A certified classic! This album is pretty good and probably Bruce Springsteen's best at this moment. Mainly, the thing that gets me on this album is the lyricism of Born in the USA (the song). While the poppy tone is there, it is one of the most somber pop songs about an average American coming home from Vietnam falling on hard times. It is one of those American songs that are based on fact rather than propaganda. It is probably one of the best and most clever songs ever written. Some other highlights on this album are songs like Glory Days and Dancing in the Dark of course. But the second song on the album Cover Me unexpectedly sounded really well-done to me in my opinion. Overall, great album and one of the great classics of the 80s! Favorite Tracks: Born in the USA, Cover Me, Glory Days, Dancing in the Dark Least Favorite Tracks: Working on the Highway Rating: 4.5/5

This album is just very meh to me. But I'll give it a pass since The Rolling Stones are iconic and they have really stood the test of time. With this album also being the last to feature Brian Jones before his untimely and tragic death, it really set the change in the Stones' sound as it sounds more complex and musically ambitious than any of their other records. Good album but very bland when it comes to other albums by them in comparison. Favorite Songs: Sympathy For The Devil, No Expectations, Street Fighting Man Rating: 3.5/5

Sometimes, I wish Dennis Wilson wasn't just remembered as the Beach Boy who hung out with Charlie Manson. I didn't really enter this album with the highest expectations but it actually sounds really nice and soothing record. Dennis was sort of the Beach Boy who didn't really sing at all but this record really showed the untapped genius that was in that band. Even though it is easy to not stand out when someone like Brian Wilson is not only in that band but also your brother too. He is sort of like how George Harrison was with the Beatles except he wasn't as overshadowed as he was. But I really liked this record and would actually listen to it again. This record just feels like you're on a boat on the coast of California in the summer watching a beautiful sunset with your love next to you. Overall, while not as impressive as Pet Sounds or even Smile, it is a very underrated album and would absolutely listen to it again if I ever get a chance. RIP Dennis, Carl, and Brian Wilson; they were true geniuses of rock and roll. Favorite Tracks: River Song, Dreamer, Thoughts of You, You and I, Farewell My Friend Least Favorite Tracks: N/A (don't really have any ones I don't like) Rating: 3.5/5

Overall, this album to me is actually good. But in general, how I feel about the Beatles after they broke up and went their own separate ways was that they just went from amazing to okay due to the chemistry not being there for them. This was more apparent with John Lennon though. I feel that other than Imagine and a few other songs, the album can get a little repetitive and bland at times. However, the album's lyricism is pretty great but that is to be expected considering it is John Lennon. Other than Imagine, I really liked the song How Do You Sleep? Even though it is a diss track toward Paul McCartney but it's just a great song in terms of composition and even having a Beatle cameo in the form of George Harrison providing slide guitar. But other than that, this album is just pretty good. I think it has its hits and some filler songs that nobody really ever talks about. But I don't think its too overrated to the point where it doesn't deserve it's praise, I totally see where people come from where they think that this is one of Lennon's greatest solo albums. But honestly, I don't think it is so amazing that it clears anything the Beatles ever made. Favorite Tracks: Imagine, Jealous Guy, Oh My Love, How Do You Sleep?, Oh Yoko! Least Favorite Tracks: Its So Hard, I Don't Be A Soldier Mama Rating: 4/5

The last studio album of the Smiths before their eventual break up at the same time it was released and going onto to their eventual solo careers. As an album overall, it is just okay to me especially since it follows The Queen Is Dead which is their best studio work in my opinion. However, I feel that there is a couple of highlights and one song that really makes me feel this way is Last Night, I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me. It is just amazing from start to finish that really makes you feel heartbreak and sadness. Along with this are the accompanying melancholy vocals of Morrissey and the dreamy jangle composition of Johnny Marr that just make this song the perfect one of the album. It almost makes you feel like you were dreaming that you were with the crush that you really want to ask out and you actually end up becoming a couple, only to realize that you woke up and everything was just that, a dream and your have to take yourself back to reality. But if we're going off the whole album, it is just okay to me. It has one amazing song with the rest that feel more like filler than actual songs like with Meat is Murder and the Queen is Dead. It just feels uninspiring and like they were ready to just get out of the band as soon as possible to me. Favorite Tracks: Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me Least Favorite Tracks: Death at One's Elbow Rating: 3/5

I think there are some hits and catchy songs, but other than that, the album overall is just okay to me. Specifically, I think that most of the tracks were filler. However, I feel that production, instrumentals, and some of the lyricism done by Michael Stipe are actually good components of this album. But like I said, I feel that majority of the songs have no place on an album like this especially when you have a hit single "It's the End of the World As We Know It" on this album. It's crazy though to find out that this is an 80s album, to me, it defiantly has a 90s sound almost grungy or alternative in a way but defiantly didn't sound like something from the 80s. But to end this review, the album is just okay but does have a couple of songs that I did enjoy! Favorite Tracks: Welcome to the Occupation, It's the End of the World As We Know It, Oddfellows Local 151 Least Favorite Tracks: Lightnin' Hopkins, King of Birds Rating: 3/5

A certified classic! This album is pretty good and probably Bruce Springsteen's best at this moment. Mainly, the thing that gets me on this album is the lyricism of Born in the USA (the song). While the poppy tone is there, it is one of the most somber pop songs about an average American coming home from Vietnam falling on hard times. It is one of those American songs that are based on fact rather than propaganda. It is probably one of the best and most clever songs ever written. Some other highlights on this album are songs like Glory Days and Dancing in the Dark of course. But the second song on the album Cover Me unexpectedly sounded really well-done to me in my opinion. Overall, great album and one of the great classics of the 80s! Favorite Tracks: Born in the USA, Cover Me, Glory Days, Dancing in the Dark Least Favorite Tracks: Working on the Highway Rating: 4.5/5

I've only listened to a little bit of Neil Young, specifically the song "Rockin in the Free World" which is one of my favorite songs so I was a bit excited to see that this album generated today. In my opinion, this album is also pretty good. I've always recognized this album through its cover art as I've seen it a lot for some reason but never had thought to listen to it. Neil Young in his later career reminds me of Woody Guthrie in a way. Like Guthrie, he was able to break the barrier by mixing country sound with melodic and soothing lyricism. When I was listening to it, I was thinking to myself that mainstream country music today is really a shell of what it used to be. It used to be music that had such meaning and beauty that you could almost feel the air in rural countryside America. There are some great songs on this album but one that was a standout to me was A Man Needs A Maid. It's the one that is clearly different to me because it had an orchestral string section. When the song started out, I thought it was going to be a boring one but the lyrics are woefully beautiful considering it is based on a personal experience that Young had. Also I think the string section fits as well too, it adds a level of emotion to the song. In conclusion, it is a good and well composed album. It is probably the best Neil Young album that needs to be listened to in full. It is one of the classics that the 70s has to offer. Favorite Tracks: Out on the Weekend, A Man Needs A Maid, Heart of Gold, Old Man, Alabama Least Favorite Tracks: There's a World Rating: 4/5

Going into this album, I had high hopes because of Raekwon being a member of Wu-Tang and it being a rap story. Also, a lot of the reviews I heard about this album almost make it sound as if it is the greatest rap album to date since its release. But after listening to it, I didn't really think much of it. Honestly, the beats really are great to listen to and defiantly has that Wu-Tang style, it even had little movie scenes as samples in there songs. But it really had a lot of boring moments and it felt so damn long. Also, the lyrics can be really dated, especially some of the sexism and homophobia. Production also feels kind of bland to me, even with RZA producing. It just didn't feel like anything amazing or different, almost as if its just an expanded edition of a Wu-Tang album. Another point that makes me not like this album specifically is its narrative. Narratives in albums aren't a new thing, this was perfected around the 60s and 70s with bands like the Beatles, Pink Floyd and even got transferred into rap with albums like To Pimp a Butterfly or mm...Food. This album seems to lose its narrative mid-album and doesn't really elaborate on the gangster/mafia theming of the album. Also, I don't know if it's me but does Raekwon say "You know what I'm sayin?!" every song. It just was a big pet peeve that I had throughout the whole album, it almost felt like he was saying it every two seconds like it was a catchphrase. It should go without saying that is nowhere near the level of the 36 Chambers but again, basing off the reviews makes it sound as though it is around that. Favorite Tracks: Knowledge God, Ice Cream Least Favorite Tracks: North Star (Jewels) Rating: 2.5/5

I've never been a big fan of Jay-Z and always thought his music is just plain boring. This album just kind of proves my point. It really ranges from bland to mediocre to me. I feel that most of Jay-Z's discography other than a couple tracks (ie Hard Knock Life, Big Pimpin') are saved by features with people like Rihanna, Kanye (before his recent situations), or Eminem that have had better songs or better albums as a whole. There are a few tracks that have good beats and good flow but other than that, I don't really see the appeal. I've always heard that Jay-Z is considered to be one of the greatest rappers of all time. Something like that is pretty debatable especially when there is better from the East Coast like Wu-Tang, Biggie Smalls, or the Fugees. But also consider rap as a whole when there was NWA, Tupac, Public Enemy, 50 Cent, OutKast, you get what I'm saying. I always think of Jay-Z more as a business man rather than a rapper today because he really can get mediocre at times. Other than some criticism, I think the production and mixing of this album is really nice and sounds incredibly clean. With the combination of pre-rapper Kanye, Eminem, Timbaland, etc. I think it's what makes the record listenable and palatable because without it, I think it would have been panned all over the industry. But other than that, I didn't really care about this album and I'm not really sure why it is considered to be one of the hallmarks of 90s or 2000s rap when there is defiantly better out there. I just found it really boring and not different from most of the rap game from that time period. Favorite Tracks: Girls Girls Girls, Heart of the City, Song Cry, Renegade Least Favorite Tracks: Girls, Girls, Girls (Pt. 2) Rating: 2.5/5

A solid indie album and a good listen. The only complaint I could have about it is that it is too long (both album and tracks). I feel that it could get too lengthy at times and start to get boring but other than that, I really liked it. I feel it captures the perfect Midwestern sound that indie music has. Music like this feels like listening to bands or artists like Duster or Alex G. It can get a bit melancholy but I feel it is a beautiful kind of melancholy rather than a miserable kind. Almost kind of makes me feel like I'm listening to a 2000s version of Unknown Pleasures, it has that same feel and style but more modern. Great album and totally understand the hype behind it! Favorite Tracks: Radio Cure, Jesus, Etc., Ashes of American Flags, Heavy Metal Drummer, I'm the Man Who Loves You Least Favorite Tracks: Reservations Rating: 4/5

When I was in high school and was sort of gathering what music I really like, I started off with the easy artists with the Ramones being one of them. I used to really like them but now I’m in college and think they’re kind of bland now. Before you stop reading now here me out, I know and understand how influential and important they are to music especially since they are one of the stepping stones to rock music in the 70s like Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and even their rivals the Sex Pistols. But I think in the year 2025, their music is just good enough but I definitely don’t think they are the best to ever play punk music. The music itself like the instrumentation is actually pretty good. While simplistic, it definitely is listenable and sounds great even today. The lyrics while at times can be catchy, could also be too simple and even repetitive. While influential, I think the Ramones are good but not as amazing as everyone tries to make them out to be. But I will say this, if there is an album to start off listening to louder/harder music, it’s this one! Favorite Tracks: Blitzkrieg Bop, I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend, I Don’t Want To Go Down To The Basement, Listen to My Heart Least Favorite Tracks: Chain Saw, 53rd and 3rd Rating: 3/5

When I saw this on my project today, I thought I was going crazy due to Ozzy's passing, but I think a lot of people got a Black Sabbath album. This album was part of a crazy four album run (this, Paranoid, Master of Reality, and Vol. 4) that absolutely revolutionized music forever. Picking up where Jimi Hendrix left off, this album really helped create an entire genre of music that is still popular to this very day. While lyricism is very simplistic, the instrumentation even today is unbelievably amazing. The mix sounds like a record that could be made today. While not the first work that is considered to be heavy metal with Helter Skelter by the Beatles and Jimi Hendrix's guitar, I would say that its influence stems from Black Sabbath being the first band to solely be a heavy metal act. My only complaint is that the album is a little short with it only having 5 songs (even though two of them is almost 10 min long), but other than that, I think it is one of the most influential and important records in music along with Paranoid. Considering they recorded this all in one day (October 16, 1969), I think that it still holds the standard for the classics. It is even more crazy that this album was able to evolve music forever. This is why I would say that it deserves 5 stars. RIP Ozzy, we love you and thank you for giving us such amazing music! Favorite Tracks: Black Sabbath, The Wizard, NIB Least Favorite Tracks: N/A Rating: 5/5

I honestly think the album is just okay in my opinion but can get a bit boring and is long too (about 1 hour exactly). I like the new wave/synth pop style that this album has but other than that, it really can get to be repetitive at times. There were some good songs in there but almost felt too atmospheric. Another thing I did like was the Cold War feel to this album but yeah, it wasn't really special or groundbreaking. Favorite Tracks: She's Leaving, Souvenir, Sealand Rating: 3/5

I could listen to Ray Charles all day. I think that his music very soothing and mellow, like something I would listen to if I want to go to sleep peacefully. But I feel that this album coming before albums became a serious thing, it really didn’t do much for me. Albums at the time of this coming out were mainly just a compilation of songs, almost like a greatest hits but with a lot of filler. This was also a time when covers mainly took over the music industry with some of the biggest songs by Elvis and the Beatles being covers before they really brought they’re own songwriting into the mix. There are some good songs on here but I just feel that all this album really is, is mainly filler. But other than that, like most albums at the time, there are some great songs on it. Favorite Tracks: Bye, Bye Love, You Don’t Know Me Rating: 3/5

While this may have been one of the first definitive grunge albums, I was not really impressed by this album. Don't get me wrong, the album is good but I feel that it is not as good as the grunge albums that came after especially from bands like Nirvana or Alice in Chains. I feel that it is sounded more like a Sonic Youth record than it did something like the Seattle Grunge bands that came in the early 90s when it was at its height. But then again this was grunge in its infancy rather than what it evolved into. Other than that, I think it is okay on its own. A good song that came from this album is "Touch Me I'm Sick", it almost sounds like an early punk song that would be by Iggy Pop. But again, with grunge only being around for about a few years, it didn't really sound groundbreaking or influential like other albums at the time. Favorite Tracks: Touch Me I'm Sick, Hate the Police, You Got It (Keep It Out Of My Face) Rating: 2.5/5

This album is a bit confusing to listen to. I'm surprised this ended up on the list but I'm reviewing it anyway. I took one look at the album art and knew this was going to be an experience, maybe not a good one but an experience nonetheless. While I am a fan of punk music, I just felt that a lot of this record was just noise. It didn't really feel like music to me, it just sounded like static going on in the background. It has only two songs I found to be palatable but the rest is really just something I can't explain. Yeah, I didn't really like this one at all. I also think the mix sounds horrible too, it sounds like it was recorded in a cave, you can faintly hear the drums, guitar, but the vocals and bass are as loud as they can be. Favorite Tracks: She's Hit, The Dim Locator Rating: 1/5

God damn it, his album is absolutely legendary and punk at its best! It is a classic that will transcend time itself. I also think that the Clash is probably the greatest punk band in history because of an album like London Calling. Between the iconic cover based off of Elvis Presley's self-titled album (also on this list as well), to the amazing instrumentation and lyricism, this album is everything that perfect punk album should be. I just love almost everything about this album from front to back, it doesn't really get boring to listen to it. People like Joe Strummer were ahead of their time, I feel would be very disappointed if he saw how much injustice exists in this world today if he were still alive. While there are people who hail the Sex Pistols as being one of the first punk bands and even calling Never Mind the Bollocks the greatest punk album ever, I point this album to you. I feel that if you want rage and anger of punk but it being musically creative and lyrically deep, this album is for you. Favorite Tracks: London Calling, Brand New Cadillac, Spanish Bombs, Clampdown, Train in Vain (Stand by Me) Rating: 5/5

I feel that anytime to listen to some Aretha Franklin is almost always fits the occasion. You want to mellow out? She's there. You want to dance or boogie? She's there. You want to cry? Her voice is there. This album is also pretty good in an era when albums weren't the thing or idea they are now. I really love her voice. It just is so soulful and warm to hear her sing the songs that she gave to the world. She really is probably the songbird of her era and an American icon. Favorite Tracks: Chain of Fools, Money Won't Change You, People Get Ready, (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, (Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone, Ain't No Way Rating: 4.5/5

I think this album was a little too annoying for me. For most of it, it is just the same beat blasted over and over again. It probably sounds a lot better in a club or something, but when I'm home and listening to this, it just feels weird to me. But if I'm being honest, EDM, House, or club music is not something I really like or care for. In conclusion, I found it to be really repetitive and just annoying to listen to after a while. Again, almost every song is just the same beat looped over and over again for five minutes. It's just confusing to me that they turned this into a whole studio album. Favorite Tracks: Leave Home, One Too Many Mornings Rating: 2/5

This album is just very meh to me. But I'll give it a pass since The Rolling Stones are iconic and they have really stood the test of time. With this album also being the last to feature Brian Jones before his untimely and tragic death, it really set the change in the Stones' sound as it sounds more complex and musically ambitious than any of their other records. Good album but very bland when it comes to other albums by them in comparison. Favorite Songs: Sympathy For The Devil, No Expectations, Street Fighting Man Rating: 3.5/5

It took to album #20 to get to my first Beatles album. With this being the first, I'm very surprised that one of the their weakest albums in their discography made this list. Don't get me wrong, I'm not one of those people who will say that "The Beatles are overrated" (I'm a big fan of them), but this album can be a bit uninspiring to listen to considering the rest of their work especially in their later years. I just feel this is one of those 50s-60s albums that has a lot of filler with just one single to make it standout from the rest. As much as I love this band and the work they did, this album really is just something I don't care about too much. But hey, in my opinion, even the worst from the Beatles isn't bottom of the pit for me. Favorite Tracks: It Won't Be Long, All My Loving, Roll Over Beethoven Rating: 3/5

I didn’t really expect this album to be anything out of the ordinary considering 2019 was a great year for music, but I would put this album among the greats of 2019. I never knew Michael Kiwanuka before starting this challenge but his sound is almost reminiscent to the late great Marvin Gaye but not too much to the point where he could be seen plagiarizing him. Great album and worth the listen! Favorite Tracks: You Ain’t The Problem, Rolling, I’ve Been Dazed, Final Days Rating: 4.5/5

This sounds like something I've heard before but not sure where I heard it. But I do like how this sounds. I feel though that the songs on this album are a bit long with the longest one being over 11 minutes but it is a good album nonetheless. Also, really has that world sound that I like, groovy and cultured. But overall, it is a good album but can get a bit boring at times because of long track runtimes rather than album runtime itself. Favorite Tracks: Immigrés/Bitim Rew, Pitche Mi, Badou Rating: 4/5

This album is pretty good. It is melodic and has some of the best Billy Joel has to offer. He is one of a few artists that was able to transcend from the 70s to the 80s but also an artist that was able to perfectly fit that culture. Also Movin' Out is one of the greatest songs ever in my opinion! Favorite Songs: Movin' Out (Anthony's Song), The Stranger, Scenes from an Italian Restaurant, Vienna, Only the Good Die Young, Get It Right the First Time Rating: 4/5

Man, this record brings me back to the transition period between high school to college. During the summer after my senior year of high school, it was pretty uneventful until I came back home from the Jersey Shore to see a billboard advertising the Hella Mega Tour concert that was coming to Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, August 2021. I begged my parents to buy me some tickets to go see it and eventually, they bought them and I went. Probably one of the most fun concerts I've ever went to. This was about a week before I started community college. This album makes me incredibly nostalgic to a time that was more simple even if that was a few years ago. I've kind of grown since then and have been seeing how fast life is moving for me. Now, I'm trying to obtain my bachelor's degree and listening to this album really floods back a bunch of memories that I will cherish forever. This album is incredible and listening to it on vinyl is just great! I think Billie Joe Armstrong is a legend for bringing punk back from the dead in the 90s to give us this record and also for giving us American Idiot. I also saw them last year at the same place, just the same as they were in 2021, fun and amazing to watch. Thanks dad for taking me to that concert, love ya! Favorite Songs: Burnout, Having a Blast, Longview, Welcome to Paradise, Basket Case, She, Sassafras Roots, When I Come Around, Coming Clean, Emenius Sleepus, F.O.D. Rating: 5/5

As much as I like Celtic music, I’m not the biggest fan of the Pogues. This album in whole was okay but it wasn’t as impressive and sounds almost like every piece of Celtic music made. There are some highlights in this album but I don’t think it stands out as great in my opinion. Favorite Tracks: Turkish Song of the Damned, Fairytale of New York, Lullaby of London Rating: 3/5

Listening to this album is very soothing. It almost feels like you're sitting on a leather chair with a smoking pipe next to a fireplace. It really gives off a very calming vibe. I've heard the name John Coltrane but never really listened to this music, also didn't know this was an instrumental album but I think it defiantly works as an instrumental album. Good album and would definitely listen to this again! Favorite Tracks: Acknowledgment, Resolution Rating: 4/5