255
Albums Rated
3.22
Average Rating
23%
Complete
834 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1960
Favorite Decade
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Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
33
5-Star Albums
13
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
Top Styles
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Will The Circle Be Unbroken
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
|
5 | 2.98 | +2.02 |
|
The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter
The Incredible String Band
|
4 | 2.15 | +1.85 |
|
Nebraska
Bruce Springsteen
|
5 | 3.32 | +1.68 |
|
Joan Armatrading
Joan Armatrading
|
5 | 3.34 | +1.66 |
|
The Band
The Band
|
5 | 3.35 | +1.65 |
|
Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs
Derek & The Dominos
|
5 | 3.38 | +1.62 |
|
Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music
Ray Charles
|
5 | 3.5 | +1.5 |
|
Electric Warrior
T. Rex
|
5 | 3.53 | +1.47 |
|
Exile On Main Street
The Rolling Stones
|
5 | 3.59 | +1.41 |
|
Hotel California
Eagles
|
5 | 3.59 | +1.41 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Paul's Boutique
Beastie Boys
|
1 | 3.46 | -2.46 |
|
xx
The xx
|
1 | 3.35 | -2.35 |
|
The Sensual World
Kate Bush
|
1 | 3.18 | -2.18 |
|
The Bones Of What You Believe
CHVRCHES
|
1 | 3.17 | -2.17 |
|
It's A Shame About Ray
The Lemonheads
|
1 | 3.12 | -2.12 |
|
OK Computer
Radiohead
|
2 | 4.11 | -2.11 |
|
White Ladder
David Gray
|
1 | 3.06 | -2.06 |
|
Rage Against The Machine
Rage Against The Machine
|
2 | 3.98 | -1.98 |
|
Vulnicura
Björk
|
1 | 2.79 | -1.79 |
|
Tago Mago
Can
|
1 | 2.79 | -1.79 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Led Zeppelin | 3 | 5 |
| Beatles | 3 | 5 |
| Bob Dylan | 2 | 5 |
| Johnny Cash | 2 | 5 |
| Pink Floyd | 2 | 5 |
| Bruce Springsteen | 2 | 5 |
| Creedence Clearwater Revival | 3 | 4.33 |
5-Star Albums (33)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Grateful Dead · 1 likes
2/5
I was ready to give this a 3. Nothing that impressive to me, lacks structure in most of the instrumental sections, but certainly not unenjoyable. Then “feedback” hit. It’s not often that one song can sway a rating by a full star, but 7 minutes of literal feedback did the trick!
Joni Mitchell · 1 likes
3/5
Sorry Shane :-( good songs and great instrumentation but it’s a voice thing
Jeff Buckley · 1 likes
3/5
I made too many people listen to Jeff Buckley in college. Sorry Shane.
David Bowie · 1 likes
5/5
Banger. Glam rock perfection. No bad tracks. Was supposed to contain “All the Young Dudes” but Bowie gave it to Mott the Hoople because he wanted to throw them a bone.
The Dandy Warhols · 1 likes
2/5
I’m not sure exactly what it is about these types of 90s rock bands that I hate so much. The instrumentation can’t be both loud and chaotic but also really fucking boring. Combine that with mostly unintelligible singing (mumbling?) and you’ve got yourself a tough listen. The song about the junkie saved this from potential 1 territory.
1-Star Albums (13)
All Ratings
5/5
Banger. Glam rock perfection. No bad tracks. Was supposed to contain “All the Young Dudes” but Bowie gave it to Mott the Hoople because he wanted to throw them a bone.
The Notorious B.I.G.
4/5
“I… don’t like that”- Annika, regarding “Fuck me (interlude).”
Really good but the messaging sure didn’t age well
Arctic Monkeys
2/5
I understand the merit here but I don’t like punk, I don’t like indie, and I don’t like the British. Three strikes you’re out
Nick Drake
4/5
Love this album and love Nick Drake. Pretty unique blend of folk, classical, and jazz. This is a 5 star collection of songs that ultimately coalesces into a 4 star album.
Sufjan Stevens
3/5
Boy was I ready to absolutely hate this album. By “John Wayne Gacy Jr.” I was intrigued. By “Jacksonville,” I was smiling and toe-tapping. Weird album but very authentic and hey, that’s worth three stars even if it’s not in my lane.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
From the hills of the misty mountains to the Mississippi delta, this album rips.
I was traveling and didn’t have time for a lengthy review but I wanted to pop back in and make it clear that this may be the best rock album of all time and maybe is my favorite ever. The big 4 get all the love but evermore, misty mountain, four sticks and especially going to California are fucking awesome. Ok back out.
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
A few years ago I tried to rank the songs on this album because I love ranking things and I was dismayed to find out that one of them had to be last.
Megadeth
2/5
I don’t like being growled at. There is some interesting instrumentation in some of the songs but it just isn’t my thing.
Beastie Boys
1/5
This album might be for you if you are a 90s skater boy with a bleached Mohawk and an inclination to sit on the stoop and say “oh shoot girl! Sick fit!” to passerby. Alas, I am not this.
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
A couple clunkers but the glimmers of Paul Simon’s writing excellence are here. Homeward bound in particular is fantastic.
ZZ Top
2/5
Kind of tough rating for me because there’s some fun stuff on here. The only problem is I don’t think any of it is very good and it doesn’t feel like this album belongs on this list to me.
Cyndi Lauper
3/5
This is a really good album and it’s one of the better new wave synth albums I’ve heard. It’s just not a genre I really like that much. All through the night rips though.
Pet Shop Boys
2/5
Good pop gives it a 2. Go west is a banger and that gives it a 3
Upon further reflection, go west is not enough for a full ‘nother star. But great song.
The Lemonheads
1/5
Listen, there’s nothing wrong with this album, unlike some other bottom feeders of my rankings. But god damn it is unforgivably boring to me.
Prince
2/5
Not always huge on Prince and this album is way too dance-synth-pop for me. I like the couple big songs on the album but the rest do absolutely nothing for me. Sorry.
The Rolling Stones
5/5
Pure undistilled rock and roll, baby. Don’t mind the double album here, even the less memorable songs fit well.
Calexico
4/5
This could have been from the 70s and it could have been from 3 years ago
Television
4/5
Great album. Some awesome hooks, licks, and solos.
Beth Orton
2/5
There’s some interesting moments but the songs all kind of meander along. Need some structure or something with a little more pop
Jeff Buckley
3/5
I made too many people listen to Jeff Buckley in college. Sorry Shane.
U2
2/5
I don’t know what irks me about Bono’s voice so much. Maybe it’s the way that every note he sings is drawn out longer than it should be and it sounds like he’s moaning. One extra star for some interesting instrumentation on some of the songs
Rage Against The Machine
2/5
Far too angry. Once upon a time perhaps we could have danced but that ship has sailed
Raekwon
3/5
Really liked a lot of the rapping. However, a lot of the beats were mind-numbingly repetitive. Hard to keep much momentum in most of the songs
The Cure
3/5
I don’t think I had ever heard a Cure song. Not too bad! But that’s about all I have to say
Sly & The Family Stone
4/5
Some really awesome stuff. The first two thirds is really strong. Sex Machine kills the album. Can’t be having 13 min jams that don’t really go anywhere.
David Bowie
4/5
Long live Bowie. There is some fucking awesome instrumentation in this album. Dude was pushing the boundaries up until the end
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
I thought I was really over the songs on this album. I almost always skip them when they come on BUT in album context, they had fresh breath. The couple I didn’t know were really good too. Great album.
Björk
1/5
There is very little redeeming here for me. Can’t even appreciate the vocals because of how whiney it all is. I’m sure divorce is tough but this sounds to me like a teenage fanfiction on divorce. Sorry.
The Style Council
3/5
Some really awesome stuff in the first half. Lost me a bit in the second half but still an enjoyable listen
Portishead
3/5
Need to listen a bit more but this could easily become a 4. Some real head bobbers
The White Stripes
4/5
This was a real treat. I did not realize how varied of music the white stripes put out. Thought it was all garage alternative rock stuff. But this was delightful
John Martyn
3/5
This was good pleasant listening but nothing grabbed my attention very well. Instrumentation was pretty great but I think the vocals kind of smoothed everything over and not in a good way (but good voice)
Jane Weaver
3/5
I was ready to smoke this album early but it grew on me. Not bad. Not bad.
Adele
2/5
Adele certainly has a wonderful voice and it’s pretty impressive how many huge hits were on this album. Unfortunately, I found the songs themselves to be pretty bland. I was between 2 and 3 stars and settled on 2 because naming your albums after how old you were is so fucking stupid
Thelonious Monk
4/5
That’s good listening. Sometimes I think jazz songs can lose the plot. Not the case here
Talking Heads
3/5
Fun album with plenty of toe-tappers, but I’m afraid that as of now, that’s mostly what the Talking Heads are to me. Nothing that stands out as particularly strong
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
Is this the most one dimensional popular band of all time? Quite possibly. When that one dimension is this good? Keep on Chooglin’ indeed
Janelle Monáe
3/5
Very pleasantly surprised. This straddled the hip-hop/pop line pretty well for me. Was close to a 4 but some of the lyrics were tough and it’s just too damn long
The Beach Boys
5/5
This is simply a delightful listen. Every song carries so much momentum and variety. The WALL OF SOUND is spectacular, always so much going on and different things to listen for, including the occasional bike horn.
Perfect harmonies. Perfect instrumentation. Masters of the art of the Coda. 10/10 no notes RIP Mr. Wilson and I wished more bands included timpani in their recordings.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
Powderfinger is as good as it gets. Don’t get many songs with stories that good. Rest of the album is definitely a good listen but towards the end loses a little steam
Led Zeppelin
5/5
This is maybe my 5th favorite Led Zeppelin album and still an easy 5. Not much to say here
Rush
3/5
WE ARE THE PRIESTS OF THE TEMPLE OF SYRINX
the opener rips pretty hard in spots. Rest of the album is just fine
The Dandy Warhols
2/5
I’m not sure exactly what it is about these types of 90s rock bands that I hate so much. The instrumentation can’t be both loud and chaotic but also really fucking boring. Combine that with mostly unintelligible singing (mumbling?) and you’ve got yourself a tough listen. The song about the junkie saved this from potential 1 territory.
TV On The Radio
3/5
Definitely fine! Pretty easy listening and certainly sounds of its time
Fats Domino
4/5
Fats is fats baby
The Smiths
4/5
I know next to nothing about the Smiths. So really pleasant surprise here. Probably closer to a 3.5 but some of the lyrics made me chuckle and it sounds like a pretty unique record to me.
The Byrds
4/5
What a weird album. Some of it didn’t age suuuper well but most of it hit pretty well for me. Some sweet heavy, spacey riffs
The Mothers Of Invention
1/5
This album is awful and truly difficult to listen through. I like some Zappa and I’m not above enjoying good satire but this sounds as insufferable as a 26 year old undergraduate student ripping a bong and bemoaning the current state of affairs.
Ray Charles
5/5
Not much to say here. Complete classic
Marvin Gaye
4/5
Smooth as silk
Arcade Fire
2/5
Indie’s worst impulses. Yuck
Al Green
4/5
Smooth as silk. One of the better singers we’ve ever had the pleasure of sharing the earth with. Found some of the arrangements to be a little lacking but this is spiritually a 4.5
The Who
2/5
Somehow made it to 30 without hearing most of this album. But I love The Who and I am an absolute sucker for goofy rock operas, so this should have been a home run. Alas, uncharacteristic of The Who and of goofy rock operas, I found this is be very boring musically. And far too many songs about rape. If only the makers of this list had the courage to replace this entry with a far superior rock opera of a similar era about a religious superstar figure and his followers.
Stephen Stills
3/5
The album starts off inoffensive yet uninspiring. Then with the introduction of some bluegrass instrumentation, we had a nice run of several good and interesting songs. Unfortunately, the album ends as it begins and it is too damn long.
Otis Redding
4/5
Minus one for mostly covers but what a voice
Michael Jackson
3/5
I recognize the merit here. It’s not just doing much for me. Maybe if it was Saturday night this would be a different story. Also way too many grunts and oohs and gasps. Never liked that and never will. Sorry Michael
Elvis Costello
4/5
I thought I disliked Costello but i found this to be a pleasant surprise. I enjoyed hopping around from the 50s to the 90s and everywhere in between, including shades of Bruce?? My main complaint with the album is that our boy does not know how to end a song. Just kind of repeats himself for 30 seconds as the song fades out. But still! A success.
Kendrick Lamar
4/5
If this album ends with Swimming Pools it’s a stone cold 5. Even so, it’s still very close. I think his best stuff is here
The Specials
2/5
Ska and British punk is kind of a nightmare genre combination for me. And yet there were still a couple songs here that I found enjoyable. Not enough to save the album but I thought I would despise it. So small victories.
Tears For Fears
3/5
I got to feel like the star of my very own bad 80s movie! Most of this was quite enjoyable, but I found the couple slow songs to be borderline unlistenable.
Supertramp
4/5
I’m not sure that this is a good album but it’s a perfect trap album for me. Hints of prog rock but not an onslaught to the ears and kind of silly. Not every album needs to be Pulitzer worthy. This was good fun and a perfect album to mow the lawn to, which I was doing.
Bill Callahan
4/5
This grew on me quickly. Really unique sound that evokes early America, nods to past country greats, and yet sounds fresh. Songs have some real weight and force to them. Lots of animal mentions. Winner.
Grateful Dead
2/5
I was ready to give this a 3. Nothing that impressive to me, lacks structure in most of the instrumental sections, but certainly not unenjoyable. Then “feedback” hit. It’s not often that one song can sway a rating by a full star, but 7 minutes of literal feedback did the trick!
Thundercat
3/5
Dude is an insanely talented player. This album is more impressive than enjoyable to me though. Maybe I just need more time with it
Fiona Apple
2/5
BOOOOOORING
Steely Dan
4/5
This is a funny one. As with many debut albums, you can hear the band experimenting with some sounds that they quickly moved away from. The lack of cohesion here is where the deduction comes, there are songs that are good listens but kind of come out of nowhere. This is more of a 4.5 though
Dizzee Rascal
2/5
British rap sounds bad and the arrangements are waaaaay too much for me, feels very overwhelming at times. But those are both personal preferences and not enough to drop this to a 1.
Black Sabbath
4/5
No one sounded like these guys at the time and no one has really sounded like them ever since. As the years went on metal became really loud and chaotic and busy but this is just fucking heavy. The entire band played (and sang) like John Bonham drummed. Then some really nice interludes with changes and Laguna Sunrise. Bravo. Fare thee well, Ozzy.
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
2/5
Perhaps could have been a 3. I appreciate the idea of a quirky, mostly instrumental album but I just found this to be a bit too boring. Don’t think I’ll be revisiting, hence the 2
The Police
3/5
Gah. White reggae vibes are just kind of tough for me. Nothing terrible here but it’s just all… eh.
Metallica
3/5
Gah this was so close to a 4 because some of the music really does rip. But fuck me I just hate when singers growl at me. This album isn’t super egregious but just when I’m getting into a song, that little creed “uhh yeaaah” yanks me out
Os Mutantes
4/5
The Magical Mystery Tour stops in Brazil! What a whacky, enjoyable listen. Minus 1 point for Portuguese. I hope it doesn’t make me racist to prefer to understand the lyrics.
Herbie Hancock
4/5
That was grooooovy. Herbie had been a bit of a blind spot. A lot more funk to that than I was expecting. The first two numbers in particular were spectacular.
Alice Cooper
3/5
Fun little album. Nothing groundbreaking here but nothing unenjoyable either.
Buena Vista Social Club
4/5
This one stayed on my radar but unlistened to for a lot longer than it should have. What good fun
Radiohead
4/5
I fucking HATE Creep and thought I hated Radiohead. I was expecting lots of angst on top of a droning background. What a pleasant surprise! A lot of these songs are really well structured with some beautiful melodies. Didn’t love when things got distorted but otherwise this is a huge success.
3/5
I unapologetically think wonderwall, champagne supernova, and especially don’t look back in anger are great songs. I remember disliking the rest of the album more, but on this listen I found most of it fine. Still not a fan of their heavier distorted sound but still, a good album. Minus one more point for overt Britishness.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
Sorry Shane :-( good songs and great instrumentation but it’s a voice thing
Bonnie Raitt
3/5
Rock solid. Nothing groundbreaking but such a pleasant listen
Jimmy Smith
3/5
Very enjoyable but slightly aimless. That and the length of the songs is what keeps this at a 3 but it sure is a rock solid 3
Bob Dylan
5/5
This is like my 5th favorite Dylan album mostly because of that fucking harmonica. Rolling stone is one of his best songs no matter what the hipsters may tell you. Desolation row rips
The Doors
3/5
I have always struggled a bit with the Doors. I can certainly appreciate them, but even the big hits never really connected with me and I’m not sure why. Same thing with the big ones on this album, and some of the other stuff was pretty forgettable (looking at you, blues numbers)
Malcolm McLaren
3/5
SHANE MALCOLM MCLAREN STOLE THIS MUSIC HOW CAN YOU LIKE THIS ALBUM WHEN HE STOLE THE MUSIC???
Groovy stuff
Peter Gabriel
3/5
Nothing crazy groundbreaking here but good fun. Those couple moments here and there that sounded like peak Genesis had me rock hard
The Doors
3/5
I think I like this better than the previous Doors album on here, little more eclectic, but the same concerns remain
The Band
5/5
It’s on the short list for my favorite album of all time. This album sounds both ancient and fresh. Every song on here is a winner. Deceptively proficient band. Rip to them all
The Kinks
4/5
The kinks rule but this was a year or two before they really found it. Harry Rag sounds like it could be on Rain Dogs. Waterloo sunset is elite
David Gray
1/5
This is not nearly as offensive as the albums I usually reserve 1s for. But this might be the worst inclusion on this list so far. I could listen to this album every day for a year and still probably not be able to distinguish any of the songs from each other. And they’re all boring.
Aerosmith
4/5
Wowza! I am shocked at this album. I always equated Aerosmith to a slightly heavier Journey but this album truly rocks. Really nice heavy sound that blew away my expectations. Will I deep dive Aerosmith after this? Probably not. But I’ll sure listen to this one again.
Cream
4/5
There are definitely some lulls, but the highlights here (specifically Tales of Brave Ulysses) is as good as that late 60s psychedelia blues sound gets
The Go-Go's
3/5
This was good fun. Nothing crazy here but hard to dislike
Ali Farka Touré
3/5
Wish I could give this 4 because I sure did like it. But it’s tough competition out here.
Radiohead
2/5
The only good thing about this album is it confirmed my surprise at liking the earlier Radiohead album. This sucks. It’s background noise with some moaning on top.
Amy Winehouse
3/5
I recognize that everything about this album is pretty darn good. Lyrics, instrumentation, production, all of it. And Amy has a great voice. Still, it’s a voice that’s never really clicked with me and is mildly grating. I liked this more than I thought I would and will revisit, so maybe it’ll grow, but for now here it shall stay.
Sade
2/5
Was pretty bullish at first. That evaporated quickly. This album is so one-note it’s unreal.
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
Probably many favorite Hendrix album. Really leans into some softer, beautiful songs. This is close to a 5 but there are a few that just don’t do it for me. Either way, awesome album. Little wing is so damn good
Erykah Badu
2/5
Background noise. No business being on this list
The Young Gods
3/5
What the fuck is this. But in a good way
Sinead O'Connor
2/5
The occasional fun pop song saved this from being a 1. But the majority of this album is dreadful
Talking Heads
4/5
Once in a lifetime is so fucking good. Unfortunately, there are a couple numbers that just kind of go on. Talking heads isn’t my cup of tea per se but I certainly appreciate this one
Röyksopp
2/5
When I embark on my large scale ranking projects (e.g., top 100 Beatles songs), I used to make a point of emphasis to include a relatively even distribution of songs from different albums until I realized that not all albums are created equal. I fear that the makers of this list felt like they had to include some lo-fi electronic albums on this list. They didn’t
The Crusaders
3/5
Opening number was extremely strong. Thought we were on to something. The rest kind of fizzled, unfortunately. Still a fine listen
Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
3/5
I am surprised at myself but for whatever reason this really worked for me. Really effective melodies and song structures. Will revisit.
Jorge Ben Jor
3/5
Don’t know what he’s saying but for one, I don’t need to. Great vibes on this one. Bet my cousin Zach smoked a pipe to this one once upon a time
Dolly Parton
4/5
What an angelic voice. Nothing crazy going on with any of the arrangements but the voice is enough! undisputed queen of country
Johnny Cash
5/5
On the short list for the greatest live album of all time. Country music was so fucking COOL. If only we could send Morgan Wallen to Folsom Prison
N.W.A.
3/5
This album goes hard. Hard is also about all it goes, so it’s a bit of a repetitive listen. But very enjoyable
Minutemen
2/5
I appreciate the format. I don’t appreciate the anger.
Peter Gabriel
2/5
Was fairly high on the first couple songs. Severely downhill from there. Even I will not defend this Peter Gabriel
The White Stripes
3/5
This is more what I expected from the white stripes compared to the earlier album. Too distorted for my tastes and also not a huge fan of that “the singer sounds far away” effect. The change of pace songs were nice though
Cheap Trick
3/5
By the shrieking in this album, you’d assume Cheap Trick was the Beatles. They weren’t. But they were good fun!
Justice
3/5
Not really my cup of tea but credit where credit is due- this is one of the more enjoyable electronic albums I’ve listened to. There’s a good amount of musical variety here that I feel like most similar projects lack
Dinosaur Jr.
3/5
I liked this a lot more than I expected. I was worried we’d have growling and that’s about it, but there’s plenty of melody here.
Yes
3/5
I love the goofiness of prog rock. But even for me, most of these songs are a couple mins too long. Seems like sometimes another musical section was added just for the hell of it. But still, pretty pleasant listen.
Electric Light Orchestra
5/5
Is this album 20 minutes too long? It sure is! Is there a bad song on the album? There sure isn’t! And the highs are so high and numerous enough that this is an easy 5 for me. Sweet is the night, turn to stone, sweet talkin woman, big wheels, stepping out… so many moments that make you make little noises and say to yourself “oo that’s nice”
Big Brother & The Holding Company
3/5
Eh. Piece of my heart rips but Janis can be very grating.
Bad Company
4/5
Underrated band. So many hits, with many of them on this album. They all rock, and the new ones were good too. Big fan.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
3/5
Is this punk? Whatever it is, I actually like it! Nothing too spectacular, but good listening all around. 3.5
Joan Armatrading
5/5
Oh wow what a wonderful surprise. Funk, R&B, pop, hints of rock… every song is a mini masterpiece. Maybe the airport gin will wear off… but maybe it won’t.
Duke Ellington
4/5
It’s jazz!
Can
1/5
Experimental avant-garde music sucks. This sucks.
TLC
2/5
I find this woman’s voice to be incredibly annoying. are we trying to sound disinterested? Most of the instrumentation is pretty uninteresting to me as well. A couple nice songs save this from the cellar.
The Only Ones
3/5
This was pretty solid. Very violent femmes sounding. Some really nice moments, including some standout guitar parts that I normally don’t associate with this genre. but a little too much drone to justify a higher rating. Probably closer to 3.5
Depeche Mode
3/5
I can’t believe I liked this but I did. Every song is really well crafted. Not a big fan of the vocals or even this genre but something here still worked. 3.5
Michael Jackson
4/5
Alright this was pretty solid. Helped that it came on the heels of Dennis Wilson (which was good!), but the contrast really highlighted how much inertia these songs have. Still not a fan of the MJ things that MJ does, but this is rock solid pop
Gram Parsons
4/5
Such a fan of this country-late 60s rock sound. Title track is excellent. Rest is great. Does emmylou count as a backup singer if she sings every word?
Dire Straits
5/5
20 year old Tyler scoffed at this album (while singing the praises of other dire straits albums (still valid!!)). 20 year old Tyler was a fool.
The Who
2/5
This started out in serious danger of a 1. Then we had a nice trio in our love was, I can see for miles (banger), and I can’t reach you… and then back to the gutter.
I guess I’m learning that maybe I don’t like the Who that much. Their highs are really really high but man there are a lot of lows.
Beatles
5/5
Such excellent pop rock. You could swing your hips to anything here. Title track is such a fucking banger.
Of note-
Even this early on, some really excellent, varied bass lines and drum parts. Every song has some nice variety to it, even the short ones. Some really funky chord progressions. John and Paul were such good singers.
The Black Keys
2/5
I have never really gotten the black keys, and I really don’t understand this album. There is so little here that catches my attention. For me, this is closer to lo-fi study music than it is to anything else.
Billie Holiday
3/5
I don’t know why, Mr. Frodo… it makes me sad.
Just kidding. I do know why. It’s because Billie sounds utterly spent. Tough one to rank. Beautiful in haunting way, but that’s about it.
Dennis Wilson
3/5
This is an odd one. Might need another listen to really get ahold of it. Lots of variation in the sounds of the individual songs, but most songs themselves feel a little directionless. Maybe just needs another listen.
Sam Cooke
5/5
Sam Cooke simply has the best voice of all time. I can’t think of anyone else who matches that combination of power and smoothness. That bring it on home to me rendition was unbelievable.
The Cars
4/5
Can’t believe this isn’t a greatest hits album. Only deduction comes from some songs sounding repetitive. But all those songs are bangers.
Green Day
2/5
I started off enjoying this a fair amount but as a whole album, I found it to be kind of grating. Every song (with a few exceptions) is very similar. And that very similar sound is 90s punk. This is not a sound I enjoy
Wilco
2/5
Eh. There are nice moments here but it just kind of goes on. A band I find quite boring.
Julian Cope
4/5
Extremely pleasant surprise. This man is a ruffian that wears a sailor’s hat and this album is wonderfully eclectic. Honestly flirting with 5 territory but it is indeed too long. But will revisit happily and had some real standout songs
OutKast
3/5
Tough one. A lot of really good here. But the album is fairly repetitive in tone and it’s quite long. Tough combo.
Janis Joplin
4/5
I was expecting to like Bobby McGee (which is an absolute fucking heater) and not much else. WRONG! What a wonderful surprise! Not sure why this worked so well for me. I guess when Janis pops on amidst other music, it’s very jarring, but when you commit, songs like cry baby absolutely rip. 4.5.
The Who
3/5
Nothing too spectacular here. Just kind of a weird blend of mid 60s rock and like a weird garage sound
Donovan
2/5
Boy. I’m listening to this right after My Generation and am now thinking that I should have given it a 4 if this is what else is what was happening in 1965-66. Quite enjoy the title track and season of the witch fucking rips, but besides that we have a directionless stroll down hippie dippy lane.
Funkadelic
4/5
Hit it and quit it is so good. Unlike its suggestion, I will be coming back.
Run-D.M.C.
3/5
Poor dumb girl. I hope she finds peace. This is all high quality but a tad one-note. 3.5
Eagles
5/5
The last resort and November rain feel like the same song. Don and Axl tried so hard to write an epic……….. and they were successful. Album fucking rips start to finish. I have reached middle age
Supergrass
4/5
I was so ready to launch into my “I don’t like pop punk” review and then the album really surprised me. There was some really nice use of half time and broad triplets to break up the punk drone, and the back third was a true delight (highlight- sofa). Nice. This is what this exercise is all about
Arcade Fire
2/5
Boooooorning
Fatboy Slim
2/5
The first two minutes of every song were really delightful. But every song was much longer. I wanted to give this a higher score but I found myself excited for every song to end.
Spacemen 3
1/5
There is nothing redeeming here to me. I find this so boring. Same sound droning on and on and on.
MGMT
3/5
I was pretty drunk last night and in the hot tub, so maybe the vibes were just spot on, but I quite liked this. Nothing too spectacular but there’s some originality here that I find missing in other similar-sounding bands. 3.5
Bob Dylan
5/5
The only thing I like less than being wrong is when Shane is also right. This is a better album than Blonde and Blonde and it’s his best. Tangled up in blue is probably the best life and love (a genre I may have just made up) song ever written, but in 2017 it still took me and Shane 2 minutes in to realize that Bob was, in fact, singing it before our very eyes. It took ten years for Bob and his team to get the fucking harmonica volume right, and we’re left with a collection of songs that range from beautiful to forceful to scathing to reminiscent and everywhere in between. Stone cold masterpiece.
Marvin Gaye
3/5
The title track is an absolute HEATER and is one of my favorite songs. The rest of this album………. Is maybe not great? There is far too little structure in most of these songs. Mercy mercy me is fine, inner city blues is fine. Rest is really forgettable. WOKE rolling stone said in their 2020ish reranking that this is the greatest album of all time, which I assume must be a sociopolitical statement because the message is ham-fisted and the music is boring.
Kings of Leon
2/5
Eh. There are some nice moments here (I was quite into the opener) but then things regressed back to what I thought this album would be. I’m not sure that I did, in fact, have to listen to this before I died
Pink Floyd
5/5
the guitar tone on shine on you crazy diamond is so tasty. Those licks and riffs are delicious and the build up is so well crafted. Could listen to that song all day. Machine is a bit odd, I’ll grant ya that, but it goes hard. have a cigar is such a funky treat and wish you were here is the greatest platonic love song ever written
David Bowie
3/5
I really like old Bowie. This isn’t as good as blackstar but give me this over young Americans every day. 3.5
Iron Maiden
4/5
this album is dorky but I don’t really care. These songs all have really good momentum and good drive, but there is still space in the music and it doesn’t overwhelm me the way most metal does. Run to the hills rips.
Ray Price
4/5
what nice listening. I had heard the title track before but that was it. It’s probably still the highlight but the rest of the album is also great. That steel guitar-fiddle combination is excellent.
Tracy Chapman
3/5
Fast car is certainly a highlight, even if that’s not really a song I seek out. The rest of the album is still pretty good, but I think that the collection of songs is stronger than the album as a whole, which loses some steam by the end. 3.5
Germs
1/5
No thank you
David Bowie
3/5
I love bowie but this is not my favorite Bowie. Young Americans is really good but every other song has too much echo effect, too much sax, and is 2 minutes too long.
Pink Floyd
5/5
I’m not the biggest fan of the instrumentals, and I think they maybe show their age a bit, but they’re still enjoyable and every other song is just lights out. Time is one of my favorites, us and them is groooovy, and brain damage/eclipse is as fine a closer as you could hope for
LTJ Bukem
2/5
There’s a time and a place. This wasn’t the time or place.
Snoop Dogg
3/5
good laid back grooves. Nothing too in your face, nothing too groundbreaking, but some real good listening. 3.5
The Smiths
3/5
very one-note to me. I’ve heard flashes from the smiths that I really liked before but not here.
Oasis
3/5
this is pretty inoffensive but I just did not find the highs to be there in the way that they are on what’s the story morning glory.
The Temptations
4/5
Smooth as silk. Love myself a timpani
Led Zeppelin
5/5
Jesus Christ what a debut album. Good times bad times just fucking kicks down the door. But this pony knows more than one trick. We’ve got multiple entries of folk rock (babe, your time is gonna come, black mountain side), a lil punk, and plenty of blues. Led Zeppelin isn’t the best band of all time, but they’re the best rock band of all time and I love the early lean towards the blues
Beatles
5/5
This album is often cited as the time where the Beatles shifted their sound away from the earlier stuff, and while I don’t fully agree with that (Help is the turning point), this is where that phase two sound is fully realized. This album is full of beautiful songs (in my life, Norwegian wood) and perfect pop rock tunes (you won’t see me, nowhere man, I’m looking through you, if I needed someone… could go on). I’m also partial to ringo doing country
Sabu
3/5
Never heard anything quite like this before. So that’s a win I guess! May not revisit but nothing wrong here
DJ Shadow
3/5
I was really into this for the first several songs. After that, things fizzled and the album is too long, but we’ll always have those first few
Public Enemy
2/5
I found the background music to be extremely grating. Very loud, unpleasant sounds that droned on and on. Alright, back to my nursing home.
Deee-Lite
3/5
This is fun music to make soup to do, which is what I’m doing now. The one song was familiar but just barely. These guys look like they’d be really fun at a BYOB bowling alley birthday party.
Neneh Cherry
3/5
Big A and I ripped an ab workout during this and I found the beats to be quite motivational. So I’ll give it the bump, though it’s probably more of a 2.5
Shivkumar Sharma
2/5
This, however, was not good workout music. I guess I’m not very worldly but this just isn’t my favorite sound. Was that a recorder?
Randy Newman
4/5
There is some really funny stuff in here. Naked man is the clear highlight for me. Also a big fan of Louisiana. This could be a 5 if I could understand what Randy was saying half the time. Don’t laugh at his mighty sword!
The Who
3/5
The weird experimental songs that have plagued previous who albums are missing here, which is good… the ceiling just really isn’t there either. It’s fine
Michael Jackson
4/5
It’s just never really clicked. I recognize how insane this collection of songs is, and I don’t know if I can think of another artist whose arguably 3 biggest hits are back-to-back on an album. But the MJ squeals, signs and grunts just piss me the fuck off. In my heart this is a 3 but I’ll give it the bump out of respect. JAMON
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
4/5
I am absolutely shocked I’ve never heard of this before. Oversight!!! What a fun combo of blues, jazz, and psychedelic jam band. Will revisit
The Divine Comedy
3/5
I’m kind of a sucker for big over the top productions like this. There were some high highs but also some lowish lows. Could rise with more listens
The Fall
2/5
I was wondering if I’d grown out of my “this is too British” phase. I hadn’t.
Eminem
3/5
The highs (slim shady and Stan especially) are classics and they’re wonderful. The rest is fine. Goes on a bit long and is a little too angry. Impregnating your mother to have a father and a brother should not be accepted, even if she does look like JLo
Creedence Clearwater Revival
5/5
Find me someone that dislikes this band. Dark horse for the most consistent output of any band ever. Not lots of 10/10s, but I don’t think I’ve heard a CCR song that I’d give below an 8/10. This is on the lower end of my 5 albums but there are so many god damn hits that that’s fine
Elton John
3/5
Too much of this feels like sir Elton was swinging for the fences when he should have been trying to get on base. Rotten peaches is great, pleasantly surprised by holiday inn. Indian sunset is a disaster.
Moby Grape
3/5
I couldn’t find most of these songs? Maybe my friends will be able to help me do so. So this is incomplete but I quite liked the sound of the few I heard
Van Morrison
5/5
That first half is a fucking heater. Five elite songs all in a row- though Caravan is a contender for the song most outclassed by its own live version (last waltz). Second half isn’t quite as high but it’s still wonderful listening and nowhere near bad enough for a deduction. And everyone rips.
Johnny Cash
5/5
Listen. This album is maybe not as perfect as others that I’ve bestowed a 5 upon. There are some rough moments. But the gravity of this album is astounding to me. It’s wild how different a song like In My Life feels here compared to a when few bright eyed English boys sing it. I appreciate the actual selections just as much as the way they’re sung. It feels like a very personal love letter to 60 years of American(ish) music history. And a good thing he crossed the Atlantic, because this is the best version of Danny Boy out there and I’ll argue that aggressively. Be sure to catch the missing Wichita Lineman and Big Iron. Best farewell album ever.
Songhoy Blues
4/5
Fuck yeah. These guys absolutely rip. Every song repeats just enough so that you get the plot, but there is constant innovation on the theme.
Adam & The Ants
4/5
This score is probably a touch generous but this album cracked me up. Super goofy and unlike some other new wave I have issues with, the songs themselves had plenty of internal variety. Will be coming back
Stevie Wonder
4/5
I don’t think I’m quite as high on Stevie as the general critical consensus seems to be, but I still really like him and this is a wonderful album with wonderful songs. The first half is lights out. Every song is a winner and Knocks me off my Feet is probably my favorite Stevie tune. Unfortunately, the second half is weaker. As is great, but the overall album is too long, many individual songs are too long, and I don’t want to hear babies crying when I’m driving to work (sorry Shane). This is an extremely strong 4, but it’s a 4.
Hole
3/5
Huh. I don’t like punk and I don’t particularly like 80s power pop groups. This seems like a mix of those things… that I liked? I’m kind of surprised by this. Nothing too extreme but especially towards the front half, there was some good stuff.
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
Trace it back to the beginning and rock and roll is all about trying to escape something. The old time blues artists actually had it bad and Bruce here really does the American tradition proud. I’m a bit too drunk to express how much this album means to me but it transcends time and even if your dad’s dad loves it, it’s still excellent. It is hopeful and wonderfully orchestrated and he sure looked good in that 70s hat he wore
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
4/5
I love this album. Down by the river is as good as it gets, cinnamon girl and cowboy in the sand are fantastic, and the title track is beautiful. But running dry is fairly weak and the following album (see: born to run) eclipsed this easily so a 4 it is
The Temptations
3/5
You get what you think you’ll get! These guys are wonderful listening but the sound is a little repetitive in album format. 3.5
2/5
I will say this- I have never heard anything like this. I’m 95% sure that’s derogatory, but that 5% is enough for a 2. It kind of gave me a headache
The Young Rascals
3/5
Beatles were doing this 3 years ago, dudes. Sorry. Fine listening but nothing too impressive.
Crosby, Stills & Nash
3/5
I love suite Judy blue eyes, and there are a couple other highlights (helplessly hoping, 48 bye byes), but the rest of this album ranges from boring to unlistenably plodding. 3.5
Miles Davis
4/5
I wish someone who really knows jazz could tell me what makes this album so special. This is not to say I don’t like it, because I certainly do! It’s wonderful listening. Just curious why it’s considered among the best ever jazz albums.
The xx
1/5
This is the worst inclusion of the list so far. What’s next, imagine dragons?
Madness
4/5
I guess I don’t really know what ska is. I thought there had to be a bit more Rastafarian going on. More of a 3.5 but round up for pleasant surprises
The The
3/5
Liked this more than I thought I would. Kind of enjoyed the weird contrasts going on, especially in the songs with the little synth pop drum tracks. May climb with more listens
Boston
5/5
For what it is, this is just perfect. This is a true 8/8 and I’ve heard every single one of these songs so many times on the radio. Melodies and harmonies are on point throughout. Love the softer second half just as much as the staples on the first. Brad Delp had an unreal voice. The delivery of “I’ve got to keep on chasing that dream, though I may never find it… I’m always just behind it”is more affecting than it has any right to be. Fucking all time awesome album.
Nine Inch Nails
2/5
The only reason this isn’t getting a 1 is because Hurt is a good song and I guess because I get the vision here? I guess that’s two reasons, but the majority of this is unlistenable to me. Just go to therapy
Iggy Pop
4/5
The first couple were a bit much for me. Really liked some weird sin on. Tonight especially was nice. I thought Bowie may have sang that.. he didn’t, but he cowrote it. The tangled webs we weave
The Incredible String Band
4/5
Alright this album is clearly ridiculous but I kind of appreciate how every song is just a bunch of different shorter vignettes and the Minotaur’s song fucking cracked me up so a 4 it is
Joe Ely
3/5
Rock fuckin solid
Derek & The Dominos
5/5
All timer. One of my very favorite albums and one of the only double albums that I don’t find to be too long. So many great songs. I looked away, bell bottom blues, title track, little wing cover, all awesome… The blues numbers all rip, and in my mind the best of the bunch is Anyday, which for my money is one of the best rock songs ever written. I don’t love solo Clapton, but this album is a true 10/10. Rip Bobby.
AC/DC
3/5
Extremely one note, but that note is so fun. These guys have the crown for the most sound consistency over all their stuff. Which is surprising because they found a second singer that sounds like this lol
Neil Young
3/5
Bit of a grim listen. There isn’t anything bad here, but the highs of other albums are largely missing too
Teenage Fanclub
3/5
The first song is very representative of how I feel about the entire album. Some of it is a little too evocative of that 90s alternative rock sound that I’m not a huge fan of (first half). Then we get a really spacey, Pink Floyd sound (second half) that I’m a huge fan of. 3.5
Taylor Swift
3/5
A lot of these songs are super fun and catchy. I think the “taylor is an excellent songwriter/lyricist/poet” crowd should be thrilled with that
Miles Davis
4/5
I think I like this more than Kind of Blue. The highs may not be as high but it’s just easy listening the whole way through
Public Enemy
2/5
Some of these hip hop albums are hard for me to rate. A lot of the individual songs are enjoyable enough, but the album as a whole just goes on and on and I’m so fucking ready to be done by the end
Dexys Midnight Runners
4/5
Some bands deserve to be one hit wonders. These guys don’t. Every single song on here is a ton of fun and so many of the musical choices they make had me nodding and saying “nice.” Will revisit, will expand my listening. Wonderful surprise
Guided By Voices
2/5
This isn’t as offensive as I was fearing. Just didn’t do much
UB40
3/5
This is perfectly fine. Don’t tend to love the reggae persuasion but there’s enough substance here to keep the listening interesting
B.B. King
5/5
Absolute classic. Wonderful guitar work, powerful vocals, electric backing band, AND marriage advice? What more could you want
Cocteau Twins
3/5
Very pleasant listening. At this point that’s about all it is for me. Maybe repeat listening will provide a that elusive burst of clarity
Green Day
3/5
Maybe my lack of nostalgia hurts me here but this just doesn’t do much for me. Very whiny
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
Absolutely insane decision to make the plot of your wannabe blockbuster biopic about the making of this album
Missy Elliott
2/5
Same issue I have with all these 90s rap albums. Individual songs are all enjoyable. Album is so samey and hard to get through
The Beach Boys
4/5
Sweet sweet start that tapers off a touch towards the middle. Title track is the clear highlight (and the only one of these that I had heard before) but this is mostly an excellent album. Always down for an environmental anthem, no matter how dorky. 4.5
Paul McCartney and Wings
5/5
I think Paul may be the best songwriter of all time. Not lyricist! But he just always seems to know exactly what every song needs. Dude could draw a melody out of a rock
Le Tigre
2/5
My group mates may be higher on this than me, but I probably could have stopped at “Le Tigre is an American art punk and riot grrrl band.” And the barking in that one song upset Ruby.
King Crimson
3/5
Prog rock has always been a bit of a guilty pleasure of mine, but the last 10(!) minutes of Moonchild makes that almost as an embarrassing of a proclamation as the DNC makes being a democrat
Violent Femmes
4/5
This is normally not my bag (at all) but this album in particular has some nostalgia value. On top of that though, I do find it to be enjoyable listening for the most part. The voice is grating at times but each song has some unique flavor to it, and I’ve always loved the last song. captures that 5:00 AM comedown feeling perfectly. Also the song before it has an extended xylophone solo, so it gets the bump from 3.5
Fleet Foxes
2/5
White winter hymnal always makes me think of when pretty in plaid (an all girls a cappella group at alma, Sam) did it at a Christmas concert. Specifically, Grace Sutherland. I wonder what she’s up to. Probably a wonderful mother to three strapping young dairy farmer boys. Anyway, I really don’t like indie at all
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
This album probably has a lower ceiling than the other few we’ve had but man the floor these guys have is remarkable. And Lodi rips
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
5/5
Is this album way too long? It sure is! But hey, the return of the king was 4 hours long and won 11 Oscars and it didn’t even have Doc Watson in it
CHVRCHES
1/5
My favorite thing about the generator is the musical diversity it exposes me to. But in a world where we’re fine leaving Jets players out of the pro bowl, we sure as shit don’t need representation from whatever the fuck this genre is. This is horrific. This makes me pine for the Fleet Foxes
The Offspring
2/5
This is okay I guess. It just doesn’t do much for me
Kanye West
4/5
First hip hop album we’ve had in a while that isn’t exhaustingly repetitive. There is some really good stuff in here. This Mr. West has a bright future!
Radiohead
2/5
Some of the music here is interesting, particularly paranoid android, but god damn the breathy sustained vocals are so annoying
Quicksilver Messenger Service
2/5
I thought we were maybe on to something for literally one song. Then we fell into the same old problems with 60s psychedelic rock. Jams that can be described generously as aimless and more honestly as noisy
Shack
3/5
Not much to say here
Blur
2/5
FAR TOO BRITISH. Only thing I knew from these guys was song 2. So this wasn’t quite what I was expecting. Nothin doin
Lorde
2/5
There is some catchy stuff here and there but there’s also some terrible breathy stuff. And some of these lyrics are truly heinous.
5/5
Young me was still fighting the Beatles until Lucy in the sky with diamonds blew that door down one fateful night. I can still see the shrine in Megan Isom’s room.
The Streets
2/5
Well this is obviously too British. Extremely repetitive and very little substance, but I was intrigued for a half song so it stays out of the basement
Kate Bush
1/5
This sounds like it was made for middle aged women on a retreat to regain their sexuality
Queen Latifah
2/5
Same issues with all other hip hop albums of this era. The sum is less than the individual parts
LCD Soundsystem
3/5
Not my thing but as far as the genre goes, this is pretty good. Someone Great was particularly groovy
Steely Dan
4/5
This is a weaker entry especially on the back half, but still a really wonderful listen. Any major dude into Barrytown is such a great little run.
Brian Eno
3/5
Weird weird album. Really liked some of it, especially On Some Faraway Beach (half expected the “chorus” from Flying on magical mystery tour to come ripping in at any point). But there are far too many instances of grating noise (looking at you paw paw, driving me backwards, blank Frank). But I’m glad I listened and probably will again. I just wish songwriters avoided choices that are just so clearly unpleasant to listen to
Madonna
3/5
I found myself bobbing my head quite aggressively. This isn’t my genre of choice but there is some catchy stuff here
The Mamas & The Papas
4/5
Good clean pleasant listening. The hits are fantastic. Makes a fella want to drive to California with the windows down.
Wu-Tang Clan
3/5
I like the little interludes and skits and there’s some nice variety here. Too long
3/5
Quite a fan of a lot of this. The 13 minute instrumental didn’t do much for me, however, and considering it’s 1/3 of the album, we’ll round down.
Sugar
2/5
On the spectrum of Creed to Pearl Jam, this is firmly in the danger zone.
a-ha
3/5
An album full of take on me’s would be marvelous indeed. After the second song I thought we had it. Alas.
Kid Rock
1/5
Yuck. I’m a huge proponent of separating the art from the artist, but recent activity and politics aside, I can’t shake the feeling that kid rock is doing a dorky Eminem cosplay. Also I’m normally impressed by albums ahead of their time, but this has got to be one of the first county rap fusion albums and that is an unholy marriage that should never have escaped the abyss.
T. Rex
5/5
This album has always just really done it for me. Something about the spaciness of the songs mixed with that really crunchy guitar is just sublime. I think I would prefer Life’s a Gas to be the closer, but it’s my only complaint. I hope it’s gonna last.
David Bowie
3/5
Some nice stuff. Some iffy stuff. That piano solo on the title track was fucking wild. 3.5
Manu Chao
3/5
Nice. Probably too early for a modelo but shit
Red Hot Chili Peppers
4/5
These guys are always quite hit or miss with me. Really love the more laid back sound that is present in some songs. Don’t really care for the more distorted garage alt rock sound, and those songs also all run together. This is a true 3.5 but we’ll round up
The Rolling Stones
4/5
Probably the weakest entry of the Stones’ big albums, but still a great listen. Love the twang. Sympathy for the devil is such a goddamn good song
Throbbing Gristle
1/5
I feel like Don Draper trying to listen to Tomorrow Never Knows. This isn’t an angry 1 but it’s a 1