Not my cup of tea! I thought it was gritty and interesting, but the second half of the album didn't interest me as much as the first. I can now say I know who sings the "woohoo!" song!
I had heard the name Steely Dan often enough growing up to know they were a band, but I never knew anything more. Curiously, they invaded my pop culture bubble, and I can't help but wonder where the hell I heard their name so often. Aja was a delight to listen to -- from the jazzy groove to the playful feel to the incredibly delicious saxophone.. I relished in every detail! This album was top-heavy for me, but they closed it out with a great track, Josie. Listening to such cornerstone albums now is always fascinating. The sound in Aja feels familiar, maybe because I seek out music with a similar feel anyway, but it is crazy to imagine a world where this was the first of its kind.
very great production!!!!! my ears were happy
Energetic, vibrant and funky. Ethan & i found it a bit repetitive :( Not my cup of tea entirely but I loved the vibe! Attending one of these shows live would be so fun.
Not my cup of tea! I thought it was gritty and interesting, but the second half of the album didn't interest me as much as the first. I can now say I know who sings the "woohoo!" song!
I thoroughly enjoyed my listen. It was perfectly chill and exciting, I loved how full of love this album felt. I really liked getting to hear his little deep vocal/raspy thing he did on some songs -- I am not super familiar with Stevie and I'm wondering if this was a staple of his! I would listen again, no doubt.
The opener was fantastic, it perfectly guided you into the universe of the album.This album unfortunately wasn't exciting to me.
I loved this album! I think this is the first jam band album I've listened to in full. Their flow and ability to create beautiful music on the fly was incredible. I loved the moments where it was just the instruments, they spoke for themselves. I didn't even find myself missing the lyrics! I wish I could have seen this performance live.
This was suprisingly nostalgic! I never listened to the full album, just the popular songs. I thoroughly enjoyed this album, it felt so well done and clean to listen to. Although I didn't listen to the lyrics, I appreciate the storytelling aspect behind it! Using creativity and art to voice what you believe in is beautiful.
They lost me in the second half a little bit, I felt like a little hobbit haha. I enjoyed the first two songs the most, they had such a great groove and the fiddle was such a star!
I really enjoyed about half of the tracks! I loved how silly and unserious parts of it felt and appreciated seeing their creativity throughout. I loved the weird instrumentation, I think my favorite was Ana or The Happening!
This was the weirdest thing to listen to but I kinda liked it a little? There were several points where I felt the drama of the story, in part because of things like the orchestra or his vocals. Ethan told me about the story behind the album, which makes the album cover make a little more sense. I don't think I would listen to this again, but I admired the creativity behind it.
This is the second David Bowie album I have listened to in full and I LOVED it! I was surprised by how much I liked the second half. I had no idea that Sound & Vision was on this album. I really liked What in the World, the synthy and electronic elements throughout tickled my ear perfectly.
Not my type of music anymore, although the sound feels so nostalgic. I liked the fun instrumentation with using a cool piano, a fun synth or a good guitar riff. What I couldn't get behind was the lyrcisim and the loudness of it all. It is not my style so it was hard to enjoy. Looking at this objectively, I think it is a solid 3/5. I can admire the production and the relvance of this album when it came out, but I don't think it stands strong.
Meh.
this was truly a creative album! I loved the drama behind every song, even if I didn’t likethe song. There were a lot of little details, like unique instruments or weird sounds, and that made it an interesting listen. I think it also reflects the thought that went into the song creation as well! My favorites were the first two tracks, and generation landslide.
Listening to two Alice Cooper albums back to back made for an interesting comparison! Million Dollar Baby felt camp/theatrical, whereas School's Out feels like a typical rock album. I enjoyed the songs that felt jazzy and let the instruments shine. My favorites were blue turk and public animal #9.
Never in my life have I listened to the Offspring before! I was blown away by the energy this album brought. I loved how they led you into the world of "Smash" with the title track and followed it with the energy you may or may not have been expecting. Treating an album like an experience is what I like to see, and how it should be. I couldn't help but move while listening to this album, bobbing my head back and forth and all. The first two songs capture (what I assume) is the band's strongsuit, delivering a lively performance. I loved the surf-y vibe in Come Out and Play. I enjoyed the drums + guitar on this album the most :)
An incredible classic with so much influence in the world of r&b. Even though I am not a music officianado, I have seen firsthand how many artists have incorporated some aspect of this album into their music. Legends like Kanye, J. Cole, and The Doors all paid homage to this album. I loved the harp in "Superstar", the piano laced throughout and enjoyed the guitar in "To Zion"! Listening to this album for the first time in a while gave me some rose colored lenses I think. While there are only three songs I would add to a playlist, I can appreciate the story behind the album. Some of the songs felt really similar, but it felt excusable because of the substance in the lyrics.
Ethan has loved this album for as long as I can remember. Every time I hear "Suzanne," I think of him. Like the rest of the album, this song embodies a beautifully sad feeling. It is full of love but a touch of somberness, almost like the feeling you get when you remember you will never get a moment again, or a sort of nostalgia. That feeling is evoked for me time and time again throughout the album. It is the combination of humble instrumentation, his soft voice, beautiful lyrics, and fluttery backing vocals. Although I am not a fan of folk/spoken word adjacent music, I really appreciate this album. My favorite track was "So Long, Marianne".
It is always interesting to hear an older album reference a year that has already happened for us, but is so far in the future at the time of the album. The opening track dreams of partying in 1999/2000, what were their expectations of those years? This is the first Prince album I have ever listened to. The first track made me want to tease my hair, wear bright colors, and wear a pair of huge earrings. Many of the tracks carried this same groove. While the songs were fun and playful, much of this album felt gimmicky to me. Between the synths and voice effects, mixed with the songwriting, I felt it was all made to catch my attention, which it did, but it did not stick with me. This album was made to make people dance, and I am sure it was revolutionary at the time, but it did not feel super interesting to listen to, especially on my second go-around. It was long, some songs dragged, and I felt like everything blended. The first two tracks were my favorites, I would not listen to this album again though :(
My First Elton John album ever! I enjoyed tracks 1, 3, 4, and 5 the most. His use of orchestral instruments is my favorite thing, I think. I admire a less traditional (if you can even say that) approach to pop. There are beautiful elements and details in a lot of the songs, specifically thinking of the little organ in Razor Face or the strings in Indian Sunset. I feel like I got a little lost in the second half, something was missing for me and I can't put my finger on what. Regardless, Elton John is an iconic name, and I can start to see why. There is grandeur behind his songs, AND he seems to be a big personality with great fashion taste. That is going to breed a powerful celebrity!
Listening to this groovy album was the perfect way to start my week. This album has an infectious groove, you can't not move your body when listening to the first two tracks (or really, the whole album). Black Man's Cry was one of my favorites. Hearing the vocals combined with the perfectly timed instruments lights me up! The production on this album is so incredibly crisp. Each song flows beautifully, to the point where I didn't even notice how long some of the songs were. I could listen to this album nonstop, because it is one of those albums where you hear something new on each listen.
I am not a fan of loud, noisy music. I tend to find myself craving a song that brings me peace or something that makes me want to groove. That being said, I really appreciated the creativity in crafting these trailblazing sounds, resulting in a raw/gritty sound. The guitars were crazy -- I loved the sound of Passing Compassion. Even though this wasn't my style of music, I grew to appreciate the production, the lyrics, and the incredible guitar + drums interlaced throughout. I don't think I would listen to this on my own, but I enjoyed the experience.
There was incredibly delicious guitar throughout the whole album, and my ears were happy listening to the instrumentation on each song. I described my feelings about this album to Ethan, saying that parts of each song excited me, but I didn't love the whole song. This was especially true on "Dishes" and "Help the Aged." My favorite songs were "The Fear," "Party Hard," "I'm a Man," "A Little Soul," and "Like a Friend." The energy in the album was contagious, I appreciated the moody British sound. The color palette of the album cover perfectly captures the feel of the album. Rating this a four because I would listen to it again and I added a few songs to my May playlist! I do however wish the album was shorter :(
"Bat out of Hell" made for such an entertaining listen. Has this been turned into a live action stage play yet? It not, someone needs to get on it. I don't think I would listen to any of these songs on my own, but I would surely not complain if they were on. I loved all the changes in instrumentation or timing on a song to give it a different feel or help tell the story. The grandeur was felt behind each song!
This was a fun little listen. The first song reminded me of a song Ethan and I would make while going about our day, it felt unserious and entertaining. I think the album was a 2/5 stars because it was simple. I am obviously not a music savant, but I think the electronic music I am used to has more going on, so this fell a little flat. I really enjoyed tracks 1 + 3, the others were forgettable. I appreciate how foundational this album was for electronic music!
This fell very flat for me. Aside from the well-known songs, I wasn't interested in much else. The spacey feel was fun, though!
I knew this album was going to be great just from the opener. Margo's vocals are breathtaking throughout the album, bringing out the emotional depth of each song. The album felt intimate, like we were being let into her world and feeling everything with her. I was impressed to learn that this album was recorded in Toronto's Church of the Holy Trinity, not in a normal studio. The blend of the instruments and Margo's vocals with the acoustics of the empty space was beautiful. I loved tracks 1, 3, 8, & 10 the most. The rating was going back and forth between 3 and 4 stars for me, but I decided on 3 because, although I would listen to it again, a lot of the tracks blended together for me.
This album is not exactly my style. It is a calm, cute, and quaint album, which is not my typical vibe. Overall, I think the album felt a little sleepy, which is why I had a difficult time maintaining my interest. The guitar was my favorite part of this album! I also liked the somber violin in Sad Lisa. My favorite song was Longer Boats, I feel it captured the lighthearted and fun nature of the album.
I had heard the name Steely Dan often enough growing up to know they were a band, but I never knew anything more. Curiously, they invaded my pop culture bubble, and I can't help but wonder where the hell I heard their name so often. Aja was a delight to listen to -- from the jazzy groove to the playful feel to the incredibly delicious saxophone.. I relished in every detail! This album was top-heavy for me, but they closed it out with a great track, Josie. Listening to such cornerstone albums now is always fascinating. The sound in Aja feels familiar, maybe because I seek out music with a similar feel anyway, but it is crazy to imagine a world where this was the first of its kind.
I grew up seeing this plastered on t-shirts from Hot Topic, H&M, Forever 21, and similar retailers. Yet, I never had any interest in listening to the album, especially after Ethan told me it was overrated. It was different than what I expected it to be. Unknown Pleasures was gritty and raw, with a great collection of drums + guitar + bass + synths. Unfortunately, I do not think this album is my speed. Punk is a genre I don't frequently dabble in because of the vocal style. That being said, the instruments and production made up for my dislike of that aspect. I would not listen to this again but appreciated my time with the album!
The opening song really interested me with it's R&B flare and electronic elements. As the album progressed, I became more and more disinterested. I can't quite pinpoint what it was, but it fell flat for me. I don't think it was cohesive and don't believe that the experimentation was done well -- it just felt weird.
I really enjoyed the energy in the first half of the album! The vibe was very carefree and fun, I could see myself blasting this by the beach with a beer in hand. I wouldn't say I am a Beck fan, but this album had a handful of songs I would happily listen to again. The experimental elements looped in with the rock/hip hop vibe is my favorite part of the album!
What I assume to be the traditional sounds of South Africa echoed loudly throughout the album. I could easily imagine people being gathered around and singing these songs a cappella. I admired the creativity required to create a fully a capella album, you have to find new ways to use your voice and body to create the sort of fullness you desire. My ear picked up on some of the little mouth sounds, like the smacking of lips or a lip trill, and I wondered how they decided on those effects. However entertaining, I don't think this album was anything super special to me. Many of the songs blended together, it felt like each song melted into the next. This is something I would play if I wanted an inoffensive piece of music to be in the background while I cooked or hosted people, not something that calls me back to listen again.
This album is a bunch of dudes having fun and being unserious; it has an infectious feeling of carefreeness and jovialness. I love listening to music when you can tell that the people singing are having a good time, passion always makes things sound better. I am also heavily biased on this album, being that it will always remind me of my husband, Ethan. When I hear songs like She's Crafty or Brass Monkey, my mind immediately cuts to him. For both of these songs, I couldn't help but smile as I listened because of how much fun they were. I was obsessed with the subtle guitar riff in She's Crafty, I've never picked up on it before. While this isn't my style of music, I have a deep appreciation for this album! I love imagining that the sound of this album encouraged boys to misbehave in the 80's, what a time to be alive!
The sound of this album was beautifully executed -- the punk/rock/gothic sound echoed throughout. Looking up pictures of the band solidifies their commitment to the aesthetic and movement. Knowing that this album was influential as it was does not surprise me in the slightest. That being said, this album didn't stand out to me. I enjoyed my listen very much, but there wasn't any song that I LOVED, thus, my rating of 3/5.
Heart of Glass and One Way or Another were songs I had only ever heard in covers, listening to the originals did not disappoint! While I haven't heard much of Blondie, it is easy for me to understand why they were so popular in their era. The sound was energetic and paired perfectly with the crazy aesthetics of the 80s. There were a lot of songs on here that I liked as a whole, but loved specific pieces of them. What comes to mind is the guitar outro in Fade Away and Radiate, or the guitar solo in the middle of Picture This, or the fun organ in 11:59. I liked around half the songs, I would listen again!
A classic album from one of my favorite Hip-Hop/Rap artists. I would say 90% of this album is no-skips for me, it is that good. Kanye's sound is satisfying to me because it combines my favorite things: playful and real lyricism, inventive and colorful beats + samples, and a perfectly curated feel for each song. My least favorite songs are 'Blame Game' and 'Hell of a Life'; I would happily listen to everything else.
This album sounds exactly like what you would expect it to by looking at the album cover. I don't particularly enjoy electronic music anyway, but this felt especially droning at times. It was the same thing over and over again for each song :( My favorite tracks were Music Makes You Lose Control and Hey Your What's That Sound.
Van Halen is a name I know solely because of Eddy Van Halen's reputation as a great guitarist. I can't say I have ever heard any of his songs on purpose. The guitar and drums were prominent throughout my whole listen, I especially loved it at the beginning of Top Jimmy. Jump, Panama, Hot for Teacher and House of Pain were the songs that stuck with me the most. Everything else was not memorable. I did enjoy how unserious this album felt with the lyrics, bursting with angst and sexual frustration, it was very reminiscent of the Beastie Boys album we listened to.
The two-tone genre is, unfortunately, not my style. It felt a little too noisy for my liking. What stood out to me throughout the album was the reggae influence with the more rocky-y guitar/drums, that is not something I have ever heard before! The creativity in pioneering a new genre is freeing, I imagine, and I got that sense from this album. While the music and vocals didn't scratch my brain how I'd like, this was a listen outside of my comfort zone which I appreciate.
Geneuinely one of the most beautiful albums I have heard so far. The album carried you through a lovely journey, full of soul + emotion, each song lingering with you. I would happily listen to this over and over again!
The start of this album is perfectly jovial, embodying a deep sentiment of playfulness and rhythm. It was a strong start to the journey that lay ahead! My favorite thing about this album was how well a mood was created for each song. The production, the vocals and the instrumentation was incredibly well done (from my novice perspective). Piano Joint leads you into an existential, spacey, thoughtful place with soft vocals and orchestral instrumentation. One of my favorite songs was Final Days -- it embodied a deep nostalgia and a feeling you would get as you watch the highlight reel of your life. Overall, a well done album with obvious talent behind it!
News to me that Sade is a group and not just Sade! The band did an incredible job on this album, evoking a great jazzy feel. Smooth Operator as the opener was absolutely incredible, the first couple of songs were a fantastic introduction to the band. Sade's vocals are incredible!
A fun and noisy album, but listened to this on a day that was not what i was looking for. Not my style, but I enjoyed the craziness behind it!
This was a very easy album to listen to! Learning that The Beach Boys inspired the Beatles makes so much sense. It is a lighthearted listen! I don't really love a lot of the songs on their own, aside from the well-known hits, but I still enjoyed the album.
I thoroughly enjoyed my listen. Seven Nation Army always brings me back to ASU football games in undergrad. My favorite thing about this album was the guitar; there was sure to be a catchy riff on most of the songs, serving as your tether to the song. I wasn't a huge fan of the slower songs, but that is personal preference. I really admired the silliness and creativity in songs like Little Acorns.
Wow, this was genuinely one of the most magnificent things we have listened to thus far. Ethan shared that this album was the birth of Jazz fusion, which is just why I love this album so much. The electric guitar and electric keyboard did something for me! I fell in love with the drums in the first song; they were pristine in their execution as the trumpet came in and out, the keys adding organ-y interruptions throughout. The star of the show for me, though, was the title track. I loved the piano(?) that welcomed you into the song; it felt like glitter. The guitar was so beautiful, too! My favorite part of the song was the very end portion, where things went quiet and were way more relaxed. The soft trumpet with the glittery keys is out of this world.
A fun pop-y, dance-y album! I did find the songs ot be repeitive and they were not my usual style, which is why the rating is what it is :(
This was an incredibly weird album, the Stevie Wonder song was an interesting experience. The opening track and title track were my favorites, everything else felt a little too weird for me.
The first three songs on this album, were really great! However, I feel like the rest of the songs on the album, struggled to stand out. Everything melted together for me. I will likely not return back to this album, although I do feel they did well fitting into the synth pop scene.
This is my first time listening to Joni Mitchell, and wow, it did not disappoint. I really enjoyed that her vocals were the main focus of every song. Her voice and at times echoey sound reminded me of the Trinity Sessions album, which I also really loved. Joni's storytelling is incredible; every song has a purpose in the overall album narrative.
Great folky rock. This was a strong 3.5 for me, but going to have to round it down to a 3. I wasn't a huge fan of the slower songs, personal preference.
I did not need to listen to this before I died, I think. An interestingly nostalgic listen, such a sign of the times.
I did not enjoy this album :( It contextualized why this band was a one hit wonder, IMO! There were a fair amount of songs that I really enjoyed parts of, but the rest fell of somewhere.... and I think that encapsulates how I feel about this album. Aside from Tainted Love, the only other song I enjoyed was Say Hello, Wave Goodbye.
This was a great listen for productivity! I enjoyed having this is background noise. While I think the trio had great talent and chemistry, the music itself did not wow me. The difficult thing is that I am finding myself comparing this to Miles Davis for some reason. Kind of Blue felt more engaging than the songs on this album.
I am left wanting more from this album. It felt like something was missing; I did not find it super interesting to listen to. I wasn't the biggest fan of the vocals or the production. The album felt very 80s, negative connotation. While I do think the emotions behind the lyricism were captivating, the music and vocals were not doing it for me.
Another band I have never heard of before! The album art is so enticing and does a great job of encapsulating the journey the music takes you on. The first half of the album felt like it blended really well, I found myself getting carried away by the music and when I looked at my phone, I was on a different song than I was before. I don't know if this album has any songs that I would be dying to listen to again, but I did enjoy a couple of them. This is more of a listening experience that a song album, if that makes sense.
I didn't quite finish listening to this album, but I thoroughly enjoyed everything I heard. The rock elements with the dream pop flair and moments of metal scratched an itch in my brain. Tonight, Tonight was one of my favorite tracks! This album was very long yet, it felt cohesive. I would listen to this again!
A musician who was extremely impactful during his time, searheading the rock and roll genre as we know it. With the rich history behind his story, I can't help but appreciate his work. However, I am not a huge fan of his sound. I found his voice to be incredibly unique and appreciated how he used it in a non-traditional way. But, some of the songs felt like filler, with only a few sticking with me. It is an okay album.
This album had a strong start and end. As the album progressed, I was taken on an unexpected journey of electronic, indie-esque music with an indian flair. I appreciated the blending of Western and indian influences, I wish that it was a little more consistent on the album. I don't think I would listen to this album again, aside from resisting the songs I enjoyed.
I only gave this one listen, but in that one listen, I found myself wishing that this was A Tribe Called Quest instead. Their voices were not my favorite, however, I did enjoy their unserious/political approach to lyrics. It is a true time capsule! This album showcased great rap and energy.
I found this album to be charming, cozy, and vulnerable. Authentic country music like this is not something I have listened to on my own. As most are, country is not my favorite genre. My perception of this genre has been cringeworthy, cliche, simple yet annoying for some reason. I found myself leaving that perception behind as I listened to this old-school, authentic display of what founded country music. The honest and self-aware lyrics were interesting, many of them oozing with love. The instrumentation was enjoyable too.