1001 Albums Summary

Fantastic listen.

Vintage REM.

I can see why boomers love this record. Very much in the spirit of this time. Not my vibe.

Indie rock isn’t quite my thing. This is an okay listen, though.

Totally dig this vibe.

Absolute classic!

I like the vibe. Kind of like a less edgy Tower of Power.

Some solid tracks, but some are kind of odd. Decent listen.

Karen Carpenter was a gift to this world that was taken from us far too soon. Such a great record.

Not my favorite Beatles record, but still amazing.

Innovative for its time. A somewhat chaotic opus.

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.

Masterpiece.

If you’re into vibraphones and accordions, have I got an album for YOU.

Noise.

I forget how repetitive this record is. Incredible innovation for its time.

This record is a vibe and I totally dig it.

Absolute classic. A great listen.

This record starts off really great. The singles are singles for a reason. It gets very durge’ish as it goes along.

Yeah, this was not great. Unsure how it even got on this list.

‘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 is the embodiment of soul. This is a fantastic record… but then again, that’s characteristic of ALL his reocrdings. Easy 5 stars.

Yeah, this is not for me.

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.

Dig this groove.

What can I say? It’s Coldplay. It’s fine.

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.

*yawn*

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.

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.

An absolute classic jam. Great from start to finish.

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.

Every song on this record is incredibly well crafted and orchestrated. Jeff Lynne’s genius is incomparable. A great listen, but not my “thing”.

This album kicks so much ass. I was absolutely delighted to see it pop up for me today. %100 classic!

Very chill… almost TOO chill.

Infectious rhythms, bright horns, a wonderful listen. This album definitely holds up.

This is such a classic. It was one of my late mother’s favorites… which makes it one of my favorites.

My favorite R.E.M. record. Every song is good, no skips. A masterpiece.

I can see how this album would make an impact around its release, but this is not for me.

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.

Quite good!

How could one argue with this record? Start to finish badassery. 5 stars easy.

I liked this album. I didn’t *love* this album. “Adore” is the best track.

This album really pissed me off.

HEY! HO! LET’S GO! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A classic for the era, but way too dark & heavy for my taste.

My buddy Tim didn’t like this record. I kinda dug it, though.

What can I say? It’s Purple fucking Rain. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

How lucky are we that we got to walk the same planet at the same time as David Bowie. Absolute genius.

This album is so good… a catalyst of what was to come.

Pretty mellow for a band called The Thrills. This wasn’t for me.

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.

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.

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.

Better than Thriller. I said what I said.

This isn’t typically my kind of music, but I enjoyed it.

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.

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.

LDR has a lovely voice, but the music just bums me out.

Two of the best singer/songwriters of a generation. A lovely listen.

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.

Genius.

The definition of southern rock.

Lemmy is a legend, but this was not my thing.

Not terrible, but not amazing either. Take Your Mama is definitely the best song on the album.

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.

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).

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.

This album absolutely rules.

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.

A fun listen. PICK IT UP!

Funk af. Loved it!

It’s fine, but not my thing.

Zzzzz…

I’ve never cared much for Neil Young… and this record did virtually nothing to move the needle for me.

Delightfully dark.

Not my favorite Smiths record, but still very solid.

Fun listen! Bjork!

Well, that was terrible.

Fantastic listen. Clearly ahead of their time.

Way too “indie” for me. Not a fan.

Not his best record. Relatively enjoyable, though.

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.

Funky groove. Dig it.

Iconic. RIP Ozzy.

This was an absolutely lovely listen. Such passion, heart, and love. Easy 5 stars.

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.

Such a funky record. Dark in spots, light in others. A true representation of Talking Heads diversity.

Fuck this guy.

Legendary.

DEVO is so much more than just “Whip It”. This was a super fun listen!

Definitive ‘60’s soul. A bit darker lyrically than most of his peers in that era, but still quite beautiful. Easy five stars.

It’s easy to forget just how amazing and how important this album is. Start to finish, it’s so, so good.

Not for me.

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.

So funky… but also kind of rocks. The covers are amazing. Fantastic record!

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.

Long live the king.

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.

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.

Funky grooves.

Beautiful.

This is definitely a Bjork album. I didn’t hate it, but not fully my thing. She’s quite a genius, though.

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.

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.

I dig the Furs, but this album is just okay. Pretty In Pink is %100 the best track.

Quite simply one of the greatest female voices of the 20th century.

Vintage Brit-pop… a fun listen for the most part.

So funky. Iconic. Track 2 is something.

S&G will always receive 5 stars from me.

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.

We don’t deserve Emmylou Harris. This is an amazing record.

A lovely listen. Very, very chill.

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.

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.

The incessant electronic beats are just too much. I can’t with this.

A solid new wave record for its time, but likely enjoyed most by New Order’s most ardent fans.

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. ;)

Indie stuff is not for me. This isn’t terrible, though.

Can I get an amen for the reverend?

A little heavy for my taste, but it’s definitely a masterpiece.

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.

Familiar, complex Bee Gees harmonies, but a bit lost on the concept.

I don’t really “get” this, but I can see how many others might.

Immediate 5 stars. Absolute perfection.

Absolute classic. A fun listen!

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.

I feel like ‘Bad’ is every bit as good as ‘Thriller’ or ‘Off The Wall’.

Ire ire! The best to ever do it.

A good listen, but not mind blowing. She saved that for the next record. H’ll of a voice, though.

Hard rock/metal isn’t really my thing, but this album kicks so much ass.

This is a good album. It’s a shame PJ Harvey didn’t get over more commercially.

Cool beats, interesting vocals, but I’m nowhere near worldly enough to truly appreciate it.

What a fantastic record!

Anyway…

We can thank Billy Corgan for making this not suck.

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.

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.

Seriously disappointed in this one.

I don’t really relate to punk rock. Their messages are clear, but, sorry, the music (at least on this record) sucks.

You’ve one sitar album, you’ve heard them all.

Epic. Classic. Easy 5 stars.

I didn’t hate this. I didn’t love it, either.

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.

Interesting sound. Quite unique… but not my thing.

This record still holds up. The grooves and flow are unmatched. It’s too bad Lauryn turned into such a weirdo.

Masterpiece.

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.

This album kicks so much ass.

No thanks.

The singles are great and still hold up, for the most part. The rest of the album, however, does not.

This album actually kicked a lot of ass. Shit vocals, but amazing guitar licks.

Cool grooves throughout. Definitely an artist who influenced people like Paul Oakenfeld, Fatboy Slim, and Moby. Cool listen, if not my jam.

Morrissey is one sad bastard. Decent record, though.

I’d rather be listening to just about anything else, to be honest. Ear pollution.

There’s 1000 albums you should listen to before you die. Then there’s whatever the hell this is. Awful.

Before U2/Bono got all pretentious. Solid rock ‘n roll album.

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!!!!

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.

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.

A milestone album for an iconic artist. Some of the songs are real bummers, but one can’t deny its impact.

Steely Dan takes a lot of shit, but they're actually a great band... and this record is a really good listen.

Obnoxious. These guys are trying to be The Ramones, but with more edge... and they didn't do a great job with it.

Meandering, aimless lyrics, unusual beats... this was kind of a mess. Fiona's voice is unmatched, though. A category of one.

Ross Gellar’s “sound” is infinitely better than this garbage.

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.

Psychedelic.

Surprisingly fun listen.

Beautiful, but super dark. It’s a good thing these fellas had music to work out their problems.

Some really fun jams on this record... others are just repetitive and whiny.

Like listening to recorded gravel.

Such a great listen. Easy 5 stars.

Interesting album. It's tough to nail down a genre when each song sounds a little bit different. I enjoyed most of it.

This record kicks so much ass.

This Brian Eno record is VERY Brian Eno. Not terrible, just not my thing.

Long live the king.

Noisy, obnoxious. Great drumming, though.

It’s crazy to think this band was only on the scene for four years. Despite their tumultuous history, they wrote some great songs.

Noise.

I planned on listening to this record, but cancelled.

I saw one review that said “unremarkable glam rock” and that pretty much nails it. It’s not awful, though.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

It's amazing how something so dark can be so beautiful... and nobody did it better than Loretta Lynn.

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.

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.

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.

Sir Paul is an absolute legend. Fantastic record.

A great deal of ass kicking… but does get a bit exhaustive after a while. I dig it, though.

ZZ Top is so much more than a couple of great singles and sweet beards. This record kicks ass.

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.

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.

Absolutely fucking not.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The singles from this record alone are worth five stars. The deeper cuts are just icing on the cake.

Cool record!

Tusk is great. Rumors is greater.

This project has such a hard-on for Bob Dylan.

Enjoyed this.

This recording was everything I wanted it to be. The Divine Sarah Vaughan indeed.

Well, this was terrible.

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.

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.

This is such a perfect and beautiful record.

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.

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.

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.

At least the torture was short lived. This was awful.

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.

Classic American rock and roll. Not a go-to for me, but I enjoyed it b

This album is so good... bangers from start to finish. Absolute genius.

Never cared much for GnR, and while I recognize the “importance” of this album, it’s still not for me.

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.

You don’t love me. You just love my…

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.

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.

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.

What even is this

Not a go-to for me, but I enjoyed the hell out of this.

The Who are legends, but this album is best enjoyed by the most ardent fans... not the casual listener.

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.

As a solid GenX'er, you'd think I'd enjoy the hell out of this. Not so much.

Interesting, but not for me.

The hits are amazing, the blues tracks are quite good… the rest is drug induced dreck.

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 is an odd duck… just like every other genius.

Frank Zappa is one odd duck... but like I always say, the most talented ones usually are.

Not good. At all.

Not good.

Unequivocal genius. No hits on this record, but Bowie deserves no less than 4 stars. Period.

Not something I'd normally dig, but this was super chaotic (in a good way) and fun to listen to.

Groundbreaking.

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 hits are amazing, of course. The rest is good, but not amazing. Still, though. Hall of famers right here.

Very eclectic, but not entirely my thing.

I can take just about anything for 40 minutes… except this.

Absolute classic. The hits are outstanding, and the non-hits are also outstanding. Friggin’ LOVE this record.

Bad.

Quite possibly their best record.

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.

Lots of noise. Some of it was tolerable, though.

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.

Interesting harmonies and funky grooves. Not bad at all!

Yeah, this was not for me.

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 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.

I had such high hopes for this one, but they were quickly dashed.

Prog rock at it’s finest.

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 has an amazing voice, but this record is a snooze fest.

I've listened to this record so many times... and it never gets old. I love it so much.

Funky, but kind of exhausting.

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.

Not terrible. Wouldn’t listen again, though. Some else reviewed this as “We have The Smiths at home” and that’s pretty spot on.

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.

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.

I’d probably rate higher had this band not been shoved down our throats for so long.

Interesting listen. Cool grooves, but seemed like one, long 48 minute song. Not something I would normally gravitate to, but I enjoyed it.

So funky. Not entirely my thing, but I enjoyed it.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Enjoyed this far more than I thought I would.

Didn't hate it. Didn't love it, either. It's definitely a Pulp record.

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.

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. ;)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

One of America’s most underrated songwriters of the last 50 years. Such a lovely album.

Waaaayyyyy past her prime.

I'm not a huge Green Day fan, but they kick so much ass. I'm glad they made this record.

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.

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.

This is fine.

Two great hits, the rest just didn’t.

Not great.

It’s a good thing they found their strengths later on.

Scotty no.

The wiki article says it’s their only album. Thank goodness.

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.

At least it was only a half hour.

Such a unique sound that came out during a time that was in dire need of unique sounds.

Beautiful chaos.

The early '90's might just be the best era of hip hop. Tribe really sets the bar for that. As a middle aged white guy, I definitely don't relate to the content, but I sure as hell love the grooves.

So, so bad.

I've never really immersed myself into prog rock, but I do find it interesting; complex melodies, wicked time signatures, out-there lyrics... this record has ALL of that. Not too bad. A little lengthy and exhausting, though.

This is definitely a Morrissey album. A couple of really good songs, one or two “meh” tracks, and the rest is either not great or super depressing.

I don't think the world was ready for Spiderland.

I'm not the most ardent David Bowie fan, but I certainly recognize his genius. Every time he comes up on this project, I'm reminded of just how unfamiliar I am with his deep catalog (it's mostly just his "hits" that I know). That said, this is probably the best of his albums that I've listened to on this so far.

I was a senior in high school when this came out. I didn't care for it much back then; skate punk wasn't my thing. 30 years on, my appreciation for this album is higher, but it's still not my thing, apparently.

I love Frank. LOVE. But this record is a snoozer.

Flawed human? Perhaps. Musical genius? Most definitely. A great listen.

Straight ahead mid-60’s rock & roll. It’s not trying to be anything other than what you hear. No fancy harmonies or complex Melodie’s… just kick ass rock. Loved it.

Brian Eno described this as “background music to be ignored”… and he absolutely nailed that description. This was weirdly cool, but I definitely ignored much of it.

Immediate no.

Right in the pocket for The Smiths.

Not great.

It’s Mimi’s world. We’re all just living in it.

Not as bad I was thinking it would be. Easy listen.

Kate Bush is certainly a trailblazer; a legend... but her music isn't quite my cup of tea.

I’ve seen a lot of reviews here accusing Jamiroquai of stealing from Stevie Wonder… but maybe it’s just highly influenced. Where is the line, ya know? Anyway, I enjoyed the hell out of this. Could’ve done without the second disc, though. 1001… please stop linking to these extended versions!

No doubt that Elvis is a legend, but this album is for his ardent fans; not the casual listener… like me.

This is some seriously dumb music.

I really enjoyed this. Such great grooves and diggable vibes. It gets a tiny bit exhaustive towards the end, but it's WAY better than some of the garbage this list gives us.

Even though I was the correct age to appreciate Jeff Buckley, I didn’t really know of him until well after he was gone. Now that I do, I wish I did sooner.

I feel like The Jam is a band that never really got their flowers in the US. They’re so good. This album, while not chock full of hits, is still enjoyable.

I'm nowhere near the target audience for this. WAY too heavy for me. However, I do recognize the musicality... and the being able to read the lyrics does help give it some substance. This isn't for me, but I don't regret listening to it.

This sounds like one, long, continuous song. It's interesting, but not my cuppatea.

The music: Five stars. The man: Zero stars. Result: Three stars.

This sounded AMAZING when I first heard it... in 1991. It still holds up pretty well, though. 3AM Eternal has lived in my head for the past 35+ years. It's a shame they never really got over in the US. I guess we just weren't ready for it. Their sound was far ahead of it's time... FOR the time. I wonder what ever happened to this band?

This was never meant for me, but I feel like it still holds up.

This was somewhat of a chore. Great musicians, cool tunes, but probably more of a “you had to be there” kind of thing.

I’m not saying all the super talented people are moody pricks… but this guy certainly is.

It was certainly common to have white singers cover or perform songs by black artists back then… and this is a prime example of it. Kind of strange to have an album of covers included in this list, but there’s no question that Dusty’s voice is iconic. Maybe that’s why.

I actually really enjoyed this. Sure, I don't understand a damn thing being said, but the beats are dope and the vibe is very cool. A fun listen!

This was quite a chore. Kinda thankful much of the album was blacked out by Spotify.

Like most re-blooded Americans, I'm a little over "American Pie", but listening to it in this context gave me a new appreciation for it. "Vincent" is, by far, my favorite track. As for the rest, Don is not pretending to be anything but his true authentic self. I'm not too in to the whole "'70's singer songwriter" thing, but at only 36 minutes, this is easily digestible... and I'm glad I got to listen to it today.

I'll say this every time a Taylor Swift record comes up on this project. I am consistently amazed with the amount of quality material she, as a songwriter, has been able to can churn out. This album (along with folklore) in particular are prime examples of that. Of course we were all stuck at home around this time, which gave her even more time to craft this. Is it my favorite? Not especially. It's a good listen, though. As a Swiftie Dad, Taylor Swift has got my heart.

Maybe I had to be a Brit in my late teen/early 20's in the early '90's to really "get" this... it just didn't resonate with me. You can tell, though, that bands like Blur, Oasis, and even Coldplay gained influence from groups like this.. and that groups like this pulled influence from The Smiths, The Cure, Joy Division/New Order, and so on. It's like the middle section of Brit Pop evolution... but yeah, it's not for me.

A lovely listen. Very much enjoyed.

The wiki article says “ The album sold reasonably well, but was not a great commercial success on release”… and I can see why. Heaven 17 has better material than this.

Solid jam.

This was a really lovely listen. I didn't know much about Nick Drake prior to listening to this. His name was only vaguely familiar. Having learned about his short life, it's clear we lost a really special artist WAY too soon. 4

Prog rock isn't my thing. This was fine.

Garbage. Oh wait… they’re English. RUBBISH.

This was actually pretty good… but fell apart a little bit for me later in the record.

Yeah, that's gonna be a 1 from me, dawg.

Some of this content hadn’t aged well, but generally, it still holds up all these years later.

There's no denying the classic status of Frampton Comes Alive... this is more for Boomers, though. Not an aging GenX'er like myself. It's still good, though.

Garbage... oh wait, sorry... they're British... RUBBISH.

Boomer rock.

Not just English rock… it’s English SPACE rock.

LL is, no doubt, an icon of hip hop. This album, while amazing for its time, doesn’t hold up as well as one would think, though.

I dig Mile Davis as much as the next guy, and this album is great... but one doesn't need to listen to the entire record to get the idea. Good stuff, though.

A fun listen!

I’m glad Kraftwerk is finally getting their flowers. It’s long past time.

This is fine.

I tried. I really did. Sorry, Jacques.

Interesting, but not for me.

This started off really great. A band truly ahead of their time. As the 40 minutes went on, it started get get a bit more exhausting. I was going to give it a 2, but it has boobs on the cover... so, 3 it is.

I'm not much into hippie/psychedelia, but this wasn't so bad. Lovely and unique melodies and song structures and arrangements, thoughtful lyrics, decent vocals. Not too bad. Very indicative of the era.

Impressive that this guy did much of the heavy lifting himself on this. Maybe he should have collaborated just a little bit. This wasn't great.

David Bowie is, without question, an absolute icon. Nobody disputes that. He clearly wrote this album as a 'goodbye', and it's still quite good. However, I hold the belief that Blackstar is likely bets enjoyed by David's most ardent and loyal fans. It just doesn't land the same for the casual listener like myself. It's still fantastic, though.

Indicative of its time, but doesn't really resonate with me.

Icon.

Very unique. Kind of like Bjork mixed with Portishead. Not something I'd seek out or listen to regularly.

Love this band, but not crazy about this record. It’s good, but not their best.

I'm familiar with Bryan ferry & Roxy Music, but not too deeply. This album was fine and interesting, but this is definitely more for the ardent fan than the casual listener.

Noise.

Not great. Like, at all.