May 11 2025
Talking Heads 77
Talking Heads
I loved this album. Have been a fan of theirs, but never gave this one a listen as I assumed it all sounded like Psycho Killer and was more minimalist than other albums of theirs. I was wrong and there was an interesting mix of sounds and styles.
4
May 11 2025
B-52's
The B-52's
I typically listen to the B-52’s on shuffle as an entire album seems too much. This was good, but again too much. Fred is fun, but I don’t really enjoy his songs as much as the ones with only Kate and Cindy.
3
May 12 2025
Debut
Björk
I liked this way more than I expected to. I only knew the song “Human Behavior” Ang don’t care for it, and I was very pleasantly surprised by the beats and rhythm and fun of the sound of many of the songs.
4
May 13 2025
Superunknown
Soundgarden
I’m currently listening and know my opinion won’t change as the album progresses. While I like some grunge, Soundgarden never interested me and apparently still doesn’t. Chris Cornell does have a great voice, but the music is all just the same IMO.
2
May 14 2025
The Bends
Radiohead
I enjoy early Radiohead very much and this album is one of my favorites from them. There is melody with some of the atonal aspects they did more of later.
4
May 15 2025
Pink Moon
Nick Drake
This is not a style of singing or genre I typically like, and unfortunately I didn’t care for this album. The affectation in his singing voice turned me off to the rest.
2
May 16 2025
Clandestino
Manu Chao
Very enjoyable musically. I rarely listen to World music and found this a fun experience.
4
May 17 2025
Green Onions
Booker T. & The MG's
Enjoyable, but repetitive.
3
May 18 2025
Blunderbuss
Jack White
Fine, but not interesting to me.
3
May 19 2025
The Madcap Laughs
Syd Barrett
This was not for me. I found it boring and repetitive. I’m not sure why it’s on this list.
2
May 20 2025
I Should Coco
Supergrass
I wasn’t sure what to expect with this album. I was initially surprised by the punk-like opening song, but I loved the variety of sounds. A very enjoyable listen.
4
May 21 2025
It's A Shame About Ray
The Lemonheads
One I really liked from back in the day, but haven’t listened to in a very long time. I loved it! Right up my music alley! Power chords and harmonies. Would give 4 1/2 stars if possible, but it’s more 5 than 4 in my opinion.
5
May 22 2025
Talking Timbuktu
Ali Farka Touré
Interesting, but also long and repetitive. Ultimately I found it boring. I still acknowledge the talent.
3
May 23 2025
Crime Of The Century
Supertramp
This was a tedious listen. I have no idea how it made the list.
2
May 24 2025
Let It Bleed
The Rolling Stones
My favorite Stones album. Feels very cohesive and love the variety of styles.
5
May 25 2025
The Chronic
Dr. Dre
This is not at all for me. Homophobic and misogynistic. I liked it musically but not at all lyrically. I didn’t “get” it then and I don’t now. Gangsta rap was not the rap I liked.
2
May 26 2025
The United States Of America
The United States Of America
I had no idea what to expect. Never heard of this album. I thought it was good. Reminded me of early Jefferson Airplane.
3
May 27 2025
The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground
More tuneful than I expected, aside from “The Murder Mystery.” Love “Pale Blue Eyes” which apparently was meant to be a hit.
4
May 28 2025
New Forms
Roni Size
I enjoyed this. Nice mix of jazz and hip hop styles.
4
May 29 2025
Synchronicity
The Police
Love this album. Only clunker is “Mother” which didn’t get any better since 1983. Every other song is classic Police.
5
May 30 2025
Darklands
The Jesus And Mary Chain
How did I not listen to these guys back in the day? I really liked this album a lot. The song “Darklands” is going on some of my playlists. It’s a 4 1/2 star album for me, but I’ll lower it to 4 here.
4
May 31 2025
What's Going On
Marvin Gaye
A stone cold classic. I haven’t listened to the album in over 30 years. The song that I loved this time around was “Right On.”
5
Jun 01 2025
A Night At The Opera
Queen
This was the first rock album I ever got. Around age 12. I loved it then and listening now brought back great memories. Also the first concert I ever went to. Back then it was fairly meaningless to others, but the millennials in my life think it’s so cool I got to see Freddy Mercury in his prime.
4
Jun 02 2025
Dusty In Memphis
Dusty Springfield
A very pleasant listen. I knew more songs than I thought. I can understand why she’s highly regarded, even though it’s not something I’d typically listen to.
4
Jun 03 2025
That's The Way Of The World
Earth, Wind & Fire
I really enjoyed this album. I only know their hits, so it was fun to get album tracks. I loved the song “Reasons.” It gave such strong Prince vibes, and I have to believe they were an influence for him.
4
Jun 04 2025
1984
Van Halen
Not a fan, especially of the David Lee Roth era. I can appreciate Eddie’s talent, but that’s about it. I always disliked their drum sound. Way too sexist and way too juvenile. Disliked them back then and still do.
2
Jun 05 2025
If I Could Only Remember My Name
David Crosby
I love David’s voice, and I love his work with CSN&Y (in all their iterations). And one or two songs of his on those albums is the perfect amount. But a full record worth is just too much. Too meandering. Too everything. I had this album on vinyl back in the day and I’m pretty certain I only listened to it once.
3
Jun 06 2025
Live And Dangerous
Thin Lizzy
I liked this much more than I expected to. I thought it would be a slog to get through. I only know the rock radio hits and never thought much of them. Some of it is dated, but a lot holds up.
4
Jun 07 2025
(What's The Story) Morning Glory
Oasis
This was fun to listen to again. It’s another album that I played a bunch when it came out, but haven’t listened to in a long time. Don’t Look Back In Anger was my favorite song back then, and still is. I’d give it 4 1/2 stars, but I’ll do four as i think there are some filler songs.
4
Jun 08 2025
The Contino Sessions
Death In Vegas
I’d never heard of this artist or album, but after reading some I was excited to listen. Unfortunately I didn’t enjoy many of the songs. I liked the music, especially the rhythms, but then many devolved into noise which I didn’t care for. Most of the vocals were uninteresting to me as well.
2
Jun 09 2025
Only By The Night
Kings of Leon
Another album I’ve not listened to since it came out. Enjoyable as a whole, there aren’t any songs that absolutely wow me individually. It was very pleasant to listen to on my drive to work. For that, it gets 3 1/2 stars that’ll bump up to 4.
4
Jun 10 2025
Doolittle
Pixies
This is an album I enjoyed when it was released. Either I’m having a bad day, or I’ve lost my interest in most of these songs. Just not as good now as I recalled.
3
Jun 11 2025
Happy Sad
Tim Buckley
I felt happy listening to the first two songs. I thought I was going to be pleasantly surprised with the album. Then I was sad, as it devolved in to maudlin folk with a couple of way way too long songs.
2
Jun 12 2025
The Gilded Palace Of Sin
The Flying Burrito Brothers
I absolutely loved this album. It was totally unexpected. I was a fan of the alt-country movement and this was certainly an influence on those artists.
5
Jun 13 2025
Smile
Brian Wilson
First off I’m not a fan of The Beach Boys. At all. I find them annoying and repetitive. I wasn’t looking forward to listening to this. I did find it better than I expected, but that’s only because it’s so weird. Most of the fully fleshed songs were the stuff I don’t like, but the whistles and silliness were at least something different.
3
Jun 14 2025
Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
I love Neil Young, especially with Crazy Horse. This album has three absolute bangers, and the rest are very good songs as well. I could listen to this just about any day.
5
Jun 15 2025
I Am a Bird Now
Antony and the Johnsons
I enjoyed this. It was very mellow, with evocative gender questioning and confirming lyrics. Any album with Rufus Wainright can’t be all that bad. I want to listen to more of their music.
4
Jun 16 2025
Guero
Beck
I’m not a fan of Beck. He’s fine IMO. This album is listenable. There’s talent and good production. But it didn’t make me appreciate him any more than I already did (which isn’t much). It’s another of those albums that I can’t understand why it’s on this list.
3
Jun 17 2025
Imagine
John Lennon
I think this is John Lennon’s best solo album. It’s got the title song of course, but such personal writing as well such as my favorite of his, “Jealous Guy.” What a great mix of styles too. I don’t love “How Do You Sleep” but it doesn’t hurt the album for me.
5
Jun 18 2025
Call of the Valley
Shivkumar Sharma
I appreciate the reviewers who encouraged finding the original album on YouTube, as I didn’t want to waste my time with something that wasn’t the intended product. That being said, this wasn’t for me. I was just bored, even though I can appreciate the clear talent in the music.
3
Jun 19 2025
Melodrama
Lorde
I’ve only heard a few songs by Lorde before and never really listened all that closely. As soon as I started this album the Jack Antonoff production was obvious, and I didn’t initially like her voice. But it grew on me as the album progressed. I ended up enjoying it quite a bit, and will now seek out her other albums.
4
Jun 20 2025
Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1
George Michael
I know the hits, but I love the mix of styles of all the songs. Not a clunker to be found.
5
Jun 21 2025
I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You
Aretha Franklin
It’s Aretha. Really not much more needs to be said. Classic. It’s a 5 and that’s that.
5
Jun 22 2025
Graceland
Paul Simon
I haven’t listened to the entire album in a long time, but it still sounds as awesome as when it came out. Brought African sounds to the US mainstream and not in a gross white savior way.
5
Jun 23 2025
Ellington at Newport
Duke Ellington
There was a time I tried to get into jazz. Listened to lots of older and then more fusion artists. I found that I enjoyed listening to jazz way more live than on recordings. This was the same. I’m sure it would’ve been great to be there, but it was a tough listen. And very long.
3
Jun 24 2025
Nebraska
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce is my favorite artist. That being said, I can be critical of him as well as any other musician. I hadn’t listened to the full “Nebraska” album in a very long time, and I found this to be revelatory. I’d recently read the book “Deliver Me From Nowhere” about the making of this album, and I listened and caught so many details I’d ignored or forgotten since 1982 when this album dropped. This album likely saved his sanity and led to his need to always follow the path his heart wanted and not what the masses wanted. Amazing song cycle and lots of therapy in there.
5
Jun 25 2025
Thriller
Michael Jackson
I’m the guy who did not own this back in 1983. I maybe listened to the album once. My plan was to listen with an open mind. Great opener, and then two filler tracks. But then…killer song after killer song. Amazing production. Fantastically performed. It is what it is for a reason.
5
Jun 26 2025
The Stooges
The Stooges
The late 60’s had a few bands with a psychedelic punk vibe that I really enjoy listening to. This was a very cool record, and I had no clue what to expect from it.
4
Jun 27 2025
Hysteria
Def Leppard
What is this album doing on THIS list? Seriously?? It was trash then and it’s trash now. The non-popular songs are awful, as are the popular ones.
1
Jun 28 2025
Green
R.E.M.
I love REM. Especially the early albums. They were one of my college radio favorites back when that was a thing (I assume it’s not anymore?). When this album dropped I recall wondering if they’d ever do anything essential again. Thankfully they did, but this wasn’t it. It’s 3.5 for me, but I’ll bump to 4 just because.
4
Jun 29 2025
Nowhere
Ride
I never heard of Rise or listened to any shoegaze, other than a song or two. I like “In a Different Place” and “Vapour Trail” as they are more melodic than the other songs. This isn’t a bad album at all. Just not for me.
2
Jun 30 2025
Emergency On Planet Earth
Jamiroquai
This was a lot of fun to listen to. I had no clue what to expect. I thought it would be too psychedelic or trippy, but it was the perfect mix with the grooves. I love his voice. Sorta Stevie Wonder-like. The instrumentals were good, but felt unnecessary.
4
Jul 01 2025
We Are Family
Sister Sledge
This was fine. I’m not a huge fan of disco, and I don’t think of this as a great representation of the time, save for the title track. It’s not bad, but not some of the best of the era that should be on this list.
3
Jul 02 2025
You Want It Darker
Leonard Cohen
Wow!! Just wow!! This was amazing! I had no clue what to expect, and I was blown away by all of it. I’ve never really listened to him before other than a song here or there. I will do a deeper dive after hearing this album.
5
Jul 03 2025
Queen II
Queen
Listening to this album, I was struck that Queen was a band in search of themselves till “A Night at the Opera.” After that it was just more bombast and more Freddie being Freddie. I also realized that I prefer only that album by far to all their others, with a song or two here and there from other albums I can listen to. This one was fine, but I’m not a fan of prog rock and found much of it just silly.
3
Jul 04 2025
Vespertine
Björk
I thoroughly enjoyed discovering her solo debut album. When this came up I was pretty excited to listen. Unfortunately for me, it’s just not as interesting an album as the previous one. The music and vibe is very same-y, aside from a couple of songs. My favorite is “It’s Not Up to You” just because it broke that mold to an extent.
3
Jul 05 2025
Cosmo's Factory
Creedence Clearwater Revival
I think this is a perfect album. It shows off everything great about CCR. The hits are short bursts of classic rock songs and the longer jams show off their ability to get a groove on. The album ends with one of my favorites of theirs, “Long as I Can See the Light.”
5
Jul 06 2025
Tubular Bells
Mike Oldfield
The first few minutes were cool, as I saw The Exorcist when I was way too young and this song being played on the radio freaked me out. I discovered it no longer does. The rest was just not my thing. If I was at a Ren Faire I suppose it would be tolerable, but I was listening at home. The grunts, and announcing of instruments, was just unnecessary.
2
Jul 07 2025
Group Sex
Circle Jerks
I was not at all sure what to expect, as I don’t listen to hardcore punk. But when I looked and saw it was 15 minutes long I was all in for a listen. And I was pleasantly surprised. I’m not sure I’d love an hour’s worth in one sitting, but each song was in and out and did what it needed to do. I’m not jumping into any mosh pits, but I can listen to more of this.
4
Jul 08 2025
Strangeways, Here We Come
The Smiths
I’m a huge fan of The Smiths. This and “The Queen is Dead” are my favorite albums from them. I haven’t listened to it in total for quite a long time, and it was fun to be brought back to the later 80’s with the music I loved. I am aware Morrissey is an asshole, but I still love his songwriting and singing.
5
Jul 09 2025
Heaven Or Las Vegas
Cocteau Twins
I was very excited to listen to this. Cocteau Twins are a band I’ve always admired, but never really listened to other than a song that would pop up on the radio (back in the day) or a random playlist. I LOVED this album. It’s a perfect mix of stuff I like-atmospheric music, ethereal vocals, a chill vibe. I am a music first person, so honestly I couldn’t care less that you can’t understand the lyrics. I’m looking forward to listening to more of their music.
5
Jul 10 2025
The Hissing Of Summer Lawns
Joni Mitchell
I have been a Joni Mitchell hater for many years, mostly based on an image of her rather than her actual music. I thought she was just a boring folkie with an acoustic guitar, warbling songs with that “annoying” voice. Boy was I wrong. I loved this album musically, as well as her singing. And her writing. I’m looking forward to more of her albums, rather than the dread I felt when I saw what today’s was. Such a pleasant surprise.
4
Jul 11 2025
Abbey Road
Beatles
As I began listening I came to realize that this is probably the album I’ve heard the most in my life from start to finish. I was 6 when it was released and my mom was a big Beatles fan. I then became one as well. The songs I preferred then-Maxwell’s Silver Hammer and Octopus’ Garden-are now my least favorites, but this is an album I absolutely love. And it totally holds up. The band plays the hell out of these songs. Production is immaculate. And George just shines.
A gem. Up there with greatest albums of all time.
5
Jul 12 2025
Deep Purple In Rock
Deep Purple
70’s metal is not my thing. There’s a reason Spinal Tap exists and this is it. A very unenjoyable experience.
1
Jul 13 2025
Gris Gris
Dr. John
This album reminded me a lot visiting New Orleans, but also watching Treme and other NOLA set shows and movies (often featuring Dr John). It was a lot of fun, but for some reason I was left wanting more. I can’t actually explain it, but maybe it was the psychedelic parts that I wanted less of, and more of the Cajun rhythms. It’s a 3.5 for me that I’ll bump up to a 4.
4
Jul 14 2025
The Köln Concert
Keith Jarrett
This was a perfect listen for a Sunday morning. Way more enjoyable than I expected from reading about it. Melodic, and enough variation to keep it from being monotonous for an hour long listen.
4
Jul 15 2025
Power In Numbers
Jurassic 5
If a hip hop group was invented just for me, Jurassic 5 would be it. This album, from start to finish, is exactly what I want and like about hip hop-good beats of course, but also social conscience and respect of women. There are great rhymes and I love the mix of voices. The samples are cool and used really well. “What’s Golden”, “Thin Line”, and “Freedom” are standouts for me. An excellent listen.
5
Jul 16 2025
Stephen Stills
Stephen Stills
I am a fan of CSN(Y), but I’ve found most if CSN solo projects to be close to unlistenable, with the focus on the worst aspects of their songwriting and presentation. I HATE “Love the One You’re With” and expected this to all be the precious version of Stills that I can’t stand. But then there was Church (Pt of Someone) and it all changed. I loved most of the rest of the album and really gained more appreciation for Stephen Stills.
4
Jul 17 2025
Caetano Veloso
Caetano Veloso
Reading about the album prior to listening, I was pretty interested to get into it. Unfortunately for me, it was mostly underwhelming. I enjoyed the last few songs the most, but overall it wasn’t as “fun” musically as I’d hoped it would be. I didn’t find it hard to listen to, but my expectations were likely a bit too high.
3
Jul 18 2025
Buffalo Springfield Again
Buffalo Springfield
The best way to view this album is as a historical relic. There are clear examples of the direction each of the band members took once BS disbanded. I recall getting this record back in the 80’s when I’d see it on lists of essential albums. I’m pretty certain I listened to it only once, due to its lack of cohesion. I like a couple of the songs, but as a whole it just doesn’t work. It definitely does when seen as an artifact.
3
Jul 19 2025
The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady
Charles Mingus
I don’t really know what to say about this album. The talent level is absolutely there. Some of the songs have very cool and interesting instrumentation. You can feel what it is that Mingus is going for with the different moods. That all being said, I’ll never listen to it again and I only really enjoyed certain parts.
3
Jul 20 2025
Music From The Penguin Cafe
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
I LOVE this album!! I never heard of the group before, and I had no clue what to expect, even after reading up on them. This was such a great mix of pop orchestral music with just enough weirdness to keep me totally interested. I’ve added a bunch of songs to my main playlist.
5
Jul 21 2025
Ill Communication
Beastie Boys
I HATED the Beastie Boys first album. I thought it was annoying and irritating and they were just brats. I assumed they’d just rinse and repeat, because why wouldn’t they. But they didn’t, and made some really cool albums with fantastic production and instrumentation, and some very witty lyrics. This album isn’t my favorite of theirs, but it’s a very enjoyable listen with lots of interesting styles.
4
Jul 22 2025
MTV Unplugged In New York
Nirvana
This is a five star album. I listened to it all the time upon its initial release. Nirvana spoke to me in a way few other bands could, which I felt as soon as I heard “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” Being someone who has dealt with depression and isolation, I understood his lyrics. What I love about this specific album, beside the awesome performance, is that Cobain and the band didn’t give a fuck about pleasing MTV with a hits driven show. It was a perfect example of who they were.
5
Jul 23 2025
Picture Book
Simply Red
I was checking out reviews of this, and boy do people hate on Simply Red. For those not around back then, I found the band to be a very fresh sound in the dross of most of what was popular at the time. Mick Hucknall’s voice is sublime. Yes, the 80’s production is dated, but his voice is timeless. And it is a sad reminder of the beginning of the end of America as we know it thanks to the Reaganomics mentioned in “Money’s Too Tight (To Mention).
4
Jul 24 2025
Paranoid
Black Sabbath
Metal is one of my least preferred genres. I typically find it very same-y and boring. With silly lyrics. That was my expectation for this album. Ozzy died yesterday, so I tried very hard to listen to this critically and without emotion to his passing and I think I succeeded. I was pleasantly surprised by the anti-war theme of the album, as well as more subtlety than I’d have imagined. I did not feel bludgeoned over the head by all of it. I understand now why it has such a positive rating on this site. It’s a solid 3.5 for me, which I’ll bump up to 4 due to positive shock factor.
4
Jul 25 2025
Eagles
Eagles
IMO Eagles have one great album. It is “Hotel California.” The rest of their non-greatest hits records have a few good to great songs, but the rest are filler. This album has one banger in “Take It Easy.” The other two singles are two of my least favorite ones of theirs. The album has no other memorable songs. I’ll still give it 3 stars as it’s not actually bad, but it’s not one I’d listen to again.
3
Jul 26 2025
Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes
I recall listening to this when it first came out, wanting to like it more than I actually did. I feel that way with most of the folk/roots rock movement of the 2000’s and 2010’s. Some bands and albums are better than others, but I’m apparently not their audience. This is well made and well performed, but I only really liked a few songs.
3
Jul 27 2025
The Soft Bulletin
The Flaming Lips
I became a fan of The Flaming Lips when I first heard Yoshimi. I then worked backwards to this album next. I immediately feel in love with them, though their other albums for me are hit or miss. They have two masterpieces IMO and “The Soft Bulletin” is one of them. Amazing production and I love Wayne Coyne’s singing on the album. I saw them live a couple of times and they are such an enjoyable band to watch just be weird.
5
Jul 28 2025
Frampton Comes Alive
Peter Frampton
This was not my thing when it came out and it still isn’t. It’s inoffensive, but every song basically sounds the same. I find the guitar effects he uses to be boring, though I recall back then people were losing their shit over them. Clearly I didn’t get the memo.
2
Jul 29 2025
The Genius Of Ray Charles
Ray Charles
I respect Ray Charles, but have never gone out of my way to listen to his songs. Reading about this album ahead of listening, I was not looking forward to it. I don’t like big band. I’m not a huge fan of “standards.” However, this is very well done. He put his emotion into the singing and it was about the best version of things I don’t enjoy that it could be. A very pleasant surprise.
4
Jul 30 2025
Floodland
Sisters Of Mercy
I’ve never listened to the full album, but “This Corrosion” is on a few of my playlists. Alternative rock radio in the 80’s was awesome in hearing things I never would’ve otherwise. I really like the rest of the record too. I was never a goth, but I totally dug their music.
4
Jul 31 2025
Songs Of Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen
This is my second Leonard Cohen album. I loved “You Want It Darker” and gave it 5 stars. I knew this would be very different from that record, and it surely is. Initially I wasn’t that into it, but after a couple of songs I got into the vibe. Listening on my AirPods helped, I think, to appreciate the accompaniment more than I would’ve otherwise, and I found it almost a hypnotic experience. I won’t rate it above YWID, but I do get the love for his music.
4
Aug 01 2025
Idlewild
Everything But The Girl
I listened to this on a summer drive in Florida with my mom and daughter on vacation. We all agreed it was “nice” to listen to, but it didn’t fit the setting at all. This is a perfect rainy Sunday morning album. It’s very samey and calming. But it’s not a car drive record at all. I’m certain had I listened alone on my AirPods I’d have fallen asleep. I’m not sure how you rate an album that feels like it needs a very specific setting for it to really work. I’m thinking it’s a 3.5 that I’ll lower to 3.
3
Aug 02 2025
Tommy
The Who
I listened to this a lot when I was a teenager. Watched the movie a bunch. Saw a college stage version (long before the Broadway show). Even with all of that, I still don’t really like it all that much. I think “Who’s Next” is one of the greatest albums ever, so I don’t dislike the band at all. I just can’t appreciate this the way I’m supposed to, I suppose. Clearly I’ve tried over the years. I hoped this listen would impress me differently but it didn’t. In fact, I was skipping ahead some just to get through it.
There is a lot of talent here, lyrically and musically. So I don’t think I can give it a 2 or less. It’s a 2.5 that’s going to raise to a 3.
3
Aug 03 2025
AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted
Ice Cube
There’s things to like on this album. His wordplay is creative and there’s clearly talent in the production. When he’s writing about social issues it’s on point. But, the misogyny and harshness of the language is just too much to make it an enjoyable album to listen to.
2