May 15 2025
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Pearl
Janis Joplin
It’s good. It’s not great. But….That voice is amazing. By far the best song here is Me & Bobby McGee. Janis could have gone this route country wise. It’s a shame. The album starts of strong, but these are not that different from her earlier stuff. That said, it’s still 4 stars for her voice and the three standout songs.
4
May 16 2025
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Moon Safari
Air
Pleasant enough. Meandering. Instrumentals ok. Not really my thing but I get it
3
May 17 2025
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Tres Hombres
ZZ Top
Strong album, and a solid album. But 4 of the songs really stand out and there are a few mediocre tracks, keeping this one at the four star level. ZZ has a sound of their own and it’s pretty great.
4
May 18 2025
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Private Dancer
Tina Turner
80’s production sounds and stuck in its time. Not very modern. That said, Tina Turner has a phenomenal singing voice, elevating mediocre material. Highlights. The hit What’s love got to do with it. Private dancer, the Mark Knopfler written song, Better be good to me. When the material is good, it’s good. When it’s mediocre, it lands a bit flat. Highly overrated. 3 stars. Would give it 2.5 if I could.
3
May 19 2025
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Wish You Were Here
Pink Floyd
It’s a classic. Pretty much perfect start to finish. Not much I need to add
5
May 20 2025
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Marquee Moon
Television
It’s 1977. That’s important. But this is not punk. It has punk ethos. But these guys are impressive and talented instrumentalists. This is a very influential album. The twin guitar work influenced Wilco, a lot. But how are the songs? They are decent. It’s not my favorite. It’s also tough to get past Tom Verlaines vocals. That said, the music is very good. The guitars are great. So I’m torn. I am not gonna play this one for fun. It’s an album critics loved. I’m going with three stars because they are great players. Docked a star for average vocals and non memorable songs. Highlights are See no evil and Marquee Moon
3
May 21 2025
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Licensed To Ill
Beastie Boys
Using Zeppelin samples and guitar licks, the Beastie boys first official album is carefully crafted and catchy. They would take sampling to another level with Paul’s Boutique, their next album which sold a lot less, but is considered a classic and also is the precursor to sample copyright laws.
4
May 22 2025
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Mask
Bauhaus
I don’t care how influential a band is. This is awful. Kick in the eye 2 is the only decent song otherwise this would be a zero for me. Hated it.
1
May 23 2025
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There's A Riot Goin' On
Sly & The Family Stone
4
May 24 2025
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The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
I know this album so well. Classic and fantastic.
5
May 25 2025
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The Renaissance
Q-Tip
This was an eye opener. Wow. This is a fantastic album. Lots of soul, organic funky beats and original hip hop. Man I’m impressed. Easy 5 stars. This is why I am listening to 1001 albums, otherwise I would never have heard this.
5
May 26 2025
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Fetch The Bolt Cutters
Fiona Apple
Intense album. Super angry. Melodic here and there. Very creative. Important question though. Will I put this back on again for a relisten? The album is melodic in fits and starts. Tracks 2-6 are surprisingly melodic. While 1 and 7 could use a melody or two. This is not easy listening music. Of course we get track 8 which is catchy after the monotony of track 7. All told, Fiona Apple has her own sound, and she’s very talented. I enjoyed this. But I can’t see me listening to this ever for fun. 3.8 stars
4
May 27 2025
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Melodrama
Lorde
It’s good. You can hear a Kate Bush influence in places. A bit much of the Antiniff touch, but it stands up on its own. Needed a few listens to like this one. 3.75 stars.
4
May 28 2025
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Rock 'N Soul
Solomon Burke
I enjoyed it. Some solid songs. But not essential by any means.
3
May 29 2025
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School's Out
Alice Cooper
4
May 30 2025
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Tellin’ Stories
The Charlatans
Pretty good. Have not heard this before. A bit derivative but worth a listen.
3
May 31 2025
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The Dark Side Of The Moon
Pink Floyd
Top 10 album of all time. Genius. Never gets old.
5
Jun 01 2025
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Step In The Arena
Gang Starr
Very good. Will need another listen but old school funky soul rap
4
Jun 02 2025
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The Seldom Seen Kid
Elbow
Nice. I heard this album years ago and forgot about it. Very original and melodic. Could use a few more actual choruses but the sound textures are pretty great.
4
Jun 03 2025
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Joan Armatrading
Joan Armatrading
A grower. Listened to it twice. Great focus and solid songwriting. Second side in my opinion much better than first side. 3.75 stars
4
Jun 04 2025
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Apocalypse Dudes
Turbonegro
It’s fun. They can play. It’s goofy. But some nice riffs. 3.4 stars.
3
Jun 05 2025
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All Hope Is Gone
Slipknot
It seems very commercial as far as slipknot goes. I don’t know their other stuff but it’s not bad. 3 stars
3
Jun 06 2025
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Os Mutantes
Os Mutantes
4 stars for originality and musicianship.
4
Jun 07 2025
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2112
Rush
Side 1 is a solid 5 stars. Great comcept song with multi parts. Melodic and instrumentally virtuosic and catchy. Side 2 dips a little. Bangkok , twilight zone excellent tunes and lessons also good, tears is just ok. Something for nothing is very good as well. I will give this 5 stars. But a 5 star album should not have any mediocre tracks. If this was on a scale of 10 it would be a 9. I give it 4.6.
5
Jun 08 2025
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Shalimar
Rahul Dev Burman
This is schlocky and awful. 70s drivel. Some redeeming qualities, but overall unlistenable.
1
Jun 09 2025
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I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You
Aretha Franklin
This album is great. Stunning vocals. Great musicians. Great songs. Will be coming back to this.
5
Jun 10 2025
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Bookends
Simon & Garfunkel
Bit disjointed of a concept album. But America, Mrs Robinson. Makes any album great. Plus, everything else is really good anyway. 4.5 stars
5
Jun 11 2025
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Headquarters
The Monkees
Not very good. All music gives this 4.5? Seriously wow. Maybe 4 decent songs on album, a few written by Nesmith, one decent Tork tune and a decent Dolenz tune. Bland unoriginal pop 2.1 stars .
2
Jun 12 2025
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The Scream
Siouxsie And The Banshees
Pretty good. Not really my style. But the musicianship is excellent and there are some very good songs. 3.5 stars
3
Jun 13 2025
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Pet Sounds
The Beach Boys
It’s everything they say it is. But, as inventive and melodic as it is, it still lacks those songs that are ear worms. I’m sorry, if rubber soul is a 5, this is not a 5. I will give it 4.4.
4
Jun 14 2025
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Wild Is The Wind
Nina Simone
Great voice. Some songs are great. Some average.
3
Jun 15 2025
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The Last Broadcast
Doves
Not terrible.
2
Jun 16 2025
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Metal Box
Public Image Ltd.
Meh
2
Jun 17 2025
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Queen II
Queen
Super ambitious and proggy. Love this album. Never heard any of it before. 4.5
5
Jun 18 2025
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Back At The Chicken Shack
Jimmy Smith
Solid blue note early 60s jazz. Nothing mind blowing, but between the great organ comping, Turrantines sad and Kenny Burrells guitar, this is elevated to another level.
4
Jun 19 2025
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Fuzzy Logic
Super Furry Animals
I don’t know. It’s ok. Nothing special here. A few good songs. Trying too hard
3
Jun 20 2025
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Low-Life
New Order
I never understood this stuff. Bad singing. Not much in terms of dynamics or melodies. As a musician, I’m not impressed. Amateur crap
1
Jun 21 2025
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MTV Unplugged In New York
Nirvana
Pretty solid. Could do without a few of these songs. Pretty tough in spots but no denying Cobains songwriting skills.
4