My 1001 Albums Journey

102

Albums Rated

3.28

Average Rating

Complete

987 albums remaining

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1970

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Hip-hop

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Albums

You Love More Than Most

Album	You	Global	Diff
Surf's Up The Beach Boys	5	3.3	+1.7
Achtung Baby U2	5	3.3	+1.7
My Aim Is True Elvis Costello	5	3.34	+1.66
Endtroducing..... DJ Shadow	5	3.35	+1.65
Music for the Masses Depeche Mode	5	3.37	+1.63
Sign 'O' The Times Prince	5	3.45	+1.55
Licensed To Ill Beastie Boys	5	3.55	+1.45
3 + 3 The Isley Brothers	5	3.59	+1.41
Ill Communication Beastie Boys	5	3.64	+1.36
The Low End Theory A Tribe Called Quest	5	3.7	+1.3

You Love Less Than Most

Album	You	Global	Diff
Groovin' The Young Rascals	1	3.04	-2.04
In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida Iron Butterfly	1	2.94	-1.94
Scream, Dracula, Scream Rocket From The Crypt	1	2.76	-1.76
Highway 61 Revisited Bob Dylan	2	3.75	-1.75
Californication Red Hot Chili Peppers	2	3.69	-1.69
KEAH** (Psalm 69) Ministry	1	2.69	-1.69
Machine Head Deep Purple	2	3.58	-1.58
Surrealistic Pillow Jefferson Airplane	2	3.52	-1.52
Blue Joni Mitchell	2	3.5	-1.5
Get Behind Me Satan The White Stripes	2	3.39	-1.39

Artists

Favorites

Artist	Albums	Average
Beastie Boys	2	5

5-Star Albums (16)

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4-Star Albums (30)

1-Star Albums (8)

All Ratings

Van Halen

4/5

Guitar rock isn't really my jam, but this album pretty much rules. Plus...The Kinks. And that intro to "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love"…

Marquee Moon

Television

3/5

A couple great songs but it didn’t keep my interest as an entire album. I can hear the influence on a lot of what came along later.

Automatic For The People

R.E.M.

5/5

Great record. No skips. The band sounds amazing & Michael Stipe moves easily between singing melodically and yelping ferociously.

The College Dropout

Kanye West

4/5

Kanye in 2025. Ooof! This one is spawning much internal dialogue about “art vs. artist.” There's an argument to be made for separating the two, but when the art is (partially) about race and racism, I don't think I can/should discount the outspoken racism of present-day Kanye. The production is fantastic, and though I think Kanye isn't the most proficient rapper, he can write a good line, and call in great featured artists. 20 years ago, this would be a 5. In 2025, a 4 feels like I'm giving him more grace than he deserves. I hope K gets the help with his mental health that he desperately needs, and does something to make up for the harm he's been doing to himself and his audience of late. "Through the Wire" is perfect, and I hope Chaka made a few million off it.

Rumours

Fleetwood Mac

5/5

Absolute banger of a record. I actually have two copies because I played the first one so much that it was wearing out. So I bought a second. But it's not like you can throw out a copy of Rumors even if it's getting a little too crackly. “Second Hand News” is the underrated bop on this one.

Murmur

R.E.M.

4/5

Did R.E.M. invent jangle-pop? No. But they became the definition of it, starting with this record. "Catapult" is one of my all-time favorites and this album is instantly identifiable as R.E.M. which can be good or bad depending on your perspective. Full of great weirdo lyrics, some of which you can understand. There's a reason it's also known as Mumble. Great classic R.E.M. but not the most accessible if you're trying to get someone into the band.

Juju

Siouxsie And The Banshees

4/5

There are reasons why Siouxsie is a post-punk goddess and they're all apparent here. A classic!

Selling England By The Pound

Genesis

3/5

This is an album for dudes who pay $85 a foot for speaker cables. It's for the guy who tells you how much you have to hear it, and then talks through the whole thing while you're trying to listen and can tell you the exact temperature in the studio that one day in 1972. Super proggy. Some good songwriting, and great vocals from Peter Gabriel & Phil Collins. Peter Gabriel plays flute and oboe on this record. There's an electric sitar. Mellotron. Cello. You get the idea. More is more. Good musicianship, but if prog isn't your thing, this won't be your thing. Maybe it works better if you're high? Glad I heard it, but probably won't be adding this to the rotation.

Black Sabbath

4/5

Disintegration

The Cure

5/5

One of their best. It doesn’t represent their poppier side, but this might be the most Cure album by The Cure. 🖤

Heartbreaker

Ryan Adams

2/5

I was more of a Whiskeytown guy, but this is an ok record. Back then, it was a 3. First time hearing it in 20 years, it's closer to a 2. Mid. Listenable, not that exciting. By most accounts Ryan Adams is a terrible dude, so there's that. Kinda fitting that it opens with an argument about Morrissey who also turned out to be a terrible dude.

Bitches Brew

Miles Davis

2/5

Miles is a treasure, but improvisational jazz rock isn't really my thing. It felt educational, but this album didn't really hit the pleasure centers of my brain.

Apocalypse 91… The Enemy Strikes Black

Public Enemy

4/5

Fear Of Music

Talking Heads

4/5

Best described as a Talking Heads fan's Talking Heads album. Great listen. Brian Eno is very apparent on this one.

Time Out Of Mind

Bob Dylan

2/5

Bob Dylan writes really good songs. Bob Dylan sings Bob Dylan Songs. I liked it more than I thought I would. The music is great, and the swampy vibe is cool. If Grant-Lee Phillips covered this album, I’d play it all the time.

Being There

Wilco

3/5

This is the Wilco record I think of when I think of Wilco records.

Graceland

Paul Simon

5/5

This is the best Vampire Weekend album.

Repeater

Fugazi

2/5

Arular

M.I.A.

4/5

Great record. It sounds dirty and raw, and was a great intro to MIA. Too bad she’s gone full conspiracy theory tin-foil hat crazy.

Surf's Up

The Beach Boys

5/5

A Beach Boys nerd's Beach Boys album. If you're looking for more cars and surfing, this isn't it. But it's got amazing contributions from Carl (Long Promised Road & Feel Flows) and some of the best songs Brian Wilson ever wrote ('Till I Die & Surf's Up). Mike Love's cheesy Lieber & Stoller ripoff (Student Demonstration Time) is a definite skip. This album has some of the best Beach Boys songs that most people have never heard. Rest in peace Brian.

Led Zeppelin IV

Led Zeppelin

4/5

Absolute classic. No skips. Also, Beastie Boys maybe wouldn’t exist without this record.

Californication

Red Hot Chili Peppers

2/5

Flea is a bass monster. But Anthony Kiedis’ voice isn’t my jam, and I don’t enjoy them on record as much as I do live.

The Modern Lovers

3/5

One of those records that I’ve heard of, but never heard. It was a good listen.

Station To Station

David Bowie

4/5

David might have been a mess at the time, but this album is one of his best.

Songs From The Big Chair

Tears For Fears

4/5

Great record. They get unfairly dismissed as an “MTV Band” unfortunately. This one’s in regular rotation.

In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida

Iron Butterfly

1/5

Boomer jams. The organ is cool.

Halcyon Digest

Deerhunter

4/5

Great record. I’ve heard the name for years but never got a chance to check out this band. Added to the rotation for sure.

The Low End Theory

A Tribe Called Quest

5/5

Ok I was about to give Low End Theory a 4 (to give myself a little headroom to give Midnight Marauders a 5) but then Scenario came on and I’m jumping around my living room thinking I can rap the Busta Rhymes verse. (I cannot). Scenario is the greatest posse cut in hip-hop. Also, sick Ron Carter bass. 5 stars.

Cross

Justice

3/5

Some great tracks on here. Their live set is phenomenal. It doesn’t hang together as an album as well as I would like, but lots to dig into.

The Notorious Byrd Brothers

The Byrds

3/5

Jangly guitar pop that influenced a lot of bands that I really love.

Maggot Brain

Funkadelic

3/5

Ironically Funkadelic is the less-funky iteration of George Clinton’s collective. Fun listen.

Pyromania

Def Leppard

3/5

This feels polished within an inch of its life, but it was fun to listen to. The electronic drums sound super dated in 2025. Loved the classic 80s guitar sound and shiny harmonies.

KE*A*H** (Psalm 69)

Ministry

1/5

Not a genre I enjoy.

Machine Head

Deep Purple

2/5

Bluesy hard rock really isn’t my thing. Cool keys though.

Dummy

Portishead

4/5

Fantastic album. It’s a vibe all on its own even after all these years.

Music for the Masses

Depeche Mode

5/5

Are all of these songs about banging? They’re all about banging. Golden age DM.

Skylarking

XTC

3/5

Some classic XTC tracks on this one. Still sounds great.

If You Can Believe Your Eyes & Ears

The Mamas & The Papas

3/5

Remember in the 60s when everyone was really into panning everything hard right or hard left? Yep, that. Sigh. Such a classic, clean sound. I’ve grown up listening to Boomers playing California Dreaming, so it’s hard to get excited about that one (again). Doesn’t resonate with me in the same way, but these are good songs, beautifully done.

Another Music In A Different Kitchen

Buzzcocks

4/5

Achtung Baby

5/5

Probably the last great U2 album. Saw the original Zoo TV tour (1992?), as well as the opening night at The Sphere in 2023. They’re still phenomenal performers, even if their changes in circumstance have dulled the fire of their later work.

Scream, Dracula, Scream

Rocket From The Crypt

1/5

The Specials

3/5

Fun. Ska isn’t really my thing, but this is a good ska record.

The La's

4/5

Great record by a criminally underrated band.

Better Living Through Chemistry

Fatboy Slim

3/5

Haven’t heard this in a while but it was fun to revisit.

Maxinquaye

Tricky

4/5

This album was everywhere in the mid-90s… and somehow I heard it today for pretty much the first time. Maybe I just wasn't ready for it then, or maybe I was turned off by how much everyone was talking about it. But they weren't wrong. Glad I had a reason to finally give it a shot. I've been missing out.

My Aim Is True

Elvis Costello

5/5

My fave Elvis record.

Dust

Screaming Trees

2/5

Sounds like the 1990s. Grunge, but shiny and crisp.

Dirt

Alice In Chains

3/5

Classic heavy 90s grunge. Layne Staley‘s voice pretty much defines the era for me.

Elephant

The White Stripes

3/5

The Köln Concert

Keith Jarrett

4/5

Cool. The story behind it is kind of amazing.

Brutal Youth

Elvis Costello

3/5

The first “new” Elvis record I bought in the 90s. Loved it then. It holds up pretty well. Some great songs, and even a mid Elvis Costello album is pretty good.

Bossanova

Pixies

3/5

Surf rock for goths

Aja

Steely Dan

4/5

I Should Coco

Supergrass

3/5

Oh man, the ‘90s. I loved this record back then. Hold up well.

Paranoid

Black Sabbath

5/5

Not my favorite genre, but this album is fantastic!

Get Behind Me Satan

The White Stripes

2/5

Turns out minimalist watered down blues rock still isn’t my thing.

Blue

Joni Mitchell

2/5

Went into this one thinking Joni’s not my thing. Came out of it still thinking that. I’ll probably lose some credibility with folks, but yeah, it’s kind of boring to me.

Jazz Samba

Stan Getz

4/5

Cool AF. Definitely going on the Easy Like Sunday Morning playlist.

Actually

Pet Shop Boys

4/5

I usually think of PSB as a singes band, but this album is great.

We Are Family

Sister Sledge

3/5

Great tunes on here. Nile is a magician.

Pills 'n' Thrills And Bellyaches

Happy Mondays

4/5

Fun ‘90s flashback.

Get Rich Or Die Tryin'

50 Cent

2/5

Some great singles, but 50 has never been able to hold my attention for an entire album. I know he’s an icon to some at this point, but I don’t see it.

L'Eau Rouge

The Young Gods

1/5

French industrial isn’t my thing.

(What's The Story) Morning Glory

Oasis

3/5

In 1995? 4.5. In 2025, a solid 3.5.

In It For The Money

Supergrass

3/5

Does there need to be two Supergrass albums on this list?

Beautiful Freak

Eels

3/5

I remember seeing tgis in the 90s and just never got around to it. What a great find after all this time.

Sign 'O' The Times

Prince

5/5

The Camille Album. It’s possible this is Prince’s best work. Definitely under appreciated. Housequake is an absolute banger, and If I Was Your Girlfriend is my favorite Prince song. People wanted Prince to make Purple Rain 2 & 3 but Prince had other plans. 💜

The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter

The Incredible String Band

1/5

No. Did not need to hear this before I die. I can hear a little of The Beatles and The Beach Boys in some of the instrumentation and I’m sure Colin Meloy of The Decemberists has this on repeat. But it’s just not enjoyable to listen to. It sounds like an SNL parody of psych folk rock.

Electric Ladyland

Jimi Hendrix

3/5

Rattus Norvegicus

The Stranglers

4/5

3 + 3

The Isley Brothers

5/5

Fantastic

Melody A.M.

Röyksopp

2/5

It’s…fine. Remind Me still (gently) slaps, but the rest feels like adequate chilltronica. Better than a lot of the dreck from the time, but there’s not much that stands out now.

Ill Communication

Beastie Boys

5/5

I always thought I was a Paul’s Boutique guy. But this still hits hard. Back into the rotation.

Come Away With Me

Norah Jones

3/5

Her voice is beautiful. The production is smooth and shiny. It’s a great record, with heavy late-90s “coffee house” vibes. That’s not an insult. It’s good. Just not something I need to listen to more than I already did back then.

Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1

George Michael

4/5

Freedom 90 is still a banger. Classic album.

Groovin'

The Young Rascals

1/5

Generic late 60s boomer-dad pop. There are a ton of bands that sound like this. Most of them are better.

Licensed To Ill

Beastie Boys

5/5

Still in the rotation. Is this the best Beastie Boys record? No. Are the lyrics written by literal teenagers a bit awkward all these years later? Yes. Do most people miss the irony in “Fight For Your Right”? Also yes. Groundbreaking used of rock samples, and the Beasties are important figures in hip-hop. Iconic album that will never be repeated.

Doggystyle

Snoop Dogg

3/5

Good record when it came out, but it’s hard to overlook Snoop’s recent hypocrisy and homophobia. Weird, because he was happy once upon a time to cash checks for appearing on “The L Word.” It’s disappointing to find out that he’s actually just a sellout.

Suzanne Vega

3/5

Better than most of its genre. It’s worth a listen.

Welcome To The Pleasuredome

Frankie Goes To Hollywood

4/5

Nilsson Schmilsson

Harry Nilsson

4/5

Despite hearing the name for years and knowing “Without You” I’ve never actually listened to Harry Nilsson before. Great songs, and now a new rabbit hole for me to go down.

Low

David Bowie

4/5

The B side is heavy Brian Eno. Good stuff.

Don't Stand Me Down

Dexys Midnight Runners

2/5

The best moments are mediocre pub rock that sound very similar to that other song that’s on the top of your tongue but you just can’t place. Then there are the talky bits that kill whatever English Dad Rock groove you were about to settle into. This didn’t need to be on this list… and astonishingly there are 2 more Dexy’s albums to come apparently.

Surrealistic Pillow

Jefferson Airplane

2/5

Primo Dad-stolgia record. It’s fine, just not my favorite genre of music.

Only Built 4 Cuban Linx

Raekwon

3/5

Great production. A little overblown in that 90s rap album kinda way. It’s good, but I was still listening to backpack hip hop back then.

Locust Abortion Technician

Butthole Surfers

1/5

Pornography

The Cure

3/5

Classic old-school dirge-y atmosphere. This is what people who don’t know the full range of The Cure think of when they think of The Cure. Perfect for a gloomy day.

The Pleasure Principle

Gary Numan

4/5

Scum

Napalm Death

1/5

Boring. Predictable. Sounds exactly like I thought it would sound. Chugga chugga chugga guitars. Drumming as an endurance sport. Growly muppet vocals. Tempo and rhythm changes. Maybe that means they made the blueprint that everyone else followed. Or maybe that means they’re just a bunch of metal cliches stacked on top of one another.

Larks' Tongues In Aspic

King Crimson

2/5

Speakerboxxx/The Love Below

OutKast

4/5

They’re both underrated as rappers. And the production is great. If this was edited down to a single album I’d give it a 5. As a double (really two separate albums) it’s a solid 4. Hey Ya will continue making wedding reception dance floors pop off for the years to come, but if that’s all you know of OutKast you’re missing out.

Tracy Chapman

3/5

Great album. It was everywhere in the late 80s/early 90’s. Still sounds amazing

One World

John Martyn

2/5

It’s fine. The dub influence is clear. I don’t mind anything on here, but I probably wouldn’t listen again.

Mama's Gun

Erykah Badu

4/5

Fantastic. Beautiful production.

Abattoir Blues / The Lyre of Orpheus

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

2/5

Tom Tom Club

4/5

It's a 3.5, but gets rounded up to 4 on the strength of "Genius of Love." Lots of fun grooves but the "Wordy Rappinghood" rapping is bad in that 1981 sing-songy way that a lot of people who had no business rapping ended up rapping around that time.

All That You Can't Leave Behind

3/5

It’s fine. U2 still hasn’t recovered from auto-adding that one album to all of our iTunes libraries. The hate is mostly hyperbolic and melodramatic. They’re still a great band, but the reality is that their best creative period was several decades ago. Which is fine. If you like U2, you’ll enjoy this album well enough. Should this particular album be on this list? I can think of a half-dozen better U2 albums.

The Fat Of The Land

The Prodigy

3/5

90s big beat electronic music.

Endtroducing.....

DJ Shadow

5/5

The more you learn about how this album was created, the better it gets. I tend to think of this album as one piece of art and through countless listenings over decades, I can’t name a single “song” on it. This record gets at the project of this book in that it’s something every pop music fan ought to hear at least once.

Highway 61 Revisited

Bob Dylan

2/5

Dylan just isn’t my thing. Influential? Yes. Talented as a songwriter? Sure. Someone I’m interested in listening to singing? No.

The Real Thing

Faith No More

3/5

Arguably the album that spawned an entire genre of lackluster rap/rock imitators. It’s a Bay Area classic, but that sparkly early 90s production sounds kind of dated now.

Lady Soul

Aretha Franklin

5/5