Lot of iconic songs on this one, with lots of staying power. Surely a Seminal work for the genre at large. Only nit pick is that a few of the songs felt self aggrandizing. Length for the sake of length. Good album overall
Overall: neutral opinion.
Favorite track: Elevation
Couldn’t Have Gone into this album any more blindly. Never heard of the band, album, and never heard a single song.
Feels like a disservice to listen to this on something other than vinyl. This band feels like one part Pink Floyd, one part Rush, and one part Rolling Stones. I liked it just fine. Band would be right at home on a Classic Rock station. Not mad to listen to them but not worth seeking out for additional listens
This band is like Taco Bell: Same 4 ingredients, dozen different combinations. Instead of tortillas, cheese, beans and meat, AC/DC works in a medium of parties, fighting, booze, and chicks.
You have to admire a band that knows their strength and stays in their lane. No, they’re not going to win a Michelin star anytime soon, but hell, sometimes a quesadilla and a burrito really hit the spot.
“The Boys Are Back in Town” has been a personal favorite for decades, so my excitement for this album is unmatched so far.
It’s rare that a band is as good live as they are in the studio, but Thin Lizzy might have done it. Great listen
Favorite track: “You Suffer”
You know what they say about things that are subjective (art, music, theater): You either get it or you don’t.
I don’t.
Impressive to see a genre defining album that plays like greatest hits album.
RIP Ozzy 🤘
Absolute icon. Fun to hear the early days
Admittedly I’d written Lorde off as something of a one hit wonder after “Royals” came and went over 10 years ago, but apparently she had more to give. Honestly not sure why she’s not mentioned in the same conversations as Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, or Charlie XCX, but I honestly think she fits right in.
Good listen
It’s obvious how influential this group is. This was a great listen.
Take the stadium country assholes that sing about blue collar living while wearing $3,000 boots and touring on $15M gulfstreams, then make them English, and you’ve got this album.
How many songs can you record that pander the same message over and over? Listen and find out.
Never been a huge stones fan. Listening to a full album was interesting, especially to see the band beyond their greatest hits. I simultaneously understand why the band is as big as they are, but also still don’t see what all the fuss is about.
Favorite song: Paint It Black
Obvious why Hendrix is considered an all timer. Great instrumentation, great songs.
Pretty 80’s-Tastic. My only familiarity with this band was from the Donnie Darko soundtrack. Good listen overall, but overall pretty one-note
I can only describe this album as “Campy”. It feels like the epitome of the 90’s grunge era “I’m not part of your system, and you can’t define or label me” mentality. Instrumentally proficient and occasionally even interesting. Lyrics and vocals on the other hand, a bit one note.
Overall good listen, feels like a Time Machine to Seattle circa 1994.
I liked this album a lot more than I was expecting to. The influence on artists that followed is obvious. The overall album was a funky fresh listen.
I wanted desperately to like this album more than I did.
The mixing was horrible. The sound effects are louder than the lyrics. Also the sound effects sounded a lot like a squeegie on a window.
Picture this: you’re at your bachelor pad, mixing up an overly complex cocktail (you’re a mixologist, not a wanna-be bartender) because you’re trying to impress this girl you managed, somehow, to lure home from the speakeasy (bars are too pedestrian). You consider yourself to be a gentlemen of culture; you pronounce Ibiza “Ibitha”, because your parents took you to Madrid one time when you were in your teens, and you want to convince this girl you’re worldly. However, you’re irrationally afraid of awkward silences because, despite how interesting you project yourself to be, you know deep down that under your Patagonia vest that you’re just another hedge fund douche, and you don’t want an awkward silence to force you into an actual conversation wherein you reveal this fact.
Have no fear, because Milton Nasimento has entered the chat (on vinyl obviously).
You have no idea what he’s saying, because you gave up on Spanish after high school, but you talk about your experience in Spain (where you seldom left the Hilton your parents paid for), in hopes that she would be so impressed that her bra just falls right off (adequate forplay in your mind).
Unfortunately she doesn’t like the drink you made for her. She leaves your bachelor pad, bra intact. You feel successful however because tonight was 40% closer than you’ve been to sealing the deal for a while now. You turn off Milton and turn on a Joe Rogan podcast, convincing yourself that girls like her are the problem.
Give me a pair of wire framed sunglasses, a trench coat, a wardrobe with a suspicious amount of latex in it, a pair of calf length jack-boots, and jack my ass into the matrix baby. Then turn on this album, and let me stop some bullets and punch some agent smiths, and you’ve got a great Saturday night right there.
One of my favorites so far 🤩
“Ms.Jackson” remains to this day one of the most iconic songs of the hip-hop genre.
“So Fresh, So Clean” is so engrained in the lexicon that it’s quoted by people who’ve never even heard the song.
“B.O.B.” Belongs on every gym/exercise playlist ever.
Even the interludes like “Kim & Cookie” give the album a “concept” kind of feel.
Simply fun to listen to.
I’m a mad scientist tasked with creating a new band. I take 1 part Beatles, 1 Part Rolling Stones, make the result 40% worse and 70% gayer. Voila, The Kinks.
In all seriousness, it wasn’t unlistenable, but it was by no means enjoyable. If I believed in half-stars, this album would be a 2.5 for me. Maybe if I was listening to this while gardening outside of my cottage in Liverpool it’s a 3 star album. But alas, I’m in Seattle, and not in the mood for gay Beatles.
I’ve been a fan of Beck for a while and I’ll confess, I wanted to like this album more than I did.
It’s impressive to me that Beck plays like 19 instruments, as well as writing, producing, and I think even editing his own music.
That being said this album felt like a freshmen effort more than a third full length album. He was all over the map from a genre perspective. It was probably on purpose but to me it felt disjointed, like he was still figuring out what kind of musician he wanted to be.
I owe Taylor Swift an apology for accusing her of being too hung up on her ex.
Another album I went into triple blind (never heard of the band, the album, or a single song).
Liked it quite a bit. Felt like a perfect encapsulation of where the 80’s ended and the 90’s began. Like someone put Huey Lewis and the News, and Reel Big Fish in a blender and turned it on. Not sure which “wave” of ska you’d assign this to, but really fun listen
Things that should have stayed in the 90’s:
-Furbys
-The Clintons
-Frosted Tips
-Your Boyfriend’s Dallas Cowboy Fandom
-Kid Rock
-This Album
Iconic, but a little one note. “Let’s Get It On” will forever be the anthem of getting down with the one you love, but did it require a whole album to get that point across?
Less of a bummer than his divorce album though, I’ll give you that
If 70’s/80’s rock was ice cream, this album would be vanilla.
If it came on my FM radio i probably wouldn’t change it. Nor would I choose it if I was streaming music.
It just felt basic
It’s October. You’re in your Tuscan themed kitchen, standing over your stove with soup on a low simmer. You made the soup with vegetables you bought at the farmers market for an unreasonable markup, but you don’t even care. You insert the immersion blender, real smooth. For some reason you’re wearing a turtleneck. You kind of pull it off, you kind of don’t, but you’re at peace with this fact. Your golden retriever is napping on the carpet, unbothered by everything happening. There’s a candle burning because you’re too poor for a fireplace, but that’s ok. You’re white, middle(ish) class, you live in Connecticut, and you have Nick Drake. The pumpkin spice latte of the music world. Is he the best? No. Does he make you feel like everything might be ok though? Also no. But your soup is going to be killer.
I can’t tell if these jokers are angry or horny or high or all three.
This was a 1 star for me until the back half of the album. There’s even a couple tracks here that you might confuse for music.
Good riddance
I think I just may not be a Beck fan, and that’s ok. When I listen to a full album, I can always tell the songs that I like the most were specifically added for people like me, people that don’t understand the experimental side of what Beck’s doing, people that the record company was surely trying to placate with more palatable radio fare.
He has my admiration, but not my fandom.
I don’t really like Bob Dylan. But listening to this album taught me that I do like Bob Dylan’s lyrics.
In another universe, there’s an Elton John/Bernie Taupin arrangement where the Bob Dylan teams up with someone who’s actually good at singing, and in that universe, I love Bob Dylan. But this is the universe I’m stuck in…
Huh. There’s more to him than mom rock. Color me pleasantly surprised.
CCR has a unique ability to transport you to a road house on the side of a highway in Louisiana, where you can get cheap beer and groove out while you hope that cops don’t break up the party. What’s more impressive is that they can achieve that, despite themselves being from San Francisco.
Fun listen. Strong A Side AND B Side
Another triple blind album.
I don’t know anything about this band, but in another universe I think they could have hit it as big as Nirvana (or at least on par with Pearl Jam). Great quintessential 90’s sound. Not sure what they’re doing now but this band goes to show that the difference between success and oblivion is a proper marketing strategy.
This album WAS a four star for me. Then the next song played. And then the next one. Then the next one. And then i realized i didn’t realize where one song ended and the next song began.
Overall i like Elliot smith. I love his use of piano and his overall not quite rock, but cooler than indie vibes. Mostly just wish he wasn’t so one note…
AC/DC is the PBR of rock music.
It’s not special.
It’s not that good.
It’s been the same since the 80s.
But damnit, sometimes it’s what the party needs.
This album is turning me into a republican. I find myself thinking these guys need to get out of their mother’s basements and get a proper job. It’s ok to give up on your dreams.
If this group comes up again they’re getting a 1-star. Fuck sakes…
If you told me that Nick Drake was worthy of inclusion on a list of 1000 albums, I’d believe you.
If you tell me Nick Drake is worthy of inclusion twice, and that there aren’t 999 other artists and albums that are better, I start to have questions.
Algorithm, you’ve been put on notice
Expected to be entertained, but didn’t necessarily expect to be impressed. It was funny, angry, and vulnerable, all in one package. Plus, I’m a sucker for a well made concept album.
Played like a greatest hits album. Easily one of the most influential of the 20th century.
Another triple blind.
This album started as the reason I wanted to do this challenge, and it ended with me thinking this was 5 songs too long.
Treating this like an anthropological discovery of emo music’s precursor. No regrets, no repeats.
When I was a white boy going to kindergarten in Wyoming in 1996 when this album came out, I was much more into the west coast rap scene. Long live Tupac. You couldn’t have convinced me otherwise. But GZA convinced me that Brooklyn has a lot to offer.
I liked this album quite a bit. Another rap album with a “concept” feel. Really enjoyed the samurai movie interjections. It’s the kind of album that makes me want to explore GZA and WuTang more. Great representation of the spirit of this challenge.
I know The Beach Boys get better (God only knows), but I’m not sure if they get more iconic.
Soft rock for people who think they like hard rock. Yawn.
Mastery of several instruments.
Mastery of rhythm.
Mastery of lyricism.
Mastery of the genre.
Influential in ways I never knew.
If this isn’t a 5 star album I don’t know what will be.
Reminds me of my dad. Can’t help but be nostalgic.
Perfect for clubbing with Patrick Bateman, not much more
The musicianship was honestly great. Good album overall. I wanted to like it better, but it didn’t really leave me with any feelings that are going to stay with me. If this band comes up again though, I wouldn’t complain
Cool beats, good tracks. Probably matters more than I’m aware of.
Easy listen. Cool tunes. Classic.
Makes me nostalgic for the early days of my career. Probably the most iconic album of today’s most iconic performer. Also represents the shift from All American Girl to music megastar.
Favorite track: New Romantics
Serj Tankian’s voice needs to be studied for future generations. Not my favorite overall, but I found the ensemble impressive
Joni Mitchell walked so that Taylor Swift could fly.
Close your eyes. You’re at a Mexican restaurant. Imagine the ambiance, the smells, the sounds, the condensation beading off of your margarita or Dos Equis, with chips and salsa in front of you.
Now open your eyes. All that’s left is the music. That’s what listening to this album is like.
Honestly it was fine. Probably meaningful to someone out there.
If you’re into the Stones or the experimental phases of the Beatles, this one’s right over home plate
Take Nine Inch Nails, make it 50% less horny and 30% less angry and you’ve got LCD. Honestly liked it a lot
This sounded like the soundtrack of a movie whenever the zany scientist was on screen.
These songs are the ravings of a lunatic. Who is this album for?
I think this band’s got it where it counts and maybe they’re doing interesting things. Just not for me…
An icon of the genre. Love this album. If it was 20 minutes shorter it would probably be a 5-Star
Maybe this guy walked so that Daft Punk could fly, idk.
I really didn’t expect to like this. I always sort of thought Megadeath was a screamo heavy metal band. They surprised me with what felt like the elevation of the genre that came before it. It felt heavily influenced by bands like Aerosmith and AC/DC, but with talented instrumentals to back it up, it was honestly a great listen
A classic. Fun to hear what they were like before persona kicked in
Yep, pretty sure it’s jazz.
Overall I thought the album was fine. There’s a discrepancy between how I felt about the album and the popularity of the band that I think you have to chalk up to “you just had to be there…”
If they were part of the “British Invasion” (Beatles, Stones, Monkeys, etc), then they were the worst part. This album was milquetoast at best.
I liked this album way more than I expected. Their music brings forward feelings of paranoia mixed with a prosperous listlessness that I think really captured this era of American life.
Obviously influential. Not my favorite Gen-X Band but probably inspired them
Some people call her the songbird of our generation
This listen was a hoot. Meat Loaf has a way of transporting me to a time and a place that I’ve never been before, but somehow feels familiar. His lyricism takes you in a strange journey, but he backs it up with rock instrumentation that’s better than it has any business being.
Listening to this album in October is like listening to Christmas carols on Labor Day. Fun listen overall
I feel like I’m missing something…
I think Glitter Rock had had its 14 minutes of fame. This was the 15th minute.
The lyricism was impressive.
The instrumentation ripped.
Only complaint the vocals. Fun for a few songs but just listening to it felt like I was getting vocal fry after a few tracks. Take it easy Janis.
You could tell me that Fiona Apple was a singer in a seedy 1930’s nightclub, with a voice like cigarettes, or a contemporary of Adele, and either way I’d believe you. Coupled with instrumentation you don’t hear much anymore, this was a great album
If you’re looking for country music that’s right over home plate, this is it
Favorite Song: She Came Along to Me
Overall This album sounds like the soundtrack to a 2007 indie stoner comedy. Maybe that’s why I like it, idk.
Another triple blind for me.
Best listened to at a fashion boutique in 1989 during a dressing room montage. Not bad But also not necessary…
Excellent as Paul Simon may be, I’m not convinced he’s 100% for me. That being said, I think if you wanted to give a foreigner an album that explained America in the 70’s/80’s, this album may be a strong contender. Like a slightly folksier version of Springsteen
As far as freshmen efforts go, this may be the gold standard. Only reason it’s not a 5-Star is because I know they just get better and better.
As someone who was only in the 80’s for 6 months, my sense of the 80’s is basically defined by pop culture. And Duran Duran is the soundtrack
I had to look her up on Wikipedia to figure out why they would include her in this challenge. I still don’t get it…
I’m neither mad nor impressed. Was this guy blazing new trails or something? Not certain what makes him any more or less special than your average fuckboi DJ who gets a set at Coachella
Good listen. Soulful songs about a way of life that doesn’t seem like it exists anymore.
Honestly never really listened to Iron Maiden before and was surprised at how much I liked it. Rockin like Metallica, but hammy like Jack Black. This was a good listen
This didn’t do it for me. I know PSB gets better with catchier songs, but this album wasn’t it. Great for doing cocaine to but otherwise could be left in the 80’s
One of the few albums so far that I actually knew pretty well. These songs absolutely rip. Takes me back to my iPod days
Easy listen. Doesn’t challenge the listener with things like nuance. It is honestly nice to hear what music used to be. You don’t need 5 verses, 3 choruses and a bridge to make music worth hearing. Sometimes it is this easy and this simple.
Another Joni classic. I think she got her stride more on “Blue” but this was another good example of great songwriting
Thoroughly enjoyable. Many have tried to combine rock and rap, but I don’t know many who’ve done it as well
Why did these guys merit inclusion? They’re like a worse version of all the bad English and Irish bands we’ve already covered. They make Bono sound like Led Zeppelin.
Good storytelling, good instrumentation. But didn’t really do much for me
