Apr 15 2025
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The Stone Roses
The Stone Roses
Three catchy tracks to open, then 1 that would have been better as a b-side. Descent middle, then a few more good and great ones to finish off.
Favorites - "I Wanna Be Adored", "Made of Stone", "I Am the Resurrection."
I remember when this album came out. The band hit so big on the college/alternative scene so fast that it kind of soured me on them, though I've always like "Adored." Glad I was given a reason to revisit the album. I wouldn't call it an all-time classic for me, but a solid debut, which helped usher in the Madchester scene to America.
3
Apr 16 2025
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In A Silent Way
Miles Davis
There's no denying Miles Davis' talent, and with so many other huge names (Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Tony Thompson) along for the session, of course this is a top notch jazz album. Little surprised at the choice of album, only because he has others that are more universally well known (Bitches Brew, Kind of Blue, Birth of Cool). The only negative for me was the occasional transition between song parts felt a little abrupt. Aside from that one minor thing, a great listen.
3
Apr 17 2025
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Either Or
Elliott Smith
Meh. Just meh. I enjoyed the music, but couldn't get past the vocal delivery. Not an awful album, just didn't get me. Wouldn't listen to again.
2
Apr 18 2025
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Highway 61 Revisited
Bob Dylan
My previous experience with Dylan has lead me to believe he is one of the best song writers of all time, but a less-than-stellar vocalist. I went in to this one trying to keep an open mind. Honestly, a good album. The writing, both lyrics and music, is of course top notch, and his voice doesn't distract like I expected it to. Can't say I'd run out and buy a copy, but I wouldn't be upset if someone put it on while I was around.
3
Apr 19 2025
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The Gershwin Songbook
Ella Fitzgerald
Ella 5/5. The band 5/5. The songs: 5/5. The only issue, as many others have pointed out, is the length. It's a fantastic set, but I'd be far more likely to put on the "best of" before I'd listen to the whole 3+ hours. Still, that's not a knock on the quality of the full set, more a knock on my own attention span and need for variety.
4
Apr 20 2025
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Emergency On Planet Earth
Jamiroquai
Always up for the funk. I've been a fan of Jamiroquai since Traveling Without Moving hit during my record store days. Never went deeper until now. Great album, with a couple of absolute killer tracks ("When You Gonna Learn" and "Revolution 1993")
4
Apr 21 2025
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Marcus Garvey
Burning Spear
Not a fan of Marcus Garvey (the person), though I understand his status in Jamaican culture. I am, however, a fan of Burning Spear (the living legend). Enjoyed the album throughout. Best tracks (imo) are near the end - "Jordan River", "Red Green & Gold"
4
Apr 22 2025
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Paranoid
Black Sabbath
There is nothing I can say about Sabbath that hasn't already been said by better writers than me.
5
Apr 23 2025
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Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite
Maxwell
At it's heart, it's a bedroom album. A well written, produced and performed album, but not really my taste. I would have loved for the band to stretch out a bit and go a little heavier into the funk, but every song is just kind of mellow.
3
Apr 24 2025
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Joan Armatrading
Joan Armatrading
I've heard of Joan Armatrading many times over the years, but have never listened to her prior to this. Absolutely wonderful album. I'm a bit shocked I'd never heard it even in my record store days.
Favorites: "Love and Affection", "Join the Boys", "Like Fire", but then they're all great.
5
Apr 25 2025
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D.O.A. the Third and Final Report of Throbbing Gristle
Throbbing Gristle
Definitely at the "challenging" end of the musical spectrum. Not for everyone, and honestly not really for me. That said, I do see the artistic merit in the work, so I won't criticize. They created something I couldn't have created. Not going to rush out and buy a copy, though.
2
Apr 26 2025
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Rust Never Sleeps
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
I was a little surprised this album started out so mellow. The stuff I've heard before with Crazy Horse has been far more rocking. Great album, though. Just a bit thrown 'cause it's not what I expected.
Favorites: "Hey Hey My My", "My My Hey Hey", "Welfare Mothers"
4
Apr 27 2025
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Devotional Songs
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
You can definitely feel the joy come through in these songs. To my ears, they all sound a bit too similar. I didn't dislike any of them, and yes I could tell them apart, but being that I'm not particularly familiar with qawwali music, they didn't sound very different. The end result for me, I enjoyed the listen, I get why people love his music, but I likely wouldn't put it on again.
Favorites: "Yaad-E-Nabi Gulshan Mehka"(had a little different sound than the rest, so it stood out)
3
Apr 28 2025
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I’m a Lonesome Fugitive
Merle Haggard
First, I will say that country has never been a draw for me. There are a few artists that I do like (Johnny Cash, Lyle Lovett, Willie Nelson), and knowing a bit about Merle Haggard's backstory, I can respect the man. The (I'm assuming typical) 60s production on this album kills any chance of me enjoying it. The backing vocals, the steel guitar (a little goes a long way), and worst for me, the abrupt fade outs just when the band starts kicking. For f*** sake, let's hear them stretch out a bit.
I'll give it a 2, just because Merle doesn't deserve a 1, but I won't be listening to it again - unless someone has the original master tapes and can release the full songs without the unnecessary fades.
2
Apr 29 2025
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Young Americans
David Bowie
All hail The Sovereign of the Guild of Calamitous Intent!
Best: "Young Americans" (an absolute classic)
Worst: "Can You Hear Me" (string section made it sound like it was intended for Barbra Streisand)
4
Apr 30 2025
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Hejira
Joni Mitchell
I was over half way through the album when I realized I couldn't recall a single lyric or note from what I had already heard. At no point was I wanting to stop listening, but also at no point did I want to listen closer. It was just. . . forgettable. At least up until "Blue Motel Room". The lyrics in that one were so cringe inducing. "Hanging on your boom boom pachyderm"? "tell them you've got Gerrrrman measles"? Yeah, this one's not for me.
2
May 01 2025
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In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida
Iron Butterfly
The title track is a classic of epic scale. Love the drum solo. Love the whole song.
Side one is so of it's time that it nearly sounds like a parody of psychedelic 60s music. How many times can he say "Girl, I just know I love you"? Side one not as awesome as side two, but still pretty damn good.
3
May 02 2025
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I See You
The xx
Not much to say about this one. I liked it. Didn't love it, didn't hate it. Some songs verge on trip-hop (which I like), but others got a bit too typical modern pop. Did like the interplay of the two singers.
Favorite: "Brave For You"
3
May 03 2025
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You Want It Darker
Leonard Cohen
Loved the title track. Loved the closing track. Everything in between was great writing, great lead vocals, but overproduced. Unfortunately, that has long been the case for Leonard Cohen. I haven't listened to him since the 90s, and that's the main reason. Disappointing.
3
May 04 2025
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Solid Air
John Martyn
Loved the music. Not so much the vocals. At times they were ok, but he seems to purposely not enunciate on certain songs, and it distracts from the music. I'm assuming that was his artistic choice, but it just didn't work for me. Really wanted to like this one, because like I said, the band was kicking.
3
May 05 2025
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Synchronicity
The Police
Here's one I've listened to many many times in my youth. Honestly, I'd have to say it's my least favorite of Police albums, but that's not saying it's bad. Just not a good as their previous efforts.
Favs: both title tracks, "Oh My God", "Tea in the Sahara", "Murder by Numbers"
Worst (by far): "Mother"
Liked "Walking In Your Footsteps" back in the day, but today, lyrics are clunky and heavy handed. Music is still good, though.
4