1001 Albums Summary

Listening statistics & highlights

278
Albums Rated
3.7
Average Rating
26%
Complete
811 albums remaining

Rating Distribution

Rating Timeline

Taste Profile

1970
Favorite Decade
Punk
Favorite Genre
Other
Top Origin ?
Cheerleader
Rater Style ?
61
5-Star Albums
6
1-Star Albums

Breakdown

By Genre

Top Styles

By Decade

By Origin

Albums

You Love More Than Most

AlbumYouGlobalDiff
GI
Germs
5 2.54 +2.46
Second Toughest In The Infants
Underworld
5 2.85 +2.15
Kick Out The Jams (Live)
MC5
5 2.92 +2.08
Sail Away
Randy Newman
5 2.96 +2.04
Vento De Maio
Elis Regina
5 3.03 +1.97
Murder Ballads
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
5 3.09 +1.91
Third
Portishead
5 3.13 +1.87
Hejira
Joni Mitchell
5 3.14 +1.86
Rattus Norvegicus
The Stranglers
5 3.15 +1.85
Fisherman's Blues
The Waterboys
5 3.2 +1.8

You Love Less Than Most

AlbumYouGlobalDiff
Gunfighter Ballads And Trail Songs
Marty Robbins
1 3.33 -2.33
Mr. Tambourine Man
The Byrds
1 3.23 -2.23
Ray Of Light
Madonna
1 3.03 -2.03
Southern Rock Opera
Drive-By Truckers
1 2.82 -1.82
Back to Basics
Christina Aguilera
1 2.75 -1.75
Out Of The Blue
Electric Light Orchestra
2 3.63 -1.63
1984
Van Halen
2 3.49 -1.49
Violent Femmes
Violent Femmes
2 3.49 -1.49
Butterfly
Mariah Carey
1 2.48 -1.48
War
U2
2 3.45 -1.45

Artists

Favorites

ArtistAlbumsAverage
Beatles 4 4.75
Nick Drake 3 4.67
Jimi Hendrix 2 5
Joni Mitchell 2 5
Black Sabbath 2 5
Miles Davis 2 5
David Bowie 4 4.25
The Rolling Stones 3 4.33

5-Star Albums (61)

View Album Wall

Popular Reviews

Blackstar by David Bowie

The ultimate example of a master releasing an important album in their late career. Provoking, relevant and absolutely engaging, not just an aged great crooning over background music. Dylan's Tempest and Lenard Cohen's You Want It Darker don't quite measure up to this.

Hearing this album is like being revisited by an old friend. An annoyingly talented, smart, quick witted friend. It's a record that explains why he won the Novel prize; he developed a new form of lyrical/poetic expression, but he did so while creating great tunes, that's the most important part.

Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs by Derek & The Dominos

The pivot between his great early stuff and the bullshit rest of his career. The moment where Clapton becomes boring. Of course there's some great guitar moments and the tone is beautiful, but overall this is a very average blues record.

Incredible record. Some of the best Electronic music I've ever heard. Those beats and the production mixed with the vocals and guitar... it's an album I will return to for sure.

Kenza by Khaled

Never heard of this record or artist before but I love it. So nice to hear some different scales. Thought it would lose marks for Imagine, but ut was actually a very cool cover. It's maybe not the most congruent album, but it's a varied and enjoyable ride.

1-Star Albums (6)

All Ratings (278)

Guero by Beck
May 05 2025

Only Beck album I had heard before was Sea Change. That's a record I loved from the first listen. Not the case here. I like a lot of it, very interesting mix of styles and use of textures and loops, but unfortunately sometimes this happens at the expense of the song. That said, when it's good it's great (and when it's not great it makes me want to watch that episode of Futurama). Would give 3.5 stars if possible. Favourite tunes: E-Pro, Girl, Earthquake Weather, Send a Message to Her.

May 06 2025

I once read that Aretha was the only singer who was able to move between church and secular music while being accepted by both, - not just because her father was a Reverend but because she was so talented.This album proves it, and benefits from the two worlds. An incredible mix of gospel with blues and soul, great arrangements, incredible guitar playing. The voice isn't bad either. Favourite tunes: Soul Serenade, Good Times, I Never Loved a Man, RESPEC...

Electric Ladyland by Jimi Hendrix
May 07 2025

A record on a higher plane. A double album of Hendrix being an absolute pioneer and a force of nature. Reaching cosmic heights while channeling the best energy of his time. Genuinely transformative guitar playing. Favourite tunes: Crosstown Traffic, House Burning Down, Gypsy Eyes, ...Slight Return, All Along the Watchtower.

May 08 2025

More like A Night At The Vaudeville. Okay, it's Queen... we expect campness but some of it veered a little to close to cheesy for my taste. Still, even this is incredibly well executed. As for the rest; a great record. Some burning guitars and Freddy magic. Also let's be fair, it has Bohemian Rhapsody. Favourite tunes (aside from the obvious): Death on Two Legs, '39, Sweet Lady.

May 09 2025

Rush of blood to the head and nowhere else... this is flacid music. It's not even that bad, it's worse. It's fine. Its nothing. It's middle class wallpaper. Music for accounts. I thought it was their first album until I was finished. Where's the progression? They became like diet Radiohead as well as diet Oasis? There's some okay guitar parts and In My Place is fun to play in a cover band but there's not much else.

Dookie by Green Day
May 10 2025

I was a teenager in the early '00s and had spent my childhood listening to my dad's old punk albums (and the Undertones were particular favourites). No shock that this record is a seminal one for me. The same energy but by a band who were still young. Punk, but for mt generation. It really was one of the defining albums of my youth and it still hold ups. I still love those drums and the bass lines, and I still know all the words. A perfect adolescent album, made more impressive by the fact that he recorded all the vocals in little over a weekend in his early twenties. Favourite tunes: Burn Out, She, When I Come Around, Welcome to Paradise

She's So Unusual by Cyndi Lauper
May 10 2025

The '80s production got pretty tiresome but overall it's actually a very good pop album. Obviously the singles are classics and her voice is its own thing but quite a few other bangers on there too. Favourite tunes: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Witness, Money Changes Everything

Copper Blue by Sugar
May 11 2025

At first I thought it was as if Nine Inch Nails were a Britpop band (in a good way), but in the end it was just Bob Mould doing a commercial imitation of bands he influenced. Not terrible but not memorable, and certainly wouldn't be on this list if it wasn't for the great Hüsker Dü.

Lost Souls by Doves
May 12 2025

Half of the album is really cool, quite atmospheric and almost ambient with really interesting textures. The other half veers more into Incubus meets Radiohead territory, not bad but not so compelling. Enjoyable listen but won't be rushing back to it.

May 13 2025

Already a huge favourite of mine, with one of the greatest opening tracks of all time. Excellent in the pocket proto-prog. Little bit far out at times, but it's reaching for something special and catches it for the most part.

Southern Rock Opera by Drive-By Truckers
May 14 2025

There was some nice guitar tones and interesting note choices, and a few good tunes buried in there but really... I have so many questions about this record. Why is it a double album? Why is it on this list? Why listen to people sing about Skynyrd when you could just listen to them? If you want the balls to the wall punk stuff, go for Social Distortion. If you want the alt country thing, go for Hank Williams 3. If you want to listen to this flabby, indulgent, generic labyrinth, go fuck yourself.

May 15 2025

Incredible record. Some of the best Electronic music I've ever heard. Those beats and the production mixed with the vocals and guitar... it's an album I will return to for sure.

Street Signs by Ozomatli
May 16 2025

Very cool Latin rock mix. Little bit generic and verging on cheesy at times, but for the most part a really interesting and enjoyable listen. Super groovy and nice mix of languages - spoken and musical.

Live! by Fela Kuti
May 17 2025

Always wondered what Ginger Baker did after Cream to justify that reputation and ego. Now I know. It's the world's greatest jam band and a blinding live record. Great banter from Fela between songs too. And that drum solo...

Immigrés by Youssou N'Dour
May 18 2025

Very groovy album. Lifted my mood, transported my somewhere brighter. Great guitar parts. Not totally accessible because of my own ignorance but a very cool listen.

Tago Mago by Can
May 19 2025

Was introduced to Can just a few months ago in a squat in Berlin. They've been on my list to check out again since so I was happy to see this album here, and at first I thought it was really worth the wait. Very strong start, thought it would be a 4 or even 5 star album. Cool tunes and vocals, and great guitar parts that clearly had a big influence over a lot if indie players since. Became very unfocused in the middle though, some interesting stuff but nothing cohesive. Okay again and the end, quite Dada-ist, but I felt some relief when it was all over.

C'est Chic by CHIC
May 20 2025

I've always been a hard line disco sucks punk fan, and this album doesn't change that. It's full of cheese and the songs aren't always there, but the pocket is undeniable. Nile is a beast of course and the bass lines are huge. It hasn't converted me but I do have huge admiration and respect for the musicianship. More funk less gloss, then it'd be something special.

A Wizard, A True Star by Todd Rundgren
May 21 2025

Tell me you have adhd without telling me. It'd a shame because there are some great moments on this record, but it's equal parts great, goofy nonsense and absolute wank. If you cut out all the shite it could be a very good album, but the wacky stuff gets in the way, and this becomes increasingly annoying. Maybe that's the point, but makes it very hard to rate this highly as a cohesive work.

Hejira by Joni Mitchell
May 22 2025

This issue with this app is that sometimes a day isn't enough to take in the albums. This is one such case. On first listen it's a strong three or four star record, but the more time you spend with it the more you get from it. I love her early albums of course, but this is a masterpiece. Heavy, floating, ambiguous. Classic indefinable Jonie, on another level - it's an incredible mix of the greatest folk player with jazz giants. Nevermind Portrait of Tracy, this is Jaco's most sublime playing. Lary Carlton complimenting everything so perfectly too. A truly beautiful record.

Murder Ballads by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
May 23 2025

Now that was a worthy record. Incredible. The album that elevated Nick Cave to the rare space occupied by Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits. Almost like a haunting, heavy audio book - Bukowski meets Bret Easton Ellis, with perfect music/delivery and stunning vocals throughout. Great tongue in check ending, and an absolute treat to hear Shane McGowan take a line too.

Paul Simon by Paul Simon
May 24 2025

Started off absolutely five stars and maybe dropped a little by the end, but full of good stuff. Great writing, great playing, amazing vocals.

Born To Run by Bruce Springsteen
May 25 2025

Starts with Thunder Road. 6 stars! Fun Fact: Bruce traced his Irish ancestry to a small village called Rathangan. It's where I went to school. During his last tour he visited the area, drank a Guinness in our local bar and sang a tune. What a man.

Raising Hell by Run-D.M.C.
May 26 2025

Been meaning to listen to this record for a long time because it's always listed as a seminal hip hop album. Can totally see it. Maybe not as impactful now as it was then, but still a great listen. Great flow and delivery, and absolutely killer beats behind it. Of course I already knew the classics, but that last tune is a genuine anthem.

Hotel California by Eagles
May 27 2025

Surprised not to be giving this 5 stars, but just because some of its great doesn't mean all of it is. Some incredible moments and world class tunes, but also some moments where it fell into middle of the road soft rock. Blinding guitar playing throughout though.

Channel Orange by Frank Ocean
May 29 2025

It's not usually my thing, but listening objectively this is a really good record. Found the over use of soul vocal runs a little tiring and didn't love all the lyrics, particularly uncomfortable with Bad Religion... but beyond that it's a great performance with excellent musicianship and incredible production. Listen to Pyramid with good headphones, it's an experience. Also, Andre 3000's guitar solo, fuck me!

Moon Safari by Air
May 30 2025

Didn't blow my mind as much as expected, but really nice atmospheric album. Great production and some very cool textures.

To Pimp A Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar
May 31 2025

I never got the Kendick buzz, and I still don't.

Music for the Masses by Depeche Mode
Jun 02 2025

Have never listened to any Depeche Mode beyond the singles before. A but dated, but I can see why they have endured so well. Very cool, dark textured production and strong vocals. Didn't blow my mind but really liked the last few tunes especially.

Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
Jun 04 2025

Loses one star for wankery self indulgence but there's some genuinely inspired guitar playing and very cool song structures.

GREY Area by Little Simz
Jun 05 2025

So far this is my favourite recommended album that I hadn't already heard. Okay, not every single line is amazing but overall this is a fucking great modern hip hop record. Intelligent, conscious hip hop on a very high level. Great tracks, cool flow. Real shit!

Done By The Forces Of Nature by Jungle Brothers
Jun 06 2025

Was this an important album at the time? It's definitely empowering and full of pride, but it hasn't aged well and falls short both of what it influenced and it's contempories.

Play by Moby
Jun 07 2025

Was already torn by a white hipster sampling so much black music, especially a slave song... but it did introduce lot of people to those tunes and it works very well. However, it really only works for a few songs. After a while, no matter how meticulous the production or how nice the builds, the constant looping becomes tiring and an hour long album feels worn out and a little heartless. Not terrible at all, but won't be rushing back.

Jun 08 2025

Somewhere between Warren Zevon and Jackson Browne, and that's fine by me! Not all classics but a plot of really great tunes and great playing. Title track is an absolute killer.

Destroyer by KISS
Jun 09 2025

The fun bits are still absolutely stonking! But there's less than 30 mins music on this record and some of it is lame. Favourites: Shout it Out Loud, Detroit Rock City, God of Thunder.

Surrealistic Pillow by Jefferson Airplane
Jun 10 2025

The rest of the album isn't as immediate as the singles, but it really is a genre defining classic. Killer vocals, huge bass, incredible cool modal guitar playing. Had been meaning to listen to this record in full for a long time and it was worth doing so.

Frampton Comes Alive by Peter Frampton
Jun 11 2025

I don't think he needs the talk box... Great playing without it, especially on the last song. Sold tines throughout, totally see why it's such a revered live album.

Vento De Maio by Elis Regina
Jun 12 2025

Incredible. Truly great artist with an amazing voice, and a top tier band playing at their best. Great tunes and killer arrangements, will be returning to this one!

Smile by Brian Wilson
Jun 13 2025

I was given this one the day after Brian died, so thought it was going to feel very significant... maybe there's still too much punk in me but I've never gotten the hype around Brian Wilson. Surely I'm missing something, I know those arrangements on Pet Sounds are incredible well thought out and the harmonis are beautiful... but it never grabbed me. And this? It sounds every bit of the long battle it took to make the record, in a bad way. It's ambitious for sure, but it feels to me like someone very consciously trying to create their magnum opus, getting in their own way and ultimately failing to realise it. It's a mess. Unfocused, indulgent, goofy, the lyrics and use of old tunes are very cheesy and all in all the songs just aren't there. Very talented man with an extremely difficult upbringing, but remove the mystique and this is little more than giving free reign of the studio to someone who would have been a great choir master.

Heaven Or Las Vegas by Cocteau Twins
Jun 14 2025

At its best: ethereal, dreamy and textured with great layers and production. At its wost: like someone is listening to britpop next door and you can sort of hear it through the wall.

GI by Germs
Jun 16 2025

So happy to see this album on the lost. Already a long time favourite of mine. Incredible wild, raw punk rock energy.

Out Of The Blue by Electric Light Orchestra
Jun 17 2025

It's well executed but it's soft cheesy dad rock ang I got sick of it after the first few songs.

Goodbye And Hello by Tim Buckley
Jun 18 2025

Starts off absolutely shit kicking psychedelic folk, but the end isn't a deep as he aimed for.

Trafalgar by Bee Gees
Jun 19 2025

I have no idea, but if feels like this could be a later or more mature Bee Gees album? It's still very soft for my taste, but there's some objectively good stuff. Of course, those voices - but also lush production and some genuinely good songs.

Rust In Peace by Megadeth
Jun 20 2025

Absolutely beastly. The most perfect shred album. Killer riffing and neo classical lead playing, without neglecting the songs themselves. People who constantly listen to Megadeth in comparison to Metallica will miss the full spectrum of this record, it has it's own world.

Neon Bible by Arcade Fire
Jun 21 2025

He's a creepy fucker... but just taking the record on its own, it still holds up. High quality, higly considered indie music.

Sticky Fingers by The Rolling Stones
Jun 22 2025

One of the best Stones albums, which means it's one of the best rock n roll albums. A true classic. Mick Taylor era was the greatest Stones era. Incredible to have Dead Flowers, Wild Horses, Sway and Brown Sugar on the same record.

Pornography by The Cure
Jun 24 2025

You're always going to have a certain standard with such an iconic band. That voice and those guitars are so recognisable, but honestly I found this a slightly underwhelming record. All quite good, but nothing stand out tune wise. Maybe it's a slow burn and would grow on me more with related listens, but I'm not super moved to play it again.

Third/Sister Lovers by Big Star
Jun 25 2025

Had never heard of this album before and was really pleasantly surprised. Starts off swaggering and full of bravado, and then becomes melancholic and vulnerable. One of the more interesting rock records I've found here, some beautiful string arrangements too.

Highly Evolved by The Vines
Jun 26 2025

I'm a big fan of 00's indie and was happy to see the first such album pop up here... but this isn't the one. Lead singer has a good scream and the single is okay, but ultimately this feels very digital and manufactured. Starts off sounding like a commercial attempt at cashing in on a genre that was exploding at the time, and ends feeling like songs from a fictional teen movie about an indie band.

A Love Supreme by John Coltrane
Jun 27 2025

Amazing. One of the most beautiful, transcendent albums ever recorded. Incredible soloing on all instruments obviously, but stunning comping all the way through as well. Santana says when he enters a new hotel room on tour he plays this album to cleanse the energy, I totally get it.

Hounds Of Love by Kate Bush
Jun 28 2025

Sometimes brilliant, sometimes boring.

At Mister Kelly's by Sarah Vaughan
Jun 29 2025

WHAT A VOICE. So cool to hear her being so playful with the lyrics too.

Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs by Derek & The Dominos
Jun 30 2025

The pivot between his great early stuff and the bullshit rest of his career. The moment where Clapton becomes boring. Of course there's some great guitar moments and the tone is beautiful, but overall this is a very average blues record.

Remain In Light by Talking Heads
Jul 01 2025

It's cool, but a full album is a little bit too much Talking Heads.

Cut by The Slits
Jul 02 2025

Great record!! That's a band I'd love to have seen live.

Kenza by Khaled
Jul 03 2025

Never heard of this record or artist before but I love it. So nice to hear some different scales. Thought it would lose marks for Imagine, but ut was actually a very cool cover. It's maybe not the most congruent album, but it's a varied and enjoyable ride.

Electric by The Cult
Jul 04 2025

It's only rock n roll but I fucking love it

Superunknown by Soundgarden
Jul 05 2025

A classic of the genre, but not limited by grunge

Tommy by The Who
Jul 06 2025

The Who are a top tier band, so of course the standard of performance is going to be good. But seriously? What the fuck. This is the reference point for when people parody concept albums right? There's some good moments but a double album? It's incredibly indulgent, repetitive and just not as interesting or high art as Pete Townsend was aiming for. They could've just recorded the intro and Pinball Wizard and saved us the rest.

American Gothic by David Ackles
Jul 07 2025

In the world of Nick Cave, Randy Newman, Tom Waits... a space I really like, but doesn't quite hold up for a whole record. Cool instrumentation and vocals, especially like the strings later on. Each song stands well alone but as a collection it loses some interest.

Dummy by Portishead
Jul 08 2025
Jul 10 2025

Did I detect... was there... was there Gamelan on that? Best post rock record on here so far. Fantastic album.

Remedy by Basement Jaxx
Jul 11 2025

It's finely executed and more interesting than disco, but this feels like a pivitol record in the move to soulless EDM music.

War by U2
Jul 12 2025
Transformer by Lou Reed
Jul 14 2025

Some of it's great but some of it is Andy's Chest. First time listening to this record in full and it actually mainly makes me appreciate the other members in the Velvet Underground more.

The Low End Theory by A Tribe Called Quest
Jul 15 2025

Great classic hip hop, amazing use of sampling that would not be possible today because of copyright.

Stephen Stills by Stephen Stills
Jul 16 2025

Surprised by how good this album is. Great songs and killer guitar playing all the way through.

Youth And Young Manhood by Kings of Leon
Jul 17 2025

Definitely not as good as I remember. Some classics, but it's right at the line between good indie and landfill indie. The vocals and guitar playing feel canned at times, and the bluesy elements seem half hearted, yet it's somehow enjoyable overall if you don't listen to closely.

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary And Thyme by Simon & Garfunkel
Jul 18 2025

It was a five star album until the Bob Dylan parody, and fuck that pretentious silent night shit at the end. But otherwise it is a genuinely stunning record with the most incredible harmonies and beautiful songs.

Moondance by Van Morrison
Jul 20 2025

2 star person, 5 star album.

Jul 21 2025

What can you say about this album that hasn't already been said? It's a true classic: production, songwriting, performance all top tier.

Blood Sugar Sex Magik by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Jul 22 2025

Very hard to be objective because this is one of the biggest albums from my teenage years. Honestly, aside from wanting to dock some points for Anthony being a creep and the fucking horrible cringe lyrics on Sir Pyscho Sexy, it still holds up. It's the album where John steps out of Hillel's shadow and finds his own voice as a guitarist/artist and for that alone it's worth five stars.

The Last Of The True Believers by Nanci Griffith
Jul 23 2025

Surprised by how good this is. Always thought Naci Griffith was middle of the road safety music but this album touches the top tier space of Emmy Lou. Really great music.

Marquee Moon by Television
Jul 25 2025

An absolute classic. Totally innovative and massively influential guitar playing and great tunes all the way through.

Appetite For Destruction by Guns N' Roses
Jul 26 2025

Still hits as hard as when I was 12, with the exception of some of the lyrics. But a true classic of its time.

Chris by Christine and the Queens
Aug 04 2025

Rock solid pop music

The Atomic Mr Basie by Count Basie & His Orchestra
Aug 05 2025

Fucking shit yeah. Top tier big band shit

Good Old Boys by Randy Newman
Aug 06 2025

Somewhere between a good record and a great collection of short stories. I like it a lot.

Dirty by Sonic Youth
Aug 07 2025
1999 by Prince
Aug 09 2025

There's some undeniable great moments. Obviously Prince is an incredibly talented multi-instrymentalist and his screams are equal to Sly's. Same when he really goes for the funk feel, and theres some killer (if a bitnover the top) guitar playing, but still... so much of this record leaves me not just underwhelmed but somehow annoyed? It's feels soft, contrived and ego driven. Maybe at the time it was interesting to push so much on the nose sexuality but the canned moans and the lyrics at the end of the album feel so lame and cheesy listening now. Yet another failed attempt by me to get into Prince.

Raw Like Sushi by Neneh Cherry
Aug 10 2025

Wasn't expecting this to be such a banger!

Aug 12 2025

Roadtrip music by a band that thinks it's too cool to make roadtrip music.

Ray Of Light by Madonna
Aug 17 2025

Producers and musicians working overtime to make Madonna relevant. Most dated compression and voice is still buried in the mix - that's very telling about the vocals. What the fuck is with the racist song? I went in with an open mind musically but after one song it's clearly just generic, nothing, reactive music. Also in general Madonna is a shit person and fuck her for what she said about Sinead O Conor.

McCartney by Paul McCartney
Aug 18 2025

I will always love Paul McCartney's voice and bass playing, but what the fuck. If he wasn't a Beatle this would not have been released. There's one finished song on here, and it is a classic, but most of the rest are just sketches or half formed ideas. Fair enough wanting to move toward a more lofi production, but this sounds like a home made demo - which it is.

Blackstar by David Bowie
Aug 20 2025

The ultimate example of a master releasing an important album in their late career. Provoking, relevant and absolutely engaging, not just an aged great crooning over background music. Dylan's Tempest and Lenard Cohen's You Want It Darker don't quite measure up to this.

Young Americans by David Bowie
Aug 22 2025

Mostly very good, sometimes very great

Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon & Garfunkel
Aug 23 2025

Okay, I get the hype around this one. Beautiful vocals, lovely guitar playing, great songs.

Aug 24 2025

Fucking shit yeah, now that is a great record! Wayne is such a killer guitarist

Definitely Maybe by Oasis
Aug 25 2025

If you were seeing Oasis live at this time, you were seeing the best band in the world - for the simple reason that they believed it. Fuck the snobs, this is still a bangin album. Its not big or clever but it doesnt have to be. Every song is an anthem and I still know all the words.

Illmatic by Nas
Aug 26 2025

If you were seeing Oasis live at this time, you were seeing the best band in the world - for the simple reason that they believed it. Fuck the snobs, this is still a bangin album. Its not big or clever but it doesnt have to be. Every song is an anthem and I still know all the words.

Punishing Kiss by Ute Lemper
Aug 27 2025

Wow. Great vocals and arrangements, beautifully curated songs too.

Post Orgasmic Chill by Skunk Anansie
Aug 28 2025

Woah - I'd never heard anything about this album before but I'm quite blown away. Tiny bit Alanis Morissette towards the end, but overall the vocals are incredibly powerful and versatile. Instrumentation and textures are killer as well. A wild mix of heavy electronics and modern rock. Will return to this one for sure.

The Cars by The Cars
Aug 29 2025

I've been hearing echos of this album my whole life, in an army of wedding band guitarists and a generation of indie bands. Forget it's influence though, this is a great record. Absolutely blinding guitar playing, killer arrangements and rock solid song writing. Hype = justified.

Crime Of The Century by Supertramp
Aug 30 2025

More proggy than I expected! I think it'd grow with more listens but on first impressions it's solid with some good tunes, if a bit unremarkable overall.

The Gershwin Songbook by Ella Fitzgerald
Aug 31 2025

Some of the most substantial songwriting, performaning and arranging of all time.

Sep 01 2025

A cool idea but a little overly referential and generic. Didn't blow my mind, didn't hurt my ears.

Rust Never Sleeps by Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Sep 02 2025

Bookended by one of the greatest songs of all time, can't go wrong. The rest isn't jazz is great folk moving toward out there jam rock. Big fan.

Bad by Michael Jackson
Sep 03 2025

Despite being full of classics, I dont love this album. No shade to Quincys work, the arrangements and musicianship (including the vocals) are top tier, but the production is just too polished. I also can't believe MJ really does so much hehe and shmon stuff. Certainly unique and innovative at the time, but now it sounds gimmicky and disruptive. Maybe that's because of how much it's been parodied in popular culture... but either way it's difficult to listen to a vicious pedophile abuser sing a song like Man in the Mirror. Separating the artist from the art, there are an incredible amount of timeless pop anthems on here, I just don't give a fuck about them.

Darkdancer by Les Rythmes Digitales
Sep 04 2025

Best Eurodance I've ever heard. Surprisingly sophisticated, incredibly groovy. Absolutely will listen again.

Blue Lines by Massive Attack
Sep 05 2025

Tracks are good as expected but the vocals.. what the fuck. Some of it's cool but some is incredibly lame. Who's the posh english rapper?

Paranoid by Black Sabbath
Sep 06 2025

The first album is proof of concept and a move to hard rock and heavier vlues, but this is the first real pioneering metal album. That makes it one of the most important records of all time. Also, it fucking rocks.

Disintegration by The Cure
Sep 08 2025

A near perfect mix of songs and texture.

Abbey Road by Beatles
Sep 09 2025

A classic is a classic is a classic. These songs are so ubiquitous that it's hard to imagine someone actually wrote them and they were one released as an album, just like any other. But it's important to remember this, what an achievement.

Private Dancer by Tina Turner
Sep 10 2025

I didn't know Tine Turner had a classic album full of bangers. Now I do.

Green River by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Sep 14 2025

Good solid rock n roll

Sep 16 2025

Hearing this album is like being revisited by an old friend. An annoyingly talented, smart, quick witted friend. It's a record that explains why he won the Novel prize; he developed a new form of lyrical/poetic expression, but he did so while creating great tunes, that's the most important part.

Songs For Swingin' Lovers! by Frank Sinatra
Sep 17 2025

Reluctant to give another album of this era such a high rating as I do it every time... but they are all so substantial. This case of course is no exception. Incredibly well crafted arrangements and lyrics, with one of the greatest voices of all time on top.

Sail Away by Randy Newman
Sep 18 2025

Okay, so there's the album that cements Randy Newman in the pantheon of the greatest song writers. Stunning stuff.

Are You Experienced by Jimi Hendrix
Sep 19 2025

We always talk about Hendrix as a guitarist God and rightly so, but we often neglect his ability as a songwriter, interpretor and arranger. Put the absolute killer playing aside and this is still a great record of excellent songs and covers.

The Specials by The Specials
Sep 20 2025

A strong contender for the coolest album of all time.

Country Life by Roxy Music
Sep 21 2025

I expected and wanted to hate this album, but I really didn't.

Ramones by Ramones
Sep 23 2025

I heard this album when ten years old and it made me want to learn the guitar. That was in the early 00's not the 70's - such is the endurance and power of these songs.

Brutal Youth by Elvis Costello
Sep 24 2025

Okay, now I get the reverence for Elvis Costello. I was only really familiar with the big hits and some of his work as a producer, but wow. This is a great record. Easy 4 stars, could likely rise to 5 after a few more listens.

Roxy Music by Roxy Music
Sep 25 2025

I'm begrudgingly learning that I don't hate Roxy Music. Pretty solid album with some real bangers.

Broken English by Marianne Faithfull
Sep 26 2025

I've been guilty of seeing Marianne Faithfull only as Mick Jaggers girlfriend. I heard her describe herself as an interpreter of songs, and this is the proof. It's the voice of a woman who has survived some shit, and it's a a record that stands on its on merits. Best cover of working class hero I've heard, and the last song... fucking great.

Tea for the Tillerman by Cat Stevens
Sep 27 2025

What a beauty. One of The Ones. One of the special albums. Stunning songs, great instrumentation and powerful vocals. Musical balm.

Strange Cargo III by William Orbit
Sep 28 2025

The perfect soundtrack to a dark, gritty video game.

Sep 29 2025

People like to say certain punk albums were influential or groundbreaking or important. This one really was. Loved it when I was14, loved it at 24, love it even more at 34.

Head Hunters by Herbie Hancock
Sep 30 2025

Oh, you don't like jazz? How about now? Yeah, thought so.

Smash by The Offspring
Oct 01 2025

Too pop for skae punk, too punk for pop punk. The second half of this album is solid and they're the first major selling band in this world of music, but honestly aren't The Offspring like that one kid from school? Your friends friend on the edge of the social group. He'd be at the big parties and would occasionally say something funny, but you'd never invite him to a smaller gathering or hang out individually.

Imagine by John Lennon
Oct 02 2025

Second Beatles solo album, second disappointment. Jealous Guy is very good, Crippled Inside is good, Imagine is very preachy from a man who beat his first wife, and the rest is bollocks saved only by his voice and the strong session players. Come Together is the last great Beatles song John wrote, maybe it's the last great song he wrote all together...

Bryter Layter by Nick Drake
Oct 05 2025

More orchestration than expected and maybe necessary, but the voice and guitar playing are sublime.

Physical Graffiti by Led Zeppelin
Oct 06 2025

A double album in one day can be hard work, but the absolute top tier musicianship helped a lot.

Tres Hombres by ZZ Top
Oct 07 2025

There's such reverence for ZZ Top so I was excited for thos album, but I'm underwhelmed. It's... fine. Full of guitar parts, and Beer Drinkers and Hellraisers is a banger, but it's all a bit... soft. Nothing bad in there but everything feels a little safe and sterilised.

American Idiot by Green Day
Oct 08 2025

I spent my childhood listening to classic punk albums from my dad's collection and I was 12 years old when this came out. You can imagine the impact it had. Green Day bringing elements of a sub culture to the mainstream for a second time. It's a little cheesy now and the over compressed production is tiresome, but it's still absolutely chocked full of bangers. I teach American Idiot and Holiday to guitar and bass students all the time, and they love them. And that's the real marker.

Your Arsenal by Morrissey
Oct 09 2025

Hate to say it, but this is a good record.

Our Aim Is To Satisfy by Red Snapper
Oct 13 2025

I spent yesterday assembling cheap IKEA furniture. This album was suitable background music.

Disraeli Gears by Cream
Oct 14 2025

Always thought Cream was Claptop before he got lame but fuck me, this is some middle class blues.

Come Away With Me by Norah Jones
Oct 15 2025

Okay, so Norah Jones isn't just radio fodder she's a genuine artist. This is a stunning record, her voice is very special and the band is beautiful.

Getz/Gilberto by Stan Getz
Oct 16 2025

Transformed my morning commute into something sunnier.

Oct 17 2025

The last incredible achievement amongst the chaos. Phillip Chervon and the others stepping up and proving their talents alongside Shane's giant. Beauty right on the brink.

Wonderful Rainbow by Lightning Bolt
Oct 19 2025

Not life changing, but certainly very cool.

The Stone Roses by The Stone Roses
Oct 20 2025

A visit from an old party friend who is aging surprisingly well. One of the most sublime recordings of youth culture.

Daydream Nation by Sonic Youth
Oct 21 2025

Half brilliant, half bollocks.

Sincere by Mj Cole
Oct 22 2025

A pleasant surprise and a great mix of styles, but why is it so long?

Armed Forces by Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Oct 23 2025
Ys by Joanna Newsom
Oct 24 2025

Joanne Newsom stands out as a highlight from this generation of folk musician. A worthy successor to Joan and Joni.

The Stranger by Billy Joel
Oct 25 2025

What a fucking classic.

Bookends by Simon & Garfunkel
Oct 26 2025

When I was 9 years old I found this CD in my dads collection. I wanted to listen to it because it said Sex on the front. Jokes on me, it changed my life and 25 years later I still know all the words.

In A Silent Way by Miles Davis
Oct 28 2025

A deep musical conversation. Sometimes they're talking about things beyond my comprehension, but I'm very glad to get to listen in.

Coat Of Many Colors by Dolly Parton
Oct 29 2025

Respect to Dolly Parton, her voice is iconic and her songwriting can be brave, but... when I tell people I like country music and they roll their eyes, this must be the kind of thing they think I'm talking about. It's not.

25 by Adele
Oct 31 2025

At first I thought "Okay, I'm not the target audience but she has a great voice and this is well crafted and well produced pop music ". Three songs in though, and I couldn't wait for it to be finished. This is suffocated, systematic songwriting. Every second worked out and formulated so that it's reminiscent of itself and every other high charting pop star. Sure, it's through the packaging of a young woman singing (still fucking more) break up songs, but it's the same product as Ed Sheeran, Meghan Trainor etc etc. Literally. Record labels and radio stations have done high budget research into how to appeal to as many people as possible to guarantee hits. Its the result of market research, there's no interest in any real art or expression.

Pink Moon by Nick Drake
Nov 02 2025

It's his masterpiece.

Five Leaves Left by Nick Drake
Nov 03 2025

Two Nick Drake albums back to back. Pink Moon yesterday which I love, but today I was frustrated. Do we really need all three of his albums on this list, is what I was thinking. The answer is probably no, but if we were going to have two this is the other one that should be included. I was so pleasantly surprised. None of the second records over production, instead the exact right kind of guitar virtuosity (that is to say, the kind that serves the song without becoming just technique for its own sake), mixed with a killer real band and echos of Townes esque outlaw country. Will be returning to.

Hearts And Bones by Paul Simon
Nov 10 2025

I'm trying to be objective and take every album as it comes, but fuck sake another fucking Paul Simon album already!? Guitar in the first track is great, but otherwise it's the same old stick.

Butterfly by Mariah Carey
Nov 13 2025

Fuck that shite

Funeral by Arcade Fire
Nov 15 2025
Shleep by Robert Wyatt
Dec 05 2025

Alien is very good, and the instrumentation is cool all throughout but otherwise "not quite smiling, not quite frowning" or whatever he says at some stage during, is a pretty solid description. Blues in Bonlb Minor, away t'fuck.

Sulk by The Associates
Dec 08 2025
Deja Vu by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Dec 10 2025
High Violet by The National
Dec 15 2025

Better than Arcade Fire

3 + 3 by The Isley Brothers
Dec 24 2025
Superfly by Curtis Mayfield
Dec 25 2025
Now I Got Worry by The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
Dec 29 2025

Almost very cool

Hms Fable by Shack
Jan 04 2026

I have a soft spot for Brit pop indie but fuck sake, this hardly an essential album is it?

Beautiful Freak by Eels
Jan 07 2026

I've also felt this album came off like a more pretentious, less authentic Wilco... but I like most of it anyway

Beggars Banquet by The Rolling Stones
Jan 13 2026

It's a killer album except for the song about statutory rape, fuck off with that and shame on us all for indulging it

Tarkus by Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Jan 15 2026
Is This It by The Strokes
Jan 16 2026

I was bummed to learn that this album was made my mad privileged kids who met in one of the worlds most expensive schools... but in fairness it is a literal genre defining classic and I enjoyed as much now as when I first heard it.

Idlewild by Everything But The Girl
Jan 21 2026
Third by Portishead
Jan 23 2026
Blonde On Blonde by Bob Dylan
Jan 28 2026

The least great of the great Dylan albums, but still pretty great.

1984 by Van Halen
Jan 31 2026
Horses by Patti Smith
Feb 16 2026
Frank by Amy Winehouse
Feb 17 2026
Thriller by Michael Jackson
Mar 05 2026

Cheerleader

Average rating: 3.70 (0.39 above global average).

Other

Album origins are grouped into three buckets: US, UK, and everything else. “Other” means the artists you rate highest are from outside the US and UK.