Apr 01 2025
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Let's Stay Together
Al Green
I had heard the title track before but never actually listened to this full album. This album has SOUL like no other. Every track is a pleasure to listen to and it doesn't overstay its welcome. It leaves me wanting more. My buddy Gio also told me about Al's life story, and knowing how much he went through while still pushing on through is inspiring.
A great artist and a great album to start this project with.
5
Apr 02 2025
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The Next Day
David Bowie
This one had me listening to it a second time, because on the first listen it didn't totally click with me. I wasn't sure what it was, because the songs are well produced and written, but it didn't feel totally right at first. A second listen turned my opinion of it to be much more favorable. This album is David looking back through his life and career, but before he knew he was dying. It's dark and a bit haunting at times, nostalgic and upbeat at others. Not every song is top notch, but the ones that hit (which are in the majority) really hit.
4
Apr 03 2025
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Back To Black
Amy Winehouse
Beautiful, soulful, nothing but bangers. Amy has such an incredible, one of a kind voice, and the production on each track is pristine. I sadly never listened to her music while she was alive, and here I am wishing she was still here today.
5
Apr 04 2025
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(What's The Story) Morning Glory
Oasis
I've never been a big fan of Oasis. Listening to this album front to back didn't quite change my middling feelings on them, however it came close at times. The album starts out really well, but as it goes on the issue rears it's head: tracks going on too long. I can get why people like them as they are, but to me several key songs (Hey Now, Some Might Say, and oh dear Champagne Supernova) could easily have been at least a minute and a half shorter. That said, there's a lot of good here. Wonderwall is still a classic, Morning Glory is a great title track, Cast No Shadow is the best non-single song, Don't Look Back In Anger is probably my favorite, and (even with how epically long it is), Champagne Supernova is a hell of an ender.
4
Apr 07 2025
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The Köln Concert
Keith Jarrett
I've never been big on jazz. I've enjoyed my share of Miles Davis, and Dad would put on Spyro Gyra in the car when I was a kid, but it's not a genre I seek out. And sadly I didn't get too much out of this album. It's interesting that this is the most successful solo jazz album ever, and it's certainly pleasant to listen to. But to me, it mainly felt like background noise as I work. Maybe that's the wrong mindset to listen to it but I don't see myself sitting down and dedicating time to listening to it again. It's fine, pretty good, even. Not really my thing, though.
I listened to it a second time. I don't think my score will change from 3/5 but I will say the performance is incredible. Apparently reviews called it "flowing with human warmth," which feels appropriate. It's immensely impressive, but still not my vibe.
3
Apr 08 2025
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Play
Moby
Electronica is not my usual vibe but this album was a treat to listen to. It's thoughtful, downbeat, and soulful while still maintaining the energy that one associates with the genre. It was cool to hear some songs that I'd enjoyed before but didn't realize were Moby until just now. It's a darn good album.
4
Apr 09 2025
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A Love Supreme
John Coltrane
This kind of jazz is more my speed (well, as much as jazz can be) than the solo piano album. Coltrane is a legend, and this album is quintessential jazz. Listening to it, I feel like I'm transported to another time, another place.
4
Apr 10 2025
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Country Life
Roxy Music
Never heard of Roxy Music before this, and I found the album a very enjoyable listen. Every element works together in ways both expected and unexpected. It's hard to describe but I'd say it's a... Sophisticated rock sound. The album feels delicately and deliberately constructed, not just like they threw everything at the wall to see what sticks, and it comes out sounding great.
4
Apr 11 2025
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Since I Left You
The Avalanches
A most pleasant and adventurous listen. Electric is still not my usual genre, but this was an interesting trip of an album. It seamlessly flows from higher energy tracks, to funky and groovy, to dreamlike and downbeat. It feels like a journey through the universe.
4
Apr 14 2025
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It's Blitz!
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
This album kicks ass. I seriously need to listen to more music by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, because prior to listening to this my only exposure to them was Maps and the dance remix of Heads Will Rolls (which I didn't know was them). This album covers a lot of bases, and it all sounds great.
4
Apr 15 2025
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The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady
Charles Mingus
I think this project is slowly turning me into a jazz fan. I'd never really given it a chance much before but it's awesome being exposed to such excellent examples of it. And this album especially is one of the best pieces of jazz I've heard, an opinion I'd reached about midway through the third movement. Such beautiful work.
4
Apr 16 2025
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Feast of Wire
Calexico
This was cool. The mix of southwest/latin sound with 2000s indie rock is an excellent blend that I want to hear more of. I just wish I had more to say about it than, "It's really neat." Not that I didn't like it in some way, but it kinda left me wanting more in other ways too. Still a very strong album.
4
Apr 17 2025
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Sulk
The Associates
This is the only album that has bounced right off me. I want to give it a higher score based on the synths and instrumentals alone. But the lyrics and vocals do this album no favors. Dunno if it's just post-punk stylings but they don't work in concert with the great synth work, not at all. In fact it feels like they're actively clashing. I'm sure this appeals to some folks, but man it really doesn't do it for me. The synths sounding great are the only thing saving it from a 1/5.
2
Apr 18 2025
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Post Orgasmic Chill
Skunk Anansie
Two words: Kick Ass! This band is damn good, I'm surprised I never heard them before, and couldn't even find much written about them or this album. The singer is fantastic, there's so much raw emotion in her vocals. The band is playing their asses off. On every track they're all working in perfect hard-rock harmony. Most songs on this album would fit on a soundtrack to Tony Hawk's Underground, and I mean that in the best way.
5
Apr 21 2025
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Sheer Heart Attack
Queen
This was already one of my favorite albums ever so this is an easy rating for me. That said, it's always nice to have an excuse to listen to more Queen!
5
Apr 22 2025
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Are You Experienced
Jimi Hendrix
So I will preface this by saying that this is a damn good album and Hendrix was a standout and excellent guitarist. But something about this album... I dunno, I don't think it's overrated necessarily, but it's not a full 5/5 for me. Something about the songwriting, I think. It's still satisfying to listen to, though, and a very strong 4/5.
4
Apr 23 2025
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Fuzzy
Grant Lee Buffalo
This album was... fine. It wasn't unpleasant to listen to, but it didn't leave much impression on me. There were some songs that sounded like proto-Oasis, and it made sense to find out this album did partially inspire that band. Other than that, I didn't find much interesting. The vocals and writing are fine, the instrumentals are fine, the album is... Fine.
3
Apr 24 2025
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Cheap Thrills
Big Brother & The Holding Company
This was a new experience for me, as I've not heard much of Janis Joplin. Her vocals, in accordance with what I'd heard, are excellent, and this album was a good bit of fun to listen to. I still don't think I'm into psychedelic rock but this was a decent listen.
4
Apr 25 2025
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Aladdin Sane
David Bowie
Classic Bowie. A great combination of rock and pop, and a total joy to listen to. I've heard that there are a lot of Bowie albums that will come up on this list, and I look forward to each and every one of them.
5
Apr 28 2025
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xx
The xx
This was a very pleasant surprise. The Intro track was the only one I'd heard before (commonly used in reels/shorts and such), but it all felt familiar nonetheless. This album really captures a mood, one I classify as "Driving down the highway in the evening while contemplating stuff." Not necessarily a mood I feel all the time, but for that mood it fits perfectly. It made me wish there was more by the end.
4
Apr 29 2025
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Ágætis Byrjun
Sigur Rós
This was a weird listening experience. I'd heard of Sigur Ros before, and maybe had unfair expectations of their music from the hype I'd heard. This album wasn't unpleasant to listen to. Quite the contrary, it felt almost transcendental at times. But in the end I didn't really get much from it. I liked the music fine enough, but I don't feel I'd search it out again.
3
Apr 30 2025
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Djam Leelii
Baaba Maal
Listening to this was a really neat experience. I've not listened to music outside the western/developed world much, and this was a very well crafted album. The guitar work on this stands out in particular. Really appreciate this album appearing on the list.
4
May 01 2025
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The Seldom Seen Kid
Elbow
Overall while listening to this album, I felt it was nice, but nothing really stood out to me. The instruments, the vocals, the notes, they all were pleasant and fine. It all just kinda felt... there, for the most part. The track One Day Like This was a treat, though. Obvious to say, given how much it's been played on YouTube Music compared to the others, but it's the real standout.
4
May 02 2025
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Ctrl
SZA
A beautiful album. SZA has some of the best vocals I've ever heard and the production is top notch. There's so much groove, so much soul, so much great flow in the music. It's a lovely experience.
5
May 05 2025
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Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)
The Kinks
Come on, it's the Kinks. They're great. Not as appreciated as the Stones and the Beatles, maybe, but they deserve the appreciation. This is classic British rock.
5
May 06 2025
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Urban Hymns
The Verve
It's an okay album. Obviously their big hit was Bittersweet Symphony, which was good as always. The rest of the album wasn't very notable, though. The songs felt connected and cohesive, but afterwards I couldn't pick one out of a lineup. They're not bad, though not excellent either.
3
May 07 2025
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Court And Spark
Joni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell has one of the greatest voices I've ever heard. And the songs on this album are just beautiful. The album has an effortless natural progression, each song is well written and is a beautiful trip.
5
May 08 2025
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Deloused in the Comatorium
The Mars Volta
Holy hell this kicks so much ass. Banger after banger from start to end, high energy extravaganza with a lot of technical prowess. Hell Yeah .
5
May 09 2025
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Teen Dream
Beach House
This album was pleasant to listen to, it was well put together, and the vibe from this band is one I can get with. That said, I don't see myself seeking this music out, and some of the album felt like it blended together. It's a fine album by a fine artist. It's very calming, but that's not always what I'm looking for.
3
May 12 2025
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In Utero
Nirvana
Ah, the Nirvana album they made to intentionally alienate their fans from Nevermind (allegedly). The album has a much dirtier, uglier sound, which is certainly... A choice. It's unconventional but it's still clearly purposeful and every song is distinct. And though I may not like it as much as Nevermind, it's not without it's high points. Heart Shaped Box is one of my favorite Nirvana songs ever, and Pennyroyal Tea is a damn good song where Kurt gets out a lot of his pain. It's an ugly album, but one still with a place.
4
May 13 2025
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The Wildest!
Louis Prima
Oh this is a beautiful sound. I forgot how much I love swing, and this man is The King of it, after all. The energy and soul coming through every song is invigorating. Fantastic album.
5
May 14 2025
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Want Two
Rufus Wainwright
Kind of an interesting album. Getting the sequel before the first album in this duology is a curious choice. This is allegedly the darker of the two, and it certainly sounds that way so far. There's a kind of operatic and dreamlike feel to much of the album, which gives it a distinct sound. I don't think I'd seek out this album again but it was quite interesting to hear. I look forward to when Want One is put my way.
3
May 15 2025
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The College Dropout
Kanye West
Dammit. This album is a reminder of the better world we used to live in, and subsequently a reminder of how things are awful now. Why'd you have to go off the deep end, Kanye? This album is a damn near perfect hip hop masterpiece. Even with how things turned out 20 years later, it still is a standout work of art. Dammit.
5
May 16 2025
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Fishscale
Ghostface Killah
Ah, the best member of the Wu Tang Clan. My man is underrated as heck. This album is smooth and cohesive, with incredibly well written and performed raps, and the beats are awesome. It's a classic 90s hip hop album brought into the 2000s with no sign of age. Excellent work.
5
May 19 2025
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The Queen Is Dead
The Smiths
Ah, another shame. Not because the album is bad, but just, why does such good music have to be made by a jackass like Morrissey? The Smiths are classic, and this album has arguably their most well known hit, There Is A Light That Never Goes Out. So it's a good damn album.
4
May 20 2025
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Home Is Where The Music Is
Hugh Masekela
Aww yeah this is beautiful. Is this project slowly making me a jazz guy? This is smooth, funky, groovy, and a true pleasure to listen to.
4
May 21 2025
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Siamese Dream
The Smashing Pumpkins
This is some excellent 90s nostalgia. I was born the year this album came out so obviously I don't remember it. But still, it feels like it unlocked a memory I don't even have. And the music overall is just great, even 30 years removed from its release.
5
May 22 2025
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Follow The Leader
Korn
Good God this sounds like ass. Some of the instrumentals sound okay but this just sounds ugly and crap. Not for me at all, even back when I was listening to nu metal.
1
May 23 2025
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The Slim Shady LP
Eminem
Classic Eminem. Is it his best work? I'd say no, but it's a hell of an album. I actually listened to the Death of Slim Shady album recently, so it's cool to listen to Slim's birth. The energy, the hunger, the insults, the no-fucks-given attitude. It's all there.
4
May 26 2025
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3 Feet High and Rising
De La Soul
Great 80s hip hop. Love the beats, love the rhymes, it sounds like a classic.
4
May 27 2025
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Dummy
Portishead
This is decent electronic, though most of the album has not been very memorable. The beats are pleasant, the vocals are nice, and there are some cool ideas in there. The better tracks are towards the end, so listening all the way through provides a nice journey. But while the album is cohesive and decent, I didn't find anything outstanding. It's worth a listen, just not repeating listens for me.
3
May 28 2025
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Lady Soul
Aretha Franklin
Come on. It's Aretha. It's beautiful. It's soulful. It's excellent.
5