219
Albums Rated
4.03
Average Rating
20%
Complete
870 albums remaining
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Taste Profile
1970
Favorite Decade
Hip-hop
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Enthusiast
Rater Style ?
78
5-Star Albums
0
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
Top Styles
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Third
Soft Machine
|
5 | 2.44 | +2.56 |
|
Chocolate Starfish And The Hot Dog Flavored Water
Limp Bizkit
|
5 | 2.49 | +2.51 |
|
São Paulo Confessions
Suba
|
5 | 2.83 | +2.17 |
|
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx
Raekwon
|
5 | 2.85 | +2.15 |
|
Greetings From L.A.
Tim Buckley
|
5 | 2.86 | +2.14 |
|
Cafe Bleu
The Style Council
|
5 | 2.87 | +2.13 |
|
Hypocrisy Is The Greatest Luxury
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
|
5 | 2.88 | +2.12 |
|
Peace Sells...But Who's Buying
Megadeth
|
5 | 2.97 | +2.03 |
|
Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde
The Pharcyde
|
5 | 3.13 | +1.87 |
|
Cypress Hill
Cypress Hill
|
5 | 3.15 | +1.85 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Automatic For The People
R.E.M.
|
2 | 3.81 | -1.81 |
|
Five Leaves Left
Nick Drake
|
2 | 3.46 | -1.46 |
|
The Downward Spiral
Nine Inch Nails
|
2 | 3.34 | -1.34 |
|
Virgin Suicides
Air
|
2 | 3.24 | -1.24 |
|
Dirty
Sonic Youth
|
2 | 3.11 | -1.11 |
|
The Man Who
Travis
|
2 | 3.01 | -1.01 |
|
Felt Mountain
Goldfrapp
|
2 | 3 | -1 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Beatles | 3 | 5 |
| David Bowie | 4 | 4.5 |
| Jimi Hendrix | 3 | 4.67 |
| Stan Getz | 2 | 5 |
| AC/DC | 2 | 5 |
| Miles Davis | 2 | 5 |
| Megadeth | 2 | 5 |
| Beastie Boys | 2 | 5 |
| Michael Jackson | 2 | 5 |
5-Star Albums (78)
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Popular Reviews
Megadeth · 1 likes
5/5
Yeah... 5/5. There's only one better Megadeth album and not many thrash albums by any band that are better than this one.
Thank you Metallica for kicking out Dave, because we got two incredible bands as a result.
Frank Sinatra · 1 likes
4/5
Sinatra is a legend for a reason, a truly beautiful voice.
Unfortunately, the fact that this album is 70 years old doesn't do it much of a favour. Though the music is beautifully arranged and orchestrated, the songs tend to sound almost the same.
Lyrically, this is a beautiful album. Every song is about lost love, loneliness and the empty streets of NYC. Sounds like a clean and groomed older cousin of Tom Waitts' Rain Dogs.
All in all, a 4/5 album. You can imagine yourself walking the streets of a sleeping city at night, looking at the moon and contemplating your life.
Elvis Costello · 1 likes
5/5
So... I've never heard a single song by Elvis Costello ever in my life.
I can easily say that this is one of the greatest albums ever recorded. A New Wave masterpiece. Costello is an incredible lyricist and quite a proficient guitarist for new wave standards.
When it ended, I wished there was more. Non stop quality, non stop fun.
Can't wait to listen to more albums. 5/5
Solomon Burke · 1 likes
4/5
Yeah, this is a beautiful album. A relaxing listen with high quality music.
Solomon Burke has a voice that sounds equivalent to someone you love giving you a hug. The only fault, but it's nitpicking' is that sometimes you feel like there isn't much variety between songs. Still it's a great listen.
4/5
AC/DC · 1 likes
5/5
What a masterpiece...
Not a single boring second, just balls to the wall rock 'n' roll.
AC/DC is at their heaviest here and most triumphant. No need to go into details, but everything is spot on: songwriting, musicianship, vocals and in the end... production. This is pure ear candy, one of the best sounding albums of all time.
If you have this album as no. 1 on your list of greatest rock albums of all time, I wouldn't mind. It's definitely in that conversation!
All Ratings
Grizzly Bear
3/5
Positives:
This is a beautiful sounding album. The production is amazing. The artist wears their influences on their sleeve, form The Beach Boys, to America (The album opener sounded like a song of theirs. It was also the song I liked the most), to David Bowie.
Negatives:
This kind of music doesn't work for me, unfortunately. I find it very boring.
It's a thing of personal taste. Were I into this kind of indie/folk rock music it would probably be a 5 star album.
Overall, I give it 3 stars. Though it isn't for me, every single song on this album had at least a snippet of music that I was amazed by, though as a whole most of the songs were very forgettable.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
I love the Stones.
However, this is a generic RnB/RnR album from the early 60s. Mostly forgettable and mostly covers. The fact that it's on this list baffles me, because this list then needs to have at least 5 more Stones albums on it.
It's great for what it is, but what it is is nothing special (It wasn't anything new or special when it came out, even)
Stan Getz
5/5
I don't know much about bossa nova, but this sounds like an all-time classic bossa nova album.
The guitar and sax playing are superb, tasteful and not self indulgent as some jazz playing can be, at times.
It's definitely an album experience, not a song by song experience. So, if you can, make yourself a drink, have yourself a nice rest in the sun, and play lose yourself in this album.
Beatles
5/5
Completely biased review. The Beatles are my favourite band and this is an absolute no skip 5/5 album for me. Won't elaborate more.
3/5
POSITIVES:
The first three songs are all-time classics. Really amazing songs. The production is truly incredible. If the album was rated only by how it was sounding, I would say it's one of the best albums of all time.
However...
NEGATIVES:
The rest of the album is almost completely a rehash of the forst for songs, but worse. It's very boring and I couldn't wait for it to end.
All in all, it was a very mediocre experience. The album started great and then it went down-hill into indifference for me. I truly believe that U2 is one of the most overrated bands and this album (considered by most to be their best) has, unfortunately, not changed that.
3/5 (more of a 2.5) only because of the first three songs that kick ass.
Siouxsie And The Banshees
5/5
First time hearing this album, but I can honestly say that this is a post-punk classic.
High energy and depressing sounding at the same time. The guitar playing is great and at moment genius, even though it's not very technically proficient.
Souxie is, I have to say, a bad singer.. BUT, luckily this is a post-punk album and vocal proficiency doesn't have to be top notch so it works perfectly.
I'll be definitely returning to this album and the song Monitor is going into my playlists.
5/5
Songhoy Blues
5/5
This album is the reason I love these challenges. This is awesome, combining african rhythms with RnB and getting something so fun for me to listen to. I didn't understand a single word, but I didn't care, I just wanted to dance.
I'll be listening to this band frequently from now on, I'm really amazed by them.
5/5
Daft Punk
4/5
They are one of my favourite artists. Rarely, there is someone who understands music like Daft Punk.
Homework is a great album, a triumphant debut. Though it has its flaws, the signs of Daft Punk's genius are there, front and center.
It gets 4/5 for me, only because the heights of Discovery are so high, that even some great albums are unable to reach it. With that said, I love this album and if it had been the only Daft Punk album, it would've been a 5/5.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
I always go into reggae albums with a feeling that I'll listen to the same thing for 45 minutes, but Bob Marley is a legend for a reason. This is one of the best reggae albums I've ever listened to. However,there are a few filler tracks, but the songsthat are good are some of Marley's greatest.
This is a 4/5 for me. A great listen
R.E.M.
2/5
What a letdown. Before I listened to this album I only knew maybe three songs by R.E.M. (and all three are incredible). I am actually disappointed by Michael Stipe. He has no range whatsoever, and it sounds like he sings the same 5 note melody in every song and it leads into surrounding music being kinda boring. Anytime he goes for a higher note or something different his voice is strained and sounds bad. There are great moments on this album, but all in all I didn't enjoy it. I really hoped it would be awesome. 2/5
Slayer
4/5
So... Slayer.
I've been a metalhead most of my life, but next to the rest of the big 4, I've liked Slayer the least.
However, the importance, relentless energy, loud statement of one of the most honest thrash metal albums of all time can't help but make me say: - Wow.
I don't like many of Slayer albums, and this isn't my favourite. I think it lacks melodic parts that make Seasons in the Abyss and South of Heaven complete triumphs for me.
This is still a 4/5. For what it is, it's a masterpiece. Is it something that you can or should endure in one sitting, I don't think so, but I'll still consider this one of the greatest and most important metal albums.
Bauhaus
2/5
This is one of the most unmemorable albums I've ever listened to. It's not unlistenably bad, but it's boring. There are barely any interesting moments.
Won't elaborate more, 2/5
The Beach Boys
4/5
This album sounds like a bridge between the Surfin' Usa Beach Boys, which were a fun sounding, but formulaic band and the Pet Sounds Beach Boys which were a revolutionary musical and recording boundary breakers at the time rivaled only by The Beatles.
You can hear the genius of Brian Wilson here that would make Pet Sounds ehat it is and I think this is a great introduction point for them.
On the other hand, the negative aspect is that sometimes the songs sound the same and the lyrics are very similar, which is a detriment.
All in all, this is a good album. It's not perfect and I'd rate 3.5/5 (so basically 4/5)
David Bowie
5/5
I wanted to get more deeply into Bowie,as I knew a dozen songs and loved them.
What an introduction into his catalogue. An incredible album, at moments minimal, at moments giant. Bowie is a perfect songwriter. This is a masterpiece (and a lot of people don't think this is his best record) and I can't wait to listen to more.
5/5
Ministry
4/5
I've never been very into industrial metal. Sure, a song here and there, but it's never been exactly attractive.
Psalm 69 is a ruthless album. It sounds exactly as an industrial metal album should, feels like you're inside a metal plate factory... but in a good way.
Guitar playing is great, the vocals work for this style and the songwriting is generally good.
Some songs definitely feel unmemorable and lyrics can sometimes be uncomprehensive.
All in all, this is a great, brutal listen.
4/5
De La Soul
5/5
A hip-hop masterpiece.
From start to finish, this is a complete banger. Every song, every skit are incredible. The sampling is top notch and it 's a bridge between the drum breakdown beats of the 80s and the melodic beats of the 90s. From social commentary to incredible humour, the lyrics are great.
It's flawless.
5/5
Fats Domino
4/5
So. This is one of the best purely rock 'n' roll albums of the time that I've heard. Fats' voice is beautiful and the playing is soulful and tasteful. The only reason I gove it 4/5 is because this album, like many of contemporaries, can be a little bit repetitive. But all in all, a rock 'n' roll triumph
Solomon Burke
4/5
Yeah, this is a beautiful album. A relaxing listen with high quality music.
Solomon Burke has a voice that sounds equivalent to someone you love giving you a hug. The only fault, but it's nitpicking' is that sometimes you feel like there isn't much variety between songs. Still it's a great listen.
4/5
Elvis Costello
5/5
So... I've never heard a single song by Elvis Costello ever in my life.
I can easily say that this is one of the greatest albums ever recorded. A New Wave masterpiece. Costello is an incredible lyricist and quite a proficient guitarist for new wave standards.
When it ended, I wished there was more. Non stop quality, non stop fun.
Can't wait to listen to more albums. 5/5
Sonic Youth
2/5
One and a half good songs. The rest is almost unlistenable crap. 1.5/5
John Lennon
5/5
This is a great album. 4.5/5
This is peak Lennon songwriting. There are no filler tracks for me, although I don't wanna be a soldier, Mama drags a little too long.
The only thing stopping this being a 5/5 is the fact that I always find something missing when I listen to solo Beatles albums. I guess it needs a McCartney song on it, or a Harrison song on it to be completely perfect for me (though Harrison played lead guitar on it).
Other than that, this is probably Lennon's best solo record.
Prince
4/5
So, if I wanted to list the positives of this album, there would be no end to this.
However, I have some negatives to list:
Most of the tracks have drum machine tracks that sound too robotic and take away from the songs.
There are a few songs that Prince takes to some self indulgent experimentation, and it sounds kinda boring and repetitive and it takes away from actually good songs.
All in all, this album is great. Prince is a musical encyclopedia and a true genius. An incredible songwriter that hit a stride with this album that opened the door for the masterpiece that is his next album.
4/5
The Mothers Of Invention
3/5
Cyndi Lauper
5/5
An essential 80s Pop/Pop-Rock album. The songs are memorable and fun, they don't drag for a single second. I've never went further than 3-4 songs by Lauper, but this is an incredible album with two of her signature tracks.
The Who
5/5
This isn't just a rock opera, this is THE rock opera. A true classic with incredible storytelling, catchy melodies, great riffs and vocal performances (all other instruments are incredible too, it's The Who).
It's mindblowing that a 20-something young man wrote all of this. It's a film in your mind, if you close your eyes.
Just incredible! 5/5
Heaven 17
4/5
Side A is incredibly funky and side B is a little bit generic synth-pop. Lyrics are one of this albums strongest points. I like side A very much, it's 5/5, but the other half is mediocre 3/5. So all in all 4/5
Crosby, Stills & Nash
5/5
A masterpiece. Beautiful voices and harmonies. A classic for a reason. 5/5
Metallica
5/5
This might be the greatest metal album of all time.
There isn't a single boring second or a wasted moment. The fact that it was made by a group of 22/23 year olds that displayed unparalleled musicianship, songwriting, lyricism and overall "FUCK YOU WE'RE METALLICA" energy is just unfathomable.
I could listen to this daily and never get bored. 5/5
A MASTERPIECE
5/5
Interesting album, with an interesting artist behind it.
Suba actually describes the streets of Sao Paulo with every track, so if you close your eyes you could see the people, the chaos and in the chaos a kind of harmony.
This is a loveletter to a city where a Yugoslavian man found a new home. In the end it ended as a last will and testament of sorts, as Suba died around the time of its release.
The mix of Brazilian roots rhythms, bossa nova and electronica and sampling of everyday sounds is incredible. It might drag a little bit, but all in all it is an incredible listen.
4.5/5
AC/DC
5/5
What a masterpiece...
Not a single boring second, just balls to the wall rock 'n' roll.
AC/DC is at their heaviest here and most triumphant. No need to go into details, but everything is spot on: songwriting, musicianship, vocals and in the end... production. This is pure ear candy, one of the best sounding albums of all time.
If you have this album as no. 1 on your list of greatest rock albums of all time, I wouldn't mind. It's definitely in that conversation!
The Temptations
4/5
Serge Gainsbourg
3/5
Were this an instrumental album, it would've been a 5/5 for me.
However...
The whispery, "I wanna fuck you" voice ruins it for me. Also, when he actually sings, it's bad.
I don't speak french, but I get this is a sexual story (later I read the premise and it's fucked up).
All in all a 3/5
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
4/5
Tom Petty is an American legend for a reason. One of his many great albums.
Most of the songs are memorable, with a few classics. He is truly a fan of any music that's originally American and wears his influences on his sleeve.
Listening to this album, you can also hear how influential he is on later artists.
I wouldn't say this is a perfect album, but it's a great album anyway. 4/5
Tina Turner
4/5
Pop rock classic.
Most songs amazing, 2-3 filler, but still good. 4/5
The Beach Boys
5/5
This is apsolutely and desetvedly one of the gratest ablums ever recorded and produced.
The complexity of the vocal harmonies and songwriting itself is incredible. The fact that all of this is completly seamless it dumbfounding.
Brian Wilson was a genius. 5/5
Bob Dylan
4/5
This is the first time I've listened to a full Dylan album. To call this man a poet is an understatement. The music is phenomenal too.
The only thing keeping this from heing a 5/5 is the singing. It is his signature in a way, but it's not really good.
4/5
Supertramp
4/5
Going into this album knowing only "The Logical Song", I had my reserves.
However...
Never did I expect to listen to an actually really good prog rock album with a lot of symphonic elements.
Great songs, great listen.
I have to learn more about early Supertramp.
4/5
Pearl Jam
4/5
This is the best Pearl Jam album and one of the best debuts.
It's still a 4/5 for me.
Most songs are Pearl Jam classics, while the 3-4 songs that aren't are worse versions of the classics.
Todd Rundgren
4/5
Good album, but it overstays it's welcome. It's too long, at list for a daily challenge or a listen in one sitting.
Rundgren is truly a talented multi-instrumentalist and composer and this is a great example. Some songs feel like filler, but that's really expected in a 1.5 hour album.
Overall, it's just under 4/5 for me. I'll never listen to this album in its entirety, but will return to many songs.
Suede
4/5
Can't seem to place this band anywhere. So many influences, from post-punk to mainstreem pop.
This is a great album, the guitar work is incredible, though its simplistic. Songs are catchy and memorable. The only problem I have with it are the vocals. I get that it's a stylistic thing, but they get a little tiring, because they're not that good.
4/5
Goldfrapp
2/5
Boring. Minimalistically ambiental. Some interesting moments.
Overall, I don't know why it's on this list. 2/5
Joni Mitchell
4/5
Don't kniw if its one of the freatest albums ever recorded, but it is great. Mitchell's poetry and voice, with minimalistic musical backing is truly a beautiful listen.
Sometimes the folky atmosphere makes it that songs blend together a little. That's the only thing that takes it down to 4/5
Britney Spears
4/5
It's a pop classic. The hits are the catchiest, most memorable songs. The filler (and there's a lot of it) is actually fun and goes by fast.
Britney ruled the end of the 90s and early 00s for a reason. 4/5
John Lee Hooker
4/5
If you ever wanted to say that all blues sounds the same, listen to this album where the true masters came together and made a masterpiece, as far as blues can go.
A great album! 4/5
The White Stripes
3/5
When I was a teen I thoughtThe White Stripes and Jack White in general were overrated. The problem is that I thought that without listening to anything other than Seven Nation Army (which kicks ass).
I'm 28, I've listened to a full album by The White Stripes and I can only say one thing about them:
The White Stripes and Jack White in general are overrated.
Now for the album itself:
This album isn't good! He can sing, but decently sang on only two songs, the rest is either screaming or unarticulated sounds. The guitar playing is intentionally simplistic, but it's also not played well. The drumming is awful, but at least she can hold a beat.
There are decent "moments" here and there and I like one song, maybe two.
2.5/5
Dinosaur Jr.
4/5
If I were rating this album by its prosuction and overall sound, it would be a 1.5/5. What a bad sounding album.
However...
The songwriting is great and I simply love it when punk/post-punk albums have simplistic, but brilliant guitar parts.
The singing is bad, but that's a genre staple and it mostly works in this context.
Overall, I didn't think I would enjoy this album when I started, because it really is a bad sounding album, but in the end, I actually enjoyed it very much.
4/5
Joy Division
4/5
So... Every song is basically the same. Fade in, bass intro, cymbals and then the rest.
The singer is bad, obviously, but it works with the style of music they play.
It's a mediocre album for me, though there are standout tracks that I'll add to my playlist.
3.5/5
Miles Davis
5/5
A jazz fusion masterpiece. I mean it's Miles Davis...
The fact that his backing band are some of the greatest fusion names of all time should tell you everything about the musicianship on this album. With that, the pieces themselves are masterpieces. 5/5
Pixies
5/5
This is a great album. I'll be returning to it.
Songs were great and though it's alt-rock through and through, they wear their influences on their sleeve and it's a mish mash of great stuff.
4.5/5
Megadeth
5/5
Yeah... 5/5. There's only one better Megadeth album and not many thrash albums by any band that are better than this one.
Thank you Metallica for kicking out Dave, because we got two incredible bands as a result.
The Gun Club
4/5
What a weird album. It's good, but it's so strange. An obviously punk band with a horrible singer, but it works.
Also...
Since when did punks start playing country music???
I've never heard a band that sounded like this and I actually like it. It's a 4/5 for me.
Beastie Boys
5/5
A true masterpiece. Who would've thought that three jewish guys from New York would make one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time.
From the lyrics to the energy to the sampling, there is no second wasted.
A 5/5, if there ever was one
Eagles
5/5
First time I heard this album in its entirety... And it doesn't disappoint.
For me it's just under 5/5, just because I there is one ballad too many. Don't get me wrong, every ballad is great.
This is deservedly an acclaimed album and I can understand why the Eagles are among the best-selling artists of all time.
Black Sabbath
5/5
What can be said about this album that already hasn't been said...
Though it's not my personal favourite album by Sabbath, it is still a masterpiece and a 5/5.
From start to finish, song by song, it is an incredible genre defining experience. I love this album and this band with all my heart.
Alice In Chains
5/5
Yeah... I've always loved this album. Listening to it again in its entirety after a while, I can say this is truly one of the greatest albums I've listened to. Songwriting, musicianship, singing, production, lyricism... everything.
5/5. A no-brainer.
Fiona Apple
3/5
It's ok. Nothing special for me. She sings ok. The music is ok. A solid 3 to 3.5/5.
Grateful Dead
5/5
The Grateful Dead are a cult band with the most diehard fanbase and I can finally see why.
I never listened to the Dead until this album. Is this the greatest band I've ever heard? No. Is this a great album? Yes and more.
You get people who love rock, folk, some country and gove them tons of weed. That's how you get the Grateful Dead, or at least it sounds like that to me.
I loved every second of this. 5/5
Stevie Wonder
5/5
A rare "long" album that doesn't overstay it's welcome. Incredible how many classic songs one album can have. Stevie is truly one of the greatest musical minds to ever do it.
5/5
Moby
4/5
Great album with some of the chillest music you'll hear. A classic electronic album, but it has two or three too simplistic tracks that are too ambiental and clearly filler. Overall, a 4/5 album for me
Tom Waits
5/5
This is one of the best albums I've ever heard in my life. I'm a fan of Waits, but this is the first time I've listened to this album in its entirety.
It's chaotic in terms of genre. It describes the lives of strange characters and paints raw and dirty picrures of NYC lost souls.
Just incredible.
5/5
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
The album that changed guitar forever.
Jimi's debut finally showed the world what was known only in London clubs and that's the fact that electric guitar's monstruous prophet was unleashed upon the earth.
Now that I'm done with simping, I have to say that this is far from a perfect album. Jimi is a terrible singer, but it's cancelled out by his guitar playing. The band around him is great too. The production here is far from the best and leaves some things to be desired sonically (it would be fixed in his two later albums.
As far as songs go, there are no real misses here, some are just pure classics and others are strong, though sometimes a little forgettable, psychadelic blues pieces.
This is a strong album, an incredible debut and in the end it's a 4/5 for me.
The La's
4/5
So... If The Beatles are the starting point and Oasis is the ending point, this band and this album are in the exact middle.
It's a fun listen with a legendary song in it.
Not the best album I've heard, but it's not bad at all. 4/5
Talking Heads
4/5
It's good, but it's weird. More than half of this album sounds like children's music.
It's a 3.5 to 4 star albun for me. It's more of a "playing in background" than a "serious listen" album.
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
This is Jimi's masterpiece.
Incredible blues, rock, psychadelia. If it only had All Along the Watchtower and Voodoo Child (Slight return) it would be enough, but the rest is just as amazing.
5/5
Pulp
3/5
One of the most "meh" albums I've heard. It's not bad and unpleasant to listen, but it's a forgettable bunch of songs that start to meld after a while and start to sound the same.
There are some interesting moments, but overall I found the album boring, unfortunately.
I guess it's not my cup of tea.
2.5/5
Deep Purple
5/5
5/5
What an album...
Non stop fun and non stop high octane rock.
I can't even imagine people putting this on the turntable the first time it came out, what their reaction was. From the songs, to the singing, to the guitar, to the keyboards to everything. This is perfection!
Super Furry Animals
4/5
It's ok. It's not something I would usually listen to and probably won't listen to much again, but it was really interesting. Experimentation with rock and electronic, melodic and mellow sounds.
The songs were mostly forgettable to me, but the experience of the album will stay with me.
3.5/5
Eagles
4/5
A good american rock album. Can't compare it to Hotel California, but listening to this shows what would happen a little while later.
It's a solid record with mostly fun and memorable songs and a surprising amount of country influences.
I can understand why the Eagles are one of the best selling artists of all time.
4/5
Supergrass
5/5
5/5
Great alt-rock. They wear their influences on their sleeve and, in turn, you can hear so many later bands through them.
I really didn't expect much, but I was blown away.
Bruce Springsteen
3/5
If Springsteen can do anything, he can paint a picture with words. A true poetic storyteller.
However, that's the only thing good I can say about this album. You can feel that this was a personal project, with his heart and soul poured into it, but it also musically feels very empty.
The songs blend together and you can't say when one song starts and the other ends. The minimalism didn't work for me here.
It's a shame, this could've been a 4 or 5 star album if it had more instrumentation and variety, but solely on its lyrical merits it's a 3/5.
The Byrds
3/5
First time I had to go through a whole country album. It's not unpleasant to the ear, but it's incredibly boring and the lyrics are some of the most vanilla I've ever heard.
The last three songs are great.
Overall, a 'meh' experience. 3/5
Janis Joplin
4/5
It's good, no doubt about it.
Even though her career wasn't very long, she recorded enough music to make a 5/5 best of compilation. However, these individual studio albums don't go over 4/5, because even though there aren't any bad songs, some feel like filler.
5/5
Album by album, I'm starting to think that David Bowie might go to no. 1 on my list of greatest singer-songwriters of all time.
This album is a weird journey accompanied by psychadelic, folky and avant-garde rock music.
A 5/5 album!
The Doors
4/5
This is a great album, but not my favourite Doors album.
Some legendary songs are here: Waiting for the sun, Peace frog and, of course, Roadhouse blues. Still, it leaves just a little to be desired for me (or I have in my head other albums by them that are a clear 5/5).
4/5
Killing Joke
4/5
These post-punk albums always surprise me. The vocals are never good, but the musicianship almost always exceeds expectations. Killing Joke is no exception.
It's not perfect, it's a strong 4/5.
Bloodsport kicks ass!
Siouxsie And The Banshees
3/5
Through this challenge I've already listened to Juju and that was a masterpiece. This one can't be compared.
The signs of what was to come later were definitely hear, but unfortunately The Scream is a little boring with generic post-punk songs that blend with one another.
The Switch is a kick-ass song!
3/5
Stan Getz
5/5
This is a beautiful and relaxing listen. A true bossa nova masterpiece.
The only thing that's keeping it from having a perfect score for me is Joao's vocals. He can sing, but his voice is not much to my liking. If Astrud sang the whole thing, I think it would've been perfection!
4.5/5
Charles Mingus
5/5
Wow... This is one of the best albums I've heard. Not jazz albums, but in all of music.
It's hard to describe it, but this is the closest I've heard to organized chaos, but inside the chaos is pure harmony.
You can hear that masters of their instruments had so much fun recording this.
This was my first taste of Charles Mingus and I can't wait to hear more... or I'll probably listen to this again many times.
An incredible record. 5/5
Jack White
5/5
So, Jack White has earned my respect with this album.
I've always thought Jack and the White Stripes were overrated and listening to TWS albums here didn't change that.
However, Blunderbuss is a whole different beast. From crushing blues rock to beautiful mellow melodies, this album kicks ass.
Jack's singing style works for this kind of music and he has and incredible talent for driving and catchy choruses. His guitar playing is raw and symplistic and it doesn't need to be anything else.
5/5, I was really surprised. I can finally somewhat understand why so many people like his music.
Fela Kuti
4/5
I guess I'm a fan of Fela Kuti. This is the first time I've listened to his music and it's great.
The mix of jazz, funk, african rhythms is incredible. I wanted to and did dance through this whole thing.
Also, Ginger Baker proves time and time again that he was one of the greatest drummers of all time.
However, the pieces do go for a little too long and it was unnecessary for the drum solo at the end to be 16 minutes long.
All in all, a great and interesting listen. I will listen to Fela Kuti again. 4/5
John Grant
4/5
Full of beautiful songs and melodies.
Lirically, you can hear that Grant was describing some of his personal demons and the result is truly good. He is a poet!
However, a lot of the songs are ballads that can start to sound like one another and in the end the length of the album makes it overstay its welcome. If there was a bit more variety it would've been a 4-4.5 star album.
As it is it's a 3.5/5
Miles Davis
5/5
The masters at work. Proof that a million notes per second isn't necessary.
The most relaxing and beautiful music you will ever hear.
What's incredible also is the names that play here, besides Miles. Coltrane, Cannonball, Evans, come on.
It's considered to be one of the greatest jazz albums of all time for a reason.
5/5
M.I.A.
3/5
Interesting album, but in the end, not for me.
I can respect the experimentation with different genres and there are some very interesting moments, but there are also some almost unlistenable moments.
The production is great. It's a sonically very strong album and omages to other artists are fun.
A 2.5/5, a thing of personal taste. Someone who has a preference for this will probably rate it better.
Steely Dan
5/5
5/5
The run of albums Steely Dan had in the 70s and early 80s was something else, full of masterpieces... and Pretzel Logic is one of them!
The Libertines
3/5
They wear their influences in their sleeve. The album is a mish mash of many genres, from rock'n'roll to punk to country, but in the end I didn't find it very memorable.
It's a good sounding album, the production is great, but all in all, halfway through I was bored. 2.5/5
Dwight Yoakam
3/5
This type of country music is some of the most boring and unimaginative music I've listened to. It's music that usually plays on american tv shows when a scene is set in a bar full of cowboys.
It's not unpleasant to the ear. The playing is good for what it needs to be and Dwight can definitely sing, but listening to this was a chore. I couldn't wait for it to end. A painfully "meh" experience. 2.5/5
Television
4/5
You can hear that an album is important from the very atart and Marquee Moon is like that.
The influences of this album can be heard in a lot of later music.
The instrumentation is great. Simplistic and genius, because it does so much with very little. The songwriting itself is bery good and even the title track at 10 minutes doesn't lose it's appeal.
My only problem with this is the singing. It's not that good, but it kinda works.
4/5
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
3/5
This is the whitest, folky, country blues album I've ever heard. Jack is an incredible storyteller, but in the end, this was an incredibly "meh" experience. 3/5
Big Black
2/5
A frustrating listen. There probably could've been good songs here, but the production choices, such as guitar sounds, kill this album and at times make it almost unlistenable.
There are some good moments, but they are so few. The singing is another level of awful too. 2/5, barely...
5/5
5/5
I love this album, but I'm biased and I've heard it a million times. They are by far my favourite band of all time. Won't elaborate more.
Portishead
4/5
A perfect album for a rainy day.
It's a particular vibe and I wouldn't be able to listen to this at any time. The jazzy electronica and great vocal lines sang by an incredibly beautiful voice make this one of the chillest albums I've listened to. 4/5
Mekons
3/5
It's ok. Nothing special, to be honest. Punk/post punk, blended with some country elements. There are a standout song or two, but mostly a forgettable experience. 3/5
Jurassic 5
5/5
5/5
Incredible hip-hop album. First time I've heard of this group and I've instantly become a fan. The voices, cadences and rhymes are perfect, but what shines equally is the beats. Beats are very out of the box and alternative and all in all, the final product is perfection.
The Smashing Pumpkins
3/5
It's too long and overrated. There are great songs, absolutely, but there are also many 'meh' songs.
No studio album should ever be two hours long.
Overall, a listenable, but overblown and self-indulgent album with a few really incredible bangers.
3/5
Iron Maiden
5/5
This isn't my favourite Maiden album. I don't think this is Maiden's best album... but, man, is it a great and important album nontheless.
I don't like the chorus of Invaders and I don't care for Gangland completely, but the rest is pure perfection.
Every other song is an Iron Maiden classic played live to this day. Just incredible!
5/5
David Bowie
4/5
Judging only by side A, this would've been another 5/5 for Bowie.
However, the instrumental tracks on side B are hit and miss for me. They're good, but they really break the flow of the album.
This is still a really strong 4/5. Bowie was incredible!
The Pharcyde
5/5
A hip-hop masterpiece. Great beats with funny and catchy lyrics.
The Pharcyde were the masters.
5/5
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
No CCR album is a 5/5 for me. There is always filler, but because of that their best of compilations are among the greatest albums released.
There are still classics here, and the rest is great, but forgettable. 4/5
Donovan
3/5
It's an okay psychadelic rock album, but I don't think it was that special even in the mid 60s. I don't think that it aged really well, sound wise.
As far as the songwriting goes, it's ok, and the songs are played very well.
3/5
Nick Drake
2/5
Drake could play the acoustic, no doubt about it. I'd gladly steal many snippets of his music.
However, this is probably the most boring album I've heard through this challenge. It was so boring that I almost DNFed it.
1.5/5
Radiohead
3/5
A 3/5, I guess. The few songs I heard by Radiohead before, I mostly didn't like and I mostly don't like this album.
The ambient electronica is insufferably boring most of the time, but there are definitely moments on this album that are really great.
Why this album is considered a masterpiece, I'll never know.
Silver Jews
3/5
Meh. Can't find a single other word. Just meh.
2.5/5
Frank Sinatra
4/5
Sinatra is a legend for a reason, a truly beautiful voice.
Unfortunately, the fact that this album is 70 years old doesn't do it much of a favour. Though the music is beautifully arranged and orchestrated, the songs tend to sound almost the same.
Lyrically, this is a beautiful album. Every song is about lost love, loneliness and the empty streets of NYC. Sounds like a clean and groomed older cousin of Tom Waitts' Rain Dogs.
All in all, a 4/5 album. You can imagine yourself walking the streets of a sleeping city at night, looking at the moon and contemplating your life.
Bob Dylan
4/5
Good album, Dylan is truly a great poet. Some songs on this album were just him joking around and for me it is a detriment. He has a distinctive voice and singing style (he can't sing) and it is canceled out by the incredible lyrics, but when the lyrics aren't interesting it just becomes tiresome to me.
You could cut out 3-4 songs and it would've been a 5/5 single LP. Instead, it's a 3.5/5 double album for me.
B.B. King
5/5
A true blues master at work.
Incredible band, incredible guitarist, incredible voice. Nothing more to be said.
5/5, an album that shouldn't end so quickly
The Zutons
4/5
A fun album. I'm usually don't like these early 2000s indie bands, but The Zutons are a fun listen.
A lot of times they sound like they're straight out of a Tarantino film and they call back to older sounds with a modern twist.
I won't probably be going back to this, but it was a fun experience, nontheless.
4/5
Snoop Dogg
5/5
Hip-hop classic. Every single song is a banger.
Snoop has one of the chillest voices and his flow is so fluid.
As far as beats go, Dre is always at the top of his game, G-funk at its best.
5/5
Derek & The Dominos
5/5
For me, this is one of a few double albums that doesn't pverstay its welcome.
From purely blues tracks to great rockers to beautiful ballads, this album is incredible.
A statement to EC's songwriting genius, crowned with one of rock's greatest love anthems in Layla.
Everything is on point, the singing, guitar playing, other instrumentstion too! 5/5
The Cardigans
4/5
A cemented 4/5. It's a great album, with the most unexpected Black Sabbath cover (and it works really well). The only thing that's keeping it from 5, is personal taste, but if anyone ranks it as 5/5, I can't complain.
The singing is great, the musicianship is great and the songs themselves are constructed perfectly.
Can
3/5
It's ok. Experimental, ambiental, not unpleasant to the ear.
That's all I can say, nothing negative, but not much positive. 3/5
Holger Czukay
3/5
I'll just copy the review I wrote for Future Days by Can:
It's ok. Experimental, ambiental, not unpleasant to the ear.
That's all I can say, nothing negative, but not much positive. 3/5
Joni Mitchell
5/5
It's a perfect album. I actually like it better than Blue (might be a hot take). It's a 5/5. She's a poet, has a distinct singing style and it's all backed up bu great instrumentation.
Gotan Project
4/5
I actually knew 3-4 songs from this album. It's ok, but kinda samey after a while. 80 minutes is just a little bit too long. The accordion-tango influenced electronic/live instrument hybrid is interesting. 3.5/5
The Divine Comedy
3/5
It's either an ode to the love songs of the 50s and 60s, or a parody of them. Either way, it's ok. Not mind blowing, but it has some nice instrumentation and orchestration.
Tears For Fears
5/5
An essential 80s pop rock album. Great songs, performed wonderfully, with Everybody Wants To Rule The World, which is slowly, in my mind, becoming one of the greatest songs ever written. 5/5
Nine Inch Nails
2/5
This was a chore to go through, unfortunately.
This album suffers from all the the tropes of the industrial rock genre. The distorted vocals, the needless electronica and sometimes too ambient forays to sound "serious".
I don't like it. Shame... 2/5
4/5
A good punk album, with some unexpected rockabilly sounds. Simple, but played well, and the dual vocals are actually decent (for a Punk band).
It's a 4/5 for me
Foo Fighters
4/5
Hats off to Dave Grohl for this album.
This was a one man project and it only ups my respect for Dave. Great songwriting, singing and as far as all instruments go, great playing.
It's not perfect, but still a magnificent debut.
4/5
Led Zeppelin
5/5
A classic for a reason. Don't have to say much. A visionary band at its peak of power. From Whole Lotta Love to What Is And What Should Never Be to The Lemon Song and on and on. No stinkers. 5/5
Blur
4/5
It wasn't anything spectacular, but it was a fun listen. Some songs are very memorable, others, well, aren't. All in all a 3.5/5 album.
Jimi Hendrix
5/5
Already said everything I had to say about Jimi in the reviews for the other two albums.
This is a step up production wise from Are you experienced and a perfect bridge between it and Ladyland.
5/5 album. Legendary songs, incredible playing!
Soundgarden
4/5
A good album. Could be shorter a little, but mostly it's all substance and the songs are bangers.
Heavy music, introspective, dark lyricism and one of the greatest voices rock has ever seen.
4/5
Incredible Bongo Band
5/5
5/5
Non stop funky rock bongo fun!
The Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
5/5
This was an incredible experience. As far as rap goes, this is something very different. It's almost a spoken word album, but it keeps your attention with incredible concious poetry and jazzy beats.
This is one of the best alt hip-hop albums I've ever heard. 5/5
Beastie Boys
5/5
What a debut...
It's a 4/5, because it was followed by Paul's Boutique and Ill Communication.
Were it the only Beastie Boys album, it would've been a 5/5
Creedence Clearwater Revival
4/5
Same as my review for Green River, it's a 4/5.
Marvin Gaye
5/5
Probably the greatest, most soulful anti-war album ever recorded. A beautiful listen! 5/5
Miriam Makeba
4/5
What a voice this woman had.
The album sounds dated, no doubt about it, but the songs with african tribal influences are incredible and followed by perfect instrumentation. A beautiful experience. A strong 4/5
Gorillaz
4/5
It's a great debut. I find it lacking a bit comparedto Demon Days and Plastic Beach, but it's a great album nonetheless. 4/5
Beck
3/5
Ok. A little boring at times, also great moments at times. All in all, a mid experience.
3/5
Sam Cooke
4/5
It's a fun rock'n'roll live album. The songs sound very similar, but it's a fun listen without a boring second from start to finish. 4/5
Belle & Sebastian
3/5
Incredibly mid. Not unpleasant to the ear, but just very mediocre. 2.5/5
Michael Jackson
5/5
Neck and neck with thriller. A pop/soul/disco masterpiece. 5/5
AC/DC
5/5
Yeah... It's one of the greatest rock albums of all time. I forgot what a good sounding album this is. The songs speak for themselves as far as quality goes. It may not reach the heights of Back In Black (rare are the albums that do), but it's a 5/5 nonetheless
Van Morrison
3/5
Didn't age very well, I think. It's an ok album, but it was probably a lot better in the 60s. Now, it's a 3/5
The Stooges
4/5
This was such a fun album to listen to, it went by in a breeze. What surprised me was the guitar playing. There were some very simplistic, but genius parts.
It's a 4/5, I've definitely heard better, as far as this style of music goes, but it's a great album nontheless.
Mudhoney
3/5
It's an okay album. Grungey rock, a nice, but forgettable listen. 3/5
Boards of Canada
2/5
This was one of the longest, most boring albums I had to go through in this challenge. Damn it, It was so boring. Ambiental, electronic and boring. It wasn't unlistenable, that's why it's a 2/5
3/5
I respect MC5 for their place in influencing what would come to be Hard Rock and Heavy Metal.
This album isn't very good, as far as live albums go.
The songs, that are actually good, are hidden behind some not so good playing and at many times the recording is very bad and it sounds like a wild cacophony of screams and squeals.
2.5/5
(They were probably incredible to hear live, as what this album relates well is the fact that the atmosphere was incredible)
Adele
4/5
Ok pop album. You can hear which songs are hits and it actually makes everything else sound like very well sung filler.
Man, what a voice this woman has... Still, this is a 3.5/5 for me
Drive Like Jehu
2/5
2/5
Some interesting moments. The rest is terribly produced, terribly played and terribly sung punk music.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
5/5
One of the greatest debuts and a southern rock masterpiece.
Skynyrd released great albums after this, but they never, in my opinion, reached the heights of this album. Gimme Three Steps, Tuesday's Gone, Simple Man, Free Bird... Yeah, they would've been legends even if they released only this album. 5/5
The Cure
3/5
It's ok. I get why there is a niche of people who consider this their thing and through that, consider this to be the greatest music ever recorded.
However, it's not for me, and it's a 3/5
The Afghan Whigs
3/5
It's ok. Nothing special, but not horrible. A 3/5, very in the middle.
Neil Young
5/5
An incredible album. A folk rock masterpiece. I'll be returning to it many times!
The Temptations
5/5
Yeah, it's great. The vocal harmonies are incredible as always. Of course, The staple is the 12 minute Papa was a rolling stone, but the rest isn't bad at all. A 4.5/5
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
It's a great reggae album. Not on the level of Exodus, but still great. A solid 4/5
Aphex Twin
3/5
It's a 2.5/5
Incredibly ambient, incredibly boring and incredibly long. Still, some tracks have fun moments, so it's not a complete dud.
Basement Jaxx
4/5
A great and fun listen. I could do without the interludes, but all in all, really fun.
Simon & Garfunkel
5/5
It's great. A mix of folk, pop and rock'n'roll, even some minimalist country influences. Beautifully sung and full of songs that stand the test of time. An album that aged incredibly well, for the type of music it contains. 4.5/5
The Style Council
5/5
What an album... it was so unexpected.
Everything is here, pop, rock, jazz and even rap. It all works together perfectly.
Incredible album, a 5/5
Duran Duran
4/5
Never was a fan of Duran Duran, but I always liked a few songs. Luckilly, almost all of those songs are on this album.
The album is essentially 80s, with synthy pop-rock. It's not a 5/5 (but it could be to more avid fans and probably is), but a 4/5, for me. The songwriting quality is great and the musicianship is also.
Bebel Gilberto
4/5
Sort of a bossa nova album to enter the new century with some modern twists.
All in all, a great bossa nova singer on a solid bossa nova album. Nothing groundbreaking, but a nice experience. 4/5
R.E.M.
4/5
What happened to this band later on?
This is a great album by a hungry, young band. Songs and playing are great! Sure, Stipe is singing in his boring way, but he is trying to use more than 5 notes, compared to Automatic for the People later on.
A strong 4/5!
If you want to listen to REM, this is the album, not the "acclaimed" Automatic!
Jefferson Airplane
4/5
In the late 60s, this was probably a great album and it's still good, but it's very dated.
Were it not for two timeless classics in Somebody to Love and White Rabbit, this would've been a 3/5 album, but in actuality, for me it's closer to 4.
Stereolab
3/5
It's ok. Nothing incredible, but an ok listen.
They blend a few genres, but every song is based on a repetitive beat. 3/5
Bruce Springsteen
5/5
Springsteen is an incredible lyricist. The E Street band is so good and has so many members, that it sounds orchestral.
The quality of the songs is great and they are all sung with characteristically Springsteeny vocal lines that make The Boss unique.
A great experience, 5/5
Gram Parsons
3/5
An ok country album, which instantly makes it a very boring experience for me.
2.5/5
Megadeth
5/5
A thrash metal masterpiece.
The addition of Menza and Freidman made probably the greatest lineup Megadeth ever had.
The songs themselves are incredible, from Holy Wars to Polaris, with Tornado of Souls and Hangar 18 in between.
5/5
The Fall
3/5
3/5
Generic punk/post punk, with ok playing and yet another terrible singer.
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
3/5
It breaks my heart to give this album a 3/5.
I respect Buddy Holly's position in the history of rock'n'roll and consider him a giant in that aspect.
However, this is an album almost 70 years old and is very dated. It was probably incredible for the time.
Pretenders
5/5
A great, fun listen. A non-gloomy post-punk/new wave band on top of their game. Not the greatest vocals, but perfect for this kind of music. The musicianship is top notch and the songwriting itself is great. Not the greatest album I've heard, but a strong 4.5/5!
Roxy Music
4/5
I still don't like Roxy Music, but I have a lot more respect for them. This album is ok, but it's very ahead of it's time, made by a fearless band, that experimented and took unexpected musical leaps.
Bryan Ferry is still not a good singer.
3.5/5
Iggy Pop
5/5
Yeah, it's a 5/5.
This album is great from top to bottom, no filler tracks, just great, albeit bare, 70s rock'n'roll.
The Beau Brummels
3/5
Ok album, I guess it was good at the time. It sounds good, but it's like a temu Bob Dylan album. A little forgettable. 3/5
5/5
Never was a fan of Limp Bizkit. I knew a few songs, but this is the first time Iheard a full album.
It's a 5/5, a complete experience of a metal/rap fusion that defined an era.
A great album!
The KLF
4/5
It's ok. Electronic at its core, but there are elements of everything here. Pop, reggae, hip hop... a mish mash. It's done very well, though not an unforgettable experience.
3.5/5
David Bowie
4/5
So, I guess my rating would be equal to Heroes.
Side A, comprised of songs, is great, but a little weaker than side A on Heroes. However, side B with mostly instrumentals works a little better than on Heroes. So, all in all, it's balanced out for a strong 4/5.
Bowie has definitely become my favourite songwriter through this challenge.
Tim Buckley
5/5
An incredible, psychadelic, funky 70s rock n roll.
Songs are great, jams are great and a really energetic singer with a charismatic voice. 5/5
Lauryn Hill
5/5
One of the greatest hip-hop/r'n'b albums of all time. Lauryn is an incredible singer and rapper. Almost 80 minutes and it doesn't overstay it's welcome for a single second. If I were to nitpick, I would've excluded the cover of Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You. Other than that, this is perfection, 5/5
Red Hot Chili Peppers
4/5
Not a fan of the Peppers, never was. I respect them as musicians and recognize them as a band that makes high quality music, but it's not my cup of tea (a few songs excluded).
Californication is sonically and thematically a great and powerful album. Lyrically masterful and musicianship is incredible. Many songs are hits here, for a reason.
However, I don't think the hits are actually the best songs on the album. Also, I think that as a melodic singer, Kiedis is a one trick Pony, as I believe all his vocal lines are very similar (when he goes to the old days of rapping and screaming, he's great).
All in all, the reasons for this being a legendary album are here and if people rate it as a 5/5, I wouldn't complain. For me it's a strong 4/5!
The Velvet Underground
4/5
It's a good album. A solid end of 60s rock album. Psychadelia, folk rock and straightforward rock n roll.
Nothing mind-blowing, but a nice listen. 3.5/5
10cc
4/5
A good 70s rock album. The hits are obvious and instantly recognizable, the rest is good, but a bit forgettable.
A 3.5/5
The Kinks
4/5
I think this would've been a 5/5, if I were reviewing when it came out. I'm pushing it to a 4 becaus it's very dated, unfortunately. There are songs here that are timeless classics, but the rest, though good, is very much a product of its age. All in all, a great album.
Muddy Waters
3/5
A good blues album. And that can't go over 3/5 for me, unfortunately. It gets a little boring after a while.
CHIC
4/5
I expected more from this album, because of its legendary status.
Musically, it's played perfectly. There are legendary songs here, but also everything sounds like 5 repetitive loops going around.
A 3.5/5
5/5
Probably the greatest progressive rock album ever recorded. 5/5
Pink Floyd
5/5
5/5
It's simply one of the greatest albums ever recorded. Won't say much more.
Air
2/5
This was incredibly boring. 2/5
Dirty Projectors
3/5
What a weird album (not a bad thing). It's a type of alternative music that I really don't like, but it has so many wacky guitar moments that I've loved here. All in all, it's a boring album for me, but it has incredibly fun moments. 3/5
Echo And The Bunnymen
3/5
A generic post punk album with some interesting moments influenced by indian music. 2.5/5
Radiohead
4/5
Definitely better than I expected, because I don't like Radiohead. There are a few great songs here, some that are listenable and some that are insufferable. The problem I have with it is that by the end, I thought that every song had the same vocal lines and ending the album with an incredibly boring song wasn't a great idea. Still, I can see that this is a very influential album, I can see that Muse (a band I like) "stole" a lot from here.
When the songs are good, they're great. Karma Police and Paranoid Android are incredible.
All in all, a 3.5 album for me.
The White Stripes
4/5
Better than White Blood Cells. It's a 3.5/5 for me. (I still think that TWS are overrated)
The Band
3/5
A generic 60s folk-rock album. It's ok, but nothing incredible. 3/5
Johnny Cash
4/5
It's a great album, with arrangements that are so uplifting. Unfortunately, the fact that a lot of the album is covers (though great covers they are) is a detriment for me. A strong 4/5
Laibach
4/5
It's great, truly. This is a work of art, or anti-art, if you'd like.
But, some statements on this, though powerful, are sometimes bordering on annoying (2-3 tracks near the end). The rest is great, both covers and originals. The title track is my prefered version of Live is Life and always has been.
Laibach are different from anything you'll ever see or hear and they are worth your every second. 4/5
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Not reaching the heights of Born To Run, but still a great album. Springsteen just has a distinct sound that only he has. A strong 4/5.
Soft Machine
5/5
Wow, what an album. I wouldn't be surprised if this album wasn't very well rated here, it is a particular taste, but... luckily it matches with mine, so it's a clear 4.5-5/5.
The musicianship is incredible, it's clearly an improvisational album by masters of their craft. An avant-garde/progressive/schizophrenic album and I've enjoyed every single second.
Iron Maiden
4/5
Were this the only Maiden album ever, it would've been a 5/5.
The songs are great, with Phantom of the Opera being my favourite track by them. The signature twin guitars are there and this is an incredible album. But I'll be an asshole and give it 4/5 only because I know the masterpieces that came later.
Cream
5/5
It's a classic psychadelic blues rock album for a reason.
Three men who played well and as you can hear, had lots of fun making this album. It's a 4.5/5
Raekwon
5/5
One of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time.
The beats are incredible, the lyricism off the charts.
Raekwon and Ghostface star in a story that's a film in your mind with other Wu members and Nas joining in as different characters. Just incredible! 5/5
Björk
3/5
It's an interesting album, definitely, though in the end, mostly it's not for me. Excluding a few tracks that are really good, it mostly sounds the same from track to track. I respect the idea of this album and Bjork as an artist, but in the end, this is a 3/5 for me.
LTJ Bukem
2/5
So... This album should be listened to in it's continuous mix version. I would've loved to listen to this as a live set, around 4-5 in the morning, high on ecstasy.
However, as an album for listening at home, this gets boring very fast. The changesare so subtle between tracks, that it sounds like an hour of the same drum 'n' bass track. 2/5
Public Enemy
5/5
One of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time. Just incredible. Chuck D is one of the greatest MCs ever and surprisingy, Flavor Flave works against him perfectly as a (not so skilled) hypeman. The beats are great too. 5/5
4/5
One of the weirdest punk/new wave albums I've ever heard and that's not necessarily a bad thing.
The songs are so outside the box and weird that the album was non stop fun. Still, the vocals are not good, ut they don't need to be. All in all, afun experience,but nothing that blew me away. A 4/5
The Police
4/5
It's a great album. I don't think it's their best, but still... a unique sound with great songwriting and playing. It has legendary tracks, but also some filler ones.
A strong 4/5
Scissor Sisters
5/5
This is the reason I started this challenge, to discover albums and bands like this!!!
Wow, what an album. Went into it expecting nothing, got one of the most fun experiences in this challenge.
The mix of so many genres, rooted in rock, dunk, electronica... everything. Wow, it works so well!
5/5, incredible
The Flying Burrito Brothers
3/5
When it's pure country (and that's most of it), it's insufferable. When it's not (looking at you Hot Burrito #2), it's awesome. All in all, a 2.5-3/5.
Sly & The Family Stone
4/5
A good, fun album. High quality soul and funk. It didn't blow me away, but I hardly found it lacking. A strong 4/5
Röyksopp
4/5
A very good electronic album. I like Royksopp in general and this album is great, though it's not a 5 star album for me. It needs a particular setting and vibe for it to hit as hard as it can. So, all in all, a 4/5
Sebadoh
3/5
I hate indie rock. This was very meh. 2.5/5
Travis
2/5
Boring indie rock. 2/5
Hugh Masekela
4/5
What an album. 4 stars only because the length is still a detriment to it. Under an hour it would've been perfection.
The tracks are great, the playing is tasteful, soulful and all-around incredible. The african teibal elements were incorporated perfectly too. Great album! 4/5
Eels
3/5
Didn't like it. It wasn't unpleasant to the ear, but it was incredibly boring. If Wilco was a lot worse they would be Eels. 2.5/5
The Only Ones
4/5
The vocals suck.
Luckily, they don't destroy this album. It's very good, carried by the musicianship, which is great for a late 70s punk/new wave album.
The songs themselves are also good. 4/5
Queens of the Stone Age
4/5
It's a good album. A strong debut, though Josh Homme probably did between 5 and 3527 projects before this. The songs are strong and the playing is great... and that says something as Homme played every instrument other than the drums.
I think QotSA have better albums, but this is a great one. A strong 4/5
R.E.M.
3/5
A bridge between the early fun R.E.M. and the later incredibly boring band from the 90s.
The music is more folky here, but it still has some energetic songs.
The musicianship is great, but Michael Stipe is by far the most boring singer I've ever listened to. This is a 3/5. If it had a different singer, it would've been higher.
Big Star
3/5
Very incredibly meh. 2.5/5
Various Artists
5/5
This is one of the best sounding albums of all time. It's aged so well, most of the songs, you'd think were recorded this century and not over 60 years ago.
If you like christmas songs or not, this is an incredible album. A true 5/5!
The Rolling Stones
5/5
One of the best double albums I've heard. It doesn't have a boring second. The Stones are an institution for a reason. I don't think this is their best album, but it's still a 5/5.
The Who
4/5
This is a great album, but unfortunately I find it a bit dated. As far as the musicianship and songwriting goes, The Who are on top of their game, but sonically it just sounds "old" and it goes down to 4/5 for me.
N.W.A.
5/5
One of the most groundbreaking albums in hip hop and music history!!!
Now that that's out of the way, let's get to the material itself.
Ice Cube and Ren are masters of their craft when they write dor themselves and for Eazy E. Dre's and Yella's work on the sampling and beats is incredible and is only a telltale sign of what's to come.
As for the songs, they speak for themselves. F the Police, title track, Gangsta Gangsta, Dopeman etc. All classics.
A 5/5, if there ever was one.
Common
5/5
One of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time. Incredible beats. Just incredible. Common is on top of his game here and the songs stand the test of time. 5/5
The Fall
3/5
Generic post-punk with ok instrumentation and horrible singing. 2.5/5
Johnny Cash
5/5
It's a great live album. Johnny's music is a remedy for the soul. It's a great sounding album, for the fact it's from the 60s and recorded in a prison. The only bad thing I can say is the fact that there aren't more songs. 5/5
Cypress Hill
5/5
It's a great latino west coast hip hop album. Not the greatest I've heard, but great nontheless. Cypress Hill are legends for a reason. 5/5
Nick Drake
3/5
Still boring, though better than the other Drake album I've listened on this challenge. It's better in a sense that the songs have more orchestration and the album sounds less monotone. Drake is a great acoustic player, but one of the most boring singers ever. All in all, a very mediocre album. 3/5
Beatles
5/5
One of the greatest (if not the greatest) albums of all time. Unbelievable that it was made by a band in disarray who mostly weren't even talking to each other and were almost never in the studio at the same time. 5/5
Michael Jackson
5/5
Did this man have any bad albums in this period. Damn, every single song is a banger. 5/5