Maybe it was because I wasn’t in a dark and sweaty dance club, or maybe it was because I wasn’t in an altered state of mind or maybe it was a once prominent band just going through the motions on the back side of their career, whatever it was it made for a less than exciting album.
Despite the challenges of a live recording from the 1950’s you can tell the obvious talent of all involved. But jazz just isn’t my cup of tea.
Jack White being Jack White for the first time solo created a wonderfully eclectic sound. I’d only heard a song or two of this album previously. I will definitely listen cover to cover again!
Is a female crooner a thing? If so that’s Dusty on this album. Part Frank Sinatra, part Van Morrison with a Aretha Franklin sprinkled in. All that to say this album is VERY mellow.
Is this a weird and whimsical 70’s trip or a down and dirty hard rock album? Couldn’t it possibly be both?!? The lyrics are sung so beautifully but the words are scary and rough. Oh yeah, and so many flutes! Which sound so soft and friendly but are met with in your face guitar riffs.
This is undoubtedly The Beach Boys. But darker and edgier. Think of it like if The Beach Boys made an album of songs for the Garden State soundtrack.
Many “wait, he didn’t just say what I think he did, did he” moments. Eminem’s lyrics plus Dr. Dre’s beats created a masterpiece that truly changed the pop culture landscape for years to come.
In the original Blues Brothers movie Jake asks the owners of Bob’s Country Bunker what kind of music they have, the wife answers “both kinds, Country and Western”. This album also has both kinds.
All 11 songs on the album have a different feel, a different vibe. The multiple singers coupled with the near perfect musicianship take you on a 40 minute journey. What a ride!
With so many song I was worried, given the genre, that they’d all start to sound the same. They did not. Kudos to the band for that. Another kudos goes to the fact that any of the songs could have been on a late 90’s/early 2000’s movie soundtrack. The lead singer is very much in the PJ Harvey & Alanis Morrisette category.
The Lemonhead’s definitely have a sound, which is to say most of their songs sound very similar. But it’s also the sound of the early 90’s soft alternative music. So if that’s your jam this album is for you.
What in the world did I just listen to? Part Meatloaf, part Twisted Sister. Throw in some Ted Nugent and a little KISS. Maybe a splash of Alice Cooper and even a bit Weird Al. Regardless, I was not a fan.
This album was 6 straight up rock and roll songs and 1 “what the hell did I just listen to”? Shout out to the Stooges drummer Scott Asheton, he should get more love in the discussion about best drummers of all time.
The depth and breadth of this album is incredible. And usually when an album comes out and people say “it was ahead of its time” they usually mean they didn’t like it but are just trying to be polite. But this one actually was. We weren’t ready for where the group went on their sophomore effort. But man is this album brilliant. Both musically and lyrically. It’s entirely possible that this album predicted the future direction of what music would become.
The simplest way to describe this album is fun. Fun music, fun lyrics. And if you like horns you’ll love listening to this one.
It’s the album that changed everything. For better and for worse. It certainly wasn’t anywhere near as hard as their previous stuff. And the lost them some very avid supporters. But man did this album bring them a monstrous fanbase.
Enter Sandman gets the bulk of the airtime and love but there are several songs on this album that most bands would love to have in their catalog. Nothing Else Matters, Wherever I May Roam, The Unforgiven and Sad But True all stood out in their own way.
This album was pleasant enough to listen to. Imagine if Jamiroquai and John Mayer got together to make a Radiohead album. But then that album was covered by a wedding band that played during the cocktail hour before the reception.
The Monks sound is in the realm of The Animals and The Kinks. And you can see where they might have influenced hard core punk or early New Wave. All of that and there is a banjo!
This album is very melodic and because It’s Bjork, the lyrics are super creative and unique. But it’s a break-up sung mostly in her native Icelandic language.
Safe to say I was totally surprised by this main. I had no expectations going in other than the album cover and name. Sufjan is mellow, even though many of his song topics are not. This is most certainly an album that is made to be part of a summer road trip playlist.
There is no doubt you’re listening to the Temptations. But make no mistake, this is not your parents Temptations. It is 1969, the Summer of Love after all. These Temptations are heading down a harder, funkier path. A few of the songs, in the title track, sound like they could be from a mid 70’s blaxploitation film. Don’t worry, there are enough classic Temptation's songs in there too.
The sound was quintessential Joni Mitchell. Who might have been Taylor Swift before Taylor Swift. Easy and mellow but filled with a sort of “done wrong” undertone.
This was certainly an interesting concept. Pair a Blues legend with another, somewhat more modern artist and hope magic happens. Sadly magic did not happen.
It’s a debut album that any band would long for. The bands worry about being able to capture their stage energy on tape was figured out. It has many of the elements of what the band would become. Plus one of their early hits (Psycho Killer) that would help get them more broad appeal.
Creative and fun but not blow you away. “Once in a Lifetime” is the standout and you’ll find yourself swaying along to a few others.
The concept here was take two talented people who were near the peak of their creativity and put them in the studio together. Decent idea. If you like spoken word/chants over quirky melodies then this album is for you.
I’m not entirely sure what I was expecting but this album wasn’t it. And I think that’s ok. It was a blend of a few different kinds of music. Definitely rock n roll but with very obvious jazz and blues elements.
While her melodies are often simple and straightforward, Tracy Chapman has a unique ability to paint a beautiful and complex picture with her lyrics.
Few albums ever made have a hotter start that this one. Strange Brew and Sunshine of Your Love set a bar that’s hard to maintain. The rest of the album is a mix of 60’s psychedelic and blues. Which is likely more a showcase of the differing desires of the band members.
It’s hard to believe that the same group that exploded onto the scene with Dookie made this wonderfully complex and musical album.
From start to finish American Idiot paints a picture, both with music and lyrics, that is so crisp and clear, that it makes you reassess the actual world that you’re living in.
These are unquestionably three super talented women. And there is no doubt they make beautiful music together. It’s just not a style of music (country/western) that does anything for me. But if it’s up your alley then my guess is you’ll love this record.
An extraordinary debut album. By Coldplay standards it’s mellow but includes 4-5 radio rotation worthy songs.
Gentle guitars and piano coupled with thoughtful lyrics, and of course Chris Martin’s unique voice.
The artists that make up The Band are complete musicians. And that high level comes through in spades on this album. I mean, how many acts can you name that have 3 different lead singers?
“Up On Cripple Creek” and “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” are two stand outs. But really there is melodic beauty in every song on the album.
It’s 1967 so parts of this album are experimental. It’s Jimi Hendrix so there is plenty of other dimensional guitar riffs. “Little Wing” and “Castles Made of Sand” are standouts. Unfortunately Jimi’s genius doesn’t always translate well in the recording studio.
It was clearly Morrissey singing. And “Bigmouth Strikes Again” stands out. But otherwise it could have been any other New Wave album from the mid 80’s.
I understand this album ultimately went 12x platinum. I understand it has 4 singles (Papercut, Crawling, One Step Close and In the End) that were in very regular rotation on the radio. But there are very real times throughout the record that I couldn’t tell if this was Linkin Park or any other Rap/Rock band from the era (P.O.D.. Limp Bizket or even Kid Rock).
The difference between rock and metal isn’t always obvious. Unless we’re talking about Judas Priest. Then it’s very clearly metal. Amazing musicianship and while the Lycia aren’t going to win any awards, Rob Halford’s voice is top tier. Breaking the Law and Living After Midnight are standouts.
What a debut album by what became the quintessential Southern rock band. With standouts like “Tueaday’s Gone”, “Gimme Three Steps” and “Simple Man” plus an all timer in “Free Bird” this album balances hard, bluesy rock with slower ones. All of which puts the talent of the band on display.
This is one of a very few freshman albums that open with a 1-2-3 combo of songs that some bands could wish for in a career. “This is a Call”, “I’ll Stick Around” and “Big Me” are fantastic. The rest of the album is fine.
You can tell this is Dave Grohl still using his Nirvana brain when it came to writing songs as there are several, especially later in the album, that sound like his previous band.
With an exception or two this album is in your face rock n roll. What later would be dubbed Metal. And while “Paranoid” and “Iron Man” tend to get the headlines don’t sleep on “War Pigs”. As an opening song it’s a fantastic tone setter for this album.
I will admit to not having heard of this band before. Sort of a bit of Phoenix, with another little bit of the Arctic Monkeys and dare I say a dash of Arcade Fire. This album was pleasant enough. No real singular standouts. But a quality listen, start to finish.
You will find fewer people who are bigger fans of Zeppelin I & II, and with “Immigrant Song” Zeppelin III starts with some of the same in your face rock n roll from the first 2 albums. Unfortunately for me the album really slows down and gets mellow. Which is not my favorite version of the band. “Gallows Pole” will get your foot stomping again. With all of that said “Tangerine” might be my most favorite song from the band, ever.
Yes it was a Beatles album. And a good one at that. But it feels more like 4 talented artists all wrote songs separately and in several cases recorded them separately as well.
“Something” and “Here Comes the Sun” and two all time greats but George Harrison.
“Come Together” and “I Want You” and vintage John Lennon.
“She Came In Through the Bathroom Window” and “The End” are vintage Paul McCartney.
Then throw in a little Ringo with “Octopus’s Garden” and you’ve got yourself a hit record.
1969 was a prolific year for Creedence, releasing 3 full albums. Green River being the middle of them. Two stood out, Green River and Bad Moon Rising. Otherwise the album was just fine.
This album won the Grammy for best contemporary folk album but it had a more gospel or Christian rock vibe to it. Slow tempo and at time felt you might be in church.
Coming off of a couple of albums that were sort of electronic/dance, All That You Can’t Leave Behind was a return to the pop/rock style that had put U2 on the map two decades earlier.
“Beautiful Day”, “Stuck In A Moment You Can’t Get Out Of It”, “Elevation” and “Walk On” were pretty big hits.
After a long a glorious run of Grunge on both radio and MTV along came a reformed punk band from California. Monster hits like “Longview”, “Basket Case”, “When I Come Around” and “Welcome to Paradise” helped this album be everywhere for about year and help make Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt and Tre Cool unquestionably world famous.
You can feel the talent and hear things that have been sampled or borrowed by other artists. But this was not my cup of tea. At times it was just unorganized noise.
It seems an impossible thing to consider, but how does one follow up the most successful album ever? Bad actually came pretty close to matching the previous success!
Of the 11 songs on the record, 9 were ultimately released as singles. With “Bad”, “The Man in the Mirror”, “Smooth Criminal” and “The Way You Make Me Feel” be true stand outs.
I do not say this lightly but this album has very real Talking Heads vibes. Many of the songs start slow, then build to the point of a proper rock tune. Then have a little wild musician part. The songs are different enough that it isn’t immediately noticeable. “Wake Up” is the clear standout but several songs will stick in your head for a while.
Rod Stewart has a distinctive sound. And this album put that on full display. “Maggie May” is an all-timer. And “Mandolin Wind” is deeply under appreciated.
For the record I’m a HUGE Gang Starr fan. The combo of Guru and DJ Premier is magic. But this isn’t the album of theirs what I would have chosen for this project. That would be 1994’s Hard to Earn.
Ladies and gentleman, this is a proper rock n roll album. Hard, guitar forward. “Smoke on the Water” is the song that became and all timer. But “Highway Star” and “Space Truckin” are very good as well.
My favorite Beatles work are once they really started to get into Hallucinogenic drugs and started getting creative with the recording process. Revolver (and Rubber Soul which preceded it) were the first results of that combination.
Beautiful music. Decent lyrics. Although I couldn’t understand any of them.
As The Doors made more music it got darker. Maybe it was the fact the 60’s has turned into the 70’s. Maybe is the fact that they’d found fame. Maybe it was the heavy use of drugs and alcohol. Regardless, it happened. And as the last studio album released while lead singer Jim Morrison was alive, it’s the underlying theme of this record. “Love Her Madly” and “Riders on the Storm” are standouts.
Together Chad and Pharrell are one of a kind. The make tomorrow music that can also sound like yesterday. Sometimes that works amazingly well. Other times it’s a miss. This one feels like a miss.
For about a year Siamese Dream was EVERYWHERE. The video for Today was on regular repeat on MTV and was getting ever increasing play on a more and more radio stations.
Cherub Rock, Today, Disarm and Rocket stand out but for me The Smashing Pumpkins songs start to sound the same after awhile.
If I were ever abducted by aliens and was asked what Rock n Roll was I was play them Led Zeppelin II. Hard yet melodic. It’s also a master class by John Paul Jones.
I will admit I had no idea what to expect. But this album was a true delight. Beautiful music coupled with rhythmic singing/chanting. Songs that are 10+ minutes long and change forms a time or two throughout. It was a fun and enjoyable listen.
Just noise. Whoever added this to the list should not be invited back.
This wasn’t my jam but worth a listen. It’s Nick Cave with a dash of Pixies and maybe some Wilco or Arcade Fire. With a splash of Massive Attack.
Amy Winehouse was undoubtedly talented. And this was her seminal album. Amy Winehouse was undoubtedly challenged. And this was the gateway to her massive fame. “Rehab”, “You Know I’m No Good” and “Back to Black” were the big singles. Also Mark Ronson was a producer on this album.
The Vince Guaraldi Trio did the music for Charlie Brown. This was not dissimilar to that.
Kanye West is a genius. But geniuses have been know the flirt with insanity. There is no song on this album that won’t get your foot tapping or your head nodding. And the list of collaborators is a who’s who in music.
Consider this a Public Service Announcement, this album is unlistenable.
The combination of the band and Rick Rubin proved to be legendary. This album blurs genres. Heck it even created some.
Jazz is not my jam but it’s obvious that Miles Davis is on another dimension on this album. While it was an enjoyable listen it just wasn’t for me. But I would recommend to anyone to give it a listen.
For me there were no particular standouts on this album. It was just quality rock n roll from start to finish. That said there were moments that it felt like I could have been listening to a Spinal Tap song. Take that however you want.
Steve Winwood is talented. I consider myself a fan. These songs are enjoyable enough. But nothing that would make this album a must listen to.
It’s hard to say what was peek Beatles but put out a film (a comedy adventure) in addition to an album is pretty bad ass. “A Hard Day’s Night” and “Can’t Buy Me Love” (which was also the name of a movie, just not featuring the Beatles) were the big hits.
High quality from start to finish. An album that is guaranteed to improve your mood.
The B-52’s are most known for their wild lyrics and loud outfits. Both of which are truly next level. But I don’t think they get enough credit for how tight they are musically.
It shocked me to see this album was released in 1989 as Lenny is an artist I associated the late 90’s and early 2000’s. So I guess you can say his sound was ahead of its time.
It’s the Beatles. It’s a double album. It’s got some absolute all-timers on it. Think “Back in the USSR”, “Dear Prudence”, “Blackbird”, and “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”.
Lords is talented and makes enjoyable music. I just don’t hear how she’s all that different than some of her contemporaries.
There is a very good chance that if you look up the definition of New Wave that this album is shown as the definition. While it doesn’t contain their biggest hit, and was just before they disbanded and formed New Order, it’s a good listen start to finish.
Stevie Wonder is ULTRA talented and has made some absolute game changing smash hits. This album had exactly zero of them. It felt like a collection of B sides.
Television was not a group I had heard before listening to this album. And I must say, I was pleasantly surprised. It’s a punkier Talking Heads. Definitely worth a listen.
One what I wouldn’t describe as a monumental album David Bowie managed to produce of the all time genre defining songs, Young Americans and Fame. Two songs people would kill to have in a career, he had on one record!
This album is like riding a wave or floating on a cloud. You just sort of get lost in it. Enjoy being lost!
Legendary rock n roll. Guitar heavy, world class drums, a baseline for days and a lead singers voice from the heavens.
Absolutely no sophomore jinx here. Three monster worldwide hits (Head Over Heels, Shout and Everyone Wants to Rule the World).
If you like Arcade Fire then you’ll enjoy this album. But otherwise is was “just fine”.
This album was nothing more than Muzak.
The “house band” for Stax Records was an amazingly talented group of musicians who defined an era with their sounds. Green Onions is an instrumental album full of fun music. I highly recommend listening to it while cooking. You can thank me later.
The Jungle Brothers, and their Native Tongues friends A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul lead a movement of Afro centric hip hop that glistened like a precious metal during raps golden era.
There aren’t many albums that shifted the music landscape but in late 1993/early 1994, with just about an hour of music, The RZA, Method Man, U-God, Rebel INS, Raekwon, Ghost Face Killer, Ol' Dirty Bastard and The GZA, did just that.
The first solo McCartney album was confusing for everyone. Except for “Maybe I’m Amazed” it’s a pretty average album. Which considering the pressure he must have been under and the depression he was said to be going through, it makes sense. A for effort.
Kurt, Krist and Dave changed the musical landscape with the album. And really with “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, which is the opening song off this seminal record.
The musical world exists with a before Nevermind and after Nevermind. Done was hair metal and Michael Jackson. Here was Pearl Jam, Soundgarden and Alice in Chains. And thank the good Lord for that.
I have this album a legitimate chance but it was just a lot of noise that didn’t always seem to go together.
For me, Elliott Smith and several songs off this album will always be synonymous with the movie Good Will Hunting.
You know when you hear an album and you think, this would probably be pretty good if I like this kind of music. This was that kind of album for me.
Achtung Baby was definitely U2 but with a newer and decidedly different sound than we had gotten used to in the 1980’s. Part alternate, part industrial. (Spoiler alert, it a sound they’ll lean into even more over time).
While they did have several radio hits off this album it was “One” they was an absolute SMASH.
I had t listened to this album in a long time and I was almost immediately reminded of the “strokes sound”. It’s very distinctive. It’s edgy but safe. Hard but soft.
“Last Nite” but the band of the map.
I had no idea who the band was so when I looked them up I saw this album described as “alternative country”. I think it’s more Scottish or Irish punk. Either way it’s not an album I can recommend.
A very impressive debut album. Although it’s often dark and haunting. Tori definitely set the standard for the 90’s female singer/songwriter.
Nails on a chalkboard. Truly. Whoever put this on the list should have their voting rights revoked.
Common was essentially told to go find another label. So when he did he brought some friends (Kanye & JDilla) in to help. What it turned out was something pretty spectacular.
This was a fun album to listen to. Airy and light, which was not at all what I expected.
Most of us only know this album and maybe the band from the song “Get It On”. But this album is more like if Arcade Fire had put out a record in 1971.
Jerry Lee Lewis is an entertainer. Plain and simple. So while his albums and the songs you hear are the radio are fun. Hearing him live is the preferred state.
This is a good album. The version I listened to did not include “How Soon is Now”. Which would have made it a great album.
This album has two high water marks, “Lovesong” and “Pictures of You”, the of which is an all timer for me. But other than that it’s just OK.
It certainly wasn’t the Black Sabbath album I would have chosen but as their first studio album you got a glimpse of what was to come.
The Allman Brothers are a fun listen. They are even better live. The band even said as much. This is extra special as it has Duane Allman before his untimely passing.
Do so much cocaine that you get paranoid. In that paranoia you go on some messed up diet that causes you to get uncomfortably thin. So you rebrand yourself “The Thin White Duke” and make a record. Which ultimately contains one monster hit, Golden Years, and a bunch of cocaine induced nonsense.
This album sounded like Shawn Mullins put out a spoken word record.
I don’t consider myself a Radiohead fan. But I’m Gen X so they were a part of my formative years. And of all of their albums this one is my favorite. That said, other than “The Bends”, “High & Dry” and “Fake Plastic Trees” the albums is just blah.
You’d be hard pressed to find a solo album debut that was better than this one. Singles (that started in the fall of 87 and essentially ran the entirety of 1988) like “I Want Your Sex”, Faith", "Father Figure", "One More Try", and "Monkey" helped make this album an absolute monster. And set-up George Michael as a global icon.
If you’re looking for upbeat, feel good theme music for your day, then look no further. “The Rockafeller Skank” and “Praise You” were to the two global hits, but every song has a certain foot tapping beat to it.
This was the worst kind of country music, the twangy, woe-is-me, honky tonk.
This one was hard to describe. Maybe if Jethro Tull did a somewhat synth Prog rock album. Regardless, avoid this one if you can.
I can picture this album being played by a lounge singer at bar of an airport hotel. It’s perfect and enjoyable background music.
This was a lot of fun to listen to. 6, 7, 8 minute long songs with great grooves and head bopping, toe tapping beats.
No song is over 3 minutes. Every song is filled with amazing instruments, the centerpiece of course being the piano. This album is part of the foundation of rock n roll.
It feels like where Joy Division left off in the very early 80’s, The National picked up in the very late 90’s. This is a band I had avoided because I thought they were something very different. I’m sorry I missed out for so long.
I kept waiting for this be a joke. Like Spinal Tap or even Weird Al. But no, it was just absolutely terrible glam-prog.
Fatboy Slim is obviously talented. And his music is fun to listen to. But on this particular album, his first, we are not getting a fully formed artist.
For as much lore as Simon & Garfunkel have the lexicon of American music they didn’t actually make that much music together. So any album of theirs is going to be enjoyable. “Homeward Bound” is the standout.
I don’t know what the French word for avoid is. But that’s what I’d do with this album.
First of all, it’s always fun to listen to a mega star before they become the mega star. You can hear the stardom, it’s just not fully formed yet.
Given this was pop music released in 1979 it’s heavily influenced by disco and funk.
It also has way more love songs than it should.
I was unfamiliar with this band prior to the assignment yesterday. They were described as “Australian post-punk”. Apparently I do not like Australian post-punk.
I can totally see in 1978 when this album was released, that people could imagine that this is what the future sounded like. Also if you’re a hip hop head you’ll definitely notice a few choice samples.
While this isn’t their first album or their most popular it does very like the first time we’re seeing the band that will become a global phenomenon.
This album was wonderful background music to the day. I can’t say any one song stood out. Just solid all around.
It had been more than 30 years since I last listened to this album cover to cover. I remembered it as having a lot of dance or club songs. But it has just as many slower love songs. And as much as Boy George gets well deserved recognition for the bands success don’t sleep on Roy Hay’s impressive keyboard and piano works.
This was not a group that I had heard of before. Other than an oddly placed cover of John Lennon’s “Imagine” it was Middle Eastern house music.
All you need to know is Frank Sinatra accompanied by a Flamenco guitar
Sly is massively talented. Period. End of story. That said he was definitely going through it when he wrote and recorded this album. Standouts include “I want to take you higher” and “Everyday people”.
When I saw 1986 I figured it was some synth pop or new wave album. Boy was I wrong. Hard core, in your face rock n roll!
This album did not sound like it came out in 1976. It could have come out today. And there aren’t many albums that would describe as both funky and twangy but this is definitely both.
One of my biggest issues with groups like The Chemical Brothers is that at some point all of the songs sound the same. And this album was no different.
This was like 60’s singer/songwriter 101. Harmonica? Check. Tambourine? Check. Heck I think he even had a harpsichord just for good measure.
The album contains 2 twenty minute songs. But it’s really more like 2 twenty minute journeys through time and sound.
I must divulge that I believe Van Halen to be the most overrated band in rock history. But the boys really did come out firing with this debut album. “You Really Got Me”, “Runnin’ With the Devil” and “Jamie’s Cryin’” set the bar VERY high.
But this 4th album Madonna was a certified global icon. Add this album, with 3 SMASH hits (Like a Prayer, Express Yourself and Cherish) only helped propel her to places only Michael Jackson could understand.
The record company deemed this album “non commercial” and “difficult to market”. And for me, other than Paranoid Android and Karma Police, I totally get it.
When you get an album from one of the OG psychedelic bands you expect the whole treatment. And Country Joe & The Fish brought it! If that’s your jam then this is your album.
Leonard Cohen is talented. But on this particular album it’s sounds like he’s trying to do his best Leonard Cohen impersonation.
