199
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3.17
Average Rating
18%
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2010s
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13
5-Star Albums
3
1-Star Albums
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You Love More Than Most
Albums you rated higher than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Music From The Penguin Cafe | 5 | 3.01 | +1.99 |
| Tubular Bells | 5 | 3.1 | +1.9 |
| GREY Area | 5 | 3.24 | +1.76 |
| The College Dropout | 5 | 3.31 | +1.69 |
| Nebraska | 5 | 3.32 | +1.68 |
| Ready To Die | 5 | 3.37 | +1.63 |
| Rock Bottom | 4 | 2.39 | +1.61 |
| Hybrid Theory | 5 | 3.39 | +1.61 |
| good kid, m.A.A.d city | 5 | 3.61 | +1.39 |
| Illmatic | 5 | 3.61 | +1.39 |
You Love Less Than Most
Albums you rated lower than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car Wheels On A Gravel Road | 1 | 3 | -2 |
| Grievous Angel | 1 | 2.86 | -1.86 |
| Bringing It All Back Home | 2 | 3.65 | -1.65 |
| 1999 | 2 | 3.6 | -1.6 |
| Ramones | 2 | 3.58 | -1.58 |
| Tragic Songs of Life | 1 | 2.58 | -1.58 |
| Head Hunters | 2 | 3.56 | -1.56 |
| So | 2 | 3.55 | -1.55 |
| Violent Femmes | 2 | 3.5 | -1.5 |
| Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music | 2 | 3.49 | -1.49 |
5-Star Albums (13)
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Popular Reviews
Robert Wyatt
4/5
At first this sounded like a cracked out muppet singing in the shower. Then something clicked. It’s still weird, it’s still pretentious. The atmosphere alone has left me thinking about this long after its run time ended. Listened 3 times and plan to again eventually.
1 likes
Turbonegro
2/5
This album is one of the most cringe things I've had to endure in a while. It feels like a bunch of 50 year olds tried to be edgy and cool at the 4th grade graduation party. I don't have a single song that I hope to hear again. The song titles are so lame, the content was lacking and have no point. Ok yall can shred the guitar and bash some drums well but that doesn't mean you can write a song. Its only not getting a 1 because of the instrumentation.
1 likes
Wu-Tang Clan
5/5
I somehow have avoided Wu-Tang Clan on my entire music journey and that was a known mistake. This was a fantastic project top to bottom. Hard hitting lyrics but you can still hear how much fun they had together. There are a few too many skits and I really wish they were individual tracks for my playlists. I might change my mind once I learn the individuals better - though I am familiar with nearly everyone independently.
Favorite Tracks: Tearz and Da Mystery of Chessboxin'
1 likes
1-Star Albums (3)
All Ratings
Stevie Wonder
4/5
Nick Drake
4/5
One of my favorite melancholic folk albums. An exceptional variety of instruments scattered about to pull you into Nick Drake's grey, bleak world. Him and Mac Miller will top my "what if" charts. This being Nick Drake's debut album is astonishing.
River Man, Three Hours, Day is Done and Fruit Tree are my stand out tracks with Three Hours being one of my favorite Nick Drake songs period.
Personally, I prefer Bryter Layter but the connections and growth between them are impossible to ignore. if anyone is interested in learning more about Nick Drake check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9azMyryhwo
Joni Mitchell
3/5
This is my first real exposure to Joni and... yeah its fine. The jazz elements kept me going and some of the writing is good. She randomly kicks her voice up to 11 and its beautiful but also off putting. I'm enjoying it more on my second listen but do not see it going much further.
Deep Purple
2/5
The songs and lyrics are really lacking here. I didn't find them to offer much more than some sweet guitar. The only stand our track was Child in Time but wow is that a long song....
Bill Evans Trio
2/5
It really doesn't help that there are 286438 different versions of this album and recordings for each song. Some of it was really good and had me tappin and grooving to some emails but other parts dragged on and felt clashy. I'm not versed in Jazz enough to "get it"
Wire
2/5
As someone that hardly listens to anything remotely related to Punk this sounds like every punk album. That likely is a testament to its impact however for a single spin in 2025 it didn’t do much for me. Instrumentals are strong but the lyrics didn’t jump out for me
The Stooges
4/5
The Cure
4/5
Rod Stewart
3/5
Really enjoyed the first half, wasn’t too into the last few tracks. Some really fun and catch hooks!
Grateful Dead
2/5
Dolly Parton
4/5
A fantastically personal dive into who Dolly is, her family around her and the experiences she’s had as her career is taking off. This is my first experience with Dolly and 70s Country and I enjoyed every second.
George Michael
3/5
LTJ Bukem
3/5
Cool vibe while working. The version linked here isn’t correct so I used a YouTube version and didn’t see track names. The verse at the end was fun due to its age
U2
2/5
I understand why I’ve only heard one of these songs before. It’s fine.
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
Steely Dan
4/5
Super mellow and fun. Groovy instrumentals. Def didn’t have enough blow at work for the vibe
Robert Wyatt
4/5
At first this sounded like a cracked out muppet singing in the shower. Then something clicked. It’s still weird, it’s still pretentious. The atmosphere alone has left me thinking about this long after its run time ended. Listened 3 times and plan to again eventually.
Neneh Cherry
2/5
Sounds straight out of ‘89 and not in a good way. Some cool sounds and lyrics but I’ll leave this one for GenX
Supergrass
3/5
Cool, not for me. Solid tracks, nothing really clicked.
Keith Jarrett
2/5
Too long, very good pianist. Was great for emails but I’ll never think about this again.
Jack White
4/5
I liked it. Second half was better to me. Stand out track was "I Guess I Should go to Sleep"
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
Round & Round and Cowgirl in the Sand were my stand outs. A nice mellow play but quality.
Devendra Banhart
4/5
A nice melancholic listen on a stormy day. I found the guitar and layering on "Poughkeepsie" to be the highlight of my listen. "Will is My Friend" was the other stand out one.
Frank Sinatra
4/5
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
I've never listened to a full Bob Marley project. Super relaxed vibe even when addressing heavier topics. I got excited when I recognized the bassline from "Forgive them Father" on the opening track. "Concrete Jungle" and "Midnight Ravers" were my standout songs. I need to book a cheap spirit flight to a beach now...
Electric Light Orchestra
4/5
Stared very strong but grew old. Still tons of fantastic layering and instrumental varieties that I feel are still underutilized even today. I knew a few of these going in but never knew the outro to Mr Blue Sky was tied into the entire album as a motif
Mike Oldfield
5/5
Wow what an exceptional piece of music. I've heard of it before but never heard more than the opening Exorcist theme. Pt 2 > 1.
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
Listened to this 3 times over the course of the day. With some personal thing and a rainy day it hit different. Ate a Costco pizza with a joint on my porch and it just hit hard. Never really enjoyed Bruce's stuff too much but this has me interested in trying again.
Willie Nelson
2/5
Loved that each track flowed into one another. Made it hard to highlight a single track though. It’s fine. Not for me
The 13th Floor Elevators
2/5
Very of its era. Kinda a vibe, kinda a drag.
Soundgarden
3/5
Cool sounds, 90s rock just ain’t really for me
Patti Smith
2/5
I liked "Land: Horses" the most and saw value in "Break It Up" but other than that it was kinda just noise to me.
3/5
TODAYYY IS GONNA BE THE DAY THAT IM GONNA POST MY REVIEWWWWWW
Its ok... I of course liked "Wonderwall" and also "Don't Look Back in Anger." "Champagne Suepernova" was also refreshing at the end, I would have liked to hear a project with more variety like that.
Yes
3/5
Too self indulgent and did not justify its long run times. Some amazing sounds but lord were they long songs.
The Smiths
2/5
I sleep
Little Simz
5/5
"Some people reads the Alchemist and still never amount to shit"
I believe I listened to most of this years ago and it stood out but slipped through the cracks. I've listened to her 2022 project and grew eager to see where Little Simz would go. I was great to finally absorb this more and pick up on the lyrics and overall narrative. Listening to this after Lauryn Hill also gave me an interesting perspective due to them having many of the same themes but 20 years and an entire continent apart.
The synth on Boss feels like something Tyler, the Creator/Roy Ayers would add for texture and its beautiful. They layering and mixing on Venom is otherworldly adding suspense and unease to her career in a male dominated field. Therapy and Sherbet Sunset also stood out. Lots of variety and no reliance on features.
Excited to hear what she does on Lotus in June.
Lauryn Hill
5/5
Truly one of the greatest and most influential albums of all time. The things its influenced can be heard everywhere either directly as a sample or just something she normalized. Since my last listen ~2 years ago I've learned more about Lauryn's relationships during this period and sis was a mess. That added context and also just picking up more things each listen enhances the experience. Stand outs for me are "Doo Wop" and "Nothing Even Matters" with "Forgive them Father" being one of my favorites ever.
Hearing the classroom speak on their understanding of Love really draws sad cross references to Lauryn's failed relationships and her failure to find a healthy love. She clearly knows it inside but continued to make strange romantic decisions.
Deep Purple
4/5
Good, kickass rock n roll. Highway Star and Smoke on the Water are classics. Lazy was an interesting song theme to hear over a hard guitar. No complaints.
Radiohead
4/5
I’ve been scared of starting a Radiohead project because I’ve heard nothing but raving reviews though personally don’t really enjoy 90s rock. This kicks ass. Paranoid android is hauntingly beautiful, exist music is incredible, no surprises was familiar but nice to hear in the sequencing. I guess I’ll finally check out Kid A and In Rainbows.
Brian Eno
3/5
I think this would grow on me with more listens. I never knew Eno had such prominent vocals and expected this to be much more atmospheric. Clearly the beginnings of something.
The ending of Dead Finks Don't Talk must have been such an interesting and new sound for the time.
Diving me Backwards, Some of Them Are Old, and Here Come the Warm Jets were my stands outs.
The White Stripes
2/5
I didn't like this one that much. Jack White's squirrely voice can be something that sets his music apart from the rest or makes me want to never hear him again. "The Nurse" was an interesting narrative exploration but a terrible song. "Little Ghost" is one of the worst songs we've had to get through in this entire album project.
The second half of this album is thankfully much tighter. "Instinct Blues" and " Take, Take, Take" were my favorites with "Red Rain" being a nice piano ballad and witch up too.
R.E.M.
2/5
That sure was an album of REM. 9-9 was the best.
Carpenters
4/5
Maybe a 4 is pushing it but a 3 felt harsh. There’s a beauty in the simplicity of these songs. The writing and her vocals take charge and really are all that’s needed. I might prefer this version of Help to the Beatles. Maybe her voice is just deeply tied to Christmas nostalgia and i cannot separate those feelings. Regardless, a great weekend listen.
Marvin Gaye
4/5
I've finally given this a listen after years of seeing it on "Best albums of all time" lists. I don't think I would go that far but it certainly is sonically dense. I listened to it 3 times and still don't feel like I scratched the surface of this project. Def will be coming back to it.
Violent Femmes
2/5
Put me to sleep. Last song was cool
Kendrick Lamar
5/5
When this popped up I was like "Ooo how exciting I haven't heard this top to bottom in a few years" only to then realize 80% of these are still in rotation and likely will be forever. I chose to do the deluxe version for this listen.
This album still feels ahead of its time with the attention to detail, themes and overarching narrative. Probably my second favorite Kendrick project behind Mr. Morale (yeah yeah yeah, you'll get it one day)
Elvis Costello
2/5
Idk if it was the day or this just isn't for me at all. Didn't finish the last track or so.
Deee-Lite
3/5
A fun little bop. The electronic sounds used really date it in a charming way. Not something I probably will return to but a worthwhile experience. The samples used are as fun to explore as the tracks: https://www.whosampled.com/album/Deee-Lite/World-Clique/
Led Zeppelin
3/5
Hard to not like some Zeppelin. I’ve never done an album of theirs from top to bottom before so this was fun. Cool to see them have their magic from the beginning. Lots to enjoy here but I’m not sure this is the one I’d come back to aside from a few tracks.
The United States Of America
2/5
Disclaimer: I only did the original 10 tracks and none of the added ones from the remaster.
This album tries to do a lot and tries to be super wacky experimental and quirky. It actually succeeds often but the flops are rough and make the entire project fall apart. Didn't get much of the lyrics and don't care to look it up.
Barry Adamson
3/5
Writing a soundtrack to a movie that doesn't exist is a fun experiment. I could feel the cold streets where a crime was unfolding. I am unfamiliar with classic crime films but I could hear some similar sounds from Blade Runner 2049's score. "The Swinging Detective" was my favorite track.
Talking Heads
3/5
This might be one that would grow on me but as someone that only really knows "Psycho Killer" by them it just sounded like an album of "Psycho Killer"-likes. "Cities" and "Animals" were good with my favorite being "Drugs"
Turbonegro
2/5
This album is one of the most cringe things I've had to endure in a while. It feels like a bunch of 50 year olds tried to be edgy and cool at the 4th grade graduation party. I don't have a single song that I hope to hear again. The song titles are so lame, the content was lacking and have no point. Ok yall can shred the guitar and bash some drums well but that doesn't mean you can write a song. Its only not getting a 1 because of the instrumentation.
Missy Elliott
3/5
My first Missy Elliott album despite knowing of her and her legacy for so long. It was fine. Work It was a bop, Jay-Z had a fun feature, and I liked the story telling with Beyonce. I understand some of the "disclaimers" on the tracks but I wish they were individual tracks; It doesn't work smoothly in the streaming playlist era.
Fiona Apple
4/5
Fiona Apple has been on my list so this was fun to finally check out! "Slow Like Honey," "Criminal," "The First Taste," and "Carrion" were my highlights. This was a great top to bottom atmosphere with unique instrumentations.
Youssou N'Dour
3/5
Ravi Shankar
2/5
I'm glad this album is on the list, its exposed me to something new and broadened my musical scope. That said, I didn't enjoy it that much. It was good while working but didn't engage me too much. I enjoyed the narration to call out some differences.
New Order
3/5
Good sound, kinda blurs together and the lead singer shoots for notes he can't hit. Forgettable but thats ok, I enjoyed it for what it was.
Def Leppard
3/5
Some great classic rock anthems here. If you went in expecting anything else... idk what to tell you... Some of it got too samey but still a fun ride.
Rush
3/5
A great sound at its best, an imitation of itself at its worst. Tom Sawyer is a classic and Witch Hunt was a fun new one for me.
Fairport Convention
3/5
I cannot believe they drowned the best character... Oh well...
Nice, soothing 60s soft stuff. Nothing amazing but a nice listen while cleaning house.
Peter Gabriel
2/5
Wow i went in excited and really only liked Sledgehammer…
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
4/5
“Have you Heard” brought me life. Great project
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
2/5
Some cool sounds and story telling but overall I think I just don't get it. Its Broadway but for hicks...
Adele
3/5
One of the best voices of my generation. Not my favorite of hers but some cool songs. I think I'd have liked it more if half of these songs weren't played to death for the last 10 years. "Million Years Ago" was a nice new find though!
David Bowie
3/5
Kinda samey throughout but fun
Van Halen
4/5
Kicked ass while working on my car
Gram Parsons
1/5
I really hated this one. Felt like I was back in South Carolina in the worst of ways. I did like the wiki tea on the widow removing Mary Lou from the cover on some petty vibe
Morrissey
2/5
Only did one listen but lyrics have aged well over all for being so blatantly political. Neat sounds but not really for me.
Frank Sinatra
3/5
To me this is a 3/5 but also a 5/5. The songs are melancholic, slow and quite frankly often overdramatic in the worst ways. But still, there is something about Frank's presence and sound that fill me with a nostalgic bliss from Christmas mornings with his music. This isn't my favorite album of his but it still carries some of that magic as a whole. "This Love of Mine"'s strings were my favorite part of the album.
Michael Jackson
4/5
I understand MJ's personal behavior ruining some of the magic but this album still slaps. I much prefer Off the Wall and Thriller but this album is great too. The only song I didn't like was Liberian Girl. Just Good Friends also was whatever.
Bad, Man in the Mirror, Dirty Diana and Smooth Criminal are just MJ at his best and I still think there hasn't been anyone that has come close to using all of these sounds without feeling like an imitation. The Weeknd has come close with his variety and visuals but they do different things.
Dead Kennedys
4/5
Going into this I was loosely familiar with the Dead Kennedys' heavier punk and political messaging but was only familiar with Holiday in Cambodia (shout out Guitar Hero III). As someone that has hated all of the harder rock and punk that has been thrown at me during this gauntlet... this bumps.
I love how fast the songs move, they don't outstay their welcome. (I listened to the 2022 Mix) All of the songs were understandable and layered extremely well. What a strong debut album
3/5
Judas Priest
4/5
Short, tight, and to the point fun rock. I cannot believe "Metal Gods" hasn't been pitched down and sampled for some bling rap. I really enjoyed this one!
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
5/5
This is one of my favorite albums we have done so far. I am doing this as a catch-up review but the name has had me intrigued since I missed it. After seeing the album art I was already endeared. 3 tracks in, I had to learn more about the group and of course, for the 6th time on this list, I saw Brian Eno as an executive producer. That man is everywhere!
"The Sound of Someone You Love Who's Going Away and It Doesn't Matter" really carried that narrative from top to bottom. Gut wrenching but evocative.
Ill certainly be looking at more of their albums!
Yes
3/5
This is reductive of me but this album really is just the home of Roundabout and 8 other songs...
South Side of the Sky, Long Distance Runaround, and Heart of the Sunrise are good but man these runtimes are brutal. Not enough meat for the duration but some really great sounds.
Elliott Smith
4/5
Never heard anything by Elliott Smith before. Cool sounds and from what I got great lyrics. This is one I want to revisit and digest better down the road.
Earth, Wind & Fire
4/5
Lots of great stuff here. I cannot believe "Africano" hasn't been used for sampling.
Soft Cell
3/5
I've listened to this album a few times over the years hoping to find new gems. Every time I'm left going "Oh yeah I get why everyone knows Tainted Love and nothing else"
I am a huge fan of "Where did Our Love Go?" and think the double song with "Tainted Love" is the definitive way to listen. "Wave Hello, Say Goodbye" is also a fun one
My Bloody Valentine
4/5
Not usually my type of vibe but I was really impressed with the production. I hardly got any of the lyrics but enjoyed the vocals as an instrumental layer. Will revist!
Moby
2/5
Supertramp
3/5
Supertramp has never been one of my favorites. Their songs are full of amazing moments but never come together for me. I felt the same for this project. Rudy was my favorite song. Asylum was almost good but it just didnt do it.
Kraftwerk
3/5
The opening track might be the closest thing I've heard to C418's Minecraft Soundtrack. Made me just wanna chug along on an adventure. I was surprised to hear the iconic riff from Planet Rock on the title track. Some of the songs were a little too repetitive and needed to be shorter or spiced up. Nothing bad here but nothing I will probably return to aside from the first song.
The Go-Go's
4/5
A fun little collection of bops. Automatic was my favorite. Nothing life changing but it wasn't trying to be.
Ray Price
2/5
This is literally the music that plays at Cedar Point (amusement park) in the frontier cowboy place. Corny, repetitive, & boring.
Mariah Carey
3/5
Started strong, i really liked the shook ones sample. Kinda just got exhausting and turned into sex music. Talented but not for me.
Joy Division
2/5
Tis felt like Duran Duran on NyQuil and I didn't have any feelings otherwise
Ramones
2/5
A lot of the same
Beach House
4/5
I didn't like it at first, not really my genre or speed. By the 3rd or 4th I adapted to it and really enjoyed this one! Fell asleep to it on a plane and gave it a second listen and this one was great.
Elastica
2/5
Can someone tell the 90s there are more instruments than the guitar? More punk slop - this list's bias for mid guitar albums will be the death of me!
Crosby, Stills & Nash
4/5
While this is a lot softer than I usually enjoy, I cannot deny the quality in each song. I have a feeling my girlfriend will be keeping this in rotation for a long time too.
Pavement
2/5
R.E.M.
3/5
Just like my review for "Murmur," this sure is a full album of R.E.M.! It feels more refined and I preferred it to "Murmur." Nothing really bad here but nothing special either
Solomon Burke
3/5
I really did'nt absorb this but it was soothing for my morning emails.
Destiny's Child
4/5
Not usually my genre but hard to knock the production value and talent displayed.
Nas
5/5
It doesn't get much better than this for classic east coast rap.
Pavement
3/5
I liked this one a lot more than their sophomore project that we did earlier this month. Might actually grow on me if I gave it a few more listens
Led Zeppelin
3/5
My initial take after finishing this was "Wow a lot of these sounded the same..." but saw I had added half of them to a playlist on only one listen. If it ain't broke don't fix it? I think I preferred this to LZ1
The Beta Band
4/5
I wish I had more notes... I hardly have a lot to say but my gut reaction is that I really enjoyed it. Sort of dragged at the end but there is something here! Will need to digest and revisit.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
As far as folky classic rock, it doesn't get better than this.
Bob Dylan
2/5
While I cannot deny his impact and legacy, this did absolutely nothing for me. I didn't dislike it but didn't really like it either.
Drive-By Truckers
2/5
My initial gut when doing a little reading before was that this was going to be a 1/5 just garbage glazing of Skynyrd and revisionist glamorization of the South. Then I hit play... familiar sounds but with something to say in the lyrics. It kept going and I started to buy into the concept and appreciate the candidness of their influence. At one point I really enjoyed it and was ready to give this a 3 but acknowledge there weren't many things to revisit outside of a top to bottom play. It was then that I realized I still had another 30 minutes and accepted defeat. This needed sever edits and condensing of ideas if its going to be this on the nose with its sounds.
Al Green
4/5
Not a single skip, beautiful top to bottom. "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" was just *chefs kiss*
The Young Rascals
4/5
What a lovely little collection of bops
Prince
2/5
Prince has been "on the list" of artists to get to for a while. This removed him from that list...
Bauhaus
2/5
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
Soothing and enjoyable but nothing special, but it didn't need to be either.
Beatles
4/5
Personally, I am not a Beatles fan. They have a lot of great songs that I enjoy but I have never done a deep dive into their discography and never have felt a desire to. This is the first top to bottom Beatles experience I have had. It was... sort of as I expected; revolutionary but just not really for me. A lot of the songs just didn't do much for me but I can respect a lot about them. Some of the instrumentals here still feel ahead of their time and they aren't using any wacky crazy instruments to achieve this, the compositions are just that tight. The influence and legacy alone make this album quintessential to the list.
I loved the guitar on "I Want You" but was really annoyed by the dramatic cut off. I went to Google hoping to find some artistic value that I missed and it would enhance the silence and transition but.. no... John just liked that and it is what it is.
Favorite Song: Come Together - I have always loved how raw the guitar sounds when it comes in.
Favorite Moment - Golden Slumbers into Carry That Weight
Black Sabbath
4/5
I don't know if the website admin manipulated this for the death of Ozzy but what perfect timing. A fantastic follow up album to the first heavy metal sounds - incredibly both in 1970. This got my dad off of The Carpenters and into Sabbath; he still mostly listens to heavier guitar to this day.
War Pigs, Paranoid, and Iron Man are timeless. Jack the Stripper was a new find for me too!
Buena Vista Social Club
4/5
I really liked this one, the title track was probably my fav
OutKast
4/5
While not my favorite from OutKast it’s still a timeless classic. Big Boi and Andre glide on these tracks
Big Star
2/5
This just made me want to listen to Nick Drake's Bryter Layter. The strings were very close to doing it for me but the vocals and songs never really fit right for me.
"For You" is the only song I really enjoyed.
Wu-Tang Clan
5/5
I somehow have avoided Wu-Tang Clan on my entire music journey and that was a known mistake. This was a fantastic project top to bottom. Hard hitting lyrics but you can still hear how much fun they had together. There are a few too many skits and I really wish they were individual tracks for my playlists. I might change my mind once I learn the individuals better - though I am familiar with nearly everyone independently.
Favorite Tracks: Tearz and Da Mystery of Chessboxin'
The Young Gods
2/5
As someone that speaks French but doesn't listen to/keep up with French music I was interested in this one. The cover grabbed my attention and I wanted to know what was going on. I no longer wonder anything... not for me at all!
Best song: Les Enfants because of the cut up strings and production
The Darkness
3/5
What a fun project! Nothing super special but it really nails the sounds it seeks to replicate/evolve. "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" is timeless and ripping it in Guitar Hero on the DS was my introduction.
Unfortunately for The Darkness, my brain pictures the lead singer as Dennis Reynolds as the Dayman...
Sade
4/5
Another artist that has been on my list for a long time. Going into this I couldn't think of a single Sade song or album title that I was aware of. Immediately that changed with "Smooth Operator" but I never knew it was their song. Each song was enchanting and seductive.
Favorite Song: Frankie's First Affair
Raekwon
3/5
While a lot of these leave me wanting more in terms of song structure, there is texture to this album that I find lacking in modern beats.
Action Bronson def was heavily inspired by Ghostface, very similar delivery.
Favorite songs: Criminology, Ice Cream
Can
2/5
I bet this would have gone crazy high asf in the 1970's!! In 2025 while working, it was ok.
Sebadoh
3/5
For a 90s heartbreak album i enjoyed it more than i expected!
Cocteau Twins
4/5
I loved this album. Never heard of it or the Cocteau Twins but there wasn't a second wasted on this project. Lyrics were very difficult to discern but it didn't hinder the experience for me.
Favorite Song: Fotzepolitic
Ray Charles
2/5
I really think that Ray Charles is the problem in all these situationships.... great music but too long and all too similar
Herbie Hancock
2/5
I feel wrong for giving this a 2 but nothing really did it for me. Long and evolving, but not to places I wanted to be.
The Strokes
3/5
Objectively quality, not for me
Air
4/5
Fantastic
Tricky
3/5
Atmospheric and grimy. Some of the sounds felt right off a N64. Not really for me.
Run-D.M.C.
3/5
Endearingly primitive in its sound. Not a ton to take away in 2025 but well worth the history lesson.
Public Enemy
3/5
This was a great listen top to bottom. Fun to contrast with yesterdays Run-DMC and how much had evolved in 4 years.
Nanci Griffith
3/5
About as far Country as I can get before its too much. Fantastic vocals and fun narratives. Not really for me but quality.
Ryan Adams
3/5
Another that isnt really my speed but has an undeniable quality to it. I do have beef with Emmylou Harris being on here after her appearance on the worst album off this list (so far) Grievous Angel.
Favorite Songs: Amy & Come Pick Me Up
Randy Newman
3/5
Love me some Randy, don't love me under 2 min songs... Fun lyrics and delivery, unique instrumentals but a lot of them end when theyre starting up.
The Band
3/5
More 60s rock stuff. Fun sounds but the biases of the list are getting to me.
Favorite songs: Whispering Pines and Jawbone
Fugees
4/5
Beautiful. Despite her odd existence in the music world, Lauryn Hill's voice continues to be so infectious both with her objective range and her ability to use it to rap or sing. Wyclef has some strong bars with political and social frustrations interwoven between catchy hooks.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
Another Neil Young & Crazy Horse album? Really 2? This list will always amaze me. Nothing really special here at all but nothing bad either.
Favorite Songs: Over and Over + Love and Only Love
Radiohead
4/5
I gave myself 2 days for this one and did 2 different listens. The first listen was the studio recording and I could identify its musical complexities but I had no idea what it was about and what it meant. 3/5 initial reaction.
The next day I listened to the newly released live album. I didn't gain a new understanding of the material but the music really connected more. Im sure there are 100+ youtube videos and blogs over analyzing this and its some political commentary masterpiece. Off my 2 listens I didn't get it. Cool sounds though and I look forward to listening to more Radiohead.
Digital Underground
3/5
Very primitive but charismatic in its own ways. Nothing would be made today that sounds or feels like this. Started to drag in the middle a lot but then got VERY horny. Not my thing but cool to check out this once.
Blur
3/5
Fun but a little long.
Favorite Song: Theme from Retro
Django Django
4/5
Never heard of this group, really enjoyed it. Started to drag in the middle but stuck the landing.
Favorite songs: Hail Bop, Zumm Zumm, Life's A Beach
Nick Drake
4/5
Still not my favorite of his. Nick Drake is one of my favorites due to his complex writing and the arrangements he interweaves with a variety of instruments. This album is nearly entirely him and a guitar letting his emotions ride. Its a masterclass in its on right but it just isn't the one for me.
Bryter Layter > Five Leaves Left > Pink Moon
The Louvin Brothers
1/5
This was pretty trash. "Take the News to Mother" was a cool, historic era piece.
The Police
3/5
That sure was a full album of the police
Flamin' Groovies
2/5
Yeah way too much
Jethro Tull
4/5
This was a full vibe while ripping through the mountains with the windows down. Missed most of the lyrics but instrumentals carried.
James Brown
4/5
Usually not a fan of live albums but this was fantastic. Brown and crew crushed this set. I am unaware of most of James Brown's discog so I can't attest to any "oh wow that's a fun way to do that live" moments but this was great.
Favorite Song: I Don't Mind
Lorde
4/5
I think I've listened to this one years ago but truly cannot recall. I've always respected Lorde but never really connected with her radio hits. This albums was very good! Fantastic use of placing her voice within the sound stage.
Favorite Song: Sober
Manic Street Preachers
4/5
90s rock I enjoyed?? Wow!
Favorite song: Everything Must Go and The Girl Who Wanted to be God
Beth Orton
3/5
Im sure with repeat listens the sombre lyrics would get better and better but too long and repetitive on first listen
The Notorious B.I.G.
5/5
One of those albums I've seen the cover of my entire life and known I needed to listen to. Biggy and this era of rap are my blind spot but I have been learning more and more over the last 2 years or so. Fantastic album. The amount of things that had me going "that's from this??!?!" alone makes it a masterpiece.
Favorite song: Juicy & Big Poppa
Beck
3/5
Yeah it was some beck. Not bad, not great. Cool to listen to a full project but it didn't leave me wanting more.
Favorite Song: Where It's At
Ian Dury
3/5
Daddy issues meets jazz meets gooning meets pop punk.... Equal parts obnoxious and groovy.
Jeff Beck
3/5
Rod Stewart went blues. Nothing amazing but solid enough.
Jurassic 5
4/5
Never heard of this group before. Fun mid era hip hop!
Favorite Songs: What's Golden and Thin Line
Joanna Newsom
3/5
I think this is the type of album that would grow on me rapidly with a better grasp on the topics and themes. Without it being on streaming I didn't really grab the song titles (not that there are many)
But wow... this album really is beautiful. The compositions are great. A little too theater kid in her delivery but the instrumentation adds a ton.
Tito Puente
3/5
Fun and didn't sound like 1958 at all. Only did the original tracklist and not the enormous extended edition.
Favorite Song: Complicación
The Undertones
3/5
More british pop punk... Sounds like the last 3 we've had. Nothing bad here though and some nice riffs.
The Temptations
4/5
Gene Clark
4/5
Not really something I expected to connect with me but wow... I really liked this one. Sort of like R.E.M. folky poppy but with more to say and more experimentation. Never had heard of Gene Clark or this album but I am a fan!
Steely Dan
4/5
It's Steely Dan! What's there to not like?? A little same-y for a full album but smooth and fun through and through.
Emmylou Harris
2/5
Poor Emmylou is just a reoccurring punching bag for me.... Her debut was on Gram Parson's Grievous Angel which is one of my lowest albums. She reappeared on Ryan Adam's Heartbreaker and I liked her a lot there. Now I get to experience her solo work.
There is an undeniable level of poetry and craft but good lord I do not enjoy it! Nothing stuck out to me at all, nothing invited me for another listen.
Amy Winehouse
2/5
A lot of the same sounding stuff. Can see the appeal if its your thing but if it isn't... like it wasn't for me... then its a lot.
Brian Eno
3/5
Hard to complain about Eno but this wasn't the one for me.
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
4/5
Perfectly melancholic for the first rainy, fall day where I'm at. Really good stuff though I definitely need another listen or two for the lyrics.
I was really excited to see Rosalia and Johnny Cash both had covers for the titular song. Truly a sign of quality.
Favorite Tracks: I see a Darkness and Another Day Full of Dread
Malcolm McLaren
3/5
An album with a ton going on and it sounds like they had fun making it. Its endearingly dated.
Favorite song: Double Dutch
Lucinda Williams
1/5
"Greenville" broke me. Awful.
2/5
Never was able to buy into her vocal performance. It felt jarring all the way until We Float. I liked her there. Some nice instrumentals but this is just not for me at all.
Global reviews have me feeling a little left out but thats the beauty of art, right?
Kanye West
5/5
Sometimes I forget how different 2004 really was (I was 5 to be fair...) but this album just has different sounds from anything since. That said Cordae's The Crossroads feels is a spiritual successor to this with multiple samples from TCD and a Ye feature.
This is an easy 5 for me. The impact this had on rap is still felt to this day. Without Ye, everything looks different. The skits don't feel like a waste of time. Without being crass or violent, Kanye still nails the braggadocio and competitive energy of rap.
If you'd like to see the behind the scenes of this album check out Jeen-Yuhs on Netflix. Fantastic footage of Kanye getting signed and developing this album.
Favorite Songs: Jesus Walks, Slow Jamz, & Family Matters
Billy Joel
3/5
He's an undeniable goat... just not my goat. Guy was young asf crying about how old and miserable he is all the time. Amazing instrumentals, fun song structures and unique blends that still are exciting. I just don't really connect with his writing at all
Marty Robbins
3/5
Those sure were some Gunfighter Ballads And Trail Songs... Big Iron was a fun surprise and brought back memories of watching a friend playthrough New Vegas during COVID. I didn't dislike it by any means but it has a very antiquated and primitive structure throughout.
Big Brother & The Holding Company
4/5
Never had heard of this group or the lead singer Janis. Really liked it!
Favorite Song: Turtle Blues + Ball and Chain
John Lennon
3/5
Not much of a Beatles fan and this didn't help their case. "Well Well Well" should have ended this mans career that song sucked. "My Mummy's Dead" was haunting and gives me a dread for when that song will apply to myself.
Isolation was amazing, heavy and beautiful. Absolute highlight for me.
The Teardrop Explodes
4/5
Of-the-era cliche soundscape but unusual execution. I really liked this one but found many amazing moments but no stand out songs as a whole.
Kraftwerk
2/5
Not for me. I liked the last one we had (Trans-Europe Express) much more.
Favorite Song: Metropolis
The Electric Prunes
3/5
I don't think this is a bad album but I'm not sure this list needed another 60s soft rock album. Wiki didn't highlight any particular reasons this is a "must hear!" album.
Favorite Song: Bangles
Linkin Park
5/5
This might be one of my most biased reviews. I took this CD from my Dad's collection and burned it to my first iPod along with Meteora. This and Eminem's Curtain Call (Greatest Hits) exposed me to rap. I've seen LP in Paris 2014 and again in Detroit this year with Emily. This band means a lot to me despite it really not existing in any of my lasting music spheres. This is as far as I went into emo/nu metal.
I know these songs so well its hard to evaluate them at all. I think that Crawling has aged the worst out of this selection but that's likely due to memes and over exposure. My favorite verse from Mike is on A Place for My Head. My favorite sound is the synth-thing layered on the chorus of Points of Authority. Papercut is a fantastic way to open up this album and set the tone and expectations.
Favorite Songs: A Place for My Head, In the End,
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
3/5
I feel that the group's name and album art were somewhat misleading (I was expecting something like penguin cafe) but still, I enjoyed myself. I didn't have one song really stand out but enjoyed many parts when combined into a whole project. I think I will like this one a lot more if I return to it and let it grow on me.
Sam Cooke
5/5
My first real exposure to Sam Cooke and I am floored. The band is on point. The vocals at 100. Lyrics comforting but not ushy gushy. The crowd had a fantastic energy but wasn't intrusive to the recording. I am unsure if this is edited between songs but they hardly took more than 10 seconds between songs and kept the energy high.
Finding out that Journey's "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'" is an interpolation of "Nothing Can Change this Love" had me floored.
Just some fantastic stuff here
Favorite Songs: Chain Gang, Medley: It's All Right/For Sentimental Reasons
Paul McCartney
2/5
Another generic sounding 60s album but from a legendary artist and technically 1970.... My girlfriend who loves The Beatles and 60s soft music even agreed this one didnt need to make the cut.
Not much for me here. Super simple writing with lackluster instrumentals. Cover art is probably the only thing I expect to last with me.
Funkadelic
3/5
I've listened to this 3 times now but over many years. The title track is an all timer but the rest feel left behind and under developed.
New York Dolls
4/5
This was fun. They didn't take this serious at all but had a nice variety to it all. Didn't expect to hear sax on some punk.
Favorite Songs: Subway Train and Personality Crisis
The Hives
3/5
OH BOY MORE PUNK YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
(the bias to punk and grunge on this list will be the death of me)
Paul McCartney and Wings
4/5
With the wings >>>>>> Solo work
Loved the layered voices and instrumentals. They clearly had so much fun making these songs and you can feel it.
Favorite Songs: Picasso's Last Words, Mrs. Vandebilt
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
4/5
Good to finally have a name to "Take Five" as its one I've heard throughout my life. Jazz is something I'm extremely uneducated in but love the more I hear. This one kinda lost steam at the end but it was still very enjoyable.
Goldfrapp
4/5
I was ready to say that this album came to a crawl at the ending but "Caravan Girl" knocked those words right out of me!
Completely unaware of Goldfrapp before this. I really liked "Happiness" and expect this album to be one that really grows on me over time.
Might check out their upcoming "Supernature" album though I have no idea how they've evolved since.
Sufjan Stevens
2/5
I kinda hated this album right off the bat. The album art sucks and the superman version is only marginally cooler. Never heard of Sufjan nor this album.
The first half felt like Jack Johnson trying to be quirky and quippy but then some strings and a choir came in... really beautiful. The songwriting unfortunately still did nothing for me but I can respect the instrumental variety.
Favorite Song: They Are Night Zombies
Lambchop
3/5
I liked what i heard but I also felt what I heard went nowhere. Album art is cool.
Favorite Songs: Grumpus amd What Else Could It Be?
Pixies
4/5
This is outside of my usual listening but I cannot deny the quality. Very fun album.
Favorite Song: Vamos
Dexys Midnight Runners
3/5
"huh I only know come on eileen, wonder what else is on here"
*proceedes to hear an hour of 'run along eileen,' 'go go eileen,' 'hurry now eileen'*
A little too reductive but that sound is very consistent through this entire project. I loved the strings
Favorite Songs: Old, Liars A to E, & Come on Eileen,
Jimmy Smith
3/5
Nothing really special here but also nothing bad. Cool.
The Killers
3/5
Never been the biggest fan of The Killers - I think Mr Brightside is best as a group Guitar Hero song and ain't what they chop it up to be otherwise. There's more versatility here than I anticipated and that was cool -esp for a debut.
Favorite Song: Everything Will Be Alright
Sisters Of Mercy
2/5
This 2 is more for my level of enjoyment and not the objective quality of the sounds. Just kinda kept going but for no reason.
Spacemen 3
3/5
Not enough acid at my 9-5 to enjoy this while working through Excel and my email... Im sure theres a reason this is on the list but its a hard one for me to jive with on a deeper level after only one listen.
The Waterboys
2/5
This just isnt something I'll ever like in any universe or any timeline. The music is really fun but I just cannot get into the lyrics or vocalist at all.
I don't often stop these albums but "And a Bang on the Ear" was my out.
a-ha
3/5
Truly couldn't imagine getting home from the store and popping in this album to hear "Take On Me" as track 1 in '85. Makes me wonder if it was an immediate hit or if pop culture made it more of a song now than then....
The rest of the album doesn't really hit the same highs or energy as that but stays consistently entertaining.
Didn't expect to learn the origin of "Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia"'s namesake on an A-ha album... The second switch up on "The Sun Always Shines on TV" was a welcomed surprise!
Favorite Songs: Take On Me, The Sun Always Shines on TV
Morrissey
2/5
Oh boy more Morrissey! His voice is still so unique even with so many other voices between the last album on this list. Unfortunately, I don't really care about anything he's got going on and none of this left a lasting impression. Nothing bad but mostly apathy other than some cool strings and instrumental moments.
David Bowie
3/5
I was going to write something here about the album but when looking at the Wiki track listing to get the track names right, I saw that Brian Eno was on my highlight song - Warszawa.
So I'll just say: All tunes, especially on this list, lead to Eno
Steely Dan
2/5
I like Steely Dan. I don't dislike this album. This album feels like unrefined Steely Dan. There was nothing special about this album.... at all...
Bonnie Raitt
2/5
I can't tell if I'm getting numb to new music or if were rolling dud albums. Not for me really. Any time the instrumentals would pick up, the lyrics would put me off - eg. Real Man.
Favorite Song: Too Soon To Tell
Ray Charles
4/5
Favorite Songs: Let the Good Times Roll + Two Years of Torture
De La Soul
3/5
A hip-hop blind spot for me - I recently listened to De La's latest album Cabin in the Sky but had no context on who they really are. On first listen for 3 Feet High..... I wasn't super impressed. I understand and agree with the inclusion of this album due to the contrast it presented against gangster rap but I grew up in a post Kanye world where all of that perception has already been torn down and opened up what a "rapper" is. They rap in such an 80's lyrical miracle way that I'm sure was super fresh n different then but just feels ANCIENT now. The production however, is incredible.
Today, after 1 listen, its a 3/5 but with an understanding that I'm probably just not adapted to this sound and will eat those words once I learn the members and their stories better.
Favorite Song: Transmitting Live From Mars into Eye Know
M.I.A.
2/5
I hate M.I.A. and there is no changing that. I like her vocal experimentation, I like her samples, I like her production, and I hate the finished product. I will never be an unbiased reviewer for M.I.A.
Favorite Song: Bingo