239
Albums Rated
3.04
Average Rating
22%
Complete
850 albums remaining
Rating Distribution
Rating Timeline
Taste Profile
1970
Favorite Decade
Metal
Favorite Genre
US
Top Origin
Wordsmith
Rater Style ?
25
5-Star Albums
14
1-Star Albums
Breakdown
By Genre
Top Styles
By Decade
By Origin
Albums
You Love More Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Killing Joke
Killing Joke
|
5 | 2.99 | +2.01 |
|
Murder Ballads
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
|
5 | 3.08 | +1.92 |
|
NEU! 75
Neu!
|
5 | 3.1 | +1.9 |
|
Toys In The Attic
Aerosmith
|
5 | 3.25 | +1.75 |
|
Siembra
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
|
5 | 3.32 | +1.68 |
|
Blur
Blur
|
5 | 3.33 | +1.67 |
|
Hybrid Theory
Linkin Park
|
5 | 3.39 | +1.61 |
|
Aja
Steely Dan
|
5 | 3.47 | +1.53 |
|
1984
Van Halen
|
5 | 3.49 | +1.51 |
|
Songs For Swingin' Lovers!
Frank Sinatra
|
5 | 3.52 | +1.48 |
You Love Less Than Most
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Songs From The Big Chair
Tears For Fears
|
1 | 3.74 | -2.74 |
|
good kid, m.A.A.d city
Kendrick Lamar
|
1 | 3.64 | -2.64 |
|
Hard Again
Muddy Waters
|
1 | 3.61 | -2.61 |
|
Surfer Rosa
Pixies
|
1 | 3.5 | -2.5 |
|
John Prine
John Prine
|
1 | 3.21 | -2.21 |
|
Untitled (Black Is)
SAULT
|
1 | 3.05 | -2.05 |
|
Car Wheels On A Gravel Road
Lucinda Williams
|
1 | 3 | -2 |
|
Giant Steps
The Boo Radleys
|
1 | 2.88 | -1.88 |
|
Warehouse: Songs And Stories
Hüsker Dü
|
1 | 2.86 | -1.86 |
|
Want Two
Rufus Wainwright
|
1 | 2.84 | -1.84 |
Artists
Favorites
| Artist | Albums | Average |
|---|---|---|
| The White Stripes | 3 | 4.33 |
5-Star Albums (25)
View Album Wall
Popular Reviews
Rufus Wainwright · 2 likes
1/5
Truly painful to listen to from the first moment. The definition of "get this out of my ears".
Lauryn Hill · 1 likes
2/5
The generator was cruel with this one. I didn't like her voice or at least the vocal techniques that she used. The hip hop beat behind her was one of the most generic I've ever heard. Waste of my time.
Dire Straits · 1 likes
4/5
Mostly solid album with a couple duds.
Jurassic 5 · 1 likes
2/5
The vibes of this album were interesting. Going for the vibe of a radio station was unique, but it fit the album well. Musically, it was a pretty standard hip hop album. I appreciate getting a hip hop album once in a while so I can see what I'm missing, but I don't think I'll ever choose to listen to it.
Neil Young · 1 likes
2/5
I was excited when I saw a Neil Young album. I've heard a lot of hype around his name and thought I would like it.
What the fuck was this? One of the worst albums to date. The vocals are off bitch, the harmonies are basic, and the instrumentals are lousy at best. The only reason anyone should like this is because it makes them feel better about their own musical abilities.
Perhaps the lyrics were good enough to make up for how bad the music was. I'm not sure, I couldn't pay close enough attention to them to really know. They would have to be the best lyrics that anyone has come up with. While writing this, I made out "Remember Bill from up on a hill" and knew they suck as bad as everything else.
I once had a teacher who said that Whoppers were invented to make the other candies feel good. That's how I feel about this album.
4-Star Albums (52)
1-Star Albums (14)
All Ratings
Emmylou Harris
3/5
I was impressed more than I expected by the first few tracks. As the album went on, the music just didn't meet the high bar that the first tracks set.
Television
3/5
It was fine. I couldn't really get into it like I was hoping I would. I prefer other classic rock for sure. Not bad, but nothing to write home about either.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet
2/5
No, I don't like Jazz.
Pulp
3/5
A couple songs were bangers. Most of it wasn't really my jam.
The Pogues
4/5
This isn't music that I would choose to listen to, but I did enjoy listening to it. The album seemed well put together and I'm glad I got the experience of listening to it.
Bad Company
4/5
Standard 70s rock album. I enjoy classic rock, and it's an album I haven't heard before. Fun listen, nothing offensive.
Joni Mitchell
3/5
Help Me- This track felt nostalgic even though I'm sure I've never heard it before. I think the reason for this is that if her voice were replaced with a soft trumpet, it would fit right in as ambient music in a Hobby Lobby. I didn't mind it, but I was expecting something a little more out of a song with 23 million plays on Spotify. That said, it was musically pleasing and brought me from being in the mood to commit vehicular manslaughter against my coworkers to not considering it anymore.
I'll be honest, after reading that Joni is Canadian, I was hoping for more out of this album. It was an interesting listen and I don't regret listening to it, but I could never disappoint my mother as much as this album disappointed me. Most of the tracks just weren't musically satisfying. There just wasn't enough tension built up at any point to be released.
David Bowie
2/5
Station to Station: I can appreciate dissonance in a song, but I didn't like when the instrumental resolved, but the vocals were dissonant. While I'm sure there is a musical reason for it, I can't see anything for it beyond being on so much cocaine that it just kinda happened. This makes the lyrics "It's not the side effects of the cocaine, I'm thinking that it must be love" all the more ironic. That said, there were things I liked too. There is an instrument (harmonica?) that was faint in the background, but it helped tie everything together very nicely.
Golden Years: This is another song where I feel the instrumental far surpassed the vocals. Maybe my problem is that I've never used cocaine and I just don't get it. The rhythm worked really well, and the guitar line was solid. The vocals just didn't work well with the instrumental for me.
Word on a Wing: I don't normally listen to funk, but this track seemed more cohesive than the previous two, at least to me. Bowie's vocal delivery was on point for the song. The keyboard supported his voice very well. The subtle use of the organ also fit the theme of the song well.
TVC15: This is one of the slowest fast songs I've listened to. It has a quick tempo, but there is so much repetition that it feels like it is moving slow. I guess cocaine could once again be the answer. It would certainly make sense that a stimulant might have that affect. I didn't like or dislike anything about this song enough to be noteworthy.
Stay: I truly hated this song. The guitar line felt like it belonged in a hard rock/metal song, but everything else felt like either funk or disco. The vocals felt like they were trying to imitate Earth Wind and Fire, but were out of tune enough to not get that clean effect. The only redeeming aspect of this track is that only half of it has vocals, the rest is instrumental that at least isn't terrible.
Wild Is the Wind: I appreciate the message of this song, including the story behind it. I felt tension with the vocals lagging behind the music that I didn't like. Most of the notes were also flat. Maybe it makes the song more relatable to people, I'm not sure. I felt like I was losing my mind, time to go do a line or two I guess.
Final thoughts: Each track of this album felt separate, yet it all seems to fit within an album. One of my main critiques of other albums so far has been that they have either been too similar or haven't felt cohesive. While the album felt more like what I would expect, the music within didn't cut it for me. Apart from 1-2 songs that I didn't mind, I genuinely didn't like the music, and 80% of the music I listen to is some form of rock or metal. I'm going to listen to some of my favorite songs to cleanse my palette after this one.
Pet Shop Boys
3/5
Apparently my notes didn't save. This will be less detailed than what I wrote while listening.
I enjoyed the first couple tracks. I enjoyed the first 5 minutes of the final track. The album would have been better without all the others.
Neu!
5/5
Honestly, this is one of the best albums I've listened to. It works very well for what it does.
Side 1 (tracks 1-3) sets the same mood that I would want to set if I was hosting someone very classy for dinner. It works well as ambient music, but every musical decision they made feels intentional. I didn't mind it as background music for a drive either, and I might have even been a better driver than I normally am listening to the music that I frequently listen to.
Side 2 (tracks 4-6) builds on the foundations of side 1. It adds a little more character to the music while keeping the same personality.
Arcade Fire
4/5
Once again, Canada is coming in strong. The album was very fun-spirited. My biggest criticisms would have to be the vocals. The consonants are not annunciated very well, and the recording quality of the vocals is less than perfect (as expected for an album that is 20 years old without being remastered). Additionally, I don't speak French, so I wouldn't have understood some of the lyrics regardless.
There seemed to be a story being told across multiple songs, but I'm not sure I picked up on it. With clearer vocals this would be easier.
The guitar melodies were catchy, even if repetitive. It felt like a more refined Mumford & Sons album.
Wake Up was definitely my favorite track on the album. It's also the only track I recognized hearing before. I think I heard it at a previous workplace on the playlist before I got a job where music isn't allowed. Not 100% sure on that though.
Incredible Bongo Band
4/5
I again forgot to save my notes.
I liked the album as a whole. Bongo Rock kinda good hard.
My Bloody Valentine
3/5
I think there is only one appropriate review for this album.
Thanks, I hate it. For all the right reasons. For some reason it's obscure enough that sooner if the songs can only be found as reuploads on Youtube. The mix is so uncanny that I'm not sure what I spent 40 minutes listening to. One thing is for sure, I'm not listening to it again.
Spiritualized
4/5
Definitely my favorite experimental album of The ones I've listened to so far. I'd write more but I have 8 hours from getting off to going back to work.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
5/5
One of the most iconic albums of its time. The production still holds up, even 55 years after the album came out. It's a joy to listen to while being musically interesting enough to not get old. Each track feels like its own.
Dinosaur Jr.
2/5
Where do I begin? This is probably the most mediocre album I've listened to so far. The songs are very repetitive. The vocalist doesn't show me that they have anything to offer that I can't find elsewhere. If I had to describe this album in 1 word, it would be "forgettable".
Duran Duran
2/5
Most of the album only made me annoyed. I can appreciate some disco/fun style pop from last century. Earth Wind & Fire, for example, is great! This was not. I've heard some of the songs before. I wanted it to stop. I am convinced that the only reason anyone listens to this in 2025 is because of the nostalgia, not because of the music quality.
New Religion was my favorite song because it didn't try to be what the rest of the album was. It was a more laid back song, which I appreciated. The rest was hot garbage. I hope the generator gives me something better tomorrow.
Elliott Smith
2/5
Breathy vocals singing about something? I couldn't even listen to the music enough to figure out what it was about because I was trying to distract myself from the burning desire to remove my eyes from their sockets with a butterknife.
This album is clearly meant to be sad, but it isn't meant to make me feel dread. Someone please help me. I know my mental state over the past 3 years hasn't been what I want it to be, but this guy needs some help. Unfortunately I don't know anyone who can cure this.
The The
4/5
Kinda mid tier album. It was better than the crap I've been listening to the last couple days, so I might be too generous here. I didn't love it, didn't hate it.
The Beau Brummels
3/5
Another forgettable album. Nothing to love, nothing to hate.
Pink Floyd
5/5
Holy shit.
We start of with a beautiful instrumental that is clearly psychedelic rock, yet it wouldn't be out of place in a musical. We move some more generic Pink Floyd songs that are absolute bangers. They don't feel repetitive but have amazing flow through the songs. Ending back where we started, the album flows really nicely from beginning to end.
I am ashamed to say that I don't recall ever hearing any of these songs before. Shine On You Crazy Diamond, both tracks, probably was (were?) my favorite song(s?). The vocals are minimal, but they are very powerful with some insane harmonies. The instrumental has a really nice groove. I could listen to this album 100 times and not get tired of it.
The Smiths
2/5
Mediocre album. Good to know he can grunt and moan into a microphone and also sing.
The xx
2/5
Basically a lofi album with breathy, slightly out of tune vocals over the top. I couldn't get into this one. I don't even get how this counts as pop, there's nothing pop about it, although I find most pop to be annoying so I guess it has that going for it. It's just a bad album. The 2000s had so many good albums come out, why did this make the 1000 that I should listen to before I die?
It's a fine album. I don't hate it. I just would never choose to listen to this when there are so many better options that exist.
Charles Mingus
3/5
I realize I was very harsh on the last jazz album I listened to and I had nothing to say. My goal here is to change that
I'm not jazz expert. I don't listen to jazz. I don't like jazz and I know that I didn't appreciate this album for what it is.
I had a hard time listening to this. I didn't dislike anything about the album. I just had a hard time concentrating on the music. Maybe that's why people like jazz, it allows your mind to wander. It maybe I'm looking too deep.
I listened to the first 3 tracks together and the last one by itself. It was background music while I drive to meet up with a friend and then back home. On the final track, I saw some parallels to mariachi. I think it might have been the trumpets. No, I don't listen to mariachi, but it made me wonder if Mingus might have had Latin influences, or vice versa.
At the end of the day, the only thing I can rate an album like this on is subjective. While I have no doubt a lot of talent went into its production (I noted the instrumentalists seemed to know what they were doing, at least on an individual album), I'm not listening to this again.
Linkin Park
5/5
One of the albums of all time. I didn't realize this album was on the 1001 and it was the greatest surprise a man could ever ask for.
I know there are people who say that this type of music is only for depressed or rebellious teenagers. I wholeheartedly disagree. I work in a profession where I frequently have to cope with issues such as suicide, death, mental illness, and many others. I find that often, listening to punk music is one of the healthiest ways to release some of the stress from work.
Chester and Mike have voices that go incredibly well together. They are both talented vocalists backed by an amazing band. Everyone stays on beat and listening to any individual instrument, it is clear that each one has a purpose in the song as a whole. The songs sometimes seem repetitive, although each is unique enough to feel like the album is a grouping of different songs rather than the same song repeated several times.
I don't have anything bad to say about this album. I personally dislike the band's new direction (no I'm not sexist, I just don't think that Emily or whatever her name is was the right pick to replace Chester after the tragedy the band, fans, and family of Chester experienced). Any grievances that I have about that have nothing to do with this album. Chester will forever be missed.
Talvin Singh
2/5
How do I rate this?
There were a couple songs or parts of songs that I really liked. There were also songs that I really didn't like. I think it exceeded my expectations when I read about what the album was, but it isn't anything that I would listen to again. I was listening while driving, so I don't have notes of any specific tracks.
Cypress Hill
2/5
Another album that is completely out of the music that I'm comfortable with.
I understood about 10% of the lyrics, but I still understood the overall story of the album. It's weird how the whole album works so well together. That said, this album was not made for me. I would not choose to listen to this again.
As someone who doesn't listen to hip hop, I noticed there were elements of rap, punk, and reggaeton in here. I liked the album more than I thought I would, if that counts for anything.
The first track, "pigs", caught me off guard. As someone who works in a law enforcement adjacent career, I immediately recognized it. I don't necessarily sympathize with anything said in the song, but it drew me in. I was excited to hear the rest of the album.
I'm torn on how to score this. I can tell it's a great album, and I enjoyed listening to it, but I also didn't like it. Trying to decide a score, I can see either a 2 or 3. I'll see how I'm feeling when I rate it tomorrow.
John Prine
1/5
I won't listen to much country. This album reminded me why. The instrumental worked well, but it was very simple, even a little bit boring. The themes of the songs are interesting. Starting with a song about getting doped up and committing murder is definitely a choice, but not the one that I would have made.
I hate the vocals in most country music. Singing everything flat and nasal like this isn't for me. I would have lost nothing if I had never listened to this album. Instead, I lost 45 minutes of my life that I won't get back.
Patti Smith
3/5
I'm torn on how to rate this. The album was fine. Like so many other albums, her voice was my least favorite part. She used a lot of techniques that I have been very harsh against in previous albums. It was clearly a stylistic choice as she demonstrated that she can sing well. I respect her use of them more than many others because she used them for sarcasm or emphasis, but I still dislike the nasal or breathy tones. Otherwise, the album was fine.
On a side note, apparently what I thought punk was and what others consider it to be are two different things.
Pink Floyd
4/5
The only truly scathing thing about this album is that it is British. Otherwise, no critiques. They clearly drew a lot of inspiration from the Beatles and tried to turn it into their own sound. I think it worked great. Not the most refined Pink Floyd album, but I think there's almost some extra beauty in this album being a little rough around the edges. Almost feels like when you bring your friend who just turned 21 to the bar for the first time and they drink way more than they can handle. They have the time of their lives, but they pay the price for it. Using this as the example instead of childbirth because there is nothing beautiful about childbirth, despite what your parents tell you. I really couldn't ask for much better than this.
I think my favorite track was The Gnome. It's a weird track to pick, but musically it is amazing.
Edit: originally I rated this 5/5. I'm lowering it to a 4 as it doesn't meet the same level as the albums I've rated 5. I still want to rate it 5, but I'm lowering for consistency's sake.
Joan Baez
3/5
The album is fine. Didn't hate it, won't be listening again. For a folk album from 1960, it isn't bad. Just kinda boring. Joan has a nice voice, but I'm not a fan of her vocal gymnastics.
James Brown
3/5
Music was well produced for a live album. I'm not typically one who listens to live music, R&B, funk, or soul. The album seemed very good, but it isn't for me. Still, I enjoyed listening to it. My goal is to expose myself to music I normally wouldn't listen to, and this album did exactly that. It's amazing that this was all done in 1 take as a live album, and I see talent, even if it isn't my taste.
4/5?
The Pogues
3/5
When I listened, I only wrote 2 words. Let me try again.
While this isn't music I would choose to listen to on my own, I enjoyed the music. If I were just rating the music, it would get 4 stars. Most of the songs were fun and made me feel like I was living in another world, one where everything is much simpler than the one I live in.
This album does not get 4 stars. It gets 3. The album doesn't work together very well. It is a collection of songs recorded together by the same artist, not an album.
Neil Young
2/5
I was excited when I saw a Neil Young album. I've heard a lot of hype around his name and thought I would like it.
What the fuck was this? One of the worst albums to date. The vocals are off bitch, the harmonies are basic, and the instrumentals are lousy at best. The only reason anyone should like this is because it makes them feel better about their own musical abilities.
Perhaps the lyrics were good enough to make up for how bad the music was. I'm not sure, I couldn't pay close enough attention to them to really know. They would have to be the best lyrics that anyone has come up with. While writing this, I made out "Remember Bill from up on a hill" and knew they suck as bad as everything else.
I once had a teacher who said that Whoppers were invented to make the other candies feel good. That's how I feel about this album.
Bee Gees
3/5
Album was fine. I expected worse.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
4/5
If I were reading individual songs, they would get anywhere between a 2 and a 5. Some songs are boring, others are done is the most iconic and influential songs of their time.
It wouldn't be right, in my opinion, to rate this anywhere below a 4. Simple Man and Free Bird are among the most influential songs of the decade, and I feel they are good enough to elevate the rest of the album to a 4, although without them it would likely be a 3 from me.
At the time of this review, I haven't had time to listen to the demo tracks at the end. I will listen back to those and update my review if they change it.
Cocteau Twins
2/5
what the hell was this
Talking Heads
3/5
what the hell was this? but better
The Verve
4/5
There wasn't a single song on this album that I didn't like. Every track was interesting. The vocals aren't my favorite, but they suit this type of music well. Not sure what else to say here. Not worthy of a 5, but it's good.
Killing Joke
5/5
Another album I had to listen to while driving. Not much to say here. Industrial rock hits really hard and this delivers.
Megadeth
4/5
What could I say about this album that hasn't already been said? Wonderful music, probably would have been better if I could have focused on the lyrics, but again I was listening in the car.
Rod Stewart
2/5
I don't get the hype. The only vocal talent I see here is being able to smoke 4 packs per day from age 5. I enjoyed the blue grass roots that I heard here, almost like a CCR album with less rock. Songs were very repetitive, even boring.
The religious references were interesting. Amazing grace with minimal instrumental was a choice, but I feel it wasn't the right one.
ZZ Top
3/5
I've never had a more solid 3 than this album. It's fine. Never asking anyone to change the music, but never jamming out to it either. It's just a boring album, but it's still fine to listen to.
Beastie Boys
2/5
why would I choose to listen to this? it's fine.
Khaled
2/5
no, don't hurt me like this again, generator.
The Allman Brothers Band
2/5
We got a long album yesterday, too. please stop this, algorithm.
This album was, again, fine. I like this genre, and the music was fine, but I've never cared much for live albums. If I go to a live show, I'm there for live music. If I listen to an album, it's because I want a studio version. Recordings of live albums are just never as good as actual live music.
The Clash
3/5
I had higher expectations. This album let me down. Still a great album, but I can't justify a 5 star rating here. Unfortunate.
Bruce Springsteen
4/5
Musically, I loved this. The album was about 30 minutes too long, but I never disliked any part of it. It had almost a showtunes vibe for a rock album. While I might not be as religious as I once was, I can still appreciate some religious themes in music.
This isn't my favorite album by any means. It isn't even music I would even normally listen to. That said, it was a nice listen. I knew I wouldn't be able to focus through the whole album, so I used it as background music for a game or two, so I might have rated it slightly higher than I would have if I was giving it my undivided attention.
Sufjan Stevens
4/5
I didn't really know what rating to give this. I think I've settled on a 4.
The composition is spectacular. The usage of syncopation was great. Sufjan also has a very nice falsetto, although the transition between chest voice and falsetto was a bit abrupt at times.
The short instrumental tracks were very nice. Sometimes, they feel like they are filler tracks just to extend the album. These weren't like that. They felt intentional, and musically they were simple but well executed.
I really don't have any major complaints here. I could have really rated it 5/5, it just didn't feel right to group this with Cosmo's Factory and Wish You Were Here. Those albums are on another level, this didn't reach that for me.
Iron Maiden
4/5
I wanted this to be a 5. It wasn't. Great album, but it is a far cry from the best metal out there. Hoping for another Iron Maiden album that is a little more refined later on.
Dexys Midnight Runners
2/5
Unfortunately, I didn't have time to listen to the full album, but I listened to all but the last few tracks.
The album started off strong. I was really getting into it. As it progressed, the music became less appealing. I don't really have anything else to say, so I'll shut up.
50 Cent
2/5
I'll be honest, I knew I would physically not be able to listen to the whole album. I chose to listen to everything with over 100k listens on Spotify, which about halves the album.
Hip hop isn't for me. I respect the craft, and I enjoyed certain aspects of the music, but the themes of the music just aren't relatable for me. It is also too repetitive for my liking.
Oasis
2/5
The first two tracks are horrendous. I literally almost vomited listening to them. Every note was sung flat, and the instrumentals are fine, but boring. Some subsequent tracks are better, most are not. I don't understand how people like this, probably one of my least favorite albums from the generator so far.
Saint Etienne
4/5
Musically, it wasn't my favorite. Getting a higher score for resolving some trauma from my childhood.
Roxy Music
3/5
I have more questions than I could ever have answers to. Sometimes this is a good thing, but I don't know about here.
First, the album cover. This is the sister and girlfriend of a member of Can, a krautrock band. I don't think this is a question that I want an answer to.
If we get past that and get into the music, some of it sounds familiar, but I have no idea what I've spent 40 minutes listening to. This is a question I would like answered. It wasn't all bad, but it was such a bipolar album. Some of the songs sounded like the 80s pop that my mom listened to when I was growing up and other songs sounded like they'd be a cult anthem with some different lyrics. The song Triptych sounded almost like Renegade by Styx if it has more classical instruments (vibraphone and bagpipes) that was rearranged and the vocals were all changed.
I think songs individually would all get a 3-4 if they weren't in an album. I'd even consider a 5 for a couple. The album as a whole gets a 3.
Blur
5/5
Each song here on its own, except for Song 2, would get about a 3-4 on its own. This album is a great example of an album being more than the sun of its parts. The album avoids repetition while feeling cohesive. I didn't get bored listening to it, but it also didn't feel like too much. The parts worked together well and I think it deserves a 5.
Arctic Monkeys
4/5
Not a single bad song here. They're all great. They're just all the same. I need more variety than this.
Bob Marley & The Wailers
4/5
This album is a vibe, but it's too slow to make it in my playlists. Enjoyable listen, just not for me.
Anita Baker
4/5
Anita has a beautiful voice that is well supported by the backing instrumentals. I wouldn't choose to listen to this because it doesn't fit the vibe of music that I listen to, but I'm not disappointed in the slightest. The album felt short, it didn't drag on longer than it needed to. I couldn't be happier.
Jurassic 5
2/5
The vibes of this album were interesting. Going for the vibe of a radio station was unique, but it fit the album well. Musically, it was a pretty standard hip hop album. I appreciate getting a hip hop album once in a while so I can see what I'm missing, but I don't think I'll ever choose to listen to it.
The Cult
3/5
The most generic 80s rock album imaginable.
Stevie Wonder
3/5
I've never seriously listened to Stevie Wonder. I've been missing out.
Obviously, I've heard a few of these songs before. I definitely recognized Sir Duke.
I don't think many artists could get away with having both jazz and a string orchestra backing them in the same album, but it works here. It still felt cohesive even though some tracks were clearly more serious and others more casual and fun.
At least, that's what I thought through the first 45 minutes. The last hour was boring and sporadic, a combination I didn't know was possible. It was all over the place and didn't make much sense. I appreciated a couple songs, but most should have been left off the album. It could have been so much better, but he overdid it.
Pixies
1/5
Interesting listen. I wouldn't listen to this again. Fuck this album.
Nirvana
5/5
As a child, I rarely listened to rock music. The majority of what I listened to was a combination of whatever new pop music was popular that year on the radio and 80s pop that my mom listened to. I didn't even have an iPod or MP3 player, so I kinda had to listen to whatever.
In my adult life, rock and metal have become the foundations of what I listen to. Nevermind was one of the first albums that helped shape what I would listen to.
What an epic album. Each song is distinct, yet it all works together in the album so well. I couldn't compare this to Pink Floyd by any means, but those albums are on another level. Cobain's voice works so well for the grungy rock style. The guitar riffs are simple enough to be catchy while hard enough to support everything else. The percussion really ties it all together and gives it a strong backbone.
Territorial Pissings was my least favorite track during this listen, but I'll give it another chance. There wasn't a bad song on the album. And how could I pick a favorite?
This was fine. Nothing to write home about. Nothing to love, nothing to hate.
Thelonious Monk
2/5
The vibes are fine, just not for me. I don't know why anyone would choose to listen to jazz in 2025, but if they do, good for them.
All jazz sounds about the same to me. There might be some interesting rhythms, but it's all the same to me and it all puts me to sleep.
Deep Purple
4/5
Deep Purple is a band that I've always wanted to get into, but I just haven't been exposed to their stuff enough to add it to a playlist.
Parts of the album reminded me of Ozzy Osbourne's music, others were much more mellow while still being upbeat metal.
Solid album, I'll come back to a few songs. I like an album with strong vocals, and this was a little too heavy on just instrumentals with some incoherent screams, but it was fun.
Bob Dylan
2/5
Bob Dylan is one of those names that I've heard of a few times, but I am fortunate to have never been cursed with actually listening to his music until today. Most other albums at least give me a reason to listen to them. Why would I listen to this?
Working as a police dispatcher, often times we are given information by callers that yields nothing. It's completely useless, even if it seems like it might be important when it's given to us. I was looking forward to a good album, but like so many of our complainants at work, it turned out to be the biggest disappointment of my day. And I worked with the local SWAT team on the most boring warrant service that they've seen in a long time.
Steely Dan
5/5
I love this album. It combines the best part of jazz with the best parts of disco. I don't listen to either of those albums, but it sounds like relaxing NPC music with Earth, Wind, and Fire vocals.
I'll need to give this one another listen to really understand the musicality, but it was a great listen.
Kings of Leon
3/5
Album was fine. Vocals were garbage. The band has more potential that they didn't meet.
Muddy Waters
1/5
I did not like this album. Perhaps it is the recording technology of the time, but the timing for all the instruments seems off. It felt like a bunch of different instruments were competing for attention with the vocalist, and it just sounded like a dumpster fire. I didn't hate anything individually, it just didn't work for what it is. Maybe a remastered version with modern tech would be more enjoyable.
Hüsker Dü
1/5
Below average rock album. Nothing interesting musically. I would have given it a 2, but over an hour of this is just begging for a 1. This is not one of the 1001 albums I needed to listen to before I died, although it might have given me less time on this floating space rock to get through the rest of the list.
T. Rex
4/5
Wonderful album. Very simple melodies, but it was so catchy and easy to sing along to. I can't believe I haven't heard of T Rex before, but I will be listening to more of their music.
Funkadelic
3/5
I'm not sure how I feel about this album. I enjoyed it, but I can't seem to articulate why. I don't plan to listen again, but it was a nice listen.
Shuggie Otis
2/5
Not bad, just not good either.
Johnny Cash
5/5
When I saw a Johnny Cash album, this was the last thing I expected. Cash is one of the few American folk/country singers who I've ever liked, and this album is incredible. Such a dark album, full of raw emotion. My eyes got watery a couple times.
Starting off with the darkest themes of the Christian Bible, the album is led with themes of the second coming, where everyone is either brought up to heaven or decimated. It's like a mass genocide of all the non-Christians. WWII? I can't say that too loud, otherwise ICE will probably have me in a Salvadorian prison sharing a cell with 50 other guys in minutes. (also no offense to anyone who practices Christianity, I was once very religious myself. I get it.) The album further goes to themes of pain and death from there.
From there, after realizing that Jesus exists, it takes a violent turn, but the violence seems to be shameless. After this, we go into more somber music once again.
There was a lot to like in this album. The lyrics about the Queen of diamonds and the Queen of hearts was one of the best country lyrics I've ever heard, although that is a low bar to clear.
Cash knew that this would be the his that would be released during his lifetime. He wrote about the things that mattered to him. He seems to have been grieving himself and his own death through it. What an album to end on.
The White Stripes
4/5
From a first listen, it is clear that this album has been very influential. Bands like The Black Keys, Mumford and Sons, and others have taken inspiration from this album. I didn't dislike any single track, and while the album felt somewhat repetitive, each track added to the album as a whole.
I really wanted to give this a 5, but it was a little too repetitive for such a rating. 4/5.
Prince
2/5
A couple of songs were amazing. The rest were lousy. The album is too long. I don't remember everything because it was so long.
Radiohead
3/5
Again, there were good songs. There weren't many, but there were a few good ones. Most of the album was boring. I almost fell asleep driving home from work listening to it.
The Damned
3/5
I enjoyed the album, but it wasn't unique. Pretty generic British rock. I have nothing against British rock, but there's nothing special about this album.
Jefferson Airplane
3/5
Generic rock album with better variety than many have. Going from a melancholic song to a more jovial one multiple times, it kept me engaged. The music wasn't anything too crazy, but the album was put together well.
Van Halen
5/5
Jump and Panama are classics. The other tracks aren't quite as good, but they're not bad either. Would Lauren again.
Slade
2/5
This album was fine. Clearly took inspiration from my least favorite elements of 60s rock and roll and added harsh vocals over it. I don't have anything against harsh vocals, but this wasn't it. There were a couple of good songs, but I disliked about 80% of the album.
Wilco
4/5
Over the past week, we've gotten a lot of boring rich music. I liked this one better for no articulable reason. Still more boring rock.
Common
3/5
I never thought I would say this about a hip hop album, but if it were just the first 5 tracks, this album would get a 5/5 rating.
Those first 5 tracks all hit different. I was really feeling it. The rest of the album didn't come anywhere close to that bar.
Ian Dury
2/5
I didn't like this album. I'm not sure why I didn't like it, I just didn't.
The Boo Radleys
1/5
Another boring shoegaze album. I don't think I'll ever understand shoegaze.
Rage Against The Machine
5/5
Rage Against the Machine is such a unique band that I wasn't entirely sure what I would think. I've heard many songs from this album before (Killing in the Name and Know your Enemy, for two), but I've found even albums that I know some music from have let me down.
RATM lands at the convergence of rap and metal: two genres that occasionally overlap, but never quite like this. Zack has a contagious energy, even when he isn't always going for a specific pitch, and the rest of the band went on to become Audioslave backing up Chris Cornell. The music is all full of grit, and the band perfectly performs as a whole band, not individual musicians. For the message the band is sending, this music style is very effective. While the music is a bit repetitive, each song feels like something different than the last.
Fats Domino
3/5
Another album that I couldn't get into. Nothing to hate I guess.
Janet Jackson
3/5
This album left me with questions. Felt like a combination of a generic 80s pop album (my mom probably lives this stuff) with Disney channel music, with just a splash of the Rob Zombie style that we listened to last week. I'm not sure what I think, but it isn't for me. Not upset about it either, though.
LTJ Bukem
1/5
Not today, Satan!
Buena Vista Social Club
3/5
I loved this album. It felt nostalgic to my time in Latin America. I appreciated how every track felt different from the last. My biggest complaint is that every track was too long. Rather than leaving me wanted more, I would wish it were over a couple minutes before the end because of how repetitive each song was. Maybe it's the Gen Z brain and I just needed done Subway Surfer's. I really want to rate this higher, but I can't quite find the justification for it.
Fatboy Slim
2/5
Not my thing
The Clash
4/5
The first few songs were great, the last few seemed kinda boring. I've definitely heard a few songs before. The music was good overall. I'm too tired to say more.
ZZ Top
4/5
The best kind of weird
M.I.A.
2/5
The worst kind of weird, but not quite
The Byrds
3/5
Nothing wrong with the music. Felt like a ripoff of The Beatles, The Beach Boys, and CCR. Just a boring album.
Shack
2/5
The album isn't bad, but it's trying to be sometime that it isn't. The result is a really messy album. Vocal melodies are very basic which is probably for the best because the vocalist can barely perform them well as they are.
Bruce Springsteen
2/5
This album clearly is trying to be tragic. Seems to be going for the same idea as American IV by Johnny Cash. The only sad aspect of this album is how bad it is. There are worse albums, but I felt nothing listening to this. I was just bored and tired of the flat, breathy vocals and slow instrumentals.
Orbital
1/5
I was born at a young age. Then, after a bunch of childhood trauma that won't be discussed in this review, I became an adult man. Through my childhood (and since), I have built mental fortitude the likes of which are rarely seen upon this ball of rock, water, and living things. Nothing could have prepared me for the experience that this album is.
You are getting off a busy night at work. It has been a long night. You work at a 911 dispatch center. You are exhausted from many difficult calls including an addiction, a sewer explosion, and a car driving down the street on fire along others. You have something to look forward to: a great album that makes you happy and gets you out of the rut that your mind is in.
where time becomes a loop where time becomes a loop where time becomes a loop where time becomes a loop where time becomes a loop where time becomes a loop where time becomes a loop where time becomes a loop
Needless to say, not even I could muster the strength to complete such a task. The RNG gods who have cursed me with such blasphemy shall tremble when I defeat them. I must train for that glorious day. They serve no purpose but to mock me, and for this they shall receive their recompense. They may have won the battle, but the war has just begun.
TLC
2/5
I disliked this more than the other hip hop albums we've gotten so far. I don't know why. My best theory is that musically, the others have at least been interesting that this was really dull to me.
Led Zeppelin
5/5
How could I rate this any lower? Plant's vocals are delivered incredibly and they're supported by some insane guitar and bass lines. Even Moby Dick, the instrumental track, has a legendary riff that many classic rock enjoyers will recognize even if they don't know the song. I'm gonna stop before I glaze this album so hard I glaze all over myself.
4/5
The album was good, but I think it's overrated. It's a fun album with good music, but I don't have any desire to listen again.
Jethro Tull
2/5
Meh
The Electric Prunes
2/5
I didn't like this one. There was just nothing to like.
George Harrison
3/5
Fine album, but again I couldn't get into it.
The Monkees
3/5
I didn't really care for this album at all.
Animal Collective
3/5
Just a worse version of MGMT. A couple things were musically interesting, but nothing I plan to listen to frequently.
The Prodigy
2/5
Couple good songs. Turns into repetitive slop. I might come back to a couple songs, but I'll never listen to the full album again.
Korn
4/5
This was a good album. Freak on a Leash was the only song I really knew from the album, although I'm sure I've heard others. My expectations were higher and it kind of let me down. Also, it's a little too long. Davis's vocals are impressive and show real talent despite not really hitting notes ever. Everything feels intentional, which is something I will always appreciate.
Lucinda Williams
1/5
I hated this. I found nothing to like.
Simon & Garfunkel
4/5
This isn't an album that I would normally listen to on my own. With that said, I was surprised by the amount of variety in this album. I believe that Bridge Over Troubled Waters and The Sound of Silence are the only two Simon & Garfunkel songs that I've heard before, so hearing this album was a welcome surprise.
Merle Haggard
2/5
This was bad. I didn't like it.
4/5
I saw this album and wasn't expecting to enjoy it this much. My expectations were fast exceeded.
I needed to go for a drive because I'm a human who drives places when I need to. I certainly wasn't expecting the first snow of the season, but that's what I got. I'm the kind of person who celebrates Christmas, but only the week of. I refuse to listen to Christmas music until about December 20th. This album set a similar tone to familiar Christmas music, nostalgic of snowy drives as a child.
Musically, this album isn't that interesting, but it's fine for a country album of its age.
Earth, Wind & Fire
4/5
Cruising down I15 about 10 over the speed limit blasting this shit. Roads are a little icy, but not that bad. Car in front of me going 7 over is camping the left lane. I ignore him and just keep maintaining my speed and lane and let him safely move out of the way. The car happens to be the same color, make, and model as what my boss drives. I think nothing of it.
30 seconds later, boss man texts me "What are you doing up so early?"
Honestly, this is such a vibe that I didn't even notice that my boss was ahead of me. Would I have changed anything? Probably not. If anything I would have been more aggressive. But how could I drive aggressively listening to this?
The music reminded me a lot of Catch A Fire, but somehow had both more upbeat and slower songs. The album still felt cohesive. Such a good album.
Leonard Cohen
2/5
Nothing to say that Evan didn't already say
Arcade Fire
3/5
I honestly remembered liking Arcade Fire better in the other album we listened to. It was fine, but not my favorite.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
2/5
I don't see the appeal to Elvis Costello. This album sucks.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
5/5
I don't even need to say anything here. The music speaks for itself.
4/5
Not my favorite album, but it's solid!
Grateful Dead
2/5
I don't get why I needed to listen to this. I didn't like it.
Parliament
3/5
I was excited for this album. What a letdown. The album wasn't bad, but it wasn't memorable. I only remember my rating, not even what I had to say about it.
Joanna Newsom
3/5
I definitely see the talent here. I don't mind some slower paced music with a simple vocal line over some strings, but I wouldn't choose to listen to this again.
The Temptations
3/5
Nothing wrong with this. It just wasn't memorable for me.
Frank Sinatra
5/5
This album reminded me why I don't listen to 50s music. It's because nothing compares to Sinatra. Everything is on point. The album is somewhat repetitive and I don't think that's an issue.
Lauryn Hill
2/5
The generator was cruel with this one. I didn't like her voice or at least the vocal techniques that she used. The hip hop beat behind her was one of the most generic I've ever heard. Waste of my time.
Bon Jovi
4/5
Great album. Nothing more to really say.
Randy Newman
4/5
Nice album.
LCD Soundsystem
2/5
I listened to this song with an ear infection, so I might be judging too harshly. This is just wrong. The dance beat for an apparent rock album just doesn't fit and doesn't sound good. I didn't like this.
Venom
3/5
I had higher hopes. The album was kind of just boring.
Iron Maiden
4/5
I've liked the Iron Maiden music that I've heard, this was a letdown. Maybe my expectations were too high and just not met. Would have been 3 stars, but the incredible vocals land me at a 4.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
2/5
I've had enough Elvis Costello with just 2 albums. Please make it stop.
Louis Prima
3/5
I actually didn't hate it like I thought I would.
Stephen Stills
2/5
Nothing memorable about this. NPC music. At least that's the only bad thing I can say about it, I guess.
The Chemical Brothers
2/5
Another mid tier electronic album. Left me in a state of despair. I found it mildly annoying and unlikable.
Jimmy Smith
2/5
I read some reviews for this before I listened. I expected something good. What I got was an album too dull to echo through the empty aisles at the local Hobby Lobby. My chicken scratch is taking this one back to the drawing board.
The Rolling Stones
3/5
The album was fine, nothing more. I knew 1-2 songs from the album already, but I was surprised by how dull the music was, especially considering they were pretty far into their career at this point.
The Saints
3/5
Solid album, not for me.
Various Artists
2/5
I'm getting crucified for this one. Here goes nothing.
My problem with most Christmas music is that it all sounds the same and the same 15 songs are played eternally for 1-3 months (depending on the person) every year. I find most of it completely insufferable, and most of this is the same. When I listen to it, I usually listen to more of the niche stuff (Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Mannheim Steamroller, even Christmas Truce by Sabaton). None of this corporate pop crap that gives me homicidal ideations.
The music itself is fine, and I know a lot of the most overplayed Christmas music is inspired by this album specifically. What I look for in my holiday music is anything that helps me appreciate everything that I have in life and remind me to help others enjoy the holiday as much as I do.
Musically, this album is fine. There's nothing inherently wrong with it. Practically, this album just reflects the ideals that have taken over the Western Christmas season: commercialization, always wanting more than you have. I'm perfectly content enjoying what I have and spending time with the most important people in my life.
Dire Straits
4/5
Mostly solid album with a couple duds.
Pulp
4/5
Could have been 5 stars if the vocals were cleaner. The instrumentals and overall vibe were on point and unlike just about anytime else.
PJ Harvey
3/5
Interesting. That's all I've got.
The Temptations
4/5
I actually enjoyed this one. Fun album.
3/5
Music was fine. Vocals were irritating. I'm feeling generous.
Johnny Cash
4/5
Live albums have always been a challenge for me. I've always wanted to appreciate them for what they are, but I've struggled to put myself in the right place. I've never been to prison, never even spent the night in jail. With that said, my goal was to put myself in the right place to listen to this. I imagine the only proper place to be is in passion in the 1960s.
To get into prison back then would likely take a more serious offense than today. Law enforcement didn't have as many resources at their disposal to track lower level crimes. Likely the charges would have been violent in nature. With forensics at a more basic level, I might have even been charged with a crime that I didn't commit. Regardless, I imagine music would have been a rare sound to hear and live music completely non-existent.
This must have been an incredible experience. I'm not going to comment on the musicality or lyrics here, but I imagine everyone who was at the prison remembered this until the day they died. Maybe even during the last 25 minutes.
N.E.R.D
3/5
I felt like this album tried to be a lot of things and really wasn't anything. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't good either.
Kendrick Lamar
1/5
2010s rap wasn't it. The whole genre was hot garbage and this is no different. Nostalgic? Sure. Good music that I'd ever listen to of my own free will? Nope.
The Modern Lovers
2/5
Really just a worse version of Dire Straits that isn't even catchy.
Deerhunter
2/5
My first impression of the album (the cover) was about as good as the album. I hated this. Shoegaze is an interesting genre, but it's hard to do right. This is a wonderful example of how to do it wrong.
Bill Evans Trio
3/5
Jazz never has and never will be for me.
Sam Cooke
3/5
Music was fine, just really boring.
Joni Mitchell
4/5
I'm really torn on how to rate this album. Joni clearly has unmatched talent, perfectly hitting every note for some complex melodies. Even many trained singers couldn't dream of anything close. On the other hand, the complex melodies don't really serve much of a point and seem completely disjointed from the rest of the music. It's one of those albums that I'm glad I listened to once and might listen again attempting to understand the music but not for leisure. I have no idea what to do with this.
Alice Cooper
4/5
Far from my perfect rock album, but that's part of why I enjoyed it so much. It isn't what I normally listen to, but I definitely could put a few songs on my playlists.
Green Day
5/5
This is one of the albums of all time. Obviously. I feel this album embodies what all punk wants to be.
Regardless of my political opinions, this album has a very rebellious spirit. Whether that means rebelling against the government, parents, societal norms, or literally anything else, you can really feel it here.
Armstrong's vocal delivery is incredible, as is the entire band. Cool's percussion is perfect and he knows exactly when to come in and when to let others shine. Musically, I have no critiques. Even the piano in the background is an interesting choice on tracks like Jesus of Suburbia, but it adds a lot with just a few notes.
And I couldn't talk about this album without mentioning how Jesus of Suburbia is as close to a modernized punk version of Bohemian Rhapsody that we have. The song is a lot more than an incredible music performance for when you have just enough quarters for 1 last song on the jukebox. It's a punk anthem that keeps you on your toes your first time listening and is as incredible as the first listen with every subsequent listen.
k.d. lang
3/5
I was worried when I saw this one. I had nothing to be worried about. It isn't anything exciting or novel. Just a respectable Canadian country album. I normally dislike country and I didn't hate this, so they did something right. I couldn't tell you what that is if I tried.
Todd Rundgren
4/5
I have no idea what this was, but I'm here for it. Will I get the pleasure of listening to this gem again? Probably not, but I'm glad I listened to it once.
Metallica
5/5
If I was eating the music, this would be a solid 4. It's good, but I don't know about 5 good. With that said, this is arguably the most influential album in metal history. The talent is there and it shows a side of metal that was well ahead of its time.
Laura Nyro
3/5
There's talent here, just not for me. I respect it but won't listen again.
Cee Lo Green
3/5
This was fine. I guess. I've heard worse.
Public Enemy
2/5
I don't think this electronic hip hop style will ever be for me. At least I hope not.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
3/5
Give me a better album. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers made a lot of good music and this wasn't it.
The Lemonheads
2/5
Every song on this album was the same. I don't get why this needed a full album. That 1 song wasn't bad, but I was hoping for something more than that.
The Incredible String Band
2/5
Yeah, this is boring. I didn't need to listen to this.
Soundgarden
5/5
Realistically, this is a 4 star album. I'm giving it 5 because it's Chris Cornell's only album here and he is a beast.
Queen Latifah
2/5
Hip hop has never been my thing. I don't see anything redeeming here. I'm sure someone who understands the music and culture better has better commentary, but I really don't.
Wilco
2/5
Dreadful album. There I can appreciate when an album uses certain techniques, such as dissonance, in interesting ways that help you get into the music or create tension, but here it just feels like bad songwriting. I hated every second of this, which might have been the goal.
Can we also mention how crazy this album cover is for an album that was released a week after 9/11?
Fever Ray
2/5
A coworker heard I was going to listen to this today. I was assured that I would like it. Unfortunately that was wrong. I didn't find anything likeable here.
Rufus Wainwright
1/5
Truly painful to listen to from the first moment. The definition of "get this out of my ears".
Fugazi
3/5
A couple good songs. A couple that I wish I hadn't heard. Overall, pretty mid tbh.
Depeche Mode
3/5
Album was fine.
Massive Attack
2/5
hot garbage
The Pharcyde
3/5
I didn't dislike this as much as most hip hop albums here. It was about twice as long as it needed to be.
Big Star
2/5
I was hoping for better. I knew this would be outside of my comfort zone, but I just couldn't stand it. Not sure why. Maybe another listen would help, I'm not sure.
Beastie Boys
3/5
Not really my thing. I didn't hate it though.
The White Stripes
4/5
This album is great. You get the old school rock thing that almost sounds like a less manufactured version of a Twenty One Pilots album. I can't believe I've never heard this before. It's imperfect, but that's a good thing. I hate the corporate manufactured crap that seems to be the only thing being released nowadays. Get me more of this.
I think my favorite part of the album was the vocals. They're gritty and they sound great. Even when Jack goes for a high note, he doesn't try to blend his chest voice and head voice. Instead, he just goes for it. It isn't a sound that is normally considered good technique, but it works so well for what this album is trying to be.
Marvin Gaye
3/5
not bad, just not good either
David Bowie
3/5
The album started of strong but couldn't keep up with itself. Couple good songs followed by a bunch of stinkers.
Screaming Trees
3/5
It was ok I guess.
Scott Walker
3/5
First song got me excited. Next one lost my interest. There were good songs and there were songs. Too many albums set the bar way too high with the first track. This is one of them.
Baaba Maal
3/5
Not that bad. Just not really good either. I'm glad I listened but won't be listening again.
Talking Heads
2/5
Couple songs weren't that bad, but I didn't like this one.
John Martyn
2/5
I felt gross listening to this.
Laibach
1/5
Give me 80s industrial rock fever dream for 300. I don't remember any Benadryl being in my recent past but the hat man got me here.
The Police
3/5
I saw this album and was excited. It was a little bit of a letdown. Several solid songs were on the album, but the album as a whole just felt lacking.
The Specials
2/5
I really wanted to like this one. There were a couple cool songs, but the album just wasn't that good.
Paul Simon
4/5
Good music, but the album didn't feel cohesive.
The La's
3/5
Boring album. Nothing I couldn't get elsewhere.
Dusty Springfield
3/5
Pretty standard for music of the era. Nothing I couldn't have died without hearing.
Small Faces
4/5
Weird but at least not boring.
Radiohead
4/5
I'm not sure how to rate this. The whole album seemed to ride the line between music and noise. There's some talent, but it's definitely overrated.
A Tribe Called Quest
3/5
Not as bad as I expected, I guess.
Kid Rock
1/5
As a 911 dispatcher, I once had a lady put the phone on speaker and proceed to have the most violent diarrhea imaginable without any warning. I would rather listen to that.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
5/5
This is probably the coolest album that I've found here that I wouldn't have known about without listening to these. One never heard of Nick Cave, much less The Bad Seeds, but I'm glad I have now. To show you can sing and tell a compelling story all within one album is impressive. I saw someone said this album is badly sung, but Nick shows us he can sing well. Choosing to not be right on pitch on several tracks is clearly an intentional choice and, I believe, one that adds to the album.
The Chemical Brothers
2/5
At least it wasn't Kid Rock again.
Nick Drake
3/5
I listened this morning and don't remember anything about the album. Nothing to hate, nothing to love, nothing to remember.
Isaac Hayes
3/5
Interesting listen I guess. I don't think I'll come back to this one.
Keith Jarrett
3/5
Hearing the backstory of this album is cool, but nothing else about it is. I personally know several pianists and, as far as I, someone with only basic piano training, can tell, this isn't that special. I'm sure more experienced pianists would find this amazing, but I found it boring.
Jack White
4/5
I didn't realize Jack White had a solo career besides being in The White Stripes. I was blown away.
UB40
3/5
Not as bad as I expected, I guess
Tears For Fears
1/5
I don't get why everyone likes this garbage so much. Annoying vocals over synths and a drum machine. This is the kind of music my mom likes. This album was a traumatic experience for me. Realistically it's a 2 but I'm a man of principles.
Slipknot
4/5
Never listened to a full Slipknot album. Most songs were great. There was a lot of musical creativity that isn't even seen from many other metal artists. Easy album to like.
The Band
3/5
It was fine.
Iggy Pop
2/5
If I told you (whoever you are) to give me the most generic, soulless 70s rock album, this is exactly what I would expect.
Deep Purple
3/5
Smoke on the Water is an iconic song that will live on through history. The rest is kinda boring.
Stevie Wonder
3/5
This album was fine. I couldn't find much to hate, but I couldn't find anything to like either. Just background music for me.
Thin Lizzy
4/5
This might be my favorite live album we've gotten so far. The only song that I recognized was The Boys are Back in Town, which sounded alarmingly similar to the studio version that I'm familiar with, which makes me think the concert itself would have been boring but the record turned out alright.
Buzzcocks
3/5
This felt like they were trying to imitate the work of others, notably Pink Floyd. If that was the goal, it didn't do well. I found the vocals too bright and annoying. That vocal style works great in some music styles, but didn't work for me here. Might be worth revisiting, but this one wasn't my favorite.
Drive Like Jehu
3/5
This would have been good if the singer knew how to keep a beat.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
2/5
I've never liked the electronic crap in music.
SAULT
1/5
The album cover pulled me in. Every other aspect pushed me away.
Hugh Masekela
2/5
I've never really liked Jazz much. This album was as much of a disappointment as I expected.
Janis Joplin
5/5
I had my doubts going in, but Janis blew me away. She has a versatile voice and knows how to use it. The instrumentals were fine too and provided a nice backdrop for her voice to fill.
The Mamas & The Papas
3/5
Boring.
Weather Report
4/5
The only jazz album I've listened to that sounded like more than just background music.
Pearl Jam
4/5
Great album, lots of bangers.
Electric Light Orchestra
5/5
Wonderful album
Blue Cheer
2/5
Boring rock album.
Lenny Kravitz
3/5
Not a bad album, just not that good either. Feels like an early attempt at grunge and other styles of rock that Lenny didn't quite get right.
Songhoy Blues
3/5
Holy shit, this is a cool album. The guitar is insane. I didn't expect more traditional African style vocals to work so well with rock music. This is a true gem that I would have never listened to if not for the generator.
Buddy Holly & The Crickets
3/5
It was alright. I'm too young to have heard this and not heard newer music and this doesn't seem like anything special to me. I'm sure it was cool 50+ years ago, though.
Lambchop
3/5
meh
Pixies
3/5
There are a few good songs from them. None of them are on this album.
Guns N' Roses
5/5
One of the greatest rock albums of all time.
Robert Wyatt
2/5
nope
De La Soul
2/5
I don't smoke weed. Maybe if I did then this would be alright.
Rush
5/5
Maybe it's the Canadian in me yearning for my homeland. Maybe it's the old soul in me who was born 2 decades too late. I've never been close to my dad, but this was one of 3 albums I remember him playing in the car when driving me to and from school (the other 2 being Dark Side of the Moon and Beggar on a Beach of Gold by Mike & The Mechanics). One thing that I realize now is that although he was wrong about so many other things in life, he had great music taste.
Nowadays, synths are used too often to replace instruments. Pink Floyd led a movement using synthesizers to complement their instrumentals to lay the groundworks for the vocals. Rush took that a step farther. They don't let the synths outshine the guitar and the drums. They use it to tie everything together and fill space that would otherwise be empty.
I wouldn't be able to talk about this album without talking about Geddy Lee's incredible vocals. That man can sing.
I don't remember my parents ever getting along. I can't think of one thing other than objective fact that they agree on. One thing is for sure, my dad has the better taste in music.
Roxy Music
3/5
Meh
Queen
4/5
Decent album with a lot more variety than I expected. I think Queen has better music than a lot of this, but it's solid.
John Lennon
3/5
There are a couple good songs here, but the rest of the album is a letdown.
Solomon Burke
4/5
I enjoyed this one.
Stephen Stills
3/5
It was fine I guess
Aerosmith
5/5
I love this album. Probably my favorite Aerosmith album to date.
The White Stripes
5/5
Great album with way more variety than I expected.
The Byrds
3/5
Give me generic inoffensive 60s country album for 200. Had I been born 30 years earlier and grown up 5 miles farther west than I did, I might have grown up listening to this. That's a reality I'm not upset didn't happen.
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
5/5
This is a hard album to not like. Some of the lyrics are thought out well and go deeper than other music of the period did. Without being too familiar with salsa, I'm seeing some clear inspiration taken by Bad Bunny and other more modern Latin musicians from this album.
The Doors
4/5
Good album, just not as good as other rock music from the same era.
Nine Inch Nails
4/5
This is a tough album for me to rate. As someone whose favorite band right now is SOAD, I expected to start listening and love what I was hearing. What I got was a very noisy first track that I had no idea what was going on. Other tracks were easier to listen to sonically, but the entire album felt abrasive. Maybe I would enjoy this more on another listen, but I'm not sure.
With that said, I like to consider the experience that a band was trying to create for a listener as much as the music itself. The Downward Spiral is an experience unlike any I've had with any other album I've heard on the list. As someone who often works with people in various stages of the spiral professionally (from just starting to feel depressed to someone who has ended their own life), I think this album helped me understand these difficult topics to address in a different light than I have before.
I think having a difficult album to listen to is helpful when addressing mental health issues. I thought they tackled this in a way that was respectful and acknowledged the problems without glorifying suicide. I feel I can be a more compassionate person after hearing this.
2/5 for how much I like the music
5/5 experience listening
Tom Waits
3/5
I somehow didn't hate this, but it wasn't an enjoyable listen either.
U2
3/5
There's something unsettling about this album for me. At first I thought it was something with the percussion, but I think it's more the way the percussion interacts with the rest of the music. It's alright, but I would never choose to listen to this over other music.