First track, Down on the Street, has an incredible guitar hook that propels the entire song along, and when Iggy’s vocals come in I’m entranced with the song’s force and raw power. After that it just surprises me this music allowed disco to ever exist. Also, reminds me of best of The Cult.
I mean, it’s good and full of melodies and harmonies and so forth, but my problem is I usually don’t like The Beach Boys. Ok, but let me qualify that - I don’t really care for the surfing, summer music sorta stuff that garnered them such fame, but I think Pet Sounds is amazing. I mean, the guys can sing, but most of the songs on this album sound the same!
Fun album with some of my favorite Stone’s songs. By far, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” is a true work of art.
Decent album with a few solid tracks. I like the Eels, but I don’t think this album is really a favorite of mine.
Started strong and gnarly then went too psychedelic for my tastes, but it ended up with some bluesy numbers.
Oh Eddie, your horrifying face that gazed back at me from record store walls for much of childhood. Even when I got into music the parentals didn’t approve of, I never explored your music. I did love and fantasize about the insane album covers and what could possibly be going on in the music to have such an audacious cover? Well, apart from “Number of the Beast” and “Trooper, this is my first full exploration. And I gotta say it’s quality metal. I don’t like this singer as much as Dickinson’s operatic screams, but the guitar riffs, lyrics and drums take me on some crazy journeys. Notable tracks: Prowler, Running Free, Phantom of the Opera, and Iron Maiden.
This goes to show ya, kids, give it another listen. I was not phased by this album on the first listen, but now on my second listen each song nestles in against the crescent moon in a magical way. These are not entirely bold or new renditions, but they are pure, well-executed interpretations. That being said, no one except Rosemary Clooney can truly sing Black Coffee.
Straight edge is the antidote to toxic masculinity. Post-hardcore or post-punk or whatever you want to call it but if you aren’t hooked after the cut from Repeater to Brendan #1, get out of the pit! I am probably a bigger fan of 13 Songs, but this album kills, too! I just want to crank it and jump into a mosh pit. Notable bangers: Repeater, Brendan #1, Sieve-Fisted Find, Greed, Two Beats Off, and Reprovisional.
Irish Burt Bacharach? Sometimes I think the problem is not knowing how to categorize the music in my head. Orchestral crashes, syrupy almost schmaltzy singing. Imaginative and often outlandish lyrics. What do I do with this? It took me a second listen to start to appreciate. I do love the over-the-topness of If…. “If you were a horse, I would clean the crap out of your stable, and never once complain.” That’s just hysterical.
It’s hard to hate a very good album by a band I really hate. But here we are.
It’s one of the best. One of my all time favorites.
Love me some Dusty Springfield, and thankfully Pulp Fiction breathed some life into her catalogue of music. But even before that, back in 1987 she sang on the previous album on this list (coincidence?) with The Pet Shop Boys’ Actually in the song “What Have I Done to Deserve This?”
Her voice is like just so smooth. Even on the middling tracks, her voice is warm honey. She is up there with Rosemary Clooney, Peggy Lee and Patsy Cline.
Still love Dusty in Memphis more, but this is a quality album.
P.S. I definitely thought of Dumb and Dumber with “Mockingbird.”
I’m just an unfrozen caveman lawyer…this kind of music scares me.
The Wall fell and U2 responded to the historical moment with a better more poignant album than middling Rattle and Ho Hum. A fun album with some great songs and writing.
Talented musicians performing songs I just don’t like at all.
I’m 52 years old and this is the first time I’ve ever listened to this album or any track on this album. That’s a travesty. This is poetry. Like most people I guess, Born in the USA was my intro to Bruce and I don’t think I fully knew about the album Nebraska until now. This reminds me of Woody Guthrie, Wilco and Flannery O’Connor all rolled into one. These are not chart toppers, but they are real.
Such a fun album by the late bow-tie wearing senator and author from Illinois!
This album is the reason the Scottish invented the word “shite.”
I came. I listened. I got a headache.
This album is delightful. Jorge Ben’s music is unique and this album is just a great blend of his Brazilian style and African beats and singing. I think if any of his music is added to a soundtrack for any popular movie he would gain a bigger following in the States.
What a gorgeous album, crisply produced and the most accessible of their albums. It’s probably why it launched them more internationally than being Paul Simon’s background singers. I believe I’ve even seen them live, and I don’t get to many concerts.
This is a pleasant album. I really should like it more, and after a second listen I do like it more than the first listen, but it doesn’t really grab me either. The lyrics are great. The music is solid. Maybe I’m just not a big fan of this brand of Americana or country, I don’t know. I love Emmylou Harris, so you would think I would like this, right?
Amazing voice. Smooth and silky, and while I often love the energy in live albums, I don’t like it here. I just want more of Cooke’s vocals - that’s it. Not all the background noises and so forth. But oh my, he just roars!
This has got to be one of the greatest live albums of all time. Cash’s dialogue with the inmates, band and his wife just adds to the flavor. Every song is solid and well done. One of my favorites.
Great album. Just a fun and often unpredictable listen.
What the heck? I feel like this was probably the most popular or wide reaching Ministry album, but far from the best. If they have The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste on this, then maybe I can get let it go. I remember the day I bought it on cassette and blared it in my car on the short drive home from the Sam Goody store. But that’s not this album! Focus, Jason! I was less into this album but it definitely has its moments. I would Land of Rape and Honey and TMIATTTT before this album any day.
I can safely say I’ve never heard of this band. How have I never heard of this band? They are really fun!
Not a fan of jam band Phish stuff. Definitely talented musicians…wasted on this unfocused, long-haired hippie crap.
I just don’t get it. What is all the hullabaloo about this band? I know there is supposed to be an amazing documentary about one of their performances, but other than that…meh.
Got around four things and realized it’s just not my thing.
I wanted to like this, but I just didn’t. Maybe I need to sit with it more, but not this time.
This is ok. I like the standards, “We Got the Beat,” and “Out Lips are Sealed.” Skidmarks on my Heart, though?!? Overall a nice time capsule of music with some fun songs, but nothing I will ever have on heavy rotation.
I liked this pretty well. It was a challenging listen at first, but also incredibly rewarding once I let the music wash over me. I agree with some reviewer that said it's background music that refuses to stay in the background. For a weekend album, it was much harder to put this on in the background when doing more activities, but I made time for it because I had a theory that if I kept listening to it that it would get better. I have no idea if this is the best of their work or whatever because this is the first time I've listened to them. What unique and complex music!
This was my first Dusty album, so it’s probably why it’s my favorite. Every song is saturated with sultry blue-eyed soul. I really love the way the strings compliment Dusty’s vocals, too.
What’s the deal? I can’t tell one song from another. It’s musical tapioca pudding.
This is a unique listen and had some really good songs, but I don’t think this album should be on here. Martyn’s Solid Air is a much better album.
I don’t think most Radioheads (is that what they call hard core fans? They should) would say this album is a good entry point, but it was my entry point in earnest. Sure I knew Creep and heard there other songs in movies, playlists and mixtapes from friends but never sat down to listen to the album. That is until they released this album as a “name your price” download and I did and picked a few that was compatible with my life at the time. I didn’t regret it. Really like this album. I’ve still not explored much of their other works, though.
I don’t feel like one listen is enough. I really enjoyed it, and of course I knew a one of them already, but it feels like an album that needs to be digested slowly. I feel like it’s pretty different from Songs in the Key of Life in terms of tone and musicality. It actually reminded me a lot of Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On?
It’s a decent album but I’m not sure it should be on this list. I sure hope Odelay is on here!
It was decent. Wanted to enjoy it more, but just couldn’t get into it. The musicianship was solid, though.
I didn’t finish this Mannheim Steamturd schlockfest. If you are going to do classical fine, go all the way but this sounds like John Tesh had a baby with Trans Siberian Orchestra and it has genre dysphoria. Yuck.
Solid album. I don’t know if it’s because it was my first Emmylou album, but Wrecking Ball is still my favorite.
I should like this. Should. Talented musician. Good lyrics. But I just don’t. But three stars for being a very talented artist.
I can hear how they influenced The Beatles and other musicians, etc. It’s ok.
I’m a late comer to Stevie, but I appreciate how his albums are so rich, thoughtful and profoundly spiritual while also offering social and political commentary. I love that he uses two lead male vocals in “You are the Sunshine of my Life.” I really wonder why but it totally works.
With the exception of Big Brother, I found this album to be more personal and tender in ways I can’t explain. I feel like I’m settling down with a book near a window on a sunny afternoon. It is warm. Honest. True.
I’m proud of myself for getting as far as I did in this album without giving up. I think I would like this if married to a great movie or TV show.
How can you not like Louis Prima? Not only is he a fun singer, but the orchestration on this album is just incredible. The brass. The percussion and the wonderful Keely Smith backing him up. He’s just so much fun!
What a fantastic album. I really enjoyed listening to each song and soaking in the lyrics and Willie’s voice. Other than a few of his famous songs, this is the most I’ve ever sat down and listened to the “red-headed stranger.” I like how they are definitely country songs but there is a strong folk feeling to the songs as well.
I couldn’t get past third track. I really wanted to like it after a strong beginning but it just felt blah to me.
This was a fun album. A lot of crunching and driving metal with some industrial flare. It won’t be in heavy rotation but it was enjoyable.
Ok this is still vanilla milk, but maybe it’s 2%, not skim like their other albums. Of course there are a few memorable and solid tracks, but still kinda meh. I think I just hate his voice. It sounds like the color of chalk.
Not what I thought it was going to be but not bad. I feel the sound is dated but the musicianship and lyrics are song. I do think I like more of the Eno ambient flavor, though.
I didn’t know it was possible to really like a band and their music while finding the lead singer “meh,” but not being so utterly distracting to take away from the music. This is the first Smiths album I’ve really engaged with fully and I found Johnny Marr’s guitar playing is what kept me engaged for the whole album. I can hear early REM even.
This is a fun album that has some incredible guitar licks. These don’t seem to be all garbage solos and metal riffs just to fill space - some actual talent here. And hey, there is the MTV News intro and outro music!
Meh. Reminds me of Arctic Monkeys a bit.
Ugh. I know he is revered and all that but I just can’t past his whiney old man vocals. Do not like.
I really enjoyed this more than I expected. I can see cypress trees and Spanish moss hanging from the trees. I can orange sunset over the swamps and hear the putter of boats fishing or pulling up shrimp traps. This band seems like they would be great live.
I really wanted to like this. I feel like I really like Tom Waits as a person and love his acting roles especially in Jarmusch movies and in The Dark Knight. #iykyk I just couldn’t get into this faux jazz lounge album, though.
Even the songs I don’t add to my favorites list are still almost perfect songs, just not entirely my taste. Each song oozes with cool. I think of when I first really listened to Zeppelin in high school. I always so all the shop kids wearing their t-shirts and never really got it. Then the summer after I graduated a friend of mine and I hung out before he went to Basic. He shared his extensive collection of 60s and 70s classics and I was literally amazed at how familiar and new Led Zeppelin seemed to me. And now as I listen to this album again, it’s like, how can you not want to take off your shirt and run into a forest screaming a barbaric yawp!?!?
Aw hell, I just love this album. I don’t know if it belongs on this list but I’m not smart enough to know these things. I just remember when this album came out and NPR wags were all like, hey, it’s Ravi Shankar’s daughter, etc. This album hits me in my Eva Cassidy and Patsy Cline sweet spots.
My first time listening to this album was on a mission trip to a Christian camp outside of Monterrey, Mexico. We had just been detained at the border crossing for around 4-5 hours. I had flown down with a group of guys the day before to a small town in Texas and met up with some other guys that had been driving a dually with a trailer and supplies from our home church in Illinois to meet up and cross over. I got picked to ride the rest of the trip in the dually. Windows down. Dark two lane road. Blasting Master of Puppets. It was my perfect first listen to this album and changed the way I saw Metallica forever. This album is the definitive Metallica album. It never lets up. Full of rage and headbanging goodness.
This is The Beatles as “punk rock.” It’s raw, slightly distorted with lovely harmony. I think this is the stage of The Beatles, including some other hard driving hits like “Paperback Writer, “Taxman,” and “Doctor Robert” that really appealed to me before I really appreciated The Beatles. Honestly I’d forgotten this album existed, but almost every track is a banger. I can picture them playing some sweaty Hamburg pub for four hours, hopped up on caffeine and other substances. I also picture Pete Best with them before he got the boot.
