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.

Love it

Great title track. Album feels a little samey, but a good listen.

Really good, a few less memorable tracks

Second half is meh

Amazing of course

Definitely have to be in the mood for it. Interesting but don’t love it.

Obviously

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.

Great! But doesn’t feel like a real album, lotsa filler.

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

One note and just kinda there.

Sleepy. Not really for me.

Some good stuff but a little padded.

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.

Good one!

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.

Not for me. It was boring and just the same thing. It felt like parody. But maybe I just don’t get it.

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.

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.

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.

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!

3 stars Starts off great but peters out towards the end.

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.

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.

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.

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.

5 stars A perfect, delicate piece of pop. Catchy, emotional, slight yet confident. This record is a delight.

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.

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.

1 star Boring, bland, and instantly forgettable.

5 stars Amazing sophomore album that set them on their way to become legendary. Some of their best songs and not a bad track.

2 stars Some good, inventive stuff. But a lot of wandering aimlessly. I’m all for experimental but it was not a pleasant experience.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

3.5 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.

5 stars A funky masterpiece. Great front to back. No complaints.

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.

Impressively boring.

2.5 stars Some nice jams but generally run of the mill rock n roll. I could have died without listening to it.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

1.5 stars It didn’t do it for me. Krautrock is not for me. But it wasn’t unlistenable.

2.5 stars I liked it. A bit repetitive and I didn’t feel it all stick with me. But it was enjoyable throughout.

3.5 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 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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

3.5 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

3.5 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 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.

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.