The palpable energy of English youth.

An explosive manifesto of audio. Tom Morello's boundary-pushing guitar riffs compliment Zack de la Rocha’s raw emotion on every track. Unapologetically political and a middle-finger to authority in every way, but certainly can be considered among the best debut albums in rock history.

Landmark album that vaulted West Coast rap into popularity across the US. I am a total sucker for the G-Funk Whistle Synth sound that's showcased so perfectly on the hip-hop albums from the early 90s. Then you add in the deep basslines, smooth melodies, and laid-back style, and you just can't help but bob your head along to the tracks. The Chronic made Snoop Doggy Dogg a household name, and also showcased several others who went on to successful careers. It was a cultural shift and elevated Dr. Dre from a producer to a visionary that set the stage for an entire generation of artists.

Joy Division’s debut album is a haunting and atmospheric masterpiece that helped define post-punk. The stark, reverb-heavy soundscapes create an eerie and isolating mood, perfectly complementing Ian Curtis’ raw, anguished vocals. The bleakness and hopelessness are palpable on every track. Tragically, Curtis’ struggles would cut his life short before the band could fully realize its potential, but Unknown Pleasures remains a timeless and influential work.

4/10 - Have always loved the sound of the Ramones. Unfortunately they have the same beat/riffs for pretty much every song. Obviously a very influential band, but ultimately they come off too "one-note" to me.

influential folk rock album. Highlights: "Chest Fever", "The Weight"

The palpable energy of English youth.

One of the most overrated artists of all-time. The most well-known track (and only single) from this album is a poorly-executed cover of a great song.

Incredible sophomore album. Emotionally-charged vulnerability and quirky pop charm.

Groundbreakingly funky, good arrangements.

Dark, brooding album that essentially established emo/goth rock. Robert Smith's melancholic voice & The Cure's distinctive guitar sound somehow deliver a wistful sadness that carries from track-to-track.

Not the type of stuff I'd listen to normally, but I can definitely appreciate the musical talent on this album.

An explosive manifesto of audio. Tom Morello's boundary-pushing guitar riffs compliment Zack de la Rocha’s raw emotion on every track. Unapologetically political and a middle-finger to authority in every way, but certainly can be considered among the best debut albums in rock history.

Landmark album that vaulted West Coast rap into popularity across the US. I am a total sucker for the G-Funk Whistle Synth sound that's showcased so perfectly on the hip-hop albums from the early 90s. Then you add in the deep basslines, smooth melodies, and laid-back style, and you just can't help but bob your head along to the tracks. The Chronic made Snoop Doggy Dogg a household name, and also showcased several others who went on to successful careers. It was a cultural shift and elevated Dr. Dre from a producer to a visionary that set the stage for an entire generation of artists.

While many punk bands leaned into chaos and confrontation, Buzzcocks were masters of economy - delivering tight, hook-filled songs that are just as angsty as they are catchy. An album that perfectly bridges the raw power of punk with the infectious hooks of pop.

Raï music isn't really my taste.

Joy Division’s debut album is a haunting and atmospheric masterpiece that helped define post-punk. The stark, reverb-heavy soundscapes create an eerie and isolating mood, perfectly complementing Ian Curtis’ raw, anguished vocals. The bleakness and hopelessness are palpable on every track. Tragically, Curtis’ struggles would cut his life short before the band could fully realize its potential, but Unknown Pleasures remains a timeless and influential work.

Less of an album and more like unconventional poetry. Lyrically, comes off a bit immature to me. It does have some highs and clearly unique compositional choices, but not really the style of Fiona I prefer.

A raw, hook-laden debut that cemented 50 Cent as an icon of early 2000s hip-hop. Some of these songs were played to death, you heard them everywhere. Honestly, while you can't help but bop your head to many of them, I find the album as a whole to be pretty formulaic and I've heard them enough to last me a lifetime.

Superunknown's blend of complex song structures, rich with tempo changes, dissonance, and odd time signatures, show their technical prowess while staying raw and relatable. Cornell’s powerful vocals, from soaring highs to gritty lows, resonate on every track and provide an emotional punch. Certainly one of the cornerstone albums of the 90s grunge movement.

Monk’s style can be a bit polarizing, compared to more fluid or melodic jazz pianists like Bill Evans or Dave Brubeck. The rhythmic unpredictability gives it a uniqueness for sure.

Captures the spirit of the late '60s. While not every track reaches the heights of the title song, the album is testament to The Young Rascals' ability to evolve without losing their soulful core.

Interesting folk album. I appreciated the technical guitar skills, but this has a bit too heavy of a hippie vibe for me.

This album features stripped-down versions of various cover songs. Nelson's weathered vocals add a softness to all of them...although I can't say any of them are improvements over the originals.

U2’s War (1983) is where they stop sounding like just another post-punk band and start becoming U2. Right from the start, “Sunday Bloody Sunday” sets the tone with that militaristic drumbeat and those biting, almost accusatory lyrics. It’s not just a protest song..it feels like a battle cry. “New Year’s Day” follows, and it’s easily one of their best songs, combining The Edge’s icy guitar style. This is U2 at their most intense and uncompromising, and it still holds up because it sounds like a band that actually has something to say.

Certainly not an album that demands attention from the listener - quite the opposite actually. Tracy Thorn's effortless vocals lend a sort of elegance and quiet beauty. There’s an emotional richness in the details and the arrangements are subtle but effective. It's not really my thing, and seems like something that should be playing in the background at a cocktail party. Not necessarily a bad thing, though.