Apr 27 2025
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Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
LIke the critics say, it does sound fresh. Mostly samey but not in a bad way. "American Girl" in my mind has always been great but I wish it was _more_ of whatever it is. Heavier, maybe. The earlier tracks on the album actually sound better.
2
Apr 28 2025
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Crosby, Stills & Nash
Crosby, Stills & Nash
The vocal harmonies are good but not Earth-shattering. Some of the backing music is good though the production is clearly date. This probably needs multiple listens.
3
Apr 29 2025
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Tidal
Fiona Apple
Oh, she sang _that_ song (Criminal). Incredible voice. Both the rock-ish and somehow the jazz tracks sound quintessentially 90s, but in a good way. Favorite track: Pale September
4
Apr 30 2025
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Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Heavy but hardly a slog. The soloing never feels repetitive. The vocals are iconic. For some reason I'd never before picked up on Ozzy's enunciation being so clear. Favorite track: Black Sabbath
4
May 01 2025
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Remain In Light
Talking Heads
Feels like art. Even though I usually never pay attention to lyrics, these stand out as making no sense, delivered with Byrne's almost deadpan exclamation. The only downer is that Once in a Lifetime is tired. I feel obligated to rate it highly due to its quality rather than enjoyment, but not by much. Favorite track: The Great Curve; the guitar solos reminds me of Adrian Belew (who would later play with them).
5
May 02 2025
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Kind Of Blue
Miles Davis
I've played this album hundreds of times. Favorite track: Blue in Green or Flamenco Sketches. Favorite Miles solo: So What. Favorite Coltrane solo: Freddie Freeloader. Favorite Cannonball solo: Freddie Freeloader. Favorite Evans solo: Blue in Green.
5
May 03 2025
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From Elvis In Memphis
Elvis Presley
I've never really listened to Elvis before despite doing a Jailhouse Rock skit in preschool. (It mustn't have left much of an impression.) This just isn't my thing. Rated on quality this is a 2 or 3, but I can't do it. Favorite track: ??? (nothing stood out)
1
May 04 2025
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Actually
Pet Shop Boys
There's a strong emphasis on the lyrics, possibly due to Tennant's vocal style, which is enjoyable, but they're noticeably simple. The electronics are often sparse, not in a bad way, but they do sound distinctly 80s. I prefer Depeche Mode and Erasure. Favorite track: I Want to Wake Up
3
May 05 2025
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Skylarking
XTC
Season Cycle predates much of Jellyfish, which I'd much rather listen to. A lot of the backing instrumentation is campy in a bad way, particularly the synths. I'm not immediately hearing the cohesion within the album, though it may manifest on how I don't have strong opinions about any particular part of the album. The exception is the initial vocals on Dear God are extremely annoying. I see why this was popular but I really don't like this song. Favorite track: Ballet for a Rainy Day or The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul
2
May 06 2025
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Let It Bleed
The Rolling Stones
I never cared for the Stones much, at least in singles form. I still don't, but I think this is a more compelling album than as single tracks...a concept form a more civilized age. Doesn't rock as hard as the Who, but sometimes more complex. Favorite track: Monkey Man
3
May 07 2025
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Goo
Sonic Youth
The drone tracks are fine, but it's the other tracks that make me think Sonic Youth is a great rock band. (I feel the same way about Boris.) Favorite track: Tunic (Song for Karen)
4
May 08 2025
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Playing With Fire
Spacemen 3
It's not that I think this isn't for me, it's that I think it's actively bad. Saying it's shoegaze played by elementary school kids picking up instruments for the first time would be an insult to kids learning instruments. There are no sound concepts, everything is thin, the vocals are barely uttered. Favorite track: I couldn't even finish the album
1
May 09 2025
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Sex Packets
Digital Underground
I don't like hip-hop or rap. But maybe that's not completely true. This sounds decidedly 90s in a good way, and the lyrics are a riot. Favorite track: The Humpty Dance, but the whole album is consistent
4
May 13 2025
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That's The Way Of The World
Earth, Wind & Fire
I don't like it as much as I should, in part because I wish it was "more". That's a personal flaw that can be corrected. Favorite track: Yearnin' Learnin'
4
May 14 2025
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All Directions
The Temptations
Motown, a genre (basically) that I never listen to but is right up my alley. I don't like Papa Was A Rollin' Stone, and the mix on Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On is terrible, but everything else stands out. Favorite track: Love Woke Me Up This Morning
4
May 19 2025
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The Colour Of Spring
Talk Talk
My first Talk Talk album. I knew the rating before the first song was even over. This is from 1993? Favorite track: Give It Up
5
May 24 2025
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Pink Moon
Nick Drake
Singer-songwriter isn’t a genre I enjoy, since lyrics almost never mean anything to me, and the vocals aren’t usually pleasing to me. Following that, the guitar here is nice, but Nick Drake’s voice, with a slight but peculiar drawl, doesn’t do anything for me.
2
May 26 2025
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Car Wheels On A Gravel Road
Lucinda Williams
Not a country fan to begin with, and liked this less than I was hoping. The title track is repetitive in the worst way possible. The instruments can't save this one.
1
May 31 2025
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My Aim Is True
Elvis Costello
His bassist is great. I could do without ever hearing Alison again. Favorite track: Miracle Man
3