208
Albums Rated
3.31
Average Rating
19%
Complete
881 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1970
Favorite Decade
Punk
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
19
5-Star Albums
11
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
Top Styles
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
The Boatman's Call
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
|
5 | 3.2 | +1.8 |
|
Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea
PJ Harvey
|
5 | 3.38 | +1.62 |
|
Zombie
Fela Kuti
|
5 | 3.46 | +1.54 |
|
Unknown Pleasures
Joy Division
|
5 | 3.47 | +1.53 |
|
After The Gold Rush
Neil Young
|
5 | 3.62 | +1.38 |
|
Dummy
Portishead
|
5 | 3.71 | +1.29 |
|
Grace
Jeff Buckley
|
5 | 3.73 | +1.27 |
|
Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
Arctic Monkeys
|
5 | 3.73 | +1.27 |
|
Lam Toro
Baaba Maal
|
4 | 2.73 | +1.27 |
|
Vulnicura
Björk
|
4 | 2.79 | +1.21 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
The Gershwin Songbook
Ella Fitzgerald
|
1 | 3.53 | -2.53 |
|
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Kanye West
|
1 | 3.41 | -2.41 |
|
The College Dropout
Kanye West
|
1 | 3.31 | -2.31 |
|
Homework
Daft Punk
|
1 | 3.29 | -2.29 |
|
For Your Pleasure
Roxy Music
|
1 | 2.98 | -1.98 |
|
Don't Come Home A Drinkin' (With Lovin' On Your Mind)
Loretta Lynn
|
1 | 2.97 | -1.97 |
|
Sheet Music
10cc
|
1 | 2.96 | -1.96 |
|
Odessa
Bee Gees
|
1 | 2.72 | -1.72 |
|
21
Adele
|
2 | 3.69 | -1.69 |
|
Logical Progression
LTJ Bukem
|
1 | 2.52 | -1.52 |
5-Star Albums (19)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Lorde · 1 likes
4/5
139/1001
Lorde - Melodrama
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
This was a pleasant surprise for me this morning, as I genuinely really enjoyed it. It starts off with a banger of a pop tune in Green Light and is able successfully from the more upbeat to the slower moments without breaking its rhythm. There are quirks in the production of this that keep my attention. Will be revisiting when I need a pop fix.
Os Mutantes · 1 likes
4/5
160/1001
Os Mutantes - s/t
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
This is the sort of thing I'm here for with this challenge, as this was a huge surprise! Brazilian psychedelia from the 60, clearly indebted to Sgt Pepper, but still entirely its own thing, as it incorporates parts of their country's own music into the sound. I was quite surprised to have recognised one song from here - A Minha Menina (I suspect from the film I'm Still Here). Either way, great discovery!
Sabu · 1 likes
3/5
42/1001
Sabu - Palo Congo
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
Afro-Cuban jams that put the conga drums at the very fore of the sound. It's very rhythm led album that for the most part have a call and response style vocal. The tracks that have fuller orchestration on share a direct DNA link to the various bands that Sabu previously played in and future Cuban records. There are a couple of almost congo led songs on this, which aren't my thing, but become these hypnotic, danceable tracks. The production on this is pretty raw and makes you feel as though you're part of a show, which kinda feels like the point.
One of those where I wish there were half stars, as this sits between a 3 and 4 for me.
Mylo · 1 likes
2/5
25/1001
Mylo - Destroy Rock & Roll
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
Initially I was surprised at the number of songs I did actually know, whether I liked them or not is another matter. It's chilled out dance, which ultimately just becomes background music. I found the beats to be repetitive and there a couple of songs that just list off musicians and cars, which frankly is just annoying.
Belle & Sebastian · 1 likes
2/5
112/1001
Belle and Sebastian - Tigermilk
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
Twee Scottish indie is not the one.
1-Star Albums (11)
All Ratings
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
3/5
Some real moments on this, particularly liked the instrumental Flower Pot. Trust Us - Take 9 for it's sludgy, bluesy guitar line and hoarse singing and I'm Glad for its soulfulness
I do enjoy the blues rock aspect of this, but it is just a bit too on the weird side for me.
The Smiths
4/5
It's been a while since I last listened to this, but what struck me most are the baselines in this. When you combine them with the general arrangements and Morrissey's vocals and lyrics, it's a truly great experience.
Highlights for me are Barbarism Begins at Home, That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore and The Headmaster Ritual.
Run-D.M.C.
4/5
It's cool as hell this album, even if the beats can get a little repetitive at times. Still can't knock how influential it was.
Carole King
5/5
This is one of my mum's favourite records, so I heard it a lot when growing up. I don't listen to it often anymore, but each time I go back to it, I absolutely love it. King's soulful vocals, impressive melodies and memorable lyrics all add up to a great album. Some of these songs should be in conversations with the best of all time.
Portishead
5/5
One of my favourite records of all time. The fusion of hip hop style backing music with the atmospheric/gothic vocals of Beth Gibbons creates such an interesting dynamic to the music. Each time I listen to it, I get something new from it. One of those fully formed debut albums. Wonderful stuff.
Simon & Garfunkel
3/5
One of those I've listened to countless of times due to it being on heavy rotation in my mum's collection. Yes, the harmonies are great and some of the arrangements are as well. I just enjoy it less and less each time I listen to it.
Fatboy Slim
3/5
7/1001
Fatboy Slim - You've Come A Long Way Baby
Heard before? ❎
Would I revisit? ❎
I've heard the singles before and they're decent, but this sort of thing is so far out of my comfort zone. One of those where I neither liked nor actively disliked. I can obviously appreciate it's influence on the dance/rave scene.
The Young Rascals
4/5
8/1001
The Young Rascals - Groovin'
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
A bit of light psych rock, a bit of soul. This all comes together in a very enjoyable way. Just how different it is from other stuff in the 60s, I honestly can't say, but it all felt very familiar.
The Beach Boys
4/5
9/1001
The Beach Boys - Surf's Up
Heard Before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
Melancholic Beach Boys is the best version of the band. Here, it sounds like a warning of the hippie dream gone wrong. One or two dude here and there, but overall an excellent album.
Bill Callahan
4/5
10/1001
Bill Callaghan - Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
I only discovered Bill Callaghan in the last year to two years and this was the first I'd listened to of his solo stuff and Smog's. It's categorised as country, but fuses so many other influences into this to great effect. The baritone/almost spoken word aspect of it fuses so well with the sumptuous arrangements. Lyrically, there's a philosophical quality that sometimes verges on gloom and despair. There's experimentation here and whilst not all of it works, it predominantly does. Great stuff.
Pantera
3/5
11/1001
Pantera - Vulgar Display of Power
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? 🫳
On the whole, I do like this album, but it's one of those that I would have to be in the mood for. However, I can appreciate just how influential it's been on metal in all of its forms.
Sex Pistols
4/5
12/1001
Sex Pistols - Never Mind the Bollocks
Heard before? Yes
Revisit? Yes
Culturally more significant than it is musically, but comes with a number of bangers that separate it from becoming too samey. It's brimming with energy and it's just a fun record.
Talking Heads
3/5
13/1001
Talking Heads - Talking Heads '77
Heard Before? ✅
Revisit? ❎
There should be a lot that clicks with Talking Heads for me, however, whenever I try and album of theirs it always leaves me a bit nonplussed. It's perfectly fine but yeah, I wouldn'trush back to this again... Psycho Killer is a banger though
The Band
3/5
14/1001
The Band - Music from Big Pink
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ❎
The most famous of the Band's studio albums and I've always been torn on this. Whilst I appreciate its influences on bands and artists I regularly listen to today, there's a lot on this album that just doesn't work for me. Anything with the falsetto like vocals completely ruins the tracks for me personally. The Weight is still such a good track though.
Buffalo Springfield
3/5
15/1001
Buffalo Springfield - Buffalo Springfield Again
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? 🫳
This is the quintessential 3 star album - some really good stuff marred by some absolute rubbish. The Young penned songs are predominantly the standouts. More folky/blues rock than psych, but I'm fine with that. I wouldn't be adverse to listening to it again, but would have to wanting this sort of stuff.
Also, the album art for this, is utter garbage 😂
The Doors
4/5
16/1001
The Doors - s/t
Listened Before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
The hits are incredible on this for me personally. The trippy 8 minutes of Light My Fire, The End - sublime and the opener - Break On Through. Yes there are some duds, but this is still such a great album.
Dinosaur Jr.
4/5
17/1001
Dinosaur Jr - Bug
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
Dinosaur Jr really work for me as a band, from the distorted guitar sound to the play with the soft and loud nature of the compositions. Also the monster guitar solos in a couple of tracks here. It took me a while when I first heard Dinosaur Jr to get used to Mascis's vocals, but when the penny dropped, everything just clicked. Hard to ignore just how influential this was for the alternative/grunge scene at the time.
Elbow
4/5
18/1001
Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
I know some will argue that either Leaders of the Free World or Cast of Thousands in particular is the best of theirs, but it's the one that launched them into being household names. So much interesting instrumentation and lyrics that turn the everyday into something quite profound. Yes, I've kinda had enough of One Day Like This, but still I love this album.
Led Zeppelin
3/5
19/1001
Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin III
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? 🫳
Led Zeppelin III has one of the greatest opening tracks of all time, however I forgot just how top heavy this album is. After Since I've Been Loving You, it kinda all goes downhill for me. Yes, they're experimenting with the sound on the latter tracks, but they don't work for me.
Bee Gees
1/5
20/1001
Bee Gees - Odessa
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
Oh the Bee Gees, I'll get some disco to into work to. Nope, not a little bit of it. A concept album based around a Ukrainian port that throws all sorts of genres into the mix - psychedelia, country, soundtrack, ballads. Does it work? Absolutely not. Far too serious for their own good and often times far too overwrought.
The Specials
3/5
21/1001
The Specials - More Specials
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? 🫳
It's hard to deny the influence that the Specials had infusing ska, reggae, music hall, lounge and often times biting social commentary. Whilst their debut had the majority of the hits, their follow up feels more experimental and whilst I can appreciate it, it never lives up to the highs of the debut. I still had fun listening to it.
The Velvet Underground
3/5
22/1001
The Velvet Underground - s/t
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
I've tried to get into the Velvet Underground before with listens to both the album with Nico and Loaded and the music has always held me at a distance. It's the same with this album unfortunately. Not that there's anything I actively dislike here, it just never grabbed my attention, bar a couple of songs. A shame really.
Fela Kuti
5/5
23/1001
Fela Kuti - Zombie
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
Ever since hearing Fela Kuti on 6 Music, I loved his music and this is the only physical album I own of his. The fusion of West African music with jazz and funk work so well together. The vocals on this aren't going to be for everyone, but works for me, in this hyper political album.
Randy Newman
2/5
24/1001
Randy Newman - Sail Away
Heard before? ❎
Listen again? ❎
At first I thought yeah this is ok, bluesy kinda voice and some decent arrangements. Then it turned more and more into an amalgamation of the aforementioned bluesy stuff with show tunes bent and I was out.
Mylo
2/5
25/1001
Mylo - Destroy Rock & Roll
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
Initially I was surprised at the number of songs I did actually know, whether I liked them or not is another matter. It's chilled out dance, which ultimately just becomes background music. I found the beats to be repetitive and there a couple of songs that just list off musicians and cars, which frankly is just annoying.
Jimmy Smith
3/5
26/1001
Jimmy Smith - Back At Tgd Chicken Shack
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? 🫳
Overall, I enjoyed this. It leans more into that bluesy jazz and reminded me of in parts Booker T's Green Onions. It's a bit on the chilled side, so kinda blends into the background.
Silver Jews
3/5
27/1001
Silver Jews - Bright Flight
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? 🫳
Country enthused indie. I think I far prefer the musicianship and arrangements than the drawl that David Berman has. The lyrics can often be quite wry and witty.
Black Sabbath
4/5
28/1001
Black Sabbath - Vol 4
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
RIP Ozzy 🖤
Billy Bragg
4/5
29/1001
Billy Bragg - Talking with the Taxman About Poetry
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
Billy Bragg is someone I admire, even if I don't always love the music. Coming in at just under an hour and ten, this mixes politics with romance and street poetry in a stripped back and raw fashion. There are dashes of country in this as well. There's a clear lineage between him and Woodie Guthrie and updates the sound for the 80s. The politics are still as relevant today as ever. Greetings to the New Brunette is the standout on this.
The Prodigy
3/5
30/1001
The Prodigy - The Fat of the Land
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
I've heard the singles from this and very familiar with them. Whilst I appreciate its crossover appeal between rock/metal and dance/techno giving it this abrasive quality. However, this clearly isn't an album for me.
Lou Reed
4/5
31/1001
Lou Reed - Transformer
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
I got a lot more from this than I did from the Velvet Underground outing last time around. There's a lot to really enjoy on this from the proto-punk styling on Vicious to the ballad of Perfect Day (which is elevated by the arrangements on here), to the gender/sexual politics on Walk on the Wild Side. My personal favourite is Satellite of Love, which is Glam Rock personified and you can see Bowie and Ronson's fingerprints all over it.
For all of this, there's a lot, which just doesn't work for me from Goodnight Ladies to New York Telephone Conversation.
Stan Getz
3/5
32/1001
Getz/Gilberto - Stan Getz and João Gilberto
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
I've heard some João Gilberto before and the Girl from Ipanema, so was prepared for a mellow jazz record. Whilst it works well for a lazy Sunday morning listen, there's not a lot here to keep it from becoming background music. Nice but nothing more.
The Cure
4/5
33/1001
The Cure - Seventeen Seconds
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
The first sign of things to come from The Cure. Whilst it doesn't hit the heights of their magnum opus Disintegration, it shows the haunting beauty of their work. A blueprint for a lot of post rock, it's a really engaging listen. What struck me most on this re-listen are the basslines throughout that just weave in and out of the songs. Absolutely love it.
The Beau Brummels
3/5
34/1001
The Beau Brummels - Triangle
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
Imagine a psych-folk band sung by Bob Dylan, albeit with a better voice and this is essentially what you have with this album. Sure it's an easy enough listen and short at 28 minutes, but nothing too much really grabbed me.
Christine and the Queens
3/5
35/1001
Christine and the Queens - Chris
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎ (not in full)
I must admit that after loving their debut Chaleur Humaine, I was kinda disappointed by the 80s tinged singles that were released ahead of this album being released. As such, I didn't actually get around to listening to the album. I understand the need to reinvent your sound, but it wasn't in a way that excited me.
On listening to this today, we have two sides - one in English and the other of the same songs in French. Honestly, the French versions work so much better and I wished they'd stuck with one and not the other. Musically, I don't mind it, but never got engaged as much as the debut.
Kings of Leon
2/5
36/1001
Kings of Leon - Aha Shake Heartbreak
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ❎
At the time, I listened to this album on the strength of The Bucket and Four Kicks, but quickly lost interest in the band after.
On this listen, the mumbling vocals with the bluesy-country-garage rock does absolutely nothing for me and at the end of the day, they all feel the same.
Supertramp
4/5
37/1001
Supertramp - Crime of the Century
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
This one hit the spot for me this morning and will be listening to it more. Proggy, poppy and basically just one rock opera. Yeah there are moments that don't quite hit, but very impressed with this nonetheless. I love the piano and sax solo at the end of the title track.
Frank Zappa
4/5
38/1001
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
Well this was a bit of a revelation! This is such a fun record! Jazz, groove, wig out session album. Only one of the six songs has vocals (provided by Captain Beefheart) and enjoyed pretty much all of it.
Lucinda Williams
4/5
39/1001
Lucinda Williams - Car Wheels on a Gravel Road
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
I'd previously heard of Lucinda Williams before and may have heard a track or two, but never delved deeper. First things first, I really like Williams's voice. It's got this soulful country lilt that works. It's full of longing, lust and loneliness and the arrangements and general production are top notch.
Nirvana
5/5
40/1001
Nirvana - MTV Unplugged in New York
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
I mean, what else is there to say about this album? It's got to be one of the best live albums out there. You get to see a completely different side to the band and Cobain. As a kid, I was obsessed with Nirvana but was never allowed to play them in the car until I purchased this. Whilst I think my parents probably tolerated it, it was my soundtrack to summer holidays in France. A truly special album.
Laibach
1/5
41/1001
Laibach - Opus Dei
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
It's quite clear right from the off that Laibach were a heavy influence on Rammstein from the vocals to (on the first half) the industrial style sound. It is a bit more synthy and less heavy, but it's there. I can kind of manage that, but then it turns into marching music to describe it best followed by nationalistic sounding stuff, sampling speeches/singing or speaking them. This where it completely lost me.
Now whilst this was on, I was reading about how they would use the nationalistic sounding music to criticise the Communist government in Yugoslavia at the time. However, it does nothing whatsoever for me to enjoy or appreciate this.
Sabu
3/5
42/1001
Sabu - Palo Congo
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
Afro-Cuban jams that put the conga drums at the very fore of the sound. It's very rhythm led album that for the most part have a call and response style vocal. The tracks that have fuller orchestration on share a direct DNA link to the various bands that Sabu previously played in and future Cuban records. There are a couple of almost congo led songs on this, which aren't my thing, but become these hypnotic, danceable tracks. The production on this is pretty raw and makes you feel as though you're part of a show, which kinda feels like the point.
One of those where I wish there were half stars, as this sits between a 3 and 4 for me.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
4/5
43/1001
Elvis Costello and the Attractions - This Year's Model
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
Of all the Costello albums on this list, this is the one I'd definitely keep here. It perfectly crosses the pub rock styling with punk, with his oftentimes snarky commentary. The music sometimes feels as though it's going to become too chaotic considering how much is thrown at it, but never does. An album that you can see influence New Wave, 80s indie and to a certain extent the likes of the Police.
Pixies
4/5
44/1001
Pixies - Surfer Rosa
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
Whilst this is my second favourite Pixies record after Doolittle, there's so much I appreciate on this record. It's a far less polished, but that works in its favour. There's a real energy that's absolutely palpable, prime example being Something Against You. It's bizarre, manic and yet utterly infectious. This is even before we talk about it influencing the likes of Nirvana or PJ Harvey.
OutKast
2/5
45/1001
Speakerboxxx/The Loce Below
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
I honestly dreaded this when it came up and I got it done.
For me personally, Speakerboxxx is the far more interesting half with snippets of jazz, soul and funk thrown in. The Love Below feels a bit more experimental and it didn't work for me. What saved that half was the one two of Hey Ya! and Roses.
Air
2/5
46/1001
Air - Virgin Suicides
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? 🫳
As the album starts, it's really quite mellow and potentially mirrors the nature of the film (not seen so cannot judge), but as it progresses, the tension builds up - Ghost Song is particularly good. However, that start did kind of make it blend into the background. Certainly not one I would discount from re-listening to in the future.
2/5
47/1001
The Kinks - Arthur or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
I think this album reinstates my belief that The Kinks are a singles band. Yes this is a concept album, but it needs to the tunes to carry the concept, which this simply doesn't. You have the one good song in Victoria at the start and then a couple of glimmers here and there, but nothing to interest otherwise.
Buck Owens
3/5
48/1001
Buck Owens - I've Got a Tiger by the Tail
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
I'm sure this was super revolutionary in country music circles at the time (and some songs have been covered - Act Naturally on the Beatles' Help album), but there's not enough for me to properly get stuck into. I did enjoy the mix of upbeat and melancholy from song to song, but that's as far as it goes.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
5/5
49/1001
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - The Boatman's Call
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
Cave is at his best when dealing with personal tragedy and sadness. In The Boatman's Call, this is his first real move away from his post-punk leanings into a far more introspective look on loss of faith and searching for some sort of meaning and landing on a spirituality of sorts. There is real beauty here, but as with all Cave records, such darkness as well. Over the years, this has cemented itself as one of my favourite records of his.
Steely Dan
3/5
50/1001
Steely Dan - Aja
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? 🫳
Without a doubt an ultra polished sounding album that mixes jazz and rock. The playing and arrangements in this are great. However, it does kind of fade into the background a bit, once you've settled in to it. I imagine I'd probably only revisit it if I needed something on in the background whilst working...
The Temptations
4/5
51/1001
The Temptations - Cloud Nine
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
An album of two halves, in which the first is so much more interesting. The first half really delves into funk elements, whilst retaining the soul sound from previous work. The second half mines more of that classic motown soul, which I still enjoy, it's not as interesting.
Michael Jackson
3/5
52/1001
Michael Jackson - Bad
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
I'm lukewarm when it comes to Michael Jackson at the best of times and this album hasn't changed my opinion. The singles from it range from OK to great and the rest is just there. Never got the hype, never will.
Marvin Gaye
5/5
53/1001
Marvin Gaye - What's Going On
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
At first, Motown bosses rejected this for it being too political and not on brand for the label, but Gaye convinced them to release it. The themes on this are still as timely now as they were back in the 70s. It's an album that musically looks back with the soulfulness and yet is looking forward with anxiety about the future and a nation tearing itself apart through hatred, suffering and injustice with the backdrop of the Vietnam War. The songs are flow into one and feels as they should all be listened to in one sitting. An absolute all-timer for me.
Beastie Boys
3/5
54/1001
Beastie Boys - Licensed to Ill
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ❎
I've never really got the appeal of the Beasties, they've never worked for me. This is fine. I get that rock-hip-hop crossover and the use of samples have influenced numerous artists but doesn't appeal to me.
Thundercat
3/5
55/1001
Thundercat - Drunk
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ❓
I remember really enjoying this at the time of release, as it didn't take itself seriously at all, but there was a nice fusion of jazz, hip-hop and funk all rolled into one. Now a few years later, that novelty has kinda worn off. It's still an enjoyable listen, but too long at just over 50 minutes.
Dizzee Rascal
2/5
56/1001
Dizzee Rascal - Boy In Da Corner
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
Whilst I can appreciate the impact this had on the UK grime scene and launched it into the mainstream. However, I've never been a fan of his delivery and this hasn't really changed my mind on this listen.
The Flaming Lips
4/5
57/1001
The Flaming Lips - The Soft Bulletin
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
I love the melancholy on this album, along with the arrangements. It's a poignant and beautiful album. It maybe doesn't quite reach the same heights as Yoshimi, but brilliant nonetheless.
Jorge Ben Jor
4/5
58/1001
Jorge Ben Jor - Africa Brasil
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
What can I say, I really enjoyed this on first listen. Combining samba with funk and some call and response, it's a constantly engaging listen. I could easily envisage sitting at a beach bar, this being played and having a few caiprinha's and having the time of my life.
Marty Robbins
2/5
59/1001
Marty Robbins - Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
I mean, Western albums aren't going to be my thing, but I didn't dislike it as much as I thought I potentially would have. There's some decent storytelling in the songs, but it lacks variety for me so could never engage fully.
Tom Tom Club
3/5
Janis Joplin
4/5
Bobby Womack
3/5
62/1001
Bobby Womack - The Poet
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❓
His voice is incredible, the arrangements and general vibe are smooth soul, with some funk elements. The lyrics can be questionable at times. I did enjoy it, but I don't think I'd be reaching for it at random...
A Tribe Called Quest
4/5
63/1001
A Tribe Called Quest - People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
Really enjoyed this. It's a chilled vibe with some absolutely classic tracks. I enjoyed the embrace of jazz on the record and the flow of the vocals works really well for me.
Radiohead
5/5
64/1001
Radiohead - OK Computer
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
A masterpiece. It still sounds as fresh and as vital as it did back in 97. It's so inventive with its sound and has two all timer tracks on it for me - Karma Police and No Surprises
Led Zeppelin
4/5
65/1001
Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin II
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
I have a real soft spot for this album, as it was the first Zep album I bought. It has some monster hits with some great album tracks - my favourite possibly being Heartbreaker. Not gonna lie, could do without the drum wankery from Moby Dick
Daft Punk
1/5
66/1001
Daft Punk - Homework
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
Like homework, this is a chore to get through - long, boring and tedious.
Marvin Gaye
3/5
67/1001
Marvin Gaye - Let's Get It On
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ❎
It's not the Marvin Gaye record I would naturally reach for, however it's undeniable its importance for the R'n'B genre later on down the line.
Joy Division
5/5
68/1001
Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
The combination of post-punk, industrial soundscapes and the tortured lyrics all form to create such a seminal album. It's got a rawness and edge that's needed. It's an album I love, but not one I listen to nearly enough, as it requires a very specific mood.
Elvis Presley
2/5
69/1001
Elvis Presley - From Elvis in Memphis
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
This is fine I guess. It's more crooning than the rock'n'roll of his earlier period. That being said In The Ghetto followed by Suspicious Minds in great.
System Of A Down
4/5
70/1001
System of a Down - s/t
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
Honestly, such a mad record and I kinda love it. Nothing more to add 😂
The Clash
5/5
71/1001
The Clash - London Calling
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
In spite of it clocking in at an hour and five minutes, this never feels like a slog. The variety on display in the sound makes this such a special record. Melding the punk sensibilities with ska, reggae and rockabilly, it all just works. It has to be in conversation with the best punk record of all time.
Jefferson Airplane
3/5
72/1001
Jefferson Airplane - Surrealistic Pillow
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❓
Somebody To Love and White Rabbit are the outstanding songs on this record. On the whole, this is a pretty enjoyable listen. I will say, the songs with Grace Slick as the main vocalist tend to be a lot better and the slower tunes stop any momentum the album had.
Led Zeppelin
4/5
73/1001
Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin IV
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
This album is absolutely stacked! It is rather front loaded, but regardless the quality doesn't diminish too much in the second half and When the Levee Breaks is a brilliant closer
Jurassic 5
3/5
74/1001
Jurassic 5 - Power In Numbers
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
One of those that needs a half star. Overall, this is a very solid album that is on the whole a super positive album. The flow and beats are very good, although cam become a little repetitive. It is overly long and could have been cut by 3-5 songs, especially One of Them. 3.5, but rounded down because of that song.
Keith Jarrett
2/5
75/1001
Keith Jarrett - The Köln Concert
Heart before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
It's quite clear the guy can play piano and there's a melancholy that I enjoy from the music. However, there was never enough variety to keep me interested for the full hour and six minutes of the record and just became background music.
Slipknot
2/5
76/1001
Slipknot - All Hope Is Gone
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
Slipknot have always been a band I can manage in small doses and so a record at almost and hour was going to be a challenge. That being said, I did enjoy the quieter moments on this and toleratedthe more hardcore stuff, which probably is controversial in saying...
My Bloody Valentine
3/5
77/1001
My Bloody Valentine - m b v
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❓
On the whole I do like the wall of various guitar distortions that this album is built around. It does however just wash all over me as one sound. Enjoyable, but probably not something I'd rush back to listen to.
Adele
2/5
78/1001
Adele - 21
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ❎
Due to the singles from this album, Adele was also a banned artist on my phone due to how overplayed she was, but never quite got there.
Either way, this is just bland, over produced, over sung nothingness.
Funkadelic
4/5
79/1001
Funkadelic - Maggot Brain
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
This is one of those albums where I kinda of want more. On listening today, as Spotify went to the algorithm, I was like "Is that all?". Psych, soul, rock all merge to form such a compelling and fun listen. Yeah there are moments that aren't for me, but they're rare. A really great album.
Circle Jerks
3/5
80/1001
Circle Jerks - Group Sex
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
Normalise 15 minute albums!
Peter Gabriel
3/5
81/1001
Peter Gabriel - s/t (1977)
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
This is one of those albums where everything is flung at it to see what sticks. The highs are high - Solsbury Hill and Here Comes the Flood, and the lows are low - Excuse Me and Waiting for the Big One.
Bob Dylan
3/5
82/1001
Bob Dylan - Blonde On Blonde
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ❓
This is my least favourite of Dylan's most well known albums. Asides from Visions of Johanna and I Want You, there's not a lot here that I love. It's all a bit over long as well.
10cc
1/5
83/1001
10cc - Sheet Music
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
This is in contention for the worst album I've heard on this list so far. They're trying to make some points on bankers, the music industry and tourism/capitalism, but do it in such a way that it detracts from any sort of impact whatsoever. It's cheesy as fuck and in the worst possible way. Hotel really has a whiff of racism to it. There are moments that are clearly inspired by multiple bands preceeding them and it's just pastiche.
In short, the band think they're far funnier than they actually are and every part of my being is dying from cringing so fucking much.
Megadeth
4/5
84/1001
Megadeth - Peace Sells...But Who's Buying
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
More than anything, this is just fun. This went hard, but not too far for my own tastes and yes, at times the lyrics aren't the best, but frankly, who cares? The second half is definitely better than the first half for me.
Led Zeppelin
3/5
85/1001
Led Zeppelin - s/t
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
This is the weakest of the Led Zeppelin albums I've heard so far, as for me it leans far too much into the bluesier side of theirs. There are still some absolute belters but doesn't quite elevate iinto the next level for me.
Bill Evans Trio
3/5
86/1001
Bill Evans Trio - Sunday at the Village Vanguard
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
The Trio are undoubtedly tight when it comes to this performance and the interaction between all the instruments make this an interesting listen for me. It may fall into background music at times, but I genuinely had a good time with this.
Kendrick Lamar
4/5
87/1001
Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp A Butterfly
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
There's a lot I like here and a lot I don't. It's way too overlong and some of the interludes added nothing. However, the way he combines his flow with jazz, funk and soul influences is sublime and some of the messaging is so important, and doesn't seem like a lot has changed in 10 years since the album was released. I really appreciate how he's quite insular in his lyrics as well. However, there is a level crudeness that is bordering on eye rolling territory.
David Bowie
3/5
88/1001
David Bowie - Young Americans
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ❓
Bowie does soul and it's absolutely fine. The only tracks that properly standout are the singles - Young Americans and Fame, but the rest are just there being decent enough, with the exception of the Across the Universe cover, which is awful.
Yes, whilst this provided a gear change sonically for Bowie from his previous glam rock era, you could argue of cultural appropriation. I would have liked to have hoped this was more cultural appreciation and him trying to broaden people's musical tastes at the time.
Jeff Buckley
5/5
89/1001
Jeff Buckley - Grace
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
The highs are so high for this and the lows are still good songs. The vocal range Buckley has is just incredible. One of the first albums I purchased with my own money and one of the few that is constantly on my rotation.
Stephen Stills
4/5
90/1001
Stephen Stills - s/t
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
Not gonna lie, I was pleasantly surprised by this. The first half of this is definitely stronger than the second half. There's blues and gospel all mixed into this and makes for an engaging listen.
Brian Eno
3/5
91/1001
Brian Eno - Another Green World
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❓
Everything works together in this cold, experimental sounding record, however I would have preferred just to have experienced a soundscape and no lyrics, as this is where I find the most interest. The production on this is excellent as well.
Cypress Hill
2/5
92/1001
Cypress Hill - s/t
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
46 minutes of essentially the same sounding beats and flow just became a somewhat frustrating listen. I honestly don't like the flow either. The only bit of real difference came in the extremely short penultimate song and the final track, where they embrace more of a jazz and funk sounding backgrounds. Basically gangsta rap with the addition of lyrics about weed. Tiresome.
ABBA
3/5
93/1001
ABBA - Arrival
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
I think you'd have to have been living under a rock all your life if you hadn't heard all of the singles from this album. Look, it's a perfectly crafted pop album, that hides some dark themes in a sugar coated pop tune style. Does it interest me? No. I appreciate its influence and the craft, but not one I'll be revisiting.
Elliott Smith
4/5
94/1001
Elliott Smith - Either Or
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
For whatever reason, having loved XO and Figure 8 previously, I've actually gotten around to listening to this one. I love how sparse and intimate most of the tracks here sound. As you'd expect, the lyrics are interesting, sad and emotionally charged. Great stuff.
3/5
95/1001
Blur - Modern Life is Rubbish
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
Haven't got a lot to say about this to be honest, it just seems a fairly run of the mill indie rock record...
Jethro Tull
3/5
96/1001
Jethro Tull - Aqualung
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
A solid prog rock album with flute flourishes that makes it an engaging enough listen, but nothing that sticks in the memory.
Faith No More
4/5
97/1001
Faith No More - The Real Thing
Heard before? ❎️
Revisit? ✅
Had a great time with this on first listen. The heavier side of funk just works. It's quite clear how this influenced a lot of the rock to come in the 90s.
Sade
2/5
98/1001
Sade - Diamond Life
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
There's nothing offensive about this, however, even at 44 minutes this album seems to drag, as it just seems so monotonous. It's too polished and for want of a better word, too smooth for my taste.
3/5
99/1001
MC5 - Kick Out the Jams
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❓
A really fun bit of proto-punk, which obviously influenced a ton of bands later on. It's got a super raw energy that no doubt at the time was exhilarating. One of those where I can appreciate, but not love.
Queen
3/5
100/1001
Queen - A Night At The Opera
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ❓
Having an album that contains Bohemian Rhapsody, You're My Best Friend and Love of My Life in theory should be an all timer, however the album tracks on here are plain old woeful - Lazing On A Sunday Afternoon, I'm In Love with My Car, Seaside Rendezvous. I'm sure that my tolerance for the woeful tracks have worsened since listening to this regularly as a teenager, but yeah an album of real highs and real lows.
Mid.
Madonna
3/5
101/1001
Madonna - Ray of Light
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
I get what this was going for by infusing elements of the dance scene with a glossier poppy sound and it works. However, it does end up sounding a bit samey, especially at over an hour and 15.
Jamiroquai
2/5
102/1001
Jamiroquai - Emergency on Planet Earth
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
Entirely derivative of a Stevie Wonder album and let's not get started on the Native American stuff. Production on this is at least good.
Either way, I'd rather spend my time with a a Wonder record.
Black Sabbath
5/5
103/1001
Black Sabbath - s/t
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
The birth of heavy metal. This absolutely rules. The imagery conjured up here, the riffs, the interplay between guitar and bass. Love it.
AC/DC
4/5
104/1001
AC/DC - Back In Black
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
This is pure nostalgia for me today! I played this and Highway To Hell to death as a young teenager, so have plenty of fond memories of the time. More than anything this is just a fun record and showed that Brian Johnson could step up and fill Bon Scott's shoes after his unfortunate passing.
Roxy Music
1/5
105/1001
Roxy Music - For Your Pleasure
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
One morning, Rob woke up severely hungover after a work do to discover he had Roxy Music as his album of the day. He knew he disliked them. After the listen of the given album, he discovered he loathed them. Morning even more hampered than before. End of story.
Can
4/5
106/1001
CAN - Tago Mago
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
Bar the middle part of Peking O, the proggy psychedelia really worked for me. Yes it's strange and weird, but on the whole, I really enjoyed this.
Ray Charles
3/5
107/1001
Ray Charles - Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❓
It's undoubtedly a beautiful set of songs from Charles's voice, to the harmonies, to the string arrangements. However, it does end up feeling a bit samey and one note for my liking. Enjoyable enough.
Minor Threat
3/5
108/1001
Minor Threat - Out of Step
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
It's not often I gravitate towards hardcore punk, but when I do, I tend to enjoy it. This has everything you need - intensity, snottiness and something that doesn't outstay its welcome.
Paul Revere & The Raiders
3/5
109/1001
Paul Revere and the Raiders - Midnight Ride
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❓
A solid enough psychedelic record that takes inspiration from the blues. Never outstayed its welcome.
Michael Kiwanuka
4/5
110/1001
Michael Kiwanuka - KIWANUKA
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
Enthusing soul, blues, rock and jazz into this album, it's a wonderful experience throughout its runtime. The 50 minutes of it absolutely flew by. I remember being so happy for him when he won the Mercury Prize for this. I honestly need to listen to it more.
Beatles
4/5
111/1001
The Beatles - A Hard Day's Night
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
Probably my second favourite pre-Rubber Soul records. The title track and Can't Buy Me Love are obviously great, but honestly my favourite song on the whole record is If I Fell, which is perfection. Yes, they would go on to do better things, but this is a great example of the Lennon-McCartney songwriting that they'd become known for.
Belle & Sebastian
2/5
112/1001
Belle and Sebastian - Tigermilk
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
Twee Scottish indie is not the one.
Christina Aguilera
2/5
113/1001
Christina Aguilera - Back To Basics
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
A tale of two halves - literally. First half insipid, uninspired pop with the cringe inducing Thank You, the second is far more interesting, though with barely disguised innuendo.
Parliament
4/5
114/1001
Parliament - Mothership Connection
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
George Clinton makes the most fun records. Over the top in the best way possible. Every time I play it, I always have a great time.
Echo And The Bunnymen
4/5
115/1001
Echo and the Bunnymen - Crocodile
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
One of those bands where I'm trying to figure out why I haven't listened to them sooner...
It's one of those albums that incorporates the post-punk with the more energetic sounds, along with goth elements. It may have dropped off a little towards the end, but a great debut.
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
2/5
116/1001
OMD - Architecture and Morality
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
There are some good songs here, but they are few and far between. Anything decent on it, is ruined by the poor production.
The Police
3/5
117/1001
The Police - Reggatta De Blanc
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❓
I'm sort of a bit hit and miss when it comes to the singles I heard from the Police and I think it's a lot to do with Sting's vocals. Maybe I've softened my stance, as I didn't mind it for the most part. Either way a good mix of energetic punk combined with reggae make it a decent enough listen.
Sonic Youth
4/5
118/1001
Sonic Youth - Goo
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
Hell yeah! This was the first Sonic Youth album I listened to in full. Is it their best? No. But I love it regardless. Dirty Boots as an opener absolutely slaps, Kool Thing is a phenomenal song. Yes, the second half is weaker, but doesn't detract from the whole too much.
Mike Ladd
3/5
119/1001
Mike Ladd - Welcome to the Afterfuture
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
There's undoubtedly some good stuff on here and I appreciate the experimentation, however a lot of it felt quite cold and distanced, so found it a struggle to get into it.
Iggy Pop
4/5
120/1001
Iggy Pop - Lust for Life
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
It's not my favourite Iggy record, but still really enjoy it whenever I put it on. There's Bowie's fingerprints all over this album and elevates it all. Lust for Life and the Passenger still absolutely rules.
Elton John
4/5
121/1001
Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❓
Elton John really throws everything at this, from the long proggy Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding to the ballads of Candle In the Wind to the pure rock n roll of Saturday Night's Alright (for Fighting). It's ambitious, it's top heavy, it needs a couple of songs cut (Jamaica Jerk-Off). I'm not sure when I'd revisit it, but I had a great time with this, this morning.
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
2/5
122/1001
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band - Next
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
They're not living up to their band name with this offering. I was almost saying "Next!" after the first two songs and fortunately it did improve. Musically it's decent, but the lyrics are so goddam cringe worthy and the vocals are OK at best.
The Beta Band
4/5
123/1001
The Beta Band - Hot Shots II
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
Considering the god awful album art, this took me by surprise somewhat. Really enjoyed it on first listen. There's some interesting experimentation on here, some of it absolutely works and other times it doesn't always come off. It's the quintessential 3.5 star album, but I'm being generous this morning and rounding it up.
5/5
124/1001
David Bowie - The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
Perfect. No notes
Fiona Apple
4/5
125/1001
Fiona Apple - Fetch the Bolt Cutters
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
I realise that Fiona Apple pre-dates Regina Spektor, but on first listen, this was my immediate comparison and obviously that's no bad thing for me. There's a lot to unpack here, but it's unconventional and I really appreciate that.
Morrissey
3/5
126/1001
Morrissey - Vauxhall and I
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❓
This is a pleasant, if a bit unremarkable of an entry for me. I just find the nature of this far too polished and obviously you're going to draw comparisons to the previous work in the Smiths, which on this listen I prefer.
P.S Morrissey is a twat - pass it on.
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
2/5
127/1001
Jah Wobble's Invaders of the Heart - Rising Above Bedlam
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
It feels as though this is confused as to whether it wants to be a bad post punk album or a globe trotting world music compilation. The latter smacks of cultural appropriation. There's not really a lot that truly elevates this album. Odd.
Louis Prima
3/5
128/1001
Louis Prima - The Wildest!
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
I had fun with this, this morning. The swinging jazz and Prima's voice work. However, I can't foresee a time when I'll reach for this...
Paul Simon
4/5
129/1001
Paul Simon - Graceland
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
I've always had a good time when I've played this album. Yes it does sound of its time, but the songs and arrangements stick with you. Now I'm going to have You Can Call Me Al stuck in my head for the rest of the day.
Dead Kennedys
4/5
130/1001
Dead Kennedys - Fresh Fruit for Rotten Vegetables
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
I'd heard California Über Alles and Holiday in Cambodia prior to this, but I don't know why I didn't explore more of their stuff, as this is right up my street...
Fugees
3/5
131/1001
The Fugees - The Score
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❓
I've heard the singles from this and they are absolutely classic. There's a lot on here at an hour and 16 and so there's equally a lot that's just there for me. I wouldn't be adverse to listening again, I just don't know when I would...
Beastie Boys
3/5
132/1001
Beastie Boys - Paul's Boutique
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❓
I do appreciate the use of samples that make this a much more compelling listen than the delivery of the vocals. This is the second Beastie's album for me so far on this challenge and (sorry) I'm just a bit underwhelmed...
Carpenters
4/5
133/1001
Carpenters - Close To You
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
I guess I'm fortunate enough that clearly neither of my parents listened an awful lot to Carpenters. On first listen, this is the sort of stuff I really enjoy, the harmonies, warm and the general production. That's before Karen Carpenter's own vocals. Yeah, this deserves a re-listen.
The Stooges
4/5
134/1001
The Stooges - Fun House
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
Raw, intense, visceral. This is such a ride from start to finish. It's teetering on collapsing throughout and on the final track, lets go.
Solomon Burke
4/5
135/1001
Solomon Burke - Rock 'N Soul
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
This was a very pleasant surprise. What a voice! Yes there were moments that felt it was a little samey, but the fact that as an artist who was forging the sound of soul, you can be more lenient. Definitely one for a chilled day soundtrack.
Elvis Costello
3/5
136/1001
Elvis Costello - My Aim Is True
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
Second album of approximately eleventy billion from Costello and whilst I do like this, I don't know why this is on the list.
Fleetwood Mac
5/5
137/1001
Fleetwood Mac - Rumours
Heart before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
This is the only album in both my parents' collections that they could agree upon and so needless to say, this got played a lot in the house as I was growing up. Fortunately, it didn't have the same impact on me as Simon and Garfunkel's Bridge Over Troubled Water.
There's still something so magical about this album and the quality of it, seeing as though they were drugged up to the eyeballs and cheating on one another. It's honestly one hit after another. Phenomenal stuff.
Brian Eno
3/5
138/1001
Brian Eno and David Byrne - My Life in the Bush of Ghosts
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
The use of samples and soundscapes have clearly inspired a number of artists listening to this and whilst I can appreciate its influence, it wouldn't be an album I'd gravitate towards. The highlights from this album are the more Middle Eastern inspired tracks.
Lorde
4/5
139/1001
Lorde - Melodrama
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
This was a pleasant surprise for me this morning, as I genuinely really enjoyed it. It starts off with a banger of a pop tune in Green Light and is able successfully from the more upbeat to the slower moments without breaking its rhythm. There are quirks in the production of this that keep my attention. Will be revisiting when I need a pop fix.
Kate Bush
4/5
140/1001
Kate Bush - The Dreaming
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
This is the sort of weird and experimental I find so captivating. Honestly some of the stuff on this is mad. It combines pop sensibilities with the theatrical. There's elements of prog, with the song structures and floats between genres. Sure not everything works, but I enjoyed revisiting this today.
5/5
141/1001
PJ Harvey - Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
This album will always be my go to PJ Harvey album. It was the album where it all clicked for me, having first heard her after winning her second Mercury Prize for Let England Shake and not fully appreciating it then, but there was enough to make me hear more.
There's both lightness and darkness in this, without leaning too heavily into either. The standout for me is the combination of The Whores Hustle and the Hustlers Whore next to This Mess We're In.
Neil Young
5/5
142/1001
Neil Young - After The Gold Rush
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
For the most part, this is really quite a melancholic piece of work and Young's vocals work perfectly with the fragility of it all. The stripped back nature of the music also plays its part. The scathing rager that is Southern Man tops this all off with his beef with Lynyrd Skynyrd. It's a little top heavy, but doesn't detract from my overall enjoyment of this album.
Pixies
4/5
143/1001
Pixies - Doolittle
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
The album that got me into Pixies. I love the loud quiet loud style on this and some of the tracks here are my favourites of all time.
Arctic Monkeys
5/5
144/1001
Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
Pure nostalgia for my college days this. An album we'd play when sneaking off to the park with a 2l bottle of Strongbow in our lunch break.
I don't listen to it often now, but because of it, I appreciate it even more. The wry lyricism, the catchy hooks, it captures life so well.
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
2/5
145/1001
Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band - Trout Mask Replica
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
If the previous entry was a bit too experimental for me, this was even more so. At an hour and 18, this was far too much. There are elements that I do like, but too few and far between...
Soul II Soul
3/5
146/1001
Soul II Soul - Club Classics Vol. I
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❓
Not gonna lie, when I saw I had this today, I thought I was going to hate it. Whilst it's not going to be a firm favourite, I could see myself potentially returning to this. Given the title, this is a surprisingly mellow album. There's a couple of tracks I know and one I particularly love - Back To Life. Overall, a really solid listen.
Tom Waits
3/5
147/1001
Tom Waits - Swordfishtrombones
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ❎
I've tried to get into Tom Waits before and it's never really worked out for me in the past. Whilst my overall experience has improved since I last heard this album, it's not something I'd gravitate towards. There's some interesting arrangements and styles going on, but something is preventing me from properly enjoying it.
Miles Davis
4/5
148/1001
Miles Davis - Bitches Brew
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
Yeah this absolutely rules
The Beach Boys
5/5
149/1001
The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
One of my favourite albums of all time. I love the fact that it taps into the most poppy aspects of things, whilst at the same time being quite experimental. The string arrangements on this are lush and there's always something new I take away from the album on each listen. Love it.
Fatboy Slim
3/5
150/1001
Fatboy Slim - Better Living Through Chemistry
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
Whilst I did enjoy this overall, I can't see a time when I would actively pick this up again. The repetition of the beats are both its strength and weakness, as once you're engaged, it becomes trance-like, but over the course of 50 odd minutes, it does take its toll.
The Who
3/5
151/1001
The Who - Tommy
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ❎
I have a friend who was obsessed with this album at college and tried it back then, but did nothing for me then and on re-listen, it hasn't done an awful lot more for me.
I get why it's included, as it's one of the first rock operas, yes it tells an effective story, but it never engages me musically unfortunately. Pinball Wizard is the only real standout.
John Prine
3/5
152/1001
John Prine - s/t
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❓
A number of artists I listen to site Prine as a massive influence on them and whilst they're not as overtly country as him, I can understand why.
There's a certain charm to Prine's delivery in this and sometimes, the lyrics make you sit up and think. Whilst not entirely my wheelhouse, I enjoyed my time, but don't know when I'd revisit.
LTJ Bukem
1/5
153/1001
LJT Bukem - Logical Progression
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
I know the proper version is in two separate parts on YouTube, but 1) screw ads 2) It's not conducive to listening to on a train
Already annoyed about all of that, to find out this is drum and bass, which at the best of times, I can just about tolerate, this wasn't going to be a winner. I managed the full hour of it on my commute and that's enough for one day.
Steve Winwood
2/5
154/1001
Steve Winwood - Arc of a Diver
Heard Before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
This is what I deem as everything bad in 80s music. It's cheesy as hell and not in a good way. It's not offensively bad, just bad.
Cyndi Lauper
3/5
155/1001
Cyndi Lauper - She's So Unusual
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
The two big hits, in particular Time After Time are great and the rest of the album i had fun with. Yes, it does lean a little too much into the cheese for me, but not much I actively dislike it.
Scritti Politti
1/5
156/1001
Scritti Politti - Cupid & Psyche 85
Heard before? ❎️
Revisit? ❎
This whole album feels like a turned down Michael Jackson tribute album without the vocal talent or anything remotely resembling a decent tune. Too polished, too cheesy. If I thought the Steve Winwood album earlier in the week represented everything I disliked, this takes it down to a whole new low.
This is truly abysmal stuff.
Mudhoney
3/5
157/1001
Mudhoney - Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
Well this far more in my wheelhouse than a number of the albums I've had from this week.
It's scrappy, sludgy and very DIY sounding, but I enjoyed it. Obviously you can't look past the influence on the grunge scene they had.
Ella Fitzgerald
1/5
158/1001
Ella Fitzgerald - The Gershwin Songbook
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
I managed the first disc and I'm pretty sure there's not going to be much deviation on the rest of the other discs. It was fine, just not my thing at all. Obviously minus a lot of stars for the audacity of a 3 and a half hour long album.
Jimi Hendrix
4/5
159/1001
Jimi Hendrix - Axis: Bold As Love
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
Soulful, bluesy and psychedelic, yeah I really enjoy this, though not an artist I regularly find myself listening to.
Os Mutantes
4/5
160/1001
Os Mutantes - s/t
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
This is the sort of thing I'm here for with this challenge, as this was a huge surprise! Brazilian psychedelia from the 60, clearly indebted to Sgt Pepper, but still entirely its own thing, as it incorporates parts of their country's own music into the sound. I was quite surprised to have recognised one song from here - A Minha Menina (I suspect from the film I'm Still Here). Either way, great discovery!
1/5
161/1001
Loretta Lynn - Don't Come Home A Drinkin' (With Lovin' On Your Mind)
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
This is the sort of country I hate. Whiny, a constant moaning session and then all the standard trappings musically. No.
Kanye West
1/5
162/1001
Kanye West - The College Dropout
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ❎
No.
Van Morrison
4/5
163/1001
Van Morrison - Astral Weeks
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
I love how each song seemingly flows into the other with Morrison's stream of consciousness running over the top of the music. There's blues and jazz infusions in the folk rock on this, which make it such an interesting listen. Sure, it's not perfect, but a great album.
Common
2/5
164/1001
Common - Like Water For Chocolate
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
There are undoubtedly some good lines in here, along with some interesting jazz influences, but feel too few and far between. Over the course of an hour and twenty, it's just far too long to sustain my interest.
Earth, Wind & Fire
3/5
165/1001
Earth, Wind and Fire - That's The Way Of The World
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❓
Where this really shines are the funky, jazzy songs, which have a far looser sound than the more soulful ballads. The mix of the two seems evenly spread and wish it was more in the formers favour.
Dennis Wilson
3/5
166/1001
Dennis Wilson - Pacific Ocean Blue
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❓
There's still elements of the Beach Boys on this album, but Wilson goes down a more bluesy, funkier route with a number of these songs. It doesn't settle in one place for too long and is experimental in a solid way.
Björk
4/5
167/1001
Björk - Vulnicura
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
I like Björk and what I've listened of, of hers, but it's definitely one where I have to be in a certain mood. Fortunately I didn't mind her experimental approach this morning. I don't know enough to determine whether this is her at her peak, but I can tell you I enjoyed it a lot.
Pixies
4/5
168/1001
Pixies - Bossanova
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
Whilst it doesn't have the incredibly great tracks like Surfer Rosa or Doolittle have, this is a a thoroughly consistent listen. There's the weirdness you get from Pixies, but also a level of polish about it. It's an extremely solid album.
Aretha Franklin
4/5
169/1001
Aretha Franklin - I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
It's Aretha, it's got Respect. It scores highly.
The Shamen
2/5
170/1001
The Shamen - En-Tact
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
I understand that this is integral to the 90s club scene, but this felt too repetitive and samey over the course of over an hour.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
4/5
171/1001
The Dave Brubeck Quartet - Time Out
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
The only tracks I was aware of before going into this was Take Five, which I think is excellent. It was great to experience the album as a whole for the first time. The odd time signatures, the layers of instrumentation on top of each other, yeah I love this.
Give me enough time with this, and I can see it being one of my absolute favourites.
Nine Inch Nails
3/5
172/1001
Nine Inch Nails - The Downward Spiral
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❓
I appreciate what this album is doing sonically and it taps into the 90s angst. Hurt is an exceptional track. However, it probably wasn't the right time to listen to this for the first time and probably impacts my rating.
XTC
2/5
173/1001
XTC - Skylarking
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
You know what I've said about 80s synth pop before? Yep, what I said. It's not awful, but it's not particularly good either. The couple of tracks that actually did away with a lot of the synthetic actually made the songs a bit interesting. All too few and far between though.
Stevie Wonder
5/5
174/1001
Stevie Wonder - Songs In The Key Of Life
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
When I opened the app this morning, I had large grin on my face st getting this record. Yes there could be some songs cut, but honestly this was such a pleasure to listen to.
Various Artists
4/5
175/1001
Various Artists - A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
I've heard some of the stuff from this and absolutely loved the tracks and obviously the production with the famous wall of sound that Spector pioneered is top notch and the classic Motown artists. Some of it aren't my favourite tracks and obviously you have to take into account Spector as well 😬
Talking Heads
3/5
176/1001
Talking Heads - More Songs About Buildings And Food
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
I had fun with this, would I call it exceptional, nope, but for quite a breezy album, I could definitely see myself returning to it.
Spacemen 3
3/5
177/1001
Spacemen 3 - Playing with Fire
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
This is quite a frustrating listen, as there is a lot on here that I do like from a sonic point of view, but so many of the tracks I'm thinking where is this actually going?
Baaba Maal
4/5
178/1001
Baaba Maal - Lam Toro
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
A tale of two halves in which I thought the first half was sparse and showcased the range of vocal and thought it was excellent. The second half turns to a more synthy sound, which wasn't bad, just didn't have the same impact. Quintessential 3.5 stars
Big Brother & The Holding Company
4/5
179/1001
Big Brother and the Holding Company - Cheap Thrills
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
I love Joplin's vocals on this and hadn't realised she was in a band prior to her solo stuff. This is a bit more psychedelic than the later work she did and there are a couple of tracks I recognise. A cool concept for the album adding crowd noise later on to make it sound like a live album.
Ali Farka Touré
3/5
180/1001
Ali Farka Touré - Talking Timbuktu
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
Whilst this may not be the strongest album overall, I had a really pleasant time with it this morning. The rhythms and guitar style is intricate and is a perfect album for a chilled morning. There's some elements of blues coming through as well. The main issue is that it does become a little repetitive after a while.
Baaba Maal
3/5
181/1001
Baaba Maal - Djam Leelii: The Adventurers
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
Whilst I enjoyed my time with this, it wasn't quite as immediate as the previous album I had from Baaba Maal. This certainly feels more like a traditional sounding style, with the simple guitar work coming to the fore here.
Kanye West
1/5
182/1001
Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ❎
No.
LCD Soundsystem
4/5
183/1001
LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
I always have a hot/cold relationship with this band and therefore don't listen to them all that often. This is definitely my preferred album of theirs and always pick up something new with each listen.
Devendra Banhart
4/5
184/1001
Devandra Banhart - Rejoicing in the Hands
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
I've heard Banhart's other stuff, but not this particular album. Whilst there is still the quirkiness in his lyrics and his delivery, the album isn't as out there as some of his later work. I think that's down to the simplistic nature to his guitar playing and lack of other real instrumentation around. For me, this is the perfect lazy weekend listen.
Beach House
4/5
185/1001
Beach House - Teen Dream
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
The algorithm has turned up two perfect weekend albums for me.
This is perhaps not the Beach House album I'd have picked (Bloom or Depression Cherry), but it's still a wonderful listen. As the title suggests, it's got this dreamlike quality to it, but it doesn't completely carry you away. This is a bit more sparse than the two albums mentioned previously and not as lush. Still, I love it.
The Stooges
4/5
186/1001
The Stooges - Raw Power
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
One of my favourites from Iggy Pop and his output. I always wonder how mad a gig of theirs would have been at the time. Brilliant stuff.
Todd Rundgren
3/5
187/1001
Todd Rundgren - A Wizard, A True Star
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
Whilst at times, it can be great, it's all too fleeting and instead goes for the weirder flourishes, which is a bit too much for my tastes.
The KLF
4/5
188/1001
The KLF - The White Room
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
This is the best of the dance/electronic albums I've heard from this exercise so far and whilst it's not entirely for me, I did enjoy it. It gets an extra star for the story and their general ethos.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
3/5
189/1001
Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young - Déjà Vu
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
I had a pleasant time with this, the harmonisation works well and there are a couple of really great tracks, with one dud. This absolutely flew by at 36 minutes.
Rush
2/5
190/1001
Rush - 2112
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
This one just isn't for me. I really don't like the vocals on this and the music itself is fine. It all just feels a little cheesy and not my favourite kind.
Eurythmics
4/5
191/1001
Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
Surprised at how much i enjoyed this to be honest, as I do enjoy the title track, but not enough to fully explore it and I really should have done so sooner.
The Strokes
3/5
192/1001
The Strokes - Is This It
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ❎
I was 11 at the time of this release and I remember a kid at school had an older brother, who would pass on new music to us and this was one of the albums that was played a lot at the time, thinking we were incredibly cool. As I discovered other stuff later, this album fell by the wayside and I remember listening to this a few years back and quite frankly thought "is this it?" On listening to this again, I'm still in the same mindset. Last Nite still absolutely slaps.
4/5
193/1001
U2 - The Joshua Tree
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
Obviously I've heard all of the singles from this, but never really ventured further and I probably should have before now, as the album tracks do hold up relatively well to the them. I was surprised at how top heavy this album was, and could have done with a reshuffle.
Everything But The Girl
2/5
194/1001
Everything But the Girl - Idlewild
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
For its 45 minute runtime, this album barely gets out of first gear. It all has the same one note, one pace nature to it, which quite frankly bored me. Tracey Thorn can sing, but nothing here engaged me.
Echo And The Bunnymen
4/5
195/1001
Echo and the Bunnymen - Ocean Rain
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
Having thoroughly enjoyed Crocodiles earlier, this continued my enjoyment of this band. I've always loved The Killing Moon and honestly don't know why I never did a deep dive into this band. The combination of post-punk and goth go hand in hand and this is more fully realised by the band here.
Ian Dury
3/5
196/1001
Ian Dury - New Boots and Panties!!
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
I sit slap bang in the middle of enjoyment on this. I love the fusion of disco, funk and pub rock in this and I have no issue with the vocals, but just the content becomes a bit wearisome. Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll is a tune.
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
4/5
197/1001
Willie Colón/Rubén Blades - Siembra
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❓
I really enjoyed this for what it was. Do I have the knowledge to know this is an exceptional/groundbreaking salsa album? Absolutely not. If I ever return to it, it'll be at the peak of summer.
Dion
3/5
198/1001
Dion - Born to Be With You
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
I don't mind this at all, but it's far too long and nowhere near enough variation for me to keep me particularly interested.
Jeff Beck
4/5
199/1001
Jeff Beck - Truth
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
I had a lot of fun with this, this morning. I had this preconceived notion that this could be a bit show-offy with his guitar playing, but this had the tunes and really leant into blues territory with enough variety to keep me engaged throughout.
Radiohead
4/5
200/1001
Radiohead - Amnesiac
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
When I first heard this and Kid A together, I found this a lot harder to get into. It's more of a standoffish record and requires patience with its often cold and glacial sound. However, the more I listen to it, the more and more I appreciate it and its experimental nature.
Massive Attack
4/5
201/1001
Massive Attack - Protection
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
I think this is my call to do a deeper dive into Massive Attack, as I've really enjoyed Mezzanine and Blue Lines in the past, but not gone deeper. I love the moody feel to this album and the diffent styles adopted into their sound. It teeters on the edge of being threatening.
Ravi Shankar
3/5
202/1001
Ravi Shankar - The Sounds of India
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
Whilst I can appreciate how his sitar playing influenced the Beatles and bought this style of music to the masses in that period, I wouldn't knowingly return to this. It is a calming record and some of the playing sounds so intricate.
Jacques Brel
2/5
203/1001
Jacques Brel - Olympia 64
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
The name isn't a new one to me, but his music is. When the music is so vocal forward and you don't understand the lyrical content, you need to love that voice to embrace it. Unfortunately, it grated on me right from the off. On the other hand, it's mercifully short at 28 minutes.
Joni Mitchell
4/5
204/1001
Joni Mitchell - Court and Spark
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
I think this is my second favourite Joni album 🖤
Peter Tosh
4/5
Peter Tosh - Legalize It
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ✅
I must say, I had some misguided preconceptions when I got this today and it was completely different to what I was expecting, as it goes deeper politically than just what the title suggests. I will need more listens to properly appreciate it.
Tom Waits
2/5
206/1001
Tom Waits - Bone Machine
Heard before? ❎
Revisit? ❎
After my last album from Tom Waits (Swordfishtrombones) and just about thinking it was ok. This was far harder going to enjoy. I just found a lot of songs that were practically impossible to get into. However, with impregnability of some songs, there were some ballads to ease the listening process.
Sigur Rós
4/5
207/1001
Sigur Rós - Ágætis Byrjun
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
I love this album and band, even if I don't know what's being said. There's this ethereal, other worldly quality to the music, which I just drift away to. Superb stuff.
Pink Floyd
5/5
208/1001
Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon
Heard before? ✅
Revisit? ✅
I mean, what else is there to say? An absolute masterpiece. Also has two of the greatest vocal bits put on record ever.