Fun and funky R&B base with some fun lyricism from Missy Elliott. I enjoy so many of the guest features on this album as well. Miss E has the power to keep up with the great rap artists of the 90s with a smooth flow.
Fave Tracks: Hit 'Em wit da Hee; Sock It 2 Me; The Rain; Beep Me 911; Friendly Skies; Don't Be Comin' (In My Face)
Worst Track: They Don't Wanna Fuck wit Me
Enjoyed the rockabilly sort of style. Costello combines witty lyricism with fun rock-and-roll riffs. Catchy tunes that evoke that 50s charm.
Fave Tracks: Welcome to the Working Week; Miracle Man; Alison; I'm Not Angry; Watching the Detectives
Worst Track: Mystery Dance
An album with a lot of emotion poured into it, especially in instrumentation. Combines folk with an almost dark synth presentation. Whole album feels like a long form jam session, which maybe feels tiresome at some points.
Fave Tracks: Under the Pressure; An Ocean In Between The Waves; Lost In The Dream
Worst Track: Eyes to the Wind
An energetic classic rock album that blends Latin dance influences with a jazzy procession that bleeds charm. Santana is of course a great guitar player, and his riffs are electric and intricate. The production alone brings you on a magic adventure of rhythm.
Fave Tracks: Singing Winds, Crying Beasts; Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen; Oye Como Va; Se a Cabo; Mother's Daughter; Hope You're Feeling Better
Worst Track: Incident at Neshabur
Muddy enthralls a crowd and truly the only way to hear these songs is in a live format. His voice has such a natural bluesy tone, his singing is clear and powerful and captures you in the story of each song. The live band playing with Muddy brings the full energy to the house.
Fave Tracks: Baby Please Don't Go; Soon Forgotten; Tiger In Your Tank; I Feel So Good; I've Got My Mojo Working
Worst Track: I Got My Brand On You
A series of traditional pop classics that Ray Charles brings his own flavor to. Ray has a raspy, warm tone that flows over each lyric while his piano playing is engaging and enchanting at times. This collection of songs evoke feelings ranging from joy and wonder for the world down to despair over a lost lover.
Fave Tracks: Let the Good Times Roll; When Your Lover Has Gone; Just for a Thrill; You Won't Let Me Go; Come Rain or Come Shine
Worst Track: Deed I Do
My Generation serves as a musical insight into the life and times of 60s youth and a burgeoning UK invasion. This album has early forms of British mod rock mixed with bluesy tones, and some elements of hard rock that would define later punk movements. A fun and rebellious batch of tracks that define a generation in a fast-changing world.
Fave Tracks: I Don't Mind, The Good's Gone, My Generation, The Kids Are Alright, It's Not True
Worst Track: La-La-La Lies
A charming little samba album with a phenomenal voice at the center. Astrud Gilberto brings a versatile set of tones that blanket every track with an energy and smoothness that feels like medicine for the soul. The arrangements quickly switch from simple dreamy jazz club styles to full scale swinging tunes.
Fave Songs: Stay; Misty Roses; The Face I Love; Oba, Oba; Canoeiro; Beach Samba; My Foolish Heart
Worst Song: I Had The Craziest Dream
A fun, more thematic album from the Beach Boys that is energetic up front and softer on the back end. I like the ballad structure on the backside of the album. It contains some great vocal harmonies between the group that adds to the sentimental feelings of this album.
Fave Songs: Do You Wanna Dance?; Good To My Baby; Dance, Dance, Dance; Please Let Me Wonder; I'm So Young; Kiss Me, Baby; She Knows Me To Well
Worst Song: When I Grow Up (To Be A Man)
G funk classic that is just so smooth to listen to. Not present across the whole album but Snoop also does some great storytelling on some of the songs, and his flow is so mellow. Some of the most iconic beats and samples to exist in this era of hip-hop.
Fave Songs: G Funk Intro; Gin and Juice; Murder Was The Case; Serial Killa; Who Am I (What's My Name?); Aint No Fun (If The Homies Can't Have None); Doggy Dogg World; Pump Pump
Worst Song: Tha Shiznit
One of my absolute favorite synthpop 80s albums, Technique is the ultimate love letter at the end of a decade full of 80s dance pop, new wave, dark synth. New Order brings their full force to tell frenetic stories of lazy love. Pounding or rhytmic bass lines, striking synth chords, and summery, bright guitars layer this dynamic album.
Fave Songs: Fine Time; All the Way; Round & Round; Guilty Partner; Mr. Disco; Vanishing Point; Dream Attack
Worst Song: Run
Another stellar live album, a raw power comes from the acoustic versions of most of these Nirvana songs. I think it draws the most emotional version of Cobain's voice you can hear on some of these songs outside of being at a live performance of theirs back in the 90s. Of course, both the original version of these songs as well as these live versions are incredible in their own right.
Fave Songs: About A Girl; Come As You Are; The Man Who Sold The World; Pennyroyal Tea; Dumb; Something In The Way; On A Plain; Lake Of Fire
Worst Song: Polly
