I don't really listen to a lot of indie rock but this was a great album! Lots of bops on the album. My one gripe is at times it was hard to understand what the front man was saying, and this is coming from someone who listens to a lot of death metal
Hard to believe this is a debut because they sound very mature at times. Its also a lot blusier than I was expecting. That being said, knowing what this band would become on later albums makes this album feel like its lacking something
I don't think I can say anything more about this album that hasn't already been said. It rules! I would recommend listening to it during a thunderstorm as it only enhances the experience
This is my first time listening to a full Smashing Pumpkins album. The hits on this album are classic at this point. I think this album is just too long. If you trimmed it down to one album of all the bangers its an easy 4 or 5 star album
I could feel the 70s shag carpet as I listened to this album. I will never be as smooth or sexy as Marvin Gaye but this album let's me pretend I am.
I adore this album! One of the greatest punk/ska albums ever and a hugely influential album in the development of my musical identity.
Never sat down and listened to a Doors record before but I fully understood their place in rock history. I throughly enjoyed this album. The hits are hits for a reason but even outside the hits this album is incredibly solid
Of all the albums on this list, this is certainly one of them. Instrumentation is cool at times. The one thing it has going for it is that its not the worst thing I've ever heard. Its just boring and uninteresting
Another one of those bands who I've never heard a full album from but understand their place in rock history. This was an incredibly solid album. It didnt blow me away by any means but I didn't mind returning to it as my day went on.
I had never heard of this artist or this album before getting it today and I was surprised how much I enjoyed it! It sounds like an indie record from the late 90s/2000s so I was shocked when I double checked the year and it said 1969.
This is my first time listening to a Stones album that wasn't their greatest hits and it'd fine? I know they have some classics under their belt but I don't think this should be one of them. Paint it Black slaps though
First hip hop album that came up for me. Its fun! A cool mix of styles. The kind of album I could put on in the background of a party and it would go over well.
I know this album is for someone. I just don't think I am that person.
I don't get the hate this album is getting. As an album its perfectly fine. I wish some of the songs had more energy but its not this offensive Beatles copy as some of the reviews make it out to be.
I am not a U2 fan and this album did not magically turn me into one. However, this album surprised me with a more enjoyable listening experience than I thought I was gonna have by getting assigned a U2 album on a Friday
First time listening to a full Police album and I enjoyed it for the most part. Its another album I wish I could rate 3.5 stars because its good but not good enough to warrant a full 4/5 to me
Its hard to pull off a double album. I give Christina an A for effort but this album is too samey to keep my interest. Like most double albums, if you trimmed the fat and released it as one album it would be better. The lead singles from this album are still bops though
I thoroughly enjoyed this album. Crazy that this album is as good as it is being essentially a covers album that was recorded in a day. I guess when you've got the talent that Otis Reading has you can do both of those things effortlessly.
Like The Doors I've never sat down and listened to a Pink Floyd album front to back until now. This was a great one to start with. Somehow the band manages to make 6 tracks and about 45 mins worth of music seem to seamlessly fly by. Its an album that doesn't drag on or feel too pretentious given its in the prog genre.
First Radiohead album experience and it was...fine? I had convinced myself, from bits and pieces of songs I had heard, that Radiohead is not a band I would like and this album didn't do anything to change that belief.
I don't know many albums that start off with a three song run that features some of the band's biggest hits like this one. However the rest of the album after that is just ok and doesn't do much to change my opinion about U2 any more than their last one did.
One of the best, if not the best, debut albums ever released. Beginning to end nothing but bangers. Some of the greatest rock songs of all time are on this album. Fantastic listen!
A double album that doesn't feel like a slog is a hard thing to accomplish but Stevie manages it with infectious grooves and catchy melodies. I can't say enough good things about this album. If I could I'd probably rate it 4.5/5 but for the sake of this challenge I will give it its full 5/5.
I didn't know what to expect when I got this album. I just want some of whatever they were on when they were making it. Some of the weirdest ska/reggae/punk I've ever heard. Just not in the best way. The cover of "I heard it Through the Grapevine" is cool
A bit of a mixed bag of an album in terms of song quality, but a fun listen none the less. Another album that would get 3.5/5 if I could officially give half star ratings.
A fun electronic/rock/alternative album. Not the greatest thing I've ever heard but I definitely could have gotten something WAY worse on a Monday. It also made me realize the version of "Heads Will Roll" I'm the most familiar with is a remix
I was never a fan of the indie/folk sound in the mid to late 2000s, but I enjoyed this album more than I thought I was going to. It didn't make me a fan of the band or sound by any means. But I have a better understanding of it. Or maybe that's the nostalgia this sound invokes talking.
Excuse me Boston, but I was not familiar with your game! I had no idea what to expect after "More than a Feeling" but what I got was non-stop, high quality, high energy, rock and roll. If I would dock it anything its that some of the songs can sound kind of samey. If I could give it 4.5/5 I would but as it stands I have no issue giving it a full 5/5
Never listened to Fats Domino before but I found a playlist of this album and loved what I heard. Sometimes that early rock and roll hits just right and on an early morning commute, these songs hit just right.
Never heard an AC/DC album in full. Beyond the hits of Highway to Hell and If You Want Blood (You Got It) lies an incredibly solid slab of hard rock. While it can be one dimensional at times (as with a lot of AC/DC's music) it was an enjoyable listen none the less.
I've always understood The Boss's role in the history of rock music but never been a fan. Unfortunately, this album, as iconic as it is, does little to change my mind about him. The hits on this album are still fantastic but the songs outside of those hit are just ok and nothing to write home about.
This is an incredibly modern sounding album for something released in 1988. I can see how the genre switches from track to track could be jarring for some listeners. For me this album combines a lot of my favorite genres and was just an overall fun album to listen to.
This album sounds like if you took all the basic, stereotypical, and boring sounds of 90s alternative rock and put it in a bottle. It just felt like it never fully got going.
I had ZERO idea of what to expect when I got given this album, but what I found was an incredibly groovy and infectious blues album. I don't know if "desert blues" is an official genre, I just know I'm now a fan and need to find more of it.
It takes skill for a group as politically charged as Public Enemy is to make an album that not only says a lot but presents its message in a fun and funky package. Few can pull it off and Public Enemy pulls it off expertly. I may prefer Fear of a Black Planet just a little more to this one. But that doesn't take away how great and innovative this album is.
I had never listened to a full Bob Marley album before this one, but I knew the impact this album had on the greater music landscape. The hits on this album are huge, but beyond them are some fantastic songs. If you want to try to get someone into reggae, this is album you tell them to start with. It was also the perfect album to pull on a Monday morning.
Never listened to My Bloody Valentine before and after this album I don't think I will again (unless of course they appear again in this challenge cause mama didn't raise a quitter).
My first Nick Cave listening experience and it was perfectly fine. Certainly not the best thing I have ever heard but far from the best. More importantly it didn't turn me off of listening to more of his stuff should it pop up later in this challenge.
My first Daft Punk listening experience was...fine. Great music for my early morning commute but it definitely feels like a debut. Good ideas and some hit singles, but knowing the history of this band you know bigger and better things are on the horizon.
From a debut in Daft Punk's "Homework" that felt very much like a debut to a debut that sounds like a band that has been playing for 10 years and already has a few albums under their belt. This album kicks ass. I was familiar with some of the songs but I never listened to it all the way through and I am very happy that I was given the opportunity, and on a Friday no less!
Second Zeppelin album in a row and third double album during this experience. I think this is the best double album I've heard so far. It doesn't feel like its super long, even though its an almost an hour and a half. I think the first album is better than the second one but there aren't any songs I would get rid of to make this album better.
*Insert quote from The Big Lebowski about hating the fucking Eagles here* Its fine. Nothing really to write home about. "Take it Easy" is a bop.
A high octane punk rock thrill ride from start to finish. This album has some of my favorite Damned songs in "Love Song" and "Noise, Noise, Noise." There are a few duds in the track list but they don't detract from how great this album is.
A classic in every sense of the word. However, I do feel like its a tad bit overrated. Another Brick in the Wall (all 3 parts) and Comffortably Numb are dope but outside of that I felt like I was wanting more. If I could give it a 3.5/5 I would but I think in this case I'm gonna round down to a 3/5
Another debut that doesn't sound like a debut. The hits "Juicy" and "Big Poppa" are huge but thankfully most of the other tracks aren't lacking either. A few lines haven't aged well, but I don't know how received they were at the time. As such its a fantastic rap album and is an easy 4/5 for me.
This album sounds EXACTLY like I would expect an album by a band called Kraftwerk to sound. It was the perfect accompaniment while I was setting up my classroom this morning. I am also struck by how modern it sounds. You could have told me this came out this year and I'd believe you. It also grew on me with subsequent listens.
Is this what people mean when they describe music as "Americana?" (Funny enough recorded by a British dude) An ok mix of blues/jazz/folk that sounds like something I'd here in a department store. I will give it props that it did fit my early morning commute perfectly. However, when the sun came up and I was more awake I gave the album another listen and found it a bit drab and boring and I wish I was listening to all the artists that clearly influenced this album rather than the album itself.
Slept on this album for a while before finally listening to it for the first time a few years ago. Now I fully understand why it gets all the praise and accolades constantly thrown its way. I don't think there is anything else I can say about this album that hasn't already been said so I'll just say that this is one of the easiest 5/5s I've given during this experience.
While I've never been the biggest fan of indie music, this is one of the more unique sounding indie records I've heard. It didn't do anything to make me more or less of a fan of the genre, but I enjoyed my listen.
Can we take a moment to appreciate this album cover? 10/10 no notes. I had no idea what to expect when I pressed play on this album but what I found I very much enjoyed. Jimmy Smith apparently popularized using the Hammond organ in jazz music and it created such a unique and enjoyable vibe. One I will have to remember to return to in the future. I also need to check out his other stuff. He has a Christmas album and a version of Peter and the Wolf I want to listen to.
Don't think I could have asked for a better Monday pull. Always knew the name Muddy Waters but never listened to him until now. This album was fantastic! So much groove, so much soul, its infectious!
First time listening to an Ice Cube solo project and I was surprised how much I liked it! Similar to Public Enemy, Ice Cube blends incredibly groovy beats with very poignant lyrics. Might explore the rest of his catalog because of this album.
I've had lots of people tell me, because I like heavy music, I should listen to Fugazi. I never did until now and I can see why. From the crunchy guitars to the shouted vocals there were things on this album I liked. However, nothing really wowed me. I'd probably give this album a 3.5/5 but for the sake of this experience I'm rounding down to a 3/5. I'm sure I will hear more Fugazi and maybe like one of those other albums more.
Love me some Abba! Up until now I've only known the hits so it was fun to listen to a full album. This was a super fun listen filled with simple, catchy songs. Even the songs that weren't the big hits were enjoyable, which is something I can't say about every artist. Easy 4/5.
Another fantastic Friday pull! I do love me some early Beatles as I grew up listening to the Red Album compilation and this album was so good! The hits are massive but even some of the other songs don't take away from the full album experience. The three track run of "Tell Me Why," "Can't Buy Me Love," and "Any Time At All" in the middle of the album is the kind of run any band would kill to have at the back half of the album. For my first Beattles album during this experience I couldn't have asked for a better pick.
Unbelievable Monday Pull!
Not only is this a generation defining album but it is one of my favorite albums of all time. It was an album that had a huge effect on my music taste as well as my development as a person. Hearing these songs again takes me right back hearing this album for the first time in middle school. My first concert was Green Day touring this album and I also got to see them play this album in full last summer. Another easy 5/5 for me.
First time listening to Morrissey ever so I had no idea what to expect, let alone from an album cover where he's holding a Tommy gun. What I found was a decent rock album very reminiscent of the time it was released in. The track "Irish Blood, English Heart" sounds like it could have been on The Killers's Hot Fuss. Easily a 3/5 for me
I've never been the biggest fan of Aerosmith. In fact I've always thought of them as being a tad bit overrated. This was the first time I listened to a full album of theirs. It is a very solid piece of rock and roll but doesn't do much to sway my overall perception of the band. I might give it a 3.5/5 if I could, but for the sake of this experience it gets a 3/5. Solid but not good enough to push into 4/5 territory.
A prime example of an album that is carried by its hits. Now don't get me wrong "Creep" and "Waterfalls" are massive hits and bops to end all bops but they do a lot of heavy lifting. The rest of the tracks leave a lot to be desired, especially when compared to those two tracks. Also I don't think we needed 4 interlude tracks.
Always heard the name, but never heard the music. This album was a lot of fun! Groovy, funky, energetic, and chill all at the same time. Easily a 4/5 for me.
First time ever listening to The Smiths. While I know this isn't THE album by the band, I still enjoyed the tracks on here. Not the best thing I've heard so far, but far from the worse and I can't ask for more than that on a Monday.
2nd Bob Marley album in my first 100, but I'm not complaining. There were moments where I thought I liked this one more than Exodus but after listening it all the way through I think I like Exodus more. This is not a bad album in any way and I would probably give it 3.5/5 if I could. However I have no problem rounding up to a 4/5.
A real head scratcher of an album in that I can't figure out why this album would be included in a collection like this. Its a generic and underwhelming slab of 90s rock and I could think of several albums that should replace it in this collection.
Looking at the cover and the title I was expecting an attempt at copying the Beatles, however what I got was very different. Its fast, raw, and almost proto-punk at times. A totally unexpected gem of an album.
Snoop is a hit maker and "Gin and Juice" and "Who Am I" are all timers. However, an album maker he is not. While the rest of the album isn't bad by any means, the rest of the songs don't pack the same punch as the hits. I'd easily give this album a 3.5/5 if I could but it'll get a 3/5 cause its not good enough to round up to a 4.
I have a hunch this experience is going to have me listening to far more disco then I would have listened to without it. I don't hate that, I've never been one to hate on disco and if the albums keep being as solid as this one I won't become a hater. A fun, groovy album that I would probably rate a 3.5/5 if I could, but one that is not good enough to get a 4 so its getting a 3.
I didn't expect much from late 90s era Madonna and it met my extremely low expectations. Some good beats here and there that are reminiscent of the time period. The title track is a bop and sticks out like a sore thumb in a sea of mediocrity. I know she has her highlights but this ain't it.
Never heard of this band before today. Didn't know what to expect. This album was a lot of fun! A little samey at times but didn't take away from the overall experience. I'd give it a 3.5/5 if I could. I was going back and forth if I should round up or down for my score. Upon a second listen I think I'll round down. Didn't have enough to push it into 4 territory.
Never listened to a full Alice Cooper album but I was familiar with the hits. This was a fun album! Quirky at times, catchy at others. Looking forward to any other of his albums on this list.
I realized this morning that as familiar as I am with this album, I've never actually listened to it front to back. Glad to report that this album is much more than its hits! Sure the hits are overplayed but they are massive for a reason. A fun and infectious slab of hard rock and a great album to get on a Friday. Another easy 5/5 for me!
Always knew the Prodigy, but never listened to a full album of their's. I didnt expect to like this album as much as I did! Super energetic and a ton of fun! It does feel like it drags a little towards the back half but nothing to fully take me out of the experience. I'd probably rate it a 4.5/5 but have no issue giving it the full 5/5
After the last Christina album that was over an hour I was nervous about this one. However, I didn't realize how many hits she had from this album! As long as it is I found myself not getting bored of it. However, not all of it is gold and I think if you get rid of the interludes and a song or two and its easily a 4/5. As it stands its an enjoyable 3/5.
First time listening to Bjork and to me this album is like the equivalent of looking at a modern abstract painting or sculpture. It may not be for me and I may not fully understand what's going on, but I can still appreciate the talent that goes into creating art like that. I don't know if all of her albums on this list are like this (because I'm sure this isn't the only one) but that's where I'm at with this one.
To quote The Prodigy from when I was listening to their album earlier this week: "Oh my God that's some funky shit!" 3.5/5 that I have no problem rounding up to a 4.
My first Lou Reed listening experience was actually a lot more enjoyable than I thought it was going to be. I definitely had a preconceived notion of what this album was going to sound like and I was wrong and I'm glad I was. You can hear the Bowie influence in the melodies he chooses to sing as well as the overall vibe of many of the songs. He's not trying to sound like a Bowie clone in any way, but the sound of Lou Reed with a David Bowie filter on it is a sound I can get behind.
Always heard artists I like cite T. Rex as an influence so I was excited to listen to this album. Honestly I thought it was going to be heavier. There are some moments where it gets heavy but I was expecting more. The song quality is also a bit of mix bag with the lead single "Bang a Gong" doing some heavy lifting. The stuff that is good is good enough to keep it at a 3/5. I just wish the quality was more consistent
Second Stones album in my first 100 albums and I was nervous after I didn't like the first one, but this album surprised me. I know its effectively a covers album, but they're not bad covers and I enjoyed listening to this album. I would probably give this one a 3.5/5 if I could, but because I enjoyed it (and enjoyed it significantly more than the first one I heard during this experience) I'll round up to a 4/5.
2nd My Bloody Valentine album in my first 100 and after this one I can confirm I am not a fan of these guys. I find them boring and a bit pretentious. The good news is, there is only one more of their albums on this list. The last album got a 1/5, this one gets 1/5, and baring anything crazy I'm anticipating the third one also getting a 1/5.
Never heard of this artist before this album and honestly was underwhelmed by the whole experience. Some good moments here and there but overall just kind of flat. I'd probably give it a 2.5/5 if I could but it never did anything to bump it to a 3 so it gets a 2/5 from me.
My journey through the 9 albums David Bowie has on this list begins at the very end. After 20 plus albums over his career I can respect Bowie for experimenting on this album (I'd also be shocked if after that long of a career he didnt experiment in some way). While I didn't dislike the experiments (as some other reviewers seem to) I didn't like it enough to give it anything more than a 3/5.
I'll be honest, I only know Beck for his song "Loser" so I had zero expectations coming into this album. I came away really liking it! Its a fun eclectic mix of styles and sounds that kept my interest the entire time and on a Monday after a holiday break I couldn't really ask for anything more.
First Bob Dylan record in this experience and first Dylan record I've ever listened to front to back. I really enjoyed it! Always liked the better known Dylan songs but never dove into the albums until now and it has me looking forward to the other Dylan records on this list.
More artists need someone to tell them "hey maybe 23 songs is too many for one album, maybe split it into 2 with separate release dates?" cause man this thing is bloated. Some good stuff here and there but nothing really memorable and I think the length has something to do with that. Split it into two and do a sort of release like SOAD did with Mezmerize and Hypnotize and I think you've got two decent albums instead of one that feels like a slog.
You could have told me this album came out in 2005 instead of 1995 and I would have believed you. Regardless this is an unbelievably solid and very fun alternative rock album. I have no complaints and no problem giving it 5/5.
Given that he's got 7 albums on this list I have a feeling I am going to have a well formed opinion on Elvis Costello by the time this experience is done, but I digress. This debut sounds like a debut. Its a bit rough around the edges. Some good songs here and there. Its fine. Nothing special. The kind of album you accept as a debut and hope it gets better as the career goes on.
2nd Stones album in this experience and this one is significantly better than the first one I got. Those big hits are hitting and the other songs in-between don't take away too much from the album. I'd probably give it a 3.5/5 if I could but I have no problem rounding it up to a 4/5.
Short, fast, loud, raw, and punchy. I can't ask for much more from my hardcore punk.
Fun fact: supposedly a young Tony Hawk was skating at the pool the cover photo was taken at and is standing just out of the frame.
A nice, enjoyable pop record with some bops on it. Not the best thing I've heard in this experience so far and far from the worst. Perfectly middle of the road.
As someone who has no experience with this kind of music, this was a great place to start. I loved the intros before some of the songs. I was primarily listening to it while I was setting up my classroom and occasionally I would give a stank face based on something I heard in his playing. If I can knock it for anything, its that I don't think this has the easily and immediate re-playability as most of the albums I've heard so far. Regardless I enjoyed it and its an easy 4/5 for me.
My first time listening to a Talking Heads album all the way through. It was fun and quirky but nothing really beyond that. Would probably give it 3.5/5 if I could but it will end up getting a 3/5 because I didn't think it was that good to warrant a 4.
Honestly thought I was going to enjoy this album more. Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy it but more to the tune of a 3/5 than a 4 or 5.
If you had asked me, before this experience, to listen to an over hour long Alman Brothers live album I would have politely declined. However, after listening to it I am surprised how much I liked it! I'm usually not a fan of live albums, or jam bands for that matter, and while this album isn't going to change that I can sit here and say that this album is a solid 3.5/5 but for the sake of ratings I have no problem rounding up to a 4/5.
After hearing some debuts that sound like debuts its always a pleasure to hear one that sounds as polished as this. This is an incredibly solid and incredibly fun record. There were a few songs that didn't hit for me (like the throwaway intro track) but they didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of the record.
It's a fine indie rock album. Some of the fusion of genres is cool and Brimful of Asha is going to be stuck in my head the rest of the day. I could've done without all the instrumental tracks those did nothing for me.
Are #ThinLizzyFridays a thing? Cause I may have to start making them a thing. This was such a fun album to get on a Friday! A great live album filled with some of the best hard rock songs you will ever hear. Some of the songs fall flat for me and there were a couple of them I found myself wishing I was listening to the studio version, but it doesn't take away from the fact this is a solid slab of hard rock.
I am a simple man. I see Duke Ellington, I give 5 stars.
If I was to nit pick, I could do without the banter tracks. I'm sure there is an argument to be made that they help with immersion but either tack them on to the song that's being introduced or get rid of them altogether. This is a small critique that in no way takes away from how wonderful these songs are and how fantastic the performances are on this album.
Unbelievable Tueaday pull! One of the greatest rock records ever released. Nothing but bangers front to back.
I'm gonna be honest, that first track started and I thought this album was heading straight to being a 1 or a 2. However, as that song continued and went into song 2 I started to enjoy this album more. It didn't swing all the way to a 4. I think some of the solos go on for way to long and it's an album that I know I would enjoy more if I was listening to it high, but a 3 is a score I didn't think it would achieve when I first started playing this album.
This was a fun Christmas surprise. I heard that everyone gets this record on their first Christmas. It's a fun collection of songs with some absolute classic versions of tunes that I will definitely be adding to my Christmas playlist.
Fun fact: this was the day that I learned that Phil Spector was both a convicted murderer and died of Covid
I know this is not *the* PJ Harvey album, but for my first time listening to her I thought it was fine. Nothing blew me away and nothing made me want to stop listening.
Didn't know what to expect getting a double album from Nick Cave this Monday, but I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. I definitely liked the first disc more than the second. I'd probably give the first disc a 3.5 or 4 on its own. The package deal however gets a 3/5.
Always heard the name but never listened to them until now. It's an enjoyable album that clearly wears it's influences on its sleeves. Although I would never say I prefer this to those artists it draws influences from, I had a lot of fun with this record and could see myself returning to it in the future.
Last album of 2025!
I swear this experience is trying to turn me into a Supergrass fan (and it may be working). I loved "I Should Coco" and was excited to listen to more from them. I did enjoy this album, but not nearly as much as their debut. I would probably give this album a 3.5/5 if I could, but for the sake of this experience I have no problem giving this album a 4/5.
I also saw that this is the only other Supergrass album on the list so I may have to check out the rest of their catalogue sometime in th coming year.
First album of 2026!
A solid rock live album. Some of the songs hit, such as Show Me the Way, and others didn't, like their dragged out cover of Jumpin Jack Flash.
Second Elvis Costello record so far and one that I had higher hopes for given I knew three of the songs going into it. Alas, while I did like it more than his debut, there isn't much here outside of the songs that I knew (with maybe the exception of "Lipstick Vogue"). I still love those songs in the context of the record, especially "Radio, Radio." I didn't hate the record by any means, but two albums in (out of like the 6 or 7 of his on this list) and I am starting to question why so many of his albums are included in this collection.
I don't think I fully understood this album the first time I heard it a few years ago. Returning to it today, and knowing more of what to expect, I have a new found appreciation for it and enjoyed it more this go around. Plus for the first album I got upon returning to work after winter break, I could have gotten a lot worse.
Damn really coming on strong with those lyrics in the first song huh? Even after that, the lyrics that don't involve slurs leave a lot to be desired and I did find myself questioning why it was in this collection to begin with.
Always knew "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" but never listened to the full album until now. It was so much fun! Simple, catchy, and full of infectious riffs. It knows exactly what it is and isn't trying to be anything else. I'd probably give it a 4.5/5 if I could but I have no issue giving it a 5/5.
If the goal of this album was to potentially get Adamson hired to write more film music, then I think it failed. I wouldn't hire him if I was a movie director. Some cool ideas here and there but overall I found myself bored and questioning why this album was included in this collection
Didn't know what to expect when I first got this album. Having never listened to an instrumental hip hop album I was worried that I was going to miss the vocals. Happy to say that I did not and that this album exceeded my expectations. Its a great, chill album that is perfect for an early morning commute and the kind of album you can easily put on in the background at a small get together.
First of three albums from the Beasite Boys in this collection and the first time I've listened to a Beasite Boys album front to back. It took me a couple of listens to fully appreciate it. While rough at times being a debut, the fun and quirkyness of the beats and their flows makes up for it. The run of "Girls," "Fight for Your Right," and "No Sleep Till Brooklyn" is incredible for the middle of the album. Solid 4/5.
Second Beastie Boys album in a row (and going chronologically which is nice). I had heard so many good things about this album and I was excited to finally listen to it. Way more polished than the debut, excellent and very creative production. I thoroughly enjoyed it! Probably would give it a 4.5/5 if I could, but I have no problem rounding it up to 5/5.
Unbelievable Wednesday pull! While not my favorite Metallica album, that's AJFA (also on this list) by a slim margin, this by far Metallica's best album. Battery is one of the best opening tracks of all time. From their its nothing but banger after banger and killer riff after killer riff. Nothing else to say except this album rules!
Didn't know what to expect from a band called "The Electric Prunes" but what I got was an eclectic collection of songs. Some were good despite their style coming out of left field, like "Sold to the Highest Bidder." After two 5/5 albums in a row I was due for a drop in quality. I'm just glad the fall wasn't too sharp.
An album that was on in the background a lot while I was growing up but I never actually listened to it until now. There is some nostalgia aiding my listening experience, but overall I did enjoy listening to this album. Wasn't a huge fan of the first 3 tracks, but the run of tracks from "War on War" to "I'm the Man Who Loves You" is phenomenal. Indie is hit and miss with me and this is one of those rare instances where it does hit. Solid 4/5.
Never heard of this artist before getting this album today but damn what an introduction! Funky, groovy, while sounding surprisingly modern. Honestly you could have told me this album came out last year and I would have believed you. Is it a tad long? Maybe, but there is enough variety here and it never felt like it dragged. It made me potentially want to explore more of his catalog. Easy 5 for me.
Always been a fan of The Offspring from the hits. This was my first time listening through an entire album and it ruled. The hits are awesome and, more importantly, the songs in between the hits only add to the overall album experience. I've been on a good streak lately and this keeps it going
When Sly Stone passed away last year I took it upon myself to listen to his greatest hits, since I was unfamiliar with his music. Seeing the track list of this album made me realize I should've just listen to this instead since a bunch of songs on this album are on the greatest hits. The songs in between the hits were a bit of a mixed bag, but it doesn't take away from the overall experience. Easy 4/5
Always knew REM for the hits and fully understood their role as an innovator in the indie music sphere, but never listened to a full album of theirs. It was fine. "Radio Free Europe" is a bop, but everything after that doesn't do much to move the needle for me. Not bad, but not great either.
Never jumped on The Black Keys hype train when this album first got released and listening to it for the first time now doesn't make me wish I did. The songs that I recognized were cool, but its too repetitive at times. Could it have been made better by slimming the track list down from 15 to like 12? Maybe, I still don't think it would make me give this album more than anything but a 3.
I had always heard about this album and the influence it had on so many genres of music but had never listened to it until now. I quite enjoyed it. You can hear the bits and pieces certain bands took to craft their sound. I'm glad this album lived up to the hype everyone had been giving it. While I don't think its good enough to get a 5. I have no problem giving it a 4/5.
Something something Stranger Things
Ok now thats out of the way, this was another album I had heard people hyping up. I am glad to say, similar to the Television album I got yesterday, that it lives up to the hype. While I don't think its the greatest thing I've ever heard I can appreciate the unique instrumentation and sound choices. Especially for a pop record. Also side B of the album lives up to its description of being about "a woman drifting alone in the sea at night" 3.5/5 that I have no problem rounding up to a 4.
First time listening to a Leonard Coen album and this was a great album to listen to while driving around after a snow storm. Something very blue (the color, not the feeling) about this album. An enjoyable listen but not much more than that. 3/5
Hip-hop, especially modern hip-hop, can be hit or miss with me. But when it hits, it hits and Kendrick's magnum opus definitely hits. Don't get me wrong I have not read all the dissertations written about this album but I can greatly appreciate the messaging in many of the songs as well as the wide mix of style and influences he has on this album. This is one of those rare albums that is over an hour long but doesn't drag at any moment and feels shorter than it is. While not my favorite hip-hip album of all time. Its definitely my favorite one I've heard so far during this experience.
It sounds like the Beatles got together with the Beach Boys to make a psych rock album. I enjoyed it. I also have to give credit to the band for closing with the song that would become their biggest hit, at least in the US, don't see that too often. Also wild to throw in an anti war song in the middle when nothing else has been anywhere near touching that subject. 3.5 that I'd round down for the sake of this experience cause it wasn't good enough to get a 4.
Second (of nine?) Bowie albums on this list. I am thankful that I read the description of this one before listening otherwise I don't know if I would have fully understood what was going on. Some of the songs on side A are cool and I would have been curious as to how they would have sounded fully fleshed out. I've also never thought of myself as an ambient fan but there were some cool soundscapes on side B. Maybe that was because I heard it on my early morning commute. Either way 3/5.
Wild Tuesday pull!
As a millennial I will try to not let nostalgia cloud this review too much. This album has an incredible opening three track run. Three huge hits to get the party started. After that however its a mixed bag of 90s pop. Fun at times and boring at times. I'd probably give this album a 3.5/5 if I could but its gonna get rounded down to a 3/5.
