slim Shady LP which came out the year before (and that I absolutely hated), so much of this album is peak. Could easily put it on and enjoy *most* of it full heartedly.

rrrrrrrrrrrrrrroooooooooooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. no.

This was fine - nothing particularly stood out - straightforward rock. I’m not against it - it just didn’t grab me.

Enjoyed this much more than I was expecting. A classic country sounding album that gets a little more country as it goes on. It's a solid 3.5 in my book.

Early 80's synth wave Talking Headsish. Didn't get me super excited.

Love this sound from Mali. Great sample of music from there.

I think I was expecting some straightforward 70's rock, but this is solid rock opera all the way. Really surprised by how much I enjoyed this. It's quite the adventure once you get past the title track.

Magic.

I don't think I've ever listened beyond 'Heyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy Aqualung' with a picture of Will Ferrell in my head. Unfortunately, nothing really grabbed me throughout. I enjoyed all the instrumentation and quite a few songs, I'm just not going to want to put it on most of the time.

The first half of this album - sounds off. The mix is super thin. It's missing mids and lows so it sounds tinny. Listened on a couple different sources (Spotify, YouTube). Really like The Champ - just wish the mix had the instruments, beats and bass more filled out. 9 Milli Bros is great. Be Easy is the first track that sounds more full - bass hits better. Love the keys on Jellyfish. Then the next track sounds thin again. Man. This would be fire. The mix is just thin. If it was full, this could be a 5. Still a great discovery for me.

Some big hits. Some straightforward stuff the rest of the way. It's fine.

This didn't hit like I was hoping. Clearly some awesome tracks, but on the whole, was kind of let down by something I would have considered so iconic and recognizable.

This is really nice. Pleasant plucking and a friendly voice. Simple and stripped down home recording.

This is...SO great.

I thought I might enjoy this...turns out I got reaaaallly bored.

This was really quite good - I'd have to be in the right mood to listen, but if I am, it's solid.

Some excellent stuff here - obviously the title track and Around the Way Girl, but I could listen to a lot of this pretty happily most of the time.

Had no idea there was a volume 2! Have owned 'volume 1' for years (it's not labeled volume 1 so I wouldn't have thought to go looking for a 2), but this was a great discovery. Loved it just as much as I love the original. While it's country by name, it's Ray through and through.

There is plenty to enjoy on here, but there are also extended lulls. I don't know quite where I sit with it - is it a 4? Is it a 5? Somewhere around there. 4.5 for me clearly.

Love it.

Welp. Can’t really get that time back now can I?

I guess I don't really need to hear this again. It was fine as kind of intense background music while I was doing something else, but I don't think I'd ever what to hear it and actually be paying attention to it.

Feels like standard naughties indie/guitar-based band stuff. Perfectly listenable, but nothing really stood out in particular. Think I'm more excited about the cover art.

Well shit. If this isn't 5 stars, I don't know what is. One of the first tapes I ever owned.

I like it, but the pacing is so slow that I wouldn't find myself drawn to this album if I was looking to add some West African flair to the ambiance.

Never listened to Beck's earliest releases aside from the radio hits. I definitely like the more melodic stuff from him, which this album doesn't have a ton of. This is probably one of the higher 3's or a low 4 for me which feels like I have so many in that in-between range. Oh well. Low 4 for today - there are some skips, but there's enough fun stuff to warrant the higher rating.

After 3-4 listens today, this is really on my good side. Classic country with a wonderful voice to carry you through.

This is absolutely top.

Loved this. I might even come back and give it a 5 later. For now it's a 4.5 falling to a 4, just because I'm not always in the mood for classic country - but when I am, this would be an excellent spin.

This just feels a bit goofy. Not because he intended it that way, but the quirky synths just have a shoulder dancing vibe while drinking a glass of rosé (with an ice cube) in the suburbs. It's like the 80's theme song to every family sitcom of the era. If I ever hear this again, I'll pop that rosé and get my shoulders loose.

Outstanding from beginning to end. Pinnacle early 2000's.

I had no idea what to expect with a group called XTC. I think I thought it was something akin to 90's Deee-Lite style house/techno/funk/rap. Nope! Sure isn't! Kind of a random Beatles meet Moxy Fruvous choir boy + instruments + 60’s Brit pop/prog mash.

Hmm. 70's blues rock. Oh. That's definitely Rod Stewart - who I'm not the biggest fan of. Aw man. I guess isn't half bad. That's not what I was planning for. Dang it, it's kinda good.

I understand the importance of Kraftwerk, but this probably isn't something I'm going to put on again out of a desire to listen to it.

An iconic 80's sound - good, not incredible to my ears, but it's fine to be on if it's already on.

Some good stuff, but this is probably the album where I was kind of done with Kanye. By this point he had a substantial catalog that I could lean into if I wanted to, so never listened to this release at the time, and listening now kind of reaffirms that decision.

I bet they drink hot dog water.

This is absolutely exceptional out of the gate, and then the back half of the album really falls off for me - with the exception of Ice Cream Man which has always been a favorite.

I always hated the title track because it was SO overplayed in the 90's on 'classic rock' stations. It might still be. But that kept me away from this album as a whole ever since. New Kid in Town, Life in the Fast Lane, and Victim of Love are all fine. Just fine. But I was pretty bored with the rest of the album. Feels a little blasphemous to say that, but that's where I'm at.

A complete unknown, and looking at the name and cover, I would have guessed some kind of 90's indie/alt rock smorgasbord. This has an ambient jazz vibe that, save for a couple random tracks that veer significantly from that, I'm all for. Nice discovery.

I understand why this is here. I understand that this is supremely impactful for some people. I don't quite understand why I don't connect with it at all, because there is other stuff of similar tempo, feel, quality of voice that I do like - and she really does have a great voice. But for whatever reason, this does little for me. It's like a 90's version of Tusk.

Good production and vibe, I was just...bored. I've never been particularly turned on by bedroom R&B and that's literally all this is. If I'm not listening, it's a good ambiance...if I am listening, I'm waiting for something more catchy or interesting to come on.

Never gave them a chance at the time because of they hype. Too bad. This is solid.

Man. This is like a stereotype of the 80's, but they actually meant it. I thought they could have cut it at 10-12 songs and then I realized there had only been 8. I could have swore I waded through about 16 echo-synth-drum tracks - and no - I didn't listen to the expanded edition.

Dream folk - I love the blurred amble of of so many of these tracks. I come away relaxed and introspective without even realizing what I was listening to. The bass line on Paper Tiger feels like it's straight from an Air album in the best way, with the strings keeping breathing life into the melancholy. This is great.

Probably my favorite album from 2013. Saw them in April 2014. Not the greatest stage presence but good lord this music takes me places. I haven't stopped listening to them since. It wasn't till the live show that I really gave Tether a chance, but that song crushes it - you get halfway in and there's an explosion of sound.

Ehhhh. 'All I Wanna Do' was/is so catchy - such a great song, but so overplayed in 93-94 that I still don't think I'm over it. Most of the rest of the album was fine. There are times when she's straining to hit the notes and it doesn't seem gritty, it just seems not that great.

This was fine. I am not unfamiliar the Doors, but I also don't really ever find myself turning to them to fill the silence. Can never go wrong with the keys. Some nice bluesy rock. Some nice chilled down moments.

A fun throwback worth listening to simply because this is what 2002 and 2003 sounded like.

I want to like Portishead more than I actually do. I think there isn't quite enough melody here for me to love it, but I'm fine with it in general.

OMG I've been ignoring this for days. I thought it would certainly be metal with a name like Pentangle. This is very pleasant! Very Free Design. A bit quirky baroque folk with some interesting separation in vocals and instruments to hear individuals. I'm probably not going to remember to ever put it on, but I'm happy with the discovery.

Really enjoyed this several times through. Comfortable sound.

Some grimy guitars and raspy talk-singing. It's fine. The 10 mins of We Will Fall felt more like 20.

Haven't listened to much Smiths aside from this project. I'm fine with this. It doesn't get me as excited as it clearly does so many people, but that's ok.