It's clear to see how influential this album has become in light of the explosion of grunge and post-punk. The bands carefree attitude is starkly contrasted by their attention to greater social and personal issues or isolation. A fantastic underground record, 8/10
Californication is punctuated by poignant funk bass lines and guitar riffs, however after the title track, the album falls into a state of inconsistent and uninspired tracks, running out of steam from an otherwise amazing and fresh first half.
Hard to believe this record is from the 70s! With a timeless punk sound that bends genres, lyrics and topics that are still relevant to today, and a relatively condensed runtime, The clash S/T is almost a perfect album, just missing the infectious ear worms and tighter song writing that can be found on other records like London's Calling
An incredibly innovative record blending folk and rock with psychedelia. This album is loaded with unexpected progressions and thought provoking lyrics which makes it an undeniable treasure
Some of the greatest electronic hits of all time with forward thinking melody and synths. That said it's lacking some depth outside of the leading singles
The album is bookmarked by two of the greatest Stones songs, but between the bread is plenty of interesting fillings to keep one satisfied and nourished. With eclectic mixes of blues, gospel, rock, and country recorded and brought to you by the U.K, this is a standout Stones record
At first, Liz's monotonous delivery and sparse instrumentals suggest a snoozy record; however once the record picks up steam, this facade soon fades. Beneath the droll tone, Liz provides energetic, clever, and direct lyrics with wonderful backing that makes the overall record incredibly enjoyable. The influence is incredibly visible on indie even 30 plus years later
An amazing jazz piano album with wonderful improvisation and a surreal mythos.
Filled to the brim with Sinatra classics this is an absolute classic. Of course the composition and arrangement is simple compared to modern standards, but there is a timeless charm here that makes the album worth revisiting over and over
Some standout tracks that break the mold and serve as stupendous arena rock anthems, but outside of the bookend tracks the remainder of the track list lacks the same substance and sounds cliched by comparison
Great set of folk country tracks, with every track containing a poignant commentary on some aspects of the state of Young's life at the time. That said while quite enjoyable, there is not much in the way of standout tracks or tight cohesion that would elevate this record, making it enjoyable but not an exceptional listen to those not absorbed in Young's self mythology
I am certainly biased; living in Seattle the past 4 years, this record snapshots the cultural forces present in the area in a way no other collection of music ever has.
Beyond it's bold, unique chamber and choral elements, devastating lyrics, and gorgeous guitar tones, this record speaks to something greater; it's sparse instrumentation and reverberant vocals conjures a feeling of isolation that resonates in the region and time it was recorded and echoes into modern life. This record is truly a modern classic, perhaps the greatest indie record of the 2000s
While the significance to brit pop is worth lauding, this record seems more derivative of other famous acts like the Smiths than it is confident in its own sound. And in that, this record commits a grave sin; it is boring. Banal, inoffensive, and with little standing out, New Wave manages to do something few other records on this list does, and that is to bore me to tears
A fun and unique album, fusing reggae, jazz, and funk. While the tracklist does lag towards the end, this album remains an enjoyable and exciting adventure
A masterclass in soul and funk, this album has a jubilant energy that is infectious. Wails, screeches, and screams pan in the mix over grooving bass lines, and jam tracks manage to sustain the groove. Different strokes maybe for different folks, but everyone can find something to love on this record!
Full of energy and charisma, Van Halen's debut album contains to rock! Variations on the blues, metal, and rock and roll collide to give birth to glam metal and influence an entire generation of artists. There is a lack of variety on the album but given it's relatively short runtime this isn't necessarily a bad thing. A very enjoyable listen packed with classics
Besides the attention grabbing moniker, the flying burrito brothers manages to pull the listener into a captivating world where country ballads are interrupted by guitar solos and banging keys. The Prometheus of country rock and full of catchy tunes, counter culture, and memorable tales. Everything one could want from a country album and more!
A wonderful foray into avant garde art pop containing many interesting textures. I could mull over the soundscapes presented in this album forever; however at the end of the day this album seems so concerned over the landscapes it paints that it overlooks the impact on the listener, which in my opinion not resounding but muted in contrast to the colors this album tries to present
A perfectly serviceable foray into punk, bursting with energy making for a fun listen. It is a distinctive brand of instrumental aggression that is engaging but perhaps not enough to stand out from talented peers
A indie rock classic, this record contains ear worm hits like where is my mind as well as deeper cuts. The albums influence is widespread, and discoverable in bands that follow like Nirvana and PJ Harvey. The Pixies at their best!
While the album is only 8 tracks, this record is arguably the greatest collection of singles ever put on wax. A landmark on rock and roll, shifting the genre towards arena rock and somehow perfecting it before the genre even had it's legs underneath it. Gorgeous guitar tones, reverberating organs, and layered vocals - Boston's self titled is a must listen!
While admirable that the band dares to try so many different sounds, from hard rock to ska to reggae to funk, the album's social message seems to get buried under the cartoonist impressions band members exude during the recording. It's high energy and has something to say but just doesn't feel focused enough
A stunning, heavy metal record with amazing vocal performance and insane guitar riffs. A surprising mixture of heavy metal with softer and deeper cuts like Changes. Ozzy will be missed, and his influence on Metal can't be overstated
Incredibly skillful blues, harmonica, and guitar playing on display, and the influence on rock is evident! Amazing and classic guitar tones that make this record great but I don't find much standout to revisit here
The Stranger is a master class in pop rock, showcasing Joel's unique ability to write infectious and catchy songs with storied subjects and really engage the listener to care about each and every person we meet on this record. Truly an amazing album deserving of every accolade it's received
Drake's lyrics and instrumentation shine as always on this record, with a unique blend of introspection and magenta colored glasses through which he sees the world
I cannot fathom how this record stands out amongst a sea of derivative alternative groups in the 90s. I suppose what sets it apart is the atrocious mixing between the vocals and guitar. One of the most unoriginal and uninspired records I've heard in my lifetime
This album manages to be an enjoyable record with some funk elements that are intriguing, but it feels like it struggles to stand out or maintain a palpable identity
Divine comedy manages to strike a chord of sardonic humor that resonates in ways other heartbreak albums just don't; the song writing is witty and vocal delivery manages to be varied and engaging. While a bit over produced, the tracklist is tight and cohesive making the album quite enjoyable
A wonderful and emotional record that contains stupendous hits like Father and Son and pleads to be bigger than it's parts, like acres of sky
Did not expect meatloaf to produce so many droll love songs on one record
Fats Domino encapsulates the sound of rock and roll, soul and blues in the 50s in such a perfect manner it's hard to rate this record as anything other than great.
A seminal prog rock album with a standout opener, that said the second side falls off in consistency but does not mean the music is any less impressive, just not as cohesive thematically
In 1987, it's clear to see how this record was ahead of its time; eschewing the clean polished guitar tones of hair and glam metal bands, dinosaur jr pushed the limits of noise with distortion, grime and sludge. The resulting record is not just ahead of its time; it's the father of many musical genres, the prognosis of grunge, screamo, noise, hardcore, shoegaze. It's hard to understand how clearly these sounds shine through in tracks like Lose which could fit on a Nirvana album, or the opener little fury things which sounds picked off of a MBV record. Dinosaur Jr manages to clear every hurdle and land as a statue to underground, noise, and the influence of indie to this day
The Mama's and the Papa's deliver a timeless classic where vocal harmony shines front and center in this classic folk rock record, with multiple standout tracks. While the album lacks any particular standout or redefining feature it is an incredibly strong and consistent record
Public enemy proves it is one of the heavy hitters of 90s hip-hop with a classic boom bap record that dares to use hip hop as a vehicle for conversations on a myriad of topics facing the community and country. The flows and prose are of a caliber few artists attempt nowadays and for that it deserves its laurels
With a number of catchy rock and roll anthems with a heap of trash metal, Motörhead manages to produce strong album of singles; however the sound does get repetitive after some time and some of the songs like "jailbait" are deserving of a scolding.
This record feels like an attempt at soul but it is missing all of the heart that should go there. No songs are bad, but none are elevated by vocal performances that stand out besides perhaps the title track.
A record that satires the war machine and fascism of 20th century Europe should not be this catchy, but it is. Life is life!
Albans songwriting chops are on full display in this record, containing some fun and catchy britpop songs but the album does drag on a bit too long and too varied in focus
This album is a lovely mix of funk, soul, and latin that I would have never discovered if not for this project. Wonderful sampa rock record that's sound and influence is heard today!
An outstanding foray into rock, covering everything from rockabilly to punk and back. Few records have ever maintained the musicality and social commentary that this record does and for that it is a perfect record
An experimental and bizarre album, with sections of crooning and whining strings that succeeds in creating an atmosphere that feels like a rip off of world music. While it is clear to see the influence of the album, that does not mean it is an enjoyable listen, but some tracks like Minotaurs Song do standout
Parachutes doesn't break the mold, but instead approaches near perfection for an enjoyable and easy listen; a smooth indie rock experience that continues to worm its way into charts from sound bites on tiktok. The melodramatic vocals and instrumentals give a greater gravity to this record than the simple pop rock atmosphere would indicate, and so it's easy to misconstrue the record as something grander than it is, but it does remain a light, enjoyable experience - the McDonald's of indie rock
In purple rain, Princes skill as an instrumentalist, composer, and producer is on full display. Undeniable talent combines with music that is catchy and socially aware, making the record an obvious standout even on such a list as this
When folks think of the greatest live albums of all time, the list is short - and Nirvana's unplugged is at the top. In one hour long live set, Nirvana vaulted to the zeitgeist of 90s, fueled by a punk aesthetic packaged in a lackadaisy grunge band. The genius of the record though is in the acoustic and slower pace which shows Nirvana's depth as a band. The playing is wonderful, and perhaps the best segments are the interactions of Kurt and the crowd. An all-star record, showcasing just how much impact Nirvana had on the world of music
A dark, moody record that does some interesting things with the guitar work and noise; however while listening to the record one can't help but call comparisons to predecessors like Joy Division which simply sound like an elevated version of this record. It's serviceable, even enjoyable at times but doesn't stand out much otherwise
A surprisingly good brit indie record. Is it over produced? Yes. Is it overdramatic? Also yes. Is it overrated? Certainly not, deserving of an entry on this list.
A gothic record that contains many gorgeous soundscapes. The plucked strings are enjoyable and hollow drums contribute to the spacy and dissonant feel of the record. A solid and enjoyable work, with standouts like the forest and in your house
Funky, full of social commentary, and ever so relevant. Super fly is a phenomenal soundtrack, arguably one of the greatest sound tracks of all time. Freddies dead, No Thing On Me, and Superfly are master classes in funk, making this record a landmark
Talking heads debut record is surprisingly fresh and contains many good ideas with standout tracks like psycho killer. Overall a fun listen
An amazing record that, despite containing a 17 minute track never feels stale or like it's overstayed it's welcome.
Chicago is fine at mixing some larger instrumentation with impressive guitar work, but overall lacks standout and catchy songwriting chops on this record
This record is at its best when the group is providing unique perspectives on Folk songs and political events; however, covers of American gospel songs and attitudes are scattered throughout and while not a bad thing seem to distract from the otherwise profound nature of the record
Outside of the stand out title track, there is much to love on this record from the experimentation and gorgeous guitar work by Fripp.
Smells like another bland 90s britpop act with a slight nirvana flair. It's fine but doesn't do anything special to standout
A wonderful experimental hip-hop record - I have fond memories of listening to this in college before his breakdown on TLOP tour. Since then, this music has become unlistenable because it's impossible to separate the art from the artist here. Yeezus more so than any other record is the impetus of Kanye's slide into mental health crisis and listening or rating would only further enable, so I'll boycott and rate a 1
An alluring album cover beguiles a mediocre art rock record. The music is technically good but seems to lack real impact
A hard rock record with surprising punch. Songs like back in the saddle, rats in the cellar, and sick as a dog are testaments to the bands songwriting chops and influence. A strong showing that while not perfect manages to stand strong almost 50 years later
Clinton and the crew manages to craft a mind melding funk psychedelic landscape as only they do best. A milestone in music that would go onto greatly influence modern hip-hop, rock, and other acts
Amy manages to deliver a vocal performance that inspires generations of pop artists to come. The emotion, genre bending, and charm she infuses into her lyrics shines through on this record, and while it doesn't break much instrumental molds, the vocal delivery deserves all accolades
A fun rap rock record with some socially conscious messaging is always appreciated, but it drags on for far too long overstaying it's welcome
It's a fine rock record, with "get it on" being the obvious standout and several tracks serving for good glan rock templates, but little stands out otherwise, and the record doesn't accel at producing glam rock hits.
Every generation has a record that speaks to the zeitgeist, that serves as a time capsule for the hopes, dreams, fears, and apprehensions of the world at a point in time. I would argue no record does that better than Ok Computer for the 90s. A record that expresses a generations hopes but more so fears in the face of rising technology not so much from the technology itself, but the radical transformation to society it brings - the isolation, the loneliness, the aloofness. All of these fears are combined by forlorning instrumentation and desolating lyrics making this record a harbinger of the 21st century, and a standout masterpiece
Stevie makes hit after hit on this record, demonstrating his range while maintaining a consistent soul and theme in the music
Lost in the dream takes a mediocre soft rock approach which leaves me listening this record had more teeth than it does. It's banal and trite with little standing out
A somber and moody record. Despite it's whispered vocals and droning instrumentals, the record is still engaging and enjoyable!
Offspring brings high energy, punchy riffs, and catchy songs to this record with highlights like come out and play. It doesn't break the mold but is entertaining and enjoyable
Droning sounds and dancing synths make this record sound like it's from the 80s synth pop movement - instead, this record is a precursor and an inspiration to the genre. It's catchy yet alien, and somehow kraftwerk finds a way to put it together in a pleasing way!
Sex pistols define classic punk and put their full aggression and social commentary on display on this record. It's punchy and defines the sounds for punk and to a larger extent rock that have dominated the last half-century
What is there to say about this record that hasn't been said already. It's truly a masterpiece in both music and pop culture
Forward thinking, bold, and full of wonderful ideas, this album stands out as a landmark in Eno's incredible solo career
A fun and innovative take on rap. Some very catchy hits but drags on a bit
Classic songs like band on the run are on this record, and it's easy to listen to, with a standout being Picasso's last word. A solid record but doesn't reach the heights as some of Paul's other works and at times feels like a cheap imitation
Raw power has lots of aggression and charisma, serving as a deeper cut yet standout gem in Iggy Pop and the stooges discography
Having grown up watching Elvis movies and hearing his movie soundtrack records, this is a side of Elvis I had yet to encounter - a beautiful fusion of country and soul
A meh record - it's inclusion here seems like a personal choice versus a record of actual significance.
Atmospheric and moody, this record is unique and breaks the mold but is difficult to appreciate as a standout album. It is far more impressive as a recording than a collection of music, but still impressive as that
Police put out a catchy yet experimental record, pushing the envelope for mainstream rock and establishing themselves as a household name with this record
Lots and lots of harmonica and long winding songs that never reach any meaningful destination yet remain entertaining
Police consistently put out catch and innovating tracks and this record is no exception. Standout singles and fun takes on reggae genre
Gogos produce new wave and radio classics that typify the 80s so well. They got the beat!
A pretty mediocre imitation of beach boys at best
A entertaining and exciting prog rock album that manages to keep you hooked the whole way through with harmonized vocals and exciting instrumentation
While Aladdin Sane contains a lot of energy and exciting songs, something about this character doesn't fully click for me in the music. That said Bowie still delivers an incredible performance and good album
Snoop masters puts together a classic of 90s gangster rap with a laid back attitude yet funky mood that stands out as a pillar of West Coast rap
Transformer manages to break the mold and serve as a biting insight into social issues still plaguing us today
Heartbreaker is a standout in alt country, setting itself apart with self indulgent introspective tracks like winding wheel.
A fine album with catchy beats but I probably won't revisit
A classic in pop that colors outside the lines, she's so unusual is pop hits that don't fit quite so neatly in that category
Public enemy is as relevant and insightful as ever with this timeless hip-hop classic
What a landmark in 80s glam metal - sex, drugs, violence and screeching guitars packaged perfectly together by Leppard
It's overdramatic and self indulging but not half bad
Yes Adele is an impressive vocalist, but did this album really need to make this list? It's boring radio music for folks who had teenage pregnancies
Santana delivers a classic album with screaming guitars and timeless vocals
An incredibly chaotic yet still somehow refreshing jazz excursion
Incredibly raw lyrics and aggression are palpable from this record. A masterclass in authentic songwriting
Innovating noise and effects in rock music, MBV knows how to walk the delicate line of experimenting while keeping the music enjoyable, a masterpiece for sure
Soul at its finest, Otis defines the landscape for years to come
Feels like that teenage rebellion phase you look back on and cringe at - different just for the sake to be different but not very good
Smart, bookish, and influential, belle and Sebastian deliver a great record
A fun foray into spacey jazz
A fine brit rock record that doesn't particularly standout
A staple of modern alt rock with hits like take me out
One of the best noise/alt rock albums ever cut
It's fine, doesn't really have the same timelessness as other Beatles records
A good foray into heavy metal but doesn't particularly blow me away
A moody entry into Radiohead discog, good but nothing special compared to their other works
And absolute masterpiece. Need I say more?
A fun indie jam, but for better lack of words this record feels too quiet to be monumental.
Beyonce finds so many ways to say she is horny on this record and that's entertaining. 3 stars
The record that introduced us to the stones has some fun and catchy blues jams
