I'm hard pressed to think of a more "mainstream" electronica album than this one. Partly because this album was sprayed all over pop culture when it came out, from the X-Files to TV commercials, it went everywhere.
The album itself is solid, with the outstanding tracks for me being the ones where he uses blues singers and backing tracks as a foundation from which to build on.
Along with Nirvana's Nevermind Album, Pearl Jam's Ten ushered in the grunge movement in rock in 1991. The album's deeply intimate subjects like suicide, fidelity, first relationships and more really connected both in terms of lyrics and music, The album has a wild ride of sonic variety not typical of grunge, including syncopated hard rock, fragile ballads and Hendrix like trips. As a first album, and as sledgehammer that announced grunge to the world, it has few peers.
One of the most iconic if not THE most iconic voice in late 60s early 70s rock. Pearl is a good album, with the standout singles to my mind being "Me and Bobby McGee" and the a cappella "Mercedes Benz" Her backing band, the Full Tilt Boogie, keeps her on track to produce what I think is her greatest album.
The intro to Baba O'Riley marks the fifth album from British rockers, Who's Next, and what an intro it is! Possibly the most recognizable intro on an electric organ in rock music (with the possible exception of "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida") But don't forget the drums! Keith Moon is brilliant in "Won't get fooled again" and "Baba O'Riley" and Pete Townshend's ballad "Behind Blue Eyes" is both creepy and heart wrenching. An iconic album from the 70s, that still enjoys radio time decades later, despite what they sing, the song is never over.
In 1997 "Bittersweet Symphony" was playing everywhere. Along with "The Drugs Don't Work" and "Lucky Man", Urban Hymns spoke to millions... just not me. The songs seem to bleed into each other, but not in a good way, by the time I got to the end, I was hard pressed to say what I liked or didn't like. It was all just "meh".
The debut of The Who, My Generation is a fairly standard album from The Who. That said, it is interesting to hear the 'edge' to their sound forming, and moving into the direction of hard rock. "My Generation" is the standout track, but the "The Kids are Alright" and "I Don't Mind" also show some of the directions the band would take in later albums. Not their best album in my opinion but still solid.
The first album by Roxy Music, did a lot to usher in the first inklings of glam rock, influenced the emerging British punk rock scene, and was noted as being one of David Bowie's favourite British bands. But where does this album leave us? With a wonderful melting pot of sound! Lots of unique takes on different musical instruments, even the oboe! In some ways I can hear a nascent Tool or System of a Down in some of the songs. Just a solid album that helped paved the way for may different genres of sound.
Full disclosure, I'm not a huge hip-hop fan. That said, I didn't mind this album. I thought that the beats were solid, I liked most of cover songs, and Lauryn Hill's vocals are great. Favorite tracks are probably the cover of "No Woman, No Cry", "Killing Me Softly With His Song", and "The Score".
"Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" was Willie Nelson's first chart-topping single. It appears in this short concept album inspired by The Tale of the Red Headed Stranger. This is early Outlaw Country Willie, and while I did enjoy it, I found myself consistently looking at the track list, because some of the songs seemed to meld into each other.
I've always appreciated bands that take risks, and In Utero, when compared to the Nevermind, is a risk. Where Nevermind is more mainstream, In Utero is more visceral and much more punk. And to me feels very much like a 'don't fence me in' breakout of routine type album. The sound almost alienates the listener with songs like "Scentless Apprentice" and "Tourette's". The album is less polished by design and feels like it is just vomiting forth rage, emotion, dissatisfaction and it delivers. But while I can understand it is an important album, I can't say that it resonated with me very much, both in '93 and now.
This debut album (if stories are to be believed) was 'one and done' and finished in about 12 hours. Personally I believe it. It has a unity and energy that you don't get if you are doing take after take. It feels complete, even though it is short (at 39 minutes). Iommi's guitar sound (soon to define Sabbath's sound) and Ozzy's vocals made a good match. Overall, a good album, with hints about where they would go in the future.
Blonde on Blonde, Dylan's seventh studio album and his first double album is a great album, filled with Nashville sound. Outstanding tracks are "Rainy Day Women #12 & 35", "Visions of Johanna", "I Want You" and "Just Like a Woman" but really any track gives you sense of Dylans ability to write songs.
It is always great when an artist is "allowed" to include his own compositions. Brilliant Corners is one such album and the title track doesn't disappoint with a variety of themes and solos that allow Sonny and others to shine.
I mean, what is there to say about this album, a wave of sonic electronica moves over you from song to song, but are distinct enough to keep you engaged and not feel like it is really just one meandering song. Also, I love the fact that he produced the album on floppy discs.
Early Janis Joplin album, with a pretty great acid rock style backing band. The standout track for me isn't "Little Piece of my Heart" but rather "Ball and Chain" which just taxes Joplin's voice to the max, and delivers a very raw and emotional performance.
Nebraska is Bruce Springsteen's sixth album, and his best. The other albums might have the hits, but this one has an amazing dark and somber tone to it that really draws you in and covers you like a weighted blanket. Nebraska owes more to Johnny Cash and Hank Williams albums than to the typical rock and roll heritage. It exudes a country sentiment but still manages to get that Springsteen sound. An exceptional album for those looking for something a little off the mainstream Springsteen.
I always respect a band that tries to get away from its own shadow, and that's what the Beatles tried to do with this album. You can see some of the influences in later albums taking root here, and the evolution of their sound as well in songs like "A Day in the Life". A fun album full of experiments.
Classic folk Dylan. Solid from beginning to end with the outstanding tracks sprinkled throughout with "Blowin' in the Wind", "Girl from North Country", "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" and "Masters of War". Just a great folk album.
meh. I appreciate the attempt to melt classic rock into pop/alternative sounds but I feel that at the end of the day it is unsuccessful.
I'm not a huge fan of hip hop/rap, the emphasis on the beat and the similarity from song to song, makes it hard for me to appreciate. I do like the "spoken word" aspect of the lyrics. But overall, not for me.
Live albums are great, you get to see the artist a little more "natural" and less "studio perfect". This album is no exception, from the first track to the excellent last one, it delivers the sound of Nirvana in a more intimate setting and allows Cobain some time to play around with songs from Bowie, Lead Belly and more.
So, HipHop/Rap isn't a genre I keep track of, and I really don't listen to it much. On my first listen of Under Construction, I really didn't care for it. But I paid a bit more attention the second time through, and was pleasantly surprised. The collaboration tracks are solid, and Missy does a good job of injecting a smoother nature to some of the beats that I don't find as aggressive as other albums in the genre. Glad I gave it second listen.
An interesting mix of punk, rock, and pop. The wall of distortion trumps every sound in this album, for good or ill. You can definitely see some influences towards later bands in this album. Surprisingly easy to listen to for the most part.
I can't really find much to redeem this double album. It might have been better if it was edited down to a single LP, rather than a double. The "sameness" of the tunes really got to me, and left me thinking if I was listening to rejects of 70s TV themes.
Such a great Stones album. Like Exile on Main Street, there are a couple stand out tracks, "Sympathy for the Devil" and "Street Fighting Man" but the entire album is just gold. Definitely in my top three Stones albums.
Full of funk and soul, All Directions sends the Temptations sound in a different direction than some of their earlier albums. "Papa was a Rolling Stone" is the obvious stand out track, but other tracks like "Mother Nature" get buried under that 12 minute monster of a track. Overall a good album to chill out with.
An epic triple LP that assured Harrison's solo rep and talent as a musician. Great riffs and lyrics abound in this album. From "My Sweet Lord", "Isn't it a Pity" and "What is Life" this album is an easy listen and easy to get lost in.
Cohen is a treasure chest of priceless and precise lyrics that do an amazing job of evoking an emotional response... assuming that one is listening to them. This is not album to have playing in the background, this deserves to be listened to and contemplated on. "Joan of Arc" "Avalance" and of course "Famous Blue Raincoat" are my favourites on this album.
Amy Winehouse was one of those artists I didn't really pay attention to. Truth be told this is the first time I'm listening to full album of hers. The sound calls back to Motown, girl bands of the 50s/60s, and blues with a more modern take. The lyrics are great and typically have way more edge than those genres, I almost think she would have been better as a rapper, but then the melody comes in and I discount that idea. A good album that has a solid foundation and many things to peak one's interest.
Well, it's hard to think of a more popular album, but does that make it good? Certainly it comes as no surprise that the stand out tracks are "Thriller", "Beat it" and "Billy Jean" (with some help from Van Halen on the solos). But the rest of the album surfs that line between soul/R&B/Pop, some tracks being more successful than others. Overall it is an easy listen, but I wouldn't qualify it as great.
I think it is impossible to listen to the album and not tap your foot. Little Richard did amazing things for Rock and Roll, and this album exemplifies that.
I guess I have a hard time believing anyone would actually listen to this album. It might work as rave music, or as background music, but other than that? Definitely an album I won't listen to again.
A classic Doors melding of Blues and Rock. Some great riffs, melodies and lyrics make for a good album.
Just bad, not even deserving of another listen. What significance could this album possibly have? None I say.
Solid. Great standout tracks with "Somebody to Love" and "White Rabbit" but the whole album is a good listen. Love the fingerpicking on "Embryonic Journey"
A nice instrumental album with a funk groove. "Sly" definitely plays homage to Sly and the Family Stones, and "Watermelon Man" just grooves with a tasty beat.
I had never listened to a full album of Gary Numan before. Had some interesting tracks and you can certainly see how he influenced later artists like NIN. I can't really say the album stood out to me on first listen, but it opened up a bit on the second and some of the tracks grew on me.
A pleasant folk styled album, nothing too outstanding, but at the same time, nothing too bad either. A consistent album if nothing else.
Well, it's Cypress Hill. I appreciate the album for what it is, stoner style rap, with just a hint of funk. The beat is relentless and the lyrics are "lighter" and fun. Certainly not in my wheelhouse, but ok nevertheless.
Very dream like, heavy on the synth, with a slight dash of pop. Can't really say any of the tracks stood out for me though, and I don't think I'll be listening again.
I had never heard The Smiths before, but I will definitely be checking them out in the future. Really enjoyed this album. Can really feel that this is where Radiohead (among others) got some inspiration.
Ok, "More than a Feeling" is a great track, but really the rest of the album is fairly good too. I wish their other albums were as good as this one.
A nice, smooth album, with some standout tracks like "Reelin' in the Years" and "Do it Again" this album asks to be played when you just need to chill.
It has some funk, it has some interesting beats, and some jazz. Which all blend into a pretty cool soundtrack.
A smooth and dynamic voice is the be all and end all of this album. The "band" is nothing more than a backing track for her voice. Which, in this case, is good enough to carry the album. But I can't help but wonder what might happen if she had a good band as well.
It's fine. Nothing really stands out for me, either negative or positive.
I found this album very bland with nothing that really stood out. I listened to it again, and it grew on me somewhat, but not enough to recommend it.
I remember this album when it was first released, and I didn't really get the hype then, and I don't now. It's a typical pop album and while "I want your sex" is a good track, many of the other tracks just blend into one another.
Solid easy listening album, can be listened to in the background, but the lyrics really are worth listening to, Paul Simon is a treasure,
A good Soul album from a great artist.
Not a great album, but a good one, I can see why many people don't like his voice, but I didn't mind it, especially on "We're Going to Be Friends" which I found catchy and kinda reminded me of early Beatles.
The type of music I expect to hear in a dentist or doctor's office. Not offensive, not intrusive, just sits in the background to reward people who actually listen to it.
Nothing really stood out for me in this album. It all sounded similar, and would have preferred more of a swing towards the psychedelic and less towards pop rock.
smooth piano jazz, really nice listening.
Kanye West is a horrible human being, but there is a lot of humour and some truth in this album, and it did break out hip/hop to a lot of people.
Reminiscent of Death Cab for Cutie, but Death Cab does it better.
Another album that didn't really stand out to me for any real reason.
Meh, wasn't a huge fan, but I did listed to it a couple of times, there was something that kept me coming back. I might dig into their catalogue to see what else they did.
Was ok, can see how it might have been a touchstone for electronica, but really wasn't for me.
It's a Smiths album. There are the some singles that are great, and Morrissey's humour shows through, but the sort of etherial sound that is the trademark Smiths sounds sounds a bit tired on this album.
meh, another forgettable 90s band, can't really say anything really stood out for me.
Solid album, hints of electronica, spy movie soundtracks, hip hop beats and more. Enjoyed listening to it.
A very iconic James Brown album
I enjoyed this album. It's not my favourite Neil Young album, but on repeated listening, it does drag you in.
Great album that with the first four tracks being probably the best opening to any Prince album.
A solid album and "Mr. Tambourine Man" still ranks as one of my favourite Dylan songs of all time.
Didn't like it when it came out in '99, still don't like it now.
A blend of blues and punk rock with cabaret elements. It gives out Rocky Horror Picture Show vibes.
To me this sounds more like a Nine Inch Nails album. Which isn't a surprise considering that Reznor produced it. It has some good songs, but to me if I'm going to listen to this style of music, I'll go to Nine Inch Nails rather than Marilyn Manson.
Really did not expect to enjoy this album as much as I did. The organ really helped bring the album together.
Just a great album, from beginning to end.
I have to admit, I like this more than I thought I would. I assumed they were a offspring ripoff until I checked the dates and found out they were a predecessor (and likely inspiration) The short quick intense nature of the album appealed in a way I wouldn't have thought possible.
Teenage me would have rated this album 5 stars. Adult me has a harder time giving this album more than three.
Very enjoyable. Some interesting combinations of styles. Some ambient, some strings, some dream, some rock... The first non English album I've discovered in this list.
