I think I gotta go 5 on it even though the Beasties middle period is my favorite. Incredibly strong debut and brilliant blend of punk and rap at the time when hip hop wasn't even fully developed. So many iconic tracks
Had not heard this album before, and am only familiar with a couple of their hits. It's clear they're a talented bunch that groove together well, but the sound comes off really dated to me and I didn't find any of the tracks to be stand-outs. I can tell it's a well constructed album, but not my cup of tea. Might've dug it more when it came out though
There have some pretty instrumentation here and there, but always found them kinda boring. Had never listened to this album all the way through, but didn't do much for me
Gotta admit, I didn't really know this album much outside their hit "Connection," but thoroughly enjoyed it. Holds up super well 30 years later. 90s Britpop at it best
It's not something I find myself listening to much and I personally get tired sometimes of their whole multi-layered reverb vocals thing, but it gives them their distinctive sound and no denying this an absolute classic that practically defined the '80s.
Super solid desert blues that I was unfmailair with. I dig bands like Tinariwen and Mdou Moctar, so found this a lot of fun
Yeah I definitely love me some Fairport Convention. My favorite album is probably Unhalfbricking, but Liege & Lief is solid too. Also love a lot of Richard Thompson's solo stuff after this. Definitely one of the most important groups for English folk rock.
Definitely one of the greatest jazz singers of all time. And interesting to see a live album on here. This is one of those records that works for almost any mood. To just chill and relax, or put on a rainy day and stare out the window pensively
Definitely a classic and one of the best selling albums of all time for a reason. I personally don't throw it on a ton, but no denying its greatness
This is the album when the Byrds when into a more country rock direction than folk rock, leaving some that Laurel Canyon sound behind and inspiring other country rock stuff like the Band and Flying Burrito Brothers. I dig it for sure but has to be something I'm in the mood for
Don't think I've ever listened to this all the way through since I was a kid. Holds up surprisingly well even if some of that 80s R&B production can be a sound a tad dated. Solid stuff though
Pretty big fan of Rufus and the whole Wainwright family. Used to listen to Poses a lot back in the day, but don't I ever listened to this one all the way through. And I think it might be my favorite by him. Sounds more like a cohesive album than some of his other records
This is an all-time classic for me, and one of the best house bands of all time. They did for Stax what Funk Brothers did for Motown or Wrecking Crew for Phil Spector. But album is so short it's almost an EP. Only thing keeping it from a 5 for me
I like but don't love the Berlin Trilogy, but this is probably my fave from that period. I definitely prefer the '67-76 Bowie era the most. But I appreciate several tracks and the weird Eno-isms on this record
Never liked it back in the day, don't like it now. Always loved Annie Lennox and Eurythmics, so the Sweet dreams cover was enough for him to be on my shit list forever. And feel validated now that it's clear he's a fucking shit human. having said that, on a re-listen will admit there's some cool NIN-inspired industrial sounds on here.
I think I gotta go 5 on this. I probably like There's a Riot Goin' On a little more, but this is about as classic as funk rock gets.
Yeah I totally adore this record. Probably my favorite Pixies, but that 4-album run of Surfer Rosa to Trompe le Monde is all incredible.
The first 4 T. Rex albums are pretty much perfection in my opinion. Still listen to them regularly. Such as shame we didn't to see what Bolan would do later in life, because I have no doubt there many more amazing works to come
Yeah I definitely wore out the grooves on my Legend CD as a kid. But as I got older I dove more into the actual Wailers albums and now all my favorite tracks are the obscure ones. And that eventually got into more early ska and rocksteady and still love that stuff too. Anyhow, I definitely dig this album a ton, but its probably like my fourth or fifth favorite
I was expecting to hate this, but I kinda dig a lot of it? Didn't even know those Quiet Riot songs were covers. It's goofy fun but also gets old fast. I actually liked some of the slower ones, like Wonderin' Y, which kinda sounds like an early ELO track
This is probably my favorite Beasties records. Sure, it's got some all time bangers, but I just love the diversity of sounds and genres getting mashed up here so masterfully. Been a while since I did full relisten and still sounds so fresh, I feel like it could come out tomorrow and have the same impact
As a jazz fan, this is one of those albums that I've always heard of it and have thought I really gotta check it out one day but just never have for whatever reason. I'm glad I did though because it's totally incredible. And the history is even more incredible, considering he almost didn't play that night, improvised the whole thing and his piano pedals were broken. It's obviously the kinda record you gotta be in the mood for given it's just a dude and a piano. But man, it's good stuff
One of the strongest debuts of all time, practically every song became a hit. I've obviously heard so many of the tracks so many times that I don't exactly ever throw this album on anymore these days. But think you gotta safely say this was a straight up new wave pop rock masterpiece
I mean no denying this was a strong debut. Some solid fun tracks. And cool that Grohl had this so ready to go after Niravana. But to consider this one the greatest albums of all time is pretty odd to me
Yeah I love this album. Probably Pixies at their most garage rocky. It's maybe my least favorite of their Surfer Rosa to Trompe le Monde run, but I think all four of those records are basically masterpieces. So I gotta go 5
A little embarrassed to admit after hearing this album referenced my whole life that this was the only time I can remember ever listening to the whole thing in one sitting. I know some of the tracks of course, especially the first three. Having listened to it, I definitely dig it, and it probably deserves a 5, but I feel like it passed me by, so 4 is best I can do
Haven't listened to all of them but probably my favorite Parliament before it all starts to get a little too goofy and jam-bandy for me. I don't dig this as much as Funkadelic's Maggot Brain, but this is a fun as hell funky good time.
It's funny I was just talking last week to a friend about how, outside a handful of songs, I've never been able to get into Steely Dan despite trying many times. I can tell the compositions and production are masterful, but it sounds like dad rock made by jazz professors to me--but like not as cool as that sounds. But I probably dig this album more than like Aja or something, because it has more obvious radio-friendly tracks.
I mean this as about as masterpiece-y as albums get for me. I'd probably put this on my top 10 of all time. I think it's the most cohesive statement The Beatles ever made as an album, with themes and motifs running throughout. And the second-half suite starting with "You Never Give Me Your Money" through "The End" is just such a brilliant way for them to go out. My favorite thing they ever did.
I don't believe I'd ever heard Prefab Sprout. I don't hate it, but definitely not really my thing. A little too goofy and dated sounding for me, but can tell they're talented
Yeah I definitely think this is pretty much a perfect record. And would rank it up with D'Angelo's work and Amy Winehouse's Back to Black as one of the best neo-soul albums ever made. It's a shame it's the only thing she ever did after the Fugees, but glad we at least got this masterpiece
Wow, I love Ella Fitzgerald, but no way I'm listening to this whole thing. Never really explored her albums, I basically just know her like "best of" compilation stuff, and I think that's all I need.
Yeah, pretty much adore everything thing these guys do. Their only albums I don't consider masterpieces are Pablo Honey and King of Limbs. I dig every track here. I can remember listening to this in the Bush era when it came out, and was immediately floored by the opener "2 + 2 = 5", which was the strongest political statement they had made at the time. The whole sounds just as timeless and relevant as the day it came out to my ears. And this also has some of my deeper cut favorites like "A Wolf at the Door" and "We Suck Young Blood". Easy 5 for me
I didn't get into Patti Smith until the last few years tbh. She's someone I could tell I would always dig, but has just taken me forever to come around to exploring her work. And I've still only scratched the surface. She kinda reminds me of Nick Cave in a way. Someone who is effortlessly cool and is a legend with a large body of work that I didn't get into until later in life. I hear her books are great too, but once you get into them they just keep getting better. Anyhow, this is a masterpiece in my mind, even if I didn't realize that until somewhat recently.
I totally love The Beta Band and think they have a timeless sound that blends trip hop and art rock. I think I'd probably more rate this more like a 4.5, but I'm gonna go 5 because I still frequently throw this album on, along with The Three E.P.s.
Yeah, I mean doesn't get much better than this as far as live albums go. I always feel a little weird putting live albums on lists like this, because I feel like they should be their own separate list. Unless they were an original album recorded with a live audience like Kick Out The Jams or Tom Waits' Nighthawks at the Diner or something. Anyhow, easily one of the best live albums of all time. It has to get a 5 from me
