Apr 09 2025
Murmur
R.E.M.
Love it
5
Apr 10 2025
Let's Get It On
Marvin Gaye
Great title track. Album feels a little samey, but a good listen.
3
Apr 11 2025
Lady Soul
Aretha Franklin
Really good, a few less memorable tracks
4
Apr 14 2025
Document
R.E.M.
Second half is meh
3
Apr 15 2025
Is This It
The Strokes
Amazing of course
5
Apr 16 2025
Head Hunters
Herbie Hancock
Definitely have to be in the mood for it. Interesting but don’t love it.
2
Apr 17 2025
London Calling
The Clash
Obviously
5
Apr 18 2025
Da Capo
Love
7 and 7 is great! First half decent. Last song self indulgent. Would listen to first half again but probably wouldn’t get stuck in my head beyond the hit.
3
Apr 21 2025
Songs From The Big Chair
Tears For Fears
Great! But doesn’t feel like a real album, lotsa filler.
3
Apr 22 2025
The Dark Side Of The Moon
Pink Floyd
Too much self indulgent stuff in between. Not a great listen. Even the hits are kinda mid. Obviously some great stuff but as a whole… nah
2
Apr 23 2025
Darklands
The Jesus And Mary Chain
One note and just kinda there.
2
Apr 24 2025
Coles Corner
Richard Hawley
Sleepy. Not really for me.
1
Apr 25 2025
3 Years, 5 Months And 2 Days In The Life Of...
Arrested Development
Some good stuff but a little padded.
3
Apr 28 2025
Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols
Sex Pistols
They were important for inspiring the UK punk scene. But the album is not great. Not trash but kind of boring. Some good moments but there’s a reason I’ve only played it all the way through a handful of times in 2 decades.
2
Apr 29 2025
Moving Pictures
Rush
4
Apr 30 2025
Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes
Good one!
5
May 01 2025
Gorillaz
Gorillaz
Some really good songs. As an album I’m unsure. Maybe a shorter album with less filler would be good, but then it would be less atmospheric. Maybe some parts just aren’t for me. But a lot of it is very listenable.
3
May 02 2025
The White Room
The KLF
Not for me. It was boring and just the same thing. It felt like parody. But maybe I just don’t get it.
1
May 05 2025
Dookie
Green Day
3.5 stars.
The hits hit. A few other tracks are pretty good. Definite filler but it’s a quick record. It’s not revolutionary but it’s fun.
3
May 06 2025
Tusk
Fleetwood Mac
2.5 stars
This could have been a solid 4 star follow up to their 2 great previous pop records. There are enough good songs for that. But they bloat it with unnecessary excess that makes the album drag and takes away what would have made it an enjoyable listening experience.
2
May 07 2025
Trio
Dolly Parton
1.5 stars
Not bad, I think. But not for me. Listening did nothing for me and I can’t imagine intentionally listening again. But it was offensive or anything.
1
May 08 2025
The Specials
The Specials
4 stars
Maybe nostalgia plays a factor, but I love this album. Great introduction to two tone ska. Production a little poor on some songs and takes me out of it. A few unnecessary tracks. But overall quite fun and listenable!
4
May 09 2025
Meat Is Murder
The Smiths
3 stars
Starts off great but peters out towards the end.
3
May 12 2025
What's Going On
Marvin Gaye
3 stars
Feels controversial because this was listed as the #1 album of all time by Rolling Stone. And maybe I’m ignorant. I like the title track and generally like the album. But it’s more of a vibe than an album and it feels one note that is a good note but still just that. I wanted to get it and like it more than I did, but playing it through a handful of times maintained my feeling.
3
May 13 2025
Highway to Hell
AC/DC
2.5 stars
Consistent at what it is. If you’re in the mood for straight ahead hard rock you can do much worse. But it gets lost in the sameness and the formula gets old without providing much more.
2
May 14 2025
Le Tigre
Le Tigre
4 stars.
What a fun piece of lo-fi electric feminist punk! It is quite unique and listenable. “Deceptacon” demands repeats. It’s brief and not perfect, with some tracks being less memorable, but a fresh addition to a list full of bland and forgettable ancient duds.
4
May 15 2025
Hot Shots II
The Beta Band
1 star.
I didn’t get this. It was dull and boring and uninteresting and forgettable. It felt like a chore to get through. It was difficult to determine how sincere the music was and I felt confused why this album received so much acclaim in its time, while not surprised I hadn’t heard of it before now.
1
May 16 2025
If You're Feeling Sinister
Belle & Sebastian
5 stars
A perfect, delicate piece of pop. Catchy, emotional, slight yet confident. This record is a delight.
5
May 19 2025
Fragile
Yes
2 stars
Some good tracks, but doesn’t feel like a full album. The instrumentals sometimes feel like half ideas. The longer tracks are that indulgent.
2
May 20 2025
Sound of Silver
LCD Soundsystem
3 stars
I’m not beholden to this album for nostalgia reasons. While this was the kind of music I listened to at the time I did not listen to it until years later. It’s good, with some solid tracks. But the tracks are a bit overlong and not all of them have as much replay value. Still a mostly great listen.
3
May 21 2025
Infected
The The
1 star
Boring, bland, and instantly forgettable.
1
May 22 2025
The Bends
Radiohead
5 stars
Amazing sophomore album that set them on their way to become legendary. Some of their best songs and not a bad track.
5
May 23 2025
Happy Sad
Tim Buckley
2 stars
Some good, inventive stuff. But a lot of wandering aimlessly. I’m all for experimental but it was not a pleasant experience.
2
May 26 2025
Queen II
Queen
3 stars
Surprisingly enjoyable. I was expecting a much more dull experience with filler since I didn’t know any of it except “Seven Seas of Rhye” but it flows pretty well and was enjoyable. It would take a few listens to be more memorable but a good beginning for Queen to become the Queen we all know and love.
3
May 27 2025
Physical Graffiti
Led Zeppelin
4.5 stars.
A bloated masterpiece. Undeniable classics on here, but a bit too much excess. Record 1 alone is a 5 star record if released on its own.
4
Jun 06 2025
Dummy
Portishead
Inventive and interesting. I was able to listen to it all the way through a few times although it did put me to sleep.
3
Jun 09 2025
Sticky Fingers
The Rolling Stones
3 stars
I haven’t found a Stones album that lacks filler. But this is one of the better, more consistent ones. The country western impression gets tiring, but more works than not.
3
Jun 10 2025
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
4 stars
A classic, but flawed album. You can see elements of why they became one of the most influential bands of all time, but they were still working through some filler. Huge and inventive, this is an amazing debut. Perhaps if they did not rise to the level that they did this would be seen as more of a perfect album, but compared to their later releases the filler stands out much more.
4
Jun 11 2025
Who's Next
The Who
4 stars
2 of the greatest rock n roll songs of all time bookend this album. And a few other pretty good tracks too. But that’s not enough to make a perfect album. A great album, sure. But the middle of the album just left me eager for the end.
4
Jun 12 2025
Duck Stab/Buster & Glen
The Residents
1 star
I didn’t like it. I wasn’t in on the joke and I have no intention of trying to be in on it.
1
Jun 13 2025
Pet Sounds
The Beach Boys
3.5 stars
There is a lot of wonderful sweet music on this record. But I feel like this is an album people put at the top of their list because other people have had it at the top of their lists. I wouldn’t say there’s a bad song on the record. But the flow of the album makes it feel like a drag. Many slow songs into each other. A lot of it can feel forgettable next to each other. A different flow and a few faster paced songs laced throughout would improve it.
That being said, any album with both “Wouldn’t it be nice” and “God only knows” is a bonafide classic.
3
Jun 16 2025
I Should Coco
Supergrass
3.5 stars
I had never knowingly listened to Supergrass before. Whenever I saw the band name I think I assumed they were Superchunk or Supertramp. But this pop punk/britpop band that was a contemporary of Oasis and Blur- I wasn’t really aware. So this was a nice first listen.
I enjoyed the raw energy and speed of their music. It reminded me of their influences of Buzzcocks and the Who. While there is some inconsistency with the quality of the songs, they may grow on me with more listens. So my rating is in a first impression, which is that I enjoyed it and will certainly return to this.
4
Jun 17 2025
Superfly
Curtis Mayfield
5 stars
A funky masterpiece. Great front to back. No complaints.
5
Jun 18 2025
Car Wheels On A Gravel Road
Lucinda Williams
4.5 stars
This may be a 5 star album that I’m reluctant to praise so highly because I knew nothing about it before listening to it. But it’s clearly powerful and transcendent. Great songwriting that boosts Lucinda Williams from a name I’m familiar to someone I’m going to continue to explore.
4
Jun 19 2025
...The Dandy Warhols Come Down
The Dandy Warhols
Impressively boring.
1
Jun 20 2025
Machine Head
Deep Purple
2.5 stars
Some nice jams but generally run of the mill rock n roll. I could have died without listening to it.
2
Jun 23 2025
Brothers
The Black Keys
1 star
All filler. I was never even a fan of the singles, although “Howlin for You” isn’t bad. But this is not an impressive album and is not memorable.
1
Jun 24 2025
That's The Way Of The World
Earth, Wind & Fire
3 stars
I’m glad I’ve found a good EWaF album. I never took the time to listen and this was quite enjoyable. I’d say some tracks don’t stand out as much, but none of it is bad and it’s pretty brief. A fun record!
3
Jun 25 2025
Stripped
Christina Aguilera
2.5 stars
There is good pop on here. There is forgettable stuff on here. It is much too long. Maybe a solid 40 minute record in here. But too much to sift through to differentiate.
3
Jun 26 2025
Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)
Eurythmics
1 star
Sounded like someone messing around with keyboard sound effects. I never liked the title track. And it doesn’t get better from there.
1
Jun 27 2025
The Man Machine
Kraftwerk
3.5 stars
At first I wasn’t sure I liked it. But it quickly grew on me. I immediately went for a second listen.
I could imagine little baby Daft Punks hearing this and their heads exploding.
The influence on the music of the next decade is obvious. But it’s also a pleasant enough listen. It’s good background music. I liked it!
4
Jun 30 2025
Songs Of Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen
2 stars
60s folk can be repetitive and difficult to get through a full album for me because it’s so one note. I appreciate the craft and songwriting but it can be like sitting through a poetry reading with a guitar. Not my favorite and definitely not something I’d return to on my own.
2
Jul 01 2025
The White Album
Beatles
4.5 stars
Finally got a Beatles album. And what an album! An album that is used as a reference point whenever a band experiments with different styles. But the reason it is known for that is because it is perfect at being that. This isn’t random shit thrown together for the hell of it, this is separate wonderful bits put together into something that should work but somehow still does.
It’s not actually perfect- how many times can one listen to “Revolution 9” in its entirety? But its imperfection is kind of what makes it perfect.
5
Jul 02 2025
Destroy Rock & Roll
Mylo
3 stars
I was skeptical when I saw this one. I knew nothing of it, but my experience with electronic/house music on here so far has been mid. But I was pleasantly surprised. The music is catchy and easy to listen to. There isn’t anything insufferable. And the tracks are brief. It doesn’t feel like a slog where all the tracks blend together. That being said, I don’t know if it’s a must listen before I die. But I’ll return to it as nice background/study music.
3
Jul 03 2025
...Baby One More Time
Britney Spears
2.5 stars
It’s not revolutionary, but it’s consistent pop. Not gonna lie my wife got me into it. But beyond the hits there are good tracks.
3
Jul 04 2025
Southern Rock Opera
Drive-By Truckers
2 stars
These guys like Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Over long and not interesting enough for the length. But not terrible. Just a slog. But it kept my attention when I listened. I had to split it up. I don’t think I’d return to it.
2
Jul 07 2025
Green River
Creedence Clearwater Revival
2 stars
CCR was prolific in a short period of time. They created a lot of great music. But their albums front to back were not consistently great. They have filler. So despite having great tracks, this is an example of a lot of forgettable filler surrounding some good singles.
2
Jul 08 2025
2112
Rush
1.5 stars
This is my 2nd Rush album. I was skeptical going into Moving Pictures but was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed it. I was hopeful this would be similar and found it to be tedious prog-slog. Couldn’t get into it.
1
Jul 09 2025
NEU! 75
Neu!
1.5 stars
It didn’t do it for me. Krautrock is not for me. But it wasn’t unlistenable.
2
Jul 10 2025
One Nation Under A Groove
Funkadelic
2.5 stars
I liked it. A bit repetitive and I didn’t feel it all stick with me. But it was enjoyable throughout.
3
Jul 11 2025
Blood On The Tracks
Bob Dylan
3.5 stars
Each song has its own unique and memorable characteristic that makes this an album to return to and keep enjoying. I don’t love it like some but I find it quite enjoyable.
4
Jul 14 2025
The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
4 stars
2 Dylans in a row. This one full of some of his most well known early folk tracks. While I typically am not huge on country, Dylan’s second album is a clear example of some of the best stuff. He makes simple songs with just a guitar and long winded lyrics entrancing. He comes up with creative melodies go fit in his words in ways that sound unique and natural. His music demands listening.
4
Jul 15 2025
Hot Buttered Soul
Isaac Hayes
3 stars
I enjoyed it, although the ultra jam soul can feel a little overindulgent. But perhaps in just not used to it and with time it will grow on me. For now, this was an enjoyable experience I will return to, but has not revolutionized my perspective on soul.
3
Jul 16 2025
Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters
2 years
I’ve known Foo Fighters for over 25 years but don’t think I’ve listened to a full album. While I was familiar with some songs on this, it’s mostly a blind spot.
I can appreciate that this is an impressive recording by Dave Grohl alone. However, taking a step back and comparing with all albums, I don’t know that this fits with a must listen. It has some good tracks, some inoffensive but not memorable tracks, and forgettable things. There is no pull to return to it. Foo Fighters ended up making much better music from here, making this more of a historical document than something you have to experience.
2
Jul 17 2025
Shleep
Robert Wyatt
2 stars
Not really for me, but I liked that it was kind of odd. I fell asleep to it and it was trippy. But I don’t think I’d listen to it for fun.
2
Jul 18 2025
In It For The Money
Supergrass
3.5 stars
Second Supergrass album. I’d never heard them until 2 months ago.
Not as instantly infectious as their debut, but solid songs throughout. Not revolutionary, but a good listen that wasn’t a chore to get through and had me interested in repeat listens.
3
Jul 21 2025
Band On The Run
Paul McCartney and Wings
4 stars
Paul’s best solo record, coming out after a few stumbles (although I’m a fan of Ram). This was the first solo Paul album I listened to and always really enjoyed it. I hadn’t realized how much of this album Paul had done on his own, playing drums, bass, and lead guitar. It definitely does not impact the tightness of the album. Great songs, although it sort of peters out in the end. Side 1 is pretty flawless, Side 2 is less consistent.
4
Jul 22 2025
Surfer Rosa
Pixies
4 stars
A classic. It is perfect in its imperfection. But it is imperfect. Last few songs are solid but not the best. But you can’t go wrong with this album.
4
Jul 23 2025
Hail To the Thief
Radiohead
1.5 stars
This was the first Radiohead album I listened to and it turned me off from the band for years. I don’t know why this made it on the list even temporarily. It’s like an album full of filler tracks. Nothing memorable.
2
Jul 24 2025
Paranoid
Black Sabbath
3 stars
Pet Sounds the day after Brian Wilson died, now Paranoid the day after Ozzy… starting to feel like this isn’t so random…
The first half is like a Greatest Hits album, since literally 3 of their most famous songs (or the only songs average listeners like myself know) are present. And they’re quality songs. As this was my first listen (or at least first that I paid attention to), other songs didn’t stand out particularly. But nothing was a chore. Some generic stuff but other stuff I could probably get into with more listens. Definitely a quality album worthy of the thousands of bands influenced over the 55 years since its release.
3
Jul 25 2025
Tarkus
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
1.5 star
I never listened to ELP, but it sounded just like I imagined. It’s not interesting to me and my attention wanders. I can’t tell the difference between good and bad prog, and I feel like the stuff I do enjoy is the more “poppy” stuff that elitist prog fans wouldn’t consider true prog. But I couldn’t get into this.
1
Jul 28 2025
(Pronounced 'Leh-'Nérd 'Skin-'Nérd)
Lynyrd Skynyrd
4 stars
Is it possible this was chosen because of the release of Happy Gilmore 2, with “Tuesday’s Gone” prominently appearing in the original?
Anyway, never listened to the album, but was familiar with half of it. Was pleasantly surprised. A fun album that rocks, solid songwriting, great guitar work, and classic tracks. Will return to it at some point in the future.
4
Jul 29 2025
Parklife
Blur
2.5 stars
I’ve never understood the hype of this record. I grew up on early Oasis and never really knew much Blur. When they reunited and headlined Coachella I gave their music a listen. I had my sights on this album because of its high praise. And after a few listens, I was baffled. I didn’t get it.
Not that it’s bad. There is enough good music here to satisfy, certainly. But it’s jumbled and overstuffed and forgettable. Nothing about it screamed tentpole for Britpop to me. Listening today didn’t change my mind. I enjoyed aspects and zoned out others. It’s fine.
3
Jul 30 2025
Straight Outta Compton
N.W.A.
3.5 stars
I was anticipating an album full of filler and unnecessary skits. While there was some filler, and the known tracks stand far and above the rest, the album maintains its playability due to the wordplay and variability of the different MCs. Ice Cube stands out as the star from the start, but the rest of the crew keeps up. Although Dr. Dre does sound like he’s doing an LL Cool J impression, which he lost by the time The Chronic hit.
This is an album that changed rap music and pop culture. It’s important for that reason alone. But unlike many examples of albums that were revolutionary at the time, it is still a fun listen. There are moments that do not age well (closing track “Something 2 Dance 2” stands out as a dud to end the album on), and many of the beats can feel repetitive when compared to the many innovations in rap song structure over time, it is still a good listen that opens with 2 of the best gangsta rap songs of all time.
4
Jul 31 2025
Let It Bleed
The Rolling Stones
2.5 stars
My experience with Stones albums, as I mentioned on Sticky Fingers, is that they kill it with a couple of great singles and then load up with filler. This was during their era of doing a lot of country music, including Jagger’s fake Southern twang, and it’s not great. That being said, the first and last songs “Gimme Shelter” and “You Can’t Always get what you want” are 5/5 stone cold classics. They are some of the Stones most overplayed songs but they are fantastic. They do all of the heavy lifting on this record. The countryish songs aren’t terrible- but it’s not interesting enough to make me want to sit through the album. And the other non-country more straight ahead rock n roll isn’t memorable.
The Stones are a greatest hits band. Any of their greatest hits albums would be in the top of all times. But their albums, full Long Plays, are not their strength.
3
Aug 01 2025
Killing Joke
Killing Joke
3 stars
At first listen it felt like something that was for me. I like noisy guitars and post punk. I’ve never been much for industrial and after repeated listens this started to not sound as great to me. Still a good album, but a little grating.
3
Aug 04 2025
Ramones
Ramones
4.5 stars
Simple, straight forward punk rock inspiration. Great short pop songs that blast through. Catchy, enjoyable, and endlessly replayable. While a few tracks are less strong, as a unit it all works. This isn’t just a historical relic to understand how punk rock came to be, this is a great listen that continues to be a fun listen.
5
Aug 05 2025
The Wall
Pink Floyd
3 stars
There is one 5 star album of content in here, in a mix of a bloated pretentiousness. The concept is thin and the least interesting thing about this album.
3
Aug 06 2025
Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots
The Flaming Lips
3.5 stars
A weird and pretty record that has some duller moments but isn’t overly long. It’s got classic tracks and is worth multiple listens.
4
Aug 07 2025
Either Or
Elliott Smith
4 stars
In some ways I always really connect with Elliott Smith’s music and in other ways I always feel a little put off by the lofi quality of his earlier stuff. Either/Or is a transition, with a lot of the lofi qualities still present but a bigger sound thanks to the presence of more drums and electric instruments in some songs. The emotion and songwriting is all there. But his music feels simultaneously relatable in the sadness and darkness that makes you want to curl up in a ball and also pushed away as an outsider to Elliott’s own experience. It’s these qualities that have nothing to do with how good the album is that has kept this from feeling like a 5 star album for me, and it’s never been something I have in rotation, despite liking it quite a bit.
4
Aug 08 2025
Pacific Ocean Blue
Dennis Wilson
2 star
For some reason this one didn’t do it for me. It seemed like a simple record of rock songs that I could just absorb, but none of it would stick. It was like trying to hold onto a lump of sand, it kept slipping through. It wasn’t bad, but it didn’t stick.
2
Aug 11 2025
Rio
Duran Duran
3 stars
After a full listen to the record (not my first, but it’s been a while), I was set on giving it 2.5 stars (rounded down to 2) saying it has some solid hits but a lot of filler. However, I was listening to the Deluxe edition that had a remix of the first half of the album that started right when the album finished. The remix gave me an appreciation for the songwriting and expansive sound of the music, recognizing that the dated production was a drag on the album. Although the rating is not of the remix but of the original album, it helped me to see through the walls that the old production can put up against my modern ears.
3
Aug 12 2025
Metallica
Metallica
3 stars
Another album that is too long but probably has enough good stuff to have been a great 40 minute record. My mind wanders and I stop caring. I forget about how great of an opening “Enter Sandman” is when I’m listening to 3 identical thrashers at minute 50. The singles are solid. Maybe others are good but it didn’t stick.
3
Aug 13 2025
Live 1966 (The Royal Albert Hall Concert)
Bob Dylan
3 stars
I generally don’t like live albums. And this is a bootleg to boot! But the recording was better than I had anticipated. I can see why people like this so much, but to me it is long and not really what I would want to listen to in hearing Dylan. It’s a nice document of the time, but i wouldn’t consider it a top album.
3
Aug 14 2025
Be
Common
4 stars
Solid album with early-Kanye production, great lyrics and flow. Quite soulful. You don’t need a PhD to understand that this is good.
4
Aug 15 2025
Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim
Frank Sinatra
1.5 stars
A collection of not bad music but not very interesting bossanova music that Frank Sinatra sings. Nothing stands out and it reminds me of what albums used to be: a collection of music, some good and many forgettable. Sgt Pepper winning album of the year at the Grammys over this is an indication that even at the time when rock n roll was not given the credibility as an art form they realized that an album can be much more. This isn’t it. I could’ve died without listening to it. But at least it was only 28 minutes.
2
Aug 18 2025
Eliminator
ZZ Top
1.5 stars
Growing up in the 90s I thought ZZ Top was always a joke and never considered cool. I had no idea they were so big in the 80s. Hearing Tres Hombres for the first time I thought “ok there’s some good bluesy rock here.” So I had some hope that another record on this list might be a hidden gem.
I was familiar with most of the singles from this album, and did not particularly care for them. They all just sounded generic and boring. Reading that they intentionally wrote songs at a higher BPM because those were more popular seems obvious now. Having listened to Rio last week which came out around the same time, these songs all sound like “Hungry Like the Wolf” with bluesy riffs added in and less interesting vocals. And I mean all of the songs: they essentially used the same formula for all of them and kept it going. The only saving grace is that the bluesy riffs and competent vocal pieces make it not entirely dreadful to listen to, even if zoning out is inevitable. Pass.
2
Aug 19 2025
Parallel Lines
Blondie
3.5 stars
I’ve casually listened to this album before, but hadn’t really taken a dive in. I mostly remembered the singles. As an album, I have already had repeated listens. While it’s not a masterpiece, it is a fun pop record with some good variety and catchy tunes. I liked it more with each listen (so maybe it would get a full 4 with another).
4
Aug 20 2025
Franz Ferdinand
Franz Ferdinand
3 stars
It’s consistent and catchy. But it feels of the time. You can’t deny the quality of the music, but it feels a little samey and really only works when you’re in a certain mood. But not a dreadful listen in the least.
3
Aug 21 2025
Shadowland
k.d. lang
1.5 stars
This is not for me. I know it’s not objectively bad, but it’s objectively not for me. The singing is good, for the type of music it is. But I was bored the whole time.
2
Aug 22 2025
The Rise & Fall
Madness
1.5 stars
I was hopeful in seeing madness because I enjoy ska. Didn’t realize it wasn’t going to be ska. In fact, it was just lot of boring ultra British dribble. “Our House” stands out because it’s listenable.
I always had a hard time understanding why some British records would be altered, changed, or not released in the US. The Clash self-titled originally not getting a US release, Elvis Costello having “I don’t wanna go to Chelsea” taken off This Year’s Model. But the fact that this album didn’t get a US release makes sense. This album made no sense to me as an American.
Frankly, I’m glad it wasn’t on Spotify. I wouldn’t want this shit anywhere on my algorithm.
But I do like “Our House” so I rounded up.
2
Aug 25 2025
Surf's Up
The Beach Boys
4 stars
I was not familiar with this album at all. I was skeptical. Having only really listened to Pet Sounds all the way though and finding it somewhat overrated (but still good), I wasn’t sure a 70’s Beach Boys album would do much for me. However, I was pleasantly surprised. The album does contrast with expectations of The Beach Boys in a way I feel works. Starting with “Don’t go near the water” has this surreal experience that something is off. It ends up being pretty consistent. While the album does not include anything nearly as perfect as “Wouldn’t it be nice” or “God Only Knows,” I feel like the flow and pace work better than Pet Sounds. Who knew?
It’s still not at all perfect. But I managed to enjoy it all the way through on multiple listens- even songs other complain about like “Student Demonstration Time” I found to be fun and effective. I felt like “Surf’s Up” felt a little out of place on the album, but it may be because I’m familiar with the Smile version having heard Brian Wilson Presents Smile years ago, and knowing how it was supposed to fit more within the flow of its original context. But it is still an interesting track and fits in the same kind of unexpected feeling of the rest of the album. This was a pleasant surprise.
4
Aug 26 2025
Unknown Pleasures
Joy Division
4 stars
Spending my teen years in the early 2000s, I was familiar with music that was deeply inspired by Joy Division before ever hearing the band (Interpol, The Killers). My first exposure was “Love Will Tear Us Apart” in Donnie Darko, which is a top track. Unknown Pleasure is not like that song, which was more of an indication of the direction New Order would go in with a more poppy, new wave sound. This album is a vibe album, and that vibe is gloomy. But the production takes you on a journey. I’ll admit that I have been listening to this album for many years and I don’t remember the names of most of the songs. But as a unit, it’s memorable, the influence is clear, and the stand out tracks are memorable.
I can acknowledge this album isn’t for everyone, and I do believe it is a bit overhyped (not quite the greatest of all time). I don’t return to it too often. But I’m never disappointed when I do.
4
Aug 27 2025
Introducing The Hardline According To Terence Trent D'Arby
Terence Trent D'Arby
1.5 stars
Forgettable. It was like off brand Prince. It wasn’t terrible. But I just didn’t care.
2
Aug 28 2025
Fever Ray
Fever Ray
2 stars
I think I’d like it more if I listened to it more. It’s a grower for me. I’m the same way with Bjork, she never really immediately captures me. The production is good and I didn’t hate it. But this is really not music I would listen to on my own. I’d listen to it in anticipation of Fever Ray being on a festival lineup or to try to impress or please someone who is into this kind of stuff. So I don’t know if I would consider it a must listen. But it’s way better than a lot of things on here.
I will say that the amount of people who mistook Fever Ray for Sugar Ray made me laugh.
2
Aug 29 2025
Fuzzy Logic
Super Furry Animals
3 stars
It’s up my alley- 90s fuzzy guitar. But I’m not going to lie, I listened to it almost 3 times through and I couldn’t hum a song. I know I liked it but it has t stuck yet. That’s 3 stars that is.
3
Sep 01 2025
The Doors
The Doors
4 stars
A classic album. The Doors are unique in their sound and their time and place in rock n roll history. From Jim Morrison’s poetic lyricism to Ray Manzarek’s keyboarding, there’s a little something for everyone… but also things to be annoyed at. The extended keyboard solos aren’t for everyone. And “The End” kind of only works for people who already know about the song and even so, does anyone enjoy all 11 minutes? But I guess it’s important that they did it.
It’s not perfect. There’s a lot of filler on side 2, and that’s assuming “The End” isn’t considered filler. But side one is fantastic.
4
Sep 02 2025
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Kanye West
5 stars
I have a history with this album. It transitioned me from close-minded about contemporary (at the time) hip hop to a fan. This album is huge, with production, guest verses, Kanye’s own flow, and no skippable tracks. This was the culmination of a near perfect first 5 albums (plus Watch the Throne a year later). This album is as close to perfect as Kanye ever got, and the things that fall short of perfect (the excesses of “Runaway” and “Blame Game”) are forgivable in the scheme of things.
Obligatory comments about Kanye being a troubled and troubling person who has only gotten worse with time.
5
Sep 03 2025
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
2.5 stars
A solid, inoffensive bit of rock n roll that has 2 stand out tracks and a bunch of others that are not bad. That’s about it.
3
Sep 04 2025
My Aim Is True
Elvis Costello
3.5 stars
I first heard this album 21 years ago and I’ve been a sucker for it for years. It’s not the best of his first few records, but it’s a great start. The songwriting is varied where it doesn’t feel like there are any throw away tracks, even if there are weaker ones.
I’m trying to honor the spirit of the premise for this generator, which is that we are basing this on the original release from the original country. “Watching the Detectives” would be the best song on the album, but it’s not truly from this album. It was recorded 3 months after the album was released and features a different band (the Attractions). I approve of it being added on the US version, but I don’t credit that as the album itself.
4
Sep 05 2025
Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite
Maxwell
4 stars
This is why I started this project. Covering blind spots. 90s neosoul R&B was not an area I had much background in. I had heard of Maxwell, but did not know his music. This album started out great with some old school funk, added in the slow jams and sexy lyrics. It was mostly consistent throughout, although it wears out a little towards the end. All in all a great listen that feels classic and timeless.
4
Sep 08 2025
White Blood Cells
The White Stripes
2 stars
I’ve made attempts to listen to this album in full for 15 years. You’d think it’s a long double album or something, but it’s a fairly short 40 minutes. It starts out strong and promising. But then it kind of just becomes more of the same or less interesting. After a while I’d end up turning it off and not returning to it for years. I finally got through the whole thing for this, but even that wasn’t in one sitting. I could probably get through it in one sitting- it’s not unbearable or anything. But I just don’t find myself wanting to. So that says a lot to me.
2
Sep 09 2025
Tapestry
Carole King
4.5 stars
A solid record with great songwriting and emotion. Can’t really say too much bad about this, I’d just say I’m not always in the mood for this kind of music and that impacts my enthusiasm for the record.
4
Sep 10 2025
Murder Ballads
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4 stars
I’ve meant to listen to this album for years but never found the reason to do that. I saw Nick Cave at Coachella in 2013 and he killed it with “Stagger Lee.” But I wasn’t sure how a whole album of that would be.
Well, it’s pretty damn good. Great atmosphere, this sick record full of grisly descriptions of death through great storytelling, banging piano and popping drums. It’s unique. Might not be for everyone but I loved it.
4
Sep 11 2025
Qui sème le vent récolte le tempo
MC Solaar
2.5 stars
I guess now I know how people who don’t speak English feel about American music. I liked the beats and groove. The flow sounded good. But because I had no idea what he was saying, it’s difficult to feel like I enjoyed it. I certainly didn’t dislike it. But it’s tough to say I needed to hear it before I die.
I may listen to it in the future in anticipation of a trip to France or something. Or maybe when I need background music where I don’t want to get distracted by lyrics. But otherwise nothing pulling me to return.
3
Sep 12 2025
Frampton Comes Alive
Peter Frampton
2 stars
I don’t like live albums. But I’ll acknowledge this one is well recorded. I know the basics: Peter Frampton hadn’t made much of a splash, and then this live album blew him up. It was the tip selling record of 1976. I buy and sell used records and I come across this a lot. And occasionally people are actually excited about it. But I don’t get it. It’s uninteresting generic rock, live. The singles are catchy, but they’ve never done much for me. It’s not something I will ever submit myself to again.
2
Sep 15 2025
Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
2.5 stars
“Round and round and round we go” kind of summarized my feelings with this album. At times it felt like a chore. But it wasn’t terrible.
I am more familiar with Neil’s popular stuff, “Heart of Gold” and “Don’t Let it Bring You Down” and “Only Love Can Break Your Heart” and such. So when I’d see this album I assumed that his earlier stuff was folky. I was surprised to find a fuzzy jam record with just one more acoustic soft song. It starts off with the 2 strongest tracks, the main ones I can recall with some time. The rest of the records, once again, isn’t bad but didn’t stand out to me. The jams were a little overindulgent, but perhaps I’m so used to this type of music for decades afterwards that I’m not appreciating what this offered in 1969? It’s possible. But for me, this album didn’t feel like a revelation.
2
Sep 16 2025
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Simon & Garfunkel
4 stars
The first time I heard “Bridge Over Troubled Water” it was on a late night infomercial for an Anne Murray CD. Years later when I saw that “The Only Living Boy in New York” was on here (which I loved from Garden State), I bought a beat up vinyl copy from a thrift store. It was so scratched I could barely hear the beginning of the opening title track, until the build up of the wail of a chorus. I remember getting tears in my eyes the first time I listened to it.
A bit dramatic, yes. But the point is to say that I have some history with this one. I love this record. I love the song writing and the singing. I could do without “So Long Frank Lloyd Wright” and I always found “Keep the Customer Satisfied” cheesy. But there is beauty in “The Boxer” and other tracks mentioned above. This one is a keeper.
4
Sep 17 2025
Sunshine Hit Me
The Bees
2 stars
Didn’t know this one, although I recognized “A Minha Menina” from commercials and maybe college radio at the time. General vibes of early 2000s indie. It wasn’t bad, but also not particularly interesting beyond the immediate listen. Didn’t find myself wanting to return to it, other than the song I knew because it brought me back. There is much more indie music in the 2000s that was more influential and I think more listenable that aren’t on this list, so I can see why this was nixed after a few editions.
2
Sep 18 2025
Every Picture Tells A Story
Rod Stewart
3 stars
I honestly didn’t know that Rod Stewart was ever anything but corny cheeseball stuff. Just the way he looks makes me feel that way. As a collector of vinyl I’ve come across many dusty and scratched copies of his records, including this one, but never felt the need to throw it on. So here I was, giving it a go for the first time. I knew “Maggie Mae” but never thought anything of it. But the album really had a rocking vibe to it I was digging. I wouldn’t say it went beyond mild interest, but there were moments of promise. I won’t completely write him off anymore. But I won’t put too much energy into listening to this again. It’s fine.
3
Sep 19 2025
Black Monk Time
The Monks
3 stars
Just learned about this. It’s nice to learn about something that was so groundbreaking for the time. But I wouldn’t listen to this for pleasure.
3
Sep 22 2025
Cloud Nine
The Temptations
2 stars
I was not familiar with this album or its tracks. Not really what I would have expected from my first Temptations album. While I read “Cloud Nine” was a Grammy-winning single, it didn’t do much for me. The rest of the album was similarly kind of generic filler soul. This is the first album was a different lead singer in the group and I feel, from my limited experience and knowledge of the group, that he wasn’t as strong. The album is listenable enough, but doesn’t break through as something worth more than the sum of its parts, and those parts are adequate enough.
2
Sep 23 2025
Blunderbuss
Jack White
3 stars
I remember this album came out and had some buzz around it. I listened to it at the time and wasn’t interested, didn’t get through it. This time around I listened again. It wasn’t special, but it wasn’t bad. In fact, I feel like getting through this album was a little easier than getting through White Blood Cells. But I’m lukewarm on that album. Not a must listen, but not a bad time either.
3
Sep 24 2025
Tanto Tempo
Bebel Gilberto
3.5 stars
I liked it. A smooth listen. I’ll return to it and it’ll probably grow on me. But not sure what else to say.
3
Sep 25 2025
Siamese Dream
The Smashing Pumpkins
4.5 stars
Perhaps if I was there at the time I’d get it. I mean I was but I was like 3. I wasn’t aware of the smashing pumpkins until Adore came out, although I knew their songs from the radio. Anyway…
This album is up my alley. Fuzzy distorted guitar is my jam. But it’s a little overlong. It’s a little much. I like it. I listened to it twice all the way through. But it starts to feel like a chore for that last quarter. That being said, instrumentally it’s brilliant. I never appreciated the drums in their music as much as I did listening to this, and I used to jam to “Cherub Rock” during a brief stint with drums in high school (I clearly didn’t do it justice). It’s a great record. But the length and bloatedness might keep me from repeating it as much as I otherwise would.
4
Sep 26 2025
Led Zeppelin III
Led Zeppelin
3.5 stars
I was going to give this one 3 stars. Because my recollection of it was that it was a 3 star album, propped up by the megastar tracks “Immigrant Song” and “Since I’ve Been Loving You”. The first side has a lot of filler. The melodies on “Celebration Day” and “Out on the Tiles” (aka the intro to “Black Dog” on How the West Was Won) are just not great.
However, just how good the 2nd half had slipped my recollection. Everything but “Hats Off” is phenomenal. I thought the album was slight, but those lighter songs carry a load. The filler weighs it down, but this album still hits.
4
Sep 29 2025
From Elvis In Memphis
Elvis Presley
2 stars
I’m not really into Elvis. Because this was later Elvis and seems to have a reputation I thought maybe it would be different. If it is I can’t tell the difference. It says it’s more soul but I hear the same stuff. It’s just not for me, even though it’s not unlistenable.
2
Sep 30 2025
Hybrid Theory
Linkin Park
2.5 stars
This one brings back memories. I know it’s not a great album, but it was what I needed in fifth grade. Hard enough, an emotional enough.
The sound is very of the time. But “crawling“ and “in the end“ both still hit. And some of the non-singles do as well. It’s pretty consistent and if you hate this kind of thing, you’ll hate it, but if you’re open to it, it’s fine. Not revolutionary, but also not a bad way to spend your time.
3
Oct 01 2025
Dog Man Star
Suede
2 stars
Pretentious and often uninteresting, but not without its moments. One of those things that hit in the UK but don’t know anything about it here and in listening to it I don’t get the hype.
2
Oct 02 2025
Cypress Hill
Cypress Hill
2 stars
I’m sure it sounded good at the time. And it’s not bad. But it all starts to sound the same and just does not have the bandwidth to take up a whole album. Dated and kind of cheesy sounding now.
2
Oct 03 2025
The Rising
Bruce Springsteen
3.5 stars
A little sappy, but good and doesn’t feel overlong despite the fact that it probably is. It’s effective and holds up to his classic stuff.
4
Oct 06 2025
Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea
PJ Harvey
2.5 stars
It all kind of blurred together for me. Some tracks were better than others, but honestly my favorite song was the Thom Yorke song and it was sung by Thom Yorke. That being said, it wasn’t bad. But I wouldn’t recognize these songs in another context.
3
Oct 07 2025
At Newport 1960
Muddy Waters
2 stars
I know it’s revolutionary and influenced everything after it. But cmon, it all sounded the same and was not very interesting. I won’t ever put this on again. But I’m glad it existed when it did so music could become more interesting.
2
Oct 08 2025
Bright Flight
Silver Jews
2.5 stars
This sounds like an album I’d pretend to like in high school but really never finish. It’s not bad but there’s so much music that sounds like this and I don’t really want to listen to it.
2