297
Albums Rated
3.36
Average Rating
27%
Complete
792 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1950
Favorite Decade
Soul
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
48
5-Star Albums
20
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
Top Styles
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
The Last Of The True Believers
Nanci Griffith
|
5 | 2.95 | +2.05 |
|
Don't Come Home A Drinkin' (With Lovin' On Your Mind)
Loretta Lynn
|
5 | 2.97 | +2.03 |
|
Shaka Zulu
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
|
5 | 3.08 | +1.92 |
|
Pieces Of The Sky
Emmylou Harris
|
5 | 3.11 | +1.89 |
|
The Beach Boys Today!
The Beach Boys
|
5 | 3.26 | +1.74 |
|
Shake Your Money Maker
The Black Crowes
|
5 | 3.28 | +1.72 |
|
From Elvis In Memphis
Elvis Presley
|
5 | 3.34 | +1.66 |
|
Red Headed Stranger
Willie Nelson
|
5 | 3.34 | +1.66 |
|
Rock 'N Soul
Solomon Burke
|
5 | 3.37 | +1.63 |
|
At Mister Kelly's
Sarah Vaughan
|
5 | 3.37 | +1.63 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Kanye West
|
1 | 3.41 | -2.41 |
|
The College Dropout
Kanye West
|
1 | 3.31 | -2.31 |
|
Bone Machine
Tom Waits
|
1 | 2.85 | -1.85 |
|
What's That Noise?
Coldcut
|
1 | 2.77 | -1.77 |
|
Group Sex
Circle Jerks
|
1 | 2.75 | -1.75 |
|
Nixon
Lambchop
|
1 | 2.74 | -1.74 |
|
Slipknot
Slipknot
|
1 | 2.68 | -1.68 |
|
Casanova
The Divine Comedy
|
1 | 2.65 | -1.65 |
|
A Grand Don't Come For Free
The Streets
|
1 | 2.64 | -1.64 |
|
Chore of Enchantment
Giant Sand
|
1 | 2.63 | -1.63 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Stevie Wonder | 4 | 4.75 |
| R.E.M. | 3 | 4.67 |
| Simon & Garfunkel | 3 | 4.67 |
| Beatles | 4 | 4.25 |
| Pink Floyd | 3 | 4.33 |
Least Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Kanye West | 2 | 1 |
| Slipknot | 2 | 1.5 |
| The Divine Comedy | 2 | 1.5 |
5-Star Albums (48)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Kanye West · 2 likes
1/5
Fuck this guy.
Nanci Griffith · 2 likes
5/5
My goodness, this was absolutely lovely! A nice change of pace from the garbage this project has been feeding me in recent days. Nanci Griffith was incredibly talented and light years ahead of her time. These songs are timeless and will always sound amazing.
Joni Mitchell · 1 likes
4/5
I recognize Joni’s contributions to music and the era in which she emerged. Her voice is lovely and her storytelling is impeccable. Musically, this is just not pleasing to me. It’s like she and her band are on two different pages. Shes just sing-talking, and the band is just jamming behind her.
Like Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell is important to a generation; just not MY generation.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo · 1 likes
5/5
This was an absolutely lovely listen. Such passion, heart, and love. Easy 5 stars.
Circle Jerks · 1 likes
1/5
At least the torture was short lived. This was awful.
1-Star Albums (20)
All Ratings
Talking Heads
4/5
Fantastic listen.
R.E.M.
4/5
Vintage REM.
Eagles
3/5
I can see why boomers love this record. Very much in the spirit of this time. Not my vibe.
Arcade Fire
3/5
Indie rock isn’t quite my thing. This is an okay listen, though.
Hugh Masekela
4/5
Totally dig this vibe.
Fats Domino
4/5
Absolute classic!
The Crusaders
3/5
I like the vibe. Kind of like a less edgy Tower of Power.
Chicago
3/5
Some solid tracks, but some are kind of odd. Decent listen.
Sister Sledge
3/5
Carpenters
4/5
Karen Carpenter was a gift to this world that was taken from us far too soon. Such a great record.
Beatles
4/5
Not my favorite Beatles record, but still amazing.
Sonic Youth
3/5
Innovative for its time. A somewhat chaotic opus.
Tangerine Dream
2/5
This kind of reminds me of when Ross Gellar played his “sound”. Quick, interesting listen, worth the 10 minutes. Wouldn’t buy the record, though.
Stevie Wonder
4/5
Masterpiece.
Astor Piazzolla
3/5
If you’re into vibraphones and accordions, have I got an album for YOU.
The Sabres Of Paradise
1/5
Noise.
Fatboy Slim
3/5
I forget how repetitive this record is. Incredible innovation for its time.
The Avalanches
4/5
This record is a vibe and I totally dig it.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
4/5
Absolute classic. A great listen.
Fiona Apple
3/5
This record starts off really great. The singles are singles for a reason. It gets very durge’ish as it goes along.
The Streets
1/5
Yeah, this was not great. Unsure how it even got on this list.
Buffalo Springfield
3/5
‘60’s anti-establishment pseudo-psychedelic hippie rock at its finest. Cool guitars, deep lyrics, not great vocals, but definitely a sign of its time. Decent listen.
Otis Redding
5/5
Otis Redding is the embodiment of soul. This is a fantastic record… but then again, that’s characteristic of ALL his reocrdings. Easy 5 stars.
Coldcut
1/5
Yeah, this is not for me.
Manu Chao
3/5
Interesting listen. I like the mix of languages as well as the well constructed energy of each song. Not something I normally would’ve sought out on my own, but glad I got to listen.
Shuggie Otis
4/5
Dig this groove.
Coldplay
3/5
What can I say? It’s Coldplay. It’s fine.
Van Halen
4/5
It’s nice to listen to this album knowing what kind of history this band had in front of them. The album rocks, and is true Van Halen. Great record.
Lambchop
1/5
*yawn*
Joni Mitchell
4/5
I recognize Joni’s contributions to music and the era in which she emerged. Her voice is lovely and her storytelling is impeccable. Musically, this is just not pleasing to me. It’s like she and her band are on two different pages. Shes just sing-talking, and the band is just jamming behind her.
Like Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell is important to a generation; just not MY generation.
Supergrass
3/5
This album sounds every bit like 1997. The songs are pretty well crafted, but start to sound the same after a while. It’s a LONG record.
Booker T. & The MG's
5/5
An absolute classic jam. Great from start to finish.
Venom
3/5
I didn’t hate this. I feel like this band probably set the bar for death metal… and everyone who came after in this genre was inspired by the likes of them. The songs did tend to sound the same to me after a while, but they’re all structured well musically. Decent listen, but kind of exhausting after a while.
Electric Light Orchestra
4/5
Every song on this record is incredibly well crafted and orchestrated. Jeff Lynne’s genius is incomparable. A great listen, but not my “thing”.
The Black Crowes
5/5
This album kicks so much ass. I was absolutely delighted to see it pop up for me today. %100 classic!
Air
3/5
Very chill… almost TOO chill.
Tito Puente
4/5
Infectious rhythms, bright horns, a wonderful listen. This album definitely holds up.
Simon & Garfunkel
5/5
This is such a classic. It was one of my late mother’s favorites… which makes it one of my favorites.
R.E.M.
5/5
My favorite R.E.M. record. Every song is good, no skips. A masterpiece.
The Stranglers
2/5
I can see how this album would make an impact around its release, but this is not for me.
Beatles
4/5
A great introduction to the Beatles… chock full of classics. Not my favorite of theirs, but very happy to see this one pop up for me today.
Bert Jansch
4/5
Quite good!
Led Zeppelin
5/5
How could one argue with this record? Start to finish badassery. 5 stars easy.
Prince
3/5
I liked this album. I didn’t *love* this album. “Adore” is the best track.
Arcade Fire
2/5
This album really pissed me off.
Ramones
5/5
HEY! HO! LET’S GO! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Alice In Chains
3/5
A classic for the era, but way too dark & heavy for my taste.
The Beta Band
3/5
My buddy Tim didn’t like this record. I kinda dug it, though.
Prince
5/5
What can I say? It’s Purple fucking Rain. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5/5
How lucky are we that we got to walk the same planet at the same time as David Bowie. Absolute genius.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
This album is so good… a catalyst of what was to come.
The Thrills
2/5
Pretty mellow for a band called The Thrills. This wasn’t for me.
T. Rex
3/5
This is one of those bands that’s true to their sound. They’re also a band that is importantly to a segment of the population. A segment of which I am not a part. It’s fine, just not my thing.
The Beach Boys
5/5
I really enjoyed this. I don't know if it's just because there's so much attention following Brian's death... but I've also been paying a bit more attention to them in recently after watching the Disney+ doc... either way, I'm much more appreciative of the Beach Boys in recent years than I ever have been.
Today's record has a small handful of recognizable songs (Help Me Rhonda, Do You Wanna Dance, When I grow Up)... it's not Pet Sounds, but knowing what we know now, you can totally see something like Pet Sounds coming. I, for one, am enjoying this record today.
When I was a kid, when their music was only like 20 years old, I only thought of them as the "Fun Fun Fun" band that played on the oldies station. Generationally, I had no awareness of their impact. Now I know better. I can only imagine what it was like to hear this music when it was brand new... like hearing the Beatles or Stones or Led Zeppelin for the first time... nothing else like it.
My generation had a similar thing with Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and STP... that's all I can equate it to.
Many reviewers have come down pretty hard on this record, but I for one enjoyed it. Five stars all day.
Beatles
4/5
The White Album isn’t my favorite, but it’s still iconic. It’s always a pleasure to listen to start to finish, which I don’t do often enough. Sure, there are some oddities on it, but that’s what makes it The White Album.
Michael Jackson
4/5
Better than Thriller. I said what I said.
Kendrick Lamar
3/5
This isn’t typically my kind of music, but I enjoyed it.
Keith Jarrett
3/5
This sounds like a guy just noodling on his piano for an hour. No sheet music, just straight up improvisation. It’s also the kind of album that you get after the first 10-15 minutes. After that, it’s much of the same. That said, it’s a nice, relaxing listen… great background music while working.
Hole
4/5
I really wanted to dislike this Hole album... but I kinda don't. I mean, I don't LOVE it, but it's not half bad. It's like, if they could've had another similar singer, it would've been a smidge better.
Despite Courtney's scream-singing, the melodies are really well crafted. Musically/sonically, it's actually quite good.
...and, I have to say, even though she's scream-singing, it's actually quite controlled and tonally good. Perhaps it's just the fact that she's generally an asshole.
Lana Del Rey
2/5
LDR has a lovely voice, but the music just bums me out.
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
Two of the best singer/songwriters of a generation. A lovely listen.
Dr. Octagon
4/5
I was pleasantly surprised by this album. This is some really great mid-90’s hip hop (not obnoxious death metal like the album cover suggested). Dope rhymes, fresh beats… overall, not a bad listen.
David Bowie
4/5
Genius.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
3/5
The definition of southern rock.
Motörhead
2/5
Lemmy is a legend, but this was not my thing.
Scissor Sisters
2/5
Not terrible, but not amazing either. Take Your Mama is definitely the best song on the album.
The Velvet Underground
3/5
Velvet Underground is one of those bands that was highly influential to a generation… just not MY generation. Musically, it’s fine. And I’m sure it was a breath of fresh air when it was new. To my GenX ears, though, it’s not particularly outstanding.
Sade
3/5
I didn’t enjoy this album as much as I wanted to. Sade is clearly a talented performer, but this wasn’t for me (dorky white guy).
Joni Mitchell
3/5
I recognize Joni’s contributions to music and the era in which she emerged. Her voice is lovely and her storytelling is impeccable. Musically, this is just not pleasing to me. It’s like she and her band are on two different pages. Shes just sing-talking, and the band is just jamming behind her. Like Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell is important to a generation; just not MY generation.
Santana
5/5
This album absolutely rules.
Small Faces
3/5
The first half is pretty cool; late ‘60’s psychadelia… but then it gets weird. The songs are okay, but the Bri’ish vignettes in between the songs are a bit strange. I can see why they didn’t hit in America, but TOTALLY see why they did well in the UK.
The Specials
3/5
A fun listen. PICK IT UP!
Funkadelic
5/5
Funk af. Loved it!
Arctic Monkeys
3/5
It’s fine, but not my thing.
Goldfrapp
2/5
Zzzzz…
Neil Young
2/5
I’ve never cared much for Neil Young… and this record did virtually nothing to move the needle for me.
Bauhaus
3/5
Delightfully dark.
The Smiths
4/5
Not my favorite Smiths record, but still very solid.
The Sugarcubes
4/5
Fun listen! Bjork!
The Triffids
1/5
Well, that was terrible.
Kraftwerk
4/5
Fantastic listen. Clearly ahead of their time.
Arcade Fire
2/5
Way too “indie” for me. Not a fan.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
3/5
Not his best record. Relatively enjoyable, though.
Radiohead
4/5
I’m not a huge Radiohead fan, but I recognize their contributions. This is a great album… definitely showcases the creativity and depth of this band the way no album prior to it had. It’s very good.
Jimmy Smith
4/5
Funky groove. Dig it.
Black Sabbath
4/5
Iconic. RIP Ozzy.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
5/5
This was an absolutely lovely listen. Such passion, heart, and love. Easy 5 stars.
OutKast
4/5
Beautiful chaos. I love OutKast, and while I may not fully understand the genius of this project, I recognize just how important OutKast is to hip hop and music in general.
Talking Heads
4/5
Such a funky record. Dark in spots, light in others. A true representation of Talking Heads diversity.
Kanye West
1/5
Fuck this guy.
Public Enemy
3/5
Legendary.
4/5
DEVO is so much more than just “Whip It”. This was a super fun listen!
Solomon Burke
5/5
Definitive ‘60’s soul. A bit darker lyrically than most of his peers in that era, but still quite beautiful. Easy five stars.
Pearl Jam
5/5
It’s easy to forget just how amazing and how important this album is. Start to finish, it’s so, so good.
Throwing Muses
2/5
Not for me.
Queens Of The Stone Age
2/5
Josh Homme is a known to be a garbage human, but with that aside, my observation is… his voice doesn’t match the energy of the music. It rocks pretty hard, though.
The Isley Brothers
5/5
So funky… but also kind of rocks. The covers are amazing. Fantastic record!
Violent Femmes
4/5
This album takes me back to when I was 15 in 1991… I remember listening to it with my hoodlum friends; feeling like I was breaking some unwritten rule of what I was/was not allowed to listen to (which didn’t actually exist). I miss that time… I wish I could talk to 15 year old me. Anyway, it’s a great record… but “Blister In The Sun” is completely played out.
Elvis Presley
4/5
Long live the king.
Bob Dylan
3/5
Bob Dylan is, without a doubt, the voice of a generation… just not MY generation. Important, for sure… but for GenX’ers like me, it just doesn’t hit. Listening to this record is a bit of a chore, but it’s also not half bad.
Queen
3/5
If you’re looking for “hits”, this isn’t the record for you. This is much more artistic and less “commercial”. Definitely a great listen from an iconic band, though.
Massive Attack
3/5
Funky grooves.
Miles Davis
5/5
Beautiful.
Björk
3/5
This is definitely a Bjork album. I didn’t hate it, but not fully my thing. She’s quite a genius, though.
John Lennon
3/5
While a questionable human being, John Lennon was certainly musical a genius. I just wish he had used more of that genius on this record. Also, I’ve always been (and still am) a Paul guy.
The Chemical Brothers
4/5
I’m not much into this genre, but Chemical Brothers were clearly ahead of their time; trailblazers. This record has a cool, funky groove, but with an electronic twist. Dug it.
The Psychedelic Furs
3/5
I dig the Furs, but this album is just okay. Pretty In Pink is %100 the best track.
Dusty Springfield
4/5
Quite simply one of the greatest female voices of the 20th century.
Blur
3/5
Vintage Brit-pop… a fun listen for the most part.
Sly & The Family Stone
3/5
So funky. Iconic. Track 2 is something.
Simon & Garfunkel
5/5
S&G will always receive 5 stars from me.
Jeff Beck
3/5
Smokey dive bar music. I feel like I should be getting hustled by a pool shark while sucking down a couple Bud Lights. Jeff Beck is definitely one of the greatest guitarists of the 20th century, though.
Emmylou Harris
5/5
We don’t deserve Emmylou Harris. This is an amazing record.
Stan Getz
4/5
A lovely listen. Very, very chill.
Fleetwood Mac
4/5
What can you say? It’s Rumors… there’s a reason it’s one of the best selling records of all time. Every vinyl collector worth their salt should have this in their collection.
The White Stripes
3/5
Jack White is a cool dude, but I’ve never really latched on to the hype surrounding him. The music is good, but not THAT good. I enjoyed this record, but probably on a much different level than his most ardent fans.
Underworld
2/5
The incessant electronic beats are just too much. I can’t with this.
New Order
3/5
A solid new wave record for its time, but likely enjoyed most by New Order’s most ardent fans.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
It's kind of nice to hear some deeper cuts from The Stones, rather than just their big hits. Like many selections on this list, I believe this record is best enjoyed by more hardcore fans than the casual listener. A decent list, but a bigger fan would enjoy this far more than I did. I've always been more of a Beatles guy anyway. ;)
MGMT
2/5
Indie stuff is not for me. This isn’t terrible, though.
Al Green
5/5
Can I get an amen for the reverend?
Metallica
3/5
A little heavy for my taste, but it’s definitely a masterpiece.
The Cult
3/5
Perhaps it’s a generational thing, but every song on this record sounds, to me, like “She Sells Sanctuary”, just with different tempos. Ian Astbury… great singer, but he’s found a style and stuck with it. Great pipes, not much depth.
Bee Gees
3/5
Familiar, complex Bee Gees harmonies, but a bit lost on the concept.
Pavement
2/5
I don’t really “get” this, but I can see how many others might.
Aretha Franklin
5/5
Immediate 5 stars. Absolute perfection.
Duran Duran
4/5
Absolute classic. A fun listen!
Pink Floyd
5/5
Absolutely one of the single greatest recordings of the 20th century. One of the easiest five stars I've given in this project so far.
Michael Jackson
4/5
I feel like ‘Bad’ is every bit as good as ‘Thriller’ or ‘Off The Wall’.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
Ire ire! The best to ever do it.
Amy Winehouse
4/5
A good listen, but not mind blowing. She saved that for the next record. H’ll of a voice, though.
Metallica
4/5
Hard rock/metal isn’t really my thing, but this album kicks so much ass.
PJ Harvey
3/5
This is a good album. It’s a shame PJ Harvey didn’t get over more commercially.
Baaba Maal
3/5
Cool beats, interesting vocals, but I’m nowhere near worldly enough to truly appreciate it.
Queen
4/5
What a fantastic record!
5/5
Anyway…
Hole
3/5
We can thank Billy Corgan for making this not suck.
The Killers
4/5
Ice T
3/5
Maybe I wasn’t in the right mindset for this… or maybe it’s because I can’t really relate to the deeper messages, but I just couldn’t get in to this record. Revolutionary for its time, I’m sure. It’s just not for me.
The Flaming Lips
4/5
Interesting record. Flaming Lips only sound like Flaming Lips… and nobody else sounds like Flaming Lips. Not my thing, but I recognize just how talented they are.
The Byrds
2/5
Seriously disappointed in this one.
Sex Pistols
2/5
I don’t really relate to punk rock. Their messages are clear, but, sorry, the music (at least on this record) sucks.
Ravi Shankar
2/5
You’ve one sitar album, you’ve heard them all.
Elton John
5/5
Epic. Classic. Easy 5 stars.
The Auteurs
3/5
I didn’t hate this. I didn’t love it, either.
Miles Davis
3/5
This sounds like a 2-song, 38 minute jam session. Not terrible, but if “Kind of Blue” is the bar, this falls quite short of that.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3/5
Interesting sound. Quite unique… but not my thing.
Lauryn Hill
4/5
This record still holds up. The grooves and flow are unmatched. It’s too bad Lauryn turned into such a weirdo.
Peter Gabriel
5/5
Masterpiece.
The Replacements
3/5
Like many people, my only knowledge of The Replacements were their songs “Alex Chilton” and “Can’t Hardly Wait”. This was a nice way to hear more of their material; something I wouldn’t have or ally sought out. I liked this album, but not so much that I’d become a super fan. Strong 3 stars.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
4/5
This album kicks so much ass.
The National
2/5
No thanks.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
3/5
The singles are great and still hold up, for the most part. The rest of the album, however, does not.
Deep Purple
4/5
This album actually kicked a lot of ass. Shit vocals, but amazing guitar licks.
Nightmares On Wax
3/5
Cool grooves throughout. Definitely an artist who influenced people like Paul Oakenfeld, Fatboy Slim, and Moby. Cool listen, if not my jam.
Morrissey
4/5
Morrissey is one sad bastard. Decent record, though.
LCD Soundsystem
2/5
I’d rather be listening to just about anything else, to be honest. Ear pollution.
The Incredible String Band
1/5
There’s 1000 albums you should listen to before you die. Then there’s whatever the hell this is. Awful.
U2
4/5
Before U2/Bono got all pretentious. Solid rock ‘n roll album.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
A true groundbreaking record... nothing from around this time sounds like it. While it's not completely my thing, I recognize just how important this record is to rock & roll. BRUUUUUUUUUUUCE!!!!
The Hives
4/5
I genuinely thought I was listing to one long song... but then I realized I was track 3. Look, this rocks pretty hard, but it all kind of sounds the same to my old, curmudgeon ears. Solid rock & roll album, though.
George Michael
2/5
I was surprisingly disappointed with this one; didn't enjoy it nearly as much as I thought I would. "Freedom" is clearly the best song on the album... the rest of it kind of fell flat for me.
Johnny Cash
4/5
A milestone album for an iconic artist. Some of the songs are real bummers, but one can’t deny its impact.
Steely Dan
4/5
Steely Dan takes a lot of shit, but they're actually a great band... and this record is a really good listen.
The Gun Club
2/5
Obnoxious. These guys are trying to be The Ramones, but with more edge... and they didn't do a great job with it.
Fiona Apple
2/5
Meandering, aimless lyrics, unusual beats... this was kind of a mess. Fiona's voice is unmatched, though. A category of one.
Throbbing Gristle
1/5
Ross Gellar’s “sound” is infinitely better than this garbage.
Neil Young
3/5
I’m not crazy about Neil Young… and this did very little to move the needle for me. That said, I recognize Neil’s contributions and importance. It’s just not for me. Southern man didn’t need him ‘round anyhow.
Jefferson Airplane
3/5
Psychedelic.
Blur
4/5
Surprisingly fun listen.
The Louvin Brothers
4/5
Beautiful, but super dark. It’s a good thing these fellas had music to work out their problems.
Supergrass
3/5
Some really fun jams on this record... others are just repetitive and whiny.
Tom Waits
1/5
Like listening to recorded gravel.
John Coltrane
5/5
Such a great listen. Easy 5 stars.
The Boo Radleys
3/5
Interesting album. It's tough to nail down a genre when each song sounds a little bit different. I enjoyed most of it.
AC/DC
5/5
This record kicks so much ass.
Brian Eno
3/5
This Brian Eno record is VERY Brian Eno. Not terrible, just not my thing.
Elvis Presley
5/5
Long live the king.
Slipknot
1/5
Noisy, obnoxious. Great drumming, though.
The Mamas & The Papas
4/5
It’s crazy to think this band was only on the scene for four years. Despite their tumultuous history, they wrote some great songs.
Suicide
1/5
Noise.
The Smiths
4/5
I planned on listening to this record, but cancelled.
Mott The Hoople
3/5
I saw one review that said “unremarkable glam rock” and that pretty much nails it. It’s not awful, though.
Johnny Cash
4/5
A rough listen especially knowing it was right near the end of Johnny’s life, but it’s hauntingly beautiful and I definitely enjoyed it.
Nanci Griffith
5/5
My goodness, this was absolutely lovely! A nice change of pace from the garbage this project has been feeding me in recent days. Nanci Griffith was incredibly talented and light years ahead of her time. These songs are timeless and will always sound amazing.
The White Stripes
5/5
I’ll admit that for many years, I haven’t really “gotten” Jack White. In recent months, however, I’ve really started to embrace him. This album kicks ass, and I’m going to continue to dig into the rest of their discography and Jack’s other projects.
5/5
I wish I could listen to Sgt. Pepper again for the first time. I wish I could listen to Sgt. Pepper for the first time in 1967.
Prince
3/5
The singles on this album are undeniable classics. Full stop. Much of the rest of the record consists of overtly horny and unnecessarily lengthy and repetitive and funky jams. Price is a legend without question. A category of one... but this album was not as enjoyable as I wanted it to be.
Garbage
4/5
Garbage is one of those bands to which I've always just been a bit indifferent. I neither hate nor love them. They're certainly unique in their sound, but this record all kind of runs together. The "hits" definitely stand out amongst an otherwise forgettable album. I enjoyed it, though.
Fred Neil
3/5
This is music for SERIOUS hippies, not your garden variety types. It's also the kind of record that the BIG folk artists would point to as inspiration, despite never really getting over himself.
5/5
It's amazing how something so dark can be so beautiful... and nobody did it better than Loretta Lynn.
Kid Rock
1/5
I listened to this back when it was brand new and I didn’t know any better. Even back then, it was 2 stars at best.
Fuck this guy. 0/5.
Neil Young
2/5
I’m not crazy about Neil Young… and this did very little to move the needle for me. That said, I recognize Neil’s contributions and importance. It’s just not for me. Southern man didn’t need him ‘round anyhow.
Pink Floyd
4/5
While this doesn’t really hit with my GenX ears in 2025, it must have been absolutely mind blowing to for Boomers in 1967. I was going to give 3 stars, but went with 4 since we all know, now, where Pink Floyd was heading.
Paul McCartney and Wings
4/5
Sir Paul is an absolute legend. Fantastic record.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
A great deal of ass kicking… but does get a bit exhaustive after a while. I dig it, though.
ZZ Top
4/5
ZZ Top is so much more than a couple of great singles and sweet beards. This record kicks ass.
John Lennon
3/5
Was John Lennon super talented? Absolutely. Was he the musical genius the world made him out to be? Debatable. He had a point of view, for sure… but the music itself didn’t reflect that… and this album is a byproduct of that. I was (and still am) more of a Paul guy anyway.
The Soft Boys
4/5
I really enjoyed this. A great example of early British new wave. Some of the middle tracks are a bit of chore, but overall, a good listen. NOTE: just listen to the original album tracks... skip all all the bonus material.
Kanye West
1/5
Absolutely fucking not.
Neil Young
3/5
I’m not crazy about Neil Young… and this did very little to move the needle for me. That said, I recognize Neil’s contributions and importance. It’s just not for me. Southern man didn’t need him ‘round anyhow.
Bob Dylan
3/5
After seeing the Bob Dylan biopic, I understand his point of view a bit more. BUT, like with every other Dylan album that comes up on this project, I will say this: Bob Dylan is absolutely the voice of a generation... just not MY generation. So, while I understand his standpoint a bit more, this music just doesn't speak to me.
Prefab Sprout
4/5
This is really interesting music! Complex chord progressions, unique lyric structuring, but all with a listener friendly pop sound. It's easy to see why this band didn't really get over in the US, but I really enjoyed this album.
Various Artists
4/5
It’s such a shame that these legendary acts had to work with such a tormented, yet supremely talented, producer. I wish I would’ve been given this album in July… hearing it on Christmas Day when I’m already so sick of Christmas music is skewing my opinion. Fuck Phil Spector, but long live these amazing acts.
Van Morrison
5/5
The singles from this record alone are worth five stars. The deeper cuts are just icing on the cake.
White Denim
4/5
Cool record!
Fleetwood Mac
3/5
Tusk is great. Rumors is greater.
Bob Dylan
2/5
This project has such a hard-on for Bob Dylan.
Television
3/5
Enjoyed this.
Sarah Vaughan
5/5
This recording was everything I wanted it to be. The Divine Sarah Vaughan indeed.
Giant Sand
1/5
Well, this was terrible.
The Velvet Underground
3/5
Velvet Underground is one of those bands that boomers lose their minds over. This record was -okay-, but doesn’t really resonate with my GenX mind.
Carole King
5/5
I wonder if Carole King and all the musicians that played on ‘Tapestry’ knew they were making one of the greatest records of all time.
Tracy Chapman
5/5
This is such a perfect and beautiful record.
The Cure
3/5
This is a rough listen mostly because I’m not of the right mindset to properly appreciate their point of view…,
but I give them credit as we know what was to come.
OutKast
4/5
I see a lot of reviews complaining of the skits on this record. Outkast was hardly the first hip hop act to include skits (remember 'Doggystyle'?)... whether you like those are not, the music is what stands out to me. Do I relate to anything A3K and BB are rapping about? Nope. Do I appreciate the artistry? %100. This record is fantastic... cooler than a polar bear's toenails.
Iggy Pop
4/5
For most of my life, I had written Iggy off as nothing more than a shirtless, coked up weirdo who happened to sing. BUT, I enjoyed this way more than I thought I would. This record was really well done. Fantastic grooves, excellent musicianship, and Iggy's voice sounds really good.
Circle Jerks
1/5
At least the torture was short lived. This was awful.
Willie Nelson
5/5
This album is gentle, beautiful, and carries a sense of melancholy, as a lot of classic country does. When I think of Willie Nelson, this is the kind of music that immediately comes to mind. I loved this.
Boston
4/5
Classic American rock and roll. Not a go-to for me, but I enjoyed it b
Stevie Wonder
5/5
This album is so good... bangers from start to finish. Absolute genius.
Guns N' Roses
3/5
Never cared much for GnR, and while I recognize the “importance” of this album, it’s still not for me.
Beastie Boys
5/5
Paul's Boutique was the next step in the growth and evolution of Beastie Boys. If License To Ill was elementary school, Paul's Boutique is high school. Also, to the people complaining about "too much shouting", go find your safe space and put your Bon Iver records on. Beastie Boys aren't for you. This album kicks so much ass.
Snoop Dogg
4/5
You don’t love me. You just love my…
Femi Kuti
3/5
This is one of those albums that has 11 or so tracks, but by track 4 or 5, you’ve basically got the idea. Great rhythms and funky grooves, but not something I would normally seek out.
Jerry Lee Lewis
3/5
This is one of those situations when you have to ask yourself "Can I separate the music from the man?". Was Jerry Lee a musical and cultural juggernaut? %100. Was Jerry Lee a garbage human? Also %100... even by that time period's standards. Was he a musical genius? That's debatable.
If you CAN separate these two things, the album can be really enjoyable: 4 stars. If you can't, then it's a 2 star at best.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
This is a much more chill groove than previous Stevie offerings we’ve been assigned. Still, though… it’s Stevie, and he’s a genius. Period.
Barry Adamson
1/5
What even is this
A Tribe Called Quest
4/5
Not a go-to for me, but I enjoyed the hell out of this.
The Who
3/5
The Who are legends, but this album is best enjoyed by the most ardent fans... not the casual listener.
Manic Street Preachers
3/5
Watered down Oasis, but not terrible. Nice melodies, interesting chord progressions, but a bit too much screaming vocally in places. Not something I would seek out, but certainly much better than some of the garbage on this list.
Fugazi
2/5
As a solid GenX'er, you'd think I'd enjoy the hell out of this. Not so much.
Songhoy Blues
2/5
Interesting, but not for me.
The Doors
3/5
The hits are amazing, the blues tracks are quite good… the rest is drug induced dreck.
Pink Floyd
4/5
I wonder why much of the album isn’t available on Spotify? Anyhoo, this is a classic, and I always enjoy it. A little ahead of my time, but still really good.
Todd Rundgren
4/5
Todd Rundgren is an odd duck… just like every other genius.
The Mothers Of Invention
3/5
Frank Zappa is one odd duck... but like I always say, the most talented ones usually are.
The Divine Comedy
1/5
Not good. At all.
Spacemen 3
2/5
Not good.
David Bowie
4/5
Unequivocal genius. No hits on this record, but Bowie deserves no less than 4 stars. Period.
Fishbone
4/5
Not something I'd normally dig, but this was super chaotic (in a good way) and fun to listen to.
Christina Aguilera
3/5
Cyndi Lauper
4/5
Groundbreaking.
Slipknot
2/5
I’ve never cared for Slipknot; way too hard for my taste. This one wasn’t horrible, but by track three, I got the idea.
The Go-Go's
4/5
The hits are amazing, of course. The rest is good, but not amazing. Still, though. Hall of famers right here.
N.E.R.D
3/5
Very eclectic, but not entirely my thing.
The Young Gods
2/5
I can take just about anything for 40 minutes… except this.
The Cars
5/5
Absolute classic. The hits are outstanding, and the non-hits are also outstanding. Friggin’ LOVE this record.
Dagmar Krause
1/5
Bad.
The Police
5/5
Quite possibly their best record.
Yes
3/5
I've never really understood prog rock... and listening to this entire album did very little to further that understanding. Talented musicians for sure, I just can't get my head around the concepts.
Can
2/5
Lots of noise. Some of it was tolerable, though.
Metallica
3/5
I'm giving this a 3 for a couple reasons.
1. Hearing these classic songs reimagined with an orchestra is admittedly badass, but I'd probably enjoy it more if I was a more ardent Metallica fan.
2. 2+ hours is a bit of a chore.
3. Hetfield does that thing where he has the crowd sing some of the "good parts", and that's something that always annoys me on live recordings.
Otherwise, this would've been a 5 from me.
Steely Dan
4/5
Interesting harmonies and funky grooves. Not bad at all!
David Ackles
1/5
Yeah, this was not for me.
Neneh Cherry
3/5
This album is quintessential late '80's pop-schlock. Buffalo Stance was a massive hit, and with it being the lead track, it's all pretty much downhill from there. Weird synths, manufactured beats from a box, it's everything that was going on around that time. Neneh has a lovely voice, but the lyrics she's singing are very surface level. 3 stars for the nostalgia factor.
U2
3/5
U2 takes a lot of crap, and, in some cases, deservedly so. Strictly musically speaking, this album is pretty good. The hits are amazing, but are slightly out of balance with the non-hits.
Steve Earle
2/5
I had such high hopes for this one, but they were quickly dashed.
Rush
4/5
Prog rock at it’s finest.
Brian Eno
4/5
Weird that 6 of 10 tracks weren’t available on Spotify… anyway, the 4 tracks that I did hear weren’t too bad. Brian Eno isn’t for everyone.
Anita Baker
2/5
Anita has an amazing voice, but this record is a snooze fest.
Marvin Gaye
5/5
I've listened to this record so many times... and it never gets old. I love it so much.
Isaac Hayes
3/5
Funky, but kind of exhausting.
Radiohead
3/5
I’ll say what said about Kid A… I appreciate Radiohead’s artistry, but th bulk of their catalog is for critics and hardcore fans; not the casual listener.
The Go-Betweens
3/5
Not terrible. Wouldn’t listen again, though. Some else reviewed this as “We have The Smiths at home” and that’s pretty spot on.
Goldie
2/5
Absolutely exhausting. Maybe a great listen at a 2am rave in 1997, but not 9:30am while I'm sipping coffee and sifting through TPS reports in 2026.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
There's no question that Joni Mitchell is an important voice of a generation; but that generation is not MY generation. This is lovely, but I have almost no resonance with it.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
3/5
I’d probably rate higher had this band not been shoved down our throats for so long.
Massive Attack
3/5
Interesting listen. Cool grooves, but seemed like one, long 48 minute song. Not something I would normally gravitate to, but I enjoyed it.
4/5
So funky. Not entirely my thing, but I enjoyed it.
De La Soul
5/5
I saw one review that referred to this album as "the Sgt. Pepper of hip hop" and that's actually spot on. While I don't fully (or at all) resonate with the black experience, I fully appreciate the artistry and genius that I just absorbed. Such a great record.
David Bowie
3/5
You either love David Bowie, or are indifferent to him. I'm somewhere in the middle. I love his hits, but the deep cuts don't really resonate with me. That said, there's no denying his genius. I enjoyed this record, but it's unlikely I'll listen again on purpose.
The Beach Boys
3/5
Definitely a bit of a departure from the sound that The Beach Boys are known for. I feel like they made this album for them, not their biggest fans. Musically, it's still very good. It's got those familiar Beah Boys harmonies we know and love, but it's not the kind of record that immediately comes to mind when I think of The Beach Boys.
The Jesus And Mary Chain
3/5
I never really got into JAMC. They seem like a band that bridged a gap between dark wave goth and new wave pop. I didn't hate this album, but it's not something I'd seek out on purpose.
Nas
3/5
I've always struggled to resonate with rap... and while this album is clearly good, it's the same thing here. Enjoyable, but doesn't resonate.
Pixies
4/5
Enjoyed this far more than I thought I would.
Pulp
3/5
Didn't hate it. Didn't love it, either. It's definitely a Pulp record.
The Damned
3/5
Definitive, influential English punk. Definitely deserves to be on this list. That said, I can only take so much English punk...and this list is chock-full of it.
Cat Stevens
5/5
I was a teenager in the mid '90's, and many of the girls I knew were hippie types... and they ALL listened to Cat Stevens. I didn't get it back then, but now that I'm older, I have a much greater appreciation... for Cat Stevens AND the hippie girls. ;)
Jurassic 5
4/5
This era of hip-hop is so good... and so is this record. Not fully my thing, but I enjoyed the hell out of it.
The Byrds
4/5
Like many people, I'm really only familiar with The Byrds' BIG hits. As I opened this album, I was concerned that it was going to be a situation where the album sounded nothing like the big hits. Definitely NOT the case. The Byrds are true to their sound; you can hear the same jangly guitars, sweeping orchestrations, and meaningful lyrics that their big hits suggest. They're clearly an important sound of their time. As a GenX'er, I don't fully resonate with this album, but it was certainly enjoyable. Not like some of the garbage this project produces.
Talking Heads
4/5
All of Talking Heads best songs are spread out over several albums. This one has a handful of them. Wikipedia says it's often considered their best... and I tend to agree. This is where Talking Heads really started to hit their stride.
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
All the Jimi anyone would need right in one place. A seminal album in the history of rock 'n roll... by quite simply the best to ever do it.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
I'm not a big Stones fan, but this record is pretty good. Not so good that it makes me want to become a fan, though. It's definitely worthy of being on this list.
Suzanne Vega
4/5
One of America’s most underrated songwriters of the last 50 years. Such a lovely album.
Madonna
2/5
Waaaayyyyy past her prime.
Green Day
4/5
I'm not a huge Green Day fan, but they kick so much ass. I'm glad they made this record.
R.E.M.
5/5
R.E.M. is a top 5 band for me, so my opinion is HIGHLY biased. This isn't their best record (thanks, "Stand"), but it's still 5 stars for me.
TLC
3/5
Look. I love TLC. I really do. They're innovative, groundbreaking, EXTEMELY talented, and worthy of ALL the praise they've received over their career (RIP Lisa!)... I didn't love this album. I LIKED it, I just didn't LOVE it. It's likely not their fault, but much of it is repetitive; it just starts to sound like the same song over and over. The hits are FANTASTIC (hence the description). Whoever chose those to be singles was right on the money... but the rest of the record just falls a little flat for me.
Funkadelic
3/5
This is fine.
3/5
Two great hits, the rest just didn’t.
Shack
2/5
Not great.
Bee Gees
2/5
It’s a good thing they found their strengths later on.
Scott Walker
2/5
Scotty no.
The United States Of America
1/5
The wiki article says it’s their only album. Thank goodness.
Joy Division
4/5
I can totally see how those who got to experience this record when it was brand new found it to be revolutionary. Joy Division is, without question, a heavy influence on so many. While I enjoy music from this period a great deal, this record in particular is a bit dark for me, so I don't fully resonate with it... I can still recognize genius when I hear it.
The Divine Comedy
2/5
At least it was only a half hour.