206
Albums Rated
2.96
Average Rating
19%
Complete
883 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1980
Favorite Decade
Punk
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Critic
Rater Style ?
15
5-Star Albums
15
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
Top Styles
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
If You're Feeling Sinister
Belle & Sebastian
|
5 | 3.18 | +1.82 |
|
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Kanye West
|
5 | 3.41 | +1.59 |
|
Murmur
R.E.M.
|
5 | 3.42 | +1.58 |
|
Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes
|
5 | 3.43 | +1.57 |
|
Five Leaves Left
Nick Drake
|
5 | 3.46 | +1.54 |
|
Funeral
Arcade Fire
|
5 | 3.56 | +1.44 |
|
Ramones
Ramones
|
5 | 3.58 | +1.42 |
|
Scott 2
Scott Walker
|
4 | 2.64 | +1.36 |
|
Superfly
Curtis Mayfield
|
5 | 3.7 | +1.3 |
|
American Idiot
Green Day
|
5 | 3.77 | +1.23 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Brothers
The Black Keys
|
1 | 3.57 | -2.57 |
|
The Dark Side Of The Moon
Pink Floyd
|
2 | 4.43 | -2.43 |
|
2112
Rush
|
1 | 3.38 | -2.38 |
|
Live And Dangerous
Thin Lizzy
|
1 | 3.32 | -2.32 |
|
Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)
Eurythmics
|
1 | 3.24 | -2.24 |
|
Trio
Dolly Parton
|
1 | 3.13 | -2.13 |
|
...The Dandy Warhols Come Down
The Dandy Warhols
|
1 | 3.13 | -2.13 |
|
Coles Corner
Richard Hawley
|
1 | 3.03 | -2.03 |
|
Hot Shots II
The Beta Band
|
1 | 3.01 | -2.01 |
|
Infected
The The
|
1 | 2.92 | -1.92 |
5-Star Albums (15)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
N.W.A. · 1 likes
4/5
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.
Paul Simon · 1 likes
2/5
2 stars
I hadn’t listened to Graceland but knew it by reputation. I had a feeling I knew what it would be like and it wasn’t too far off. There were moments that were better than I would expect but for the most part cheesy adult contemporary and not anything I’d spend time on for any other reason.
Arcade Fire · 1 likes
5/5
5 stars
This band has become somewhat of a stand in for 2000s hipster cringe, so when I find myself giving it 5 stars there’s a hesitancy I experience. But when I listen, I’m transported to a time 20+ years ago when Arcade Fire weren’t a known band by the masses (pre Who the Hell are the Suburbs?).
I remember seeing AF perform “Laika” on Conan the fall of 2004. I was a freshman in high school and I was enraptured. Wild pack of weirdos wearing football helmets that they banged on, wailing like it was the most important song on earth, with an accordion!? It was amazing. The sweet ending of Regine singing “the police disco lights” capped it off. I needed to know this band. I immediately illegally downloaded the album (the only way I consumed music at the time) and burned a CD with the name of the band and album title scribbled on. It became a staple of my CD wallet is carry around and listen to on my discman.
The album is consistent. They are singing like it’s the most important album ever, and they were a scrappy bunch of weirdos who had no reason to think they were important other than their passion for what they were doing. The emotion works. Banger after banger. Every song hits. The one thing is knock it is something I remember writing in my epinions.com review of it at the time (which was probably titled something like “A Funeral Worth Atrening”): many of the songs end with a shift into dancey (Tunnels, Crown of Love, Wake Up) that I’ve grown to love but also maybe is a bit predictable? I don’t know. My bias is 100% a factor in how I view this album, but I can’t experience it as anything but a 5/5.
1-Star Albums (15)
All Ratings
R.E.M.
5/5
Love it
Marvin Gaye
3/5
Great title track. Album feels a little samey, but a good listen.
Aretha Franklin
4/5
Really good, a few less memorable tracks
R.E.M.
3/5
Second half is meh
The Strokes
5/5
Amazing of course
Herbie Hancock
2/5
Definitely have to be in the mood for it. Interesting but don’t love it.
The Clash
5/5
Obviously
Love
3/5
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.
Tears For Fears
3/5
Great! But doesn’t feel like a real album, lotsa filler.
Pink Floyd
2/5
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
The Jesus And Mary Chain
2/5
One note and just kinda there.
Richard Hawley
1/5
Sleepy. Not really for me.
Arrested Development
3/5
Some good stuff but a little padded.
Sex Pistols
2/5
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.
Rush
4/5
Fleet Foxes
5/5
Good one!
Gorillaz
3/5
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.
The KLF
1/5
Not for me. It was boring and just the same thing. It felt like parody. But maybe I just don’t get it.
Green Day
3/5
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.
Fleetwood Mac
2/5
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.
Dolly Parton
1/5
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.
The Specials
4/5
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!
The Smiths
3/5
3 stars
Starts off great but peters out towards the end.
Marvin Gaye
3/5
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.
AC/DC
2/5
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.
Le Tigre
4/5
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.
The Beta Band
1/5
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.
Belle & Sebastian
5/5
5 stars
A perfect, delicate piece of pop. Catchy, emotional, slight yet confident. This record is a delight.
Yes
2/5
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.
LCD Soundsystem
3/5
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.
The The
1/5
1 star
Boring, bland, and instantly forgettable.
Radiohead
5/5
5 stars
Amazing sophomore album that set them on their way to become legendary. Some of their best songs and not a bad track.
Tim Buckley
2/5
2 stars
Some good, inventive stuff. But a lot of wandering aimlessly. I’m all for experimental but it was not a pleasant experience.
Queen
3/5
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.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
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.
Portishead
3/5
Inventive and interesting. I was able to listen to it all the way through a few times although it did put me to sleep.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
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.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
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.
The Who
4/5
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.
The Residents
1/5
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.
The Beach Boys
3/5
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.
Supergrass
4/5
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.
Curtis Mayfield
5/5
5 stars
A funky masterpiece. Great front to back. No complaints.
Lucinda Williams
4/5
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.
The Dandy Warhols
1/5
Impressively boring.
Deep Purple
2/5
2.5 stars
Some nice jams but generally run of the mill rock n roll. I could have died without listening to it.
The Black Keys
1/5
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.
Earth, Wind & Fire
3/5
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!
Christina Aguilera
3/5
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.
Eurythmics
1/5
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.
Kraftwerk
4/5
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!
Leonard Cohen
2/5
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.
Beatles
5/5
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.
Mylo
3/5
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.
Britney Spears
3/5
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.
Drive-By Truckers
2/5
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.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
2/5
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.
Rush
1/5
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.
Neu!
2/5
1.5 stars
It didn’t do it for me. Krautrock is not for me. But it wasn’t unlistenable.
Funkadelic
3/5
2.5 stars
I liked it. A bit repetitive and I didn’t feel it all stick with me. But it was enjoyable throughout.
Bob Dylan
4/5
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.
Bob Dylan
4/5
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.
Isaac Hayes
3/5
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.
Foo Fighters
2/5
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.
Robert Wyatt
2/5
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.
Supergrass
3/5
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.
Paul McCartney and Wings
4/5
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.
Pixies
4/5
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.
Radiohead
2/5
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.
Black Sabbath
3/5
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.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
1/5
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.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
4/5
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.
Blur
3/5
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.
N.W.A.
4/5
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.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
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.
Killing Joke
3/5
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.
Ramones
5/5
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.
Pink Floyd
3/5
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.
The Flaming Lips
4/5
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.
Elliott Smith
4/5
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.
Dennis Wilson
2/5
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.
Duran Duran
3/5
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.
Metallica
3/5
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.
3/5
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.
Common
4/5
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.
Frank Sinatra
2/5
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.
ZZ Top
2/5
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.
Blondie
4/5
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).
Franz Ferdinand
3/5
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.
k.d. lang
2/5
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.
Madness
2/5
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.
The Beach Boys
4/5
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.
Joy Division
4/5
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.
Terence Trent D'Arby
2/5
1.5 stars
Forgettable. It was like off brand Prince. It wasn’t terrible. But I just didn’t care.
Fever Ray
2/5
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.
Super Furry Animals
3/5
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.
The Doors
4/5
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.
Kanye West
5/5
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.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
3/5
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.
Elvis Costello
4/5
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.
Maxwell
4/5
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.
The White Stripes
2/5
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.
Carole King
4/5
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.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
4/5
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.
MC Solaar
3/5
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.
Peter Frampton
2/5
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.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
2/5
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.
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
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.
The Bees
2/5
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.
Rod Stewart
3/5
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.
The Monks
3/5
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.
The Temptations
2/5
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.
Jack White
3/5
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.
Bebel Gilberto
3/5
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.
The Smashing Pumpkins
4/5
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.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
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.
Elvis Presley
2/5
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.
Linkin Park
3/5
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.
Suede
2/5
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.
Cypress Hill
2/5
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.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
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.
3/5
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.
Muddy Waters
2/5
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.
Silver Jews
2/5
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.
Johnny Cash
3/5
2.5 stars
Not a bad recording for an old live album. There’s good energy to the music and it’s a good historical document of a certain kind of thing. But I wouldn’t really listen to this for fun.
Echo And The Bunnymen
4/5
4 stars
Such a wonderful, huge, sweeping record. It sounds larger than life and it is a fun ride. I’ve grown to love middle tracks like “Yo-Yo Man” and “Thorn of Crowns” but I recognize that they are weaker and the album drags a bit. But “The Killing Moon” is a bonafide classic and the rest of the album is a fitting frame for it.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
4 stars
This is my second CCR album in here and my comment on Green River was that CCR are more of a singles band than an album band. And that’s true with this record too. It’s just that they have 6 singles on this album, so it’s much more significant than on albums with 2 or so. And these are some of their best ones: “Run Through the Jungle,” “Travelin’ Band,” “Lookin’ Out my Back Door,” “Up Around the Bend,” and I’ll stop there just to avoid listing them all. While some of the non-single tracks suffer from generic bluesy rock n roll syndrome, the opening and closing tracks are quite effective and take the album up another level than if it was just the singles and Elvis impersonator tracks. I’ll acknowledge that the 11+ minute version of “Heard it through the Grapevine” is a bit overindulgent, but not to the point of being unpleasant. This is a good one.
Metallica
4/5
4 stars
This is my 2nd Metallica album and I was impressed. I wasn’t sure that I’d like it much but it was legitimately good. A solid record. I don’t remember the whole thing and some parts dragged but all in all it was good. I knew “One” before but the rest was all new. I’ll listen again.
The Pogues
4/5
4.5 stars
This was a good find and a surprise. Infectiously fun, this album is full of anthems that made me want to do a drunken jig throughout. But seriously, it was enjoyable all the way through.
Dire Straits
2/5
2 stars
I always kinda liked “Sultans of Swing.” I honestly had no idea that Dire Straits were as big as they reportedly were. I haven’t heard Brothers in Arms yet, but it better be better than this. It was technically fine but generally uninteresting dad noodling. I wouldn’t listen to it again.
Michael Kiwanuka
2/5
2 stars
It wasn’t bad. But I can’t say it really held my attention. It would fit in as the score for a quirky indie comedy in the 2010s. But the kind that you wouldn’t remember the name of a would never pick when it comes up on Netflix.
Lou Reed
2/5
2 stars
This album is overrated. Lou Reed generally, to me, is an acquired taste. Some people will never really like him. I enjoy a good amount of Velvet Underground. But his solo music, of which this is pretty much all I’ve listened to, has limited appeal. While I like some of the songs, they all feel like demos in that they don’t feel fully produced and fleshed out. And I get it that perhaps it’s a stylistic choice but it doesn’t appeal to me. So while I enjoy “Walk on the Wildside” and “Vicious,” singles “Perfect Day” and “Satellite of Love” feel like decently written songs that aren’t as good coming out of Lou Reed’s mouth.
Beatles
3/5
3.5 stars
It’s the fucking Beatles. It’s hard to not compare them to themselves and by those standards some albums are lesser when in the scheme of things they’re solid. I think this album suffers from being nearly half covers and overall lesser songs for the band, although the sound and energy for the time was clearly transformative for the genre. It’s not at the top of my list of Beatles records one must listen to, but it’s still a good listen.
Ice T
3/5
2.5 stars
Over long. Too many tracks, too many skits- a victim of its time. There are good songs and good rhymes but it starts to blend together. I’d take a few of the tracks and ditch the album.
Fairport Convention
2/5
2.5 stars
It wasn’t a bad listen but it was forgettable for me. I didn’t actively hate it but I wouldn’t say I enjoyed the listen. It was generic in a genre I don’t have extensive interest in.
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
5 stars
I try to listen to every album I get, even when I’m quite familiar with them. But I’m a bit behind and Rumours is an album I’ve listened to enough to know my opinion well. I first bought the album 21 years ago after being familiar with around half the tracks from pop culture osmosis or classic rock radio. I loved it from the beginning and have listened to the album in full countless times. It is an album where the known tracks are the best, but the deeper cuts are also quality. I know every song and even the ones that aren’t bangers have an important contribution to the overall album. Great songwriting, singing, harmonies, and instrumentation. Softer rock in the year that punk rock was exploding in the US and UK, and it still managed to rock. It’s solid!
David Bowie
2/5
2.5 stars
When this album was announced I didn’t listen to it. I had determined that older music acts releasing things in their elder years was always a disappointment, so I skipped it, even with the hype. Same with Black Star. But I listened for this and was interested. I was glad to hear Bowie sounding so energetic and like he was having a great time. It made me wish he had toured one last time and I had seen him live- but he may not have been in a condition for that to go well.
That being said, while this is “good” by the standards of elder rocker late album, I think it is much to say it’s an album anyone must listen to before they die. I enjoyed it but can’t see myself returning to it unless it’s for a chore like this.
Michael Jackson
5/5
4.5 stars
Sometimes everyone gets behind an album and get it completely wrong. This is not one of those cases. One of the best selling records of all time is the way for a reason. It is loaded with hits. Side 2 is almost flawless (“The Lady in my Life” is a dullish ending). Some of the production feels a little dated, but the music is so good it is forgivable.
All of that said, obviously the allegations against MJ have tainted everything he has done. Makes it tough because he was a master at his craft. But it has to be noted.
Thin Lizzy
1/5
1.5 stars
What am I supposed to do with this? A double album of crappy rock I don’t want to listen to, but it’s live? It’s not for me. Maybe there’s something to appreciate here but I didn’t.
TV On The Radio
2/5
1.5 stars
I couldn’t remember why when there was a lot of hype on this band I never really listened to them. But right away into this album I remember giving “Return to Cookie Mountain” a try and finding it underwhelming and not getting it. I felt similarly about this album. It had its moments, but overall I felt like it was music that I may have pretended to like in pseudo intellectual conversations with hipster teens in the 00s, but would never have had any genuine interest in or experience authentic joy in listening to. I wanted to feel differently, but in the end it fell flat for me.
The Smiths
4/5
4 stars
I loved the Smiths first album and enjoyed their second when I was in high school. I didn’t get around to this one at the time. Little did I know it is their most beloved. I was familiar with “Frankly Mr Shankly” and “Bigmouth Strikes Again” but that was it. The booming introductory title track is a whole other level for them. The momentum doesn’t keep up and some of the slower songs drag on. But overall it’s a great record. I still prefer their self titled, but this is an improvement over Meat is Murder.
De La Soul
3/5
3.5 stars
This is a great and influential hip hop record that I appreciate more than I enjoy. While singles like “3 is a magic number” and “Me Myself and I” are undeniable classics, the album feels overlong and some of the tracks feel their age. While the sampling in this era of hip hop is impressive, the beats and rhyme schemes can often feel repetitive, making the listening experience for a 1 hour record a bit trying. I was glad that the skits were extremely brief. I’ll return to it and it may increase in my opinion over time. I’ve listened to much of the album in the past but this was my first full listen and it didn’t grab me as much as I thought it would.
Steely Dan
4/5
4 stars
It’s both undeniably good and also kind of just there. I could take it or leave it. But if it’s playing there’s a lot to like. Soft dad energy jazz rock.
Elton John
3/5
2.5 stars
It starts off with promise and then goes into a lot of forgettable tunes. Didn’t need to be a double album. I feel like that is said about 90% of double albums. The art of 75+ minute records that people would have to flip 3x is not relevant anymore. But there are enough good tunes to make it not terrible.
The Magnetic Fields
2/5
2 stars
Yesterday I commented on how double albums were an aged concept and I got a 3 hour triple album. I’ll watch my tongue…
It’s obviously outrageous and overstuffed with nonsense. There’s some good stuff sure, but is it really an album? It’s abstract art. It’s something else. This is less an album you must listen to and more of, at best, an album you must hear of. It’s a chore to get through and it’s not worth finding the songs that are good and compiling them into a reasonable length playlist.
Queen
3/5
3 stars
I wanted to hate on it, and some parts of it weren’t great. But I was digging it more than I thought. “Bohemia Rhapsody” is a bonafide classic, but the album has to be more than that and it is. But not so much more.
Miles Davis
2/5
2.5 stars
I don’t know if there’s something I’m missing about jazz. I understand that this is a representation of a shift in jazz, a “birth” of you will… but it just sounds like what “jazz music” is to me. Sure, it’s not as esoteric or mind boggling as some experimental 20 minute tracks can be, but it doesn’t sound so different than more straight forward stuff I’ve heard in the background for most of my life. And perhaps that is more of a testament to how much I’m used to bebop/postbop/whatever that I take for granted that jazz was different before. I liken this to old blues records like Muddy Waters: I can appreciate what it did for music and how it inspired music I enjoy today, but this stuff is not something I would actually listen to. And if this list is called albums you MUST listen to before you die, I think that classification doesn’t fit. But apparently many people would disagree with me.
That being said, the songs are all quick and the album is brief. It’s all quite listenable. It’s not at all a pain in the ass to get through. So I’ll give it points for that over many things on this list.
R.E.M.
3/5
3.5 stars
The 2 early 90s REM records were the first of their albums I listened to and thought i just wasn’t into the band. Years later I discovered their fabulous first 5 releases (EP + first 4 LPs). And with some context I eventually returned to Automatic for the People. It still doesn’t reach the height of their early work, but there is good stuff here. I don’t think it all works. I don’t have a deep affection for it or anything. There’s better 90s stuff to listen to.
Alice Cooper
2/5
2 stars
I guess the genre “hard rock” just means kind of generic rock? It’s competent and not unlistenable, but also not too interesting. That’s including the self titled single that I never cared for. I give it points for being not too long and for some decent instrumental moments, but I’ll never put this on again.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
4 stars
Before I started this project I started on my own listening to the albums on this list starting with the year 1990. This is the first album from that year I’ve had so far in this project so I knew how I felt about it. This was in my top 3 of 1990. But it also wasn’t a strong year for albums I must say.
I like a lot of this because it’s loud and fuzzy. It’s my kind of music. The songs are a little over long, but it feels like chill jams so I can groove with it. I love the confidence of a guy over 20 years into his career putting out an album this raw. I’ve already given the album a few listens and know I’ll come around to it again.
Nick Drake
5/5
4.5 stars
Maybe this is just a perfect rainy day album and I got lucky with the timing. I knew I would like Nick Drake. I even may have listened to some of these songs before. But this was my first time and it was a great experience. I went through it twice and it’s going on my rotation. Im sure I’ll get around to his other albums. But a good start.
Patti Smith
4/5
4 Stars
I have been familiar with the fact that Patti Smith exists for many years, since reading the oral history of punk rock "Please Kill Me" which described her influence on punk rock music. A few years later in high school I heard an excerpt of "Gloria: In Excelsis Deo" and though it was interesting but never pursued it more. Then when I started collecting vinyl I came across Horses one day and bought it. I may have listened to it all the way through but I don't remember it. I thought of it more as a relic than an album.
So when I got this album, I thought it would be another case of an album that has value as a part of musical history but isn't so much an enjoyable record in itself. But when I put it on, I quickly realized I was wrong. The influence on punk music is clear, but the freshness of the music and the raw emotion is still enjoyable. Some of the spoken word stuff is a little harder to get through, but honestly it is not too over indulgent in that regard. The record is solid all the way through and I now finally view it as a genuine classic. This is good stuff and deserves the acclaim.
The Who
2/5
2 stars
We don't need no live albums. The Who were clearly a good live band, and having that documented is great. But we don't need to pretend like this is a must listen to album. It's not an album, it's something else entirely. I only listened to the original version because why would I listen to the entire concert? The album was what they released on vinyl, so I only had to do 40 minutes of it.
Kanye West
3/5
3 stars
This album brings me back. After MBDTF and Watch the Throne, Kanye was at God status. And he knew it… hence the album title and song “I Am a God.” This album is a product of its time and it pushed boundaries. There are bangers here. But there is also a lot of overindulgent bullshit that drags the album. It doesn’t outweigh the good, but it keeps the album from perfection and really from being as good as some of the stans who give it perfect stars say it is. But the half that is good is top Ye status.
Obligatory comment about how Kanye is problematic. Also I think it’s hilarious that one of the top words for this album is Nazi, so I had to put the word in my write up.
Joni Mitchell
4/5
4 stars
Discovered this album when researching best break up albums. It’s a good one. Her style is unique and can be a little much for some, but the songwriting is good and the album flows well. It holds up and is more enjoyable than most of the folk by men on this list.
Buck Owens
2/5
2 stars
I’ll never listen to this again and a lot of it sounded the same to me. But I didn’t hate myself for listening to it and it was short so I appreciate it for that. Just does nothing for me.
Buena Vista Social Club
3/5
3.5 stars
Possibly worthy of a higher score, but this is something that was pleasant yet i don’t have a frame of reference of what to compare it to or how to rate it. I liked it and will return to it when the mood is right or as background music for busy work, but I’m not sure how much better it is than that impression for me.
Frank Ocean
4/5
4 stars
Frank Ocean came around at a good time for me. Based on a lot of the mixed perception of this album I think if I were younger or older I might not have appreciated it. But I was one of the people anticipating the drop of this album after his mixtape Nostalgia Ultra. And he delivered on it. There are better and worse tracks, but no true skips, sans interludes that are not necessary even if they are supposed to add a connective element to the album. It doesn’t feel too long even though it could be shorter. This is definitive 2010s R&B and will get plenty of replay from me over the years, as it has since it was released.
Genesis
2/5
2 stars
Another example of prog rock that was just not for me. This was better and somewhat more enjoyable than ELP but all in all was not something I want to revisit.
I did find it amusing that they had 3 weeks to write the songs and they create this intricate work where most modern artists take years to come up with relatively simple mediocre works.
Anyway, I can hear the talent of the band and clearly Gabriel and Collins showed their talent over time. But the whole was not something of interest to me.
Liz Phair
4/5
4 stars
90s female singer songwriters are a soft spot for me since my first musical love was Alanis Morrisette. I wouldn’t be surprised to find out that Alanis listened to Exile in Guyville, even though it’s not really similar sounding and generally poppier.
I first heard this album in 2017 when I was looking for break up albums to mope to. This didn’t quite fit the brief, but was enjoyable and I took note. I enjoyed what I listened to, but I don’t know that I have the full album a complete listen front to back. In doing so for this project my initial reaction was that it was enjoyable and light. But I found myself wanting to give it a second listen right when it finished, which is a good sign. I listened more intently and appreciated it more. Each song is well written and unique. There is a lot of character in it. It flows well, and the songs have an emotional impact. I will continue to listen and it may grow on my list.
The Notorious B.I.G.
3/5
3.5 stars
“Juicy” might be one of the best rap songs of all time. And this album is generally an amazing debut. But the skits and the unnecessary excess of tracks that don’t really add to the quality hold it back. Biggie clearly has the chops to be considered one of the best of all time, but this album shows the tiring tropes of its time, misogyny, braggadocio, and emphasis on violence, over decent beats. I’ll listen to the good tracks again and again, but the album as a whole? Nah.
Massive Attack
2/5
2 stars
I know it isn’t necessarily bad music, but I couldn’t grasp onto any of it. It was background music in the foreground. The loops and breathless flow failed to hook me and I found myself wondering why I’ve heard so much good stuff about Massive Attack. I don’t see myself ever returning to this.
Hugh Masekela
4/5
3.5 stars
I’ve been iffy on jazz and double albums so far. And a jazz double album really sounded like something I would be cold on. But this got me. It rocked. It wasn’t bland or boring. It was vibrant and exciting. I loved it. It was still too long, but will probably grow for me with more listens. Saved.
Blue Cheer
2/5
2.5 stars
Never heard of them and barely remember it. While I know this was revolutionary in a way, it also sounds kind of generic in retrospect. It’s a good document of the time but I wouldn’t put this on again. Can’t imagine I’d have a reason to. But I was glad it was just over 30 minutes.
Radiohead
3/5
2.5 stars
I’ve never been crazy about this album the handful of times I’ve listened before. Even though it was recorded at the same time as Kid A, if feels like a transition between Kid A and the mediocre HttT. But when I listen I remember that there’s a lot to like to the music. It just doesn’t really flow as an album to me. The pacing feels off. Some of the songs feel less impactful. But there are good songs and I don’t hate it when it’s over the way I do with their next record. But don’t know if it’s a must listen, particularly for people who aren’t fans of the band, considering they have at least 4 better albums.
Van Morrison
3/5
3.5 stars
I say it every time, but enough of the live albums. Very rarely are these must listen records. This is good. I like Van Morrison and it has some good songs. But it also has mediocre covers that were probably fun to see live at the time. And all of the extended versions with the crescendos… it’s a bit much. Not the worst live album, but I don’t need to ever listen to it again.
U2
3/5
2.5 Stars
This is an album I’ve tried a few times and I’ve never been blown away from it. It’s not bad, although sometimes bland. It’s probably more of a “you needed to be there” kind of thing, as many lost it as one of the best albums of the 90s and to me that is clearly not right. But “One” is a great (although overplayed) song. I’m iffy on the other singles, and some of the non singles are interesting enough. But I have this one 2 listens over the weekend, after a history of never getting through it over a number of attempts, and I’ve landed on it’s fine but I will never return to it on my own accord.
The Cars
3/5
3 stars
This is a perfect example of a good album that I’ve listened to a bunch and will continue to listen to but that is not necessarily an album one must listen to before they die. It’s good but it’s not spectacular. The Cars are a “fine” band and is their finest album.
Astrud Gilberto
3/5
2.5 stars
This was light and simple. I enjoyed it, it was pretty and straight forward and short. It made me want to listen to more of this type of music that wasn’t trying to bring in the western influence. I don’t know that if rises to great lengths but definitely enjoyable and I’d listen again.
Jean-Michel Jarre
2/5
1.5 stars
There’s no reason I should be listening to this outside of watch a B-movie about aliens, being high out of my mind, or both. I’m sure it’s revolutionary but I’ll never listen to this front to back again.
Manic Street Preachers
2/5
1.5 stars
The UK was into some stuff that made no impact on the US whatsoever. This album was rated best album of 1996 by NME. But it’s boring, generic, forgettable pop rock.
Here are better albums from 1996:
The Score- The Fugees
Odelay- Beck
Evil Empire- Rage Against the machine
Pinkerton- Weezer
All Eyez On Me- 2pac
Being There- Wilco
If You’re Feeling Sinister- Belle and Sebastian
To name a few…
Oasis
3/5
3 stars
I always stay this album expecting it to be the time I see what the fuss is all about. This album is beloved by some, voted as the best album of all time but some people in NME I think? But that’s laughable! Not because it’s bad, but because it clearly isn’t better than so many albums! There are some good, even great songs on this album. But there is so much generic boring stuff too and I never feel like getting through the whole thing. Their follow up was much better in my opinion, and then like most Americans I know nothing of their work post-1997. But this album is definitely maybe just fine.
Frank Zappa
2/5
2.5 stars
Really, this isn’t for me. I enjoyed some bits of it- I don’t mind the whole jazzy prog thing. But it’s a little much and not enjoyable as a whole. Just not really for me.
Hookworms
3/5
3 stars
I never heard of this but this is something I would have been into in high school. I don’t know how much it would stand out in a line up of indie music but it’s a good time. I enjoyed it and would put it on again or listen to their other albums. But not revolutionary.
N.E.R.D
1/5
1.5 stars
I don’t really feel like there was anything that redeemed this one. There wasn’t a single stand out track. The instrumentation is simplistic. This doesn’t belong anywhere near this list.
Scott Walker
4/5
3.5 stars
I knew nothing of this before getting this album. Not Scott Walker or this album. I enjoyed it. Baroque, theatrical, evocative, silly. It sounds classic and unique. I’ll listen to it and more of his stuff, although it might take me some time to remember to…
Paul Simon
2/5
2 stars
I hadn’t listened to Graceland but knew it by reputation. I had a feeling I knew what it would be like and it wasn’t too far off. There were moments that were better than I would expect but for the most part cheesy adult contemporary and not anything I’d spend time on for any other reason.
The Killers
3/5
2.5 stars
It’s difficult to separate this album from nostalgia, as this was a huge record during my freshman year of high school. Everyone knew it. I had it then and definitely enjoyed the first half of the record. But I always felt iffy on the second half, particularly the terrible closing track “Everything Will Be Alright.”
With over 20 years to reflect on, the first half mostly holds up as solid pop new wave/post punk revival. “Mr. Brightside” is one of the top songs of the 00s. It represents that era of backward looking music well. But it also falls flat of being bigger than that. It’s difficult to imagine this being something necessary to listen to if you weren’t around then. But it serves well as a document of what the rising popularity of mainstream “indie” music was like in the mid 00s.
Pulp
2/5
2 stars
I’ll admit that reading about this album and what it represents in the context of 90s britpop is more interesting than listening to the album. I don’t get all of those things from just listening to it. It’s not a bad album, and there are good songs. But overall it just kind of blends together for me and isn’t much of a listening experience. I prefer their previous 2 albums and don’t think I’d listen to the album all the way through again.
Soft Cell
3/5
3 stars
I first heard this album from a review exchange when I would write for epinions when I was 13. A 40-something Gen Xer gave me this album and I gave him the LA punk band X Los Angeles album.
My take away then is not so far off from how it lands for me now. There is catchy stuff on here. In fact, I haven’t listened to the album in years but I still remembered almost all the songs, which is saying something. I wouldn’t say I love it or that I’d return to it out of my own interest but it is not a bad time.
Various Artists
4/5
4 stars
It’s difficult to think of this as an album because it’s not something you’d listen to year round. It is so tied to the season. And it is not the work of one artist, unless you count Phil Spector. But this truly is perhaps the best Christmas record of all time. The songs are timeless- although they are also clearly a product of their time. It’s brief but it gets right to the point and doesn’t linger. It’s one song of another of Christmas pop tunes that are in and out.
Pearl Jam
3/5
2.5 stars
I’ve never been huge into Pearl Jam, and have never listened to this album in full before this listen, although I know the singles pretty well. At the end of the day the singles are undeniable classics, the rest is forgettable, and it doesn’t really sit as an amazing album.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
2/5
2 stars
I like reggae. But I’ll acknowledge that a lot of it blends together. I don’t know that I’ve listened to a full reggae album- just compilations like Bob Marley Legend and The Harder They Come soundtrack. Natty Dread did not change my opinion. It wasn’t bad, but it didn’t stand out. The one song I knew before, “No Woman No Cry,” is more well known for its live version on Legend. And the live version is better, even if this one isn’t bad. Overall this is decent background music but it wouldn’t say it did anything for me that made me want to listen again other than have a feeling like surprise it was over and I didn’t remember it.
Sebadoh
2/5
1.5 stars
I like fuzzy guitar loud distorty 90s music. But I also dislike a lot of lofi music in the same genre because it sounds more like a bumbling mess than an expression of emotion through use of said noise. This album felt like an opening act that was going for something but I wasn’t vibing with. Maybe others would but I couldn’t. I won’t listen to this again.
Death In Vegas
1/5
1.5 stars
I had never heard of this. Then I looked at the Wikipedia and the top thing about the album was that they were included in the 1001 album list… never a good sign.
The band name alone is worth 1 star. But this album does not have an identity, it is random, formless, feels like a B sides record for a bad that isn’t even that good to begin with. There are hints of decent moments, but all in all it’s forgettable. I found myself wanting to skip it and as a rule I haven’t done that yet with this experiment.
Joni Mitchell
4/5
4.5 stars
A sprawling album that unravels like a dream. The songs share a vibe and tone but also stand on their own. The music is jazzy and dreamy and it just glides. I really enjoyed this album. I’ve listened to this album once before but for this I really listened, and did so twice.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
3/5
3 stars
I thought I’d like this more than I did. I’m quite familiar with the singles and would even say they’re among my favorites from the group, although I don’t consider myself a huge fan. The only album I’ve listened to all the way through is By the Way and I still prefer that over this album. It was their follow up to this and they finally took the “risk” of avoiding the cringy funk rap nonsense. Where the return to it on Californication it sounds like teenagers trying to recreate that sound and does not fit well with the maturity shown in their more melodic songs. Even the non-funk rap non singles are kind of throwaway. But the strength of the opening half (minus “Get On Top”) is enough to hold a steady 3 stars.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
3/5
3 stars
This is my third Neil Young album and I have a feeling there are many more to go. But it’s also the second album I’m already familiar with and I only really know about 3 of his albums so I haven’t gotten too much out of familiar territory.
I first picked up this on vinyl during the period when NY wasn’t on Spotify. I heard “My My Hey Hey” on the radio and was taken with it. I had only really listened to Gold Rush and Harvest era Neil Young so it was interesting to me. The acoustic vs electric works for the album, and knowing why there are subtle audience sounds makes sense, but it is a bit weird. The acoustic stuff works but drags a little and Young’s voice can take a toll. Electric side has its moments but also doesn’t feel fully fleshed out. In the end listening this time I enjoyed it more than I remembered but don’t see this as an album the masses must listen to before they die, but could still be considered (possibly) a highlight of Neil Young albums.
David Bowie
4/5
4 stars
Trying to get into David Bowie in a few months as a 14 year old was tough. I first got Best of Bowie CD. Then stated with Ziggy Stardust, a perfect album. Then Hunky Dory, beautiful stuff. I went to Aladdin Sane next and I was … disappointed. I felt like the soft beauty was gone and I didn’t like it. I thought it was too slapdash. For the last 20 years I’ve mostly shrugged off the album as famous for the cover but otherwise mediocre. But my listen today was a revelation. It reminded me of how exciting this album is. I appreciated the variety, the theatrical aspects, the rawness of the banging piano. I always hated the cover of “Let’s Spend the night together” but I can now appreciate the way it exemplifies how quickly culture changed from the need for innuendo to full on sexual content in music.
It’s not perfect, it has draggy moments. But I really love it all. No song is a 100% skip. Bowie in the 70s was on fire.
Red Snapper
2/5
2 stars
It was forgettable 90s euro techno style music with some acoustic components. Only moment that got me was “Belladonna,” a surprise little slow number towards the end. It wasn’t terrible to listen to but I otherwise didn’t care.
Dinosaur Jr.
4/5
4.5 stars
Man this shit rocks! I knew Dinorsaur Jr. I’ve listened to You’re Living All Over Me. But I’ll admit that I was been crazy about them. Like they’re good but they’re not my favorite. And they are the framework for some of my favorite music and bands of all time. But anyway, Bug is good. It’s not perfect. First time threw it kind of washed over me. The last song is a dud. Reminded me of Sebadoh… which I didn’t like. But it’s good shit I’ll blast for sure.
The Band
2/5
2.5 stars
I always felt like I had to like this because hipster guys would love singing along to “The Weight” in high school. But it’s just fine. I don’t care more for it than I need to and i won’t really listen to this again.
Beastie Boys
4/5
3.5 stars
Half of this album is classics I’ve known most of my life. The rest is just fine to pretty good. It’s Beastie Boys.
Cyndi Lauper
4/5
3.5 stars
I didn’t think I’d enjoy it as much as I did. But it’s got 4 hits and a Prince cover. Even with a few forgettable tracks and a bad closer it’s a fun time. Synth pop goodness.
Tom Waits
2/5
2 stars
It’s not for me. I could appreciate what it had going for it and maybe was mildly amused by some of it. But it was too much of the same and too long. The shtick wore off.
The Temptations
2/5
2.5 stars
It’s not bad. But a lot of 70s funk-inspired soul goes on too long and I wasn’t into the 12 minutes “Papa was a rolling stone.” And the cover of “The First Time I Ever Saw Her face” cover was just a recreation of the original. I wouldn’t listen to this again.
Songhoy Blues
4/5
4 stars
A rare moment of something cool that I knew nothing about before. This is interesting, fun, sounds great, and is not overly long. It makes me want to return to it. I was a bit worried going in but came out enjoying it a lot.
The Doors
4/5
4 stars
Album with a handful of great tracks, the ones you’re thinking of. And then there are album tracks that are mostly pretty good. Nothing excruciating on here. Bluesy, bouncy, a different direction from where they started. It won’t change anyone’s mind who doesn’t like the Doors, but it’s definitely one of their best.
Arcade Fire
5/5
5 stars
This band has become somewhat of a stand in for 2000s hipster cringe, so when I find myself giving it 5 stars there’s a hesitancy I experience. But when I listen, I’m transported to a time 20+ years ago when Arcade Fire weren’t a known band by the masses (pre Who the Hell are the Suburbs?).
I remember seeing AF perform “Laika” on Conan the fall of 2004. I was a freshman in high school and I was enraptured. Wild pack of weirdos wearing football helmets that they banged on, wailing like it was the most important song on earth, with an accordion!? It was amazing. The sweet ending of Regine singing “the police disco lights” capped it off. I needed to know this band. I immediately illegally downloaded the album (the only way I consumed music at the time) and burned a CD with the name of the band and album title scribbled on. It became a staple of my CD wallet is carry around and listen to on my discman.
The album is consistent. They are singing like it’s the most important album ever, and they were a scrappy bunch of weirdos who had no reason to think they were important other than their passion for what they were doing. The emotion works. Banger after banger. Every song hits. The one thing is knock it is something I remember writing in my epinions.com review of it at the time (which was probably titled something like “A Funeral Worth Atrening”): many of the songs end with a shift into dancey (Tunnels, Crown of Love, Wake Up) that I’ve grown to love but also maybe is a bit predictable? I don’t know. My bias is 100% a factor in how I view this album, but I can’t experience it as anything but a 5/5.
Calexico
2/5
2 stars
It wasn’t offensively bad but it was forgettable and it didn’t inspire any desire to revisit or save anything.
Girls Against Boys
1/5
1 star
This may be a bad case of I was not at all in the mood for this on this day. It was just too much energy I was not feeling. Post hardcore is not something I know much about and this did not inspire me. I was hopeful of hearing a 90s act I wasn’t familiar with and I honestly couldn’t get through it. Nothing grabbed me.
Beck
3/5
2.5 stars
I first heard a leaked version of Güero 2 months before its eventual release. There were unfinished versions of the song and a different track list, but my initial impression was it was a masterpiece. I was 15 and newly into indie music and Beck and it felt like a big deal.
When the official release occurred and I listened to it, I was a bit disappointed. The opening song I had originally heard, “Missing,” was now the 4th track, making it feel like a throw away track. “Go it alone” had been early in the leaked version, but now was near the end of the record. The flow felt off. While “E-Pro” is a clear power opener in the likes of Odelay’s “Devil’s Haircut,” it didn’t feel as representative of the album as a whole. But perhaps these criticisms are easy for someone who listened to a leaked version burned on a CD over and over again for months, more than I ever listened to the official version over the course of the next 2 decades. In fact, I don’t know that I’ve listened to the album at all in the last 10 years.
While my feelings on the album are inevitably impacted by my early experience, I don’t know that I would feel differently about this album today if the track order was preserved as I had initially heard it. My impressions today were that there is a lot to like in this record, particularly the first 4 tracks, and a lot of atmospheric, moody slow tracks that aren’t bad but feel a bit boring. The album overall doesn’t grab beyond the beginning, with the exception of “Go it alone” that still feels out of place at the end of the record. I can’t say the rest of the album tracks grab me, which leaves a long period time of the songs just playing and the album as a whole not feeling like a must-listen.
In retrospect, what made me feel like the album was so amazing when I first heard it was just the newness of the genre to me at the time. Listening now, I can’t say I’m as impressed with what I’m hearing as anything new or revolutionary, but just competent well-ridden territory for Beck over a decade into his career. Most genres on the album had been presented better in previous efforts, leaving this as a successful effort to bring back some of the nostalgia for those other albums while making an album that feels effortful but less fulfilling.
Green Day
5/5
4.5 stars
A lot of music from freshman year of high school for me this last week. I was coming off of being a punk snob when this came out and pinched my nose at Green Day. But eventually I gave in and bought it and liked it, although I didn’t make a big deal about it. Nowadays I ca finally say that it’s really good and an achievement without worrying about my punk rock cred.
Beck
4/5
3.5 stars
2 Beck albums in 3 days? Ok.
This is considered his masterpiece and growing up getting into his music, I felt like I had to love it, when really I was always a bit lukewarm on it. I enjoyed all the singles, and some of the album tracks were fine, but as an overall album I wasn’t crazy about it.
I haven’t given it a full listen in close to 2 decades, so I wanted to be open minded. This time around I enjoyed it more than I expected. I appreciated elements of the production I think I missed as a teen. This could possibly be that I was used to listening to illegally downloaded mp3s that may have been compressed to shit and this time I was listening to it with lossless audio. But overall when compared with Guero, which I had preferred as a teen, it feels more fresh and original and inspired. I enjoyed the rawness of some of the tracks that used to annoy me. Although I will say that “High Five” still annoyed the hell out of me.
I still don’t hold it to the level that many others do, but I can appreciate how it represents an important place in the mixing of genres at a time when most artists were very set in their genres. I’ll definitely continue to return to this again in the future.
Dwight Yoakam
2/5
1.5 stars
Not for me. Sounded like run of the mill, inoffensive, uninteresting country. But it sounded competent and probably right up the alley for someone who wants that. It’s just not me. I wasn’t disgusted but I’ll never think about this album again.
Supertramp
2/5
2 stars
Forgettable. I had heard “Bloody Well Right” years ago and thought it was annoying. I think I would mix “Dreamer” up with The Who’s “A Quick One.” But yeah, I overall couldn’t care for it.