Journey in Progress
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219
Albums Rated
3.46
Avg Rating
57
5-Star Albums
20%
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870 albums remaining
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275
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Reviews
218
Written
100%
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0.17
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3.46
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1970s
Favorite Decade
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12
1-Star Albums
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Rating Style
You Love More Than Most
Albums you rated higher than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Destroyer | 5 | 2.86 | +2.14 |
| Good Old Boys | 5 | 2.86 | +2.14 |
| Vauxhall And I | 5 | 2.96 | +2.04 |
| Imperial Bedroom | 5 | 3 | +2 |
| Exile In Guyville | 5 | 3.02 | +1.98 |
| Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo | 5 | 3.12 | +1.88 |
| Dust | 5 | 3.16 | +1.84 |
| Miriam Makeba | 5 | 3.19 | +1.81 |
| Songs Of Love And Hate | 5 | 3.21 | +1.79 |
| Here, My Dear | 5 | 3.21 | +1.79 |
You Love Less Than Most
Albums you rated lower than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Hymns | 1 | 3.35 | -2.35 |
| Mott | 1 | 2.95 | -1.95 |
| Master Of Puppets | 2 | 3.73 | -1.73 |
| Master Of Puppets | 2 | 3.73 | -1.73 |
| Californication | 2 | 3.71 | -1.71 |
| Dr. Octagonecologyst | 1 | 2.69 | -1.69 |
| Space Ritual | 1 | 2.68 | -1.68 |
| Highway to Hell | 2 | 3.66 | -1.66 |
| Bayou Country | 2 | 3.66 | -1.66 |
| Live At The Witch Trials | 1 | 2.64 | -1.64 |
Artist Analysis
Favorite Artists
Artists with 2+ albums and high weighted score
| Artist | Albums | Avg | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Sabbath | 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Leonard Cohen | 3 | 4.67 | 3.83 |
| The Band | 2 | 5 | 3.8 |
| Led Zeppelin | 2 | 5 | 3.8 |
5-Star Albums (57)
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Popular Reviews
KISS
5/5
This album kinda rules, it's what I wanted outta AC/DC. It does everything AC/DC was trying to do but better: guitar solos, simple song structures, singing bout your dong AND Beth is a great ballad. I'm close to a 5 on this and I can't wait to find it in a $3 used record bin someday. Fuck it, it's a 5 in honor of Gene Simmon's tongue
1 likes
Morrissey
5/5
I love most of this record. Only exception is Lifeguard Sleeping, Girl Drowning and that's because Morrissey is just too whispery and melodramatic - "she was, nobody's nothing" is a lyric made for sad boy/girl tumblr. Other than that though, this is a really strong record. I'm feeling a light 5/5 on this
1 likes
Pere Ubu
4/5
Can't imagine that this one is rated highly by the masses, but I enjoyed the unhinged punk shit in here. I think it's something about Ohio bands that I like. There's Devo and then there's this band. How did this band even get a record contract? I don't know but I'm feeling a direct connection to that Suicide record from a long time ago but this time I liked it. Idk probably because I was warned about this record beforehand. Weird shit 4/5
1 likes
1-Star Albums (12)
All Ratings
Amy Winehouse
3/5
Neil Young
3/5
Back half better than first half
Nick Drake
3/5
Probably would like it with another couple listens. The instrumentals are good
B.B. King
4/5
Fun blues BB king sounds great the whole way through
Miriam Makeba
5/5
Awesome South African music, such a good singer and the songs are beautiful
Queen
2/5
Disappointed. It’s Queen, but they get so much better on the next albums. Great musicians but the songs just aren’t as strong
Big Brother & The Holding Company
2/5
Probably was pretty cool in 60s, but now sounds really dated. Janis kinda sounds like Marge Simpson on a lot of this. Sometimes it works though, but mostly this isn't a great record. I'd stick to the singles
SZA
2/5
Not really my thing. Production is cool and some interesting songs, most of the lyrics aren’t relatable for me
Madonna
5/5
Great from t
Dr. Octagon
1/5
Pretty bad and really stupid. Production is cool, but can't get over the terrible lyrics
Metallica
2/5
It was alright. Not a big metallica fan in general. The riffs become monotonous after a while. Master of Puppets is still a classic song though
Norah Jones
3/5
Really good singing and playing here just not my usual music genre.
Jack White
4/5
Singles are great. Album is very good. This was way better than I remember when it first came out. He’s had even better records and this one gets overlooked, but it stands on its own. Jack white is so good at creating his own little electric blues rock fantasy world on his albums
Big Brother & The Holding Company
2/5
Probably was cool in the 60s. Not very good sound and pretty run of the mill blues rock. Janis sounds like Marge Simpson sometimes.
Leonard Cohen
4/5
Great album. Great storytelling. Great vocals, dynamic even when constrained
Prince
4/5
Great album. Opener is great. Beautiful ones is great. Darling Nicki is what I imagined every prince song to sound like. Side 2 to this record is even better. Only criticism is that sometimes the synths sound a little too ghostbusters, but ghostbusters kinda rules so whatever. I like princes shrieking on some of the tracks here, so good. Purple rain alone would have made this album worth listening to
Tears For Fears
3/5
Good: synths tasty, hits hit, good 80s
Bad: some of the sins are long and kinda boring
Goldie
1/5
The pros: Guinea pig noises on kemistry around 2:30, proto-wubs on the last song
Cons: 2 hours long, sounds like AI music, and the singing is bad
The Smiths
3/5
Songs very distinct. Happy guitar, sad morrisey. One day I’ll love this band, but for now I only like them
Derek & The Dominos
4/5
Going into this album, I expected to kinda like most of the songs just based on Layla. I ended up liking even more of this record than I thought I would. Clapton (and Allman) are better guitarists than I had given them credit for.
I was worried that this record was going to be an hour-long geetar circlejerk, but it's not. The songs are good and the guitar, at least for the most part, serves them well.
Lyrical content is pretty exclusively about trying to smush George Harrison's wife and it's only thinly veiled - Derek = Eric, Layla = Patti Boyd. I wish George made a counter record to this. The whole love triangle might be the best british rock lore out there.
This album definitely deserves it's spot on the list. I struggled between a 3 and a 4, but then Layla came on. It's a light 4.
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Highlights: Bell Bottom Blues, Keep On Growing, Key To The Highway, Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad, Little Wing (way better cover than I thought it would be), Layla
Stinkers: Have You Ever Loved A Woman?
--------------------------------
My Rating Scale:
1 - Trash. Why is it on this list?
2 - Mostly disliked, some good/great tracks
3 - Mostly liked, some exceptions
4 - It's great, with one or two misses allowed
5 - Masterpiece
Marty Robbins
4/5
For an album old enough to be pulling social security checks, it holds up pretty well. Marty Robbins lyrics center around 3 themes: God, guns, and dying. The songwriting is straightforward, guitar fills in the space that Marty isn't using.
Album cover screams clearance record bin.
Nothing spectacular, but this is a good record if you're looking to do some driving or relax by a camp-fire somewhere.
------------------------------
Highlights: Big Iron, Cool Water, The Master's Call, The Hanging Tree, El Paso
Stinkers: None of them are that bad, maybe Billy the Kidd.
--------------------------------
My Rating Scale:
1 - Trash. Why is it on this list?
2 - Mostly disliked, some good/great tracks
3 - Mostly liked, some exceptions
4 - It's great, with one or two misses allowed
5 - Masterpiece
Dirty Projectors
2/5
I’d rather listen to vampire weekend. Album sounds great and the playing with time is cool along with the angular guitar riffs throughout, but this doesn’t really do it for me. Mr. Projector sure knows his way around a DAW (please teach me btw), but maybe having an outside producer would’ve helped them with creating a more cohesive project. There’s something here, but it feels more like noodling on a MacBook than anything else.
The Replacements
5/5
Is this a 5/5? It might be, the songs are great, earnest, and the album sequencing is near-perfect. I will dare is such a great opener, followed by favorite things is so good. I love Androgynous too. This album picks up right where The Clash left off for me. I love this record
Linkin Park
2/5
This album was everywhere - but it really hasn’t aged well. Corndog lyrics and fat sausage compression everywhere. This album must’ve been great when you’re 13
Good songs are the singles: Papercut, Crawling, In the End, and One Step Closer. Didn’t mind a Place for my head and Forgotten either. The other tracks are weak and don’t do anything for me.
It’s not a great record, but I like this Linkin Park more than the U2-rips of their later stuff that I’ve heard. Solid 2/5
Orbital
3/5
This was so much better than I thought it would be after rolling the horrid Goldie album last week. The songs were still too long in places without much variation, but I enjoyed them still this time.
I can’t overstate how much I didn’t want to listen to this, and how relieved I am to have enjoyed it
Favorite song was Kein Trink Wasser
The xx
3/5
Only knew islands and the intro song before coming into this, and after VCR I wasn’t sure about this record. I ended saving about half the songs. This album is a particular type of vibe and if you’re in the mood it’s great. I don’t think this is an absolute must listen though. Still good. Strong 3/5
David Bowie
4/5
This took multiple listens to get into. This isn’t the David Bowie I was familiar with on Ziggy Stardust and it’s kinda hard to believe that these albums are only a couple of years apart.
Production on this record is great. Bass is jumping and grooving. Drums sound explosive. Synths hold up to this day. If all bajillion of the records Bowie has on this list are this high-quality, then I’m game for them.
Highlights: speed of Life, Breaking Glass, Sound and Vision, always crashing in the same car, be my wife, warszawa, subterraneans
Stinkers: none really - weeping wall was my least favorite though.
Feeling strong 4/5. Couple more listens and this might be a 5/5 too.
Mack rating prediction: 5/5
Dr. Dre
2/5
Lyrics mostly about guns and wieners. Production is good and yeah it makes sense to be on this list, but there's not much here I enjoy. Too long, the skits are trash, and won't revisit this again. If I'm listening to hip hop from this era I'm going for something else. Probs not west coast at all cause it all got infected by Dre at some point in the 90s. Give me something like Public Enemy or Paul's Boutique instead any day. Ice Cube is better too. Weak 2/5
Scritti Politti
1/5
One minute it's shitty wham, next it's shitty MJ, then it's some other shitty rip. How does an album like this get on this list? What context am I missing here?
This is so bad. This may be the worst album I've ever heard. Why the fuck shouldn't I be able to die without hearing this?
Only positive is that it isn't that long. Holy shit this thing sucked. Listening to it is a human rights violation, they should be playing this at gitmo
Leftfield
2/5
another british dance album... seriously...... 2/5, please no more. its not even bad, just bored
Steely Dan
4/5
These songs are great, not a dud on this record. Close to a 5 on this, but this just isn’t what I’d reach for when I’m putting something on. With enough listens this’ll probably become a 5 for me. Strong 4
Beatles
3/5
This is good not great. We have 5 better Beatles albums to go, this one feels like filler. I’m sure this killed on Ed Sullivan but meh now. Michelle, in my life, and girl are good. Most songs are good, but not great.
John Prine
5/5
I love everything about John Prine. I love the simple arrangements and the pithy lyrics. I wish we also got Bruised Orange on this list. 5/5 and I will always have a place for these songs.
Your flag decal won’t get you into heaven anymore is relevant today just switch the lyrics around a little to “red hats”
Jefferson Airplane
2/5
They lost me with the first song. I do not like this it’s old and only on here because it was famous for being some first hippy music. The singles were good but otherwise I do not care for it. Low 2/5, bummed about it because somebody to love and white rabbit are both so good.
Steve Earle
3/5
I liked this more than I thought I would based on the description. I like the twangy guitar and the songwriting was pretty good. Only song I really didn’t care for was Little Rock N Roller.
I see a direct line from this to Tyler Childers today. Strong 3/5
Chicago
3/5
The introduction kills and then up until the last 1/4 of the record it’s so good EXCEPT free form guitar is a pile of dogshit that completely took me out of enjoying the record.
There’s something about a fat, mid-heavy bass line that I love and it’s all over this record. Throw in some hype horn hits and this band is such a good concept. I feel like they kinda get overlooked now - especially with how many records they sold over the course of like 30 years.
The last 1/4 of the record is just a big ass jam that never ends, not bad but idk why they included it. With a couple cuts I think this is at or close to a 5/5 but there’s not a chance I can go higher than a strong 3/5 with free form guitar on the track list.
M.I.A.
2/5
Do not recommend listening to this in the car, this is headphone music. Idk there’s some cool stuff on here, like the closer with Timbaland - even with how dated it sounds, but most of the record MIA seemed bored. I think I’ll stick to Paper Planes and maybe the closer. Bird flu is alright too. The Pixies interpolation hurt my soul, you play a dangerous game when you use source material that’s better than what you’re doing. Just made me want to listen to Pixies
Charles Mingus
5/5
This was great to listen to. Mingus brings you along through and entire jazzy story. I enjoyed this record so much, but I agree with corbobb that there’s better Mingus out there (Mingus Ah Um imo) still feeling a 5/5 on this, I’ll definitely be listening to this again. Mingus forever!
ZZ Top
2/5
Definition of cock rock, but I like legs so weak 2/5. Won’t revisit
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
I expected this to be kinda lame because Simon and Garfunkel are lame. Maybe not though, this was pretty good white bread music. Silent night must’ve blown the nips off people in the mid 60s but the current events rapid fire over a hymn doesn’t hit so hard 60 years later. Overall I did really like this album, I like Graceland more though. Between a strong 3 and light 4, but going with a 4 because Artie deserves it. Paul Simon sounds like a dick - Art kinda does too idk
Hugh Masekela
3/5
I fell asleep on 3 separate occasions listening to this - still pretty good tho
Dusty Springfield
3/5
At first I really thought this album sucked - the songs are super campy. Then I listened again and realized that these songs are, for the most part, really good. This album does suffer from being a collection of singles with no real cohesion, but there are a lot of good ones lurking: when the love light starts shining thru his eyes, twenty-four hours from Tulsa, anyone who had a heart, actually most of these are great. Colouring book is not one of them though, that’s a stinker. Too many songs but I did listen to the expanded edition cause so not really holding it against our girl Dusty.
We all know what the lyrics “hold him and kiss him” mean, right? 60s lyrics are great
Mudhoney
2/5
Good-ish But Doesn’t Feel Amazing
Raekwon
3/5
Look this thing is too long and the Raekwon talks too much in the skits, but there's something about this I really like. I like the contrast with Ghostface on just about every song, except Rainy Dayz. That was kinda buns and went on too long. I really liked Verbal Intercourse once they got done with the gibberish. There's just a shit ton of songs on here
Probably won't revisit though unless I get super into Wu-Tang, which if it could happen to Shkreli, it can happen to anybody.
King Crimson
3/5
I love this LARP shit, but no one can love Moonlight. Strong 3/5 would’ve been a 4 if not for that 5 minutes of garbage. Seriously it’s like they just wanted to waste some studio hours
Tom Waits
4/5
Really enjoyed my first listen of this. Obligatory comment about his raspy voice. Lyrics are so engaging if you can discern what he’s growling at you - “there ain’t no devil, just god when he’s drunk.” Musically this album is great too, lumbering blues and jazzy chords evoke a smoke-filled nightclub.
I’m gonna have to listen to this a couple more times and I bet I’m gonna love it even more, but for now I’m feeling a healthy 4/5
Mercury Rev
3/5
Didn’t care for the first 3 songs but then it started to pick up for me a bit. Goddess on a Hiway is a good rocker and I pretty much enjoyed every song after that as well. Probably won’t revisit though except for the singles. Another 3/5 for me
Steely Dan
4/5
Is this better than the debut? Idk, but someone else could make that argument and they might not be wrong. I love the compact songs here - 11 songs 33 minutes that’s what I’m talking about.
Favorites are Rikki Don’t lose that number, night by night, with a gun, and Charlie freak.
Strong 4/5
Sly & The Family Stone
4/5
The mix is dirt but it’s good dirt. This is darker funk and I really like it. I’ll definitely be listening to this whole thing again. A solid 4/5 from me
Blondie
5/5
This is some of the best power-pop out there. Hanging on the Telephone is such a great opener from the staccato vocals to the sneaky little keyboards in there to the short and forceful guitar solo, its so good. It's a little harder to hear One Way or Another after growing up with it in so many movies and ads, but it's still a great song and you can't sleep on the guitar solo in this either.
Fade away and radiate is a grower and a shower. Will anything happen is some good punky-pop, some might say pop-punk.
Heart of Glass is one of the best pop songs. Is this what disco could've been?
Every song on here does something for me. 5/5
Debbie Harry is so cool
Black Sabbath
5/5
5/5 every song saved except Rat Salad which was still a great break on the album
No one crushes a riff like Black Sabbath. Bands have based their entire music career on this record, and these dudes cranked this out in the studio in 2 days. Whatever they say about Black Sabbath is true, they’re the best heavy metal band of all time.
Radiohead
5/5
It’s a 5 duh
The Shamen
1/5
We were due for another boring UK electronic album
Soul II Soul
2/5
Dance sounds like flight of the concords which I found amusing.
If I were in a club in the early 90s then maybe this wouldn’t have been as boring and monotonous, but I’m not so it was.
Also what is going on with track names on this album? We get Dance and African Dance? Feeling free and feel free?
Boston
5/5
Ah the sweet embrace of primo dad rock. Does every song sound the same? Yes. Do I love that one 37 minute song? Yes. Do I sing these songs in the car when all I have is the classic rock radio station? I try
Absolutely impressive on a technical level that this was created in a basement by an MIT educated Polaroid man deceiving his record label that they were in a professional studio the whole time instead. The guitars are so loud in the mix, but that’s what I came here for. That doesn’t mean that the singing is anything to stick your nose up at though, this guy has some serious pipes.
Look, I’m going to give pretty much anything approaching power pop a pretty high score and that’s something you need to know about me. We’re going with a soft 5/5 on this one. Absolutely something you should hear before you kick the bucket
3/5
Let’s get this out of the way. It’s long and the first 45 minutes don’t really do much for me - except for Desolation Row. I love that song and still do after a 11:30 minutes of a live performance.
This really kicks into gear when the full band comes out, Dylan’s voice is louder and the way he’s sneering into the mic as he delivers a billion lyrics over his super long songs somehow works for me.
All in all, I get that this is a touchstone for music. It has moments of greatness and I like where he’s going not so much where he started. Strong 3/5
Suicide
3/5
This is a tough one. On one hand I hear so much of what I love later from the near future like bauhaus to the 90s where nine inch nails take the torch. I will say that I don’t know how these guys got a record contract because this is such an unsettling album with no commercial value.
I like most of these songs I really do, I don’t know if I can ever “like” Frankie teardrop but damn if that didn’t make me feel something.
This should be on the list even if it’s not enjoyable. Another strong 3/5
Frank Sinatra
2/5
Is this relaxing or is this just boring? Idk man, i like big band frank more and bossa nova without frank more as well. 2/5
Electric Light Orchestra
5/5
One of the first questions when I see a double album is would this be better if they trimmed it down to make one amazing record? In this case, I don’t think so. I don’t think you could lose a single song from the concerto for a rainy day and that’s a whole side right there.
I do think we suffer a little from streaming this rather than having the physical album to help define how each side of this album fits together. The first side kicks off with like 5 bangers in a row. Turn to stone tells you everything you need to know about what you’re in for - orchestral strings mixed with rock n roll, an electric light orchestra if you will. I love the horns in across the border and the almost doo-wop sweet talking woman before it.
Side two is a little more varied in sound, but still unmistakably ELO. A little disco here, little soft rock here, whatever Jungle is too. I think this side adds great variety and is where I’m going to continue to find some of my favorite deep cuts from this record.
Now if we had the physical vinyl of this we’d have a short break while changing the record before we hit what might be there MO - the concerto for a rainy day. I need this on vinyl because I could wake up and just listen to these next 4 tracks and they make a great little unit within the overall record. Out this batch I have to say Mr. Blue Sky is still my favorite, and is one of the best songs from the 70s overall imo, but Summer and Lightning was new to me and is a close second.
By side 4 we’ve listened to a lot of ELO but they aren’t out of ideas yet, sweet is the night is so soothing, even with its melancholic, yet hopeful lyrics. We do get what might be the only cuts from the album I’d make here with the whale and Birmingham blues but even then I don’t mind these. Wild West hero is kinda funny, wants to be a little cowboy on the prairie roaming around - I like it.
Yes I felt the need to go through each side because I get the ELO fatigue that can happen on this record but it’s such a landmark of the 70s rocksphere that I think it deserves it. I haven’t even mentioned the vocoder yet, but yeah it’s there and it’s great. And look at that giant spaceship on the cover - was that just a 70s thing? I’m into it. There’s only a couple of other double albums that I think match this - London Calling being one of them, can’t wait for that one and Songs in the Key of Life as well. Anyway my review is now the length of this ELO album. 5/5
Al Green
3/5
This was alright, idk it’s not my thing
Buzzcocks
3/5
So I really wanted to like this more than I did because of how much I love Ever Fallen In Love, I Believe, and a couple others. Some of the highlights from this album for me were Fast Cars, I need, Orgasm Addict, Whatever Happened to...? I think this is a grower album for me because I like it the more I hear it which I find kinda strange since this is such a straightforward album, what you hear is what you get. Right now though I'm feeling a 3/5 on this. Definitely makes sense to have this band on the list given how many bands took up after them, but this isn't my favorite record from this period.
Leonard Cohen
5/5
2nd Leonard Cohen album. You Want it Darker was probably the wrong intro into Cohen, but I loved that record so I have high hopes for this bad boy. He actually sings on this one, but don't expect a wide range here.
Starts with a classic - Suzanne. Didn't take long to get some biblical references did it?
An issue with this project is that we don't get a whole lot of time to dig into the lyrics of each album that we get, and this is certainly one that I want to read along while I listen to it.
Really enjoyed these songs: Suzanne, Master Song, Stranger Song, Sisters of Mercy, So Long Marianne, Teachers, and One of Us Cannot Be Wrong. That's almost the whole album. I liked the others but not as much.
Guitar picking on this is simple and so good.
The closer might be my favorite. I think this Cohen guy is going places. Feeling a 5/5 on this, another one I wish I had on Vinyl
Portishead
3/5
I'm gonna say it, on this one UK electronic album, I could use less vocals and I think I'd really be into it. To be fair though, this probably doesn't count as an electronic album. Feels like one though
The instrumentals are really cool, definitely hasn't been helped by the deluge of chill lo-fi hip-hop beats to relax to, but this being the source of that is cool. I get why this is on the list, must've blown some minds when it came out.
That being said will I return to this, probably not? But now I can say I've listened to Portishead and that's gotta make me 1% cooler than I was before. By far the best record of this ilk that we've gotten on this project. I'm lumping it in with Goldie and that Leftism album, but this one is way better. Can't wait for some nerd to tell me that's not a fair comparison but whatever 3/5
Mj Cole
1/5
Couldn’t get through all of it. Tapped out on Radio Interlude. I don’t need to hear this before I die. 1/5
The Charlatans
4/5
This was some good British 90s rock best played loud. Probably will keep listening to this album. I liked almost every song here, cept the closer. Rob didn’t need a theme. Straight 4/5
Steely Dan
4/5
I may be all Danned out at this point. Once again the record sounds amazing and there’s some great highlights here like Deacon Blues, Josie, Peg. Liked the groove on Home at Last a lot too. If we got this one first it would’ve been a 5, but I’m tired now. Immaculate 4/5
John Lee Hooker
4/5
I’m way behind on albums and I wasn’t excited for this one. Blues isn’t really my thing but this record kinda ruled. I really liked the simulated live atmosphere of this record and it wasn’t super long. Top tracks were the one with Bonnie Ratt and also the Los Lobos track. 4/5
Belle & Sebastian
4/5
Totally new to me and was pleasantly surprised. This picks up where nick drake left off but makes it a little more rockin if you can call it that. Seems like it’s best enjoyed as a whole album, it strikes a similar tone across the whole record. Light 4/5
Van Morrison
3/5
Opens with The Weight 2.0 which is not a bad thing. I still have a soft spot for the title track and caravan’s good too. I’m not a big Van Morrison fan but it reminds me of one of the old dudes I played disc golf with in Florida who’d play it all the time out on the links so for that I give it a decent 3/5
AC/DC
2/5
Boy was this dumb. I don’t get why this was so popular. It’s loud but not in a good way, I would definitely dial to a different classic rock station if I heard this on the radio. That being said I bet it was fun to play for them so light 2/5
Leonard Cohen
5/5
This is a great album. I want more time to listen to it. The opener avalanche and famous blue raincoat are the best that any singer-songwriter has to offer. This is an improvement on his debut, but I guess Cohen didn’t agree saying that it was overproduced and a failed experiment. I disagree and give it a light 5/5. I could spend time with Leonard every day
5/5
I love this record and how much it steals from every rock band before them. 2/3s of the songs on here could be singles and the swamp songs are good breaks. It’s loud guitar music with nasally simple vocals meant to be sung along to, it’s great. 5/5 no complaints
Metallica
3/5
I do like these songs for the most part, mostly as background music though. One rules and Kirk's guitar solos are crazy on this album, but damn this mix is still terrible. Justice for Jason! 3/5 wouldv'e been 4 if the mix didn't sound like it was created for tin cans only
Robert Wyatt
1/5
What a waste of time! 1/5
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
2/5
Good musicians, bad choices 2/5
Beatles
5/5
Nothing to add, love the medley.
The Beach Boys
4/5
Way better than I expected for a beach boys album. You can see how Brian ended up at pet sounds after this. You can’t beat their harmonies, truly the best.
The Cult
3/5
We’re chugging through a bunch of albums today to catch up, so nothing too in-depth. Good thing this album is superficial cock rock. Better than AC/DC, worse than Billy Idol. Another signature fat sausage mix by Rick Rubin, Jesus Christ
The Zombies
4/5
This is really good. Melodies and harmonies are among the best the Beatles or beach boys had and it was cool to get all three artists so close together during this project. Overlooked band that has some really sweet songs
Talking Heads
2/5
I'm a hits guy. Maybe I'll love one of their other records, but I just don't get the appeal of this album
Sepultura
4/5
Still making my way back through all the albums I've missed. Wasn't happy to see that this was like 75 minutes long, but this thing kinda rocks. Definitely influenced Gojira, who are probably my favorite metal band. Definitely also influenced Slipknot. These dudes were grooving so early, a lot of what I thought was started by Pantera may've been these dudes instead. Only two complaints, first, what the hell is that closing track, why is it 13 minutes of nothing. second, sometimes this strays into caveman oonga-bunga chanting. It's funny, but also a little cringey. A groovy 4/5 for me. So much better than listening to David Byrne free associate cities
Malcolm McLaren
4/5
Dang I really liked this, it was pretty zany but I felt like it was the clear precursor to Graceland (and just as exploitative of S. African musicians). Only song I didn't enjoy was the closer, that was a total miss and why we're now at a soft 4/5. Albums like this are why this project is still fun, never heard of this guy before
R.E.M.
4/5
Front loaded with a lot of hits, lost me a bit on the second half. Still a 4/5 record
The Young Gods
3/5
Nine Inch Nails with French Tom Waits - honestly not the worst, but also something I don't ever think I'll gravitate towards. Mid 3/5, worth the listen, but I'll take Mr Reznor instead
Marvin Gaye
4/5
Sexy
Fela Kuti
5/5
I've been putting this one off for a while and I was missing out. This album is so excellent and groovy. I may not listen to an individual song from this again, but I would certainly through this on. I'm really impressed at how engaging this is and I don't understand any of the (sparse) lyrics on this thing. Light 5/5, totally needed to hear this
The Who
3/5
Starts off so strong and falls off so hard after that at first I thought this was included only for Baba O’riley. Then we got to the last 3 song run and all 3 of those were fantastic. Tough cause the middle is so meh. Strong 3/5, but could’ve been the strongest EP of all time if it were just those 4 tracks
Maxwell
4/5
Starts off with some pretty lame Muzak but then once it gets into the groove I’m into it. Bass is thumping and Mr Maxwell is horny as hell, good RnB. Not my thing, but it’s definitely good. Light 4/5
KISS
5/5
This album kinda rules, it's what I wanted outta AC/DC. It does everything AC/DC was trying to do but better: guitar solos, simple song structures, singing bout your dong AND Beth is a great ballad. I'm close to a 5 on this and I can't wait to find it in a $3 used record bin someday. Fuck it, it's a 5 in honor of Gene Simmon's tongue
Public Enemy
5/5
Very very strong record. Beats are slapping, Chuck D's lyrics are just as relevant (oops), and Flavor is cold lampin his way around this bad boy. Soft 5/5 only because I think "It takes a nation..." is a little better
Public Image Ltd.
1/5
Fuck this piece of shit album. I thought I liked some PiL songs but after this I will never listen to them or even the Sex Pistols again. Absolute garbage. 1/5
Marvin Gaye
5/5
So good. I kinda feel like I’m getting what soul is about after this. Now im excited to get what’s going on? Glad that he wasn’t so horny on this one
Nitin Sawhney
2/5
This was okay, didn’t need to hear it but some of it was pretty interesting. Dimery, including this doesn’t absolve you of ignoring almost the entirety of non-western music. Strong 2/5
Lynyrd Skynyrd
5/5
This thing is loaded and after 10 years of avoiding the skynyrd I’m ready to ease back into it. They are so good at groovin on a blues rock track together. I actually look forward to a guitar solo from these dudes and their keyboardist really holds it together for them. Honestly this record is fantastic 5/5
Dusty Springfield
2/5
Alright with some good moments like in the windmills of my mind or whatever that song was. Combine the other dusty album with this and maybe it’d be worth it have on this list but 2 of them… no way. 2/5
Muddy Waters
2/5
The opening to mannish boy was sweet and then it went on for so long. I really didn’t mind this album, but I also didn’t enjoy this kind of blues. I’ll take that live bb king record over this no problem or the healer too. I did like how ridiculously loud and distorted the harmonica was on this, that was sweet. Mid 2/5
Nina Simone
5/5
Excellent album. I hope there's more Nina Simone on the list. I'll probably revisit this album in it's entirety. Only song that I didn't think was a 5/5 was the opener. Overall still a 5/5 album
Sonic Youth
3/5
Like it don’t love it. Definitely gonna have to listen to it more and then it’ll be a great album, it’s one of those. I liked pacific coast highway, especially when Kim wasn’t singing. Opener was good too, idk I know this is something I’ll get into, give me another sonic youth album dimery and I swear I’ll give it a 5.
Knocking 1 point off because these turkeys bullied nardwuar not once but twice. Going with a 3/5.
Burning Spear
2/5
Forgot I listened to this. Enjoyed it i guess, Marcus Garvey was a fraud tho
Foo Fighters
4/5
I didn't want to hear this, I feel that I've had enough second hand foo fighters for a lifetime and the opener did not help at all with casting off post-nirvana cash grab accusations. I was pleasantly surprised by most of it though. There's a world where Grohl played way more Big Me and For All the Cows type songs and I really wish we got to see that before the descent into xl102.1 arena rock mega-hits. It was Pavement-y and I liked that jangly geetar. Also felt some kyuss/early QOTSA on a song or two in here, another high note. I see now how this side-project turned into his main gig, it's a solid record that's as unfocused and rushed as it probably should be - he didn't know this was gonna blow up like it did, but the songs don't overstay and are pretty catchy. 4/5 that's as high as I can go for any foo fighters record, but this just might be my 2nd favorite one now (behind wasting light, shout out steve)
Bob Dylan
4/5
This was really good, both sides. Just a firehose of lyrics coming at you at all times on this one and I like it even if I have no idea what most of it means. The band was relaxed and fit well with Dylan's nasally voice. This makes me excited for Highway 61 Revisited bc I bet it's more of the side A of this record. Favorite tracks are subterranean homesick blues, on the road again, bob dylans 115th dream, and it's alright ma. strong 4/5 almost into 5/5 territory. I think we could've dropped a verse here and there to tighten some of these up.
The Monkees
2/5
why do their legs look like that? This didn't do it for me, it felt like knock off Beatles. Nothing unlistenable (except maybe zilch), but nothing memorable either, actually the closer was pretty good. 2/5
The Dandy Warhols
2/5
I regret to inform that this record didn’t grab me. It was alright with some good noisy parts but then also some pretty boring cuts as well. Definitely too long. High 2/5
The Black Keys
2/5
Didn’t age well
Bill Evans Trio
3/5
Didn’t get it until Alice in wonderland. Great players but not my thing, definitely sets a nice mood though. 3/5
Franz Ferdinand
2/5
Could’ve had another strokes album but instead we got this. Aright band with one great song. Come on Home was good too. Most of this album reads like bad high school relationship drama, real lame. Feeling a mid 2/5 on this, disappointing
Mike Ladd
1/5
nope, didn't need to hear a lyrical miracle. strong 1/5, won't ever listen to any of this again
Amy Winehouse
3/5
I’ve already gotten this one: Back half better than first half
Kinda wanna revisit this now after listening to 4 months worth of albums as part of this project. No time
David Ackles
4/5
Theater kid music. I am a fan of how dramatic it is and also the lyrics were engaging to me. There’s quite a few artists that I like more that were influenced by this like Elton John, Elvis Costello, and I’d guess Tom Waits too. It does drag at points though like on the Montana song (10 minutes is insane). One night stand is a great song and might be my favorite on the album. I’m feeling a light 4/5
Hawkwind
1/5
Wow that was boring and dated. I can’t recommend this to anyone, except if they’re really into rock music history. These dudes could never get to the point - sounded like not great Black Sabbath for 10 minutes but like only 1 part of a Black Sabbath song. No good. Strong 1/5 - Lemmy hits the bass hard on some of these
Disclaimer: I was not on drugs when I listened to this.
Snoop Dogg
4/5
Way better than I thought it was gonna be after we got the Chronic. Beats are great, of course. There's like a 5 or 6 song run in the beginning with no misses. 1 point deduction for the lyrics, they're funny, but sometimes they're kinda shit: especially when Snoop and the gang have anything to say about women. Murder was the case is the most contemplative I've ever heard mr Dogg. 4/5
The Go-Betweens
3/5
First track was really good (even the lyric about busting) and I was excited for this album, then we got a U2 song, and then a couple Smith songs and a couple REM songs. While the songs were pretty good, I felt like I wasn't getting much that I couldn't get from a band that I like more. I saw some critics saying the two main songwriters in this band were the next McCartney-Lennon. Nope! I'm feeling a 3/5 on this. I did save the first track, that was my favorite.
System Of A Down
5/5
Five fingers for 5 stars. Ridiculous debut album by them. This is a band which anyone who listens to distorted guitars should know, and probably knows at least an album's worth of their songs already. I love whatever modes they're using on this bad boy. I love bands with wide ranging dynamics and SOAD is one of the best to ever do it.
Brian Wilson
2/5
Pretty disappointing. I wanted this to be amazing but it sounds more like pet sounds leftovers at best. Makes me feel sorry for Brian Wilson, this clearly took a lot of work but just isn’t very good. 2/5.
PS I don’t like how this album was “generated” bc Wilson died, rather it be truly a random album no matter what.
Kanye West
5/5
2 things: I’m not a nazi and this is still a masterpiece in a string of masterpieces that Kanye had going for like a decade straight.
Production is so good and over the top, the lyrics are also very good. Kanye was firing at 11 on this one and his features are soo good. Only song that I could do less of is Devil in a new dress, wears on me after a while. I haven’t listened to this since Kanye has been such a piece of shit, but damn this is good. What a crazy way to build a legacy and then fuck it all up over some stupid shit. Fuck you Kanye, but also thank you for making this before you did all that shit because if I had to justify listening to post-kkk Ye it’d be much harder to do. 5/5 no question
Deep Purple
4/5
Deep purple jams way harder than I thought they would. Never gave them a chance until the curators forced me to, and I’m into it. Some of the songs in the middle to end are a little too long but overall this was really good. Prefer the darkness of Black Sabbath but this was still pretty good. Feeling a soft 4/5
Queens of the Stone Age
4/5
Enjoyable. Bass was fatter than I remembered. A little too long imo, but I get that a lot of this is supposed to be droney desert rock. Qotsa have better albums later that I would give a 5 ( Songs for the deaf and Like clockwork for sure) but this is feeling like a strong 4/5
The Band
5/5
One of the best to ever do it. Songs are so dense with each member bringing something unique to it. I prefer the next album but this is still a 5.
Bert Jansch
3/5
Guitar playing on this was so good. I hear a direct line between these songs and the intro to Heart's crazy for you. That being said, this isn't what I'm seeking out normally. Glad to have heard it, will probably forget it though. solid 3/5
Gene Clark
3/5
Yawn. Liked the Tears of Rage cover, didn't enjoy much on this, but didn't dislike it either. One in A Hundred is a good song - proto-Eagles. Light 3/5
Tangerine Dream
2/5
Rather watch a documentary on how they made these sounds than listen to this. 2/5
The Temptations
5/5
Sometimes albums are on this list because of one or two songs (looking at you green onions) and I thought this was going to be one of those with Papa was a rolling stone and then I was thrown completely off guard at the ten second mark of run Charlie run. After that I paid a lot more attention to this record. This thing is so good across the board. This must’ve been such a good show to see this whole album performed. It’s been a while since there’s been an album that I didn’t already know that’s hit this hard for me. I love the Motown sound here (shout-out to the rhythm section), I love the singing, the horns, and the sequencing on this. It didn’t have to be this good and would’ve sold a billion copies, but these guys made something really special. 5/5 now time to read all about this album.
Cypress Hill
3/5
i like the concept of cypress hill more than this record. it's enjoyable but also gets pretty stale even tho it's not a terribly long record. I see why cypress hill plays well with the juggalos now tho. soft 3/5
Queen
5/5
Even though Queen is going to go on to make grander records this one stands on it own. These guys are just song machines and they work so well together - incredible band. This is a 5 on its own and is the beginning of a killer 3 album streak from them. I will absolutely listen to this one again. 5/5
Sarah Vaughan
2/5
I bet this was great to see in a small club, not so great to listen to. I liked hearing another interpretation of just a gigolo. The musical talent is definitely here, but this just isn’t something I’m into. Strong 2/5
Creedence Clearwater Revival
2/5
Had decent expectations for this and totally disappointed. Boring white dude blues rock from a guy out in California pretending to be from Louisiana. Does this really need to be on here? Soft 2
Venom
2/5
Started strong and silly. Teacher's pet was so bad though that I was taken out of this record entirely and now I have to give this album a soft 2/5
The Black Crowes
2/5
Another stinker. The rockers are alright but bland. hard to handle is great, but this album really falls apart on the ballads. Wow so boring and really shows that this band hides behind crunchy guitars and arena rock drum loudness. If you told me that Train wrote the slower songs on here I’d believe it no questions asked. Flaccid 2/5
Miles Davis
4/5
This took some patience. I didn't really get into this until the second section of In A Silent Way. Once the drummer kicked into a groove, it kinda opened the whole album up and gave me a better appreciation of the other parts of this. I swear I've heard the trumpet lick at around the 14 minute mark before, but I can't place it. The final section was so much more satisfying after having that crescendo. I'm not a jazz guy, but I'm interested to see how Davis's next couple records are. I like the direction. I'm feeling a light 4/5
Sonic Youth
3/5
Someone needs to force me to listen to more sonic youth because I will not do it on my own but my life would be marginally better if I liked this band. 3/5
Ute Lemper
2/5
Sounds like a sung-through musical, but not in a good way. How can so many talented musicians poop out such an album as this? Full of cringey lyrics too.
Favorite bad lyric: I got the brain, she supplied the breast.
Split was alright. Light 2/5
Elliott Smith
4/5
I really enjoyed this. Like many our age, I first heard Elliott Smith in the Good Will Hunting soundtrack and I liked those songs but never dug deeper into his stuff. I really like the songwriting here, it gets stuck in my head and his melodies really do something for me. Overarching emotion on this record is melancholy. Highlights were Ballad of Big Nothing, Between the Bars, and Say Yes. Made me want to play acoustic guitar in a coffeeshop. A couple songs at the end didn't grab me as strongly, but I will be returning to this record for sure. Seems like a great late-fall, early-winter record. Strong 4/5.
Beck
4/5
this is good, I like the different styles. E-pro is a classic rock song of the 2000s but this thing is good all the way through. too tired to write more - 4/5
TV On The Radio
2/5
Was okay until the You Could Be Love song, what a dumpster fire of a track. Critic-bait ass album. 2/5
The Associates
2/5
This had to have sounded tired and dated when it first came out. Vocal melodies are atrocious and the instrumentation isn't that much better. Not unlistenable, but definitely bad. Light 2/5.
The Velvet Underground
4/5
I have conflicting feelings about this album. Candy Says is such a beautiful song. What Goes On is also a great song, feels of it's time. I love when Velvet Underground has the driving rhythm and they just vamp on a couple chords. I got lost on the next couple songs. Not feeling Jesus in here. These songs aren't bad or anything, I just don't think they are of the same caliber as the first two.
Then we get to "The Murder Mystery" which starts off excellent and then devolves into the most art-rock 9 minute track of all time. So much talking and then some faux-lounge duet thing going on. Truly the first bad song and it takes so much out of this record.
But then After Hours is a timeless song that I love with all my heart. I really don't know where to rate this because the bookend tracks are so good, but the Murder Mystery is painful. I'll throw a 4 on this, I loved a couple songs. I liked some songs, and only didn't like 1 track. After Hours is soooo good it is an instant +1 on the whole album. 4/5
Boring classic rock. Nothing you haven't heard before. I like Stay With Me for the first two minutes but damn these dudes don't know how to wrap up an idea. 2/5
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
5/5
How did I never hear powderfinger and the rest of the album other than the 2 versions of the same song (which somehow is okay)? Neil Young rules and I will listen to this alone again. 5/5
Yes
3/5
I’m conflicted. Half of this is really good, but then it overstays its welcome and becomes everything that sucks about prog rock. These dudes can clearly play and the bassist is stellar in particular. I think the album gets progressively worse with each song, im feeling a strong 3/5 still though.
Earth, Wind & Fire
3/5
Started strong and then lost me. Funky mess of a mix. Soft 3/5
Nanci Griffith
3/5
This was really forgettable for me. Not bad but not my thing either. Meh 3/5. Someone tell me why it’s on the list please
Depeche Mode
4/5
I think it was how much Richard Blade played Depeche Mode singles that made me not want to listen to this record, but once again Mr. Blade is right, Depeche Mode kinda rules. I saved about half of these songs and would listen to this record straight through again with no complaints... Now can I have some pet shop boys please! Solid 4/5
Green Day
5/5
21 year old Green Day record does not sound like a winning formula…. But it is! Holds up and everything except watername(?) is great. That last song is really bad and sounds like one headlight in the worst way. Still going 5/5 for great pop-punk and lyrics that are as good a Mr Armstrong could ever do. Soft 5/5
UB40
3/5
I really didn't mind this, I thought it was definitely too long, but overall these were some decent jams. No idea why this british reggae album is on this list other than Dimery was around for it. Another exhibit in the long hall of how this list is so overweighted with British groups. soft 3/5
Butthole Surfers
4/5
Why do I like this? 4/5 - sweat loaf forever
The Flaming Lips
5/5
Surprised at how much I enjoyed this. I feel like I missed the window on really getting into bands like this but this was still really good and I think I’m gonna go with a trepidatious light 5/5
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Gonna be around forever - more than half are legendary singles. 100% you should listen to this record. 5/5
Q-Tip
5/5
Thought this started really strong and then it just got even better. I don’t know much Q-Tip and definitely not anything outside Tribe, but this was so good. Dance on Glass is one of the best hip-hop songs I’ve heard this year. This is a 5/5 on all fronts. Production is so good, rapping is so good, features are perfect too. Not a dud on this thing.
Randy Newman
5/5
This is in the top echelon of storytelling albums. There’s John Prine and there’s this album. Only one bugs life, and that’s my man newman. Does he say the n word on this album a couple times, yes he does. He also has a friend in me. Is this some goofy shit, yes but got dang does this do it for this cracker. These songs are so good, he’s such a good songwriter. I love his ability to take something ugly and dissonant and make it beautiful so quickly. I want to hear him in a 10 person room with a piano and PBR on tap. I will not sing the n word I promise, but I also promise to love every second of it. Hearty 5/5. Please give me another Randy Newman album.
The Verve
1/5
I’m not a fan of bittersweet symphony, but that’s the best song on this. It’s all downhill from there. This is a mediocre rock, adult contemporary, shitty lyric heap of trash. You wanna listen to over an hour of oasis rips? Do you crave prepubescent lyrics? Well the Verve want to let you know that they’re here for you. Pick up a copy at your local target.
The production on this seems to only serve the purpose of trying to mask corny lyrics and boring song arrangements. Why is every song so long? Why does his voice have literally no character?
Credit is due to whomever convinced Dimery to include this milk toast, proto-ai slog of an album. 1/5 I will never listen to this again and neither should you.
Sleater-Kinney
3/5
There's a lot to like on here. Angular guitar riffs and lots of energy. No bass which makes me sad, but that's okay. The vocals did wear on me in a way that other female fronted rock bands like screaming females don't. This album took me forever to get all the way through, feeling a 3/5
Billy Bragg
3/5
Like, don't love it. I feel like I've just listened to Bragg preach for an hour. Most of this album kinda went by and I didn't notice too much of it. I find myself usually liking a little bit of this kind of music, but never really get into it. Straight down the road 3/5.
The Police
4/5
Okay, I loved this album with the exception of On Any other Day. The delivered the corniest heap of shit on that track... but I there's so many strong songs on here that it doesn't linger for too long. Both the song before (Walking on the Moon) and the one after (The Bed's Too Big Without You) are top-tier songs. I am so impressed by this 3-piece bands huge sound. Together they are greater than the sum of their parts, which is saying something. Everyone in The Police are at the forefront of their instrument. I love how Sting and Copeland in particular are in this pull/push dynamic where Sting is laying into the beat with his syncopated bass lines and Copeland is as on top of the beat and pushing it as you can get. Very cool, no one sounds like them. Real strong 4/5. Would've been a five without that one stinker
Mudhoney
4/5
Wait I thought I didn't like Mudhoney, am I thinking of the Melvins? This is great and slimy rock. Appropriately named. This must be what grunge is supposed to sound like. Trying to find the original tracklist for this was pretty difficult so I listened to everything on the deluxe that didn't have demo next to it. Feeling a strong 4/5
Black Sabbath
5/5
What more to say that hasn’t already? Such a great debut, in and out in less than 40 minutes and created a whole ecosystem of music. Start of a crazy 4 album run where they evolved so fast. RIP Ozzy 5/5
Nico
3/5
I felt mixed on this one. I love these days (although I prefer when Jackson Browne sings it) and also the winter song. I actually enjoyed most of this record, the arrangements and orchestration was so good. I can't quite decide whether I liked this partly because of Nico's singing or in spite of it. It definitely is unique. I'm feeling a 3 on this, I think if I had spent more time with Tanner in high school I'd like it even more. solid 3/5
Dolly Parton
4/5
Dolly is great and I love how compact this record is. Each song gets enough runtime to shine but never overstays it's welcome. The longest track of the ten, Here I am, is 3:19 and it's also my favorite. The bass line on this track is so cool. Strong 4/5
Aerosmith
4/5
Goddamn Aerosmith is so stupid, but this is another example of what I wish AC/DC sounded like. 2 trucks humping and named Pump... amazingly stupid. The first two tracks are creepy as hell and so dumb. Great. I like that hit on here - all chorus no verses, great idea again mr smith. Anyway's feeling a positive light 4 on it. Not expecting this to be popular with the class
The Band
5/5
This is one of my favorite classic rock albums - probably in my top 20 albums of all time. This is what I love about this thing. I love every song on here, even Jawbone. 5/5 no question for me. If I ever wrote one band-level song I'd be happy forever.
Funkadelic
3/5
One of the most iconic guitar songs of all time followed by some pretty good funky jams. I definitely was really digging this till the literal fart noises on the last track. Wow that was lame. Dropped from at least a strong 4 to a mid 3/5
Hookworms
3/5
Sounded cool, talked over it in the car. 3/5
Paul Simon
5/5
Top ten singer-songwriter. These songs feel so full, I think it's because this dude knows how to write some of the best harmonies in the game. 5/5
Cyndi Lauper
3/5
Love the hits, don't care for the deep cuts. I've heard women do the same affectation that Cyndi does in He's So Unusual before and damn it is so ear-grating. Awful track on an otherwise decent album. Strong 3/5
Beatles
3/5
Have to have every Beatles record on this list, I get it, but this is another example of it's cooler to see where they are going rather than where they are on this record. Their harmonies are incredible, and will only get better from here. John Lennon in particular gets so much better later in their catalogue. So many songs about how they want to hug and kiss girls and then about how these girls are all lame. Feeling a light 3/5
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
5/5
Songs on here are so well crafted, that's the best part of an Elvis Costello record - the songwriting. The worst part is that sometimes his voice can get too sniveling. I'm biased towards the more rocking tracks, but I think I enjoyed every song on here. I'm feeling a soft 5/5
Skunk Anansie
3/5
If this could find a unified direction, this would be a great album rather than some really good songs wrapped in some of the lamest ballads. Surprise enjoyment from this one, best played loud. Strong 3/5
5/5
Unquestionably one of my favorite albums from this project. I only knew a couple Devo songs, but I loved every single song on this. 5/5 no notes.
R.E.M.
5/5
This is the R.E.M. record that I can really get into. The backhalf in particular is just one great song after another. They all play so well together and never try to outshine, they are a great band. I don't think I'll ever be a die hard fan, but I could throw this album on and know that I'll enjoy the whole thing. Soft 5/5
The Offspring
4/5
Never been an Offspring band fan, but always liked some of the singles. That being said this album contains like 80% of those singles and makes up a big chunk of the album from them alone. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this, and totally see how this was a huge success for the band. I do wish there were other Southern California 90s punk on this list but this was a good pick overall. I like the way that they track Dexters voice on here and the overall skate punky sound they got going on here - shout out to the drummer for holding that one beat down. Strong 4/5
James Brown
5/5
How can you go wrong with this? So much energy, only 30 minutes. Never gets old. 5/5
Echo And The Bunnymen
4/5
Only knew later records by them, this one is punky and the bass is really holding down the melodies. I liked this quite a bit. I like where they end up, but this was really cool to hear after that awful Live at the Witch Trials record from the Fall. This is so much better. Also Bill Drummond produced this and I can't wait for us to get KLF. Feeling 4/5
Calexico
4/5
Started great, ended at good. I will revisit. Preliminary 4/5
The Fall
1/5
This did nothing for me and it couldn't end fast enough. Even the studio engineers wanted that last song to end. This is second rate Sex Pistols, who themselves are inferior to the Clash and the Ramones. I'm feeling a strong 1/5
Nirvana
5/5
Maybe the most famous live concert released. Nirvana give us something different than just playing through their songs but acoustically. Two of the biggest highlights on this are the Bowie cover and the Lead Belly one. The Lead Belly one is probably my favorite song on this whole record, it's so good. There are times when Kurt's vocals really struggle, some see that as a positive, but I'm not sure. Sometimes he sounds too close to that Puddle of Mudd singer. Overall though this is a great live album and definitely essential listening, not just for Nirvana fans but really anyone. Deserves it's spot on the list. I have to give this a 5/5
Boards of Canada
3/5
I was warned that I wouldn't like this, but luckily I also got a preview of what I was in for. I really liked this for background working music. I wasn't engaged with it too much but I did like when the bass was boosted and the boomy drums were going. Too long 3/5
Screaming Trees
5/5
So Queensy, I get why Josh Homme had Mark Lanegan featured so many times, natural match. This was a really good record with great guitar tones all over this thing. Songs were good, I liked the heaviness with the psychedelic influences. I'm gonna have to check out more of this band, always confused them with Porcupine Tree. Soft 5/5
Black Sabbath
5/5
So many great heavy riffs. Still proving that they are the foundation of every metal band out there. Changes is such a beautiful song. The band is still full of great new ideas. What the hell is FX? Probably an entire genre sprouted from that too. Obvious 5/5
Björk
3/5
I like the concept of an unhinged Icelandic women making strange pop more than I actually like this album. I really like Human Behavior, but I prefer watching the live version from whatever late show in the 90s it was on. I know there's more Bjork on this list so I'll just say 3/5 on this for now.
Morrissey
5/5
I love most of this record. Only exception is Lifeguard Sleeping, Girl Drowning and that's because Morrissey is just too whispery and melodramatic - "she was, nobody's nothing" is a lyric made for sad boy/girl tumblr. Other than that though, this is a really strong record. I'm feeling a light 5/5 on this
Red Hot Chili Peppers
2/5
Singles band. Sometimes fun and funky, most of the time stupid and interminable. 2/5, most overhyped band I can think of.
Thelonious Monk
3/5
jazzy. 3/5
Travis
3/5
I ended up liking most of this despite the bad artist and record name. Yes it does sound like combo oasis and Radiohead. What is a wonderwall anyway? Good question. 3/5
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
This isn’t my favorite Bruce Springsteen sound, the synths and the drums sound especially dated, but this is heartland rock after all so thats kinda the point in some way I guess. This album spawned 7 singles which is absolutely wild, Springsteen was still on top of the world at this point. The bookend tracks for each side of this record are highlights. Opening with the title track is a great move. I know it’s been overplayed and misunderstood but I absolutely love this song as a story of how fucked up America can be to those it claims to honor most. Side 1’s closer is I’m on Fire. This is probably in my top 25 songs of all time. The hushed, tense vocals and instrumentation is so good. This song is creepy and I love it.
Then we have the two bookends of side 2. No surrender kills live I’m sure and my hometown is classic Bruce on some classic Springsteen topics. Both very good.
Going into this record I think I knew about half the songs already and going out I think those hits are still my favorite tracks although I really did like No Surrender and Bobby Jean on the second side and Downbound Train on the first (very The River of him). I can’t ignore how bad that one song of him going sha lalalala all over it is - Darlington County. Every aspect of that track is boring to bad.
This has to be a 5 for me, even with its flaws this record is just an absolute force. I would still go see Springsteen today. Classic 5/5
The Specials
5/5
Oh so this is where Ska came from? Take this, speed it up, and you got Tim Armstrongs entire discography. This was really good, that bass player is so melodic I couldn’t get enough of it. Definitely started singing some of the hooks in the car. Really fun record, only complaint is that some of the tracks are a little long without introducing new ideas. I get it though, they were just jammin. I also know nothing of the specials, time to Wikipedia. Imma give this a light 5. I like ska adjacent music, this is the first actual ska record that I really enjoyed.
Liz Phair
5/5
Gotta listen to this alone in your bedroom a couple of times. This record is very intimate and I really like this one, it definitely influenced quite a bit of indie music after it like Car Seat Headrest and Soccer Mommy. There’s a ton of songs on here and I like just about every single one. Never Said is such a 90s song, love it and get why it’s the single, but it’s the combo of Fuck and Run and Girls! Girls! Girls! Right in the middle of the record that really does it for me. I’m gonna have to drop a 5 on this one, I know I’m going to keep coming back to this when I’m alone and no one can judge me. 5/5
T. Rex
4/5
I really liked this album, can't think too tired. 4/5
Dire Straits
3/5
Has one of the best guitar songs of all time and then like 10 other mediocre songs. Guitar work on here is all so good and I wish I could play like him but I don't really want to listen to him. 3/5
Pavement
5/5
I love the jangly guitar, the dumpy singing, and almost every song on this record with the exception of Hit the Plane Down... too soon. I enjoy the general vibe of this whole album. 5/5
MC Solaar
3/5
Honestly this was pretty decent even if I didn't understand what was happening at all... although I did hear a couple of pee pee's and doo doo's on here. Did I need to hear this? Probably not, but it was generally enjoyable. Going with a unmoved 3/5
Common
4/5
Definitely enjoyed this album. Hadn’t heard Common before, just knew of him as an elder statesmen of hip hop. Beats great, lyrics great, flows really good. Just toooooo long 4/5
Meat Loaf
5/5
I love this over the top rock opera. So clearly a musical in rock album format, I love this thing. So silly but the playing and singing is just so good it adds to it. 5/5
Pere Ubu
4/5
Can't imagine that this one is rated highly by the masses, but I enjoyed the unhinged punk shit in here. I think it's something about Ohio bands that I like. There's Devo and then there's this band. How did this band even get a record contract? I don't know but I'm feeling a direct connection to that Suicide record from a long time ago but this time I liked it. Idk probably because I was warned about this record beforehand. Weird shit 4/5
Baaba Maal
3/5
Neat, idk why I had to listen to this before I die though. Soft 3/5
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
5/5
I had high hopes for this since the Yeah Yeah Yeahs wrote one of the best songs of all time - Maps, and definitely my favorite song to come out of the early 2000s scene in NYC. I wasn't disappointed this album is really good. I love how the group meshes synth, drum, and guitar into such an interesting post-punk dance soup. I saved more than half this record for future listening and I'll be listening to this in full a couple more times for sure. Really solid and it took so long for me to listen to more Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Great addition to this list, they are keeping on the tradition of NYC art-rock that Talking Heads were doing decades earlier. 5/5
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
2/5
Not entirely devoid of value, but pretty terrible nonetheless. There were times when I couldn’t tell if it was the song or my car’s Bluetooth failing. In the hands of a better vocalist, I could see some of these being okay early white stripes b-sides. Does not deserve a place on this list, but also not total buns. 2/5
Kraftwerk
4/5
Wait this is what Kraftwerk sounds like? I liked this and don't know why I was scared, maybe I was worried it would be too mechanical and not have any emotion. I see exactly how we get to Depeche Mode and Pet Shop Boys in about a decade. Really cool melodies and sounds on this, the electronic drums didn't even suck! 4/5
Lorde
4/5
Started as a 5/5 with the first 3 songs but then it became clearly less inspired as the record went on. For a while I thought this was going to be one of the best pop records and then it got boring with all the same Lorde vocal tricks and dramatic instrumentation. I'm still going with a 4/5, but if Lorde can string together a whole album that's engaging, it'd definitely make it's way into a 5 for me.
Richard Hawley
3/5
Only knew Richard Hawley from an Arctic Monkeys b-side called “You and I” which basically was the basis for Stefan’s songwriting back in high school. It’s worth checking out. Anyway this album is kinda a slow burn for me, I enjoyed most of it and really like his voice. I’m between a strong 3 and a light 4, but I think the last two tracks make me feel closer to a 3. I didn’t really enjoy those as much. Too much singing about feet. Strong 3/5
The Cars
5/5
Total classic from a classic band. These Boston bands kinda have a theme don't they? They come out with a sound and then just kinda make a bunch of records that sound the same - look at Aerosmith (until that weird country that they do later), Boston, and The Cars. I'm not even complaining, this album is really good. They lose me a little right in the middle, but the last couple songs bring it back. I would love to get another Cars record. Just What I Needed is in my top 25 songs of all time and for that and the fact that 75% of this album rips, I must give it a 5/5. These guys have some of the best tone out there, which is good because they aren't breaking any new ground on chord progressions. There's a couple of times on this record where they approach Devo melodies, kinda seems like an early new wave thing to treat anything with a synthesizer as impersonal and robotic. I mean they named themselves the Cars so they must've been aware. Also I have it on good authority (from my mom) that they sounded exactly the same live as they did on the record.
Fleetwood Mac
3/5
How does one go from releasing what might be the best boomer soft-rock album of all time to this bloated heap of half-baked ideas. It's not even that all of this is unlistenable, it just feels like there was so much fat that could've been trimmed. I'm feeling a soft 3/5 on this
Wu-Tang Clan
5/5
Took me a while to get through the whole album, but I'm glad I did. This is a great record that you can just put on and let spin for the whole time. These guys really did find something special. Light 5/5
Louis Prima
5/5
This is one of the most fun albums of all time. I love this, it's as close as I'll ever get to seeing/hearing Louis Prima live. These songs have so much character and Prima does a great job of bringing these to life. He's over the top and I love it. Absolutely a 5/5 and a treat to listen to
Metallica
2/5
Copied from earlier review: It was alright. Not a big metallica fan in general. The riffs become monotonous after a while. Master of Puppets is still a classic song though. Strong 2/5
Eagles
4/5
Solid listen. Like all Eagles records the quality varies throughout the record but here most of the songs land pretty well. Take it Easy will always be one of my favorite 70s rock songs and I will sing along everytime i hear it. The middle of this record did feel like it sagged a little bit, but then we got Peaceful Easy Feeling and everything was good again. I'm feeling a 4/5
Iron Maiden
4/5
I am writing this while on a meeting, but this is a classic for a reason. I love the galloping even if this isn't really something that I'm typically into. I think this is enough Iron Maiden for me, I enjoyed every track here and I'm also glad they didn't add anything else. Cool band, lame album design 4/5
5/5
While I don't think some of the earlier Beatles records are great, there's no denying that this is one of the best records we have. Every one of them are at their best here. I'll admit that some of my enjoyment of this album is that I've heard it a bajillion times and have heard so much analysis about it, but so what it's the fucking beatles. 5/5
Traffic
2/5
Bland prog rock that had me on the first song and then lost me. I can tell these dudes know how to play, but the songs were just boring. Probs hits different if I were a boomer and smoking weak 70s weed. Feeling a 2/5
CHIC
5/5
This was a great time. I enjoyed this the whole way through. I think this is a soft 5/5 for me. The grooves were so good, great record
Norah Jones
3/5
Copy from my review earlier of this: Really good singing and playing here just not my usual music genre. 3/5
Willie Nelson
5/5
Willie Nelson's voice is one of my favorites, I hang on each of his words, especially the ending of Blue Skies... so good. His guitar playing is kinda like David Gilmour in that less is more and that it's just as much about the space between the notes as it is what he's playing. I think each of these covers are made distinctly his and I would recommend this to any friends who may still feel that an album of cover songs shouldn't be a 5/5. Strong 5/5
Stevie Wonder
5/5
A generational talent, I think everyone loves at least one Stevie Wonder song and damn there's a shit ton to pick from. The dude has been living and breathing music his entire life. Too high and Living in the City are 2 songs that I'd never heard before that I really enjoyed. Of course Higher Ground is a staple too. This album just got better as it went on. The playing on this record is so good. He's one of the best at creating the most earworm melodies to some of the best grooves. This is definitely a 5/5
4/5
I think this holds up pretty well. Dude's voice is a little annoying at times rising up into those notes, but on the whole this is a really solid record. I always thought of Muse being the baby of Coldplay and U2, and I think I like them more than at least U2. These guys are good players for sure and they've had quite a few hits along the way. Starlight is still a cute charlie song. I'm feeling a decent 4/5.
U2
2/5
I don't know why we needed this middle tier U2 album. For the most part it's fine, sometimes even good, but too many sha la las and baby lyrics. Feeling a decent 2/5
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
Have to be in a certain mood for this album. The storytelling is certainly interesting and enjoyable, also a bit shocking. O'Malley's bar is 15 minutes of murdering people. All in all I enjoyed this and would go back to it to listen to as a whole and not so much for individual songs. I'm guessing that this is not a popular record on this site. I'm going with a strong 4/5
Paul Simon
2/5
This was so okay. I'm going to stick to Graceland and Simon & garfunkel. Feeling a strong 2/5 on this.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
One of the best debut albums of all time. Good times, bad times might be my favorite Zeppelin song. There's so much here that still sounds great almost 60 years later. Only qualm is that Plant's vocal moaning gets stale by the end of the record. Bonham's drumming is so good that it influenced drumming forever. I think this band is going places 5/5
Elvis Costello
5/5
Yeah this is a great album with so many great songs and personality. He's just as comfortable doing proto-pop-punk as he is doing a slower ballad. Truly a great songwriter. My man Jeff Rosenstock definitely was influenced by this. This deserves a 5/5
Mott The Hoople
1/5
I'm sorry how is this on the list? This was everything bad about glam rock in one album. That first song was nearly unlistenable, but it kinda leveled out later into boring garbage. I know this band has good songs, but I fail to see them here. T. Rex is better. 1/5 what a disappointment
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Better than I thought it would be based on how annoying the Stones usually are. I never got them. They have a cool guitar lick here and there and a couple singles that are decent, but on the whole I just don't understand them. Sticky Fingers though is something I could stand to listen to again. But jesus christ does Mick Jagger make me feel uncomfortable with his lyrics, e.g. Brown Sugar... yuck. Still feeling a 4/5 on this and that's as high as a rolling stones record will ever be for me.