Mar 31 2025
Highway to Hell
AC/DC
"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.
4
Apr 01 2025
Get Behind Me Satan
The White Stripes
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.
3
Apr 02 2025
Madman Across The Water
Elton John
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.
3
Apr 03 2025
Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
Arctic Monkeys
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
4
Apr 04 2025
Axis: Bold As Love
Jimi Hendrix
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.
4
Apr 05 2025
Dusty In Memphis
Dusty Springfield
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.
3
Apr 06 2025
The Infotainment Scan
The Fall
3
Apr 07 2025
Machine Head
Deep Purple
Groovy riff rock that behave the basis for "classic rock" radio stations for now and forever. No shortage of toe tappers and head nodders
4
Apr 08 2025
Songs In The Key Of Life
Stevie Wonder
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.
2
Apr 09 2025
Psychocandy
The Jesus And Mary Chain
Goth would have never happened...still, fantastic album, great sound, takes one back to an era.
3
Apr 10 2025
London Calling
The Clash
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.
5
Apr 11 2025
The Gilded Palace Of Sin
The Flying Burrito Brothers
"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.
4
Apr 12 2025
Debut
BjΓΆrk
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.
3
Apr 13 2025
Music for the Masses
Depeche Mode
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.
3
Apr 14 2025
Different Class
Pulp
Yeah, I can dig this one, if for Common People alone.
4
Apr 15 2025
25
Adele
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.
3
Apr 16 2025
Our Aim Is To Satisfy
Red Snapper
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.
3
Apr 17 2025
Ill Communication
Beastie Boys
Such a great album. So many good tracks, still a unique sound. Takes me back to a time, for sure.
4
Apr 18 2025
The Modern Dance
Pere Ubu
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.
3
Apr 19 2025
Blunderbuss
Jack White
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.
4
Apr 20 2025
The Healer
John Lee Hooker
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.
3
Apr 21 2025
Time (The Revelator)
Gillian Welch
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.
3
Apr 22 2025
Power In Numbers
Jurassic 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.
4
Apr 23 2025
Violator
Depeche Mode
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!"
5
Apr 24 2025
Now I Got Worry
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
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.
4
Apr 25 2025
Savane
Ali Farka TourΓ©
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.
3
Apr 26 2025
Hotel California
Eagles
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.
2
Apr 27 2025
Hard Again
Muddy Waters
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.
4
Apr 28 2025
Music For The Jilted Generation
The Prodigy
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.
3
Apr 29 2025
Channel Orange
Frank Ocean
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.
3
Apr 30 2025
Achtung Baby
U2
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.
5
May 01 2025
Buenas Noches From A Lonely Room
Dwight Yoakam
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.
3
May 02 2025
Rejoicing In The Hands
Devendra Banhart
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.
3
May 03 2025
You Want It Darker
Leonard Cohen
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.
4
May 04 2025
Franz Ferdinand
Franz Ferdinand
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.
3
May 05 2025
The Chronic
Dr. Dre
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.
3
May 06 2025
This Is Fats Domino
Fats Domino
Finally, something from the early times! Loved this one, saxy songs all over. Quick listen, makes me dance, and I'm no dancer.
4
May 07 2025
The Cars
The Cars
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.
4
May 08 2025
Vanishing Point
Primal Scream
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.
3
May 09 2025
Electric Warrior
T. Rex
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.
4
May 10 2025
1999
Prince
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.
3
May 11 2025
Bug
Dinosaur Jr.
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.
3
May 12 2025
Sheet Music
10cc
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.
1
May 13 2025
American Idiot
Green Day
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.
5
May 14 2025
Vento De Maio
Elis Regina
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.
3
May 15 2025
Jagged Little Pill
Alanis Morissette
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
3
May 16 2025
Born In The U.S.A.
Bruce Springsteen
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.
4
May 17 2025
If You Can Believe Your Eyes & Ears
The Mamas & The Papas
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.
3
May 18 2025
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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.
3
May 19 2025
69 Love Songs
The Magnetic Fields
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.
3
May 20 2025
Frank
Amy Winehouse
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.
4
May 21 2025
GI
Germs
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.
2
May 22 2025
Arrival
ABBA
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.
3
May 23 2025
Feast of Wire
Calexico
This one grabbed me right away. Great arrangements, love the vibe on here. So musical, thoughtful lyrics. Across the Wire is pretty powerful.
4
May 24 2025
Meat Is Murder
The Smiths
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.
3
May 25 2025
You've Come a Long Way Baby
Fatboy Slim
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.
3
May 26 2025
Music From The Penguin Cafe
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
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.
2
May 27 2025
21
Adele
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.
3
May 28 2025
Happy Trails
Quicksilver Messenger Service
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?
2
May 29 2025
Blue Lines
Massive Attack
Cool vibe. Had heard Safe From Harm before, not the rest. Dig the style.
3
May 30 2025
A Little Deeper
Ms. Dynamite
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.
4
May 31 2025
The Slim Shady LP
Eminem
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.
2
Jun 01 2025
The United States Of America
The United States Of America
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.
2
Jun 02 2025
The New Tango
Astor Piazzolla
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.
2
Jun 03 2025
We Are Family
Sister Sledge
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.
2
Jun 04 2025
Dog Man Star
Suede
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.
3
Jun 05 2025
Beggars Banquet
The Rolling Stones
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.
4
Jun 06 2025
All Hope Is Gone
Slipknot
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.
3
Jun 07 2025
The Atomic Mr Basie
Count Basie & His Orchestra
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.
5
Jun 08 2025
Smokers Delight
Nightmares On Wax
Very listenable. Love the vibe on this one. Definitely will be revisiting this one.
4
Jun 09 2025
Bossanova
Pixies
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.
4
Jun 10 2025
The Band
The Band
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.
3
Jun 11 2025
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
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.
5
Jun 12 2025
Supa Dupa Fly
Missy Elliott
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.
3
Jun 13 2025
The Beach Boys Today!
The Beach Boys
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.
3
Jun 14 2025
People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm
A Tribe Called Quest
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
4
Jun 15 2025
Neon Bible
Arcade Fire
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.
3
Jun 16 2025
New Forms
Roni Size
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.
2
Jun 17 2025
good kid, m.A.A.d city
Kendrick Lamar
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.
4
Jun 18 2025
Suzanne Vega
Suzanne Vega
"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
1
Jun 19 2025
The Visitors
ABBA
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.
4
Jun 20 2025
Cee-Lo Green... Is The Soul Machine
Cee Lo Green
Cee Lo has such a distinct voice, makes this one kinda stick out for me. Catchy tunes, entertaining lyrics.
3
Jun 21 2025
Disintegration
The Cure
It sounds good in a lot of ways, and it kinda drags on. Overall a good album.
3
Jun 22 2025
Off The Wall
Michael Jackson
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.
2
Jun 23 2025
Tusk
Fleetwood Mac
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.
4
Jun 24 2025
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Simon & Garfunkel
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.
4
Jun 25 2025
The Rise & Fall
Madness
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.
3
Jun 26 2025
Green River
Creedence Clearwater Revival
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.
4
Jun 27 2025
Strange Cargo III
William Orbit
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.
4
Jun 28 2025
L.A. Woman
The Doors
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.
4
Jun 29 2025
Will The Circle Be Unbroken
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
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.
3
Jun 30 2025
Os Mutantes
Os Mutantes
Fun album, quirky as hell, but I enjoyed it.
3
Jul 01 2025
Sign 'O' The Times
Prince
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.
4
Jul 02 2025
Hot Rats
Frank Zappa
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.
3
Jul 03 2025
Club Classics Vol. One
Soul II Soul
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.
3
Jul 04 2025
Green Onions
Booker T. & The MG's
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.
3
Jul 05 2025
Blonde On Blonde
Bob Dylan
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?)
5
Jul 06 2025
The Wall
Pink Floyd
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.
5
Jul 07 2025
Songs From The Big Chair
Tears For Fears
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.
3
Jul 08 2025
Mothership Connection
Parliament
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.
4
Jul 09 2025
Hounds Of Love
Kate Bush
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
2
Jul 10 2025
MedΓΊlla
BjΓΆrk
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 BjΓΆrks of the world exist, because what a drab world it would be without artists putting out unlistenable art for us to enjoy.
1
Jul 11 2025
Stankonia
OutKast
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.
4
Jul 12 2025
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
David Bowie
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.
5
Jul 13 2025
Foxbase Alpha
Saint Etienne
Dig this one. Cool vibe, pretty listenable, nothing offends. Not gonna blow your socks off, not gonna piss you off. I'd spin.
3
Jul 14 2025
Rhythm Nation 1814
Janet Jackson
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.
3
Jul 15 2025
Vol. 4
Black Sabbath
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.
4
Jul 16 2025
Definitely Maybe
Oasis
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.
4
Jul 17 2025
The Notorious Byrd Brothers
The Byrds
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.
3
Jul 18 2025
My Generation
The Who
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.
3
Jul 19 2025
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Kanye West
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
4
Jul 20 2025
Pink Moon
Nick Drake
Beautiful album, love his songwriting and guitar work. I love putting this one on and just chilling.
4
Jul 21 2025
Rock Bottom
Robert Wyatt
A bunch of goddamn noise with a British accent. Aptly named. Those English are so clever
1
Jul 22 2025
The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady
Charles Mingus
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.
4
Jul 23 2025
Exile On Main Street
The Rolling Stones
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.
5
Jul 24 2025
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
I feel the pull of Satan!
Seriously, fun debut album, always appreciate Sabbath's riff-driven rock, and Ozzy's voice is so unique.
3
Jul 25 2025
Timeless
Goldie
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.
1
Jul 26 2025
The College Dropout
Kanye West
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.
3
Jul 27 2025
Let England Shake
PJ Harvey
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.
3
Jul 28 2025
Coles Corner
Richard Hawley
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.
4
Jul 29 2025
Kind Of Blue
Miles Davis
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.
4
Jul 30 2025
Fever Ray
Fever Ray
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.
3
Jul 31 2025
Exit Planet Dust
The Chemical Brothers
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.
3
Aug 01 2025
Take Me Apart
Kelela
Neither high nor low for me. It's an album.
3