This is a tough one to rate. It's so mood and situation dependent. Great for what it is, but not one I'd dial up often. Still very solid, and great for long drives or sleepless nights.
Some very good tunes. Classic Paul Simon. Basically Jimmy Buffet for literate types and college grads. Good mix of styles, from some blues to New Orleans zydeco, jazz, etc. Folks but not folk. Very "American" music.
Shambolic and druggy. Perhaps no album could better be described as "proto". You can hear the future 80's to aughts bands that would mine this album for inspiration. At times, though, it feels like you need to be as high as them to appreciate the woozy vibes. "Pale Blue Eyes" is maybe the epitome of Lou Reed's songwriting.
Not necessarily my cup of tea, but very good at what it does. The atmosphere for a live album is undeniable. The audience is electric. Johnny Cash is certainly iconic, and this or Folsom are the live peaks. For me, though, too many songs have the same train track beat. Johnny's a legend, though, and that voice is why.
A great mix of blues rock and psychedelia. This is 4 am drunk music. Great memories, and one I've had on vinyl. Some tracks lag, in my opinion, but there's no denying the vibe on tracks like "Roadhouse Blues", "I'm a Spy" and "Waiting for the Sun".
Another one I own on vinyl. And up and down affair, but Janis is undeniable. "Summertime" is the highlight, and the live atmosphere adds to the lo-fi element of it. Good, but ultimately not as good as the bands it's trying to be. Worth a listen now and then.
All-time classic. Perfect mix of covers and deep cuts. Incredible atmosphere. Truly one of the best records of the 90's. This is the record that moved them from grunge-era novelty to all-time rock stardom.
Not the most graceful album, but a fun hang. The sound is raw and visceral, though at times messy. "Lodi" and "Green River" are highlights. Overall, a solid album with a gritty, driving sound.
I love hip-hop, but this is not my cup of tea. A little too breezy and upbeat. Well produced and with solid, thoughtful lyrics. I just prefer a little more grit in my rap.
Just not a Smiths guy. I don't get it. Dont enjoy Morrisey's voice, don't connect with the emotion of the songs, and basically think they're a poor man's British REM. Quality guitar work and solid songwriting, but not for me at all.
Arena rock shlock, but maybe the best of its kind. A lot of nostalgia packed into 37 minutes. No filler, but not my kind of 70's rock.
Always a fun listen. Many bands owe their sound to this. You can really hear The Smith Westerns and other 2000's fuzz rock revivalists.
Cool, but not my jam. Reminds me of the album Damon Albarn did. Some cool grooves, but probably not something I'd reach for again when there's Fela et al.
Packs a ton into 29 minutes. Part musical, part folk rock. "Mrs. Robinson" will always, to some extent, explain the 60s. Worth a listen. And always funny to remember its cameo in "Almost Famous".
Elton John is a lot like Paul McCartney. Some absolute classics and then the "granny songs". This album is a lot like that. Coincidentally, another one I own on vinyl.
Nope, nope, and nope. Not for me. I don't understand the appeal of his voice.
I'm not always one for Southern-fried rock, but there's maybe nobody who did it better. "Whipping Post" is incendiary, and Duane is at the top of his game. A classic for sure.
The Police have always been more of a greatest hits type band for me. This is a solid outing, but I'd rather have an album of 10 of my own selections. Still, it's an interesting and varied release. "Walking on the Moon" has never really done it for me.
Very good listen. My only complaint is the number of covers, but I know that's how they did it back then. "Long Time Coming" hits hard, especially given the context. For sure a soul classic.
This is a tough one to rate. It's so mood and situation dependent. Great for what it is, but not one I'd dial up often. Still very solid, and great for long drives or sleepless nights.
I'm sure there are some very cheeky lyrics about the realities of middle age buried somewhere in here, but I can't listen long enough to find them. I never felt grown up enough for Elvis Costello, and now that I'm grown up, I still don't.
What is there to say about this album? Absolutely formative in my development as a music listener and a musician. Nostalgic beyond belief. Without a doubt in my top albums of all time. My wife and I still use "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" as our headphone and speaker test song. An album that defines timeless.
Ugh, U2. Can I give it 2.5 stars? "One" is the standout, and "The Acrobat" is decent, but this is such Gen X eye roll rock. The lyrics are generic and elementary, and Bono is always reaching for the rafters. There's a reason they're who they are, but nobody ever went broke underestimating the public's taste.
Fun listen! One I'd never have reached for otherwise. You can even hear early Beatles and some "Let It Be" echoes. Love the dialogue in between. Great recording, and some interesting tunes. Probably wouldn't listen to again, but glad I did.
Kind of a poor man's Depeche Modre. Good songwriting, but the mix lacks some punch, which is where Depeche Mode shines. I'm not huge on 80's synth wave, but this was listenable for what it is.
Bawdy barroom rock in the English pub tradition. Not really for me.
Very fun listen. Good vibes.
Best described as rollicking. Very fun listen that packs a lot in 40 minutes. Fun to remember some of these videos from my MTV days. Also some great soundtrack cuts on here. Well worth a listen.
Awesome! Why can't things sound like this anymore? The ambience and room sound are so good. Classic mix of love songs and some relevant and topical lyrics.
Soulful and varied. One time listen for me, but not a bad album. There were some themes that seemed to repeat that I perhaps couldn't quite understand on first listen. I got the sense they were unique to the cultural milieu, but I'd have to listen again.
Enjoyed the music, not the lyrics or vocals as much. Some interesting sounds, but ultimately not for me.
Essentially a greatest hits album, this one launched them to country wide fame - and for good reason. Their unique brand of swamp rock is on full display here, ranging from the upbeat to the more subdued. A really fun listen with some nostalgia baked in. "Ramble Tamble" may be their best non-single.