Feb 17 2025
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Kind Of Blue
Miles Davis
A little slow and sparse for my taste in Jazz (at least, as of 2/25). The highlights are Miles on the piano and Bill Evans/Wynton Kelly on the piano.
My favorite song off of the record is "Freddie Freeloader," which has Kelly on the piano and is the most up-tempo song.
Overall, solid enough but a little slow for me.
3
Feb 18 2025
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Garbage
Garbage
Really enjoyed this record. It felt like an soft introduction to a hard rock/punk sound.
Shirley Manson's vocals really carry the day here, highlights are Stupid Girl, Supervixen, Only Happy When It Rains, Milk. The softer songs I liked better. All of it rocked, though. Very good record.
4
Feb 19 2025
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Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)
The Kinks
Solid late 60s war protest and more general Rock N Roll. I enjoyed "Victoria" and the guitar solo in "Australia" the most, the band sounds really good. Not really a record I would probably go back to regularly but a pleasant listening experience.
3
Feb 20 2025
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Hotel California
Eagles
Epic rock album. "Hotel California" is legendary, as is "Life in the Fast Lane."
"Wasted Time" comes at the right time in the record to slow things down a little bit, and the vocals are very strong in that song.
The guitar on this record just shines through from start to finish, you go Joe Walsh.
"Pretty Maids All In a Row" and "The Last Resort" don't quite work as well as many of the other songs on here for me on first listen, but overall great record.
5
Feb 21 2025
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Coat Of Many Colors
Dolly Parton
This album rocks so hard. Dolly's versatility is remarkable.
"Coat of Many Colors" sets the tone so well as a gut wrenching, emotional ballad.
The twist at the end of "Traveling Man" is straight up gold, amazing song. "She's Never Met a Man (she doesn't like)" is another very fun song.
"Here I Am" is a highlight on the second half of the record.
"Mystery of the Mystery" is a little bleh, and the second half of the record doesn't live up to the first.
But the one two punch of "Coat of Many Colors" and "Traveling Man" is so good this is a five star record for me, and there are a bunch of other good tracks on her. Deeply enjoyed this.
5
Feb 22 2025
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The Atomic Mr Basie
Count Basie & His Orchestra
Solid but unspectacular big band jazz record. Some cool songs, like "Whirly Bird," "Splanky" and "Fantail" that go to a very cool place and utilize the whole orchestra, and really enjoyed the trumpet solo in "Flight of the Foo Birds." An enjoyable listen but unlikely to return to this one.
3
Feb 23 2025
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We Are Family
Sister Sledge
Incredible disco record. Love the "quit your job and just dance" vibes of "He's the Greatest Dancer" "Lost in Music" and "Thinking of You"
Obviously, "We are Family" is the most popular song on this record with the public, and I think it's good but not as good as some of the other songs on this record.
It works less well when they slow it down for "Somebody Loves Me," and the B side is weaker than the A side. Still, a very enjoyable disco listen.
5
Feb 24 2025
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Marcus Garvey
Burning Spear
A very engaging introduction to reggae for me. Highlights are "Marcus Garvey," "Old Marcus Garvey" "Live Good" and "Resting Place."
This record sounds great, with a funky blues vibe full of protest songs.
There was a bit of sonic sameness on here for me, but overall very good record I enjoyed.
4
Feb 25 2025
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Hot Fuss
The Killers
An okay/solid rock record. The Killers sound is a little too slick for me overall, and the second half felt like a lot of the same.
That said, “Smile Like You Mean It” is a total banger and by far the best song on this record. It’s a great song.
And like any good millennial, I’m a fan of “Mr. Brightside” — the defining party song of our generation?
I don’t think I understand “Somebody told me” but I think I enjoy it. And on the B side “Change Your Mind” is good.
3
Feb 26 2025
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Vulnicura
Björk
I’ve never heard anything like this (derogatory). Way too out there and avant- garde for me. First album I struggled through in this experiment.
1
Feb 27 2025
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Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde
The Pharcyde
Not really for me but a fun vibe in parts. “Passin Me By” and “Otha Fish” are the highlights.
2
Feb 28 2025
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american dream
LCD Soundsystem
Electro-pop, speak singing nonsense.
1
Mar 01 2025
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Superfly
Curtis Mayfield
Really good anti-drug funk album. Highlights are "Freddie's Dead," "Give Me Your Love" and "Think - Instrumental".
Slows down a bit in the middle (particularly "Eddie You Should Know Better" and "No Thing on Me."
Overall, kind of an odd, funky, enjoyable listening experience. Love the instrumentation and Mayfield's falseto.
4
Mar 02 2025
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Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Elton John
I was really hoping that I would love this, since generally I like piano-forward rock and roll (like Billy Joel).
And while there are some really good tracks on here, it never really hit a higher level for me. I was really energized by "Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding" at the start and hope it would carry me through the album, but unfortunately I think that is the best song on here.
I liked when he goes a little more upbeat on the B side of the second LP, with "Your Sister Can't Twist", "Saturday Night's Alright" and "Social Disease",but alot of the middle blends together.
Good but not great album.
3
Mar 03 2025
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Smash
The Offspring
Solid punk record, music was good, vocals were not.
Songwriting was solid, enjoyed "Gotta Get Away" and "Self Esteem"
Overall, not an album I will return to but this was a fine listening experience, even if I won't seek out this band in the future.
2
Mar 04 2025
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Aftermath
The Rolling Stones
This was way worse than I hoped it would be. I liked the blues-y "Doncha Bother Me" but overall did not enjoy this record. Maybe it's in part because I am sick today, but not a fan. "Stupid Girl" and "Under My Thumb" get particularly low marks.
2
Mar 05 2025
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Germfree Adolescents
X-Ray Spex
I really enjoyed the music on this, especially the saxophone-forward songs like "Genetic Engineering."
But I didn't enjoy the vocals or really understand what she was singing. So not a record I will be returning to, but I didn't hate it.
2
Mar 06 2025
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Fromohio
fIREHOSE
A musically okay, vocally terrible record that I find rather forgettable. Was hoping it would end.
1
Mar 07 2025
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Highly Evolved
The Vines
Another album I liked well enough musically but just could not vibe with the vocals, especially when they floated over into more “screaming” than singing.
2
Mar 08 2025
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Led Zeppelin IV
Led Zeppelin
Classic rock for a reason. Really good music. Particularly enjoyed "Black Dog," "Rock and Roll", "Going to California" and "When the Levee Breaks."
And of course, "Stairway to Heaven" is great, especially the guitar work.
Plant's vocals are a little hit or miss for my taste, and "The Battle of Evermore," "Misty Mountain Hop" and "Four Sticks" didn't really work for me.
Overall, good.
4
Mar 09 2025
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People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm
A Tribe Called Quest
A fun listen! Good 90s hip-hop.
Highlights are "I left my wallet in El Segundo", "Bonita Applebum", "Can I Kick It?," "Youthful Expression" and "Mr. Muhammad"
4
Mar 10 2025
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Dookie
Green Day
Maybe this is the 00s nostalgia talking, but always have had a soft spot for Green Day. This is a good pop punk album, with the clear highlight "When I Come Around." Enjoyed it!
4
Mar 11 2025
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Five Leaves Left
Nick Drake
Very enjoyable folk album, Drake has a lovely voice and the instrumentation was elite. “River Man” and “Saturday Sun” are highlights. This is an album I will revisit, and it has the potential to move to 5 stars as I spend more time with it.
4
Mar 12 2025
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Urban Hymns
The Verve
This was painful. How did it make the list? The most vapid, bland pop rock imaginable.
1
Mar 13 2025
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Rust Never Sleeps
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Enjoyable folk/rock album. “Hey Hey, My My” clear stand out
4
Mar 14 2025
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Virgin Suicides
Air
I really enjoyed this instrumental dream pop, impeccable though a little forgettable background music.
4
Mar 15 2025
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Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul
Otis Redding
Absolute gold, no doubt 5/5. Redding has a remarkable voice and all of these songs are great. Highlight: “A Change is Gonna Come”. This is the kind of album I’m doing this experiment to listen to. Amazing horn section.
5
Mar 16 2025
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Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters
Amazing guitar and drums on this get this album up to a 4 star for me. Enjoyed the softer rock songs like "I'll Stick Around" and "Big Me." Did not like the more scremo songs like "Weenie Beenie." Overall, enjoyed it but not one I will seek out again probably. Would be 3.5 stars if that was an option.
4
Mar 17 2025
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Lost Souls
Doves
Exceptionally mediocre uninspired pop rock. I did like the instrumental "Firesuite" but otherwise was unsure why this is on here.
2
Mar 18 2025
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Amnesiac
Radiohead
This just didn't do anything for me. I didn't hate it but definitely did not find it particularly engaging.
2
Mar 19 2025
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Pretzel Logic
Steely Dan
A very strong album musically, lyrics are a little out there on some of the songs but overall a very good album. Instrumentally, the guitars, saxophone and keys were extremely strong, I liked listening to this.
4
Mar 20 2025
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Rhythm Nation 1814
Janet Jackson
I found this pretty painful to get through, in general I like synth-forward songs but there's definitely a line where it becomes much too much. This album really struggled to overcome what I believe is really weak music.
1
Mar 21 2025
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Be
Common
Really smooth hip hop album, highlights are "Go", "Be" and "Love Is." Loses points for "Faithful". Overall enjoyable listen but don't love.
4
Mar 22 2025
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Back In Black
AC/DC
Perfectly fine, a little monotonous but catchy riffs. "You Shook Me All Night Long" is the clear standout.
3
Mar 23 2025
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Revolver
Beatles
Doesn't really work for me, not really into the Beatles I don't think. Felt longer than the 32 minutes. I did enjoy "Got to Get You Into My Life" though, which saves this from being a 1 star.
2
Mar 24 2025
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Seventeen Seconds
The Cure
Enjoyed the sound and music of this, less so the songs. Don't fully understand much of the lyrical content here but enjoy the sound enough to get it to 4 stars.
4
Mar 25 2025
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Machine Head
Deep Purple
Just as a guitar record this gets a 5 star. Really great listening experience, "Smoke on the Water" is iconic, but I also really enjoyed "Maybe I'm a Leo." Enjoyed this way more than I thought I would.
5
Mar 26 2025
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The Stone Roses
The Stone Roses
Totally fine but forgettable pop rock. Did not really make an impression on me in any way.
3
Mar 27 2025
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Born To Run
Bruce Springsteen
One of the greatest albums of all time. I can't stress how great it is. No skips, strong top to bottom, "Thunder Road," "Backstreets", "Born To Run", "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out" all legendary. Clemmons' saxaphone is absolute fire. Amazing.
5
Mar 28 2025
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Songs In The Key Of Life
Stevie Wonder
Very good R+B, easy listening. "I Wish" is a total classic. I think this would have been better served by being 1 LP, since it dragged at times. Overall I really enjoyed it though.
4
Mar 29 2025
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Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Wu-Tang Clan
Hip hop that I didn’t really enjoy listening to but was fine.
2
Mar 30 2025
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Want Two
Rufus Wainwright
Pretty voice, but for an artist in my usual favorite genre of singer-songwriter folk, didn’t grab me as much as I would hope. I enjoyed “Peach Trees”. Solid record.
3
Mar 31 2025
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Mott
Mott The Hoople
Totally fine, straight down the middle glam rock. Enjoyable at times but never spectacular.
3
Apr 01 2025
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The White Album
Beatles
This is fine. "Blackbird" is very good. Better than the other Beatles album this has forced me to listen to. Okay but will not revist this.
3
Apr 02 2025
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Don't Come Home A Drinkin' (With Lovin' On Your Mind)
Loretta Lynn
Absolute gold. “Don’t Come Home A Drinking” is a country classic for a reason, but this record is extremely strong top to bottom. The vocals are remarkable, and the songwriting clever. Other highlights are “Saint to Sinner” and “Get Whatcha Got and Go”.
5
Apr 03 2025
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Live At The Star Club, Hamburg
Jerry Lee Lewis
Very fun. Enjoyed the energy and frantic-ness of the vocals. “Whole Lot of Shaking Going On” is the highlight. Strong piano throughout.
4
Apr 04 2025
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She's So Unusual
Cyndi Lauper
“Girls Just Want to Have Fun” is the perfect pop song. “Time After Time” is also great. “I’ll Kiss You” and “When You Were Mine” are also fun. Lauper’s voice is a bit of an acquired taste and overall the record drags in the middle a bit (“She Bop” in particular). But still very enjoyable pop. Somewhere between 4 and 5 stars.
5
Apr 05 2025
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Stankonia
OutKast
“Ms. Jackson” is great, and overall this solid but much too long. “Gangsta Shit” and “BOB” are also good; “We Love Deez Hoes” is not.
3
Apr 06 2025
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Throwing Muses
Throwing Muses
This was totally fine. Some good beats but pretty forgettable
3
Apr 07 2025
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Live At The Harlem Square Club
Sam Cooke
This album was just overflowing with joy. The B side especially is exceptional. Great stuff.
5
Apr 08 2025
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American Idiot
Green Day
I like Green Day. This is a very strong album, especially “Wake Me Up When September Ends”, “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” and “American Idiot”.
4
Apr 09 2025
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Rock Bottom
Robert Wyatt
Odd, disconnected noise. I didn't disdain it, but it didn't do much for me.
2
Apr 10 2025
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Rain Dogs
Tom Waits
This completely rocks. Surprisingly so. The horns are great, many of the songs are great. “Clap Hands”, “Midtown” and “Gun Street Girl” “Downtown Train” are highlights. Loved it.
5
Apr 11 2025
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I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got
Sinead O'Connor
This was surprisingly slight for a record that features the legendary "Nothing Compares 2 U." Her soaring vocals on that song are remarkable, and I did enjoy the social commentary on "Black Boys on Mopeds." But I felt the songs themselves and the instrumentation on the rest of the album was pretty stale.
3
Apr 12 2025
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Debut
Björk
I surprisingly really enjoyed much of the music on this album but not the vocals or songs much. "Crying" was particularly good with the vibraphone. This is fine but not for me.
2
Apr 13 2025
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Beautiful Freak
Eels
Perfectly solid, light emo. Songs are alright, music is good.
3
Apr 14 2025
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Selected Ambient Works 85-92
Aphex Twin
Grating background noise. Not a fan.
1
Apr 15 2025
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Madman Across The Water
Elton John
I don't know why Elton doesn't fully move me. I like "Tiny Dancer" and the sound of a few others on here, like "Razor Face," "Rotten Peaches", "All the Nasties." But overall I don't feel too connected to these songs, and while I like the piano, in general I don't feel too inspired by this album.
3
Apr 16 2025
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Central Reservation
Beth Orton
This sounds like a soundtrack to a Rom-Com in the best possible way. There’s depth to the songs, the vocals sound great. “Pass in Time” is a truly amazing song. Good stuff!
4
Apr 17 2025
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Black Monk Time
The Monks
Enjoyed this musically, especially the psychedelic/jam band energy. Unofrtunately none of the songs were particularly good. This is alright.
3
Apr 18 2025
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Suzanne Vega
Suzanne Vega
Didn't really do much for me. It was mostly fine, but felt pretty surface level. The songs were just okay and the instrumentation basic. Not for me.
2
Apr 19 2025
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Purple Rain
Prince
This underwhelmed my expectations. I really enjoyed the sounds and vibes of this album, especially "Let's Get Crazy," "Take Me With U" and of course "Purple Rain." But a lot of the songs in the middle were kind of middling, especially "When Doves Cry" and "I would die for U". Somewhere in the high 3 star, low 4 star territory.
4
Apr 20 2025
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Technique
New Order
Nothing about this interested me, musically or lyrically. Just nothing. The songs are poorly constructed and uninteresting. Didn’t hate it as much feel complete apathy toward it, though the more I listen the less I like it. I do like the sound on “Dream Attack” so it’s not all bad.
2
Apr 21 2025
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Band On The Run
Paul McCartney and Wings
Enjoyable! I liked this better than McCartney’s stuff with his previous band. Highlights are “Let Me Roll With It”, “Bluebird”, the saxophone on “Mrs. Vanderbilt”, and “1985” has a great groove and I think is the best song on this record. Strong four star record.
4
Apr 22 2025
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Bayou Country
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Great record! Love the instrumentation throughout this record, and the songs were very fun. Highlights are "Proud Mary", "Born on the Bayou", "Graveyard Train". Bluesy guitar throughout was great.
5
Apr 23 2025
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Cheap Thrills
Big Brother & The Holding Company
Loved it. So bluesy, great guitars, and Janis Joplin is remarkable. Highlights are "I Need a Man to Love", "Piece of My Heart" and "Turtle Blues."
5
Apr 24 2025
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Van Halen
Van Halen
Milquetoast 80s rock. Enjoyed the guitars generally but the songs were pretty flat and souless. Couldn't find too much to like or dislike in here, it's fine.
3
Apr 25 2025
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Meat Puppets II
Meat Puppets
This was alright. Instrumentation and instrumental tracks i liked, but the singing and songwriting fell flat. Somewhere between 2 and 3 stars for me, was pretty grating at times.
2
Apr 26 2025
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The Doors
The Doors
This kind of sputtered out for me after a great start with “break on through to the other side.” Other than the starter, nothing really stood out as particularly inspiring to me. I had high hopes and was a little disappointed
3
Apr 27 2025
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New Wave
The Auteurs
This was pretty boring and uninspiring. Didn’t do anything for me. Not offensively bad, just bland
2
Apr 28 2025
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Melody A.M.
Röyksopp
Very enjoyable electronica. "Royksopp's Night Out" is what elevates this from a three star to four star album. That song told a whole story all by itself, with no words. "In Space" is an upbeat highlight, and "She's So" is a more slowed down beat that I enjoyed. This is in high three star, low four star territory, but I'm feeling generous today.
4
Apr 29 2025
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In Utero
Nirvana
Eh. The scremo bits on this really rubbed me the wrong way, as do "Tourette's" and "Rape Me." The instrumentation is good and "Heart Shaped Box" is great, but this is only going to get two stars for me, I really did not enjoy it much.
2
Apr 30 2025
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Ananda Shankar
Ananda Shankar
This was remarkable top to bottom. Really enjoyed the vibe here and will certainly return. 5 stars.
5
May 01 2025
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Boston
Boston
I really liked this. It doesn’t really push any boundaries but was really enjoyable rock n roll. Guitars were great, the organ when it was used added a lot. Starts off very strong with “More Than A Feeling” and “Peace of Mind”. Good album.
4
May 02 2025
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Mr. Tambourine Man
The Byrds
Eh. Pretty monotonous, but overall fine. I liked the guitar though it basically sounds the same on nearly every song. Album ended strong with “We’ll Meet Again” and “Shes Got a Way”. Generally I don’t really like big harmonies when it comes to the number of people involved. Fine album but won’t seek out to listen to again.
3
May 03 2025
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Back To Black
Amy Winehouse
Exceptional album top to bottom. Incredible songs, great vocals, musically interesting. The first bars of "Rehab" immediately pull you in and then its banger after banger. Great.
5
May 04 2025
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#1 Record
Big Star
I liked this a lot. A fun part of this experience is seeing how often the best song is the most popular, and on this record, "Thirteen" is both. The whole record feels very high school but in a good way, and while the songs are often a little corny, they are nice/good. Highlights are "In the Street", "When My Baby's Beside Me" "My Life is Right" "Give Another Chance".
4
May 05 2025
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Celebrity Skin
Hole
Liked this more than I expected. Songs were compelling, instrumentation was strong, vocals were very good. Highlights are "Awful", "Malibu", "Dying" and "Boys on the Radio". Low four stars, not sure I will revist with any frequency but still an enjoyable album.
4