1001 Albums Summary

Sinatra did albums? I thought it was just singles. Nice bossa nova tracks with symphonic orchestra soundscapes. Oh it came out same year as Sgt. Pepper, the last album I listened to. Of course it lost at Grammy Awards. It has all the feels but lacks the originality. After listening to the full album: yes this should have been a single. And Sinatra never got the swing of it. It felt like he needed to concentrate hard to stay in rhythm. Unlike Jobim who felt much more natural.

Sure I know Depeche Mode. They had 2-3 hits in Europe. I know them as innovative composers who were master of the synthesiser craft. A bit dark maybe? So I was looking forward to listen a full album of theirs. Oh I like their beats. It‘s very groovy without much percussion. I like how understated the songs are. The songs are epic. On some of the songs (never let me down and sacred) I wished the singer had a fuller voice. This would work well as an opera or maybe as an Adele album. It has aged incredibly well. Close too modern deep house. I like their joke to call it music for the masses while they knew they will always stay an underground band and then putting megaphones on top of a mountain on the cover to underline the joke. Bottom line: fell in love with it. Exactly what I was looking for: new albums for me top 50 album list.

Ramones? Isn’t that one of the early punk bands who had cultural impact but who’s music is not comprehensible in hindsight? Does this need 1h of wikipedia reading to enjoy? Oh it sounds like a school band. Guitar plays the same 3 chords throughout the album. The base player stays on the chord base always. The drums are base/snare in stupidly. The singer sings with the same voice. So it seems this is not about the music but the message. So let’s read wikipedia then. After 15m reading of wikipedia: I get the appeal of the lyrics: „beat on the brat with a baseball bat“ is funny as well I want to sniff glue as being the first positive song after all other songs start with „I don’t want“. But that won’t be enough to motivate me to listen to the album again. Sure critiques loved it but it’s just not enjoyable.

On the Beatles Stones debate I‘m definitely team Beatles. Stones are just rebellion without innovative songwriting and only life recordings with bad equipment. So far my prejudices regarding stones. Let’s see. 1966. That’s the same year as Rubber Soul Track by track (uk version) Mothers helper: sitar stolen from Beatles Stupid girl: that’s early Beatles just with anti romance lyrics Lady Jane: ok this is original, great instrumentation. and sung with emotions. Only the chorus is a bit dull. Under my thumb: oh it gets more and more original. The stones sound seems to emerge somehow. Marimba is a nice addition. And Jaggers ahs add a lot of texture. Duncher Bother Me: great blues song. Bet this works great live! Even though the genre is totally different from previous songs it somehow fits the album. Going Home: more blues! The home bome bome thing gets on my nerves. Should have been 2m but it’s, 10 minutes!!? Ah it’s a giant jam session. Not many good ideas in there though. Could have been a lot shorter. Flight505: Boogie woogie standard scheme High and Dry. Gospel standard scheme It’s not easy. Rock n roll standard I am waiting. Oh some original songwriting again with great instrumentation. Even some non common time parts. Nice Take it or leave it. Lovely. But not special. Sounds like Phil Spector wall of sound. Think. Again some good songwriting and great instrumentation. But a bit sketchy still. I see how they grew their songwriting skills with this album What to do. Sounds like a Beach Boys ripoff. But not bad. Overall it sounds they trained their songwriting skills with this album. The middle part (Going home-High and dry) they should have left out. Then it would have been a decent album.

I never heard of Pulp. Sure I knew Disco 2000. But I recognise their influence in many bands I know, from Franz Ferdinand (Mis-Shapes), Manic Street Preachers (Something Changed), Coldplay (whole rush of blood album draws from Live Bed Show, middle section. Also Martins singing leans towards the singing style of the whole album) It sure is a great album. Lots of things going on. What I disliked was that almost all the songs themes are about sex. Would have been ok for a teenage band. But they were in their 30s. Gross. Was whole UK so into sex? This feels dated now. Do I like this album? I wasn’t sure until A Feeling Called Love. This is genius. I‘m a fan. Another great discovery off this list. 2nd listen: OMG common people is genius when following along the lyrics. It was a hit in the UK? It failed to chart here in CH. I spy: this is a lunatic destroying a successful pairs life. The storytelling is tight and the song acts as a soundtrack for a movie. I almost cried. And that’s it for today. This is a definitive re-listen

I‘m a casual hip hop listener. I know Beastie Boys pretty well. But never knew the difference between east and west coast. First I was put off by the narrowness of the lyrics. Diss tracks, d*cks, n*ggers and all kinds of violence. Then I learned that this album basically invented west coast rap. Ok I let it slip then. Musically it’s super approachable even on first listen. I like the summer party laid back beach style. Reminds me of Summertime by DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince. The beats are great. The days the n took over is such a killer groove. Every song is produced interestingly. Great samples. I dig the occasional flutes. But no real standout track and in the end I‘m left somehow without anything substantial. So: I like but won’t listen to it again.

Is it early hard rock? Or is it Chuck Berry with bad microphones? The bad recording quality makes it hardly enjoyable. The songs are not original. All based on the same 3 chords. Why is this on this list? Trash. Edit: Ok Money & Walkin the dog were actually good. Upped from 1 to 2 stars

What‘s this? Instrumentation from metal, harmonies from blues, lyrics from grunge. Polyphonic singing? Complex song structures? This one is hard to put in any drawer. I never listened to Alice in chains before. Part of me feels at home, in a mix between Pearl Jam and Linkin Park. The production us superb. The guitar sound thick. Drums sound like Dave Grohls. It somehow ticks all the boxes but still doesn’t stick. Then they lost me in the 2nd part (after untitled) it got too depressing. Maybe I got weary over time or the last songs are more hopeless than the 1st part. Drug addiction is maybe not a theme you should use for a whole album. Favourite track: Rooster.

Ah, Joni Mitchell, this was on my todo list anyway. All I know from her is Big Yellow Taxi, the cover from Janet Jackson „Joni Mitchell never lies“ I cannot warm up to her voice. The vibrato feels staged, the more dynamic singing too quirky. It seems she never settles. Why did she get famous? The compositions sound academic, overthought, they don’t flow. Whenever she built up a melody or mood she immediately destroys it by taking a left turn. Why? To be unpredictable? Best track: hissing of summer lawns (but also here I‘d prefer if someone else sung it), Harrys House (2nd half)

The stars aligned! Ozzy Osbourne died yesterday, I got my new Airpod Pros and my album of the day is Black Sabbath. I never listened to any of their albums because of my religious upbringing and I thought of this music as satanic. I enjoyed the album quite a bit. 3-4 songs are bangers (wheels of confusion, supernaut, snowblind, cornucopia) but also some filler tracks (laguna sunrise is nice but doesn’t go anywhere)

This album didn’t age well. Some songs seem too tame (around the world girl) most tracks are built around one sample loop and get boring around the 30s mark. Compared to Dr. Dres Chronicles album (got this last week) this sounds lame.

I understand that Bowie pushed boundaries here but it’s too artsy to be enjoyable. Even life on mars which I believe is the hit of this album was too experimental for me to enjoy it. I looked forward to listen to listening to Bowie. I hope there’ll be better albums of his on this list.

Look Ma, a punk band with more than 3 chords. With a song with surfer influence. With tempo changes mid song. With short songs - only 30m total! Only - kill the bad drummer! (Oh look they exchanged him afterwards) And, are the lyrics all meant serious? The moment I started to don’t take them seriously I started enjoying the album. Still: Not my taste. But one of the better punk albums for sure.

Didn’t age well: one good synth / bass / drum loop per song, then dubbed over with the same non melodic singing. This worked when synths were new. Not anymore today. 🥱 One exception: New gold dream. Compared to Depeche Modes Music for the masses which had proper buildups this sounds bland.

First: This is one of my all time favourites, but I tried to listen to it freshly. The only thing I could say against it that the songs all kinda sound the same when listening on a superficial level. But then, I'm on the train, watch out of the window and listen to "Mercy Me" and it brings tears to my eyes like no other music does. So graceful, forgiving, loving. The sound of Marvin's voice: divine. The bass line: so funky. The background vocals. Everything fits so well together. And there's like 5 tracks like this on this album. On top of this the fact that Marvin evolved from the Motown sound and pushed for artistic freedom, recorded the album without any support, then was opposed by the Motown founder, went on strike until a single was released and was so successful that the full album was released. This alone is quite a feat, together with the fact that it's a superb album - there can't be anything lower than 5 stars.

I like this game. Putting on an album in the morning, having no idea the style I‘m about to listen to. It‘s light jazz? Oh it‘s already over. It’s easy listening? Another short funny jazz tune? Ah no, it’s Cafe del Mar without electronic instruments? Oh, a Dave Brubeck inspired piano. No singing? Oh wait they have a great singer! Oh wait, they DO have synths? A Hip Hop song!? While this was a great ride I don‘t think it works as an album. The songs are nice and pleasant but no song really stuck out. On top of that the ever changing lineup of musicians causes the band to not sound cohesive. They don’t play „together“ enough and for some songs it sounds a bit amateurish.

Stills can play the guitar (the cover suggests otherwise) even Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and Ringo Starr played on it. But man is he pretentious! The fame - or the fights with Young? - turned him into a "look how good I am!" musician. It's unbearable.

Slade. Was for me the most overrated band of the 70s. I gave it another try. Tl;dr confirmed my views of the band: Bad recording quality (mostly mono even though it’s their 3rd album?) Nothing interesting going on (mostly the same 3 blues chords all over) Not even pushing genre (sounds beatles, especially the singing sounds like John Lennon on twist and shout) Annoying (Mama weer all crazee now. WTF) The length (their originality would have allowed 3 songs max. But 17 songs!?) The world didn’t need this album.

This album starts with a joyful “Yeah!”—and honestly, that set the tone perfectly. I was hooked right away. On my day off, walking in the sun, it felt like the ideal soundtrack—full of good energy. I really enjoyed the mix: the lush, Sinatra-style orchestration, Ray’s bluesy vocals, and those Western songs reimagined in a big band blues style. It all worked beautifully. That said, it’s too long. It could’ve been a tighter single album. The pattern—upbeat tune, then a slow heartbreak ballad—gets repetitive. A little more variety would’ve helped. Still, the singing, arrangements, and vibe are top-notch. It’s the kind of record I’d put on at a party or when I want to feel lifted. Smart, soulful music.

Never heard of The Kings before. Saw “1966” and figured: this will be a 3 chords, boring album. Then was surprised that it starts with mersey beat (early Beatles), transitions into harder rock (early Stones?) and the Who territory. I bet the Kinks were highly influential, but through some bad luck not so famous as the rest. Not as groundbreaking as Revolver (same year), but works better as an album (less fillers). Only 4 stars as the recording quality is only meh, and for some strange reason they back loaded the album (last song: Sunny Afternoon - ah yes this one I know and LOVE! But didn't remember it was The Kinks). Could have even left out the first 2 songs, would have been a better album.

Nothing can change my hatred for Rod Stewart. Every time his music comes on the radio, I have to turn it off. Terrible voice. Boring music. A bad person (proud of his affairs with groupies). The success of Rod Stewart (look up Guiness book record for biggest concert) shows that something is wrong with the world. And his albums being on this list is even more proof of that. 2 stars because it was not too annoying and there were some good moments when Rod was not singing.

Monday morning 7:00. On my way to work. This album is the soundtrack of my scenery. No wonder they played it on Ibiza on sunrise. For downtempo I always go back to this album or Kruder & Dorfmeisters session. Smart, chillout music. No track is a filler. Nothing bothers. Favourite track: All I need. My only critique is its lack of innovation - Portishead and Massive Attack put much more originality into their songs - which is hard to compete with, but still - only 4 stars.

Plot twist: Chicago knew this would be on 1001 list so they put Freeform Guitar so everyone is forced listening to it in full length. Other than that (and the record being too jazzy at times) they had freakin good musicians. From lead singer (anyone else thought its Jimmy Hendrix?) to brass, base, drums. All extraordinary.

I always liked Liams singing on Wonderwall because it's so direct and raw. But then hearing the same singing throughout the whole album looks like he's too afraid to show his feelings. Wonderwall and Don't look back in anger (the ending!!) are genius tracks. Also Champagne Supernova (which I didn't know) is marvellous. The rest - only meh. Would have liked to hear more of that swamp song though!

Self esteem is nice but isn’t it a Smells like teen spirit ripoff (same guitar riff) Generally I don’t click with punk rock. It seems like the drummer plays as fast as possible and the rest of the band chimes in. Same here. All songs sound the same and are quite annoying. Especially in my tired morning mood.

What’s on plate today? From the cover it looks like .. punk? New wave? Then it was a wild ride. Loving the mischief. I smirked the whole album. Sounds like they had of fun doing this and it’s contagious. Plus it’s clever and a good variety without being too experimental. Not something you can listen to every day (I tried the next day - didn't work) but once every few months an awesome listen.

Terrible cover. Relaxing music. Oh, he committed suicide. Ok but repetitive. I prefer Elliott Smith.

I appreciate what she’s doing here but I don’t enjoy it

I expected bad recording quality. I expected 2nd class songs cause at this time the good songs were issued as singles. Instead I got an albums full of stereo, crispy clear bangers. Crazy how well the album aged. Would not listen to this in my free time though. Plus no original songs -> only 4 stars

Without the singing it would be a good album. Early Aphex Twin. But the singing - I could only enjoy when imagining it’s meant in a funny way- let‘s just annoy the shit out of the listener - way. Oh Frankie!

Thank God Bob Dylan didn't get hold of these texts! Billy Bragg rendered them intimate and beautifully, especially the opening track and the Minor Key song. Some of the songs didn't work for me - e.g. She Came Along to Me had touching lyrics but the singing is mechanical. Also it's a bit front loaded and the 2nd half of the album were lost on me.

Yesterday my wife told me that she doesn't believe into our relationship anymore. We're married for 20 years. I'm in shock. She's still the love of my life. I don't want to let her go. When I listened to Small Hours I had tears in my eyes: »They say you'll be my ruin Cos I love you so I just love you so« That's exactly how I feel. I learned that Martyn was facing a disintegrating marriage. I see the problem of this album (I thought it was in a phone waiting line at the first seconds of the album), but it touched me personally more than any album off this list so far.

Blur blurred into Gorillaz. Genius. Coming back to this album every few months. Full of mischief. Great atmosphere. Banger tracks (New Genius, Clint Eastwood).

Paul tried too hard on this. „Musical integrity“ my ass. They try too much to be the big guys, the Beatles, particularly A Day in the Life. The drums. The way of singing. It‘s overproduced. But where are the ideas? No song sticks out (except Mrs Robinson of course) I prefer Wednesday 3AM. My parents owned this record and I like it’s energy and simplicity. But for whatever reason it never got famous and instead some overpolished slob found its way onto this list.

The opening track made my hope go up: Electronica mixed with rock with a southern raw voice? But then it went downhill. The songs make use of building up emotions without any actual idea. It’s paint by numbers. I never got Sex on Fire. Use Somebody is good. In Switzerland we say Göschenen-Airolo for something you hear but doesn’t stick - it’s a tunnel: The car goes in one end and comes out on the other and is happy to be out.

I'm in awe. For some reason, I had never heard any track from this album — I only knew “Wake Me Up When September Ends.” (In my defense: I got married in 2004, and my wife and I didn’t listen to the radio or follow new releases.) Tears are rushing to my eyes. This is the kind of album discovery I was hoping for from this list.

Franz Ferdinand Becks Odelay Prodigys Invaders must die Radioheads Ok Computer Mix it all and out comes this monstrosity. It was a chore to listen to.

I agree with all the reviews here: The album is great: original, good songs, coherent. It just doesn’t click with me. Maybe it needs more time to get familiar? Listened 1.5 times but it‘s still my distant relative.

Sounds like a demotape of early U2. Why is nobody complaining on the band not playing coherent? The drums are always off (the drummer just joined the band mid recording) and I‘m always afraid the songs fall apart. Horrible listening experience.

Couldn't decide on a version: Pick one --- It was 2000, Yellow was in the charts. I went into the CD store to listen through their album. Are there enough good songs to justify the $30? I couldn't find any good tracks besides Yellow. Yellow kept charting - I went into the shop again and again. Still not enough good songs on the CD. 25 years later I regret not buying it. There are at least 2 other great songs on there. I bought much worse albums. --- Today's album: Parachutes. I go out for a walk, the sun is setting. It's a perfect soundtrack for a cozy walk in the green and enjoy the nature. Probably most enjoyable album for my daily music walks so far. Does it belong on this list? Probably not. It's good but not outstanding. Still a VERY good listen and surpasses the past 3 days of insufferable albums. --- Look guys, Coldplay were in their early copying other artists phase in order to get good at their craft: Chris Martin in a Youtube vid explains that… Shiver: Jeff Buckley Spies: Radiohead Sparks: Leonard Cohen Yellow: My Bloody Valentine Trouble: Elton John They were not ready yet for getting famous. But then their next album was genius. So they survived the "fame pressure". Good for them.

1. This is nice 2. Oh no, it's Rod Stewart 3. Cannot recover from the shock 4. Read everyones reviews 5. Listen to Stay with me and following tracks 6. This is actually quite nice!

I was at a baptism in a river today. 6 teenagers were baptized. So having this album for today was the perfect pick! Also: What a beautiful woman. What an intimate voice. When I first listened to this album 3 years ago I didn't realize the melodies. They still stuck with me and I remembered them. Still, there's something missing with this album.

Such a great voice wasted on random covers. Dusty in Memphis is so much better.

I'm hurting. My wife wants to leave me. After 22 years. I still love her. I was moved to tears by the songs. By Jeffs vulnerable delivery. With his words. I was sitting with my mouth open for quite some time. But then there are the first two songs. They are just too complex, to singer-song-writey, too artsy.

If it wasn’t for the annoying singer who sounds like Mick Jagger, the album would be quite enjoyable, especially the bluesy numbers

I already tried to enjoy this album a few times. This was another failed attempt.

Great voice (pre Tracy Chapman), great musicians, great songs. Still somehow something was missing?

My feelings exactly when I‘m in one of my frequent depression phases. A bit too accurate for my taste. Beautifully nonsensical noise fun. But not music to put on for enjoyment.

Another album ruined by the singer. Takes herself too serious, German accent unbearable. The fact that it’s only on YouTube and I can’t read up on the backstory kills the last possibility to give it another chance. First album I stopped 10 minutes in because of my lack masochistic energy.

I knew Johnny Cash sang at San Quentin—I’d seen Walk the Line. But hearing this album, I felt how much he truly cared for the prisoners. He didn’t see himself as better than them, and that made a damn deep impression on me this morning. Anything less than five stars would be too low. Thank you, Johnny.

Starts with Radioheads worst song Packt Like Sardines in a Crushd Tin Box Ends with a slow Portishead song without Beth Gibbons tl;dr I don't get it

I like the bluesy rock meets punk. But I can’t stand her voice.

It's a great album. But musically too close to "What's going on". Except the 2 last songs - which I enjoyed the most (except the women's moaning - I never understand why someone would add this)

I see Jack had fun and tried a lot of genres on this album, he nailed every one of them. But it made the album too diverse for my taste. There are two killer tracks: Hypocritical Kiss and Weep Themselves To Sleep - I found myself banging hard to these 2. The rest is nice, some really good tracks (On and on), but doesn't work for me as an album.

Crazy influential (chili peppers and franz ferdinand) and really original, but not that enjoyable for me. The songs just sit on one idea too long. Gave it 4 stars for impact, but minus one because I couldn’t really enjoy it.

The tambourine on the last track: the guy was so off that he changed from offbeat to onbeat! Also the singers were out of key on almost all tracks. How could anyone with good intentions put this shit on this list? "1001 albums you hear and want to die"

Fleetwood Mac are overrated! It's pop without any depth or edges! This was my sentiment and I was determined to keep it this way. At "Go Your Own Way" I started to give in, and at Chains my barricades got breached. From enemies to lovers in 20 minutes.

Whoever wonders what the concept of this album is: The topic: love. Project title was "Petting sounds". The cover didn't make it though. Also: F*ckin incredible album, full of tear jerkers. Only 1ish weak song.

1979: exciting 2025: boring

I see that it was created in an act of dealing with the death of his girlfriend, but it still somehow vibes narcissistic to me. Same as the other solo albums of CSNY.

Sure this is on every best of list - strong start and ends with probably the best Beatles song ever. But did anyone notice the weak middle part? Mr. Kite, Within/Without, Lovely Rita, Good Morning are - for Beatles' standard - lame ass fillers. Then - I love Pauls songs (usually prefer them over Johns) - but this album has a bit too much of Paul and lacks Johns influence (who was - as I learned - too drugged). Overall a great Beatles album but surely not their best.

The moments when everyone is just doodling around, waiting for something to happen, are annoying. But then someone throws in an idea, everyone tunes in, and the jams are amazing. I especially enjoyed Stephen, Eleven, and Love Light — A LOT! Unfortunately, Dark Star and Feedback drag the album down.

Welcome to the technical support help line. Your waiting time is 35 minutes. Update: I listened to this a couple more times - once I saw past the standard blues chords I realized it's very entertaining in a light and smart way. Their later albums are even better IMO.

Talent ✅ Bluesy ✅ Perfectionists ✅ Don’t care about trends ✅ Choose music over fame ✅ Still can’t like them ❌

I listened to this album 3 years ago. I really liked it. Especially NY. When this came up here I thought: I know this album! But I didn't recognise a single song. The songs all have a pleasant atmosphere but are generic. It lacks good songwriting.

The neurotic whining, the constant mocking of society. The tone reminds me of the boys who bullied me at school. It lacks any optimism, any "let's make this world better". I hate every bit of this. The instruments are ok I guess, but as soon as the singer opens the mouth it's like torturing in hell.

Bass player: great job! Singer/Guitar: Good job too Drummer: 😶 sound engineer: you were happy with the first take!? Writer: you put every idea on the album? Overall: some members of this band need to get replaced

Pure chore. Morrisey can’t even sing. I loathe the day when the other Smiths album comes.

Is this violin … Grapelli? It IS Grapelli! Upped from 3 to 4 stars.

Once I could see past the "local theatre play". Once I saw the beauty of the stories - the pain, the sorrows, the regrets I fell in love. I'm a bit disappointed by the reviews here - guys, didn't you sign up for this list because you wanted to leave your usual music taste and experience something new? Granted - this is an album you need to listen with full attention. But once you do there's quite a reward. Finally - there are some weak tracks (or maybe they just didn't age well?) Ballad of the Ship of State - maybe worked in Vietnam war era Montana Song - too personal, overly long But then, some gems like "One Night Stand", "Another Friday Night" or "Waiting for the Moving Van"

On the album sleeve they admitted that they repeated the hit formula of "Please please me". And it shows: The album is a bit formulaic. Sure the energy is great and there are a few great tracks (It won't be long, Till There Was You), but overall a bit dull.

It was 4 stars for the first 70% of the album. Then from Natural it lost its drive (including Tennessee, why is it praised so much?). Another album which would have been better with fewer songs.

Listened to this album 100s of times, so hard to stay objective. Tried with a fresh listen and I still get goosebumps, 30 years later The blend of reggae, hip hop, electronic. The bass heavy laid back grooves. The different singers which make every song fresh. I could go on and on. My favourite song: blue lines (the groove!!) least favourite:

Why woman did you help mending his broken heart? You would have spared me 40 minutes of wannabe-Beatles out of tune crap. Update: back to waterloo was good! Upped to 2 stars

Are we listening to the same album? Granted the guitar work is good, the song writing too. But the singer! He doesn’t hit the right pitch and then slurs his voice until it the pitch is right. Is it intentional? I doubt it. I file it under terrible singing skills.

Cover: This will be kitschy! Maybe New Age, Enya style? The first track revealed that the cover was a joke. It's DAAARK! I tried to like the album. I like his voice. He seems honest. The understated strings (ah they were only 5 guys playing into a single microphone, nice!). But then there were too many annoying things, his talk-singing style (reminds me too much of Bob Dylan), then when the woman chanted »Rococo!« I gave up. Also: too dark. It is way too introspective and the guy has only dark thoughts. Why do you need to share this with the world?

One of my favourite albums. Beautiful. It may be a bit melodramatic but I like especially the love songs. Just the way you are reminds me of my wife (She's always a woman a little less so) and it always makes me cry: Joels description of difficulties in the marriage and how he endures them strike a chord with me. btw: If you're reading through my reviews: My wife decided to stay with me after she said she gave up all hope.

„I wrote 7 songs but they are all meh“ 🤷‍♂️ „Let’s overproduce them so nobody notices“ „Splendid!“ 🥂 „Look now they even put it on the 1001 album list“ 🙃 “We trolled them so hard!” 🤘

Track 2: ok this is a front laden album. They played all their best cards. Track 8: Man how were they able to put so many bangers on one album? Track 11: crazy. No single filler Cannot be less than 5 stars. I especially like the brain dead lyrics:) Clever fun rock without intellectual aspirations.

I don't like punk. But this one was not too bad.

Funny album. But a bit annoying. And not so funky.

I can't really say what makes this album so great. There are no real bangers (except Preacher Man and Windmills). The album feels like home to me. Is it the Dustys warm voice? Is it the superb session musicians? (intro/outro of Preacher Man!). Can't put my finger on it, the album just works and I come back to it every 2-3 months.

I don’t see the difference to Metallicas Justice for all. Maybe a bit groovier. Less intellectual. But how exactly was this influential? I liked some of the songs (Mouth for war, Live in the hole. Hated the middle part (especially walk. Found this one stupid). A bit monotonous.

Building on „what’s going on“, preceding Prince. Enjoyable end to end. Phantastic voice. Great vibes. How come I never heard of Curtis Mayfield?

What absolutely annoys me: When radios cut off after 2/3 of a MJ track. His biggest talent is to "get into the beat" and then developing it. Sure the main songs are great but even better are his variations at the end of the song. Examples: Wanna be startin something, Thriller, Billie Jean. The song starts to REALLY rock AFTER the normal verse chorus bridge part (he developed this even more on Bad and later albums but it's already very present on Thriller). Apart from this: Of course a killer album. I personally like Bad better (less filler tracks) but you can't give this one less than five stars. The Thriller/Beat It/Billie Jean hattrick is insane. But also Human Nature is one of my favourites (I recently found out that it was composed by Toto).

This record somehow screamed „Beck“ to me. So I investigated and found out that Johnny Jenkins covered Guilded Splinters. And Becks Loser was strongly influenced by it (drum sample and guitar). It’s understanding lineages like this which makes this challenge so rewarding. Besides this: Insanely groovy record (the base!) Stereo separation is too strong and croker courtbouillon is too experimental. Overall more than decent but god why did they settle with this horrible album cover? Did they wanna sabotage themselves?

Great voice. Moving lyrics. Three hits. Still, this album does nothing for me.

Funny that the reviewers here speak of „Promise to try“ as a filler track. This is the first album where Madonna became vulnerable and sung about the death of her mother, her complicated relationship to her father, her catholic upbringing. Just put her image of a pop goddess aside and listen to her moving life stories! If there is a filler track it‘s cherish which Madonna calls retarded. As for myself found myself with tears in my eyes and in awe of the richness in the title track. Absolute killer album.

This is a double album of two guys who were about to break up but released as a double album because they just won a Grammy? Already at cognitive overload. Anyway on Big Bois side I hated his hit singles (sound like 10 guys went into a music shop and pressed all the keys) but liked Bowtie and Rooster and generally about every other track. There are some killer tracks I‘d listen to again if I was into hip hop. Second disc is about alters ego of Andre 3000. Cognitive overload 2.0. How is Hey Ya the standout track? Cannot connect at all. Still the tracks are ok I guess. But then after Roses all tracks turn meh and it’s pure chore until my today’s duty is done. 2.3h! Sure I know they recorded separately but was there really no way to pack this into one album? Or at least a 2x40m double album?

The album cover looked promising, but the music sounded like what an AI would generate if asked to sum up the nineties — a non-annoying, non-creative mush.

So I meant to spend the afternoon listening to music but found myself on a date. One of her nipples was exposed so it took some time until I could focus on what she was saying. I must say her voice was unenthusiastic and was getting on my nerves so it meant I'd spend the next hour pulling all my energy to listen to her stories. She talked about this one guy which she wanted talk him out of the business because it went south. Eventually she killed the guy. I was shocked of course, only to find out that she didn't talk about herself but about some other people's stories in order to get my attention. I wasn't in the mood for all the sad stories so ended the date early. When I got home she left a message on my answering machine saying that the stories were references to some guys who fled and were living on Main Street. We didn't meet again. I found it too involving thinking about 4 layers of references all the time. But one year later I met a great girl, she was more enthusiastic and told me all she wanted to do is have some fun. I loved her, but her voice always reminded me of this strange date. After all this strange date influenced some other women, so I somehow adore her, but wouldn't want to spend another date with.

Yesterday I had Liz Phair - off-pitch voice, offensive lyrics, underproduced. Today Norah Jones - phantastic voice but painfully inoffensive. Thing is - for both women there seems to be something under the surface. Norah Jones is not JUST smooth, there are moments where her character shines through. But the work it takes to get through that pretty facade - I gave up after 1.5 listens.

Cover: she looks like the female version of Fredy Mercury Music: I like country but I never liked the Nashville Sound. This is way too polished for my taste. I understand that Emmylou built a lot of bridges and went down in history as a musician who valued collaboration more than stardom. I like this. But this still doesn't change the fact that her music lacks the "creative edge".

I like that they insist to call their music "rock n' roll". And it is! Just played a bit faster with distorted guitars and double bass drums. I always thought that Guns n' Roses should also be called rock n' roll. And I learned it predated and influenced Metallica. Kudos to that. The album has great energy. I liked the more bluesy numbers. But the sound quality and that the songs sound "same same" even on the 2nd listen make it to a "won't listen to it again" album.

I was shocked that this album got rated so low. I liked that they improvised so much on stage - it's not a "let's recreate the studio album on stage" show. I like how much fun they had on stage. When Gillan recreates the guitar sounds with his voice. Or when the organ picked up Oscar Peterson melodies in Lazy. I see that it was also super influential on Lars Ulrich/Metallica and others. Only downside are the long drum solos (too jazzy for a rock album) and that Black Night was included 3 times on CD2 (would have preferred the remaster without the extra set list)

I never got Pink Floyd. So I gave this an honest try. Headphones and out for a walk. Full concentration. But I failed. I don’t get it. It sounds like loose ideas stitched together. These are not songs. There is no concept. From the ideas I found like 5% interesting. It‘s produced well. And the voice samples were revolutionary. The cover iconic. I would like to like this, reading the raving reviews here. But I can’t.

The flutes connected everything to creation. The end.

After the first seconds of "Thinkin Bout You" I paused and told my wife: "ah that's the crap our children are listening to". I read through some of the reviews, liked most of the 1 star ratings and found "r&b mumble rap" to be a fitting description. I decided to skip todays album. After all, I'm half sick. I laid in bed and thought, let's just listen to a few seconds every song. But then I got hooked. The guy actually sings. The songs have melodies. There are great synths, interesting chord progressions. Then there's lots of variation. This album is incredible! After 1 listen I don't think I grasped it yet, but I'll definitively put it on my "heavy rotation list".

First 2 songs: »This is amazing! Crossover of Triphop and Grunge« Following songs: »Either there are only 2 good songs or the concept wears off after 2 songs?«

Mom, can I skip today’s album please? Son, it‘s only 40m and it’s good for you to listen to other instruments for a change Mom, please? 🥺 (After the last track) Mom, last song is a killer track! Son, you see. It’s good to obey your mommy!

I see it was influential. But the first few tracks are just standard blues numbers. It gets better with tiger in the tank. Mojo Working is an absolute killer track. And this was 1960 😮

I really like the Fugees. The score was phantastic. I always felt Lauryn was the most gifted of the group, so I had high expectations for this album. And I was somehow - disappointed? I can see how it was groundbreaking and influential. I like Alicia Keys "Song in A minor" a lot and understand that Lauryn somehow coined this new sound (sorry I'm horrible at naming genres and I also think it's kind of stupid), but the album only had a few bangers (Everything is Everything). The stints were fun but then they prevented a cohesive album. Still 4 stars for influencing some great artists.

English is not my native language - I can hardly understand rap lyrics. So the voices, the beats, the samples need to carry me through the album - with enough variety since obviously there are no melodies. The album started strong (that voice! isn't that from "insane in the main brain?") but then got boring quickly, and the past 30 minutes was a chore. Would not want to listen to this again.

I really enjoyed this. Who would have thought: there punk album with actual melodies and interesting chord progressions!

I‘m probably the only one who doesn’t know Roundabout? Enjoyable prog rock (found it better than dark side of the moon because better hooks) But then it was a bit aimless showing off of instrumental skills. Also: sounds like early zelda soundtrack

A Tinguely machine! With bells and whistles! And naked dancing ladies! It will never sell! But it did! Marvelously over the top, still enjoyable, but still not exactly what I would put on by free will.

Over pretentious (how many wutang samples do you need to put?) Boring (one song = one beat) Mindless (or maybe the texts were good? Couldn't understand because for some reasons even the sparse layering made it impossible to understand most of it). And then the commenter here claiming that only people who understand the genre and can spot the differences are allowed to criticize - that's exactly the type of l33t shit that makes me hate that genre.

I like electronic a lot - I'd wish this list would feature a lot more. But this album? Aphex Twin had better ambient, and Prodigy's experience better dance tracks, both 1 year earlier. Sure the both Lush songs are great (I like the slow buildup), but the rest of the album? The voice samples were annoying (Propellerheads nailed that a lot better - of course a lot later), and Walk Now/Monday are clearly subpar songs. Overall I don't see why this album belongs on this list.

This one is hard to rate. Is it boring (as the top reviewer writes?). Nah, it's more like an introvert at a party - you don't immediately get flashed by him but taking the time to talk to him yields a lot of interesting stories. After my first listen: "This is THE discovery of this list! Maybe the first 3 tracks are meh but the rest are all bangers!" But then after the 2nd listen I couldn't understand my previous enthusiasm. Anyway - maybe great, maybe not. Gave me a lot of Odelay vibes. Also: the fact that it was released 2 days before 9/11, has two towers on it and a song called "war on war" is scary!

A punk band tries to do Eurodance. Sounds like the worst of both worlds.

It was ok. „What’s going on“ with funk guitars.

Cipollina found the critical laud for "Who Do You Love?" baffling, saying "it was just a two-chord jam." Obviously an over praised album cause for whatever the music critiques had a circle jerk.

Innovative ✅ Influential ✅ Approachable ✅ Had fun doing it ✅ Fun to listen to ✅ Would listen to it again ❌

Yes!

This was massively successful in Switzerland when I was a teen - so I knew 4 singles already quite well. But listening as an album was something else: I never heard a more clever rhyming, the songs build a whole, Lauryn Hills singing is angelic. I listened to it in the train and half of it I was crying by the sheer beauty and the other half banging my head. A masterpiece.

How come I never like the hits of the albums? Mr. Brightside, Smile like you mean it, both meh. Andy you're a star is cool. I'd wish they put more synths. In the end the most British ever sounding US album. Good, but not great.

The choice to only cover US and UK music is questionable. Also that is only the Pop/Rock stream. But then there is an exception for Miles Davis. Why? It clearly doesn’t belong here. Why then not put Gershwin or Ennio Morricone too? Skipped after 2 songs. I don’t see the point.

I might have some album fatigue (after 100 albums)… Except the beginning of Watermelon Man I found it boring. Still a nice listen but boring.

How to sing with a runny nose.

I knew none of the songs (only known in the US?). What I know is Sweet Home Alabama - didn't know it was from them - thought it was a traditional. Number of people on the photo: 7 Number of people I hear playing: 4

Great vibes. I liked when the trio just continued the song after Sarah wanted to end it.

Strong strumming. Some good melodies. Still: I prefer Metallica

I have a hard time sympathising with a mass murderer (title track)

I neither have enough masochistic energy nor time to listen to it 7 times and then maybe like it. Today I have a headache and want this to be over.

I'm not into hip hop but this is most possibly the best rap album I ever listened to. The scratching, the beats, the textures, the lyrical rhythms 👌

Janis Joplin is a natural force and enfant terrible. But does she need to sing this old school psychedelic 60s stuff?

I found "Tommy" too theatrical. But this one is like American Idiot with all the tempo changes. Only it’s done life and like 30 years earlier and tongue in cheek as hell. Bigger discovery on this list so far.

Look you should at least be able to sing before you publish an album.

Never heard of this artist, nor this musical style. Enjoyed it very much. Reminded me a bit of frank ocean which I also discovered off this list

One of the albums which was big time influential back in the days but nothing special today

Sorry for the ignorance but it sounds like generic soul to me

I loathe Bob Dylan. But this one was not so bad - especially his voice was not as annoying as I remembered him.

Beck is one of the most talented musicians. I like his ironic/sarcastic slacker approach. Yet this album feels like only an echo of Odelay. Heck the first guitar strum on Guero is 1:1 the same sound than Devils Haircut on Odelay. I don't see the point of this album.

Pretty sure Beastie Boys are the most mischievous, inventive, creative hip hop group ever. Alone the silly samples they pulled into the songs (e.g. High Plane Drifters) deserves 5 stars. Then their evolution from "Licenced to Ill" where they suffered from too early stardom and endless touring to this album was incredible. Listened to this a few times but forgot how fun and diverse it is. Only downside is that it doesn't have a real killer song - that's maybe why it flopped. Still the most easy 5 stars I ever gave.

Usually albums with this high energy get on my nerves. But this one brightened up a gray rainy Saturday. Great rhythms. Only the drum solo they could have left out.

When this came out I was 18 years old. When I listened to this I felt at home, cared for, like no other music. I listened to it over and over. I showed it to a girl I was in love with. She took off my earphones and said: "depressing". What? I would never have worded it this way. Later when I married (another girl) I showed it to my wife. She had the same reaction. 30 years later I show it to my daughter. She heard of Radiohead through TikTok (mainly Let Down). She gets it and plays it up and down. She also feels at home. (She even tagged our blackboard with „no alarms and no surprises https://imgur.com/a/1VuhiVq ) I guess it's not for everyone - but for those for whom it is they feel the comfort I felt when I was 18. For the other countless people I tried to show it since then - they never got it and I couldn't explain them the beauty of it

Starts with two bangers. Then becomes more and more chore. Didn’t listen to the end.

Hot rhythms!

I'm listening to the last track and I'm in awe - she nails every genre and weaves them together beautifully - it was like a scenic ride in a theme park where I was keeping my eyes open to be surprised every 10 seconds by the next novelty. Never heard something quite like this. I didn't read any reviews - I want to pretend that this is the worlds most perfect album and everyone gives it 5 stars.

Too easy for my listening

Not as bad as the album with the snake. Quite listenable but a bit boring.

For some reason only Rock Lobster is available on Spotify. Since it seems by far the most popular track on this album and even this one I don't dig I cannot bring up the energy to listen the rest on the album through another source

For some reason I never listened to this album, even though we played "Praise you" and "Right here right now" up and down in our youth. The mix of mischief (The Rockafeller Skank), great beats and insanely original video (Praise you) is exceptional. Norman was totally in his element here.

Enough, enough! Please release me of this fever dream 😟

Ah when blues rock became metal. I'd like more metal albums to have this heart lighted blues elements. The first half was perfect, the 2nd half was a bit boring - 4 stars.

Since I watched the Amy Winehouse documentary I fall into a black hole when listening to her music - I guess this album is good but I just cannot enjoy it

I am old - but I claim to be still have an open mind (I discovered Frank Ocean off this list and find him exceptional). But I don't find any interesting in this - it's just doodling around and super offensive lyrics all the time. Maybe good kid and m.A.A.d city were good but I can't stand it one more minute. Giving up at "Sing about me".

5 reasons why this is an awful record: 1. Phil Spector was so happy about his wall of sound he got the Ronettes to sing every xmas song in "Be my baby" manner 2. everything seems to be done in a hurry, like they did have 1 day to finish before xmas 3. The drummer got the wrong memo and puts drumrolls on every track, even the slower ones 4. I can stand only about 20m of US xmas music, this was definitively too much 5. Phil Spector was a narcissistic moron

Wanted to give up when the first song was some folk song writer crap - but then it got better. His voice is whiny indeed but the Southern Man is solid. Still I would never listen to this again.

First few songs were great. Then it got boring

Their debut with Nico I hated but this one somehow works better. I like their „I don’t give a f*ck“ attitude and Reeds singing is somehow enjoyable when others do the same it annoys me to death. Fun for one listen but never again.

After the 2nd listen I realized what happened: The album starts strong but then "I could give you a mirror" and "the walk" are weak fillers which made me zone out. Sweet Dreams brought me back and it was strong (and often tongue in cheek) until the end. Sad for the 2 weak fillers - otherwise a very strong album.

I was prepared to hate the album. Though they were overly pretentious. But then the beats were nice, and Ol' Dirty Bastards singing rapping was very original

My wife wants to leave me. I‘m in a period of sorrow. This is not the right time for this album. I wonder though for whom it is the right time.

So the way they created this album is that he created the beats and the bassline and then she sang over it. First the beats are quite boring. I mean, he chose some drum n base beats, but they are not so interesting, and then what she sang over it was also not innovative. It's not good songwriting, it's flat songs. The way this worked with Lamb, for instance, the beats are more interesting, and for singing and songwriting it's way better, so I have no idea why this is on this list, because it's just bland.

It MAY have been revolutionary at the time and the and the sound DOES bang but it’s the same idea just repeated 10 times.

The slower they play the groovier they are

I got hooked in the 2nd half of Under the Pressure - the breakdown and the buildup are godly. The rest of the album were a mix between Bruce Springsteen and Boards of Canada. I liked very much the musical textures, giving this a 5 star for now because I believe this will grow on me.

Strong guitar. The shaker is always off. Each song stands on only 1-2 ideas. Weak songwriting. Still a pleasant listen. Great vibes. But wouldn’t listen to it again.

I already hated Velvet Underground. This is 10 years later, sounds the same and I don't see what additionally they bring to the table.

Very professional, but somehow lifeless record. I very much prefer the earlier ABBA records. I can appreciate it as a good bye album though.

Did George just sing „I love dick in the morning“ 🤔

I was committed to give this 5 star since I loved "Soft Bulletin" when it came out. But then the "Father and Son" ripoff threw me off, and the same fuzz pedals (mainly over drums) as on Soft Bulletin sounded tiring. It’s still very original though! Then the voice and lyrics are just so overly optimistic, positive thinking, big bambi eyes take of the world which sound so detached and sarcastic to me that it has a depressing effect.

Thanks Adele for going through the breakup for us. A masterpiece.

Deaf Leopard? More like Slippery Fish

How do I find it? I deliberately didn't look into the reviews to not taint my own judgement. But man this one is hard. There are beautiful moments, e.g. "Es läuft" or "Piano Piece" (when the drums kick in). I like the jokes they put in (blowing nose in Sad Skinhead). But then I hate that they tear down the song whenever it gained momentum (Giggy Smile). I see how that Radioheads Kid A and following wouldn't have happened if it was not down to Krautrock and Faust. But would I listen to it again? Just because it's artsy doesn't mean it's enjoyable.

Totally bullshit lyrics ✅ Every song destructed in the end ✅ If needed also with donkey noise ✅ Weird mix of styles ✅ All songs bangers and still enjoyable after 100 listens ✅ I so love this album. On my all time top 10

I see the influence it had on the Beatles. It's quite repetitive, but still enjoyable.

It was good until I found out that Clapton is a prick so now it sounds like over pretentious noodling around. And I need to wait 1 hour until the only good song Layla is played. Can be compressed into a single and wouldn't have missed anything.

Shot by both sides is great. The rest I wanted to like but failed

Sure it's overproduced but God is it beautiful. Going through a breakup now and it melt my heart

There's an undeniable beauty in this album: The guitar pushing, the drums slowing it down. So much I'm constantly afraid the songs would fall apart. The stones not caring for studio perfection. The jam session in "can't you hear me knocking". Them getting tired of drugs. The album cover and the fights who's crotch it is. But still - would I listen to this again? Dunno. I can’t stand The Stones enough to keep this in heavy rotation.

First: It's crazy that their previous album was Help. Of course it was a huge step artistically. Then: Does it really work that well as an album? They put their choir track over all the tracks - that's about what it holds it together. Sure, a few great tracks like In my life or Michelle, but otherwise not really a great album, at least not by Beatles standards.

Listening was a chore

It‘s funny, so much it becomes annoying.

Unmotivated & lifeless. 30 minutes too long.

The title track reminds me of that scene in How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days. Great song. But then the rest is kinda the same.

Sounds influential and the songwriting is clearly skilled, but it doesn't draw me in. Too concepty for my taste — I can hear why musicians love it, but it feels academic rather than emotional. Well-crafted Americana that I respect more than I enjoy.

Maybe Genesis needed to go through the school of Peter Gabriel. But do we really need to sit in the same classroom for an hour?

OMG no

His voice is phantastic. But him hyping up the crowd was so annoying (maybe for European ears? I hate it when performers overdo it) that I couldn't enjoy.

Paul lost two bandmates right before recording. Had to play guitars and drums himself. Then Nigeria - harassment, robbery, hospitalisation. Still finished it. Standout tracks: Band on the Run, Bluebird, Picasso's Last Words. Really brilliant. The stamina was exceptional. He proved himself. But as an album? Doesn't work well. Great moments but doesn't hold together.

Patti Smith's vocal presence is grating (reminds of school bullies). The album is emotionally taxing — specific imagery (boy hitting locker) is disturbing rather than artistic. Revolutionary for 1975, maybe, but unpleasant to listen to. Needed upbeat music to recover from the mood it created.

Never heard of Suede. Started sounding like punk/post-punk from the 90s with raw voice. Thought it would go post-punk but turned into opera-like musical. Fantastic ride. One of the best discoveries on this list. Last two weeks had crap, this was the gem. Not radio-friendly, no standout hit track. Don't know if the album works as a whole, but the ride was incredible.

Second Steely Dan album on the list. First one underwhelmed me — overproduced and musically uninteresting. This one shines with diversity. Every track has a unique spin. 'East St. Louis' completely blew my mind on first listen. What's remarkable: from 1974 but sounds like 80s — must have been quite revolutionary for its time. However, on second listen it already wore off. The 'great' factor isn't as captivating anymore. Not quite the heavy rotation material I thought after first listen. Still solid, but loses impact on replay.

Didn't catch my attention. A random selection of songs. My mind is still stuck on the album cover

First half has charm: 'She Belongs to Me' and the opener are playful, structured, listenable. But then 'Mr. Tambourine Man' arrives and Dylan doubles down on what I hate about him — overlong rambling with no real melody, just poetic word-salad masquerading as profundity. 'The Gates of Eden' continues the torture. Half a decent album dragged down by the other half. If only he'd stopped before the mystical nonsense kicked in.

First half promising—Kanye's uniquely wired mind works well in music. But second half derailed by excessive explicit sexual language (pussies, dicks throughout). Shift from creative to crude made it unbearable. Strong start undermined by gratuitous vulgarity.

Expected: Funk Got: Blues Whatever 🤷

0s: Album looks like country 10s: Album sounds like country 20s: oh no, it's post-punk with horrible singing 30m: oh there's some actual good singing and song writing 45m: this was good! let's listen to this again 60m: it's so whiny and full of self pity! I cannot stand any more minute

Well produced. I like the vibe. But no original ideas. No songs that stick.

First: I'm a huge Portishead fan But then: I always liked Portisheads 2nd album better than Dummy. Sure this one has 3-4 killer tracks and was revolutionary at the time. But it doesn't work as an album, some songs are quite "rough" and some are just fillers and/or don't fit in musically. Still: Beth Gibbons voice, Utleys guitar and Barrows sampling are superb.

I understand how this is good. But I can't enjoy it. Except La Grange. This was on Guitar Hero 3. Memories!

This album was my biggest revelation when I first tried this challenge 5 years ago. I though "will I still like it?" and yes! Given, you need to lean into the screams, but then the payoff is enormous: the guitar riffs, the beats, the signature changes in midst of the song. Epic album!

Do the musicians hear each other or are they isolated in different rooms? With these records I never found out.

I understand they didn't have samplers or bloopers back then so they recorded all these monotonous 10m tracks live? This is remarkable. Not so entertaining but still remarkable.

Voice ✅ I like girly Songs 🤷‍♂️3 great songs the rest was meh Accent 😍 I fell in love with her accent!

The drummer! Why doesn't anyone write about the drummer? I like the overall sound a lot - but the melodies were a bit dim. It left me a bit empty handed. Overall a stunning record. I never heard of King Crimson (my bad I guess).

After listening to 36 chambers I was disappointed about this one. I'm not an english speaker so yes if I pay close attention I can understand the rhymes but usually I don't bother so the beats need to carry the music. Which they don't. Every song is one beat / bass line just repeated all over, not enough diversity to enjoy the record. I really tried to listen to it all. I did it in 5 sittings. Still didn't manage to finish. I see the high ratings here and understand some folk really like this - but I have no idea what's there to like.

Does it work as an album? No Does it still deserve 5 stars? Heck yes! Dancing Queen is probably the most perfect pop song ever. Knowing me knowing you brought tears to my eyes. Money Money Money and Fernando are bangers too. I have no idea how a group can come up with such complex yet approachable music. I'm in awe!

1st listen: Replace Steve Albini by Butch Vig and it would be a much more approachable and enjoyable album 2nd listen: Ah no, the recording is perfect as it is. But some of the songs are still "hard to get" 3rd listen: Yes, the beginning and end are superb, the middle part I don't get even at the 3rd listen. If the album would be: Rid of me ("don't you with you, never met her" is peak!) Missed (interesting timing, and the guitars!) Legs (especially the drums, a bit too much whining for my taste) Rub Til It Bleeds (probably just the picture of it :) 50ft Queenie (great energy) Me-Jane (again super interesting timing) Snake (not sure what she sings about, but that's what I call commitment) Ecstasy (great guitars) Then it would be 5 stars.

This album didn’t click with me. Let me try to explain. It’s exaggerated for sure, but here you go. All I knew going in was that CCR didn’t want to be in the Woodstock film because they thought the performance was subpar. Come on. Take a risk once in a while. Stop trying to control your legacy. Stop taking yourself so seriously. So I didn’t come to this album neutral. And throughout the whole record I heard my prejudice confirmed. Everything sounds too controlled. Too polished. They never take a single risk. Come on—give me one song that breaks out of the same basic blues template. Fogerty sings every line as if the fate of Western civilization depends on it. I also don’t get the point of this album. What’s the artistic contribution? I guess they weren’t trying to be innovative, but then what am I supposed to enjoy here? For me it was utterly boring. No groove. Sparse arrangements that never build into anything. And a vocal performance that became more annoying with every track.

My all time favourite composer sung by probably the greatest singer! Listening on my 3.5h train ride so 3h 14m is a perfect fit. Thank you life 🤩 And I don't understand the reviews here saying the songs are all the same: there's jazz, Broadway, bossa, rag time. It never got boring to me.

I like the rebel vibe but the music was too simple

Certainly ahead of its time. But you can hear it's a transition album. Still traits of Punk but then it doesn't really know where it is going to. I quite liked it. But it doesn't hit a nerve.

After Yankee Hotel this one was disappointing. Mostly noodling with a few guitars and unmotivated singing.

OK Casimir Pulaski Day is a gem, I almost cried. The rest I WANT to like. The songs are all insanely original but they are not coherent enough to form an album. And I think they could have tried harder to make actual songs out of their ideas. After 2 listens I'm somehow attached but not enough so it's landing on my playlist.

Having listened through all their albums and watched through some of their documentaries that's how I understand the Beastie Boys: They had a surprise hit with Licensed to Ill, particularly with “Fight for Your Right.” They suddenly found themselves in the “stupid party” hip-hop corner. It was only their first album, and they were still just starting out as artists. But they already found themselves cornered by being successful too early. They wanted to show their artistic muscles and created Paul’s Boutique. It was probably the most sophisticated hip-hop album ever made at the time, but it didn’t sell. They were devastated. Having already left Def Jam, they retreated into their own studio in Los Angeles. They found themselves in a dark place and started spending their time jamming and improving as musicians. Although they had all played instruments before, this was where they really developed as a band. So what you hear on Check Your Head and especially Ill Communication is them playing the guitars, bass, and drums themselves, just having fun making music together. I have the highest regard for the Beastie Boys because they were able to reinvent themselves so many times. Out of all the pressure they found themselves under, they didn’t crumble. Instead, they came back with even better music. About this album: It's by far my favourite. Sure Shot is such as strong starter. Then the Root Down / Sabotage combo is such a slam dunk I turn up my volume up 100% every time. And then the instrumentals. I find it insane how well they play their instruments (especially the percussion) Easiest 5 stars ever.

I guess it's tongue in cheek and very funny. But I somehow cannot join the fun.

The book "We amuse ourselves to death" is basically the message, no? I didn't find the beats compelling. Too straight forward. Not enough variances. If you only have a message and no music then a book is definitely the better media to convey the message.

Look how fast we can play our instruments! Look how wrong I can sing but it's really the first time someone shows anti establishment rage so it's justified! I will never get punk