259
Albums Rated
3.1
Average Rating
24%
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830 albums remaining
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1950s
Favorite Decade
Funk
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
22
5-Star Albums
13
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaged | 5 | 2.87 | +2.13 |
| Nebraska | 5 | 3.32 | +1.68 |
| It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back | 5 | 3.37 | +1.63 |
| Cloud Nine | 5 | 3.41 | +1.59 |
| 1984 | 5 | 3.51 | +1.49 |
| The Velvet Underground | 5 | 3.53 | +1.47 |
| Maggot Brain | 5 | 3.6 | +1.4 |
| In The Court Of The Crimson King | 5 | 3.6 | +1.4 |
| Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) | 5 | 3.61 | +1.39 |
| Shalimar | 4 | 2.65 | +1.35 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Imagine | 1 | 3.45 | -2.45 |
| Frank | 1 | 3.45 | -2.45 |
| My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy | 1 | 3.42 | -2.42 |
| Protection | 1 | 3.25 | -2.25 |
| Solid Air | 1 | 3.16 | -2.16 |
| In Our Heads | 1 | 3.12 | -2.12 |
| Rubber Soul | 2 | 4.12 | -2.12 |
| Back To Black | 2 | 4.02 | -2.02 |
| Ray Of Light | 1 | 2.99 | -1.99 |
| A Hard Day's Night | 2 | 3.9 | -1.9 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Nirvana | 2 | 5 |
| Led Zeppelin | 3 | 4.33 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Amy Winehouse | 2 | 1.5 |
Controversial
| Artist | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Radiohead | 2, 3, 5 |
| Bruce Springsteen | 2, 5, 3 |
5-Star Albums (22)
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Popular Reviews
Arcade Fire
2/5
I want to like it more. It opens strong, but all the rest of the albums sounds the same and it just plods along. Like they started off amazing then slide down until everything is just the same
It's wild because I usually enjoy albums like this. It's not quite a concept album but it's all in a theme.
2 likes
Metallica
5/5
This is one of the best thrash metal albums of all time. It is high on the list for best metal album of all time. It is the best Metallica album as well. This album is just that good from start to finish.
RIP Cliff
1 likes
David Ackles
1/5
Makes me think of that weird off broadway show that no one shows up to but one artist friend drags you to.
1 likes
Public Enemy
5/5
This album was amazing when I first heard it so many years ago. It had meaning then, it still holds up. It's kinda sad that it's themes are STILL relevant. Chuck D hadn't even hit his peak with this album.
If you liked Bring the Noise from this go look up the version with Anthrax. Hits even harder.
1 likes
Eurythmics
4/5
I enjoyed this far more than I expected. I knew Sweet Dreams was an amazing song but usually that says the rest of the album is a dud. This one is moody and has a weird atmosphere to it. It has 100% of that 80's feel that you expect but a depth to it I didn't expect to come across.
It's one of those albums that I want to listen to more to get all of it. Her voice is great and it fits the tone of the music. It's going to live with me me longer than I thought it would.
1 likes
1-Star Albums (13)
All Ratings
Beatles
2/5
I'm not a fan of the Beatles. This album is to me, one of the lower ones. I can dig their later work, this is a dud for me.
The Mars Volta
3/5
I remember seeing At the Drive In opening for Rage Against the Machine in the late 90's and being blown away. Years later I saw Mars Volta and had the same reaction. They are just amazing live, and this album is a great one.
Queen
4/5
This album is Queen. It has the amazing guitar work, great vocals, cheek lyrics. It might not be their best album but you get 100% of the Queen style when listening to it.
I had forgotten that Bohemian Rhapsody was on this one. Guess I need relisten to their discography.
Alice In Chains
2/5
I remember listening to this at my friends house when it came out. He was enamored with it. I enjoyed some of the tunes.
A lot of the songs were everywhere the next couple of years. Dem bones I swear is still being played on every rock station at least twice a day.
Sitting down and listening to the entire album you realize the band was going through some things. We all know the lead, Staley, had issues with drugs, I wonder if they all had drugs issues while listening to it. It's dark almost bleak. I'm wasn't a fan before, and I'm not now, but being older I do appreciate what they were going for.
The White Stripes
4/5
Oh hell yeah.
This album has some amazing tunes on it. There is a reason why seven nation army is still played. Ball and biscuit and Hardest Button are my personal favorites from this album.
Great listen!
The Mamas & The Papas
3/5
I know far more of these songs that I thought I would. I laughed when this came up in my rotation, yet now I'm going, how do I know these? Because it's a solid album, dated sure, but the songs still work.
It makes me think of how far music has moved since they were considered counter culture. It also is interesting that they are now the sound of the late sixties. After thinking about it and listening to the album I swear that's why I know there catalog.
George Jones
3/5
Oh I remember parts of this album. My Grandma loved country and western so I have memories of playing in grandmas kitchen and hearing Willie, Waylon and George Jones. I remembered some lyrics of The Grand Tour and surprised myself! Country isn't a genre I enjoy so being able to recall lyrics was wild!
This album is going to get added to my library. The Grand Tour is just, great. His voice and ability to tell a story is great. The songs are short but they are good. I enjoyed this album far more than I expected to.
Bob Dylan
3/5
Ah Bob, dude has a voice that shouldn't of sold many albums yet he wrote so many great songs that just worked.
This one isn't my favorite Dylan album but it still is a great Dylan album. Its hard to miss on early Bob though.
Public Enemy
5/5
This album was amazing when I first heard it so many years ago. It had meaning then, it still holds up. It's kinda sad that it's themes are STILL relevant. Chuck D hadn't even hit his peak with this album.
If you liked Bring the Noise from this go look up the version with Anthrax. Hits even harder.
Elis Regina
3/5
Oh an album not in English! The first track feels like the late 70's and I have no idea what she is saying. I'm digging it, she has a great voice and the music is catchy. I can easily see people dancing to this.
Damn the rest of the album is pretty good as well. It's not a front loaded one. For me it would be great background music for a party.
Isaac Hayes
4/5
This album is good. Just so damn good.
As a fan of longer tracks and soul music this is a great listen. Hayes voice is at its peak the music is perfect soul music. It's just a great album and a great example of soul.
Burning Spear
4/5
I've seen Burning Spear live and listened to a few of his albums. This being my first play through I listened to it twice. It's really good. It lays out the stories and you feel them. It's one of those albums that feels like if more people heard we might get some self reflection and change.
This one will stick with you.
John Martyn
1/5
I think I found the first number rap album. I'm digging the ambiance.
Ok it's the classic first track doesn't sound like the whole album.It's like experimental jazz had a baby with a folk singer.
I get what he is going for but it's not landing for me. Usually albums have a flow to them, this album would be better on random I think. The first track is jarring compared to the rest of it. The B side is far better than the A side for me. Overall this album is just an experiment to experience. It's worth a listen although I don't think I'm going to revisit this album.
The Allman Brothers Band
3/5
I expected to enjoy this more. I've seen them live before and had a good time. This seems.... I don't know, it's just not hitting me like I expected it to. I enjoy them and generally love jambands, but this falls flat. I listened to it on the way to work and again at work. It felt like background noise, not something I was actively listening to and enjoying.
I'll have to revisit it later and see if my opinion of it changes.
Nirvana
5/5
This album is just great. I remember wondering how Nirvana would sound acoustic, as my buddy put it, "Aren't they the angry dudes that scream a lot?"
It was wild to see people listening to this album and realize this is their only Nirvana album. I knew of a few people that learned of Bowie from this. A lot learned of the Meat Puppets from it.
Listening to it now brings back so many memories. It holds up so well thirty years later, every song has feeling behind it. You can tell the band enjoyed doing the covers. Hearing songs that are usually fast and loud being stripped down like this is fun. It does help to know the songs beforehand but it is not needed, you can enjoy it with no knowledge of the band beforehand.
This is one of my favorites from this era.
Jungle Brothers
4/5
I didn't recognize the band name. The first track reminded me. This was the short years when rap was lighter and on the radio, dance parties popping up because someone had a tape.
I had so many tapes from this era. Somehow I didn't have this one.
As a young man figuring out life around the time this came out it works for me today. It hits the same spot De La Soul does. It's a great album for the older generation, I'm not sure how well it holds up to the younger folks.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
You can't go wrong with Stevie Wonder, you just can't. Like most of his stuff you want to put on the good headphones and try and pick up every note. This album didn't have any radio hits that I can think of but don't overlook it. He wrote and released a handful of albums during this time frame and they all are timeless.
Great album.
The Isley Brothers
4/5
So most folks know some Isley Brothers tunes. These folks had hits. Listening to this album made me decide to pull their whole discography and listen to their stuff from start to finish. Fun fact, they started out as a do wop group in 59.
This is a great soul/funk album.
MC Solaar
3/5
I had no idea what he was saying but I enjoyed the beats and the flow of it. You can hear dudes talent and looking up the translation he is a great lyricist as well.
If I was a French speaker I'd probably own this and still play it.
Little Richard
3/5
It's short just around 30 minutes. Listening to it is fun. Little Richard just goes for it on most tracks. Then you realize it's just an album of singles because that's how it was it was done then. You can hear the blues in the songs, but it's done in a such a way that it doesn't feel like a blues album. You can see how much of a lasting impression Little Richard has had on music. It's worth a listen but don't be too chocked if you don't revisit it.
Beastie Boys
3/5
I was excited for this album. It been over 30 years since I heard it and have fond memories of listening to the Beastie Boys. I listened to it twice now and it's got some good songs but overall it's not holding up for me.
I want to like it but it's not there for me. Like I said some of the tunes got added to the playlist but this is flat out party music, you play it when you have people over and no one is paying attention to the songs, just the energy.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
3/5
It's not bad. I'm kinda surprised I'd not heard of them. It's a decent album but without the nostalgia I'm not excited for it. Some of the tunes I've enjoyed but overall I'm kinda meh on it, I want to listen to it again to be sure.
On a second listen I appreciate it more but it's not going to get added to the rotation outside of a song or two. I am suggesting it to a friend though. I think it's more up her alley than mine.
Gram Parsons
1/5
Wow. So I'm not a fan of country overall. I enjoy the old stuff. Willie Nelson was always played growing up.
I can't make it through a whole song so far. I'm hoping the lady singing has a solo song in this, she sounds alright then the guy starts caterwauling and I'm done.
His subdued stuff is ok, Brass Buttons was decent as was $1000 dollar wedding. Neither will make it into my rotation but they are bright spots for me. The album is better after the first couple of songs.
It does make me want to listen to George Jones again.
The Pogues
3/5
It's fun and reminds me of hanging out at a friend's house drinking and smoking in the early 90's.
They are very good at setting a mood and telling a story. It's an enjoyable album.
Fela Kuti
4/5
I have listened to and seen Kemi Kuti live before. Never thought to listen to his dad before! It's great, like big band/jazz/funk raised a baby in Africa. Even if that sounds like it's not your jam give a listen, it is well worth an hour.
I can imagine the energy these folks had live, they must of put on a show!
Sonic Youth
4/5
I was given Sonic Youth tapes for my birthday one year, so I'm biased.
This is a great album. If you aren't into the sound wall type of music that's fine, that isn't the whole album. Sugar Kane is a personal favorite, Nic Fit is a very fitting song for it's title.
This is a solid Sonic Youth Album. It's worth a listen as they have influenced so many other bands. If you enjoy this give Daydream Nation, and Goo a listen.
Milton Nascimento
2/5
I wish I knew the language. Musically it's great. Kinda slow, but I think that's not a bad thing. I just think knowing what he is singing would help me "get" this album.
Trem De Doido is a favorite of mine from this.
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
3/5
This sounds like the 80's. Doesn't matter that the synth driven music was a brief part of the 80's, this album fits. I swear parts of it are in every movie set or filmed in the early to mid 80's that had a prom scene. These songs were played during the talking parts of the dance.
Don't mistake what I'm saying for being bad. It's a decent album if syth and early electronic pop experiments are your thing. I enjoyed Joan of Arc the most. It's a fun album and worth a listen just to hear the early days of synth music.
Kanye West
1/5
I saw him live once. Waited so long for him to come out the drink I had pregamed with wore off. Show wasn't bad though. I used to enjoy his stuff, good lyrics, flow and beat.
Then he started talking all Hitler was a good guy and went on Alex Jones with a white supremacist.
I hope he gets the help he needs, but I'm not giving him anymore of my money.
This would be a 4-5 star album. I can't give it that though.
Ray Charles
4/5
This is just great. It's an album you play on a day you have no plans and just want to sit down, read a book, and relax with your partner.
It's what cozy sounds like to me. Ray is just smooth, the band both adds to, and compliments his voice. This could play in a small bookstore or coffee shop and at least three people would ask if they could buy it.
I had forgotten how much talent Ray Charles had. I need to listen to all his stuff now.
The Kinks
2/5
I enjoyed it as much as I can enjoy late 60's brit pop. I'm not a fan of this era so when I first sat down to listen I had to actually pull up lyrics. In my head this era all sounds the same, but this was better than I expected. Its better than the Beatles, the lyrics are sneaky although I'm not sure how well it holds up now.
It won't make it into my rotation it I'm not bad I listened to it.
I
David Bowie
4/5
I really wish they would of mixed his vocals a bit louder. Some of the songs he sounds more like a back up singer for the band. It works on a few though as he comes across more haunting while the band experiments with sound.
It's a good album, I prefer the Ziggy Stardust album but this one is the start of him experimenting more. Each song feel different from the next and he's channeling a do wop band in one.
Good album. It's one that I want to spend more time with, I swear there are other bands that influenced each track. Besides the Rolling Stones cover that is.
10cc
2/5
More brit pop....
So this isn't good to me. I think they were going for funny or clever at the very least. Yet at best I raised and eyebrow and went, why is this on the list?
I've now listened to it twice and I still question it. Is there some band that attributes 10cc as why they became a band? I'm just not hearing it.
John Coltrane
4/5
I mean it's Coltrane I don't think I've ever heard anything by him that's bad. There are other albums I enjoy more, but this is a damn good album.
It's the kind of album you want to listen to during a snow storm or raining day. It's perfect for that morning cup of coffee where you just don't want to start your day. It's a pick out a book and chill in your favorite chair or couch album.
Baaba Maal
3/5
This album is kinda hypnotic considering I don't know what the man is singing.
The entire listen is relaxed and low key. It's not bad in any sense, it reminds me of the time when world music was all over for some reason. That was before the weird time when gregorian chants were a thing.
I enjoyed my time with this album but I doubt it will get much replay from me.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
4/5
This album is wild, starts off with hippies singing about love. Drops into a blues tune that starts off with him having the thought of cutting his hair. Then a song about wanting to move to Canada to escape the draft but being told no. The whole time you're listening you can just feel the 60's. It is a capsule of time in an album.
Willie Nelson
4/5
It's a concept album! I grew up hearing Willie Nelson so I'm biased but I really enjoy this album. The stripped down music, the story, Willie in his prime.... I get not liking modern country, it's just pop with a twang, but this is what it used to be. Decent songs written by some country dude that has seen some shit.
Great album and it will be added to my rotation and I now need to listen to some more Willie Nelson.
Sonic Youth
4/5
Another Sonic Youth album! Another one I got for my birthday all though years ago too!
I have happy thoughts and memories of this one.
This album is less wall of sound like their later stuff. It's more of an straightforward alternative album. They still experiment with music but it's far less jarring for a lot of people. I could play this tape in the car and people were far more willing to listen to it.
Great album. Kool Thing is a standout for a lot of folks, myself included. Well worth a listen.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
This is an odd album. At first I thought it was a concept album where he was trying for wild church music, then the second album kicks in with a song about Orpheus.
Nick Cave is just going for it. Musically it's great, his voice is great, the lyrics are decent, it's just a wild album.
I've now listened to it twice. I think this will be one of those albums I put on from time to time while cleaning and get a different take depending on the day. It's solid.
The Mothers Of Invention
3/5
Ah the anti-beatles album.
I don't know the real story behind this but after the several listens over the years I decided Zappa used every Beatles "sound" of these and twisted them to use against them. Against them might be the wrong words....
There are other great Zappa albums I pick before this one. For the money is enjoyable to pick out what Beatles song he's satirizing though.
The Prodigy
2/5
Ahh Prodigy. I swear they only made the first two songs on this album to drum up publicity. It's like a label went, "We like you but can you be edgy? We would move a million more units if your edgy." So they did and made cash off something that most folks wouldn't of bought otherwise.
Remember kids marketing is always working for ways to take your money.
Once you get out from under the "woman hating pyros" that was assigned to them it's not bad if you like electronic dance music. Fast paced, loud and you want to drive like a nut if you listen to it in a car.
Black Sabbath
3/5
I used to call them grandpa metal. Not because they are only for older folks but because they are metals actual grandpa.
Great album, its musically solid, and doesn't feel old. Well worth the time to listen.
Radiohead
2/5
I've seen Radiohead several times live. The bends is amazing, ok computer is out of this world, I love Pablo Honey, I enjoy Kid A, but I can't for the life of me love this album. I'm going to listen to in rainbows and make myself feel better.
Madonna
1/5
This isn't a good album. Madonna changed pop music and this album made some car commercials. It's not there lyrically, it's just bland techo pop musically, it's just not good.
Huge wiff with this one. I don't understand why it's on the list. She has so many better albums, I swear this one made the cut off her name alone.
Skunk Anansie
3/5
It's interesting. They really swing for the fences and parts are all over the place because of it. Some songs her vocals get wiped out in the quiet parts and blown out in others. Sucks because she seems to have great voice. Musicaly it's clean although again on a pendulum for how it swings.
It does make me want to listen to more of their stuff. I'm not sure if this is their first album.
Solid listen but doesn't really hit at first listen. This is the kind of album that gets you curious though.
Janelle Monáe
3/5
This album has some Bowie/Prince experiment vibes to it. Some songs are just amazing and others are there.... It's a trip that's for sure.
It has made me want to listen to more of her though. This album. Is going in the rotation and I'm saving her stuff to find out how she evolves over time.
Hanoi Rocks
2/5
Ah weird 80's rock doing everything you can to make us remember the smell of too much hairspray with a song.
As far as glam rock goes it's not bad. If you are like me and don't enjoy glam rock you should pass this one up. It has some fun songs but after a while they all sound alike and drag on you.
I swear this is one of those albums that got played in movies set in the 80's. It's on a radio as background noise but tells you the era perfectly.
Sheryl Crow
2/5
It's not a bad album. Has some rough edges and I enjoy her later stuff more but I enjoyed this more than I expected to.
She's got some great lyrics but the songs are kind of going through the paces, just plodding along. Her next album is better.
Christine and the Queens
2/5
French pop music. Alright.
It reminds me a lot of late 80's early 90's pop. It's not all in French though. I expected to not understand, that's different. I enjoy their voice, the music is meh. I swear it's all electronic keyboards and drum machines.
Goya Soda is....something.
It's not a bad album but it's not for me, has some really interesting lyrics, but overall I'm not a pop music person.
Blur
2/5
I don't recall listening to a lot of blur outside of sound number 2. That one still holds up... Sadly I don't feel the rest of the album does. I expected more since he went on to help create Gorillaz and that song number two has had such staying power that it would be more.
So besides a couple of songs the album is really very plodding along. Like the way he sings it is like he's droning on to noise from the band. Sadly it's a miss.
The Residents
2/5
I think I heard an electric kazoo in there.
If you enjoy experiencing experiments with sound and music....you should have fun with this one.
Some of the songs will start out great and devolve into noise. Some are just noise. It's worth listening to just for the weirdness, but you should be warned it's not a "normal" album. It's like poetry from a nutter set to instruments made in a junkyard.
I enjoyed it for what it was but it's not making the rotation.
Soft Cell
2/5
Tainted Love is an absolute must listen to. I think it's a cover, but they it so damn well.
It doesn't seem that the rest of the album hits like Tainted Love. The synth is subtle and not like a lot of early 80's music where overpowers you. Unfortunately the singing needs it. Dude sounds whiny more than anything.
The Doors
3/5
It's a good album. Nothing groundbreaking just a solid album with some fun tunes on it.
I've always had a soft spot for the doors but I will say they have better than this one. It's worth a listen and you might add a couple songs to a playlist, but it's got more filler than their first three albums. It's one of those albums I wish we had half stars cause it's better than 3 but not a 4.
John Lennon
1/5
So far I'm not digging it. Imagine is an amazing song, literally one of the best, the rest of the album....I know he was going for a vibe with the effects on the singing but it's just annoying. Dude can be a great songwriter and he's not helping the lyrics with the effects. It falls flat for me.
Oh and Jealous Guy makes him sound like he wrote down evidence in a domestic violence case. I had someone tell me it was an apology to his first wife but it's not a good look and the song makes me think of way too many lifetime movies.
I don't want to be a soldier mama could have been a great song. Instead he choose repetitive lyrics and voice effects to a slowed down drum track. It's six minutes of droning effects and a saxophone.
Maybe because I was born after Beatlemania that I just don't get it. Maybe this is one of those you had to be there albums. I don't buy that because I have enjoyed a lot of music that came out before I was born and love it. All I know is this is an album with one amazing track and a ton of filler.
UB40
3/5
A saxophone in a reggae song is a choice. It strangely works, thus proving my idea that every band in the 80's used a saxophone at least once.
Some of these songs still hold up. It's sad that they do, but the music is good.
The sax really threw me off, for some reason I thought that showed up in later albums. I gave this one a couple listens and enjoyed it more than I expected. It does make me want to hear more of them, so mission accomplished UB40.
Bruce Springsteen
2/5
Ahh the 9/11 album.
It goes about like you would think. Some songs are sad but have a tinge of hope, others are hopeful with a tinge of sadness.
They all kind of sound similar as it's album number 12. If you like Springsteen it fills that niche nicely. If you don't, then you probably won't like it.
I'm a fan of his Nebraska album so this seems over produced to me but it's not obnoxiously so. Keep in mind Nebraska was him his guitar and a tape recorder, it's a glorified demo.
Overall he has better albums but this isn't bad. I doubt I will replay this one though.
Franz Ferdinand
4/5
I don't know them but it's been a fun album. One song must have been popular because I heard it before. I don't usually go for this sound but this album is going in the rotation. It's good to drive to and I am listening to it again at work.
Good stuff.
Leftfield
2/5
Ah it's rave music! Well 90's rave music anyway. Here is the fun part about it, it's only fun when your at the rave some pills were taken and your dancing next to a beautiful woman who is in short shorts and a bikini top. Outside of that specific instance 90's rave music isn't worth listening to.
If you listen to it in the car you will get a ticket or wreck and die. On a bike you think I can beat the train. Maybe try and listen while cleaning your house but your doing to miss some spots. It's fast noise with a rhythm. Sometimes people will repeat words in another language that you don't understand.
I will say production wise it's good. It's not painful to listen to so that's nice.
The Police
3/5
So I've seen them live but apparently never listened to this entire album before. I knew the hits but not the whole album. Their deep cuts are funny, granted Any Other Day is a bit problematic in this day and age but outside of a lyric it still holds up.
It's worth a listen or three. Its making me want to deep dive on all their albums.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
We all know rock came from blues. This album is a good example of it. It's mostly rock but they had to of grown up listening to the blues.
This is a great rock album. I've had friends of mine ask me to give them a good rock album to start on. I will always give a shirt list and this album is on it.
Perfect rock album.
a-ha
2/5
I'm questioning some of these albums. I've had several that had one great song and the rest is meh. I know one hit wonders are a thing. So why are those albums with one great song and the rest are meh on this list?
Take on Me is an amazing video, the song is great! The rest of this album is so meh. There are some weird, are you trying for a rock opera? songs. Overall it's very we got you hooked with the one song on the radio you now buy the album and realize it's only the one good song.
It sucks because you know they make greatness.
Caetano Veloso
3/5
I know this album.. kinda. I remember the cover vividly and from listening to a few tracks its the "weird" album my parents had. I never understood why they had an album where you didn't understand the lyrics. I really need to look up why Brazilian arts got sold like they did in the 70's.
Onto the album.
It's fun. No clue what dude is singing about other than Soy loco por ti, America. Cause even my dumbass can translate that one.
Seriously the album is good it's got a nice rhythm even in the slower songs. It's well worth a listen or three. I'm not sure if it will make it into rotation but I've listened to it a few times today and enjoyed it.
Mj Cole
1/5
Maybe I'm not in the right mindset for this one. Cause so far the songs are just loops. Repetitive doesn't describe how little the songs change.
So I'm thinking I need to travel back in time grab all the raver kid pills I can take and give it a relisten.
I feel like this album is trolling me. It sounds like the music played in a shitty overpriced clothing store at a mall in the late 90's. It's just repeating.
HOW IS THIS TWO HOURS LONG! What is the absolute hell is going on?!
Sorry electronic music lovers this one isn't bringing me to your side of things.
Duke Ellington
4/5
This makes me wish we had better recording technology years ago. This album is fun but I wish there was a cleaner recording.
That said It's a very good album. I enjoy jazz but wouldn't say I'm a huge fan, that said this album is great to sit down and listen to. I started listening to it at home, drove to work and finished it at work. I then listened again at work. It's nice in all of those circumstances, I would of loved to see this live. I think it would have been amazing.
Nick Drake
4/5
Damn, this is good. I know his voice but never listened to an album of his.
This whole album is in my rotation now. I need to listen to all of his stuff. The more I listen the more I'm glad it's just him and a guitar on this. It just all works together so damn well.
The Doors
3/5
Oh LA woman, the weakest doors album yet still pulls out Riders on the Storm, Love her Madly, Crawling King Snake and LA Woman.
The doors are an interesting band. The first two albums were just stacked, just absolutely ridiculous, then the farther you get from there the quality drops off yet is still listenable. LA woman is a fine album to put and an listen to. The band is great, Morrisons lyrics are the weakest here while still able to pull out greatness here and there.
Beastie Boys
3/5
I have a love hate relationship with these guys. I LOVE some of their songs and the rest all sound the same. I think it's the vocal distortion they use for everything. Makes me wish they would of had a few songs with clearer vocals.
They have some track that are just beats, very well done. It's a more mature album overall. They are still party music. This album brings a little bit for everyone yet works. It's not going to be in rotation for me but it's an album I will pull out every so often.
Marvin Gaye
4/5
My man was working through some shit with this one. It is the best sounding depression though. Marvin has an amazing voice and he is singing through his depression.
So I really believe that a country musician could do a lot of these songs and it would just fit. Heartbreak is universal.
The Space song is wild in this. He is singing about his love and pain, then a song about getting down on the moon. I'm a bit confused but it's a good song.
Sure he has better albums, but as a Soul/Funk music lover this hits. I'll listen to it again for sure. I don't think I would recommend it to someone going though divorce. Well except A Funky Space Reincarnation. That one I'm telling everyone to listen to.
The Stone Roses
3/5
I want to like it more. Some of the bass lines tell me it's going somewhere, then it doesn't. Honestly it might be my expectation. I thought they were a "harder" sound. Then when I got 80's rock band #3 I went, what?! So I decided I'm going to listen to it again later now that I've got one listen in. Cause right now it's a 2.
Alright after another listen I'm happier about the album. It's very chill and great to walk to. I can see myself listening to it again. I suspect this album grows on you. Even though it's not my favorite it is an enjoyable album....
Randy Newman
3/5
It's weird that the Toy Story guy is singing a satire album about the south. Like I get it, but I can not separate the two. The songs are spot on, harsh and vulgar and I understand where it's coming from. It sucks this album feels like it was written recently. It's terrible that an album written in 1974 still feels relevant. It shouldn't, we should be better. It also sucks because all I see are Buzz and Woody while the album plays. This is not the album to be seeing Buzz and Woody while I listen!
Dire Straits
3/5
The mix on this album is just so crisp. Seriously most albums are not clear for every instrument. Here you can listen to the bass or drums, you can hear the guitars so clearly. It's a marvel and a far cry from the early 00's loudness wars BS.
That said it's a good album, it's got the hits you all have heard, it's got some great deep cuts, there are some filler but it's not a one hit wonder album. The music is great, Knopfler is a great guitars. The entire band is amazing.
It does have a problematic lyric, yes I get the why, I understand what it's pointing out but still. This album is a great time capsule album that fits rock in 85.
Funkadelic
5/5
It's just amazing. Opens with a 10 minute guitar solo that has just souch emotion it's hard to put into words. Like he is trying to express grief using only his guitar. Hendrix came back from the dead to listen to it gave it a ten minute standing ovation then died again it's that good.
The best part is rest of the album is great too. Hit it and quit it is impossible not to move to. I was sitting down on a dreary Saturday morning and it came on and my head started to bob and the rest of my body started moving. Couldn't help myself.
I wonder how long Clinton spent in the mixing bay for this. It's all clean and tight, he plays with some effects but it doesn't drown anything out or make it sound off.
Seriously it's great. I can't say that enough. If you have good headphones put them on for this. I wish I had a great speaker set up in my place for albums like this.
Arcade Fire
2/5
I want to like it more. It opens strong, but all the rest of the albums sounds the same and it just plods along. Like they started off amazing then slide down until everything is just the same
It's wild because I usually enjoy albums like this. It's not quite a concept album but it's all in a theme.
Aretha Franklin
5/5
I've always loved Aretha Franklin, I mean how can you not? Her voice is amazing. This album is just pure Aretha, the vocals are perfect, the band is perfect for the vocals, lyrics are locked in. It's just a great album.
If you ever come across someone that hasn't listen to her before just play this album for them.
Led Zeppelin
3/5
It's a good album. They have better but they released three albums in a year and a half so it seems like they were running out of steam a bit with this one. It feels like a bunch of tracks that would have been B sides for their first two albums.
It's an enjoyable listen. If you like Zeppelin you will love it. If your on the fence it's not going to move the needle.
Songhoy Blues
4/5
This reminds me of the ZamRock era in the 70's. Zambia had some really great rock coming out of it during that time. Bands I now listen to, enjoy, and tell my friends to listen to. This album feels like the successor to the ZamRock title.
These dude are good. Musically it's great. I can't speak lyrically because I don't know the language but it feels good to listen to regardless. I need to look up more of their stuff this is a damn good album.
Ok this whole album is getting added to my library. I've listened to it twice in a row. It is a really great album, especially since I don't know what they are singing about. These guys are great musicians. Made me a fan.
The Beach Boys
3/5
Alright I've heard the Beach Boys hits. Paying attention to the lyrics is different. The music and the lyrics are at odds for quite a few songs. One of the songs is about him changing after years and the fear he has. Yet the singing and the music are opposite. It's odd and off-putting at times.
I want to find an album of Beach Boys songs with different arrangements and singers. I think that would be an amazing album. The lyrics are good, I'm stuck by the music.
David Bowie
4/5
This is the album before Spiders From Mars. Maybe it's opening up with Changes but this album. Feels like an odd bridge from his first few albums to the Ziggy and beyond ones.
Overall it's Bowie you really can't go wrong. It's a good album and I enjoy it every time I listen to it.
Jacques Brel
3/5
Ok an older French singer. Dude sings with emotion that's for sure.
Alright I read the wiki before finishing the album, I don't usually do this. Turns out he is a Belgian man singing songs that sound aggressively French. It feels like he is moving across the stage with his mic and a baguette swinging the bread around like he is going to assault someone with it while smoking a cigarette.
No clue what the lyrics are. Doesn't stop me from enjoying it. Dude seems like he would be a good showman.
1/5
Alright if the third Limp Bizkit album is on this list what other nonsense is lurking in here. This isn't even their best album, and I've only listened to their first three.
I looked this is the only Limp Bizkit album on the list. I now question the author of the books mental state. I think he's trolling us with this one. Turns out this was removed in later editions. Yeah that tracks. I could see their second album Significant Other being on the list, every young white guy had a copy of it.
Yes Limp had cultural relevance in the time they played in, but there are better Nu-Metal bands,
My Generation is the stand out on this album. Rollin makes me want to mosh my head into a wall and My Way makes him sound like a spoiled entitled child.
Michael Kiwanuka
4/5
I want to see this man live. I can see him playing the largest stages and showing up at a club. Its great.
This is a great album, it's got the right amount of chill and energy to have a nice sit down and listen, it could be background while you do dishes. I'll bet cash money it's been played at coffee shops and bookstores. You know it's been played in music stores. You want to pay attention to the lyrics. Don't just let this become background music.
The Temptations
5/5
It's just so damn good. Seriously they turned in a soul/funk Motown album, and it hits all of those marks so damn well.
First off the Temptations are awesome, even their early stuff is good but this is just perfection.
Second, They did a version of I Heard It Through the Grapevine that is a wild take and I'm here for it.
Third, It's got some classic Temptations sounds on the back side of the album so if you aren't in the more funk from them you are covered as well.
Seriously it's great, it feels of it's age but doesn't feel tired. A great album.
The B-52's
2/5
I'm really not sure on this one. It's slower than I wanted. The music is great, the lyrics are fun. It's an odd album. I usually enjoy the more out there albums but this didn't land.
3/5
I don't think I've heard of them before. Interesting sound very late 70's garage sound. Not bad so far. They are definitely influenced by the Ramones.
I swear I've heard some lyrics before. I'll bet someone covered them. It's a pretty good album for its time. Got some really fun US punk in there. I have a feeling I'll be adding it to my rotation. I want to listen again and see how it holds up to repeat listens.
Simon & Garfunkel
5/5
This is one of the best chill albums to be made. It's just packed with great songs. I'm not even going to bother listing them.
Every song is worth a listen. There just isn't any filler in this. I've listened to it three times today and enjoyed it every time. Just a damn good album.
4/5
Another album I was just listening to!
So this is what I think of as progressive soul/funk. It's got some great longer songs that will change rhythms. City, country, city is interesting to hear. The Cisco Kid is more what people will gravitate to but listen to the entire album. It's well worth the time.
It's a great album.
3/5
Oh Wonderwall the song of choice for tools that had a guitar in the 90's.
Seriously I was at a house party and some dude had a guitar and I swear he only knew Wonderwall and one other song. If you've ever seen Animal House you know what we were all thinking...
So the album isn't bad overall. There are some songs that are pretty good even if they have some lyrics that are weak. One of the songs started off really rocking....then went to incessant whining. I was really hoping to be surprised and they just go full on rockstar, sadly that didn't happen.
The only song I really enjoyed was Don't Look Back in Anger. It's a great song even if he sounds kinda whiny while doing it.
Overall I do not understand the love they get, kinda mid to me, although at one point one of the brothers announced they were bigger than the Beatles and it pissed off so many people. Seriously it was hilarious, they get an extra star for that.
Sex Pistols
4/5
It's been forever since I've listened to this album. I remember my friends brother telling us we had to listen to it as it's "real" music.
It shows it's age, but still holds up. Musically it's far more solid than I remember. I do wish they would of played more as some of the solos are great, but a lot of the songs sound alike. Lyrically some of the songs still work and work well. I've been told that punk is just loud and dumb. Nope. Surely not this one.
It is a time capsule album and worth a listen.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
This is one of the best rock albums of all time. It is legitimately classic song after classic song. There is a reason why every rock station plays every track off this album. It's just that good.
Robert Wyatt
2/5
I don't even know about this one. The first track is decent, the second is something, and then it just kinda swings for the fences. I kinda want to listen to other stuff of his just to see what it's like.
I do want to listen to it again later when I'm in a more chill mood. I don't think my more chaotic day is the time to try and figure out this one.
The Specials
4/5
Remember the weird time in the 90's when Ska showed up some of us were confused and others tried to swing dance?
This has more reggae tones and weirdness than that time. It's musically upbeat and danceable as Ska tends to be, but the weirdness over it all adds to it. Interesting album.
OK I'm not a ska guy, I wasn't in the 90's I was one of the, "Where did this come from?!" people. So this album growing on my is not what I expected. It's getting added to my library and I can see me putting this on at times I need to move as it just makes you want to bop around the house.
Nick Drake
4/5
So after two Nick Drake albums I'm officially a fan now.
The Cure
2/5
Ahh the 80's, kinda.The soundtrack to my younger years. I didn't understand the pull of The Cure then, and I don't now.
There are a few good songs on here, sadly all of the rest sounds alike. I like to think of this sound as proto-emo. It's all slightly whiny and if you're not in the head space for it....Well it falls flat.
I listened to it again and it's just not there. I see all the 5 star reviews and wonder if it's a nostalgia thing and I just missed that boat when I was younger....
k.d. lang
3/5
I guess I've never listened to KD Lang before. I thought she was more pop than country. She has a great voice but I'm not a fan of country music usually. This is very warm and soft, the lyrics aren't bad.
If you enjoy country music I'm sure you'll enjoy this.
Al Green
4/5
I mean come on it's Al Green! This is a damn good album.
You know more of his stuff than you realize. I've not listened to this album in its entirety before but I knew most of the songs.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
3/5
This is my second Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds album. I still don't know what to make of them. Dude has a voice like a crooner, lyrics of a madman, and the band is pretty damn good. It's wild. As before I listened to this album twice and when I was finished the second time I still couldn't figure out if I loved it or it was just so unordinary I accepted it.
One day I will figure it out.
Rush
4/5
I wanted to skip my graduation to see Rush. I made the mistake of telling my Mom what I was going to do. You would have thought I ran over Grandma she was so mad. She was mad about it until I walked with my class.
I still regret not going to the show.
That said Rush is amazing and this album is one of their best. This is one of those classic albums that most of it is played on classic rock stations damn near every day.
If you enjoy this look up the song Subdivisions from the album after this.
Beck
2/5
So I found the most boring Beck album today. The side effects are depression, sleepiness, and REALLY wanting to change albums. It's pretty obvious he was going though some things. It sounds like a break up.
I did enjoy real instruments, I also liked that it was oversampled and full of gibberish. It's just boring. If I was going though a break-up or in the middle of a deep depression I think this would be the soundtrack.
When I want to listen to a Beck album with real instruments and not be sad when I'm done I will put on One Foot in the Grave. It's a much better album.
Nina Simone
4/5
You can't go wrong with Nina Simone. I've loved her since I first heard Sinnerman so many years ago.
She has such a soulful voice and the lyrics to match. Really great at having you feel the story she's singing to you.
The music on this album is really great as well. It might not be my favorite of her albums but it such a damn good album everyone should give it a listen.
Eurythmics
4/5
I enjoyed this far more than I expected. I knew Sweet Dreams was an amazing song but usually that says the rest of the album is a dud. This one is moody and has a weird atmosphere to it. It has 100% of that 80's feel that you expect but a depth to it I didn't expect to come across.
It's one of those albums that I want to listen to more to get all of it. Her voice is great and it fits the tone of the music. It's going to live with me me longer than I thought it would.
Alice Cooper
4/5
Elvis Costello
3/5
I'm not sure if I like it. I don't hate it. Listened to it twice and never wanted to turn it off but I wasn't thinking I want to listen to this later. I never wanted to grab my good headphones for it.
It was in one ear and out the other.
It's weird because it's not bad. The album tends to blend together though, all the songs sound a lot a like. I wish something jumped out at me.
Rage Against The Machine
5/5
This is another album that shouldn't be relevant in 2025, yet here we are. This album was and is a wake up call. Sadly it wasn't heeded when it came out and I doubt it will be now.
It's still a absolute great album. It holds up today as well as when it came out. Rage has a statement to make with each and every song and they are loud when they make it.
"Some of those that work forces
Are the same that burn crosses"
Duran Duran
3/5
Ok I always dismissed them as just an 80's synth pop band. This album is better than I expected. I forgot how many hits they had on the album.
The music itself is fun and the bass lines are great. If you want to hear early 80's synth pop this album is better than most.
Ray Charles
4/5
Ray Charles doing country and western songs. It works well. I wasn't sure what to expect but it's good.
I suspect the reason this albums works so well because Ray Charles is a generational talent and amazing. Seriously he put so much out there and listening to him feels like home.
Blur
3/5
It's missed me. I'm just not feeling it.
I enjoyed Girls and Boys for one lyric and but musically I'm meh to the tune. Some of the lyrics are good and I think I would enjoy them more if the music had a different arrangement. Like it's just to peppy for some songs and the lyric should have some gravity to it but it just doesn't.
I'm just not a fan of blur I guess.
Cee Lo Green
3/5
Cee-Lo had better albums with Goodie Mob. It feels like he tried to reinvent soul but stuck in his ego.
It's new enough my brain goes not the soul music I grew up with, but catchy and good enough to want to listen to more. Some of the songs just don't work with his voice though. With him having a unique voice it can be distracting on some tracks. Works great on a few.
Billy Bragg
3/5
This album is something. Woody Guthrie lyrics, Wilco playing and Bragg singing.
It's not bad, it's not good, but it's not bad.
It's a lot though. Kinda messy in my ears. This is one of those albums that you later listen to because it's one that just goes for it.
Coldplay
2/5
I don't understand their popularity.
It's all kind of bland, like instead of waiting 20 years to be played in a grocery store they made this.
What's weird is it's not bad music, they have talent, but it doesn't stay with you. Some songs I went, oh this is nice, then the next track plays and sounds similar but when the record is over I don't remember what I thought was nice or why.
Coldplay the light beer of music.
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
3/5
I think the artist needs a hug. He is going though some life changing shit with this album. It's not a bad album but I suspect it helps to be depressed to grasp everything in it.
Suzanne Vega
3/5
Her later albums are better. Some of the tunes on this give a poetry that has a guitar more than a song. I think it was recorded on the cheap as well. You can hear and feel the talent on it. She tells a story really well.
I would start with her second album if you want to listen to her. This has glimmers of what is to come with her as an artist but like a lot of artist with their first album is kind of rough.
Steve Winwood
2/5
So the first track was EVERYWHERE for years radio wise. I swear it's been in a few movies as well. It's not even his best song but it was a right song right time thing. It's also a killer song, so that's nice.
It's a one hit album. It's not bad it's just another album of one banger and a lot of the other songs sound alike.
If you are a fan of the 80's you will love it.
Nirvana
5/5
This album kicked off the population being aware of a "new" genre. When this album hit grunge was everywhere overnight. Everyone was signing Seattle/grunge bands after them. It lead to a whole generation of flannel wearing greasy kids running around.
It is legitimately one of the best albums of a generation. It's not for everyone, a buddy of mine called it "angry white boy music." Yet his silly ass was singing along to "In Bloom," yeah the song with the lyrics about singing along. He saw the irony of it all. Some songs do seem way more screamy than need be, but I promise you can understand the lyrics.
Love this album.
Orbital
4/5
So normally I dislike electronica, but this one works for me. I put it on while building some kitchen cabinets and I kept bopping to it. Weird, but it think because they mix in actual sounds and other music it works. It's not all beeps and boops to me.
The Who
2/5
So after listening to it and reading it's supposed to be a great album....I have questions.
Is the Who terrible?
Has everyone gone deaf?
They have some killer songs out there. If this is supposed to be one of their best I fear for other albums.
David Bowie
4/5
It's his kinds R&B album.
Seriously every Bowie album I get is just damn good.
Suede
2/5
The lyrics are repetitive and boring. The music is decent but holy shit it's repetitive lyrics just remove any enjoyment of the band.
It's like they tried to rip off better bands and got stuck on vibes.
Black Sabbath
3/5
They figured out their sound on the first album. A lot of bands will tweak and change things but they laid down their sound early.
Musically it's great, I could listen to them play for hours. The lyrics are kinda weak on this album. Well unless you want I just broke up with my lady type lyrics. Then it's spot on.
Ozzy voice being so young is different. You can tell he is younger on this vs other albums just by his tone.
Decent album,
Metallica
4/5
This album is amazing.
Clif dies in a bus accident, so they hire Jason to play bass. It goes on to get them radioplay with One, win all kinds of awards, well except that grammy. They were robbed that year and I'm a Jethro Tull fan. Then they tour the world on it, and after they make the Black album. Completely changing their sound. So this album is the end of phase one and the beginning of phase two for Metallica.
The lyrical side is great, musically it's just so dense with riffs it's wild. Every song has huge sections that make you want to learn guitar. The solos are tight. The only issue there is they decided to mess with the new guy Jason and turned down the bass in damn near all the tracks. The album suffers from this. When I want to listen to this I always have to adjust the eq far more than other Metallica albums, well except Death Magnetic. It's a great album that I wish they would remix.
Great album, historic as far as music goes, one of the the best trash metal albums around.
Hugh Masekela
4/5
I like it. My wife likes it. My thirteen year old said it could have a guitar in it.
2/3 ain't bad.
I enjoyed this album, it was loose enough but not where everyone is doing their own thing. Parts of it made me think of Coltrane. It did make me wish it was raining and I had nothing else to do honestly.
Blood, Sweat & Tears
3/5
I didn't think I knew who this was, then I listened and realized I knew a few songs off this album. Not sure where I heard them.
This album has some fun upbeat songs and some more slower almost ballads. It's a fun album overall. I'd suggest it to folks if they want a 60's album.
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
It's not as strong as other albums by them but it's a nice easy listen. Some tracks are actual songs others are poetry set to music. I prefer the actual songs, but the others are nice.
It's a solid album, a bit dated now but that's going to happen.
Depeche Mode
3/5
This album has some atmosphere. I knew the whole thing was moody but this is a teenage break up moody, and the whole albums feels it.
I typically don't go for 80's synth pop but this album as some really great songs on it. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. It works really well together but there are several songs that stand out that will make a playlist for me.
The Dictators
2/5
Cheeky album. Kind of a proto punk album full of weird humor and making fun of established norms.
Not all of it holds up and some you really have to listen to see what he's pointing at. Still though historically speaking not terrible. It won't make my rotation but I'm not mad I listened to it.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
I enjoy CCR so I'm bias on this one. It's a solid album and is pure Americana. It sounds like the bayou based on all the lyrics yet they are from California. It works because no one really sounds like them.
Great album.
Hot Chip
1/5
This is just terrible. Hey we should love each other set to a bunch of beeps and boops. How about no.
Seriously the entire album beeps and boops. I swear it's a casio preset!
The Flaming Lips
4/5
Ahh the Flaming Lips. It was around this time they blew up for a third time. Seeing them live was a spectacular event. Sometimes they descended in a UFO, other times it was human sized hamster balls.
Now this is one of those albums that is celebrated as one of their best, it is don't get me wrong but I started with them around the time they released a turn called Jesus Shooting Heroin. I love their Clouds Taste Metallic and Transmissions from the Satellite Heart. Those two albums can be put on and played and I will listen to them front to back over and over again.
This album is a more serious album. As dumb as that is to write. It's still an experiment as it's kind of a concept album. It has some heavy discussions in it framed along well fighting robots. Yet the sound is consistent across the songs it's a cohesive album.
I wish I could give it half stars. Its a solid 4.5 for me. It doesn't hit all the way around but it's so damn good. Really damn good, but for me, I miss the wild songs of earlier in their career where they were out there. This is them at middle age going, well we did a song about a Watermelon Gun, lets make an album that can be made into a musical. Also this got made I to a musical.
Lambchop
2/5
I'm not sure what this is. It's like if our parents in the 70's had a party and instead of a bowl of keys had a bowl of weed. Yet not as fun as that sounds because this is lame and reminds me of the worst episode of the love boat.
Shack
2/5
So it makes me think of Friends for some reason. I never watched friends, seen clips, but this album is so 90's I feel it could be played during a friends episode.
It's really kinda boring and I wonder why this made the list.
Ella Fitzgerald
4/5
Ok you have to be in the right mood for this one. It's over three hours and very chill. I started at work while doing some mind numbing tasks so I got into it there. Then came home and it was a low key Monday night so I played the rest. It makes me wish it was cooler out. Her voice is simply amazing and this album is clear as a bell. Some older recordings can be heard, this one sounds like it was put out a few years ago. Impressive. You can tell some of these were recorded at different times. Her voice sounds different in some and I swear I can hear the hiss of an album in a few. I wore my good headphones for this album.
I'm not familiar with the Gershwins, I know the name and that they wrote a lot of "standards". I don't think I would enjoy it as much if someone else was singing. Maybe some of the rat pack could so these justice, I'll bet Sinatra or Martin could do well with some of these. Ella just takes it to a different level.
I can see a lot of folks being turned off on this one. It's very of its age. It feels like Grandma's house in fall. It's a damn good album set, but it's not modern. I think this will get added to my album list. It just feels relaxing. I wish it was cut down though, it's a lot. Still though I will end up putting it on to read a book with, or cook a big meal, I won't sit down and listen to it cover to cover.
Electric Light Orchestra
3/5
This is a wild album. It's fun as hell but I have a limited experience with ELO so I'm not sure if it's a concept album or if they just go for it on every song.
The Rolling Stones
2/5
Starting off with Paint it Black... Awesome
Following it up with Stupid Girl and Lady Jane....WTF?!
Also why and I getting beach boys vibes from this? Who was copying who at this point?
New Order
2/5
Oh good it's Adult contemporary 80's album number 27.
It's very boring. Like why is it on the list boring. I'm having a difficult time making it through a song much less the album. A lot of albums have one song that carries it, I don't know what song that is here. It's just that boring.
Supertramp
3/5
So it is the most 70's classic rock album I think you're gonna find... It sounds like they tried going a bit prog but either missed or just wiffed it. I'm not sure.
I enjoyed it, I was familiar enough with them and I enjoy this era of rock enough. I don't see many people getting their hair blown back by it but it is worth a listen one hundred percent. It's enjoyable to listen to while driving or doing yard work and you want some rock.
Steve Earle
3/5
This is satire right? Like it is way to on the nose for country music to be legit.
Seriously the first song has city names, a truck stop, boots and pretty baby. It has to be making fun right?
Alright I think this is the the county album that combined ALL of the tropes. It has it all so far. If he sings about his dog, trailer or tornado I'm out, I will not finish the album.
This album is kind of amazing, I swear it hits all the country themes before 9/11. It's almost a parody of itself how far it goes. I'm not convinced Steve isn't having fun with it. He had to have sat down and went, "I will write the MOST country album ever!" Some producer heard the demo and told him yes and this album was born. What's wild is it's not bad, dude can play, the band is solid, good production, the lyrics are.....very county & western. If you're into the genre you will probably love it.
I'm giving it a three because I enjoyed it but not for the reason I'm supposed to..
Rufus Wainwright
2/5
Well. He likes Radiohead. This album just sounds like the bends to me. Quiet lyrics then a big sound comes in to emphasize the lyrics.
It's an ok album. It's not going to stick with me at all. I get what he's going for but it's not my scene or vibe.
Well made album though. I enjoyed the music over the lyrics personally but I can see this man have a serious rabid following.
Beck
2/5
So right now I assume Beck has no less than all his albums on the list. I know this based on what my friends and I have gotten. What weird is none of us have got a good beck album. So I wager all of his stuff is on here because of this.
If this list doesn't give me the best beck album I'm gonna be pissed I listened to all of these lame one.
One foot in the grave is his best.
Todd Rundgren
3/5
Someone had fun in the studio! I'm pretty sure drugs were involved as well.
So it's a reach. He was trying for something, I'm not sure what he was trying for but I appreciate the experience. You do need to be in the mindset for experimental music before sitting down with it. I realized I had skipped this because I got it on a day I needed to get things done and I'm glad I waited for a day when I had time to catch up on some albums.
It's an adventure for sure. Some songs are really fun and work well, others you can see what he was going for but come out a disjointed wall of noise.
Worth a listen unless you hate it when an artist tries something different.
Girls Against Boys
3/5
First time I heard them was in a dank basement. The album fits that first listen. It makes me think of dark clubs where it smells of old booze and stale cigarettes. It embodies the shitty places we would hang out.
It a decent album, I can see this album turning off some folks. It's gritty and feels dirty. Worth a listen for sure.
Elton John
3/5
Ok I didn't expect the prog frost track. That was fun.
The rest of the album feels like a best of album. You know and understand that he's been writing hits for a while but listening to this made me realize it. It's a very good album and I wasn't kidding when I said it feels like a best of. It's not his greatest hits, but the album has several on it, but it just feels like a huge album.
Good stuff.
Metallica
5/5
This is one of the best thrash metal albums of all time. It is high on the list for best metal album of all time. It is the best Metallica album as well. This album is just that good from start to finish.
RIP Cliff
Frank Sinatra
3/5
It's a decent enough album. Frank isn't a hard sell though. The music is muted and the lyrics are....well the same. Dude misses his girl, or want to get with a girl or love.
So. Much. Love.
It's fairly repetitive and if it wasn't Sinatra I don't think it would be on the list. There are a few songs that are stand outs. Overall worth listening to if you want to hear Sinatra. Honestly though find a greats hits album its a better bet.
The Jesus And Mary Chain
2/5
Maybe I'm missing something with this album. It's just really bleh to me. It didn't sound great like they tried being too cute and instead of awesome it came out more, why.
I've heard other stuff by them and enjoyed it. So it's a bummer this one fell so flat for me.
David Bowie
3/5
Ahh Bowie. So this album is good. It's better if you're into Bowie experimenting with jazz. Overall it's fun and sad at the same time. Fun because it's Bowie playing with jazz, sad because it was his last album.
It gets a TON of positive reviews because of this. It's a good album but it's not a great album. I enjoyed it like a lot of his work, and like some of his work I'm going, "What are you trying to accomplish?" Then I have to read a review and listen again to try and grab it. It's good because when it clicks it hits hard, and I will always love his music because dude experiments. He tries and goes for it and I will always love an artist for moving out of their comfort zone.
RIP David thanks for the music.
Elastica
3/5
I remember this album. I didn't realize I knew them until I started listening and remembering a party I was at so many years ago.
This is a weird description of the album as well. It doesn't stick with you. Once it's over you vaguely remember it but not enough to want to listen again. It's not terrible, I think it's well done, it's just not memorable.
Leonard Cohen
2/5
Poor guy deals with depression doesn't he.... It's a decent album of you like the folk/man and guitar genre.
I wonder if someone covered this album then I would enjoy it more.
The Boo Radleys
2/5
I've heard of them but never listened to them.
I mean I don't regret listening to this album. It's forgettable and not my thing.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
So they released three albums in a year or two. Sadly they all sound very similar. They are good but alike. I enjoyed it but was kinda hoping to see some growth and realized it isn't happening.
Overall a good album its CCR so you're gonna get a quality album. I really enjoyed it but I've always liked them. It's just a solid album and a great example of "Classic Rock"
Van Halen
5/5
Probably the best Van Halen albums made. The entire band is going on all cylinders with this one. Great guitar work, amazing drums and Diamond Dave at his peak.
They do not take them selves seriously with this and it's so much fun because of it. Hot For Teacher is one of the best rock songs ever because of it. Panama is just fun as hell. This album makes you want to drive around in summer with all the windows down blaring this album. It annoyed so many parents when it was released. I had to hide the tape of it because my mom just hated them.
Great album.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
2/5
I don't think I'm a fan of Elvis Costello. I like this one better than the last album I got but it's not landing for me.
I've been told by lots of folks I should love his stuff, yet it falls flat for me.
The Clash
5/5
Weird I listened to this album yesterday just because I enjoy it. That's twice this has happened. I think the list is stalking me.
I enjoy this album. I wonder how they are punk but eh. From start to finish it's solid, good music, good lyrics, fun album. I can go into depth but a LOT of other reviewers have done that. Give it a listen. It's one of those great time and place albums.
Frank Sinatra
3/5
It's Frank. You know exactly what you are going to get with him. There are no surprises here. He's got a smooth voice and it just feels cool. The music is dated but yeah it was recorded in the 50's you aren't getting away from that. Like his other albums they all kinda blend together. Not a bad listen at all, just the same.
Honestly though, with him you are better off finding his greatest hits album and get allllll the bangers right there. No good reason to pick up the individual albums unless you decide you are a fan.
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
2/5
I have no idea why this is on the list other than it's an interesting concept. It's execution is just boring, bland and whiny. Also why does this make me think of Blur?!
Apparently Damon Albarn was a part of this so that's why I kept thinking of Blur when hearing it. Also how does he make Gorillaz good but everything else I've heard of his is just bland whiney drivel? HOW!?
That said some of the tunes are decent, unmemorable but I'm not mad I heard them. Sadly because it's forgettable I don't recall what songs I enjoyed. I would have to listen to it again and look at titles to remember what one is good. I'm not willing to do that for this album.
Guns N' Roses
4/5
This site is stalking me I swear. I listened to this on Saturday. Creepy list.
I completely forgot this was their debut album. It's amazing that this is what they started with. This album has so many great tunes it's so close to perfect. Legitimately a great rock album.
Michael Jackson
3/5
I knew far more of this album than I expected. I have listened to this one since I was given a record player and Thriller for Christmas in the early 80's. I then went out and picked some great records and borrowed a bunch as well. This was one I borrowed.
It still holds up and you can hear Quincy influences throughout the album. It's a good album. It's not his best. Micheal hit his peak later but you can hear where he is going with this one. There is some great funk songs and I swear there is some Broadway in here. This album is Micheal no longer a child but moving to the superstar we get later.
Even if you aren't a fan of the king of pop you can't deny his talent.
Fairport Convention
3/5
I imagine this is what is played in the pubs in more rural areas. It has that old timey cozy feel to it.
Decent enough album if your in for a smaller feel like that.
Maxwell
3/5
I think this album got me pregnant. This is an album that defines a romantic evening with your partner. It fits more in the late 70's, and I'm shocked dude made it in the mid 90's. We had our fair share of 90's booty music, don't get me wrong, but the music FEELS 70's soul to me.
Good album.
The Velvet Underground
4/5
Ahh the Velvet Underground, art music.
Now I'm not saying it's bad by any stretch, I very much enjoy it. I do prefer their later albums as they have a more mature sound even when they are experimenting. This album lays the groundwork for those later albums and you can hear it. They are the proto alternative/punk band, they influenced a bunch of other bands. You might not like their sound as it is more experimental but you can't deny their talent.
It's a great start for the weirder music that comes out later. It's a great album to give a chance to.
Bonnie Raitt
2/5
Oh man this album was everywhere for a minute. It was especially on all the adult contemporary stations our parents would listen to. It was country for people that didn't own pickup trucks.
It's not a terrible album, she has a nice voice and the songs are put together well. The music is decent, it's just kinda dull. It also doesn't seem to pretend to be anything else though too. Some albums have a song that gives you hope the next song will build and become better. This album holds the line of relax and get through the day. You can have a beer or glass of wine when you get home. Then do it all over again.
This album is the lamest parts of adulthood.
Happy Mondays
2/5
So they tried to hit all the 70's rock tropes with this album. I have no other explanation for it other than that. It's like they heard all the great bands of that time and went we can do that!
They could not.
It's background music in a movie that is set in the 80's but doesn't want to pay for the good stuff. It's played in a TV show flashback. I'll bet they toured county fairs, not state fairs.
Jeff Buckley
4/5
His version of Hallelujah give this albums 2 stars. That song is so damn good, and his version is, in my mind the best version.
Not a bad album, bit dramatic, but decent.
The Temptations
4/5
You can never go wrong with the Temptations. Even the doo wop songs they pull out are good. I prefer the funk and social commentary stuff they do so well but this is a great album from them.
The first three songs are simply amazing. It slows down a little in the middle but even those couple are good tunes. Solid album and it will get listened to later, again and again most likely.
Again it's sad a 50+ year old album is still relevant when it comes to race relations. We need to get our shit together.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
I had to talk to my buddy about this one. He's a really good music nerd. So I listened to it and kept thinking it's poetry, but set to the wrong music. Turns out I wasn't far off and Joni has a knack for poems and since she knew how to play it was in fact set to music.
I don't want you to think it's not a good album. It's not bad and after talking to my music nerd buddy I wasn't in the right mindset to sit down and listen to Joni. It's stupid busy at work and things are a bit frantic. This album isn't right for the time. I do want to explore her discography though. She's talented and I did enjoy som of these tunes.
I hope I remember to pull this album out when things are a bit calmer and I can give it an honest listen.
Drive Like Jehu
3/5
Ok it's got some great things going on. The drums and bass did their homework and brought it. The lead guitar was out there, just going for it. I appreciate that.
I lost the lyrics part. I get a lot of the genre is screaming lyrics at you. Some bands can make that shit work. These folks kinda faltered a bit on it.
It's worth it to listen to some of it. If it grabs you cool, if it's not, it's ok to walk away from this. I'd rather listen to just the band rock out and jam personally.
George Harrison
4/5
Some of y'all were conceived to this album. Bunch of little kids running around cause mom and dad were dirty hippie kids.
So George was the best Beatle followed up by Ringo. You all know it's true. I could listen to this and didn't once wonder if there is a better cover version out there. The album very much feels it's age. So if you want tunes near modern it isn't here. These hold up though. Really well. Far better than I expected if I'm being honest. Like What is Life for example. It feels like a late 60's early 70's tune, but damn if while listening to it I started drumming on the steering wheel and bobbing my head to the beat.
Now not every song hit. Ole George needed someone to slow him down on a couple of them. Even if I didn't enjoy the lyrics the music was good. So that was nice.
This album made me honestly enjoy a Beatle. Thanks George.
Charles Mingus
3/5
If you enjoy jazz you will dig this album. I like some of it, parts of the third track missed me, then it brought me back. The first two songs had me looking more of his stuff up. I enjoyed it.
The Kinks
2/5
Hooray! More britpop.
I mean it's better than most britpop I've heard. There are a couple of tunes that I enjoyed but the whole of it left me kinda... bleh.
It sounds like most of the music coming out at that time sure they are the front runner for that but since it doesn't hit with me this is a miss.
The Hives
2/5
It's not bad. I enjoyed the first track. The rest sound much the same as the first. Some pop out a bit different. It's kind of a cheat that's it's a "greatest hits" from their first couple of albums. I mean if they added a Frank Sinatra greatest hits it would be a five stars.
That aside is that it's not bad, they are fun, even if nothing really sticks with you for long. It's the kind of rock that you hear at a party and maybe listen to it on the way home, but you don't think about it past that. I heard it and never thought to tell my friends about it. I work with people that also do this list and didn't think to tell them about it when we talked.
Fun for forgettable.
Deep Purple
3/5
I knew some of their stuff but never did a deep dive on them before. Deep Purple is one of those bands that every band after points to and goes "I was influenced by..." This album is history, you can hear other bands listening to this and trying their version of it. You get a sense of what is to come.
Personally I enjoyed the bass on this album. Sure it's fairly simple compared to bands today but damn you can't help but go, "Damn man."
Good stuff. I want to listen to it a few times to really grasp what is here.
Talvin Singh
2/5
Bollywood techno.
Its kinda interesting but still electronica. So this one misses me.
Thundercat
2/5
Ok I've tried a couple times to get this album and I just don't. Usually I enjoy the weird expemental stuff but this missed me by a lot.
Deep Purple
3/5
I'm just copying and pasting the review from a few days ago when I got a different Deep Purple album. It fits.
I knew some of their stuff but never did a deep dive on them before. Deep Purple is one of those bands that every band after points to and goes "I was influenced by..." This album is history, you can hear other bands listening to this and trying their version of it. You get a sense of what is to come.
Personally I enjoyed the bass on this album. Sure it's fairly simple compared to bands today but damn you can't help but go, "Damn man."
Good stuff. I want to listen to it a few times to really grasp what is here.
Black Flag
5/5
I love this album. Most times I will bitch when the is bad but it works for this one.
It's a great album full of fun songs. TV Party is great satire. It's a great example of punk for me. Loud, gritty, kinda silly, and makes a point. I love the whole album.
Frank Black
2/5
I had no idea who this was before today.
I will now forget this album.
The Velvet Underground
5/5
This is my favorite Velvet Underground album.
I bought this on vinyl so long ago and would listen to it over and over again. It is their most chill and relaxed album. We used to joke that this is Lou's first solo album.
Wear good head phones as they play with sound a lot. It makes me miss my larger hi-fi speakers I used to have. I use to try and make out all the lyrics to Murder Mystery. I still never looked up the lyrics.
Great album. Easily one of my favorites.
Wu-Tang Clan
5/5
This is damn near a perfect album. It just works on all levels.
Listening to it you can tell they had fun making it. It feels like some talented friends got together and had a great vacation making music.
It kicked off a small universe of albums!
It's one of those albums that 100% belongs on this list. It is foundational for hip-hop and music in general. Great album.
SZA
3/5
It's a decent enough album. SZA has a really nice voice, it makes me want to listen to more of her.
It didn't hit me the same as my wife. She knew and enjoyed her before but after listening to it with me I'm sure she's a fan now. Talking about wanting to see her live.
So although the totality missed me I have to give SZA props.
The Smiths
2/5
Yeah I'm not a smiths fan. The band is good but the dude singing and filter he's using is annoying to me.
I don't understand the love the smiths get, at all.
Foo Fighters
3/5
So when this first came out I listened and went OK.
Today I listened and went OK.
I've seen them live, they are fun live. I do enjoy them, but they are pretty generic rock overall. It's not bad, it's not great, it's good. No new ground will be broken. You won't hear something that will change your life. You'll find out you know more of their tunes than you realized and maybe have some fun. They are a band that if there was a greatest hits album I would 100% buy it. It would be the only Foo Fighters album I would own.
Emmylou Harris
4/5
It's the lady from the Gram Parsons album I didn't like.
She has a lovely voice. It's a well made album and even if you don't like county it's better than any of the modern garbage they put out now. I enjoyed this one more than I expected to. Reminds me of Dolly a lot but since they are lady country singers around the same time that makes sense.
I will end up listening to more of her I think.
Motörhead
4/5
We are Motorhead and we play rock and roll.
Lemmy opened shows by saying that and truer words have never been spoken. They are rock bands favorite band. The lyrics might be clunky, the music loud and blown out, some parts are too fast and others too slow. They are rock at it's core.
You aren't going to listen to this for relevant lyrics. You listen to this when you want to drive fast, when you want to thrash around and knock into things. Nothing is perfect with this album but that's not the point at all. It's a damn fun album to put on and get moving to.
Radiohead
3/5
It's alright. It does feel more pretentious than their older work, but they have talent for what they do.
I'm not a fan of the more electronic sound they had but this album balances it far better.
I'm now going to listen to their first three albums again.
Norah Jones
4/5
She voice is just smooth. I remember when this came out and my dad of all people was enamored with it. Seems in his younger days he hung out in jazz clubs and lounges. Said her voice reminded him of those times in those clubs.
It is a great relaxing album. I started to listen in the car but realized it had to wait. When I got home and after dinner I put on my headphones and listened. Perfect for an evening to chill with.
The Smiths
2/5
Oh goody, another Smiths album. How many are there on here?! Why were they so popular?!
Alright I listened to it, and I keep coming to the same conclusion, their music is good, even the lyrics are decent. I enjoyed this one more than the meat is murder album, but I don't like his voice. I thought last album it was a weird effect or filter, no he just sounds like that. So I'm moving forward with the knowledge that I don't like Morrissey and enjoy the band. Because the bass lines and guitar in this is good.
Time to look up Smiths covers and test this hypothesis.
Frankly, Mr Shankley was a high point for me. It has a solid fart joke in there.
Fishbone
4/5
I wasn't expecting a ska funk band. That was a surprise.
That said this is a fun album, sure sometimes it's chaotic and really goes for it but damn it makes you want to get up and move. Since I'm not sure how to classify them I'm going to just call this a boogie album.
I will be listening to more of them...
Aretha Franklin
4/5
You can't go wrong with Aretha. I was listening to this and wanted to hear her so songs from other genres. Her voice is just wow.
This album is more than Respect, that song is perfection. This album is extremely good, her covers elevate already good songs. It's what made me want to hear her do other genres. Damn good album.
Tom Tom Club
3/5
Oh I remember this one now! I remembered them but not the music. Once the first track started the flood of memories listening to this hit.
It's....quirky.
If you think this is Talking Heads the sequel it's not. It's got the fun experimental part of it. Wordy Rappinghood is an example of it, as is Genius of Love. Both decent enough tunes, but most of the album doesn't pull it together enough to be more than a quirky experiment. Like they got more enamored with fun in the studio they forgot the rest of it, making a more coherent album. You have some great parts of songs but that doesn't make things work.
It's worth a listen as there are a few songs that are decent The fist couple and the last couple are about it.
Sabu
2/5
I bet they were fun live. Like you show up to the dancehall and they are just going for it.
So older recordings are difficult. On my headphones it's a lot, you can tell they recorded this on the best they could use. I spent some time tweaking different levels but this record shows it's age in a bad way.
The music isn't bad, some parts are more repetitive than I like but I kept going back to them playing in dancehalls and not on albums and it made sense.
Unfortunately I'm going to have to rank this one lower simply because it's a painful listen when they are singing.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
4/5
Alright if you say you don't like jazz try this album. It is one of the best made. Now there are better out there but this album is so damn fun. It's interesting as they play a lot with this album. It experiments with time signatures and it's fun to try and hear when they change it up. Great album.
If you have a friend that likes prog rock play this for them. The odd time signatures used here will be a fun treat for them.
Radiohead
5/5
OK Computer is an insane album. It was a huge shift for them. They were pretty straightforward in their first two albums and this one just added layers to how they create music and it works here.
The lyrics are bleak, the music matches, I used to joke that everyone in the band suffers from depression and several other undiagnosed mental problems. This album is heavy.
Kendrick Lamar
4/5
Kendrick won a Pulitzer Prize award. Not for this album but you need to keep that in mind. He is an amazing lyricist just flat out one of the best hip-hop artists ever. When I first listen to a Kendrick album I listen to it first with headphones, then a second time with the lyrics. It's so dense and paints a picture that you feel.
This is his second album and although he's not at the stage where people throw awards at him or he destroys other artists careers, you can see where he is going. You can see where he's coming from. I swear he wrote this album with his past in mind.
It's a great album and I hope his other albums are on the list because the longer his career goes on the better he gets.
Portishead
5/5
I could write a book on this album and how it effected and affected my life when it came out. It was a huge soundtrack for damn near two full years. I still put it on to listen to decades later. It is that damn good.
It was always classified as trip-hop but we had people call it electric jazz or lounge. One guy I know called it, "Electric booty music
" it's one of those albums that doesn't really fit a lot of labels.
Her voice is almost haunting and fits with the music so well. You feel every lyric and note. You can assign various emotions to it depending on your mood. It is absolutely an amazing album.
The Band
2/5
Your grandpa likes this band. The kid that is close to his grandpa knows them.
It's not a terrible album but it shows it age. Several times. Both musically an lyrically.
4/5
DEVO!
They are a fun band. I'm not usually a new wave guy but I've always enjoyed them. Weird experimental music almost always hits well for me.
This album is no exception, its a fun, odd album that lays out an entire genre of music. Sadly most of the bands that went for this sound never quite hit it.
King Crimson
5/5
I mean.....I mean.....
It is one of the best prog albums ever. It set the tone for all others and yet it's not one of those albums where the idea is half baked. This is a fully formed album.
It's wild how well done it is. I love this album. Without it we do not get to ELP, Tool, Rush. It's the foundation for those.
Suicide
2/5
I expected more based on the name and cover art.
Don't judge a book by it's cover and all that.
Yeah it's just not doing anything for me. It's not terrible, like I'm listening and don't hate everyone involved with the making of this album. I'm not mad I'm listening, it's just not me.
Amy Winehouse
2/5
I still don't like her music. I get what she was going for more. I do have a bit more appreciation for the dumbass that wrote a song about going to rehab and died because of alcohol. I used to not be able to stand her stuff, after listening I recognize her raw talent. The album is very one note though, her dude left. Some songs she has an amazing voice but some it's very meh.
She is a tragic figure in that she was a troubled young woman and I feel most of her circle took advantage of her. That's not fair and she probably could have made amazing albums later if everyone wasn't getting rich off her.
Wilco
2/5
I worked with a guy that loved them. He was a nice enough guy but had shit taste in music.
This album is boring.
Seriously his voice is the same for every song. It's downbeat musically. So it's like, "Yes this is music."
Brian Eno
3/5
It's like a pop album got run though the experiment filter. With Eno it could have been super weird but this fun and accessable, well as accessable as Eno gets anyway.
I found it to be a fun album. Musically it's extremely well done. I'm not sure who all he grabbed to make this but I will say they are very good.
Lyrics can be a stretch, this isn't your normal mid 70's pop album.
Jefferson Airplane
4/5
I have always enjoyed this album. It's fun, I enjoyed the weirdness that they went for with it. Fun studio tricks and because it seems everyone wrote a song or two it varies from track to track.
Solid album and a great album to listen to if you like psychedelic rock.
David Ackles
1/5
Makes me think of that weird off broadway show that no one shows up to but one artist friend drags you to.
Os Mutantes
3/5
I had no idea what to expect before listening. I saw the name and cover and had zero recognition.
It's weird.
It's weird in a fun way though. Like you listen and the track ends and you have a second to think and the next track could be a more straight forward song. They had fun making it.
OH also they are Brazilian so don't expect English. Ups the "WHAT?" factor a bit, keeps you going.
Alexander 'Skip' Spence
3/5
Some tunes on this are just off. Like listening to this I want to make sure dude is alright. After reading up on him when I was done with this listen he was not alright. It's haunted and his voice and lyrics bring it out. It's not an album I will put on to listen to normally but I can see a time I want to listen to this.
Parts of this were written in a mental ward in the 60's and it was recorded to be a demo. The label said no thanks and did nothing with it.
This album is the closest thing to cursed as I can find short of someone getting murdered and set to tape.
Curtis Mayfield
4/5
Curtis Mayfield is another one of those artists that your favorite band is a fan of. He was known but for some reason never was huge.
He has better albums than this but you can not deny his talents on this album. The cover goes so damn hard. Yet some of the songs fell flat for me. Jesus just didn't hit for me. Yet Blue Monday is on my playlist now, as is Hard Times.
It's a great album even when it doesn't do it for me. I will be listening to his entire discography again now.
Cyndi Lauper
4/5
Oh wow this album takes me back. It just has so many hits from then. A great time capsule album of the early 80's.
It's fun, great lyrics, good music and Cyndi just owns it.
The Cramps
3/5
I expected this to be a weird punk album. Instead I got a psychobilly punk album. Not being exposed to a lot of psychobilly music I not sure if this is good or not. I've enjoyed it, it's on my list to listen to more later.
That said it is a bit out there. If you want straightforward rock or punk this ain't it. I've enjoyed the music a lot. Sometimes the singer gets muddy but I think that is what they were going for.
Good album. I can see myself moving it to a four after listening to it more.
Cream
3/5
This is going to be in two parts because Clapton is a complicated dude.
This album is another time capsule album hugely influential and a perfect album for 67. If you don't like it I'll bet some of your favorite bands do. This is Cream at it's peak, they all took lead on this and it pays off great album. It's worth listening to because of it's historical ramifications and it's just a good album.
Now the Eric Clapton of it all. Dude is hard to pin down. Goes on a racist rant in 76, doesn't continue saying racist shit. Personally helps blues player like Buddy Guy and Gary Clark Jr. Goes on a anti vax rant and release anti lockdown songs, still gets the vaccine. I mean he loved BB King like a brother for all accounts. I'm just not sure about him.
Amy Winehouse
1/5
Oh joy another Winehouse album.
Alright I took a couple days to listen to this and I just don't like her stuff. I should her voice isn't bad but listening to it just annoys me in a weird way. It always has though. I'm just not a fan.
Bert Jansch
3/5
He is good at being the acoustic guitar folk guy. The accent helps in this case as the album is very low key and relaxed. Like he is giving you a concert in your living room. It has that vibe.
I think being fall as I listen helps too. This isn't a summer play it in the car album. You want to be kinda cozy with a coffee or tea in the morning when listening to this.
Tito Puente
4/5
TITO!
It's a fun album. One of those albums that make you want to see them in a dancehall in their prime.
I will put this on the next time I'm cleaning because it is imposable to sit still when this is playing. There will be no breaks for two hours. Yeah it's a long one, the songs are short though.
Good stuff, fun and light.
Peter Gabriel
4/5
Oh good a Peter Gabriel album! I'm biased here I think I own or owned all of his stuff. I have listened to it so much I have heard these track in years yet knew the beats and lyrics.
I'm in the bag.
The 80's were weird for music a lot going on and Gabriel used a lot of the idea of art and music for his stuff. He used a lot of layers and influences in his music. Performance art at his shows. The man's music has an interesting mix of drama and freedom in his music. Some of it feels heavy yet you aren't burdened by it.
Great album. I hope some of his later stuff is on the list. I have been listening to his stuff recently anyway but it's enjoyable coming across an artist you have many great experiences with already.
Drive-By Truckers
3/5
I've seen them live and enjoyed them. Yet this album didn't hit me like I thought it would have. Maybe it's because they went for a 70's southern rock sound and I'm not a fan of a lot of that style.
It's well done though. Some tunes I like the music other the lyrics got me. A couple I enjoyed the whole song. Not enough to make me want to relisten to it.
Over all its OK.
The Undertones
2/5
This album is a roller coaster for me. Some songs I enjoy and find to be fun, others I find to be boring and tired. It weirdly inconsistent for me.
It does fit the new wave sound well though.
Garbage
2/5
Ahh Garbage. You have all the vibes in the world and nothing to say. You were the perfect party music in the mid 90's because of this.
They have some hits and sound good. It's like an inch deep though. It also lead to a discussion with a co-worker that everyone knew them but only few people owned this CD.
It's alright, nothing that will change your life.
Nanci Griffith
3/5
It seems like country albums are like hip hop albums on the list few and far between.
This album isn't bad. She tells several stories that feel very real. She does it pretty well too. I'm not a huge country fan, like all music I can find some I like, but this one has a heart to it that some albums just seem to miss.
The entire album won't get added but I'll listen to it again and a few songs are on my liked list.
Decent stuff, worth a listen even if it's not your usual genre.
Finley Quaye
3/5
I'm not sure if I like it. I enjoyed some of the songs like Sunday Shining, but this album is just odd to me. It's got some great "texture" to it. Lots of layers to listen to and digest, but I'm not sure if it's a good album.
I've never heard of him before and no one I've asked knew his stuff. It's also like a weird wanna be soul/reggae kind of vibe to it. So some songs are sweet but try to get deep and it's just weird.
I think this is the kind of album I will need to listen to a few times to figure out what I legitimately think of it. Cause right now I'm meh with a side of I don't know.
Rahul Dev Burman
4/5
BOLLYWOOD!
Alright the first track hits WAY harder than I expected. I was assuming this would be a decent Bollywood sound and I get something that I expected Wu-Tang to show up in.
Alright maybe this is my ignorance of Bollywood showing but this shit is all over the place but damn solid. Some tunes show their age. Some songs switch movie genres at random and others are just great.
There is a lady on YouTube that will listen to Indian music and give some translation and you see her facial reactions to the lyrics. I need to find out her channel name and point her at this so I have some context. I feel like I should watch the movie now as well.
It's a wild pull but it's been a day and finishing it with this album is great. I'm hear for it, bwhaha.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
2/5
I never understood the appeal of them. Musically they have always been good, but lyrically they are childish overall and I do not like his voice at all. They are very good musicians though. I would like to hear them without the vocals, I think I would enjoy it more.
I've heard they are good live, but I never understood their version of performance art. So that part never appealed to me either.
Don't get me wrong they have a couple of songs that are good. I'm not hearing many on this album. Californication is a good song, it's solid, where Get On Top makes me want to jump out of a moving vehicle. Also I didn't like Scar Tissue and I was told it's good. It missed me.
Hearing them here and there make me like them more than listening to an entire album. Listening to them for an hour made me dread the next song.
Missy Elliott
4/5
Ok at the start of it I was having flashbacks to early 00's hip hop. Then the entire album clicked for me. I remembered how much I enjoyed Elliott. At some point in my life I forgot about an entire era of music.
Seriously this album is good give it a listen and try not to want to dance.
Johnny Cash
4/5
Such a great album. You can tell he is leaning into playing in a prison, the songs the banter, he is playing to the crowd and it works. It feels like a much larger concert than it was.
This was apparently part of a series of shows he did at prisons and the famous picture of him giving the middle finger was from this show. He was upset the crew was blocking the view for the prisoners. You can also appreciate his songs about jail more because it wasn't just lip service.
Great album...
Lou Reed
4/5
I enjoy his stuff. He loves to layer on sounds and meaning into his work that hits me.
His storytelling in this is superb. Perfect Day is a prime example of it. You feel the lyrics, same with Hanging Around. Walk on the Wild side is the breakout, it could be that I remember this getting radio play even in the 80's shows it stands the test of time.
Great album.
Julian Cope
2/5
Yeah it's got some parts I like but they are few and far between. Kinda lands with a thud for me.
It doesn't even make me want to listen to it again later and see. It's just there taking up time.
Gang Of Four
4/5
I'm about halfway right now and I'm digging it. It's a great album. They mix up a few genres like punk, funk and reggae so well. I was shocked as I don't usually like post punk type stuff. You can feel it's not a new album due to tone but the mix is done well even if it's a bit stripped down, the bass comes through so damn well.
It's infectious really. Really fun album.
The Beach Boys
2/5
It's the beach boys. If you like them you will live this album. If you don't you won't.
Musically it's fine I just don't like the beach boys sound.
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
So, outside of his hits I'm not a huge Springsteen fan. He was everywhere growing up so I was kinda over his sound early. That said...
I love this album.
It is literally one of my favorite albums of all time. Absolutely amazing. It's so stripped down I want to say it was a demo that everyone went no it's good, ship it. It's Bruce and a guitar singing about the hope and sadness that is America. It's about every town your drive through, it's about the people there living.
Great fucking album.
If you like this one look up Badlands. It's a tribute album from 2000ish. Great covers of every song on this one.
Beatles
2/5
I'm just not a Beatles guy. I understand their place in music history, I don't understand why they were as popular as they were. This is better than their earlier super bubblegum pop drivel, but having some better lyrics don't mean it's an amazing album.
It's got a couple of decent tunes on it, but it's a big meh for me.
Marvin Gaye
5/5
I could post lyrics that over 50 years later are still relevant. I could go on about how his life was cut way to short. I could say how this concept album is one of the best anti war albums ever. I could go off on the music, the lyrics the social impact this album has.
Instead I will say this.
What's going on is simply one of the best albums made.
Arcade Fire
2/5
Am I the only one that finds this album kinda boring? Like it's not terrible but it's just meh.
I've been listening to it off and on all day and it's kinda bland.
Paul Weller
3/5
It makes me think of the first couple of years of Bonnaroo. He would make a great Sunday afternoon set.
It's a good man and his guitar album. It's got good lyrics and he plays his guitar to fit so everything goes together well.
Sly & The Family Stone
4/5
Just a great album.
I want to listen to it more before I decide on if it's a five star.
Love them.
Tina Turner
3/5
Ahh Tina. This album would hold up better if it was redone and had the 80's removed.
Like her version of Let's Stay Together. You can feel her soul in it, but the synth and guitar work just kills it.
Tina Turner elevates it though. She could sing the phone book and I swear you could feel it in your heart. So I can't trash the album based on the time period and mistakes of the producer.
This album got me to listen to more Tina Turner though. Thanks album.
Harry Nilsson
2/5
It sounds like the first part of the 70's. Like the 60's had a bit of a hangover and started to think they needed to change things up a bit.
It's alright but not for me.
Massive Attack
1/5
With a name like massive attack I was thinking it would be more. This album wants you to get laid but has a weak game. Like they listened to good music then tried to reproduce it and instead made everyone involved sad and in need of a drink.
David Bowie
4/5
This is a great Sunday morning album. I got up before the family made my coffee while listening to this on the headphones. Good album. It's not one full of "hits" but it's a classic Bowie album, Be My Wife is on the playlist now. Good stuff...
I considered myself a Bowie fan but don't think I've ever actually listened to this one. I need to do a deep dive and listen to everything he's done.
Steely Dan
4/5
Ok so I know WAY more of these tunes that I want to admit. Like I have to have an intervention for the Dad rock I think. I didn't even realize I knew this much Steely Dan.
Dad rock aside isn't a pretty good album. Musically and lyrically it's solid, if a bit dated. It has a nice flow to the album and was great to, yes I'm serious, grill dinner to. I bet it would be a great album to mow the lawn to as well. Maybe put it on the speaker and wash the car. Decent album.
God I feel old.
Japan
1/5
No.
Just no.
Lightning Bolt
1/5
Today I learned I do not enjoy whatever genre this is.
Seriously it would start to sound like something then devolve rapidly into shit.
Ministry
4/5
Oh man I've not listen to this album in decades!
It's still great. It is one of the tops of industrial metal. It hits hard and keeps going for it on every track.
Such a good album.
Beatles
3/5
So a friend of mine enjoys the beatles. He told me to go in with an open mind and try and pick out things I like.
I liked the ones that weren't pop drivel. Octopuses Garden was fun as one Hammer one.
Here Comes the Sun is better done by Richie Havens. Seriously go look up any of the ones he has done far superior to the version on this album. So is Come Together, all the covers of that are better than the one on this album.
It's not to say the beatles suck. Historically speaking they moved music forward far more than the sum of their discography. I don't know why they were as popular to this day, but I do appreciate what they did for music.
Also John Lennon is still a pretentious wanker. George and Ringo are great and Paul is alright.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
Stevie Wonder is one of those folks that somehow knows every instrument. Dude is nothing short of amazing. He is so influential and his reach is so far in music it is mind boggling.
This album has some of the absolutely best songs. Superstition is perfection, Sunshine of my Life is awesome. I Believe should be played at every wedding for all time. There are some songs that feel repetitive but they aren't bad songs. I have listened to this album so many times before and will again.
Great album.
Jane Weaver
2/5
It feels mediocre. Like I listened to it but none of it stuck. It was bad but no song was one I would suggest to someone. It's very middle of the road.
I give it a solid meh.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
They are a band I can't wrap my head around why they are hugely popular. Sure they have some hits but man when it's not a hit it's rough.
I need to sit down and listen to their discography and make my own hits playlist. Maybe I'll gain an appreciation then.
Ali Farka Touré
4/5
I enjoyed this one a lot. It was a fun listen. I had it on at work and got annoyed when someone swung by or called. Good album.
I have listened to it a few times since then and I enjoy it. It's been added to my full time rotation.
Frankie Goes To Hollywood
3/5
It's the relax band! Oh man that damn song had legs didn't it. Showed up a decade later too.
It's a fun album, not really my cup of tea but not a bad listen.
The Modern Lovers
3/5
It's like someone listened to the doors and tried to mimic it but had less songwriting capabilities.
It's not bad but that's what kept going through my head.
I want to listen again. Some songs I enjoyed but man Old World got tiring.
Derek & The Dominos
3/5
It has some great songs on it. Well put together and musically sound. I've always enjoyed listening to it.
With Clapton being such complex dude I can't give it the full 4 stars it deserves. On one hand he has said some racist shit. Then he will do everything he can to help out black musicians and they will say nothing but good things about him. Dude is only about music from what I can tell.
Fred Neil
2/5
I couldn't get into it. It should be up my alley but it just kinda fell flat for me.
New York Dolls
3/5
I don't usually like glam rock and at first glance this would be that. Yet this album is more gritty and sloppy. It's not polished like glam usually tries to be.
It's an interesting album when viewed historically. You can see it being the roots for what comes later. I would love to know what someone said hearing it on release.
Fun album.
Leonard Cohen
2/5
It didn't do anything for me really. Spoken word more than anything. If I remember right someone stole his money and this was a last chance to earn. Not saying it's bad, it's pretty decent poetry, it just didn't hit me musically.
Worth a listen even if it's a bit depressing.
Kate Bush
3/5
It's an odd album, like she got to do whatever and she released a concept album that Tori Amos heard and went, "I can do this."
It's not bad it just kinda out there. Like it requires a few differ listens to grab it all. Might need to read the lyrics during one of the playthroughs.
Interesting stuff. I can see this being a musicians favorite and it never getting any airplay.
The Byrds
3/5
Today I learned the Byrds did country music.
Like super twang county music.
I'm used to the hippe turn turn tun and I get something.... else.
So I finished the album. It's not bad as far as super twang albums go. I wish my one Grandmas was alive as we LOVED the supertwang stuff. Some of the tuns were decent. I kept getting stuck on it being the Byrds as it's a huge shift from their earlier work.
Not for me but if you like the
2/5
I have has this on all morning. I have a weird fascination with experiments like this. OR I'm a glutton for punishment.
So there are sections that aren't discordant noise. It's like a weird calm in a storm when they appear. During those moments you can tell these people have talent and if used for good could untie us all, instead they decided to fuck with us. I admire that in a weird sick way.
Do yourself a favor, after you turn this off go look up Ornette Coleman and listen to his stuff. It's really good and his stuff should be on the list. It's a terrible oversight if he is missing.
Paul Simon
3/5
This is a very Paul Simon album. Like all his solo work sounds similar to me so this is just like, yeah it's a Paul Simon album.
I prefer him with Garfunkel personally.
Dexys Midnight Runners
3/5
I want to like it more. Parts are really fun, but it just drags on. If I was at a festival or they were playing at a small club I could see enjoying it more. Mostly cause I assume their stage energy would be higher and I would have been drinking.
Deerhunter
2/5
This album missed me. Like it's just boring. None of the tunes made me think I needed to relisten.
It's not a bad album, they have talent, it just boring.
Santana
4/5
Ah Santana, I can put it on and listen in a dark room, I can have it one when I'm cleaning, it's great road trip music.
This is a great album.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
Some songwriter write poetry and set it to music, some write songs and some write stories. Bruce writes stories that feel lived in, they feel real. It's impressive.
I never understood the band. Like he went for a big band kind of sound then sings about a poor kid from the middle of nowhere. It works for some songs. I just never got it.
Bruce is very hot or cold, his hit are out of this world, some of his deep cuts wiff for me. This isn't a bad album it just doesn't all land for me.
The Dandy Warhols
4/5
I enjoyed this album a lot. Somehow it never made it on my radar really. I've heard of them, but never listened to them. Something tells me they didn't get a lot of radio play and at that point in my life I was working with only a radio in the shop.
It's a great late 90's feel kind of album. Once I started listened I knew when it was released. Good stuff.
The Smashing Pumpkins
4/5
This is one of my development albums. I had a birthday where my friends gave me a bunch of tapes and this was one of them. It is the pinnacle of Smashing Pumpkins for me. I swear I listened to it so much I swear the tape wore out. Sure it was a used tape and who know how many time it was recorded over, but it died on me so I take the blame.
It's a good album. I doesn't have the hits but damn it's good.