293
Albums Rated
3.45
Average Rating
27%
Complete
796 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1950
Favorite Decade
Hard-rock
Favorite Genre
UK
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
32
5-Star Albums
7
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
The Who Sell Out
The Who
|
5 | 3 | +2 |
|
Germfree Adolescents
X-Ray Spex
|
5 | 3.05 | +1.95 |
|
Clandestino
Manu Chao
|
5 | 3.22 | +1.78 |
|
A Nod Is As Good As A Wink To A Blind Horse
Faces
|
5 | 3.23 | +1.77 |
|
Achtung Baby
U2
|
5 | 3.3 | +1.7 |
|
L'Eau Rouge
The Young Gods
|
4 | 2.32 | +1.68 |
|
Tommy
The Who
|
5 | 3.33 | +1.67 |
|
The Fat Of The Land
The Prodigy
|
5 | 3.4 | +1.6 |
|
Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols
Sex Pistols
|
5 | 3.45 | +1.55 |
|
Dirt
Alice In Chains
|
5 | 3.47 | +1.53 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Songs In The Key Of Life
Stevie Wonder
|
2 | 4.07 | -2.07 |
|
Suzanne Vega
Suzanne Vega
|
1 | 3.02 | -2.02 |
|
Sheet Music
10cc
|
1 | 2.96 | -1.96 |
|
Off The Wall
Michael Jackson
|
2 | 3.79 | -1.79 |
|
Ys
Joanna Newsom
|
1 | 2.79 | -1.79 |
|
Medúlla
Björk
|
1 | 2.73 | -1.73 |
|
Hounds Of Love
Kate Bush
|
2 | 3.61 | -1.61 |
|
Hotel California
Eagles
|
2 | 3.6 | -1.6 |
|
Timeless
Goldie
|
1 | 2.53 | -1.53 |
|
We Are Family
Sister Sledge
|
2 | 3.48 | -1.48 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| The Rolling Stones | 5 | 4.4 |
| U2 | 2 | 5 |
| Pink Floyd | 2 | 5 |
| Beastie Boys | 3 | 4.33 |
| The Who | 3 | 4.33 |
5-Star Albums (32)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
ABBA · 1 likes
4/5
Interesting, an Abba album without, to me at least, a recognizable single. Overall a great album, despite the lack of a familiar hit. Gotta hand it to this group, they never skimped on production quality or musical arrangements. It pays off here for me. Really listenable, catchy, with fantastic hooks throughout.
Kate Bush · 1 likes
2/5
Nah, man. Not digging this one. There's some decent moments, and some real "wtaf" moments (Waking the Witch, dafuq?). Moved on quickly from this one, don't need to go back
The United States Of America · 1 likes
2/5
Sounds like what would come out if you had an AI create an album based on "60's psychedelic rock, female vocalist, political themes, American Sgt Pepper."
I guess the impressive thing is that it sounds like that, but was made long before albums were made that way. Interesting to hear how non-Beatles groups were creating derivatives of that sound, but I didn't have enough acid to get into this one.
Tracy Chapman · 1 likes
3/5
Tracy's voice is still unique, and the songwriting is pretty powerful. I remember the year this one came out and some of the conversations this one sparked about the social divide in the country. Sadly, not much has changed in that regard.
The Beach Boys · 1 likes
3/5
Crank up the reverb and roll out the vocal harmonies. Good timing on this one (RIP Brian Wilson). Couple of familiar tracks, and even the tracks I haven't heard are unmistakeably The Beach Boys. Like em or hate them, undeniably influential group that always evoke a specific place in Americana for me.
1-Star Albums (7)
All Ratings
AC/DC
4/5
"She had...the body of Venus with arms" - let's go Touch Too Much!
A rock guitar and stadium rock clinic, era defining sound, guitar riffs that'll make you want to kneel and pray to the fretboard gods, fantastic vocal screeching with those fist pumping rhythms. Sexual innuendo throughout that inspired the eras other greats, definitely one to listen to loud.
The White Stripes
3/5
Way more musical than what I was expecting from The White Stripes. Still has that stripped down sound, but the variations of instruments and exploration of genres makes this one a fun listen to me.
Elton John
3/5
Tiny Dancer, all time great track. Great musicality throughout. Although probably not an album that would find itself in a regular rotation for me, I appreciate the quality.
I never have to hear Indian Sunset again.
Arctic Monkeys
4/5
Fantastic stripped down sound. Excellent storytelling. Definitely grabbed from The Strokes sound of the early oughts, not there's nothing wrong with that when it's done this well
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
It's very far away, it takes about a day to get there, if you travel by...dragonfly.
I imagine some boomer listening to the UFO flying around his brain and being blown away. Fun album, some real gems, love the Brit influence coupled with Jimi's sound. All in all a solid album which I've enjoyed many many times start to finish over the years.
Dusty Springfield
3/5
Ok, so, the sound of the 70's that I've grown up despising, seems to have started with this album. That being said, in bits I can actually appreciate it, and there are moments in here that are pretty fantastic. It actually gets more tolerable as I listen to it more, so maybe I just need to embrace the decade of my introduction to life a little more...
This whole album could be the soundtrack to Quentin Tarantino's genre, no surprise that Son of a Preacher Man is on the Pulp Fiction soundtrack, and even after a gazillion listens I still love that one.
The Fall
3/5
Deep Purple
4/5
Groovy riff rock that behave the basis for "classic rock" radio stations for now and forever. No shortage of toe tappers and head nodders
Stevie Wonder
2/5
Umm... This one is a bit bloated for my tastes. Sure, there's some great tracks here, but it's a slog to get through. I'm sorry the boomers had to "suffer" so much to have to believe this was the greatest album. I'll put this on the "well, I've heard it" and move on list.
The Jesus And Mary Chain
3/5
Goth would have never happened...still, fantastic album, great sound, takes one back to an era.
The Clash
5/5
This is a top 10 album for me. Bangers all the way through, it never gets old, sounds fantastic. Guns of Brixton still gets me fired up.
The Flying Burrito Brothers
4/5
"He might have been on the weed, or even LSD".
Good album, love the sound. Definitely Everly Brothers influenced, and carried that influence to a lot of artists that followed, good and bad, is apparent. I've softened somewhat musically in my older age, and music like this can go into my ears and just keep playing throughout the day, and there's nothing wrong with that.
Björk
3/5
Some decent stuff mixed in here, though in retrospect the whole Bjork schtick runs a little thin for me. Human Behavior still has that quality that basically put Bjork on the map.
Depeche Mode
3/5
Interesting album from this group. None of these specific tracks brings back any memories from this 80's kid, though the overall sound absolutely does. This is prime electronica from one of the most recognizable artists of the genre, though not my favorite in their catalog.
Also, pretty sure "I Want You Now" is about a dude's blue balls. Deep stuff.
Pulp
4/5
Yeah, I can dig this one, if for Common People alone.
Adele
3/5
I can appreciate her voice, not this kinda music just ain't my jam. Not hard to hear how her talents lend themselves to a Vegas residency.
Red Snapper
3/5
I wanna give her that kinda night...
Decent album, not really the type of album that'll catch anybody in the room with a "holy shit what was THAT!?!" track, but not a bad vibe.
I don't know much about this style of music, so can't really address why this particular album would separate it from others, but I liked it.
Beastie Boys
4/5
Such a great album. So many good tracks, still a unique sound. Takes me back to a time, for sure.
Pere Ubu
3/5
Initial impression was "that's gonna be a no for me, dog." And then I listened again. And again. And again, and goddamn if this one didn't grow on me
Avant garde can work for me, at times, and "Over My Head" (oh, the irony) is a keeper, Street Waves is great.
Jack White
4/5
NGL, was not excited about ANOTHER Jack White album making this list. Then I got to Hip (Eponymous) Poor Boy, and I was sold. A fantastic album.
John Lee Hooker
3/5
I was over Santana about 20 years ago after his collab with the dummies from Matchbox Twenty. This one finishes strong with Hooker on his own.
Gillian Welch
3/5
Nice chill vibe. Love her voice and the fact it isn't buried in a bunch of studio sound. That being said, nothing really sticks out of that nice chill vibe.
Jurassic 5
4/5
Thoroughly enjoyed this one. Lots of good tracks on here. This music isn't normally my style, and it's damn nice to enjoy one like this.
Depeche Mode
5/5
Ok, another Depeche Mode album for this group. Much more recognizable singles off this one, including Your Own Personal Jesus, which has historically been my favorite track of theirs. The transition of Enjoy the Silence to Policy of Truth is amazing. Those moments on this album don't often get heard since they aren't radio friendly and who the hell listens to whole albums anymore, but my eargasm says "play that shit again!"
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
4/5
Ah, the raw, rebellious 90's. This one's pretty fun. It'll get your ass on the move. I imagine this would be a fun act to see live.
Ali Farka Touré
3/5
Was not expecting something like this to show up on this list. Pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed the style, and it sounds fantastic. Mesmerizing music beautifully recorded. Couldn't turn this one off.
Eagles
2/5
If I'd never heard any of these songs before, I'd appreciate this album a whole lot more. As it is, after hearing Hotel California for the ten thousandth time it just doesn't have the same effect. Guess that's why it makes the list: iconic sound, tracks that spawn generations of fans, and just not something I'm gonna smoke in my pipe that often.
Muddy Waters
4/5
Oh yeah, let's go! From the jump this one lands. Iconic blues, the master at work. I'm just a dumb Midwest white boy, but I'm not sure there's a better conduit from the blues to the masses than this record.
The Prodigy
3/5
Was I jilted? I'll admit that, in their time, Prodigy weren't really my cup of tea. The years have improved their palatability for me in a way that every time I hear their sound I'm waiting for that massively impactful track like a "Smack My Bitch Up". You can hear the ground work for their later commercial success in here.
Frank Ocean
3/5
This one grew on me musically, not necessarily lyrically. Forrest Gump being an example. Found myself vibing to the music, then thinking *dafuq?" when digging into the lyric. And, like, Pyramids is about sex workers in Vegas, right? Maybe I'm just projecting. This one's interesting enough to have on the list, but not really my cup of tea.
U2
5/5
This one's too damn easy. Top 10 all timer for me, when the wind is blowing right it's at the top. Doesn't matter how many times I spin it, once it starts I'm riding to the end. U2's best sounding album in my opinion, radio hits all over this one, and the non-radio stuff is just as good if not better. So Cruel, Ultra Violet, I could go on.
Dwight Yoakam
3/5
Great voice, love the storytelling and the musicality of this one. Recognized Streets of Bakersfield, the rest was new to me. I could see returning to this one from time to time for sure.
Devendra Banhart
3/5
Kind of a nice chill vibe, though nothing is really going to stand out in a good way on this one. Couple clunkers, but I can hang. Kind of a pleasant tickling of the aural passages, makes me wanna lie back and watch the sky.
Leonard Cohen
4/5
Oh yeah, that voice. Love how this one starts and just drags me in. I don't really dance, but this makes me feel like I'm slow dancing with Leonard to the grave he knew was coming, and I'm here for that beautiful dance.
Franz Ferdinand
3/5
I love these raw sounding recordings, it's become the signature sound of this era for me. Take Me Out is a certified banger. Come On Home was a pleasant surprise that I'd not heard before.
Dr. Dre
3/5
Best not to overthink this one. Obviously belongs on the list, listening back to all the things in here that were such a big part of the cultural reckonings in the early 90s.
Fats Domino
4/5
Finally, something from the early times! Loved this one, saxy songs all over. Quick listen, makes me dance, and I'm no dancer.
The Cars
4/5
Wow, what a debut. So maybe amazing moments here. Best Friend's Girl gets me every time when that riff, and an entire generation goes to a special place when the opening to Moving in Stereo comes on.
Primal Scream
3/5
Pretty cool vibe on this one, though can't really say after a few listens if anything really sticks out. Sounds good in headphones and on the stereo.
T. Rex
4/5
This one sounds fantastic even this many years later. Great songwriting, wonderfully arranged. Can't believe I'd only heard Get It On off this one before. Bangers throughout. Hot Love ftw.
Prince
3/5
Purple is the color body fluids glow under black light. In that context it makes a LOT of sense why it was Prince's signature color. This one starts strong and kinda fades imo, though the fun this dude had singing about banging is always fun.
Dinosaur Jr.
3/5
Ahhh, late 80s alternative. Gotta slam in some distorted noise to qualify for those bonifides. There's enough listenable stuff on here to garner its inclusion in this list, I suppose, but also gonna be a couple here I don't need to revisit. They Always Come ftw I guess.
10cc
1/5
That's gonna be a no for me dog. Only because I'm committed to this little project did I get all the way through this one.
I can grant that the recording sounds good, and there is some decent musicality in here. Now, pair that with songwriting that makes me want to punch out my eardrums and musical style that is equivalent to fingernails on the chalkboard to my aural palette, and this one can go back to the never space that it has existed for previous 47 years of my life. I cringe to think that the algorithm will think that the track I add to my playlist is an indication of "I want more" of this garbage.
Green Day
5/5
I fuggin love this album. I remember having my mind kinda blown in the early-2000's W era by this one, when we were dumping Trillion$ into a desert because "they hate our Freedumb" and here was the pitch perfect retort delivered by a band that, up until then, hadn't really moved my needle (hey, in my defense, youth is wasted on the young). I knew their music, of course, but hadn't expected a concept album from them, and one with as much musicianship and just flat out face melting sound. I can loop this one over and over, doesn't get old. Love the journey on Jesus of Suburbia.
Elis Regina
3/5
Great voice, some decent arrangements, jazz loungey, well recorded, took the ear a bit to tune to the vibe. This one's much better when the instruments fuck off to the background and let her voice shine.
Alanis Morissette
3/5
Kinda hard to overstate the cultural impact this one had for those of us who "were there" when Alanis' voice started hitting the airwaves with this record. The "Seattle Sound" grunge era was well underway and actually starting to wane, and the Madonna wave was crashing. Funny enough you can actually hear some of Alanis' Madonna influence in here, along with her signature vocal style that was ripped off by Meredith Brooks et.al. as the copycats tried to cash in on the zeitgeist. The number of radio hits on this one is impressive, and it still holds up pretty well imo, though the vocal style can get to be a bit too much of a unique thing
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Starts strong, ends strong, great Boss sound start to finish. So many "greatest hits" tracks on this one album, definitely belongs on this list. Even if you've never spun this one start to finish you probably feel like you have heard it what with all the radio hits on here. This album deserves to me played at loud volumes in a classic car with the windows rolled down.
Tough to pick THE one song off this one, but "I'm On Fire" always gets me.
The Mamas & The Papas
3/5
Iconic sound, some great tunes here, a little Boomer-y for my tastes, but keeps me listening nonetheless. Undeniable talent, well arranged. California Dreamin' is as known as it is for good reason. Gets a bit redundant on repeated listens.
Tracy Chapman
3/5
Tracy's voice is still unique, and the songwriting is pretty powerful. I remember the year this one came out and some of the conversations this one sparked about the social divide in the country. Sadly, not much has changed in that regard.
The Magnetic Fields
3/5
NGL, didn't have the time to give this one a thorough listen, but it's 69 songs on 3 discs, so, I think that's not really a surprise.
There's some fun stuff on here, I love his voice. The song writing is fun, but it's a bit much of one thing, though I respect the concept and the dedication they obviously had to record 69 love songs on one album.
Amy Winehouse
4/5
I had a lot of fun with this one. The lyrics are clever, and good god that voice. Truly unique and generational. The musical style is fantastically paired with her voice.
Germs
2/5
Pure punk. Snarling vocals, driving rhythms, exactly what comes to mind when this genre is brought up. In and out in 3 minutes or less, but for my money there's a LOT better punk to put into my playlists than the Germs.
ABBA
3/5
Abba plays like a soundtrack to family vacations when I was just a lad. Undeniably fantastic vocal harmonies and some decent arrangements. Dancing Queen still slaps, even after hearing it at every dance I've ever been to. The hits on here are solid, the filler is pretty meh and even approaches annoying in its Abba disco-ness.
Fernando ftw.
Calexico
4/5
This one grabbed me right away. Great arrangements, love the vibe on here. So musical, thoughtful lyrics. Across the Wire is pretty powerful.
The Smiths
3/5
I'ma savor that flavor, gat damnit.
Ok, despite this being their most successful album (I can read Wikipedia articles, hooray!), none of the songs I think of when I think of this band are on this one. Good on them for taking a stand on a principle, and the music definitely sounds The Smiths, which if they're your thing should suffice to round out your fandom.
Fatboy Slim
3/5
So, the hook-drop-hook/repeat style never really was my thing. This sound hit the airwaves right when I took the full guitar-based rock path on my musical tastes journey. Bouncing in a room full of my sweaty peers while some dude with headphones and a turntable spun hooks as we were ecstasied up didn't land with me. No, I preferred bouncing in an arena with my sweaty peers, working my way to the rail to see (insert rock band here) shred their axes was more my thing. Most of our drug experience went up in little chimneys throughout the show.
That being said, the sound of this album is pretty amazing considering how it was produced, and it was an undeniable influence at the time. He knows how to set a hook, I just kind of feel like I'm listening to the same 30 seconds on repeat, though goddamn if I don't find myself on occasion involuntarily moving to this one. Guess that's the point.
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
2/5
Music can set a mood, and you've got to be ready to be set in a mood with this one or you're gonna have a bad time. I've enjoyed Brian Eno's productions before, Music For Airports for instance. Not sure where this one would land in my "I wanna set a mood" lexicon, but it would probably require a select group with some time on their hands and a willingness to spend it.
That being said, there's some nice moments in here, as I would expect from an Eno production. Most of those moments are sans vocals, so, again, if that's what you're looking for, this album might have some appeal. 9 times outta 10 I'm probably not looking for this, though for that one other time, this one could fit adequately into a space.
Adele
3/5
A little Adele goes a long way for me. So, for our second Adele offering on this list it's kinda played out for me. Still has a great voice, of course, and an album like this from a 21 year old counts for something. It's definitely well produced, and her voice shines through.
I haven't felt the break up vibes in a LONG time, but I imagine this one has been spun through a lot of heartbreak.
Quicksilver Messenger Service
2/5
Sounds like a fun live performance, also quite a bit like The Doors. Not that that's entirely a bad thing, and less organ-y, which is ok by me.
Still...y tho?
Massive Attack
3/5
Cool vibe. Had heard Safe From Harm before, not the rest. Dig the style.
Ms. Dynamite
4/5
Wow, this one caught me by surprise. Great hooks, sounds fantastic. Love the style, lyrics are fun. Starts real strong, fades a bit in the second half, but the good is really good on this one.
Eminem
2/5
So, this one sounded a little immature to me when it came out, didn't really land with me. The ensuing decades have not tempered the immaturity, but I can appreciate a bit more the Eminem style and, yes, even the absurd storytelling to some extent. Still probably don't need to revisit this one.
The United States Of America
2/5
Sounds like what would come out if you had an AI create an album based on "60's psychedelic rock, female vocalist, political themes, American Sgt Pepper."
I guess the impressive thing is that it sounds like that, but was made long before albums were made that way. Interesting to hear how non-Beatles groups were creating derivatives of that sound, but I didn't have enough acid to get into this one.
Astor Piazzolla
2/5
Pretty impressive this was recorded live. Kind of a nice Sunday morning vibe, which makes it convenient that it showed up on a Sunday draw. I've never really been a wine and jazz guy, so not sure when I'd really have occasion to throw this one on.
Sister Sledge
2/5
All I can hear is will Smith's dumb ass getting jiggy with it and a song that's been so overplayed yet apparently still needs additional versions on the Spotify album. I guess there's some historical value to this one, but I don't need to hear anything off here ever again.
Suede
3/5
I'm kind of a sucker for the Brit pop rock sound, so this one brings some interesting arrangements for me. While listening I had the thought "sounds interesting, perhaps a bit pretentious, but that's art, so oh well". Then I read the wiki and kind of hated myself for that thought... In the 90's there was probably no worse criticism than that, but I'd say this one has aged well enough. I've been through the Bowie and Smiths catalogues enough that it's kinda fun to hear a derivative that I wasn't familiar with, and Suede fills that niche.
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Amazing album. So fun to listen to, not as many of the "greatest hits" tracks as some of the other Stones albums folks are familiar with, but sounds so good almost 50 years later. The blues influence shines through, and it's some of Keith's best work imo.
Slipknot
3/5
Ok, so, definitely not a genre that I'm going to throw on, I don't really listen to this style. That being said, open mind, there's some quality to this for what it is. After the hangover I started this one with, and a nap, damned if this one didn't start to grow on me. Title track is a banger.
Count Basie & His Orchestra
5/5
Thanks to a certain circumstance (married to a trumpet performance major) this one hits for me from the opening and just keeps rolling. Can't say how many times I've thrown this one on, but any time I wanna see my wife get transported to her former life, this one does the trick. Love the vibe, and the musicianship is as good as it gets in the genre. They just don't make em like this anymore.
Nightmares On Wax
4/5
Very listenable. Love the vibe on this one. Definitely will be revisiting this one.
Pixies
4/5
This one is fun, and a staple for the 80s-to-90s transition, when the alt rock genre was developing into its own. The Pixies' sound is so unique, and a lot of bands that followed were definitely influenced by them. Kind of wild they're still going today after all they've gone through, which is a testament to the quality of their music imo. I'm still a sucker for this style.
The Band
3/5
I always get a little sentimental listening to The Band. Had heard tracks off this one, but not the whole thing. Enjoyable, listenable, as I expect from this group.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Glad this one came up, actually. I've heard this one so many times that I rarely think about putting it back on these days. Makes my remember why I've listened to it so much, and it still calls me back home. Solid tracks start to finish, and it's dripping with the raw bluesy sound that cemented Zero into rock royalty.
Missy Elliott
3/5
Ok, so having another artist open your album to tell people how good you are...? Good of Busta to help a young artist out, and I suppose a young female artist in this genre in the 90s wasn't starting on 3rd base, but still, set the wrong tone for me.
That being said, once this one gets into its groove, there's some listenable tracks, though I'm definitely not going to consider myself exactly qualified to assess the quality of the hip hop. Guess I'll just have to take Missy's self aggrandizing word for it, since she calls it out on just about every track. Maybe the name drops (that Puffy call-out hasn't aged well) indicate how amazing she is. Drinking game idea: drink every time Timbaland's name gets dropped.
The Beach Boys
3/5
Crank up the reverb and roll out the vocal harmonies. Good timing on this one (RIP Brian Wilson). Couple of familiar tracks, and even the tracks I haven't heard are unmistakeably The Beach Boys. Like em or hate them, undeniably influential group that always evoke a specific place in Americana for me.
A Tribe Called Quest
4/5
Boy does this one take me back. Dig this group and this album, just a shame it's been relegated to the shelf for so long in the forgotten pile of music of my past. Great funk, clever lyrics, no complaints here
Arcade Fire
3/5
I'm kind of a sucker for these guys, though I couldn't name an album or track of theirs by name. I like the large arrangements and productions on here. They have a good feel for setting a tone and building through a song.
Roni Size
2/5
Electronica isn't really my thing, so I'm not qualified to judge this one on its bonifides in that regard. This one kept my attention well enough, kind of a chill vibe with pulsating rhythms, which is kinda fun. It all kinda blends together for me though, which isn't entirely bad I suppose, just not terribly interesting.
Kendrick Lamar
4/5
Kendrick does have a way with words. Entertaining storytelling, unique voice and style, better to me when I'm paying attention to the lyrics. Really like the concept approach, very engaging, and quite listenable.
Suzanne Vega
1/5
"Wow! This Suzanne Vega album slaps!" said nobody ever, except, apparently, the author of this list. So boring, made me want to not have ears for a day. I can't put into words how annoyed this one made me.
That's a big no from me, dog
ABBA
4/5
Interesting, an Abba album without, to me at least, a recognizable single. Overall a great album, despite the lack of a familiar hit. Gotta hand it to this group, they never skimped on production quality or musical arrangements. It pays off here for me. Really listenable, catchy, with fantastic hooks throughout.
Cee Lo Green
3/5
Cee Lo has such a distinct voice, makes this one kinda stick out for me. Catchy tunes, entertaining lyrics.
The Cure
3/5
It sounds good in a lot of ways, and it kinda drags on. Overall a good album.
Michael Jackson
2/5
Voice like butter, undeniably talented, and boy did they try to shoehorn Michael into being a disco star with this one. Thank goodness he didn't stick to the genre, because much better offerings were to come from him.
Fleetwood Mac
4/5
Hadn't heard any of these before, so it was interesting to get introduced to an entire set of new-to-me music from Fleetwood Mac. I can also see why, from my "I only hear them on greatest hits compilations" perspective, these don't usually make the cut. The sound on here is not surprisingly pretty damn good. As a twelfth album I gotta give them credit, that's a lot of creativity to continue to mine from an obviously deep well. Some pretty catchy tunes grew out after a couple listens for me. Solid work.
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
I've always felt like these guys sound best when it's as close to them and their guitars as possible, with some well placed additions that don't overwhelm that. SOME of their have always sounded like somebody decided they needed to add a bunch of garbage to the song to make them more radio friendly. That's the music business, I guess. That doesn't take away from the greatness of this one, just kinda makes me want to search out the versions without that stuff, though admittedly the producer was probably right, evidenced by the fact that we are listening to this one today. This is a great album of songwriting, some production quality that irks me in some ways, but a certified classic.
Madness
3/5
Other than not being able to find this one on Spotify (YouTube Music ftw), this one is a pretty rewarding find. I knew Our House, but hadn't heard any of the rest. It does get the "ska" label, but if you want to label it that you have to consider how early in that genre this one was, so its ska-ness, if it is that, doesn't overwhelm. Plenty of quirkiness, and chock full of saxy songs, they don't all land for me, but there's enough to keep me interested.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
Classic album, amazing songwriting. Almost plays like a compilation of hits. Hard to believe how hit-dense these guys were. This dude will always abide Creedence.
William Orbit
4/5
I like this one, cool vibe, sounds fantastic. Not a sing along album, of course, and for me music in this genre tends to kind of blend into the background, which makes this one pretty good if that's what I'm looking for.
The Doors
4/5
This is a good one. Great bluesy rock, musicianship for days, and Morrison's vocals are always fun. Love Her Madly still slaps after the thousandth listen, a testament to the staying power of this one. An absolute classic.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
3/5
The banter is kinda fun on this one. I've rediscovered over the last ten years my appreciation for this style of music that left me in my teens and twenties, and this is a great album of the genre, albeit a little long for a full run through. The musical talents in here are fun.
Os Mutantes
3/5
Fun album, quirky as hell, but I enjoyed it.
Prince
4/5
A fantastic offering from Prince. Era defining sound, with all the Prince-ness you could ask for. Put this one on anytime you need a Prince fix and you won't be disappointed.
Frank Zappa
3/5
Pretty wild ride, great musicianship in these winding tracks. You can always count on a Frank Zappa album to at least be interesting, and this one is no exception.
Soul II Soul
3/5
Nothing really exceptional here, at least to my ear. It's fine, just not something that at any point makes me think "wow, never heard something like that before." Side note, the falsetto garbage she keeps doing on "Feel Free" just pisses me off.
Booker T. & The MG's
3/5
Can't hear Green Onions and not think about The Sandlot. Iconic tune on a fun album. Definitely captures a space and time in American music.
Bob Dylan
5/5
Simple: prolly top 5 or 10 all time for me. Been waiting for a Dylan contribution on our list, and this was the perfect day for it. This will never get old for me, so damned musical, lyrics that take you on a journey, this is Dylan almost as good as he gets (Highway 61 and Blood On the Tracks anyone?)
Pink Floyd
5/5
Have spun this one countless times, and for good reason. This is simply an amazing piece of art, from the storytelling to the musicality, the tonal shifts, when one hears "concept album" your can put The Wall at the top. Classic rock radio stations still just can't get enough of this one. I've sensed a bit of Pink Floyd fatigue creeping into the zeitgeist, but that does not take away the sheer brilliance of Floyd and this, their signature album imo.
Tears For Fears
3/5
This one epitomizes that signature 80s sound, which is a testament to its quality. This is synth sound done right, with plenty of real instruments and real musicianship driving it along. Not every track is a banger, but the ones that land are amongst the all timers of the genre.
Parliament
4/5
So many fantastic hooks here. A lot of artists can credit this group with significant influence on their careers. It still sounds fantastic 50 years(!?!) later. Hell yeah.
Kate Bush
2/5
Nah, man. Not digging this one. There's some decent moments, and some real "wtaf" moments (Waking the Witch, dafuq?). Moved on quickly from this one, don't need to go back
Björk
1/5
I don't mind dissonance as long as it eventually coalesces into something tangible. Chalk that up to my limited engineer brain, I guess. I can only wonder at the mind that conjures this, puts it to tape, and shares it confidently with world. Truly impressive artistic IDGAF, just not something I'm going to find enjoyable, really in any way other than maybe as a joke on friends that I don't want to keep. It makes me happy that the Björks of the world exist, because what a drab world it would be without artists putting out unlistenable art for us to enjoy.
OutKast
4/5
Love OutKast's energy and style on this one. Really listenable, fun lyrics and fantastic rhythms and beats. Never really followed the different regional hip-hop sounds, finding I'm quite fond of the ATL style. The energy does drop off a bit in the second half of this one, but the good is really damn good.
5/5
This one holds up. Still love the style, the storytelling from the alternate persona, and the amazing musicality. The hits off this one still slap, and rest is so fun too.
Saint Etienne
3/5
Dig this one. Cool vibe, pretty listenable, nothing offends. Not gonna blow your socks off, not gonna piss you off. I'd spin.
Janet Jackson
3/5
Wow does this one capture that late 80s-early 90s sound that hit the airwaves. That drum machine is still getting royalties. I remember when Michael's baby (hot!?!) sister showed up with an attitude and a hopeful message, and for a while it seemed like it could work. For those of us who were there, this one has radio hits all throughout, and we believed in Janet's belief that we could all be better people. Ah, but leave it to people to shoot the messenger, though Janet definitely played a part in that. Still, this one exists out there as a testament to an optimistic time when two talented siblings from a super fucked up family were a couple of the biggest acts on the planet, and the music was actually pretty good.
Black Sabbath
4/5
I dig this one, though there's not a ton of recognizable tracks on it. The riff driven musicality of Sabbath shines through, and Ozzy sounds fantastic.
Oasis
4/5
Good stuff. Oasis hit at the right time in my life, and I can go back to that well because the quality endures. The raw sound on this one stands out, and I still enjoy a spin 30+ years later.
The Byrds
3/5
Strong boomer sound here, have to fight through my distaste to find the quality, which there is to some extent. There's musicianship and some decent arrangements here and there, but it kinda all blends together in an unexciting blissful oblivion. The wiki article about the recording sessions is more exciting than anything on this album.
The Who
3/5
This one doesn't usually make my regular The Who rounds, but goddamn, what a way to hit the music scene. Sure, it wasn't their best offering, but you can definitely hear the groundwork for what they were to become, and My Generation and The Kids Are Alright are going to get onto any greatest hits compilations that are legit. One of my favorite all-time bands, and it's fun to go back to the beginning.
Kanye West
4/5
This is my first time listening to Kanye, and gotta admit, this is some fantastic stuff. It sounds great, the lyrics are fun, compositions are complex, I guess other than the crazy he's become, I'd have to say I'm a fan
Nick Drake
4/5
Beautiful album, love his songwriting and guitar work. I love putting this one on and just chilling.
Robert Wyatt
1/5
A bunch of goddamn noise with a British accent. Aptly named. Those English are so clever
Charles Mingus
4/5
First spin was a challenge for this square, but the finale to the last track was brilliant, and subsequent spins put this one on track for me. Some great work in here. Not usually a jazz guy, but goddamn if this one didn't grow on me.
The Rolling Stones
5/5
This album is just so damned good. This is peak Stones, with enduring sound, amazing arrangements, and fantastic songwriting. There's really no low spots anywhere in here, making this one a no-brainer all-time top 10 for me. I suppose I could get tired of it after a certain number of spins, but I'm 100's in and counting in this lifetime and that hasn't happened yet. Roll on, boys.
Black Sabbath
3/5
I feel the pull of Satan!
Seriously, fun debut album, always appreciate Sabbath's riff-driven rock, and Ozzy's voice is so unique.
Goldie
1/5
Nope. Hate this. Voice and vocalizations annoy the shit outta me, the techno-jazz melding is a dud imo. Moving on from this one, that's almost 2 hours of my life wasted on this garbage.
Kanye West
3/5
Surprised again. I've never listened to Kanye before this list, and now I get to enjoy another album of his. Can't argue the dude has talent, and it shows through again on this. Amazing beats, entertaining storytelling. Just a solid album.
PJ Harvey
3/5
Interesting, don't really recall anything about PJ, though for whatever reason I was aware of her before. This isn't bad, and she seems sincere in her message, but somehow this very musical offering has a bit of an anemic sound to me. It's not bad, has some decent moments. Definitely talent here, and it has that weird quality where if you're listening and you turn it off your ears kinda want to turn it back on. I guess that's good enough for me.
Richard Hawley
4/5
Nice voice, kept waiting for him to belt one out. Dig the vibe. Has a timeless quality to it. Put this one on, sit back, and relax.
Miles Davis
5/5
Legendary. One of the most recognizable jazz records of all time for good reason. Incredible talent and skill all over this one. A masterclass of musicianship, each solo flows seamlessly into the next. Once you get on this train it's almost impossible to turn it off.
Fever Ray
3/5
Pretty vibey electronica, sounds pretty good at higher volumes. Definitely can set a mood, and a lot going on in my ears as I listen to it.
The Chemical Brothers
3/5
For the genre I guess this is pretty good. Not my go to when I'm looking for something to spin, but not something I feel the need to turn off when it's on. There is some good stuff in here, for certain, but my ability to ascertain the skill of musicianship or production in this is pretty limited. Sounds good enough to me, if I'm not trying to calm myself down anyway.
Kelela
3/5
Neither high nor low for me. It's an album.
Ella Fitzgerald
3/5
An all time voice, with a fantastic set of arrangements. This is Ella in her element. 3+ hours is a tad excessive if you're wanting to get through it more than once.
Carpenters
2/5
Far from my favorite style of music, though undeniably great voice. A few listenable tracks, a couple that were so heavily used in pop culture it's hard to believe there was a time before they existed in an unironic way. I'll give this one a few stars for the quality of the recording and the musical arrangements, but no damn way am I searching this one out unless I'm shooting a late 70s/early 80s scene that calls for the type of nostalgia that conjures up road trips in the family truckster.
Tito Puente
4/5
Hell yeah. Get some boat drinks and cigars and let this transport you to the streets of Havana. Makes even my stiff ass wanna shuffle my feet. Contagious sound, brilliantly composed and masterfully captured here
Nina Simone
3/5
Very unique voice, chill vibe. Lots of emotion in the lyrics, this one has a way of pulling you in.
Neil Young
4/5
My ear requires a little Neil Young tuning for this one, but damn, once it's in it hits. Love hearing these guys play off each other. Lyrics are engaging, the style is fun, stripped down sound with nowhere to hide.
Ray Price
4/5
I'm a sucker for this style, and this is about as will as it is done. Back when success required actual musical chops and lyrics were clever, Willie Nelson was in the band. Enough said.
D'Angelo
3/5
This one's fine. Well mixed, fun lyrics, not probably going to need to go back to this one due any specific purpose, though Shit, Damn, Motherfucker is pure poetry.
Muddy Waters
4/5
Damn this is good. Good blues always gets me, and it doesn't get much better than Muddy Waters.
Cat Stevens
3/5
Some all-time tracks I've heard many times, some that don't get played often. Can't argue with the songwriting quality or musicianship, and his career can attest to that.
Beatles
3/5
Bubblegum Beatles was the reason I didn't like the Beatles in my earlier years. Abbey Road came along and blew all my understanding of them away. Once that itch had been scratched, my distaste for their earlier work softened, and grew into appreciation. Had they not continued to develop and deliver I'm not sure how this one would sound, but it did happen, and it's fun to hear their stripped down sound on this.
4/5
There's a reason we're still taking about Oasis today, and this album is it. Bangers all over this thing, great sounding album.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
3/5
I can't really evaluate anything in the genre, this one is fine, though as an entire album it's a bit much. Is pretty mesmerizing though.
The Young Gods
4/5
I started with optimism, went to "uh oh," and got to "this is amazing" in the first spin. It's worth sticking with this one. Pretty fun stuff.
Digital Underground
3/5
Funky, funny, entertaining and fun. Humpty Dance is one of the largest rap singles of all time, so on the merits of that alone this one belongs, but these guys had a unique sound and style that makes this one much more than a single with some other stuff.
David Bowie
3/5
This one slips through the Bowie cracks, suffering from the lack of an enduring single most likely. The musicality is here, however, if this isn't a "Bowie Album," it's not on this list. The context makes this one worth a listen.
Ananda Shankar
2/5
Oh my God, those covers are atrocious. I guess I can understand a new artist using something like that to get their foot in the door, but they are so terrible. If I never hear the Jumpin Jack Flash sitar cover again, it will be too soon. We now have AI to give us jokes like that, so in that way I guess this version was a half century ahead of its time.
Fortunately, covers aside, this one can be pretty decent background music.
Gary Numan
4/5
In my limited knowledge, this sure sounds like a precursor to a lot of music that followed in the 80s. Fun stuff here, well composed and produced. Based on the timeline, very influential to the decade of music that followed.
Pink Floyd
5/5
Easy, probably a Top 5 all time, even with it being so overexposed in the decades since its release. Amazing concept, brilliant songwriting, top quality production. It doesn't really get more complete than this one
Creedence Clearwater Revival
3/5
Decent "jammy" record from Creedence. The record that confused people into believing this was a group out of the bayou, but undeniably great sounding with fantastic song writing. A little less versatility displayed on this one, but for the second of three records released in one year, what could one really expect?
R.E.M.
4/5
R.E.M. have a way of filling the space with sound, and that is on display here. I've always respected their musicianship and songwriting. Their arrangements are impressive. Stand is as infectious today as it was when it hit the scene decades ago, and the rest of the tracks on here should not be overlooked. Great album.
XTC
3/5
This one barely holds the rails for me. There's enough interesting elements to it to keep me engaged, and a few "let's move on" moments as well. I can say this: it isn't something you're going to find a lot of comparisons to.
James Brown
4/5
Fun recording. Infectious energy, tight arrangements, Brown's vocal power burns through on this.
Big Star
4/5
This is a pretty fun album, has a very "familiar" feel about it. Catchy AF, like, if you entered "create a 70s rock band album with a sprinkle of hippie" into an AI you'd have something that comes out about like this. Nothing bad about it, it just kind of is. Actually some decent moments in here. The acoustic tracks sound fantastic.
Sebadoh
2/5
Ah, the 90s. This one takes me back to that time where we kept telling ourselves it was cool to not give a shit, and proving it with indie labels showing how much talented artists can put on a shitty sounding record. Don't get me wrong, were it not for these types of albums we may never have escaped the MTV era of overproduced hair bands on our rock radio airwaves. There's moments in here that, I suppose, warrant it's inclusion on this list, but acts like this were a dime a dozen in the 90s
Bob Marley & The Wailers
5/5
Excellently produced, amazingly arranged, a great recording of a legend. Marley and The Wailers had an infectious sound, and this one puts that on full display.
Christina Aguilera
3/5
Kudos to Christina for attempting to give a musical history lesson to her fans who, by being her fans in the first place, obviously needed one. I will say, had she started here in her career I wouldn't have the hesitation of taking her seriously, unfair as that is. This voice from a little blonde girl is not common, and the tracks here are well arranged to put those chops on display.
3/5
This one annoyed the hell out of me at first, and the edge didn't really come off after repeated spins. There's obviously some musical talent, but the message is a bit ham handed in retrospect. The Me. Skin-Space Child back-to-back was just about more than I could endure.
The Kinks
4/5
Fun album by a legendary band. Love the stripped down sound, their harmonies and arrangements. Yeah, this is The Kinks.
Coldplay
3/5
A little Chris Martin goes a long way for me. Coldplay are undeniably musical, production quality is good on this one, even the songwriting is good. It's just kind of boring.
Milton Nascimento
2/5
Tough slog for me. Not really my mystical taste, and a bit too long. Kept trying to get tuned into the vibe, just couldn't get there on this one.
Michael Kiwanuka
4/5
Pretty good album here. Musically diverse, well arranged and produced. Found myself several times just wanting to stop and playback portions of tracks. Has a very mesmerizing quality to it.
Talking Heads
3/5
Pretty cool album. Captures their quirky style and musicianship in about as raw a way as you'll find. Not really a surprise that they continued on with their long list of hits after Psycho Killer, which if nothing else puts this one into the "must hear" category.
The Prodigy
5/5
Fantastic album. The tracks are contagious, adrenaline pumping to cosmic, kind of the pinnacle of the genre for me.
Death In Vegas
4/5
Fun ambient vibes. The musical structures are engaging, keeps my ears engaged.
Anthrax
4/5
I love when metal is this fun. Clear tracks, tight arrangements, and of course energy for days.
Jefferson Airplane
4/5
Ok, full disclosure, I kinda hate boomer music, so this one should have irritated me. And, it absolutely didn't. Way more dynamic than I was expecting. Of course we've all heard the hits a million times, but in the context of the album, they kinda hide away in here, which is refreshing. Obviously a lot of musicianship here, throw in some psychedelic exploring, and you get this. Good stuff. Ok Boomer, I'll grant you this one.
Emmylou Harris
3/5
Pretty decent country album. Emmy's voice is, as usual, amazing, and the song list is good, though for whatever reason covers of Beatles songs never really land well for me.
The Rolling Stones
5/5
Certifiable classic. The Stones are full stride here, with the signature blues riffs, innuendo, and solid arrangements. Throw in a ballad or two, sprinkle in some saxy songs, and boom, baby goes to sleep now.
Public Enemy
4/5
One of the most significant rap groups of the era, and perhaps their most significant album. Fantastic beats, excellent political perspective, Public Enemy had a big part to play in educating this South Dakota white kid to what was going on in the world. Tracks still slap, and the Chuck D-Flava Flav contrast is so perfect.
The Triffids
3/5
Pretty fun album. Well produced, good songs, lead singer has a nice powerful voice. The style fits with the era but isn't completely tied to it.
Such a fantastic album. The guitar sounds amazing, the songs are catchy, and the recording is so well done.
Lou Reed
4/5
This one was a little tough for me to get into, until it grabbed me. Patience is key here, and you're rewarded with all the feels that Lou Reed has a knack for delivering. You'll be musically challenged at times, but there is real genius in here. When the strains of Sad Song fade you might find yourself thinking "Well done, Lou. Well done."
Alice In Chains
5/5
Have to think on this one a bit. I've listened to this one a thousand times, so for me it's a no-brainer 5*. But, I've got to do better than the nostalgia bit for justifying that ranking. For me, the musicianship in the heaviness, the vocal layering, the storytelling in the lyrics, the depth of it all. Once you let that in, you're hooked. Kind of like a hit. Careful, that shit can be addictive.
Destiny's Child
3/5
Not sure what I can say about this one. Obviously there's talent here, but I'm not sure I'm ready for that jelly. Overproduced synthesized garbage pop with attempts to sound edgy with painfully obvious selections of words ("go'n" never sounded so perfectly the same in every utterance). Like trying to subsist on sugary desserts, this one is all filler, no substance.
The Thrills
3/5
Decent vibes here. Kind of simultaneously uplifting and melancholy.
Sufjan Stevens
4/5
I enjoyed this one more than I thought I would or could. Definitely a step off the beaten path, and for whatever reason it lands with me. Extremely musical, and an interesting concept album. Lots of moments throughout where I'm reeled in.
The Sonics
3/5
Dig the early garage screamer style. Glad the half-cover/half-original albums went away, though I gotta admit, they land a couple of those covers. Fortunately there's enough original content here to keep it fun.
B.B. King
4/5
Damn B.B. could make Lucille sing. Love this recording. A legend captured live with a great backing band.
Pavement
3/5
Indie is hit and miss with me, and this one hits on my scale. I think Malkmus takes some adjusting to for the uninitiated, though not going to be everyone's cup of tea.
5/5
Easy. Top 10 for me. Epic. U2 at their most powerful, amazing music and storytelling. Never get tired of this one.
Everything But The Girl
3/5
This one is kind of a nice, chill vibe. It does KIND of sound like one continuous track, not a lot of straying from the formula as the album winds through, but fortunately it's a pretty decent formula.
Screaming Trees
4/5
Really like this one. Good dynamics, sounds great. Though definitely influenced by the time, it doesn't feel stuck in the era some 30 years later. Couldn't turn this one off.
David Bowie
3/5
Like this one way more 10 years later than I remember from when it came out. It takes some getting used to, because there isn't a lot of that Bowie pop that endeared him for so long. However, the Bowie musicality is in full form here.
Can
3/5
Kind of a fun groovy album here. Definitely catches my attention.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
Kind of fun to hear where it started, even if it is mostly a bunch of covers. They sound great, and already had that "Stones" sound that pushed them to legendary.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
A hell of a lot better response to a tragic event than "they hate our freedumb." Bruce sounds good here, even if the songs themselves don't quite make it to iconic status like a lot of his work. Well written and arranged, with the pain of 9/11 as a backdrop while maintaining a hopeful tone. Good stuff.
The Specials
3/5
I like this one, even if I got ska'd out in the late 90s. It's fun to hear I've of the early groups in the genre, with a little punk mixed around in there. Good tracks, fun vocals, enjoyable.
Steely Dan
2/5
Super soft 10-ply. Nah man, I can lose this number
Justin Timberlake
2/5
Man, for a dude who was probably getting laid plenty, he sure sounds in this one like a dude who's desperate to get laid.
Sex Pistols
5/5
This one holds up for me. Kind of the punk anthem standard. Amazing energy, fantastic raw sound, expertly mixed.
John Martyn
4/5
Groovy, jazzy, bluesy, lots going on here. A very enjoyable listen for these ears.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
Lots of lyrical poetry, which is a given with Joni. Full disclosure: I've never been able to stomach Joni's voice, which gets way to warbly for my taste. Color me surprised, then, that the moments where it hits those "fingernails on a chalkboard" tone are relatively few on this one. Substitute the over-emphasized exploratory bass lines as the element of this one that I can't stomach. So close, Joni.
Duran Duran
4/5
Fantastic sounding record. The hits off this are obvious, but the rest is solid too.
Beastie Boys
4/5
Still a fun album. I always love the Beasties' use of heavy guitar riffs in their tracks, which along with other attributes probably explains why this was the first rap album to really break into the mainstream. Not to take away from their (or others') craft, this album is a banger. High energy, fun loops, clever lyrics, this is pure Beasties.
Ravi Shankar
3/5
Mesmerizing music. The lessons are interesting. Put this one on and obliviate.
Scritti Politti
2/5
So very 80's. Not sure what sets this one apart from myriad albums from the era, other than the anemic vocals. Sounds like what I'd expect from an AI prompted album. Makes me wonder if the generation that pushed this music onto the planet had any option OTHER than to bleed the planet's future dry in a coke-induced euphoric haze.
David Bowie
5/5
So damn musical. Love this album, no matter how many spins it's spun in my life. Still interesting, with certified bangers throughout.
My Bloody Valentine
3/5
Dripping with teenage angst, drowned in distortion. That's My Bloody Valentine to me. Not that there's necessarily anything wrong with that formula, it can just start all sounding the same. There's enough to keep it interesting, but nothing that really stands out.
Arrested Development
4/5
This one has fantastic energy. The rhythms, the rhymes, the messages, all top quality.
X-Ray Spex
5/5
This one is really fun. I'm a sucker for saxy songs, so already I'm interested. Love the energy, and the sound is fantastic. New to me, I will definitely be coming back to this one. Great album.
Radiohead
5/5
Any list of mine is likely to have this one in the Top 5. Still sounds amazing almost 30 years later. The shift in Radiohead's style on this one was such a revelation. Put them in the mix with greatest of all time bands conversations. The musicality, the concept, lyrics, mixing. There isn't a weakness here.
Dolly Parton
3/5
Three legendary talents on one album? Sign me up. Fun to hear them each bring their own unique styles and techniques into the trio. Just good music.
Supergrass
4/5
Fun guitar-driven rock. Well recorded, with enough uniqueness to warrant a mention on this list, imo. Not sure I can agree with the over the top reviews it garnered at the time, though I recall at that time as the Seattle sound era waned that there was a plethora of ass rock that made an album like this a refreshing breath of fresh air, so perhaps the reviewers were just so relieved to not have to listen to another turntable driven butt rock album. Still, pretty damned good.
The Go-Go's
3/5
Iconic sound, still has that ear catching quality to it. A fun California blend of surf and punk, delivered by an all female lineup. What's not to like?
Manu Chao
5/5
A friend of mine brought this one back from a semester overseas, and I was hooked. This many years later and I still love this one. Infectious rhythms, clever mixes, great lyrics (as far as I can really tell), I'm never down when this one is spinning.
Joy Division
3/5
A shoegazing foundation album. Sonic reverb, simple rhythmic beats, melancholy lyrics and vocals, all signatures of the genre that was to become popular years after this recording. Some good stuff in here, perfect listening on a reflective day.
The Gun Club
4/5
Bluesy surf punk. Who knew? Fun album, infectious sound. This one caught my attention and kept it.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
Such clear genius here. My problem is that I am not, and thus unable to appreciate the obvious genius on display in Joni's work. It's like thinking you can look into the sun because you're the President of the United States.
Django Django
4/5
Wow, never heard this one before, and I'm smitten. Fantastic album. Sounds great, so catchy. Had a lot of fun getting to know this one. I'll be back
Guns N' Roses
5/5
Certified classic, probably Top 20 all time record. The fact this was their first album still blows my mind to this day. So much raw rock energy here.
Wilco
4/5
Really like this one. The sonic journey always catches my by surprise. Gets better on every listen
Ute Lemper
1/5
Nope.
I think I can see how this one could land in some circles. Unfortunately for me, my circle is well outside that landing zone. Very dramatic arrangements, artistic storytelling, and just not my thing. Makes me feel like I'm listening to the soundtrack for a musical. Couple moments where straight up sounds like someone stepped on a cat's tail.
Blood, Sweat & Tears
2/5
A lot of blood, sweat & tears went into me suffering through this one. I have always felt the 70's were unique musically in that for every great rock record produced there was a bunch of filler garbage that was a result of expanded studio capabilities that were deployed in a terrible way.
At least we got Hank's musical number off this one.
https://youtu.be/zUwSaO2SnHQ?si=b1gPUzmIecyMelP0
Sonic Youth
4/5
Cool album. Feels like it's always riding the line between control and chaos, but intentionally so. You're not going to get a radio single off this one, which to me makes it a fantastic album to spin a couple times.
Ray Charles
4/5
Great recording. I'm sure the cultural impact of this one in its time was significant, though to today's ears hearing an artist in a different genre or style is more the norm. Doesn't take away from my enjoyment on this one. Just a fantastic, easy listening release from an American icon
Songhoy Blues
4/5
Unique story to this one, and a real cool album. Great sounding and very listenable. Fun instrumentals and rhythms.
Aretha Franklin
3/5
What a voice. Well on display on this record. Fantastic soul album.
The Rolling Stones
5/5
Classic album, and one of my favs by the Stones. Mick's southern drawl always cracks me up, and the musical talent is on display throughout with the bluesy honky tonk sound. This one never gets old.
Joanna Newsom
1/5
I was always curious what could be achieved by layering the screeches of a stepped-on cat with a harp and symphonic arrangements. Here we have it. Hauntingly terrible, play this one for the enemies in your life, who might believe you're just trying to be kind. But, you know better. You sinister bastard, you.
Teenage Fanclub
3/5
Cool band, fun album. Interesting to hear where music might have been headed if Nirvana hadn't blown up the scene at the same time. Naturally this one got lost in the fray, but not because it lacks in listenability or quality. Not saying this would have had anywhere near the impact, but it also holds up well enough this many years after, and that's saying something.
Run-D.M.C.
5/5
The quintessential rap album for me. I know there was some stuff going on before this, but most casuals had no idea until this one landed. I love the precision of this one. Absolutely a classic, and still fun to listen to 40 years later
Meat Loaf
3/5
Meat definitely had pipes and talent, and his contribution to America the Beautiful is timeles. Pretty impressive to start a career with an album like this, and it definitely has withstood the test of time, just not really my thing, but damn if I didn't find myself pulled in. Gotta grant that much.
Johnny Cash
4/5
Amazing concept for an album, and a perfect recording, complete with coughs, banter, and audience reactions. Legendary stuff.
Sly & The Family Stone
4/5
Good funk, though a lot more chill than I expect from the genre. There's some pretty good moments in here. Fun album.
Beastie Boys
5/5
The Beasties can do funk, and it's on full display here. Great album, with so many great grooves and hooks. I put this at the top of a list of great albums by these guys
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
3/5
Prog rock epitomized here. Hang in there and you will hear some good moments. That first track, tho. Wow
LL Cool J
3/5
The ladies loved LL. I like him enough, I guess. Definitely a culturally impactful album, and still listenable this many years later.
Mylo
3/5
Not sure how a single album produced by Mylo finds its way to this list, but I'm not disappointed by that. This is an enjoyable album, with some fantastic sonic moments, though I am far from a connoisseur of the genre, so can't tell what sets it apart from its peers.
Talking Heads
4/5
Love the combination of musical genius and weird with Talking Heads. This one doesn't have one of the "greatest hits" singles, which helps me enjoy the whole even more. Great album.
The Young Rascals
3/5
This one kinda crept up on me. My initial "damn hippies!" reaction was tempered and I enjoyed the variety that found its way into this one.
Chicago
3/5
Not really my style, though still kinda fun. Good energy, lots of musicianship. Hard pass on the long-form jams, however.
Neil Young
4/5
Only criticism here is that one track generated a southern anthem that continues to inspire generations of ignorance. Guess the cultural impact of this one is bonafide. The rest is quite listenable, pretty chill for Neil
Love
4/5
I like this one. Never heard anything off it before. Got a little Doors vibes at , but swap sax and harpsichord in for organ, and some very modern elements (until the drums kick in). Revelation is a fun ride.
Tom Waits
4/5
Love this one. Tom Waits can take some adjusting to for the uninitiated, but once you've tuned your ear to the growl and poetry it's like a drug.
Sinead O'Connor
4/5
Lots of pain under that beautiful voice, which makes this one so compelling. Time has vindicated many of Sinead's observations and criticisms, which makes this one as poignant today as it
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
Certified classic. The duo executes the life end-to-end concept really well, and the music is, as always, fantastic.
TLC
3/5
It's fine, not really my jam. Very apt title, whoever came up with that for these three was genius. Never really listened to this one as a concept album before.
The Jam
4/5
Good energy, great sounding album. Fun songwriting
CHIC
3/5
So very cultured.
Disco sucks. This one skirts that line too closely for me.
That being said, this one has some decent moments. Just not my thing
Metallica
4/5
Classic metal album. I'm always impressed with how tight this band is.
5/5
Man I've done the rounds with this one. Gets me every time. So sonically dense. Great arrangements and songwriting. Not afraid of going big, nor ashamed to, and it shouldn't be. Hits all those epic tones masterfully. City of Delusion and Knights of Cedonia are amazing tracks on a fantastic record. The trumpet solo on City is pure eargasm. Doesn't matter how many times I hear it, I can always spin this one.
Cowboy Junkies
4/5
This is a good one. She has an amazing voice, and the quality of the recording with its reverb and warm tones is fantastic. Put this one on and just chill.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
4/5
So saxy. This fella has a weak spot there, so this one lands. A classic. Play Take 5 anywhere and people will recognize it and start grooving along.
Ian Dury
3/5
Can't help but imagine Mr. Frog singing these (those who know know). Otherwise, this is a fine album. Got all the cheeky British humor one could ask for, especially considering such things weren't as accepted in the day this one was pressed. Musically it's fine.
Thelonious Monk
4/5
Groovy jams, man, I can dig it. Fun album, well recorded. Definitely a jazz classic.
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
Classic. Hendrix raw on Voodoo Chile is as good as it gets. The track that made him a legend, on an album that puts his talent on display like no other.
3/5
meh. Nothing really stands out on this one, aside from some screeches that I could do without. It isn't bad, and the tone does kind of grab you after you settle in, but not really compelling to me.
Sonic Youth
4/5
Not an album done to create radio hits, this one pulls you in in a different way. Lots going on in here, and really compelling. Broad sound, definitely dense.
k.d. lang
3/5
Great voice, fun arrangements. This one kind of surprised me with the musicality.
Lauryn Hill
4/5
Fantastic album, sounds great, great songwriting and lyrics. The concept is great, and executed well.
Gene Clark
4/5
This one sounds really good. I dig the vibe, even without that radio single element, or maybe because of that.
Curtis Mayfield
4/5
Great album, really well recorded.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
4/5
Pretty good stuff in here. Good driving sound and they make good use of Siouxsie's range. Great guitar throughout.
Into the Light and Monitor are bangers.
Orange Juice
4/5
This one is damn fun. Super catchy, great musicality, very 80s in a good way. The tracks roll together really well, making this one an easy repeater. Perfect use of effects give it that nice 80s touch.
The Blue Nile
3/5
Lots of musicality here, and it barely holds the rails for me. Can't argue with the artistic skills, just a little more dissonance than I normally search out. Stay is the one track on here that has a "traditional" arrangement, and it's a pretty damn good track at that.
Gil Scott-Heron
3/5
Cool stripped down sound, jazzy and thought provoking.
The Allman Brothers Band
4/5
Fantastic recording that puts their talents on full display. A great ride, and one I've gone back to many times over the years
Shack
3/5
First impression was "sounds like someone blended R.E.M. and Oasis." It does get out of that shadow a bit, and the theme resonates with this old seaman's heart. Pretty good musicality, and if I don't know those other bands I'm not left with much to disparage, especially since they were contemporaries.
Klaxons
3/5
Tons of energy on this one. Put this on and attack any task, it cooks. Super fun album
Beatles
3/5
Culturally significant, although in retrospect it doesn't come close to cracking into The Beatles' top half of their own catalog. Kinda fun to think of a time when they were still covering other bands' songs while trying to gain a foothold in the industry. Definitely a must when reviewing the fab four's journey, but not one I need to put on to enjoy the actual music, which is pretty pedestrian.
3/5
Grand, meandering, long form compositions that no doubt are dripping with my musicality and talent. There are definitely moments in here, it's just that you have to be willing to listen to 10+minute tracks to get there. Patience is the only way to approach this one, and if that's not what you're looking for, it's going to probably miss you
Deep Purple
4/5
Friggin Purple, man. Wall of sound, vocals that few can pull off, what's not to love? Guitar riff driven, but
New Order
3/5
Not all that into dance music, but I do actually appreciate the electronica aspects of this one, and the 80s vibe bring it into line for me.
The Cure
3/5
It's fine. Doesn't move the needle high or low for me. If you want The Cure, it'll do.
Marvin Gaye
3/5
It's Marvin Gaye, so there is of course some fantastic singing and musicianship. That's being said, the songs themselves are not his best, but that probably stems from the subject matter.
Skunk Anansie
2/5
Doesn't really land for me. Lots of noisy compilations, singer can't keep it in the lines, just sounds like a lot of the slop of the era that was "so deep" but really just kinda all slopped together.
Leonard Cohen
3/5
Fun to hear where the Leonard Cohen journey started. Great songwriting here, and of course the poetic lyrics and buttery voice the man is famous for. Kind of plays like adult lullabyes to me. Could be easily mistaken for Neil Diamond at times, which isn't a criticism.
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
4/5
A foundational, classic record. Set the stage for the hip-hop wave that followed, and still did it better than most. Just a great album. The Message is still the same 40+ years later.
The Shamen
3/5
Pops and blips. If you're looking for a rave, this is probably what you're looking for.
The Who
5/5
An often overlooked album by The Who, with a bunch of fantastic tracks. The concept is great, and the songwriting is so fun. You can hear so many of the elements that comprise the band's future catalogue.
Elvis Presley
3/5
It's fine. It's Elvis, singing a bunch of black artist's tunes and introducing a generation of ignoramus people to a genre of "jungle music." Culturally significant, musically decent.
Brian Eno
4/5
Have spent many contemplative hours with this one. Always enjoy when I put this on and find myself sliding into a state of relaxation.
Girls Against Boys
4/5
As a 90s music survivor, I'm surprised by this one. It sounds way less copycat than SO many of the releases around this time that were trying to cash in on the "Seattle Sound" that was dominating the airwaves. Hearing the actual musical talent here along with the sound makes me appreciate this one way more than I was expecting going into it.
Patti Smith
4/5
Cool album. Love that early New York punk sound, mixed in with the avant garde of the times. Definitely unique voice, has a bit of a Blondie timbre to it.
Snoop Dogg
4/5
A cultural phenomenon, and still banging 30+ years later. Crazy to think this guy has become family programming, but dude has a sound like no other. Hits all over this one.
Stereo MC's
4/5
Pretty fantastic album, and one I'd never even heard of. Great vibe, excellent compositions and beats.
Various Artists
4/5
Some of my absolute favorite renditions of the Christmas classics. It's rare that I put on "an" album of Christmas music for the holidays, but this one can absolutely be spun start to finish without ruining the vibe.
Merry f'n Christmas!
Eagles
3/5
A couple tracks that everybody ever probably knows, a couple dogs, and some musically fine but ultimately forgettable filler. Not gonna knock The Eagles too much for this one, but the boomer's hero worship of these guys has poisoned the well somewhat for this listener, and best I can do is give this one a passing grade.
Julian Cope
3/5
Cool album, if not a little bit long on the play time. It's an interesting hour and sixteen, at least.
Cheap Trick
3/5
Cool recording, even with all the crowd screaming.
The Isley Brothers
3/5
Didn't get an opportunity to go after this one with full attention, but...
Found myself moving subconsciously multiple times, and ready to hit the next tune. Good jams.
Billy Bragg
4/5
Just a fantastic recording, and the Woody Guthrie tie-in is really cool. Super impressed.
Spacemen 3
3/5
Interesting album. I enjoyed it. Lots of cool ambient vibes.
The Boo Radleys
3/5
Cool arrangements and a unique sound. Love the mixing of genres even within tracks. Well done album, especially with a decent set of earphones. Does get a bit long, but at least stays interesting.
The Who
5/5
Really a masterpiece. The build up in the first half is brilliant, and when the refrains start landing in the second half it's pure eargasm. As far as complete albums go it's hard to top this one, with the story of abuse, revelation, and redemption wrapped in the silly story of a pinball wizard (the story of "why pinball?" is a fun one for any trivia nerds).
The Style Council
3/5
Late night TV/lounge act vibes. Not bad, just gotta be looking for something in the vein. Until the rap, that is. Interesting addition, that, but in an eclectic compilation like this album, fits right in
Moby
3/5
This one's fine, though I'd argue that without the later release of South Side with the Gwen Stefani collab most people would have gone about their lives never hearing of Moby.
ZZ Top
4/5
Hell yeah. All time great rock album, dripping with double (and sometimes single) entendre, it's riff-rock at its absolute finest. It's hard not to feel a certain something when this one is spinning, and if that's a fist forming in your hand, feel free to pump it.
The Zombies
3/5
It's fine. Again, a little boomer-ish for my tastes. Not bad, just sounds a little anemic to me
Fiona Apple
3/5
Never really spun this one, though Criminal, and especially the accompanying video, was an especially eye-opening experience for me when it came out...
Not bad, very lounge vibe, great voice.
Van Morrison
3/5
These recordings sound fantastic, and it's just hit after hit.
Aretha Franklin
4/5
Amazing voice, great style, fun record. Legendary artist and iconic album.
Finley Quaye
3/5
Pretty cool album. Some really good tracks on this one, though it kinda lulls in the second half. Reggae influenced R&B, infectious beats, I'm here for it
Aimee Mann
2/5
Well, I heard it, I didn't die, though there were moments in this one where I didn't care if I did. Maybe the most perfectly named album ever. Bo-ring. Just nothing really memorable here, and her voice does nothing for me. I don't usually get annoyed by lyrics that rhyme, but for some reason here it gets on my nerves.
The Verve
3/5
Who knew this one was more than one single that got them into hot water with the Rolling Stones? Never dove too far into this one. I suppose there could be some argument made that it's over-produced in some aspects, but it still sounds pretty good almost 30 years on.
Machito
3/5
Fun album, infectious vibes. Put this one on and watch everybody in the room start to move
Brian Eno
4/5
Cool album, with enough variety and quirkiness mixed in with the fantastic musicianship to keep it interesting.
Justice
4/5
This style of music not really my jam, and...
This one is pretty damned good. Infectious, and really well arranged. Found myself moving to this one
Johnny Cash
5/5
I know it's kind of nostalgic and cliche, and it's a bunch of covers, but for my money The Man in Black sounds as good on his final album as on any of his recordings. A fantastic close to a legendary career, you can hear the miles on the man, and they are captured beautifully on this album. Opening with one of the final songs he wrote, this is a must-have for any Cash fan.